Automotive

Nissan’s Rube Goldberg Idea Caused Us To Facepalm Ourselves

Nissan’s Rube Goldberg Idea Caused Us To Facepalm Ourselves

Nissan, for no real reason I can discern, has called their latest tech gizmo the “Rear Door Alert” when what it really is – or what it should be called – is “The Rear Seat Checker.” Beyond that confusing misnomer, what Nissan is attempting to do here, and always with the best of intentions (you know what they say about good intentions), is to help you remember the stuff in your back seat after you’ve parked.
You know, stuff like your children.
Destination: Litigation
The funny thing is, Nissan does not explicitly say the Rear Door Alert (RDA) is there to help keep your kids alive on a sweltering summer day. No, they only, sort of, imply it: “With summer heat on the rise, potential issues posed by interior car temperatures are even more real, but Nissan hopes its new Rear Door Alert may help reduce concerns.”
I have an informed guess as to why Nissan doesn’t come right out and say, “hey, are you a forgetful and harried parent? Worried about baking your kid (or pets) like a muffin while you’re at Twin Pines Mall shopping for lip gloss? Worry no more, thanks to Nissan’s new Rear Door Alert!” They can’t say that because I bet the legal team warned them along the lines of, “if you say we can keep kids safe and something still ends up happening, we’re going to get litigated back to the stone age.”
Cheese Alert
Nissan makes things clearer with this little tid-bit: “Elsa Foley, an industrial engineer and mother of two young children, and Marlene Mendoza, a mechanical engineer and mother of three, decided to work on an idea to help remind drivers to check their back seats before walking away.”
“We pushed each other along and knew we were on the right track one morning when Marlene discovered she had left a pan of lasagna in the back seat of her car one night after coming home after a long day at the office,” Foley said. “The worst thing was the car smelled for days, but it made me ask myself, ‘what if that had been something else back there?’”
Desiccated lasagna aside, it does sound like a helpful bit of tech, but the real flaw, if anything, is the execution.
The Rear Door Alert was developed at the Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA) in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The new feature will debut as standard equipment on the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder coming in September. Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Comical Creation
The Rear Door Alert works in a clever but rather overly complex way. The RDA monitors the rear door switches to detect whether they have been opened or closed just before and after a trip. If the RDA system senses that a rear door was opened and closed prior to a trip, but then was not re-opened after the trip, (i.e. the vehicle was put in park and the ignition cycled off) the RDA system responds by displaying notifications on the instrument panel. If that’s not enough to get your attention, things escalate to “subtle but distinctive chirps of the horn.”
And this is where the RDA lurches into real Rube Goldberg/Larry Lightbulb territory: “Because there are so many scenarios in which a driver might open a rear door – everything from throwing in a gym bag to cleaning the car – the RDA system is easily configurable and can be turned off temporarily or permanently through prompts in the cluster display,” according to Nissan. In other words, this thing will keep nagging and badgering you until you either see to the problem, or jump through a bunch of techno-hoops and “reconfigure” your car. Gee, thanks.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Medicated Motoring
Rear Door Alert is part of the ever-growing, ever-expanding list of “for your own good/you’re too stupid to do it yourself” safety contraptions found on most new cars these days. Nissan points out that most/all of these gadgets will be available on most of their more popular models except for those with manual transmissions and all NISMO versions. Gee, I wonder why that is? Maybe it’s because whoever goes out and buys your King Kong-inspired, Porsche-slaying GT-R is a gearhead capable of looking in the back seat.
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: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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2018 Acura RLX Debut Set For Monterey Automotive Week

