Automotive

Inside The 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE

Inside The 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE
Yes, like its road-going sibling from which it is derived, the 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE faces similar aesthetic, a-hem, issues. But this is a race car. A race car that will take part in the FIA World Endurance Championship next season. And, when it comes to racing, effectiveness counts more than aesthetics. It’s sort of like submachine guns. Sure, it might not be as appealing as a Thompson or an MP 40, but a Sten Gun can still do the business, y’know?
Track Ready
The Sten of choice seen here is the new Vantage GTE from Aston Martin, set for FIA’s GTE class at places like Le Mans and Spa and The ‘Ring. The main competition for the new Vantage GTE will be cars like the BMW M3, Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, Ferrari 488 GTE, and Porsche 911 variants. In other words, these are the most road-car-like competitors you’ll see at Le Mans. Also, the racing is fun to watch since the competition is so close and the racing is so tough. Still, Aston Martin has done more than okay with previous versions of this car, chalking up 37 international race victories, including two Le Mans 24 Hour class wins.
Power & Performance
The engine is a force-fed V8 that runs bespoke BorgWarner turbos with integrated electric wastegates. The exhaust system is a full inconel setup made by an outfit called Akrapovic. No, I didn’t know who they were either. Turns out they’re Slovenian, and all they do is make exhaust systems. Fun note: Inconel is a nickel/steel alloy with extremely high heat resistance and was the same stuff they made the X-15 rocket plane out of.
The mill has a dry sump lubrication system and its installation in the actual race car is further back and lower than the street version, all for better track performance. The output figures are stated as “power >400 kW* and torque >700 Nm*” which translates into 536 ponies and 516 lb-ft. o’torque in old money. Two things of note: First, those figures are “greater than” because no race team is going to give away accurate power figures, and you can also reckon that Aston Martin is sandbagging with those numbers. And two, I have no idea what those asterisks are for. Aston Martin never explains them, but I thought I’d include them. What an odd thing for them to do.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Drivetrain Tech
Moving on to the driveline and transmission, there’s plenty to geek out about here. Of course it’s rear-wheel drive, because handling. There’s also traction control thrown in (because today’s drivers are a bunch of prima donnas). The transmission is a six-speed sequential unit made by Xtrac, fed by an Alcon motorsport multi-plate clutch about the size of a cheeseburger. There is a mechanical limited-slip differential with externally adjustable pre-load (a nice touch), and since this is 2017, there’s a semi-automatic paddle shift gear change coupled to a direct acting electric gear shift actuator. Did you catch all that?
The carbon fiber propshaft saves weight and increases responsiveness.
Chassis & Suspension
The chassis is a lightweight aluminium deal that uses the latest Vantage production car as a starting point. It is fitted with a steel roll cage to meet FIA safety standards and also sports an on-board, high-speed pneumatic jack for quicker pit stops. The suspension is as traditional as it is adjustable, with double wishbones front and rear, adjustable anti-roll bars, and custom Öhlins five-way adjustable dampers (shock absorbers to us Americans). Like all British cars, this thing can Handle with a capital H.
The body and aero bits are all carbon fiber, of course. The underside of the car is entirely flat and tailed with a carbon fiber splitter and diffuser. That huge rear wing is also carbon fiber and adjustable.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.

Ride & Handling
The steering is electro-hydraulic and power-assisted, which kind of rankles purists but literally every driver out there dearly loves, since wrestling with one of these things for 24 hours, even with a power assist is a work out. The steering wheel, which is carbon fiber, is a quick release type, both to aid with driver changes and also having to bail out if things get, um, sticky. The fuel system is the FIA mandated size of 100 liters and is a full-blown fuel cell, of course.
The wheels are huge and light: forged magnesium up front (12.5” x 18”) and forged magnesium in the rear (13.0” x 18”). The boss meats are supplied by Michelin.
Braking
The stoppers are very, very impressive. Everything is made by Alcon with monobloc six-piston calipers and wide, ringed ventilated brake discs up front. Out back, the Aston GTE sports monobloc six-piston calipers with Alcon ventilated rear brake discs. At all four corners there are integrated caliper temperature and pad wear sensors, a handy thing in a 24 hour race. The pedal box is floor-mounted and adjustable (a nice touch). Of course the front and rear brake bias is driver adjustable.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Driver Focused
The cockpit is Spartan yet extremely cool. The pilot sits in a RaceTech FIA 8862 safety seat and is held in place by a Schroth six-point safety harness. In case things get too hot, there’s a Lifeline FIA 8865 fire extinguisher. The dash is a Cosworth driver display with shift lights; there is a rearview camera and a Bosch collision avoidance radar system (which is one of those things that beeps at you milliseconds before you clout that Ford GT you thought you were clear of). Air conditioning? Surprisingly yes! The FIA/ACO mandated this a while back (you have no idea how hot it is inside one of these things). There is also an electrically-operated “driver drinks system” to help prevent fatigue.
The whole shootin’ match tips the scales with a dry weight of 1,245 kilos or around 2,800 pounds, give or take. It is worth noting this is the regulated base weight. If you were to take the ballast out, the 2018 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE would tip the scales considerably lighter than that.
Will this thing win? Maybe. A definite maybe. My money is on the Ferrari 488 (for sentimental reasons) or the C7.R Vettes (for practical reasons), but I wouldn’t count Aston Martin out.
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 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE Gallery

Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/inside-the-2018-aston-martin-racing-vantage-gte/

