Automotive

2023 Cadillac Lyriq: Will This New EV Crossover Be Worth The Wait?

2023 Cadillac Lyriq: Will This New EV Crossover Be Worth The Wait? Don’t get me wrong, I particularly like the Cadillac Lyriq, and it boils down mainly to how it looks. My gosh, did Cadillac get it right this time around, huh!? But from how I see it, there are two problems. First, the Lyric you see here is not due for production until 2022, and that’s an issue considering the EV market is moving at a rapid pace already.

And next, the Lyriq is a show car – or a concept, if you will – and Cadillac makes this clear in its press release. So yeah, you better hold your horses since the production model may deviate slightly from the concept’s futuristic design. However, we’re privy to the fact the Lyriq show car is 95 to 98 percent ready for production (fingers crossed). That said, perhaps what we see here in the concept is relatively close to what we will see when the Lyriq arrives in late 2022 as a 2023 model.

One thing is for sure, though: Lyriq is Cadillac’s first all-electric vehicle and forges General Motors into a new era of luxury, technology, and zero tailpipe emissions. “Led by Lyriq, Cadillac will redefine American luxury over the next decade with a new portfolio of transformative EVs,” said Steve Carlisle, Executive Vice President and President, GM North America. “We will deliver experiences that engage the senses, anticipate desires, and enable our customers to go on extraordinary journeys.”

Cadillac Lyriq: What’s In a Name?

The “Lyriq” moniker has musical roots. Next to Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac is the second most-mentioned car brand in song lyrics, hence the Lyriq name. What about the spelling, however? Cadillac wants to differentiate its electric offerings from gasoline-powered models by having names that end in ‘iq,’ hence Lyric became Lyriq. In fact, Cadillac’s next all-electric model is the Celestiq to keep up with the ‘iq’ naming game.

The Cadillac Lyriq will arrive in late 2022 as a 2023 model. Photo: Cadillac. Unmistakably a Cadillac

You won’t mistake the Lyriq for any other car brand, that’s for sure. The Lyriq has the essence of a modern Caddy with sharp lines, clean surfaces, an elegantly sloping roofline, and a wider stance. “The Lyriq represents the next iteration of the iconic brand’s styling, enabled by electrification, as only Cadillac can express,” said Andrew Smith, Executive Director, Cadillac Global Design.

The most striking feature is Lyriq’s black crystal front grille (a photo is in the gallery below). With no internal combustion engine under the hood, Cadillac designers had free reign to integrate a bold grille design complete with bespoke lighting elements. It also has slim vertical LED headlights with split-LED taillights. The whole shebang engages in a dramatic lighting choreography to greet you upon approaching the vehicle. Welcome to the future!

Photo: Cadillac.The Sound of Silence

Meanwhile, the interior is as modern as the exterior. Spanning almost the entire dashboard is a 33-inch LED display screen that supports over a billion colors. According to Cadillac, it has the highest pixel density of any display in a modern car. It also has a dual-plane augmented reality heads-up display and Cadillac’s Super Cruise system with supervised remote parking. “Inside and out, Lyriq is a thoughtful integration of design and technology and is intended to make every drive an occasion,” Smith added.

The Cadillac Lyriq is also introducing a new type of noise cancellation technology to maximize cabin silence. The new system acts upon current active noise cancellation technology, but Cadillac is taking it further by utilizing more microphones and accelerometers. It allows the system to specifically target the frequency of unwanted road noise and tire roar and cancel it out for a quieter ride.

The Lyriq comes standard with a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system, complete with backlit speaker grilles to deliver a modernist touch. “With Lyriq we wanted to deliver a sound experience that would transport the driver from a vehicle into a recording studio,” said Hussein Khalil, Cadillac lead audio design release engineer. “With the AKG sound system, we can deliver this experience along with the quality and reliability that luxury customers expect.”

Cadillac Lyriq Platform

The Cadillac Lyriq is riding on an all-new, dedicated modular Ultium EV architecture. The Lyriq will be sold in either a rear-wheel drive (single motor) or an all-wheel drive (dual motors) configuration. Electrons are courtesy of an Ultium battery pack located in the lowest point of the chassis to drop the center of gravity while aiding handling and stability. Cadillac promises a near 50/50 weight distribution in the Lyriq, so we’re expecting it to handle like a sports sedan despite being a crossover.

