Automotive

Genesis G70: South Korea’s S-Class Response

Genesis G70: South Korea’s S-Class Response

You have to hand it to them. And by them, I mean they. And by they, I mean Hyundai. The Genesis G70 surely isn’t a bad car, not even close to it. And, here’s the first of many rubs confronting the Genesis G70: they want it to be a thing in and of itself. It is The Genesis, not, most definitely not the Hyundai Genesis. Just: Genesis.
And all the press materials go to great lengths to refer to the car as just that. The mentions or uses of the word “Hyundai” tally up to two in over 2,000 words of verbiage. So what is it? What is the Genesis G70? In a nutshell, it’s pretty easy: Hyundai’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Jack of All Trades
Hyundai, the South Korean mega-corp-conglomo-nopoly, does everything from construction projects to chemicals to electronics to shipbuilding to automobile manufacturing. Hyundai has been making good, solid, dependable yet affordable cars for decades now. In a lot of ways, they have out Toyota’d Toyota and the other Japanese marques whose stock in trade has long been good, solid, dependable yet affordable cars. But what if you want more than that? What if you, as an ambitious mega-corp-conglomo-nopoly, want more for your automobile division? Enter Genesis. Something well built, stylish, solid, safe, with an on-the-road and at-the-curb presence to make people notice. Enter Genesis.
Styling & Design
They describe the Genesis G70 as being “an athletic sedan characterized by its graceful and dynamic exterior styling” with an “elegant and intuitively designed interior.” This is all fair enough and, from a marketing perspective, the G70 completes the Genesis sedan lineup, slotting alongside the G90 flagship and the mid-luxury G80. No, I don’t know exactly what they mean by “mid-luxury” either.
The G70 offers a broad spectrum of color options, both inside and outside. There are ten exterior colors available, and they have come up with a new paint-finishing method: small, evenly distributed aluminum particles and high luminosity colors to maximize the exterior paint. Or, as Ed “Big Daddy” Roth calls it, “metalflake”. The inside has the same “big box of Crayolas” approach for available colors.
The G70 interior is prioritized around superb fit and finish with a focus on simplicity and an importance on real functionality. The overall layout is horizontal with a rather nice sport steering wheel. Since this is a Genesis, premium materials such as aluminum door handles, metal speaker grills, and quilted leather door panels are found throughout the cabin.
Photo: Genesis.
Power & Performance
The Genesis G70 aims to be agile yet safe, dynamic yet quiet, but it all starts from the powertrain. There are three powertrains on offer: a 3.3-liter V6 turbo, a 2.0-liter inline four-banger turbo, and a 2.2-liter inline four cylinder diesel. The engine to pay attention to here is the 3.3-liter V6 turbo – that’s the one found in the “enthusiast-focused” G70 Sport. That 3.3-liter V6 turbo plant cranks out 365 ponies and 376 lb-ft. of torque. All of this is good enough to get the G70 Sport to 60 in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 168 mph. The G70 Sport also comes with variable-ratio steering and an electronically controlled suspension for better response and ride and handling.
You also get a number of other fancy-schmancy performance goodies, such as launch control, rack-mounted, motor-driven power steering (R-MDPS), multi-link rear suspension, dynamic torque vectoring, and a mechanical limited slip differential. They have also put in this contraption called Active Sound Design (ASD). This system “creates an aural character that reflects the engine load and driving mode settings.” That’s all they say about the ASD deal, but I cry witchcraft and sorcery, or, at the very least, fakery and I don’t hold with it. Nosir!
Photo: Genesis.

Technology & Safety
The cabin is also drowning in high tech gee-gaws, like a smart posture control system for minimal stress on long journeys. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen display with MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The G70 also comes with server-based voice recognition technology, using Kakao’s artificial intelligence platform Kakao I. A 15-speaker Lexicon system is there when you really want to crank the K-Pop.
The G70 has a buffet of safety doohickeys like pedestrian impact mitigation technology that lifts the hood to absorb shock and minimize injury. There’s Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, and J-Pop Avoidance Assist because we all know that Psy and Exo are totally hot and AKB48 and Arashi are totally not.
Photo: Genesis.
Big Questions
Will this work? Will the G70, along with the G80 and G90, be able to make Genesis into a brand of its own? That’s the obvious goal here, and I’m not saying they can’t do it. A lot of people in the car business have lost a lot of money saying that same thing about South Korean car companies. Perhaps Hyundai can defy the odds?
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos & Source: Genesis.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/genesis-g70-south-koreas-s-class-response/

