Automotive

Ford Raptor Coloring Book Provides Family Fun (And It’s Free)

Ford Raptor Coloring Book Provides Family Fun (And It’s Free)

The older I get, the more I sometimes miss childhood. And it’s funny, becasue when I was a kid, I could not wait to grow up. Naturally, I was going to do whatever I wanted, eat whatever I felt like, and I was never, under any circumstances, going to take a nap. Adults, in my young mind, had all the fun; why my parents, teachers, and neighbors said “oh, don’t be in a hurry to grow up” was always beyond me.
Raptors & Crayolas
A few years ago, a friend mentioned her collection of adult coloring books, a newer but increasing trend with proven therapeutic benefits. She said it was a way for her to balance adulthood with her inner child. A recent Raptor coloring booklet from Blue Springs Ford Parts has us thinking it’s time to get a box of crayons for around the office. The coloring booklet is free and features two profile shots of the Ford Raptor, and two of the truck canvassing rough terrain.
What color will your Raptor be? This is one of the pages from the new Raptor coloring booklet released by Blue Springs Ford Parts.
Good Therapy
In 2005, Dr. Tim Kasser, Professor and Chair of Psychology at Knox College and student Nancy Curry co-authored Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety. Their research showed adults who color before a stressful event may reduce any anxiety stemming from said event. Both Dr. Kasser and Curry say coloring is a healthy activity and can provide adults a welcome break from the computer or e-mail account. The Raptor booklet from Blue Springs Ford Parts can also be enjoyed by the whole family.
“I know one thing – my kids love it,” explained Kyle Harris, Director at Blue Springs Ford Parts. “Every kid I know loves trucks, and every truck enthusiast I know loves the Raptor.”
The free Ford Raptor coloring booklet is available now. Blue Springs Ford Parts is a top-rated retailer of OEM Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury replacements parts, with online ordering offered 24 hours a day.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Cover Photo: Ford Motor Company.

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Google, VW Partner For Quantum Computing Initiatives

