2019 Nissan Armada & Frontier Arrive With New Features

2019 Nissan Armada & Frontier Arrive With New Features The 2019 Nissan Armada and Frontier are arriving at local dealerships.  
Both see a few changes for 2019, with the Armada adding new safety features. 
2019 Nissan Armada
The Armada arrives with new safety features including Intelligent Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Forward Collision Warning. Also standard is Rear Door Alert, which reminds drivers of items unintentionally left in the back seat. Further, the Armada’s Intelligent Rear View Mirror uses a high-resolution rear camera to project an image onto an LCD monitor in the rearview mirror.
The system allows for better visibility by being able to switch to the rear camera to see behind the vehicle when needed.
Under the hood, the 2019 Nissan Armada sports a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 with 390 horsepower and a tow capacity of 8,500 lbs. when properly equipped. The engine is paired with a seven-speed automatic. Expect the new Armada in four trim levels: SV, SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve, each with the 5.6-liter V8.
2019 Nissan Armada. Photo: Nissan North America.
2019 Nissan Frontier
Although the truck could use an extensive redesign, Nissan is quick to mention the Frontier’s high marks from J.D. Power. S and SV Frontier trucks receive a standard seven-inch color touchscreen, while the availability of Cayenne Red Metallic expands across the range. The Midnight Edition package is optional for Crew Cab SV 4×2 and 4×4 trucks with an automatic.
The 2019 Nissan Frontier comes in either a King or Crew Cab, in 4×2 or 4×4, with two different engines. The 261 horsepower 4.0-liter DOHC V6 is our choice, but King Cab models do offer the optional, 152 horsepower 2.5-liter inline four.
2019 Nissan Frontier. Photo: Nissan North America.
Pricing Charts
Below are detailed pricing charts for both the 2019 Nissan Armada and Frontier. Add on another $1,395 for the Armada, and another $995 for the Frontier for destination charges.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
2019 Nissan Armada MSRP
Armada SV 4×2
$46,790 USD
Armada SL 4×2
$51,590 USD
Armada Platinum 4×2
$59,690 USD
Armada Platinum Reserve 4×2
$62,690 USD
Armada SV 4×4
$49,790 USD
Armada SL 4×4
$54,590 USD
Armada Platinum 4×4
$62,690 USD
Armada Platinum Reserve 4×4
$65,690 USD
2019 Nissan Frontier King Cab MSRP

Model/Drive/Engine/Transmission
 
Frontier S King Cab 4×2 I4 5MT
$18,990 USD
Frontier S King Cab 4×2 I4 5AT
$23,060 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4×2 I4 5MT
$23,860 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4×2 I4 5AT
$24,910 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4×2 V6 5AT
$25,620 USD
Frontier Desert Runner King Cab 4×2 V6 5AT
$26,300 USD
Frontier SV King Cab 4×4 V6 5AT
$28,510 USD
Frontier PRO-4X King Cab 4×4 V6 5AT
$33,430 USD
2019 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab MSRP

Model/Drive/Wheelbase/Engine/Transmission
 
Frontier S Crew Cab 4×2 SWB V6 6MT
$24,950 USD
Frontier S Crew Cab 4×2 SWB V6 5AT
$26,000 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×2 SWB V6 5AT
$26,750 USD
Frontier Desert Runner Crew Cab 4×2 SWB V6 5AT
$27,730 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×2 LWB V6 5AT
$29,360 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4×2 SWB V6 5AT
$34,010 USD
Frontier S Crew Cab 4×4 SWB V6 5AT
$29,390 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×4 SWB V6 6MT
$32,780 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×4 SWB V6 5AT
$29,940 USD
Frontier SV Crew Cab 4×4 LWB V6 5AT
$30,360 USD
Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4 SWB V6 6MT
$33,140 USD
Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab 4×4 SWB V6 5AT
$34,190 USD
Frontier SL Crew Cab 4×4 SWB V6 5AT
$36,850 USD
Photos & Source: Nissan North America.



