Automotive

Easy Winter-Proof Part Upgrades for Leased Vehicles with eBay Motors

Easy Winter-Proof Part Upgrades for Leased Vehicles with eBay Motors Michigan summers are really something this time of year. It’s never too hot, the days are long, and it’s easy to get outside and participate in a variety of fun activities. Although recently, the air has been a bit crisp in the evening. In the great Wolverine State, that means fall is on the way and winter is not far behind.
Yes, winter can be a very pretty time of year. However, all that snow, slush, sand, and salt ultimately ends up in one place: the interior of our vehicles. One question we are often asked as car experts is how to prevent such things. How do we preserve a vehicle’s interior when it’s impossible to keep winter outside, where it belongs? The answer is simple and affordable, and this year, eBay Motors is helping us prepare for winter well ahead of time.
Our company vehicle is a 2016 Fiat 500X crossover, a small and efficient automobile perfect for navigating the Detroit metro area. We are completely satisfied with the vehicle, except the stock cloth floor mats. Last winter, when the snow we inevitably tracked into the vehicle melted, it soaked right through the mats. After a few days, a pungent order was noticeable.
It’s not just the Fiat cloth mats either. We are not fans of most stock cloth floor mats, regardless of the manufacturer. After last winter, we resolved to get something better. Thankfully, eBay Motors has a great selection of weatherproof accessories. We landed on a set of Gledring All-Weather Rubber Floor Mats.
“Thank you to eBay Motors for sponsoring this post and helping me find the perfect parts and accessories This post was written by me through an activation with HireInfluence on behalf of eBay Motors. Although I received compensation for participating in the campaign, all thoughts and opinions are my own.” ~ Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.
When it comes to upgrading a vehicle with valuable parts and accessories, it’s not necessary to go big. Oftentimes, when we think of aftermarket upgrades, we think about turbos and superchargers and suspension gizmos. The truth is, all-weather floor mats are one of the best, most affordable upgrades any car owner can buy. The Gledring all-weather mats for our 500X were $74.99, a good deal considering how much they will protect our interior. And, eBay Motors isn’t just a great place to find aftermarket parts and accessories. They also sell new. In fact, 81 percent of items sold on eBay are new, while 88 percent of items can be purchased with the buy-it-now feature, no bidding necessary.
A high-quality set of all-weather rubber mats is an essential aftermarket upgrade, regardless of where your home is. I have talked a lot about winter climates, but even in sunny states, a set of Gledring all-weather rubber mats will provide value.
Notice how much more robust the Gledring mats from eBay Motors are (right) versus the stock mats that came with our 2016 Fiat 500X. Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.
For outdoor enthusiasts or beach buffs, the Gledring mats will easily catch dirt, dust, and sand. Unlike cloth mats, the Gledring all-weather mats are much easier to shake out and clean. With cloth floor mats, sand and dirt can get trapped to the point where a vacuum is needed to fully remove all the debris. Despite their high power, vacuums at car washes are often unable to get every last pebble out of a cloth floor mat.
During the winter, the Gledring rubber mats will prevent melted snow from soaking through. Any salt or sand from the snow will remove easily as well, since the rubber surface is smooth. Although the Gledring mats from eBay Motors offer solid weather protection, they have another distinct benefit. We had no sooner put them in to find ourselves cleaning up a coffee splatter and a spilled protein shake (yeah, don’t ask). Those of us who are clumsy with a coffee cup or shaker bottle will greatly appreciate a set of Gledring all-weather mats.
Installation was a cakewalk. It took us only a few minutes, although there are two notes to consider. The Gledring all-weather mats are bundled together with plastic tabs. We saved the tabs just in case – not that we foresee ever removing the mats from our 500X, but the plastic tabs will keep them together and make for easy storage. When placing the Gledring mats inside, make sure they are good and snapped down; we don’t want anyone to end up with a mat obstructing the brake and gas pedals.

Our Fiat 500X is leased, which means there are not many upgrades we can do to it. A leased vehicle must be returned to the dealership at the end, and usually, there is very little room in a leasing contract to modify the vehicle. All-weather floor mats, however, are fair game. Another affordable interior upgrade we would consider is this rear cargo-area liner. For car-leasers that still like to tinker under the hood, we would recommend any number of Mobil 1 synthetic oils. eBay Motors has a good selection of oils and lubricants to ensure optimum engine performance. Parts and accessories like these provide additional protection without violating the terms of the lease.
Always make sure the all-weather mats are secured to the floor of the vehicle. Line them up with the tabs sticking out of the floor and give them a good, solid press. This will minimize the chances of them bunching up unintentionally near the gas and brake pedals. Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.
eBay’s large selection makes it easy to make any of these upgrades happen and find the exact one you’re looking for. Further, eBay Motors is fast easy and convenient. eBay’s recent summer roll out of Guaranteed Delivery ensures delivery to U.S. customers in three days or less on more than 20 million eligible items. Many of these items will ship for free, and some products will be delivered even faster – one or two days, guaranteed. eBay also offers trusted, protection programs like the Assurant Protection Program, to put you at ease when purchasing parts.
Our 2016 Fiat 500X is always on the road and the interior wear is noticeable. One of our staff members often wears heels when she drives our vehicle; high heels can wear through cloth mats in a hurry. We believe the Gledring all-weather mats from eBay Motors will hold up much better over time when exposed to the pointed heel of her shoes. Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.

