2018 GMC Terrain: Some Anonymity For Not Much Coin

2018 GMC Terrain: Some Anonymity For Not Much Coin

Have you ever noticed how many GM SUVs and vans there are on the road? It seems like the bulk of bigger SUVs are from The General, and it also seems like most municipalities buy GM when it comes to their service vehicles.
If I was one of those rich oligarch guys you see in movies driving a convoy of Ranger Rovers or something else sleek, black, tinted, and flashy, I think I’d go for a fleet of GMCs instead.
Blending In
As much fun as it is to show off what an insufferably rich jerk you are, and how much security you have, there’s another form of security these types are overlooking: Anonymity. You think the CIA and other law enforcement agencies want to stand out? Of course not. That’s why they all seem to tool around in GM SUVs and such, especially in the movies.
So, if you are an oligarch on a budget, or just getting wise to the whole concept of hiding in plain sight, then I’ve got good news for you: GMC just announced the prices for their Terrain line of midsized SUVs, and they are as inexpensive as they are anonymous. When it goes on sale this summer, pricing for the all-new 2018 Terrain will start at $25,970 and end up at a tick above $40k, which is actually pretty reasonable when you think about it.
The 2018 GMC Terrain SLT (left) and Denali (right). Photo: GMC.
Performance Tech
GMC says the all-new Terrain presents greater sophistication and flexibility to adjust to customers’ needs, and that it’s packed with more available features and advanced safety technologies than before. There are three all-new turbocharged engines for the 2018 GMC Terrain too. First off, there’s a 2.0L that will be available from the get go and, later on, customers can order a 1.5L or a 1.6L turbo-diesel. That new 170 horsepower, 1.5L turbo plant is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, meaning things should be smooth from the flats and up long grades.
The diesels of course being the go-to choice for preppers, TEOTWAWKI-types, and doomsday hopefuls.
And it’s not just engines either. There’s a host of standard premium features such as a driver-controllable Traction Select system, LED daytime running lamps as well as taillamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a flat-folding front passenger seat. The latter is handy for longer cargo and those runs to the lumber store.
Photo: GMC.

Creature Comforts
The Terrain Denali, which is the full-zoot, all the comfort and convenience features an oligarch could want model, gets a standard 252 horsepower, 2.0L turbo engine along with 19-inch “ultra-bright” machined aluminum wheels. LED headlamps, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel – which will be great in northern winters – and a hands-free power programmable liftgate are included. Yes, that’s my question too: What can you possibly program in a liftgate? Don’t those things live in only one of two states: Open and closed? Well, whatever, you can program this one.
The Terrain Denali also gets a standard 8-inch diagonal infotainment display with navigation, plus a Bose premium seven-speaker audio system for your tunage. There’s a gigantic batch of “connectivity technologies” (as GMC puts it) including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a standard in-vehicle OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard safety features include Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Safety Alert Seat.
2018 GMC Terrain Denali interior. Photo: GMC.
Price Points
Pricing breaks down thusly, with the Terrain SL FWD at $25,970, on up to the SLE Diesel AWD ringing up at $34,315. The high end is, of course, the Terrain Denali that starts at $38,495 for the FWD model and tops out with the Denali AWD at $40,245. Between those two are the Terrain SLT models, with the SLT FWD costing you $32,295 and the SLT Diesel AWD setting you back $36,890.
So there you go, upcoming oligarchs on the move, or soccer moms on a budget: The GMC 2018 Terrain. It works, there’s dealerships all over the place, it’s pretty anonymous but stylish, and reasonably priced.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2018 GMC Terrain SLT. Photo: GMC.
Photos & Source: GMC.



