Automotive

New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Promises More Comfort, Safety & Work-Friendly Features

New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Promises More Comfort, Safety & Work-Friendly Features Sometimes, work vans and transport vehicles have a reputation for being bare-bones at best. Recently, we took the Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van for an extensive test drive. We liked the van well enough but thought it could use a few more basic features. Mercedes-Benz recently revealed the new Sprinter and addressed those concerns by promising “comfort and safety features at a passenger car level.” When it hits the market, the new Sprinter will offer more than 1,700 different configurations worldwide – surely enough to distinguish Mercedes-Benz from the rest of this segment.
“The Sprinter continues to embody the traditional attributes that have made it so successful worldwide since its market launch – flexibility, robustness, and economy,” said Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “This makes it the first end-to-end system solution for commercial fleets, both for Mercedes-Benz Vans and for the entire industry.”
Connect & Manage
According to Mercedes-Benz, the new Sprinter will provide “maximum cost-effectiveness thanks to lower total operating costs and customer-oriented features.” One such feature is a networked service called Mercedes PRO Connect, said to help with the logistical challenges and transport requirements fleet managers face, regardless of how many vehicles they oversee. Mercedes PRO links the fleet manager with each vehicle and driver so they can better manage assignments and vital vehicle information like location, fuel level or maintenance intervals.
“Mercedes PRO Connect professionalizes our customers in terms of efficient fleet management, improved navigation, efficient analysis of driving style, digitalized recording, and remote vehicle operations,” reads a statement from the automaker.
Photo: MBUSA.
Flexibility & Features
With the aforementioned 1,700 configurations, Mercedes-Benz is hoping customers can find the right Sprinter for their daily needs. Of the examples they give: couriers on last mile deliveries, transportation of goods over long distances, and technicians who may keep parts stocked on the van for service calls. The new Sprinter can also be put to work as a camper van, bus, or airport shuttle, and can be used as an ambulance or fire rescue vehicle.
Although they don’t mention the comfort features specifically, Mercedes-Benz says the new Sprinter comes with a host of safety and convenience items, including a self-cleaning rear-view camera, a 360-degree view parking camera, and a rain sensor with an integrated Wet Wiper system for optimum visibility. Mercedes-Benz, although a bit vague, says the new Sprinter will have other “detailed improvements with a major effect on the cab as a workplace.”
Photo: MBUSA.
Pricing & Availability
The new Sprinter will arrive by the end of this year in the U.S. market, with the final U.S. product range and available configurations to be announced. The electrified eSprinter is expected to hit the U.S. in 2019. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter first launched in Europe in 1995 and arrived in the United States in 2001.
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.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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Nissan 370Zki: Because Winters Aren’t Crazy Enough

Nissan 370Zki: Because Winters Aren’t Crazy Enough At first I thought this was kind of nuts. Turning a Nissan 370Z into a giant snowmobile and then showing it off earnestly at this year’s Chicago Auto Show was kind of your typical, attention-grabbing auto show stunt. Then I remembered what your typical Chicago winter is like and I thought, “yeah, blasting up Lake Shore Drive in this thing, mid-blizzard, makes complete sense.”
A Petition (Of Sorts)
I think Nissan is semi-serious about this. Near as I can tell, this thing, half-cleverly dubbed the “370Zki,” can actually drive over snow. (It’s pronounced as “370-Ski”). Since, as you know, Automoblog is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan (a place not known for its mild winters) I think Nissan should send the 370Zki over to One Automoblog Towers so we can give it a full test and evaluation before spring.
All-Terrain Fury
And Nissan, bless their hearts, isn’t exactly messing about here. At least not in the engine department. The plant is a stock, factory spec 3.7-liter V6 that puts out 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. torque to the, well, not the tires anyway. Now that I think about it, this could be a really fun way to get out to your ice fishing hut. Nissan says the 370Zki is “ready to tackle ski slopes and backwoods trails alike with its front skis and rear snow tracks.” Of course, the interesting part for a gearhead about the 370Zki is the engineering that actually went into making it.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Vital Components
The tracks that hold up the back end and provide forward thrust were supplied by this outfit called American Track Truck, Inc. and are known as DOMINATOR Tracks. Yes, all caps. Like you’d expect people who make (more or less) bolt-on track conversion kits to be subtle. However, the 370Zki is not a (more or less) bolt-on affair. To make room for the tracks, the entire drivetrain was removed from the donor 370Z Roadster. Then they designed and engineered a custom lift kit, raising the vehicle three inches from the normal height. If you can’t see the need for this, please do some remedial reading.
Then they fabbed up a set of custom mountings for the rear suspension springs and installed three-inch custom spacers so they could mount the snow tracks to the wheel hubs. Somehow, they were able to keep the factory brakes, but they did reroute the brake lines along with the exhaust system. The exhaust system was also further modified to fit tighter under the vehicle. The rear wheel wells were messed with to get the clearance the four-foot-long snow tracks required.
Up front, the suspension was also modded for greater ride height, and adaptors were made for the appropriate travel and rotation of the front skis. The skis were also supplied by American Track Truck, Inc. and, with the use of spacers, mounted to the stock wheel hubs. The engine and transmission mounts also got a tweaking and they added a fabricated front skid plate to prevent damage when running over crusty snow and, I’m assuming, things like beavers and badgers and other critters like that.
Photo: Nissan North America.
An Idea (Of Sorts)
Cosmetically the 370Zki is about as subtle as one of Brian O’Conner’s rides. On the other hand, Nissan said it was “relatively easy” to accomplish, going with a custom body wrap done up by Icon Image Graphics. The headlights, as a finishing touch, were tinted yellow to resemble ski goggles. Of course what really needs to be done now is for someone, say Honda or Ford, to take one of their cars and give it the same “Mental Patient Snowmobile” treatment and then we can race them.
In case you want all the deets, here’s a handy chart showing what happened to which part of the car. We have included a gallery below as well.
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.
Nissan 370Zki Project Build Specifications
Base Vehicle: Nissan 370Z Roadster.Drivetrain: 332 horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 w/ seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive.Top: Cloth power-folding roof with fabric inner liner.
Modifications:
Part/system
Supplier/modification
DOMINATOR Tracks
Width 15 inches
Length 48 inches
Height 30 inches
American Track Truck, Inc.
Front skis
Width 12 inches
Length 56 inches
American Track Truck, Inc.
Wheel wells
Opened up front and rear
Wheel spacers
3-inch front and rear
Suspension
Custom mounting fabrication front and rear
Brakes
Factory spec front and rear, relocated – including brake lines
Steering
Factory spec
Engine
Factory spec 3.7-liter V6, 332 hp, 270 lb-ft torque
Body wrap
Icon Image Graphics
Nissan 370Zki Gallery

Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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2018 Toyota Corolla XSE Review

2018 Toyota Corolla XSE Review

Those wanting a compact car with attitude should take a look at the new Toyota Corolla. If you want a safe compact car, the Corolla gets a suite of safety features not typically found in this segment. Add in a dash of Corolla’s excellent fuel economy along with its high resale value, and you have all the ingredients for a car that will please budget-conscious consumers.
This weekend, we drove the top-of-the-line, 2018 Toyota Corolla XSE.
What’s New For 2018
The 50th Anniversary Edition trim has been dropped. Otherwise, the Toyota Corolla goes forward unchanged.
Features & Options
The 2018 Toyota Corolla XSE gets you a lot of features for the money ($22,730). It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a black mesh grille, heated color-keyed side mirrors with turn signal indicators, a rear spoiler, and a chrome-tipped exhaust. Inside, we were treated to a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, sport front seats, power moonroof, and the upgraded Entune audio system. The XSE also comes standard with heated front seats and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Standard safety features include Toyota’s Safety Sense with pre-collision warnings, pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and auto high beams. Our XSE tester came with the optional Entune Premium Audio ($525) with an integrated navigation system and the Entune App Suite. The TRD Performance exhaust ($649) was a nice touch. Total MSRP including destination: $25,337.

Interior Highlights
We slid into the XSE and saw the most up-to-date cabin yet for Toyota’s compact car. It features a stylish dashboard, a sporty steering wheel, and an automatic gear shifter that fit perfectly into our hands. We particularly liked the traditional audio and climate controls unlike some that are put in difficult-to-use touchscreen menus. When we did need to use the seven-inch touchscreen, it offered up large buttons, clear graphics, and quick responses. It could be one of the easier infotainment systems to operate in this class.
Various connectivity features came courtesy of the Entune App Suite with services like Bing, Facebook, Yelp, Pandora, and real-time traffic data.
The Corolla’s front seats hugged us from behind and provided adequate comfort, particularly with the firmer bolstering found in the XSE. We adjusted the telescoping steering wheel, came up with a comfortable driving position, and were able to see the gauges perfectly. Out back, there’s more legroom than most small compact sedans and headroom is a plus for taller passengers. Trunk capacity is average at 13 cubic feet, but the wider opening makes it fairly easy to load and unload any items you might need to transport.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2018 Toyota Corolla XSE comes powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft. of torque. It’s mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission which benefits the Corolla in terms of gas mileage. With the larger 17-inch wheels, the Corolla gets an EPA estimated 28/35 city/highway and 31 combined mpg using regular unleaded fuel.
Driving Dynamics
When we hit the push button start and powered up the Corolla, we could hear the louder growl from the optional TRD Performance Exhaust. When we pressed on the gas, it gave off a distinct exhaust note younger buyers will appreciate. Many go for this in aftermarket shops, but Toyota was wise to offer it from the factory.
The Corolla’s four-cylinder engine is bulletproof when it comes to reliability but it does lack in the performance department. We pushed it hard at altitude but were asking for more power as we tried to pass slower traffic. The CVT automatic gearbox has a distinct rpm drone and the TRD exhaust accentuates the sound even more. We tossed the compact car around the tight mountain curves too, but it’s really designed more for city commuting. On the upside, it handles city streets with ease and it won’t leave you tired after a long commute.
Conclusion
The 2018 Toyota Corolla XSE offers up a lot for the money. Add in Toyota’s reliability, excellent fuel economy, and the compact’s styling, and you’ve got a good commuter that should last for years. If you are looking for safety, the standard rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are as good as most luxury sedans.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Corolla XSE Gallery

