BMW Debuts “Smart Glasses” To Assist Technicians In The Field

BMW Debuts “Smart Glasses” To Assist Technicians In The Field BMW is introducing new technology across its dealer network for technicians in the shop. 
New “smart glasses” are part of a larger system to help technicians work more efficiently. 
The glasses and corresponding technology programs will be available later this month. 
BMW is getting into the augmented reality game. BMW plans to use the visual overlay technology in their North American dealerships to reduce repair and maintenance times; thereby increasing overall workshop efficiency and, eventually, improving customer satisfaction. Yes, this applies to MINI Dealers as well.
And no, you, the driver, do not get to wear them while you’re driving. This is about your car, not you specifically as the driver.
We covered this last year when Porsche jumped into the augmented reality game in much the same way. BMW’s plan is called the Technical Support & Research Assistant or TSARA. The AR glasses are called TSARAVision Smart Glasses. Yeah, no, really, TSARAVision. Let’s look beyond that for the time being and delve a little deeper into what the Bavarians are up to.
What Is BMW’s TSARA System?
TSARA is BMW’s new online case-reporting system and not to be confused with Tristan Tzara, the DadAist poet (although it might be fun if you do). BMW’s TSARA aims to speed up the repair and maintenance process by 70 to 75 percent. They aim to do this via an instinctive and mechanic-friendly interface that supplies faster case-entries (handy for book keeping) and full multimedia support. In a nutshell, TSARA aims to provide technicians in the field (i.e. mechanics in dealer repair shops throughout the country) quick and trouble-free access to technical information.
This includes a live link to BMW engineers in real time for further technical support. All of this is part of BMW’s new Technical Information System, or TIS 2.0.
BMW’s new Technical Information System is a multimedia platform for this kind of technician support. It was developed in-house with feedback from technicians in the field by BMW North America, and can be accessed by dealer personnel on any mobile device. When accessed, it puts all technical data for every BMW and MINI model at the technician’s fingertips. This helps mechanics from having to stop in the middle of jobs to flip through shop manuals, or dial up diagrams and such on computer terminals.
BMW is debuting three new dealer support systems: Technical Information System (TIS 2.0), Technical Support & Research Assistant (TSARA), and the TSARAVision Smart Glasses. Each provide technicians with faster access to information and a real-time link to engineers. Photo: BMW of North America LLC.
How Do BMW’s Smart Glasses Work?
Once hooked up, technicians can collaboratively work through a given issue to resolve it faster and more efficiently. If need be, the expert on the other end will project technical bulletins and schematic drawings onto the display inside the technician’s glasses with step-by-step guides. Technicians can also take screen shots and enlarge images, which sounds real handy.
I know what you’re thinking. “What about greasy fingers covered in gunk pushing all those sensitive buttons?” BMW is way ahead of you. The mechanic can open and view documents via voice instructions right in the middle of working on your car. Think of it as BMW’s own internal version of Amazon’s Alexa.
“TIS 2.0, TSARA, and the TSARAVision Smart Glasses are great examples of how we are applying new technologies to help BMW technicians work more efficiently and further our commitment to offer the best possible service experience for BMW customers,” said Claus Eberhart, Vice President, Aftersales, BMW of North America. “By solving issues faster, BMW dealers can get customers back into their cars sooner.”
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Change For The Better
TSARA is much more efficient than sending in electronic forms or uploading photos, or explaining complex technical issues over the phone. “No … no, right next to that. There’s a notch and I think it has to be … ” will soon be a thing of the past. At least at all 347 BMW and MINI dealerships. And BMW was fiscally smart too, using available, off-the-shelf components like Realwear HMT-1 Smart Glasses and Ubimax Augmented Reality Software. However, despite the new technology, there is still a need for good technicians.
“Vehicle technology is becoming more complex, which only highlights the need for excellent technicians,” said Neal Guthrie, Department Head for Technical Service, BMW of North America. “Hiring top technicians and providing them with the best possible systems and tools with which to work will be critical to our success.”
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.



