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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-next-gen-ford-fiesta-st-is-1-5-liters-of-fury/The next-gen Ford Fiesta ST is 1.5 liters of fury
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Audi forced to defend CEO after accusations in diesel crisis court case
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/audi-forced-to-defend-ceo-after-accusations-in-diesel-crisis-court-case/The Jaguar XJR-15 still impresses today
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-jaguar-xjr-15-still-impresses-today/General Motors Invests $100 Million Toward Autonomous Vehicle Production
“With human error still the leading cause of crashes, ultimately self-driving cars can help save many of the 1.25 million people around the world who are killed in crashes every year,” she said during the event.
Coming Soon
Production-versions of the Cruise AV (autonomous vehicle) are scheduled for assembly at GM’s Orion Township facility, with the roof modules for the self-driving vehicles coming from the Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant, about an hour from Lake Orion. GM notes the investment will help upgrade both facilities accordingly.
The Cruise AV is the first production-ready vehicle built from the ground up, according to GM. The automaker says it can operate safely on its own with no driver, steering wheel, pedals, or manual controls. Earlier this year, GM’s Self-Driving Safety Report detailed how the Cruise AV will accomplish this through things like advanced LiDAR and Comprehensive Risk Management.
“We’re continuing to make great progress on our plans to commercialize in 2019,” said Dan Ammann, President, General Motors. “Our Orion and Brownstown teams have proven experience in building high-quality self-driving test vehicles and battery packs, so they are well-prepared to produce the Cruise AV.”
“The UAW is committed to preparing our members for the future of advanced mobility and this investment recognizes our willingness to work together to build these self-driving vehicles,” added Cindy Estrada, Vice President and Director, UAW General Motors Department.
Workers at the Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant will be handling roof module production for all Cruise self-driving vehicles. The roof modules integrate special equipment for autonomous operation such as LiDAR, cameras, sensors, and other hardware. Each roof module will be assembled on a dedicated line. Photo: General Motors.
Committed Workforce
Since January 2017, UAW Local 5960 workers at the Orion plant have assembled three generations of Cruise self-driving test vehicles for use in the most challenging urban environments, including downtown San Francisco. More than 200 test vehicles have already been assembled at Orion. The Orion plant will continue to build the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Sonic in addition to the Cruise AV.
“Whether it involves traditional vehicles or advance technology, our members are highly capable of delivering great products,” Estrada said.
Photos & Source: General Motors.
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https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/general-motors-invests-100-million-toward-autonomous-vehicle-production/Audi Vehicles Can Now “Talk” With Traffic Lights In Washington DC
Expanding Network
Audi, in collaboration with Traffic Technology Services, has already expanded the feature in the Dallas and Houston metros, along with Palo Alto and Arcadia, California, Portland, Oregon, and Denver, Colorado. With the addition of Washington D.C., more than 1,600 intersections across the United States now support Traffic Light Information.
“This initiative represents the kind of innovation that is critical for us to advance the traffic safety goals of Vision Zero,” said District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We look forward to building on this, and similar partnerships, as we continue to build a safer, stronger, and smarter D.C.”
Photo: Audi of America.
How It Works
Vehicles equipped with the technology will receive real-time signals from connected traffic lights via the on-board 4G LTE data connection. When the light is red, the time remaining until the signal changes is displayed in the instrument cluster or heads-up display. The automaker says future iterations of this and other V2I technologies will be used to further enhance mobility and reduce congestion.
“Audi continues to be an industry leader in connectivity and mobility solutions,” explained Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “Not only do V2I technologies like Traffic Light Information help to reduce driver stress, they are also essential infrastructure developments as we continue toward an automated future.”
Traffic Light Information was launched in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016.
Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.
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https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/audi-vehicles-can-now-talk-with-traffic-lights-in-washington-dc/How Much Gold Can Your Favorite HD Truck Haul On St. Patrick’s Day
Magic Formula
The team at Throttle Down Kustoms created a basic math formula to answer this very question. Their gold payload graphic explains how many pots of gold would fit in the new Ford F-250, Chevy and GMC 2500 HD base models, Nissan Titan XD, and Ram 2500.
“Cargo space and payload are two of the most important things truck owners want, so we thought this would be fun way measure just how much these 2018 trucks can handle,” explained Jeremy Pulse, owner of Throttle Down Kustoms.
Since Pulse and his crew are not a bunch of rich leprechauns (we don’t think anyway) they could not load actual pots of gold into the truck beds. Instead, they used the following formula:
Take a 6-inch x 6-inch cast iron kettle that weighs 2.5 lbs.
