Automotive

2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4X4 Review

2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4X4 Review
If you are looking for a cute urban commuter that’s still capable for weekend excursions to the high country, the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4×4 could be the ticket. Renegade is unmistakably a Jeep with its tall, vertical sides, round headlights, and signature grille. What sets it apart is its compact size and wide stance.
Our tester came with the Trailhawk 4×4 package. It just wouldn’t be a Jeep without it, right? This week, we drove the 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4×4. One thing is for sure: it’s ready to take you away from civilization.
What’s New For 2017 & 2018
The 2017 and 2018 Jeep Renegade essentially carried over from 2016 with the Trailhawk as the top trim. Xenon headlights, automatic high beams, and keyless ignition and entry are new features.
Features & Options
The 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4×4 ($26,895) gets the full off-road package that includes hill descent control, a raised suspension, tow hooks, and underbody skid plates. It features 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, unique exterior accents, a full-size spare, an upgraded driver information display, and a 115-volt power outlet. Our tester came complete with premium cloth upholstery, red interior stitching, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a removable cargo floor panel.
We also had the optional navigation ($1,245) featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, HD radio, and Uconnect (includes extra safety features, a WiFi hotspot, and voice texting). A Cold Weather package ($545) included heated front seats, windshield wiper deicer, and a heated steering wheel. The Safety group ($645) included blind spot/cross path detection, a security alarm, and rear tonneau cover. It also came with remote start ($205).
Total MSRP including destination: $30,630.

Interior Highlights
The cabin of the Renegade is surprisingly roomy and comes with plenty of head, shoulder, and legroom. The shape of the Renegade helps give it an open feeling with good outward visibility for a compact vehicle. The front seats are comfortable and nicely bolstered. Renegade is wider than many small SUVs too.
The interior of the Trailhawk features some unique nods to Jeep’s past. This includes things like a Jeep grille on the speaker housing, a mud splash for the redline on the tach, and a Moab topography map on the storage tray ahead of the gearshift. The heated seats and steering wheel will be especially welcomed on cold winter mornings or when hitting the trails in the back country on a ski trip. There is some hard plastic inside but many surfaces are soft-touch vinyl.
The back seats leave a little to be desired when it comes to room for adults, but this is a compact vehicle and not a full-size SUV. Storage capacity measures 18.5 cubic feet and cargo room is sizable behind the rear seat, which folds flat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, two-speed transfer case, and off-road equipment. The 2.4-liter plant produces 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. The Renegade Trailhawk 4×4 comes in at 21/29 city/highway and 24 combined mpg according to EPA estimates.
Fuel economy rates middle of the pack for a compact SUV.
Driving Dynamics
In the city, Renegade drives like a small SUV and is particularly easy to maneuver in traffic or when navigating tight parking lots. Take it out on the highway and it offers a smooth ride with enough power for most driving situations. We tested the Trailhawk at high altitudes, going up steep mountain roads, and felt the small Jeep was underpowered when we needed it most. The 2.4-liter could use a bit more torque for pulling up steep inclines – it has to rev high to achieve its peak torque.
For city driving, most commuters will have sufficient power to get around urban streets and highways, however. The nine-speed transmission is better than a CVT, but wanted to hunt for the right gear as we pushed it hard up I-70 at altitude. The small SUV handled the two-lane mountain roads comfortably, coping with the curves as we went. There was some body lean due to the higher profile, however.
The Trailhawk is designed for rugged terrain, and it can go off-road easily with its 8.7-inches of ground clearance. Though mostly quiet on paved roads, the off-road tires do contribute to a noisier ride at higher speeds. Heavy snow hit the Denver area this week but with a flip of the switch to 4-wheel high, we plowed through 8-inches of snow without issue. We felt confident in the vehicle’s ability to get us anywhere we need to go.

Conclusion
Those wanting a capable urban commuter, with ample cargo room, flexibility, and off-road capability, will find the Renegade Trailhawk is good entry-level Jeep. It’s sufficiently refined as well as pleasantly capable for urban living. For the occasional weekend warrior, the Trailhawk offers plenty to keep you comfortable and warm in the back country.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
Jeep Renegade Trailhawk Gallery

Jeep Renegade Official Site.
Photos: FCA US LLC. (2018 models also shown).

