Automotive

2018 Kia Stinger: Product & Performance Overview

2018 Kia Stinger: Product & Performance Overview

We saw the Kia Stinger for the first time at the 2017 North American International Auto Show here in Detroit. Its stance was bold, its message clear, and its design nothing short of fantastic. NAIAS 2017 had a multitude of attractions and for us, the Stinger was our top pick. The forthcoming sportback will enter a segment currently dominated by European automakers, but it will be the highest-performing production vehicle in Kia’s history.
Dream Come True
The Stinger, in its present form, descends from the GT concept, first unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. When the cover was lifted, it sent a wave of inspiration throughout the entire Kia organization.
“Unlike any Kia that has come before it, the Stinger really is a dream car for us and after years of commitment and hard work from a passionate group of designers, engineers, and executives around the world, that dream is now a reality,” said Orth Hedrick, Vice President, Product Planning, Kia Motors America.
According to Kia, The Stinger needed to be many things, yet most of all, it needed to be a genuine Gran Turismo car. Here is a look, piece by piece, of what Kia did to get it there.
The Kia Stinger on display at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.
Design & Development
The Stinger’s design was overseen by Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors’ Chief Design Officer, and his visionary team in Frankfurt, Germany. Ride and handling responsibilities fell to Albert Biermann, Head of Kia’s Vehicle Test and High Performance Development initiative. His engineering group worked around the clock in Korea but other teams from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North and South America joined in. Ultimately, it was on the Nürburgring circuit, a place lately reserved for the 911 GT2 RS and Camaro ZL1, where Kia made their biggest strides.
“From its GT concept-car origins to the years of tuning and refining on the legendary Nürburgring circuit, no detail was too small to be obsessed over, and the result is simply stunning,” Hedrick said.
“I think for the Kia brand, the Stinger is like a special event,” Biermann added. “Because nobody expects such a car, not just the way it looks but also the way it drives.”
Kia’s engineers put the Stinger through nearly 500 laps of high-intensity driving around the Nürburgring, the equivalent of about 6,200 miles. The Stinger’s quality, reliability, and durability testing consisted of aggressive acceleration, followed by rapid deceleration and heavy cornering. The Stinger was repeatedly exposed to the Nürburgring’s 73 corners and 17 percent gradients at nearly 1,000 feet of elevation.
“It’s a whole different animal,” Biermann said of the Stinger after testing concluded.
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD. Photo: Kia Motors America.
Chassis Construction
The foundation for Kia’s Gran Turismo car is a stiff, NVH resistant chassis, comprised of 55 percent advanced high-strength steel. The MacPherson front suspension features large diameter shock absorbers, high-strength wheel bearings, and an aluminum strut brace; the reinforced five-link rear suspension is mounted to a stiffened rear subframe.
The Stinger GT goes a bit farther, with Kia’s first continuously damping, electronically controlled suspension. “Dynamic Stability Damping Control” matches a driver’s inputs and style, responding to road conditions more proactively than a traditional suspension. During tight or aggressive cornering, the front shocks soften and the rear firms up for better handling. Conversely, the system can stiffen the front shocks and soften the rear for improved high-speed stability.
There are five modes: Custom, Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Smart.
Advanced Aerodynamics
The Stinger needed to be more than a pretty face but when it comes to aerodynamics, a fastback design is more challenging than a conventional sedan. To maintain the balance between style and performance, Kia’s Frankfurt R&D center used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to test and validate different approaches to the Stinger’s aerodynamic profile.
The body is favored slightly toward the rear while the “gills” behind the front wheel arches reduce wake turbulence as air moves over the flanks. A partially-flat underfloor cover, which flows into the rear diffuser, reduces drag; the rear spoiler, with its “ducktail” shape, reduces lift and increases stability at higher speeds. Special air inlets and curtains help reduce front-end lift and compliment the large, horizontal brake cooling ducts. By continually tweaking the “aerofoil” shape of the Stinger, Kia achieved a drag coefficient of 0.30 Cd.
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 RWD. Photo: Kia Motors America.

Engine & Powertrain
Kia poses it rather well: “if the chassis symbolizes the bones of a gran turismo, then surely the available powertrains represent its heart.” When we first saw the Kia Stinger at NAIAS in January, this really intrgued us. The first available engine is a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II plant, producing 255 horsepower (6,200 rpm) and 260 lb-ft. of torque. Torque is available from 1,400 to 4,000 rpm and gives the Stinger a reasonable 0 to 60 time of 5.9 seconds.
The 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine packs a bit more punch. Those looking for more snap and grunt will want this engine with its 365 horsepower (6,000 rpm) and top speed of 167 mph. Torque jumps to 376 lb-ft., available from 1,350 to 4,500 rpm. With this engine, the Kia Stinger enters the segment with more power than the Audi S5 Sportback, BMW 440i Gran Coupe, and Infiniti Q50. Further, Kia has chipped away at Porsche’s foundation. With the V6 Lambda II engine, the Stinger GT hits 60 in 4.7 seconds, which is quicker than the six-cylinder Porsche Panamera.
Helping to disperse the power is an 8-speed automatic Kia designed in-house. One of the most notable features is the inclusion of a Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber, normally found on racing, diesel, and aviation applications. The design, accompanied by an oil cooler to mitigate heat, helps prevent torsional vibrations through the drivetrain. Similar to the suspension, five different shift patterns may be selected through the vehicle’s electronic drive-mode system.
Photo: Kia Motors America.
Steering & Braking
The Stinger features a variable ratio, Motor Driven Power Steering system that Kia says offers “razor-sharp feedback.” The setup has the electric motor mounted directly on the steering rack to reduce vibration from the column and to enhance overall response.
The Stinger GT is equipped with Brembo brakes with quad-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers. The monobloc all-aluminum calipers reduce unsprung weight, dissipate heat, and are coupled with large diameter brake discs: 13.8-inches in the front and 13.4-inches in the rear. During development, the Stinger was subjected to multiple runs down the infamous Grossglockner High Alpine Road in the Austrian Alps. The environment is the ideal place to test braking performance.
Interior Treatments
All Stingers come standard with a leather-appointed cabin, although an ultra-soft Nappa leather is available. Air-cell bladders and width-adjusting bolsters are available for the driver’s seat for additional comfort. The center console is split between the infotainment controls, which sit below a large color touchscreen, and the climate controls. The gauges are ringed in metal and accentuated with sweeping red needles; a color TFT screen relays data like cornering G-forces, lap times, and temperatures, along with the trip odometer, driver settings, navigation, and diagnostics.
The Stinger also comes with a generous array of connectivity, infotainment, and entertainment features. An available Harman Kardon 720 watt audio system has an external amplifier, 15 speakers, and under-seat subwoofers.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Kia Stinger arrives in December and pricing will be announced closer to that time. The Stinger will be available in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Kia Stinger Gallery

Photos & Source: Kia Motors America.

