SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cartelligent has released its list of 2016 new models and redesigns that it expects to be top-sellers this year. The company is unique in that it works directly with individual clients and helps them to weigh their options and decide exactly which car is best for them.
The team at Cartelligent is always excited to see what the new model year has to offer, and so far, the 2016 arrivals promise to exceed their expectations. The 2016 model year includes not only the futuristic hydrogen fuel-powered Toyota Mirai, but also a new entry-level sedan from Jaguar, and a plethora of new plug-in hybrids from European luxury brands.
The brand has compiled a list of the sixteen most exciting new arrivals and redesigns for 2016.
________________________________________
2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (Available for order now, expected arrival December 2015)
Audi's first plug-in hybrid is already on the roads in Europe and it will be available in the US only as a five-door hatchback for the 2016 model year. With 204 hp and a top speed of 138 mph in hybrid mode (80 mph in electric), it combines the power and luxury of an Audi with an estimated fuel economy rating of 157 mpg. The A3 Sportback e-tron comes with the Audi Energy Program with includes a home charger, carbon offset program and available solar power installation.
________________________________________
2016 Audi TT (Available for order now, expected arrival October 2015)
With the first complete redesign of the TT since 2006, Audi aims to recapture the enthusiasm the sporty car created when it was first released in 1998. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 130 mph. In addition to a sleek new exterior, Audi has created a driver-centric, minimalist interior featuring a 12.3" virtual cockpit located behind the steering wheel. The new TT is available for order as both a coupe and a roadster.
________________________________________
2016 Audi Q7 (Available for order now, expected arrival January 2016)
Audi's first SUV, the Q7, hasn't seen a major redesign since its 2006 release. The 2016 model boasts an infusion of available tech including predictive fuel efficiency, traffic-jam assist, collision avoidance assist, attention assist, head-up display, and the latest generation multi-media interface infotainment system. It will be available as a five or seven-seater, and with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, or a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine.
________________________________________
2016 BMW 3 Series—330e and 340i (Both available for order now, 330e is expected January 2016; 340i is expected September 2015)
BMW updated its ever-popular 3 Series with minor tweaks to the lighting, wheels and interior. We're most excited about the world premiere of its all-new inline 6-cylinder gas engine in the 340i and the first ever plug-in hybrid 3 Series, the 330e. The 340i uses a 320-hp 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engine with an 8-speed Steptronic transmission to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The hybrid 330e has a top speed of 140 mph and a projected fuel economy rating of 67 mpg; it is also capable of travelling up to 22 miles in all-electric mode.
________________________________________
2016 BMW 7 Series (Available for order now, expected arrival October 2015)
The sixth generation of BMW's flagship sedan promises to be even more luxurious and technologically advanced than its predecessors. Available features include remote self-parking, gesture control of the iDrive infotainment system, a rear seat that boasts a foot-rest and in-seat massage, as well as a panoramic roof fitted with LED lights to create a starry sky effect. The new 7 Series will be available in two long-wheelbase models—the 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder 740i with rear-wheel-drive, and the twin-scroll-turbocharged V8 750i with xDrive all-wheel drive. A plug-in hybrid 740e xDrive is expected in 2017. Both the 740i and 750i are available for special order as of the time of writing.
________________________________________
2016 BMW X1 (Available for order now, Expected arrival October 2015)
This is the first redesign for the X1 since its launch in 2009. The new model is significantly wider and more spacious than the original and feels more like an SUV than a performance wagon. This results in an increase in both seating room and cargo capacity, and provides the driver with a higher seating position for greater visibility. The X1 is only configured as a 228-hp all-wheel-drive xDrive28i which is available for pre-order now.
________________________________________
2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e (Available for order now, Expected arrival October 2015)
BMW adds another plug-in hybrid to its standard line of vehicles—the X5 xDrive40e is the brand's first hybrid SUV and one of only a handful of hybrid luxury SUVs currently available. The plug-in hybrid X5 will have a top speed of 75 mph in electric mode, 130 mph in hybrid mode, an estimated fuel-economy rating of 55 mpg, and an electric-only range of 13 miles. The 220V BMW Station can fully charge its empty battery in under three hours.
