Automotive

2019 Audi TT RS: This Little Guy (Really) Packs A Punch!

2019 Audi TT RS: This Little Guy (Really) Packs A Punch! The 2019 Audi TT RS features a powerful 2.5-liter TFSI engine.
Styling treatments include 20-inch wheels and red brake calipers.
The new TT RS joins the Audi Sport model line and is available now.
Audi is showing off the latest hot rod version of the TT sport coupe, the TT RS. The RS goes a long way to dispel any notions of the TT being all show and no go thanks to a *check notes* – holy smokes! How much power does this little guy have?! Jumpin’ August Horch on a pogo stick, are you kidding? The 2019 Audi TT RS really packs a punch!
The answer to that question is “no I am not kidding” (and certainly neither is Audi). More to the point: 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque thanks to a reworked 2.5-liter TFSI engine. That is, to use the technical term, a lot of power. Especially for a car this small.
Action & Traction
Yes, the TT, like all Audis, are heavier than you’d expect. They’re chunky guys loaded with lots of machinery, this one weighing in at 3,300 lbs. Still, nearly 400 ponies is worth respecting. This 2.5-liter TFSI plant is that good, old school five-banger derived from the Ur-Quattro, cracking away in the “so ugly it sounds beautiful” 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence. Add this all up and the latest, hottest TT can jet to 60 mph in a very respectable 3.6 seconds.
The five-cylinder mill is hooked up to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Audi says the launch control program allows a “heightened level of acceleration,” which just cracks me up. Heightened? Yeah, like Genghis Khan had a “heightened” appetite for land acquisition. Speaking of land acquisition, thanks to the standard quattro permanent all-wheel drive setup; and the ability to send nearly 100 percent of the available torque to the rear wheels; and a traction control system, this thing can grab the tarmac with all four paws and just m-o-v-e.
Rain? So what. Snow? Who cares. Mud and gravel? Not my problem. The 2019 Audi TT RS is all about optimal acceleration with minimal slip.
2019 Audi TT RS. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Styling & Design
The exterior of the new TT RS got a slight going over with a matte black Singleframe grille and the signature quattro script in matte titanium. Audi says there are additional radiators (plural!) behind the honeycomb grille for improved cooling. Lateral air inlets now extend to the front wheel wells and a continuous front spoiler gives the car a lower, Motorsport-inspired look. Full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights are on the front end with LED taillights hanging out back. Also out back is a fixed rear wing and large oval tailpipes, adding to the TT’s overall aggressive appearance.
If you want to go all fancy-smancy the TT RS offers available OLED (organic light-emitting diode) taillights.
19-inch, five-arm design Audi Sport wheels with a titanium matte finish and summer performance tires come standard. The newly-available Dynamic package offers 20-inch Audi Sport, seven-spoke forged wheels; also in a titanium matte finish. The package also includes summer tires, red brake calipers, and a Sport exhaust system with black tips.
Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Related: The Audi TT is still going strong after 20 years.
Interior Treatments
On the inside, the 2019 Audi TT RS features heated Nappa leather seats with honeycomb stitching and adjustable side bolsters. Contrast stitching and leather accents are present in the door armrests, center console, and dash. You can even add red or blue highlights around the air vents, seats, floor mats, and safety belts. The 2019 TT RS also shows off the standard Audi virtual cockpit, an entirely-digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics.
Other tech updates include wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system cranking out 680 watts.
2019 Audi TT RS interior layout. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
The refreshed 2019 TT RS joins the Audi Sport model line starting at $67,000. You get three new colors for 2019: Turbo Blue, Tango Red metallic, and Kyalami Green, bringing the total color count up to seven.
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 Audi TT RS Gallery

Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.

