Automotive

2018 Audi TT RS: Most Powerful TT Yet

2018 Audi TT RS: Most Powerful TT Yet

Remember when the Audi TT hit the scene? It was hard not to notice it, and the worst charge that could be leveled against it, was that the Audi TT was “inoffensive.” Say what you want about it, at least it stood out from the crowd of sport coupes. But now, Audi’s TT looks like this. It’s all angles and sharp lines and comes across as some sort of distant echo of what a Korean car company will do next year.
Unfortunately, the all-new 2018 Audi TT RS is a rather fast car.
I say unfortunately, because it’s always hard to ignore, if not outright covet fast cars. Even if they’re ugly. Okay, so maybe implying the 2018 TT is ugly is a bit of a stretch, but it sure ain’t beautiful.
Eye Of The Beholder
Audi says this about how their new car looks: “The design of the new TT RS features the same timeless lines of the original TT coupe coupled with reinterpreted sporty elements that harken back the vehicle’s racing heritage.” Yeah, no. It looks nothing like the original TT. The first Gen TT was all curvilinear forms and arcs; rounded planes where all over the surfaces.
This new thing? It says “generic sports coupe” from almost every angle. Besides those four rings on the grille, how am I supposed to tell if this is an Audi? At any rate, this is all subjective, but what underpins this crumpled-paper-look exterior makes for a pretty impressive car.
The 2018 Audi TT RS features 19-inch, five-arm design Galvano silver wheels with summer performance tires. Also available are 20-inch, seven-spoke-design, Galvano silver forged wheels with summer tires. Other styling elements include standard LED headlights with LED daytime running lights. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Power & Performance
Nestled beneath the hood sits a new 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder engine. Sadly, this is not the same amazingly strong and powerful five-banger that Audi handed over to the Rorhls and Moutons of this world (and also stuck in the first gen S6, an overlooked, yet fantastic ride). Nope, this is an all-new plant but it makes the 2018 Audi TT RS the most powerful production TT ever.
The all-new five-pot produces 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque at all four corners. Audi ladled on the lightweight aluminum to reduce internal friction and increase power delivery, so max torque is available between 1,700 and 5,850 rpm. Mmmmm, broad-shouldered.
The new engine is less than 20 inches in length, which strikes me as being really short and compact. It also tips the scales 57 pounds lighter than the previous generation’s engine. They shaved off more than 40 pounds alone by making the upper portion of the oil pan from magnesium and the engine block from aluminum. The crankshaft is also lighter and smaller than its predecessor.
Couple this engine with a traction control system specifically calibrated for the new TT RS and you get a 0 to 60 sprint mph in 3.6 seconds. Top (track) speed is 155 mph. Or, if you’re like us here at Automoblog, you go with the optional Dynamic plus package and that top end is moved all the way up to 174 mph. Rumor has it that our Editor-in-Chief and Founder Chris Burdick is able to get from the Brandenburg Gate to Wannsee and back in less than an hour in the new TT.
The 2018 Audi TT RS features the automaker’s distinctive engine sound. At the rear of the vehicle sit two large signature oval tailpipes – or the optional RS sport exhaust with black oval tailpipes. The unique 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence, which allows the ignition to alternate between adjacent cylinders and those further apart, gives the TT RS its signature sound. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Turbo Tactics
Things get interesting around the blower of the 2018 TT. For starters, it’s a large BorgWarner turbocharger. Curious that Audi went with BW in the first place, but also curious they went with a single, “large” unit. This was Audi’s practice back in the Groupe B days, and while it does simplify things, it can cause substantial turbo lag. The big BorgWarner turbocharger shoves air into the combustion chambers at up to 19.6 psi (or 1.35 bar, if you measure that way).
No wonder this thing cranks out 400 ponies, huh? To combat the dreaded turbo lag there’s the Audi valvelift system. The AVS changes the duration of the exhaust valve opening, depending on the throttle and engine speeds, meaning it sends more air outbound to keep the turbo spinning happily.
Transmission & Drivetrain
Gear selection is handled by a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission. The 2018 TT RS now offers a launch control program that allows a “heightened level of acceleration” via an automated clutch release. A “heightened level of acceleration” . . . that’s a laugh riot, ain’t it?
The 2018 Audi TT RS has a fully integrated Audi drive select system with four discrete drive modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual. Each mode allows you to change gear shift points, steering, throttle response, and damper control.
Obviously, the TT RS comes standard with Audi’s signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. And, just like the days of old, when Audi was kicking butt and taking names on the world rally stages of the early 80s, the quattro system constantly adjusts the distribution of torque to maximize grip and control. I’ve personally messed with quattros with the left rear in gravel, while the right front was in a puddle the size of a kiddie-pool. The thing took off with such ferocity it elicited Elisabeth Kübler-Ross levels of mortal reflection.
The available RS fixed sport suspension for the 2018 Audi TT RS, included in the Dynamic plus package, offers a stiffer ride for enhanced performance. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Suspension & Braking
Out back there’s a four-link rear suspension and at the nose, a McPherson front suspension with forged aluminum lower control arms. Magnetic ride shock absorbers are standard. The steering rack is designed so the steering ratio becomes increasingly direct as you turn to provide more precise road feedback.
Stopping is accomplished via two optional brake systems on the new TT RS. The standard setup is an eight-piston monobloc brake caliper affair with 370mm ventilated and cross-drilled discs at the front. If you really want to stop, there are available front carbon-ceramic brake discs with Anthracite Gray painted calipers as part of the Dynamic plus package. The carbon-ceramic brakes are more than 8 lbs. lighter than the traditional cast-iron rotors and offer increased resistance to brake fade.
That is, from a technical and performance standpoint, a lot to like in a car. Even if you can’t get past the styling, you’ll probably end up passing most everything else on the bahn anyway. The 2018 Audi TT RS launches this spring with an MSRP of $64,900.
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: Audi of America, Inc.