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Small Drones Keep Large Auto Manufacturing Plant Safe

Small Drones Keep Large Auto Manufacturing Plant Safe Automotive manufacturing facilities must uphold rigorous safety standards.
Inspecting a plant’s pipework, machinery, and roof areas require massive amounts of time and energy. 
Ford of Europe is employing camera drones to more efficiently and safely inspect one facility in the UK.
Little Wonders
Innovations are common in the automotive industry. I am continually learning this as I widen my own scope of the business. Naturally, my favorite innovations deal with performance: this suspension makes that car handle better, such and such materials make it lighter, these engine features makes it faster, more efficient.
And on and on it goes.
Transitional Benefits
Those are the tangible innovations, meaning if you buy a new car, you will benefit in some way from said innovations. Then there are the not so tangible ones, unless you work in the business. Or in this case, a manufacturing facility. At least for now.
Little things, like what Ford is doing here, could have immense benefits for the rest of society in time. For now anyway, enter Ford’s Dagenham Engine Plant in the United Kingdom.
Safety Dance
Picture any chore or task with an inherent safety risk becasue of the height involved. This is a common occurrence for Dagenham Engine Plant employees while inspecting the facility’s vast roof areas. Previously, the team used automated and extendable platforms and scaffolding to check the gantries that support the plant’s heavy machinery.
With the average gantry spanning over 130 feet, each inspection would take a laborious 12 hours to complete. The Dagenham Engine Plant is almost two million square feet. Thus, covering the entire facility is as daunting as it is time consuming.
“We joked about having a robot do the work when there was a light bulb moment – use drones instead,” explained Pat Manning, Machining Manager, Ford Dagenham Engine Plant. “We used to have to scale heights of up to 50 metres to do the necessary checks on the roof and machining areas.”
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Working Smarter
Now the crew uses camera drones to inspect the gantries, a process that takes just 12 minutes. The drones also inspect pipework, machinery, and will sniff out any air leaks. The drones ultimately help the plant comply with safety regulations. Manning and his crew can carry out more frequent inspections without having to interrupt production, and without the risks normally involved.
“Now we can cover the entire plant in one day and without the risk of team members having to work at dangerous heights,” he said.
Hence why Ford is evaluating how drones can be incorporated elsewhere in the company. Further, it’s interesting to think how things like this could be applied to life outside a manufacturing facility.
In the meantime, the video below explains more.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Photos, Video & Source: Ford Motor Company, Ford of Europe.



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2019 Hyundai Elantra: All About Dat Safety Package

2019 Hyundai Elantra: All About Dat Safety Package 2019 Hyundai Elantra enters its sixth generation with a handful of new features.
The SmartSense features might, for some, ease the anxiety associated with driving in a busy city.
Hyundai has just rolled out the redesigned 2019 Elantra sedan, and to say they are focused on safety would be a huge understatement. The last time I saw a car company trumpeting their safety features this much was Volvo in the late 70s.
And, you know, this is a good thing. Safety is good, and if Hyundai can give us more of it, then so much the better.
New Stuff
The Hyundai Elantra is now in its sixth generation. They’ve sold more than three million of these things since its launch in 1991, so this focus on safety strikes me as a good thing. For 2019, the exterior changes include a new hood, front fenders, front fascia, grille, and headlights. There is also a new trunk, taillights, and rear fascia.
New 16- and 17-inch wheel designs are there, along with new 15-inch alloy wheels on Eco trims while Limited and Sport get LED headlights. The interior gets a new AVN/Audio/Temperature control, center cluster, air vents, and storage tray.
2019 Hyundai Elantra. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Safe & Secure
But really, Hyundai wants us to talk about the safety features. You’ve got Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist that is designed to help detect and monitor ahead of the vehicle, warning you if a collision is imminent. This system also initiates automatic braking. Lane Keep Assist can apply steering wheel input if the Elantra leaves your lane. Driver Attention Alert warns you of tired driving patterns with audible alerts and visual warnings displayed on the dash.
The SmartSense features on the Elantra Limited with Ultimate Package include Safe Exit Assist. The system sounds an alert letting passengers know it may not be safe to open the door to exit the vehicle. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection utilizes the front radar and camera to help detect a vehicle or pedestrian. If you stupidly do not react to avoid them, the system can apply emergency braking.
Other SmartSense features include Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist.
Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Tech Treatments
It’s not all safety at the exclusion of everything else with the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, oh no. There’s tons of audio, video, and navigation stuff around to entertain and help you. The new Elantra comes with Hyundai’s next generation AVN 5.0 infotainment system with an upgraded processor and an eight-inch screen. By comparison, the last generation had a seven-inch screen.
Presets within AVN 5.0 are easy to use because AM, FM, and SiriusXM channels are now on one screen with the HERE HD Traffic feature. A bird’s eye view has been added to the navigation maps, and you can now get traffic flow and incident data. The Elantra also has available goodies like Infinity Premium Audio with Clari-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging.
2019 Hyundai Elantra interior layout. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Performance & Pricing
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra has two engine options on top aimed at fuel efficiency and a third engine option in the Elantra Sport that is more, well, sporty. The SE, SEL, and Limited offer the Nu 2.0L MPI Atkinson Cycle plant putting out 147 horsepower. The Eco offers the Kappa 1.4L Turbo-GDI mill putting out 128 horsepower. It gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg thanks in no small part to the seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
No word on pricing or availability just yet, but, c’mon, this is a Hyundai. It’s gonna come at a Hyundai price, not a Bentley-sized bill.
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 Hyundai Elantra Gallery











Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.



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Nissan’s Rube Goldberg Idea Caused Us To Facepalm Ourselves

Nissan’s Rube Goldberg Idea Caused Us To Facepalm Ourselves

Nissan, for no real reason I can discern, has called their latest tech gizmo the “Rear Door Alert” when what it really is – or what it should be called – is “The Rear Seat Checker.” Beyond that confusing misnomer, what Nissan is attempting to do here, and always with the best of intentions (you know what they say about good intentions), is to help you remember the stuff in your back seat after you’ve parked.
You know, stuff like your children.
Destination: Litigation
The funny thing is, Nissan does not explicitly say the Rear Door Alert (RDA) is there to help keep your kids alive on a sweltering summer day. No, they only, sort of, imply it: “With summer heat on the rise, potential issues posed by interior car temperatures are even more real, but Nissan hopes its new Rear Door Alert may help reduce concerns.”
I have an informed guess as to why Nissan doesn’t come right out and say, “hey, are you a forgetful and harried parent? Worried about baking your kid (or pets) like a muffin while you’re at Twin Pines Mall shopping for lip gloss? Worry no more, thanks to Nissan’s new Rear Door Alert!” They can’t say that because I bet the legal team warned them along the lines of, “if you say we can keep kids safe and something still ends up happening, we’re going to get litigated back to the stone age.”
Cheese Alert
Nissan makes things clearer with this little tid-bit: “Elsa Foley, an industrial engineer and mother of two young children, and Marlene Mendoza, a mechanical engineer and mother of three, decided to work on an idea to help remind drivers to check their back seats before walking away.”
“We pushed each other along and knew we were on the right track one morning when Marlene discovered she had left a pan of lasagna in the back seat of her car one night after coming home after a long day at the office,” Foley said. “The worst thing was the car smelled for days, but it made me ask myself, ‘what if that had been something else back there?’”
Desiccated lasagna aside, it does sound like a helpful bit of tech, but the real flaw, if anything, is the execution.
The Rear Door Alert was developed at the Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA) in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The new feature will debut as standard equipment on the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder coming in September. Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Comical Creation
The Rear Door Alert works in a clever but rather overly complex way. The RDA monitors the rear door switches to detect whether they have been opened or closed just before and after a trip. If the RDA system senses that a rear door was opened and closed prior to a trip, but then was not re-opened after the trip, (i.e. the vehicle was put in park and the ignition cycled off) the RDA system responds by displaying notifications on the instrument panel. If that’s not enough to get your attention, things escalate to “subtle but distinctive chirps of the horn.”
And this is where the RDA lurches into real Rube Goldberg/Larry Lightbulb territory: “Because there are so many scenarios in which a driver might open a rear door – everything from throwing in a gym bag to cleaning the car – the RDA system is easily configurable and can be turned off temporarily or permanently through prompts in the cluster display,” according to Nissan. In other words, this thing will keep nagging and badgering you until you either see to the problem, or jump through a bunch of techno-hoops and “reconfigure” your car. Gee, thanks.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Medicated Motoring
Rear Door Alert is part of the ever-growing, ever-expanding list of “for your own good/you’re too stupid to do it yourself” safety contraptions found on most new cars these days. Nissan points out that most/all of these gadgets will be available on most of their more popular models except for those with manual transmissions and all NISMO versions. Gee, I wonder why that is? Maybe it’s because whoever goes out and buys your King Kong-inspired, Porsche-slaying GT-R is a gearhead capable of looking in the back seat.
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 & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.