2018 Acura RLX Debut Set For Monterey Automotive Week

Acura is preparing for the public debut of the 2018 RLX during the Monterey Automotive Week, beginning tomorrow, August 15th. The automaker says the RLX has a more “substantial presence” with “design cues that showcase its performance capabilities.”
The forthcoming RLX will remain the brand’s premier and flagship luxury sports sedan.
Styling & Design
The signature diamond grille compliments the more sculpted hood and wheels, while the newly designed LED taillights blend with the gloss black rear diffuser. The 2018 Acura RLX has three new colors including two premium paint options – Brilliant Red Metallic and Majestic Black Pearl. Inside, upgraded materials and touchpoints decorate the cabin, including the redesigned seats with high-contrast piping and stitching. An Espresso interior is now available.
“This redesign of the 2018 Acura RLX is transformational, creating road presence and styling that better reflect underlying performance capabilities of the vehicle,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura Vice President & General Manager.
Power & Performance
The 2018 RLX is arguably the most advanced in Acura’s lineup, borrowing its engineering from the NSX supercar. The Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) is taken directly from the NSX to provide better acceleration, handling, and efficiency. With three electric motors, a direct injected V6, and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid delivers a total system output of 377 horsepower. The trim levels are revised so the Sport Hybrid technology is now more accessible to customers.
2018 Acura RLX. Honda North America.
Safety & Security
The new RLX features AcuraWatch, a suite of enhanced driver assistance technologies. Traffic Jam Assist, for example, is a first for Acura. Working in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist helps keep the vehicle in its lane. AcuraWatch also includes Collision Mitigation Braking with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist among others.
AcuraWatch uses millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect vehicles and lane markings. The system is designed to prevent or mitigate potential collisions.
Pricing & Availability
Acura has not announced pricing at this time, although expect the 2018 RLX to arrive in November. In the meantime, the 2018 Acura RLX will be featured at multiple events throughout Monterey Automotive Week including the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue, Tuesday, August 15th and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Friday, August 18th.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Acura RLX Gallery

Photos & Source: Honda North America.

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A Brief History of Classic Chevy Wagons

A Brief History of Classic Chevy Wagons

It seems like wagons are a lost art these days, although there isn’t a shortage of fans. Wagons are more rare now, but the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon holds the torch high, igniting the passions of wagon lovers everywhere. We are fans of the new Volvo V90, the latest wagon from the Swedish automaker. The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is holding on strong in the wagon genera as well.
Other wagons were not so lucky, like the Dodge Magnum we waved goodbye to in 2008. The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon didn’t stay for the party either, signing off in 2014.
Working Class Cruiser
Back in the day, if an individual desired a wagon for the family, they arguably turned to Detroit’s bowtie. A slick new infographic from our friends at H&H Classic Parts showcases over thirty years of Chevy wagons, starting in 1935. The graphic includes artist renderings and interesting data for each one. Today, things are a bit different as General Motors holds a strong presence in the crossover segment. However, if you follow the thinking of H&H Classic Parts, there’s little difference between the golden era of station wagons and today’s crossover and SUV boom.
“The 1935 Carryall was used for work and for passengers, and it was a revolutionary vehicle when it debuted – of course, today we call it the Chevy Suburban,” said Tray Smith, Vice President of H&H Classic Parts. “Like the Suburban, most of today’s popular SUVs and crossovers can trace their lineage back to the classic American wagons from the 50s and 60s.”
The Carryall is of note because some will dispute calling it a wagon. The Carryall was mounted on a truck chassis and featured removable seats; for many wagon enthusiasts, this doesn’t count but the utility – what wagons are known for- is certinately there.
“Is the Carryall a wagon? I don’t know. I can definitely see it either way,” Smith said. “But the fact is, you can’t really talk about classic Chevy wagons without talking about the Carryall, so it’s on our list.”
Chevy’s original steel-bodied, truck-based Suburban “Carryall” of 1935-36 provided a robust and durable SUV-like alternative to wood-bodied wagons. Power came from Chevrolet’s “Stovebolt” inline-six that produced 60 horsepower on a half-ton chassis. Photo: GM Media Archive.
Past Eras, Modern Desires
The more things change, the more they stay the same. How we might seek a crossover or SUV to accommodate our active lifestyles, or busy family schedule, the same was had years ago. The demand for affordable transportation following World War II turned Chevy wagons from tools to suburban icons. The 1949 Styleline wagon, for example, sat eight to nine passengers, and buyers could have a wood-sided or all-steel vehicle.
Styling became increasingly important as Chevy wagons were sought by working families. The 150 and 210 wagons of 1953 sported a five-teeth grille with a large bowtie emblem. This made the wagons unmistakable but the value for the dollar made them a hit. A budget-minded family could opt for the lower priced Townsman, but still walk away with a 106 horsepower Thrift King engine and an upgraded trim. The Handyman variant had power steering and fold away seats for extra cargo.
Demand rose through the 1950s, where the Tri-Five series, particularity the Beauville wagon with seating for nine, became prevalent. By 1955, Chevy was producing the Nomad, a two-door, lower-slung wagon that by 1957, was known as the Bel Air. Suffice it to say, locating one is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
”Because so many early Chevy wagons were used as work vehicles, they suffered some abuse and many ended up in the junkyard,” Smith explained. “If you own any of the 150, 210, or Bel Air wagons from 1953 to 1957, you’re lucky. I envy those with one of these wagons as a restoration project.”
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe. Photo: GM Media Archive.

