Automotive

The new Ford GT specs are out and it's officially the fastest Ford ever made

The 2018 Ford GT is capable of 216 mph and can lap the Nürburgring faster than a McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 458 Speciale.

What’s going on?

Way back in 2015, Ford did the unthinkable and surprised the world with the reveal of the all-new GT supercar at the Detroit Auto Show. Since then, everyone new it was going to be something special.

But believe it or not, two years have passed since the GT was revealed. Now, Ford finally published the car’s official factory numbers. And it’s batshit-insane fast.

For starters, how does, SAE-certified, 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque sound?

That sounds great. What does that translate to?

Well, that power comes thanks to an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6, which we already knew. Despite the deficit by two cylinders from the last Ford GT, the new model produces a whopping 97hp and 50 lb-ft of twist more than the supercharged V8 model. Not only does the power increase, the top speed does as well, at 216 miles per hour, compared to the last car’s 205. That makes it the fastest production Ford ever produced.

The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is mated strictly to an all-new seven-speed dual-clutch PowerShift transmission.

Straight-line performance isn’t the only thing making the new Ford GT fast.

Thanks to the new Ford GT’s clever active aerodynamics systems on the body, the new Ford GT laps the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife faster than a McLaren 675LT and the Ferrari 458 Speciale. The active systems consist of various moving air flaps placed throughout the body to actively channel air, all in the name of speed.

Specifically, the GT did it in just 2:09.8 minutes while the McLaren managed 2:10.8 and the Ferrari was interestingly at the bottom, at 2:12.9. They’re not going to be happy about that.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Ford

The post The new Ford GT specs are out and it’s officially the fastest Ford ever made appeared first on egmCarTech.

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2017 Ford GT: Fastest Ford On Record

The 2017 Ford GT is the fastest production vehicle the blue oval has ever produced. At the heart of the GT is Ford’s most powerful EcoBoost yet, and an advanced, active suspension system.

A precise power-to-weight formula is also ingrained through the car.

The combination propels the 2017 Ford GT to a top speed of 216 mph, making it an absolute nightmare on the track for competitors. Typical to Ford’s strong racing heritage, and fresh off a historic victory at LeMans, the new GT comes ready for the track.

In 2016 development testing, Ford topped the McLaren 675LT at Calabogie Motorsports Park in Canada. They also ousted Ferrari, their long-standing rival, by beating out the 458 Speciale on the same track.

Each car received fresh fluids and tires and the optimal suspension configurations were set. The same driver was behind the wheel and the conditions were identical. The 2017 Ford GT recorded a lap time of 2:09.8, a second faster than the McLaren 675LT at 2:10.8. The Ferrari 458 Speciale, by compassion, ran 2:12.9.

Potent Performance

Ford’s new high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost for the GT is SAE-rated at 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft. of torque. The engine’s wide powerband produces 90 percent of its peak torque from 3,500 rpm. The EcoBoost is assisted by a fully active dynamics system, providing the GT with optimum downforce, drag, and balance at any speed.

“Our expectation has always been that the EcoBoost V6 would perform exceptionally well in the Ford GT – both in terms of power as well as aerodynamic efficiency,” said Dave Pericak, Global Director, Ford Performance.

The Ford GT’s dry weight is just over 3,000 pounds, making for a power-to-weight ratio of 4.72 pounds/horsepower. The GT’s carbon fiber architecture helped drop weight, although some of that weight was reinvested back into the car to increase performance, seen most notably with the active dynamics system.

“We are extremely pleased with how it performs, both on the track and on the road,” Pericak said.

The Ford GT raced to class wins at Le Mans and numerous other tracks in both IMSA and WEC last season. The production Ford GT resembles the high-performance track version a great deal, which means the end customer will definitely have an exciting car.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

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2017 Kia Niro: A lot To Like, Especially Price

Kia, the South Korean company that keeps churning out a brand new vehicle every 8 hours or so, just rolled out another debut model: The all-new Kia Niro. That’s Niro, with an ‘i,’ not with an ‘e.’ That’s the crazy Roman emperor dude or that unneeded antagonist from that Star Trek re-boot movie. This is neither.

