Automotive

2018 Honda Accord Gets Thorough Redesign

2018 Honda Accord Gets Thorough Redesign

The Honda Accord has, for many years, been many things. It’s affordable, reliable transportation for many people. It is a market leader and a vanguard as to what a large segment of car buyers want and expect, and therefore, if you’re smart and observant, a signal to other automakers as to what people will buy. But more than anything else, the Honda Accord is a virtual license to print money. It would have been more efficient if various governments from around the world had simply shipped Honda a bunch of printing presses from their mints, and cut out the middleman, so to speak.
So, when Honda gives the Accord a major redo, the world best pay attention.
Before digging into the 2018 Honda Accord, I should first go into what is not said in any of the Minato-based company’s press materials. Completely absent is any mention of the Honda Accord Coupe. And that is because, sadly, Honda will no longer produce a coupe version of the Accord. Yes, I know it’s hard out there for coupes. It’s a crowded market segment, and profit margins are blade thin, so pour one out for the Accord Coupe, because we won’t be seeing it on the road any time soon.
The Accord’s new body is lighter and more rigid, with 29 percent ultra-high-strength steel, the most extensive application of this weight-saving material in any current mass-produced Honda car. Pictured here is the 2018 Honda Accord Touring. Photo: Honda North America.
Styling & Design
The 2018 Honda Accord, coming this fall, is the tenth version of Honda’s bread and butter sedan. Indeed, the Accord is the best-selling midsize sedan in America, and given Honda’s conservative engineering and styling nature, they are not going to mess up a good thing. Honda’s designers and engineers took a “back to fundamentals” approach when it came to reimagining the gen-10 Accord. Overall, they went with proportions that give the 2018 Accord a “sporting and athletic appearance.” In other words, longer, lower, and wider, while trying to keep the lines, creases, and proportions taut.
The new Accord’s wheelbase is more than 2 inches longer, overall height has dropped more than half an inch, and the body is nearly half an inch wider. Similarly, the track has expanded, gaining 0.20 inches in front and 0.79 inches out back. The overall length, however, has dropped by 0.39 of an inch, so overhangs front and rear are less. There’s a lower, sportier seating position, while the greenhouse (windshield) is positioned farther back on the body to be more “sweeping.” The combined effect Honda wants is that of a more premium look, highlighted by shorter overhangs, a bolder front fascia, a long and low hood, and a visual center of gravity moved closer to the rear wheels.
Whether Accord buyers will find this appealing will be up to them. Honda has been known to miss the mark with styling in the past, so the jury is still out.
The front fascia sits more upright for 2018, highlighted by Honda’s now signature chrome wing front grille, positioned and flanked by available 9-lamp LED headlights and LED fog lights. Honda calls the hood “chiseled” with its raised center; the sides are deeply sculpted to give the 2018 Accord visual length. Honda also cleaned up the roof/body thanks to a new laser brazing process that creates a clean appearance without a garnish over the car’s rain channels. Out back, the whole “low and wide” thing keeps up with an upswept decklid, distinctive LED taillights, and integrated dual exhaust ports. Overall, this increased aerodynamic efficiency by approximately 3 percent.
Along with the first application of structural adhesives to the Accord, cabin quietness is further enhanced by a comprehensive sound-insulating package that includes full underbody covers (which also aid aerodynamics), front and rear fender and engine compartment insulators, alloy wheels with Honda-proprietary resonator technology, sound-absorbing carpet, acoustic laminated windshield glass – plus front door acoustic glass on EX and above trims – and a new, three-microphone Active Noise Control system. Photo: Honda North America.

Interior Treatments & Technology
Honda has used those new chassis and body hard-points to extract more room. Beneath the greenhouse that angles inward more dramatically, the seats have been moved slightly inward for better hip, shoulder, and head room. The longer wheelbase allows second row seats to be pushed rearward, giving almost 2 extra inches of rear leg room. Honda says there’s an extra 2.5 cubic feet of interior volume, and trunk space is up by nearly one cubic foot on the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter Accords.
If you go for the Accord Hybrid, you’ll gain 3.2 cubic feet of trunk space for 2018.
The new soft-touch instrument panel features an ultra-thin profile and three-tier design that describes a continuous arc, from its outboard section through the side door sills. Honda says this is to give a sense of strength and visual continuity. So it goes. The “sport inspired” (gag) steering wheel is more contoured with deep-set thumb rests and available paddle shifters. Honda, an outfit always known for its knobs and switchgear, keeps up the tradition by paying lots of attention to the tactile and visual quality of surface materials throughout the cabin.
The 2018 Accord has an ultra-slim, 7-inch TFT driver’s meter and a new 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Of course it’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible with the next-gen HondaLink telematics which includes emergency roadside assistance, remote locking/unlocking and engine start, stolen vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, geofencing, and speed tracking. Higher trim levels get a new 6-inch Heads-Up Display. There’s wireless device charging, automatic Bluetooth phone pairing, 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi-enabled over-the-air system updates.
The 2018 Accord’s turbocharged engines utilize a host of new technologies, including high-efficiency low-inertia turbos, variable valve timing, low-pressure-loss air intake, and high-accuracy direct injection to deliver immediate response. Honda anticipates solid fuel economy ratings from the EPA with the new engines. Pictured here is the 2018 Honda Accord Touring. Photo: Honda North America.

Power & Performance
For those of us that care about things like engine specs, we’ll all be glad to hear the 2018 Accord gets three new powerplants: two turbocharged 4-cylinder engines and a two-motor hybrid powertrain setup. There’s a new, Honda-developed 10-speed automatic transmission for the 2.0-liter turbo mill, and an available 6-speed manual transmission for both turbocharged engines. Hooray!
The 1.5-liter plant puts out 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft. of torque. The 2.0-liter produces 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque. Both of these plants are substantially up from the engines they replace – we’d buy the 2.0-liter, of course. Honda does not mention exactly when this fall the 2018 Accord will be in showrooms nor how much it will cost, but c’mon, it’s a Honda Accord; it’ll probably be right within your budget.
All variants of the 2018 Accord will be produced at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio plant.
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 Honda Accord Gallery

Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-honda-accord-gets-thorough-redesign/

AutoSensONLINE: Free Virtual Conference to Connect Engineering Community During COVID-19

AutoSensONLINE: Free Virtual Conference to Connect Engineering Community During COVID-19 This article originally appeared on AutoVision News. It has been republished with permission.

