Automotive

2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport Review

2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport Review It’s never a good thing when you just finish driving a hot sedan like the Lexus LS 500 F Sport and then get into a bigger vehicle like the 2018 Toyota Sequoia. When we got behind the wheel of the large Sequoia SUV, we had to adjust our mindset to accommodate the larger vehicle’s driving dynamics.
At first we pushed the gas pedal, expecting to fly past slower traffic like in the LS 500, but that didn’t happen. With that said, we will shift gears and take an objective look at the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport, which is built for off-road fun.
What’s New For 2018
Toyota has added the TRD Sport trim. All Sequoias now have LED headlights and additional standard safety features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. A restyled grille and gauge cluster round out the changes for 2018.
Features & Options
The 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport ($54,340) comes standard with LED headlights, sunroof, power rear window, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40-split reclining and fold-flat third-row bench, plus second and third-row retractable sunshades. Other features included a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, 6.1-inch touchscreen, and an eight-speaker audio system with a CD player and satellite and HD radio.
Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic-adapting cruise control.
The TRD Sport trim ($3,810) adds a sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch wheels, second-row captains chairs, heated 10-way power driver’s seat, four-way power passenger’s seat, Entune Premium audio, navigation, and special exterior styling details.
Total MSRP including destination: $60,219.

Interior Highlights
The Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport with its 20-inch wheels sits up a bit higher than the standard model, and shorter folks may need to use the grab handles to pull themselves up and into the cabin. This Sequoia’s interior is designed for families that want extra luxury. This is a family hauler built for comfort but it can also get you away from civilization.
The cabin is packed with extra goodies and comes well-equipped with navigation, heated front seats, and luxurious leather seats in front and back.
The front seats are extra comfortable and supportive, with good 10-way power adjustability, ready to keep you steady for a full day on the road. Our tall riders in the back thought the second row captains chairs had plenty of leg and hip room as we motored to get lunch this earlier week. Mom will like the power rear lift gate and extra cargo carrying ability behind the third row for camping gear or sports equipment.
If you need more cargo room, just flip a switch and the power-reclining third row folds flat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport is powered by a 5.7-liter V8, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; the optional four-wheel drive was included with this tester.
EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 13/17 city/highway and 14 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
The Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport offers solid dynamics on the road and will travel well for long weekend trips. The rear backup camera and blind spot monitoring make the bigger vehicle easy to handle in town too. The vehicle’s recreation-purposed attributes definitely set it apart from other SUVs. The reason to buy a Sequoia TRD Sport is the off-road ready suspension and towing capability.
If you are looking for off-road capability along with a comfy ride, this large SUV fits the bill. If you want a rugged vehicle you won’t mind taking your significant other out on a date in, this is also the one for you. The cabin is quiet thanks to engineering efforts to isolate road noise. In fact, we didn’t notice much noise from the TRD ’s more aggressive tires.
While most Toyota Sequoia owners will likely never take their vehicle truly off-road, you can with the TRD Sport. It’s built with multi-mode 4WD, a locking center differential, and front and rear stabilizer bars. The Sequoia TRD Sport will handle the rough trails with ease but we felt the big SUV could use a bit more power as we pulled up the mountain roads this week. With a full load of people and cargo, we can see where it may leave you wanting for more power, not to mention fuel economy.
Conclusion
The Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport is designed for the more adventurous owner. It can be taken off-road, yet there is plenty of extra comfort and luxury for long road trips.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport Gallery

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

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2019 Acura MDX: A Brief Walk Around

