Easy Winter-Proof Part Upgrades for Leased Vehicles with eBay Motors

Easy Winter-Proof Part Upgrades for Leased Vehicles with eBay Motors Michigan summers are really something this time of year. It’s never too hot, the days are long, and it’s easy to get outside and participate in a variety of fun activities. Although recently, the air has been a bit crisp in the evening. In the great Wolverine State, that means fall is on the way and winter is not far behind.
Yes, winter can be a very pretty time of year. However, all that snow, slush, sand, and salt ultimately ends up in one place: the interior of our vehicles. One question we are often asked as car experts is how to prevent such things. How do we preserve a vehicle’s interior when it’s impossible to keep winter outside, where it belongs? The answer is simple and affordable, and this year, eBay Motors is helping us prepare for winter well ahead of time.
Our company vehicle is a 2016 Fiat 500X crossover, a small and efficient automobile perfect for navigating the Detroit metro area. We are completely satisfied with the vehicle, except the stock cloth floor mats. Last winter, when the snow we inevitably tracked into the vehicle melted, it soaked right through the mats. After a few days, a pungent order was noticeable.
It’s not just the Fiat cloth mats either. We are not fans of most stock cloth floor mats, regardless of the manufacturer. After last winter, we resolved to get something better. Thankfully, eBay Motors has a great selection of weatherproof accessories. We landed on a set of Gledring All-Weather Rubber Floor Mats.
“Thank you to eBay Motors for sponsoring this post and helping me find the perfect parts and accessories This post was written by me through an activation with HireInfluence on behalf of eBay Motors. Although I received compensation for participating in the campaign, all thoughts and opinions are my own.” ~ Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.
When it comes to upgrading a vehicle with valuable parts and accessories, it’s not necessary to go big. Oftentimes, when we think of aftermarket upgrades, we think about turbos and superchargers and suspension gizmos. The truth is, all-weather floor mats are one of the best, most affordable upgrades any car owner can buy. The Gledring all-weather mats for our 500X were $74.99, a good deal considering how much they will protect our interior. And, eBay Motors isn’t just a great place to find aftermarket parts and accessories. They also sell new. In fact, 81 percent of items sold on eBay are new, while 88 percent of items can be purchased with the buy-it-now feature, no bidding necessary.
A high-quality set of all-weather rubber mats is an essential aftermarket upgrade, regardless of where your home is. I have talked a lot about winter climates, but even in sunny states, a set of Gledring all-weather rubber mats will provide value.
Notice how much more robust the Gledring mats from eBay Motors are (right) versus the stock mats that came with our 2016 Fiat 500X. Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.
For outdoor enthusiasts or beach buffs, the Gledring mats will easily catch dirt, dust, and sand. Unlike cloth mats, the Gledring all-weather mats are much easier to shake out and clean. With cloth floor mats, sand and dirt can get trapped to the point where a vacuum is needed to fully remove all the debris. Despite their high power, vacuums at car washes are often unable to get every last pebble out of a cloth floor mat.
During the winter, the Gledring rubber mats will prevent melted snow from soaking through. Any salt or sand from the snow will remove easily as well, since the rubber surface is smooth. Although the Gledring mats from eBay Motors offer solid weather protection, they have another distinct benefit. We had no sooner put them in to find ourselves cleaning up a coffee splatter and a spilled protein shake (yeah, don’t ask). Those of us who are clumsy with a coffee cup or shaker bottle will greatly appreciate a set of Gledring all-weather mats.
Installation was a cakewalk. It took us only a few minutes, although there are two notes to consider. The Gledring all-weather mats are bundled together with plastic tabs. We saved the tabs just in case – not that we foresee ever removing the mats from our 500X, but the plastic tabs will keep them together and make for easy storage. When placing the Gledring mats inside, make sure they are good and snapped down; we don’t want anyone to end up with a mat obstructing the brake and gas pedals.





