Automotive

New Study: July 4th Most Dangerous Day On U.S. Roads

New Study: July 4th Most Dangerous Day On U.S. Roads

July 4th is a time for celebration as we enjoy our independence and thank our many veterans who have served. This year, it’s most likely a weekend full of camping, cookouts, and fireworks. It’s also a deadly time of year, unfortunately, as a new study shows July 4th is officially the most dangerous day to drive in the United States.
The study, conducted by Geotab, a telematics and GPS vehicle tracking company, looked at the fatality and traffic data over a 10-year period to see how U.S. states differ when it comes to road safety.
Startling Figures
Every year, over 30,000 people are killed in traffic related accidents in the United States; a truly staggering number when looking at the brass tacks. In any other transportation industry, say airlines for example, those numbers would not be tolerated. Such figures question the need for automated driving and advanced vehicle perception technology, the development of which we monitor at this publication. However, until autonomous vehicles come fully to fruition, information and careful, responsible driving will be our best assets for safety behind the wheel.
Geotab’s study also notes that specific days of the year, and even certain states, are more dangerous than others. Holidays like Labor Day, Halloween, and New Year’s Day, where alcohol consumption is present, have a higher rate of fatal accidents. The findings followed an analysis of road traffic, crash, and fatality reports, including the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Traffic Volume Trends published in December 2016. Using this data, Geotab calculated a Fatal Crash Rate for each day and U.S. state, made up of the total number of fatal road accidents per billion miles driven by cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Danger In July
Over a 10-year span, July 4th carries an average of 119 deadly crashes with a Fatal Crash Rate of 14.9, making it the most dangerous day on U.S. roads. Given that many July 4th parties involve alcohol, drivers are more likely to be under the influence; fatal crashes on the 4th involving alcohol are a staggering 47 percent. The grim news doesn’t stop there, unfortunately. On average, 28 percent of all road crashes are related to driving under the influence with that number rising significantly during holidays: New Year’s Day and Halloween are two of the worst at 41.6 and 41 percent respectively.
In addition to alcohol consumption, smartphone usage is becoming problematic behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 people are using cell phones while driving at any given moment.

Statistics & Solutions
Fatal Crash Rate measures the number of motor vehicle crashes involving a fatality, rather than measuring the total number of fatalities. For instance; 13 million crashes occurred in the U.S. in 2015, of which 1.7 million resulted in an injury with an estimated 2.4 million people injured. Of the 1.7 million crashes, 32,166 had fatalities claiming the lives of 35,092 people. This data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is bleak and again, begs the urgency of safer vehicles with autonomous and connected technology.
“The future of connected vehicle data will enable Geotab to produce more services to help improve road safety and vehicle operating efficiency,” said Colin Sutherland, Executive Vice President, Geotab. “Access to vehicle data is key to our capability to contribute our open platform that will further enhance research in connected vehicles.”
Until the technology can catch up to the tragedy, the best bet is to be cautious and safe. Drive the posted speed limit, keep your vehicle maintained, put the phone away, get plenty of rest before traveling, and avoid alcohol.
“A big component of road safety is good decision making,” said Joe Campanella, Executive Vice President, Business Development, CARCHEX and advisory Board Member for Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Maryland. “Drinking and driving truly don’t mix, and so if you’ve had a drink – even one – you should find a safe mode of transportation.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Click the image to open the full interactive version (via Geotab).

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Report: The 2018 Buick Regal TourX will MSRP for under $30,000

Report: The 2018 Buick Regal TourX will MSRP for under $30,000 The latest lifted Buick Regal TourX seeks to steal Subaru Outback buyers.

