Automotive

2019 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Edition: All About Dat Traction

2019 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Edition: All About Dat Traction The 2019 Toyota 4Runner receives a new Nightshade Special Edition trim.
Fox Internal Bypass Shocks are available for the 4Runner along with terrain control features.
Toyota calls the 4Runner a “Sherpa among SUVs.” Sherpa? Really? Sure, why not. You do you Toyota.
There’s a new Toyota 4Runner out, and I suppose that’s a good thing, but it also makes me ask: Why build new ones, don’t the originals last forever? I live in rural farm country, and the biggest slice of the vehicle ownership pie out here breaks down into two vehicles: full-sized pickups (F-150s, Rams, and such) and Toyota 4Runners.
4Runners are everywhere, and why not? They have room, they have versatility, they can be seriously modified (if you want to get into off-roading) and they last forever, near as I can tell. So what gives? What does the 2019 Toyota 4Runner have to offer us, in the off-road and durability department?
Night Moves
For starters, there’s a new Nightshade Special Edition available, and the cool stuff is actually performance oriented. The TRD Pro package gets you a Fox Suspension (cool!), roof rack, and JBL Premium Audio for that “west coast sound.” TRD Off-Road and Off-Road Premium Grades get you even more capability with a 270 horsepower V6 and a hefty 5,000-lb. towing capacity. That’s more than enough for a trailer and your fave weekend track toy.
The 2019 Toyota 4Runner is still a truck, with a body-on-frame construction. So yeah, it will twist and flex, but in all the right ways for off-roading.
Buyers get their choice of 2WD, part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case, or, in the Limited models, a full-time multi-mode 4WD with a two-speed transfer case and a locking center diff. All of the 4×4 models offer 9.6 inches of ground clearance. Sweet!
2019 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Special Edition. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
It will twist and flex, but in all the right ways for off-roading.Click To TweetBadges & Markings
All 4Runners come with projector beam headlights and LED rear combination lamps. SR5 and TRD models have 17-inch alloy wheels in three designs: six-spoke, seven-spoke or matte black. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium are separated from the pack by color-keyed bumpers and overfenders, hood scoops, and silver-painted front and rear bumper accents. “TRD Off-Road” badges adorn the C-pillars.
The top-kick Limited is the only 4Runner you can get with a chrome-plated grille insert and exterior trim. And, more importantly for some, 20-inch machine-finished wheels and boss P245/60R20 tires.
The 20-inch wheels are black, natch. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Back Is The New Black
Now, this whole Nightshade Special Edition deal. Sigh, here we go. “Black is the name of the game for the new Nightshade Special Edition,” says Toyota, taking themselves far too seriously. The Nightshade Special Edition is based on the Limited grade, but offers black accents all throughout the vehicle. The front and rear bumpers, outer mirrors, door handles, window moldings, rockers panels, roof rails – even the exhaust tip.
On the inside, there’s black trim on the steering wheel, center cluster and console panels, shift knob and shifter panel, and inner door grips. However, for some reason, the Nightshade comes in more than black: Magnetic Gray Metallic and Blizzard Pearl, for example. Kinda defeats the whole “black is the name of the game” thing, don’tcha think?
2019 Toyota 4Runner interior layout. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Traction Jackson!
All of the 4WD 4Runners are powered by a 270 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 with 278 lb-ft. of torque. Toyota’s VVT-i variable valve timing deal is on-board too. A five-speed ECT-i automatic transmission with sequential shift mode is there for gear selection. There are a bunch of chassis goodies that actually seem useful too. For example, Hill-Start Assist Control for steep inclines, and Downhill Assist Control for the exact opposite.
TRD Off-Road, Off-Road Premium, and TRD Pro models add an electronic-locking rear differential and Toyota’s Crawl Control. Think of it as a factory rock crawler setting, and you’ll get the point. CRAWL (as Toyota calls it) adjusts engine speed and braking so the 4Runner keeps moving forward or backward in one of five driver-selectable low-speed settings. Trick!
Ultimately, CRAWL allows the driver to focus on steering without having to modulate the throttle or brake pedal. Toyota calls this “The Added Attraction of Added Traction” which I am totally stealing.
The 2019 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Edition is easily recognizable by its distinctive front end. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota calls this The Added Attraction of Added Traction, which I am totally stealing.Click To TweetSuspension Tech
Suspension-wise the 4Runner TRD Off-Road models have a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System available for extended wheel travel at slow speeds. The TRD Pro kicks it up a notch, with 2.5-inch Fox Internal Bypass Shocks with precise compression damping in both high-speed and low-speed situations.
The front Foxes are paired with TRD-tuned coil springs and an additional inch of lift; the rear 2.5-inch Fox shocks have remote reservoirs.
Toyota also points to the “Cross Linked Relative Absorber System” or X-REAS suspension. This system automatically adjusts the damping force of the shocks when driving on rough roads or through corners. A center control absorber cross-links the shock absorbers on opposite corners of the vehicle, reducing pitch and yaw by offsetting opposing inputs.

