Automotive

2017 Honda Clarity Electric Arrives, Bites Into Competition

2017 Honda Clarity Electric Arrives, Bites Into Competition

You want something green and electric but don’t have Tesla Model S or Model X levels of cash to spend. Well, your answer might just have arrived, and I mean literally arrived at your local Honda dealership. At least if that dealership is in California or Oregon.
In a lot of ways, the problem with Tesla’s products isn’t range or battery depletion, it’s cost. Amazing and livable as the Model S and X are, they are expensive. Very expensive. Like, new Porsche expensive.
And, if you’re a serious gearhead like us here at One Automoblog Towers, would you rather buy a Tesla, with all that lovely torque at zero rpm, or would you rather buy a new Porsche? Yeah, us too.
Name Recognition
But move down-market a tad and things could become much more palatable to consumers. This is, of course, what Tesla is trying to do with its Model 3 (just hitting customers as we speak). And this is exactly the spot, more or less, where the Honda Clarity Electric fits. The Clarity Electric, however, has the built-in virtue of being a Honda, a known entity with Dealerships spread far and wide across this continent, unlike Tesla, which sorely lacks representation in big chunks of America. Did you know Honda has a dealership in Fairbanks, Alaska? They do. Do you know where you can talk to a Tesla dealer in Alaska? You can’t. There are no Tesla dealers in Alaska.
So what is this? What, pray tell, is the Honda Clarity? The thumbnail sketch is that the Clarity is a range of three hybrid/electric cars (a sedan, actually) with new drivetrain technology. The Clarity is actually a car line unto itself. You can get Clarity plug-in hybrids later this year and, as of last December, you could get a Clarity Fuel Cell model. And now, at least in two states, there’s the full-blown Honda Clarity Electric.
Photo: Honda North America.

Electrification Initiative
The Honda Clarity is the first-ever vehicle series that offers an array of electrified powertrains. It’s sort of like if you could get a Prius that was just electric, or a hybrid. Seems like a smart marketing move on Honda’s part. Although the Clarity has its fair share of styling quirks, it’s not nearly as space-ship goofy looking as a Prius or a BMW i3. Honda calls it “sophisticated,” which it probably is, since Honda works this stuff to the Nth degree.
Still, it’s a five-seat sedan that would be hard to spot as anything unique in the mall parking lot. The only real way to tell the Clarity Electric apart from other Clarity models is by the Cobalt Blue Pearl color and slightly different front styling.
The Clarity is also the thin edge of the wedge (to use a military term) of something referred to as the “Honda Electrification Initiative.” That, in turn, is going to be Honda’s bridge to more efficient and cleaner cars in the years ahead. Honda wants two-thirds of their global automobile sales coming from electrified vehicles by 2030, so get ready.
Photo: Honda North America.
Power & Performance
The Clarity Electric sedan is motivated by a 161 horsepower (120 kilowatt) electric motor that cranks out 221 lb-ft. of torque. As with all electric motors, there is no torque “curve” to speak of. All 221 lb-ft. of torque will literally be available at zero rpm, smoking the tires to great effect once you find a way around the traction control system. NOTE: We here at One Automoblog Towers do not advocate doing that with this, or any other new EV. It will, no doubt, violate your warranty, get you in trouble, get you a stern talking to in the principal’s office, that sort of thing. Although fairness compels us to mention that certain members of the Automoblog staff have done stuff like this, and it’s a total blast.
At any rate, the Honda Clarity gets the juice for its electric motor from a 25.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Clarity Electric can be fully charged in a little over three hours with a 240 volt system, using the DC fast charging with the SAE Combined Charging System. You can achieve an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes if you don’t have much time to wait around. The “fuel” economy figures work out to 126 city, 103 highway, and 114 combined MPGe, with an EPA range rating of 89 miles on a full charge. Not a lot of distance, but more than enough for day to day, around town sort of stuff.
In a lot of ways, if it wasn’t for the EV drivetrain, the Clarity Electric is pretty normal. It is, from the inside, a spacious and comfortable sedan suited for daily driving needs. It comes in a premium Touring trim and is loaded with all the technology and safety features consumers expect today. There’s a lot of gizmos inside including an 8-inch Display Audio setup with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies.
Photo: Honda North America.

