Automotive

Wheelzy Review (2020): Need to Sell Your Car Fast? Here’s How it Works

Wheelzy Review (2020): Need to Sell Your Car Fast? Here’s How it Works Wheelzy Review In Our Opinion: It's easy to be skeptical of "cash for your car" services like Wheelzy, but we were pleasantly surprised after going through the process. The company has thousands of reviews on Trustpilot, and currently maintains an "Excellent" rating. Wheelzy tows your car away, handles the paperwork, and gives you cash-money within 48 hours. Availability Quote Process Quote AmountCustomer Reviews ProsCustomer Service Guaranteed Cash Offers Pays All Towing ExpensesConsLower Offer Than Selling On Your Own 4.4Get a Free QuoteWheelzy.comSelling your car is tricky if you are under a time constraint. Not every dealership will buy a vehicle outright. Selling your car privately is not always the best option either if you need the money sooner rather than later. It takes time to list, and it may even cost money depending on the outlet. From there, it’s hoping the interested buyers are willing to pay you a fair price (if they contact you at all).

We recently spent some time learning about Wheelzy, an online platform that pays cash for vehicles. Their website offers a convenient option for those who need to sell their car but are pressed for time, or don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling it themselves. On average, Wheelzy customers receive their cash payment in 24 to 48 hours.

Wheelzy will also purchase a vehicle regardless of the condition, which is ideal for those who feel like their car is starting to “nickel and dime” them.

Affiliate Disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you inquire about the services below.

How it Works

First Steps

On the Wheelzy homepage, you will enter the make, model, and year of your vehicle, along with your name and contact information. After clicking the “Get Offer” button, enter the vehicle’s mileage and condition.

The condition assessment is straightforward. The drop-down box asks if there is any damage and where approximately it is located. Just select from the choices available, or you can indicate “no damage” if your vehicle is in good shape.

You can also just give them a call at (855) 971-1920 and talk to a customer service rep who will walk you through the process.

Pro Tip: Have your VIN handy. While you can go through the initial process without your VIN, it’s best to include it right away. Your VIN will ensure the best possible quote for your vehicle. Wheelzy Contacts You

After you have entered your information, a representative will contact you via phone to discuss the cash offer. When we submitted one of our vehicles for a cash offer, we missed the first call. A short time later, we received a courtesy text and email from the Wheelzy rep. It let us know they had received our information and to call them back at our convenience.

Pro Tip: Keep your reference number handy as you go through the process. We wrote ours down and stuck it to our laptop.After You Accept the Cash Offer

This is where Wheelzy stands out, especially if you need to offload your car quickly. Once you agree on a cash offer, Wheelzy will send a free tow truck to your location. Same-day pickup is also possible, depending on a driver’s availability. Wheelzy operates in all states and zip codes and follows strict social distancing guidelines during the pick up process.

The towing fees are taken care of in advance by Wheelzy, and the driver does not try to haggle with you upon arrival. Once the cash offer is agreed upon for your vehicle, it stands. The tow truck driver is only there to haul your vehicle away, not convince you to take a lower offer. Similarly, Wheelzy handles all the paperwork associated with the sale. If you are selling your vehicle to Wheelzy, you do not need to contact the DMV at all.

Best For Fast Cash

Get Quote
(855) 971-1920
Great customer reviews, free vehicle removal nationwide, and fast cash all within 48 hours. If you’re in a time crunch or have a car in bad shape, Wheelzy is a great choice.

Comparing & Contrasting

When we entered our 2004 Toyota Corolla LE, we received an instant offer on the Wheelzy website of $464. Our older Corolla had 160,000 miles, plenty of interior wear after 16 years, and some minor damage on the front left side from a rake and shovel that fell in our garage during a bad thunderstorm. These last few Michigan winters had also taken a toll on the lower body. Mechanically it was mostly alright with no check engine lights or serious leaks. Still, after 16 years, it was time to figure something else out.

For comparison sake, we ran the Kelly Blue Book numbers, listing the car in fair condition. The average trade-in value was $1,577, while the average private party value was $2,612. Admittedly, this is a great deal higher than our offer from Wheelzy, but their offer was instant and in cash.

While we could have played the waiting game and hoped a private buyer would bite at around $2,000, we didn’t have that kind of time. Likewise, we were somewhat skeptical that any dealer would value our Corolla at $1,500 on a trade-in. In our experience working for dealer groups, sometimes your trade-in is under the book value; other times, it’s over what the book says. There are other variables that dealers take into account, including what the local market conditions are.