2018 Ford Super Duty By The Numbers

2018 Ford Super Duty By The Numbers
Ford is pushing the envelope for the F-Series lineup, announcing updated power, towing, and payload figures for the 2018 Super Duty. The new specs reclaim titles for the blue oval held previously by General Motors and Ram. Ford says they are delivering more for customers by offering “five key best-in-class claims.”
“Super Duty customers expect the best, and for 2018 we’re giving our customers even more power and torque from our 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel – delivering the most horsepower and torque available among all heavy-duty pickups,” explained Todd Eckert, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager.
By The Numbers
It’s not surprising to see Ford push the line here. In just a “matter of fact” sense, the truck market is highly competitive, and customer loyalty to a particular brand is often lifelong. “We are a Ford (or Chevy) family,” they say, or “I’ve never owned anything but . . . (insert truck make and model here).” While we won’t speculate Ford’s engineering and marketing motives, if the automaker held the belief that bigger horsepower, payload, and towing numbers were the way to a truck buyer’s heart, we would be inclined to agree.
In an already competitive market with such fierce brand loyalty, posting headline-worthy performance figures seems a satisfactory answer to the “how do we attract new buyers and retain existing customers” question. One could argue these increased power numbers for the Super Duty are coming at the right time. Ford’s November sales report indicated that F-Series trucks saw their best November since 2001, with 72,769 pickups sold for a 0.9 percent gain. Conversely, Ford’s heavy truck sales took a 50 percent dip with only 566 units moved last month opposed to 1,133 for the same period in 2016. By the end of November 2016, Ford had delivered 13,417 heavy trucks compared to 10,376 at November’s end this year, marking a 22.7 percent decrease.
It’s possible these new power and capacity increases for the 2018 Super Duty will help bolster Ford’s overall truck sales. Does Ford have specific intent with this latest Super Duty announcement? Perhaps. Ford truck sales are, according to their November report, either up nicely or down significantly, depending on the model. These new performance upgrades for the Super Duty could be a happy accident as far as timing is concerned, but if an automaker wanted to move some trucks, especially near the end of the year, having increased power figures floating through the media certinately wouldn’t hurt.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Fantastic Five
The 2018 Ford Super Duty now claims five vital segment titles, the first of which is a healthy 450 horsepower. Previously held by GM’s Sierra and Silverado models at 445 with the new Duramax, Ford’s announcement gives the Super Duty a slight edge. The second is torque, a now whopping 935 lb-ft., enough to slip past Ram at 930 lb-ft. from the recently revised Cummins. From there, the 2018 Ford Super Duty takes best-in-class gooseneck towing at 34,000 lbs. and best-in-class conventional towing at 21,000 lbs., when properly equipped. By comparison, The 2018 Ram 3500 HD, when properly equipped, has a maximum gooseneck rating of 31,210 lbs. and a maximum conventional rating of 20,000 lbs.
“Plus, our new F-450 pickup now includes a 4X2 model, enabling our customers to get more done with the segment’s best payload and towing,” Eckert added.
The 2018 Super Duty boasts best-in-class payload at 7,360 lbs. for the segment’s top honor.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Vital Components
The grunt for the 2018 Super Duty comes from the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, which received redesigned cylinder heads, optimized fuel calibrations, and enhancements to the turbo for 2018. The truck’s high-strength steel frame, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body, and integrated gooseneck hitch mounts are also important for capability and efficiency. It’s also worth noting that Ford designs and builds their own diesel engines and transmissions, something no other manufacturer currently does. The automaker says this is critical for getting the powertrain, vehicle calibrations, and chassis to align.
“This approach enables Ford engineers to optimize vehicle performance across the entire lineup and to further refine the powertrain to the specific needs of the customer,” reads a statement from Ford.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Super Duty is available now with the F-450 4×2 dual-rear-wheel pickup coming later this winter. Base MSRP is $52,830, although pricing can vary greatly depending on the selected trim level and the buyer’s desired number of additional options, features, and packages.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-ford-super-duty-by-the-numbers/