Lotus Evora GT430 Sport Joins The Party

Lotus Evora GT430 Sport Joins The Party

Okay, so I’m starting to see a pattern here. Lotus, as lovely as they are, has been beating the hype machine drum every two or three months about a “new” model. If this were a major car manufacturer, this article would be nothing but calling them out for being stupidly old school and calling a trim package a “new” model.
But this is Lotus, and most importantly, with all these new Evora variants, they actually feature improvements to the car in terms of performance and design.
Reclaiming The Title
When the Evora fist came out, it was a bit of a puzzle to a lot of hardcore sports car types, and especially Lotus fanatics. It came out right in the middle of that whole Dany Bahar era of 100% horse manure (“Lotus cars aren’t about performance, they are about fashion and luxury”), and the overall layout, that 2 + 1 seating thing, struck a lot of people as odd and unnecessary. Then cooler heads prevailed, Bahar was run out of Hethel on a rail, and performance engineers took control and steered Lotus back on a course that benefits us all. Okay, all us gearheads, because to my knowledge, Lotus has never made a grocery-getter or kid picker-upper and if they ever do, we’re going to have a scrap on our hands.
Performance Engineering
As the name implies, the Lotus Evora GT430 Sport is a further variation and improvement on the GT430. There’s some slight nips and tucks here and there to make it prettier (in a way) and some judicious massaging of the drivetrain and chassis to make it do what Lotus cars have always done: Go, turn, and stop much better than you’d expect.
The Lotus Evora GT430 Sport is part of the extended Evora family, which also has the Evora 400, Evora Sport 410, and the recent addition of the Evora GT430. The new Evora GT430 range (that would be the GT and the Sport) includes two body options and a choice of manual or automatic transmission. To some, the thought of a slush box in a Lotus is outright blasphemy, but put down those pitchforks and torches for a second and hold up. We’ll get to why the automatic in the Evora is actually a pretty good deal. Like its GT430 sibling, the Evora GT430 Sport is motivated from county to county by the same 3.5-liter V6 supercharged engine that cranks out 430 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque, or 317 lb-ft.
Photo: Lotus Cars USA Inc.
Weight & Aerodynamics
The Evora GT430 Sport tips the scales at 10 kilos (22 pounds) less, for a total of 1,248 kg or right around 2,750 pounds. Divide that by the 430 horses and you come up with a power-to-weight ratio of 345 horsepower / tonne (that’s a metric ton) which guarantees you this little car is going to flat out fly when you mash the pedal. As a matter of fact, the Evora GT430 Sport has a top speed of 196 mph, making it the fastest Lotus production car ever.
The easiest way to tell the Sport apart from the Evora GT430 is how the Sport has “motorsport derived aerodynamics.” This is a very polite and British way of saying the flips, kicks, spoilers, and such are not Vin Diesel-inspired cake decorations of no performance utility, oh no. There’s a carbon fiber splitter and a large, profiled carbon wing to suck you onto the tarmac. Louvers at the top of each front wheel arch to cut lift and reduce pressure within the wheel well. The GT430 Sport also has wider wheels and tires.
Photo: Lotus Cars USA Inc.

Transmission, Live Wire
Now, about that automatic transmission and why we will not be marching on Lotus HQ for a righteous stoning – at least not today. That automatic transmission will be available for both of the GT430 models. If you opt for the automatic transmission, you will net 10 Nm more torque (for a total of 450 Nm or around 332 lb-ft.). The bottom line is, get this, that the automatic version is even quicker than the manual GT430. 60 mph comes up in a pretty scant 3.6 seconds.
To make a transmission that usually implies less performance actually give you more performance, the Lotus six-speed automatic has an optimized gearbox ECU for ultra-fast changes from cog to cog. Gear selection is made from the driver’s seat via lightweight aluminum paddles mounted to the steering wheel, natch.

