Automotive

Bricks And Bones: Chapter 12: A Slight Return: An Epilogue

Bricks And Bones: Chapter 12: A Slight Return: An Epilogue Tony Borroz attended the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28th, 2017. This series, Bricks And Bones, explores the cultural significance, endearing legacy, and the nitty-gritty phenomenon of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
The prologue of this series here.
Chapter 1: Real Wrong here.
Chapter 2: St. Elmo’s Fire here.
Chapter 3: The Quiet Racer here.
Chapter 4: Hang Ten here.
Chapter 5: Female Perspective here.
Chapter 6: The Fearless Spaniard here.
Chapter 7: Speedway Legends here.
Chapter 8: Barrel Roll here.
Chapter 9: A Wide Face here.
Chapter 10: Among The Fans here.
Chapter 11: After The Storm here.

It is Tuesday and the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 is now two days gone. Healey and I return to our car after taking in The Speedway’s museum and a quick, impromptu chat with Donald Davidson, the “professor emeritus” of Speedway history. We get in and amble slowly through the infield roads. The vast track complex is largely empty. All cars gone. All huge shiny team transporters long on the road to Detroit for the next race. Track vehicles neatly parked. Motorhomes, the private sanctuaries of drivers, mostly gone except for a half dozen or so.
Chance Encounter
We wander back toward Gasoline Alley, Bill’s car idling along at a slightly-better-than-walking pace. A weary, strung out security guard half-heartedly waves us through a check point. The complex of garages are all shuttered behind steel roll-up doors . . . except for one. By who knows what reasoning, the remnants of Dale Coyne’s team are still there, doing a final load-out and catching up with spares for the race. We park and get out to say hello, and there, to my absolute and honest wonder is Sebastien Bourdais. He’s sitting/leaning on the back of a golf cart, talking with various team members as they walk by carrying the bits and pieces that make up a modern day racing team.
Sebastien seems none the worse for wear, despite sitting at an odd angle and orientation – no doubt due to the fact that ten days ago, he slammed into a wall in excess of 225 mph at an impact of 100 Gs, breaking his hip and fracturing his pelvis in seven places.
He’s actually rather chatty, although he seems slightly restless and agitated. When asked how he’s feeling he answers in a bit of a world-weary way, partially due to this being the 2,459th time he’s answered these same questions, but such questions are reminders he will not be racing for quite some time; weeks, months, who knows. Although talkative as is his usual self, he’s also a bit slow to answer. He is no doubt on enough painkillers to knock even Keith Richards on his ass.
Sebastien Bourdais looks on during qualifying at the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. Photo: Joe Skibinski.
Quiet Reflection
We chat a bit more then take off, winding our way out through the track. We leave via the north entrance, slowly tooling by the lined up jet-driers and safety cars, and the garages and storage sheds necessary for putting on The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
We return home, to the leafy, tree-lined street of suburban middle America and I pause and look down the street as Bill goes inside. I think of Sebastien Bourdais, a man who shouldn’t even be here. A man of uncommon talent and bravery and skill. I think of concepts like “luck” and “risk” and “mortality.” But mainly I think of the racers. I think of Sebastien Bourdais.
I think of Sebastien Bourdais. I think of Sebastien Bourdais. I think of my friend/acquaintance/guy I met. I think of a man who should be dead. I think of a man who, but for the grace of God or Fate or Luck is still alive. I think of Sebastien Bourdais.
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.
This series, Bricks And Bones, in its entirety can be found here.
Cover Photo: David Yowe.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/bricks-and-bones-chapter-12-a-slight-return-an-epilogue/

Bricks And Bones: Chapter 11: After The Storm

Bricks And Bones: Chapter 11: After The Storm Tony Borroz attended the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28th, 2017. This series, Bricks And Bones, explores the cultural significance, endearing legacy, and the nitty-gritty phenomenon of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
The prologue of this series here.
Chapter 1: Real Wrong here.
Chapter 2: St. Elmo’s Fire here.
Chapter 3: The Quiet Racer here.
Chapter 4: Hang Ten here.
Chapter 5: Female Perspective here.
Chapter 6: The Fearless Spaniard here.
Chapter 7: Speedway Legends here.
Chapter 8: Barrel Roll here.
Chapter 9: A Wide Face here.
Chapter 10: Among The Fans here.

