BMW

BMW

Find The Car Of Your Dreams Through A BMW Las Vegas Dealer


The BMW has long been revered as one of the most luxury vehicles of its time. First introduced in 1913 Munich, Germany, the BMW has stood the test of time in offering customers quality they can depend on and luxury that is unsurpassed in the marketplace. BMW may be a European car but the American culture has embraced it as a high-end vehicle synonymous with success. And nowhere does that hold truer than in some of America’s most prestigious cities. It’s no wonder, therefore, that BMW Las Vegas continues to thrive in delivering customers luxury they expect.

In this city of glitz and glamour, residents and visitors alike have come to expect an elevated level of luxury – in everything from their homes, hotels, and restaurants, to the cars that they drive. BMW Las Vegas dealers keep pace with this demand for luxury by providing customers with a variety of vehicles that fit their lifestyle without compromising the unequaled quality of the BMW brand.

From sedans and compacts, to SUVs and motorcycles, BMW Las Vegas dealers know the vehicles that will excite their customers and offer high performance in this hot dessert climate.

When purchasing a BMW from a BMW Las Vegas dealer you can go online to shop and compare prices. Look to pre-owned vehicles or shop at the end of a calendar year in order to find deep discounts. You will find BMW Las Vegas dealer personnel to be friendly, helpful, and reflective of the BMW reputation for sophisticated and knowledgeable service.

But most importantly, your budget doesn’t have to hinder you from owning a BMW. Any BMW Las Vegas dealer will walk you through the different series of the BMW car and the ways in which you can parlay your budget into luxury vehicle ownership.

For visitors to the area, a BMW Las Vegas dealer can rent you the vehicle of your dreams in which to enjoy the city during your stay. For a very affordable price, you can live the lifestyle of BMW if only for a few days, basking in the luxury and comfort that comes with vehicles of this class. What better way to enjoy your vacation?

By Michelle Bery.





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Bentley

Bentley

That Old Limousine Looks as Good as the Day it Was Made


Types of Vintage Limousines For those who want a vintage limousine with a more casual feel, the Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible from the 1960s is an excellent choice. This car is great for the summer months (most cars now have been upgraded to include air conditioning) and for the couple that wants a vehicle all to themselves, as it fits just two people. This car generally comes in a navy blue exterior with a leather interior.

A QueenÕs Silver Wraith Rolls Royce from the 1950s is the epitome of a high-class vintage limousine. Such a car generally comes with a navy blue or white exterior and a comfortable leather interior. It can hold up to four people, and is often equipped with am AM FM radio and a privacy window separating the driver from the passengers.

The Rolls Royce Bentley S1 from the 1950s is a great choice for those who love the look of a luxury car with a white exterior and a leather interior. Like the QueenÕs Silver Wraith, this type of Rolls Royce can also comfortably fit four people.

The price of renting a vintage limousine depends on where one chooses to rent from, the type of vehicles that are available, and how long one wants to rent one for. It should, however, be noted that it will not be inexpensive to rent one of these cars. Regardless of the price, a vintage limousine is a memorable and romantic way to drive in style.

Rent a Vintage Limousine for a Special Event When one thinks of events like weddings, one generally thinks of using a very special vehicle such as a limousine as a means of transportation, since it is a special way to go to and from a special event. While one could rent the standard limousine, renting a vintage limousine would be a classic and special way to attend any romantic event.

Who Would Rent a Vintage Limousine? Vintage limousines are perfect for the couple that love classic cars and that movie star feel from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Vintage limousines are perfect also for the couple that is celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, since the vehicle would remind them of the era in which they first fell in love.

By Brian Gill.


 


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I.D. Buzz Cargo: VW’s New Mystery Machine For The New Age