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Letter From The UK: Mini Seasons Ago

Letter From The UK: Mini Seasons Ago

After the tragedy of the Second World War many things changed. It was as if a global decision had been made to change the attitude of living in the past and instead, embrace a brave new world. So it was that in Britain; the crooners and balladeers of the early 1950’s gave way to pioneer rock and roll stars, and the boss at the antiquated British Motor Corporation demanded Great Britain should have its own ‘miniature’ to rival the ‘bubble’ car from Germany.
The Mini Is Born
Thus it came to pass that a chap called Alec Issigonis stood up in the meeting (I’m surmising here) and said, “I say you chaps; what if we turn the engine around sideways?” In 1959, sales of the diminutive Austin/Morris Mini began. It was an instant success. Never before or since has a car so grabbed the attention of the public.
The last time I bothered to look it up, there were just over 8,000 original Minis still driving around the ruined roads of Britain. The beloved diminutive motor continues to cast its spell fifty and more years on (as do the ‘Swinging Sixties’ in which the car played such an iconic role) but the latest versions, great though they are in many ways, can’t match the simplicity and sheer joy of the original.
Open the hood of the latest model and you will be none the wiser. Open the hood of an original Mini and you’ll find a completely basic, BMC ‘A’ Series engine mounted transversely. Anyone can fix it and anyone did.
As with everything in life, we have to move forward but not necessarily when that which follows isn’t as good as that which has passed. This is why the ancient wrinkly rock bands of the sixties and seventies can still pull huge audiences despite being delivered to the venue in private ambulances.
Photo: BMW Group.
My Generation
Just when we thought the Mini had finally faded into history, along came a German brand called BMW who bought the name and resurrected the vehicle, but it is simply not the same. Mini has become something different to a new generation.
The original cars continue to be celebrated in annual events like the Riviera Run (that’s the UK’s Cornish Riviera by the way, like the French Riviera only without the glamour, international fame, cuisine, film festivals, and glorious weather) but sadly every year, like old soldiers on memorial days, there are fewer and fewer. One day none will turn up and another legend will truly fade into history like anything else long forgotten.
There is a certain Teutonic thoroughness to the BMW Mini at odds with the uncertain beginnings from way back in the 1950’s. Build quality is certainly way better but merely keeping a label and a center round dashboard binnacle doesn’t instill within the car that sense of fun, excitement, and adventure the original generated. Along with the miniskirt, certain natural products and unnatural chemicals and music that has never been transcended, it sums up a youth generation who chose to wear flowers in their hair.
Photo: BMW Group.

Good Old Days
The Mini of today might, in many ways, be a technological marvel but when all is said and done, it is just another generic product, built in multiple variants, to satisfy a section of the automobile market. It may sell well but it is not a proper Mini. For a start, the new car is, by comparison, huge. Back in the olden days of yore, if you wanted a ‘big’ Mini, you bought an Austin Maxi and the selection of that name sums up the total amount of thought that went into the car. Also with a transverse engine, the Maxi was so awful it rightfully earned the sobriquet ‘Land Crab.’
To most people, history is just old stuff that has already happened. They probably don’t give a thought to that little gem of motoring mastery, that rally winner, that little beginner’s love nest that was at the heart of a much safer and more vibrant society. For the most part, we should look forward to the future but there are some things that can never be improved upon. Groovy baby.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Photo: BMW Group.

