Automotive

2018 McLaren 570S Spider: A Convertible But Not Really

2018 McLaren 570S Spider: A Convertible But Not Really

McLaren calls their new 570S Spider “a convertible without compromise.” And sure, that’s just what you’d expect them to say, but convertibles inherently have many engineering compromises. That’s not to say the 570S is not a good car. It is. It is a very good car indeed.
Besides a drop top, what does the McLaren 570S Spider bring to the table?
Waxing Poetics
For starters, the 570S Spider is, to my eyes, not really a convertible. It’s sort of more than a targa, but also less than a full on convertible. It has those headrest/roll-over/buttress structures you see on a lot of hard top convertibles these days. Obviously, due more to concerns of the legal department than the design gurus. I understand why they are there, from the perspective of you don’t want a person rich enough to buy one of your cars potentially getting injured; if they can drop this kind of cash on a car, just think of the legal team they must have.
But for me, it sort of ruins the look and I would be fine if those structures were not there.
So, you get a much more open air feel than a targa set up, but not as much as you would on, say, an old Austin-Healey. Such is the state of things. The 570S Spider is hand-assembled in the unfortunate town of Woking, England, home of McLaren. It’s mainly made of carbon fiber, has a mid-engined layout, and boasts extreme performance. McLaren says the 570S Spider is the third body style in the Sports Series portfolio, lining up alongside the 570S Coupe and the 570GT, but I thought there was also a 570LT out there? I could be mistaken?
McLaren’s new Spider employs a racecar-style, double-wishbone suspension with steel springs, twin-valve adaptive dampers, and anti-roll bars calibrated to the same specifications as the 570S Coupe. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Structured Performance
The two-piece retractable roof on the Spider is constructed of lightweight composite panels, just like the rest of the bodywork. All of this is attached to the carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis at the heart of the 570S. McLaren says the Spider does not suffer any reduction in strength or stiffness or – and this is the impressive part – require any additional structural actions. Usually when you lop the top off of a car, things get floppy. It’s like taking the lid off of a shoe box. All of a sudden you can flex it and twist it a lot more (twisting and flexing fall on “The List of Bad Things Sports Cars Should Never, Ever, Do”). The fact McLaren can make a drop top that needs no additional stiffening from steel or aluminum structures speaks to their overall talent in chassis design.
The top is worked from the driver’s seat using one simple button that folds the roof and stows it beneath a hard tonneau cover. The roof can be opened or closed in just 15 seconds, at speeds up to 25 mph and, take if from me, that is so cool! Some cars with automatic tops these days, you have to be stopped dead or you can’t raise or lower it. Ugh! There’s nothing like pulling onto the street from the local burger joint and, while slowly cruising, dropping the top. There is a glass wind deflector that can, thankfully, be electrically raised or lowered at the push of a button. I know, these things keep you from getting your hair mussed, but what did you buy a convert for? Wear a hat. More wind please. McLaren also adds this odd bit of tech: “an optional sports system that features an ESG to channel exhaust sound towards the cabin, via the area beneath the tonneau cover.”
Which is nice, but also kind of odd, don’t you think?
Three new exterior colors celebrate the Spider’s introduction: Curacao Blue, Vega Blue, and Sicilian Yellow give customers a choice of 20 colors in total. The new hues showcase the aluminium bodywork and dihedral doors, particularly when combined with an optional Dark Palladium grey finish on the roof, windscreen pillars, and rear buttresses. Photo: McLaren Automotive.

