Automotive

BREAKING: This is the new Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, commemorating 50 years of AMG in Frankfurt

BREAKING: This is the new Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, commemorating 50 years of AMG in Frankfurt On the heels of the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show (IAA), Mercedes-AMG revealed its much anticipated Project ONE show car.

What’s going on?
The Frankfurt Auto Show is about to, that’s what’s going on. And to help kick off this week’s list of reveals is the all-new, stunning Mercedes-AMG Project ONE supercar. Representing the year’s peak of commemorating 50 years of AMG, the Project ONE boasts to bring Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 technology to the road. That means 1,000 horsepower and a top speed of over 350 km/h or 217 mph.
This is achieved thanks to the latest and greatest hybridized Formula 1 technology, much like the sort of stuff we found on the Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren P1, and LaFerrari. Ultimately, like the aforementioned, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE seeks to serve up an uncompromised combination of racetrack and road-going performance.
The Project ONE joins the four-door AMG GT Concept at the Mercedes-Benz and AMG display at the Frankfurt Auto Show this year.
“The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is the first Formula 1 car with MOT approval. Our highly efficient hybrid assembly stems from motor racing and the electrically powered front axle generates a fascinating mixture of performance and efficiency,” Ola Källenius, Daimler AG board member overseeing Mercedes’ R&D. “With a system output of over 1,000 hp and a top speed beyond 350 km/h this hypercar handles exactly as it looks: it takes your breath away.”

What powers it?
In the middle of the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE sits a hybridized 1.6L V6 with around 671hp. It features direct injection and a single, electrically-assisted turbocharger lifted directly from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 car. With a quad-cam valvetrain arrangement with specially designed spur gears and pneumatic valve springs (versus mechanical spring), the mill can out rev a sport bike with a redline of 11,000 rpm.
That turbocharger also features some wicked witchcraft for instantaneous response to throttle changes. For instance, when moving on and off the throttle, the turbocharger comes equipped with a special shaft and an electric motor, which keeps the turbocharger spooled and pressure constant, for smoother and quicker throttle changes.
But because of the Project ONE’s road-going abilities, it has to use traditional pump gas instead of race gas. The engine also has to maintain greater longevity for the owner. So although the engine has a ridiculous redline, it’s still well below the abilities of the motor’s application in the actual F1 car.
Channeling the gas engine power to the rear wheels is the very latest AMG SPEEDSHIFT eight-speed dual-clutch box and is bespoke to the Project ONE.
Assisting that 1.6L V6 are two 120 kW (161hp) electric motors at the front axles, which also set new benchmarks for revolution speeds. They’re capable of spinning at 50,000 rpm while the current greatest can rev only up to 20,000 rpm.
Because the gas engine powers the rear wheels and the electric motors, the front, such a combo makes the Project ONE all-wheel drive. Because of this arrangement, Mercedes-AMG believes that up to 80 percent of braking energy can be harnessed to regenerate the electric battery.
What handles it?
Multi-link suspension arrangements sit at both the front and the rear with fully-adjustable coil-over struts. Though like many other supercars and Formula 1 racers, the push-rod struts are placed across the direction of travel, rather than up and down diagonally in a normal car. This ensures the best handling control and operating efficiency for the suspension. The wheels are special center-lock 10-spoke aluminum, wrapped in sticky 285/25 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires at the front, and 335/30ZR 20 tires at the back, specially developed for the Project ONE. This also means the front and rear wheels are staggered in size.
To keep things civil for the everyday driver, ABS and electronic stability control are standard with special AMG Sport Handling modes geared towards performance. Of course, for tire-roasting and smoking hoonery, all the traction aids are defeatable.
What else is cool about it?
The Project ONE also sets a new level of thermal efficiency for automobiles. The general average of thermal efficiency from a traditional internal combustion engine is capped at around 33 to 38 percent. With Mercedes-AMG and their clever technology, the Project ONE’s engine achieves a thermal efficiency percentage of over 40 percent.
The Project ONE’s hybrid system also comes with plug-in capabilities to charge the new lithium-ion battery. It’s fitted with a DC/DC support system to charge the 12 V electrical system, all in a space-efficient package on the floor behind the front axle.
Because the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE still promises to be a Mercedes in addition to being a Formula 1 car for the road, it comes with plenty of luxurious gear. Helping to display all the typical and necessary information for the driver are two 10-inch high-definition displays, forgoing any traditional gauge setup. It also comes installed with the latest software for the COMAND infotainment system.
How much will it cost and when will it go on sale?
Mercedes-AMG didn’t announce when the Project ONE will hit showrooms. Chances are however, they won’t even end up in showrooms because of their exclusive status–they’ll most likely be made to order, if they’re all not sold out already.
Cost? Expect it to demand a lot of dough.
– By: Chris Chin
2017 IAA – Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Quick Specs

Mercedes-AMG Project ONE show car
Rear-wheel drive
1.6-litre V6 with direct injection, four valves per cylinder, four overhead camshafts and electrically boosted single turbocharger, electric motor connected to the crankshaft
Displacement
1,600 cc
Rear-wheel drive output
> 500 kW
Front-wheel drive output
2 x 120 kW
System output
> 740 kW (> 1,000 hp)
Electric range
25 km
Drive system
Variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with hybrid-drive rear axle, electrically driven front axle and torque vectoring
Transmission
Automated AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8-speed manual transmission
Acceleration 0-200 km/h
< 6 secs.
Top speed
> 350 km/h

