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New J.D. Power Initial Quality Study puts Porsche, GM in spotlight

J.D. Power and Associates has released its annual Initial Quality Study, and this year, Porsche and General Motors took the spotlight. The study, which asks new car owners to report problems experienced during the first 90 days of ownership, found that overall, the industry averages 113 problems per 100 vehicles.
Porsche managed a score of just 80 problems per 100 vehicles, while GMC took the second spot on the podium with 90. Lexus filled out the top three with 94 problems per 100 vehicles, followed by Infiniti at 95 and Chevrolet at 97. The study also looks at specific models, and found the Lexus LS to enjoy the best initial quality at 59 problems per 100 vehicles.
Interestingly enough, the report found that around two-thirds of most owner problems experienced in the first 90 days are attributable to vehicle design instead of mechanical failure. Specifically - echoing a refrain we've been hearing for the last few years - owners are having a hard time figuring out how to use the technology present in their new vehicles. Head over to the J.D. Power site for more information, or scroll down below for the company's related press release.

2017 GMC Acadia starts at $29,995

The 2017 GMC Acadia has a lower price in addition to its smaller size and 700-pound weight loss. The latest model starts at $29,995 (including $925 destination) when it arrives at dealers this spring, which is $1,905 less than last year's base version. That low price is just for the front-wheel-drive only SL trim, but there are savings throughout the 2017 lineup. The least expensive all-wheel drive version comes on the SLE model for $35,375, versus $37,100 last year (after $925 destination). The top-spec all-wheel drive Denali now costs $47,845, compared to $50,815 for the 2016 version. You can check out the MSRP for each trim in the release below. The new All Terrain model costs $40,040 and gets a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system with an active twin clutch. GMC claims the layout improves performance in wet, snowy and icy conditions. However, the trim is only available in five-passenger configuration, and storage bins in the floor replace the third-row seat. The 2017 Acadia price is also competitive with some challengers in the segment. For example, a base 2016 Honda Pilot is more expensive at $31,045 (after $900 destination), and the top Elite is $47,470, which is barely cheaper than the Denali. A base 2016 Ford Explorer is more costly at $31,995 (after $945 destination), and the Platinum for $53,915 is several thousand more than a Denali. The latest Acadia offers customers a bounty of tech and efficient powertrains. The IntelliLink infotainment system has support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there're available safety systems like front pedestrian braking and a surround view camera. Most models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which GMC estimates gets 22 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway with front-wheel drive. A 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 offers an estimated 25 mpg highway for front-wheel drive models. Both powertrains use a six-speed automatic. Related Video: 2017 GMC Acadia starting at $29,995 Drives to heart of midsize SUV segment with lower starting price, more features DETROIT – GMC announced today pricing for the all-new 2017 Acadia will start at $29,995 when it goes on sale this spring. The base price is $1,905 less than the 2016 base model and the new Acadia offers more standard equipment, including a new IntelliLink system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (User interfaces are products of Apple and Google and their terms and privacy statements apply.

Latest Forza Motorsport 5 car pack leaves us scratching our head (in a good way) [w/video]

As we scrolled down the roster of the latest car pack for Forza Motorsport 5, the Hot Wheels Car Pack, our expression became bemused over the strange mix of vehicles that we now have at our disposal. This is quite unlike any of the other sets of DLC Turn 10 Studios has offered. Sure, there are the typical headliner cars – the Lamborghini Veneno and 2015 Audi S3 – that will appeal to the mainstream racing fan or auto enthusiast. But this latest car pack is so jammed full of nuggets of automotive weirdness that it's hard not to get excited. The Hot Wheels pack has no shortage of racers, with a particular focus on historical offerings. A 1939 Auto Union Type D covers the pre-war era of Formula One, while a 1967 Lotus 49 and a 1952 Ferrari 375 represent post-war racing. For a modern twist, a Mazda USF2000 car slots in below the Indy Lights car from the Nurburgring booster pack. From here, things get vintage and weird. There are a pair of delightfully offbeat coupes, in the form of a 1974 Toyota Celica GT and a 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT (here's hoping we get a vintage Holden Monaro in the future). Those two are joined by a 1956 Ford F-100, which your author already plans on converting into a dragster with vinyl flames down the side (because that's what all vintage pickups should be). The new ride we're most excited about, though, is the 1983 GMC Vandura G-1500. Yes, that's the van from The A-Team, and we're sure it will prove to be an excellent canvas for the artists of FM5 to cover with airbrushed, fire-breathing unicorns and mystical, gray-haired wizards (or just poorly painted letters that read "Free Candy"). This latest car pack is the final monthly car pack for FM5, although Turn 10 is quick to point out that while the monthly updates are over, there will still be new batches of cars made available to gamers. As for the Hot Wheels pack, it's available now on Xbox Live for $9.99. Scroll down for the press release from Turn 10 Studios, as well as a video of the newest additions to Forza Motorsport 5's vehicle roster. Forza Motorsport 5 Hot Wheels Car Pack Now Available Turn 10 Studios is bringing the Hot Wheels® Car Pack to "Forza Motorsport 5," available for download today. The pack features a collection of vehicles built from the ground up for the new generation that car fans can collect and customize while putting their virtual driving skills to the test.