I.D. Buzz Cargo: VW’s New Mystery Machine For The New Age The I.D. Buzz Cargo has a range of more than 340 miles according to Volkswagen. 
The 230V socket provides power for tools and other equipment without an additional generator.
When is VW going to release it? They didn’t exactly say . . . 
Volkswagen has this on again, off again thing in going with the reboot of their bus. You know, the Type 2, the hippie bus. They’ve gone through several iterations with this guy. All of them would be produced. But none of them ever were. However, VW says this one is for real.
It’s called I.D. Buzz Cargo. What is this? A cartoon character?
Building A Mystery
Well, it is kind of cartoon-ish looking, what with that snub nose and permanent smile on its face. And those huge expanses of bodywork on the sides are just begging for a Mystery Machine paint job. But if you put all that aside, you can see VW is serious with this thing. As they flatly state, the I.D. Buzz Cargo “has the potential to write history as one of the most advanced light commercial vehicles.”
That’s a big claim, but does VW have the specs to back it up?
The Buzz Cargo, like other vehicles in VW’s I.D. line, is entirely electric. The Buzz Cargo aims to be the urban delivery vehicle in the coming years – at least for smaller stuff, like packages from Amazon. Think of it as the “last mile” delivery vehicle from Tesla, if Tesla were one of the largest automakers on the planet.
VW I.D. Buzz Cargo. Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Payload & Storage
This concept (yes, it’s just a concept for now, but VW says they’re going to make it, honest, cross their hearts, pinky swear!) shows the path the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division will take. Clocking in at 198.7 inches long, 77.8 inches wide, and 77.3 inches tall, the Buzz Cargo aims to be small on the outside – perfect for urban environments – while being big on the inside – perfect for hauling.
The rear overhang extends about four inches over the vehicle. Maximum payload is 1,760 lbs., or about the all up weight of a Lotus Elise.
The interior cargo space includes a shelving system, so there’s no sliding door on the driver’s side. The front doors and sliding door open electrically, via a sensor, which will come in handy. Essentially, the I.D. Buzz Cargo recognizes authorized persons via a digital key sent to the van by smartphone.
The I.D. Buzz debuted at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. “The Volkswagen brand’s big electric offensive begins in the year 2020 with a completely new vehicle architecture,” explained Dr. Herbert Diess at the time, Chairman of the Board of Management for Volkswagen. “That is when we will be launching an entirely new generation of fully connected, all-electric vehicles to the market.” Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Autonomous Capability
Instead of two single seats up front, there’s a driver’s seat and a double bench-seat on the front passenger side. The middle section of the bench folds down, serving as a work space with an integrated laptop. If the driver is using the automated “I.D. Pilot” mode, work can even be done on the move, since the I.D. Buzz Cargo aims to be fully autonomous. The driver can activate the Level 4 autonomous mode by pushing on the steering wheel for a few seconds. The steering wheel then retracts into the instrument panel.
Once in autonomous mode, the driver’s seat turns 15 degrees to the right in order to work better with that laptop. While on the move, they can handle bills of lading and paperwork, and all that other stuff delivery people have to sort through.
Think of it as the last mile delivery vehicle from Tesla, if Tesla were one of the largest automakers on the planet.Click To TweetAugmented Reality
Important information projects onto the road in 3D via an Augmented Reality heads-up display. The information remains in the driver’s line-of-sight, allowing them to concentrate on road conditions. An integrated tablet controls the infotainment and climate functions. The main driving controls are located on the steering wheel.
The rear view mirrors are gone, replaced by cameras projecting images onto small screens in the cab of the I.D. Buzz Cargo.
VW I.D. Buzz Concept interior layout. Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Does The I.D. Buzz Cargo Deliver?
Other nifty distinguishing features include the new solar roof. This photovoltaic system generates enough power to extend range by up to 9.3 miles per day. The longer this thing is in the daylight, the further it can drive, which should make fleet managers happy.
Add all this up and combine it with the I.D. Buzz Cargo’s 340 mile range, and you have a very usable option for urban delivery services. Of curse, the question, yet again, is will VW be serious this time. I bet they are. After the diesel-gate scandal, VW has invested in EVs big time. And they’re smart enough to realize there is plenty of money in the commercial sector.
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
Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.



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2019 BMW X2 M35i: It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s A…We Don’t Know!

