Automotive

BREAKING: Ford says goodbye to Mark Fields, appoints Jim Hackett as the new leader

BREAKING: Ford says goodbye to Mark Fields, appoints Jim Hackett as the new leader Ford Motor Company, its board and shareholders were apparently fed up with ex-CEO Mark Fields’ failure to deliver.

What’s going on?
It seems Mark Fields’ career as the CEO of Ford was rather short lived. After taking the lead of Dearborn’s own in 2014, stocks took a dive under Fields’ leadership. As a result, Ford’s executive board and major shareholders didn’t want to deal with him any more.
Taking Fields’ place is Jim Hackett, who led Ford’s Smart Mobility division before becoming CEO. Prior to working at Ford Motor Company, Hackett is most known for his 30-year tenure of Steelcase, a massive furniture conglomerate.
Another major shift in Ford’s executive team is the departing of Ford’s Group Vice President of Communications, Ray Day.
Why did Fields get the boot?
Despite increased sales and a projected profit of around $9 billion before taxes, Ford still suffered from market share loss. As a result, potential investors were turned-off by this market share loss, causing the value to drop by 40 percent under Fields’ reign.
Who’s the new guy?
Jim Hackett is most known for turning around office furniture company, Steelcase. His new obligation to lead and hopefully turn Ford’s stock around wouldn’t be the first of this kind.
More to come as it develops.
For the press release, check it out below.
– By: Chris Chin

MAY 22, 2017 | DEARBORN
FORD APPOINTS JIM HACKETT AS CEO TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS, TRANSFORM FOR FUTURE; FARLEY, HINRICHS, KLEVORN TAKE ON NEW ROLES

Jim Hackett named as Ford Motor Company president and CEO, succeeding Mark Fields, who is retiring. Hackett, who will report to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, is recognized as a transformational business leader
Hackett led Steelcase Inc.’s turnaround to become the world’s No. 1 office furniture maker, served as interim Athletic Director at University of Michigan and has led Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016. He served on Ford’s board from 2013 to 2016
Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities: Sharpening operational execution, modernizing Ford’s present business and transforming the company to meet tomorrow’s challenges
Ford also named leaders to three new roles under Hackett. Jim Farley is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets, Joe Hinrichs is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations, and Marcy Klevorn is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility
Mark Truby is appointed vice president, Communications, and elected a company officer. He succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then
Paul Ballew is appointed vice president and Chief Data and Analytics Officer
DEARBORN, May 22, 2017 – Ford Motor Company today named Jim Hackett as its new president and CEO and announced key global leadership changes designed to further strengthen its core automotive business and accelerate a strategic shift to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Hackett, 62, has a long track record of innovation and business success as CEO of Steelcase, Interim Athletic Director at the University of Michigan and executive chairman of Ford Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016.
Reporting to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Hackett will lead Ford’s worldwide operations and 202,000 employees globally. He succeeds Mark Fields, 56, who has elected to retire from Ford after a successful 28-year career with the company.
“We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future,” Bill Ford said. “Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space. He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centered leadership approach to our culture, products and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business.”
Added Hackett: “I am so excited to work with Bill Ford and the entire team to create an even more dynamic and vibrant Ford that improves people’s lives around the world, and creates value for all of our stakeholders. I have developed a deep appreciation for Ford’s people, values and heritage during the past four years as part of the company and look forward to working together with everyone tied to Ford during this transformative period.”
Hackett, together with Bill Ford, will focus on three priorities:
Sharpening operational execution across the global business to further enhance quality, go-to-market strategy; product launch, while decisively addressing underperforming parts of the business
Modernizing Ford’s business, using new tools and techniques to unleash innovation, speed decision making and improve efficiency. This includes increasingly leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, 3D printing and more
Transforming the company to meet future challenges, ensuring the company has the right culture, talent, strategic processes and nimbleness to succeed as society’s needs and consumer behavior change over time
Bill Ford and Ford’s Board of Directors thanked Fields for his significant contributions to the company.
“Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford,” Bill Ford said. “His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years.”
Also today, Ford announced a new structure for its operations and named three new leaders reporting to Hackett:
Jim Farley, 54, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets. In this role, Farley will oversee Ford’s business units, The Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific. In addition, Farley will oversee Lincoln Motor Company and global Marketing Sales & Service. Farley has served as executive vice president and president, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa since January 2015. Farley will also oversee the strategy and business model development for electrified vehicles and autonomous vehicles.
Joe Hinrichs, 50, is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations. In this role, Hinrichs will oversee Ford’s global Product Development; Manufacturing and Labor Affairs; Quality; Purchasing; and Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering; Hinrichs has been serving as Ford executive vice president and president, The Americas, since December 2012.
Marcy Klevorn, 57, is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility. In this role, Klevorn will oversee Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which was formed last year to accelerate the company’s plans to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services, as well as Information Technology and Global Data, Insight and Analytics. Klevorn has served as group vice president, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer since January 2017.
All three appointments are effective June 1. New leaders to succeed Hinrichs, Farley and Klevorn will be the subject of a future announcement.
“We are fortunate to have three dynamic and talented leaders in Jim Farley, Joe Hinrichs and Marcy Klevorn taking on greater responsibility,” Bill Ford said. “Each has a track record of driving innovation, cost efficiency and delivering results around the world. They will work closely with Jim Hackett to lead Ford’s day-to-day operations, build our brand and capitalize on emerging opportunities.”
In addition, Ford appointed Mark Truby, 47, vice president, Communications, effective immediately, reporting to Bill Ford. He was elected a company officer. Truby has previously led Ford’s Communications teams in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa. Truby succeeds Ray Day, who plans to retire from the company next year and will provide consulting services until then.
Ford also elected Paul Ballew, 52, as Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer, reporting to Klevorn. Ballew has been leading Ford’s global data and analytics teams since December 2014, including development of new capabilities supporting connectivity and smart mobility.