Meanwhile, those Ultium batteries are made from nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum or NCMA flat pouch cells. It offers up to 100 kWh of energy and has DC fast-charging capabilities at over 150 kW. Cadillac says the batteries contain up to 70 percent less cobalt and are more environmentally-friendly than current GM EV batteries.

Waiting for the Sun

We’ve all been waiting for Cadillac’s resurgence since the late 1980s, and the new Lyric is ripe for the picking. But then again, it won’t be entering production until late 2022, and a lot can happen between now and then. If Nissan had the urgency to approve the Ariya from concept to reality in less than a year, we think Cadillac can do the same with the Lyriq.

Until then, good job Cadillac.

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

Cadillac Lyriq Gallery

Photos & Source: Cadillac.
Original article: 2023 Cadillac Lyriq: Will This New EV Crossover Be Worth The Wait?

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Volvo Establishes Investment Fund For Tech Start-Ups

Volvo Establishes Investment Fund For Tech Start-Ups Volvo is launching a new investment fund for technology start-ups around the globe which have high potential. The new Volvo Cars Tech Fund will invest in “strategic technology trends that are transforming the industry, such as artificial intelligence, electrification, autonomous driving, and digital mobility services.” The first investment includes a California-based technology firm developing advanced sensors, underlining Volvo Cars’ continued presence in Silicon Valley.
Emerging Technologies
Volvo says recipients will benefit by being able to more efficiently validate their technologies while accelerating the time it takes to bring said technologies to market. Moreover, start-ups may have the opportunity to benefit from Volvo’s already established global network of automotive and technology partners. The Volvo Cars Tech Fund is part of a continued push for innovation by Volvo and will be instrumental, the company says, in its digital transformation.
“We seek to invest in companies that can provide us with strategic access to new technologies, capabilities, and talent,” explained Zaki Fasihuddin, Chief Executive Officer, Volvo Cars Tech Fund. “By supporting promising young firms at the forefront of technological development and providing them with both capital and strategic value, we aim to strengthen our leading role in the industry’s technological transformation.”
“We work closely with promising technologies and when we see value creation potential, we can now also invest to help accelerate the venture,” added Mats Moberg, Board Member for the Tech Fund and Vice President for R&D at Volvo Cars.
More Information
Those wanting to apply are encouraged to do so at Volvo’s official site for the fund. Volvo notes they are particularly interested in mobility apps and services, distributed ML/AI and storage, safety and security, networking and connectivity platforms, fusion and HD mapping, sensors, and drive computing.
Photo & Source: Volvo Car Group.

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Aston Martin Heads To Geneva With “One Or Two Surprises”

Aston Martin Heads To Geneva With “One Or Two Surprises” Aston Martin is gearing up for the 88th Geneva International Motor Show with an all-new stand and location. The automaker notes it will be their “biggest-ever presence at the opening event of the European automotive show calendar.” Aston Martin’s spacious new home is stand #2229, located in Hall 2 of the Palexpo Exhibition Centre. At the heart of the display, and making its global debut, is the new Vantage turbocharged V8 sports coupe.
Performance-Oriented Exhibit
Naturally, the Vantage road car is joined by Aston Martin Racing’s new Vantage GTE race car, currently in its final stages of development. It makes its world debut at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May but will be in Geneva for the show.
Joining the road and race Vantage siblings is the V8-powered DB11 Coupe together with the recently launched DB11 Volante. It’s the first time both derivatives of the DB11 and the new Vantage have been shown collectively. Together they provide a vivid demonstration of Aston Martin’s “Second Century” product strategy.
“Geneva is a highlight of the industry calendar and a motor show with a rich history and great atmosphere,” commented Andy Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin. “It’s an indication of Aston Martin’s growth that we have adopted a new stand location for 2018: one that affords us the extra space we need to display our growing range.”
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Motorsports & Surprises
The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 show car will also be on display in Geneva. On March 6th, the first of the press days, the car will be accompanied by Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner and Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey.
“I’m certain motorsport fans will be thrilled to see the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 car and Aston Martin Racing’s all-new Vantage GTE World Endurance Championship challenger,” Palmer added.
It’s entirely possible Aston Martin may have something up their sleeve once the Geneva International Motor Show begins on March 6th.
“It’s always a proud moment to see the fruits of the company’s efforts on show in one place, but this year’s Geneva show promises to be extra special,” Palmer said. “Who knows, we may even have one or two surprises in store.”
Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gets Refreshed For 2019