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Ford Says 2018 F-150 Has Segment-Leading Attributes, Advanced Powertrains

Ford Says 2018 F-150 Has Segment-Leading Attributes, Advanced Powertrains

Lately, Ford has been dumping tons of cash and engineering resources into their truck engines and transmissions and such. All of that is good, in and of itself, but it also makes tons of sense since the Ford F-150 is the bread and butter vehicle for the Dearborn-based outfit.
Ford – and General Motors and Ram – make a lot of big trucks. There is a lot of need for them across America, what with the contractors and farmers and other blue-collar types. Not to mention homeowners, since you can only haul certain types of stuff within the confines of a minivan.
If you want to get really reductionist about it, you could say that big pickups are what American car companies do best.
Best One Yet?
Ford’s new for 2018 F-150 will carry on what the company has been doing, pickup truck-wise, since the end of World War II. The 2018 F-150 aims to be tougher, smarter, and more capable than ever, according to Ford. And, if you listen to Ford, it all comes down to, or at the very least, starts with the running gear. The 2018 trucks will have the most advanced powertrain lineup yet and deliver best-in-class towing, payload, and efficiency. Mileage, you ask? An EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 combined with the second-gen 2.7-liter EcoBoost. Towing and payload? Have no fear! The F-150 gets best-in-class towing by being able to drag around 13,200 lbs. with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost and haul 3,270 pounds of payload with the 5.0-liter V8.
Ford says the upcoming F-150 will have “bold new styling,” but they always say that, and trucks always look like trucks anyway, don’t they? Also, Ford is committed to its use of aluminum, or as they put it “high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy.” There will also be a slew of advanced safety technologies, a trick 10-speed automatic transmission and, of course, the F-150’s engine lineup. Speaking of, here’s the nitty-gritty on all the mills FoMoCo has on offer.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Power & Performance
First, there’s the second-gen 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 mated to that SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission. This drivetrain will get you the aforementioned best-in-class fuel economy with advanced dual port direct injection that delivers a 25 lb-ft. increase in torque. Next up is the normally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, also with advanced dual port and direct injection, giving you 10 more ponies and an additional 13 lb-ft. of torque. The mill also features spray-on bore liner technology, which it shares with the Shelby GT350 Mustang. The 5.0-liter V8 is paired with the 10-speed SelectShift automatic and also boasts the aforementioned best-in-class payload capacity of 3,270 pounds.
If you want to tow something – say an enclosed trailer with a couple of sweet Alfa Romeos down to the track – the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is the drivetrain for you. Its 13,200 lbs. of towing capacity is the equivalent of about eight Alfas, since those things have the density of bubble wrap. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 cranks out 470 lb-ft. of torque (in case you’re worried about power) which allows it to top all diesel and gasoline-powered competitors, including V8s with nearly twice its displacement. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 puts out 375 horsepower and, in concert with the torque rating, make it the best F-150 engine for hauling heavy trailers.
The all-new 3.3-liter V6 plant is more efficient too, putting out more torque when compared to the previously standard 3.5-liter V6. The now standard 3.3-liter nets you a 5 percent power-to-weight ratio improvement over the 2014 F-150, and also gets you better fuel economy and performance. Finally, there is an all-new 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel V6 that was designed, engineered, and tested in-house. Unsurprisingly, it’s paired with the 10-speed SelectShift automatic and will be the first diesel engine for the F-150.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Technology, Connectivity & Safety
Even if this is a truck, it is 2018, so there’s a gang of tech goodies along for the ride. There’s adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, for one. The system uses radar and camera tech to watch traffic and maintain a set distance between vehicles. Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection is offered to help you avoid, or at least alleviate collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians – because you weren’t paying attention, were you?
An embedded 4G LTE modem with a Wi-Fi hotspot connects up to 10 mobile devices at one time. There’s a new B&O PLAY audio system for when you’re listening to your songs. I will not comment on your selection of music, but if you call anything written after, oh, the 1980 as “Country and Western Music,” you and I are going to have a scrap on our hands.
The available Pro Trailer Backup Assist gizmo allows you to steer a trailer “instinctively” via a center console-mounted dial. A Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage technology is also available. BLIS, as Ford calls it, uses radar sensors in the taillamps to monitor areas that may not be visible around the truck and trailer, again to avoid the pain and humiliation of backing your boat, say, into piling or over your neighbor’s flower bed.
The 2018 Ford F-150 goes on sale this fall. Production is supported by the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan and the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

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The Joy of Daily Driving: A Sensory Experience Like None Other

