Porsche Boxster 2016

Porsche has created the nth-degree Boxster, and introduced it at the New York Auto Show. The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder is the Quickest (0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds), Fastest (top speed of 180 miles per hour), Lightest (2,899 pounds), Most Powerful (375 horsepower and about 310 lb-ft of torque), and Most Expensive (starting at $82,100 when it arrives stateside in October of 2015), Porsche Boxster ever.

Going to war, with light weight and heavy power

As much a love song to Porsche Spyder, Speedster and Club Sport models from the past, the new Boxster Spyder carries the same drivetrain as the new Cayman GT4 which means a 3.8-liter flat-6 working a 6-speed manual transmission working with a mechanically locking rear differential and Porsche Torque Vectoring to get power to the rear wheels and sweeten the handling dynamics.

The Boxster Spyder's suspension is locked down pretty tight and the Boxster ride height has been lowered by a little over three-quarters of an inch. Its coefficient of drag is 0.33, not record-setting by any means, but still respectable. But it's really the light weight of the Boxster Spyder that matters most.

It appears that everything was considered. The body consists of aluminum-steel construction, with the doors, trunklid and front "bonnet" lid done in aluminum. Then it gets hardcore: The Spyder's manual top is unlined and uninsulated. The door pulls are nylon straps. Air conditioning and audio systems are available only as options. On the upside, however, Porsche's automatic stop/start system has been left off of the Boxster Spyder as part of the weight-saving mission. If there are any fuel economy benefits to all this trimming, they have yet to be announced.

Winning the war, with style to burn

While the Boxster Spyder's interior, nose and tail owe everything to the Cayman GT4's styling, the 2-seater's midsection is its own thing, with the rear deck behind the headrests dominated by dual tapered bulges, a nod to the Porsche 718 W-RS Spyder from the early Sixties. Other Spyder touches include interior trim pieces that are a body-color match for the exterior color and the availability of lightweight, full-carbon-fiber seats with manual fore/aft and electric tilt (the whole seat assembly tilts -- not just the seatback).

Top down is the undeniable hero shot for the Boxster Spyder. Top up it's got that low-profile 911 Speedster vibe. Either way, though, it's kind of cool to see Porsche create something with more character than a simple GT4 version of the Boxster, and the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder certainly has our attention.

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Nissan Maxima 2016

Getting its debut in New York, the new 2016 Nissan Maxima fulfilled a promise made two years ago when the automaker presented its "Sport Sedan Concept" at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. While toned down to meet reality, the striking midsize 4-door retains styling cues from the concept. Complementing the 2016 Maxima's distinctive looks are a redesigned platform and revised powertrain that contribute to this major overhaul of Nissan's flasgship sedan.

Intent on having the eighth generation Maxima serve as a halo vehicle showcasing design leadership, the visual transformation reflects an aggressive take on the company's evolving styling language, from its bold "V-motion" front fascia to its floating style C-pillar and distinctive LED-enhanced front/rear.  Available in S, SV, SL, range-topping Platinum and a new sporty SR trim, the 2016 Maxima is 2.2 inches longer and 1.3 inches lower than the current car and fills its flared fenders with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/45 tires that upgrade to 19-inch wheels with 245/40 rubber on the SR. 

Beneath its sleek skin, the 2016 Maxima has high-strength steel, which bumps torsional rigidity by 25 percent and contributes to an 82 pound drop in curb weight. This robust foundation anchors a retuned fully independent suspension that incorporates new monotube rear shocks while the new SR model gets tauter settings along with Active Ride Control and a new Performance Chassis Damper up front to quell high-frequency vibrations that accompany stiffer shock settings. 

More power and economy

The engine in the 2016 Maxima is a heavily reworked version of Nissan's award-winning VQ35. With over 60 percent new components, output of the revised 3.5-liter V6 has been bumped from 290 to 300 horsepower while fuel economy has been upped by 15 percent. Backed by a new Xtronic CVT automatic equipped with a Sport setting and new D-Step shift logic, the engine is projected to deliver 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway - a 4 mpg gain. To further establish its "4-door Sports Car" positioning, Nissan also fitted the 2016 Maxima with a Drive Mode Selector with Normal/Sport choices that adjust throttle response, transmission mapping, steering effort and Active Sound Enhancement that adds aural excitement when Sport mode is engaged.

