Chapter 3: Teslas In The Middle of Nowhere

Chapter 3: Teslas In The Middle of Nowhere The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me is a gasoline-fueled narrative by automotive journalist Tony Borroz. It details the joys, thrills, and even the uncertainties of the car-obsessed lifestyle. In advance of the book’s release, we are previewing the first few chapters. Chapters one and two here. 
Thanks to the little voice in my head, okay, the voice from Google maps coming through my Bluetooth earpiece (a necessity in a soft-top, it’s loud in here), I’m bounced off the main route from southern Arizona through Phoenix and on into Palm Springs. Google says this is for traffic, and I believe it.
Besides, since my Miata is both black and lacks air conditioning (must save weight), the last thing I want is to get stuck in the middle of traffic, in the middle of Phoenix, in the middle of yet another broiling day in the desert.
Buzzard Buffet
So I’m shunted off towards Maricopa and Gila Bend and through the Sonoran Desert National Monument. It looks like a Road Runner cartoon. And, as predicted by Google, sparsely trafficked. I’m heading north doing my usual five-over the posted speed limit when a dark blue Tesla Model S blows by me.
“Well you don’t have range anxiety it seems,” I say to myself.
Maybe it’s too many experiences of having the finest in British electrical “systems” fail me in the middle of nowhere that I see this man – older white guy driving, not-as-older white gal in the passenger seat, both of them quaffed and polished, rich-looking, in a word – as being a little on the brave side at first. How far is he from a charging station? If he runs the batteries dry, will Tesla come out to rescue him? If they do, will they get to him before those buzzards do? (Side note: There are literal buzzards in the sky more often than not around here. When you see them wheeling down, closer and closer to the desert floor, you know something (or someone) is coming to a rather grizzly end.)
I figured he knows what he’s doing. The Tesla had Arizona plates, and everything about the guy said “Scottsdale” or “Chandler” or some other rich, white burbclave where you can drop 100K on a car and the rent-a-pigs at the front gate of your “community” stand athwart any of those people who make you feel uncomfortable. But still, it was the rarity of seeing an EV out in the middle of nowhere that caught me by surprise.
You see lots of Teslas in large metro areas. Lots in Phoenix and Tucson – and with the near-constant sunshine and dropping prices of solar panels, here’s the area where you could take your personal transportation completely off the grid. The Bay Area has a lot of them, per car-capita, but Seattle has tons of the things. I’m assuming the rich, well to-do buyers in places like Chicago and Los Angeles and Miami and such look upon Elon’s offerings with approval.
Still . . . desert + middle of nowhere + failing battery capacity = buzzard buffet.
“Well you don’t seem to have range anxiety.”
Tolling Bells
At least in my mind, I’m musing, when whoosh, another Tesla Model S goes stonking by me. Given my rate of speed, this second one must be pushing the ton. This one was white, again with an older white guy driving, but with no passengers. If the first guy was brave, in my initial, conservative estimation, this guy was braver than Indiana Jones.
But there it was: The Future.
That was my conclusion as the white Tesla disappeared into the vanishing point distance. If not one, but two people, and in quick succession at that, felt just fine driving an EV in this situation, then eventually everyone would.
They might not all be Teslas – and probably won’t, given Tesla’s shakiness (both in terms of falling quality at the moment and continued red ink) – but eventually EVs will become a larger and larger portion of what we see on the road. Eventually performance cars with internal combustion engines will be regarded by other drivers and by people walking down sidewalks with the same curiosity they show today when they see a Model T. “Look’it that, you have to start it with a crank!” “No airbags. Not one!” “Your Ferrari has twelve cylinders?!”
I hear our funeral dirge, far off in the distance, can you?
Oh well.
Fast & Furious
Performance cars were always a small slice of the pie. And who cares if nine out of ten drivers choose something with all the personality of a toaster to “drive?” I don’t. I’m actually quite rare for a gearhead: I love public transportation. It’s handy in big cities and, from a gearhead’s perspective, actually beneficial to us. The more people using public transportation, the fewer of them there are on the road. In front of me. Going five miles an hour under the speed limit. Texting. Causing my blood pressure to rise . . . to . . . breathe, breathe Tony. Calm down.
And in a way, a variation about that is how I feel about EVs. The facts of the matter are pretty clear by now: cars are poisoning our atmosphere and are a leading contributor to global warming. We are going to have to Deal with that, or it will Deal with us.
And EVs are fun, even if most people don’t realize it. I’ve played around with my fair share of Teslas and, in addition to being high-tech and flashy and Helping with the environment (with a capital “H”), they are GD Friggin’ fast! Teslas, and any EV with software set up that way, are a complete blast to drive. They almost feel like driving in a video game (Forza or Grand Turismo, take your choice). All you have to do is mash your right foot and point it. BOOM! You are Down The Road. And I mean like now, daddy-o.
Tesla Roadsters, for example, are frighteningly effective on an AutoX track. They’re small enough to fit between gates and around cones and, thanks to the physics of electric motors, all that torque (and there is a lot of it) comes in rightfrigginnow! Sure, the Roadster is heavy, no way to get around that. But as my oldest brother once said: “horsepower overcomes many handling deficiencies.”
Tesla Roadster. Photo: Tesla Motors.
The More Things Change . . .
So what’s the problem? Why aren’t there more EVs out there?
To me, there are two main factors: range and cost.