What’s going on?
The 2018 Buick Regal TourX debuted with its standard four-door sibling at the 2017 New York International Auto Show to replace the outgoing model.
Now, CarsDirect.com reports the new Regal long-roof should start around $29,995. This means the Regal TourX undercuts more premium options such as the BMW 3-Series Wagon and the Audi A4. On the flip side, this also means the Regal TourX offers more value per dollar.
What’s included with the base 2018 Buick Regal TourX?
To boot, the base Regal TourX comes pretty well equipped with 18-inch aluminum wheels, Buick’s touted active noise cancelling, a seven-inch infotainment screen system, heated mirrors and more. But all come with the same 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic, sending power to a full-time twin-clutch all-wheel drive system across the board.
Right off the bat, the Regal TourX’s power already sets it ahead of its direct competition, the Volkswagen Alltrack and the Subaru Outback. Additionally, the Regal TourX offers quite a bit more space than both the Alltrack and is roughy on par with the Outback.
So it’ll be interesting to see if the Regal TourX has what it takes to sway buyers in its direction.

2018 Buick Regal TourX

Lots of standard and optional additions
The Regal TourX comes pretty jampacked with standard equipment. As usual, more options and packages are available for choosing, reading the price. Some examples include a panoramic roof for $1,200, and a Driver Confidence Package featuring blind-spot detection, rear park assist, and an auto-dimming mirror for $1,240. The top-spec model TourX, the TourX Essence 1SL, starts at just $35,945.
CarsDirect.com predicts the middle-level TourX Preferrred 1SB should be the one most commonly available at dealers. Starting at $33,575, its the model most displayed in the TourX’s advertising campaign.
Should you option out your TourX all the way, chances are however, you won’t crest over the $40,000 mark too far if at all. In comparison, the Volvo V60 starts at $37,415 and the BMW 3-Series Wagon, at $43,000.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: CarsDirect.com
2018 Buick Regal TourX Gallery

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2017 Nissan Titan: Homegrown Hero

2017 Nissan Titan: Homegrown Hero

Hey, did you know Nissan made full-size pickups? Yeah, of course you did. I know it too, but it sure seems like they don’t get much notice, do they? If it’s not for the big three ‘Murican trucks – Chevy/GMC, Ford, and Ram – it seems to be Toyota grabs all the attention, leaving poor Nissan by the wayside.
This is unfortunate because the Nissan Titan is not to be ignored.
Big Warranty & Lots of Space
Nissan has just added the King Cab body configuration to the lineup, meaning you can now choose from three models: Crew Cab, Single Cab, and the new King Cab. The King Cab is available for both the half-ton and the XD and features a 6.5-foot bed, along with a rear-hinge door that opens wide for easy access to the second row. All 2017 Titan and Titan XD models, along with the new King Cab, are backed up a 100,000-mile / 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, which is nice to know, since trucks usually get thrashed on the job site.
The King Cab is offered in 4×4 and 4×2 drive configurations and comes in three grades or trim levels: S, SV, and PRO-4X. PRO-4X is 4×4 only. The new King Cab is pretty much just what it says on the tin: Room, lots and lots of room. There’s seating for six (with or without cowboy hats), wide-opening rear doors and, if you carry more stuff than people, an available “rear seat delete” option. Turns out, underneath where that back seat would be, there’s a flat floor so you get the security of in-cab storage space for your stuff.
Photo: Nissan North America.
Power & Performance
Like the Crew Cab and Single Cab, the new King Cab gives you the choice of either the 5.6-liter Endurance V8 or a Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel. If you opt for the half-ton Titan King Cab, you can choose between 4×4 and 4×2 drivetrains. The standard plant is the 390-horsepower 5.6-liter Endurance V8, mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The King Cab has an available maximum towing capacity of 9,420 pounds (enough grunt to yank a McDonald’s a couple of feet to the left) with a maximum payload capacity of 1,640 pounds when properly equipped.
That Cummins mill slams out 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft. of torque. Nissan refers to that torque figure as “hefty” which is both adorable and an understatement. All you gearheads hauling your cars to the track, the Cummins is your engine of choice. That turbo diesel is matched to a heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin A466ND automatic transmission, and the whole she-bang offers an available maximum towing capacity of 12,510 pounds (when properly equipped). Impressive, no?
Photo: Nissan North America.