Pricing & Availability
Honda doesn’t explicitly mention the price of the 2017 Honda Clarity Electric sedan, since it seems to be a lease only kind of thing. A fairly smart, if conservative business strategy here, since it will be easier to get them all back if you decide to quit the whole plan, or things don’t work out the way you like. The introductory lease runs you $269 a month for 36 months via select dealerships in California and Oregon. The lease gives you an allowance of 20,000 miles per year and 24/7 roadside assistance (a nice perk).
That $269 does reflect the federal tax credit. At signing, if you want to get down to the bottom line here, you’ll be on the hook for $1,730 down, plus the first month’s payment less tax, registration, and/or other fees. California and Oregon customers may qualify for state rebates of $2,500.
Is Honda’s Clarity Electric for you? That’s up to you to decide, but it’s not worth dismissing out of hand if you are in the market for an electric vehicle.
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 Honda Clarity Electric Gallery

Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-honda-clarity-electric-arrives-bites-into-competition/

2017 Toyota Corolla iM Review

2017 Toyota Corolla iM Review

The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM sounds like a new model, but it’s really a rebadged Scion iM that was launched last year. The Scion brand was axed but this Corolla rides on the same platform, meaning the remnants of Scion are still under the Toyota Umbrella.
This week, we drove the 2017 Toyota Corolla iM automatic 5-Door hatch.
What’s New For 2017
The 2017 iM is new to Toyota this year but it’s basically the same car as last year’s Scion iM. Standard automatic high-beam control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning and mitigation are new for 2017.
Features & Options
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM comes in a single, well-equipped model. The 5-door hatchback automatic ($19,490) comes with many standard amenities for the price. It features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights, automatic headlights, power-folding heated mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping column with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and a rearview camera.
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker stereo with HD radio, Aha streaming Internet radio, and a USB interface complete the list of connectivity technologies. Our tester also came with floormats and a cargo mat ($185), wheel locks ($65), and rear wind deflector ($399). Total MSRP including destination: $21,498.

Interior Highlights
The cabin of the Corolla iM matches the outside with its contemporary design. A dash covered in fashionable piano black features swooping lines and round vents. There’s a lot of upscale, soft-touch trim throughout. The height-adjustable front seats are supportive and the upholstery is average for an economy compact. We liked the simple instrument layout and dual-zone climate control; the standard 7-inch touchscreen is easy to reach and reacts quickly.
The rearview camera is a welcome feature as the rear hatch window is small and visibility is limited when backing up. Front visibility is good with the small pillars, raked hood, and big windshield. The backseat is not as roomy as the front and there’s not a lot of cargo room (20.8 cubic feet) when the rear seatbacks are up, but they’re still 60/40 and fold flat for some cargo carrying ability.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM is powered by the same high-revving, 1.8-liter four-cylinder as the Corolla. It produces 137 horsepower and 126 lb-ft. of torque. Our Corolla iM tester had the 7-speed CVTi-S automatic transmission that transfers power to the front wheels, although a 6-speed manual is standard.
Fuel economy is an EPA estimated 28/36 city/highway and 31 combined with the CVTi-S.
Driving Dynamics
The iM automatic felt lively and light in the corners as we tossed the subcompact around the tight mountain curves near Evergreen, west of Denver. When we took it on the open road and through the high country at altitude, the automatic felt like any Continuously Variable Transmission: it winds up tight when pushed hard.
The Toyota iM is a sporty compact but it’s not a true sports hatch. It won’t blow the doors off with its acceleration, but it does hold its own after you get up to speed. We dropped the 7-speed CVTi-S automatic into sport mode and kept the revs up for more spirited driving in the tight mountain curves. In heavy, stop-and-go city traffic this week, we thought the automatic was preferable over the manual. It gets tiring when you have to continually push in the clutch to move a few feet forward.
Conclusion
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM comes with a long list of standard features for the price, has hatchback versatility, it’s fuel efficient, and would be a good vehicle for urban dwellers.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Toyota Corolla iM Gallery

We trust Edmunds.com to give us the best, up to date, and TRUE pricing of what people are really paying for their cars. Get a free dealer quote at Edmunds on this car:

