Automotive

Nissan Wants You To See These Self-Parking Slippers!

Nissan Wants You To See These Self-Parking Slippers! It’s funny becasue the other day, I actually misplaced my slippers. Every Michigander needs a good pair of slippers, and this time of year, such things are worth their weight in gold. I tore my place apart and found them hiding under the ironing board, under a pile of my gym clothes. I’m normally a clean person but it has been a busy week. Anyway, I saw this recent story from Nissan and concluded that if I had self-parking slippers, I would never lose them again.
Autonomous Furniture
Self-parking slippers? Yep. They exist. And it goes farther. Self-parking tables and floor cushions are being utilized at one Japanese inn to promote hospitality among the guests. Initially, the ProPILOT Park Ryokan in Hakone, Japan looks like any other traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan. Upon entering the room, the slippers are neatly lined up at the foyer, where guests remove their shoes. Tatami rooms are furnished with low tables and floor cushions for sitting in accordance with Japanese custom.
Although this is no ordinary ryokan as the slippers, tables, and cushions are outfitted with a special version of Nissan’s ProPILOT Park autonomous technology. When not in use, the amenities automatically return to their designated spots at the push of a button. Modern science for the win. And the last hotel I stayed at had like 20 floors and only two working ice machines. Two. The front desk was like “yeah, about that . . . ”
Traditional Japanese hospitality meets autonomous driving at the ProPILOT Park Ryokan. Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
How It Works
ProPILOT Park debuted on the Nissan Leaf in October 2017. The technology helps drivers park in tight spaces or on congested streets by detecting objects that may be in the way. Nissan’s system can recognize the type of parking space and guide the car accordingly, be it front-end, back-in, or parallel parking. ProPILOT Park operates the steering wheel automatically when parking and can stop if any hazards are detected.
In this particular case, if your slippers are on a collision course with the family cat.
Nissan sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2016, the company moved 5.63 million vehicles globally, generating revenues of 11.72 trillion yen. In fiscal year 2017, Nissan embarked on the “M.O.V.E. to 2022” initiative, a six-year plan targeting a 30 percent increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen. While we here at Automoblog are a much smaller entity than Nissan, our advice to them, to help hit these targets, is to mass produce these self-parking slippers. We would buy a pair!

In Person
Nissan will offer a free night at the ProPILOT Park Ryokan, located in Hakone, Japan, for one lucky pair of travelers. Contestants must post on Twitter using the hashtags #PPPRyokan and #wanttostay from now until February 10th. Good luck! The video below shows the slippers in action.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Photos, Video & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/nissan-wants-you-to-see-these-self-parking-slippers/

Genesis Continues Building U.S. Dealership Network

Genesis Continues Building U.S. Dealership Network Hyundai Motor America and Genesis Motor America have informed Hyundai dealerships that offers are coming to help establish a “distinct and properly-sized Genesis retail network.” The companies say certain dealers in the Genesis Participation Agreement, currently doing business in defined key markets, will be given the first opportunity to apply for a Genesis franchise. That selection process is expected to begin as quickly as the applications are received.
Forward Momentum
Genesis wants to capitalize of the promise of a new year and extend their dealer network to nearly 100 locations in 2018. Initially, Genesis will operate out of temporary or shared locations, but over the next three years, the brand wants standalone facilities, complete with a level of service that matches what luxury buyers are looking for today.
“We believe in putting our customers first and giving them a proper ownership experience,” said Erwin Raphael, General Manager of Genesis Motor America. “To ensure that happens, we need to take this next step in the separation of the Genesis brand from our parent company.”
Genesis G90. Photo: Genesis Motor America.
Strong Accolades
In 2017, Genesis Motor America reported year-to-date sales of 20,594 G80, G80 Sport, and G90 vehicles. Although only on the market a short time, the sales were arguably increased by 14 different awards from leading third party organizations. Among them, the highest ranking premium nameplate for Initial Quality and 2nd highest premium nameplate in product APEAL by J.D. Power, Strategic Vision’s Total Quality and Most Loved Luxury Car award for the G90, and a Top Safety Pick+ designation (G80 and G90) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“Establishing a right-sized Genesis retailer network, as our product portfolio grows, will ensure the Genesis brand can succeed and thrive long-term within the luxury automotive market,” Raphael added.
Expect a total of six new Genesis models by 2021.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photos & Source: Genesis Motor America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/genesis-continues-building-u-s-dealership-network/

