2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: The Most Amazing Girl In School

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: The Most Amazing Girl In School I’ve always had a crush on the Hyundai Santa Fe. It’s like I am back during those awkward early high school years. My chubby cheeks and braces have returned. I’m fat. So fat. And the Hyundai Santa Fe is the girl; you know, the valedictorian who is going to a prestigious university and will become a boss lawyer. Every guy is in love with her and I suddenly, on a whim, decide to ask her to the winter formal.
Except I don’t ever get the courage to ask her out.
Friend Zone
This describes my relationship with the Hyundai Santa Fe. Despite my work in the automotive industry, I’ve never driven one. Never even been close. Never even been a passenger in one. I have simply marveled from afar, even going to Hyundai dealerships after they are closed to look at them. I realize this is nuts. I like a lot of vehicles – it’s a side effect of this profession – but the Santa Fe just really stands out to me.
Power & Performance
The most amazing girl in school just become more so with a new diesel engine in the mix for 2019. In total, the new Santa Fe will offer three engines: a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder with 185 horsepower, or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower (estimated). The 2.2-liter diesel option definitely comes from left field, but it’s a welcome surprise with 190 horsepower (3,800 rpm) and 322 lb-ft. of torque between 1,750 – 2,500 rpm. Hyundai says the torque figure is an estimation for now, but that’s still a healthy amount.
All engines are mated to a Hyundai-designed eight-speed automatic, a lighter more efficient transmission replacing the outgoing six-speed. With the extra ratio range, expert better acceleration and improved fuel economy. Among the most interesting features is a multi-disc and individually controlled hydraulic channel torque converter, said to improve responsiveness. Further, the oil pump was downsized and double ball bearings added to minimize friction loss.
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe comes in both front and all-wheel drive. It’s your choice.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Walk Around
I admit my bias here, but a quick glance at the new Santa Fe proves just how easy it is on the eyes. Up front is Hyundai’s signature Cascading Grille, followed by a “Composite Light” design which consists of LED daytime running lamps. Hyundai says (and I laughed a bit even) the “wide stance and athletic body makes a statement from 100 feet away.” Well, yes, true but if I personally owned a Santa Fe I would never want to be a 100 feet away from it.
Again, admitting my bias – I will focus – back to our walk around.
Looking at the side, what is most noticeable is the character line that arches from the headlights to the taillights. The outside mirrors are mounted lower and further rearward and the A-pillars have decreased in size. Diamond-cut 19-inch wheels are available for a little extra flare – not exactly necessary for a family vehicle, but still nice to have.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Family Features
Here is where Hyundai really dials in, providing a number of updates and luxury touches inside. The premium treatments include a layered, three-dimensional instrument panel, contrasting seat stitching, and an aircraft-inspired heads-up display. Convenience-wise, the center screen was tilted specifically to reduce glare, the window switches and grab handles were moved forward for more elbow room, and the height and length of the center armrest grew.
The area between the first and second rows was enlarged while the floor was slightly lowered  – these design changes allow for less clutter and more legroom. Total interior volume, if you opt for the third row, is 150.7 cubic feet. Incidentally, the long wheelbase three-row version is renamed “Santa Fe XL” for 2019.
Safety is always a priority for families and the Hyundai Smart Sense package should provide peace of mind. The system includes a number of advanced safety and driver-assist systems like forward collision warning, blind spot detection, lane keeping assist, and rear cross traffic/collision avoidance.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Pricing & Availability
Expect the 2019 Santa Fe at Hyundai dealerships this summer with pricing announced closer to that time. In the meantime, it’s on display at the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. With sales of more than 1.5 million units, the Santa Fe is Hyundai’s best-selling SUV in the United States.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.