Does it pass muster? Our full review of the 2018 Toyota 4Runner.

Considering a pre-owned model? Our full review of the 2017 4Runner.

Pricing
According to Kelly Blue Book, the 2019 Toyota 4Runner Limited starts at $43,225 with the Nightshade theme starting at $44,965. Destination charge is $1,045.
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: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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2020 Lincoln Navigator Price and Release Date

Many rumors which deal about the latest news from 2020 Lincoln Navigator. You need to remember that this is all a rumor. The latest model of the Lincoln Navigator will be released in mid-2019. Lincoln entered in luxury car manufacturers so the selling price of the car is high as for Range Rover Evoque can exceed his selling points of this car. the plug-in hybrid will be available on this model. release date and price for the Lincoln Navigator will be our main discussion in this article.

2020 Lincoln Navigator Price

2020 Lincoln Navigator Interior and Exterior

When it comes to 2020 Lincoln Navigator exterior, there’s no spot for surprises. The luxury SUV include a comprehensive styling final year, heavily based mostly about the 2016 idea edition. Compared to the former generation, it’s very easy to recognize considerable improvement regarding styling. In addition to new aesthetics, this redesign has brought an entirely new platform. Once yet again, it can be a derivate of your far more famous P platform. Badged as a T3 platform, this architecture is in use for your new Ford Expedition also. Both versions are characterized by superior capacities, especially in relation to towing. When effectively outfitted, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator is going to be ready to tow up to 8.700 lbs.

The interior design and general luxury had been normally the strongest points of this SUV. The 2020 Lincoln Navigator will carry on inside the exact same way for confident. The first thing you will discover is hi-quality resources. The dashboard seems incredibly desirable, filled with horizontal lines. Additionally, it includes a bunch of tech features. A lot of the highlights are 10-inch touchscreen, 14-speaker audio process, three-zone automated climate manage, satellite radio and so on. Points like 20-speaker audio program, wireless charging, and panoramic sunroof can also be accessible. This sounds somewhat far better compared to the versions biggest rival Cadillac Escalade. Still, you must consider that GM’s flagship SUV is about an entirely redesigned upcoming year. With the time 2020 Lincoln Navigator arrives, the Escalade might be very fresh.

Engine Performance

The approaching 2020 Lincoln Navigator includes a single drivetrain option. A 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost will be the only option. This V6 unit brings a lot of electrical power and efficiency. It generates 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. This output is incredible and more than the Expedition model. The sole transmission option is really a 10-speed automated. Though even now far through the sports-car quickness, this car even now demonstrates exceptional acceleration.

Release Date and Price

Rumors are circulating about the price and the release date of 2020 Lincoln Navigator many circulating on the internet. We strongly believe that this car will be released in mid-2019. For the price of more than $. 72,500 for the highest trim level car trim as it includes Premiere, Select, Reserve, Black Label. competition for Lincoln Navigator will get many challenges ranging from the Infiniti QX80, Range Rover Evoque, the Cadillac Escaladee.

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2019 Chevy Silverado By The Numbers