The Joy of Daily Driving: A Sensory Experience Like None Other

Weekday driving on public roads is a chore. Some do it for a living, others only because they must. I do it for these reasons too, however, I also enjoy it a great deal. Sure, traffic sucks and I have many statistics (I won’t bore you with those) that support the fact I live in the worst traffic state in the country. That aside, I still find the task of driving pleasurable, and not strictly because I am often paid to do it.
Man Marries Machine
Nearly every time I am behind the wheel, I am struck with that “wow” moment: where I reflect in-depth about the engineering marvel I am in control of. Musings of exactly what is stirring beneath the hood infiltrate my thoughts. Imagery of the biological and mechanical connection between the driver and machine flash through my consciousness. Imagine a microscopic camera filming the synapses in my motor cortex. The imagery follows the neuronal pathway resembling a flow of electrons, from the brain to the foot, as the abstract impulse becomes the physical movement of pressing the accelerator.
The depiction transitions from the body to the pedal, then courses through the throttle cable where the reverie enters the throttle body, and surges toward the air induction only to be violently sucked back through a wide-open inlet gate, bounding around the intake manifold, before plunging into the combustion chamber by the onslaught of incoming air. Here time slows as thousands of volts of electricity are generated by the ignition coil; the charge is released at precisely the right moment, pulsing the current down the spark plug wires, emerging as a fiery blue arc, igniting the swirling mixture of atomized fuel and air, coalescing in the rapidly compressing space between the cylinder head and piston.
As the explosion forces the piston back down the cylinder, the visualization transfers through the rod and into the spinning crankshaft. The vision expands to encompass the entire orchestra of apparatuses functioning in concert with each other. The head, block, and castings all appear translucent as to highlight the rapid pulses of electricity darting into the combustion chambers, exemplifying the explosive nature of the internal combustion occurring in absolute harmonic balance.
But that’s just me.
Photo: Benjamin Caschera for Automoblog.net.
Concrete Concert
I’m not convinced the folks surrounding me on the freeway with their heads down, eyes affixed on some strangely glowing contrivance (occasionally glancing up to the road) are pondering the goings-on that propel us at speeds humanly impossible until just a few decades ago. This fairly recent achievement allows me to take pleasure in driving even the most mundane vehicles. The key to finding joy in the drudgery of slogging it out in stop-and-go traffic, is knowing when and where to cue this magnificent symphony. For example, the immense network of intertwined arterial superhighways are connected to a vascular network of surface streets. The connecting ramps between the two are a great place to crank the volume of this symphonic machine at your command (within reason of course), especially for less performance oriented autos, because these can be operated nearer their limits.
Not only are joining roadways often wonderfully sweeping, snaking banked passages of asphalt, but the limit of speed is frequently very low at entry. This allows one to satiate their carnal automotive appetite, accelerating from a school zone pace to freeway velocity, while navigating long sweeping banked curves. To rightly enter traffic at a prudent gait in an under-powered instrument of transportation, and maintain momentum, means routing the correct lines through an apex is critical. I find tremendous satisfaction in linking multiple lines through connecting chicanes; it is equally gratifying nailing a late apex on a decreasing radius bend, or a dual apex sweeper. After all, it would be hazardous to sluggishly coast around an on-ramp and attempt to merge into a maniacally flowing sea of steel at a snail’s pace.
Photo: Benjamin Caschera for Automoblog.net.

Symphony of Exhaust
Similar practices can bring fulfillment with the added power of a few hundred horses mated to an equally proportionate number of torques. The challenge becomes keeping the beast tame enough for municipal roadways, especially around the twisty bits, with the added exuberance of putting the hammer down at the end. Additionally, the dreaded metering lights become a “sensible” 0 to 60 test, thus proving a spirited powerplant is not only a practical employment of utility, but a safety feature as well.
It is not uncommon for these high horse and heavily torqued automobiles to reward the operator with a titillating auditory experience. When a vehicle accelerates energetically, the intake is opened and the engine begins gulping air, and the orchestral network of air induction tubing really begins to sing. A properly tuned motor can be thoroughly pleasing, inciting a guttural, almost primal sense of amusement. This visceral thrill can be pronounced by certain environments as well, namely, a tunnel. When within the confines of the closely surrounded byway, it is customary to slow to speed within the limitations permissible by law, perhaps coupled with an enthusiastic shift into a lower gear. The quaffing intake song reverberates off the walls, as the expelling exhaust gasses serenade all those within the tunnel. The rumbling explosions of the harmonized cylinders dancing down the avenue rounds out the mechanical ballad. As the sonnet reverberates, it echoes deep into the soul.

Powertrain Buffet
Having great amounts of power at your disposal really allows the physical reactions of varying drivetrains to become evident as well. For instance, a mighty rear-wheel drive vehicle will react to the application of throttle input by creating torsion; the greater the torque (rotational force) the more this torsion will twist the frame and create downforce on the front wheels, willing the chariot through a corner when properly applied. Too vigorous of a throttle input will break the rear tires free, resulting in oversteer, whipping the rear end around. Although sometimes downright fun, excessive oversteer should really be reserved for the track or the skid pad.
Front-wheel drive can react similarly when exiting a corner; the correct amount of torsion can feel as though it pulls the car toward the exit. Again, too much can have dire effects to the tune of understeer, sending an auto sliding in a straight line when you wish it to turn with the road. This is, admittedly, not as much fun as oversteer but it can be used to the advantage of the driver in the appropriate place, although not on public roadways.
Correspondingly, all-wheel drive can have characteristics of both, depending on how and when power is sent to the wheels. The type of all-wheel drive system can play a major role in how the vehicle reacts too. Some are mostly front driven, while others have a rear bias. A good arrangement will be dynamic and or selectable to achieve the results desired by the pilot. As with many things, variety is the spice of (automotive) life, and having the luxury of experiencing different drivetrains is a flavor I fervently seek out.