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4 Consumer Trends Shaping The Auto Industry’s Future

4 Consumer Trends Shaping The Auto Industry’s Future


In recent years, we’ve seen dramatic transformations in a variety of industries; changes triggered by developments in emerging markets, technological innovations, and a shift in consumer preferences. One of the industries affected most is automotive.
For some, that comes as no surprise. The conveniences and access to information consumers are enjoying in other areas of their lives, they’re also demanding from automakers. From flexible ownership, to automation, to transparency in manufacturing practices, consumer trends are driving changes in the automotive industry.
But how will these demands impact automakers in 2017 and beyond?
Ridesharing Services
Many of today’s consumers are treating mobility in the strictest sense of the word – they just want to get from one place to another however they can, whenever they need to. With car ownership no longer being the status symbol it once was, ridesharing is on the rise. Companies like Uber and Zipcar allow consumers to select a vehicle appropriate for their needs at that particular time. Consumers are choosing on-demand mobility options like these over ownership because of the flexibility and potential savings they provide.
In 2016, Zipcar conducted a nationwide study of 1,200 city-dwellers to gauge their attitudes and behaviors regarding work, money, lifestyle, technology, transportation, and urban citizenship.
“As a truly urban brand, it’s important for us to understand how people are living in our cities today and what’s important to them,” said Andrew Daley, Vice President of Marketing for Zipcar.
The study revealed the majority of these urbanites prioritized their mobile phones over their cars, and planned to drive less and/or give up their cars altogether in the next five years.
“Zipcar’s mission has always been to enable simple and responsible urban living, and the survey results are encouraging,” Daley said. “Urbanites are continuing to reconsider personal vehicle ownership and are beginning to embrace the idea of automated vehicles, especially sharing them.”
Uber passengers share a ride in India. Photo: Uber
 Autonomous Driving
Smart or connected vehicles have moved from the drawing board to the production line. Widely considered the precursor to self-driving vehicles, these advancements have given drivers a taste of autonomy through relinquished control of specific functions. For example, adaptive cruise control that reacts to traffic conditions and accident avoidance functionality are readying consumers for an automotive future that’s automatic.
For some brands, the reality of autonomous vehicles is closer than for others. Earlier this year, Ford CEO Mark Fields revealed the carmaker’s plan to introduce 13 new electric vehicles, some with self-driving capabilities, over the next five years.
“As more and more consumers around the world become interested in electrified vehicles, Ford is committed to being a leader in providing consumers with a broad range of electrified vehicles, services, and solutions that make people’s lives better,” Fields said. “Our investments and expanding lineup reflect our view that global offerings of electrified vehicles will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.”
Process & Practices
As with many industries, automotive consumers have a growing desire to gain an understanding into the processes behind the production – often to ensure safe and sustainable practices are used. More than ever before, customers are focused on the environmental impact of their cars, and greater pressure is being put on automakers to develop more fuel-efficient engines, greater safety features, and alternative powertrains.
It’s a desire for improvement and transparency that every automaker should be prepared for.

Ram 1500 EcoDiesel coming off the line at Warren Truck Assembly Plant. Photo: FCA US LLC.


Buying Versus Leasing
In the past few years, consumer leasing in the United States has risen higher than at any point in more than a decade. For many consumers – but particularly Millennials – monthly charges for everything from rent to phones to vehicles are just part of life. But technology may also be driving the trending lease increase. It seems like a new feature is introduced with each new vehicle release.
“What’s offered inside a car these days is changing so rapidly that some consumers don’t feel they want to be tied down to one vehicle for the next 10 years,” said Alec Gutierrez, Senior Analyst at Kelley Blue Book. “By flipping a vehicle lease every year or two, consumers are able to keep up with automotive tech, trends, and tastes.”

These four trends will absolutely impact how automotive professionals operate in the next few years. Stricter requirements and more knowledgeable consumers will change and influence the industry as we know it.
Scott McLaren is CMO for Fortegra Financial Corporation (a Tiptree Inc. company). Fortegra and its subsidiaries comprise a single-source insurance services provider with a range of consumer protection options including warranty solutions, credit insurance, and specialty underwriting programs. 
Cover Photo: Mario Ohibsky



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Automoblog Book Garage: Top Muscle

