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.