(FCA)
Yes, there are still new cars being brought to market each and every month, in case you were wondering. FCA is bringing the 2018 FIAT 500X Blue Sky Edition - Fiat is still around by the way - which offers a dual-pane power sunroof along with premium satin-chrome exterior accents and unique blue interior features. We don't quite know why the Blue Sky Edition will be available in four colors: Bianco Gelato (White Clear Coat), Nero Cinema (Black Clear Coat), Grigio Graphite (Graphite Grey) and, in case you missed it, Blue Sky Metallic, but there you have it. Based on the Pop model, the 500X Blue Sky Edition package is available for $1,495 on front-wheel-drive configurations and $1,195 on all-wheel-drive configurations. It will be available in FIAT studios this spring.
(Toyota USA)
And Toyota is offering its 2019 Corolla Hatchback, suggesting that it offers, "all-new high-function, dynamic design; 2.0-liter Four-Cylinder, Six-Speed iMT Manual Transmission, and Dynamic-Shift CVT offering more power and MPG." It rides on the new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform with Sport-Tuned Suspension, Standard Entune 3.0 Audio with 8-inch Touchscreen, Wi-Fi Connect, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay Compatibility. It also offers the first North American application of Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. On sale this summer, Toyota PR minions just couldn't help themselves and actually had this in the press release: "Hot hatch? More like Haute Hatch." Oh my.
(Porsche)
We don't know why Porsche has decided to unveil the new 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid this week - it won't be available until early next year - but the short story is that it is has more power, quicker acceleration, a faster top speed, and increased electric-only range over the Cayenne S E-Hybrid it replaces. The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid includes the third new hybrid powertrain from Porsche since 2017. It combines a three-liter mono-turbo V6 engine with 335HP and 332 lb-ft of torque with an electric motor that creates 134HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. The result is a total system output of 455 horsepower from 5,250 to 6,400 RPM and 516 lb-ft of torque from 1,000 to 3,750 RPM. Acceleration from zero to 60 MPH takes 4.7 seconds; the ¼ mile in 13.3 seconds with a top track speed of 157 MPH. Battery capacity of the Cayenne E-Hybrid increases by roughly 30 percent to 14.1 kWh when compared to the preceding model. The liquid-cooled battery consists of eight modules with 13 prismatic lithium ion cells each. The packaging size of this battery pack is the same as the battery used in the previous Cayenne S E-Hybrid, but it has improved energy density. Using a 230-volt, 32 amp connection and the optional 7.2 kW onboard charger, it is possible to recharge a fully depleted battery in 2.3 hours. Using a 230-volt connection with 10 amps and the standard 3.6 kW on-board charger, replenishing a fully depleted battery requires 7.8 hours. In both cases, the recharging process is quicker with the new Cayenne E-Hybrid than in prior models. In conjunction with the launch of the 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche will also introduce several new features to the entire Cayenne model line, including massaging seats, a heated windshield, a head-up display, and for the first time in any Porsche, 22-inch wheels. The new Cayenne E-Hybrid is expected to begin arriving at U.S. dealers in early 2019, with a base MSRP of $79,900.