Automoblog Book Garage: Top Muscle


Being born in 1981, I missed the definitive and quintessential muscle car era. Today my work in the automotive industry covers a wide range of vehicles, from family haulers and trucks to small hatchbacks and sports cars. I’m lucky enough that during a certain portion of the year, I get to teach consumers about the new versions of the Dodge Challenger and Charger.
And man are those cars it on a stick . . .
Modern Day Muscle
The Challenger/Charger of today is as contemporary as any other vehicle. Both have top safety ratings, full on-board stability control systems, navigation, Bluetooth capability, and even heated and air conditioned seats. The Hemi engines under the hood have the latest fuel-saving tech and the TorqueFlite transmission has highly optimized ratios. These cars, like all others on the market, benefit from advancements in engineering and design.
But when you accelerate with a 6.4 Hemi under the hood . . . it’s like being in a time machine.
At that moment, I am no different than the 75 million baby boomers in the 1960s who wanted the rawness of an advanced V8. While I understand from a business sense the popularity and demand of small SUVs, my Detroit roots want to see defiant, powerful, and even outrageous cars have their place: Challenger, Charger, Camaro, Mustang and the like.
Throwback Performance
Top Muscle: The Rarest Cars from America’s Fastest Decade chronicles the golden days of factory muscle cars, including the ones built in secret – the ones never officially approved by senior management. In a “sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll” generation, even car enthusiasts got in on the action, and this book is their story.
The pages examine the definitive collection of these incredibly rare beasts. The machines in this book represent the pinnacle of the muscle car movement. Top Muscle gives us tremendous perspective on where and how the performance cars we love today originated.
Author & Photographer
Darwin Holmstrom has written, co-written, or contributed to over thirty books on subjects ranging from motorcycles and muscle cars to Gibson Les Paul guitars. He is the Senior Editor for Motorbooks, who we partner with for this Book Garage series. Holmstrom is joined by photographer Randy Leffingwell, an established author as well. He wrote his first book, American Muscle, in 1989 while still on staff at the Los Angeles Times. Since then, Leffingwell has authored another 47 titles for Motorbooks and is a respected automotive historian.
Top Muscle: The Rarest Cars from America’s Fastest Decade is available through Amazon or Motorbooks.
Top Muscle Gallery














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Maserati Levante Trofeo: Not Your “Normal” SUV. Not Even Close.

Maserati Levante Trofeo: Not Your “Normal” SUV. Not Even Close. Although they are prime commodities and hot sellers, it’s sometimes easy to dismiss SUVs and crossovers as boring and mundane. Maserati is hoping – if you hold this view – you will reconsider upon meeting the new Levante Trofeo.
“It’s proof that when you play with the elements you end up in a storm,” explained Tim Kuniskis, Chief Executive Officer, Maserati. “In the case of the Trofeo, the engineers and designers in Modena knew the driveline parameters were more than able to cope with additional power, and they also knew that Maserati had access to the finest engines on earth.”
Granted, it’s highly subjective (and infinitely debatable) at which automaker actually has the finest engines, but I understand where the passion is coming from. In fact, the Ghibli is one of my favorite cars. I absolutely adore it. I actually love all Italian cars, Maserati no exception. When I see a Maserati I get excited and the Levante Trofeo gets me excited – not Ghibli excited, but excited. Does Maserati have the finest engines on the planet? I don’t know. Maybe. But they do have, in the Levante Trofeo, one of the most powerful engines in the Italian manufacturer’s history.
Power & Performance
What we are discussing is the Levante Trofeo’s 3.8-liter Twin Turbo plant, developed in tandem with the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System. The new engine brings with it new hardware: crankcase, crankshaft assembly, oil pump, auxiliary belt, and wiring layout – all new and enhanced in the interest of performance. The turbo flow was increased, the cylinder heads redesigned, and the pistons and connecting rods strengthened to help achieve maximum power. Even the hood is new with special vents to increase cooling.
Add it all up and the Levante Trofeo hits 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 186. Between 2,250 and 5,000 rpm, a healthy 538 lb-ft. of torque is available with a max horsepower of 590. And like all Maserati gasoline engines, this latest creation is assembled by Ferrari in Maranello, Italy.
Photo: Maserati S.p.A.
Essential Foundations
The Levante Trofeo’s 50:50 weight balance, low center of gravity, and overall chassis design help handle the high power levels. The double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension went through extensive tuning in the interest of keeping the vehicle balanced further. Maserati’s Integrated Vehicle Control system is included for the first time in a Levante to increase stability and performance.
Walk Around
It’s easy to see how the Trofeo sits at the top-of-the-line for the Levante. The font is fashioned with Full Matrix LED headlights, a unique grille with double vertical bars, and a lower honeycomb fascia. Moving to the side, the painted brake calipers (they come in multiple colors) and 22-inch wheels really stand out, and the “Saetta” Trofeo logos are a nice touch. The wheels, by the way, come in both polished and matte finishes. Your choice.
Maserati makes note of the side air intakes defined by “two aerodynamic wings” for a sense of “further stability.” In a similar fashion, the Trofeo is fitted with carbon fiber side bezel blades and a carbon fiber splitter.
The seats have a full-grain “Pieno Fiore” natural leather, available in black, red, and tan, all with contrast stitching and a “Trofeo” logo on the headrests. Pieno Fiore is renowned for its natural feel and soft character – it’s ideally suited for a vehicle of this class. Music lovers will appreciate the standard 1,280-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system. I would recommend smooth jazz, but it’s your Levante, so it’s your pick on the music.
Photo: Maserati S.p.A.
Availability & In Person
Production begins this summer at Maserati’s plant in Mirafiori (Turin), Italy. The Levante Trofeo is initially intended for overseas export markets, including the United States and Canada. In the meantime, the Levante Trofeo Launch Edition can be seen at the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.