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing the postponement of AutoSens Detroit, organizers have launched a series of free virtual conferences to keep the engineering community connected during this uncertain time. AutoSensONLINE will take place over seven days throughout May, June, and July, with each event carrying a different technical theme. For the May online event, which begins on Tuesday, the discussions and presentations focus on the changing dynamics of ADAS and autonomous vehicle development.

“The world has changed a lot over the last few months, and we are fully embracing that via AutoSensONLINE,” explained Robert Stead, Managing Director of AutoSens. “The May agenda will address some specific questions the market has right now, like what is the impact of COVID-19 on ADAS research, and on the automotive sector in general.”

What Is AutoSens?

AutoSens is a three-day workshop, conference, and exhibition focused on the challenges facing autonomous cars at nearly every level. Under normal circumstances, organizers host thee yearly events for the engineering and ADAS community: one in Brussels, another in Detroit, and now Hong Kong. The primary goal of AutoSens is to gather engineers, researchers, and other industry professionals under one roof to examine the full scope of automated driving.

“We have taken some of the elements that work well at our physical events, and built an agenda around the plenary topics for this first May online event,” Stead said. “One of our core principles is always to deliver high-quality technical content and add value to the engineering community, and that doesn’t change with AutoSensONLINE.”

AutoSens Detroit attendees prepare for a self-driving vehicle demo on the campus of Wayne State University in May 2018. Photo: Alex Hartman for Sense Media.AutoSensONLINE Agenda for May

AutoSensONLINE for May begins this Tuesday, May 12th, and runs through the 14th. Live streaming starts each day at 2:45 pm GMT +1, or 9:45 am Eastern. “We have tweaked the format, so the presentations are a little shorter as we don’t expect everyone to spend a whole day at their screen,” Stead explained. “We’ll still have Q&A with all the speakers, and they will be online participating with the audience during the event.”

First up on Tuesday is Professor Dr. Alexander Braun, a Professor of Physics from the University of Applied Sciences in Duesseldorf, Germany. Dr. Braun’s presentation will cover the challenges facing the mass production of ADAS systems. “The current research in ADAS/AD is often focused on finding ONE solution to a certain problem, like object detection, sensor fusion, path planning, etc.,” Dr. Braun writes. “Once a solution is found, the real challenge enters: mass production of these systems for everyday use on real roads.”

The presentation will also focus on how to balance the many variables in play. “The key is finding the operating limits of the systems under production tolerances and in correlation with all the many variations the real world has to offer,” Dr. Bruan continued. “We’ll also touch on the far-reaching implications of these questions for the whole supply chain.”

Rudy Burger, Managing Partner of Woodside Capital Partners, will begin the Wednesday session of AutoSensONLINE. Burger will give an update on the latest M&A and venture capital activities. “We’re seeing capital now getting invested in smaller and smaller companies as the market and investors decide who the winners and losers are going to be,” Burger said on stage at AutoSens Brussels in September. “It’s fascinating to see how the amount of capital a company raises, and who they raise it from, can have a significant impact on if they become a market winner.”

Challenges go Under the Microscope

Burger will join a panel discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 immediately after his M&A session on Wednesday. Joining him are Pierre Cambou, Principal Analyst, Yole Développement, and Puneet Sinha, Director of New Mobility for the Mechanical Analysis Division of Mentor, a Siemens business. Moderating the panel is Bill Russo, Founder and CEO of Automobility Ltd.

On Thursday, Howard Abbey, Autonomous Car Specialist with SBD Automotive, will present on how consumers can understand the differences between assisted and autonomous driving. “I look greatly forward to reconnecting with the AutoSens community and continuing the tradition of bringing together technical details of advanced perception and their automotive applications,” Abbey said.

Also on Thursday is a panel discussion about managing data ethically and per government policy. Panelists include Bryant Walker Smith, associate professor in the School of Law and (by courtesy) the School of Engineering at the University of South Carolina; Xantha Bruso, Policy Manager on the Autonomous Vehicle Strategy team at A3 Ventures, the innovation lab of AAA Northern California, Nevada, and Utah; and Dr. Stephen Zoepf, Chief of Policy Development, Lacuna.

Moderating the panel is attorney Gail Gottehrer, founder of the Law Office of Gail Gottehrer LLC.

“What data to collect and how to manage it is one of the major areas where we are venturing, as an industry, into uncharted territory,” Stead explained. “The potential risk to society from not managing safety during the testing and roll-out of high-level ADAS and autonomous vehicles is significant, so it’s important we take every opportunity to make sure regulators and industry are joining up in their thinking.”

How to Attend AutoSensONLINE

The AutoSensONLINE events for May, June, and July are entirely free. “We felt that in these uncertain times, this was the best way we could support our engineering community,” Stead said.

Those who wish to attend can sign up on the AutoSens website. The one-time registration is for all three AutoSens online events. While the June and July online agendas are still being developed, a full list of Tuesday’s speakers is available now.

As for the in-person conferences, organizers say if social distancing guidelines are lifted, AutoSens Brussels will commence in September, with the Detroit event following in November and Hong Kong in 2021. In the meantime, the online conferences give the engineers working on ADAS technology a chance to connect from afar.