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Israeli Company Utilizes Military Background For Autonomous Cars

Israeli Company Utilizes Military Background For Autonomous Cars


Some time ago, I started describing different vehicle features as “eyes.” It was the most fitting and understandable analogy for the customers I was serving at the dealership. Admittedly, I knew little about cars when I began selling them now almost a decade ago, so these quick analogies were as much for me as they were for my customers. Adaptive Cruise Control, reverse cameras, and backup sensors were just coming online at the time. “Think of them like an extra set of eyes helping you drive,” I would say to customers.
Fusion Factor
Generally speaking, what qualifies as innovative technology today becomes more advanced tomorrow. Autonomous driving represents the current pinnacle of innovation in the automotive industry, and to some, it’s as abstract as Adaptive Cruise Control was just less than a decade ago. While I am open to new ways to present the modern automobile, my “eyes” analogy remains my go-to, especially as driverless vehicles are becoming more of a reality.
In the autonomous realm, “sensor fusion” is a common term. Wikipedia offers an excellent description: “the combining of sensory data or data derived from disparate sources such that the resulting information has less uncertainty than would be possible when these sources were used individually.” In other words, the more “eyes” a given application has – in this case an autonomous car – the more effective. And the more we consider sensor fusion and the successful implementation of automated driving, the more LiDAR enters the conversation.
“The LiDAR with the camera makes the whole autonomous car system much more reliable,” explained Omer Keilaf, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Innoviz Technologies. “This is where the fusion between different sensors is very important.”
Eye In The Sky
Innoviz Technologies wants to facilitate autonomous vehicle production through solid-state LiDAR solutions. LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method used to examine a surrounding environment, which with regard to autonomous vehicles, means our everyday roads. LiDAR determines the distance to a particular point by illuminating it with a pulsed laser light; the reflected pulses are then measured to determine how far away said point is. From there, 3D representations of the point and surrounding area can be made. The uses for LiDAR are numerous: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses LiDAR to study the Earth’s surface while the Agricultural Research Service utilizes it to help farmers map their land.
Bats actually use a similar process with sound waves to navigate.
Photo: Innoviz Technologies.
Four-Fold Foundation
Innoviz Technologies is designing what they say is a continuously evolving LiDAR solution to better address the challenges of autonomous driving. The company’s LiDAR products, InnovizOne and InnovizPro, use a patent-pending technology with a focus in four main areas: Region of Interest, meaning enabling longer range sensing at a region or point of interest while capturing the entire field of view at full frame rate; Multi-Frame Mode, meaning a high frame rate and resolution is maintained for long range sensing while extra long range objects and obstacles at a lower frame rate are still accounted for; Object Detection and Classification, meaning the use of advanced computer vision for accurate detection and classification of different types of objects, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping – sometimes called “SLAM” – meaning high resolution 3D mapping.
In other words, LiDAR is a tremendous set of eyes; a set of eyes Innoviz Technologies wants to mass produce for the forthcoming autonomous era in a small, efficient package.
“By challenging the conventions of LiDAR design, we were able to develop a LiDAR solution that delivers superior performance at a reasonable price and in a much smaller footprint – three factors that are required to help autonomous driving achieve mass commercialization,” Keilaf said. “We’ve spent many months exploring the right way to solve these problems.”
Cost Conscious
Innoviz designs their LiDAR units with a particular emphasis on cost. Even in the autonomous world, automakers will have financial targets to meet with regard to production. There is the end consumer who has cost in mind when purchasing a new vehicle too. Given the importance of cost when it comes to manufacturing, automakers are likely to reject an overly expensive LiDAR unit.
“We started the company with a very clear understanding and declaration of that problem,” Keilaf added. “There are some technologies that are not relevant for mass production because they are too expensive, so it’s very important that our technology can eventually go really low cost.”
Photo: Innoviz Technologies.


