Automotive

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring Review: Fabulous & Fun

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring Review: Fabulous & Fun 97Stellar 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand TouringOverall ImpressionStill hard to beat after all these years.RF doesn't sacrifice the fun-to-drive character.ProsPrice PointRide & HandlingConsLimited Cargo SpaceHeavier Than The Soft TopThe Mazda Miata has been around for 30 years and the new MX-5 stays true to what made the drop-top so popular among enthusiasts. What’s better than dropping the top and going for a spin on the weekend? For around $35,000 you can have a dynamic sports car that’s second to none. We recently drove the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring with the Power Retractable Hard Top. And it didn’t disappoint.
Our tester came with a sweet six-speed manual, proving the MX-5 is still a driver’s car. Let’s just say we enjoyed the manual gearbox to the fullest!
What’s New For 2019
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata gets an updated engine with more power and a higher redline. The steering wheel now telescopes to better accommodate all drivers. Mazda also added new safety features, including Smart City Support and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Features & Options: Nice But Not Necessary
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF Grand Touring ($33,335) is equipped with adaptive headlights, heated leather seats, a cloth-lined top, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic climate control, and automatic wipers. Mazda even threw in a navigation system. These features are certinately nice to have but strike us as contradictory to the Miata’s elemental nature. Then again, a power-folding top isn’t exactly simple either.
Our Grand Touring tester came with the optional GT-S package ($750) that added a front shock tower brace, limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers, and a black-painted roof. The new i-Activsense package of safety features also came on our Miata.
Total MSRP including destination: $35,405. By contrast, the 2019 MX-5 Sport starts at $25,730 with a manual transmission; $27,080 with an automatic. The Sport is only available as a soft top.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF.
Overall, the interior quality and appearance are far beyond what loyal followers will remember from previous generations.Click To TweetInterior Highlights: Marked Improvements
The cockpit’s fit-and-finish is tight and well-designed, with better material quality than past models. The Grand Touring’s leather seats are comfortable and the driver’s seat has a height-adjuster, making it perfect for those who want to sit up a bit higher. Overall, the interior quality and appearance are far beyond what loyal followers will remember from previous generations.
Once inside, the cockpit is roomier than it looks from the outside. The new Miata grew in all dimensions and we could tell there was more rearward seat travel. That makes it easier for taller drivers to adjust the seat far enough back. A six-footer still has a notch or two of travel left.
Interior Highlights: Wind In Your Hair!
Our 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF tester came with the Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT). The composite roof is convenient in that it lowers quickly via a button. Although, the biggest benefit of the hard top is the quieter ride: it reduces wind noise considerably versus a soft top. Even over the bumpy dirt road leading to my house, the hard top was relatively squeak-free with minimal outside noise.
And it only adds about 80 lbs. to an otherwise very light car.
It’s easy to operate. While in neutral, you just pop the inside handle at the top of the windshield; then touch a button on the dash, and in 13 seconds the top lowers itself into the trunk space. The roof does not reduce trunk space either.

The new #MX5 #Miata stays true to what made the drop-top so popular among enthusiasts. Click To TweetEngine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine now revs to 7,500 rpm, cranking out 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft. of torque in the process. Miata fans may know that’s 26 more horsepower and three more lb-ft. of torque than last year. The new Miata sends the power to the rear wheels making it a true sports car. The revised final drive ratio from 3.454 to 3.583 makes for stronger acceleration.
Of course, adding to that true sports car feel was the the six-speed manual gearbox.
Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 26/34 city/highway and 29 combined with the manual transmission. By comparison, the six-speed automatic returns 26/35 city/highway and 29 combined. For only a marginal gain on the highway, and considering the higher starting price of the automatic, we think the manual is the better choice.
Total weight for the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes in at 2,453 lbs.

The #MX5 #Miata hugs the lines and handles like it's on rials!Click To TweetDriving Dynamics: Tight Corners & Short Throws
On the open road is where you can fully enjoy the MX-5’s reason for being. With the top down and the engine running on the twisty mountain highways, this roadster is hard to beat. The rear-drive Mazda MX-5 has an ideal weight distribution of 50:50. This alone preserves the excellent agility and balanced handling that has made this a favorite among enthusiasts for decades.
The Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S rear-wheel drive coupes are the closest to the MX-5 in terms of driving fun, but they don’t offer a convertible.
The MX-5’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder revs freely and delivers good throttle response when you need it. The six-speed manual gearbox is the right choice if you like to drive. Mazda’s six-speed is one of the best manuals in the industry and worked flawlessly with the high-revving 2.0-liter powerplant. We thought it was easy to find the right gear with the short throws.
Related: Could the Miata outpace one of history’s top muscle cars?

Driving Dynamics: On The Rails
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata has a wider track and lower center of gravity that enables it to corner flatter than you would think is possible. The Miata has always been a favorite car to take to the track. The next best thing for us, however, were the Colorado mountains. We took some tight corners at high speeds but the roadster held the curves without any body roll, staying flat and balanced the entire time.
Our MX-5 tester came with the optional sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks. With this upgrade, the MX-5 hugs the lines and handles like it’s on rials!
Unfortunately, we had the rear-drive sports car right before a winter snowstorm hit the Denver area. Luckily, this tester came with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires which we would highly recommend for snow and ice. We were able to make it home safely before the snow piled up too deep.
And we were thankful we had a go at some dry roads before the snow fell!

