Automotive

1917 Mitsubishi Model A Being Built By West Coast Customs

1917 Mitsubishi Model A Being Built By West Coast Customs

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is celebrating their centennial anniversary, and to mark the occasion, they have teamed up with West Coast Customs. Mitsubishi will re-create their original Model A, but on the brand’s most technologically advanced platform, the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).
West Coast Customs will build a more advanced Model A but keep the 1917 look intact.
Humble Beginnings
The 1917 Mitsubishi Model A ushered in Japan’s now global automotive industry. As the first vehicle fashioned with Mitsubishi’s three-diamond logo, the Model A and its original 22-car production run is still a significant moment for the automaker.
“We’re proud to be a 100-year-old brand with a rich heritage in the automotive landscape,” said Francine Harsini, Senior Director, marketing at MMNA. “The Mitsubishi Model A is the vehicle that paved the way for many other unique and exciting models over the years and we’re excited to re-design it with West Coast Customs.”
West Coast Customs CEO and Founder, Ryan Friedlinghaus underscored how much they are looking forward to building the centennial vehicle.
“Team members in every department of West Coast Customs are super excited to be involved with this build – truly a piece of automotive history,” he said. “We are incredibly honored to have been chosen to take on this iconic build for Mitsubishi that celebrates the centennial anniversary of the company’s first mass produced vehicle.”
High-Tech Heritage
The Outlander PHEV was chosen as the baseline becasue it represents the height of Mitsubishi’s heritage. The automaker points specifically to the the four-wheel drive technology they developed and honed on the international rally circuit. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0-liter gas engine, two electric motors, and Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system.
“The Mitsubishi Model A will feature all the distinctive aspects of the 1917 vehicle, but will be built on the PHEV platform and offer the latest in automotive technology,” Harsini added.
The anniversary Mitsubishi Model A is being built at the West Coast Customs facility in Burbank, California. The build will be featured on a Tuesday evening episode of Inside West Coast Customs on Velocity (check local listings).
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo & Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

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Nissan Rogue Trail Warrior Project: Oh. My. Word.

Nissan Rogue Trail Warrior Project: Oh. My. Word.

Great jumpin Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel, are you kidding me? You have got to be kidding me! No, Nissan is not kidding. This is an SUV with friggin’ tracks! Okay, it’s just kind of a show car deal, and not a factory option, but it is made up from available off the shelf parts.
So you could kinda buy this? And drive it around town? Cool! Okay, well, yeah, no, you can’t.
Tank You Kindly
Turns out those tracks are simply listed as “snow/sand tracks,” which I can understand. It does raise the question of how I would get to either the snow or sand in the first place, because, what, am I supposed to trailer this thing and then use it? Also, I know that you can, in some instances, actually drive tracked vehicles on the road without a problem. Don’t ask.
Okay, here, it works like this: When I was in college, I knew this guy, Jeff, who owned a half-track. Yeah, I know, strange. But anyway, from what I gather, you can run rubberized tracks on almost any tracked vehicle, up to and including tanks, and not chew up the pavement the way steel tracks do. The track set up on this Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project looks to be semi-rubberized with cleats so you might (might) be able to get away with just driving it around. By the by, Jeff was seriously in the market for an used tank to play with. He was heir to a lumber fortune, and had plenty of woods and stuff to go crashing around in. He had a friend with a tank (a World War II Sherman I recall) and said it was amazing to drive.
Literally nothing stood in your way or slowed you down. Not even fully grown fir trees.
Anyway, the Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project features not only a full snow track system, but also a special camo exterior wrap. I’m not a big fan of this kind of camo. Yes, I know it works, but I’m more partial to the old-school wavy patterns rather than the newer “digital” schemes.”
Photo: Nissan North America.
Armageddon Ready
The Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project is based on the redesigned 2017 Rogue crossover, which is Nissan’s best-selling model, so it’s a good place to start. Nissan says the Rogue Warrior Trail Project, or NRWTP – pronounced nurWART in military parlance (if this were a DoD thing I bet) – takes “family adventure ready Rogue design to the next level.” Yah think? I bet it also really gets those full on prepper types (you know, the morons that are anxiously awaiting some sort of societal level catastrophe so they can finally be “right”) all in a lather too.
The NRWTP is a special one-off project created solely for this year’s New York International Auto show. Nissan points out that of the two dominating features of the NRWTP (say it with me now: “nurWART”), the first is arguably the exterior design treatment that combines a custom camouflage body wrap (sadly not painted) and a matching khaki-painted track system and military-style yellow glassworks; headlights windshield and side glass, etc.
And then there are the snow/sand tracks.
Photo: Nissan North America.