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2017 New York: The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon unleashed--Quick Rundown

2017 New York: The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon unleashed--Quick Rundown It’s the most powerful muscle car ever and is so freakin’ fast, it’s banned by the NHRA.

What’s going on?
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. That’s what the hell is going on (see what I did there?). And Dodge finally unleashed the beast this evening ahead of the New York International Auto Show Press days.
We’re not going to muck about: it’s absolutely bonkers. There’s a lot you need to know, but here’s a quick rundown of what’s important:
Engine
6.2L HEMI Supercharged Demon V8
Horsepower: 840 (on racing gas)
Torque: 770 pound-feet

Transmission
A seriously beefed-up ZF-sourced eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic
Performance
0-30 mph: 1.0 second
0-60 mph: 2.3 seconds
Quarter-mile: 9.65 seconds at 140 mph
There’s plenty more to know. But these are the most pertinent specs of the latest Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.
Stay tuned for more!
– By: Chris Chin
2017 New York – Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Gallery

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Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition: Mario, Your Car is Ready

Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition: Mario, Your Car is Ready

Ooo baby! Would you look at that! The all-new Lotus Evora 410 GP Edition, decked out in black and gold. All bridled and saddled and ready to go. My desire is very strong for this version of this car, which I would not normally say. For starters, I’ve always had a problem with the Lotus Evora. It’s that +1 seating option in back of the two front seats. Yes, yes I do realize that Lotus has made 2+2s in the past. The Lotus Eclat, for example. And I also fully recognize that cars like the Lotus Eclat are, by and large, horrible mistakes.
Especially for a company like Lotus.
Colorful Expressions
Also, I try to stay away from black with gold color schemes. I loved it, absolutely loved it when Colin Chapman painted his cars in John Player Special cigarette livery and handed them over to people like Emerson Fittipaldi to club Jackie Stewart with. But then the cheap imitators latched onto it, and next thing you know, black with gold was being applied to everything from “theme” custom vans to those horrid black and gold Pontiac Trans Ams, and handed over to that equally horrid quarter-talent Burt Reynolds.
Ruined it, just ruined it.
All that said, I would really like to get my hands on one of these, at least for a week or a weekend, or if not forever. From what I gather, the Lotus Evora, despite design compromises, is a pretty fun car to drive. It is, as many people have told me, “like a little bit bigger Elise with a much bigger engine.” Which sounds just great. And most of the people who told me were Elise owners, not Evora owners.
This particular Evora model is the work of Lotus Exclusive, the fine folks from Hethel that work on the higher end, bespoke stuff. The Evora Sport 410 GP Edition indeed honors Team Lotus’ iconic John Player Special F1 color scheme that was raced between 1972 and 1986 – from the crushingly effective Lotus 72 and the gorgeous and truly groundbreaking Lotus 79, to the momentarily fast Lotus 98T. Seriously, that 98T was the car they coined the term “grenade engine” for. They could squeeze around 1,200 to 1,300 horsepower out of that 1.5 liter engine for about two laps then kaBLAMMMO! Ayrton or Elio or whoever would splatter it all over the tarmac from Estoril to Jacarepaguá.
The 98T was a great car for qualifying, but sadly, only had the life expectancy of a random guy in a red shirt on the Starship Enterprise.
Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Feather Dusting
Other than the paint job, the Evora Sport 410 GP Edition is pretty much just like every other Evora you could buy, but it comes with all the lightness goodies as standard. It scales out at 2,910 lbs. which is fairly light these days (” . . . but could still be lighter!” I hear the ghost of Colin Chapman shriek). All that wonderful, wonderful lightness is accomplished by looking after all the little details. The Evora uses the now-standard Lotus practice of a hydroformed aluminum architecture, which delivers very high torsional rigidity at very low weight. And, as one would expect, the Evora also has carbon fiber everywhere. From the front splitter on the nose to the revised front access panel, roof section, tailgate, rear quarter panels, and the rear diffuser out back, it’s carbon fiber, carbon fiber, carbon fiber.