2019 Chevy Silverado By The Numbers The 2019 Chevy Silverado debuted in Detroit, Michigan, 100 years after the automaker began producing trucks in January of 1918. Chevrolet expanded the range of engines and transmissions, and cut weight to increase overall performance. The 2019 Silverado was subjected to GM’s most rigorous engineering metrics in history. The Silverado team essentially doubled their validation targets and logged seven million miles of real-world testing.
Bed Time
Despite rumors of aluminum and carbon fiber, the 2019 Silverado retains its roll-formed, high-strength steel bed. Yield strength increases from 340 to 500 megapascals of pressure through the use of higher grades of steel; the tie-down hooks now handle 500 lbs. of force. At the moment, the 2019 Silverado offers best-in-class cargo volume, with even the short-box offering up 63 cubic feet of space.
The bed floor was widened by seven inches and the wheelbase extended by 3.9 inches to increase cargo capacity. For easier access to said cargo, an available power up/down tailgate can be operated with the key fob or via a button in the cab.
Light & Tight
The 2019 Chevy Silverado is 450 lbs. lighter when compared to the current generation Silverado with a V8. Weight reduction and strength increases were achieved through “mixed materials and advanced manufacturing processes,” according to Chevrolet. That strategy is demonstrated most noticeably in the truck’s body, frame, and suspension.
The actual body is 88 pounds lighter. The doors, hood, and tailgate are made from aluminum while the fenders, roof, and bed utilize high-strength steel. The underlying safety cage uses seven different grades of steel. Going further underneath, the fully boxed steel frame is also 88 lbs. lighter but offers a 10 percent increase in torsional rigidity. 80 percent of the frame consists of high-strength steel, varying from two to five millimeters in thickness, depending on location. Hydroforming, roll forming, conventional stamping, and tailor-rolled blanking are all performed during manufacturing, according to Chevrolet.
The front independent short/long arm suspension has lighter forged-aluminum upper control arms. Chevrolet notes this change provides better wheel alignment than the stamped components they replace. The live-axle rear suspension is also redesigned, including new carbon-composite, second-stage springs on LT models that cut about 12 lbs. (per side) over the steel springs they replace.

Power & Performance
Duramax fans are likely jumping for joy right now! The 2019 Chevy Silverado has an option for an all-new Duramax 3.0-liter inline-six. Revised versions of GM’s evergreen 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter engines with Dynamic Fuel Management are on offer. The system replaces Active Fuel Management and differs in the sense it can shut off any number of cylinders, in a variety of combinations, to boost performance and efficiency.
Both the Duramax and 6.2-liter are paired with a new Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission. Overall, the 2019 Chevy Silverado will offer six engine and transmission choices.
Functional Styling
The new Silverado borrows from its performance car stablemates, particularly the sixth-generation Camaro. The front grille, for example, includes functional air curtains that move air around the front wheel wells to reduce aerodynamic drag. The truck’s side profile is aerodynamically enhanced too. An integrated spoiler at the rear edge of the cab moves air onto the tailgate lip, reducing wind drag from the bed. Changes like these result in a seven percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency, according to Chevrolet.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Interior Treatments
The interior was strongly influenced by customer feedback, since truck buyers spend a lot of time in the cab. The focus was on developing a comfortable and functional interior, with easy-to-use controls. Right off the bat, the cab was stretched to increase interior space; crew cabs now have three additional inches of rear-seat legroom. Overall, the 2019 Chevy Silverado has 44.5 inches of front legroom and 43.8 inches of rear legroom.
The interior was then subjected to 100,000 seat-slide tests to ensure the surfaces remain supple and supportive. Two new 10-liter storage bins were added for the second-row seatbacks, and a larger, 24-liter storage tray was fitted under the rear seat. The Silverado was the first pickup to offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and various OnStar safety and security features. That all remains for 2019.
Production & In Person
The 2019 Chevy Silverado will be on display at the North American International Auto Show through January 28th at the Cobo Center, downtown Detroit. Production will begin at Fort Wayne, Indiana Assembly this fall. When it arrives, the 2019 Chevy Silverado will have eight different trim levels, including an off-road-oriented Trailboss.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
2019 Chevy Silverado Gallery

Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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Letter From The UK: When Speed Isn’t Everything

