Automotive

Fiat 500: Still Influencing Design & History 60 Years On

Fiat 500: Still Influencing Design & History 60 Years On A vintage Fiat 500 will be displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in 2019.
The tiny, yet affordable car helped put Europe on wheels following World War II.
MoMA’s exhibit includes the 500 as one of the world’s more significant design works.
Last year, on its 60th birthday, the Fiat 500 joined the permanent collection of the MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art, in New York. MoMA acquired a 500 F series, arguably the most popular 500, manufactured between 1965 and 1972. Fiat’s “great little car” became a cornerstone for Italy with its 18 horsepower, 500cc engine.
The top speed of 59 mph propelled the 500 into homes all across Europe. Counting each version (Sport, D, L, and R) more than four million were produced between 1957 and 1975.
Youthful Identity
MoMA added the Fiat 500 F series to their collection last year, citing the car’s design and history. According to MoMA, the 500 stands as an example of artistic imagination, remaining elegant and sporty throughout its 60 years. Despite six decades of change in fashion, industry, and society, MoMA believes the 500 kept its youthful identity.
In other words, the 500 isn’t going out of style anytime soon.
“The Fiat 500 is an icon of automotive history that fundamentally altered car design and production,” explained Martino Stierli, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design at MoMA. “Adding this unpretentious masterpiece to our collection will allow us to broaden the story of automotive design as told by the Museum.”
Photo: FCA US LLC.
The Value of Good Design
The Fiat 500 F Series will be on public display for the first time, starting on February 10th, as part of The Value of Good Design. The collection is a historical examination of the things we use daily, many so rudimentary to our everyday life we likely overlook them. For example, the exhibit includes domestic furnishings, appliances, ceramics, glass, electronics, sporting goods, and toys.
The Value of Good Design examines the period between the late 1930s through the 1950s. This period, in the words of MoMA, championed well-designed, affordable contemporary products. Artistically, MoMA says the 500 embodies the principles of mid-century modernist designs.
“500 is an icon of Italian style that never went out of fashion,” added Luca Napolitano, Head of EMEA Fiat and Abarth brands. “That over the decades gained fans all around the world because of its key features and strong personality.”
Related: Fiat throws it back to 1957 with this special edition.
Fiat 500 Abarth racing around a track circa 1965. Photo: FCA US LLC.
The New Domestic Landscape
Interestingly enough, this is not the first time Italian design was the subject of a MoMA exhibit. Italy: The New Domestic Landscape in May of 1972 featured 180 household objects and 11 environments commissioned by the Museum. Items on display included furniture, lighting fixtures, flatware, and dishes.
Each were selected on their ability to illustrate the “various intellectual design positions” in Italy from 1962 to 1972. The exhibit included two parts, Environments and Objects, arranged according to current attitudes toward the task of design at the time.
“Italy has assumed the characteristics of a micro-model where a wide range of possibilities, limitations, and critical problems of contemporary designers throughout the world are represented by diverse and sometimes opposite approaches,” explained Emilio Ambasz, MoMA’s then Curator of Design in the Department of Architecture and Design.
The press release from May of 1972 describes more about the exhibit, which Fiat contributed to. It’s five pages, but it’s an interesting read.
Photo: FCA US LLC.
Economic & Social Recovery
Where the Fiat 500 is most pivotal, historically, is in how nations rebuilt after World War II. The little car is an example of economic recovery and technological advancement in the years following the Second World War. Richard Reina of CARiD Auto Parts says “bubble cars” rose to prominence because of the social and economic landscape at the time.
As a result, tiny car production from manufacturers like BMW, Messerschmitt, and Fiat increased.
“European factories had been bombed; companies struggled to get back into operation,” Reina explained. “At a time when steel and fuel were still scarce commodities, these bubble cars were an all-weather option for those on a budget.”
Ultimately, the @fiat 500 then was an inexpensive, stylish, and reliable car accessible to ordinary citizens.Click To TweetPhoto: FCA US LLC.
Less Is More
Ultimately, the 500 then was an inexpensive, stylish, and reliable car accessible to ordinary citizens. That is still true today, with the 2018 Fiat 500 starting at $16,245. The styling, though modernized, is still reminiscent of the 500’s early days. Roberto Giolito, Head of FCA Heritage, says as much in Fiat 500: The Design Book.
“We limited ourselves to perfecting certain elements and making the values rooted in the design more explicit, rejecting any possible excess,” he revealed. “Above all, we avoided any measures that could be considered re-styling, a term that is very widespread in the car world but not always permeated by a positive connotation.”
Giolito later adds, in reference to the 500’s interior, that good design does not always need “remodeling” to stay relevant. This sentiment is clear in the Fiat 500 today, just as it was in 1957.
“Since 1957, Fiat 500 has always brought colors and smiles to everyday lives on the roads of the world, becoming an ambassador of the ‘Bel Paese’ and an icon of style and design ‘made in Italy’,” Napolitano said.
In Person
The Value of Good Design at the Museum of Modern Art runs from February 10th to May 27th. The exhibit will be interactive, with visitors encouraged to judge for themselves on what warrants value in good design.
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.
Classic Fiat 500 Gallery

