Automotive

2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Review: A Sports Car In Disguise

2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature Review: A Sports Car In Disguise 95SOLID Overall Impression Upscale interior.Plenty of standard features.Ride is a little firm for the class. ProsEngine Power Interior Trim & Accents Sporty Handling & SteeringConsFuel Economy Rear Cargo/LegroomThe Mazda CX-5 was high on the fun-to-drive meter before the new turbocharged engine arrived, but now it has power to spare, even at altitude. The new 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder, sourced from the three-row CX-9, adds even more fun for driving enthusiasts. We recently jumped behind the wheel of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature with all-wheel drive, the top-trim in the model line. The new Signature trim gets a broader list of premium features and conveniences to match the enjoyable driving dynamics.
What’s New For 2019
For 2019, the Mazda CX-5 gets a more powerful engine for Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now available, as are ventilated front seats and a surround-view parking camera. G-Vectoring Control Plus, a series of motion control technologies to increase steering response, is standard on all CX-5 models.
Features & Options: Just The Right Amount
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD ($36,890) comes standard with 19-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, premium Nappa leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and driver-seat memory functions. The upgraded driver information display pairs with a navigation system and satellite radio. The top Signature trim also adds ambient lighting, wood trim, chrome accents, front and rear parking sensors, and the aforementioned surround-view camera.
Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE safety systems, like Smart City Brake Support and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, are standard on all CX-5 models.
Total MSRP including destination: $39,030. By comparison, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 starts at $24,350 in the Sport configuration.

Interior Highlights: The Little Things Add Up
This CX-5 Signature interior takes a step forward over the standard trim with the Nappa leather seats and stitching on the dash, console, and door panels. The quality of materials is excellent, but it should be for this price. The cabin is driver-focused with a leather-wrapped steering wheel that offers a nice range of tilt-and-telescoping positions. The seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustments and support for long-distance driving. However, with the interior, the little niceties really add up. For example, the shift-lever location fits the driver’s hand perfectly.
The seven-inch touchscreen’s resolution is sharp and it sits high atop the stylish dash, but it’s a bit too far away for our liking; and that’s really our only complaint about the interior. The infotainment controller in the center console includes a radio volume control knob that’s easy to find without taking your eyes off the road. This Signature tester came with heated (and cooled) front seats and a heated steering wheel for extra comfort on the recent cold spring mornings here in Colorado.
If you need to carry cargo, the 40/20/40 split-folding backseat reclines. Behind the rear seat, there’s 31 cubic feet of cargo storage, and 60 cubes with the rear folded flat. It’s a bit less than competitors, including the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The big news for 2019 is the CX-5’s new SKYACTIV-G engine, paired with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder produces 250 horsepower (on 93 octane) and a healthy 310 lb-ft. of torque. The extra power comes at a price, however. The spicier engine returns an EPA estimated 22/27 city/highway and 24 combined mpg. That’s if you keep your foot out of the turbo!
The new engine uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to increase efficiency, but when it comes to fuel economy, the 2019 CX-5 lags behind when compared to other similar vehicles.
Those looking for a more fuel-efficient CX-5 should consider the available 2.2-liter diesel. With all-wheel drive, it delivers an EPA-estimated 27/30 city/highway and 28 combined mpg. The engine creates 168 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 290 lb-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder is still available in a front-wheel drive configuration.
Mazda’s new SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine for the 2019 CX-5.
Driving Dynamics: Energetic & Fun
The CX-5 with the new turbo plant is higher on the fun-to-drive meter than any other compact crossover out there, despite the fuel economy. Last year, we complained about the naturally-aspirated engine needing more power for those traveling up into the high country or hauling extra cargo over a high mountain pass. Now with the turbo, the CX-5 has power to spare. And it still responds like a sports sedan around the tight curves.
Driving Dynamics: Sporty & Smooth
The steering is precise and the suspension is tuned for sporty driving over comfort. We instantly noticed Mazda’s new G-Vectoring Control Plus feature while in the mountains. The system makes steering response more consistent by using small changes in engine output to shift weight to the front tires whenever the driver turns the wheel. In this updated Plus version, as the driver straightens the wheel, braking is applied to the outside front wheel. The system helps prevent someone from “over-driving” the vehicle, especially at higher speeds or during evasive maneuvers.
The cabin was quiet, and the turbo doesn’t make much noise even at highway speeds. With the heated seats, steering wheel, and heads-up display, this small SUV feels like a more expensive vehicle. Overall, it’s the most fun we’ve ever had in a compact crossover, having tested the competition. If you live where there’s lots of twisty roads or bad weather, this is the vehicle for you.
Conclusion: Nicely Balanced
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is a standout in the compact SUV segment. It provides an excellent balance of sportiness, comfort and practicality, and its upscale interior conveys a sense of richness you don’t find in rivals. It’s a good choice for driving enthusiasts who want to have a little more fun when getting around town.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Mazda CX-5 Gallery

