Automotive

Automoblog Book Garage: Aston Martin DB

Automoblog Book Garage: Aston Martin DB
When we think of James Bond, it’s impossible to do so without an Aston Martin by his side. When we discuss the best cars of Britain, it’s impossible to do so without a nod to Aston Martin. And it’s arguably two letters that make all the difference for the marquee: DB or the initials of one Sir David Brown, a modest engineer who, as described by author Andrew Noakes, “had an irrepressible appetite for speed.”
Discerning Creations
Aston Martin DB is the ideal book for any fan of the brand, or any sports car enthusiast in general. It dives into the heart of Aston Martin, from the company’s origins in 1912 to Brown’s arrival in 1947. The book shows how Aston Martin, with Brown at the helm, redefined what founder Lionel Martin called his desire to build a car for the “discerning owner driver.” Along the way, we are privy to Aston Martin’s story and technology, while being treated to over 250 rare images from the Aston Martin Heritage Trust archive.
Through The Years
We find the very first DB1, the iconic DBs of the 1960s, and the latest DB11 featured in fine detail. Bond fans will enjoy seeing the DB5 from Goldfinger and the more recent DB10. We really liked the extensive engineering and racing history dedicated to the DB2 and DB2/4, two of Aston Martin’s most prominent cars during the 1950s. Certainly one for the coffee table at home, Aston Martin DB: 70 Years is available through Motorbooks.
Aston’s driver line-up at Sebring in 1953. From left: George Abecassis, Peter Collins, Geoff Duke, and Reg Parnell. (Page 59).
Author
Noakes has been writing about cars for more than 20 years. He was trained as an automotive engineer but decided to go into motoring journalism, working for Fast Car magazine before launching his own series entitled Classics. Noakes has been freelance writing since 2002, reporting on cars for a variety of magazines and websites. He is a chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers and has taught motoring journalism at Coventry University since 2006.
Aston Martin DB Gallery

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Nissan Wants You To See These Self-Parking Slippers!

Nissan Wants You To See These Self-Parking Slippers! It’s funny becasue the other day, I actually misplaced my slippers. Every Michigander needs a good pair of slippers, and this time of year, such things are worth their weight in gold. I tore my place apart and found them hiding under the ironing board, under a pile of my gym clothes. I’m normally a clean person but it has been a busy week. Anyway, I saw this recent story from Nissan and concluded that if I had self-parking slippers, I would never lose them again.
Autonomous Furniture
Self-parking slippers? Yep. They exist. And it goes farther. Self-parking tables and floor cushions are being utilized at one Japanese inn to promote hospitality among the guests. Initially, the ProPILOT Park Ryokan in Hakone, Japan looks like any other traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan. Upon entering the room, the slippers are neatly lined up at the foyer, where guests remove their shoes. Tatami rooms are furnished with low tables and floor cushions for sitting in accordance with Japanese custom.
Although this is no ordinary ryokan as the slippers, tables, and cushions are outfitted with a special version of Nissan’s ProPILOT Park autonomous technology. When not in use, the amenities automatically return to their designated spots at the push of a button. Modern science for the win. And the last hotel I stayed at had like 20 floors and only two working ice machines. Two. The front desk was like “yeah, about that . . . ”
Traditional Japanese hospitality meets autonomous driving at the ProPILOT Park Ryokan. Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
How It Works
ProPILOT Park debuted on the Nissan Leaf in October 2017. The technology helps drivers park in tight spaces or on congested streets by detecting objects that may be in the way. Nissan’s system can recognize the type of parking space and guide the car accordingly, be it front-end, back-in, or parallel parking. ProPILOT Park operates the steering wheel automatically when parking and can stop if any hazards are detected.
In this particular case, if your slippers are on a collision course with the family cat.
Nissan sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2016, the company moved 5.63 million vehicles globally, generating revenues of 11.72 trillion yen. In fiscal year 2017, Nissan embarked on the “M.O.V.E. to 2022” initiative, a six-year plan targeting a 30 percent increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen. While we here at Automoblog are a much smaller entity than Nissan, our advice to them, to help hit these targets, is to mass produce these self-parking slippers. We would buy a pair!