2019 BMW X2 M35i: It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s A…We Don’t Know! The 2019 BMW X2 M35i is the newest member of the brand’s Sports Activity Coupe family.
But what does that mean exactly?
The engine is pretty cool – we know at least that much. 
Drum roll please because here it is, the all-new 2019 BMW X2 M35i. The latest in a growing lineup of those sort-of-SUV/sort-of-a-coupe things that are real popular in Europe, and only mildly popular here in The States. What BMW is after here is people who want everything: a car and a sports car and something swoopy and something practical and something sort of off-roady.
Oh, and the X2 M35i is small too.
So Many Rugrats
The 2019 BMW X2 M35i is, as with all things BMW, pretty capable. But, as with much of what’s rolling out of the Bavarian’s factories, it’s one of a bunch of half-way between this and that and another thing model. I swear to Kurt Tank that BMW has so many M variants and X models rolling around, it’s like keeping track of the members of the chorale at a Wagner opera.
It’s tiring and I’m not sure why they do this.
2019 BMW X2 M35i. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
BMW has so many M variants and X models rolling around, it's like keeping track of the members of the chorale at a Wagner opera.Click To TweetPower & Performance
What we have here is the newest member of BMW’s X2 Sports Activity Coupe family. The new X2 has an “extroverted” design. The 2.0L TwinPower turbocharged 4-cylinder puts out 302 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. of torque. No major engine component went untouched either. The crank has larger main bearings for better reinforcement. The pistons are new with a slightly dropped compression ratio (down to 9.5:1 vs. the previous 10.2:1). The intake has a higher flow tract and the cooling system has been upgraded.
The turbo is larger and boost increases.
All that energy goes to the ground via BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system. The eight-speed sport automatic with Launch Control also helps. The X2 wears an M Sport Differential on the front axle for the first time ever, and features a Torsen limited slip with a 39 percent lock-up. The transmission has steering wheel shift paddles, M Performance specific tuning, and updated gear ratios.
The 2019 BMW X2 M35i hits 60 in just 4.9 seconds. Not bad.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Suspension & Braking
On top of the boss engine is the M Sport suspension, with stiffer spring and damper rates, and a 10 mm lower ride height. The rear axle carrier and lateral control arms improve driving dynamics, according to BMW. An optional adaptive damper suspension with two different manually selectable modes is also available for the 2019 BMW X2 M35i.
The braking system has these fancy Dark Blue M metallic calipers for consistently short braking distances.
Interior Treatments
Complimenting the exterior design is the M Sport Package, with a standard M Sport leather steering wheel, shift paddles, and sport seats. The optional front M sport seats (buy these) have integrated headrests and aggressive lateral support for both driver and passenger.
The M sport seats are available upholstered in Magma Red Dakota Leather with perforations and black accents, or Black Dakota Leather with perforations. The standard sport seats come in Black or Oyster SensaTec.
The latest generation of BMW’s ConnectedDrive and Apple CarPlay are also along for the ride.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Pricing & Availability
How much? BMW doesn’t say, but then again, how cheap are BMWs? Not very. Production for the U.S. market begins in November.
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
2019 BMW X2 M35i Gallery

















Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.



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Displate Metal Prints Review: Cars, Movies, 80s Retro & More.

Displate Metal Prints Review: Cars, Movies, 80s Retro & More. Every so often, we at Automoblog get asked to review something. Sometimes those things land on my desk (literally) and I get to level my opinion at it. Such was the case with Displate, a company that makes a variety of graphic design pieces printed onto metal. (Go to the end of this review for a discount code).
I think the name is a portmanteau (look it up) on the words display and plate.
Out of The Ordinary
For one thing, I don’t know what to call this. It’s different than art in a traditional sense. What Displate makes are like metal posters. The company describes them as “magnet-mounted metal prints.” These prints cover a bunch of different subjects – everything from basic graphics and movies, to famous people and cars. But instead of them being a paper poster, they’re printed on metal!
It’s not a revolutionary idea, but it’s not a bad one either, especially if you are an artist. Displate products are designed by talented artists who earn money for their contributions.
Endless Selection
I was asked to pick a “poster” to review and, as expected, I picked a car-themed one. In the largest size available. I have a tendency to like large works of art. It came from seeing Gericault’s Raft of The Medusa at an impressionable age. Displate products come in three sizes, including 35.4″ x 25.2.”
They had a nice selection of blue print-esque versions of various cars, so I went with one of those. Specifically, a Ferrari 166 MM. A personal favorite. People like my mechanic friend Carl would go for one of Displate’s cool Audi blueprints (he’s got a real thing going for Audis these days).

