2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star Edition Debuts In Dallas

2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star Edition Debuts In Dallas Ram has unveiled the Lone Star edition at the DFW Auto Show, a fitting location indeed for a model Ram deems as the original “Texas Truck.” Lone Star trims receive bright front and rear bumpers, chrome door handle centers, a special grille surround with billet inserts, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Monochromatic Sport and Black appearance packages are also available.
Technology & Packages
The 2019 Ram 1500 was unveiled last month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The truck was one of the most technologically significant vehicles at the event. For example, the eTorque mild hybrid system, which 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, is the first of its kind in the truck segment.
As the year moves on, it is common for Ram to release new trim levels at auto shows around the country. With the Lone Star, several different packages – called “groups” in Ram-speak – are available to increase the truck’s functionality: Bed Utility Group, 4×4 Off-Road Group, Protection Group, Trailer Tow Mirrors and Brake Group, Max Towing Package Group, and the Premium Lighting Group.
Inside the cab, Lone Star offers four different interior themes and either a front, six-passenger bench seat, or five-passenger bucket seats. Other options include Ram’s class-exclusive Active Level Air Suspension, an electric-locking rear axle, a Blind-Spot Monitoring system, and 20-inch aluminum wheels.





Availability
The Lone Star is available in either a 4×2 or 4×4 layout in Crew and Quad Cab configurations. The Lone Star will initially be offered with the 5.7-liter HEMI; the Pentastar V6 joins later this year. The only downfall (although understandable) is how the truck is only available in Texas. Expect them at Texas Ram dealers during the first quarter of this year.
In the meantime, the 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star is on display at the DFW Auto Show at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
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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Inside The 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE

Inside The 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE
Yes, like its road-going sibling from which it is derived, the 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE faces similar aesthetic, a-hem, issues. But this is a race car. A race car that will take part in the FIA World Endurance Championship next season. And, when it comes to racing, effectiveness counts more than aesthetics. It’s sort of like submachine guns. Sure, it might not be as appealing as a Thompson or an MP 40, but a Sten Gun can still do the business, y’know?
Track Ready
The Sten of choice seen here is the new Vantage GTE from Aston Martin, set for FIA’s GTE class at places like Le Mans and Spa and The ‘Ring. The main competition for the new Vantage GTE will be cars like the BMW M3, Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, Ferrari 488 GTE, and Porsche 911 variants. In other words, these are the most road-car-like competitors you’ll see at Le Mans. Also, the racing is fun to watch since the competition is so close and the racing is so tough. Still, Aston Martin has done more than okay with previous versions of this car, chalking up 37 international race victories, including two Le Mans 24 Hour class wins.
Power & Performance
The engine is a force-fed V8 that runs bespoke BorgWarner turbos with integrated electric wastegates. The exhaust system is a full inconel setup made by an outfit called Akrapovic. No, I didn’t know who they were either. Turns out they’re Slovenian, and all they do is make exhaust systems. Fun note: Inconel is a nickel/steel alloy with extremely high heat resistance and was the same stuff they made the X-15 rocket plane out of.
The mill has a dry sump lubrication system and its installation in the actual race car is further back and lower than the street version, all for better track performance. The output figures are stated as “power >400 kW* and torque >700 Nm*” which translates into 536 ponies and 516 lb-ft. o’torque in old money. Two things of note: First, those figures are “greater than” because no race team is going to give away accurate power figures, and you can also reckon that Aston Martin is sandbagging with those numbers. And two, I have no idea what those asterisks are for. Aston Martin never explains them, but I thought I’d include them. What an odd thing for them to do.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Drivetrain Tech
Moving on to the driveline and transmission, there’s plenty to geek out about here. Of course it’s rear-wheel drive, because handling. There’s also traction control thrown in (because today’s drivers are a bunch of prima donnas). The transmission is a six-speed sequential unit made by Xtrac, fed by an Alcon motorsport multi-plate clutch about the size of a cheeseburger. There is a mechanical limited-slip differential with externally adjustable pre-load (a nice touch), and since this is 2017, there’s a semi-automatic paddle shift gear change coupled to a direct acting electric gear shift actuator. Did you catch all that?
The carbon fiber propshaft saves weight and increases responsiveness.
Chassis & Suspension
The chassis is a lightweight aluminium deal that uses the latest Vantage production car as a starting point. It is fitted with a steel roll cage to meet FIA safety standards and also sports an on-board, high-speed pneumatic jack for quicker pit stops. The suspension is as traditional as it is adjustable, with double wishbones front and rear, adjustable anti-roll bars, and custom Öhlins five-way adjustable dampers (shock absorbers to us Americans). Like all British cars, this thing can Handle with a capital H.
The body and aero bits are all carbon fiber, of course. The underside of the car is entirely flat and tailed with a carbon fiber splitter and diffuser. That huge rear wing is also carbon fiber and adjustable.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.