Photos: Mazda North American Operations.

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Hyundai Drops 2018 Sonata Hybrids In Chicago

Hyundai Drops 2018 Sonata Hybrids In Chicago Hyundai just showed off the soon-to-be-in-a-store near you 2018 Sonata Hybrids, both standard and plug-in, at the Chicago Auto Show. Hyundai seems to roll out new models or improvements and updates to models every two weeks. How Hyundai does this is beyond me, but I’m just glad they’re able to keep it up. As I said, we now have two Sonatas to look at, the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid.
Of course, the new Sonatas come with a comprehensive exterior and interior redesign along with more safety stuff, better suspension, improved infotainment, and connectivity features, but the real star of the show is the gas/electric drivetrains
Sonata Hybrid
The center of the 2018 Sonata Hybrid is a 2.0-liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Situated within the transmission is a 38 kW electric motor and clutch where the torque converter should be. Hyundai’s clever idea of putting the hybrid drive guts within the transmission – something they call a Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED) – works the same as any other hybrid, but with improved fuel economy via a larger electric motor. Plus, you’ve got to say that’s pretty smart packaging.
The traditional ICE part of the hybrid system produces 154 horsepower and 140 lb-ft. of torque. Add in the electric motor and you get a further 38 kW (51 horsepower) and another 151 lb-ft. of torque. Net power comes up at 193 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Economy-wise, with a Sonata Hybrid SE you’ll get 39 mpg in the city, 45 on the highway, and a combined figure of 42. If you add that all up, you can go for around 650 miles under typical driving conditions. Choice!
The lithium-ion polymer battery pack capacity is good for 1.76 kWh and the whole she-bang fits under the trunk floor. Ergo, lots of trunk space, a flat trunk floor, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. Total cargo volume for the Sonata Hybrid is 13.3 cubic feet.

Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
The Plug-in Hybrid is similar to the regular Sonata Hybrid, but with the benefit of extended all-electric travel. There’s a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack which is more than five times larger than the Sonata Hybrid’s battery. According to the EPA, the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid has an all-electric range of 27 miles, and it can be recharged in less than three hours with a level-two charger. Which, if you think about this, allows you to commute to work, park the thing, plug it in for a recharge, and then drive it home without burning a drop of gas. And hey, if you’ve got to head out of town for a long weekend, you’ve got plenty of range thanks to the gasoline engine. Total estimated range is a remarkable 590 miles.
The Plug-in Hybrid has the same six-speed automatic with Hyundai’s TMED in place of the torque converter again, only this time the electric motor is a 50 kW beast. That 50 kW electric motor puts out 32 percent more power versus the Sonata Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid uses the same ICE as the Sonata Hybrid, and the total system output is 202 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. To compliment the performance, the chassis gets some nips and tucks with a stiffer front anti-roll bar and a more rigid rear trailing-arm design with retuned bushings.