That said, it’s possible our Corolla could have netted us $1,500 (or maybe more) from a local dealer. However, that would have required us to trade it in for another car, which is not what we were looking to do. We simply wanted to offload it and do it rather quickly.

In addition to Kelly Blue Book, we also ran some numbers on our Corolla through Edmunds.

We would say our 04 Corolla was between Rough and Average, given the 160,000 rounds on the odometer. Again, these numbers are higher than Wheelzy’s offer, but that’s also assuming we could get the dollar amounts listed here on our own.

Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book are two of the best resources for consumers, but they are guides, not actual offers. Dealers and private buyers are not obligated to match Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book. By contrast, Wheelzy quotes are upheld from beginning to end.

Should You Take Less Money?

Based on the Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book numbers, we left a sizable amount of money on the table. We recommend carefully evaluating your situation if you are reading this article: can you wait for a private buyer to come along, or do you need the money sooner? Do you want to make all the phone calls necessary to dealers to find out if they want to buy your car?

For us, it was worth it to have Wheelzy haul our older Corolla away so quickly. We needed the garage and driveway space back due to a family situation. The money was also useful for a last-minute plane ticket to help that person pack and drive back to Michigan.

While we did take “less” for our Corolla, the fact Wheelzy towed it away and did the paperwork was also part of the value. Even against the Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book numbers, we feel confident it was the right move with our older Corolla.

Plus, Wheelzy didn’t ding us for the overwhelming fast food and cheap coffee smell that seemed to forever linger in that car! We apologized to the tow truck driver repeatedly.

Best For Fast Cash

Get Quote
(855) 971-1920
Great customer reviews, free vehicle removal nationwide, and fast cash all within 48 hours. If you’re in a time crunch or have a car in bad shape, Wheelzy is a great choice.

What Customers Say About Wheelzy

Here is a sample of customer reviews of Wheelzy on Trustpilot.

Cash Offers

“Great customer service. Kept in touch. Gave the price I wanted. Picked up my vehicle on time and gave me a check right there. Excellent company to deal with. Highly recommend.” ~ Andrea Cargill (Charleston, SC)“Hands down the best around! Fast, Easy, helpful and very professional. From customer service to the driver showing up was a great experience. They also got me the best price around for my Acura TL. Thanks guys!” ~ Rah Lee (Boston, MA)“This place gave a fair deal and picked up my car the next day, check in hand.” ~ Lisa Neve (Biloxi, MS)Customer Service

“I spoke with Britnee, she was very helpful and was able to get my car picked up quickly. I would recommend using this service if you are trying to get rid of your old car.” ~ Jason Gilbeaux (Las Vegas, NV)“Great customer service. I was well taken care of from start to finish. Car picked up and check cut on the same day.” ~ Carol Radous (Greenfield, CA)“Overall experience was great. The rep Vanessa who helped us out was very knowledgeable and very quick to respond and helpful. If anyone out there is looking to sell your vehicle, I would highly recommend their services. They were awesome.” ~ Derrick Ingersoll (Auburn, WA)Out of nearly 8,000 reviews on Trustpilot, only one percent are listed as bad. Just two percent are listed as average. The majority (84 percent) fall into the excellent category.

Currently, Wheelzy is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau. Still, the reviews that appear on the BBB website are positive.

Our Verdict: Good Service, Good Choice!

Wheelzy is likely not your best option if you want the highest number possible for your car, as evidenced by our 2004 Toyota Corolla. In that case, you are better to sell it outright or trade for a new model.

However, if you don’t want to mess with listing your vehicle, are pressed for time and need the cash, or have an older car that would be hard to sell anyway, Wheelzy is an excellent option. Their rates are guaranteed ahead of time, and they take the vehicle off your hands for no extra charge.

In addition, Wheelzy is rated as “Excellent” on Trustpilot with 84 percent of their reviews falling into that category. After going through the process, we would agree with those reviews.

Best For Fast Cash

Get Quote
(855) 971-1920
Great customer reviews, free vehicle removal nationwide, and fast cash all within 48 hours. If you’re in a time crunch or have a car in bad shape, Wheelzy is a great choice.

