Automotive

Mercedes-Maybach To Debut In Geneva

Mercedes-Maybach To Debut In Geneva The Mercedes-Maybach will make its world debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, arriving as a cross between the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the automaker’s Maybach nameplate. From the teaser images, we see a new grille, two-tone paintwork, and a spacious back seat with an interactive monitor. The Mercedes-Maybach will likely be desired by the most affluent of buyers, and is as luxurious and elegant as one might expect.
Well Suited
Mercedes-Benz notes the “reinterpretation” of the radiator grille with its vertical struts. Interesting enough, the grille was inspired by a pinstriped suit and was first seen on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2016. That handsome pinstripe suit is complimented by the aforementioned two-tone exterior paint, which comes in nine different combinations. A double clear coat is available for dark colors, which Mercedes-Benz says creates a “brilliant surface finish with a piano lacquer effect and a special impression of depth.” Cool.
The Mercedes-Maybach will ride on 20-inch multi-spoke wheels with three designs to choose from.
Photo: MBUSA.
Interior Treatments
Occupants will draped in either an Armagnac Brown/Black or Savanna Beige/Black theme once settled inside. Nappa leather upholstery appointments can also be ordered with a choice of copper, gold, or platinum-colored stitch work. In a press release, Mercedes-Benz adds that “designo Magnolia flowing lines” is an option for a “newly available trim.” Okay. Sure. I’ll take it.
The Mercedes-Maybach’s length is 215 inches and its wheelbase 132.5 inches, besting the long-wheelbase S-Class Sedan by nearly 10 inches in both dimensions. This means passengers will have more room to get comfortable for those long trips.

Power & Performance
There are two versions of the Mercedes-Maybach: the Maybach S 560 4MATIC and Maybach S 650. The first comes with a 463 horsepower V8 that hits 60 in 4.8 seconds; torque is a healthy 516 lb-ft. By contrast, the Maybach S 650 has a twelve-banger that pumps out 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft. of torque. It launches to 60 in 4.6 seconds.

Pricing & Availability
The Mercedes-Maybach will make its world debut on March 6th at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Expect to see it on sale in the United States late this summer. Pricing has not been announced at this time. Since the Maybach launched in February 2015, over 25,000 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class models have already been sold. Top markets include China, Russia, and the United States.
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 & Source: MBUSA.

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This Denmark-Based Watch Company Is Giving Old Mustangs New Life

This Denmark-Based Watch Company Is Giving Old Mustangs New Life Christian Mygh and Jonathan Kamstrup give new meaning to the term “second-hand.” The duo has gathered parts from different classic Ford Mustangs, and turned them into rare, handmade watches. Mygh and Kamstrup visited salvage yards all over the world to find the Mustangs, but they say it’s about more than old car parts.
“Most people would just see a pile of metal, a ghost of a Mustang,” Mygh explained. “We see something completely different – the soul of a car and a story that needs to be told.”
Recovering & Recycling
Mygh and Kamstrup launched REC Watches in 2014 in Denmark, describing it as a “small and independent watch company.” The name “REC” represents the company’s concept of recovering, recycling, and reclaiming and is a play on the pronunciation of the word “wreck.” They even put a little humor into their work, joking on their FAQ page they believe customers prefer to do something else rather than read through the entire list of questions. Although, according to the FAQ section, the company can make anywhere from 400 to 800 watches from a given car.
Salvaged Ford Mustangs are transformed into unique timepieces by REC Watches. Photo: Ford Motor Company, REC Watches.
Inspired Design
The unique identity of each individual watch remains a central them in Mygh and Kamstrup’s work. In addition to collecting the parts, the pair seeks out the history of each vehicle, talking to the owners, and collecting photos and stories of the car for a special video. Each watch incorporates the vehicle’s original identification number, production year, and various classic Mustang design elements. The power dial, which resembles a fuel gauge, shows remaining battery life; the hands, date, and dial numbers are all inspired by the Mustang’s interior. On one trip to Sweden, Mygh and Kamstrup happened across a rare 1966 Raven Black, which later became their P51-04 collection of 250 watches.
“I’m not cutting up Mustangs,” Mygh said. “I’m bringing Mustangs that are beyond repair back to life as a watch.”
Pricing & Availability
The unique timepieces begin around $1,500 and are one of a kind, given how they are made. The watches are available now through the company’s website. With the holidays here, we think something like this would make an amazing Christmas gift for the car enthusiast in your life.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Mustang REC Watches Gallery

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company, REC Watches.