Lions & Tigers & The 80s!
In case you’re wondering, Displate makes more than just car posters. They actually have a ton of stuff on offer. They have blueprints of radial airplane engines (one I would have gladly taken), maps of famous cities, trippy space art (no word on any black light versions), and groovy creatures like foxes and tigers and such. There is even an 80s retro category.
So in a lot of ways, they should have most hobbies and tastes covered.
The only real areas Displate seems to be missing is older stuff of a nostalgic bent. It’d be great to see some Margaret Bourke White or Wee Gee photos from the 1930s. Perhaps the audience is not wide enough?
My Displate Ferrari print is awesome. Can you guess the one behind it?
Shipping & Packaging
Much to my surprise, days after running my request up the chain, a bloody great package appeared on my doorstep. It was wrapped in some sort of bi-colored, bi-faced rubberized plastic. There were two flat boxes taped together. At first I was puzzled. It weighed a ton. I only ordered a single metal wall hanging. I un-taped them and sliced the bags off the boxes to reveal identical Displate shipping boxes. These were cheerfully colored, childishly decorated, custom die-cut affairs.
According to the company, expected delivery time is three to five business days, depending on the shipping destination. Full refunds are granted if the product is returned within 100 days of delivery.
Apart from the decorative failings, the packaging was magnificent. In some cases, I’m a real sucker for good packaging. I’ve worked with companies that handle these sorts of things, so well-designed packaging gets my attention. I open the lid (it’s pretty obvious which way is up) and find cut stacks of corrugated cardboard (miter cut at the corners, no less).
It was topped with a single layer of corrugated cardboard as a buffer.





Getting The Goods
The buffer layer has a complicated and garish logo die cut right in the center, but there are two relief arches for your fingers to grab and easily remove. While this is a nice touch, it also seemed like a waste of time and money. Or at least that die cut logo did.
Beneath that was – taDAH – my line drawing of a Ferrari 166 MM. It’s wrapped in a clear plastic envelope with some high-tech adhesive closure. Even the bag is more than it needs to be. But beneath the line drawing of the Ferrari, there’s another die-cut buffer layer  . . . and through the overdone cut out logo I see another Displate poster.
What the . . .
Displate sent me not one, not two, but five of their fine products. In addition to the 166 MM, they also sent drawings of a Ferrari 275 GTB, a Porsche Speedster and, somewhat inexplicably, a print of The Stig.
Even more inexplicable, a print tribute to the movie Baby Driver.




An Extra Treat
The Stig looks like something a 14-year-old would put on his bedroom wall right next to the poster of a scantily clad, distressingly pneumatic woman holding a Brand Beer. The Baby Driver one . . . well, it’s about as tastelessly executed and badly done as the movie it is trying to celebrate. Baby Driver is horrible, not just as a car movie (and it is that) but as a movie movie.
While browsing through Displate’s online catalog, I saw the Baby Driver poster and literally chuckled out loud and said, “well I won’t be getting that, I can assure you.” And now a jealous and vengeful deity of sorts has allegorically slapped me in the face with around two square feet of sheet metal.
Displate will probably sell a million of them.





High-Quality, Easy To Hang
What I was going for was something I thought was a blueprint (I have a certain fetish for blueprints) but it’s actually more like a chalk line-drawing on a blackboard. Not exactly a bad look and it can work in a bunch of different locations. My location for the Ferraris and Porsche will be in the large shed/small barn I am slowly clearing and making into a garage. They should fit right in with my old framed racing posters, swoopy hubcaps, bits of crashed race cars, and the like.
The fit and finish on everything Displate sent me was top notch. The edges are rolled and mitered around the back, so there’s no sharp edges or anything. The surface is not overly glossy either. It’s almost a satin-like finish so it won’t glare (even if my photography doesn’t show that).
The fit and finish on everything @Displate sent me was top notch. The edges are rolled and mitered around the back, so there's no sharp edges. Click To TweetObviously these things are not meant to go in barns (even though mine will, and my barn is going to be a super-cool garage when I get done).
Given the breadth of what Displate has on offer, they could work well almost anywhere. Offices, depending on your business, beauty salons, restaurants; any business really. If your home has a full on media room, Displate has tons of movie and TV-themed stuff that would work like a charm. And if that media room is where your game console resides, you could mix it up with game-themed Displate posters too.
Hanging them is fairly straight forward.

The Stig Rides Shotgun
That leaves me with The Stig and Baby Driver? I might use them as a drip pan to catch oil leaks. It also occurs to me that if The Stig poster was a little bigger, I could set him in the passenger seat and use the carpool lane. Or not. Every time I try to get clever that way, I usually end up talking with the cops and/or a judge.
That rarely turns out well for me.
You try it with The Stig and let us know. Your mileage may vary.
Want one? Displate made us a special discount code just for Automoblog readers. Use the coupon code AUTO20 for 20% off everything.
Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Displate and the products used in the review were sent to us for free for an honest review. All views and opinions expressed here are my own. Check out our advertising guidelines to see why we’d never steer you wrong.
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



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National Corvette Museum Plans Exciting New Exhibits for Reopening Post COVID-19

National Corvette Museum Plans Exciting New Exhibits for Reopening Post COVID-19 Since 1994, the National Corvette Museum has been home to an untold number of historically significant Corvettes. It has been the destination of millions of visitors. Through this period of time, aging exhibits have been retired, while new ones have been unveiled to much fanfare. 