Track Attack
Those would be DOMINATOR Tracks, yes all caps, and yes, yelling “DOMINATOR!” might be acceptable in this case. They come courtesy of American Track Truck, Inc., which is a hysterical name, and even funnier if you say it out loud, over and over again as fast as you can. The tracks clock in at 48 inches long, 30 inches high, and 15 inches wide, all of which are very impressive measurements. They directly replace the Rogue’s regular wheels and tires although the suspension and wheel wells were modified slightly to simply fit the track system into place.
Otherwise, says Nissan, all drivetrain components, including the 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine, along with the Xtronic transmission are standard factory gear.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Performance Tech
Said mill is rated at 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque, which should be more than enough for climbing snow banks, sand dunes, or intimidating the bejeebus out of hybrid drivers. Seriously. This is one of those rare instances where too much power is a bad thing. You can, potentially, end up throwing snow or sand or dirt all over the place and simply dig yourself in deeper and deeper. And honestly, if you get stuck in a vehicle with tracks, well I don’t have much sympathy for you son.
Other goodies found on the Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project include custom fender flares, an ARB Gear Basket, a big honkin’ LED light bar, and a Warn 4K winch.
“If you want to stand out from the crowd during a day on the slopes or the beach, this is the vehicle to take,” said Michael Bunce, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc., in the greatest understatement since Erwin Rommel said, “In a man to man fight, the winner is he who has one more round in his magazine.”
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.
Nissan Rogue Warrior Trail Project Gallery

Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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2018 Chevy Corvette Carbon 65 Edition: More Than Just Trim

2018 Chevy Corvette Carbon 65 Edition: More Than Just Trim

Sweet jumpin’ Zora Arkus-Duntov! Is the Vette really 65 years old? Really? Man, either I’m showing my age, or I’m just too enamored with the current gen of Chevy’s plastic fantastic to realize or care that the first Corvette hit the scene when Eisenhower was president. Yes, the first Vette had rather uninspiring performance.
And yes, at various other times over that 65 years, “uninspiring performance” was a term used more often than Chevy would have liked (cough-disco era Corvettes-cough!). However, that is never something you’ll hear uttered about the current generation.
Literal Sense
The C7 Vette is a flat out world beater of a car. I had two friends, and I mean dyed-in-the-wool Euro car guys who traded in BMW M3’s within minutes of test driving C7s. I mean they’re that good. If you’re a gearhead, I would not counsel you away from a current Corvette. If, and while I’m on the subject, if you’re a gearhead aged less than, oh, 40, I would counsel you away from a current Corvette. It’s not that I don’t think you could handle it, it’s that insurance companies don’t, and you would literally be paying through the nose. And yeah, I mean that as literally.
When my brother was in grad school many, many moons ago, he bought a 1965 Corvette to go AutoX-ing with, and as I recall, Allstate would literally come over to his place on Comm. Ave., stuff the 20s up one nostril, and extract them out the other just to make the point. He said it was worth it though.
Photo: Chevrolet.
What’s In A Name?
It’s actually pretty straightforward. The Carbon 65 Edition is a trim and semi-performance add-on available on all 2018 Grand Sport 3LT and Z06 3LZ models. The package is limited to only 650 numbered vehicles globally, which goes well with the “65” in the name. Lots of visible carbon-fiber exterior elements cover the “Carbon” part of the moniker. There is also a new Ceramic Matrix Gray exterior along with special interior appointments, including a new carbon-fiber-rimmed steering wheel.
“Corvette is one of the most storied names in Chevrolet and sports car history, with a heritage few can match,” said Paul Edwards, U.S. Vice President, Chevrolet Marketing. “The new Carbon 65 Edition honors that legacy, while offering customers another unique, special-edition model that personalizes the ownership experience.”
Hold up, hold up, fine, but, let me just break this down:
“Corvette is one of the most storied names in Chevrolet . . . history.” Yes, okay, I can agree with that. “Corvette is one of the most storied names in sports car history.” Yes, I can agree with that too. ” . . . with a heritage few can match.” Riiiiiiight. Except for Ferrari and Porsche and Maserati and Aston Martin and Jaguar. You sure did put the Ford T-Bird in its place though.
Photo: Chevrolet.