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2018 Honda Odyssey Elite Review

2018 Honda Odyssey Elite Review
The new Honda Odyssey is designed for families and definitely with parents in mind. Odyssey engineers must have asked families what they wanted because the eight-passenger minivan has been thought out extremely well. Honda has answered the award-winning Chrysler Pacifica by upping its game with the Odyssey, and loading it with features moms and dads will thank them for
This week, we drove the top-of-the-line, 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite.
What’s New For 2018
Honda Odyssey has been completely redesigned for 2018 with a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, a quieter cabin, and loads of family-friendly features. New features include a sliding rear seat with a removable middle section and removable outboard seats that slide sideways as well as forward or back. Remove the middle seat, and it’s like having captain’s chairs.
There’s a new 4G LTE WiFi hotspot that can drive the rear entertainment system. There is a wireless charging pad for smartphones, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moms especially will love the new optional feature that allows parents to watch their kids on the big screen on the dash, zooming in with infrared vision. There’s no hiding in the back, hitting your brother or sister, undetected.
Standard Features
The 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite ($46,670) comes standard with leather upholstery, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, sunroof, and power liftgate. It features navigation with voice recognition, a Blu-Ray rear entertainment system with wireless headphones, 115-volt power outlet, and Honda’s CabinTalk system that allows the driver to talk to all passengers through the speakers or headphones.
Odyssey Elite gets the new 10-speed automatic transmission, stop/start technology, the aforementioned CabinWatch feature that points a camera at any seat, an in-vehicle vacuum cleaner, third-row sunshades, a hands-free power tailgate, LED headlights, LED fog lights, and front and rear parking sensors.
The Elite trim upgrade goes further with an 11-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, ambient lighting, gloss black interior trim, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding exterior mirrors, and 19-inch wheels. Total MSRP including destination: $47,610.

Interior Highlights
You’ll want to spend lots of time in this cabin. The Odyssey comes with softer materials, new stain-resistant leather, a big functional center console with two main storage areas, one of them deep and the other wide and flat. The best news is the CabinWatch feature on the screen showing a running video feed of the rear seats, so parents can literally watch everything going on in the second and third rows. It’s even infrared, and you can zoom in, so kids watch out!
CabinWatch works with CabinTalk, which plays the driver’s voice over the sound system and directly into the headphones. Kids won’t be able to get away with anything! Family trips just got much more enjoyable for mom and dad.
The new Odyssey also gets a re-engineered Magic Slide seating system with removable second row seats. The middle seat can be removed to create captain’s chairs, and an easier path to the third row. The two outside seats slide up, back, left or right; and they can be pushed together to create one large seat.
If you need a large cargo area, the rear seats can be removed completely, although they do weigh 70 lbs. each if you want to get them out. With the seats removed, it offers up a massive 144.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Behind the second row, with the third row folded flat, there’s 86.6 cubic feet. Behind the third row there’s 32.8 cubic feet of space; the third row can fit an average adult. Families can custom-configure the minivan for each trip, project or adventure.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Odyssey’s 3.5-liter V6 engine has been completely redesigned for 2018. It produces 280 horsepower and comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. It also comes with an idle stop feature to save gas. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19/28 city/highway and 22 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
All you need for power will be at your disposal with the new Odyssey. The 3.5-liter V6 has enough power for all driving situations and the 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly and responsively, and uses all 10 gears seamlessly. The Odyssey handles like a minivan but it still gives the driver a feeling of control and confidence. What we didn’t like was the lane departure warning – it would flash the “Steering Needed” sign on the dash when we were driving around mountain corners at highway speeds.
Visibility from the driver’s seat is good with the big greenhouse windows. The sun shades in all rear windows keep the sun out for a more comfortable ride for rear passengers too. Overall, the Odyssey offers a smooth ride and the cabin is more quiet than the outgoing model. It’s a place you and the kids won’t mind spending lots of time, especially if you have a long upcoming trip planned.
Conclusion
The all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey is an eight-passenger minivan with class-leading power, space, technology, comfort, handling, and fuel efficiency. With its standard 60/40 folding third row and many safety features, it leads the minivan class for families.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Honda Odyssey Gallery

