Automotive

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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Buick Enspire Concept Debuts In China

Buick Enspire Concept Debuts In China The Buick Enspire all-electric concept SUV has made its global debut in China, billed as an exploration of the brand’s design ideas and innovative technologies for future mobility. With the Enspire name, Buick retains the general practice of using the letter “e” for their SUV nomenclature; Enclave, Envision, and Encore.
Power & Performance
Buick was slim on the details but the Enspire has advanced propulsion technology, allowing the concept to travel 370 miles on a single charge. The propulsion system, dubbed “eMotion” by Buick, generates a maximum power output of 410 kW and can launch the vehicle to 60 in four seconds. Buick says the Enspire supports both fast and wireless charging, and the battery can be charged to 80 percent within 40 minutes.
2018 Buick Enspire Concept. Photo: Buick.
Styling & Technology
The “surround skyline” interior theme is really of note. Buick says this is a suspended theater-type seating arrangement, meant to open up the cabin for occupants. There is an OLED screen, an augmented reality heads-up display system, and 5G connectivity.
Judging by the press photos, the interior is smooth and streamlined with most of the vehicle’s functions being controlled either by voice, gesture, or touch. Although Buick did not specify, the interior looks befitting of an autonomous vehicle.
Typical to most concepts, the body is aerodynamic and nicely sculpted.
The “surround skyline” interior theme for the Buick Enspire Concept. Photo: Buick.
Availability & In Person
Unfortunately, Buick did not reveal their long-range plans for the Enspire. Given Buick’s presence and following in China, it’s likely to see a release there first if anywhere. No word on if it will arrive in the United States or other nations. In the meantime, the Enspire Concept will be on display at Auto China 2018 in Beijing from April 25th until May 4th.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Buick.

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2019 Honda Odyssey Arrives: A Brief Walk Around

2019 Honda Odyssey Arrives: A Brief Walk Around Families looking to upgrade their daily commuter may find a likely candidate in the 2019 Honda Odyssey. Honda’s top-selling minivan has arrived at dealerships with a variety of technology and safety features. Retail data from Urban Science shows Honda has lead the minivan segment for the last eight years. During our evaluation of the 2017 model, corresponding data from IHS Markit noted the Odyssey is the preferred minivan for buyers under 35.
Power & Performance
The new Odyssey has a 3.5-liter V6 engine, complete with direct injection and Honda’s i-VTEC and Variable Cylinder Management systems to increase performance and efficiency. The engine comes mated to either a nine- or ten-speed automatic, depending on trim level. The engine, which produces a healthy 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque, carries an EPA fuel economy rating of 19/28 city/highway and 22 combined.
During our extensive test drive of the current 2018 Odyssey, we believed the 3.5-liter V6 had enough power for all driving situations. We found the transmission was smooth-shifting and thought the rear sunshades were a nice touch.
2019 Honda Odyssey. Photo: Honda North America.
Safety & Technology
The Honda Sensing package of advanced safety features is standard and includes Collision and Road Departure Mitigation Systems, Lane Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. On the tech front, there is everything from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to in-vehicle Wi-Fi and an entertainment system with Blu-Ray and streaming video.
Of note is the CabinWatch feature, available for the Touring and Elite. CabinWatch allows parents to view their kids in the back via the eight-inch display screen, and even talk to them through the rear speakers or wireless headphones if the Rear Entertainment System is equipped.
Pricing & Manufacturing
The entry-level Odyssey LX starts at $31,065, with the mid-range EX-L coming in at $38,585. At the top of the mountain are the Touring and Elite trims, coming in at $45,635 and $47,945 respectively.
The 2019 Honda Odyssey was researched, designed, and engineered by Honda R&D Americas in Raymond, Ohio. The Odyssey and its engine are produced exclusively by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

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2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Review

2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Review
The Mazda CX-5 is a driver-focused vehicle meant to deliver a different experience than your average small SUV. We think it offers a more satisfying experience than its chief rivals, the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. And if looks have anything to do with it, we think it wins in exterior styling too.
Over the weekend, we drove the top trim, 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring with all-wheel drive.
What’s New For 2018
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 largely carries over from the previous model year, when it received a complete redesign. New for 2018 are standard features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Also new is cylinder-deactivation to improve fuel efficiency.
Features & Options
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD ($30,945) comes with acoustic front windows, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, an upgraded six-speaker sound system, rear USB ports, and blind-spot monitors. It also features keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The vehicle also receives additional driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
Grand Touring models add leather and 19-inch wheels to the above. The Premium Package on this tester ($1,306) added a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a heads-up display, power front passenger seat, and windshield wiper de-icer. Total MSRP including destination: $34,535.

Interior Highlights
This CX-5 Grand Touring interior takes a step forward over the standard trim with leather seating and stitching on the dash, console, and door panels. The quality of materials is excellent for this price point. The cabin is driver-focused with a new leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the shift-lever location fits the driver’s hand perfectly.
The seven-inch touchscreen resolution is sharp and it sits high atop the stylish dash, but it’s a bit too far away for our liking. There’s also an infotainment controller in the center console with a radio volume control knob that’s easy to find without taking your eyes off the road. The seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustments and support for long-distance driving. The steering wheel also offers a nice range of tilt-and-telescoping positions.
This weekend, we took a couple of six-foot gentlemen to lunch, and they commented on how there seems to be more shoulder room in the rear, likely due to the CX-5’s slightly wider track. The rear doors open wide, so they had no trouble entering and exiting the crossover. And thanks to scalloping in the back of the front seats, there was plenty of legroom for our riders.
If you need to carry cargo, the 40/20/40-split folding backseat reclines. Behind the rear seat, there’s 31 cubic feet of cargo storage, and 60 with the rear folded flat. It’s a bit less than competitors, including the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2.5-liter SKYACTIV 4-cylinder engine produces 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. Our tester came with Mazda’s all-wheel drive system for all-weather capability, a nice feature for those who live in winter climates. The 2.5-liter engine gets cylinder-deactivation technology which automatically shuts down the two outside cylinders at cruising speeds to maximize efficiency. Fuel mileage has increased 1 mpg over last year’s model.
EPA fuel mileage estimates are 24/30 city/highway and 26 combined with all-wheel drive.

Driving Dynamics
We think the CX-5 is higher on the fun-to-drive meter than any other crossover out there. We took a weekend drive in the mountains west of Denver where this journalist lives, and the small SUV delivered a most satisfying experience. We tossed the CX-5 around the tight curves and it responded like a sports sedan.
The steering is precise, and the suspension is tuned for sporty driving over comfort. Be aware, the CX-5 is not going to win any races. The crossover has enough power for most driving situations, but was fairly tame when we pushed it hard up I-70. The naturally aspirated engine could use a turbo for those traveling up into the high country or hauling extra cargo over a high mountain pass. For normal commuting, you won’t have an issue.
The cabin was quiet when we got underway. It’s not as quiet as a luxury car, but it’s much improved when we pushed the pedal, especially at highway speeds. With the heated seats, steering wheel, and heads-up dispaly, this small SUV feels like a more expensive vehicle. Overall, it’s the most fun we’ve ever had in a compact crossover, having tested the competition. If you live where there’s lots of twisty roads, this is the vehicle for you.
Conclusion
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD nails it in driving dynamics, with a comfortable, quiet cabin, driver-focused interior, and strong exterior styling. If you like to drive, this crossover delivers a different, more pleasurable experience than your average small SUV.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Mazda CX-5 Gallery

2018 Mazda CX-5 Official Site.
Photos: Mazda North American Operations – (2017 models also shown).

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