Speed Tech
Other go-fast-goodies include standard Öhlins TTX two-way adjustable dampers (which would have given A.C.B. Chapman fits, if he were still with us), J-grooved and ventilated brake discs, AP Racing four-piston calipers at all four corners, a lovely Torsen-type limited slip differential, and an adjustable traction control system in case that Torsen isn’t good enough for you, and you have a right foot closer to a ham than what Jimmy Clark had on the end of his leg.
The GTs, both the Sport and “normal” are available now. They are more than most of us can afford, but I, for one, still want one of these . . . or two. Life is too short for boring cars.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photos & Source: Lotus Cars USA Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/lotus-evora-gt430-sport-joins-the-party/

2018 Nissan Versa Note Pricing Announced, New Features Added

2018 Nissan Versa Note Pricing Announced, New Features Added

Nissan recently announced U.S. pricing for the 2018 Versa Note, which comes in three levels: S, SV, and SR. Nissan customers may be delighted to know that starting MSRPs for the 2018 Versa Note did not increase over the current 2017 model, despite new features being added.
Style & Comfort
The Versa Note hatchback SR, at the top of the range, stands out the most with its more sporty character. Fog lights, a rear spoiler, and 16-inch machine-finished aluminum alloy wheels decorate the exterior. Suede-like seats and a leather wrapper steering wheel provide further interior comfort. The SR also adds Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, the Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, and Easy Fill Tire Alert.
Design & Functionality
Regardless of model, the 2018 Nissan Versa Note features the automaker’s signature “V-Motion” grille. The design is found on a range of Nissan vehicles including the Sentra, Altima, and Maxima. Interior volume is 112.9 cubic feet, cargo space is 18.8 cubic feet, front headroom is 40.8 inches, and rear legroom is 38.3 inches. Nissan says their goal was to make everything comfortable and family friendly.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Versa Note is powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder, paired with a next-generation Xtronic transmission. The combination nets the Versa Note an EPA-estimated 39 miles per gallon on the highway. The transmission features a retuned D-step Logic Control, which simulates shifts, for a more natural feel.
The 2018 Nissan Versa Note is available now.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Versa Note 1.6 S Xtronic
$15,480 USD
Versa Note 1.6 SV Xtronic
$16,380 USD
Versa Note 1.6 SR Xtronic
$17,980 USD
Photo & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-nissan-versa-note-pricing-announced-new-features-added/

This Fiat 500 Throws It Back To 1957

This Fiat 500 Throws It Back To 1957 The Fiat 500 1957 Edition is back by “popular demand” according to the automaker.
The small cruiser pays homage to the 1957 Nuova Cinquecento, originally designed by Dante Giacosa.
As if the quirky size and demeanor of the Fiat 500 was not enough, the Italian carmaker is bringing back the 1957 Edition. The design cues pay homage to the original 1957 Fiat Nuova 500.
But unlike the 1957 model (which came with a dinky two-cylinder motor with 13 horsepower), the 2018 Fiat 500 1957 Edition is motivated by a more powerful 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine. It now cranks out 135 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. of torque.
“Our Italian-designed, fun-to-drive Fiat 500 comes standard with turbocharged power,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands for FCA North America. “The 1957 Edition offers a fun, custom appearance for the iconic Fiat 500.”
Nuova Fiat 500 advertisement circa 1957, courtesy of FCA UC LLC. The Nuova 500 sparked the rebirth of Fiat following the devastation of World War II. The vehicle’s production helped usher in the economic recovery in the years that followed.
Authentic Italian Design
It is easy to distinguish the 1957 Edition of the Fiat 500. The 16-inch retro wheels come in three colors: white, green, or blue. This special edition Fiat 500 also comes with a choice of three paint colors: white (Bianco Ice), retro light blue (celeste blue), and light green (Chiaro) to match the wheel color.
The car receives a plethora of vintage-inspired elements like retro badging, a revised fascia with chrome inserts, two-tone paint (white roof on the hatchback and black soft top on cabriolet models). There are white exterior mirrors and ivory-colored door trim panels. It also receives a delicious Avorio/Marrone leather-wrapped steering wheel (which is Italian speak for white and brown) to match the premium, hand-stitched brown leather upholstery.
Oh, and you also get a unique 1957 Edition key fob. Nice.
Fiat 500 1957 Edition wheel design. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Macchina Veloce!
Make no mistake about it, the Fiat 500 is still a decently fast car. The 1.4-liter turbocharged motor comes standard with a five-speed manual, although a six-speed auto is optional. The engine comes with twin intercoolers and a sport-tuned exhaust. This motor is now standard across the range.
But the Fiat 500 1957 Edition goes further still. It comes with a driver-selectable Sport button, which revises the throttle mapping to improve engine response. Models with the optional six-speed auto will experience stronger shift points to deliver a more thrilling driving experience.
Unlike the 1957 model (which came with a dinky two-cylinder with 13 horsepower), the 2018 Fiat 500 1957 Edition is motivated by a more powerful turbocharged engine. Click To TweetTurbo Power For Everyone
For those just learning the ins and outs about Fiat cars, it happens to be the only brand in North America to offer turbo engines as standard on every model. The base Pop trim starts at $16,245, making it the least expensive turbocharged car you can buy today.
The Lounge starts at $19,745 and is the basis for the 1957 Edition. Add $995.00 and you get the special-colored wheels, the Sport mode, leather trimmings, and retro badges.
And if the base motor is not enough, then you’ll need the Fiat 500 Abarth. It comes with an upgraded 160 horsepower 1.4-liter turbo mill that churns out 183 lb-ft. of torque. The Abarth starts at $20,495, which includes red bucket seats, a red engine cover, red brake calipers, and body stripes (yes, in red, too).
The Fiat 500 1957 Edition will arrive later this fall.
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.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/this-fiat-500-throws-it-back-to-1957/