Disciplined & Directed
Innoviz also leverages a unique background, one not every entity in the autonomous driving space can claim. The company was founded by former members of the elite technological unit of the Israeli Defense Forces. Collectively, the founders have expertise in electro-optics, computer vision, MEMS design, and signal processing. Keilaf believes the technical, yet diverse backgrounds of his team members are among the strongest aspects of Innoviz.
“I come from a small unit but we’re developing very unique hardware and technology – it’s like if MIT had an army,” he said.
Keilaf and his partners are accustomed to tight deadlines, a hallmark of the automotive industry. In the military, his team would often get assigned difficult projects with very narrow, non-negotiable deadlines. A particular technology would need to be developed from scratch, in about eight to ten months, be incredibly reliable, and need to work effectively for many years thereafter. It’s an experience the Innoviz team is bringing to the table in their vision for not only LiDAR, but automated driving as a whole.
“You had to manage risk all the time because in the end there is a date you can’t miss; you had to manage sometimes hundreds of people working on a certain project, and all of them needed to see something at the end that works perfectly,” Keilaf explained. “I think this is the way we work in Innoviz. Although we have so many moving parts and many people working with different technologies, every one of us is synchronized and integrated into a very disciplined and reliable system.”
Photo: Innoviz Technologies.
Bright Future
Recently, Innoviz raised $65 million in Series B funding with strategic partners Delphi Automotive PLC and Magna International participating in the round. The latest investors included 360 Capital Partners, Glory Ventures, Naver, and others. All Series A investors, including Zohar Zisapel, Vertex Venture Capital, Magma Venture Partners, Amiti Ventures, and Delek Motors participated as well. A second closing of this round is expected soon with additional investors.
“Innoviz has delivered the industry’s first high-performance LiDAR solution that perfectly meets all of the requirements necessary to take fully autonomous vehicles mainstream,” said Nicolas Autret, Partner at 360 Capital Partners. “Based on the impressive adoption Innoviz has generated to date and the extremely talented team they’ve put together, it’s evident that the market has made its decision on who is going to win the LiDAR race and unlock the market’s vast potential.”
The company’s trajectory is significant and its direction both purposeful and promising. In December 2016, Innoviz announced its first partnership with leading automotive supplier, Magna International Inc., enabling them to collaborate on various OEM programs. In May 2017, Innoviz announced a partnership with manufacturing company Jabil Optics to mass produce InnovizPro. In August 2017, Innoviz signed a commercial partnership agreement with Delphi, a leader in autonomous driving software and sensors, to integrate its LiDAR into Delphi’s systems and create an industry standard for LiDAR integration into autonomous cars.
And now the most recent news of $65 million in Series B funding.
“While other LiDAR companies remain in the research and development stage, Innoviz is moving into mass production with LiDAR technology that delivers superior performance and affordability in a compact and reliable design,” said Zohar Zisapel, Investor, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at Innoviz.

Innoviz Technologies demonstrating their LiDAR solution at AutoSens Detroit, May 2017. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.



Homeward Bound

I first met Keilaf at AutoSens Detroit back in May. I took a liking to him and Innoviz right away. It’s the type of company – the type of people – you want to see be successful. In my work in the automotive industry, I travel quite often and I am fortunate enough to meet many interesting people, Keilaf among them. He travels often too and that warm May day in Michigan, he was away from his family as he presented Innoviz at AutoSens.
“They are very supportive,” he said. “It’s a lot of effort and sweat but it’s fun and they understand.”
When I am describing ADAS features to a consumer, I still use my “eyes” analogy. Yet, after seeing what Innoviz can do, I have a new appreciation for my trusty description. I remain confident, before long, I will be presenting an autonomous car to a consumer equipped with an Innoviz system. I will likely smile and remember Keilaf and his team when I first met them.
“Israel is a very unique place and you should come visit,” he told me in Detroit. “In just five days you will be able to discover many things.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 




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2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Review

