Automotive

Expert Panels Lead Autonomous Car Discussions During Global Summit In Brussels

Expert Panels Lead Autonomous Car Discussions During Global Summit In Brussels

What does the future of mobility look like? It’s an increasingly common question with often contrasting answers. Those developing the technology are doing so with a number of challenges and opportunities in mind. These challenges and opportunities vary, depending on if it’s a large OEM, top tier supplier, or relatively new startup.
Challenges and opportunities: the two best words to describe the landscape of future mobility. AutoSens Brussels examined both in great detail this week.
Strength In Numbers
Inside the famed Autoworld Museum, AutoSens Brussels united over 400 senior level researchers, engineers, and other experts to identify the challenges and opportunities surrounding future mobility. Attendees, speakers, and sponsors were encouraged to leverage each other’s expertise.
“Don’t be the only one working in the silo,” said Rob Stead, Managing Director of Sense Media, during the event’s opening remarks on Wednesday. “We are here to work together, so please reach out and meet someone new.”
Sense Media Managing Director, Rob Stead opening AutoSens Brussels on Wednesday. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net
Distinguished Voices
A number of dynamic and diverse speakers took the stage to share their insights, experience, and visions. Richard Schram, Technical Manager, Euro NCAP, highlighted the organization’s 2025 Road Map, which details a number of initiatives, driver assistance and crash avoidance among them. The 2025 Road Map leads straight to automated driving, but interestingly, covers things like child safety with regard to heat stroke. In an informational video, representatives from Euro NCAP spoke about how parents can sometimes accidently leave their children in the vehicle.
It also takes into account, especially in Europe, the number of two-wheeled vehicles, from bikes to motorcycles. Euro NCAP is working to minimize the higher fatality rates associated with two-wheeled vehicles in an accident.
Financial Impacts
Rudy Burger, Managing Partner, Woodside Capital Partners, spoke on mergers and acquisitions within the automotive arena and how that affects future mobility. Burger highlighted the more recent acquisitions, like Harmon by Samsung, Mobileye by Intel, and Cruise Automation by General Motors, the latter of which he believes is promising.
“As an acquirer, I would have to take my hat off to GM,” Burger said on stage. “Their bet in Cruise Automation is significant.”
Burger also pointed out how corporate investors are much more active when it comes to future mobility. Burger’s presentation made mention of BMW, Daimler, Delphi, and Denso among others as the most diligent.
“What we are seeing is a number of very large companies placing bets – significant bets – whereby they believe in order to create a controlling position in the market, they must actually acquire a company,” Burger said.
AutoSens Brussels was held in the famed Autoworld Museum in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.

Pushing Limits
Corey Zehfus, an Optical Designer from Sunex, spoke on how automotive camera trends are influencing optical designs. He underscored the importance of why vehicle cameras must be durable, high performing, and able to handle a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. Zehfus also addressed a reoccurring mindset with vehicle perception technology that effectively wants to do more with less.
“Now ADAS has grown to include many different functions and people are trying to do these functions and detections with as few sensors as possible,” he said during his presentation.
Zehfus also noted the increasingly critical role cameras play and how a number of ADAS systems, from emergency braking to pedestrian detection, rely on cameras. Zehfus explained how this demand means more sophisticated camera and lens specs.
“It’s pushing the state-of-the-art,” he said.
Corey Zehfus from Sunex speaks on Wednesday at AutoSens Brussels. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.
Human Versus Machine
Saskia de Craen from the SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research raised hard but necessary questions on automated driving. During her presentation, she addressed the distinctions between a human and machine driver, suggesting that even though automated technology is promising, there are some things only humans can detect.
“When a driver approaches this ball in the street, they can determine that perhaps a child is following,” she said, pointing to a basketball on the large screen above her. “Of course you can tell a computer this simple script, but a human can determine many different types of balls that could be in the road.”
de Craen, with a remote, changed the ball on the screen, from a football, to a beach ball, to even a Pokémon ball. She then challenged the audience to think in terms of other children’s toys that might inadvertently end up in the road: a little train, miniature car, or kite, for example. And if that scenario were encountered, would a machine be able to determine that not only a ball, but another toy in the road may mean a child is close behind. Would a machine be able to make that distinction as well as a human?
“Please let us not forget that our brain is the best computer ever invented,” she urged. “The point is that people are very good at adapting in situations like this and computers do make mistakes.”
Saskia de Craen from the SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research speaks at AutoSens Brussels on Thursday. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.

