Automotive

2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport Revealed

2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport Revealed

Today, at the San Antonio Auto and Truck Show, Ram Trucks unveiled their latest special edition, the 1500 Hydro Blue Sport. New for 2018, the Hydro Blue Sport features a black-accented performance hood, Sport grille with black billet inserts, and the brand’s signature “R-A-M” tailgate lettering. The truck’s monochromatic exterior is characterized by black bezel projector headlamps, LED taillights, and the body-colored front fascia, rear bumper, side mirrors, and door handles.
Ram believes the truck will be instantly recognizable, especially on 20-inch (4×4) or 22-inch (4×2) wheels.
“The custom look and high-impact colors have been well received in the marketplace and this new Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport will surely stand out on dealers’ lots and in customers’ driveways,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep & Ram Brands, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Interior Treatments & Optional Equipment
Drivers are treated to blue highlight stitching on the instrument panel, center console, heated steering wheel, and door trim. Blue Sport embroidery accents line the heated seats while the Ram logo adorns the headrests. Optional equipment includes leather seating and trim, black tubular side steps, chrome wheel-to-wheel side steps, Active Level air suspension, ParkSense, and the RamBox storage system.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport is powered by the ever-so-famous 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The engine creates 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. of torque while utilizing variable-valve timing to increase overall performance and efficiency. All Ram 1500 models have best-in-class aerodynamics with a coefficient drag of 0.360. Coefficient drag is likely not the first topic at hand when discussing pickups, but Ram tends to lead in some of these more unique, yet essential areas. For example, Ram 2500 and 3500 have that segment’s highest snow plow rating.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport will be a limited affair, with total production numbering just 2,000 units for the U.S. market. The truck goes on sale later this month with an MSRP of $46,060, plus $1,395 for destination. The Hydo Blue Sport is a crew cab, short-bed configuration in either a 4×2 or 4×4 layout.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Ram 1500 Hydro Blue Sport Gallery

Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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Aston Martin CEO Swaps Business Suit For Racing Suit This Weekend

Aston Martin CEO Swaps Business Suit For Racing Suit This Weekend

Never trust a businessman who doesn’t use his own product. Or, in this case, never trust a businessman who runs a car company who doesn’t go racing. For me, in general, I don’t trust car companies that don’t go racing. It’s just a personal quirk, and I know a lot of auto manufacturers are just in this business to make money. Fine for them, but for me, if your company doesn’t race, it gives me the heebee-jeebees.
Different Cloth
It would be like if Leo Fender didn’t play guitar for some reason. Dr. Andy Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin of Gaydon, England on the other hand is not like that. Got to give the boy props. He’s no dilettante. He’ll be running this year’s Hankook 24 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas (CoTA) in Austin, Texas.
His ride, naturally, will be an Aston Martin Vantage GT8, the very same car that won its class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours earlier this year, a backbreaker of a race on a track that is notoriously dangerous. He will be paired with Paul Hollywood, John Hindhaugh, and Peter Cate throughout the twice-’round-the-clock endurance race happening this weekend, November 11th and 12th.
“It is a real treat for me to take part in the race at COTA,” Dr. Palmer said. “I have a fantastic car, some great co-drivers, and a top team behind me, and we are going out there to try to win the SP3 class.”
Coaching & Instruction
The Doc. is an intense amateur racer, having competed in Aston Martin Owners Club events at Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Rockingham (England), and Silverstone this year alone. The 24 Hours of CoTA marks his return to 24-hour racing after a stretch of shorter competitions. Along the way to getting back into the driver’s chair for this long haul, he as been mentored by such highly qualified types as Darren Turner and Jonny Adam, both of whom won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Aston Martin this past June.
“It’s a fantastic circuit with some fast sections and some tight, technical corners and I know our WEC drivers enjoy racing there,” Dr. Palmer continued. “I have no delusions of being the next Turner or Adam, but I’m grateful for all the advice I can get from the professionals.”
Dr. Andy Palmer has raced with the Aston Martin Owners Club this year in preparation in a standard Vantage GT4. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.

