Automotive

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum Review

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum Review The Toyota Highlander looks like it could tackle some rough terrain, but it’s better suited for a family’s rough use. The Hybrid model is ideal for getting the the best fuel economy in the midsize crossover category. Families looking for versatility, comfort, practicality, all-weather capability, and three-row seating need to keep reading.
This week, we’ve been driving the top-trim, 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum V6 with all-wheel drive.
What’s New For 2018
The 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid receives no significant changes. For 2017, Highlander received a number of significant mid-cycle changes. The styling was updated with a more pronounced grille and LED taillights. The V6 engine was new, boasting more power and better fuel economy along with an eight-speed transmission and an automatic stop-start system. New feature content included the Toyota Safety Sense technology suite, which comes standard on every trim level.
Features & Options
The top-trim, 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum V6 AWD ($48,280) comes standard with windshield wiper de-icer, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure intervention, and adaptive cruise control. Keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and Bluetooth connectivity are also standard.
Our Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum had a sunroof, a height-adjustable power liftgate, a flip-up rear window, and blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems. Nice extras included power front seats with heat, leather upholstery, second-row sunshades, upgraded interior materials, a second-row 120-volt power outlet, an 8.1-inch touchscreen, satellite and HD radio, and a navigation system.
Limited adds 19-inch wheels, LED running lights, rear parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats with perforated leather, driver’s seat memory functions, second-row captain’s chairs, a rear cargo cover, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. Limited Platinum gets a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera, heated rear seats and steering wheel.
Total MSRP including destination: $49,913.

Interior Highlights
The cabin of the Limited Platinum is extra luxurious and the leather seats are comfy for long trips. This model borders on being a true luxury vehicle with its refinement touches and plenty of soft-touch materials throughout the roomy cabin. The cabin is more car-like which is good for growing families on the go.
The navigation system features a large touchscreen, with many of the functions using real buttons which we like. We cranked up the heated seats and heated steering wheel, and kept warm with the late winter snowfall in Denver this week.
Visibility is excellent in the Highlander, thanks to a larger rear-quarter window and repositioned pillars. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited gets twin reclining captain’s chairs that can be pushed back for maximum legroom. We carried two large passengers this week who were lounging in the back on the way to the restaurant.
The third row works well for smaller kids and access is easy with the captain’s chairs. Cargo space totals 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row, and there’s plenty of versatility for busy families with a maximum of 83.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Highlander Hybrid comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 paired with three electric motors. Total system output is 306 horsepower and all-wheel drive is standard. The Hybrid is rated at an EPA-estimated 29/27 city/highway and 28 combined mpg.

Driving Dynamics
Because the hybrids are heavier than the gas models, acceleration is a bit slower but better with the new V6. Once underway, however, the cabin is comfortable and quiet. Our passengers kicked back, put the rear window shades up, and chilled as we drove around town. The suspension is somewhat compliant and it smooths out the bumps and rougher roads. If you want a smoother ride, opt for the 18-inch wheels over the Limited’s 19-inchers.
Power is sufficient enough for most driving situations. We pushed hard up I-70 at altitude and had enough power to pass slower traffic. The all-wheel drive worked well on the dirt roads this week too.
The safety features were evident as well. We heard the sounds associated with the system, like traction control, alerting us to various safety hazards as we drove. It helped us feel secure in heavy Denver traffic this week.
Conclusion
The three-row Highlander will be a good choice for growing families on the go. It’s easy to live with and offers plenty of utility and cargo space. We particularly liked the second row captain’s chairs that offer more comfort for adults and growing teens. This crossover won’t get you away from civilization like other more rugged vehicles, but it’s a good choice for city dwellers.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum Gallery

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

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Ford To Resume F-150 Production After Extraordinary Efforts

