Automotive

Audi Extended Warranty: Is It Worth the Money? (2020)

Audi Extended Warranty: Is It Worth the Money? (2020) The Audi extended warranty offers three levels of protection.Audi repair costs and repair frequency exceed national averages.Consider a third-party provider to protect your Audi.Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.

An increasingly popular luxury car brand, Audi has made a name for itself among Mercedes and BMW lovers alike. But is the Audi extended warranty a good option to consider?

Any Audi owners nearing the end of their factory warranties should check out Audi’s Vehicle Service Protection plans. Extended warranties can protect you from pricey repair costs, which only become more expensive with luxury brands like Audi, and give you peace of mind on the road.

Not sure if the Audi extended warranty appeals to you? We’ve reviewed the best extended warranty companies across the board for affordability, coverage options, and industry standing. Fill out the form below to get free quotes from our top recommended providers.

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

Best Direct Coverage
Best for Older Vehicles
Best Prices

Endurance
CARCHEX
CarShield

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

Does Audi Offer an Extended Warranty?

Known as Vehicle Service Protection (VSP), Audi offers three levels of coverage with the Audi extended warranty. Each Audi plan covers parts and labor up to 10 years/120,000 miles.

Platinum Exclusionary Coverage

The most comprehensive Audi extended warranty, Platinum Exclusionary Coverage combines the coverage offered in the lower-tier Powertrain and Gold plans, and then some. Coverage includes all mechanical parts of your vehicle in the event of a mechanical breakdown.

Since Platinum Exclusionary is exclusionary, common maintenance items like wiper blades and spark plugs will not be covered. Certain accessory items like upholstery are also not included.

Gold Coverage

Audi’s middle-of-the-road plan, Gold coverage includes powertrain protection along with the vehicle’s suspension systems, fuel system, and electrical system. This tier also protects your climate control and shocks.

Powertrain Coverage

The lowest level of protection, Audi’s Powertrain coverage includes the engine, transmission, transaxle or transfer case, drive axles, and certain hybrid and electric components.

Looking across commonly reported repairs and issues for Audi vehicles, there are a few that come up with different models’ engines. However, more often than not, typical repairs reported by RepairPal would not be covered by a Powertrain warranty. While it’s the least expensive Audi extended warranty option, a higher level of coverage will offer more protection.

Additional Perks

Along with three extended coverage options, the manufacturer offers perks with each Audi extended warranty purchase. Here’s what you can expect:

24-hour roadside assistanceAuthentic Audi parts used in repairsService at Audi dealerships nationwide or authorized service facilitiesRental car reimbursement up to $35 per day for up to 10 days after a covered breakdownTrip interruption coverage up to $200 per day for up to five days after a covered breakdownTowing service reimbursement up to $100 to the nearest Audi dealer or authorized repair shopWith a few of Audi’s perks, there are stipulations to keep in mind. 24-hour roadside assistance covers battery repairs, fluid or fuel delivery, flat tire services, and lockout services. However, each has a limit on the number of times you’re allowed to use the service or what max cost for the service Audi is willing to cover. In that same vein, the trip reimbursement coverage included with an Audi extended warranty is not available in either New York or California.

Audi promises speedy, quality repairs at any of its dealerships or authorized repair shops across the country. But, how accessible are they? According to our research, Audi has 300 dealerships and 190 authorized repair partners in the U.S. as of 2020.

Compared to other luxury car brands like Mercedes or BMW, this is about average. However, compared to more everyday car brands like Toyota or Ford, Audi’s dealership numbers look quite sparse. Depending on where you live, take a look at what repair options are closest to you.

What’s Excluded From Audi Extended Warranty Plans?

Now that we’ve discussed what can be covered by the Audi extended warranty, let’s talk about what’s not. With any of the three plans, these exclusions apply:

TheftAccidentsCollisionsVandalism Lack of maintenanceWeather-related damagesPre-existing issues with the vehicleBreakdowns covered by the factory warrantyIs an Audi Extended Warranty Worth It?

It can be beneficial to look at typical repair costs and Audi’s overall reliability to give you a better idea of the value of an extended auto warranty. That way, you can gauge what out-of-pocket costs look like and if you can afford them.

Audi’s Reliability

Out of 32 car brands, RepairPal ranked Audi 28th in terms of reliability. What does this look like more generally? 3.0 out of 5.0 stars, or average. Like we mentioned at the beginning of this article, Audi didn’t always have the best track record for dependability, but it’s been slowly climbing out of that hole.

Looking at additional data from RepairPal, Audi cars sustain two times the number of repairs compared to the average car brand. While this doesn’t mean it’s time to sound the alarms, it does indicate that Audi’s extended car warranty, or coverage from a third-party provider, is worth considering.

Audi Repair Costs

On average, Audi annual repair costs are around $987 compared to the $652 industry average. Here are some common repairs reported by RepairPal for Audi cars and their respective prices.

Audi Model
Repair
Estimated Cost
Audi A4
Throttle replacement
$716 – $1,118
Audi A3 Quatro
Ignition coil replacement
$143 – $284
Audi Q7
Powertrain control module
$1,458 – $1,469
Audi S4
Thermostat replacement
$507 – $604

What Audi Coverage Do You Already Have?

