USA - Cadillac CTS V-Sport named as one of it's 10 best from Car and Driver magazine.

CTS NAMED AS 10 BEST EVERY YEAR SINCE 2014 REDESIGN

Car and Driver magazine today announced that the 2016 Cadillac CTS V-Sport is one of the magazine’s 10 Best cars. A CTS model has received the publication’s highest accolade every year since the 2014 model-year redesign.

This is the eighth year a CTS model has made the list. The CTS/CTS-V was named a 10 Best car in 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

“This award is further proof of Cadillac’s emphasis on product substance to elevate the brand,” said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen. “The CTS sedan is the core of our brand, and sets the tone as we continue to expand the brand.”

The 2016 Cadillac CTS product line-up features significant enhancements in performance, efficiency and connectivity.

The all-new Cadillac CTS-V performance variant also returns for 2016. The CTS-V sedan recently achieved the fastest lap time of any four-door vehicle Car and Driver has ever tested during its annual Lightning Lap competition.

The 2016 Cadillac CTS sedan range is priced from $45,560, excluding destination charges, taxes and fees.

USA - Mazda takes two spots on Car and Driver 10Best list.

- Mazda Makes the Top Ten List for 13th Consecutive Year -

The 2015 Mazda3 and 2015 Mazda6 have been named to Car and Driver's 2015 10Best Cars list, marking the 31^st and 32^nd times a Mazda vehicle has been awarded a spot on the long-running, highly coveted Top Ten list.  

This also records the brand's 13^th consecutive annual appearance.  Mazda is the only company to have two cars named to the list.

Completely redesigned last year, both Mazda3 and Mazda6 feature the full suite of efficient SKYACTIV®^[1]technologies and wear the handsome character lines of the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language.  

Both vehicles also feature a slew of technology with the safety-first i-ACTIVSENSE, capacitor-based regenerative engine braking i-ELOOP system and MAZDA CONNECT™,  a next-generation, driving-focused in-vehicle connectivity system. 

"Mazda is honored to again be part of Car and Driver's 10Best list, a distinction which proves that the best cars don't have to be the most expensive, most powerful and most out-of-reach for consumers," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  

"Both recently redesigned, Mazda3 and Mazda6 entered their respective segments as already established dynamic-driving benchmarks but also surpassed expectations to lead the way in fuel efficiency, safety and in-car technologies."

The 10Best nomination process has three official restrictions: the vehicle cannot exceed an $80,000 price tag; a sample vehicle must be available for testing by mid-September of the current calendar year; and the vehicle must be on sale to the public by January of the following calendar year. 

"10Best list is made up of vehicles that offer the most value, that elegantly and comprehensively fulfill their missions, and that engage their drivers in spirted conversation," said Eddie Alterman, Car and Driver Editor.  "Since their introductions as all-new 2014 SKYACTIV models, the Mazda3 and Mazda6 embody this spirit and made the list for the second year in a row."

Dynamic, desirable and dents wallets only slightly, Mazda's best-selling vehicle worldwide, the 2015 Mazda3 compact car is available in two's: body styles – four- and five-door; transmissions – six-speed manual and automatic; and engines – SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter. New-for-2015 is the added availability of the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission for the larger engine, which offers consumers the choice of eight different model configurations. 

Also, regardless of vehicle build, Mazda3 offers high fuel economy – up to an EPA-estimated 41 highway mpg for sedans and 40 highway mpg for five-doors – when outfitted with the 2.0L engine.  The brawnier 2.5L offers an estimated 40 highway mpg for sedans while five-doors are EPA-rated at up to 39 highway mpg (with available i-ELOOP).  Pricing for the 2015 Mazda3 starts at $16,945[2] MSRP.

The 2015 Mazda6 continues to push the vanilla-flavored envelope of the mid-size sedan segment with its grin-inducing driving dynamics, chiseled-chin design, award-winning safety and best-in-class highway fuel economy (40 mpg[3]).  Starting at $21,190 MSRP, Mazda6 is currently fitted with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine, which can be paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. 

Both vehicles have earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and received a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

USA - VW announces that it has earned its place in the Car and Driver 10Best list.

