Automotive

VW Dune Buggy Concept: Where EVs & The 1960s Meet

VW Dune Buggy Concept: Where EVs & The 1960s Meet VW’s concept is inspired by the American buggies from the 1960s and ‘70s.
This modern Dune Buggy showcases the flexibility of VW’s latest EV platform.
It doesn’t look like a production version is comming but we won’t give up hope.
When I first saw the pictures of the VW Dune Buggy, I thought it was a prop for some upcoming sci-fi movie. Tron II – Electric Tron-a-Loo or something. But no, VW is serious. Or as serious as you can be with a show car. Which is what the Dune Buggy is. You’ll be able to see it at this year’s upcoming Geneva show.
Oh, did I mention it’s an EV?
Planning Ahead
VW is serious about their electric vehicle ambitions. They have to be. Since that diesel-gate debacle pretty much rang the death knell for consumer diesels, VW knows it has to go somewhere non-ICE. So get ready for EV (almost) everything from Der Peoples Kar. So, as strange as it may seem, VW is pretty serious with an off-road EV.
There were little vans, Porsche-like speedsters, crazy race-car-looking things, and of course, endless variations on the #DuneBuggy.Click To TweetHome-Brewed Concoctions
Funny thing is, the original dune buggies back in the 1960s weren’t VW products. They were cobbled-up, home-brew specials made from Beetle parts, not direct from the factory. As I recall, it all started with this guy named Bruce Meyer. Although generically referred to as “dune buggies,” his was officially dubbed the “Meyer Manx.” The Manx was the original seed for seemingly endless “specials” made on Beetle platforms. There were little vans, Porsche-like speedsters, crazy race-car-looking things, and of course, endless variations on the Dune Buggy.
But how could there not be? It was the 60s! The Beach Boys! Frankie & Annette! Ride the Wild Surf! Dick Dale! Greg Noll! This was a vehicular manifestation of the collective need of every teenager not to live in Iowa and get to the beach.
Blast From The Past
And have you ever driven one of these things? They’re a total hoot. No doors, no roof; they weigh next to nothing and the suspension is robust enough to handle (literally) bounding over dunes. Of course, those are also the biggest flaws. They make perfect sense getting from Hermosa Beach down to Rincon to catch a better swell, but commuting from Joliet into Chicago for a client meeting in February?
Just like the originals, this Dune Buggy has no fixed roof or conventional doors, and the open side sills dominate the overall look. The wheels and off-road tires are large and borderline goofy and cartoon-like.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Showcasing New Platforms
Unfortunately, they’re not going to make a production version of the thing (although that would be rad). Like I said, they are serious but in a different way. What this actually allows is for VW to show off their engineering skill with regard to future EV platforms. This Dune Buggy concept is based on VW’s modular electric drive matrix, or “MEB.” The idea is to demonstrate how multifaceted and flexible this new platform is.
The Dune Buggy is VW’s way of saying, “Look at our MEB. It works in trucks, it works in cars, and you can even have fun with it!” And that’s a very smart move. Nobody is going to buy an EV to show they are more hair-shirt than thou. Then VW says this: “The new MEB concept vehicle shows that this fully electric platform can be used for more than just large-scale series production models. Like the Beetle chassis of yesteryear, the MEB has the potential to facilitate the development of low-volume niche vehicles.”
That sounds like a major corporation egging us on to take this platform and mess around with it as we see fit. Now doesn’t that sound like fun?
Global Appeal
Worldwide, around 250,000 vehicles were built as one-offs or at low volumes through the 1980s. I’m assuming they mean Beetle-based stuff, so VW gets a solid two-base hit. One, they show off their upcoming MEB electric vehicle platform, and two, they hint at releasing it to the hardcore gearhead shade-tree tinkerers out there.
VW Dune Buggy In Person
Anyway, I’d love to stay and talk, but I heard there’s a big swell heading for Steamer Lane, so I gotta run. In the meantime, you can catch the Dune Buggy in person during the Geneva Motor Show which begins on March 7th. Later brah!
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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Letter From The UK: At The Industrial Cliff Edge