2018 Chevy Equinox Review: Fuel Efficient & Family-Minded

2018 Chevy Equinox Review: Fuel Efficient & Family-Minded The 2018 Chevy Equinox gets new exterior styling and new tech features all in a smaller package. The result is an SUV that’s a friendlier urban commuter. The new 2.0-liter turbo should give families enough power and fuel mileage gains as they travel about their day.
This week, we’ve been driving the top-of-the-line, 2018 Chevrolet Equinox FWD Premier 2.0T.
What’s New For 2018
The 2018 Chevy Equinox was completely redesigned, from the downsized chassis and body, to the 2.0-liter turbo engine and nine-speed automatic transmission.
Features & Options
The Equinox FWD Premier 2.0T ($33,600) comes standard with automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, a stop-start system, rearview camera, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, and a driver information display. Chevrolet’s Teen Driver watchdog modes are included, along with Bluetooth, OnStar (with 4G LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot), a seven-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system.
Chrome exterior trim, ambient interior lighting, driver-seat memory settings, perforated leather upholstery, and wireless phone charging are among the other niceties. There is even a meter that measures the distance (in time) between you and the car ahead.
A USB port and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also came with our Equinox Premier.
With Chevrolet’s Teen Driver system, parents can limit the radio volume and restrict the vehicle’s speed to 85 mph. It also prevents anyone from manually turning off safety features.
The 2018 Chevy Equinox was completely redesigned, from the downsized chassis and body, to the 2.0-liter turbo engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. Click To TweetAdditional Packages
Premier 2.0T adds xenon headlights, rear privacy glass, a leather-wrapped shift knob, an eight-way power driver’s seat (with two-way lumbar adjustment), auxiliary rear-seat release levers, and satellite radio. It also comes with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, foglights, auto-dimming mirrors, roof rails, and a hands-free liftgate.
The Confidence and Convenience II package ($1,895) adds automatic high-beam control, a top-down, 360-degree parking/camera system, a heated steering wheel, an eight-way power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. Safety features include lane departure warning, forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking at low speeds, and Chevy’s Safety Alert seat.
The Sun, Sound and Navigation package ($2,620) adds a panoramic sunroof, navigation, and a seven-speaker Bose audio system with HD radio.
Total MSRP including destination: $39,505. By comparison, starting MSRP for the 2018 Chevy Equinox is $23,580.

Interior Highlights
Stepping inside reveals leather seats with plenty of bolstering, lots of soft-touch materials, brushed aluminum trim, and plenty of power adjustments to help find the perfect driving position. The seating position in the Equinox cabin seems lower than before, which makes the vehicle feel less SUV-like.
The infotainment system is straight-forward and simple, with an eight-inch screen and big icons. The display is clear, bright, responsive, and fast, all without too many features or too much information.
The backseat has plenty of room for adults, and rear passengers will appreciate the tall doors. There’s less ducking and tucking to climb in, but the flat seat bottoms won’t be comfortable for long trips. The seats fold mostly flat to provide 63.5 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the competition. Behind the rear seats there is 29.9 cubic feet available.

