Automotive

Turf & Terrain: SUVs & Footballs Have Something In Common

Turf & Terrain: SUVs & Footballs Have Something In Common The Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots will square off in Super Bowl LII on Sunday, February 4th. At first glance, it may not seem like SUVs and game day balls have much in common, but believe it or not, there is an aerodynamic science to both. In advance of the big game, GMC and Wilson Sporting Goods gave us some insight into how SUVs and footballs are both influenced by aerodynamic design.
In The Tunnel
When it comes to the 2018 GMC Terrain, engineers spend more than 300 hours in the wind tunnel to refine the vehicle’s exterior. The process is extensive and involves balancing aerodynamics, functionality, and the brand’s specific design language. For example, the Terrain’s lifted stance exhibits the automaker’s said design language, but it also means more air will flow under the vehicle. This additional, unwanted air will pressurize the chassis components, increasing aerodynamic drag and lowering efficiency.
GMC’s engineers use testing and simulation to craft features that effectively guide air to the back of the vehicle. In the case of the 2018 GMC Terrain, aerodynamic modifications give the vehicle an EPA-estimated 26 combined mpg for AWD models, an increase of three mpg when compared to the previous generation.
“Reducing the aerodynamic drag of an SUV is always a challenge,” said Alicia Bidwell, GMC Aerodynamic Engineer. “The styling that you can see – and the mechanical components that you can’t – work together in perfect aerodynamic harmony.”
Photo: GMC.
On The Field
In a similar sense, aerodynamics are an essential part of game day footballs. Although the typical football is quite different from the average SUV, the Wilson team uses computational fluid dynamics, similar to how vehicle engineers do, when designing the perfect football.
“Many look at our NFL football and see it as a simple object, however, the amount of engineering, particularly in the area of aerodynamics, that has gone into the ball is pretty extraordinary,” said Daniel Hare, Aerodynamics Research Engineer, Advanced Innovation, Wilson Sporting Goods.
Wilson’s researchers have enhanced the shape of NFL footballs to match today’s more passing-centered game. Aerodynamic properties like velocity, direction of motion, and spin rate are analyzed and studied, meaning when your favorite quarterback let’s it loose on Sunday, the ball flies through the air in a more streamlined fashion. The leather pattern and height of the laces are designed to increase laminar airflow, otherwise known as airflow that is smooth and consistent with as little turbulence as possible.
“Every millimeter of the football has been designed to maximize the airflow around it,” Hare explained. “We can extend its flight, reduce drag, and help maintain stability as much as possible.”
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.
Photo & Source: GMC.

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Nissan NV200 Adds New Features For 2018

Nissan NV200 Adds New Features For 2018

Nissan has announced the U.S. pricing and new features for their NV200 Compact Cargo van. Upgrades for 2018 include a standard RearView Monitor, a 5-inch color audio display, USB connection interface, Bluetooth capability, and hands-free text messaging. Starting MSRP for the NV200 is $21,780 for the S trim, with the SV grade coming in at $22,780.
Nissan says the 2018 NV200 Compact Cargo van has a number of packages so owners can tailor the vehicle to their specific business needs.
Power & Performance
The NV200’s 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine creates 131 horsepower and returns an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in city, 26 on the highway, and 25 combined. The engine is paired with the next generation of Nissan’s Xtronic transmission. Nissan promises a small turning radius for easy parking and better overall maneuverability.
Versatility & Capacity
Nissan has designed a passenger seat that doubles as a work table when folded down. There are multiple mounting points to allow for the upfitting of various racks and bins.
Availability & Warranty
The 2018 Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo van is available now. The vehicle comes with a basic limited and powertrain warranty of 5 years or 100,000 miles.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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Automoblog Book Garage: Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