New Study: Driving A Sports Car Is Good For Us

New Study: Driving A Sports Car Is Good For Us Ford, just like us, is concerned about your sense of well-being and emotional fulfillment. So they actually went out and conducted a study to find out just what gives us a feeling of happiness and demonstrative contentment. And you know what Ford found? That you should forget romance or fine dining or a weekend streaming binge. Ford’s research shows that driving a sports car on a daily basis is the best way to find your sense of well-being.
To which we here in beautiful One Automoblog Towers responded: Duh!
Good Vibrations
As someone who’s owned and used a sports car almost exclusively for the past 20 years, I can personally agree with this. I don’t really think about it, and honestly, I don’t drive a sports car because I want to increase my sense of well-being. I drive a sports car because they go, turn, and stop so very, very well. All that “sense of well-being” stuff is a byproduct of owning and driving a sports car.
And Ford knows all this, but they decided to study it anyway, just to codify where sports car driving falls on the “I’ve got to do more of this” spectrum. Ford measured what they called “buzz moments,” those peak thrills that perform a fundamental role in our overall wellness. So Ford got a bunch of volunteers and measured their physiological responses while doing exciting things like cheering on their favorite football team or watching a riveting Game of Thrones episode (yawn). They even included things like enjoying a passionate kiss, or intense salsa dancing.
They found that, apart from the occasional highs of riding a roller coaster, nothing beat out the daily buzz of a commute in a sports car. Now, I should say this study was conducted by Ford in England, so that probably skewed things like “passionate” kissing. Because, pal, I gotta say, if you find anything on the list more exciting than that, you gotta reevaluate your priorities.
Anyway, to find out how all this worked, Ford teamed with neuroscientists and designers to build the “Buzz Car.” In this case, a customized Ford Focus RS with wearable and artificial intelligence tech to animate the driver’s emotions in real time across the car’s exterior. Yes, that sounds goofy, and yes, a lot of us (me included) could quibble with calling a Ford Focus RS a sports car, but let’s just go with it, shall we?
Ford Focus RS. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Blinded Me With Science
Ford teamed up with Designworks and spent 1,400 hours creating the tricked out Focus RS Buzz Car. All of the “buzz moments” experienced by the driver were analyzed using an “emotional AI” system developed by Sensum, then transferred into a luminous animation across almost 200,000 LED lights integrated into the car. The Buzz Car Focus RS also featured a high-performance Zotac VR GO gaming PC, 110 x 500-lumen daylight-bright light strips, and 82 display panels with 188,416 individually addressable LEDs. Nothing says Science better than flashing lights!
“This study shows how driving a performance car does much more than get you from A to B – it could be a valuable part of your daily well-being routine,” said Dr. Harry Witchel, Discipline Leader in Physiology. “A roller coaster may be good for a quick thrill, but it’s not great for getting you to work every day.”
Study guinea pigs, er participants who sat behind the wheel of The Buzz Car experienced an average of 2.1 high-intensity buzz moments during a typical commute. Compare this with an average of 3 buzz moments while riding on a roller coaster, 1.7 while on a shopping trip, 1.5 each while watching a Game of Thrones episode or a football match, and none at all while salsa dancing, fine dining, or sharing a passionate kiss. Insert joke about bloodless Englishmen here. Also: Shopping? Really? People get a buzz out of that?
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Healthy & Happy
All this data was handed over to the staff at the Ford Research and Innovation Center in Aachen, Germany. The Innovation Center is looking into how vehicles can better understand and respond to our emotions, which sounds like a good thing (at this point). Ford is investigating how future in-car systems could be informed of our emotions and stress levels, distraction and fatigue, and then provide prompts and warnings in emergency situations.
“We think driving should be an enjoyable, emotional experience,” said Dr. Marcel Mathissen, Research Scientist at Ford of Europe. “The driver-state research Ford and its partners are undertaking is helping to lead us towards safer roads and – importantly – healthier driving.”
That all sounds nice, but so very obvious to us here at Automoblog. You just could have asked us. Shopping? Meh. Kissing? Yes please! Football game? Snore. Half-baked TV show? Not so much. Roller coaster? Why not? Sports car? YES!
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.