The passenger cabin of the 2016 Maxima has a design inspired by the cockpit of a fighter jet while featuring upscale touches -- and premium touchpoints -- found in luxury sedans. The Maxima has driver-focused control functionality along with comfort/convenience features. In addition to dual-zone climate control, a full array of power assists and Bluetooth phone/streaming audio are standard on the not-so-base S model. Other items include Nissan's power-activated "Zero Gravity" front seats with new softer but more supportive bolstering, a multi-mode 7.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display in the main instrument cluster, NissanConnect with standard navigation and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM/HD radio, keyless remote and cruise control.

Moving up through the mono-spec Maxima model hierarchy adds leather in place of cloth upholstery, a Bose Premium Audio system with active noise cancellation, power assist for the tilt/telescope steering, heated/cooled seats, dual-panel moonroof, LED projector headlamps and enhanced Nissan Connect Services. Advanced safety touches on SL/SR models include Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, Predictive Forward Collision Warning/Forward Emergency Braking and Rear Cross Traffic. Platinum models boast Moving Object Detection and Driver Attention Alert. The 2016 Nissan Maxima will be built at the automaker's assembly plant in Tennessee. Pricing will start at $33,235 when the car goes on sale this summer. 

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Mitsubishi Outlander 2016

As the next step of the automaker's resurgence, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander bowed in New York. Calling it more than a mid-cycle refresh, the 2016 Outlander boasts redesigned styling cues and has been reengineered to enhance driving experience. In all, Mitsubishi has tweaked the redesigned Outlander with more than 100 upgrades. 

From the outside, styling changes on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander include a new front design dubbed "Dynamic Shield." Inspiration for this design stems from the bumper side protection last seen on the Montero and the new front-end sees redesigned front fenders, halogen headlights (LED headlights on the GT model), and LED position lights. At the rear, the refreshed Outlander has a redesigned tail book-ended by LED taillights. Other new features include power-folding mirrors and 18-inch alloy wheels. 

Soft touch materials abound

Inside, soft touch materials abound while a redesigned steering wheel and Mitsubishi's new Multi Communication System, which features navigation and audio display, draw in your attention quickly. Other soft touch points can be found in the door inserts, on the dashboard, and the seats, which have been improved to bolster comfort. The rear bench has been redesigned to fold down in a 60/40 split. On the GT model, the rear-view mirror has an auto-dimming function and the automaker's Homelink system. Other interior features include automatic climate control, an Eco mode switch, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel column. Standard safety features include tire pressure monitoring, seven airbags including a driver's knee bag, and hill start assist. 

Mitsubishi hasn't announced the powertrain for the refreshed Outlander but we know it will be paired with a continuously variable transmission. Mitsubishi says the combo will improve acceleration, performance, and shift feel.  Other tweaks under the skin include a stronger, more rigid platform to enhance ride quality and reduce noise. The Outlander also boasts a redesigned suspension, electric power steering, thicker glass on the rear door, and more insulation spread throughout the vehicle. 

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Mercedes-AMG G65 2016

Set to join the U.S. lineup in November, the 2016 Mercedes-AMG G65 debuted in the Big Apple. Fitted with a handbuilt AMG 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 that churns out 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, this exclusive on/off-roader can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. And its 4ETS electronic traction system with a low-range transfer case and three 100-percent differential locks ensures the G65 will have no problem going anywhere it cares to - and getting back home when the day is done.

Mercedes used the New York show to announce pricing for the new 2016 G65, which will start at $218,825 when it rolls into showrooms to join its existing G550 and G63 siblings. The automaker also pointed out the G65 will become fourth AMG model to command in excess of $200K, with the others being the $216,175 DSL65, the $222,925 S65 Sedan and the $231,825 S65 Coupe. 

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BMW unveils third-generation X5

Building on its current and highly successful formula, the 2014 BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle gets a significant remake as the line enters its third generation. In addition to more style, enhanced comfort/convenience/safety features and even better performance, this focused makeover also includes the introduction of the first-ever rear-drive X5 variant -- the sDrive35i -- which will join the existing all-wheel drive xDrive35i, xDrive35d and xDrive50i models.

