Automotive

Aston Martin DB11 Boasts New Turbocharged V8

Aston Martin DB11 Boasts New Turbocharged V8

The Aston Martin DB11, what Aston refers to as their “definitive GT,” rolled out in 2016 sporting a very impressive 5.2-liter twin turbocharged V12 engine. Now, the Gaydon-based builders of ever so British sports cars have decided to add a 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine to the DB11 portfolio. Aston Martin says this provides “the opportunity to reveal more of the DB11’s sporting character, while expanding its global appeal with a combination of exceptional performance and improved efficiency.”
All that might be true, but it is also a way to expand sales and, most likely, lower the maintenance costs associated with a double-blown V12.
Power & Performance
Aston Martin, never being a company to shy away from self aggrandizing manure spreading, referred to the newly-available by saying: “Sublime Choices: DB11 Now Offered With V8 Engine.” This is a very British way to pat yourself on the back, and also makes me roll my eyes.
Which is not to say the DB11 with the newly installed V8 mill is not impressive. It puts out 503 horsepower and 513 lb-ft. of torque, which is good enough to scoot the DB11 from 0 to 62 mph in just 4 seconds, with a top speed of 187 mph. Being situated in the DB11’s engine bay, the V8 gets a newly designed air intake, exhaust, and wet sump lubrication system. There is also new ECU software, engine reprogramming, and additional throttle mapping. All of this was done with the goals of keeping the V12-engined DB11’s high-performance luxury Grand Tourer vibe while also trying to bring out the more dynamic side of the DB11’s character and capabilities with the V8-engine option.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Shedding Pounds
That is all a very polite way of saying, in so many words, the V12-engined DB11 is kind of heavy and all about power, whereas the new V8 option will save you some weight and, therefore, make the DB11 a little more lithe and tossable. The V8 engine is, unsurprisingly, lighter and more compact than the V12 mill, and saves you 253 lbs. of weight versus the V12’s hefty 3,880 lbs. sitting at the curb. And let’s not mince words here: nearly two tons is a lot of car, big honking V12 or not. Aston Martin sought to leverage as many performance gains as they could from the V8 by installing it lower in the chassis, thanks to new engine mounts and a “slimline” wet sump system.
With all this big, heavy, lumpy stuff put more in the center of the car, the V8-engined DB11 is more agile than it’s 12-banger counterpart. This agility has been further enhanced by detailed revisions to the suspension bushings, geometry, anti-roll bars, springs, shocks, and ESP (stability control) software. Aston Martin hopes this will make the V8 version a distinct choice compared to the 12, by appealing to customers who want a more sporting bias in their refined and comfortable GT.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.

Fit & Finish
It’s not all under the hood that determines the differences between the two either. The V8 version gets a unique alloy wheel finish, dark headlamp bezels, and a pair of bonnet vents instead of the four vents seen on the V12. And you can get those vents in either black or titanium-finish mesh. On the inside, the two cars are virtually indistinguishable with the same standard equipment levels and the same choice of color and trim options, along with the same Option Packs and Designer Specification packages.
Pricing & Availability
And the V8 won’t cost you as much as the V12. As much, being the operative words here. The V8-powered DB11, which is on sale now, starts at a not-insubstantial $198,995 in the US of A. And sure, it’s “on sale now,” but deliveries won’t start until October or thereabouts. And yeah, $198,995 ain’t cheap, but compared with the V12-powered DB11 that rings the cash register at a whopping $216,495 to start with, the V8 does seem like a bit of a bargain.
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.
Aston Martin DB11 Gallery

Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

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2018 BMX X3: The Sports Activity Vehicle

2018 BMX X3: The Sports Activity Vehicle

BMW has rolled out the all-new 2018 X3 SUV, Crossover, Thingo. To me, this thing looks too small, like BMW tried to cram all their design notes and features from their other SUVs, Crossovers, Thingos onto a way too small canvas. It’s sort of like when you see someone with eyes that are really big or a smile that seems to extend out beyond their ears. It’s sort of disconcerting.
And that’s not to say BMW won’t sell a boatload of these things. They will. And they’ll likely sell a lot of them to urban-dwelling yuppie types where space (parking and otherwise) is limited and style counts for a lot.
Design Language
This is BMW’s third generation of the X3 premium compact crossover, or Sports Activity Vehicle as they pretentiously call it. The exterior dimensions are largely unchanged from the previous model, but the wheelbase has been lengthened 2.2-inches, and it boasts a 50:50 weight distribution between the front and rear axle. The nose features a “three-dimensional” kidney grille and the fog lights have a hexagonal design. There are optional Adaptive LED and Icon Adaptive Full LED Headlights, if you want them. Out back, the redesigned taillight housings also show off a three-dimensional look; a downward-sloping roof spoiler and twin exhaust tailpipes add to the “muscular appearance.”
2018 BMW X3 with xLine design elements. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
xLine Elements
The xLine design stuff is now standard on the X3 with numerous trim elements in Satin aluminum and Silver matte, along with 18-inch Y-Spoke wheels. On the interior, the driver and front passenger get standard sport seats with power adjustable side bolsters, and an anthracite headliner. There’s an optional Luxury Package that’s available for the first time in the X3 model range. This has goodies like chrome kidney grille bars, two-tone front & rear bumper trim finishers, and a SensaTec upholstered dashboard on the interior.
Interior Treatments
No matter which grade you choose, the interiors are all very BMW-like: driver-focused and ergonomically optimized with exceptional material quality, fit, and finish. The front seats are ventilated for drivers and passengers, and the panoramic glass moonroof is now 9.8-inches longer. There’s contour lighting above the trim strip in the instrument panel and available Extended Ambient Lighting with six color tones. A 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat design increases cargo and loading room substantially.
The 2018 BMW X3 has a ground clearance of 8 inches to help canvass rougher terrain or obstacles in the city. The approach angle (23.1°) and departure angle (21.4°) of the new X3, together with its breakover angle of 17.4°, create plenty of margin for negotiating steep sections or crests. Furthermore, a fording depth of 19.6 inches allows for efficient water crossings. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

