Automotive

Aston Martin Heads To Geneva With “One Or Two Surprises”

Aston Martin Heads To Geneva With “One Or Two Surprises” Aston Martin is gearing up for the 88th Geneva International Motor Show with an all-new stand and location. The automaker notes it will be their “biggest-ever presence at the opening event of the European automotive show calendar.” Aston Martin’s spacious new home is stand #2229, located in Hall 2 of the Palexpo Exhibition Centre. At the heart of the display, and making its global debut, is the new Vantage turbocharged V8 sports coupe.
Performance-Oriented Exhibit
Naturally, the Vantage road car is joined by Aston Martin Racing’s new Vantage GTE race car, currently in its final stages of development. It makes its world debut at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May but will be in Geneva for the show.
Joining the road and race Vantage siblings is the V8-powered DB11 Coupe together with the recently launched DB11 Volante. It’s the first time both derivatives of the DB11 and the new Vantage have been shown collectively. Together they provide a vivid demonstration of Aston Martin’s “Second Century” product strategy.
“Geneva is a highlight of the industry calendar and a motor show with a rich history and great atmosphere,” commented Andy Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin. “It’s an indication of Aston Martin’s growth that we have adopted a new stand location for 2018: one that affords us the extra space we need to display our growing range.”
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Motorsports & Surprises
The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 show car will also be on display in Geneva. On March 6th, the first of the press days, the car will be accompanied by Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner and Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey.
“I’m certain motorsport fans will be thrilled to see the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 car and Aston Martin Racing’s all-new Vantage GTE World Endurance Championship challenger,” Palmer added.
It’s entirely possible Aston Martin may have something up their sleeve once the Geneva International Motor Show begins on March 6th.
“It’s always a proud moment to see the fruits of the company’s efforts on show in one place, but this year’s Geneva show promises to be extra special,” Palmer said. “Who knows, we may even have one or two surprises in store.”
Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

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New Mazda6 To Debut At Los Angeles Auto Show

New Mazda6 To Debut At Los Angeles Auto Show

The “new” Mazda6 will roll out for its first reveal at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s not entirely new, just re-engineered and refined, which all car companies say about mid-cycle refreshes. But in this case, the new Mazda6 is indeed a rather refined and sharpened car.
KODO Design
Mazda has been making a big deal of late about the Japanese craftsmanship they put into every one of their products. And for a lot of car companies, something like that would be little more than marketing codswallop. In Mazda’s case, it’s actually true. Mazda sweats this refined stuff – things like stitching on leather steering wheels and compound radii on dashboards – all the time. I once met the guy who was in charge of designing the exhaust system for the first genration Miata, and he told me he listened to tapes of various sports cars revving up and down on his commute to and from the Hiroshima factory for the better part of a year to figure out the Miata’s exhaust note. And that was in 1989, and Mazda shows no signs of slowing down in the least.
Fast forward to 2017 and Mazda says they will be rolling out the new(ish) Mazda6 sedan at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The Mazda6 is the flagship of their passenger car lineup and the development team had the goal to “enhance the daily lives of people who love cars.” Yeah, I know, automakers can get rather pretentious with this stuff, but that doesn’t mean Mazda is joking about it. The upcoming Mazda6 will incorporate premium details and new engineering concepts and technologies based on what Mazda calls its “human-centered design philosophy.” And, the more I look at this car, the more I believe them. It’s as clean and austere as a Danish couch form 1965, but there’s a curious humanity about it.
The Feels
Mazda says the whole idea behind the 6’s styling is covered by the term “Mature Elegance,” which, yeah, I know, sounds like a dating app for the over-50 crowd. Mazda is, of course, not joking about that either. The design team worked to advance the quality feel of both the interior and exterior. Mazda says this results in “a look of greater maturity and composure.” But I also think they were right in using the word “feel” because the gradual curves on the Mazda6, both inside and out, really invite you to slide a hand along all those arcs for a very long time.
And the materials Mazda uses now really back this up. A new high-grade interior features Sen Wood, a type of Japanese ash that is often used in traditional Japanese instruments and furniture, for an enhanced premium feel. Mazda says the overall design is more “distinctive, premium, beautiful, and dignified, as befits the flagship of Mazda’s passenger car lineup.” I’m not going to argue with that.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.