Notable Features
Other highlights for the 2018 Sonatas include a new front/rear fascia design, a new grille, hood, front fenders, rear deck lid, headlights, and taillights. There are new 16-inch and 17-inch eco-spoke wheel designs, along with new LED headlights that have a trick cornering Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) function. The interior has a new instrument panel, center stack, steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and rear USB charge port.
Safety gadgets? By the ton. There’s standard Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, a newly available Automatic Emergency Braking system, and Lane Keep Assist.
Manufacturing & Availability
The 2018 Sonata Hybrids will be produced in Asan, Korea. The Hybrid will be in Hyundai dealers by the first quarter of 2018 and Plug-ins will show up in the second quarter.
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.
2018 Sonata Hybrid Gallery

Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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Mercedes-Maybach To Debut In Geneva

Mercedes-Maybach To Debut In Geneva The Mercedes-Maybach will make its world debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, arriving as a cross between the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the automaker’s Maybach nameplate. From the teaser images, we see a new grille, two-tone paintwork, and a spacious back seat with an interactive monitor. The Mercedes-Maybach will likely be desired by the most affluent of buyers, and is as luxurious and elegant as one might expect.
Well Suited
Mercedes-Benz notes the “reinterpretation” of the radiator grille with its vertical struts. Interesting enough, the grille was inspired by a pinstriped suit and was first seen on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2016. That handsome pinstripe suit is complimented by the aforementioned two-tone exterior paint, which comes in nine different combinations. A double clear coat is available for dark colors, which Mercedes-Benz says creates a “brilliant surface finish with a piano lacquer effect and a special impression of depth.” Cool.
The Mercedes-Maybach will ride on 20-inch multi-spoke wheels with three designs to choose from.
Photo: MBUSA.
Interior Treatments
Occupants will draped in either an Armagnac Brown/Black or Savanna Beige/Black theme once settled inside. Nappa leather upholstery appointments can also be ordered with a choice of copper, gold, or platinum-colored stitch work. In a press release, Mercedes-Benz adds that “designo Magnolia flowing lines” is an option for a “newly available trim.” Okay. Sure. I’ll take it.
The Mercedes-Maybach’s length is 215 inches and its wheelbase 132.5 inches, besting the long-wheelbase S-Class Sedan by nearly 10 inches in both dimensions. This means passengers will have more room to get comfortable for those long trips.

Power & Performance
There are two versions of the Mercedes-Maybach: the Maybach S 560 4MATIC and Maybach S 650. The first comes with a 463 horsepower V8 that hits 60 in 4.8 seconds; torque is a healthy 516 lb-ft. By contrast, the Maybach S 650 has a twelve-banger that pumps out 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft. of torque. It launches to 60 in 4.6 seconds.

Pricing & Availability
The Mercedes-Maybach will make its world debut on March 6th at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Expect to see it on sale in the United States late this summer. Pricing has not been announced at this time. Since the Maybach launched in February 2015, over 25,000 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class models have already been sold. Top markets include China, Russia, and the United States.
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: MBUSA.

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Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant Responds To Growing Luxury Vehicle Demand

Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant Responds To Growing Luxury Vehicle Demand The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are selling like hotcakes! Lincoln dealers say they cannot order new Navigators fast enough; the luxury SUVs are on the lot an average of just seven days before being sold. It’s a similar story for the Expedition, with an increased transaction price of $7,800 and retail sales up nearly 57 percent last month. Like the Navigator, the new Expedition is lucky to spend a week on dealer lots, with the high-level Platinum trim accounting for nearly 30 percent of total sales.
“The response from customers regarding our new full-size SUVs has been exceptional,” said Joe Hinrichs, President, Global Operations, Ford Motor Company.
Demanding The Finest
It’s worth noting how the higher trim levels continue to be the most desired in Ford’s lineup. With regard to the Navigator, nearly 85 percent of all buyers are opting for the higher-end Black Label and Reserve models. In fact, demand for the Black Label and Reserve series contributed to an average transaction price increase of more than $21,000 in January versus a year ago. Add to that how Navigator retail sales were up triple digits in every region of the country last month, and the growing interest from younger buyers, and it’s easy to see the demand is there.
In order to meet this seemingly insatiable appetite for large, luxurious SUVs, Ford is doubling down on their manufacturing strategies at the Kentucky Truck Plant, home of the Navigator and Expedition. The magic number in Louisville is 25: Production targets were increased approximately 25 percent and an additional $25 million is coming to increase overall “operational fitness.”
Sam Kirtley and Derek Clark of Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant work with a collaborative robot to prepare glass for installation. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Factory Fit
The investment covers more than 400 new robots at the Kentucky Truck Plant, many of which were utilized during a remodeling of the body shop last year. The robots inevitably increase line speed but also keep employees safe from repetitive-motion injuries. A special “robot lab” was added, where software is tested and potential issues undergo troubleshooting away from the factory floor.
Also onsite in Louisville is a new 3D printer so parts and tools can be made quickly and economically. In most cases, manufacturing a prototype part with traditional methods can take eight to 16 weeks at a cost of more than $250,000 in tooling. Producing that same part with 3D printing can take days – or maybe just hours – and can be done for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Wayne McKinney of Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant checks a part that was just printed using a new 3D printer. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Analytics & Vending Machines
Finally, the investment includes an overhaul to the data analytics system so the assembly line moves as efficiently as possible. These systems are as interesting as they are complex but in short, they help plant officials address thousands of concerns in near-real time. The “data analytics hub” at the Kentucky Truck Plant includes seven big-screen TVs with minute-by-minute updates showing whether production is on schedule or not. Any potential concerns are flagged and can be addressed accordingly.
The system also notifies workers as parts are running low so they can have a new batch delivered to their area before they run out. And like in the break room, a spare parts “vending machine” allows workers to easily locate any part.
“Using a combination of Ford’s advanced manufacturing and American hard work and ingenuity, we’ll deliver more high-quality Lincoln Navigators and Ford Expeditions to customers than originally planned,” Hinrichs said.
Brad Steward and Dan Boone of Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant review information at the plant’s data analytic center. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Kentucky Truck
The Kentucky Truck Plant opened in 1969 and employs more than 8,400 people, about 8,100 of which are hourly. The plant builds the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Super Duty. Like the two former, the latter has a higher-end trim level Ford says is directly proportional to what buyers are looking for today, i.e. luxury and premium features. In fact, the demand for all three is so strong, workers are taking overtime, voluntary, and weekend shifts in Louisville.
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.
Kentucky Truck Gallery

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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These Special Lexus Models Will Be Rare

These Special Lexus Models Will Be Rare Did you know Lexus has been making “F” cars for ten years? Wait, did you know that Lexus was even making F cars? I did but I didn’t know that. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew Lexus had this F designation, but I never knew what it designated. So here we are, ten years on, and we get to celebrate, what, exactly?
According to Lexus, that F badge means the car has “the purest expression of Lexus performance.” Sure, whatever. Essentially F is to Lexus what M is to BMW and S is to Audi. F is the performance sub-brand within Lexus itself. And, to say the least, Lexus is pretty durned happy about making these things for ten years.
Windy City Showcase
They are so happy in fact, that at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, the Japanese luxo-brand rolled out not one but two commemorative rides: The 2018 Lexus GS F and RC F 10th Anniversary. The GS F and RC F special editions are set to arrive at Lexus dealers this summer and, unsurprisingly, will come with exclusive features befitting of limited-edition models.
Starting with the outside, both cars come in a matte finish Nebula Gray paint scheme. This is a fond return to matte finishes for Lexus, since the last time they used it was on their LFA supercar. And while we’re here: Hey Lexus, when are we going to get a follow-on to the LFA? Anyhoo, Lexus says this new Nebula Gray has been toughened up for “the rigors of everyday use, including the ability to withstand the average mechanized car wash.” That’s nice of them.
Polished black multispoke 19-inch wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires come standard, and contrast nicely with the dark gray paint. Beneath these fancy wheels are blue brake calipers to add a splash of color.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Deep Blue Something
On the inside, that theme continues with blue carbon fiber trim for the panels and dash with blue leather accents throughout. Further cool anniversary stuff to be found in the RC F coupe are the sport seats outlined in blue leather with white accents, and a blue shift knob. Same goes for the steering wheel and instrument panel. For the GS F, there’s additional blue carbon trim on the center console, a blue suede dash, and blue seatbelt straps.
Blue, blue, blue. Everywhere blue!
The Lexus GS F and RC F 10th Anniversary will feature an interior themed in blue. Pictured here is the GS F. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Power & Performance
Powertrain-wise, both the coupe and sedan work with the same 467 horsepower 5.0-liter V8, but there are differences and tweaks here and there. The plant in the RC F coupe sends the grunt to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic box. Lexus says this is good enough to scoot to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Nice! There’s also a Torsen limited-slip diff as standard, along with variable dampers (shocks) and multiple drive modes. If you want to take up the option, there’s a torque vectoring differential available. Take it.
Like I said, the GS F sedan has the same mill and also works with the same eight-speed automatic to put power to the rears. The torque vectoring diff, however, comes standard. Even though the GS F is a sedan, it is only a tic slower than the RC F coupe, clocking 4.5 seconds from a stop to 60 mph. Oh, and it gets up to 24 mpg on the highway. Not bad! Variable dampers? Check. A selection of drive modes? Also check, but there’s a full custom setting allowing you to adjust different parameters. Slick.
Lexus RC F. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Pricing & Availability
Finally, there is the nearly compulsory engraved plaque bragging about the car’s limited-edition status. And by limited, Lexus means only 240 10th Anniversary RC Fs will be seen on the streets. That works out to one anniversary RC F per U.S. dealer. So get line now. If your tastes run more toward the GS F, you really got to hustle, since there will be only 100 of them.
Lexus says there will be additional packages for both, but cryptically notes they “will be required.” What on Earth that means, I do not know. There’s no word on pricing either.
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.
2018 Lexus GS F Gallery