Letter From The UK: When Speed Isn’t Everything With so much to do in a given day, we often drive with purpose instead of for pleasure.
Maybe it’s time to take a road trip? A slow drive with someone special to just enjoy the scenery?
Geoff Maxted packs up a modest Ford Galaxy with his wife for a journey into the UK’s rich history.
Great Britain is a country of contrasts. From blue remembered hills to golden shores; the dangerous, rocky coasts to rugged open moorland, there is so much to explore on a relatively small island and, crucially, almost all of it is accessible by road. From Lands End in the South to Cape Wrath at the Northernmost point, the car is an essential tool for getting about.
This begs the question:
Which Car?
You see, for most of my time I am yearning tragically for high-performance experiences I will probably never have. Recently I have written about the new Porsche Speedster and the Aston Martin Valkyrie, for example. Both hugely desirable, neither are at all suitable for exploration along the broken minor roads and tracks of the UK. Furthermore, at the opposite end of the scale, a full-blown four-wheel drive mud-munching behemoth is also totally pointless.
A good all-rounder, that’s the answer.
The Journey
On this trip via the north coast of the Counties of Somerset and Devonshire and taking in the low, bucolic Quantock Hills, our ultimate destination was Exmoor National Park. It was the two of us for just a few days but to make allowances for the amount of luggage my beloved Lady requires (“You can never have too many accessories”) the chosen vehicle was Ford’s capacious Galaxy.
In this country, cars of this type are known as MPV’s (multi-purpose vehicles) and very useful they are. Ideal for moving small items of furniture as much as families, vehicles like the Galaxy make the ideal touring machine. Not quick but full of purpose, the Ford did all we required of it without pausing for breath.
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
It was the two of us for just a few days but to make allowances for the amount of luggage my beloved Lady requires, the chosen vehicle was @Ford’s capacious Galaxy.Click To TweetThe Car
Our Galaxy came with a 2.0L diesel engine; just the right powerplant for this trip. Thrifty, yet producing 148bhp, this engine took everything in its stride thanks to a chunky 350Nm of torque.
To be honest, this car is getting a bit long in the tooth now and must soon be in line for replacement. The slow demise has already started as some catalogued colours, including the splendid “Deep Impact” blue you see before you, have been de-listed.
In typical Ford style, the dashboard was adequate with all the usual technology, but doesn’t come near the luxury of, say, an Audi. This is however reflected in the price of £30,000, which in this country makes this motor a real bargain. With seven seats available (at the expense of trunk space) this people carrier is both comfortable and reliable.
We recorded over 50 miles for the precious gallon in mixed driving. Yet, when the occasion demanded, the car was entirely up for a bit of spirited overtaking. You can take the man out of the performance car but you cannot take the performance car out of the man. You can quote me on that.
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
You can take the man out of the performance car but you cannot take the performance car out of the man.Click To TweetThe Terrain
Approaching our first destination, the small coastal village of Lynmouth, involved first tackling Porlock Hill. From the East side the hill starts with a sharp u-bend at an inclination of 25 percent, requiring diligent use of low gears. The road up the hill sometimes narrows dangerously to one car’s width while passing through tiny hamlets. It varies from really steep to OMG!
Historically, that is to say in the last century, it was often the case that passengers had to alight and assist the engine with a hefty push. This is why a strong diesel with a decent amount of torque was called into action. Even today, our tiny modern blown engines could struggle, especially in the hands of a novice.
Okay, it’s not like driving up the side of some mighty eminence but it’s enough.
It is worth it too. The views of the coast and of the expanse of Exmoor are superb from the top of Porlock Hill. Or rather they would be if it wasn’t for persistent low-rolling clouds obscuring the view. At some points, it becomes so dense that you can’t see the dozy sheep wandering about in the road until the last second.
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
The Funicular
Finally though, the sun broke through as we descended down into the steep gorge where, at the confluence of the East Lyn and West Lyn rivers, we arrived at Lynmouth. This charming little coastal village twins with the village of Lynton way up on the other side of the gorge.
You can walk or drive up but the true tourist takes the Funicular railway, the highest and the steepest totally water-powered railway in the world. Going strong since 1890, it’s the easiest way up but the faint-hearted should not look down.
The Village On Exmoor
The main purpose of our trip was to visit the small Church in the village of Oare, deep in the heart of the Doone Valley and the setting for R.D. Blackmore’s famous novel Lorna Doone. Born in Oxfordshire, Blackmore’s origins were from a local family. He later returned to the area to research the novel, writing it in 1867. The real-life Doune (original spelling) brothers were a band of brigands who terrorised travellers on this remote part of Exmoor.
Blackmore’s grandfather was Rector of Oare church, which in the novel is used as the setting for the marriage between Lorna Doone and John Ridd, the hero of the story.
Sadly, I am unable to offer images as, again, the mists descended. We viewed the area as if through a thick veil. Look it up; this area is very beautiful. On top of the moors, however, the views were spectacular. I only managed to bog the Galaxy down once, forcing me to risk a steep downhill reverse to a sheep track via which we finally escaped.
Maybe a 4×4 would have been useful after all?

I only managed to bog the Galaxy down once, forcing me to risk a steep downhill reverse to a sheep track via which we finally escaped.Click To TweetSunday Driving
The fact is we can’t go fast all the time. Sometimes driving for purpose should be replaced by driving for leisure, especially with someone special by our side. Speed isn’t everything. The Ford Galaxy took us where we, and all of our luggage, wanted to go.
Slowing down means that even from the driving seat we can see more of our world. Sometimes it really is okay to stop and stare.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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2020 BMW X7 Release Date and Price

Great SUV from BMW will again be present for all of us. Rumors circulating 2020 BMW X7 will be released by the middle of next year. But this is still news rumor. What’s new in 2020 BMW X7 we discuss in this article. The redesign, the approximate release date and also the price of the car will be our discussion on an article this time.

