Automotive

BMW X7 Enters Pre-Production In South Carolina

BMW X7 Enters Pre-Production In South Carolina BMW recently announced that pre-production versions of their upcoming X7 are rolling off the assembly line in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This is an all-important test to make sure the line is working as it should, that the pre-production vehicles bolt together as planned, and all is well and good in BMW land.
The BMW X7 is a uh . . . just what is a BMW X7?
Sports Activity Vehicle
The X7 is the Bavarian car company’s top-of-the-line, extra-huge, extra-boxy SUV/crossover/thingo. It’s about the size, weight, and shape of the Brandenburg Gate and BMW calls it a Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV, a terminology applied to other vehicles in their lineup. Essentially, it’s the BMW crossover version of the 7 Series sedan: The biggest thing you can buy with a roundel on the hood. Actual volumetric specs are not given, but the photos seem to indicate this thing is large enough to haul any one family and all their stuff. It’s brutalist architecture on wheels.
BMW says the production version of the SAV (gag) should be out by the end of 2018. Before we get there, however, the X7 will undergo multiple tests in “partially extreme conditions.” I thought extreme was a nominal state, it either is or isn’t. But I guess BMW, or the engineers responsible for the X7, are fine with “partial” extremes.
Precise Processes
Since the X7 pre-production models are using the same assembly line as the X5 and X6, the production of these pre-series models serves to make sure everything works as it should, and to optimize future series production. BMW has a specially trained team of production engineers to make sure everything is completely integrated into the line. As you would expect, this is a long and exacting process that has to be just right in general, and things get particularly fastidious since we’re not just dealing with engineers here, we’re dealing with German engineers.
First the pre-production models are built at BMW’s Spartanburg plant. Then they are handed over to development department specialists, and the fun really starts. All the bits and pieces are certified for homologation and production. The approved bits, pieces, sub-assemblies, and then the entire pre-production X7 is subjected to a set of diverse testing routines, such as endurance drives through Death Valley and the snow covered slopes of Scandinavia. During all this, the pre-production model is fitted with a camouflage wrap, even while it is still at the plant. The striking, striped, dazzle camouflage is designed to conceal the new SAV’s final look as far as possible.
Photo: BMW Group.
Under Wraps
All car companies do this, but what I want to ask is why BMW is mentioning how important this is when there are pictures all over the place of the new X7. Maybe someone from the pre-production engineering team should ring up the marketing group and see what’s up. Anyway, once the pre-production crew makes sure all the t’s are crossed, i’s are dotted, tolerances are confirmed, and calipers are safely tucked away, BMW’s Spartanburg plant will be all set to start cranking X7s out like so many sausages.
Full Scale
The X7 is the fifth model produced at the BMW Spartanburg plant, where all X models are built. Spartanburg is BMW’s largest plant in the world and cranked out more than 411,000 vehicles in 2016. BMW says 70 percent of the vehicles produced in Spartanburg are exported to 140 countries across the globe, making BMW the largest vehicle exporter in the USA in terms of export value. I assume BMW means “largest vehicle exporter” in reference to automobiles, because Boeing exports a ton of vehicles, and since their entry level model starts at over 100 million dollars, I bet they beat BMW in terms of “export value.” That said, if there’s a real call for what BMW makes at Spartanburg, the annual production capacity is around 450,000 vehicles, more than enough to handle worldwide demand.
“We are proud to produce the BMW X7 here in Spartanburg, the home of our X models. This is a very special vehicle and our employees are looking forward to yet a further member of the X family,” said Knudt Flor, Head of the BMW Group Spartanburg plant. “Together with the BMW X7, a total of five BMW X models will be exported from Spartanburg to all four corners of the globe.”
Technical details for the new X7 will be announced later this year.
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.
Photos & Source: BMW Group.

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Most Driver Friendly States of 2018