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This Feature On The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Really Stands Out

This Feature On The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Really Stands Out Admittedly, we have yet to drive a vehicle – namely the 2018 NSX supercar or RLX Sport Hybrid – with Acura’s latest Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive system. Although we can imagine well enough what it’s capable of in something like the NSX and RLX, we do wonder how it might change up the ride and handling of an SUV like the MDX?
The 2018 MDX Sport Hybrid is equipped with the patented all-wheel drive, three-motor system from Acura.
Power & Performance
The MDX Sport Hybrid’s performance features are plentiful and exciting. For example, the 3.0-liter i-VTEC V6 engine creates 321 horsepower and 289 lb-ft. of torque, meaning it’s the most powerful SUV Acura has ever manufactured. Acura says despite turning out 30 additional horsepower and a 45 percent higher EPA city fuel economy rating when compared to the conventionally-powered MDX, the Sport Hybrid is only an extra $1,500.
In our minds, the hybrid variant is easily worth the extra money. That’s the way we would go.
Other performance features include a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, an Integrated Dynamics System with a SPORT+ mode, Active Dampers, and Electric Servo Brakes.
The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid comes in two new shades of red but this lighter gray/silver isn’t half bad either. Photo: Honda North America.
Color Schemes & Safety Tech
Acura’s designers must love red as two new colors, Basque Red Pearl II and San Marino Red, are now available. The Technology Package and Advance Package are on offer and include unique interior trim elements and stainless steel sport pedals. It’s worth noting the Technology Package can seat seven, while the Advance Package seats six with second-row captain’s chairs and a larger center console in place of a three-person bench seat.
Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Collision Mitigation Braking are among the available safety systems.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is available now with a starting MSRP of $52,100. If you drive one off the lot, let us know on Twitter how you like the Super Handling-All Wheel Drive system.
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: Honda North America.

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Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo Arrives

Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo Arrives

You know, despite the fact the styling refresh only succeeds in making the Panamera half as ugly, and that this thing has way too many modifiers in its name, you know the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is going to go like mad and, somehow, get you pretty impressive mileage too. What it is, at the heart of it, is Porsche’s stab at making a high performance sedan to compete against the Mercedes AMG E-Class, Audi S6, and BMW M5. Four doors, seating for four (five in a pinch), SUV-like space, and enough power and handling and power (in that order) to scorch lesser cars.
What’s Porsche going for here? Are they really hoping to carve out a piece of the Big German Sedan market for themselves, or just going after diehard Porsche owners who need something more than a 911 (I know, who could possibly need anything but?) but will only consider owning rolling stock from Zuffenhausen.
Power & Performance
The new 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo packs, as one would expect, not just stratospheric performance numbers, but enough technology to put a refrigerator in orbit. Around Saturn.
The vehicle combines a 550 horsepower, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and a 136 horsepower electric motor for a total output of 680 horsepower and 626 lb-ft. of torque. Which means, even though this thing is pretty porky, it’s also pretty fast. 60 mph comes up in 3.2 seconds, the quarter mile is done in 11.6, and it tops out at 192 mph. Like other Panameras, there’s an eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the standard, active all-wheel drive system via Porsche Traction Management.
The technology put into the electric motor and the drive system/energy store is as impressive as you would expect coming from a bunch of German engineers. The electric motor is powered via a liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery, which is pretty nifty. The battery pack’s energy capacity is 14.1 kWh, and the whole lot will take 12 hours to fully charge via a common 120 V, 10 amp connection. If you go with the optional 7.2 kW on-board charger instead of the standard 3.6 kW unit, charging time drops to less than 3 hours with a 240 V, 40 amp connection. And all of the battery’s charging needs can be controlled via something called Porsche Communication Management or via the Porsche Connect app.
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Features Galore
In addition to all the upgrades found on the latest non-hybrid Panameras, Porsche Advanced Cockpit, Porsche InnoDrive, adaptive cruise control, and rear-axle steering are found of the hybrid version. However, a new roof spoiler is unique to the hybrid. The adaptive spoiler flips through three different angles, depending on the driving situation and selected vehicle settings, to generate additional downforce on the rear axle.
Other performance features include Porsche Active Suspension Management, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport which incorporates Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and Power Steering Plus. The Sport Chrono Package is also included.
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Interior Highlights
Also, this top-of-the-line Panamera offers a slew of advantages over earlier models. The raised roof line of the Sport Turismo makes for easier entry and egress to the rear seats, along with better head room. The luggage compartment benefits from the wide opening tailgate and a lower loading height for better cargo accessibility. There’s 15 cubic feet of storage space total and the backrests of the rear seats can be folded down together or individually. If you fold the rear seats flat, you get a total luggage space of 45.7 cubic feet.
A rather nifty addition is the auxiliary air conditioning unit that cools or heats the passenger compartment prior to driving, which must seem like a miracle to Panamera owners in Minnesota in February or Panamera owners in Arizona in, well, any given month of the year.
This high-tech performance does not come cheap. Porsche’s stated MSRP for the 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo comes to $3.9 billion dollars and . . . oh wait, that’s NASA’s budget for the Cassini-Huygens mission. Sorry. The 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is available for order now and should show up at dealers by next spring for the low, low price of $188,400.
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.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo Gallery

