Automotive

2018 Fiat 500X Blue Sky Edition Arrives

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

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-fiat-500x-blue-sky-edition-arrives/

Distracted Driving Kills: And It’s A Worldwide Problem

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

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

Distracted Driving Is Our Responsibility
It starts by setting an example for kids and younger adults who are old enough to get behind the wheel. It is best to avoid texting, watching videos, browsing the Internet, reading, and playing video games while operating a motor vehicle. It is also best to avoid smoking and eating and drinking while driving.
“It is time for us to be better role models. Remember your children are watching and will be influenced by your driving decisions when they begin driving,” Flegel said. “The Michigan State Police urge all drivers to make the responsible decision: put your phone away and focus all your attention on driving.”
If you need to do anything remotely distracting while driving, it is best to pull over and stop so you can better focus on the task at hand. The message is clear: anything that distracts you visually, manually, or cognitively while driving should be avoided at all costs.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/distracted-driving-kills-and-its-a-worldwide-problem/

Volvo S90 Ambience Concept: Magic Carpet Ride

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

Photos & Source: Volvo Car Group.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/volvo-s90-ambience-concept-magic-carpet-ride/

Automoblog Book Garage: The John Deere Century

Automoblog Book Garage: The John Deere Century Growing up in rural Iowa I was subjected to many a debates over Ford, Chevy, and Dodge trucks. There were guys in my high school who fondly preferred one over the other and would adamantly defend their position during our lunch time discussions. While the jury remained inconclusive on trucks, there was a general consensus that John Deere made the best tractor.
It wasn’t even a debate. In fact, you didn’t go there.
Mean Green
So prominent were those green machines that to suggest red, or yellow, or blue (especially not blue) would be outright madness. Even the “town kids” wore John Deere shirts. Patrons at the local barbershop, upon leaving the chair and paying, would often proceed over to the coat rack to grab their John Deere hat. Tossing on a hat following a haircut is a contradictory concept in most parts of the world, but in my rural Iowa home it was just another day.
Our Book Garage series is (normally) filled with muscle and sports cars and other classic performance vehicles, but this time around, we are featuring something a little different. And The John Deere Century by Randy Leffingwell qualifies. The cars we normally feature should be green with envy by now (see what I did there).
The 1929 Model C appears on page 40. At the time, farmers pulled implements behind them similar to how horses would have. Photo: Deere & Company Archives.
Nothing Runs Like . . .
The John Deere Century opens with the famous manufacturer struggling to grain traction as agriculture was becoming more modernized at the turn of the 20th century. John Deere branch managers were petitioning the company’s board for an offering that could stand up to the growing “power farming” movement. Indeed the board responded, but the first efforts were not well received.
Leffingwell walks us through this and other John Deere hallmarks, from the Model D in 1926 with its innovative flywheel, to the 530 and 630 in the late 1950s now regarded as styling wonders. Later on we learn about the extensive technology in today’s tractors and John Deere’s expansion across the globe. Leffingwell even draws the conclusion that John Deere accomplished what former General Motors Chairman Alfred P. Sloan wanted: that is to create something for every purse and purpose.
The John Deere Century is unlike any book out there on the topic. It’s easily one of the most unique in our Book Garage series and definitely a favorite.
Author
Leffingwell wrote his first book, American Muscle, in 1989 while still on staff at the Los Angeles Times. Since then, he has authored another 47 titles for Motorbooks and is one of the top Porsche historians today. Leffingwell’s book Porsche 70 Years: There Is No Substitute was featured in this series last year.
The John Deere Century is available through Motorbooks and Amazon.
The John Deere Century Gallery

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/automoblog-book-garage-the-john-deere-century/

