2016 Nissan Sentra to get heavy restyle

Nissan is having a banner year when it comes to launching updated products in 2015. The latest Maxima is already on sale in showrooms, and the next-gen Titan joins it later. Refreshes for the Sentra (2014 model year pictured above) and Altima are also on the way, and the changes are likely to be significant to stay competitive in the compact sedan segment. 

"It will be an incredibly freshened Sentra," Fred Diaz, Nissan Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the U.S. said to Automotive News. The big changes reportedly include a thorough restyling and some new tech. Nissan North America Director of Product Communications Dan Bedore confirmed to Autoblog the company will launch refreshes to the Sentra and Altima "later this year" but wouldn't give a more precise timeline or other details about them.

However, rumors about the restyling are already out there, and Sentra's overhaul reportedly takes inspiration from the Pulsar in Europe. That might mean a move to Nissan's pointed, V-shaped grille and more aggressive, angular headlights with better-integrated LED running lights than the current design. Meanwhile, the Altima's update potentially borrows cues from the Murano and Maxima and could see improved fuel economy.

This comprehensive restyling comes despite Nissan already having a major success in the US with the current Sentra. Volume this year is up 15.5 percent through May with 88,701 sales. Also, the sedan had its best numbers in the past 25 years in 2014 with 183,268 of them sold, according to Automotive News.

Ford Bring Repreve to the 2015 F-150 | Auffenberg Dealer Group

What if we could redirect plastics from landfill and use them to create innovative materials, and then put them in the all-new Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck?​ We could make a big difference.

Since 2012, Ford Motor Company has worked with Unifi to bring environmentally responsible, high-performance repreve fiber to many Ford vehicles. Now, this innovative fiber is available in the in the all-new F-150. By substituting with this recycled material, Ford will divert more than five million plastic bottles from landfills this year.

Ford is the only automaker to use repreve, made from 100 percent recycled materials including plastic bottles, in its vehicles. Ford is currently using repreve in five vehicles around the world, making it a truly global material, and it represents Ford's larger commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle as part of the company’s global sustainability strategy to lessen its environmental footprint.

“By using repreve in the all-new Ford F-150, we are reconfirming our commitment to using renewable and recyclable materials in our vehicles,” said Carol Kordich, lead designer, global sustainability materials strategy development. “We are always looking for ways to incorporate more innovative and sustainable materials into our vehicles.”

5 Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Car | Auffenberg Dealer Group

Here are Five Spring Car Maintenance Tips

 1. Remove leftover salt

Salt, used on roads to melt ice and snow, can cause serious damage to cars, especially their undercarriages where metal can rust. Take your car to a highly rated car wash to eliminate salt, and check that the business has sprayers that clean the undercarriage.

2. Check alignment and suspension

Driving over potholes can damage your car’s alignment and suspension. You might have a problem if you notice that the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel vibrates as you drive. An alignment check typically costs $25 to $40.

3. Change oil and check fluids

“If your last oil change was before winter, then this is a great time to do it, spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid. It’s one of the most neglected services. Mechanics say spring is a good time to check your car's fluid levels. Waiting too long to change your fluids can lead to a costly repair. Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids.

4. Rotate tires and check air pressure

You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it. Your car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety.Mechanics recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles to keep tread wear even.One of the biggest issues we see is the front tires wearing out prematurely.

5. Inspect brakes

Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Edition sharpens, styles the new roadster

One could argue that any iteration of the last-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata was worth having. But were it our money on the line, we'd have likely driven home with the Club, a simple trim that, for a reasonable $28,665 (for the retractable hardtop model), added a number of performance and aesthetic features.

The 2016 MX-5 Miata Club Edition should prove to be a successful followup. Like last year's model, it adds a limited-slip differential, a retuned suspension with Bilstein shocks and a tower brace under the hood. On the aesthetic side of the game, 17-inch gunmetal wheels are included, along with a new rear spoiler and a front splitter.

For those that demand an even sharper Club Edition, though, Mazda will also offer even lighter wheels, courtesy of BBS, along with Brembo brakes and the aero kit from the MX-5 Global Cup racer.

VIDEO REPORT: Nissan Driver Attention Alert helps combat drowsy driving with innovative system

Nissan is highlighting the fact that its new Driver Attention Alert (DAA) system is available on two of its most attention-getting vehicles – the 2015 Nissan Murano crossover and the upcoming 2016 Nissan Maxima sedan.

The issue of drowsy and inattentive driving has been the subject of recent studies by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) and AAA* (formerly the American Automobile Association). Results of a November 2014 AAA survey, for example, suggest that drowsy drivers are involved in approximately 300,000 crashes each year – 6,400 of them fatal.