Ford To Resume F-150 Production After Extraordinary Efforts Despite a massive fire at the Meridian Magnesium Products facility in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant will resume F-150 production on Friday, May 17th. Ford says the supply chain for the Super Duty is also restored, and production should restart at the Kentucky Truck Plant by Monday, May 21st. The Kansas City Assembly Plant, which produces F-150s, is also scheduled to resume operations by May 21st.
“While the situation remains extremely dynamic, our teams are focused on returning our plants to full production as fast as possible,” explained Joe Hinrichs, Ford President, Global Operations.
Heavy Equipment
After the May 2nd fire, teams addressed safety concerns and restored electricity as quickly as they could. The goal was to retrieve and relocate tools so production could resume, and the financial impacts of the stalled plants could be minimized. The teams ultimately removed 19 dies (a tool used to cut or shape material using a press) from Meridian’s fire-damaged facility.
In one instance, teams moved an 87,000 lbs. die from Eaton Rapids, Michigan to Nottingham, U.K. in a mere 30 hours. Under normal circumstances, something of this magnitude would take 10 days when considering import and export approvals and flight logistics. The die was sent to Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio where it was loaded onto an Antonov An-124 Ruslan, an aircraft renowned for its heavy cargo capacity.
“Faced with unexpected adversity, the Ford team, including our global supply partners, showed unbelievable resiliency, turning a devastating event into a shining example of teamwork,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s Executive Vice President of Product Development and Purchasing.
2018 Ford F-150. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Last Minute Approval
Nearly 4,000 miles away, a team in Nottingham was waiting to take the die to Meridian’s nearby factory. A U.K. import license for the die was granted only two hours before the plane landed.
“Thanks to their heroic efforts, we are resuming production of some of our most important vehicles ahead of our original targets,” Thai-Tang said.
“The ramp-up time to full production is improving every day,” Hinrichs added.
Most of the dies have been repaired, and Meridian is now producing parts for the F-150 in both Eaton Rapids and Nottingham. Parts produced at Nottingham will be shipped daily on a Boeing 747 until production in Eaton Rapids resumes fully. Ford says current F-150 inventory remains strong and customers should experience no delays in finding the truck they want.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.

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Letter From The UK: Lost In England (In An Audi SQ7)