Our Fiat 500X is leased, which means there are not many upgrades we can do to it. A leased vehicle must be returned to the dealership at the end, and usually, there is very little room in a leasing contract to modify the vehicle. All-weather floor mats, however, are fair game. Another affordable interior upgrade we would consider is this rear cargo-area liner. For car-leasers that still like to tinker under the hood, we would recommend any number of Mobil 1 synthetic oils. eBay Motors has a good selection of oils and lubricants to ensure optimum engine performance. Parts and accessories like these provide additional protection without violating the terms of the lease.
Always make sure the all-weather mats are secured to the floor of the vehicle. Line them up with the tabs sticking out of the floor and give them a good, solid press. This will minimize the chances of them bunching up unintentionally near the gas and brake pedals. Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.
eBay’s large selection makes it easy to make any of these upgrades happen and find the exact one you’re looking for. Further, eBay Motors is fast easy and convenient. eBay’s recent summer roll out of Guaranteed Delivery ensures delivery to U.S. customers in three days or less on more than 20 million eligible items. Many of these items will ship for free, and some products will be delivered even faster – one or two days, guaranteed. eBay also offers trusted, protection programs like the Assurant Protection Program, to put you at ease when purchasing parts.
Our 2016 Fiat 500X is always on the road and the interior wear is noticeable. One of our staff members often wears heels when she drives our vehicle; high heels can wear through cloth mats in a hurry. We believe the Gledring all-weather mats from eBay Motors will hold up much better over time when exposed to the pointed heel of her shoes. Photo: Danielle Flint for Automoblog.net.



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Letter From The UK: Mini Seasons Ago

Letter From The UK: Mini Seasons Ago


After the tragedy of the Second World War many things changed. It was as if a global decision had been made to change the attitude of living in the past and instead, embrace a brave new world. So it was that in Britain; the crooners and balladeers of the early 1950’s gave way to pioneer rock and roll stars, and the boss at the antiquated British Motor Corporation demanded Great Britain should have its own ‘miniature’ to rival the ‘bubble’ car from Germany.
The Mini Is Born
Thus it came to pass that a chap called Alec Issigonis stood up in the meeting (I’m surmising here) and said, “I say you chaps; what if we turn the engine around sideways?” In 1959, sales of the diminutive Austin/Morris Mini began. It was an instant success. Never before or since has a car so grabbed the attention of the public.
The last time I bothered to look it up, there were just over 8,000 original Minis still driving around the ruined roads of Britain. The beloved diminutive motor continues to cast its spell fifty and more years on (as do the ‘Swinging Sixties’ in which the car played such an iconic role) but the latest versions, great though they are in many ways, can’t match the simplicity and sheer joy of the original.
Open the hood of the latest model and you will be none the wiser. Open the hood of an original Mini and you’ll find a completely basic, BMC ‘A’ Series engine mounted transversely. Anyone can fix it and anyone did.
As with everything in life, we have to move forward but not necessarily when that which follows isn’t as good as that which has passed. This is why the ancient wrinkly rock bands of the sixties and seventies can still pull huge audiences despite being delivered to the venue in private ambulances.
Photo: BMW Group.
My Generation
Just when we thought the Mini had finally faded into history, along came a German brand called BMW who bought the name and resurrected the vehicle, but it is simply not the same. Mini has become something different to a new generation.
The original cars continue to be celebrated in annual events like the Riviera Run (that’s the UK’s Cornish Riviera by the way, like the French Riviera only without the glamour, international fame, cuisine, film festivals, and glorious weather) but sadly every year, like old soldiers on memorial days, there are fewer and fewer. One day none will turn up and another legend will truly fade into history like anything else long forgotten.
There is a certain Teutonic thoroughness to the BMW Mini at odds with the uncertain beginnings from way back in the 1950’s. Build quality is certainly way better but merely keeping a label and a center round dashboard binnacle doesn’t instill within the car that sense of fun, excitement, and adventure the original generated. Along with the miniskirt, certain natural products and unnatural chemicals and music that has never been transcended, it sums up a youth generation who chose to wear flowers in their hair.
Photo: BMW Group.