2019 Acura MDX: A Brief Walk Around The 2019 Acura MDX offers up lots of what current SUV buyers are looking for: room, infotainment gear, safety gadgets, and enough on and (semi) off-road capabilities for 90 percent of the situations modern drivers should hope to find themselves in.
Special Treatments & New Colors
After the major design refresh in 2017 and key tech upgrades in 2018, the 2019 Acura MDX comes with new interior improvements to up the luxury. There’s such niceties as Desert Olive Ash wood trim, high-contrast seat and door panel stitching, and contrasting front seat side garnishes. The Technology and Entertainment packages get an updated second-row seat configuration and the Advance Package adds a trim-exclusive matching wood center console trim.
2019 will also see new colors on the MDX, bringing the total to nine available shades. The new colors include Gunmetal Metallic, Majestic Black Pearl, Performance Red Pearl, Canyon Bronze Metallic, and the A-Spec-exclusive Apex Blue Pearl.
There are also newly-designed 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels on offer with a machine finish and Shark Grey accents. These new rims are also a half-inch wider than before and are wrapped in wider, 265/45-series tires.
2019 Acura MDX. Photo: Honda North America.
Safety & Security
Of course the 2019 MDX has enough standard safety and driver-assistive tech to make you feel like an astronaut. All 2019 MDXs come standard with the AcuraWatch suite of safety gear. This means stuff like Collision Mitigation Braking with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning.
On top of all this active stuff, all MDX’s boast an array of passive safety features, such as Acura’s Advance Compatibility Engineering body structure, front and side-curtain airbags, front pre-tensioning seatbelts, four-channel anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control; even a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
2019 Acura MDX A-Spec. Photo: Honda North America.
A-Spec Action
Now, about that A-Spec trim. To my mind, Acura A-Spec stuff is like a “halfway to an R-Type” sort of deal. Not full on performance, but a bit of a bump regardless. In the case of the 2019 MDX, you get the torque-vectoring/Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system and a more athletic stance highlighted by those 20-inch Shark Grey aluminum wheels.
There’s a new front fascia, body-color lower sills, larger-diameter exhaust finishers, and gloss-black/dark chrome trim for the headlights, grille, window surround, and rear tailgate spoiler. On the inside, you’ll find sport seats trimmed in rich red or black leather with black Alcantara inserts and contrast stitching, plus unique A-Spec gauges, sport pedals, Alcantara door inserts, and a thicker-rimmed A-Spec-badged steering wheel.
2019 Acura MDX interior layout. Photo: Honda North America.
Power & Performance
The 2019 MDX is powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC 24-valve V6 engine that puts out 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. of torque. The SH-AWD system delivers up to 70 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels (yay!) and has the ability to split torque between the left and right rear wheels to increase traction and handling.
The latest MDX comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission with the upgraded Idle Stop feature now standard across the lineup. A nifty chart showing all the options, prices, and fuel economy is below.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
2019 MDX Pricing & EPA Fuel Economy Ratings
Trim
MSRP
MSRPIncluding $995 Destination
EPA MPG Rating(city/highway/combined)
MDX (FWD)
$44,300
$45,295
20/27/23
MDX (FWD) with Technology Package
$49,300
$50,295
20/27/23
MDX (FWD) with Technology & Entertainment Packages
$51,300
$52,295
20/27/23
MDX (FWD) with Advance Package
$56,050
$57,045
20/27/23
MDX (FWD) with Advance & Entertainment Packages
$58,050
$59,045
19/26/22
MDX (SH-AWD)
$46,300
$47,295
19/26/22
MDX (SH-AWD) with Technology Package
$51,300
$52,295
19/26/22
MDX (SH-AWD) with Technology & Entertainment Packages
$53,300
$54,295
19/26/22
MDX A-Spec (SH-AWD)
$54,800
$55,795
19/25/21
MDX (SH-AWD) with Advance Package
$58,050
$59,045
19/26/22
MDX (SH-AWD) with Advance & Entertainment Packages
$60,050
$61,045
19/26/22
MDX Sport Hybrid
TBD

TBD
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

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Coast To Coast: New Interactive Map Shows How America’s Interstates Evolved

Coast To Coast: New Interactive Map Shows How America’s Interstates Evolved Like many, I enjoy a good road trip. Twice a year, I make the 900 some mile trek from Michigan to South Dakota to see family – once in the summer and once in the winter for Christmas. It’s 14 hours of pavement and music from my personal CD collection which includes everything from country to indie rock. I take a long stretch on I-90 through Wisconsin and Minnesota, which offers some nice views of America’s heartland.
I-90, end to end, is about 3,000 miles, or around six percent of the nearly 50,000 miles of Intestate Highways that span the United States.
Sea To Shining Sea
Just how America’s Interstate Highway System evolved is the subject of a new interactive map from Geotab. The built-in timeline shows how the network expanded over the years, giving us insight into how the infrastructure developed to support today’s travel and transportation requirements.
“As America’s Interstate Highway System approaches a major milestone, we wanted to pay tribute to this intricate and expansive network,” explained Maria Sotra, Vice President of Marketing, Geotab.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 into law in June of that year, the largest public infrastructure act of its kind at the time. Geotab’s map highlights the system’s major developments, like the 1974 completion of I-5 that connects Mexico and Canada, and the opening of I-80, the nation’s first coast-to-coast highway.
“Connecting people, enabling business, and providing a straightforward path across one of the largest countries in the world, the nearly 50,000 miles of highway that makes up the Interstate Highway System has played an undeniable role in transportation and trade in the United States,” Sotra said.