Letter From The UK: At The Industrial Cliff Edge We are just a few weeks away from the 29th of March when the United Kingdom is scheduled to acrimoniously depart the European Union. Even at this eleventh hour there is still rampant uncertainty as to what is going to happen. No final decisions have been made by our weak and floundering politicians.
Emotive words and phrases like ‘crisis’ and ‘crashing out’ and ‘going over the cliff’ don’t help at all.
Economic Strife
A crisis is a plague or famine or warfare; this is economics. If you expect nothing from your so-called ‘leaders’ then you won’t be disappointed, that’s the people’s motto. Nevertheless, wide social divisions have opened like earthquake fissures. It is neighbour against neighbour and it is going to take a generation to get past, whatever the final outcome. In some quarters, hatred is not too strong a word. It is all very sad and the blame lies as much with the blustering, bombastic, un-elected suits who run the EU (which, remember, is only a trading bloc and not a country in its own right) as it does with our home-grown authorities.
Industry is similarly divided with some sectors saying it’s all going to be great with many new global trade opportunities including the USA. Other players are saying it will all end in tears for manufacturing. Batting firmly for the latter team is the motor industry.
Related: It’s crunch time across the pond. How will the motor industry respond?
Lost Investments
There’s a reason for their negativity. Although the car industry is truly global now with mergers and associations, the European car makers are very closely tied. They depend on us for vehicles, parts, and consumers just as we depend on them. Vehicle parts criss-cross the Union on a just-in-time basis. When it is considered how important motor manufacturing, retail sales, the used car market, and all the ancillary trades and professions are to employment and the success of individual economies, it makes sensible people wonder what politicians are for.
The indisputable fact is that investment in the British car sector almost halved last year and output has tumbled as the growing fear of the unknown have put manufacturers on red alert. Inward investment fell 46.5 percent to 588.6 million Pounds Sterling last year from £1.1bn in 2017. These figures are courtesy of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Last year, the Nissan Juke became the fourth Sunderland-built model to hit one million units. On average, a Juke is built at the plant every 105 seconds. Photo: Nissan Motor Company Ltd.
Crashing Out
Similarly, UK production fell 9.1 percent to 1.52m vehicles, with output for the UK and for export falling 16.3 percent and 7.3 percent respectively. It is not Brexit as an entity that has done the damage so much as the uncertainty surrounding it. This was highlighted by the recent, now-confirmed rumour, that Nissan will not build the new X-Trail at their Sunderland, UK plant.
Much is being made of this but, on the other hand, the X-Trail is a very niche model and low-scale seller that currently only offers unpopular diesel engines, so how much of a problem this will make can only be conjectured. It does indicate though how conflicted UK motor manufacturing is.
As SMMT chief Mike Hawes puts it about the impact so far on output, investment, and jobs: “is nothing compared with the permanent devastation caused by severing our frictionless trade links overnight, not just with the EU but with the many other global markets with which we currently trade freely. With fewer than 60 days before we leave the EU and the risk of ‘crashing out’ without a deal looking increasingly real, UK Automotive is on red alert.”
Photo: Nissan Motor Company Ltd.
Lower Sales
In fact it is hard to be totally accurate with forecasts such as this because investment in the motor industry always comes in uneven chunks as old models are retired and new ones are introduced over time. But even allowing for that, the plunge in new investment is clear. In 2015, car manufacturers invested £2.5bn in the UK. In 2016 we had the national Brexit vote which signalled the end of our association. Since then it has fallen ever year and in 2018 was just £589m, according to SMMT.
Regulatory Hiccups
There are other factors which get less publicity, for example falling sales in the Chinese market and EU regulatory hiccups are of concern. With exports to China slumping 24.5 percent, Jaguar Land Rover, Britain’s biggest car maker, has already underlined the pain being felt from a sales slowdown in China. The industry is clear that Brexit has presented “the most significant threat to the competitiveness of the UK automotive sector in a generation.”
Thank goodness we didn’t join the Euro currency too!
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

Cover Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.