Google, VW Partner For Quantum Computing Initiatives

Google Kooperation . . . what does that even mean? Did I read that right? I mean, it is early in the morning. It’s only 11:36 (ah, the writers life), but I am reading a press release from Volkswagen and Google or . . . oh wait, I see. It’s a partnership deal between the two industrial/tech giants to apply quantum computing to cars. And not just how cars are built, but how they operate. Google Kooperation. Makes total sense now.
Okay, so what we basically have here is Google, at the behest of Volkswagen, turning the power of quantum computing on to various problems faced by any car maker. Quantum computing is a fairly new thing, and although portends to be radically different and more powerful than conventional computing, is relatively easy to understand.
The Matrix
Regular computing is based on a fairly simple principle: Differentiation. Computers work on differentiating between two states: Is it on or off; is it a one or zero. This binary state, although seemingly limited at first glance, can do amazing things if you have a simple adding machine (a difference engine) do them really quickly. Calculating with only ones and zeros allows you to do things like take high-definition photos, send them wirelessly to a social media site, and then make a voice-to-voice phone call, all using the same machine that fits in the palm of your hand. You can also do more prosaic stuff with binary computers, like slingshot space probes through the rings of Saturn with millimeter accuracy.
Quantum computing, on the other hand, does away with this simple either/or, one/zero, on/off way of looking at things. A quantum computer may adopt the states of zero, one, or, and this is the very cool part, a mixture of the two states simultaneously on the basis of the laws of quantum mechanics. Therefore, the computing power you used to have stepping from a zero to a one has now risen exponentially, since a quantum computer can carry out each calculation step with all states at the same time. Quantum computers are not superior to classical computers for all problems. They are very much superior when using algorithms to solve some complex problems. Complex problems like pharmacology research, information loading, self-driving cars, and really interesting stuff like learning about and exploiting traffic flow in dense urban environments.
“Quantum computing technology opens up new dimensions and represents the fast-track for future-oriented topics. We at Volkswagen want to be among the first to use quantum computing for corporate processes as soon as this technology is commercially available,” explained Martin Hofmann, Chief Information Officer, Volkswagen Group. “Thanks to our cooperation with Google, we have taken a major step towards this goal.” Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Real-World Applications
So, VW has partnered with Google to turn the power of quantum computing into what, exactly? How can this make for a better car? At the moment, Volkswagen and Google are looking at three main areas (none of which are SkyNet/Terminator oriented, thankfully). The first is traffic optimization. Essentially, this means figuring out ways to keep you moving forward at a decent speed, regardless of how many other vehicles are on the road. They are building on prior successful research, using traditional modeling to see if quantum computing methods can now account for additional variables. If this works, and so far it seems to be, travel times will drop. This data can also be applied to stuff like urban traffic guidance systems, electric charging stations, and even parking.
Secondly, Volkswagen expects this quantum approach to provide new information for vehicle construction, i.e. better metals and composites and such, along with how they are used in given areas of the vehicle. Battery research, particularly for the development of high-performance batteries for electric vehicles, is another area quantum computing would address.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Artificial Intelligence
The last area VW mentions is machine learning. The Germans are rather vague in this area, stating “machine learning is a key technology for the development of advanced AI systems.” AI, for those that don’t know, means Artificial Intelligence. Some people willingly embrace the entire concept of AI, while others really get the heebee-jeebees when it comes to this stuff. Within this context, it’s easy to see where Volkswagen is heading, at least in the near term.
Leveraging AI, in other words, having some form of it, will make self-driving cars a much easier nut to crack. If the car can think for you, it can watch the road ahead, realize what is stationary and moving and, more critically, realize what is a threat and what is not. The AI embedded in the ones, zeros, and half-bits in-between can sense, evaluate, and know what to do when a kid chases a ball in front of your self-driven VW.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Forward Looking
Volkswagen and Google aren’t announcing anything here other than they are starting to work on this. There is not some scientific culmination happening next week, nor has a huge quantum super-computer taken worldwide control of bagel production and distribution, and every day is Everything. Bagel. Day. and you will enjoy it. What Volkswagen and Google are saying is, in a nutshell, “these are the problems we are trying to solve, and this is how we think we can solve them.”
Good. Because the momentum is quite clear. Self-driving cars will be on the roads. Traffic will continue to be bad. Electric vehicles are coming. The question for any automaker is how to deal with that inevitability. Volkswagen and Google think the answer – or some of the answers – will be found in quantum computing.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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2019 Corvette ZR1 Revealed: Most Powerful Vette In History

2019 Corvette ZR1 Revealed: Most Powerful Vette In History

Chevrolet introduced the highest-performing Corvette in history over the weekend with the unveiling of the 2019 ZR1. Chevy says the new Vette sets a performance benchmark with its unparalleled track presence, powerful engine, and other advanced technologies.
“I’ve never driven a Corvette like this before, and nobody else has either, because there’s never been one like this before,” said Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, General Motors. “Its unprecedented performance puts all other global supercars on notice that the ZR1 is back.”
Power & Performance
Supercharging has been synonymous with the Vette for nearly a decade, beginning with the sixth-generation in 2009. The new Corvette ZR1 continues that trend with an engine that boasts an intercooled supercharger system with 52 percent more displacement than the Z06’s LT4 supercharger. The ZR1’s LT5 6.2L supercharged V8 is the most powerful production Chevy engine yet, complete with 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft. of torque. The engine also features GM’s first application of the “dual-fuel-injection system,” which employs direct injection (primary) and port injection (secondary).
The engine is paired to either a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, the latter being a first for the ZR1. Top speed, interestingly enough, is over 210 mph – but it’s not just the engine that makes that happen. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is nothing short of an aerodynamic masterpiece.
2019 Corvette ZR1. Photo: Chevrolet.
Aerodynamic Art
The newly designed front fascia serves to redirect air for engine and drivetrain cooling. There are four new radiators for a total of 13 heat exchangers, while the carbon fiber “halo” hood provides an opening for the supercharger and intercooler assembly. Two different aero packages enhance the new ZL1 on the track, the first being the standard rear Low Wing. This provides 70 percent more downfornce than the Z06’s base aero package and returns the highest top speed. The second is an available two-way-adjustable High Wing for maximum downforce – about 60 percent more than the Z06’s Z07 Performance Package – to return the quickest lap times.
All variants of the new ZR1 feature a Chevrolet-first, downforce-enhancing front underwing. All wings have a design similar to the Corvette Racing C7.R racecar, meaning they are integrated with the chassis for strength and stability.
“As the highest-performing Corvette ever, the ZR1’s design supports its capability in every way,” explained Kirk Bennion, Exterior Design Manager. “The new wings, for example, help generate more downforce without adding drag, enhancing road holding and top speed.”
The adjustable High Wing is part of the new ZTK Performance Package, which also includes a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires, and Magnetic Ride Control.
2019 Corvette ZR1. Photo: Chevrolet.
Interior Treatments
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 in the photos is decorated with the Sebring Orange Design Package. Naturally, the package outlines a number of items in orange, including the brake calipers, rockers, and seat belts, among others. Drivers will also find unique orange stitching, bronze aluminum trim, and leather seats with suede microfiber inserts; optional are the heated and vented Napa leather seats.
Pricing & Availability
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 goes on sale next spring. Pricing has not been announced.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2019 Corvette ZR1 Gallery

Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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Letter From The UK: Beware The Highway Vigilantes

Letter From The UK: Beware The Highway Vigilantes Can community-sponsored traffic enforcement initiates go too far?
And where does the money go when it comes to said traffic enforcement?
Geoff Maxted of DriveWrite Automotive Magazine examines in this latest Letter.
Here in the UK, we have a term for people who write to internet forums, newspapers or their local representatives anonymously; we refer to them as ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.’ Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in the English county of Kent and the ‘Disgusted’ handle stems from an apocryphal story that this was where the first such letter emanated, way back in time. Usually, these writers are not brave enough to give their name yet are often “horrified and disgusted” about something specific, perhaps important to them but far less so to the rest of us.
Dropping litter, for example, to all reasonable people is unpleasant but to some it is a matter of life and death.
Like Dogs With Bones
At this stage, reader, you are probably wondering when this writer is going to get to how this is relevant to automotive issues. Soon, very soon, is the answer, but the point of this is to highlight the fact that once some people get a hold of an issue they are like dogs with bones. They just won’t let it go. Single emotive issues tend to polarise opinion and a sort of swivel-eyed mania takes over those so afflicted. This is especially noticeable here right now, thanks to Britain’s exit from the European Union which has caused a base level of ‘us and them’ nastiness and dissent that is frankly hard to believe among sentient beings. It’s like the Hatfields & McCoys on a national scale. This same monomaniacal intensity of being ‘disgusted’ is also applied to our motoring lives.
Dangerous Polluters
In recent years, Great Britain has seen a rise in the stigmatisation of car use. Motorists, to some, are dangerous polluters who run rampant through town and country with a complete disregard for the residents. This gives rise to strident and virulent complaint and usually both local and national government rapidly cave in to the wishes of these screeching minorities, presumably in the interest of having a quiet life. Thus, there is plenty of road signage and regulation here that is both daft and pointless, and is usually dreamed up by a local official with the IQ of a chicken nugget, who is nevertheless part of the conspiracy against cars.
Clearly though, it is essential we have motoring rules and our crowded road transport system should not be some free-for-all. By and large in today’s conditions, motoring regulations are about 80 percent right, and this is from someone who likes going fast. For example, I have every sympathy with villagers whose tranquillity is disturbed by their through road being used as a rat-run by commuting traffic or has become part of a major route; and also with parents who are concerned by the actions of inattentive drivers near school crossings.

Flaming Torches
The trouble is, this has all given rise to a type of vigilantism that sets neighbour against neighbour. Across the country, certain locals have taken to our pavements and verges with placards and speed cameras (or safety cameras as they are disingenuously called by officialdom) with which they accumulate evidence, subsequently passed to the police for action. They become, in a sense, judge and jury. (The State just wants the money). These people may well have a case but with their single-issue blinkers on can’t see what is actually happening.
Whilst these angry villagers are freezing on street corners, they forget that they have already paid for the police and their local district council to take this sort of action. Surely these folk have a right to expect value for money from their local taxes, because they certainly don’t get it from national taxes? I personally object to ordinary civilians judging what I do. At what point will litter-louts be lynched from the nearest lampposts by baying hordes of passers-by? When will come the day that you are dragged from your car by rabid villagers raising aloft flaming torches, and be forced to listen to a thirty-point list of grievances before the cry goes up, “Somebody get a rope!”
Don’t bet against it.

