Tag Archives: Hybrids

2022 Toyota Avalon Drops AWD And TRD, Starts From $36,375 For Its Final Year

December 23, 2021 admin

The fifth-generation Avalon might have been introduced in 2018, but Toyota has confirmed that 2022 will mark the end of its production. Today, the automaker announced pricing for the 2022 MY alongside a few changes in the lineup.

The 2022 Toyota Avalon starts from $36,375 (excluding the $1,025 fee), making it $250 more expensive than last year’s model.

The full-size sedan is not available in AWD variants anymore, while the sporty TRD trim was also dropped from the range. The good news for prospective buyers is the addition of new safety features as standard, including the upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package (dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, etc), and the addition of a rear-seat reminder system.

Just like last year, the Avalon is available with gas and hybrid powertrains. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 301 hp (224 kW / 305 PS) and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm) of torque, mated to an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox that sends power to the front axle. The hybrid combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors producing a combined 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and comes with a fuel economy rating of 44 mpg combined.

The 2022 lineup includes six trim levels, including the XSE Nightshade Edition that is visually differentiated from the glossy black accents, the 19-inch wheels, and the rear diffuser. Inside, variants are differentiated with the base XLE featuring SofTex upholstery and “engineered wood” trim, the Limited coming with perforated leather and genuine wood sourced from Yamaha, and the Touring with perforated SofTex / Ultrasuede and aluminum trim.

In terms of equipment, the Limited and Touring come standard with a premium 14-speaker JBL Audio system, a 10-inch Head-up display, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen (Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / Amazon Alexa), a wireless charging pad, and a moonroof (also standard on the Nightshade, optional in XLE, XLE hybrid). The Touring is the sportiest of the bunch equipped with the electronically controlled Adaptive Variable Suspension system, and an extra driving mode (eco, normal, sport, sport+, custom)

2022 Toyota Avalon Pricing

Avalon XLE 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $36,375
Avalon XLE Hybrid 2.5-liter ECVT: $37,350
Avalon Limited 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $42,675
Avalon Limited Hybrid 2.5-liter ECVT: $43,650
Avalon XSE Hybrid Nightshade 2.5-liter ECVT: $40,700
Avalon Touring 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $43,075

*MSRP prices excluding delivery processing and handling fee of $1,025

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Jeep Wrangler 4xe Recalled Due To Bizarre Odometer Failure

December 23, 2021 admin

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid is being recalled due to an issue with the odometer.

The automaker has revealed that some Wrangler 4xe models are equipped with digital instrument cluster software that may prevent the odometer from displaying after it hits 13,342 miles or 21,437 km.

The issue took place between September 8, 2020 and September 13, 2021, when vehicles on the production line received a suspect software service update. Jeep fixed the issue with a new gauge cluster software version that was implemented into vehicle production but a total of 2,903 Wranglers are now involved in the recall and all of them are thought to have the issue.

A recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that if the odometer value is not displayed, owners may miss critical vehicle maintenance periods, increasing the likelihood of components failing due to a lack of maintenance, heightening the risk of a crash.

To fix the issue, the automaker will update the software on vehicles with less than 13,342 miles (21,473 km) on the clock while those vehicles that have already passed this figure will be fitted with new gauge clusters. It has also been confirmed that any owner that has had the gauge cluster replaced due to the issue will be reimbursed.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S. will begin notifying owners on or around January 28, 2022.

China’s Geely Reportedly Forming New JV With Renault, Could Allow Duty-Free Cars Into The U.S.

December 22, 2021 admin

Geely and Renault are rumored to be on the verge of announcing a new partnership. The two companies are reported to have been working on a joint venture since the beginning of the year, with the details finalized and an announcement imminent.

The venture will help create a new plug-in hybrid-focused automotive brand, reports Reuters. Chinese automaker, Geely, is expected to provide their CMA architecture that both Geely and Volvo currently use. Renault will focus its attention on design and marketing, focusing on the world’s largest car market — China.

A Chinese Re-entry For Renault, South Korean Lynk & Co For Geely

The deal will allow Renault to re-enter China, which it exited a year ago when a JV with Dongfeng was dissolved. It may also be a way for the French company to expand its presence throughout Asia, with particular attention paid to its South Korean assembly plant that has manufactured vehicles under Renault Samsung Motors. Renault has held an 80% stake in Samsung Motors since 2000 and is South Korea’s third-largest automaker.

Geely may be able to gain access to any number of Renault’s production facilities, but it’s thought that the Busan plant in southeastern South Korea is of particular interest. According to the report’s unnamed sources, Lynk & Co, a brand under Geely, may produce its 01 SUV locally, with other hybrid offerings from the brand being considered. These could be sold under the Renault Samsung name.

Geely’s Ticket To The U.S.

In addition to propping up Renault Samsung (whose sales have been waning) and gaining access to the Korean market, there’s another significant benefit for Geely.

By producing vehicles in South Korea, the Chinese company could very well gain a form of duty-free “backdoor entry” into the U.S. market. Sino-U.S. tensions have hurt trade for Chinese automakers trying to break into the second-biggest car market in the world. But the deal with Renault could open up the possibility of utilizing South Korea’s free-trade agreement with the United States to export its Lynk & Co vehicles.