The Kia Niro is, like seemingly all their products, pretty durn cheap to acquire, and comes frosted with a stack of gizmos, features, doo-dads, luxury bits, and alleged-luxury bits that make the car, whatever it’s shape, imaginary function, or invented “styling” worth considering.

Value Added

No, you will probably never see a Kia pull slowly into the drive-in and have a gearhead in a greasy white shirt whistle low and say, “whoa, a Kia!” No, you will probably never see a Kia product of any kind grace the lawn at Pebble Beach. But you will see, most likely, a Kia in the hands of a new driver – say 16 or 17 years old – or that kid that works at the drive-in or golf course and you’ll say, “not a bad choice for a first car.”

And they’re not. You get a lot of bang for your buck, and, let’s face it, you also get the added insurance (as odd as that term might sound just now) of having a car that is largely forgettable and disposable when you trade it in on your second car.

Take the all new Kia Niro as a good example.

It’s the brand’s new for 2017 crossover hybrid with five different trim levels: FE, LX, EX, Touring, and a limited production Launch Edition. And it rings the register between $22,890 for the FE to just $29,650 for the Touring. Kia crows: “Five different trim levels offer a Niro for every buyer, crossover utility, and hybrid efficiency at an affordable price.” Yes, that’s an awkwardly worded quote, but look what you get with this guy.

Photo: Kia Motors America.

FE & EX Trims

The Niro FE, that’s the range starting, bottom of the line, cheap-o version, with a beginning MSRP of $22,890. However, it is furnished with a long list of standard features such as 16-inch wheels, 6-way front seats, power windows, keyless entry, cruise control, and a 7-inch touchscreen display with rearview camera. It’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, and features a six speaker audio system with steering wheel mounted controls.

Around $23,000 for all that, and it pulls in 50 mpg (combined) in fuel economy, meaning it’ll be cheap like the budgie to own. Next rung up on the trim ladder is the $23,200 LX. Spring for that extra $300 clams and you get Smart Key with push button start, roof rails, and rear LED combination lamps.

Shell out a little more for the EX ($25,700) and you get heated seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, LED daytime running lights, heated power folding mirrors, and front fog lamps. Driver assistance features include Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Change Assist (LCA). Many automakers today include the acronyms for these various technologies, if you’re wondering why all the extra letters. Which, to my way of thinking (arcane as it may be) translates as Look Over Your Shoulder (LOYS) Really, Look Over Your Shoulder (R,LOYS), and Make Sure There’s No One In The Next Lane Before You Move, Dingbat (MSTNOITNLBYM,D).

Seriously. Just pay attention for once, will ya?

Photo: Kia Motors America.

Launch Edition & Touring Trim

The Launch Edition is offered in only two colors: Snow White Pearl or Aurora Black Pearl. It is further set apart by unique Hyper Gray 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tires, and a unique metallic color grille. A 10-way driver’s seat, 8-inch touchscreen navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium audio are included.

The Launch Edition will set you back $28,000.

The top of the line Touring trim chimes out at $29,650. Not at all unreasonable. For that, you get to add a power tilt/slide sunroof, front and rear park assist, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, and the aforementioned Harman Kardon audio.

Additional Goodies

In case those trim levels are not enough for you, there are also three option packages on offer. The Advanced Technology Package for the LX is $1,450 and includes Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning System. There is a Sunroof and Advanced Technology Package for the EX at $2,300 that also includes a power tilt/slide sunroof, Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning System.

The Advanced Technology Package, $1,900, for the Touring includes HID headlights, wireless phone charging, 110V inverter, Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and the Lane Departure Warning System once again.

“We’re always striving to offer exciting new products that redefine their segments in all areas, including price,” said Orth Hedrick, Vice President of Product Planning, Kia Motors America, and owner of a really cool superhero name. “The new Niro checks all the boxes – it provides crossover utility, good looks, outstanding fuel economy, it’s fun to drive, and it’s affordable.”

So there’s a lot to like about the new Kia Niro; content, efficiency, and probably most of all, price.