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Letter From The UK: Living With The Automobile

Letter From The UK: Living With The Automobile
I like where I live. It facilitates ease of access to both the countryside and the malls, where I have spent many happy hours in my car waiting for my dear lady wife. Looking out from the slightly higher viewpoint of my home, I can see suburbia spread out before me like a model village where nothing ever goes wrong. Out there, lining the streets and driveways and alleys of the neighborhood are the cars. Some old, some younger, a few new and all mainstream, products of an auto advertising world of such efficiency, such power, as to convince seemingly sentient human beings the “crossover” is something other than a tall hatchback.
There is the occasional surprise; rounding a corner I came across a $190,000 Honda NSX casually parked on the street, but mostly the motors are middle-of-the-road.
It is my contention that most people, gearheads excepted, don’t really care too much about the car they buy as long as it does the job. Judging by some of the choices made, folks buy or lease what they like the look of within their budget. They have little interest in emissions or top speeds or alloy wheel size. They really don’t give a hoot nor a holler neither about how quickly it gets to 60 mph, and it is doubtful if more than a handful could tell you their vehicle’s European NCAP safety rating. Yet they have allowed themselves to be swayed by the anti-diesel lobby that the fuel is the work of the very devil himself.

The Diesel Question
The old argument used to be that, if you drove more than ten thousand miles per annum, you would be financially better off buying a car with a diesel engine. Indeed, in the olden times of the late 20th century, we were actively persuaded right up to government level that diesel-powered cars where a good thing.
And then one day they weren’t.
Use of the fuel became a bad thing because of the emission of diesel particulates, which we were lead to believe was poisoning perambulating pedestrians. This was not a revelation: We knew about them but not necessarily about the true carcinogenic effects. Meanwhile, the petrochemical and auto industries have been working hard to satisfy European regulations. Diesel has never been cleaner and, since all such vehicles have to be fitted with ever more efficient particulate filters within their exhaust systems, the harmful emissions have been reduced. Notwithstanding this, the rot has set in and diesel sales have fallen off a cliff. Buyers spurn them.
Diesel sales continue to fall. There was a huge decline during November, down by 30.6 percent for the month; whilst petrol vehicle sales have risen by five percent. This was the seventh month of decline. Alternative-fueled cars continue to pick up pace, however. November saw a 33 percent rise in registrations. It is diesel that has suffered the most, like the ugliest dog in the pound.

The Catch
In the rush to demonise diesel, the naysayers seem to have forgotten that, for the most part, modern diesel cars emit less emissions overall than their petrol counterparts. The result is that, in Great Britain, CO² outpourings have risen for the first time in fourteen years! This, say car industry bosses, is because buyers have turned their backs on diesel.
The CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders in the UK is quoted as saying, “falling business and consumer confidence is being exacerbated by ongoing anti-diesel messages from government. Diesel remains the right choice for many drivers, not least because of its fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.”
They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It might be apposite to add that a little knowledge in the hands of government can often be disastrous for industry.
In 2018, the Chevy Cruze (both sedan and hatchback) will be available with a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine. With an EPA-estimated 52 highway mpg, the Cruze diesel has the highest highway fuel economy of any non-hybrid/non-EV in the United States. Photo: Chevrolet.
The Brexit Effect
It is fair to say the imminent exit of the UK from the European Union has had an economic effect. There is less consumer confidence owing to the uncertainty. Sales of luxury goods like cars are way down. This is of course, in an effort to deflect attention from incompetence, partly due to those in power fanning the bonfire of Brexit with a big hat, but it is also true that Joe Public is hanging onto his trusty car for a bit longer.
Yet still the new cars come, the newest and the latest, all offering very little more than the model before. They gleam and glimmer from the showrooms like metal harlots, promising much but ultimately never really satisfying. The trouble is, we’ve become so used to living with the automobile as part of the family lifestyle that I don’t imagine for a moment we will ever want to give them up, whatever motive power comes next. The car industry certainly hopes so.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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2018 Nissan Titan & Titan XD: Pricing & Performance Overview

