2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum Review

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum Review The Toyota Highlander looks like it could tackle some rough terrain, but it’s better suited for a family’s rough use. The Hybrid model is ideal for getting the the best fuel economy in the midsize crossover category. Families looking for versatility, comfort, practicality, all-weather capability, and three-row seating need to keep reading.
This week, we’ve been driving the top-trim, 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum V6 with all-wheel drive.
What’s New For 2018
The 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid receives no significant changes. For 2017, Highlander received a number of significant mid-cycle changes. The styling was updated with a more pronounced grille and LED taillights. The V6 engine was new, boasting more power and better fuel economy along with an eight-speed transmission and an automatic stop-start system. New feature content included the Toyota Safety Sense technology suite, which comes standard on every trim level.
Features & Options
The top-trim, 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum V6 AWD ($48,280) comes standard with windshield wiper de-icer, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure intervention, and adaptive cruise control. Keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and Bluetooth connectivity are also standard.
Our Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum had a sunroof, a height-adjustable power liftgate, a flip-up rear window, and blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems. Nice extras included power front seats with heat, leather upholstery, second-row sunshades, upgraded interior materials, a second-row 120-volt power outlet, an 8.1-inch touchscreen, satellite and HD radio, and a navigation system.
Limited adds 19-inch wheels, LED running lights, rear parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats with perforated leather, driver’s seat memory functions, second-row captain’s chairs, a rear cargo cover, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. Limited Platinum gets a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera, heated rear seats and steering wheel.
Total MSRP including destination: $49,913.

Interior Highlights
The cabin of the Limited Platinum is extra luxurious and the leather seats are comfy for long trips. This model borders on being a true luxury vehicle with its refinement touches and plenty of soft-touch materials throughout the roomy cabin. The cabin is more car-like which is good for growing families on the go.
The navigation system features a large touchscreen, with many of the functions using real buttons which we like. We cranked up the heated seats and heated steering wheel, and kept warm with the late winter snowfall in Denver this week.
Visibility is excellent in the Highlander, thanks to a larger rear-quarter window and repositioned pillars. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited gets twin reclining captain’s chairs that can be pushed back for maximum legroom. We carried two large passengers this week who were lounging in the back on the way to the restaurant.
The third row works well for smaller kids and access is easy with the captain’s chairs. Cargo space totals 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row, and there’s plenty of versatility for busy families with a maximum of 83.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Highlander Hybrid comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 paired with three electric motors. Total system output is 306 horsepower and all-wheel drive is standard. The Hybrid is rated at an EPA-estimated 29/27 city/highway and 28 combined mpg.

Driving Dynamics
Because the hybrids are heavier than the gas models, acceleration is a bit slower but better with the new V6. Once underway, however, the cabin is comfortable and quiet. Our passengers kicked back, put the rear window shades up, and chilled as we drove around town. The suspension is somewhat compliant and it smooths out the bumps and rougher roads. If you want a smoother ride, opt for the 18-inch wheels over the Limited’s 19-inchers.
Power is sufficient enough for most driving situations. We pushed hard up I-70 at altitude and had enough power to pass slower traffic. The all-wheel drive worked well on the dirt roads this week too.
The safety features were evident as well. We heard the sounds associated with the system, like traction control, alerting us to various safety hazards as we drove. It helped us feel secure in heavy Denver traffic this week.
Conclusion
The three-row Highlander will be a good choice for growing families on the go. It’s easy to live with and offers plenty of utility and cargo space. We particularly liked the second row captain’s chairs that offer more comfort for adults and growing teens. This crossover won’t get you away from civilization like other more rugged vehicles, but it’s a good choice for city dwellers.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum Gallery

















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



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Ford To Resume F-150 Production After Extraordinary Efforts