“The vision has always been about community,” Stead added. “Conversations and collaborations are what drives the success of AutoSens, and will be the signature ingredient at all our events for years to come, be it in-person or online.”
Original article: AutoSensONLINE: Free Virtual Conference to Connect Engineering Community During COVID-19

Check out these Automotive tips

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/autosensonline-free-virtual-conference-to-connect-engineering-community-during-covid-19/

New Michelin Video Accurately Shows Why We Love Motorsports

New Michelin Video Accurately Shows Why We Love Motorsports The Goodwood Festival of Speed is billed as the largest motoring garden party in the word. In 1993, Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara, established the Goodwood Festival of Speed; he wanted the motor racing spirit on the grounds of Goodwood House. The Festival of Speed allows enthusiasts direct and intimate access to the machines and drivers that make the sport famous. Automakers from around the globe make an appearance and often display special edition models for their fans.
The event is held in the surrounding parkland of Goodwood Estate, located just to the north of the West Sussex cathedral city of Chichester. Outside of the Festival of Speed, the area is used as farmland for the Goodwood Farm livestock.
Superstar Moments
Michelin recently released a video documenting this year’s edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, featuring Paul Wallace from Supercars of London and Sam from Seen Through Glass. We join the duo as they meet and interview some of the most respected names in Motorsport, including Le Mans champion Tom Kristensen, rally legend Mikko Hirvonen, and motorcycle extraordinaire Freddie Spencer.
Over the course of seven minutes, Paul and Sam receive insight on how each form of racing differs and what strategies are needed to be successful. Kristensen explains how an engineer will approach racing while Spencer talks about how he grips the handlebars on his motorcycle while racing. Hirvonen even obliges and gives Sam a ride after he defeats Paul for the privilege after a game of rock, paper, scissors. After ripping around the rally course, Sam declares things on his body he didn’t think could “jiggle” where, in fact, jiggling.

Powerful Pursuits
The underlying theme revolves around the passion we all share for anything with wheels. When it comes to our love of cars particularly, we can usually pinpoint why. It might be for enjoyment, like attending classic car shows or turning wrenches on that old GTO in the garage to restore it. It might be a love for driving a light and agile roadster through rolling hills; it might be that feeling of success a fine luxury car can portray, or it could as simple as appreciating the everyday SUV because it’s reliable for the family.
Whatever the reason, Michelin’s video recapping the Goodwood Festival of Speed, shows how such passions are, and will continue to be, one of the greatest things we can experience.

More information on the Michelin Car Connections MSN Hub.
Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Michelin. All views and opinions expressed here are my own. Check out our advertising guidelines to see why we’d never steer you wrong.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/new-michelin-video-accurately-shows-why-we-love-motorsports/

Rolls-Royce Phantom: Overstated Finesse or Elegance Pinnacle?

Rolls-Royce Phantom: Overstated Finesse or Elegance Pinnacle?

Who buys a Rolls-Royce these days? I guess somebody does, because they’re still being made and sold, but it also seems like their choice as a viable luxury and performance ride peaked many, many decades ago. In a lot of ways, driving a Rolls today is seen as gauche and extremely declasse. Back then, a Rolls was as subtle as anything else British. It was all about understated luxury, not about “look at me, I’m filthy rich” with an emphasis on filthy. So what is the new Rolls-Royce Phantom, and why would one consider buying it this day and age?
Perception Versus Reality
In their heyday, a Rolls was like a Savile Row suit or refurbishing the roof on the olde family manse that great-grand-Ma-Ma left to you. It was something that one, one of a certain peerage and lineage, did. But then the New Rich clocked to the idea that if you could buy the trappings of the Old Rich, you could, in theory and to some people, be perceived as having class. You could simply buy your way into the ornamentation of a title and not worry about the title itself.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both bought fine old English mansions back in the 60s. John Lennon bought a Rolls and painted it all psychedelic as a rather nice ironic statement. Keith Moon bought a Rolls and drove it into the pool of his old English manse because he’s Keith Moon. Now, it’s all sheiks and minor princes and heirs from minor oil-soaked fiefdoms and the occasional rapper that seems to be Rolls-Royce’s stock in trade.
Photo: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC.
Architecture of Luxury
Admittedly, you’ll be getting something screwed together more like a bespoke luxury yacht than a car. Rolls’ attention to stuff like carpets and leather and wood and such has been well known for the better part of a century. The obfuscation of technical details is just as well known, but that, like so many things RR, is a thing of the past. Now, Rolls-Royce is owned by BMW and that, in a lot of very important engineering ways, has been good for the company.
The new Rolls Phantom sits on an all-aluminium spaceframe architecture. This all aluminium spaceframe will underpin every future Rolls; no future model will rely on the monocoque construction used by the “mass-manufacturers and some mass-luxury brands.” Oh SNAP! The new Roller is approximately 30 percent more rigid than the spaceframe architecture found on the outgoing Phantom VII. Naturally, all this stiffness results in “the Rolls-Royce experience” in ride, acoustic, and seat comfort, along with a particular exterior and interior presence.
All of this is part of RR’s new “Architecture of Luxury” and if you thought the builders from Crewe would leave it at that, you’re sorely mistaken. Rolls hits on that phrase relentlessly from here on out. This new focus is concentrated on making the new Phantom lighter and stiffer, with more efficient standards of production.
The new spaceframe rides on an air suspension and features state-of-the-art chassis control systems. Rolls-Royce says this results in “peerless, effortless ride and handling and optimal vibration comfort performance.” The front suspension is a new double-wishbone setup with a 5-link arrangement at the rear. This offers better control over lateral roll and shear forces, while delivering increased agility and stability. The new Phantom also gets four-wheel steering.
Photo: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC.

