Automotive

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Ordering Now Open

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Ordering Now Open The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt was inspired by the Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT fastback Steve McQueen piloted in Bullitt now 50 years ago. As winter turns to spring, Ford dealers are ready to accept orders for the new Mustang Bullitt, a limited edition pony car with 480 horsepower.
“The new Bullitt will be every bit as cool and charismatic as the original ’68 Mustang,” said Corey Holter, Ford Car Group Marketing Manager. “Since its introduction earlier this year, Ford dealers have been fielding calls from customers wanting to know when they can order this unique piece of automotive history.”
Power & Performance
The new Mustang Bullitt features an open air intake, Shelby GT350 intake manifold, Brembo brakes, and a larger 87-millimeter throttle body. There are unique powertrain control module calibrations to help deliver the aforementioned 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque. Top speed for the new McQueen machine is 163, an 8 mph increase versus the latest Mustang GT.
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Colors & Treatments
Customers can choose between a Shadow Black or the more classic Dark Highland Green. There’s minimal badging inside and out, although the leather-trimmed interior features green accent stitching on the dashboard, door panels, center console, and seats.
Pricing & Availability
Those who opt not to order one won’t have to wait very long. The new Mustang Bullitt is expected at Ford dealerships this summer with a starting MSRP of $47,495.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Lamborghini Huracán Peformante Spyder Comes To North America

Lamborghini Huracán Peformante Spyder Comes To North America Hey! All you New Yorkers! Get down to the New York International Auto Show and take a gander at the Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder. It’s the first time you can view the lighter and more open-aired Huracán in the flesh, er, metal, er carbon fiber. Ah, what the heck, all a yous guys from the whole tri-state area can come take a look! Even people from Jersey!
The Huracán Peformante Spyder made its North American debut during an intimate media unveiling in the heart of New York City. I was not there since I was both busy, and now almost completely feel that New York is trying to kill me, but that’s neither here nor there.
Light & Aerodynamic
What I have gathered though is that, by and large, the design, technology, and performance features found on the Huracán Performante are found in the Spyder in the same amounts. In other words, the Spyder is just as mean and nasty and fast as its tin-top brother, but with the added party trick of a lightweight, electro-hydraulic roof that opens in just 17 seconds. And you can drop that top up to speeds of 30 mph which is so boss.
The Performante Spyder is 77 lbs. lighter than its Spyder sister, thanks to the exclusive use of Lamborghini’s Forged Composite Structure and, with the top up, it still maintains the aerodynamic slipperiness of the coupé.
The Performante Spyder also comes with the Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva system. This is a trick bit of active aero that varies the load for either high down force or low drag, as well as facilitating aero vectoring in high-speed cornering situations. All of this adds up to outstanding driving dynamics both on the track and road.
The Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder has a dry weight of 3,322 lbs., with a distribution front/rear of 43/57 percent. Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.

Power & Performance
The Huracán Performante Spyder also gets an enhanced suspension, recalibrated ESC stability control, a more responsive Lamborghini Dynamic Steering system, and a permanent four-wheel drive layout for maximized traction in all situations. There is even a revised ANIMA . . . yeah, they really call it that. “ANIMA” is a driver “mode” system that customizes the setup of all the car’s dynamic systems. It comes in three settings: STRADA, SPORT, and CORSA.
Just like under the engine cover of the Performante Coupé, the Spyder has a naturally aspirated V10 engine, delivering 640 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. This plant is good enough for the Huracán Performante Spyder to accelerate to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds, and top out at 202. So yeah, it’ll blow your hair back.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Availability
Customers will begin taking deliveries this summer, and if you haven’t ordered yours yet, you’ll be happy to know the retail price is a mere $308,859 – which is right in line for that market segment. Red’s a good color. Get yours in red. I’m getting mine in red.
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.
Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder Gallery

Photos & Source: Automobili Lamborghini.