Photos & Sources: FCA US LLC., Museum of Modern Art, Fiat 500: The Design Book, Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., New York, 2016.

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2020 Range Rover Sport Redesign, Concept, Release Date

One of the greatest crossover SUV that will be in attendance for the year 2020, 2020 Range Rover Sport will come up with very good engine updates and the news that circulated this car will be one of the SUV that will get a lot of attention to him. What is the plug-in hybrid will be available in this car, for the moment we do not have information that is so right about this car.

2020 Range Rover Sport

As for the car’s competitors include the BMW X5, Lexus GX, and Volvo XC90, you will probably have a lot of options that are very much to the SUV that will come later in the year 2020.

2020 Range Rover Sport Interior and Exterior

How about the redesign exterior, the 2020 Land Ranger Rover Sport shouldn’t get any improvements this time and it really should retain its sporty and clean look. The front finish wears a familiar electric-razor styled grille and narrow headlamps. Depending on the trim degree, the new Range Rover Sport will likely be presented with wheels inside a dimension from 19- to 21-inches.

The new concept interior from the 2020 Range Rover Sport seems extremely classy and quality with wonderful wood inserts and leather surfaces. It comes standard with two rows of seats when the third row is optional on HSE and larger trim levels except around the SVR model. The Assortment Rover Sport is obtainable in a number of trim ranges: HSE, HSE Dynamic, SE.

Engine Performance

No adjustments are expected to the rest of the engine line. Range Rover Sport from the USA is at present presented having a 3.5-liter supercharged 350 horsepower and V6 engine, a 3.0-liter turbocharged 254 horsepower and V6 diesel engine, 5.0 liter and 500 horsepower and supercharged V8 engine plus a 5.0 Liter and V8 supercharged and 5.0 liters. Search to the up to date Range Rover Sport to debut as well as the Assortment Rover up to date later this 12 months.

2020 Range Rover Sport Release Date and Price

The release date of this car is still unclear, Range Rover yet want to talk too much about the news about the release date of 2020 for the Range Rover Sport, and for the price, 2020 Range Rover Sport will likely hover around $66.750.

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Goodbye Keys! Hello Hyundai’s Fingerprint Technology