Making Money From Motoring Misery
Many of our UK roads are in a terrible condition despite the fact every legal driver pays an annual fee colloquially known as ‘Road Tax.’ Meanwhile, although many issues could be solved by traffic calming measures, our authorities prefer to maintain the use of the single-eyed Cyclops of financial pain, the speed camera. Cameras don’t morally censure; they just want the fines they generate. In 2018, our councils trousered some £900 million British Pounds (over 1.1 billion USD) from parking fines and other local and congestion charges. Where does it go?
Although money is tight for many folk, life is too short to be dealing with stuff like this. This is why the public acquiesce; they shrug and move on, muttering darkly. In the old American West of legend, outlaws were hunted down: Here in the 21st Century they take political office. Perhaps we drivers ought to get together and form our own vigilante groups to protect our right to drive cars without forever antagonising the ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.’
Now, where did I put that kerosene?
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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2020 Kia Sportage: Refreshed & Ready To Mingle

2020 Kia Sportage: Refreshed & Ready To Mingle On the heels of an emotional Super Bowl ad for the Telluride, Kia is staying on the gas in 2019. While the Telluride is the largest member of Kia’s house, the Sportage is no couch potato. Refreshed and recharged for another round, the 2020 Kia Sportage comes with a handful of tech and safety upgrades.
Those not looking for the space (or cost) of a larger SUV may find the new Sportage does the trick. We would opt for the new S trim personally, which has a more athletic exterior look. Yet, regardless of trim level, the 2020 Kia Sportage will get the job done on the daily commute.
And it will look mighty good while doing it.
Sweeping Lines & Curves
In today’s increasingly crowded SUV market, the 2020 Kia Sportage uses its European flair to stand out. As soon as the pencil hit the design pad, it became about “sweeping lines” and “thought-provoking” curves, says Kia. After establishing the lines and curves, designers went for the proportions and overall stance. Again, the idea was to make the Sportage easily recognizable.
Of course, the newly-available 19-inch alloy wheels are hard to miss.
The front grille and bumper are both new as are the headlights and projector-beam fog lamps. LED turn indicators, headlights, and fog lamps are optional. We recommend adding each of those lighting upgrades, especially for those who frequently drive late at night. At the rear, the 2020 Kia Sportage receives another new bumper and special taillight trim.
A sleek Steel Grey metallic exterior color is also available.
2020 Kia Sportage interior layout. Updates include a newly-designed steering wheel and vent bezels. SOFINO leatherette seating surfaces are available. Photo: Kia Motors America.
“Lightly Enhanced” Interior
On the inside, Kia says things are “lightly enhanced” which made us smile. Those “light” enhancements include an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto standard; modem-enabled telematics and navigation are optional. Those on the go will want the available smartphone charging tray.
Power & Performance: Two Solid Options
The 2020 Kia Sportage offers two engines and both are sufficient for the daily commute. The more modest 2.4-liter produces a respectable 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque. For those quicker jaunts onto the freeway, a 2.0-liter turbo creates nearly 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. While the extra snort of a turbo is always nice, there’s nothing wrong with saving the money and going with the smaller powerplant.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic. Fuel economy figures for the 2020 Sportage are not available yet, but it’s reasonably safe to believe the numbers will be on par with the 2019 Sportage. Our only critique here is having more gears “in the box.” An eight or nine-speed transmission would benefit the Sportage in terms of performance and efficiency, but we trust Kia regardless with this six-speed automatic.
We’ll look for more gears the next time around.
The 2020 Kia Sportage comes in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Safety features include Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Assist, and Pedestrian Detection among others.
Photo: Kia Motors America.
Pricing & Availability
Trim levels include the LX, EX, SX, and the more sporty-looking S. Kia says the new Sportage arrives this spring, with pricing information due closer to then. In the meantime, the 2020 Kia Sportage is on display at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.
Carl Anthony studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan. Before returning to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry.
2020 Kia Sportage Gallery

Photos & Source: Kia Motors America.