2017 IAA – Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Photo Gallery

The post BREAKING: This is the new Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, commemorating 50 years of AMG in Frankfurt appeared first on egmCarTech.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/breaking-this-is-the-new-mercedes-amg-project-one-commemorating-50-years-of-amg-in-frankfurt/

New Study: Interest Growing For Autonomous Cars, Safety Still Top Concern

New Study: Interest Growing For Autonomous Cars, Safety Still Top Concern

The automobile is one of the greatest identifying characteristics of American culture. When we think about how the automobile changed our lives in the United States, it’s nearly endless. With the advent of the modern car, we could, in the simplest terms, get around easier. Think of all the places we can go, just by jumping in our car. When we first got our license as a teenager, there was rarely a better feeling – we were experiencing the freedom we were restricted to fantasizing about in adolescence.
I will never forget the day I got my license.
Economic & Cultural Impact
Our economy became – and still is – heavily influenced by the automotive industry. According to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, 7.25 million American jobs are connected to the auto industry, either directly or indirectly. Auto industry jobs generate more than $205 billion annually in tax revenues according to a 2013 CAR study, and represent about 3.8 percent of private-sector employment.
Then the automobile’s intangible qualities; like how it shaped family dynamics as station wagons became the ultimate representation of summer vacations. Trucks and utility vans are often the chosen chariots of the working class, meaning the automobile also represents dedication and persistence. And it became the pinnacle of awesomeness when Detroit pumped out jacked-up machines known as muscle cars.
And now the autonomous car. What’s up with that? How does that change American culture?

From Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance by Mike Mueller, published by Motorbooks.
Positive Vibes
ReportLinker, a research and technology company, sought to answer that question. What’s up with autonomous cars but more importantly, how do people view them? ReportLinker conducted their first survey in September 2016 but wanted to further analyze the findings to see if public opinion had changed positively or negatively. ReportLinker’s follow-up survey reached 830 online respondents and formal interviews were held in June.
“We decided to conduct this survey as this is a developing sector that fascinates many,” explained Benjamin Carpano, Head of Content and Co Founder of ReportLinker. “Autonomous vehicles are extremely innovative and this new trend generates interest.”
One of the survey’s reoccurring themes is an openess to automated vehicles, with some saying they don’t actually care for driving. More than one in four respondents and 41 percent of those aged 35 to 44 say they don’t get jazzed about driving at all. Another 25 percent said they don’t drive every day. Overall, six in 10 Americans and 74 percent of Millennials say they’re optimistic about autonomous vehicles, unchanged from the 2016 survey.
“More than half of the respondents (53 percent) declared that they would buy an autonomous vehicle for their next car purchase,” Carpano added. “The main reasons given for using an autonomous vehicle include not having to park, less traffic congestion, and cheaper car insurance.”
The Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle is equipped with cameras, radar, LiDAR sensors, and real-time 3D mapping technology. Ford has been testing autonomous vehicles for 10 years. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Safety Presentation
Another reoccurring theme in the survey is safety and comfort, but that’s a double-edged sword. Many cars today have advanced driver assistance systems, sometimes classified as active safety features. These include everything from reverse cameras and adaptive cruise control, to forward collision warning, large animal detection, and automatic emergency braking. Even fundamental and sometimes overlooked vehicle systems like traction control and anti-lock brakes fall into this category.
These technologies are precursors to full automation, but their presence has helped Americans gradually accept the idea of driverless cars. Complementing the aforementioned 53 percent of respondents who would spring for a completely autonomous car, a third said they would be interested in even a partially automated vehicle.
Although increased safety is one of the brightest banners waved by autonomous driving proponents, not everyone is convinced. Two-thirds of Americans say they would not feel safe in an autonomous car and women are especially cautious, with 73 percent worried about safety. Overall, more than a third of consumers say safety is the main barrier facing the autonomous car. Apurva Aslekar, a Project Manager and motoring enthusiast from the Boston area, is among the Americans concerned about safety.
“When I purchased my last vehicle, I made sure to look at the NHTSA findings about the car as well as its competitors,” he explained. “Given that autonomous cars are manmade objects and, therefore, susceptible to glitches like any other form of technology, I do not see them being completely foolproof.”
“The lack of safety is one of the main drawbacks for our survey respondents,” Carpano added.
General Motors became the first automaker to assemble driverless test vehicles in a mass-production facility when a fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles began coming down the line at Orion Township Assembly in January. “This production milestone brings us one step closer to making our vision of personal mobility a reality,” said GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra. Photo: General Motors.
Big Responsibilities, Little Joys
Aslekar maintains he would be open to riding in an autonomous car if he knew how to properly override it in an emergency. He suggests manufacturers educate consumers on the correct ways to do such a thing, and insists motorists remain diligent at all times, autonomous technology aside.
“No matter how much the occupants of an autonomous vehicle may prefer to focus upon activities other than driving, they ultimately need to know they are in control of the vehicle,” Aslekar said. “If anything malfunctions, they are responsible for ensuring safety not only for themselves but also for others on the road.”
While Aslekar falls in line with some survey respondents on safety, he contrasts strongly with others who derive little to no joy from driving. Aslekar has fond memories of his beloved Volkswagen, especially when it took him to see close friends and family. He even gave his VW a name and describes driving overall as therapeutic. As far as dream cars go, he fancies the iconic Ferrari F40, the Italian namesake’s best representation of a street legal racer.
“When I was very young, the F40 was one of the first posters I ever put on my walls,” Aslekar recalled. “As an increasing number of autonomous vehicles become available, my hope is that traditional automakers will focus even more strongly upon making their lineups more exciting for the people who do truly enjoy driving and all that it entails.”
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Modern Mobility Factors
The ease and availability of services like Uber and Lyft have changed how we get around. Although the survey shows most respondents would prefer to own a vehicle, a growing number (35 percent) say they would utilize a driverless car through providers such as Lyft or Uber. In fact, both companies have a business model that lends itself to automated driving, and both are investing in the technology. And while an automated Uber or Lyft might get some excited, for others its more about practicality.
“In a major metro, for example, the car owner will have to pay high costs for parking, insurance, and maintenance in addition to the monthly payment,” Aslekar said. “These expenses will likely be higher than the monthly average spent on Uber or public transportation.”
More than half in ReportLinker’s survey (59 percent) say they do not see automated vehicles replacing trains, light rail, or transit buses.
“With the prevalence of ride sharing services, there are more financially responsible ways of being driven,” Aslekar continued. “Living in a major metro area with better than average public transportation also influences the decision.”
Photo: Volvo Cars.
Passion & Paradox
Our publication monitors and reports on autonomous driving as often as we can. I feel a journalistic obligation to educate readers on the technology so they can draw their own conclusions and examine what it will mean in their lives. I am optimistic about autonomous vehicles and believe they will deliver on the promises of better infrastructure, reduced emissions, and greater safety. That is not to say I agree with everything happening in the space – I don’t – but I am faithful we can do it, even when it looks questionable. I have my doubts about autonomous driving, but I still consider myself an advocate for it.
I want to leave a world for my children where traffic accidents and deaths are a thing of the past. Pound for pound, I believe a machine will drive better than a human; that is not to say the machine is perfect or that it cannot fail, but there is no subjectivity in a machine’s decisions when it controls the wheel. Yet, how do we implement something so objective into something as subjective as cars? Where is the line between this proposed safe utopia and our human desire to pilot our favorite autos?
I don’t have that answer.
Here in my own publication, I am contrasted by two of our strongest and most talented voices, columnists Tony Borroz and Geoff Maxted. Tony with his Italian racing lineage and Geoff with his years of experience as a journalist are not sold on the autonomous car. With their admitted passion for driving – Tony with light, agile cars, Geoff with big V8s – neither are willing to surrender that motoring love in the name of autonomy. Sure, they have concerns about safety and how the technology is moving fast, but more than anything, it’s about the freedom and thrill of driving. And even though I am a proponent of autonomous driving, even though I will probably cast my vote for the machine, I cannot blame them.
If I examine closely, one of the fundamental reasons I do what I do is because I love cars. I had the Ferrari posters too. I have a vehicle I love to drive. The struggle for me sometimes is advocating for something that may alter that love in ways we can’t fully conceive.
“Autonomous vehicles do take away the joy and thrill of driving, so they are likely to be used by individuals who view driving as more of a chore than an exciting activity,” Aslekar said. “I highly doubt I would ever own an autonomous car.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
The complete study from ReportLinker can be found here.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/new-study-interest-growing-for-autonomous-cars-safety-still-top-concern/