Honda Promises Family-Friendly, High-Tech Features For 2018 Pilot

Honda Promises Family-Friendly, High-Tech Features For 2018 Pilot

The 2018 Honda Pilot went on sale this week, billed as the automaker’s “family-friendly, high-tech” vehicle. Honda’s three-row SUV arrives on the heels of some solid recognition, including the 2017 Automotive Best Buy Award from Consumer Guide and a designation from U.S. News & World Report as one of the best cars for families in 2017. Honda says Pilot production in Lincoln, Alabama has increased to make availability easier for the automaker’s some 1,000 dealerships nationwide.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Honda Pilot features a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC V6 engine, complete with Variable Cylinder Management for increased performance and efficiency. The engine, which creates 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of toque, is paired to either a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available.
Honda’s unibody SUV rides on a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Steering is electronic and the brakes are a power-assisted and ventilated setup.
Interior Treatments
Honda says the high point here is the cargo and rear seating area, arranged in such a way that neither one intrudes on the other. The entry way to the third row is larger and the available “one-touch slide” feature will fold the second row automatically. Total passenger volume ranges between 151 and 153 cubic feet, depending on the trim level.
The 2018 Pilot also features the latest infotainment and connectivity systems and is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Push button start, rear window defroster, cargo area hooks and tie-downs, and a 60/40 split, flat-folding third-row bench seat are standard across the lineup.
2018 Honda Pilot Elite. Photo: Honda North America.
Safety & Security
The 2018 Pilot can be equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies, available as a standalone option on EX and EX-L, but standard on Touring and Elite trims. Honda Sensing includes the Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning. Additional driver assistance features include the standard, multi-angle rearview camera and an available blind spot information monitor with cross traffic detection.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Honda Pilot is available now. We have included the handy chart from Honda below which outlines the various trim levels and corresponding information. The Honda Pilot was designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in California and Ohio.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Trim/Drivetrain
Transmission
MSRP
EPA MPG Rating
(City/Highway/Combined)
LX / 2WD
6AT
$30,900
19/27/22
LX / AWD
6AT
$32,800
18/26/21
EX / 2WD
6AT
$33,330
19/27/22
EX / AWD
6AT
$35,230
18/26/21
EX w/Honda Sensing / 2WD
6AT
$34,330
19/27/22
EX w/Honda Sensing / AWD
6AT
$36,230
18/26/21
EX-L / 2WD
6AT
$36,760
19/27/22
EX-L / AWD
6AT
$38,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/Honda Sensing / 2WD
6AT
$37,760
19/27/22
EX-L w/Honda Sensing / AWD
6AT
$39,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/Navi / 2WD
6AT
$37,760
19/27/22
EX-L w/Navi / AWD
6AT
$39,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/RES / 2WD
6AT
$38,360
19/27/22
EX-L w/RES / AWD
6AT
$40,260
18/26/21
Touring / 2WD
9AT
$41,970
20/27/23
Touring / AWD
9AT
$43,870
19/26/22
Elite / AWD
9AT
$47,470
19/26/22
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/honda-promises-family-friendly-high-tech-features-for-2018-pilot/

Should You Buy A New Car? Or Fix The One You Have?

Should You Buy A New Car? Or Fix The One You Have? Should you purchase something new or spend the money to fix up your current vehicle?
The experts from PSECU, a Pennsylvania-based credit union, examine this age-old question.
These tips and strategies will help you make the best financial decision for you and your family.
Purchasing a vehicle is one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make. Next to real-estate, an automobile is the second-largest expense for many. Cars don’t tend to last as long as homes, and depending on the type and condition, the maintenance costs might make keeping it a poor financial decision. At times, this can bring us to an important question: should I fix my car or buy a new one?
Getting out of a vehicle that’s expensive to maintain, even if it means spending more on something in better condition, might be the best decision if the repair bills are racking up.
However, that’s not always an easy conclusion to come to, as there are many factors to consider. Here are a few things to look at before swallowing a big down payment in hopes of cutting long-term losses.
Conduct Research
Sometimes a car goes through a careful selection process, or maybe it’s a cheap hand-me-down that fell into someone’s lap. Most people can tell you the make and model of their car; in that sense, they are familiar with it. However, if a person is not familiar with their car’s history and reputation for reliability, they can do some research to determine what kind of experience other owners have had. Conducting this type of research is important when making the decision between trading up or fixing up.
Consumer Reports, car enthusiast magazines, and online portals like Autotrader are great resources when researching repair costs. Local dealerships can process the vehicle’s VIN and determine which recalls have been issued and if they’ve been performed. For someone considering keeping their ride, ensuring all recall work is complete is a good way to preserve resale value.
Eventually, even the stoutest cars will succumb to the wear and tear of regular use after enough years or miles, unless its been obsessively maintained. Even then, some cars just weren’t made well from the factory. For example, certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles from the early 1990s have a reputation for lasting forever. Cars built by Daewoo represent a great value for the money, but typically don’t last as long due to less robust construction.
Should you purchase a new car or spend money to repair the one you have? The experts from PSECU, a Pennsylvania-based credit union, provide some insight into this important question.
Understand The Financial Situation
Maybe someone would like to have a new car, but is not clear on how the additional expense will impact their ability to pay rent or college loans. After all, the average price of an used car is $20,153, which can take a big bite out of a tight budget. This is a scenario where, despite the long-term cost being greater, someone might have to bite the bullet for a short time and have the necessary repairs made so they can maintain financial security.
There might be options to repair a car in a way that costs less. For example, a dealership may quote one price for a repair, but a private garage will almost always cost less. It’s best to ask a mechanic if there’s a way to save money on the repairs by getting used parts. If someone is handy in the garage, they might even be able to do the repair themselves. Replacing a spark plug or changing a thermostat is typically something the average DIYer can do.
Ask a trusted mechanic if used parts are right for your car.
Consider Resale Value
Should someone choose to go down the path of buying a new car, financing becomes the name of the game. Paying in cash for a vehicle can sometimes result in a better deal, but many dealerships prefer to secure a higher bottom line through long-term financing offers. They might not respond to a lower, all-cash offer the way an used car operation might.
What is the current value of the car? It’s never a good idea to purchase a vehicle as an investment, but certain ones can hold their value well. This can work in someone’s favor if they need to make a switch. A Toyota Tacoma with a damaged transmission, for example, might be worth repairing because the resale value of those trucks is legendary.
A less reputable car that needs an expensive repair might be better sold for parts.
Certain vehicles, like the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, hold their resale value quite well. Always consider the resale value of your current vehicle when deciding whether to trade up or fix up. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Related: Toyota often scores high in studies focused on longevity and resale value.
What Does Your Car Mean You?
Fans of Top Gear might remember the hosts saying someone can’t be a true “petrolhead” without owning an Alfa Romeo. These Italian automobiles, famous for sultry looks and sonorous engine notes, are notorious for breaking down. That’s just part of the Alfa ownership experience. Old Jaguars and MGs have comically bad electronics. To the right person, that’s not a fault — it’s just character. To justify keeping a car for sentimental value, drivers should make sure they can provide a well-informed summary of their financial situation.
However, if someone understands that and owns a car truly special to them, then it’s okay to make the necessary repairs. Certain things are hard to replace, and newer isn’t always better. People don’t always get the same joy out of a newer, more reliable car.
Ideally, if someone is in a position to preserve a car that’s special, it’s likely not their only vehicle. With a well-organized financial plan, people can budget for the inevitable repairs and enjoy the experience of owning that unique automobile until the time comes when they can afford to buy something else. Maybe they just want to keep bleeding it out so they can drive their “forever” car daily. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Cars are an extension of the driver’s personality, and the right one doesn’t come along every day.
This post sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial cooperative. Started in 1934 by 22 state workers, PSECU provided reprieve to those struggling against low wages, high living costs, and predatory loan sharks. Today the institution helps more than 450,000 members achieve their financial goals through the founders’ original philosophy of “people helping people.”

