Automotive

2020 Ford Super Duty Review: Ford Raises The Bar for Heavy Duty Trucks

2020 Ford Super Duty Review: Ford Raises The Bar for Heavy Duty Trucks 2020 Ford Super DutyIn Our Opinion: The 2020 Ford Super Duty faces fierce competition from GM and Ram, but new tech features for the Super Duty help raise the bar in Ford's favor. While we would recommend the Power Stroke diesel V8 for heavy towing, the new 7.3-liter gas engine is a good middle ground. It will have plenty of power for towing without the higher MSRP of the diesel models. The mid-level Lariat trim we drove came with plenty of helpful technology for the workday and is even comfortable enough to use for family travel. Exterior Styling 83Interior Layout 80Driving Dynamics67Safety & Tech Features 89Everyday Functionality91ProsCabin Space Tech Features Towing Capacity ConsBraking Distance Options Add Up Quickly 82The 2020 Ford Super Duty is even more capable than before. It gets a more powerful diesel V8 engine, a new 10-speed automatic, lots of technology to keep you connected, and enough comfort to blur the lines between a work truck and a family vehicle. Ford improved their game in the heavy-duty truck market, but we wanted to see for ourselves just how high they raised the bar.

This week, we drove a 2020 Ford F-250 4×4 Crew Cab Lariat with the new 7.3-liter gas engine. Here is how our test drive went.

F-Series Super Duty: What’s New For 2020

The 2020 Ford Super Duty benefits from an extensive redesign to better compete against GM and Ram. Ford updated the 6.7-liter Power Stroke with a new 36,000-psi fuel injection system and a variable-geometry turbocharger. The diesel plant joins two gasoline engines in the 7.3 and standard 6.2 V8. Every new 2020 Super Duty features a 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices.

New colors for 2020 include Iconic Silver, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, and Velocity Blue. Trim levels for the 2020 Super Duty include XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. Those who want to venture off-road should go for the new Tremor package.

2020 Ford Super Duty with the Tremor Off-Road Package.Features & Options

The mid-level Ford F-250 Lariat offers more convenience features than the lower XL and XLT. It comes standard with power-adjustable heated mirrors (also telescoping tow mirrors), a removable and power-locking tailgate, and a trailer tow package. Inside, our Super Duty tester came with a USB connection, the Sync 3 infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Lariat comes with 10-way power leather seats (both heated and cooled), navigation, LED box lighting, ambient lighting, a tailgate step, and a power sliding rear window.

Heavy-duty upgrades included a 4.30 electronic locking rear axle, gooseneck hitch kit, 10,000 lbs. GVWR package, wheel well liners, a spray-in bed liner, and Ford’s new Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature.

Safety equipment for the Super Duty has caught up with most competitors thanks to features such as lane departure warning for the truck and attached trailer, a blind-spot monitor with trailer coverage, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

What Does The Ford Super Duty Cost?

Total MSRP, including destination, for our 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat tester with the 7.3-liter gas engine: $62,290. By comparison, the F-250 XL starts at $34,035 while the F-250 Platinum starts at $66,225.

2020 Ford Super Duty on the open road. Interior Highlights: Plenty of Space

The F-250 Super Duty sits up high and is tall for the class. Our tester came with optional running boards that are a must-have because of the higher ride height. Inside the cab, even the tallest drivers will have room. We had no problem finding an excellent position to drive with the 10-way power adjustable seats.

The leather seats are comfortable, and we made liberal use of the ventilated seats in the heat this week. We did think the seat bottoms could use a bit more padding, but the Lariat trim is still a comfortable place to spend time working or traveling with the family. The controls are easy to reach and operate, and we had no issues figuring out Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system.

Cargo space is plentiful in the big crew cab. There’s lots of storage to keep your valuables and personal items out of view on the job site. If you are hauling passengers, even taller riders will be comfortable and have enough room to stretch their legs. If you are hauling the kids during the week to school or out fishing for the weekend, there’s ample room for backpacks, books, and other gear.

Interior Highlights: Helpful Technology

The extra big windows make it easy to see out of the tall truck, but we were glad we had the rear parking sensors, rearview camera, and blind-spot monitoring. Ford’s Blind Spot Information System includes trailer coverage, a nice feature when towing. We really like the Super Duty’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature. Drivers use a knob, instead of the steering wheel, to guide their trailer with the reverse camera. The Trailer Reverse Guidance system shows angle and direction, and will even make steering suggestions.