2018 Honda Odyssey Official Site.
Photos: Honda North America.

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2020 Lincoln Corsair: The Skull & Bones Clubhouse On Wheels

2020 Lincoln Corsair: The Skull & Bones Clubhouse On Wheels The 2020 Lincoln Corsair looks quite promising, with strong levels of performance and luxury.
As the market shifts away from sedans, Lincoln is looking to capitalize on new consumer tastes.
“Lincoln now has a full family of SUVs to exceed the needs of our clients,” says the brand’s president.
Lincoln rolled out a new SUV, the Corsair, at the 2019 New International York Auto Show. And this just might be the one that saves Lincoln. Lord knows it won’t be another cool sedan, which is all Lincoln used to make. And the sad fact of the matter is that no one is buying sedans today, even if they’re as cool as can be. In fact, Ford remains confident their decision to shift away from sedans in their product line was the right move. Hence, we will see more SUVs from Dearborn, the latest being the 2020 Lincoln Corsair.
“P” Is For Presence
Look, I’m a sports car guy. I make no bones about that and I make no apologies for it. But there is something to be said for big, imposing sedans. Something with capital “P” Presence to burn. Something like a 1962 Lincoln Continental, for instance. You pull up to the curb in one of those, and buddy, you know you’ve arrived. But, like I said, people aren’t into sedans any more. People are into SUVs. I get that. Practicality, blah-blah-blah. Usability yadda-yadda-yadda. Whatever. It’s your dollars making the payments and it’s your butt in the seat, so it’s your choice.
However, Lincoln found themselves in a bit of a conundrum. If all they had to do was make sedans with more than enough power and comfort (and capital “P” Presence), easy-peasy, job done. But, try as they might, they couldn’t make that work. And so Lincoln teeters on the brink of doom (for decades now) trying to convince people to buy sedans. Well, they finally cottoned to what was what, and voila, we now have the 2020 Lincoln Corsair to consider.
And it is very worth considering.
2020 Lincoln Corsair. Photo: Lincoln Motor Company.
Related: Automakers are trying to win over Generation Z with smaller SUVs.
Defender of the Skies
For starters: Great name. Corsair. It’s either taken from sort-of-bad-guy pirates or (my belief) one of the nastiest fighter planes of the Second World War. Next, it’s got capital “P” Presence. It doesn’t have the hulking mass of its bigger brother, the Navigator, but it’s hard to miss and ignore. Also, that roll out color? Perfect! A darkened blue that looks like an used gun barrel. That’ll make ’em pay attention!
“Entering the fastest-growing luxury segment, the all-new Corsair is artistically crafted, expertly designed and infused with our unwavering attention and commitment to detail; it’s unapologetically Lincoln,” said Joy Falotico, Lincoln Motor Company President.
Lincoln calls the Corsair a luxury SUV, which is exactly what it is. You will never, ever see a Corsair at the end of 12 miles of bad road picking up a bunch of muddy, greasy lumberjacks done with another long day of work. The Corsair is an SUV, but it’s not that kind of SUV. There’s a bit in the Lincoln press materials about the Corsair titled “sanctuary for the senses” and that pretty much defines what it’s like on the inside. Imagine if the Skull & Bones clubhouse was on wheels, and you pretty much got it.