Ride & Handling
The steering is electro-hydraulic and power-assisted, which kind of rankles purists but literally every driver out there dearly loves, since wrestling with one of these things for 24 hours, even with a power assist is a work out. The steering wheel, which is carbon fiber, is a quick release type, both to aid with driver changes and also having to bail out if things get, um, sticky. The fuel system is the FIA mandated size of 100 liters and is a full-blown fuel cell, of course.
The wheels are huge and light: forged magnesium up front (12.5” x 18”) and forged magnesium in the rear (13.0” x 18”). The boss meats are supplied by Michelin.
Braking
The stoppers are very, very impressive. Everything is made by Alcon with monobloc six-piston calipers and wide, ringed ventilated brake discs up front. Out back, the Aston GTE sports monobloc six-piston calipers with Alcon ventilated rear brake discs. At all four corners there are integrated caliper temperature and pad wear sensors, a handy thing in a 24 hour race. The pedal box is floor-mounted and adjustable (a nice touch). Of course the front and rear brake bias is driver adjustable.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Driver Focused
The cockpit is Spartan yet extremely cool. The pilot sits in a RaceTech FIA 8862 safety seat and is held in place by a Schroth six-point safety harness. In case things get too hot, there’s a Lifeline FIA 8865 fire extinguisher. The dash is a Cosworth driver display with shift lights; there is a rearview camera and a Bosch collision avoidance radar system (which is one of those things that beeps at you milliseconds before you clout that Ford GT you thought you were clear of). Air conditioning? Surprisingly yes! The FIA/ACO mandated this a while back (you have no idea how hot it is inside one of these things). There is also an electrically-operated “driver drinks system” to help prevent fatigue.
The whole shootin’ match tips the scales with a dry weight of 1,245 kilos or around 2,800 pounds, give or take. It is worth noting this is the regulated base weight. If you were to take the ballast out, the 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE would tip the scales considerably lighter than that.
Will this thing win? Maybe. A definite maybe. My money is on the Ferrari 488 (for sentimental reasons) or the C7.R Vettes (for practical reasons), but I wouldn’t count Aston Martin out.
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.
2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE Gallery











Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.



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2018 Ford Super Duty By The Numbers