Conclusion: Affordable & Fun
The two-seat, 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF offers top-down driving enjoyment that much more expensive sports cars can’t exceed. Mazda has engineered an exceptional, affordable sports car that’s hard to beat. To this day, the Miata is still attractively priced and relatively easy to maintain; nor will it break your wallet at the gas pump.
We would recommend the RF with the Power Retractable Hard Top since it offers reduced wind noise and increased security.
For those wanting a sports car that offers excellent acceleration and braking; precise gearbox operation and suspension dynamics, the MX-5 Miata is an obvious choice. On the fun-to-drive meter, few can surpass it.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
Mazda MX-5 Miata Fun Facts
Debut: 1989 Chicago Auto Show
RF: Stands for “Retractable Fastback”
5,000: Number of Miatas Raced Globally
April 2016: One Millionth Miata Produced
Weight Savings Per Component Versus 2018
Driveshaft: 3 lbs.
Suspension: 26 lbs.
Front Rotors: 14 lbs.
Transmission: 16 lbs.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Gallery

Photos: Mazda North American Operations (additional models shown).

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2020 Volvo XC40 Redesign, Price, Release Date

The Volvo XC40 has been all-new for 2019, but according to to the hottest information, the company must introduce 2020 Volvo XC40. The most recent Volvo is anticipated to acquire minimal modifications compared to the new model, which can mainly be observed over the technologies front and perhaps some new colors. Furthermore, it will likely be readily available in two variants as in advance of and these are T5 and T4 Designs.

2020 Volvo XC40 Interior

The new interior on the new generation Volvo XC40 seems to be pretty much like that of its larger siblings and that’s not a bad matter. The new Volvo XC40 gets the identical portrait-mode infotainment process, digital instrument cluster, and even similar seats.

Just like the 2019 model year, the new generation 2020 Volvo XC40 will look like a smaller version of its larger siblings, the Volvo XC90 and Volvo XC60 models. It features a rugged but in the identical time modern-day physical appearance. The whole physique is dominated by angular lines and sharp edges. The front finish will wear the acquainted Thor’s hammer headlamps outfitted with new LED lighting and well-known grille. The R-Design model will get the one of a kind “R-Design” emblem. Furthermore, the rear finish will get LED taillights, dual exhaust outlets, as well as a standard electrical power tailgate. 2020 Volvo XC40 will ride to the regular 18-inch wheels. Having said that, the larger 19-inch wheels will probably be optional. The new LED fog lights may also be optional. Furthermore, the 2020 Volvo XC40 Momentum will obtain a white contrast roof. As well as the R-Design designs might be available using a black roof.

Read More : 2020 Acura RDX Release Date and Redesign

Engine Performance

How about the engine, the new generation 2020 Volvo XC40 is set to receive a selection of 3-cylinder engines produced from Volvo’s 2.0 liter inline 4 mills. The new model Volvo XC40 will probably boast a 1.5 liter 3-cylinder great for something in between 135 and 185 hp. A far more powerful supercharged and turbocharged version of your exact same engine with all over 205 hp is additionally a serious chance.

2020 Volvo XC40 Release Date and Price

Our estimate of 2020 Volvo XC40 will be released early in the year 2020, we hope this car began sale in June 2020. For the price, we do not have information that is so true.

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Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 1: Walking With Blaine

Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 1: Walking With Blaine Viaduct Elegy is a four-part series from Automoblog feature columnist Tony Borroz, who broke the law in preparation for writing it. He is a Seattle native and author of The 2018 Indy 500 Notebook and Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Tony grew up in a sportscar-oriented family, but sadly, they were British cars.
Finally, finally, finally they are tearing down the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a colossal, monumentally-ugly, seismically-catastrophic piece of transportation “infrastructure” that has been a scar on the face of Seattle for the better part of a friggin’ century.
And yesterday I walked on it at sunset with an old friend, apparently breaking the law.
Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 1: Walking With Blaine
Most of my friends are artists. Painters, sculptors, photographers, raconteurs, theater types, dancers, gallery impresarios, experience technicians, graphic-novel slingers, art professors, filmmakers, experimental composers; a clan of asymmetric polymath misfits that fit in nowhere else but The Art World.
Chief among these is my friend Blaine. I’ve known him since college, when we were in a punk band together. He taught me to skate. He’s a good guitarist and an even better graphic designer, having a savant-like affinity for fonts and what “looks” and “works” and what would not do either justice. Spending time with Blaine, especially when we’re going from gallery to gallery, is a non-stop conversation about art. What it is and how it works. How it doesn’t work. How this painting fits in with what trends are going on, locally, globally, and historically. Blaine’s commentary is to the point and efficient. It’s the kind of conversation that two mechanics would have; we’re both speaking the same language and we use a lot of shortcuts.
“Well, no, not Picasso so much – Look, I’m not saying the guy shouldn’t go all Guernica, but . . . ”
Northwestern Charm & The End Times
Blaine has an arid sense of humor I always figured he picked up from his dad, a former fighter pilot and commander of a wing of intercontinental ballistic missiles. That drawled-out, dry punch line is never emphasized, only hinted at. His entire family are wise-cracking wisenheimers, and that trait landed on Blaine pretty hard. This is also a trait shared by most Northwesterners. It’s a great way to counteract the abysmal weather and to start bar fights with crab fishermen.
So, here we are, walking through downtown Seattle on a fine, sunny Saturday afternoon. Everything is eerily quiet and rather sparsely populated. Most times, there would be people out in droves, but on this weekend, the city, civic leaders, roadway engineers, priests, rabbis, and ministers all cried out “Stay away from downtown Seattle! Traffic will be terrible. The end is nigh! The Viaduct is closing!”
Smart people seemed to listen. Blaine and I did not.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct was an elevated freeway in Seattle that supported State Route 99. The double-deck freeway ran north and south, along the city’s waterfront for 2.2 miles, east of Alaskan Way and Elliott Bay, and between the West Seattle Freeway in SoDo and the Battery Street Tunnel in Belltown. Construction consisted of three phases from 1949 through 1959, with the first section opening on April 4th, 1953. Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives.
Weasel’s Paradise
The lack of traffic did make getting around much easier. We could jaywalk with much more impunity. We were doing just that, ambling up Western Avenue, just out of the hulking shadow of The Viaduct, past the 619 building – a previously wonderful, old industrial building chocked full of artist’s studios. That only lasted until a few years back when the city declared the entire place unsafe, ran out scores of long-time artists in residence like so many bums . . . then turned right around, sold it to developers who renovated the place, jacked up the rents, and made money as quick as their Seattle ancestors sold gold panning equipment for 1,000 percent over retail 120 years ago.
Screwing people over, even if they are literally your neighbors, is a fine, fine Seattle tradition. It dates back to the founders of the place, the Mercers and the Dennys et al. when they twisted the Native Americans out of literally everything they had. And don’t get me started on how they treated Tacoma. Or that time they nearly started a war with Canada because the Mayor stole some totem poles from Vancouver.
“So where’d everybody go to?” I asked about the former inhabitants of the 619 Building.
“Georgetown, ” Blaine said. “Or Tacoma. Or Ballard.”
I was thinking about this eternal struggle of artists, of how you are always looking for cheap studio space, when Blaine suddenly stopped and turned to his left, “Hey, there’re people walking on The Viaduct.”
It was a party atmosphere amongst the people. Lots of groups of three and four and five people wandering here and there, taking selfies, posting to Instagram, on FaceTime with friends around the world. “Dude! Check this out! I’m walking on The Viaduct. No man, right now! Photo: Tony Borroz.
The lack of traffic did make getting around much easier. We could jaywalk with much more impunity.Click To TweetJesus Is Just Alright
There were a bunch of people, wandering on what used to be, and I mean less than 24 hours ago, a sort of junior freeway, three lanes northbound, and three lanes southbound on the lower deck. Now, it was completely closed off. Soon, within days, the jackhammers and big claws and such would start tearing into it like sharks into a whale carcass. Some months in the future, it will be completely gone.
Blaine and I glanced at one another, but we didn’t even have to say it. We just started walking and working our way up to the Seneca Street off-ramp, about three-and-a-half blocks away. Here’s a funny thing about Seattle: The big streets downtown are named, South to North, Jefferson, James, Cherry, Columbia, Marion, Madison, Spring, Seneca, University, Union, Pike, and Pine, their first letters matching in pairs: J, C, M, S, U and P. Or “Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest.”
Yes, they did it on purpose. Yes, it was the idea of “city leaders.”
See, we’ve always been like this.
Seattle waterfront and skyline, circa 1952. Photo: Engineering Department Photographic Negatives, Seattle Municipal Archives.
Soon, within days, the jackhammers and big claws and such would start tearing into it like sharks into a whale carcass.Click To TweetMiddle Earth, Grunge Bands & Tech Billionaires
As we approached the Seneca off-ramp – one of only two ways off The Viaduct once you’re driving on it – we could see more people milling around on the upper deck. 100 . . . 150 . . . 200 . . . a lot more than I expected. At the bottom of the ramp where it meets First Avenue were sections of cyclone fence, and some not-very-threatening yellow tape admonishing us with “\DANGER///CONSTRUCTION///” There were a dozen or so PG&E workers severing power lines, a couple of bored cops, and a gap just big enough to walk through.
It wasn’t even a question. Over the years, Blaine and I have broken into so many parking garages, derelict buildings, movie shooting locations, punk venues (later escaping from those same punk venues), that blatantly disrespecting the authority of a length of yellow tape was easy. Besides nobody batted an eye.
We walked up the slight slope and onto the road deck itself. This is always a surreal experience. I should mention, this is not the first time I’ve done something like this, just the first time in this location. From a walking perspective, the place seemed wide open and flat.
You’re about 100 feet up in the air, facing directly West, right into the sunset over Alki Point in West Seattle. Sure, the weather is terrible and the city is screwed up, but it is very pretty around here.
Picture Middle Earth only with grunge bands and tech billionaires, and you’ll get the picture.
Performers at the 1974 Bumbershoot music festival. Photo: Item 77477, Bumbershoot Festival Records (Record Series 5807-05), Seattle Municipal Archives.
Picture Middle Earth only with grunge bands and tech billionaires, and you'll get the picture.Click To TweetThe Abyss of Seattle
Blaine stops and looks down at an expansion joint – I’m sorry, I mean he stopped and looked down through an expansion joint. Yes, it was cold, but not that cold. You could clearly see through the upper deck, then through the lower deck, and then to the surface of Alaskan Way below. The gap was huge, easily the width of my hand. Big pieces of the angle iron that faced the expansion joints were missing. Divots on either side of the gap were as big as loafs of bread. The road deck was rutted and grooved. There was a pothole deep enough to swallow my entire right foot.
And it wasn’t just this section, it was the entire length of The Viaduct – on both decks – that was chewed up like this.
Now on top of this, add a constant drizzle of rain on a 41 degree “day” and 10,000 angry, late, muddled, timid, unfocused, distracted (“the view”!), confused drivers, and you can imagine the Mad Max like texture a daily commute would bring. And with all those divots, potholes, expansion joints, poor expansion joints, lethal expansion joints, and sometimes good expansion joints, the grooves, ruts, spray from semi trucks and buses, and a road surface made out of greasy concrete and stone aggregate – well, you can guess what grip and traction were like.
And yet, overall, day-to-day usability is not what led to the demise of The Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Viaduct Elegy: Chapter Two: The New Colossus will be published here on Automoblog on Friday, February 9th, 2019. In the meantime, follow Tony Borroz on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. For more historic photos of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the city of Seattle, visit the Seattle Municipal Archive’s Flickr page.