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Honda Proving Center Returns To Action Following Renovation

Honda Proving Center Returns To Action Following Renovation

Following a complete renovation, the Honda Proving Center (HPC) is open again and ready to function as a full on testing ground for future Honda and Acura products. Located in the Mojave Desert, near Cantil, California, HPC is an ideal place for Honda to test and develop a wide range of automobiles, motorcycles, side-by-sides, and ATVs.
“The enhancements we made at the Honda Proving Center will play an important role in advancing the performance capabilities of our products for our customers,” said Jeff Conrad, Senior Vice President, Automobile Division, American Honda.
The remodeled HPC features a 7.5-mile banked oval track where vehicles can exceed 200 mph during testing. A 4.5-mile winding road course accompanies the oval track, and incorporates 28 curves and six different hills. The new and improved HPC now has a 1.3 million-square-foot vehicle dynamics area and a modified powersports complex to support the development and testing of Honda motorcycles and other all-terrain vehicles.
The renovation of the 3,840-acre warm-weather testing facility provides Honda with two key proving grounds in the United States. In addition to HPC, Honda also conducts verification testing at the Transportation Research Center, an automotive proving facility located in East Liberty, Ohio.
“HPC has long played a valuable role in the development of our products and this renovation will ensure it continues to do so,” Conrad added.
Interesting enough, all original and existing asphalt at the old HPC site was recycled and used for the renovation of the new and improved site. The video below shows more. Just for the record, if we worked for Honda, we would want to be assigned here, preferably with the Acura NSX. The Civic Type R would’t be half bad either.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo, Video & Source: Honda North America.

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The Enzo Ferrari Years With Alfa Romeo

