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Acura Launches User-Friendly Pre-Owned Leasing Calculator on AcuraCertified.com, Expanding Options for Premium Used Car Shoppers
Acura is revolutionizing the pre-owned car market with its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) leasing program, providing a new avenue for discerning buyers to access premium vehicles with flexible terms. The brand introduces an easy-to-use pre-owned vehicle leasing calculator on AcuraCertified.com, simplifying the online shopping experience for potential customers.
Acura’s CPO leasing initiative offers clients the flexibility to adjust down payments, thereby lowering monthly payments. This allows customers to upgrade to larger or more feature-rich Acura models while navigating the rising prices of new cars. The leasing program covers current model year Acura CPO vehicles or those from 2018 to 2023, providing a range of options. At the end of the lease term, customers can choose to purchase the vehicle or return it to an Acura dealer.
Dan Rodriguez, Senior Manager of Auto Remarketing at American Honda, notes, “Acura’s new Certified Pre-Owned leasing program is perfect for buyers looking for ways to drive a premium performance vehicle without paying a premium price. Higher new-vehicle prices make leasing an Acura certified used vehicle an even more critical gateway for first-time premium buyers.”
This initiative builds upon Acura’s commitment to its certified pre-owned program, following the recent introduction of Acura Precision Used. This extension now includes used vehicles aged 6 to 10 years in the Acura CPO family, making Acura the first luxury brand to offer certified used vehicles for up to 10 years old. Acura’s CPO sales have experienced remarkable growth in 2023, with a 33% increase, outpacing key competitors.
Euro NCAP, Europe’s prominent independent safety testing organization, has bestowed the highest safety accolade upon Kia’s all-new EV9 following rigorous evaluations. The all-electric seven-seater SUV secured a pristine five-star rating, underscoring its exceptional safety credentials.
Throughout the comprehensive testing process encompassing four crucial categories, the EV9 consistently demonstrated excellence. It achieved notable scores of 84% for adult occupant protection, 88% for child occupant protection, 76% for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, and an impressive 83% in the ‘safety assist’ category, reflecting the vehicle’s robust suite of crash avoidance technologies.
Euro NCAP commended the EV9 for maintaining stability in the frontal impact test, offering commendable knee and femur protection for all occupants, regardless of size or seating positions. The SUV was recognized as a moderately benign impact partner in frontal collisions. In the side barrier test, the EV9 garnered maximum points, ensuring strong protection for critical body areas of both driver and passengers. The advanced eCall system, which promptly alerts emergency services in the event of a crash, received accolades.
The EV9 excelled in child occupant tests, safeguarding critical body areas of six- and ten-year-old passengers. Noteworthy features such as airbag flexibility and an intelligent child presence detection system were acknowledged.
Euro NCAP spotlighted the effectiveness of the EV9’s Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in safety assist technology evaluations. The AEB system exhibited commendable responsiveness to other vehicles, successfully avoiding impacts in various test scenarios.
Additional safety features highlighted by Euro NCAP included the EV9’s Lane Keeping Assistant (LKA), providing gentle course corrections in lane drift situations, and a speed assistance system adept at identifying local speed limits, affording drivers the option for automatic limiter setting.
The EV9’s robust safety rating is reinforced by its high-strength Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and sturdy body structure. Coupled with an array of active driver-assist and safety features, this underscores the EV9’s commitment to delivering maximum convenience and safety on the road.
Lamborghini’s Celebration in Vietnam: Grand Opening of Ho Chi Minh City Showroom Marks 60 Years of Automotive Excellence
Automobili Lamborghini proudly announces the grand opening of its Ho Chi Minh City Showroom, a milestone coinciding with the brand’s 60th-anniversary celebration. Nestled within the Hilton Saigon Hotel in District 1, the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural and financial hub, the showroom signifies a new era for super sports car enthusiasts in Vietnam.
To commemorate this momentous occasion, an exclusive digital artwork titled “Lamborghini: Boundless Ingenuity, Timeless Legacy” was unveiled. Crafted in collaboration with X3D STUDIO for 3D animation and Vietnamese DJ Larria for the musical backdrop, this immersive motion graphic art piece takes guests on a multi-sensory journey through Lamborghini’s six-decade legacy.
Guests at the event experienced a visual spectacle that narrated the brand’s illustrious history against the vibrant backdrop of Ho Chi Minh City’s unique culture.