Nissan's Driver Attention Alert system, which is standard in the 2015 Murano SL and Platinum grades and the 2016 Maxima Platinum, is intended to address potential driver fatigue and inattention. The system adapts to each individual driver, monitoring steering input patterns (using steering angle sensors) during a period of driving to establish a baseline. It continuously compares subsequent driving patterns to a baseline using a statistical analysis of steering correction errors.

If it detects driving behavior consistent with a drowsy driver, the system uses an audible chime sound and displays an amber coffee cup with a message reading, "Take a break?" in the vehicle's information display.

The DAA includes logic to help address false detection, road curvatures, lane changes, braking and even poor road conditions. The system automatically resets when the engine is turned off. It can also be turned off by the driver if desired. It is the driver's responsibility to remain alert at all times. DAA is only a warning to inform the driver of a potential lack of driver attention or drowsiness. It does not detect and provide an alert in every situation.

The totally redesigned 2016 Nissan Maxima is on public display this week at the New York International Auto Show at New York's Jacob Javits Center. It is scheduled to go on sale this summer. The new 2015 Nissan Murano is available now at Nissan dealers nationwide.

Along with the Maxima and Murano's suites of available safety and driving aids, both stand out from other vehicles in their respective segments due to their futuristic styling – featuring new Nissan signature design language including V-Motion front end, boomerang lighting and unique floating roof appearance.

2016 Kia Sorento now an IIHS Top Safety Pick

The new Kia Sorento has taken it up a notch, securing a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thanks to a major improvement in the small overlap crash test. When the Sorentowas in 2014, the crash dummy didn't have an easy time of it, almost missing the front airbag and suffering nearly a foot of intrusion in the footwell. That earned it a "poor" mark.

The 2016 model did much better, with the dummy properly restrained, proper airbag deployment, and just four inches of intrusion in the footwell, all of which was good enough for a "good" rating. Add that to the good ratings it's received for all the other tests, the Sorento's overall status is elevated to Top Safety Pick. You can check out video of the small overlap test above.

Springtime Auto Tips

Springtime Auto Tips

Spring is one of the prime times for auto maintenance. That first wash-n-wax on a warm Saturday afternoon is liberating. Winter's gloom (to say nothing of grit and road salt) is literally washed away. Take out the snow shovel, the gloves, and heavy boots and store them 'til next season. Surely summer can't be far away.

Some preparation now will help ensure that your summer driving plans go as smoothly as you envision then now. Here are some tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer.

• Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules.
• Have hard starts, rough idling, stalling, etc. corrected before hot weather sets in.
• Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically.
• If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities that employ certified automotive technicians.
• The tightness and condition of belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a qualified auto technician.
• Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician to reduce the likelihood of more costly repairs.
• Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner's manual. (Properly dispose of used oil.)
• Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended.
• Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
• Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs.
• Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to combat summer's dust and insects.

Nissan Titan Truckumentary looks back through the brand's trucks [w/video] | Auffenberg Dealer Group

This is a set-the-stage episode, surveying the brand's truck history in the US from the 1960 Datsun 1200, one of the first vehicles it sold here, to the first truck it manufactured here in 1983 in Smyrna, TN, to the nineties Hardbody and the 1999 SUT Concept, among others.

Pickup-truck-lifer Brent Hagan, the product planner for the next-generation Titan - designed and engineered in the US - is our tour guide for this episode. If anything, after watching this video all we could think was, "Nissan, please bring back the good old days."

2015 Nissan Sentra | Auffenberg Dealer Group

The highly successful seventh-generation Sentra, introduced in fall 2012, continues to be refined for the 2015 model year with a number of interior comfort and convenience enhancements – all which add value to an already outstanding array of standard and available features and equipment.

"For 2015, the Sentra lineup has been simplified and we've added value to all grades," said Derrick Hatami, vice president, Sales - U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. "The Sentra's most popular trim, the SV, now comes standard with great features such as RearView Monitor, Bluetooth, USB port that we are certain Sentra buyers will enjoy. SV also includes Nissan Intelligent Key®, which our primary competitors do not offer at this price point."

The entry-level Sentra S grade adds standard USB connection port, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, illuminated steering wheel audio controls, Smart Auto Headlights and cruise control.

The popular SV grade now includes Nissan Intelligent Key®, RearView Monitor, NissanConnect^SM with Mobile Apps, 5.0-inch color display, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), sliding front armrest, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Smart Auto Headlights and Easy-Fill Tire Alert.

The enhancements for 2015 continue with the sporty Sentra SR, which adds standard heated front seats and heated outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators – plus added features from the previous Driver's Package, including rear disc brakes, Nissan Intelligent Key®, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with 5.0-inch color display, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and more. The top-of-the-line Sentra SL adds standard leather-appointed seats, heated front seats and auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® Universal Transceiver.