The launch of these new exhibits is usually accompanied by grand ceremonies and gatherings of Corvette enthusiasts from all over the nation. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the museum’s latest renovation went off without a hitch, although in the form of an exclusive live-stream. Recently, 100 enthusiasts were given a glimpse at everything new and exciting at the storied venue via a direct video feed. 



“We kicked off renovations last November, and have been hard at work on the new E. Pierce Marshall Memorial Performance Gallery ever since,” said Museum Director of Collections and Curator Derek E. Moore. “For those who have visited us in the past, we think they’ll be impressed with the upgrades we’ve been able to make to the space. And for those who have yet to visit, they’ll be equally impressed by technology as advanced as the car it celebrates.”



Corvette Hall of Fame Joins The Action



Several Corvette luminaries were on hand for the celebration, and to answer questions from virtual attendees. Corvette Hall of Fame inductee Gib Hufstader provided insight into the valuable role played by the Corvette SS, as legendary engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov set out to bring the Corvette to a place of prominence within international racing.



Another Hall of Fame Inductee, John Heinricy, discussed his role in the 1989 Corvette ZR-1 “Record Run.” The museum now has a display that pays homage to the team that set 12 international world time and distance speed records in a ZR-1 and L98 Corvette, averaging as high as 175.885 mph over 24 hours.



Special appearances were also made by former Corvette Racing driver and Hall of Fame inductee Andy Pilgrim, as well as Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan. Many stories relating to the Corvette’s on-track dominance were told by the people who knew them best. Virtual attendees were also given a glance under the hood of several iconic Corvettes and were able to listen to them run. 



Photo: National Corvette Museum. The Vision Realized



Those that were able to obtain a spot for the unveiling’s live stream were allowed a peek into the Design and Engineering Gallery. Viewers were able to see the progress being made on “The Vision Realized: 60 Years of Mid-Engine Corvette Design,” an exhibit that shows the run-up to the 2020 Chevy Corvette.



“General Motors approached us about an exhibit they were developing, which focuses on the key vehicles that built the foundation for the 2020 Corvette Stingray,” Derek explained. “It features original renderings from our Museum alongside photographs, artifacts and ephemera from both the GM Design Archive & Special Collections, and GM Heritage Center. We are excited to be the first location to display the exhibit.”



Photo: National Corvette Museum.When Will The National Corvette Museum Reopen?



The National Corvette Museum has been closed to visitors in light of recent events surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. Visitors will be allowed access to both new and existing exhibits upon the museum’s reopening. This date is yet to be announced, though we are confident Corvette enthusiasts the world over will be waiting in the wings when it is.



In the meantime, the National Corvette Museum is offering virtual and digital content, including the kid-friendly, educational series Vettecademy and the Corvette enthusiast-centric Fully Vetted.



Josh Boyd is an ASE Certified technician with over a decade of experience in automotive repair. When not under the hood, he can be found in the woods or on the water, pursuing his other passions of hunting and fishing.
Original article: National Corvette Museum Plans Exciting New Exhibits for Reopening Post COVID-19



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2018 Subaru BRZ tS Arrives This Spring, Limited To 500 Units