Most Driver Friendly States of 2018 It’s officially 2018 and that means our annual resolutions are in order. Be it losing weight or advancing in a particular career, a new year always represents a clean slate. One resolution worth making is a commitment to travel more. Doing so might actually help your other resolutions. According to WebMD, not having a break from work will take its toll. They cite a 2005 study from the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin that found women who neglected regular vacations were two to three times more likely to be depressed compared to women who took them.
And men, we should be mindful too. WebMD points to a study that followed over 12,000 men for nine years. Those who neglected vacations were at a higher risk for heart attacks. That said, if your goal is to get away and travel more in 2018, then it’s for the best. The National Council for Home Safety and Security put together a list of the most driver friendly states in 2018, which was published on their official site, Alarms.org. Their findings will help you plan a relaxing, safe, and cost effective getaway.
Cheapest Gas
One of the biggest factors when traveling is fuel cost, but it might be worth taking a tour of the southern United States to really maximize your tank. Alarms.org finds gas below the Mason-Dixon Line requires less from your wallet because of a greater concentration of oil refineries and lower gas taxes. Overall, Alabama has the cheapest gas per gallon at an average of $2.26, followed by Mississippi and South Carolina, both at $2.27, Texas at $2.29, and Oklahoma between $2.29 and $2.30. This means a visit to The Alamo in San Antonio or the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama will be more affordable.
There’s Myrtle Beach to catch some sun, and the Rock & Blues Museum in Clarksdale to get your music fix. Both can be reached for less money at the pump than attractions in other states.
Best Driving Records
Safety is always a concern so it might be worth seeking out a vacation spot where motorists are more cautious. Alarms.org researched states with the lowest fatal crash rates, calculated on the number of road fatalities and fatal crashes, adjusted for average daily traffic counts. Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Minnesota took the top three spots, followed by Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Alarms.org says there isn’t a single identifying characteristic they could find that made these states the safest, although they theorize it might have something to do with winter.
“Most of the states with safer highway ratings are in the north and have lower average temperatures,” Alarms.org writes in their study. “Perhaps colder temperatures and hazardous weather conditions prompt residents to drive more slowly and carefully than those in warmer states.”
This means (hopefully) a trip to Minneapolis to see Super Bowl LII or to Lambeau Field to watch the Packers should be a safe one. If on the way, you are passing through The Mitten and have car trouble, us Michiganders will gladly help. Alarms.org finds Michigan has the lowest average car repair costs in the country. Also, go Lions.

Most Scenic Drives
While Alarms.org admits this is subjective, they give some solid suggestions. Topping the list is the Blue Ridge Parkway through Virginia and North Carolina. Blue Ridge Parkway, which spans 29 counties and nearly 470 miles, is known for its stunning views of the surrounding Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains. Others on the list include the Cades Cove Drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire.
While it may not necessarily make any lists on this topic, we have always enjoyed our drives from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California on Interstate 10. The desert can be really peaceful and beautiful, especially in the early evening.
Happy Trails
Wherever you go in 2018 and whoever you go with, we wish you safe and enjoyable travels. We hope you have an opportunity this year to take a vacation with your loved ones. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2018.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation and studies Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University.

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Automoblog Book Garage: Day One

Automoblog Book Garage: Day One
During my tenure with 605 Magazine, I interviewed blues artist Hadden Sayers prior to his scheduled performance in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At one point in our conversation, he remarked that being a blues star was exactly like being a rock star, only without the fame, girls, and money. We laughed but Sayers taught me something valuable that day; something that has served me well throughout my career.
You do things because you love them and because you are passionate about them. The blues are like that. So are automobiles. But really, anything can be that way, if we let it.
Living The Dream
Day One reaffirms why I continue to invest the way I do in my automotive career. The book reminds me why I’ve no longer diversified my writing (against the advice of some) and penned strictly for this publication, in addition to helping manage and lead it. I do it because I love cars and I enjoy telling people about them. And as we begin a new year, books like Day One can inspire us no matter our chosen career fields, no matter our pursuits and passions.
In the foreword, Joe Oldham recalls the day he received his first red GTO convertible loaner. He calls it a life-defining moment when the Pontiac rep handed him the keys at that Los Angeles press event. Driving it along the Pacific Coast Highway would only reinforce that life-defining notion. Oldham’s passion (and guts) eventually landed him at Magnum Royal Publications in 1965, right at the dawn of the muscle car era.
“How did a dumb kid from Brooklyn wind up with such a cool gig,” he writes. “If you were a car guy, as I was from the time I was a little kid, it was a dream job.”
Bold Tones & Big Cars
Oldham shares being mentored by Marty Schorr, the author of Day One, then Editorial Director of Magnum Royal Publications. Since Hi-Performance CARS made its revenue from newsstand sales versus advertising, their obligation was to the reader paying for the publication. And honesty was the policy, especially if a given car had faults or was overly hyped in its marketing. It was less politically correct than rival publications, instead being written by, as Oldham puts it, the “wiseass outlaws from New York.”
Shorr keeps that brutally honest tone in Day One, walking us through his firsthand experiences with some of the greatest cars ever manufactured. Schorr tells us the inside stories of the cars we love and fantasize about owning. Some of our favorites in the book include Pontiac’s 1962 and 1963 lightweight Super-Duty 421 street and Swiss Cheese models, Chevrolet’s 1963 big block 427 Mystery Motor, Ford’s 1963 Galaxie fastback, the Cotton-Owens Hemi Coronet, and Plymouth’s original 1968 Hemi Road Runner.
Oldham passed away in October. In remembering his longtime friend, Schorr gave a fitting tribute, saying he was always impressed by Oldham’s knowledge and skill. In many respects, the title of this book – Day One – is fitting. It’s a new year and that means new promises. Guys like Oldham looked at the world in this sense when it came to pursuing what they were most passionate about: it wasn’t one day, but rather day one.
Day One: An Automotive Journalist’s Muscle-Car Memoir is available through Amazon and Motorbooks.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation and studies Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University.
Author
Martyn L. Schorr has a history with high-performance cars that dates back to the beginning of Ford’s Total Performance era over fifty years ago. He rode with Carroll Shelby and was at the press conference in New York
for the debut of the Lola-built Ford GT that became the GT40. Schorr drove the GT40 on the streets of New York City and accompanied Mickey Thompson to Bonneville in 1969 to set a book full of records. Schorr is the author of Total Performance and Motion Performance, both published by Motorbooks.
Day One Gallery