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Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 2: The New Colossus

Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 2: The New Colossus Viaduct Elegy is a four-part series from Automoblog feature columnist Tony Borroz, who broke the law in preparation for writing it. He is a Seattle native and author of The 2018 Indy 500 Notebook and Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Tony grew up in a sportscar-oriented family, but sadly, they were British cars.
Finally, finally, finally they are tearing down the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a colossal, monumentally-ugly, seismically-catastrophic piece of transportation “infrastructure” that has been a scar on the face of Seattle for the better part of a friggin’ century.
And yesterday I walked on it at sunset with an old friend, apparently breaking the law.
Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 2: The New Colossus
Chapter One: “Walking With Blaine” here.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, or the I-99 Viaduct or, more simply, The Viaduct, is an elevated north/south expressway situated right on the waterfront of Elliott Bay. It was, like literally every other half-assed and poorly-planned transportation “solution” Seattle has ever conceived: an utter failure in many, many ways. It was terribly-proportioned, its hulking mass contrasting with surprisingly few and narrow lanes.
As a way to get from point A to point B, it barely worked from day one.
When it was designed in the 1940s, you could still buy Studebakers new. So from that perspective, a double-decked roadway with only two lanes made perfect sense. Speed limit? 40 mph. And besides, how fast do you want to go. And herein lies the problem with this, and pretty much every other transportation “solution” Seattle has ever come up with. They are designed to solve the problems the city has right now.
How will this “solution” be used in the future?
Don’t know, don’t care.
Conquering The West
So, fast forward to the year 2000 and what do we have? An aging, double-decked roadway with three lanes now crammed on each level and speeds raised by nearly 50 percent. More people, more cars, less time to get things done, and the same tool we’ve been using since Truman was President.
Like all other transportation projects around here, The Viaduct was started as A Big Deal. It was, yet again, a way to show how smart and forward-thinking Seattle was. A concrete and steel colossus that said to the world, “Yup, you can take Seattle seriously, yes you can! Boy howdy, just look at our new Viaduct! Just like they got in other big cities!”
Seattle is obsessed with this stuff. They always have been. From the beginning, Seattle has been derided as a provincial backwater town whose main contribution to American society was supplying gear to Yukon gold miners and popularizing salmon as a dinner option. And from the beginning, Seattle has had a chip on its shoulder, thirsty for recognition, begging to be considered one of the big kids on the west coast.
From its inception, Seattle acted like it was just a matter of time before people realized that San Francisco doesn’t offer a tenth of what Seattle does, that Denver will never be what Seattle is, that young, up-and-comer Los Angeles is just a flash in the pan, Portland is just a pale imitation of the real Northwest city, Seattle.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct was an elevated freeway in Seattle that supported State Route 99. The double-deck freeway ran north and south, along the city’s waterfront for 2.2 miles, east of Alaskan Way and Elliott Bay, and between the West Seattle Freeway in SoDo and the Battery Street Tunnel in Belltown. Construction consisted of three phases from 1949 through 1959, with the first section opening on April 4th, 1953. Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives.
Emerald Charm
And every time any city west of The Rockies would do something; every time San Francisco would host a big worldwide event, or Los Angeles would grow and grow, or something along those lines, Seattle would grumble and huff and puff and get just a little more surly and gray. Again we would be outshone by another western city. Again they would steal the spotlight. And Again people would be fascinated by San Francisco or Los Angeles or wherever when they should be dazzled by Seattle! It was a shame that people could be so stupid and overlook us, but that’s okay.
It’s their loss, not ours. We’re the cool ones. Really! You’ll see.
Seattle is the proverbial third-cutest cheerleader. We try real hard and we yell and jump and shake our pom-poms just as good as the other girls, but for some reason we just don’t get asked to the barn dance by the star quarterback. It’s confusing. mysterious. unfathomable. It’s annoying as all get out.
And so, time after time, Seattle will look at a problem (which about half of them are transportation issues), study it for far too long, then announce: “We have the answer!” To which, nearly everyone will respond, “What was the question?”
Anti-viaduct bumper sticker, circa 2006. From the folder “Bumper Stickers,” Ephemera Collection (Record Series 9900-01), Seattle Municipal Archives.
Jet City’s Crown Jewel
Right after the Second World War, that answer was The Alaskan Way Viaduct. Seattle was, by local standards, humming after World War II. Boeing was going great guns. No longer were we just a fishing and logging town stuck in the upper left-hand corner of the map. Nope. You’ll see. Seattle is gonna be it, baby. Take that Scranton! And how did we know this? The Viaduct. New. Clean. Modern. This will be the way to get North and South in smooth, concrete efficiency. Four lanes! That’ll show those hoity-toity types in San Francisco and Chicago just how cool Seattle is. You bet’cha!
And so, the city built this monstrosity as the way to move around.
Built partially underground to the north in the Battery Street Tunnel, then rising up to the double decks of The Viaduct proper, it was a marvel of American ingenuity and post-war know-how. Nearly two miles long, it took from 1949 to 1959 to build the entire thing. But hey, would you look at that, it got done just in time for the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962! See? Planning! You could drive up the viaduct and it would deposit you right on the grounds of World’s Fair. How convenient!
Shortly thereafter, various groups started proposing tearing the thing down . . .
Viaduct Elegy: Chapter Three: Streamlined Brutale will be published here on Automoblog on Friday, February 15th, 2019. In the meantime, follow Tony Borroz on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. For more historic photos of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the city of Seattle, visit the Seattle Municipal Archive’s Flickr page.