Range is something anyone can readily understand. The good thing is this is slowly being dealt with. Slowly, range is becoming greater and greater. That won’t be a problem. Eventually. Of course, this does run right into the concept of energy density. Energy density works like this: How much energy do you get out of a power source of a given size. Look at my 1994 Miata. It has an 11.5-gallon fuel tank about the size of an old hard-sided suitcase. Once full, I can drive 300 miles (easy) before it runs dry.
To get that same range (give or take) out of a Tesla (the current range performance benchmark) takes a battery pack the size of a futon that weighs right around half a ton. That is energy density. And that is the other engineering hurdle to be cleared after getting that range thing finally wired.
Cost, on the other hand, is more problematic. At the moment, the price point of these things, Teslas specifically, are high. Like right around $100,000 high. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives and yes, there is the (slowly) rolling out of the Tesla Model 3, but still, if you want to get what counts as “acceptable” in the EV world, you better have the cash. Is that really so bad? Yes, yes it is. In a way. Because I want one of these, but 100-large is still 100-large (and hey, I’m a writer, I don’t even have one-large at this point).
Of course the thing about electric cars is that you have to realize you’re paying for pretty much everything up front. Since there’s no (real) maintenance to speak of, manufactures build that in to their profit structure (i.e. no dealer profit streams). It’s sort of like you’re buying all the “gas” you’re ever going to need right up front too, in a way, since your electricity rates are (generally) pretty low. So if you factor that in, if you went and bought a Camry and had to pay for all the maintenance up front, and had to pay for all your gas up front too, Camrys wouldn’t be that cheap either.
The More They Stay The Same
But where would I have been a century ago? Would I have been standing on a sidewalk in a city, seeing a rich guy drive by in a Marmon and sighing wistfully, “Man, if only I had the bank account to afford that!” Yes, yes I would. Think about it. 100 years ago, cars were finicky, short-ranged toys for rich people to play around with and have bragging rights over their lessers. And today? Tell me a Tesla Model S or X doesn’t do the same thing. Sure, for now they’re 90 percent owned and operated by rich people, but soon enough, the Model T of the electric vehicle world will show up, and that will be the end of the ball game.
Soon there will be something that does 90 percent of what a Tesla Model S does, and it will be affordable to 75 percent of the public, and that will be that. Goodbye to minivans equipped with internal combustion engines. Good by to sedans and taxis and delivery trucks and school busses and SUVs equipped with internal combustion engines. They will be parked in museums next to horse-drawn wagons. So it goes.
Horse-drawn carriages on display at the Autoworld Museum, Brussels, Belgium. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.
Odd Couple
I’m outside of Blythe or Mesa Verde or Desert Center – who can tell, it’s miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles. I’m stonking along at 85 or so. It’s hard to tell. Did you know first-gen Miata speedos are set a little low? They are. You’re always going about two miles per hour slower than indicated. Anyhoo, ahead of me in the right lane (keep right except to pass (or unless the pavement is too chewed up for a short wheelbase car)) is something red and low and loping along. It looks like a big red running shoe. As I gain on it, and I’m pulling it by the yard, I see what it is: A brand new Ferrari GTC4Lusso. The refined replacement for the rather odd Ferrari FF.
And I mean odd in a bunch of ways.
Both the FF and the GTC4Lusso (yeah, it’s all crammed together in one word like that) had this bizarre, if effective, four-wheel drive system. Sure, it works, but it’s complexity only brings visions of frighteningly large repair bills to my mind. I mean, “You have to re-do the entire foundation on my house?” large. The other odd thing is the way it looks. It’s an old style, shooting-brake, long roof kind of thing. In a way it works.
On the Ferrari, it looks sleek and rapid and well proportioned. And it does have a level of practicality to it. GTC4Lussos seat four (they say) and are, of all things, hatchbacks, so you can carry a fair amount of stuff. But from some angles, they look like a big clown shoe; la scarpa di buffo. Ferrari comes ever so close to pulling it off. So very, very close, but . . . la scarpa di buffo. Whataya gonna do?
Fat Cats, Fast Cars & False Assumptions
So I pull up on the GTC4 and ease around him without breaking my stride. Of course I’m thinking that if our situations were reversed, and I was driving something with a six-liter V12 painted Rosso Corsa I’d be going considerably faster than he was.
“C’mon old man, give it some boot!” I think as I pull alongside him. I glance over and see that he’s looking at me. Older. Well-heeled. Accessorized with a Rolex, a gold bracelet, and a gold neck chain. Money. Moneymoneymoney.
I know he couldn’t hear me, but at that moment he shot me a look like a Mother Superior mid-rage.
It was if he said, “How dare you, you insolent little urchin. You with your mass-produced car from a non-European country. Good day. I said good day!”
I snap my gaze back to the road ahead. The next vehicle is about 30 yards away, so no worries there. I get 15 yards on the GTC4, signal and pull back into the right lane. I swear as I look into the mirror I see the old guy slowly shaking his head at me. “Such an affront! I do say! Away with you, away!”
Immediately my mind drifts to what happens to those who possess his attitude unchecked. Gauzy visions of the Place de la Concorde and jeering crowds and a massive shiny blade held high in the morning sun. Le rasoir national attend, mon vieux! Le rasoir national attend! It’s amusing how the rich and entitled feel so secure and sheltered by their treasures and privileges. Antoinette felt that way; the czarina felt that way I think to myself as I leave the GTC4 in my rearview mirror.
Le rasoir national attend. Attention, ça t’attend!
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 