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Ford Mustang Engineers Show Why Duct Tape Is Awesome

Ford Mustang Engineers Show Why Duct Tape Is Awesome

In 1999, Baz Luhrmann released Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen), a spoken word, notional commencement speech to a class entering the new millennium. Based on an essay by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, “The Suncreen Song” contains nuggets of advice garnered from Luhrmann’s own “meandering experience.” He advises the graduating class to remember compliments, avoid beauty magazines, and spend time with their parents, among other things.
I would add, to Luhrmann’s list of already excellent advice, duct tape. In the song, he says the benefits of sunscreen are proven by scientists. I am sure, at some point in time, there was a study done by scientists on duct tape. It can solve a myriad of problems and no person should be without a roll. It can fix anything.
Human Intuition
Just ask Ford engineers Jonathan Gesek and Mike Del Zio. Despite the computer-generated and data-driven approach to vehicle development today, the human element is still needed. There are times a computer cannot read things the way a human can. After completing a high-speed lap in a prototype Mustang, Del Zio, a vehicle dynamics engineer, noticed the car was not responding to his liking around corners. The latest set of wind tunnel numbers showed everything was fine, but Del Zio was not convinced.
That’s when Gesek, an aerodynamics engineer, slapped a strip of duct tape over the lower grille gap. We are fairly certain (although Ford did not confirm) both engineers applied sunscreen at this time too. That would be logical since they were outside at a race track.
The slice of duct tape over the grille provided a “Band-Aid” fix to what is known as front-end lift. Gesek and Del Zio have devoted hundreds of hours to the aerodynamic performance and efficiency of the new 2018 Mustang. Their work has helped maintain and even improve the Mustang’s EPA fuel economy ratings. In essence, these guys know the Mustang and know it well. And they know when to trust their gut.
“That little strip of tape made all the difference,” Del Zio said.
2018 Ford Mustang. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Proper Modifications
Mustang’s front-end styling changes include a lowered nose, larger front splitter, and rocker shield. Each element helps keep the car planted while allowing air to flow smoothly underneath. But it all started with a strip of duct tape from a dull gray roll. Granted, you won’t find a new Mustang at the dealership with a slice of the famed adhesive on the front, but you can be confident regardless.
“At the end of a straightaway, what confidence do you have in being able to brake and make a turn,” Del Zio said, emphasizing the importance of human-inspired engineering and design. “Things start to come up fast at 155 miles an hour.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Ford Mustang Fuel Economy Improvements

2017
2018
Increase
City
Highway
Combined
City
Highway
Combined
Combined
EcoBoost (auto)
21
30
24
21
32
25
4.2%
EcoBoost (man.)
21
30
24
21
31
25
4.2%
GT (auto)
15
24
18
16
25
19
5.6%
GT (man.)
15
25
18
15
25
18
No Change
Photo & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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2018 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4Motion Review

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4Motion Review

The Volkswagen Tiguan is sometimes a forgotten entry in the compact crossover segment, but it’s worthy to be put on your shopping list. It competes against popular Japanese rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Mazda CX-5. It’s a tall compact crossover that stretches toward midsize in interior space, and is well-equipped for its price. It’s ready for the daily commute, or the weekend ski trip.
We recently drove the base trim Tiguan S 4Motion.
What’s New For 2018
The Volkswagen Tiguan has been completely redesigned for 2018, and grows in size for its second generation. Cargo capacity improves over the previous model.
Features & Options
The 2018 Tiguan S 4Motion ($27,495) comes standard with rugged fabric upholstery, rearview camera, USB port, Bluetooth capability, 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and VW’s telematics service. It also features automatic headlights, heated mirrors, roof rails, and a six-speaker sound system.
This was a new, pre-production press vehicle from Volkswagen and the only option listed was the Driver Assistance package. It included forward collision warning with emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.

Interior Highlights
Our Habanero Orange tester seemed ready for Halloween with its contrasting, sharp-looking Titan Black fabric upholstery. The Germans know how to keep the people’s wagon simple, clean, and functional. The Tiguan’s interior is ready to haul folks around for the commute or better yet, the weekend trip to the ski slopes.
There’s plenty of room inside for taller passengers and the seats are firm and supportive, but could use a bit more padding. The Tiguan S comes with a six-speaker stereo, good for listening to sports talk on 104.3 The Fan here in Denver. Unfortunately, it lacks in sound quality for music.
In the rear, there’s exceptional legroom especially with the sliding rear seat pushed back. The Tiguan may be larger than before, although three adults in the rear seat will still be a squeeze. There’s 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down, and the rear liftgate is nice and wide for loading extra large items. Maximum cargo carrying ability is still less than some rivals.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
All Volkswagen Tiguan models come powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI four-cylinder engine, coupled with an eight-speed automatic. It develops 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft. of torque. The compact SUV returns an EPA estimated 23 combined mpg with a 21/27 city/highway rating. That’s less than the competition and the rating seems low to us considering it’s a 2.0-liter engine. We got around 22 mpg, which isn’t too bad considering how hard we drove it at altitude.
Driving Dynamics
We pushed the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine hard this week as we traveled into the mountains west of Denver. It’s the ideal place to test any vehicle, and this small SUV was no exception. Without the turbo, this vehicle would be less than ideal for mountain commutes, but when the air gets thin, the Tiguan has enough power to climb the hills without issue.
You will find it has more power at lower revs when accelerating from a stop, but it can get a little out of breath at higher revs. We don’t anticipate this will be an issue for daily commuting, however. The 8-speed automatic is smooth and a welcome relief from the continuously variable transmissions that many small crossovers get. The downside is it doesn’t get the mileage of a CVT gearbox.
In the city, the Tiguan is a good commuter vehicle and it scoots around slower traffic with ease. Its smaller size lets you park in tighter spots and you won’t have a problem seeing other drivers when you are navigating city streets. The Tiguan has a higher profile and bigger windows than other small crossovers, making it easy to see out the back and sides. On the highway, the Tiguan’s ride is easy, the handling competent, and it feels softer than the outgoing model.
Conclusion
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4Motion offers affordably-priced convenience in a compact crossover that, overall, offers a quiet, comfortable ride. If you live in a cold climate, the 4Motion all-wheel drive will get you through the ice and snow this winter without an issue.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Gallery

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2018 Volkswagen Tiguan official site.
Photos: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
*SEL trim level also shown.