Letter From The UK: Lost In England (In An Audi SQ7) England is a small country, yet the biggest of the four that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The others don’t like us much; they see us as conquerors as if we could do anything about changing history. In Scotland, some want independence from the Union and in Wales they put up all their signs in Welsh as well as England in a message of national defiance that just confuses tourists. Northern Ireland meanwhile historically has had terrible troubles of its own, but despite it all we’re still sticking together, demonstrating that it is economics, not love, that conquers all.
As mentioned, England is a small country. It would fit three times into France or Spain and there are several of your United States that are larger by area, yet we have one of the largest populations in Europe. In short, this is one crowded nation. It has been fully mapped for centuries, every road and every lane, every contour and every feature of interest is documented. We have very good cartographers who are constantly working.
It is said that if you stand still for long enough you will eventually appear on one of our national Ordnance Survey maps.
Conquering Horizons
Yet, as a true Englishman, one whose ancestors commanded much of the then known world with just a rudimentary sextant, I have proved that if you go all independent and switch off the technology it is still entirely possible to get lost in your own lands. Pioneers of American legend crossed an entire continent guided only by the setting sun and some vague directional notions. Without the benefit of map and satellite navigation, I managed to find myself and my increasingly frustrated wife down a tiny country lane in a huge Audi SUV without the first idea of our whereabouts.
All I tried to do was to head to the quaint, picture-book and quintessentially English village of Minster Lovell to see a ruined Grand Hall. Minster Lovell is less than fifty miles from my home.
You see, it was like this . . .
In spring and summer, the English countryside is second to none. Shaped by years of land management and people movement we have dark, brooding forests and wide open moorland. We have wild flowers in green meadows and seldom used roads. It is, in terms of nature at least, a very nice place to live.
Minster Lovell is not very far away so I decided that as I know my country very well, I would browse a map before we left and do the rest by utilizing my hitherto unerring sense of direction. I did not take a map. I left my phone on calls only and I did not turn on the straightforward, yet deadly accurate, navigation in the Audi SQ7 I had the pleasure of for a week.
Did you know that wikiHow has five different ways to find your way without a map? I didn’t look at that either.
Automoblog’s Geoff Maxted lost in the English countryside. At least the vehicle is luxurious and the view is nice. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
The Audi SQ7
This is the car you need if you want to cross continents in a single bound. Nothing else comes close. The Audi SQ7 is a seven-seat vehicle that will carry your entire family and your dog. It is powered by a V8 twin-turbo engine that returns 32 miles for gallon or better, depending on how it is driven. Sounds like the ideal vehicle doesn’t it? So what if it’s a diesel? Does it matter?
It’s mighty. Mighty powerful, mighty comfortable and I love it, mightily. The Audi SQ7 TDI is the German brand’s most powerful SUV to date.
The Modern V8 Diesel
The car as featured here, fully option-loaded, costs £86,000 of our UK Pounds Sterling and buyers should opt for the carbon-ceramic brakes to counteract the SQ7’s sheer momentum. Nevertheless, for such a big beast, this SUV handles very well, the steering weighting up nicely as the speed increases. Drivers can choose comfort settings through the usual Audi ‘Drive Select’ feature, which in this case also offers a couple off-road or all-road options. For cruising, Comfort is fine with the eight-speed automatic gearbox nestled into the standard Drive mode.
Things change when Sport mode is selected on the gearbox and Dynamic on the suspension and steering settings. The engine emits a proper old-school V8 rumble that is quietly addictive. This builds as the throttle is floored and suddenly, amazingly, the driver will see the digital dial pass the legal speed limit like a hare past a tortoise.
Astonishing; and it’s all down to this very special engine.
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
Performance Powerhouse
The eight-cylinder special displaces 4.0-liters and it merits our attention. Alongside twin sequential turbochargers, the engine uses a special type of forced induction: an electrically-powered compressor. Not a turbocharger, nor a supercharger, it is as described, a compressor, and it has one purpose – to eliminate turbo lag. It works, filling in as the turbos spool up.
I tested this by accelerating at speed in eighth gear without using kick-down. There was just a hint of hesitation before the car accelerated toward the horizon like the Millennium Falcon. Kick-down first, or use the manual gearbox option with the paddles, and you’re going faster than my credit card balance in my daughter’s hands.
In fact, the paddles feel pretty much superfluous. In Sport mode the gearbox reacts instantly of its own volition. 429bhp should be enough for any gearhead and the shove from 900Nm of torque has to be felt to be believed. The sprint to 62 mph from rest takes just 4.9 seconds, awesome for a car the size of Mount Rushmore.
The powerful Audi SQ7 took Geoff Maxted through Cotswold Village. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
Comfortably Lost In England
The brilliant Audi Virtual Cockpit offers navigation on the rising touchscreen and, if required, on the dashboard readout AND in the heads-up display. Sensible people will use this feature when visiting new places.
Highly adjustable sports seats, with sumptuous leather upholstery, kept us sitting pretty as we drove across unknown lands. As is well known, Audi interiors are second to none and no detail is overlooked. The dashboard is pleasingly understated. That’s a good thing. Honestly, you can’t fault it. In my opinion it is one of the best cars of its type on the road today.
It really is possible to have a good time in a SUV. This is not a vehicle for slinging about down tiny country lanes like a trim little sports car, but when the road opens up it is hard to beat. Getting lost, much to My Dear Lady’s chagrin and general disapprobation, is better in total leather luxury than it is in a covered wagon, I found.
Anyway, we found our way to Minster Lovell in the beautiful county of Oxfordshire fairly easily with only a couple of U-turns and minor skirmishes with irate, local drivers. We ate our lunch on the banks of the swiftly-flowing River Windrush and explored the village with its thatched roofs and pretty pub. The weather wasn’t great but in England that comes with the territory. We examined Minster Lovell Hall, a ruined 15th Century Oxfordshire manor house, in a beautiful rural setting beside the river.
Unfortunately, in this country we rarely get a place to ourselves, so I have used library pictures for effect.
Minster Lovell Hall. Photo: Rob Farrow.
Lessons Learned
Our problems started when we left the village via the essential one-way system required because of the narrowness of the lanes. Suddenly we were pitched into the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. It was very beautiful; sheep grazed, grass grew, and we drove around for 30 minutes in a manner that I described as “exploration” but which my wife described as “lost.” An Englishman, I declared haughtily, is never lost; merely temporarily displaced.
In the end though, I conceded defeat, tapped in our address on the touchscreen, and followed the dulcet tones of the navigator. I had, like a greenhorn adventurer, described an almost complete circle and picked up our route just outside of – Minster Lovell.
On our next trip, which will possibly be to Donnington Castle in Berkshire but in a different car alas, maybe I will use a map or satellite navigation or my smartphone GPS after all. Or maybe all three.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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Autonomous Driving Discussions Peak In Detroit As AutoSens Returns