M Sport Package
And – good news for us gearheads – the X3 gets an M Sport Package. Tick this option box and you get the M Aerodynamic kit: a front apron with larger air intakes, side skirt trim, and a diffusor-style rear apron. You also get Shadowline exterior trim and 19-inch M Double-Spoke Wheels, with 20s as an option. The interior includes a new M Sport leather steering wheel, M door sill finishers, and the aforementioned SensaTec upholstered dashboard.
This is the first ever M Performance model in the X3 lineup, and it’s not all good-looking performance pretentions either. The 3.0-liter M Performance TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine sits at the top of the X3 model range, cranking out 355 horsepower. That’s good enough to move this little tank from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. That straight 6 plant is mated to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel, plus Launch Control. In addition, its xDrive all-wheel drive system has a far more pronounced rear bias when compared to other versions (insert maniacal laughter here). There’s also a “Performance Control” feature integrated into the DSC traction control system to produce additional agility and traction.
The peak torque of the X3 M40i (369 lb-ft.) is available from 1,520 to 4,800 rpm, providing a 69 lb-ft. (23 percent) increase compared to the outgoing X3 xDrive35i. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder, utilizes TwinPower Turbo technology with Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing and Valvetronic fully variable intake lift. The engine also utilizes a map-controlled oil pump, electric arc wire-sprayed cylinder barrels, twin-scroll exhaust turbocharger, and an electrically adjustable waste gate valve. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
M Interior Finish
The M model interiors get sport seats and “M40i” logos adorning the front door sills and instrument panel. There’s an M Aerodynamic kit finished in Cerium Grey Metallic, a flap-controlled M Sport exhaust system with Black Chrome tailpipe embellishers, M Sport brakes, M Sport Doughnut Dispenser, M Sport suspension with M Performance tuning, variable sport steering, and standard 19-inch or optional 20 and 21-inch cast light-alloy wheels. You can also get an Adaptive M Sport suspension which offers a wider range of ride and comfort settings.
The new X3 comes with an array of modern safety features. For example, the standard pre-crash accident detection system (Active Protection) enhances passive safety by detecting potential accident situations as they arise. If a collision risk is detected, the system automatically triggers a variety of occupant protection measures. Front belt tensioners are activated while the windows and Panoramic moonroof are closed, for example. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Little Details
BMW also makes a big deal about how the X3 will be the first BMW SUV, Crossover, Thingo in the United States to feature a factory-installed trailer hitch. That’s just so adorable, isn’t it? American car companies wouldn’t think of offering something even vaguely truck-like without adding a trailer hitch. Shoot, when I was a kid, station wagons had factory trailer hitches. Station wagons!
Overall, it’s hard to see how BMW is not going to make tons of money off of these little guys, oddly proportioned as they might be. The 2018 BMW X3 will arrive at dealerships this November with pricing information due around that same time. Also, I made up the M Sport Doughnut Dispenser.
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 BMW X3 Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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Collaboration Over Competition: Dealerships And Disruptors Working Together

Collaboration Over Competition: Dealerships And Disruptors Working Together

In today’s automotive climate, “disruptor” is a term appearing more often. Dictionary definitions paint the word in a negative light, until it’s used in a business environment. When applied here, a disruptor is someone implementing new products or services, proactively seeking the next emerging market. These approaches can appear crazy at first, but when executed properly, they often prove remarkably innovative.
For example, the Toyota Prius was considered a disruptor when it debuted in 1997. The Ford Mustang was massively disruptive in 1964.
Inventive Ideas
The automotive landscape is changing rapidly and car ownership is evolving. What the future will look like exactly is still coming to fruition. Perhaps there will be more ride share models, maybe cars will drive themselves, maybe we hop in a teleport machine and wham, are suddenly at the local coffee shop. Anything seems possible now, but the market belongs to those who carry an intuitive, intelligent approach; it’s the price of entry to win the next generation of car buyers in an ever so technological world.
YourMechanic is one of these companies; a disruptor to the core with a business model that makes me say, “why didn’t I think of that.” YourMechanic’s approach is novel: they are a mobile car repair network accessed through the common smartphone. They cover over 600 maintenance and diagnostic services, are transparent and up-front on pricing, and have a presence in the 50 largest cities in the United States. The most important aspect of YourMechanic is how they go to their customers, and how those customers interface directly with the technician. Need an oil change but can’t leave work? No problem. They will come to the office. Need a tire rotation but have a child with the flu? No worries. They will show up in the driveway.
Photo: YourMechanic.
Emerging Trends
Although YourMechanic contrasts with the traditional car repair model, some dealerships are embracing their unique approach. Recently, YourMechanic unveiled a new product for dealerships to enhance the service experience after the sale. These prepaid maintenance packages are rolled into the finance and insurance portion of the transaction and are available for customers just like traditional service contracts. A growing pattern of consumer behavior actually moved YourMechanic to develop and implement the maintenance packages. They found more people are traveling a considerable distance to purchase a vehicle. Maybe they can get a better price, or they are buying a particular make and model but the nearest dealer with that exact vehicle is a few hours away. That’s fine for purchasing the car, but what about maintaining it?
“With customers being able to use the Internet, it’s getting harder for dealers to make good money on a sale; this is a challenge we are helping solve,” explained Rob Francis, Senior Director of Growth, YourMechanic. “Where they can make money is on the F&I (finance and insurance) side with services like prepaid maintenance packages. With the prepaid maintenance product, we saw a trend in the market where people were driving further for vehicles and dealers were saying it was hard to sell fixed F&I products to them because customers won’t drive all the way back for service.”
Vantage Points
I learned the automotive business at a dealership, long before YourMechanic existed. I am, in my approach to automobiles, quite traditional. I sold cars, later a Service Advisor, then in management. I won’t speak for all dealerships – I spent my career with only one dealer group – but many will agree fixed operations or the “back end” is the most vital component of the business. A service department falls under fixed operations and the approach is such: sell the cars, especially the new ones, for as low as possible. Get customers in on price alone if you have to, delight them with exceptional sales conduct, get the deal, introduce them to the service department, and encourage them bring back not only the vehicle they recently purchased, but the others in their household. The other vehicles are key; those are the ones a dealership needs becasue they have miles on them. Vehicles with miles on them need things like sway bar links and transmission cooler lines. Maybe their other car has a nice door ding? That’s a job for the body shop, which falls under fixed ops.
One of the end goals of a dealership sales team should be to convert that buyer into a service customer. Fixed operations is a solid and accurate health barometer for any given dealership. However, if customers purchase a car at a dealership a hundred miles away, they are not coming back for service. A fixed operations opportunity for that dealer is not to be had in that sceneario, and by YourMechanic’s metrics, that’s the growing trend. What about the local lots and independent dealers with virtually no way to capture additional profits on the back end because they don’t have a service department? In such settings, a pairing with YourMechanic is fitting. These dealers can now provide, albeit in a different fashion, an effective way to service the vehicle after the sale for the customer, and still make money.
“We bring the shop from the dealership and to the customer essentially; the prepaid maintenance products came from the current treads and customer and dealership feedback,” Francis said.
Photo: YourMechanic.