It’s mid-morning in Speedway, Indiana and I walk outside into the bright Memorial Day sunshine. It is as perfect and sunny as a small town Midwest spring day can get. Leafy green trees line the block. White clapboard houses. White picket fences. Carefully maintained yards and house-proud dwellings line the block, stretching out as far as one can see. Birds tweeting and chirping. All that’s missing is a toe-headed paperboy with a crewcut.
This would be postcard middle America to a tee. Pleasantville in 3D Technicolor.
Nothing that would make it remarkable in the least, but if I were to walk ten yards to my left, there it would be. A half-mile to the east is Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A low, glowering eminence grise whose presence can be felt, night and day. It glows through your consciousness, like a power source just into the infrared. But here, right now, there is nothing but a quiet holiday morning. Yesterday, and I mean less than 24 hours ago, the scene was utterly different.
Cordiality & Chow
The streets, even these residential streets nominally on the periphery of The Scene, were swarmed with people. Walking ten yards to my left, which is north, would have given a better picture. A mass of humanity all moving in one direction: towards the Speedway. And 98 percent of them are dragging coolers, hauling backpacks, carrying this and that, and all of them, all 100 percent, are jabbering and jibbering and talking and screaming and chatting and debating and conferring. And the closer you got to the track, the more intense it was. The place was awash in soda and beer and hotdogs and corndogs and deep fried turkey legs the size of a Cro-Magnon’s club.
Burgers, fries, nachos, greasy pizza slices the size of a snow shovel blade, chow-mien(?!), more burgers, more corndogs; food enough to feed an army. And everywhere you looked, the mass of humanity was dressed in shorts and t-shirts and tank tops, blaring nationalist slogans or team allegiances or declarations of wanton consumption of drink and substances. And all of them talking and burping and babbling and farting and guffawing and snorting and prattling and sweet Buddha there’s a lot of them.
Normally the attendance of the Indy 500 is around three to five hundred thousand. That is roughly the number of kids that showed up at friggin’ Woodstock and this happens every year, year in, year out. And these people, these bright, perennially cheerful, down home Midwest salt of the Earth folk welcome them in. It is a stunning display of hospitality right out of some old testament parable. “Need to park your car? Why, here’s a spot on our lawn. That’ll be $20.00.” The streets are lined with cars, the yards are packed with them too. The front yards and delightful screened in porches are full of people talking and eating and drinking. And the roads, always the roads are packed with a moving mass of humanity, going onward, ever onward toward The Track.
Fans gather in droves inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Photo: Walter Kuhn.
Picturesque Arrays
But that was yesterday. Short hours ago. Not even a full day. And now, not a speck of lawn is taken up by a vehicle. There is no trash to be seen anywhere, and I mean that: no trash. Later Healey and I do a bit of a driving tour, and the scene can only be described as stunning, and only in the context of what it was like the day before.
There was a huge parking lot the size of a shopping mall. Now it is a green, grassy field. Scores of port-a-potties are now neatly stacked on trailers, all patiently idling in line, waiting to merge with traffic. All souvenir booths are shuttered. Food stands of the most common and mass-produced eats imaginable are locked down and boarded up. The garbage cans, packed to overflowing yesterday are gone, completely gone. All refuse vanished as if on the whim of an invisible wind-god.
And the track, good Lord the track itself: a scattering of people here and there on the outside, but no signs of the throng of humanity that once was. The inside is eerie in its striking lack of people and its neatness. Here and there, maybe a total of 150 people where there were once hundreds of thousands. They walk and sweep and pick up the bits of leftover trash that has so far gone unaccounted for.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway the morning of the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. Photo: Chris Owens.