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/should-you-buy-a-new-car-or-fix-the-one-you-have/

Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept: A Glimpse of Magnificence?

Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept: A Glimpse of Magnificence? Mitsubishi says the Engelberg Tourer Concept can handle any and all weather conditions.
Total driving range of the plug-in hybrid – engine and batteries combined – is over 430 miles.
A special home charging system with solar panels accompanies the Engelberg Tourer Concept.
The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is more than a glimpse of magnificence from the once-mighty Japanese diamond star. It is proof that future crossover vehicles – whether plug-in hybrids or full-electric – will be far from boring. And they won’t look the same, either.
Look at this thing, for example. The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is hard to figure out, which is probably the reason I’m loving it already. There’s a shock and awe factor when you first catch this SUV. There’s no denying the sporty and adventurous DNA; Mitsubishi vehicles are known for their sportiness anyway.
Yet viewed from the side and rear, the Engelberg Tourer has subtle hints of rugged luxury, similar to the Range Rovers and Land Cruisers of the world. Folks, you are looking at Mitsubishi’s next-generation plug-in hybrid SUV.
Brutish & Modern Style
Sadly, the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is just a concept. Then again, this SUV is actually pretty close to reality, and similar to the Nissan IMQ concept CUV in some ways. Although different in size and scope, both concepts would likely find promising markets, given consumer demand for SUVs and crossovers today. But unlike the Nissan (which seems like the offspring of a Nissan supercar and Lexus crossover), the Mitsubishi Engelberg bears a striking resemblance to current Mitsubishi vehicles.
Are you familiar with either the Mitsubishi Triton/Strada/L200 pickup; Montero Sport/Pajero Sport SUV; or the Xpander MPV? The common denominator between each is the “dynamic-shield” face. But with the Engelberg Concept, the dynamic-shield design is cleaner and more defined. The design is a bit polarizing, I’ll give you that, but the brutish face grows on you like a goatee.
The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer features an updated version of the dynamic-shield face design. Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America.
What’s In A Name?
But compared to existing Mitsubishi SUVs, the Engelberg Tourer is chunkier and more purposeful. There’s no doubt the Engelberg Tourer concept is a vehicle for active lifestyles. Even the “Engelberg” appellation is derived from a well-known ski resort in Switzerland. I’m sure you’ll agree, it doesn’t get sportier or more outdoorsy than being named after a Swiss alpine resort.
But if I were Mitsubishi, I’ll choose Outlander or Pajero Sport as a final name. And if I’m betting my hard-earned dollars, I have a feeling this concept will shed the odd name for something more familiar or appealing like, umm, Outlander or Pajero Sport.
Advanced Electrification
As the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer made its entrance during the Geneva International Motor Show, most of the hype focused on the Twin-Motor 4WD plug-in hybrid system. Now that’s quite a mouthful, so allow me to break it down. Similar to other plug-in hybrids, the Engelberg Tourer comes with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. But it also comes with a rather large battery pack and two electric motors – one for the front and one in the rear. This allows the vehicle to achieve an impressive all-electric cruising range of 43 miles or 70 kilometers.
But if you take into account a fully-charged battery pack and a tankful of delicious petrol, the Engelberg Tourer has a cruising range of 434 miles or 700 kilometers. This is because the gasoline motor is acting as an onboard generator to charge the battery pack in series-hybrid mode.
Combined with the sleek shape and active radiator shutters, the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer is aerodynamically-enhanced to achieve every ounce of range, according to the company. And Mitsubishi was able to do all this without scrimping on cabin space. This vehicle is roomy enough to accommodate seven.
Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer interior layout. Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
All-Wheel Control Technology
But the talk of the town is the twin-motor, full-time 4WD system. This is enough to make Mitsubishi fanboys blush with excitement. The Engelberg Tourer utilizes Active Yaw Control (AYC) and Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) in the powertrain.
Now, where did I hear that before? If you answered Lancer Evolution, you’re right on the money!
Active yaw control allows the electric motor to tailor the torque split between the front wheels. In the meantime, S-AWC alters the braking force at each wheel. It also monitors the power output in the front and rear electric motor. What does this all mean exactly? Picture the handling dynamics of a rally car combined with the ruggedness of an off-road SUV fed by electrons. If you add other abbreviations like ASC (active stability control) and ABS, the Engelberg Tourer is an SUV you can definitely throw around.
What’s next? The Dakar Rally or World Rally Championships, perhaps? Come to think of it, that’s not a far-fetched idea considering Mitsubishi’s affiliation with all things related to rallying and off-road endurance.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Green Charging Options: DENDO Drive House
It’s nice that Mitsubishi is making an initiative towards sustainable energy options. The DENDO Drive House (DDH) technology is proof of that. The goal is to package the DDH system with the Engelberg Tourer. It consists of a bi-directional charger, solar panels, and home battery.
Yes, it’s remarkably similar to Tesla’s Powerwall. The DDS system will basically absorb power from the sun and store the energy in a larger battery pack. This means you can charge your plug-in hybrid vehicle using pure solar energy. This also means you can power your home at night using the juice from the home batteries and PHEV.
The DDH system will be available at Mitsubishi dealers in select markets around the world, but the Japanese car maker will start offering the service initially in Japan and Europe later this year. The dealer will handle installation and after-maintenance.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
All of this sounds promising, but how much will it cost? Considering a pair of Tesla Powerwalls will set you back around $15,000, it will be great if Mitsubishi bundles the DDH system at a lower price. As for the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer, it’s just a concept for now. It’s our best guess as to when we will see it on the market, if at all.
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.
Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/mitsubishi-engelberg-tourer-concept-a-glimpse-of-magnificence/

Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition: The ‘Blower’ Reimagined

Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition: The ‘Blower’ Reimagined The Continental GT Number 9 Edition pays homage to Bentley’s racing heritage.
Bespoke elements include a popular race car and aviation finish from the 1920s and ‘30s.
Mulliner will handcraft only 100 of the Number 9 Edition cars, making them a rare collector’s item.
Here’s a limited edition I can get behind: the Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner. That’s a bit long-winded, so I’ll go with the Number 9 Edition. True, it’s more of a grand tourer than an outright sports car, but it’s still plenty cool.
And plenty fast. And plenty comfortable.
Did I mention fast?
Love Potion #9
You don’t really think of Bentley as being a performance brand these days. Oh sure, they’ve got enough power to dust a bunch of cars on the road, but the public perception is one of luxury first, then performance. It was not always that way. Back in the 1920s and 30s, Bentley made serious sports cars. Sports cars you could drive to Le Mans, race, and win with. Sure, they were large and heavy and rather agricultural in their chassis design, but with a big enough engine and, more to the point, an even bigger blower bolted to that big engine, you can outrun the competition.
The Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition is a version of their Conti GT, which celebrates the company’s racing heritage. The big “9” on that lovely mesh grille harkens back to their victorious Le Mans racer, and is such a cool touch that it’s worth buying the car for that alone. While there is no denying the rich history, the Conti Number 9 is more than just a number spray-panted on the grille. A lot more.
The No.9 was the supercharged Bentley ‘Blower’ Sir Henry Ralph Stanley ‘Tim’ Birkin raced at the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours. He commissioned the production of a series of 4 ½ Litre Bentleys, powered by a supercharger developed with independent engineer Amherst Villiers. Power increased from around 110 bhp to 175 bhp with the supercharger installation. Photo: Bentley Motors.
Related: The quest for more power: the story of the ‘Blower’ Bentley.
Bespoke Body Work
For starters, this guy features a Mulliner body. Mulliner is one of those olde-school companies that used to build the bodies for cars back when you bought everything separate. They are very, very good at what they do and are also very, very British. For Bentley and Bentley buyers, nothing less than Mulliner would ever do my dear boy. Their roots date back to the 1500s and the creation of luxurious horse-drawn carriages. Mulliner showcased work on a Bentley chassis for the first time in 1923, exhibiting a two-seater Bentley at the Olympia Show in London, four years after Bentley Motors was founded.
Today, Bentley’s Mulliner team helps customers personalize their Bentley with bespoke themes, some of which are really elaborate.
The Number 9 Edition is also noticeable by No. 9 badge work throughout the car. The exterior colors are up to the customer: Viridian green or Beluga black. Now, the Beluga black is very nice and shows the lines ever so well, but England expects you to go with the Viridian green option. And if that’s not enough, W.O. expects it as well (and if I have to explain to you who W.O. is, then I will have to most strongly question your upbringing sir, most strongly!).
Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition. Photo: Bentley Motors.
Related: “To build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class.” The story of W.O. Bentley.
Turned Aluminum & Jaeger Clocks
On the inside you have the choice of Cumbrian Green or Beluga heritage hides, each with higher gloss levels applied to the seats, inner door panels, and other areas. There’s debossed ‘B’ logos on the headrests and door panels, just like they did on the original ‘Blower’ back in the day. The dashboard is uniquely crafted and features “Engine Spin” on the center console. Often known as “Turned Aluminium,” Engine Spin was a popular race car and aviation finish in the 1920s and ‘30s as it limited light reflection.
In yet another classy move referring back to the good old days, there’s an exclusive British Jaeger clock face in the center console. It’s inspired by the original ‘Blower’s’ dials and uses the same traditional manufacturing methods of race car dials from the vintage era.
Photo: Bentley Motors.
Slivers of History
Also – and this is one of the coolest moves I’ve seen a car company pull off in a very long time – the Continental GT’s Rotating Display features a wood insert from the seat of Sir Tim Birkin’s No. 9 Le Mans race car. This backlit piece is set in resin and situated in the middle of the center dial of the rotating display, and I am floored by the gracefulness and classiness of this move. You get a car and you get a piece of racing memorabilia. Bentley is only making 100 of these bad boys, and each will feature 18K gold-plated organ stops like those found in the original.
Power & Performance
As with the other Continentals in the line, the Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition is lighter, faster, and even more refined. Powered by the company’s W12 TSI engine, it hits 60 mph from a standstill in 3.6 seconds, topping out at 207 mph. No, you’re not going to confuse it with a Lotus Elise, but Land o’Goshen this guy hauls the mail!
All I can say is you better buy yours in Viridian green or you will deserve the slap The Queen of England will lay on you.
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: Bentley Motors.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/bentley-continental-gt-number-9-edition-the-blower-reimagined/