The Enzo Ferrari Years With Alfa Romeo

The Triple Crown of Motorsport is quickly approaching, leaving automobile enthusiasts eager to see who will come out on top during what is considered a series of the most important auto races in the world. From May 25th to May 28th, all eyes will be on the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix on the Circuit de Monaco, a race that has long attracted spectators for the event’s racing difficulty and glamorous location.
Action will then move stateside for the Indianapolis 500, followed by the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the oldest Motorsports and endurance car race in the world.
In honor of the upcoming flurry of high-stakes Motorsports racing, now is the perfect time to explore the history of some of the earliest Motorsports competitors. One such brand that gained international praise is the fiery Alfa Romeo, which roared into the racing world in 1911. While Alfa Romeo stopped participating in the Formula 1 circuit in 1988, this iconic Italian brand has over 100 years of racing success and is recognized for being a dominant force in Motorsports.
Alfa Romeo can claim many firsts in its history, including becoming the first car to win the World Automobile Championship in 1925, and successfully following up this win with a first-place victory at the inaugural F1 championship. 120 titles later, Alfa Romeo has raced in just about every form imaginable, picking up victories in rally races and endurance hauls alike.
One of the staples of Alfa Romeo’s racing success was its elite racing team, which included Antonio Ascari, Tazio Nuvolari, Juan Manual Fangio, and for close to 20 years, Motorsport legend Enzo Ferrari.
Enzo Ferrari piloting his Alfa Romeo at the 1922 Targa Florio. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Ferrari’s Dreams Begin With Alfa Romeo
Before Enzo Ferrari created and managed one of the most recognizable Italian car brands of all time, he honed his early racing skills with Alfa Romeo. Ferrari’s interest in the fast-paced world of Motorsport was first piqued as a child, when at the age of 10 he accompanied his father and brother to the circuit on Via Emilia in Bologna, Italy.
After an honorable discharge in WWI, Ferrari failed to secure a job with Fiat, and instead started his career with car manufacturer Costruzioni Meccaniche Nazionali as a test driver. He was quickly promoted to the company’s racing division and made his official debut at the Parma-Poggio di Berceto race in 1919. The following year, Ferrari joined Alfa Romeo to work and compete as a racer, which launched his first long-term employment in the automotive field.
In 1921, Ferrari began his run as an Alfa driver with a series of successes, including a fifth place finish at the Targa Florio and a second place finish at Mugello. By 1923, Ferrari had solidified his racing prowess to the Alfa team with his win at the inaugural Circuito del Savio, which attracted the attention of Count and Countess Baracca, the parents of legendary Italian WWI pilot Francesco Baracca. After watching Ferrari’s win, the Countess gifted the young driver with a signed photograph of her son and encouraged Ferrari to use the emblem on the side of her son’s plane as a mascot on his cars. This black charging horse emblem will become the Ferrari symbol known around the world when Enzo starts his own company.
In 1924, Ferrari was honored by the Italian state and made a Cavaliere (knight) to honor his services to the nation as a successful racer with Alfa Romeo. In 1927, his honorable status was upgraded to Commendatore (knight commander) for his continued contributions to sport, which he followed up with a definitive first-place showing at the first Circuito de Modeno in the Alfa Romeo 6C-1500 SS.
By the early 1930s, Ferrari had stopped driving race cars and had dedicated his efforts to managing drivers under Scuderia Ferrari, which became Alfa’s official racing department in 1933. The team that Ferrari oversaw included legendary driver Tazio Nuvolari, who famously beat Nazi-backed Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union vehicles at the German Grand Prix in 1935. During this time, Scuderia Ferrari also made critical contributions to the brand on the production side, with the creation of the Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta, one of the company’s most successful race cars.
Ferrari left Alfa Romeo in 1939 under the condition he could not use the Ferrari name in racing for the next four years, a bargain that inspired the consummate competitor to make it one of his goals to beat Alfa Romeo in one of his own vehicles. Though he left Alfa Romeo on less than favorable terms, Ferrari contributed to some of the most formative years of the marque as both a driver and manager.
Enzo Ferrari. Photo: Ferrari Media.

American Comeback
Despite its storied history, many drivers in the United States don’t know much about these Italian sports cars. For those who do, Alfa’s track record here was marred by spotty quality and poor service support. They officially left the U.S. market in 1995. However, a three-commercial showing at this year’s Super Bowl confirms that Alfa Romeo is most assuredly back in the game stateside.
The return of the Giulia is a pre-cursor to the arrival of the Stelvio, a new SUV. While only time will tell if the excitement and passion of Italian engineering will woo American drivers, Alfa Romeo’s pedigree as one of the greatest racing vehicles ever certainly bodes well for the sports car enthusiast. As Top Gear and The Grand Tour’s Jeremy Clarkson once said, “you can’t be a true petrolhead if you have never owned or wanted to own an Alfa Romeo.”
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.

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2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic Review

2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic Review Americans aren’t particularly fond of wagons like consumers in Europe, but the Audi A4 is a wagon Americans would like. It has many attributes that resemble a crossover or SUV, like its cargo-carrying utility, standard all-wheel drive, and an increased ride height for light off-road duties. The Allroad’s cabin even looks modern and luxurious, setting it apart from the competition.
And there are other reasons to look seriously at this luxury family hauler. This week, we have been driving the 2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic.
What’s New For 2018
The Audi A4 allroad was redesigned for 2017 and changes this year are limited to feature and package content. Heated seats are now standard, and the mid-level Premium Plus adds blind-spot monitoring to its list of equipment.
Features & Options
The Audi A4 allroad ($44,500) is loaded with features, including leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features keyless entry, a blind-spot monitor, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, power liftgate, satellite radio, and eight-way power adjustable front seats with four-way driver lumbar adjust.
It also came with the optional Cold ($650) and Warm Weather package ($1,450), offering up ventilated front seats, a power window shade, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel, and all-weather floor mats.
The Prestige package ($8,500) comes with automated driver and advanced safety systems, parking sensors, heads-up display, LED headlights, and a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. Total MSRP including destination: $56,650.