2018 Toyota Corolla Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Hollywood Dream Machines Exhibit Takes Us Into The Action!

Hollywood Dream Machines Exhibit Takes Us Into The Action! The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is launching an exhibit for car and movie buffs.
The new exhibit will feature over 40 memorable Hollywood vehicles, props, costumes, and artwork.
From Blade Runner and Terminator to the Marvel Universe and beyond, this is one exhibit worth seeing.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles had the very bright idea of partnering with the Comic-Con Museum for an exhibit titled Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Sounds like a match made in heaven: the pulp pages of comic books, the studios of Hollywood, and every gearhead who likes to see cool cars in movies. The main set piece of Hollywood Dream Machines will be the “deconstructed” Audi R8 V10 driven by Tony Stark in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War.
And if I have to tell you who Tony Stark is, then I don’t know how I can help you son.
Anyway, this R8 was inspired by Swiss artist Fabian Oefner. It’s one of those “exploded diagrams in real life” sort of deals with the vehicle’s many components suspended in midair on wires. Standing next to it will be one of the iconic red and gold Iron Man costumes worn by Robert Downey Jr.’s character.
Perfect Marriage
Conveniently enough, this is the 10th anniversary of the collaboration between Audi and Marvel Studios. Or, to put it another way, this is the 10th anniversary of Audi paying huge amounts of money to a Hollywood studio for a fantastic product placement opportunity. For example, The Petersen Automotive Museum points out that Tony Stark has driven multiple generations of the R8 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the Audi e-tron GT concept in Avengers: Endgame.
They didn’t say that Tony also drove an NSX in one of the movies, but hey, why quibble?
“We’re proud to highlight Audi and Marvel Studios’ connection in ’Hollywood Dream Machines,’” said Terry L. Karges, Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director. “This exhibit is a love letter to the science fiction and fantasy vehicles that spark our imaginations and the amazing technology of both Audi and Iron Man are a perfect example of this.”
Also falling into the “conveniently enough” category is how it’s also the anniversary of Audi having the good sense to raid the corporate parts bin and drop a Lamborghini V10 engine into the R8. Genius move, just brilliant. Audi is taking this opportunity to mark that occasion with the limited edition R8 V10 Decennium. They’re making 222 of the beasts with the last 50 being available in the United States. I guess making only 10 would have been too little?
The Hollywood Dream Machines exhibit will include the famous DeLorean time machine from the Back to the Future series.
From Spooner To Hasselhoff
And yes, in case you are worried, there is more than just Iron Man’s toys. The exhibition features over 40 Hollywood vehicles, props, and costumes. For example, the Audi RSQ concept, driven by Will Smith in i, Robot; the Warthog from Halo; the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future; Black Beauty from The Green Hornet; the Weyland Industries RT01 Group Transport from Prometheus; Bumblebee from the Transformers series, and the GM Ultralight from Demolition Man.
And yes, a Batmobile, although sadly, it’s one of the Tim Burton versions.
Also on display will be the Lexus from Black Panther, which seems like a normal Lexus only all scratched up. Somehow they got Rick Deckard’s Sedan from Blade Runner, which is rarely seen in public. Frankenstein’s Shala Vette from Death Race 2000 will be there – I didn’t even realize that thing was a Vette! The not driven (but definitely seen) Ford Flathead Roadster from Tony Stark’s garage is there, as is a Ford Explorer from Jurassic Park. They actually sold these Jurassic Park ones to the public. There was one in the parking lot of the Ralph’s all the time when I lived in Arizona.
And last but not least, the Pontiac Firebird from Knight Rider will be on display. It’s not confirmed but entirely possible there is a scent of Hasselhoff still left in it.
The interior of Knight Industries Two Thousand “K.I.T.T.” Driven in the TV series Knight Rider starring David Hasselhoff.
In Person
The Hollywood Dream Machines exhibit will have something for everyone; from greasy finger-nailed gearheads who love looking at the inner workings of machinery, to movie buffs who also happen to like cars. To kick off the exhibit, the Petersen will host an opening reception Saturday evening with live entertainment, appetizers, and cocktails. The exhibit opens to the public on Sunday and runs through March 15th of next year.
The Peterson Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, California, 90036. Admission prices are $16 for adult general admission; $14 for seniors, and $11 for children ages 4 to 17. Active military with ID, personal care attendants, and children under four are admitted for free. So go. Buy a ticket. Take the ride. Take some pictures. Have a good time!
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.
Hollywood Dream Machines Gallery

DeLorean Time Machine. Driven in Back to the Future (1985), Back to the Future II (1989), and Back to the Future III (1990) Designer: Ron Cobb & Andrew Probert.