2020 Ford Super Duty: Engine & Powertrain

New for 2020 is a 7.3-liter gasoline V8 that gets bumped to 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated with a new TorqShift 10-speed automatic. The 6.2-liter V8 is standard for the 2020 Super Duty and creates 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft. of torque. At the top of the mountain is the 6.7-liter Power Stroke Diesel V8 with 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft. of torque.

Our tester came with a 10,000 GVWR rating, 5th wheel prep package, and a 4.30 electronic locking axle for heavy-duty towing. However, if you are towing a heavy 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, we recommend going with the Power Stroke diesel over the gas engines.

2020 Ford Super Duty Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is a bit of a mystery because this class of trucks is exempt from official labeling and testing by the EPA. The 7.3-liter gas engine we had was around 12 to 14 in the city and 15 to 16 on the highway on average.

2020 Ford Super Duty 7.3-liter gasoline V8. Driving Dynamics

We didn’t tow anything super heavy this week, but we hauled a massive load of cargo in the bed to give it a test. We pushed it hard at altitude (9,000 feet elevation) up I-70 near Denver to try and mimic what Ford does with its famous “torture testing.” The big truck had no problem passing slower traffic with its extra power, and the new 10-speed automatic gearbox shifts quickly.

The only downside is stopping distance, especially when towing or hauling a payload. While the new Super Duty is quick up the hill, down the hill – especially with the gas engines – you might find yourself riding the brakes more than you are comfortable with. If you are frequently towing or hauling heavy payloads, this is another good reason to go with the Power Stroke as it has a built-in diesel exhaust brake.

On the highway, the cabin is relatively quiet, and the ride is smooth for a “three-quarter-ton” truck, as long as you aren’t driving on uneven pavement or rough terrain. On the dirt roads we drove, the ride is, as expected, a little rough and rougher with a payload.

Conclusion: A Strong Competitor

The updated 2020 Ford Super Duty has more power for towing, a new 10-speed transmission, and the technology and driver assistance features more common to light-duty pickups. You can use the truck for serious work, but the family won’t be complaining when you take it on a long road trip.

However, both the Silverado HD and Ram HD are solid offerings, so we recommend shopping around and doing some thorough research on each truck before making a decision.

Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
Original article: 2020 Ford Super Duty Review: Ford Raises The Bar for Heavy Duty Trucks

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2020-ford-super-duty-review-ford-raises-the-bar-for-heavy-duty-trucks/

2018 Mazda MX-5 RF Goes Nationwide

2018 Mazda MX-5 RF Goes Nationwide The 2018 Mazda MX-5 RF (better known as the new “Miata” with the trick roof) will finally hit dealers across the nation by the end of this month. I’ve actually seen two of these little guys in the past week up here in the Pacific Northwest, and I have to say they’re quite attractive, especially when in motion. This also gives Miata, er, MX-5 fans something they have long been slavering for: a coupe option.
Say What?
I never really understood this, but when I was living in San Francisco, the local roadster club I was in was obsessed with getting removable hardtops for their Miatas. It was the coolest thing you could do, style-wise. Here we were in an area of the world seemingly made for top-down sports car driving nine days out of ten, and what do guys want? Hardtops. So, the current gen MX-5 RF should do great business in the Bay Area.
Chicago Style
With the top up, the RF has a classic, fastback style, and with the top “down” . . . well, okay, it’s doesn’t actually go all the way down, it does this Targa-like thing. Which is good. It looks nice, blows your hair around, lets you hear and smell what’s going on around you, but you know, sadly, not a full-blown convertible. At any rate, here we are in Chicago, The Windy City, City of The Big Shoulders, Hog Butcher to The World for the Chicago Auto Show, and this is where Mazda announces the pricing and packaging for the 2018 MX-5 RF. This follows, since the Chicago Show was where the first Miata debuted in 1989 (feeling old yet?).