Exclusive Treatments
If you opt for the Carbon 65 Edition package (order code Z30) you get the Ceramic Matrix Gray exterior. If you go for the Carbon 65 package on a drop top, said top will be blue. The Carbon 65 package has exclusive fender stripes and door graphics for a little bit of added flash, while the wheels are black with machined grooves paired with summer-only tires* (pay attention to that asterisk, I’ll get back to it in a sec). Grand Sport buyers get Cup-style wheels and Z06 buyers get Blade-style wheels. The brake calipers are painted blue and the carbon-fiber ground effects, hood section, and roof (on the Coupe models) or tonneau inserts (for the Convertible models) are more visible.
Speaking of visible, there’s also a new carbon-fiber spoiler to gawk at on all models, and carbon-fiber quarter intake ducts on the Coupe. Honestly, I’m not sure why you would limit them to only being on the coupe, but there it is. The wheel center caps feature a carbon logo and there’s carbon flash badges too.
There’s a jet black suede-wrapped interior with blue stitching (which sounds rather handsome), a carbon-fiber steering wheel, and gloss carbon-fiber trim throughout. The chairs are Competition Sport seats, a nice performance add on that will hold your butt more securely and, of course, Carbon 65 Edition sill plates.
Photo: Chevrolet.

Proper Consideration
Remember that asterisk I told you to pay attention to? Here’s what the GM presser says: “Do not use summer-only tires in winter conditions, as it would adversely affect vehicle safety, performance, and durability. Use only GM-approved tire and wheel combinations. Unapproved combinations may change the vehicle’s performance characteristics.”
Really? Ya think?
Are there really knuckleheads out there lacking in cranial horsepower to think you could take a Corvette Grand Sport, let alone a Z06, out for a little jaunt in January in the Upper Peninsula, say on summer tires and live to tell about it? Guess so, or the GM lawyers wouldn’t have to warn us.
Personally, I’d skip the Carbon 65 Edition and go with just the normal Grand Sport in Nassau Blue with an Arctic White stripe, but I’m sort of traditional that way. In case you have your heart set on one, the Corvette Carbon 65 Edition package will run you an extra $15,000. It will be available this summer along with the rest of the 2018 Chevy Corvette lineup.
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: Chevrolet.

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Most Common Road Accidents & What to Do After a Crash

Most Common Road Accidents & What to Do After a Crash Similar to death and taxes, road accidents are an unfortunate part of life, especially on today’s highly-congested roads. Our buddies at Your Legal Friend came up with a unique infographic to explain the most common road accidents in the UK, which are surprisingly similar to the crash rates in the United States.
Your Legal Friend recently conducted a study on the dynamics and circumstances surrounding road crashes. The firm leveraged their experience in personal injury law to analyze more than 25,000 incident reports. Their findings are something we should all pay attention to, regardless of where we live.
For example, from the Your Legal Friend study, we see a trend between the most common types of road accidents and the types of people most likely to be involved in a crash. We even see how some parts of the year are worse than others. Did you know road accidents are most likely to occur on a Friday in July? Here are the highlights of the study Your Legal Friend conducted.