Power Specs
And now, the bad news: The retractable hardtop with its operating mechanism adds 101 pounds to the weight of the Spider over the 570S Coupe. Gah! Extra weight! Bad! Evil! Bad! It’s like carrying around an invisible ballerina. Sigh.
I suppose all that extra weight is offset by the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine nestled amidships. Said plant cranks out 562 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque, giving the new 570S Spider an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 413 horsepower-per-tonne. The lump is mated to a seven-speed seamless-shift gearbox with Launch Control technology. Bottom line: standstill to 60 in 3.1 seconds, on up to 124 mph in just 9.6 seconds. Top speed is 204 mph with the roof up, which is identical to the 570S Coupe vMax. With the roof lowered the new Spider can still haul the mail, topping out at 196 mph. In case you’re strangely interested in this sort of thing, the 570S Spider gets 16 city, 23 highway, and 19 mpg combined.
The McLaren 570S Spider is available to order now, priced from $208,800 and will make its world debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, June 29th through July 2nd. Hopefully wearing a nice shiny coat of Papaya Orange paint.
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 McLaren 570S Spider Gallery

Photos & Source: McLaren Automotive.

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Ford Announces Kentucky Truck Plant Investment, Shifts Focus Production

Ford Announces Kentucky Truck Plant Investment, Shifts Focus Production

Ford Motor Company is investing $900 million into the Kentucky Truck Plant for upgrades to build the all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. The vehicles will arrive at Ford dealers this fall but also be exported to 55 markets globally, including the Navigator to China. The automaker says this latest investment in Kentucky will help improve the company’s “operational fitness” while building vehicles that “excite customers around the world.”
Core Business
The investment for the Kentucky Truck Plant comes of the heels of another $350 million announced last month for the Livonia Transmission Plant. Ford explained at the time how the investment in Livonia will help fortify their core automotive business, a similar sentiment being echoed with this latest news in Kentucky.
“Large SUVs are attracting a new generation around the world – and we’re finding new ways to deliver the capability, versatility, and technology that customers around the world really want with our all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford Executive Vice President and President, Global Operations.
The Kentucky investment secures 1,000 jobs for hourly workers at the Louisville plant. In 2015, the blue oval dedicated $1.3 billion to the plant for the all-new Super Duty that was forthcoming at the time. That investment resulted in 2,000 new jobs bringing the total at Kentucky Truck to nearly 7,600 workers. While trucks and SUVs represent a significant portion of Ford’s portfolio, it’s not the only thing motivating these strategic investments.
“At the same time, we also have looked at how we can be more successful in the small car segment and deliver even more choices for customers in a way that makes business sense,” Hinrichs explained.
Ford team member Mark Lynett helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the moving assembly line at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. Photo: Sam VarnHagen for Ford Motor Company.
Core Focus
Production of the next-generation Focus begins in the second half of 2019. Most North American Focus variants will initially come from China with other models following out of Europe at a later date. Ford emphasizes not a single U.S. hourly employee will be out of a job regarding the new manufacturing plan for the Focus. Current North American market Focus models are built at the Michigan Assembly Plant and will continue as such until mid-2018. At that time, Michigan Assembly will switch over to Ranger and Bronco production.
“Finding a more cost-effective way to deliver the next Focus program in North America is a better plan, allowing us to redeploy the money we save into areas of growth for the company – especially sport utilities, commercial vehicles, performance vehicles as well as mobility, autonomous vehicles, and electrified vehicles,” Hinrichs said.
The new Focus production initiative saves $1 billion in investment costs versus the original plan – $500 million on top of the $500 million savings announced earlier this year by cancelling an all-new manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and moving Focus production to the Hermosillo, Mexico, plant. In light of recent criticisms about Ford’s manufacturing elsewhere on the planet, the blue oval has already invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants, creating nearly 28,000 American jobs in the last five years. Currently, Ford has more hourly workers and builds more vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Achieves Personal Best At Nürburgring (Video Included)

2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Achieves Personal Best At Nürburgring (Video Included)