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.

2017 Kia Niro Gallery

Photos & Source: Kia Motors America.

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Volvo Leads New Research To Improve Road Safety For Cyclists

Volvo Leads New Research To Improve Road Safety For Cyclists A new body of research is looking at ways to keep cyclists safer on the road.
Current data shows that fatal accidents involving a bicycle are on the rise.
The study is based on regulatory procedures for pedestrian head protection.
Swedish carmaker Volvo and top Swedish sports and safety brand POC are forming a partnership. We all know Volvo is a stickler for safety, so this comes as no surprise. However, their latest research focuses on protecting cyclists and improving road safety for all. So, how do they do it?
By developing the world’s first car-bike helmet crash test.
The new crash tests are based on current regulatory test procedures for pedestrian head protection. The tests are ongoing at Volvo’s renowned safety research facility in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Setting The Stage
I must admit, I’m not fond of cyclists on the actual road itself because of the safety risk. And I only loathe cyclists who lack discipline or those with no discernible idea about road safety. Otherwise, I have no beef sharing the tarmac with bicycle riders. Our two-wheeled, pedal-powered friends are working for a living just like you and I. They pay their fair share of taxes, and they have every right to hog the bicycle lane. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same warm feelings – I’m looking at you, Clarkson.
If you combine traffic gridlock, deadlines, and a grumbling stomach on the way to work on a cold and drizzly morning, we all know the result is utter chaos. And when you think about it, cyclists are the most vulnerable. A bicycle, for example, doesn’t have bumpers, airbags, or a steel body and chassis to protect the rider.
The latest Volvo and POC research project will benefit both drivers and riders, and will inevitably benefit all consumers in the end. This study will help POC make safer helmets and safety gear. On the other side of the spectrum, the research allows Volvo to develop a new array of vehicle safety features to protect cyclists and pedestrians alike.
“This project with POC is a good example of our pioneering spirit in safety,” said Malin Ekholm, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre and one of the company’s leading safety engineers. “We often develop new testing methods for challenging traffic scenarios.”
Volvo’s Cyclist Detection uses cameras and radar to warn the driver of an imminent collision with a cyclist. Photo: Volvo Cars.
Related: A brief history of the safety features in your car.
Road Safety For Cyclists: The Grim Reality
This latest study by Volvo and POC couldn’t have arrived at a better time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1,000 bicyclists died in 2015, and there were 467,000 bicycle-related injuries in the same timeframe. More troubling are the results of a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the same year. The data shows a declining number in overall bicycle accidents, but there’s a catch: the number of fatal accidents increased by 12 percent.
However, it’s not rosy in other countries like the United Kingdom either. The results of a road casualties report by the UK Department for Transport in 2016 shows cyclists are 15 times more likely to be killed or fatally injured on Britain’s roads than motorists. Considering there are an average of 1.7 million people that cycle to work every day in the UK as of 2017, it’s only timely for Volvo and POC to conduct these deeper studies. One of these is to make a direct comparison between wearing a helmet and not when riding a bike.
Partners In Safety
To date, POC has sixty international awards for safety, innovation, and design. KTH Royal Institute of Technology, MIPS, and Autoliv are also participating in the project, which is partially financed by Vinnova. The results will be made publicly available in time.
“Much like Volvo Cars, safety is at the very center of our mission and drives all our ideas and innovations,” said Oscar Huss, Head of Product Development at POC. “By working closely with scientific leaders in the POC Lab we strive to lead the way in introducing new safety ideas.”
Specially-designed crash tests are ongoing at Volvo’s research facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden. The effort is part of a wider research project to understand the types of long-term injuries sustained by cyclists. Photo: Volvo Car Group.
Related: Keeping man’s best friend safe: the science behind pet safety in your car.
The Silver Lining
If you’re a cyclist, then what Volvo and POC are doing will benefit you in the future. In an effort to reduce fatalities and injuries, Volvo will use crash dummy heads wearing POC bike helmets. The dummy is mounted on a testing rig, then launched on different areas of the hood of a stationary Volvo car. The dummy head is thrown at different angles and speeds to gather any necessary and essential data.
“Certification standards are essential,” Huss said. “But they should never limit our willingness to look beyond their parameters to find better and more innovative ways to reduce the consequences of accidents.”
If you compare this with existing bike helmet testing procedures, the old method is as primitive as making tools out of stones and pieces of wood. Manufacturers test bicycle helmets by simply dropping the helmets from differing heights on a flat or angled surface, and that’s it. What’s interesting is how previous test procedures didn’t take into account potential accidents between cars and bicycles, which can exist on the road at any given moment.
During the tests, a technician mounts POC bike helmets worn by crash dummy heads on a rig. They are then launched towards different areas of the hood of a static Volvo car. Photo: Volvo Car Group.
Volvo Safety Technologies: Yesterday & Today
Using data from the bicycle helmet crash tests, Volvo can further develop its array of active safety technologies. Chief among those is Cyclist Detection. The system uses the vehicle’s camera and radar to detect cyclists, warning the driver of an imminent collision, and engaging the brakes if necessary. Inevitably, new safety technologies like this will (or should) trickle down to future cars in the interest of public safety. It was, after all, from Volvo that we receive the single greatest passive safety device in history.
Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin developed the three-point safety belt in 1958 after then Volvo president Gunnar Engellau lost a loved one in an accident. Bohlin’s groundbreaking design formed a “V” with the peak facing down to better secure a driver’s upper and lower body. It’s estimated that over one million lives have been saved as a result of Volvo waiving its patent rights.
“Our aim is not only to meet legal requirements or pass rating tests,” Ekholm said. “Instead, we go beyond ratings, using real traffic situations to develop technology that further improves safety.”
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