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Infiniti Promises New Models, Manufacturing, Electrification In China

Infiniti Promises New Models, Manufacturing, Electrification In China Infiniti has announced plans to build five new vehicles in China in the next five years, beginning with the QX50 crossover. The news comes ahead of the Beijing International Motor Show and highlights the importance of the Chinese market and electrification for Infiniti.
“Over the next five years Infiniti is planning to localize five new vehicles in China, tripling our sales in our fastest growth market, globally,” explained Roland Krueger, Chairman and Global President, Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd. “As part of our roadmap to electrify our portfolio, we anticipate that by 2025, more than 50 percent of new Infiniti vehicles sold globally and in China will be electrified.”
Continued Growth
Infiniti operates in China via a partnership with Dongfeng Motor Company Ltd., China’s largest automotive joint venture. In 2017, Infiniti sold a record 48,408 vehicles in China, a 16 percent increase from the prior year.
“Together with our partner Dongfeng Motor Company Ltd., Infiniti is pursuing localization in China for China, expanding our network footprint and introducing new technologies, Krueger continued.
Before the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, Infiniti revealed the world’s first production variable compression engine for the 2019 QX50. The 2.0-liter engine, known as a “VC-Turbo,” adjusts its compression ratio to maximize performance. Infiniti says this challenges the notion that only hybrid and diesel powertrains can deliver high torque and efficiency.
“We will continue to strive to make Infiniti the top premium challenger brand in the market,” Krueger added. 
Infiniti spent 20 years developing Variable Compression-Turbocharged technology for production. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Availability & In Person
During the Beijing International Motor Show the new QX50 will be unveiled for the first time in Asia. Local production of the QX50 will begin in the near future at the company’s manufacturing facility in Dalian, China. The QX50 crossovers built in China will be sold exclusively to the Chinese market and will be available for purchase later this year.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.



