Automotive

Jeep: An American Classic Both Then And Now

Jeep: An American Classic Both Then And Now

If you’ve spent any time on the roads lately, you may have noticed a lot of proud Jeep owners. While Jeeps have always been popular and trusted vehicles, they have become very trendy in recent years, especially with younger drivers. If you’re like me, you may be curious as to how this happened. I decided to take a look at the history of Jeep to find out how this classic American brand became a sensation which inspired an almost cult-like following and lifestyle.
Heroic Beginnings
In June 1941, the United States Army was seeking proposals for a new, lightweight, four-wheel drive truck for use in combat. The American Bantam Car Company submitted the first approved prototype. However, the Army ran into one small problem: American Bantam was on the verge of bankruptcy and would likely be too small to handle this major request. With the threat of war looming, the Army handed the prototype design over to Willys-Overland Motors and the Ford Motor Company.
Willys and Ford were given free rein to update and modify the Bantam prototype, which resulted in several versions that were subjected to extensive field testing. The Army finally settled on the Willys Model MB design as the most functional. Willys and Ford were instructed to begin churning out these vehicles as quickly as possible.
It is also around this time the name Jeep is said to have originated and there are two theories about its creation. One is simple: the new models were referred to as Government Purpose vehicles, or GPs, and the sound “Jeep” is a slurring of these two letters. The other theory argues the word had been used by Army mechanics since 1914 to refer to any untested vehicle. Either way, the name Jeep caught on in the 1940s with the popularity of the GP model and eventually stuck.
Regardless of how they got their name, Jeeps went on to be used by every branch of the military during World War II, serving as field ambulances, supply trucks, and even amphibious vehicles. While they are no longer used by the military, similarly-designed combat vehicles such as Humvees and Ford M151s can be traced back to the Jeep.
Army test procedures of the day called for rugged driving and basically punishing the vehicle until something broke or until the driver was worn out. Here we see an MD/M38-A1 with all four wheels off the ground. From Jeep: The History of America’s Greatest Vehicle by Patrick R. Foster, published by Motorbooks, an imprint of Quarto Publishing.
The Birth of the Modern Jeep Brand
Following their wartime success, Willys began producing Civilian Jeeps (CJs) in 1945 and eventually won the rights to the Jeep name as a registered trademark in 1950. Willys-Overland Motors changed hands and was sold several times in the subsequent decades, eventually ending up with the Chrysler Corporation in 1987. Jeep has remained with Chrysler ever since and is now one of the multiple brands owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a group which was established in 2014.
Although they were born in America, Jeeps are now manufactured all over the world. Toldeo, Ohio, where Willys-Overland Motors was founded, remains the proud headquarters of Jeep. You can still find Wranglers and Cherokees being built there, not far from the site of the original plant.
Final assembly line at Jeep Parkway, Toledo, Ohio, 1964. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Today’s Jeep Culture
In recent years, Jeep has expanded and refined its fleet and now offers five models primarily catering to individuals and families with active lifestyles. 1987 marked the first appearance of one of the most well-known and enduring Jeep models: the Wrangler. The Wrangler remains Jeep’s most popular model, with eight variations on the market and countless opportunities for customization. There are some who believe the Jeep Wrangler is the closest descendant of the original military model created in the 1940s.
The opportunity to customize a Jeep and make it unique to the owner’s lifestyle and personality is why the Jeep culture has become so prominent in recent years. With Jeep blogs and forums, as well as annual meetups and jamborees, it’s easy for Jeep owners to be a part of this unique community. Whether they are interested in off-roading tips or the latest mod accessories, Jeep owners are connecting more than ever and spreading the love for this quintessential American brand.
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.
Jeep Through The Years Gallery

Gallery Photos: FCA US LLC.
Cover Photo: Jeep Willys MB, FCA US LLC.

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2017 Monterey: The new BMW Concept Z4 picks up where the last Z4 left off

2017 Monterey: The new BMW Concept Z4 picks up where the last Z4 left off Just when you thought BMW’s efforts with the Z roadster were kaput, Munich unveils the new BMW Concept Z4 at Pebble Beach.

