Automotive

2018 Acura TLX Arrives With New Styling, A-Spec Option

2018 Acura TLX Arrives With New Styling, A-Spec Option

The Acura TLX, refreshed for 2018, goes on sale June 1st. Acura says it’s more sporty and alluring to better indicate the brand’s new design direction. In addition to a little nip here and a little tuck there, expect an all-new TLX A-Spec variant with new premium features. Acura has also added AcuraWatch as standard equipment on all TLX models, plus the current suite of advanced safety and driver-assist tech.
What’s In A Name?
Before we dive into the minutiae here, let me just say that “TLX” is a pretty horrid name for a car. It’s not even a name. It’s three, seemingly random letters affixed to the car and left at that. What does it stand for? Total Luxury Experimental? Tricky Looking X-ray? No, what it stands for is, “we’re completely bereft of ideas and have no style.”
So, for 2018, Acura’s TLX gets a mid-cycle face lift. You get some sheet metal that’s been updated here and there, a few new bits and bobs, a new engine variant, but overall, not much to distinguish it from the previous versions. That will come soon, when a full update hits the street. For now, the 2018 TLX gets a redesigned dual-screen user interface, a new 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility.
2018 Acura TLX V6 A-Spec models. Photo: Acura.
Vehicle Treatments
The design refresh for 2018 highlights Acura’s diamond pentagon grille, and takes other design cues from the Acura Precision Concept. Acura says it “boasts an alluring new style,” but ultimately that will be up to the buying public to decide. The hood is more sharply sculpted along with the front fenders for a more aggressive and sporty front and rear. They point out the “signature 5-lamp Jewel Eye LED headlights,” which is a silly name for a fussy over-design. There are also new alloy wheels, so that’s a plus.
All TLX V6 models get a new rear diffuser with exposed dual-exhaust outlets. The Technology Package adds a chrome side sill garnish, comfy leather seats with high-contrast stitching and piping, and a power-operated driver’s seat thigh extension. The Advance Package has new features such as trapezoidal LED fog lights, a Surround View camera system, a built-in wireless charging pad, and white LED ambient interior light piping. The steering wheel is heated along with the rear outboard seats. You also get power-folding side mirrors and a new body-colored decklid spoiler.
2018 Acura TLX V6 A-Spec. Photo: Acura.

A-Spec Highlights
The 2018 TLX V6 A-Spec aims to be the performer of the bunch. Styling-wise, the A-Spec gets a unique matte-black diamond pentagon grille with a dark chrome surround. There’s a more aggressive lower front fascia with a broad center air intake flanked by round LED fog lights. The A-Spec wears exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels in Shark Gray paint with 245-series tires.
These fit nicely with the flared side sills, giving a more athletic and planted stance. Out back, there’s a gloss-black decklid spoiler, smoked LED taillights, rear fascia with a lower diffuser, and 4-inch round dual exhaust finishers. The side window surrounds are matte-black, and there’s A-Spec badging on the front fenders and rear decklid.
On the inside, the A-Spec gets more aggressively bolstered front seats with high-contrast stitching and piping, plus red LED ambient light – I’m guessing for that U-Boat look to go along with the red driver’s meter highlights. The headliner is black as is the pillar treatment, all of which contrasts with the brushed aluminum-look instrument panel garnish. A-Spec buyers also get an exclusive, thick-rimmed steering wheel with A-Spec badging.
2018 Acura TLX V6 A-Spec. Photo: Acura.
Performance & Pricing
Overall grip is up thanks to Michelin Primacy 245/40R19 tires. The electric power steering system and damper settings have been retuned. If you go for the SH-AWD on your A-Spec, you’ll get a quicker steering ratio, stiffer spring rate, and a rear stabilizer bar for improved body control. The new 2018 TLX 2.4L starts at $33,000 while the V6 models start at $36,200; the TLX V6 A-Spec starts at $42,800. The charts below from Acura show more details.
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.
2.4-liter TLX:
Newly styled front fascia, hood and front fenders
Restyled Jewel Eye™ LED headlights with auto on/off and auto high beam
LED daytime running lights and turn signals
Dark Burl/Acoustic wood interior appliques
ODMD 2.0 user interface with capacitive touchscreen
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Android Auto compatibility
Sirius XM 2.0
Full-color TFT driver’s meter
New 17″ 10-spoke alloy wheels
AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies (now standard)
2.4-liter Technology Package (adds to TLX 2.4L):
Navigation
HD Radio with Digital Traffic
3.5-liter V6 (adds to 2.4-liter TLX):
New rear fascia design with chrome accents
Exposed dual exhausts outlets
Rear diffuser
3.5-liter V6 TLX Technology Package (adds to TLX V6):
Navigation
HD Radio with Digital Traffic
New seat styling with high-contrast stitching and piping
Driver’s seat power-operated thigh extender
Chrome side sill garnish
NEW: 3.5-liter V6 TLX A-Spec (adds to TLX V6 Technology Package):
   A-Spec exclusive exterior styling and trim
   A-Spec exclusive interior styling and trim
   Round LED Fog Lights
   New 19″ split 5-spoke alloy wheels
   Flush-mounted front and rear parking sensors (+2 front sensors)
   Gloss black rear decklid spoiler
   Increased front seat bolstering
   Red driver’s meter highlights
   Red LED ambient light piping – 10 locations
   Wireless charging pad
   Ventilated front seats
3.5-liter V6 TLX Advance Package (adds to TLX V6 Technology Package):
Surround View Camera System
Trapezoidal LED fog lights
Flush-mounted front and rear parking sensors (+2 front sensors)
Body-colored decklid spoiler
New 18″ 15-spoke alloy wheels
Power folding side mirrors
Heated steering wheel
Heated rear outboard seats
Heated windshield
White LED ambient light piping – 10 locations
Wireless charging pad
Ventilated front seats
2018 Acura TLX Pricing and EPA Ratings
Model
Trim Name
Trans
EPA Ratings2(city, highway, combined)
MSRP1
TLX