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2020 Range Rover Evoque Price and Release Date

What’s new from 2020 Range Rover Evoque will we discuss on the article this time. Land Rover about one of his luxury car manufacturer certainly not everyone can afford to buy this car. Crossover attracts more customers than we expected this may be supported by sales data from this car from year to year is always increasing. the new machine like his will be present such as diesel and plug-in hybrid Variant. But this new rumor.

2020 Range Rover Evoque Price

2020 Range Rover Evoque : Interior and Exterior

The new 2020 Range Rover Evoque will be the new generation model and will bring lots of alterations. It will eventually ride on the revised edition of your recent LR-MS architecture and it is actually likely to be somewhat wider and can obtain a longer wheelbase. In addition, it is actually anticipated to get lighter in contrast on the preceding model. As for that exterior design and style, the Range Rover Evoque will characteristic numerous equivalent styling cues together with the larger Range Rover Evoque. The similarities will largely be viewed from the front fascia together with the same narrow grille and angular headlamps. Also, it’ll get the bigger air inlets for far better cooling. On the rear end, we’ll recognize a new black bumper.

Within the cabin, 2020 Range Rover Evoque will get the additional room due to the bigger dimensions. So, this time the passengers will get pleasure from added space and for that reason a lot more comfortable. Furthermore, it’s going to come with two rows of seats as ahead of and can have the ability to welcome up to 5-passengers. The second row of seats is going to be split-folding which if wanted for more cargo area. Usually, the cargo space is additionally expected to get bigger because the Evoque is now wider compared to the former model 12 months. In addition, the products will even be upgraded and we can anticipate much more metallic and purely natural trims. The dashboard may also be revised with an upgraded infotainment display which will be much easier to use. Likewise, it’ll obtain an entirely digital gauge cluster and upgraded buttons around the center console.

Trims of the vehicle : SE, SE Premium, Landmark Edition, HSE, SE Dynamic, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography

2020 Range Rover Evoque Engine

As we stated, you will find prospects of hybrid powertrains while in the future, but for now, there isn’t any. The 2020 Range Rover Evoque includes the single 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder unit which has 230 hp. For those who go for SE, SE Premium, HSE, Convertible, and Landmark Edition you’re going to get this output. The Evoque HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims get the same powerplant but by using a distinct output of 286 horsepower. With both engine variants, you receive the identical 9-speed automated transmission.

2020 Range Rover Evoque Price and Release Date

For the price of what would be the same as the model before him, certainly not. 2020 Range Rover Evoque will be on the value of $43,000 for the highest trim. For more information about the release date as his Range Rover will issue his products at the beginning of the year 2020. Car competitors include the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, the BMW X 4.

