Automotive

Inside The 2019 Ram 1500

Inside The 2019 Ram 1500 It’s appropriate to liken the half-ton truck segment to a chess match. Imagine, for a moment, two people are playing in a nearby park. It’s likely both have played for a number of years and are proficient with how the pieces move, given the various stages of the game. Each player is tasked with plotting their own move while simultaneously trying to predict what the other may do.
That’s exactly how the half-ton truck segment in the United States works.
Making Moves
The 2019 Ram 1500 is one of the most technically sound and mechanically advanced vehicles we have seen in recent times. Ram was meticulous with every detail and it’s clear they didn’t rush their forthcoming 1500. On the board, however, remain Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and Nissan. These are formidable players and a closer examination of the new Ram 1500 reveals how the Auburn Hills, Michigan nameplate plans to make their move.
“It is really going to change the way the world sees a pickup truck from the perspective of power, efficiency, technology, and luxury,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Ram North America. “We talked a lot to our customers and asked them what they wanted in their next generation Ram, and that is the stuff they asked us to focus on.”
2019 Ram 1500 Limited. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Essential Foundations
The Ram’s high-strength steel frame (98 percent) was designed to accomplish a few things: drop weight, increase performance, provide comfort, and withstand impacts. On the first two points: it’s lighter by 100 lbs. yet rigid enough to accommodate a maximum payload of 2,300 lbs. and maximum towing capacity of 12,750 lbs. The rear cross members are double shear welded to the frame, both inside and outside, for improved durability and roll stiffness.
With regard to comfort, the 2019 Ram 1500 has new electronically controlled, side-frame-mounted active tuned-mass modules. Say that five times fast! The modules help reduce noise, vibration, and harshness and work in concert with the truck’s interior noise cancellation system. On 5.7-liter Hemi models, ambient sounds are down to 67.1 decibels, meaning it’s the quietest Ram 1500 yet.
On safety, the frame takes into consideration how trucks today are often family vehicles, and utilizes energy-absorbing tactics accordingly. Ram calls it “front splayed frame rail technology” but it’s designed to withstand front impacts, particularly frontal-offset impacts which are especially dangerous. To mitigate this, frame-mounted, high-strength steel tire blockers are located behind the front tires to force them outward during a collision.

Less Is More
In addition to high-strength steel, Ram utilized aluminum and composite materials to shed weight – nearly 225 lbs. overall when compared to the previous generation. Ram’s material strategy was “not just where possible but where practical.” This was applied generously to aluminum, and the material was used for the tailgate, engine mounts, front axle center section, steering gear, lower control arms, and the front suspension and transmission crossmembers. Composite materials were then used for the upper front control arms and air dam structure.
Hybrid Style
One of the most interesting technical elements is the eTorque mild hybrid system, never before seen on a 1500-series truck. The eTorque system replaces the alternator with a belt-driven motor generator that acts like a 48-volt battery pack for short-duration torque output and regenerative braking. With the engine running, the generator feeds the 48-volt current to a 430 watt-hour, lithium-ion, air-cooled Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC)-Graphite battery. The system adds up to 90 lb-ft. of torque to the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and up to 130 lb-ft. to the 5.7-liter Hemi.
“It increases the performance of the truck and makes it go faster, but at the same time, gets up to 10 percent better fuel economy,” Morrison said. “So, you can have your cake and eat it too.”
5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Engine Offerings
Ram enthusiasts will easily recognize the Pentastar and Hemi powerplants as they return for 2019, although a bit beefed-up. The 3.6-liter Pentastar with eTorque creates 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. of torque, and features revised variable valve timing and two-step variable valve lift systems. Naturally, the 5.7 Hemi returns with its broad power band and optimized variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation systems. The Hemi’s variable camshaft timing helps maximize fuel economy by reducing the engine’s pumping work via a delayed closing of the intake valve. This increases the expansion process of combustion.
Pretty gnarly stuff.
Even more gnarly is the Hemi’s new 850-watt, Pulse Width Modulation cooling fan, which tailors the fan’s energy draw to increase cooling. Eliminating the traditional fan blade improved fuel economy, reduced parasitic loss, and decreased noise. The 5.7-liter Hemi creates 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines feature Interactive Deceleration Fuel Shut Off (iDFSO), which pauses fuel flow to the cylinders under deceleration in third gear and higher.
“I haven’t met a truck buyer yet that said they wanted less power, so we added more power first, then fuel economy as well,” Morrison noted. “There is a lot of stuff you can put behind or in this Ram truck, so we wanted to make sure it was ready to go to work from the power and efficiency side of it.”
Every 2019 Ram 1500 is equipped with a fully electronic TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission with a wide spread of gear ratios to balance power and efficiency. Three final drive ratios are available on 2WD and 4WD models – 3.21, 3.55, and 3.92. Each combination is available with a traditional open or limited-slip differential, which automatically divides torque among the rear wheels to maximize traction. New for 2019 is an electronic locking differential.
2019 Ram 1500 Rebel. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Ride & Handling
The 2019 Ram 1500 features a new independent front suspension with the front stabilizer bar now relocated behind the tires to improve roll stiffness by 20 percent. A new front coil-over shock design is standard on all Ram 1500s regardless of configuration. The rear five-link coil suspension improves its articulation over a variety of obstacles while new “progressive coil springs,” as Ram refers to them, better handle heavy payloads and trailers.
“The main thing that comes up when you are talking to customers about the Ram 1500 is the overall ride quality that we have with our coil suspension,” Morrison explained. “We’ve got a very good reputation for the best riding truck in the marketplace and we wanted to add to that.”
Frequency Response Damping (FRD) with air suspension is one such addition Morrison is talking about. During cornering or heavy braking, the bypass value on the FRD system is closed for more aggressive damping, which increases stability and control. On rough roads or at highway speeds, the valve will open to soften the damping for more comfort. Complementing the FRD system is the load-leveling capability of the air suspension, which increases gas pressure until the truck reaches a normal, level ride height with its payload.
“My favorite thing about the truck is the ride and handling,” Morrison said. “I spend a lot of time driving my truck and the ride is unbelievable; it’s very stable and you can push it hard at any speed.”