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Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition: The Tradition Continues

Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition: The Tradition Continues The Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition will receive a limited-production run.
Design elements include the original “baseball stitch” and commemorative badging.
Available as either a coupe or roadster with a 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
I must be getting old. Has the Audi TT really been around for 20 years? Maybe I’d remember that if it had kept some of its original pizzazz instead of slowly fading into “just another sports coupe” territory. Or maybe it would have made more of an impact, year after year, if the performance matched the (original) style. But anyway, here we are. Audi is rolling out a 20th anniversary edition to remind us what we’ve forgotten.
Carrying On The Tradition
Audi says the TT 20th Anniversary Edition features “unique design elements that celebrate the heritage of the Audi TT and embody the model’s transcendent design.” That might be true, but the first thing I notice is that nowhere does Audi say what counts as “limited.” They could be making 40 of these things, they could be making 40,000 but I can’t really tell.
That aside, I can’t really argue with Audi calling it a “transcendent design.”
When the TTS Roadster concept study hit the stand at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, people were very impressed. It was clean and direct, a design dominated by arcs and finished in a cool silver gray. A car like the TT couldn’t have been designed in Italy or France, this thing had to be German. Audi, naturally, wants to carry this on with the TT 20th Anniversary Edition.
Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Design Appeal
It’ll come as both a coupe and roadster, painted either Aviator Gray pearl metallic or Nimbus Gray metallic. I can’t really see what the difference is, but we do know Nimbus Gray will be exclusive to the United States. As a nod to the original TT from the Tokyo show, all models will feature Mocasin Brown Fine Nappa leather with custom yellow contrast stitching. (Yes, I know that’s not the way you spell “Moccasin,” but Audi chooses to spell it that way).
On top of the two select paint colors, the TT 20th Anniversary Edition features high-gloss black exterior trim and 19-inch, five-arm-design wheels painted in gunmetal, natch. When you get into a cool, gray Teutonic-style jag, why stop? The trumpet-style stainless steel exhaust is exclusive to the model, as are the OLED taillights which are only available on the TT RS.
Badges? You bet this TT’s got badges: “20 Years of TT” badging adorns the front fenders, alongside the matte-finish Audi rings etched into the rear sills.
Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Interior & Technology Treatments
Naturally the Ingolstadt firm has worked over the interior. The S Sport seats, door armrests, steering wheel, and center console all get the aforementioned Mocassin Brown Fine Nappa leather with bespoke yellow contrast stitching. This harkens back to the “baseball stitching” in the original TT, which I always loved but owners told me it was kind of a pain to live with.
Of course there are interior badges marking the TT’s production number alongside a “TT 20 Years” icon.
What counted as high-tech gadgetry 20 years ago wouldn’t even past muster these days, and Audi is not going to leave their special TT behind. The standard Audi phone box with wireless charging and signal booster is on-board, along with the standard Technology package that includes Audi’s virtual cockpit, MMI navigation plus, smartphone integration (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Related: Virtual Showdown: Tesla Model S vs. Audi e-tron GT Concept.
Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition interior layout. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Power & Performance
The Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition is not a no-go-show-boat, but it’s not a full-out Bahn burner either. Powered by an evergreen 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo engine, Audi’s special TT puts out 228 horsepower. It comes with a standard seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Nice, love that tranny! Add it up, and the anniversary coupe can haul from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Not that bad at all.
The roadster is slightly slower, hitting 60 in 5.5 seconds. Still not that bad.
Pricing & Availability
The Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition is on sale now. The coupe starts at $52,900 and the roaster begins at $56,800. Which is about what you’d figure.
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. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition Gallery

Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.