Porsche Introduces Augmented Reality For Dealership Technicians

Porsche Introduces Augmented Reality For Dealership Technicians

You know how virtual reality has been the next big thing that’s really, totally, for-sure going to happen within the next six months for the past 15 years? This ain’t that. This is augmented reality, which, in some ways, is more practical. Where as VR is totally immersive, augmented reality adds a layer of visual information on top of what your eyes can already see in the real world. So AR could add something as simple as scrolling text onto your visual field to something as complex as step by step instructions for the removal of a differential.
Visual Aids
You don’t have to be Kreskin to see where this could come in handy in, say, an auto shop or assembly plant. Porsche cottoned onto this possibility and are now rolling out a new AR system for dealerships. The intent is for real-time, remote assistance that appreciably improves efficiency and reduces service time.
The Porsche system, rather awkwardly dubbed “Tech Live Look,” uses the AiR Enterprise software platform from Atheer, Inc. Atheer (speaking of unwieldy handles) has been cranking out AR “solutions” for a while now. Like all AR stuff, the visuals are delivered into your eyeballs via lightweight smart glasses that feature the latest in projection technology. The high-tech specs come equipped with an LED light source to illuminate dark spaces in the engine compartment or under the car, and a high-resolution, auto focus camera that shows even small details, like the threading on screws. This allows someone on the other end of the glasses (say a more experienced service tech or a brain surgeon or something) to see what the wearer is doing and “talk them through” a procedure if they’re having trouble.
Tech Support
It would be really fun to play around with this. I am, by my own admission, a very, very bad mechanic. I can take things apart like Godzilla wading through downtown Tokyo, but putting things back together . . . that’s a much more iffy proposition. But if I were wearing a set of Tech Live Look glasses, then there could be someone on the other end talking me through the reassembly steps; “No. First the washer, then the cinch ring, then the spacer. That’s it. Now tighten it, but not all the way. We’re going to be coming back with a torque wrench in a bit.”
And, interestingly enough, that’s pretty much chapter and verse how Tech Live Look works in Porsche’s world. When a service tech at a dealership in, say, Los Angeles puts on their glasses and connects via the software to the Atlanta-based Porsche technical support team, it allows the Atlanta crew to see exactly what the mechanic is seeing in real-time. This, as you can imagine, allows both parties to rapidly recognize and resolve technical issues. Porsche says the new system can decrease service time by up to 40 percent. Snazzy!
Photo: Porsche Cars North America Inc.
Detailed Instruction
Tech Live Look also allows the technical support team to take screen shots or send bulletins and instructions onto the projection surface of the glasses while the service technician is working on the vehicle. Obviously this is far more efficient than sending emails and photos or explaining complex technical issues over the phone. It’s sort of like having a more experienced (and cool) mechanic looking over your shoulder, saying stuff like, “okay, you see the exploded view I just sent you? Right. That backing plate is on the other side of the case you’re taking apart right now. So when you get this all broken down, make sure you get that backing plate out too. You do not want to leave it in the case when you put everything back together. Trust me.”
And really, I kind of bristle at the use of the words “service technician.” It seems to lower what they are. Call them mechanics, please.
Fabulous Footnotes
Oh, and here’s an interesting little addendum that Porsche included with their press information on the new AR system: “At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.” Whoa, really? 30-thousand. That’s impressive. But if you think about it, Porsche has cranked out so many 911s, and such a large portion of them are raced on such a regular basis – and they are very fast if tricky to drive. So that 30,000 figure seems pretty accurate.
Not sure what that has to do with augmented reality equipped mechanics tearing into the transaxle of your 1978 911 Targa, but it is cool to know. The Tech Live Look system will officially launch in Porsche’s dealerships across North America next year.
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: Porsche Cars North America Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/porsche-introduces-augmented-reality-for-dealership-technicians/