2017 Frankfurt Preview: The big-schnoz BMW Concept X7 iPerformance previews the company's incoming full-size...

2017 Frankfurt Preview: The big-schnoz BMW Concept X7 iPerformance previews the company's incoming full-size... Revealed ahead of its world debut at the 2017 IAA Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance previews the company’s long-awaited Mercedes-Benz GLS competitor.

What’s going on?
Some big nostrils! That’s what, or in this case, BMW’s ginormous kidney grilles on the all-new Concept X7 iPerformance. I mean, just look at them. They’re yuggggge and out of control!
Nonetheless, meet the Concept X7. It basically gives us a glimpse of what to expect with the company’s much-anitcipated full-size crossover. Long has Mercedes-Benz soldiered on with the full-size GLS, formerly the GL. BMW had yet to produce a competitor, focusing solely on the mid-range X5 and X6, along with the smaller, more compact and sportier, X1, X3, and the X4.
But now, they’re preparing to launch the X5’s big brother.
Due for a reveal at the 2017 IAA show in Frankfurt, the new X7 certainly boasts BMW’s new design language.
“The Concept introduces the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle DNA into the luxury segment. The new BMW design language employs just a few, extremely precise lines and subtle surface-work to raise the bar in terms of presence and prestige,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The BMW Concept X7 iPerformance has a luxurious and sophisticated feel to it, thanks to its understated use of forms and incredibly precise details.”
What powers it?
Specific technical details are unavaialble. But BMW promises the Concept X7 iPerformance sports a BMW TwinPower turbocharged gas engine mated to an electric motor. The result is a plug-in hybrid powertrain, offering zero emissions capabilities and all-electric power.
Expect plenty of tech and luxury as well
Building up to be BMW’s newest flagship crossover, you can expect the X7 to be loaded with state-of-the-art tech and lots of luxury. It’ll basically be a lifted BMW 7-Series. So you can definitely imagine the X7 to come with everything minus the kitchen sink.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: BMW USA News
BMW Concept X7 iPerformance

The post 2017 Frankfurt Preview: The big-schnoz BMW Concept X7 iPerformance previews the company’s incoming full-size crossover SUV appeared first on egmCarTech.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-frankfurt-preview-the-big-schnoz-bmw-concept-x7-iperformance-previews-the-companys-incoming-full-size-crossover-suv/

Honda Debuts Tech That Can See Around Buildings. Here Is How It Works.