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gets Refreshed For 2019 The updated Mercedes C-Class will make its public debut at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, but the Stuttgart automotive giant let some details on the baby Merc slip before the show starts. Did you know they sold 415,000 of these guys in 2017? That’s a lot, and that’s also a sales success Mercedes doesn’t want to mess with. So, for the new model, the high points are a more powerful and efficient engine that adds 14 horsepower, and a buffet of tech stuff called Intelligent Drive nicked from its E-Class big brother.
Styling Cues
The 2019 C-Class, which goes up against the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, will be getting a slight facelift. The front and rear bumpers have been tweaked and the diamond radiator grille is standard if you pick the AMG-Line options. Also part of that AMG package is a new diffuser. The headlamps and taillamps are LED affairs, and an optional Intelligent Light System comes with with “high performance” headlamps and “ultra wide” high beams. Mercedes even added two new colors: Mojave Silver Metallic and Emerald Green Metallic.
Interior Treatments
The interior got a full going over, of course. The center console has elegant flowing trim, available in Natural Grain Walnut Wood or Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood. New Magma Grey/Black upholstery is available, as is Saddle Brown and Silk Beige/Black for the AMG-Line Interior option.
The 2019 C-Class also has this trick, fully digital instrument display option. The display used to be found only on the current S-Class, but the driver can tune it to one of three different display styles: “classic,” “sport,” and “progressive.” The basic instrument cluster features a traditional two-tube design. In between those is a 5.5-inch color display – this would be the “classic” display choice.
If you go for the fully digital instrument display, the screen now measures in at a vast 12.3-inches of real estate. With this, you can stay with the above “classic” look or go with “sport” or “progressive.” You get readings for important data, like trip information and consumption figures. The central display is where all the multimedia stuff happens on a screen above the center console with three display styles available. That screen comes in one of two sizes: seven inches or 10.25 inches.
The 2019 C-Class has a new leather steering wheel that can respond to swiping motions like a smartphone. The driver can control the functions of the instrument cluster and the infotainment system without taking their hands off the steering wheel. Photo: MBUSA.
Safety & Security
Safety tech? C’mon man, it’s a Mercedes. These things have been built like bank vaults since Paul Hindenburg was around. The refreshed C-Class comes with Active Brake Assist as standard, for a start, so you don’t mow down pedestrians and cyclists, and it helps mitigate rear-end collisions with other vehicles ahead of you. The C-Class is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations too. How? Improved camera and radar systems that can see 1,640 feet ahead. The radar reaches out 820 feet in front of you, 130 feet to the sides, and 260 feet to the rear.
Power & Performance
Ah yes, you say, but what about the performance stuff? Oh that’s taken care of my friend. There’s a new 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo plant that cranks out 255 horsepower, up from the previous 241 ponies. The engine puts out 273 lb-ft. of torque, which is considerable, given its size. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that seems to be ubiquitous across the Mercedes range these days.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will go on sale in the United States late this year. In the meantime, it will be on display at the Geneva International Motor Show which begins on March 6th.
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.
2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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2018 GMC Terrain Denali Review

2018 GMC Terrain Denali Review The 2018 GMC Terrain is all-new and like the Chevy Equinox, has the same footprint, but it gets new exterior styling that makes this SUV a lot tamer for consumers. The new 2.0-liter turbo should give families enough power and some fuel mileage gains as well.
This week, we’ve been driving the top-of-the-line, 2018 GMC Terrain Denali with all-wheel drive.
What’s New For 2018
The 2018 GMC Terrain is entirely new, from the downsized chassis and body, to the 2.0-liter turbo engine and nine-speed automatic transmission.
Features & Options
The 2018 GMC Terrain Denali ($39,270) comes with leather seats, an eight-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, blind-spot monitors, a 110-volt power outlet, remote start, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Denali adds a handsfree tailgate, a power passenger front seat, HD radio, seven-speaker audio, navigation, 19-inch wheels, and LED headlamps.
Extra safety equipment includes forward-collision warnings, surround-view camera, and automatic park assist. Additional extras included the ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and wireless charging. Total MSRP including destination: $44,370.