In Person
Nissan will offer a free night at the ProPILOT Park Ryokan, located in Hakone, Japan, for one lucky pair of travelers. Contestants must post on Twitter using the hashtags #PPPRyokan and #wanttostay from now until February 10th. Good luck! The video below shows the slippers in action.
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, Video & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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Genesis Continues Building U.S. Dealership Network

Genesis Continues Building U.S. Dealership Network Hyundai Motor America and Genesis Motor America have informed Hyundai dealerships that offers are coming to help establish a “distinct and properly-sized Genesis retail network.” The companies say certain dealers in the Genesis Participation Agreement, currently doing business in defined key markets, will be given the first opportunity to apply for a Genesis franchise. That selection process is expected to begin as quickly as the applications are received.
Forward Momentum
Genesis wants to capitalize of the promise of a new year and extend their dealer network to nearly 100 locations in 2018. Initially, Genesis will operate out of temporary or shared locations, but over the next three years, the brand wants standalone facilities, complete with a level of service that matches what luxury buyers are looking for today.
“We believe in putting our customers first and giving them a proper ownership experience,” said Erwin Raphael, General Manager of Genesis Motor America. “To ensure that happens, we need to take this next step in the separation of the Genesis brand from our parent company.”
Genesis G90. Photo: Genesis Motor America.
Strong Accolades
In 2017, Genesis Motor America reported year-to-date sales of 20,594 G80, G80 Sport, and G90 vehicles. Although only on the market a short time, the sales were arguably increased by 14 different awards from leading third party organizations. Among them, the highest ranking premium nameplate for Initial Quality and 2nd highest premium nameplate in product APEAL by J.D. Power, Strategic Vision’s Total Quality and Most Loved Luxury Car award for the G90, and a Top Safety Pick+ designation (G80 and G90) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“Establishing a right-sized Genesis retailer network, as our product portfolio grows, will ensure the Genesis brand can succeed and thrive long-term within the luxury automotive market,” Raphael added.
Expect a total of six new Genesis models by 2021.
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: Genesis Motor America.

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New Study: Driving A Sports Car Is Good For Us

New Study: Driving A Sports Car Is Good For Us Ford, just like us, is concerned about your sense of well-being and emotional fulfillment. So they actually went out and conducted a study to find out just what gives us a feeling of happiness and demonstrative contentment. And you know what Ford found? That you should forget romance or fine dining or a weekend streaming binge. Ford’s research shows that driving a sports car on a daily basis is the best way to find your sense of well-being.
To which we here in beautiful One Automoblog Towers responded: Duh!
Good Vibrations
As someone who’s owned and used a sports car almost exclusively for the past 20 years, I can personally agree with this. I don’t really think about it, and honestly, I don’t drive a sports car because I want to increase my sense of well-being. I drive a sports car because they go, turn, and stop so very, very well. All that “sense of well-being” stuff is a byproduct of owning and driving a sports car.