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2018 Lincoln Navigator Review: Big, Brash & Loaded With Luxury

2018 Lincoln Navigator Review: Big, Brash & Loaded With Luxury The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is big, brash, loaded with luxury, and makes no apologies for the prestige it exudes. Glamorous, beautiful, and extravagant come to mind when describing this larger-than-life SUV. We could see a movie star or NFL player stepping out of this beauty on the runway before boarding their private jet; or being escorted in it through Hollywood, on their way to the Golden Globe Awards.
What’s New For 2018
The Lincoln Navigator received a total redesign. It’s bigger and heavier, more powerful, and more luxurious than before. This was our experience while recently road testing the 2018 Lincoln Navigator Black Label edition.
Features & Options
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator Black Label ($93,705) comes loaded with automatic climate control, 20-inch wheels, a digital instrument display, a power tailgate, leather seat upholstery, and heated front and second-row seats. Connectivity and infotainment features include a 10-inch touchscreen, Sync 3, navigation with real-time traffic, 4G LTE data services, and 14-speaker audio.
Our tester came with second-row captain’s chairs.
The luxurious Black Label Edition includes distinctive 21-spoke 22-inch wheels, a CD player and 20-speaker audio system, trailer tow package, and the Technology safety pack. The interior is a woodsy theme known as “Destination.” Options include rear seat entertainment ($1,995) and “perfect position seats” with active motion massage ($1,250).
Total MSRP including destination: $98,145.
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator tops the latest J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study. The study measures owners’ emotional attachment and excitement across 77 different vehicle attributes. The Lincoln Navigator’s score of 915 (out of 1,000) makes it the highest-scoring vehicle in the automotive industry today.
Interior Highlights
Get ready to be pampered when you jump inside the 2018 Lincoln Navigator. Like the name implies, it’s meant for the discerning and for those who can afford the extra luxury this large SUV packs. The Navigator is spacious, lavish, and loaded with the spectacular.
All three rows are bathed in Venetian premium leather that is soft and supple. It’s similar to what you would expect in a lounge chair from Moore & Giles. The interior contains glossy wood panels, chrome trim, and soft-touch materials almost everywhere. The active motion massage allows the driver and front passenger to receive a relaxing massage with the push of a button.
In the back, the luxury and comfort continue with second-row captain’s chairs. Our tester came with the optional rear seat entertainment system for those longer trips. There’s plenty of room to spread out for taller riders and the third row will accommodate adults. Between the rear chairs, a center console provides storage for drinks, snacks, and electronic devices. However, it does limit cargo flexibility.
With all seatbacks upright, cargo volume totals 19.3 cubic feet. Folding down the third rows provides 120.2 cubic feet. The power-folding third-row and power tailgate are standard.
Need even more room? The Extended-Length Navigator might fit the bill.

The new Lincoln Navigator is big, brash, and loaded with luxury.Click To TweetEngine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Lincoln Navigator is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, producing 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our tester came with all-wheel drive and class IV trailer towing.
With all-wheel drive, the Navigator is EPA-rated at 16/21 city/highway and 18 combined mpg. The Navigator does take premium fuel to perform its best. However, when compared to other large luxury SUVs, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator holds its own just fine.
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator also earns five stars – the highest possible government crash rating – from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program.
If the Navigator isn’t your style, perhaps the new Ford Expedition is a better fit?
2018 Lincoln Navigator in Burgundy Velvet.
Driving Dynamics
The immense doors open wide for easy entry and exit, and power running boards also help. The first thing we noticed is how quiet the cabin is, and the ride is what you might expect from a luxury SUV in this price range. The 2018 Lincoln Navigator smooths out harsher road surfaces, despite the larger 22-inch wheels on our Black Label trim.
The twin-turbo V6 has plenty of power for any driving situation. On our drive, the extra torque helped pull this big SUV up the mountains in Colorado’s altitude. Even with its hefty size, the Navigator feels like a smaller vehicle because of the massive low-end torque.
We had no problem passing slower vehicles and maneuvering through traffic. The 10-speed automatic does shift frequently, but it’s seldom bothersome. Paddle shifters can be used to manually shift when needed.
You can switch the massaging seats on (and we did) and watch the miles melt away in comfort. Overall, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator is a pleasure to drive, and passengers will find it comfortable on those long drives.

The Lincoln Navigator is a pleasure to drive, and passengers will find it comfortable on those long drives.Click To TweetConclusion
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator delivers supreme comfort and the ultimate in luxury for discerning buyers. Sumptuous interior materials and finishes fill the vast cabin. With the second row captain’s chairs, passengers can turn on the entertainment system and feel like they are in a movie theater. Every time you get behind the wheel, it feels like a special occasion.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Lincoln Navigator Gallery

2018 Lincoln Navigator Official Site.
Photos: Lincoln Motor Company.

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No Tricks Only Treats: These 13 Vehicles Were Made For Halloween!

