No one can deny that Tesla has not only set the car industry on a brand new path of innovation and technology, but the way cars are being sold as well. It has been unheard of to contact your local car manufacturer and order your next new car. That’s what dealerships are for – right? Well, according to Tesla, there is nothing wrong with ordering your car straight from them, or just go online and place your order via the internet. This not only cuts out the middle man and, imaginably helps keep costs down, but seems efficient and proactive.

The states aren’t happy about cutting out the middle man though and North Carolina is one state that is doing something about it. They are trying to push through a bill that would ban direct automaker to customer sales, within their own state anyway. Tesla has all ready sold about 80 cars to North Carolina residents and have reservations for 60 more – and they intend to open a showroom. But not, of course, if the state leaders have their way. They would also like to make it illegal to order new cars online although no one can quite figure out how they would manage to keep a watchful eye on that sort of thing.

The North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (NCADA) which includes is on board with the state Senate Commerce Committee to help make this ban go through. According to Senater Tom Apodaca (R), he is sponsoring the bill to help stop unfair competition between manufacturers and dealers. Diarmuid O’Connell, Tesla’s vice president for corporate and business development, disagrees. He states that the bill is “a protectionist move to lock down the market so we have to go through the middleman – the dealer – to sell our cars.”

North Carolina isn’t the only state that has a problem with how Tesla wants to sell their creations. Texas, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York also have problems with the dealer free distribution model. Elon Musk has commented that he is considering going to Congress to get factory to customer sales legalized throughout the country.

The 2013 Total Quality Awards results have been released and Congratulations goes to our American Automakers for coming out on top for having the most wins for their high quality vehicles. Volkswagen continues to hold the crown, in fact for eight years in a row now, for the Best Overall Corporation. Audi and Lexus tied for best individual brands.

The President of Strategic Vision, Alexander Edwards points out: “There’s no questioning domestic car makers want to lead. For the first time in over a decade our comprehensive and complete study of Quality resulted in more domestic winners than imports. Don’t misunderstand, imports like Hyundai are a force to be reckoned with and Toyota has regrouped with Total Quality winners Lexus LS, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser. However, domestics are running in the tight race also, and it’s now forcing all manufacturers to build the most superior, innovative and holistically Quality vehicles possible to gain the hearts and minds of the customer.”

Here are the Segment Winner(s) and their Total Quality Index Score:

• Small Car Dodge Dart 884
• Small Multi-Function Kia Soul 868
• Mid-Size Car Ford Fusion 908 and Chevrolet Volt 907
• Mid-Size Multi-Function Honda Accord Crosstour 877
• Large Car Volkswagen CC 920
• Near-Luxury Car Hyundai Genesis Sedan 922 and Audi A4 Sedan 921
• Luxury Car Lexus LS 955
• Specialty Coupe MINI Cooper Hardtop 913
• Premium Coupe Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 931
• Convertibles Chrysler 200 Convertible 917
• Premium Convertible/ Roadster Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 959 and Porsche Boxster 957
• Minivan Chrysler Town & Country 850
• Entry Utility Volkswagen Tiguan 885 and Toyota FJ Cruiser 883
• Mid-Size Crossover Utility Chevrolet Traverse 900
• Mid-Size Traditional Utility Dodge Durango 881
• Large Utility GMC Yukon 893
• Near-Luxury Utility Buick Enclave 928
• Luxury Utility Porsche Cayenne 948
• Standard Pickup Toyota Tacoma 847
• Full-Size Pickup Chevrolet Avalanche 896
• Heavy-Duty Pickup Ford F-250/350 892

Source Strategic Vision

The 2014 Mercedes S Class will launch with two new models for the United States. The S550 will be here just around the time the kiddies get back to school in September and the S550 4Matic version will show up about a month later. These two new editions have a more powertrain options which also include plug-in hybrid choices for the eco conscious drivers. The S500 gets a twin turbo V8 that will get 449 horsepower and 516 pound feet of torque. It hasn’t been confirmed whether these new members of the S Class family will get a high zoot Pullman model or not.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, sums it up best by saying: “Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were ‘the best or nothing’ in every respect. No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class.”

Design Chief for the 2014 Mercedes S-Class, Gorden Wagener, adds, “The sophisticated design of the S-Class has always been an expression of luxury and automotive grandeur of its era. And our new S-Class continues this tradition. With its classic architecture and flowing silhouette, it is a modern embodiment of sensual clarity. The design draws a line from the sophisticated, progressive design idiom to the classic elegance of our 1930s cars – intelligence that speaks to the emotions. Stylish sportiness and sensual forms in synthesis with timeless clarity and effortless superiority make the S-Class a true design icon,”

According to the Official Press Release, the most important new technology functions at a glance are:

System Functions

COMAND Online

• WLAN HotSpot integrated into the head unit as standard
• Unrestricted internet browsing
• SMS/email read/write function
• Mercedes-Benz services (e.g. Google search, weather, Facebook, news)
• Internet radio
• Navigation – Navitainment (DriveShow, Google Maps, StreetView)
• Map showing the entire globe possible
• Travelguide and personal POIs
• Display of satellite images
• Optimized 3D navigation with topographical model, photorealistic buildings and map rotation
• Optimized search engine and destination input
• Compilation of four alternative routes
• Download of predefined destinations and routes
• Live Traffic Information
• Radio – Song tagging – flagging of played songs and download via iTunes
• Convenient editing/sorting of the station list
• Station search by station name
• Player – Coverflow display and search by album cover
• Two USB connectors
• Optional Media Interface integrated into the head unit to support mobile devices
• Bluetooth® Audio – wireless music from mobile devices
• Optimized media search engine
• “Play similar titles”
• Reproduction of further audio/video formats
• Display of title information from an internal database and via the internet (Gracenote)
• PictureViewer via SD card/USB
• Phone • Simple Pairing Assist for easy telephone connection via Bluetooth®
• Display of photos stored in the address book possible when a call comes in
• Facility for simultaneous connection of two telephones via Bluetooth® (1st telephone to COMAND Online, 2nd to rear unit)
• Telephone operation by COMAND Online and in the rear if only one phone in the car is connected
• Display of images matching callers, separately stored via COMAND Online
• Placing of telephone calls from other applications (e.g. web browser)
• Control of several telephone calls by call waiting and conference function
• Convenient Bluetooth® handset with touch operation and remote control if rear telephony is specified
• Operation of the system via smartphone/WLAN

Source Mercedes-Benz

The 2014 Subaru Forester XT is set to be the perfect vehicle for those who are too cool for a minivan, want to drive in a variety of road conditions, but also want to watch their budget. The XT is the top of the line model for the Forester and still comes in below $40,000. In fact, you are able to pick one up at around $36,220 which is almost a steal when you consider all the features that come along with it.

Speaking of features, the 2014 Subaru Forester XT has ten way power leather seats, navigation, a Harmon Kardon sound system that includes HD radio, Bluetooth and more features to make sure drivers and passengers are kept comfy and well entertained for their road trips. The XT Touring also throws in keyless access, HID headlights and Subaru’s EyeSight system (That includes adaptive cruise, lane departure warning and pre-collision braking).

It also has spunk! There is a turbocharged, direct injection 2.0 liter boxer four cylinder resting under the hood of the 2014 Subaru Forester XT. That will give you 250 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque that powers an all wheel drive system. While it’s not the most powerful engine around, it is definitely assertive and will let you zip around the highways and byways without feeling as if you are lagging behind.

You have to know, the 2014 Subaru Forester XT isn’t a luxury class vehicle by any means. If you are looking for luxury, you will want to scope out the much higher priced competition such as the Volvo XC60, Acura RDX or Audi Q5. But if you want a reasonable CUV that will get you where you need to go and without worrying if the kids are spilling their milkshakes in the backseat, then the Forester might be the best bet.

Source YouTube

General Motors is about as excited as kids with free access to Disney World about their new 2014 Cadillac XTS. This is the most technologically advanced Cadillac in the history of the brand and everyone is expecting it to fly out the dealership showroom floors faster than hotcakes for Sunday brunch. The hardest part of that will be deciding what kinds of options you want on it, because the choices seem endless.

For starters, the standard engine in the 2014 Cadillac XTS is the all ready favorite 3.6 liter V6 that gives 304 horsepower and 264 pound feet of torque and that is nothing to sneeze at. There is also a twin turbocharged 3.6 liter V6 that ups the horses to 410 along with 369 pound feet of torque. This is just 10 horsepower slower than the CTS, but who’s counting? This premier engine will be set apart by adding a specific grille treatment and badge on the decklid.

As far as the other features? Hang onto your hat. Here is some of the what the press release has announced that you can expect for the 2014 Cadillac XTS:

XTS design and exterior features

• Unique “Twin-Turbo” grille and deck lid identification on models equipped with the 3.6L twin-turbo engine
• Premium chrome/satin-chrome grille finish on Platinum Collection
• Intellibeam automatic headlamp control is standard on Luxury, Premium and Platinum Collections
• Illuminating door handles are standard on all Luxury, Premium and Platinum Collections
• Capless fuel-filling system is standard on all models
• High-intensity discharge headlamps with Twilight Sentinel are standard on all models
• Adaptive Forward Lighting is standard on Premium and Platinum collections
• LED center high-mounted rear stop lamp is standard on all models
• Heated outside mirrors with auto-dimming feature, turn-signal indicators and puddle lamps are standard on all models
• Rainsense automatic windshield wipers are standard on Luxury, Premium and Platinum collections
• Nineteen-inch polished aluminum wheels are standard on Luxury and Premium Collections
• Twenty-inch aluminum wheels with polished finish and chrome inserts are standard on the Platinum Collection
• Eight exterior color choices: Radiant Silver Metallic, Black Raven, Crystal Red Tintcoat, White Diamond Tricoat, Graphite Metallic, Black Diamond Tricoat, Silver Coast Metallic and Sapphire Blue Metallic.