Homegrown Hero
The new King Cab Titan was developed, planned, designed, engineered, and is even manufactured right here in the U.S. of A. with contributions from teams in Tennessee, California, Michigan, Arizona, and Mississippi. The trucks are put together in Canton, Mississippi and the V8 engines come from Decherd, Tennessee. The Cummins diesel mills are assembled in Columbus, Indiana. Pricing for the 2017 Nissan Titan lineup is included in the handy graphs below. The trucks are on sale now and available at Nissan dealers nationwide.
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.
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan King Cab:
TITAN S King Cab 4×2
$32,550
TITAN SV King Cab 4×2
$35,930
TITAN S King Cab 4×4
$35,580
TITAN SV King Cab 4×4
$38,960
TITAN PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$43,290
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan XD King Cab 5.6-liter Endurance V8:

TITAN XD S King Cab 4×2
$33,560
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×2
$37,960
TITAN XD S King Cab 4×4
$36,590
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×4
$40,990
TITAN XD PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$45,440
MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Titan XD King Cab Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel:

TITAN XD S King Cab 4×2
$40,110
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×2
$44,010
TITAN XD S King Cab 4×4
$43,640
TITAN XD SV King Cab 4×4
$46,540
TITAN XD PRO-4X King Cab 4×4
$50,490
2017 Nissan Titan Gallery

Photos & Source: Nissan North America.

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Corvette C7.R To Race In WEC In Shanghai: An Inside Look

Corvette C7.R To Race In WEC In Shanghai: An Inside Look Hmmm, I wonder how the Chinese market will take to the Corvette? Or at least the C7.R race model that will be competing at the fascinating Shanghai circuit this coming November for the final round of the 2018 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
That’s not the end of the championship, but who cares. This does mark a pretty important milestone for Corvette racing.
Straight Away
The race in question will be the 6 Hours of Shanghai, running November 18th at the 16-turn, 5.45-km Shanghai International Circuit. The track, one of the Hermann Tilke specials, has been around since 2004, and the venue plays host to a number of Motorsports’ championships, including the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix. Two of the track’s more salient features, or at least they’re important if you’re a Corvette racer (or a ‘Murican), are these two massively long straights, where horsepower and top speed reign supreme.
So that makes for particularly auspicious timing for Chevrolet to close Corvette Racing’s 20th season of competition in grand style by hopefully winning (i.e. crushing) the competition at Shanghai. This specific C7.R will wear a special Redline livery for the race weekend and it will also be the first factory-run Corvette to race in Asia.
Badge Engineering
This Redline thing is a special livery to promote the launch of the Redline special edition in China. Curiously, this all dates back to the 2015 SEMA Show where a custom concept Redline Corvette made its debut. There was a “strong positive response,” according to Chevrolet – or at least enough of a response for the bean-counters at corporate HQ to green light making a limited edition run of the thing. Or, things, to be more accurate.
Redline is a special edition portfolio for China, with this Vette being the first of four models entering the domestic market this year. In the future, nearly all Chevrolet models in China will have Redline variants. Anyway, as you can see from the photo above (sadly, they only shared one with us), this Redline Corvette racer is a dark gray, silver, black, and anthracite-colored thing with red highlights on the stripes and flashes on the end-plates.
Ah, Generic Motors, the people who invented badge “engineering”. . . don’t ever change!
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Photo: Chevrolet.
Best of the Best
The WEC, for those of you with the mental capacity of a lowland gorilla and the taste to match, is the world’s key sports car series. This is where the big boys come out to play, race, compete, and win at places like Sebring and Spa and, most importantly, Le Mans. None of the races are shorter than six hours, and the marquee events like Sebring and Le Mans are very long indeed. All of these races are run rain or shine, and in the case of Sebring and Le Mans, through the night as well.
The contests gauge not only speed and driver skill, but also the reliability and fuel economy of the cars.
And those of you with a patriotic bent will be happy to know that when it comes to running hot, straight, and true for a very long time, Corvettes are indeed good cars to have under you.
Extensive Resume
Corvette Racing has won 107 endurance races, 12 manufacturer championships in IMSA competition, captured 11 driver’s championships, were 11-time class champions at the Sebring 12-hours, racked up eight Le Mans 24-hour victories, three class championships at the Daytona 24-hours and did the Endurance Triple, winning at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans in the same year, 2015.
Chevrolet, for all their button-down, lowest-cost-denominator plasticity, has every reason to point out that their company was founded and established by a race car driver named Louis Chevrolet more than a century ago. And it’s worth pointing out all this “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” calculating that Chevy has done, does allow one, if they are so motivated, to trot down to the local Chevrolet dealer and buy a brand new Corvette; let’s say a ZR1, shall we?
The ZR1 is not all that far removed from this C7.R race car, but they drive that one on the street.
Understand?
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: Chevrolet.