Extended car warranties may or may not come into play after your Audi warranty expires, so figuring out what coverage you already have is the first step in deciding whether or not an Audi extended warranty is right for you.

Audi’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty (NLW) is a bit unlike other manufacturer warranties on the market. Audi offers four years or 50,000 miles of extended bumper-to-bumper coverage, but it does not have a powertrain warranty in place. According to Audi, its bumper-to-bumper warranty is comprehensive so there’s just no need.

On top of its core protection, Audi’s factory warranty includes your first scheduled maintenance appointment for free and 24-hour roadside assistance for four years. In addition, the coverage includes a 12-year limited warranty for corrosion perforation and Audi’s Accessory Limited Warranty.

Don’t have a new vehicle? Audi’s Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty covers the vehicle’s engine, cooling system, and fuel system as well as turbocharged direct injection (TDI) vehicles.

CPO-owners should note that a CPO warranty begins when the factory warranty expires. If the vehicle’s NLW has not expired after purchasing a CPO vehicle, your CPO warranted begins upon the NLW expiration date and extends for five years with no mileage limitation. If the vehicle’s NLW has already expired at the time of purchase, the CPO warranty extends for 12 months with no mileage limitation.

How Much is an Audi Extended Warranty?

Dealership prices are often difficult to estimate because they fluctuate so heavily. If you’re looking for an exact price of an Audi extended warranty, it’s best to call a local Audi dealer directly.

Regarding deductibles, Audi offers four options:

$0$100$250$100 disappearingIf you have your vehicle repaired at the Audi dealership you purchased it from with the $100 disappearing deductible option, you won’t owe a deductible.

There are also a few specific fees that come along with an Audi extended warranty. The warranty is cancelable at any time after 30 days, but warranty owners are subject to pay a $50 fee. The same applies to transferring a warranty. You’re allowed to transfer an Audi extended warranty to a private party, but you’ll need to pay a $50 fee as well.

Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty

Now that we’ve established the key details of Audi’s extended warranty, what other choices do you have? With any car brand, you have the option to purchase from a third-party provider rather than the manufacturer.

To show you the benefits of purchasing from a third-party provider, we’ve created a side-by-side comparison of Audi’s extended warranty versus plans from our highest-rated warranty companies, Endurance and CARCHEX. You can learn more about each provider in our complete Endurance review and CARCHEX review.

Audi Extended Warranty
Endurance Extended Warranty
CARCHEX Extended Warranty
Start Date
Date of purchase
Anytime
Anytime
Term Length
10 years/120,000 miles
15 years/200,000 miles
10 years/250,000 miles
Number of Plans
3
5
5
Deductible
$0, $100, $100 disappearing, $250
$0, $50, $100, $200
$0, $50, $100, $200
Transferable
Yes, with $50 fee
Yes
Yes
Repair Locations
300 dealerships, 190 authorized repair facilities
Over 350,000 covered repair shops
Over 30,000 covered repair shops
Quotes Process
Contact your local dealership
Get Quote
Get Quote

No matter what route you choose to pursue, Audi extended warranty or otherwise, it’s best to get free, personalized quotes from multiple providers. Fill out the form below to see what deals are available.

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

Best Direct Coverage
Best for Older Vehicles
Best Prices

Endurance
CARCHEX
CarShield

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

Original article: Audi Extended Warranty: Is It Worth the Money? (2020)

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Here Kitty Kitty! Ford Design Inspired by Cats

Here Kitty Kitty! Ford Design Inspired by Cats

Today (August 8th) is International Cat Day in the United Kingdom and to mark the occasion, Ford Motor Company is reflecting on how felines have inspired their products over the years. From the Cougar, Kuga, and Puma to the Panther platform used for a range of Ford’s American sedans, it appears the blue oval has an affinity for kittys.
I wonder if they are watching cat videos on YouTube over in Dearborn today? We do over here in nearby Detroit. Great way to waste an hour (or several) of your day, in case you need to be less productive.
Feline Fury
Ford’s feline design is inspired by the inherent athleticism and agility found in cats, particularly terrifying ones like a mountain lion or Bengal tiger. Truthfully, if you’re a big cat in the jungle, you can pretty much stroll around and do whatever you want. I once saw a video of a lion backing down a crocodile. A crocodile. The lion gives one roar and the croc is like “I’m outta here” and sinks into the water like a brick. The point is, Ford believes a feline-inspired design gives drivers, much like the lion, a sense of confidence.
In the front, Ford’s kitty cues are intended to make a face; to stare back at oncoming traffic and other drivers. The headlights play an important role in making this happen, mimicking the eyes of a big cat. Moving around a given Ford vehicle, drivers often find strong, powerful haunches over the rear wheels. This is to make it appear like the vehicle will leap and pounce, much like a cat would after a ball of yarn or defenseless rodent.
A 2017 Ford Escape claims its territory in the wild. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Cat Calls
Cats are proportioned very well, especially wild ones, between their legs, body, teeth, and tails. Even housecats (well, maybe not Garfield) very much show the genes of their counterparts higher up the food chain. Ford designers have emulated these characteristics over the years.
“A car’s athletic yet stable exterior is largely due to the proportion of the wheels to the body, the body to the ground, and the body to the glass,” explained Jordan Demkiw, Exterior Design Manager, Ford of Europe. “This all needs to be perfectly balanced to create that look.”
And it’s not just cats that inspire Ford’s designers and engineers. The aerodynamics of sharks have proven effective for certain Ford vehicles, while the posture of thoroughbred horses have influenced others. Essentially, the more ferocious or majestic the animal, the more likely it is to make it into Ford’s product line. In the words of Herb Powell, Homer Simpson’s half-brother, “people don’t want cars named after hungry old Greek broads! They want names like ‘Mustang’ and ‘Cheetah’-vicious animal names.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Memory Lane: A Car Show Trophy 20 Years In The Making