TLX 2.4L
8DCT3
23 / 33 / 27
$33,000
TLX 2.4L with Technology Package
8DCT
23 / 33/ 27
$36,700
TLX V6

TLX 3.5L
9AT
20 / 32 / 24
$36,200
TLX 3.5L with Technology Package
9AT
20 / 32 / 24
$39,900
TLX 3.5L A-Spec
9AT
20 / 30 / 23
$42,800
TLX 3.5L with Advance Package
9AT
20 / 32 / 24
$43,750
TLX 3.5L SH-AWD
9AT
21 / 30 / 24
$38,200
TLX 3.5L SH-AWD with Technology Package
9AT
21 / 30 / 24
$41,900
TLX 3.5L SH-AWD A-Spec
9AT
20 / 29 / 23
$44,800
TLX 3.5L SH-AWD with Advance Package
9AT
21 / 30 / 24
$45,750

2018 Acura TLX Gallery

Photos & Source: Acura.

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Michigan Based Company Building The Promised Autonomous Future

Michigan Based Company Building The Promised Autonomous Future

In 2009, I was coming home from a sales meeting in Minneapolis-St.Paul with my co-workers from Sioux Falls Ford. We sustained a rear impact in a road construction zone on I-35; the truck that hit us was traveling too fast and didn’t see us stopped in traffic. The blunt force caused us to side swipe the vehicle ahead of us as we plummeted towards the ditch.
Thankfully, nobody was seriously hurt but the experience has always stuck with me. I still get nervous when cars come upon me quickly.
Challenges & Promises
With autonomous vehicles on the horizon, there is a not only a promise, but a strong possibility accidents of this nature – of any nature – will cease. Yet, there remains an elephant in the room. My emotions on autonomous driving are mixed but I am optimistic, believing the people working on such technology have their hearts in the right place. So I will be enthusiastic and favorable in describing this elephant as small, but an elephant in the room is still an elephant in the room.
AutoSens has officially kicked off here in Detroit, Michigan, an insightful event dedicated to autonomous driving and vehicle perception technology. The occasion will serve as a meeting point for engineers, connecting them to one another in a setting that showcases the latest academic research, industrial R&D, and OEM insights. AutoSens is taking place at the M1 Concourse, an ideal location with its 1.5-mile racetrack and showroom facilities.
Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.
Reservations & Relief
There are lots of challenges facing the successful implementation of autonomous driving, as AutoSens will examine, those challenges can only be addressed when the engineers invested in this technology are in the same room. The technical and logistical challenges of autonomous driving are many, but this one is quite high on the list. Here’s that elephant in the room: what if it doesn’t work; what if my car doesn’t react in time? What if that sensor fails, that camera breaks, and what if my car crashes anyway?
I was fortunate enough to demo a fully autonomous car at AutoSens. Without any reservation, I felt safe. I didn’t feel like we were going to hit the wall on the track at the M1 Concourse. I chatted with the other attendees in the car and marveled at how well it accelerated, braked, and handled. The driverless car was a new Ford Fusion, outfitted with the latest autonomous technology from Dataspeed Inc., a Rochester Hills, Michigan company.
Hazy Shades of Winter
I sometimes believe if I asked Mattel’s famous Magic 8-Ball what the autonomous world is going to look like – you know, the better infrastructure, zero accidents, the whole nine – the little triangle would bounce back saying “reply hazy, try again” or “cannot predict now.”
And that children’s toy from the 1950s would be right. We just don’t entirely know what’s going to happen, but Dataspeed’s mission is straightforward, despite the uncertainty. “We bring you the future you were always promised” reads their vision statement, inspired by Founder Paul Fleck’s cousin Mary, the victim of a terrible traffic accident. With safety at the forefront, Fleck formed Dataspeed in 2008 in the epicenter of the auto industry.
“We are in the heart of it all,” said Tyffany Baird, Director of Marketing, Dataspeed Inc. “This is the automotive capital of the world and it’s the best place we could possibly be.”
When it comes to making autonomous vehicles function safely in the real world, Michigan’s four seasons make it an ideal proving ground.
“We have varying weather conditions here, from rain and clouds to snow,” Baird said. “We have the ability here to go beyond simulation to provide a real-time test and solution.”
Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.

