2018 Eclipse Cross: The New Mitsubishi Eclipse

2018 Eclipse Cross: The New Mitsubishi Eclipse I’ll confess two things right up front: One, I keep forgetting Mitsubishi is still selling cars in America, and two: this is what the Eclipse has tuned into? This? The Eclipse used to be a sport coupe with a killer all-wheel drive setup. Then it turned into a more (and more) watered down version of itself; a copy of a copy of a copy.
And that was sad, but now it’s this thing. Sigh.
Waxing Poetics
This is yet another SUV/crossover/thingo which, yeah, makes a certain amount of sense, but not that much sense. Mitsubishi is particularly unrepentant about how it took the name from a (close to a) sports car and slapped it onto what-might-as-well-be-a-station-wagon: “The Eclipse sports car was one of Mitsubishi’s best-selling and iconic vehicles ever. Now, the Eclipse moniker is making its jubilant comeback with the same reputation for driving dynamics and technology in the form of a CUV.” [Gag, gag, ga-ag!!]
What the Eclipse Cross offers, sadly for the marketing outlook, is rather standard faire. Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Cross has coupe-like styling, which is kind of true. When I first saw the pictures, it reminded me of a better looking Pontiac Aztek, but I’ve decided not to mention that, since even that is just too low of a blow to make. Mitsubishi also says it has the look of an Olympic runner in the “get set” position, and that this view is “highly anticipatory, and such is the emotion while looking at the Eclipse Cross.” Seriously. They said that. No, what we’ve got here is a basic two-box shape with a slightly squashed tumblehome, and a rear that looks like it’s been kicked by a giant.
Sure, it has all the Mitsubishi styling cues found on its corporate siblings like a common grille design, which Mitsubishi insists on calling “Dynamic Shield.” It’s not bad looking, but it is rather generic, which can be bad for a floundering car company trying to distinguish itself. Mitsubishi also came up with a new color for the Eclipse Cross: Red Diamond. It’s not just a new color, but a newly developed painting process that creates high intensity and brightness they say. It seems like a nice finish, and you’ll most likely see it on other Mitsubishi products.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross features a standard 1.5-liter direct-injected turbo engine. Mitsubishi always made good engines, even if they couldn’t keep the variant count low. Yes, getting specific in the engine room does improve performance and allows power customization. But if you shy away from commonality, the part costs go way up.
The 1.5-liter turbo mill puts out 152 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 lb-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm, and is said to return greater fuel economy than the other corporate engines of this size. Mitsubishi is contradictory, however, saying the plant’s maximum torque is achieved at just 2,000 rpm, but, spec-wise, what we’re dealing with is a torque curve 2,000 rpm wide. Like seemingly all Mitsubishi vehicles, keep the engine spinning, and you’ll have fun. Mitsubishi has also added sodium filled exhaust valves to maximize performance.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
All-Wheel Drive Tech
Of course the power and torque is sent to the pavement via an all-wheel drive system of considerable potency. Mitsubishi calls their system Super All-Wheel Control, which is a bit much, but also pretty close to true. Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC, is cleverly integrated with the vehicle dynamics control system to monitor each component of the 4WD system, Active Stability Control, ABS, and Active Yaw Control. This is so the torque sent to the rear wheels is manipulated for optimal traction and performance. S-AWC has an advanced sensor monitoring system for the steering angles, wheel speed, engine torque, gear ratios, yaw rate, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and brake pressure. All this is put under your control through three different modes: auto, snow, gravel.
So Mitsubishi still has that going for it, and their knowledge of all-wheel drive systems allowed Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki to beat the rally opposition four years running. Thankfully, that ability is still found in Mitsubishi’s products, even in CUVs.
Safety & Connectivity
Naturally there is a buffet of tech and safety stuff contained on-board. There’s a 7-inch monitor on the dash that controls the audio system and connects to your smartphone (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, of course). A full-color heads-up display provides the driver with real-time vehicle information like speed, cruise control settings, forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, and paddle shift gear position. The Eclipse Cross also comes with Mitsubishi Connect, which includes everything from a Telematics Control Unit, a 4G LTE cellular modem, and a GPS system.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
When and how much? The 2018 Eclipse Cross arrives in March and starts at $23,295 for the base ES model. Other trim levels include the LE, SE, and SEL, but no pricing information was given for those. The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross sounds like it will do what it’s advertised to do; whether you want it to is, uh, up to you. Personally it’s not my cup of tea. I’d much rather have an Evo or something like that, but hey, it’s your garage.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Gallery




















Photos & Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.



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2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Review

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Review
Sedans are losing their appeal in America as SUVs and crossovers take a lion’s share of the market, but this sedan will get you to look twice. The 2018 Toyota Camry has received a complete makeover and it’s a good one. Camry needed a redesign and Toyota engineers excelled with the popular sedan, with new styling inside and out, and improvements to bump up fuel efficiency. If you don’t need a lot of cargo-carrying room, this newly-redesigned sedan will save you boatloads of money at the pump.
We recently drove the all-new 2018 Camry Hybrid XLE.
What’s New For 2018
Toyota Camry gets a complete redesign and the Hybrid gets an updated version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Various tweaks provide an improvement in fuel economy and a slight increase in power. The 2018 Camry Hybrid also gets a new suspension, giving it a smoother ride over uneven pavement.
Standard Features
The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE ($32,250) comes standard with automatic LED headlights, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat (with power lumbar adjustment), heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, a rearview camera, lane departure warning and mitigation, and Toyota’s Entune Audio interface. Entune Audio includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, voice controls, a USB port, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The XLE Hybrid also gets unique 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, wireless smartphone charging, a heads-up driver display, two extra USB ports, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and heated exterior mirrors.
Optional Features
This Hybrid tester came with the optional Driver’s Assist Package ($1,050), which included the Bird’s Eye View Camera, Power/Tilt Moonroof ($845), Upgraded Audio Package ($1,800), and Adaptive Headlights ($415). Total MSRP including destination: $37,255.