Carefree Adventures
As times changed radically for the United Sates in the 1960s, Chevy wagons maintained their cultural appeal. Families often got their kicks on Route 66 with the Lakewood wagons, another rare find today. Chevy collectors who come across one are in luck, however. The Lakewood wagon shared most of its parts with the Corvair, so a restoration project is relatively easy.
What’s also interesting is how the Chevy II and Nova wagons were a huge success in 1962. This was the first time Chevy wagons shared a car nameplate. Two years later, the Chevelle series reverted back to individual nameplates: Greenbrier, Concours, and Concours Estate. The wagons actually remained in the Chevelle line until the series ended in 1977.
The full graphic from H&H Classic Parts is below. Do you have a favorite Chevy wagon? Let us know on Twitter.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Cover Photo: GM Media Archive.

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2017 Honda Clarity Electric Arrives, Bites Into Competition

2017 Honda Clarity Electric Arrives, Bites Into Competition

You want something green and electric but don’t have Tesla Model S or Model X levels of cash to spend. Well, your answer might just have arrived, and I mean literally arrived at your local Honda dealership. At least if that dealership is in California or Oregon.
In a lot of ways, the problem with Tesla’s products isn’t range or battery depletion, it’s cost. Amazing and livable as the Model S and X are, they are expensive. Very expensive. Like, new Porsche expensive.
And, if you’re a serious gearhead like us here at One Automoblog Towers, would you rather buy a Tesla, with all that lovely torque at zero rpm, or would you rather buy a new Porsche? Yeah, us too.
Name Recognition
But move down-market a tad and things could become much more palatable to consumers. This is, of course, what Tesla is trying to do with its Model 3 (just hitting customers as we speak). And this is exactly the spot, more or less, where the Honda Clarity Electric fits. The Clarity Electric, however, has the built-in virtue of being a Honda, a known entity with Dealerships spread far and wide across this continent, unlike Tesla, which sorely lacks representation in big chunks of America. Did you know Honda has a dealership in Fairbanks, Alaska? They do. Do you know where you can talk to a Tesla dealer in Alaska? You can’t. There are no Tesla dealers in Alaska.
So what is this? What, pray tell, is the Honda Clarity? The thumbnail sketch is that the Clarity is a range of three hybrid/electric cars (a sedan, actually) with new drivetrain technology. The Clarity is actually a car line unto itself. You can get Clarity plug-in hybrids later this year and, as of last December, you could get a Clarity Fuel Cell model. And now, at least in two states, there’s the full-blown Honda Clarity Electric.
Photo: Honda North America.

Electrification Initiative
The Honda Clarity is the first-ever vehicle series that offers an array of electrified powertrains. It’s sort of like if you could get a Prius that was just electric, or a hybrid. Seems like a smart marketing move on Honda’s part. Although the Clarity has its fair share of styling quirks, it’s not nearly as space-ship goofy looking as a Prius or a BMW i3. Honda calls it “sophisticated,” which it probably is, since Honda works this stuff to the Nth degree.
Still, it’s a five-seat sedan that would be hard to spot as anything unique in the mall parking lot. The only real way to tell the Clarity Electric apart from other Clarity models is by the Cobalt Blue Pearl color and slightly different front styling.
The Clarity is also the thin edge of the wedge (to use a military term) of something referred to as the “Honda Electrification Initiative.” That, in turn, is going to be Honda’s bridge to more efficient and cleaner cars in the years ahead. Honda wants two-thirds of their global automobile sales coming from electrified vehicles by 2030, so get ready.
Photo: Honda North America.
Power & Performance
The Clarity Electric sedan is motivated by a 161 horsepower (120 kilowatt) electric motor that cranks out 221 lb-ft. of torque. As with all electric motors, there is no torque “curve” to speak of. All 221 lb-ft. of torque will literally be available at zero rpm, smoking the tires to great effect once you find a way around the traction control system. NOTE: We here at One Automoblog Towers do not advocate doing that with this, or any other new EV. It will, no doubt, violate your warranty, get you in trouble, get you a stern talking to in the principal’s office, that sort of thing. Although fairness compels us to mention that certain members of the Automoblog staff have done stuff like this, and it’s a total blast.
At any rate, the Honda Clarity gets the juice for its electric motor from a 25.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Clarity Electric can be fully charged in a little over three hours with a 240 volt system, using the DC fast charging with the SAE Combined Charging System. You can achieve an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes if you don’t have much time to wait around. The “fuel” economy figures work out to 126 city, 103 highway, and 114 combined MPGe, with an EPA range rating of 89 miles on a full charge. Not a lot of distance, but more than enough for day to day, around town sort of stuff.
In a lot of ways, if it wasn’t for the EV drivetrain, the Clarity Electric is pretty normal. It is, from the inside, a spacious and comfortable sedan suited for daily driving needs. It comes in a premium Touring trim and is loaded with all the technology and safety features consumers expect today. There’s a lot of gizmos inside including an 8-inch Display Audio setup with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies.
Photo: Honda North America.