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Fiat Goes For Extra Flare With 500 Urbana Edition

Fiat Goes For Extra Flare With 500 Urbana Edition “Fiat named one of their cars after a college town in Illinois?” I hear you asking. No, not at all, my monolinguistic friend. Urbana is the Italian word for urban. And with this latest take on their perennial city car, it’s easy to see that the Fiat 500 Urbana Edition is designed to easily fit into city living.
Style Points
The Fiat 500 Urbana Edition, which just rolled onto the stand at this year’s New International York Auto Show, exists as a way for Fiat customers to brandish their personality, and stand out from the maddening city rabble. The Fiat 500 Urbana Edition is all about style and, sadly, not performance. There’s no word on a hot rod Abarth Urbana, but how could they not, eventually? The unique styling highlights include black-trimmed exterior lights and 16-inch “hyper-black” aluminum wheels.
Special Treatments
On the inside, there are sleek interior cues all over the place, including black Sport Cloth front bucket seats with nifty silver accent stitching and a snazzy black instrument panel bezel. The Fiat 500 Urbana Edition comes in five exterior colors: Pompei Silver, Bianco White Ice, Perla White Tri-Coat, Granito Gray, and Metallo Gray. Yes, for those of you that speak Italian, that one color translates as “White White Ice” which I think was also the name for that horrid rapper from Florida, but we’ll let that slide.
2018 Fiat 500 Urbana Edition. Photo: FCA US LLC.
X & L
The Urbana Edition is also available on the other 500 versions, the 500L and 500X. The 2018 Fiat 500L Urbana Edition, that’s the bigger version of the 500, the Longer one (although I think the L stands for Lusso) sports 17-inch black aluminum wheels, black exterior mirrors, and a black roof. The 500L Urbana Edition is available now.
The 500X somehow never got onto my radar, which is a shame because they offer an all-wheel drive version. At any rate, the 2018 500X Urbana Edition features Miron black-painted mirror caps, door handles, taillight surrounds, tailgate release, and a skid plate – so that’s more than most other Urbana variants right there. You will also find copper-accented side moldings and a special 500X logo along for the ride.
The wheels are 18-inch matte black deals that are accented with a copper center cap. You will also find Mopar side moldings on the 500X Urbana Edition. Yes, you read that right, “Mopar side moldings.” No, I don’t know what that means. And yes, I know that Fiat owns Chrysler. And yes, I am thinking the same thing you are: “Hey, if you could put Mopar side moldings on the thing, could you stuff a 383 in it??” If only!
2018 Fiat 500X Urbana Edition. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Wishful Thinking
Everything else on the various Urbana Editions is pretty much a box-stock Fiat 500. There’s that happy-to-rev 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo plant cranking out 135 ponies and 150 lb-ft. of torque, however. Like I said, sadly no Abarth version for the Urbana, although the regular 500 gets the scorpion badge. But no 1.4-liter mill turning out 160 horsepower and 183 lb-ft. of torque for the Urbana. Sigh.
Availability
The 2018 Fiat 500 Urbana Edition will arrive at Fiat dealers (which the company insists on calling “studios”) this spring. In the meantime, it’s also on display at the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
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: FCA US LLC.

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Mercedes-AMG Special Editions Arrive This Summer

