The phrase “launching a new luxury car brand” is not often heard, as it’s not an easy thing to do, because luxury car buyers tend to be very brand loyal. 

Thankfully, Hyundai didn’t care and did it anyway.

They decided last year to ditch the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus -- upscale Hyundai models that were still Hyundais -- redesign them and relaunch the two vehicles as the G80 and G90 in the new Genesis luxury line (their equivalent of Toyota’s Lexus, Honda’s Acura, Ford’s Lincoln, etc.).

Poppycock, many folks may have thought when the brand was launched. Hyundai’s not a luxury brand, their inner brain is telling them.

But are these folks right or wrong?

The new Aston Martin DB11 has won the T3 Design of the Year Award, presented annually to the world’s best technology products.

Now entering its 10th year, the T3 Awards is one of UK’s biggest and most prestigious technology awards and celebrates the most transformational products and people each year. Voted for by T3 readers, the Design of the Year Award is presented to the ‘most pleasing looking device, or one that reimagines what a product of its type can look like’.

BMW has announced pricing for the all-new BMW 5 Series, arriving in U.S. showrooms February 11, 2017, shortly after its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2017 BMW 530i will be available for $51,200, the 530i xDrive model for $53,500, the BMW 540i will be available for $56,450 and the BMW 540i xDrive model for $58,750, plus $995 Destination and Handling. Standard equipment now includes Adaptive LED Headlights, Sport Seats, Active Protection, Fatigue and Focus Alert as well as an 18-inch Double-Spoke Wheels and an Anthracite headliner enhancing the sporty character of the latest BMW Sport Sedan.

Let’s be blunt: Chrysler (and parent company FCA) have a lot riding on its new 2017 Pacifica minivan.

With the impending disappearance of the Chrysler 200 sedan, the Pacifica will soon be one of only two remaining Chrysler nameplates (the other being the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan). Sure, there is also a hybrid version of the Pacifica available (and a rumored all-electric version coming in the future), but if you’ve only got two vehicles in your portfolio, they better be great and they better be selling.

WIth that in mind, Chrysler has worked hard to make the all-new Pacifica (a replacement for the long-running Town & Country minivan … not a reboot of the Pacifica crossover that stopped production after 2008) as competitive as it can be vs. the other minivans and boatload of SUVs available to families.

Did FCA and Chrysler do enough to make it work? I just spent some time in a Pacifica and I’m back with a full report to let you know.

The industry’s first-ever electrified minivan, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, rolled off the line at the FCA US Windsor Assembly Plant (Ont.) on Dec. 1, further expanding the Company’s leadership in the segment.

The launch of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid marks another milestone for the Windsor plant as it is the first electric vehicle to be built on its assembly line.

“The nearly 5,900 employees at Windsor Assembly are bringing more than 33 years of minivan production knowledge and expertise to the launch of the Pacifica Hybrid,” saidBrian Harlow, Head of Manufacturing, FCA – North America. “They understand, now more than ever, how critical it is for our manufacturing processes to be directly connected to our diverse and expanding customer base.

“Building the Dodge Grand Caravan, the Chrysler Pacifica with the traditional gas powertrain and now the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid on the same assembly line requires the expanded application of World Class Manufacturing methods and tools to ensure we deliver world class quality in every vehicle we make,” said Harlow. “The Windsor team is proud to build the industry’s first hybrid minivan, and is confident that it will provide a positive and delightful experience to our future customers.”

Since launching the first minivan in 1983, the Windsor plant has built 10 million of the more than 14.3 million vehicles that have been sold to date.

While the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvented the minivan segment, the Pacifica Hybrid builds on its functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling with the addition of electrification technology, making it the most fuel-efficient minivan ever for hauling people and cargo.

The hybrid version of the sixth-generation family hauler will deliver a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved range of 33 miles solely on zero-emissions electric power from a 16-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. The Pacifica Hybrid also earned a fuel-economy rating of 84 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) from the EPA, reflecting the vehicle’s combined city- and highway-cycle performance in electric-mode only, as tested.

“Minivan drivers travel an average of around 30 miles each day, meaning that most Pacifica Hybrid owners will be able to complete their daily activities solely on electric power,” saidTim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA - North America. “For those longer weekend trips, the 33-mile all-electric range combined with a full tank of fuel will deliver an expected total range of 566 miles, alleviating the potential of any range anxiety.”

The battery pack – neatly packaged under the second-row floor in a unique battery case to retain maximum interior volume for both passengers and cargo – may be fully recharged in as little as two hours using a 240-volt plug-in system.

As the original creator of the minivan more than 33 years ago, FCA US has transformed the segment with firsts – notching 78 innovations through the first five minivan generations. With the introduction of the all-new Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid, FCA US adds 37 minivan firsts to its portfolio for an unprecedented total of 115 innovations in the segment, including the industry’s first minivan available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid models feature a unique front grille pattern and wheel design, as well as distinctive badging and an exclusive Silver Teal Pearl Coat paint, differentiating it from the rest of the Pacifica lineup.

FCA US invested $2.6 billion USD to develop the Pacifica, including its hybrid counterpart, with $744 million USD (over $1 billion CAD*) allocated to the plant to add floor space, retool and upgrade equipment.

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybridpricingstarts at $34,495 with available U.S. federal tax credit, not including state and local incentives, and will begin arriving in dealerships over the next several months.
 
* Based on currency exchange rate of 1.37% as of December 2015

-- Press release courtesy of FCA

NASCAR and Monster Energy have announced a multi-year agreement for the premier series entitlement as well as the prestigious annual NASCAR All-Star Race.Monster Energy, which will begin its tenure as naming rights partner onJan. 1, 2017, will become only the third company to serve as the entitlement sponsor in NASCAR premier series history, following RJ Reynolds and Sprint/Nextel.

As part of the agreement, the brand also becomes the Official Energy Drink of NASCAR.

“Monster Energy is a brand built on excitement and enthusiasm, qualities that align with NASCAR,” said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “This sponsorship position is the most unique in all of sports and entertainment, and we are thrilled to have a partner that will help us further elevate the series. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a thorough search, one that resulted in the right partner at this important time in our sport’s history.”