Pricing & Availability
Honda doesn’t explicitly mention the price of the 2017 Honda Clarity Electric sedan, since it seems to be a lease only kind of thing. A fairly smart, if conservative business strategy here, since it will be easier to get them all back if you decide to quit the whole plan, or things don’t work out the way you like. The introductory lease runs you $269 a month for 36 months via select dealerships in California and Oregon. The lease gives you an allowance of 20,000 miles per year and 24/7 roadside assistance (a nice perk).
That $269 does reflect the federal tax credit. At signing, if you want to get down to the bottom line here, you’ll be on the hook for $1,730 down, plus the first month’s payment less tax, registration, and/or other fees. California and Oregon customers may qualify for state rebates of $2,500.
Is Honda’s Clarity Electric for you? That’s up to you to decide, but it’s not worth dismissing out of hand if you are in the market for an electric vehicle.
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.
2017 Honda Clarity Electric Gallery

Photos & Source: Honda North America.

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2017 Toyota Corolla iM Review

2017 Toyota Corolla iM Review

The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM sounds like a new model, but it’s really a rebadged Scion iM that was launched last year. The Scion brand was axed but this Corolla rides on the same platform, meaning the remnants of Scion are still under the Toyota Umbrella.
This week, we drove the 2017 Toyota Corolla iM automatic 5-Door hatch.
What’s New For 2017
The 2017 iM is new to Toyota this year but it’s basically the same car as last year’s Scion iM. Standard automatic high-beam control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning and mitigation are new for 2017.
Features & Options
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM comes in a single, well-equipped model. The 5-door hatchback automatic ($19,490) comes with many standard amenities for the price. It features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights, automatic headlights, power-folding heated mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping column with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and a rearview camera.
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker stereo with HD radio, Aha streaming Internet radio, and a USB interface complete the list of connectivity technologies. Our tester also came with floormats and a cargo mat ($185), wheel locks ($65), and rear wind deflector ($399). Total MSRP including destination: $21,498.

Interior Highlights
The cabin of the Corolla iM matches the outside with its contemporary design. A dash covered in fashionable piano black features swooping lines and round vents. There’s a lot of upscale, soft-touch trim throughout. The height-adjustable front seats are supportive and the upholstery is average for an economy compact. We liked the simple instrument layout and dual-zone climate control; the standard 7-inch touchscreen is easy to reach and reacts quickly.
The rearview camera is a welcome feature as the rear hatch window is small and visibility is limited when backing up. Front visibility is good with the small pillars, raked hood, and big windshield. The backseat is not as roomy as the front and there’s not a lot of cargo room (20.8 cubic feet) when the rear seatbacks are up, but they’re still 60/40 and fold flat for some cargo carrying ability.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM is powered by the same high-revving, 1.8-liter four-cylinder as the Corolla. It produces 137 horsepower and 126 lb-ft. of torque. Our Corolla iM tester had the 7-speed CVTi-S automatic transmission that transfers power to the front wheels, although a 6-speed manual is standard.
Fuel economy is an EPA estimated 28/36 city/highway and 31 combined with the CVTi-S.
Driving Dynamics
The iM automatic felt lively and light in the corners as we tossed the subcompact around the tight mountain curves near Evergreen, west of Denver. When we took it on the open road and through the high country at altitude, the automatic felt like any Continuously Variable Transmission: it winds up tight when pushed hard.
The Toyota iM is a sporty compact but it’s not a true sports hatch. It won’t blow the doors off with its acceleration, but it does hold its own after you get up to speed. We dropped the 7-speed CVTi-S automatic into sport mode and kept the revs up for more spirited driving in the tight mountain curves. In heavy, stop-and-go city traffic this week, we thought the automatic was preferable over the manual. It gets tiring when you have to continually push in the clutch to move a few feet forward.
Conclusion
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM comes with a long list of standard features for the price, has hatchback versatility, it’s fuel efficient, and would be a good vehicle for urban dwellers.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Toyota Corolla iM Gallery