This marks the ninth consecutive year that vehicles from the Golf lineup have earned a prestigious “10Best” award

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is pleased to announce today that Car and Driver magazine has named the Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI to its 2015 “10Best” list. Taking home a ninth consecutive “10Best” award in a competition against 60 vehicles, the Golf and Golf GTI were praised for exceptional versatility, dynamics and value. 

“The Volkswagen Golf is the Swiss Army knife of enthusiast transport. 

No matter your preferences in price, practicality, and performance, there’s a Golf that will take your money without giving up much in any other direction,” said Car and Driver. “The gasoline TSI® models perhaps represent the paring knife. The practical diesel TDI® models represent the screwdriver. And that spear-like awl is the sharp-edged GTI.”

“We are honored that Car and Driver has named the Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI to its 2015 ‘10Best’ list,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Earning this award for the ninth consecutive year validates the Golf and the Golf GTI models’ consistency in delivering unmatched quality and performance at a competitive price point.”

The Car and Driver annual “10Best” list features 10 of the magazine’s most favored new vehicles. Cars are judged on value, performance and the ability to satisfy the comprehensive driving needs of the consumer.  

All production vehicles for sale in the current calendar year are considered, with the following restrictions: the vehicle must be on sale by January; it must be priced below 2.5 times the average car price for that year; the manufacturer must provide a vehicle for testing; and only substantially changed vehicles and the past year’s “10Best” winners are nominated.

The seventh-generation version of Volkswagen’s best-selling model is bigger, lighter, more fuel-efficient, and even more versatile than its predecessor. The all-new model features a host of newly-available driver assistance features and excellent EPA estimated highway fuel economy. 

Based on the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture, the 2015 Golf lineup includes the fun-to-drive Golf 1.8T, fuel-efficient Golf TDI Clean Diesel, and sporty Golf GTI.

With a starting price of $17,995 for the 2-door Golf S model, the 2015 Golf family offers advances in interior refinement, exterior styling, and a wealth of new equipment at even the lowest trim lines.

Starting at $24,395 for the S model, the 2015 Golf GTI features Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine, providing 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is 10 hp and 51 lb-ft higher than in the previous generation.

The Golf and GTI will be featured in Car and Driver’s January 2015 “10Best” issue.

USA - Ford Mustang GT added to car and Drivers 10 best cars list for 2015.

•  Ford Mustang has appeared on Car and Driver’s 10Best list nine times since 1983
•  With three available engines, each producing more than 300 horsepower, and a new independent rear suspension, the 2015 model is the best all-around Mustang ever built
• Car and Driver editorial staff compares driving the 2015 Mustang through aggressive turns to “wearing wheels;” reminds readers that “driving a great car can be play”

The all-new 2015 Ford Mustang GT has been named to Car and Driver’s 10Best cars list for 2015 – the ninth time Mustang has made the list since the award’s inception 33 years ago.

Car and Driver’s 10Best list recognizes the best new cars available in the United States for under $80,000. Mustang has been honored four of the last five years.

“Dive into a series of challenging turns in the Mustang and you're not driving a car, you're wearing wheels” Car and Driver commented.  “It reminds us that driving a great car can be play, something that even grownups enjoy.”

“It’s a huge honor to have the Mustang GT recognized on Car and Driver’s 10Best list,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The substantial amount of time and effort our engineering team put into Mustang has paid off; we’re hopeful that the car has a substantial presence on the 10Best list for years to come.”

When Mustang made its first appearance on Car and Driver’s 10Best list in 1983, editors praised the pony car’s performance and styling, saying, “[E]verybody we know who’s bought one thinks it’s the greatest thing since draft beer.” 

“With the vast improvements we’ve made to the 2015 Mustang GT’s powertrain, suspension and styling, we hope Car and Driver editors and our customers feel the same way this time around,” said Pericak.

50 years of Ford Mustang

More than 9.2 million Mustangs have been sold since the car’s 1964 debut.

With more options to choose from, there is a Mustang to fit any lifestyle. The upgraded V8 in Mustang GT – now delivering 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque – is joined by a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and an all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost^® engine that brings state-of-the-art technology to Mustang.

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost uses direct injection, variable cam timing and a twin-scroll turbocharger to deliver the performance Mustang drivers expect, with an output of 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque.

In addition to being the most-liked vehicle on Facebook, with 8 million likes, the all-new Mustang is turning on U.S. dealer lots in an average of six days.