Imagination & Creation
Not only are cars wonderfully complex machines, they are an integral part of life easily taken for granted. Yes, commuting is generally a mundane experience, and sitting in traffic is never fun, but the modern automobile is not simply an appliance, it is an achievement; and when a keen eye is kept out for the appropriate opportunity, daily driving can be an oh so joyous occasion.
So the next time you are jammed in gridlock, just look at it like waiting in line for a thrill ride. You may be trapped in the realm of utter boredom for hours on end, but eventually you will be rewarded.
Benjamin Caschera is a car nut in every sense of the word. His eclectic writings range from rants on traffic and wrenching on $500 cars, to adulation of the finest classic and/or latest hyper cars. Follow and heckle him on Twitter and Instagram: @TheBoringCarGuy

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2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom Promises Capability, Safety, Value

2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom Promises Capability, Safety, Value

Those eye-balling a 2018 Chevy Tahoe will have another option to choose from. The new Tahoe Custom edition is an extension of the current LS trim package and, according to Chevrolet, provides “uncompromised capability and value.” The 2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom includes 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, all-season tires, remote start, a chrome-accented grille, and a host of available safety features.
Market Direction
“The Tahoe Custom is a response to strong customer demand for Tahoe, as well as the full-size SUV segment moving upmarket,” explained Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet Trucks Marketing Director. “In the past five years, the average transaction price for the segment has climbed, fueled by customer appetite for features like heated and cooled seats, adaptive cruise control, and a heads-up display. This created an unmet need in the marketplace for customers who want the cargo and towing capability of a full-size SUV to go camping, boating or off-roading but don’t necessarily want all of the option content offered on a Tahoe Premier.”
Cargo Capacity & Tech Capability
Those needing to haul additional cargo may appreciate the interior layout: Tahoe Custom’s third-row seat is gone for more room (54 cubic feet) behind the second row. Those wanting juice for the journey will find five USB ports and five power outlets — including a 110-volt three-prong outlet — to support multiple devices. Other highlights include an 8-inch color touchscreen radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot (includes three-month/3G data trial), and a rear-vision camera.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Safety & Security
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom has an available Enhanced Driver Alert Package with Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Driver Seat, IntelliBeam headlamps, Lane Keep Assist, and Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking. Standard are front and side-impact air bags, head curtain side-impact air bags for all rows, and GM’s trademark front-center air bag. The latter deploys from the inboard side of the driver’s seat, positioning itself between the driver and front passenger. GM created this airbag specifically to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupants are on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom is equipped with the evergreen 5.3L V8, producing 355 horsepower with an EPA highway rating of 23. Standard tow capacity is 6,600 lbs. with up to 8,600 lbs. when equipped with the Max Trailering package.
Pricing & Availability
Expect the 2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom to arrive in September with a starting MSRP of $44,995.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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The all-new sixth generation "F90" BMW M5 is here, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, 600 horsepower, and all-wheel drive

The all-new sixth generation "F90" BMW M5 is here, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, 600 horsepower, and all-wheel drive One of BMW’s most iconic cars enters a new generation with more oomph, making it the most powerful M5 yet.

What’s going on?
A new BMW M5 is here! And it’s faster and better than ever. As usual, it’s based off of the current generation BMW 5-Series, internally dubbed the G30. But unlike previous BMW M5s, this one is significantly different.
For the first time ever in the M5’s history, it comes standard with all-wheel drive, sadly rendering the rear-wheel-drive M5 a thing of the past. But it’s not like we didn’t see it coming, given that all-wheel drive proved to be popular by demand. Nonetheless, the new BMW M5 is completely new from the ground up.
What’s new with the next-gen BMW M5?
Because the new BMW M5 is, well, new, its pretty much that from the ground up. Besides the obvious, the biggest change to the M5 is its inclusion of all-wheel drive, a first for the company and the M5 itself. And it’s the only configuration available. To some, this seems like a blasphemous move since BMW always prided itself over the use of rear-wheel drive while its competitors shifted to all-wheel drive.
But all is not lost since according to BMW, it can completely disable its all-paw traction, enabling rear-wheel drive only, at the touch of a button. Another first for both BMW and the M5.
Despite the added complexity and equipment of the BMW M5, not to mention, growing slightly in size in every direction, the new BMW M5 manages to shave off a considerable amount of weight. Thanks to more extensive use of carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), the new M5 manages to save almost a couple hundred pounds. BMW knew they had a weight problem with the last M5, so they clearly readdressed it this time around.