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2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Review: Well-Balanced For The Daily Drive

2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Review: Well-Balanced For The Daily Drive 93Excellent 2019 Lexus ES 350 F SportOverall Impression Stylish and sleek.Powerful engine.Lots of standard tech.ProsComfortable Cabin Improved Handling ConsTouchscreen Interface The Lexus ES 350 has been a typical luxury sedan up until now, but it all changes for the 2019 model year. For one, the ES just got a lot more fun for driving enthusiasts. There’s a new F Sport version for 2019, which is a first for the ES. It also gets other updates that increase the ES 350’s luxury and functionality. We experienced these firsthand this week, as we’ve been driving the newly-redesigned, 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport.
What’s New For 2019
The Lexus ES 350 is fully redesigned for the seventh generation. It gets a more powerful V6 engine, upgraded technology and safety features, and an all-new F Sport trim. The front-wheel drive ES is built on Lexus’ Global Architecture–K (GA-K) platform. As a result, the 2019 ES is longer (+2.6 inches), lower (-0.2 inches), and wider (+1.8 inches) than the prior generation.
Available packages, along with the F Sport, include Premium, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury.
Features & Options: Connectivity & Safety
Standard features on the 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport ($44,035) include keyless entry and ignition, a sunroof, simulated leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. On the electronic front, you get an eight-inch central infotainment display, Bluetooth, navigation (Scout GPS Link), a Wi-Fi hotspot (Lexus Enform), three USB ports (one front, two rear), and satellite radio.
Standard safety features include forward collision mitigation, dynamic radar cruise control (with road sign assist), lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam assist, and parking sensors, among others.
The new-for-2019 F Sport comes with 19-inch wheels and chassis dampers from the Ultra Luxury package; a special grille and rear spoiler; aluminum interior trim pieces and sport front seats; special gauges, a unique analog clock, and active noise control. Navigation and a 17-speaker, Mark Levinson premium sound system ($1,920); blind spot and rear traffic alert ($1,065); and Triple Beam LED headlights ($1,515) were the only extra options on our tester.
Total MSRP including destination: 50,575. By comparison, the 2019 Lexus ES starts at $39,750, with the hybrid variant (ES 300h) starting at $41,560.
2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport.
Interior Highlights: Inspired By History
Stepping inside the new Lexus ES 350 reveals a cabin with all the comfort you want in a luxury sedan. The leather upholstery is supple and the surfaces have the level of detail typical of Lexus models. The fit and finish is tight and Lexus made liberal use of soft-touch surfaces all throughout the cabin. From the driver’s seat, there is good all-around visibility for a sedan, and plenty of seat adjustments. In our test car, a power-adjustable steering column made it easy to set the perfect driving position.
The F Sport has an option for red seats and door panels for an even more sporty look. There’s also an all-new metallic trim that comes standard on the F Sport called Hadori Aluminum. Inspired by an ancient sword polishing process, Hadori Aluminum can appear three-dimensional, depending on how you look at it.
Technology abounds in the new ES 350. The 12-inch navigation and infotainment display is a highlight, as is the deep integration with voice commands. Verizon Wi-Fi is standard along with Lexus Enform Safety Connect for the first 10 years of ownership. The latter includes a stolen vehicle locator, emergency and roadside assistance, and automatic collision notification. As a bonus, Apple CarPlay is finally available.