Goodbye Keys! Hello Hyundai’s Fingerprint Technology Hyundai’s technology allows drivers to unlock and start their vehicle with their fingerprints.
An on-board security system helps determine the driver’s actual prints to prevent theft.
The technology is another example of how consumers want a vehicle to fit their lifestyle.
It sounds like something out of science fiction. Like those movies where the crew, in order to open the hatch to the spaceship’s next corridor, place their hands on a blue-lit screen. Hyundai is now using that Hollywood magic with “smart fingerprint technology,” set to debut in the first quarter of next year.
Smart fingerprint technology allows drivers to unlock the doors and start the vehicle with a single touch.
What a time to be alive.
How It Works
The Santa Fe is the first to receive Hyundai’s new wizardry, one of our favorite SUVs today interestingly enough. To unlock the vehicle, place a finger (even your middle one?) on the door handle sensor. The encrypted fingerprint information is verified, then sent to a controller inside the vehicle. If the prints match the doors unlock. Once inside, starting the vehicle is done by touching the ignition, which uses its own fingerprint scanning sensor.
If the prints match, the engine fires up.
If the prints don’t match? Does the vehicle transform into a Bumble Bee style cyborg and defend its perimeter? It would be cool and would likely deter thieves, but unfortunately, no. And it’s not entirely foolproof either.
Hyundai’s fingerprint technology allows drivers to unlock and start their vehicle without using traditional keys. Photo: Hyundai Motor Company.
Security Protocol: Detecting Imposters
Hyundai says by using “capacitance recognition” they are able to address fake fingerprints. Capacitance recognition detects differentials in the electricity levels in various parts of our fingertips. The approach helps weed out forgeries and fake fingerprints. According to Hyundai, the technology’s chance of misrecognizing another person’s print is only one in 50,000.
Hyundai also says this is five times more effective than conventional keys, including smart keys. Valid point. But what if you’re the one? The one who gets their beloved Santa Fe stolen by fingerprint hackers while getting groceries? Might we suggest a steering wheel club just to be safe?
The good news though? The system operates through the “real-time learning” of fingerprints, in support by a “dynamic update” system. Perfect. A vague but just techy enough description that it must certainly work. According to Hyundai, this means the fingerprint system continually improves its “success rate.”
What a time to be alive.
With “dynamic updates,” the fingerprint system continually improves its success rate, according to Hyundai. Photo: Hyundai Motor Company.
If the prints don't match? Does the vehicle transform into a Bumble Bee style cyborg and defend its perimeter?Click To TweetThe Personalization Trend
Hyundai’s fingerprint technology is really cool but not overly surprising. Given that buyers today enjoy how vehicles can be increasingly personalized, such technology only makes sense. After all, this is the very basis of dashboard touchscreens today. They allow the vehicle, from the ambient lighting to the radio presets, to be configured in a personal way.
Memory seat positions and various drive mode settings for the powertrain? Infotainment and connectivity systems? Much the same, each existing as more ways to tailor a vehicle to individual tastes. Examine now, for instance, what you like about your vehicle? Chances are it has something to do with how it fits your own personal preferences.
Unless you drive a hooptie. But even then.
“In the future, Hyundai Motor plans to further expand the application of the technology to allow the adjustment of temperature, steering wheel position, and many other features which will be tailored to driver’s preferences” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research & Development, Hyundai Motor Company. “This will ultimately offer quality driving experiences to each and every Hyundai customer.”
Photo: Hyundai Motor Company.
@Hyundai's fingerprint technology is really cool, but not overly surprising.Click To TweetFingerprint Technology In 2019
Hyundai’s fingerprint technology will debut in select markets in early 2019, gradually expanding to others. Although they don’t say where exactly or when they will expand to other markets. Hyundai does say, however, they are planning to implement other customizable technologies like this across their lineup. By doing this, Hyundai believes they can strengthen their position in the future mobility market.
In the meantime, we’re stuck with our stupid keys. Figures.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor Company.

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2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn Review: Smooth & Powerful

2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn Review: Smooth & Powerful 94Excellent 2019 Ram 1500 LonghornOverall ImpressionRoomy and plush interior.5.7-liter Hemi is a powerhouse.Optional air suspension is smooth as butter.ProsTowing CapacityComfortable CabinEngine Performance ConsOptions Can Push The Price UpDriver Assist Systems Limited To Higher TrimsThe 2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn is a workhorse with added luxury and tremendous cargo-hauling capability. Add in the 5.7-liter V8 and you can haul about anything: a horse trailer, large camper, speed boat, or a trailer full of four wheelers to go hunting. It has all the bells and whistles you’ll need to keep the entire family comfortable on the trip.
We recently drove the luxurious 2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn Crew Cab 4×4.
What’s New For 2019
The 2019 Ram 1500 is entirely new and completely re-designed, losing some significant weight in the process. Ram says the new truck is nearly 225 lbs. lighter than its predecessor, despite adding higher grades of steel to its frame. Max towing and payload also increase making it even more effective as a work truck.
Features & Options: A Laundry List
The 2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn Crew Cab 4×4 ($53,695) moves into luxury territory with leather upholstery, power-adjustable 40/20/40-split bench (heated and ventilated) front seats; driver’s-seat memory, power-adjustable pedals with memory, a heated steering wheel, and keyless entry.
Other upgrades include dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 115-volt rear seat outlet, and two rear seat USB inputs (one is charge-only). Tech features include the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, a nine-speaker audio system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Buyers who want functionality with style will appreciate the 20-inch wheels, spray-in bedliner, chrome side steps, power tailgate release, and automatic high beams and wipers. Moving deeper into creature comforts, the Longhorn adds front bucket seats with upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated reclining rear seats, a leather-wrapped wood steering wheel, and, yes, even a CD player!
Finally, our tester came with additional safety features, premium sound, panoramic sunroof, tow package, air suspension, and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Total MSRP including destination: $66,700. By comparison, the entry-level Ram 1500 Tradesman starts at $33,340.

