Tag: Black Label Modern Heritage

Ford just officially announced what the industry has known for years.  The Ford Flex has been discontinued following its eleven year run.  2019 is its last model year.  I owned two Flex models.  A 2009 Flex Limited and a 2011 Flex Limited with EcoBoost.  While the 2009 was an outstanding vehicle, the EcoBoost powertrain in the 2011 transformed the product.  It was extremely fun to drive.  It was one of those vehicles that you could just think of where you wanted to be on the freeway and, voila, you were there.

They used to call them "ASAP Running Changes". That is what the all new 2020 Ford Explorer needs in relation to its high volume base 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine. While the powertrain, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, feels pretty good. All of the goodness is dampened by engine noise. This needs to get handled before word gets out that the high volume XLT is a noisy alternative in the competitive SUV wars.

The all new 2020 Lincoln Corsair is based on an entirely new front wheel drive platform shared with the Ford Escape compact crossover SUV.  While Corsair is based on the Escape, there is now significant differentiation between the two vehicles.  The Corsair is much more upscale than the Escape.  Its design is elegant and materials are top notch.  It’s powertrain choices are a significant step up.  At-a-glance, Corsair has design DNA from the all new 2020 Lincoln Aviator.

Lincoln tops AutoPacific's 2019 Vehicle Satisfaction Research winning top brand, Navigator top luxury SUV, Nautilus luxury crossover SUV. More coming with all new Aviator and Corsair by the end of 2019.

The 2020 Nissan Versa moves Nissan's lowest priced car upwards. It is larger - longer, wider, but lower. Styling is much more mature showing that even the lowest priced car in a lineup can look good.

Cadillac enters the 7-passenger premium brand crossover SUV market with the 2020 Cadillac XT6. With a distinctive Cadillac front end, but otherwise conventional styling, XT6 will not offend anyone. The interior package is generous and comfortable. Finally, Cadillac gets a 7-passenger SUV with a fold-flat 3rd row seat. That is a big, big deal.

Two new 5-passenger crossover SUVs from high volume automakers are very similar in concept and features. Which is better? Is the Chevrolet Blazer better than the Honda Passport or is the Passport superior?

Mitsubishi is rebulding in the USA with a new dealer look, additional dealers covering 90% of the market, relocating its headquarters from Cypress, CA to Nashville, TN and freshening its products. Major changes all.

To increase brand image and customer satisfaction, Mitsubishi is rolling out a dealer visual identity program. The prototype store is Autoplex Mitsubishi in Lewisville Texas.

Chevrolet revealed its all new 2020 C8 Chevrolet Corvette at a live-streamed event in Tustin, CA. The mid-engined sports car is an impressive engineering achievement available at an affordable price.