2018 Nissan Titan & Titan XD: Pricing & Performance Overview Nissan has announced pricing and packaging details for the 2018 Titan and Titan XD. The biggest news for the trucks is the availability of the Midnight Edition Package, found on seven other Nissan vehicles. The automaker continues to promote what they call “America’s Best Truck Warranty,” which provides Titan owners with bumper-to-bumper coverage for 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Here is a look at what the 2018 Nissan Titan and Titan XD will offer.
Custom Appointments
The Midnight Edition designation dresses the Titan straight from the factory with a body color grille, body color front and rear bumpers, dark headlamps, dark charcoal interior trim, and a special “Midnight Edition” exterior badge. Blacked-out treatments include the fog lamp finishers, mirrors, door handles, step rails, and the truck’s 20-inch wheels. The Midnight Edition package is available on Titan and Titan XD Crew Cab SV and SL grades, in either a 4×2 or 4×4 configuration.
Configurations & Features
The 2018 Nissan Titan is available in nine Crew Cab, five King Cab, and four Single Cab drive and grade configurations. Available features to help with hauling and towing include an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control, Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control, and a Trailer Light Check system. The new Nissan Titan also has a number of available convenience and safety features, including navigation, voice recognition, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert among others.
Power & Performance
Every Titan is powered by the 5.6-liter Endurance V8 which produces 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft. of torque. Nissan says the engine utilizes advanced Variable Valve Event & Lift, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side for crisp response. The engine’s Direct Injection Gas technology, according to Nissan, provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy.
The 5.6-liter Endurance V8 is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped, the 2018 Nissan Titan can tow up to 9,740 lbs., with a maximum payload capacity of 1,950 lbs.
Photos: Nissan North America.
Titan XD
Nissan truck buyers needing a little more bite can opt for the Titan XD, the bigger brother of the Titan pack. The XD offers some larger truck capability with pricing closer to that of a half-ton. When properly equipped, the XD can pull 12,310 lbs. with a max payload capacity of 2,080 lbs. Now in its third year, the XD offers Crew, King, and Single Cab body styles, two bed lengths, 4×4 or 4×2 configurations, and five grade levels. In addition to the 5.6-liter Endurance V8, a Cummins 5.0-liter V8 Turbo Diesel is available.
The Cummins engine features the M2 two-stage turbo system, which reduces lag by carefully balancing between high-pressure and low-pressure turbos. The patented Rotary Turbine Control provides solid performance across the powerband and manages exhaust gas temperatures, according to Nissan. Weight was cut by utilizing compacted graphite iron for the cylinder block; other lightweight components consist of high-strength aluminum-alloy heads and composite valve covers.
Like its Titan sibling, the XD offers the same aforementioned features to assist with hauling and towing. The Titan XD’s RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides help with backing up to a trailer; an available Intelligent Around View Monitor will help with visibility around the truck.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Nissan Titan and Titan XD are arriving now at dealerships nationwide. Below are pricing charts for each of the available models.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Titan S Single Cab 4×2
$29,780 USD
Titan SV King Cab 4×4
$39,160 USD
Titan PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4
$45,670 USD
Titan SL Crew Cab 4×2
$47,030 USD
Titan Platinum Crew Cab 4×4
$56,050 USD
Titan XD Gas SV Single Cab 4×4
$38,720 USD
Titan XD Gas S King Cab 4×4
$36,790 USD
Titan XD Gas PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$45,640 USD
Titan XD Gas SL Crew Cab 4×2
$49,160 USD
Titan XD Gas Platinum Crew Cab 4×2
$54,530 USD
Titan XD Diesel SV Single Cab 4×2
$41,740 USD
Titan XD Diesel S King Cab 4×4
$43,840 USD
Titan XD Diesel PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4
$53,130 USD
Titan XD Diesel SL Crew Cab 4×4
$57,440 USD
Titan XD Diesel Platinum Crew Cab 4×4
$63,360 USD
Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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Memory Lane: Batting A Thousand