Photos, Video & Source: Ford Motor Company.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/new-study-driving-a-sports-car-is-good-for-us/

Ford, Roush Develop 700 Horsepower 5.0-Liter Supercharger Kit

Ford, Roush Develop 700 Horsepower 5.0-Liter Supercharger Kit

You know why they put buckles on the back of straight jackets? They do that so even if the crazy person gets out of the sleeves, they can’t undo the buckles and get loose. You know what happens when the nuts get loose? Oh all sorts of bad things. They can start fires and run for Congress or, in the case we have here, cook up a bolt-on supercharger kit that will screw the output of Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 up to seven-hundred horsepower, and then sell it to anyone with cash. This isn’t a great idea. No. This is an insanely great idea!
Crazy Train
To the gearhead, the ones involved really need no introduction. One is Ford Performance. You know, the guys that always answer any question with the phrases “More power! More brakes! More grip!” The other is Roush Performance: the guys that run NASCAR race teams and hand-build engines for Ford GTs. And let us not forget Roush Performance is headed by Jack Roush, a gearhead so bent in his love of speed he crashed his own airplanes, not once but three separate times (by my count), and one of those times included spiking a WWII vintage P-51 Mustang into a lake.
Or to put it another way, they’re the perfect professionals to design and build something like this.
Dual Applications
This, in this case, happens to be a new, state-of-the-art supercharger that peaks at 700 horsepower for the V8-powered 2018 Mustang GT. Ford Performance and Roush Performance rolled the beast out at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The blower kit is specifically designed to work with Ford’s evergreen 5.0-liter V8 and the mill’s new port and direct injection fuel systems. Yes, it’s good for 700 ponies but it also offers 610 lb-ft. of torque at 12 psi of boost, running on 93 octane fuel for either the manual or automatic transmission. You can get 93 octane at the pump, right? At least around here I see 93 high test, so, cool, you can run it on pump gas!
Ford and Roush also designed the supercharger to work on the same engine when placed within the bay of a pickup truck. When situated within a 2018 F-150, the plant provides 640 horsepower and 600 lb-ft. of foundation distorting torque.
2018 Ford F-150. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Strong Relationships
And yeah, this is a literal kit that comes with all installation hardware, instructions, and an exclusive performance calibration set up. The new supercharger kit is also backed by a limited warranty and supported by the Ford Motor Company and Roush network. And no, the installation of this kit will not void any new vehicle warranty. And yes, you can start your screwball cackling right about now.
And let’s not forget these guys, both Ford and Roush, are serious. They have a successful working relationship that goes back more than two decades, and really know their stuff when it comes to squeezing performance out of Ford powertrains. So when they say it’s a complete kit and it’s backed by a warranty, they ain’t joking. They might be a little nuts, but they ain’t joking.
“Ford and Roush have teamed up on performance for years on and off the track,” said Doug White, Global Ford Performance Parts Manager. “This new supercharger is another great example of our innovation in performance, greatly improving horsepower and torque so people can enjoy two of our most iconic vehicles even more.”
The new supercharger kit is warrantied when installed by a Ford dealer or any Automotive Service Excellence-certified (ASE) technician. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
No Regrets
If that’s not good enough, take it from the man his own self: “Our teams collaborated to create the most highly engineered, tested, and performing supercharger kit on the market. The combination of the 2018 5.0-liter engine and our all-new, fully integrated 2650 supercharger system yields simply incredible, no-compromise performance,” shrieked Jack Roush, Chairman, Board of Directors, Roush Performance before a couple of massive guys in white coats threw a net over him, and hauled him back to the Dearborn Center for The Chronically Speed Obsessed Who Are Not Allowed to Have Scissors.
The new supercharger kit will be available early next year through Ford dealers, Ford Performance Warehouse Distributors, and Roush Performance dealers. And, get this, you won’t even need a note from your doctor or therapist, nor a signed release document from a major law firm. America baby, America!
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.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/ford-roush-develop-700-horsepower-5-0-liter-supercharger-kit/