2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport interior layout.
Related: One the road with the lion of the Lexus den.
Interior Highlights: Nice For The Commute
What we don’t like is the hypersensitive touchpad interface Lexus uses. It’s not easy to operate, nor all that intuitive, especially when you are driving. Shutting off the A/C, for example, requires a visit to a menu screen using the touchpad located on the console. We did praise the volume knob, though. It feels like an old-school stereo receiver.
We used the ES 350 for commuting to Denver every day and arrived relaxed and ready for the day’s work. In the back, your passengers will have plenty of room and will be comfortable on longer trips. Rear legroom is even enough for six-foot passengers. The ES 350 would make a great car for realtors to haul clients in when house-hunting. The rear doors are wide and it’s easy to get in-and-out.
The ES offers up 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space with underfloor side pockets for smaller items.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Powering every ES 350, including the new F Sport, is a 3.5-liter V6 producing 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. of torque (up 34 horsepower from last year). The V6 comes paired to a new Direct Shift eight-speed automatic that replaces the previous six-speed. Compared to the six-speed, this new Direct Shift transmission offers a wider range of ratios. For instance, first gear in the six-speed was 3.30:1, while the new eight-speed offers a 5.51 first gear. A taller final drive ratio (2.56) helps return an EPA-estimated 22/31 city/highway and 25 combined mpg.
The 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport delivers on the open road, especially with its V6 engine.
Driving Dynamics: Making Quick Work of The Roads
Getting underway in the ES 350 revealed a V6 with a little more power than the outgoing model. When pushed hard, the luxury sedan’s power comes quick and smooth, no doubt thanks to the new transmission. It even sounds pretty good when you dig into it too, like when needing more power to pass slower traffic on the interstate.
The F Sport’s suspension is tuned for sport more than comfort, but it’s not too firm for the average family either. It has just enough firmness to make quick work of the tight mountains corners we encountered this week, but you won’t feel rattled on a long trip. The larger 19-inch alloy wheels also contribute to a firmer ride, especially on broken pavement, but won’t be an issue if the road is smooth.
On the F Sport model, an Adaptive Variable Suspension is available.
We made use of the manual paddle shifters in Sport S+ mode to extract a little more control over the car’s driving character. It’s no sport sedan, but you can have fun with it on the commute to work, or to play on the weekends. The F Sport trim also offers Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Custom modes to suit every driver in the family. If you are looking for safety, the ES 350 comes with plenty for peace of mind. For example, we unwittingly approached a parking barrier this week and the forward collision mitigation system stopped us before we hit the concrete.
The 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport hits 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.
Conclusion: F Sport or Otherwise
Altogether, the new updates increase the luxury and performance of the 2019 Lexus ES 350 over the outgoing model. We would recommend the F Sport if you want superior driving dynamics and want to have a bit more fun over the standard model. The F Sport offers a good blend of handling and performance, without sacrificing comfort. But the normal ES 350 sedan is still purposed for comfort, and offers isolation from the noisy world. It’s a car you won’t mind spending quality time in.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition: Black Is The New Black