Automoblog Book Garage: Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

In one of his last roles, actor Paul Newman voiced the Doctor of Internal Combustion, aka Doc Hudson. The character was fitting for the thespian, who was a successful and respected racer and team owner in his time. When I was putting myself through school working at the local Fareway, I discovered Newman’s Own salsa and never looked back. In 2002, I must have watched Road to Perdition a dozen times; of all his roles, John Rooney is my favorite, although Frank Galvin and Luke Jackson make the list too.
Special Bonds
When he was 70, Newman entered the 24 Hours of Daytona and would end up racing until he was 82. In Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman we see the beginnings of his racing career at an age when most have long retired. The book details the Newman Haas era of drivers, the actor’s love of all things motorized, from trucks to hybrids, and the back and forth shenanigans he enjoyed with Robert Redford.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman shares a similar resemblance to a book we featured in this series on Steve McQueen. Both McQeen and Newman had a deep love for cars, and these Motorbooks’ titles do a wonderful job illustrating that.
Authors
Matt Stone is the former Executive Editor of Motor Trend and has been a working, professional automotive journalist and photographer since 1985. He is the author and photographer of multiple Motorbooks’ titles, including My First Car, 365 Cars You Must Drive, and McQueen’s Machines, featured in the above link.
Preston Lerner, a regular contributor to Automobile Magazine, has written about Motorsports for Sports Illustrated and The New York Times among others. In addition to this book on Newman, Lerner co-authored History’s Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed with Stone, also published by Motorbooks.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman is available through Amazon and Motorbooks. The book was later made into a documentary of the same name and directed by Adam Carolla.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman Gallery

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What To Say When Someone Asks “Can I Borrow Your Miata?”

What To Say When Someone Asks “Can I Borrow Your Miata?”

You know, this is serious business, this car world we gearheads inhabit. Our discussions are momentous. The faults we find in ourselves and others can have lifelong repercussions. Don’t get us started on the Serious. Technical. Flaws. that still bother us in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. So it’s nice when a car company decides to have a little fun. Especially when that bit of humor actually helps to answer A. Very. Serious. Question. How to respond when someone asks “can I borrow your Miata?”
Important Decisions
Now, to me, this is the absolute peak of Very. Serious. Questions. Yes, it’s because I am a gearhead, and even more so, it is because I am a Miata owner. Asking to borrow someone’s car is like asking to borrow their surfboard or their guitar or their spouse. It is a bad idea, nine times out of ten, and that tenth time better involve your house being on fire, the Mafia ransoming your cat, and Jason Momoa running off with your wife all in the same afternoon. If you ask to borrow my car, specifically my Miata, my response would involve a swift and righteous swing of that jeroboam of champagne up-side your fool head for even thinking about . . . just a second . . . got to cool down . . . go to my happy place . . . calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean . . . ah, there, that’s better.
What was I saying? Yes. Car companies with a sense of humor.
“When the original MX-5 Miata made its world debut on a frigid morning at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, few could have imagined its importance – and staying power – for the automotive industry,” reads a description on the car from Mazda. Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Funny Business
Mazda, the Hiroshima-based automotive concern that pretty much singlehandedly saved the lightweight sports car from oblivion in 1990, is the subject of a new, rather hysterical decision tree graphic to help you figure out if you should ever lend your Miata to someone. The whole thing was cooked up by RealMazdaParts.com, one of the largest online retailers of OEM Mazda replacement parts and accessories, and it’s hilariously tongue-in-cheek. The flow chart exists to help “Miata owners make an educated decision about whether or not to loan their car to a friend.” They correctly label the whole procedure as being “stress-inducing” and they got that right. But an educated decision? How educated do you have to be?
It turns out there are, well, let’s call them subtleties involved in sussing out the potential dangers of whom you’re loaning your Miata to. Bob Cockerham, Director of RealMazdaParts.com wisely says, “for instance, if your friend used to be a professional BMX racer, that’s probably not someone you want to hand the keys to.” No duh, Sherlock. Cockerham elaborates: “if that friend has a 4-a-day energy drink habit and owns the The Fast and the Furious box set, the decision tree indicates that you would be wise to decline.”
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Bottom Line
If a “friend” of mine owns that box set and consumes Red Bulls at a 4-a-day rate, I’d be reconsidering the entire friendship; unless that box set is owned ironically and they’re an IT professional. In which case that 4-a-day habit strikes me as being a little on the low side. Cutting to the chase, Cockerham sums the whole question up thusly: “According to our decision tree, there’s never a good reason to lend your Miata. To anyone. Ever.”
Please note this decision tree from RealMazdaParts.com only applies to Miatas. If you own a pickup, wagon, or van you are already (or will soon be) very used to handing the keys over to “friends” you didn’t even know you had.
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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New Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 = GO!

New Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 = GO!

It seems some of the diehard gearheads at Ford just couldn’t leave well enough alone and decided to trim out the Mustang GT a little further. Ford pretty much states this right up front with the apologia: “Passionate Mustang Team Works After-Hours to Create New Performance Pack for Ultimate Road-Hugging Thrill Ride.” Which is a rather polite way of saying, “the kids were playing around in the garage again, but what they came up with is pretty good, so we decided to go with it.”
Or to be a little more definitive, say hello to the new Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2, which slots between the GT Performance Pack and the full blown GT350.
Mad Men
How the Performance Pack Level 2 came to happen actually reads like a who’s who of Ford tech gurus, wrench turners, and grease monkeys. Tom Barnes, Mustang Vehicle Engineering Manager, signed off on the whole deal with a jaunty, “a passion to create something special is what really drove this project. And that really showed in the off-the-clock way we went about doing our work.”
The whole project was spearheaded by Tire and Wheel Engineer Chauncy Eggleston who led the development of the unique, 19-inch wheels that provide notable steering and handling improvements. Jonathan Gesek, another Mustang veteran and former aerodynamics specialist at NASA, lead the development of a high-performance front splitter and rear spoiler. Jamie Cullen, Ford Supervisor for Vehicle Dynamics Development, was in charge of road test efforts to tie the whole thing together.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Special Attributes
The 2018 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 features a unique chassis, special antilock brake tuning, unique stability control, electric power-assisted steering, Brembo six-piston front brake calipers with larger rotors, a special k-brace, larger radiator, silver-painted strut tower brace, and a TORSEN rear differential with a 3.73 axle ratio. Other highlights include the lower stance, the redesigned front splitter and rear spoiler, and 305/30/R19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, wrapped around split-fitment aluminum wheels – 19×10.5-inch front and 19×11-inch rear. Does split-fitment mean they are a two-piece thing? Dunno but that’s kind of a nice retro deal right there.
The new tires are one-and-a-half inches wider than the Level 1 skins and provide a firmer grip. And, since they’re bigger, that lead to the retuned chassis that put the car more than a half-inch closer to the pavement. The package is available exclusively with a manual transmission. Huzzah I say huzzah!
Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Ride & Handling
That new chassis also features custom tuned MagneRide dampers and a quicker steering calibration for better response. Other improvements include a 67 percent stiffer rear stabilizer bar, a 12 percent stiffer front stabilizer bar, 20 percent stiffer front springs, and rear springs that are 13 percent stiffer. Ford says this contributes to a more stable ride around corners with less body roll, to which I say “doi!” and I’ll also add that it will probably ride rougher and be more jarring. But I was always okay with that.
Aerodynamic Magic
The aero upgrades all center around the larger and lower front splitter and redesigned rear spoiler. The splitter is a variation based on the splitter from the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. Mustang engineers attached the piece to the underside of the front that fans out as much as 3 inches around the corners of the Mustang GT. The bottom line is about 24 pounds of downforce at 80 mph. To balance that out, a subtle redesigned rear spoiler stretches across the decklid to hold the rear down. During the development phase, the aero team even went so far as to rapid-prototype various rear spoilers using a 3D printer for faster turnaround times.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Distinguishing Traits
The only way to tell you’re dealing with a new Performance Pack Level 2 Mustang is the black detailing on the splitter and spoiler, the tire spat on the back edge of the rear wheel wells, and the 10-spoke Dark Tarnish (sheesh!) wheels. An optional extra (well worth it, if you ask me) for gearheads who buy the Level 2 Pack are Recaro seats in either leather or cloth, so you don’t slop all over the place while cornering.
The New Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 will reach North American Ford showrooms this spring, so you might want to get in line now.
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.
Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2 Gallery