Memory Lane: A Car Show Trophy 20 Years In The Making

In order to celebrate my Lincoln Mark VIII LSC being born in 1997, I thought I would enter it in a car show and hopefully win a trophy. So, the previous day was spent cleaning, waxing, and polishing – and that was just the wife. Badda bing! It’s the kind of joke Rodney Dangerfield would have said in one of his routines. The clouds wanted to break open while I was busy tending to the car. Years ago, I found out there was such a thing as chrome polish. I would like to know how it is different from other types of products.
And do I want to take a small brush or Q-Tip and clean the lip around the rim before show time? I think not.
After laboring for a few hours, including touch-up paint here and there, I was somewhat satisfied with the results. We are never fully happy with how our car looks, are we? As I was admiring my handy work, the clouds burst open and soaked everything around for miles. At least the rain drops beaded on the fresh coat of wax and slid off the car.
No point in fighting the weather.
Rainy Day Dreamers
Despite a less than stellar spring and beginning of summer, organizers and participants alike were hoping for clement weather. Over 300 cars were on display at last year’s event in Lachute, Quebec and organizers were expecting a repeat performance and record attendance. Lachute is a charming town and gateway to the Laurentians; cottage country and year-round fun. The car show takes place on main street. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Mother Nature had other plans. The wife was smart and stayed home.
No matter, a few of us hardcore enthusiasts showed up despite the pouring rain. I was given a ballot to vote for a favorite car and a signup sheet to display on my dash. I should have brought a black felt pen instead of an ultra fine blue ball point. You could hardly read the info about my car through the windshield with the rain and all. It was wet and it got wetter, coming down so hard rain was falling from inside my umbrella.
One guy walked around my car looking at it from all angles, his neck stretched. He even took notes. I went over to him offering to answer any questions. He said he didn’t know Lincoln made two-door cars. He probably thought my car was recent. That’s how good it looks. “Well,” I said, stretching the well. “Lincoln used to make them. The last year was 1998.” Cadillac kept manufacturing them. The ETC, Eldorado Touring Coupe, for example, and now you can purchase a 2017 ATS Coupe off the dealer floor. But Lincoln has moved away from Coupes. Regardless, I’m still hoping they will come out with a Mark IX. One can dream, right?
A lone family showed up. The kids were eating ice cream, which was getting diluted by the minute. The boy leaned over trying to see inside the car. My mind says “don’t put your strawberry-flavored sticky fingers on my car.” Instead, I turn to the mother and congratulate her on her great kids. I had to keep in mind they were car fans and the rain would wash off the paw prints. It’s all part of the fun and besides, my hours of polishing were all in the past.
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.
Memorable Models
In my estimation, there were fewer visitors than show participants. Final tally was about 20 cars and trucks, but I was eager and happy to talk about my car and inquire about other rides. I walked around and talked to the other guys who were mostly mechanics by profession. Few can afford to pay someone to maintain their cars. A few couples were in attendance. Parked behind me was a mint 1980 Ford F100. In front of me, the elderly gentleman brought his Cadillac Seville with plush velour seats. Even with the air ride lifting it at maximum height, the tail drooped according to the design.
Since it had front-wheel drive, my thoughts drifted to the 1972 Olds Toronado I used to own. In the mid-sixties, the Buick Riviera was the first big GM car to offer front-wheel drive. Those three models were ahead of the curve in many ways.
In front of the Seville was a 1964 Pontiac Tempest convertible. The man had driven 6 hours to attend the show. Earlier in the year, he had driven it to West Palm Beach and spent a couple of days at the Barrett-Jackson shindig. He had attended the Thursday auction where a Duster sold for quite a few coins. He told me he attends about a dozen car shows a year and puts quite a bit of mileage on his Tempest.
And on I went to look at all the cars. There were a few surprises. Ford Racing showed up with a superb white and blue Mustang. Before I reached the car to ask questions, the guys who trailered it to the site had sought shelter from the rain and were nowhere to be found. The last two participants to arrive were a father and son team. The father drove a bright orange 1972 Road Runner and the son brought a 1964 Chevrolet Bel-Air, I think. I was too soaked to go look at the badge.
The hoods on every car were closed. Good thing because I hadn’t had time to clean my own engine compartment.
1972 Road Runner. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.