Power & Performance
The powertrain lineup for the upcoming Mazda6 implements a bunch of new technologies, such as cylinder deactivation for the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine for fuel efficiency on long hauls. The turbocharged gasoline engine with direct injection has been added to the lineup in North America. This plant first showed up in the bigger CX-9 crossover, and Mazda says it produces torque on par with a 4-liter V8.
We’ll be the judge of that, and we here at One Automoblog Towers would love to give the blown big block Mazda6 a brisk run around the neighborhood just to be sure.
And since this is 2017, the Mazda6 is festooned with enough high tech gee-gaws to keep a satellite in orbit. For a start there is a wider range of safety technologies on hand. These are said to help the driver identify potential risks and reduce the likelihood of crunching the car or the people inside it. Mazda Radar Cruise Control can now bring the car to a standing stop and take off again when the vehicle in front moves away, which sounds pretty impressive. Also notable is Mazda’s latest 360 Degree View Monitor. All this new stuff works in concert with the car’s previously introduced safety features.
Press Conference Reveal
Mazda will be showing some other interesting cars at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but so far, all they’ve provided is a list and no definite details. A press conference is planned for November 29th at 10:30 am PST. Below is everything that will be on their stand if you happen to be in SoCal and want to swing by and check it out for yourself.
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.
Mazda Exhibits at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show
Models Scheduled for Sale
New Mazda6 sedan (World premiere)
Updated Mazda CX-5 (North American premiere)
Currently Available Models
Mazda3, Mazda CX-3, Mazda CX-9, Mazda MX-5 RF
Reference Exhibits
Mazda VISION COUPE next-generation design vision model (North American premiere)
Mazda RT24-P prototype race car with Mazda Team Joest livery and driver lineup
Mazda MX-5 (Global MX-5 Cup spec)
Mazda MX-5 Halfie (A half production car/half racecar demonstration model)
Technology Exhibits
SKYACTIV-G 2.0 (gasoline engine)
SKYACTIV-G 2.5T (turbocharged gasoline engine)
Photos & Source: Mazda North American Operations.

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Aston Martin Vantage: Styling Wonder or Blunder?

Aston Martin Vantage: Styling Wonder or Blunder?

GAH! Whoa, wait! Hold up here a second! Look, I know a car company has to grow and progress and all that sort of thing, but Aston Martin, I think you might want to really give some thought to where you’re heading. And no, I’m not just talking about the color they’ve chosen for the new Vantage, that’s enough of an eyesore. No, I mean the overall design.
Vantage Point
Aston Martin’s main stock in trade for a very long time has been style. Not style at the expensive of performance, but style in concert with performance. If you just went by pure performance, why would you buy an Aston Martin over something like a Ferrari, for roughly the same amount of doe-rae-mi? You wouldn’t, really. Aston Martins are okay, numbers-wise, but not outstanding. What pushes a lot of people over the top is how an Aston Martin looks. They’re sort of the automotive equivalent of the really good looking guy in a Savile Row suit. He seems like marriage material ladies, then he opens his mouth and you realize he won’t be in the running for the Lucasian Chair at Oxford any time soon. And that’s okay. I understand wanting a certain level of style in your life. And, frankly, the numbers on the new Vantage ain’t that bad.
The front splitter on the new Aston Martin Vantage directs air underneath, where a system of fences channel it. The design of the rear diffuser creates an area of low pressure air that helps prevent rear wheel turbulence. Preventing such turbulence is important when it comes to having the air exit centrally from beneath the rear of the car. Photo: Drew Gibson, Aston Martin The Americas.
Power & Performance
The most important figures here are the max speed of 195 mph and the 0 to 60 sprint in 3.6 seconds. Okay numbers, but, you know, a Ferrari 488 GTB would jump all over it with both feet. This performance all flows from a new alloy 4-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine. The plant is set low and well back in the chassis, making for an optimal center of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution. Said mill puts out 503 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 505 lb-ft. of torque. The dry weight is a not all that inconsiderable 3,373 lbs.
All that power and torque heads to the rear wheels only (thank you) via a rear-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and transaxle. It employs a suite of integrated electronic systems, like Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Torque Vectoring for maximum grip and fun. This is also the first Aston Martin with an E-Diff Electronic Rear Differential.
Aston Martin says the new Vantage has a “formidable” power-to-weight ratio. Photo: Drew Gibson, Aston Martin The Americas.