2018 Civic Type R: Nürburgring First, Now The Showfloor

2018 Civic Type R: Nürburgring First, Now The Showfloor

The 2018 Civic Type R drifted into Honda dealerships this week, following a limited production run of 2017 models. The Civic Type R, the most powerful car Honda has ever sold in the United States, boasted a rather impressive Nürburgring time earlier this year. The starting MSRP is not all that unreasonable either, coming in just shy of $35,000 once the destination charge is applied. The 2018 Civic Type R is available in only one, but fully equipped, trim.
Power & Performance
The Civic Type R has one of Honda’s most advanced turbocharged engines to date. The 2.0-liter is characterized by direct injection, a dual overhead cam, and Honda’s evergreen VTEC technology. The engine creates 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. Other performance goodies include a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission with new, lower gear ratios and a limited slip differential.
Suspension Tech
To combat torque steer, a common condition for front-wheel drive vehicles, a special front (dual-axis strut) and multi-link rear suspension were devised. The combination is meant to provide stability under both acceleration and braking while reducing body roll. The Adaptive Damper System continually adjusts damping force at all four corners for better overall handling, and is connected to the Three-Mode Driving System: comfort, sport, and the more track-oriented +R mode. The damper, steering, and throttle responses are modified according to the selected mode.
Photo: Honda North America.
Connectivity & Safety
Connectivity features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition. The vehicle has a host of advanced safety features too: Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Advanced 4-Channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, and a multi-angle rearview camera among others.
The 2018 Civic Type R for the U.S. market is manufactured exclusively at Honda’s Swindon, UK plant, while the engines are produced in Anna, Ohio.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-civic-type-r-nurburgring-first-now-the-showfloor/