2018 Ford Super Duty By The Numbers
Ford is pushing the envelope for the F-Series lineup, announcing updated power, towing, and payload figures for the 2018 Super Duty. The new specs reclaim titles for the blue oval held previously by General Motors and Ram. Ford says they are delivering more for customers by offering “five key best-in-class claims.”
“Super Duty customers expect the best, and for 2018 we’re giving our customers even more power and torque from our 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel – delivering the most horsepower and torque available among all heavy-duty pickups,” explained Todd Eckert, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager.
By The Numbers
It’s not surprising to see Ford push the line here. In just a “matter of fact” sense, the truck market is highly competitive, and customer loyalty to a particular brand is often lifelong. “We are a Ford (or Chevy) family,” they say, or “I’ve never owned anything but . . . (insert truck make and model here).” While we won’t speculate Ford’s engineering and marketing motives, if the automaker held the belief that bigger horsepower, payload, and towing numbers were the way to a truck buyer’s heart, we would be inclined to agree.
In an already competitive market with such fierce brand loyalty, posting headline-worthy performance figures seems a satisfactory answer to the “how do we attract new buyers and retain existing customers” question. One could argue these increased power numbers for the Super Duty are coming at the right time. Ford’s November sales report indicated that F-Series trucks saw their best November since 2001, with 72,769 pickups sold for a 0.9 percent gain. Conversely, Ford’s heavy truck sales took a 50 percent dip with only 566 units moved last month opposed to 1,133 for the same period in 2016. By the end of November 2016, Ford had delivered 13,417 heavy trucks compared to 10,376 at November’s end this year, marking a 22.7 percent decrease.
It’s possible these new power and capacity increases for the 2018 Super Duty will help bolster Ford’s overall truck sales. Does Ford have specific intent with this latest Super Duty announcement? Perhaps. Ford truck sales are, according to their November report, either up nicely or down significantly, depending on the model. These new performance upgrades for the Super Duty could be a happy accident as far as timing is concerned, but if an automaker wanted to move some trucks, especially near the end of the year, having increased power figures floating through the media certinately wouldn’t hurt.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Fantastic Five
The 2018 Ford Super Duty now claims five vital segment titles, the first of which is a healthy 450 horsepower.  Previously held by GM’s Sierra and Silverado models at 445 with the new Duramax, Ford’s announcement gives the Super Duty a slight edge. The second is torque, a now whopping 935 lb-ft., enough to slip past Ram at 930 lb-ft. from the recently revised Cummins. From there, the 2018 Ford Super Duty takes best-in-class gooseneck towing at 34,000 lbs. and best-in-class conventional towing at 21,000 lbs., when properly equipped. By comparison, The 2018 Ram 3500 HD, when properly equipped, has a maximum gooseneck rating of 31,210 lbs. and a maximum conventional rating of 20,000 lbs.
“Plus, our new F-450 pickup now includes a 4X2 model, enabling our customers to get more done with the segment’s best payload and towing,” Eckert added.
The 2018 Super Duty boasts best-in-class payload at 7,360 lbs. for the segment’s top honor.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Vital Components
The grunt for the 2018 Super Duty comes from the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, which received redesigned cylinder heads, optimized fuel calibrations, and enhancements to the turbo for 2018. The truck’s high-strength steel frame, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body, and integrated gooseneck hitch mounts are also important for capability and efficiency. It’s also worth noting that Ford designs and builds their own diesel engines and transmissions, something no other manufacturer currently does. The automaker says this is critical for getting the powertrain, vehicle calibrations, and chassis to align.
“This approach enables Ford engineers to optimize vehicle performance across the entire lineup and to further refine the powertrain to the specific needs of the customer,” reads a statement from Ford.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Super Duty is available now with the F-450 4×2 dual-rear-wheel pickup coming later this winter. Base MSRP is $52,830, although pricing can vary greatly depending on the selected trim level and the buyer’s desired number of additional options, features, and packages.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.  
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.



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This New Suite Package At The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Is Just Too Cool

This New Suite Package At The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Is Just Too Cool Perhaps you and your sweetheart were busy for Valentine’s Day but still want to celebrate your love? Or, perhaps, you need a break from all the snow? Well, it might be fitting to look into the “Live Aston Martin” suite package at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Through this unique booking, guests receive exclusive access to an Aston Martin to cruise through Beverly Hills with.
“This is the perfect venue for current and prospective clients to indulge in the spirit of LA’s car culture by driving one of the world’s most beautiful cars amid a luxurious backdrop,” said Laura Schwab, President of Aston Martin the Americas.
Zoom Service
The Aston Martins on offer for hotel guests include the DB11 grand-tourer, the most powerful model of the DB lineage. The DB11’s new 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 cranks out 503 horsepower and 513 lb-ft. of torque. It hits 62 in just 4 seconds, with a top speed of 187 mph. Not too bad huh? Guests can also opt for the Vanquish S, which originates from Aston Martin’s historic Works in Newport Pagnell.
“Inviting travelers to create unforgettable memories through one-of-a-kind offerings, like access to exclusive Aston Martin sports cars, speaks to our team’s dedication to providing legendary service,” explained Vanessa Williams, Director of Sales and Marketing, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
“It’ll certainly add an unforgettable dose of adrenaline to the hotel stay,” Schwab said.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Apparel & Merchandise
Near the lobby is the Aston Martin pop-up store, which features an extensive collection of clothing, accessories, gifts, and other collectibles. Among the Aston Martin-themed items are sunglasses, model cars, posters, keyrings, hats, backpacks, suitcases, and mugs. There is plenty of racing gear and some of the items are even handmade.
Booking & Rewards
The Live Aston Martin package is available until March 31st and can be booked through the Waldorf Astoria’s website. Guests can also take advantage of any additional benefits as Hilton Honors members. The rewards program offers a number of perks, including a Personal Concierge service and complimentary Wi-Fi.
“At Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, we look forward to offering our guests the best in hospitality,” Williams said.
If you do this, please let us know on Twitter so we can retweet any photos you take.
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.
Live Aston Martin Package Gallery














Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.



