USA - The Honda Civic Type R will get it's US debut at the AutoCon before a full rollout.

• The long-awaited Civic Type R finally comes stateside with an appearance at a hub of automotive performance and tuning

After its global reveal in Geneva earlier this month, the first production Civic Type R coming to America will make its U.S. debut at the 2017 AutoCon automotive performance and tuning convention in Los Angeles on March 26 with an on-stage presentation scheduled for 4:00 PM PDT. 

With 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque¹ on tap from its 2.0-liter DOHC, direct-injected and turbocharged i-VTEC® in-line 4-cylinder engine, the 2017 Civic Type R is the fastest, most powerful Honda ever sold in America.

Featuring aggressive styling to match its performance, the Civic Type R is the "hot hatch" that U.S. compact enthusiasts have been dreaming about.

For East Coast enthusiasts, the Type R will make its debut at the New York International Auto Show on Apr. 12. 

The first Type R-badged Honda will go on sale nationwide in late spring with an MSRP in the mid-$30,000 range.

USA - The Porsche brand has again won the overall classification of the prestigious J.D. Power APEAL Study

Vehicles by Porsche take top places

The Porsche brand has again won the overall classification of the prestigious J.D. Power APEAL Study by the US market research institute J.D. Power. In addition, the models Porsche 911 Boxster and Macan secured the first places in their categories. Taking part in the survey were more than 80,000 owners of new cars, who evaluated more than 245 models by 33 manufacturers in 10 categories.

“The results of the customer survey confirm our strategy,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “At the centre of attention in all business units is the enthusiasm of our customers. It is not only the products but also the service and communication with our customers around the world that are so important for us.”

The renewed top placing for the Porsche brand means that the sports car manufacturer has achieved the highest ranking in the overall classification for the twelfth time in succession. Since 2004, US customers have thus been demonstrating that the sports car from Zuffenhausen has the most satisfied customers. With 877 from a total of 1,000 possible points, Porsche is in first place this year once again.

Apart from the overall rankings, three models from Porsche were also able to achieve a clear decision in their categories. The 911 came top in the category “Midsize Premium Sporty Car” with 893 points. 

The Porsche Boxster was able to achieve victory in the category “Compact Premium Sporty Car” with 892 points. And the Macan, as youngest member of the model family, scored 876 points to lead in the category “Compact Premium SUV”.

In the APEAL Study, which takes place once a year, J.D. Power surveys new car customers 90 days after they have taken delivery of their vehicle. 

This year’s 21st edition of the Study questioned US new car drivers on 77 characteristics in 10 categories between November 2015 and February 2016. Among the attributes evaluated by the owners were “interior” and “driving dynamics”.

USA - J.D. Power designated the 2016 Hyundai Tucson as its most appealing small SUV in the 2016 Study.

J.D. Power designated the 2016 Hyundai Tucson as its most appealing small SUV in the 2016 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM. 

In its 21st year, the APEAL study examines owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement across 77 attributes, ranging from the power they feel when they step on the gas to the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat. Vehicles and their brands are measured on a 1,000-point scale.

Tucson outscored all other small SUVs and performed particularly well in the categories of vehicle fuel economy, seats, HVAC, storage, exterior, visibility, driving, interior and audio/comm./entertainment/navigation.

“We are thrilled with the recognition of Tucson in this year’s J.D. Power APEAL study,” said Scott Margason, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “

The new Tucson looks great, has two fuel efficient engines and a roomy interior that satisfies a wide range of SUV buyers. The team did a great job launching the all-new Tucson this year.”

USA - VW leads the non-premium sector for the first time since 2001, beating the non-premium average by 15 points.

• Volkswagen leads the non-premium sector for the first time since 2001, beating the non-premium average by 15 points

Volkswagen of America, Inc., today announced that the brand has been ranked the highest non-premium nameplate in the  J.D. Power 2016 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. 

This is the first time that Volkswagen has led the non-premium sector since 2001: the brand ranked 12^th overall in the study, out of a total of 33 nameplates. 

Volkswagen performs better than the industry average score of 801 points (out of 1000), with a total of 809 points. This was also 15 points better than the non-premium nameplate average.

“The J.D. Power APEAL Study is a great proof point of a brand’s appeal to new car buyers,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “It’s very encouraging for everyone in the company that Volkswagen heads up the non-premium nameplates for the first time since 2001.” 

The APEAL study examines how rewarding a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of 77 vehicle attributes. 

The 2016 APEAL study is based on responses gathered between February and May of 2016 from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.

The Land Rover Range Rover has been named highest ranked Large Premium SUV in the J.D. Power Study.

• Jaguar brand ranks 3^rd among nameplates; while Land Rover ranks 5^th in a tie
• Study measures customers' delight with the design, features and layout of their vehicles

The Land Rover Range Rover has been named highest ranked Large Premium SUV in the J.D. Power 2016 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study^SMreleased today.  

This marks the fifth* award for the brand’s flagship model in this category. Jaguar ranks 3^rdamong nameplates with a score of 852, while Land Rover ranks 5^th among nameplates in a tie, with an overall score of 843.

The APEAL study examines the design and performance characteristics across 33 brand nameplates, which make a new vehicle a delight to own and drive, and is based on owner evaluations of 77 vehicle attributes.

"We are thrilled that both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands continue to rank high in the esteemed J.D. Power APEAL study," says Joe Eberhardt, President & CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. "To have our Range Rover flagship vehicle win Large Premium SUV for the fifth* time is especially pleasing and exemplifies our continued commitment to manufacturing desirable cars that meet customers’ needs.”

With an overall score of 852, Jaguar earns a 3^rd place ranking among brand nameplates. The Jaguar F-TYPE ranked 3^rd in the Midsize Premium Sporty Car segment scoring 854 and the Jaguar XF ranked 5^th among vehicles in the Midsize Premium Car segment with a score of 849.

This year, Land Rover ranks 5^th place among brand nameplates with an overall score of 843. In addition to Range Rover receiving the Large Premium SUV award with a score of 872 and scores highest in the exterior, interior, driving dynamics and visibility safety factors, the Range Rover Evoque ranked 2^nd in the Small Premium SUV segment scoring 826.

Developed from the ground up with characteristic levels of Range Rover refinement and all-terrain versatility, the fourth generation Range Rover captures the innovative spirit and iconic design of the original model which changed the world of motoring when it was launched over 40 years ago. 

New for 2016, the Range Rover HSE receives an enhanced V6 gasoline engine tuned to produce 380hp (a 40hp increase over previous models), while both SE and HSE models are now available with an efficient diesel powertrain option for the first time in North America. Producing 254hp and 440 lb-ft of low-end torque, the Td6 engine provides excellent performance, reduced fuel costs and an exceptional cruising range of up to 658 miles on the highway. Towing capability remains unchanged at 7,716lbs.

The APEAL Study serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle appeal. The Study, now in its 21st year, measures owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement across 77 attributes, ranging from the power they feel when they step on the gas to the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat. These attributes combine into an overall APEAL Index score that is measured on a 1,000-point scale.

The APEAL Study is used extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and develop more appealing vehicles and by consumers to help them in their purchase decisions. It complements the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership. The 2016 U.S. APEAL Study is based on responses gathered from February through May 2016 from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year cars and light trucks who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership.

*The Land Rover Range Rover was named Highest Ranked Large Premium SUV in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016.