Sound Performance
As with all Rolls-Royce models, the new Phantom is as quiet as a drawing room, thanks to the 6mm two-layer glazing on the windows, more than 130kg of sound insulation, cast aluminium joints, and the use of other high sound absorption materials. There’s double skin alloy on areas within the floor and bulkhead of the spaceframe for better acoustic insulation from road noise.
Rolls has inserted dense foam with felt layers between panel skins for further sound insulation. They’ve even added sound deadening to the headliner, in the doors, and in the boot (trunk) cavity. They even spec’d new “Silent-Seal” tires that feature a foam layer inside to see to tire cavity noise and drop road noise by another 9db. All of this results in what Rolls calls “the most silent motorcar in the world.”
Performance & Technology
Motivating this boat is a new twin turbocharged V12 Phantom engine that puts out 900Nm (over 660 ft-lbs.) of torque and 563 horsepower. The 12-banger’s power is put to the tarmac through something called a Satellite Aided Transmission, married to a ZF 8-Speed gearbox.
And since it’s 2017 and not 1917, the new Rolls-Royce Phantom is dripping computer technology. Rolls refers to this as an “Electronic Architecture,” complete with an electronic nervous system that connects and controls all the various intelligent systems of the Phantom. Rolls says it’s the most advanced luxury motorcar available today and sure, why not. There’s the Alertness Assistant which is a 4-camera system with Panoramic View for all around visibility, including a helicopter view. There’s Night Vision and Vision Assist, Active Cruise Control, collision warning, pedestrian warning (should you actually care about the wellbeing of your lessers), cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning, and a 7×3 high-resolution heads-up display. WiFi hotspot? But of course, sir! The latest navigation and entertainment systems? Need you even ask, sir?!
Price? Well if you have to ask about that, perhaps you should run along with the other reach-me-downs and chuckaboos to the Mercedes-Benz or Jaguar dealership. That might be more befitting someone of your, a-HEM, station, sir. I said good day sir!
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.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Gallery

Photos & Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/rolls-royce-phantom-overstated-finesse-or-elegance-pinnacle/

2017 Acura MDX AWD Advance Review

2017 Acura MDX AWD Advance Review

Many consumers don’t think of the Acura MDX when searching for a new luxury SUV or crossover, but it’s definitely a model you need to put on your list. We think the improvements on the 2017 MDX make it one of the best-driving crossovers in its class. It’s all-weather capable and has a quiet, spacious cabin.
Over the weekend, we drove the 2017 Acura MDX AWD with the Advance trim.
What’s New For 2017
The Acura MDX receives a significant remodel, including a new hood, refreshed front and rear fascias, restyled front fenders, and new headlights. This year’s MDX is the first Acura to sport the new diamond pentagon grille.
Features & Options
The 2017 Acura MDX AWD Advance comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights with auto high beams, heated side mirrors, an electronic parking brake, a power liftgate, a sunroof, and keyless entry and ignition. Inside, you’ll find heated, eight-way power-adjustable front seats (with power lumbar adjustment for the driver), driver-seat memory settings, a power-adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Technology highlights include dual dashboard displays (a lower 7-inch touchscreen and an upper 8-inch regular screen), Bluetooth, five USB ports, Siri Eyes Free, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, Pandora and Aha compatibility, and satellite radio. The AcuraWatch suite includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist.
The Advance package adds front and rear parking sensors, LED foglights, automatic engine stop/start, a surround-view camera, a heated steering wheel, sport seats with premium leather; power lumbar adjustment for the front passenger, front-seat ventilation, natural wood trim, heated second-row captain’s chairs, second row sunshades, and two additional USB ports for the third row. Pricing was not available for our MDX tester.

Interior Highlights
The first thing we had to figure out was the new push-button transmission shifter, located on the center console. But, once we got it handled, it was a nice change from the big sifters in other SUVs. It frees up space on the console, and it’s easy to use with its distinct buttons and levers. The premium leather seats are plush and supportive, with low side bolsters that make sliding in and out easy. Much different than the Recaro performance seats in my last tester.
What we didn’t like is how the driver’s seat slides back automatically when the door is opened, and we had to readjust the seat each time we got in. A week isn’t long enough for this journalist to program the seats, so we had to deal with it. The cabin is roomy for this class and the fit, finish, and material quality is first rate.
Rear passengers are bathed in comfort too and the optional Advanced Package offers second row captains chairs that come heated for extra winter warmth. The third row seats are easier to get to with the captains chairs, but are good for kids and not adults as in most 3-row SUVs. The second and third row seats fold flat and with both seats folded, the cargo space reveals an underfloor storage area with room for items you need to hide away. It has a handy lid that can be moved out of the way.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
This MDX tester came with the 3.5-liter direct-injected V6, making 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. of torque. It’s coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels. This MDX came with the optional SH-AWD system for all-weather capability. EPA ratings come in at 19/26/ city/highway and 22 combined mpg, using premium unleaded fuel. The start/stop feature gets you 1 mpg more, though it can be annoying.
Driving Dynamics
For driving enthusiasts, the MDX is one of the sportier crossovers when you get behind the wheel. The 3.5 liter V6 makes enough power to have fun when pushed hard. It offers up strong acceleration, rivaling some of its European competitors while still getting good fuel economy. We used the steering wheel paddle shifters in Sport mode, enabling the MDX’s 9-speed automatic to quickly shift up or down. When left in normal mode, acceleration is smooth and the nine-speed transmission keeps revs high at full throttle.
On the highway, the ride is comfortable, but we could feel higher frequency bumps through the larger 20-inch wheels at lower speeds. In the tight mountains corners, this tester had minimal body roll and the suspension soaked up larger bumps. During city driving, the MDX is easy to maneuver in traffic, but the automatic start/stop function still takes too long to react off the line after coming to a stop.
The cabin is quiet and kept us insulated from the city, thanks to an active noise-cancellation system, active engine mounts, acoustic glass in the windshield and windows, and extra insulation throughout the vehicle.
For those who live in cold climates, the MDX’s SH-AWD is an exceptional system that moves power front-to-back and side-to-side, depending on where you need traction. In the corners, the system transfers more power to the outside wheels in a curve (torque vectoring), similar to performance cars. This also makes a difference on dry roads where there may be loose gravel near the edge of the road but clean near the middle.
Conclusion
The 2017 Acura MDX gets improvements to make it one of the best-driving crossovers in its class. It’s all-weather capable and has a quiet, spacious cabin. Throw in the MDX’s long list of safety features, and you’ve got a top family contender in this class.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Acura MDX Gallery