Good Old Days
The Mini of today might, in many ways, be a technological marvel but when all is said and done, it is just another generic product, built in multiple variants, to satisfy a section of the automobile market. It may sell well but it is not a proper Mini. For a start, the new car is, by comparison, huge. Back in the olden days of yore, if you wanted a ‘big’ Mini, you bought an Austin Maxi and the selection of that name sums up the total amount of thought that went into the car. Also with a transverse engine, the Maxi was so awful it rightfully earned the sobriquet ‘Land Crab.’
To most people, history is just old stuff that has already happened. They probably don’t give a thought to that little gem of motoring mastery, that rally winner, that little beginner’s love nest that was at the heart of a much safer and more vibrant society. For the most part, we should look forward to the future but there are some things that can never be improved upon. Groovy baby.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Photo: BMW Group.



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Italian Exotics Owned By The Late J. Geils Seeking New Homes

Italian Exotics Owned By The Late J. Geils Seeking New Homes

Lots of people know who J. Giles is. He was the guitar player and namesake for the Boston outfit who, after years of trying, but not really caring, suddenly had a string of top 40 hits. What a lot people don’t know about Jerome (his real name was John, but his singer, Peter Wolf, always called him Jerome) was that he was a no-doubt-about-it gearhead. He ran one of the nicest Lotus, Ferrari, and Maserati shops in the greater Boston area and, from what I’ve always read, everyone said he was a good guy.
Sadly, Mr. Giles turned off his Gibson Tweed amplifier this past April. And although we will never have the pleasure of seeing him play again, we are now invited to bid on eight vehicles: five cars and three motorcycles from his personal collection. Starting on Wednesday, August 16th, they are to be auctioned off at the 2017 Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey, California
Angel In Blue
As you would expect, with this being the Monterey Vintage Week, Mecum’s Daytime Auction will be replete with some heavy-hitter exotics. Their auction catalog features such plebian rides as, oh, let’s see here, a LaFerrari, a Bugatti Veyron, a 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita and a “Knobbly” bodied 1958 Lister-Jaguar. For the car auction world, this is the big time. Maybe (maybe) only the Monte Carlo auction has more outright cache’ but you’d be hard put to convince me of that.
Crossing the block on Saturday, August 19th will be eight impressive rides from the late Mr. Geils’ collection, starting with a 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2. This what Enzo drove as his work car for many years. They are “practical” in a certain way, with more comfort and convenience than most Ferraris of the era with the +2 back seat. They also had Ferraris evergreen 250 V12 engine that brought home the hardware when installed in the GTOs, SWB Berlinettas, and Testa Rossas. When it comes to Giles’ 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2, this would be the original 3.0-liter V12 engine with the 5-speed transmission. The car is said to have a very “attractive blue and gray exterior color combination.”
This is Lot S44, in case you want to place bids and buy it for yourself.
1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 (Lot S44). Photo: Mecum Auctions.


Motoring Centerfolds
Lot S45 is a 1967 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 3C. These iterations of the Flaminias are big, elegant GT cars motivated by a multi-carb V6. They are sophisticated and stylish to this day. The sort of car, when you pull up to the valet’s stand at the restaurant, they say, “oh no sir, you can just leave your car parked right out front.” Like you’d hand the keys over to a 1967 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 3C in the first place.
Geils’ 1967 Fiat Dino Spyder will also be crossing the block. For the uniformed, this is the car that Fiat made in conjunction with Ferrari shortly after the two companies merged. It says Fiat on the outside, but under the engine cover lies a small displacement Ferrari V6. The same engine found in Ferrari’s very own Dino and the space age Lancia Stratos rally car. These engines flat out rip. Even better, this is a drop-top (the most desirable of the range) and well worth your respect. Lot S46, if you are interested.
The three motorbikes all are Italian iron as well. There’s a 1983 Benelli 900 SEI (Lot S49), a mean little sport bike with a, get this, straight-six engine. A 1976 MV Agusta 125 SS is Lot S50. It looks like it’s ready for the Isle of Man TT. Lot S51 is a 1970 Ducati 350 Desmo, a fine example of what a Euro sport bike from that era was. Oh, and if you’re a memorabilia collector, five of J. Geils’ personal racing suits are also being auctioned off (Lot S52).
And the cherry on top? All of his stuff is being auctioned off without reserves.
1967 Fiat Dino Spyder, 2.0L, 5-Speed (Lot S46). Photo: Mecum Auctions.
Registration & Tickets
The auction is open to buyers, sellers, and spectators. Bidder registration is available in advance for $100, $200 after the auction starts. This includes admission for two for each auction day. General admission tickets are available in advance for $20 per person, per day, and for $30 at the door once the auction begins; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission. Portions of the auction will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network with a live stream of the entire auction on Mecum’s website.
So, if you’re looking for reasons or excuses to head to Monterey this year, we just gave you eight more. Now go! And crank the J. Geils on the way!
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.
Photos & Source: Mecum Auctions.