Of The Highest Order
In 1954, during a road safety conference, President Eisenhower recalled when he first heard that automobile fatalities had, at the time, surpassed those of every war the United States was involved in. This was no doubt, for the once Supreme Allied Commander Europe, alarming news.
“It is a problem for all of us, from the highest echelon of government to the lowest echelon and a problem for every citizen, no matter what his station or his duty,” President Eisenhower said during the conference. “We have great organizations working effectively and supported by the government, to seek ways and means of promoting peace in the world in order that these great tragedies may be prevented or at least minimized in the future.”
In 1954, President Eisenhower was looking ahead to 1975, when it was believed there would be some 80 million automobiles on U.S. roads. The President said the government was committed to building more highways to accommodate the increasing number of vehicles.
“They mean progress for our country. They mean greater convenience for greater numbers of people, greater happiness, and greater standards of living,” the President said of automobiles. “But we have got to learn to control the things that we must use ourselves, and not let them be a threat to our lives and to our loved ones.”
Today, the Interstate Highway System accounts for 25 percent of all highway traffic in the country.
The standard road sign for the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, designed by FHWA and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, was unveiled in a ceremony on Capitol Hill on July 29th, 1993. Left to right: Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) of the House Surface Transportation Subcommittee, John Eisenhower (President Eisenhower’s son), Federal Highway Administrator Rodney E. Slater, and Chairman Norman Y. Mineta (D-CA) of the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Photo: United States Department of Transportation / Public Domain.
Wide Open Spaces
Earlier this year, Geotab complied a list of the most scenic routes in America, which nicely accommodates this new interactive map on U.S. Interstates. As time permits, jump in your car and take a random road trip – you never know what unexpected treasures you will find along the way. And during the journey, you can impress your friends and family with how much you know about the Interstate Highway System.
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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Here Kitty Kitty! Ford Design Inspired by Cats

Here Kitty Kitty! Ford Design Inspired by Cats

Today (August 8th) is International Cat Day in the United Kingdom and to mark the occasion, Ford Motor Company is reflecting on how felines have inspired their products over the years. From the Cougar, Kuga, and Puma to the Panther platform used for a range of Ford’s American sedans, it appears the blue oval has an affinity for kittys.
I wonder if they are watching cat videos on YouTube over in Dearborn today? We do over here in nearby Detroit. Great way to waste an hour (or several) of your day, in case you need to be less productive.
Feline Fury
Ford’s feline design is inspired by the inherent athleticism and agility found in cats, particularly terrifying ones like a mountain lion or Bengal tiger. Truthfully, if you’re a big cat in the jungle, you can pretty much stroll around and do whatever you want. I once saw a video of a lion backing down a crocodile. A crocodile. The lion gives one roar and the croc is like “I’m outta here” and sinks into the water like a brick. The point is, Ford believes a feline-inspired design gives drivers, much like the lion, a sense of confidence.
In the front, Ford’s kitty cues are intended to make a face; to stare back at oncoming traffic and other drivers. The headlights play an important role in making this happen, mimicking the eyes of a big cat. Moving around a given Ford vehicle, drivers often find strong, powerful haunches over the rear wheels. This is to make it appear like the vehicle will leap and pounce, much like a cat would after a ball of yarn or defenseless rodent.
A 2017 Ford Escape claims its territory in the wild. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Cat Calls
Cats are proportioned very well, especially wild ones, between their legs, body, teeth, and tails. Even housecats (well, maybe not Garfield) very much show the genes of their counterparts higher up the food chain. Ford designers have emulated these characteristics over the years.
“A car’s athletic yet stable exterior is largely due to the proportion of the wheels to the body, the body to the ground, and the body to the glass,” explained Jordan Demkiw, Exterior Design Manager, Ford of Europe. “This all needs to be perfectly balanced to create that look.”
And it’s not just cats that inspire Ford’s designers and engineers. The aerodynamics of sharks have proven effective for certain Ford vehicles, while the posture of thoroughbred horses have influenced others. Essentially, the more ferocious or majestic the animal, the more likely it is to make it into Ford’s product line. In the words of Herb Powell, Homer Simpson’s half-brother, “people don’t want cars named after hungry old Greek broads! They want names like ‘Mustang’ and ‘Cheetah’-vicious animal names.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Memory Lane: A Car Show Trophy 20 Years In The Making