We trust Edmunds.com to give us the best, up to date, and TRUE pricing of what people are really paying for their cars. Get a free dealer quote at Edmunds on this car:

2017 Acura MDX Official Site.
Photos: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-acura-mdx-awd-advance-review/

An Afternoon Shine With Mothers Polish

An Afternoon Shine With Mothers Polish Living in Michigan is a challenge, especially during the winter, but summer isn’t any better. The weather lately in Detroit has been unpredictable, warm and sunny one day, then rainy and cool the next. Many of the roads I frequent here in the Detroit metro – Woodward Avenue, Southfield Freeway, Interstate 94, M10, and Fort Street – are loaded with traffic, and my daily drives take me through industrial areas and patches of road construction.
You can wash a vehicle here, and by the time you get home, there is a layer of dust on the paint.
Recently, the team at Mothers asked if I would evaluate a few of their most popular products. I obliged, putting them through the paces during my latest wash outing. Mothers has over 70 car care products in their portfolio but the ones below will work regardless of what type of vehicle you own.
Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Mothers. All views and opinions expressed here are my own. Check out our advertising guidelines to see why we’d never steer you wrong.
Mothers sent us a care package as part of their #PristinePolish campaign. Up until this point, I had never used a Mothers product.
Polishing Cloths & Quick Detail Towel
Mothers sent me one of each and both are very specific in their uses. The polishing cloth is “edgeless” and lighter, and is best suited for removing leftover glazes and waxes. The cloth is soft, lint free, and glides nicely across the paint. By contrast, the Quick Detail Towel is more robust and acted like a vacuum when I used it, removing any leftover particles, dirt, and grime following the initial wash.
The Mothers Quick Detail Towel has two “naps”: the long one is best for wiping down the vehicle immediately after washing it, whereas the shorter nap will help with that final buff and polish.
I really liked the longer nap. I always wipe down my vehicles after washing and before applying any other products. The long nap gave me that ability.
After a few minutes of use, I would shake out both cloths.
The Mothers Polishing Cloths and Quick Detail Towels are perfect for those “finishing touches.” I kept them in my pocket so I could easily grab them when I noticed any leftover dirt or grime.
Instant Detailer
This was my favorite in the Mothers package because my wash jobs are not complete until I apply something like this. It comes from my early years in the automotive business when I sold cars at a dealership. When you put a car on the showfloor, a good shine is essential. The nasty pink stuff we had in our desks was referred to as “showroom shine,” and we would wipe down the vehicles when we had spare time.
Nice thing is, the Mothers Instant Detailer gave me the shine without the terrible smell (it actually smells pleasant).
Spray it on, spread evenly with a soft cloth, and then wipe away/buff the excess with another towel, like the short nap of the Quick Detail Towel.
If you don’t have a lot of time, a bottle of this will do the trick. It took me ten minutes using the two towels Mothers provided. The Instant Detailer comes from the Mothers “Speed” line, a series of products designed to work quicker than their counterparts.
Word of caution: don’t apply it when it’s too hot out because it evaporates quickly.
The Mothers Instant Detailer gave the Venezia Blue Metallic paint of my 500X a laser-like look in the sunlight. With the rain in Michigan lately, this was a welcome treat.
Carnauba Wash & Wax
This was quite useful on my lower quarter panels where grime, especially from these recent rainstorms, builds up. Hitting it with a high pressure hose is not enough to remove it either. You can opt for the scrub brush at the car wash, but I understand if you are hesitant – they are often dirty from frequent prior use and I’ve known them to cause a scratch or two.
The Mothers Carnauba Wash & Wax can be a good substitute. Add a little to a bucket of water and “shampoo” accordingly with a sponge or mitt. You can use this between your regular waxing too – in this case, I applied it to the “problem areas” on my vehicle, but it can be used on the entire exterior.
Carnauba, native to Brazil, is known for its heat tolerance.
The photos below are of the three biggest “problem areas” on my 500X – areas that, no matter what, always collect dirt and grime. They include the rear window, lower quarter panels, and the section behind my rear wheels. A normal spray gun won’t get these areas clean, neither will an automatic wash. It always takes me giving these areas some extra attention and care, and the Mothers Carnauba Wash & Wax was a huge help.

PowerBall
I award Mothers some serious cool points here. Attach this little guy to the end of any variable speed drill and you have a built-in polisher. Mothers says it can be used on just about everything, from taillight lenses and wheels, to tile and marble.
Consensus
These items were given to me by Mothers to raise awareness for their #PristinePolish campaign. Still, I enjoyed using them considering I made a New Year’s resolution to wash my vehicle more. And up until they sent me this package, I didn’t have any nice cleaning supplies to really act on that resolution.
Mothers has products for those that detail vehicles for a living, but these “ordinary” ones are still professional grade. Prior to this, I had never used a Mothers product. I always assumed they were for the higher-end types of cars you see at auto shows, or again, for those making a living as a detailer.
I was, however, glad to have this misconception corrected, especially by things like the Instant Detailer. Mothers is still ideal for that dream exotic or ultra-powerful muscle car, but for those of us who drive ordinary everyday cars, trucks, and crossovers, Mothers will work nicely.
For those of us who live in colder climates, it takes some extra work when it comes to keeping a vehicle clean, but I will be excited to try these items Mothers sent me when winter hits.
True to form, we had another rain storm overnight, but the Mothers treatments from the prior afternoon held up.
Wish List For Next Time
(Mothers Products I Would Like To Try)
Mothers Bug & Tar Remover: From the Speed product line. Bugs and tar are always hard to remove and very few products on the market are actually up to this task. I’ve been let down by other brands.
Back to Black Tire Cleaner/Shine: From the Classic product line. Like the Instant Detailer, no wash job is complete without some type of tire cleaner or shine.
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.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/an-afternoon-shine-with-mothers-polish/