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2018 Ford F-150: EPA Figures Announced For Power Stroke Diesel Engine

2018 Ford F-150: EPA Figures Announced For Power Stroke Diesel Engine Earlier this year, Ford revealed the performance specs for the F-150’s first 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine. At the time, fuel economy ratings from the EPA were forthcoming but Ford says those have officially arrived. EPA-estimates come in at 22/30 city/highway and 25 combined mpg.
“Even a few years ago, customers wouldn’t have imagined an EPA-estimated rating of 30 mpg highway would be possible in a full-size pickup,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford Executive Vice President, Product Development and Purchasing.
The fuel economy ratings are achieved in part by the F-150’s aluminum-alloy body, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the use of durable materials like compacted graphite iron throughout the engine. The 3.0-liter Power Stroke shares similar commercial-grade technologies with the larger 6.7 found in Ford’s Super Duty trucks.
“Our team of crazy-smart engineers rose to the challenge,” Thai-Tang said.
The 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel generates 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft. of torque to provide a best-in-class towing capability of 11,440 lbs., according to Ford. In addition to the tow rating, Ford says the new Power Stroke provides a best-in-class diesel payload of 2,020 lbs. for XL and XLT fleet applications, and 1,940 lbs. for retail applications.
The 2018 Ford F-150 with new 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel will begin shipping to dealers in May.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.



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Report: Class action lawsuit filed against Ford for overheating Shelby GT350 transmissions

Report: Class action lawsuit filed against Ford for overheating Shelby GT350 transmissions Ford’s in hot water (no pun intended) for overheating transmissions and differentials at high speeds, particularly during track use.
What’s going on?
Fords are finding themselves dead on the road? You don’t say!
Well, more specifically, owners of the latest Shelby GT350 have gathered the pick axes and joined arms to file a class-action lawsuit against Dearborn for overheating drivetrain issues. Most of the cases involved GT350s serving track duty, where drivers said the transmission and differential would overheat, throwing the car into “limp home mode.”
Click here for more news on the Shelby GT350.
Not exactly the sort of experience you pay for when owning a brand-new GT350, a car specifically designed for that purpose. So this obviously has owners pissed off.

As a result, a 71-page lawsuit was filed this past Wednesday, focusing on the GT350’s optional Tech Package. Four plaintiffs representing some potentially 4,000 GT350 owners suggested such equipped cars don’t have transmission or differential coolers. And yet, Ford addressed the issue on 2017MY cars. The issue affects 2016 models and Ford supposedly told those owners to fix it themselves. However, such a suggestion puts forces the owner to conduct a repair that voids the car’s warranty. So basically, owners are in between a rock and a hard place.
So, what’s going to happen?
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday and at the helm is the Hagens Berman law firm. That means the case is currently under litigation and thus, comments about what’s happening are being kept to a minimum.
“We believe that Ford induced purchasers with its ‘track-ready’ marketing, when in fact it knew that this defect would ultimately bar these Mustangs from ever being the hotrod consumers paid for,” said Steve Berman, the managing partner of Hagens Berman.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutomotiveNews, Jalopnik
Click to view slideshow.
The post Report: Class action lawsuit filed against Ford for overheating Shelby GT350 transmissions appeared first on egmCarTech.



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New Chevy Medium Duty Commercial Truck To Feature Duramax Engine

