2016 Ford Explorer Platinum Series

The 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum is a combination of the performance-oriented Explorer Sport and comfort-focused Limited trim levels. The vehicle's interior is described by Ford Explorer chief designer Mike Arbaugh as "most upscale, high-quality interior we’ve ever offered on a Ford vehicle in North America."

That's because the cabin employs real aluminum and real ash wood multi-piece accents on door panels and instrument panel, as well as a wood and leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with unique stitching.

The cabin is wrapped in Nirvana leather, with interior color options including Soft Ceramic or a new Ebony with Anthracite headliner combination. Other details include the 10-inch digital display in the instrument cluster and the brushed-aluminum Ford oval on the steering wheel.

In addition, the 2016 Explorer Platinum is the first Ford vehicle to get the all-new 500-watt Sony Audio with Live Acoustics and Clear Phase technology. Other standard technologies include enhanced active park assist, lane-keeping system and rain-sensing wipers.

Styling-wise, Platinum models stand out from regular 2016 Explorers thanks to the headlights with LED signature lighting, dual-panel moon roof, silver-painted front and rear skid plate elements, as well as 20-inch wheels with bright machined face and tarnished dark painted pockets.

The 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum is offered with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 that produces 365hp at 5,500 rpm and 350lb-ft (474Nm) of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.

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Classics 1935 Skoda 935

The major attraction was of course the Skoda 935 Dynamic prototype, a streamlined concept dating back to 1935 which was carefully restored back to its original condition by Skoda themselves. This is after all the only one in existence globally, with its last public appearance set back in October 1935 at the Motor Show in Prague where the Skoda 935 Dynamic made its debut. With its teardrop-shaped body, the 935 was exhibiting one of the most progressive designs in the auto industry at the time.

The mid-engined concept is using a body made out of aluminum/steel composite which kept the weight figure down at 1170kg. The water-cooled flat-four 2.0-litre engine is mounted in front of the rear axle and produces 54hp, enough the take the aerodynamic 935 at speed up to 140km/h. Measuring 4.86m in length, 1.68m wide and 1.54m high, this Skoda prototype is a testament of the innovative power that fuelled Skoda back then.

The car was a part of a private collection from 1939 and up until 1968 where the then newly-founded Skoda Museum bought it with Skoda deciding a full restoration back to its original glory in 2012.

Skoda showcased nine cars in total, with the rest of them to be the Laurin & Klement Voiturette A (1905), Laurin & Klement Type S (1911), Laurin & Klement 110 (1925), ŠKODA 645 (1930), ŠKODA Rapid Cabrio de Luxe (1937), ŠKODA Superb OHV (1939), ŠKODA Felicia (1961) and the ŠKODA 1100 MBX (1969).

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta Business Edition

Changes are most obvious on the 1.6 JTDM-2 engine, which now benefits from more power as well, as output has increased from 105hp to 120hp. Thanks to the addition of a variable-geometry turbo charger and low rolling-resistance tyres, CO2 emissions are down from 104g/km to 99g/km, while fuel efficiency improves to 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100 km) on the official combined fuel economy cycle. That's a significant improvement over the 70.6 mpg (4 l/100 km) recorded by the current 105hp engine.

The drop in emissions results in a one percent BIK (benefit-in-kind) reduction to 17 percent. Furthermore, the annual Road Fund Licence is now £0. Thanks to the additional power, the engine boosts top speed by 6 mph (10 km/h) to 121 mph (195 km/h), while the 0-62 mph sprint is improved by 1.3 seconds to 10.0 seconds.

All other engines available for the Giulietta in the UK see their emissions and economy improved, with the exception of the recently-introduced 2.0 JTDM-2 turbo diesel with 150hp. Despite the updates, pricing remains unchanged, with the 1.4 TB 120hp Progression starting at £18,450 OTR and the 1.6 JTDM-2 120hp Progression priced from £19,500 OTR.

The high-spec Alfa Romeo Business Edition model starts from £19,080 OTR for the 1.6 JTDM-2 120hp turbo diesel. The model features a 6.5-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system with voice activated satellite navigation, 3D mapping and DAB digital radio, front and rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, alloy wheels and metallic paint.

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2016 Toyota Mirai PHEV

The new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle will offer an EPA-estimated 67 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city/highway/combined (or 3.5 l/100 km) when it hits dealerships in California this fall. This corresponds to a driving range of 312 miles (502 km) on a full tank of hydrogen.

"Toyota realized in the early 90’s that electrification was key to the future of the automobile. Just as the Prius introduced hybrid-electric vehicles to millions of customers nearly twenty years ago, the Mirai is now poised to usher in a new era of efficient, hydrogen transportation," said Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz.

Toyota has also announced a range of services offered to Mirai customers in the United States, including three years worth of complimentary fuel (or $15,000 maximum, whichever comes first), no cost scheduled maintenance for three years or 35,000 miles (whichever comes first), three years of 24/7 customer call support, Mirai Complimentary Rental Experience for seven days per year for three years, as well as no cost enhanced roadside assistance for three years.

Toyota will offer an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on key fuel cell vehicle components including the fuel cell stack and power control unit, fuel cell hydrogen tanks, hybrid battery pack and ECU, fuel cell air compressor, boost converter and ECU, hybrid control module (power management control module), and hydrogen fueling ECU.

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Autocars Fisker Karma News

The state of the art, 555,670 square-foot plant will be leased by Fisker and will provide 150 job opportunities for the city's residents. Furthermore, the company also intends to feature a showroom in the facility and provide tours of the car manufacturing process.

After filing for bankruptcy, Fisker was acquired by China's auto-parts giant - Wanxiang Group Corp - in 2014 for $149.2 million. Since then, the company was constantly determined to re-launch its activity, but always came short due to unforeseen circumstances.

It seems that Wanxiang Group Corp, a Chinese auto-parts giant that now owns Fisker Automotive and Technology Group, is looking to restart production of the hybrid sedan in a new factory located in the city of Moreno Valley, California.

The date of the official launch remains unknown, but perhaps by the end of 2016, Karmas will be swarming off the production line. Mind you, Wanxiang initially wanted to resume production of the Karma by the end of 2014 and then again by mid-2015; so, taking this into account, we can't speculate on an exact date, since the company rushes to announce things way too eagerly.

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