2017 Toyota Corolla iM Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-toyota-corolla-im-review/

Ram Announces Segment-Leading Torque, Focuses On Customers

Ram Announces Segment-Leading Torque, Focuses On Customers

The heavy duty truck segment is one of the most competitive with Ford, General Motors, and Ram continually raising the bar. Ram has done so again, announcing segment-leading figures for the new 3500 HD. The forthcoming 2018 Ram 3500 HD cranks out 930 lb-ft. of torque, with a maximum fifth-wheel towing capacity of 30,000 lbs. when properly equipped.
Ram inches ahead of Ford who had the segment’s highest torque rating prior at 925 lb-ft. The redesigned Duramax comes in at 910 lb-ft. of torque, although GM leads the segment in horsepower.
Torque & Towing
Ram’s design and engineering teams are focused on providing the best possible truck for their customers. According to Jim Morrison, Head of Ram Brand FCA North America, the torque increase was necessary to better meet the demands of today’s heavy duty truck buyer.
“Torque is ultimately important to the heavy duty customer because it’s what gets the truck moving,” he said. “It’s what makes for maximum loads and really sets the truck up for ultimate capability.”
After working closely with Cummins, the 2018 Ram 3500 HD emerged with an enhanced variable geometry turbo and higher boost limits. Combined with flow rate increases and a more optimized fuel delivery system, the new Ram 3500 HD now produces an additional 30 lb-ft. of torque, for a grand total of 930. Ram Engineering also developed a new fifth-wheel hitch, giving the 3500 HD the aforementioned 30,000 lbs. towing capacity. The in-house hitch from Ram accommodates trailers normally reserved for Class 4 and 5 trucks.
“This opens the door for our commercial customers who are looking for maximum weight on their fifth-wheel hitch,” Morrison explained.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Tow Ratings & Availability
The 2018 Ram 3500 HD, when properly equipped, has a maximum gooseneck rating of 31,210 lbs. and a maximum conventional rating of 20,000 lbs. Similarly, Ram 2500 trucks provide best-in-class gas towing at 16,230 lbs. Ram HD trucks also lead in a frequently overlooked area by others in the segment: snow plowing. When properly equipped, Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks have the industry’s highest snow plow rating. Ram engineers actually conduct dedicated plow testing in Houghton, Michigan, where temperatures regularly fall below zero.
Expect the 2018 Ram HD trucks at dealerships this month.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/ram-announces-segment-leading-torque-focuses-on-customers/

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Showcases Decades of Racing History

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Showcases Decades of Racing History