Extensive Panel
Other speakers and presenters included Dr. Heiko Hirschmuller, Co-Founder of Roboception, on how robotics and remote sensing play into autonomous driving; Erich Ramschak, Senior Product Manager ADAS Engineering, AVL List, on the importance of map data in autonomous driving, and Alain Dunoyer, Head of Safe Car, SBD Automotive, on the impacts of the autonomous car on traffic.
“It’s not every day you can find this many experts in one place,” remarked an attendee from the United States. “I have really learned a lot from watching the speakers.”
“The speakers are the best part because of their knowledge,” said another attendee from Germany.
AutoSens Brussels attendees had many networking opportunities, especially during lunch. Photo: Carl Anthony for Automoblog.net.
Collaboration & Connection
AutoSens creates an environment where those working on vehicle perception technology can collaborate. It’s not a trade show or convention, and attendees are not subjected to any sales literature. AutoSens is genuinely about getting the engineers, researchers, and other experts on ADAS together in one place. The vehicle and technology demonstrations combined with the expert panels make AutoSens a world-class event on something that will change the world as we know it.
“It’s important we don’t develop the technology behind closed doors and that we are all talking the same language,” Stead said. “We can bring some real benefits by doing that.”
AutoSens is returning to the U.S. next year. Although a venue and date have not been announced, organizers say they are planning a May event in the Detroit metro.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

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2017 Volkswagen e-Golf Gets A Price (And It’s Not Just The MSRP)

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf Gets A Price (And It’s Not Just The MSRP)

VW’s 2018 E-Golf just had its price revealed, and it’s not all that bad. Cheaper than a new Tesla, for one thing, but the bottom line here is, as always, the bottom line: This better work. And I’m not saying that just for the sake of the planet, but I’m saying it for the sake of VW. After that diesel-gate screw up, Volkswagen has got to get their act together and start selling cars, a lot of cars, or things could turn out very bad for them.
Hand In The Cookie Jar
Volkswagen, like a number of other European automakers, has a lot of history in diesel engines. And a lot of them, VW chief among them, were not all that interested in pursuing EV technology. They decided to put their engineering focus on diesel engines for the sake of efficiency, but a funny thing happened on the way to the emissions testing station. VW was caught red-handed faking their diesel emissions scores and got the crap pounded out of them, legally and financially speaking. Shoot, one of the corporate higher ups just got a jail sentence for his part in L’affaire Diesel.
This leaves VW and any other automaker banking on diesel in a bit of a technological and political bind. With new efficiency and emissions standards looming on the horizon, car companies have to clean up their act. Which brings us to Volkswagen’s e-Golf: they better be able to make and sell these things by the boat-load. Funny thing is this just might work out. The Volkswagen E-Golf looks like a good alternative to most of the other EVs out there.
Photo: Volkswagen of America Inc.
Range Increase
The 2018 e-Golf has a starting price of $30,495, which I note is much cheaper than the hotly anticipated Tesla Model 3, and about what Nissan sells their Leaf EV for. The new e-Golf gets some improvements, like a longer EPA-estimated range, better economy, and more power. The updated lithium-ion battery improves energy capacity to 35.8 kWh, up from the previous 24.2 kWh, for an increase in vehicle range (83 miles to 125 miles on a single charge).
No, Jack, it’s obviously not a road trip car; it’s aimed at around town travel.
There’s also a 7.2 kW on-board charger standard on all trim levels, so you can charge the battery in less than 6 hours at a 240V station. And, when you go with the DC Fast Charging, optional on SE models, standard on Limited Edition and SEL Premium, the battery can be charged up to 80 percent within an hour at a DC fast charging station.
Battery chemistry improvements raise the overall “fuel” economy to 126 MPGe for city driving and 111 MPGe on the highway/autobahn. Combined city/ highway gets you 119 MPGe. These figures are slight improvements over the previous model.
Photo: Volkswagen of America Inc.
Power & Performance
All that juice is applied to the Straße via an upgraded 100 kW electric motor. It puts out 134 horsepower, a notable improvement over the previous 85 kW electric motor that put out 115 horsepower. Unsurprisingly, torque is also up, from 199 lb-ft. to 214 lb-ft., good enough to get you to 60 in just 9.6 seconds. Top speed is a lackadaisical 85 mph, but I doubt 99.9% of e-Golf buyers will care.
Trim Levels
Breaking it down by trim level, the base, or as VW puts it “value-oriented” e-Golf SE starts at $30,495. It comes with more standard equipment than the previous base model. The SE comes with an 8-inch glass-covered touchscreen display, LED taillights, cruise control, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, and the 7.2 kW on-board charger. Adding the DC Fast Charging package tacks on another $995.
The e-Golf Limited Edition rings out at $33,795 and includes all of the SE stuff, but adds DC Fast Charging capability, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, and Park Distance Control (ParkPilot), along with a new feature called Maneuver Braking to “avoid or mitigate the effects of a collision with stationary objects while parking.” No, seriously.
The range topping e-Golf SEL Premium will cost you $36,995 and offers an optional Driver Assistance package for $1,395. That includes a 12.3-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Park Assist, and Light Assist.
So, there it is. It’s not exactly a Hail Mary pass on Volkswagen’s part, but they better start selling these things like crazy.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America Inc.

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The Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2020

The Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2020 Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.