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2019 Subaru Crosstrek: When You “Need” An SUV (But Really Don’t)

2019 Subaru Crosstrek: When You “Need” An SUV (But Really Don’t) You don’t need an SUV. You really don’t. What you need is this, the Subaru Crosstrek. I mean, a reasonable person, right? Sometimes you might have to drive in pretty inclement weather? Sometimes you go camping? Regular skier or snowboarder? Live on a normal street? Rarely, if ever, have to take more than three people with you?
Yeah, the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is for you.
Wants Versus Needs
Look, I get it. An SUV gives you a sense of security, and yeah, you might have to use it to get yourself out of a serious apocalyptic jam. But seriously, I know only three people who need an SUV: One is my friend Carl, who lives up in the middle of the woods in a log cabin on a reservation, the other is a doctor/avid snowboarder friend of mine who does emergency pediatric transport, and the other lives in the middle of Alaska.
Anyone else? 90 percent of the time, you’re just posing.
No, for what you actually use an SUV for, the Subaru Crosstrek (goofy name aside) has you covered. Effectively, the Crosstrek is an Impreza with a factory lift kit, some notional bash-plates, and that inherent Subaru all-weather capability baked in from the start. It’s a wagon, so it can haul a reasonable amount of people and stuff; it’s smaller so it’s easier to park and all that, and it gets much better gas mileage than that deuce-and-a-half you’re considering for grocery duty.
Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Packaged Performance
When it shows up at dealers later this summer, the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek will come in three flavors: 2.0i base, 2.0i Premium, and 2.0i Limited and ring out at just $100 more than last year, starting at $21,895. No matter the trim level, all 2019 Crosstreks come with standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, a safety nanny thing-o that combines features like Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Lane Keep Assist in one nice package.
Since it’s a Subie, every Crosstrek comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Does Subaru even make a non-AWD car? I don’t think so. The drivetrain also features such niceties as Active Torque Vectoring and Subie’s evergreen 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, putting out 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft. of torque.
The Base and Premium trims have an optional six-speed manual or a Lineartronic CVT transmission. The CVT models will also get you X-MODE and Hill Descent Control.
Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.
Styling & Tech Treatments
The 2019 Crosstrek rides along with 8.7-inches of ground clearance and on 17-inch alloy wheels, in black, with a machined finish. On the inside, you’ll see the standard 6.5-inch Starlink Multimedia system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 60/40-folding rear seat, multi-function display with fuel economy information, keyless entry, a security system with engine immobilizer and, I hope you’re sitting down: carpeted floor mats.
Also, the interior has black simulated carbon fiber trim, because why not.
Below is a handy-dandy little chart that Subaru sent us, detailing all the models, option packages, and costs for the 2019 Crosstrek.
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 Crosstrek
Model/Trim
Transmission
Applicable Option Code
MSRP
MSRP + destination and delivery
2.0i
6MT
01
$21,895
$22,870
2.0i
CVT
01, 03
$22,895
$23,870
2.0i Premium
6MT
11
$22,895
$23,870
2.0i Premium
CVT
11, 12, 13, 14
$23,895
$24,870
2.0i Limited
CVT
21, 22, 23
$27,195
$28,170