Like I should have to tell any real gearhead this, but it’s almost time for the Monterey Historics, also known as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. For those that don’t know (and I pity their barren and bereft life), every year around mid-August there is easily the best gathering of old cool rides, sports cars, and vintage racers on the planet. It takes place at Laguna Seca, Pebble Beach, The Quail Lodge, and as a rolling display on the costal and inland roads of the Monterey Peninsula.
Sea of Iron
The Monterey Historics make every other similar event look like a Saturday night cruise-in at the Malt Shack in size, scope, breadth, and depth. Besides Monterey, The Goodwood Festival of Speed is just a run up a rich guy’s driveway with some cos-play thrown in. The Amelia Island Concours is just a bunch of swells standing around talking about the new colors in Ralph Lauren polo shirts. The parking lot at Laguna Seca is better than 75% of the car shows I’ve been to. My first time to the vintage races, I was waiting in line when I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw an alloy-bodied Ferrari short-wheelbase Berlinetta. “How many of those did they make,” I wondered, “14, 16, something like that.” 20 yards later, I drove by two more of them parked in the infield.
The entire locale is saturated in vintage and exotic iron to the point of metallosis. There are Ferraris and Bugattis and Alfas and Lambos and Jags and Astons and Delahayes and Stutz Bearcats and Packards and Duesenbergs all over the place; literally around every corner. I saw a Bugatti Type 35 parked at a frickin’ 7-Eleven while the owner was inside buying smokes. It is that level of saturation, and this year’s event doesn’t show any signs of letting up. For example, just at Laguna Seca alone, there will be some of the most prominent racing history on display yet.
Regal Racers
There will be a special infield exhibit showing racers with historical significance to the track, with the first and most recent winners across from one another. The 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa Pete Lovely drove to victory at the inaugural Laguna Seca event and the Pebble Beach Road Races in 1957 will be among the first. Those Pebble Beach Road Races were the good, old style races on closed public roads, in and out of the fog shrouded trees, with scant attention paid to “safety.”
Lovely’s ’56 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa is a car I’m actually quite familiar with. Lovely was a local racer when I was growing up; he kept the car throughout his life and I saw it many times at other vintage races. Next to Lovely’s iconic machine will be the 2016 K-PAX Racing McLaren 650S GT3 that Alvaro Parente won the Pirelli World Challenge with last October.
Photo: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Heritage Racers
Also on exhibition, the 1956 Porsche 356A Carrera that competed in the last race on the old Pebble Beach course. There will be a 1963 Shelby King Cobra, an odd choice since the King Cobras never lived up to their promise, nor did they match the exploits of the original Cobras. A 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302 will also be shown, representative of the Trans Am battles that took place there and at other tracks across North America. A monstrous 1973 Porsche 917/30, the car Roger Penske and Mark Donohue refined to such a degree that it destroyed the competition and then the entire series will be on display. Also on exhibit, a 1983 March Indy Car, the first to win at Laguna Seca.
There will be a 1985 Porsche 962, the IMSA variant of the 956, alongside the frighteningly effective 1993 AAR Toyota Eagle that Dan Gurney used in annihilating the competition. There will also be the 1999 BMW V12 LMR that won the Le Mans 24 Hours after extensive input from Williams Grand Prix Engineering. The Le Mans 24 Hours gets further representation with a 2005 Audi R8 that has unique ties to the 2.238-mile circuit. As a final cherry on top, you can get up close and personal with the 1989 Yamaha YZR500 Wayne Rainey rode to a win at the 1989 U.S. Grand Prix. That was Rainey’s first of three consecutive victories in Monterey. Little guy was so good with a bike they named one of the corners after him (it’s the left-hander directly after the 80-foot elevator drop of the Corkscrew).
Memorable Moments
If you can make it, go. If you can’t make it this year, go as soon as you can. On the track there will be 550 race cars of historic provenance doing what they were designed to do: race. Don’t care about race cars? Then consider the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach; there’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering or the Concorso Italiano as well. Either way, get out and enjoy a world-class car show when you can. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is held August 17th through the 20th.
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: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/rolex-monterey-motorsports-reunion-showcases-decades-of-racing-history/

2018 Jaguar F-TYPE: Anything But Dull And Boring (Video)

2018 Jaguar F-TYPE: Anything But Dull And Boring (Video)

The 2018 Jaguar F-TYPE is anything but dull and boring, and earlier this week, that’s exactly what Jaguar was going for. The automaker launched a new campaign for the F-TYPE in the towns of Dull, Perthshire in Scotland and Boring, Oregon. Jaguar provided a new F-TYPE for two residents of Dull and two from Boring so they could zip through their respective communities in not so dull and boring ways.
Community Bond
Dull, with 200 residents, sits about 75 miles north of Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. Boring, here in the United States, is about 21 miles east of Portland, Oregon. Although a bit larger than Dull at 8,000 residents, Boring’s citizens share the same passion for their home as those in Dull. They readily embrace the names, joining forces in 2012 to form a new public holiday – Dull and Boring Day – now held annually on August 9th. To mark the occasion this year, Jaguar showcased the new F-TYPE and demonstrated how each community is anything but what their name reflects.
“Bringing the F-TYPE to the cities of Dull and Boring allowed us to have a bit of fun with the brand in a way that was relatable for Jaguar consumers in the United Kingdom and the United States,” said Joe Torpey, Communications Manager, Jaguar Land Rover North America.
2018 Jaguar F-TYPE. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Performance & Technology
The 2018 Jaguar F-TYPE is powered a diverse range of engines, including a turbocharged 296 horsepower Ingenium four-cylinder, a supercharged V6, and an all-wheel drive V8. The latter is found in the F-TYPE SVR Coupe with a top speed of 200 mph. If you don’t want to go that fast, opt for the F-TYPE SVR Convertible which only hits 195 mph.
Those with an appetite for technology will appreciate the new F-TYPE. The standard Jaguar InControl Touch Pro system features faster processors and automotive Ethernet connections. The system supports a number of additional apps and driver assistance technologies. GoPro connectivity enables a new app called ReRun that sources telemetry data from the car like speed, lateral acceleration, gear selection, and throttle and brake position. Said data can be transferred to a smartphone so drivers always have a record of their track performance.
The 2018 Jaguar F-TYPE starts at $59,900 and will be available later this year. In the meantime, see how the citizens of Dull and Boring made the most of their holiday with the new F-TYPE in the video below.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo, Video & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-jaguar-f-type-anything-but-dull-and-boring-video/