Photos & Source: Maserati S.p.A.



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2019 Lexus UX: At Home In Any Concrete Paradise

2019 Lexus UX: At Home In Any Concrete Paradise The 2019 Lexus UX, the SUV/crossover for well-heeled Urban eXplorers (get it?) just hit the stage at this year’s New York International Auto Show. The UX rides on two powertrains that show it’s for the city, not the country, and definitely not for going off-road in any serious way. Basically, there are two kinds: the front-wheel drive UX 200 with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a Direct-Shift CVT, and the UX 250h, which has an Atikinson Cycle version of the same 2.0-liter gas engine, coupled to a fourth-generation hybrid drive system and eAWD.
Solid Footing
The UX resides on a 103.9-inch wheelbase for a smooth, stable ride and lots of interior space. This, combined with the overall length of 177 inches and a tight turning radius, lets the UX easily fit into convenient, compact-only parking spots. The chassis is Lexus’ first use of the Global Architecture – Compact platform, which the company says is a rigid structure, with a low center of gravity for precise handling and ride comfort.
There are MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone-type rear suspension, and both are specially tuned for a combination of “urban agility and comfort over well-worn streets.” Electric power steering is also along for the ride with a compact and rigid column assist for crisp, immediate response.
2019 Lexus UX on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Power & Performance
That new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivers 168 horsepower to the front wheels, using multi-hole direct fuel injectors, a continuously variable capacity oil pump, and variable valve-timing on the intake side. The Direct Shift-CVT also debuts in the UX 200, adding a traditional gear set (beginning from a stop) to give the UX quicker, more linear acceleration off the line. The UX 250h hybrid, on the other hand, goes with an Atkinson Cycle version of the 2.0-liter that puts out 176 total system horsepower. It gets 38 combined mpg – not bad all around.
Sadly, if somewhat predictably, the UX 250h model is the only one with all-wheel drive. But hey, these things aren’t for surviving the zombie apocalypse, so you most likely won’t miss it. The UX 250h adds an electric motor to the rear axle; power is distributed between the front and rear axles and automatically optimized when accelerating, cornering, or driving on slippery surfaces. The eAWD control system is clever enough to improve stability by introducing drag (i.e. hitting the brakes on one corner) or adding power to help correct an over or understeer situation.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Predictive Insight
The Lexus UX 250h also comes with Predictive Efficient Drive, a system that analyzes driving habits along with road and traffic conditions to optimize charging and discharging of the battery. It’s a pretty trick, if somewhat creepy system, that uses accumulated knowledge about a driver’s behavior to predict when and where the vehicle is likely to slow down or stop. Tied in with the Predictive Efficient Drive system is the Predictive State of Charge control for the battery, a thingy that uses data from the navigation system to predict the optimal times for recharging it.
Connectivity & Security
And yes, since this is the year 2018 and the UX is aimed right at you urbane urban types, it is drowning in connected tech and safety features. There’s Amazon Alexa integration to see to all your music and media needs, read you a Kindle book, and control your swank smart home devices. On board safety features include the Lexus Safety System+, Lane Tracing Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beams, and Road Sign Assist. The vehicle can even recognize pedestrians at night and detect cyclists.