What’s going on?
Monterey Car Week! That’s what’s going on! And of course, that means the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is happening. While there’s plenty of old school iron to drool over, especially in conditions and donning values that even make the “One Percent” weep, several manufacturers still decided to steal some of the limelight. In this case, BMW is one of those several manufacturers.
In addition to debuting the hotly anticipated BMW Concept 8 Series on North American soil for the first time, BMW also introduced the Concept Z4. Rumors suggested BMW was ending its slow-selling roadster, implying the segment wasn’t active enough, hindering the company’s interest to introduce a model. But those rumors were clearly wrong as the compact sports roadster segment shows its alive and well.
Cool! But will it remain as a concept?

Upon initial glance, there appears to be a lot going on with the Concept Z4’s aesthetics, making one wonder how watered-down it’ll be when it reaches production. Although fairly futuristic in its design, like the Concept 8 Series, BMW insists both cars preview near-production-ready designs. We imagine things like wheel designs, side-view mirrors, and lighting details will change but overall, BMW promises the general design will remain.
“The Concept Z4 expresses the new BMW design language from all perspectives and in all details,” said BMW’s chief designer, Adrian van Hooydonk. “From the dynamic-looking front to the striking flanks to the clean-cut tail end: a few lines and the subtle interplay between surfaces are enough to generate a sense of power and emotion.”
What powers it?
Not may details are available. Word on the street says it gets six-cylinder power, meaning it’s likely the latest and greatest rendition of BMW’s ubiquitous twin-turbo inline-six.
Overall however, the Concept Z4 proves skeptical rumors wrong and breaks cover with a very eclectic, modern, and edgy design, thoroughly epitomizing a new modern peak in automotive design.
I’m personally on the fence about it and would need to view it in person to get a better idea. It’s neither ugly nor good looking in pictures, but in person, it could be an entirely different experience.
What do you think of the new BMW Concept Z4?
– By: Chris Chin
BMW Concept Z4 Gallery

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BMW Unveils Two Concepts, Showcases Racing History During Monterey Car Week

BMW Unveils Two Concepts, Showcases Racing History During Monterey Car Week

BMW unveiled two concepts during its annual Monterey Car Week Press Conference at the Lodge at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Reviewing Stand. The first was the Concept 8 Series, originally shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May; the second, the Concept Z4, made its world debut.
The concepts are a spitting image of the production vehicles BMW plans to reveal over the course of 2018.
Concept 8
The last time the 8 Series was in existence, SpongeBob SquarePants was premiering on Nickelodeon and Napster was allowing users to download music. The BMW 8 Series Coupe will hit the road next year with the distinct luxury and performance elements synonymous with the German automaker. The return of the 8 Series draws on BMW’s rich history as well.
“The number 8 and cars like the Z8 Roadster and i8 have represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” explained Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand.”
The Concept 8 is a modern interpretation of BMW’s styling cues, with particular attention given to the vehicle’s clear surfaces and crisp lines. BMW intends the 8 Series to be regarded as the ultimate “driver’s car.”
“This will be the next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the benchmark for coupes in the segment,” Krüger said. “In the process, we will strengthen our claim to leadership in the luxury class.”
BMW Concept 8 Series. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Concept Z4
The Concept Z4 Roadster reflects BMW’s vision for the perfect, modern roadster. Complete with a long wheelbase and low-slung silhouette, the Concept Z4 Roadster puts the driver more in the center when compared to prior BMW roadsters. Like the 8 Series, design is paramount here, being regarded as one of the most important aspects of the Concept Z4 Roadster.
“The concept expresses the new BMW design language from all perspectives and in all details,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President, BMW Group Design. “From the dynamic-looking front to the striking flanks to the clean-cut tail end: a few lines and the subtle interplay between surfaces are enough to generate a sense of power and emotion.”
BMW Concept Z4 Roadster. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Around Town
The BMW Concept 8 Series will be on display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday, August, 18th, and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Sunday August 20th. The Concept Z4 Roadster will be on the Concept Lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday as well, but that’s the only time it’s expected to be displayed in North America.
BMW will run two classic race cars in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The famous #25 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL IMSA Group 4 will, one last time, be driven by retiring BMW of North America President Ludwig Willisch. The #21 1972 ALPINA BMW 2002ti will be raced by Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group Head of Design, who is quoted above. Both will race in Group 4A on Saturday, August 19th.
BMW is also showcasing the #42 BMW V12 LMR, which has a vibrant and extensive story. In the seven races in which it competed during the 1999 season, the BMW V12 LMR landed 10 podiums and five victories, including the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1999 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Monterey Sports Car Championship. In total, there are only four V12 LMRs in existence of which one was the basis for the fifteenth BMW Art Car created by American artist Jenny Holzer.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
BMW Concept 8 Series Gallery

BMW Concept Z4 Roadster Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.
Cover Photo: BMW V12 LMR.