Adding to the allure, the Lamborghini Urus Performante was showcased, allowing attendees to explore the Super SUV’s sportiness and performance with design features reflecting its prowess on various terrains.
Francesco Scardaoni, Region Director at Automobili Lamborghini Asia Pacific, emphasized the brand’s commitment to the Vietnamese market: “Vietnam is one of the markets with great potential, and the opening of the Lamborghini Ho Chi Minh City showroom is a testament to the growing demand for our brand here.”
Strategically located at the Hilton Saigon Hotel, the showroom provides a 360-degree client experience, mirroring Lamborghini’s cutting-edge style. The central District 1 location ensures accessibility for customers. The showroom features an Ad Personam customization room, allowing clients to engage with bespoke offerings, explore combinations of colors and materials, and experience soft leathers and carbon fiber. Collezione and Accessori Originali fashion offerings enhance the overall customer experience.
Lamborghini Ho Chi Minh City Showroom Details:
Location: Hilton Saigon Hotel, 11 Me Linh Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Suzuki Motor Corporation is set to launch the highly anticipated all-new Swift in Japan, starting December 13, 2023, for CVT models, and January 17, 2024, for 5MT models.
Crafted with the concept of “Energetic & Light – A refined smart compact that transforms everyday travel into play,” the new Swift builds upon the legacy of its predecessors, combining enhanced safety features and convenience with the design and driving performance that Swift enthusiasts have come to love. This evolution aims to introduce a new dimension of “enjoying daily life with cars” to the charm of the Swift.
The exterior design is characterized by a round shape enveloping the entire car, projecting a sophisticated image that resonates with personality and driving prowess. The interior seamlessly connects the instrument panel and door trim, emphasizing the unity between the driver and the car. The body color lineup includes 13 patterns in 9 colors, featuring new additions like “Frontier Blue Pearl Metallic” and “Cool Yellow Metallic.”
Under the hood, the Swift adopts a newly developed Z12E engine and CVT, striking a balance between fuel efficiency and driving performance. Despite maintaining its distinctive design, the Swift achieves top-tier aerodynamic performance in its class through innovations like back door side spoilers, optimized front strake, front bumper, and wheel shape, resulting in a 4.6% reduction in air resistance compared to the previous generation. The increased use of high-tensile steel plates and structural adhesives in the body contributes to superior handling and ride comfort, complemented by improved quietness achieved through baffle materials and damping adhesive in body joints.
Safety takes center stage with the adoption of the Dual Sensor Brake Support II, combining a millimeter-wave radar and a monocular camera. Features such as Adaptive Cruise Control with brake hold function, Lane Keep Assist, and Adaptive High Beam System reduce the everyday driving burden. Suzuki introduces the Driver Monitoring System, a first for the brand, using facial recognition to alert drivers of drowsiness or inattention through camera detection.
Packaging-wise, the new Swift maintains its compact and user-friendly design, ensuring a natural posture for the driver with easy-to-use audio and switches.
This revolutionary Swift isn’t limited to Japan; it’s also set to make its mark in overseas markets.
Key Features of the All-New Swift:
Striking design that leaves a lasting impression
Enhanced driving performance and meticulous attention to ride comfort
Optimal fuel efficiency from the newly developed engine and CVT, coupled with high aerodynamic performance
Suzuki Safety Support for everyday driving assistance
User-friendly packaging and equipment designed with driver usability in mind.
Škoda Auto is ushering in a new era for its Enyaq family in the 2024 model year, bringing forth a comprehensive array of technical enhancements. Among the notable additions is the introduction of the Laurin & Klement trim line, promising opulent standard features. The powertrain lineup sees the arrival of the 85 and 85x versions, boasting 286 PS (210 kW), while the vRS variants now pack an impressive 340 PS (250 kW).
Optimized battery management, coupled with a new pre-conditioning feature, ensures charging times are reduced to under 30 minutes. Mladá Boleslav, on December 6, 2023 – Škoda Auto is comprehensively updating its Enyaq family for the 2024 model year. For the first time ever, the Czech car maker’s popular battery-electric model is also available with the Laurin & Klement trim line, which boasts lavish standard equipment. The technical upgrades bring even more powerful drivetrains, shorter charging times, and an increased range. In addition, the new vehicle software features a new, more intuitive user interface.
Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, says: “Our Enyaq family has helped us kick off electric mobility in style – in the first nine months of 2023 alone, we recorded around 55,000 deliveries worldwide, an increase of more than 47 percent year-on-year. This success also motivates us to consistently improve the model further. We have listened carefully to our customers: in the new model year, we are introducing the new Enyaq L&K trim line, even more powerful and efficient drivetrains and the new software version featuring an infotainment interface that is more functional and intuitive than ever before.”
Empowered Performance and Extended Range:
In the 2024 model year, the Enyaq lineup welcomes the 85 Edition and 85x SportLine Plus, replacing the 80 and 80x versions. Equipped with a more potent drivetrain featuring an advanced permanent synchronous motor on the rear axle, these models achieve a top speed of 111 mph (180 km/h). The Enyaq 85 Edition boasts an 82 PS (60 kW) increase, reaching 286 PS (210 kW), while the Enyaq 85x SportLine Plus matches this power, making it 21 PS (15 kW) more robust than its predecessor. The Enyaq vRS now impresses with an output of 340 PS (250 kW), up by 41 PS (30 kW). Enhanced battery management elevates the range to over 348 miles (560 kilometers) for the Enyaq 85 Edition SUV and over 353 miles (570 kilometers) for the Coupé 85 Edition.
Quick Charging and All-Wheel Drive Performance:
The all-wheel-drive Enyaq 85x SportLine Plus and Enyaq vRS showcase improved charging performance with an increased DC charging rate of up to 175 kW. Charging the high-voltage battery from 10 to 80 percent now takes just 28 minutes, a notable reduction. The Enyaq 85 Edition variants with rear-wheel drive continue to charge at a maximum rate of 135 kW.
Smart Software and User Experience:
The Enyaq family introduces new vehicle software, supporting battery pre-conditioning that optimizes charging speed by up to 22 percent. The interface now boasts a more intuitive menu structure, allowing drivers to define shortcuts for frequently used vehicle settings and apps. The navigation system features new map graphics and a larger map area. Additional software features include a Walkaway function for the KESSY keyless entry system, automatically locking the vehicle when the driver walks away.
Enyaq L&K: The Epitome of Elegance:
Adding to the allure, the Enyaq L&K trim line stands out with exclusive features. Platinum Grey detailing on the aprons, diffuser, and door mirror caps, along with LED Matrix beam headlights and a chrome grille featuring a Crystal Face illuminated by 131 LEDs, showcase its elegance. The interior of the Enyaq L&K boasts electrically controlled, heated, and ventilated front seats with memory and massage functions, adorned with the L&K logo embroidered on the headrests.
Powerful Drivetrain Enhancements:
Škoda Auto has not only increased power, driving performance, and maximum range but has also introduced a new electric motor on the rear axle for the Enyaq 85 Edition and 85x SportLine Plus variants. This new motor provides up to 82 PS (60 kW) more power and a 235 Nm increase in torque, resulting in improved performance and driving dynamics. The Enyaq 85 Edition now accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds, showcasing a substantial two-second improvement. The Enyaq vRS, with an output of 340 PS (250 kW), achieves the acceleration in just 5.5 seconds.
Enhanced Software for Added Features:
The latest software version, introduced in all Enyaq models with the 82 kWh battery from November 2023 onwards, brings a host of new features. The infotainment system, head-up display, and Virtual Cockpit align with the new Škoda CI, providing a more seamless user experience. Customization options for quick access buttons, improved navigation maps, and the introduction of a Walkaway function for the Kessy keyless entry system add to the overall convenience and safety.
Johannes Neft, Škoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development, says: “We have thoroughly tested all hardware and software components, and we have carefully revised and further optimized them. The new, more efficient and powerful electric motor for our 2024 Enyaq models brings increased power, more torque, and a longer range.”
Elevating Luxury with Enyaq L&K:
Škoda Enyaq L&K, the most elegant trim line in the Enyaq family, introduces exclusive touches and extensive equipment. Featuring Platinum Grey detailing and 20-inch Asterion alloy wheels as standard, with 21-inch Aquarius wheels available on request, the Enyaq L&K exudes sophistication. The L&K Design Selection offers leather upholstery in Black or Shell, with heated and ventilated seats featuring a massage function. The head-up display with Augmented Reality and the Canton sound system are among the standard features in this luxurious trim.
In summary, Škoda’s 2024 Enyaq family not only pushes the boundaries of electric mobility but also offers a luxurious driving experience with the Laurin & Klement trim, delivering enhanced power, quicker charging, and advanced software features.
