Welcome to Motoring Monday for January 5, 2015. I’m Sam Haymart for TestDrivenTV.

This is our first broadcast for 2015 and we do it in an all-new studio here to mark the occasion. Today we’ve got an exciting preview of the Detroit Auto Show which kicks off next week with sneak peeks at some very cool cars.

2016 Cadillac CTS-V

Cadillac has already been teasing us with their 2016 CTS-V sedan, the first of the new body style CTS to get the rip-snorting supercharged V8.

Going on sale this summer, the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V has 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque which GM says will accelerate if from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 201 mph.

Essentially the same engine found in the Corvette Z06, the next-generation 6.2 liter V8 gets a more efficiently flowing 1.7 liter supercharger along, direct fuel-injection and cylinder deactivation to save fuel during less proactive driving.

The 6.2 liter V8 here comes mated only to an eight-speed automatic transmission, featuring launch control and performance algorithm shifting. There is no manual option as in the Z06, but you do get paddle-shifters.

Cadillac actually pulled out a few high-end stops for this one including a standard carbon fiber hood, magnetic ride control and large Brembo brakes. It gets 15.3” discs up front and 14.3” at the rear.


2016 Toyota Tacoma

Toyota is beating the drum for their all-new 2016 Tacoma mid-sized pickup, which will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

The new 2016 Toyota Tacoma was supposed to be here by now actually, but the entrance of the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon to the mid-size scene sent Toyota back to the boards to sharpen their pencil.

The current Tacoma has been around since 2005 with very few changes, and compared to the new trucks from GM, feels its age.

While Toyota hasn’t given us much in the way of specifications, their teaser photos and video hint at styling very similar to the contemporary Tundra full size trucks.

We should hope for some new powertrain choices which would include a six-speed transmission and perhaps at some point soon, a diesel engine.

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet will dazzle Detroit show goers this year with an all new 2016 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric.

Already well teased with glimpses of style and stories about its next-generation powertrain systems, the new Volt promises to be at least 15-20% more efficient and have longer EV range.

Calling it their Voltec drive system, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt gets an all-new battery, electric drive unit, and a larger 1.5 liter gasoline engine. And while the format of the drive-train is unchanged, it gains some new operating parameters.

An all-new electric drive system has two motors and an integrated control module. The unit is mounted to the gasoline engine, but there is no direct drive connection to the wheels. The engine spins on the same axis as the motor shafts but only delivers power through a generating magnetic hub.

The new system operates much as the current Volt but will offer new modes for more power when needed. One or both electric motors can operate when in EV mode, a change that offers up to 20% better acceleration.

The gasoline engine can operate along with the electric motors for additional power, generating additional boost to go along with the battery. When specs for the new 2016 Chevrolet Volt are announced, it should achieve at least a 15-20% improvement in electric range and fuel efficiency.

If this holds true, it will make the Volt that much more attractive in a growing class of competitors which range from full electric-vehicles like Nissan Leaf to plug-in hybrids like the Toyota Prius.

2016 Acura NSX

Hybrids will make news at Detroit, as Acura will unveil the long awaited production version of their new American engineered, designed and built NSX sports car.

Already well seen in concept form over the past couple years, the new mid-engined Acura NSX will go on sale late this year with twin-turbocharging and a sport hybrid drive system.

With two electric motors driving the front wheels, a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and electric motor at the rear wheels, the new Acura NSX will have supercar performance to go along with its looks, but with economy-car fuel consumption.

Also making this NSX a stand-out is that was engineered here in the United States at Acura’s North American R&D center at Raymond, OH. Its design was crafted in the Acura Design Studio at Torrance, CA.

Icing on the cake is that the 2016 Acura NSX will be built at a new Performance Manufacturing Center also here in the States, in Marysville, OH

Test Drive: 2015 GMC 2500HD Denali

This week we tested the 2015 GMC 2500HD Denali pickup, a fully loaded one with the Duramax diesel engine.

While not as efficient as a hybrid sports car, the 2015 GMC 2500HD did impress during our week of testing with 17 mpg combined from its 6.6 liter V8 turbo-diesel engine.

Highway fuel economy hit as high as 22.5 mpg which is actually quite impressive for a 7,400 lb brick. With heavy towing capability to over 17,000 lbs your mileage may vary however.

Being a Denali model, it had every conceivable creature comfort inside and out, provided a very comfortable cabin, and did it in a tasteful style.

You can see our full review of this an many more vehicles on TestDriven.TV or our YouTube Channel.

Reality Check : Automakers at CES

For years we have been reporting on the big auto shows when it comes to new cars like the Detroit Auto Show next week, the LA Auto Show, Auto Show New York and so forth. But lately, the Consumer Electronics Show – CES, has become part of the mix.

The annual convention in Las Vegas is where all the gadget makers bring their latest new devices that will engage consumers in the coming year. We’re talking smart-phones, tablets, personal music devices and the like.

But in the last decade, car companies have all-but taken over the show and making it all about them. They bring their latest automotive infotainment systems debuts, their latest connectivity apps, and essentially use the show to make sure consumers know they are techies too.

While the show goers don’t seem to mind all the involvement of the car companies, it does say a lot about the focus they have been putting on infotainment and connectivity features in our cars.

Cars are fast turning into smart-phones on wheels, a trend which has been afoot now for about 10 years. Some automakers seemingly put more emphasis on Bluetooth, Pandora, Bing and Aha than they do handling and design.

Some car companies are head over heels into making sure we can surf and drive at the same time, tweet, post and like our friend’s latest joke about cats while we commute. Self-driving cars are the latest rage, so we can do all those other things instead of being inconvenienced by the car.

It’s a lament I know, but I really think I like my car companies to care more about the feeling I get from the car itself when I’m driving it, not how my iPhone gets along with it. The notion probably makes me a curmudgeon doesn’t it.

Money Shot:

Now it’s time for our Money Shot where we take the hottest photo from this week’s auto news and we show it to ya!

At Detroit, Lexus will unveil their new F sedan. A powerful track capable car, the F has more gills, whiskers and eye liner than any Lexus we’ve seen yet. And this is just the first peek.

Well that’s it for Motoring Monday, click on the link here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel where I will keep you updated on our Detroit Auto Show coverage, our latest test drives and Motoring Monday episodes.

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