Original article: Wheelzy Review (2020): Need to Sell Your Car Fast? Here’s How it Works

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Letter From The UK: The French Are Coming

Letter From The UK: The French Are Coming

A very long time ago, the French tried to horn in on the North American continent but we, the British, saw them off only to be unceremoniously kicked out ourselves. Honestly, King George III wasn’t such a bad chap once you got to know him. Obviously, at the time, he was considered to be as mad as a box of frogs but it turns out he suffered from Porphyria, a terrible recurrent illness that accounted for his kaleidoscope of changing views.
Whatever.
Thriving Factories & Prosperous Futures
History shows that even without our help, America managed to get an automobile industry started, culminating, among others, in an organization called General Motors.
Meanwhile, back in Britain, we had our own flourishing car factories redolent with famous names. One of these names was Vauxhall. Founded in 1857 as an industrial manufacturer, the company started making cars in 1903. It is thus one of the oldest car makers in the UK and still ranks high in sales. In short, it is a British success story.
When I say British, I mean of course, American. The company was acquired by GM decades ago. Nevermind, the cars are still made on these septic isles and models like the Astra and Corsa have been consistently on the bestsellers lists. The future looked bright.
Vauxhall Astra. Photo: Vauxhall.
Storm Clouds
But all was not well. In fact, the General Motors’ European arm (including the German Opel brand) has been hemorrhaging money for years. The game was up. It was time to sell. Therefore, the big automotive news from Europe this spring has been the takeover of General Motors loss-making Vauxhall/Opel division by the PSA Group.
This does not, incidentally, mean that Europe has seen the last of GM. In fact, the American company will retain a presence within the continent, confirming they will remain in the European premium market with Cadillac and Chevrolet performance cars, which is good news for sports car enthusiasts.
The PSA Group is French. Yes, a mere three hundred years later and they’re back again, getting a foothold in someone else’s territory. As of now the Vauxhall name has a new owner. This has made waves throughout the industry and the future for this venerable and vulnerable British brand remains to be seen.
Too Far From Comfort
As an American owned company it made logistical sense to maintain full factory production of Euro-spec vehicles in the UK. The French, however, are just over twenty miles away across the English Channel. Stand on the White Cliffs of Dover and you can smell the cooking. This close proximity may well put British factories and jobs at risk as the French already have under-utilized facilities of their own.
This has been of such concern that our new Iron Lady, Prime Minister May, had cause to summon the PSA boss Carlos Tavares to question his motives. He has allegedly guaranteed UK production until “at least” the end of the decade.
Big deal. That’s only three years away.
Astra Sports Tourer models on the assembly line at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port facility. Photo: Vauxhall.

Old Expressions, New Concerns
Also, with Great Britain now committed to leaving the European Union in two years time (we resign formally on March 29th), if we don’t agree on some sort of free trade deal of the type that we currently enjoy, then British-made cars could well become noncompetitive in the Euro market. The big concern is jobs in the same way that jobs have suffered in the recent past in the U.S. car industry.
From this side of The Pond, it seems automotive America might well be in resurgence. There’s a rather uncomplimentary old adage that says, “where America leads, Britain follows.” In this instance, let’s hope that is the case.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

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Five Original Hybrids: American Power Meets European Design

Five Original Hybrids: American Power Meets European Design

If someone says the word “hybrid” to you during an automotive discussion, what car do you think of first? If you answer “Toyota Prius,” then you are likely in the majority. Today, auto manufacturers have adopted the term “hybrid” to define any vehicle which uses both an internal combustion engine and electric power as a fuel-saving measure.
But 40 to 50 years ago, “hybrid” cars were all the rage with enthusiasts, and no, these did not employ battery packs.
Setting The Stage
The term “hybrid” was used to define a car with a body from one manufacturer, and an engine from another, in a high-performance combination. More specifically, a powerful American V8 engine would be dropped into a European-designed and built sports car.
The new and improved power-to-weight ratio gave these vehicles tremendous acceleration. Low development cost and ease of maintenance were also seen as positive attributes, especially compared to some of the high-strung powerplants employed in other foreign-born exotica.
Today, these hybrids from the ‘60s and ‘70s are very popular among collectors, and for good reason. Most of them were also built in very low numbers, making them as rare as they are valuable. Let’s take a look at five of the more popular hybrid models (each built below 10,000 units, or about one week’s production of the Ford F-150.) We’ll examine their origins, what features they have in common, and what distinguishes them from one another.
Our five examples are roughly in chronological order.
Shelby Cobra. Photo: CARiD.
Shelby Cobra
Let’s start with the king of them all, the car that is likely the most popular hybrid ever built. In the early 1960s, former racer Carroll Shelby got the idea to drop an American V8 into a small British roadster called the AC Ace. At that time, the Ace was using an inline 6-cylinder engine of antiquated design. The company was willing, but asked Shelby to help find a suitable engine.
His first request, to Chevrolet, was turned down. However, Ford agreed, wanting to use its new “Windsor” 260 V8. Prototypes were built and were successful, and the car went into production, with AC sending painted bodies to Shelby’s home-grown production facilities in L.A., where the engines were installed.
While Shelby’s racing team had some competition wins with the new car, it was not a retail success. Some new cars languished unsold for more than a year. Of the original Shelby Cobras, fewer than 1,000 were built. There was no financial upside to continued production, so Ford and Shelby stopped their efforts by 1967. Meanwhile, AC continued producing the V8-powered car, which they named the AC 289.
The story gets convoluted from here. Starting in the 1980s, Autokraft, among other companies, began to produce replica Cobras, some as complete cars, and some as kits. Cobra-mania continued to swell, as sports car aficionados wanted an affordable Cobra. Even ol’ Carroll himself got back in the game with the so-called “continuation” Cobras.
Today, you may need to be something of a Cobra expert to distinguish a true original from a later replica. But the Cobra is instantly recognized by almost everyone. Go to any car show, and you’re almost guaranteed to see at least one Cobra in attendance.
Sunbeam Tiger. Photo: CARiD.