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2018 Chevy Traverse RS: Not Your Father’s Traverse

2018 Chevy Traverse RS: Not Your Father’s Traverse SUVs are a viable option for many consumers today. In general, SUVs offer enough interior room for the family and solid all-weather capability. Depending on the model, fuel efficiency, engine performance, and exterior styling might be added bonuses. Chevrolet is definitely aiming for all of the above with the 2018 Traverse RS, the latest SUV to emerge from the GM stable.
“The 2018 Traverse offers a full product lineup positioned to effectively compete across the segment,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet Marketing Director for Cars and Crossovers.
Standpoints & Styling
What Majoros is saying from a business standpoint makes sense. SUVs are strong sellers and having variety never hurts when it comes to attracting new or retaining existing customers. Majoros says the Traverse lineup is modeled in such a way that buyers are able to find something that suits their needs. And in recent times, that demand has really shifted toward the upper end of the spectrum, where the Traverse RS will live.
“By offering customers more choice with higher-end entries like the RS, which has a more street-inspired look, and top-of-the-line High Country, Chevrolet now offers a comfortable and connected Traverse for every lifestyle,” he explained.
The easiest way to spot the Traverse RS is simply by how it looks. Unique styling elements include a black grille, black window trim, black roof rails, black bowtie emblems, and 20-inch aluminum wheels with a Dark Android finish.
Photo: Chevrolet.
Features & Performance
The 2018 Chevy Traverse RS is ideal for those who need to haul the family around but want a little more excitement while doing so. Yes, there is the practical stuff: it has everything one would expect in an SUV or a crossover, including a host of enhanced safety and connectivity features, heated seats, remote start, and lots of cargo room. To the latter, Chevy says it’s best-in-class at 98.2 cubic feet.
Regarding the excitement factor, Chevy has packed a turbocharged engine under the hood that delivers 257 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. Chevy says 90 percent of that peak torque is available at only 2,100 rpm, meaning when you hit the gas it goes. A nine-speed automatic transmission is matched with the engine for an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20/26 mpg city/highway.
OnStar 4G LTE and an available built-in Wi-Fi hotspot lead the list of connectivity features while Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist are among the most useful safety features. Other niceties include tri-zone automatic climate control, power liftgate, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Chevy Traverse RS is available now and starts at $43,095.
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.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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2019 Range Rover Models Blend Performance With Efficiency

2019 Range Rover Models Blend Performance With Efficiency

Expect to see prototypes of the 2019 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport P400e plug-in hybrid during the Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicles represent a combination of “sustainable performance” and “effortless capability” according to Jaguar Land Rover. It’s the first time the models have been shown in North America. It’s also the first time those who prefer the flagship Land Rover SUV can opt for a zero-emissions variant.
Power & Performance
The new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport P400e combine a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ingenium gasoline engine, an electric motor, and a 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery. The Ingenium plant creates 296 horsepower while the electric motor registers 114 horsepower. Combined system output is 398 horsepower and 472 lb-ft. of torque with an electric only range of 31 miles.
The Land Rover Terrain Response 2 system is calibrated to “precisely distribute” maximum torque from the electric motor at zero rpm to all four wheels. Jaguar Land Rover says this provides better control during low speed, off-road maneuvers. All 2018 Range Rover models come with air suspension to raise the vehicle for more aggressive off-road driving.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Drive Modes
Customers can choose two different modes: Parallel Hybrid, the default mode, combines the gasoline and electric powertrains. To help maximize efficiency, drivers can enact a “SAVE” function to prevent the battery from dropping below a certain level. Predictive Energy Optimization works in tandem with the navigation to increase efficiency. Once a destination is entered, the vehicle utilizes GPS altitude data for the route and combines the gasoline and electric motors accordingly.
The second mode is simply called “Electric Vehicle.” This means the Range Rover is running solely on the electric motor with the battery’s stored energy.
Construction
The new Range Rovers are lighter than their counterparts – 39 percent to be exact. Both the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport P400e utilize an all-aluminum body which accounts for the weight loss when compared to a steel equivalent. Jaguar Land Rover notes the “extensive optimization processes” for the vehicle’s architecture, saying the processes were some of the most ambitious in the company’s history. The development of the all-aluminum body required intense computer simulation and a 1,000 years of processor time.
Multi-dimensional optimization tools were also used to minimize weight while simultaneously delivering outstanding stiffness and refinement, according to Jaguar Land Rover. Aerodynamic advancements are seen specifically with the flush glazing, the D-pillar’s sharp separation, and rear lights. This combination helps create a drag coefficient of 0.34.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.