Autonomous Driving Discussions Peak In Detroit As AutoSens Returns AutoSens, a global summit on autonomous driving, is underway in Detroit, Michigan. Following a successful outing at AutoSens Brussels, organizers have returned to the Motor City for the second time with a robust itinerary meant to facilitate discussions around the future of mobility. AutoSens covers nearly every aspect of autonomous driving, from the supply chain, infrastructure, and engineering challenges, to legal, financial, and ethical considerations.
Collaboration & Creativity
Attendees, speakers, sponsors, and participants will actively leverage each other’s expertise during the week-long event, which takes aim at the biggest challenges facing autonomous cars. Collaboration and creativity are the central themes of AutoSens, whereby professionals in the field are encouraged to share ideas and devise solutions to the obstacles facing autonomous driving.
“AutoSens, in short, is a global engineering forum for the people who work on vehicle perception systems,” explained Robert Stead, Managing Director, Sense Media, the parent company of AutoSens. “That might be designing a component, coding software algorithms, deciding on how to build a complete system, quality assurance, testing or any number of other functions important in developing efficient, affordable, and reliable systems to the high standards demanded by the auto industry.”
Photo: Alex Hartman for Sense Media.
Live Demonstrations
The first day – Tuesday May 15th – saw numerous autonomous vehicle demonstrations at Wayne State University. Attendees were able to ride in three different autonomous vehicles, from three different companies: a Lincoln MKZ outfitted with self-driving technology from Autonomous Stuff, a Chrysler Pacifica equipped with a special kit from Dataspeed, and a modified Tesla from Vision Systems Intelligence.
The demonstrations are a hallmark of AutoSens, both in Detroit and Brussels, and remain a favorite for attendees.
“It was a steady flow of people all day,” Stead said. “The Dataspeed and Autonomous Stuff cars were doing autonomous laps of the track using their high-resolution GPS and inertia measurement systems, and the Vision Systems Intelligence Tesla was doing rides on the road and showing off the kit inside.”

Fresh & Focused
On Wednesday and Thursday, May 16th and 17th, expert speakers will take the stage while panel discussions both days will cover a range of topics from safety and privacy to technical innovations. Speakers include representatives from Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and Jaguar Land Rover, and major suppliers like Bosch, Valeo, and Magna. Representatives from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, University of Washington, and the University of Michigan are also scheduled to speak.
“There will be fresh, cutting edge technical information,” Stead said. “It’s all about the engineering and having good, quality technical presentations that add to the science behind autonomous driving.”
Although networking is a major aspect of AutoSens, the event is not a trade show and organizers are keen to keep it that way.
“We want to show what the actual status quo is in the development of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle technology,” Stead explained. “There is no hype, no marketing speak; it’s all about understanding the real challenges the engineers developing the systems are facing today.”
Photo: Alex Hartman for Sense Media.
Community Aspects
AutoSens is geared toward the engineering and technical communities, but one doesn’t necessarily have to be an engineer. Professionals in other fields who have clients in the automotive industry should consider AutoSens, and those in the car business, from the big city boardroom to the small town dealership, can benefit by attending.
“It’s a community and what AutoSens does is bring that community together twice a year, here in Detroit and in September in Brussels,” Stead said “We see a lot of the same faces coming back – it’s kind of like seeing the family twice a year – but it is growing and there are new people coming too.”
Location & Tickets
AutoSens runs now through May 17th at the Michigan Science Center near the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Tickets for AutoSens Detroit, including discount packages for females in the engineering community, are available now. The event’s full agenda can be found here.
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.

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2019 Honda Insight Production Launches In Indiana, New Investments Announced