The seats are 24-way adjustable, have massage capability, and additional lumbar support for drivers and front passengers. The second-row passengers get tons of legroom, thanks to the sliding seats that offer up to six inches of travel; and a 60/40 fold-flat or split-bench option. Lincoln says the Corsair offers more legroom in the second row than larger SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Tesla Model X.
2020 Lincoln Corsair interior layout. Photo: Lincoln Motor Company.
Pin Drop
“Quietness is paramount for Corsair,” Lincoln says. And they get there by the most elaborate means imaginable. The dashboard is a dual-wall design, isolating you from the engine compartment and its troublesome noise. That’s not enough though. Rather than normal buzzers, there are six unique symphonic chimes that inform you of everything from an open fuel door to an unbuckled seat belt. The chimes were recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. No. Really. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
The stereo is a specially-tuned Revel system specific to each individual Corsair. In other words, the placement, tuning, calibration, and number of speakers is unique to each vehicle. Wireless charging for your mobile devices? Of course! (no unsightly wires). There are multiple power outlets throughout and Wi-Fi comes standard. Integrated SYNC 3 technology of course (this is a Ford product, after all) with AppLink. Drivers can access their apps from an available eight-inch touchscreen. Nice!
Keys? Not with the Corsair. Now your smartphone is your key. You can remotely start and unlock your Corsair; open the rear liftgate, and trigger a personal profile that automatically adjusts up to 80 features to your preferences.
Photo: Lincoln Motor Company.
Related: An inside look at the new Lincoln Aviator.
Safety & Security
Standard driver-assist features include Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and Pedestrian Detection; Blind Spot Information System, Lane-Keeping System, rear backup camera, and and auto high-beams. If you’d like, there’s also adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist. Evasive steer assist offers assistance to the driver to help avoid a collision with a slower or stopped vehicle. Reverse brake assist can help you stop if the rear sensors detect an obstacle behind you. Active Park Assist Plus even parks the beast for you.
Power & Performance
Power, oh, it’ll have enough of that. The 2020 Lincoln Corsair comes with your choice of two turbo four-cylinder engines. The standard 2.0-liter plant puts out 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft. of torque, while the 2.3-liter mill packs 280 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. of torque. Both are hooked up to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel drive system switches between front- and all-wheel drive, depending on road and weather conditions.
Powertrain performance can be further customized by using one of five drive modes: Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Conserve.
Photo: Lincoln Motor Company.
Serious Contender
But the real bottom line here is how the new Corsair is a serious choice for people with serious money to spend. And that means Lincoln just might make it back from that brink. Which is fine with me. Expect the 2020 Lincoln Corsair in dealerships this fall.
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.
2020 Lincoln Corsair Gallery

