2018 Honda Odyssey Production Begins

2018 Honda Odyssey Production Begins

The Honda Odyssey is the most popular minivan in the United States. Retail sales data from Urban Science shows Honda has lead the minivan segment for the last seven years, and they show no signs of slowing down. This week, more than 1,500 associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) kicked off 2018 Odyssey production.
“This is a celebration for our entire Honda team of associates who have been committed to bringing an all-new, high tech, family-friendly Odyssey to our customers,” said Jeff Tomko, President of HMA.
Exclusive Rights
HMA opened on November 14th 2001 in Lincoln, Alabama, assembling what was then the second generation Odyssey. Today, HMA has built more than 4 million vehicles and engines as the sole production outlet of the Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline. The 2018 Odyssey is the fourth all-new model to emerge from HMA in the past five years. HMA also builds the Acura MDX and its corresponding V6 engine.
The facility has undergone various upgrades to boost performance and quality assurance. With regard to the 2018 Odyssey, this includes a new and refined process for the acoustic spray foam. The material is installed in 14 different locations within the Odyssey’s body to enhance cabin quietness and reduce road noise.
“I congratulate all of our associates for their commitment to quality for this new vehicle, which ushers in a new level of features and functionality with the goal of creating new value for our customers,” Tomko said.
All 2018 Odysseys in EX and above trims will have Honda Sensing as standard equipment. The package includes Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Photo: Honda North America.
Performance Tech
The 2018 Honda Odyssey, in its higher trims, features a new i-VTEC V6 with 280 horsepower – an increase of 32 horsepower over the outgoing model. The engine is paired to a new 10-speed automatic, the first of its kind for a front-wheel drive minivan. The transmission is produced at Honda Precision Parts Georgia (HPPG) in Tallapoosa, Georgia.
Honda is specific in their design approach with the Odyssey, focusing on beneficial features for growing families. The 2018 Odyssey’s Magic Slide second-row seating system, for example, offers a reconfigurable array for more passenger comfort, easier cargo hauling, and smoother access to the third row. Other features families will find useful are the CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems. CabinWatch lets Mom and Dad keep tabs on the kids via an infrared camera (don’t act up kids!) while CabinTalk allows them to chat with rear passengers through the speakers and rear entertainment headphones.
On the daily commute, drivers can keep passengers comfortable with the Odyssey’s CabinControl app. Through smartphone integration, the app controls entertainment, navigation, and rear climate settings. CabinControl also links to the Social Playlist, a virtual jukebox spinning the preferred music of up to seven family members.
Expect the 2018 Honda Odyssey before long at Honda dealerships nationwide – if you are interested in a 2017 model, see our product and performance overview on the vehicle. Americans have purchased more than 2.5 million Odyssey minivans since its 1994 debut.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo: Honda North America.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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Nissan To Expand NISMO Road Car Business

Nissan To Expand NISMO Road Car Business

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is developing a new operation aimed at expanding its NISMO road car business. NISMO Cars Business Department is part of Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan group company that makes converted vehicles. The division intends to build a greater range of models available to customers in more markets, according to Nissan.
NISMO Cars Business Department will recruit enterprising talent from Nissan, Autech, Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. and other Nissan ventures to develop the vehicles.
Prospects & Performance
The idea is to introduce NISMO road cars to new global segments and market them accordingly. At the same time, Nissan will look to boost their NISMO presence in existing markets like Japan, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The performance aspects and styling cues of NISMO’s road cars are derived through NISMO motorsports. The focus of the brand revolves around offering drivers a quality and reliability that matches the performance.
“As a Nissan sub-brand, NISMO further builds upon the core values of Nissan cars,” said Takao Katagiri, President and CEO, Autech Japan and Nissan Motorsports International.
Joint Efforts
Nissan unveiled the NISMO brand in 2013; NISMO cars account for about 15,000 units per year in sales. Models so far include the GT-R, 370Z, JUKE, and Sentra in the United States. The Note and Patrol are also on the NISMO roster but are sold outside the American market. In addition to shortening the development process, Nissan plans to raise the bar with regard to marketing and promoting the vehicles. NISMO Cars Business Department will team with Nissan Motorsports International on a range of projects, including showing the cars at Nissan dealerships and holding events for NISMO car owners.
“With the combined expertise of Nissan group companies, NISMO road cars will make customers enjoy Nissan cars more than ever,” Katagiri said.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Photos & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.



