Automotive

Hyundai & Aurora Eye 2021 For Bringing Level 4 Automation To Market

Hyundai & Aurora Eye 2021 For Bringing Level 4 Automation To Market
Hyundai Motor Company has announced a strategic partnership with Aurora to bring self-driving vehicles to the market by 2021. Hyundai says the partnership with Aurora is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to make fully autonomous driving a reality. Hyundai was granted a licence in Nevada in 2015 to test automated vehicles on the state’s public roads. Last year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Hyundai publicly demonstrated their autonomous technology.
Level 4 Leadership
Hyundai will incorporate Aurora’s automated and machine learning innovations into specially-developed models for test programs in pilot cities. At the onset, the partnership will concentrate on hardware and software development as they move toward the technological requirements needed for Level 4 automation. Level 4 automation, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, means a vehicle can operate without human input under certain conditions. Hyundai and Aurora note the end goal is to successfully and safely commercialize autonomous cars globally
“We know the future of transportation is autonomous, and autonomous driving technology needs to be proven in the real-world to accelerate deployment in a safe and scalable manner,” said Dr. Woong Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor. “Combining our advanced vehicle technology that embeds the latest safety features with Aurora’s leading suite of Level 4 autonomous technology will advance this revolution in mobility with Hyundai in a leadership position.”
Global Vision
Hyundai and Aurora underscored their common vision for improving safety and mobility, believing together they have the skills and experience necessary to accomplish this end. In general, autonomous driving proponents say increased safety is one of the key benefits, pointing to studies by the National Safety Council that found 2016 was the deadliest year on U.S. roads since 2007. There were 40,000 vehicle deaths in 2016 marking a six percent increase from 2015. Although safety remains the biggest concern, recent studies show the public is warming up to the idea of a car that drives itself.
“Aurora is excited to partner with Hyundai Motor to make the social benefits of self-driving available globally,” said Dr. Chris Urmson, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora. “This partnership combines Hyundai’s strengths in vehicle design, safety, and manufacturing with Aurora’s expertise in self-driving technologies to make a positive difference in the world.”
Photo: Hyundai Motor Company.
In Person
Hyundai’s newest fuel-cell vehicle will make its global debut at CES next week, and will be the first to undergo the aforementioned testing process later this year. Hyundai says the vehicle is the ideal platform for the autonomous technologies which require a substantial amount of energy. The hydrogen-powered Hyundai can provide stable electric power for data communication and sensor operation without infringing on driving range.
CES runs January 9th through the 12th at the Las Vegas 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: Hyundai Motor Company.

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2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE Review

2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE Review
Urban dwellers looking for a sporty compact hatch have a number of options, but none are as quick and agile as the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s a commuter for those who like to have fun on the drive to and from work. We think it fills a need for performance enthusiasts who don’t want to spend $40,000 to $50,000 on a high performance model. For around $30,000 you get a hot hatch that’s high on the fun-to-drive meter.
What’s New For 2018
The Golf GTI remains unchanged for 2018 except for the packaging and available equipment for each model. It does get new LED tail lamps and a different infotainment system is available.
Features & Options
The 2018 Golf GTI ($31,165 as tested) comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-reclining front seats, leatherette upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and ambient cabin lighting. Our GTI SE tester had LED headlights, an eight-inch infotainment screen, blind spot monitor, and automatic emergency braking.