2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Review


Mazda’s ad slogan “Driving Matters” is meant to define what their cars are about, and it fits the newly-redesigned CX-5 crossover. The CX-5 is a driver-focused vehicle meant to deliver a different experience than your average small SUV. We think it offers a more satisfying experience than its chief rivals, the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
And if looks have anything to do with it, we think it wins in exterior styling too.
What’s New For 2017
The Mazda CX-5 crossover has been completely redesigned for 2017, with a quieter, better looking cabin, and a more stylish exterior. Though it hasn’t grown in size, it offers a smoother, quieter ride. If you want a manual gearbox, you will be disappointed, as that was dropped in favor of a six-speed automatic. Mazda says the 2.5-liter engine has been tweaked and retuned for 2017.
Features & Options
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD ($30,695) comes with acoustic front windows, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a better six-speaker sound system, rear USB ports, and blind-spot monitors. It also features keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The vehicle also receives additional driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
Grand Touring models add leather and 19-inch wheels to the above. The Premium Package ($1,830) adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a heads-up display, power front passenger seat, and windshield wiper de-icer. Total MSRP including destination: $34,380.





Interior Highlights
This CX-5 Grand Touring interior takes a step forward and the changes are evident with the leather seating and stitching on the dash, console, and door panels. The quality of materials is excellent for this price point. The cabin is driver-focused with a new steering wheel, while the shift lever is moved back two inches, making for a more natural position for the driver’s hand.
The 7-inch touchscreen resolution is sharper in 2017. It sits high atop the stylish dash, but it’s a bit too far away for our liking. There’s also an infotainment controller in the center console with a radio volume control knob that’s easy to find without taking your eyes off the road. The seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustments and support for long-distance driving. The steering wheel also offers a nice range of tilt-and-telescoping positions.
This week we took a couple of six-foot gentlemen to lunch, and they commented on how there seems to be more shoulder room in the rear, likely due to the CX-5’s slightly wider track. The rear doors open wide, so they had no trouble entering and exiting the crossover. And thanks to scalloping in the back of the front seats, there was plenty of legroom for our riders.
If you need to carry cargo, the 40/20/40-split folding backseat reclines, another new feature for 2017. Behind the rear seat, there’s 31 cubic feet of cargo storage, and 60 with the rear folded flat. It’s a bit less than competitors, including the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester.







Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The revised 2.5-liter engine is tweaked a bit and produces 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. Our tester came with Mazda’s all-wheel drive system for all-weather capability. EPA fuel mileage estimates are 23/29 city/highway and 26 combined with all-wheel drive.
Driving Dynamics
We think the CX-5 is higher on the fun-to-drive meter than any other crossover out there. We drove this week in the mountains west of Denver where this journalist lives, and the CX-5 delivered a most satisfying experience. We tossed the CX-5 around the tight curves and it responded like a sports sedan.
The steering is precise, and the suspension is tuned for sporty driving over comfort. Be aware, the CX-5 is not going to win any races. The crossover has enough power for most driving situations, but was fairly tame when we pushed it hard up I-70. The naturally aspirated engine could use a turbo for those traveling up into the high country or hauling extra cargo over a high mountain pass. For normal commuting, you won’t have an issue.
One big difference we noticed for 2017 is the new-found quiet in the cabin when we got underway. It’s not as quiet as a Lexus, but it’s much improved when we pushed the pedal, especially at highway speeds. Overall, it’s the most fun we’ve ever had in a compact crossover, having tested the competition. If you live where there’s lots of twisty roads, this is the vehicle for you.
Conclusion
The redesigned 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD nails it in driving dynamics, a comfortable, driver-focused interior, and exterior styling. The cabin is quieter than the outgoing model, which was the biggest complaint with the CX-5. If you like to drive, this crossover delivers a different, more pleasurable experience than your average small SUV.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Mazda CX-5 Gallery























We trust Edmunds.com to give us the best, up to date, and TRUE pricing of what people are really paying for their cars. Get a free dealer quote at Edmunds on this car:


2017 Mazda CX-5 Official Site.
Photos: Mazda North American Operations.



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Mercedes-Benz Shows Glimpse of Future Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Shows Glimpse of Future Sprinter