Tranquil Territory
And the trash! It has all been collected up, piece by piece, and stuffed into rust-colored garbage bags, and the bags, tens of thousands of them, all neatly lined up at the end of each row of seats. The aluminum white horizontal stands against the strong rust of the vertically arranged garbage bags is like a Christo installation piece.
The contrast between what The Speedway brings, invites; desires even, with what the town is now shocks in the extreme.
Yes, this is Speedway, both in name and deed, but the vast majority of the year it is just a simple, small Midwestern town almost drowning in its own unpretentious charm. And now, not even a day after such noise and speed and riotous behavior, Speedway, Indiana is nothing but silence and slowness and subdued conduct. It is back to as it was. Again it is Pleasantville. It is deepest, whitest American. The heart of paleness close by the banks of the Wabash.
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.
*To be continued. Bricks And Bones is an Automoblog original series with forthcoming installments during the days leading up to, and following the Indianapolis 500.
Cover Photo: Shawn Gritzmacher.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/bricks-and-bones-chapter-11-after-the-storm/

Bricks And Bones: Chapter 10: Among The Fans

Bricks And Bones: Chapter 10: Among The Fans Tony Borroz attended the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28th, 2017. This series, Bricks And Bones, explores the cultural significance, endearing legacy, and the nitty-gritty phenomenon of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
The prologue of this series here.
Chapter 1: Real Wrong here.
Chapter 2: St. Elmo’s Fire here.
Chapter 3: The Quiet Racer here.
Chapter 4: Hang Ten here.
Chapter 5: Female Perspective here.
Chapter 6: The Fearless Spaniard here.
Chapter 7: Speedway Legends here.
Chapter 8: Barrel Roll here.
Chapter 9: A Wide Face here.

Journalists are, as a group, pretty jaded and jaundiced about the world around them. Whatever their specialty, whatever little slice of the world they cover, it’s usually done so with barely concealed condescension and detachment. This is actually something you are more or less taught in college newswriting classes. Maintaining a sense of detachment is how a journalist stays objective.
American journalists have this fetish about being objective. But this fetishized objectiveness is the beginning of being jaded in progressively darker shades of green; jaundiced in ever-yellowing hues.
By The Book
Sportswriters, although they can and are encouraged to be fans of the sports they cover, are particularly focused on being objective. Just the facts ma’am. Hits. Runs. Strikes. Passes. Touchdowns. Scores. Statistics. Always tons and tons and tons of statistics. Especially for American sportswriters.
So there we all were, some 150 or so journalists in various shades of jaded experience about two-thirds of the way through the 2017 Indy 500. Assiduously watching, taking notes, scribbling passages, hammering on keys. We were covering the event. Get it all down, stitch it together, write a lead-in graph or two, a nice summation and, bada-boom, bada-bing, you’ve met your deadline, kept your Managing Editor happy, and lived to write another day.
Sixpence Suspense
A few times during the race this professional detachment fell away. Most notably during Dixon’s colossal accident, but most of the time the press area was quiet mumbles and typing, with the occasional four sentence conversations. It was in this setting, on a late race restart, all professionalism fell away from every one of us in that room in an instant. A pack of cars, indeed the second pack of cars behind the lead group, were all blasting down the back straight on the first green flag lap after a protracted caution period. All of a sudden, for reasons that were never clear, this pack of cars, the entire pack, all saw a passing opportunity. Someone checked up, or slowed or something, then the pack, and I mean the entire pack fanned out two – no three – no four – no SIX-wide.
Everyone, and I mean literally every one of us in the top level of the pressroom switched in that instant from being jaded, jaundiced reporters, and reverted back to what got us into this business in the first place: Race fans. Collectively we had been around racing long enough to know what was up, what was down, and what happens when things go sideways. And what we were now looking at was directly on the edge of going very, very sideways.
From the outside wall to the infield grass, six cars were now running side by side at 230 miles an hour. The biggest gap between any two cars was maybe the width of your palm. The slightest was the thickness of your hand. As the cars fanned out, we, the assembled press, all started screaming, and I mean screaming the exact same thing: “NO! No, no, NO, no, no, no, nononoNONONOOOOO!!!!”
Race fans watch the action at the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. Photo: Chris Owens.

Instant Fans
We knew what we were going to see next. This was bad. This was toddler wandering into a running machine shop bad. This was bad to the point of taking us out of journalism entirely. There were too many cars, too much speed, and a quickly diminishing amount of space . . . and then, cooler heads prevailed. It was as if all six drivers realized what they were doing and, in a snap, sorted it out.
Marco backed out of the throttle. Another car dropped left and back. Alonso (you knew Alonso was going to be in the middle of this) somehow found more speed, gained a car length, and moved right. It was over in a second, maybe a second and a half, maybe two. But in that brief span of time, we journalists were reduced to being just fans at the track, watching the race, having a blast.
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.
*To be continued. Bricks And Bones is an Automoblog original series with forthcoming installments during the days leading up to, and following the Indianapolis 500.
Cover Photo: Chris Owens.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/bricks-and-bones-chapter-10-among-the-fans/