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Nissan’s Rube Goldberg Idea Caused Us To Facepalm Ourselves

Nissan’s Rube Goldberg Idea Caused Us To Facepalm Ourselves

Nissan, for no real reason I can discern, has called their latest tech gizmo the “Rear Door Alert” when what it really is – or what it should be called – is “The Rear Seat Checker.” Beyond that confusing misnomer, what Nissan is attempting to do here, and always with the best of intentions (you know what they say about good intentions), is to help you remember the stuff in your back seat after you’ve parked.
You know, stuff like your children.
Destination: Litigation
The funny thing is, Nissan does not explicitly say the Rear Door Alert (RDA) is there to help keep your kids alive on a sweltering summer day. No, they only, sort of, imply it: “With summer heat on the rise, potential issues posed by interior car temperatures are even more real, but Nissan hopes its new Rear Door Alert may help reduce concerns.”
I have an informed guess as to why Nissan doesn’t come right out and say, “hey, are you a forgetful and harried parent? Worried about baking your kid (or pets) like a muffin while you’re at Twin Pines Mall shopping for lip gloss? Worry no more, thanks to Nissan’s new Rear Door Alert!” They can’t say that because I bet the legal team warned them along the lines of, “if you say we can keep kids safe and something still ends up happening, we’re going to get litigated back to the stone age.”
Cheese Alert
Nissan makes things clearer with this little tid-bit: “Elsa Foley, an industrial engineer and mother of two young children, and Marlene Mendoza, a mechanical engineer and mother of three, decided to work on an idea to help remind drivers to check their back seats before walking away.”
“We pushed each other along and knew we were on the right track one morning when Marlene discovered she had left a pan of lasagna in the back seat of her car one night after coming home after a long day at the office,” Foley said. “The worst thing was the car smelled for days, but it made me ask myself, ‘what if that had been something else back there?’”
Desiccated lasagna aside, it does sound like a helpful bit of tech, but the real flaw, if anything, is the execution.
The Rear Door Alert was developed at the Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA) in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The new feature will debut as standard equipment on the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder coming in September. Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Comical Creation
The Rear Door Alert works in a clever but rather overly complex way. The RDA monitors the rear door switches to detect whether they have been opened or closed just before and after a trip. If the RDA system senses that a rear door was opened and closed prior to a trip, but then was not re-opened after the trip, (i.e. the vehicle was put in park and the ignition cycled off) the RDA system responds by displaying notifications on the instrument panel. If that’s not enough to get your attention, things escalate to “subtle but distinctive chirps of the horn.”
And this is where the RDA lurches into real Rube Goldberg/Larry Lightbulb territory: “Because there are so many scenarios in which a driver might open a rear door – everything from throwing in a gym bag to cleaning the car – the RDA system is easily configurable and can be turned off temporarily or permanently through prompts in the cluster display,” according to Nissan. In other words, this thing will keep nagging and badgering you until you either see to the problem, or jump through a bunch of techno-hoops and “reconfigure” your car. Gee, thanks.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Medicated Motoring
Rear Door Alert is part of the ever-growing, ever-expanding list of “for your own good/you’re too stupid to do it yourself” safety contraptions found on most new cars these days. Nissan points out that most/all of these gadgets will be available on most of their more popular models except for those with manual transmissions and all NISMO versions. Gee, I wonder why that is? Maybe it’s because whoever goes out and buys your King Kong-inspired, Porsche-slaying GT-R is a gearhead capable of looking in the back seat.
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.
Photos & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.