2020 BMW X7 Interior and Exterior

BMW has actually taken space-age guidelines in generating these suvs outdoors. Its front fascia has some striking functions. The new generation BMW X7 includes a set of radiator grille parts resting suitable while in the center. They prolong through the hood to the center of its bumper. In addition, it’s striking, upright air-intake scoops on each side of your front fascia. They expand upwards in the base on the bumper to its fronts lights.

Showcasing a mixture of LED as well as neon innovations, the fronts lights are sophisticated. There is no noticeable disjoint in amongst the front fascia and in addition the hood place. This benefits inside a liquid shape in the hood absolutely to its front bumper. The car has a good-looking shoulder line that prolongs from its front fenders correct to its back. As well as that, its body is formed to enhance the cumbersome nonetheless sports creating your car. A chrome enhancement streams in the region behind its front wheels at the same time as leaves the vehicles and truck’s lowered beltline completely to its back.

Engine Performance

How about engine 2020 BMW X7, but two are optional. To start with one particular is 3.0-liter single turbo I6 whilst another one particular is 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, the two paired with the 8-speed automatic transmission. You can find rumors that other markets outdoors of US could get a diesel 6-cylinder engine, but those are certainly not confirmed nonetheless. Drivers who experimented with six-cylinder and V8 model and compared them explained that 6-cylinder is smoother and quiet in driving, fantastic in rough terrain but steady on road and nicely handled in each and every circumstance. V8 model, then again, is usually a sportier model, using the powerful and noisy machine and wonderful speeds. There are presented Sporty and Comfort edition, the two accessible in 1 vehicle by activating the button from the cabin.

Release Date and Price

Expect this car will release date come to mid-2020. But we strongly believe this car will be present at the beginning of the year 2020. For the price, until the moment we do not have information that is so true. SUV car competition for the current very tight indeed. For model SUV BMW X 7 as its going to get resistance from the Audi Q7, the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and the Infiniti QX80.

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2019 BMW 3 Series: Luxury Car, Sports Sedan Or Both?

