Cars of 2014

11. BMW – X5

• Third generation X5, 7 passenger SUV looks longer and more sharply defined than its predecessor, with a rounded and pronounced front nose.
• Interior – navigation & 10.2-inch touchscreen dashboard (standard).
• Heated rear seats (optional).
• sDrive35i is the first X5 with rear wheel drive (baseline model) – 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 engine (300hp).
• 4.4 liter turbocharged V8 engine (445 hp) – xDrive50i (topline model).
• 3.0 liter V6 engine (265hp) – xDrive35d (diesel version), new engine estimated 26mpg on the highway.

12. Buick – LaCrosse

• Known as an aging flagship sedan of the brand traditionally driven by old people loses some of its wrinkles.
• 1st update since 2009.
• Gets some minor cosmetic changes on the outside in an effort to make it look more rounded and modern.
• LED daytime running lamps and tail lights and a larger front grille.
• Interior – new seats & more supportive.
• Center stack gets an update with fewer buttons than the old models.
• 2.4 liter four cylinder GM engine with “e-Assist” electric motor (gas mileage boost).

13. Buick – Regal

• Sports Sedan – similar cosmetic changes to the LaCrosse on the outside.
• Interior – more supportive seats, a simpler dashboard and center console give it a sportier look.
• “e-Assist” engine & electric motor (standard).
• Suspension tuned to be more responsive.
• New, more powerful version of 2.4 liter turbocharged four cylinder GM engine (259 hp) is in the sportier models, the turbo and GS.

14. Cadillac – CTS

• Reworked midsize sports sedan from the ground up to better compete with the BMW 5 Series model.
• 200 pounds lighter (for better handling) than the BMW 528i and 250 pounds less than the current CTS.
• Longer and lower than the 2013 model, and its angles are far less severe.
• Interior – more upscale, hand-crafted look.
• There’s a choice of 3 engines:

1. 3.6 liter V6 (321hp).
2. 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder (272 hp).
3. 3.6 litre twin turbo (420hp) – new engine in Vsport model.

• 2 transmissions are available:

1. 6 speed automatic.
2. 8 speed automatic.

15. Cadillac – Escalade

• Completely redone SUV based on General Motors’ new pickup truck chassis.
• Details and prices haven’t been announced yet.

16. Chevrolet – Camaro

• The muscle car known to Transformers fans and movie goers alike as ‘Bumblebee’ gets a small freshening for 2014.
• Reshaped front and rear to make it more modern and athletic looking , lighter and high-performance version.
• Z28 has been re-engineered at 3,800 pounds, about 100 pounds lighter than a standard Camaro.
• It can hit the racetrack with bigger brakes.
• 7.0 liter V8 Corvette engine (500hp).
• Forgoes some creature comforts to shed weight.
• One speaker radio, stiff seats and only comes with a manual transmission.
• Air conditioning is an option and there is less sound insulation.

17. Chevrolet – Corvette ‘Stingray’

• 1st new version of the American sports car icon in 9 years.
• 6.2 liter V8 engine (455hp) with 7 speed manual transmission.
• 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds.
• 30mpg in “Eco” mode.
• The aerodynamic car’s engine can run on just four cylinders at highway speeds.
• Lower and sleeker, to save weight the steel structure is replaced with aluminum and the hood is made of lightweight carbon fiber made by 1000 person team at GM.
• The interior gets a more modern look with new touch screens.

18. Chevrolet – Malibu

• Suffering from sagging sales in the most competitive part of the U.S. car market after just a year on the market. In an effort to boost sale, this homely midsize car gets an emergency refresh.
• 2.5 liter new four cylinder engine (196 hp).
• ‘Stop-start’ technology to raise combined city-highway mileage to 27mpg.
• Designers also changed the front end to give it a more modern grille with chrome accents and a hood that slopes downward.
• By reshaping the back of the front seats giving back-seat passengers 1.25 inches of added legroom.
• The chassis and suspension, including new springs inside the front struts, will cut body roll in turns and improve the ride.

19. Chevrolet – Silverado

• Badly needed revamp that was delayed by General Motors’ bankruptcy.
• Look a little more aggressive and aerodynamic than their predecessors.
• Quieter cabs and updated steering, suspensions and brakes.
• There’s also a step built into the rear bumper to gain access to the bed.
• Doors fit into recesses in the body to make the trucks quieter.
• 200 pounds lighter than Ford and Chrysler competitors.
• 3 revamped engines:

1. 4.3 liter V6 (262hp) – that can tow a substantial trailer.
2. 5.3 liter V8 (325hp).
3. 6.2 liter V8 (376hp).

• The engines can switch seamlessly to run on only four cylinders to get better gas mileage.
• A heavy duty version also available.

20. Chevrolet – SS

• High Performance Rear Drive Sedan
• 1st Chevy in 17 years goes on sale late this year.
• The Australian built car is a new version of the Pontiac G8 (a much-revered sporty car that died when GM scrapped the Pontiac brand late in 2010).
• All SS models come loaded and seat five. Leather seats with added side bolstering for spirited cornering.
• Lane departure warning, blind-spot detector and backup camera, plus front collision alert are available.
• Wide, athletic stance with wheels pushed out and big brakes.
• Slight “power bulge” in the aluminum hood.
• 6.2 liter V8 2013 Corvette engine (415hp).
• 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds.
  
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