Interior Highlights: Plenty of Luxury
The Longhorn cab feels big and is a luxurious place to spend your day with lots of leather and soft-touch materials throughout. We used the generous amount of adjustment range for the steering wheel and driver’s seat to find the perfect driving position. There’s plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room in all seating positions. The center console has a large flat surface too. It’s big enough to carry everything you’ll need for a long trip.
The center stack is close enough too, putting all the controls within easy reach. The buttons and knobs are logically positioned for easy operation, just as you’d expect for a truck in this class. We used the heated seats and heated steering wheel liberally this week as the temps dropped in Colorado. Once underway, we cranked up the Harmon Kardon premium sound system and felt like we were in a concert hall.
Related: The 2019 Ram 1500 North Edition is ready to tackle winter.
Interior Highlights: Good Visibility & Lots of Space
The amount of side glass and the design of the dash makes for good visibility, despite the truck’s size. The redesigned crew cab offers more rear legroom than anything else in the class by a long shot. Stepping in the back reveals even more space for the kids as they have plenty of room to spread out with their electronics. The rear bench also folds up easily, opening up a large cargo area if you need to carry anything extra.
The kids will stay extra comfortable with the heated and cooled seats in back too.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
Our Ram 1500 Longhorn was powered by the optional 5.7 Hemi producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. of torque. When paired with an eight-speed automatic and 3.92 rear axle ratio, EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 15/21 city/highway and 17 combined.
When compared to the competition, the 2019 Ram 1500 lands in the middle in terms of fuel economy.
In this powertrain configuration, max payload is 1,800 lbs. while max towing capacity is 11,290 lbs. GVWR is 7,100 lbs. and GCWR is 17,000 lbs.
You can't go wrong with the Hemi if you need to pull trailers or move a bed full of cargo. Click To TweetDriving Dynamics: Smooth & Powerful
When we stepped on the pedal, the big 5.7 Hemi roared to life. We couldn’t wait to push it hard! We loaded up with cargo and headed west on I-70 into the mountains west of Denver. You can’t go wrong with the Hemi if you need to pull trailers or move a bed full of cargo. It’s strong from a standing start, serving up excellent roll-on acceleration when merging or passing.
We pushed hard up the Floyd Hill with a six percent grade, powering up the fast lane and leaving everyone behind as we went. It helps that there’s plenty of torque and that the eight-speed automatic always seemed to be in the right gear at the right time.
Our Ram 1500 tester came with the optional Four Corner Air Suspension that made the big Longhorn feel more like a luxury car than a pickup. Even over rough pavement and a washed out dirt road, the truck soaked up the bumps. We didn’t feel much inside the cabin. As we moved throughout the city, the front and rear parking sensors were handy.

When we stepped on the gas, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 roared to life and we couldn’t wait to push it hard. Click To TweetConclusion: More Than Just Looks
The 2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn is a work truck dressed up in fancy clothes. It’s a truck you won’t mind taking your girl out for a night on the town in. Just don’t let those fancy duds fool you. If you need to haul a large trailer or carry a heavy payload, this Ram will get down and dirty.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn Gallery

Photos: FCA US LLC.

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2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Review: Sporty & Safe

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Review: Sporty & Safe 90SOLID2019 Toyota Corolla HatchbackOverall ImpressionPlenty of standard equipment.
Manual transmission version is fun to drive.
Performance lacks in a few key areas, however.ProsMaterial Quality Safety Features Infotainment FeaturesConsRear LegroomCargo CapacityThose wanting a compact car with attitude should take a look at the new Toyota Corolla Hatchback. If you want a safe compact car, the Corolla gets a suite of safety features not typically found in this segment. Add in a dash of the Corolla’s excellent fuel economy and its high resale value, and you have all the ingredients for a car that will please budget-conscious consumers.
Over the weekend, we drove the top-trim, 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE.
What’s New For 2019
The redesigned Corolla debuts in a new hatchback body style and comes with improved interior design and materials. Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa are standard.
Features & Options: XLE Trim Offers Enough
The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE ($22,990) is the sportier Corolla. It comes standard with 18-inch machined wheels, unique front-end styling, a rear spoiler, steering-wheel paddle shifters (for CVT automatic models), sport front seats, SofTex upholstery with cloth inserts, and a sport-style gauge cluster.
Also included are the XLE’s upgraded headlights, bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The XSE is the only trim that can be had with a manual transmission, which brings with it keyless ignition and entry, plus an upgraded infotainment system. The XSE also adds heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, and full SofTex upholstery.
This XSE tester came with the optional adaptive headlights, rear window spoiler, and protective package. MSRP including destination: $25,123. By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback starts at $19,990.