Ford To Resume F-150 Production After Extraordinary Efforts Despite a massive fire at the Meridian Magnesium Products facility in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant will resume F-150 production on Friday, May 17th. Ford says the supply chain for the Super Duty is also restored, and production should restart at the Kentucky Truck Plant by Monday, May 21st. The Kansas City Assembly Plant, which produces F-150s, is also scheduled to resume operations by May 21st.
“While the situation remains extremely dynamic, our teams are focused on returning our plants to full production as fast as possible,” explained Joe Hinrichs, Ford President, Global Operations.
Heavy Equipment
After the May 2nd fire, teams addressed safety concerns and restored electricity as quickly as they could. The goal was to retrieve and relocate tools so production could resume, and the financial impacts of the stalled plants could be minimized. The teams ultimately removed 19 dies (a tool used to cut or shape material using a press) from Meridian’s fire-damaged facility.
In one instance, teams moved an 87,000 lbs. die from Eaton Rapids, Michigan to Nottingham, U.K. in a mere 30 hours. Under normal circumstances, something of this magnitude would take 10 days when considering import and export approvals and flight logistics. The die was sent to Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio where it was loaded onto an Antonov An-124 Ruslan, an aircraft renowned for its heavy cargo capacity.
“Faced with unexpected adversity, the Ford team, including our global supply partners, showed unbelievable resiliency, turning a devastating event into a shining example of teamwork,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s Executive Vice President of Product Development and Purchasing.
2018 Ford F-150. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Last Minute Approval
Nearly 4,000 miles away, a team in Nottingham was waiting to take the die to Meridian’s nearby factory. A U.K. import license for the die was granted only two hours before the plane landed.
“Thanks to their heroic efforts, we are resuming production of some of our most important vehicles ahead of our original targets,” Thai-Tang said.
“The ramp-up time to full production is improving every day,” Hinrichs added.
Most of the dies have been repaired, and Meridian is now producing parts for the F-150 in both Eaton Rapids and Nottingham. Parts produced at Nottingham will be shipped daily on a Boeing 747 until production in Eaton Rapids resumes fully. Ford says current F-150 inventory remains strong and customers should experience no delays in finding the truck they want.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.



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Letter From The UK: Lost In England (In An Audi SQ7)