Fuel mileage is reasonable if you keep your foot out of the turbo.Click To TweetEngine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Our Equinox tester was powered by the new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, making 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. Mated to a nine-speed automatic sending power to the front wheels, it offers peppy acceleration and an EPA-estimated 22/29 city/highway and 25 combined mpg.
The new four-cylinder improves performance overall. Fuel mileage is reasonable if you keep your foot out of the turbo.
Driving Dynamics
The nine-speed gearbox pairs nicely with the 252 horsepower turbo engine. Overall, the Equinox felt strong during our quick runs up I-70 west of Denver this week. The turbo offers steady power and a cool whistling sound as it climbs through the gears.
We found ourselves wanting steering wheel paddle shifters which aren’t offered on the Equinox.
The ride is designed more for comfort than cornering ability. Through the tight mountain curves there was enough body lean to remind us we weren’t in a sports sedan. However, the suspension offers poised and predictable handling in all situations; the ride overall is comfortable on the highway and you hardly feel the bumps on rough pavement.
The 2018 Equinox has a higher state of suspension tune and 19-inch wheels with better all-season tires. It tracks true and smooth, but doesn’t offer much feedback. Still, it helped us avoid a deer in the mountains outside of Denver during our seat time.
The turbo offers steady power and a cool whistling sound as it climbs through the gears. Click To TweetConclusion
The fully redesigned 2018 Chevy Equinox addresses the problems the aging generation had. It now represents a more compelling choice in the smaller, five-passenger crossover segment. Chevy pulled off making the Equinox smaller in size without sacrificing too much leg and headroom.
It’s comfortable, easy-to-drive, and comes standard with one of the best infotainment interfaces in the class.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Chevy Equinox Gallery

Chevy Equinox Official Site.
Photos: Chevrolet.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-chevy-equinox-review-fuel-efficient-family-minded/

VW & Microsoft Partnership Focuses On Connected Vehicle Services

VW & Microsoft Partnership Focuses On Connected Vehicle Services Partnership will pursue a “fully connected” vehicle fleet for future Volkswagen models.
Microsoft’s Azure platform will serve as the foundation VW’s connected car services.
VW says they want to become a full-service “mobility provider.”
The hook-ups between automotive and tech companies continues apace, with Volkswagen and Microsoft announcing a new strategic partnership recently. But this seems more than just “such and such connectivity feature is now available in our latest models.” VW and Microsoft have something much bigger in mind.
I know, given VW’s trials and tribulations with all that diesel-gate stuff, and given the fact Microsoft is responsible for the phrase “blue screen of death” becoming part of our modern lexicon, this might not bode all that well, but hey, let’s give ’em a break, okay?
Digital Transformations
Volkswagen and Microsoft are collaborating to fast-track VW’s “digital transformation,” meaning expect more computer-like stuff crammed into more and more VWs as time moves on. Volkswagen is going with the Microsoft Azure digital platform for Automotive Cloud, hoping this will be a decisive step forward in turning the automotive giant into a “mobility provider” with a fully connected fleet.
Mobility provider? Is that what the kids are calling car companies these days?
VW will build what it terms “in-car services” for all vehicles in their brand, known as One Digital Platform, or ODP. And, no surprise, it runs on Microsoft technology. VW says that when finished, One Digital Platform will be the largest digital ecosystem in the automotive industry.
Think of it like Amazon’s in-house servers, only for just VW. Unfortunately, this fully connected vehicle fleet and digital ecosystem will be called “Volkswagen We.” I guess nobody in VW’s marketing department has read Yevgeny Zamyatin?
By building the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud, VW can leverage various mobility services across its portfolio. Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Foundation & Infrastructure
Along with building stuff we won’t see, VW is establishing a new automotive cloud development office in North America. These digital headquarters will be near Microsoft’s headquarters. So everybody looking to buy a place in Redmond better hurry up. Housing prices are going to get even more ridiculous in the greater Seattle area.
By having a physical presence so close, Microsoft can provide hands-on support to VW as it dives heavily into automotive cloud development. Microsoft is helping in the hiring process too, with the workforce expected to grow to about 300 engineers shortly. Sure, there’s a technological rationale in this partnership, but Microsoft also provides cloud expertise across their entire organization. Thus, VW’s developers and engineers benefit from Microsoft’s culture of collaboration and agile management systems.
All of this will eventually add up to making Volkswagen’s Automotive Cloud a reality.
Mobility provider? Is that what the kids are calling car companies these days?Click To TweetInternet of Things Will Become Key
Aiming for all this digital vapor to be a reality by 2020, VW wants more than 5 million of its new vehicles per year to be fully connected. Said vehicles will be part of the Internet of Things (IoT) with most of the digital data living in the cloud. Yes, the dreaded Internet of Things. You know, that’s the latest tech panacea meant to make your entire world work like George Jetson’s house. Yet, it only seems to add another layer of frustration.
But I’m just being negative here. Maybe VW and Microsoft will get it to work, cause, honestly, a Jetson’s apartment does sound kind of cool.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
This is just an announcement for now. It's too early to tell if this will work, sorta work, be terrible, or somewhere in between.Click To TweetFuture Considerations
Over the long run, what develops here will percolate to other Volkswagen Group brands (think Porsche, Audi, Skoda etc.) in all regions of the world. VW says this will build the foundation for customer-centric services across all its brands, including the upcoming Volkswagen ID. family of electric vehicles.
This is just an announcement for now. It’s too early to tell if this will work, sorta work, be terrible, or somewhere in between. It might make for a cool automotive future. But remember, if your 2021 VW suddenly shuts down, just roll up all the windows, then roll them down again, and then turn the key.
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: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/vw-microsoft-partnership-focuses-on-connected-vehicle-services/