The best extended car warranties protect the mechanical components of your car that are susceptible to costly repairs. This kind of protection brings drivers peace of mind on the road knowing that if their car breaks down, they’re protected and roadside assistance is just a call away.

If you’re considering purchasing an extended auto warranty, you’ll want to learn more about the best car warranty companies and how much comprehensive coverage costs. Our team did much of this work for you, factoring in industry standing, coverage, affordability, and customer service. Get quotes from several companies to find the right plan and price for your vehicle.

Top Extended Warranty Companies
We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.

Best Direct Coverage
Best for Older Vehicles
Best Prices

Endurance
CARCHEX
CarShield

Get Quote
Get Quote
Get Quote
(877) 374-1840
(866) 254-0205
(800) 563-2761

Our 10 Best Extended Car Warranty Companies

10 Best Extended Warranty Companies
Superlative
Our Rating

1
Endurance
Best Direct Coverage

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2
CARCHEX
Best for Older Vehicles

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3
CarShield
Best Prices

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4
Protect My Car
Best Maintenance Plans

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5
autopom!
Best Customer Service

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6
Liberty Bell Auto Protect
Best Military Discount

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7
ForeverCar

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8
Concord Auto Protect

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9
Infinite Auto Protection

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10
AA Auto Protection

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Below, we’ll take a deeper look at our top three providers: Endurance, CARCHEX, and CarShield.

1. Endurance: Best Direct Coverage

Endurance is known for comprehensive benefits and positive customer service experiences. We named it “Best Direct Coverage” because it’s one of the few providers that administers the plans it sells. This removes a middleman from the process.

Industry Standing

Coverage

Affordability

Customer Service

Overall

Industry Standing

Endurance has been underwriting extended car warranties for 14 years, which bodes well for the company’s standing. It has a good reputation with experts in the auto warranty industry like AM Best, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Trustpilot.

Here’s a breakdown of Endurance’s ratings:

Expert
Score
What This Means
AM Best
A+ in financial strength (Superior)
The company is reliable financially to pay out customer claims.
BBB
C+
Endurance’s rating recently dropped due to advertising issues, which have since been resolved.
Trustpilot
4.3/5.0 stars
Customers have a positive experience with the extended warranty services from Endurance.

Coverage

Endurance offers five plans that provide different levels of coverage. All plans come with your choice of a $0, $50, $100, or $200 deductible, which is the price you’ll pay to the repair shop out-of-pocket for any covered repair. If you choose a higher deductible, your monthly costs will be lower and vice versa. Endurance will handle the rest of the repair cost.

Here’s a breakdown of Endurance’s vehicle service contracts:

Plan
Best For
Type of Coverage
Supreme
New, high-tech, commercial, or hybrid vehicles
Bumper-to-bumper, exclusionary
Superior
Drivers who want comprehensive coverage
Highest level of stated-component coverage
Secure Plus
Drivers who need coverage soon
Powertrain plus coverage with the shortest waiting period
Select Premier
Drivers of high-mileage vehicles
Specifically designed powertrain plus coverage for high-mileage vehicles
Secure
Drivers on a budget
Most affordable powertrain coverage plan

With Endurance, customers get their first year of Endurance Elite Membership benefits for free. After the first year, customers have the choice to renew their membership for a small fee.

Repair financing: Receive up to $5,000 in repair loans.Tire repair/replacement: Get reimbursed for up to two repaired or replaced tires per year.Key fob replacement: If your key fob is lost or broken, Endurance will cover the cost of a new one.Identity theft protection: This tool can help reimburse you for the finances you lost as a result of identity theft.Member rewards: Get up to $250 in vouchers to be used at select merchant, hotel, and restaurant locations.Rental car reimbursement: Get reimbursed for $30/day up to $150 for a rental car while your car is in the shop for a covered repair.Trip interruption: If your car breaks down over 100 miles from home, you will be reimbursed up to $150/day up to $450 for meals or lodging.24/7 emergency roadside services: When your vehicle is disabled, call Endurance claims services, and the company will send you a tow, battery service, mechanical first aid for minor adjustments, tire service, fuel delivery, or lockout service.Add-on options to Endurance’s highest coverage plan (Supreme) make this option particularly useful for drivers of high-tech, commercial, or hybrid vehicles.

Tire modification or suspension lift: Covers tires including oversized tires, body lifts, and suspension liftsHybrid vehicle coverage: Covers the electronic motor, power controller, inverter assembly, generator, electronic air conditioning compressor, and electronic power steering pumpHigh-tech coverage: Covers back-up sensors and camera, video system and display screen, GPS/navigation systems, blind spot sensors, electronic driver display, and anti-theft systemsAffordability

While Endurance contracts tend to be on the more expensive side, we think it’s worth it for the perks and comprehensive benefits. Our review team found that on average, the best extended car warranty from Endurance, the Supreme plan, costs around $170 per month for 18 months for three years/80,000 miles of extended car warranty coverage.