2019 Crosstrek Option Packages
Code
Description
MSRP
01
Standard Model (6MT or CVT)
N/A
03
EyeSight®
$845
11
Standard Model (6MT or CVT)
N/A
12
Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$1,400
13
EyeSight + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$1,395
14
EyeSight + Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert
$2,395
21
Standard Model
N/A
22
Moonroof
$1,000
23
Moonroof + Navigation System + Harman Kardon Amplifier and Speakers
$2,350
2019 Subaru Crosstrek Gallery

Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc.

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17 Years Later: Did Fast and the Furious Boost The Appeal of Japanese Cars?

17 Years Later: Did Fast and the Furious Boost The Appeal of Japanese Cars? 17 years after The Fast and the Furious hit theaters and showed the Japanese tuner scene to many Americans for the first time, prices of the rides portrayed continue to rise. This according to ClassicCars.com, to which I can only say, duh!
If you think about it, this is pointing out the obvious to the Nth degree. Of course the prices of Japanese cars are continuing to rise, and it’s not down to a “car” movie franchise that turned into a caper movie franchise with cars tacked on as little more than props.
Japanese cars, especially anything rare or odd (Mazda Cosmos and Toyota 2000 GTs are two good examples) are rising in price – everything is going up in price, it’s called inflation.
Born Yesterday
ClassicCars.com says that F & F’s use of Nissans, Mazdas, and Toyotas, and showing them in the same light as established collectible cars like a Ferrari 355 or 1970 Dodge Charger exposed young viewers to an “edgier and more accessible aspect of car culture, causing a shift in pop culture that still effects both the film and auto industries today.”
Which is, largely, horse manure.
Sure, the Fast and the Furious franchise (horrid words to associate with a movie) showed off the import tuner scene to a wider audience, but so did Gran Turismo on the PlayStation and the growing influence of Asian culture in general, and Japanese culture specifically. You don’t have to be Stanley Milgram to figure that one out.
Or maybe you do, at least if you don’t understand societies, how they grow and change, and what semi-outside forces impart those changes. Lord knows the people at ClassicCars.com are stretching for a connection that isn’t really there. Still, they point to four Japanese rides that are currently rising in value: Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra, 1994 Acura Integra GS-R, and the 1997 Nissan 240SX.
An average Nissan 240SX will cost only a few thousand today despite its price of almost $22,000 in 1997. “These can still be bought cheap, with stock versions being extremely rare as most of the original S13 and S14 models have been either modified for drifting or tuned to look more like performance cars from the film or according to trends seen in the Japanese and California import scene,” said Andy Reid, East Coast Editor and Analyst, ClassicCars.com. Photo courtesy of ClassicCars.com.
Modified Movie Props
The RX they’re talking about is the 1993 Mazda RX-7. Yes, in 2005 a 1993 Mazda RX-7 used in the film sold for the respectable sum of $40,250 at a Bonhams’ auction, but that’s a screen-used movie prop. Unscathed used versions sell for about half that . . . if you can find one. These things were modified far too often, so that might drive up the prices of an original model. Slightly.
ClassicCars.com says an average example of a Mark IV Supra will cash out around $70,000 these days. Again, these last gen Supras are hard to find in un-assaulted form, a lot of them being picked up by rich kids and tweaked and repainted in garish color schemes. The actual 1993 Toyota Supra driven by Paul Walker in the movie sold for $185,000 in 2015 – a full $115,000 more than non-movie cars and $135,000 more than when it was new.
ClassicCars.com says an original, low-mileage Toyota Supra goes for about $90,000 on their site.
And then the 1994 Acura Integra GS-R – essentially a factory hot rod with some unique suspension bits, badges, and the like – nothing really that special, which might be reflected in the current price range of around $15,000. Finally, the 1997 Nissan 240SX, listing for only a few thousand, is barely worth mentioning in terms of collectability.
1994 Acura Integra GS-R Coupe. Photo: Honda North America.
Good But Not Grand
You don’t have to look very hard at those cars, the FD Mazda RX-7, Mark IV Toyota Supra, the 1994 Acura Integra GS-R, and the 1997 Nissan 240SX to see why “showing them in the same light as Ferrari F355s” is a false equivalency. Ferrari made a total of 11,273 F355 models. Mazda made 68,589 gen three RX7s, Toyota made 11,239 Supras; approximately 42,000 1994 Acura Integra GS-Rs rolled off the assembly line, and over half a million 240 SXs were made.
And sure, all those cars are cool, but they will never, ever be as cool or as rare or as desirable as anything made by Ferrari. Or most Porsches, Jags, Astons, Healeys and such. They’re fun cars, but don’t mistake them for being something more than they are.
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
Source: ClassicCars.com.
Cover Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Restomods: Best of Both Worlds