Honda Debuts Tech That Can See Around Buildings. Here Is How It Works. Honda rolls out new vehicle communication tech in Ohio to reduce intersection collisions.
Research shows intersection collisions are increasingly common and dangerous.
Smart Intersection technology and subsequent systems play a role in the success of autonomous cars.
Honda is taking their next steps towards a driverless portfolio with the introduction of Smart Intersection technology. Honda says it enhances vehicle-to-everything (or V2X) communication, and can reduce deadly intersection collisions. According to the United States Department of Transportation, 51 percent of all injury crashes and 28 percent of all fatal crashes occur at either an intersection or T-junction.
Recent data from the National Safety Council suggests roadway deaths this year may climb as high as 40,000.
Essential Communication
V2X communication, like Honda’s Smart Intersection technology, uses proprietary object recognition software via intersection-mounted cameras and other communication devices. This allows cars to “see” around and through buildings, walls, traffic, and even bad weather. Drivers then receive an alert to notify them of otherwise hidden hazards.
“Honda believes that V2X technology is an essential component of a smarter and safer transportation ecosystem and can play a role in our dream for a zero-collision society,” explained Ted Klaus, Vice President of Strategic Research, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Photo: Honda North America.
Smart Intersection technology represents a joint venture between Honda and the City of Marysville, Ohio as part of the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor project.Click To TweetPilot Program Debuts “Where The Grass Is Greener”
Smart Intersection technology is a joint venture between Honda and Marysville, Ohio as part of the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor project. The pilot program will address the limitations of current on-board vehicle sensors with regard to preventing intersection collisions.
“Research underway in Marysville and along the U.S. 33 Smart Mobility Corridor holds great promise in advancing world-changing transportation technologies, and is the 21st century version of Huffman Prairie where the Wright Brothers made their early aviation discoveries,” said Ohio Governor John R. Kasich. “With the help of strong public- and private-sector partners, and our unmatched Transportation Research Center, Ohio is aggressively working to maintain its leadership role for developing vehicles and smart technologies of the future.”
“The City of Marysville is appreciative of our rich history with Honda of America and we are committed to our partnership with them to support their development and testing of autonomous and connected vehicles,” added Marysville Mayor J.R. Rausch. “We are proud they chose Marysville to deploy Smart Intersection technology here.”
Honda’s Smart Intersection technology detects an oncoming vehicle running a red light. Photo: Honda North America.
How Smart Intersection Technology Works
Four cameras above the traffic lights at each corner of a given intersection provide a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area. Honda says the cameras have a range of 300 feet to detect vehicles and pedestrians from farther away. The image processing software creates a 360-degree image of the intersection that classifies vehicles and other moving objects. That information is then broadcast to surrounding vehicles via a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) signal.
Each connected vehicle’s on-board computer decodes the information and, when necessary, provides visible and audible alerts to the driver. With this information, the driver has the ability to take corrective action to avoid or mitigate a collision. Thus far, Honda has committed 200 vehicles for Smart Intersection testing.
“We believe this research will give us a better understanding of how V2X technologies can be further advanced and most effectively deployed for the benefit of all road users,” Klaus said.
Graphic: Honda North America.
Until cars chauffeur us entirely, law enforcement officials recommend all motorists practice defensive driving. Click To TweetAuto Industry Pushing Towards V2X
V2X is a viable solution when it comes to safety and autonomous cars, something consumers are wrestling with. Honda is showcasing Smart Intersection technology not a moment too soon; Hyundai and Autotalks announced a V2X-centered partnership in July, while back in June, Cadillac said their Super Cruise system would serve as a springboard for future V2X features. Consumers could see such features as early as 2023.
Continental, a Tier 1 Supplier, unveiled a similar technology last year.
While promising, nothing is here just yet. And until cars chauffeur us entirely, law enforcement officials recommend all motorists practice defensive driving.
“It only takes being distracted for a brief moment and a tragedy can occur,” said Special First Lieutenant and Traffic Safety Specialist Jim Flegel of the Michigan State Police. “As drivers, we still have to maintain control of our vehicle at all times.”
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/honda-debuts-tech-that-can-see-around-buildings-here-is-how-it-works/