The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata, Now With Moar Powerr

The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata, Now With Moar Powerr One of the oft-heard criticisms of Mazda’s fabulous Miata is that it lacks power. That’s a valid viewpoint, sure, but Mazda has slowly been addressing it, with the latest version putting out 151 ponies. Not bad for something that tips the scales at 2,300 lbs.
It could get even better though, and it has gotten better. Much better as a matter of fact.
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes with a thoroughly tweaked powertrain with 17 percent more power and even greater fuel efficiency.
Slim Fast Strategy
Yeah, yeah, I know, “The Miata is fun and all that, but the engine is weak.” I agree, but show me a gearhead that doesn’t want more power. Shoot, I’ve known vintage racers with 427 Cobras that complain about needing more top end.
Be all that as it may, Mazda, in their infinite wisdom, have not only boosted the current gen Miata’s power output, they have seriously gone through the engine itself, shaving weight, trimming reciprocating mass, paring down everything for greater efficiency and, like I said, more power.
Fun & Ferocious
Mazda took the current SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-banger and upped it to 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, giving the little guy a nice, broad usable range of Three-Grand between those peaks. Sharp-eyed readers will note the new redline sits at 7,500 rpm, up from the previous 6,800 rpm. That’s a 17 percent gain on the outgoing model and, with 181 ponies on tap in a 2,300 lbs. car, this is going to be fun.
It also means the SCCA is going to have to re-jigger their performance charts, because this new Miata should be an outright terror on the AutoX circuit.
Like I said, a little extra power never hurts and on top of that, the Hiroshima company also improved response, performance, feel, and efficiency across the board. The Mazda boffins were able to increase performance via several cunning, yet basically old school, hot-rodder tricks.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Textbook Examples
For starters, they reduced the internal mass and friction. Each piston has dropped 27g in mass by the minimized skirt areas. The con-rods are 41g lighter than before, which is a lot actually. The exhaust has been seriously tweaked with the upgraded engine carrying increased valve opening angles and valve lift heights. The exhaust manifold has a larger inner diameter that results in a 30 percent reduction in pumping losses.
The combustion process has been improved via reconfigured intake ports with new high-diffusion, high-pressure injectors. This refined the tumble and swirl of fuel to better-atomize it in the cylinder to boost efficiency and torque at all revs. As an added bonus, the new exhaust system sounds richer.
There is now a dual-mass flywheel that replaces the older, single-mass flywheel with a low-inertia unit to improve smoothness and responsiveness. The final drive ratio is also tweaked, being increased from 3.454 to 3.583 in order to improve linear response. Gear ratios are otherwise unchanged from previous versions.
These are all tried and true engine builder tricks from the beginning of the automobile: cut down on the reciprocating mass, lower internal friction, modify the valves, lower the internal friction some more, get the bad air moving out the exhaust system faster, you know, all the greatest hits.
The current, 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF. Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Cup Holders? Cause ‘Murica!
Besides the engine sharpening, the 2019 MX-5 introduces an available brown canvas soft top (why?), new black metallic 17-inch wheels, a new telescoping steering wheel with 42mm of travel (which is actually a big deal for drivers of a certain build), easier-to-open doors, and revised seat levers.
Hold on to your hats America, because Mazda has also revised the cup holders!
The safety gizmos have also gotten in on the act, as the new Miata comes with a standard rearview camera, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Smart City Brake Support. Throughout all of this, the beloved little lightweight sports car has gained just seven lbs. for 2019.
Whatever poundage the extra stuff added, Mazda was able to offset with clever ideas like an aluminum steering shaft replacing the previous steel unit. Mazda calls this the “Gram Strategy.”
Pricing & Availability
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata will be available in the United States this fall, with pricing, packaging, and full specifications to be announced closer to that time.
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
Photos & Source: Mazda North American Operations.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-2019-mazda-mx-5-miata-now-with-moar-powerr/