Tron Light Cycle. As depicted in Tron: Legacy (2010) Designers: Ryan Church, Harald Belker, Tim Flattery, Ed Natividad and Daniel Simon.

Batmobile. As depicted in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) Designer: Fireball Tim Lawrence and Julian Caldow.

Deckard’s Sedan. Driven in Blade Runner (1982) Designer: Syd Mead.

Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series. Driven in Black Panther (2018) Designer: Tadao Mori (Lexus LC 500).

Ford Flathead Roadster. Appeared in Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010).

Ford Explorer XLT Tour Vehicle #07 (filming replica). As depicted in the film Jurassic Park (1993) Designer: Universal Pictures.

Knight Industries Two Thousand “K.I.T.T.” Driven in the TV series Knight Rider (1982-1986) Designer: Michael Scheffe.

The Alligator (replica). As depicted in Death Race 2000 (1975) Designer: James Powers.

Ford Taurus Police Cruiser. Driven in RoboCop (2014).

Black Beauty. Driven in the TV series The Green Hornet (1966-1967) Designer: Dean Jeffries.

Mach 5 Prototype. As depicted in the animated TV series Speed Racer (1967-1968) and the film Speed Racer (2008) Designer: Mark Towle.

Honda Custom. Ridden in Ghost in the Shell (2017) Designer: Honda And Dominic Taylor Of Human Dynamo Workshop.

Skynet Moto-Terminator. Ridden in Terminator Salvation (2009) Designer: Martin Laing and Victor Martinez.
Photos: Kahn Media.

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Letter From The UK: More Fun Than It Should Be

Letter From The UK: More Fun Than It Should Be The Suzuki Jimny is one of those vehicles: it’s not glamorous but it sure is gorgeous.
Geoff Maxted of DriveWrite Automotive Magazine goes in for some hard-hat motoring.
Unfortunately, the Suzuki Jimny is not available in the United States which makes us sad.
A few weeks ago I made mention of the Ford Focus Active, a very good car that as of right now, America will not get. In the meantime I have been driving the Suzuki Jimny, a small G-Wagen style off-road hero that is taking much of the rest of the world by storm; except the USA.
In 2012 Suzuki announced that it would no longer be selling cars in the U.S. because, frankly, you didn’t want them, and anyway they were not terribly good. Times change and if any brand can be considered to have gotten its act together it is this Japanese company. Masters of producing relatively inexpensive small cars and SUV’s, their current catalogue has a whole range of great vehicles. Taking pride of place among them is the Jimny, described below.
About The Suzuki Jimny
The unashamedly retro-styled Suzuki Jimny has been around in one form or another since 1970, originating as the diminutive LJ10, a car especially noted for its ability to roll over like a fat dog if the steering was used with any enthusiasm at all. The more recent incarnation, the Jimny, is stable, beloved of off-road enthusiasts the world over, and largely ignored by the general public. If, in this modern era, we are still allowed to have fun with cars then the general public don’t know what they are missing.
The Suzuki Jimny is not big and it is not clever. It has the basic technology we have come to expect but no more than that. It is not by any means a highway cruiser. And it would impossible to make love on the back seat unless the participants were double-jointed. What it does have in spades is the DNA of a mountain goat and the crusty performance reliability of Sam Elliott. It offers unrivalled off-road performance for a car in this sector. It will go anywhere and is the equal of the big boys in the muddy playground of the wild blue yonder.
You can’t not love it.
The Suzuki Jimny will go anywhere and is the equal of the big boys in the muddy playground of the wild blue yonder.
Off The Road
Built around a robust ladder frame with a wheel at each corner allowing for three ample body angles (Approach, Ramp and Departure), the Jimny comes with an ‘AllGrip Pro’ switchable two/four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer gear. Power comes from a 1.5L petrol engine (replacing the laboured old 1.3L) that will take the occupants wherever they want to go. Off-road the car is supremely agile and will deliver the goods when you need it most. Shift to low-range when the going gets really tough for maximum torque and better traction on steep slopes and rough terrain.
This writer has driven the Jimny in these conditions and can vouch for this claim: It’s brilliant.
It is so brilliant that the brand cannot build them fast enough to meet demand. In the UK some enterprising entrepreneurs have bought early examples and are selling them on at a premium. Right now, there is no point in asking the hard-bitten sales staff in the Suzuki showrooms for a discount for cash because they will just laugh in your face.