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2017 Toyota Corolla iM Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Ram Announces Segment-Leading Torque, Focuses On Customers

Ram Announces Segment-Leading Torque, Focuses On Customers

The heavy duty truck segment is one of the most competitive with Ford, General Motors, and Ram continually raising the bar. Ram has done so again, announcing segment-leading figures for the new 3500 HD. The forthcoming 2018 Ram 3500 HD cranks out 930 lb-ft. of torque, with a maximum fifth-wheel towing capacity of 30,000 lbs. when properly equipped.
Ram inches ahead of Ford who had the segment’s highest torque rating prior at 925 lb-ft. The redesigned Duramax comes in at 910 lb-ft. of torque, although GM leads the segment in horsepower.
Torque & Towing
Ram’s design and engineering teams are focused on providing the best possible truck for their customers. According to Jim Morrison, Head of Ram Brand FCA North America, the torque increase was necessary to better meet the demands of today’s heavy duty truck buyer.
“Torque is ultimately important to the heavy duty customer because it’s what gets the truck moving,” he said. “It’s what makes for maximum loads and really sets the truck up for ultimate capability.”
After working closely with Cummins, the 2018 Ram 3500 HD emerged with an enhanced variable geometry turbo and higher boost limits. Combined with flow rate increases and a more optimized fuel delivery system, the new Ram 3500 HD now produces an additional 30 lb-ft. of torque, for a grand total of 930. Ram Engineering also developed a new fifth-wheel hitch, giving the 3500 HD the aforementioned 30,000 lbs. towing capacity. The in-house hitch from Ram accommodates trailers normally reserved for Class 4 and 5 trucks.
“This opens the door for our commercial customers who are looking for maximum weight on their fifth-wheel hitch,” Morrison explained.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Tow Ratings & Availability
The 2018 Ram 3500 HD, when properly equipped, has a maximum gooseneck rating of 31,210 lbs. and a maximum conventional rating of 20,000 lbs. Similarly, Ram 2500 trucks provide best-in-class gas towing at 16,230 lbs. Ram HD trucks also lead in a frequently overlooked area by others in the segment: snow plowing. When properly equipped, Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks have the industry’s highest snow plow rating. Ram engineers actually conduct dedicated plow testing in Houghton, Michigan, where temperatures regularly fall below zero.
Expect the 2018 Ram HD trucks at dealerships this month.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Showcases Decades of Racing History

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Showcases Decades of Racing History