Restomods: Best of Both Worlds

It’s an age-old car question – are you a classic or a modern car lover? In recent years, we’ve seen people ask “why not both” through a new trend: resto-modding. While there is no clear-cut definition, a restomod vehicle is one that has been externally restored to original, or close to the original appearance, yet has its mechanical components updated to include modern automotive offerings. This allows car enthusiasts to have the best of both worlds – a car which maintains its classic, identifiable look while also having performance aspects that match today’s sports cars.
Where it Began
To understand where the trend of restomod vehicles came from, we need to look back at the history of the classic car hobby. In the 1950s, when the pastime was still young, there were two very distinct segments of hobbyists: those who collected old cars, which at the time included Ford Model Ts and 1930s luxury brands such as Packard, Dusenberg, and Lincoln; and those who built their own hot rods – heavily modified classic cars with newer engines, made for linear speed with custom sheet metal.
Collectors prided themselves on authenticity and keeping their cars in line with the original factory specs. This group was more interested in showing their cars at events than driving them, so the lower horsepower engines and inferior brakes included in these early models were not an issue for many enthusiasts. This side of the hobby is still very popular today, with many collectors transporting their authentic models to car shows across the country rather than driving them.
Modern Overhaul
“Hot rodders” on the other hand wanted to change everything about the car, inside and out, for an overall better driving experience. This meant bigger motors and better brakes as well as custom paint, headlights, and lots of chrome accents to give the car a unique and modernized look.
As time went by, the car hobby matured and the baby boomer generation became interested in the cars of their youth: classics of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, otherwise known as the muscle car era. This is when the concept of the restomod was truly born. Many owners of classic cars from these decades preserved the external appearance of the vehicle while taking advantage of the latest engine, brake, and steering technology to allow for improved safety, performance, and driving dynamics.
The Deuce Coupe is a popular model among hot rod enthusiasts today. Pictured here is the Rodfather, a Deuce Coupe owned by former milkman and now hot rod boss, Andy Brizio. At the 1970 Grand National Roadster Show it won the World’s Most Beautiful Roadster award. Photo: From the book “Deuce: The Original Hot Rod: 32×32” by Mike Chase, published by Motorbooks.

Trends Today
One of the most popular cars for resto-modding is the Ford Mustang, particularly models from the 1960s. Hundreds of thousands were built so replacement and restoration parts are readily available, allowing hobbyists to keep the original look alive. However, these Mustangs can also be equipped with newer Ford drivetrains, allowing for modern upgrades to be made internally.
The Chevy Camaro is a close second to the Mustang for resto-modding. Restomod Camaros are often upgraded with big wheels, matte paint, hood scoops, and spoilers to give them a more modern look. Similar to the Mustang, classic Camaros can be equipped with V8 Corvette engines and newer drivetrains, allowing for a sleek look with some unsuspecting punch under the hood.
The restomod side of the car hobby continues to grow, especially as younger generations become interested in classic cars. These individuals want the classic look of an old car without compromising on the performance and safety features available today, so resto-modding is perfect for them. It’s easy for people who are new to the hobby, as well as those who have been collecting for years, to inject their own creativity when restoring these cars. We expect to see resto-modding continue and gain momentum as drivers seek out modern safety and performance features while also taking pride in maintaining the unique aesthetics of a classic car from decades ago.
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.