Ford & VW Eye Strategic Partnership To Boost Competitiveness, Customer Service

Ford & VW Eye Strategic Partnership To Boost Competitiveness, Customer Service Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen AG have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as each explore a mutually beneficial strategic alliance. The companies say the association would help them remain competitive while increasing their ability to serve customers.
“Ford is committed to improving our fitness as a business and leveraging adaptive business models – which include working with partners to improve our effectiveness and efficiency,” explained Jim Farley, President of Global Markets, Ford Motor Company. “This potential alliance with the Volkswagen Group is another example of how we can become more fit as a business, while creating a winning global product portfolio and extending our capabilities.”
Commercial Vehicle Applications
While the potential alliance would not involve equity arrangements or cross ownership stakes, the automakers will consider what collaboration would look like in various areas, including the development of commercial vehicles.
“Markets and customer demand are changing at an incredible speed. Both companies have strong and complementary positions in different commercial vehicle segments already,” said Dr. Thomas Sedran, Head of Volkswagen Group Strategy. “To adapt to the challenging environment, it is of utmost importance to gain flexibility through alliances. This is a core element of our Volkswagen Group Strategy 2025.”
Upward Movement
Both Ford and VW are expanding their individual operations to meet an evolving automotive market. Ford recently purchased an iconic Michigan landmark that will serve as an innovation hub, while VW is conducting advanced scientific research that aims to improve battery technology. Now both companies are testing the waters with this possible strategic alliance in the hopes they can find common ground.
“We look forward to exploring with the Volkswagen team in the days ahead how we might work together to better serve the evolving needs of commercial vehicle customers, and much more,” Farley said.
“The potential industrial cooperation with Ford is seen as an opportunity to improve competitiveness of both companies globally,” Dr. Sedran added.
The talks between both companies are expected to progress in the coming weeks.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Source: Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen Group.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/ford-vw-eye-strategic-partnership-to-boost-competitiveness-customer-service/

2019 Chevy Blazer: Maybe We Should Blaze The Old Trail Instead?

2019 Chevy Blazer: Maybe We Should Blaze The Old Trail Instead? I should get something off my chest before I raise my eyebrow. I like Chevrolet – really General Motors in general – but at heart, I’m a Chevy guy. Sure, Buick is cool and Caddy has their strong points, but my Silverado and Camaro enthusiasm is first. I live in Detroit and the Chevy Fountain is my favorite part about Comerica Park, made even better when one of our beloved Tigers launches a ball over it.
So Chevy is just in my blood.
Changing Tides
I am certain Chevrolet and General Motors (in general) know what they are doing. The have been building cars for a minute and understand the ever changing trends in the market. The 2019 Blazer will go exactly where it’s intended, but that’s a much different place than where the Blazer used to go.
Like through snow drifts and sand dunes.
But times are changing and the markets are evolving. To use a phrase fitting of the Chevy Fountain, it’s a different ballgame today and automakers, if they are to remain successful and profitable, must tune in to such things.
“Chevrolet has been at the forefront of each of the major automotive industry trends by anticipating consumer demand and delivering innovative products like Bolt EV, Colorado, and Trax,” explained Alan Batey, President of GM North America and head of Global Chevrolet. “The introduction of the all-new Blazer builds on that momentum and further strengthens the most comprehensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs on the market today.”
2019 Chevy Blazer. Photo: Chevrolet.
Blazing Trails
With the old K5; its near-immortal engines (350, 400, 6.2 Diesel), heavy-duty suspension, transfer case, and axles, and sheer size, one felt like they could drive over mountains. And yes, with today’s technology and engineering, smaller powertrains can produce more torque with better efficiency; advanced materials make for lighter and stronger components. Overall, today’s vehicles are better in almost every way.
And the 2019 Chevy Blazer is no exception. It’s “better” than the K5 because it benefits from a dose of modernity. But still . . . the K5 was the K5. As a kid, I thought the “K’ stood for King. The 2019 Chevy Blazer might be better, but could it ever best the King? Similar to how a pop star today might benefit from modern recording equipment, but that doesn’t make them Elvis.
The new Blazer lands between the Equinox and Traverse, an odd move considering the return of the Ford Bronco in 2020. Perhaps the Bowtie will challenge the Blue Oval with another offering, but from the onset, it would seem the best (and only) contender against a burly Bronco would be a beastly Blazer.
Give it the ZR2 treatment like the Colorado, and Chevy might could send the old Bronco to pasture.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Styling Treatments
Instead, it looks like the 2019 Blazer will roam free on city expressways and through suburban developments, standing as the most prominent expression of Chevrolet’s current crossover design theme. No, it’s not the K5, but the wide stance, tight proportions, higher beltline, and overall sculpting do give it a certain level of muscular flair.
The LED daytime running lamps are a nice touch.
Each individual model will offer a unique look and distinctive styling, meant to fancy the tastes of different customers. Depending on the model, the grille or chrome layout might change, or in the case of the RS, a shaded and blacked-out theme will rule the vehicle. 18-inch aluminum wheels are standard but opt for either the RS or Premier, and 21-inch wheels are on the table.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Interior Treatments
Five passenger seating means the clan can pile in and with wireless charging and six available USB ports, they won’t miss a single right swipe on the trip. Those having already found the right swipe of their dreams can kick out the extra passengers, fold the second row seats down, and take advantage of over 64 cubic feet of cargo space for that romantic getaway.
Don’t read into that. Two lovers on vacation can pack enough to supply an army.
If packing for the trip causes concern, opt for the Blazer’s cargo management system which will help keep everything organized. Once the gear is packed, the drive should be enjoyable with the available heated and ventilated front seats and panoramic sunroof.
The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system is standard along with 4G LTE WiFi connectivity.