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2020 Honda Odyssey Redesign, Release Date and Interior

What’s new from Honda is the best minivan we will discuss in this article. This model is central to a time of testing and will soon be ready like his release in the near future. What design similar to the earlier model, certainly not. some changes may just be you will find on the latest model of the Honda Odyssey 2020. the nearest competitor to the car includes the Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, and Dodge Grand Caravan. We’ll see how the Honda Odyssey is coming.

2020 Honda Odyssey : Interior and Exterior

The outdoors over the new Odyssey 2020 will continue to get definitely comparable to that of its precursor. The auto may possibly benefit from the actual same front-end design and through the identical rear end. Nonetheless, it appears just like some alterations will occur. Initially, of all, the tires to the new motor vehicle ought to be up-to-date to one thing a somewhat additional current day-searching.

The interior, 2020 Honda Odyssey will supply you about 3 lines of seats as well as other kinds of leisure, so it is going to unquestionably be described as a fantastic selection for the really extended household members trips. If it goes to modifications, the best has possibly been created during the 2nd row of seating that is definitely to become when making use of so-generally regarded as “Magic Slide” remedies. It ensures that chairs could possibly be moved and flattened. Around the dashboard, which will obtain a curvier and modern-day layout, you can find an electronic digital tool bunch with significant take care of keys. A revolutionary and advantageous characteristic is unquestionably the ‘Cabin Watch’ which incorporates cameras within the interior cabin to ensure you’ll be able to check your kids. There exists an extra rear 10 inches touchscreen to deliver added amusement towards the back vacationers.

Engine Performance

New generation Honda Odyssey will probably be by using a 3.5 liter and V6 engine that could make 280 hp using the 8-speed car transmission. Nonetheless, the higher trims are likely to be targeted using a 6 speed automated transmission that will be the primary in the marketplace about minivans.

2020 Honda Odyssey Release Date and Price

What are you waiting for this car, the release date of this car has not been in public right by Honda, rumors are circulating this car will come in the summer of next year. For the price, the cost of almost $60,000 for top models, but this is just simply our predictions.

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2019 Subaru Legacy GT Specs and Price

The sedan car market for the moment still isn’t very good, they are no longer as popular as it once was. one of the sedan from Subaru also suffered such an awful lot of barriers in sales. 2019 Subaru Legacy GT will soon be released in the near future. Subaru will not give up and are very convinced that this model will get the attention of many people. engine specs for 2019 Subaru Legacy GT we discuss on the article this time.

2019 Subaru Legacy GT : Interior and Exterior

Among the weakest factors from the Subaru Legacy is its design. Subaru played it secure and they opted for that clean appearance, but that’s quite substantially it. There is practically nothing unique about it, as opposed to the Outback model for example. Maybe which is the reason why Subaru struggles with all the product sales of Legacy. The new model sits over the 18-inch steel wheels, that are featured about the base model and so they search low cost.

How about the interior. You’ll discover an ugly dashboard along with a contrived seem which can be simply beaten by any rival. High within the dashboard can be a 6.6 or an 8.2-inch touchscreen, whereas the controls are found left of your steering wheel. Contrasting stitching across the dash can be observed in all designs with all the exception on the entry-level automobile, which offers some existence on the Subaru Legacy GT.

2019 Subaru Legacy GT Specs Engine

Issues also won’t adjust below the hood of the 2019 Subaru Legacy GT. New GT model will feature a regular 2.4 liter and 4 cylinder engine that delivers 170 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. The price of the car you can see on the official Subaru website, for the design and performance of the car is its sense of you do have to buy this car. This car will compete with the Honda Accord. Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry.