Photos & Source: Lincoln Motor Company.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS: Inside The S-Class of SUVs

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS: Inside The S-Class of SUVs The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS is the brand’s most luxurious SUV.
It’s bigger inside for 2020 to give passengers more comfort and space.
An available powertrain combination produces over 500 lb-ft. of torque.
SUVs are, or at least started out, as barely civilized work trucks designed to haul people and their stuff from point A to B no matter the road conditions. Over time, people wanted a less truck-like demeanor and more car-like comfort. Which leads us directly to this, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS.
The title just about says it all, doesn’t it? The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS is big, safe, and loaded with everything a driver or passenger could want. Sounds like an S-Class, no? It’s like an S-Class, only shaped like a big friggin’ box with all the subtly and styling of a half-track.
For me, that’s a good thing. I like my SUVs devoid of pretense.
Space & Comfort
Mercedes-Benz goes in a different direction with the GLS, stating right up front how it’s the “largest and most luxurious SUV” in their lineup. Further, the Germans say the new GLS is about offering more: more space, more comfort, and more luxury. For 2020, the GLS is 2.4-inches (60 mm) longer, wheelbase-wise, so the interior is more spacious, especially for second-row passengers. For example, legroom here is increased by 3.4 inches when the seats are in their rearmost position, which also makes it easier to jump in.
There are three, fully-electric and adjustable seat rows so all passengers get a generous amount of space and comfort. The third-row seats can lower into the floor to increase the trunk space, while the second-row seats fold flat. In other words, you’ve got tons of space for stuff if you need it, and when you don’t need it, you’ve got lots of space for people.
Speaking of space for people, there is a six-seater variant of the GLS that has two luxurious captain’s chairs for the second row, a first for 2020.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS interior layout. Photo: MBUSA.
Executive Treatments
There’s an Executive Rear Seat Package with a separate seven-inch Android tablet for controlling the comfort and entertainment functions from the rear. It is even possible to order a lumbar massage function for the rear seats. HVAC? Shut up and get out! Five-zone automatic climate control for the rear seats, each set by the tablet. Also standard is the Easy-Entry function for getting into and out of the third-row seats (meaning all of the rear seats simply move forward and/or fold down via a button).
The center console also offers a wireless charging compartment for smartphones and additional USB ports.
But that’s just the start of everything the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS packs.
Photo: MBUSA.
Between Gas & Hybrid
Also hitting the road for the first time in 2020 is the GLS 580 4MATIC. This big-block V8 variant has Mercedes’ EQ Boost system, a 48-volt on-board electrical setup with an integrated starter generator. Running the higher 48-volt setup allows for, in this instance, what would be a normal starter as a generator; and as a continually-available power source. This EQ Boost system sort of halves the way between hybrids and gas engines. It’s pretty clever.
By comparison, the GLS 450 4MATIC comes with a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, also with EQ Boost. But c’mon, you’re going to go for the 580!
The V8 gasoline engine with the 48-volt, on-board electrical system and starter generator creates 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque; with a further 184 lb-ft. of torque and 21 horsepower available via the EQ Boost over short periods. By comparison, the six-cylinder with the same 48-volt technology produces 362 horsepower and and 369 lb-ft. of torque; with a further 184 lb-ft. of torque and an extra 21 horsepower available via the EQ Boost over short periods.
All variants of the new GLS feature a nine-speed automatic. The electronically-controlled, multi-plate clutch transfer case allows for a “variable transfer of drive torque” from zero to 100 percent (torque on demand) between the axles.
The transfer case features a reduction gear for off-road driving. Photo: MBUSA.
Handling & Aerodynamics
The new GLS also features Mercedes’ sophisticated E-Active Body Control, an active suspension system paired with the aforementioned 48-volt technology. The result is a more comfortable ride and agile handling, and a higher degree of off-road capability. For example, the off-road functions on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS include a “rocking mode.” Say your new GLS has become bogged down in the sand because you were out catching the waves. Well, the suspension level will automatically raise and lower several times, changing the ground pressure of the tires to improve traction. This, according to Mercedes-Benz, helps the GLS “rock itself free.”
Furthermore, Mercedes says the GLS has impressive aerodynamics with a Cd of 0.32. They’re right, that is impressive, for something that’s shaped like the crate it’s shipped in. With regard to aerodynamics, special attention was paid to the underbody and the air flowing through the engine compartment because of the vehicle’s shape. With the GLS, engineers had to address the more upright front end and higher ground clearance when it came to air flow. Ultimately, the new GLS was subjected numerous computation loops, CAE simulations, and wind tunnel measurements in Sindelfingen, Germany.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS. Photo: MBUSA.
At The Car Wash
Oh, and get this: there’s a new Carwash function. Push a button and “woosh,” the mirrors retract, the side windows and sunroof close; the climate control goes to air-recirculation mode, and the 360 camera shows what’s directly ahead so you have an easier time getting into the wash. All that stuff you would normally do with several steps is now done with a single button. Ain’t life grand?
Manufacturing & Availability
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS will go on sale in the U.S. by the end of the year, with production taking place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Look, I’m not usually one to advocate for this sort of thing but if (and this is a big if); you’re rich and have a large family, it sure sounds like the new GLS is the ride for 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.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 Coupe 2008 Aston Martin Vantage V8 Coupe

$37,500.00
End Date: Wednesday Apr-24-2019 12:55:27 PDT
Buy It Now for only: $37,500.00
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2018 Eclipse Cross: The New Mitsubishi Eclipse