Configuration & Charging
The 2.0-liter Ingenium gasoline engine is longitudinally mounted, with the 85kW electric motor housed inside the ZF eight-speed automatic. The transmission resides at the vehicle’s center with the 7kW on-board charger. The inverter, also near the center of the vehicle, turns DC voltage from the battery pack into AC current to supply the electric motor.
The prismatic cell lithium-ion battery is rear-mounted and beneath the trunk floor. The access area for the charge point is behind a panel on the grille. The P400e is available with three types of cables – it includes a home charging lead, which connects to domestic power supplies. When rapid charging, a full charge takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes at home using a dedicated 32 amp wall box. The battery can be fully charged in about 7 hours and 30 minutes using the 10 amp home charging cable supplied as standard.
Manufacturing & Availability
This probably goes without saying, but the 2019 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport P400e plug-in hybrid will offer a lot for drivers. In addition to what we have discussed here, there is a state-of-the-art four-wheel drive system, a host of available advanced driver assistance features, and Executive Seating, which means wider seat frames and additional foam for more comfort.
Both vehicles are designed and engineered by Jaguar Land Rover in the United Kingdom, with production at the company’s Solihull facility. The 2019 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport P400e plug-in hybrid are available now for order; the first deliveries are expected from the end of 2017, depending on the market. Since it launched in 2004, more than 732,000 Range Rover Sports have been sold.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photos & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

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The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 Can Change Your Mood. Literally.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 Can Change Your Mood. Literally.