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Chevy Bolt EV Owners Hit Record Miles As EV Demand Increases

Chevy Bolt EV Owners Hit Record Miles As EV Demand Increases

The Chevy Bolt EV appears to be gaining traction – literally that is. The automaker reports that nearly 3,500 Bolt EV owners in the United States have driven a cumulative 4,570,300 miles as of April 2nd, 2017. The vehicle went on sale recently too – in December 2016 – but the figures are solid for a vehicle only four months on the market, and for one not sold nationwide just yet.
The miles driven by Bolt EV owners added up to more than 175,000 gallons of fuel saved, based on figures from the EPA.
Record Breaking
The Chevy Bolt EV is EPA-estimated at 238 miles of range, although one owner pushed that threshold substantially, traveling 310 miles on a single charge. While these numbers are not typical it is still a feather in Chevy’s cap, especially as younger adults show a remarkable interest in electric vehicles – up to 50 percent according to an extensive study by the Consumer Federation of America.
The study also found the more consumers are educated about EVs, the more they desire to own one.
Accessible Capability
Still, some surveys show mixed emotions on electric vehicles. A fall 2013 study by Navigant Research called the Electric Vehicle Consumer Survey shows consumers like the idea of EVs but might be hesitant to purchase one based on available features. It would appear, however, Chevrolet designed the Bolt EV accordingly. The vehicle comes with a 10.2-inch MyLink color display, Bluetooth compatibility, and a surround vision camera that provides a bird’s-eye view for the driver. An EV-specific navigation feature shows the best routes for range and nearby charging stations.
“Our early Bolt EV customers are proving the crossover’s functionality, flexibility, and long-range capabilities on a daily basis,” said Steve Majoros, Director of Marketing, Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Nationwide Release
The average Bolt EV owner drives approximately 53 miles per day and with an estimated range of 238 miles, it’s more than enough for most commutes. Currently, the Bolt EV is only available in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and Virginia, but will see a nationwide release this summer.
“Chevrolet committed to delivering a game-changing vehicle and we’ve done just that,” Majoros added. “As we continue our national rollout of the Bolt EV, we’re making electric driving accessible to even more drivers.”
The Chevy Bolt EV is assembled at GM’s Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet, Consumer Federation of America, Navigant Research.



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Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan: Pursuit-Rated, Fuel Efficient

Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan: Pursuit-Rated, Fuel Efficient