What about performance?
A BMW M5 isn’t an M5 without performance. That said, the new model comes with plenty of it. The newest car utilizes the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, though it’s been retweaked to serve up 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of twist. That’s up to 40 horses and 53 torques more than the outgoing car.
This was accomplished thanks to improved internal lubrication, more effective cooling, a special compartmentalized oil pan, and increased turbo and fuel injection pressures. There’s also better breathing tools, particularly with the exhaust system that saves 11 pounds alone. It also features electronically controlled valves to alter the sounds it channels, according to the situation.
Another significant change to the M5 is the lack of a manual and it ditches the previous car’s M DCT dual-clutch automatic, in favor of a more traditional, torque converter-based eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.
Nonetheless, the result is a 0-60 time of just 3.2 seconds, while a 0-124 mph sprint takes only 11.1 seconds.
That’s a lot of performance, but there’s more!
While the new BMW M5 prides itself for featuring all-wheel drive, the beauty of that all-wheel drive system is its ability to operate in two-wheel-drive mode at the change of some settings. The idea is that all-wheel drive is there for the inclement of weather or improved grip for track or performance driving. Then, if the driver prefers to hoon around and hang the ass out just for fun, the M5 can be put in rear-wheel-drive mode.
The new BMW M5 will launch with a limited-run First Edition variant, with only 400 being made, and only 50 coming to the US. The First Edition M5 comes with a special Frozen Dark Red Metallic exterior. It’s complemented by BMW Individual glossy Shadow Line trim for the door and window frames, and the front grille. Also included are standard 20-inch seven-double-spoke lightweight alloy wheels painted in black. Special treatments occur inside with BMW M5 First Edition commemorative badging, Piano Finish Black Trim, Smoke White leather, and red contrast stitching.
Pricing isn’t yet available, but such information should surface nearer to the M5’s launch date in Spring of 2018. And because it’s an M5, expect that price to be high…like, really high.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: BMW USA News
2018 BMW M5 Quick Specifications

2018 BMW M5 Photo Gallery

2018 BMW M5 First Edition Photo Gallery

The post The all-new sixth generation “F90” BMW M5 slides into view, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, 600 horsepower, and all-wheel drive appeared first on egmCarTech.

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2018 Mazda3 Trims Levels Broken Down

2018 Mazda3 Trims Levels Broken Down

The 2018 Mazda3 gets a big refresh for 2018. The 3 is Mazda’s answer to the Accord, in that it is the right size, the right price, and has the right features for seemingly 90 percent of the buyers out there. For 2018, the Mazda3 aims to give you more of everything you’d want in a car of this type. The Hiroshima-based company’s Mazda3 is said to be a “combination of craftsmanship, quality, and uncommonly good driving dynamics.” I really wouldn’t argue with that, especially when it comes to “uncommonly good driving dynamics.”
Configurations & Options
Mazda seems to have a real knack for making fun, tossable little cars that perform much better than you expect them to. Add to the mix that for 2018, the Mazda3 will come as both a sedan and five-door hatchback slathered in tech and safety goodies, and it’s not too much of a stretch to see them selling by the boatload.
The 3 comes in a trio of trim levels: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring, and all of them get a bewildering level of option packages that have been a frustrating Mazda trademark for decades now. No, you can’t get cruise control without opting for the “Heated Glove Box & Rear Seat Foot-Warmer package.” There always seems to be two or three things in any given package you don’t really want.
Sport Tirm
The Sport trim level, the most basic, comes with cloth seating surfaces and a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine, putting out 155 horsepower. There’s a 7-inch infotainment screen with a Commander control knob. The Sport also gets Bluetooth phone and audio pairing, a one-touch driver’s power window, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, and push-button ignition. Not bad for the base trim level.
Mazda3 Sport sedan models have available 16-inch alloy wheels, Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, satin chrome interior trim, and power heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals. The Mazda3 five-door models have 16-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.