The Man With The Kaiser
Because of the poor attendance, organizers decided to cut the event short. No one complained. It was time for the trophies and prizes. The mayor was in attendance. His Honor’s pick was a Polaris. Was it a car? Was it a motorcycle? No, it was a Slingshot, and highly modified, it seemed. It looked like a Transformer. A trophy was given to the car voted favorite by the participants. That trophy went to the owner of a 1947 Kaiser. I actually voted for that car.
Funny enough, I told the guy I would vote for him. I asked him to fill out my ballot since I was out in the rain and he was sitting nice and dry in his Kaiser.
Back in the heyday of automobile manufacturing, the Big Three had some competition. One such manufacturer was Kaiser-Fraser, a team effort by Henry Kaiser and Joseph Fraser. They produced both Kaiser and Fraser automobiles which were available to the public right after World War II. They also made Allstate cars for Sears Roebuck & Company, sold through Sears Auto Centers. In the late 1940s through the first part of the 1950s, they joined with car designer Howard Darrin. In 1954, they offered a sports car with a fiberglass body and a six-cylinder engine. And I believe it was featured in the Sears “Wish Book.” Mr. Fraser was bought out, and eventually, Kaiser purchased Willys-Overland, famed maker of Jeeps. However, in the long run, they could not compete with the Big Three. Despite tentative agreements in place with GM to supply parts like transmissions and detuned Rocket 88 engines from Oldsmobile, it didn’t work out and Kaiser had to close shop.
1947 Kaiser. Photo: Michael Bellamy for Automoblog.net.
Prizes & Polish
The organizers ended up giving trophies to everyone since there were more trophies than participants. So, I received one just for showing up. After the trophies were awarded, it was time for gifts from local merchants to be handed out. I ended up winning two gift certificates and a shoulder bag containing a hat, a thermos, and a deck of playing cards with old photos of the town on them. There was a 50/50 draw, which I didn’t win, but half the proceeds went to a charitable cause.
Despite the miserable weather, a good time was had by all. It may not appear to be so, but a lot of work and time goes into organizing a car show, the next one being in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada over Labor Day weekend. That’s not too far from the New York State border and a stone’s throw from the province of Quebec. Participants and visitors come from all over; last year, they had upwards of 500 cars and trucks register for the event. Fingers crossed for Mother Nature to be kind.
There are thousands of such events taking place all across this great continent of ours, much to the delight of car and truck aficionados. If you own a car that is show worthy, polish that baby and enter it. If you are a car enthusiast, make sure to attend at least one event. It will be well worth your time, plus the guys and gals who spend countless hours on their vehicles will be grateful you visited them.
Michael Bellamy is the author of our Memory Lane series. He enjoys driving his 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC and until an untimely collision claimed it, his 2001 Ford F-150 7700.
Lachute, Quebec Car Show Gallery

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Ford Introduces “Quiet Start” So You Don’t Annoy Your Neighbors

Ford Introduces “Quiet Start” So You Don’t Annoy Your Neighbors

You know that guy that always comes bellowing by your house at 5:30 in the morning on his Harley? He’s on his way to work and has to let everyone know that he is the baaaadest guy in the accounts pending department. Yeah, him. Don’t be that guy. As it turns out, Ford has come up with a way to help you not be that guy, and they can do it on a schedule of your choosing.
Ford calls it Quiet Start – although Mustang engineers refer to it as “Good Neighbor Mode” – and it’s an industry-first being available on the Mustang GT.
Essentially, what Quiet Start allows you to do is schedule the time when the Mustang GT’s V8 engine can make lots of noise, and when has to shut up. You know, to show courtesy to your neighbors.
Disturbing The Peace
It seems this all started early one morning with a suburban neighborhood, a Shelby GT350 Mustang, and a rather uncouth neighbor. I don’t mean Steve von Foerster, former head of vehicle engineering for Ford Motor Company and owner of said Shelby GT350 Mustang. No, I’m talking about von Forester’s neighbor who, upon hearing the Shelby GT350 Mustang backing out of von Forester’s driveway, became annoyed at all the racket. The neighbor decided the proper course of action was to pick up the phone and call the cops. (Let me just say, as an aside, this is a totally lame move on the neighbor’s part. Walk over and talk with him, ya dork. Call the police? Sheesh!)
The cops actually showed up, but Von Foerster had already left so he skipped the whole ticketing process.
The whole deal caused von Foerster and fellow Mustang program members to develop a Quiet Exhaust mode, along with the industry-first Quiet Start. Both new features come on “properly equipped” 2018 Mustang GT vehicles (i.e. the ones with a honking V8 and a bunch of dash gizmos) and allow drivers to keep engine notes at a pianissimo if they wish.
2018 Ford Mustang GT. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Slight Overkill?
The Mustang’s Quiet Start is not a simple on/off switch that some sports cars already offer, oh no. Quiet Start is the first to allow scheduling of the times your car will be allowed to make more noise or not. This is all done by steering wheel-mounted thumb controls. The driver toggles through a menu on the instrument cluster to select times their neighbors may consider “quiet hours,” say between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. – the Mustang will then keep things at a more mellow tone if it is fired up between those times. Personally, I think this is overkill, rather stupid, and makes a driver seed more control to the car rather than taking control and responsibility for themselves. A simple switch would have done Ford, but oh no.
The new Quiet Exhaust and Quiet Start features are part of the available active valve performance exhaust system on the new Mustang GT. The active valve performance exhaust system allows three different exhaust volumes: Normal, Sport, and Track modes. That’s all very handy, and I know lots of people who like to constantly fiddle with these available options, but me, I’m more of a set it and forget it sort of gearhead, or in the case of that “Track mode” option, a fire and forget it sort of gearhead.
2018 Ford Mustang GT. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Annoying Noises
FoMoCo points out that according to a recent poll by Ranker.com, loud engine revving is among the most annoying noises neighbors make alongside power tools, barking dogs, and band practice. I point out this is why I hate most people. Ford further points out that “only early-morning lawn mowing is more robustly despised.” Robustly despised? Sounds like Ford has a recent “creative” writing grad in their press department.
In addition to its active valve performance exhaust, other changes to the Mustang will include a restyled exterior, a redone interior, an all-digital 12-inch instrument cluster, a 10-speed automatic transmission, MagneRide damping, and SYNC Connect with FordPass. With its new Drag Strip mode, the Mustang GT hits 60 mph faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera. The refreshed and enhanced Mustang will reach showrooms later this year.
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: Ford Motor Company.