Other weight savers include the lithium-ion battery for 23.8 lbs., the ultra-lightweight forged wheels for 15.9 lbs., and a new lightweight windscreen surround for 7.5 lbs. They all total up to 132 lbs. of overall weight reduction.
Not only does this make things lighter overall, but it also lowers the center of gravity. So you get better ride and handling and less mass. And that lead Lotus to recalibrate the suspension and revise the total chassis setup, improving wheel geometry and the dampers. The ride height has been dropped by 5 mm so you get better body and roll control for even sharper, more direct handling.
Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Power & Performance
The Evora Sport 410 is powered by an integrated water-to-air cooled, supercharged, 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine, cranking out 400 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 301 lb-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm. This gives you a nice, broad RPM powerband to play with. Said mill is joined to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, which features a low-inertia flywheel and a Torsen-type limited slip differential for greater traction in the corners. There’s an optional six-speed automatic transmission with a dedicated ECU for fast changes and sequential gear selection via lightweight aluminum paddles mounted to the steering wheel.
Besides your right foot, all that power is controlled via a trio of user selectable ESP driving modes: Drive, Sport, and Race. There’s also an “Off” mode, but to me, that doesn’t really count as a mode. The ESP driving mode thingy proportionally increases throttle response, lowers traction thresholds, and removes understeer recognition. The ESP allows progressive degrees of driver control before the system intervenes. So rather than Drive, Sport, Race, and Off, you could also think of it as Nun, Mom, Nanny, and “Absolutely no adult supervision whatsoever!”
Pricing & Availability
And now, the bad news . . .
Lotus is only going to make a global production run of 150 vehicles per year of the Evora Sport 410, and here’s where it gets really bad: The MSRP, excluding taxes, is $104,200 and $110,000 for Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition. Shoot. Ah well, used Elise prices are still pretty reasonable though.
Oh, and if by Mario you thought I meant a character from a pixelated Nintendo game, I will find you, and our conversation will not be long, and it will not be pretty.
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: Group Lotus plc

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2018 Fiat 500X Blue Sky Edition Arrives

2018 Fiat 500X Blue Sky Edition Arrives The Blue Sky Edition has joined the 2018 Fiat 500X lineup, giving fans another way to show off their style and personality. Available on Fiat 500X Pop models with the nine-speed automatic transmission, the Blue Sky Edition decorates the vehicle with new styling treatments.
“With all-wheel-drive confidence, best-in-class torque and room for five, the Fiat 500X is fun to drive and wrapped in iconic Italian design,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA – North America. “The new Blue Sky Edition offers yet another unique customization option for our Fiat 500X customers.”
Package Contents
Premium touches include satin chrome mirror caps, door handles, body-side moldings, fog lamp bezels, front and rear badges, and the tail lamp bezels. The Blue Sky Edition is available with four exterior colors, with Fiat noting that front-wheel drive models receive automatic headlamps, fog lamps, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The interior is themed in blue with blue-patterned cloth seats, blue instrument panel, and a dual-pane sunroof.
2018 Fiat 500X Blue Sky Edition. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Pricing & Availability
The Blue Sky Edition is $1,495 on front-wheel drive models and $1,195 on all-wheel drive models, which start at $19,995 and $23,890 respectively, excluding destination. Fiat was not immediately clear what, if anything else, would be different in the package between the two models.
The Fiat 500X Blue Sky Edition will be arriving in Fiat studios this spring.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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Distracted Driving Kills: And It’s A Worldwide Problem