Photos & Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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Jaguar I-PACE Takes On The Arctic (Video)

Jaguar I-PACE Takes On The Arctic (Video) When Tony Westerlund, a potential Jaguar customer from Sweden, asked some challenging questions about how the new I-PACE would perform in the Arctic, the automaker responded by inviting him to Arjeplog to drive the car. Westerlund joined Jaguar’s engineers as rigorous extreme weather testing was being conducted on the new I-PACE at the company’s cold weather test facility in Arjeplog, Sweden.
The area is known for its bitter cold conditions where temperatures can drop to 40 below.
Fast Charging
Jaguar says the new I-PACE with DC fast charging capability can go from zero to 80 percent in about 45 minutes with a 100kW charger. While plugged in, drivers can prep the car’s battery and cabin temperature ahead of time without compromising range. Jaguar says this “pre-conditioning” ensures maximum range, performance, and comfort whether temperatures are freezing cold or extremely hot. The pre-conditioning can be controlled via the on-board InControl system or through the Jaguar InControl Remote app.
I-PACE models await testing at Jaguar’s cold weather test facility in Arjeplog, Sweden. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
In Person
The Jaguar I-PACE will be revealed during a live global broadcast on March 1st, 1:00 pm ET/19:00 CET, with the public debut set for the Geneva Motor Show on March 6th. The new I-PACE goes on sale later this year. In the meantime, the video below shows Westerlund behind the wheel at Jaguar’s facility in Arjeplog.
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: Jaguar Land Rover.

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Cadillac Tests Super Cruise Feature On Cross-Country Drive