During the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, Georgia this week, Mercedes-Benz released a design sketch showing the dimensions, proportions, and overall styling of the new Sprinter. The automaker says the new Sprinter “once again shifts the boundaries of its segment” and that it represents the “acclaimed design language of Mercedes-Benz.”
Perhaps the new Sprinter’s most notable features are found right up front? The hood and grille look smoother and more sculpted when compared to current Sprinter models.
Tech Focused
The new Sprinter will have an array of driver assistance packages and connectivity features. A new Telematics system promises a number of benefits for fleet managers. Mercedes-Benz also notes the “considerably extended range of variants” will be better poised to meet the needs and demands of the van market.
“We want to offer the most suitable mobility solution for every sector and for every transport assignment,” explained Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “And that is precisely our focus with the upcoming Sprinter generation as an overall system solution.”
Budding Market
The United States is now the second-largest market for Sprinters just behind Germany. To meet rising demand in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz is building a new Sprinter plant in North Charleston, South Carolina and says the facility will reduce delivery times for North American customers. Mercedes-Benz will also assemble the next-generation Sprinter in Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde in Germany.
The Sprinter was born in 1995 and is now one of the most commercially successful vans. To date, there have been more than 3.3 million units delivered to over 130 countries. During the first half of 2017, Sprinter set a new record in total sales, increasing to about 96,200 units versus 95,100 for the same period a year ago. The new Sprinter will arrive in Europe during the first half of 2018 with other markets to follow.
“It also goes without saying that the new edition of our iconic van possesses the classical attributes of reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness,” Mornhinweg said.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
Sketch & Source: MBUSA.



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2020 Mazda CX-3 Redesign, Review, Price

2020 Mazda CX-3 Redesign, Review, Price

CX crossover from Mazda indeed has become the most cars in the notice, the quality of the design and some great features on this car does indeed have made this car is getting very good. 2020 Mazda CX-3 as its going to get a lot of redesigns, Mazda as its been very ready to take out his product. rumors circulating this car will be present at the beginning of the year 2020.

Model CX-made Mazda is indeed one of the most widely their products get the attention. Lots of rumors circulating about when the car is in release and what price will be available for this car. Some rivals of this car like the Subaru Crosstrek will also be preparing for the release, Toyota’s C-HR and Chevrolet Trax Central may also prepare.

2020 Mazda CX-3 Interior and Exterior

New Interior of 2020 Mazda CX-3 is going to be quite good outfitted with numerous fascinating and handsome functions, which make driving an entertaining as well as comfy expertise. The surfaces of the interior will include substantial high-quality leather and metallic panels are going to be colored likewise and covering of seats might be outstanding at the same time. Other prominent capabilities of your motor vehicle contain Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone integration, World-wide-web radio and so forth. The enjoyment, as well as navigation, is going to be managed by touchscreen show together with dial controller. The exterior might be wise and classy and it’s been built to include very best and most sophisticated aerodynamic attributes.

The new exterior redesign with the 2020 Mazda CX-3 will probably be influenced through the Kai idea, whilst there ought to be layout aspects of the Vision Coupe idea, as well. Nevertheless, nothing at all is certain right up until we see the real prototype, that will happen during the coming months with no any doubt. The redesigned crossover need to be ready by the finish on the subsequent year, and this means that the carmaker needs to start off with testing quickly, so keep tuned for updates.

Engine Performance

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 is powered by a Skyactive-X engine. It’s a capacity of 2.0-liters and churns out 180 hp and 170 lb-ft (pound-feet) of torque. This engine has built-in spark managed compression-ignition technological innovation. As such, its fuel consumption is diminished by up to 30%.

The engine delivers power towards the wheels as a result of a 6-speed guide transmission. Drivers also have the solution of a torque-converter automated transmission.

Release date and Price

There has been no official information regarding the release date and price for 2020 Mazda CX-3. We strongly believe that this car will be present at the beginning of the year 2020. Rumors circulating also said that this car will come at the end of next year. Much speculation circulating about this car. But we recommend that you wait for the official information from Mazda.