No Tricks Only Treats: These 13 Vehicles Were Made For Halloween! With Mega Millions turning into Mega Billions these days, it makes you wonder what you might do with a winning ticket. Hence why we came up with this list of Halloween vehicles. Since money would then be no object, what “scary” vehicles would we put in the driveway?
What vehicles would be a real treat this Halloween season?
The Rundown
The vehicles below are in no particular order, and our requirements were relatively simple. Mostly, they needed to have certain capabilities beyond the scope of a normal, daily driver. Like a penchant for off-roading or racing, for instance. Given these vehicles would likely be impulse buys with lottery winnings, they also needed to be reasonably available. In other words, we could put a deposit down or purchase one from a nearby dealer; on Halloween if we wanted.
That eliminates some rather wicked Hollywood rides, admittedly. Stuntman Mike’s Death Proof car, the Jeepers Creepers meat wagon and its mighty horn, and Herbie, the Love Bug are all ineligible. Yes. Herbie. A car that drives and thinks for itself is terrifying.
Enjoy the list and do bug us incessantly on Twitter if we missed a particular car. Whatever you do this Halloween season, drive something with teeth. Here are our top picks.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Well duh. Obviously. First, for the name alone; second for the 840 horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi!
The SRT Demon is a mighty hammer but an ambitious and calculated one. Advanced mechanical and electronic tuning measures enhance grip and directional control. For example, the upgraded torque converter for the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic multiplies torque by 18 percent. Furthermore, a unique rear knuckle reduces negative camber by 0.5 degrees, “standing up” the sticky drag tires to increase their contact patch.
When launched, more than one ton (2,500 lbs.) is transferred from the Challenger SRT Demon’s front wheels to the rear. And the Challenger SRT Demon breathes like a monster, with the world’s largest functional hood scoop at 45.2 square inches. During a quarter-mile run (9.65 seconds on average), the SRT Demon ingests the lung capacity of 816 humans. 816. 816!
Starting MSRP: Plan for about $85,000 but beware of dealer markup.
Pack Attack: The honorable mentions here are numerous. The Dodge Charger, both in SRT Hellcat and R/T Scat Pack skin, are worth a mention. Don’t forget the Dodge Durango SRT with its 475 horsepower 6.4 Hemi. And there are plenty of options in the Challenger brood aside from the Demon. The R/T Scat Pack 1320, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and SRT Hellcat Widebody are all great ways to scare the neighbors.
Ford Raptor. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Ford Raptor
Dinosaurs are scary. Remember Jurassic Park? The 1993 cinematic masterpiece made us evaluate potential hiding spots should scientists ever go mad with sap-encrusted mosquitoes. Spoiler alert: avoid SUVs and bathrooms. They are T-Rex magnets! Slightly more cuddly were the Velociraptors; and the F-150 Raptor is a truck worth snuggling up to this Halloween.
For hunting down lesser trucks, the F-150 Raptor has a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft. of torque. Hence, running is out of the question but so is hiding. With electronically-controlled Fox 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks, Trail Control and Terrain Management systems, and massive BF Goodrich KO2 tires, the F-150 Raptor out climbs King Kong.
There is no getting away. The F-150 Raptor can smell you. And it’s hungry.
Starting MSRP: $52,855.
Point of Observation: The Ford Explorer was the worst offender in Jurassic Park. Can’t survive one T-Rex attack? No way to trust it against a real predator like potholes.
Lincoln MKT. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Lincoln MKT
Ford makes our list with an entry from their Lincoln arm. Unlike the F-150 Raptor with its massive performance stats, the MKT stands out (despite an EcoBoost engine) for a different reason.
It looks like a hearse.
Starting MSRP: $43,530.
Bonus: The 2018 MKT comes with a THX sound system. Throw on any scary music, from pipe organ solos to Ricky Martin, and the MKT becomes the perfect Halloween decoration for the homestead.
Death Becomes Her: The MKT only narrowly avoided the automotive graveyard. Its second lease on life comes as an option for fleet buyers.
Nissan GT-R. Photo: Nissan North America.
Nissan GT-R
Godzilla crushed a few buildings, so too will you smash a few speed limit signs with this all-wheel drive beast.
Vehicle design was paramount when it came to the 2018 GT-R; any and all visual changes were intended to increase downforce, reduce drag, and terrify smaller sedans. Engineers worked specifically to eliminate “hood deformation” to improve aerodynamic performance at higher speeds. The “curving profile” of the front under spoiler is worth noting too. As in, this is not the car you want to see in your rearview mirror.
Pure, Premium, and Track Edition GT-Rs are equipped with Nissan’s 3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve V6. The engine creates 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft. of torque. By comparison, the GT-R NISMO is rated at 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft. of torque. Each engine is hand-assembled in a special clean room by skilled technicians known as Takumi Craftsmen.
Takumi Craftsmen are like the wind . . . you only hear them, never see them.
Starting MSRP: About $100,000 with the NISMO editions climbing to $175,490.
BMW M3 CS. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
BMW M3 CS
The 2018 BMW M3 CS is lighter and more performance-oriented. This philosophy, admittedly, serves better on a list about cars for New Year’s Day – e.g., I’m going to lose weight and get more accomplished this year.
But like the GT-R above, the last thing you want is a BMW M3 CS on your tail, especially if you fancy things made by Mercedes-Benz. The M3 CS dishes out plenty of spine-tingling thrills with a 453 horsepower inline turbo six and a multi-mode Adaptive M Suspension. For good measure, the Active M Differential enhances traction and stability.
Which means, if the BMW M3 CS wants to run you down it will. Easily.
Starting MSRP: Around $98,000.
Point of Observation: Taking into consideration our guidelines for this list, an M3 CS might be hard to come by. BMW made a mere 1,2000 models, 550 of which were designated for the United States.
When carbon fiber and stainless steel tailpipes join forces to create a truly amazing performance car. That’s the story of the 2018 BMW M3 CS. And there’s more engine and suspension stuff too but still . . . read more here.
Bugatti Chiron Sport. Photo: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
Bugatti Chiron Sport
Another hard one to come by as just 500 Chiron vehicles are planned for production. On average, only about 70 cars leave the Bugatti factory yearly as is. The high-society Chiron Sport is the latest result of such precise manufacturing, complete with a more dynamic handling package, stiffer suspension, and special torque vectoring contorls.
The Chiron Sport’s lap times on the Nardò handling circuit are five seconds better than the normal Chiron. Five seconds is an eternity. Michael Myers could cover a respectable distance in that amount of time.
Starting MSRP: €2.65 million net, or $3.26 million for the U.S. market, including transport, customs duties, taxes, and fees. But the most terrifying thing about any Chiron? Maintenance costs. Don’t Google them either. You will make yourself sicker than that time you ate all your Halloween candy in one night.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
The front grille of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera mirrors a honeycomb, and not by happenstance. Designers took inspiration from nature and found it among the bees. Things that sting. Let’s recall other famous scary things associated with bees. Like the Candyman for example.
The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is powered by a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12, cranking out 700 plus horsepower and 650 lb-ft. of torque. That should strike fear in unsuspecting sedans on the interstate.
MSRP: $304,995.
Point of Observation: The 2015 flick Stung shows what happens when giant killer wasps descend on ritzy garden parties. But you don’t have to worry. You drove your DBS Superleggera to the event. When the stingin’ starts, jump in that bad boy and outrun those ravenous, blood-thirsty hornets.
$304,995? Worth every penny now, huh?
Kia Stinger GT2. Photo: Kia Motors America.
Kia Stinger
Speaking of getting stung, it’s even more painful from an automaker you don’t expect.
Kia’s engineers put the Stinger through nearly 500 laps of high-intensity driving around the Nürburgring, the equivalent of about 6,200 miles. The foundation for Kia’s Gran Turismo car is a stiff, NVH resistant chassis, comprised of 55 percent advanced high-strength steel. The available 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine packs 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft. of torque for a top speed of 167 mph.
The Audi S5 Sportback, BMW 440i Gran Coupe, and Infiniti Q50 should mind the hair on the back of their necks. If it stands up, it’s a Kia Stinger on their six.
Starting MSRP: $31,900 for the base Stinger. Premium and GT grades come in at $37,100 and $38,350, respectively.
Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
Another “stinger” in its own right, the Fiat 124 Spider lives up to that scorpion insignia with a turbo-four sending 164 horsepower to the rear wheels. Toss in the Bilstein sport suspension, mechanical limited-slip differential, and Brembo brakes, and the 124 Spider Abarth has treats galore for your Halloween tastes.
Starting MSRP: Right around $30,000. Not bad at all.
Need more speed? An in-depth look at the fastest cars in the world today.
Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison. Photo: Chevrolet.
Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison
Remember those little shop trucks that would run around town, making deliveries or service runs? Wonder where they went? Well now we know. The ZR2 Bison trampled them. To death.
The Bison ZR2 comes with an Autotrac transfer case, front and rear locking differentials, and Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Bison sports a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio and 3.5-inch wider front and rear tracks. The suspension is raised by two inches and an optional hood snorkel allows for more efficient engine breathing.
In other words, just like the Raptor, there is no hiding from the Bison. It can smell you. And it’s hungry.
On the engine front, a 3.6 V6 generates 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft. of torque. The available Duramax diesel, by comparison, joins the party with 186 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque.
Starting MSRP: Chevy has not released pricing, although the truck is expected in January.
Rezvani TANK Military Edition Photo: Rezvani Motors.
Rezvani TANK Military Edition
The zombies in I Am Legend were smart. And brainy brain-eaters can only be evaded by bullish and brawny vehicles. Ask Will Smith how that Ford Expedition worked out. Spoiler alert. It didn’t.
Hence, why we need the Rezvani TANK Military Edition.
This World War Z cruiser comes with two engines: a 6.4-liter, 500 horsepower V8 or a 6.2-liter 707 horsepower V8. If those figures look familiar, it’s becasue they are sourced from the Dodge Charger and Challenger lineup, the latter engine being of the Hellcat variety. And the TANK Military Edition is lighter than it looks too, clocking in at 4,300 lbs.
When fighting through the hordes, engage the magnetic dead-bolts and electrified door handles. As the zombies try to grab on, they will be in for a shock. After that, deploy the “Smoke Screen” feature so you can stage your getaway.
Starting MSRP: $295,000. But your other option is to re-enforce some parking shuttles. Ask the characters in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead how well that went. Spoiler alert. It didn’t.
This #Halloween season, drive something with teeth!Click To TweetThe Minivan
So you sold your soul. It’s not that bad. It’s like The Body Snachers kinda. Once you’ve been “snatched” you don’t exactly know it. You still walk around and stuff. Just without emotion. Like Adam Sandler in Click, minus the angelic Christopher Walken to mentor you.
Toyota Prius
At first glance, there is nothing scary about Toyota’s fuel sipper but consider this: while we should fear mountain lions, it’s the domesticated cats that subtly flop down in our path with the intention to trip us in our own home.
You have been warned.
Happy Halloween!
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