Availability & In Person
When the UX goes on sale in December, there will be a new option for those of you that still want a car but do not want to purchase or lease. For the first time, the UX will be offered through a subscription service, which should appeal to a certain younger segment of potential buyers. In the meantime, it’s on display at the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
2019 Lexus UX Gallery











Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.



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Jaguar I-PACE Debuts On London Streets

Jaguar I-PACE Debuts On London Streets

Jaguar’s new I-PACE has finally taken to the streets, hitting the road in its natural environment: A park in the middle of London, one of the most densely packed urban environments on the planet. No, you’re not very likely to see this thing busting up a trail in Moab, but I don’t really think that Jaguar cares very much.
Jaguar calls the I-PACE (yes, it’s in all caps, yes, it has an “I” in the name, no, Jaguar probably doesn’t seem to see the causticness in either of those) an “electric performance SUV concept.”
That does seem like a mishmash of corp-speak right out of a marketing weasel’s mouth, but it’s actually kind of accurate. The I-PACE is the Jaguar brand’s first electric vehicle and will arrive in the second half of 2018. That could be from July 2018 through December 2018, but Jag isn’t getting any more specific, so if you really want one, you’re going to have to deal with that vague description for now.
Concepts & Rulebooks
At the moment, the I-PACE is just a concept and it most definitely is an SUV – truck-like in looks if not truck-like in deed – and it does have performance (if the Jags of the early 80s could get up and go, even this truck-esque thing should move out of its own way). And the Jaguar I-PACE is, literally, electric (there’s batteries and an electric motor buried in there somewhere).
The Jaguar I-PACE finally got its chassis off the auto show floor and onto the streets, hitting the motorways of London for the first time. Specifically it was driving on the streets of London’s famous Olympic Park, to preview the EV SUV actually moving in front of the general public. This is essentially a working version of the show car, whereas the final production version will be revealed later this year.
Jaguar Director of Design, Ian Callum, who has been doing a rather adequate and workman like job, is very pleased with his company’s first foray into both the electric vehicle world, and the realm of SUVs.
“The feedback on the I-PACE Concept has been fantastic; it has surprised people and the enthusiasm for our first electric vehicle has been beyond all my expectations,” he said. “With the I-PACE Concept we’ve torn up the rule book to create a vehicle with supercar inspired aesthetics, sports car performance, and SUV space in one electric package.”
Jaguar I-PACE. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.


Power & Performance
The I-PACE is motivated by a 90kWh lithium-ion battery, which makes enough juice to accelerate the beast from 0-6 in around 4 seconds, with a targeted range of approximately 220 miles according to EPA test cycles. That’s pretty impressive (given all the equivocating), since this thing probably weighs over a couple of tons. No, there are no official weight figures given, but c’mon, this thing is a truck and it’s hauling around a pallet-load of batteries, and neither “truck” nor “batteries” impart a sense of “lightness” do they?
Jag says that charging is “easy and quick” with an 80 percent charge accomplished in 90 minutes and 100 percent charge achieved in just over two hours using the 50kW DC fast charging system.
The electric motors are compact, lightweight affairs (so that’s a plus) with one at each end driving the front and rear axles. Combined they produce an output of 400 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of all-wheel drive torque, which is (frankly) a lot, but also remember what I said about this thing being heavy overall.
Putting power down to the tarmacadam and maintaining traction on a variety of “other” surfaces and weather conditions is all down to the electronic brain control unit that governs all the electronic systems; charging, inductance braking, those sorts of things. Jaguar says throttle response is “immediate” and the system provides “exceptional control over the front and rear torque distribution.”
Jaguar I-PACE. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Dramatic Presence
Will it work? Sure, probably, depending on what your definition of work is. If it’s driving Trevor and Sterling to lacrosse practice, then it’ll work. If it means 26 miles of bad gravel “road” to meet up with this job’s logging crew for the next 13 days straight, that remains to be seen.
Still, Jaguar is rightfully optimist about their creation, especially with regard to on-road dynamics.
“You can see the true value of the I-PACE’s dramatic silhouette and powerful proportions when you see it on the road against other cars,” Callum said. “Driving the concept on the streets is really important for the design team.”
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Jaguar I-PACE Gallery




