Solid Architecture
The new Vantage chassis is similar to the bonded aluminum structure first seen on the DB11. 70 percent of the structure’s components are new for the Vantage, improving overall balance, strength, rigidity, and weight efficiency. There’s a solidly mounted rear subframe for an enhanced understanding of what the rear tires are doing (most likely locking up and shooting you forward like a golf ball from a tee). Speaking of tires, those are new Pirelli P Zeros developed specifically for the Vantage. There’s also Aston Martin’s latest Adaptive Damping System that incorporates Skyhook technology with Sport, Sport Plus, and Track modes at the flip of a switch.
Technology Central
And, since the new Vantage costs about as much as a one bedroom condo in Detroit, it features a high level of standard equipment. Keyless start/stop, a tire pressure monitoring system, Parking Distance Display, Park Assist, and front and rear parking sensors are all there. The entertainment system, controlled via a centrally mounted eight-inch LCD screen, includes the Aston Martin Audio System, Bluetooth streaming, iPod, iPhone, and USB playback, along with satellite navigation and Wi-Fi.
Drivers will find plenty of stowage space behind the seats or with the double-tier storage areas. Photo: Drew Gibson, Aston Martin The Americas.
Styling Blunder?
All this is well and true and good as a high performance sports car should be. It’s the styling that leaves me and the rest of the kids at One Automoblog Towers ruefully shaking our heads. Oh sure, Aston Martin crows about the Vantage, using words and phrases like “spectacular” and “bold and distinctive design language” and “sculptural forms” and “athletic, predatory stance” and “muscular flanks and broad haunches express the agility and . . .” stop, just stop. We get it. Just speaking for myself, it seems kind of ham-handed and lacking in subtlety. The headlights are way squinty, the front end seems half thought out, there’s a bunch of go-fast kicks and flips and aero bits and pieces that I’m sure help with performance, but look like something from a Fast and Furious movie.
And look, we get that styling is subjective and some people will actually be okay with what Aston Martin is doing here. And others will just be fan-boys that will genuflect at anything and everything that comes out of the shops at Gaydon. But really, Aston Martin should haul this back in before they turn into this decade’s Chris Bangle-sized punch line.
The new Vantage is currently on sale with a retail price starting at $149,995. Deliveries are scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2018.
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.
Aston Martin Vantage Gallery

Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gets Refreshed For 2019

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gets Refreshed For 2019 The updated Mercedes C-Class will make its public debut at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, but the Stuttgart automotive giant let some details on the baby Merc slip before the show starts. Did you know they sold 415,000 of these guys in 2017? That’s a lot, and that’s also a sales success Mercedes doesn’t want to mess with. So, for the new model, the high points are a more powerful and efficient engine that adds 14 horsepower, and a buffet of tech stuff called Intelligent Drive nicked from its E-Class big brother.
Styling Cues
The 2019 C-Class, which goes up against the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, will be getting a slight facelift. The front and rear bumpers have been tweaked and the diamond radiator grille is standard if you pick the AMG-Line options. Also part of that AMG package is a new diffuser. The headlamps and taillamps are LED affairs, and an optional Intelligent Light System comes with with “high performance” headlamps and “ultra wide” high beams. Mercedes even added two new colors: Mojave Silver Metallic and Emerald Green Metallic.
Interior Treatments
The interior got a full going over, of course. The center console has elegant flowing trim, available in Natural Grain Walnut Wood or Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood. New Magma Grey/Black upholstery is available, as is Saddle Brown and Silk Beige/Black for the AMG-Line Interior option.
The 2019 C-Class also has this trick, fully digital instrument display option. The display used to be found only on the current S-Class, but the driver can tune it to one of three different display styles: “classic,” “sport,” and “progressive.” The basic instrument cluster features a traditional two-tube design. In between those is a 5.5-inch color display – this would be the “classic” display choice.
If you go for the fully digital instrument display, the screen now measures in at a vast 12.3-inches of real estate. With this, you can stay with the above “classic” look or go with “sport” or “progressive.” You get readings for important data, like trip information and consumption figures. The central display is where all the multimedia stuff happens on a screen above the center console with three display styles available. That screen comes in one of two sizes: seven inches or 10.25 inches.
The 2019 C-Class has a new leather steering wheel that can respond to swiping motions like a smartphone. The driver can control the functions of the instrument cluster and the infotainment system without taking their hands off the steering wheel. Photo: MBUSA.
Safety & Security
Safety tech? C’mon man, it’s a Mercedes. These things have been built like bank vaults since Paul Hindenburg was around. The refreshed C-Class comes with Active Brake Assist as standard, for a start, so you don’t mow down pedestrians and cyclists, and it helps mitigate rear-end collisions with other vehicles ahead of you. The C-Class is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations too. How? Improved camera and radar systems that can see 1,640 feet ahead. The radar reaches out 820 feet in front of you, 130 feet to the sides, and 260 feet to the rear.
Power & Performance
Ah yes, you say, but what about the performance stuff? Oh that’s taken care of my friend. There’s a new 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo plant that cranks out 255 horsepower, up from the previous 241 ponies. The engine puts out 273 lb-ft. of torque, which is considerable, given its size. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that seems to be ubiquitous across the Mercedes range these days.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will go on sale in the United States late this year. In the meantime, it will be on display at the Geneva International Motor Show which begins on March 6th.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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Glickenhaus Unveils SCG 004S