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2019 Toyota Avalon Appears In Detroit

2019 Toyota Avalon Appears In Detroit
Well, here it is, the all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon, which, to be honest, is the automotive equivalent of saying “here’s the all-new 2019 jar of mayonnaise!” I’m not trying to imply that the 2019 Toyota Avalon is a bad car, not at all. It’s not. What I am saying is that it is boring. Sure, sure, it has adequate power and handling, and enough comfort and convenience features and room to make you feel like you’re driving down the road in a medium-sized Tokyo apartment, but it is as exciting as getting pushed off a milk crate into a vat of marshmallow frosting.
Bland Or Bold?
Look, maybe I am being unfair here, but these things have always bored me to tears. I make no bones about either my general dislike of sedans or my firmly held belief that cars bleached of all spirit and soul are most likely to bleach me of my spirit and soul. I’m sure the 2019 Avalon is smooth and quiet and comfortable and reliable and slick and noiseless and relaxing and dependable and velvety and tranquil and secure and unfailing as a Kenny G solo, but no one in the automotive world will have their nether regions corrupted by this car. Ev-ver.
But (and this is a big but) if that is the kind of car you need at this point in your life, i.e. something innocuous, roomy, sedan-like, and Japanese, it’s hard to go wrong buying a 2019 Toyota Avalon. For 2019, the Toyota Avalon will come in four grades: XSE (which is all-new), Touring, XLE, and Limited. The Hybrid model Avalons come in XLE, Limited, and XSE.
2019 Toyota Avalon on display at the North American International Auto Show, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Gino D’Orazio for Automoblog.net.