Interior Highlights: Tech-Focused
We slid into the XSE Hatch and saw the most up-to-date cabin yet for Toyota’s compact car. It features a stylish dashboard, a sporty steering wheel, and a six-speed gear shifter that fit perfectly into our hands. We particularly liked the traditional audio and climate controls unlike some that are put in difficult-to-use touchscreen menus. When we did need to use the eight-inch touchscreen, it offered up large buttons, clear graphics, and quick responses.
It could be one of the easier infotainment systems to operate in this class.
Various connectivity features came courtesy of the Entune App Suite with services like Bing, Facebook, Yelp, Pandora, and real-time traffic data.
Interior Highlights: Comfortable But Less Cargo Space
The sport seats hugged us from behind and provided excellent support, particularly with the firmer bolstering found in the XSE. We adjusted the telescoping steering wheel, came up with a comfortable driving position, and were able to see the gauges perfectly. Out back, there’s more legroom than most small compact sedans and headroom is a plus for taller passengers.
Unfortunately, the Hatchback’s shorter length means the cargo area is a bit smaller. Maximum storage behind the rear seat is 18 cubic feet.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 168 horsepower and 151 lb-ft. of torque. Our tester came mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, although an automatic is available.
EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 28/37 city/highway and 31 combined. When compared to the competition, the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback holds its own in terms of fuel economy.
Related: The Toyota Corolla sedan receives a number of improvements for 2020.
Driving Dynamics: Lacking Some Luster
The Corolla’s four-cylinder engine is bulletproof when it comes to reliability, but it does lack in the performance department. We pushed it hard at altitude but were asking for more power as we tried to pass slower traffic. This is not a hot hatch like the Honda Civic Si, but it’s still fun-to-drive and works well for an urban commuter with the extra versatility of a five-door hatch.
As expected for a friendly commuter car, the manual’s clutch pedal is light with an engagement point not too far from the bottom of the stroke. The manual also features automatic rev-matching for smooth downshifting, though the shifter’s throws are a little long.
However, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is perfect for zipping around the city. We were able to park in tight spots and the extra safety tech is helpful in traffic.
Related: An in-depth look at the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.

The @Toyota Corolla Hatchback has a light clutch pedal with an engagement point not too far from the bottom of the stroke.Click To TweetConclusion: Ideal For Toyota Fans
The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback comes with lots of standard features. Driving enthusiast might be disappointed with the lack of performance, but most buyers will be pleased by this new Corolla’s expressive styling, vastly improved cabin, and comprehensive list of advanced safety features.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
*Additional models shown.

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2020 BMW M4 Release Date And Price

BMW has been known to us as one of the best car makers. 2020 BMW M4 is one of the car manufacturer BMW-made, this model has long been a great car in its class, a lot of discussions that we discuss on this car, one of the rumors regarding his release date and also the price for the latest generation of 2020 BMW M4.

2020 BMW M4

2020 BMW M4 Interior and Exterior

The new exterior design the 2020 BMW M4 will probably be significantly stylized. This is frequently observed in a few of the new M4 that’s utilized within the notion style and design with this car. The BMW M4 could have much better aerodynamics features that will make the BMW M4 much more steady too as speedier. Also, the light-weight material will in all probability be utilized to obtain this automobile entire body design, and it’ll be a superb attribute for your overall automobile performance.

The new interior of the 2020 BMW M4 will even have a number of enhancements. The improvements of BMW M4 is usually seen on the new windshield design. You will find also new BMW M4 interior function such as Bluetooth network feature which has been accessible. Yet another exciting new capabilities to the interior also ranges from footing management and new management qualities for that new cockpit.