Mercedes-AMG Special Editions Arrive This Summer

Mercedes and their in-house hot rod shop, AMG, have announced a run of special edition models. In this case there are three of them: The AMG GT C Roadster Edition 50, the Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition, and the AMG Performance Studio Package for the Mercedes-AMG C43, Coupe and Cabriolet.
I know, it’s kind of odd to consider, since I always think of AMG versions as already being their special editions, but no. These are actually special, special editions.
AMG GT C Roadster Edition 50
First off the block is the AMG GT C Roadster Edition 50, which gets a special equipment package. The AMG Roadster is a special version of the AMG Coupe, which is both a very competent car and rather attractive, a rare thing to say about German cars. This roadster is called “Edition 50” because, surprise, they are only making 500 cars worldwide. But only 50 of them are coming to America, so I guess that makes the name okay.
Oh, and it’s also the 50th anniversary of AMG, which was founded in 1967.
The GT C Roadster Edition 50 can be spotted by a special paint, designo Graphite Grey Magno. There are black chrome accents on the side skirt trim and front splitter, along with trim strips in the air intakes of the Panamericana grille. Other styling elements include the fins on the side air outlets in the front fenders; there are additional unique styling cues on the rear diffuser, along with tailpipe trim elements.
There’s black chrome for days on this guy and the wheels are special too, with a cross-spoke AMG forged design featuring the aforementioned black chrome.
On the inside there’s even more of that black and silver vibe. The upholstery is Silver Pearl/Black Exclusive Nappa Leather with Grey diamond-patterned contrasting topstitching. The AMG Performance steering wheel? That’s covered in black DINAMICA microfiber with Grey contrasting topstitching. The 12 o’clock mark on the steering wheel is in Silver Pearl, and there’s Edition 50 badging.
The GT C Roadster Edition 50 is powered by an AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo that puts out 550 horsepower (5,750-6,750 rpm) and 502 lb-ft of torque (1,900-5,750 rpm ), which is a very broad torque curve indeed. The transmission hangs out back as a transaxle, fed by a torque tube from the AMG plant. The transaxle is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The whole package can get to 60 in 3.7 seconds, topping out at an electronically limited 196 mph.
2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster “Edition 50.” Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition
The C63 Cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition comes with its own unique styling and design. As one would imagine, there’s lots of blue, specifically, Deep Ocean Blue, which is a new color. That color is used for the fabric acoustic soft top and numerous other details such as the trim strips on the front and rear bumper, and the wheel center caps. The Deep Ocean Blue acts as a contrasting color throughout the Crystal Grey interior.
The analog clock is a nice touch – it’s also highlighted by Deep Ocen Blue stitching.
The sheet metal itself is painted in designo Cashmere White Magno to contrast with the Deep Ocean Blue found elsewhere on the car. The interior is primarily Crystal Grey nappa leather with diamond quilting and Deep Ocean Blue topstitching for contrast. There’s a special edition badge in the center console in case you forget what you’re driving. Mercedes-AMG is up front about the car being aimed at a “particularly fashion-conscious and design-oriented target group.”
That does not, however, mean this cruiser can’t move.
Motivated by a handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo that cranks out 503 horsepower (5,500-6,250 rpm) and 516 lb-ft. of torque (1,750-4,500 rpm), the rear-wheel drive C63 Cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition can hit 60 in 4 seconds, topping out at an electronically limited 174 mph.
The car itself is limited to just 150 units worldwide.
2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition. Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
AMG Performance Studio Package
The third of the three AMG specials is the Performance Studio Package for the Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe and Cabriolet. Mainly, this seems to be an over-glorified trim package with an AMG sourced mill under the hood.
The car has numerous black details slathered inside and out. And Mercedes-AMG points out that “for the first time, the C43 Cabriolet is available with black exterior details.” I know, I, too, can barely contain my excitement. The radiator grille sports black pins instead of chrome; the trim strips on the front splitter, the rear bumper, side skirts, trunk lid spoiler, and tailpipe trim elements are all painted black.
The 19-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels? Black. The rim of the steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber is also black.
2018 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe with AMG Performance Studio. Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.

AMG Performance Studio Package Performance
And yup, there’s that AMG engine up front. A 3.0L V6 biturbo putting out 362 horsepower and 384 lb-ft. of torque. This is delivered to the bahn via an AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive system (with a nice 31:69 torque split) and a 9-speed automatic transmission. Performance stats? How about 4.6 seconds to 60 and . . . wait, this thing tops out at 130 mph? And even then it’s electronically limited?
That can’t be right. [Goes and checks.] [Goes and checks again.] Man, it is right! That’s pretty slow.
Shoot, when I was in high school, the Smith brother’s mom had a station wagon that was faster than that. And I mean a lot faster. Okay, so dad Smith was a semi-pro drag racer and he dropped a 440 Wedge motor into the thing, but that Polara could fly, no two ways about it. But why get off onto a tangent, especially one of dubious legality?
These new Mercedes-AMG models are on display at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, and will be available for order this summer.
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 Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet with AMG Performance Studio. Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
Photos & Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

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2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Review

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Review

What’s sporty, fuel-efficient, fast, turbocharged, fun-to-drive, and has the utility of a hatch? No, it’s not a new Subaru WRX hatch, and it doesn’t cost a fortune. It’s the new Honda Civic Hatchback Sport.
It offers up a lot for the money, and it could be Honda’s best new launch in years.
We recently drove a Rallye Red 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport with the 6-speed manual gearbox.
What’s New For 2017
The Honda Civic received a complete redesign last year, and now comes in a hatchback body style, making it a compelling compact that offers up plenty of utility. The available turbocharged engine produces a bit more power in the hatch model too.
Hatchback Sport Features
The Honda Civic Hatchback Sport has a starting MSRP of $21,300 and comes loaded with standard features: automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, an expanded-view driver’s side mirror, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and manual front seats with driver height adjustment.
Electronic features include a 5-inch central display screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth capability, and a four-speaker sound system with a USB port.
The Sport gets a more powerful version of the turbocharged four cylinder engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a center-outlet dual exhaust, aerodynamic bodywork, a rear center armrest with cupholders, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Total MSRP including destination: $22,175.