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What To Say When Someone Asks “Can I Borrow Your Miata?”

What To Say When Someone Asks “Can I Borrow Your Miata?”

You know, this is serious business, this car world we gearheads inhabit. Our discussions are momentous. The faults we find in ourselves and others can have lifelong repercussions. Don’t get us started on the Serious. Technical. Flaws. that still bother us in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. So it’s nice when a car company decides to have a little fun. Especially when that bit of humor actually helps to answer A. Very. Serious. Question. How to respond when someone asks “can I borrow your Miata?”
Important Decisions
Now, to me, this is the absolute peak of Very. Serious. Questions. Yes, it’s because I am a gearhead, and even more so, it is because I am a Miata owner. Asking to borrow someone’s car is like asking to borrow their surfboard or their guitar or their spouse. It is a bad idea, nine times out of ten, and that tenth time better involve your house being on fire, the Mafia ransoming your cat, and Jason Momoa running off with your wife all in the same afternoon. If you ask to borrow my car, specifically my Miata, my response would involve a swift and righteous swing of that jeroboam of champagne up-side your fool head for even thinking about . . . just a second . . . got to cool down . . . go to my happy place . . . calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean . . . ah, there, that’s better.
What was I saying? Yes. Car companies with a sense of humor.
“When the original MX-5 Miata made its world debut on a frigid morning at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, few could have imagined its importance – and staying power – for the automotive industry,” reads a description on the car from Mazda. Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Funny Business
Mazda, the Hiroshima-based automotive concern that pretty much singlehandedly saved the lightweight sports car from oblivion in 1990, is the subject of a new, rather hysterical decision tree graphic to help you figure out if you should ever lend your Miata to someone. The whole thing was cooked up by RealMazdaParts.com, one of the largest online retailers of OEM Mazda replacement parts and accessories, and it’s hilariously tongue-in-cheek. The flow chart exists to help “Miata owners make an educated decision about whether or not to loan their car to a friend.” They correctly label the whole procedure as being “stress-inducing” and they got that right. But an educated decision? How educated do you have to be?
It turns out there are, well, let’s call them subtleties involved in sussing out the potential dangers of whom you’re loaning your Miata to. Bob Cockerham, Director of RealMazdaParts.com wisely says, “for instance, if your friend used to be a professional BMX racer, that’s probably not someone you want to hand the keys to.” No duh, Sherlock. Cockerham elaborates: “if that friend has a 4-a-day energy drink habit and owns the The Fast and the Furious box set, the decision tree indicates that you would be wise to decline.”
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Bottom Line
If a “friend” of mine owns that box set and consumes Red Bulls at a 4-a-day rate, I’d be reconsidering the entire friendship; unless that box set is owned ironically and they’re an IT professional. In which case that 4-a-day habit strikes me as being a little on the low side. Cutting to the chase, Cockerham sums the whole question up thusly: “According to our decision tree, there’s never a good reason to lend your Miata. To anyone. Ever.”
Please note this decision tree from RealMazdaParts.com only applies to Miatas. If you own a pickup, wagon, or van you are already (or will soon be) very used to handing the keys over to “friends” you didn’t even know you had.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

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New Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 = GO!

New Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 = GO!