Interior Highlights
The Golf GTI SE interior is simple and well laid out. The controls are easy to use and the touchscreen nicely controls the navigation and Fender premium audio system. The cabin is high quality and there’s enough soft touch materials throughout to make it comfortable. We would describe it as distinctly European, comfortable, and the SE trim is especially sporty.
The seats provide ample support and comfort for longer trips in the hatchback. There’s a handy bin ahead of the shifter, perfect for a cell phone. The power-reclining front seats offer up the perfect driving position for a compact hatch. The rear seats offer plenty of room for average-sized adults and are also comfy for longer trips. There’s ample head and shoulder room too, thanks to the higher hatch roof. There’s also a convenient folding rear armrest/cupholder with a pass-through to the back. Behind the rear seats, it comes with 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space, easily accessible through the rear hatch. With the seats folded flat, it offers up a class-leading 52.7 cubic feet of space.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The front-wheel drive 2018 VW Golf GTI SE is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to the optional dual-clutch direct shift automatic gearbox (DSG). EPA fuel economy estimates are 24/32 city/highway and 27 combined with the automatic gearbox.
Driving Dynamics
Our tester came with the dual-clutch DSG automatic and it made us forget about wanting the 6-speed manual rower. The DSG comes with steering wheel shifters for crisper gear changes simply by touching the paddles. VW’s DSG is sweet and one of the best automatics on the planet. They call it an automatic, but mechanically and internally, it works like a manual gearbox; in a practical sense, it’s a super-sharp automatic.
The GTI trim is fun to drive in the city and we could easily get around slower traffic. We chucked it around the tight corners on our commute from the mountains west of Denver where the GTI feels right at home. The GTI’s steering was responsive and the upgraded brakes made it far more capable and enjoyable in the curves. We pushed the GTI hard and it accelerates quickly when the turbo spools up to utilize every bit of the available 220 horsepower. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine makes this hatch one of the quickest compacts in its class.
Conclusion
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI is a fun hatch that’s also practical with plenty of utility. It absolutely dials up driver engagement, and we like the DSG automatic better than the 6-speed manual. There’s a lot to like and we would recommend it for those wanting a sporty commuter and a fun drive to and from work. Overall, the Volkswagen Golf GTI lives up to its hot hatch heritage and instills plenty of driver confidence.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Gallery

Volkswagen Golf GTI Official Site.
Photos: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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Future-Type Concept: Jaguar Completely Lost Their Mind

Future-Type Concept: Jaguar Completely Lost Their Mind

Concept cars are supposed to be fun and interesting. When they’re serious, they’re near-production cars that show us what to expect in dealer showrooms before long. Or they can be trial balloons to test public reactions to new styling ideas or technological innovations. The bulk of them are just there to be cool. Something flashy with a wow factor to get people to the corporate show stand so you can get them interested in the latest minivans.
Wheel of Fortune
And some concept cars are really fun. These are the cars powered by a 20-foot diameter gyroscope or have huge fins on the front of the car or feature flat screen TVs as taillights. And now Jaguar has done everyone who has ever made a goofy show car powered by steam, hydrogen, and Jerry Garcia solos one better. Jaguar just debuted a show car that isn’t a car at all.
Jag calls their new concept “car” the Future-Type, but, and here’s where the first of many, many problems arise, the Future-Type isn’t a car at all. It’s just a steering wheel. Yes, it’s a high tech steering wheel that sort of looks like a cross between a smartphone and a headlight bezel from a 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Still, that’s ALL the Jaguar Future-Type concept is: A friggin’ steering wheel.
Jag’s Larry Lightbulb idea here is that, in the future, you’ll never actually own a personal car again. Wait, wait! Stay with me here. Put down those torches and pitchforks. Jag thinks all future vehicles will be premium, compact on-demand cars. The Jaguar Future-Type is just such a car. It would be a fully autonomous ride where, if you were a Jaguar customer, you could call forth a fully-charged Future-Type on demand. Jaguar says the Future-Type is a glimpse into the world of autonomous, connected, electrified, and shared mobility.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Say My Name
And, to make matters worse, the Jaguar Future-Type steering wheel/concept/shared car of the future comes with a voice interfaced personal assistant called Sayer. Yes, they named it after Malcolm Sayer, the fellow who designed the E-Type, but you just know the nobs in marketing where patting themselves on the back when they realized the designer’s name also had the nifty connotation of “tell it what to do.”
Jag says this steering wheel lives with you, say in your home or perched on your office desk. They also say it “becomes your trusted companion,” which made me cough up my morning Mountain Dew a little. The Coventry boffins go on, saying the Jaguar Future-Type is the first voice-activated Artificial Intelligence (AI) steering wheel. And, well, ya got me there. Can’t argue with that, can I?
The Jaguar Future-Type/wheel + Sayer can summon your car, play music, book you a table, and even knows what’s in your fridge. They say this without a hint of irony, self-awareness or cognizance of how this could all go wrong. Overall, Jag says it would work like this: Say you need to be at a meeting that’s two hours from your home by 8am tomorrow morning. Simply ask Sayer, from the comfort of your chic und moderne living room, and Sayer will work out when to get you up, and when “your” car needs to autonomously arrive at your door. Sayer can even figure out which parts of the journey you might enjoy driving yourself and make that suggestion to you.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.