Interior Highlights
The Audi A4 allroad’s cabin is one the vehicle’s best attributes and in our opinion, the best in this class. The allroad sits a little higher than the A4 sedan and it’s easier to get in and out. We found the cabin easily accommodates drivers of all sizes, it offers good visibility, and the cockpit feels driver-focused.
The fit and finish inside is upscale, the quality of materials is first class, and the allroad feels well-built. We didn’t hear any squeaks or rattles and the cabin is quiet on the open road. We liked the tablet-sized screen that sits in the middle of the dash and the updated MMI controller is easier to access than before. By and large, the controls aren’t overly complicated.
In the backseat, there’s room for two adults, but taller passengers may feel a bit cramped for legroom, but it’s ideal for the kids. The standard panoramic sunroof keeps the backseat feeling open and airy. Another nice touch is the optional Virtual Cockpit instrument panel and heads-up display that helps keep the driver’s eyes focused on the road.
There’s 58.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down and 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 252 horsepower and dishes up 273 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to the Audi quattro all-wheel drive system.
Fuel mileage estimates come in at 22/30 city/highway and 25 combined mpg. The allroad features an automatic engine stop/start system for additional fuel savings.
Driving Dynamics
The allroad is powered by an engine that can move the wagon down the road without a problem. The extra torque moves the heavier vehicle away from a stop light quickly and lane changes are made easy with the peppy four-cylinder. We drove the allroad at altitude where the turbo made the engine response effortless in the thin air.
Around the tight mountain curves the family hauler felt nimble, going around corners better than most wagons. The vehicle is composed in all driving situations, and we felt right at home on the mountain roads and city streets. The seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission offers up smooth shifts and connects well to Audi’s already excellent quattro all-wheel drive system. This will also give families an all-weather vehicle with some light off-road abilities.
On our commute to Denver, the ride was especially smooth. Noise levels inside the cabin were kept to a minimum, making it a comfortable place to spend time. We cranked up the Bang & Olufsen premium sound as well and forgot about the noisy outside world. With front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, the allroad kept us informed of anything out of view.
The only kicker is how the engine is slow to restart with the stop-start system engaged, but thankfully it can be switched off.
Conclusion
The allroad isn’t an SUV, but it will deliver what any crossover can. It has a great powertrain with the latest version of Audi’s 2.0-liter turbo engine. Add in good fuel economy and it’s a capable family hauler in a smart, luxurious package.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Audi A4 allroad Gallery

2018 Audi A4 allroad Official Site.
Photos: Audi of America, Inc.

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Inside The 2019 Chevy Silverado: Engineering Metrics, Materials Strategy & Engines

Inside The 2019 Chevy Silverado: Engineering Metrics, Materials Strategy & Engines Fresh off its debut earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show, The 2019 Chevy Silverado is looking to be the all-inclusive truck in an increasingly competitive segment. When it finally hits showrooms, the 2019 Silverado will offer eight different trim levels and six different engine and transmission options, something the automaker says is paramount.
“That allows every customer to get the exact truck they want,” explained Scott Damman, Lead Development Engineer, 2019 Silverado. “All these trim levels allow us to have a truck for every customer.”
Extreme Metrics
In an effort to secure a position as that all-inclusive truck, the 2019 Silverado was subjected to GM’s most rigorous engineering metrics in history. The Silverado team essentially doubled their validation targets, performing over 475,000 tests and logging seven million miles of real-world testing in the interest of durability.
“It is pretty daunting,” Damman said. “Especially when you think about a vehicle that is redesigned from the ground up – brand new – everything is brand new.”
Each engine was subjected to repeat “torture testing” which included visits to the dynamometer cells. Inside, the engines would run for months on end – without stopping – to simulate a lifetime of maximum hot and cold cycles. From there, the Silverado team traveled to Davis Dam in Arizona where the truck hauled its maximum gross combined vehicle weight up a seven percent grade in 110-degree heat. The benchmark of this test was to incur no loss in performance even with the air conditioner running.
“By taking 450 lbs. out we can give that performance back to our customers,” Damman said referring to how the new Silverado is 450 lbs. lighter when compared to the current generation with a V8. “When that 450 lbs. is not being lugged down the road because of the truck itself, it gives you that capacity.”
The 2019 Silverado was subjected to GM’s most rigorous engineering metrics in history. Photo: Chevrolet.
Light & Tight
The 2019 Silverado’s actual body is 88 lbs. lighter and its fully boxed steel frame, despite being 88 lbs. lighter, offers a 10 percent increase in torsional rigidity. The live-axle rear suspension is also redesigned, including new carbon-composite, second-stage springs on LT models that cut about 12 lbs. (per side) over the steel springs they replace.
“The engineering team was actually tasked with going and looking at every single part for weight savings,” Damman explained. “To do that we actually went to our suppliers and our supply base to begin pulling on new technology, which included new processes for building things. We learned about what they have and by doing so, we were able to get lighter materials in the truck, but build it stronger so it will give that performance back to our customers.”
The doors, hood, and tailgate are made from aluminum while the fenders, roof, and bed utilize high-strength steel. The underlying safety cage uses seven different grades of steel. 80 percent of the frame consists of high-strength steel, varying from two to five millimeters in thickness, depending on location. Hydroforming, roll forming, conventional stamping, and tailor-rolled blanking are all performed during manufacturing.
“We like to call it our mixed materials strategy,” Damman added. “Where we could get away from high-strength steel we did, and that transfers some of that cost and weight savings back to customers.”