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-gmc-terrain-some-anonymity-for-not-much-coin/

2017 Honda Civic Type R Sets Nürburgring Lap Record

2017 Honda Civic Type R Sets Nürburgring Lap Record

Okay, three things here: 1) Honda’s latest hotrod Civic, the Type R, set a time on the Nürburgring of 7 minutes 43.80 seconds, which is a very fast time indeed; 2) That is a record time for any front-wheel drive car; 3) Nürburgring records are not to be trusted.
Okay, so maybe number 3 is a bit arch, but there is a growing opinion on racing websites and sites maintained by track-tards of one stripe or another that Nürburgring lap times, especially ones claiming to be “records” are to be considered suspect.
Ring of Fire
The reasons for this suspicion are many, but they all break down to the fact that a time on the ‘Ring is more or less done on the honor system. And in the past, various manufacturers have been rumored to be using special compound, one use tires, and monkeyed up ECUs that were far from factory stock and the like so they could set a quick time and get some free PR for a while. All that said, 7 minutes 43.80 seconds is a really quick time for a lap of the Nürburgring, especially for something with all the handling faults of a front driver.
The new Type R will be launching in two months, so this is a very well timed bit of record setting. At 7 minutes 43.80 seconds, that lap is an advance of nearly 7 seconds over the previous-gen Type R, although Honda graciously points out that was the European market Type R, which was hotter than the North American version. And overall, the new benchmark lap time beat the previous record by over 3 seconds. Naturally there’s a video of the lap, which we have included below.
The 2017 Honda Civic Type R in action on the Nürburgring. Photo: Honda North America.
Power & Performance
Honda chalks up the record, first and foremost, to the new engine in the 2017 Civic Type R. After all, they are called the Honda Motor Company for a reason. Said plant is a 2.0-liter VTEC TURBO engine turning out 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. Which, let’s face it, is a lot for such a little mill. No specs were given on the amount of boost being produced, but they’ve got to be squeezing the bejeebers out of that little four-banger. It is also worth noting this engine makes the new Civic Type R the most powerful Honda ever sold in America. Also of note, the lump is made right here in the U. S. of A. at Honda’s Anna, Ohio engine plant.
That 2.0-liter VTEC engine is hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission with new, lower gear ratios to improve acceleration, which is what this thing is going to be all about, because something tells me top speed is not going to be stratospheric. Oh, and speaking of outright speed, the new Type R’s aerodynamic package is there to deliver stability and balance.
Weight Reduction & Suspension Tech
Honda says the all-new Civic Type R is over 35 lbs. lighter than the previous-generation model, again from the European market, which are lighter than “ours” anyway. Honda does not say what the all up weight is, which is a pity, and also makes me wonder even more about that lap time.
The new Type R, has an all-new multi-link rear suspension for enhanced stability under braking and for reducing the total roll movement. This makes for further late braking into corners and helps to achieve higher cornering speeds during the lap. Again, obviously focusing on the car’s strengths – braking, cornering, and acceleration – since it’s not going to top out like a McLaren. The new Type R features a wider track and tires and a longer wheelbase, with that new multi-link suspension out back. The new R also boasts a 38 percent gain in torsional stiffness.
“The cornering speed achieved in the new Type R is higher because the car features a wider track and tires, a longer wheelbase, a new multi-link suspension in the rear, and optimized aerodynamics that improve stability,” said Ryuichi Kijima, Lead Chassis Engineer. “With improved cornering performance, we can increase the speed throughout the lap, helping the new Type R to achieve a much quicker lap time.” Photo: Honda North America.

Caveats & Quickness
And speaking of equivocating and hedging of ones bets and raising of eyebrows, check this out from Honda’s press release: “The pre-production development Civic Type R that achieved the lap time was technically representative of production specification. A full floating roll cage was installed for safety reasons, but did not provide any additional rigidity to the body frame. The extra weight of the cage was compensated for by the removal of the Display Audio system and rear seats. The car was using street legal, track-focused tires.”
Let me just break that down a little: “Pre-production development” sure, but that’s not the same as “production” is it? “Technically representative” Really? That doesn’t sound like a loophole you could drive a track record through, nope. “Full floating roll cage . . . did not provide any additional rigidity.” Horse manure! “The removal of the Display Audio system and rear seats,” which weigh how much, in total in comparison to the weight of a full roll cage? And my personal favorite: “street legal, track-focused tires.” If I have to explain why that last one is just as big of a loophole as “technically representative” . . .
Anyway, those cavernous caveats aside: 7 minutes 43.80 seconds. That’s quick. Real quick. Dial up your own Type R in Forza on your Xbox and see if you can hit those marks, because I couldn’t.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos, Video & Source: Honda North America.