2018 Lexus RC F Gallery

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

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Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Tackles The Nürburgring Nordschleife

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Tackles The Nürburgring Nordschleife

All right you Xbox warriors, gearheads, and grease monkeys. Yes, even the poor deluded souls who think the PlayStation counts as a driving simulator. I know what you’re thinking: 7:21 and change is an okay time, but it’s not a great time. I agree with you. Sure, what the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 did was quick, but it’s not even in the same time zone as what the latest Porsche GT and that monster from Glickenhaus did. All of that is true. What is also true is that the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is most definitely not a featherweight car. It’s kind of fat. But it’s also kind of fast. Oh, and it’s also a sedan.
Disclaimers & Conditions
Jaguar is being cute with all of this stuff and it gives me a chuckle. For starters, there’s a whole series of foot notes in the presser, and they are laughably entertaining if you think about the conference room discussions that lead to them. Some of the greatest hits include: “Professional driver on a closed course. Do not attempt.” And “always follow local speed limits.” Of course the funny thing here is the Nürburgring Nordschleife is a public road and you can drive on it just as fast as you care.
Anyway, at 7 minutes, 21.23 seconds, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is now the world’s fastest sedan of production-intent specification. What, exactly, is “production-intent specification?” Dunno. Jag didn’t really say. One could say that it’s kind of weaselly and sounds like someone is hedging their bets (if you’re a glass half empty kind of a person). Or one could say it means the XE SV Project 8 prototype used for this Nürburgring run is remarkably close to the production version, and only detail changes might be happening (if you’re a glass half full kind of a person).
Jag’s new record is 11 seconds quicker than the previous sedan time, although they do not mention who it was that set the previous record. As I recall it was a BMW M3; that one with the big, whompin’ V8.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Power & Performance
The new time was set thanks to the Jaguar XE SV Project 8’s fire-breathing 592 horsepower, 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine. It shoots the big sedan to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and to a top speed of 200 mph. And of course the suspension and tires helped. No mention made of the skins mounted, but if I were doing something like this, I’d get some real race rubber (let’s say Michelins) to tilt this thing as much in my favor as I could. Jag says the XE SV Project 8 is the most extreme road-legal Jaguar ever, which says a lot if you’ve ever been up close with an XJ220, cause those things are nasty, nasty machines.
The bad news is that the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 won’t be available until next year, and it starts around $187,500 in the United States. And, to make matters even worse, production is limited to 300 vehicles worldwide. If you’re interested, you can watch the XE SV Project 8 prototype’s record lap on the Nürburgring Nordschleife below. I’ve got to say, it is rather impressive.
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.

Photos, Video & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

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Bentley Continental GT First Edition: Grand or Bland Tourer?