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Ford Aims 2019 Transit Connect Wagon At Baby Boomer Generation

Ford Aims 2019 Transit Connect Wagon At Baby Boomer Generation Ford is trying to win over baby boomers in a big way with their 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon (one of Automoblog’s favorite vans). Their press materials from this year’s Chicago Auto Show are crammed with enough condescending references to the post-war generation to gag Grace Slick. But those egregious faux pas aside, the 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon has some pretty good stuff to offer.
Influential Generation
Why try to reinvent the van and sell it to boomers? Ford is direct and up front as to why: “Boomers … grew up driving vans, [and] at 111 million strong and holding 63 percent of American financial assets, the 50 plus demographic is the number one consumer demographic in the United States.” Or to be even more succinct: Boomers already know vans, there are a lot of them, and they have a lot of money. According to AARP, one in three Boomers plans to purchase a car in the next three years.
So, besides the corny and insulting hippie references in the press release (i.e. Life’s Still a Trip, Today’s Magic Bus) what does the 2019 Transit have to offer?
2019 Transit Connect Wagon. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Safety & Security
For starters, it has room for five to seven passengers and, since you can easily reconfigure the interior, cargo duty is just as easy as hauling people. American Transit buyers will also get their choice of a new gas or diesel engine, along with a collection of driver-assist technologies like Automatic Emergency Braking.
In addition, the 2019 Transit Connect Wagon comes with Pre-Collision Assist and Pedestrian Detection to help avoid big bang-bangs and thump-thumps. Adaptive Cruise Control is also available to make highway driving easier by automatically slowing the van when the system detects traffic ahead. A Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert is available. It also uses the Transit’s radar system to detect surrounding vehicles that loom at you unobserved from the sides. There is also an available Lane Keeping System that vibrates the steering wheel, and can apply extra steering wheel torque to help you keep the vehicle centered.





Trim Levels & Engines
The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon comes in two wheelbases and three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Titanium. The interior is expansive and adaptable, so fitting people in or loading in cargo is a breeze. There are dual sliding side doors, and the available roof rails give you even more versatility with the number of accessories that can be fitted to the roof. So, hauling bikes, kayaks or that vintage Greg Noll surfboard you’ve had since 1966 should be easy-peasy.
Even the engines got a going over, as I mentioned before. There’s an all new powertrain lineup, including the 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel that promises at least 30 mpg highway. The diesel plant is coupled with a new eight-speed automatic. There is also a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline mill with direct injection on offer. That engine comes with Auto Start-Stop as standard and is also mated to that new eight-speed automatic.
Wanna tow stuff? The Transit Connect Wagon offers a towing capability of 2,000 lbs. when equipped with the trailer tow package.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Availability
According to Ford, the 2019 Transit Connect Wagon will be one of the most affordable seven-passenger rigs you can get, although Ford did not actually disclose pricing. The long-wheelbase version has more interior cargo volume behind the first row than the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, according to Ford’s measurements. So think about that, comparison shoppers. Expect it this fall at dealers nationwide.
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. 
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.



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Honda Promises Family-Friendly, High-Tech Features For 2018 Pilot