It seems some of the diehard gearheads at Ford just couldn’t leave well enough alone and decided to trim out the Mustang GT a little further. Ford pretty much states this right up front with the apologia: “Passionate Mustang Team Works After-Hours to Create New Performance Pack for Ultimate Road-Hugging Thrill Ride.” Which is a rather polite way of saying, “the kids were playing around in the garage again, but what they came up with is pretty good, so we decided to go with it.”
Or to be a little more definitive, say hello to the new Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2, which slots between the GT Performance Pack and the full blown GT350.
Mad Men
How the Performance Pack Level 2 came to happen actually reads like a who’s who of Ford tech gurus, wrench turners, and grease monkeys. Tom Barnes, Mustang Vehicle Engineering Manager, signed off on the whole deal with a jaunty, “a passion to create something special is what really drove this project. And that really showed in the off-the-clock way we went about doing our work.”
The whole project was spearheaded by Tire and Wheel Engineer Chauncy Eggleston who led the development of the unique, 19-inch wheels that provide notable steering and handling improvements. Jonathan Gesek, another Mustang veteran and former aerodynamics specialist at NASA, lead the development of a high-performance front splitter and rear spoiler. Jamie Cullen, Ford Supervisor for Vehicle Dynamics Development, was in charge of road test efforts to tie the whole thing together.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Special Attributes
The 2018 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 features a unique chassis, special antilock brake tuning, unique stability control, electric power-assisted steering, Brembo six-piston front brake calipers with larger rotors, a special k-brace, larger radiator, silver-painted strut tower brace, and a TORSEN rear differential with a 3.73 axle ratio. Other highlights include the lower stance, the redesigned front splitter and rear spoiler, and 305/30/R19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, wrapped around split-fitment aluminum wheels – 19×10.5-inch front and 19×11-inch rear. Does split-fitment mean they are a two-piece thing? Dunno but that’s kind of a nice retro deal right there.
The new tires are one-and-a-half inches wider than the Level 1 skins and provide a firmer grip. And, since they’re bigger, that lead to the retuned chassis that put the car more than a half-inch closer to the pavement. The package is available exclusively with a manual transmission. Huzzah I say huzzah!
Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Ride & Handling
That new chassis also features custom tuned MagneRide dampers and a quicker steering calibration for better response. Other improvements include a 67 percent stiffer rear stabilizer bar, a 12 percent stiffer front stabilizer bar, 20 percent stiffer front springs, and rear springs that are 13 percent stiffer. Ford says this contributes to a more stable ride around corners with less body roll, to which I say “doi!” and I’ll also add that it will probably ride rougher and be more jarring. But I was always okay with that.
Aerodynamic Magic
The aero upgrades all center around the larger and lower front splitter and redesigned rear spoiler. The splitter is a variation based on the splitter from the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. Mustang engineers attached the piece to the underside of the front that fans out as much as 3 inches around the corners of the Mustang GT. The bottom line is about 24 pounds of downforce at 80 mph. To balance that out, a subtle redesigned rear spoiler stretches across the decklid to hold the rear down. During the development phase, the aero team even went so far as to rapid-prototype various rear spoilers using a 3D printer for faster turnaround times.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Distinguishing Traits
The only way to tell you’re dealing with a new Performance Pack Level 2 Mustang is the black detailing on the splitter and spoiler, the tire spat on the back edge of the rear wheel wells, and the 10-spoke Dark Tarnish (sheesh!) wheels. An optional extra (well worth it, if you ask me) for gearheads who buy the Level 2 Pack are Recaro seats in either leather or cloth, so you don’t slop all over the place while cornering.
The New Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 will reach North American Ford showrooms this spring, so you might want to get in line now.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 Gallery

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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2018 Porsche 718 GTS: The Cayman With A Sharper Bite

2018 Porsche 718 GTS: The Cayman With A Sharper Bite

Porsche’s 718 models are, essentially, hot rod versions of their rather sublime Boxter and Cayman mid-engine sports cars. The fact that they’ve designated them “718” is rather worrying and confusing for me, since I don’t follow the logic here. And, c’mon here guys, you’re German. If you can’t be logical with numbering conventions, then what’s the world coming to? What is not troublesome in the slightest, is the indisputable fact the 918, and most especially the 911 GT2 RS, haul the mail like an impatient Messerschmitt Me 262.
Power & Performance
The mid-engine 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman model lines now have a new GTS version. For those of you that don’t know this already, a Cayman is just the hardtop version of a Boxster (and is theoretically “better” since it has greater torsional rigidity). The main difference between the 718 and the new GTS is power. As in there’s more of it.
A reworked intake plenum and an optimized turbocharger gets you 15 horsepower more than on the S models of the 718, and a 35 horsepower boost over the previous generation of the naturally aspirated Boxster and Cayman GTS. The grand total of ponies emanating from the 2.5 liter, flat-four cylinder engine is now up to 365. Nice! The new GTS spinoffs come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, just like all 718 model variants, so you “stick shift or die” luddites should be happy. If you’re okay with changing cogs a better way, there’s a seven-speed Porsche PDK dual-clutch transmission available to order.
The GTS doesn’t stop there, oh no. There’s a batch of performance-enhancing options presented for your driving gratification. There’s Porsche Torque Vectoring with a mechanical rear-differential lock, which is near-magic in mid-corner on out power application. The Sport Chrono Package is standard on the GTS models along with Porsche Active Suspension Management, which drops the ride height by 0.39 inches (10 millimeters for you non-Americans) over the standard suspension on other 718 Boxster and Cayman models.
Along with that 365 horsepower (a pony per day!) max torque is a healthy 317 lb-ft. You “only” get 309 lb-ft. on manual transmission models, which is yet another reason to go with the PDK semi-auto box. All that grunt is available across a broad power band from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm, which further improves acceleration and adds to the inherent fun of “aim it and squeeze the trigger.” Both GTS models go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and top out at 180 mph.
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Exterior Design
Just so you know, the GTS isn’t a full sleeper; there’s some design cues here and there to tip you off. Porsche says the “Sport Design front fascia” emphasizes the performance of the car, along with the tinted front indicators and taillights. The model designations, that’s the script that says “GTS” and such, is done up in black, along with a black lower rear fascia, and black tips on the centrally mounted Sport Exhaust System. There’s also black GTS designations on the doors and matte black 20-inch wheels to complete the appearance.
Interior Treatments
The interior has the standard Sport Chrono Package centrally mounted on the dash. The seat centers are made of Alcantara and feature an embroidered GTS logo on the headrests, which is a nice touch. The chairs deliver high lateral support to go along with the heightened performance capabilities, but they’re also comfortable for longer drives. Alcantara also graces the steering wheel rim, center console armrest, and door armrests.
If you order the optional Navigation Module and Connect Plus Packages, the Porsche Track Precision App is included with the standard Sport Chrono Package. This app automatically records, displays, and analyzes driving data “obtained on closed courses” via your smartphone. Honestly, I’m not sure if it only works on tracks, or if you could use it any time you want. I could see where the Porsche legal team would want to slant things this way, though. Imagine if you started goofing around with your Porsche Track Precision App to, oh, let’s say “optimize” your daily commute. Nope. Let’s not imagine that.
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
So, you slavering gearheads, you’re probably already asking yourselves: “How much? When can I get one? How much? When can I get one? How much? When can I get one?” Calm down, calm down! You can get a 2018 Porsche 718 GTS now and the price is not all that ghastly. $79,800 for the 718 Cayman GTS and $81,900 718 Boxster GTS. Or, if you want to look at it this way, about what a nicely optioned Corvette would go for. So, like I said, it’s not outrageously expensive and, given how well behaved and fast these things are, well worth your consideration.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Gallery