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2018 McLaren 570S Spider: A Convertible But Not Really

2018 McLaren 570S Spider: A Convertible But Not Really

McLaren calls their new 570S Spider “a convertible without compromise.” And sure, that’s just what you’d expect them to say, but convertibles inherently have many engineering compromises. That’s not to say the 570S is not a good car. It is. It is a very good car indeed.
Besides a drop top, what does the McLaren 570S Spider bring to the table?
Waxing Poetics
For starters, the 570S Spider is, to my eyes, not really a convertible. It’s sort of more than a targa, but also less than a full on convertible. It has those headrest/roll-over/buttress structures you see on a lot of hard top convertibles these days. Obviously, due more to concerns of the legal department than the design gurus. I understand why they are there, from the perspective of you don’t want a person rich enough to buy one of your cars potentially getting injured; if they can drop this kind of cash on a car, just think of the legal team they must have.
But for me, it sort of ruins the look and I would be fine if those structures were not there.
So, you get a much more open air feel than a targa set up, but not as much as you would on, say, an old Austin-Healey. Such is the state of things. The 570S Spider is hand-assembled in the unfortunate town of Woking, England, home of McLaren. It’s mainly made of carbon fiber, has a mid-engined layout, and boasts extreme performance. McLaren says the 570S Spider is the third body style in the Sports Series portfolio, lining up alongside the 570S Coupe and the 570GT, but I thought there was also a 570LT out there? I could be mistaken?
McLaren’s new Spider employs a racecar-style, double-wishbone suspension with steel springs, twin-valve adaptive dampers, and anti-roll bars calibrated to the same specifications as the 570S Coupe. Photo: McLaren Automotive.
Structured Performance
The two-piece retractable roof on the Spider is constructed of lightweight composite panels, just like the rest of the bodywork. All of this is attached to the carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis at the heart of the 570S. McLaren says the Spider does not suffer any reduction in strength or stiffness or – and this is the impressive part – require any additional structural actions. Usually when you lop the top off of a car, things get floppy. It’s like taking the lid off of a shoe box. All of a sudden you can flex it and twist it a lot more (twisting and flexing fall on “The List of Bad Things Sports Cars Should Never, Ever, Do”). The fact McLaren can make a drop top that needs no additional stiffening from steel or aluminum structures speaks to their overall talent in chassis design.
The top is worked from the driver’s seat using one simple button that folds the roof and stows it beneath a hard tonneau cover. The roof can be opened or closed in just 15 seconds, at speeds up to 25 mph and, take if from me, that is so cool! Some cars with automatic tops these days, you have to be stopped dead or you can’t raise or lower it. Ugh! There’s nothing like pulling onto the street from the local burger joint and, while slowly cruising, dropping the top. There is a glass wind deflector that can, thankfully, be electrically raised or lowered at the push of a button. I know, these things keep you from getting your hair mussed, but what did you buy a convert for? Wear a hat. More wind please. McLaren also adds this odd bit of tech: “an optional sports system that features an ESG to channel exhaust sound towards the cabin, via the area beneath the tonneau cover.”
Which is nice, but also kind of odd, don’t you think?
Three new exterior colors celebrate the Spider’s introduction: Curacao Blue, Vega Blue, and Sicilian Yellow give customers a choice of 20 colors in total. The new hues showcase the aluminium bodywork and dihedral doors, particularly when combined with an optional Dark Palladium grey finish on the roof, windscreen pillars, and rear buttresses. Photo: McLaren Automotive.