In general, we found that Endurance plans of all levels cost about $69 to $180 per month and require a down payment of $150 to $350.

Customer Service

Customer reviews for Endurance speak for themselves. On the BBB, Endurance has over 1,000 customer reviews rating the company at over 4.5 stars out of a possible 5.0-star rating.

Positive reviews of Endurance customer service as reported to the BBB include praise for non-pushy salespeople, a simple buying experience, and saving money.

Negative customer reviews shine a light on long wait times to speak to customer representatives, slow claims approval, and phishing emails.

Best Direct Coverage

Get Quote
(877) 374-1840
Industry veteran that handles your plan directly, from quote to claim

2. CARCHEX: Best for Older Vehicles

Founded in 1999, CARCHEX is known for excellence in the industry. The company has a long history of positive customer experiences, along with a strong reputation among industry experts, such as CARFAX, Edmunds.com, and Kelley Blue Book. We named it “Best for Older Vehicles” because it covers cars with up to 250,000 odometer miles.

Industry Standing

Coverage

Affordability

Customer Service

Overall

Industry Standing

CARCHEX has an A+ rating on the BBB and won the BBB Greater Maryland’s Torch Awards for Marketplace Excellence in 2012. Trustpilot consumers rate CARCHEX at 3.5 out of a possible 5.0-star rating. CARCHEX’s years in business and positive ratings bode well for the company’s reliability and ability to pay out customer claims in a timely manner.

Coverage

CARCHEX offers five Extended Vehicle Protection Plans with several contract options under each tier:

Plan
Best For
Type of Coverage
Titanium
Drivers who plan to own their car for a long time
Bumper-to-bumper, exclusionary contract
Platinum
Car owners who want comprehensive coverage
Highest level of stated-component coverage
Gold
Vehicles with over 60,000 miles
Second-highest level of stated-component coverage
Silver
Older cars more liable to hefty repair costs
Powertrain plus coverage
Bronze
Reliable vehicles expecting infrequent repairs
Basic powertrain coverage

Some benefits that come with all CARCHEX plans include:

24/7 roadside assistance: Includes emergency tire service, lockout service, battery service, fuel delivery, and winchingTowing reimbursement: Up to $75 per occurrenceRental car reimbursement: Up to $40/day up to $160 per occurrenceTrip interruption service reimbursement: Up to $50/day for three days maximum if your vehicle breaks down over 100 miles away from homeReimbursements may vary by contract.

Affordability

CARCHEX plans cost about $100 to $200 per month. For example, a Titanium plan can cost around $200 for 18 months for five years/100,000 miles of coverage. This comes to a total of $3,600.

Customer Service

CARCHEX has over 70 reviews on the BBB. Positive reviews detail speedy claims servicing, satisfactory service for luxury vehicles like BMW, and friendly, professional customer service representatives.

Negative CARCHEX reviews detail unsolicited sales calls, slow claims approval, and difficulty canceling contracts.

Best for Older Vehicles

Get Quote
(866) 254-0205
Top-rated provider with unmatched customer service and affordable coverage

3. CarShield: Best Prices

CarShield is known for having unbeatable prices for the best extended car warranty coverage. The company doesn’t underwrite its own policies but administers vehicle service contracts from other highly ranked providers.

Here’s a quick snapshot of how CarShield ranks by our standards:

Industry Standing

Coverage

Affordability

Customer Service

Overall

Industry Standing

CarShield’s BBB rating could be higher. It’s currently rated the lowest rating (F). This is because of an alert warning consumers about a pattern of behavior regarding misleading sales and advertising practices, rude customer service, failure to cover repairs needed, and difficulty canceling a policy for a refund.

A certain amount of negative customer reviews are to be expected with any company, and these complaints are not uncommon in the car warranty industry. When you consider that CarShield has covered over one million vehicles, the number of complaints is small.

CarShield received higher scores on other customer review sites. For example, the company has 4.1 stars on Google. Trustpilot scores are calculated from first-person customer reviews, where CarShield has received 4.2 stars out of a possible 5.0-star rating. This is a good indication that customers are largely satisfied with their extended car warranty experience from CarShield.

Coverage

CarShield offers six coverage plans:

Plan
Best For
Type of Coverage
Diamond
New cars that will be kept for a longer period of time
Bumper-to-bumper coverage
Platinum
High-mileage vehicles
Protection for most of your car’s vital parts
Gold
Drivers of unreliable cars liable to hefty repair bills
Powertrain plus coverage
Silver
Drivers on a budget
Powertrain coverage
Aluminum
Drivers of high-tech vehicles
Specialty plan for electrical and computer-related problems
Motorcycle & ATV
Drivers of specialty vehicles
Platinum or Silver coverage

Some benefits that come with all CarShield plans include:

Rental car reimbursement: Get reimbursed for a rental car while your car is in the shop for a covered repair.Towing: When your car breaks down, CarShield will tow your car to the nearest certified repair facility. Get up to $75 per occurrence.24/7 roadside assistance: CarShield will send roadside services for flat tires, lockouts, dead batteries, fuel delivery, and winching out to your location if your car is disabled.Affordability

Our research indicates that the highest level of coverage from CarShield (the Diamond plan) costs around $130 per month for the length of your coverage. This coverage is unique from Endurance or CARCHEX because the term length is unlimited. As long as you keep paying for coverage, your contract will not be canceled.