Bentley Continental GT First Edition: Grand or Bland Tourer?

Bentley has announced the First Edition to their Continental GT lineup. The Continental GT, a big, swoopy thing of a car, is about as close as Bentley ever gets to a real sports car. They say the exclusive First Edition model is the “ultimate expression of the Grand Tourer,” offering you a bunch of icing on an already heavily decorated cake. I guess that is to make it more special. And that is precisely the problem.
One of a Kind
To my mind, Bentley and Rolls-Royce are examples of reserved British bespoke design. They are, in a certain way, like Savile Row suits or polo mallets. Something that is designed for you, and for you alone, sir or madam. If you were sickeningly rich, or a Raja, or a Sultan, or just made it into the House of Lords, you could make an appointment out at Crewe, and, in this case, Bentley would see to your personalized automotive needs. But some time ago that changed.
And I’m not talking about the fact that Bentley is owned by Volkswagen (and Rolls-Royce is owned by BMW – ‘By the Bosch, my good man! The Bosch!!‘). No, what I’m talking about here is that although Bentley will still make you a car fully customized to your own tastes, by and large, most of their “personalized” offerings are just off the rack options to be ticked when ordering the car, like so much fine Salamanca vinyl you chose for your 1978 Cordoba. So when Bentley cranks up the prose for their First Edition Continental GT, it makes me want to crank up the Sex Pistols. Really loud.
Subtle Signatures
Effectively the First Edition is a trim package reserved for the first production run of the all-new Continental GT. Bentley says this “represents the pinnacle of Bentley craftsmanship, handcrafted and designed in Great Britain,” which, even if you let them gild the lily a bit, is kind of over the top. Bentley further says the Continental GT First Edition is the “most luxurious Grand Tourer ever produced.”
Photo: Bentley Motors.
Interior Treatments
The First Edition includes the unique Bentley Rotating Display that allows the driver to switch between three different fascia panels to “suit the mood of the cabin,” whatever that means. The default is a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen that can be substituted for a more classically styled instrument display with three analog dials if madam wishes. When you switch the engine off, the veneer-only face is displayed for an uninterrupted flow of wood across the dashboard.
Speaking of wood, you can choose from four to use on the dashboard: Tamo Ash, Liquid Amber, Dark Stained Madrona, and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus. Which I’m sure are fine, but I’d have them leave it blank on mine and I’d have the guys at Alembic find me some real exotic wood to use. At any rate, Bentley says whichever wood you choose it will be combined with Grand Black, which is exclusive to the First Edition. I’m assuming that is like grand piano black, but Crewe does not go into details. Bentley says all this wood adds to the overall vibe of the cabin. Also adding to that is enhanced mood lighting and illuminated sills emblazoned with “Bentley” that are visible when opening the doors.
The seats are upholstered in a diamond-in-diamond quilt pattern as are the door panels and rear quarter panels, with a unique contrast stitch only available on the First Edition. The First Edition also comes with the City Specification and Touring Specification as standard. This gets you stuff like park assist, pedestrian warning and traffic sign recognition, and a Bentley 650 watt audio system. If you’re Keith Moon, you can upgrade to either the 1,500 watt Bang & Olufsen or 2,200 watt Naim stereo, which no doubt sound great as you drive the car into the pool.
Photo: Bentley Motors.

Power & Performance
All this is motivated down the Strand by a 6.0-liter, twin turbocharged W12 TSI engine that includes the Mulliner Driving Specification as an extra goodie as part of the First Edition package. The Mulliner thing adds sporty bits and bobs like drilled alloy foot pedals, jewel-finish oil and filler caps, and unique, 22-inch wheels that come in three finishes: bright paint, black, and hand polished or fully polished.
By the numbers, the engine creates 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft. of torque, good enough to launch the First Edition Continental GT to 60 in 3.6 seconds. A dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission promises “faster, more efficient performance,” according to Bentley.
Taste is ultimately up to the individual, and if the Bentley First Edition Continental GT suits your flavor, then have at it. It’s your garage this thing will be sitting in, not mine.
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.

Photos & Source: Bentley Motors.