Lotus Evora GT430: Fastest Evora Yet

Lotus Evora GT430: Fastest Evora Yet

Hethel is at it again, with Lotus pairing down and refining their Evora even further with the Evora GT430. This one has gotten so far to the outside of what the existing structure can take, I wouldn’t be surprised if this will be the final iteration of the Evora line. To push the envelope any further, you’d basically end up with a race car-like ride devoid of stuff like seat padding and carpet and flywheels; so light that 90% of the people on the planet would stall the thing.
Oh sure, for morons like me, an Evora like that sounds pretty close to ideal, but Lotus is smart enough to know they’d only end up selling four of them.
Too Much, Too Little?
Of course, as fine as the Lotus Evora GT430 is, one terrible fact is becoming obvious. Have you noticed Lotus has been cranking out lots of variations on the Evora. Look, I don’t fault them, on the one hand. I’d be doing it too. The Evora is a great car, even in its mildest form, and is obviously flexible enough to be tuned to the stratosphere. But the other thing here is how the constant tinkering with the Evora might just say that’s all they got is the Evora. There’s no updated Elans for the 21st century, no Esprits at the top of the line. One could say this constant messing about with Evora points to a huge deficiency in the current lineup, but why dwell on negatives when we have the Lotus Evora GT430 to consider.
“The Evora GT430 is a landmark car for Lotus. Lightweight engineering and class-leading handling, paired with Lotus’ aerodynamic expertise, define the Evora GT430 as a legendary Lotus,” explained Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc. “It’s a truly beautiful car, meticulously finished in hand-crafted carbon, and employing the latest aerodynamics and lightweight materials. We expect the lucky owners to be blown away by its pure presence and staggering performance.” Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Power & Performance
The Lotus Evora GT430 follows in the tire tracks of the Evora 400 and Evora Sport 410, but that’s about the only thing it’s going to be following. Actually, the latter two will be the ones doing the following since the Evora GT430 is the most powerful road-going Lotus ever. In no small part this is thanks to Lotus lavishing scads of carbon-fiber components, and working the engine for even higher power output. The Evora GT430 is powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 supercharged and intercooled plant found in other Evoras, only now Lotus has massaged it into producing 430 horsepower.
And, just like the company’s founder Colin Chapman had a fetish for making things as light as possible, the latest Evora is anything but heavy. The Evora GT430 tips the scales at 1,258 kg (around 2,800 lbs. for you Americans out there). That light weight, coupled with the 430 ponies produced by the engine, results in . . . well, c’mon, you can see where this is going. And of course, since this is a Lotus, it’s going to handle better than 99.9 percent of the cars out there. All around, the new Evora GT430 delivers tremendous speed and performance; 0 to 60, for example, is dispatched in just 3.7 seconds and the Evora GT430’s top speed is 190 mph.
The Evora GT430’s six-speed manual transmission features a low-inertia, single-mass flywheel, to help ensure swift changes, while a Torsen-type limited slip differential gives better traction, and faster exit speeds, when cornering. Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Aerodynamic Advantages
Thanks to the exposed carbon weave sections of the new and specifically designed body panels, the Evora GT430 produces up to 250 kg of downforce through aerodynamic improvements. That’s around 550 lbs., and on a car this light, you’ll notice it in high speed bends. There are larger front apertures for cooling the brakes and radiator, there’s a new carbon fiber splitter, the air blades allow for better front end downforce, and louvers positioned on top of the front wheel arches cut front end lift and bleed off high pressure air from inside the wheel wells.
Out back there are aero ducts behind each wheel to cut pressure within the wheel arch, along with a bit of style that allows you to check out the wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. There’s a big honking rear diffuser to provide a “sharp visual finish” but it is also functional. And, as you would expect, there’s a large, profiled carbon wing.
The removal of critical weight from the Evora GT430 results in a more responsive and agile car for the driver. Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Pricing & Availability
Want one? Of course you do! Well, better get in line yesterday because Lotus is producing only 60 copies of what it terms the “supreme Evora.” The price will be around 150,000 Euros, depending on taxes and exchange rates for markets like Germany, Italy, Japan, and such. The ordering window is currently open.
There is no direct mention of the Evora GT430 being sold in America, which, I will readily admit, is a worrying proposition. So you know, a little confirmation of the Evora GT430 showing up on these shores would be nice Lotus. You know what would be even better? Dropping a couple off at One Automoblog Towers in Detroit for test and evaluation. Talk to Carl Anthony, our Managing Editor about it. I think he’s the fellow that gets to sign for this sort of thing . . . our legal/psychiatric team won’t let me sign for stuff any longer.
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.
Lotus Evora GT430 Gallery

Photos & Source: Group Lotus plc.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/lotus-evora-gt430-fastest-evora-yet/

Could The Mazda Miata Outpace One of History’s Greatest Muscle Cars?