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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2018 Porsche 718 GTS: The Cayman With A Sharper Bite

2018 Porsche 718 GTS: The Cayman With A Sharper Bite

Porsche’s 718 models are, essentially, hot rod versions of their rather sublime Boxter and Cayman mid-engine sports cars. The fact that they’ve designated them “718” is rather worrying and confusing for me, since I don’t follow the logic here. And, c’mon here guys, you’re German. If you can’t be logical with numbering conventions, then what’s the world coming to? What is not troublesome in the slightest, is the indisputable fact the 918, and most especially the 911 GT2 RS, haul the mail like an impatient Messerschmitt Me 262.
Power & Performance
The mid-engine 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman model lines now have a new GTS version. For those of you that don’t know this already, a Cayman is just the hardtop version of a Boxster (and is theoretically “better” since it has greater torsional rigidity). The main difference between the 718 and the new GTS is power. As in there’s more of it.
A reworked intake plenum and an optimized turbocharger gets you 15 horsepower more than on the S models of the 718, and a 35 horsepower boost over the previous generation of the naturally aspirated Boxster and Cayman GTS. The grand total of ponies emanating from the 2.5 liter, flat-four cylinder engine is now up to 365. Nice! The new GTS spinoffs come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, just like all 718 model variants, so you “stick shift or die” luddites should be happy. If you’re okay with changing cogs a better way, there’s a seven-speed Porsche PDK dual-clutch transmission available to order.
The GTS doesn’t stop there, oh no. There’s a batch of performance-enhancing options presented for your driving gratification. There’s Porsche Torque Vectoring with a mechanical rear-differential lock, which is near-magic in mid-corner on out power application. The Sport Chrono Package is standard on the GTS models along with Porsche Active Suspension Management, which drops the ride height by 0.39 inches (10 millimeters for you non-Americans) over the standard suspension on other 718 Boxster and Cayman models.
Along with that 365 horsepower (a pony per day!) max torque is a healthy 317 lb-ft. You “only” get 309 lb-ft. on manual transmission models, which is yet another reason to go with the PDK semi-auto box. All that grunt is available across a broad power band from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm, which further improves acceleration and adds to the inherent fun of “aim it and squeeze the trigger.” Both GTS models go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and top out at 180 mph.
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Exterior Design
Just so you know, the GTS isn’t a full sleeper; there’s some design cues here and there to tip you off. Porsche says the “Sport Design front fascia” emphasizes the performance of the car, along with the tinted front indicators and taillights. The model designations, that’s the script that says “GTS” and such, is done up in black, along with a black lower rear fascia, and black tips on the centrally mounted Sport Exhaust System. There’s also black GTS designations on the doors and matte black 20-inch wheels to complete the appearance.
Interior Treatments
The interior has the standard Sport Chrono Package centrally mounted on the dash. The seat centers are made of Alcantara and feature an embroidered GTS logo on the headrests, which is a nice touch. The chairs deliver high lateral support to go along with the heightened performance capabilities, but they’re also comfortable for longer drives. Alcantara also graces the steering wheel rim, center console armrest, and door armrests.
If you order the optional Navigation Module and Connect Plus Packages, the Porsche Track Precision App is included with the standard Sport Chrono Package. This app automatically records, displays, and analyzes driving data “obtained on closed courses” via your smartphone. Honestly, I’m not sure if it only works on tracks, or if you could use it any time you want. I could see where the Porsche legal team would want to slant things this way, though. Imagine if you started goofing around with your Porsche Track Precision App to, oh, let’s say “optimize” your daily commute. Nope. Let’s not imagine that.
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Pricing & Availability
So, you slavering gearheads, you’re probably already asking yourselves: “How much? When can I get one? How much? When can I get one? How much? When can I get one?” Calm down, calm down! You can get a 2018 Porsche 718 GTS now and the price is not all that ghastly. $79,800 for the 718 Cayman GTS and $81,900 718 Boxster GTS. Or, if you want to look at it this way, about what a nicely optioned Corvette would go for. So, like I said, it’s not outrageously expensive and, given how well behaved and fast these things are, well worth your consideration.
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.
2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Gallery