2018 Subaru BRZ tS Arrives This Spring, Limited To 500 Units Finally, finally, finally! Subaru just announced they will be rolling out a limited edition, performance version of the BRZ sports coupe for 2018. Like many of you, I have been waiting impatiently for Subaru to let the STI gurus have a go at their everso enjoyable sports coupe. And although this is not the full-blown fire-breather of our dreams, at least it’s a start.
Holiday Wishes
The BRZ is a great little car. In a lot of ways, it’s sort of like the Miata coupe that Mazda never made. It’s light, handles well, is real-wheel drive, inexpensive and, sadly, not nearly as powerful as it could be. You, me, them, all of us gearheads know it would be so easy to drop a bigger mill under that low hood. And Subaru already has them, just waiting on the shelf. Yes, we all understand the exigencies of price points for the given buyer demographic, and insurance burdens, but c’mon Subaru (we seemed to have collectively begged) Do. The. Right. Thing. and make a higher performance version of the BRZ.
Performance Tech
Officially it’s called the 2018 BRZ tS (tuned by STI). So it’s not even an official STI deal, it’s just Subie’s in-house skunk works breathed on it here and there. But what they have done is rather nice, even if it’s not Earth-shakingly significant. The BRZ tS adds STI-tuned front and rear SACHS dampers (shocks) and coil springs along with an STI flexible V-brace in the engine compartment to stiffen things up. New draw stiffeners are added to the chassis and sub-frame to improve steering response. You’d figure the torsional rigidity is now on balance with the main wing spar of a Boeing 747.
Subaru has also upped the wheel size for the first time. The BRZ tS comes equipped with lightweight, 18-inch wheels sporting 215/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport tires for mollusk-like grip and quicker turn-ins. The brakes are Brembo rotors clamped by 4-piston front calipers and 2-piston rear calipers for better stopping power, fade resistance, and pedal feel.
Exterior Design
The exterior is said to be more aggressive thanks to an exclusive STI carbon fiber rear spoiler. The rear wing is manually adjustable so you can “fine-tune rear downforce for track driving.” Yeah, have fun playing with that, but just remember aerodynamics is a Science with a capital “S” and your hospital stay can be Long with a capital “L” and Expensive with a capital “E.” Proceed with caution. Anyway, the 2018 BRZ tS also has front, rear, and even side underspoilers for better airflow and increased traction and stability. The 2018 BRZ tS is available in three colors: WR Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, and Crystal White Pearl. You will get the World Rally Blue.
Like it’s limited edition sibling, the WRX STI Type RA, the BRZ tS is embellished with an exclusive Cherry Blossom Red accent around the front grille and rear bumper cover. The official BRZ tS badge in chrome and red is on the front grille and rear hatch. The exterior mirrors (which can fold), the roof-mounted shark fin antenna, and the BRZ and Subaru badging are all finished in black. Sadly, the fog lights have been removed and replaced with “unique fog light covers.” More light is always better, but Subie has a habit of taking away fog and driving lights to differentiate their more special versions.
Interior Treatments
The cockpit is highlighted by black leather and Alcantara upholstery, with contrasting red stitching and accents all the way through the interior; steering wheel, door and dash panels, knee pads, shifter, emergency brake boot, and visor over the gauge cluster. The front seats even have red leather bolsters and the seatbacks are embroidered with the tS logo. The front seat belts are red and the rearview mirror is frameless. There is a standard 4.2-inch LCD multi-function display positioned next to the tach that shows vehicle performance data: things like lateral Gs, accelerator pedal position, braking force, steering angle, oil and coolant temperature, battery voltage, and an integrated stop watch for recording lap times. I like that bit!
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 hot rod BRZ tS (tuned by STI) will be limited to 500 units and ring out at $33,495, not prohibitively expensive. Expect to see the BRZ tS at Subaru retailers this spring.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photo & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.



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2019 Chevy Silverado Revealed: What We Know Thus Far