The 2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE has returned home with a new record in its hat: the monster Camaro just lapped the Nürburgring’s 12.9-mile Nordschleife (“North Loop”) at 7:16.04, making it the fastest Camaro ever on the famed German track. The ZL1 1LE’s time places it nearly 14 seconds ahead of the Camaro ZL1 with the 10-speed automatic that Chevy tested last year.
If you’re a Camaro enthusiast and actively engaged in the battle between the Mustangs, Chargers, and Challengers of the world, then this is certinately good news.
Progressive Performance
Earlier this year, the Camaro ZL1 hit a record 198 mph on the High Speed Oval, a 7.6-mile loop at Germany’s Automotive Testing Papenburg GmBH proving ground. Although the ZL1 is an impressive machine in its own right, the new ZL1 1LE was 3 seconds faster than the standard ZL1 Coupe around General Motors’ Milford Road Course.
“The harder you push the Camaro ZL1 1LE, the more it rewards you on the track,” said Bill Wise, Camaro Ride and Handling Engineer.
Wise was the driver during the record setting run in Germany (see video below) and commented afterwards on the ZL1 1LE’s remarkable poise on the track.
“It offers total control, with the confidence that it will deliver lap after lap,” he said.
With regard to the ZL1 1LE, lighter wheels and dampers, along with reduced thickness in the rear glass, and a fixed-back rear seat drop 60 pounds off the curb weight when compared to a standard ZL1 Coupe. Photo: Chevrolet.
Track Focused
The Camaro ZL1 1LE features racing-based adjustable suspension components, including front and rear Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve) dampers. Special aerodynamic treatments come in the form of front dive planes and a sexy carbon fiber rear wing. The exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires create the grip needed when the 650 horsepower LT4 supercharged V8 puts grunt to the tarmac.
“With chassis adjustability unlike any vehicle in its peer group, the Camaro ZL1 1LE challenges supercars from around the world regardless of cost, configuration or propulsion system,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro Chief Engineer. “To make up more than a second per mile on the Nordschleife compared to the ZL1 automatic is a dramatic improvement and speaks to the 1LE’s enhanced track features.”
The Nürburgring lap time was achieved with the suspension adjusted for optimal track performance while running the production Goodyear tires. The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE (order code A1Z) runs $69,995 MSRP. Expect to see it on sale this summer. In the meantime, the video below shows the new Camaro ZL1 1LE on the Nürburgring.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo, Source & Video: Chevrolet.

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Nissan Expands EV Charging Network With New Stations

Nissan Expands EV Charging Network With New Stations

Ah, good news. One of the main problems with EVs, besides the energy density of batteries, is charging when you’re out and about. Finding electricity is easy, but finding higher voltage electricity, which will charge your car faster, is harder. The only real answer seems to be adding dedicated high voltage “fast charging stations” onto our existing electrical grid.
That is actually fairly easy to do, but someone has to go out and do it. Nissan, makers of the LEAF EV, just announced they’ve added two new fast-charge stations in Michigan. Sure, they’re only adding two of them, but it’s a start.
Michigan Stations
Nissan just completed two new DC fast-charge stations in Southeastern Michigan. The fast-charge stations can be found at USA 2 GO convenience stores in the towns of Novi, birthplace of the famous Novi Special (a radical Indy car from back in the day), and Howell, the hometown of Melisa Gilbert, star of Little House on The Prairie. Both are located along the I-96 expressway, which makes for easy access for EV drivers on one of the state’s busiest highways.
Adding the two charging stations bumps Michigan’s total by more than 15 percent in fast-charge EV infrastructure. Each station, installed in collaboration with EVgo and GoSpace, includes both CHAdeMO and CCS DC fast-charging outlets so all EV owners can charge their vehicles. CHAdeMO and CCS DC are the current standards for plugs, sockets, and the like in the EV world, and you’ve got to say this is a nice touch on Nissan’s part. You’ve got a Tesla? You can juice it up at any of the fast-charge stations Nissan has installed. All EVs are welcome.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Nationwide Expanse
There are now 15 DC fast-chargers operating in Michigan, and Nissan had a direct part in the installation of each one. Actually, Nissan has played a part in the installation of over half of all CHAdeMO fast-charge stations to date across the entire country. Nissan has also played a big part in the recently announced I-95 Fast-Charge ARC project that will connect a 500-mile length between Boston and Washington D.C. with fast-charge stations. The Fast-Charge ARC expansion will allow EV drivers a fast, safe, and handy place to charge their vehicles while traveling for a greater distance.
Nissan touts all this as its “commitment to public fast-charging infrastructure,” which it is, but it is also a rather nice bit of green PR. Also, and not coincidentally, there will be a small but growing network of fast charging stations just in time for the upcoming next-generation Nissan LEAF. If you’re in the market, the all-new LEAF will be unveiled globally in September, but no word on when you can buy one.
Graphic: Nissan North America.