Photos & Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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Letter From The UK: Goodwill To All Men?

Letter From The UK: Goodwill To All Men? Exercising safety and patience is important this holiday season.
DriveWrite Automotive Magazine founder Geoff Maxted with a perspective.
The original purpose of this, my last ‘Letter From The UK’ of the year, was to update Automoblog readers on the latest Brexit (Britain leaving the European Union) information as it relates to the global motor industry. The ramifications of this could ripple around the world, including the USA, if the free-trade flow of cars is disturbed by trade tariffs and the like.
It is not as if the situation for the motor industry in Europe is especially healthy. Ford, for example, is discussing job losses at their German Saarlouis plant right now.
Despite some EU economies appearing to be doing well, there are dark, foreboding undercurrents. The Mediterranean countries, for example, are experiencing very high unemployment.
The Final Decision
The final momentous decision on the Government ‘deal’ was to have been voted on in the UK Parliament. Unfortunately, nobody likes the deal and the British Prime Minister decided to delay the final vote until she has a chance to get a better offer from the difficult, obstructive, and unelected suits in Europe. At the time of this writing, the PM has returned from the EU summit, seemingly empty-handed. Thus there is no change of circumstance.
We still do not know what is going to happen.
So instead I am going to discuss, as it is Christmas, the season of goodwill to all men, what it is like to travel around here by car doing the last of the Christmas shopping.
What are the holidays really about? Goodwill for all? Or has it become about something else entirely?
Christmas In The UK
Like Brexit, Christmas in Great Britain is kind of a big deal. Essentially, it starts in October; that’s how much we love it. Plump men (generally, but not necessarily), often with a hint of alcohol on their breath, dress up in red suits and white beards and pretend to be Santa Claus.
I remember, as if it were yesterday, when my parents told me Santa Claus was not real. I recall being very upset and very emotional. Distraught, I jumped straight in the car to drive home and tell my wife before going to my ‘wellbeing’ room.
Christmas has become something of a greed-spree these days; a time of excess. Any relation to any sort of religious festival is purely coincidental. Jesus Christ is an epithet. It’s also a bit of a hair-raising funfair ride on the roads. Astonishingly, despite many deaths caused by an excess of booze over the holiday period throughout the past decades, some drivers have still not learned that drinking and driving do not go together.
The lack of traffic police on our roads thanks to ‘cut-backs’ (what happens when your police force is run by accountants) has meant that erring motorists are rarely caught. And there has been a rise too in street violence.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol is a factor in 40 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes.
The More We Know, The Less We Learn
You would think, wouldn’t you, that drivers, fully experienced on our crowded highways, would know better and yet the accident rate has actually risen. Clearly, this demonstrates that the general public have to be compelled to behave; they cannot be trusted to do it themselves.
As my wife and I travel around to the local towns and shopping malls, we see astonishingly bad driving. We see people irresponsibly using devices they know to be illegal; we read that more than half of the people stopped by police for traffic violations are under the influence of, not drink, but drugs. People park poorly without any consideration for other road or sidewalk users. Imagine what it is like for a wheelchair user to have to venture into the road to get around a parked car.
Related: The Dead Don’t Lie: It’s time to take road safety seriously.
Being safe and cordial this holiday season will spread a lot of Christmas cheer to your fellow road users.
At Christmas time you would think we would care more for our fellow man but that seems increasingly not to be the case.Click To TweetGoodwill For All
In our supposed civilised world we are behaving badly and it is hard to know why. What is happening to our societies and our communities? At Christmas time you would think we would care more for our fellow man but that seems increasingly not to be the case. I wonder if we deserve cars at all?
Maybe, for us, here on our small islands on the other side of the pond, it is the uncertainty Brexit brings. As a nation I personally believe that no matter how well-to-do we might be in other ways, we fear for our family and our future, and this is reflected in our selfish behaviour.
It also stems, in my view again, from a government that is inept, disorganised, self-regarding, and completely out of touch with what the people want. You can see it all over Europe. Will 2019 show an improvement? Somehow I doubt it.
The best thing we can do is to ignore all this trivia and get on with enjoying Christmas and bringing in the New Year with our family and friends. Instead of emailing or posting a greetings card, why not get in the car, sober, and go and see them?
Have a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year America!
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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5 Reasons Why The Rivian R1T Should Make Tesla Nervous