Powerful Platforms
The Ford Fusion at AutoSens was equipped with Dataspeed’s Advanced Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS) Kit. As the Fusion went around the track at the M1 Concourse, it smoothly and comfortably accelerated, while braking gently into the corners – it was completely seamless. Dataspeed’s ADAS Kit is a development platform, allowing control of the throttle, brake, steering, and shifting, to assist in the testing of sensors and other elements as they relate to autonomous vehicle applications.
“By our kit allowing an engineer to have that kind of control over those components, they can skip all of that,” Baird explained. “We have done that for them, so they can get right to testing whatever it is they want to test, be it everything from LiDAR to emergency braking.”
Technical Prowess
Let’s say I am a researcher and I am developing a particular sensor or algorithm, or maybe even an entire autonomous vehicle system. I contact Dataspeed where the ADAS Kit is installed, including the drive-by-wire hardware, power distribution system, and vehicle network interfaces, so I can continue developing my sensor, algorithm, or autonomous system. Through the implementation of Dataspeed’s kit, I am able to save time and conduct much more efficient testing on what I am developing.
“It can be a custom built design for testing sensors, cameras, GPS, or LiDAR – we have multiple interfaces that our hardware will work with,” Baird said. “It is always up to the engineer regarding what their specific application is, and from there, we accelerate that testing for them.”
Dataspeed’s ADAS Kit is compatible with the Ford Fusion and Mondeo (2017 or newer) and the Lincoln MKZ (2013 or newer). Power features include 12 programmable relay channels and a 600W true sine wave inverter. Interfaces include CAN, dSPACE, RTMaps, and ROS. Dataspeed provides a host of hardware and software with the ADAS Kit, including the throttle, steering, shifting, and brake-by-wire controller modules, wire harnesses, USB joystick, and updates for a year with a maintenance agreement.
“We allow engineers to test what they need on an actual autonomous vehicle, instead of just simulating that in an office environment,” Baird added.
Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.
Faith & Optimism
My autonomous trip around the track at AutoSens proved eye-opening and profitable. Much of the technology is over my head – I wish I could dive into the brains of those engineers – but I am learning. Learning not only how the technology works but that it does, in fact, work. I am hoping for the best with regard to the forthcoming autonomous world, and I want to believe it will deliver on all of its promises, from infrastructure to zero traffic accidents. I have encouraged, as best I can, readers of this publication to not give the autonomous system an entire heap of blind faith, but rather to remain optimistic and prudent in their approach to the technology.
I find it works, at least for me. And after my time on the track with AutoSens and Dataspeed, that elephant in the room is now a little bit smaller.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

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2018 Subaru Forester Product & Performance Overview

2018 Subaru Forester Product & Performance Overview

Subaru, the Japanese manufacturer of all things practical, dependable, and inexpensive, no matter the weather, just rolled out the latest details for the 2018 Forester. They also revealed a new trim package, The Black Edition Package, which seems rather snazzy. All in all, this looks to continue the car subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industry’s winning streak since the Forester is Subaru’s best-selling model.
Which is surprising, given the number of Outback station wagons you see in the Pacific Northwest.
Essential Details
Subaru’s 2018 Forester lineup breaks down like this: The 2.5i is available in four trim levels: standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring. All Foresters are at least powered by a 170 horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. A 6-speed manual is standard with an optional Lineartronic CVT. And yes, if you find automatic transmissions just a little bit creepy, a continuously variable transmission is really going to give you the willies. They do, however, work.
Just don’t ask me how they work.
If you opt for the Forester 2.0XT, which is available in both Premium and Touring trims, you get a 250 horsepower, 2.0-liter intercooled, turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer plant, and obviously, this is the one we like best at 1 Automoblog Towers. All Foresters come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, because, duh, it’s a Subaru. All-wheel drive is what they do. It is, in many ways, what separates them from the likes of Nissan and Toyota and makes them really great rally cars right out of the box. Not that we would encourage you to go rally racing down a lonely logging road at insane velocities in the middle of the night, in a rain storm while your navigator whimpers out route instructions.
Oh no. Not us. We’d never encourage you to do that.
Premium Trim
The base level 2018 Foresters start at a reasonable $22,795. The 2018 Forester 2.5i Premium, which Subaru says is “nicely appointed” starts at $25,695. For that, you get a panoramic power moonroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, X- Mode with Hill Descent Control (on models with a CVT), automatic HVAC controls, body color rear roof spoiler, and a 10-way power driver’s seat. There is an All-Weather Package available that includes heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, and windshield wiper de-icer – that’s standard on Premium and above.
2018 Subaru 2.5i Forester Black Edition. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Black Edition
The new Forester 2.5i Black Edition package is essentially an upgrade from the Premium model. The Black Edition comes with a Lineartronic CVT featuring X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, and LED Steering Responsive Headlights. You also get 18-inch black alloy wheels, fog lights with black accent trim (of course), black finish exterior badges and mirrors (natch), and a front grille with a blacked-out wing motif and chrome frame.
You get a choice of 4 exterior colors: Crystal Black Silica, Dark Gray Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, and Ice Silver Metallic. There is also exclusive black cloth upholstery seats with simulated leather bolsters. The center dash panel has a silver metallic and black gloss finish. The steering wheel and shift handle are leather-wrapped and highlighted with silver stitching, and the interior door handles have a chrome finish. The Black Edition comes standard with the All-Weather Package, rear cargo tray, and Welcome Lighting.
The upgrade is available exclusively on Premium trims and will set you back $1,150, which isn’t bad.
Limited Trim
The Forester Limited upgrades you to a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever handle. There’s perforated leather-trimmed upholstery along with a 10-way power driver’s seat and power lumbar support. Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are standard along with Welcome Lighting.
If you go for the Limited version and tick the EyeSight option, you get High Beam Assist, LED Steering Responsive Headlights, Automatic Low & High Beam Height Adjustment, and Reverse Auto Braking. No, I don’t know what half of those actually do, nor do I fully grok why I would want them, but they’re kind of thrown in with the package.
Cost? The 2018 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited starts at $29,395.
2018 Subaru 2.5i Forester Black Edition. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

