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Electric Ford Bronco https://kidtraxtoys.com/pages/fordbronco

Dodge Astra! I love the obnoxiously square dash and interior on this thing. I almost pulled the trigger on a Saturn Astra in 09. Partially because of the sleek squarish dash look. I would love the obnoxiously square style of the wagon in a mid-large size version; a bigger version of my TourX. Even though Stellantis owns Opel now I can't help but think for a gas powered wagon styled like this on a Cadillac CT6 platform would be the ultimate interstate cruiser.

https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/opel/press/new-opel-astra-electric-compact-class-bestseller-goes-fully-electric Debut: Latest generation Astra also available as battery-electric vehicle for the first time Pioneer: Astra Sports Tourer Electric first battery-electric estate from a German manufacturer Top performance: 270 Nm, range up to 416 km (WLTP1), top speed of 170 km/h Broad selection: Battery-electric version extends drivetrain range Electrifying performance: Great roadholding, pure locally emission-free driving fun Rüsselsheim. Opel is opening the next ground-breaking chapter with the new Astra: today the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker revealed the first images of the new Opel Astra Electric. The brand with the “Blitz” is thus presenting the first all-electric serial production Astra in the decades-long success story of the compact class bestseller and newly crowned “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”[2] winner. But that's not all: at the same time as the battery-electric five-door, the tradition-rich brand is also presenting the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric, the first all-electric estate from a German manufacturer. “The Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric are real pioneers: With the new battery-electric variant of the five-door and the estate, customers will benefit from everyday suitability combined with comfort, and above all with a lot of locally emission-free driving pleasure. This is what we mean when referring to sensible 'Greenovation' of mobility,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl. “At the same time, we are continuing to roll out our electrification offensive. The new Opel Astra Electric is an important milestone on our way to becoming a fully electric brand in Europe.” In the future, Opel Astra customers will thus be able to choose from more drivetrain alternatives than for any other model with the “Blitz”. In addition to highly efficient combustion engines, the Astra and Astra Sports Tourer are already available as electrified plug-in hybridvariants including the new top-of-the-line model, the Astra GSe. And the range of drivetrains will soon be complemented by the battery-electric Astra Electric, which will be available to order from spring 2023. Driving fun with responsibility: Emotional, everyday suitability, locally emission-free The new Opel Astra Electric and Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric will electrify customers. Like all Astra variants, they not only impress with their bold and clear design, but also with their responsible performance. The new Astra Electric conveys pure locally emission-free driving fun. The electric motor delivers 115 kW/156 hp and a powerful 270 Newton meters of maximum torque – both available from the first touch of the accelerator pedal ensuring brisk starts and convincing acceleration. And while many other electric cars are limited to 150 km/h or 160 km/h, the new Astra Electric has a top speed of 170 km/h. Depending on driving preferences, Astra Electric drivers can choose between the three modes Eco, Normal and Sport. The energy is stored in a 54 kWh lithium-ion battery. The 102 battery cells are housed in 17 modules and ensure that the new Astra Electric can cover up to 416 kilometres locally emission-free in accordance with WLTP1. The engineers attached great importance to efficient packaging and were able to ensure an exemplary range with a compact battery size. The new Astra Electric requires just 12.7 kWh of electricity per 100 kilometres (14.9 kWh according to WLTP3), making it not only the perfect, efficient vehicle for everyday use, but also an ideal companion that saves time on longer journeys – as a five-door model or as a Sports Tourer estate. Even when the battery-electric Astra needs to be recharged, this only means a short “pit stop” at a charging point. The Astra Electric can be charged to 80 percent of the battery capacity in around 30 minutes at a 100 kW direct current fast charging station. In addition, the all-electric Astra is equipped as standard with a three-phase 11 kW onboard charger for the wall box at home. The batteries are practically housed in the underbody – so no space for passengers and luggage is lost in the interior. Even with the rear seats up, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric offers 516 litres of luggage space in the boot – with the seats folded down, the capacity increases to up to 1,553 litres. Another advantage: The low position of the battery also gives the Astra Electric and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric a safe and solid position on the road, as is typical for Opel. Inside and out: Experience electric mobility intensively with the Astra Electric The interior also provides a particularly intense driving experience: the ergonomic Active Sport seats, optionally available in Alcantara, offer Astra Electric drivers and passengers the highest level of seating comfort à la Opel. The seats, which have been certified by Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (AGR; Campaign for Healthier Backs), offer excellent lateral stability and a wide range of manual and electric adjustment options. In this way, the driver feels even more firmly integrated into the vehicle and experiences a unique feeling at the steering wheel. The fully digital Pure Panel with two large 10-inch widescreen displays also takes the driver into a modern cockpit world. The latest generation of intuitive human-machine interface displays all important functions such as battery charge status or range, while important settings such as climate control can still be easily adjusted at the touch of a button. And with the large E-HUD head-up display and natural voice recognition, drivers’ eyes can stay focused on the road and the traffic situation. Numerous assistance systems, from front collision warning with automatic emergency braking to active lane keep assist, drowsiness detection and rear cross traffic alert to semi-automated lane change, are bundled in the new Intelli-Drive 2.0, among others, and further enhance safety – as does the class-leading, adaptive Intelli-Lux LED® Pixel Light with a total of 168 LED elements. The new Astra Electric conveys a direct, dynamic driving feel at first glance. Bold and pure in its design, the all-electric Astra comes with the Opel Vizor brand face including an extra sporty front bumper design in every trim level. Another eye-catcher are the standard 18-inch alloy wheels in diamond-cut or completely black finish. Here, too, the new Opel Astra Electric makes it unmistakably clear: the Opel compact class is opening a new chapter – emotional, electrifying and, for the first time, fully electric.