Clearing The Clutter
Gary Pretzfeld is the co-owner of AutoTrust USA, a family-run pre-owned dealership located in Miami, Florida. They readily provide sales and service for area residents, yet some customers come from farther away in Florida or even other states to buy a vehicle. AutoTrust USA is a prime example of how a disruptor, like YourMechanic, is helping a traditional automotive enterprise serve customers outside their normal business radius.
“Post-sale if the customer has any issues that need to be resolved, YourMechanic can provide better customer service than the competitors by sending a mechanic out to the customer’s home or office,” he said.
It may seem YourMechanic and a traditional dealership service department are worlds apart. However, both entities must take care of the customer by fixing their vehicle – that’s the lowest common denominator. From my own experience, I can attest to how busy and backed up a service department can get. This is where YourMechanic starts to bridge the gap between the conventional approach and the disrupotor mantra. Dealer principals like Pretzfeld are inclined to implement effective solutions to keep things running smoothly; the relationship for AutoTrust USA and YourMechanaic began after Pretzfeld sought more efficient, cost effective, and trustworthy solutions for the shop, especially during heavy volume times.
“Maybe a dealership has one or two mechanics on vacation, maybe they have a lot of warranty work to be done, or they are experiencing a seasonal high with more vehicles and simply need more hands around the shop,” Francis said. “We can basically act as a staffing agency and our skilled mechanics will work side by side with that dealership.”
“When you feel you can trust a partner it makes doing business much easier,” Pretzfeld commented.

Value Added Approach
YourMechanic will send one (or two or however many are needed) of their certified and experienced technicians to the dealership. The techs will show up, with their own tools in hand, ready to go. At reputable dealerships, cars recently taken in on trade make a pass through the service department in a process commonly called reconditioning. This often includes a multi-point inspection and oil change; components on the car, from the tires, belts, battery, brakes, and even light bulbs can be replaced before it heads to the lot. However, a service department inundated with work orders can just as easily pass that inspection work off to YourMechanic.
“Dealers can have their cars serviced and repaired on site, greatly reducing turn around time and insurance risk,” Pretzfeld explained. “The cars never leave the dealership so they can always be shown to prospective buyers.”
Although the business models are completely different – the dealership service department versus YourMechanic – when executed properly, it’s a solid symbiotic cycle that benefits the car buying public. For two approaches to vehicle service and the automotive business in general that are sometimes so radically different, it’s not a half bad outcome.
“The inspection reports YourMechanic provides after each service are amazing tools for customers,” Pretzfeld said. “Once there is an inspection done on the car, the report is available to provide to a customer, which makes the sale process easier and increases value.”

Creative Collaboration
The entire idea here revolves around how tradition and disruption benefit from each other, if they recognize they are serving a similar population. That is not to imply they need each other, but it is to say there is common ground. It doesn’t have to be a David and Goliath match where we pit the two entities against each other. While I won’t argue the founding principles of Capitalism or debate Adam Smith’s ideologies, sometimes collaboration as opposed to competition yields the best results. In the automotive business, things must be taken with a level of discretion: not every big dealership will stomp on little guys, and not every disruptor will stick it to the man. Personally, I am traditional. I believe in the dealership model and I adamantly support it. In the same breath, however, I wish I had thought of the YourMechanic concept.
“When we’re getting our products and services into new areas, we sometimes just don’t know, so we’re working and building with dealership proprietors,” Francis said. “We have consultants who work at dealerships to help us sort out these programs and to make sure they make sense for everybody.”
“We benefit in all departments by working with them,” Pretzfeld added. “Every dealer can benefit from working with YourMechanic.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

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Best Convertibles For 2019? Here Are 10 Fast & Fun Options