Teamwork & Dreamwork
Palmer’s teammates have strong links to Aston Martin. For example, Paul Hollywood (that’s his real name) gets his kicks racing an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 with the Beechdean AMR team in British GT races. He’s also known for something called the Great British Bake Off which is a TV show of some sort that, based on the title alone, has zero interest for me. There is no mention of Peter Cate’s baking chops, but he has raced for Aston Martin many times, notably taking a class win in the GT8 at the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year.
Then there is John Hindhaugh, a fellow who normally watches races rather than competing in them. Turns out he’s the main commentary guy for Radio Le Mans, but this weekend he’ll be going all George Plimpton (look it up) and getting behind the wheel. Given the team’s, uh, varied levels of experience and abilities, this will probably make for an interesting spectator experience.
Dr. Andy Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Racing Rundown
The action starts with a practice session on Friday (November 10th) around lunchtime before the hour-long qualifying run that afternoon. Not that qualifying counts for all that much in a race this long. Second practice is on Friday night to give the drivers the opportunity to acclimatize to racing at night. Curiously, the race is run in a split format. The race itself takes place on Saturday between 9:00 in the morning and 11:00 that night, then takes up again on Sunday from 8:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening. Yes, the cars do remain in Parc Ferme conditions overnight, and yes, this does allow the racers to grab some hard-earned rest, but it’s also kind of a weenie deal, and they should just run it in one long continuous go. In my opinion.
“Our plan is to emulate the motto of another Aston Martin racer, Nicki Thiim: ‘Go hard or go home,’” Dr. Palmer added.
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: Aston Martin The Americas.

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Ford Introduces World’s First Electronic Handbrake

Ford Introduces World’s First Electronic Handbrake

I know what you’re thinking, I was thinking the same thing too: Don’t we already have those (sort of stupid) push-button parking brakes already? That’s not much of an innovation. Au contraire mon frere. What Ford now offers is not a pushbutton electronic parking brake. No, this is an electronic version of the same sort of handbrake Sebastien Loeb used to slither up the Sisteron like an electric eel up a drainpipe.
Or, to put it more plainly: This is totally cool!
The all-new Ford Performance Drift Stick is a first-ever from a major car manufacturer. Basically, it is a rally-inspired electronic handbrake that can, if you’re good enough and coordinated enough, momentarily (momentarily is the key here) lock the rear wheels so you can either slide the car through corners and/or position the car for better corner exit. I raced rallies for a couple of seasons, and it’s not a particularly easy trick to master, but like a lot of tricks, when you get it juuust right, it’s a total gas.
Big Name Or No Name?
The Ford Performance Drift Stick was developed and designed for the Focus RS (a pretty good candidate for you and your navigator to run in the next Friday-Nighter Rally). Ford also mentions the Performance Drift Stick was approved by “rally and stunt star” Ken Block, for what that’s worth (not very much t’me). Block’s one of these half-talented narcissistic knuckleheads that seems to be all too common these days. I’m not saying he can’t goof around with a car in spectacular fashion, but what I am saying is doing it on film is not even close to doing it for real on a rally stage. When he does rally, he’s a make-up-the-numbers kind of guy that scrapes into the top ten with a current career best placing of ninth. So for me and my various rally friends, adding his name to a product doesn’t really help matters much. You might feel different, but so be it.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Inner Workings
The Drift Stick stems from the Focus RS’s Drift Mode and was developed by the same team. The Drift Stick itself is a trick looking aluminum lever between the driver’s seat and manual transmission’s gear selector. It is not, however, just a lever connected to the rear brakes, oh no. This is 2017, so even the most mundane of cars, let alone a Ford Focus RS, comes chock full of stuff and systems and computers and such that must be accounted for. The Drift Stick interfaces with the Ford Performance all-wheel drive system in conjunction with the anti-lock braking system. It opens up the rear-drive unit clutches and applies hydraulic pressure to lock the rear wheels; to kick the car into a slide essentially, but you’re not necessarily aware of all that. All you do is simply pull that trick looking lever.
Ford says the results are “clutch-free drift turns very similar to the experience of a real rally car.” Personally, I’d love to get my hands on one and see if this is true.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Plug & Play
The traditional route, a hydraulic handbrake, would have been a real pain to put in a production car. For starters, it would have required considerable alterations to the car, so Ford went entirely electronic. Turns out, going fully electronic opened up a number of interesting benefits. In fact, the electronic Drift Stick has many similarities with the professional calibration tool Ford already sells. So integrating the Drift Stick with this existing technology was literally as easy as plugging in a USB cable.
This allows you to recall diagnostic data and upload powertrain calibrations for the Focus RS. Slick!
There’s a bunch of other nifty advantages by going with this digital design. You get instantaneous engagement and release of the rear brakes. The Ford Performance Drift Stick is also light, requiring just five to six pounds of pressure to operate, significantly less than a hydraulic handbrake. Installation and removal is easy, if you go with this after you’ve bought your Focus RS. There’s no welding, hole drilling, or calipers needed like you’d do with a hydraulic kit. The Drift Stick connects to the on-board diagnostics port on the car, so it can function as a calibration tool. Pretty nifty, eh?
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Pricing & Availability
The kit comes with the Drift Stick lever, all the mounts, circuit board, and professional calibration functionality. And, get this, the car’s warranty is not voided by its installation. The Ford Performance Drift Stick will be available starting December 1st at any authorized Ford Performance Parts distributor for $999. Ford also, rightly, points out how the Drift Stick is intended for track use only (my emphasis added).
And if I have to point out why Ford is right in saying this, and why you should not go screwing around with stuff like this on everyday streets with traffic and pedestrians and such, then I have only four words for you: Hand. Me. The. Keys. Seriously you slack-jawed chucklehead. You shouldn’t even be driving if you’re out there taking dumb risks like that. Take the bus. Take a taxi. Leave stuff like this on the track where it belongs.
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: Ford Motor Company.

