Tag: new

By Jeremy Korzeniewski

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/14/2015-kia-sedona-official-photos/

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the 2015 Kia Sedona. The automaker is sticking firm with its convictions in the minivan segment, but it’s hedging its bets, saying the Sedona’s “CUV-like styling and proportions offer all of the functional convenience of the segment while defying its design limitations.”

The 2015 Sedona can be configured to seat either seven or eight occupants, and its size specifications put it right at or near the top of its class in most categories, including leg room. Kia says this is the final piece of the styling puzzle that started when design director Peter Schreyer took the helm of the Korean company’s studio. We certainly see some masculine cues, especially with its high belt line and relatively small windows. We think the end result is pretty attractive though it falls clearly in minivan territory, you’re welcome to draw your own conclusions after scrolling through the image gallery above.

Kia promises the new Sedona will provide “an element of desire” with “improved driving dynamics” to go along with all that room inside. To that end, the new Sedona’s chassis is reportedly 36-percent stiffer than the best of its competition, due to a body shell crafted from 76-percent high-strength steel. Kia expects a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, though the van has yet to be crash tested.

We’ll have to wait a bit before we can test Kia’s claims of driving enjoyment, which is often lacking in the minivan segment, but we’re at least sure to enjoy the Sedona’s 3.3-liter V6 and its 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. Again, those specifications are right in line with class leaders.

Kia’s latest UVO technology will be included, which will come with a new Kia App Store that we look forward to hearing more about, and there are extras for both the Apple and Google ecosystems. A cooled glove box is helpful in this segment, as are USB ports for charging and household-style outlets. We’re also pleased that Kia has fitted the minivan with a Surround View Monitor to help parking and maneuvering in tight spaces.

All New 2015 Chevrolet Trax Subcompact Crossover

April 17, 2014

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By Brandon Turkus

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/15/2015-chevy-trax-official-pictures/

We imagine the conversation among Chevrolet’s product planners that led to a greenlight for a US-spec Chevrolet Trax went something like this: “Hey, the Buick Encore is selling like mad. It’s proven that people love subcompact crossovers. Quick, let’s import a vehicle from Canada.”

Okay, so it probably didn’t go quite like that, but it seems logical that the US arrival of the Trax – which has been on sale in the Great White North and other markets since late 2012 – had a lot to do with the success of the Encore. Couple that with the impending arrival of the Renegade, and perhaps Chevy sees a market ripe for small crossoverization.

When the Trax arrives in the US market at some unspecified future date (probably early 2015), it will have a fair amount in common with the Encore, with which it shares a platform. Underhood, the same 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder will send power to either the front or to all four wheels while producing 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. It’s good to see this engine gain another assignment, as it’s already impressed in both the Cruze and Sonic. A six-speed automatic will be the sole gearbox.

In the cabin, the Encore and the Trax share identical measurements, meaning that passengers in both the front and back should have a reasonable amount of space. Not surprisingly, the Chevy’s cabin materials don’t look quite as nice as its tri-shielded cousin, although this sort of difference between Chevy and Buick is to be expected. What the Trax does have going for it, though, is a wealth of technology. Chevy MyLink, Siri Eyes Free and OnStar 4G LTE will all be available for customers to take advantage of.

As for its exterior, it’s kind of like someone fired a shrink ray at the Equinox. It’s clean and attractive, although we’d have liked a bit more visual panache, like the Sonic. Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on the lower two trim levels (LS and LT), while the top-flight LTZ is fitted with a set of 18-inch hoops.

Video: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle

February 17, 2014

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By Steven J. Ewing

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/14/2015-chevrolet-tahoe-police-vehicle-chicago-2014-video/

As lovers of fast driving, we at Autoblog normally try to stay as far away from police pursuit vehicles as possible. But in reality, the way automakers design purpose-built police vehicles is indeed worth a closer look. If we’re going to task the boys and gals in blue with keeping us safe on the streets, they need to be given the best tools possible for the job. And while a lot of that comes down to their own equipment, the police cruisers themselves play a hugely important role in all of this.

Chevrolet has long offered police vehicles, from Caprice old and new, to various Impala and Tahoe models. That last one is a particularly newsy topic right now, as Chevy recently unveiled its all-new 2015 Tahoe SUV (complete with its Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade siblings). At last week’s Chicago Auto Show, Chevy went a step further, giving us a closer look at Tahoe’s brand-new police-spec version.

In the video below, Autoblog West Coast Editor Michael Harley talks with Chevy product specialist Scott Vandekerckhove, who gives a full tour of what’s new with the Bowtie’s biggest cruiser. We check out what’s up front, under the hood, and out back. Scroll down for the full video, and just hope it’s the closest you’ll actually ever have to get to sitting inside one of these bad boys.

The All New 2015 Kia Sedona Revealed

All New 2015 Chevrolet Trax Subcompact Crossover

Video: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle

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