Interior Treatments
As one would expect, the interior of the new Avalon is nicely thought out, with well executed comfort and tech features. The Avalon exists to get you from A to B and to do so without raising your heart rate (sad as that is). Depending on the trim level, you get stuff like specially engineered wood and a mix of Perforated Ultrasuede or Softex seats. Those seats come with either vertical stitching or a quilt pattern with special perforation, and two-color stitches.
Toyota points out how the soft-touch materials are noticeable throughout. It’s on the Piano Black trimmed center console, on the slim instrument panel leading into the doors, in the rear compartment – really just all over the place. That Piano Black finishing can also be found on the rear cup and device holders, and in the armrest between passengers. Throughout the interior are air vents, controls for the seat warmers, and USB charging ports.
The upholstery color choices, which I first thought would consist of beige, tan, taupe, champagne, and Caucasian, actually show more variation that that. The 2019 Avalon’s interior can come in Cognac, gray and beige, gray or black Perforated Ultrasuede, or gray, beige, or black Softex.
Cutting Down
Curiously enough, for being such a big car in its past iterations, the 2019 Avalon is marginally smaller here and there. Toyota trimmed the overall height by an inch, chopped 0.8 inches off the rear deck, and lopped off 0.4 inches from the rear overhang, and one inch from the front overhang. Although smaller, the Avalon is a little wider, now up to 72.8 inches total. The wheelbase was extended by two inches. This is actually an old styling trick most popularized by the Wide-Track Pontiacs back in the 60s.

Multimedia Amenities
Of course there’s a big screen on the dash: a nine-inch multimedia display that controls audio, navigation, and climate control. Below the screen is a slide-open eBin containing a 12-volt plug and the standard wireless Qi mobile device charger. There are three USB power ports located inside the center console. The instrument panel itself is a seven-inch Multi-Information Display, showing vehicle information, turn-by-turn navigation, and various vehicle settings. Both Limited and Touring models come standard with a 10-inch Heads-Up Display for vehicle and engine speeds, turn-by-turn directions, audio settings, and drive modes.
The stereo is an Owsley Stanley grade JBL performance audio system. It features 14-speakers, 1200-watts of power, and a tuned 7.1-channel surround sound system. Fitting, since JBLs are known for their fine, mellow, warm sound reproduction.
Power & Performance
The 2019 Toyota Avalon comes with two powertrain choices: normal and hybrid. The normal internal combustion engine is an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection and updated VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) and variable valve timing systems. Toyota says the V6 develops more power and better fuel economy through “D-4S direct injection” and the aforementioned updates to the VVT-iW and variable valve timing systems. Other V6 specifications include a 11.8:1 compression ratio; bore and stroke dimensions are 3.7-inches and 3.3-inches respectively.
The hybrid drive combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (direct injected) plant with Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing intelligent system by Electric motor). This is coupled to Toyota’s Hybrid System II with a 650-volt electric motor and Continuously-Variable Transmission.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Availability & In Person
Expect to see the 2019 Toyota Avalon on sale this spring. In the meantime, the vehicle is on display at the North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center, downtown Detroit. The show officially opens to the public on Saturday, January 20th.
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.
Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Drive-In Movie Theaters Are Alive And Well

Drive-In Movie Theaters Are Alive And Well

America is good at extinction. There were herds of buffalo the size of Midwestern states, and we nearly annihilated them. There were enough passenger pigeons to eclipse the sun, and we did annihilate them. Around 60 years ago, there were huge swaths of this country given over to a singular proposition: You can do it in your car. The drive-in restaurant. The drive-in dry cleaners. The drive-in liquor store. There was even a drive-in church. In SoCal, of course. And, just as such, there were drive-in movie theaters. Hundreds . . . thousands . . . of drive-in movie theaters across this country. Roughly 80 per state.
Today, in 2017, in the state of Washington (for instance) there are three. And I stumbled across one of them, still in operation, located in the rural Olympic Peninsula. I went to a movie there and, appropriately enough, that movie was Cars 3.
Unexpected Destination
Cars 3 (and this is not going to turn into a film review) is a good movie, and you should go see it. Not just from a gearhead’s perspective, although there’s lots of car related stuff to laugh at and notice, but as a good movie in and of itself. No, it’s not Citizen Kane or 2001, but it is a pretty good movie.
So, there I was, driving – actually, being driven – from a rural area of the Olympic Peninsula to Port Townsend, a town that, when it was founded ten years before the Civil War, was going to be the main city of the Washington Territory. Port Townsend was aiming to be the San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest. And it nearly was, before being usurped and surpassed by both Tacoma and Seattle. Now, Port Townsend is mainly a tourist destination, artist community, and a rather nice place to retire if you do not demand year-round sunny weather. It looks like what San Francisco did 150 years ago. Port Townsend is frozen in time.
We’re driving through the woods, heading toward Port Townsend. It’s a long, straight stretch of two-lane that, given the right car, you’d be really tempted to open it up . . . except for the blind driveways and rough logging tracks that come out of the lofty pine forests at oblique angles with mere feet of visibility. Suddenly there it was. An old, ten-foot by twenty-foot white marquee with the black stick-on letters that simply read:
Drive-In Movie Theater
Cars 3 & Transformers V
Fri. Sat. Sun.
At first I didn’t think much about it. But then the little wheels in my skull went “click-click-click” and I realized both of the movies listed were new movies.
“Is that an operating Drive-in theater?”
“Oh yeah,” she answered. “It’s really fun. They show different movies every weekend, mostly new stuff. We should go.”
“You’re darn right we should go,” was the only response the situation merited!
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.
Warm Welcome
The drive-in movie theater is called the Wheel-In Motor Movie. It was started by a family in, get this, 1953! The Grand Prix World Championship was only three-years-old at that time. Juan Manuel Fangio was a rookie driver. Stirling Moss hadn’t even started driving. The Wheel-In Motor Movie even pre-dates fins on Cadillacs and is a contemporary invention of the Shoebox Ford. And this place is still going. It’s still showing movies – that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own car – every summer. Perfect!
After you drive down a dirt two-lane cut through 100-foot tall fir trees, you come to the ticket office overseen by a nice, friendly gray-haired woman. She tells you what two movies are playing that night, the price (as I recall, a whopping $8.00 per person), takes your money (cards accepted), and tells you the radio frequency to tune to for the movie, should you choose to forgo the 60-year-old, window-hanger “Hi-Fi” speaker.
She says “thank you,” and you drive on for another couple hundred yards, through the trees, and into the drive-in theater itself.
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.