Toyota’s U.S. Diamond Anniversary Brings Back Fond Memories

Toyota’s U.S. Diamond Anniversary Brings Back Fond Memories

Wow, did you know Toyota has been selling cars in America for 60 years? Me either. I’m not sure whether it seems longer than that, or shorter. One way or another, here we are. And what started out with the Toyopet Crown eventually led to all sorts of goodies; from ultra-dependable trucks to performance-centric Supras beloved by gearheads.
Bold Introductions
Toyota starts off its celebrations with this passage straight out of a Raymond Chandler noir detective novel: “When Toyota launched its North American headquarters in a Hollywood, California dealership on October 31, 1957, it was, no doubt, a frightening affair.” But that’s about as pulpy as it gets. For Toyota, there’s no gunsels with heaters, dames with gams that go on for days, or laughing fat men that know the score; just lots of cars, trucks, and profits. Boatloads of profits.
Rolling The Dice
Like I said, for Toyota in America, it all started with the Toyopet Crown, which the company flat out admits “didn’t turn out to be a screaming success.” But since leading off with a less-than-impressive car in a 3,000 square foot, one-time Rambler dealership (Bonus points if you know what a Rambler is. More bonus points if you’ve ever driven a Rambler. And even more bonus points if you’ve ever worked on one. Hint: I’ve done all three), Toyota has intertwined their products into the structure of every day American life. And now, 60 years later, Toyota has grown very far indeed beyond that humble Hollywood dealership. Sales locations in every state, 10 manufacturing facilities, almost 1,500 Toyota and Lexus dealerships, and 136,000 U.S. employees. Yeah, you can say that Toyota’s sixty-year-old bet paid off.
To mark its 60th anniversary, Toyota moved and rededicated its 50th anniversary time capsule from its former Torrance, California headquarters to their new HQ in Plano, Texas. The capsule included goodies like a 2000GT – that would be a Matchbox die cast, not the real thing (perish the thought, 2KGTs are into the seven figures now), an original key for a 1977 Toyota Hilux truck, and a scale model of Toyota’s Formula One racer. The new time capsule will be re-opened on the company’s 100th anniversary in 2057.
Toyota Toyopet Crown. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
All-Star Lineup
Toyota makes no bones about the fact they got to where they are in the American market because of their cars. Sure, the 1950s had that questionable Toyopet Crown, but it also saw the launch of the now-legendary Land Cruiser. The ’60s saw the introduction of the Corolla, a car so wildly successful it became one of the best-selling nameplates in the world. The ’70s got the Celica which spawned the Supra spinoff (blessed be its horsepower, torque, and terminal velocity). The ’80s brought us the 4Runner and the Camry, an automotive equivalent of a beige anvil: as inoffensive as it was indestructible.
By the early ’90s, Toyota had branched into the luxury market with Lexus, and then introduced the Tacoma pickup, RAV4, Avalon, and Sienna, with the Lexus GS, LX, and RX. The new century saw an entry market spin-off division, Scion. And let us not forget Toyota are the folks responsible for the Prius.
The Toyota Tacoma Xtracab SR5 had a half year model in 1995, seen here in this picture. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Opening Doors
Toyota was shrewd about how they achieved success in North America, and cites the 1970s as a particularly critical time. That was when Toyota opened design and manufacturing facilities here in the U.S., rather than keeping them all in Japan. Its first U.S. production was with Atlas Fabricators of Long Beach to make truck beds. The ’70s also saw the opening of the Toyota Technical Center (which just celebrated its 40th anniversary in May), the opening of their U.S. R&D facility, and the opening of Calty Design Research in Southern California.
Since then, there have been full-blown manufacturing facilities opened in California and Kentucky, along with the addition of Toyota Motor Credit Corporation. Further manufacturing expansions saw vehicle and parts plants in Indiana, West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, and Mississippi.
In 2016, Toyota achieved a record year of North American production, with 2,124,608 vehicles assembled across all North American facilities. Toyota’s vehicle production in North America since 1986 totals more than 30 million. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Bright Future
What’s next? More high-tech stuff, of course. The Toyota Research Institute continues to explore the possibilities with autonomous vehicles, robotics, vehicle safety, and materials science. And just last year, Toyota Connected was created to use data to personalize the customer driving experience.
“Celebrating our anniversary isn’t just about the products we’ve sold the past 60 years,” said Jim Lentz, Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Motor North America. “It’s also about celebrating Toyota’s thousands of employees who will help the company embark on the next leg of its American journey and continuing to improve our products and services for our customers.”
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.
Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/toyotas-u-s-diamond-anniversary-brings-back-fond-memories/