Letter From The UK: Lost In England (In An Audi SQ7) England is a small country, yet the biggest of the four that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The others don’t like us much; they see us as conquerors as if we could do anything about changing history. In Scotland, some want independence from the Union and in Wales they put up all their signs in Welsh as well as England in a message of national defiance that just confuses tourists. Northern Ireland meanwhile historically has had terrible troubles of its own, but despite it all we’re still sticking together, demonstrating that it is economics, not love, that conquers all.
As mentioned, England is a small country. It would fit three times into France or Spain and there are several of your United States that are larger by area, yet we have one of the largest populations in Europe. In short, this is one crowded nation. It has been fully mapped for centuries, every road and every lane, every contour and every feature of interest is documented. We have very good cartographers who are constantly working.
It is said that if you stand still for long enough you will eventually appear on one of our national Ordnance Survey maps.
Conquering Horizons
Yet, as a true Englishman, one whose ancestors commanded much of the then known world with just a rudimentary sextant, I have proved that if you go all independent and switch off the technology it is still entirely possible to get lost in your own lands. Pioneers of American legend crossed an entire continent guided only by the setting sun and some vague directional notions. Without the benefit of map and satellite navigation, I managed to find myself and my increasingly frustrated wife down a tiny country lane in a huge Audi SUV without the first idea of our whereabouts.
All I tried to do was to head to the quaint, picture-book and quintessentially English village of Minster Lovell to see a ruined Grand Hall. Minster Lovell is less than fifty miles from my home.
You see, it was like this . . .
In spring and summer, the English countryside is second to none. Shaped by years of land management and people movement we have dark, brooding forests and wide open moorland. We have wild flowers in green meadows and seldom used roads. It is, in terms of nature at least, a very nice place to live.
Minster Lovell is not very far away so I decided that as I know my country very well, I would browse a map before we left and do the rest by utilizing my hitherto unerring sense of direction. I did not take a map. I left my phone on calls only and I did not turn on the straightforward, yet deadly accurate, navigation in the Audi SQ7 I had the pleasure of for a week.
Did you know that wikiHow has five different ways to find your way without a map? I didn’t look at that either.
Automoblog’s Geoff Maxted lost in the English countryside. At least the vehicle is luxurious and the view is nice. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
The Audi SQ7
This is the car you need if you want to cross continents in a single bound. Nothing else comes close. The Audi SQ7 is a seven-seat vehicle that will carry your entire family and your dog. It is powered by a V8 twin-turbo engine that returns 32 miles for gallon or better, depending on how it is driven. Sounds like the ideal vehicle doesn’t it? So what if it’s a diesel? Does it matter?
It’s mighty. Mighty powerful, mighty comfortable and I love it, mightily. The Audi SQ7 TDI is the German brand’s most powerful SUV to date.
The Modern V8 Diesel
The car as featured here, fully option-loaded, costs £86,000 of our UK Pounds Sterling and buyers should opt for the carbon-ceramic brakes to counteract the SQ7’s sheer momentum. Nevertheless, for such a big beast, this SUV handles very well, the steering weighting up nicely as the speed increases. Drivers can choose comfort settings through the usual Audi ‘Drive Select’ feature, which in this case also offers a couple off-road or all-road options. For cruising, Comfort is fine with the eight-speed automatic gearbox nestled into the standard Drive mode.
Things change when Sport mode is selected on the gearbox and Dynamic on the suspension and steering settings. The engine emits a proper old-school V8 rumble that is quietly addictive. This builds as the throttle is floored and suddenly, amazingly, the driver will see the digital dial pass the legal speed limit like a hare past a tortoise.
Astonishing; and it’s all down to this very special engine.
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
Performance Powerhouse
The eight-cylinder special displaces 4.0-liters and it merits our attention. Alongside twin sequential turbochargers, the engine uses a special type of forced induction: an electrically-powered compressor. Not a turbocharger, nor a supercharger, it is as described, a compressor, and it has one purpose – to eliminate turbo lag. It works, filling in as the turbos spool up.
I tested this by accelerating at speed in eighth gear without using kick-down. There was just a hint of hesitation before the car accelerated toward the horizon like the Millennium Falcon. Kick-down first, or use the manual gearbox option with the paddles, and you’re going faster than my credit card balance in my daughter’s hands.
In fact, the paddles feel pretty much superfluous. In Sport mode the gearbox reacts instantly of its own volition. 429bhp should be enough for any gearhead and the shove from 900Nm of torque has to be felt to be believed. The sprint to 62 mph from rest takes just 4.9 seconds, awesome for a car the size of Mount Rushmore.
The powerful Audi SQ7 took Geoff Maxted through Cotswold Village. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
Comfortably Lost In England
The brilliant Audi Virtual Cockpit offers navigation on the rising touchscreen and, if required, on the dashboard readout AND in the heads-up display. Sensible people will use this feature when visiting new places.
Highly adjustable sports seats, with sumptuous leather upholstery, kept us sitting pretty as we drove across unknown lands. As is well known, Audi interiors are second to none and no detail is overlooked. The dashboard is pleasingly understated. That’s a good thing. Honestly, you can’t fault it. In my opinion it is one of the best cars of its type on the road today.
It really is possible to have a good time in a SUV. This is not a vehicle for slinging about down tiny country lanes like a trim little sports car, but when the road opens up it is hard to beat. Getting lost, much to My Dear Lady’s chagrin and general disapprobation, is better in total leather luxury than it is in a covered wagon, I found.
Anyway, we found our way to Minster Lovell in the beautiful county of Oxfordshire fairly easily with only a couple of U-turns and minor skirmishes with irate, local drivers. We ate our lunch on the banks of the swiftly-flowing River Windrush and explored the village with its thatched roofs and pretty pub. The weather wasn’t great but in England that comes with the territory. We examined Minster Lovell Hall, a ruined 15th Century Oxfordshire manor house, in a beautiful rural setting beside the river.
Unfortunately, in this country we rarely get a place to ourselves, so I have used library pictures for effect.
Minster Lovell Hall. Photo: Rob Farrow.
Lessons Learned
Our problems started when we left the village via the essential one-way system required because of the narrowness of the lanes. Suddenly we were pitched into the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. It was very beautiful; sheep grazed, grass grew, and we drove around for 30 minutes in a manner that I described as “exploration” but which my wife described as “lost.” An Englishman, I declared haughtily, is never lost; merely temporarily displaced.
In the end though, I conceded defeat, tapped in our address on the touchscreen, and followed the dulcet tones of the navigator. I had, like a greenhorn adventurer, described an almost complete circle and picked up our route just outside of  – Minster Lovell.
On our next trip, which will possibly be to Donnington Castle in Berkshire but in a different car alas, maybe I will use a map or satellite navigation or my smartphone GPS after all. Or maybe all three.
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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Toyota, On the Road Lending Team For Underserved Communities