And Ford knows all this, but they decided to study it anyway, just to codify where sports car driving falls on the “I’ve got to do more of this” spectrum. Ford measured what they called “buzz moments,” those peak thrills that perform a fundamental role in our overall wellness. So Ford got a bunch of volunteers and measured their physiological responses while doing exciting things like cheering on their favorite football team or watching a riveting Game of Thrones episode (yawn). They even included things like enjoying a passionate kiss, or intense salsa dancing.
They found that, apart from the occasional highs of riding a roller coaster, nothing beat out the daily buzz of a commute in a sports car. Now, I should say this study was conducted by Ford in England, so that probably skewed things like “passionate” kissing. Because, pal, I gotta say, if you find anything on the list more exciting than that, you gotta reevaluate your priorities.
Anyway, to find out how all this worked, Ford teamed with neuroscientists and designers to build the “Buzz Car.” In this case, a customized Ford Focus RS with wearable and artificial intelligence tech to animate the driver’s emotions in real time across the car’s exterior. Yes, that sounds goofy, and yes, a lot of us (me included) could quibble with calling a Ford Focus RS a sports car, but let’s just go with it, shall we?
Ford Focus RS. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Blinded Me With Science
Ford teamed up with Designworks and spent 1,400 hours creating the tricked out Focus RS Buzz Car. All of the “buzz moments” experienced by the driver were analyzed using an “emotional AI” system developed by Sensum, then transferred into a luminous animation across almost 200,000 LED lights integrated into the car. The Buzz Car Focus RS also featured a high-performance Zotac VR GO gaming PC, 110 x 500-lumen daylight-bright light strips, and 82 display panels with 188,416 individually addressable LEDs. Nothing says Science better than flashing lights!
“This study shows how driving a performance car does much more than get you from A to B – it could be a valuable part of your daily well-being routine,” said Dr. Harry Witchel, Discipline Leader in Physiology. “A roller coaster may be good for a quick thrill, but it’s not great for getting you to work every day.”
Study guinea pigs, er participants who sat behind the wheel of The Buzz Car experienced an average of 2.1 high-intensity buzz moments during a typical commute. Compare this with an average of 3 buzz moments while riding on a roller coaster, 1.7 while on a shopping trip, 1.5 each while watching a Game of Thrones episode or a football match, and none at all while salsa dancing, fine dining, or sharing a passionate kiss. Insert joke about bloodless Englishmen here. Also: Shopping? Really? People get a buzz out of that?
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Healthy & Happy
All this data was handed over to the staff at the Ford Research and Innovation Center in Aachen, Germany. The Innovation Center is looking into how vehicles can better understand and respond to our emotions, which sounds like a good thing (at this point). Ford is investigating how future in-car systems could be informed of our emotions and stress levels, distraction and fatigue, and then provide prompts and warnings in emergency situations.
“We think driving should be an enjoyable, emotional experience,” said Dr. Marcel Mathissen, Research Scientist at Ford of Europe. “The driver-state research Ford and its partners are undertaking is helping to lead us towards safer roads and – importantly – healthier driving.”
That all sounds nice, but so very obvious to us here at Automoblog. You just could have asked us. Shopping? Meh. Kissing? Yes please! Football game? Snore. Half-baked TV show? Not so much. Roller coaster? Why not? Sports car? YES!
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, Video & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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A Roundup of the 2018 North American International Auto Show