Letter From The UK: An Unavoidable Future

Letter From The UK: An Unavoidable Future

It isn’t just the British who are at odds with the pan-European ideal; both Poland and Hungary now have serious disagreements with the rest of the Euro-zone. The European Union overall is lurching from crisis to crisis and this is having a knock-on effect economically. One such set-back is how the UK new car market has declined by almost ten percent last month. This is the fourth consecutive monthly fall. Although in line with forecasts, it remains a barometer of falling economic consumer confidence.
Demand was down across business, fleet, and private buyers, although oddly in July, more buyers opted for dual purpose and specialist sports cars, the only two vehicle segments to enjoy growth. That may just mean some are more financially resilient than others of course.
Greener Pastures
The demand for alternatively fueled vehicles has soared, we learn. As registrations for new gas and diesel cars have declined, interest in electric vehicles and hybrids is rising. This doesn’t mean necessarily your friends and neighbors are suddenly mad for electric cars, as there is a sense we are being railroaded into it.
The repercussions of the “Dieselgate” scandal are rippling out wider and wider, like the aftermath of a rock being thrown into a still pond. The vilification of diesel fuel, whether deserved or not, has led to a softening of demand for the oil-burners. After a very slow start, motorists are now keen to learn more about electric cars. Certainly this might be because car buyers are more conscious of a cleaner, greener future, but it is more likely related to the Government’s plans to ensure no new diesel or gas-powered cars are sold after 2040.
If you want a brand new car after that date, it will have to be of the alternative fuel variety.

Electrified Kingdom
Consumers are thus becoming more aware of the new technology, especially after the announcement that all new cars launched, for example, by Swedish manufacturer Volvo from 2019 onward, will be partially or completely battery-powered. Between 2019 and 2021, Volvo will introduce five dedicated EVs and ensure the rest of their conventional petrol and diesel range has a hybrid variant of some form. Add to this the vast majority of motorists now saying they would feel safe while driving an electric vehicle. Over two-thirds say they would be happy to buy an used EV, and thus it is clear: the times, they are a-changing.
Are we in danger though of running before we can walk, as it were? Great Britain has a very poor public charging infrastructure and this needs to be addressed well before 2040, especially as sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids continue to rise. Fuel giant Shell announced a pilot project for the installation and operation of the first fast-chargers for electric vehicles at selected service stations. They are expected to be on stream by the end of this year. It’s a start, but there’s a long road ahead.
Despite all the big talk, the Futurama reality of electric-charging highways remains a distant aim, so charging outlets are the key to the ultimate rise of EVs. Consumers are now well aware of the range issue that dogs electric-powered cars. These cars are fine for local motoring in Britain because most journeys are short, unlike the USA where much greater distances have to be covered. However, most of us need to make longer trips too, and hanging around for two hours topping up the power just won’t wash with the public. Ample, readily available, super-fast charging is vital.

Rest In Pieces
The other problem is power generation. Wind and wave power is not going to do the job, and this country needs to go nuclear in a much bigger way if we are to generate enough juice. Yet there is a determined anti-nuclear lobby who don’t want that. In short, there’s a long way to go before our future is truly electric.
Still, unquestionably, the demise of ICE cars is written in stone by those that govern. Take a photograph of your V8 ride because it won’t be long before we see those fossil fuel dinosaurs taking that last ride to their automotive funeral. We will watch them from our clean, green electric future as they swing into the crusher to be turned into fans and cans and pans and cheap jewelry made from redundant piston rings. There are still many ways the plans could go awry – maybe our beloved V8s will live to fight another day? We are human after all. Even politicians.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/letter-from-the-uk-an-unavoidable-future/