Distracted Driving Kills: And It’s A Worldwide Problem The data is conclusive. Distracted driving is dangerous and can increase your chances of getting involved in a potentially debilitating or life-threatening vehicle crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving accounted for 3,450 deaths in 2016. Distracted driving can also be blamed for the 391,000 reported injuries in vehicle crashes in that same period.
Sobering Statistics
Think about that for a second. If you break it down, we’re talking nine people killed and 1,000 injured in vehicle crashes each day in the United States alone, all caused by texting, calling, or browsing the Internet while driving.
Distracted driving is a worldwide problem. Are you aware that one in four Australians have a nasty habit of multitasking while driving? A survey conducted by Carzoos found that 75 percent of Australians like to eat while operating a vehicle and 55 percent use a mobile phone while driving. The study even concluded that 25 percent of women aged 25 to 34 apply makeup while driving. Talk about severe distractions!
The European Transport Safety Council reported last year on surveys conducted by Ipsos and Dekra. Ipsos found that 36 percent of drivers in the Czech Republic admitted to using their phone behind the wheel; Dekra found around 25 percent in Spain and Ireland said the same thing. And in a bizarre yet tragic case two years ago in Japan, the popular Pokémon Go game was a factor in a fatal accident.
What Is Distracted Driving
Distracted driving or driver inattention is driving while doing something else. Does talking to a passenger constitute distracted driving? Not exactly, as long as you’re not discussing the theory of relativity while behind the wheel. You can talk without taking your eyes off the road, but using a smartphone or fiddling with the audio and navigation system is a different story altogether.
In order to comprehend the meaning behind the numbers, we were fortunate enough to chat with Special First Lieutenant and Traffic Safety Specialist Jim Flegel of the Michigan State Police.
“Distracted driving is a major concern in Michigan. There were 20,000 reported crashes in 2017 which led to 72 deaths and 7,652 injuries,” he said. “The sad part is that 100 percent of crashes related to distracted driving are preventable.”
Phone use while driving is a fundamental problem.
“In today’s electronic digital age, it seems impossible for some people to resist answering phone calls or responding to text messages or Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook posts even while behind the wheel,” Flegel added.
What Are The Causes of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert the driver’s attention, but why do people find it hard to resist doing something else that could put their own lives or someone else’s in jeopardy?
“Using a cellphone or smartphone stimulates the portion of a person’s brain that releases a chemical called dopamine,” Flegel commented. “This chemical triggers a pleasure response in the brain that makes a person happy.”
Some experts even argue we are modern day versions of Pavlov’s dog with regard to smartphones.
“This is one of the reasons why it makes it difficult to resist the urge to respond immediately to text messages, calls, or social media posts, regardless if the person is operating a vehicle or not,” Flegel added. “When a person drives distracted one time and nothing bad happens, they think they can do it all the time with the same results. This is not true! It only takes being distracted for a brief moment before a tragedy can occur.”
Even in stopped or slow moving traffic, it is important to keep your eyes on the road.
What Are The Types of Distractions
Distracted driving comes in three different forms:
Visual – taking your eyes of the road.
Manual – taking your hands of the wheel; and
Cognitive – taking your mind off the task of driving.
“Texting while driving is especially dangerous since it combines all three forms of distractions,” Flegel stated.
Sending or reading text messages (or social media posts) will take your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. This is long enough to cover the length of an entire football field while traveling at 55 mph. When you add it up, it is easy to discern why distracted driving is hazardous but preventable. It only takes a second of hesitation and good judgement to completely change the outcome of what could be an unfortunate event.
Examples of distracted driving include:
Texting
Reading
Eating or drinking
Watching videos or movies
Using a smartphone or cellular phone
Grooming (combing hair or applying makeup)
Excessively adjusting the navigation, climate, and infotainment systems
Reaching down to pick something up or grabbing your bag from the backseat
Distracted Driving – Who Is Most At Risk
According to the Traffic Safety Facts Research Note on Distracted Driving conducted by NHTSA, drivers under the age of 20 had the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes in 2015.
It is reported that 42 percent of high school students who drove in the past 30 days sent text messages or emails while driving. What makes it more worrying is how these students were less likely to wear a seatbelt, more likely to ride with a driver who had been drinking, or more likely to drink and drive themselves, which further increases the chances of a horrific crash.
But teens and millennials are not the only ones at risk. We are all at risk the very moment we enter the car and drive. In fact, we are all guilty of committing a grave sin by allowing ourselves to be distracted by smartphones, mobile devices, passengers, and other external factors in the car.

