Automotive

Redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLA Debuts In Detroit

The Mercedes-Benz compact SUV, the GLA, has been refreshed with what the Stuttgart company calls an “expressive design.” The revamped GLA features updated equipment, both inside and out, and new safety features.

Oh, and there’s an AMG model too.

Outwardly, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA has modified bumpers, new wheel designs, and the new color “Canyon Beige.” Also, you’ll notice that the previously-optional bi-xenon headlamps are gone, making way for more efficient LED headlamps.

The automaker officially revealed the new GLA at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan this week.

Interior Layout

The interior of the GLA has been reworked with high-quality materials as well as new seat covers. There is a free-standing 8-inch media display and new gauges in the instrument panel with red needles. Also, there’s lots of chrome strewn hither and yon. The controls for the electric seat adjustments have highlights in silver chrome, and the stowage compartment in the center console is also surrounded by a chrome frame. There is also an optional Interior Package with standard sport seats aimed at the “particularly sporty customer.”

An exterior nicety is an appearance package that includes 19-inch AMG wheels, black window trim, exterior mirrors, roof rails, exhaust tips, and exterior accents. Mercedes-Benz calls this option “The Night Package.” Kind of hilarious.

There is a 360-degree camera available that can display a full-image depiction or in seven different split-screen views on the media display. The camera system can also make a virtual top view of the car to aid in getting in and out of tight parking spots.

It’s not all just cake decorating though.

Mercedes-Benz focused heavily on aerodynamics with the GLA, giving the vehicle solid flow characteristics that contribute to increased fuel economy and reduced road noise. Testing was done in a high-speed wind tunnel in Sindelfingen, Germany. One dynamic change is the low A- pillar step, corresponding A-pillar design, and the aerodynamically optimized exterior mirror housings. Furthermore, the trim on the main floor, additional trim in the center section of the rear axle, and even the rear silencer with a connected diffuser improve the flow of air beneath the vehicle. Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.

Power & Performance

Now, in case you’re a gearhead (like us) and all this interior frewforaw leaves you cold, hold on, because they also make the AMG GLA45.

The AMG version of Mercedes’ little ute is provoked by a handcrafted 2.0L turbo engine. “Only two liters,” you moan? Shut up. The thing reels out 375 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of torque, good enough for a time of zero to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. It’s also good enough to stop your whining. The little turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder mill has extremely fast throttle response thanks to the spray-guided Piezo direct injectors that are centrally located in the four combustion chambers.

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7- speed transmission includes shorter ratios in gears three to seven to emphasize acceleration. Together with optimized response and shift times, the closer ratio spread ensures better transitions, especially when upshifting. There is an optional AMG Performance Exhaust System for an even sportier exhaust note too. You can even vary the sound via a switch, which is especially nice under acceleration.

The standard all-wheel drive AMG Performance 4MATIC system provides traction in a variety of weather conditions. The technology transfers power to all the wheels as torque is distributed to the front and rear axle. This configuration is designed for an optimum ratio of sportiness, efficiency, and traction to match any driving situation. A multiple-disc clutch is integrated in the rear axle differential with AMG-specific control passes on the engine torque to the rear wheels, should the front wheels lose traction. The spectrum ranges from purely front-wheel drive to a 50:50 ratio for the front and rear wheels. Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.

Appropriate Styling

The AMG variant also looks a little different, natch.

We expected as much . . .

The front section has been sharpened with the front bumper and given an even more dynamic shape. The new air intake grilles and front splitter insert in silver chrome plus flics (i.e. dive planes) in high-gloss black are other nice additions. The LED High Performance headlamps are now part of the standard AMG equipment.

The twin louver on the AMG Twin Blade radiator grille is now done in silver chrome, as are the inserts in the side sill panels. There are optional multi-spoke 20-inch light-alloy wheels available in two colors, matte black or painted titanium grey. Out back there’s a new diffuser, trimmed in silver chrome, plus a new spoiler lip on the roof.

Inside, the dash is covered with standard MB-Tex and has red contrast topstitching. The trim, extending over virtually the entire width of the car is, a high-gloss surface with AMG lettering available in black/red or in black/silver, depending on upholstery.

The 2018 GLA will go on sale in the United States this summer.

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 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 Gallery

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA45 Gallery

Photos & Source: Mercedes-Benz USA.

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Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Shipping Your Car

Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Shipping Your Car When it comes to shipping your car, there are some common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid.
From pick up to delivery, it’s important to know the facts and what to expect ahead of time.
The experts at RoadRunner Auto Transport explain what to look for when shipping your car.
Many people who ship a car are doing so for the first time. Most people go into the process completely unprepared. Taking the right steps to research the auto transport companies you are considering can help you save money and frustration. Then, taking the correct steps to prepare for your shipment can help you save time and energy.
One of the easiest ways to avoid making mistakes is to start planning your shipment well in advance. If you know you need to ship your car, you should start thinking about it at least two months in advance. Then, you should book your shipment at least a month in advanced.
In addition to that, here are the most common mistakes to avoid when shipping your car.
Mistake #1: Not Being Ready
When the driver comes to pick up your car, you need to be ready for the process. Your car needs to be clean so they can inspect it and take note of any existing damage on the bill of lading. You also need to have the proper documentation ready for them to check. This includes photo identification (valid license or passport), your e-mail confirmation of your booking printed out, your insurance certificate, proof of vehicle ownership as well as the vehicle’s registration.
Mistake #2: Not Doing Enough Research
A lot of people will just Google “auto transport” or a similar search term, and immediately book with the first company they find. However, there are, unfortunately, a lot of unsavory companies out there. Some companies will offer bait and switch pricing; then after they have possession of your vehicle, will inform you there has “been an issue” and that you need to pay an additional amount. This can total several hundred dollars in order for your shipment to continue. If you do not pay, they will hold your car, possibly until you take them to court.
Either way, you will be without your car for a while because of this.
Some companies will damage your car and refuse to pay for it. Others might have poor customer service. However, there are good and trustworthy companies out there when you need to ship a car. You just need to do the research to verify they are trusted before you book your car shipment. Use sites like Consumer Reports along with Google reviews to see what past customers have to say about any vehicle transport company. The more research you do ahead of time, the better.