https://www.motor1.com/news/624059/2023-opel-astra-electric-debut/amp/ Stellantis' EV onslaught continues in Europe where the Opel Astra will be offered for the first time in its 32-year run without a combustion engine. Mechanically related to the Peugeot E-308 unveiled in September, the electric compact car will also come in hatchback and wagon body styles akin to its French cousin. Being based on a platform developed for ICE-powered cars, the EVs look nearly the same as their gasoline and diesel counterparts.

Yeah, the whole gray house thing has been a thing for far too long now.

Waiting for the new Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale to come out. Also, I see Jeep Compass has a new (lower power) 2.0 turbo. I want to see what some of these newer compact crossovers with actual power can do and are like to drive consider the Equinox and Terrain and stuck with the slow 1.5.

Yes those are all good points. Agree on the ‘off white’ thing. A little more buff / tan in the color of the seats may be better for cleanliness long term. this is a good rig for someone who wants enough comfort for themselves, without the size of the vehicle getting too large. Still has good leg room front and back. Really airy cabin with the panoramic roof. I think if they ever redesign the dash with more of an upright screen, that’s ok…but the current layout I was ok with. With it angled towards you as the driver it definitely is easier to see and easier to operate as things are closer in reach. I will say this, I probably wouldn’t look at this vehicle in anything besides Avenir trim. No valid reason they couldn’t build this in the US or Oshawa. Maybe if they re-introduced this vehicle with a new name, that would help. ‘Envision’ never has seemed to generate any traction from a marketing perspective.

Still working on the review, but real quick summary was that despite being too expensive, and being unnecessarily built in china, the Envision is quite delightful, actually. Far better represents the concept of Buick than the Encore GX. Where the Encore GX feels like a basic brand vehicle, the Envision Avenir I feel represents Buick well (excepting the high price). If it had a lower price then it can be more competitive with say a loaded CX-3, RAV4 and CRv. Nice interior, liked the dash more than I thought. Was ok with the finger tranny buttons. Smooth ride. Proper engine!!!! Not a hot rod but wasn't working hard. It is too loud and grainy, so its a bit unpleasant sounding; they need to fix that. But smoothness of the engine is pretty good. Would be a nice road vehicle. Far nicer than the Equinox. Feels like a real car where the Encore GX didn't feel that way. It would be helpful if Buick advertised it and got more people to know about this car. Then, lower the price a bit, 3-5 grand. Then, build them here in the US in greater volumes. You can keep Buick going and win back market share with this vehicle. But not by overpricing it and building it in China. This is a partial example of why GM seems to want to be swirling the toilet at times.