2019 Ram 1500 chassis and drivetrain layout. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Thermal Management
Like the eTorque and FRD systems, the 2019 Ram 1500 introduces another advanced but rare technical element via the thermal management system. The technology is the first of its kind in the truck segment, and serves the new Ram 1500 by keeping the fluid temperatures in check. The system uses heated engine coolant to bring the engine oil and transmission fluid to operating temperature quickly. Similarly, a special heat exchanger and thermal axle quickly warm the rear axle gear oil.
The engine control unit manages a three-way valve in the cooling circuit. Once heated, the valve routes coolant to the rear axle, where it circulates through a cavity in the double-layer axle cover to warm the gear oil. The warmed gear oil is less viscous and brings the axle to peak operating efficiency faster. Also, the system helps prevent the rear axle from exceeding maximum temperatures during demanding conditions, like when hauling a trailer or payload.
2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Testing & Validation
Durability and performance validation was second to none, and consisted of thousands of hours of tests and checks. At home in Auburn Hills, the 2019 Ram was examined heavily in state-of-the-art scientific laboratories. The truck endured the Noise, Vibration, and Harshness Lab, the Wind Tunnel Lab, the Electromagnetic Compatibility Facility, and the Road Test Simulator, more commonly known by the acronym RTS.
“We run lots of tests – everything from the suspension to the aerodynamics to the overall mileage accumulation,” Morrison explained. “Specifically the rigor that we put them through on the shakers and the dynos will really push the engines to the limit.”
RTS recreates what the truck would experience with a driver in the 95th percentile, meaning someone who drives it in more severe conditions than 95 percent of all customers. RTS testing can put a lifetime of wear on the Ram in about one month. In addition to RTS testing, the 2019 Ram 1500 endured almost six million miles of real-world drive time.
“Here in Michigan, you couldn’t test a vehicle in a harsher winter environment,” Morrison added.
The 2019 Ram 1500 endures quality and durability testing on the company’s Road Test Simulator in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Interior Treatments
Inside, drivers are treated to a new Uconnect system with a fully configurable touchscreen. The screen can house one application, like navigation, across the whole 12-inch surface, or be divided with two items running simultaneously. The toggle switches below, which control the screen’s features, are part of Ram’s Human Machine Interface. The idea is to arrange the various controls, like the toggle switches, e-shifter, parking brake, or push-button start, in an intuitive way for the driver. This concept also explains why the center stack was raised and moved closer.
Depending on the model, the 2019 Ram 1500 has unique metal, leather, and wood treatments throughout the interior; the Laramie Longhorn even has real barn-wood accents layered across the cabin. There are 5 USB ports and two three-pronged 115-volt plugs for the first and second rows. The second-row can come heated and cooled, with eight different slide and recline configurations. Total legroom in the second row is 45.1 inches, a class-leading figure according to Ram. Total interior volume is 151 liters, another class-leading figure according to Ram.
“We wanted to take luxury to the next level,” Morrison said. “I know that’s bold, but you can’t compare this interior to anything; it’s just an incredible environment.”
2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn in Black/Cattle Tan. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Manufacturing & Availability
The 2019 Ram 1500 will be manufactured at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Expect to see the truck during the first quarter of this year, with pricing information to follow.
“We have a good product portfolio for the future and we want to grow the brand and attract new customers,” Morrison said. “That means understanding the level of detail our customers want so we have the best truck in the marketplace.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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Nissan NV200 Adds New Features For 2018