Interior Highlights
The Camry’s interior is all-new and trimmed with quality materials, making for nice improvements when compared to the outgoing model. The fit and finish is on par with what we’d expect from Toyota. The cabin has a more premium feel and is more stylish like the outside, thanks to the use of softer touch materials and more attractive colors. The touchscreen has been updated with a 7-inch version of Toyota’s Entune interface as well, although it’s not the most user-friendly system. 
Hybrid models get comfortable, heated leather-trimmed seats with 8-way power adjustments, so any size driver can find the perfect position. The cabin feels light and airy, and there’s lots of head, shoulder, and elbow room for driver’s to get comfortable. Front and rear passengers have ample space around them, and rear passengers won’t feel encroached on if the front seat is all the way back. 
For a sedan, we felt visibility in almost every direction was quite good from the driver’s seat. Mirrors, both inside and out, are appropriately sized, and blind spots are kept to a minimum. The standard rearview camera helped us see shoppers who were too busy to slow down as we backed out of the shopping mall lot on Black Friday.





Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid gets an updated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with the brand’s latest hybrid system with two motors. It develops 176 horsepower alone and 208 horsepower with the hybrid’s additional net power. XLE hybrids use the nickel-metal-hydride batteries to achieve 46 combined mpg, with an EPA-estimated 44/47 city/highway mpg.
Driving Dynamics
You won’t buy the Camry Hybrid for its driving dynamics, but you will want it for its excellent fuel mileage. We pushed the hybrid hard in the mountains while driving west of Denver and achieved 41.3 mpg through the higher altitudes. We were also impressed with hybrid’s power and torque, which propelled us up the mountain roads without issue. We don’t particularly like the continuously variable transmission that revs up as you press the pedal down, but passing and merging with traffic was never a concern
On the flats, and even at medium speeds on the highway, the batteries allow the car to run in electric-only mode quite frequently. When driving slowly through parking lots for example, the vehicle will use strictly battery power. We hardly noticed the transition from the electric mode to when the gas engine took over. The Camry Hybrid isn’t the fastest sedan, it’s just smooth and quiet, and it offers up a comfortable commute as a result. In the mountain curves, body roll isn’t excessive, and on dirt roads leading to our house, the sedan soaked up the bumps with ease. The XLE’s standard heads-up display was a pleasant addition, making it easy to keep our attention on the road. 
Conclusion
The best reason to check out the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid is the excellent fuel mileage. You’ll save money at the pump and it’s a pleasingly comfortable commuter. If you want more luxury, the XLE is the model to get with heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, and extra safety features.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Gallery
































2018 Toyota Camry Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
*LE and SE models also shown.



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First-Ever BMW i8 Roadster Revealed

First-Ever BMW i8 Roadster Revealed Hey, BMW actually went and made a convertible version of their i8! That’s . . . that’s actually kind of cool! The i8, although not everything it’s cracked up to be, is a very interesting idea, and (thankfully) points to a green way forward that is not slow, dowdy, hair-shirted, and boring. Look: I know, you know, and anybody with half a brain knows that we are going to be driving electric cars, or some sort of hybrid car in the future. And I’ve said this countless times: if car manufacturers can make something like a Tesla Roadster in a Miata-like package and sell it inexpensively, the world will beat a path to that automaker’s door.
And BMW might be showing us the way forward.
Efficient Setup
The BMW i8, the first generation or this current iteration, are not the answer I just described. They’re not exactly cheap nor are they really sports cars. What they are though, is a good indication of how a car company can move forward with various and sundry green initiatives and still have cars that are fun to drive and, you know, behave like the cars we already enjoy. The i8 uses a fairly complex layout of batteries and electric motors and a small, gas-fueled engine. The engine is there to provide forward momentum to the rear wheels only and to charge the batteries. The idea is that you drive around on EV power as much as you can, but if you start to run out of juice, the engine kicks in, charges the EV system, and you’ve still got motive power as long as there’s gas in the tank. You can drive around town as an EV, then take off for the hinterlands hundreds of miles away, and not worry about range.
Open Air Excitement
The most important thing about the 2019 BMW i8 is how you can now get it in a drop-top convertible. Although this is not a targa or some slight of hand like, the i8 Roadster does have those silly humps and roll over structure deals behind the passenger compartment. It’s one of those lawyer things; I don’t really care for them in general and I think they kind of ruin the lines here. The lines of the BMW i8 are, well, they are still unconventional. It’s not a bad looking car, per se, it just seems BMW went out of their way to make it look futuristic, but kind of missed on the overall style. Still, it’s not a terrible looking car.
Bucking the ongoing trend of folding hard tops, the i8 Roadster goes with an all-season fabric soft-top with additional soundproofing baked in. The top, which is electrically operated, can be opened or closed in less than 16 seconds and while the vehicle is in motion up to 31 mph, a flashy but cool thing to do. BMW says the i8 Roadster’s top stows away in a perpendicular position, and honestly, I’m trying to picture what they mean by this. I guess the best I can do is trust that it goes back there somewhere and that everything will be okay.
There’s also some fancy colors and trim options. Specifically, we’ve got E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic added to the palette. We have new versions of the standard 20-inch BMW alloy wheels in a radial-spoke style bicolor design with a Jet Black theme as an option.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Power & Performance
BMW, never one to not over-label things, calls the drivetrain package “BMW eDrive technology, BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.” Sure, whatever. What that basically means is the internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid-specific all-wheel drive system work in concert as a squadron of computers see fit, so all you have to do is mash on the “gas” pedal, and down the Straße you go.
What it means in more detail is that the i8’s TwinPower Turbo plant is a 1,499 cc three-cylinder gasoline engine, that on its own puts out 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque. The engine’s power is delivered to the rear wheels only via a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The electric motor takes care of the front wheels through a two-speed automatic gearbox. Why the Bavarians threw a gearbox in there is beyond me, but there it is.
The lithium-ion battery pack has greater battery cell capacity, going up from 20 to 34 ampere hours; gross energy capacity improves from 7.1 to 11.6 kilowatt hours. Since the batteries now hold more juice, the extra energy reserves increase the electric motor’s peak output by 12 horsepower to 141 horsepower. And of course, all of the electric torque (184 lb-ft.) is available from a standstill. All this adds up to an electric only range of 18 miles, 30 percent more than before. Ergo, if you add the electric torque and power from the front wheels with the engine power heading to the rear, you get a car that really goes, turns, and stops like a BMW should. 60 mph comes up in 4.4 seconds for the BMW i8 Roadster while the top end is electronically limited at 155 mph. Boo! Hisssss! How do we take the limiters off?
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Pricing & Availability
Sadly, no word from BMW on price or availability. The first generation i8s weren’t cheap, but they weren’t all that crazy expensive either. Is it worth it? That’s up to you to decide. If the roadster isn’t your thing, a coupe option is available as well. The charts below explain the high points of each car. The i8 is a pretty good answer on how we move forward without wrecking the planet any more than we already have. And besides, if BMW can work the kinks out of the drivetrain in this car, imagine what they could do with it in other cars.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.