Could The Mazda Miata Outpace One of History’s Greatest Muscle Cars? We here at Automoblog are good pals with these guys at RealMazdaParts.com. I’m not sure exactly how they do it, but every so often they ask hilarious questions and put out some highly entertaining infographics. In this case: Could a 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata outrun a 1970 Chevelle 454 SS?
The answer, if you think about it, is actually pretty obvious, but it does also lead us to consider that our heroes of old were not that heroic.
The short answer is yes, a new Miata is “faster” than a Chevelle 454 SS. Or at least it would be around an AutoX course. But that’s obvious, isn’t it? A Chevelle 454 SS weighs nearly twice what a Miata does, it has a suspension better suited to a hay wagon, and don’t get me started on its braking capabilities.
Handling Versus Horsepower
But this is the old “different horses for different courses” argument. Of course a Miata is going to beat the living daylights out of a 454 SS on an AutoX course. That’s what Miatas are made to do. That sort of contest is inherently biased in the Miata’s favor. Shoot, a Miata could probably beat an AA Fuel dragster in a quarter-mile drag race, if the rules were to go halfway down the strip, turn around, and then come back.
If you look at the handy dandy little chart from RealMazdaParts.com (also seen below) it’s amazing how close both cars are in some areas. The zero to 60 times are pretty close, with the Chevy losing out by 0.3 seconds. The exact opposite is true in the quarter mile, with the SS beating the MX-5 by more than a second.
But, in the drag contest, the big block Chevelle has three times the horsepower and more than three times the torque of the Miata . . . which corresponds into more top end which, as always, corresponds to lower ETs down that asphalt strip baby!
With the optional LS-6 454 big-block V8, the Chevelle SS could surpass 100 mph in 13.3 seconds. Photo: GM Media Archive.
Vintage Versus Contemporary
If you look a little deeper, what this really brings into stark contrast is that the “good old days” weren’t all that good. You’ll run into lots of old timers these days, talking about how cool things used to be, back in the 1960s, in the muscle car era. They talk about it like it’s some sort of golden era, never to be attained again.
Talk about looking at the past through rose-tinted racing goggles.
You look at the performance specs for cars across the board from the mid-century, and they’re not all that impressive. At least from today’s vantage point. Sure, back in 1967, a Pontiac GTO was an impressive car. Was. Sure, a Chevelle 454 SS was the top of the Chevy muscle car heap, Camaros and Vettes not really counting, which is good, since they could be even faster. Yes, the Chevelle could run with Buick Grand Sports and Hemi ‘Cudas and such, but today?
Look at the figures. A 2019 Dodge Charger puts out roughly the same amount of power and will go from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds. That is 1.7 seconds faster than a 454 SS. And the Charger is a four door (for some terrible reason). And the real cherry on top? A new Charger can get over 20 mpg (some as high as 30) on the highway. You will never see that kind of mileage with a big-block Chevelle. Never.
Shoot, you’d be lucky to get it out of the single digits with any of your vintage muscle cars.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Penny For Your Thoughts
What can I say, cars are objectively better today than they were half a century ago. That, of course, does not mean they are more fun. That’s subjective and up to the eye of the beholder.
The only thing that gets me, and I mean really gets me, from this chart is that when you adjust for inflation, the Chevelle is about $7,000 less than a new MX-5. Inflation adjusted, a 454 Chevelle SS would sell for a little under $23,000. 23-thousand! Have you ever seen what these things go for on Hemmings?
Don’t go look. You don’t wanna know. It’s downright chilling.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/could-the-mazda-miata-outpace-one-of-historys-greatest-muscle-cars/