Wide Open Spaces
The parking area is large and nicely terraced for easy viewing. At the far end is a screen roughly the size of a tennis court. This screen, as it turns out, is brand new. The Wheel-In Motor Movie recently had to upgrade to a digital projection system and got a new screen to go along with it. The new screen sits on a gantry/scaffold-like, lattice-work structure made of locally sourced wood that looks like it could hold up a moon rocket.
Wood is all over the place around here. And so are extremely skilled carpenters. You think they were going to use steel I-beams?
Between us and the screen lies a no-man’s-land about the size of a football field. This area is awash with dozens of kids all screaming and throwing balls and doing cartwheels and scuttling and howling and running around like crazed maniacs. In other words, acting like a bunch of kids in a big open space before an event.
Around the perimeter stand those who I can only assume are the grownups responsible for these kids. It’s an easy assumption to make, since 90% of them have looks of deep satisfaction on their faces. It’s a look that any and all parents of six-year-olds will instantly recognize; a look that says, “they will sleep like cute little rocks tonight, and finally, finally, I can get a good night’s sleep.”
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.
Seating Arrangements
We begin to wander around, taking in the fading twilight and arriving cars. Everybody seems happy. Some people calmly sit in their cars, others strategize their plan for the night’s viewing. Blankets and comforters and pillows are produced, nests are made, serious discussions about who gets to sit where ensue: “Nuh-uh! Calling shotgun does not mean you get shotgun for the movie too, Travis!!”
As we wander up the gently sloping hill toward the back of the drive-in lot, I see a young couple and realize they are true professionals. Their (most likely his) bright yellow Ford pickup is parked backwards. Crammed laterally into the truck bed is a brown love seat most likely just liberated from their house. The young couple sit high up and in living room comfort, cuddled under a purple comforter. This, when I was in high school, was the preferred way to see a movie at the drive-in. Okay, actually, the really preferred way was in a car with steamed up windows and that cute girl from chemistry class, but let’s not get into that.
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.

Appetites & Audio Equipment
At the very back of the drive-in sits the snack bar and projector house. Entering into the snack bar, I get a strange sense of déjà vu. It all seems so familiar, apart from the glassed-off projector. And then I realize this is just like literally every other snack bar I’ve ever seen at a drive-in movie theater, race track, or other facility where the center of gravity is something that sits on wheels.
The food, amazingly, doesn’t look all that bad. Burgers, fries, that sort of thing, all made on site, and one at a time. None of this pre-packaged stuff made in a factory four states away and driven in by refrigerator truck every six weeks. I guarantee you these burgers are better than anything you’ll ever have in a chain restaurant.
On one end of the snack bar building sits the projector in a glassed-off room. The projector itself is about the size of a washer/dryer combo with a protuberant lens to give it a howitzeresque feel. It can, assumedly, throw photons down-range at such a rate that it has its own, dedicated air conditioning plant about the size of a washer/dryer combo. On the wall behind sits a 50s vintage rack mount cabinet. Up top is a low wattage FM transmitter unit, very modern and high tech, and at the bottom of the rack sits the DAs (distribution amps, an old style 70 volt system) and the PA amp. The PA amp is a massive tube and transformer unit that no doubt dates back to the original install. It looks like it has the power of an arc welder and weighs close to a V8 block and/or boat anchor.
Against the back wall sits a line of battered old shelves packed with now-unneeded splicing equipment, 35mm film reels, and a couple dozen extra window-hanger in-car speakers. These are for those that commit the primary and most mortal of drive-in movie sins: driving away with the speaker STILL HANGING ON YOUR WINDOW!!!! Don’t ever do that. You’ll look like a real stupe in front of your date and be the butt of all jokes in third period.
Photo: Tony Borroz for Automoblog.net.
The King’s Speech
As dusk gathers, we return to our car. We briefly turn on the radio (they’re playing the soundtrack from the first Guardians of The Galaxy) but we change our minds and opt for the window-hanger speaker. It has the sound quality of a Stasi listening device found in the American Embassy in Berlin, circa 1947. It is, in many ways, the cherry on top.
Kids are ushered back to their cars, some begging for one last toss of the Frisbee, one more touchdown run. Over the speakers comes the dulcet tones of the theater owner. I think it’s Dick Wiley himself, but it might be his son. And you can tell this is His Stage. This is what he lives for, these next few minutes as he patiently, gently, fatherly tells you The Rules and Mores of the Wheel-In Motor Movie. His spiel is rambling, unfocused, overly-long, and perfect. For him, it’s his St. Crispin’s Day Speech. The mic crackles off, the lights go out, and the movie starts (no previews at the Wheel-In Motor Movie, no sir).
I look over and see her blue eyes shining and a huge smile spread across her face. “This is going to be great,” she says without a hint of irony. And she’s right as can be. If you get the chance and there’s a drive-in movie theater near you, go! For a gearhead, it is part of our now-vanishing culture. The part where the car was to be the undisputed king. Where thoughts like making cars without tail fins made absolutely no sense. Sadly, and probably all too soon, these great drive-in theaters will go the way of the buffalo and passenger pigeon.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

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Volvo XC40 Getting Closer To Arrival, More Features Revealed

Volvo XC40 Getting Closer To Arrival, More Features Revealed

Volvo – safe, suburban, Swedish – has decided to expand its offerings in the SUV market. There’s gold in them thar hills, and almost any car maker would be stupid to leave the SUV market, and especially the SUV market aimed at wealthy commuters. So Volvo, who once only made large-ish SUVs, has expanded into hitting all market segments. Which brings us to the new XC40.
Benchmark Model
Volvo says the XC40 sets a new benchmark for design, technology, and safety in the small SUV market, but whether that Scandinavian confidence turns into profits remains up to buyers. It is fair to say the XC40, packed with all the tech from the 90 and 60 series machines and thoroughly modern, is worth taking a look at. The Volvo XC40, which includes safety innovations rarely offered among its competitors, aims to be among the safest, most well-equipped compact SUVs available, but also not break the bank. The launch model, the T5 all-wheel drive in Momentum trim, will start at $35,200. Customers who prefer front-wheel drive can pick up the T4 this coming summer for a starting MSRP of $33,200.
Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.
Essential Foundations
The XC40 is the first Volvo on the company’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), destined to be the foundation of all other upcoming Volvos in the 40 Series, including fully electrified vehicles. In addition to the T5 and T4 AWD and FWD versions, there will also be a hybrid and pure electric variant added later.
The XC40 is the smallest SUV offered by Volvo, slotting in after the XC90, Volvo’s largest SUV, and the midsized XC60. The introduction of the XC40 completes Volvo’s SUV range with a spectrum of body colors and the now ever-so-fashionable contrasting color roof. The XC40 aims to have a strong, structured profile with large wheels, wheel arches, and an 8.3-inch ride height to “provide a true SUV feeling.”
Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.