A Roundup of the 2018 North American International Auto Show
The 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is entering its final weekend in Detroit, Michigan. As always, it was full of big reveals, new technology, and outrageous concept vehicles. After following the extensive coverage of the show and digging into the biggest news, here are several of my takeaways and predictions for the year ahead.
Doubling Down On Trucks
In previous years, the flagship models of the Big Three (GM, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) have been members of the luxury car category. This year, the major truck reveals from these companies might indicate a plan to consider trucks the new domestic flagships for these brands.
The new Ford Ranger, returning for the first time since 2011, signifies Ford’s re-entry into the mid-size pickup market. It will come standard with automatic forward braking and a backup camera.
The 2019 redesigned Chevrolet Silverado includes wireless charging capabilities. The truck uses various weight-saving technologies to drop 450 lbs.
The new fifth-generation Ram 1500 is roomier and can be equipped with a 12-inch screen for its infotainment system.
The new models are in line with a recent trend toward more tricked out trucks, with all the latest tech bells and whistles. As we begin 2018, we can expect to see truck ownership be just as much about comfort and style as it is about power and functionality.
2019 Chevy Silverado High Country on display at NAIAS, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Gino D’Orazio for Automoblog.net.
Less Focus On Autonomous Driving
Self-driving vehicles have been somewhat of an elephant in the room at auto shows in recent years. With NAIAS coming right on the heels of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where autonomous vehicle technology was a main focus, many industry experts were anxious to see what the big automotive companies had to say on the subject.
Despite the continued buzz around autonomous driving, many executives at NAIAS did not have much to say about it. Aside from GM’s reveal of a no-steering-wheel, no-pedals concept vehicle just before the show, there wasn’t much talk of self-driving cars. Many industry executives are adamant that much of the discussion on this subject is still conjecture, and they would rather spend time focusing on the development of conventional vehicles. In many ways, the show this year seemed to provide a refreshing break from all this speculation, and a return to vehicles as we have always known them.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (middle) and Cobo Center General Manager Claude Molinari (right) meet with the workers responsible for setting up for NAIAS. Photo: NAIAS.
The Push For User-Friendly Infotainment
In 2018, passengers and drivers want to be connected on-the-go and new models at this year’s show revealed that more brands are ready to meet this demand. The broad category of “infotainment” systems has been growing in recent years. Lately, it seems to refer to any way to seamlessly connect a smartphone’s features to the vehicle. This includes music, maps, photos, and communication capabilities. As I mentioned before, the new Ram 1500 is adding a large screen to make these functions possible. BMW and Volkswagen are also among the brands making big moves in the infotainment direction.
However, some automakers seem to be running into a problem. With the speed at which smartphone technology changes these days, how can the car technology that integrates with our phones keep up? If the infotainment technology cannot upgrade with the phone it connects to, it can lead to a negative user experience. To combat this challenge, we can expect to see major automakers partner with tech companies. Several are already taking a head start on this front. For example, Ford and Nissan offer Amazon’s Alexa in some models and, in addition to BMW and Volkswagen, Toyota and Lexus are expected to add Alexa and Google Assistant capabilities to their vehicles.
2019 Ram 1500 – Uconnect 4C with 12-inch screen. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Big Reveals
For enthusiasts, the biggest part of NAIAS has always been about the highly-anticipated new models. For the most part, 2018 did not disappoint on this front. Among the big releases we had:
The 2019 Mercedes Benz G-Class received a modern upgrade while still keeping true to its iconic original design from 1979. Many are referring to the new G-Class as a “factory-produced” resto-mod.
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee debuted with changes to the face of the vehicle and has an option for a new turbocharged engine.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, the latest version of VW’s most popular U.S. model, boasts better handling with the help of VW’s MBQ modular construction platform. Also included is a rearview camera, forward collision warning system, and Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
The 2019 Forte debuted as a larger version of Kia’s compact offering, with styling similar to the Stinger performance sedan. The biggest change to the new model is its continuously variable transmission, which replaces the six-speed automatic. It’s likely this change will improve the vehicle’s fuel economy.
A modern version of the iconic Ford Mustang Bullitt was on display, originally made popular by Steve McQueen in the 1968 film Bullitt. The new version features a V8 engine, six-speed manual-only transmission, and 12-inch LCD touchscreen – something that was certainly not in McQueen’s version!
The classic Ford Mustang Bullitt rolls out during NAIAS at the Cobo Center. Photo: NAIAS.
No-Shows
Notably absent from this year’s show was any mention of Chevrolet’s mid-engine Corvette, a model which many enthusiasts expected to be revealed in Detroit. Testing for the car has been spotted so the question remains as to when we’ll witness its grand debut. Mazda does not have a display this year at NAIAS and neither does Jaguar Land Rover. Volvo has a smaller setup when compared to years past and Brembo, who was present the last two years, did not have a display this year.
In Person
It will certainly be interesting to see how these trends develop throughout the coming year, and which new models are popular among consumers when they become available. NAIAS runs through Sunday the 28th at the Cobo Center, One Washington Boulevard, downtown Detroit. Ticket information for the public show and corresponding events can be found here; a list of daily activities can be found here; for anything else, the show’s official site is pretty easy to navigate.
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.
Cover Photo: NAIAS.