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Alfa Romeo Tonale: When Concepts Cars Become Social Creatures

Alfa Romeo Tonale: When Concepts Cars Become Social Creatures The Tonale concept is Alfa Romeo’s first plug-in hybrid and premium compact SUV.
Styling elements include throwbacks to the brand’s history but take into account future designs.
New infotainment features allow drivers to be “fully connected” to the social communities around them.
Normally, if you try and cram too many interesting things together into one package, it ends up being a mish-mash and the end product isn’t very good. For example, if you try to combine a plug-in hybrid with a premium, compact SUV it might not work. Add to that mix Alfa Romeo, and you’d think you’d be heading down the wrong road. But check out the new Alfa Romeo Tonale concept from the recent Geneva International Motor Show.
It’s a compact SUV that’s easy on gas and even easier on the eyes.
The Showcase Car
First off, this is a show car, so don’t get your hopes up. Secondly, this isn’t a totally radical show car powered by stellar gasses filtered through rare earth substrates. The Tonale seems to be more of a showcase car than a show car, so maybe do get your hopes up. What Alfa has done here is demonstrate two things: One, you can have an SUV-like vehicle that is stylish and, two, a lot of the stuff you find within the Tonale you could easily find in other Alfas.
A lot could be said about the overall design and styling of the Tonale. And Lord knows I could say it, but I really hesitate to go into that sort of thing. Whether a car looks “good” or not is ultimately up to you and your eyes. What can be said is that Italians have a real gift for making even mundane vehicles (like SUV/crossovers) look like the hottest thing to come down the road since forever. To my eyes, this is a really well done car. The surface tension harks back to Alfa styling moves of the past – the Brera-like headlights, big phone dial wheels and such – all show that while German and Japanese car designers struggle to make stuff work, Italians do it without breaking a sweat.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale concept seats four and is decorated inside with aluminum trim, Alcantara leather, and translucent backlit panels. Photo: Alfa Romeo.
Related: Taking a day trip to Kelmscott Manor in a beautiful blue Alfa Romeo.
At Your Fingertips
Where the Tonale gets more concrete is on the inside. Not so much the styling, but what Alfa has decided to pack in there. Where modern cars currently are with concern to dashboards is becoming well-established. Screens are ideal, if not outright required. Fancy touchscreens and multi-function displays are no longer confined to the Rolls Royces and Bentleys of the world. So, if they are everywhere now, what will our dashboards of the near future look like and how will they function?
Alfa thinks it can answer that question.
The Tonale features a 12.3-inch, full-digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the central head unit. The main instrument cluster does what you’d expect, measuring speed, revs, and vehicle status stuff, while the big screen in the center handles all the infotainment. That’s pretty standard. What Alfa concentrates on is, of all things, the UI and software to make a seamless and fluid interface. Thus, multitasking becomes easier, more intuitive, and natural. Alfa says the driver will have all the latest features and functionality readily available at their fingertips.
And here’s where Alfa goes over the top, saying the Tonale allows you to be fully connected to the Alfa Romeo Lifestyle and Social communities through features like “Alfista” and “Paddock.”
The Alfa Romeo Tonale concept takes its name from the Tonale Pass, not far from the Stelvio Pass in the Alps. Photo: Alfa Romeo.
Entering The World of Alfa Romeo
Alfista is an “immersive” Alfa Romeo Lifestyle experience. Which kind of makes me shudder. When Alfa tries to explain itself, it doesn’t make me feel any better. Alfista aims to connect you with select Alfa Romeo clubs and community events. You know, get togethers, gatherings, drives and such; you receive live news and updates about all that as well as the current happenings of the Alfa Romeo brand. Ugh. It’s not a completely bad idea, but I don’t see why your car has to do what your phone already does.
Paddock is the “in-vehicle garage and market.” Paddock allows for the real-time viewing and purchasing of all the latest interior and exterior performance upgrades, equipment, and Alfa Romeo merchandise and apparel. All of which can be ordered direct via the touchscreen. Again, this makes me ask why you should do this with your car and not your phone.
What Alfa is pointing to here, however, is interesting. The problem is they are trying to tie their software to their hardware. What they should be doing is providing Alfista and Paddock to customers as a software download for their phones. Watch, I bet Alfa ends up doing that anyway in a few years. Alfista and Paddock are good ideas, just delivered through the wrong medium.
Alfa Romeo Tonale concept sketch.
Power & Performance: Slim Details But Promising
Sadly, Alfa does not give many technical details on the drivetrain, other than to mention the obvious. It’s a full-on, plug-in hybrid system. You can run on electricity or gasoline or both, and you can charge the batteries by hooking up to the grid. What Alfa does say is that they’ve tweaked the software so that as you drive the Tonale – or any other future hybrid with this system – you can go from electric to gasoline without noticing where the power is coming from. No need to worry, the Tonale figures it out for you. Just aim your nose down the via and go!
They say it still drives and feels like an Alfa Romeo (i.e. a total blast) but it’s now much more eco-conscious on your behalf.
“The Tonale marks the debut of the brand in the premium compact utility vehicle segment and does so in line with the characteristics that have always identified each Alfa Romeo model,” reads a statement from the company. “The goal is to deliver the best driving dynamics in the segment and to apply electrification in perfect Alfa Romeo style.”
Strangely, this mish-mash of stuff that shouldn’t work at all sounds really good to me.
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.
Alfa Romeo Tonale Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Alfa Romeo.