Memory Lane: Batting A Thousand

On Labor Day weekend, I attended the Hawkesbury (Ontario) Car Club show which is in its 19th year. Thanks to the tail end of Harvey, the rain drenched the proceedings. That being said, it was nothing like the good folks elsewhere in the United States experienced.
The last car show I attended was also soaked. So, I’m batting a thousand weather wise. But no matter, one hundred or so brave owners still showed their metal, as it were, and participated. Last year, the weather was nice and they had around 500 cars registered for the event.
Little Wonders
You meet the most interesting people at car shows. I met a gentleman who broke his neck not long ago and became a quadriplegic. Fortunately, his paralysis only lasted a few months. He regained enough mobility in his body and can now walk again. Who says there are no miracles? He brought his 1967 Mercury Cougar with the sequential turn signal lights. I told him he should have won a trophy. He replied that what he enjoys most about car shows is connecting with enthusiasts, such as myself, and didn’t care about winning trophies. He struck me as a very humble man.
1967 Mercury Cougar. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.
All Lit Up
1967 is the year Mercury gave birth to the Cougar. I owned a 1994 Cougar XR7 and it had 168,000 miles on the odometer when I sold it to purchase my 1997 Lincoln (shameless plug). I loved that Cougar and everything worked, including the air conditioning. Before the Cougar, I owned a 1989 Thunderbird LS, which I traded in for the XR7. Interestingly enough, the sequential lights first appeared on the Thunderbird in 1965. But for some reason the sequential lights became a big hit with the Cougar, not the T-Bird.
Goes to show that manufacturers can never tell what will please the public. Because it is now so expensive to build cars, perhaps that’s why they don’t take so many chances anymore, and all models in similar categories all look the same. In 1969, Chrysler installed sequential signal lights on their Imperials. Now you can see sequential signal lights on new Mustangs. They are just downright cool.
This 1977 Chevy Van took home a trophy at the Hawkesbury Car Club show. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.
Vans, Trophies & Broncos
Then, there was a guy who showed up with a Chevy van. Everybody likes a van. Kids love vans for reasons other than the adults, if you know what I mean. He confided that he took five weeks off and spent the summer attending car events. He won a bunch of trophies, including one at this show. I also met an elderly gentleman who drives a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K replica, which you can buy from a California company. It will set you back $80,000. You can get an used one in good condition for about $50,000. A real one would cost millions. His car looked stunning and he won a trophy, not surprisingly.
Another gentleman brought his 1964 Oldsmobile 98, which he has owned for the last 50 years. Then, there was a Ford Bronco owner. I know a guy who rebuilds Broncos. He removes the stock engine and replaces it with a 4.6L 32 valve motor like the one I have in my Mark VIII. Crazy! But in a good way.
This 1934 Mercedez-Benz 500K Replica was also a trophy winner. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.

Grand Theft Auto
I also had a long conversation with the owner of a Porsche 968. He believes at some point during its existence, the car had been stolen. He found out from his mechanic that the white paint was correct, but according to the serial number, the interior should be gray. It’s black. Not only that, some of the interior cabin is made up of 944 parts. He paid for the car fair and square and surmised the original owner must have been compensated by the insurance company. Somehow, the car found its way back into “legal” circulation and he purchased it.
A few days before the event, he was at the Porsche dealer for an oil change and while he was waiting, had a chance to sit in a 911 GT3 on display in the showroom. He was bowled over. I jokingly thought that most folks would have to rob a few banks to be able to afford a car like that.
This 1993 Porsche 968 was a trophy winner at the Hawkesbury Car Club show. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.
Reminiscing & Recognition
I finally met the owner of a 1958 Chevrolet 210. My maternal grandfather had one of those and as a young child, I went with him to the B/A Gas station for a fill up. The attendant wore a uniform. Besides filling the gas tank, he checked the oil and cleaned the windshield. British American gasoline with its green and red round sign was bought out by Supertest and its bright orange leaf logo. All those old gas stations disappeared long ago.
Since a picture is also worth a thousand words, I will share the gallery below. I would be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude to Carl Anthony, Managing Editor here at Automoblog. He is the one setting up the Memory Lane series, and does fantastic work. And a great big thank you to clubs, such as the Hawkesbury Car Club. Clubs like this around the world are responsible in large part, due their members, for keeping the interest in old (and new) cars alive.
Enjoy the photos!
Michael Bellamy is the author of our Memory Lane series. He enjoys driving his 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC and until an untimely collision claimed it, his 2001 Ford F-150 7700.
Hawkesbury Car Club Show Gallery