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VW Dune Buggy Concept: Where EVs & The 1960s Meet

VW Dune Buggy Concept: Where EVs & The 1960s Meet VW’s concept is inspired by the American buggies from the 1960s and ‘70s.
This modern Dune Buggy showcases the flexibility of VW’s latest EV platform.
It doesn’t look like a production version is comming but we won’t give up hope.
When I first saw the pictures of the VW Dune Buggy, I thought it was a prop for some upcoming sci-fi movie. Tron II – Electric Tron-a-Loo or something. But no, VW is serious. Or as serious as you can be with a show car. Which is what the Dune Buggy is. You’ll be able to see it at this year’s upcoming Geneva show.
Oh, did I mention it’s an EV?
Planning Ahead
VW is serious about their electric vehicle ambitions. They have to be. Since that diesel-gate debacle pretty much rang the death knell for consumer diesels, VW knows it has to go somewhere non-ICE. So get ready for EV (almost) everything from Der Peoples Kar. So, as strange as it may seem, VW is pretty serious with an off-road EV.
There were little vans, Porsche-like speedsters, crazy race-car-looking things, and of course, endless variations on the #DuneBuggy.Click To TweetHome-Brewed Concoctions
Funny thing is, the original dune buggies back in the 1960s weren’t VW products. They were cobbled-up, home-brew specials made from Beetle parts, not direct from the factory. As I recall, it all started with this guy named Bruce Meyer. Although generically referred to as “dune buggies,” his was officially dubbed the “Meyer Manx.” The Manx was the original seed for seemingly endless “specials” made on Beetle platforms. There were little vans, Porsche-like speedsters, crazy race-car-looking things, and of course, endless variations on the Dune Buggy.
But how could there not be? It was the 60s! The Beach Boys! Frankie & Annette! Ride the Wild Surf! Dick Dale! Greg Noll! This was a vehicular manifestation of the collective need of every teenager not to live in Iowa and get to the beach.
Blast From The Past
And have you ever driven one of these things? They’re a total hoot. No doors, no roof; they weigh next to nothing and the suspension is robust enough to handle (literally) bounding over dunes. Of course, those are also the biggest flaws. They make perfect sense getting from Hermosa Beach down to Rincon to catch a better swell, but commuting from Joliet into Chicago for a client meeting in February?
Just like the originals, this Dune Buggy has no fixed roof or conventional doors, and the open side sills dominate the overall look. The wheels and off-road tires are large and borderline goofy and cartoon-like.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Showcasing New Platforms
Unfortunately, they’re not going to make a production version of the thing (although that would be rad). Like I said, they are serious but in a different way. What this actually allows is for VW to show off their engineering skill with regard to future EV platforms. This Dune Buggy concept is based on VW’s modular electric drive matrix, or “MEB.” The idea is to demonstrate how multifaceted and flexible this new platform is.
The Dune Buggy is VW’s way of saying, “Look at our MEB. It works in trucks, it works in cars, and you can even have fun with it!” And that’s a very smart move. Nobody is going to buy an EV to show they are more hair-shirt than thou. Then VW says this: “The new MEB concept vehicle shows that this fully electric platform can be used for more than just large-scale series production models. Like the Beetle chassis of yesteryear, the MEB has the potential to facilitate the development of low-volume niche vehicles.”
That sounds like a major corporation egging us on to take this platform and mess around with it as we see fit. Now doesn’t that sound like fun?
Global Appeal
Worldwide, around 250,000 vehicles were built as one-offs or at low volumes through the 1980s. I’m assuming they mean Beetle-based stuff, so VW gets a solid two-base hit. One, they show off their upcoming MEB electric vehicle platform, and two, they hint at releasing it to the hardcore gearhead shade-tree tinkerers out there.
VW Dune Buggy In Person
Anyway, I’d love to stay and talk, but I heard there’s a big swell heading for Steamer Lane, so I gotta run. In the meantime, you can catch the Dune Buggy in person during the Geneva Motor Show which begins on March 7th. Later brah!
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: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 Scores Record Lap In Virginia (Video)