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2018 Acura RLX Debut Set For Monterey Automotive Week

2018 Acura RLX Debut Set For Monterey Automotive Week

Acura is preparing for the public debut of the 2018 RLX during the Monterey Automotive Week, beginning tomorrow, August 15th. The automaker says the RLX has a more “substantial presence” with “design cues that showcase its performance capabilities.”
The forthcoming RLX will remain the brand’s premier and flagship luxury sports sedan.
Styling & Design
The signature diamond grille compliments the more sculpted hood and wheels, while the newly designed LED taillights blend with the gloss black rear diffuser. The 2018 Acura RLX has three new colors including two premium paint options – Brilliant Red Metallic and Majestic Black Pearl. Inside, upgraded materials and touchpoints decorate the cabin, including the redesigned seats with high-contrast piping and stitching. An Espresso interior is now available.
“This redesign of the 2018 Acura RLX is transformational, creating road presence and styling that better reflect underlying performance capabilities of the vehicle,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura Vice President & General Manager.
Power & Performance
The 2018 RLX is arguably the most advanced in Acura’s lineup, borrowing its engineering from the NSX supercar. The Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) is taken directly from the NSX to provide better acceleration, handling, and efficiency. With three electric motors, a direct injected V6, and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid delivers a total system output of 377 horsepower. The trim levels are revised so the Sport Hybrid technology is now more accessible to customers.
2018 Acura RLX. Honda North America.
Safety & Security
The new RLX features AcuraWatch, a suite of enhanced driver assistance technologies. Traffic Jam Assist, for example, is a first for Acura. Working in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist helps keep the vehicle in its lane. AcuraWatch also includes Collision Mitigation Braking with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist among others.
AcuraWatch uses millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect vehicles and lane markings. The system is designed to prevent or mitigate potential collisions.
Pricing & Availability
Acura has not announced pricing at this time, although expect the 2018 RLX to arrive in November. In the meantime, the 2018 Acura RLX will be featured at multiple events throughout Monterey Automotive Week including the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue, Tuesday, August 15th and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Friday, August 18th.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
2018 Acura RLX Gallery











Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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A Brief History of Classic Chevy Wagons

A Brief History of Classic Chevy Wagons

It seems like wagons are a lost art these days, although there isn’t a shortage of fans. Wagons are more rare now, but the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon holds the torch high, igniting the passions of wagon lovers everywhere. We are fans of the new Volvo V90, the latest wagon from the Swedish automaker. The 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack is holding on strong in the wagon genera as well.
Other wagons were not so lucky, like the Dodge Magnum we waved goodbye to in 2008. The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon didn’t stay for the party either, signing off in 2014.
Working Class Cruiser
Back in the day, if an individual desired a wagon for the family, they arguably turned to Detroit’s bowtie. A slick new infographic from our friends at H&H Classic Parts showcases over thirty years of Chevy wagons, starting in 1935. The graphic includes artist renderings and interesting data for each one. Today, things are a bit different as General Motors holds a strong presence in the crossover segment. However, if you follow the thinking of H&H Classic Parts, there’s little difference between the golden era of station wagons and today’s crossover and SUV boom.
“The 1935 Carryall was used for work and for passengers, and it was a revolutionary vehicle when it debuted – of course, today we call it the Chevy Suburban,” said Tray Smith, Vice President of H&H Classic Parts. “Like the Suburban, most of today’s popular SUVs and crossovers can trace their lineage back to the classic American wagons from the 50s and 60s.”
The Carryall is of note because some will dispute calling it a wagon. The Carryall was mounted on a truck chassis and featured removable seats; for many wagon enthusiasts, this doesn’t count but the utility – what wagons are known for- is certinately there.
“Is the Carryall a wagon? I don’t know. I can definitely see it either way,” Smith said. “But the fact is, you can’t really talk about classic Chevy wagons without talking about the Carryall, so it’s on our list.”
Chevy’s original steel-bodied, truck-based Suburban “Carryall” of 1935-36 provided a robust and durable SUV-like alternative to wood-bodied wagons. Power came from Chevrolet’s “Stovebolt” inline-six that produced 60 horsepower on a half-ton chassis. Photo: GM Media Archive.
Past Eras, Modern Desires
The more things change, the more they stay the same. How we might seek a crossover or SUV to accommodate our active lifestyles, or busy family schedule, the same was had years ago. The demand for affordable transportation following World War II turned Chevy wagons from tools to suburban icons. The 1949 Styleline wagon, for example, sat eight to nine passengers, and buyers could have a wood-sided or all-steel vehicle.
Styling became increasingly important as Chevy wagons were sought by working families. The 150 and 210 wagons of 1953 sported a five-teeth grille with a large bowtie emblem. This made the wagons unmistakable but the value for the dollar made them a hit. A budget-minded family could opt for the lower priced Townsman, but still walk away with a 106 horsepower Thrift King engine and an upgraded trim. The Handyman variant had power steering and fold away seats for extra cargo.
Demand rose through the 1950s, where the Tri-Five series, particularity the Beauville wagon with seating for nine, became prevalent. By 1955, Chevy was producing the Nomad, a two-door, lower-slung wagon that by 1957, was known as the Bel Air. Suffice it to say, locating one is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
”Because so many early Chevy wagons were used as work vehicles, they suffered some abuse and many ended up in the junkyard,” Smith explained. “If you own any of the 150, 210, or Bel Air wagons from 1953 to 1957, you’re lucky. I envy those with one of these wagons as a restoration project.”
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe. Photo: GM Media Archive.