Glickenhaus Unveils SCG 004S

Denny Hulme, the great world champion driver from New Zealand once said, “if it wins, it’s beautiful.” He was, of course, right. The Glickenhaus SCG 004S comes from a fine, recent lineage of race cars that beat the competition the way Paul Ferguson beats drums: Ferociously.
As a quick recap, when Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus took the SCG 003C, the competition predecessor to the SCG 004S, to the Nurburgring Nordschleife, driver Jeff Westphal covered the course in 6:33.20. I’ll let that time sink in while you try and match it on your xBox.
How’d that go? Right. So it doesn’t take much of an imagination to know what this car can do in real life.
Power & Performance
The specs are impressive to say the least. The chassis and body are made entirely of carbon fiber, of course, so the all up weight is around 2,600 lbs., or about a Miata with two big guys in it. All this carbon goodness is propelled down the road thanks to a 5-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine that cranks out around 650 horsepower and 531 ft-lb. of torque. Redline is a healthy 8,200 rpm and cogs are chosen via a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional paddle shift, two pedal setup. Speaking of setups, the Glickenhaus SCG 004S features a three seat arrangement with the driver in the center, like a McLaren F1 or Ferrari’s Guida Centrale. You can get the 004S in a choice of shades, along with natural and tinted carbon fiber options.
Photo: Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus.
Hometown Hero
You also get that swell of patriotic pride knowing the 004S is designed and manufactured right here in the United States of America. 004Ss will be sold by Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus as a turn key car with a real 17 digit VIN number, thanks to the NHTSA Low Volume Manufacturers Status SCG now enjoys. Another enjoyable thing about earning that status is how the 004S is both safety and emissions compliant. So you can register, plate, and drive this thing on the road, just like it was a Camry.
The really, really cool thing about getting that VIN number is that it allows SCG to scale and race in the GTE, GTLM, and GT3 classes at places like the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, Daytona, Sebring, and eventually, the pinnacle of endurance racing: Le Mans. Meaning the thumping that people like Aston Martin and Porsche have taken at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring at the hands of the Glickenhaus P4/5C and SCG 003C might expand to new locations. You have been warned.
Photo: Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus.

Ultimate Test Drive
How much? Er, well, not cheap. Not exorbitantly stupid, but still, with a base price $400,000, it ain’t chicken feed. SCG says they’ll have a running prototype going by mid-2018. The first 25 Founders Editions are scheduled for delivery in 2018 or 2019. There’s no mention of increased cost for going the Founders Edition route, but the company says the cars will go to “SCG supporters who will drive them and give SCG feedback, which will help to make them great cars.”
In other words, you’d kind of be a company test driver/beta tester. Cool!
They also mention Founders Editions are expected to sell out soon. Which means the slots in the reservation book and the checks are already piling up. After putting out 25 Founders Editions, a full production run of 250 cars is expected by 2019 or 2020. Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus is currently in discussions to partner with several multi-billion dollar automotive suppliers so they can reach those production numbers by that time. SCG is also building, from the ground up, a dealer network with sales and service beginning in 2019.
It is also worth pointing out, both to Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus and to any well-healed, would-be purchasers out there, that we here at Automoblog are more than willing to work with you regarding writing very high quality, bespoke histories and experiences of your car, or even performing thorough tests and evaluations of any given car (or cars) if you would like us to do so. We hasten to point out that we are all very good drivers here and would have no problem keeping you posted as to fuel bills to be paid and the like.
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: Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus.