Power & Performance
The 2019 Blazer trades big and bulky for lean and efficient, coming standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 193 horsepower. Drivers will get more juice out of the available 3.6-liter V6, an evergreen GM plant that produces a healthy 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines are direct-injected, utilize stop/start technology, and come paired to a nine-speed automatic.
With the V6, the 2019 Blazer can tow 4,500 lbs., nice for those weekend trips to the lake. The Hitch Guidance and Hitch View systems should make it easy to attach to a trailer.
Traction Select is standard, allowing drivers to better tailor the Blazer to the conditions at hand. RS and Premier models offer a more sophisticated twin-clutch all-wheel drive system that helps optimize traction, especially on wet or icy roads.
Pricing & Availability
Expect the 2019 Blazer at Chevy dealerships early next year, with pricing announced closer to the start of production.
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: Chevrolet.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-chevy-blazer-maybe-we-should-blaze-the-old-trail-instead/

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: New Appearance Package Proves Minivans Are Cool

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: New Appearance Package Proves Minivans Are Cool Who says minivans can’t be cool?! The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will still haul the family, but it’s a bit edgier now with the new S Appearance Package. The addition gives the Pacifica Hybrid a shaded and blacked-out look, a design that is becoming quite popular today. The package is – and has been for awhile – available for the gas Pacifica.
“The factory custom look of the S Appearance model is really resonating with our Pacifica buyers, so much so that we are now making it available on the Pacifica Hybrid model,” explained Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA – North America.
Styling Treatments
The styling deets have gloss black elements running the length of the exterior: grille surrounds, eyebrow accents on the headlamps, daylight opening moldings, roof rack, and rear valance moldings all see gloss black treatment.
The 18-inch wheels and the Pacifica’s badging come in a “Black Noise” finish.
The S Appearance Package fills the interior with a combination of black and “Light Diesel Gray” accents.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid with the S Appearance Package. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Storied Past
35 years ago, Chrysler changed the automotive landscape with the minivan. Both Lee Iacocca and Hal Sperlich, fresh off a rejection from Ford Motor Company for a minivan concept, landed at cross town rivals Chrysler. They were the architects of the Mustang, which proved wildly successful for Ford, but the Blue Oval was hesitant to combine the words “mini” and “van” together.
The Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager would later surface, arguably to the bewilderment of not only Ford, but other automakers as well. That first generation paved the way for the Pacifica Hybrid, which provides 566 miles of total range and more than 100 available safety and security features. The cassette tape players of the early minivans are now replaced by the Uconnect 4 system of the Pacifica, complete with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and 4G LTE connectivity.
In essence, Chrysler’s minivan has aged well, boasting 115 specific innovations in the segment.
“With 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode and 33 miles of all-electric range, this package makes the industry’s only hybrid minivan even more unique,” Beahm added.
Pricing & Availability
The S Appearance Package for the 2019 Pacifica Hybrid is available for $595.00, and can be ordered as soon as next month. Expect S Appearance-themed Pacifica Hybrids at FCA dealerships this fall.
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: FCA US LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-chrysler-pacifica-hybrid-new-appearance-package-proves-minivans-are-cool/