New Chevy Medium Duty Commercial Truck To Feature Duramax Engine

Ah, fleet sales. If you’re not making bread and butter money from selling millions of hatchbacks in a week, then the real gravy is in commercial sales. Taxis, delivery trucks, cop cars, city motor pool cars, stuff like that. Cars and trucks that are rode hard, put away wet, have the oil changed twice a week, the engines replaced twice a year, and three to five years from the date of purchase, they’re all used up.
Joint Ventures
Chevy, who already makes serious bank from fleet sales, announced they will now offer an entirely new Duramax diesel medium duty truck for fleet sales. Chevrolet made the announcement at this year’s edition of The Work Truck Show, which is kind of amusing – of course, there has to be a Work Truck Show. I wonder if they have an entire aisle dedicated to one-size-fits-all mesh-back baseball hats?
Chevy went on to say the new truck is on schedule and will launch in 2018. It is being jointly developed by Chevrolet and Navistar.
“Our new Chevrolet medium duty will be the flagship of our truck portfolio for fleet and commercial customers,” said John Schwegman, U.S. Director of Commercial Product and Medium Duty for GM Fleet.
Extensive Offerings
GM says they have the industry’s most expansive portfolio of diesel-powered passenger cars, crossovers, pickups, and vans. Who am I to argue, but it also seems to me that Mercedes-Benz makes a ton of diesel powered delivery trucks too. Anyway, the General makes a lot of these guys, but it seems like there’s a niche that’s missing, so GM confirmed that Chevrolet’s all-new Class 4/5 commercial truck will soon be rolling out, and that it will be powered by a Duramax engine. Also, to sweeten the deal, the Duramax will be mated to an Allison transmission, a combo that is already found in close to two million trucks.
“We believe the strength of the Duramax/Allison powertrain combination will be able to tackle various jobs – from general contracting to urban delivery to bucket loaders and wreckers,” Schwegman said.
The first Duramax engines for Chevrolet and GMC trucks hit the market in 2001, and today, have more than 100 billion miles of use in the real-world. A new version of the Duramax arrived late last year for GM’s HD trucks.
“To win customers, we’re marshaling the best diesel and heavy-duty transmission engineers in the world and offering more choices than any other manufacturer,” Schwegman added.
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD High Country. Photo: Chevrolet.
Powerful Parings
Based in Indianapolis, the cynosure of the racing world, Allison Transmission is the largest designer, developer, manufacturer, and distributor of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions. They are also a leader in hybrid-propulsion systems. Allison designs are ubiquitous, being used in vehicles across the board: garbage trucks, construction, fire, distribution, bus, motor homes, defense, and energy; these transmissions are everywhere.
Allison has worked with Chevrolet since the 1950s, and before that, did things like build engines for P-51 Mustangs and P-38 Lightnings during wartime.
An employee at the DMAX, LTD engine plant assembles Duramax diesel engines in Moraine, Ohio on Monday, March 6, 2017. Photo: Chevrolet.


Nostalgic Tastes
I actually got a chance to see inside their old plant in Speedway, Indiana years ago. It’s a fantastically cool Art Moderne style place made out of native brick and glass block, the same kind of bricks they paved The Speedway with. At the time, Riley and Scott, the prototype racers, were based out of the place, and I thought that was about as cool of a set up as you could get: You’re making race cars in the building they used to make fighter plane engines in, and the place looks like a giant brick and glass toaster designed by Norman Bel Geddes. Sign me up!
The technical specs for Chevy’s new medium duty truck, including cab and frame dimensions, horsepower and torque, GAWR (gross axle weight rating), GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating), payload and other ratings, will be released closer to launch.
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: Chevrolet



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Ram Announces New Laramie Longhorn Hues In Dallas

Ram Announces New Laramie Longhorn Hues In Dallas

Ram has unveiled a new exterior color to compliment their luxurious Laramie Longhorn trim. “RV Match Walnut Brown” replaces the existing White Gold as the truck’s two-tone contrasting color. Ram made the announcement at the DFW Auto Show in Dallas, Texas, which runs through March 26th.
RV Match Walnut Brown models will go on sale in the second quarter of this year.
Exterior Styling
The Laramie Longhorn is available across the Ram lineup, including 1500, 2500, and 3500 Heavy Duty models. The trucks are set apart by unique exterior badging. For example, a chrome Laramie Longhorn badge with painted accents adorns the tailgate, while model-specific badges decorate the doors.
With regard to wheel choices, the 1500 variants feature 20-inch polished aluminum wheels with brown-colored pockets, while monochromatic versions have polished silver aluminum wheels. Ram 2500 and 3500 models (single rear wheel) have the same style of wheels, just in 18-inch form. 20s are still optional. Ram 3500 duallies get polished silver aluminum wheels with Laramie Longhorn edition center caps.
RV Match Walnut Brown is available as a two-tone combination with nine exterior colors: Black Forest Green, Bright Silver, Bright White, Brilliant Black Crystal, Delmonico Red, Granite Crystal, Maximum Steel, Pearl White, and True Blue. Other exterior treatments include wheel flares, painted front and rear bumpers, running boards, and painted tow hooks.
2017 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn, RV Match Walnut Brown. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Interior Refinements
The Ram Laramie Longhorn embodies the southwestern culture and was inspired by time-honored elements of the outdoors: pocket watches, saddles, cowboy boots, and genuine leather. Ram’s designers focued particularly on the metal and leather craftsmanship throughout the truck. Authentic Walnut Burl inserts stained in Canyon Brown or Cattle Tan add to the elements of outdoor luxury.
The Cattle Tan leather or Canyon Brown seats are meant to ease long hours on the road, being both heated and cooled. A full Uconnect Access and Multiview cluster suite keeps driver’s connected.
Power & Performance
Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited models now feature the 6.4-liter HEMI as standard. The engine delivers a best-in-class gas engine towing capacity of 16,320 pounds. The 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine provides additional capability with a tow rating exceeding 30,000 pounds.
Ram Heavy Duty Laramie Longhorn trucks have become quite popular with campers and others who tow recreational units or vehicles. Not surprisingly, the new RV Match Brown color was chosen as a complement to the shades of brown frequently used for RV travel trailers and fifth-wheels.
“The Ram Laramie Longhorn has deservedly become the world’s benchmark for upscale, capable pickup trucks,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global.
2017 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn, RV Match Walnut Brown. Photo: FCA US LLC.