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2007 Aston Martin Vantage 2007 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster | NO RESERVES

$25,100.00 (7 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Jul-3-2019 17:13:54 PDT
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2020 Chrysler Voyager & Pacifica: A Little Nostalgia & A Lot Modern

2020 Chrysler Voyager & Pacifica: A Little Nostalgia & A Lot Modern The 2020 Chrysler Voyager is a budget-focused minivan but the name rings of nostalgia.
For 2020, the Voyager joins the refreshed Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid in FCA’s minivan lineup.
Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid benefit from a lighter architecture and a “vault-like” interior design.
The 2020 Chrysler Voyager was once known by another name. “I predict the Voyager and the Caravan will be to the 80s what the Mustang was to the 60s,” said Lee A. Iacocca in 1984, then chairman of Chrysler Corporation. The struggling Auburn Hills automaker would enter a period of resurgence under these two platforms; the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Iacocca believed these two would force other manufacturers to come up with copycat versions.
And indeed, that has been the case.
Ford and General Motors had their versions, from the Windstar to the Venture; Toyota, Honda, and Kia today each offer a minivan, but the the segment’s champion is arguably the one who invented it. Chrysler has sold more than 14.6 million minivans globally since 1983, twice as many as any other manufacturer over the past 35 years.
What Is The Chrysler Voyager?
The 2020 Chrysler Voyager is the budget-friendly option in contrast to the higher trim levels of the Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid. The Voyager replaces the Pacifica L and LX but offers fleet buyers an exclusive trim level. Standard features include seven-passenger seating, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and various other smartphone capabilities. Voyager has additional ease-of-entry options from BraunAbility for buyers who use a wheelchair.
Rear park assist (with stop), blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross path detection are among the optional safety features. Trim levels include L, LX, and LXi – the latter being the fleet-only option. There are six available colors: the Jazz Blue and Velvet Red pearl coats sound the snazziest.
2020 Chrysler Voyager. Photo: FCA US LLC.
2020 Chrysler Voyager: Under The Hood & In The Cabin
The Voyager scoots around town with FCA’s evergreen Pentastar V6. The engine, married to a TorqueFlite nine-speed automatic, creates 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque. The powertrain is a trustworthy one, as the Pentastar has landed on the annual list of Wards 10 Best Engines six different times since its 2010 debut. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica will employ the same engine. Fuel economy ratings for the current 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 in the Pacifica come in at 19/28 city/highway and 22 combined.
An optional, single overhead DVD player is available on the Voyager LX for those longer road trips. In-floor storage bins make it easy to stash goodies and gear; and the Stow ‘n Place roof rack is useful for all kinds of recreational items. Up front, the Uconnect 4 system enables a host of entertainment and navigation features via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica. Photo: FCA US LLC.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica namesake was completely re-engineered, debuting at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Pacifica in its current form has a lighter, stiffer architecture to reduce body roll and fuel consumption, while cutting road noise and absorbing crash energy in the event of a collision. The architecture serves as the basis for the Pacifica’s “vault-style” interior, something FCA says makes the vehicle more comfortable to drive.
“We continuously researched and tried to get customer feedback on how to improve everything,” Patrick Keitz, Chrysler Brand Product Manager, told us in 2016 at NAIAS. “We looked at what affects ride, handling, and cargo capacity and it all comes back to the new architecture.”
Highlights for 2020 include the Red S Appearance Package, seating for eight, and more than 100 standard and available safety and security features. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica has four trim levels: Touring, Touring L, Touring L Plus, and Limited. A 35th Anniversary Edition with commemorative badging and Cranberry Wine interior stitching is available through the end of year.
Chrysler Pacifica 35th Anniversary Edition. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Red S Appearance Package
The S Appearance Package gives the Pacifica the ever-popular “blacked-out” look. The Red S Appearance adds a few extra streaks on the canvas with Rodèo Red Nappa leather seats, Light Diesel Grey stitching and piping, and Silver Metal Brush accents for the instrument panel and door trim. The tunes come courtesy of a 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo, one of the package’s finer touches.
Outside, there is a special liftgate badge and blacked-out Chrysler wing badges; non-hybrid Pacificas receive 20-inch wheels with a Black Noise finish. The Red S Appearance treatments come in six of the vehicle’s 10 color choices, any of which should look stellar. While on offer for both the gas and hybrid models, the Red S look is only (unfortunately) available for the Limited trim.
Related: Before the Plymouth Voyager: the history of minivans before minivans.
Boatload of Tech
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica resembles the bridge of the Starship Enterprise in terms of technology. Absent only the photon torpedoes but with plenty of shields, the Pacifica boasts more than 100 standard and available safety features. Some of the banner ones include a 360-degree Surround View Camera; ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist; Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and Forward Collision Warning-Plus.
Like the Voyager, the Uconnect 4 system enables a plethora of entertainment and navigation features via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And, for good measure, the Uconnect Theater features two 10-inch seatback touchscreens – are you not entertained!?
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid technology graphic courtesy of FCA US LLC.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
The Pacifica Hybrid is the fourth best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle from the 30 available in the market. It hauls in more than 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode, with an all-electric range exceeding 30 miles. Total range, with a fully-charged battery, is over 500 miles.
Oh and dig that new honeycomb grille pattern for 2020.
Hybrid Tools
Like the gas Pacifica, the Hybrid tacks on the same safety technology and convenience features, although with a modified 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The jewel of the hybrid system is the FCA US-designed, dual-motor eFlite, electrically-variable transmission. (Say that ten times fast!). The device runs two electric motors – both of which can drive the vehicle’s wheels.
The Pacifica Hybrid’s 16-kWh battery pack is under the second-row floor. It can be recharged in about two hours using a 240-volt plug-in system. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid comes in three flavors: Touring, Touring L, and Limited.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid with an S Appearance Package. A new “Red S” Appearance Package is available for 2020. Photo: FCA US LLC.
Pricing & Availability
As of this writing, we don’t know either for the 2020 Chrysler Voyager and Pacifica. Right now, the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica starts at $26,985 with the hybrid variant beginning at $40,245. The Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid are built at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Carl Anthony 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. Before going back to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry.
2020 Chrysler Voyager Gallery

Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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Letter From The UK: Jobs For Life

Letter From The UK: Jobs For Life Are we taking our jobs for granted? Should we be more thankful to our employers?
Should we, as employees, be more flexible with our jobs in a changing economic landscape?
Geoff Maxted of DriveWrite Automotive Magazine examines in this latest Letter From The UK.
A recent survey across the United States found that a ‘shockingly’ high number of employees feel as if they are unable to work out because of their jobs; which begs the question: why is this a responsibility of the employer? Certainly, employers are responsible for all aspects of health and safety within their industry and have, up to a point, a duty of care, but does that spill over into private lives?
Results of The Study
The survey revealed that over two-thirds of respondents said their employers are not providing them with fitness benefits. More than half say their employer makes it difficult for them to get a workout in during the week! Why? Should employers meekly say, ‘Sure, take all the time you need,’ halfway through the morning? Are gyms not open in the evenings?
It gets worse: Two out of every five of these employees believe their employer is responsible for their health! You couldn’t make this up, and it’s a big eye-opener about how we treat our working lives today. The study was conducted by Zeamo, a digital fitness ‘platform’ who surveyed 5,000 people across the United States.
The British Welfare State
Now, before America gets upset, this writer will reveal that, if anything, it’s worse here. After the second World War, a Welfare State was established in the UK (although the origins date back to 1902) whereby the State took it upon itself to protect and promote the economic and social well-being of the citizens. In short, when the chips were down, the State would not let you starve. It was and remains a superb and very fair plan which, inevitably, has been amended, abused, and fragmented by politicians and the result is a sort of dependency by the populace.
Instead of being a last resort, it becomes a right. It is this vibe which has permeated the whole of our lives, including our working lives.
An NPR story last year details how young people still seek a traditional college education in the interest of better opportunity. However, NPR’s report finds that skilled trade jobs provide plenty of opportunity to the right applicant. According to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, roughly 30 million jobs in the United States pay an average yearly salary of $55,000, yet don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
The Sad Case of Swindon
Do you remember when the latest model Honda Civic arrived on American shores a couple of years back? They are built in Swindon, a town in the county of Wiltshire, in England and where this writer lives. Earlier this year, the Honda board announced it would close the UK plant in 2021. Some 3,500 loyal Swindon workers will likely lose their jobs. Now, although this planned closure coincides with the ongoing and increasingly desperate saga of Brexit, Honda insists it has nothing to do with Britain leaving the European Union.
It is, they say, due to unprecedented changes in the global automotive industry. This latter point is true enough.
Naturally, this has caused a huge furore in the UK, especially with the rumor that Honda instead will build the next-generation Civic in North America. With wearying inevitability, old-school union representatives start calling out those dastardly bosses at the Japanese brand and demanding the government do something; but what should they do?
Honda of the UK Manufacturing is the global production hub for the Civic. In 2015, the plant produced its 3 millionth car. Photo: Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
Movers & Shakers
It is tragic for the families of Swindon who at this time must be viewing the future bleakly; but here in the West we live in a capitalistic society where the law of supply and demand rules. This is nothing new: Steelworks are under threat from cheap Chinese steel; retail outlets are closing down rapidly as online shopping continues to grow. These days we can buy a car and have it delivered to the door without ever leaving home. A company may be responsible for the workers at work, but are they responsible for their lives?
There are other car factories in other parts of the UK that are doing well. Are there any jobs going there? Are the workers prepared to move to an area where there is work, which, historically, has been the case? With the rise of home ownership and the need for places in schools, this is not so easily accomplished. Recently, an appalling UK television channel, Channel 4, announced it was moving its base from London to the Northern city of Leeds. Up to 90 percent of the staff say they’ll quit, rather than move somewhere they don’t want to be.
We can only hope that another car maker takes over the Swindon plant (there’s a suggestion this might be the case) or some other business or industry comes to town to take up the slack.
The Transformation of Manufacturing and the Decline in U.S. Employment (National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 24468, March 2018) by Economists Kerwin Kofi Charles, Erik Hurst, and Mariel Schwartz notes a decline in “cross-regional migration,” according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the past, workers were more likely to move for a new job.
Fit For Work
Once, really not that long ago, we, as workers, would apply for a job and actually be grateful for it. It meant stability and food on the table. After a while though, as the modern world turns, we become complacent and that gratitude turns to dependency.
Ultimately, that dependency turns to entitlement. We own this job; we warrant it. It is ours. We demand extra time during the working days to go and work on our abs.
Not so.
As the motor industry has shown very clearly, we are all affected by changing times. The demonisation of fossil fuels, the rise of the substitute electric cars, and the converging and sharing of vehicle platforms and model types has meant car manufacturers have had to make seismic changes to their business models.
At no time in the past have people been entitled to jobs. The job is theirs through the good graces and successful business practices of the employers. It is up to the workers to help ensure that business turns a good profit because one thing is sure; there is no such thing as a job for life.
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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Lotus Evora GT430: Fastest Evora Yet