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-honda-civic-type-r-sets-nurburgring-lap-record/

Letter From The UK: The Audi R8 Experience

Letter From The UK: The Audi R8 Experience


Picture this: A small brown field mouse breaks cover and arrives at a junction of grass and hard surface. It is a beautiful day; there are very few people about and the countryside is quiet. Somewhere nearby a bird sings in the trees. The mouse reaches out a tentative paw but suddenly pulls back just as a howl fills the air and an Audi R18 e-tron Quattro flashes by in a fury of heat and noise.
The mouse has almost learned the first lesson of motor racing the hard way: never try to cross the Mulsanne Straight on a Le Mans practice day!
From Race To Road
It was a sad day when the German brand announced they were withdrawing from the World Endurance Championship at the end of 2016. Audi’s consistent success at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour event is reflected by the brand’s consistent success on the road. And it is on the road that Audi produced another success story.
In June 2007, a road-going sports car that honored their racing heritage, and which was destined to garner awards and praise across the world – and from me – arrived. The Audi R8.
Based on the earlier concept designed by Frank Lamberty and Julian Honig, the R8 was introduced to the waiting world in 2006, and deliveries began the next year with immediate success. Less raucous than some other supercars, the R8 is civilized and comfortable with a subtle soundtrack, superb throttle response, and the sort of scorching performance that slots the vehicle easily into the supercar sector.
Photo: Audi AG.
Craftsmen Built
The Audi R8 is still hand-built, mostly by craftsmen whose skills are regularly monitored to ensure the high standards they achieve are maintained. The Audi R8 started life with a 4.2L V8 nestled behind the driver. It was later joined by a desirable Spyder version, both of which were subsequently offered with a stonking V10 engine for even more power. A sports suspension with a dynamically tuned spring and damper combination provided that desirable Audi driving experience.
In 2012, the Audi R8 LMS, essentially a racing version of the street car, won its class at the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring without a single mechanical problem; the only car to do so.
Fascinating Facts
 The Audi R18 e-tron Quattro was the first hybrid Audi Le Mans race car with its partially electrified hybrid drive. The e-tron Quattro is a four-wheel drive car with hybrid (KERS type) technology powering the front wheels and a diesel engine driving the rear wheels.
Did you know that just one kilometer with the R8 during testing on the Nurburgring Nordschleife is the equivalent of fifteen kilometers on public roads? That’s how much demand is made on the cars.
Just 120 of the factory’s best employees qualify to work on the prestigious R8 assembly line. More than half of R8 workers are over 40. It is said the easiest way to spot them is to look for the gray hair. The factory calls them “silverliners.” Obviously, not to be confused with male mountain gorillas known as silverbacks!
In Latin, Audi means “hear” and the German word for hear is “horch.” Audi’s founder was August Horch.
In 1938, crash tests were first carried out by Audi. These tests gave the company an idea about how cars would behave in case an accident occurred. Without realizing it, the company had set a precedent for all other car manufacturers.
In 1932, Audi joined forces with three other companies to form Auto Union – a name that was to have legendary success on the racetracks of the time. The original four companies of Auto Union are represented by the overlapping rings of the Audi logo.
This Audi AG press image shows a beautifully restored 1939 Auto Union Type-D Twin Supercharger model.


R8 At The Movies
Producers of the original Iron Man cast the R8 as the ideal sports car for high-tech billionaire hero Tony Stark. The R8 space frame was so well-built it changed the ending of the film. The stunt directors originally planned to collide the R8 with Iron Man’s adversary, and flip it over. But it wouldn’t flip. The filmmakers tried a different stunt, but the Audi R8 still prevailed!
Snug behind the driver and helping to provide perfect balance and road holding sits the heart of the R8 – the engine. There’s a choice of power plants originally derived from the engines that helped Audi win Le Mans. The first generation (2007-2015) had a 4.2L V8 with 430 horsepower or a feisty 5.2L V10 delivering 532 horsepower. Today, the R8 features two V10 engines, one with 540 horsepower and a plus version with a muscular, free-revving output of 610 horsepower.
Yet each one remains reliable and refined. From beginning to end, the development of the Audi R8 is about the evolution of the look of the car and the revolution that goes on inside the car.
Photo: Audi AG.
Life In Your Car
Every once in a while, a car comes along that inspires those who see it. Some cars are just made to drive: a triumphant combination of tried and tested four-wheel drive, highly developed engineering, and the care and attention of the people who built it. The Audi R8 is just such a car and it is visiting me again this summer. Be still my beating heart – and yours be still as well as you listen to that particular sound of power.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/letter-from-the-uk-the-audi-r8-experience/

Today Only: Grab This Portable NOCO Jump Starter for 47% off Before it’s Gone!