Mistake #3: Trusting “Too Good To Be True” Promises
Auto transport is a process where unpredictable things can happen during the course of a shipment. This includes traffic delays and inclement weather delays. It is realistically not possible for an auto transport company to guarantee a single day as a delivery date. Any reputable or semi-reputable car shipping company will give you a three to five-day window, depending on the overall length of the shipment, and when they will drop off your car at its destination.
Mistake #4: Leaving Personal Items In Your Vehicle
If you leave personal items in your car during shipment, they will not be covered by the shipping insurance if they are lost or damaged. So, if you leave any valuables in the car and they go missing or get damaged, you will need to cover the entire cost of replacing them. Do yourself a favor and remove any valuable items from your vehicle before it gets picked up for shipping.

Mistake #5: Not Recording Damage
Always write down any damage incurred during the shipment on the bill of lading. Once your car is delivered, you will need to conduct your own visual inspection. This way you will ensure that no damage occurred during the transport of your vehicle. Unfortunately but rarely, damage does occur. However, if it does, mark it down on the bill of lading during your inspection at delivery. This way you can file a damage claim with that particular car shipping company. If you don’t do this when your car is delivered and the driver is still there, you won’t be able to file a damage claim.
And you will end up paying to repair the damage yourself.
Conclusion
The auto shipping process can be simple and easy or complicated and frustrating. It all depends on how prepared you are for your vehicle to be picked up and delivered, as well as how few of the previously mentioned mistakes you make. Use this guide from the very start of the car shipping process when you are gathering quotes and researching companies, all the way until your car has been delivered safely.
Avoiding these missteps could save you thousands of dollars and a ton of time too.
This advice provided by RoadRunner Auto Transport, a leader in nationwide door-to-door auto shipping services. Their dedicated team of shipping professionals will arrange and transport your vehicle with care from start to finish. RoadRunner Auto Transport provides reliable car shipping for both individuals and companies, moving thousands of vehicles on a monthly basis.

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2018 Audi SQ5 Makes World Debut At NAIAS

Audi’s Q series, that would be their line of SUVs, has an S sub-brand that focuses on more performance oriented options. Their latest, the 2018 Audi SQ5, just took it’s debut bow at the 2017 North American International Auto Show.

The Q series breaks down into three models: The Q3, the Q5, and the Q7. Essentially, that comes across as “small, medium, and large.” Right now, we’ll be looking at the sporty version of the Q5, the SQ5.

Power & Performance

The 2018 SQ5 is motivated by an all-new, 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine, cranking out 354 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. The torque curve is particularly broad-shouldered, producing all that grunt from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. Said power and torque is put to the pavement via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission that Audi says “is well suited for the low-end torque of the turbocharged V6.”

They said something similar about the A5 and S5.

Naturally, the Audi SQ5, like all Audis, is standard-equipped with quattro all-wheel drive.

The 2018 Audi SQ5 with the quattro sport rear differential actively splits torque between the wheels of the rear axle, and can direct nearly all torque to one wheel. This creates a more engaging driving experience. The technology is part of the available S sport package. Photo: Audi of America.

Suspension Setup

The 2018 Audi SQ5 has a newly developed front and rear suspension. The new front five-link suspension is lightweight and said to offer greater steering precision and exceptional handling. Audi engineered the placement and performance of the steering-rack accordingly.

The SQ5 sport package also includes, for the first time on the model, an adaptive air suspension. The air suspension system can lower the vehicle height by 30 mm compared to the standard adaptive suspension. This air suspension system allows for the adjustments of both the ride height and the firmness of the dampers (shocks, as we call them in America) and is controlled via the Audi drive select.

The SQ5’s advanced driver assistance systems are designed to keep occupants safe. Standard Audi pre sense city, an automatic emergency braking system, can help detect stationary vehicles and pedestrians, and if necessary, initiate full braking at speeds of up to 52 mph to avoid a potential collision. Also available is adaptive cruise control with stop & go. This automatically maintains distance from the vehicle in front, including braking and accelerating. And finally, between 0-40 mph, traffic jam assist combines acceleration, braking, and steering guidance, which can help decrease the stress of driving in heavy traffic. Photo: Audi of America.

Drive Modes & Steering

The Audi drive select has four modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual. If you opt for the available sport adaptive air suspension, you can also choose from an allroad and a lift/offroad mode. The allroad and lift/offroad modes raise the air suspension for increased ground clearance when needed.

Say, dealing with berms while heading up for a ski weekend.

Audi has also tweaked the aforementioned steering on 2018 SQ5. A dynamic steering package is available, which offers a variable steering ratio that adjusts based on vehicle speed and the Audi drive select setting. So at higher driving speeds, the system improves straight-line stability, while at lower driving speeds, there is a more direct steering ratio. This helps increase steering response for easy maneuvering.

In other words, parking is made a lot easier while still retaining great highway manners.

So the SQ5 hits the Goldilocks zone in a rather nice and sporting way. Not too big. Not too small. And it can go, turn, and stop better than your average SUV. We thought it was a nice addition to the North American International Auto Show.

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 Audi SQ5 Gallery

2018 Audi SQ5 Performance Charts

Photos & Source: Audi of America.

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