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2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Review: Perfect For The Weekend Warrior

2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Review: Perfect For The Weekend Warrior 92Solid 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD ProOverall Impression Plenty capable off-road or in bad weather.
Perfect truck for those weekend getaways.ProsRugged Towing Capability Cargo & Storage CapacityConsDriving Position Cramped For Taller DriversFor those wanting to get off the beaten path and away from civilization, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is a truck for extreme adventures. Get the Double Cab and you can take all your friends, and have room for extra gear on the excursion. If you need to cross a river (or two), read on to see how this Tacoma will get you deep into the wilderness.
This week, we’ve been driving the 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 4×4 Double Cab.
What’s New For 2019
The Toyota Tacoma gets an updated TRD Pro trim with more off-road-ready equipment and an available high-mounted “snorkel” air intake. All trims now have two additional USB charge ports.
Features & Options: Roads Not Required
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 4×4 Double Cab ($45,365) has a five-foot bed with a 400-watt power outlet, a full rear seat, and turn signals in the mirror housings. Automatic transmission-equipped trucks gain smart entry, push-button start, and navigation via the Entune premium audio system’s seven-inch touchscreen.
The off-road performance upgrades set this trim apart: knobby all-terrain tires on 16-inch alloy wheels, the deletion of the front air dam, extra skid plates, a lockable rear differential, and an advanced off-road traction control system with multiple terrain settings and crawl control.
The TRD Pro also includes a Fox Off-Road Suspension with front coilovers and remote reservoir rear shock absorbers. The TRD Pro benefits from a one-inch suspension lift, larger anti-sway bar, a 1/4-inch aluminum front skid plate, and the aforementioned 16-inch wheels that offer an inch wider track. The unique hood with a (non-functioning) scoop, “eye-black” decal, and TRD cat-back exhaust were also included.
TRD-themed trim elements include the grille, headlight and taillight bezels, badging, shift knob, and floor mats. Our tester even came with the Desert Air Intake ($725). Total MSRP including destination: $47,383. By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma starts at $25,700 (4×2 Access Cab).
The optional Desert Air Intake system, a snorkel-like device that runs up the passenger side pillar, allows the engine to take air (likely to be less dusty and dirty) from above the windshield.
Interior Highlights: Nice But Cramped
The Tacoma’s cabin is comfortable enough for longer trips to the back country, and with the heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and premium JBL audio, it’s an enjoyable place to spend time. Although, with the high floor and low roof, you need to watch your head getting into the cab. It can feel a bit cramped for taller drivers.
Our tester came with an attractive, all-black interior and lots of soft-touch materials throughout. It featured plenty of storage plus a convenient cell phone charging pad in front of the gear shifter. The front seats could use more adjustment capabilities as they offered minimal support, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel makes it easier to find the right driving position.
The backup camera made things simple, especially with the longer cab as we navigated around. This model features a full-size rear seat (split 70/30) and flips up to reveal convenient under seat storage for valuables. The rear seat offers adequate room for two adults but would be cramped with three.
2019 Toyota Tacoma interior layout.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Tacoma TRD Pro is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection, making 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft. of torque. Our tester came mated to a six-speed automatic with a 3.909 final drive ratio. Additional off-road capability comes via a 4WDemand Partime 4×4 system with a two-speed transmission. TRD Pro models include a locking rear differential for extra traction. With the V6 Tow Prep Package, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma can tow a maximum of 6,400 lbs.
EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 3.5-liter V6 is 18/22 city/highway and 20 combined mpg for a 4X4 with the automatic transmission.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma comes standard with a 2.7-liter in-line four-cylinder (159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft. of torque). However, it’s hard to justify this engine in terms of fuel economy versus the larger, more powerful V6. In a 4×4 configuration, the 2.7-liter returns an EPA-estimated 19/22 city/highway and 20 combined mpg.