Memory Lane: A Car Show Trophy 20 Years In The Making

In order to celebrate my Lincoln Mark VIII LSC being born in 1997, I thought I would enter it in a car show and hopefully win a trophy. So, the previous day was spent cleaning, waxing, and polishing – and that was just the wife. Badda bing! It’s the kind of joke Rodney Dangerfield would have said in one of his routines. The clouds wanted to break open while I was busy tending to the car. Years ago, I found out there was such a thing as chrome polish. I would like to know how it is different from other types of products.
And do I want to take a small brush or Q-Tip and clean the lip around the rim before show time? I think not.
After laboring for a few hours, including touch-up paint here and there, I was somewhat satisfied with the results. We are never fully happy with how our car looks, are we? As I was admiring my handy work, the clouds burst open and soaked everything around for miles. At least the rain drops beaded on the fresh coat of wax and slid off the car.
No point in fighting the weather.
Rainy Day Dreamers
Despite a less than stellar spring and beginning of summer, organizers and participants alike were hoping for clement weather. Over 300 cars were on display at last year’s event in Lachute, Quebec and organizers were expecting a repeat performance and record attendance. Lachute is a charming town and gateway to the Laurentians; cottage country and year-round fun. The car show takes place on main street. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Mother Nature had other plans. The wife was smart and stayed home.
No matter, a few of us hardcore enthusiasts showed up despite the pouring rain. I was given a ballot to vote for a favorite car and a signup sheet to display on my dash. I should have brought a black felt pen instead of an ultra fine blue ball point. You could hardly read the info about my car through the windshield with the rain and all. It was wet and it got wetter, coming down so hard rain was falling from inside my umbrella.
One guy walked around my car looking at it from all angles, his neck stretched. He even took notes. I went over to him offering to answer any questions. He said he didn’t know Lincoln made two-door cars. He probably thought my car was recent. That’s how good it looks. “Well,” I said, stretching the well. “Lincoln used to make them. The last year was 1998.” Cadillac kept manufacturing them. The ETC, Eldorado Touring Coupe, for example, and now you can purchase a 2017 ATS Coupe off the dealer floor. But Lincoln has moved away from Coupes. Regardless, I’m still hoping they will come out with a Mark IX. One can dream, right?
A lone family showed up. The kids were eating ice cream, which was getting diluted by the minute. The boy leaned over trying to see inside the car. My mind says “don’t put your strawberry-flavored sticky fingers on my car.” Instead, I turn to the mother and congratulate her on her great kids. I had to keep in mind they were car fans and the rain would wash off the paw prints. It’s all part of the fun and besides, my hours of polishing were all in the past.
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.
Memorable Models
In my estimation, there were fewer visitors than show participants. Final tally was about 20 cars and trucks, but I was eager and happy to talk about my car and inquire about other rides. I walked around and talked to the other guys who were mostly mechanics by profession. Few can afford to pay someone to maintain their cars. A few couples were in attendance. Parked behind me was a mint 1980 Ford F100. In front of me, the elderly gentleman brought his Cadillac Seville with plush velour seats. Even with the air ride lifting it at maximum height, the tail drooped according to the design.
Since it had front-wheel drive, my thoughts drifted to the 1972 Olds Toronado I used to own. In the mid-sixties, the Buick Riviera was the first big GM car to offer front-wheel drive. Those three models were ahead of the curve in many ways.
In front of the Seville was a 1964 Pontiac Tempest convertible. The man had driven 6 hours to attend the show. Earlier in the year, he had driven it to West Palm Beach and spent a couple of days at the Barrett-Jackson shindig. He had attended the Thursday auction where a Duster sold for quite a few coins. He told me he attends about a dozen car shows a year and puts quite a bit of mileage on his Tempest.
And on I went to look at all the cars. There were a few surprises. Ford Racing showed up with a superb white and blue Mustang. Before I reached the car to ask questions, the guys who trailered it to the site had sought shelter from the rain and were nowhere to be found. The last two participants to arrive were a father and son team. The father drove a bright orange 1972 Road Runner and the son brought a 1964 Chevrolet Bel-Air, I think. I was too soaked to go look at the badge.
The hoods on every car were closed. Good thing because I hadn’t had time to clean my own engine compartment.
1972 Road Runner. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.