Today Only: Grab This Portable NOCO Jump Starter for 47% off Before it’s Gone! Update: It’s already sold out! But you can grab other great automotive deals from Woot.com here.



Jumper cables in a crowded parking lot? No thanks! We all know how much of a challenge that can be. The car you are trying to jump is never in an ideal position, the battery is always on the “wrong side,” and jumper cables will only stretch so far.



Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.The NOCO GB50 is a better solution. It’s a lightweight and portable jump starter. With it, you can safely jump start a dead battery in seconds – up to 30 times on a single charge. The NOCO GB50 is rated at 1500-amps, suitable for gasoline engines up to 7.0-liters and diesel engines up to 4.5-liters. 



For those late winter nights when your car won’t start, the NOCO GB50 has a 200 lumen LED flashlight with seven modes, including an emergency SOS function. And its internal battery will recharge any personal devices like smartphones and tablets.



Today only (5-3-2020) you can get 47 percent off the NOCO GB50! Since the unit normally retails for $200, this is an excellent value. This is something every gearhead needs in their garage!





Original article: Today Only: Grab This Portable NOCO Jump Starter for 47% off Before it’s Gone!



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/today-only-grab-this-portable-noco-jump-starter-for-47-off-before-its-gone/

Most Common Road Accidents & What to Do After a Crash

Most Common Road Accidents & What to Do After a Crash Similar to death and taxes, road accidents are an unfortunate part of life, especially on today’s highly-congested roads. Our buddies at Your Legal Friend came up with a unique infographic to explain the most common road accidents in the UK, which are surprisingly similar to the crash rates in the United States.
Your Legal Friend recently conducted a study on the dynamics and circumstances surrounding road crashes. The firm leveraged their experience in personal injury law to analyze more than 25,000 incident reports. Their findings are something we should all pay attention to, regardless of where we live.
For example, from the Your Legal Friend study, we see a trend between the most common types of road accidents and the types of people most likely to be involved in a crash. We even see how some parts of the year are worse than others. Did you know road accidents are most likely to occur on a Friday in July? Here are the highlights of the study Your Legal Friend conducted.

It Doesn’t Matter Where You Live
If you previously thought our British neighbors were better and safer drivers, think again. The specific correlation between vehicular accidents in the U.S. and UK are strikingly similar.
The USA ranks as one of the busiest countries in terms of road traffic. There were approximately 6.3 million fatal injuries and property damage crashes in 2015 alone. In fact, the U.S. ranks first in crash deaths per 100,000 people and per 10,000 registered vehicles.
The U.S. also ranks second-highest in deaths involving alcohol at 31 percent, which is next to Canada.
Things aren’t as rosy in the United Kingdom, either. There were 1,792 road deaths in 2016. This is a jump of four percent compared to 2015. There were a total of 181,384 casualties of all severities in 2016, which was probably caused by the increase of motor traffic (2.2 percent) between 2015 and 2016.

The Most Common Road Accidents
According the Your Legal Friend study, 70 percent of drivers who cause road accidents are male and between the ages of 30 and 32. In fact, the study revealed you are most likely to be on the receiving end of a crash by the age of 32.
If you happen to be in Bradford or Birmingham in the UK, it is best to keep an eye on your rearview mirror. The study found the most common type of crash is being hit in the rear. This accounts for 38 percent of all collisions on the road.
Junction and roundabout collisions, and accidents while changing lanes account for 13 percent, six percent, and five percent respectively. It is reported that a startling 59 percent of victims in car accidents are also male. I guess we can all blame excess testosterone for that.