5 Reasons Why The Rivian R1T Should Make Tesla Nervous The Rivian R1T is an all-electric truck from the Illinois-based manufacturer.
One powertrain option cranks out 700 horsepower and over 800 lb-ft. of torque.
At the moment, Rivian is unchallenged in this venture. Other automakers should take note.
The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show saw the unveiling of the Rivian R1T all-electric pickup truck. The U.S.-based automotive startup also showcased the R1S all-electric SUV. The company says both are the world’s first electric adventure vehicles.
And while electric SUVs are becoming commonplace (do the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-PACE, and Audi e-tron ring a bell?), the big car makers have yet to showcase an all-electric pickup truck – not even Tesla, mind you.
And while Tesla is currently developing their very own electric pickup, Rivian has beaten them to the chase. Feast your eyes on the Rivian R1T. It is the first-ever electric utility vehicle or EUV. And from the looks of it alone, this pickup truck is sure to make a splash when it arrives in late 2020.
Here are our top five reasons why the Rivian R1T is probably making Tesla nervous as we speak.
#1: The Rivian R1T Looks The Part
Rivian began in 2009 behind the vision of Robert Scaringe. The company unveiled their first plan to build electric cars in 2011. This gave them more than enough leeway to do it right the first time. And instead of building a humdrum electric hatchback, Rivian is pulling our heartstrings with what is purportedly the first production all-electric truck.
And boy, did they really nail it with the design! However, I have apprehensions on the front-end styling. There’s a thin illuminated stripe that runs across the width of the front fascia, which is nice touch. But if you add the pair of “stadium” LED taillights and the undramatic front bumper, it sort of looks like a hippopotamus in heat. But Rivian has a point. The front design makes the R1T easily recognizable.
Thankfully, things get better as you gaze your eyes to the sides and rear of the truck. In fact, you will find the same design cues in the R1S SUV. With short overhangs, a higher ground clearance, and commendable approach and departure angles, the Rivian R1T is screaming for adventure.
Barring the weird front styling, the Rivian R1T is a handsome-looking truck. The rear is simple yet elegant with just a thin LED light that runs across the width of the tailgate. It still has the familiar boxy look of a conventional pickup truck, but the edges are more rounded to give the truck a sleeker and modern look. Good job, Rivian!
Rivian R1T interior layout. Photo: Rivian.
#2: It’s An Active Lifestyle Vehicle
Yes, Tesla vehicles are a lifestyle choice, too. But they cater to a different sort of clientèle. On the other hand, Rivian is seriously targeting the active lifestyle niche. You know, the sort of people who buy an SUV or pickup and actually take it off the beaten path.
Let’s start with the interior. Tesla vehicles have minimalist cabins. I personally appreciate this approach to keep the dashboard clean and elegant. But the interior materials and build quality are not the strongest points of any Tesla vehicle, which Rivian is willing to address with the R1T.
“Although the exterior of the vehicle is what first attracts you, the interior is where you spend the most of your time, so we really focused on creating a transformational space inside our vehicles,” said Jeff Hammoud, VP of Vehicle Design at Rivian. “The biggest challenge was creating an interior design that delivered a premium experience.”