Toyota, On the Road Lending Team For Underserved Communities

Toyota is partnering with Dallas-based On the Road Lending to provide transportation and mobility options to underserved populations. On the Road Lending offers an array of services, from vehicle selection assistance and low-interest auto loans, to long-term financial mentoring for low-income individuals.
On the Road Lending, with a character-based model, helps clients build a financial foundation before signing for a vehicle. Then, through an affiliated financial entity, On the Road Lending will provide a fuel efficient vehicle, still under warranty, to clients.
Lasting Relationships
The organization works with clients through the life of the loan, providing additional mentoring and guidance. In order to help facilitate this process, Toyota has provided three grants totaling over $1 million. The money will help On the Road Lending build their IT infrastructures, streamline their processes, and expand their services.
“The ability to move freely and easily opens up a world of possibilities, and On the Road Lending is an excellent example of helping people overcome transportation barriers so that they can access jobs and improve their quality of life,” said Al Smith, Group Vice President, Toyota Social Innovation.
On The Road Lending Founder and CEO Michelle Corson with client Ericka Griffin. Through the program, Griffin is the proud owner of a certified pre-owned 2009 Toyota Corolla. Photo: John B. Sutton, Jr.
Big Impacts, Better Life
Toyota, although one of the world’s largest automakers, is looking to make an even bigger impact on society.
“It is also representative of the types of social innovation programs we aim to implement, helping solve societal issues by sharing our resources and know-how,” Smith said.
Michelle Corson, On The Road Lending Founder and CEO believes access to quality transportation is directly proportional to an individual’s success and happiness.
“We truly believe that a better car leads to a better life, and are pleased to partner with Toyota to help improve quality of life in our communities through mobility,” she said. “Through our model, we helped single parents, domestic violence survivors, veterans, working families, and many others improve their credit and purchase fuel-efficient, reliable cars.”
To learn more about applying or to make a donation, visit On the Road Lending here.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.



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Infiniti Announces Pricing For 2017 QX80 Signature Edition, 2018 QX30

Infiniti Announces Pricing For 2017 QX80 Signature Edition, 2018 QX30

Infiniti announced pricing for both the 2017 QX80 Signature Edition and the 2018 QX30. Both vehicles feature the automaker’s latest performance, safety, and infotainment technology. The QX80 Signature Edition returns for its second year while the QX30 sees no significant content or equipment enhancements for 2018. The QX80 is a luxurious family hauler, available in a seven- or eight-passenger configuration, while the smaller QX30 is meant to bring in new buyers.
2017 QX80 Signature Edition
This special packaging option provides a $2,500 savings versus its contents being added individually. The Signature Edition includes an exclusive Saddle Tan interior, chrome outside rearview mirror caps, and dark-finish 22-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/50R22 all-season performance tires.
Active safety features include Backup Collision Intervention, Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range), Distance Control Assist, Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention.
Under the hood sits a 400 horsepower, 5.6-liter DOHC V8 with Direct Injection Gasoline and Variable Valve Event and Lift technologies. QX80 4WD models feature an advanced, computer-controlled transfer case with three settings (Auto, 4H, and 4L).
The QX80 Signature Edition has an MSRP of $67,335 for the 2WD and $70,435 for the 4WD. It comes in four colors: Hermosa Blue, Graphic Shadow, Black Obsidian, and Majestic White.
2018 Infiniti QX30. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.

2018 QX30
The 2018 QX30 is aimed at young singles or recent couples who lead active lives but have not considered Infiniti before. The vehicle is set apart by its sculpted and chiseled appearance, along with its signature LED lighting. A panoramic moonroof and roof rails are offered for a combination of luxury and style. Drivers are treated to a modern, Nappa leather interior with Bluetooth capability, RearView Monitor, INFINITI Intelligent Key, and three 12-volt power outlets. Available options include a Bose system, HD radio, and an Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.
A 2.0-liter I4 turbocharged engine with 208 horsepower motivates the 2018 Infiniti QX30. The engine is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. Like the QX80 Signature Edition, the QX30 offers an array of safety technologies like Intelligent Park Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, and Forward Emergency Braking.
MSRP for the 2018 Infiniti QX30 is unchanged from the 2017 models. The base QX30 FWD starts at $29,950 with the Luxury FWD starting at $32,600, and the Premium FWD at $35,300. By comparison, the Luxury AWD comes in at $34,400 while the Premium AWD starts at $37,700. The QX30 Sport starts at $38,500, which features a lower ride height, gloss black grille, dark chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch Gun Metallic aluminum-alloy wheels.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2017 QX80 Signature Edition Gallery











2018 QX30 Gallery











Photos & Source: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.