Sunbeam Tiger
Our second hybrid entry has a number of similarities with the Cobra: it’s British; it’s based on an existing sports car; and it’s the brainchild of Mr. Shelby. The Sunbeam Alpine was a two-seat roadster built by the Rootes Group in the UK. Originally powered by a 4-cylinder engine, the company wanted to explore more powerful options to expand the car’s sales potential. An attempt was made to work with Ferrari, but that effort failed.
Word got to Carroll Shelby, partly based on his success with the Cobra.
The same Ford small-block V8 from the Cobra was utilized, first in 260 cubic inch form, then as a 289 c.i. V8. It was an extremely tight fit. Part of the firewall had to be beat with a hammer to shoehorn the engine into place. The Ford powerplant doubled the Alpine’s horsepower, while adding little additional weight.
Prototypes were built, one was sent to England for approval, and the concept was quickly approved. The new car, dubbed the Tiger, had plenty of performance. The car entered production in 1964, about a year after the prototypes were done. Just over 7,000 Tigers were built before production ended in 1967.
Ironically, it was another American car manufacturer, Chrysler, which helped bring an end to this Ford-powered hybrid. Chrysler bought a controlling interest in the Rootes Group, and was none too pleased with the idea of “one of their own” being sold with a competitor’s engine. Any thought of substituting a Chrysler V8 ended when the company realized that its engine didn’t fit.
Iso Grifo. Photo: CARiD.
Iso Grifo
This hybrid differs from the Cobra and Tiger in several ways. Although it too uses an American V8 in a sexy European body, the Grifo was a “clean sheet” design. It was not an existing car receiving an engine swap. Also, the Grifo was designed and manufactured in Italy, intended to go head-to-head with that country’s best supercars, such as Ferrari.
To summarize the company’s beginnings: Renzo Rivolta founded the Isothermos refrigeration company in Italy just before World War II. After making refrigerators and heaters through the 1940s, the company moved to motor scooter production, then the Isetta bubble car in the early 1950s. Profits from these ventures allowed the Iso Company to move toward luxury sports cars.
The first such car, the Rivolta, saved on production and tooling costs by using a Chevrolet V8 engine. But it was the next model, the Grifo, which set enthusiasts’ hearts racing. Designed by famous Italian design house Bertone, its looks were as sleek as anything else on the market at that time. The first generation cars used a Chevy 327 engine, which pushed the car to a top speed of over 170 mph.
The 2nd generation Grifo moved up to a big-block 454, also from Chevy. The final version of the Grifo reverted to a Ford Boss 351 engine. This model was not only the last Grifo; it was the last Iso vehicle, as the company went out of business in 1974. Good luck finding one now, as only 413 Grifos were produced.
Jensen Interceptor. Photo: CARiD.