The Battle For Generation Z In The Small SUV Market

The Battle For Generation Z In The Small SUV Market It’s seems like every generation in the United States has caught sport utility vehicle fever. SUVs sell like hotcakes and it makes sense. SUVs are that super-practical, do-anything machine for the 21st century. It’s not uncommon to hear about baby boomers getting a small SUV in the interest of downsizing, or GenXers opting for something larger and more luxurious as they move through their prime earning years.
Millennials are no exception either as they pass into their formative earning and family-raising years.
And while large, luxurious SUVs have their appeal, their smaller counterparts – often referred to as compact utility vehicles – are catching on with younger buyers.
“We see the emerging entry CUV segment growing at a very fast rate and the industry has seen customers looking for CUV body styles over sedans,” said Tyler Graves, Planner – Chief Marketing Manager, Nissan North America. “CUVs offer the fuel efficiency of small cars while offering additional versatility and cargo space.”
“Saving money drives the younger buyer in their choice,” added Michelle Krebs, Executive Analyst, Autotrader. “Smaller vehicles have smaller price tags and sip less gas.”
Untapped Potential
Generation Z, the cohort after millennials, made up 25 percent of the U.S. population in 2015 according to Forbes. Generation Z consists of those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, and is a larger cultural sect than baby boomers or millennials. Like millennials, they are shaping new models of mobility, which sometimes spurs the idea that younger audiences will forgo car ownership all together.
However, a 2016 study on Generation Z from Kelly Blue Book and Autotrader found otherwise. In that study, 92 percent stated they plan to own a vehicle one day.
“They favored Honda, Chevrolet, and Ford as they see those brands as traditional, practical, and trusted,” Krebs explained. “The zero to now 19 crowd will make up 23 percent of the population with $3.2 trillion in purchasing power by 2020.”
“Baby boomers, Gen Xers, millennials – everybody wants their SUV, and Gen Z is no different,” added Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. Sales Analyst.
Ford has studied SUV ownership among the generational cohorts before, and projects that U.S. sales of subcompact SUVs among those 18 to 24 will surpass those of subcompact cars as early as next year. Ford’s research shows that just four years ago, that same age group purchased 8,121 subcompact cars and only 443 subcompact SUVs. Last year the tables turned as those consumers purchased 3,981 subcompact cars and 2,840 subcompact SUVs – a 541 percent leap for subcompact SUVs.
“As more new small SUVs like the Ford EcoSport become available, you’ll see the subcompact SUV segment continue to climb as a popular new car of choice for first-time buyers,” Merkle said.
Ford EcoSport. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Connected Cultures & Long Roads
Securing a slice of Generation Z pie is paramount for automakers, and the market is now flooded with new CUV offerings pointed directly at today’s youth. In order to further attract them, Ford has made things like in-vehicle Wi-Fi, multiple charging ports, and various smartphone compatible entertainment systems a priority. The new EcoSport is already compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
“To Gen Z buyers, connectivity is everything,” said Karen Sullivan, Ford EcoSport Brand Marketing Manager. “Their car serves as an extension of their phone and their home, and we’re seeing an exciting response from these young customers to our all-new EcoSport.”
Ford is strategic in their engineering and marketing of the EcoSport, focusing on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, cargo space, connectivity options, and price but Kerbs believes nothing will happen overnight.
“Ford faces a challenge with the EcoSport and has their work cut out in terms of making inroads in the subcompact segment,” she explained. “The EcoSport must establish its name; it currently lacks consumer awareness and the name itself is confused with Ford’s EcoBoost.”
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Finding The Mark
According to Krebs, the Jeep Renegade, Compass, and Honda HRV are among the strongest competition for Ford, and each see more user traffic on Kelley Blue Book than the EcoSport.
“In our Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch, a metric that measures brand health down to the model level, the Ford EcoSport does not lead in any of the nearly two dozen attributes we measure, including the three most important,” she continued. “Our analysis shows the most important attributes to shoppers in the subcompact utility segment are durability, safety, and affordability.”
Krebs believes Ford should continue to expand their tech offerings for the fledgling EcoSport, but not at the expense of other important aspects younger buyers will inevitably consider. The Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch metric concluded the EcoSport did not offer as many safety features, had lower fuel economy, and was higher in terms of sticker price at $19,995 (destination and other fees not included) than the competition.
“Ford needs to find ways to promote the EcoSport, especially to younger, likely urban buyers, to build awareness,” Krebs said. “They need to focus on the aspects in the segment that matter – especially value – and then layer the technology on top of those basics.”
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Satisfied Customer
Ford stands by the price point, saying the EcoSport’s 1.0-liter engine with its EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg has already attracted younger buyers.
“I’d never heard of EcoSport, but I loved it the minute I saw it,” said Kelly Oswald, 19, one of the first owners.
Oswald, a suburban Baltimore college student, represents a growing link between Generation Z and subcompact SUVs. Last year, 11.3 percent of those 18 to 24 who purchased a new SUV purchased a subcompact one, up two percent from five years earlier.
“I went in looking to buy an used car,” she continued. “I didn’t expect there to be an affordable option to buy a new car.”
Although Oswald may be ahead of the curve.
“That age group, regardless of generation, does not typically buy a new vehicle for a first car,” Krebs said. “They generally drive an used car that might be a hand-me-down from their family.”
2018 Nissan Kicks: Photo: Nissan North America.
Kick Start
The Nissan Kicks, another new entry, was introduced last year during the Los Angeles Auto Show as the sixth member of the company’s SUV and crossover lineup. The S trim begins at $17,990, the SV at $19,690, and the SR at $20,290. The Kicks is standard with Automatic Emergency Braking, RearView Monitor, and seven air bags. SV and SR grades add Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
“The new Kicks is designed to fit the needs of singles or couples looking for expressive styling, personal technology, smart functionality, and advanced safety features at an affordable price starting under $18,000,” explained Michael Bunce, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.
Although, like the EcoSport, the Kicks faces an uphill battle in its newness.
“It’s becoming very crowded with entries,” Krebs said of the CUV segment. “There are some all-new ones – Nissan’s is the Kicks – but also some that have been there for a bit and have stronger brand names.”
Nissan doesn’t dispute the market’s little breathing room but remains confident.
“The segment is becoming increasingly competitive with new entrants,” Graves said. “However, we’re very optimistic about Kicks and the value we’re able to offer customers.”
Photo: Nissan North America.
Forward Looking
According to the automaker’s U.S. sales report for May 2018, overall sales of Nissan crossovers, trucks, and SUVs were up four percent. The Rogue lead the way, with a May record of 38,413 units, up 18 percent. However, Nissan noted that total May sales stood at 131,832 units, a decrease of 4 percent compared to 2017.
The Kicks, as it is just arriving, was not included in the report, although a long-term strategy is in play.
“We expect Kicks buyers to have a great experience with the safety and technology that we are offering,” Graves said. “We believe that Kicks will attract younger buyers and we hope to see them eventually move up our lineup as their needs progress.”
The Kicks tops the EcoSport in EPA fuel economy ratings (33 mpg combined versus the aforementioned 28) and has a lower price point, beginning just under $18,000 versus near $20,000 for the EcoSport. The Kicks is one of the best offerings in the segment in terms of these two factors.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Combined Approach
The Honda HR-V, although still relatively new, is a bit more established, having been on the market for three years now. While the HR-V is pointed toward Generation Z, Honda has taken into account older millennials.
“The Honda HR-V was developed with men and women between the ages of 18 and 34 in mind,” explained Jessica Pawl, Media Relations Manager, American Honda. “The HR-V is designed for people with active lifestyles who want a vehicle that makes their lives easy, but want to enjoy getting where they’re going.”
Honda’s HR-V team went for flexible packaging, efficiency, and overall value when engineering the vehicle.
“It’s fuel efficient, fun to drive, and features advanced safety technology,” Pawl continued. “It’s very well rounded and affordable, featuring the dynamics of our best sedans and the functionality of our most practical cars.”
“The HR-V benefits from the very strong brand image of Honda,” Krebs added.
The 2018 HR-V starts at $19,570, with two-wheel drive models earning an EPA-rating of 31 combined and all-wheel drive variants coming in at 28 combined. The HR-V was the number two seller in the segment last year, being edged out by the Subaru Crosstrek. Honda’s long-term strategy is similar to Nissan’s.
“Honda’s balanced portfolio offers buyers the opportunity to grow within the brand, moving up in vehicle size as their family grows and needs adjust,” Pawl said.
Photo: Honda North America.
Future Considerations
CBT Automotive Network notes in this January feature that Generation Z is more tech oriented than millennials and will likely not recall a time without Wi-Fi, smartphones, social media, and any number of streaming services. It’s something the automotive industry needs to be cognizant of as they approach this now rather large and significant cohort.
Despite a competitive CUV segment and the potential there for automakers, how many eggs to place in that basket is open to debate. As manufacturers use entry-level CUVs as a means to introduce younger audiences to their brand, it’s important to consider how these buyers, especially Generation Z, differ from others. While automakers have the best intentions, there is no guarantee these younger buyers will remain loyal, especially with so many rising stars in the SUV and CUV universe.
“The segment remains unclear as to how big it will be,” Krebs said. “They definitely want to own a car, but counting on Gen Z to drive sales of any new vehicle is misplaced, particularly in light of how cost-conscious they are.”
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: Ford Motor Company, Nissan North America, Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-battle-for-generation-z-in-the-small-suv-market/