On The Open Road
On the road things change a bit, it has to be said. You simply cannot engineer that level of gnarly, mud-plugging, Goliath-slaying ability without compromise. Emissions of 154g/km or fuel economy averaging around 37 miles per gallon for the manual gearbox (there’s an auto too) cannot match the family crossover or SUV crowd, and the ride can best be charitably described as rugged.
That said, the Jimny could make for a mighty fine, quirky, left-field urban car choice. The small size, high driving position, and chunky proportions all make navigating an urban environment a piece of cake as the Jimny shrugs off speed bumps, potholes, and awkward kerbs (that’s how we spell curbs in the UK) as we would brush away a fly. It is easy to park and, unlike the popular soft-roaders, will not be brought to a halt by a bit of gravel, snow or ice.
Demand is high in the United Kingdom for the beloved Suzuki Jimny because of its off-road ability.
On The Inside
Although having a slightly shorter wheelbase than the previous model, the space inside has been well utilised – in the front. There’s as much room as any small city car and the hard-wearing interior and simple controls can take a beating. Where things fall down is in the back. The rear seats are fine for children and for adults over shortish distances but the trunk space with the rear seats up is laughable. A decent-sized French baguette and that’s your lot.
With the seats down, there’s much more space for luggage for two. Of course, a roof rack could be used, which would make the car more versatile. There are two levels of trim in the UK: SZ4 and SZ5; the latter having a few more conveniences and connectivity plus alloy wheels instead of the ‘steelies’ on the base model. Prices start at UK £15499 ($20,000).

The #Suzuki Jimny is easy to park and, unlike the popular soft-roaders, will not be brought to a halt by a bit of gravel, snow or ice. Click To TweetWhy Tell You About It?
Well, The LJ in LJ10, the 1970 original, stands for light jeep. Nothing to do with your legendary spine-breaker of old but the connection is implied as the Japanese sought to get some of that proper Jeep sales action. Then, it was no contest; today it might well be a different story and this brings me to the point.
Times change and our automotive tastes and preferences will vary over that time. I can see a day when, if Suzuki were to return to the States (allowing for import duties, taxes, idiot politicians and the like making it worth their while), F-150 owners would be left wondering why they need that flatbed after all. Owners of the soft, modern Jeeps would crave some of this small, bullish action. This is hard-hat motoring for the millennial generation; this is the car that would take rural-dwelling children to school and then tow a Jeep out of the mud.
The American buying public should clamour for this car because, above all else, it is mechanical auto fun as we all once knew it. Take the rough with the smooth. It’s more fun than it should be. I’ll bet Sam Elliott would approve.
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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Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group: Small Cars & Big Dreams

Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group: Small Cars & Big Dreams The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group is a growing organization in both Michigan and Canada.
Those who enjoy science and engineering will feel right at home, but the group is open to everyone.
Founder Alex Polonsky says the group’s mission is to use new technology to make our world better.
It’s Saturday in Ferndale, Michigan, a quiet community just north of the mighty Motor City. It’s here where a group of self-described “techies” are meeting to share their love for science and innovation. Head over to Ann Arbor, and the same thing is happening at Washtenaw Community College. Travel across the border to Ottawa, Canada and another gathering of the same techies is taking place. Each are chapters of the flourishing Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group (DAVG for short), a grassroots organization where members are “democratizing technology by doing.”
“We want to provide the community with a free and open place to explore new technologies, and fulfill their curiosity on the latest advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence and automated robots,” explained Alex Polonsky, DAVG Founder. “This brings us together and gives us a common goal, all while learning, meeting people, and having fun.”
Realizing A Dream
Polonsky is a bilingual engineer with a passion for mobility and technological innovation. Born in Russia and raised in San Francisco, California, he worked at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley designing the next-generation waste recycling systems for the space program. Despite a rewarding and promising career, Polonsky packed his bags for the Motor City in 2011. Today he is an electronics engineer with the Brose Group in nearby Auburn Hills.
“I decided to pursue a dream of making a difference through transportation and moved to Detroit,” Polonsky recalled. “Since moving I have been able to combine my passion for automobiles and technology through autonomous vehicles.”
DAVG Founder Alex Polonsky with an autonomous RC car during AutoSens 2018 at the Michigan Science Center. “We’ve really tried to build a fun environment to work on some of the most complex topics of robotics and automation,” he said. During meetups, members build self-driving RC cars.
Filling A Void
In February of 2017, while taking Udacity’s Self Driving Car Nanodegree course, Polonsky began thinking about starting his own group; one focused on self-driving cars but one in which members could apply their skills to real world applications. At the time, nothing like DAVG existed in the Detroit area. There wasn’t a place where automotive enthusiasts and professionals could work together on automation systems in a type of learning environment. The more Polonsky thought about it, the more it made sense to start something.
“Detroit didn’t have anything like our group and I thought it really should have something like this,” he said. “We have a place where people can have fun while learning about the latest complex technologies with others.”
DAVG now meets most Saturdays, during which members work on their self-driving RC cars. They hold monthly competitions where they race their creations and learn from each other’s experiences. As DAVG continues to grow, the group wants to add more layers to their Saturday meetings.
“We want to hold more monthly or bi-monthly races with more complex challenges, such as navigating a self-driving RC car through a scaled city,” Polonsky said. “We also want to work on new communication protocols, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. From there, we would like to invent new applications for the existing technologies and apply them in new ways.”
Members collaborate with each other during meetups. The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group has over 1,000 members between three different chapters.
Bringing New Ideas To Life
At the first meeting, only two members showed but the message spread rather quickly. The organization today includes over 1,000 members between the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Ottawa, Canada chapters. DAVG is now the official Detroit chapter of the DIYRobocars community, which includes over 15,000 people in more than 15 countries. Through these associations, some DAVG members have achieved remarkable success.
“The group at DAVG helped me get my startup, Passenger AI, off the ground,” explained CEO Martin Shen. “It was a great sounding board, and I even had one of the group members build the first prototype.”
Said prototype would help Shen secure funding for the company’s operations in Toronto, Canada. Passenger AI creates robotaxi interior monitoring systems, which use machine vision and machine learning. The technology detects human movement and other impending dangers, thereby making robotaxis safer.
“Martin joined DAVG in the beginning of 2018, before founding Passenger AI, and was immediately a great fit because of his entrepreneurial mindset,” Polonsky said. “He collaborated with a couple of the group members to help him build his idea. Two months later the first prototype was born.”
The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group ran their self-driving RC cars during AutoSens 2018 at the Michigan Science Center.
Everyone Is Welcome
Audi Senior R&D Engineer Zikang Ma says the days he spent with DAVG are among the greatest times of his life. Ma is now with Audi China’s Highly Automated Driving division, a dream job he says blossomed out of the confidence he gained through DAVG.
“It’s a great place to start if you want to switch to the future of automobiles,” Ma explained. “Don’t be afraid if you have no experience now; this is the right place to build a great career if you are eager learn and make progress for the future.”
“We are open to people from all walks of life to join us in learning, having fun, and growing the community,” Polonsky added. “We are not limited to only those who know about the technology. Instead, we want to share with anyone who is interested to learn and find out more.”
Some members come from completely different fields, and that’s okay.
“One of our group members, whose background is in political science, got hooked on the community,” Polonsky continued. “His favorite part is participating in brainstorming sessions and helping choose what technologies we work on next which might change the world.”

Inspiring Younger Generations
Starting on May 11th, DAVG is hosting the Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Adventure weekend. The two-day hackathon is meant to inspire the imaginations of kids, ages 12 to 17. On Saturday the 11th, kids will learn programming basics then transition to a hands-on session with autonomous RC cars. On Sunday, the kids will race their autonomous RC cars, receiving feedback on different categories like creativity, teamwork, and speed.
“The goal is to provide a full experience, from theory, to hands-on, to real world,” Polonsky said.
After Sunday’s race, kids can enjoy an F1 simulator provided by OmniSci. Industry professionals will be in attendance for kids to talk with over the weekend too. A number of influential entities in the field are supporting the upcoming hackathon. Companies like Dataspeed and Intrepid Control Systems; educational institutions like Lawrence Tech University, and the global AutoSens conference: all are supporting the event.
“Our mission is to provide an unforgettable experience where kids want to come back for more, and hopefully build something awesome later in their lives,” Polonsky added.
One of the missions of DAVG is to inspire today’s youth with the promises of science, technology, and innovation.
Making The World Better
The Detroit Autonomous Vehicle Group is growing and their community is becoming more dynamic and diverse. Those with a passion for science, innovation, and technology are encouraged to contact DAVG through their official website. A list of upcoming events can be found here. If you consider yourself a techie and you want to meet like-minded people, DAVG is the place for you.
“We are a group of techies who share a common vision for using technology to better the world,” Polonsky said. “Hopefully we can leave this place a little better than we found it by using technology.”
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 going back to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry.

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This New Rezvani Shows Why Modesty Is For The Birds