What You Drive Could Matter
I previously mentioned that road accidents are most likely to occur on all Fridays in July. It might have something to do with the freak UK weather and people rushing to the nearest pub. Also interesting is the list of top vehicles involved in causing accidents. It includes the Ford Fiesta (which is a best-selling car in the UK), the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van (which happens to be a top-seller behind the Ford Transit), the Ford Focus, and the Vauxhall Corsa.
The Ford Fiesta is also among the top vehicles most likely to fall victim to a crash, along with the Ford Focus, Audi A3 (because Audi owners reputably drive too close to the car in front?), and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
I guess the lesson here is safety should be a top priority. Don’t drive a Ford Fiesta and stay away from Mercedes vans on the road.
Oh, and drink your lager on a Saturday instead.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Photo: MBUSA.
Things To Remember After An Accident
Stop the vehicle. It doesn’t matter if the crash is mild or severe. Stop the car and don’t even think about leaving the scene of the accident. You could get charged with a criminal offense.
Try to remain calm. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but a calm mind will allow you to quickly assess the situation.
Take notes and take photographs. Snap some images depicting the damage and the scene of the accident. This holds true no matter who is at fault.
Call the police immediately. After making sure that you and your passengers are safe and sound, it is best to call the police for immediate assistance.
Avoid saying sorry or taking blame. Even if you happen to be at fault, it is best to analyze the situation further. It is better to simply ask how the other driver is doing and if they suffered any injuries.
Conclusion
If you were the victim of a car accident and would like to seek compensation, Your Legal Friend, who conducted this study, can advise you. In the meantime, please avoid distracted driving to keep the roads safer for each and every person.
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. 



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/most-common-road-accidents-what-to-do-after-a-crash/

Ford Is Pounding The Daylights Out of The New Ranger (Video)

Ford Is Pounding The Daylights Out of The New Ranger (Video) Ford is pounding the tar out of the new Ranger, set to arrive early next year. In the last few years, midsize trucks have made quite the comeback, evidenced by the return of the Colorado and Canyon, and a redesigned Tacoma and Ridgeline. So naturally, the Blue Oval decided it was time to get back in the game, and even gave us a glimpse of the new Ranger at the North American International Auto Show in January.
In a new video, we see just what Ford is up to with the Ranger. As you watch it, you almost feel sorry for the truck. It really takes a beating.
Torture Test Theme
This is not the first time Ford has thrown knock out punches at their trucks. In 2011, the company filmed a series of “Torture Tests” to promote the 3.5 Ecoboost engine for the newly-redesigned F-150. The series, hosted by Mike Rowe, saw the trucks tackle a number of outrageous challenges, from hauling logs in the Pacific Northwest, to hauling you know what around Homestead-Miami Speedway with a loaded trailer.
Now the Ranger is receiving the same treatment as its older brother, and some of the tests are so intense, robotics are utilized because it’s simply too harsh for humans to endure!
“We torture every component – from its high-strength steel frame to its EcoBoost engine, to its cloth and leather-trimmed seats – to ensure Ranger is ready for any season and nearly any terrain,” said Rick Bolt, Chief Engineer, Ford Ranger.
2019 Ford Ranger on display at the North American International Auto Show, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan.
Aggressive Approach
Ford’s rigorous, perhaps even nontraditional, approach to ensuring the Ranger’s capability starts in the lab, where the truck is subjected to a four-post shaker table. This contraption does exactly what it sounds like and is used, for days on end, to weed out any squeaks and rattles in the chassis. Testing then progresses to more intense, real-world challenges. The Ranger has been as far away as the Australian Outback and as close to home as the company’s Michigan Proving Grounds for various tests.
Davis Dam in Arizona is a prime location for testing, and Ford made an appearance there with the 2011 F-150 in the aforementioned videos. Similar to the F-150, the new Ranger is subjected to the high temperatures and steep grades of Davis Dam while towing trailer.
The video is below. While we are excited to see the truck when it’s finally released, we do have one question in the meantime? How do you get a job at Ford driving the Ranger for these tests?!
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.

Photos, Video, & Source: Ford Motor Company.