2019 Honda Fit Arrives: A Brief Walk Around

2019 Honda Fit Arrives: A Brief Walk Around The 2019 Honda Fit will arrive at dealerships beginning Monday April 30th. The lineup is expansive with options to fancy every taste, from the entry-level LX to the EX-L with Navigation at the top of the mountain. Drivers wanting something a little more spunky will likely enjoy the new Fit Sport trim. We took the Fit Sport on a spin recently and thought it had ample interior room, a quiet ride, and solid overall performance.
Extensive Updates
For 2019, Auto High-Beams are added to Honda Sensing-equipped models, and a new Platinum Pearl White replaces White Orchid Pearl. Updates last year included retuned suspension dampers, a new acoustic glass windshield, and improved insulation throughout the vehicle.
More efficient packaging, such as the fuel tank being mounted underneath the front seats, provides 52.7 cubic-feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Honda says this figure is class-leading.
Photo: Honda North America.
Power & Performance
The 2019 Honda Fit features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection that creates 130 horsepower and 114 lb-ft. of torque. Two transmissions are available: a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). EPA fuel economy ratings are 29/36/31 (city/highway/combined) for the manual and 33/40/36 for the CVT.
Safety & Security
The Honda Sensing package is available for the CVT-equipped LX and Sport models but standard on every EX and EX-L. Honda Sensing includes collision and road departure mitigation and warning systems, lane keeping assist technology, and Adaptive Cruise Control among others. Honda says the Fit was designed to achieve a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Honda Fit Sport: Photo: Honda North America.
Technology & Comfort
All 2019 Fit models receive a rearview camera and Bluetooth capability; Sport models and above see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration through a seven-inch touchscreen and a 180-watt six-speaker audio system. The Fix EX has push button start, satellite radio, and even a moonroof, while the EX-L adds heated, leather-trimmed seats and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Pricing
The 2019 Honda Fit starts at $17,080 for the LX with the manual transmission or $17,880 for the CVT. The Sport starts anywhere from $18,390 to $20,190 depending on options. The EX starts at $19,050 for the manual or $19,850 for the CVT. The EX-L comes in at $21,140 while the EX-L with Navigation beeps across the scanner for $22,140.
2019 Fits for the U.S. market are manufactured at Honda’s Celaya, Mexico plant.
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.
2019 Honda Fit Gallery

Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-honda-fit-arrives-a-brief-walk-around/

2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 Review

2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 Review The newly-remodeled 2019 Jeep Cherokee still provides unparalleled off-road capability, V6 power, and superior towing capacity, making it undeniably attractive for adventure enthusiasts. Cherokee gets a mid-cycle refresh with a redesigned front grille, new headlights and taillights, and some updates beneath the surface too. The Cherokee is one of the few vehicles in its class with a truly capable off-road system for getting away from civilization.
What’s New For 2019
The exterior is restyled, the interior is a little more upscale, and cargo capacity makes an incremental gain.
Features & Options
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 ($33,620) comes nicely appointed with heated leather seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual zone climate control, an 8.4-inch color display, and backup camera. There is a power liftgate, remote start, six-speaker sound system, and four-way adjustments for the driver and passenger seats. Blind-spot detection and rear park assist are also included.
Optional equipment included the Technology Group ($995) with adaptive cruise control, brake assist, full-speed collision warning, lane departure warning, parallel park assist, and side distance warning.
The Luxury Group ($1,195) came with ventilated front seats, second-row adjustable seats, and foot-activated liftgate. The panoramic sunroof ($1,295) and upgraded sound system ($695) and navigation ($795) brought the total MSRP, including destination, to $40,040.