Lamborghini Urus: Everything Wrong At Just The Right Time

Lamborghini Urus: Everything Wrong At Just The Right Time

Lamborghini’s new Urus SUV is a rolling testament to everything wrong with the automotive world. It’s overly big, half-ugly, ostensibly made for a job it will never do and could never complete, and sold to people with too much money and not enough taste. The new Lamborghini Urus is the exact wrong car but it’s hitting at the perfect time. It is a dead on bullseye for a market where luxury SUVs are all the rage.
$200,000. That, as you are no doubt wondering, is the price of Lamborghini’s Urus SUV. That is not cheap, by any stretch, but it is right within the price point for cars like the ones Lambo already makes.
I have no doubt they will sell every last Urus they make. Every last one.
Power & Performance
Sadly, there is no V12 sitting beneath the bonnet of the Urus. That would either be too much to hope for, or just so disgustingly excessive that even Lambo realized it would move us all one step closer to Le rasoir national. Nope, the Urus is propelled by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plant that puts out 650 horsepower and 627 lb-ft. torque, starting way down low at 2,250 rpm. Not at all bad. When you combine that with a curb weight of around 4,850 lbs. (mom says I’m not fat, just big boned) you get to 60 in 3.6 seconds, 124 in 12.8 seconds, and to a top speed of 190. Lamborghini says it’s one of the best power-to-weight ratios in the class.
Obviously, the Urus is the fastest SUV available. Until Porsche totally loses its schnitzel and makes a Cayenne with enough power to reach orbital velocities.
All that power is put to the tarmac (or gravel or sand) through an automatic eight-speed gearbox and a four-wheel drive and torque vectoring system. The transmission is an electro-hydraulically controlled planetary setup, with very short low gear ratios and longer high gears. Also in the drivetrain you’ll find a slip-controlled converter lock-up clutch and specially-developed torque converter.
The four-wheel drive system itself has a Torsen central self-locking differential, with a torque split of 40/60 to the independent front/rear axle as standard. Maximum torque of 70 percent to the front or 87 percent to the rear can be dialed up. The Urus also has active torque vectoring via the rear differential for additional steering control, less steering effort, higher cornering speeds, and a “more sporty drive.”
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Drive Modes & Off-Road Attributes
There are four driving modes: STRADA, TERRA (for off-road), SABBIA (for sand), and NEVE (for snow). In SPORT and CORSA modes, torque vectoring helps provide more oversteer. Lambo says the SABBIA mode is calibrated to “guarantee agility and precision on terrains with reduced grip such as on gravel or sand dunes, making it the ideal mode for off-road fun.” I won’t say anything further about that assertion. The Lamborghini Urus also has rear-wheel steering, seemingly using the same system found on the Aventador S. Since – let’s face it – this is a large, tall and heavy vehicle, anything that can tighten that turning radius has to be seen as a benefit.
The brakes are these big carbon ceramic jobs that clock in at 440 x 40 mm at the front and 370 x 30 mm at the back. The wheels, an important accessory when parking on Rodeo Drive, range from 21 to 23-inches and come fitted with an assortment of summer, winter, all-season, all-terrain, and sport tires specially developed by Pirelli. There is an optional Off-Road Package that includes specific metal-reinforced bumpers and additional under floor protection for “off-roading in the snow, forest or even dune surfing,” according to Lamborghini.
I’m sorry. I just shot Mountain Dew out of my nose I was laughing so hard at that one. Dune Surfing? You have got to be joking. I’d pay real money to see the footage of some knob-wad beaching his $200,000 “off-roader” in the sand.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.

Interior Treatments
The interior of the Lamborghini Urus is said to be quite practical and usable and comfortable. On the inside you get a “Unicolor” theme; leather trim comes in either Nero Ade or Grigio Octans (i.e. black or gray) with five additional, unspecified optional colors. The dashboard is finished in Piano Black and Brushed Aluminum with options like Open Pore wood included in combination with aluminum and carbon fiber.
The infotainment system promises a number of connectivity features while the Lamborghini Smartphone Interface is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. The LIS infotainment display is split across two screens: the upper screen for entertainment, media, navigation, telephone, and vehicle status; the lower screen for cliamte and seat heating functions. The lower screen also has a keyboard and supports hand written commands for inputting information.
There’s no mention of exterior colors, but I bet a dollar to a doughnut they will be as subtle and restrained as Lemmy Kilmister midway through his second bottle of Jack Daniels.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Availability
The new Lamborghini Urus hits dealers in the spring of 2018. Plan on seeing it in countless mediocre rap videos, driven by The Bad Guys in every third-rate Michael Bay movie, and poorly parked by their “bad boy” owners – no doubt the sons of hedge fund managers, Hollywood movie producers, and criminal defense attorneys – on country club lawns throughout our once green and pleasant land.
Below the gallery is a handy-dandy chart from Lamborghini with all (and I do mean all) of the technical deets.
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.
Lamborghini Urus Gallery

Lamborghini Urus Technical Data
CHASSIS AND BODY

Body and Frame
Integral lightweight body in aluminum composite design

Suspension Geometry
Multi-link front and rear

Suspension Type
Adaptive air suspension with electromechanical active roll stabilization

Brakes
Front and rear carbon ceramic

Calipers
Front aluminum 10 piston brake calipers:
21″ with radial fixing and pistons with phenolic insertRear cast iron floating 6 piston brake calipers:
19″ with integrated electric parking brake

Discs (front – rear)
Carbon ceramic discs
(Ø 440 x 40 mm – Ø 370 x 30 mm)

Steering
Steering gear with different servotronic characteristics and Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering (LRS), managed by the Tamburo drive modes
Steering Wheel Ratio
13.3:1
Steering Wheel Turns
Lock to Lock
2.29
Steering Wheel Diameter
376 mm
Tires (range)
Pirelli P Zero, Front: 285/45 R21 up to 285/35 R23
Rear: 315/40 R21 up to 325/30 R23
Wheels (range)
Front: 9,5Jx21″ up to 10Jx23″
Rear: 10,5Jx21″ up to 11,5Jx23″
Turning Circle
11.8 m
Airbags
Up to 8 Airbags
ENGINE

Type
Petrol V8, 90°
Displacement
3.996 ccm
Valve Per Cylinder
4
Valve Timing
Intake and exhaust camshaft adjusted continuously
Turbocharger
Bi-turbo twin-scroll
Maximum Power
650 hp (478 kW) at 6,000 rpm
Specific Power Output
162.7 hp/l

Maximum Torque
850 Nm at 2,250-4,500 rpm

Maximum RPM
6,800 rpm

DRIVETRAIN

Transmission
4WD with integrated front differential,
central differential (Torsen) and active
torque vectoring rear differential

Gearbox
8-speed automatic gearbox, characteristic depending on drive mode

PERFORMANCE

Top Speed
305 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h
[0-62 mph]
3.6 sec.