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2018 Acura RLX Debut Set For Monterey Automotive Week

2018 Acura RLX Debut Set For Monterey Automotive Week

Acura is preparing for the public debut of the 2018 RLX during the Monterey Automotive Week, beginning tomorrow, August 15th. The automaker says the RLX has a more “substantial presence” with “design cues that showcase its performance capabilities.”
The forthcoming RLX will remain the brand’s premier and flagship luxury sports sedan.
Styling & Design
The signature diamond grille compliments the more sculpted hood and wheels, while the newly designed LED taillights blend with the gloss black rear diffuser. The 2018 Acura RLX has three new colors including two premium paint options – Brilliant Red Metallic and Majestic Black Pearl. Inside, upgraded materials and touchpoints decorate the cabin, including the redesigned seats with high-contrast piping and stitching. An Espresso interior is now available.
“This redesign of the 2018 Acura RLX is transformational, creating road presence and styling that better reflect underlying performance capabilities of the vehicle,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura Vice President & General Manager.
Power & Performance
The 2018 RLX is arguably the most advanced in Acura’s lineup, borrowing its engineering from the NSX supercar. The Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) is taken directly from the NSX to provide better acceleration, handling, and efficiency. With three electric motors, a direct injected V6, and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid delivers a total system output of 377 horsepower. The trim levels are revised so the Sport Hybrid technology is now more accessible to customers.
2018 Acura RLX. Honda North America.
Safety & Security
The new RLX features AcuraWatch, a suite of enhanced driver assistance technologies. Traffic Jam Assist, for example, is a first for Acura. Working in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist helps keep the vehicle in its lane. AcuraWatch also includes Collision Mitigation Braking with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist among others.
AcuraWatch uses millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect vehicles and lane markings. The system is designed to prevent or mitigate potential collisions.
Pricing & Availability
Acura has not announced pricing at this time, although expect the 2018 RLX to arrive in November. In the meantime, the 2018 Acura RLX will be featured at multiple events throughout Monterey Automotive Week including the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue, Tuesday, August 15th and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Friday, August 18th.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
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Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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A Brief History of Classic Chevy Wagons