Armageddon It
Then again, if Sayer really knew me and my wants and needs and desires, Sayer would automatically call up Steve from accounting, berate him in Slovenian, and point out to him that there’s no way I’d be getting up and on the road that early for a meeting, and to reschedule it for a more decent hour.
Like never O’clock.
See what a bright and shiny future Jaguar has in store for us! No need to worry yourself about Sayer locking you out of your smart home while you scream “open the pod-bay doors Hal!!” in a horrendous rain storm, only to resort to crawling down the chimney so you can lobotomize Sayer into singing “Daisy” on the way out. That would never, ever happen. Nope.
“Future-Type offers an insight into the potential for driving and car ownership in the future. In a future age of on-demand services and car sharing, our research shows there will still be a place for luxury and premium experiences – and enjoying the drive,” said Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar. “Whether it’s commuting to work, autonomously collecting children from school or enjoying driving yourself on the weekend in the countryside.”
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
For The Birds
It’s like these Jabronis have never even seen a hack James Cameron movie or something. So, for some reason, Jaguar thinks it’s a good idea for my car, er, steering wheel to know what’s in my refrigerator? My steering wheel with my Jarvis/HAL/Sayer digital assistant/servant is going to magically play some Kenny G for me whether I ask for it or not? And, seriously, who would ask for Kenny G? If you do, I think Sayer should immediately lock all the doors on “your” Jaguar and take you straight to the nearest psych ward.
Thanks Jaguar, but, no, I don’t think so. There are, like many concepts before it, some intriguing ideas with the Future-Type. But overall, it should be put right next to that 1948 five-wheeled DeSoto with the matching aetheric-generator powered briefcase. Now, if this were my idyllic future, this would be where I would say cheerio, hop in my Lotus 7 and drive, spiritedly, down to the pub for a pint and some conversation with the chaps about racing. Cheers then.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Photos & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

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Volvo Expanding On Demand Fuel & Wash Services In Seattle

Volvo Expanding On Demand Fuel & Wash Services In Seattle Volvo’s semi-goofy idea of turning your car into a smartphone loaded with handy apps is moving into the Seattle, Washington area to test things out. This makes sense, not just because there’s a lot of tech-savvy people in Seattle, but another, much more indigenous reason: Scandinavians. Scandinavians are the number one ethnic group in the Pacific Northwest. In Seattle proper, there are so many ‘Sons, ‘Ssons, ‘Sens, and the occasional ‘Dottirs running around it can feel like you’re living in Tromsø in northern Norway.
Besides all the blonde hair and blue eyes, the other way you can see that Scandinavians are the number one ethnic group is cars. You see hundreds of Volvos and Saabs running around. So whether Volvo knows it or not, the Pacific Northwest is a perfect testing ground for any of their products.
Digital Ecosystem
After a successful run in San Francisco, Seattle developed into the second city in Volvo’s growing “digital ecosystem” program. This allows owners of 2015-and-a-half and newer Volvos to do things like order fuel and get their car washed wherever it’s parked in Seattle.
“First San Francisco, now Seattle, and soon many more Volvo owners will have access to concierge services via an app,” noted Anders Gustafsson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Volvo Car USA. “This is another example of how we are using connected car technologies to make life less complicated for our customers.”
This digital ecosystem, which Volvo says is expanding (they aim to make the thing some sort of near-worldwide standard eventually) connects car owners with services via a smartphone app. That app, coupled with exclusive connected car platforms and strategic partnerships with companies like Filld and STRATIM, means filling the tank or having the car cleaned is just a tap away on your smartphone. As you would expect, you can call up these services at any time, day or night, say while owners are working, sleeping, or even traveling abroad.
Photo: Volvo Car USA.
Time Specific Features
Volvo says they are the only automaker with an ecosystem of these connected technologies. Yes, I agree “ecosystem” is a very pretentious term, but the idea of connecting a car with cloud storage, your cell phone, and integrating third party companies into one unified system is technically sweet. And Volvo isn’t messing around with this whole idea, oh no. They didn’t just kluge something together in a back room in a Kongsberg factory. No, Volvo went and dialed all this up at their Mountain View digital center in Silicon Valley. There they were able to accelerate development through recent technology acquisitions and take advantage of recent investments at the facility. This will prepare Volvo as they add new services as customer demands grow and change.
The other implication here is that when connected through your mobile device, Volvo’s digital ecosystem provides a time-specific location of your car. That means Volvo’s authorized partners can provide the requested services without interacting you directly.