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Ford, Microsoft Dive Deep Into Augmented Reality

Ford, Microsoft Dive Deep Into Augmented Reality

100 years ago, designing a car was all paper and pencils, slide rules and French-curves, body bucks and modeling clay. About 40 or 50 years ago, vehicle designing drifted more toward computer modeling and other automated and detached methods. For all that CAD/CAM and 3-D shaping brought: ease of variability, iterative sizing, better proportioning, and things like that, it did, by and large, take car designers out of the real-world. It might have worked on paper or on a computer screen, but get that prototype car fleshed out in sheet steel sitting under natural light, and many unseen flaws would become all too apparent.
Reality Bytes
Ford designers have taken a step away from the CAD screens and, curiously enough, have also backed off the tried and true, old school clay-sculpting steels and rakes, and swapped in some mixed reality headsets and trick visualization software. This allows them to change design elements like side mirrors, grilles, interiors, and more at the click of a button.
Ford chooses to call it “mixed reality,” but what we’re really talking about here is generically referred to as “Augmented Reality.” Unlike the better known and over-hyped Virtual Reality (which has been the next big thing/revolution that will change the very fabric of society itself sometime next year since 1989), AR puts digital things in the real-world that you’re already seeing through special glasses or other head mounted displays.
Rescue Mission
A few years back I was working for a company that, among other fun things, did museum designs. We were working on a museum that was going to have an interactive Coast Guard rescue helicopter exhibit. One of the ideas was having a static Coast Guard rescue helicopter sitting inside, and then handing out Augmented Reality headsets to people as they got in the chopper. You’d put the headset on, you’d see the chopper and the museum and other guests around you, but you’d also see weather and the environment beyond the rescue helicopter. So if you were sitting in the pilot’s seat, outside the windows you’d see coastal Alaska and wind-swept seas, and the fishing boat you had to rescue. Even better, if you were sitting at the open helicopter door, working the virtual winch, you’d look out and down, and in addition to seeing the carpet on the museum floor, 100 or so feet below you’d “see” a fisherman waiting to be plucked out of the water.
I tested this out, sitting in an office chair one day, and the effect was downright creepy. It wasn’t completely as immersive as VR, but AR worked surprisingly well enough to make you feel you were in one of Igor Sikorsky’s finest, and there was a person on the verge of drowning. Ironically, the weakest link in building this was finding a disused Cost Guard helicopter that was cheap enough. Those things are amazingly expensive.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Point & Click
Another interesting coincidence, as far as Ford is concerned, is that one of the better purveyors of Augment Reality is, of all people, Microsoft. The Redmond, Washington-based concern has this hardware/software rig they call the HoloLens that, with a little bit of tweaking, can add Augmented Reality to seemingly any given situation. Ford designers have been working with Microsoft HoloLens technology for a year now at FoMoCo’s Dearborn studios.
HoloLens allows them to see possible design elements in a virtual sense as if they were part of the actual physical vehicle sitting before them. HoloLens allows them to investigate different shapes, sizes, and textures of vehicle characteristics in minutes and hours, rather than weeks and months using clay models. What would that lower body cladding look like in smooth finish instead of textured? Click, click, boom. Now you can see it. What if we change all of the trim pieces from black to a satin chrome? Click, click, boom. Now you can see it. And not just see it, but you can walk around the actual, physical car in real-space, in real-time.
Flexible Approach
The system works and tracks with you through the wire-free headsets. There’s a Windows 10 computer embedded in the headset and the whole shee-bang is untethered, wearable, and mobile; no tethering, no cables, no problem. Microsoft’s HoloLens allows designers to see projected holograms against photo-quality backdrops; on the street in the summer, at night in the rain, those sorts of scenarios. So now, if something doesn’t work, looks strangely proportioned, is lacking the needed surface tension, Ford’s designers can quickly reevaluate the design, make changes, and determine styling options much earlier in development. The HoloLens technology enables designers and engineers to better collaborate and understand the customer experience as well.
The headsets can even be synced so multiple team members can view a design simultaneously for easy collaboration. They can also record audio notes for team members working in other time zones or off-site to review.
“It’s amazing we can combine the old and the new – clay models and holograms – in a way that both saves time and allows designers to experiment and iterate quickly to dream up even more stylish, clever vehicles,” said Jim Holland, Ford Vice President, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering. “Microsoft HoloLens is a powerful tool for designers as we continue to reimagine vehicles and mobility experiences in fast-changing times.”
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.

Photos, Video & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 1794 Edition Review