Valuable Partners
Just in case you haven’t heard about either EVgo or GoSpace, EVgo currently operates the largest public fast-charge network in the United States, larger than even Tesla’s vaunted Supercharger network of fast-charging stations. EVgo has over 900 fast-chargers in the U.S. located in 66 of the top-selling automotive markets. And, as you would expect, the EVgo network supports all current charging standards.
EVgo provides a variety of flexible charging plans for drivers such as pay-as-you-go, low-cost membership charging plans, and unlimited charging plans for customers of automaker partners.
GoSpace is more of a middleman, a fixer, if you will, in the EV community. GoSpace serves as a principal architect of EV charger installations. They work closely with AAA and a raft of corporate partners to make sure there are EV Chargers readily available for the market. GoSpace functions as a one-stop shop for everything needed when it comes to EV charging stations, from engineering and permitting to installation.
Timely Fashion
EVs are where gasoline fueled cars were about a century ago. They’re new, rather expensive and, so far, kind of a rich person’s plaything/way to show off. The infrastructure is lacking for EVs, but it was that way back when automobiles started out. Shoot, a lot of the time, you had to buy gasoline from chemistry supply outlets, and even if you could find one, you could only get it a gallon at a time. So at the moment, EV “filling stations” are few in number, and you have to use them fairly often. But give it 20 or 30 years – the equivalent of where automobiles were in the 1930s – and there will probably be high voltage charging stations as common as gas stations.
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, Graphic & Source: Nissan North America.

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Jaguar To Debut Compact Performance SUV Next Month

Jaguar To Debut Compact Performance SUV Next Month

Jaguar has announced the new E-PACE, a compact performance SUV meant to expand the automaker’s PACE lineup. The forthcoming E-PACE is said to have sports car like design elements, agile driving dynamics, and functional, everyday practicality.
The E-PACE is the third new nameplate in Jaguar’s already diverse and growing portfolio.
Success Streak
The new E-PACE comes on the heels of the already successful introduction of the Jaguar XE sports sedan and F-PACE performance SUV. The combination has proven effective for the British marquee, with a 44 percent sales growth and increase in the United States as of May. With this expansion comes the all-electric variant of the I-PACE Concept, set to enter production next year; the new E-PACE is expected to go on sale at the beginning of 2018 as well.
“The combination of sports car looks with Jaguar performance will ensure that the E-PACE stands out,” said Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design.
Performance-Inspired Dynamics
The Jaguar E-PACE features standard all-wheel drive and the brand’s all-Ingenium lineup of internal combustion engines. The new E-PACE will also offer a suite of connected technologies and other convenience features. Callum emphasized the importance of keeping the E-PACE in tune with the automaker’s design and performance ideologies.
“Every Jaguar is designed to excite the senses, and we think E-PACE will do just that, albeit with its own individual character,” he said.
Jaguar’s new compact performance SUV will be revealed to the world on July 13th via an online stream. Lately, Jaguar has been up to some pretty interesting things. The company recently launched their Classic Works facility, a location designed to serve fans and enthusiasts of the brand. The location in Coventry has been referred to as the United Kindgom’s version of a “Motor City.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

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Prototype On The Bench: This Ventilator is Powered by Tesla Parts

Prototype On The Bench: This Ventilator is Powered by Tesla Parts As Coronavirus cases continue to spike, Tesla is building a ventilator based on their vehicle parts. This video from Tesla Engineering shows us their first prototype. The ventilator, on a bench in their laboratory, provides hospital-grade air through a robust mixing chamber, an array of sensors, and a filter, before ultimately reaching the patient’s lungs.

