Posts Tagged ‘luxury’
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NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Infiniti Debuts LE Concept Zero Emission Luxury Sedan
Posted on April 6th, 2012 by admin
NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Infiniti Debuts LE Concept Zero Emission Luxury Sedan
News from AutoSpies.com:Infiniti today unveiled its dramatic new Infiniti LE Concept, a near-production version of the performance luxury brand’s first zero emission luxury sedan.
Making its world debut during a press conference at the 2012 New York International Auto Show at New York‘s Javits Center, the Infiniti LE Concept combines an advanced electric vehicle drivetrain and wireless charging system with signature Infiniti luxury style and Inspired Performance. A production version of the LE Concept is expected to reach Infiniti showrooms in near-similar form within the next two years.
“Infiniti is about a unique fusion of performance and hospitality, and a distinct vision that challenges convention. Part of that vision, part of our challenger mindset, is a belief that the future of luxury is sustainable luxury,” said Carlos Ghosn, president and chief executive officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “No other luxury brand has the corporate EV experience, the advanced bat…………… continues on AutoSpies.com
Infiniti Zero Emission Concept: New York Auto Show Live Shots
News from Washington Post:A day before Infiniti’s New York Auto Show press conference, the wraps were pulled to tease the luxury brand’s show concept.
What’s been released so far is that this concept is an all-electric four-door sedan, based on Nissan Leaf underpinnings; expect seating for five, and a well-packaged luxury-car interior that will be in most ways a design about-face compared to the Leaf.
Unlike the 2009 Infiniti Essence Concept, which was a design concept pointing to the brand’s future direction, this concept is expected to be a thinly veiled glimpse of a production Infiniti all-electric sedan–to be assembled alongside the Nissan Leaf in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Especially of note is the rather large grille which, although unnecessary in an electric car, may be there simply to fit in w…………… continues on Washington Post
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Bentley, Bugatti and Other Luxury Cars Threatened by EU Carbon Emission Targets
Posted on February 20th, 2012 by admin
Bentley, Bugatti and Other Luxury Cars Threatened by EU Carbon Emission Targets
News from IBTimes.co.uk:The European Union‘s carbon emissions tax could hit luxury car markets badly by putting thousands of pounds on the retail price of gas guzzlers.
A report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) warns that Bugatti could face a charge of €40,000 (£25,000) per vehicle under the EU rules while Bentley could be hit by €20,000 in penalties.
According to the European Commission, passenger cars alone are responsible for around 12 percent of total EU emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas. As part of efforts to tackle climate change, the commission has set emission performance standards for new cars.
That legislation, adopted in 2009, is the cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to improve the fuel economy of cars and ensure that average emissions from new passenger cars in the EU do not exceed 120 gCO2/km.
The move was strongly criticized by luxury carmakers like IBTimes.co.uk
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Buick Verano, GM’s bite-sized luxury
Posted on October 30th, 2011 by admin
p>Base price: $ 23,470
Fuel economy: 21 city / 31 hwy.
A Buick that shares its basic engineering with the Chevrolet Cruze compact car sounds like a throwback to the bad old days when GM’s idea of a new model was to clip a new badge onto a tired old design.
Fear not, though, this car is not a return to that.
Instead, General Motors engineers took the bones of the Cruze and created, on that skeleton, a proper luxury car with little resemblance, other than its size, to its cheaper relative.
The Buick Verano looks, feels, drives and sounds like a perfectly decent luxury car, albeit a small one.
But is America ready for an itty-bitty Buick?
NEXT: Powerful upgrades
…CNN
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Evoque: Luxury four-wheeling for city slickers
Posted on October 24th, 2011 by admin
p>Base price: $ 43,145 – $ 44,145
Mileage: 18 city/28 hwy.
The Range Rover Evoque, from Land Rover, follows in the recent trend of companies making SUVs with more S (as in sport) and less U (as in utility).
It’s kind of a surprising move for Land Rover, Britain’s SUV-only brand, which prides itself on real off-road capability even in its pricey $ 80,000 luxury vehicles.
Hardly anyone — at least in the in this country — actually takes Land Rovers off-road. Would you spend that kind of money on something then take it anywhere near a rock?
So, Land Rover made the Evoque, an SUV that’s more comfortable in the concrete jungle than any Land Rover I’ve tried before.
And, yes, it still goes off-road. I know, because I took it four-wheeling In Brooklyn, seriously.
NEXT: Inside story
…CNN
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Luxury Volt: GM to build electric Cadillac
Posted on August 18th, 2011 by admin
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GM will build a production version of its Cadillac Converj Concept to be called the Cadillac ELR.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — GM said Wednesday that it will go forward with plans to build a production model of an electric Cadillac luxury coupe.
The Converj Concept, which was first presented at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, will be called the Cadillac ELR.
The Cadillac ELR will be GM’s luxury version of the Volt.
“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” Vice President-Cadillac Marketing Don Butler said. “Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present — the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”
The vehicle, which is currently in development, will be powered by a lithium-ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator similar to the Chevy Volt. The Cadillac ELR will run primarily on electricity — saving consumers the cost of gasoline and reducing emissions.
Specific details about performance and price have yet to be announced.
“There’s no mistaking it for anything …CNN
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Dealerships pile on luxury to attract car buyers
Posted on July 1st, 2011 by admin
div id=”mainart” class=”hmedia art grid-6×2″ about=”http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/110630-showrooms-102p.grid-6×2.jpg”> Al Behrman / AP
It’s always movie night at the home theater setup at the Performance Lexus dealership in Cincinnati, Ohio.DETROIT — Spending a Saturday afternoon at the typical car dealership is not exactly pampering yourself. Drab floors, battered furniture, weak coffee in a paper cup. And that’s before the salesman abandons you for half an hour to “check with my manager.”
But Detroit automakers are finally stable after their brush with death, and most dealers can afford to spend a little money to spruce up the showroom. So they’re adding leather chairs, rich oak walls, …MSNBC