2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 1794 Edition Review
In a very competitive environment with the top-selling Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, and Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra makes headway in catching the competition. Introduced for 2007, the current generation Tundra was revised for 2014, and gets some refreshing for 2018. While it needs a major overhaul, the Tundra still offers plenty of grunt and the luxury many truck buyers are looking for.
This week we drove the top-of-the-line, 2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 1794 Edition.
What’s New For 2018
The 2018 Tundra gets refreshed styling and Toyota’s Safety Sense driver assist package. The safety technology includes forward collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning, auto high-beam control, and adaptive cruise control.
Features & Options
The 2018 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 1794 Edition ($50,130) comes loaded with standard features like foglights, variable intermittent windshield wipers, and an upgraded tech interface that includes a 7-inch touchscreen, HD and satellite radio, traffic information, and navigation. The CrewMax adds a power-opening rear window and an overhead console.
Up front it gets bucket seats, leather upholstery, an upgraded power driver’s seat, a power-adjustable passenger seat, a center console (with storage and console shifter), and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Our tester came with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, movable tie-down cleats, and dual-zone climate control.
1794 Edition Features
At the top of the heap, the 1794 Edition comes with distinctive styling elements, LED daytime running lights, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory functions, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system.
Our 1794 Edition tester came with the optional TRD Off-Road package adding 18-inch TRD wheels, off-road tires, trail-tuned shock absorbers, skid plates, and tow hooks (included with 1794 Edition). Other features included the power moonroof ($850), TRD performance exhaust ($1,100), and TRD rear sway bar ($299). Total MSRP including destination: $54,892.

Interior Highlights
Tundra’s seats are big and roomy, but we thought they could use a bit more cushioning. Controls are large, logically arranged, and easy to figure out. We could even change the radio station without the owner’s manual. The center console is huge and perfect for working in the field because it can easily hold a laptop. A laptop computer will fit perfectly on the console as well.
This 1794 Edition came with brown leather seats with cream-colored stitching, and wood trim on the dash, door panels, steering wheel, and gear shifter. It also featured special 1794 floor mats front and back.
The big CrewMax offers seating for five with leg space for taller riders in every seat. The backseats fold up easily with one pull of the handle, opening up to a large cargo area that’s ready to carry those bigger work items. Toyota listened and opted for the folding seats over the tilt and recline feature. Now you can carry tools or other valuable items you’d prefer to have inside and not leave exposed in the open bed.

Engine, Towing, & Fuel Mileage Specs
A 5.7-liter V8 engine developing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft. of torque is standard on the Limited, Platinum, 1794, and TRD Pro trims. All Tundras equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 come with a standard tow package and a larger 38-gallon gas tank. It was more than ready to tow up to its rated 10,500 lbs. This tester also came equipped with a 4:30 axle ratio, engine and transmission coolers, and an HD battery and alternator.
EPA fuel economy estimates are 13/17 city/highway and 14 combined with 4WD.
Driving Dynamics
The first thing we noticed after getting behind the wheel was the throaty exhaust note. The optional TRD performance dual exhaust system brings the 5.7-liter V8 to life. We found ourselves jumping hard on the accelerator this week just to hear the sound inside the cabin. The 5.7-liter V8 impresses, thanks its generous torque output and smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.
We had a snow storm hit the mountains this week and shifted from 2H to 4H with the knob on the Tundra’s dash. The 4W Demand 4WD system instantly shifted into action and we never lost traction as we moved from dry pavement to a snow-covered highway in less than a few miles. On the open road, Tundra gives the driver a feeling of confidence and security in the extreme elements with its size, commanding view of the road, and all-terrain winter tires. We had no problem passing slower traffic that was having more difficulty with the slick roads.
Ride quality is reasonably comfortable, though rough pavement and the dirt roads leading to our house produced impacts beyond the normal range. During our urban driving, the Tundra handled well in heavy city traffic. The rear backup camera came in handy as we parked the long CrewMax in a tight parking space.
Conclusion
The 2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax is a capable full-size pickup, and when equipped with the TRD Off-Road package, can deliver in a big way for those using it for hunting, camping, and boating trips. The 1794 Edition adds an extra level of comfort beyond the ordinary and the new safety tech gives greater security on the road.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Tundra Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Tundra Limited also shown (red photos).