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Audi R8 V10 plus Spyder Makes U.S. Debut During Monterey Car Week

Audi R8 V10 plus Spyder Makes U.S. Debut During Monterey Car Week

The Audi R8 V10 plus Spyder will make its U.S. debut this weekend during Monterey Car Week. The automaker is celebrating their Motorsports heritage and showcasing their top performance vehicles for attendees. Audi plans to display race cars that have inspired their production counterparts at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, including the R8 LMS GT3, the RS 3 LMS, and the R8 LMS GT4.
Performance Pinnacle

On Friday, August 18th, the Audi R8 V10 plus Spyder will debut for U.S. car enthusiasts at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. The event features some of the world’s finest and rarest automobiles, and for Audi, it’s the perfect venue for a vehicle they define as their “pinnacle of performance.” The R8 V10 plus Spyder has the same naturally-aspirated V10 as the R8 LMS racecar, prompting Audi to describe the R8 as, “the best representation of how the production models benefit from developments and technologies first used in Motorsport.”
The R8 V10 plus Spyder hits 60 mph in 3.3 seconds with its naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 and seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission. It’s the fastest production convertible Audi has ever produced.
Audi R8 V10 plus Spyder. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
VIP Events
Beginning Thursday, August 17th and running through Sunday, August 20th, Audi will have an exclusive driving experience for VIP guests at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Invited guests will get behind the wheel of an R8 V10 for the Audi Sport Performance Drive, complete with a tour around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Audi fans will also enjoy the display of race cars that have inspired the brand’s Sport line, revealed earlier this year at the New York International Auto Show. On display will be the R8 LMS GT3, which shares half of its parts with the R8 street car, and the R8 LMS GT4, which shares more than 60 percent of its components with the R8 Coupe. Audi will also display the all-new RS 5 Coupe and the Sport quattro S1. This year happens to mark the 30th anniversary of Walter Röhrl’s record setting climb to the top of Pike’s Peak in the S1.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.

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BMW, Intel, Mobileye, FCA Unite For Ambitious Autonomous Driving Initiative

BMW, Intel, Mobileye, FCA Unite For Ambitious Autonomous Driving Initiative

BMW Group, Intel, and Mobileye announced a signed memorandum of understanding with the intention for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to be the first automaker to join them in developing a global, state-of-the-art autonomous driving platform. The three entities will leverage each other’s strengths, resources, and expertise to expand the autonomous platform’s technology, development, and market effectiveness.
Expertise & Support
FCA’s role in the venture is fairly extensive, as they will provide technical resources, engineering support, and insight to the North American market. FCA also brings their geographic reach to the table with the sales volume necessary to reach the car buying public. The trio will utilize the co-location of engineers in Germany and other areas worldwide for successful implementation.
Teamwork Mindset
Collaborations like these are becoming more common as a response to the challenges of automated driving. Recently, Volvo, Autoliv, and NVIDIA announced their plans to bring a Level 4 autonomous car to market by 2021. General Motors, in March of 2016, acquired Cruise Automation, a San Francisco, California company focused on autonomous driving programs and software. GM and Cruise Automation have been testing driverless Bolt EVs on public roads in San Francisco and Scottsdale, Arizona since June 2016; the companies recently began doing the same in Detroit, Michigan.
AutoSens, a global summit facilitating technical discussions on the future of vehicle perception technology, advocates and encourages collaboration. The next AutoSens event, beginning September 19th in Brussels, Belgium, will see some of the world’s most prominent engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and automotive professionals in one place addressing the challenges of automated driving.
“In order to advance autonomous driving technology, it is vital to form partnerships among automakers, technology providers, and suppliers,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, FCA. “Joining this cooperation will enable FCA to directly benefit from the synergies and economies of scale that are possible when companies come together with a common vision and objective.”
Earlier this year, FCA delivered 500 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo to boost the tech company’s autonomous driving program. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Central Scale
In July, BMW Group, Intel, and Mobileye announced a partnership to make driverless vehicles a reality. The focus is on finding and implementing production solutions by 2021 for highly automated (Level 3) and fully automated vehicles (Levels 4 and 5). Developing a scalable architecture that can be used by multiple automakers, while still maintaining each manufacturer’s unique brand characteristics, is vital.
“The two factors that remain key to the success of the cooperation are uncompromising excellence in development, and the scalability of our autonomous driving platform,” said Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “With FCA as our new partner, we reinforce our path to successfully create the most relevant state-of-the-art, cross-OEM Level 3 to 5 solution on a global scale.”
“The future of transportation relies on auto and tech industry leaders working together to develop a scalable architecture that automakers around the globe can adopt and customize,” added Brian Krzanich, Chief Executive Officer, Intel.
Photo: BMW Group.
Open Invitations, Collective Efforts
BMW Group, Intel, Mobileye, and FCA, together with the recently announced development partners and system integrators, are inviting other automakers and technology suppliers to join them. The goal is the successful adoption of an autonomous driving platform that bolsters an industry-wide solution. Looking back, one could compare the implementation of crumple zones (Mercedes-Benz) and seat belts (Volvo) to these desires for an “industry-wide solution.”
Like crumple zones and seat belts, autonomous driving is an engineering and design concept ultimately focused on occupant safety with the intent of mass adoption. Just as crumple zones and seat belts work in conjunction with other passive safety systems, autonomous technology must act in a similar fashion.
“The combination of vision-intense perception and mapping, differentiated sensor fusion, and driving policy solutions will offer the highest levels of safety and versatility, in a cost-efficient package that will scale across all geographies and road settings,” said Professor Amnon Shashua, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Mobileye, an Intel Company, of the collaboration.
The high-strength steel architecture of the Chrysler Pacifica at the 2017 North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. The individual colors correspond to different materials, including their grades and properties, used to manufacture the vehicle. Photo: Steel Market Development Institute.