The Man With The Kaiser
Because of the poor attendance, organizers decided to cut the event short. No one complained. It was time for the trophies and prizes. The mayor was in attendance. His Honor’s pick was a Polaris. Was it a car? Was it a motorcycle? No, it was a Slingshot, and highly modified, it seemed. It looked like a Transformer. A trophy was given to the car voted favorite by the participants. That trophy went to the owner of a 1947 Kaiser. I actually voted for that car.
Funny enough, I told the guy I would vote for him. I asked him to fill out my ballot since I was out in the rain and he was sitting nice and dry in his Kaiser.
Back in the heyday of automobile manufacturing, the Big Three had some competition. One such manufacturer was Kaiser-Fraser, a team effort by Henry Kaiser and Joseph Fraser. They produced both Kaiser and Fraser automobiles which were available to the public right after World War II. They also made Allstate cars for Sears Roebuck & Company, sold through Sears Auto Centers. In the late 1940s through the first part of the 1950s, they joined with car designer Howard Darrin. In 1954, they offered a sports car with a fiberglass body and a six-cylinder engine. And I believe it was featured in the Sears “Wish Book.” Mr. Fraser was bought out, and eventually, Kaiser purchased Willys-Overland, famed maker of Jeeps. However, in the long run, they could not compete with the Big Three. Despite tentative agreements in place with GM to supply parts like transmissions and detuned Rocket 88 engines from Oldsmobile, it didn’t work out and Kaiser had to close shop.
1947 Kaiser. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.
Prizes & Polish
The organizers ended up giving trophies to everyone since there were more trophies than participants. So, I received one just for showing up. After the trophies were awarded, it was time for gifts from local merchants to be handed out. I ended up winning two gift certificates and a shoulder bag containing a hat, a thermos, and a deck of playing cards with old photos of the town on them. There was a 50/50 draw, which I didn’t win, but half the proceeds went to a charitable cause.
Despite the miserable weather, a good time was had by all. It may not appear to be so, but a lot of work and time goes into organizing a car show, the next one being in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada over Labor Day weekend. That’s not too far from the New York State border and a stone’s throw from the province of Quebec. Participants and visitors come from all over; last year, they had upwards of 500 cars and trucks register for the event. Fingers crossed for Mother Nature to be kind.
There are thousands of such events taking place all across this great continent of ours, much to the delight of car and truck aficionados. If you own a car that is show worthy, polish that baby and enter it. If you are a car enthusiast, make sure to attend at least one event. It will be well worth your time, plus the guys and gals who spend countless hours on their vehicles will be grateful you visited them.
Michael Bellamy is the author of our Memory Lane series. He enjoys driving his 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC and until an untimely collision claimed it, his 2001 Ford F-150 7700.
Lachute, Quebec Car Show Gallery

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Ford Introduces “Quiet Start” So You Don’t Annoy Your Neighbors

Ford Introduces “Quiet Start” So You Don’t Annoy Your Neighbors

You know that guy that always comes bellowing by your house at 5:30 in the morning on his Harley? He’s on his way to work and has to let everyone know that he is the baaaadest guy in the accounts pending department. Yeah, him. Don’t be that guy. As it turns out, Ford has come up with a way to help you not be that guy, and they can do it on a schedule of your choosing.
Ford calls it Quiet Start – although Mustang engineers refer to it as “Good Neighbor Mode” – and it’s an industry-first being available on the Mustang GT.
Essentially, what Quiet Start allows you to do is schedule the time when the Mustang GT’s V8 engine can make lots of noise, and when has to shut up. You know, to show courtesy to your neighbors.
Disturbing The Peace
It seems this all started early one morning with a suburban neighborhood, a Shelby GT350 Mustang, and a rather uncouth neighbor. I don’t mean Steve von Foerster, former head of vehicle engineering for Ford Motor Company and owner of said Shelby GT350 Mustang. No, I’m talking about von Forester’s neighbor who, upon hearing the Shelby GT350 Mustang backing out of von Forester’s driveway, became annoyed at all the racket. The neighbor decided the proper course of action was to pick up the phone and call the cops. (Let me just say, as an aside, this is a totally lame move on the neighbor’s part. Walk over and talk with him, ya dork. Call the police? Sheesh!)
The cops actually showed up, but Von Foerster had already left so he skipped the whole ticketing process.
The whole deal caused von Foerster and fellow Mustang program members to develop a Quiet Exhaust mode, along with the industry-first Quiet Start. Both new features come on “properly equipped” 2018 Mustang GT vehicles (i.e. the ones with a honking V8 and a bunch of dash gizmos) and allow drivers to keep engine notes at a pianissimo if they wish.
2018 Ford Mustang GT. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Slight Overkill?
The Mustang’s Quiet Start is not a simple on/off switch that some sports cars already offer, oh no. Quiet Start is the first to allow scheduling of the times your car will be allowed to make more noise or not. This is all done by steering wheel-mounted thumb controls. The driver toggles through a menu on the instrument cluster to select times their neighbors may consider “quiet hours,” say between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. – the Mustang will then keep things at a more mellow tone if it is fired up between those times. Personally, I think this is overkill, rather stupid, and makes a driver seed more control to the car rather than taking control and responsibility for themselves. A simple switch would have done Ford, but oh no.
The new Quiet Exhaust and Quiet Start features are part of the available active valve performance exhaust system on the new Mustang GT. The active valve performance exhaust system allows three different exhaust volumes: Normal, Sport, and Track modes. That’s all very handy, and I know lots of people who like to constantly fiddle with these available options, but me, I’m more of a set it and forget it sort of gearhead, or in the case of that “Track mode” option, a fire and forget it sort of gearhead.
2018 Ford Mustang GT. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Annoying Noises
FoMoCo points out that according to a recent poll by Ranker.com, loud engine revving is among the most annoying noises neighbors make alongside power tools, barking dogs, and band practice. I point out this is why I hate most people. Ford further points out that “only early-morning lawn mowing is more robustly despised.” Robustly despised? Sounds like Ford has a recent “creative” writing grad in their press department.
In addition to its active valve performance exhaust, other changes to the Mustang will include a restyled exterior, a redone interior, an all-digital 12-inch instrument cluster, a 10-speed automatic transmission, MagneRide damping, and SYNC Connect with FordPass. With its new Drag Strip mode, the Mustang GT hits 60 mph faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera. The refreshed and enhanced Mustang will reach showrooms later this year.
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: Ford Motor Company.