Cadillac Tests Super Cruise Feature On Cross-Country Drive

Nearly a century ago, Cadillac’s motto was “Standard Of The World” and they meant it. People around the globe believed it. Caddys were the kind of car Jay Gatsby or Al Capone or Nucky Thompson would tool around in and they would do so without any sense of compromise or modification or equivocation. For a very long while, Cadillacs were not the best American car you could get, they were simply the best car you could get. Period.
Multiple Ideas
Sadly, Cadillac hasn’t been able to say anything even close to that since gas rose above 25 cents a gallon. To American luxury car companies in general, and Cadillac specifically, a “good” car has two basic qualities: Comfort and presence. Everything else – stuff like efficiency, handling, performance – those aren’t even close to counting as much as feeling like your sitting on your couch while driving, and when you arrive at your destination, people notice that you have arrived.
So what now? Whither Cadillac? They’ve tried to keep up with all these annoying non-domestic trends like fuel efficiency and such. They’ve tried to keep up with the Germans and the Japanese. They’ve tried desperation Hail Mary passes like the Cimarron and the Catera. And failed. They’ve tried pragmatic all-American answers like the latest V-Series cars. And gotten it right (seriously, those things haul). But a sustaining through line, a common thread that leads to outright desirability year after year, seems to elude the “Standard Of The World.” Perhaps, just perhaps, now they’ve spotted a trend early and can jump on it and regain some of what was lost.
This trend is autonomous, or at least semi-autonomous driving. Now, and this is just my personal opinion, I don’t see why this is something to be desired. I’m one of those cerebrally-challenged gearheads that actually enjoys driving, so having the car do that for me doesn’t seem like much fun. Then again, if I were stuck in commuter traffic gridlock twice a day, I might reconsider my position.
Photo: Cadillac.
Hands Off Approach
Caddy’s dive into this semi-autonomous future is called Super Cruise. In a way, you could think of Super Cruise as another luxury feature that Cadillacs have always been drowning in. Super-comfy seats? Check. Auto-dimming rear view mirror? Check. Auto-high beams? Check. In a way, hands-free or semi-autonomous driving or whatever you want to call it could be seen as The Next luxury feature to have. Heading into the office to make your big presentation on The Bumstead Contract? Better go over it one more time; beep-boop, punch a few buttons and in the near future your Cadillac will keep on driving while you work.
And all this is just fine, theoretically, but, eventually systems like this will have to hit the roads in the real-world.
Cadillac has just taken that step for the first hands-free drive on the freeway using their Super Cruise technology, and, get this, they went from one side of the country to the other. This is no jaunt around the block, oh no. Twelve Super Cruise-equipped Cadillac CT6 vehicles departed from Cadillac House in New York City and drove to Los Angeles, California. The trip went through 16 states plus the District of Columbia, making stops in major cities across the country. It made for good PR and advertising plus as a proof of concept.
Photo: Cadillac.

Groundwork & Foundations
Super Cruise, which will be available this fall in the 2018 Cadillac CT6, is quite different from other driver assistance systems. Super Cruise utilizes a driver attention system and precision LiDAR map data to keep the car on path but the driver somewhat involved. Officially, Super Cruise is a “driver assistance feature” and not a fully autonomous system. But there’s no reason why, if this Super Cruise stuff works, that Caddy can’t expand on that foundation and move further along the path to fully autonomous driving at the flip of a switch.
So Caddy put a lot on this cross country jaunt of theirs and, impressively, they started at the deep end: The Super Cruise technology was demonstrated on New York City freeways. Given that driving on New York freeways, turnpikes, throughways, and other “roads” is like a cross between Frogger and Call Of Duty, I’ve got to hand it to Cadillac for not taking it easy on themselves. Just wait until some half-crazed, New York Rangers fan swerves across all five lanes directly in front of one of these Super Cruise equipped CT6s, jabbering out his window about the Stanley Cup Finals before diving off an exit ramp.
If Super Cruise can deal with that once every mile or so, then Cadillac will really have something.
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 & Source: Cadillac.

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Letter From The UK: Saying Goodbye To An Epoch