Powering the ventilator? A Tesla Model 3 infotainment system.
Original article: Prototype On The Bench: This Ventilator is Powered by Tesla Parts

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek Pricing, Trim Levels Announced

2018 Subaru Crosstrek Pricing, Trim Levels Announced

Alright, listen up! Pay attention all you campers, large dog owners that need walking havers, urban dwellers with fully paid-up REI memberships, and especially people that live in areas of the planet with particularly difficult weather: Subaru has finally dished on the cost of the all-new Crosstrek for 2018. Have no fear, it’s not that bad.
We’ll get to the price breakdown for all the variants of Subaru’s Crosstrek in this handy little matrix chart thing at the end, but for now, all you need to know is how the Crosstrek starts at just $100 over the previous generation.
Essential Details
Which means they effectively stay the same as they were last year (i.e. rather affordable) and on top of that, with all of the goodies, tech, safety, and otherwise that Subbie has now thrown into the mix, the 2018 Crosstrek actually gets you more stuff for (relatively) the same amount of cash. The broad brushstroke version is that Crosstreks will run you between $22,710 to $27,210, irrespective of specific options and dealer prep and that sort of stuff. So under $30K for a well equipped, near-SUV is a pretty good deal, but what do you get this time around? What are all the goodies Fuji Heavy Industries as ladled into the Crosstrek without raising the price?
First off, every Crosstrek comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (natch) and is offered with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or CVT, depending on which trim level you choose. I will not go into what a CVT is or how they work because, frankly, I’m not sure. I think it has something to do with an evil magical dwarf trapped within the gearbox casing. Maybe a gnome. Anyway, the 2018 Crosstrek has a new 6-speed manual transmission, an upgrade from last year’s 5-speed. The CVT features a 7-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters if you want to play Petter Solberg and choose between the pre-set ratios yourself.
Subaru’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine powers the 2018 Crosstrek. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Power & Performance
All Crosstreks are powered by a revised version of Subbie’s evergreen FB-series 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Boxer engine, but this time around it gains direct fuel injection for a boost in performance. And now you get 152 ponies to play with, versus last year’s 148, but like all Subarus, gas mileage is a little below what you’d expect. The Crosstrek delivers 23 city, 29 highway, and 25 combined miles per gallon. Yeah, like I said, kind of low, but AWD saps efficiency, and the wider the cylinder spread, the less the efficiency too. Combine those and the Crosstrek, like all Subarus, are little bit on the back foot, mileage-wise.
The new Crosstrek rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and has a whole bunch of new standard features, including a raised Stablex suspension and Active Torque Vectoring. The CVT models have X-MODE and Hill Descent Control for better performance in low-friction and off-road conditions (i.e. “winter” and “rally” environments). The 2018 Crosstrek’s platform improves crash energy absorption by 40 percent for added safety.
Interior Fashions
The interior gets a black simulated carbon fiber finish on the center dash panel, plus the front and rear door panels. A new gloss black rear roof spoiler is standard, and all Crosstreks are equipped with roof rails and black side cladding. On the inside there’s a new 6.5-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Power windows with auto up/down, a 60/40-split fold-down rear seat, power door locks and side mirrors, multi-function display with fuel economy information, tilt and telescoping steering column, a security system with engine immobilizer, and carpeted floor mats are all standard.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited interior layout. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