Mercedes-Benz rolled out their latest CLS at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. It has more of everything: tech, safety, performance, comfort, the whole lot. But wait, what’s this? This is very out of the ordinary! It is being propelled by a inline six cylinder? Wow, haven’t seen a new one of those in a long while. I wonder what’s in store, besides lots of torque?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS, which is one of those “coupe” things that has four doors (I see what you’re trying to pull here), has been around since 2003. So whatever bugs were there from the get-go, Merc has probably crunched them by now.
Six Shooter
The real interesting part is that straight six. In broad strokes, the new plant gets something called EQ Boost and a 48 volt on-board electrical system. EQ Boost is a new, “systematically electrified” system that piggybacks onto the conventional aspects of the engine. EQ Boost integrates the starter, which is now a starter/generator hybrid unit, with the 48 volt on-board electrical system to add power as the CLS’s umpteen computers see fit. EQ Boost is available on both the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC. The plant puts out 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque on its own, and if it calls for the EQ Boost, that will kick in an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque over short periods. Not bad, not bad.
So EQ Boost is sort of like a half-hybrid set up. Mercedes-Benz does not mention other batteries or separate battery packs, but does note the EQ Boost can assist, for example, when accelerating. They even say it makes driving without the combustion engine possible. For some reason, Merc calls this EV-only thing “sailing,” which speaks to me of serious schnapsleiche in the marketing department.
Other than the EQ Boost equipped inline six, the CLS presents new goodies like a consistent interior color scheme, widescreen digital instrument cluster, and some outstandingly goofy junk called ENERGIZING Comfort (all caps – more schnapsleiche in the marketing department). The latter focuses on wellness (no, really).
The new CLS has a four-link front and five-link rear suspension. An air suspension system with adjustable and adaptive damping is optional. Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
Interior Treatments
When it comes to the interior, Mercedes-Benz really seems geeked out on colors. The ambient lighting lets you choose from 64 (!) colors and even features lighting inside the air vents. Yes air vents. Why? Because that way, when you change the temperature setting of the air conditioning, it briefly changes the color of the air vent lights to show the temperature is being made warmer (red) or cooler (blue). How did we ever get along without this?! The CLS450 is equipped with a wide-screen, high-resolution central display that is more than 12-inches diagonally. If that’s not enough, two more 12.3-inch displays are available. There are three display configuration styles the driver can choose from, depending on preference, mood, or to suit the interior appointments: Classic, Sport, or Progressive. So what.
“The new CLS is a design icon as the archetype of the four-door coupe,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Daimler AG. “In line with our hot and cool design philosophy, we have reduced its DNA to an extremely puristic level while emotionally charging its beauty.” Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
Energy Efficient
The ENERGIZING Comfort system is there to link various “comfort systems” in the vehicle into one, harmonious package. The system uses the functions of the climate control, including fragrancing (and yes, Mercedes-Benz made up the word fragrancing), the seats (heat, ventilation, massage), the surface and steering wheel heating, as well as lighting and musical atmospheres. This allows, and I’m not kidding, a “specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood and need of the customer.”
Thankfully there are no pink bunnies involved.
Six ENERGIZING programs can be selected: Refresh / Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort / Well-Being, and Training with three training modes – muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance – each with several exercises. Rumors have it that Mercedes-Benz is working on more ENERGIZING programs including Swedish Heavy Metal, Talk Radio Anger Bear, Haight-Ashbury, and Dryer Lint. Mercedes-Benz says well-being and performance levels are enhanced. I’m not sure about that, but I can tell you my laughing was seriously enhanced reading about it. Was I right when I said outstandingly goofy junk or what?
Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
All Is Well
The new CLS is equipped with the latest generation of driving assistance systems, including route-based speed adaptation and driver support. Also included are Active Brake Assist, and the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE, including PRE-SAFE Sound which “prepares human hearing for the anticipated accident noise when there is a risk of a collision.” I’m assuming that PRE-SAFE Sound is a recording of a matronly lady quietly repeating, “Es ist in Ordnung mein Kleiner. Bald wird es einen Anschlag geben, aber du wirst in Sicherheit sein. Alles ist gut. Alles ist gut.”
Also thrown into the mix is Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist. In other words, you get more assistance than a military contractor come tax time.
Availability
Look, there is a ton of other stuff here. The Mercedes-Benz press release runs on for nearly three-thousand words and reads like a Neichze-ian screed about the coming uber-auto. Through all of this, one thing is extremely clear: The third generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is an exceedingly well thought out, well engineered, and well screwed together car. Following its debut at the LA Auto Show, the new CLS will arrive in the United States in the fall of 2018.
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 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 Gallery

Photos & Source: Mercedes-Benz USA.

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2018 Nissan Kicks Makes A Punch In Los Angeles

2018 Nissan Kicks Makes A Punch In Los Angeles

Get your kicks on Route 66! And Nissan has chosen California – the Los Angeles Auto Show to be exact – to reveal the 2018 Kicks, the brand’s newest compact crossover. Nissan’s sales in this segment are at an all-time high and the automaker hopes the Kicks will generate additional growth.
“As the gateway to Nissan’s adventure-ready sport-utility portfolio – joining Rogue Sport, Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder, and Armada – Kicks is designed to fit the needs of singles or couples looking for expressive styling, personal technology, smart functionality, and advanced safety features at an affordable price starting well under $19,000,” explained Dan Mohnke, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing and Operations, Nissan Division U.S., Nissan North America, Inc.
Design Language
We’ve come to expect the V-Motion grille, a signature found on every Nissan today. The 2018 Kicks also features unique wheel arches, boomerang headlights and taillights, and a “floating” roof for a “wrap-around visor” look. There are seven different exterior colors and five two-tone schemes on offer, three of which utilize a black roof and contrasting body colors (white, orange, or red). An orange roof with a gray body, or a white roof with a blue body can also be had.
Interior Treatments
Nissan notes the “Gliding Wing” design of the dashboard, anchored by a seven-inch color display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Those who enjoy tunes while they navigate will appreciate the Bose premium stereo with UltraNearfield neodymium speakers, located inside the driver’s headrest.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Nissan Kicks has a little kick to it, with a standard 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder. Complete with a Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System, the engine generates 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft. of torque. With an Xtronic transmission, the front-wheel drive Kicks is expected to achieve a fuel economy rating of 33 mpg combined.
“With good ground clearance, a high eye point, electric power steering, and small turning radius, Kicks is a great companion to navigate the city with,” Mohnke added.
Pricing & Availability