It Doesn’t Matter Where You Live
If you previously thought our British neighbors were better and safer drivers, think again. The specific correlation between vehicular accidents in the U.S. and UK are strikingly similar.
The USA ranks as one of the busiest countries in terms of road traffic. There were approximately 6.3 million fatal injuries and property damage crashes in 2015 alone. In fact, the U.S. ranks first in crash deaths per 100,000 people and per 10,000 registered vehicles.
The U.S. also ranks second-highest in deaths involving alcohol at 31 percent, which is next to Canada.
Things aren’t as rosy in the United Kingdom, either. There were 1,792 road deaths in 2016. This is a jump of four percent compared to 2015. There were a total of 181,384 casualties of all severities in 2016, which was probably caused by the increase of motor traffic (2.2 percent) between 2015 and 2016.

The Most Common Road Accidents
According the Your Legal Friend study, 70 percent of drivers who cause road accidents are male and between the ages of 30 and 32. In fact, the study revealed you are most likely to be on the receiving end of a crash by the age of 32.
If you happen to be in Bradford or Birmingham in the UK, it is best to keep an eye on your rearview mirror. The study found the most common type of crash is being hit in the rear. This accounts for 38 percent of all collisions on the road.
Junction and roundabout collisions, and accidents while changing lanes account for 13 percent, six percent, and five percent respectively. It is reported that a startling 59 percent of victims in car accidents are also male. I guess we can all blame excess testosterone for that.

What You Drive Could Matter
I previously mentioned that road accidents are most likely to occur on all Fridays in July. It might have something to do with the freak UK weather and people rushing to the nearest pub. Also interesting is the list of top vehicles involved in causing accidents. It includes the Ford Fiesta (which is a best-selling car in the UK), the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van (which happens to be a top-seller behind the Ford Transit), the Ford Focus, and the Vauxhall Corsa.
The Ford Fiesta is also among the top vehicles most likely to fall victim to a crash, along with the Ford Focus, Audi A3 (because Audi owners reputably drive too close to the car in front?), and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
I guess the lesson here is safety should be a top priority. Don’t drive a Ford Fiesta and stay away from Mercedes vans on the road.
Oh, and drink your lager on a Saturday instead.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Photo: MBUSA.
Things To Remember After An Accident
Stop the vehicle. It doesn’t matter if the crash is mild or severe. Stop the car and don’t even think about leaving the scene of the accident. You could get charged with a criminal offense.
Try to remain calm. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but a calm mind will allow you to quickly assess the situation.
Take notes and take photographs. Snap some images depicting the damage and the scene of the accident. This holds true no matter who is at fault.
Call the police immediately. After making sure that you and your passengers are safe and sound, it is best to call the police for immediate assistance.
Avoid saying sorry or taking blame. Even if you happen to be at fault, it is best to analyze the situation further. It is better to simply ask how the other driver is doing and if they suffered any injuries.
Conclusion
If you were the victim of a car accident and would like to seek compensation, Your Legal Friend, who conducted this study, can advise you. In the meantime, please avoid distracted driving to keep the roads safer for each and every person.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

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Ford Is Pounding The Daylights Out of The New Ranger (Video)