Prevention Is The Best Cure For Distracted Driving
Luckily for us, local governments are doing their best to prevent drivers from succumbing to the dangers of distracted driving. Many states are now enacting laws such as banning texting while driving or using graduated licensing systems for teen driver applicants. Texting while driving is now prohibited in 46 states and the District of Columbia as of June 2017.
“There have been many initiatives where Michigan State Troopers will use unmarked vehicles to spot drivers texting on their phones while driving,” Flegel warned. “Once the troopers witness a person texting while driving, they will radio ahead to a trooper in a fully marked patrol car which will pull the vehicle over.”
In Michigan, there are laws that prohibit drivers from texting or reading texts while operating a vehicle. The law covers failing to maintain the lane of travel which leads to reckless or careless driving. Violators will be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent violations.
While technology is sometimes proposed as a solution, law enforcement officials are hesitant to endorse the idea.
“Distracted driving can somewhat be related to impaired driving,” Flegel noted. “It can be construed as ‘digitally impaired’ so make a pledge to never text, type or access apps while driving.”

Distracted Driving Is Our Responsibility
It starts by setting an example for kids and younger adults who are old enough to get behind the wheel. It is best to avoid texting, watching videos, browsing the Internet, reading, and playing video games while operating a motor vehicle. It is also best to avoid smoking and eating and drinking while driving.
“It is time for us to be better role models. Remember your children are watching and will be influenced by your driving decisions when they begin driving,” Flegel said. “The Michigan State Police urge all drivers to make the responsible decision: put your phone away and focus all your attention on driving.”
If you need to do anything remotely distracting while driving, it is best to pull over and stop so you can better focus on the task at hand. The message is clear: anything that distracts you visually, manually, or cognitively while driving should be avoided at all costs.
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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Volvo S90 Ambience Concept: Magic Carpet Ride

Volvo S90 Ambience Concept: Magic Carpet Ride “In England and Europe, we have this huge music called ambient – ambient techno, ambient house, ambient hip-hop, ambient this, ambient that,” said Brian Eno, who knows more than a thing or two about ambience. And now, it would seem, we have ambient cars, or at least it will be that way if Volvo has any say about it.
The car in question would be the Volvo S90 Ambience Concept. It is, literally, an industry-first sensory experience that synchronizes visuals, sound and – I’m not making this up – scent to “redefine in-car luxury.”
Okay, that sounds fine, in a way. Not sure what that could offer me as a driver personally, since my preferred automotive ambience is blurring scenery, red-lining engines, and the fine bouquet of unburned fuel and tire smoke.
Aladdin’s Lamp
Volvo’s S90 Ambience Concept made its public debut at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show (ah-ha!, I sense a trend). The S90 Ambience Concept is based on Volvo’s top-of-the-line S90 Excellence, which is a kinda-odd, three-seater executive sedan thing that focuses on the chauffeured passengers in the rear seat. Which, given the ambience deal, makes much more sense. The Gothenburg Guys tell us passengers can personalize the atmosphere by using a smartphone app to choose one of seven visual themes that synchronize with audio and scent. I know some guys that were trying to work on that same sort of system in their VW Bus that was equipped with a Radio Shack color organ, a Steppenwolf 8-track, and a hookah. Anyway . . .
Photo: Volvo Car Group.
Mind Trip
The visual part of the Volvo S90 Ambience Concept happens on the headliner, where the car’s ceiling is transformed to the selected theme: Northern Lights, Scandinavian Forest (of course), Swan Lake, Archipelago, and Rain. There is also a Nocturnal theme for chilling and the Freedom theme aims to give you a boost of fresh and uplifting energy. Synchronized audio plays through a Bowers and Wilkins sound system that includes small tweeters in the headrest for an immersive experience.
And to top it all off, each theme is complemented with one of four bespoke scents, created by Byredo (I don’t know either), which deploys simultaneously from a portal in the center console.
Photo: Volvo Car Group.
Continued Growth & Expansion
Volvo says the S90 Ambience is launching as a concept but are considering making it available in S90 Excellence production cars in China. And indeed, China is the whole point here. In 2017 alone, Volvo sold more than 100,000 cars in China. That’s the company’s fourth consecutive year of record sales and growth in The Forbidden Kingdom. China is Volvo Cars’ single largest market and the company’s biggest for the S90 sedan.
“The Ambience Concept was created primarily for the China market and provides a contrast to China’s sometimes hectic city environments,” said Martin Andersson, Senior Commercial Product Manager at Volvo Cars’ Special Vehicles Department. “The S90 Ambience Concept will reinforce our premium brand values in this important region.”
Or, to quote Per Olaf Gunderssen, Volvo Senior V.P. of Ambience and Good Vibes, “I like to dream, yes, yes. Right between the sound machine. On a cloud of sound I drift in the night. Any place it goes is right. Goes far, flies near. To the stars away from here.” Then he broke into a 4:39 drum solo. Okay, I made that up.
But what is true is that Volvo is Paying Attention to the Chinese market in a big way and seem to have no problem specializing their output to meet that market’s needs.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Volvo S90 Ambience Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Volvo Car Group.