Corvettes & Customers
Another test was borrowed from the Corvette’s book, whereby the 2019 Silverado was subjected to sharp tilt angles. These “tilt stands” dip the truck at an angle of up to 53 degrees, and can simulate angles at a rate of up to 40 degrees a second, the equivalent of up to 1.4g. This test helps ensure proper engine and transmission lubrication.
“We have a lot of performance factors that we look into early on in the program,” Damman said. “There is a whole group of people that actually set those performance requirements as we look at our current generation Silverado.”
Among those groups of people are Silverado customers.
“We take our customer’s feedback and we try to figure out how to balance all of their requirements,” Damman added. “By doing that early on we have something to work towards.”
2019 Silverado LTZ. Photo: Chevrolet.
Engine Lineup
The evergreen 5.3 and 6.2 return to the Silverado lineup, this time equipped with Dynamic Fuel Management. The new system replaces the current Active Fuel Management and allows for 17 different modes of cylinder deactivation to boost performance and efficiency. Power figures, although unchanged from 2017, remain quite healthy: the 5.3 outputs 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft. of torque, contrasted to the 6.2 which creates 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque.
Chevrolet estimates about half of the new trucks will be equipped with one of these two engines.
“The 5.3 and 6.2, although they have been around for a while, have been redesigned and rebuilt for weight savings and better performance,” Damman said. “Our propulsion team had the same task as the rest of our engineering team: to figure out ways to make things stronger, save weight, and increase performance.”
The 4.3-liter V6 sees an increase in torque and fuel efficiency for 2019. The standard engine on the Silverado LT and new RST now creates 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft. of torque. Also in the mix is the new 2.7-liter Turbo with Active Fuel Management. The new turbocharged offering for the Silverado creates 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft. of torque.
Last but certainly not least, a Duramax 3.0-liter inline-six joins the lineup.
“It is an all-new engine developed by our propulsion team at GM,” Damman said. “It fits in nicely for a full-size truck, and all the performance factors were taken into account.”
Depending on engine choice, the 2019 Silverado will come with either a six, eight or 10-speed automatic.
2019 Silverado RST. Photo: Chevrolet.
Availability & Manufacturing
Assembly of crew cab V8s will begin in the third quarter, with double and regular cab models joining in the fourth quarter. Production of the 4.3-liter V6 and 2.7-liter Turbo are also scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter, with the Duramax being available in early 2019.
EPA fuel economy estimates and towing and payload capacities are not yet available.
When it arrives, the 2019 Chevy Silverado will have eight different trim levels, including an off-road-oriented Trailboss.
“I think we can get a lot of new customers into these trucks,” Damman said. “We have the right team in place that can take it there and get it to the next level.”
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 & Source: Chevrolet.