Lotus Evora GT430: Fastest Evora Yet

Hethel is at it again, with Lotus pairing down and refining their Evora even further with the Evora GT430. This one has gotten so far to the outside of what the existing structure can take, I wouldn’t be surprised if this will be the final iteration of the Evora line. To push the envelope any further, you’d basically end up with a race car-like ride devoid of stuff like seat padding and carpet and flywheels; so light that 90% of the people on the planet would stall the thing.
Oh sure, for morons like me, an Evora like that sounds pretty close to ideal, but Lotus is smart enough to know they’d only end up selling four of them.
Too Much, Too Little?
Of course, as fine as the Lotus Evora GT430 is, one terrible fact is becoming obvious. Have you noticed Lotus has been cranking out lots of variations on the Evora. Look, I don’t fault them, on the one hand. I’d be doing it too. The Evora is a great car, even in its mildest form, and is obviously flexible enough to be tuned to the stratosphere. But the other thing here is how the constant tinkering with the Evora might just say that’s all they got is the Evora. There’s no updated Elans for the 21st century, no Esprits at the top of the line. One could say this constant messing about with Evora points to a huge deficiency in the current lineup, but why dwell on negatives when we have the Lotus Evora GT430 to consider.
“The Evora GT430 is a landmark car for Lotus. Lightweight engineering and class-leading handling, paired with Lotus’ aerodynamic expertise, define the Evora GT430 as a legendary Lotus,” explained Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc. “It’s a truly beautiful car, meticulously finished in hand-crafted carbon, and employing the latest aerodynamics and lightweight materials. We expect the lucky owners to be blown away by its pure presence and staggering performance.” Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Power & Performance
The Lotus Evora GT430 follows in the tire tracks of the Evora 400 and Evora Sport 410, but that’s about the only thing it’s going to be following. Actually, the latter two will be the ones doing the following since the Evora GT430 is the most powerful road-going Lotus ever. In no small part this is thanks to Lotus lavishing scads of carbon-fiber components, and working the engine for even higher power output. The Evora GT430 is powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 supercharged and intercooled plant found in other Evoras, only now Lotus has massaged it into producing 430 horsepower.
And, just like the company’s founder Colin Chapman had a fetish for making things as light as possible, the latest Evora is anything but heavy. The Evora GT430 tips the scales at 1,258 kg (around 2,800 lbs. for you Americans out there). That light weight, coupled with the 430 ponies produced by the engine, results in . . . well, c’mon, you can see where this is going. And of course, since this is a Lotus, it’s going to handle better than 99.9 percent of the cars out there. All around, the new Evora GT430 delivers tremendous speed and performance; 0 to 60, for example, is dispatched in just 3.7 seconds and the Evora GT430’s top speed is 190 mph.
The Evora GT430’s six-speed manual transmission features a low-inertia, single-mass flywheel, to help ensure swift changes, while a Torsen-type limited slip differential gives better traction, and faster exit speeds, when cornering. Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Aerodynamic Advantages
Thanks to the exposed carbon weave sections of the new and specifically designed body panels, the Evora GT430 produces up to 250 kg of downforce through aerodynamic improvements. That’s around 550 lbs., and on a car this light, you’ll notice it in high speed bends. There are larger front apertures for cooling the brakes and radiator, there’s a new carbon fiber splitter, the air blades allow for better front end downforce, and louvers positioned on top of the front wheel arches cut front end lift and bleed off high pressure air from inside the wheel wells.
Out back there are aero ducts behind each wheel to cut pressure within the wheel arch, along with a bit of style that allows you to check out the wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. There’s a big honking rear diffuser to provide a “sharp visual finish” but it is also functional. And, as you would expect, there’s a large, profiled carbon wing.
The removal of critical weight from the Evora GT430 results in a more responsive and agile car for the driver. Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Pricing & Availability
Want one? Of course you do! Well, better get in line yesterday because Lotus is producing only 60 copies of what it terms the “supreme Evora.” The price will be around 150,000 Euros, depending on taxes and exchange rates for markets like Germany, Italy, Japan, and such. The ordering window is currently open.
There is no direct mention of the Evora GT430 being sold in America, which, I will readily admit, is a worrying proposition. So you know, a little confirmation of the Evora GT430 showing up on these shores would be nice Lotus. You know what would be even better? Dropping a couple off at One Automoblog Towers in Detroit for test and evaluation. Talk to Carl Anthony, our Managing Editor about it. I think he’s the fellow that gets to sign for this sort of thing . . . our legal/psychiatric team won’t let me sign for stuff any longer.
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.
Lotus Evora GT430 Gallery