2019 Honda Insight Production Launches In Indiana, New Investments Announced Honda has announced a $61.5 million dollar capital investment in Indiana and Ohio for electric vehicle manufacturing. The news comes as 2019 Insight production is officially underway at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC. The investment will support the Honda Electrification Initiative, in which the automaker will introduce electrified powertrains across its core models in the years ahead.
Honda says their goal is to have electrified vehicles represent two-thirds of their global sales by 2030.
“The new Honda Insight exemplifies our growing investment in the production of electrified vehicles in America and our associates in Indiana are proud to play a key role in this initiative,” explained Isao Matsuzaki, President of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC.
2019 Honda Insight. Photo: Honda North America.
New Methods
All Insight models for the North American market will be assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC. The facility has already invested $32.5 million, and will undergo a 19,00-plus square-foot expansion to accommodate new in-house manufacturing methods, including the sub-assembly of the Insight’s front frame and associated components, like the radiator and cooling fan. Other new processes for Insight production include the installation of electrified vehicle systems such as high-voltage wiring, the battery unit, and power control system.
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana is one of five Honda automobile assembly plants in the United States with 2,400 associates and the ability to produce 250,000 vehicles annually. The facility already produces the Civic and CR-V, and employees are looking forward to building a third model.
“As the lead plant for Insight production globally, we are committed to delivering the quality and reliability that our customers expect,” Matsuzaki said.
A Honda Manufacturing of Indiana associate installs the Intelligent Power Unit into a 2019 Insight. Photo: Honda North America.
Collective Efforts
Three Ohio plants also contribute to the Insight’s powertrain. Honda Transmission Manufacturing of America in Russells Point, Ohio, has invested $29 million for production of the Insight’s twin electric motor unit. The Insight’s hybrid battery pack is assembled in Marysville, Ohio where Honda also produces the 2019 Accord Hybrid. Finally, the Insight’s 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine is produced at the company’s Anna, Ohio engine plant.
Expect the 2019 Honda Insight at dealerships later this year.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

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VW Golf GTI TCR Concept Might Be Coming Soon

VW Golf GTI TCR Concept Might Be Coming Soon Volkswagen has unveiled the Golf GTI TCR Concept, something the automaker says is an expression of design, power, and performance. This special edition VW is a road-going version of the race car with the same name, and although it’s a concept currently, that is expected to change.
“At the moment, the Golf GTI TCR Concept – an athlete derived from racing – is a study,” explained Jürgen Stackmann, Sales, Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, during the unveiling at the recent GTI Meeting at Wörthersee. “But at the end of the year, we want to make this GTI vision come true.”
Power & Performance
The Golf GTI TCR Concept features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 286 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque (1,600 rpm). Power is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The front bumper channels air into two additional radiators.
Top speed is 155 but can be increased to 164 by removing the electronic limiter.
There is an electric adaptive damping system with three modes – normal, comfort, and sport – to increase ride and handling capabilities. Although VW’s press materials didn’t give any specific details, the automaker says the braking system consists of “special” calipers and pads.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Styling & Design
The new Golf GTI rides on 18-inch “Belvedere” forged aluminum-alloy wheels with an option for 19-inch wheels. A new side skirt extension runs through the rear and joins up with the diffuser and exhaust pipes. The interior is themed with soft microfiber and fabric covers, complete with contrast stitching on the steering wheel and shifter.
When the doors are opened, the TCR logo is projected on the ground, which is pretty slick.
Pricing & Availability
The plan is for the Golf GTI TCR Concept to enter production this year. VW did not disclose any pricing information.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
VW Golf GTI TCR Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Review

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Review Why did Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climb Mount Everest? Because they could. Why did Jeep build the new Grand Cherokee Trackhawk? Because they had the Hellcat engine sitting there at their disposal and too much time on their hands. Does stuffing a 707 horsepower, supercharged V8 into the nose of the new Grand Cherokee make sense? It does if you want the ultimate all-wheel drive vehicle that will launch you to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
But it comes at a hefty price. This weekend, we drove the insane 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk!
What’s New for 2018?
Yep, you read that right. Jeep just stuffed a 707 horsepower V8 under the hood of the Grand Cherokee, called the Trackhawk, for performance enthusiasts. It’s more performance-focused than the existing 475 horsepower SRT. Other changes include a seven-inch touchscreen, now standard.
Features & Options
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk ($85,900) comes with plenty of standard equipment, including an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, upgraded interior trim, and all the Grand Cherokee’s available safety equipment: adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
It also features keyless entry, a CD player, satellite radio, rearview camera, parking sensors, leather seating with a power front passenger seat, heated front seats, a power tailgate, and remote start.
Options on this Trackhawk tester included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo ($1,995), 295/45ZR20 BSW 3 Season tires ($895), and 20-inch Black Satin Aluminum wheels ($995). Total MSRP including destination: $90,880.