Interior Highlights
Stepping inside reveals leather seats with plenty of bolstering, lots of soft-touch materials, brushed aluminum trim, and plenty of power adjustments to help find the perfect driving position. The first thing we noticed was the unique push/pull space-saving gear shifter in front of the console. It took us awhile to get used to it, but it does add extra storage space in the console and room for the smartphone charger.
The seating position in the Denali’s cabin seems lower than before, which makes the Terrain feel less SUV-like. The infotainment system is straight-forward and simple, with a eight-inch screen and big icons. The display is clear, bright, responsive, and fast, all without too many features or too much information.
The backseat has plenty of room for adults, and rear passengers will appreciate the tall doors, so there’s less ducking to climb in, but the flat seat bottoms won’t be comfortable for long trips. The seats fold mostly flat to provide 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the competition. Behind the rear seats there is 29.6 cubic feet available.
There’s a handy storage compartment underneath the rear cargo deck. The front passenger seat folds flat to accommodate longer items like 2x4s and kayaks.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2018 GMC Terrain Denali is powered by a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, making 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. Mated to a nine-speed automatic with all-wheel drive, it offers peppy acceleration and gets an EPA-estimated 21/26 city/highway and 23 combined mpg.
Driving Dynamics
The transmission pairs nicely with the new 252 horsepower turbo engine, and it felt strong during our quick runs up I-70 west of Denver. The turbo offers steady power and a cool whistling sound as it climbs through the gears. We found ourselves wanting steering wheel paddle shifters which aren’t offered on the Terrain.
The Terrain’s ride is designed more toward comfort than cornering ability. We took it through the tight mountain curves and there was enough body lean to remind us we weren’t in a sports sedan. The suspension offers poised and predictable handling in all situations; the ride overall is comfortable on the highway and you hardly feel the bumps on rough pavement.
The Denali has a higher state of suspension tune and 19-inch wheels with better all-season tires. It tracks true and smooth, but doesn’t offer much feedback. Still, it helped us avoid a deer in the mountains west of Denver during our seat time.
The optional all-wheel drive on our Denali tester is a part-time system, activated by a knob on the console with different traction modes. It’s easier than other all-wheel drive units without the ability to self-activate.
Conclusion
The fully redesigned 2018 GMC Terrain addresses the problems the aging generation had, and now represents a more compelling choice in the smaller, five-passenger crossover segment. GMC pulled off making the Terrain smaller in size without sacrificing too much leg and headroom.
The new four-cylinder improves performance and fuel mileage is reasonable if you keep your foot out of the turbo. It’s comfortable, easy to drive, and comes standard with one of the best infotainment interfaces in the class.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 GMC Terrain Gallery

2018 GMC Terrain Official Site.
Photos: GMC (SLT & Denali models shown).

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2019 Ford Ranger: Radar Love

2019 Ford Ranger: Radar Love The 2019 Ford Ranger will employ the latest safety technology to make towing easier for drivers, according to the automaker. Ford’s Blind Spot Information System, standard on Ranger XLT and Lariat, can monitor either the truck by itself or with a trailer attached. Radar housed in the Ranger’s taillights monitors any potential blind spots all the way to the back of the trailer.
The system then alerts drivers as other vehicles cross into those blind zones.
Trailer Profiles
The 2019 Ford Ranger can store up to three trailer profiles, including a trailer’s length, which lets the radar system know how far back to provide warnings when another vehicle is traveling next to the trailer. Ford says such a system is class-exclusive and not available on any other midsize pickup.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Power & Performance
When it was revealed at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, Ford promised the latest in EcoBoost technology for the 2019 Ranger. A 2.3-liter EcoBoost with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection will power the new Ranger. The engine also features a forged-steel crankshaft and con rods and chain-driven dual overhead cams.
Trims include the entry-level XL, mid-level XLT, and high-level Lariat, with available Chrome and Sport appearance and FX Off-Road packages. The 2019 Ford Ranger will come in a SuperCab or SuperCrew configuration.
Market Potential
In the last few years, newly redesigned midsize trucks have surged onto the market, evidenced by the return of GM’s Colorado and Canyon, Toyota’s Tacoma, and Honda’s Ridgeline. In May, Ford revealed the intense and rigorous testing the 2019 Ranger was enduring on its way to dealers later this year.
Below is a short video that showcases how the blind spot technology works on the 2019 Ford Ranger.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.