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The Bugatti Divo: We’re Not In Akron, Ohio Anymore

The Bugatti Divo: We’re Not In Akron, Ohio Anymore Bugatti has decided that what the world needs is a hot rod version of its Chiron hypercar. It’s called the Divo and is, essentially, everything a “normal” Chiron is, only more so. To which I say, who cares?
Look, all modern Bugattis are amazing cars. The Veyron, Chiron, and now the Divo are technical marvels of the first automotive order. They all produce fantastic amounts of energy and apply it to the tarmac with amazing efficiency. They are the car to have if you’re a prince from a nation swimming in oil or the heir to some serious olde money or a quarter-talented marketing exercise for a record label.
The maintenance schedule is slightly worse than a Soyuz and only 3.46 times more expensive.
Bugatti Chiron Sport. Photo: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
Heavy Handed
Let me put it this way: When was the last time you saw a modern Bugatti at a track? That’s right, you don’t. For all of their gee-whiz record holding and bedroom poster potential, for me, the latest Bugattis are kind of lackluster.
The reconstituted Bugatti is a division of Volkswagen and they are designed, built, and maintained by Germans. That alone is enough to make Ettore turn over in his grave, but the fact they don’t race is probably enough to make the old man flop over face down in his coffin so Der Deutsch could kindly embrasse son cul.
And so now we have the Divo, which is said to be lighter, generate more downforce, and pull higher Gs than the Chiron it’s based on. That is all very well and good, because, first off, let’s face facts: All new Bugattis are pigs. They are way heavier than they should be, the Chiron tipping the scales at an SUV-challenging 4,400 lbs. No wonder they crank out so much power, eh?
Albert Divo won the famous Targa Florio mountain race twice for Bugatti. Photo: Pubic domain/provided by Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
Whip It Good
The Bugatti Divo is named after Albert Divo, the French race car driver from the 20s. He’s best known for winning the famous Targa Florio in Sicily, twice. That is no small accomplishment, but he was driving Bugattis, Type 35Cs no less, both times, so that was a help. Oh, and just so you know, the Bugatti Divo is pronounced deeVO, not DEEvo.
Devo are those guys from Akron, Ohio. There’s no connection between the two. At least that I know of.
Bugatti says since they are naming this car after the guy that won that race, and since the Targa is like a 30 mile long AutoX course lined with rock walls, precipitous drop-offs, and crazed Sicilians (is that redundant?) the Divo will be “light and nimble and will boast enormous downforce and g-forces.” Huzzah! But since they give no specs, “light” is going to be a subjective term here. Sort of like saying Jackie Stewart is “taller” than Peter Dinklage.
“Happiness is not around the corner. It is the corner,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. and I, for one, am not going to argue with that. Winkelmann continues, “With this project, the Bugatti team has an opportunity to interpret the brand DNA in terms of agile, nimble handling in a significantly more performance-oriented way.”
Sure . . . agile, nimble handling. I bet Lotus is laughing pretty hard right now.
Targa Florio circa 1929 with Albert Divo at the wheel of the Bugatti Type 35. With the Type 35, Divo won the race in both 1928 and 1929. Photo: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
Limited Edition
The Bugatti Divo will be made in a limited run of only 40 vehicles, which for Bugatti, doesn’t sound all that limited. The net price is €5 million, or around 6 million dollars. And no, I have no idea what “net” price is. Does that mean that’s what it’ll run you out the door? With taxes and titles and dealer prep included? Whatever.
The Bugatti Divo will be unveiled at 11:20 a.m. Pacific (a curiously specific time) on August 24th 2018 on the lawn at The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering in California, part of the Monterey Historics. If it were me, I’d blow this off and spend more time over at Laguna Seca watching the real cars race.
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: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.