Best Convertibles For 2019? Here Are 10 Fast & Fun Options Not everyone loves driving with the top down. Yet I can think of no better way to welcome the warm and sunny weather than driving a convertible. No matter what you call them (convertible, ragtop, Targa, soft-top, cabriolet, spider, etc.), convertibles have somehow lost their favor among the sea of new crossovers and modern SUVs.
It’s easy to understand why.
Setting The Stage
Convertibles are not the roomiest or the most practical choice. In some cases, a convertible is usually “choppier” than an equivalent coupe with a proper roof. Some say the wind rustling your hairdo is overrated, and I get that. Speaking on behalf of true, dyed-in-the-wool car lovers, I would say nothing gets your pulse racing and the emotions flowing better than driving a convertible.
However, if you’re considering a convertible (maybe even for the first time), this list will help. Here are the top 10 convertibles you can buy today, based on performance, price and overall curb appeal. While this list is not exhaustive, it does show a number of the exciting options on the market today in terms of a convertible.
Porsche 718 Boxster GTS in Miami Blue and Racing Yellow. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Porsche 718 Boxster
Porsche has something in store for the Boxster in 2019: the 718 Boxster T. The T designation stands for Touring and comes with an upgraded drivetrain and suspension. This is the Boxster to get if you want better handling in your convertible car.
However, the base 718 Boxster is still a good deal at $59,000. The mid-engine layout has a number of benefits, not the least of which include more nimble handling. And since the motor is sitting directly behind your ears, you get the aural sensation of a true sports car all the way to a top speed of 170 mph.
The base Porsche 718 Boxster makes good use of a 300 horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but we prefer the Boxster S with a larger, 2.5-liter mill churning out 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft. of torque. The GTS is even better with a 365 horsepower version of the 2.5-liter turbo in the Boxster S. All models come standard with a six-speed manual, an added bonus for some no doubt. As much as we love shifting our own gears, we prefer the more intelligent nature of the optional PDK dual-clutch gearbox.
No matter which model you choose, the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster is guaranteed to be a fun and exhilarating driving experience – even when the weather turns gloomy. The convertible top in a Porsche 718 Boxster takes less than 10 seconds to open or close.
Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabriolet. Photo: MBUSA.
Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet
It seems Mercedes-Benz has a treat for potential buyers of the 2019 E-Class Cabriolet. Of course, the folding roof (derived from the S-Class Cabriolet) that opens and closes in 20 seconds is a given. But Mercedes-Benz decided to ditch the base E 400 trim for the E 450. This means a more powerful turbo V6 with 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. You also get four proper seats, dual-zone climate control, LED exterior lighting, and an adaptive suspension.
If you want a more relaxing convertible, the E-Class Cabriolet is the best you can find in the $67,000 price range. It comes with Mercedes’ Aircap wind deflector to lessen turbulence inside the cabin. And since some people, like Jonathan Ross, love driving a convertible in the cold, the E-Class Cabriolet features a unique Airscarf neck warmer system, which does exactly what it sounds.
And for those who want a faster version of the chop-top E-Class, there’s the AMG E 53. It comes with a mild hybrid powertrain system and all-wheel drive. With 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft. of torque, the AMG E-Class Cabriolet is nothing short of a muscle car.
Jaguar F-Type Convertible. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Jaguar F-Type Convertible
The Jaguar F-Type is a potent sports car already, and the convertible just enhances its already ambitious character. The F-Type has always been an old-school Jaguar sports car: flamboyant, boisterous, and highly impractical. The convertible is still that, just dialed all the way to eleven, and we love it for that.
It starts with the shape. It has all the basic ingredients of what makes a car beautiful to the eyes. This includes the long hood, swooping profile, and swollen rear arches. It also has the power to boot. The base P300 F-Type receives a 2.0-liter turbo four-banger with 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. The P340 F-Type gets a more powerful supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. torque. The P380 gets a tuned version of the blown V6 for a total output of 380 horsepower and 339 lb-ft. of torque.
The R and SVR trim receive a brawny, supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 550 and 575 horsepower, respectively. Interestingly enough, the base F-Type is only available with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic. The V6 and V8 models can be optioned with a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive.
With so many models and configurations to choose from, there’s a right Jaguar F-Type for everyone. And to further sweeten the deal, you can raise or lower the roof of the F-Type Convertible in around 12 seconds. Pricing starts at $64,700.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. Photo: FCA US LLC.
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Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
The Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe is discontinued for 2019. This means the Spider or convertible version is the only model available, and it’s all the better. The Alfa Romeo 4C is a lightweight and nimble machine that also happens to look the part. The 4C Spider is the closest you can get to an Italian mid-engine sports car without an exorbitant price tag.
And even though the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is not exactly cheap, the $66,900 base price gets you exotic good looks, razor-sharp handling, and the exclusivity of having an Alfa Romeo roadster. Unfortunately, you also get a sparse cabin with little to no cargo room, but who are we to complain?
Instead of shoehorning a V6 or V8, Alfa Romeo kept it sane with an all-aluminum, 1.7-liter turbo four-cylinder. The small motor churns out 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. Those figures may seem paltry, but the F1-inspired carbon-fiber tub makes the Alfa Romeo 4C an extremely lightweight sports car. In fact, it weighs less than 2,500 lbs. and races from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.
BMW i8 Roadster. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
BMW i8 Roadster
The BMW i8 Roadster looks like a exotic car. It is also priced like a high-performance sports car at around $163,000. Take the roof off and what you have is a futuristic-looking cruiser that cares for the environment. Different from the others on this list, the BMW i8 Convertible is a plug-in hybrid with an electric motor and 11.6 kWh battery pack.
It also comes with a small, 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder gasoline engine. Power output is quite modest at 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque. Combine this with the 141 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque from the electric motor (for a total output of 369 horsepower), and what you have is a BMW convertible that rushes to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and tops out at 155.