These Chevy Silverado Concepts Are Headed To SEMA

These Chevy Silverado Concepts Are Headed To SEMA The SEMA Chevy Silverado Concepts will showcase the various customization options available.
Equipment upgrades include soft tonneau covers, lift kits, cold air intakes, and Brembo braking systems.
After getting a delicious taste of the new Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, it seems they are not done yet. Not by a long shot. Chevrolet will introduce four new concepts of the 2019 Silverado 1500 at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chevy says these trucks will show off the brand’s full line of truck accessories and performance parts.
Here are the four new Chevy Silverado concepts debuting at the SEMA Show.
Silverado High Country Concept
The 2019 Chevy Silverado High Country is not a concept per se; more like the ultimate Silverado. It combines outdoorsy looks with the space and refinement of a luxury sedan. And the High Country looks pretty darn good whether towing a horse carriage or cruising on the freeway.
You won’t mistake the High Country for a lesser-endowed Silverado because it has jeweled headlights and a specific grille. The grille has chrome and amber accents complete with a High Country logo on the upper left side. It also has a painted front bumper with chrome recovery hooks, chrome accents, and a set of beautiful, low-profile LED fog lights.
The High Country is motivated by a burly 6.2-liter V8 motor, churning out 420 horsepower. With this engine, the High Country is the most powerful Chevy half-ton truck to ever roll out of the factory. Couple this with a two-inch suspension lift, 22-inch wheels, a cold air intake, and a genuine cat-back dual exhaust system (yes, dual freaking exhaust!) and what you have is a pretty badass truck.
Oh, and the High Country also comes with Brembo six-piston front brakes with color matching rear calipers.
Our favorite features include the automatic retractable side steps that sway towards the rear for easier access to the bed. And the push-button powered tailgate.
2019 Silverado High Country Concept. Photo: Chevrolet.
Silverado RST Off-Road
The 2019 version of the Chevy Silverado RST Off-Road shares the design DNA of the Colorado ZR2 Bison. However, the RST is bigger, taller, and meaner. It has the same Baja-inspired vibe of the Ford F-150 Raptor albeit a bit more civilized. Think Doc Martens instead of a Carolina Domestic Work Boot or Wolverine Tacoma Durashocks and you won’t be far off.
“We know every truck customer is unique, which is why the Silverado offers eight trims, each with a different combination of technology, performance, and design,” explained Hugh Milne, Silverado Marketing Manager.
The Silverado RST Off-Road comes with 18-inch wheels, chunky off-road tires, and a two-inch suspension lift. The Off Road Appearance Package includes assist steps, a soft roll-up tonneau cover, and a sport bar. It is powered by GM’s evergreen 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft. of torque.
The 2019 Silverado RST Off Road Concept features a factory-installed two-inch suspension lift. Photo: Chevrolet.
Silverado LTZ Concept
The Silverado LTZ Concept is the workhorse of the four. It starts with the aforementioned 5.3-liter V8 engine to provide the necessary pulling power. The plethora of dealer-available accessories and performance parts will make your eyes water:
Cold air intake.
Trailering camera system.
Retractable tonneau cover.
Cat-back single exhaust upgrade.
22-inch aluminum multi-spoke chrome wheels.
Brembo front brakes with six-pistons and color-matched calipers.
“With a full catalog of accessories and performance parts, we offer exponentially more ways for customers to build their ideal truck,” Milne said. “And, unlike certain aftermarket components, these are designed, engineered and validated to the same engineering standards as the Silverado itself, and backed by Chevrolet.”
2019 Silverado LTZ Concept. Photo: Chevrolet.
The plethora of dealer-available accessories and performance parts will make your eyes water.Click To TweetSilverado RST Street
Boost your street cred with this one! The RST Street comes with a lower suspension, body side graphics, faux carbon-fiber exterior accessories, and 22-inch gloss black wheels. Accessories and performance parts include the aforementioned Brembo brakes, a cold air intake, Borla cat-back exhaust with two-piece carbon-fiber exhaust tips, and a Kicker sound system with a 200-watt subwoofer.
The 5.3 is also available.
The 2019 Silverado RST Street Concept goes for a carbon fiber look. Accessories include a Borla cat-back exhaust system with carbon fiber exhaust tips and an UnderCover one-piece hard tonneau cover. Photo: Chevrolet.
Chevy says these trucks will show off the brand's full line of truck accessories and performance parts.Click To TweetIn Person
If you want to see these Chevy Silverado concepts in person, clear your schedule from October 30th to November 2nd, and book a trip to Viva Las Vegas! The SEMA Show will be in full swing then. Also, if you are happening by the State Fair of Texas (now through October 22nd) there are more Silverados on display at Chevy’s exhibit.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/these-chevy-silverado-concepts-are-headed-to-sema/