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Bugatti Opens Brand’s Largest Showroom In Dubai

Bugatti Opens Brand’s Largest Showroom In Dubai

Bugatti’s newest showroom just opened its doors on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates. The new showroom, now Bugatti’s largest, is the 15th in their global dealership network. The Arabian peninsula is one of Bugatti’s most lucrative markets, with the region accounting for 26 percent of Chiron sales. So far, 30 orders have been placed for the Chiron making Bugatti UAE the brand’s most successful dealership.
Bugatti’s longstanding sales and service partner in the UAE is Al Habtoor Motors.
“A location of this significance and appeal for our brand has earned a superlative showroom,” said Dr. Stefan Brungs, Member of the Board of Management of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. responsible for Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service.
Automotive Excellence
Al Habtoor Motors has been the official dealer partner of Bugatti for the UAE since 2006 and a Bugatti Service Partner of Excellence since 2013. The dealership is known for its impressive Veyron fleet which numbers about 55. Al Habtoor Motors began in 1983, expanding rapidly with their reputation for professionalism and top notch customer service. In 2013, the dealer group was named “Best Bugatti Partner” and received a similar partnership award in 2011. Sultan Al Habtoor, President of the company, underscored the importance of having Bugatti in the UAE and building upon prior successes.
“The UAE is always striving to be the best. Our target was therefore to bring the largest, most beautiful Bugatti showroom to the heart of Dubai,” he said. “Here, our exquisite clientele can experience the unique nature of this fantastic brand in all its facets.”
“We would like to thank Al Habtoor Motors for this convincing testimony to our brand,” Brungs added. “The success of Al Habtoor Motors is based on the considerable passion and professionalism with which our partner represents Bugatti in the United Arab Emirates.”
Bugatti UAE on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The entrance pays homage to the iconic horseshoe design found on a Bugatti’s radiator grille. Photo: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
Luxurious Headquarters
Inside Bugatti UAE, clients are treated to a unique lounge area with furniture from the Bugatti Home Collection. Customers can configure their Chiron in a private and comfortable atmosphere; the Chiron itself is presented through exhibits and animations. A heritage section is also a favorite where visitors can learn about Bugatti’s values.
“Many Bugatti customers who have been the closest and most loyal ambassadors of our brand for many years live in this region,” Brungs explained. “Some of them are proud owners of car collections with even several Bugatti super sports cars – a passion for ultimate performance, luxury, and individuality is especially in evidence here.”
Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and by individual appointment. The address is Sheikh Zayed Road, Umm Al Sheif Exit 41, Dubai. To mark the inauguration of the new showroom, the Bugatti Chiron will tour the Arabian peninsula.
“The new showroom will not only be the perfect platform for the Chiron but also honors our special customers,” Brungs added.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.





Photos & Source: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., Al Habtoor Motors.



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Seven Tips From Chevrolet For Surviving Pothole Season