Carefree Adventures
As times changed radically for the United Sates in the 1960s, Chevy wagons maintained their cultural appeal. Families often got their kicks on Route 66 with the Lakewood wagons, another rare find today. Chevy collectors who come across one are in luck, however. The Lakewood wagon shared most of its parts with the Corvair, so a restoration project is relatively easy.
What’s also interesting is how the Chevy II and Nova wagons were a huge success in 1962. This was the first time Chevy wagons shared a car nameplate. Two years later, the Chevelle series reverted back to individual nameplates: Greenbrier, Concours, and Concours Estate. The wagons actually remained in the Chevelle line until the series ended in 1977.
The full graphic from H&H Classic Parts is below. Do you have a favorite Chevy wagon? Let us know on Twitter.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 

Cover Photo: GM Media Archive.



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2017 Honda Clarity Electric Arrives, Bites Into Competition

2017 Honda Clarity Electric Arrives, Bites Into Competition

You want something green and electric but don’t have Tesla Model S or Model X levels of cash to spend. Well, your answer might just have arrived, and I mean literally arrived at your local Honda dealership. At least if that dealership is in California or Oregon.
In a lot of ways, the problem with Tesla’s products isn’t range or battery depletion, it’s cost. Amazing and livable as the Model S and X are, they are expensive. Very expensive. Like, new Porsche expensive.
And, if you’re a serious gearhead like us here at One Automoblog Towers, would you rather buy a Tesla, with all that lovely torque at zero rpm, or would you rather buy a new Porsche? Yeah, us too.
Name Recognition
But move down-market a tad and things could become much more palatable to consumers. This is, of course, what Tesla is trying to do with its Model 3 (just hitting customers as we speak). And this is exactly the spot, more or less, where the Honda Clarity Electric fits. The Clarity Electric, however, has the built-in virtue of being a Honda, a known entity with Dealerships spread far and wide across this continent, unlike Tesla, which sorely lacks representation in big chunks of America. Did you know Honda has a dealership in Fairbanks, Alaska? They do. Do you know where you can talk to a Tesla dealer in Alaska? You can’t. There are no Tesla dealers in Alaska.
So what is this? What, pray tell, is the Honda Clarity? The thumbnail sketch is that the Clarity is a range of three hybrid/electric cars (a sedan, actually) with new drivetrain technology. The Clarity is actually a car line unto itself. You can get Clarity plug-in hybrids later this year and, as of last December, you could get a Clarity Fuel Cell model. And now, at least in two states, there’s the full-blown Honda Clarity Electric.
Photo: Honda North America.