Interior Highlights
Stepping inside reveals a sporty cabin and a driver-focused cockpit. Everything is easy to reach and the controls are straight forward. The highly adjustable seats, and standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel made it easy to find a comfortable driving position as we headed out for a weekend drive.
The Honda Civic Hatchback Sport we tested offered top-notch materials throughout and comfortable cloth seats, along with Honda’s typically tight finish. We liked the Civic’s extra storage spots up front for our gloves, cell phones, and sunglasses. The large backseat allows 6-foot-tall adults to sit with sufficient leg and headroom.
The rear hatch offers extra utility for loading larger items after the setbacks are lowered flat. Overall, the Civic Hatch features a well planned out space, with everything packaged so you can store smaller things as well as large cargo items in the back.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Honda Civic Hatch Sport is powered by a sweet 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged direct injected engine. It produces 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft. of torque. Get the 6-speed manual rower if you are a driving enthusiast. It comes with 15 more lb-ft of torque than the CVT automatic.
Fuel economy is excellent with an EPA estimated 30/39 city/highway and 33 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
We were all over the city of Denver, and even took a couple trips to Colorado Springs over the last week in the new Civic Hatchback. In the city, it was easy to maneuver through narrow streets, and we were able to squeeze into tight parking spots with ease. We navigated some congestion and had no trouble getting around slower traffic on the highway.
The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the manual transmission is more powerful than you would think. It comes with a sweet exhaust note and solid power delivery, which is nice to see in a Honda powerplant. We did plenty of miles on the highway, and the Civic Hatchback offered a composed ride that wasn’t too floaty or harsh on the bumps.
The cabin is a bit noisy at high speeds, but far better than Civic models of the past.
Up in the high country west of Denver, the extra power and torque of the turbo engine kicked in and we could down-shift the 6-speed manual to find the perfect gear for passing. The Civic with the 6-speed manual rower is the way to go if you like to drive. It has quick throws and smooth shifts making it a joy to drive. The 1.5-liter turbo feels extra quick, thanks to the additional, steady low-end torque. The side visibility is a bit less than previous models due to the raked roofline, but that’s the price you pay for the sporty hatch look.
Conclusion
If you want an affordable, sporty, fuel-efficient, fast, turbocharged, and fun-to-drive compact with utility, the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport with the 6-speed manual gearbox is the way to go. Add in a comfortable, roomy interior filled with upscale materials, and you have a great city commuter that you won’t get tired of driving.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Gallery

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2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Official Site
Photos: Honda North America

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Automoblog Book Garage: Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance

Automoblog Book Garage: Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance

We are really jazzed about the new Chevy Camaro. Recently, we reported on the 2017 ZL1’s impressive top speed and how the ZL1 LE is utilizing amazing technology to push performance boundaries. The Camaro is a timeless and iconic American machine no matter the era, and this weekend in our Book Garage series, we go back to the very beginning; long before the new ZL1 existed.
Why do we love the Camaro so much? Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance gets to the heart of the matter.
Storied Performance
In the early 1960s, American automakers raced to meet the demands of baby boomers, a burgeoning market that craved something more unique with regard to cars. Ford got the jump with the Mustang but the bowtie would not settle to the blue oval, responding with the Camaro in 1967.
The Mustang and Camaro rivalry has continued since, and if you fancy yourself on Team Camaro, you fondly recall the likes of the RC, SS, Z28, and IROC-Z. And 50 years from now, we will be doing the same with the ZL1.
Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance documents the entire story; how Chevrolet developed advanced tech at the time for the Camaro, how changes in the market put a strain on muscle cars, and how the battle between Mustang spilled over onto dealership showfloors. The more modern day Camaro is examined, detailing its departure and ultimate return in 2010.
The book features stunning, never-before-seen archival photography from General Motors.
Author
Mike Mueller has worked as a freelance automotive photojournalist since 1991. A lifetime car enthusiast, Mueller has written and photographed more than 25 automotive and truck history books and contributed photography to dozens more. Among his long list of titles are Motorbooks’ Chevy Chevelle 50 Years, The Complete Book of Corvette, and The Complete Book of Classic Dodge and Plymouth Muscle.
Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance is available through Amazon. Other works by Mike Mueller are available through Motorbooks.
Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance Gallery

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Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept: A Serious Contender?