The Diamond plan is the highest level of coverage, making it some of the most expensive. We found some plans to be as low as $70 per month.

Customer Service

There are over 500 reviews on the BBB for CarShield. Positive customer reviews detail excellent claims service, courteous staff, and fair rates.

Negative reviews report unsolicited sales calls, pressure marketing tactics, and trouble canceling a policy.

Best Prices

Get Quote
(800) 563-2761
Well-known provider that offers great coverage with great pricing

FAQ: Best Extended Warranties

What exactly is an extended warranty?

Extended auto warranties provide coverage for mechanical components that are liable to hefty repair bills. Unlike car insurance, an extended car warranty is not legally required and helps protect your finances against the cost of expensive repairs when your car has a mechanical breakdown.

What do extended warranties cover?

Extended warranties cover select mechanical components. Basic extended warranties (typically referred to as powertrain or drivetrain warranty coverage) protect the parts of your car that help the vehicle move like the engine, transmission, drive axle, and more.

A more comprehensive coverage plan (typically referred to as a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty) covers the same components as a powertrain plan plus your car’s cooling and electrical systems, high-tech components, and more.

What do extended auto warranties not cover?

Extended car warranties do not typically cover the following damages and car parts:

The cost of scheduled maintenanceThe interior/upholstery, paint, carpetingDamage from misuse, abuse, or corrosionAuto glass parts like windshield, headlights, and light bulbsDamage from a collision, weather event, or environmental damageSome of the best extended warranties are exclusionary contracts. This means the items listed on your contract are not covered. Anything not listed would be covered. Be sure to read your contract carefully to know what a car warranty covers.

Are extended car warranties worth it?

A study released by software manufacturer Pegasystems Inc. shows that over half of Americans (60 percent) see the value in a car warranty. Out of the survey respondents who own an extended car warranty, 62 percent reported benefiting from this coverage over the past year.

Reasons why people don’t buy an extended car warranty include lack of availability, high cost, and not thinking that they need one. However, this study suggests that most drivers would benefit from the coverage. Luckily, affordable car warranty options are available.

What do extended warranties cost?

The average annual cost of an extended car warranty from one of the best extended warranty companies ranges from $700 to $1,500.

What is the best extended auto warranty?

We think you can find the best extended car warranty from these companies:

Endurance: Best Direct CoverageCARCHEX: Best for Older VehiclesCarShield: Best PricesProtect My Car: Best Maintenance PlansAutopom!: Best Customer ServiceLiberty Bell Auto Protect: Best Military DiscountForeverCarConcord Auto ProtectInfinite Auto ProtectionAA Auto ProtectionUltimately, getting quotes from several providers is a tried and true way to find the right plan for your vehicle from a reputable provider.

Top Extended Warranty Companies
We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.

Best Direct Coverage
Best for Older Vehicles
Best Prices

Endurance
CARCHEX
CarShield

Get Quote
Get Quote
Get Quote
(877) 374-1840
(866) 254-0205
(800) 563-2761

Original article: The Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2020

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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-best-extended-car-warranty-companies-of-2020/