Photos & Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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Pie In The Sky: Chevy & Domino’s Create In-Vehicle Pizza-Ordering Tech

Pie In The Sky: Chevy & Domino’s Create In-Vehicle Pizza-Ordering Tech Chevrolet and Domino’s are now offering in-vehicle ordering via GM’s Marketplace platform.
Drivers create their “Pizza Profile” and use that to place orders for either carry-out or delivery.
While useful, we’re not entirely sold on the idea when we have smartphones and mobile apps.
“Chevy is the first automotive brand to provide embedded in-vehicle pizza-ordering,” they cried. “Why?” I muttered in response. Basically, what we’re dealing with here (and “dealing with it” is about all I can handle at the moment) is Chevrolet partnering with Domino’s to provide people who own Chevys the ability to order pizza directly from their car’s touchscreen. It’s not all that dissimilar from what Domino’s and Ford did two years ago, partnering to examine how self-driving cars impact pizza delivery.
How Do I Order Pizza From My Car?
This in-car, pizza on-demand is part of the Chevrolet Marketplace, a commercial platform GM launched near the end of 2017. It allows Chevy owners to buy stuff, essentially. Marketplace can order coffee and food (pizza in this case), find gas stations, make dinner reservations and so on. Chevy says Marketplace is the industry’s first in-vehicle commerce platform. Marketing types – being who they are – tout this like it’s the best technological innovation since the space-saver spare.
“Millions of eligible Chevrolet drivers can now order their favorite Domino’s pizza from their in-vehicle touchscreen,” reads a recent press release. “So it’s ready for carry-out when they get to the store or will arrive at their home if they choose delivery.”
Which isn’t that impressive of an achievement. What Chevy and Domino’s are offering is a one-touch (really a few touches) ordering of America’s favorite Italian food. So sure, that does take out the arduous task of actually having to dial and speak to another human on the phone. But you could do that with an app, you know, like the one Dominos and other national pizza chains already have.
Chevy’s big mistake is the same one a number of automakers are committing today. They keep trying to make your car do something that other devices already do, and do much better. When I read that quote above, after tripping over the caveat of “eligible,” my immediate reaction was can’t we already do that on our phones? The answer is yes. Yes we can.
To place orders through Marketplace, users set up a free Pizza Profile with Domino’s, either online or through the Domino’s mobile app. Photo: Chevrolet.
Related: I tested GM’s controversial Marketplace app: Here’s what I found.
But No Phone Necessary
Chevy explains the machinations of the system: you can save your favorite orders and review past ones from the Domino’s Pizza Profile and, with a few screen taps, place those orders again. Easy-peasy. And here’s where Chevy unwittingly points out the system’s failing, saying how it works independently of any mobile device.
But Why? What on earth is the point of that? Anyone with basic capabilities and some causal reasoning is already thinking: “I can do this with my phone, what’s the big deal?” Let me answer that: It’s not. This is not a big deal. Chevy wants you to think it’s a big deal the same way Domino’s wants you to think it’s actually pizza.
This is, like most tech innovations these days, solving a problem that never really existed in the first place, and doing so in a cumbersome and intrusive way. And some of these tech “solutions” create more problems than they actually solve. Carlos A. Alvarenga, Senior Research Fellow and Adjunct Professor in the Logistics, Business, and Public Policy Department at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, dubs this as the Linn Effect.
Within Marketplace, customers place a saved order or a recent one from their Domino’s Pizza Profile. Photo: Chevrolet.
Pie In The Sky
To wit, and I quote from the press release: “To place pizza orders through Marketplace, users first need to set up a free Pizza Profile with Domino’s, either online or through their Domino’s mobile app. The profile will include their preferred delivery address, preferred stores and payment method information, as well the chance to create and save their favorite order as an Easy Order. Through Marketplace, users will link their Pizza Profile to their vehicle, allowing for simple ordering in the future.”
So, let me get this straight. I set up my Pizza Profile, handing over personal information to a large corporation, like where I eat, where I buy their food, how I pay for it etc. Then save a bunch of my preferences for what I like to eat (more big data to get crunched, sifted, and sold); and then all this information links with another corporation that chains it to a specific vehicle. And then, when I’m driving and I say to myself, “Boy a pizza sure sounds good,” I open the app, tap a few buttons, and all my pizza dreams will come true!
Or, I can go through the debilitating and draining task of picking up my phone and saying, “Yeah, this is Tony. I’d like a medium pizza with Italian sausage and onions to go. Okay, thanks.” I do declare, how did we ever survive such hardships?!
Only in America could a couple of companies come up with such a semi-laughable way to get more personal data; target and track you, yet spin it as a benefit and expect people to say, “Cool!” Of course, there is a percentage that will think it’s cool, but I honestly don’t know how to help you at this point if you do.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Cars Are Not (And Should Never Be) Phones
Manufacturers have to stop trying to make their cars act like smartphones. Know why? Because smartphones already act like smartphones. That ship has sailed. The fact Chevy did this raises the awful specter that one of two things happened in a planning meeting one day in Detroit. Either someone said “Gee, it sure would be cool if my car could order pizza for me.” Or the much more likely scenario: someone said, “How can we leverage our customer base to get more demographic and purchasing data out of them, then sell that off as another revenue stream?”
Like I said, most tech innovations today solve problems that never really existed in the first place. And don’t get me started on what counts as “pizza” in the boardrooms at Domino’s.
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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Does Your Favorite Football Team Have A Matching Vehicle?