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2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Review

2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Review
Do you have people-moving requirements but don’t need a large, expensive full-size van? Enter the Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van. It slots perfectly between small and full-size vans, becoming the only passenger van of its kind on the market. It’s fairly sparse on features and it doesn’t come with the typical Mercedes-Benz price tag. It does come, however, with a direct-injected turbo engine which delivers good fuel mileage for its size.
What’s New For 2017
Mercedes-Benz now offers a new Worker model available for both Cargo and Passenger configurations. They come with the same standard features as the regular models, but the limited number of configurations allows for a lower base price.
Features & Options
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van ($32,900) comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, remote locking and unlocking, air-conditioning, adjustable steering wheel with mounted shift paddles, 2nd and 3rd row removable seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port.
Passenger models also get rear air-conditioning, heated rear window with washers and wipers, rear window tinting, and a nine-speaker audio system. All Metris vans have right and left side sliding rear doors. Further back, you’ll find 180-degree rear cargo doors. This Metris tester came with the optional power sliding doors on the right and left side ($760 each). Total MSRP, including destination: $35,415.

Interior Highlights
Inside the Mercedes-Benz Metris, it’s all about function and not so much about luxury. This van is for hauling customers around town in an efficient manner. When we first got in the van to drive it for Christmas weekend, we couldn’t find the outside mirror remote adjustment. Well, it didn’t have one.
There’s lots of room for the driver and passenger up front with plenty of head and elbow room for comfort. A long dash, tall windshield, and short hood give the driver a sense of spaciousness, plus excellent visibility for trips around the city. The driver’s seat is surprisingly comfortable for those frequent journeys that involve transporting people and their cargo. This van would be ideal for picking up and delivering passengers and their luggage as they arrive and depart from the airport.
This Metris tester came with the optional power sliding rear doors, which the driver can control from the cockpit. This makes it easy to load and unload, and step-in height is just 18.5 inches, allowing easy in-and-out. The seat height is just right so passengers can slide in and out easily. The vinyl flooring, which covers the front and passenger areas, makes it easy to clean up spills.
There’s two rows behind the driver and seating for seven total including the driver. The second row has two seats pushed to the left making it easy to enter the third row. The third row will seat adults comfortably, and there’s ample room behind for bags, suitcases, and other items. Second and third rows are removable so the van can be used to haul even more cargo when needed.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Powering the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris is a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. It’s paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, transferring power to the rear wheels. EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 20/23 city/highway and 22 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
The Mercedes-Benz Metris passenger hauler had more power than we expected, although we never had a van full of people to pull around. It could be called energetic compared to what you’ll find in other small passenger/cargo vans. The turbo 2.0-liter engine powered us up I-70 at altitude with minimal effort.
In terms of handling, we didn’t have high expectations for the Metris, however, the van is far from sloppy and even somewhat fun to drive around town, making those people-hauling commutes less of a chore. The 7-speed automatic transmission upshifts and downshifts quickly, especially through the steep grades we pushed the Metris on over the holiday weekend. Crosswinds were quite noticeable near the I-70 and Morrison portions of the highway, despite the load-adaptive stability control feature with Crosswind Assist.
The large, dark tinted side windows offer customers a comfortable place to view the outside world, without the outside world’s prying eyes seeing inside. Our only complaint with the Metris is how it isn’t offered with all-wheel drive. We experienced a snowfall in the mountains and the rear-drive passenger van struggled as we hit snowy and icy spots on our drive.
Conclusion
If you have a business that requires you to move people or cargo but don’t need a large, expensive full-size van, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris is worth a serious look. For around $35,000, you get a capable people mover that won’t cost a fortune at the pump and can navigate city streets easily.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris Gallery

Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Official Site.
Photos: MBUSA.