Driving Dynamics: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
We drove the new TRD Pro on an ideal trail just west of Denver near Morrison. It was a good place to test the Tacoma’s true capability. The road turns from pavement to dirt, then a trail appears. And that’s when our afternoon fun started! The Fox Off-Road Suspension handled the rough road with ease as we navigated up the mountain trail. The road turns uphill and a short, steep climb required us to slip into low range. A turn of the range-select knob on the dash to “4Lo” quickly puts the truck into low range, and an indicator lights up for confirmation.
As the Tacoma TRD Pro crawled up the steep hill, we steered it to the top without issue. We did it again going down with the same steady and effortless results. For those looking for a true off-road pickup, the Tacoma TRD Pro is an ideal candidate. It excels on primitive trails and rough terrain.
But how does it handle on the highway and in the city?

Driving Dynamics: Taking On The Bomb Cyclone
We were able to drive the TRD Pro in the “Bomb Cyclone” storm that hit Colorado. We pushed through two feet of wet, heavy snow and the truck never missed a beat. There were plenty of unplowed roads around, but this 2019 Tacoma escorted us safely to our destination. Finally, the optional Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are must-haves with this longer Double Cab pickup. They saved us a number of times from getting hit when we couldn’t see traffic and obstacles around us.
Given this Tacoma is longer, the parking sensors are a must as well.
Conclusion: Ready For The Weekend!
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is ideal for adventure enthusiasts who want to get off the beaten path. Toyota’s reputation for durability and strong resale value put it at the top of the list in the mid-size truck segment. If you are transporting dirt bikes, four-wheelers, and snow machines; if you’re heading up the mountain to go skiing, or pulling a small camping trailer, this truck will meet your needs.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Toyota Tacoma Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (Additional Tacoma models shown).

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2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe: Now With “Broader Shoulders”