Visually, the 2014 BMW X5 adds new edge to the exterior which can be most clearly seen in its recast fascia highlighted by bigger, bolder twin kidney grille elements that now stretch all the way to the restyled headlamps. Standard corner-following Adaptive Xenon main lights can be upgraded to full LED counterparts while LED foglamps appear on all models. This is the first BMW X model to get drag-reducing Air Curtains that help channel air around the wheel arches and out through equally new Air Breathers located in the rear portion of the front fenders. More dynamic character lines add interest to the X5's profile while its restyled rear quarters boast thinner 3-dimensional LED taillamps, a more aggressive exhaust/lower valance treatment and subtle new black Aero Blades that work with the roof spoiler to further enhance the X5's aerodynamic profile.

In addition to its basic spec, the 2014 BMW X5 will offer new xLine and Luxury Line trims as well as a more performance-oriented M Sport package. Like other BMW models, each features its own unique exterior and interior cosmetic/functional upgrades, including bespoke 19-inch standard and 20-inch optional alloy wheels. The 2014 X5's option roster also adds a pair of Interior Design Packages. The Ivory White group nets Ivory White Nappa Leather upholstery, an Atlas Grey leather dash and Fineline Oak Wood trim, while the Mocha alternative brings Mocha Brown Nappa Leather, a Black Nappa Leather dash and Fineline Pure Wood accentlng.

Inside, the 2014 X5's cabin continues to have seating for five with an optional third row that ups the count to seven. A bounty of new standards -- the latest version of BMW's iDrive controller with direct character recognition capability, BMW Navigation with a 10.2-inch control display monitor and Advanced Real-time Traffic, a full suite of BMW Apps, Mobile Office, heated seats, a panoramic moonroof, and BMW Assist eCall with a 10-year subscription -- add new charm to this spacious inner sanctum, as does its power tailgate that now can now be both opened and closed by remote control.

Optional kit for the 2014 X5 also has been enhanced with the addition of things like harman/kardon and Bang & Olufsen premium audio systems, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment package, heated and fully adjustable second-row Comfort Seats, 4-zone climate control and an enhanced Head-Up Display. The extras roster also features the latest generations of BMW Parking Assistant and Night Vision, Active Blind Spot Detection, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning, pedestrian and collision warning with braking function and Rear-View and Surround View camera systems.

Motivation for the 2014 BMW X5 comes in three forms. The standard engine in the sDrive35i/xDrive35i continues to be the familiar 3.0-liter/300-horsepower TwinPower Turbo inline-6 that also makes 300 lb-ft of torque. However, the 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbodiesel inline-6 in the xDrive35d is an all new engine that features a new variable-geometry turbocharger and produces 255 horses with 413 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping X5 xDrive50i gets an upgraded version of the 4.4-liter TwinPower twin-turbo V8 that adds BMW's Valvetronic variable valve timing to the mix. That change pops its pony count from 400 to 445 and moves peak torque from 450 to 480 lb-ft. All of the engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with an efficiency enhancing ECO PRO mode which is expected to help each version generate slightly to significantly better EPA numbers -- although those figures won't be finalized for some time -- as well as improved 0-60 mph sprint times.

Exceptional handling has always been a hallmark of the X5, and this new iteration is set to further embellish that tradition. While nearly identical in size to the current X5, the 2014 benefits from a redesigned unit body that incorporates more high-strength steel to help trim a bit of curb weight while creating an even stiffer foundation. In addition to its more refined standard chassis tune and revamped multi-mode Driving Dynamics Control programming, the 2014 X5 will be the first to offer BMW's Dynamic Handling Package. Buyers of xDrive versions also can opt for the extra refinement of Dynamic Performance Control. An Adaptive M Suspension also will be on offer as part of the M Sport package.

The 2014 BMW X5 sDrive35i/xDrive35i, and xDrive 50i will be arriving in showrooms sometime during the fourth quarter, while the xDrive35d is set to turn up in early 2014. All will be manufactured at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, S.C. and pricing will be announced closer to their actual on-sale dates.

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