Genesis G70: South Korea’s S-Class Response

Genesis G70: South Korea’s S-Class Response

You have to hand it to them. And by them, I mean they. And by they, I mean Hyundai. The Genesis G70 surely isn’t a bad car, not even close to it. And, here’s the first of many rubs confronting the Genesis G70: they want it to be a thing in and of itself. It is The Genesis, not, most definitely not the Hyundai Genesis. Just: Genesis.
And all the press materials go to great lengths to refer to the car as just that. The mentions or uses of the word “Hyundai” tally up to two in over 2,000 words of verbiage. So what is it? What is the Genesis G70? In a nutshell, it’s pretty easy: Hyundai’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Jack of All Trades
Hyundai, the South Korean mega-corp-conglomo-nopoly, does everything from construction projects to chemicals to electronics to shipbuilding to automobile manufacturing. Hyundai has been making good, solid, dependable yet affordable cars for decades now. In a lot of ways, they have out Toyota’d Toyota and the other Japanese marques whose stock in trade has long been good, solid, dependable yet affordable cars. But what if you want more than that? What if you, as an ambitious mega-corp-conglomo-nopoly, want more for your automobile division? Enter Genesis. Something well built, stylish, solid, safe, with an on-the-road and at-the-curb presence to make people notice. Enter Genesis.
Styling & Design
They describe the Genesis G70 as being “an athletic sedan characterized by its graceful and dynamic exterior styling” with an “elegant and intuitively designed interior.” This is all fair enough and, from a marketing perspective, the G70 completes the Genesis sedan lineup, slotting alongside the G90 flagship and the mid-luxury G80. No, I don’t know exactly what they mean by “mid-luxury” either.
The G70 offers a broad spectrum of color options, both inside and outside. There are ten exterior colors available, and they have come up with a new paint-finishing method: small, evenly distributed aluminum particles and high luminosity colors to maximize the exterior paint. Or, as Ed “Big Daddy” Roth calls it, “metalflake”. The inside has the same “big box of Crayolas” approach for available colors.
The G70 interior is prioritized around superb fit and finish with a focus on simplicity and an importance on real functionality. The overall layout is horizontal with a rather nice sport steering wheel. Since this is a Genesis, premium materials such as aluminum door handles, metal speaker grills, and quilted leather door panels are found throughout the cabin.
Photo: Genesis.
Power & Performance
The Genesis G70 aims to be agile yet safe, dynamic yet quiet, but it all starts from the powertrain. There are three powertrains on offer: a 3.3-liter V6 turbo, a 2.0-liter inline four-banger turbo, and a 2.2-liter inline four cylinder diesel. The engine to pay attention to here is the 3.3-liter V6 turbo – that’s the one found in the “enthusiast-focused” G70 Sport. That 3.3-liter V6 turbo plant cranks out 365 ponies and 376 lb-ft. of torque. All of this is good enough to get the G70 Sport to 60 in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 168 mph. The G70 Sport also comes with variable-ratio steering and an electronically controlled suspension for better response and ride and handling.
You also get a number of other fancy-schmancy performance goodies, such as launch control, rack-mounted, motor-driven power steering (R-MDPS), multi-link rear suspension, dynamic torque vectoring, and a mechanical limited slip differential. They have also put in this contraption called Active Sound Design (ASD). This system “creates an aural character that reflects the engine load and driving mode settings.” That’s all they say about the ASD deal, but I cry witchcraft and sorcery, or, at the very least, fakery and I don’t hold with it. Nosir!
Photo: Genesis.

Technology & Safety
The cabin is also drowning in high tech gee-gaws, like a smart posture control system for minimal stress on long journeys. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen display with MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The G70 also comes with server-based voice recognition technology, using Kakao’s artificial intelligence platform Kakao I. A 15-speaker Lexicon system is there when you really want to crank the K-Pop.
The G70 has a buffet of safety doohickeys like pedestrian impact mitigation technology that lifts the hood to absorb shock and minimize injury. There’s Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, and J-Pop Avoidance Assist because we all know that Psy and Exo are totally hot and AKB48 and Arashi are totally not.
Photo: Genesis.
Big Questions
Will this work? Will the G70, along with the G80 and G90, be able to make Genesis into a brand of its own? That’s the obvious goal here, and I’m not saying they can’t do it. A lot of people in the car business have lost a lot of money saying that same thing about South Korean car companies. Perhaps Hyundai can defy the odds?
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos & Source: Genesis.

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Lotus Evora GT430 Sport Joins The Party

Lotus Evora GT430 Sport Joins The Party

Okay, so I’m starting to see a pattern here. Lotus, as lovely as they are, has been beating the hype machine drum every two or three months about a “new” model. If this were a major car manufacturer, this article would be nothing but calling them out for being stupidly old school and calling a trim package a “new” model.
But this is Lotus, and most importantly, with all these new Evora variants, they actually feature improvements to the car in terms of performance and design.
Reclaiming The Title
When the Evora fist came out, it was a bit of a puzzle to a lot of hardcore sports car types, and especially Lotus fanatics. It came out right in the middle of that whole Dany Bahar era of 100% horse manure (“Lotus cars aren’t about performance, they are about fashion and luxury”), and the overall layout, that 2 + 1 seating thing, struck a lot of people as odd and unnecessary. Then cooler heads prevailed, Bahar was run out of Hethel on a rail, and performance engineers took control and steered Lotus back on a course that benefits us all. Okay, all us gearheads, because to my knowledge, Lotus has never made a grocery-getter or kid picker-upper and if they ever do, we’re going to have a scrap on our hands.
Performance Engineering
As the name implies, the Lotus Evora GT430 Sport is a further variation and improvement on the GT430. There’s some slight nips and tucks here and there to make it prettier (in a way) and some judicious massaging of the drivetrain and chassis to make it do what Lotus cars have always done: Go, turn, and stop much better than you’d expect.
The Lotus Evora GT430 Sport is part of the extended Evora family, which also has the Evora 400, Evora Sport 410, and the recent addition of the Evora GT430. The new Evora GT430 range (that would be the GT and the Sport) includes two body options and a choice of manual or automatic transmission. To some, the thought of a slush box in a Lotus is outright blasphemy, but put down those pitchforks and torches for a second and hold up. We’ll get to why the automatic in the Evora is actually a pretty good deal. Like its GT430 sibling, the Evora GT430 Sport is motivated from county to county by the same 3.5-liter V6 supercharged engine that cranks out 430 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque, or 317 lb-ft.
Photo: Lotus Cars USA Inc.
Weight & Aerodynamics
The Evora GT430 Sport tips the scales at 10 kilos (22 pounds) less, for a total of 1,248 kg or right around 2,750 pounds. Divide that by the 430 horses and you come up with a power-to-weight ratio of 345 horsepower / tonne (that’s a metric ton) which guarantees you this little car is going to flat out fly when you mash the pedal. As a matter of fact, the Evora GT430 Sport has a top speed of 196 mph, making it the fastest Lotus production car ever.
The easiest way to tell the Sport apart from the Evora GT430 is how the Sport has “motorsport derived aerodynamics.” This is a very polite and British way of saying the flips, kicks, spoilers, and such are not Vin Diesel-inspired cake decorations of no performance utility, oh no. There’s a carbon fiber splitter and a large, profiled carbon wing to suck you onto the tarmac. Louvers at the top of each front wheel arch to cut lift and reduce pressure within the wheel well. The GT430 Sport also has wider wheels and tires.
Photo: Lotus Cars USA Inc.