Interior Highlights
As we approached our Cherokee Limited, the doors automatically unlocked. The Cherokee gets subtle improvements inside with material upgrades and new trim details like piano black plastic and satin chrome. Engineers redesigned the center console, moving the shifter slightly rearward and creating a space for your phone near a USB port. There’s also a 115-volt outlet, as well as the latest version of FCA’s Uconnect infotainment system.
This tester came with premium touches including heated and ventilated seats clad in Nappa leather and a heated steering wheel, all welcomed this week as a spring snow hit the Denver area. Seats are comfortable for the most part, but we felt them a bit hard for longer trips to the high country. In the back, there’s enough room for passengers and extra cargo for those weekend getaways.
Jeep had adventure enthusiasts in mind and built more cargo volume into the rear, which expands to 26 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded flat, there’s 55 cubic feet of cargo-carrying ability with room enough for all your camping, hiking, and fishing gear.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The optional 3.2-liter V6 retains its rating of 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft. of torque, as well as its class-leading 4,500 lbs. tow rating. It comes mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that, according to Jeep, received new software to improve drivability. It also features fuel-saving stop/start technology.
EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 19/27 city/highway and 22 combined mpg with the V6 powerplant.
Driving Dynamics
With the 3.2-liter V6, the Cherokee has all the power most weekend warriors will need. Heading west on the winding, mountainous highway west of Denver, we found the newly-remodeled Cherokee delivers a smooth ride and there weren’t any real surprises. We pushed past slower traffic with ease and the SUV never felt lacking for power at the higher altitude.
Pushed hard around tight mountain curves, the Cherokee wants to lean and doesn’t rank high in terms of on-road agility. But this isn’t the vehicle’s strong point. Where Cherokee shines is when you leave the pavement.
We took it on a short (but severe) off-road drive course near Morrison, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain System successfully maintained low speeds as it jumped over the rocky patches. Jeep’s Active Drive I system will go places no other vehicle in this class can tackle. It’s the reason you would pick a Cherokee over others for your daily commuter.
In the city, the Cherokee is still a nice place to spend time and with all the available safety tech, you’ll get plenty of warnings to keep you safe.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a small, inexpensive commuter, you might want to look elsewhere. If you enjoy camping trips on the weekend to get far away from civilization, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is a must drive. With its highly-adaptable four-wheel drive system, the Cherokee is not only capable in wintry conditions, but also for serious off-road use this summer.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited Gallery

2019 Jeep Cherokee Official Site.
Photos: FCA US LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-jeep-cherokee-limited-4x4-review/

2018 Buick Enclave: Product & Performance Overview

2018 Buick Enclave: Product & Performance Overview

Buick has introduced their all-new seven-passenger luxury SUV, the 2018 Enclave. According to Buick, its arrival ushers in new improvements and refinements that mark the “next evolution” of their brand. The General Motors family member bills their line as modern luxury but it certinately has not been easy.
Late last year, we sat down with Molly Peck, Buick’s Marketing Director to learn about their reinvention strategy.
Those considering the Enclave may be interested to know the third row alone offers 5.6 more inches of legroom than an Acura MDX, 4.5 inches more than an Audi Q7, and nearly three inches more than an Infiniti QX60.
“Enclave was introduced as a game-changer for the Buick brand and has since become one of our most successful and important vehicles,” said Duncan Aldred, Vice President, Global Buick and GMC. “It set the tone for a more progressive Buick, helping change perception for us and serving as the standard-bearer of what our products stand for: smart, stylish luxury.”
Styling & Design
Buick went with an athletic, yet balanced formula, giving the 2018 Enclave new proportions for a sharper, more aerodynamic look. Buick’s patented “front end design language” was inspired by the Avista and Avenir concepts, further complimented by what the automaker calls a “windswept” appearance. The roofline is lower and the windshield is sleeker for a more dramatic stance.
Lighting is not a light affair by any means, but a rather serious one. The 2018 Enclave is Buick’s first application of Evonik Acrylite technology and bi-functional LED projector headlamps and LED tail lamps. From a design perspective, it makes the Enclave stand out while the IntelliBeam headlamps available on Premium and Avenir models provide better visibility at night.
Photo: Buick.