Honda Promises Family-Friendly, High-Tech Features For 2018 Pilot

The 2018 Honda Pilot went on sale this week, billed as the automaker’s “family-friendly, high-tech” vehicle. Honda’s three-row SUV arrives on the heels of some solid recognition, including the 2017 Automotive Best Buy Award from Consumer Guide and a designation from U.S. News & World Report as one of the best cars for families in 2017. Honda says Pilot production in Lincoln, Alabama has increased to make availability easier for the automaker’s some 1,000 dealerships nationwide.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Honda Pilot features a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC V6 engine, complete with Variable Cylinder Management for increased performance and efficiency. The engine, which creates 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of toque, is paired to either a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available.
Honda’s unibody SUV rides on a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Steering is electronic and the brakes are a power-assisted and ventilated setup.
Interior Treatments
Honda says the high point here is the cargo and rear seating area, arranged in such a way that neither one intrudes on the other. The entry way to the third row is larger and the available “one-touch slide” feature will fold the second row automatically. Total passenger volume ranges between 151 and 153 cubic feet, depending on the trim level.
The 2018 Pilot also features the latest infotainment and connectivity systems and is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Push button start, rear window defroster, cargo area hooks and tie-downs, and a 60/40 split, flat-folding third-row bench seat are standard across the lineup.
2018 Honda Pilot Elite. Photo: Honda North America.
Safety & Security
The 2018 Pilot can be equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies, available as a standalone option on EX and EX-L, but standard on Touring and Elite trims. Honda Sensing includes the Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning. Additional driver assistance features include the standard, multi-angle rearview camera and an available blind spot information monitor with cross traffic detection.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Honda Pilot is available now. We have included the handy chart from Honda below which outlines the various trim levels and corresponding information. The Honda Pilot was designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in California and Ohio.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
Trim/Drivetrain
Transmission
MSRP
EPA MPG Rating
(City/Highway/Combined)
LX / 2WD
6AT
$30,900
19/27/22
LX / AWD
6AT
$32,800
18/26/21
EX / 2WD
6AT
$33,330
19/27/22
EX / AWD
6AT
$35,230
18/26/21
EX w/Honda Sensing / 2WD
6AT
$34,330
19/27/22
EX w/Honda Sensing / AWD
6AT
$36,230
18/26/21
EX-L / 2WD
6AT
$36,760
19/27/22
EX-L / AWD
6AT
$38,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/Honda Sensing / 2WD
6AT
$37,760
19/27/22
EX-L w/Honda Sensing / AWD
6AT
$39,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/Navi / 2WD
6AT
$37,760
19/27/22
EX-L w/Navi / AWD
6AT
$39,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/RES / 2WD
6AT
$38,360
19/27/22
EX-L w/RES / AWD
6AT
$40,260
18/26/21
Touring / 2WD
9AT
$41,970
20/27/23
Touring / AWD
9AT
$43,870
19/26/22
Elite / AWD
9AT
$47,470
19/26/22
Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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Porsche Introduces Augmented Reality For Dealership Technicians

Porsche Introduces Augmented Reality For Dealership Technicians

You know how virtual reality has been the next big thing that’s really, totally, for-sure going to happen within the next six months for the past 15 years? This ain’t that. This is augmented reality, which, in some ways, is more practical. Where as VR is totally immersive, augmented reality adds a layer of visual information on top of what your eyes can already see in the real world. So AR could add something as simple as scrolling text onto your visual field to something as complex as step by step instructions for the removal of a differential.
Visual Aids
You don’t have to be Kreskin to see where this could come in handy in, say, an auto shop or assembly plant. Porsche cottoned onto this possibility and are now rolling out a new AR system for dealerships. The intent is for real-time, remote assistance that appreciably improves efficiency and reduces service time.
The Porsche system, rather awkwardly dubbed “Tech Live Look,” uses the AiR Enterprise software platform from Atheer, Inc. Atheer (speaking of unwieldy handles) has been cranking out AR “solutions” for a while now. Like all AR stuff, the visuals are delivered into your eyeballs via lightweight smart glasses that feature the latest in projection technology. The high-tech specs come equipped with an LED light source to illuminate dark spaces in the engine compartment or under the car, and a high-resolution, auto focus camera that shows even small details, like the threading on screws. This allows someone on the other end of the glasses (say a more experienced service tech or a brain surgeon or something) to see what the wearer is doing and “talk them through” a procedure if they’re having trouble.
Tech Support
It would be really fun to play around with this. I am, by my own admission, a very, very bad mechanic. I can take things apart like Godzilla wading through downtown Tokyo, but putting things back together . . . that’s a much more iffy proposition. But if I were wearing a set of Tech Live Look glasses, then there could be someone on the other end talking me through the reassembly steps; “No. First the washer, then the cinch ring, then the spacer. That’s it. Now tighten it, but not all the way. We’re going to be coming back with a torque wrench in a bit.”
And, interestingly enough, that’s pretty much chapter and verse how Tech Live Look works in Porsche’s world. When a service tech at a dealership in, say, Los Angeles puts on their glasses and connects via the software to the Atlanta-based Porsche technical support team, it allows the Atlanta crew to see exactly what the mechanic is seeing in real-time. This, as you can imagine, allows both parties to rapidly recognize and resolve technical issues. Porsche says the new system can decrease service time by up to 40 percent. Snazzy!
Photo: Porsche Cars North America Inc.
Detailed Instruction
Tech Live Look also allows the technical support team to take screen shots or send bulletins and instructions onto the projection surface of the glasses while the service technician is working on the vehicle. Obviously this is far more efficient than sending emails and photos or explaining complex technical issues over the phone. It’s sort of like having a more experienced (and cool) mechanic looking over your shoulder, saying stuff like, “okay, you see the exploded view I just sent you? Right. That backing plate is on the other side of the case you’re taking apart right now. So when you get this all broken down, make sure you get that backing plate out too. You do not want to leave it in the case when you put everything back together. Trust me.”
And really, I kind of bristle at the use of the words “service technician.” It seems to lower what they are. Call them mechanics, please.
Fabulous Footnotes
Oh, and here’s an interesting little addendum that Porsche included with their press information on the new AR system: “At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.” Whoa, really? 30-thousand. That’s impressive. But if you think about it, Porsche has cranked out so many 911s, and such a large portion of them are raced on such a regular basis – and they are very fast if tricky to drive. So that 30,000 figure seems pretty accurate.
Not sure what that has to do with augmented reality equipped mechanics tearing into the transaxle of your 1978 911 Targa, but it is cool to know. The Tech Live Look system will officially launch in Porsche’s dealerships across North America next year.
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: Porsche Cars North America Inc.