Interior Appointments
The interior is just as well thought out and clever as the exterior design and the engineering you can’t see. There’s an available panoramic sunroof to allow natural light into the cabin as well as integrated LED lighting that can be color adjusted to match the mood or temperature the driver desires. The mood lighting, which works quite well at night, aims to enhance the unique metal and textile materials used in the XC40.
There’s ample interior space for both people and things with smart, daily-use features like large door pockets, integrated bag hooks, and a customizable cargo area to help organize all that stuff a modern human can accrue during the day. And since we are 17 years into the 21st century, the XC40 has tech goodies like wireless QI mobile phone charging and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard 9-inch Sensus Connect touchscreen will help reduce clutter from charging cables and connectors. The system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and apps like Spotify and Pandora.
Photo: Volvo Car USA, LLC.
Safety & Security
Also standard on Volvo’s XC40 is City Safety. This detects possible hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, and (I’m not making this up) large animals. I hasten to point out that Volvos come from Sweden and, if legend is to be believed, Sweden is choked full of moose, bear, dear, elk, and a wide variety of “large animals.” Additional safety features include Pilot Assist, Runoff Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic alert with brake support, and the 360 camera that helps drivers maneuver their car into tight parking spaces.
Buyers of the XC40 get 4 years of Volvo On Call, along with the ability to share the car with trusted friends and family via a mobile phone app. Volvo doesn’t give many details, but I’m guessing it provides access to the vehicle, allowing certain people (or some other scheme) to actually fire up the XC40 and drive it.
New XC40s will be rolling off Volvo’s assembly line in Ghent, Belgium come this November, although Volvo is more than willing to take your order today at a local retailer. No details yet on cost and such, but Volvo says that will be released at the Los Angeles Auto Show, also in November.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Volvo XC40 Gallery

Photos & Source: Volvo Car USA, LLC.

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Apex: The Story of the Hypercar Review: Good Way To Get Your Fast Car Fix!

Apex: The Story of the Hypercar Review: Good Way To Get Your Fast Car Fix!

Release Date March 29 2016DIRECTORsJ.F. Musial, Josh Vietzewhere to watch itNetflixiTunes YouTubeGoogle PlayAmazon Prime

Apex: The Story of the Hypercar is a documentary about what a hypercar is, how it came about, and what it represents. The movie features interviews with such gearhead luminaries as Chris Harris, Christian von Koenigsegg, Dan Neil, Horacio Pagani, and Mike Spinelli. Clocking in at less than 90 minutes, Apex: The Story of The Hypercar is a great way to get your fast car fix.

At the most basic level, this is a beautifully-shot and wonderfully-edited documentary. Sure, there are other layers to it, but really it’s a bunch of beauty shots of fast cars with accompanying (and glorious) engine sounds. Add in a bunch of car geeks and builders narrating about what makes a hypercar, and you have a perfect gearhead movie for a Saturday night at home.

Perhaps it’s worth explaining briefly what is meant by the term hypercar. A hypercar is basically the next step beyond a supercar. The Ferrari 812 Superfast and Porsche 911 are supercars, or super-sports cars. If you go even crazier and build something like a LaFerrari or a 918 Spyder, then you get a hypercar. That’s what this movie looks at. The rarified world where only limited-production, high-horsepower cars will satisfy.

Fresh Set of Eyes

The linchpin of this film is the Koenigsegg car company and its main man, Christian von Koenigsegg. This is a good decision and makes the film all that more interesting. In a lot of ways, we already know what Ferrari and Porsche are doing. We know their long and successful histories on and off the track. By looking at a newer company like Koenigsegg, we are offered the opportunity see things through a fresh set of eyes.

When you approach the engineering challenges here with a blank sheet of paper, and with as few preconceived notions as possible, true innovation can flow. Or at least that’s what people like Christian von Koenigsegg seem to be getting at. And kudos to the boutique automakers from Sweden for building everything in-house. It has long rankled me the number of car makers that might make a frame and body panels, but buy everything else – the engine, suspension bits, brakes and such – from other suppliers.

Koenigsegg makes everything themselves. The chassis, body, engine, and transmission are all designed and built in-house, in Sweden. Shoot, Koenigsegg even makes their own wheels and get this: they make them from carbon fiber.

Surveying The Competition

Along the way, we do check in with Porsche, McLaren, and Ferrari to see their hypercars, the 918 Spyder, the P1, and the LaFerrari. There’s also a nice diversion with Horacio Pagani and his wonderfully-baroque and super-fast cars.

Related: The five best car movies on Netflix for the Coronavirus quarantine.In some ways, Pagani and Koenigsegg are two sides of the same coin. Two guys building the fastest boutique hypercars they’re capable of, in their own very individualistic ways, yet arriving at the same place. I mean, if you put them on the track together, there’s not much separating the Koenigsegg One:1 from a Pagani Huayra, but the cars are night and day different, aesthetically speaking.

Going Beyond Pretty Pictures

As I mentioned earlier, Apex: The Story of the Hypercar is filled with a number of beauty shots. However, J.F. Musial and Josh Vietze who directed the film don’t stop at just that. They take time to explore the in-depth questions, in particular the why: as in, why are people drawn to cars like this in the first place? Is it an ego thing? Maybe it’s pride?

Related: The five best car movies on Amazon Prime for the Coronavirus quarantine. If you look at racing documentaries from the 1950s or 60s, the psychology of “Why are you even doing this?” is barely touched on, if at all. It’s as if that was a taboo subject or, perhaps, just beyond society’s capacity for self-reflection at the time. Musial and Vietze do not have that issue with Apex: The Story of The Hypercar, and the film is all the better for it.

A Cut Above

Apex: The Story of The Hypercar is a cut above your usual automotive documentary. It’s beautifully shot, well edited, carefully written, and underpinned by interviews with articulate people who do it for a living. Apex: The Story of The Hypercar is definitely worth the 85 minutes. Next time you want to watch a good car movie, consider adding this one to your queue.

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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Original article: Apex: The Story of the Hypercar Review: Good Way To Get Your Fast Car Fix!

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