Drew Dowdell

I would just like to point out that the CTS coupe was, in fact, sold for the 2014 model year. I'm sure it was a negligible percent of the pie, but still... Limited production year and mostly special edition V-series.

weeeelll... the LFX has only been around since 2012. It is so different from the prior LLT that it is basically all new. It just shares a displacement. The Mercedes 3.5 liter V6 with direct injection came out in 2012, and they are phasing it out now for the 3.0 bi-turbo V6, which itself will be replaced in 2017 by the new inline engines. So things can change fast. The market has moved to boosted sixes, Cadillac needs a 350 hp/torque V6 with an 8 speed. Cadillac has two boosted 6es..

Buick today posted a picture of their display for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that begins next week. If you look closely at the picture, you can clearly see a convertible suspended from a large ribbon like structure over top of the rest of the cars on the floor and it looks a lot like the Opel Cascada. Speculation has run rampant about the possibility of Buick introducing the Cascada to the US for a while now. In fact, we even sent Buick our take on the Cascada during our Buick Week feature back in 2012. The Opel Cascada was unveiled in October 2012. It is a 2 by 2 convertible that can raise or retract its top in 17 seconds and while moving at speeds up to about 30 mph. As an Opel, the Cascada is available in a 1.4T gasoline, a 1.6T gasoline, and a 2.0T diesel. It is unlikely that the diesel will be making an appearance in the US, but both other engines should be considered a possibility. Buick doesn't have a press conference scheduled during the actual show days, but there is a pre-show event being held on Sunday, January 11th that the CheersandGears.com crew has been invited to, so keep it tuned here for more updates and releases as we get them. You can sign up to follow all the stories from Detroit here, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Source: Buick's Facebook Page and CheersandGears.com View full article

They have Pontiac 6000s on your side of the globe?

No, in this case it is the lifted ride height too

Ecotec? No, it isn't part of that. It's best if you think in engine codes LY7 = original 3.6 LLT = original 3.6 + direct injection LFX = Mostly new 3.6 with direct injection LF3 = LFX plus turbo-charging and other enhancements LF4 = LF3 plus more boost and other enhancements

weeeelll... the LFX has only been around since 2012. It is so different from the prior LLT that it is basically all new. It just shares a displacement.

... so basically the V6... which is a bit of a tweener in terms of power.

... in a different life...

I'm with Drew. I'm very excited for the S60 CC. My first thought of seeing it was the Legacy SUS from 98 or 99, which I was also a big fan. Albert has already approved of it on my Facebook post.

On my encore, it will throw an error on the DIC for something like that... I've noticed that when it is super super cold (like right now), the drivers door switch will stick a little bit and the car thinks the door is closed when it is actually open.

I think the price cuts are unnecessary. A 3.8% drop in volume when prices increased about $10k and there is no coupe anymore which was 30% of sales of the old model..... that's a smashing success actually.

Toyota is updating their best selling compact pickup, the Tacoma, to meet strong new competition. Toyota released a few pictures today of the upcoming 2016 Toyota Tacoma. No details have yet been released on power and specifications. The Tacoma has been updated to more closely resemble it's bigger brother the Tundra. We do know that 4-cylinder and V6 engines will be available, but we do not know yet if they will be carry overs from the current model. Full details on the 2016 Tacoma will be revealed on January 12, 2015 at 12:50 pm at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. We will be on hand to bring you pictures and details from the show floor. You can sign up to follow all the stories from Detroit here, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Source: Toyota Media View full article

I really like it. I was rather enamored with the V60 Cross Country at the LA Show, but a wagon would be a hard sell at home (I can get him to agree to a CTS Wagon only grudgingly). A loaded Legacy Outback Sedan was actually in competition with the CTS back in 2004 when I bought that.

The words "bold" and "Volvo" don't normally go together, but when an auto maker effectively starts a new segment, you have to call the move bold regardless of its eventual success. Ahead of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week, Volvo took the wraps off the S60 Cross Country. What is bold about it? Well, it is a crossover luxury sedan. The wagon version, the V60 Cross Country, was revealed in November 2014 at the LA Auto Show. The S60 Cross Country effectively increases the luxury crossover sedan segment count from zero to one. The S60 CC takes the standard S60 and gives it a 2.5 inch lift in ride height and makes AWD standard in the US market. (In Europe and other select markets the S60 CC will be available in FWD). The Cross Country will launch with the familiar T5 engine, a 2.5 liter turbo-charged 5-cylinder producing 250 horsepower. Subaru tried a similar concept in the family car market, selling a sedan version of its popular Legacy Outback on and off from 1998 - 2007, but met with little success. In the luxury market however, every automaker is fighting to find its niche. Volvo going off the beaten path may be just their ticket to success. The Volvo S60 Cross Country will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show on January 12th, 2015 at 2:55pm eastern. We will be on hand to bring you more updates from the show floor. You can sign up to follow all the stories from Detroithere, or follow us onFacebook, Twitter, andGoogle+ Press release on page 2 Source: Volvo Media Volvo takes Cross Country brand into sedan territory Volvo Cars points to the future with the new S60 Cross Country A segment first from Volvo Cars Builds on a strong heritage of lifestyle-oriented products Volvo Cars is stepping up to meet the demands of its core customers with the unveiling of the exciting S60 Cross Country at the Detroit Auto Show. Back in 1997, when Volvo was the first premium brand to introduce an all-road capable variant of its successful wagons, no one could predict the future success of the crossover concept. Today, the crossover is ubiquitous and has helped to define a whole new category of lifestyle vehicle. Volvo is once again taking a bold step forward – this time in the luxury sedan segment – with the unveiling of the S60 Cross Country – the first premium sedan with the same level of capability and rugged design cues of the renowned Cross Country wagons. “We want to further explore the market with our Cross Country brand. We did this back in 1997 with the V70 Cross Country and it led to the birth of a whole new segment. We have included all the capability-driven benefits of the Cross Country brand in this new model, while offering a completely unique expression of adventure and all-road readiness in a distinctly sporty and stylish package,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars. Capable stance Like the recently introduced V60 Cross Country, the S60 Cross Country shares an increased ride height of 65mm (2.5 inches) and comes with the same capable All-Wheel Drive underpinnings of its sibling, making it the only truly capable and stylish all-road sedan crossover on the market. The S60 Cross Country will also be delivered with front-wheel drive in Europe and selected markets. “The S60 Cross Country is the sole contender in the luxury crossover sedan segment. We have identified a clear niche in the market for a more capable sedan with rugged styling cues and a higher stance. The S60 Cross Country will appeal to people that are searching for an exciting and capable sedan, whilst enjoying the clear benefits that a crossover offers,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. Reflecting Volvo’s legendary capability of nature and Scandinavian heritage, the S60 Cross Country offers both 18” and 19” wheels with high profile tires that add both comfort and all-road aesthetics, reduce road noise, and add increased wheel protection when needed for city or country. Delivering an involved and focused driving experience with rugged substance, this dynamic design brings a sporty and adventurous edge to the sedan. Powertrain The S60 Cross Country will launch with a powerful T5 All-Wheel Drive gasoline powertrain delivering up to 250 bhp* available in the US, Canada, Russia and Europe. The S60 Cross Country is expected to be available on a limited basis this summer. View full article