Attention gearheads! Pictured here is Ford’s new hybrid police cruiser. It’s also pursuit-rated. If you are a gearhead of the big right foot variety, be on the lookout for this car. Maintain situational awareness at all times and know your enemy.
In all seriousness, it’s actually no big deal for lead-footed gearheads out there. So Ford made a hybrid cop car. Functionally, it means nothing to getting a ticket. It still looks like a cop car and, as far as I’m concerned, if you can’t spot a cop in time to slow down, you should get a ticket anyway. Pay attention, dingus!
Hot Pursuit
What is cool, however, is that Ford is very serious about its hybrid technology; serious enough to deploy it across a broad spectrum of uses. Ford is dropping $4.5 billion and rolling out 13 new electric vehicles world-wide over the next five years, including an F-150 and Mustang hybrid, Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, and a supposed “self- driving hybrid.” An all electric small SUV with a projected range of at least 300 miles is also planned. Finally, we have the industry’s first pursuit-rated hybrid police car, the all-new Police Responder Hybrid Sedan.
They continually hit on that “pursuit-rated” bit. Pursuit cop cars are different from your run of the mill cruisers and prowlers. Cruisers and prowlers are what you see tooling around your city and can, in a pinch, be counted upon to chase after bad guys for a mile or two. Pursuit cop cars, on the other hand, are designed from the get-go to chase after and maintain contact with a suspect vehicle at high speeds for extended distances. State Patrol cars are almost always pursuit-rated. They are the hot rods of the cop car motor pool, featuring such goodies as uprated shocks, struts, sway-bars, and brakes as well as beefed up transmissions and differentials, along with heavy duty oil and transmission coolers. Pursuit cop cars are built to go flat out from Butte to Billings and back without breaking a sweat.
The Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan was certified by police agencies to operate for longer periods at varying rates of speed. Similarly, it was certified to handle obstacles like curbs and flooded intersections. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Double Duty
FoMoCo rolled out the all-new Police Responder Hybrid Sedan in Los Angeles and New York recently. An admittedly odd choice for a hot rod, but it plays to the other; some would say the real strength of the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan: it gets great gas mileage. Cop cars are usually big fat sedans to begin with. On top of that, you need a back seat large enough to stuff perps into, plus you need a trunk for all your ancillary gear, plus a front seat with room for all the radios, cameras, computers, SCMODS links, that big, bad, vertically mounted pump-action shotgun and two coffee swilling, doughnut absorbing peace officers sworn to serve and protect.
Or to be more succinct, cop cars are already heavy and inefficient to begin with.
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan will help cities lower emissions and offer potential fuel savings, both while driving and idling. A city’s fleet can drink fuel like it were free, so the cost savings could be very great indeed, and cutting down on the emissions from all those cop cars, idling or otherwise, could be just the cherry on top. Ford says their patented hybrid technology is forecasted to deliver a combined figure of 38 miles per gallon, which is more than double that of today’s Police Interceptor. It could mean a police force’s fuel budget/savings just effectively got doubled.
“Our mission to create safe and healthy communities in Los Angeles is achieved through sustainable approaches in community policing, and that includes embracing new technologies,” said Charlie Beck, Los Angeles Police Department Chief. “Patrol vehicles are a police officer’s office, and we expect them to not only be economically and environmentally efficient, but also an effective tool for fighting crime in major metropolitan areas.” Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Performance Tech
While the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan is idling, its lithium-ion battery helps power the high electrical loads of a police vehicle, reducing engine run time and saving an estimated 0.27 gallons of fuel per hour. Cities that buy Police Responder Hybrid Sedans could see nearly $3,900 a year in fuel savings per vehicle relative to the (possibly outgoing) Police Interceptor. Ford also provides an online fuel calculator that allows customers to determine how much they may potentially save. Handy, no?
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan uses one of those weird but cool Atkinson-cycle, 2.0-liter engines, mated to an electric motor fed by the lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid system itself is tuned for law enforcement’s unique duty cycle and can run in battery-only mode up to 60 mph. Ford makes no mention of what the 0 to 60 times are, but using just electrics alone, this thing could detonate to that speed very promptly. Ford does say the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan automatically switches to maximum performance with the engine and battery working at peak acceleration levels when needed.
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan can be ordered this spring and will be delivered to police departments nationwide next summer. Keep your eyes peeled!
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: Ford Motor Company.



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Jaguar teases new XF Sportbrake in Wimbledon, but we probably won't get it w/ video

Jaguar teases new XF Sportbrake in Wimbledon, but we probably won't get it w/ video Jaguar teases the latest long-roof variant of the latest XF sedan. Like many other long-roofs, don’t expect this one to come stateside.
What’s going on?
Europe has a habit of producing sweet wagon versions of cars we already like stateside. Here’s another example: the latest XF Sportbrake. The Jaguar XF received an overhaul not too long ago. So it makes sense the long-roof variant, the Sportbrake, was to spawn from the latest and greatest XF. And it was just teased at Wimbledon.
Like previous XF Sportbrake estates, this one will likely be off-limits to US shores due to low demand. Let’s also not forget, Jaguar already sells the F-Pace crossover, which doesn’t justify spending the resources to ship XF Sportbrakes here.
Either way, we’re still going to drool because we enthusiasts like hot wagons, because nobody else really does.
What’s known about the new XF Sportbrake?
Not many official details were spared. But it will obviously share a lot in common with the latest XF. This means the usual selection of Ingenium gas and diesel engines already offered on the XF sedan.
From the one teaser released, the new XF Sportbrake comes with a huge panoramic roof that takes up most of the top structure. Then, the rest is pretty self explanatory. Being a modern Jaguar, we already know it’s going to look great.
– By: Chris Chin

The post Jaguar teases new XF Sportbrake in Wimbledon, but we probably won’t get it w/ video appeared first on egmCarTech.