2018 Eclipse Cross: The New Mitsubishi Eclipse I’ll confess two things right up front: One, I keep forgetting Mitsubishi is still selling cars in America, and two: this is what the Eclipse has tuned into? This? The Eclipse used to be a sport coupe with a killer all-wheel drive setup. Then it turned into a more (and more) watered down version of itself; a copy of a copy of a copy.
And that was sad, but now it’s this thing. Sigh.
Waxing Poetics
This is yet another SUV/crossover/thingo which, yeah, makes a certain amount of sense, but not that much sense. Mitsubishi is particularly unrepentant about how it took the name from a (close to a) sports car and slapped it onto what-might-as-well-be-a-station-wagon: “The Eclipse sports car was one of Mitsubishi’s best-selling and iconic vehicles ever. Now, the Eclipse moniker is making its jubilant comeback with the same reputation for driving dynamics and technology in the form of a CUV.” [Gag, gag, ga-ag!!]
What the Eclipse Cross offers, sadly for the marketing outlook, is rather standard faire. Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Cross has coupe-like styling, which is kind of true. When I first saw the pictures, it reminded me of a better looking Pontiac Aztek, but I’ve decided not to mention that, since even that is just too low of a blow to make. Mitsubishi also says it has the look of an Olympic runner in the “get set” position, and that this view is “highly anticipatory, and such is the emotion while looking at the Eclipse Cross.” Seriously. They said that. No, what we’ve got here is a basic two-box shape with a slightly squashed tumblehome, and a rear that looks like it’s been kicked by a giant.
Sure, it has all the Mitsubishi styling cues found on its corporate siblings like a common grille design, which Mitsubishi insists on calling “Dynamic Shield.” It’s not bad looking, but it is rather generic, which can be bad for a floundering car company trying to distinguish itself. Mitsubishi also came up with a new color for the Eclipse Cross: Red Diamond. It’s not just a new color, but a newly developed painting process that creates high intensity and brightness they say. It seems like a nice finish, and you’ll most likely see it on other Mitsubishi products.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross features a standard 1.5-liter direct-injected turbo engine. Mitsubishi always made good engines, even if they couldn’t keep the variant count low. Yes, getting specific in the engine room does improve performance and allows power customization. But if you shy away from commonality, the part costs go way up.
The 1.5-liter turbo mill puts out 152 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 lb-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm, and is said to return greater fuel economy than the other corporate engines of this size. Mitsubishi is contradictory, however, saying the plant’s maximum torque is achieved at just 2,000 rpm, but, spec-wise, what we’re dealing with is a torque curve 2,000 rpm wide. Like seemingly all Mitsubishi vehicles, keep the engine spinning, and you’ll have fun. Mitsubishi has also added sodium filled exhaust valves to maximize performance.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
All-Wheel Drive Tech
Of course the power and torque is sent to the pavement via an all-wheel drive system of considerable potency. Mitsubishi calls their system Super All-Wheel Control, which is a bit much, but also pretty close to true. Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC, is cleverly integrated with the vehicle dynamics control system to monitor each component of the 4WD system, Active Stability Control, ABS, and Active Yaw Control. This is so the torque sent to the rear wheels is manipulated for optimal traction and performance. S-AWC has an advanced sensor monitoring system for the steering angles, wheel speed, engine torque, gear ratios, yaw rate, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and brake pressure. All this is put under your control through three different modes: auto, snow, gravel.
So Mitsubishi still has that going for it, and their knowledge of all-wheel drive systems allowed Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki to beat the rally opposition four years running. Thankfully, that ability is still found in Mitsubishi’s products, even in CUVs.
Safety & Connectivity
Naturally there is a buffet of tech and safety stuff contained on-board. There’s a 7-inch monitor on the dash that controls the audio system and connects to your smartphone (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, of course). A full-color heads-up display provides the driver with real-time vehicle information like speed, cruise control settings, forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, and paddle shift gear position. The Eclipse Cross also comes with Mitsubishi Connect, which includes everything from a Telematics Control Unit, a 4G LTE cellular modem, and a GPS system.
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
When and how much? The 2018 Eclipse Cross arrives in March and starts at $23,295 for the base ES model. Other trim levels include the LE, SE, and SEL, but no pricing information was given for those. The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross sounds like it will do what it’s advertised to do; whether you want it to is, uh, up to you. Personally it’s not my cup of tea. I’d much rather have an Evo or something like that, but hey, it’s your garage.
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 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Gallery

Photos & Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

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2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Review