The plethora of standard features include automatic headlights, LED exterior lighting, adjustable suspension, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, a heads-up display, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system with satellite radio. The roof folds up or down in less than 15 seconds.
Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary edition. Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata is available with a soft top or folding hardtop (Miata RF). It remains the epitome of a compact and lightweight sports car that won’t hurt your budget. It’s also friendlier to the environment. The MX-5 Miata is one of the most fuel-efficient convertibles you can buy today (EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined).
Mazda engineers gave the Miata a bit more spunk for the 2019 model year. The venerable 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder now produces 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft. of torque. It also has a higher redline so you can make the engine scream louder for longer as you roll through the corners. Yet, for the more casual motorist, the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata performs admirably as a daily driver. The telescoping steering wheel and rearview camera make it just that much better.
The base Sport trim starts at $25,730 and includes 16-inch alloy rims, a manually-retractable soft top and glass rear window, keyless ignition, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, and LED headlights and taillights. The Club starts at $29,590 and includes larger 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers, a limited-slip differential, and a shock tower brace. However, you only get the suspension upgrades if you choose the standard six-speed manual.
The Grand Touring starts at $30,780 and comes with an automatic climate control system, navigation, and adaptive headlights among other things.
Fiat 124 Spider. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Related: Despite autonomous cars, people still love to drive.
Fiat 124 Spider
If you prefer an Italian version of the Mazda MX-5, you can’t go wrong with the Fiat 124 Spider. The 124 Spider is basically a Mazda MX-5 underneath, but Fiat used their own suspension, engine, and transmission. The same goes for the luscious retro-inspired and low-slung styling. And since the 124 Spider is based on the underpinnings of the Mazda MX-5, you can expect slick handling and a sportier feel.
The base Classica trim ($25,190) includes 16-inch wheels, premium cloth seats, and a dual-tip exhaust. The Lusso ($27,795) adds 17-inch wheels, heated leather seats, and piano black accents. The Fiat 124 Spider Abarth ($29,990) includes a front and rear Bilstein sport suspension, quad-tip exhaust, and a mechanical limited-slip differential. The Classica and Lusso get a 160 horsepower 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder, while the Abarth gets a 165 horsepower version of the same motor. Rear-wheel drive is standard along with a six-speed manual while a six-speed automatic is optional.
While the Fiat 124 Spider is not a hardcore sports car, it still scoots from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. This is the perfect convertible for those who can’t live with the robotic-shark look of the Mazda MX-5. However, like the Miata, the 124 Spider is more affordable than others on this list.
Audi A3 Cabriolet. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Audi A3 Cabriolet
The current Audi A3 Cabriolet is admittedly getting long in the tooth. However, it remains an appealing choice that combines adequate style, performance, and creature comforts. The 2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet is available in rear-wheel drive and Quattro all-wheel drive. The former gets a 184 horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the latter squeezes out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque from the same mill. Both engines share a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The rear-wheel drive version reaches 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. The Quattro version achieves the same feat in 5.9 seconds, although both are limited to a top speed of 130 mph. The folding fabric roof on the Audi A3 Cabriolet retracts in 18 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. It’s basically a small luxury convertible with a premium cabin and a bevy of modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and a powerful audio system.
The 2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet starts at $38,900. The Quattro version is yours at $41,700. We prefer the Quattro version and think the upgrade is worth the money.
BMW 2 Series Convertible. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
BMW 2-Series Convertible
The BMW 2-Series Convertible may look harmless but underneath the hood lurks a secret weapon. The 2019 BMW 2-Series Convertible in 230i trim makes use of a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder that churns out 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. To put that into perspective, the base BMW 2-Series Convertible is more powerful than the Quattro version of the Audi A3 Cabriolet we just mentioned above!
How do you like them apples?
Now, throw the M240i into the equation and it suddenly becomes clear. With a turbocharged inline-six motor that produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque, the M240i is a compact hot-rod convertible that scoots to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Both engines are bolted to an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, while a six-speed manual remains a no-cost option. You also have the option to choose BMW’s xDrive system (all-wheel drive).
The 2019 BMW 2-Series Convertible starts at $41,200 for the 230i and $50,400 for the M240i.
Ford Mustang GT Convertible. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Related: This book puts 50 years of Boss Mustang history on your coffee table.
Ford Mustang Convertible
When it comes to fast convertibles, it’s hard not to include the 2019 Ford Mustang. The base EcoBoost and EcoBoost Premium have a torquey, turbo 2.3-liter four-banger; but the GT Premium is the one you want when it comes to really enjoying a drop-top Mustang.
The GT Premium Convertible comes with a burly 5.0-liter V8 with 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual is standard while a 10-speed automatic remains an option. The folding roof takes just seven seconds to raise or retract, one of the fastest on the market. When it comes to performance gained versus dollars spent, the Mustang is a no brainier. The EcoBoost Convertible starts at $31,620. Even jumping up to the GT Premium Convertible, it’s still a veritable bargain at $44,855.
McLaren 720S Spider. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Wildcard Choice: McLaren 720S Spider
If money is no object, we’ll choose the McLaren 720S Spider any day of the week. Who can say no to a twin-turbo V8 with 710 horsepower and a zero to 60 time of 2.8 seconds? (With 124 mph coming up in a scant 7.9 seconds). Who can resist the supercar styling, head-turning dihedral doors, hydraulic suspension, and carbon-ceramic brakes? This is the ultimate convertible supercar that doesn’t cost a million bucks. For those who have the money, the McLaren 720S is a sterling choice.
The retractable hardtop roof only takes 11 seconds to fold down. Another bonus.
Let Us Know Your Favorites
While there are numerous others we could include (for example, any number of classic convertibles), this list should whet your appetite for some open-air driving this summer. Let us know your favorite convertible from this list or otherwise on our Twitter page.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