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Separating From Social Media In 2018

Separating From Social Media In 2018 In the age of social media, more and more are posting about their travel adventures. Perhaps you have noticed this too? Or maybe you are among those posting about travel? A 2015 Adweek article by Kimberlee Morrison notes that 76 percent of users upload their vacation photos to social networks. Morrison also points out how those planning a vacation will often like or follow pages related to their upcoming travel.
Furloughs & Woes
A March 2017 Forbes feature by Jimmy Rohampton suggests Millennials look to social media to not only plan their vacation, but what to actually do when they arrive. Rohampton cites Morrison’s article, saying Millennials often dream about traveling while on social media. This could be looked at in two ways, the simplest being, as Rohampton mentions, that Millennials are not accustomed to living in a time without the internet. If they want to vacation, they use the internet to research popular spots, book flights, reserve hotel rooms, and so on.
The other side is as presented in the Ford 2018 Trends Report, where nearly half of the respondents between 18 and 29 say social media makes them doubt themselves. That finding appears under the report’s “Mending the Mind” category, which also reveals 65 percent of those 18 to 29 feel more stressed today than a year ago. Could the constant social media streams be a factor? And could that depression manifest itself through escape fantasies disguised as seemingly harmless travel plans?
According to the World Health Organization, more than 300 million people suffer from depression globally. On average, more women are affected than men.
Proper Considerations
We look hard at Millennials here, but any generational cohort can fall into this; consider today’s travel postings on social media yesterday’s columns on the topic in the newspaper. As a Generation Xer, I can relate, although I tend to gravitate toward music to let my stress go, but things like this are relative. If I cranked up Lithium, Sirius XM 34, to show my rebellious nature, I’m hardly different than someone in the Swing Era who spent their evenings in the company of Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman. The thought of dancing to those loud orchestras in a fine suit with a beautiful dame!? Jackleg degenerates the whole of them!
But seriously, members of my generation are on social media too. And if Millennials are fantasizing about travel when using social media, than it’s likely other generational cohorts are too. Given that we know the link between social media and depression, are we surfing through, looking at photos of the beach and wishing that were somehow our own reality? Or photos of other people and wishing we were them? If the answer is yes, it might be time for a social media break in 2018 with, of all things, a vacation. A vacation from social media.
Generational Megaphones
My only personal social media presence is through Facebook. That is to say was through Facebook. Like many, I enjoyed keeping up with my my friends, seeing who was getting engaged, or who was expecting a child, or which car they were going to tinker with next. Through Facebook, I could keep with with them as they lived their lives.
Then the darker side.
As one photographer friend of mine puts it, everything bad in this world is given a microphone through social media. Don’t fit in at school and are different? Now the world is closing in, one heartless comment at a time. Struggling to make ends meet and fighting to stay afloat? One swipe down the news feed and it’s like everyone’s grass is infinitely greener, even if they overly polish that white picket fence to convince others it’s really white. Don’t subscribe to a certain religious, cultural, or political viewpoint? Well. Look out.

Historic Theaters & Shopping Bins
My breakup with social media has taken some time, admittedly. The wheels began turning in late 2016 when I attended a show at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. About halfway through Chris Janson’s set, I realized my face was buried in Snapchat the entire time. I was at the greatest venue in country music, but spending more time looking at my phone sending pictures than enjoying the concert. The thing is, most everyone else in there my age was doing the same thing. It was only the older country fans who were watching the stage, their hands devoid of any cellular device.
At that point in time, I was more concerned with what my friends thought of my stellar seats. I pictured telling my grandchildren one day, “I had the best seats in the house but didn’t really see Janson perform Buy Me A Boat or any other song.” When people asked me how the show went, I felt slightly wrong telling them it was awesome, since I spent half of it on Snapchat. Imagine telling those on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in 1969 their Bic lighters were about to be replaced by something called an Android. Imagine the responses you might get. “Here, watch Jefferson Airplane and Joe Cocker through this handheld screen.”
Another critical moment came on a recent “Christmas shopping date” that involved Meijer and Hot Wheels cars. Random, I know. You know you’re from Michigan when you take her to Meijer to look at Hot Wheels. The date was a blast and we ended up digging through a bin with hundreds of Hot Wheels inside. Literally hundreds. A treasure trove of goodness. People passed by with their carts, looking at us like we were crazy, but you haven’t seen anything until you see a Michigan girl dig through a bin of toy cars with nicely manicured nails.
We found a Corvette Z06, Pontiac Firebird, Ford Raptor, and a Dodge Charger. I posted a picture of our impressive horsepower finds on my Facebook page and almost immediately regretted it. Even though it was a run to Meijer, something us Michiganders do on the daily, a level of intimacy was lost. When we are tempted to broadcast everything on social media, it can leave few memories for ourselves.