Nissan NV200 Adds New Features For 2018

Nissan has announced the U.S. pricing and new features for their NV200 Compact Cargo van. Upgrades for 2018 include a standard RearView Monitor, a 5-inch color audio display, USB connection interface, Bluetooth capability, and hands-free text messaging. Starting MSRP for the NV200 is $21,780 for the S trim, with the SV grade coming in at $22,780.
Nissan says the 2018 NV200 Compact Cargo van has a number of packages so owners can tailor the vehicle to their specific business needs.
Power & Performance
The NV200’s 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine creates 131 horsepower and returns an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in city, 26 on the highway, and 25 combined. The engine is paired with the next generation of Nissan’s Xtronic transmission. Nissan promises a small turning radius for easy parking and better overall maneuverability.
Versatility & Capacity
Nissan has designed a passenger seat that doubles as a work table when folded down. There are multiple mounting points to allow for the upfitting of various racks and bins.
Availability & Warranty
The 2018 Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo van is available now. The vehicle comes with a basic limited and powertrain warranty of 5 years or 100,000 miles.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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Automoblog Book Garage: Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

Automoblog Book Garage: Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

In one of his last roles, actor Paul Newman voiced the Doctor of Internal Combustion, aka Doc Hudson. The character was fitting for the thespian, who was a successful and respected racer and team owner in his time. When I was putting myself through school working at the local Fareway, I discovered Newman’s Own salsa and never looked back. In 2002, I must have watched Road to Perdition a dozen times; of all his roles, John Rooney is my favorite, although Frank Galvin and Luke Jackson make the list too.
Special Bonds
When he was 70, Newman entered the 24 Hours of Daytona and would end up racing until he was 82. In Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman we see the beginnings of his racing career at an age when most have long retired. The book details the Newman Haas era of drivers, the actor’s love of all things motorized, from trucks to hybrids, and the back and forth shenanigans he enjoyed with Robert Redford.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman shares a similar resemblance to a book we featured in this series on Steve McQueen. Both McQeen and Newman had a deep love for cars, and these Motorbooks’ titles do a wonderful job illustrating that.
Authors
Matt Stone is the former Executive Editor of Motor Trend and has been a working, professional automotive journalist and photographer since 1985. He is the author and photographer of multiple Motorbooks’ titles, including My First Car, 365 Cars You Must Drive, and McQueen’s Machines, featured in the above link.
Preston Lerner, a regular contributor to Automobile Magazine, has written about Motorsports for Sports Illustrated and The New York Times among others. In addition to this book on Newman, Lerner co-authored History’s Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed with Stone, also published by Motorbooks.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman is available through Amazon and Motorbooks. The book was later made into a documentary of the same name and directed by Adam Carolla.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman Gallery

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Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept: The New Supra Perhaps?

Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept: The New Supra Perhaps? Man, Toyota has been drawing this out seemingly forever now. A certain stripe of gearhead has been hovering all over this since it was a mere rumor months and months ago. At first it was all “deny-deny-deny” and then it was all “maybe-maybe-maybe,” and that turned into “possibly, but we won’t show you” and now, this final tease. So what is here? What is Toyota showing us, and what does it portend for the upcoming Supra?
World Performer
No, this is not the new Toyota Supra that you lot have been slavering over for months now. This is the racing version of the new Toyota Supra, so wipe your face, stop that jabbering, and read on. Because beneath the bulges, aero bits, and flicks and trickery, is the new Toyota Supra. Somewhere, down underneath all of that.
This Supra – the GR Supra Racing Concept – is a compact, two door coupe-shaped thing with a front-engine/rear-wheel drive layout (of course!) (thankfully), which makes extensive use of lightweight materials. The GR Supra Racing Concept was ginned up by Toyota Gazoo Racing, the outfit that came to prominence in Europe in 2007. Gazoo went on to become the international umbrella organization for Toyota’s global sporting program and has competed in such diverse genres as the FIA World Rally Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
I have never heard any real explanation as to why they named themselves after an hallucinatory character from The Flintstones, however.
Toyota says the GR Supra Racing Concept represents its commitment to bring back the iconic sportscar. The Supra badge first appeared in 1978, and fans today likely recognize the car from films like The Fast and the Furious and video games like Gran Turismo. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Mystery Material
Obviously, the GR Supra Racing Concept is wrapped in overly-dramatic, meat-axe-styled bodywork. Note the comically large rear wing, for example. That’s there for the track, and although I would be very surprised if the upcoming Supra did not have some sort of aero appendage out back, I doubt it will be that eccentric. Seemingly, the entirety of the body panels are made from some sort of unnamed “strong but lightweight composite material.” Seriously, that’s all Toyota refers to it as: “strong but lightweight composite material.” Could be carbon fiber. Could be good old fiberglass. Who knows?
Larger Than Life
What we do know is that it’s used in the front and rear bumpers, and note how they are obviously wider than what you’d find on a street car; better to hide the huge tires/wheels from the air stream. The front splitter is also more extreme than on a road car, as are the rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings, and the rear wing. All of those: diffuser, skirts, and the rear wing are obviously for race tracks only.
Yes, yes. It looks cool and radical and all that, but huge front splitters and low hanging sill extensions wouldn’t survive one trip down to the mall parking garage, now would they? The hood is also made from the same stuff and features extensively louvered air inlets. The windshield and side windows are made of plastic and we all know that ain’t road legal.
Known as the A40, the original Supra was followed by three further generations: the A60 in 1981, A70 in 1986, and A80 in 1993. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Under The Surface
What you don’t see, the stuff under the skin, is where it gets really interesting, and where some clues to the road car can be augured. The front and rear suspension has been lowered, but both ends use “original equipment components.” Smart! So Toyota is using the race model as a test laboratory for what we’ll see on the streets. Nice! You’ll also find BBS racing wheels shod with Michelin racing tires with your standard center locking nut. The brake system includes Brembo calipers and discs, and there is a racing-spec exhaust.
Cockpit Treatments
Naturally the cabin is as far removed from a street car as a jail cell is from a beachfront hotel room. See, there’s even bars like in a jail thanks to the required full competition roll cage. The built-in fire extinguisher is also along for the ride. The fuel and brake lines, pedal box, battery and wiring looms are all full competition standard. The doors are lined with carbon fiber panels (at least they named that material), the dashboard includes a “racing display,” and the OMP driver’s seat and harness will cosset you in relative safety.
The Italian safety equipment manufacturer also supplied the quick-release steering wheel equipped with a paddle shift system. Will the street version of the new Supra have those same paddle shifters, or will it get a traditional stick? That we don’t know yet.

Future Visions
What we do know, or at least can guess at, is that underneath all the aero junk and steroidal bulges is the overall shape and design of the (soon to be here) new Toyota Supra. If you can visualize losing all that stuff, or perhaps are good with Photoshop, you can get a pretty good idea of what the long-awaited Supra will look like.
And if you can squint a little bit harder, you can even visualize what the new Supra will look like sitting in your driveway. Stop drooling!
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.
Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Letter From The UK: Do We Even Need Our Cars?