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Letter From The UK: The Glory of Speed

Letter From The UK: The Glory of Speed

As we huddle pitifully in the wind and rain of our tiny Islands, we gaze enviously across the pond at the wondrous and varied car shows available, so it seems, on a daily basis, across all regions of the USA. To us, the likes of Wayne Carini and Chip Foose are simply mythical figures to be glimpsed occasionally on a digital TV channel. From time to time though, the sun does put in an appearance on the British Isles and we are always slightly surprised when it especially does so at our greatest annual car show, the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Peaks of Performance
Every year around this time, many thousands of car enthusiasts descend upon legendary Goodwood in West Sussex for the Festival of Speed. This hardy annual never fails to disappoint the fans with an exciting concoction of exotic supercars, historic racing machines, the latest crop of regular road and concept cars, and much more besides. Even former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone showed up to surprisingly popular acclaim.
The theme for the 2017 Festival of Speed was “Peaks of Performance – Motorsport’s Game-Changers.” As the years pass, the organizers try to find a new way of exploring the thrilling past, present, and future of the automotive scene. In many ways this year was just the same as it always was, but they do try and put a fresh slant on the proceedings. It always seems to work. We auto fans just can’t get enough.
Audi R8 V10 plus Coupe.
Jaguar Project 8 Dream Car
Of particular interest this time, manufacturers showed racing and road-going machines that were faster than ever before, like the BAC Mono and the glorious Project 8 Jaguar. Making its global dynamic debut among the most powerful and extreme performance cars in the world at the Goodwood show, the new Jaguar XE SV Project 8 claimed the hotly-contested Michelin Supercar Paddock Showstopper Trophy – just four days after the jaw-dropping car was officially unveiled.
As the only four-door car in the Michelin Supercar Run, the Jaguar faced formidable competition in the power-packed paddock, but voters hosted by Michelin singled out the Project 8 as one of the six most popular cars of the weekend, qualifying it for the overall Showstopper Final on the last day of the show.
The Project 8 exclusively features the most highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s five-liter Supercharged V8 petrol powertrain. The 592 bhp (600PS) engine has a Titanium Variable Active Exhaust and is complemented by Jaguar’s all-wheel drive system. Additionally, this beast features motorsport-derived aerodynamics and carbon fiber panels to deliver a 200 mph top speed and a 0-60 time of a scant 3.3 seconds, making Project 8 the fastest accelerating Jaguar yet.
Jaguar XE SV Project 8.

Limited Edition
Crucially, and you’ll have to take this writer’s word for it at least until you can find a YouTube video, it sounds as aggressive as you would expect; the growling V8 accompanied by the glorious old-school whine of a huge supercharger. Outstanding aural delights!
To ensure exclusivity, no more than 300 examples of the Project 8 will be hand-built at SVO’s (Special Vehicle Operations) Technical Center in Coventry and priced from £149,995 in the UK. If you want one (and you really do), you’ll need to move fast because this magnificent motor won’t be available for long.
All You Desire
Red cars from Ferrari ran amok to celebrate the 70th birthday of the marque. All the famous sports cars and racers that Goodwood usually commands were there, but this time a display of V12-engined F1 cars created an operatic sound all their own. Their extraordinary exhaust notes are so different from today’s race cars that sound like digital lawn mowers in comparison.
The new and blisteringly quick track-only Aston Martin Vantage AMR Pro made history at the Festival of Speed when it became the first vehicle to tackle the legendary hill climb using re-refined engine oil. Recycled or re-refined motor oil is nothing new, of course, but this is different. This landmark was made possible by a new active oil management system from Nexcel, part of the Castrol Group. Oil and filter change in ninety seconds anyone?
BAC Mono.
Memorable Conclusions
As ever, the Goodwood Festival of Speed did not disappoint the throngs who braved the inevitable long and tiresome car park queues to get in. Sports cars like the BAC Mono (which won its class), Audi R8, and the exquisite French Alpine were all at full chat on the track. With the hill climb and rally exhibitions, the supercars, and the also-rans; all the sights and sounds of the vibrant world of cars coupled with the roar of the engines and the smell of the crowd, once again, by doing the same thing brilliantly well, the show did not disappoint. With tired legs and weary ears, the multitudes went home happy.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS: The Ultimate 911?

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS: The Ultimate 911?

There’s no way to sugarcoat this. There’s no “yeah, but” equivocations surrounding the new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS. It’s the 911 of all 911s. It’s the top kick; the king of the mountain. All other 911s, from the various GTs to the RS and RSR; the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is now the 911.
The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is the fastest and most powerful street-legal 911 ever. It recently took its introductory bows at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. Before this thing even hits the road or the race track, its numbers are just staggering.
More Power, Less Weight
The GT2 RS is powered by a twin-turbo flat-six engine that puts out 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. of torque. That’s 80 horsepower and 37 lb-ft. of torque more when compared to the previous 911 GT2 RS. As with all Porsches, the engine’s the thing, and the 2018 911 GT2 RS is certainly no exception. The 3.8-liter flat six is based on the plant from the current 911 Turbo S. The GT2 RS mill gets larger turbochargers with a new design that sprays water on the intercoolers when the intake air temperature reaches a certain threshold for optimum cooling at peak loads. The new GT2 RS can accelerate from zero to 60 in 2.7 seconds, topping out at 211 miles per hour; it tips the scales at the curb at 3,241 pounds.
The exhaust system is made of lightweight titanium and weighs 15 pounds less than the system used in the 911 Turbo. The front luggage compartment lid is made from carbon fiber and the roof panel is made from magnesium.
If you want to shave another 40 pounds from the vehicle, there’s the optional Weissach package that includes magnesium wheels and even more carbon fiber. The roof and anti-roll bars are made of carbon fiber, as are the end links on both axles. If you opt for the Weissach Package, you’ll see the carbon fiber weave of the luggage compartment lid and the roof are left largely exposed. The Weissach package will cost you an additional $31,000.
According to Porsche, the customized GT seven-speed double-clutch Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission in the new GT2 RS enables maximum efficiency with uninterrupted torque transfer. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Handling & Aerodynamics
The new 911 GT2 RS has grip for days, thanks to its race-bred chassis and the fact Porsche developed a rear axle steering system, plus a stability management system tuned for “spirited” driving. There are air intakes and outlets all over the place and, of course, a big honking rear wing. The air intakes on the rear quarter panel, along with other parts of the rear, are made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
The wheels and tires are massive with 265/35/ZR20 tires up front and 325/30/ZR21 tires out back. Stopping is accomplished via the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, which are standard.
Interior Treatments
The interior of the 911 GT2 RS is a red Alcantara with black leather and carbon fiber. The Full Bucket Seats have carbon fiber reinforced backrests and offer a high level of comfort and lateral support. The GT2 RS has Porsche Communication Management, the central control unit for audio, navigation, and communication. Porsche’s Connect Plus and Track Precision app are standard. These techno goodies enable a detailed recording, display, and analysis of driving data on your smartphone.
Porsche’s Chrono Package is optional and expands the PCM functions to display, save, and evaluate lap times. The Chrono Package includes a stopwatch on the dashboard with an analog and digital display. Finally, the Porsche Track Precision app is used in conjunction with an infrared transmitter placed at the side of the track; the lap trigger receiver enables drivers to record lap times with a higher level of precision. Fancy, no?
The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS will reach U.S. dealers in early 2018. It will cost you *gulp* $293,200. Yes, that is a lot of crust. But c’mon, the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS is worth every penny.
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 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Gallery