2019 BMW 3 Series: Luxury Car, Sports Sedan Or Both? The complete redesign of the 2019 BMW 3 Series looks promising.
New engine technologies and suspension designs increase overall performance.
The 2019 3 Series faces stiff competition from Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Genesis.
The BMW 3 Series began its life in the United States in 1976 as a successor to the 2002.
As with all things in life, change is inevitable. It wasn’t too long ago that a certain Elon Musk had the idea of mass-producing an electric car. It was nothing short of ludicrous, but look how it turned out, for better or worse. The Tesla Model 3 is now the best-selling luxury car in the USA as of August.
The Model 3 also outsold the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class in the entry-level luxury segment.
BMW disputes this . . . in general.
“The BMW 3 Series has ranked as the world’s biggest-selling premium car, led the way for high-performance powertrain and chassis technology and earned a reputation as a pioneer of technological innovations in its segment,” reads a statement from the automaker.
Luxury Car or Sports Sedan?
Thus the reason why I’m shocked at what people think about the 2019 BMW 3 Series. The car made its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Since then, all we’ve been hearing from critics are expletive adjectives coupled with nuisance rants. I wonder what the fuss is all about.
The 2019 BMW 3 Series is bigger than the outgoing model. It represents the seventh generation of a beloved sports sedan – but that’s what the critics are pointing out. They say the new 3-Series is a proper luxury car now instead of a laser-focused sports sedan.
But is there something wrong with that?
By The Numbers
Sure, the new 3 Series is 0.5-inches taller, 2.9-inches longer, and 0.6-inches wider than the previous model. In fact, the front and rear track are wider by 43 and 21 millimeters respectively. The result is a more aggressive stance.
But despite the added bulk, the new 3 Series is 121 lbs. lighter than the outgoing model, thanks to the extensive use of aluminum in the engine sub-frame, front fenders, and hood. BMW claims overall rigidity is up 25 percent with as much as 50 percent improvements in certain areas of the body. It seems BMW hasn’t forgotten how to make a sharp-handling sedan, right?
BMW is so obsessed with improving the driving dynamics, even the center of gravity is 10 millimeters lower than the old model. In order for the car to slice the wind, BMW designers utilized every trick in the book to reduce the drag coefficient to 0.26 Cd.
So yeah, the 2019 BMW 3 Series is bigger, taller, and wider than the old car. But it also happens to be stiffer, lighter, and more slippery. Nobody complained when Honda and Toyota supersized the Civic and Corolla. Based on the above specs, the new BMW 3 Series is probably the return of the ultimate driving machine.
BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system includes an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case, which links up with the Dynamic Stability Control system. From here, power output is adjusted – within a fraction of a second – according to the driving conditions. BMW says the technology reduces oversteer and understeer, while providing an increase in traction and stability. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
They say the new 3-Series is now a proper luxury car instead of being a laser-focused sports sedan. But is there something wrong with that?Click To TweetTurbocharged Power
Of course, what ultimate driving machine is complete without a stonking motor? The base 330i is motivated by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. This engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic, features a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection, and variable camshaft timing.
The 2019 BMW 330i can sprint to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The 330i xDrive with all-wheel drive can perform the same feat in 5.3 seconds.
But if the idea of a four-cylinder engine is a tough pill to swallow, then consider the M340i instead. It comes with a turbocharged straight-six motor with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. The sprint to 60 mph takes just 4.2-seconds, courtesy of the eight-speed auto and standard rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available; BMW’s M Sport rear differential is standard.
If you were pining for a manual in the 2019 BMW 3 Series, you’re out of luck. Only diesels with rear-wheel drive receive a manual gearbox.
Aluminum swivel bearings and control arms for the front axle, plus aluminum wheel mounts and new wheel bearings for the rear axle reduce unsprung mass. At the rear axle, more rigid control arms and axle sub-frames, along with thrust arms for the body mounting, ensure “very precise wheel location,” according to BMW. As a result, steering dynamics improve. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Begging To Be Driven
The 2019 BMW 3 Series is the antithesis of what critics were hoping for. With a classy interior and gorgeous exterior (with available adaptive LED headlights even), the new car has clearly veered more towards the luxury end of the spectrum. But by reducing weight and increasing the stiffness of the chassis, along with new suspension and steering tech, there’s no doubt the 2019 BMW 3 Series is begging to be driven. Hard. Presumably on twisty and/or mountainous roads.
The issue starts with the packaging. Sure, the new 3 Series is longer, taller, and wider, although it’s not as roomy as before. And I can’t wrap my head around it. There is 1.5-inches less headroom in the front while leg and shoulder room is virtually unchanged. However, there is now more cargo room in the new 3 Series, which grew from 13 to 17 cubic-feet.
I can live with that.
2019 BMW 3 Series. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
There’s no doubt the 2019 BMW 3 Series is begging to be driven. Hard. Presumably on twisty and/or mountainous roads.Click To TweetBut There’s A Problem . . .
Two, in fact: the Genesis G70 and Tesla Model 3. I have no idea how the Genesis G70 feels so adoringly good on the open road despite the sub-$35k base price. I won’t go as far as saying the Genesis G70 is the BMW 3 Series for a new generation, but it does feel like it.
And then the Tesla Model 3. The Model 3 is bigger in all aspects than the sixth-gen 3 Series, which BMW addressed by increasing the dimensions on this new, seventh-gen 3 Series. But the Tesla Model 3 starts at only $35,000 (before tax credits) in standard range trim, while the 2019 BMW 3 Series starts around $41,200.
Also, the Tesla is faster and has a more alluring design in my eyes.
But if BMW is in your blood, then expect the 330i in March. The M340i will follow shortly after, with a starting MSRP of $43,245.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
2019 BMW 3 Series Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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Chevrolet Announces Medium-Duty Silverado Line

Chevrolet Announces Medium-Duty Silverado Line

Recently at the State Fair of Texas, Chevrolet confirmed their new Class 4 and 5 Silverado trucks will be launching late next year. Both will be available in Regular and Crew Cab configurations with a wide range of GVWRs and wheelbases.
Like their stablemates in the Chevy truck lineup, the 4500 and 5500 series pickups will offer OnStar, 4G LTE connectivity provided by AT&T. The feature is designed to help fleet managers with safety and productivity.
“We are earning new business because we have more solutions to help businesses grow,” said John Schwegman, U.S. Director of Commercial Product, Chevrolet.
According to Chevrolet, commercial volume is up 48 percent since 2013, and domestic segment share has grown year-over-year for the last 13 consecutive months.
“The Silverado 4500 and 5500 will stand out because we’ve designed the trucks around how customers work,” Schwegman added.
All Silverado 4500 and 5500 models will be powered by a Duramax diesel and Allison transmission, in either a 4×2 or 4×4 layout. Dump bodies, rollbacks, freight boxes, and other specialized applications can be outiffed to the forthcoming Silverado 4500 and 5500 models. Complete specifications and pricing for the new Silverado medium-duty trucks will be released closer to launch.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides Detroit, Michigan.
Source: Chevrolet.

