The News for January 24th, 2014

Welcome to the Hooniverse News! This is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or the bull. I also throw in a little opinion of mine, just because I can. This week: 

• The 2015 Lincoln Navigator might be all-new

• Tesla’s supercharging network finally connects US coasts

• Nissan ups the price on the 2015 GT-R

• Fiat’s Chrysler buyout is officially complete 

2015 Lincoln Navigator

This week, Lincoln unveiled a probably all-new Navigator for the 2015 model year which is scheduled to be available by this fall. A “fresh interpretation of a classic vehicle”, the dressed up Expedition offers an updated exterior and interior, EcoBoost power for the first time, and new technologies to contribute to a greater ownership experience and set it apart in the full-size luxury SUV market.

Perhaps the most noticeable update to the exterior is Lincoln’s “split-wing” grille which sits between new jewel-like LED headlights. The front end is finished off with a redesigned hood for a sleeker appearance and a bit of underbite courtesy of the new lower accents. The back end is also updated as well, featuring a power lift gate and a new tail light assembly similar to that on other new Lincoln models. 20″ machined aluminum wheels are standard, but opt for the Reserve Package and you can get 22″ polished aluminum rollers instead as well as chrome-accented running boards to go with it.

When it comes to the new and [hopefully] improved interior, Lincoln went all out. All three rows of seats get ultra soft and luxurious leather treatment which extends onto the armrests, center console, and shifter as well as the instrument panel. Premium Ziricote wood trim, which is commonly used in yachts apparently, makes its first appearance in a car and adds a classy touch. Lincoln allows buyers to pick between three layouts for the second row of seating: captain’s chairs with or without the center console or a fold-flat bench which allows room for up to eight occupants. Independent rear suspension allows the 2015 Navigator to deliver true fold-flat, Powerfold third row seats. The 2015 Navigator is available in two wheelbase lengths, the longer of which (222.3 inches) will allow for even more interior comfort and storage capacity inside. 

 Navigator owners will get to experience a level of technology never seen in a Navigator before, like illuminated “welcome mats” when the doors are unlocked, a passive entry system so you don’t have to press buttons on the key fob to get in or start the engine (because that’s hard apparently), standard SYNC driver connectivity system piped through a 4.2″ LCD screen in the gauge cluster and an 8″ touch screen in the center stack, and finally, something I’d imagine is nice to have on an SUV this big, blind spot assist with a backup camera.

The last Lincoln Navigator was powered by a 5.4-liter V8, but that changes for 2015 with the introduction of a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 which uses the power of forced induction to produce more power. Preliminary figures are 370 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque which they say will help give the Navigator best-in-class towing. The transmission of choice is a six-speed automatic and power can be sent to either the rear wheels or all four. Standard electric-power steering will have luxury sport utility vehicle enthusiasts complaining about the lack of steering feel and Continuously Controlled Damping provides for a smoother ride that can be adjusted. Drivers who have a heavy load in the back (<insert mother in law joke>) will benefit from a system called Nivomat, which can raise a loaded rear end to optimum ride height for improved handling, aerodynamics, and reduced tire wear.

[Source: Lincoln]

Tesla supercharger network connects East and West

Own a Tesla? Live on the eastern or western seaboard? This will be some good news if you do, because thanks to Tesla’s now 70 supercharger stations, you can finally make the all-important drive from New York to Los Angeles in your Model S. It’s not necessarily the most direct route as you can see, but it’s certainly possible as long as you stick to highways and are somewhat conservative with the right pedal. 

Tesla’s complimentary supercharger stations can recharge your Tesla’s battery by up to 50% in just twenty minutes or by 80% in 40 minutes. The 70 stations in place right now are the first of many more to come according to Tesla, who want to cover 98% of America and populated parts of southern Canada by 2015. Hopefully by then Texas Tesla owners will be able to leave their state and not get stranded on the way out. 

[Source: Tesla via Autoweek]

2015 Nissan GT-R pricing

When the Nissan GT-R first came out several years ago, it was hailed as the definitive bargain super car, being capable of hanging with a Ferrari or a Porsche for a fraction of the cost. But ever since that first model, prices have steadily increased but not without some sort of improvement to make it worth it. With the 2015 GT-R, that trend continues.

US pricing for the Nissan GT-R is now $101,770 for the entry-level Premium model, which is the first time the standard model has started at six digits. The GT-R Black Edition, with carbon fiber body accents, bespoke suspension, and other performance upgrades over the standard model, is priced at $111,510. The limited-production GT-R Track Edition, which takes an already awesome track car and improves it even more, is priced at $115,710.

In general, the updates for the 2015 model year include a recalibrated suspension for a more sophisticated ride and better road-handling ability, a few exterior design touches, a more premium-feeling interior including standard Bose Active Noise Cancellation, a carbon-style instrument cluster, and a new Ivory interior color option (Premium only).

Now that you can’t buy a new GT-R for under $100,000, is the GT-R still worthy of its budget supercar title? I say it is, but then again I’d love it no matter what it was priced at because I’m secretly twelve years old.

Pricing and more details on the fourth member of the GT-R family, the NISMO, will be available closer to the car’s launch this summer.

[Source: Nissan]

Fiat now officially owns Chrysler

A few weeks ago, news broke out that Fiat was planning to buy up the rest of Chrysler through a $4.5 billion deal agreed upon by both parties plus a UAW-affiliated trust. As of this week, the deal is done and the Auburn Hills, MI company is now under full Italian control. This deal will allow both Chrysler and Fiat to combine efforts to create one successful global company. The Chrysler name, by the way, is not dead, so you won’t be seeing a Challenger with a Fiat badge any time soon.

I guess “Imported From Detroit®” is about to take on a whole new meaning.

[Source: Chrysler via Autoweek]