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/ford-is-pounding-the-daylights-out-of-the-new-ranger-video/

Subaru Ascent Production Begins In Indiana

Subaru Ascent Production Begins In Indiana The Subaru Ascent, the company’s new three-row SUV, is one step closer to the showroom as production is now underway. Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant has the honors where the SUV’s production will provide approximately 200 new jobs and $140 million in equipment and expansion investments. The plant already produces the Outback, Legacy, and Impreza.
Charitable Giving
To mark the occasion, members of the famous Subaru canine family, The Barkleys, visited the facility. Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. also presented $8,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations focused on animal welfare: Almost Home Humane Society, Loving Heart Animal Shelter, Natalie’s Second Chance No-Kill Dog Shelter, and North Central Indiana Spay & Neuter.
Subaru has worked with the Center for Pet Safety in the past.
Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Continued Growth
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. has grown considerably in the last five years, adding more than 2,000 team members. With the Ascent, the facility is expected produce about 400,000 vehicles annually, having already assembled over five million since opening in 1989.
“The Subaru Ascent is a great addition to our production line-up,” said Tom Easterday, Senior Executive Vice President of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. “Production of this outstanding new family vehicle allowed us to create hundreds of new jobs at SIA, and also at our suppliers in Indiana and across the country.”
2019 Subaru Ascent. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
 
Specifications & Availability
The Ascent is the largest Subaru ever built, riding on a 113.8-inch wheelbase with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and seating for eight. Family-oriented features include rear doors that open 75 degrees, making access to the third-row seats easier. The vehicle is powered by a 2.4-liter Boxer engine that creates 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft. of torque. All-wheel drive is standard.
The 2019 Subaru Ascent arrives this summer and will be offered in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/subaru-ascent-production-begins-in-indiana/

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Gets New Touring Plus Trim

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Gets New Touring Plus Trim

So I have been sick, and also dealing with daily life for a bit, but now back in the saddle, I check my work folder, and what do I find? A story to be written about an expansion to the Chrysler Pacifica minivan lineup. I stare at that word: Minivan. And I am reminded of the Hebrew prophet Job who said: “If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target?” (Job 7:20)
A minivan? A minivan! A minivan. Minivan.
Able-Bodied
Look, I understand. There are perfectly reasonable, understandable, relatable, and other-ables for getting a minivan. I won’t go into those. You know all those. They are the knowns that gnaw at your soul as you shake your head at the thought of getting a sports car. And for that, I pity you. However, if you are . . . uh, obligated to getting a minivan, the Pacifica is very much worth considering. First off, the Pacifica is from Chrysler. And Chrysler are the folks who invented the minivan. So if anybody is going to know what works and what doesn’t in a minivan, it’ll most likely be Chrysler.
The other thing is how Chrysler loaded it with the sort of goodies, niceties, and well-thought-out features that help the Pacifica attain its sole goal in life: Safety and practicality.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Workaday Wonder
Consider the latest addition to the 2017 Pacifica lineup, the Pacifica Touring Plus. Check this option package, and you get a power liftgate, three-zone automatic temperature control, a premium fascia, projector headlamps, LED tail lamps, fog lamps, second- and third-row sunshades, and a universal garage door opener. Okay, so a “premium fascia” isn’t focused on the practical, but it’s not a sin to look good either.
The Pacifica also brings gasoline and hybrid powertrains to minivans as well as more than 100 available safety and security features. There is also the all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system to keep the little nippers at bay, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies. If you order 18-inch wheels and the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen system on the Touring Plus model, you will also receive a single overhead DVD player at no charge.
The Chrysler Pacifica Touring Plus joins the LX, Touring, Touring-L, Touring-L Plus, and Limited. The Touring Plus is in dealer showrooms now, with a starting MSRP of $32,360. So, sure, if you have to get a minivan, for whatever reason, the new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring Plus is worth a look.
Photo: FCA US LLC.

People Ready
Minivans are, by a far margin, the most practical vehicles you can choose. They offer the maximum amount of interior volume while simultaneously taking up the least amount of square footage on the road. They can haul a lot of people, including a whole sports team worth of kids. They can haul stuff like Ikea furniture. They can haul people and their stuff. Like an entire Pee Wee hockey team and their gear. The once boxy design is now even aerodynamically efficient. They cannot, however, haul your soul at inspiring speeds with angelic agility through a mountain pass on an early morning – but that’s okay. We’ll give the Pacifica a break on that.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-chrysler-pacifica-gets-new-touring-plus-trim/