2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe: Now With “Broader Shoulders” The 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe has a lower profile than the normal Cayenne.
Two engines are available, including a more powerful and turbocharged V8.
Porsche says to expect the new Cayenne Coupe in the U.S. later this fall.
Porsche is extending the Cayenne model line with a new Coupe body style. Highlights include sharper lines, an adaptive rear spoiler, individual rear seats, and either a standard panoramic fixed-glass roof, or an optional carbon fiber roof. The 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe also has a Turbo variant for those wanting a few more ponies.
“The Coupe includes all the technical highlights of the current Cayenne, but has an even more dynamic design and new technical details that position it as more progressive, athletic, and emotional,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.
Broad Shoulders & Sport Seats
Porsche’s designers went for an athletic and dynamic look. For example, the front windshield and A-pillar are shallower versus the Cayenne; the roof edge is roughly 0.78 inches lower than the standard design. The rear doors and quarter panels also receive a makeover in an effort to “broaden the shoulders.” Even the licence plate bracket gets special treatment. It’s now part of the bumper, making it look as if the Cayenne Coupe sits lower to the ground.
Cayenne Coupe drivers will enjoy the eight-way Sport Seats that offer generous lateral support, according to Porsche. In the rear, the Coupe receives a bench but with characteristics of individual seats. Rear passengers sit 1.18 inches lower than in the Cayenne, meaning headroom is unaffected despite the lower profile. Cargo volume is 22 cubic feet and increases to 54.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
By comparison, the Cayenne Turbo Coupe has 21.2 feet with the rear seats standing; 53.3 cubic feet folded.
2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Power & Performance
The Cayenne Coupe features the same 3.0-liter mono-turbo V6 as the standard Cayenne, generating 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. of torque. The standard Coupe hits 60 in 5.7 seconds; 5.6 seconds with Porsche’s optional lightweight-sport packages. By comparison, the Cayenne Turbo Coupe employs a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 with 541 horsepower and 567 lb-ft. of torque. The Turbo Coupe hits 60 in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 178 mph.
All Cayenne Coupe models come with the Sport Chrono Package standard. For the Cayenne Turbo Coupe, Porsche’s Sport Exhaust System is available.
The current Cayenne Turbo was the first Porsche to feature an adaptive roof spoiler, something the new Cayenne Coupe adopts. Every Cayenne Coupe receives both the roof spoiler and an adaptive rear spoiler as part of the Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) package. The spoiler extends by 5.3 inches to increase downforce to the rear axle at speeds above 56 mph.
2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
The 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe will arrive this fall with a starting price of $75,300. The Cayenne Turbo Coupe will start at $130,100. Add an additional $1,250 for delivery, processing, and handling.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report.
Photos & Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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New Volvo Tech Could Intervene During Distracted & Intoxicated Driving

New Volvo Tech Could Intervene During Distracted & Intoxicated Driving Volvo’s new monitoring system aims to reduce the impacts of distracted and impaired driving.
The technology allows the vehicle to automatically intervene if a driver fails to respond to warnings.
As part of a larger conversation, Volvo asks if automakers have an obligation to produce such technology.
Volvo is showcasing new technology that may prevent fatal accidents involving impairment, speeding, and distraction. The automaker is doubling down on their vision of a future with zero traffic fatalities, saying it’s necessary to address these three main “gaps.” This news follows Volvo’s more recent announcement about limiting the top speed on all their cars to 111 mph starting in 2021.
Volvo says they want to start a conversation about whether automakers have the right, or maybe even the obligation to install technology that can change a drivers’ behavior.
“When it comes to safety, our aim is to avoid accidents altogether rather than limit the impact when an accident is imminent and unavoidable,” explained Henrik Green, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars. “In this case, cameras will monitor for behavior that may lead to serious injury or death.”
What The Data Shows
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017 involved intoxicated driving. Further data from the National Safety Council determined around 80,000 total roadway deaths occurred in the United States through 2017 and 2018. The latest statistics reflect a slow leveling off, with the number of fatalities in the first six months of 2018 dipping slightly. (Less than 0.5 percent from six-month 2017 estimates).
However, experts believe it may only be a “stabilization” of the largest two-year increase in over 50 years; between 2014 and 2016.
“When it comes to this leading cause of accidental death, we aren’t making progress – we’re treading water,” said Ken Kolosh, Manager of Statistics, National Safety Council. “We cannot accept more than 18,700 deaths as the price of mobility.”
Volvo’s new camera monitoring system aims to reduce the impacts of distracted and impaired driving. Photo: Volvo Car Group.
Proactive Approach
Volvo believes fatal accidents involving intoxication and distraction can be addressed via cameras and sensors that monitor the driver. If an impaired driver does not respond to warning signals, and is risking an accident, the vehicle can automatically intervene. Intervention measures include automatically limiting the car’s speed, alerting the Volvo on Call service and, as a final course of action, actively slowing down and safely parking the car.
“There are many accidents that occur as a result of intoxicated drivers,” said Trent Victor, Professor of Driver Behavior at Volvo Cars. “Some people still believe that they can drive after having had a drink, and that this will not affect their capabilities. We want to ensure that people are not put in danger as a result of intoxication.”
Graph: Volvo Car Group.
Related: Distracted driving kills and it’s a worldwide problem.
Recognizing Patters
Volvo’s driver monitoring system looks for certain telltale signs involving distracted and intoxicated driving. For example, a lack of steering inputs for extended periods of time, extreme weaving across lanes, and slow reaction times. The system even detects if a driver closes or takes their eyes off the road for too long. Volvo’s technology could intervene if say a driver is texting behind the wheel.
“It takes on average 4.6 seconds to send a text message,” said Special First Lieutenant and Traffic Safety Specialist Jim Flegel of the Michigan State Police. “At 55 mph, that is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.”
According to NHTSA, distracted driving accounted for 3,450 deaths in 2016. The Traffic Safety Facts Research Note on Distracted Driving, also conducted by NHTSA, found drivers under the age of 20 had the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes in 2015.
Implementation & Future Considerations
Volvo plans to introduce the cameras starting in 2020. The camera’s position, location, and number thereof is still being determined. In the meantime, experts say driving defensively is the best way to stay safe on the road. Always buckle up, ignore text messages, obey all posted signs, and designate a sober driver.
“The sad part is that 100 percent of crashes related to distracted and intoxicated driving are preventable,” Flegel said.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report.
Photos & Source: Volvo Car Group, NHTSA, NSC.