Practical Application
I could see where this might come in very handy. You go into the office, call up the app, tap-tap-tap, and while you’re in that endless Friday meeting with the budget gargoyles from the 12th floor, your Volvo is getting all nice and shiny and clean for the weekend.
“The ecosystem that powers Volvo Concierge Services is unique to Volvo. It shows how the company is redefining the consumer experience around convenience by leveraging technological building blocks from the car to mobile,” explained Atif Rafiq, Chief Digital Officer, Volvo Cars. “We are at an exciting time when cars can be better integrated into daily life.”
In other words, yesterday San Francisco, today Seattle, tomorrow The World.
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.
Photos & Source: Volvo Car USA.

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Inside Brembo’s Hybrid Material Braking System For The 2019 Corvette ZR1

Inside Brembo’s Hybrid Material Braking System For The 2019 Corvette ZR1 The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 arrives this spring as the most powerful Corvette in history. The LT5 6.2-liter supercharged V8, complete with 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft. of torque, boasts an intercooled supercharger system with 52 percent more displacement than the Z06’s LT4 supercharger. The aerodynamic features, including two different rear wings, help the ZR1 achieve tremendous downforce and a top speed in excess of 210 mph.
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is lightning quick and getting it moving isn’t an issue, but what about controlling it? That’s where Brembo comes in with a uniquely designed “hybrid” braking system.
Special Treatments
Many of today’s performance and muscle cars are equipped with Brembo brakes: The Ford GT, Dodge Challenger and Charger Scat Packs, Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE, Subaru WRX STI Type RA, and the Mazda MX-5 Miata all utilize a Brembo setup to amplify their individual performance attributes. And now the 2019 Corvette ZR1.
“Consumers have very high expectations for modern performance cars, not only for straight line speed, but for all driving attributes – including braking,” explained Dan Sandberg, Brembo North America President and Chief Executive Officer. “All of the work Chevrolet did to maximize the acceleration and cornering potential of the ZR1 would be useless if the car didn’t also have a brake system that could perform equally as well, lap after lap.”
Front six-piston monobloc calipers with carbon ceramic discs (394mm x 36mm), and rear four-piston monobloc calipers (390mm x 32mm) with two-piece, carbon ceramic discs comprise the ZR1’s Brembo system. The front and rear brake pads include new formulations from Brembo’s R&D Center for better stopping power and pad wear. The size of the fixed aluminum calipers hasn’t changed from the Corvette Z07, but the brake rotors and friction materials are enhanced to handle higher thermomechanical loads. This attribute is vitally important and separates the ZR1 from the rest of Brembo’s portfolio.
“While Brembo carbon discs are also found on other supercars, the ZR1 discs have a specialized heat treatment for improved energy and thermal management,” Sandberg said. “These specialized brake discs are paired with Brembo monoblock aluminum calipers and a unique Brembo-developed friction material found only on the ZR1.”
Photo: Chevrolet.
Hybrid Theory
The ultimate challenge was designing the ZR1’s braking system to handle both the track and the street. Each environment presents its own individual demands for a performance car. Brembo has long held the “from racing to the road” mantra, and Brembo’s engineers were again tasked with putting that belief into the ZR1’s braking components. The maxim stems from the idea that what is accomplished on the track can be transitioned to the street. In the case of the Corvette ZR1, it’s most wonderfully seen in the actual substance used to construct the brakes.
“Internally, our engineers like to call the new brake pad material our “hybrid” material, meaning it is a hybrid between traditional road materials and our racing friction materials,” Sandberg revealed. “While the pads on the Z07 are a great performer, these Brembo hybrid pads offer a higher level of friction output and can operate in a higher temperature range, giving the driver confidence in the brakes lap after lap.”
Photo: Chevrolet.
Dedication & Innovation
The beginnings of Brembo’s story are humble enough: Emilio Bombassei, father of the group’s current president, put together a small mechanical workshop near Bergamo, Italy in 1961. They conducted business with vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers in Europe, but in 1975 were approached by Enzo Ferrari. He needed a braking solution for his Formula 1 racers. As the old adage goes, the rest is history. Yet, that “do-it-yourself” mindset is still prevalent at Brembo’s facilities today, just like it was in 1961 at Bombassei’s shop.
“The pads mentioned earlier are a good example of where Brembo’s desire to remain at the forefront of technology forced us to try something new,” Sandberg said. “When we started developing the ZR1, the global marketplace didn’t offer a friction material that matched our performance targets, so we set out to develop our own.”
Brembo operates in 15 countries on 3 continents, with 24 production and business sites, and about 9,000 employees, 10 percent of whom are engineers and product specialists active in R&D. As the automotive industry moves toward electrification and autonomy, the entire scope of how cars are designed, engineered, and manufactured will change. According to Sandberg, innovation will be the key in addressing those challenges successfully.
“Today’s cars are evolving dramatically from product cycle to product cycle, and customers want to see advancements in safety, performance, efficiency, and sustainability with each successive model,” he said. “We continue to look for technologies that will complement the car of the future, all while retaining the unique character and brand identity of Brembo.”
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.
Source: Brembo North America.
Cover Photo: Chevrolet.