Photos, Charts, & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.



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Letter From The UK: Jobs For Life

Letter From The UK: Jobs For Life Are we taking our jobs for granted? Should we be more thankful to our employers? 
Should we, as employees, be more flexible with our jobs in a changing economic landscape? 
Geoff Maxted of DriveWrite Automotive Magazine examines in this latest Letter From The UK.
A recent survey across the United States found that a ‘shockingly’ high number of employees feel as if they are unable to work out because of their jobs; which begs the question: why is this a responsibility of the employer? Certainly, employers are responsible for all aspects of health and safety within their industry and have, up to a point, a duty of care, but does that spill over into private lives?
Results of The Study
The survey revealed that over two-thirds of respondents said their employers are not providing them with fitness benefits. More than half say their employer makes it difficult for them to get a workout in during the week! Why? Should employers meekly say, ‘Sure, take all the time you need,’ halfway through the morning? Are gyms not open in the evenings?
It gets worse: Two out of every five of these employees believe their employer is responsible for their health! You couldn’t make this up, and it’s a big eye-opener about how we treat our working lives today. The study was conducted by Zeamo, a digital fitness ‘platform’ who surveyed 5,000 people across the United States.
The British Welfare State
Now, before America gets upset, this writer will reveal that, if anything, it’s worse here. After the second World War, a Welfare State was established in the UK (although the origins date back to 1902) whereby the State took it upon itself to protect and promote the economic and social well-being of the citizens. In short, when the chips were down, the State would not let you starve. It was and remains a superb and very fair plan which, inevitably, has been amended, abused, and fragmented by politicians and the result is a sort of dependency by the populace.
Instead of being a last resort, it becomes a right. It is this vibe which has permeated the whole of our lives, including our working lives.
An NPR story last year details how young people still seek a traditional college education in the interest of better opportunity. However, NPR’s report finds that skilled trade jobs provide plenty of opportunity to the right applicant. According to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, roughly 30 million jobs in the United States pay an average yearly salary of $55,000, yet don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
The Sad Case of Swindon
Do you remember when the latest model Honda Civic arrived on American shores a couple of years back? They are built in Swindon, a town in the county of Wiltshire, in England and where this writer lives. Earlier this year, the Honda board announced it would close the UK plant in 2021. Some 3,500 loyal Swindon workers will likely lose their jobs. Now, although this planned closure coincides with the ongoing and increasingly desperate saga of Brexit, Honda insists it has nothing to do with Britain leaving the European Union.
It is, they say, due to unprecedented changes in the global automotive industry. This latter point is true enough.
Naturally, this has caused a huge furore in the UK, especially with the rumor that Honda instead will build the next-generation Civic in North America. With wearying inevitability, old-school union representatives start calling out those dastardly bosses at the Japanese brand and demanding the government do something; but what should they do?
Honda of the UK Manufacturing is the global production hub for the Civic. In 2015, the plant produced its 3 millionth car. Photo: Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
Movers & Shakers
It is tragic for the families of Swindon who at this time must be viewing the future bleakly; but here in the West we live in a capitalistic society where the law of supply and demand rules. This is nothing new: Steelworks are under threat from cheap Chinese steel; retail outlets are closing down rapidly as online shopping continues to grow. These days we can buy a car and have it delivered to the door without ever leaving home. A company may be responsible for the workers at work, but are they responsible for their lives?
There are other car factories in other parts of the UK that are doing well. Are there any jobs going there? Are the workers prepared to move to an area where there is work, which, historically, has been the case? With the rise of home ownership and the need for places in schools, this is not so easily accomplished. Recently, an appalling UK television channel, Channel 4, announced it was moving its base from London to the Northern city of Leeds. Up to 90 percent of the staff say they’ll quit, rather than move somewhere they don’t want to be.
We can only hope that another car maker takes over the Swindon plant (there’s a suggestion this might be the case) or some other business or industry comes to town to take up the slack.
The Transformation of Manufacturing and the Decline in U.S. Employment (National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 24468, March 2018) by Economists Kerwin Kofi Charles, Erik Hurst, and Mariel Schwartz notes a decline in “cross-regional migration,” according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the past, workers were more likely to move for a new job.
Fit For Work
Once, really not that long ago, we, as workers, would apply for a job and actually be grateful for it. It meant stability and food on the table. After a while though, as the modern world turns, we become complacent and that gratitude turns to dependency.
Ultimately, that dependency turns to entitlement. We own this job; we warrant it. It is ours. We demand extra time during the working days to go and work on our abs.
Not so.
As the motor industry has shown very clearly, we are all affected by changing times. The demonisation of fossil fuels, the rise of the substitute electric cars, and the converging and sharing of vehicle platforms and model types has meant car manufacturers have had to make seismic changes to their business models.
At no time in the past have people been entitled to jobs. The job is theirs through the good graces and successful business practices of the employers. It is up to the workers to help ensure that business turns a good profit because one thing is sure; there is no such thing as a job for life.
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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2020 Lexus GX 460: A Big Bundle of Safety & Off-Road Tech