Letter From The UK: Saying Goodbye To An Epoch

No one was more surprised than me when, just four days before the next big auto event, I decided not to go. As it turned out, I had made the right decision for the wrong reason. Others reported back there were too many car journalists and not enough vehicles to go around. A fifteen minute drive is way too insufficient to properly evaluate a car.
I am discontent. I decided not to go because I have become rather disillusioned with the whole business of car reviews. You see, I think a lot of the cars pouring out of the world’s manufacturing facilities are, frankly, as dull as ditch water.
Just Beyond Reach
It would be unfair of me to say they are bad cars; they are not. Mostly they are of exceptional quality with many safety features that were the stuff of science fiction not so long ago. Often they are smart and presentable but, and here’s the thing, they are not designed for drivers. For the most part, the driver might as well be piloting a motorised muffin. Stodgy is the word that comes to mind.
Perhaps I’m generalizing unfairly. Obviously there are still plenty of great cars around that will get the blood flowing and even make some people call for some new pants: The Ford Focus RS and the Audi TT both reinforce that point. The Ford is reasonably priced too, but many of the cars that truly excite are out of the financial reach of most of the car buying public who truly love the smells and sounds and sights of the open road.
Audi TT. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
Back To The Past
I do not think I am a lone voice crying “foul” into the wilderness either. I notice a lot of enthusiasts looking to the past for their driving kicks. They are buying up old cars in the full knowledge that emissions will be greater, fuel consumption higher, and comfort and reliability less assured. They buy them because it is a fun thing to do and that is what is lacking in the car industry today.
It’s all so damn worthy. Automakers lining up to offer products that tick all the boxes when it comes to saving the planet, which is fine, but they are forgetting to add the essential ingredient that delivers the true pleasure of driving. Adding subtle creases to the side of a mainstream SUV makes very little individual difference to a sector of the car market that all looks the same.
Take the Ford Edsel (and not many people did). It’s pretty ugly, true, and naming a car after a dead family member seems a little mawkish but you can’t miss it can you? If you put it in a line of traffic, especially here in the UK, it would look like a potentate’s barge being surrounded by canoes. And that’s my problem: Where’s the distinction now? Where are the different cars?
Some cars makers still have a go. Citroen, for example, seem to be going out of their way to make their vehicles more distinctive. By and large you can still tell a Citroen apart but even then, they are a bit lacking in the driving dynamics department. Sticking in France, Peugeot too had a go with the hugely enjoyable RCZ sports car. Fun, good to look at, handled well for a front-wheel driver, and it came with a faster, meaner, sibling, the RCZ-R. Sadly, after a while, the French spoilsports withdrew the model; couldn’t sell enough of them it seems. Making something good isn’t enough for the accountants.
In 1935, Edsel Ford founded the Ford Design Department to create cars that were as aesthetically pleasing as they were functional. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Double-Talk
The really sad thing is that the folk who truly know what I mean about a good drive are getting older. The younger demographic have no idea what that is; they just want to get around. The British public are also culpable. There is a sort of bovine acceptance. They seem happy with the over-hyped connectivity of the modern dashboard, judging by the number of people who are illegally using their smartphones and other devices whilst on the move.
The number of people killed on Britain’s roads has reached a five-year high, triggering fresh concerns over the use of mobile telephones and other distractions at the wheel and cuts to traffic police. It is the motor industry that has done this and now they are frantically developing anti-distraction measures. It’s senseless.
Sadly we are witnessing the dying embers of a fuel-burning epoch. Cars will never be the same. Sure, from time to time something special will come along but by and large, the car market will increasingly offer little boxes; little boxes that all look just the same and I honestly can’t be bothered. So my principle gripe still stands. In the rush to develop the “world” or “global” car, automakers have forgotten that some of us still like that handling feel, a dab of power, and at least some modest driving thrills.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Cover Photo: FCA US LLC.

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World’s First Driverless Ride-Hailing Service is Almost Here

World’s First Driverless Ride-Hailing Service is Almost Here
FCA US LLC will supply thousands of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids to Waymo to support the launch of the world’s first driverless ride-hailing service. FCA previously delivered 100 self-driving Pacifica Hybrids to Waymo during the second half of 2016, plus an additional 500 last year. Waymo will open their autonomous ride-hailing service to the public later this year in Phoenix, Arizona.
Essential Partnerships
One of the goals for FCA and Waymo was to develop an autonomous vehicle for mass production. The partnership paired FCA and Waymo engineers together who devised ways to implement Waymo’s automated technology into the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Leaders from both companies say leveraging each other’s strengths, experiences, and resources is critical for the successful and safe implementation of autonomous driving.
“With the world’s first fleet of fully self-driving vehicles on the road, we’ve moved from research and development, to operations and deployment,” explained John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo. “The Pacifica Hybrid minivans offer a versatile interior and a comfortable ride experience, and these additional vehicles will help us scale.”
“In order to move quickly and efficiently in autonomy, it is essential to partner with like-minded technology leaders,” added Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Testing & Expansion
Last November, Waymo began testing a fleet of autonomous Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids on public roads, meaning the minivans became the first vehicle to attain Level 4 autonomy as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The additional Pacifica Hybrid minivans will support Waymo’s expansion of the driverless ride-hailing service to more cities across the United States. Waymo has already conducted testing in 25 cities, including Atlanta, San Francisco, Detroit, Phoenix, and Kirkland, Washington. Overall, FCA and Waymo logged more than 4 million miles of on-road testing and over a billion in simulation.
“Our partnership with Waymo continues to grow and strengthen; this represents the latest sign of our commitment to this technology,” Marchionne said.
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: FCA US LLC.