A Brief History of Classic Chevy Wagons

It seems like wagons are a lost art these days, although there isn’t a shortage of fans. Wagons are more rare now, but the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon holds the torch high, igniting the passions of wagon lovers everywhere. We are fans of the new Volvo V90, the latest wagon from the Swedish automaker. The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is holding on strong in the wagon genera as well.
Other wagons were not so lucky, like the Dodge Magnum we waved goodbye to in 2008. The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon didn’t stay for the party either, signing off in 2014.
Working Class Cruiser
Back in the day, if an individual desired a wagon for the family, they arguably turned to Detroit’s bowtie. A slick new infographic from our friends at H&H Classic Parts showcases over thirty years of Chevy wagons, starting in 1935. The graphic includes artist renderings and interesting data for each one. Today, things are a bit different as General Motors holds a strong presence in the crossover segment. However, if you follow the thinking of H&H Classic Parts, there’s little difference between the golden era of station wagons and today’s crossover and SUV boom.
“The 1935 Carryall was used for work and for passengers, and it was a revolutionary vehicle when it debuted – of course, today we call it the Chevy Suburban,” said Tray Smith, Vice President of H&H Classic Parts. “Like the Suburban, most of today’s popular SUVs and crossovers can trace their lineage back to the classic American wagons from the 50s and 60s.”
The Carryall is of note because some will dispute calling it a wagon. The Carryall was mounted on a truck chassis and featured removable seats; for many wagon enthusiasts, this doesn’t count but the utility – what wagons are known for- is certinately there.
“Is the Carryall a wagon? I don’t know. I can definitely see it either way,” Smith said. “But the fact is, you can’t really talk about classic Chevy wagons without talking about the Carryall, so it’s on our list.”
Chevy’s original steel-bodied, truck-based Suburban “Carryall” of 1935-36 provided a robust and durable SUV-like alternative to wood-bodied wagons. Power came from Chevrolet’s “Stovebolt” inline-six that produced 60 horsepower on a half-ton chassis. Photo: GM Media Archive.
Past Eras, Modern Desires
The more things change, the more they stay the same. How we might seek a crossover or SUV to accommodate our active lifestyles, or busy family schedule, the same was had years ago. The demand for affordable transportation following World War II turned Chevy wagons from tools to suburban icons. The 1949 Styleline wagon, for example, sat eight to nine passengers, and buyers could have a wood-sided or all-steel vehicle.
Styling became increasingly important as Chevy wagons were sought by working families. The 150 and 210 wagons of 1953 sported a five-teeth grille with a large bowtie emblem. This made the wagons unmistakable but the value for the dollar made them a hit. A budget-minded family could opt for the lower priced Townsman, but still walk away with a 106 horsepower Thrift King engine and an upgraded trim. The Handyman variant had power steering and fold away seats for extra cargo.
Demand rose through the 1950s, where the Tri-Five series, particularity the Beauville wagon with seating for nine, became prevalent. By 1955, Chevy was producing the Nomad, a two-door, lower-slung wagon that by 1957, was known as the Bel Air. Suffice it to say, locating one is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
”Because so many early Chevy wagons were used as work vehicles, they suffered some abuse and many ended up in the junkyard,” Smith explained. “If you own any of the 150, 210, or Bel Air wagons from 1953 to 1957, you’re lucky. I envy those with one of these wagons as a restoration project.”
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe. Photo: GM Media Archive.


Carefree Adventures
As times changed radically for the United Sates in the 1960s, Chevy wagons maintained their cultural appeal. Families often got their kicks on Route 66 with the Lakewood wagons, another rare find today. Chevy collectors who come across one are in luck, however. The Lakewood wagon shared most of its parts with the Corvair, so a restoration project is relatively easy.
What’s also interesting is how the Chevy II and Nova wagons were a huge success in 1962. This was the first time Chevy wagons shared a car nameplate. Two years later, the Chevelle series reverted back to individual nameplates: Greenbrier, Concours, and Concours Estate. The wagons actually remained in the Chevelle line until the series ended in 1977.
The full graphic from H&H Classic Parts is below. Do you have a favorite Chevy wagon? Let us know on Twitter.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 

Cover Photo: GM Media Archive.



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2019 Honda HR-V: New Look, New Features, Old Volume Knobs