Ford Is Pounding The Daylights Out of The New Ranger (Video) Ford is pounding the tar out of the new Ranger, set to arrive early next year. In the last few years, midsize trucks have made quite the comeback, evidenced by the return of the Colorado and Canyon, and a redesigned Tacoma and Ridgeline. So naturally, the Blue Oval decided it was time to get back in the game, and even gave us a glimpse of the new Ranger at the North American International Auto Show in January.
In a new video, we see just what Ford is up to with the Ranger. As you watch it, you almost feel sorry for the truck. It really takes a beating.
Torture Test Theme
This is not the first time Ford has thrown knock out punches at their trucks. In 2011, the company filmed a series of “Torture Tests” to promote the 3.5 Ecoboost engine for the newly-redesigned F-150. The series, hosted by Mike Rowe, saw the trucks tackle a number of outrageous challenges, from hauling logs in the Pacific Northwest, to hauling you know what around Homestead-Miami Speedway with a loaded trailer.
Now the Ranger is receiving the same treatment as its older brother, and some of the tests are so intense, robotics are utilized because it’s simply too harsh for humans to endure!
“We torture every component – from its high-strength steel frame to its EcoBoost engine, to its cloth and leather-trimmed seats – to ensure Ranger is ready for any season and nearly any terrain,” said Rick Bolt, Chief Engineer, Ford Ranger.
2019 Ford Ranger on display at the North American International Auto Show, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan.
Aggressive Approach
Ford’s rigorous, perhaps even nontraditional, approach to ensuring the Ranger’s capability starts in the lab, where the truck is subjected to a four-post shaker table. This contraption does exactly what it sounds like and is used, for days on end, to weed out any squeaks and rattles in the chassis. Testing then progresses to more intense, real-world challenges. The Ranger has been as far away as the Australian Outback and as close to home as the company’s Michigan Proving Grounds for various tests.
Davis Dam in Arizona is a prime location for testing, and Ford made an appearance there with the 2011 F-150 in the aforementioned videos. Similar to the F-150, the new Ranger is subjected to the high temperatures and steep grades of Davis Dam while towing trailer.
The video is below. While we are excited to see the truck when it’s finally released, we do have one question in the meantime? How do you get a job at Ford driving the Ranger for these tests?!
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Photos, Video, & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Subaru Ascent Production Begins In Indiana

Subaru Ascent Production Begins In Indiana The Subaru Ascent, the company’s new three-row SUV, is one step closer to the showroom as production is now underway. Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant has the honors where the SUV’s production will provide approximately 200 new jobs and $140 million in equipment and expansion investments. The plant already produces the Outback, Legacy, and Impreza.
Charitable Giving
To mark the occasion, members of the famous Subaru canine family, The Barkleys, visited the facility. Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. also presented $8,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations focused on animal welfare: Almost Home Humane Society, Loving Heart Animal Shelter, Natalie’s Second Chance No-Kill Dog Shelter, and North Central Indiana Spay & Neuter.
Subaru has worked with the Center for Pet Safety in the past.
Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Continued Growth
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. has grown considerably in the last five years, adding more than 2,000 team members. With the Ascent, the facility is expected produce about 400,000 vehicles annually, having already assembled over five million since opening in 1989.
“The Subaru Ascent is a great addition to our production line-up,” said Tom Easterday, Senior Executive Vice President of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. “Production of this outstanding new family vehicle allowed us to create hundreds of new jobs at SIA, and also at our suppliers in Indiana and across the country.”
2019 Subaru Ascent. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

Specifications & Availability
The Ascent is the largest Subaru ever built, riding on a 113.8-inch wheelbase with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and seating for eight. Family-oriented features include rear doors that open 75 degrees, making access to the third-row seats easier. The vehicle is powered by a 2.4-liter Boxer engine that creates 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft. of torque. All-wheel drive is standard.
The 2019 Subaru Ascent arrives this summer and will be offered in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.

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BMW Teams With Virgin Hyperloop One For Dubai Hyperloop Passenger Capsule.