Like I should have to tell any real gearhead this, but it’s almost time for the Monterey Historics, also known as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. For those that don’t know (and I pity their barren and bereft life), every year around mid-August there is easily the best gathering of old cool rides, sports cars, and vintage racers on the planet. It takes place at Laguna Seca, Pebble Beach, The Quail Lodge, and as a rolling display on the costal and inland roads of the Monterey Peninsula.
Sea of Iron
The Monterey Historics make every other similar event look like a Saturday night cruise-in at the Malt Shack in size, scope, breadth, and depth. Besides Monterey, The Goodwood Festival of Speed is just a run up a rich guy’s driveway with some cos-play thrown in. The Amelia Island Concours is just a bunch of swells standing around talking about the new colors in Ralph Lauren polo shirts. The parking lot at Laguna Seca is better than 75% of the car shows I’ve been to. My first time to the vintage races, I was waiting in line when I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw an alloy-bodied Ferrari short-wheelbase Berlinetta. “How many of those did they make,” I wondered, “14, 16, something like that.” 20 yards later, I drove by two more of them parked in the infield.
The entire locale is saturated in vintage and exotic iron to the point of metallosis. There are Ferraris and Bugattis and Alfas and Lambos and Jags and Astons and Delahayes and Stutz Bearcats and Packards and Duesenbergs all over the place; literally around every corner. I saw a Bugatti Type 35 parked at a frickin’ 7-Eleven while the owner was inside buying smokes. It is that level of saturation, and this year’s event doesn’t show any signs of letting up. For example, just at Laguna Seca alone, there will be some of the most prominent racing history on display yet.
Regal Racers
There will be a special infield exhibit showing racers with historical significance to the track, with the first and most recent winners across from one another. The 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa Pete Lovely drove to victory at the inaugural Laguna Seca event and the Pebble Beach Road Races in 1957 will be among the first. Those Pebble Beach Road Races were the good, old style races on closed public roads, in and out of the fog shrouded trees, with scant attention paid to “safety.”
Lovely’s ’56 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa is a car I’m actually quite familiar with. Lovely was a local racer when I was growing up; he kept the car throughout his life and I saw it many times at other vintage races. Next to Lovely’s iconic machine will be the 2016 K-PAX Racing McLaren 650S GT3 that Alvaro Parente won the Pirelli World Challenge with last October.
Photo: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Heritage Racers
Also on exhibition, the 1956 Porsche 356A Carrera that competed in the last race on the old Pebble Beach course. There will be a 1963 Shelby King Cobra, an odd choice since the King Cobras never lived up to their promise, nor did they match the exploits of the original Cobras. A 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302 will also be shown, representative of the Trans Am battles that took place there and at other tracks across North America. A monstrous 1973 Porsche 917/30, the car Roger Penske and Mark Donohue refined to such a degree that it destroyed the competition and then the entire series will be on display. Also on exhibit, a 1983 March Indy Car, the first to win at Laguna Seca.
There will be a 1985 Porsche 962, the IMSA variant of the 956, alongside the frighteningly effective 1993 AAR Toyota Eagle that Dan Gurney used in annihilating the competition. There will also be the 1999 BMW V12 LMR that won the Le Mans 24 Hours after extensive input from Williams Grand Prix Engineering. The Le Mans 24 Hours gets further representation with a 2005 Audi R8 that has unique ties to the 2.238-mile circuit. As a final cherry on top, you can get up close and personal with the 1989 Yamaha YZR500 Wayne Rainey rode to a win at the 1989 U.S. Grand Prix. That was Rainey’s first of three consecutive victories in Monterey. Little guy was so good with a bike they named one of the corners after him (it’s the left-hander directly after the 80-foot elevator drop of the Corkscrew).
Memorable Moments
If you can make it, go. If you can’t make it this year, go as soon as you can. On the track there will be 550 race cars of historic provenance doing what they were designed to do: race. Don’t care about race cars? Then consider the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach; there’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering or the Concorso Italiano as well. Either way, get out and enjoy a world-class car show when you can. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is held August 17th through the 20th.
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: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

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2018 Jaguar F-TYPE: Anything But Dull And Boring (Video)

2018 Jaguar F-TYPE: Anything But Dull And Boring (Video)

The 2018 Jaguar F-TYPE is anything but dull and boring, and earlier this week, that’s exactly what Jaguar was going for. The automaker launched a new campaign for the F-TYPE in the towns of Dull, Perthshire in Scotland and Boring, Oregon. Jaguar provided a new F-TYPE for two residents of Dull and two from Boring so they could zip through their respective communities in not so dull and boring ways.
Community Bond
Dull, with 200 residents, sits about 75 miles north of Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. Boring, here in the United States, is about 21 miles east of Portland, Oregon. Although a bit larger than Dull at 8,000 residents, Boring’s citizens share the same passion for their home as those in Dull. They readily embrace the names, joining forces in 2012 to form a new public holiday – Dull and Boring Day – now held annually on August 9th. To mark the occasion this year, Jaguar showcased the new F-TYPE and demonstrated how each community is anything but what their name reflects.
“Bringing the F-TYPE to the cities of Dull and Boring allowed us to have a bit of fun with the brand in a way that was relatable for Jaguar consumers in the United Kingdom and the United States,” said Joe Torpey, Communications Manager, Jaguar Land Rover North America.
2018 Jaguar F-TYPE. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Performance & Technology
The 2018 Jaguar F-TYPE is powered a diverse range of engines, including a turbocharged 296 horsepower Ingenium four-cylinder, a supercharged V6, and an all-wheel drive V8. The latter is found in the F-TYPE SVR Coupe with a top speed of 200 mph. If you don’t want to go that fast, opt for the F-TYPE SVR Convertible which only hits 195 mph.
Those with an appetite for technology will appreciate the new F-TYPE. The standard Jaguar InControl Touch Pro system features faster processors and automotive Ethernet connections. The system supports a number of additional apps and driver assistance technologies. GoPro connectivity enables a new app called ReRun that sources telemetry data from the car like speed, lateral acceleration, gear selection, and throttle and brake position. Said data can be transferred to a smartphone so drivers always have a record of their track performance.
The 2018 Jaguar F-TYPE starts at $59,900 and will be available later this year. In the meantime, see how the citizens of Dull and Boring made the most of their holiday with the new F-TYPE in the video below.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo, Video & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