Acceleration 0-200 km/h
[0-124 mph]
12.8 sec.

Braking 100-0 km/h
[62-0 mph]
33,7 m

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

Wheelbase
3,003 mm

Overall Length
5,112 mm

Overall Width
(excluding mirrors)
2,016 mm

Overall Height
1,638 mm

Track (front – rear)
1,695 mm – 1,710 mm

Ground Clearance
158 mm – 248 mm (adjustable via air suspension)

Curb Weight
2,200 kg

Weight-to-Power Ratio
3.38 kg/hp

CAPACITIES

Fuel Tank
85 liters (75 liters U.S. Market)

Luggage Compartment
616 liters – 1,596 liters

CONSUMPTION

Combined Cycle
12,7 l/100 km

CO2 Emissions
290 g/km
Photos & Source: Automobili Lamborghini.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/lamborghini-urus-everything-wrong-at-just-the-right-time/

Cadillac Reveals Limited V-Series Championship Editions

Cadillac Reveals Limited V-Series Championship Editions

Cadillac recently introduced the V-Series Championship Editions at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Why? Because Caddy kicked some serious butt on the track in 2017, winning the IMSA Manufacturer, Driver, Team, and Endurance Championships. That’s why! The Cadillac V-Series Championship Editions include the 2018 ATS-V coupe and sedan, and the 2018 CTS-V super sedan. The special editions celebrate Cadillac’s first Manufacturer’s Championship for endurance racing.
And yeah, in a lot of ways, all this track-killer performance is done the old fashioned American way: More power. Lots more power.
Championship Treatments
The ATS-V and CTS-V Championship Editions are available in Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat. Also gracing the outside of the car are V-Performance graphics, located on the hood and rear spoiler, Red Obsession side-view mirror caps, red Brembo brake calipers, and special V-Series wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets. A unique DPi-V.R graphic is also found on the rear quarter window.
The inside of the Championship Edition Cadillacs feature a Morello Red detail package with Jet Black Recaro race-inspired seats, red front and rear door armrests, and Morello-accented, high-gloss carbon fiber trim. Other cool interior stuff includes the Performance Data Recorder with Cosworth Toolbox and next-generation Cadillac user experience. Of course, I have to point out that “Cosworth” and “Toolbox” are two words that kind of make me shiver and “next-generation Cadillac user experience” . . . man, I can’t even with that one.

Further Appointments
The 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Championship Edition includes your choice of the two aforementioned colors: Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat, and the aforementioned V-Performance graphics. You get a Serialized Certificate of Authenticity, which is simultaneously cool and cheesy. The Carbon Fiber Package gives you carbon fiber all over the place: front splitter, hood vent, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser. The included Luxury Package has tri-zone climate control, heated rear seats, power rear-window sunshade, manual rear side-window sunshades, and a 110-volt power outlet. You also get an “ultra-view” sunroof, which, I assume, allows you to view Ultras (whatever those are).
All 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Championship Editions include the exact same stuff as the CTS-V Championship Editions, so just read that paragraph above if you’re confused. We also have a chart below.
If you want, your ATS-V and CTS-V Championship Editions can include a Sueded microfiber steering wheel and shifter (yes, Caddy actually turned the noun suede into a frickin’ verb!), an Advanced Security Package, and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Photo: Cadillac.

Pricing & Availability
The Championship Edition ATS-V and CTS-V will begin arriving at select Cadillac dealers this month and will include tuition and accommodation at the two-day Cadillac V-Performance Academy at Spring Mountain (saWEET!). The ATS-V sedans start at $72,190 and coupes at $74,390. The 2018 CTS-V Championship Editions will start at a heady $105,730. Only 200 Championship Editions will be built so get in line now!
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 Cadillac CTS-V Championship Edition
Cadillac Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat exterior paint
Cadillac V-Performance graphic on hood and rear spoiler
Red Obsession mirror caps
Cadillac DPi-V.R graphic on quarter windows
Serialized Certificate of Authenticity (sent after retail delivery)
19” V-Series wheels in polished Alloy with Midnight Painted Pockets
Morello Red Package
Morello accented high gloss carbon fiber interior trim
Split-folding rear seats with Morello Red stitching

Carbon Fiber Package:
Carbon fiber front splitter
Carbon fiber hood vent
Carbon fiber rear spoiler
Carbon fiber rear diffuser

Luxury Package:
Tri-zone climate control
Heated rear outboard seating positions
Power rear-window sunshade
Manual rear side-window sunshades
110-volt power receptacle

Ultra-view sunroof
Red Brembo brake calipers
Recaro performance seats
2018 Cadillac ATS-V Championship Edition
Cadillac Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat exterior paint
Cadillac Performance graphic on hood and spoiler
Red Obsession mirror caps
DPi-V.R graphic on quarter window
Serialized certificate of authenticity
18” V-Series wheels – polished Alloy with Midnight Painted Pockets
Morello Red Package
Morello accented high gloss carbon fiber interior trim
Split-folding rear seats with Morello Red stitching

Carbon Fiber Package:
Carbon fiber front splitter
Carbon fiber hood vent
Carbon fiber rear spoiler
Carbon fiber rear diffuser

Sunroof
Red Brembo brake calipers
Recaro performance seats
Next generation Cadillac user experience
Photos & Source: Cadillac.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/cadillac-reveals-limited-v-series-championship-editions/