2019 BMW Z4 Roadster: Stand On It Stroker Ace!

2019 BMW Z4 Roadster: Stand On It Stroker Ace! Well, the first thing I can say about the 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster is that it is much better looking then the one it replaces. Seriously, I don’t know what on Earth BMW has to do to get their design mojo back, but, A) they need to, and, B) they haven’t yet. At least not fully.
The next thing I thought was, “Boy, it looks a lot like the current Fiat 124 Spider that’s based on the Miata.” Better not say that in front of any BMW employees. Probably lead to my Arsch getreten werden.
Supra Skin
Which it shouldn’t, since both the Miata and the 124 are fantastic little sports cars. And I’m sure the latest Z4 will be fantastic as well. I mean, come on, this is a German car company we’re talking about here. The other contributing factor to the 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster’s potential greatness is that, under the skin, it’s a – gasp! – Toyota Supra.
The latest Z4 was developed in cooperation with the Japanese auto giant, the fruits of that leading to both the Z4 and the soon-to-be-released (and much anticipated) Supra. Ergo, we’ll have some commonality of parts, and the two minds are better than one philosophy leading to the summation of two very fun vehicles.
How fun? Let’s run the numbers.
Power & Performance
The 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i is propelled by a new TwinPower Turbocharged engine. The engine has a new High Precision Injection system, 255 horsepower, and nearly 300 lb-ft. of torque. 60 mph comes up in 5.2 seconds. Nett! Life gets even better with the Z4 M40i Roadster, thanks to a 3.0-liter in-line six-banger offering a 47 horsepower escalation over its predecessor. By comparison, the Z4 M40i makes a whomping 382 horsepower.
BMW added a water-cooled exhaust manifold that’s integrated into the cylinder head, along with a quicker-spooling turbocharger and direct injection. Yeah, I know, water cooling the manifold sounds like an expensive stress point, but we’ll let the second and third owners worry about that. And, with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque living under the hood, you’ll hit 60 in 4.4 seconds. Super nett!
2019 BMW Z4 Roadster. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
With 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque living under the hood, you'll hit 60 in 4.4 seconds.Click To TweetTransmission & Chassis Tech
Both receive an eight-speed Steptronic Sport box with Launch Control and shift paddles on the steering wheel. There’s a wider ratio spread with shorter ratios in the lower gears for stronger acceleration.
The chassis has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, with a double-joint spring strut suspension up front and a new five-link suspension out back. The front suspension’s sub frame and control arm mounting points are extremely rigid for more precise cornering, according to BMW. Aluminum control arms and swivel bearings further reduce weight. The rear suspension also uses a lightweight aluminum and steel design.
Added to all this are (by now usual) the computer-controlled gizmos that might turn all of us into Sebastian Vettel (as if!): Dynamic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Dynamic Brake Control.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Pricing & Availability
And sure, both of the upcoming Z4s have lots of navigation and infotainment features, and all that high-tech glop. But if you really care about stuff like that, this (probably) won’t be the car for you. Screw stuff like that! Drop the top, pull down your hat, and stand on it Stroker Ace! This is a sports car. Go out and be a sport.
How much? The Bavarians do not say, but we know the 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster will hit dealerships around March of next year.
Weit draußen, Mann!
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
2019 BMW Z4 Roadster Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-bmw-z4-roadster-stand-on-it-stroker-ace/

Letter From The UK: Technology Will Save Us All. (Or Not). Part 2

Letter From The UK: Technology Will Save Us All. (Or Not). Part 2 Words like “technology” and “revolution” are often used in tandem to describe a brighter future.
But are we actually better off? Despite modern technological advances, our roads are not any safer.
The second in two-part series, Geoff Maxted examines how our greatest technological promises face immense challenges and glaring drawbacks. Part one here.
Recently, a headline across our national newspapers trumpeted the phrase variously, “Ministers unaware of the effects of police cuts.” If you lived in this country you would have been staggered by this news. Government ministers, responsible for running the country, were “unaware” of the rise in stabbings, robbery, murders, street theft or the total loss of confidence in our law enforcers, despite it being all over the press for the last couple of years.
It would be funny if it were not so serious. Consequently it must be therefore assumed they were also unaware of the rise in drunk driving accidents and fatalities?
An Acura RDX A-Spec press photo shows the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Photo: Acura.
It would be funny if it were not so serious. Click To TweetDrinking & Driving
This is something we thought had finally gotten through to the thick-headed, boorish drunks of the UK. It seems not. There has been a seven percent rise in car accidents, “where at least one driver was under the influence of alcohol.” Remember, this is the 21st Century.
One of the primary causes of this is the reduction in the rank and file of our police service. In the last eight years the number of active serving cops has reduced by over 22,000. You would think, wouldn’t you, that someone would realise this could only have an adverse effect on society, but you would be wrong. The authorities clearly did not have a clue.
The cuts were “forced” upon the government because of financial austerity measures. That’s the excuse, and I would remind readers we are talking law and order here. Instead the politically correct police chiefs insist that more officers are needed at computers because crime has gone online. This is disingenuous.
Certainly, there is more international crime but the public also expect to see police “on the beat” as we say here. Instead they use cameras.

Candid Cameras
Cold, glassy eyes in the sky now watch our every move on the roads of Great Britain. Exceed the speed limit under their gaze and you will be fined and given “points” on your driving licence. Twelve points and you’re out. Off the road for usually one year, sometimes more. These so-called safety cameras are ostensibly there for road safety reasons but this again is specious. Not for nothing are they known as “speed cameras” by motorists because we know (and they know) this is really about revenue.
Many millions of British Pounds are taken off motorists over the course of a year and it goes straight into government coffers. It perhaps would not be so bad if this money was spent on improving the road network and making it safer yet this is not the case. Our roads generally are appalling.
Worst of all, a camera can catch speeders, even those who make a genuine error, but it cannot catch drunks. Since our highways no longer have police cars at strategic points, or police officers on foot in our towns and cities, drunk drivers pretty much have free rein.
Not for nothing are they known as speed cameras by motorists because we know (and they know) this is really about revenue.Click To TweetScreens For Everybody
In-car technology has become the latest USP for car makers. The personal opinion of this writer is that cars are becoming increasingly dull and boring as manufacturers continue to believe that we, the car buyers, want more and more high-tech gadgetry as standard. Nevermind the performance, feel the dashboard.
While all this is happening we have seen the rise of the distracted driver. Here in the UK, stupid individuals choose to break the laws of the land and use their mobile devices when driving because there is nobody around to stop them (See police above). It gets worse:
Motorists are fiddling with their touchscreens on the move. The infotainment menus in vehicles today have become more evolved and involving. As someone who drives for a living I see it all the time, everywhere. It’s called distracted driving and there are laws against it so what do car manufacturers do?
Do they install cut-offs to prevent drivers changing the selected set-ups when on the move? No. They add more screens. Yes folks, that’s the new trend; the new gimme. It’s just like having two televisions in one room. Now there are three things to look at: Screen A, Screen B, and the road ahead. Spare me.
2018 Ford Expedition interior layout. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Human Touch
So, although technology can help us clean up the atmosphere (maybe), stay safer in our cars and monitor crime online (including your Twitter feed if you live here), it is not the be all and end all. Society requires a level of human contact, and it demands such personal freedom.
That’s why, here in blighted Britain, more and more motoring colleagues are enjoying the simple pleasures of older cars; those old-stagers whose “classic” days are yet to come but still provide what we all want. A nice drive. Can’t we just have that?
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