As of yet, there is no solid indication of a time frame for an announcement. It also isn’t quite clear where this arrangement will fit in with the Renault-Nissan alliance.

Hyundai Enhancing 2022 Tucson With New N Line And Plug-in Hybrid Models

March 17, 2021 admin

The 2022 U.S.-spec Tucson N Line and Plug-in Hybrid have finally been revealed. The N Line package offers sexy looks while the efficient plug-in hybrid model offers surprising performance.

The N Line tweaks the Tucson’s appearance to make it look a little more aggressive. Adorned with special bumpers, a new grille, black headlights bezels, black side mirrors, dual-tip exhausts, and a rear spoiler, the N Line Tucson certainly looks sportier.

The new 19-inch, N Line-exclusive wheels help round out the look and N Line badging ensures people know what they’re looking at. It can be had in Ash Black, White Pearl, Titan Gray, and Red Crimson, which is only available with this trim package.

Inside, you get a black headliner and red accents on the doors and seats. Speaking of the seats, they come in leather with fabric inserts with the N Line badge. The badge also finds its way onto the shifter and the leather-wrapped steering wheel. You also get a Bose audio system and the whole package comes with everything included in the SEL and Convenience packages. This is strictly an appearance package, though, so no performance modifications have been made.

The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, meanwhile, is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and an electric motor for a total output of 261 hp, while the 13.8 kWh battery gives an all-electric range of 32 miles and features Level II fast charging that enables a full charge in less than two hours.

In all, the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid should offer 70 MPGe of fuel economy and is capable of towing up to 2,000 lbs, and is offered as standard with all-wheel.

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Hyundai is also promising an engaging driving experience, saying it has designed the Plug-in Hybrid to be more fun to drive than its competitors. It will feature e-handling technology to control torque in order to make it handle better. The system can even use the electric motors to apply some slowing force on corner entry and improve turn-in response. As you accelerate out of the corner, meanwhile, it will funnel power to the rear as much as possible to counter understeer and help you go around the bends faster.

Hyundai has already announced that the Tucson N Line will start at $30,600, but has not revealed Plug-in Hybrid pricing yet. The N Line will be available in spring, while the Plug-in Hybrid will come this summer.

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Fully-Spec 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Is One Seriously Expensive Plug-in Hybrid SUV

January 22, 2021 admin

Jeep has launched the online configurator for the 2021 Wrangler 4xe, which lets users build their ideal model.

The first step is to select the exterior color of the vehicle, although if you want anything other than white, you will have to pay a $245 premium. Then you will have to decide if Mopar’s grille and the integrated off-road camera are something that you really need, as the first one costs $325, while the second one is a $595 option.

The body-colored fender flares are another $695, while the Sky One-Touch Power-Top will set you back $4,095. The 17-inch wheels shod in the chunky off-road tires from BFGoodrich are standard though.

The leather-trimmed seats, all-weather floor mats, Mopar’s grab handle kit and others are also options, so you may want to pay attention to how many boxes you check, because the Wrangler 4xe specified by us has a net price of $67,630. That’s a $15,935 premium over the MSRP of the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, and it makes the SUV just $1,780 cheaper than a base Grand Cherokee SRT and $2,465 cheaper than a Ram 1500 TRX.

Built at Jeep’s Ohio facility, which is where the rest of the Wrangler lineup also comes to life, the plug-in hybrid variant of the SUV has a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery that gives it a maximum electric range of 25 miles (40 km). Power is supplied by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and two electric motors, for a total of 375 HP (380 PS / 280 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque.

You can access the online configurator here.

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New Ford Mustang Allegedly Due In 2022, Will Stick Around Until 2030

August 17, 2020 admin

Having been in production since 2014, the sixth generation Ford Mustang is slowly approaching the end of its life cycle.

Previous reports had suggested that the Blue Oval come up with a strategy about its successor, which is allegedly due in late 2022.

The time frame has now been reconfirmed to AutoNews by sources close to the company’s plans, claiming that it will launch for the 2023 model year. Its first mid-cycle refresh is expected in 2025, and suppliers have been told that the life span of the muscle car has been expanded to eight years, meaning that it will remain in production until 2030.

Watch Also: 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Review Says It’s “A Bit Magical”

Ford’s future rival to the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger might migrate to the same platform as the Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. As a result, it should have a bigger footprint, translating into improved interior space and larger cargo area.

But that’s not the biggest news, because if they stick to this plan, then the new-gen Mustang will also be compatible with all-wheel drive. There have been talks about an electrified V8, with the ICE powering the rear wheels and an electric motor setting the front wheels in motion.

It is unknown yet whether the turbo-four variant will live on, but Ford has allegedly decided to keep offering both coupe and convertible versions of its pony car, in left- and right-hand drive. As fir the design, the new Mustang is understood to go down the evolutionary road, whereas the latest technology gear will be implemented in the more driver-focused cockpit.

Note: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 pictured below

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