Too Much, Too Soon?
The focus of the forthcoming autonomous world is, and should always remain on, consumer safety. Around the automotive industry, there are varying targets; some saying 2025, others 2020. This most recent collaboration between BMW Group, Intel, Mobileye, and FCA seems to hint at 2021. Either way, the industry targets for automated driving are soon; in other words, don’t say “it won’t happen in my lifetime.”
Despite crumple zones and seat belts being universal features, and advanced driver assistance systems being offered on more vehicles, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety data shows crashes claimed over 35,000 people in 2015. And while that figure is much lower than in 2005, the sheer number of fatalities, when compared to the relatively quick timelines given for automated driving, do require reflection and examination. On the surface, the ratio of fatalities to timelines looks out of balance. Indeed, rolling the whole system out too fast may hinder our otherwise noble objective of keeping drivers and passengers safe.
“Many of the leaders in this space have made a range of headline commitments to autonomous driving, but the industry still has a tremendous number of hurdles to overcome if those deadlines are to be met,” Tim Dawkins, an Autonomous Car Specialist with SBD Automotive, told us in June. “While the technologies are progressing rapidly, there are plenty of questions around liability, regulation, type approval, and infrastructure which are a long way from being resolved.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Sources: BMW Group, FCA US LLC.

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What Does The Financial Turnaround of Lotus Really Mean?

What Does The Financial Turnaround of Lotus Really Mean?