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The Evolution of Automotives: Part 3: Technological Advancement

The Evolution of Automotives: Part 3: Technological Advancement Automoblog’s Katie Kapro examines how imaginative thinking and creative risks have influenced the modern automobile in this three-part miniseries.

Part 1: Creative Engineering.
Part 2: Throwbacks, Dream Machines, and Pretty Girls.
When the word “technology” comes up in conversation, a handful of images generally pop into one’s head: wired gloves with motion sensors, long-armed machines assembling soldier robots, a glowing motherboard, that sort of thing. But at its core, technology is nothing more than the practical application of knowledge. It is the future, the past, and every problem solved in between.
The automotive industry has been a leader in technological advancement since its birth. Part three of this series examines precisely how the creative thinking behind new automotive technologies impacts the way we drive, and how those advancements are changing the world.
Fundamentals of Motion
Once humans figured out that four wheels, a couple axles, and a small engine could transport us from point A to point B, our next demand was that it be fast. Speed is no simple request for a machine – it necessitates that mechanical elements work double-time, which creates excessive heat, among other things. Heat enclosed in a tight metal box with flammable liquid just around the corner? There was some pretty clever problem-solving, paired with lots of trial and error, to develop technologies for fast machines that wouldn’t explode when the driver stepped on the gas.
As cooling technologies developed, speed became possible. In most cars you’ll see on the road today, a cooling system works by circulating a mixture of water and antifreeze through special passages in the engine. A simple enough idea. In Formula One racecars, that idea has evolved into a refined balance between aerodynamics and temperature control, resulting in cars that can accelerate up to 62 mph in less than two seconds with higher g-forces than a space shuttle launch.
Of course, with increased speed comes increased safety concerns. Anti-lock braking technology is one of the most recognizable safety features developed to curb the hazards of speed. Before ABS, when skilled drivers needed to stop quickly at high speeds, they would do two things – threshold braking and cadence braking. In other words, they’d apply just the right amount of force when the wheel is just beginning to slip, and they’d pump the brakes. ABS not only does both, but it kicks in much faster than the average person could, allowing the driver to focus on controlling the vehicle.
In the 21st Century, we find ourselves in a wondrous position in terms of automotive technology. Engineers have raised the performance bar so high, the mechanical workings of a vehicle no longer define its limitations. From the road to the racetrack, modern performance limits are set not so much by the technology, but by safety regulators.
Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering or ACE design is a front frame structure that provides protection in a frontal collision. It disperses crash energy away from occupants by diverting that energy to upper and lower structural elements of the vehicle. It’s an example of how engineering has evolved to meet safety protocols.. Photo: Honda North America.