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Best Time To Buy A Car? The Holiday Season Might Be One

Best Time To Buy A Car? The Holiday Season Might Be One When is the best time to buy a car? Should you wait until the end of the year? 
Data over the last few years suggests November and December are the best months.
However, don’t believe everything you hear just yet. 
Brace yourself. The holidays are coming. Extended hours, big savings, and hordes of ambitious shoppers camping out (literally) at the front of the line. While clothes, games, and electronics are often top of mind, what about a larger purchase like an automobile? Do Black Friday and Christmas deals exist on cars?
What about this time of year in general? Is it really the best time to buy a car?  Conventional wisdom says yes but we talked with the experts for a consensus. There are a few things to consider before shopping for a car this holiday season.
Pre-Owned Cars: November & December Are Prime Times
Black Friday is a great day for pre-owned vehicle shoppers, according to a study last year by iSeeCars.com. The iSeeCars.com team analyzed over 48 million one- to five-year-old pre-owned sales from January 2013 through December 2016 to determine when the best deals were offered.
A “deal” was defined as a savings of at least five percent.
“We found that holidays in November and December, and consequently the months of November and December, offer more deals than you would expect to typically find on an average day,” explained Phong Ly, Chief Executive Officer, iSeeCars.com.
Overall, based on the percentage of deals offered, November is the best month, with pre-owned car shoppers receiving 38.4 percent more deals on average. December (38.2 percent more deals) is close behind. By comparison, October comes in at 16.7 percent, January at 19.9 percent, and February at 4.8 percent.
May was the worst month, with 28.3 percent fewer deals on average.
“While Memorial Day and July 4th have associations with car sales and better deals, that doesn’t seem to hold for used car sales,” Ly said. “We found fewer deals than average on those holidays, and the months from late spring through summer are generally not great for finding used car deals.”
According to iSeeCars.com, the Cadillac CTS is one of the best bargains for shoppers seeking a pre-owned luxury vehicle. Photo: General Motors.
New Vehicles: Black Friday Tops Cyber Monday
Last year, the November Dealer DataView index found dealerships see an increase in web traffic during the fall months. Their report says the extra web activity may usher in a “relatively robust selling climate” as dealerships prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Dealertrack data from 2016 found a near 40 percent rise in credit applications on Black Friday compared to other Fridays in November. That suggests dealerships likely prioritize Black Friday. By comparison, Cyber Monday registered only a 2.6 percent growth in credit applications versus other Mondays in November 2016.
“At the beginning of November, we saw a number of dealers and automakers launch Black Friday and holiday promotional events – the famous red bows came out – as they do every year as a way to close out the year on a high note,” said Michelle Krebs, Executive Analyst, Autotrader.
Those who need a new vehicle but want to maximize their savings should consider a 2018 model.
“Between now and the end of the year, consumers will find excellent prices and more negotiating room on leftovers,” Krebs explained. “Automakers and dealers do whatever it takes to clear out the previous year’s inventory before the start of the new year.”
Related: How the internet changes car buying.
Generally speaking, the best time to buy a car is near the end of the year. Factory rebates and dealer discounts are often better. However, the selection may not be as great. Photo: Michael Gaida.
Due Diligence: Ask Questions & Verify
Always verify – through an independent mechanic if necessary – the overall condition of any pre-owned vehicle. Ask about key maintenance items like brakes, tires, belts, and the battery. When were they last changed, or if not changed recently, what are the current measurements for the brakes and tires. Another good question to ask is warranty: is there still a balance of the factory warranty, or does the dealer offer any type of after-sale warranty.
“Used cars can look good but still have problems that could be expensive to fix,” said Brandon Grade, Service Advisor at Findlay Toyota in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Personally, I try and steer people towards a certified pre-owned vehicle that comes with a warranty.”
Related: Financing versus leasing: which one is right for you.
Due Diligence: Don’t Believe Everything You See
Those big inflatable gorillas and “Sales Event” banners? They may only be there for show.
“The deals this time of year are pretty good, but prices specifically on Black Friday are about the same as they are the week before or the week after,” Krebs explained. “Automakers and dealers simply try to ride the wave of the shopping frenzy created by Black Friday.”
“Don’t assume because it’s Black Friday that every car from every dealer is discounted,” Ly added.
Always read the fine print – or as we say in the business – follow the asterisk to the bottom of the page. Those brightly-bolded low payments might be subjected to certain terms and conditions. In the case of a lease, those flashy low payments are only achieved with significant down payment. And sometimes, the advertised car with the best deal is actually the lower trim level.
Keep in mind seasonal factors too. For example, 4×4 trucks and SUVs can command higher premiums during winter months, similar to how convertible sports cars can in the summer.
Related: Most common car repairs by season.