Touring Trim
The Mazda3 Touring, the middle of the range, comes standard with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine, cranking out 184 horsepower. The Touring comes with leatherette seating surfaces, heated front seats, Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, rain-sensing wipers, automatic on/off headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, a six-way power driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob.
Other niceties include a new dark silver alloy wheel color, standard illuminated vanity mirrors, and an overhead sunglasses holder. There’s a new Bose/Moonroof/Satellite package for the Touring that includes a nine-speaker premium audio system, SiriusXM radio with a four-month subscription, and a one-touch-open moonroof.
Grand Touring Trim
Up at the tippy-top of the Mazda3 lineup is the Grand Touring. Buy a Grand Touring Mazda3 and it comes standard with perforated black or parchment-colored leather seating surfaces and heated front seats. There’s a full-color Active Driving Display (heads-up) unit. LED fog lights, self-leveling bi-LED headlights, LED combination taillights, and LED daytime running lights are also standard.
If you add the Premium Equipment Package, you get a pivoting Adaptive Front-Lighting System, a heated steering wheel, paddle shifters (automatic models), an auto-dimming interior mirror with Homelink, and navigation. Additional safety systems include High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Performance Tech
The 2018 Mazda3 is available with either a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual or a SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic transmission, in either the sedan or five-door body style, and across all three trim levels. All Mazda3 models get something called G-Vectoring Control, which is, unsurprisingly, a Mazda-exclusive. G-Vectoring Control uses the engine to put a small amount of weight on the front tires to make steering inputs more surefooted, giving drivers more peace of mind while improving stability. Mazda doesn’t say much more, but the engineering is interesting nonetheless.
Is the Mazda3 better than the Honda Accord or others in the segment? Ultimately, that will be up to individual buyers to decide, but personally, I wouldn’t count the Mazda3 out. At the end of December, we took the 2017 model for a drive and really liked it. Expect the 2018 Mazda3 to be in dealers nationwide by the end of August.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Trim
Sedan
Five-Door
Sport 6MT
$18,095
$19,345
Sport 6AT
$19,145
$20,395
• Sport Preferred Equipment Package
$1,000

Touring 6MT[2]
$20,090
$20,840
Touring 6AT
$21,140
$21,890
• Touring BOSE®/Satellite/Moonroof Package
$1,500
$1,500
Grand Touring 6MT[3]
$23,145
$23,895
Grand Touring 6AT
$24,195
$24,945
• Grand Touring Premium Equipment Package
$1,600
$1,600
Premium Paint Colors:
Machine Gray Metallic
$300
Soul Red Metallic
$300
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
$200
Photos & Source: Mazda North American Operations.
*2017 models shown

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2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Goes NASCAR

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Goes NASCAR

Wearing #8, Louis Chevrolet’s old racing number, the new, 2018 Camaro ZL1 race car debuted in its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series guise. Sadly, at least in my opinion, these are not as stock as they should be. Long gone are the days when NASCAR stock car racing was truly stock. We will never see the likes of Chevy Chevelles and Dodge Coronets with the doors welded shut, running on the high banks, let alone watching “The Fabulous Hudson Hornet” dig into the sand at Daytona (that would be the literal beach, not the track).
Star-Studded Debut
Rolled out by NASCAR racer Jimmie Johnson (“Mr. Seven Time” as he’s known) and Mark Reuss, the Executive VP from GM Global Product Development, the NASCAR Camaro ZL1 had all the presence of a bazooka; i.e. not something you’d want to have pointed at you. The reveal happened at Chevrolet’s headquarters in Detroit, so yeah, this guy has full factory backing.
“The new Camaro ZL1 is a great looking race car with a lot of heritage behind it, which will make it a big hit with fans,” Johnson said, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. “And as someone who’s enjoyed the ZL1 on the street, I’m really looking forward to getting this new race car on the track.”
And boy, what I wouldn’t give to be sitting in the passenger seat when Johnson “enjoyed the ZL1 on the street.”
Photo: Chevrolet.
Racetracks & Main Street
The ZL1 had the full treatment applied to it by Chevy’s engineers during its gestation. The slide rule guys smeared on a range of engineering paraphernalia like computational fluid dynamics analysis and reduced-scale and full-scale wind tunnel testing. Ultimately, the ZL1’s design character was maintained and aerodynamic performance optimized.
The ZL1 designation actually comes from the 1960s factory-developed, all-aluminum racing engine that Chevy used to dominate road racing (think of Mark Donohue’s Trans Am Camaro). Somehow the thing got lose off the track and onto the streets, thanks to a few, uh, “imaginative” dealers that used Chevrolet’s special-order system to get the ZL1 engine installed in regular production ’69 Camaros. Those cars became terrors on the street and dragstrip, and now live on in a mythical Valhalla of cool stuff that factories once produced.
40 years later, Chevrolet reintroduced the ZL1 as the ultimate performance Camaro, offering blistering track performance from the showroom floor. That’s mainly becasue of the 650 horsepower, supercharged engine paired with an array of aerodynamic properties.
Photo: Chevrolet.