Photos & Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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Hagerty Providing Specialized Insurance For The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Hagerty Providing Specialized Insurance For The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the strongest, most powerful, most utterly insane street legal car yet. Naturally, Dodge made the car, the automaker who believes more horsepower is the answer to all of life’s foibles, big and small. Hagerty, an insurance company for enthusiast cars, trucks, and motorcycles, will offer specialized policies for the forthcoming Demon. Hagerty, who also supplies insurance for tractors, automotive tools, spare parts, and automobilia, says owners will have specialized coverage so they can enjoy their new performance machine.
Impressive Stats
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the first-ever production car to do a front-wheel lift, as certified by Guinness World Records. It’s the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car with an elapsed time (ET) of 9.65 seconds at 140 mph, as certified by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). It also registers the highest g-force (1.8 g) ever recorded at launch in a production car. The 6.2-liter Hemi V8 features a deep-skirt cast iron block, aluminum alloy heads, and the now famous hemispherical combustion chambers. Running on 100 octane fuel, expect 840 horsepower (6,300 rpm) and 770 lb-ft. of torque (4,500 rpm).
In other words, it’s totally nuts, but maybe nuts isn’t so bad?
“We are living in the golden age of automotive performance, and the Demon is the latest example that speaks directly to the hearts of enthusiasts,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO, Hagerty. “The insurance industry had a hand in ending the first great muscle car era, and we’re here to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.”
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Bold Coverage
Hagerty’s coverage will be the same Guaranteed Value policy provided to all vehicles that qualify for the program. Unlike traditional policies for the less-inspired grocery-getters us lemmings drive, the vehicle’s value is established when the policy is issued. This eliminates any negotiation on value should the vehicle experience a total covered loss. Dodge named Hagerty as the official insurance provider of the Challenger SRT Demon in April; the car is expected in dealerships this fall.
“We didn’t build the Demon to be a halo car that never sees the light of day,” commented Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America.
Hagerty established a dedicated hotline for Demon owners: 844-840-8733. Those who wish to utilize the interwebs for further inquiry can visit Hagerty’s website and look for the “Quote Now” tab. Either way, a policy is waiting if you have raised your hand and said “yep, that’s the Challenger for me.”
“We want to make sure that Demon owners have access to the insurance they need to get these cars out on the street,” Kuniskis added.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC, Hagerty.

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EcoBoost Ford Mustang Debuts Line-Lock Feature (Video)

EcoBoost Ford Mustang Debuts Line-Lock Feature (Video)

Previously, Ford only put a line-lock on the V8 Mustang GT, but now they’ve added it to the EcoBoost range of Mustangs for 2018. We’ll get to why that’s a stupidly-cool idea in a moment, but for right now, check out the headline Ford wrote: “Ford Unleashes Line-Lock on Mustang EcoBoost, Debuts Industry-First Cluster Animation of Wheel Burning Rubber.” Cluster-what? Thankfully, they are referring to the instrument cluster that has all this “golly-gee-whiz” stuff that, for some reason, comes with the line-lock feature.
Powerful Contraptions
Okay, I shouldn’t have to explain this, but just in case you don’t know: a line-lock is a gizmo from the drag strips of the world that allows you to apply and lock the front brakes of your car while allowing the rear wheels to turn. This – in case you’re asking the patently stupid question of “why ya’ wanna do that?” – is so you can spin the rear tires and get lots of heat in them. More heat means more grip at launch during a drag race, means a quicker ET (and don’t make me explain to you what an ET is). It also allows you to do way boss burn outs at the drive-in, the high school parking lot, in front your girlfriend (chicks dig it, honest), in front of unseen cops, and in front of your girlfriend’s house after she dumps you for being an unrepentant chuckle-head who cares more about your car than your relationship.
2018 Mustang design sketch. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Electric Avenue
FoMoCo says their electronic line-lock, which you could only get on the V8-powered Mustang GT, is a “track-exclusive feature,” which I don’t understand at all. I’m betting the lawyers made them put that in there. As I’m reading all this, there’s no way you couldn’t use this feature anywhere your fool-heart desires. What Ford means to say is “please use it only at the track. Please?” But of course you won’t, will you? So anyway, it’s now percolated down-range into the 2.3-liter EcoBoost Mustangs, whether they’ve got the 10-speed SelectShift automatic or the six-speed manual transmission.
Thankfully, Ford’s new line-lock is an electronic affair, unlike the days of old where they were bias-adjust levers or knobs or, in some cases, just a pull cable heading up to the front wheels. Drag racers are, by and large, a bag of mixed nuts just smart enough not to kill themselves. Most of the time. To make that truly “most of the time,” Ford’s line-lock leverages state-of-the-art software that allows amateur racers to achieve more consistent run times, particularly those competing in bracket racing. Grudge draggers, this is aimed squarely at you.
This new electric line-lock is operated via steering wheel-mounted thumb switches. A driver, let’s say it’s you, toggles through a menu displayed on the instrument cluster to activate the electronic line-lock. Once you’ve turned it on, the system builds pressure on the front brake calipers. Another button press holds that pressure for up to 15 seconds. During that 15 seconds, you nail the throttle, spin the rear wheels, they build up heat, and abracadabra, the car stays in place.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Animated Behavior
Speaking of that menu/instrument cluster stuff, if your new Mustang is equipped with the available 12-inch, all-digital instrument display, you get lots of flashing lights and cheesy animation and stuff along those lines. Ford says drivers will see an “industry-first, video-game-like animation of a spinning alloy wheel kicking up a cloud of smoke to indicate when the electronic line-lock feature is activated.” What you will not see is “Big Daddy” Don Garlits kicking at you with his club foot (don’t ask how it got that way) for being such an infantile grommet. I realize Ford had to do something to let you know the line-lock was engaged, but I suppose a light that said “Line-Lock ENGAGED” was just expecting too much.
Obviously, what you do with your line-lock equipped Mustang is between you and your conscience, your insurance agent, your local police and/or sheriff’s office, and your girlfriend. We here at 1 Automoblog Towers can neither encourage, condone, or accept any sort of untoward behavior. We just know what we’ve done in the past, witnessed in the past, or seen other people get busted for in the past. You have been warned.
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: Ford Motor Company.