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Ford, Microsoft Dive Deep Into Augmented Reality

Ford, Microsoft Dive Deep Into Augmented Reality

100 years ago, designing a car was all paper and pencils, slide rules and French-curves, body bucks and modeling clay. About 40 or 50 years ago, vehicle designing drifted more toward computer modeling and other automated and detached methods. For all that CAD/CAM and 3-D shaping brought: ease of variability, iterative sizing, better proportioning, and things like that, it did, by and large, take car designers out of the real-world. It might have worked on paper or on a computer screen, but get that prototype car fleshed out in sheet steel sitting under natural light, and many unseen flaws would become all too apparent.
Reality Bytes
Ford designers have taken a step away from the CAD screens and, curiously enough, have also backed off the tried and true, old school clay-sculpting steels and rakes, and swapped in some mixed reality headsets and trick visualization software. This allows them to change design elements like side mirrors, grilles, interiors, and more at the click of a button.
Ford chooses to call it “mixed reality,” but what we’re really talking about here is generically referred to as “Augmented Reality.” Unlike the better known and over-hyped Virtual Reality (which has been the next big thing/revolution that will change the very fabric of society itself sometime next year since 1989), AR puts digital things in the real-world that you’re already seeing through special glasses or other head mounted displays.
Rescue Mission
A few years back I was working for a company that, among other fun things, did museum designs. We were working on a museum that was going to have an interactive Coast Guard rescue helicopter exhibit. One of the ideas was having a static Coast Guard rescue helicopter sitting inside, and then handing out Augmented Reality headsets to people as they got in the chopper. You’d put the headset on, you’d see the chopper and the museum and other guests around you, but you’d also see weather and the environment beyond the rescue helicopter. So if you were sitting in the pilot’s seat, outside the windows you’d see coastal Alaska and wind-swept seas, and the fishing boat you had to rescue. Even better, if you were sitting at the open helicopter door, working the virtual winch, you’d look out and down, and in addition to seeing the carpet on the museum floor, 100 or so feet below you’d “see” a fisherman waiting to be plucked out of the water.
I tested this out, sitting in an office chair one day, and the effect was downright creepy. It wasn’t completely as immersive as VR, but AR worked surprisingly well enough to make you feel you were in one of Igor Sikorsky’s finest, and there was a person on the verge of drowning. Ironically, the weakest link in building this was finding a disused Cost Guard helicopter that was cheap enough. Those things are amazingly expensive.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Point & Click
Another interesting coincidence, as far as Ford is concerned, is that one of the better purveyors of Augment Reality is, of all people, Microsoft. The Redmond, Washington-based concern has this hardware/software rig they call the HoloLens that, with a little bit of tweaking, can add Augmented Reality to seemingly any given situation. Ford designers have been working with Microsoft HoloLens technology for a year now at FoMoCo’s Dearborn studios.
HoloLens allows them to see possible design elements in a virtual sense as if they were part of the actual physical vehicle sitting before them. HoloLens allows them to investigate different shapes, sizes, and textures of vehicle characteristics in minutes and hours, rather than weeks and months using clay models. What would that lower body cladding look like in smooth finish instead of textured? Click, click, boom. Now you can see it. What if we change all of the trim pieces from black to a satin chrome? Click, click, boom. Now you can see it. And not just see it, but you can walk around the actual, physical car in real-space, in real-time.
Flexible Approach
The system works and tracks with you through the wire-free headsets. There’s a Windows 10 computer embedded in the headset and the whole shee-bang is untethered, wearable, and mobile; no tethering, no cables, no problem. Microsoft’s HoloLens allows designers to see projected holograms against photo-quality backdrops; on the street in the summer, at night in the rain, those sorts of scenarios. So now, if something doesn’t work, looks strangely proportioned, is lacking the needed surface tension, Ford’s designers can quickly reevaluate the design, make changes, and determine styling options much earlier in development. The HoloLens technology enables designers and engineers to better collaborate and understand the customer experience as well.
The headsets can even be synced so multiple team members can view a design simultaneously for easy collaboration. They can also record audio notes for team members working in other time zones or off-site to review.
“It’s amazing we can combine the old and the new – clay models and holograms – in a way that both saves time and allows designers to experiment and iterate quickly to dream up even more stylish, clever vehicles,” said Jim Holland, Ford Vice President, Vehicle Component and Systems Engineering. “Microsoft HoloLens is a powerful tool for designers as we continue to reimagine vehicles and mobility experiences in fast-changing times.”
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, Video & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo: Product & Performance Overview