Cover Photo: Volvo Car Group.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/letter-from-the-uk-technology-will-save-us-all-or-not-part-2/

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept: Should We Hold Our Breath?

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept: Should We Hold Our Breath? The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept shows a “new equipment range” from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.
Porsche says the concept’s engine revs to 9,000 rpm.
Will it come to market? We will find out soon enough.
Ah, the Porsche Speedster. It’s a name that means so much, but, by their own hand, has been sort of maligned by Porsche themselves. This latest version, which Porsche says is only a “concept” for now, looks to be the business.
But whether it is or not – or whether Porsche will even build the thing – is pretty much up in the air. To begin, there are two things at play here: a car and a wristwatch.
Designer Dog Dishes
Leave it to Porsche to make a fairly simple thing (“Hey! We’ve got this concept car you should check out!“) into something needlessly complicated (“Hey! We’ve got this concept car you should check out! Oh, and this wristwatch, which is kinda the same thing! Oh, and here’s the needless backstory!“).
For those that may not know, there’s a thing called Porsche Design. Porsche Design does all sorts of stuff. Sunglasses and watches and stereo gear and pen sets and other hideously, overpriced knick-knacks. They are a separate entity, but they occasionally collaborate. Such is the case here, but we’ll only go into the friggin’ watch portion of this stuff if space (and my patience) permits.
The car portion of this stuff, the actual Speedster itself, is well worth your time. The concept Speedster had its North American premiere at the recent Rennsport Reunion VI at Laguna Seca. And, so they say, the crowds were very impressed. Then again, Rennsport Reunions are a Porsche-only affair, and Rennsport crowds would be impressed by a Porsche dog dish.
So take all of that with a grain of salt.
Porsche 911 Speedster Concept. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Heritage Design Packages
This Porsche concept is based on the current 991 generation of the evergreen 911. Porsche says it’s a preview of a “potential new equipment range from the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.” Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is their in-house “we can make it that way just for you (for a hefty price)” shop. Sort of the latest version of the old Porsche Sonderwunsch Programm. The Speedster also is being used as a canvas to show off the company’s Heritage Design packages. If customers go for this idea, then Porsche will consider providing a modern interpretation of their distinctive themes as far back as the 1950s.
Personally, I like this whole idea of painting new cars like they were old racers. I hope this catches on.
Flying Colors
The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept is a two-tone GT Silver Metallic and White. The white note flashes are reminiscent of the red and white schemes found on the first Porsche 917 to win at Le Mans. The whole car was a collaboration between Porsche Motorsport, Style Porsche, and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.
It’s hard not to like the overall look, with the laid-down windshield, twin headrest fairings, retro paint job, and those gorgeous, Talbot-esque rearview mirrors (chrome, natch).
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
It’s hard not to like the overall look, with the laid-down windshield, twin headrest fairings, retro paint job, and those gorgeous, Talbot-esque rearview mirrors.Click To TweetProof In The Pudding
The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept is powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six engine (duh!) putting out “over” 500 horsepower. This plant, which Porsche seems to have the infinite capability to develop and get more and more out of, can rev to 9,000 rpm. Which is way up there. Really way up there. Like, that would be a lot of fun to hear on a regular basis. All those Pferde get to the rear wheels and only the rears via a six-speed manual transmission.
The development focus was on creating a pure and exhilarating driving experience says ze Deutschers, but at this stage there’s no real way of knowing. If you want us to be sure, oh great engineers of Zuffenhausen, then drop one by One Automoblog Towers, Detroit, Michigan, and we’ll let you know what we think. Ask for Carl.
Limber Lumber Wagons
Yes, the Porsche 911 Speedster Concept is just that: a concept. So talking about its performance potential is kind of beside the point. But it does give us the opportunity to say that if Porsche really wants to create a pure and exhilarating driving experience, they have to go against their recent trend. Porsches back in the day were essentially hot-rodded VW Beetles with swoopier bodies. They were light, tight, and handled . . . well, not right, but in a fun enough way. Until you spun it into a ditch because of the weight distribution and tractor-derived suspension.
But lately, for the past couple of decades, Porsche has gone light, tight, and handles not all that bad. Now they’ve gone bloated, feature-laden, and computer-controlled, but the handling is better (thanks to all those binary nannies).
If Porsche wants to make a new Speedster for the 2020s and beyond, it should weigh close to a Miata but still keep that “over” 500 horsepower. But no. Our customers want features. Our customers expect luxury items. We have to add 158 airbags. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
But lately, for the past couple of decades, Porsche has gone light, tight, and handles not all that bad.Click To TweetAvailability
A decision about a production version of the Porsche 911 Speedster Concept is forthcoming. Hopefully that decision will be Nicht nur ja, aber Hölle ja!
As for the watch that compliments the car? That’s the “Porsche Design 911 Speedster Concept Chronograph.” Got it? Not a watch, a concept chronograph. People will buy anything, won’t they?
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: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/porsche-911-speedster-concept-should-we-hold-our-breath/

Infiniti Project Black S: Godzilla Slayer?