2020 Lexus GX 460: A Big Bundle of Safety & Off-Road Tech The 2020 Lexus GX 460 receives a number of updates for the new model year.
Four-Wheel Active Traction and Crawl Control are useful for rougher terrain. 
The technology features are numerous and focus mainly on convenience.
Lexus just put out the deets on its new GX 460 SUV and this thing is crawling with features of all varieties. Tech, safety, comfort and convenience, the lot. They even upped the beast’s off-road capabilities (not that you’re seriously going to do King of The Hammers in this thing). But for what it is, it’s hard to argue with the 2020 Lexus GX 460.
Of course, there is one way you can argue with it.
Case & Point
Lexus touts the “restyling” of the GX 460, and that’s one of the biggest arguments against it. “The 2020 GX wears an updated signature spindle grille that gives it distinctive, standout style which better aligns with the entire Lexus portfolio.” Just make sure your face is better aligned with the toilet bowl, because I swear to Buddha that Stevie Wonder could see how ugly it is. Someone please, please grab the head of Lexus’ styling department by the collar and make them stop with this grille “design.”
I’ve seen more pleasing designs in Soviet apartment blocks.
However, if you can get beyond the face, what makes the 2020 Lexus GX 460 worth it? Well, for starters, the drivetrain and how it puts the power down is worth considering.
2020 Lexus GX 460 Powertrain: A Control Freak
The 4.6-liter V8 in the GX 460 cranks out 301 horsepower, 329 lb-ft. of torque and, when properly equipped, handles 6,500 lbs. worth of towing duty. If you’ve got stuff to tow, the Trailer Sway and Vehicle Stability Control systems will help you keep things under, er, control.
Control is a big deal for the GX 460. Lexus references that word all over the place in their press materials. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, for example, is there to “enhance handling and ride comfort,” while keeping the vehicle level both on and off-road. In other words, the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System helps you maintain control of the GX 460. The Adaptive Variable Suspension features “electronically-controlled dampers” with driver selectable modes: Normal, Sport, or Comfort.
The Lexus GX 460 also has Four-Wheel Active Traction; meaning the TORSEN torque-sensing, limited-slip differential splits power 40:60 (front to rear) under most driving conditions, changing the ratio as needed based on wheel slip. The drive system has a low range for slow speed, off-pavement situations; and the center differential can be electronically-locked, further enhancing the GX’s off-road capabilities. Added to all the drivetrain goodies is a wide array of chassis control technology: Downhill Assist and Hill-Start Assist Control; Active Traction and Vehicle Stability Control; and finally, Crawl Control.
Like I said, control is a big deal for the 2020 Lexus GX 460. Although I seriously doubt you will be blasting through Moab with the thing.
The Crawl Control system automatically maintains a steady pace over rougher terrain. The 2020 Lexus GX 460 modulates the throttle and brakes on its own, while the driver operates the steering wheel. Photo: Lexus.
Related: Lots of space for the family: on the road with the 2018 Lexus GX 460.
Colorful Array & Ample Services
And all of this capability and control comes in seven exterior colors: Starfire Pearl, Atomic Silver, Nebula Gray Pearl, Nightfall Mica, Fire Agate Pearl, Black Onyx, and Claret Mica. The GX’s interior is available in four colors: Black, Sepia, Ecru, and a new Rioja Red with black headliner.
Speaking of the interior, it is, as you would expect, all about the multimedia and connectivity functions. It all starts with the touchscreen system with a customizable home screen that can display three sections simultaneously. The navigation system has a three-dimensional map view and there are four USB ports. Lexus Enform Safety Connect allows access to Lexus response centers 24/7/365, while Lexus Enform Service Connect sends maintenance alerts to you and your dealer.
Lexus Enform Remote lets you lock and unlock the doors; start the engine and climate controls; and check the fuel level (and more) through your smartphone, smartwatch or other devices using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
2020 Lexus GX 460 interior layout. Photo: Lexus.
Safety & Security
The new GX 460 is also as safe as they can make it with the Lexus Safety System+ suite of technologies now standard. This includes the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Intelligent High Beams, and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The intuitive high beams offer more intelligent illumination, for lack of a better word. When the road is clear, the system defaults to the high-beams, temporarily switching to low beams when it detects another vehicle.
Pricing & Availability
As of this writing we don’t know either, but the current GX 460 starts at $52,502. There is a lot to like about the 2020 Lexus GX 460; it’s capacious, comfortable, loaded with features to make your journey go easier, and has a slew of off-roading goodies that are great, even if 99 percent of the owners will never use them. Just don’t pay too much attention to the way it looks.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
Photos & Source: Lexus.