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2018 Hyundai Accent: Product & Performance Overview

2018 Hyundai Accent: Product & Performance Overview

Hyundai says the new features on tap for the 2018 Accent will make the car more satisfying for customers. An efficient and affordable people mover in its own right, the new Accent is billed as a “class above” by Hyundai. SE buyers will see a handful of new standard features; those going after one of the upper trims will see an array of connectivity and styling enhancements.
Across the lineup, the Accent sees improved noise isolation and better driving dynamics when compared to prior generations.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Hyundai Accent is powered by a 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine, creating 130 horsepower and 119 lb-ft. of torque. The engine, complete with gasoline direct injection, is paired to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission; the latter shed four pounds during development. Upgrades, including low-friction piston rings, a variable fuel pressure module, and new engine software boost the Accent’s driving dynamics.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Ride & Handling
The 2018 Hyundai Accent is comprised of over 50 percent advanced high-strength steel, up about 13 percent from the prior generation. The marked improvement in torsional rigidity (32 percent) provides the driver with a solid on-road feel and reduced cabin noise. The advanced high-strength steel architecture is also beneficial for crash energy absorption and impact protection. Improvements were made to the front crumple zones and airbags. This, along with other reinforcements, ensure the Accent’s collision absorption performance is on point, particularly in small overlap crashes.
The rear roll center has been raised and the leverage ratio of the rear shock absorbers increased. Hyundai says this move, when paired with the standard Motor-Driven Power Steering system, bolsters handling and comfort.
Exterior & Interior Details
Hyundai’s cascading grille, the automaker’s trademark, is complimented by wraparound headlights and the available LED daytime running lights. A 0.28 coefficient drag is achieved through a new front spoiler, lower ride height, and a uniquely sculpted underbody.
The 2018 Accent also has more room inside when compared to a 2017. The new model is wider by 1.2 inches and longer by 0.6 inches; the wheelbase also increases by 0.4 inches, moving the wheels just enough to provide more interior room. Passenger volume grows to 90.2 cubic feet and cargo volume to 13.7 cubic feet, for 103.9 total cubic feet of interior volume. Both figures surpass the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris, two of Hyundai’s biggest competitors.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.

SE Trim
Standard features for the SE include a color touchscreen audio system, rearview camera, Bluetooth capability, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, a spare tire, and 15-inch wheels. Hyundai notes the additional standard content adds a modest $250.00 to the MSRP versus a 2017 model. Other features include auxiliary input jacks, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, sliding sunvisors, dual vanity mirrors, tinted glass, rear defroster, and front and rear door map pockets.
SEL Trim
The mid-level SEL grade has a seven-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual charging USB ports, center console storage box with sliding armrest, and a driver’s blind spot mirror. Other SEL highlights include 15-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, and heated bodycolor mirrors.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Limited Trim
The Limited trim adds a lot of styling flare with 17-inch wheels and a number of chrome elements, including the grille, beltline molding, and outside door handles. Up front, the Limited features projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, and fog lights. Niceties include a power sunroof, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, automatic temperature control, heated front seats, and push button start.
The Limited trim also includes a forward collision warning system. A forward-facing radar unit detects if the driver is closing too quickly on another vehicle. If there is no reaction, the brakes deploy automatically to either avoid or mitigate the collision.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Hyundai Accent is available now. Below is a complete pricing chart for each model.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Model
Transmission
Suggested Retail
Accent Sedan SE
6-speed Manual Transmission
$14,995
Accent Sedan SE
6-speed Automatic Transmission
$15,995
Accent Sedan SEL
6-speed Automatic
$17,295
Accent Sedan Limited
6-speed Automatic
$18,895
2018 Hyundai Accent Gallery

Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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Lexus Releases UX Photo Ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Lexus Releases UX Photo Ahead of Geneva Motor Show Ahead of its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show, Lexus has released the above photo of the UX compact crossover. The UX, which is an entirely new platform, will be the fifth member of the brand’s portfolio of luxury utility vehicles. Lexus says the UX is bold and stylish with “expressive” bodywork and “muscular” haunches. Lexus is also promising exceptional torsional rigidity and a low center of gravity to enhance the overall driving dynamics.
Lexus will also showcase the LF-1 Limitless Concept in Geneva, first revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan in January. The flagship concept, as Lexus describes it, will make its official European debut.
RX L Premiere

Lexus will also host the European premiere of the RX L, a new version of the RX crossover with three rows of seats to accommodate seven passengers. Lexus says the seating arrangements are flexible and the load-carrying ability is “excellent.” The RX L’s interior has increased due to the extension of the overall vehicle by 4.3 inches, although Lexus says they wanted to maintain a coupe-like profile.