Photos, Video & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Ferrari: Race to Immortality Faces Danger & Tragedy With Style & Grace

Ferrari: Race to Immortality Faces Danger & Tragedy With Style & Grace I have a theory that 99.9 percent of all car movies are terrible; barely watchable dreck that only offers brief glimpses of something cool and car-related, let alone offering true insight into the automotive world, let alone the human condition. This movie, however, Ferrari: Race to Immortality, is most definitely not one of those movies.
Studios & Garages
I should preface this with the fact that I worked in movie and TV production for decades. Seeing a movie with me (and any of my production team friends) is usually bogged down with post-viewing conversations about bad edits, bad directing decisions, commenting on lens choices and stuff like that before we get into the meat of the movie; i.e. the plot, the narrative, and the acting.
On top of that, there’s the gearhead side of me that has to be seen to. We, the gearhead movie-goers, all seem to have this nagging trait. We know cars intimately, and when something is technically wrong, it grates on us, and usually to a disproportional level. Tire squeals on gravel, seven upshifts in a five-speed car, driving off a cliff = explosion. It bugs us, I get it. Shoot, it bugs me all the time.
That said, I can unequivocally say that Ferrari: Race to Immortality is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen. Not racing documentaries, mind you; one of the best documentaries period.
At The Limit & Over The Edge
Essentially, Ferrari: Race to Immortality is a film version of Mon Ami Mate by author Chris Nixon. The movie revolves around the lives, racing and otherwise, of Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins, two British racers from the 1950s. The 1950s were a particularly violent and reckless time for auto racing. Spread across the decade, top line drivers from all disciplines (Grand Prix, Indy, sports cars etc.) were dying at the rate of one every other week.
Around 28 per year, every year, for a decade.
The movie starts with the infamous Le Mans crash of 1955 that saw the Mercedes 300 SLR of Pierre Levegh catapult into the main grandstands, on fire, and take more than 80 people with him. That, more or less, sets the tone for the entire movie to follow. “I keep death in my hip pocket,” Enzo Ferrari once said, and this movie shows you the meaning of those words.
Mike Hawthorn. Photo: The Cahier Archive.
Human Conditions
Hawthorn was involved in that crash (some alleged was the cause of the crash) but won Le Mans that year. Indeed, he became the first Englishman to win the World Driving Championship. In a lot of ways, Hawthorn was right out of central casting: tall, good looking, butter-colored wavy hair, always raced wearing a bow tie, just the sort of thing the British fans and press would eat up.
Peter Collins, on the other hand, was more ruggedly featured, and say what you want about the two of them, looks-wise, but they sure had a string of girlfriends. The movie just doesn’t point this out, it actually has interviews with the various ladies involved with these racers.
All of the interviews and sound bites, with fellow racers, the aforementioned lady-friends, journalists, Enzo himself, and historians are all delivered via voice over and it works fantastically. No talking heads to distract with boring visuals. And what is said is just dynamite stuff. Not just from a gearhead perspective, but, very importantly, from a human perspective.
Hawthorn was interviewed extensively back in the day, and his stuff is rather “right off the rack” in what is said, and some of it I had heard before. Collins is friendly, joking; seems like a real good bloke. Enzo is Enzo: political, cunning, measured, Machiavellian. The real meat here is what is said by the girlfriends and the historians. There’s none of this “I’m just the steady backing on the home-front” BS that we have sadly come to expect.
At one point, Louise King, Collins’ wife said, in response to a question about the danger involved, “One time, Peter did try to bring it up, and I stopped him. ‘Don’t’, I said, ‘Just don’t.’ And we never spoke of it again.”
Sweet Jesus.