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Chevrolet Debuts 2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible

Chevrolet Debuts 2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible

The new Corvette ZR1 is, to paraphrase Muhammad Ali, a baaad car. It is, no exaggeration and no foolin’, a car that can flat out stomp ones that don’t have the words “Ferrari” or “Porsche” or “McLaren” applied to their trunk lids. If you are not driving one of those cars and find yourself up against a ZR1 in almost any capacity, don’t even try. The ZR1 will eat you. Now imagine how much more fun you could have as a ZR1 owner if you dropped the top?
Value Added
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 convertible is the first ZR1 drop-top since 1970. That is, to say the least, a long time. Much has changed in the automotive world, and Chevrolet, thankfully, has adapted and grown with those changes. The current model Vettes are fast, nasty, well thought out, and technically sophisticated sports cars. There are no more “yeah, but” equivocations coming from Corvette owners. And the ZR1 piles on even more power, torque, and aero goodies to drive that point home all the harder.
Both the coupe and convert versions of the ZR1 go on sale next spring and while not exactly inexpensive, neither of them cost what a Ferrari or Porsche or McLaren cost. How much? The ZR1 coupe will cost you $119,995, while the drop top will start at $123,995. Like I said, not exactly inexpensive, but still . . .
Photo: Chevrolet.
Top-Down Motoring
The differences between the hard and soft tops are actually pretty negligible. Everything you get in the coupe you get in the convertible. Gone are the days of extra bracing here and there to make up for lost rigidity in an already flexi-flyer (I’m looking at you, first round of Gen 4 convertibles!). The strength and design of the latest Corvette’s aluminum chassis means the only structural changes in the drop-top are modifications for the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts. The top is a fully powered job that can be operated remotely or while driving up to 30 mph, which, you know, looks so boss when your leaving the drive-in. “But it adds weight,” you mumble. Au contraire mon frère! In fact, the difference in curb weight between the ZR1 coupe and convertible is less than 60 pounds. Most of that added weight is down to the folding top hardware. Very impressive.
The convertible gets the full aero kit, including the standard, stanchion-mounted Low Wing. If you have all the restraint of a Vin Diesel fanboy with a Liberace fetish, you can spring for the ZTK Performance Package (an extra $2,995) with that absurd (yet adjustable) High Wing, front splitter, and carbon-fiber end caps. The ZTK also gets you Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and Magnetic Ride Control.
Photo: Chevrolet.

Power & Performance
The convertible is powered by the same LT5 6.2-liter supercharged engine, putting out 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft. of torque. Transmissions are the same: either a seven-speed manual or a paddle-shift eight-speed automatic. Chevy’s testing shows 60 mph in under three seconds (gulp!), a quarter mile in the high 10 range (not bad), and a top speed of 212 mph. And that’s when you opt for the eight-speed automatic.
The blower on the LT5 is the same intercooled unit found on the coupe that displaces 2.65-liters on its own. It generates more boost at slightly slower speeds than before, and reduces heat for lower intake temperatures for optimal performance. And yeah, both ZR1s have thirteen radiators.
And finally, there is a new, patent-pending exhaust system to offer “the most aggressive sound ever for a production Corvette.” Essentially it’s a Jekyll and Hyde set up. It’s a bi-modal exhaust system with four distinct modes and sound levels: Stealth, Tour, Sport, and Track. In Stealth mode, the ZR1 is quieter than the Z06, while in Track mode it is “significantly louder.”
Decisions, Decisions
So, you know, from a performance standpoint, the choice is yours. Do you want the coupe or the convertible? Because they’ll both turn the same lap times. Which is all that really counts. Both the 2019 Corvette ZR1 coupe and convertible will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show through December 10th.
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.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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Subaru Ascent Makes Debut In Los Angeles