Electrification Initiative
The Honda Clarity is the first-ever vehicle series that offers an array of electrified powertrains. It’s sort of like if you could get a Prius that was just electric, or a hybrid. Seems like a smart marketing move on Honda’s part. Although the Clarity has its fair share of styling quirks, it’s not nearly as space-ship goofy looking as a Prius or a BMW i3. Honda calls it “sophisticated,” which it probably is, since Honda works this stuff to the Nth degree.
Still, it’s a five-seat sedan that would be hard to spot as anything unique in the mall parking lot. The only real way to tell the Clarity Electric apart from other Clarity models is by the Cobalt Blue Pearl color and slightly different front styling.
The Clarity is also the thin edge of the wedge (to use a military term) of something referred to as the “Honda Electrification Initiative.” That, in turn, is going to be Honda’s bridge to more efficient and cleaner cars in the years ahead. Honda wants two-thirds of their global automobile sales coming from electrified vehicles by 2030, so get ready.
Photo: Honda North America.
Power & Performance
The Clarity Electric sedan is motivated by a 161 horsepower (120 kilowatt) electric motor that cranks out 221 lb-ft. of torque. As with all electric motors, there is no torque “curve” to speak of. All 221 lb-ft. of torque will literally be available at zero rpm, smoking the tires to great effect once you find a way around the traction control system. NOTE: We here at One Automoblog Towers do not advocate doing that with this, or any other new EV. It will, no doubt, violate your warranty, get you in trouble, get you a stern talking to in the principal’s office, that sort of thing. Although fairness compels us to mention that certain members of the Automoblog staff have done stuff like this, and it’s a total blast.
At any rate, the Honda Clarity gets the juice for its electric motor from a 25.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Clarity Electric can be fully charged in a little over three hours with a 240 volt system, using the DC fast charging with the SAE Combined Charging System. You can achieve an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes if you don’t have much time to wait around. The “fuel” economy figures work out to 126 city, 103 highway, and 114 combined MPGe, with an EPA range rating of 89 miles on a full charge. Not a lot of distance, but more than enough for day to day, around town sort of stuff.
In a lot of ways, if it wasn’t for the EV drivetrain, the Clarity Electric is pretty normal. It is, from the inside, a spacious and comfortable sedan suited for daily driving needs. It comes in a premium Touring trim and is loaded with all the technology and safety features consumers expect today. There’s a lot of gizmos inside including an 8-inch Display Audio setup with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies.
Photo: Honda North America.
 

Pricing & Availability
Honda doesn’t explicitly mention the price of the 2017 Honda Clarity Electric sedan, since it seems to be a lease only kind of thing. A fairly smart, if conservative business strategy here, since it will be easier to get them all back if you decide to quit the whole plan, or things don’t work out the way you like. The introductory lease runs you $269 a month for 36 months via select dealerships in California and Oregon. The lease gives you an allowance of 20,000 miles per year and 24/7 roadside assistance (a nice perk).
That $269 does reflect the federal tax credit. At signing, if you want to get down to the bottom line here, you’ll be on the hook for $1,730 down, plus the first month’s payment less tax, registration, and/or other fees. California and Oregon customers may qualify for state rebates of $2,500.
Is Honda’s Clarity Electric for you? That’s up to you to decide, but it’s not worth dismissing out of hand if you are in the market for an electric vehicle.
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.
2017 Honda Clarity Electric Gallery











Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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2017 Toyota Corolla iM Review

2017 Toyota Corolla iM Review


The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM sounds like a new model, but it’s really a rebadged Scion iM that was launched last year. The Scion brand was axed but this Corolla rides on the same platform, meaning the remnants of Scion are still under the Toyota Umbrella. 
This week, we drove the 2017 Toyota Corolla iM automatic 5-Door hatch.
What’s New For 2017
The 2017 iM is new to Toyota this year but it’s basically the same car as last year’s Scion iM. Standard automatic high-beam control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning and mitigation are new for 2017.
Features & Options
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM comes in a single, well-equipped model. The 5-door hatchback automatic ($19,490) comes with many standard amenities for the price. It features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights, automatic headlights, power-folding heated mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping column with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and a rearview camera.
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker stereo with HD radio, Aha streaming Internet radio, and a USB interface complete the list of connectivity technologies. Our tester also came with floormats and a cargo mat ($185), wheel locks ($65), and rear wind deflector ($399). Total MSRP including destination: $21,498.