Safety & Security
The 2018 Buick Enclave has a number of tools to help a driver feel safe and confident, including a rear vision camera, rear park assist, and seven air bags, including a front center side airbag. The latter deploys from the inboard side of the driver’s seat, positioning itself between the driver and front passenger. GM created this airbag specifically to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupants are on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System Database found far-side impact crashes, which the front center side air bag is meant to mitigate, accounted for 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover accidents between 2004 and 2009, in vehicles 1999 or newer. These types of accidents also represented 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impacts. In other words, it’s a highly desirable and potentially life-saving safety device.
When fully equipped, there are 17 different radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensors to provide drivers with a full sense of safety and security. In our opinion, the 2018 Buick Enclave really excels in this particular area.
Photo: Buick.
Cargo Space
Like it does with safety and security, the 2018 Buick Enclave does wonders in the cargo capacity department. Behind the third row, there is 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space while the second- and third-row seats fold for a nearly-flat load floor. An optional power-folding third row makes things easy, while available second-row SmartSlide Seats allow occupants better entry/exit from the third row.
Finally, an underfloor storage area provides an extra 3.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Buick Enclave is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine with stop/start technology, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. GM estimates around 300 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. All-wheel drive is available with an active twin-clutch rear differential – it’s also a switchable AWD system which will help drivers increase control, stability, and efficiency.
What’s really impressive is the 5,000 lbs. towing capacity, more than enough to haul a nice fishing boat. A Standard MacPherson strut front and five-link rear suspension provide a smooth ride and easy handling. Buick’s engineers opted for a longer wheelbase but were still able to cut over a foot off the turning radius from the prior generation.
Photo: Buick.

Pin Drop
The 2018 Buick Enclave features QuietTuning, an active noise cancellation system to help keep the cabin quiet and comfortable. Engineers honed the exterior design accordingly, and increased the sealing and sound-deadening materials throughout the vehicle. However, just in case the quiet is too much, a 10-speaker Bose Premium stereo is available.
Fresh Air
It’s one thing to have the little tree hanging from the rearview mirror, it’s another to have an entire ionizer in the vehicle. The 2018 Buick Enclave has such a feature that works by producing negatively charged particles that attract air-born contaminants and break down their structure, essentially cleaning the inside air. The system reduces and/or eliminates odors, bacteria, viruses, dust, debris, and pollen. This useful addition for allergy season requires no maintenance or filter replacement, and comes standard on Essence, Premium, and Avenir models.
Photo: Buick.
Special Treatments
Standard equipment on every 2018 Enclave includes keyless entry and push-button start, a hands-free power-programmable liftgate with a Buick logo illuminating the ground below, tri-zone automatic climate control, universal home remote, and six USB ports. Every Enclave is equipped with an OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a frameless 8-inch diagonal infotainment display, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Pricing & Availability
When it arrives in dealerships this fall, the 2018 Buick Enclave will come in Enclave, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims. The 2018 Enclave is the seventh new Buick in less than two years and is manufactured at Lasing Delta Township Assembly.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos & Source: Buick

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-buick-enclave-product-performance-overview/