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Review

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Review If you live in a snowy climate, the Toyota Land Cruiser is highly capable, and is aimed at the family who needs guaranteed control on an icy road leading to a ski area, or safe traction on the dirt road leading to a mountain house, or headed into those mountains for a weekend biking or hiking trip.
Need to pull something for recreational use? The Land Cruiser can even tow boats or horse trailers up to 8,100 lbs.
What’s New For 2018
Following a substantial freshening for 2016, the Land Cruiser is little-changed for the 2018 model year. The rear-seat entertainment system, formerly standard, is now an option. Outside mirrors now fold inward as the vehicle is locked.
What hasn’t changed is the Land Cruiser’s ability to handle big loads, haul heavy cargo, and transport people and gear in comfort. It comes with a heavy-duty architecture for handling bigger jobs.
Features & Options
The 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser ($83,665) comes with four-wheel drive, eight-passenger seating, four-zone automatic climate control, semi-aniline perforated leather seat trim, heated/ventilated power front seats, a cooler box, push-button start, LED headlights, and 18-inch wheels. Infotainment features include a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a nine-inch touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with a DVD player and dual 11.6-inch screens.
Total MSRP including destination: $84,960.

Interior Highlights
At first glance, the Land Cruiser almost resembles a luxury sedan. There is abundant interior space and plenty of leg and headroom in both the first and second rows. Front seats are wide and well-padded, helping to provide excellent views and room for taller drivers. Row two isn’t far behind in comfort, with room for three average-size adults. The semi-aniline leather upholstery feels luxurious, and there is some hard plastic trim likely for ease of cleaning after a long camping or hunting trip.
At the center console, controls for the transfer case and four-wheel drive system sit alongside a conventional gearshift lever. Land Cruiser’s upright, symmetrical dashboard is packed with large buttons and knobs, yet most controls are accessed through the infotainment screen.
The third row is ideal for kids, with a truck-based configuration with two removable seat halves that can fold upward when not in use for more cargo carrying ability. Cargo volume totals 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43 cubic feet when those seats are folded away. Removing the third-row seats and folding the second-row seats boosts space close to 82 cubic feet.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Toyota offers just one engine for the Land Cruiser: a long-proven, 5.7-liter V8 generating 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft. of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic. Every Land Cruiser has full-time four-wheel drive, with a locking center differential and a two-speed transfer case that permits low-range operation.
EPA fuel mileage ratings come in at 13/18 city/highway and 15 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
Out on the road, the Toyota Land Cruiser is smooth, quiet, and comfortable for long trips. The high seating position gives the driver and passengers a commanding view of the road ahead. It left us with a feeling of superiority over the rest of the crowd on the highway. And the big 5.7-liter V8 with its massive torque rating helped with that superior feeling.
We were able to power by anyone who was going too slow by pushing the gas pedal to the floor. The big V8 responded well and took us anywhere we wanted to go quickly.
We didn’t have a snow storm this week, but the all-wheel drive SUV powered through the off-road course near Morrison, Colorado. The Land Cruiser’s four-wheel drive system has four modes, actuated by a toggle switch on the center console. It can be operated by locking the center differential in high or low-range. We encountered patches of ice on the road, and locking the center differential helped maintain grip as individual wheels encountered the slippery surfaces.
The Land Cruiser is a big vehicle and the only downside is parking and maneuvering it in the city, which can be challenging. But parking is made easier with its low-effort steering at slow speeds. Visibility was an issue as we headed over the crest of a hill in the mountains because the hood is tall. We lost sight of the road as we approached another car.
But on the open road, it works.
Conclusion
The 2018 Land Cruiser offers plenty of utility, exceptional capability off-road, towing power, and Toyota’s reputation for build quality. The big vehicle is relaxing to drive on long trips, gliding down the open highway with ease. For those who live in the country or a rural setting, the Land Cruiser will handle big loads, haul heavy cargo, and transport people and gear in comfort.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Gallery

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-toyota-land-cruiser-review/