Read More : 2020 Honda Passport Specs, Price, Redesign

2020 BMW M4 Engine Performance

Many of the BMW has become enhanced exponentially for the engine side which can make it very highly effective. Because of this cause. There are numerous improvements that will consider place into this BMW M4 new engine characteristic.

The 2020 BMW M4 engine that set up into the new BMW M4 is actually a two turbocharged engine with the 3.0-liter capability and might generate for as much as 425 hp too 400 lb-ft of torque. Resulting from this reason it’s grown to be a fairly awesome engine with 6 transmission process and in addition, double velocity grip attributes to enhance the BMW M4 stability.

2020 BMW M4 Release Date and Price

For release date we suggest you wait for confirmation directly from BMW, BMW has not to date issued information about the release date and price for 2020 BMW M4.

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2018 BMW M3 CS: The Bavarian Powerhouse

2018 BMW M3 CS: The Bavarian Powerhouse

BMW’s M3 has sort of been the benchmark performance sedan since its inception. And BMW continues to bang that drum, even though their 3 Series has grown over the years, and their original hot rod, something that’s light and tossable and small and agile, has grown sizably over the years. And I mean that literally. In comparison to where it started, the current BMW 3 Series is about where the 5 Series was decades ago. Ever thus is that trend for auto manufacturers; slightly bigger, an inch here, ten pounds there, year over year. And what was once small and logical is now bigger and fatter.
To make this even weirder, here we have the new BMW M3 CS, a special edition model that delivers a “fine blend of high performance and complete everyday practicality.” Wait, I thought that’s what the M3 already was? What gives?
Abundantly Speaking
What gives is, essentially, marketing speak. Oh sure, the M3 CS has more. More power, more torque, more gee-gaws and such, but essentially it’s “just” this year’s M3, only more so. Why the Bavarians didn’t take all the CS stuff and simply call it the “2018 M3” is beyond me, but BMW gets funny sometimes. So that weirdness aside, the BMW M3 CS is everything we’ve come to expect from an M3. It’s quick, it’s fast, it’s powerful (and I mean really powerful), it has tons of tech, but not so much tech that it gets in the way of the overall driving experience (hopefully). And it is screwed together by members of a society that have a real fetish designing and screwing things together “right.”
Weight Loss
The CS has lots of carbon fiber, even more than you’d normally find on an M3. The widespread use of carbon fiber, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic to be accurate about it, keeps this first-ever BMW M3 CS much lighter than the “normal” M3. Around 110 lbs. less than a normal M3, so that’s worth paying attention to. Large portions of the body are also made from carbon fiber, like the hood, which drops 25 percent of its weight in comparison to the regular M3. The roof panel is made of carbon fiber and that alone is more than 13 lbs. lighter than a conventional steel version. Plus, that weight savings comes from way up high on the body, so the center of gravity will drop, handling will improve and such. The front splitter? Carbon fiber. Even the “Gurney Flap” hanging out back is done up in exposed carbon fiber.
According to BMW, the engine’s crankcase has a “closed-deck” design to make it more rigid, thus allowing for higher cylinder pressures. The sleeveless cylinder walls have a twin-wire, arc-sprayed coating to reduce weight. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Power & Performance
And all this lightness is a good thing. Regular readers know I’ve got a fixation for lightweight cars, but what the M3 CS is really about is power. Lots of it. Bags of it. For BMWs, it all seems to come down to what that “M” stands for, which is motor. And boy does the 2018 M3 CS pack a whopper of a mill. To wit, it’s an M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder that cranks out 453 horsepower at 6,250 rpm (28 more than the “normal” M3), with 443 lb-ft. of peak torque, available from 4,000 to 5,380 rpm (37 lb-ft. more). Great googly-moogly, that’s a lot of power!
Some would say that’s too much power and, let’s be frank here, those people are morons. 453 + 443 sounds like f-u-n fun to me. And I mean mathematically verifiable fun. 60 mph comes up in a scant 3.7 seconds and the top speed has increased to 174 mph. See? F-u-n fun. All of that power and torque is put to the bahn through the 7-speed M Double-Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic.
Naturally, the suspension is tweaked to deal with the higher engine output. The M3 CS comes standard with BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension that offers a choice of three modes: Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ with different damper settings in each of the three modes. Three different settings for the precisely tuned M Servotronic electromechanical steering can also be selected at the touch of a button.
The BMW M3 CS is outfitted with an Active M Differential, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to enhance traction and stability. The control unit communicates with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system, and factors in the accelerator position, rotational wheel speeds, and yaw rate to deliver the maximum torque to the rear wheels while still maintaining traction. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Noteworthy Points
Also adding to the fun is a nice, throaty sounding M sport exhaust system. It’s specially tuned for the CS with a quartet of stainless steel tailpipes blending perfectly into the carbon fiber diffuser. Point of parliamentary procedure: BMW uses the term “rear diffuser.” Most car companies do. Rear diffuser? That’s idiotic and redundant. Of course it’s a rear diffuser. Have you ever seen a diffuser at the front end of something? No. No you have not.
That’s like saying, “the new rear feathers of this arrow . . . ” Duh! You don’t put feathers on the front of an arrow no more than you’d put a diffuser anywhere but on the rear of a car. So knock it off, it’s starting to bother me.
Interior Treatments
The inside is drenched in Alcantara and two-tone full Merino leather in Silverstone/Black. There’s a new red start/stop button and the passenger compartment is pared down to the essentials for significant weight savings, but still graced by the presence of lightweight M sport seats. There is, however, such niceties as automatic climate control and a Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Pricing & Availability
You like? Of course you do. And if you really like, you better get to your local BMW dealer. Production of the M3 CS is limited to approximately 1,200 units worldwide, with only 550 of them coming to the United States. Pricing has not been announced but BMW will start taking orders in May.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2018 BMW M3 CS Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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Lamborghini Terzo Millennio: When Crazed Italians Hang With Hyper-Geeks

