USA - The Mazda CX-9 joins the list on the Inaugural 10Best from car and Driver magazine.

• All-New CX-9 Earns Spot on Inaugural ‘Trucks and Crossovers’ List, Complementing Mazda’s 2017 10Best Cars Winners, MX-5 Miata and Mazda3

From their engaging, confidence-inspiring driving dynamics to their standout KODO—Soul of Motion design, every Mazda is as much a joy to look at and sit in as it is to drive. 

The all-new Mazda CX-9 midsize crossover SUV is no exception, evidenced by it earning a spot on Car and Driver magazine’s first-annual 10Best Trucks and SUVs list.

CX-9 has been lauded for its upscale design, rewarding and surefooted driving performance and innovative engineering. 

It is the final vehicle in Mazda’s lineup to undergo a full redesign, implementing lightweight, efficient SKYACTIV Technology and KODO—Soul of Motion design. Among its most notable new features is its turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine, which produces a hearty 310 lb-ft of torque from just 2,000 rpm. Housed in a vehicle weighing approximately 250 lbs. less than its predecessor, the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T helps CX-9 achieve a 25-percent improvement in combined EPA-estimated fuel economy versus its predecessor.

CX-9 puts power to the ground via its predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive system that can adjust power output to each wheel more than 200 times per second to maintain optimum grip. Mazda’s i-ACTIV all-wheel drive integrates the functions of 27 sensors—including thermometers, wheel sensors and even windshield wipers—to accurately paint a picture of road conditions to make sure the driver and passengers feel surefooted even when road conditions become suboptimal.

Last but not least, Mazda introduced the new top Signature trim level on CX-9, which further bolsters the crossover beyond the previous top-tier CX-9 Grand Touring trim level. CX-9 Signature comes exclusively with Auburn-colored Nappa leather seating surfaces, real aluminum whose design takes inspiration from Japanese swords and rosewood interior trim that comes from premium guitar-maker Fujigen.

Mazda CX-9 joins the compact Mazda3 sedan and hatchback and MX-5 Miata soft top and MX-5 RF retractable fastback as 2017 Car and Driver awardees. Mazda3 and MX-5 were announced as winners in the car categories during November’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

Additionally, at the L.A. Auto Show, CX-9 was announced as one of the top-three finalists for the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by an independent organization of 54 media jurors from around the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The winner will be announced January 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

USA - The Golf family has been awarded inclusion on the Car and Driver magazines 10Best List.

The Golf, Golf Alltrack, GTI and Golf R land one of the most coveted automotive awards

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is pleased to announce today that Car and Driver magazine has named the Volkswagen Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI and Golf R to its 2017 “10Best” list. Taking home an eleventh consecutive “10Best” award in a competition against 60 vehicles, the Golf models were praised for exceptional versatility, dynamics and value.

“There are currently five different versions of the Golf for sale in all 50 states, a sweeping armada of excellence that includes three gas engines, front- or all-wheel drive, and wagon or hatch­­­back body styles,” said Car and Driver. “Attitudes range from the save-some-fuel base Golf to the kill-some-apexes Golf R. 

Volkswagen manages to imbue every trim level with the same understated feel, regardless of specification or price. All Golfs drive with a solid composure and predictability, with controlled body motions and the ride quality of a far more expensive machine.”

“We are honored that Car and Driver has named the Volkswagen Golf models to its 2017 ‘10Best’ list,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Earning this award for the eleventh consecutive year validates the consistency of the Golf family 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.

With a starting price of $19,895 for the Golf S model, the 2017 Golf family offers advances in interior refinement, exterior styling, and a wealth of new equipment at even the lowest trim lines.

The Golf Alltrack joins the Golf family for 2017 with a starting price of $25,850. Building on the popular Golf SportWagen, Alltrack offers a raised ground clearance, standard 4Motion all-wheel drive and rugged exterior styling.

Starting at $25,595 for the S model, the 2017 Golf GTI features Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine, providing 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (achieved with premium fuel). For 2017, Sport models and above add the Performance Package as standard equipment—raising horsepower to 220.

Golf R is the most powerful version of the Golf ever to be sold in the U.S. market, with a starting price of $35,655. The R model is fuel-efficient for a car with 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, posting an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy rating of 31 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission.

The Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI and Golf R will be featured in Car and Driver’s January 2017 “10Best” issue.

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.