Does Your Favorite Football Team Have A Matching Vehicle? Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will host Super Bowl LIII this weekend. An ambitious Los Angeles Rams team will face the mighty New England Patriots, a contest even super computers are analyzing. With football fever in the air, the staff at All-Fit Automotive sought to find vehicles for each NFL team. Some were rather easy, like the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars, but others required a little more digging.
“Some of the cars I’d never heard of before,” admits A.J. Dudon, CEO of All-Fit Automotive.
Here is a look at what All-Fit Automotive found.
AFC West
The Ford Bronco immediately springs to mind here. Although they took a pounding at the hands of Joe Montana and the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV, John Elway and his troops would emerge for back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998. The Denver Broncos returned to the Super Bowl more recently with Peyton Manning.
Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Dodge Charger and the San Diego . . . er . . . Los Angeles Chargers share a common history. The Dodge Charger actually made its debut in Southern California, being introduced at the 1966 Rose Bowl.
1968 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi. Photo: From The Art of Mopar by Tom Glatch, published by Motorbooks.
AFC South
Remember the Titans! But never forget the Oilers! The Tennessee Titans, who share their name with Nissan’s flagship truck, battled the St. Louis Rams during Super Bowl XXXIV in January of 2000. It remains the Titans only Super Bowl appearance but marked the first championship for a Rams team lead by quarterback Kurt Warner. Despite the Rams having “The Greatest Show On Turf” with regard to their offense, Super Bowl XXXIV was largely a defensive affair.
The AFC South also houses the Jacksonville Jaguars, who appeared in 1995 as one of two expansion teams that year. The connection here is easy – Jaguars football, Jaguar automobiles – but it goes beyond the obvious. Jaguars owner Shahid Khan has long-standing roots in the automotive business. The now billionaire put himself through school at the University of Illinois while working at Flex-N-Gate.
Today, Khan owns the automotive manufacturing company he worked at in college.
Nissan Titan with a factory lift kit. Photo: Nissan North America.
AFC East
Holding down the AFC East is the Muntz Jet, a sleek and sporty offering for its day. Hagerty details the story of one Frank Kurtis, an IndyCar builder who later sold his auto company to Earl William “Madman” Muntz. The pitchman’s vision for the car differed greatly from that of Kurtis who wanted the vehicles to become the American equivalent of Jaguar. Under Muntz, the Jet came with a host of interior arrangements that included alligator, emu, leopard, or snake skin, and even a cocktail bar.
Although a money loser, Muntz claimed the company built nearly 400 Jets, although that number is disputed by historians. Regardless, there are even less Joe Namaths. That is to say there is only one. Imagine Broadway Joe rolling through New York City in one of these collectibles?
“Once we found a vehicle, we tried to place a star quarterback or popular coach behind the wheel,” Dudon said.
1953 Muntz Jet Convertible.
AFC North
Over in the AFC North, the Sunbeam Tiger is similar to the Cincinnati Bengals. As for the Cleveland Browns? For better or worse, not a single automaker (that we are aware of) ever debuted a concept car called “The Brown.”
NFC West
Ram Trucks and the Los Angeles Rams naturally, both of which have done their fair share of moving and shaking. The NFL team started as the Cleveland Rams in 1936, then moved to Los Angeles in 1946; St. Louis in 1995, then back to L.A. in 2016.
As for Ram Trucks, they were originally just Dodge trucks with a Ram hood ornament as far back as the 1930s. By the 1980s, they evolved into Dodge Ram trucks, finally becoming their own division in 2010.
2019 Ram 1500 North Edition. Photo: FCA US LLC.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings fans have felt that “so close, yet so far” pain for seasons on end now. The franchise has been to four Super Bowls but has yet to secure a championship. To add insult to injury, Vikings fans have endured six NFC Championship Game losses since 1978. While there is still hope for the Minnesota Vikings, the General Motors Viking not so much.
The original Viking was actually an Oldsmobile built on the automaker’s GM B platform. The Viking car survived only a few years, being adopted by Chevrolet who slapped the namesake on the side of a medium duty truck in 1958. But the Viking truck soon faded into the annals of automotive history. Neither of these “Vikings” could match the longevity of Bud Grant, the iconic Minnesota Vikings head coach (1967-83 then ’85).
Given his reputation for frugality, if he owned either of these vehicles, he probably still has it.
Skol!
Oldsmobile Viking advertisement, May 1929, Saturday Evening Post.
NFC South & East
The Ford Falcon enjoyed a solid production run between 1960 and 1970, and configurations were endless. The Falcon was offered as a two-door or four-door sedan; two-door or four-door station wagon; and as a hardtop or convertible. Even a Ranchero pickup option existed. Whiz Kid Robert McNamara, later the U.S. Secretary of Defense, oversaw the Falcon’s development at a time when Ford was struggling. The “Whiz Kids” were ten USAAF World War II veterans who became Ford executives in 1946 at the behest of Henry Ford II.
The NFC South Atlanta Falcons have their own nicknames: “Grits Blitz” describing their late 70s defense and the more affectionate “Dirty Birds.”
Over in the NFC South the AMC Eagle pairs nicely with the Philadelphia Eagles. Surprisingly, there isn’t a rugged work truck named for America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys.
The final AMC cars were the 1988 Eagles. Production was completed by the end of 1987. Photo: From American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America’s Last Independent Automaker by Patrick Foster, published by Motorbooks.
Putting It On The Gridiron
All-Fit Automotive complied everything into the graph below, with one you can share on social media here.
“There are a lot of vehicles in the world, so it’s possible we missed one,” Dudon said. “Maybe this chart will inspire car names for another generation of automobiles. Who knows?”
Carl Anthony 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. Before returning to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry.