In Person
Other Lexus highlights at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show include the Special Edition RC F coupe. The car, created to celebrate 10 years of F-branded vehicles, will be on display. The Lexus Press Conference with the new Head of Lexus Europe, Pascal Ruch, will take place on March 6th at 10am at the Lexus stand in hall 4. The event will be streamed live as well. The Geneva International Motor Show begins on March 6th and runs until the 18th.
Photo & Source: Lexus.

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2018 Hyundai Elantra GT: Sport Hatchback Manual Review

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT: Sport Hatchback Manual Review
With the Winter Olympics held in South Korea, we’ve seen how much progress they’ve made in the world of sports. They’ve also made huge leaps in the automotive field. The Hyundai Elantra is a serious competitor among compacts, with a sporty design, roomy cabin, and abundant features. Following a 2017 revamp of the Elantra lineup, the compact car gets a sporty new hatchback model. The new Elantra hatch offers greater cabin space, more premium-looking finishes, and the GT Sport’s suspension offers improved driving dynamics.
This weekend, we drove the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport Hatchback with a manual gearbox.
What’s New For 2018
Hyundai introduced the Elantra GT Sport Hatchback for the 2018 model year. A new SEL trim level takes the place of the previous SE with a Popular Equipment Package.
Standard Features
The 2018 Elantra GT Hatchback ($23,250) comes standard with LED headlights, an electronic parking brake, upgraded gauges, leather upholstery, an eight-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rearview camera. It also features 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and Bluetooth. Blind-spot detection is also standard. Elantra GT includes a sunroof and heated front seats, along with a multi-link rear suspension and bigger brakes. Total MSRP including destination: $24,260.

Interior Highlights
Stepping inside, Elantra GT feels bigger than a compact car should with interior dimensions approaching that of a mid-size vehicle. The fit and finish is better in the GT trim, and it gets heated leather seats for extra comfort. Little things like a push-button start and the larger, eight-inch display make a difference in giving it a more upscale feel.
The leather-trimmed front seats in the GT are comfortable, with better bolstering on the cushions. This Sport model features deeper bucket seats that kept us planted during more spirited driving this weekend. Most controls and the touchscreen angle toward the driver for easier use when on the road.
There’s plenty of legroom in the back of this compact hatch, but of course, seats aren’t as comfortable as up front. Passengers will ride a bit lower for extra headroom, but you might feel too closed in for those long-distance jaunts. Rear legroom is an inch tighter in a GT Hatchback versus the Elantra sedan. Cargo space in the Hatchback has grown to 24.9 cubic feet, expanding to 55.4 cubic feet with the 60/40 seatbacks folded flat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport Hatchback is powered by a peppy, 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder, producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a sweet 6-speed manual gearbox. Hatchbacks with the six-speed manual are EPA-rated at 22/29 city/highway and 25 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
You wouldn’t think 201 horsepower would get any driving enthusiast excited, but the Elantra GT offers up an experience that’s high on the fun-to-drive meter. When the turbo kicked in, even at altitude, we were able to power up the mountain roads west of Denver with little concern for wanting more “oomph.”
On the open road, the Elantra Hatchback felt composed, relatively quiet, solid, and refined for a compact car priced under $25,000. Only on seriously rough surfaces does the suspension reveal its limitations. But for the curves, the GT Sport gets a multi-link independent rear suspension, providing greater body-motion control for the tight mountain corners. With its light, yet precise steering, the GT Hatchback kept us firmly planted on the pavement.
Driving enthusiasts will want the six-speed manual. It fits well with the 1.6-liter turbo powerplant and is most enjoyable to drive. As an alternative to the manual shifter, the turbo can mate with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. With the automatic transmission, the Elantra GT Sport Hatchback would be a good commuter for urban dwellers.
Conclusion
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport Hatchback delivers a good value for a sporty compact. The cabin features more luxury than the lower trims, greater utility, and an enjoyable driving experience overall. Hyundai’s impressive warranty makes it even more competitive in this segment too.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport Gallery

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Official Site.
Photos: Hyundai Motor America.