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2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke Diesel Review

2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke Diesel Review When Ford announced it would offer a 3.0-liter diesel in the 2018 F-150, it got the attention of truck buyers. Ford designed and engineered this all-new V6 diesel engine to the specific needs of U.S. F-150 customers, with 250 horsepower, 440 lb-ft., of torque, an estimated 30 mpg on the highway, and 11,400 lbs. of towing capacity.
Ford says these numbers are best-in-class, though there’s not much competition. The only other half-ton pickup to offer a diesel engine is the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, with 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque.
This weekend, we drove the 2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke Diesel in a 4×4 SuperCrew configuration.
What’s New For 2018
Ford offers their smallest Power Stroke engine to combine fuel economy and towing prowess for those who haul frequently.
Features & Options
The 2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke Diesel (4X4 SuperCrew – Lariat) comes standard with 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, power-adjustable pedals, dual-zone automatic climate control, driver’s seat memory settings, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats. Other options included the upgraded mirrors, remote tailgate release, and front-facing spotlights.
Our F-150 tester was a pre-production model and not for sale. Ford did not release exact pricing. Depending on the configuration and trim level of the truck, expect an up-charge of $3,000 to $4,000 for the Power Stroke engine.

Interior Highlights
Our tester came with the Lariat’s power running boards that slide out when you open the door. It’s a good thing because the F-150 requires some effort, even for the average adult, to climb in. They made it easy for my wife to climb up into the cab.
The Lariat’s interior is luxurious with heated and cooled, power-adjustable leather seats we think are the most comfortable in the segment. The F-150 is America’s best-selling truck for a reason. It’s solidly built and, despite its fancy interior, is ready for heavy-duty work. There’s plenty of space inside and taller or shorter drivers won’t have any issue finding the perfect driving position. Large and tall passengers will find plenty of space to stretch out in the cavernous back seat.
The SuperCrew’s back seat will comfortably fit three tall adults, with plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room. Overall, the F-150 Lariat gets high marks for everyday ease of use and interior quality. Combined with high ratings for comfort, it’s a pleasant place to spend a full day on the road.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Ford’s new Power Stroke features a variable-geometry turbocharger to reduce turbo lag and a common-rail fuel injection system. A high-pressure, 29,000 lbs. per square inch injection calibration enables smoother, quieter operation while reducing emissions. The new Power Stroke is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
EPA estimates come in at 22/30 city/highway and 25 combined mpg.

Driving Dynamics
For those who remember the noisy, smelly diesels of the past, this new 3.0-liter Power Stroke is surprisingly quiet. You won’t know it’s a diesel aside from the initial telltale diesel clatter when you first hit the push-button start. Inside and underway, this Power Stroke sounds far more like a mild-mannered gasoline V6 than a heavy hauler.
As we powered the F-150 up I-70 at 8,000 ft. altitude west of Denver, the 3.0-liter V6 had all the grunt needed to pull hard with peak torque available at just 1,750 rpm, coupled to a 3.55:1 rear-axle ratio. The F-150’s Power Stroke features a mechanical, engine-driven fan and dual radiator shutters to boost high-altitude performance. When needed, we could slip the shifter into manual mode, which allowed us to select a gear for optimum engine braking while rolling down the steep mountain.
The 10-speed automatic gearbox worked in concert with the Power Stroke engine. It made smooth shifts and never had to hunt for the right gear. Our tester came with Normal, Sport, Eco, Tow/Haul, and Off-Road modes, meaning the truck’s powertrain characteristics change depending on the kind of work you need to do.
On the open road, the ride was remarkably smooth, controlled, and quiet, in spite of keeping our foot in the diesel powerplant. My wife had to remind me that I wasn’t in a sports car.
Conclusion
Full-size pickup buyers looking for a high-torque engine to pull a trailer full of snowmobiles or ATVs, or a camping trailer for the weekend; this one will be the ticket. And taking the family along is an easy chore with the luxurious and large cabin.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Ford F-150 Gallery