2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo: Product & Performance Overview

Look, the only reason I pay attention to Porsche Cayennes is because they are the profit centers that allow the Zuffenhausen company to make sports cars. I largely look upon them as necessary evils, so, what . . . am I supposed to get all excited over the new 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo?
Let’s see here . . . the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 puts out 550 horsepower, 567 lb-ft. of torque; that’s nice. They say it’s quicker and faster than the previous gen, okay, duh! And, um, it’s got a top speed of 177 mph and does 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds? Holy sh-!
Man, that is one fast truck. Yeah, I know, “fast” is kind of what Porsche is famous for, but still, that’s pretty impressive for something that weighs – huh, that’s funny, they don’t mention weight. Probably a couple of tons, at least, which is both understandable and sad, but also impressive that Porsche can make this thing haul that fast.
Performance Tech
The 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is the third-generation of the Cayenne range and, in addition to that twin-turbo four-liter V8 engine that dispenses 550 horsepower, there’s a host of other goodies. There’s a 3-chamber air suspension, staggered tire sizes, and this new, high-performance Porsche Surface Coated Brake technology. The ’19 Cayenne Turbo also features rear-axle steering and electric roll stabilization.
The front and rear wheel sizes fall into the “frickin huge” arena with 285/40 at the front and 315/35 out back.
Porsche says the lightweight chassis of the new Cayenne Turbo makes for better driving dynamics when compared to the outgoing model. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Design Language
Design-wise – both exterior and interior – it’s more a case of refinement and sharpening, than heading in any new directions. The front end shows off the LED main headlights of the Porsche Dynamic Light System, and the new Turbo further sets itself apart from lesser Cayennes with double-row front light modules. The wheel arches have been widened and feature painted trim to house the special 21-inch wheels. The twin tailpipes differentiate the Cayenne Turbo from its six-cylinder brethren.
On the inside, you’ll find interior design elements like center-mounted grab handles (a Cayenne motif), a high-definition 12.3-inch dashboard mounted screen, and an analog tachometer bracketed by two 7-inch HD screens. There’s a standard 710 watt Bose system, which is probably capable of seriously damaging your Organ of Corti. There are also 18-way sport seats, integrated headrests, and standard heating functions for all outboard seats and the steering wheel.
Engine Bay
Now, about that 4.0-liter V8! As I said, it puts out 550 horsepower and 567 lb-ft. of torque, which works out to be an additional 30 ponies and 14 lb-ft. on the previous Cayenne Turbo. Porsche Traction Management is, thankfully, standard, and the all-wheel drive system is hooked to a new, 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The plant’s turbochargers are nestled inside the V of the cylinders, which sounds like a thermodynamic and maintenance nightmare to me, but I ain’t a German engineer, so what do I know? Yes, this arrangement gets you lots of benefits, like shortened exhaust paths to the turbochargers and improved handling characteristics thanks to a lower center of gravity. But still, that’s an awful lot of heat generators wadded into a small space!
Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Suspension & Aerodynamics
The new 3-chamber air suspension is combined with the Porsche Active Suspension Management system. The active shock absorbers allow for a wider range of spring rates when compared to the previous setup, so the ride and handling is improved in both the comfort and performance settings. There are six selectable ride heights and the ground clearance can be manually adjusted to suit the off-road terrain.
There are also five new driving programs to fit a variety of conditions, the default being the on-road program; the four other modes are Mud, Gravel, Sand, or Rocks. All of the power delivery stuff, the drive modes, chassis settings, and differential locks can be selected and adjusted accordingly.
And even though the new Cayenne Turbo is relatively box-like, Porsche has seen to aerodynamics with things like the adaptive roof spoiler that actually helps shorten braking distances. The aforementioned Porsche Surface Coated Brake technology helps too. The design has a tungsten carbide layer applied to the otherwise-normal cast-iron discs for better braking performance and wear resistance.
The new 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo will be up for orders come December, with dealer deliveries happening in the Fall of 2018. Cost? That would be $124,600, which, let’s face it, is really, really expensive.
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.
2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Gallery

Photos & Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

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