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept: A Serious Contender? In some ways, VW’s Atlas Cross Sport Concept is just that: A concept vehicle at an auto show loaded with gee-wiz features. In a lot of other ways, this is just VW’s latest SUV. But the real key to the Atlas Cross Sport Concept can be found in the press materials when VW says, “Atlas five-seater shows that Volkswagen has a serious SUV strategy.”
In other words, “take our SUVs seriously.” Well, should we take the Atlas Cross Sport Concept seriously?
Up To Speed
For those out of the loop, the quick sketch is that SUVs are a big deal. People want them, for a number of reasons you don’t have to be Sigmund Freud to really figure out. And car makers want to sell them, because the profit margins are higher than traditional cars. So, bottom line: Everybody wants in on the SUV game. And Volkswagen is kind of late to the party. So, their Atlas Cross Sport Concept has to hit all the right notes and make an impression.
The Atlas Cross Sport Concept sits right in the middle of the SUV world. It’s not huge, like an Escalade, and it’s not goofy and tiny, like a Nissan Juke (if the Juke even counts). The Atlas can seat five and carry a lot of their stuff, and it looks like a modern SUV: a big, two-box design resembling a station wagon on steroids.
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Just Enough
The Atlas Cross Sport Concept is 7.5 inches shorter than the run-of-the-mill Atlas, yet it keeps the same wheelbase. The most notable loss is that third row, which knocks the seating capacity down to five. So the Atlas Cross Sport Concept is not aimed at big families, but it’s still big enough for most people and most families to use most of the time. VW goes on and on about how it looks, but to my eyes, it’s rather inoffensive and generic and, if anything, there’s not much there to even criticize. What really sets VW’s Atlas Cross Sport Concept apart is the hybrid drivetrain.
Power & Performance
Volkswagen notes the Atlas is based on the company’s modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform, and that it can be “built with all manner of drive systems, including a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.” In other words, look for a bunch of engine choices across the range.
The concept uses the same 3.6-liter V6 FSI engine as the “normal” Atlas, putting out 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft. of torque. However, that’s just the start, since output is enhanced by two electric motors “fueled” by a compact 18.0 kWh lithium-ion battery housed in the center tunnel. The front motor puts out 54 horsepower and 162 lb-ft. of torque, and the rear motor adds 114 horsepower and 199 lb-ft. of torque to the party. This means a total system power output of 355 horsepower and 1,439,294 lb-ft. of torque.
Wait, I think my figures are a little off for the torque? Let’s just say it puts out a lot of torque, okay? Anyways, you add all that up and this VW concept hits 60 in just 5.4 seconds, topping out at 130 mph.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Drive Modes
And here’s where things get interestingly geeky and gearhead-centric. The software genies that control everything do some very interesting stuff, allowing this concept to operate in any of five modes: E-Mode, Hybrid, GTE, Off-Road or Battery Hold/Battery Charge.
The vehicle always starts out in the all-electric E-Mode if the battery is sufficiently charged. The all-electric driving range is up to 26 miles. Impressive. In E-Mode, drive power is entirely supplied by the 114 horsepower electric motor at the rear axle. Further, the gasoline engine is decoupled from the drivetrain and shut off. As soon as the software decides it needs the V6, it is recoupled to the drivetrain in an almost unnoticeable process.
When working in Hybrid mode, the V6 and/or rear electric motor automatically engage. If the battery is not sufficiently charged at this point, lifting your foot off the accelerator or hitting the brakes will turn the electric motors into generators where the energy recovered from braking is pumped into the lithium-ion battery. In GTE, which is driver-activated via a button, the throttle map, gearshifts, and steering feel sportier, and the V6 and the electric motors work together to access the full system’s power output. Ya-hoo!
If the driver activates the Off-Road mode, the Atlas Cross Sport Concept goes full-on all-wheel drive. The battery’s state of charge is low, and the front electric motor is exclusively used as a generator for the electric motor on the rear axle. This is said to give this show-car Atlas very impressive off-road ability.
Finally, the dual Battery Hold/Battery Charge mode is activated from a menu in the infotainment system. Battery Hold means the energy content of the battery stays constant and Battery Charge means the battery is charged while driving; and all this sounds quite clever. For example, you might use this mode to intentionally prep for driving in the all-electric mode.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
In Person
Will this concept be built? Probably, but that’s not the point, I think. The point here is that VW could be sitting on a very flexible drivetrain that can be dropped into a large number of future vehicles. We will have to wait and see. In the meantime, the Atlas Cross Sport Concept is on display the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
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.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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How Many Easter Eggs Can Your Favorite HD Truck Haul