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition: Black Is The New Black The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition goes for the ever popular “blacked out” look.
Octane Edition Chargers receive a Satin Black center stripe with Octane Red accents on the edges.
The Charger Hellcat is quickest and most powerful sedan in the world with its supercharged Hemi.
Dodge doesn’t do subtle. If cars were firearms, in a world of sniper rifles and machine guns, Dodges would be blunderbusses: crude but highly effective in the short term. The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is a good example of this – shoot, anything with the Hellcat moniker qualifies. This latest Charger variant has a new paint scheme as well.
Yeah, it’s just as subtle as the drivetrain.
Plum Crazy Color Schemes
Officially, it’s called the “Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition.” It features a “blacked-out” look along with some features not previously available on Charger SRT Hellcats. You can get it any color you want, as long as those two colors are either Pitch Black or White Knuckle. Either color features a full-length, Satin Black center stripe with Octane Red accent tracers on each edge. Good to see Mopar is keeping up the goofy paint names tradition.
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat: American Iron
Basically this is the same “old” Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, but that still makes it the most powerful sedan on the planet. Yes, something like a BMW M5 would probably beat it around a given track (maybe) (that’s a big maybe), but in terms of acceleration, outright speed, and dyno numbers, you’re looking at the top of the mountain right here.
Yes, there are non-Hellcat and non-Hemi versions available, but would you be interested in those? Us neither. Why? Simple: Good ol’ Murican horsepower and displacement – and lots of both. The supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 puts out 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft. of torque, which is, technically speaking, like putting a suspension on a landmine. Set it off, and you will find yourself some place else in next to no time. That mill is hooked up to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic tranny with steering wheel shift paddles – one of the few nods to modernity.
There’s a new grille for 2019 that is more than a pretty face. It has dual inlets feeding cooler outside air to the engine bay to strengthen performance. On top of the grille, there are four race-inspired tools now standard on the Hellcat.
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition in White Knuckle. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Related: Dodge is honoring veterans with these special Chargers and Challengers.
Fabulous Four
First is Launch Assist. This gizmo uses wheel speed sensors to watch for and mitigate any driveline damaging wheel hop at launch. In a matter of milliseconds, Launch Assist modifies the engine torque so you regain full grip. Next comes Line Lock. Old school denizens of The Digs like me know what this is, but in case you don’t, a Line Lock engages only the front brakes so you can hold your car (in this case a Charger SRT Hellcat) stationary, but leave the rear wheels free for a glorious, tire-melting, smoke-producing burnout.
This helps because it heats up the rears and cleans off any gunk.
Number three of the fab four is the After-Run Chiller. This guy keeps cooling the supercharger/charge air cooler after the engine is shut off. Sounds like a good idea, no? And finally, there is Torque Reserve. This closes a bypass valve to pre-fill the supercharger while managing fuel flow and spark advance to balance engine rpm and torque. It works so well that it generates a reserve of torque for delivery upon acceleration. In other words, three-two-one-go! The Hellcat drops all 707 ponies directly onto the pavement, and you are gone baby gone.
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition in Pitch Black. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Related: Every Mopar muscle enthusiast needs this book.
The Octane Treatment
Assuming any of the competition gets a good look at you, they’ll see how the Octane Edition has this whole “blacked-out” theme goin’ on. There’s black exterior badging for the grille, decklid, and fenders. The decklid spoiler is also Satin Black. The massive 20 x 9.5-inch aluminum-forged Cross Brace wheels are, surprise, painted low-gloss Black.
Yes, you’ll recognize these wheels from the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320.
The Cross Brace wheels feature knurled bead seats to minimize tire slip on the wheel under extreme acceleration, which on any other car would be superfluous, but seem like a necessity on this one. Yes, it can stop, thankfully. There’s an impressive Brembo brake package with six-piston calipers up front and four-pots at the rear. They are even painted Octane Red.
The interior gets the business with SRT Performance seats and houndstooth inserts, a groovy throwback. The SRT Hellcat logo gets stitched into the seat backs, and there’s red accent stitching throughout the cabin. The instrument panel badge is a black-on-black deal and the seat belts are red. The instrument panel and console bezels are finished in “Dark Brushed II” (obviously better than the Dark Brushed I instrument panel doodads).
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition interior layout. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Pricing & Availability
The 2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition carries an MSRP $1,495. Yes, that is the price for the new appearance package, not the Hellcat itself. Dream on, kid! Plan for at least $68,000 starting for the whole car. However, if you want an Octane Edition, get in line now. It is available for order only through the end of the model year. It will start arriving at Dodge 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.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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Toyota Establishes New Enterprise To Advance Autonomous Driving