Efficiency & Expansion
The second branch of automotive technological advancement is not so much related to what’s going on under the hood and between the axles, but rather how those parts are assembled. From the earliest days of the automobile industry, companies who built the best cars most efficiently were kings of the trade. At the time, that meant assembly lines where people manually put together the vehicle, piece by piece.
Today, most vehicles are built by finely-tuned machines. Automated manufacturing is not so much a matter of replacing a human in the field with a machine. In fact, its greatest value is in streamlining the process of turning raw materials into vehicle components that humans can then work with. Car dashboards, for example, are now commonly built by machinery. Sheets of natural or synthetic raw material and thermoform (a plastic sheet that’s been heated to be pliable and then shaped) are routed by a by a human-operated, computer-controlled CNC milling machine to make the dashboard. The dash is then fitted to the chassis, and all the components like the steering column and speedometer can be attached later.
2010 saw a major drop in automotive manufacturing. The graph in this Business Insider article shows just how dramatic the fall in vehicle sales actually was. Even in a trillion-dollar industry like automobile manufacturing, the market is still subject to the ebb and flow of supply and demand.
Team member Tonya Board on duty at the Kentucky Truck Plant where Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks are manufactured. Ford has invested more than $1.5 billion in the commonwealth of Kentucky and the city of Louisville since 2014. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Forward-Looking
In 2017, the trends in manufacturing are noticeably similar to the technological advancements in the cars themselves. That is to say, the thing that curbs manufacturing today is not technology – we’ve gotten that pretty well figured out, with a few exceptions – but rather, manufacturing is slowing down because the industry is wary of the fact sales have been running so hot since recovering from the 2010 drop-off. They’re afraid of overheating; of having more vehicles than the public will buy. Their concern is inherently similar to a safety regulator deciding that just because we’ve developed the technology for a car to go wildly fast, perhaps it’s not the best thing to make that the norm.
The automotive industry has reached a point in its development where it’s no longer the mechanical and technological boundaries setting the limitations. For better or worse, that’s up to us now.
Katie Kapro spent her childhood handing her dad tools under his Datsun. She loves thinking about the social aspects of motoring, and dreaming about the future of automotives. Follow her work on Twitter: @kapro101

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BMW X7 Enters Pre-Production In South Carolina

BMW X7 Enters Pre-Production In South Carolina BMW recently announced that pre-production versions of their upcoming X7 are rolling off the assembly line in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This is an all-important test to make sure the line is working as it should, that the pre-production vehicles bolt together as planned, and all is well and good in BMW land.
The BMW X7 is a uh . . . just what is a BMW X7?
Sports Activity Vehicle
The X7 is the Bavarian car company’s top-of-the-line, extra-huge, extra-boxy SUV/crossover/thingo. It’s about the size, weight, and shape of the Brandenburg Gate and BMW calls it a Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV, a terminology applied to other vehicles in their lineup. Essentially, it’s the BMW crossover version of the 7 Series sedan: The biggest thing you can buy with a roundel on the hood. Actual volumetric specs are not given, but the photos seem to indicate this thing is large enough to haul any one family and all their stuff. It’s brutalist architecture on wheels.
BMW says the production version of the SAV (gag) should be out by the end of 2018. Before we get there, however, the X7 will undergo multiple tests in “partially extreme conditions.” I thought extreme was a nominal state, it either is or isn’t. But I guess BMW, or the engineers responsible for the X7, are fine with “partial” extremes.
Precise Processes
Since the X7 pre-production models are using the same assembly line as the X5 and X6, the production of these pre-series models serves to make sure everything works as it should, and to optimize future series production. BMW has a specially trained team of production engineers to make sure everything is completely integrated into the line. As you would expect, this is a long and exacting process that has to be just right in general, and things get particularly fastidious since we’re not just dealing with engineers here, we’re dealing with German engineers.
First the pre-production models are built at BMW’s Spartanburg plant. Then they are handed over to development department specialists, and the fun really starts. All the bits and pieces are certified for homologation and production. The approved bits, pieces, sub-assemblies, and then the entire pre-production X7 is subjected to a set of diverse testing routines, such as endurance drives through Death Valley and the snow covered slopes of Scandinavia. During all this, the pre-production model is fitted with a camouflage wrap, even while it is still at the plant. The striking, striped, dazzle camouflage is designed to conceal the new SAV’s final look as far as possible.
Photo: BMW Group.
Under Wraps
All car companies do this, but what I want to ask is why BMW is mentioning how important this is when there are pictures all over the place of the new X7. Maybe someone from the pre-production engineering team should ring up the marketing group and see what’s up. Anyway, once the pre-production crew makes sure all the t’s are crossed, i’s are dotted, tolerances are confirmed, and calipers are safely tucked away, BMW’s Spartanburg plant will be all set to start cranking X7s out like so many sausages.
Full Scale
The X7 is the fifth model produced at the BMW Spartanburg plant, where all X models are built. Spartanburg is BMW’s largest plant in the world and cranked out more than 411,000 vehicles in 2016. BMW says 70 percent of the vehicles produced in Spartanburg are exported to 140 countries across the globe, making BMW the largest vehicle exporter in the USA in terms of export value. I assume BMW means “largest vehicle exporter” in reference to automobiles, because Boeing exports a ton of vehicles, and since their entry level model starts at over 100 million dollars, I bet they beat BMW in terms of “export value.” That said, if there’s a real call for what BMW makes at Spartanburg, the annual production capacity is around 450,000 vehicles, more than enough to handle worldwide demand.
“We are proud to produce the BMW X7 here in Spartanburg, the home of our X models. This is a very special vehicle and our employees are looking forward to yet a further member of the X family,” said Knudt Flor, Head of the BMW Group Spartanburg plant. “Together with the BMW X7, a total of five BMW X models will be exported from Spartanburg to all four corners of the globe.”
Technical details for the new X7 will be announced later this year.
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.
Photos & Source: BMW Group.