For once in the car world, something claimed to be big news actually is big news. Somehow Lotus, despite making some of the best handling cars the world has ever seen, has been teetering on the brink of financial ruin since day one.
However, they are starting to turn big profits in what could be called a radical financial turnaround.
Coming Clean
Look, I make no claims about my biases. I freely admit my love for Colin Chapman and his cars. Even the ones he’s no longer around to make. If you were to ask me to list 10 or 20 of the world’s greatest cars, after a bunch of Italian ones, Colin Chapman’s Lotus cars would most likely take up the rest of the list. That guy could do more with less than almost any other designer I’ve seen. He could make four bangers stay with V8s, sixes fly past them, and when it comes to racing cars, you’d underestimate his designs at your own peril.
One thing Chapman could not do, however, was figure out how to be profitable while making cars and racing them. When I said Lotus was in trouble since day one, that wasn’t an exaggeration. The Lotus 7, one of the most sublime and best handling sports cars ever, was sold by Chapman to keep his business afloat. And that was back in 1959. The company has, near as I could tell, been living hand to mouth ever since. It has gone through a number of owners since Chapman’s passing, some of them with very deep pockets indeed, but Lotus has always been clinging on by its financial fingernails. That is, until now. At least according to the latest numbers out of England.
“Comprising of Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering, our Norfolk based company with 850 employees worldwide, improved quality, reduced costs, and increased margins resulting in the best sustainable performance for the business for many years,” reads a statement from Lotus. Pictured here is the Lotus Evora GT430. Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Big Numbers
Seriously, check this out: Lotus closed this financial year with £2.0 million in profit, versus last year, where they reported a loss £16.3 million. Lotus, or officially Lotus Group International Limited (LGIL), says this gain is “on plan.” Talk about a fine British understatement. And it appears even better if you look at it in terms of before tax profits and losses. £41.2 million lost the year before last; last year they bled £11.2 million in red ink, and then boom, a Profit Before Tax improvement of £10 million in the second half of fiscal year 2016 and 2017. Lotus says they can now concentrate on and return to a full year of profit before tax for fiscal year 2017/2018.
I know, this accounting stuff makes my eyes go all fuzzy too. And let’s face it, if I was good at numbers I could have had a real career and have been making money myself. But no. Instead, I am a writer. An automotive journalist, at that, so my question is: how. How did Lotus manage to finally make money after all these years?
Benchmark Strategy
For starters, Lotus focused on its strengths in engineering and core brand values. Lotus says they are now producing their strongest lineup of cars, which would be very hard to argue with, given the Evora, Exige, and Elise models, and the new Lotus 3-Eleven track car. Lotus calls their entire range benchmark sports cars, and I would not disagree with that.
And the Hethel concern (okay they’re Norfolk based, but Hethel is their ancestral home) is not resting on their laurels or blowing the cash on champagne and dancing girls. They say the positive cash flow paves the way for “future investment and the development of new models.” Translation: Cars that are even better than the Evora, Exige, and Elise. Contemplate what that might mean for a moment. Lotus has also expanded more than the size of its vault. They have more dealerships across the planet, up from 138 in 2014 to 215 today. Sales are up 57% in Europe with a six-fold sales growth in North America. Shoot, I know companies that would do anything to get numbers like that.
So what’s next? Where does Lotus go from here?
Lotus Elise Sprint in Metallic Grey. Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Future Plans
What Lotus says reads like typical corporate financial boilerplate. The road ahead for Lotus will be focused on “improved quality, reduced costs, and increased margins resulting in the best sustainable performance for the business for many years.” Typical stuff. For those of us whose numerical understandings stop with camber angles and power-to-weight ratios, what this all means is more cars like the Elise Sprint 220, the Exige Cup 380, and the Evora GT430, but – and this is important – cars that are logical engineering extrapolations on those existing ones. Or, as Lotus succinctly puts it, “each clearly demonstrates the company’s ambitions for the future.”
And all I can say is praise be! That Lotus can finally start making money and have the business savvy to build on that means two things: Lotus will be around for a while and their cars will get better and better. And point two is the most important, because their cars are already very, very impressive.
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: Group Lotus plc.

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This McLaren Is Technically For Kids, But We Want One Anyway

This McLaren Is Technically For Kids, But We Want One Anyway

We can all recall times when we wanted to grow up in a hurry. We had those moments when we thought adults got to have all the fun, and naturally, when we arrived at adulthood, we were going to take full advantage of such freedoms. Now that we are adults . . . well, let’s just say taking naps are usually met with an open embrace.
Count the McLaren 570S Step2 Push Sports Car, something meant for children, in the same category. This mini-racer is just as much fun for us adults as it is for our kiddos.
Cool Kids
McLaren Automotive has teamed with The Step2 Company, a North American toy manufacturer, to create something special for families. The 570S Step2 Push Sports Car is, for kids, a way to inspire the imagination – in fact, the little cruiser makes a host of electronic sounds to give children the full experience of going fast. For us older folks, it’s a way to enjoy a leisurely stroll with our loved ones while still looking like the “cool parents.” Just as any machine in the McLaren lineup is a departure from ordinary transportation, the 570S Step2 Push Sports Car is a bit more exciting than the average stroller.

Shared Vision, Inspired Design
Step2 and McLaren Automotive have similar visions: for example, McLaren is recognized as pioneering carbon fiber technology – used in all its cars since 1981 – Ohio-based Step2 is recognized as pioneering the “push car.” Like McLaren knows the automotive enthusiast, Step2 knows parents and families; it’s amazing how many times parents and automotive enthusiasts are one and the same.
Designers from both companies worked together to replicate the essence of the real 570S. Some of the most interesting design aspects include Step2’s Whisper Wheels, which provide a smoother ride. Along with the aforementioned electronic sounds, the flat-based steering wheel is nimble and responsive. The storage area under the seat is for snacks, a smartphone, or first aid kit, while multiple cup holders allow parents to always have bottled water handy.
Pricing & Availability
The new McLaren 570S Push Sports Car, officially licensed by Step2, will be available exclusively through Amazon in September before rolling out later this year at other global retailers. The first color offered is Ventura Orange; price is $79.99.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: McLaren Automotive.

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