McLaren 600LT Gets Stealth Grey Paint & Tons of “Visual Carbon”

McLaren 600LT Gets Stealth Grey Paint & Tons of “Visual Carbon” McLaren 600LT receives bespoke treatments by McLaren Special Operations (MSO).
Debut set for the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn this Sunday, August 26th.
The McLaren 600LT is already a stunning car – does the new paint really add anything?
Special Editions
McLaren Special Operations, the McLaren in-house custom shop that goes by the initials MSO is rolling out its latest bit of special confectionery. The McLaren 600LT in Stealth Grey debuts on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this Sunday, August 26th. Fine, okay. But what makes this one so special?
Say what you want about McLaren’s F1 team these days (they’re abysmally terrible) but their road car division sure is cranking out the good stuff. And, like all high end supercar makers, McLaren has their own internal customizing division.
You know, for those of you that can’t buy anything off the rack, even if what’s off the rack are some of the best sports cars money can buy.
Paint Jobs
What we’re dealing with here is a ramped up version of the Woking company’s already potent 600LT. Which is already kind of a hopped-up version of the 570S; meaning less weight, more power, and that longer tail (that’s what the LT stands for).
The main distinguishing feature is the Stealth Grey Bespoke paint finish with a Mattee Black and McLaren (i.e. papaya) Orange Exterior Pack to show off the car’s aerodynamic features. McLaren makes a big deal out of this shade and that it’s “bespoke,” but I’m not all that ruffled by it. So what, you did a paint to sample and it’s a dark grey/flat-ish black color.
McLaren 600LT in Stealth Grey by MSO. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Function & Induction
Also added to the mix is a Visual Carbon Fiber Roof Scoop, inspired by the McLaren F1, but not nearly as well integrated, visually at least. Yes, it’s a fully functional air intake. Yes, you can hear the induction roar better. Woking has thoughtfully included a track telemetry camera and integrated it into the scoop to record “inspirational moments.”
Besides the paint and that scoop, you’ll also find all three of the optional Carbon Fiber Upgrade Packs on this 600LT. That means the door mirrors, exterior door inserts, front splitter, rear bumper, diffuser, and rear deck and service cover are all made out of the cool, space-age stuff.
There is also an MSO Defined Carbon Fiber Roof and Cantrails, along with Carbon Fiber Front Fender Louvers.
No, I have no idea what “Defined” refers to in this case. Yes, all of this liberal use of carbon fiber reduces weight, so huzzah! The last of the lightweight goodies are the 10-spoke forged alloy wheels with a gloss black finish.
Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Visual Carbon & Big Stereos
Of course they’ve diddled with the insides, constantly reminding you how track-focused things are with a slew of MSO knick-knacks. Super-Lightweight Carbon Fiber Racing Seats, sourced from the McLaren Senna, with McLaren (i.e. papaya) Orange contrast stitching. A Carbon Fiber Interior Upgrade Pack with central tunnel and door insert panels, and a harness bar and six-point harnesses from the MSO Clubsport Pro Pack. The visual carbon fiber roof scoop cover is incorporated into the headliner, and the twin visual carbon fiber intake hoses for the scoop are integrated into the 600LT’s cabin design.
Again with the “visual” carbon. Is there an “invisible” option? Cause that’d be cool.
For those that insist on overdone car stereos, the McLaren 600LT in Stealth Grey comes with a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
Pricing
How much? Well, with the McLaren 600LT starting at $240,000, you’ve got to figure this one is going to be expensive. And it is: $363,500. Although Woking mysteriously says to re-create the car, it would cost approximately $363,500, but never say, exactly, that 363 large is the asking price.
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
McLaren 600LT in Stealth Grey by MSO Gallery

Photos & Source: McLaren Automotive.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/mclaren-600lt-gets-stealth-grey-paint-tons-of-visual-carbon/