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Volvo Announces XC90 Production In South Carolina

Volvo Announces XC90 Production In South Carolina

The next generation XC90 will be built at Volvo Cars’ new manufacturing plant in Berkeley County, South Carolina beginning in 2021. The announcement brings Volvo’s total U.S. investment in manufacturing to just over 1.1 billion.
“The continued expansion of our plant in South Carolina is another significant commitment to the US market,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive, Volvo Cars. “The plant in Charleston will serve both the U.S. and international markets and forms a strong foundation for our future growth in the U.S. and globally.”
Job Creation
In the fall of 2018, S60 production will begin at Volvo’s new South Carolina facility. To support production, 2,000 new employees are being hired but with plans to build the XC90 in South Carolina, another 1,900 jobs are expected. Volvo says the full economic impact will be much greater once the plant is fully operational and the “job multiplier” effect is accounted for.
Global Strategy
Volvo’s manufacturing strategy is based on a “build where you sell” approach. Concerning the XC90, the U.S. is the largest market for the SUV, although a considerable number of units will be exported from the Port of Charleston. Total U.S. production capacity at the plant will rise to 150,000 vehicles annually Volvo predicts.
Prior to the XC90’s arrival, some felt Volvo’s presence in the U.S. was lackluster. When the XC90 arrived for Volvo retailers and dealer principals in 2015, it was often met with open arms and seen as something that could revive the brand for American buyers. Indeed it proved to be that, winning a number of awards and jumping U.S. sales from a low of 56,000 units in 2014 to almost 83,000 in 2016.
Photo: Volvo Cars.
Carolina Pride
In addition to the Charleston plant, Volvo is planning a neighboring office campus to house up to 300 staff from R&D, purchasing, quality, and the regional sales team. Volvo Cars announced in May 2015 – just as the XC90 was hitting the U.S. – that its first ever manufacturing plant here would be located just outside Charleston, South Carolina. Volvo cited direct access to international ports and infrastructure, a well-trained labor force, an attractive investment environment, and experience in the high tech manufacturing sector as the primary reasons to come to South Carolina.
“We’re excited to add a second car to our first American factory in South Carolina and we continue to be impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit in South Carolina,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Car USA. “Our business in the U.S. has been undergoing a transformation over the past two years and this is an important next step for our development here.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Volvo Cars.

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2018 Nissan Pathfinder Arrives With New Features, Special Editions

2018 Nissan Pathfinder Arrives With New Features, Special Editions

Last year, the Nissan Pathfinder underwent a major redesign, so for 2018, there’s some detail improvements here and there, along with new pricing across the board. On sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide, the 2018 Pathfinder has a starting price of $30,790. All the updates give you “more adventure capability, a freshened exterior look, and enhanced safety, technology, performance, and style,” according to Nissan. Whether it’s adventuresome or not, there are some new bits on the Pathfinder worth noting.
More Driver Aids
For 2018, the Pathfinder receives new features including standard Automatic Emergency Braking, an enhanced Midnight Edition appearance package, and Nissan’s new Rear Door Alert. 2018 also sees two new colors, Scarlet Ember and Midnight Pine, standard Intelligent Cruise Control, and NissanConnect with Navigation and Services on the Pathfinder SL. Previously those were considered high zoot packages only found on the Platinum grade Pathfinders. 2018 also brings 4 additional USB ports for a total of 6.
The Rear Door Alert system, which I covered recently, is there to help remind customers of anything that may be forgotten in the rear seat, such as “pets, valuables, dry cleaning, groceries, and more.” The “and more” if I have to spell this out, equates to Your Children! If the Rear Door Alert system detects that a rear door has been opened prior to driving, and the driver does not open a rear door again at the end of a drive, the Rear Door Alert reminds you that something might have been left in the back. I know, I know, but I bet some people need stuff like this.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Back In Black
That new Pathfinder Midnight Edition is now available on both Platinum grade and SL trim levels, although Nissan cautions that deliveries of the Midnight Edition SLs might take a little longer. The Pathfinder Midnight Edition highlights include 20-inch Midnight Edition aluminum-alloy wheels with a bunch of blacked-out stuff lathered all over. There are black mirror caps, black spoiler, black roof rails, black grille surround, black front and rear fascia accents, black license plate finisher, black badging, and black splash guards. The Pathfinder Midnight Edition also comes with illuminated kick plates, exterior approach lighting and, if you want to go whole-hog, Midnight Edition floor mats. Yes, floor mats! Color choices are three: Gun Metallic, Magnetic Black, and, curiously, Pearl White.
The 2018 Pathfinder seats seven, is offered in 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive, and comes in four grade levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Here’s a handy little chart showing you the pricing for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder:
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.
Pathfinder S 2WD
$30,790 USD
Pathfinder SV 2WD
$33,480 USD
Pathfinder SL 2WD
$37,500 USD
Pathfinder Platinum 2WD
$42,320 USD
Pathfinder S 4WD
$32,480 USD
Pathfinder SV 4WD
$35,170 USD
Pathfinder SL 4WD
$39,190 USD
Pathfinder Platinum 4WD
$44,010 USD
Photos & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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Polestar Confirms Launch Markets For Polestar 1