Add 1,000 1-ounce gold coins to the pot for a total weight of 65 lbs. per pot.
Get the cubic feet of each truck bed and stack up as many pots of gold as possible.
Multiply the stacked pots of gold by 65 lbs. for total weight.
“This is where our math got fun,” Pulse continued. “All these automakers offer three-quarter ton pickups with a decent payload for hauling dirt, lumber, or some furniture, but if you’ve got cast iron pots of gold you’re going to need another way to move them.”
The Nissan Titan XD is alright for hauling hay. Gold? Not so much. Photo: Nissan North America.
Weight In Gold
After running the numbers, the weight totals of the gold far surpassed the maximum rated payloads for each truck. Ford fans will be happy to learn the F-250 came out on top with the ability to fit over 430 pots of gold. However, Chevy enthusiasts can simply point to how expensive Ford trucks are and make jokes about how a pot of gold is necessary to purchase one.
Here are the capacities for each truck and the frame-breaking weight of each load:
2018 Chevy 2500 HD: 61 cubic feet + 407 pots of gold = 22,899 pounds more than max. payload.
2018 Ford F-250: 65 cubic feet + 433 pots of gold = 23,946 pounds over max. payload.
2018 GMC 2500 HD: 61 cubic feet + 407 pots of gold = 22,899 pounds more than max. payload.
2018 RAM 2500: 58 cubic feet + 387 pots of gold = 21,143 pounds over max. payload.
2018 Nissan Titan XD: 59 cubic feet + 393 pots of gold = 22,657 pounds more than max. payload.
Lessons Learned
Gold is heavy, that’s the first. Second, if you’re going to try for the end of the rainbow this St. Patrick’s Day, take a medium-duty truck. Or, opt for a full-on semi truck. The complete graphic from Throttle Down Kustoms is below.
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.
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https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/how-much-gold-can-your-favorite-hd-truck-haul-on-st-patricks-day/2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid & Electric Models Soon To Hit America
How does Hyundai continue to do this? It seems like they roll out new models, or upgraded current models, the way Old Navy rolls out t-shirts. Most car manufacturers work on a product cycle ranging over multiple years between refreshes, let alone new models. Hyundai recently announced the new 2017 Ioniq hybrid and electric models will be in dealer showrooms soon.
Hyundai, and in all fairness, their fellow countrymen Kia, have a turn around time like a ballerina from the Kirov. Others, when confronted with a game-changer like a Tesla Model S or a Toyota Prius, took forever to respond.
Hyundai just seemed to shrug and say, “okay, we can do that.” And they did.
Eco Minded, Safety Oriented
What Hyundai did with their Ioniq models really starts with three eco-focused electrified powertrains. The Ioniq offers a smooth, aerodynamic silhouette with an impressive 0.24 coefficient drag. Hyundai says that low figure is all down to careful surface design, and not little aero tricks like underbody work or movable flip-ups and the like.
On the inside, the Ioniq has all the bells and whistles buyers want, or car manufacturers believe we want. You get all of your connectivity features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Blue Link, and even wireless charging for your smartphone. There’s a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster that displays all important driver info. You also get all the latest safety gee-gaws like Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Yes, we should really be paying more attention, but no, we never seem to, hence you get stuff like this.
It’s under the hood where things are most interesting, drivetrain tech-wise.
“Developed for high energy efficiency without compromising driving performance, every Ioniq powertrain represents a unique and uncompromising solution towards a cleaner means of mobility,” reads a Hyundai Press Release. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Engine & Transmission Tech
The Ioniq Hybrid and Plugin Hybrid models both feature a new, Kappa 1.6L direct-injected, Atkinson-cycle four cylinder engine as the main motivator. The Atkinson-cycle helps the plant get a remarkable thermal efficiency of 40 percent. The engine puts out 104 horsepower and 109 lb-ft. of torque, which is not bad.
In the Ioniq, the Kappa plant has been shaped for its hybrid application and is combined with a quick-shifting, six speed double-clutch transmission known as the EcoShift. The transmission makes use of low-friction bearings and low-viscosity oil.
The electric motor is said to operate at speeds up to 75 mph and is tweaked to deliver lots of low end torque. That electric motor supplies 32 kW (43 horsepower) with a maximum torque output of 125 lb-ft. Power comes from a lithium-ion polymer battery with a 1.56 kWh capacity. The battery pack is located under the rear passenger seat, which helps with weight distribution.