Touring Trim
The top-of-the-line Forester Touring models are priced from $33,090, but for that, you get all the goodies Subbie makes. You get 18-inch alloy wheels and body colored exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals. The interior is either Black or Saddle Brown with a 10-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory. Keyless Access with Push-Button Start and heated steering wheel? Check, check, and check. Reverse Automatic Braking and High Beam Assist headlights are standard on Touring models too. Oh, and as an added performance feature, all 2.0XT Touring models come with Active Torque Vectoring, first introduced on the WRX and WRX STI.
And, no matter which Forester model you choose, you’ll get a SUBARU STARLINK Multimedia system providing hands-free connectivity and entertainment services. More information, including option packages and pricing, is included in the charts below.
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 FORESTER
Model/Trim
Transmission
Applicable Option Code
MSRP
MSRP + destination and delivery
2.5i
6MT
‘01
$22,795
$23,710
2.5i
CVT
’01, ‘02
$23,795
$24,710
2.5i Premium
6MT
11
$25,695
$26,610
2.5i Premium
CVT
12, 13, 14, 15, 16
$26,195
$27,110
2.5i Limited
CVT
21, 22, 23
$29,395
$30,310
2.5i Touring
CVT
31, 32
$33,090
$34,005
2.0XT Premium
CVT
11
$29,495
$30,410
2.0XT Touring
CVT
31, 32
$36,090
$37,005

2018 FORESTER OPTION PACKAGES

CODE 01 Standard Model 2.5i
N/A
CODE 02 Alloy Wheel Package- includes 17-in. machine finished alloy wheels, roof rails and front passenger window Auto Up/Down
$600
CODE 11 Standard Model- 2.5i Premium 6MT or 2.0XT Premium CVT
N/A
CODE 12 Standard Model- 2.5i Premium CVT
N/A
CODE 13 All-Weather Package
$500
CODE 14 EyeSight®+ All- Weather Package + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$1,695
CODE 15 EyeSight® + All-Weather Package + Blind Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Power Rear Gate
$2,145
CODE 16 Black Edition
$1,150
CODE 21 Standard Model- 2.5i Limited
N/A
CODE 22 Navigation + Harman Kardon® Audio Amplifiers + Speakers
$1,350
CODE 23 EyeSight® + Navigation + Harman Kardon® Amplifiers + Speakers
$2,945
CODE 31 Standard Model- 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring (Black interior)
N/A
CODE 32 Standard Model- 2.5i Touring and 2.0XT Touring (Saddle Brown interior)
N/A

Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.

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BREAKING: Ford says goodbye to Mark Fields, appoints Jim Hackett as the new leader

BREAKING: Ford says goodbye to Mark Fields, appoints Jim Hackett as the new leader Ford Motor Company, its board and shareholders were apparently fed up with ex-CEO Mark Fields’ failure to deliver.

What’s going on?
It seems Mark Fields’ career as the CEO of Ford was rather short lived. After taking the lead of Dearborn’s own in 2014, stocks took a dive under Fields’ leadership. As a result, Ford’s executive board and major shareholders didn’t want to deal with him any more.
Taking Fields’ place is Jim Hackett, who led Ford’s Smart Mobility division before becoming CEO. Prior to working at Ford Motor Company, Hackett is most known for his 30-year tenure of Steelcase, a massive furniture conglomerate.
Another major shift in Ford’s executive team is the departing of Ford’s Group Vice President of Communications, Ray Day.
Why did Fields get the boot?
Despite increased sales and a projected profit of around $9 billion before taxes, Ford still suffered from market share loss. As a result, potential investors were turned-off by this market share loss, causing the value to drop by 40 percent under Fields’ reign.
Who’s the new guy?
Jim Hackett is most known for turning around office furniture company, Steelcase. His new obligation to lead and hopefully turn Ford’s stock around wouldn’t be the first of this kind.
More to come as it develops.
For the press release, check it out below.
– By: Chris Chin

MAY 22, 2017 | DEARBORN
FORD APPOINTS JIM HACKETT AS CEO TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS, TRANSFORM FOR FUTURE; FARLEY, HINRICHS, KLEVORN TAKE ON NEW ROLES