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Automoblog Book Garage: 3 Gotta Have Books For The Gearhead

Automoblog Book Garage: 3 Gotta Have Books For The Gearhead

When it comes to our holiday shopping lists, there’s always that one person who is a bit hard to buy for. And admittedly, us car loving folks can be a challenge. If you ask an automotive enthusiast what they want for Christmas, they are likely to say their favorite $50,000 to $150,000 sports/performance car. And while that’s fine, it’s not necessarily the easiest gift for you to wrap and put under the tree, let alone purchase.
Conversation Starters
The gift of automotive literature is something the car enthusiast on your list will enjoy for years. Our Book Garage series is filled with books that make great conversation pieces when placed on a coffee table. And you know how much we car enthusiasts love to talk about our favorite rides. Below are three of our favorite books from our series this year. While it was hard to pick only three, we think any one of these will resonate with the car enthusiast in your life this holiday season.
Muscle Car Source Book
Easily one of our favorites, Muscle Car Source Book presents this incredible era in a manner representative of its name: as a source book. From Ford, Chevrolet, and Pontiac, to Buick, AMC, and Dodge, all of the performance data for each car is displayed on tables. The essential specs, from horsepower and torque, to curb weight and fuel tank capacity are laid out.
Author Mike Mueller dives deep, hitting the performance options available for each car featured, including the engine options, gauge packages, and wheel-and-tire configurations. If there’s a person in your life mad for muscle cars, this is definitely the book for them.
$35.79 via Amazon.
Photo: Mike Mueller.
Art of the Classic Sports Car
The scope and breadth of this book is really something and likely to be appreciated by all car lovers. The Art of the Classic Sports Car: Pace and Grace documents the true sports cars of the automotive world; cars that unlike their “normal” counterparts, ride, handle, and sprint in remarkable ways. The question remains, however, what was the first sports car? This sparks a good, healthy debate among enthusiasts but if it’s one thing we usually agree on, it’s how these cars truly stand out.
The book covers some of the most legendary sports cars from the likes of Jaguar, Chevrolet, Triumph, MG, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lotus, Alfa-Romeo, and BMW – their full specs are detailed and their stories told. One of the best is when author Stuart Codling documents the Ferrari 250 California; how Enzo Ferrari faced a desperate postwar Italian economy to develop a truly marvelous 240 horsepower machine unlike anything else at the time.
$6.92 via Amazon.
Photo: James Mann.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman
The holidays are a time of reflection and as such, new resolutions for the new year are often made. This book will help inspire the car enthusiast in your life with their resolutions. Consider the late Paul Newman. When he was 70, Newman entered the 24 Hours of Daytona and would end up racing until he was 82. In this book, we see the beginnings of his racing career at an age when most had already retired. The man who voiced the lovable Doc Hudson shows us that age is only a number, something we can all appreciate as the new year comes to fruition.
Matt Stone and Preston Lerner team for this remarkable book, which was later made into a documentary of the same name and directed by Adam Carolla.
$10.43 via Amazon.
From Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman.
Bonus Book: The Art of Mopar
Okay, so one more . . . save this one for that Mopar maniac on your shopping list – the one that proudly says “Mopar or no car.” This book is literally perfect for them. Detailed sidebars decorate the pages of Art of Mopar, highlighting the features, options, pricing, and performance specs of Chrysler’s muscle cars at the time. Interesting stories are told along the way, like how a carving on a kitchen table inspired the most famous Mopar logo ever. Like Muscle Car Source Book, this is one of our favorites.
An awesome line comes on page 44.
“There’s an adage in Detroit,” writes author Tom Glatch. “You can sell an old man a young man’s car but you can never sell a young man an old man’s car.”
$34.00 via Amazon.
Happy Holidays! And best of luck in your shopping adventures. If you need additional ideas, there are plenty of other gifts sure to be appreciated by the car enthusiast on your list.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Automoblog’s Book Garage is done in partnership with Motorbooks, 401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401. They are among the world’s leading transportation publishers with books penned and illustrated by today’s most respected motoring writers and photographers. Motorbooks celebrated 50 years in 2015.
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