________________________________________
2016 Chevrolet Volt (Available for order now, Expected arrival October 2015)
The EPA has given the new Chevy Volt an electric-only range of 53 miles, and a total range of 420 miles with the 1.5-liter range extender. Fuel economy is projected at 41 mpg after depleting the battery, and advanced active safety features include Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Forward Safety Awareness. The new Volt is available for order now.
________________________________________
2016 Jaguar XE Sedan (Expected arrival March 2016)
Jaguar's new entry-level sedan is intended to compete with the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It features a new all-aluminum architecture and is available as an XE, XE R-Sport, and XE S (which features the same 3.0-liter supercharged V6 as the F-Type). Jaguar has not yet released the specifications for the XE or XE R-Sport.
________________________________________
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (Available now)
Mazda's fourth-generation roadster retains the size, styling and "zoom-zoom" of the 1990 original. The entire design is thinner and lighter than previous models, and yet the interior feels more spacious than before (by roadster standards). The MX-5 Miata will be available with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, and in a Sport, Club or Grand Touring models. It is currently available to order and is expected to arrive in showrooms sometime this fall.
________________________________________
2016 Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid (Available for order now, expected arrival December 2015)
Mercedes-Benz is expected to add a plug-in hybrid to the C-Class, S-Class, and ML-Class for the 2016 model year. The C350 Plug-In Hybrid will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a top speed of 130 mph in hybrid mode and 80 mph in electric only. The C350 offers five transmission modes and four engine modes to offer drivers the ability to customize its performance and fuel-economy. Orders are not yet offered, but are anticipated soon; the cars should reach dealerships before the end of the year.
________________________________________
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (Available for order now, expected arrival November 2015)
The popular GLK-Class has been completely redesigned and rebranded as the GLC-Class. The GLC-Class offers a C-Class-like interior cabin with more rear-seat space and greater cargo capacity than the outgoing GLK. Advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, cross traffic alert, and lane keep assist.
________________________________________
2016 Toyota Mirai (Expected arrival November 2015)
The Toyota Mirai (which means "future" in Japanese) will join the Hyundai Tucson as the only mass-market hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles currently available (Honda is expected to release its own model in the near future). The Mirai takes a full nine seconds to go from 0-60 mph, but boasts a top speed of 111 mph and offers fairly responsive handling. More importantly for potential buyers, the only by-product of hydrogen power generation is pure water and the Mirai can be fueled completely in about five minutes. Toyota is currently taking requests for the Mirai which will only be available in California initially. There are 48 hydrogen fuel stations currently planned for California with 10-15 expected to be open by the end of this year.
________________________________________
2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Available for order now, expected arrival November 2015)
Toyota's 8th hybrid vehicle, the RAV4 Hybrid will have more horsepower and better fuel-economy than the rest of the RAV4 line. All RAV4 models will get a freshened exterior including a new front fascia, and an updated interior that features more premium materials and an available 7-inch touch screen display. Toyota's new Safety Sense system comes standard on the Limited edition and includes active crash prevention technology like a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control and lane departure alert.
________________________________________
2016 Toyota Tacoma (Available for order now, expected arrival September 2015)
The ever-popular Tacoma gets redesigned in 2016 to look more like the larger Tundra. The redesign is built to appeal to off-roaders with high ground clearance, easy-to-swap bumper system, and a standard GoPro camera mount for those who want to make sure the entire experience is recorded. A 2.7-liter four-cylinder comes standard, but a 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle V6 is offered as an upgrade. Available trims include SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and the Limited.
________________________________________
2016 Volvo XC90 (Available now)
The XC90 is the first of seven new vehicles Volvo plans to debut in the next three years. The XC90 will be available in four trim lines: Momentum, Inscription, R-Design and the T8 Plug-In Hybrid. The latter (which is expected to arrive in showrooms in February 2016) will be capable of driving 17 miles in electric-only mode. All versions come standard with three rows of seats and a 9" tablet-like touch screen display. World-first safety features include auto-brake for oncoming cars and run-off-road protection that keeps passengers safely in their seats on rough terrain.
We welcome inquiries about this list or about car buying in general. To set up an interview with one of our experts, please contact Jessica Carstens at 415-339-4562 or email jcarstens@cartelligent.com.
About Cartelligent: Since 2000, Cartelligent has connected car buyers with the new car they want, at a below market price. Thousands of satisfied clients each year work with Cartelligent to skip the traditional dealer experience and save time and money on their new car.