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The 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for fastest front-wheel drive...

The 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for fastest front-wheel drive... Honda continues to prove they know what they’re doing with front-wheel drive.
What’s going on?
Honda is no stranger to the game of front-wheel drive. While many detest the configuration, it still works very well in its own respective ways. And Honda’s one of the few brands to prove that front-wheel drive cars can perform just as well as some of their rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive counterparts. The latest example: the hot new 2017 Honda Civic Type R.
It just took the title as the world’s fastest front-wheel-drive production car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. A fitting record to sit next to other Honda greats, like the original Integra Type R.
How fast did the Civic Type R lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife?
It did the 12.9-mile Green Hell in just 7 minutes and 43.80 seconds, on April 3, 2017. It was almost three seconds faster than the Civic Type R before it.
This was partially due to the latest Civic Type R’s all-new and potent 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It’s then complimented by a very aggressive, but functional aerodynamic body kit, sport-tuned front control arm and rear-multilink suspension, a six-speed manual transmission as standard, and a limited-slip differential.
Honda admits the lap vehicle was a pre-production prototype, but insist that it represents a production-ready car.
When the 2018 Honda Civic Type R hits US dealers, it will be America’s first Honda Type R model, and the first US-bound Type R model since the original Acura Integra Type R.
Production commenced for the Civic Type R in Swindon, England.
– By: Chris Chin
2018 Honda Civic Type R Nürburgring Nordschleife Lap Record Gallery

























The post The 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for fastest front-wheel drive production car appeared first on egmCarTech.



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Classic Ford Bronco Versus S&P: Can This 4×4 Out Climb The Markets?

Classic Ford Bronco Versus S&P: Can This 4×4 Out Climb The Markets? A FordPartsOnSale.com study examines how the classic Ford Bronco measures against the S&P.
The original MSRP of Broncos from 1966 to 1976 were examined along with recent auction data. 
While a classic Ford Bronco might be fun to take to a car show, it may not be the best investment.
The rumor mills are on fire right now – with the real deal, no foolin’ Ford is making a modern version of the Bronco next year – providing the kindling. Any why not? From Ford’s perspective, it seems like a lead pipe cinch. SUVs in any shape or size are the hot commodity right now. Add to that the public’s appetite for nostalgia, and remaking the Bronco seems like a license to print money for FoMoCo. But would it be a good investment for you? And in particular, would a classic Ford Bronco be a good investment in the long run?
Setting The Stage
Here’s the deal. Every so often, some bright young sparks with access to past financial data do an investment comparison on the “What would make you more money?” question. It always goes like this: If you were to invest $1,000 in sugar beets or gold in 1944, which would make more money by today? Take out “sugar beets or gold” and replace it with “Apple stock or gold” or “Jackson Pollock paintings or gold” or “classic cars or the stock market.” The car end of this equation comes up every so often and we’ve covered it more than a few times here at Automoblog.
It turns out, purely coincidentally, that someone decided to examine the investment return of the original Ford Bronco. This, near as I can tell, has absolutely nothing to do with the Bronco’s return to the market. Regardless, the team at FordPartsOnSale.com (guess what business they’re in, go ahead, guess) recently crunched the numbers on just how much you would have made or lost if you bought a classic Ford Bronco new versus investing that money in the Standard & Poor’s stock index.
1966 Ford Bronco. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Related: Porsche versus the S&P: Can this classic sports car top the stock market?
Going For Broke
Yes, there were the interim Broncos. You know, the ones painted white and driven by former football stars. We, and FordPartsOnSale.com aren’t talking about those. We’re talking about the original, smaller Broncos like the ones Parnelli Jones raced in the Baja 1000. This happy coincidence of timing might actually be practical too. Think about it. When the new Bronco comes out, what do you think is going to happen to the value of the older versions? Especially if the new Bronco is more retro looking?
The originals that were made from 1966 to 1977 should (emphasis on should) see a spike in value.
FordPartsOnSale.com looked at the original MSRP and current value (based on Barrett-Jackson auction sales from January) of four Ford Broncos from the first and second generations. They tallied up like this: The highest sale price was for a 1973 model at $60,500. The lowest auction sale of the four was for a 1967 model that went for $31,900. The average S&P return bought during the same time frame was calculated to be around $225,000.
1974 Ford Bronco. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Related: Stock market or cars? Where to invest and what does the data say?
Stock Market Wins
Take the original MSRP of the 1967 Bronco ($2,480) and instead of buying it new in 1967, you would have invested that amount into the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. You would have nearly $185,000 today. So in other words, “investing” in a classic Ford Bronco is not as profitable as putting your money into the stock market.
“We’ve heard rumblings from Bronco fans about how re-sale on classics is through the roof and climbing higher,” said Don Heelon, Parts Manager at FordPartsOnSale.com. “It’s true, there was a Bronco that sold recently for upwards of $100,000.”
Which is pretty durn stupefying. $100K?! Dude, that’s used Ferrari money.
“But as big as that number is, it’s still not better than stocks,” Heelon concluded, referring to the recent ballooning auction prices. “Everyone knows that playing the stock market has its ups and downs. Turns out, investing in classic cars is not always predictable either, but it is way more fun than stocks.”
Classic Ford Bronco Infographic
And you know, we here at 1 Automoblog Towers in beautiful downtown Detroit are not going to argue with that sentiment one little bit. Here’s a handy chart that FordPartsOnSale.com cooked up to show you how to invest your money.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 