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Letter From The UK: Winning Over The Electric Car Skeptics

Letter From The UK: Winning Over The Electric Car Skeptics
The citizens of Great Britain are, to say the least, a skeptical lot. Tell them white is white and they will question how many shades of gray that includes. Tell them their borders are safe from invasion and watch the barricades appear in the streets like scenes from Les Miserables. Offer them a fair choice and they will ask what the catch is. Not that they’re all like that of course; some of them are true cynics.
Slow & Steady
Thus, when they are told electric vehicles are The New Big Automotive Thing, the best reaction you will get from them is “we’ll see,” possibly with an added snort of derision. In short, the take up of electric cars has been slow for all the reasons we now know, including range anxiety and the lack of fast-charging.
It is a fact, however, that the rate of purchase for electric cars is increasing, albeit slowly. Some of the cars are very good indeed and really quite fun, but unless your driving is confined to a local area or short journeys generally, they just don’t measure up. Under no circumstances will we Brits undertake a long trip and be content to sit in a car park for an hour or more just to get a battery boost.
Sales of EVs are not helped by the charging issue. They simply do not top up quickly enough even if you are lucky to find an unoccupied charger or one not broken down, and there’s a lot of those. This really is a scenario where the cart has been put before the horse and it has had a detrimental effect on sales, no matter how otherwise excellent the cars are.
Powering The Future
So that problem continues to be ongoing. It does appear there is a slow improvement although the vacillations of politicians continually hold the entrepreneurial go-getting spirit back. They want us in electric cars and then fail to aid the process. Where have we heard that before?
Fortunately, the automotive industry persists. 2018 is likely to bring many new automotive innovations to the fore along with some striking new electric and hybrid cars (thankfully, for the old school road warrior, also a couple of V8 road monsters like the new Bentley Bentayga V8. Boom! Get this dust in your batteries Mr. Electric).
At the recent global CES (Consumer Technology Association) conference, some technological advances were presented by car makers. Hyundai is introducing a fuel cell vehicle with autonomous features, for example, and Kia was featuring a new, all-electric concept that demonstrated the brand’s future. There is, however, one new development, years in the planning, that is likely to change the electric car market, and also possibly change the mind of UK car buyers, even cynics like me.
At CES 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hyundai revealed the Nexo, an entirely new fuel cell EV, complete with an array of advanced driver assistance systems to expand on for automated driving. Hyundai called it the “technological flagship” of their growing eco-vehicle portfolio. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
In-Wheel Power
Electric hub motors within the wheels are really here. It’s the coming thing and it seems rightly inevitable this is the way forward for pure electric drive. It is entirely true the concept is not new, but that it is now proven to work is the point. A British-based company (Hurrah! Ain’t dead yet World!) has spent the last eight years designing and developing a unique and very versatile in-wheel electric drive system for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric light-duty vehicles. The system can, they say, improve vehicle fuel economy, add torque, increase power, and improve the handling of both new and, crucially, existing vehicles. This indicates no absolute need to necessarily develop brand new models to fit the technology.

I’ll Let Jennifer Aniston Take Over (Joke for TV addicts)
Here’s the science bit: This fully-integrated, direct-drive solution combines in-wheel motors with an integrated inverter, control electronics, and software – no separate large, heavy, and costly inverter is required. Each motor fits easily in the unused space behind a conventional 18 to 24-inch wheel that can, cleverly, use the original equipment wheel bearing. The system, I have learned, reduces part count, complexity, and cost. There is no need to integrate traditional drivetrain components such as external gearing, transmissions, driveshafts, axles, and differentials.
The developer says each motor can produce 81kW, equivalent to 109 bhp, and thus presumably, a basic two-wheel-drive electric car could conceivably produce peak power of 218 bhp and a huge woosh of torque. Put that in your toy city car millennials!

But Does It really Work?
Yes, is the short answer. It has been tested successfully in a Volkswagen Golf although not without issues it has to be said. With the extra weight in the wheels, the vehicle’s drive dynamics change. To counter this, the suspension of the test car was tuned by an independent vehicle dynamics expert. This was shown to work and the additional unsprung weight was handled successfully. The test car was made to handle as well as a standard model. The effect on tire wear was not mentioned and I do wonder about that.
As with any automotive advance, I have doubts it will be plain sailing, but this does seem, to me, to be a worthwhile new development in the advancement of the electric car. The potential for simplified drivetrains and some real enthusiast levels of performance, with both two and four-wheel drive vehicles, is clear.
Sure, it’s expensive right now, but once rolling as it were, further development and economies of scale will solve that problem. With the much-vaunted advances from Ernst Stavro Blofeld and his henchmen at Tesla, and elsewhere in battery and charging technology, it may well mean the electric car will soon make sense for all drivers. If that’s the case you can count me in.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo: Product & Performance Overview