Since it won't let you edit after a certain time (not sure why, that doesn't work for typing a review ) Here is the full review This was a new Essence AWD I think the sticker was around 38k. Which, is a lot for this size and substance of this vehicle. LIKES: For what it is, which is a subcompact crossover, popular styling, very nice. Extremely garageable and urban friendly size. Likewise, a somewhat elegant interior. Good seating as far as support, and nice leg room front and back. Nice trunk space for this class of vehicle. The Encore GX has a real armrest! (the original Encore only had the fold down one.) Small 1.3 liter engine had more pep (or perception of) than I thought it would. Lots of available features, rare for a crossover this size (for example this one had surround view). DISLIKES: Narrow cabin, I am large.....I guess its like being in a subcompact sedan, but the higher seating and cabin emphasizes the narrow feel. And therefore maybe feels tippy. Simply put, the engine is too raspy and coarse. This vehicle should have a FOUR cylinder. I recommend the 1.5 litre four cylinder from GM's stable. 9 speed automatic was borderline unacceptable, sort of. It really felt like it was working hard like a CVT and it was slow to shift. Figures without enough engine powering it. Maybe since the car is not run often it was just warming up. Cheaper plastics inside than the rest of the Buick line. Doesn't pull of the 'Buick is nicer inside' concept very well. Too expensive for a raspy three cylinder. I love how all the carmakers are doing this, further de-contenting the powertrains and size of the cars and charging an arm and a leg. Burdensome regs are the culprit. This crap is our automotive future. I won't want to even try a (similar) Chevy Trailblazer after this. SUMMARY Nice looking, and spacious, good size for urban environments or small garages. Not enough luxury for the Buick tag, not a good enough powertrain to be happy with at all. If you must have only a three cylinder, go look at the new Escape. Otherwise, seek out a similar vehicle with 4 cylinders, and a little more space, for the same money. If this were 5 grand or more cheaper across the board, then maybe its 'ok'. ----Here’s some pseudo pictures

This was a new Essence AWD I think the sticker was around 38k. Which, is a lot for this size and substance of this vehicle. LIKES: For what it is, which is a subcompact crossover, popular styling, very nice. Extremely garageable and urban friendly size. Likewise, a somewhat elegant interior. Good seating as far as support, and nice leg room front and back. Nice trunk space for this class of vehicle. The Encore GX has a real armrest! (the original Encore only had the fold down one.) Small 1.3 liter engine had more pep (or perception of) than I thought it would. Lots of available features, rare for a crossover this size (for example this one had surround view). DISLIKES: Narrow cabin, I am large.....I guess its like being in a subcompact sedan, but the higher seating and cabin emphasizes the narrow feel. Simply put, the engine is too raspy and coarse. This vehicle should have a FOUR cylinder. I recommend the 1.5 litre four cylinder from GM's stable. CVT was acceptable, sort of. Here’s some pseudo pictures

LIKES: -Styling's a bit nicer in person than pictures. Decent looking car. (exceptions below) -I actually thought the interior trim was decent in terms of quality. I think some in the press and in forums have ripped it, I think for an Acura compact, it's fine. Decent plastics, good seats, I liked the shiny grill like motif on the vents and other trim. -Fairly spacious for a compact. It's a larger compact. It's still not a midsize though. Lots of window area contributes to a very open feeling and the feel of spaciousness. -Really like the hatchback and trunk space. -Stick is available (a dying breed) even if it's a pricey thing. -All around, an improvement over the TLX. DISLIKES: -I just don't like that character line that starts at the C pillar / rear side window and slashes crossways through the side profile of the car. Sorry, it's awkward on a sedan / hatch like this. -"Ipod growing out of the dash" look sucks. -The display where you would normally expect gauges looks small. I can't recall what trim package this was. -This car should have a 2.0 turbo, not a pissy little 1.5; especially for the price. -Acura is really just 'premium Honda', the Acura's getting nicer simply highlights how milquetoast the newer Hondas have become. SUMMARY: I like this rig, I'd like to test drive it sometime. It's not the kind of car I am looking for but I don't think it deserves the full brunt of criticism it's been getting. It IS a semi-cool ride and a big upgrade over the ILX. Still, Acura only has themselves to blame for the criticism. Put the 2.0 turbo in it for this price and lose the dumb cut line on the side and maybe we've got something worth the sticker price with some discount of course.