Toyota Establishes New Enterprise To Advance Autonomous Driving Toyota is looking to advance their autonomous driving initiatives with the formation of a new organization. Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development, or TRI-AD, will be based in Tokoyo, Japan and will feature the collective efforts of Toyota Motor Corporation, Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., and Denso Corporation. The companies have concluded a memorandum of understanding regarding the joint development of fully-integrated, production-quality software systems for automated driving.
Talent Search
Toyota Motor Corporation, Aisin, and Denso plan to invest more than 300 billion yen in TRI-AD as the three companies look to conclude discussions on what a concrete joint development contract would look like. According to Toyota, the new company is looking hire about 1,000 associates, and the process of selecting a location in Tokyo is already underway.
Dr. James Kuffner, TRI-AD’s Chief Executive Officer, believes finding the right people for the new company is vital. One of TRI-AD’s main objectives is to attract and employ skillful engineers, while cultivating and coordinating the existing talent within the Toyota Group.
“Building production-quality software is a critical success factor for Toyota’s automated driving program,” he explained. “This company’s mission is to accelerate software development in a more effective and disruptive way, by augmenting the Toyota Group’s capability through the hiring of world-class software engineers. We will recruit globally, and I am thrilled to lead this effort.”
The Toyota Research Institute presented Platform 3.0 at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Platform 3.0, built on the Lexus LS 600hL, is Toyota’s latest autonomous research vehicle. Photo: Toyota Motor North America.
Enhancing & Streamlining
Other objectives include the creation of a research-to-commercialization software pipeline while enhancing product development efforts with the Toyota Research Institute, Inc. (TRI). Toyota established TRI in North America in 2016 to conduct research in the areas of artificial intelligence, automated driving, and robotics. Another initiative is to strengthen the collaboration within the Toyota Group, particularly in the fields of research and development.
“TRI, TRI-AD, and Toyota Motor Corporation will have a streamlined relationship, resulting in a fast-track, truly-integrated development model,” reads a statement from Toyota.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation.

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Will The R.S.18 Carry The Renault Sport F1 Team To Victory?