Jim Hackett named as Ford Motor Company president and CEO, succeeding Mark Fields, who is retiring. Hackett, who will report to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, is recognized as a transformational business leader
Hackett led Steelcase Inc.’s turnaround to become the world’s No. 1 office furniture maker, served as interim Athletic Director at University of Michigan and has led Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016. He served on Ford’s board from 2013 to 2016
Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities: Sharpening operational execution, modernizing Ford’s present business and transforming the company to meet tomorrow’s challenges
Ford also named leaders to three new roles under Hackett. Jim Farley is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets, Joe Hinrichs is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations, and Marcy Klevorn is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility
Mark Truby is appointed vice president, Communications, and elected a company officer. He succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then
Paul Ballew is appointed vice president and Chief Data and Analytics Officer
DEARBORN, May 22, 2017 – Ford Motor Company today named Jim Hackett as its new president and CEO and announced key global leadership changes designed to further strengthen its core automotive business and accelerate a strategic shift to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Hackett, 62, has a long track record of innovation and business success as CEO of Steelcase, Interim Athletic Director at the University of Michigan and executive chairman of Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016.
Reporting to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Hackett will lead Ford’s worldwide operations and 202,000 employees globally. He succeeds Mark Fields, 56, who has elected to retire from Ford after a successful 28-year career with the company.
“We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future,” Bill Ford said. “Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space. He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centered leadership approach to our culture, products and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business.”
Added Hackett: “I am so excited to work with Bill Ford and the entire team to create an even more dynamic and vibrant Ford that improves people’s lives around the world, and creates value for all of our stakeholders. I have developed a deep appreciation for Ford’s people, values and heritage during the past four years as part of the company and look forward to working together with everyone tied to Ford during this transformative period.”
Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities:
Sharpening operational execution across the global business to further enhance quality, go-to-market strategy; product launch, while decisively addressing underperforming parts of the business
Modernizing Ford’s business, using new tools and techniques to unleash innovation, speed decision making and improve efficiency. This includes increasingly leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, 3D printing and more
Transforming the company to meet future challenges, ensuring the company has the right culture, talent, strategic processes and nimbleness to succeed as society’s needs and consumer behavior change over time
Bill Ford and Ford’s Board of Directors thanked Fields for his significant contributions to the company.
“Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford,” Bill Ford said. “His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years.”
Also today, Ford announced a new structure for its operations and named three new leaders reporting to Hackett:
Jim Farley, 54, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets. In this role, Farley will oversee Ford’s business units, The Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific. In addition, Farley will oversee Lincoln Motor Company and global Marketing Sales & Service. Farley has served as executive vice president and president, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa since January 2015. Farley will also oversee the strategy and business model development for electrified vehicles and autonomous vehicles.
Joe Hinrichs, 50, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations. In this role, Hinrichs will oversee Ford’s global Product Development; Manufacturing and Labor Affairs; Quality; Purchasing; and Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering; Hinrichs has been serving as Ford executive vice president and president, The Americas, since December 2012.
Marcy Klevorn, 57, is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility. In this role, Klevorn will oversee Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which was formed last year to accelerate the company’s plans to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services, as well as Information Technology and Global Data, Insight and Analytics. Klevorn has served as group vice president, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer since January 2017.
All three appointments are effective June 1. New leaders to succeed Hinrichs, Farley and Klevorn will be the subject of a future announcement.
“We are fortunate to have three dynamic and talented leaders in Jim Farley, Joe Hinrichs and Marcy Klevorn taking on greater responsibility,” Bill Ford said. “Each has a track record of driving innovation, cost efficiency and delivering results around the world. They will work closely with Jim Hackett to lead Ford’s day-to-day operations, build our brand and capitalize on emerging opportunities.”
In addition, Ford appointed Mark Truby, 47, vice president, Communications, effective immediately, reporting to Bill Ford. He was elected a company officer. Truby has previously led Ford’s Communications teams in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa. Truby succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then.
Ford also elected Paul Ballew, 52, as Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer, reporting to Klevorn. Ballew has been leading Ford’s global data and analytics teams since December 2014, including development of new capabilities supporting connectivity and smart mobility.

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Honda Proving Center Returns To Action Following Renovation

Honda Proving Center Returns To Action Following Renovation

Following a complete renovation, the Honda Proving Center (HPC) is open again and ready to function as a full on testing ground for future Honda and Acura products. Located in the Mojave Desert, near Cantil, California, HPC is an ideal place for Honda to test and develop a wide range of automobiles, motorcycles, side-by-sides, and ATVs.
“The enhancements we made at the Honda Proving Center will play an important role in advancing the performance capabilities of our products for our customers,” said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President, Automobile Division, American Honda.
The remodeled HPC features a 7.5-mile banked oval track where vehicles can exceed 200 mph during testing. A 4.5-mile winding road course accompanies the oval track, and incorporates 28 curves and six different hills. The new and improved HPC now has a 1.3 million-square-foot vehicle dynamics area and a modified powersports complex to support the development and testing of Honda motorcycles and other all-terrain vehicles.
The renovation of the 3,840-acre warm-weather testing facility provides Honda with two key proving grounds in the United States. In addition to HPC, Honda also conducts verification testing at the Transportation Research Center, an automotive proving facility located in East Liberty, Ohio.
“HPC has long played a valuable role in the development of our products and this renovation will ensure it continues to do so,” Conrad added.
Interesting enough, all original and existing asphalt at the old HPC site was recycled and used for the renovation of the new and improved site. The video below shows more. Just for the record, if we worked for Honda, we would want to be assigned here, preferably with the Acura NSX. The Civic Type R would’t be half bad either.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo, Video & Source: Honda North America.