Brabham BT62 Emerges During Monterey Car Week

Brabham BT62 Emerges During Monterey Car Week Brabham BT62 makes North American debut during Monterey Car Week.
The BT62 features a new tribute livery in honor of racing legend Dan Gurney.
What makes the Brabham BT62 so special and unique? Tony Borroz walks us through.
Coming to America
Okay, get set. This’ll be our first chance to lay eyes on the Brabham BT62, the track/radical street car direct from the great Grand Prix constructors themselves. And, as a very classy, very nice nod to its debut in America, Brabham have painted their little monster up in a tribute to our own Dan Gurney.
Legendary Figures
Now, there are some who do not know who Dan Gurney is, and you have my pity. To say he was one of America’s greatest race car drivers would be glaringly inaccurate. Dan Gurney was one of the greatest race car drivers ever. Period. When some half-bright young-un says something about Ayrton Senna being the greatest of all time, I just shake my head and usually say “Dan Gurney” under my breath.
Paying Tributes
So, Brabham is right on target with its tribute livery in honor of Dan. Gurney was the first ever driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix in a Brabham racing car and, just like the Brabham BT7 that Gurney raced to victory at the French Grand Prix in 1964, the BT62 you’ll see sitting on The Lawn at Pebble will be finished in Brabham’s distinctive Green and Gold colors. saWEET!
Working in conjunction with technical partner Michelin, the Brabham BT62 will be at the tire manufacturer’s stand at Laguna Seca on Friday, August 24th and Sunday, August 26th. Photo: Brabham Automotive.
Design & Performance
The BT62 has been designed from the ground up with a bunch of exceptional engineering details. The BT62 draws on the project team’s vast experience to create a car crafted from lightweight carbon fiber, with an equally aggressive aerodynamic package, and an optimal balance between function and form. “Pure-bred for the track,” say the Aussies and I will not argue with them.
How about an in-house, Brabham-built naturally aspirated 5.4 liter V8 plant? With a power-to-weight ratio of 730 ps per ton and a dry weight of just 972 kg?
Family Honors
Brabham Automotive founder David Brabham, and yes, he’s Jack and Betty’s son, the same David Brabham that is a triple 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and two time American Le Mans Series winner, will be presenting the Brabham BT62 at Monterey.
And, if this thing is at all like Black Jack’s racing cars, it will be awesome to behold; no higher tech than it needs to be; engineered, but not over-engineered, reliable as an anvil, fast as lightning. And only $1,300,000? Sign. Me. Up.
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: Brabham Automotive.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/brabham-bt62-emerges-during-monterey-car-week/

Smyrna, Tennessee Receives New Investments From Nissan

Smyrna, Tennessee Receives New Investments From Nissan 2019 Nissan Altima production is underway in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Smyrna Vehicle Assembly is one of the highest-volume plants in North America.
As a result of ongoing investments, Smyrna has produced nearly 4.6 million Altimas since 1992.
Local Investments
Nissan North America is preparing a $170 million investment for the Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi assembly plants. The investment supports 2019 Altima production already underway with new tooling and calibration equipment. To date, Nissan’s U.S. manufacturing investments now top $12 billion.
“Nissan’s continued investment in our manufacturing facilities underpins our commitment to building top-quality vehicles in the U.S., as well as our valued workforce and the communities where we do business,” explained Heath Holtz, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Nissan North America, Inc.
The first 2019 Nissan Altima rolls off the assembly line on August 23rd 2018 in Smyrna, Tennessee. Photo: Nissan North America.
Essential Upgrades
Further updates include a laser brazing system for more flexible trunk lid welding, and a polyurethane stone guard coat paint system. Nissan says the forthcoming calibration equipment ensures the reliability and functionality of ProPILOT Assist.
Cornerstone Facility
Six Nissan models call Smyrna home: Altima, Leaf, Maxima, Pathfinder, Rogue, and the Infiniti QX60. Last year, Nissan Smyrna produced more than 628,000 vehicles, making it one of the highest-volume plants in North America. The plant employs 8,400 people and has built over 13 million vehicles since opening in 1983.
The Altima is arguably one of the most significant vehicles in Smyrna. That is it accounts for nearly 4.6 of those 13 million vehicles.
The 2019 Altima comes in five different trim levels, including an “Edition One” launch model. The new Altima will feature two engines when it arrives this fall, including Nissan’s first production-ready Variable Compression Turbo.
“The new Altima sets a new standard for the sedan market, and we are ready to bring it to the road for customers,” Holtz added.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/smyrna-tennessee-receives-new-investments-from-nissan/