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Lamborghini Urus: Everything Wrong At Just The Right Time

Lamborghini Urus: Everything Wrong At Just The Right Time

Lamborghini’s new Urus SUV is a rolling testament to everything wrong with the automotive world. It’s overly big, half-ugly, ostensibly made for a job it will never do and could never complete, and sold to people with too much money and not enough taste. The new Lamborghini Urus is the exact wrong car but it’s hitting at the perfect time. It is a dead on bullseye for a market where luxury SUVs are all the rage.
$200,000. That, as you are no doubt wondering, is the price of Lamborghini’s Urus SUV. That is not cheap, by any stretch, but it is right within the price point for cars like the ones Lambo already makes.
I have no doubt they will sell every last Urus they make. Every last one.
Power & Performance
Sadly, there is no V12 sitting beneath the bonnet of the Urus. That would either be too much to hope for, or just so disgustingly excessive that even Lambo realized it would move us all one step closer to Le rasoir national. Nope, the Urus is propelled by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plant that puts out 650 horsepower and 627 lb-ft. torque, starting way down low at 2,250 rpm. Not at all bad. When you combine that with a curb weight of around 4,850 lbs. (mom says I’m not fat, just big boned) you get to 60 in 3.6 seconds, 124 in 12.8 seconds, and to a top speed of 190. Lamborghini says it’s one of the best power-to-weight ratios in the class.
Obviously, the Urus is the fastest SUV available. Until Porsche totally loses its schnitzel and makes a Cayenne with enough power to reach orbital velocities.
All that power is put to the tarmac (or gravel or sand) through an automatic eight-speed gearbox and a four-wheel drive and torque vectoring system. The transmission is an electro-hydraulically controlled planetary setup, with very short low gear ratios and longer high gears. Also in the drivetrain you’ll find a slip-controlled converter lock-up clutch and specially-developed torque converter.
The four-wheel drive system itself has a Torsen central self-locking differential, with a torque split of 40/60 to the independent front/rear axle as standard. Maximum torque of 70 percent to the front or 87 percent to the rear can be dialed up. The Urus also has active torque vectoring via the rear differential for additional steering control, less steering effort, higher cornering speeds, and a “more sporty drive.”
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Drive Modes & Off-Road Attributes
There are four driving modes: STRADA, TERRA (for off-road), SABBIA (for sand), and NEVE (for snow). In SPORT and CORSA modes, torque vectoring helps provide more oversteer. Lambo says the SABBIA mode is calibrated to “guarantee agility and precision on terrains with reduced grip such as on gravel or sand dunes, making it the ideal mode for off-road fun.” I won’t say anything further about that assertion. The Lamborghini Urus also has rear-wheel steering, seemingly using the same system found on the Aventador S. Since – let’s face it – this is a large, tall and heavy vehicle, anything that can tighten that turning radius has to be seen as a benefit.
The brakes are these big carbon ceramic jobs that clock in at 440 x 40 mm at the front and 370 x 30 mm at the back. The wheels, an important accessory when parking on Rodeo Drive, range from 21 to 23-inches and come fitted with an assortment of summer, winter, all-season, all-terrain, and sport tires specially developed by Pirelli. There is an optional Off-Road Package that includes specific metal-reinforced bumpers and additional under floor protection for “off-roading in the snow, forest or even dune surfing,” according to Lamborghini.
I’m sorry. I just shot Mountain Dew out of my nose I was laughing so hard at that one. Dune Surfing? You have got to be joking. I’d pay real money to see the footage of some knob-wad beaching his $200,000 “off-roader” in the sand.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.