BMW Teams With Virgin Hyperloop One For Dubai Hyperloop Passenger Capsule. They’ve rolled out the prototype design for a Dubai passenger capsule that will run in the desert fiefdom’s Virgin Hyperloop mag-lev high-speed “rail” system. I guess this means they’re serious, they being Hyperloop One, the United Arab Emirates as a country and, somehow, BMW, but when I see the words “passenger capsule” I am less than reassured.
“They” keep plugging away on this whole notion of a “hyperloop,” a vacuum tube, high-speed transit system using magnetic levitation/propulsion as the scheme to get from A to B. Sounds good. I like the idea, in general, and the engineering is quite fun.
Obstacles & Partnerships
It seems like the two biggest hurdles are land and money. Tearing up people’s property is never a good sales pitch, and building a hyperloop is not going to be cheap, but you know who has lots of empty land and bags of money? Dubai! So if you can overlook the problems with foreign workers and labor rights, religious freedom, freedom of expression, forced disappearances and torture, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and a horrendous zero tolerance drug policy, Dubai looks good!
Or at least it looked okay to Hyperloop One and BMW.
Virgin Hyperloop One says they are the only company with a fully operational hyperloop system. And yeah, that Elon Musk guy might quibble with that, but they are backed by some serious money from DP World, Caspian VC Partners, Abu Dhabi Capital Group, GE Ventures, and SNCF, yeah, the French TGV guys. BMW’s involvement is through their BMW Group Designworks creative consultancy biz. They’ve worked with Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Intermarine, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), and they also did some really swoopy airplane interiors, so that fits in here too.
Virgin Hyperloop One is currently negotiating the next stage of development (Phase 2) with the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai. The goal is to build the world’s first hyperloop transportation system in the UAE and Middle East. Photo: BMW of North America.
Challenges & Opportunities
Once Virgin Hyperloop One, the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA), and BMW Designworks get their ducks in a row, the passenger capsule (shudder) will scoot from Dubai to Abu Dhabi (about 90 miles) in as little as 12 minutes via electromagnetic propulsion through a vacuum tube, reaching speeds up to 670 mph. They make no mention of the Gs you’d pull, either accelerating or when hitting the brakes, but let’s just go with this for now, shall we?
The main challenge for the Designworks team was creating a relaxing and engaging interior without any windows. Also, they say, “… a current requirement for passengers to be seated throughout the journey.” Ya don’t say? What, like passengers could stand?
Anyway, they’ve actually done this before, with a proposed design for an airliner’s interior sans windows. It worked pretty well as I remember, but nobody bought it. So, BMW’s Designworks had a crack at a very restrictive environment, or what could be that way, in a submarine-esque sense, and turned it into a “more personal and uplifting sensory experience that can be both memorable and enjoyable.”
Or, to be more blunt about it, they had to figure out how to stuff people into a windowless vessel and blow it down a tube at airliner speeds without anyone croaking or going crazy.
Photo: Hyperloop One.
Personal Attention & Cultural Influences
That sounds like a noble goal and all that, so how do you do it? First through multidirectional, personally-controlled lighting, digital displays, and premium comfort. This creates a sense of individualized space for each passenger. For example, in first class (what, you thought this would be a single class system) adjustable leather seats feature touchscreens with brightness and color settings, allowing you to shift the light from blue to pink to set your mood. The seats come with integrated heating and cooling and, thanks to the built-in displays, personalized entertainment.
BMW Designworks says this could “create a more sophisticated and user-centered spatial experience that transcends the typical utilitarian notion of public transportation.” Could? Your confidence is everso inspiring.
BMW Designworks also took inspiration from traditional Arabic patterns to create intentional cultural references. That’s an old trick, like how they used to decorate the China Clippers with scenes of the far off and mysterious “Orient” to get you in the mood. The overall design is secured in the cultural traditions of the UAE while alluding to the country’s achievements and ambitions.

Worldwide Implementation
Look, I’m a rare guy in the gearhead world. I actually like public transportation in general and, in this case, high speed “rail” in particular. I love driving, but a lot of people don’t, and public transportation is a great way to get those people off the roads and out of my way. I like the idea of this hyperloop deal, and you’ve got to test the prototypes somewhere, so why not the Dubai to Abu Dhabi run?
After they work out the kinks, they can install version 2.0 over here or anywhere else in the world.
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: BMW of North America, LLC., Hyperloop One.
Video: Hyperloop One.