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The Enzo Ferrari Years With Alfa Romeo

The Enzo Ferrari Years With Alfa Romeo

The Triple Crown of Motorsport is quickly approaching, leaving automobile enthusiasts eager to see who will come out on top during what is considered a series of the most important auto races in the world. From May 25th to May 28th, all eyes will be on the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix on the Circuit de Monaco, a race that has long attracted spectators for the event’s racing difficulty and glamorous location.
Action will then move stateside for the Indianapolis 500, followed by the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the oldest Motorsports and endurance car race in the world.
In honor of the upcoming flurry of high-stakes Motorsports racing, now is the perfect time to explore the history of some of the earliest Motorsports competitors. One such brand that gained international praise is the fiery Alfa Romeo, which roared into the racing world in 1911. While Alfa Romeo stopped participating in the Formula 1 circuit in 1988, this iconic Italian brand has over 100 years of racing success and is recognized for being a dominant force in Motorsports.
Alfa Romeo can claim many firsts in its history, including becoming the first car to win the World Automobile Championship in 1925, and successfully following up this win with a first-place victory at the inaugural F1 championship. 120 titles later, Alfa Romeo has raced in just about every form imaginable, picking up victories in rally races and endurance hauls alike.
One of the staples of Alfa Romeo’s racing success was its elite racing team, which included Antonio Ascari, Tazio Nuvolari, Juan Manual Fangio, and for close to 20 years, Motorsport legend Enzo Ferrari.
Enzo Ferrari piloting his Alfa Romeo at the 1922 Targa Florio. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Ferrari’s Dreams Begin With Alfa Romeo
Before Enzo Ferrari created and managed one of the most recognizable Italian car brands of all time, he honed his early racing skills with Alfa Romeo. Ferrari’s interest in the fast-paced world of Motorsport was first piqued as a child, when at the age of 10 he accompanied his father and brother to the circuit on Via Emilia in Bologna, Italy.
After an honorable discharge in WWI, Ferrari failed to secure a job with Fiat, and instead started his career with car manufacturer Costruzioni Meccaniche Nazionali as a test driver. He was quickly promoted to the company’s racing division and made his official debut at the Parma-Poggio di Berceto race in 1919. The following year, Ferrari joined Alfa Romeo to work and compete as a racer, which launched his first long-term employment in the automotive field.
In 1921, Ferrari began his run as an Alfa driver with a series of successes, including a fifth place finish at the Targa Florio and a second place finish at Mugello. By 1923, Ferrari had solidified his racing prowess to the Alfa team with his win at the inaugural Circuito del Savio, which attracted the attention of Count and Countess Baracca, the parents of legendary Italian WWI pilot Francesco Baracca. After watching Ferrari’s win, the Countess gifted the young driver with a signed photograph of her son and encouraged Ferrari to use the emblem on the side of her son’s plane as a mascot on his cars. This black charging horse emblem will become the Ferrari symbol known around the world when Enzo starts his own company.
In 1924, Ferrari was honored by the Italian state and made a Cavaliere (knight) to honor his services to the nation as a successful racer with Alfa Romeo. In 1927, his honorable status was upgraded to Commendatore (knight commander) for his continued contributions to sport, which he followed up with a definitive first-place showing at the first Circuito de Modeno in the Alfa Romeo 6C-1500 SS.
By the early 1930s, Ferrari had stopped driving race cars and had dedicated his efforts to managing drivers under Scuderia Ferrari, which became Alfa’s official racing department in 1933. The team that Ferrari oversaw included legendary driver Tazio Nuvolari, who famously beat Nazi-backed Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union vehicles at the German Grand Prix in 1935. During this time, Scuderia Ferrari also made critical contributions to the brand on the production side, with the creation of the Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta, one of the company’s most successful race cars.
Ferrari left Alfa Romeo in 1939 under the condition he could not use the Ferrari name in racing for the next four years, a bargain that inspired the consummate competitor to make it one of his goals to beat Alfa Romeo in one of his own vehicles. Though he left Alfa Romeo on less than favorable terms, Ferrari contributed to some of the most formative years of the marque as both a driver and manager.
Enzo Ferrari. Photo: Ferrari Media.

American Comeback
Despite its storied history, many drivers in the United States don’t know much about these Italian sports cars. For those who do, Alfa’s track record here was marred by spotty quality and poor service support. They officially left the U.S. market in 1995. However, a three-commercial showing at this year’s Super Bowl confirms that Alfa Romeo is most assuredly back in the game stateside.
The return of the Giulia is a pre-cursor to the arrival of the Stelvio, a new SUV. While only time will tell if the excitement and passion of Italian engineering will woo American drivers, Alfa Romeo’s pedigree as one of the greatest racing vehicles ever certainly bodes well for the sports car enthusiast. As Top Gear and The Grand Tour’s Jeremy Clarkson once said, “you can’t be a true petrolhead if you have never owned or wanted to own an Alfa Romeo.”
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.