Interior Treatments
The interior of the Lamborghini Urus is said to be quite practical and usable and comfortable. On the inside you get a “Unicolor” theme; leather trim comes in either Nero Ade or Grigio Octans (i.e. black or gray) with five additional, unspecified optional colors. The dashboard is finished in Piano Black and Brushed Aluminum with options like Open Pore wood included in combination with aluminum and carbon fiber.
The infotainment system promises a number of connectivity features while the Lamborghini Smartphone Interface is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. The LIS infotainment display is split across two screens: the upper screen for entertainment, media, navigation, telephone, and vehicle status; the lower screen for cliamte and seat heating functions. The lower screen also has a keyboard and supports hand written commands for inputting information.
There’s no mention of exterior colors, but I bet a dollar to a doughnut they will be as subtle and restrained as Lemmy Kilmister midway through his second bottle of Jack Daniels.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Availability
The new Lamborghini Urus hits dealers in the spring of 2018. Plan on seeing it in countless mediocre rap videos, driven by The Bad Guys in every third-rate Michael Bay movie, and poorly parked by their “bad boy” owners – no doubt the sons of hedge fund managers, Hollywood movie producers, and criminal defense attorneys – on country club lawns throughout our once green and pleasant land.
Below the gallery is a handy-dandy chart from Lamborghini with all (and I do mean all) of the technical deets.
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.
Lamborghini Urus Gallery




















Lamborghini Urus Technical Data
CHASSIS AND BODY


Body and Frame
Integral lightweight body in aluminum composite design

Suspension Geometry
Multi-link front and rear

Suspension Type
Adaptive air suspension with electromechanical active roll stabilization

Brakes
Front and rear carbon ceramic

Calipers
Front aluminum 10 piston brake calipers:
21″ with radial fixing and pistons with phenolic insertRear cast iron floating 6 piston brake calipers:
19″ with integrated electric parking brake

Discs (front – rear)
Carbon ceramic discs
(Ø 440 x 40 mm – Ø 370 x 30 mm)

Steering
Steering gear with different servotronic characteristics and Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering (LRS), managed by the Tamburo drive modes
Steering Wheel Ratio
13.3:1
Steering Wheel Turns
Lock to Lock
2.29
Steering Wheel Diameter
376 mm
Tires (range)
Pirelli P Zero, Front: 285/45 R21 up to 285/35 R23
Rear: 315/40 R21 up to 325/30 R23
Wheels (range)
Front: 9,5Jx21″ up to 10Jx23″
Rear: 10,5Jx21″ up to 11,5Jx23″
Turning Circle
11.8 m
Airbags
Up to 8 Airbags
ENGINE

Type
Petrol V8, 90°
Displacement
3.996 ccm
Valve Per Cylinder
4
Valve Timing
Intake and exhaust camshaft adjusted continuously
Turbocharger
Bi-turbo twin-scroll
Maximum Power
650 hp (478 kW) at 6,000 rpm
Specific Power Output
162.7 hp/l

Maximum Torque
850 Nm at 2,250-4,500 rpm

Maximum RPM
6,800 rpm

DRIVETRAIN


Transmission
4WD with integrated front differential,
central differential (Torsen) and active
torque vectoring rear differential

Gearbox
8-speed automatic gearbox, characteristic depending on drive mode

PERFORMANCE


Top Speed
305 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h
[0-62 mph]
3.6 sec.

Acceleration 0-200 km/h
[0-124 mph]
12.8 sec.

Braking 100-0 km/h
[62-0 mph]
33,7 m

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT


Wheelbase
3,003 mm

Overall Length
5,112 mm

Overall Width
(excluding mirrors)
2,016 mm

Overall Height
1,638 mm

Track (front – rear)
1,695 mm – 1,710 mm

Ground Clearance
158 mm – 248 mm (adjustable via air suspension)

Curb Weight
2,200 kg

Weight-to-Power Ratio
3.38 kg/hp

CAPACITIES


Fuel Tank
85 liters (75 liters U.S. Market)

Luggage Compartment
616 liters – 1,596 liters

CONSUMPTION


Combined Cycle
12,7 l/100 km

CO2 Emissions
290 g/km
Photos & Source: Automobili Lamborghini.