2019 Honda HR-V: New Look, New Features, Old Volume Knobs 2019 Honda HR-V has landed at dealerships with a host of updates and tweaks.
The six-speed manual goes the way of the dodo but a new CVT enters the picture.  
Pricing is reasonable and affordable – a nicely loaded 2019 HRV goes for under $30,000.  
New Faces
Honda has given their best-selling HR-V a refresh in the looks department and slathered on the tech goodies. It was time for all of those things, yes, but Honda also has to be careful here. They sell a ton of these little guys, and if they mess with the HR-V too much, it might hurt the bottom line.
Essentially, there’s four main areas where the 2019 Honda HR-V has been tweaked. There’s a new Sport trim with unique styling cues and 18-inch wheels. There’s another new trim level, Touring, that adds multi-element LED headlights, leather-trimmed seats, and a power driver’s seat.
Across the line there’s a new Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features now available on EX and higher.
The styling makeover includes the bumpers, headlights, grille, and taillights. However, the new HR-V Sport and Touring get a unique look all their own: blackout trim and 18-inch wheels distinguish the HR-V Sport, and the all-wheel-drive-only Touring gets multi-element LED headlights, dark chrome trim, and LED fog lights.
2019 Honda HR-V Sport. Photo: Honda North America.
Sport & Touring
Sport trims also get a unique interior treatment, with a black headliner, gloss-black trim, and sport pedals. This new-for-2019 Sport trim fits between the LX and EX, and Honda says it gives the HR-V a “youthful vibe.” That description ought to make the kidz run for Chevy dealers in droves when they read that.
The HR-V Sport also features unique lower body trim, rocker panels, wheel arches, and exterior mirrors painted gloss black. The HR-V Sport also receives a honeycomb pattern grille, exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels and tires, and a chrome exhaust finisher. By comparison, the Touring borders its honeycomb grille with multi-element LED headlights unique in the HR-V lineup, along with five-element LED fog lights. The Touring rides on 17-inch machined alloy wheels.
The nav system, available exclusively for Touring, has sharper graphics and 3D landmarks. All models feature a redesigned driver’s gauge cluster with a large analog speedometer and digital tachometer. Although, if you opt for an EX or above, you receive a 4.2-inch Thin-Film Transistor Driver Interface with additional information including turn-by-turn directions.
The 2019 Honda HR-V will shift to higher revs under deceleration acting as a temporary engine brake. Photo: Honda North America.
Performance & Pricing
All of this newness is motivated down the road by a 141 horsepower, 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC four-banger. All HR-V models now use a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission with the six-speed manual being discontinued.
And all HR-Vs benefit from a new Display Audio system with a simplified interface and “volume knob.” Honda does not go into detail on this mysterious “volume knob,” but all I can figure is that it’s something far too high-tech for my febrile little mind to grok.
How much, you ask? Not all that bad. The front-wheel drive LX starts off the range at around $22,000. It goes all the way to the top of the heap, all-wheel drive Touring for around $30,000. Before all the taxes and stuff that is.
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
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Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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The 5 Most Expensive Cars Sold During The 2018 Monterey Car Week