Lamborghini Terzo Millennio: When Crazed Italians Hang With Hyper-Geeks

The Lamborghini Terzo Millennio is, to me, a prime example of what has been Lambo’s Achilles’ Heel for decades: Styling. Ever since the Countach, Lamborghini basically gave up on giving their cars any sense of grace or elegance and have gone for brute presence and hard edges and gaudiness with all the subtly of a 25 minute heavy metal guitar solo. Automobili Lamborghini got together with not one, but two laboratories at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (aka MIT) and asked, in so many words, “hey, what would a possible future Lamborghini electric super sports car be like?”
The answer is this: The Lamborghini Terzo Millennio. A car that looks like something a 13-year-old would draw on the back of his notebook.
Central Command
MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is arguably the best engineering school in the known universe (that’s right Vulcan Science Academy, you heard me). You know the MIRV, the Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle for atomic warheads? That was dreamed up and invented at MIT. By graduate students. Stroboscopic photography? That was invented, single-handedly, by Harold “Doc” Edgerton, an MIT professor who taught freshman chemistry. The people that roam the halls and wander the MIT campus sit at the top of the Everest of geekdom. You ask MIT for “help” on your transportation project, and a byproduct might turn out to be a mass-driver that can sling ore from the asteroid belt back to planet Earth.
And Lamborghini, bless their hearts, decided to ask, and the result is the Terzo Millennio which, styling aside, packs about as much performance as a cruise missile on final approach. Bear witness.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Breaking Down The Beast
At its heart, this is a moon-shot of a car. If it happens at all in anything close to what we see here, it will happen many years (decades) down the road. Lamborghini flat-out states: “The concept physically imagines design and technology theories of tomorrow.” Theories? Wow, equivocate much? Lamborghini has chosen to focus on five different dimensions: energy storage systems, innovative materials, propulsion, visionary design, and emotion. Or, to put it in layman’s terms so you don’t have to be Florence LaRue: where the fuel goes, what it’s built from, how that fuel is dispensed to the tarmac, what it looks like, and . . . er, emotion? Really, they went with emotion? What does that even mean?
Energy Storage Systems
THUS SPAKE LAMBO!!: “The strategy of creating super sports cars with uncompromising performance generates Lamborghini’s motivation to revolutionize the approach to . . . SAVE ME!!! SAVE ME!!! Please don’t make me read this stuff. No need to get lost in all that MarComm drivel. The Energy Storage System, effectively the gas tank is a, in one word, supercapacitor. Which is (I hear some of you asking) just like yer run of the mill capacitor, only super. Essentially, a battery that is quick to discharge, quick to charge, and holds “enough” stored energy to “practically” use. Think of a much larger electric go-kart with a bodyshell and a license plate.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.