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Traffic Fatalities Likely To Increase Over Memorial Day Weekend Experts Say

Traffic Fatalities Likely To Increase Over Memorial Day Weekend Experts Say Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and with the holiday comes an increase in travel. The National Safety Council is urging drivers to exercise caution, saying over 400 may be killed this year during Memorial Day weekend. The organization also estimates that nearly 46,000 could be seriously injured during the three-day holiday period.
Memorial Day weekend officially begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 25th, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 28th.
Deadly Season
In general, summer can be a risky season of travel with July 4th often being billed as the most dangerous holiday. When compared to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, the three summertime holidays – Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day – typically claim over 110 lives each day, the highest average per-day fatality rates.
“Memorial Day should mark the start of summer – not a deadly driving season,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, President and CEO of the National Safety Council. “If we pay attention, slow down and be courteous, we can increase our chances of making it to picnics, beaches, and barbecues rather than emergency rooms.”
Dangers of Distraction
Distracted driving is among the leading causes of traffic accidents today with texting and driving being one of the primary culprits. Motorists may think “just glancing” at their phone is okay, but even that can prove fatal.
“This inattention, no matter how slight, can endanger the driver, passengers, and innocent bystanders,” explained Special First Lieutenant and Traffic Safety Specialist Jim Flegel of the Michigan State Police. “The sad part is that 100 percent of crashes related to distracted driving are preventable.”

Advice & Insight
The National Safety Council is encouraging everyone this weekend to buckle up, drive defensively, and to get plenty of sleep before traveling. At events where alcohol is involved, the National Safety Council says finding alternative transportation or designating a sober driver is the best protocol. The Michigan State Police continue to warn the public on the dangers of drugged driving.
“We have done a pretty good job of educating the public about not getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired on alcohol, but the word is still not out yet about making sure you do not get behind the wheel when you are impaired on any other drugs,” Flegel said. “And that also includes prescription medication.”
The National Safety Council has provided additional information about Memorial Day weekend, including fatality estimates and motor vehicle data and research. The Michigan State Police have provided a few key safety tips, which are listed below.
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.
Safety Tips From The Michigan State Police
Buckle up.
Abide by all traffic laws and posted signs.
Pay attention behind the wheel at all times.
Remove all distractions in the car, including cell phones.
Allow for plenty of time when crossing a street or intersection.
Use sidewalks whenever available and never cross the street mid-block.
Always stop at the edge of a parked car, curb, or vehicle before walking out into traffic.
Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking at night or during the early morning.

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2009 Aston Martin Vantage V8 Convertible 2009 Aston Martin Vantage V8 Convertible Midnight Blue

$25,123.00 (10 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Jul-9-2019 22:14:38 PDT
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Automoblog Book Garage: Supercar Revolution