Making The Cut
But Carl, you need social media to be successful and to network and to find jobs. No you don’t. People were successful long before the digital age. Entire industrial empires from Ford to Boeing to Standard Oil were built before computers. Automoblog, like many other publications, has the usual social media channels for marketing and promotion, but I do not run them. We have a dedicated staff member responsible for our social media. Despite holding a partnership here and our Detroit desk, I don’t know the password to our Instagram account. I don’t want to.
Here at home, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is the highest paid player in the National Football League and he has not a single social media account. Jennifer Lawrence, star of the popular Hunger Games series, tells People “if you ever see a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter that says it’s me, it most certainly is not.” Actress Kate Winselt believes social media forces young women to mold themselves into something they are not so they will be accepted. Perhaps this is partly why the World Health Organization finds depression is more common in women?
What continues to alarm is how we may be looking through our feeds to escape our circumstances; that is worrisome. And like many others, I have fallen victim to that too. But not anymore. In 2018, my resolve is to not live through a social media lens. If I travel, I will focus simply on the beauty of the scenery rather than trying to upload photos of it. Sould I see a show, I will enjoy the music rather than a trying to post a quick video to my story. If I go on a date (let’s hope), I will have the freedom to enjoy that intimacy, without worrying how many “likes” I get.
“I like having privacy,” Stafford told ESPN Staff Writer Michael Rothstein in August. “I like having a personal life.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation and studies Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University.
Via Adweek: Social Media and Travel Go Hand in Hand.
Via Forbes: Does Social Media Make Millennials Want To Travel More?
Via ESPN: Meet the Matthew Stafford known only by his inner circle.
Via People: 15 Celebs Who Are Really, Really Not Into Social Media.

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Chevrolet Introduces Centennial Edition Trucks, Kicks Off 100-Day Celebration

Chevrolet Introduces Centennial Edition Trucks, Kicks Off 100-Day Celebration

This week at the State Fair of Texas, Chevrolet commemorated a century of truck production by announcing a 100-day commeration, two new special editions, and the Truck Legends customer loyalty program.
“The Chevy Trucks Centennial is a huge milestone for us, and is equally important to our customers,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet Trucks Advertising and Marketing Director. “That’s why we will be celebrating 100 years of Chevy Trucks over the course of the next 100 days.”
Along with the special edition trucks and customer loyalty program, Chevy is also releasing new, branded merchandise through ChevyGearUSA.com and planning a Centennial Celebration on December 16th.
2018 Centennial Editions
The 2018 Silverado and Colorado Centennial Editions feature design elements from Chevy trucks of yesteryear, in particular the Centennial Blue paint, vintage bowtie emblems, and throwback badges.
“The Silverado and Colorado Centennial Editions were a collaboration between Chevrolet Design, Engineering, and Marketing, to commemorate the history of Chevy trucks,” said Rich Scheer, Chevrolet Trucks Director of Exterior Design. “Both vehicles offer our most enthusiastic fans a way to demonstrate their love for Chevy trucks and celebrate the Chevy Trucks Centennial with us.”
The Silverado Centennial Edition is available on the LTZ Z71 crew cab. The Colorado Centennial Edition is offered on Z71 crew and extended cab variants. Silverado Centennial Editions will arrive in October, with Colorado Centennial Editions following in November. A special 1967 C-10 show vehicle commemorating the 100-year milestone will be displayed during the State Fair of Texas through October 22nd; it will then head to SEMA in late October.
The 1967 C10 Centennial SEMA Truck has a similar design when compared to the 2018 Centennial Edition Silverado and Colorado. Photo: Chevrolet.
Truck Legends Nationwide
The Truck Legends program recognizes customers who own a Chevy truck with more than 100,000 miles, or who have purchased or leased more than one new Chevy truck in their lifetime. Chevy Truck Legends was launched as a Texas-only pilot in September 2016, but has grown to a community of more than 5,400 Chevy truck enthusiasts. Truck Legends members have opportunities to receive front row seats at concerts, passes to Major League Baseball events, and previews of new Chevy models.
Superb Celebration
The 100-day Centennial Celebration will conclude with an official Chevy Trucks Centennial Celebration event on Saturday, December 16th at Texas Motor Speedway. Attendees can meet celebrities like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and experience the latest Chevy vehicles. The event is free but space is limited to invitation only. Truck Legends members will be the first to receive more information on the celebration and invitations.
“It’s important that we share this celebration with our loyal customers who have helped us achieve this accomplishment,” Piszar added.
2018 Chevy Silverado Centennial Edition on display at the 2017 Luke Bryan Farm Tour, Baldwin City, Kansas. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.