2019 Chevy Silverado Revealed: What We Know Thus Far During the Chevy Truck Centennial at Texas Motor Speedway, Chevrolet pulled the wraps off the 2019 Silverado. The event concluded Chevrolet’s 100-day celebration, commemorating a century’s worth of truck manufacturing. The next-generation Silverado was unveiled in front of a crowd at Texas Motor Speedway, including Chevy Truck Legends members, a recently launched customer loyalty program.
Alan Batey, President of General Motors North America, and Global Head of Chevrolet, was on hand for the celebration.
“Many of our owners depend on their trucks for work and play, personalize their trucks in astonishing ways, and pass their loyalty for Chevy trucks down from generation to generation,” he said.
Material Mix
In 2015, Ford shed up to 700 lbs. from their F-150 by switching the truck’s body to aluminum. And for now two years, Chevrolet has pursued their crosstown rivals in a number of advertisements that tout the benefits of steel over aluminum. From commercials with bricks and toolboxes, to a focus group of comic book enthusiasts who meet the almighty Aluminum Man, Chevrolet’s marketing has tried to punch a hole (literally) through Ford’s strategy. It was during this time rumors abound that Chevrolet might switch to aluminum after all, and then what?
Automotive News reports that GM is planning on carbon fiber beds in the near future, although the Detroit automaker has not released anything officially. While more details are forthcoming, Chevrolet did confirm the new Silverado will utilize higher-grade alloys for its roll-formed, high-strength steel bed. The move is expected to cut weight while allowing owners to get the most out of the bed.
“This use of mixed materials and advanced manufacturing is evident throughout the Silverado, resulting in a significant reduction in total vehicle weight and improved performance in many measures,” reads a statement from Chevrolet.
The terms “mixed materials” and “advanced manufacturing” were not defined by Chevrolet.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Power & Performance
The current Silverado has three engines on offer, including a beefy 6.2-liter V8 that cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque. Right now, we don’t know what the 2019 Silverado will offer; Chevrolet didn’t exactly say, just that there will be more engine and transmission combinations. Rumors have swirled in recent times that a Duramax might show up, especially since Ram has offered the EcoDiesel for a minute and Ford confirmed a Power Stroke for the F-150 late next year. It’s possible – anything is – but Chevrolet isn’t saying one way or the other just yet.
One of the strongest engines in the current lineup, the 5.3 EcoTec3, offers buyers a solid balance between power and fuel economy. At 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft. of torque, it delivers an EPA-estimated 16/22 city/highway mpg. It is our hope GM keeps this engine around when the 2019 Silverado hits the market. There are eight variations expected when that happens, including the Silverado LT Trailboss with a Z71 package and two-inch suspension lift.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Inspiration & Lineage
The 2019 Chevy Silverado takes its inspiration from its ancestors, particularly the Advance Design trucks following World War II and the C/K series of the 1960s. According to Chevrolet, those trucks set the standard for pickup design in their eras, and are some of the most coveted vintage trucks on the market today. Elements from the late 1940s are actually seen throughout the current Silverado, especially in the front. Designers examined Chevy’s history and concluded trucks during that time were impossible to miss with their defined horizontal elements and sweeping grille bars.
“That gave the trucks a real presence and a very identifiable look,” Chevrolet Spokesman Tom Wilkinson told us in late 2015. “When our designers looked at this over the years, they realized this is what set Chevy trucks apart.”
Chevrolet wants the same for the 2019 Silverado. The automaker hopes this new generation will be remembered as one that challenged conventional truck designs, just as its predecessors did decades ago.
Pricing & Availability
The 2019 Chevy Silverado will make its public debut next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Expect full details, including performance specs, engine options, and pricing information at that time.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.



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Automoblog Book Garage: Porsche 70 Years

Automoblog Book Garage: Porsche 70 Years


Every so often, we see a title that captures the subject perfectly. That’s not an easy task. Take 70 years of Porsche, for example, and sum it up in only a few words. That’s a tall order but author Randy Leffingwell did it and did it rather directly.
Our publication has a certain admiration for Porsche but truthfully, we can’t always pinpoint why. It’s hard to explain – like the Apple Jacks commercials where any kid with a colorful bowl of the cereal had to field the “why, they don’t taste like apples” question.
Just Because
Porsche is, for us, effectively Apple Jacks. No, they don’t “taste” and feel like other cars. And we can’t explain why we like them, we just do, much like those who toss Apple Jacks in their cart at the grocery store. With regard to Porsche, is it the performance, the design, the history? It’s all of it really, and that’s why Leffingwell’s book is so important.
Porsche 70 Years helps put into words why we love the famed German automaker. Leffingwell walks his readers through the entire Porsche courtyard, from the 356, 904, and 917, to the 911, 928, and 935. Even the more modern flair, like the Cayman and Boxter are showcased. In-depth descriptions of the cars and significant Porsche events are accompanied by stunning, but extremely rare images.
And then there’s that wonderful title. The one that says “we like what we like and what we like is Porsche.” Just how the kids in those commercials proudly responded “we eat what we like,” we now echo similar sentiments: “there is no substitute.” We like Porsche; we love Porsche because there is no substitute.
Author
Leffingwell wrote his first book, American Muscle, in 1989 while still on staff at the Los Angeles Times. Since then, he has authored another 47 titles for Motorbooks, who we partner with for this series. Leffingwell is considered one of the top Porsche historians today, and he enjoys a close working relationship with Porsche AG. Leffingwell also wrote Porsche 911: 50 Years, a book we featured last year.
Porsche 70 Years: There Is No Substitute is available through Amazon and Motorbooks.
Porsche 70 Years Gallery














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