Bonhams Announces 18th Annual Aston Martin Sale

Bonhams Announces 18th Annual Aston Martin Sale

Bonhams, that ever so upper-crusty British auction house looks to carry on its rather profitable relationship with Aston Martin, that ever so upper-crusty British car maker. For nearly the past two decades, the two have paired up to hold a single marque auction of the finest Newport Pagnell automobiles currently being pried from the grasp of their lucky owners.
No, in case any of you metalheads out there are wondering, Bonhams, the auction house, has no relation to Bonham, the late drummer for Led Zeppelin.
Although I do admit that would be both rather cool and rad, it is not the case. Bonhams (the auction house) is so very, very proper and British and reserved. And John Bonham was none of those things other than British.
DB2 Drophead Coupé
At any rate, the fine old British auction house will be setting up shop this month at the Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, the spiritual and for a time, literal home of Aston Martin. Newport Pagnell is right in the middle of The Midlands and, location-wise, about as British as Downton Abbey. Indeed, it is this old location that many of the cars coming up for auction were built. The cars on the list are very impressive indeed.
For starters, there is a stylish 1953 DB2 Drophead Coupé. The British pronounce it like that, cooPAY, unlike us yanks, who say COOP. This would be the second of the DB series, and although not as recognizable as the DB5 that Sean Connery tooled around in, it is a plenty desirable car. It’s also a convertible (what the English refer to as a “Drophead”) of which Aston made very few of.
Aston Martin Vantage GT12. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Vantage GT12 Coupé
The most modern car to cross the blocks will be a special edition 2016 Vantage GT12 Coupé. Aston Martin only made 100 of these performance-focused road-going Vantage GT12s, and this is the only one produced in an outstanding Viridian Green paint. It sort of seems like a shade seen in a tropical jungle; a “special colour” created by bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin. Get it? Q? Like James Bond’s armorer played by Peter Burton/Desmond Llewelyn/John Cleese/Ben Whishaw? Uh? Get it?
Get used to it – Aston really has been playing up this whole James Bond connection stuff lately. Anyway, the 2016 Vantage GT12 Coupé cranks out a little over 591 horsepower and is expected to hammer between £350,000 – £450,000. Or around 500K in real Yankee dollars.
Aston Martin DB6 Volante. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
DB6 ‘Mark I’ Volante
There is also a 1968 DB6 ‘Mark I’ Volante up for sale. One of the rarest post-war Aston Martins, it was extensively refurbished by Aston Martin Works at the factory in 2012. Since then, the car has only covered 1,000 miles and is estimated to sell between £700,000 – £900,000, or around a million bucks, give or take. This car, the convertible DB6, premiered at the 1965 London Motor Show, and also debuted the ‘Volante’ name, another Aston Martin designation for a convertible. Only 140 of these ‘Mark I’ DB6 Volantes were ever produced, making this “a highly sought-after collectors model,” which is a great example of “British understatement.”
There will also be a DB5, along with a number of graceful DB6s from the 1960s. Although the 6s were better performers than the DB5s, they never had that 007 cache’ so they are a relative bargain. In much the same way that gold is relatively “cheaper” than platinum.
Aston Martin V8 Sportsman Estate. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.


V8 Sportsman Estate
Bonhams will also be auctioning off a very rare V8 Sportsman estate car. An estate car is yet another one of these peculiar British things that’s sort of like a two-door station wagon. Very well-healed gentlemen (read that as filthy rich nabobs) would get these things made up every so often so they could use them on their farm, or to go pheasant hunting or things along that line. Think of the automotive equivalent of the elbow pads on a tweed jacket, and you sort of get the idea.
This particular V8 Sportsman estate car is very rare indeed, being one of only three created.
Sale Date
Don’t have the space in your garage or checking account? Bonhams points out there will also be an auction of a wide range of Aston Martin related memorabilia. So who knows, you might be able to snag a steering wheel that was once touched by Roy Salvadori or something? The 18th annual Aston Martin Sale will be held by International auction house Bonhams on Saturday May 13th 2017. If you have the crust, you can see the full catalogue and register to bid at the auction web page.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Aston Martin DB5. Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.



Check out these Automotive tips

Powered by WPeMatico

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/bonhams-announces-18th-annual-aston-martin-sale/