Performance Milestones
The first Chevy trucks – the half-ton Light Delivery and the One-Ton – hit the market in 1918. Both featured an open chassis behind the windshield. This allowed customers the option to build a specialized body to better match their profession. The 1918 Chevrolet One-Ton truck featured a four-cylinder engine rated at 36 horsepower with a top speed of 25 mph. By contrast, the current Silverado 1500 offers three different engines: a 4.3 V6, 5.3 V8, and a 6.2 V8. The latter creates 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque.
Prior to 1918, Chevy built specialized trucks but only to serve their factories. To date, General Motors has sold over 85 million trucks with a bowtie.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Centennial Edition Highlights
Silverado
LTZ Z71 trim; Crew Cab
Front and rear heritage bowtie emblems
100 year door badge
Spray-in bedliner with heritage bowtie emblem
Accessory floor liners with heritage bowtie emblems
Centennial Blue exterior paint
22” painted wheels with chrome inserts
22” all-terrain tires
Chrome tow hooks
Chrome bowtie on steering wheel
Colorado
Z71 rim; Crew Cab and Extended Cab
Front and rear heritage bowtie emblems
100 year door badge
Spray-in bedliner with heritage bowtie emblem
Accessory floor liners with heritage bowtie emblems
Centennial Blue exterior paint
Body-Color rear bumper and front grille surround
LT Optional 18” wheels with monochromatic cap
Chrome tow hooks, belt molding, mirror caps and door handles
Centennial Edition Gallery

Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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This Fiat 500 Throws It Back To 1957

This Fiat 500 Throws It Back To 1957 The Fiat 500 1957 Edition is back by “popular demand” according to the automaker.
The small cruiser pays homage to the 1957 Nuova Cinquecento, originally designed by Dante Giacosa.
As if the quirky size and demeanor of the Fiat 500 was not enough, the Italian carmaker is bringing back the 1957 Edition. The design cues pay homage to the original 1957 Fiat Nuova 500.
But unlike the 1957 model (which came with a dinky two-cylinder motor with 13 horsepower), the 2018 Fiat 500 1957 Edition is motivated by a more powerful 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine. It now cranks out 135 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. of torque.
“Our Italian-designed, fun-to-drive Fiat 500 comes standard with turbocharged power,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands for FCA North America. “The 1957 Edition offers a fun, custom appearance for the iconic Fiat 500.”
Nuova Fiat 500 advertisement circa 1957, courtesy of FCA UC LLC. The Nuova 500 sparked the rebirth of Fiat following the devastation of World War II. The vehicle’s production helped usher in the economic recovery in the years that followed.
Authentic Italian Design
It is easy to distinguish the 1957 Edition of the Fiat 500. The 16-inch retro wheels come in three colors: white, green, or blue. This special edition Fiat 500 also comes with a choice of three paint colors: white (Bianco Ice), retro light blue (celeste blue), and light green (Chiaro) to match the wheel color.
The car receives a plethora of vintage-inspired elements like retro badging, a revised fascia with chrome inserts, two-tone paint (white roof on the hatchback and black soft top on cabriolet models). There are white exterior mirrors and ivory-colored door trim panels. It also receives a delicious Avorio/Marrone leather-wrapped steering wheel (which is Italian speak for white and brown) to match the premium, hand-stitched brown leather upholstery.
Oh, and you also get a unique 1957 Edition key fob. Nice.
Fiat 500 1957 Edition wheel design. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Macchina Veloce!
Make no mistake about it, the Fiat 500 is still a decently fast car. The 1.4-liter turbocharged motor comes standard with a five-speed manual, although a six-speed auto is optional. The engine comes with twin intercoolers and a sport-tuned exhaust. This motor is now standard across the range.
But the Fiat 500 1957 Edition goes further still. It comes with a driver-selectable Sport button, which revises the throttle mapping to improve engine response. Models with the optional six-speed auto will experience stronger shift points to deliver a more thrilling driving experience.
Unlike the 1957 model (which came with a dinky two-cylinder with 13 horsepower), the 2018 Fiat 500 1957 Edition is motivated by a more powerful turbocharged engine. Click To TweetTurbo Power For Everyone
For those just learning the ins and outs about Fiat cars, it happens to be the only brand in North America to offer turbo engines as standard on every model. The base Pop trim starts at $16,245, making it the least expensive turbocharged car you can buy today.
The Lounge starts at $19,745 and is the basis for the 1957 Edition. Add $995.00 and you get the special-colored wheels, the Sport mode, leather trimmings, and retro badges.
And if the base motor is not enough, then you’ll need the Fiat 500 Abarth. It comes with an upgraded 160 horsepower 1.4-liter turbo mill that churns out 183 lb-ft. of torque. The Abarth starts at $20,495, which includes red bucket seats, a red engine cover, red brake calipers, and body stripes (yes, in red, too).
The Fiat 500 1957 Edition will arrive later this fall.
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.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 Sedan Review