The 5 Most Expensive Cars Sold During The 2018 Monterey Car Week The 2018 Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ended on a high note. There were two record sales that dominated this year’s event. It commemorated the most expensive American car ever sold at an auction. Total sales amounted to a staggering $368 million. This is a 12 percent increase over 2017, which managed a cumulative total of $323 million by comparison.
Here are the five most expensive cars sold during the 2018 Monterey Car Week.
1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – $48.4M
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO earns the distinction of being the most expensive car sold at auction in history. It exchanged hands for a staggering $48,405,000 at RM Sotheby’s. It eclipsed the old record established by a similar Ferrari 250 GTO back in 2014.
Why the exorbitant price tag? The car competed in twenty official races and was never involved in a crash. It also happens to be the original test car of Phil Hill, who happens to be the only American driver to win the Formula One World Driver’s Championship.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Photo: RM Sotheby’s.
2. 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Roadster – $22M
This 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Roadster sold for an eye-watering $22,000,000 by Gooding & Company, the most expensive American-made car ever sold at auction. Equipped with a massive supercharged 7.0-liter inline eight-cylinder motor that produces 400 horsepower, it’s no wonder why this Duesy was able to surpass the previous sales record set by the 1962 Shelby “CSX 2000” 260 Cobra in 2016 for an American car.
If you need to ask, that car sold for a measly $13,750,000.
3. 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Competition Prototype – $21.4M
RM Sotheby’s was on a roll when they sold this magnificent 1965 Aston Martin DP215 for $21,455,000. This car saw action at the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans. Coincidentally, it was also piloted by racing driver Phil Hill along with Lucien Bianchi. This car is reportedly quicker than the Ferrari 250 GTO but had to retire early due to transmission issues.
The DP215 also happens to be one of the rarest Aston Martin vehicles in existence.
1963 Aston Martin DP215 Competition Prototype. Photo: RM Sotheby’s.
4. 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Coupe – $9.795M
The 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Coupe is regarded as the “Ferrari killer.” This particular GT40 is one of the original race cars that completed Ford’s 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966. All three Ford racers crossed the finish line at almost the same time, but this particular example came in third, which is enough to make it one of the most desirable race cars from that era.
RM Sotheby’s sold this GT40 Mk II for $9,795,000.
5. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Coupe – $6.6M
You might be wondering why this 1958 Ferrari 250 GT sold for $6,600,000 by Gooding & Company. Well, this Ferrari consecutively won the Tour de France from 1956 to 1959, hence the TdF moniker. It doesn’t just come with a proper racing pedigree, but a tuned 3.0-liter Colombo V12 motor and luscious alloy coachwork designed by Pininfarina and hand-built by Scaglietti.
1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Coupe. Photo: RM Sotheby’s.
Crunching The Numbers
Hagerty’s sales forecast wasn’t far off. The publisher of the Hagerty Price Guide released an official prediction of $342M total sales for the 2018 Monterey Car Week. We understand why old race cars are fetching astronomical price tags. It’s not just the bragging rights or the racing pedigree, rather the level of detail and craftsmanship.
“The Hagerty Price Guide team is constantly monitoring the market, looking at traditional land-based auctions, online auctions, public asking prices, private sales information that is provided by our million-plus members, and our network of dealer partners,” said Jesse Pilarski, Valuation Information Analyst at Hagerty. “We inspect thousands of cars each year to put sale prices in the context of condition, provenance, and spec, which can all greatly impact value.”
Based on the auction results, we were wondering why exotic race cars are in such high demand, while modern hypercars like the new Bugatti Chiron and 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport failed to sell at the auctions. Even though Gooding & Company and RM Sotheby’s were able to sell two Ferrari LaFerrari’s for over $3M, the sales amounts were below the current valuation indicated by the Hagerty Price Guide.
“Several different reasons can cause values for a particular vehicle to increase or decrease. It could be something like new first-time buyers entering the market,” Pilarski explained. “Another reason the value goes up is the substitution effect. If you were shopping for a Mercedes-Benz 190SL, but those became too expensive what do you shift your sights to? Most buyers jump to the next SL Mercedes in line, the 280SL, which drives up values for the 280SL.”
Changing Trends
Ferrari, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Mercedes-Benz often see higher values than other vehicles because of their names. Like fine wine extracted from heirloom grapes, there is something about exotic brands that stirs the interest of affluent car buyers.
“Cars at the top of the market work a little differently than Corvettes and Mustangs. Outside economic factors play a larger role for these cars. If traditional investments like stocks and real estate are providing poor returns, tangible assets like fine art and collectible cars become attractive,” Pilarski said.
Changes in the tax code can also play a role in the values of Blue-Chip collectible cars. As a result, collectors can capitalize.
“Up until recently, collectors were able to take advantage of the 1031 exchange which allowed them to defer paying taxes on sold vehicles if they rolled that money into a different vehicle,” Pilarski said.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine. 



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2019 GMC Sierra Denali: Tech & Performance By The Bundle