Automoblog Book Garage: Supercar Revolution Supercar Revolution chronicles the battle for performance supremacy among the world’s fastest cars.
Our Book Garage series showcases what every gearhead and enthusiast should have in their library.
What exactly is a sports car? Not that long ago, within my lifetime, that was an easy question to answer. Now things become much more hazy. We no longer have just sports cars because now we have to add “supercars” into that discussion; and, as of late, “hypercars” are all over the automotive world. A gorgeous book by John Lamm, Supercar Revolution, traces the history of when sports cars became supercars, then became hypercars. In essence, it chronicles the battle for performance supremacy among these high-dollar machines.
Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars of All Time
This is all Lamborghini’s fault. Being the young upstart company they were, back in 1967, engineering conservatism was not in their vocabulary. It was clear from a performance standpoint a mid-engine car was the way to go. Yet a decade or so since John Cooper and Jack Brabham drove that point home, the high-end sports car world was still replete with big, front engine, rear-wheel drive choices.
The Lamborghini Miura blew that notion into a cocked hat. While Ferrari’s Daytona (really called the 365 GTB/4) was the king of the mountain, the Miura was a clean sheet of paper; new idea from new minds. It was also, arguably, the first supercar. It is with this event, starting with the old chestnut retelling of Enzo and Ferruccio’s fight about how to build sports cars, that our book in question – Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars of All Time, written by John Lamm – starts.
Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars of All Time, page 10: Lamborghini Miura & Ferrari Daytona. Photo: John Lamm.
On The Prowl
Lambo’s shot across the bow of Ferrari, and any other traditionally-oriented car maker of the time, sent us on the path to where we find ourselves today: staring down the barrel of something as strange and beautiful and terrible as a La Ferrari or a Porsche 918 or a McLaren P1. These are not sports cars. These are not even supercars (book title notwithstanding). No, these are hypercars. Cars of such technological aspiration and execution; such physics-bending performance that it is almost insane they sell them to anyone with a licence and a good check.
But here they are, out on the street; our streets, rolling among us; looking side-to-side, waiting, waiting for that next gap in traffic, that next open stretch of road, that next green light.
Related: This book about the Monaco Grand Prix captures it perfectly.
Stunning Illustrations
And this is a point Supercar Revolution drives home, page after page, and photo after photo. While we’re on the subject: Dig these shots man! The photos within the 240 page book are gorgeous art shots of two types. Either they are in-studio photos set against a black limbo background; or they’re outdoor, in situ shots of staggeringly-beautiful cars poised on race tracks, or parked just so out in front of villas of olde, or gardens verdant, or race tracks beckoning. You’ve seen Top Gear, right? The BBC program is known (primarily) for two things: doing foolishly-entertaining stuff with cars, and two – really good photography. Supercar Revolution is like the second, only in still form.
The horrible expectation is that with both the subject matter and the glorious photography, evidenced by the cover’s fantastic, rain-dappled three-quarter shot of a La Ferrari, this would be a coffee table book. A book that looks great, but has all the written flair of a vacuum cleaner manual. But no! This is not the case! Supercar Revolution is rather wonderfully-written by Lamm, a longtime notable car scribe and photographer. He is an alumnus of Road & Track and Motor Trend, and has created other nicely-done books and special pieces found hither and yon.
Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars of All Time, page 137: McLaren F1. Photo: John Lamm.
Star Power
Indeed the R&T connection runs deep throughout Supercar Revolution. Not only does Lamm get his two cents in about high performance cars of the last 50 years, but he talks with a bunch of well-known gearheads, fellow writers, drivers, and outright racers. Jay Leno gives his opinion here and there, pipe-hitting champions like Phil Hill and Paul Frère are mentioned; René Dreyfus gets a shot. He even gives space to Jerry Wiegert, that half-huckster/hudry-gurdy man that gave (or said he was going to give) the world the Vector Aeromotive W2.
Pride of The Coffee Table
It’s a really good book, in both words and pictures, and the downsides are pretty minimal. One is how the cars covered get more frequent as time gets closer to our present day – but that just reflects how there are more super and hyper cars available now. Consider Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin; and boutique makers like Pagani, Bugatti, Saleen, and Ultima. The other miss is, apart from that gorgeous cover, the La Ferrari is not within the book itself. Sort of like writing a book about mountains and failing to mention Mount Everest.
But really, overall, Supercar Revolution is a great book. It will look good on your shelf or “left out” on your coffee table.
Supercar Revolution by John Lamm
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Motorbooks; 1 edition (November 13, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 076036334X
ISBN-13: 978-0760363348
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 1 x 11.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
Price at the time of this writing: from $21.22 (hardcover) on Amazon.
About The Author
John Lamm is an award-winning automotive journalist and photographer who covers sports and racing cars for Road & Track. After attending a road race at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, he decided to become an automotive journalist and began his career with Motor Trend magazine in Los Angeles. In 1975, he moved to Road & Track, where he remains editor-at-large to this day. Lamm has won the International Motor Press Association’s Ken Purdy Award and the Motor Press Guild’s Dean Batchelor Award.
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2019 Lexus RC F Review: Come For The Luxury, Stay For The Soundtrack