2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 Sedan Review
The Toyota Camry was getting long in the tooth and the Japanese automaker just gave the popular sedan a complete makeover. Camry fans will love what Toyota has done both outside and inside by giving Camry a redo. It’s worth your time to take a look. It gets impressive new exterior styling and suspension upgrades, with enough of each to leave behind Camry’s ho-hum past. It’s more fuel efficient than before with a premium feel inside.
This week, we drove the upper-trim 2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6.
What’s New For 2018?
The 2018 Toyota Camry has been fully redesigned with upgrades that include a longer wheelbase, sleeker styling, revised rear suspension geometry, and two distinct styling themes depending on the trim level. The sportier XSE gets a special nose and rear bumper, along with a small spoiler on the rear deck and shaped sills along the sides. On its new chassis, the 2018 Camry is one inch lower, and a bit longer and wider for a sleeker, more firm stance.
Features & Options
The 2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 ($34,950) gets a personality shift toward keener driving dynamics, courtesy of a sport-tuned suspension and revised steering calibration. The XSE variant also receives larger 18-inch wheels, and steering wheel paddle shifters for a sportier look and feel.
Other standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heads-up display, blind-spot monitoring, keyless ignition, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, extra USB ports, a bigger 8-inch touchscreen, a premium JBL sound system, and Qi wireless smartphone charging.
This 2018 Camry tester came with the optional Driver Assist Package ($1,050), plus Bird’s Eye Camera view and Navigation ($940). Total MSRP including destination: $38,220.

Interior Highlights
Like the exterior, the interior of the 2018 Camry feels more stylish and premium, especially on this upper-trim XSE model. It gets more soft-touch materials and new colors that give it a more luxurious feel. The front seat bottoms have been redesigned and offer up extra comfort for longer trips in the sedan. We went to my daughter’s house for Christmas and felt rested even after the long drive.
The Camry XSE gets a new 8-inch touchscreen that’s easier to see, and the dashboard is bigger with contemporary lines. The new sleek look sets it apart from the outgoing model.
The XSE gets comfortable, heated leather-trimmed seats with 8-way power adjustments, so any size driver can find the perfect position. The cabin feels light and airy, and there’s lots of head, shoulder, and elbow room for drivers to get comfortable. Front and rear passengers have ample space around them, and rear passengers won’t feel encroached on if the front seat is all the way back.
The only complaint we have is with Toyota’s Entune infotainment and smartphone integration. It’s just not that user-friendly or as easy to use as rival systems. It’s the most noticeable shortcoming of this otherwise fully-redesigned family sedan.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2018 Toyota Camry XSE is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. of torque. The V6, now equipped with direct injection, comes paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission to further improve fuel economy. EPA estimates are 22/32 city/highway and 26 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
After getting behind the wheel of the 2018 Camry, the first thing we noticed was the heads-up display. It comes standard on the XSE trim and it’s a nice addition, allowing the driver to keep their eyes on the road. We didn’t know why the display also had a compass showing the direction we were going. Toyota could leave that off and we wouldn’t be disappointed.
The Camry has a newly-updated 3.5-liter V6 and we took advantage of the extra power. We pushed the new sedan hard up the I-70 corridor into the mountains and could feel the available 301 horsepower when we needed it. The V6 delivers smooth power at any time and the eight-speed transmission works perfectly without the need to downshift and hunt for the right gear. We used the steering wheel paddle shifters all week and found the driving experience enjoyable. Not something we could say before this model year.
The new sport-tuned suspension offers up a more engaging driving experience versus the outgoing model. We took the mountain curves in full stride with minimal body lean. The XSE does come with a plethora of safety aids, but they can be overly sensitive at times, especially if you like to hug the outside lines.
Conclusion
The 2018 Toyota Camry XSE has a luxurious interior, comfortable ride, and comes with plenty of safety features. Overall, it looks more stylish and feels more premium, especially on this upper-trim XSE model.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Camry XSE Gallery