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2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Touring Review

2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Touring Review Honda hasn’t given up on the sedan market like other American automakers, as the popular Accord four-door has been completely redesigned for 2018. Is it enough to keep up with the hot SUV and crossover segments? We wanted to find out.
What’s New For 2018
The 2018 Honda Accord is all-new, more upscale, and more refined. Built around a new chassis that utilizes more high-strength steel, it’s wider and lower than before, and it looks more stylish. Inside, it’s roomier and quieter.
This past weekend we drove the top-of-the-line, 2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Touring.
Features & Options
The 2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Touring ($35,800) is bathed in soft leathers, wood dash accents, interior noise cancellation, LED headlamps, and advanced safety features. There is a slick 8.0-inch touchscreen, leather accents, power-adjustable front seats, 10-speaker premium stereo, and navigation.
Other standard equipment includes Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for charging and streaming audio. The Touring also gets heated seats, satellite radio, upgraded cloth upholstery, moonroof, blind-spot monitors, another USB port, and a chrome grille.
The Touring offers heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heads-up display, wireless cellphone charging, one-touch Bluetooth connectivity, and paddle shifters.
The top Touring trim also equips the Accord with 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, chrome exterior trim, illuminated door handles, automatic wipers, front and rear parking sensors, adjustable driving modes, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Total MSRP including destination: $36,690.

Interior Highlights
The top Touring trim gets soft-touch plastic, leather upholstery, faux-leather door inserts, and convincing wood trim on the dash. The eight-inch touchscreen sits smartly atop the dash with a sharp display and layout. We thought the infotainment system was a bit confusing at first, but did get used to it eventually. We also thought the memory-adjust driver’s seat was a bit annoying, having to adjust it each time we got in the car. The driver’s seat is lower with the redesign, however, for more headroom. The seats, in general, are taller and have more bolstering.
We found the new Accord ideally suited for four people. Five works only for short distances. The rear seats are deep, nearly one inch lower than before, and the doors open wider for easy access. The increased wheelbase allows more legroom in the rear, more than 40 inches, enough for six-footers.
We noticed how quiet the sedan is with active noise cancellation to redirect road noise and the on-board wheel resonators (a piece of material wrapped around the center of the wheel to swallow tire noise.) The trunk is massive with 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and with a wider opening than before.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers adequate performance, but it’s the handling and ride that make the new Accord stand out. The Touring gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder making 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque. The Honda-made 10-speed automatic is standard.
EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 22/32 city/highway and 26 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
The ride in the new Honda Accord feels more feels upscale, almost like a luxury car compared with the outgoing model. We took it on curvy mountain roads and it’s much more enjoyable to drive. The new 2.0-liter turbo four is quick, smooth, and connected to the 10-speed automatic making it sportier than other sedans.
The steering wheel paddle shifters add to the fun-to-drive experience, but the gear selector on the console is a bit different. It offers a series of buttons that takes some getting used to because they are unconventional, but did become easier to use with familiarization. You need to always look down to see which shift configuration you are in.
The Accord’s adaptive dampers make the newly-redesigned sedan feel composed and confident on mountain roads, while being relaxed on the open highway. The standard Honda Sensing safety suite kept us more observant to the busy traffic with lots of warnings and lights.

Conclusion
Overall, the redesigned 2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Touring moves the needle forward in the sedan segment. There’s more strengths than drawbacks making it an easy recommendation for consumers looking for a spacious, comfortable, and upscale four-door that’s not an SUV or crossover. The new Accord delivers exceptional handling, a smooth ride, a comfortable cabin, improved styling, and it’s loaded with safety features and delivers good fuel economy.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Touring Gallery

2018 Honda Accord Official Site.
Photos: Honda North America.

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Inside The 2019 Lexus ES: Can It Compete With Germany?