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Toyota Announces $1.33 Billion For Kentucky Plant

Toyota Announces $1.33 Billion For Kentucky Plant

Toyota recently announced a massive $1.33 billion investment for Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK). The motion marks the highest investment of any automaker in Kentucky and the second-largest in state history. TMMK will undergo renovations in order to incorporate Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) into future models, including the 2018 Camry.
The investment comes as part of a larger initiative for the automaker.
“This $1.33 billion investment is part of Toyota’s plan to invest $10 billion dollars in the U.S. over the next five years, on top of the nearly $22 billion Toyota has invested in the U.S. over the past 60 years,” said Jim Lentz, Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Motor North America.
Stronger Foundations
TNGA is Toyota’s new vision for designing, engineering, and manufacturing vehicles. This allows for a shorter development cycle and a more streamlined process when it comes to introducing vehicle improvements. It also creates a more versatile production environment, allowing Toyota Kentucky to build vehicles that better match consumer demands. TNGA builds upon Toyota’s desire for a well balanced automobile, one that combines safety with energetic driving dynamics.
“It will improve performance of all models, including increased fuel efficiency, more responsive handling, and a more stable, comfortable feel while driving,” Lentz said.
TMMK is the first vehicle assembly facility in North America to incorporate the new architecture.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Stronger Manufacturing
TMMK will undergo extensive renovations to modernize the facility for Toyota’s future vehicles. Updates to line equipment are planned along with a brand new paint shop.
“This major overhaul will enable the plant to stay flexible and competitive, further cementing our presence in Kentucky,” said Wil James, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
In 2013, $530 million was invested into Toyota Kentucky to support Lexus manufacturing. Production of the Lexus ES 350 began two years later, marking the first time a Lexus vehicle was made in the United States. Political and world leaders have praised Toyota’s continued investment initiatives.
“Toyota’s decision to invest $1.3 billion in their Kentucky plant is further evidence that manufacturers are now confident that the economic climate has greatly improved under my administration and echoes the recent National Association of Manufacturers’ 2017 Outlook Survey showing that 93% of manufacturers are now optimistic, which is an increase of 37% from just a few months ago,” said President Donald J. Trump.
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) echoed similar sentiments.
“For more than 30 years, Toyota has been committed to the Commonwealth, and today’s investment is further proof that the company maintains its pledge to grow our economy and solidify Kentucky as a world-class automotive state,” he said.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Economic Impact
A recent study by the Center for Automotive Research shows Toyota Kentucky supports nearly 30,000 jobs across the state (direct, indirect, and spin-off). TMMK employees live in 80 Kentucky counties while Toyota has more than 100 suppliers located across the Commonwealth. Toyota Kentucky is the automaker’s largest plant in the world, employing over 8,000, an all time high.
“Toyota is a global icon and this $1.33 billion investment is further proof of their commitment to producing American-made cars that are among the finest quality found anywhere in the world,” said Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin. “It also serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the plant’s current employees, and reaffirms Toyota’s confidence in the advantages of manufacturing in Kentucky.”
Last year, TMMK manufactured nearly a quarter of the total number of Toyota vehicles produced in North America, or about 500,000. In total, the plant has produced more than one-third – 11 million – of all Toyota vehicles manufactured in North America since 1986.
“We are grateful that this significant investment further validates the fact that Kentucky is the engineering and manufacturing hub of excellence in America,” Gov. Bevin added.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Community Visions
Toyota remains active in Scott County, where TMMK is located. The automaker is committing $2 million over the next 10 years to Scott County United for economic development initiatives. In addition, Lanes Run Business Park is receiving $1 million for future land purchases.
“I congratulate Toyota on this new initiative, and look forward to continuing my efforts in Congress to promote business-friendly policies to ensure Kentucky continues to reap the benefits of economic growth and expansion as a result of these types of investments,” said Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).
Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address a number of challenges facing society today, including the future of mobility and transportation.
“This is the largest investment in our plant’s history and it speaks directly to the quality of our people and our products, as well as the partnerships we’ve forged in the local community and across the state,” James said.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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2017 New York Preview: Nissan unveils 2018 370Z Heritage Edition, reminds us the 370Z is still for sale