2018 Ford F-150 Official Site.
Photos: Ford Motor Company.

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When To Change Your Tires? New Study Suggests Sooner Than We Think

When To Change Your Tires? New Study Suggests Sooner Than We Think Tires can be an “out of sight, out of mind” component on your vehicle, but worn tires can be hazardous, especially during an unexpected downpour. New research from AAA finds that driving on relatively worn tires at highway speeds and on wet surfaces can increase stopping distances by nearly 90 feet.
That’s more than the length of an eighteen-wheeler.
Survey Says
In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, AAA conducted testing to understand performance differences at highway speeds between new, all-season tires and those worn to a depth of 4/32″ on wet pavement. The study examined both passenger cars and light trucks.
When the rubber met the road, the passenger car exhibited an average increased stopping distance of 87 feet, versus 86 feet for a light truck. The study also found a 33 percent reduction in handling for a passenger car and 28 percent for a light truck.
“Tires are what keep a car connected to the road,” explained John Nielsen, AAA’s Managing Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “Even the most advanced safety systems rely on a tire’s basic ability to maintain traction, and AAA’s testing shows that wear has a significant impact on how quickly a vehicle can come to a stop in wet conditions to avoid a crash.”
“Traction is your last line of defense,” added Brandon Grade, Service Advisor at Findlay Toyota in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Traction control systems can only do so much when the mechanical grip has been removed.”

By The Numbers
Current industry guidelines and state regulations often recommend tire replacement at 2/32″ depth, if there are any guidelines at all. AAA’s research found such recommendations can vary greatly from state to state. During my time as a Service Advisor, our dealership in South Dakota suggested replacement at 3/32″ but AAA says at 4/32″ stopping performance has already decreased.
And when it comes to wet pavement, the lower the tread depth, the more likely a vehicle will hydroplane.
“AAA’s testing demonstrates the impact that tire tread has on safety,” said Megan McKernan, Manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “If tested side-by-side at 60 mph, vehicles with worn tires would still be traveling at an alarming 40 mph when reaching the same distance it takes for vehicles with new tires to make a complete stop.”
If during a routine oil change, your tires are found to be worn, should you replace them immediately? Budget permitting, yes, but if you cannot that day, it’s best to schedule it as soon as you can.
“I agree that 4/32″ is the time to start paying attention to the handling characteristics of your vehicle and replacement should be at 3/32″ depth,” Grade said. “At that point tires cannot effectively remove water or keep traction.”
“With newer cars going longer intervals between routine maintenance at automotive service facilities, drivers may not become alerted to the fact their tires are too worn until it’s too late,” Nielsen warned.

Selecting The Right Tire
While AAA’s research determined tire performance fluctuates by brand, price is not necessarily an indicator of quality, which might come as a relief to some consumers. According to AAA, once worn, performance for all tires tested deteriorated significantly, even those priced higher. AAA says to research tires carefully and never buy one brand based solely on price.
“I disagree with that. Usually higher priced brands are that way for a reason,” Grade explained. “That may be because the tire is meant for a specific use like off-road or racing. The reason for the cost difference is because of the technology put in to the tire.”
Grade also notes that certain vehicles require certain tires.
“Specifically, the Toyota Prius uses tires that are designed to have less rolling resistance,” he said. “I have had customers go elsewhere to get a better price, only to come back complaining about a loss in fuel mileage due to having the wrong tire.”
As for finding the perfect tire, the best route might be to simply get a feel for what others are saying.
“I believe customer reviews are the best,” Grade said. “People will give you real world experience rather than hypothetical, perfect scenario results.”

Tips & Advice
In order to reduce your chances of a collision during rainy weather, AAA recommends reducing your speed and to avoid hard braking and sharp turns. Drivers should also keep their distance between vehicles in front of them and resist the urge to use cruise control in order to respond more quickly if needed. If you start to hydroplane, gently ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction the vehicle should go until traction is regained.
Do not brake forcefully.
There are a few home remedies you can employ too.
“Buy a tread depth gauge, have someone show you how to use it if you need, and keep it in your glove box,” Grade said. “When you check your tire pressures monthly, check the tread depth. Make sure to do it on the outside edge, center, and inside edge.”
If you don’t have a tread depth gauge, grab some loose change.
“Slip an upside-down quarter between your tire grooves and look at Washington’s head – if you can see all of it, it’s time to start shopping for new tires,” Nielsen said.
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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