The 2018 Nissan Kicks will be offered in three grades: S, SV, and SR. All-wheel drive is not available. We would enjoy seeing a Midnight Edition variant for this little cruiser – those special trim packages have proven popular with Nissan customers. Expect to see the Kicks on sale in the new year.
“Pricing for the 2018 Nissan Kicks will be announced closer to its on-sale date in spring 2018, but we are expecting to be among the most competitive in the segment,” Mohnke said.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Nissan Kicks Gallery

Photos & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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The New Mazda6 And The Automaker’s Path To Premium

The New Mazda6 And The Automaker’s Path To Premium

That redone Mazda6 that everyone seemed to be oo-ing and ah-ing over? More details are out now, and along with them, is Mazda’s announcement that the 6 will be the Hiroshima’s company’s spearhead in what it calls “Path to Premium.” Yeah, I know. That sounds like a mistranslation, but it’s not. That’s how Mazda says it, and that, much like the Mazda6’s tilt at being a gorgeous, performance sedan, is yet another example of Mazda taking its own unique go at pushing barriers and being memorable.
Path to Premium. Not The Path to Premium, just Path to Premium. That tells you a lot about where Mazda is heading with the Mazda6. They want it to be seen as many things to many people (with approved credit): Powerful, beautiful, performance oriented, reliable, and now premium. What premium means to Mazda is that this car will offer many first-class details and options usually found on other cars from other countries (cough the Germans cough).
Market Strategy
Why head in this direction has an interesting origin for Mazda. It all started with, of all things, the 2016 Mazda CX-9 three-row crossover. Mazda noticed that when it came to CX-9 sales, roughly 55 percent of them sold in the United States have been either high-level Grand Touring models, or top-trim Signature models. These trim levels have been very well received, selling much better than expected. And Mazda’s not stupid. When you see a pile of money sitting on the ground, you pick it up. So, figures Mazda, if that’s what buyers want in our SUVs and crossovers, let’s give it to them in our big-ish sedan too!
So, the 6’s chassis has been thoroughly revised for a more supple ride, greater agility, and dramatically improved NVH (that’s noise, vibration and harshness, in case you didn’t know). The sedan also gets brown Nappa leather and UltraSuede NU that is adorned with a gold tint similar to that used to make ornate kimonos. Sen wood accents are found across the interior of the Mazda6 too, a type of wood used for Japanese furniture and taiko drums.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.

Power & Performance
And, even more importantly from my perspective, the latest Mazda6 gets a whomper of an engine that really makes this thing move down the road. The SKYACTIV-G 2.5T turbo engine is renowned for its nearly instantaneous, ample torque, thanks to its Dynamic Pressure Turbo. This accelerates exhaust gasses through a tiny inlet so the turbocharger quickly spools up at low RPM before opening a larger, secondary passage. It’s sort of like an old two-stage carb, only much more efficient.
Interior Treatments
The front seats have been fully redesigned and are wider, with high-density, vibration-absorbing urethane foam for a firm, supportive surface. Yet they are supple enough for long trips. The seats are further designed to help keep our spines in the natural S-shape we use while standing. There are optional ventilated front seats in the Mazda6 that wick away warm air from your back to keep you cool. Rear seats have also been redesigned with the same high-density urethane foam for greater comfort.
And since this is “Path to Premium” we’re talking about here, the interior is very restrained, yet fancy and comfortable, and dripping with tech features. Think of it as a conference room on wheels and you get the idea.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Technology Central
There’s one of those fun-house-mirror-esque 360 degree cameras so you can see what’s going on around you when you’re parking or backing out of a space. That picture is displayed on a reconfigurable seven-inch TFT display, or if you prefer, on a new eight-inch infotainment screen with sharper contrast. Full-speed Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, a windshield wiper de-icer, and a heads-up unit that shoots visual info onto the windshield, just like a modern jet fighter, are all available.
Mazda says these latest upgrades will launch the Mazda6 above the mainstream sedan fray, changing the idea of what an affordable car can and should be. And that is all nice marketing-speak for “hey, you’ll think you’re in an expensive, high performance Euro-sedan, but you’re actually driving a much more affordable Mazda.” Okay. fair enough.
This all seems a reasonable thing and it should work, but that will be up to the paying customer. The road that has lead us to the current state of automotive technological greatness is littered with perfectly good ideas that no one paid attention to or bought. Here’s hoping the Mazda6 is not one of them. Expect to see it on sale this spring.
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.
Redesigned Mazda6 Gallery