Technology & Available Equipment
This is the second year of production for the MX-5 RF, which stands for retractable fastback, and for this go-round, all MX-5s receive some noteworthy upgrades. For example, we have the newly standard heated cloth seats in MX-5 Club. As a guy who is currently looking for a good interior shop to install aftermarket seat heaters in his 1994 R-Package, I can only see this as a good and sacred thing. Advanced Keyless Entry comes standard on all models, along with new color options and leather-trimmed seats (also heated) as part of the Brembo/BBS Package.
Both the Club and Grand Touring versions come with standard LED headlights, various infotainment technologies, and a nifty seven-inch display. There are two USB inputs, a Bose nine-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and plenty of safety features like blind spot detection. And all that is nice and fine and true, but believe me, when you start to wring out a little sports car like this on a winding road, all that stuff falls away from “what is needed.” And “what is needed” a Miata has in droves.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Power & Performance
All new Miatas, er, MX-5s, come with a fast to redline SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine that sends 155 horsepower to the rear wheels via a standard 6-speed manual transmission. And given that these things weigh in at, what, 2,200 lbs, that’s enough motive power. There is an available 6-speed automatic that people say is actually pretty good. It has those slick flappy paddles and all that, but I haven’t driven one yet, so don’t ask me if the auto-box is a good option.
As far as the RF Club is concerned, manual transmission models come with a limited-slip rear differential (saWEET), a front shock-tower brace, and Bilstein dampers. The aforementioned Brembo/BBS package includes (in addition to the heated leather seats) forged, lightweight BBS wheels, body sill extensions, and a rear bumper skirt. Not to put too fine a point on this, but this is the package to get. To quote my father: “When you have the option, always get the hotter version.”
If minimalist performance is not your thing, then perhaps I can interest you in the more luxurious MX-5 Grand Touring. The Grand Touring comes with body-color exterior mirrors, automatic on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, heated leather seats (naturally), navigation, an Adaptive Front-lighting System with High Beam Control, and a Lane-Departure Warning system. For 2018, Auburn Nappa leather is available fine sir.

Pricing & In Person
The 2018 Mazda MX-5 RF starts around $25,000, topping out in the mid-to-high $30,000 range. And dollar for dollar, they are very hard cars to argue with. You can see them on display at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show now through the 19th at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
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.
Photos & Source: Mazda North American Operations.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-mazda-mx-5-rf-goes-nationwide/