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Look Out Buddy! The Upgraded 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 Is Coming

Look Out Buddy! The Upgraded 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 Is Coming Every so often Ford gets the Mustang just right, and when they do, I generally like them. I’m not part of the cult though. I think there have been downright terrible Mustangs in the past, and I think the continued beatification of Carroll Shelby is annoying and misplaced, but with that said, the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 sure looks like it’ll impress.
Ford is right up front with how they made the upcoming GT350 better: “. . . Ford Performance leveraged its Mustang road course racing programs . . .” These words are music to a track hound such as myself.
See, racing does improve the breed (a pun in the case of a car named after a horse). So what makes the 2019 GT350 so good?
Beds Are Burning
For starters, FoMoCo burned the midnight oil with Michelin so they could burn the rubber more effectively. New Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires were engineered with a Shelby GT350-specific tread pattern and compound for more grip, and considerably enhanced acceleration, lateral grip, and braking.
The boss meats are 295/35 up front and 305/35 at back and fitted to 19-inch aluminum wheels.
Ford also worked the aero with a new rear spoiler, optional Gurney flap (buy it), and an adjusted grille closeout based off the upcoming Shelby GT500. Ford also upgraded the Mustang Shelby GT350’s standard MagneRide active suspension to harmonize the aero and tire developments, along with re-calibrating the springs and revising the damping.
2019 Mustang Shelby GT350. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Power & Performance
The Shelby GT350 is propelled down Woodward with an exclusive, high-revving 5.2-liter V8, delivering 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft. o’torque. It revs all the way up to an 8,250-rpm redline, making said mill the most powerful naturally-aspirated Ford production engine ever. Naturally, the 5.2 8-banger is mated to a track-proven Tremec 6-speed manual transmission.
Wanna stop? You will, and in no short order, thanks to six-piston front and four-piston rear caliper Brembo brakes. The Shelby GT350’s steering is an electric power-assist deal, and there are three different modes for the electronic stability control.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Interior Treatments
On the inside, you lucky drivers are indulged with a comfortable and trendy cockpit featuring the latest in advanced technology and premium materials. There’s a standard machined aluminum instrument panel appliqué or an available exposed carbon fiber option. The door panel inserts are newly designed in dark slate Miko suede with accent stitching (no, I don’t know what or who Miko is either).
The seats are standard Recaro racing bits with open pass-throughs for safety harnesses.
Soundtrack? For me, that comes from that 5.2-liter plant, but for those that like to listen to music, the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 comes with a new, custom-tuned 12-speaker B&O PLAY audio system by HARMAN, controlled via the standard eight-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen. Dual-zone temperature control is now standard so your passenger can shut up about being too hot or too cold, and Ford even threw in a universal garage door opener.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Exterior Colors
The 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 gets new colors including Velocity Blue and Ford Performance Blue. There are optional factory-painted racing stripes available in high-gloss Shadow Black, Oxford White or Kona Blue, to which I can only say “Screw the cops, I’m buying the stripe package!!”
There are also these strange mirror-mounted Shelby Cobra Projection Lamps in the available Technology Package.
Availability
The new Mustang Shelby GT350 will be available starting in the far off days of early 2019 (too far away!). And not only do you get the car, but you are also enrolled in an exclusive, complimentary Track Attack driving program from Ford Performance. How nice of them.
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. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 Gallery

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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An Exercise In Building The Future: General Motors & The Art of Sustainability