DFW Auto Show
A variety of Ram trucks, including this new Laramie Longhorn trim, will be on display at the DFW Auto Show. The event runs through March 26th at the Dallas Convention Center. Those who want to get a little closer can visit Ram Truck Territory, an interactive ride experience located in Hall F, adjacent to Luxury Row. Ram’s professional drivers will navigate attendees through a course that features a payload demonstration, hill descent test, and towing exercise. The latter takes place on Heavy Haul Hill, a 13-foot-high, 192-foot-long course element with a 35-degree steep grade.
Those looking to pilot a Ram on the streets of Dallas can visit the nearby Drive FCA ride-and-drive experience. FCA representatives will be on hand with a full lineup of vehicles for test drives, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Fiat 124 Spider, and Dodge Challenger.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2017 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn, RV Match Walnut Brown. Photo: FCA US LLC.
 Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.



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Chevrolet Cars Set For “Restyled” Faces

Chevrolet Cars Set For “Restyled” Faces Coherency. Coherency is a good thing, especially when it comes to corporate brands and styling. Ideally, you want everything you make to have it. Take Chevrolet, for example. You wouldn’t want a Chevy Malibu to look way different from a Chevy Impala. So, when a car company, Chevrolet in this case, makes a styling update, that update has to propagate across the entire company line.
Special Characteristics
Mainly what we’re talking about here is styling cues; belt lines, overall greenhouse shapes, grill designs, badging and where the badges go, that sort of thing. Chevy says what they are going for in the immediate future is muscular designs, new features, and more choices.
“The restyled face of Chevy cars for 2019 is characterized by a family-like appearance, with each model honoring its Chevrolet heritage while showing off expressive designs,” said John Cafaro, Executive Director, Global Chevrolet Design.
And I can totally see where he’s coming from. ‘Family-like appearance‘ is the key here.
“We are committed to offering consumers a full lineup of products with fresh designs, new technologies, and efficient powertrain options,” added Brian Sweeney, U.S. Vice President of Chevrolet. “The investments we have made in Spark, Cruze, and Malibu will help position the brand for success in competitive segments that still make up a significant part of the total industry.”
2019 Chevy Malibu. Photo: Chevrolet.
Design Language
As Sweeny alluded to, Chevy’s first go ’round will start with the 2019 Malibu, Cruze, and Spark. To that end the cars will each offer a broad diversity of trims and packages from entry-level to high-end. And Chevy will also have to serve fleets since they represent a quarter of the industry’s retail market.
Chevy’s first task in shepherding the DNA of their fleet is restyling the faces of the cars with signature lighting that will make each instantly recognizable as a Chevy. The redesigned front ends for the Spark, Cruze, and Malibu will offer a more premium look while maintaining their athletic body sides. And yeah, this is the first time I’ve heard the phrase “athletic body” used in conjunction with the Spark and Cruze. Anyway, Chevy will give greater attention to detail like the intricate sculpting on the grilles and the brand’s signature dual-element taillamps.
Malibu RS
The Malibu RS, a first for this ‘Bu generation, will offer a sporty, personalized appearance propelled by blacked-out styling cues like the sport grille, bowtie emblems, rear spoiler, 18-inch machined wheels, and dual exhaust. The inside introduces a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, black cloth seats, and a standard eight-inch touchscreen for the Infotainment 3 system. There will also be a new CVT transmission standard on models that come with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.
 