Hyundai uses a lithium-ion polymer battery pack for all Ioniq models which is 20 percent lighter than non-polymer lithium-ion batteries and can be shaped more optimally to the interior than standard cell format batteries. This also provides lower memory sensitivity, excellent charge and discharge efficiency, and outstanding maximum output. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Long Ranges
So if you add up all the power plants, you get a total system output of 139 horsepower with an impressive EPA-estimated 58 mpg combined rating. Hyundai says that’s the highest rating of any non-plug-in vehicle sold in the United States. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid delivers an all-electric range of more than 27 miles, says Hyundai, which is good enough for short trips to grocery store and the like.
If you want to opt for the all electric Ioniq model with the 28 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, your estimated driving range will be 124 miles. In the Ioniq Electric, the motor has a maximum output of 88 kW (118 horsepower) and 218 lb-ft. of torque. As far as efficiency goes, the Ioniq Electric has an EPA-estimated 136 MPGe rating. Hyundai says that’s the highest efficiency rating of any electric vehicle sold on the U.S. market, which probably bugs Elon Musk to no end.
Hyundai did not specify any prices, but c’mon. If Hyundais are known for anything, it’s not being overpriced. Ioniq owners will eventually receive welcome kits explaining the benefits, location, and use of the ChargePoint network, which is accessible through the MyHyundai/Blue Link app.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-hyundai-ioniq-hybrid-electric-models-soon-to-hit-america/2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Touring Review
The all-new 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid stacks up against some pretty stiff competition in the hybrid crossover segment. The small crossover competes against the number one selling Toyota Prius, popular Ford C-Max Hybrid wagon, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
However, it’s got a lot of appeal for crossover shoppers with its stylish exterior design, fuel-sipping drivetrain, and crossover utility.
This week we drove the 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Touring, the top trim level.
What’s New
The 2017 Niro is an all-new model in the Kia lineup. The well-equipped Touring offers up a host of modern comfort features for consumers.
Features & Options
The Touring trim ($29,650) comes standard with 18-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, black front grille trim, a sunroof, door scuff plates, driver’s seat memory settings, ventilated and heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Other creature comforts include leather upholstery, a larger 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, HD and satellite radio, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and LED interior lights.
Options on our Touring tester included the Advanced Tech Package ($1,900) with active safety systems like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning. It also came with a 115 volt inverter and wireless phone charger.
Total MSRP including destination: $32,840.
Interior Highlights
The first thing we noticed upon getting this Niro Touring tester was the ease of entry. The Niro sits up a bit higher and getting in and out is easier than many small crossovers. My 6’ 8” passenger this week commented on the abundant headroom, a plus for taller drivers. As is typical for this price point, there’s still some hard surfaces that cover the doors, dash, and center console areas.
There are soft-touch surfaces on the upper parts of the dash and armrests, however.
The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and power driver’s seat have two-way lumbar and height adjustments that made it easy to find the perfect driving position. We put a lot of miles on our Niro but never felt tired or fatigued after longer trips.
In the back, there’s ample head and legroom, but there was no room behind my tall passenger when he moved the seat back to accommodate his 6’ 8” frame. Still, the rear seats split 60/40 and fold perfectly flat for a nice load floor. We had to load nine long boxes this week, and the small crossover had enough room for the extra cargo. There’s 19.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and 54.5 cubes when folded flat.
The rear hatch makes it convenient to load groceries and the kid’s sports equipment.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2017 Kia Niro is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid-electric powertrain, producing 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission in lieu of the more conventional, continuously variable transmission (CVT) like we see on most small crossovers.
Unfortunately, all-wheel drive is not available.
EPA-estimates are 46/40 city/highway and 43 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
The 2017 Kia Niro delivers a satisfying driving experience in the city and on the open road. We experienced a fair amount of both this week as we traveled the city streets of Denver, and on the open road between Denver and Colorado Springs. The Niro is an ideal size vehicle for navigating busy streets as we made multiple U-turns, and had to cut across lanes of traffic to catch our exit.
On the open highway, there was a bit of road noise as we traveled 75 mph (yes that’s the speed limit) on the way to Colorado Springs. We especially enjoyed the Smart Cruise Control that not only keeps you at a constant speed, but will slow you down if you approach another car. It then gets the vehicle back up to your set speed when the traffic flow gets back to normal. It does all this without you ever touching the brake or gas pedal.
The Niro stayed planted in the tight mountain curves, thanks to a lower center of gravity because the batteries are mounted beneath the rear passenger seat. We thought the Niro handled more like a car than a crossover. With the six-speed automatic transmission, shifts come quick and smooth, providing a more pleasant driving experience when compared to a CVT automatic.