Interior Highlights
The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk comes richly equipped with materials and textures that match luxury rivals, such as real wood trim on the dashboards and doors. Extra comfort comes in the way of heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated second row seats. A sleek silver carbon treads along the instrument panel and doors, and the big console even has illuminated audio ports. Uconnect infotainment systems, with thier simple interfaces, rank among the best in our opinion.
Up front, drivers and passengers get wide cushions with good bolstering for more spirited driving. The cabin is spacious enough for five adults, with good legroom all around. Six-footers have ample headroom, and the Grand Cherokee’s big doors open wide so climbing in and out is easy.
Cargo volume with the rear seats up is 36.3 cubic feet, which is more than enough space for your groceries or some camping gear. The seat backs recline 12 degrees, and then flip down with a lever for more cargo space.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Powering the Trackhawk is the Charger/Challenger Hellcat-sourced 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi, developing an insane 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft. of torque. Trackhawk sees several suspension and drivetrain changes to handle all that power too. It gets new springs, active Bilstein dampers, a reworked version of the eight-speed automatic transmission, a new single-speed transfer case, and a revised rear limited-slip differential.
The yellow performance Brembo brakes peek out around the custom 20-inch black aluminum wheels.
The powerful SUV gets an EPA-estimated 11/17 city/highway and 13 combined mpg. We aren’t sure what we actually averaged this weekend – we had our foot in the pedal the whole time.

Driving Dynamics
The first thing we noticed behind the wheel were the hood vents that signal the supercharged engine underneath. Forward visibility is good because the sloped hood and fenders make it easier to see the corners. The big square sideview mirrors transmitted minimal noise into the cabin from the wind, but our ears were enjoying the throaty growl from under the hood.
For an all-wheel drive SUV of this size, the Trackhawk is more than fast; it’s scary-fast. On the highway, you’d be hard-pressed to feel any difference in the ride expect for the 20-inch wheels and massive performance tires – that did give it a slightly firmer ride over the bumps, but otherwise things were mostly smooth.
How can you drive a high-performance vehicle like this without mashing the pedal down? You can’t! How do you not get a speeding ticket? We had our head on a swivel all weekend looking for local law enforcement. The Trackhawk’s massive power crackles from the quad-tip exhaust, and the supercharger’s whine it just too entertaining to pass up.
We made liberal use of the large Brembo brakes that responded quickly when we needed to bring all that power to a stop. We aren’t sure there are many who need this much power, but for those that can afford $90,000, the Trackhawk will provide more entertainment per pound than anything on the road.
Conclusion
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is an over-the-top, high-performance SUV designed for a select few. Why would you want one? Because you want something insanely unique and can afford it. There’s nothing else like it!
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Gallery

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Official Site.
Photos: FCA US LLC.

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Global Summit On Autonomous Driving Returns To Detroit