Polestar Confirms Launch Markets For Polestar 1 For those of you late to the party, Polestar is Volvo’s performance brand. Then in October, Polestar became a new and separately branded electric performance car company. The Swedish auto group is now setting up its own dealership structure with interesting delivery methods. In case you have been chomping at the bit to get one of Volvo’s electric/hybrid hot rods, salvation is at hand: Polestar just announced which markets will be getting their cars first.
Hot Cakes
With regard to the Polestar 1, the sub-brand’s first car, the reservations have been flying off the virtual shelves. The Swedish automaker says new “subscriptions” already outnumber early production slots. In other words, there are more orders then there are cars on the assembly line at the moment. That’s got to be a good thing for a new car company to hear. When they launched the brand, Polestar says more than one customer per minute was registering their interest in being one of the first “owners” of a Polestar 1. And that’s one of the interesting things surrounding the car. It’s not just innovative in its design and build and technology, but they are also breaking out a semi-new way of “selling” the things.
To receive a Polestar 1, you don’t buy it, you subscribe to it.
Photo: Polestar.
At Your Service
In theory, this subscription model takes care of all of your personal transportation needs (as far as Polestar is concerned). You order the car virtually, sort of like buying something from Amazon. There will be dealerships to help customers see the vehicle and do the touch and feel thing, while the sales staff help them through the ordering process. The Polestar 1 and all follow on models will be offered using this new subscription model. To get a Polestar 1, there’s no deposit required and the all-inclusive monthly payment aims to deliver “hassle-free usage” and seemingly covers everything: insurance, depreciation, pick up and delivery for the inclusive servicing program, and various, on-demand benefits as-and-when you require them, sir or madam.
In a way, the Polestar 1 is sort of like cable TV in automobile form. All you do is contact your cable, er, Polestar provider, select your package (i.e. car) and the thing shows up. Any issues, call the number, and they’ll get it fixed. Yes, I know this sounds like a good idea in theory. In theory. As anyone who has waited around all friggin’ day for the cable guy to show up only to not have the right box in his truck might see the weak points in this idea. Then again, Polestar is selling something much more expensive than a cable subscription, so you’d hope they would be a little more attentive to customer support and satisfaction than a cable company. I mean, no one can be lower than a cable company when it comes to that stuff, can they?
Photo: Polestar.
Limited Release
The bad news is that the Polestar 1 will not be available worldwide on initial launch. The primary inaugural markets will be the United States, China, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands. So if you’re a Polestar fan that lives in, oh, let’s say England, you’re out of luck on the first go round. Polestar says they went with these initial markets due to customer demand. More countries will be introduced across the world later on with a formal announcement made at a later date. Polestar Spaces, what they officially call dealerships, are expected to open by the middle of 2019.
The car itself, the Polestar 1, was covered by us recently, but just to fill you in, the first car with the Polestar logo on the hood is a 2+2 Grand Touring Coupé with a stonking 600 horsepower Electric Performance Hybrid powertrain. It has an all-electric range of 150 kilometers, or around 94 miles, which should be enough for around town driving.
Pricing & Availability
Polestar 1s will start rolling off the assembly line in mid-2019 at a new, purpose-built Polestar Production Center in Chengdu, China. Sadly, no word on price, but “expressions of interest” can be made through Polestar’s website. These will be converted when the formal order books for the Polestar 1 open early next year.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format.