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Review
Sedans are losing their appeal in America as SUVs and crossovers take a lion’s share of the market, but this sedan will get you to look twice. The 2018 Toyota Camry has received a complete makeover and it’s a good one. Camry needed a redesign and Toyota engineers excelled with the popular sedan, with new styling inside and out, and improvements to bump up fuel efficiency. If you don’t need a lot of cargo-carrying room, this newly-redesigned sedan will save you boatloads of money at the pump.
We recently drove the all-new 2018 Camry Hybrid XLE.
What’s New For 2018
Toyota Camry gets a complete redesign and the Hybrid gets an updated version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Various tweaks provide an improvement in fuel economy and a slight increase in power. The 2018 Camry Hybrid also gets a new suspension, giving it a smoother ride over uneven pavement.
Standard Features
The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE ($32,250) comes standard with automatic LED headlights, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat (with power lumbar adjustment), heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, a rearview camera, lane departure warning and mitigation, and Toyota’s Entune Audio interface. Entune Audio includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, voice controls, a USB port, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The XLE Hybrid also gets unique 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, wireless smartphone charging, a heads-up driver display, two extra USB ports, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and heated exterior mirrors.
Optional Features
This Hybrid tester came with the optional Driver’s Assist Package ($1,050), which included the Bird’s Eye View Camera, Power/Tilt Moonroof ($845), Upgraded Audio Package ($1,800), and Adaptive Headlights ($415). Total MSRP including destination: $37,255.

Interior Highlights
The Camry’s interior is all-new and trimmed with quality materials, making for nice improvements when compared to the outgoing model. The fit and finish is on par with what we’d expect from Toyota. The cabin has a more premium feel and is more stylish like the outside, thanks to the use of softer touch materials and more attractive colors. The touchscreen has been updated with a 7-inch version of Toyota’s Entune interface as well, although it’s not the most user-friendly system.
Hybrid models get comfortable, heated leather-trimmed seats with 8-way power adjustments, so any size driver can find the perfect position. The cabin feels light and airy, and there’s lots of head, shoulder, and elbow room for driver’s to get comfortable. Front and rear passengers have ample space around them, and rear passengers won’t feel encroached on if the front seat is all the way back.
For a sedan, we felt visibility in almost every direction was quite good from the driver’s seat. Mirrors, both inside and out, are appropriately sized, and blind spots are kept to a minimum. The standard rearview camera helped us see shoppers who were too busy to slow down as we backed out of the shopping mall lot on Black Friday.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid gets an updated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with the brand’s latest hybrid system with two motors. It develops 176 horsepower alone and 208 horsepower with the hybrid’s additional net power. XLE hybrids use the nickel-metal-hydride batteries to achieve 46 combined mpg, with an EPA-estimated 44/47 city/highway mpg.
Driving Dynamics
You won’t buy the Camry Hybrid for its driving dynamics, but you will want it for its excellent fuel mileage. We pushed the hybrid hard in the mountains while driving west of Denver and achieved 41.3 mpg through the higher altitudes. We were also impressed with hybrid’s power and torque, which propelled us up the mountain roads without issue. We don’t particularly like the continuously variable transmission that revs up as you press the pedal down, but passing and merging with traffic was never a concern
On the flats, and even at medium speeds on the highway, the batteries allow the car to run in electric-only mode quite frequently. When driving slowly through parking lots for example, the vehicle will use strictly battery power. We hardly noticed the transition from the electric mode to when the gas engine took over. The Camry Hybrid isn’t the fastest sedan, it’s just smooth and quiet, and it offers up a comfortable commute as a result. In the mountain curves, body roll isn’t excessive, and on dirt roads leading to our house, the sedan soaked up the bumps with ease. The XLE’s standard heads-up display was a pleasant addition, making it easy to keep our attention on the road.
Conclusion
The best reason to check out the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid is the excellent fuel mileage. You’ll save money at the pump and it’s a pleasingly comfortable commuter. If you want more luxury, the XLE is the model to get with heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, and extra safety features.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Gallery

2018 Toyota Camry Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
*LE and SE models also shown.

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First-Ever BMW i8 Roadster Revealed