Global Summit On Autonomous Driving Returns To Detroit AutoSens, a global summit on autonomous driving, is returning to Detroit, Michigan starting on May 15th. Attendees, speakers, sponsors, and participants will leverage each other’s expertise during the event, which includes autonomous vehicle demonstrations, technical sessions, a full panel of expert speakers, and dozens of networking opportunities.
The event will happen May 15th through the 17th at the Michigan Science Center near the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
“AutoSens, in short, is a global engineering forum for the people who work on vehicle perception systems,” explained Robert Stead, Managing Director, Sense Media, the parent company of AutoSens. “That might be designing a component, coding software algorithms, deciding on how to build a complete system, quality assurance, testing or any number of other functions important in developing efficient, affordable, robust, and reliable systems to the high standards demanded by the auto industry.”
Strength In Numbers
Collaboration and creativity are the central themes of AutoSens, whereby professionals in the field are encouraged to share ideas and devise solutions to the biggest challenges facing future mobility.
“This is a fiercely competitive market, but all companies can benefit from a forum with a free exchange of ideas,” Stead said. “Of course people don’t come and give away all their trade secrets, but so often engineers across the supply chain are facing similar challenges, and by working together to solve some of those core problems, they can spend more time focusing on the real value-add IP at the cutting edge of research.”
Although networking is a major aspect of AutoSens, it’s not a trade show. Attendees will be in the middle of the action, surrounded by people immersed in the technology daily.
“The difference between AutoSens and many other events on this hot topic of self-driving cars is that the AutoSens attendees are the actual engineers who are building the systems that will make it all possible,” Stead continued. “They know first-hand what technologies work well, what the bottlenecks are, and what the future capabilities will be.”
Michigan-based Dataspeed demonstrates their ADAS Kit at AutoSens Detroit 2017. The company’s ADAS Kit takes control of the throttle, brake, steering, and shifting to assist in the testing of sensors and other elements related to autonomous vehicle applications. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.
Diverse & Encompassing
AutoSens also addresses supply chain challenges, regulations, testing and validation environments, and the various human factors involved in implementing autonomous driving. The human aspects are among the event’s defining moments. At AutoSens Brussels in September, Stead recalls an attendee who noted it was refresing to “take the gloves off for a couple of days and do good science with other engineers.”
“I think that sums it up pretty well,” he said. “It’s also a lot more fun if everyone has an open mind – I’ve been to events where it’s all about hard sales, or when all the technical folks are tight-lipped about what they are working on and it really doesn’t make for a great event. We are lucky to have some great Chairmen and Advisory Board members who set the tone.”
AutoSens Brussels attendees chat during a brief coffee break. There are numerous opportunities to network during the duration of the conference. Photo: Sense Media, © Bernal Revert/BR&U.
Something For Everyone
Even though AutoSens is geared toward the engineering and technical communities, one doesn’t necessarily have to be an engineer. Professionals in other fields who have clients in the automotive industry can benefit from AutoSens. Those working in the car industry, from the big city boardroom to the small town dealership, can benefit by attending.
“To be clear, this is a technical meeting with engineering presentations on leading edge research, but it’s also an accessible agenda top-and-tailed with plenary sessions that give some context to the deeper technical content,” Stead said. “Overall, I think any non-technical folks who are interested in what’s really going on in the autonomous vehicle technology space or need to know about it for their jobs will get some great value.”
Stead says there is no need to be shy and questions are always welcome.
“You’ll find the attendees, even if they are doing research on a niche technical area, will be very open to explain what it’s all about to those who are not so experienced,” he added.
During AutoSens Brussels, Senior Applications Engineer Edel Cashman (right) from SensL Technologies demonstrates how the company’s sensors can be utilized for LiDAR applications. Photo: Sense Media, © Bernal Revert/BR&U.
Schedule & Agenda
On Tuesday May 15th, autonomous vehicle demonstrations will be conducted at nearby Wayne State University. Tuesday will also see a number of workshops, expert-led sessions, and roundtable discussions in the evening. On Wednesday and Thursday, May 16th and 17th, more expert speakers will take the stage while panel discussions both days will cover a range of topics from safety and privacy to technical innovations.
Two receptions are planned, including one at HopCat, a local Detroit favorite known for their enticing menu items.
“I’ve been missing the Crack Fries at HopCat,” Stead joked.
Speakers include representatives from Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and Jaguar Land Rover, and major suppliers like Bosch, Valeo, and Magna. Representatives from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, University of Washington, and the University of Michigan are also scheduled to speak.
Workshops include one on LiDAR – led by Dr. Mark McCord and Steve Vozar, co-founders of Cepton and May Mobility respectively – and one on image processing led by Dr. Rania Hussein, Electrical Engineering Lecturer at the University of Washington Bothell.
“We record all the presentations so they are available for attendees afterwards,” Stead said. “If there’s a clash of two presentations you want to see, you can catch up in high-resolution, picture-in-picture format later via AutoSens TV.”
Photo: Sense Media.
Tickets & Attending
Tickets for AutoSens Detroit, including discount packages for females in the engineering community, are available now. The event’s full agenda can be found here.
“I’m looking forward to coming back to Detroit immensely,” Stead said. “We made some great friends last year and are really looking forward to building on those relationships.”
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.

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New Study: Interest Growing For Electric Vehicles, Range Anxiety Still A Concern