This New Rezvani Shows Why Modesty Is For The Birds Let us welcome, fellow gearheads and speed freaks, the latest debutant to the world boutique supercars: The Rezvani Beast Alpha X “Blackbird.” Yes, that’s it’s real name. No, it has nothing to do with insufferable Michael Bay movies (yet) nor is it a kid’s toy (yet). But it most definitely is part of the retinue of boutique supercars like Koenigsegg and Gumpert and Scuderia Glickenhaus.
Select Slices
For those of you not clued in, boutique supercars aim for a particular niche of an already niche market. Say you’re really rich. And say you want a car that both feeds your enormous ego and shows other people how rich and special you are. Buy a Ferrari or a Lambo or a McLaren? Are you daft?! No, no, no. You need something as unique and special as you are. Unfortunately, that also means you could wind up with something that’s as fly-by-night and structurally flawed as you are, but hey, you gotta be you, y’know?
Photo: Rezvani Motors.
Less Than Subtle
So you go out and get something like a Koenigsegg or a Gumpert or a Scuderia Glickenhaus, or Rezvani hopes, something like the Beast Alpha X “Blackbird.” What the Beast Alpha X “Blackbird” is, in many ways, is a rather “normal” example of what a modern supercar is. It’s smaller than you’d expect, mid-engined, and a two seater with a removable targa roof panel. Styling-wise it looks like what would happen if a Lotus Evora and any of this year’s Lambos had a baby. There are curves, but they’re largely mishandled, and there are, as one would expect, huge aero bits and pieces chopping off hunks of air here and cleaving it over there. The car has the subtlety of a 15-year-old’s drawing on his high school notebook. Then again, how subtle would you expect something named the Beast Alpha X “Blackbird” to look?
Curiously, the Rezvani is an American-made boutique supercar. Orange County, California, to be exact. Rezvani even goes the whole way and builds their own engines. To my way of thinking, rolling out your own bespoke supercar and having it powered by something off the rack like a small block Chevy means you’ve just made a kit car with pretensions.
Photo: Rezvani Motors.
Power & Performance
In the case of the Beast Alpha X “Blackbird,” said lump is an in-house designed and built . . . four cylinder. Wait, what? Yup, it’s motivated by a four-banger, albeit one that cranks out serious power. Rezvani says it’s a “reliable and powerful” 2.5-liter, 700 horsepower four-pot with a forced aspiration system driven by twin turbochargers. Apparently. Rezvani only mentions “turbocharger,” singular, but the engine pics on their website show two of them screwed onto the block. Whatever. Rezvani also says the turbo setup is “innovative and efficient” but does not give any details about how that is.
They do say the powerplants are built from the ground up using new Carillo racing forged pistons, rods, cams, valves, springs, and a Cosworth sourced ECU. Again, that’s kind of off the rack. Rezvani also states the engine “allows for a low cost of ownership and service,” which implies the thing won’t explode like a hand grenade, but still, 700 ponies from only 2.5 quarts and only four pistons seems like it’s asking a lot. Coupled to that plant is a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission or an optional sequential automatic box.
Also worryingly, Rezvani says it was designed with one thing in mind: brutal power. Brutal doesn’t sound like something that would go along with drivability does it?
Photo: Rezvani Motors.
Open Sesame
Since this is a boutique supercar, of course the doors are goofy and complex. Rezvani calls them SideWinder doors, and has even gone so far as to trademark the SideWinder name. They say the doors “provide a unique experience unlike any other,” but I’m not sure how they mean that. None of the pictures I see show how the things work. The seats are designed and built in-house, however, so that’s a nice touch.
The instrument cluster is a programmable dash display setup, with shift lights and shift points pre-programmed to tell the driver when to shift for maximum horsepower and torque. Unfortunately, the instrument cluster looks like they got it from a 1985 Corvette. That was cool when Cyndi Lauper was new, but less so now.
Photo: Rezvani Motors.
Pricing & Availability
All this carbon fiber bodywork, wrung 2.5 four-banger, and 2,150 lbs. of all-up weight equal one performance claim: zero to 60 in 2.9 Seconds. Which is impressive. They don’t say when you can get one but pricing starts at $225,000. That is before you begin adding stuff using the cute little configuration thing on their website.
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.
Rezvani Beast Alpha X “Blackbird” Gallery

Photos & Source: Rezvani Motors.

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2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4X4 Review

2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4X4 Review
If you are looking for a cute urban commuter that’s still capable for weekend excursions to the high country, the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4×4 could be the ticket. Renegade is unmistakably a Jeep with its tall, vertical sides, round headlights, and signature grille. What sets it apart is its compact size and wide stance.
Our tester came with the Trailhawk 4×4 package. It just wouldn’t be a Jeep without it, right? This week, we drove the 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4×4. One thing is for sure: it’s ready to take you away from civilization.
What’s New For 2017 & 2018
The 2017 and 2018 Jeep Renegade essentially carried over from 2016 with the Trailhawk as the top trim. Xenon headlights, automatic high beams, and keyless ignition and entry are new features.
Features & Options
The 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4×4 ($26,895) gets the full off-road package that includes hill descent control, a raised suspension, tow hooks, and underbody skid plates. It features 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, unique exterior accents, a full-size spare, an upgraded driver information display, and a 115-volt power outlet. Our tester came complete with premium cloth upholstery, red interior stitching, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a removable cargo floor panel.
We also had the optional navigation ($1,245) featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, HD radio, and Uconnect (includes extra safety features, a WiFi hotspot, and voice texting). A Cold Weather package ($545) included heated front seats, windshield wiper deicer, and a heated steering wheel. The Safety group ($645) included blind spot/cross path detection, a security alarm, and rear tonneau cover. It also came with remote start ($205).
Total MSRP including destination: $30,630.