Premium & Limited Treatments
Premium trim Crosstreks with the standard 6-speed manual come standard with SUBARU STARLINK Connected Services, and the all-weather package that includes heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, heated exterior mirrors, and automatic headlights linked to windshield wiper operation. The windshield is new and sound insulated and welcome lighting is standard. Ticking the “premium” option box also brings other items such as a power moonroof and multiple driver assist systems.
The Limited package above the Premium will come with the CVT with X-MODE and Hill Descent Control, a multimedia-plus system, 18-inch machine finished alloy wheels, keyless access with push-button start and pin code access, 6-way power driver’s seat, and new steering responsive headlights. You also get blind spot detection with lane change assist, and rear cross traffic alert.
The EyeSight system, which is an option, includes adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, and lane departure and sway warning. You can also choose the optional navigation system, high beam assist, reverse automatic braking, and overhead console shower light with the Crosstrek Limited. All 2018 Crosstreks include front and side impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and a driver’s knee airbag.
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 SUBARU CROSSTREK
Model/Trim
Transmission
Option Code
MSRP
MSRP + Delivery
2.0i
6MT

‘01

$21,795

$22,710

2.0i
CVT

‘01

$22,795

$23,710

2.0i Premium
6MT

11

$22,595

$23,510

2.0i Premium
CVT

11, 12, 13, 14

$23,595

$24,510

2.0i Limited
CVT

21, 22, 23

$26,295

$27,210

2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK OPTION PACKAGE MSRP
CODE 01 Standard Model 2.0i base 6MT
N/A
CODE 11 Standard Model 2.0i Premium 6MT
N/A
CODE 12 Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$1,400
CODE 13 EyeSight® + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$1,395
CODE 14 Eyesight® + Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$2,395
CODE 21 Standard Model 2.0i Limited
N/A
CODE 22 EyeSight® with Reverse Automatic Brake + High Beam Assist + Moonroof
$2,095
CODE 23 EyeSight® with Reverse Automatic Brake + High Beam Assist + Navigation System + Harman Kardon® Amplifier and Speakers
$3,445
Photos, Source & Chart: Subaru of America, Inc.

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Report: Mercedes A-Class comes to the US for Millennials

Report: Mercedes A-Class comes to the US for Millennials After 20 years, the Mercedes A-Class sedan is coming over, here’s why
Mercedes thinks it has a volume-selling opportunity in the premium compact market, particularly with the middle-class millennial set. The costs to do research and development on any car have gone up significantly in the past half-century, so sheer volume has become the name of the game. The Mercedes A-Class has been sold over in Europe and other parts of the world since 1997, but the market hasn’t appeared strong in the US for the baby Merc, largely sold as a hatch overseas.
Benz and many others seem to be riding a wave of CUV popularity and have seen some success with marketing compact entry level luxury sedans stateside like the CLA, the BMW 2 series and the Audi A3. This has increased brand awareness for folks making a bit less than the average new Mercedes buyer or lessee 10 years ago—and there may be more of these folks around looking for a new car.
The economy and ‘maturing’ options from high-volume marques make it a good time for the Mercedes A-Class to show up.
20 years ago, a Honda Civic could be had with roll-up windows, no power steering, and a stick across all trims. The Civic now offers available heated rear seats and competes, albeit in Type-R guise, with $40,000 cars. At roughly $32,000, the Mercedes CLA starts lower under the base price of a loaded Civic, and people are buying both of these cars.
The economy in the US has pulled up nicely since the great recession, and the average transaction price of a vehicle in the US is hanging well over the alleged starting price of the A-Class (just under $30,000).
Daimer reportedly showed the Mercedes A-Class to a number of dealers; it may go on sale in September 2018
Various sources are reporting that dealers have been shown the car, which has been given a warm reception. Built on the company’s MFA2 architecture, the car will likely be offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive and related to the Concept A sedan pictured below. Much of the competition is offered in this configuration, so MB shouldn’t have difficulty tempting millennials wanting a comfortable transportation pod with a bit of cachét that supports their devices, offers all of the modern safety features, and is available with internet service.

-By: Sawyer Sutton
Source: Automotive News, Carscoops
The post Report: Mercedes A-Class comes to the US for Millennials appeared first on egmCarTech.