2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 Scores Record Lap In Virginia (Video) The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 arrives this spring and fans will likely be jazzed at the latest news concerning the bowtie’s pinnacle performance car. The 2019 ZR1 recently scored a record lap time on the 4.1-mile Grand Course West at Virginia International Raceway with a time of 2:37.25.
“The Corvette ZR1’s lap record at VIR, arguably America’s most challenging road course, is a testament to its supercar status,” said Mark Reuss, GM Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.
Icing On The Cake
The record lap at VIR was set last month during routine validation and performance testing. The stock ZR1 was configured per the standard track and aerodynamic settings recommended by the owner’s manual. The ZR1 was finalizing its 24 hours of at-limit track testing, with multiple GM Performance engineers logging laps, including vehicle dynamics engineer Jim Mero who set the record.
“The track had been empty since mid-December, so it was a bit slow when we started, but the conditions turned pretty quick at the end,” explained Alex MacDonald, Manager, Chevrolet Vehicle Performance. “On the heels of announcing our Z06 time of 2:39.77, the ZR1 lap time is the icing on the cake.”
Power & Performance
The ZR1’s LT5 6.2L supercharged V8 is the most powerful production Chevy engine yet, complete with 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft. of torque. The engine also features GM’s first application of a dual-fuel-injection system, which includes direct injection (primary) and port injection (secondary). The engine is paired to either a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter was equipped to the record-setting ZR1 at VIR.
The new ZR1 features a larger, 2.65-liter supercharger that generates more boost but spins slightly slower when compared to the LT4 engine of the prior generation. This reduces heat and parasitic loss while lowering air intake temperatures for better performance. There are 13 radiators total, four of which are new to facilitate cooling between the engine oil, transmission, and differential.
Photo: Richard Prince/Chevrolet.
Vital Equipment
The record-setting ZR1 was also equipped with five-point harnesses, a harness bar, track seats, and the ZTK Performance Package, which includes an adjustable carbon-fiber High Wing, a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires, and specific chassis and Magnetic Ride Control tuning. Helping control the ZR1 around VIR for the record lap was a unique, hybrid material Brembo braking system.
“On the racetrack, the ZR1 can compete with any supercar – at any price,” Reuss said.
“It’s not too often you set a lap record during validation testing,” MacDonald added.
When it arrives the spring, the 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 will start at $119,995, with the ZTK Performance Package going for $2,995.
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: Chevrolet.

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Toyota Issues Recall For Certain Prius And Lexus Vehicles

Toyota Issues Recall For Certain Prius And Lexus Vehicles Toyota Motor North America, Inc. has announced a safety recall in the United States of approximately 49,000 model year 2016 Prius and Lexus RX vehicles, and model year 2015 and 2016 Lexus NX vehicles. Toyota says the vehicles have air bag systems where an open circuit could be created over time. If this were to occur, the air bag warning light will illuminate and the side and curtain shield air bags and/or front air bags may not deploy.
This may increase the risk of injury to the occupants in the event of a crash.
Further Information
For all involved vehicles, dealers will inspect the serial number of the sensors and replace them with new ones, if necessary, at no cost. All known owners will receive a notification by first-class mail starting in late March. Toyota, Lexus, and Scion owners are encouraged to check and see if their vehicle is under this or any other outstanding recalls. Similar information is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here.
Toyota is encouraging those with additional questions to contact Toyota Customer Service at 1-800-331-4331, or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987.

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