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

Pie In The Sky: Chevy & Domino’s Create In-Vehicle Pizza-Ordering Tech Chevrolet and Domino’s are now offering in-vehicle ordering via GM’s Marketplace platform. 
Drivers create their “Pizza Profile” and use that to place orders for either carry-out or delivery.
While useful, we’re not entirely sold on the idea when we have smartphones and mobile apps.
“Chevy is the first automotive brand to provide embedded in-vehicle pizza-ordering,” they cried. “Why?” I muttered in response. Basically, what we’re dealing with here (and “dealing with it” is about all I can handle at the moment) is Chevrolet partnering with Domino’s to provide people who own Chevys the ability to order pizza directly from their car’s touchscreen. It’s not all that dissimilar from what Domino’s and Ford did two years ago, partnering to examine how self-driving cars impact pizza delivery.
How Do I Order Pizza From My Car?
This in-car, pizza on-demand is part of the Chevrolet Marketplace, a commercial platform GM launched near the end of 2017. It allows Chevy owners to buy stuff, essentially. Marketplace can order coffee and food (pizza in this case), find gas stations, make dinner reservations and so on. Chevy says Marketplace is the industry’s first in-vehicle commerce platform. Marketing types – being who they are – tout this like it’s the best technological innovation since the space-saver spare.
“Millions of eligible Chevrolet drivers can now order their favorite Domino’s pizza from their in-vehicle touchscreen,” reads a recent press release. “So it’s ready for carry-out when they get to the store or will arrive at their home if they choose delivery.”
Which isn’t that impressive of an achievement. What Chevy and Domino’s are offering is a one-touch (really a few touches) ordering of America’s favorite Italian food. So sure, that does take out the arduous task of actually having to dial and speak to another human on the phone. But you could do that with an app, you know, like the one Dominos and other national pizza chains already have.
Chevy’s big mistake is the same one a number of automakers are committing today. They keep trying to make your car do something that other devices already do, and do much better. When I read that quote above, after tripping over the caveat of “eligible,” my immediate reaction was can’t we already do that on our phones? The answer is yes. Yes we can.
To place orders through Marketplace, users set up a free Pizza Profile with Domino’s, either online or through the Domino’s mobile app. Photo: Chevrolet.
Related: I tested GM’s controversial Marketplace app: Here’s what I found.
But No Phone Necessary
Chevy explains the machinations of the system: you can save your favorite orders and review past ones from the Domino’s Pizza Profile and, with a few screen taps, place those orders again. Easy-peasy. And here’s where Chevy unwittingly points out the system’s failing, saying how it works independently of any mobile device.
But Why? What on earth is the point of that? Anyone with basic capabilities and some causal reasoning is already thinking: “I can do this with my phone, what’s the big deal?” Let me answer that: It’s not. This is not a big deal. Chevy wants you to think it’s a big deal the same way Domino’s wants you to think it’s actually pizza.
This is, like most tech innovations these days, solving a problem that never really existed in the first place, and doing so in a cumbersome and intrusive way. And some of these tech “solutions” create more problems than they actually solve. Carlos A. Alvarenga, Senior Research Fellow and Adjunct Professor in the Logistics, Business, and Public Policy Department at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, dubs this as the Linn Effect.
Within Marketplace, customers place a saved order or a recent one from their Domino’s Pizza Profile. Photo: Chevrolet.
Pie In The Sky
To wit, and I quote from the press release: “To place pizza orders through Marketplace, users first need to set up a free Pizza Profile with Domino’s, either online or through their Domino’s mobile app. The profile will include their preferred delivery address, preferred stores and payment method information, as well the chance to create and save their favorite order as an Easy Order. Through Marketplace, users will link their Pizza Profile to their vehicle, allowing for simple ordering in the future.”
So, let me get this straight. I set up my Pizza Profile, handing over personal information to a large corporation, like where I eat, where I buy their food, how I pay for it etc. Then save a bunch of my preferences for what I like to eat (more big data to get crunched, sifted, and sold); and then all this information links with another corporation that chains it to a specific vehicle. And then, when I’m driving and I say to myself, “Boy a pizza sure sounds good,” I open the app, tap a few buttons, and all my pizza dreams will come true!
Or, I can go through the debilitating and draining task of picking up my phone and saying, “Yeah, this is Tony. I’d like a medium pizza with Italian sausage and onions to go. Okay, thanks.” I do declare, how did we ever survive such hardships?!
Only in America could a couple of companies come up with such a semi-laughable way to get more personal data; target and track you, yet spin it as a benefit and expect people to say, “Cool!” Of course, there is a percentage that will think it’s cool, but I honestly don’t know how to help you at this point if you do.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Cars Are Not (And Should Never Be) Phones
Manufacturers have to stop trying to make their cars act like smartphones. Know why? Because smartphones already act like smartphones. That ship has sailed. The fact Chevy did this raises the awful specter that one of two things happened in a planning meeting one day in Detroit. Either someone said “Gee, it sure would be cool if my car could order pizza for me.” Or the much more likely scenario: someone said, “How can we leverage our customer base to get more demographic and purchasing data out of them, then sell that off as another revenue stream?”
Like I said, most tech innovations today solve problems that never really existed in the first place. And don’t get me started on what counts as “pizza” in the boardrooms at Domino’s.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.