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Letter From The UK: An Unavoidable Future

Letter From The UK: An Unavoidable Future

It isn’t just the British who are at odds with the pan-European ideal; both Poland and Hungary now have serious disagreements with the rest of the Euro-zone. The European Union overall is lurching from crisis to crisis and this is having a knock-on effect economically. One such set-back is how the UK new car market has declined by almost ten percent last month. This is the fourth consecutive monthly fall. Although in line with forecasts, it remains a barometer of falling economic consumer confidence.
Demand was down across business, fleet, and private buyers, although oddly in July, more buyers opted for dual purpose and specialist sports cars, the only two vehicle segments to enjoy growth. That may just mean some are more financially resilient than others of course.
Greener Pastures
The demand for alternatively fueled vehicles has soared, we learn. As registrations for new gas and diesel cars have declined, interest in electric vehicles and hybrids is rising. This doesn’t mean necessarily your friends and neighbors are suddenly mad for electric cars, as there is a sense we are being railroaded into it.
The repercussions of the “Dieselgate” scandal are rippling out wider and wider, like the aftermath of a rock being thrown into a still pond. The vilification of diesel fuel, whether deserved or not, has led to a softening of demand for the oil-burners. After a very slow start, motorists are now keen to learn more about electric cars. Certainly this might be because car buyers are more conscious of a cleaner, greener future, but it is more likely related to the Government’s plans to ensure no new diesel or gas-powered cars are sold after 2040.
If you want a brand new car after that date, it will have to be of the alternative fuel variety.

Electrified Kingdom
Consumers are thus becoming more aware of the new technology, especially after the announcement that all new cars launched, for example, by Swedish manufacturer Volvo from 2019 onward, will be partially or completely battery-powered. Between 2019 and 2021, Volvo will introduce five dedicated EVs and ensure the rest of their conventional petrol and diesel range has a hybrid variant of some form. Add to this the vast majority of motorists now saying they would feel safe while driving an electric vehicle. Over two-thirds say they would be happy to buy an used EV, and thus it is clear: the times, they are a-changing.
Are we in danger though of running before we can walk, as it were? Great Britain has a very poor public charging infrastructure and this needs to be addressed well before 2040, especially as sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids continue to rise. Fuel giant Shell announced a pilot project for the installation and operation of the first fast-chargers for electric vehicles at selected service stations. They are expected to be on stream by the end of this year. It’s a start, but there’s a long road ahead.
Despite all the big talk, the Futurama reality of electric-charging highways remains a distant aim, so charging outlets are the key to the ultimate rise of EVs. Consumers are now well aware of the range issue that dogs electric-powered cars. These cars are fine for local motoring in Britain because most journeys are short, unlike the USA where much greater distances have to be covered. However, most of us need to make longer trips too, and hanging around for two hours topping up the power just won’t wash with the public. Ample, readily available, super-fast charging is vital.

Rest In Pieces
The other problem is power generation. Wind and wave power is not going to do the job, and this country needs to go nuclear in a much bigger way if we are to generate enough juice. Yet there is a determined anti-nuclear lobby who don’t want that. In short, there’s a long way to go before our future is truly electric.
Still, unquestionably, the demise of ICE cars is written in stone by those that govern. Take a photograph of your V8 ride because it won’t be long before we see those fossil fuel dinosaurs taking that last ride to their automotive funeral. We will watch them from our clean, green electric future as they swing into the crusher to be turned into fans and cans and pans and cheap jewelry made from redundant piston rings. There are still many ways the plans could go awry – maybe our beloved V8s will live to fight another day? We are human after all. Even politicians.
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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