Photos & Source: Group Lotus plc.

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Understeer Versus Oversteer: Know Your Limits

Understeer Versus Oversteer: Know Your Limits The handling terms oversteer and understeer we instinctively know, even if we’ve never really put a name to them. You don’t have to be a dyed-in-the-wool track person to have experienced either of these conditions, but they do appear most readily at a track. There are two old jokes about oversteer and understeer. One goes like this: oversteer scares the passenger and understeer scares the driver. The second is this: oversteer is when you smash the rear of the car into something – understeer is when you smash the front into something.
Differing Definitions
Understeer and oversteer are actually technical terms, but there are other words that are synonymous with both. Understeer is often called “push” and sometimes referred to as “plow” or “plowing.” You will often hear phrases like, “I’ve got a wicked push entering turn 3,” or “the car just understeers through the whole back section of the track.” Oversteer is referred to as a car being “loose,” “free,” and/or “tail-happy.” As in, “I’ve got so much oversteer through turn 5, the car is really loose.” Generally speaking, understeer is about how the front is not working and oversteer is about how the rear is not working.
Understeer
Understeer is when a car corners less than what you are telling it to with the steering wheel. When a car is understeering, as you enter a corner, you turn the wheel, and you expect the car to turn into that corner, but rather than turning all the way into and through the corner, it actually does not turn in enough. Rather than cornering smoothly through a curve, your car heads more and more toward the outside of the corner, unless you do something about it. Most people respond to a situation like this by turning the wheel more; to essentially say, in mechanical terms, “No! I want you to be over there! Go over there! Go that way!” They turn the steering wheel more and more in the direction they want to go.

Unlikely Odds
90% of the time, this doesn’t work. 90% of the time you are understeering through a corner because you have entered the corner too fast. So fast, in fact, that the front wheels, which is where understeer comes from, become overwhelmed by your forward energy and cannot generate enough grip to give you cornering entry. Turning the steering wheel more and fighting with the car only makes understeer worse. It puts more and more energy into the front tires that have been unable to keep up with your forward momentum from the beginning. By and large, the best thing to do in a vast majority of understeer situations is to back off the throttle. You’re going too fast into the corner already, so slow down, get the car back underneath you, and then get back on the throttle.
TrackDays has this excellent resource on how to correct understeer, should you find yourself in that situation.
Oversteer
Oversteer is when a car corners more than what you are telling it to with the steering wheel. You enter a corner, turn your steering wheel x-amount, and the rear of the car comes out more than what it should. Oversteer is the rear of the car coming around as you corner – it’s your car wanting to essentially spin around. Oversteer is, for a gearhead actually, a fun handling state. Oversteer is, from a performance standpoint, a faster handling condition for a car to have, assuming you can balance it.
Having either too much understeer or oversteer is a bad thing. Any car, however, regardless of drivetrain layout, can and will understeer and oversteer moment to moment when cornering. It is your job, as the driver, to operate your car in a safe manner. This whole notion of a car being “unsafe at any speed” is codswallop. Sure, if a car is outright built wrong, or has not been maintained properly, or there is a mechanical failure, then it is unsafe. Mostly, it is up to you, yes you, the junior Mario Andrettis of this world, to drive in a safe manner.
Always maintain proper control of your vehicle.
Mindful Considerations
In an ideal situation, a car going through a corner describes a perfect circle, with the rear wheels exactly following the front wheels – like a train following a set of railroad tracks. That’s why you hear the phrase, “handles like it’s on rails” as praise for a given car.
Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars, genius chassis designer, and all-around fantastic automotive engineer famously said, “the steering wheel tells the front end where to go, and your right foot tells the back end where to go.” He was, obviously, talking about rear drive cars. And what he was getting at has to do with the fact that, as you are entering, traveling through, and exiting a corner, a rear-wheel drive car, when driven at the limit of adhesion, will require you to manage what both the front and rear are doing simultaneously. You are the driver. Be in control. Drive it. Know your limits. Know the limits of your car. And do not exceed those limits. In all things automotive: balance.
Finally, we would recommend an additional resource from TrackDays. They recently spoke with six different pro race car drivers and gathered the best advice when it comes to being behind the wheel.
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.

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