From CTS To ZL1: The Story of GM’s Fastest Track Car

From CTS To ZL1: The Story of GM’s Fastest Track Car Here at home, it’s really something to catch a game at Comerica Park. Nothing beats watching one of our beloved Tigers launch a ball over the Chevrolet Fountain. Everyone cheers, water flies into the air, and a fierce growl emits from the loudspeakers. Buildings, both new and old, of a scarred but great city surround the park and look down on the field. It’s enough to make anyone love the game, yet it goes deeper.
Pizza Pie & Performance Cars
There was once a young man who played for the Tigers. He grew up to own them. Detroit can and will change things – it makes things that seem impossible possible. It’s the very nature of this place and it’s hard to explain exactly how it happens, but it does. For all the hardships this city endured, for as bad as things have been, that line extends the other direction in equal fashion. Only here could a minor leaguer become a sports franchise owner in a single lifetime. But he wasn’t the only thing here that started in an unlikely place and ended up someplace special.
A Camaro is often parked on the Chevy Fountain. Fitting. Because only here – only in Detroit – could your grandfather’s Cadillac become an extremely fast performance car.
2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Photo: Chevrolet.
More Than Meets The Eye
Chevy’s muscle car had disappeared for eight years until a cyborg superhero imprinted himself on the legendary machine. Donning a new body style, Bumble Bee gave us every reason to get excited about the car’s return in this sleek variation. Granted, Bumble Bee defeated Barricade (a Ford Mustang funny enough) in a classic Camaro skin, but that legacy inspired the Chevy team when designing the fifth generation.
“We went back to what made the car popular from the beginning, which were the certain design ques, like the long dash to axel, the long hood, the strong rear shoulders, and the horizontal lamps,” explained Al Oppenheiser, Camaro Chief Engineer. “We kept the DNA from the original Camaro and we modernized it.”
The fifth generation Camaro debuted to much acclaim, winning 2010’s World Car Design of the Year title. That same year, Camaro landed a Best-in-Class Ideal Vehicle Award from AutoPacific. The bar was certainly raised but moving it higher for the sixth generation meant actually dropping one critical thing.
“The fifth generation was saddled with a lot of comments on how heavy it was, so we took what worked in the fifth generation from a design standpoint and we sent it to the gym if you will,” Oppenheiser said. “For this new generation, we decided the biggest thing we wanted to do was lighten the vehicle up and make it stronger and faster than the fifth generation.”
And this is where one storied GM marque arrives to help another.
“We were able to come up with our Cadillac architecture which allowed us to take anywhere from 225 to 390 lbs. out of the car from what it was in the fifth generation,” Oppenheiser continued. “The architecture of this generation is based on the same as the Cadillac CTS, so it allowed us to use a lot of new, lighter weight materials that are stronger than the traditional steel that was in the fifth generation.”
The 2014 Camaro Z/28 featured a hand-assembled LS7 427 cid engine that delivered 505 horsepower and 481 lb-ft. of toque. The Z/28 also had specific cooling systems and a fully integrated aerodynamic package. Photo: Chevrolet.
Drawing Board Mentality
Oppenheiser and his team examined and analyzed the competition, determined to separate the Camaro from the performance car pack. Once the stronger, more versatile Cadillac architecture was in place, the team went after the suspension, then the engines; and all the way through the entire car, top to bottom, front to rear.
“When we started out, we did so on a clean sheet of paper for what the sixth generation was going to be,” Oppenheiser explained. “We planned out the whole portfolio, from the new 2.0-liter turbo, all the way up to the 650 horsepower LT4 engine in a ZL1 1LE.”
Even with the promising Cadillac architecture some inherent challenges existed. The Camaro team didn’t want to add mass – that’s what they wanted to get away from, but weight became an immediate concern again when the decision was made to offer both a coupe and convertible. Oppenheiser describes this as the car’s “wide bandwidth,” which is great in terms of expanding the available offerings, but demanding in terms of engineering.
“When you throw a convertible in there, you have this big matrix of things that you want to put in the car from a performance standpoint,” he said. “So we designed the convertible at the same time we designed the coupe, which allowed us to save by not having to add a bunch of extra, special pieces to a convertible.”
The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE made its world debut at the Chevrolet Experience Center on Friday, February 24th, 2017 at Daytona International Speedway. Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser (right) gives four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon a detailed walk around the car. Photo: Steve Fecht for Chevrolet.
Fine-Tuning & Finesse
As development continued, details were poured over and the small stuff sweated. Every person working on the sixth generation Camaro, be it in the design department, or the marketing and media relations office, were dialed-in and engaged. The collective whole found ways – sometimes little ones – to help this new Camaro become what it wanted to be. Meanwhile, performance engineers were busy tuning the exhaust note.
“We spent six months doing that,” Oppenheiser said. “We literally spent six months tweaking the back pressure and tweaking where it opens up the valves at certain RPMs just to get that perfect Camaro feel.”
With the exhaust note tuned to perfection, it was time to hit the pavement and put some real test miles on this new and favorable sixth generation. And indeed the miles racked up on the initial test properties, affectionately referred to as “mules” by the Camaro team.
“It was basically a CTS that we started putting Camaro DNA into,” Oppenheiser explained. “I challenged our whole team: this thing has to transform into a Chevrolet Camaro from a Cadillac, but when we started driving it around, it definitely felt like a CTS.”
Slight modifications were introduced on the test mules, like lowering the chair height and raising the beltline; the aforementioned long dash to axel concept was expanded upon, and the seating position adjusted accordingly.
“All of a sudden you started feeling like, you know what, we’ve done it, this is now a Camaro,” Oppenheiser said. “Now we’ve got the basic platform to start from, we have the DNA in the car, now let’s make it perfect and push the limits.”
The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Photo: Chevrolet.
Over The Fountain
Camaro holds its rightful place but it’s also living somewhat in the Corvette’s shadow, GM’s iconic and now immortal performance car. And that will (probably) always be as long as both remain under GM’s roof. But there’s that element here in Detroit – that passion brewing under the surface that allows a minor leaguer to surpass the ranks of the majors, and right into the annals of history. This was Mr. I. and in no uncertain terms, it is also Mr. O.
“When I came into General Motors 32 years ago, I told everybody that I wanted to be the Corvette or the Camaro Chief; I am fortunate to be here and I love every day, “Oppenheiser said. “The one thing I always dreamed about was if we could have a car that could be called the fastest car GM ever made on the track, it would be great.”
And that happened this summer when the 2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE sailed around the Nürburgring’s 12.9-mile Nordschleife in 7:16.04. That proved it was the fastest Camaro ever on the famed German track, but more importantly, the fastest car in GM’s history. Oppenheiser admits he knew the 2019 ZR1 was coming but wanted that moment in time preserved for the hard working people on his team. Even if that moment was short-lived.
“I thought it was fantastic because of the pride from everybody that touches the Camaro from design, manufacturing, engineering, finance, and marketing,” he said. “Everybody walked around just a little bit taller all summer last year because of how well we did on this car and how well it performed.”
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.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/from-cts-to-zl1-the-story-of-gms-fastest-track-car/