2019 BMW 8 Series: Sonny Corleone’s Car Two Decades Later

2019 BMW 8 Series: Sonny Corleone’s Car Two Decades Later Okay y’all, here we go again. BMW is having another run at making a big coupe. For reasons that are beyond me, the Bavarian company seems to have a hard time getting things just right in this arena. As a matter of fact, they haven’t even tried to take a crack at this for 20 years.
It was 20 years ago that BMW gave up on trying to make their last big coupe, coincidentally also an 8 Series, work financially. The last 8 Series coupe was a serious car. It wasn’t a sports car, it was too big and heavy to be considered that, but what it did have was still impressive: Lots of technology and a big, whopping V12 engine.
It was what a German Architect would drive: Stylish, exclusive, powerful, expensive. But for some reason, BMW could never seem to sell those things. The only people who likeed them were NBA players (they were incredibly roomy), but NBA players are a pretty small market, so BMW finally stopped.
Honest & Handsome
Fast forward to today, and BMW wants another try. Ever since the passing of the glorious 3.0 CS, 3.0 CSi, and the sublime 3.0 CSL, BMW has been wanting a coupe that says, “See! You best take us seriously buddy.” And with the all-new 2019 8 Series Coupe, they might just have an answer in the affirmative.
The 2019 BMW 8 Series Coupe will never be called a beautiful car; brutally handsome fits better. The production version looks a lot like the show car that debuted at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2017. BMW says the styling focuses on modernity and emotional engagement. I say it’s sort of the automotive equivalent of Sonny Corleone; more purposeful than beautiful, stronger, rather than graceful. It’s not a scalpel, it’s a cleaver, and a very sharp one at that.
The styling is all low-slung and elongated silhouettes, slim window pillars and “double-bubble” contouring, long wheelbase, and wide track.
The number ‘8’ in the model name indicates the new vehicle’s high-ranking status within BMW’s product range. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Power & Performance
All this „Geh mir aus dem Weg, ich bin ein Ruck mit viel Geld“ style gets moving thanks to a new aluminum alloy, TwinPower Turbo V8 engine; a 4.4-liter mill with two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the cylinder’s V. It’s managed by High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. The engine’s note is described as “enthralling” (for what that’s worth) and the entire package is further regulated by a Driving Experience Control switch that can tweak stuff like accelerator response, comfort versus performance, power delivery, and acoustics.
Bottom line for the new V8 engine: 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. of torque.
Driveline Magic
After the engine comes an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with wider ratios and quicker gear shifts. Weight has been reduced, gear shifts are sharper, rotational forces are reduced, and the whole deal is controlled via a bunch of computers between your fingertips on the shift paddles and the transmission.
And yes, the 2019 BMW 8 Series will be all-wheel drive. Currently, no other option exists. BMW says the xDrive system has been improved and comes with an electronically-controlled differential lock. Thankfully, BMW says all of the drive torque is directed to the rear wheels in situations when all-wheel drive is not needed. The system’s rear-biased setup promises a driving experience above and beyond the luxuries this car carries.
BMW says to achieve rapid combustion, the intake ports have been optimized for higher flow on the new 8 Series. The enlarged twin-scroll turbochargers and the variable valve and camshaft timing enable throttle losses during the gas-exchange cycle to be eliminated as far as possible, allowing for better exhaust gas recirculation and lower fuel consumption. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Suspension & Braking
The suspension for the new 8 is a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear design. An electro-mechanical steering box points the front end, which is held up by torsion struts, while the rear axle rides on independent rubber bearings to increase camber stiffness and enhance the suspension’s baseline setup.
Also standard is an Adaptive M suspension with electronically-controlled dampers; both compression and rebound are adjusted continuously and independently. Yes, like the engine and trans, the suspension is also controlled and adjusted via the Driving Experience Control switch.
Braking? C’mon man, this is a BMW, it’s got brakes that could stop a train. The 8 Series Coupe is whoa’ed up with four-piston, fixed-caliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-caliper brakes at the rear. There’s an electronic parking brake (boo!) and the DSC stability control is fully integrated into the braking system.
Manufacturing & Availability
All this adds up to the new 2019 BMW M850i xDrive doing zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, topping out at a limited 155 mph (boo!). Pricing will be released closer to the on sale date this coming fall. The new coupe will be built at the BMW Dingolfing plant in Germany, home to 7 Series sedan production.
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
2019 BMW 8 Series Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-bmw-8-series-sonny-corleones-car-two-decades-later/