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Letter From The UK: What Happens To Our Car Industry Now?

Letter From The UK: What Happens To Our Car Industry Now? The Brexit debate continues with more questions than answers.
Threats of tariffs loom for an industry already experiencing a slowdown.
Geoff Maxted of DriveWrite Automotive Magazine examines in this Letter From The UK.
Over the last few days, the British public has watched open-mouthed at the antics of their elected representatives in the UK parliament. With just a couple of weeks to go before our nation leaves BY LAW (unless the government passes new legislation or comes to some form of agreement in the meantime), the unseemly meleé over Brexit among both government and opposition political parties makes you wonder about the future of democracy itself in Great Britain. The weak vacillation, the posturing and, yes, the lying has had a devastating effect on industry; generally and specifically on our car manufacturers who simply have no idea which way to turn.
Right now, thanks to European free trade, cars and component parts move freely in both directions, but what happens if borders start to impose tariffs which could be the case in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit departure. Our motor industry has been consistent and united in the view that a ‘no deal’ Brexit would have a devastating impact on the sector, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports.
Some commentators argue that it will be all right in the end, but it probably won’t.
The Hard Truths
Some say the car industry shouldn’t worry about leaving the EU with ‘no deal,’ yet the reality is that leaving without a deal with our European partners would trigger the most seismic shift in trading conditions UK car manufacturing has ever experienced. As the situation stands right now, literally overnight, it would be hit by an immediate end to free and frictionless trade with its biggest market, an end to being partners in preferential negotiated EU trade with a further 70 countries worldwide, the imposition of billions of pounds of tariffs and severe disruption to supply chains and production.
That’s the Ground Zero prediction.
Already, the past two years have seen a significant drop in investment, car sales, and manufacturing; each driving the industry off course to meet its production target of two million cars by 2020. This is a cyclical sector and other issues are also undermining global growth; falling sales of diesel engine vehicles and the shaky Chinese car market for example, but companies surveyed over time have said that Brexit was costing jobs and competitiveness.
It’s their industry; they should know.
A technician works the line at the Jaguar Land Rover Solihull plant in Lode Lane, Solihull, England. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Related: It’s crunch time across the pond. How will the motor industry respond?
Looming Threats
Only twelve percent of cars sold here in the UK are built here. We export more than 80 percent of the cars we produce, with two-thirds of these sold in the EU and markets such as Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey with which the EU has those preferential trade agreements. Tariffs would disadvantage UK car manufacturers in all of these markets.
It is widely believed that as our car industry would no longer be governed by euro-rules, a ‘no deal’ Brexit will help reduce car prices and increase choice for the consumer. Conceivably, this might be possible but, like walking into a dark and foreboding forest, you never know what might be behind the trees. Unless the UK reaches agreement with the EU, tariffs may very well increase. After all, consumer choice depends on profitability and importers to the UK already have to engineer cars for right-hand drive, which is a significant added cost in itself. If prices rise, the market will contract, further squeezing margins and causing consumer choice to shrink.
The German car industry for example sells 750,000 cars in the UK; clearly it will want to protect its own interests. Both the Germans and the rest of the car manufacturing countries have been clear: the single market matters more to them than a deal with the UK.
Last year, the Nissan Juke became the fourth Sunderland-built model to hit one million units. On average, a Juke is built at Nissan’s UK plant every 105 seconds. Photo: Nissan Motor Company Ltd.
Related: Is the UK car industry about to fall off the cliff?
The Immediate Future
Of course, as is often the way with politicians, it is quite possible that an amicable agreement will miraculously appear, like a genie out of a lamp. It might be that exceptions and accommodations can be made which override the issues. Why would anyone in their right mind jeopardise the future of the car industry across Europe and the UK?
It seems unconscionable, but then of course we are dealing with political ideology and their dodgy proponents in which case it is usually the population that suffers the consequences.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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Night Vision For The Masses: NightRide Helps Keep Drivers Safe