Photos & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.



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2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Ordering Now Open

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Ordering Now Open The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt was inspired by the Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT fastback Steve McQueen piloted in Bullitt now 50 years ago. As winter turns to spring, Ford dealers are ready to accept orders for the new Mustang Bullitt, a limited edition pony car with 480 horsepower.
“The new Bullitt will be every bit as cool and charismatic as the original ’68 Mustang,” said Corey Holter, Ford Car Group Marketing Manager. “Since its introduction earlier this year, Ford dealers have been fielding calls from customers wanting to know when they can order this unique piece of automotive history.”
Power & Performance
The new Mustang Bullitt features an open air intake, Shelby GT350 intake manifold, Brembo brakes, and a larger 87-millimeter throttle body. There are unique powertrain control module calibrations to help deliver the aforementioned 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque. Top speed for the new McQueen machine is 163, an 8 mph increase versus the latest Mustang GT.
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Colors & Treatments
Customers can choose between a Shadow Black or the more classic Dark Highland Green. There’s minimal badging inside and out, although the leather-trimmed interior features green accent stitching on the dashboard, door panels, center console, and seats.
Pricing & Availability
Those who opt not to order one won’t have to wait very long. The new Mustang Bullitt is expected at Ford dealerships this summer with a starting MSRP of $47,495.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.



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Scared of Nighttime Driving? New Ford Tech Can Help

Scared of Nighttime Driving? New Ford Tech Can Help

Among all those techno goodies like lane departure warning and automatic braking, some are actually capable of helping a driver in ways they cannot help themselves. Ford’s Pedestrian Detection system, for example, aims to help you see in the dark. Well, see pedestrians at night anyway.
Effectively, what we have here is a way to use on-board sensors that are already in place to do other things like look for, sense, and react to wandering pedestrians. In some ways, this strikes me as a good thing.
There are a ton of news stories out there about pedestrians too distracted by their smartphones, wandering obliviously into traffic and getting wham-o-ed into The Great Beyond.
Night Moves
Ford goes into great detail why, in the dark especially, this is not only difficult for even the most attentive drivers to counter, but also plays on the inherent fears built into our primitive brains. Ford says “night fears rooted in our pre-historic past cause stress behind the wheel,” and a new poll shows most people “worry about night blindness and many fear hitting pedestrians.”
And all of that makes sense, especially from a psycho-anthropological standpoint. And that’s Ford’s nice way of saying, “the stuff that scared the jeepers out of our Troglodytic ancestors still scares us.” So, yeah, fear handed down from cavemen causes stress on the road, and so does that Neanderthal in front of me who’s texting and driving at the same time. But that’s an opinion best left for another time.
Survey Says
Ford also points out how nighttime traffic accidents with pedestrians can be almost twice as likely to lead to a fatality. That is, statistically speaking, a pretty big jump. Ergo, it’s a jump worth paying attention to and trying to minimize. Ford surveyed thousands of drivers across Europe (this was a Ford of Europe study) and they found 81 percent admit to being scared on the roads at night. That’s both an impressive number and also noteworthy, considering what it takes to get a driver’s license in Germany. Getting a driver’s license in Germany is on par with getting a pilot’s license here in America. So they train and test the be-jeebers out of you, and “I am scared of driving on the road” is never an acceptable answer on the driver’s education test.
Ford goes on to say that more than half of the survey respondents say poor night vision is a source of stress, and more than a third worry they might be involved in an accident. Worries that they may mow down a pedestrian were mentioned by one in five drivers surveyed.
So, what can a car company do to help?
Research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in the United States in 2015, 3 in 4 motor-vehicle related pedestrian deaths happened after dark. Photo: Megan Krause.