Inside The 2019 Lexus ES: Can It Compete With Germany? The latest Lexus ES recently debuted at Auto China 2018 in Beijing. That placement is significant, insofar as it is another example of just how important the Chinese market is for everyone these days. But it is also important because the ES has long been Lexus’ bread and butter in the performance sedan world.
Waxing Poetics
The Lexus ES is the Japanese car giant’s version of the BMW 3 Series, and very close in design goals to the vaunted M3. Apart from all the stuff that people negatively say about it – it’s soulless, it lacks personality, it’s not German etc. – the ES is a very good performance sedan option. Now, obviously, t’me this whole notion of “performance sedan” is borderline oxymoronic, but I understand that some people are okay with back seats and four doors and all that.
I empathize. And, with empathy, I can say that buying a Lexus ES never seems to be a bad choice.
2019 Lexus ES. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Stance & Style
The new ES is longer (by 2.6 inches), lower (by .2 inches), and wider (by 1.8 inches) than before. The wheels are pushed nearer the corners for a two-inch longer wheelbase and wider tracks front (by .4 inches) and rear (by 1.5 inches). Sure, that will make a car look cooler, but that will get you grip in each direction: forward, side-to-side, and backward.
The seventh-generation ES has a “fast” roofline to emphasize its lower stance and slick aerodynamics. The rear goes for clean and sharply chiseled, with wraparound LED taillamps. The F SPORT models (Lexus’ answer to BMW’s M Division) have a rear spoiler, additional rear badging (natch), and a dark lower valance for a more sporty aspect. Also new are three different wheel designs: a standard 17-inch and two 18-inch wheels for the ES 350 and ES 300h, while the ES 350 F SPORT gets standard 19-inchers.
The new ES still has a bunch of those high reflectance, color-tint over chrome colors that I find quite striking. There are two new shades, Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Sunlit Green. F SPORT models get an exclusive Ultra Sonic Blue Mica 2.0 color.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Interior Treatments
The interior of the new ES is actually pretty flashy. The driver’s focus is kept on the road by placing the center display screen, instrument panel, and available heads-up display in a tight arrangement and in the driver’s field of view. Front passengers get an open and spacious environment, and despite the sleeker exterior roofline, rear passengers get plenty of comfort thanks to a lower hip point and a carefully configured headliner.
The cabin trim is an all-new kind of metallic finish developed to mimic the look of a traditional Japanese sword. They call it “Hadori” aluminum trim, and it has this groovy wave pattern to give it a three-dimensional appearance. The standard ES 350 and ES 300h will offer materials like Matte Bamboo, Linear Dark Mocha, and Linear Espresso wood to give the ES a hand-crafted appearance luxury buyers expect.
Tech & Safety
Contained within all this cool Japanese swordplay interior is enough tech and entertainment junk to keep a toddler occupied. The seventh-generation ES offers up Apple CarPlay, Siri Eyes Free voice control, and Amazon Alexa. There’s on-board Wi-Fi as part of the optional navigation system that includes a 12.3-inch wide dashboard display.
There’s also tons of on-board superfluous safety stuff that most blockheads will need.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Chassis & Suspension
The chassis is just as modern and high-tech as one would expect. Pinned to the new GA-K chassis platform are various grades of high-tensile steel to reduce weight, an all-new multi-link rear suspension, and rack-mounted electric power steering. F SPORT models offer an Adaptive Variable Suspension with adjustable dampers at each corner with 650 levels of damping.
Power & Performance
All ES 350s are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that develops 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. of torque, both a bump from previous models. The ES 350 gets a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission that uses an ultra-thin torque converter and a multi-plate lock up clutch to efficiently transfer power to the front wheels (sadly).
The ES 300h comes with Lexus’ fourth-gen hybrid drive system, combining an Atkinson cycle 2.5-liter four-banger with a lighter, more compact, more power dense electric motor and self-charging hybrid system. Add those up, and you get 215 total system horsepower and a preliminary estimate of 44 mpg combined.
Pricing & Availability
The 2019 Lexus ES goes on sale this September with pricing info due closer to that time.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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