XTS interior features:

• Adaptive remote start is standard on all models
• Audio system with Bose premium eight-speaker sound is standard on the base model and Luxury Collection
• Bose Studio Surround Sound with 14-speaker system with energy-efficient amplifier is standard on Premium and Platinum Collections
• Rear-seat entertainment system is available on Premium and Platinum Collections
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with free trial period) and HD radio are standard on all models
• Tri-zone automatic climate control is standard on Premium and Platinum Collections Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on the base model and Luxury Collection
• Leather-wrapped IP and door trim top pad, along with the center console, is standard on the Platinum Collection
• Color, reconfigurable 12.3-inch gauge cluster with driver information center is standard on Premium and Platinum Collections
• Head-Up Display with color readouts is standard on the Premium and Platinum Collections
• Illuminated entry and courtesy lighting is standard on all models
• Accent lighting, including LED spotlights with light pipes, is standard on Luxury, Premium and Platinum Collections
• Soleil Keisel leather seating surfaces with mini-perforated inserts are standard on the Standard model, Luxury and Premium Collections
• Opus full-leather seats with mini-perforated inserts are standard on the Platinum Collection
• Heated driver/front passenger and outboard rear passenger seats and vented driver/front passenger seats are standard on Luxury, Premium and Platinum Collections
• Leather-accented steering wheel with wood accents and tap up/tap down transmission controls is standard
• Heated steering wheel is standard on Luxury, Premium and Platinum Collections
• Power rear window shade and manual rear side window shades are available on the Premium Collection and standard on the Platinum Collection
• Real wood trim is incorporated on all models
• Six interior color/trim combinations: Jet Black, Shale with Cocoa accents, Medium Titanium with Jet Black accents, Caramel with Jet Black accents, Jet Black with Light Wheat accents and Very Light Platinum with Dark Urban and Cocoa accents.

If you think that’s a lot, it’s really just the tip of the iceberg, but don’t let it overwhelm you, just head on over to your Caddy dealer and let them help you out.

Source General Motors

The 2013 Audi S3 is a super star in Germany, but it still hasn’t made its way to the United States. It could be because the looks don’t give a full representation of the driving experience that awaits the adventuresome Audi driver that decides to try his or her hand at the wheel and Audi isn’t confident that Americans would embrace this model the way they have in Germany.

At first glance, what you see is a rather conservative looking car, that’s “nice” for daily commuting, but nice isn’t always what drivers want. However, when you apply the acceleration, you forget all about how “nice” you look and begin to realize that it’s just a façade because this Audi gets too much power to just be “nice”.

Speaking of power the 2013 Audi S3 hosts a 2.0 liter TFSI inline four cylinder engine, the same that is being tested for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. True, the sport exhaust makes it sound like a much bigger engine, but it really doesn’t have to be bigger to get this hatchback moving. It has a decidedly pleasant assertiveness to it that will leave any commuter feeling as if they can get where they are going in a hurry. By hurry, we are talking about just 5 seconds to go from 0 to 60, and if that isn’t enough, you can opt for the S-tronic acceleration and get there in just 4.6 seconds.

The 2013 Audi S3 interior is a surprise too. While most hatchbacks come across as a bit on the utilitarian side, this one aims for comfort. It has Nappa Leather, Alcantara covered multi adjustable, high sided sports seats that have diamond quilted stitching. They feel supportive for even the long hauling road trips. There is also a full line up of high tech features and a rich sounding 14 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Source YouTube

Those who have been in grieving over the demise of the Pontiac can dry your eyes and put a big smile back on your face. The 2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am is ready to rev your heartstrings in some big ways, and yes, that is a Pontiac logo showing up bright and clear on the front of the hood and rightly so. You just can’t have a Trans Am any other way. The Chevy Camaro, and the classic Trans Am models of yesteryear inspired this new addition to the General Motors sports car line up  and it’s set to join it’s siblings as a new icon in the world of fun driving adventures.

The 2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am isn’t just about the looks either. This baby’s got enough power to keep up with the most serious supersportscars. The scooped hood makes way for a 6.2 liter V8 which is fast all on its own, but if you are a power freak you can add the optional supercharger and get up to 575 horsepower. Those horses are sent to the rear wheels. If that still isn’t enough, there is another supercharged kit that delivers up to 720 horsepower, or a twin turbo kit that will take it up to 1,100 horses – and yes – that is typed out right. 1,100 horsepower.

When you crawl inside the 2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am you will be additionally delighted. While the design doesn’t have quite as much metal as the 70s version, it has high quality retro styling that will either take you back to the good old days, or remind you that good old days are right here and now. Surprisingly, you can get the base model for $29,985. If you want the t-tops it’ll be another $7,500, and $10,550 for the supercharger kit. Still, not bad at all for this caliber sportster.

Check out the commercial and imagine the possibilities:

Source YouTube