2019 Lexus RC F Review: Come For The Luxury, Stay For The Soundtrack 91Solid 2019 Lexus RC FOverall Impression Strong tech features.Stylish and luxurious.ProsPowerful V8 Engine Interior Fit & Finish ConsTech Interface Small Backseat Lexus isn’t your boring luxury car company any longer. Things have changed in a big way the past few years, and Toyota’s luxury division is now on par with the German brands when it comes to performance cars. This was the goal when Akio Toyoda took over, and he’s given the brand a new identity. This new identity is apparent in Lexus’ product line today, including the 2019 Lexus RC F.
This week, we checked out the latest version of the RC F and we were not disappointed.
2019 Lexus RC F: What’s New?
There aren’t many changes for 2019, but the RC does get a limited 10th Anniversary Edition package. Highlights include Matte Nebula Gray paint, blue Brembo brake calipers, black 19-inch BBS forged wheels, and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Only 240 vehicles in the United States received the package.
Features & Options: Tech & Safety
Our 2019 Lexus RC F Sport tester ($64,650) came standard with LED headlights, automatic high beams, auto-dimming mirrors, and adjustable drive modes. The Lexus Display Audio interface pairs with a seven-inch screen and knob controller for the infotainment and climate settings. The RC F is standard with Scout GPS Link, a USB port, and a 10-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio, and a CD player. Other features include power-adjustable front seats with memory settings, simulated leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and a rearview camera.
Safety tech includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist (Lexus Safety System+ package). Lexus Enform Safety Connect is complimentary for the first 10 years of ownership and gives you access to response centers during an emergency. Automatic collision notification, an emergency assist button, and a stolen vehicle locator gave us the most peace of mind.
2019 Lexus RC F.
Features & Options: Safety & Style
This RC F tester included the Premium package ($3,240), adding blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, automatic wipers, auto-dimming side mirrors, parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats, and carbon-fiber interior trim. There’s also the Performance package ($5,500) with a torque-vectoring rear differential, carbon-fiber roof, and a speed-activated, carbon-fiber rear spoiler.
The navigation system ($2,725) came with the Remote Touch interface (a 10.3-inch screen and touchpad controller), two USB ports, voice controls, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and six-CD/DVD changer. Upgraded LED headlights, leather upholstery, 19-inch hand-polished BBS 20-spoke alloy wheels, and orange Brembo brake calipers were among the stand-alone options.
Total MSRP including destination: $80,900. By comparison, the 2019 Lexus RC F starts at $47,860.
2019 Lexus RC F interior layout.
Related: The 2019 Lexus GS F is the lion of the Lexus den.
Interior Highlights: Sporty Yet Luxurious
The RC F cabin is practical yet contemporary with unique, sharp curves and angles that match the sport coupe’s exterior design. A protruding curved dash reminds us of the sporty front end that you either love or hate. The F Spec Sport front seats hugged us tight, working especially well during our more spirited driving through mountain corners. The leather seats with the optional Premium package are ventilated for extra comfort. We used them liberally as temperatures reached near 90 degrees in Denver this week.
What we don’t like is the Lexus knob controller on the tech interface. It’s still too difficult just changing the radio channel. Once we did find the right station, the optional Mark Levinson premium sound system is excellent, providing clear audio that doesn’t distort with volume. We cranked the 835-watt, 17-speaker system up and kept the noisy world outside while we jammed.
Those using the RC F for their daily commute will appreciate the numerous predictive traffic data features offered through the navigation system. Likewise, the Lexus Enform App Suite eases those longer commutes, allowing access to popular apps like iHeartRadio, Slacker, and Yelp. However, the RC F isn’t the car for you if you need to haul adults regularly. The backseat is small and useful really just for storage but could accommodate two small children.
2019 Lexus RC F rear layout.
Related: On the road with the 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport.
2019 Lexus RC F: Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
A sweet-sounding, 5.0-liter V8 that pumps out an impressive 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft. of torque powers the 2019 Lexus RC F. The naturally-aspirated engine uses a combination of direct injection and port fuel injectors to achieve a 12.3:1 compression ratio. The V8 is mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift gearbox with paddle shifters for those wanting to shift manually.
The fuel mileage for the RC F is an EPA-estimated 16/25 city/highway and 19 combined mpg. You can probably achieve that if you keep your foot out of it.
Driving Dynamics: A Word of Caution
You will want the 2019 Lexus RC F if you enjoy driving fast! Once you step on the gas, all 467 horses come to life. On the high-performance meter, it pegs! You need to be careful; the RC F is explosive and can get you in trouble quickly, especially on wet or slick surfaces. The summer performance tires are meant for just that, summer. This is not a car for those who live in colder climates!
Driving Dynamics: Sweet, Sweet Sounds
The RC F was developed at places like Fuji Speedway in Japan and the legendary Nürburgring in Germany. We could tell as we swept through the mountain corners near Denver this week. The RC F’s torque-vectoring differential changes left-right torque distribution within 1/1000th of a second, based on the throttle, braking, yaw rate, and longitudinal and lateral G-forces. Combine that with the Linear Adaptive Variable Suspension and SPORT S+ mode, and you have one of the most fun sports cars on the market today.
But the best part? When we stomped on the gas, the sound generator that pipes engine noise into the cabin filled our ears with an amazing exhaust note. When we needed to stop, the Brembo brakes halted us just as quickly as we took off.
The RC F’s torque-vectoring differential changes left-right torque distribution within 1/1000th of a second.
Conclusion: A Worthy Competitor
The 2019 Lexus RC F is able to challenge the best luxury performance coupes in the world. It makes a statement that Lexus can bring serious performance to the game. Lexus also has strong quality and reliability ratings, something the competitors don’t always have.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Lexus RC F Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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