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Awakens

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Awakens

Well, here it is. After being teased, rumored, speculated upon, and guessed about, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is finally here. And I, like anyone else with a soul, the first thing I thought was: “Holy sh-how much horsepower does this thing put out?!?”
No kidding, no joking, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon puts out 840 horsepower at the wheels. 840!
Perspective Power
For reference, a 2017 Indy car puts out around 700 horsepower. A NASCAR stocker puts out 725 horsepower. A world Rally Car puts out 315 horsepower. A Le Mans prototype will put out around 900 horsepower, but that’s combined output for both the internal combustion engine and the hybrid drive system. The current Ferrari F1 car puts out around 1,000, but that’s also the combined total of the internal combustion engine and hybrid drive system.
So I will repeat myself: The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon puts out 840 horsepower at the wheels. 840! And Dodge will sell the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon to literally anyone. Anyone. No background check. No psychological profile assessment. You got a ominous twitch in your left eye, my friend? Don’t matter. Anyone. For the love of Horace and John, even me. Me!
The Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with a set of Nitto NT05R street-legal, drag-race tires, a first for a production car. The 315/40R18 tires were specifically designed for the SRT Demon, with a new compound and sidewall construction. The drag radials give the SRT Demon a 15 percent larger tire contact patch and more than twice the grip of the Challenger SRT Hellcat. The sticky drag tires are mounted on lightweight 11×18-inch wheels, with each tire measuring 12.6 inches wide. Furthermore, a unique rear knuckle reduces negative camber by 0.5 degrees, “standing up” the tire and increasing the size of the tire contact patch. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Record Numbers
At 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft. of torque, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the most powerful muscle car ever thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 engine. Let that sink in. Next time some old gearhead tells you about “the good old days” and how crazy muscle cars were in the late 60s, remember this Dodge has almost 900 horsepower. To my direct knowledge, right off the showroom floor, things like Superstock Darts were in the mid-500 range. This thing puts out 340 horsepower on top of that.
Not only is this the highest horsepower V8 production engine ever produced, and I mean ever, the Demon is also the first production car to have a certified front wheel lift from a dead stop. And by lift, I mean it was measured at 2.92 feet, and by certified I mean certified by Guinness World Records. This is a car that, from the factory, directly off the showroom floor, can pull a friggin’ wheelie!
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was designed to cover the quarter mile as quickly as possible. To do this, it combines both mechanical and electronic tuning for maximum launch grip while still maintaining directional control. The Bilstein Adaptive Damping shocks have been tuned for drag racing, shifting as much weight as possible on the rear tires at launch for maximum traction, and improving rear tire grip by 11 percent. Weight shift in the Challenger SRT Demon is aided by softening up some key suspension components like the springs and sway bars. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Lightning Quick
Want to know the ET this thing pulls at the strip? This: 9.65 seconds at 140 miles per hour as certified by the National Hot Rod Association. That is slightly faster then the aforementioned Superstock Dart, and I guarantee the Demon is both heavier and better equipped than a Superstock Dart. Oh, and this makes the Demon the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car. Not a La Ferrari, not a Porsche 918, not a Veyron, a Dodge. A Dodge.
However, if you’re thinking of taking your new Dodge Demon down to the strip on Grudge Night so you can finally make Steve from accounting shut up, forget about it. The Challenger SRT Demon was deemed too fast for the drag strip and officially banned by NHRA.
The Demon is also the world’s fastest production car with 60 mph coming up in 2.3 seconds and 0-30 happening in a single second. A single second! 2.3 seconds to 60 is quicker than Formula cars I’ve driven. It’s faster than my old pro-rally car by a long shot. 2.3 is retina-detaching fast. Throw away the stop watch, and measure it in G-force, and the Demon pulls at 1.8 g, or about 60% of the space shuttle at launch. That is, in case you’re curious, the highest g-force acceleration of any production car.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be available 14 exterior colors: B5 Blue, Billet Silver, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green, Go Mango, Granite Crystal, Indigo Blue, Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy, TorRed, White Knuckle, and Yellow Jacket. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Big Breath
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon also has the largest functional hood scoop of any production car at 45.2 square inches. Dodge calls it the Air-Grabber induction system, but sadly, unlike the Air-Grabbers of old, this one is not variable, nor does it feature those totally wicked teeth like a P-41 Warhawk. It’s more like the big gaping maw from the fiberglass hoods of the Superstock Darts and Coronets.
All 45.2 square inches of that Air-Grabber induction system are very, very functional in feeding what can only be considered a leviathan of an engine. The forced-induction system reads like it was puled off a World War II fighter plane.
The Air-Grabber hood is sealed to the air box, which is also fed from the driver’s side Air-Catcher headlamp and an inlet near the wheel liner. Combined, those sources give the Demon an air-flow rate of 1,150 cubic feet per minute, 18 percent greater than the Hellcat. The additional air inlets help reduce the temperature of the intake air by more than 30 degrees compared to the Hellcat, which improves throttle response. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Engine Within An Engine
The supercharger is a larger 2.7-liter displacement blower that gives an increased boost pressure of 14.5 psi and a higher rpm limit of 6,500. The supercharger alone displaces 2.7-liters. That is nearly a third bigger than the engine in a Miata, and that’s not even the engine! That’s what feeds the engine.
The Demon’s supercharger features an innovative SRT Power Chiller liquid-to-air intercooler system, a factory-production car first. The liquid-to-air intercooler set up has an After-Run Chiller that keeps cooling the supercharger/charge air cooler after the engine is shut off, another factory-production car first.
The Demon’s mill is designed to run on 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel or 91 octane on demand. Now, you don’t have to be J. Robert Oppenheimer to put 2 and 2 together here and figure out that all of the shocking performance figures are probably coming from a tank full of 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel, and not the lower grade stuff, but still, it’s nice of Dodge to at least give you the option of not having to swing by the local air base to gas up.
The Demon engine has been certified to the SAE J1349 industry standard for its horsepower and torque ratings. While the Demon engine shares similar traits with the Hellcat engine, it does have 25 major component upgrades including the supercharger, pistons, rods, valve train, and fuel injection system. The engine also meets all applicable legal emissions regulations. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Bag Of Tricks
And the goodies continue on down the drivetrain. The Demon is the first-ever, factory-production car with a TransBrake for more powerful and quicker launches. This is an old drag racer trick that allows you to lock the driveline south of the engine, build up the revs and all that sweet, sweet torque and then let’er go in one big BWOOMFF. Also to that end, the Demon is the first production car with Torque Reserve to supply augmented levels of power and torque at launch.
And this, this has got to be my favorite goodie for the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: First production car with front passenger seat delete. That’s right, no passenger seat. Just me and 840 of my closest equine friends out to drain the color from the faces of BMW owners at the next stop light.
Availability
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be a limited-edition, single model year production run of 3,000 cars for the United States and 300 Canada. Dealership deliveries begin this fall so get in line now. Now-now-now-now-now! Oh, and get this: The car is covered by a full factory warranty.
And if you are one of the few, the happy few who obtain the new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, Dodge is also going to throw in a session at Bob Bondurant School of High-performance Driving. Take them up on this offer. Really.
Production of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon begins later this year at FCA’s Brampton, Ontario Assembly. Currently, this monster of a car is on display at the New York International Auto Show, April 14th through the 23rd at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
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.
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Gallery