New Study: Interest Growing For Electric Vehicles, Range Anxiety Still A Concern The American Automobile Association or AAA has revealed their top green vehicle picks, and released a survey that shows Americans are warming up to electric vehicles. What’s particularly striking is how 20 percent – or close to 50 million Americans are looking to buy an electric vehicle as their next car. That’s a 15 percent jump from 2017.
“Today, electric vehicles have mainstream appeal,” said Greg Brannon, Director of Automotive Engineering, AAA. “While concern for the environment is still a major motivator, the AAA found that U.S. drivers are also attracted to the lower long term costs and advanced technology features that many of these vehicles offer.”
Advantages, Disadvantages & Concerns
One of the biggest motivators for buying an electric vehicle is fuel cost. Although electricity is not free, you pay less money to charge the batteries in an EV compared to buying gas for a conventional car. Did you know Americans spend an average of $2,000 to $4,000 on gas each year? You have more money in your pocket if you shift to an electric car.
“Gas prices are some of the highest we have seen since 2014, and we expect these to increase as we head into the summer travel season,” Brannon said. “As the gas prices increase, more consumers will be looking to go electric.”
Photo: Kia Motors America.
Advantages
Zero emissions. Electric cars do not emit smog or toxic gases. You are doing the environment a huge favor each time you drive an EV over a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Less maintenance. Conventional cars require periodic maintenance. This includes the requisite oil changes, tune ups, brakes, tires, air filters, and cleaning products that accumulates to thousands of dollars over the life of the car. Modern electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S are reputed to have only 18 moving parts, which is surprising considering normal vehicles will have an average of ten thousand moving parts. You simply pay less money on maintenance if you choose an EV.
Zero noise pollution. Electric vehicles are meek and quiet compared to gas-guzzling V8s.
Blazing performance. The 2017 Tesla Model S P100D in Ludicrous mode can hit 60 mph in a mind-boggling 2.27 seconds. Electric vehicles are capable of unleashing a genuine rush of torque from zero rpm, which equates to a mesmerizing and exhilarating driving experience.
Photo: Tesla Motors.
Top Concerns
Range anxiety. Electric cars are fast, but lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries are exhausted quickly if you push hard. Even though the new Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf have a range of 220 and 151 miles respectively, range anxiety is a concern for 87 percent of EV shoppers.
AAA concluded 63 percent of potential EV buyers cited not enough places to charge as a detractor while 58 percent expressed concern about running out of charge. Automakers like Kia and Hyundai have proposed new innovations to make charging more accessible to the general public. Last year, a grouping of automakers proposed a high-power charging network for Europe.
“The AAA provides over 30 million emergency roadside events every year, and the number of times an EV owner runs out of charge would be counted in many decimal places,” Brannon said. “Plan your trip accordingly and use public charging when available.”
Lengthy charging times. Even though more Americans are more eager to buy an electric vehicle, the number and location of charging points is also a concern. There are now more than 16,000 charging stations scattered across the U.S. but charging times are a different issue.
A majority (68 percent) of respondents feel a charging time of no more than 30 minutes is reasonable. The new Nissan Leaf can be fully charged in 7.5 hours using the latest 7kW chargers, but you can get an 80 percent charge in as little as 40 minutes using a commercial rapid charger.
“Consumers are accustomed to the time it takes to fill their fuel tanks currently,” Brannon added. “They understand electric charging may take longer, but the idea of waiting more than 30 minutes for a charge when out on the road is not appealing to consumers.”

Disadvantages
Battery replacement. While EVs require less money to maintain, the batteries will eventually need replacing. Most EV manufacturers are currently offering an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on their batteries. But if you are planning to own your EV for longer, the cost of replacing the battery is a huge concern. The battery pack in a Chevrolet Bolt is estimated to cost $205 per kWh, which is no small deal!
Uninspired styling. Early EVs can only be described as unconventional or plain ugly. However, the AAA survey concluded fewer drivers are concerned with style, color, or appearance. In fact, 34 percent are not worried about style while 33 percent are not particular when it comes to the brand.
“This is an interesting shift,” Brannon said. “As consumers look to advanced technology available on a car, brand becomes less of a deciding factor.”

AAA Top Green Vehicle Award
In 2018, the following earned AAA’s Top Green Vehicle award. The full survey and complete list of winning vehicles can be found here.
Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier
The Bolt is equipped with a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery good for an average range of 238 miles on a single charge. This EV comes with an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty and a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty of three years or 36,000 miles.
Nissan Leaf SL
The Leaf is reputed to be the world’s best-selling electric car. It has a range of 151 miles and offers 40 percent more range than the previous generation Leaf. This EV is also accompanied by an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
Tesla Model X 75D
Backed by the technological vision of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Model X 75D is the first-ever electric vehicle designed to accommodate the whole family (yes, including the dog). It hits 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, faster than most sports cars.
So, would you buy an electric vehicle for your next car?
“EVs are the future,” Brannon concluded. “Americans are beginning to realize that, as well as the automakers that are investing billions in development of electrified options.”
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.
Cover Photo: Honda North America.

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