Visual Treasures
All the interviews come across like a rich vein of gold willingly mined. There are extensive interviews with Alfonso de Portago, the brilliantly talented yet doomed Spaniard. Until last night, I had never heard him speak. Other drivers, writers, girlfriends, and such all chime in, but none of the interviews are fluff, none of it is filler. Every word adds to and enriches what is being shown on screen.
And oh what they show on screen.
The visual end of things is nearly flawless. All of the archive materials used are flat out fantastic. Yes, I had seen much of this footage before, but a remarkable amount of it was unknown to me. All of the older footage was re-graded and level-matched, most of the grain and such taken out. None of it was colorized.
There is tons of footage from back in the day of these guys hanging out, waiting to drive, smoking cigarettes, goofing off at hotel pools, getting out of cars covered in grease and dirt and grime, levering themselves out looking as physically spent as a human can, but beaming; beaming bright satisfied smiles.
Time Machines
And mixed in with all this are drop-dead-gorgeous shots of various vintage Ferraris (246s, 555 Squalos and such) shot in the present day. It would seem the producers got ahold of some far too lucky rich guys that own these old beasts, dressed them up, and turned them lose on old race tracks to get more footage. And the new stuff is seamlessly integrated with the old stuff. And I do mean seamlessly.
A lot of the work I did was as an editor, and more than once I was caught off guard, only noticing two or three cuts later that they had dropped in modern footage with the old. The last time I failed to notice editing like that was watching Schindler’s List.
Yeah, this movie is that well done.
Ferrari: Race to Immortality at Brands Hatch.
Ideal Balance
Ferrari: Race to Immortality seemingly covers it all, but never gets bogged down in technical details or soap opera subplots, neither becoming too maudlin over the constant drum-beat of fatalities nor exulting in the sacrifice. The rivalry between Eugenio Castellotti and Luigi Musso. Collins’ ultimate sporting gesture with Juan Manuel Fangio. Enzo’s belief that more pressure equaled more wins. Meditations on the nature of danger and mortality by Stirling Moss. The sublime joy of sliding your race car just so through and out an entire turn.
But more than anything else, what is made abundantly clear, moment after moment, frame after frame, is that everyone involved loved this life.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
Ferrari: Race to Immortality
Synopsis: The 1950s saw the rise of Scuderia Ferrari in the Formula One World Championship in the deadliest decade in motor racing history. Ferrari: Race to Immortality tells the story of the loves and losses, triumphs and tragedy of Ferrari‘s most decorated drivers in an era where it was la dolce vita during the week and a coin toss of whether they lived or died on the weekend.
Director: Daryl Goodrich
Starring: Peter Collins, Mike Hawthorn, Enzo Ferrari
Run Time: 1hr 31m
Availability: Via Amazon Prime, official trailer here.

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2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition: All About Dat Handling

2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition: All About Dat Handling Ah, yes: an improved Toyota 86! The 2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition, the direct, linear descendant of the ToyoBaru 2012 sports car that everyone seemed to love, but everyone one said needed more power. And now? Better brakes, better dampers, better tires . . . better engine? No, but better is better, right?
Full disclosure here: I have never driven one of these. And that’s too bad. Everyone seems to like these little guys. I sort of look at them as being the Miata coupe that Mazda never made. With that Subaru flat-four, their smaller size and great handling, these things got to be an absolute terror on an AutoX course.
Could they use more power? Is that a trick question? Of course they could use more power. Everything could use more power. So, what exactly do we get?
Ride & Handling
For starters it’s all about dat handling. The 2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition is North America’s highest performance version of this ride, thanks to the inclusion of SACHS dampers, whompingly huge Brembo brakes – 12.8-inchers up front and 12.4s out the back – exclusive 18 x 7.5-inch alloy wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (215/40R18) at all four corners.
Those SACHS dampers foster sharper steering response and enhance stability. The extra-large, four-piston front, two-piston rear Brembo brakes have enough mechanical and thermal power to haul down a freight train. Which is good since all that stopping power is affected upon the tarmac via those Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires.
And yes, those are great tires. And yes, they cost a lot. And yes, they last about as long as a crepe. But what’a’ya’gonna’do?
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Exterior Treatments
The outside of every 2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition is painted in Raven (i.e. black), with that TRD tricolor graphic splashed here and there. There’s also a TRD body kit and exhaust with brushed stainless steel tips. There’s the LED projector-beam headlights, color-keyed power mirrors, front fender-mounted vortex generators, and 17-inch twisted spoke alloy wheels.
Interior Layout
The inside also lets you know you’re driving in something beyond run-of-the-mill. The telescoping steering wheel is red and black-trimmed with red contrast stitching; the sport bucket seats are red and black with side bolsters, and there’s a Granlux suede-like covering on the instrument cluster. The TRD logo is embroidered on the passenger side instrument panel, and there’s red contrast stitching all over the place – even the seatbelts are red.
The 4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display provides essential data like G-forces, stopwatch, horsepower and torque curves, engine coolant and oil temperatures, and fuel consumption.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Engine & Transmission
All of this is propelled via the Subaru-sourced, 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine fed by Toyota’s D-4S Dual Injection System. Bottom line: 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft. of torque. That boxer-four is coupled to the 86’s standard six-speed manual transmission using a triple-cone mesh synchromesh on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears, plus the ball-bearing-mounted shift linkage and reverse gear lock-out protection.
There’s an optional, six-speed electronically-controlled automatic with “super-fast” shifts, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a Sport Mode, and Dynamic Rev Management technology that “blips” the throttle on downshifts.
The cherry on top? A standard Torsen limited-slip differential. Oo mama!
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Pricing & Availability
Production of the 2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition will be limited to only 1,418 with a retail price of $32,420. Which . . . yeah, I know, it’s not fair to compare a new car’s performance and price to the used market, but still. 33K? There’s a lot of used sports cars out there that fit that budget that are amazing.
But hey, if you want a new car, and one that’s a blast to drive, you could do much worse than a 2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz
Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Stoned Soul Picnics & Ventura Highways