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New Technology Addresses Intersection Safety

New Technology Addresses Intersection Safety
According to the United States Department of Transportation, 51 percent of all injury crashes and 28 percent of all fatal crashes occur at either an intersection or T-junction. The causes of these collisions are numerous. Sometimes, drivers are distracted or under the influence; others may have mistakenly misjudged the situation or were unable to see another car or pedestrian approaching. Overall, the National Safety Council found that over 40,000 motor vehicle deaths occurred in 2016, making it the deadliest year on U.S. roads since 2007.
Reducing The Numbers
Autonomous driving proponents believe vehicle perception technologies will help improve such grim statistics. In other words, if a vehicle could see its environment, communicate with other cars and the surrounding infrastructure, many – if not all – of today’s traffic accidents could be prevented, especially at intersections. One such technology is Continental’s Vehicle-to-X, a system that can detect road users within a 360° radius of an intersection. V2X communicates the position and movement of any objects within that field of vision to oncoming vehicles equipped with the technology. Continental says V2X is part of the company’s Intelligent Intersection concept, described as an “end-to-end solution.”
“Our solution is based on transferring and adapting vehicle-proven hardware and software solutions to an infrastructure application,” explained Jeremy McClain, Head of Systems & Technology, Chassis & Safety, Continental North America. “Cities will be able to deploy this technology to increase safety for their citizens and visitors alike.”
Continental’s V2X uses advanced sensor fusion algorithms and Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) units to generate an environmental model of the intersection. It can detect other cars, and is designed to prevent left-turning vehicles from getting struck head-on by traffic that may suddenly appear out of nowhere. V2X also detects pedestrians and cyclists, something other safety advocates say is an important element to consider. For example, Richard Schram, Technical Manager, Euro NCAP, highlighted the organization’s 2025 Road Map at AutoSens Brussels in September. He explained that Euro NCAP is working to minimize the higher fatality rates associated with two-wheeled vehicles in an accident.
Photo: Continental.
Eye In The Sky
However, pedestrians and cyclists only benefit from this technology if they can actually be detected by it, a critical point raised by Continental during the research and develop of V2X. By placing cameras, radar, and LiDAR at the corners of a intersection to communicate with vehicles, Continental hopes to reduce the number of accidents within an intersection. Continental says once those road users are detected, a list of relevant objects are delivered to a sensor fusion unit, which generates a comprehensive 360° environmental model.
Those relevant objects are then sent via Dedicated Short-Range Communications to every approaching vehicle. A special control unit inside the vehicle receives the messages, where an on-board system checks it for relevance, and triggers action accordingly if a critical situation is at hand. Should a collision appear imminent, a warning can be sent to the driver, or the vehicle’s brakes could be deployed automatically.
“With the Intelligent Intersection technology, we offer a new safety element with a perfect fit for future smart cities,” said Bastian Zydek, Project Manager, Intelligent Intersection. “Active monitoring of intersections provides the driver and/or intelligent vehicle system a very important time advantage to take action, even before a problem would have otherwise become visible.”
“In the longer term, the technology can also serve to improve inner-city traffic flow, thereby reducing travel time and vehicle emissions,” McClain added.
Photo: Continental.
Human Touch
Continetal will be discussing Intelligent Intersection and its corresponding technologies at the Consumer Electronics Show, Tuesday January 9th through Friday January 12th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Intelligent Intersection was first demonstrated on a test track in October at Continental’s development center in Brimley, Michigan. The next steps include a lager test and pilot implementation at an intersection in Columbus, Ohio.
Earlier this year, we met with Continental representatives during an industry event at Detroit’s Cobo Center. We learned about the company’s five different internal divisions, each with their own unique technologies and objectives. What we found was how each of those divisions come together to create the company’s single most important vision.
“The Intelligent Intersection is a showcase of collaborative safety and a further step towards reaching our Vision Zero – our vision of accident-free driving,” Zydek said.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Continental.

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