Will The R.S.18 Carry The Renault Sport F1 Team To Victory? Well here’s a pretty little thing: The new Renault R.S.18 Formula 1 car. For the roll out, it’s all done up in the traditional factory racing colors of yellow over black (but sadly missing the white part of the color scheme). This season’s car seems to be a further progression from the previous designs, while still incorporating current, state-of-the-art aero-thinking. Is it a winner? Who knows? That’s why you have to run the race. But maybe.
Aerodynamic Artwork
The first thing you notice about the Renault F1 team is their attention to aero detail. This is all thanks to Pete Machin, the French equipe’ head of aerodynamic development. And although most likely not as sophisticated as Adrian Newey’s Red Bull design, it is worth noting that Machin used to work for Newey. Like all modern Grand Prix machines, the front wing not only produces (literal) tons of downforce, but it is also there more as an airflow guide. Most, if not all, of the downforce comes from the center section of the wing. See all that incredibly complex fiddly stuff the further you get out from the centerline? That is all there to shape the air; how the oncoming air interacts with the airflow coming off the tires, chiseling off streams of it to move this way under the nose and that way as it hits the barge-boards and radiator inlets.
But what I really noticed was the rear of the car. Look at how narrow and tucked-in the extreme trailing edge of the bodywork is. The bodywork fits so close to the underlying components that you couldn’t fit your hand between them. That is both a marvel of modern packaging, but also a marvel of dealing with the immense thermal loads an F1 engine puts out, and having to deal with the airflow reaching the rear wing. The tighter that bodywork, the better the airflow and the more air that will flow under the rear wing. Or, to put it another way: the rear wing will work more efficiently and produce more downforce with less drag.
The Renault R.S.18. Photo: Renault Sport Formula One Team.
Big Money, High Expectations
The drivers will again be Nico Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz for 2018. Sainz, the son of the rally and Dakar legend of the same name, came to the team late last season and was instantly competitive against Hülkenberg. This has to be a worry to Nico since he has been tipped as “the next big thing” since his debut in 2010. Or, to be very blunt about it: It’s time for Nico to put up or shut up. The kid better start getting podiums and/or wins or his star will begin to fade.
Then again, the same can be said for Renault itself. The R.S.18 is Renault Sport’s third chassis since its return to Formula 1 as a full works’ entry in 2016. Yes, it’s been only three seasons, and yes, the learning curve for F1 is nearly vertical, but this is a full works’ entry. This is no fly-by-night, make up the numbers crew we’re dealing with here. This is Renault. These are the guys that turbocharged F1 back in the early 80s. This is the same outfit that produced world-beating engines for teams like Williams and Red Bull. They better start threatening the big boys from the first race on out, or the corporate pay masters at company headquarters are going to be upset. A modern, factory-backed Grand Prix team spends upwards of 500 million dollars per season, and they aren’t spending it to lose.
Nico Hülkenberg (left) and Carlos Sainz. Photo: Renault Sport Formula One Team.
Power & Performance
As with all other teams on the grid, the R.S.18 will be powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 unit. The little V6 is really only a third of the entire drivetrain power system. There is the MGU-K kinetic energy recovery and use system – essentially a hybrid system tuned exclusively for power and performance – and an MGU-H heat recovery system that captures wasted thermal energy from the turbo and stores it in the battery pack. The whole shootin’ match is delivered to the tarmac by Pirelli racing slicks as sticky as rubber cement with contact patches the size of a fat guy’s thigh. How much power? Well, huh-huh, no one is gonna tell you that, but you can figure it is within the 850 to 1,000 horsepower range.
Traction control and computer nannies to help you out with all that power? Oh, no, sorry. All that stuff is banned. Your traction control system is your right foot, your anti-lock brakes are your left. What, you thought this was easy? You thought you could just hop in the R.S.18 and be as fast as Nico and Carlos because you’ve goofed around on a PlayStation? Yeah, right.
Photo: Renault Sport Formula One Team.

Halo Top
And speaking of ugly realizations: The Halo. The Halo is that thing that surrounds the cockpit like a roll hoop that’s been pushed forward. It is there for the very good reason of trying to stop things from clonking the driver in the skull. Things like wayward tires sheered off in an accident or other debris. Will it work? The governing body says it will work “most of the time for most of the debris encountered.” That’s nice, but . . . man, that thing is homelier than a mud fence. But hey, rules are rules, so the chaps at Renault just had to buckle down and install the darn thing, aesthetics notwithstanding.
Burning Questions
So how is it going to run? How is all this high-tech wizardry and drivers of daring-do going to get along? Your guess is as good as mine. But we’ll find out March 25th when the green flag drops on the first Grand Prix race of the season in Adelaide, Australia.
Bon chance mon ami!
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.
Renault R.S.18 Gallery

Photos & Source: Renault Sport Formula One Team.

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Ford Issues Safety Recall For Certain Late Model Taurus Vehicles

Ford Issues Safety Recall For Certain Late Model Taurus Vehicles Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall in North America for approximately 2,100 2017 and 2018 Ford Taurus vehicles with a physical key and non-push button start. In affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition switch even if the transmission gear shift is not in the park position. If an operator removes the key with the transmission in a position other than park, it could increase the risk of the vehicle rolling away
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Affected vehicles include 2017 and 2018 Ford Taurus vehicles with a physical key and non-push button start that were built at Chicago Assembly Plant, July 21st, 2017 to February 13th, 2018. The recall involves approximately 2,100 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18C02.
Dealers will replace the shifter assembly at no cost to the customer.
For more information on this, or any other recall, visit Safecar.gov.

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