Honda Promises Family-Friendly, High-Tech Features For 2018 Pilot

Honda Promises Family-Friendly, High-Tech Features For 2018 Pilot

The 2018 Honda Pilot went on sale this week, billed as the automaker’s “family-friendly, high-tech” vehicle. Honda’s three-row SUV arrives on the heels of some solid recognition, including the 2017 Automotive Best Buy Award from Consumer Guide and a designation from U.S. News & World Report as one of the best cars for families in 2017. Honda says Pilot production in Lincoln, Alabama has increased to make availability easier for the automaker’s some 1,000 dealerships nationwide.
Power & Performance
The 2018 Honda Pilot features a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC V6 engine, complete with Variable Cylinder Management for increased performance and efficiency. The engine, which creates 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of toque, is paired to either a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available.
Honda’s unibody SUV rides on a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Steering is electronic and the brakes are a power-assisted and ventilated setup.
Interior Treatments
Honda says the high point here is the cargo and rear seating area, arranged in such a way that neither one intrudes on the other. The entry way to the third row is larger and the available “one-touch slide” feature will fold the second row automatically. Total passenger volume ranges between 151 and 153 cubic feet, depending on the trim level.
The 2018 Pilot also features the latest infotainment and connectivity systems and is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Push button start, rear window defroster, cargo area hooks and tie-downs, and a 60/40 split, flat-folding third-row bench seat are standard across the lineup.
2018 Honda Pilot Elite. Photo: Honda North America.
Safety & Security
The 2018 Pilot can be equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies, available as a standalone option on EX and EX-L, but standard on Touring and Elite trims. Honda Sensing includes the Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning. Additional driver assistance features include the standard, multi-angle rearview camera and an available blind spot information monitor with cross traffic detection.
Pricing & Availability
The 2018 Honda Pilot is available now. We have included the handy chart from Honda below which outlines the various trim levels and corresponding information. The Honda Pilot was designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in California and Ohio.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Trim/Drivetrain
Transmission
MSRP
EPA MPG Rating
(City/Highway/Combined)
LX / 2WD
6AT
$30,900
19/27/22
LX / AWD
6AT
$32,800
18/26/21
EX / 2WD
6AT
$33,330
19/27/22
EX / AWD
6AT
$35,230
18/26/21
EX w/Honda Sensing / 2WD
6AT
$34,330
19/27/22
EX w/Honda Sensing / AWD
6AT
$36,230
18/26/21
EX-L / 2WD
6AT
$36,760
19/27/22
EX-L / AWD
6AT
$38,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/Honda Sensing / 2WD
6AT
$37,760
19/27/22
EX-L w/Honda Sensing / AWD
6AT
$39,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/Navi / 2WD
6AT
$37,760
19/27/22
EX-L w/Navi / AWD
6AT
$39,660
18/26/21
EX-L w/RES / 2WD
6AT
$38,360
19/27/22
EX-L w/RES / AWD
6AT
$40,260
18/26/21
Touring / 2WD
9AT
$41,970
20/27/23
Touring / AWD
9AT
$43,870
19/26/22
Elite / AWD
9AT
$47,470
19/26/22
Photos & Source: Honda North America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/honda-promises-family-friendly-high-tech-features-for-2018-pilot/

2018 Chevy Traverse RS: Not Your Father’s Traverse

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

Check out these Automotive tips

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-chevy-traverse-rs-not-your-fathers-traverse/

2019 Range Rover Models Blend Performance With Efficiency

2019 Range Rover Models Blend Performance With Efficiency

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

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

Check out these Automotive tips

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2019-range-rover-models-blend-performance-with-efficiency/