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

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2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon: The Miles Davis & Bob Marley Kind of Cool

2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon: The Miles Davis & Bob Marley Kind of Cool You remember that guy in high school that somehow ended up with his grandparent’s station wagon? And how he would swear up and down that it was “cool.” And people would point and laugh, or perhaps his friends would try and point out that “wagons just aren’t cool, man.” There is no way a Chevy Impala wagon or Ford Country Squire, with those genuine plastic fake wood grain walnut veneer side panels, is Right or Cool. I mean, you could have Miles Davis driving one with Bob Marley sitting in the passenger seat rolling up spliffs the size of a dachshund puppy with Coltrane jamming on the megawatt stereo, and even that wouldn’t make a wagon cool.
Try as you might to fix it up – mags and tires, a loud exhaust, fiddling with the engine – Chevy Impala wagons or Ford Country Squires are never going to be as cool as the JV quarterback’s El Camino or the prom king’s Z28. But suppose they were? Suppose someone like, oh, Mercedes-Benz let their skunkworks crew at AMG loose on an E-Class wagon that a well-to-do Dortmund hausfrau would drive? Would that be cool? Let me just put it this way: It would be so cool, you could keep a side of beef in it for a week.
Hot V Power
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is as practical as a wagon can be. Tons of modern connectivity and high-tech goodies, 35 cubic feet of trunk space in the way back, a 40:20:40 split rear seat, and a price tag of $106,950 (gasp!). But this thing could haul you and the fam on a Griswold-style vacation, so who cares? This thing can haul your butt from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and max out at 180 mph. The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon can even lap the Nürburgring in 7:45.19
So bear with me as we put aside all that practicality, connectivity, comfort, convenience and such to dwell ‘neath the hood for a nice long while, and gaze lovingly at that monster of an engine. It’s a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 bi-turbo plant, with twin-scroll turbos nestled inside the V, known in Mercedes-Benz speak as “hot inside V.” Said mill puts out 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft. of torque. They say the “AMG V8 sound might not be family-friendly,” and all I could think was “in your family maybe.”
And the rest of the drivetrain is just as impressive.
Photo: MBUSA.
Traction Jackson
The engine is coupled to a AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission, using a wet clutch in place of a torque converter; from there it’s the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system that puts power to der Bahn through all four tires. The 4MATIC+ system has fully-variable torque distribution between the front and rear axles. And, given the digital nannies between your right foot and the pavement, all you have to do is mash the loud pedal and this thing Goes with a capital “G” under all road conditions: dry, wet, or snow-covered. Mercedes-Benz says the transition from rear-wheel to all-wheel drive and back again is seamless. The front to rear split is controlled by an electromechanically regulated coupling, connecting the permanently-driven rear axle variably to the front axle, so you can go from traction-oriented all-wheel drive to pure rear-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz says without a hint of irony: “It is still possible to drift thanks to fully variable torque distribution.” Mercedes-Benz, the most buttoned-down and conservative of the automakers, from a country not exactly known for producing people like Flavor-Flav, makes a car that can drift on purpose. Indeed there is a Drift mode waiting for you at the touch of (several) buttons.
Photo: MBUSA.
Braking & Suspension Tech
The ride is governed by an all-new AMG multi-chamber air suspension, set up with continuously variable damping for remarkably high levels of camber stability and steering precision. The air spring stiffness can be adjusted over a wide range to improve comfort and handling, while reducing roll and pitching. Adaptive damping comes in three selectable modes: Comfort, Sport, and Sport+.
The rear differential is an electronically controlled limited-slip deal for more bite out of curves. You can also select from five AMG programs: Comfort, Sport, Sport +, RACE, and Individual to monkey with essential parameters like engine response, transmission, suspension, steering, stability control, and various all-wheel-drive settings.
Wanna stop? The 2018 Mercedes AMG E63 S Wagon whoas up with internally ventilated and perforated 15.4-inch compound front brake discs, with six-piston fixed calipers. The rear uses 14.2-inch discs and single-piston floating calipers. The AMG Carbon Ceramic Composite Braking System is optional and expensive, but it will stop you hard enough to detach a retina. In other words, it’s worth every penny.
Cool Factor
So is the Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S Wagon cool? You bet it’s cool, and no Miles Davis or Bob Marley with dachshund-puppy-sized spliffs needed. Plus, the interior looks like a Bond villain’s lair. I’ll still keep the Coltrane though.
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.
Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S Wagon Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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