In addition, four new exterior colors are offered for 2015 (11 colors total): Titanium, Red Alert (SR only), Cayenne Red and Fresh Powder.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices*** (MSRP) for the 2015 Nissan Sentra:

Sentra S 6MT	$16,480 USD
Sentra S Xtronic	$17,330 USD
Sentra FE+ S Xtronic	$17,730 USD
Sentra SV Xtronic	$18,300 USD
Sentra SR Xtronic	$19,910 USD
Sentra SL Xtronic	$20,670 USD

^{Destination and handling $825.}

About the 2015 Nissan Sentra
Once again Sentra's elegant, modern and refined exterior reflects a "professional" character targeted at buyers who aspire to drive something more premium than traditionally available in this segment. It features Nissan's bold signature trapezoid-shaped grille and large wraparound headlights with standard LED accents and LED taillights.

Sentra's refined look continues inside with a high-quality interior design featuring materials not usually found in compact vehicles, including soft-touch instrument panel and door armrests, available leather-appointed seating and available Maple wood-tone trim. Along with offering ample roominess in a compact-size exterior, including an outstanding 37.4 inches of rear seat legroom, the intuitive interior layout emphasizes driver control and outstanding seat comfort for all occupants.

Sentra utilizes a fuel-efficient 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, which along with the next-generation Xtronic transmission with sub-planetary gear, helps the Sentra FE+ S model deliver 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined – resulting in a more than 415-mile real-world driving range**.

Other available features range from Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control and a Bose® Premium audio system with 8 speakers, to Nissan Intelligent Key® keyless entry and push button ignition system and RearView Monitor. The 2015 Nissan Sentra is offered in six models: S 6MT, S CVT, FE+ S, SV, SR and SL.

Can an actual Ford F-150 ride on 4 Power Wheels F-150s? | Auffenberg Dealer Group

 By Chris Bruce
A lot of kids are rough on their toys, especially when it comes to those made to be used outside, like a four-wheeled kid-size Power Wheels. Whether it's cruising through the sand box, carrying piles of rocks in the driveway or crashing around trees in the backyard, these motorized vehicles often take punishment from the moment the giftwrap comes off.

The folks at Fisher-Price decided to give their latest F-150 Power Wheels a true torture test worse than any kid could have ever managed by setting a real 2015 Ford F-150 on top of four of them. Would the little toy trucks explode in a shower of plastic shards in a massive collapse, and if not, could they drive away afterwards?

The latest F-150 might be 700 pounds lighter thanks to the switch to aluminum, but it's still a fullsize pickup. According to this clip, the truck weighs in at 4,120 pounds, which puts an average of 1,030 pounds on each of the toys. Check out the video above to see how the stunt goes.

Redesigned 2015 Ford F-150 Will Gain New EcoBoost Engine, Lose 700 lbs. | Auffenberg Dealer Group

It’s not easy improving on the best-selling vehicle in the country, but the brand-new 2015 Ford F-150 is going to do just that. Introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and scheduled to go on sale later this year, the truck will showcase new features like: Integrated loading ramps for easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and more A new “BoxLink” system of cleats and brackets for attaching bed accessories Advanced camera technologies, including a 360-degree bird’s-eye-view system and a rearview camera with special guidelines to simplify hitching Remote tail-gate release and lock/unlock functionality 400-watt in-cabin power outlets Side-mirror-mounted LED spotlights and LED bed-box lights Ford’s next-gen tailgate step Driver-assistance aides including adaptive cruise control and curve control, as well as lane-keeping and blindspot-information systems There’s also something new available under the hood of the 2015 Ford F-150: a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that delivers an “extremely high output and lightweight design.” Then, returning for the 2015 model year will be Ford’s 5.0-liter V-8, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 and naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, all providing their own unique combinations of “power, capability and efficiency.” The 2015 Ford F-150 will get a bolder and more modern appearance, too, but the biggest news is actually under the skin. That’s where Ford engineers have deployed a frame that now relies on high-strength, military-grade aluminum. As a result, while the 2015 Ford F-150 will serve up all the capabilities one expects from the Blue Oval’s workhorse, it will do so at a fighting weight that’s up to 700 lbs. lower than last year’s model. The bottom line from Mark Fields, chief operating officer of the Ford Motor Company: “F-150 is well-known for being Built Ford Tough. Now, it is both tough and smart. The all-new F-150 redefines the future of trucks, and it is yet another example of our One Ford plan producing vehicles that serve customers with a commitment to the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.”

Source: https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2014/01/13/all-new-ford-f-150-redefines-full-size-trucks.html Written by Charles Krome.