Infiniti Project Black S: Godzilla Slayer? The Infiniti Project Black S Prototype debuts at the Paris Motor Show, starting on October 4th.
Infiniti worked the Renault Sport Formula One Team for the Project Black S Prototype.
The car serves as a “springboard” for high-performance engineering, according to the two companies.
Will Infiniti actually produce it? That’s not entirely clear . . .
For all intents and purposes, the Infiniti Project Black S Prototype reminds me of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and its sleek profile. And similar to the Genesis, the Project Black S Prototype is a proper rear-wheel drive sports car. It also shares the same aura as Godzilla, the Nissan GT-R.
But that’s where the similarities will abruptly end.
The Infiniti Project Black S is more than just a conventional sports car. Utilizing the go-fast gimmickry of the Renault Sport Formula One Team, the Project Black S is the first of its kind to come with a dual-hybrid powertrain system.
Infiniti claims its the first time such a hi-tech system is available for a road car. But here’s the clincher: they must give the go-signal for production before making any claims.
F1-Derived Powertrain
Based on the menu, it all sounds and looks delicious. The Infiniti Project Black S is based on the Q60, specifically the Q60 Red Sport 400. But if the Red Sport is a luxury coupe masquerading as a sporty car, the Project Black S Prototype is engineered to go fast, luxury be damned.
That vast rear wing was designed by the blokes from the Renault F1 team. It is the biggest indicator that the Project Black S is a serious performance machine. The wing even shares the same profile as the team’s Monza wing for their F1 cars, so there’s genuine trickery behind the shape and intent in the carbon fiber rear spoiler.
But the main course is the engine. The Infiniti Project Black S is equipped with the VR30 3.0-liter V6 motor with twin electric turbochargers. Yes, you heard me right. This thing comes with electric turbochargers, spooling up delicious servings of power and torque. The hi-tech motor is connected to a seven-speed automatic.
The cream of the crop is the dual-hybrid technology. There are three motor generator units or MGUs in the Project Black S Prototype. There is a single MGU that harvests kinetic energy from braking (MGU-K) and a pair of MGUs to harvest heat from the twin electric turbochargers (MGU-H). Thus, the dual-hybrid system generates electrical power whether you’re accelerating or braking.
Infiniti Project Black S. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
If the Red Sport is a luxury coupe masquerading as a sporty car, the Project Black S Prototype is engineered to go fast, luxury be damned.Click To TweetPowerOn Demand
The figures are impressive: 563 horsepower, 350 lb-ft. of torque, and zero to 60 in less than four seconds. The motor-generators spool the turbochargers with a prod of the right foot, delivering power directly to the rear wheels. This means instantaneous response and torque with virtually no turbo lag. If this doesn’t sound like a recipe for a good time, then I don’t know what does.
“The Infiniti Project Black S utilizes high power and smart energy management from advanced powertrains, a thrilling dynamic capability on road and track, and a performance-oriented aesthetic,” explained Roland Krueger, Infiniti Chairman and Global President.
Optimized Aerodynamics
No F1-inspired car is complete without the ability to effortlessly slice the wind. The Renault F1 team utilized all the tricks in the book to give the Infiniti Project Black S Prototype greater aero efficiency with higher levels of downforce. Most of this stems from the unique rear wing. Designed using digital modeling technology, the wing helps stabilize the car during high-speed driving and cornering.
As expected from a track-based road car, the Infiniti Project Black S has large and aggressive cooling ducts. The roof panels, fenders, and hood are carbon fiber to reduce weight. Infiniti claims a curb weight of 3,915 lbs, saying the power-to-weight ratio is 39 percent better than the Q60 Red Sport 400.
Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
This means instantaneous response and torque with virtually no turbo lag. If this doesn’t sound like a recipe for a good time, then I don’t know what does.Click To TweetBut Will Infiniti Make This Car?
We hope so. The Infiniti Project Black S is the basis for all future electrified vehicles from the brand.
“The Project Black S represents the very top end of electrification in the Alliance portfolio, and is another example of Infiniti’s entrepreneurial spirit on its journey to electrification from 2021 onward,” Krueger said. “A collaborative venture between Infiniti and the Renault Sport Formula One Team, the Project Black S prototype is a testbed for new ideas and technologies, demonstrating how our Alliance partnerships could make our ambitious visions a reality.”
And besides, the Nissan GT-R is no spring chicken, if you catch my drift. I can think of no other car in the alliance that can go as wildly as the Project Black S.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
Infiniti Project Black S Gallery

Photos & Source: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/infiniti-project-black-s-godzilla-slayer/