2019 Toyota C-HR Review: Good Looking But Definitely Average

2019 Toyota C-HR Review: Good Looking But Definitely Average 85Average2019 Toyota C-HROverall Impression The styling is definitely bold.Nice interior and plenty of tech options.Needs an upgrade in terms of performance.ProsStylingInterior LayoutHatchback UtilityConsFuel Economy Lacks AWD OptionWhen Toyota axed Scion, we thought the fun models might come to an end. But the Japanese automaker now has one of the boldest new compacts in recent memory. The 2019 Toyota C-HR is for younger buyers who need a vehicle for daily commuting and weekend getaways.
The C-HR is set apart from others in the market by its stance. C-HR stands for Coupe, High Riding. It really isn’t a coupe but it looks like one with the rear door handle hidden high next to the roofline.
This week, we drove the 2019 Toyota C-HR XLE.
What’s New For 2019
The Toyota C-HR was an entirely new crossover last year although feature availability is slightly revised. For 2019, the C-HR gets new LE and Limited trims; Apple CarPlay is now standard, along with an optional factory navigation system.
Features & Options: Plenty For The Drive
The 2019 Toyota C-HR XLE ($22,980) comes with fabric seat upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a seven-inch touchscreen display, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a cargo cover. The power-folding mirrors contain turn signals.
Standard safety and convenience features include automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, brake hold at stoplights, lane keeping assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera are also included.
Our tester came with the optional Audio Plus App suite ($685) which included Entune 3.0 audio, HD radio, and Toyota Connected Services. Total MSRP including destination: $24,710. By comparison, the 2019 Toyota C-HR starts at $20,995.

Interior Highlights: Enter The MeZone
Compared to other small hatchbacks, the C-HR’s cabin scores high with quality materials and some soft-touch surfaces. The all-black cabin is quite spacious and wider than we expected. The front seats are comfortable and taller drivers won’t have a problem finding a good cruising position.
Along with the contemporary exterior styling, the cabin will appeal to younger buyers. The central control pod is called MeZone and for good reason. The seven-inch touchscreen blends nicely with the physical knobs, controls, and switches. Attractive diamond shapes are seen throughout the cabin, being molded into the plastic lower door panels and stitched into the headliner fabric.
In the back, there is seating for three, but unlike many small hatchbacks only suited for two adults, three can actually fit in the back without undue discomfort. Rear passengers sit a bit higher too, which means a more comfortable position with some extra foot space.
Cargo volume comes in at 19 cubic feet with the rear seat-back upright, growing to 32.4 cubic feet when folded. The seats will fold flat to form a handy load floor. This was perfect as we packed in grocery bags for a family get-together this weekend.

Related: The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a compact car with attitude.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Toyota C-HR is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, producing a paltry 144 horsepower and 139 lb-ft. of torque. Coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), front-wheel drive is the sole configuration. We think the C-HR would benefit from an all-wheel drive option. Having it might attract additional buyers who live in colder climates.
The C-HR gets an EPA-estimated 27/31 city/highway and 29 combined mpg. Though adequate, those figures hardly constitute thrifty fuel economy when compared to the competition. The Subaru Crosstrek, for instance, manages an extra two mpg highway. The Crosstrek’s 2.0-liter engine/CVT combo produces more horsepower (152) and more torque (145 lb-ft.) than the C-HR’s powertrain. Plus, the Subaru offers all-wheel drive.
Driving Dynamics: Lacking In Key Areas
After settling in, we found the C-HR provides respectable handling and road-holding dynamics. We hit the tight mountain curves near Evergreen quickly, but the C-HR felt secure and kept us planted. The ride on the highway is smooth and there’s enough sound insulation to keep the drone of the CVT to a minimum.
Our biggest issue is with power output. The engine’s 144 horsepower is not enough for the high-altitude areas in Colorado we call home. We slid into Sport mode hoping for better results, but still came away unsatisfied. For those living at sea level and on the flats, however, the 2019 Toyota C-HR should be fine.
Visibility to the rear and side is difficult because of the raked roofline. That said, it doesn’t matter where you live, it will be an issue when changing lanes in heavy city traffic. Another concern we have is driving the C-HR through the snow. Although it did okay on the plowed roads near our Colorado home, we still would like to see the C-HR offered with all-wheel drive.