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Cadillac Reveals Limited V-Series Championship Editions

Cadillac Reveals Limited V-Series Championship Editions

Cadillac recently introduced the V-Series Championship Editions at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Why? Because Caddy kicked some serious butt on the track in 2017, winning the IMSA Manufacturer, Driver, Team, and Endurance Championships. That’s why! The Cadillac V-Series Championship Editions include the 2018 ATS-V coupe and sedan, and the 2018 CTS-V super sedan. The special editions celebrate Cadillac’s first Manufacturer’s Championship for endurance racing.
And yeah, in a lot of ways, all this track-killer performance is done the old fashioned American way: More power. Lots more power.
Championship Treatments
The ATS-V and CTS-V Championship Editions are available in Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat. Also gracing the outside of the car are V-Performance graphics, located on the hood and rear spoiler, Red Obsession side-view mirror caps, red Brembo brake calipers, and special V-Series wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets. A unique DPi-V.R graphic is also found on the rear quarter window.
The inside of the Championship Edition Cadillacs feature a Morello Red detail package with Jet Black Recaro race-inspired seats, red front and rear door armrests, and Morello-accented, high-gloss carbon fiber trim. Other cool interior stuff includes the Performance Data Recorder with Cosworth Toolbox and next-generation Cadillac user experience. Of course, I have to point out that “Cosworth” and “Toolbox” are two words that kind of make me shiver and “next-generation Cadillac user experience” . . . man, I can’t even with that one.





Further Appointments
The 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Championship Edition includes your choice of the two aforementioned colors: Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat, and the aforementioned V-Performance graphics. You get a Serialized Certificate of Authenticity, which is simultaneously cool and cheesy. The Carbon Fiber Package gives you carbon fiber all over the place: front splitter, hood vent, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser. The included Luxury Package has tri-zone climate control, heated rear seats, power rear-window sunshade, manual rear side-window sunshades, and a 110-volt power outlet. You also get an “ultra-view” sunroof, which, I assume, allows you to view Ultras (whatever those are).
All 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Championship Editions include the exact same stuff as the CTS-V Championship Editions, so just read that paragraph above if you’re confused. We also have a chart below.
If you want, your ATS-V and CTS-V Championship Editions can include a Sueded microfiber steering wheel and shifter (yes, Caddy actually turned the noun suede into a frickin’ verb!), an Advanced Security Package, and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Photo: Cadillac.


Pricing & Availability
The Championship Edition ATS-V and CTS-V will begin arriving at select Cadillac dealers this month and will include tuition and accommodation at the two-day Cadillac V-Performance Academy at Spring Mountain (saWEET!). The ATS-V sedans start at $72,190 and coupes at $74,390. The 2018 CTS-V Championship Editions will start at a heady $105,730. Only 200 Championship Editions will be built so get in line now!
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.
2018 Cadillac CTS-V Championship Edition
Cadillac Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat exterior paint
Cadillac V-Performance graphic on hood and rear spoiler
Red Obsession mirror caps
Cadillac DPi-V.R graphic on quarter windows
Serialized Certificate of Authenticity (sent after retail delivery)
19” V-Series wheels in polished Alloy with Midnight Painted Pockets
Morello Red Package
Morello accented high gloss carbon fiber interior trim
Split-folding rear seats with Morello Red stitching

Carbon Fiber Package:
Carbon fiber front splitter
Carbon fiber hood vent
Carbon fiber rear spoiler
Carbon fiber rear diffuser

Luxury Package:
Tri-zone climate control
Heated rear outboard seating positions
Power rear-window sunshade
Manual rear side-window sunshades
110-volt power receptacle

Ultra-view sunroof
Red Brembo brake calipers
Recaro performance seats
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Championship Edition
Cadillac Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat exterior paint
Cadillac Performance graphic on hood and spoiler
Red Obsession mirror caps
DPi-V.R graphic on quarter window
Serialized certificate of authenticity
18” V-Series wheels – polished Alloy with Midnight Painted Pockets
Morello Red Package
Morello accented high gloss carbon fiber interior trim
Split-folding rear seats with Morello Red stitching

Carbon Fiber Package:
Carbon fiber front splitter
Carbon fiber hood vent
Carbon fiber rear spoiler
Carbon fiber rear diffuser

Sunroof
Red Brembo brake calipers
Recaro performance seats
Next generation Cadillac user experience
Photos & Source: Cadillac.



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