How Many Easter Eggs Can Your Favorite HD Truck Haul If I could offer one nugget of advice for the Easter Bunny (assuming he’s reading) it would be to ditch the basket and get a truck. While the basket certinately has a novelty flare synonymous with the Easter season, hauling chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and painted eggs is much easier with a big truck. The question is what truck would best suit the Easter Bunny, and the team at Royalty Core set out to find the answer.
Colorful Numbers
Based in Oregon, Royalty Core designs and hand-builds custom performance grilles, emblems, and headache racks. Their grilles and other unique truck parts have been featured in dozens of industry magazines, and are often part of award-winning SEMA builds. The staff came up with a math formula to get the hard boiled egg-hauling totals for the new Ford F-250, Chevy and GMC 2500 HD base models, Nissan Titan XD, and Ram 2500.
“We’re all about customizing your truck, so we thought adding something decorative to the bed would be a fun way to measure just how much these trucks can handle,” said Robb Kamp, owner of Royalty Core.
Here is Royalty Core’s brain scrambling (see what I did there) formula to determine how many eggs these trucks can haul.
One U.S. large, dyed egg weighs about 57 grams.
The egg’s density is 1.03 grams/cm3, so the egg is about 56 cm3 (3.4 cu. in.) in volume.
Round that measurement to 3.75 inches to account for the empty space around each egg.
Eat a chocolate bunny (optional).
Next, convert the volume of a truck bed from cubic feet to cubic inches, and divide by 3.75 to come up with an egg count.
Now, convert the weight of an egg in grams to pounds (57 grams = 0.126 pounds), and multiply by the egg count to get the total egg weight.
Write it all down in a table, check your work, and then brag to your friends about how much better your truck is than theirs.
“I can tell you when we started this, we weren’t sure any of the trucks could handle their max capacity of Easter eggs,” Kamp added. “That was surprising.”
The Nissan Titan XD is great for hauling hay. Easter eggs on the on the other hand? That’s a different story. Photo: Nissan North America.
And The Winners Are . . .
Weight totals mostly stayed beneath or just over each truck’s maximum payload, but one truck couldn’t haul the number of eggs that actually fit in its bed. Here’s the bed size, egg capacity, and whether or not these trucks were up to the challenge:
2018 Chevy 2500 HD – 61 cubic feet + 28,109 eggs = 8 pounds more than max payload.
2018 Ford F-250 – 65 cubic feet + 29,952 eggs = 3,774 pounds. Yes, it can haul!
2018 GMC 2500 HD – 61 cubic feet + 28,109 eggs = 8 pounds more than max payload.
2018 RAM 2500 – 58 cubic feet + 26,726 eggs = 3,368 pounds. Yes, it can haul!
2018 Nissan Titan XD – 59 cubic feet + 27,187 eggs = 516 pounds more than max payload.
So, based on this, the Easter Bunny (should) be getting either a new Ram or Ford. Chevy fans can counter by simply saying the Easter Bunny isn’t real. Nissan fans should just opt for the traditional Easter basket. It can probably haul more eggs.
Royalty Core’s graphic is below, with a version you can share on social media here. Happy Easter and sorry Nissan fans!
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.

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Brembo Showcases Next Gen, High Performance Caliper In New York

Brembo Showcases Next Gen, High Performance Caliper In New York Brembo introduced a new brake caliper for the high performance road car market during the New York International Auto Show. Brembo says the new caliper comes by way of rigorous study and a dedication to create functional products with engaging shapes. The company drew on over 45 years of Motorsport experience and over 300 racing championships as they developed the new caliper.
The goal was to create something that could match the shape, color, and exclusivity of high performance cars.
New Applications
Brembo’s engineers focused on the caliper’s geometry, reducing the mass of the areas not subjected to stress during braking. To get a better understanding on how to accomplish this, topology optimization was utilized. Topology optimization is a software tool that allowed the engineers to simulate the stiffness of the caliper and locate excess material. This application is more common for racing brakes, being used now for the first time for a cast aluminum caliper intended for road cars.
Brembo has a number of similar innovations for road-going performance cars already, including a hybrid material braking system for the 2019 Corvette ZR1.
New Benchmarks
With the minimized curves and material reduction, a weight savings of 400 grams per wheel was achieved, marking the highest ratio of weight/stiffness ever for a cast aluminum caliper for road use. Brembo says the new caliper will be used in conjunction with carbon ceramic discs and can be made in a variety of colors.
In Person
Brembo’s new caliper is equipped to the 720 horsepower Pagani Huayra, located inside their display at the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.

Photos & Source: Brembo SpA.

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