Photos & Source: FCA US LLC

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-dodge-challenger-srt-demon-awakens/

2018 Infiniti Q50 Revealed In New York

2018 Infiniti Q50 Revealed In New York

Infiniti will reveal the enhanced Q50 for the first time in North America at the 2017 New York International Auto Show. The vehicle goes on sale globally during the second quarter and will be available in the United States later this summer. The automaker focused on a number of improvements to heighten the driver experience.
“The new Q50 features a refreshed exterior and interior design, as well as innovative technologies designed to empower and support the driver,” reads a recent press release from Infiniti.
Driver Treatments
Infiniti focused on detail with the Q50, evident in the stitching and soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. This specific craftsmanship extends to the seats which offer more spinal and back support, and a new steering wheel with molded placements for a driver’s thumbs. A full range of connectivity and infotainment through INFINITI InTouch Services is standard.
Safety & Security
The 2018 Infiniti Q50 has a number of active safety technologies including Direct Adaptive Steering, Active Lane Control, Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, Backup Collision Intervention, and Blind Spot Warning and Intervention. Other safety features include Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Forward Emergency Braking, and Predictive Forward Collision Warning.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Infiniti Q50 has a nice array of powertrain options, depending on personal tastes. The main engine is the 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo from the automaker’s exclusive VR powertrain family. Other options include a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, a Direct Response Hybrid, and a high-output version of the 3.0-liter for the Red Sport 400.
The Q50 is Infiniti’s best-selling model and has, since it first arrived in 2013, sold nearly 210,000 units globally. As a brand, Infiniti is seeing steady and solid growth, achieving over 230,000 last year in global sales – a 7-percent year-over-year increase and a new record for the automaker. The Q50 accounted for one third of the brand’s total sales.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Infiniti Q50 Gallery

Photos & Source: INFINITI Motor Company Ltd.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-infiniti-q50-revealed-in-new-york/