Transmission, Live Wire
Now, about that automatic transmission and why we will not be marching on Lotus HQ for a righteous stoning – at least not today. That automatic transmission will be available for both of the GT430 models. If you opt for the automatic transmission, you will net 10 Nm more torque (for a total of 450 Nm or around 332 lb-ft.). The bottom line is, get this, that the automatic version is even quicker than the manual GT430. 60 mph comes up in a pretty scant 3.6 seconds.
To make a transmission that usually implies less performance actually give you more performance, the Lotus six-speed automatic has an optimized gearbox ECU for ultra-fast changes from cog to cog. Gear selection is made from the driver’s seat via lightweight aluminum paddles mounted to the steering wheel, natch.

Speed Tech
Other go-fast-goodies include standard Öhlins TTX two-way adjustable dampers (which would have given A.C.B. Chapman fits, if he were still with us), J-grooved and ventilated brake discs, AP Racing four-piston calipers at all four corners, a lovely Torsen-type limited slip differential, and an adjustable traction control system in case that Torsen isn’t good enough for you, and you have a right foot closer to a ham than what Jimmy Clark had on the end of his leg.
The GTs, both the Sport and “normal” are available now. They are more than most of us can afford, but I, for one, still want one of these . . . or two. Life is too short for boring cars.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photos & Source: Lotus Cars USA Inc.

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2018 Nissan Versa Note Pricing Announced, New Features Added

2018 Nissan Versa Note Pricing Announced, New Features Added

Nissan recently announced U.S. pricing for the 2018 Versa Note, which comes in three levels: S, SV, and SR. Nissan customers may be delighted to know that starting MSRPs for the 2018 Versa Note did not increase over the current 2017 model, despite new features being added.
Style & Comfort
The Versa Note hatchback SR, at the top of the range, stands out the most with its more sporty character. Fog lights, a rear spoiler, and 16-inch machine-finished aluminum alloy wheels decorate the exterior. Suede-like seats and a leather wrapper steering wheel provide further interior comfort. The SR also adds Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, the Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, and Easy Fill Tire Alert.
Design & Functionality
Regardless of model, the 2018 Nissan Versa Note features the automaker’s signature “V-Motion” grille. The design is found on a range of Nissan vehicles including the Sentra, Altima, and Maxima. Interior volume is 112.9 cubic feet, cargo space is 18.8 cubic feet, front headroom is 40.8 inches, and rear legroom is 38.3 inches. Nissan says their goal was to make everything comfortable and family friendly.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Versa Note is powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder, paired with a next-generation Xtronic transmission. The combination nets the Versa Note an EPA-estimated 39 miles per gallon on the highway. The transmission features a retuned D-step Logic Control, which simulates shifts, for a more natural feel.
The 2018 Nissan Versa Note is available now.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Versa Note 1.6 S Xtronic
$15,480 USD
Versa Note 1.6 SV Xtronic
$16,380 USD
Versa Note 1.6 SR Xtronic
$17,980 USD
Photo & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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2020 Audi Q7 Release Date and Redesign

One more great SUV from Audi will come in 2020, the latest generation of the Audi Q7 will soon be on the market by Audi to prepare for the year 2020. There is currently a lot of information we could get. we do have some information that may help you in identifying how this car. The latest model of the Q7 will offer some updates that will make you very sure of the quality of this car.