For Dummies
If you’re Ford, you come up with improved Pedestrian Detection technology that works at night for the first time. After coming up with prototypes, Ford’s development team worked at night, sending life-sized dummies into the path of vehicles on closed tracks. And, c’mon, how much fun was that job? You’re out at the test track at night, you and a bunch of your engineer buddies. Along comes Heinrich, the macho factory test driver, and then you and your engineer buddies go, “Eins! Zwei! Drei!! Los gehts wieder, Dummy!!”
And they pay you to do this? Sign me up.
Anyway, by the end of all this fun and dummy ballistics, Ford is able to, for the first time, introduce new technology that detects pedestrians at night. The system automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not respond to initial warnings.
“We know some drivers find hitting the road at night a stressful experience. Especially driving in towns and cities, pedestrians – sometimes distracted by mobiles – can without warning step into the road, leaving even alert drivers very little time to avoid an accident,” said Gregor Allexi, Active Safety Engineer, Ford of Europe.
And how much do you want to bet that with a name like Gregor Allexi, that guy was in charge airborne dummy deployment?
2018 Ford F-150. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Advanced Detection Technology
The Pedestrian Detection system processes information from a bumper mounted radar pinger, as well as a windshield mounted camera. Contained within Ford’s on-board computer is a database of “pedestrian shapes” so the car can tell the difference between people and objects, such as trees and road signs. The camera is firing off at 30 “snapshots” a second (which is a TV camera frame rate). This video feed and viewing angle enables the system to distinguish pedestrians, even in low-light conditions, illuminated only by the headlights.
If the system detects a pedestrian before the driver, it first provides audible and visual warnings. Should you be a complete chowderhead and fail to respond, the system automatically hits the brakes for you. Ford will roll out this advanced pedestrian detection technology later this year, when it is introduced on the next generation Fiesta in Europe. In North America, the new technology will debut first on the 2018 Ford Mustang and F-150.
For tips when it comes to nighttime driving, we recommend this advice from the National Safety Council.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Cover Photo & Source: Ford Motor Company.



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Report: BMW wants to sell fully-autonomous vehicles by 2021

Report: BMW wants to sell fully-autonomous vehicles by 2021 As the industry trend for self-driving cars continues, BMW wants to ramp up their efforts as well.
What’s going on?
BMW announced some new plans for its lineup in the coming years. According to AutomotiveNews, the Bavarian automaker seeks to produce and sell fully-autonomous vehicles by 2021.
Speaking with BMW’s senior vice president for the brand’s autonomous driving division, Elmar Fickenstein, a new BMW will arrive with “Level 3, 4 and 5” stage autonomous vehicles.
Click here for more news on BMW. 
What does that mean?
Well, it doesn’t mean the 3-, 4-, and 5-Series will be the models to become self-driving capable. It means there’s a new classification system for autonomous vehicles, representing just exactly how autonomous capable they are. At the bottom, you have minimally to no self-driving capabilities. At level three and above, the more self-driving capabilities are equipped.
Beginning with level three, the car is semi-autonomous with assistants like lane departure correction, or Mercedes’ latest adaptive cruise control. Levels four and five are fully-autonomous capable, like Tesla’s Model S with AutoPilot.
When could we expect to see these cars begin testing?
BMW recently teamed up with Intel and Mobileye to help develop the new computers to run BMW’s autonomous driving programs. BMW engineers will focus more on developing the handling dynamics and safety systems.
The plan: have a fully operational fleet of autonomous 7-Series for real-world testing by the end of this year.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutomotiveNews
Self-Driving BMW 5-Series at the 2017 CES





















 
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