Honda Debuts Tech That Can See Around Buildings. Here Is How It Works.

Honda Debuts Tech That Can See Around Buildings. Here Is How It Works. Honda rolls out new vehicle communication tech in Ohio to reduce intersection collisions.
Research shows intersection collisions are increasingly common and dangerous.
Smart Intersection technology and subsequent systems play a role in the success of autonomous cars.
Honda is taking their next steps towards a driverless portfolio with the introduction of Smart Intersection technology. Honda says it enhances vehicle-to-everything (or V2X) communication, and can reduce deadly intersection collisions. According to the United States Department of Transportation, 51 percent of all injury crashes and 28 percent of all fatal crashes occur at either an intersection or T-junction.
Recent data from the National Safety Council suggests roadway deaths this year may climb as high as 40,000.
Essential Communication
V2X communication, like Honda’s Smart Intersection technology, uses proprietary object recognition software via intersection-mounted cameras and other communication devices. This allows cars to “see” around and through buildings, walls, traffic, and even bad weather. Drivers then receive an alert to notify them of otherwise hidden hazards.
“Honda believes that V2X technology is an essential component of a smarter and safer transportation ecosystem and can play a role in our dream for a zero-collision society,” explained Ted Klaus, Vice President of Strategic Research, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Photo: Honda North America.
Smart Intersection technology represents a joint venture between Honda and the City of Marysville, Ohio as part of the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor project.Click To TweetPilot Program Debuts “Where The Grass Is Greener”
Smart Intersection technology is a joint venture between Honda and Marysville, Ohio as part of the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor project. The pilot program will address the limitations of current on-board vehicle sensors with regard to preventing intersection collisions.
“Research underway in Marysville and along the U.S. 33 Smart Mobility Corridor holds great promise in advancing world-changing transportation technologies, and is the 21st century version of Huffman Prairie where the Wright Brothers made their early aviation discoveries,” said Ohio Governor John R. Kasich. “With the help of strong public- and private-sector partners, and our unmatched Transportation Research Center, Ohio is aggressively working to maintain its leadership role for developing vehicles and smart technologies of the future.”
“The City of Marysville is appreciative of our rich history with Honda of America and we are committed to our partnership with them to support their development and testing of autonomous and connected vehicles,” added Marysville Mayor J.R. Rausch. “We are proud they chose Marysville to deploy Smart Intersection technology here.”
Honda’s Smart Intersection technology detects an oncoming vehicle running a red light. Photo: Honda North America.
How Smart Intersection Technology Works
Four cameras above the traffic lights at each corner of a given intersection provide a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area. Honda says the cameras have a range of 300 feet to detect vehicles and pedestrians from farther away. The image processing software creates a 360-degree image of the intersection that classifies vehicles and other moving objects. That information is then broadcast to surrounding vehicles via a dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) signal.
Each connected vehicle’s on-board computer decodes the information and, when necessary, provides visible and audible alerts to the driver. With this information, the driver has the ability to take corrective action to avoid or mitigate a collision. Thus far, Honda has committed 200 vehicles for Smart Intersection testing.
“We believe this research will give us a better understanding of how V2X technologies can be further advanced and most effectively deployed for the benefit of all road users,” Klaus said.
Graphic: Honda North America.
Until cars chauffeur us entirely, law enforcement officials recommend all motorists practice defensive driving. Click To TweetAuto Industry Pushing Towards V2X
V2X is a viable solution when it comes to safety and autonomous cars, something consumers are wrestling with. Honda is showcasing Smart Intersection technology not a moment too soon; Hyundai and Autotalks announced a V2X-centered partnership in July, while back in June, Cadillac said their Super Cruise system would serve as a springboard for future V2X features. Consumers could see such features as early as 2023.
Continental, a Tier 1 Supplier, unveiled a similar technology last year.
While promising, nothing is here just yet. And until cars chauffeur us entirely, law enforcement officials recommend all motorists practice defensive driving.
“It only takes being distracted for a brief moment and a tragedy can occur,” said Special First Lieutenant and Traffic Safety Specialist Jim Flegel of the Michigan State Police. “As drivers, we still have to maintain control of our vehicle at all times.”
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/honda-debuts-tech-that-can-see-around-buildings-here-is-how-it-works/