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Most Driver Friendly States of 2018

Most Driver Friendly States of 2018 It’s officially 2018 and that means our annual resolutions are in order. Be it losing weight or advancing in a particular career, a new year always represents a clean slate. One resolution worth making is a commitment to travel more. Doing so might actually help your other resolutions. According to WebMD, not having a break from work will take its toll. They cite a 2005 study from the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin that found women who neglected regular vacations were two to three times more likely to be depressed compared to women who took them.
And men, we should be mindful too. WebMD points to a study that followed over 12,000 men for nine years. Those who neglected vacations were at a higher risk for heart attacks. That said, if your goal is to get away and travel more in 2018, then it’s for the best. The National Council for Home Safety and Security put together a list of the most driver friendly states in 2018, which was published on their official site, Alarms.org. Their findings will help you plan a relaxing, safe, and cost effective getaway.
Cheapest Gas
One of the biggest factors when traveling is fuel cost, but it might be worth taking a tour of the southern United States to really maximize your tank. Alarms.org finds gas below the Mason-Dixon Line requires less from your wallet because of a greater concentration of oil refineries and lower gas taxes. Overall, Alabama has the cheapest gas per gallon at an average of $2.26, followed by Mississippi and South Carolina, both at $2.27, Texas at $2.29, and Oklahoma between $2.29 and $2.30. This means a visit to The Alamo in San Antonio or the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama will be more affordable.
There’s Myrtle Beach to catch some sun, and the Rock & Blues Museum in Clarksdale to get your music fix. Both can be reached for less money at the pump than attractions in other states.
Best Driving Records
Safety is always a concern so it might be worth seeking out a vacation spot where motorists are more cautious. Alarms.org researched states with the lowest fatal crash rates, calculated on the number of road fatalities and fatal crashes, adjusted for average daily traffic counts. Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Minnesota took the top three spots, followed by Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Alarms.org says there isn’t a single identifying characteristic they could find that made these states the safest, although they theorize it might have something to do with winter.
“Most of the states with safer highway ratings are in the north and have lower average temperatures,” Alarms.org writes in their study. “Perhaps colder temperatures and hazardous weather conditions prompt residents to drive more slowly and carefully than those in warmer states.”
This means (hopefully) a trip to Minneapolis to see Super Bowl LII or to Lambeau Field to watch the Packers should be a safe one. If on the way, you are passing through The Mitten and have car trouble, us Michiganders will gladly help. Alarms.org finds Michigan has the lowest average car repair costs in the country. Also, go Lions.