Letter From The UK: Do We Even Need Our Cars?
Great Britain is a small country. In area it is smaller than some of the individual United States. Unlike the vast America continent, it is pretty straightforward to get around and, in the past, we have gloried in a transport system that could get you anywhere you wanted to go.
Public Transport In The UK
What did the ancient Romans do for us? Well, for a start, they developed a network of cobbled roads that criss-crossed the country. Even today we use those same roads except that now they exist as usually two-lane blacktops. Over the centuries we built on that.
Unlike America, where the establishment of the first transcontinental railway was a brave and complex engineering marvel, the UK, upon the invention of the railway engine, quickly established a rail network that went everywhere. No town was too small not to have a branch line and a bus service. As the Victorians of the 19th century built and established roads, and subsequently developed the vehicles to use them, we luxuriated in a State-owned public transport system that was second to none.
And in typical British fashion we proceeded to ruin it.
Us Versus Them
The 20th century brought with it a mighty rise in power of the various Trade Unions, and workers demanded more and more rights and money. Standing against them was a management class steeped in Victorian values: The result was a stalemate and decades of industrial strike action from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. We, the travellers, got used to it and carried on.
Because of this, the public transport infrastructure went rapidly downhill thanks to a combination of inept bosses, antiquated buses and rolling stock, dirty stations and terminals, and staff who could not give a damn. Like a man who is given a gun but has no idea how to use it, we shot ourselves in the foot. Repeatedly.
Then along came The Iron Lady: Margaret Thatcher.
According to the American Public Transportation Association, more than 6,800 organizations provide public transportation in the United States. In 2016, Americans took 10.4 billion trips on average. Research shows public transportation saves the U.S. 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
Privatisation
Our Prime Minister in the 1980’s decided what was needed was for the transport services to be sold off to the highest bidders. It would, she declared, encourage competition and thus cheaper prices. That didn’t work either. As soon as private money got their greedy mitts on the system, unprofitable rail lines and bus services were axed and the prices went up. Now we have a transport system targetted at working commuters, albeit with the latest vehicles, that many people simply cannot afford to use or cannot access because they live in the country or outlying areas.
What we needed was . . .
The Motor Car
We have a thriving car industry that spans the globe. No matter that Britain’s antiquated road system is riddled with potholes and in desperate need of investment, we still prefer to travel by car. The convenience of the automobile is unquestioned. Door-to-door; it doesn’t get any better than that. Cars are safer and more economical than ever. That’s a fact; but there’s a downside.
They are subject to taxation when we buy them, when we put them on the road, when we fill them with fuel, and when we insure them. The motorist is the UK government’s cash cow. Running a car today is a very expensive business here in broken Britain and by-and-large it has to be questioned whether we need the things at all. This writer loves to drive but it would be nice to be transported once in a while, especially when I see trains flash by as I sit in yet another traffic jam.
Certainly, people, the young especially, living in urban areas, are foreswearing the auto in favour of public transport. In and around our towns and cities, public transport is plentiful and, although quite pricey, is still cheaper than car ownership, backed up by services from Uber and the like. I can see their point.
Uber passengers share a ride in India. Photo: Uber
Crossing The Country
The trouble is, I like to travel around and see new places. I once did an experiment. I calculated the cost and logistics of travelling between two places three hundred miles apart. Even pre-booking tickets for my wife and myself well in advance, the trip would have cost me three times the fuel and ancillary expenses had we travelled in our car. The car goes from door-to-door, public transport would have involved three train changes and a bus trip in both directions.
I think I’ve just answered my own question.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
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2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan: The Performance-Oriented Prom Date