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

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

Mercedes-Benz rolled out their latest CLS at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. It has more of everything: tech, safety, performance, comfort, the whole lot. But wait, what’s this? This is very out of the ordinary! It is being propelled by a inline six cylinder? Wow, haven’t seen a new one of those in a long while. I wonder what’s in store, besides lots of torque?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS, which is one of those “coupe” things that has four doors (I see what you’re trying to pull here), has been around since 2003. So whatever bugs were there from the get-go, Merc has probably crunched them by now.
Six Shooter
The real interesting part is that straight six. In broad strokes, the new plant gets something called EQ Boost and a 48 volt on-board electrical system. EQ Boost is a new, “systematically electrified” system that piggybacks onto the conventional aspects of the engine. EQ Boost integrates the starter, which is now a starter/generator hybrid unit, with the 48 volt on-board electrical system to add power as the CLS’s umpteen computers see fit. EQ Boost is available on both the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC. The plant puts out 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque on its own, and if it calls for the EQ Boost, that will kick in an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque over short periods. Not bad, not bad.
So EQ Boost is sort of like a half-hybrid set up. Mercedes-Benz does not mention other batteries or separate battery packs, but does note the EQ Boost can assist, for example, when accelerating. They even say it makes driving without the combustion engine possible. For some reason, Merc calls this EV-only thing “sailing,” which speaks to me of serious schnapsleiche in the marketing department.
Other than the EQ Boost equipped inline six, the CLS presents new goodies like a consistent interior color scheme, widescreen digital instrument cluster, and some outstandingly goofy junk called ENERGIZING Comfort (all caps – more schnapsleiche in the marketing department). The latter focuses on wellness (no, really).
The new CLS has a four-link front and five-link rear suspension. An air suspension system with adjustable and adaptive damping is optional. Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
Interior Treatments
When it comes to the interior, Mercedes-Benz really seems geeked out on colors. The ambient lighting lets you choose from 64 (!) colors and even features lighting inside the air vents. Yes air vents. Why? Because that way, when you change the temperature setting of the air conditioning, it briefly changes the color of the air vent lights to show the temperature is being made warmer (red) or cooler (blue). How did we ever get along without this?! The CLS450 is equipped with a wide-screen, high-resolution central display that is more than 12-inches diagonally. If that’s not enough, two more 12.3-inch displays are available. There are three display configuration styles the driver can choose from, depending on preference, mood, or to suit the interior appointments: Classic, Sport, or Progressive. So what.
“The new CLS is a design icon as the archetype of the four-door coupe,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Daimler AG. “In line with our hot and cool design philosophy, we have reduced its DNA to an extremely puristic level while emotionally charging its beauty.” Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
Energy Efficient
The ENERGIZING Comfort system is there to link various “comfort systems” in the vehicle into one, harmonious package. The system uses the functions of the climate control, including fragrancing (and yes, Mercedes-Benz made up the word fragrancing), the seats (heat, ventilation, massage), the surface and steering wheel heating, as well as lighting and musical atmospheres. This allows, and I’m not kidding, a “specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood and need of the customer.”
Thankfully there are no pink bunnies involved.
Six ENERGIZING programs can be selected: Refresh / Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort / Well-Being, and Training with three training modes – muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance – each with several exercises. Rumors have it that Mercedes-Benz is working on more ENERGIZING programs including Swedish Heavy Metal, Talk Radio Anger Bear, Haight-Ashbury, and Dryer Lint. Mercedes-Benz says well-being and performance levels are enhanced. I’m not sure about that, but I can tell you my laughing was seriously enhanced reading about it. Was I right when I said outstandingly goofy junk or what?
Photo: Mercedes-Benz USA.
All Is Well
The new CLS is equipped with the latest generation of driving assistance systems, including route-based speed adaptation and driver support. Also included are Active Brake Assist, and the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE, including PRE-SAFE Sound which “prepares human hearing for the anticipated accident noise when there is a risk of a collision.” I’m assuming that PRE-SAFE Sound is a recording of a matronly lady quietly repeating, “Es ist in Ordnung mein Kleiner. Bald wird es einen Anschlag geben, aber du wirst in Sicherheit sein. Alles ist gut. Alles ist gut.”
Also thrown into the mix is Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist. In other words, you get more assistance than a military contractor come tax time.
Availability
Look, there is a ton of other stuff here. The Mercedes-Benz press release runs on for nearly three-thousand words and reads like a Neichze-ian screed about the coming uber-auto. Through all of this, one thing is extremely clear: The third generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is an exceedingly well thought out, well engineered, and well screwed together car. Following its debut at the LA Auto Show, the new CLS will arrive in the United States in the fall of 2018.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias toward lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 Gallery

Photos & Source: Mercedes-Benz USA.

Check out these Automotive tips

https://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-2019-mercedes-benz-cls450-can-change-your-mood-literally/

2018 Nissan Kicks Makes A Punch In Los Angeles

2018 Nissan Kicks Makes A Punch In Los Angeles

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

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

Photos & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-nissan-kicks-makes-a-punch-in-los-angeles/

The New Mazda6 And The Automaker’s Path To Premium

The New Mazda6 And The Automaker’s Path To Premium

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

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

Photos & Source: Mazda North American Operations.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/the-new-mazda6-and-the-automakers-path-to-premium/