These Chevy Silverado Concepts Are Headed To SEMA

These Chevy Silverado Concepts Are Headed To SEMA The SEMA Chevy Silverado Concepts will showcase the various customization options available.
Equipment upgrades include soft tonneau covers, lift kits, cold air intakes, and Brembo braking systems.
After getting a delicious taste of the new Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, it seems they are not done yet. Not by a long shot. Chevrolet will introduce four new concepts of the 2019 Silverado 1500 at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chevy says these trucks will show off the brand’s full line of truck accessories and performance parts.
Here are the four new Chevy Silverado concepts debuting at the SEMA Show.
Silverado High Country Concept
The 2019 Chevy Silverado High Country is not a concept per se; more like the ultimate Silverado. It combines outdoorsy looks with the space and refinement of a luxury sedan. And the High Country looks pretty darn good whether towing a horse carriage or cruising on the freeway.
You won’t mistake the High Country for a lesser-endowed Silverado because it has jeweled headlights and a specific grille. The grille has chrome and amber accents complete with a High Country logo on the upper left side. It also has a painted front bumper with chrome recovery hooks, chrome accents, and a set of beautiful, low-profile LED fog lights.
The High Country is motivated by a burly 6.2-liter V8 motor, churning out 420 horsepower. With this engine, the High Country is the most powerful Chevy half-ton truck to ever roll out of the factory. Couple this with a two-inch suspension lift, 22-inch wheels, a cold air intake, and a genuine cat-back dual exhaust system (yes, dual freaking exhaust!) and what you have is a pretty badass truck.
Oh, and the High Country also comes with Brembo six-piston front brakes with color matching rear calipers.
Our favorite features include the automatic retractable side steps that sway towards the rear for easier access to the bed. And the push-button powered tailgate.
2019 Silverado High Country Concept. Photo: Chevrolet.
Silverado RST Off-Road
The 2019 version of the Chevy Silverado RST Off-Road shares the design DNA of the Colorado ZR2 Bison. However, the RST is bigger, taller, and meaner. It has the same Baja-inspired vibe of the Ford F-150 Raptor albeit a bit more civilized. Think Doc Martens instead of a Carolina Domestic Work Boot or Wolverine Tacoma Durashocks and you won’t be far off.
“We know every truck customer is unique, which is why the Silverado offers eight trims, each with a different combination of technology, performance, and design,” explained Hugh Milne, Silverado Marketing Manager.
The Silverado RST Off-Road comes with 18-inch wheels, chunky off-road tires, and a two-inch suspension lift. The Off Road Appearance Package includes assist steps, a soft roll-up tonneau cover, and a sport bar. It is powered by GM’s evergreen 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft. of torque.
The 2019 Silverado RST Off Road Concept features a factory-installed two-inch suspension lift. Photo: Chevrolet.
Silverado LTZ Concept
The Silverado LTZ Concept is the workhorse of the four. It starts with the aforementioned 5.3-liter V8 engine to provide the necessary pulling power. The plethora of dealer-available accessories and performance parts will make your eyes water:
Cold air intake.
Trailering camera system.
Retractable tonneau cover.
Cat-back single exhaust upgrade.
22-inch aluminum multi-spoke chrome wheels.
Brembo front brakes with six-pistons and color-matched calipers.
“With a full catalog of accessories and performance parts, we offer exponentially more ways for customers to build their ideal truck,” Milne said. “And, unlike certain aftermarket components, these are designed, engineered and validated to the same engineering standards as the Silverado itself, and backed by Chevrolet.”
2019 Silverado LTZ Concept. Photo: Chevrolet.
The plethora of dealer-available accessories and performance parts will make your eyes water.Click To TweetSilverado RST Street
Boost your street cred with this one! The RST Street comes with a lower suspension, body side graphics, faux carbon-fiber exterior accessories, and 22-inch gloss black wheels. Accessories and performance parts include the aforementioned Brembo brakes, a cold air intake, Borla cat-back exhaust with two-piece carbon-fiber exhaust tips, and a Kicker sound system with a 200-watt subwoofer.
The 5.3 is also available.
The 2019 Silverado RST Street Concept goes for a carbon fiber look. Accessories include a Borla cat-back exhaust system with carbon fiber exhaust tips and an UnderCover one-piece hard tonneau cover. Photo: Chevrolet.
Chevy says these trucks will show off the brand's full line of truck accessories and performance parts.Click To TweetIn Person
If you want to see these Chevy Silverado concepts in person, clear your schedule from October 30th to November 2nd, and book a trip to Viva Las Vegas! The SEMA Show will be in full swing then. Also, if you are happening by the State Fair of Texas (now through October 22nd) there are more Silverados on display at Chevy’s exhibit.
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.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/these-chevy-silverado-concepts-are-headed-to-sema/