Innovative Materials
What is it built from? Answer: cloth and glue (aka carbon fiber). Cloth and glue that are used all over the place in structures and parts and the bodyshell, and also in interesting ways: like that same bodyshell acting as an accumulator for energy storage. Swift, eh? Lambo and MIT closely monitor the bodyshell to look for and predict cracks and structural failures, and self-fix them via micro-channels filled with “healing chemistries.”
To which I say, that’s cool and all, but couldn’t you just make the skin a little thicker and a little tougher and not even worry about “monitoring” it?
Propulsion System
Works like this: each wheel gets its own engine/generator, a pretty standard layout for an EV drivetrain. It’s so much easier to do this with electric motors, because even very powerful versions are also relatively small. And since all of these motors are controlled by enough computing power to make Seymour Cray tear up, that means you can automatically build in (and tweak on the fly) things like differential anti-lock braking based on accelerator data and steering wheel angles to optimize traction through mid-corner out to corner exit. To name just one of the simpler sub-routines anyway.
It’s not just that the car, with tons of electrical power delivered to the pavement near-instantaneously, can go and turn and stop, it can potentially do two or even three of those simultaneously.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Design
Let us just be Gorn-like, quick and merciful, and say this thing’s styling – regardless of how much aerodynamic sense it makes – looks like 13-and-a-half axe heads randomly attached to a big magnet. This car, the Terzo Millennio, does not look graceful or animated or lithe or agile. No, it looks stocky and apathetic and rigid and clumsy. Seriously. I’ve seen more aesthetic doorstops in Leningrad.
Emotion
Yeah. Yeah . . . no. Just, no.
Chances are the Lamborghini Terzo Millennio will hit the streets right about the time the mid-engine, quad rotor Wankel-powered Corvette is arriving (i.e. right around the time Gloria Steinem marries Harvey Weinstein). It’s a neat idea though.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Lamborghini Terzo Millennio Gallery

Photos & Source: Automobili Lamborghini.

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2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir Debuts, Signals New Direction

2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir Debuts, Signals New Direction

Buick recently unveiled the 2018 LaCrosse Avenir, a more premium option when compared to the traditional model. Avenir is Buick’s new sub-brand, meant to expand their product line into more luxurious territory. The move may well usher in a new chapter for Buick, an automaker seeking to redefine themselves. Last year, we sat down with Buick’s Marketing Director, Molly Peck to gain some insight as to where they are headed in the future. Part of that conversation included the Avenir sub-brand, which made its official debut in October with the release of the 2018 Enclave.
Avenir is, interestingly enough, the French word for future.
Above & Beyond
In short, Avenir is Buick’s way of delivering more for their customers: more styling cues, more standard features, more premium materials – and so on. The idea is to make Buick resonate with those who desire a luxury vehicle unique to their lifestyle.
“Nine out of ten LaCrosse buyers are choosing one of the top two trim levels – customers are signaling they want more from Buick,” explained Duncan Aldred, Vice President of Global Buick and GMC. “With even more content and an elegant look, Avenir adds a unique name and appearance for those who want the best of our attainable luxury.”
2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir. Photo: Buick.
Styling & Design
The Avenir’s design was ultimately inspired by Buick’s concept cars and employs a more dramatic, three-dimensional look. This is seen especially on the LaCrosse’s upper and lower grilles and chrome wings. Avenir script badging on the front doors and exclusive 19-inch Pearl Nickel or 20-inch Midnight Silver wheels are also characteristic of the LaCrosse Avenir. Inside, driver’s will find a Chestnut interior theme, embroidered first-row headrests, and Avenir-scripted sill plates.
Buick’s intent is for the design cues to create a truly memorable automobile.
“Exterior styling is very important to LaCrosse buyers, and its sculpted beauty withstands passing trends,” said Bob Boniface, Global Director of Buick Exterior Design. “For Avenir, we focused on maintaining the timelessness of the LaCrosse, while giving these customers subtle and tasteful details that elevate this car to a new level.”
2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir interior layout. Photo: Buick.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir has a 310 horsepower V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Intelligent Twin-Clutch All-Wheel Drive and Dynamic Drive with real-time dampening control are both optional. A suite of active and passive safety features will also be available.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir will arrive at dealerships early next year. Pricing and the vehicle’s complete specifications are forthcoming.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir Gallery

Photos & Source: Buick.

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