Here's some pics and thoughts on the Acuras I checked out in the showroom today.

Will get some thoughts up later today. Unfortunately missed out on getting any pics.

Will get some notes in later today. a couple pics or it didn’t happen

Finally a decent looking Prius and it doesn’t look electric car weird. glad to see it’s still a hybrid. huge plus that it has real acceleration now. And still has top level mpg. and GM continues to blow chunks missing out on having a decent hybrid competitor of any kind for all the new hybrids hitting the market this year.

This must have been the base trim level. I didn't get in the driver's seat before they locked it up but I did get in the back seat. The level of interior was not lux level although seemingly more like a base Cadillac trim level. Rear seat space was not a ton, ok leg room but due to the skateboard platform withe batteries the floor was rather high so not much room in back to stretch six footer legs. Felt more like its in-between a mid size and larger size in terms of girth and leg room. Dash looked interesting and I think the console layout seems interesting. Although, I generally much prefer a fully utilized and closed console. Overall this won't give a luxury impression as a vehicle unless it has a higher trim level spec'd out. The leather and plastics quality was decent but not rich. Fair enough considering the starting price of it being both a Cadillac and an EV. I couldn't get in the trunk to see how the space was there. Styling, sharp....some slight EV weirdness plus generic GM profile means an attractive EV that's dressed up with enough Cadillac bling including a really cool lighted grille and funky taillights.

Cadillac had a Lyric on tour here a couple days ago at a local dealer. Coincidentally I was downtown for a work seminar that day which was close to the dealer, and I managed to make it just in time before the end of the day to check it out before they got it back on the trailer. Images momentarily

the Hybrid for mpg is appealing, but otherwise, this car regresses. Vanilla, and not even fine vanilla. Good virtue being offered, room and space, etc. Styling of all of Honda's new products are just flat and dead. Beyond uninspiring. But let's think of this. At least Honda has 4 new redesigned core products coming out within a year. HRV, CRV, Pilot, Accord. Not to mention some new Acuras. Not like Mary taking GM into the ground where they simply seem to be leaving the volume consumer segments left behind with no new product. Oh sure, trucks. But the competitors to those new Honda products are sure getting ignored. The segments that people can actually afford.

Yes, the Aurora dash is one of the big draws of this Saab. Parts availability on these is a thing. I hear the taillights have some sort of design flaw, and if you have to replace them its outrageous expensive and hard to get. This was a LaCrosse platform twin. So it has good space inside and should share some mechanicals with other GM cars.

Dealer near here has one of THESE. KINDA sorta WANNA ...replace the third car (Grand Prix) with this........

edit. - I missed the story post earlier today! sorry about that. ! no story on the new Chevy Trax? front drive only. https://www.chevrolet.com/upcoming-vehicles/2024-trax

interesting, a friend had gotten a new work vehicle from his company lately. a new RAV4 (since when is toyota doing fleet). the design of the interior is sort of basic and blocky and sterile however i was somewhat impressed with the low gloss and nice texture on the plastics. Still looked a bit cheap but not really what i would call bad. Assembly quality of the dash and door trim and all the gauges and controls was insanely precise. GM can never seem to do that. Seemed to have a lot of space also. But the seat padding felt cheap and uncomfortable. they must save the better seat padding for the lexus. Overally a nicer execution of 'Asian vehicle make interior' than what Hyundai / Kia does; at least that's good.

The Encore GX is very space efficient. But, its got tiny motors! Would love to see Encore GX available with at least the 1.5 liter four as an option. The VW Taos is extremely space efficient; huge inside for the size / class. If the exterior wasn't so dull on it I would even give it some thought.

Strange. I’ve seen comparisons before where they compared the edge and Cherokee. The Cherokee is a real tweener IMO. I would would like to see them enlarge the compass interior a bit. I know what you mean on the snug part. They did improve the interior a whole lot this past year. At least it’s nice to sit in now finally.

this is Compass sized. The Equinox and current Compass are pretty similar in size but i can see if it ended up between the Equinox and Encore GX.