2019 Chevy Cruze and Cruze Hatchback. Photo: Chevrolet.
Cruze
The Chevy Cruze, along with the updated front fascia, welcomes new interior colors and a new infotainment system with a seven-inch color touchscreen. Remote start and automatic climate control are now standard on LT and Premier, but optional on other trims. The LS Hatch trim is added to the Cruze Hatch line for the first time. That sounds like a good move, since 20 percent of all Cruze sales in its first full year of production are the Hatchback.
Spark
The Spark, which sells by the train-load in its segment, gets new front-end styling with the same cues found on the updated Malibu and Cruze. New exterior color options will also be coming along with revised interior trim and an additional available safety feature called Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking. Chevy does not go into detail about what Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking is, but I bet it has something to do with hitting the brakes for you when you’re moving in a forward direction at lower speeds and aren’t paying attention.
Don’t hold me to that, though.
The 2019 Chevy Spark is powered by a 1.4-liter DOHC engine offered with either a manual or continuously variable transmission. Photo: Chevrolet.
Availability & In Person
You will be able to see the new design direction for the corporate automotive giant when the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, Cruze, and Spark go on sale later this year.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.



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Will Kia’s Wireless EV Charging System Change The World?

Will Kia’s Wireless EV Charging System Change The World? Kia has come up with a rather nifty wireless charging system for EVs and, honestly, this sounds pretty cool. As anyone who has ever messed with tangled power cords and such knows, wires can be a real pain. And I’m also willing to bet a chunk of people who are hesitant to buy EVs don’t like the idea of having to mess with chords and wires, and always having to plug them in all the time.
Bright Ideas
About a hundred years ago there was this half-crazy Serbian guy named Nikola Tesla. About half of his ideas made logical sense (alternating current, florescent lighting etc.) and the other half were borderline ya-ya (electric death rays, The Tesla Ozone Company etc.) but my favorite idea of his, borderline ya-ya or not, was power transmission without wires. No, I’m not sure how it was supposed to work, or even if it would work, but the idea itself was fantastic. No more wires, no more plugging things in, everything just runs.
What Kia and their tech partner in this, Mojo, have come up with isn’t a full on Tesla deal, but it’s still pretty cool. Kia rigged up a small fleet of its popular Soul to develop the wireless charging system. And the really neat thing about what they came up with is that not only is it wireless, it’s not nearly as finicky as you’d expect. Even when the Kia Soul is misaligned over the charger, the system can wirelessly charge cars with up to 85 percent efficiency.
The wireless charging system, which has been in development for three years already, is said to be an important step in the future of electric vehicles, according to Hyundai and Kia. And it’s easy to agree with them. If you can take another hassle out of owning an electric vehicle, the better our EV future will be. The project, a collaboration between Hyundai and Kia, Mojo Mobility Inc., and the U.S. Department of Energy, shows a way for future electric vehicles in which plugs are no longer necessary.
Photo: Kia Motors America.
Park & Charge
The system works by using an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two coils. There’s a transmitter on the ground and a receiver on the bottom of the vehicle. You simply park your car above the transmitter to begin charging and the electrical energy is sent through an inductive coupling, which uses that energy to charge the battery. It’s the same way a Sonicare toothbrush charges, only on a much bigger scale. And again, even if there is some misalignment between the transmitter in the ground and the receiver in the car, charging can still happen.
It’s easy to see how this system could play out: every shopping mall and downtown parking lot will have an inductive charging pad buried in it. All you have to do is park your car as you normally would, and while you’re away, it’s automatically charging, no muss, no fuss.
2018 Kia Soul EV. Photo: Kia Motors America.
Future Considerations
Sadly, there are no current plans to offer the wireless charging system on production vehicles for sale to consumers. That makes sense, because while installing the wireless charging gear in the car would be pretty straight forward, it’s the parking space part of the equation where things get sticky. Sure, simply modifying parking spots is relatively easy, but it’s the number of parking spots that’s the potential problem.
There is also a downside on getting the charging pad installed for home use. The home high voltage charger for a Tesla, say, is easy to bolt into your wall and any competent electrician can hook it into your 220V line in a snap. The Kia system potentially means cutting into your garage floor to install the pad and run the wiring. That could be a hassle.
On the upside, if this system works out and becomes widely adopted, driving and charging – and therefore living with – your electric vehicle could become a lot easier.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
Photos & Source: Kia Motors America.