Most Scenic Drives
While Alarms.org admits this is subjective, they give some solid suggestions. Topping the list is the Blue Ridge Parkway through Virginia and North Carolina. Blue Ridge Parkway, which spans 29 counties and nearly 470 miles, is known for its stunning views of the surrounding Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains. Others on the list include the Cades Cove Drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire.
While it may not necessarily make any lists on this topic, we have always enjoyed our drives from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California on Interstate 10. The desert can be really peaceful and beautiful, especially in the early evening.
Happy Trails
Wherever you go in 2018 and whoever you go with, we wish you safe and enjoyable travels. We hope you have an opportunity this year to take a vacation with your loved ones. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2018.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation and studies Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University.

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New Study Shows When And Where Road Rage Is Most Prevalent

New Study Shows When And Where Road Rage Is Most Prevalent

The morning commute and the afternoon grind. When bumper to bumper traffic creates gridlock for miles, it can be a recipe for disaster. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, road rage comprises of following too closely, excessive speeding, and weaving through traffic among other irresponsible actions.
“The operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property,” NHTSA writes in an extensive report.
Endless Causes
NHTSA lists a multitude of reasons for road rage, including traffic delays, running late, and the unique sense of anonymity a vehicle provides. A recent study conducted by Auto Insurance Center uncovered some interesting patterns in the phenomenon of road rage. They collected over 100,000 #RoadRage Instagram posts since 2011 to analyze how this hashtag has evolved. The study examined the circumstances, situations, and locations most likely to boil our blood.
“Even though #RoadRage may produce funny posts on the internet, you want to do everything you can to protect your vehicle and the people in it from the dangerous consequences that aggressive driving can lead to,” said Justin Loera, Senior Insurance Market Analyst, Auto Insurance Center.
Changing Seasons
Auto Insurance Center found August has historically been the peak for aggressive driving. With summer being prime for travelers it’s no wonder, but the study also showed road rage happens frequently before the hotter months. Auto Insurance Center noted, for example, that of the #RoadRage posts on Instagram between 2013 and 2017, May had the heaviest activity. Even March saw an increase in #RoadRage posts this year.
And holidays don’t always mean good cheer and glad tidings either. 2016 saw a record number of travelers posting on Instagram about experiencing rude gestures, frustration, and even dangerous driving while going over the river and through the woods. Last year, the holidays saw a significant increase, peaking in December, with a nearly 21 percent increase over 2015.

Weekend Fun
Like most Americans, we love a good weekend trek away from the office. However, those Friday vibes may not be shared by our fellow motorists. In fact, those Friday vibes might be causing aggressive driving. Auto Insurance Center found that #RoadRage posts on Fridays were the highest, while Sunday and, get this, Monday saw the least amount of Instagram posts. We figure you would be more likely to tell another motorist they are “number one” on a Monday morning versus a Friday afternoon, but the study says otherwise.
Our Automoblog contributors are very dedicated, putting in time at all hours of the day and night. Our management team is known for working well into the early morning, but such commitment comes at a price. The Auto Insurance Center study cautions against this, noting that exhaustion is a major factor in road rage. The later evening hours were a hotbed for Instagram posts about anger behind the wheel.
“We were really surprised to see that road rage isn’t the worst during rush hour when you might expect,” Loera explained. “It’s actually at its highest between the hours of 9 and 10pm.”
If possible, try and keep driving at night to a minimum, esepcially after a long day.

Location, Location, Location
Brooklyn, New York overtook Atlanta, Georgia last year as the second most common city for #RoadRage posts and retains that title in 2017 – so far. Miami, San Francisco, Orlando, and San Diego all ranked among the top 10 for the highest use of the #RoadRage hashtag since 2013. Number one was New York City, which might not surprise anyone. However, don’t go judging the big cities just yet. It’s not like Midwest hospitality is exactly on the rise. The leading state for aggravated driving this year is Nebraska.
Insert Cornhuskers joke here.
Sensible Solutions
WedMD provides insight on how to avoid road rage, namely by recognizing heated motorists and driving sensibly yourself. The State of Delaware recommends not taking traffic problems personally and to never challenge an erratic driver. This study from Auto Insurance Center underscores just how unpredictable road rage is. With the implementation of autonomous cars, perhaps road rage will decline significantly? Until then, the data of this and similar studies should serve as a stern reminder.
“We know that road rage can happen anywhere at any time but by analyzing social media posts the way we did, we’re able to show where it’s at its worst and what drivers can do to avoid it,” Loera said.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
The full #RoadRage study from Auto Insurance Center can be found here.

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