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Volvo Expands Autonomous Driving Team

Volvo Expands Autonomous Driving Team

With all deference to Elon Musk, DARPA, and the boffins at Google and Uber, if anyone is going to make this elf-driving car stuff work safely, it’ll probably be Volvo. Volvo, who is slowly shedding their boxy but practical image, still retains its foundational impression: Safety. And one of the public’s greatest concerns about self-driving cars is just that: safety.
“Flip a switch, and you can drive me to work, right?” It’s that appended “right” that everyone focuses on. The idea of a self-driving car sounds pretty cool, but the reality of making it work and making buyers believe in it, is something else entirely.
Serious Players
The concern, in short, breaks down like this: I want to get in my new car and get from here to there using the new self-driving feature, but what if . . . what if a kid runs out in front of my car? What if the car sees an idling truck as a threat and swerves into oncoming traffic? What if the computer software has to choose between saving my life in the driver’s seat over a crosswalk full of people or an oncoming, out of control school bus? These are the Gordian Knots of software that give people like Musk et al., numerous fits and nightmares trying to figure it all out.
Enter Volvo, Autoliv, and NVIDIA.
Volvo needs no real introduction to any of the gearheads out there. Autoliv is a automotive safety systems company that develops and manufactures safety bits and bobs for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. They raked in over $10 billion in sales in 2016 alone. Autoliv is also the exact opposite of a really good name for a Swedish death metal band, Autodeath (or, perhaps Autodeth). Any of you kids out there that are into black and white makeup, hoarse vocals, and crunchy guitars, you can have that one on me as a freebie.
Photo: Volvo Car Group.
Level 4 & Beyond?
NVIDIA is, of course, the people that invented the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) back in 1999, and really cranked the visuals on gaming up to eleven. As far as we – and Volvo and Autoliv – are concerned, NVIDIA did something interesting recently when it flipped the GPU around. They turned it from an high-res output device into something that, combined with deep learning and modern AI developments, can take visual information in, allowing digital systems to perceive and understand the world around them. This new trait could come in real handy for stuff like robots and self-driving cars.
So, Volvo, Autoliv, and NVIDIA will work together with Zenuity (a newly-formed joint venture for Volvo and Autoliv) to advance self-driving car tech. Volvo says they will have Level 4 autonomous cars for sale by 2021. Volvo & c. will use NVIDIA’s Artificial Intelligence platform as the underpinning for their software development. Volvo, Autoliv, Zenuity, and NVIDIA will be working to develop systems that utilize deep learning (a subset of artificial intelligence) to do things like recognize objects in the environment, anticipate potential threats, and navigate safely around obstacles, including pedestrians.
The system can compare real-time situational awareness with a high-definition map of known streets and the general environment. This would enable a car to plan a safe route and drive accurately along it and adjust to changing circumstances. The system would also perform other analytical functions such as stitching camera inputs together to create a complete surround-view of the car. Zenuity will be the outfit responsible for the self-driving software; Autoliv will then be able to sell this software to OEMs, since they have established sales, marketing, and distribution networks already in place. Smart, no?
Photo: Volvo Car Group.

Acceptance & Application
Honestly, self-driving cars don’t bother me, as a sports car owning gearhead, all that much. Would I seek out and buy a self-driving car because of that feature? Probably not. It might be handy, but overall it doesn’t interest me too much. Now, a self-driving RV, that would be cool. Sure, like any oil-soaked gearhead out there, I have a reflexive dislike of RVs, but imagine this scenario: I’ve got tickets to a race at Sears Point in Sonoma. All I got to do is hop in my (rented) self-driving RV, call up my destination on a map, and hit the “go” button. Whoosh! Off goes the RV with me in it. Lounging in the back. Making a sandwich. Working on that latest article I’m on deadline for and management is getting anxious about. See? A self-driving RV could come in real handy in a situation like that. Volvo should partner with Winnebago or Airstream and make that happen. That would be cool.
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: Volvo Car Group.

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