@Rivian is seriously targeting the active lifestyle nicheClick To Tweet#3: More Than A Pretty Face
Without a doubt, the Rivian R1T benefits from a beautiful cabin that seats up to five adults. The center display measures 15.6-inches and is oriented horizontally instead of vertically like in a Tesla. The instrument cluster is replaced with a 12.3-inch display like modern Audi and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The dashboard is flanked with sustainable wood and polished metal. The seats, steering wheel, and door panels are covered in leather to further add a touch of refinement.
Even the high-wear areas in the interior benefit from materials inspired by sportswear and active gear, which basically means everything is durable and easy to clean.
But the Rivian R1T is special because it’s an EV that can handle some pretty intense weather and off-road conditions. The battery pack is encased in carbon fiber and ballistic shields for maximum toughness. The vehicle can wade through river crossings up to three feet deep. The maximum tow rating is 11,000 lbs. It even comes with an adjustable air suspension that can be configured for highway and off-road driving.
Unless Ford, GM, or Tesla makes an electric truck, it looks like Rivian will go unchallenged in this segment.
The Rivian R1T is an active lifestyle vehicle. Photo: Rivian.
#4: Quad-Motors: Balanced & Linear Power
Why have two or three electric motors when you can have one at each wheel? That’s what we get with the Rivian R1T. This means the truck is riding on a quad motor, all-electric, all-wheel drivetrain. When paired with the massive 180 kWh battery pack (which is way more than what Tesla is offering right now), the Rivian R1T claims a 400-mile range on a single charge!
In that configuration, the Rivian R1T is churning out 700 horsepower and a mind-boggling 826 lb-ft. of torque. This is good for a zero to 60 mph time of 3.2 seconds.
But if you’re planning to tear down the dragstrip in your Rivian R1T, go for the mid-range option with the 135 kWh battery pack. It has a maximum power output of 750 horsepower, which reaches 60 mph in three seconds flat and provides a range of 300 plus miles. When was the last time a gasoline or diesel truck came with so much power?
The “smallest” version of the Rivian R1T comes with a 105 kWh battery pack. This is good for 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft. of torque. But this version is no slouch, either. It can scoot to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. All versions of the Rivian R1T have a top speed of 125 mph.
Photo: Rivian.
#5: Skateboard Platform: Stable & Secure
The Rivian R1T is built on a foundation the startup calls a Skateboard Platform. This means all the essential components (the battery pack, electric drive units, suspension, braking, and thermal management systems) are mounted below the height of each wheel.
“The beauty and elegance of our quad-motor setup isn’t just about brute power,” explained Mark Vinnels, Executive Director of Engineering and Programs at Rivian. “This architecture provides instantaneous torque with extremely precise control at each wheel, which is completely game-changing from a dynamics perspective, both on- and off-road.”
Pricing & Availability
Rivian will build the R1T pickup and R1S SUV at their 2.6-million square-foot manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois. Deliveries will begin in late 2020. Pricing for the Rivian R1T starts at $61,500 and $65,000 for the R1S after federal tax credits.
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.
Rivian R1T Gallery