2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo: Product & Performance Overview

Look, the only reason I pay attention to Porsche Cayennes is because they are the profit centers that allow the Zuffenhausen company to make sports cars. I largely look upon them as necessary evils, so, what . . . am I supposed to get all excited over the new 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo?
Let’s see here . . . the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 puts out 550 horsepower, 567 lb-ft. of torque; that’s nice. They say it’s quicker and faster than the previous gen, okay, duh! And, um, it’s got a top speed of 177 mph and does 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds? Holy sh-!
Man, that is one fast truck. Yeah, I know, “fast” is kind of what Porsche is famous for, but still, that’s pretty impressive for something that weighs – huh, that’s funny, they don’t mention weight. Probably a couple of tons, at least, which is both understandable and sad, but also impressive that Porsche can make this thing haul that fast.
Performance Tech
The 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is the third-generation of the Cayenne range and, in addition to that twin-turbo four-liter V8 engine that dispenses 550 horsepower, there’s a host of other goodies. There’s a 3-chamber air suspension, staggered tire sizes, and this new, high-performance Porsche Surface Coated Brake technology. The ’19 Cayenne Turbo also features rear-axle steering and electric roll stabilization.
The front and rear wheel sizes fall into the “frickin huge” arena with 285/40 at the front and 315/35 out back.
Porsche says the lightweight chassis of the new Cayenne Turbo makes for better driving dynamics when compared to the outgoing model. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Design Language
Design-wise – both exterior and interior – it’s more a case of refinement and sharpening, than heading in any new directions. The front end shows off the LED main headlights of the Porsche Dynamic Light System, and the new Turbo further sets itself apart from lesser Cayennes with double-row front light modules. The wheel arches have been widened and feature painted trim to house the special 21-inch wheels. The twin tailpipes differentiate the Cayenne Turbo from its six-cylinder brethren.
On the inside, you’ll find interior design elements like center-mounted grab handles (a Cayenne motif), a high-definition 12.3-inch dashboard mounted screen, and an analog tachometer bracketed by two 7-inch HD screens. There’s a standard 710 watt Bose system, which is probably capable of seriously damaging your Organ of Corti. There are also 18-way sport seats, integrated headrests, and standard heating functions for all outboard seats and the steering wheel.
Engine Bay
Now, about that 4.0-liter V8! As I said, it puts out 550 horsepower and 567 lb-ft. of torque, which works out to be an additional 30 ponies and 14 lb-ft. on the previous Cayenne Turbo. Porsche Traction Management is, thankfully, standard, and the all-wheel drive system is hooked to a new, 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The plant’s turbochargers are nestled inside the V of the cylinders, which sounds like a thermodynamic and maintenance nightmare to me, but I ain’t a German engineer, so what do I know? Yes, this arrangement gets you lots of benefits, like shortened exhaust paths to the turbochargers and improved handling characteristics thanks to a lower center of gravity. But still, that’s an awful lot of heat generators wadded into a small space!
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Suspension & Aerodynamics
The new 3-chamber air suspension is combined with the Porsche Active Suspension Management system. The active shock absorbers allow for a wider range of spring rates when compared to the previous setup, so the ride and handling is improved in both the comfort and performance settings. There are six selectable ride heights and the ground clearance can be manually adjusted to suit the off-road terrain.
There are also five new driving programs to fit a variety of conditions, the default being the on-road program; the four other modes are Mud, Gravel, Sand, or Rocks. All of the power delivery stuff, the drive modes, chassis settings, and differential locks can be selected and adjusted accordingly.
And even though the new Cayenne Turbo is relatively box-like, Porsche has seen to aerodynamics with things like the adaptive roof spoiler that actually helps shorten braking distances. The aforementioned Porsche Surface Coated Brake technology helps too. The design has a tungsten carbide layer applied to the otherwise-normal cast-iron discs for better braking performance and wear resistance.
The new 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo will be up for orders come December, with dealer deliveries happening in the Fall of 2018. Cost? That would be $124,600, which, let’s face it, is really, really expensive.
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.
2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Gallery

Photos & Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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