Jeep is a brand that will always have an audience, both in America and abroad, and it carries a lot of the load for FCA. Much of that success is from annual top-sellers like the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, but there’s also some very cool special editions that come out -- including the 2017 Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk, which I recent had a chance to test out.

IT’S GOT THE LOOK

The Renegade comes in many trim levels, including the off-road friendly Trailhawk. The Desert Hawk is basically a limited edition of the Trailhawk with a very cool look that’s all its own. As with most Jeeps, the trail-rated Desert Hawk is aimed at those who like to hit the road where the road ends

Visually the Renegade Desert Hawk is one of the most attractive vehicles I’ve seen all year. It starts with a strong paint scheme (Mojave Sand), then up front it features the bold Jeep grille and a unique headlamp design, going up to the hood and its huge but not gaudy map decal design. It’s not a stretch to say that when driving a Desert Hawk, no vehicle on the road will look quite like yours.

Other colors are offered on the Desert Hawk (gray, white, green), but the Mojave Sand is easily the best-looking option.

Despite the continuing rise of SUVs, to many carbuyers a sedan is still what they crave. So automakers can not afford to ignore this segment.

Kia recognizes that, and has paid close attention to its recently redesigned Optima sedan, which is larger than its compact Rio and Forte options, but just shy of the full-size Kia Cadenza sedan.

Kia needs to turn heads if it’s going to take a bite out of the top sellers in the segment. I recently spent some time in a 2017 Optima, and I’ll let you know how it holds up.

LOOKS

Standing out in this segment is hard, but Kia puts in a strong effort, particularly on the interior. You’ll find high-end stitched leather seating offered, and an overall roomy and comfortable interior that borders on a luxury feel.

The trunk space is quite generous, rear legroom is strong for the class, and front seats provide comfort even on long rides.
On the exterior it’s a decent effort too, though probably not best in class. I like the front of the vehicle and its grille and headlight design, but the remainder of the vehicle sort of blends in with the competition.

Soon after the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion is crowned at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup will head to Las Vegas as NASCAR hosts its annual Champion’s Week festivities. Fans will gather in Las Vegas for events honoring the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Playoff Drivers, Sunoco Rookie of the Year and other season-ending award recipients.

Beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 28 and culminating Thursday, Nov. 30, NASCAR Champion’s Week will feature the annual NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards at the Wynn Las Vegas as well as the return of the NASCAR Fan Lounge at Beerhaus located at The Park, situated between New York-New York Hotel & Casino and Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.
This year, a special celebration of the storied driving career of Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Appreci88ion An Evening with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Presented by Nationwide" will take place at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The exclusive fan event will feature surprise guests from Earnhardt’s career with proceeds benefitting Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs drivers will take to the famed Las Vegas Strip when they get behind the wheel of their race cars for NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco on Wednesday, Nov 29.

The 2018 Audi S5 Sportback earns a spot among Wards 10 Best User Experiences with editors noting that the Sportback remains a benchmark for exceptional integration of technology and refined interior design in the luxury sedan segment.

As manufacturers increasingly strive to simplify connectivity with personal devices in vehicles, information displays and advanced driver-assistance features, the S5 Sportback received high marks for its virtual cockpit with vivid graphics, refined interior design with carbon fiber accents and its suite of available advanced driver assistance systems.
WardsAuto editors evaluated vehicles based on the overall effectiveness of the user experience, how easily the car connects with a compatible smartphone, user-friendliness of the controls, the availability of the advanced driver assistance technology, and how appealing the materials are as a component of the user experience.

The BMW Group is systematically expanding the intelligent connectivity capabilities of its vehicles by seamlessly integrating the highly versatile Alexa, Amazon’s voice-controlled personal assistant, into all BMW and MINI models from mid-2018. The innovative inclusion of a cloud-based voice service will enable BMW Group customers to access a variety of services, entertainment features and shopping facilities while on the move by simple voice interaction. Tens of thousands of Alexa skills that can be accessed from Echo devices will now be available for in-car use, too.

BMW Connected skill for Alexa has been available since September 2016. This has allowed BMW Connected users in the USA, Germany and the UK to ask Alexa to check vehicle information such as the state of charge or fuel level, or control their car via Remote Services from the comfort of their home. Alexa also makes it possible to consult appointments or scheduled routes and departure times with the help of the BMW Connected mobility agenda. The availability of Alexa in the car now makes it possible to use functions enjoyed at home while out on the road as well.

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is now available with a new attitude, courtesy of the S Appearance Package. featuring black accents inside and out.

“The Chrysler Pacifica definitely stands out in the school drop-off line, and its class-leading style has won over many new customers,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA – North America. “The Pacifica’s S Appearance Package takes that style to the next level and offers our customers yet another unique personality that further differentiates Pacifica from the rest of the segment.”

The Pacifica’s S Appearance Package features Gloss Black accents throughout the exterior, including grille surrounds, eyebrow accents on headlamps, daylight opening molding and rear valance molding. Eighteen-inch wheels with a Black Noise finish are standard, while 20-inch Black Noise wheels are available. The Chrysler wing badges on the front and rear are Black Noise with a Gloss Black insert, while the “Pacifica” and “S” badges in the rear are also in Black Noise. A black roof rack is optional on the Touring Plus and standard on other trim levels equipped with the S Appearance Package.

Inside, the S Appearance Package includes black seats with Light Diesel Gray accents and the “S” logo; Light Diesel Gray stitching and Piano Black accents on the steering wheel; and Light Diesel Gray stitching and Anodized Ice Cave bezels on the instrument panel and door trim. All other interior elements are fully black, including the front overhead console, headliner, visors, second- and third-row cargo lighting bezel, A-pillar trim and center console.

The Chrysler Pacifica S Appearance Package is available for $595 U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and can be added to any Touring Plus, Touring L, Touring L Plus or Limited models. The 20-inch Black Noise wheels can be added to any model equipped with the S Appearance Package for an additional $995 MSRP. The S Appearance Package will be available to order in dealer showrooms this fall.

The Chrysler Pacifica also receives additional updates for the 2018 model year, including standard SafetyTec across all gas and hybrid models, upgraded Uconnect 4 systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available 4G LTE Wi-Fi (late availability).

-- Press release courtesy of FCA