Photos & Source: Mazda North American Operations.

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Future Toyota Adventure Concept: The Off-Road Autobot

Future Toyota Adventure Concept: The Off-Road Autobot

The Future Toyota Adventure Concept (FT-AC) made its debut in sunny California as the Los Angeles Auto Show gets underway. Toyota says the California reveal was intentional as many residents enjoy trips to the desert and beach. The FT-AC is aimed at active lifestyle types who desire versatility and uniqueness in a vehicle.
“FT-AC is perfect for those outdoor enthusiasts who want to dial up the adventure on their weekend getaways,” explained Jack Hollis, Group Vice president and General Manager, Toyota Division. “No matter the roads, the activities, or the people, FT-AC sparks authentic fun and conversation.”
Talking Points & Transformers
Indeed, the FT-AC will start a conversation – it’s near impossible not to have some reaction to it. Toyota’s press materials say “at first glance, it is evident that FT-AC’s bold and daring design reflects the confident spirit of Toyota’s existing SUVs and trucks.” That’s fair, although I would contend it looks like a Transformer. That’s not to be taken negatively either. I sense being on a camping excursion at Warren Dunes State Park over July 4th with family and friends; just as we are about to enjoy some burgers and brats, Megatron rises up from Lake Michigan, which would pretty much ruin the evening. My FT-AC morphs into an Autobot and sends the Emperor of Destruction packing back to Cybertron.
Cue a witty one-liner from Ironhide and we’re all set.
But seriously, the FT-AC is focused on making the trip as fun as the destination. There are a number of things one could do with this vehicle because it’s designed for both the highway and high country. I only suggest Warren Dunes becasue I love that area of Michigan, but those who go rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and the like could easily find uses for this machine.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Cameras & Creatures
The FT-AC was molded around a long wheelbase and wide track to increase capability while communicating a powerful stance. The wide fender flares provide protection; just below reside the 20-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. Toyota notes the ground clearance and skid plates for a “go and play” mentality. The LED headlights, LED marker lights, and fog lamps ensure one can “go and play” even at night.
There are infrared cameras on the side mirrors so you can record your expedition to find Bigfoot. When you do, a Wi-Fi hotspot automatically uploads the footage to a cloud-based storage where real-time editing and posting can be done via a mobile device. This way, you can determine if it’s actually Bigfoot, a bear, or a guy in a suit. And if you get lost looking for the mysterious Sasquatch, instead of being the featured characters in a campy, nonsensical horror flick, you can utilize FT-AC’s geolocation capabilities for directions back home. No getting chased through the woods for you by the Yeti, no sir.
Pricing & Availability
The FT-AC is simply a science experiment but Toyota says it has “been imagined” as a gasoline-powered vehicle with advanced torque-vectoring and all-wheel drive. Ideally, the driver could toggle a terrain-select system, changing up the throttle response and power delivery depending on the road or lack thereof. Toyota even hints at the possibility of the FT-AC being a hybrid. Only time will tell.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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