Further Advice
If you need more advice on the buying process or insight on a particular model, please contact us. iSeeCars.com also provides this handy video on questions you should ask at the dealership. Overall, the holiday season is likely the best time to buy a car but just be careful.
“Just because there are more deals offered on Black Friday doesn’t mean the general rules of thumb about buying a car don’t apply,” Ly said. “Doing online research ahead of time, figuring out your budget, test-driving the car, and getting it inspected by an independent mechanic are still important.”
And above all? Trust your gut.
“If it seems too good to be true, there’s most likely something wrong so stay away,” Grade said. “Don’t be afraid to walk away.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.



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2020 Audi Q6 Release date, Price, Hybrid

2020 Audi Q6 Release date, Price, Hybrid

If you want to buy a car SUV with excellent quality and very good maybe you should see the 2020 Audi Q6. Original manufacturer Germany-made car indeed has long been one of the most famous car producers in the world. Audi has a lot of products to satisfy consumers. Information release date of this car like his new will be available at the end of this year.

Many of the changes will be available on the model 2020. Audi like her should be immediately prepared his competitors if it is not prepared to interfere with this car. Model Q4 and Audi Q5 like his remains would be the same with this car. Maybe there will be a difference in the features and performance of the engine in this car. We have some information about the redesign and his other important information about this car.

Interior and exterior

In a single way, the new 2020 Audi Q6 interior might be really close to the new interior of its odd-numbered sibling, but also substantially distinct from the other. With regards to the general cabin layout, there’s no doubt that this model is going to be significantly less sensible. Count on much less cargo area and significantly less headroom at back seats. On the other side, we are going to see the same, really higher level of your elements top quality and in all probability the identical dashboard design and style. Because of this, the new Audi Q6 is going to be filled with top-quality resources, soft-touch surfaces and attractive dashboard lines.

The recently-redesigned Audi Q5 includes a quite extended list of common tools, especially with regards to tech capabilities. We expect precisely the same from the new model, so count within the Audi’s well known 12.4-inch virtual cockpit. Base versions will probably feature a 7-inch touchscreen interface, but a larger 8.0-inch screen will likely be obtainable also, similar to every one of these gadgetry and connectivity capabilities through the Audi Connect Prime suite.

Engine Performance

Under the hood from 2020, Audi Q6 will be a 95 kWh battery. Audi agreed on a partnership with Samsung. The Korean enterprise will supply the battery for that new Audi Q6. This unit, according to to the company’s specs, can make the new SUV go 315 miles (500 km) concerning recharges. Considering the fact that this can be a Quattro model, we will see Audi’s well-known trademark drive set up in a hybrid car. An all-wheel drive is common, and no 4×2 will be from the present. Three electric motors will enhance the performance. Two of them are for the rear axle, and 1 for your front.

Immediately after the battery runs out, owners can plug their SUV to a CCS speedy charging system. Due to this 1, the battery recharging will take much less time than typical. Specific ports and technologies could drop the time underneath 12 hrs. The 2020 Audi Q6 is actually a massive EV, nonetheless, it achieves respectable numbers. As an example, prime velocity will probably be 120 mph, while the electric Quattro SUV requires just four.5 seconds to reach 60 mph (one hundred km).