Winter Driving Tips | Auffenberg Dealer Group

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. We want to remind motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. 

We recommend the following winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cellular telephone plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Original post can be viewed here.

Hyundai HB20 R-Spec Concept car Launched | Auffenberg Dealer Group

Hyundai Motor Company has launched the HB20 R-Spec concept vehicle at the 2014 Sao Paulo Auto Show.

The stylish concept car has been developed under the guidance of Hyundai’s design guru Peter Schreyer.

Painted in matte blue exterior color, the HB20 R-Spec incorporates aggressive front fascia styling with large hexagonal grille and attractive LED daytime running lights being two of the most notable features of the car.

Completing the vehicle’s sporty look are the widened fenders, sporty 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED tail-lamps and dual chrome exhaust pipes.

It is not known at this point whether Hyundai plans to release the HB20 R-Spec to the market or just tease the visitors of the show.

However, Hyundai is working on a range of hot hatchbacks that will soon see the day of light.

As we previously reported, the automaker is currently developing their first-ever N hot hatchback, which will be based on the just-recently introduced i20 hatch.

The New Old Reliable | Auffenberg Dealer Group

Ford Social Member,

 

9/19/2014

 

For Loveland, Ohio lawyer Doug Nienaber, Ford has always been a family name. “We’ve had Fords in my family for as long as I can remember,” says the 38-year-old father of two. “My dad was a business manager at a Ford dealership, and he was always bringing home demo vehicles. We got a lot of attention. One time he brought home an early Taurus. Sometimes he’d bring something even more exotic.”

He brought home a Mustang in 1979, the year it was the pace car at the Indy 500. “That was amazing,” Nienaber says. “The car had a graphic logo on the side, and everybody wanted to know more about it.”

And while Nienaber loved the glitz and glamor that rolled into the driveway with each new Ford his dad brought home, he always felt a deeper connection to the Blue Oval.

“We’ve always been attracted to the quality,” he explains. “The first car I ever had was an Escort that I bought from my dad back when I was in college. It wasn’t a muscle car by any stretch, but it served me well for a long time, gave me a lot of great memories—I dated my [now] wife, Jennifer, in that car—and it never let me down.”

That Escort carried Nienaber to the purchase of his first Focus in 2002—a car that, he says, became a trusted member of his family. “I bought it the year I graduated from law school, and it was the first time I bought a new car with my own money. It endured 130,000 miles and took me through everything my twenties had to offer. I brought my daughter home from the hospital in that car!”

In fact, he loved that Focus so much that he didn’t want to part with it. “I cared for it like it was one of my kids. I changed the oil, did the repairs. I didn’t want it to leave the family, so I sold it to my cousin. It still rides like it’s brand new.”

What’s new in his garage is a 2013 Focus ST. He wanted something that he could depend on, but that would also be exciting to drive. “It’s a lot more powerful and a lot faster [than my 2002 Focus], but it’s got a similar feel and the same reliability,” Nienaber says. “It’s reminiscent of the old car, but it’s modern. My kids love it.”

“It’s also great for hauling around all the kids’ stuff and friends,” he explains. “I coach my son’s T-ball team, and we can fit all the equipment in the back.” The five-door hatchback makes loading and unloading the kids easy.

No matter the task at hand, the Focus ST always adds a little Ford fun for the Nienaber family.

RUMOR: Return of the Mazdaspeed3 in 2016? | Auffenberg Dealer Group

Since the launch of the 2014 Mazda3 in September 2013, Mazda enthusiasts have raised their voices demanding a new Mazdaspeed3. Unfortunately, the launch of the redesigned 3 signaled the end of Mazda’s popular hot hatch.

The latest batch of rumors come straight from the Japanese motor magazine Holiday Autowhich claims to have an inside scoop on Mazda’s plans for the relaunch of the Mazdaspeed3.

Recent rumors indicated that Mazda was aiming to outfit the Mazda3 with a turbo diesel engine which would be released as the new Mazdaspeed3. Word on the street, or at leastHoliday Auto, now indicates Mazda has ditched the plan for a turbo diesel in favor of a turbocharged variant of the 2.5-liter gasoline engine currently found in the s Touring and s Grand Touring trims in the US for the 2014 Mazda3.

Mazda corporate in Japan has denied rumors about turbo, especially concerns that the high compression ratio of the SKYACTIV-G engine paired with a turbo would create problems. However, the source makes it clear that the problem “has been already solved.”

The source also told Holiday Auto that we can expect to see All-Wheel-Drive on the new Mazdaspeed3 which would be the first compact Mazda to receive the AWD treatment.

If the rumors are true, we can expect the return of the Mazdaspeed3 in 2016.

Via: CarsGuide.com.au