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2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 Scores Record Lap In Virginia (Video)

2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 Scores Record Lap In Virginia (Video) The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 arrives this spring and fans will likely be jazzed at the latest news concerning the bowtie’s pinnacle performance car. The 2019 ZR1 recently scored a record lap time on the 4.1-mile Grand Course West at Virginia International Raceway with a time of 2:37.25.
“The Corvette ZR1’s lap record at VIR, arguably America’s most challenging road course, is a testament to its supercar status,” said Mark Reuss, GM Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.
Icing On The Cake
The record lap at VIR was set last month during routine validation and performance testing. The stock ZR1 was configured per the standard track and aerodynamic settings recommended by the owner’s manual. The ZR1 was finalizing its 24 hours of at-limit track testing, with multiple GM Performance engineers logging laps, including vehicle dynamics engineer Jim Mero who set the record.
“The track had been empty since mid-December, so it was a bit slow when we started, but the conditions turned pretty quick at the end,” explained Alex MacDonald, Manager, Chevrolet Vehicle Performance. “On the heels of announcing our Z06 time of 2:39.77, the ZR1 lap time is the icing on the cake.”
Power & Performance
The ZR1’s LT5 6.2L supercharged V8 is the most powerful production Chevy engine yet, complete with 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft. of torque. The engine also features GM’s first application of a dual-fuel-injection system, which includes direct injection (primary) and port injection (secondary). The engine is paired to either a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter was equipped to the record-setting ZR1 at VIR.
The new ZR1 features a larger, 2.65-liter supercharger that generates more boost but spins slightly slower when compared to the LT4 engine of the prior generation. This reduces heat and parasitic loss while lowering air intake temperatures for better performance. There are 13 radiators total, four of which are new to facilitate cooling between the engine oil, transmission, and differential.
Photo: Richard Prince/Chevrolet.
Vital Equipment
The record-setting ZR1 was also equipped with five-point harnesses, a harness bar, track seats, and the ZTK Performance Package, which includes an adjustable carbon-fiber High Wing, a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires, and specific chassis and Magnetic Ride Control tuning. Helping control the ZR1 around VIR for the record lap was a unique, hybrid material Brembo braking system.
“On the racetrack, the ZR1 can compete with any supercar – at any price,” Reuss said.
“It’s not too often you set a lap record during validation testing,” MacDonald added.
When it arrives the spring, the 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 will start at $119,995, with the ZTK Performance Package going for $2,995.
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: Chevrolet.

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Toyota Issues Recall For Certain Prius And Lexus Vehicles

Toyota Issues Recall For Certain Prius And Lexus Vehicles Toyota Motor North America, Inc. has announced a safety recall in the United States of approximately 49,000 model year 2016 Prius and Lexus RX vehicles, and model year 2015 and 2016 Lexus NX vehicles. Toyota says the vehicles have air bag systems where an open circuit could be created over time. If this were to occur, the air bag warning light will illuminate and the side and curtain shield air bags and/or front air bags may not deploy.
This may increase the risk of injury to the occupants in the event of a crash.
Further Information
For all involved vehicles, dealers will inspect the serial number of the sensors and replace them with new ones, if necessary, at no cost. All known owners will receive a notification by first-class mail starting in late March. Toyota, Lexus, and Scion owners are encouraged to check and see if their vehicle is under this or any other outstanding recalls. Similar information is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here.
Toyota is encouraging those with additional questions to contact Toyota Customer Service at 1-800-331-4331, or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987.

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