2020 Audi Q7 Redesign : Interior and Exterior

How about the interior. 2020 Audi Q7 supplies the area for 5 different vacationers with a lot of minds and decrease leg room within the two-row seating layout. However, it is actually in addition presented by a third row which can be the best alternative for little ones or smaller sized grown-ups. it is basically highlighted by premium supplies, normal leather-based upholstery, and sophisticated gadgets. The dashboard capabilities a 7 inc touchscreen to your infotainment course of action. Every on the versions consists of a rearview digicam, power entrance seats, a panoramic moonroof, an electric power-foldable following row, keyless ignition, and so forth. A lot more important trims will Apple CarPlay, Guided interior lamps, and Bose sound.

Engine Performance

Talking about the engine. The bottom engine is often an acquainted 2.0 liter and 4-cylinder device by using a max power of 255 hp and 275 pound-feet of twisting. The not compulsory V6 engine includes a displacement of 3.0 liters. It gives all-around 330 horse and 320 pound-feet of twisting. combined with an 8 speed automated gearbox. there may be also an edition with an engine unit, at the same time as a hi-performance SQ7. The final a single functions 4.0-liter engine, which supplies a max power of 435 horse energy and awesome 660 pound-feet of twisting.

2020 Audi Q7 : Release Date and Price

There is no certainty of information about release date and also the price of this car. Rumors circulating 2020 Audi Q7 in release in the winter of next year. And the price of such his will be more expensive than the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 BWW.

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2020-audi-q7-release-date-and-redesign/

2020 Honda Odyssey Redesign, Release Date and Interior

What’s new from Honda is the best minivan we will discuss in this article. This model is central to a time of testing and will soon be ready like his release in the near future. What design similar to the earlier model, certainly not. some changes may just be you will find on the latest model of the Honda Odyssey 2020. the nearest competitor to the car includes the Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, and Dodge Grand Caravan. We’ll see how the Honda Odyssey is coming.

2020 Honda Odyssey : Interior and Exterior

The outdoors over the new Odyssey 2020 will continue to get definitely comparable to that of its precursor. The auto may possibly benefit from the actual same front-end design and through the identical rear end. Nonetheless, it appears just like some alterations will occur. Initially, of all, the tires to the new motor vehicle ought to be up-to-date to one thing a somewhat additional current day-searching.

The interior, 2020 Honda Odyssey will supply you about 3 lines of seats as well as other kinds of leisure, so it is going to unquestionably be described as a fantastic selection for the really extended household members trips. If it goes to modifications, the best has possibly been created during the 2nd row of seating that is definitely to become when making use of so-generally regarded as “Magic Slide” remedies. It ensures that chairs could possibly be moved and flattened. Around the dashboard, which will obtain a curvier and modern-day layout, you can find an electronic digital tool bunch with significant take care of keys. A revolutionary and advantageous characteristic is unquestionably the ‘Cabin Watch’ which incorporates cameras within the interior cabin to ensure you’ll be able to check your kids. There exists an extra rear 10 inches touchscreen to deliver added amusement towards the back vacationers.

Engine Performance

New generation Honda Odyssey will probably be by using a 3.5 liter and V6 engine that could make 280 hp using the 8-speed car transmission. Nonetheless, the higher trims are likely to be targeted using a 6 speed automated transmission that will be the primary in the marketplace about minivans.

2020 Honda Odyssey Release Date and Price

What are you waiting for this car, the release date of this car has not been in public right by Honda, rumors are circulating this car will come in the summer of next year. For the price, the cost of almost $60,000 for top models, but this is just simply our predictions.

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2020-honda-odyssey-redesign-release-date-and-interior/

2019 Subaru Legacy GT Specs and Price

The sedan car market for the moment still isn’t very good, they are no longer as popular as it once was. one of the sedan from Subaru also suffered such an awful lot of barriers in sales. 2019 Subaru Legacy GT will soon be released in the near future. Subaru will not give up and are very convinced that this model will get the attention of many people. engine specs for 2019 Subaru Legacy GT we discuss on the article this time.

2019 Subaru Legacy GT : Interior and Exterior

Among the weakest factors from the Subaru Legacy is its design. Subaru played it secure and they opted for that clean appearance, but that’s quite substantially it. There is practically nothing unique about it, as opposed to the Outback model for example. Maybe which is the reason why Subaru struggles with all the product sales of Legacy. The new model sits over the 18-inch steel wheels, that are featured about the base model and so they search low cost.

How about the interior. You’ll discover an ugly dashboard along with a contrived seem which can be simply beaten by any rival. High within the dashboard can be a 6.6 or an 8.2-inch touchscreen, whereas the controls are found left of your steering wheel. Contrasting stitching across the dash can be observed in all designs with all the exception on the entry-level automobile, which offers some existence on the Subaru Legacy GT.

2019 Subaru Legacy GT Specs Engine

Issues also won’t adjust below the hood of the 2019 Subaru Legacy GT. New GT model will feature a regular 2.4 liter and 4 cylinder engine that delivers 170 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. The price of the car you can see on the official Subaru website, for the design and performance of the car is its sense of you do have to buy this car. This car will compete with the Honda Accord. Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry.

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-subaru-legacy-gt-specs-and-price/