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Stoned Soul Picnics & Ventura Highways Compact. Sporty. Trunk space. Ambient lights for days. These are the headlines should the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class ever become a newspaper. Astute Mercedes-Benz aficionados might well remember the original 1997 A-Class, and certinately the CLA Coupe in 2013 which marked the first time in recent history a compact Mercedes-Benz was sold in the United States.
Menu items like the CLA-Class are important for Mercedes-Benz. In 2017, about one in two buyers of a Mercedes-Benz compact car in the U.S. had previously driven the competition, and more than 50 percent of CLA customers are new to the brand.
It looks like the A-Class will do something similar with its two flavors: the A 220 and A 220 4MATIC.
Power & Performance
A turbo 2.0-liter inline-four engine will propel the new A-Class around town. Toss in a healthy 188 horsepower, 221 lb-ft. of torque, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the daily commute should go off without a hitch.
Although they don’t go into detail, Mercedes-Benz says a “choice of suspension systems” will be available. We do know the front axle is a McPherson design with a weight-optimized, torsion-beam rear axle. The 4MATIC models have an adaptive damping system, and wheels range from 17 to 19 inches.
2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Photo: MBUSA.
Structural Design
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class will come with a generous array of active safety features – in fact, it can drive semi-autonomously in certain conditions as it leverages technology from its grand daddy, the S-Class. Yet, the A-Class has passive safety designs that are equally as important, being it’s the first Mercedes-Benz developed at the Technology Centre for Vehicle Safety.
The body of the new A-Class – or its very DNA – has been subjected to extreme accident and collision testing. Thus, body shell components were developed with respect to load and stress capacity, geometry, material thickness, joining technology, and material quality; the latter meaning there is an increased proportion of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel throughout the vehicle. The result is increased rigidity when subjected to an accident or collision.
Photo: MBUSA.
Four Dimensional
Mercedes-Benz is keen on four specific metrics here: The car’s length is 179.1 inches; width: 70.7 inches; height: 56.9 inches, and the 107.4-inch wheelbase. The significance of these numbers is available space inside. Small car? Yes. Cramped? No. Designers were deliberate in creating this effect inside the A-Class, evidenced in little ways, from the dashboard to the “free-standing cockpit” array.
The “5th Dimension” (great music) of the A-Class is the trunk, to which Mercedes-Benz (despite touting it) does not give any exact measurements; just that is was designed with a large opening for the easy loading of big items. As an aside, a car’s trunk is always the fifth dimension. You never know what treasures have been left unattended in there.
Photo: MBUSA.
Sixth Dimension
The lines between science fiction and compact car have blurred with the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Take the new MBUX – or Mercedes-Benz User Experience system – for example. Sure, it has the main things off the bat: voice control and a touchscreen – that’s to be expected, but MBUX goes farther with Artificial Intelligence. Mercedes-Benz says the system creates an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver, and passengers.
How?
Again, Mercedes-Benz didn’t give us a lot of detail, but it seems drivers talk to the A-Class through natural speech recognition technology. For example, saying “Hey Mercedes” brings MBUX to life. MBUX is also compatible with Car-to-X Communication, or the transmission of vital information to the A-Class from other vehicles or the surrounding infrastructure in the interest of keeping occupants safe.
And finally, there are 64 colors of optional ambient lighting. Yes. 64. Pick one and throw on that old Stoned Soul Picnic record. Or the Homecoming record. Ventura Highway probably sounds pretty cool in the visual aroma of 64 different ambient lights.
2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class interior layout. Photo: MBUSA.
Manufacturing & Availability
A-Class production will begin shortly in Aguascalientes in central Mexico with the Rastatt Plant in Germany joining in the manufacturing duties in 2019. Expect the new A-Class in the United States later this year. It seems like the A-Class would be a logical addition to the new subscription service Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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