2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan: The Performance-Oriented Prom Date Yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about! The latest AMG-tweaked C-Class just came out, and the basics look good: Power is up by 23 horses to 385 horsepower, the torque curve is broadened, zero to 60 times equate with a top o’the line Camaro or Mustang, and a blown V6 heading to all four wheels. Hey, isn’t that just an Audi S4 from a few years back?
I kid, I kid!
The 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan is its own separate animal, not to be confused with other performance sedans. It is, in short, very much worth paying attention to. As far as Americans are concerned, this is about as small and performance-slanted as Mercedes is going to get. So if you like small and fast over big and fast and want something with a three-pointed star, this is your prom date.
Power & Performance
As with all Mercedes-Benz products, this thing is screwed together like panzer, swimming in tech features, safe as a bunker, and comfy as your couch. It’s all motivated down der Bahn by a 3.0-liter V6 engine putting out the aforementioned 385 horsepower and 384 lb-ft. of torque. That grunt happens in a comfortably broad 2,500 to 5,000 rpm band, making for a zero to 60 time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. Which is electronically limited. Electronically limited? What’s up with that?!
That glorious 3.0-liter V6 biturbo engine is mated to an AMG-tuned 9-speed transmission with shorter shift times. “Defined ignition adjustments,” according to Mercedes-Benz, also provide faster gear shifts.
The AMG-spec 4MATIC four-wheel drive system has a rear-biased torque distribution, with a front/rear axle split of 31 to 69 percent. This configuration provides for higher lateral acceleration and improved traction, according to Mercedes-Benz. The single-stage transfer case of the four-wheel drive system is flange-mounted to the transmission as a separate system. Photo: MBUSA.
Exterior Design
Since this is the sporty C-Class, the exterior is not as plane-Jane as lesser brethren. A distinguishing feature is the AMG radiator grille and sculpted front bumper with additional aero flics – like how the side air curtains in the front bumper help guide the airstream, for example. The rear is also sporty looking with two round tailpipes in high-gloss chrome, and a rear bumper with its own side air curtain and diffuser to improve airflow. If that’s not enough, there’s now an optional AMG Night Package that has a more “expressive front splitter,” a reworked spoiler lip, broader side skirt inserts, and other high-gloss black treatments.
Wheelin’ & Dealin’
Also new for this year are the aerodynamically-optimized AMG light-alloy wheels. You get your choice: The AMG wheel with five twin spokes painted in tremolite grey with a high-sheen finish, size 7.5″ x 18″ with 225/45 R 18 tires at the front, and 8.5″ x 18″ with 245/40 R 18 tires at the rear – or – a different aero-design with five twin spokes, painted with accents in tantalite grey – or – high-gloss black in size 7.5″ x 19″ with 225/40 R 19 tires at the front, and 8.5″ x 19″ with 255/35 R 19 tires at the rear.
Got all that? Good.
The AMG Ride Control suspension is a hallmark of the new C43 Sedan. The basis is formed by the 4-link front axle and independent multi-link rear suspension. The AMG-specific kinematics and elastokinematics, with newly developed components, result in high camber stability when cornering. Further, the axial brake connection on the front axle allows for more precise handling. Photo: MBUSA.
Interior Treatments
Naturally the interior of the new Mercedes-AMG C43 has been reworked. Leather, DINAMICA microfiber, and aluminum are everywhere. Optional AMG Performance Seats provide lateral support along with heating and ventilation in three levels. The door center panels and dashboard are finished in MB-Tex with red topstitching. Aluminum sport pedals with black studs, trim elements in Natural Grain Black Ash Wood and Brushed Aluminum, the black roof liner, and the red seat belts finish off the sporty interior particulars.
More Options? Oh, you got options. Trim elements in Natural Grain Walnut Wood & Aluminum and Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood, if sir or madam would like. There is also the optional Dark Brown Linden Wood trim, an AMG trim in Carbon Fiber/Aluminum, and something called AMG Silver Fiber Glass. Upholstery options are equally as numerous.
Standard on the new C43 Sedan is a 10.25-inch media display with a resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels. Photo: MBUSA.
Share & Compare
And most interesting of all? The data logger. The AMG C43 now comes with an on-board system for recording performance data when driving on race tracks called AMG Track Pace. It provides a wealth of vehicle-specific data recorded ten times per second. The system allows you to slice and dice your performance on any given track (many are already pre-installed) and share your experiences and data with other AMG drivers via Facebook, YouTube or the AMG Private Lounge. No, seriously.
In Person & Availability
The 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan will be seen in the flesh at the Geneva International Motor Show until the 18th before arriving in U.S. dealerships by the end of this 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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.
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Automoblog Book Garage: Aston Martin DB

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

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Nissan Wants You To See These Self-Parking Slippers!

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

In Person
Nissan will offer a free night at the ProPILOT Park Ryokan, located in Hakone, Japan, for one lucky pair of travelers. Contestants must post on Twitter using the hashtags #PPPRyokan and #wanttostay from now until February 10th. Good luck! The video below shows the slippers in action.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Photos, Video & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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Genesis Continues Building U.S. Dealership Network

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

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