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2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Review: No Terrain Too Tough

2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Review: No Terrain Too Tough 87Good 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMaxOverall Impression Excellent when off-road.Comfortable and spacious cabin.Lags behind other trucks in key areas.ProsEngine Power Safety EquipmentRoomy Rear Seating ConsPrice BumpFuel Economy The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro took a year off to get some upgrades, and now the Japanese automaker brings it back better than ever for off-road enthusiasts. It’s the trim you want for extreme off-road performance. It also receives new wheels that set it apart from previous years, although it gets a significant price bump from the 2016 TRD Pro we tested a few years ago. So is the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro worth the extra money?
Well this week, we’ve been driving the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax. 
What’s New For The 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro?
TRD Pro is back after a year hiatus and comes with a revised suspension that includes Fox internal bypass shocks. The new BBS wheels feature Michelin P275/65R18 all-terrain tires. The TRD Pro trim is only available for CrewMax models. The current-generation Tundra was primarily designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research centers in Newport Beach, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Features & Options: Safety & Off-Road Treatments 
The 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax ($49,645) comes standard with heated mirrors, damped tailgate, rearview camera, an integrated trailer brake controller, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and USB port. The upgraded tech interface includes a seven-inch touchscreen, HD and satellite radio, traffic information, and a navigation app. The crew cab adds a power rear window and an overhead console.
Safety features include forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking; lane departure warning and automatic high beams; and adaptive cruise control. TRD Pro also comes with variable, intermittent windshield wipers and wiper de-icer. 
For improved off-road performance, the TRD Pro trim features larger aluminum Fox shocks for better heat dissipation and damping control; a two-inch front lift for more clearance, lighter BBS forged wheels, and LED headlights and fog lamps to help light up the trail at night. A shiny black exhaust tip and TRD Pro exhaust change the note, while a front skid plate prominently features the TRD logo in red.
Visually, a unique grille, TRD Pro stamping on the rear quarter panels, and a hood scoop separate it from the rest of the line. On the inside, TRD Pro logos are pretty much everywhere. Total MSRP including destination for our tester: $51,040.
2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax.
Related: On the road with the perfect weekend warrior.
Interior Highlights: Stadium-Sized Cabin  
Stepping inside the Toyota Tundra reveals a spacious cabin ready to haul five adults and/or kids around with ease. There’s sufficient leg room for every rider, but the CrewMax is definitely the correct choice if you are carrying six-footers in the second row. The leather-trimmed bucket seats are plush and comfy. They feature attractive red stitching that sets off the black seats and dash. The rear seats slide and recline, though the backrest reclining angle isn’t too comfortable and the cushions are somewhat low. 
All the controls are easy to locate and use, and there are plenty of storage compartments and cupholders for those long trips. Also for those longer trips is the TRD Pro’s Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite. When connected to your smartphone, the system gives you access to different apps via the dashboard touchscreen.
Just two things are missing in this spacious cabin: push-button start and heated seats. We think these are a must in this price range. There is tons of room in this Tundra for even the tallest adults, but the absence of heated seats is an oversight by Toyota.  
The 2019 Toyota Tundra features High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass. To avoid sun damage to the interior, the glass filters solar heat and UV light.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs: Room For Improvement 
The 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is powered by the i-Force 5.7-liter V8, which is synonymous with the Tundra name. The engine produces 381 horsepower (5,600 rpm) and 401 lb-ft. of torque (3,600 rpm). It comes mated to a six-speed automatic with sequential shift technology. Another i-Force powerplant is also available, a smaller 4.6-liter that produces 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines utilize an aluminum cylinder block and variable valve timing. 
EPA fuel economy estimates are 13/17 city/highway and 14 combined with 4WD. This is one mpg less combined than previous models. The larger fuel tank (38 gallons) is useful for longer hauls. However, when compared to other trucks in the market, the Toyota Tundra is way behind the pack in terms of fuel economy. 
All Tundra beds are 22.2 inches deep and, when properly equipped, offer a payload capacity of up to 1,730 lbs. When properly equipped, the 2019 Toyota Tundra can tow 10,200 lbs. While this is a solid towing figure, it lags behind the current and updated offerings from the Big Three.
The Fox internal bypass shocks are one of the best features of the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax.
Driving Dynamics: A Good Sounding Truck 
Thankfully, one thing Toyota didn’t change on the TRD Pro is the dual exhaust system. The 5.7-liter engine comes to life when you step on the pedal with a nice throaty rumble. We pushed the big full-size truck up I-70 west of Denver and into the mountains without issue. The TRD Pro is especially quick due to the engine’s high torque rating. The six-speed automatic shifts up and down smoothly, with shift points ideal for pulling a long mountain pass or hauling a larger trailer. 
Driving Dynamics: Off-Road Test 
On the open road, Toyota seemed to improve the ride quality somewhat over the previous model. With regard to our TRD Pro tester, it has the extra ground clearance and the right suspension setup for extreme off-road use, including 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks. If you want to get away from civilization, this is the model you want. We tested it on an off-road course west of Denver, and the big truck had no problem pulling up steep trails and navigating a rocky stretch. Toyota says the suspension changes provide an increase in rear wheel travel of more than two inches, something we noticed on the course. 
In urban settings, the Tundra has a civilized manner and it handles well enough. But around town, the CrewMax is tricky, as the truck is a bit long for most parking spots. If you need to get into smaller areas, this truck will leave you hanging out.  
If you want to get away from civilization, the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax is the truck for you.
Conclusion: Still Pretty Good 
Those interested in venturing off-road or getting away from the city would be wise to consider the capable TRD Pro. It comes with plenty of creature comforts too if you do take it on a long trip. While it does fall behind the competition in some areas, the 2019 Toyota Tundra is still a solid truck with a strong track record of reliability behind it.   
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 Tundra Gallery























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



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Ultima RS: The Most Incredible Car You’ve Probably Never Heard About

Ultima RS: The Most Incredible Car You’ve Probably Never Heard About It all started out innocently enough. I noticed something on one of the racing sites, and that lead to a group email with me summarizing, “Yes, yes, great car, wonderful specs and all that. Now, could you please give it to an Italian so it will look less ugly?” The great car in question is the new Ultima RS. Indeed, it is a very great car, if also being frighteningly homely.