Interior Highlights
The cabin of the Corolla iM matches the outside with its contemporary design. A dash covered in fashionable piano black features swooping lines and round vents. There’s a lot of upscale, soft-touch trim throughout. The height-adjustable front seats are supportive and the upholstery is average for an economy compact. We liked the simple instrument layout and dual-zone climate control; the standard 7-inch touchscreen is easy to reach and reacts quickly.
The rearview camera is a welcome feature as the rear hatch window is small and visibility is limited when backing up. Front visibility is good with the small pillars, raked hood, and big windshield. The backseat is not as roomy as the front and there’s not a lot of cargo room (20.8 cubic feet) when the rear seatbacks are up, but they’re still 60/40 and fold flat for some cargo carrying ability.



Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM is powered by the same high-revving, 1.8-liter four-cylinder as the Corolla. It produces 137 horsepower and 126 lb-ft. of torque. Our Corolla iM tester had the 7-speed CVTi-S automatic transmission that transfers power to the front wheels, although a 6-speed manual is standard.
Fuel economy is an EPA estimated 28/36 city/highway and 31 combined with the CVTi-S. 
Driving Dynamics
The iM automatic felt lively and light in the corners as we tossed the subcompact around the tight mountain curves near Evergreen, west of Denver. When we took it on the open road and through the high country at altitude, the automatic felt like any Continuously Variable Transmission: it winds up tight when pushed hard.
The Toyota iM is a sporty compact but it’s not a true sports hatch. It won’t blow the doors off with its acceleration, but it does hold its own after you get up to speed. We dropped the 7-speed CVTi-S automatic into sport mode and kept the revs up for more spirited driving in the tight mountain curves. In heavy, stop-and-go city traffic this week, we thought the automatic was preferable over the manual. It gets tiring when you have to continually push in the clutch to move a few feet forward. 
Conclusion
The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM comes with a long list of standard features for the price, has hatchback versatility, it’s fuel efficient, and would be a good vehicle for urban dwellers. 
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Toyota Corolla iM Gallery




















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2017 Toyota Corolla iM Official Site.
Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.




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Ram Announces Segment-Leading Torque, Focuses On Customers

Ram Announces Segment-Leading Torque, Focuses On Customers

The heavy duty truck segment is one of the most competitive with Ford, General Motors, and Ram continually raising the bar. Ram has done so again, announcing segment-leading figures for the new 3500 HD. The forthcoming 2018 Ram 3500 HD cranks out 930 lb-ft. of torque, with a maximum fifth-wheel towing capacity of 30,000 lbs. when properly equipped.
Ram inches ahead of Ford who had the segment’s highest torque rating prior at 925 lb-ft. The redesigned Duramax comes in at 910 lb-ft. of torque, although GM leads the segment in horsepower.
Torque & Towing
Ram’s design and engineering teams are focused on providing the best possible truck for their customers. According to Jim Morrison, Head of Ram Brand FCA North America, the torque increase was necessary to better meet the demands of today’s heavy duty truck buyer.
“Torque is ultimately important to the heavy duty customer because it’s what gets the truck moving,” he said. “It’s what makes for maximum loads and really sets the truck up for ultimate capability.”
After working closely with Cummins, the 2018 Ram 3500 HD emerged with an enhanced variable geometry turbo and higher boost limits. Combined with flow rate increases and a more optimized fuel delivery system, the new Ram 3500 HD now produces an additional 30 lb-ft. of torque, for a grand total of 930. Ram Engineering also developed a new fifth-wheel hitch, giving the 3500 HD the aforementioned 30,000 lbs. towing capacity. The in-house hitch from Ram accommodates trailers normally reserved for Class 4 and 5 trucks.
“This opens the door for our commercial customers who are looking for maximum weight on their fifth-wheel hitch,” Morrison explained.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Tow Ratings & Availability
The 2018 Ram 3500 HD, when properly equipped, has a maximum gooseneck rating of 31,210 lbs. and a maximum conventional rating of 20,000 lbs. Similarly, Ram 2500 trucks provide best-in-class gas towing at 16,230 lbs. Ram HD trucks also lead in a frequently overlooked area by others in the segment: snow plowing. When properly equipped, Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks have the industry’s highest snow plow rating. Ram engineers actually conduct dedicated plow testing in Houghton, Michigan, where temperatures regularly fall below zero.
Expect the 2018 Ram HD trucks at dealerships this month.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.



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