Release Date and Price

There is a lot of information circulating about Audi Q6 you might ever want to know him. Rumors circulating this car would come earlier in the year 2020 and will be one of the most awaited SUV. Audi will put great hope on the SUV was great and they have worked very hard to make this car look very good and comfortable to ride in.

About the price. For the current price of this car is still being discussed by many people. But you need to remember until now Audi has yet to release information about the price for 2020 Audi Q6

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BMW

BMW

Find The Car Of Your Dreams Through A BMW Las Vegas Dealer

The BMW has long been revered as one of the most luxury vehicles of its time. First introduced in 1913 Munich, Germany, the BMW has stood the test of time in offering customers quality they can depend on and luxury that is unsurpassed in the marketplace. BMW may be a European car but the American culture has embraced it as a high-end vehicle synonymous with success. And nowhere does that hold truer than in some of America’s most prestigious cities. It’s no wonder, therefore, that BMW Las Vegas continues to thrive in delivering customers luxury they expect.

In this city of glitz and glamour, residents and visitors alike have come to expect an elevated level of luxury – in everything from their homes, hotels, and restaurants, to the cars that they drive. BMW Las Vegas dealers keep pace with this demand for luxury by providing customers with a variety of vehicles that fit their lifestyle without compromising the unequaled quality of the BMW brand.

From sedans and compacts, to SUVs and motorcycles, BMW Las Vegas dealers know the vehicles that will excite their customers and offer high performance in this hot dessert climate.

When purchasing a BMW from a BMW Las Vegas dealer you can go online to shop and compare prices. Look to pre-owned vehicles or shop at the end of a calendar year in order to find deep discounts. You will find BMW Las Vegas dealer personnel to be friendly, helpful, and reflective of the BMW reputation for sophisticated and knowledgeable service.

But most importantly, your budget doesn’t have to hinder you from owning a BMW. Any BMW Las Vegas dealer will walk you through the different series of the BMW car and the ways in which you can parlay your budget into luxury vehicle ownership.

For visitors to the area, a BMW Las Vegas dealer can rent you the vehicle of your dreams in which to enjoy the city during your stay. For a very affordable price, you can live the lifestyle of BMW if only for a few days, basking in the luxury and comfort that comes with vehicles of this class. What better way to enjoy your vacation?

By Michelle Bery.

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Bentley

Bentley

That Old Limousine Looks as Good as the Day it Was Made

Types of Vintage Limousines For those who want a vintage limousine with a more casual feel, the Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible from the 1960s is an excellent choice. This car is great for the summer months (most cars now have been upgraded to include air conditioning) and for the couple that wants a vehicle all to themselves, as it fits just two people. This car generally comes in a navy blue exterior with a leather interior.

A QueenÕs Silver Wraith Rolls Royce from the 1950s is the epitome of a high-class vintage limousine. Such a car generally comes with a navy blue or white exterior and a comfortable leather interior. It can hold up to four people, and is often equipped with am AM FM radio and a privacy window separating the driver from the passengers.

The Rolls Royce Bentley S1 from the 1950s is a great choice for those who love the look of a luxury car with a white exterior and a leather interior. Like the QueenÕs Silver Wraith, this type of Rolls Royce can also comfortably fit four people.

The price of renting a vintage limousine depends on where one chooses to rent from, the type of vehicles that are available, and how long one wants to rent one for. It should, however, be noted that it will not be inexpensive to rent one of these cars. Regardless of the price, a vintage limousine is a memorable and romantic way to drive in style.

Rent a Vintage Limousine for a Special Event When one thinks of events like weddings, one generally thinks of using a very special vehicle such as a limousine as a means of transportation, since it is a special way to go to and from a special event. While one could rent the standard limousine, renting a vintage limousine would be a classic and special way to attend any romantic event.

Who Would Rent a Vintage Limousine? Vintage limousines are perfect for the couple that love classic cars and that movie star feel from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Vintage limousines are perfect also for the couple that is celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, since the vehicle would remind them of the era in which they first fell in love.

By Brian Gill.

 


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