Conclusion: Still A Good Value
When Toyota cut Scion, they needed something for younger buyers. We think Toyota hit a home run immediately with the new styling. We hope now that Toyota will address the performance issues by bumping up the horsepower and adding an all-wheel drive option. Regardless, our 2019 Toyota C-HR XLE came well-equipped, but any of the available trim levels are a good value for those who don’t need all-wheel drive.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Toyota C-HR Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-toyota-c-hr-review-good-looking-but-definitely-average/

2020 GMC Acadia: New Nips & Tucks For This SUV

2020 GMC Acadia: New Nips & Tucks For This SUV The 2020 GMC Acadia receives new styling and propulsion updates.
A nine-speed transmission replaces the Acadia’s older six speed automatic.
GMC says the connectivity and infotainment systems are more user-friendly.
GMC just rolled out the 2020 Acadia and it’s everything you’d expect. Big, boxy, practical, well thought-out, dripping in tech and, most importantly, right in the middle of every Venn diagram of what marketing wants, engineering can do, and the customer can afford. In other words, get used to the looks of the 2020 GMC Acadia.
Cause you’re going to be seeing a lot of them around.
Styling & Design
The new Acadia sets itself apart from other SUVs and crossovers with that standard-for-GM, big, honkin’ square-square-square face. The 2020 Acadia gets a new grille with black chrome accents, new front and rear fascias, and GMC’s now signature C-shaped lighting. It’s not exactly ugly, but I’ll bet you a beer nobody in Italy is impressed.
The Acadia rides on 17-inch wheels with 18 and 20-inchers available. The outside mirrors have integrated LED turn signals and are power folding. The power liftgate is a hands-free affair with GMC logo projection for a bit of flash. GM has redesigned the center console with more storage space.
2020 GMC Acadia Denali interior layout. Photo: GMC.
Power & Performance
The 2020 GMC Acadia is propelled by a new 2.0L turbo engine, standard on SLT and Denali models. It features GM’s tri-power variable valve lift technology to balance power and efficiency. GMC says cylinder deactivation during light load conditions will further boost the engine’s efficiency. The turbo itself is a dual-scroll design in which GMC promises better low-speed torque delivery. Bottom line: 230 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Not bad for only two liters.
The 2.5L I-4 and the 3.6L V6 engines are also available for the 2020 GMC Acadia, depending on what trim level you choose. For example, the more rugged Acadia AT4 comes with the 3.6L V6, producing 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft. of torque. A twin clutch, all-wheel drive system is standard on the AT4.
A new nine-speed automatic replaces the outgoing six-speed as the standard transmission for all engines. The nine-speed offers better acceleration and efficiency. The new tranny even allows for more storage room in the center console by replacing the conventional shifter with an electronically-controlled gear selector.
2020 GMC Acadia AT4. Photo: GMC.
Related: No road, no problem. An in-depth look at the 2019 GMC Sierra AT4.
Tech & Connectivity
As you would expect, the latest Acadia is brimming with tech stuff, comfort and convenience features, connectivity options, and other amenities. GMC says the infotainment system is more intelligent and intuitive than before, with better voice recognition, a higher resolution touchscreen, and an easier interface requiring fewer steps with easier screen layouts.
The eight-inch diagonal screen also has enhanced new features like a personal profile that allows you to tailor the infotainment system to your preferences. So stuff like audio, navigation, and climate settings can come up just the way you like it. You can store up to four profiles, automatically resetting the preferences for the incoming driver. Think of it as a bigger version of memory seats.
There are two new USB-C charging ports in the front and rear of the center console, which is a nice touch. This brings the number of ports in the new Acadia to five.
Pricing & Availability
The 2020 GMC Acadia is built at GM’s Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant and will go on sale this fall. Pricing information is forthcoming.
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: GMC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2020-gmc-acadia-new-nips-tucks-for-this-suv/