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Letter From The UK: Influencing & The Art of Selling Cars

Letter From The UK: Influencing & The Art of Selling Cars
Gather round and harken unto this tale of woe . . .
A couple of weeks ago I took delivery of a brand new Audi A6 saloon to enjoy and discuss for seven days with a view to a review in due course. That’s what I do. That’s why car makers lend me cars; to promote their wares. It’s a win-win situation but it does cost the manufacturers a lot of money. Fortunately, being a small country, the cars can be same day delivered by road. It all adds up, one way and another, to around a thousand of our British Pounds to loan cars to tired old hacks like me.
So it doesn’t help when cars get damaged.
The Story of The A6
The sad story is that the A6 (pictured below) was parked (legally!) in the High Street of the attractive country town of Marlborough. While we were away a bizarre road traffic accident occurred and a vehicle broadsided the A6. When my wife and I came back to the car it was double-take time. This was not how we left it; surrounded by damaged motors, police, and an emergency ambulance.
The long and the short of it is that we were stranded. I phoned the Audi press officer and he sprang into action. Within a couple of hours, the stricken A6 had been lifted, the guilty party taken to the hospital, statements organised with the cops, and we were on our way home thanks to my son-in-law. Audi didn’t stop there though: That same afternoon a replacement car in the form of an A3 cabriolet was delivered to my house. How’s that for service? Insurance aside, how much money this must cost the company I shudder to think.
But I do wonder if this situation can continue for much longer and I blame YouTube.
The Audi A6 prior to the unfortunate accident. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
The Rise of The Influencer
It is indisputable that automotive media is changing. Later this year, this writer will be starting to video reviews and I have all the charisma of Elmer Fudd, but what can you do? It seems to me that “YouTuber” and “Influencer” are now proper jobs and the young bucks of motoring are taking advantage.
Mostly they are not trained in any way like we old magazine writers. The kit needed: cameras, a computer, even just a phone, plus a confident air are all that is required to make a low-rent car review.
In general, car manufacturers are very generous to motoring journalists and it is appreciated. We have access to press fleet cars and are invited to events and launches, all, or at least most, expenses paid. Recently, I was asked to attend, with VIP status, a prestigious motor racing event, for example. Very nice. Certainly the work can be demanding at times but you can’t fault the coffee and pastries upon arrival. How long now before this ends?
Car makers now invite these influencers to the same launches and events that the old-time hacks have been going to for decades. What has changed is the speed of production. What used to take maybe a month to get to print now can be online in glorious HD in just a matter of hours, as fresh as new paint. It is leading to tension. Old vs New. Changing Times. Sink or Swim.

Are Influencers Any Good?
Often, no. I have seen some truly terrible videos, purporting to be car reviews. I know how autos work; they clearly don’t. The trick seems to be to stand in a scenic place, the sun setting, pose, and talk a load of trendy nonsense. Self promotion as motoring journalism.
Conversely, there are some great new faces on YouTube promoting cars in a truly professional manner. Is it any wonder that car manufacturers like the idea. Firstly, the influencers come to them. They only need the car for a couple of hours or maybe a day. The effect is instant.
I do sometimes wonder who these online promotions are for though. Often times, young vibrant types are featured, frolicking, with little or no information about the car. Where is the sense in promoting a car to an audience who cannot afford to buy or lease it?
An example; I had the misfortune recently to witness a video of a young lad in skinny blue jeans and with very silly hair, speaking in a foreign language (in fact it was English, but not as we know it Jim) allegedly extolling the virtues of an F-Type Jaguar. I do not know any young people who could afford to buy this car. I can’t afford to buy this car. I do not know any older, financially viable people who would even watch this stuff; so who is it for?
Jaguar F-Type. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Sign of The Times
The plain unvarnished truth is that car companies don’t care. They just want it out there and it is not unreasonable of them to want to do it as cost effectively as possible. Vlogging works, there is no question of that. Many car magazines of old have dispensed with the costs associated with paper and circulation and are now online. That’s how you are reading this; that’s if you’ve gotten this far.
Yet some magazines have healthy circulation. In the UK we have two weekly mags and several monthlies and they are doing alright. It’s my view that as things stand, there is space enough for both the old and new . . . for now.
Older people still like to know about the vehicles themselves. They love the smell of petrol in the morning. Youth though are more influenced by the eco-lobby to whom cars are the work of the Devil. It’s a fact that car ownership among the young folk of Britain is falling. Generally, the car industry is in a state of flux. They want to give the people what they want while at the same time giving governments and the green movement what they demand.
All I want is a beer, a V8, and an open road, but that’s just me. I wouldn’t want to influence you.
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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