Power Specs
And now, the bad news: The retractable hardtop with its operating mechanism adds 101 pounds to the weight of the Spider over the 570S Coupe. Gah! Extra weight! Bad! Evil! Bad! It’s like carrying around an invisible ballerina. Sigh.
I suppose all that extra weight is offset by the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine nestled amidships. Said plant cranks out 562 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque, giving the new 570S Spider an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 413 horsepower-per-tonne. The lump is mated to a seven-speed seamless-shift gearbox with Launch Control technology. Bottom line: standstill to 60 in 3.1 seconds, on up to 124 mph in just 9.6 seconds. Top speed is 204 mph with the roof up, which is identical to the 570S Coupe vMax. With the roof lowered the new Spider can still haul the mail, topping out at 196 mph. In case you’re strangely interested in this sort of thing, the 570S Spider gets 16 city, 23 highway, and 19 mpg combined.
The McLaren 570S Spider is available to order now, priced from $208,800 and will make its world debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, June 29th through July 2nd. Hopefully wearing a nice shiny coat of Papaya Orange paint.
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 McLaren 570S Spider Gallery

Photos & Source: McLaren Automotive.

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Ford Announces Kentucky Truck Plant Investment, Shifts Focus Production

Ford Announces Kentucky Truck Plant Investment, Shifts Focus Production

Ford Motor Company is investing $900 million into the Kentucky Truck Plant for upgrades to build the all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. The vehicles will arrive at Ford dealers this fall but also be exported to 55 markets globally, including the Navigator to China. The automaker says this latest investment in Kentucky will help improve the company’s “operational fitness” while building vehicles that “excite customers around the world.”
Core Business
The investment for the Kentucky Truck Plant comes of the heels of another $350 million announced last month for the Livonia Transmission Plant. Ford explained at the time how the investment in Livonia will help fortify their core automotive business, a similar sentiment being echoed with this latest news in Kentucky.
“Large SUVs are attracting a new generation around the world – and we’re finding new ways to deliver the capability, versatility, and technology that customers around the world really want with our all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford Executive Vice President and President, Global Operations.
The Kentucky investment secures 1,000 jobs for hourly workers at the Louisville plant. In 2015, the blue oval dedicated $1.3 billion to the plant for the all-new Super Duty that was forthcoming at the time. That investment resulted in 2,000 new jobs bringing the total at Kentucky Truck to nearly 7,600 workers. While trucks and SUVs represent a significant portion of Ford’s portfolio, it’s not the only thing motivating these strategic investments.
“At the same time, we also have looked at how we can be more successful in the small car segment and deliver even more choices for customers in a way that makes business sense,” Hinrichs explained.
Ford team member Mark Lynett helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the moving assembly line at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. Photo: Sam VarnHagen for Ford Motor Company.
Core Focus
Production of the next-generation Focus begins in the second half of 2019. Most North American Focus variants will initially come from China with other models following out of Europe at a later date. Ford emphasizes not a single U.S. hourly employee will be out of a job regarding the new manufacturing plan for the Focus. Current North American market Focus models are built at the Michigan Assembly Plant and will continue as such until mid-2018. At that time, Michigan Assembly will switch over to Ranger and Bronco production.
“Finding a more cost-effective way to deliver the next Focus program in North America is a better plan, allowing us to redeploy the money we save into areas of growth for the company – especially sport utilities, commercial vehicles, performance vehicles as well as mobility, autonomous vehicles, and electrified vehicles,” Hinrichs said.
The new Focus production initiative saves $1 billion in investment costs versus the original plan – $500 million on top of the $500 million savings announced earlier this year by cancelling an all-new manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and moving Focus production to the Hermosillo, Mexico, plant. In light of recent criticisms about Ford’s manufacturing elsewhere on the planet, the blue oval has already invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants, creating nearly 28,000 American jobs in the last five years. Currently, Ford has more hourly workers and builds more vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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