Are You Affected By The BMW Comfort Class Settlement? Know The Facts

Are You Affected By The BMW Comfort Class Settlement? Know The Facts The BMW Comfort Class Settlement seeks to permit Class Representatives to obtain reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs incurred due to spontaneous or unintended locking of the Comfort Access System.
In a class action, one or more people, called Class Representatives (in this case, plaintiff Kieva Myers), sue on behalf of all people who have similar claims and have suffered similar damages.
In August of 2015, Kieva Meyers purchased a pre-owned 2013 BMW X5 in San Francisco. Like many, she needed reliable transportation for her job and family. The 2013 X5 Meyers purchased was equipped with BMW’s Comfort Access System, a convenience feature that uses sensors to detect where the owner is in proximity to the vehicle. The system allows the driver to access the vehicle virtually hands-free within about a five-foot radius.
For example, once a driver walks up to the vehicle and puts their hand on the door, it will unlock automatically.
However, this convenience feature caused a scare for Meyers just two months later in October of 2015. This incident has become the catalyst for the Comfort Class settlement, a class action lawsuit filed against BMW for an alleged manufacturing defect in the Comfort Access System. All BMW X5 models from 2007 until 2013 are affected.
What Is The Comfort Class Settlement
The settlement states that the Comfort Access System is defective because the doors can be locked from the outside even with the key fob still inside the vehicle. If small children, the elderly, or animals are left inside unintentionally with the key fob, they may become locked inside the vehicle. This can pose hazards that force the owner to take action, including but not limited to breaking into the vehicle and calling emergency personnel. This will likely result in out of pocket costs for the driver.
On October 19th 2015, Meyers opened the rear door of her X5 and placed her child inside. Unbeknownst to her, the remote key fob was still inside the vehicle as she shut the rear door. When Meyers went to open the driver’s side door, it was locked. Because her child was still inside, she was forced to break a window to open her X5.
Recent data shows that children are at risk of death from vehicular heatstroke or hypothermia if they are locked inside.
2011 BMW X5 rear interior.
Meyers Contacted BMW
According to the Comfort Class settlement, the Comfort Access System should prevent the vehicle from being locked. However, Meyers alleges that a defect allows the vehicle to lock even when the key is still inside. This can trap young children and others who are unable to unlock the doors by themselves.
After this incident, Meyers filed a complaint with BMW. A representative of the company responded in an e-mail saying, “we must be dealing either with a malfunction of the locking system or an inadvertent activation of the locking system via either the remote transmitter or the Comfort Access System. Again, it is not impossible to lock a key in the vehicle — and to do so is not necessarily indicative of a malfunction. For example, if a door other than the driver’s door is open and the locking button on the transmitter is pressed, the vehicle will lock when the open door is closed. If the user is unaware of having pressed the locking button, then it would certainly appear that it had somehow locked itself.”
Meyers alleges that BMW knew of the problem in 2007 because an internal training document entitled “Comfort Access vs-42 je 66 04 04 (093).” The Comfort Class settlement pleads that, despite BMW’s knowledge and awareness of the defect, it failed to make repairs to resolve the issue, failed to modify owners’ manuals accordingly, and failed to pay for damages suffered by consumers as a result of the malfunction.
2010 BMW X5.
Statement From Legal Counsel
“When manufacturers get notified about major issues involving serious injury or in some cases death, it is the duty of the manufacturer to right the wrong they have committed and to make sure it is not repeated,” reads a statement from the Law Offices of Stephen M. Harris, P.C. and Robert L. Starr, APC in Woodland Hills and Calabasas, California respectively.
Harris and Starr are representing the plaintiffs in the Comfort Class settlement. The settlement guarantees that Class Members who have documented out-of-pocket expenses will be able to receive compensation from BMW.
“BMW was told multiple times about the Comfort Access System malfunction and denied the claim until the argument was too insurmountable to avoid,” the statement further reads.
More Information
If you own a BMW X5 in question, model years 2007 through 2013, you can find out more information about how to file a claim on the Comfort Class Settlement homepage. “Class Vehicles” include any BMW NA E70 vehicle made for sale and/or lease in the U.S. market, with a production date between October 1st, 2006 through June 30th, 2013, equipped with the optional Comfort Access System. The vehicles were sold or leased to Class Members in the United States or Puerto Rico.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/are-you-affected-by-the-bmw-comfort-class-settlement-know-the-facts/