Seven Tips From Chevrolet For Surviving Pothole Season

Maybe it’s because I’ve never lived in a section of the world with what you would call a “real winter,” but this whole idea of a pothole “season” strikes me as rather odd. Yes, I do understand the semi-geologic concepts here; frost heaves, water-to-ice expansion through fissures and all that, but it still is odd for me to consider them as having a season, like daffodils or something.
Well, they do, and Chevy, of all people, is here to help us out so we don’t gronk our suspensions any more than we have to.
Gronk Nation
I can get behind this 100% actually. Since I usually drive around in lightweight sports cars, I’m already used to violently swerving around big divots, chuck holes, sinkholes, small-to-medium-sized impact craters, and the like – can’t go driving around with a less than optimal chassis setup now can we? Anyway, these seven tips – let us call them “The Seven Pillars of Pothole Wisdom & Avoidance” – do indeed come from Chevy in a presser slugged “Detroit” in the header information. My first thought was, “Detroit? Pothole problems? Quelle surprise!”
I have two good friends from Detroit, both named Carl, coincidentally, and they both have tales to tell about Detroit-grade potholes that could swallow an Abrams tank whole. You know, this entire “Detroit Vs. Everybody” thing ain’t just a slogan, it’s a verifiable mindset. So if anybody on this planet is going to know about how to survive potholes, it’s going to be a car company based in Detroit.
Chevy starts out with this kind of old-folksy intro: “While rough road conditions seem unavoidable this time of year, Chevrolet engineers have developed the following tips and tricks to help you and your car survive pothole season.”
Gee willikers mister! Could ya teach me more about potholes and how to avoid them?
You bet ya champ!
Look Ahead & Slow Down
Now, this should kind of go without saying, but since this advice is aimed at Americans, the same people who need warning labels on Claymore mines, it’s best to start with the basics. The whole point of pillar #1 is to look ahead and scrutinize for potential potholes in your path. Further, if you can avoid them, do so. If you cannot, slow down you slack-jawed yokel.
Do you honestly think your left front taking a wallop akin to a punch from Drax The Destroyer is good for your car? If you do, stop reading (I know, assuming you can read might be a bit too generous) and hand over your keys to the proper authorities. You don’t show the mental capacity for the task at hand.
According to pothole.info, areas with poor drainage are most susceptible to developing potholes. This includes where roads dip and where traffic, especially heavy vehicle traffic, is high. Photo: Chevrolet.
Avoid Water
Now, think about this for a second: if you come up on a puddle, do you really know how deep it is? It could just be a puddle, or it could be a pothole the size of a kiddie pool that will now demonstrate just how solid those fillings in your molars are. Besides, if you can, you should avoid puddles anyway since they can differentially cool your brakes and get moisture on your tires further compromising performance.
Check Tire Pressures
The fact that Chevy (or myself) even have to mention this makes me deeply cheerless. The fact that you, dear readers of a car oriented site, might be running around out there with your tires not properly inflated for optimal handling qualities is just . . . sigh . . . sorry, just make sure your tires are up to pressure. Please. You’ll enjoy your car more, for one thing, and it can make an important difference in avoiding pothole damage. If your tire is underinflated a pothole can cause a rupture. If it’s overinflated, tires are even more vulnerable to pothole damage.
Check For Damage
If for some reason you do drill over a pothole at speed, check your car directly for any possible damage. Evaluating damage now prevents further damage to your car later on, like when that weakened tie-rod finally does give way and you go careening into a lawyer’s Bentley in the oncoming lane.
Potholes are formed over time by water, freeze-thaw cycles, excessive heat, and wear and tear on the road. Photo: Chevrolet.


Know What To Find
This one is kind of obvious, but, duh, potholes can cause more than just tire damage. You can also seriously gronk rims, sproing off exhaust systems, knock your alignment into the next county, and such. So if you bradawl a pothole and the next thing you know your ride is making noises or pulling in one direction or swerving all over the place in a barely controllable manner, “be sure to take it into a professional to be assessed.” NOW! Don’t wait. Don’t screw around with this.
Take care of it now, or you might find your self in the aforementioned lawyer/Bentley scenario. NOW!
Help Your Fellow Drivers
Now, I do realize this entire concept of “helping” your fellow road users is complete anathema to, well, everyone East of the Mississippi and North of the Ohio River – seriously, when was the last time you saw a Boston driver (to pick just one at random) be altruistic to another motorist? Have you ever driven around Pittsburgh or Philly or the entire upper half of Jersey? It’s like a Mad Max novelization written by Ayn Rand out there. But this point (although hard for you to initially follow and perhaps, just perhaps, going against how you were raised and the environment you were brought up in) is pretty simple: Report any potholes to your city, county, and state transportation authorities.
Remember, we are the government, and we have to make it work for us. So call up whoever deals with this and make them take care of it.
Be Prepared
Our final pillar in “The Seven Pillars of Pothole Wisdom & Avoidance” is the old Boy Scout adage: simply be prepared. If you’re a gearhead, I shouldn’t have to remind you to make sure there’s a jack and a lug wrench in your trunk. And I shouldn’t have to make sure the spare tire is properly inflated to its correct pressure in case you need to change a flat. This is simple, so just do it.
For more resources on potholes and their lasting effects on society, visit pothole.info. Good luck out there.
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.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet, pothole.info.