Night Vision For The Masses: NightRide Helps Keep Drivers Safe Sometimes even with the best of headlights, it’s impossible to see everything at night.
A new product called NightRide uses advanced infrared technology to help drivers see after dark.
The NightRide unit comes with two different displays, including a “fighter pilot” style heads-up display.
There’s no doubt about it. Driving at night is risky business. Throw in visually-impaired drivers, fatigue from the long work day, and rush hour traffic and the odds are further against you. In fact, the National Safety Council finds that 50 percent of traffic deaths happen at night. The developers of NightRide considered statistics like these when they went to work on the innovative plug-and-play device that utilizes far-wave military-grade infrared technology.
Beyond Headlights
NightRide is essentially a thermal camera that allows drivers to see well beyond the range of standard headlights, providing additional visibility in darkness and during severe weather. The unit is designed to detect things like deer, pedestrians, and black ice at night, and during rainy, foggy, and snowy conditions.
“The driving force behind NightRide is our desire to empower people to drive at night with total peace of mind,” said Shawn Groce, Founder of Wesa, the company behind NightRide. “Collisions with animals are costing Americans $1 billion each year.”
NightRide is a thermal camera that detects hard-to-see objects in the dark. Photo: Wesa Inc.
Infrared-Based Night Vision System
Unlike conventional night vision systems that magnify small amounts of ambient light, NightRide can operate in total darkness by using thermal infrared technology. Infrared measures the amount of heat emitted by people or objects to create a visual image of the objects ahead. Groce believes this gives drivers an advantage during the night.
“According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, regular headlights can only help drivers see up to a maximum of 160 feet ahead. Most of the time, this is insufficient to see the road and to make decisions to avoid accidents that lead to injury or death,” he explained. “But since NightRide helps drivers see up to four times further than headlights, and can see beyond rain, snow, and fog, the risk of hitting someone or having an accident is significantly reduced.”
NightRide captures people and objects much farther away than ordinary headlights. Photo: Wesa Inc.
Long-Range Durability & Visibility
The thermal camera within the NightRide unit can withstand changing temperatures and harsh weather, a hallmark of its design. The actual camera housing is hermetically-sealed and rated at IP69 for environmental protection. And in order to operate flawlessly in both hot and cold conditions, the camera sensor is temperature-controlled.
The company says the unit is meant for use in inclement weather and was designed accordingly.
NightRide extends the visibility of common nighttime hazards up to 600 feet. In terms of driving in snow or fog, every inch of visibility makes a huge difference. To sum it up, NightRide’s technology is about providing an added buffer in order to reduce a nighttime collision.
NightRide capturing a deer in the dark. Photo: Wesa Inc.
How It Works
Night vision for cars is nothing new. In fact, high-end BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Cadillac vehicles are currently offering their own versions of night vision as an option. Ticking the box for the Mercedes Night View Assist PLUS in an S-Class sedan will cost upwards of $2,200. It’s basically the same deal with a BMW or Cadillac. However, the brains behind NightRide were looking for a more cost-effective solution; one that fits every type of car on the road.
“The most daunting challenge in developing NightRide was to make it affordable and easy to install,” Groce said. “NightRide is plug-and-play and self-installable in a matter of minutes.”
The NightRide unit mounts cleanly on the hood, near the base of the windshield, using an anti-theft mounting bracket. The unit grabs power directly via a wired connection to the car’s battery.
“And it is cheaper than most smartphones on the market today,” Groce added.
The NightRide unit is easy to install. Photo: Wesa Inc.
Fighter Pilot Display
Drivers can choose between two different displays, depending on their preferences. The first is an engaging, fighter-pilot-style heads-up display. This allows you to view the night vision images from the console display on the windshield itself. The next option is to affix the display console on the windshield using a suction mount. Equipment for both options of the display are ready to go, right out of the box.
Pricing & Availability
NightRide is available for a limited time at the discounted price of $795 with a $50 pre-order deposit. Initial shipments begin in June. For more information about NightRide, see their comprehensive FAQ page.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
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