First-Ever BMW i8 Roadster Revealed Hey, BMW actually went and made a convertible version of their i8! That’s . . . that’s actually kind of cool! The i8, although not everything it’s cracked up to be, is a very interesting idea, and (thankfully) points to a green way forward that is not slow, dowdy, hair-shirted, and boring. Look: I know, you know, and anybody with half a brain knows that we are going to be driving electric cars, or some sort of hybrid car in the future. And I’ve said this countless times: if car manufacturers can make something like a Tesla Roadster in a Miata-like package and sell it inexpensively, the world will beat a path to that automaker’s door.
And BMW might be showing us the way forward.
Efficient Setup
The BMW i8, the first generation or this current iteration, are not the answer I just described. They’re not exactly cheap nor are they really sports cars. What they are though, is a good indication of how a car company can move forward with various and sundry green initiatives and still have cars that are fun to drive and, you know, behave like the cars we already enjoy. The i8 uses a fairly complex layout of batteries and electric motors and a small, gas-fueled engine. The engine is there to provide forward momentum to the rear wheels only and to charge the batteries. The idea is that you drive around on EV power as much as you can, but if you start to run out of juice, the engine kicks in, charges the EV system, and you’ve still got motive power as long as there’s gas in the tank. You can drive around town as an EV, then take off for the hinterlands hundreds of miles away, and not worry about range.
Open Air Excitement
The most important thing about the 2019 BMW i8 is how you can now get it in a drop-top convertible. Although this is not a targa or some slight of hand like, the i8 Roadster does have those silly humps and roll over structure deals behind the passenger compartment. It’s one of those lawyer things; I don’t really care for them in general and I think they kind of ruin the lines here. The lines of the BMW i8 are, well, they are still unconventional. It’s not a bad looking car, per se, it just seems BMW went out of their way to make it look futuristic, but kind of missed on the overall style. Still, it’s not a terrible looking car.
Bucking the ongoing trend of folding hard tops, the i8 Roadster goes with an all-season fabric soft-top with additional soundproofing baked in. The top, which is electrically operated, can be opened or closed in less than 16 seconds and while the vehicle is in motion up to 31 mph, a flashy but cool thing to do. BMW says the i8 Roadster’s top stows away in a perpendicular position, and honestly, I’m trying to picture what they mean by this. I guess the best I can do is trust that it goes back there somewhere and that everything will be okay.
There’s also some fancy colors and trim options. Specifically, we’ve got E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic added to the palette. We have new versions of the standard 20-inch BMW alloy wheels in a radial-spoke style bicolor design with a Jet Black theme as an option.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Power & Performance
BMW, never one to not over-label things, calls the drivetrain package “BMW eDrive technology, BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.” Sure, whatever. What that basically means is the internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid-specific all-wheel drive system work in concert as a squadron of computers see fit, so all you have to do is mash on the “gas” pedal, and down the Straße you go.
What it means in more detail is that the i8’s TwinPower Turbo plant is a 1,499 cc three-cylinder gasoline engine, that on its own puts out 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque. The engine’s power is delivered to the rear wheels only via a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The electric motor takes care of the front wheels through a two-speed automatic gearbox. Why the Bavarians threw a gearbox in there is beyond me, but there it is.
The lithium-ion battery pack has greater battery cell capacity, going up from 20 to 34 ampere hours; gross energy capacity improves from 7.1 to 11.6 kilowatt hours. Since the batteries now hold more juice, the extra energy reserves increase the electric motor’s peak output by 12 horsepower to 141 horsepower. And of course, all of the electric torque (184 lb-ft.) is available from a standstill. All this adds up to an electric only range of 18 miles, 30 percent more than before. Ergo, if you add the electric torque and power from the front wheels with the engine power heading to the rear, you get a car that really goes, turns, and stops like a BMW should. 60 mph comes up in 4.4 seconds for the BMW i8 Roadster while the top end is electronically limited at 155 mph. Boo! Hisssss! How do we take the limiters off?
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Pricing & Availability
Sadly, no word from BMW on price or availability. The first generation i8s weren’t cheap, but they weren’t all that crazy expensive either. Is it worth it? That’s up to you to decide. If the roadster isn’t your thing, a coupe option is available as well. The charts below explain the high points of each car. The i8 is a pretty good answer on how we move forward without wrecking the planet any more than we already have. And besides, if BMW can work the kinks out of the drivetrain in this car, imagine what they could do with it in other cars.
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, Charts, & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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