An Exercise In Building The Future: General Motors & The Art of Sustainability General Motors has released their 2017 Sustainability Report, which outlines a series of core objectives regarding future mobility. While it addresses forthcoming product lines, it really goes beyond only producing cars. The report reflects GM’s careful examination of society’s more challenging issues and pressing concerns, adopting a series of socially responsible objectives to address said challenges.
With Teeth
When looking at these initiatives from GM, Nobel Prize winning economist Kenneth Arrow and his writings in Social Responsibility and Economic Efficiency come to mind. In my engineering studies this past semester at Wayne State University in Detroit, we read this very piece from Arrow in my Professional Ethics class. Dr. Ryan Fanselow, who taught our section, likened Arrow’s position to one that “had teeth.”
During lecture, Dr. Fanselow said Arrow’s work supports the notion that corporate social responsibility is more than just good PR, and there are two forms of it: one with teeth and the other without. The “without teeth” approach is more lax, as in it would be nice if companies considered social responsibility, contrasted to the view that “has teeth” and says such obligations to society are non-negotiable.
GM’s most recent Sustainability Report has teeth.
Sustainability as it pertains to the automaker is broken down like this:
Visionary Thinking
It’s best to conceptualize this in terms of zero: as in zero crashes, zero emissions, zero congestion. Grand as this vision may be, this is what GM is pushing for in the world of tomorrow. According to the automaker, 1.25 million lives are lost each year in traffic accidents; there are 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide pumped into the air via automobiles, and commuters are facing more stress and congestion.
“We are in the midst of a transportation revolution as groundbreaking technologies and evolving customer lifestyles transform our vehicles and how we use them,” explained Mary Barra, General Motors Chairman and CEO. “We have the right team, technology, partners, manufacturing scale, and mindset to lead this revolution.”
General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra talks with the media before the company’s annual stockholders meeting, Tuesday, June 12th, 2018 at GM’s Global Headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Steve Fecht for General Motors.
Electric Vehicles & Fuel Efficiency
GM plans to globally launch at least 20 all-new, all-electric vehicles by 2023. As Bolt EV production increases, GM wants to lead key electrification markets like the United States and China, and is working with utilities, communities, and governments to expand charging infrastructure. GM’s partnership with Honda in this arena is growing as well.
The timing is impeccable, considering a recent study from AAA found consumers are warming up to the idea of electric vehicles.
In the short-term, GM is setting the engineering and benchmarking objectives for their current portfolio higher in the interest of fuel economy and performance. This includes refining engines and transmissions while concentrating more on aerodynamics. A stronger materials strategy is being employed to reduce weight.
Each of these aforementioned objectives is best seen in the forthcoming Silverado, which includes both new and redesigned engines, and a comprehensive mixed materials strategy. In order to get the truck ready for the market, GM doubled their engineering targets across the board.
According to GM, such measures have already resulted in the loss of more than 5,000 lbs. across 14 new-vehicle models, saving 35 million gallons of gasoline and 300,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.
2019 Silverado RST. Photo: Chevrolet.
Responsible Manufacturing
By the end of this year, renewable sources will represent 20 percent of GM’s global electricity use. By 2050, GM wants all of their electricity needs to be met by renewable energy sources. Essentially, if the vehicles are to be efficient, then so should the manufacturing of them.
Since 2010, General Motors has reduced the energy intensity of its operations by 15 percent, generating $135 million in cost savings. A 2020 goal of cutting carbon intensity in the company’s operations by 20 percent has already been surpassed.
Autonomous Driving & Personal Mobility
While consumers may be slowly embracing electric vehicles, cars that drive themselves are another story. Consumers remain hesitant, but GM’s latest Sustainability Report covers the importance of producing automated vehicles at scale.
At the same time, the report acknowledges new trends in personal transportation and how things like car and ridesharing are reducing congestion.
Photo: General Motors.
Social Impact & Diversity
On average, GM recruits an employee for a STEM position every 26 minutes. While there is debate over the current status of STEM workers, GM says the United States lags behind other nations when it comes to an emphasis on what STEM stands for: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. To help counteract this, the automaker is actively supporting programs to reach more than 40,000 students this year alone.
GM’s latest Sustainability Report also outlines the company’s desire to see more females in leadership roles, and the automaker’s Women in Action Initiative has attracted nearly 7,000 employees. Currently, 32 percent of top leadership positions at GM are held by women, the most notable being Barra, the automaker’s CEO.
Mary Barra speaking to the media in 2017. Photo: General Motors.
Future Considerations
GM’s Sustainability Report stands in contrast – and in a good way – to how non-industry types have likely always seen automakers: as a rinse and repeat operation: cars are built at the factory, they go to the dealership, they are sold, the end. That cycle in the industry is evolving, yes, but even in its evolution, it’s predictable: cars are going to be manufactured and sold – perhaps differently in time because of how we are changing culturally – but still.
We can count on cars being part of our life in some way.
What is (or was) not as predictable is how automakers like GM would enact so many resources to benefit so many facets of society. In my early years in the car business, I don’t remember any such reports on sustainability. I don’t recall any initiatives that sought to address so many concerns in our world. I am sure they were there (my vantage point of the auto industry was different then) but I would be willing to bet such reports were not as ambitious or as actionable as they are now.
To achieve the things laid out in GM’s latest Sustainability Report, it’s going to take a team effort. In order to make this work, we will all need to grow a pair: teeth that is.
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.
GM’s 2017 Sustainability Report can be found here.

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New Polestar Engineered Components To Boost Performance of Volvo Vehicles

New Polestar Engineered Components To Boost Performance of Volvo Vehicles Volvo is launching an upgraded electrified performance offering called Polestar Engineered, specifically developed for the new 60 Series T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid. Polestar Engineered components include the wheels, brakes, suspension, and engine control unit.
The move is meant to further underscore Volvo and Polestar’s commitment to electrification.
“Electric cars are our future,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO, Volvo Cars. “Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar’s performance engineering prowess. This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry.”
Braking & Suspension
Polestar Engineered vehicles can be spotted by their gold, six-piston brake callipers, the signature color of Polestar Engineered components. The Brembo mono-block six-piston brake callipers are cast as a single piece and optimized for rigidity, according to the automaker. The pads have increased heat tolerance while the slotted design of the discs dissipate heat.
The Polestar Engineered multi-link front and rear suspension features Öhlins shock absorbers with dual-flow valves; the strut bar and adjustable shock absorber design are shared with the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid.
Photo: Volvo Car Group.
Power & Performance
The Polestar Engineered S60 electrified T8 Twin Engine gets a jump to 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft. of torque combined. By comparison, the standard T8 Twin Engine delivers 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft. of torque combined.
The software updates also reduce fuel consumption and emissions output.
“The new S60 T8 Polestar Engineered is an electrified car that does what you want it to,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Volvo Cars. “All components have been fine-tuned to work together, delivering a responsive and exciting driver’s car.”
Availability
The Polestar Engineered treatments will debut on the forthcoming S60, and will be available for the T8 Twin Engine variant, positioned just above the R-Design. Polestar Engineered components will also be offered on the new V60 and XC60 starting next year, although the automaker expects limited availability.
The exact release date for Polestar Engineered vehicles was not immediately clear, but the announcement comes just a week before the reveal of the new S60. The reveal is part of the inauguration of Volvo’s first U.S. manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina, the sole production site for the new S60.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Polestar Engineered Gallery

Photos & Source: Volvo Car Group.

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