 



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Honda Building Advanced Wind Tunnel Facility In Ohio

Honda Building Advanced Wind Tunnel Facility In Ohio

Expect Honda’s future vehicles to be more fuel efficient and fun to drive – that’s the directive behind their latest $124 million investment for a multifunctional aeroacoustic wind tunnel. Groundbreaking is set for this summer at the world renowned Transportation Research Center (TRC), in East Liberty, Ohio.
“This new facility will further enhance our ability to efficiently create products of the highest quality for our customers,” said Frank Paluch, President of Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Construction & Configuration
A five-belt rolling road system for production vehicle development will compliment a second, single/wide belt system for testing high-performance and purpose-built race cars. The acoustics are a strategic system of microphones and cameras, set up to measure and identify potential noise issues on both the exterior and interior of a vehicle during development.
Wind speeds of nearly 200 mph can be created in the tunnel.
“It will be integral to our aerodynamic and aeroacoustic R&D activity, which spans from advanced research and computer simulation, through scale-model and full vehicle development, to production vehicle performance assurance,” Paluch said.
2017 Honda Civic Hatchback. Photo: Honda North America.
Ohio Proud
Honda’s relationship with Ohio began in 1979 in Marysville with motorcycle production. Subsequently, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to establish automobile production in the United States at its nearby Marysville Auto Plant. An engine plant in Anna, Ohio and a second plant in East Liberty soon followed. A third facility, the Performance Manufacturing Center (Marysville) started the exclusive global production of the 2017 Acura NSX last year. Near the Ohio plants is Honda R&D Americas, the automaker’s largest R&D operating base outside Japan.
Since 1982, Honda has manufactured over 17 million automobiles in Ohio. Today, they operate 13 entities in the state.
Honda purchased TRC from the State of Ohio in January 1988. Specializing in research and vehicle testing, TRC sits on 4,500 acres about 40 miles outside Columbus, Ohio. TRC can and does operate around the clock, conducting brake, crash, durability, fuel economy, emissions, handling, and performance testing for multiple customers. Honda’s new aeroacoustic wind tunnel is expected to enhance TRC’s capability.
“This innovative and industry leading asset provides us with another distinct reason for our customers to take advantage of the world-class testing facilities we have in Ohio at TRC,” said Mark-Tami Hotta, President and CEO, TRC.
Paluch underscored Honda’s continued growth in Ohio.
“All of this is being done right here in the U.S.,” he said.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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2018 Audi Q5: An SUV With Advanced Tech, Great Gas Mileage