2017 New York Preview: Nissan unveils 2018 370Z Heritage Edition, reminds us the 370Z is still for sale Yes, they’re still making the 370Z. Yes, it seem old….because it is, at 10 years old. Does a “Heritage Edition” help to mask that?

What’s going on?
With the 50th Anniversary of Nissan’s perennial Z-Car looming in 2019, Nissan released details on the 2018 370Z Heritage Edition ahead of the New York International Auto Show.
The Heritage Edition Z separates itself from a base-spec Z with the inclusion of two all-new colors, “Chicane Yellow” and “Magnetic Black”, with black and silver exterior graphics applied respectively, and yellow interior trim.
If you squint hard enough, you’ll find the Heritage Z also carries forward updates applied to all Z models for 2018. This includes a factory installed Exedy clutch, and a mild facelift on the headlights, taillights, rear fascia, and door handles.
Word. Any more power?
The 370Z still sends power to the rear wheels from Nissan’s venerable VQ37 power plant. The naturally-aspirated 3.7L V6 still produces 332hp and 270 lb-ft of torque by way of either six speed manual transmission with or optional seven speed automatic.
Available for purchase in 2008, the 370Z was an incremental update to the widely popular 350Z, released in 2004. Fourteen years after the 350Z’s release, fans are left scratching their heads over what’s in store for Nissan’s next Z-car, if one is under development at all. In an age where manufacturers are focusing their efforts on producing “models that sell” (Read: crossovers), dropping the axe on models catered to the enthusiast with shallower pockets (RIP Nissan IDx), and rebranding sports cars as crossovers (I’m looking at you Mitsubishi), the future for enthusiasts cars is looking a little grim.
– By: Nate Damaghi
2017 New York – Nissan 370Z Heritage Edition

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2017 New York Preview: Is this the new Dodge Challenger SRT Demon?

2017 New York Preview: Is this the new Dodge Challenger SRT Demon? A single photo leaks on the web of what appears to be the hotly-anticipated Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, ahead of its New York debut.
What’s going on?
A new photo surfaced! Wow, I know…./sarcasm. Except, it really is pretty darn exciting since it appears to be of the highly-anticipated Dodge Challenger SRT “Demon,” the end-all-be-all of Challengers.
Official details aren’t yet available, given the Demon’s reveal is set for tomorrow evening. But there are still plenty of tidbits available on the Internet, giving us clues as to how insane the Dodge Challenger Demon really is.
So what should we expect?
Expect a Dodge Challenger. Though, it will be the most insane Challenger yet, more so than the Hellcat. Predictions point to a the same 6.2L supercharged V8 as the Hellcat. But significant tweaks will up the power significantly. For instance, there’s a special mode installed from the factory, enabling the engine’s use of 100-octane racing gas.
There’s a new “TransBrake” system to help launch the new Demon, supposedly to eliminate the need to brake torque (where you hold the brake and feather the gas before setting off).
But to top if all off, rumors are ciricling of over 1000 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a quarter-mile sprint in less than 10 seconds.
Either way, we will find out soon. Stay tuned.
– By: Chris Chin

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Teaser Photo Gallery

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