2019 BMW Z4 Roadster: Stand On It Stroker Ace!

2019 BMW Z4 Roadster: Stand On It Stroker Ace! Well, the first thing I can say about the 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster is that it is much better looking then the one it replaces. Seriously, I don’t know what on Earth BMW has to do to get their design mojo back, but, A) they need to, and, B) they haven’t yet. At least not fully.
The next thing I thought was, “Boy, it looks a lot like the current Fiat 124 Spider that’s based on the Miata.” Better not say that in front of any BMW employees. Probably lead to my Arsch getreten werden.
Supra Skin
Which it shouldn’t, since both the Miata and the 124 are fantastic little sports cars. And I’m sure the latest Z4 will be fantastic as well. I mean, come on, this is a German car company we’re talking about here. The other contributing factor to the 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster’s potential greatness is that, under the skin, it’s a – gasp! – Toyota Supra.
The latest Z4 was developed in cooperation with the Japanese auto giant, the fruits of that leading to both the Z4 and the soon-to-be-released (and much anticipated) Supra. Ergo, we’ll have some commonality of parts, and the two minds are better than one philosophy leading to the summation of two very fun vehicles.
How fun? Let’s run the numbers.
Power & Performance
The 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i is propelled by a new TwinPower Turbocharged engine. The engine has a new High Precision Injection system, 255 horsepower, and nearly 300 lb-ft. of torque. 60 mph comes up in 5.2 seconds. Nett! Life gets even better with the Z4 M40i Roadster, thanks to a 3.0-liter in-line six-banger offering a 47 horsepower escalation over its predecessor. By comparison, the Z4 M40i makes a whomping 382 horsepower.
BMW added a water-cooled exhaust manifold that’s integrated into the cylinder head, along with a quicker-spooling turbocharger and direct injection. Yeah, I know, water cooling the manifold sounds like an expensive stress point, but we’ll let the second and third owners worry about that. And, with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque living under the hood, you’ll hit 60 in 4.4 seconds. Super nett!
2019 BMW Z4 Roadster. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
With 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque living under the hood, you'll hit 60 in 4.4 seconds.Click To TweetTransmission & Chassis Tech
Both receive an eight-speed Steptronic Sport box with Launch Control and shift paddles on the steering wheel. There’s a wider ratio spread with shorter ratios in the lower gears for stronger acceleration.
The chassis has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, with a double-joint spring strut suspension up front and a new five-link suspension out back. The front suspension’s sub frame and control arm mounting points are extremely rigid for more precise cornering, according to BMW. Aluminum control arms and swivel bearings further reduce weight. The rear suspension also uses a lightweight aluminum and steel design.
Added to all this are (by now usual) the computer-controlled gizmos that might turn all of us into Sebastian Vettel (as if!): Dynamic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Dynamic Brake Control.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Pricing & Availability
And sure, both of the upcoming Z4s have lots of navigation and infotainment features, and all that high-tech glop. But if you really care about stuff like that, this (probably) won’t be the car for you. Screw stuff like that! Drop the top, pull down your hat, and stand on it Stroker Ace! This is a sports car. Go out and be a sport.
How much? The Bavarians do not say, but we know the 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster will hit dealerships around March of next year.
Weit draußen, Mann!
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 Z4 Roadster Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-bmw-z4-roadster-stand-on-it-stroker-ace/