Subaru Ascent Makes Debut In Los Angeles

Fellow gearheads, I’m afraid we’re just going to have to face facts: Sooner or later, every car maker on the planet is going to offer a three row SUV/crossover/thingo for sale. In this case here, Subaru – maker of some of the world’s great rally cars – recently debuted their Ascent SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
When Life Hands You Lemons
I think (and this is just a working hypothesis at this point, so bear with me) automakers, over time, realized nobody in America bought station wagons any more. So they got us to buy minivans, until those things became the very symbol of automotive sclerosis, then they figured out how to sell us SUVs (largely based on our fears of being able to handle stuff combined with wanting to look cool), and then they somehow were able to morph SUVs into these now-ubiquitous crossover-thingos that are little more than over-inflated station wagons. It’s the circle of automotive life, er, marketing.
So of course automakers far and wide are going to make and sell these things as fast as they can. I mean, if your dad owned a lemon grove and it was a hot day and you saw all the other kids selling lemonade, what would you do, not make money?
So, naturally, Subaru wants to make money. And, from a certain point of view, they’ve already been doing this for a while. They’re married to All-Wheel Drive the same way Audi is. They’ve made quite good and functional AWD station wagons for a while now. For a brief period of time they even made an SUV, this weirdly styled thing called a Tribeca (what it had to do with lower Manhattan is beyond me). And their Crosstrek, to me, hits a sweet spot between off-road capability and city livability. Which is all background to saying hello to the new, soon to be hitting the streets, 2019 Subaru Ascent.
The 2019 Subaru Ascent is built on the company’s Global Platform, which consists of “optimized cross sections and highly stiffened joints between structures.” This is to enhance stability and comfort while reducing noise. Further, the Ascent’s new platform integrates the latest version of Subaru’s ring-shaped reinforcement frame design for occupant protection. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Family-Oriented Amenities
Subaru calls the Ascent the “family-focused SUV” which is a stunningly obvious declaration. The Ascent, like most its brethren, is designed to haul lots of people and a bunch of their stuff. The Ascent, with a 113.8-inch wheelbase, is obviously the largest Subaru has ever built. Everything about it seems focused on getting people and things down the road.
It has a whopping 153.5 cubic feet of passenger volume to accommodate a seven- or eight- passenger configuration. The rear doors open out 75 degrees so you can cram even the bigger kids into the third row. It has eight USB charging ports sprinkled throughout the cabin and a 120-volt power outlet for the rear, so you and the entire fam can bop down the road without having to interact with one another, praise Maxwell.
You want more America? Of course you do. How about 19 standard cup and bottle holders? Nineteen baby! How about not one, not two, but three standard automatic climate control zones to ensure all passengers stay comfortable and, most importantly, quiet. No more incessant whining all the way to Wally World and back about it being too cold. How about lights? You want interior lighting? Step right up. Second row reading lights? Check! They’re standard. Third row reading lights? Yup! Standard on Premium, Limited, and Touring trim levels. Ambient and footwell lighting? Of course!
The front chairs are right out of a La-Z-Boy showroom with power adjustments, lumbar support, and a length adjustment function for the driver’s seat cushion. Front and second row seats can be heated as part of the All-Weather Package for Premium models. Certain trims even get you a heated steering wheel while the Touring models offer ventilated front seats.
Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

Power & Performance
Now, let’s talk about the week link in the chain: The Ascent is propelled down the road by an all-new turbocharged, 260 horsepower Boxer engine mated to a Lineartronic CVT transmission. Look, Subie engines are great. Pretty much everyone seems to agree on that. But you can only squeeze so much grunt out of that small of an engine and haul so many heavy loads – you know stuff like an SUV full of fat Americans towing a tent trailer.
I would hope that Subaru is working on newer, bigger, more powerful engines to drop into the Ascent. And while they’re at it, if that same big block plant could also drop right into an STi wagon of some sort, that’d be great. Thanks.
And I wasn’t kidding about towing a tent trailer. The 2019 Ascent has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs., which is impressive. Subaru also says the 2019 Ascent can go 500 miles on a tank of gas. Of course the Ascent is packed with tech goodies like standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and other safety features, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
Pricing & Availability
The new U.S.-built (in Lafayette, Indiana!) Ascent will be offered in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring. The Subaru Ascent (nice name, by the way) will be in dealers by early summer 2018. No word on price, but I predict it will be more than you first expected, but still not very high in comparison to the competition, because Subaru.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.

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