Interior Highlights
The cabin of the Renegade is surprisingly roomy and comes with plenty of head, shoulder, and legroom. The shape of the Renegade helps give it an open feeling with good outward visibility for a compact vehicle. The front seats are comfortable and nicely bolstered. Renegade is wider than many small SUVs too.
The interior of the Trailhawk features some unique nods to Jeep’s past. This includes things like a Jeep grille on the speaker housing, a mud splash for the redline on the tach, and a Moab topography map on the storage tray ahead of the gearshift. The heated seats and steering wheel will be especially welcomed on cold winter mornings or when hitting the trails in the back country on a ski trip. There is some hard plastic inside but many surfaces are soft-touch vinyl.
The back seats leave a little to be desired when it comes to room for adults, but this is a compact vehicle and not a full-size SUV. Storage capacity measures 18.5 cubic feet and cargo room is sizable behind the rear seat, which folds flat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, two-speed transfer case, and off-road equipment. The 2.4-liter plant produces 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. The Renegade Trailhawk 4×4 comes in at 21/29 city/highway and 24 combined mpg according to EPA estimates.
Fuel economy rates middle of the pack for a compact SUV.
Driving Dynamics
In the city, Renegade drives like a small SUV and is particularly easy to maneuver in traffic or when navigating tight parking lots. Take it out on the highway and it offers a smooth ride with enough power for most driving situations. We tested the Trailhawk at high altitudes, going up steep mountain roads, and felt the small Jeep was underpowered when we needed it most. The 2.4-liter could use a bit more torque for pulling up steep inclines – it has to rev high to achieve its peak torque.
For city driving, most commuters will have sufficient power to get around urban streets and highways, however. The nine-speed transmission is better than a CVT, but wanted to hunt for the right gear as we pushed it hard up I-70 at altitude. The small SUV handled the two-lane mountain roads comfortably, coping with the curves as we went. There was some body lean due to the higher profile, however.
The Trailhawk is designed for rugged terrain, and it can go off-road easily with its 8.7-inches of ground clearance. Though mostly quiet on paved roads, the off-road tires do contribute to a noisier ride at higher speeds. Heavy snow hit the Denver area this week but with a flip of the switch to 4-wheel high, we plowed through 8-inches of snow without issue. We felt confident in the vehicle’s ability to get us anywhere we need to go.

Conclusion
Those wanting a capable urban commuter, with ample cargo room, flexibility, and off-road capability, will find the Renegade Trailhawk is good entry-level Jeep. It’s sufficiently refined as well as pleasantly capable for urban living. For the occasional weekend warrior, the Trailhawk offers plenty to keep you comfortable and warm in the back country.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
Jeep Renegade Trailhawk Gallery

Jeep Renegade Official Site.
Photos: FCA US LLC. (2018 models also shown).

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This Feature On The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Really Stands Out

This Feature On The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Really Stands Out Admittedly, we have yet to drive a vehicle – namely the 2018 NSX supercar or RLX Sport Hybrid – with Acura’s latest Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive system. Although we can imagine well enough what it’s capable of in something like the NSX and RLX, we do wonder how it might change up the ride and handling of an SUV like the MDX?
The 2018 MDX Sport Hybrid is equipped with the patented all-wheel drive, three-motor system from Acura.
Power & Performance
The MDX Sport Hybrid’s performance features are plentiful and exciting. For example, the 3.0-liter i-VTEC V6 engine creates 321 horsepower and 289 lb-ft. of torque, meaning it’s the most powerful SUV Acura has ever manufactured. Acura says despite turning out 30 additional horsepower and a 45 percent higher EPA city fuel economy rating when compared to the conventionally-powered MDX, the Sport Hybrid is only an extra $1,500.
In our minds, the hybrid variant is easily worth the extra money. That’s the way we would go.
Other performance features include a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, an Integrated Dynamics System with a SPORT+ mode, Active Dampers, and Electric Servo Brakes.
The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid comes in two new shades of red but this lighter gray/silver isn’t half bad either. Photo: Honda North America.
Color Schemes & Safety Tech
Acura’s designers must love red as two new colors, Basque Red Pearl II and San Marino Red, are now available. The Technology Package and Advance Package are on offer and include unique interior trim elements and stainless steel sport pedals. It’s worth noting the Technology Package can seat seven, while the Advance Package seats six with second-row captain’s chairs and a larger center console in place of a three-person bench seat.
Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Collision Mitigation Braking are among the available safety systems.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is available now with a starting MSRP of $52,100. If you drive one off the lot, let us know on Twitter how you like the Super Handling-All Wheel Drive system.
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: Honda North America.

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