The company says the Ultima RS is the crowning glory of their 35 years and the finest expression of their core DNA.





What Is The Story Behind The Ultima RS?


Ultima, as a car company, has been kicking around for a while. In 1983, automotive engineer and designer Lee Noble established Noble Motorsport Ltd, and launched the Ultima Mk1. The Ultima Mk1 had a square-tube, space-frame chassis, along with the front brakes and steering of the Ford Cortina and Renault rear brakes. The V6 engine and transmission were from a Renault 30. If you had a subscription to Kitcars and Specials magazine back then, you would have seen the Ultima Mk1 in its pages.
By 1998, the forthcoming Ultima GTR is undergoing tests at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA). By 2014, the company is producing the GTR’s replacement, the Ultima Can-Am. However, by 2015 the Ultima Evolution replaces them both with the company’s most advanced technology yet. A year later, sales would stretch to include 65 countries.
In addition, they are in the Forza Motorsport games and they were instrumental in the development of the McLaren F1.
The Ultima RS is the company’s most thorough and comprehensive revision of the road legal Ultima supercar. Photo: Damian Hock.
Related: A story over three decades in the making: the history of Ultima Sports Ltd.
For The Track & Street
The cars that Ultima makes are, more or less, track-only cars. However, the Ultima RS is as street legal as a Honda Civic. That explains the optional Alpine entertainment system with satellite navigation and Bluetooth, and the air conditioning option too.
“We have gone to great lengths to design the new Ultima RS in a manner for it to be deemed road legal in many countries, which is a hugely time-consuming and skilled task compared to simply manufacturing a track-only car,” reads the company’s website. “The beauty and ethos of the Ultima is that it can be enjoyed immensely on the public roads at sensible road speeds as well as on a race circuit where it can deliver devastatingly quick lap times.”
But Land-o-Goshen do these things look like they fell out of the ugly tree and hit a bunch of branches on the way down. But let’s put those concerns aside for the time being, because the view from inside the new Ultima RS must be sublimely terrifying.
Ultima RS interior layout. Photo: Damian Hock.
Sit Down & Strap In
The inside, while we’re on the subject, is about the size of a phone booth knocked on it’s back. You’re fully cosseted by a beefy roll cage and purposeful dials and a custom seat and all that, but really you are just crammed into a small, noisy, glorious space that is about 0.2 seconds away from the afterlife. I am not – and let me be clear about this – saying this car is going to kill you. Oh no, quite the contrary. I am saying your skill as a driver will not be enough to save you. There is quite the difference.
What makes me say that? The powerplant, for one.
Rocket Ship On Wheels
In the case of the Ultima RS, that would be the latest Chevrolet V8 LT1 direct-injected engine, putting out 480 bhp. Which, given how the RS is only 13.5 feet long, around six feet wide, and literally waist high (3.6 feet); and the entire thing tips the scales at a featherweight 2,050 lbs., means the performance is staggering. Zero to 60 in three seconds flat, quarter-mile times as quick as a superbike (11.2 seconds at 131 mph, top speed of 180 plus; praise Shiva this thing doesn’t get any cra- . . . oh, wait, I am so very sorry.
Those performance figures for the LT1-powered Ultima RS are for the bottom of the line; the entry level model, the starter pack, if you will. It goes up from there. Way, way up to performance figures just the other side of full-on race cars and just this side of hearing harp music.
The top-of-the-line engine choice is a Chevy supercharged LT5 mill that puts out a staggering 1,200 bhp. Yes, that is more than a current Indy car and more than a current F1 car. Yes, that is more than a current Nascar. Ultima Sports Ltd. has seemingly no problem with making, selling, and handing these over to anyone with the cash. Here’s a car that is capable of . . . (checks figures) . . . oh . . . oh my . . .
Look at this!
Zero to 60 mph: 2.3 seconds; zero to 100 mph: 4.8 seconds; standing quarter mile: 9.2 seconds at 156 mph. And finally, the top speed: 250 plus mph (gearing limited).
The Ultima RS is available with an “interchangeable silencer delete X Pipe” for those who want a “truly thunderous” V8 soundtrack. Photo: Damian Hock.
To Put That Into Perspective . . .
An Indy car does zero to 60 in around 2.2 seconds. A Suzuki Hayabusa does the quarter in 9.3 and it’s a friggin’ motorcycle! The Ultima RS is . . . is faster than most anything else out there and it’s only limitation is gearing? Seriously, no joke, spec-wise this thing is as fast as an Indy car and it has a license plate on it. I decided to build one of these up in Forza. I couldn’t get it all the way up to 1,200 bhp (only into the mid 900s), and I could barely keep the thing on the road.
Just imagine what it must be like in real life.
Perfect For That Midlife Crisis
I changed my mind. This might just be the most beautiful car on the planet. Shoot, you’re going to be moving too fast for people to get a good look at you anyway. I swear, this thing probably generates it’s own red-shift at this point. Now all I have is questions. Dirty, ugly questions. Like, can I fit in the thing? Can my bank account handle it? Is my last Will and Testament in order?
A few of the car’s specs are below, with the complete list here under the FAQ section. I’ve got to go lie down and think now. And I should call my therapist. And my priest. Also my minister and a Rabbi I know. Shoot, better call up that mortician too, just in case.
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. 
Ultima RS Technical Specifications:
Chassis
Powder coated in satin black.
Fully-welded roll cage in 45mm CDS with welded rear braces.
Updated space-frame using mainly 38mm x 1.5mm diameter tube.
Body
Roof scoop option is a Le Mans-style design to provide more efficient engine cooling.
Unpainted GRP, finished in a gel coat utilizing the latest advances in pigment technology.
Carbon fiber elements include the front and side splitters, dive planes, brake ducts, and wheel arch vents.
Carbon Fiber Wing
Nine different angle of attack adjustment positions.
Swan neck mounts transfer downforce directly to the chassis.
Steering & Suspension
Front ride height hydraulic lift kit option.
Quick ratio steering rack – 2.1 turns lock to lock.
Fully-adjustable, custom-made coil spring dampers.
TIG welded, double unequal length wishbones with extended front wishbones.
Braking
Adjustable brake bias front to rear. All stainless steel TUV hoses.
Standard: AP 322 mm curved vane vented discs all round with 4-pot calipers.
Optional: Larger fitment of 362 mm x 32 mm curved vane discs all round with 6-pot calipers.
Tires
Michelin 19″ Pilot Sport Cup 2 and Pilot Sport 4S options.
Interior
Air conditioning.
Ultima RS branded luggage bag set.
Steering wheel mounted wireless switch gear.
Carpet for the floor and rear bulkhead with color-coded piping option.
Leather Alcantara seats with new grommets to accommodate 75 mm seat belts.
Ultima RS Gallery




