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2017 Fiat 500 Arriving With Fun New Appearance Packages

2017 Fiat 500 Arriving With Fun New Appearance Packages

Soon to be even more cute, the Fiat 500 is getting a handful of new optional appearance packages. Sport Black Trim, Two-Tone, and Abarth Roof, Mirror Cap, and Body Stripe will give new 500 models a distinct flare, which Fiat says is all about individuality.
“With its iconic, timeless, head-turning Italian design, the Fiat 500 continues to offer the ultimate in individual expression,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT – FCA North America.
Living Big
Fiat continues to build on two cornerstones: passion and self-expression. The Fiat 500 or Cinquecento is sold in more than 100 countries but remains Italian at heart. With its longstanding heritage, the car is a simple, stylish, and functional machine with the right blend of performance and technology. The new appearance packages for the 500 will provide customers with more flavors for this little-bodied, big-at-heart cruiser.
“With new custom appearance packages and a full menu of options, customers can get exactly what they want while creating their own fun-to-drive personal statement,” Kuniskis said.
Jet Black
The Sport Black Trim Package, available on the 2017 Fiat 500 Pop, features a body-color sport fascia, fog lamps, and 16-inch Hyper Black aluminum wheels. Other blacked-out elements include the headlamps, roof, side sill ground effects, side-view mirror caps, spoiler, and tail lamps. Sport cloth bucket seats on the inside feature silver accent stitching which contrast nicely with the black instrument panel.
The MSRP for the Sport Black Trim Package is $1,295.
2017 Fiat 500 Pop with Two-Tone Appearance Package. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Two-Tone Styling
The Two-Tone Appearance Package, also available on the 2017 Fiat 500 Pop, features a Nero (black), Rosso (red) or Bianco (white) accent roof and matching mirror caps. MSRP for the package is a mere $295; the offset colors between the body and roof look pretty cool when contrasting against each other.
Abarth Treatments
The Abarth Roof, Mirror Cap, and Body Stripe Appearance Package provides the above roof color choices (Nero, Rosso, Bianco) but adds Rhino (gray) as an additional color. The same colors may be chosen to further accent the mirror caps, body-side stripe, roof, and spoiler from the rest of the car. MSRP for the Abarth Roof, Mirror Cap, and Body Stripe Appearance Package is $495.
2017 Fiat 500 Abarth with Roof, Mirror Cap, and Stripe Appearance Package. Photo: FCA US LLC.

500 Trims & Variants
The 2017 Fiat 500 has three trim levels: Pop, Lounge, and Abarth. Available options for all three include an automatic transmission ($995) and a sunroof ($795). Any Fiat 500 model may be ordered as a Cabrio for an additional $1,495. Fiat’s 500 variants include the 500c (Cabrio), the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, the fully electric 500e, the five-passenger Fiat 500L, and the 500X crossover. The latter is avaialbe with all-wheel drive.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.



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Ford Attracting Younger, More Affluent Buyers With Sporty Cars

Ford Attracting Younger, More Affluent Buyers With Sporty Cars

Recently, Ford Motor Company shed some light on their SUV strategy, and highlighted their promising future sales projections in that segment. While American automakers have traditionally cornered the truck and SUV markets, it appears Ford now has a leg up on cars.
According to the New Vehicle Customer Study by MaritzCX, Ford’s sporty car customers are now younger and more affluent on average. Generally speaking, younger customers are drawn to Ford’s more athletic and sporty car variants.
Vehicle Metrics
The Ford Fiesta ST is a perfect example. The average Fiesta buyer is 45, but the average age of a Fiesta ST customer is about 35. A similar pattern emerges with the Ford Focus; 46 is the average age of a Focus buyer but the Focus RS and ST are 41 and 36, respectively. Even the larger Fusion follows the metrics with Fusion Sport buyers being an average of three years younger than a traditional Fusion buyer at 48.
Ford is concentrating on younger, repeat buyers here, citing a special interest in Millennials. The generational cohort accounted for a 45 percent increase during the first three months of 2017 in Ford’s more sport oriented car models.
“With repeat customers making up around half of industry sales, capturing younger buyers while they still have many vehicle purchases remaining in their lives is good for business,” said Corey Holter, Ford Car Group Marketing Manager.
2017 Ford Fiesta ST. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Purchasing Prowess
According to Ford’s metrics, Millennial customers have some buying power when it comes to this segment. The average Fiesta buyer has a household income of $59,000, but for the Fiesta ST, that figure jumps to $102,000. The average Focus buyer brings home $63,000, while Focus ST and Focus RS customers show much higher household incomes at $108,000 and $169,000, respectively.
Ford also credits their EcoBoost line of engines and the “hot hatchback” movement for the sales increase. Hatchbacks are generally thought to be more stylish and versatile, whereas EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver more power and greater fuel economy.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.



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