Honor Roll
The 2018 Camaro ZL1 race car looks to build on a winning legacy already established by the Camaro SS. The previous Chevrolet Camaro has 70 Cup Series wins so far, and had a hand in Chevrolet earning a record 39 NASCAR manufacturer titles. And yes, that included 13 consecutive titles from 2003 to 2015 and Jimmie Johnson’s Cup championship in 2016.
Also at the roll out of the Camaro ZL1 race car were representatives from Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Germain Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, and Leavine Family Racing. So, all you racers running Fords and Dodges, that’s what you’re up against. The 2018 Camaro ZL1 race car will make its competition debut this coming February at Daytona Speedweeks, kicking off the 2018 NASCAR season.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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Jeep: An American Classic Both Then And Now

Jeep: An American Classic Both Then And Now

If you’ve spent any time on the roads lately, you may have noticed a lot of proud Jeep owners. While Jeeps have always been popular and trusted vehicles, they have become very trendy in recent years, especially with younger drivers. If you’re like me, you may be curious as to how this happened. I decided to take a look at the history of Jeep to find out how this classic American brand became a sensation which inspired an almost cult-like following and lifestyle.
Heroic Beginnings
In June 1941, the United States Army was seeking proposals for a new, lightweight, four-wheel drive truck for use in combat. The American Bantam Car Company submitted the first approved prototype. However, the Army ran into one small problem: American Bantam was on the verge of bankruptcy and would likely be too small to handle this major request. With the threat of war looming, the Army handed the prototype design over to Willys-Overland Motors and the Ford Motor Company.
Willys and Ford were given free rein to update and modify the Bantam prototype, which resulted in several versions that were subjected to extensive field testing. The Army finally settled on the Willys Model MB design as the most functional. Willys and Ford were instructed to begin churning out these vehicles as quickly as possible.
It is also around this time the name Jeep is said to have originated and there are two theories about its creation. One is simple: the new models were referred to as Government Purpose vehicles, or GPs, and the sound “Jeep” is a slurring of these two letters. The other theory argues the word had been used by Army mechanics since 1914 to refer to any untested vehicle. Either way, the name Jeep caught on in the 1940s with the popularity of the GP model and eventually stuck.
Regardless of how they got their name, Jeeps went on to be used by every branch of the military during World War II, serving as field ambulances, supply trucks, and even amphibious vehicles. While they are no longer used by the military, similarly-designed combat vehicles such as Humvees and Ford M151s can be traced back to the Jeep.
Army test procedures of the day called for rugged driving and basically punishing the vehicle until something broke or until the driver was worn out. Here we see an MD/M38-A1 with all four wheels off the ground. From Jeep: The History of America’s Greatest Vehicle by Patrick R. Foster, published by Motorbooks, an imprint of Quarto Publishing.
The Birth of the Modern Jeep Brand
Following their wartime success, Willys began producing Civilian Jeeps (CJs) in 1945 and eventually won the rights to the Jeep name as a registered trademark in 1950. Willys-Overland Motors changed hands and was sold several times in the subsequent decades, eventually ending up with the Chrysler Corporation in 1987. Jeep has remained with Chrysler ever since and is now one of the multiple brands owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a group which was established in 2014.
Although they were born in America, Jeeps are now manufactured all over the world. Toldeo, Ohio, where Willys-Overland Motors was founded, remains the proud headquarters of Jeep. You can still find Wranglers and Cherokees being built there, not far from the site of the original plant.
Final assembly line at Jeep Parkway, Toledo, Ohio, 1964. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Today’s Jeep Culture
In recent years, Jeep has expanded and refined its fleet and now offers five models primarily catering to individuals and families with active lifestyles. 1987 marked the first appearance of one of the most well-known and enduring Jeep models: the Wrangler. The Wrangler remains Jeep’s most popular model, with eight variations on the market and countless opportunities for customization. There are some who believe the Jeep Wrangler is the closest descendant of the original military model created in the 1940s.
The opportunity to customize a Jeep and make it unique to the owner’s lifestyle and personality is why the Jeep culture has become so prominent in recent years. With Jeep blogs and forums, as well as annual meetups and jamborees, it’s easy for Jeep owners to be a part of this unique community. Whether they are interested in off-roading tips or the latest mod accessories, Jeep owners are connecting more than ever and spreading the love for this quintessential American brand.
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.
Jeep Through The Years Gallery

Gallery Photos: FCA US LLC.
Cover Photo: Jeep Willys MB, FCA US LLC.

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