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Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works: The UK’s Motor City

Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works: The UK’s Motor City

Jaguar, along with corporate sibling Land Rover, have been doing the factory refurbished thing for a while now. They join the growing trend of auto manufacturers keeping the original flame burning for those who desire, or can afford, factory originality. Their latest press release is slugged as being from “Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK” and believe me, it only gets more quant and British from there on in.
And it’s not like Jaguar is doing this on purpose or to hype things up, this is the way they naturally are. And, let’s face it, Jaguar is about as British as a marque can get.
Proper Space, Prestigious Cars
And since the British are an everso proper lot, you can’t have your factory classics department taking up an old out building, can you? Oh no, no-no-no. One shant do that. No, if you’re Jaguar, you’re going to open your own special refurbishment “factory” or “works” as they call it in their own charmingly Anglo-centric way. As any gearhead with a project car (or cars) will tell you, you never have enough garage space. You always need a bigger workshop. Jaguar, heeding this well known Truth of the automotive world, went big.
The Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility tips the scales at a staggering 150,000 square feet. Jag says it’s the largest of its type in the world, with a dedicated showroom and a whopping 54 workshop bays for restoring and servicing all older Jaguar and Land Rover models. The Classic Works is also home to the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Collection of more than 500 vehicles. Jaguar foolishly points out the cars in the collection are also available for loan to car clubs and museums. This makes me wonder if we could turn Automoblog into a “museum,” but I’ll leave that for management to work out.
Now if you’re rich enough – I have no idea how rich you need to be – but far be it for Jaguar to be so gauche as to mention costs, dear boy – the lineup of available classics to buy is very impressive. Classic Works offers the full range of Legends vehicles including the nine “new” examples of the XKSS, the “Missing Six” Lightweight E-type continuation models, the two-door Range Rover Classic, the 10 Series 1 E-type cars, the Jaguar E-type Reborn, and full restoration services for clients.
Land Rover Reborn Legends. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Exceptional Service
And Jag is not kidding around about stuff like restoration, repair, and maintenance. Literally all models out of production for 10 years or more are welcome to the spa treatment at Classic Works. From the XK120 and XK8, to Land Rover vehicles like the Discovery and Freelander from the 1990s; you own it, you love it, so bring it on by and your automotive needs will be attended to. Jaguar is thorough and professional to an exceedingly high level too. When your car is delivered to the Classic Works facility, it gets a comprehensive 121-point visual inspection. This generates a report detailing any work required and, as the work is carried out, it’s recorded in a Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works Service Book.
Oh, and here’s an interesting little add on: There’s a dedicated XJ220 servicing section operated by Jaguar supercar technicians, some of whom supported the XJ220 program during production 25 years ago. They use tailor-made service tools for the 212 mph supercar. This is good because the XJ220 has service requirements slightly more involved than an Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde.
Jaguar XJ220 servicing and maintenance bay. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.

Added Touches
And if you think this is all about making old cars good as new, you’d be wrong. Sadly, gloriously, unforgettably wrong. On top of selling old cars, services, and parts, clients can encounter a selection of legendary Jaguar and Land Rover models through the Classic Drives portion of the new facility. Two of the locations offered include the MIRA test facility (where Jag hot shoe Norman Dewis crashed and barrel rolled the only Jaguar XJ13 in existence back in 1971) and Eastnor Castle, where many of the vehicles were developed.
There’s even a Jaguar Classic Challenge race series for pre-1966 Jaguar cars now underway. So, you know, if your mind “works” like mine, there’s another outlet for your Lotto winnings. This five-round series starts at Donington Park and includes races at Brands Hatch, the Silverstone Classic in July, Oulton Park, and the season finale at September’s Spa Six-Hours meeting in Belgium. And if you ball up your XKSS at Eau Rouge, well, that’s the way of it old chap. But not to worry! The boys back at the Coventry Works will see to your ride and make it right as rain. Safe as houses. Good as new. You lucky bloke.
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.
Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works Facility Gallery

Photos & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

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