2018 Audi Q5: An SUV With Advanced Tech, Great Gas Mileage

SUVs are, and rightly so, thought of as being rather more than a given person needs most of the time, and are, at best, not the most fuel efficient vehicles on the planet. Yes, this is all by and large true, but comparatively speaking, the new for 2018 Audi Q5 is actually pretty good on gas. Sure, it’s no Prius, but in comparison to its competition, it actually gets good mileage.
We’ll get to how Audi does this in a bit, but before we do, look at where they fall with regard to the competition.
Fuel Economy Focused
The 2018 Audi Q5 gets 23 in the city, 27 on the highway, and 25 combined. Like I said, not sterling numbers, but not bad for something the size and weight of a mine sweeper. Look at the next best mid-sized SUV, the 2017 Lexus NX 200t AWD. The Lexus clocks in at 22 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined. That’s the next best, the silver medal, if you like. Want to know how bad it can get? Say hello to the 2017 Infiniti QX50 AWD. This tank returns 17 in the city, 24 on the highway, and a near-abysmal 20 combined.
Audi’s point is simply this: not all SUVs are gas swilling swine without capability for self-moderation. Audi gets its Q5 to return these (pretty good) numbers via the magical application of engineering, duh.
Literally Ultra
The Q5 achieves these fuel economy ratings (a +3 mpg improvement over its predecessor by the way) by using the new generation of quattro all-wheel drive, now with ultra technology. No, seriously. That’s how Audi says it. “Now with ultra technology” with the little Circle-R thingo and everything. It sounds like they’re selling laundry soap for starters, and I hate those Circle-R thingos, so I’ll simply refer to it as “ultra technology” from here on out but you can just imagine the rest.
Audi says the new quattro drive system with ultra technology is the most “radical evolution of quattro” since its introduction in the early 1980s. This all-conquering technology is what makes up the literally fearsome Quattro Coupe. Yes, I mean “literally fearsome.” Even with 500+ horsepower being delivered to the “pavement” through all four corners, the rally versions of the Quattro Coupe could snap on you like an inland taipan in a bad mood on the best of days.
Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Pins, Levers & Springs
Audi’s ultra technology uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, along with a decoupling differential at the rear axle to accomplish fully variable torque distribution. This allows the Q5’s all-wheel drive system to precisely adapt the torque application as the driver demands or the road conditions require.
And by “demand” and “require,” Audi means “like right now, Jack!” Unlike other on-demand all-wheel drive systems that can be very slow to engage, quattro ultra technology works electromechanically, and can be fully employed in under 250 milliseconds. There’s a whole slew of pins, levers, springs, and such that engage and disengage the unique, front-multi plate clutch to split the grunt between the front and rear as required. A clutch at the rear connects and disconnects the prop shaft and rear differential for maximum efficiency, which is also cool, thoughtful, and probably very expensive to fix when it breaks.
Photo: Audi of America, Inc.


Sensors, Engines & Tech
The quattro ultra technology has sensors to monitor numerous situations, such as wheel slip, cornering speed, and engine torque. All of this sensor data is crunched by a computer running simulations every 10 milliseconds and estimating what traction will be like 500 milliseconds into the future. So, when the ultra system anticipates that torque will exceed available traction, it engages in half the time before it is even needed, with no perceptible difference from a traditional all-wheel drive system.
Pretty keen, huh?
The 2018 Audi Q5 features a new 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine, mated to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. This mill puts out 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque, allowing the Q5 to dash from 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds, 1.1 seconds faster than its predecessor.
There’s a bunch of other techno-glop lathered onto the Q5 with a number of standard driver assistance geegaws. You get Audi pre sense basic and city, as well as infotainment (loathsome word) features that include the Audi virtual cockpit to help make the driving experience more pleasant. In short, the Audi Q5 turns out to be a stylish, efficient option in the SUV game – the video below explains more.
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, Videos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.



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