Photos & Source: Ultima Sports Ltd.



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Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant Responds To Growing Luxury Vehicle Demand

Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant Responds To Growing Luxury Vehicle Demand The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are selling like hotcakes! Lincoln dealers say they cannot order new Navigators fast enough; the luxury SUVs are on the lot an average of just seven days before being sold. It’s a similar story for the Expedition, with an increased transaction price of $7,800 and retail sales up nearly 57 percent last month. Like the Navigator, the new Expedition is lucky to spend a week on dealer lots, with the high-level Platinum trim accounting for nearly 30 percent of total sales.
“The response from customers regarding our new full-size SUVs has been exceptional,” said Joe Hinrichs, President, Global Operations, Ford Motor Company.
Demanding The Finest
It’s worth noting how the higher trim levels continue to be the most desired in Ford’s lineup. With regard to the Navigator, nearly 85 percent of all buyers are opting for the higher-end Black Label and Reserve models. In fact, demand for the Black Label and Reserve series contributed to an average transaction price increase of more than $21,000 in January versus a year ago. Add to that how Navigator retail sales were up triple digits in every region of the country last month, and the growing interest from younger buyers, and it’s easy to see the demand is there.
In order to meet this seemingly insatiable appetite for large, luxurious SUVs, Ford is doubling down on their manufacturing strategies at the Kentucky Truck Plant, home of the Navigator and Expedition. The magic number in Louisville is 25: Production targets were increased approximately 25 percent and an additional $25 million is coming to increase overall “operational fitness.”
Sam Kirtley and Derek Clark of Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant work with a collaborative robot to prepare glass for installation. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Factory Fit
The investment covers more than 400 new robots at the Kentucky Truck Plant, many of which were utilized during a remodeling of the body shop last year. The robots inevitably increase line speed but also keep employees safe from repetitive-motion injuries. A special “robot lab” was added, where software is tested and potential issues undergo troubleshooting away from the factory floor.
Also onsite in Louisville is a new 3D printer so parts and tools can be made quickly and economically. In most cases, manufacturing a prototype part with traditional methods can take eight to 16 weeks at a cost of more than $250,000 in tooling. Producing that same part with 3D printing can take days – or maybe just hours – and can be done for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Wayne McKinney of Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant checks a part that was just printed using a new 3D printer. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Analytics & Vending Machines
Finally, the investment includes an overhaul to the data analytics system so the assembly line moves as efficiently as possible. These systems are as interesting as they are complex but in short, they help plant officials address thousands of concerns in near-real time. The “data analytics hub” at the Kentucky Truck Plant includes seven big-screen TVs with minute-by-minute updates showing whether production is on schedule or not. Any potential concerns are flagged and can be addressed accordingly.
The system also notifies workers as parts are running low so they can have a new batch delivered to their area before they run out. And like in the break room, a spare parts “vending machine” allows workers to easily locate any part.
“Using a combination of Ford’s advanced manufacturing and American hard work and ingenuity, we’ll deliver more high-quality Lincoln Navigators and Ford Expeditions to customers than originally planned,” Hinrichs said.
Brad Steward and Dan Boone of Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant review information at the plant’s data analytic center. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Kentucky Truck
The Kentucky Truck Plant opened in 1969 and employs more than 8,400 people, about 8,100 of which are hourly. The plant builds the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Super Duty. Like the two former, the latter has a higher-end trim level Ford says is directly proportional to what buyers are looking for today, i.e. luxury and premium features. In fact, the demand for all three is so strong, workers are taking overtime, voluntary, and weekend shifts in Louisville.
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.
Kentucky Truck Gallery











Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.



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