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2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE & The Power of Ten

2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE & The Power of Ten Just when you thought the Detroit Auto Show was over, Chevy drops a rather nice surprise on us. Say hello to the 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE, “the fastest, most track-capable Camaro ever.” You pretty much had me at “fastest,” but then you had to add “most track-capable Camaro ever.”
Track capable you say?
And wait, what’s this about a new transmission? Now you tell us!?
Money Pits & Stop Watches
Look, I’m not much of a track guy. I like going to tracks – love going to tracks, actually – but getting out there in my own car and running around is not my bag, man. There’s a bunch of reasons for this. It’s expensive, for one thing. You burn up tons of cash on stuff you wouldn’t normally think of as “consumables.” Stuff like tires and brake pads and discs. At some tracks, you can go through a full set of all three in a weekend!
I’m a writer man, I don’t make that much money. But really, it’s because I’m slow. Sure, it’s fun to think I’m the next best thing to Mario Andretti, but that stop watch don’t lie.
But lots of you do like to spend time at tracks. I get the appeal: Go fast, no tickets. Hard to argue with that. So say you’re a track geek with a bent for American iron. Corvette? Sure, plenty of those at a track. But want something different? Might I suggest a 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE?
2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE. Photo: Chevrolet.
Black Magic Woman
The party piece of the 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE is, of all things, its new automatic transmission. Specifically an available 10-speed automatic. Now, before you go all ape-like here, let me just say that I am (partially) with you. Automatic transmissions are frightening compromises that, near as I can tell, run on black magic and sorcery. Plus, they are not nearly as fun as a manual.
That said, however, there’s a whole new breed of auto-boxes out there that are surprisingly good, and seemingly able to split the difference between a manual and an old-style auto.
These new-gen automatics first started appearing in trucks. All your purist thoughts about “manual trannies until I die!” fly out the window when dealing with trucks. You ever try to up-shift a truck hauling tons up a grade? I have, and it is an embarrassing grinding of gears and near (if not outright) stalling. The tech that made trucks more usable made its way into more plebian transportation and, from there, into the hands of grease-stained gearheads in performance departments.
Which leads us to the 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE and its 10-speed transmission.
Photo: Chevrolet.
There's a whole new breed of auto-boxes that are surprisingly good, and seemingly able to split the difference between a manual and an old-style auto.Click To TweetThe Power of Ten
Can you dig that? Ten speeds! Imagine what it must be like hauling down a long straight, then stomping on the brakes and whangin’ that downshift paddle five, six, seven times before hitting the apex. Oh, automatics are slower, you say? Ha! says Camaro Chief Engineer Mark Dickens.
“This transmission is optimized for speed. With unique Track Mode calibrations and 10 gears, you are always in the perfect gear when rolling on or off the throttle,” he explained. “You may not be a professional race car driver, but now you can shift like one.”
Remember what I said about stop watches not lying? The new Camaro ZL1 1LE, with the 10-speed auto, clocks in at more than half a second faster than the standard manual on the 2.9-mile Milford Road Course at GM’s proving grounds. Half a second. I know racers that would give up a finger to get that much. GM goes on, saying on longer tracks their new ten speed will get you even more. On tracks like the Nürburgring, you can expect to trim off several seconds versus the older six-speed manual ZL1 1LE.
That’s oddly specific, no? Why it’s almost like Chevy ran both versions back-to-back at The ‘Ring and are subtly letting us know or something.
Related: From CTS to ZL1: The story of GM’s fastest track car.
The Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE on the Nürburgring Nordschleife last year. Photo: Chevrolet.
Imagine what it must be like hauling down a long straight, then stomping on the brakes and whangin' that downshift paddle five, six, seven times before hitting the apex.Click To TweetPower & Performance Upgrades
To better suit the ZL1 1LE’s performance package upgrade, special calibrations were made to the transmission, electronic limited-slip differential, and traction system. The “Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve” shocks have been tuned to better handle the weight transfers that result from the faster shifts.
Chevy even added a new transmission oil pan and an additional cooling duct for the steering gear.
The forged aluminum wheels are an inch wider but an inch smaller in diameter. The new summer-only Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires deliver lateral grip of 1.10g. Overall, the whole car is lighter. The wheels and dampers, thinner rear glass, and a fixed-back rear seat all help drop more than 50 lbs. from the curb weight versus the standard ZL1 Coupe.
All of these performance goodies are motivated by a 650 horsepower, supercharged LT4 engine and controlled (thankfully) by big Brembo brakes.

The party piece of the 2019 Chevy #Camaro ZL1 1LE is, of all things, its new automatic transmission.Click To TweetNot Too Spartan After All
If you want just the 10-speed tranny, that’ll set you back $1,595 while the ZL1 1LE Track Performance Package will run you $7,500. Both of which seem completely reasonable to me. Overall, the 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE starts at $70,495.
There are other modern niceties for your money, like dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a Bose premium audio system. Just to let you know that this is not some track-only stripper.
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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