Photos & Source: Rivian.

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Would You Drive This Vintage Aston Martin EV?

Would You Drive This Vintage Aston Martin EV? Take your favorite classic car and fit it with a modern EV powertrain.
That’s exactly what Aston Martin has done with a 1970 DB6 MkII Volante.
The reversible “cassette” powertrain concept is still sympathetic to the original car.
Aston Martin’s Heritage models are now part of their overall electrification strategy.
Here’s a lovely idea, and I mean that both figuratively as well as literally. Take a cool old car, in this case an Aston Martin 1970 DB6 MkII Volante, take out the old drivetrain, and replace it with a completely new electric one. Not only is it an interesting engineering exercise, but a much more elegant EV than anything else currently on the road.
Aston Martin isn’t the first car company to do this. Jaguar produced a limited run of E-Types that were converted over to EVs. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry drove one from their wedding to the reception.
So, if anything, that shows you can teach an old dog new EV tricks.
Side A & Side B
Created as part of Aston’s wider EV strategy, this electric DB6, part of the Heritage electrification concept, was developed in-house at the Newport Pagnell Works. It is built around a so-called “cassette” EV powertrain, meaning all the electrical stuff “plugs in” to where the old ICE stuff used to. Since it’s nearly a plug-and-play deal, you can take out all the EV gear and put back that silky, smooth straight six vintage Astons are known for. In other words, Aston Martin has future-proofed these exquisite machines by creating the world’s first reversible EV powertrain conversion.
Aston Martin started this project during the final development phase of the Rapide E, the EV version of their four door luxo sedan. Work on the Rapide E also dovetailed into planning for the new range of Lagondas, as well as the Aston Martin Works’ Heritage EV conversions.
By using this approach, Aston really thinks they’re on to something.
@astonmartin shows us you can teach an old dog new EV tricks.Click To TweetThe Aston Martin Works’ Heritage EV conversion program employs an “EV cassette” and key components from the Rapide E platform. Aston Martin says the car’s original integrity will remain, despite a modern EV powertrain. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
First Recorded Version
A 1970 DB6 MkII Volante, first hand-crafted at Newport Pagnell, is the first to receive the new cassette system, although the original engine and gearbox mountings are still in place. Enclosed within its own self-contained cell, umbilical cords from the power unit feed the car’s various electrical systems. Power management (i.e. how much juice and range you have) is taken and monitored through a new screen in the cockpit.
However, since this is not just an Aston Martin, but a vintage Aston Martin, that screen is “discreetly fitted to the car’s interior.”
Contemporary Yet Vintage
Aston was very picky, meaning the EV conversion should support the integrity of the original car. Aston Martin feels this trick cassette system offers the perfect solution, future-proofing the car in a socially responsible way, yet still being a genuine Aston Martin; with the option of returning its original powertrain if preferred.
Given the historical significance of these collector cars, it’s hard to argue with this philosophy.
And yes, in case you’re interested (and have the cash) this is most definitely not a one off. Now that they are done with this proof-of-concept DB6 Volante, Aston Martin Works’ will move forward with more customer Heritage EV conversions. They are expected to start sometime in 2019.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Negative Energy
There are, of course, downsides to this. Cost is the first one. Any Aston Martin is not cheap, especially old ones, and future cars like this DB6 Volante will likely cost you a pretty penny. The other downside is that even though this is an electric vehicle, it was not designed and built around where battery packs would go.
So the number of batteries, and hence, the all up range of these things, probably won’t be as good as a car designed from the ground up as an EV.
Positive Vibes
The real upside, though, is that if Aston Martin can do this, so could other car companies. I have long advocated this. Take the early 60s Kennedy Continentals. Big, massive, stylish – the perfect candidate for going with a full EV conversion. The trunks are huge (for a start). You can easily fit four Jimmy Hoffas in there. If you line the floor with batteries, you’d still have lots of room left over.
Weight? Who cares! Stock those things weigh two-and-a-half tons, so how bad could adding a slew of batteries make it. And throw some up in that yawning engine bay while you’re at it. Electric motors don’t take up much space, right?
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Now Imagine This . . .
If it were up to me, every car company worth its steel would be doing this. Imagine roads with EV Chevy Nomads and shoebox Fords, Chrysler Imperials, and Jag Mark 2s – only EVs! Silently wooshing down our streets and being demonstrably better cars than Nissan Leafs on class alone.
Until then, all I can say is thank you Aston Martin.
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.
Aston Martin Heritage EV Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

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