Conclusion
Overall, the new 2017 Kia Niro is a good city commuter, and should be a vehicle families check out. It gets excellent fuel mileage, has ample head and legroom for taller drivers, and it has the utility of a hatchback. It’s a pleasant ride at high cruising speeds or in stop-and-go city traffic.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2017 Kia Niro Gallery
We trust TrueCar.com to give us the best, up to date, and TRUE pricing of what people are really paying for their cars. Check them out for more research on this car:
2017 Kia Niro Official Site
Photo: Kia Motors America
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2017-kia-niro-hybrid-touring-review/Letter From The UK: Winds Of Change
Have you ever seen a plastic bag caught in swirling gusts of wind? It flies this way and that, never knowing where it will go and where it will come to rest when the wind drops.
That’s Europe, that is; right now.
Winds of change are blowing across the bleak political landscape that could affect the car industry and life in general for Great Britain.
Goodbye General Motors
It won’t have escaped your attention that General Motors is considering selling its loss-making European operation to the French PSA Group, which builds Citroen and Peugeot vehicles. This could have repercussions for the Vauxhall brand in the UK (badged as Opel on continental Europe). This is of sufficient concern for the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to meet up with the Peugeot boss, Carlos Tavares, to discuss the potential issues, of which could mean job losses.
GM has two motor plants here, at Ellesmere Port and Luton, plus sundry ancillaries. They build, among others, the popular if unexciting Corsa and Astra models which regularly feature in the UK automotive top ten. No doubt Mr. Tavares will make the usual positive noises but, as in any industry, can PSA ultimately be trusted?
It has always been very clear that when a sale or takeover of this magnitude happens there will always be an element of what is euphemistically described as “rationalization.” You can bet your bottom dollar when that word is used, then someone, somewhere is going down. In this case the ax will certainly fall on the necks of British workers. The PSA Group is very unlikely to expose its own workers to the inevitable.
Your average French car worker can get very testy, I hear, when their job is threatened.
Vauxhall Ellesmere Port facility. Photo: Opel Pressroom Europe.
Brexit. Again.
Since the British voted to leave the EU last year, there has been a further rise of Europe’s populist movements that are on the cusp of sweeping far-right, nationalist, and euro-skeptic parties into power across the continent in a series of upcoming elections. Political groups of this type, like our very own United Kingdom Independence Party, were once seen as buffoons; a joke. Well, Europe’s smug elite are not laughing now. Once consigned to the fringes of the political scene, these parties now hold considerable sway, arguably enhanced by President Trump’s notorious victory.
UKIP’s former leader Nigel Farage – a friend of the American President – has handed over the leadership reins to a man who makes Cletus Spuckler seem like a dangerous intellectual; yet they are within a gnat’s whisker of winning another seat in the UK parliament.
In the Netherlands, a certain Geert Wilders with his Tarzan-like hair seems very likely to carry his far-right party to victory in the soon to be held Dutch elections. Similarly, Marine Le Pen of the French Front National is within an outside chance of becoming President soon. It is my contention the Euro-federalists have brought it upon themselves. Never has the running of the European Union seemed so remote. The British people see unelected, often self-important people calling the shots and they don’t like it.
Voters tend, in general, to see things in black and white. That’s why the UK voted “out.” It may not prove to be a rational decision but the plain fact is that as things stand, the voters just didn’t like the smell emanating from Brussels. This same sense of being talked down to by the political elite could explain the rise of your President.
The turmoil is sure to continue.
Winds Of Change
This turmoil is highly likely to affect the car industry and not just in Europe. In the United States, your President’s proto-protectionist policies are already having an unsettling effect on foreign car makers. American manufacturers are bringing jobs back to the States and the United Auto Workers, so we hear, are planning an advertisement to get U.S. car customers to “Buy American.”
That does not bode well for the much-vaunted global car industry.
Meanwhile, back here in blighted Britain – that running sore on the nose of European integration – we await the verdict on the GM fire-sale. With the British Government planning to signal our official leaving of the European Union in March, there are still stormy seas ahead for the UK car industry.
Already car prices in Britain have risen by over five percent since that fatal vote, thanks to a weak currency and other Brexit woes. Even if the Vauxhall factories continue production in some form or another, will their exports be subject to tariffs on the European border just a few scant miles across the English channel? Will our tit-for-tat tariffs have a similar effect on Euro car makers?
If this turmoil does adversely affect the European car industry and the PSA Group hits rough waters, who are they going to put in the lifeboats first? It won’t be the neighbors, it will be their own family, that’s for damn sure. Call me paranoid but I think this wind of change is an ill one and, like President Trump’s hair in a gale, the outcome won’t be pretty.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Cover Photo: Foto-RaBe
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http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/letter-from-the-uk-winds-of-change/
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