2019 GMC Sierra Denali: Tech & Performance By The Bundle 2019 GMC Sierra Denali has new tech and performance tools.
6.2 V8 returns while the 10-speed automatic borrows a feature GM’s diesel trucks.
The new Denali trucks are arriving at dealerships but are not sticking around very long.
Packed House
The 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is well aware of its competition. As Ford and Ram dial down with their own luxury and limited editions, it’s clear the Sierra Denali is not the only sheriff in town. Such ultra-luxury trucks find favor with a select group of buyers. And GMC is lacing up their boots for 2019, preparing to go toe-to-toe with their Michigan rivals.
While it likely boils down to personal taste as to which luxury truck prevails in the hearts of consumers, the 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is not easily ignored.
The Denali is the flagship of the expanding Sierra lineup, which now includes the robust AT4 and Elevation models. The latter are for off-pavement adventures, but for the Denali, it’s about softening the concrete with things like Adaptive Ride Control. It’s about adding another three inches of rear legroom, trimming the inside with fancier materials, and pouring on the connectivity tech. Don’t forget the heated and cooled seats and heated steering wheel either.
The 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is on it’s way to dealers as you read this. Before you visit the showroom, here are some specs on the truck worth knowing.
Adaptive Ride Control monitors the road and various driver inputs: things like accelerating, cornering, braking, and trailering for example. The active dampers adjust every 2 milliseconds, based on sensor feedback. GMC says this provides a greater sense of comfort and control. Photo: GMC.
Trucking Tools
When you gotta tow, you gotta tow! Expect to see GMC’s new ProGrade Trailering feature with a compatible smartphone app on offer. The system includes a pre-departure checklist, trailer light test, tire pressure monitoring for the trailer, and maintenance reminders among others.
Hitch Guidance, Hitch View, and a birds-eye camera should minimize the amount of swear words uttered while backing up to a trailer. The available side view cameras and a trailer-mounted HD camera can provide additional assistance when traveling down the road, or while operating in reverse. Also cool is the Trailer Theft Detection feature, which provides a mobile alert via OnStar should the trailer ever be detached from the truck.
The available Rear Camera Mirror is something most truck buyers will find useful too. It acts like a dual-function interior mirror, in the sense that it helps drivers see around potential obstructions, be it occupants or cargo. It expands the field of vision with a higher resolution display and the ability to tilt or zoom the view.
A bright, multidimensional grille, chrome exterior accents, and body-color bumpers are among the Denali’s styling signatures. 20-inch aluminum wheels are standard, with 22-inch wheels available. Photo: GMC.
Bed Time
The MultiPro Tailgate includes six different functions and positions. There are second-tier loading and load-stop solutions, a standing workstation, and integrated hand grips and bumper steps – the MultiPro Tailgate is standard on Denali and SLT trucks. Although cool and definitely useful, the MultiPro Tailgate underscores a new approach for the 2019 Sierra in a fundamental area.
The bed.
The 2019 GMC Sierra maintains its roll-formed, high-strength steel bed, although a revised alloy offers 50 percent more strength. What is new is “CarbonPro,” or essentially the industry’s first carbon fiber truck box. CarbonPro replaces the steel inner panels and floor with a lighter carbon fiber composite that cuts 62 lbs. from the truck. According to GMC, it offers better dent, scratch, and corrosion resistance.
Carbon Pro is on offer for the 2019 Denali later in the model year.
The 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is 360 lbs. lighter than the current model. Photo: GMC.
Traction Jackson
GMC’s Traction Select System morphs the transmission’s shift points, throttle mapping, and traction control to optimize performance. After all, a boss truck must have a slick way to disperse all that horsepower.
Tour Mode is for everyday use, while Sport creates quicker downshifts so the engine stays in peak powerbands for longer. In Sport Mode, power steering assist is dialed back so inputs feel more direct and sporty, according to GMC. Off-Road Mode allows for more wheelslip and is useful for higher-speed driving on gravel or muddy roads. Two-wheel drive Sierras even get a snow mode.
The Autotrac 2-Speed Transfer Case, standard on Sierra Denali, is among the other fun (and useful) tools. With a mechanical low range to boost torque at lower speeds, the transfer case helps in limited-traction situations.
The Sierra Denali includes an eight-inch HD color touchscreen, navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Also standard is a seven-speaker Bose Premium Sound System with a Richbass Woofer in the center console. Photo: GMC.
Power & Performance
The 2019 Sierra Denali pours the gravy with the available 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque. A new Dynamic Fuel Management system utilizes 17 different patterns of cylinder deactivation to balance power and efficiency.
The 10-speed automatic takes a page out of the Duramax Colorado and Canyon’s book, incorporating a centrifugal pendulum absorber torque converter to reduce vibration.
Pricing & Availability
Cox Automotive says the average transaction price for the Sierra 1500 to date is $51,794 and $58,738 for the Denali. According to the Detroit Free Press, 2019 GM trucks that have arrived at dealerships are already spoken for.
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.
2019 GMC Sierra Denali Gallery














Photos & Source: GMC.



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