Jensen Interceptor
Among the five hybrids included in our story, the Jensen Interceptor stands alone as the one produced by a large-scale existing car manufacturer, using an American V8 from the beginning as its only available engine. The Jensen brothers, Alan and Richard, founded their company in the 1930s. They had always specialized in building bodies for other manufacturers, as well as complete cars of their own design.
For the Jensen-branded cars, the use of engines made by others was common, and helped control costs.
After producing several in-house designed sports cars after World War II, Jensen hired an Italian design firm, Touring, to create the Interceptor. Earlier Jensen cars utilized a Chrysler V8, and that continued, in 383 c.i. form, with the Interceptor. The result was a true Grand Touring machine: large, roomy, comfortable, and able to cruise for long distances at high speeds. Later models moved up to the Chrysler 440 engine.
Success with this initial hatchback model led Jensen to also produce convertible and coupe versions. But by the mid-1970s, financial problems befell the company, and Interceptor production was over by 1976. Jensen built just over 6,400 Interceptors in all three body styles.
DeTomaso Pantera GT5. Photo: Ed Callow.
DeTomaso Pantera
Our final hybrid is from the DeTomaso firm, founded by Argentinian Alejandro DeTomaso. With funding provided by a brother-in-law, DeTomaso began producing sports cars in Italy in the early 1960s, using European Ford, then American Ford engines.
The company’s third car, the Pantera, was its most successful. Like the Iso Grifo, this was a fresh design, not an existing car with an engine transplant. But instead of Chevy power, it used a Ford 351 “Cleveland” engine. And rather than locate that engine in the front, like all these other hybrids, it was mounted midships, directly behind the two-seat cockpit. Its body was designed by Ghia in Italy, and was one of the sleekest of the early 1970s.
Perhaps the biggest key to the Pantera’s sales success was the deal DeTomaso made with Ford for the car to be sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. This gave it exposure that was otherwise unattainable. The Panera sold well its first few years in the United States. It was priced competitively, had great performance, and could be serviced at any Ford dealer.
But by 1974, with the first gas crisis in full swing, Ford decided to pull the plug on Pantera importation. By this time, about 5,500 cars had been sold. Meanwhile, DeTomaso continued production for the rest of the world, but at a much slower rate of output. Sales continued into the 1990s, eventually reaching over 7,000 units.
Highly Regarded Hybrids
These five hybrids provide us a nice cross-sectional view of market offerings during the ‘60s and ‘70s. Three are from the UK, two from Italy, three with Ford power, one each with Chevy and Chrysler power, and all of them produced in low numbers.
Also note how these cars were born at a time when customers wanted performance, and were willing to pay for it. Today, each of these models are highly-prized and very collectible. Like other muscle cars of the time, the demand is there, and that keeps prices high. So the next time someone asks you about hybrids, you’ll be ready to impress them with your knowledge about these amazing supercars!
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.

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Lotus Elise Sprint: Less Mass Means More

Lotus Elise Sprint: Less Mass Means More

“O mystic Lotus, sacred and sublime, In myriad-petalled grace inviolate, Supreme o’er transient storms of tragic Fate, Deep-rooted in the waters of all Time.”
`The Lotus’ dedicated to M. K. Gandhi,
by Sarojini Naidu.
Experience Is Everything
If you have never driven a Lotus, any Lotus, than those words might seem a little bit over the top, concerning a car. If you have never driven a Lotus, then I have pity and empathy for your automotive shortfall. If you have driven a Lotus, then you know those words are, if anything, not even close to what the driving experience is like.
For some reason, I thought Lotus had stopped producing the Elise and moved on to focus on the Evora and Exige. More’s the pity, I thought, because an Elise is a fantastic car. Nimble and graceful are understatements. Its handling was near telepathic. Its braking was startlingly short and its overall grip was like a mollusk on a rock. But no, Lotus is still making the Elise, and on top of that, they’re making a special edition that is even superior.
Power, Weight & Ratios
Essentially the Hethel outfit has turned the most obsessive of its engineers loose on the little beasty, and they’ve gone after anything that can save weight with a meat-axe. The “normal” Elise already tips the scales at not much more than 800 kilos, but the new Elise Sprint weighs in at 789 kilos, or around 1,700 pounds, dry. That means at the curb, this thing weighs a lot less than a first gen Miata, and it’s mid-engined and it puts out more power.
The Elise Sprint is available with either a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine or a 1.8-liter supercharged plant. I will not insult your intelligence by telling you what engine you should desire, but just in case you’re rather slow on the uptake, I’ll just give you a suggestion: Get the “big” block with the blower you primate.
Now, about that whole weight savings/meat-axe thing.
During development of the Lotus Elise Sprint, balancing the aerodynamic downforce across the entire car was paramount. One example comes with the rubber elements mounted on the flat underside and ahead of the front wheel, together with an additional diffuser vane at the rear. They help modify airflow under the car to reduce drag and increase stability. Photo: Group Lotus plc.

Cutting Down
The Sprint’s standard lightweight components consist of a Lithium-Ion battery that shaves off 9 kg, bespoke carbon race seats that cut 6 kg, and new lightweight forged alloy wheels that trim off an important 5 kg of valuable, unsprung weight. The carbon access panel, roll hoop cover and engine cover, and polycarbonate rear window chop off 6 kg. Overall, that’s an impressive 26 kg, compared to the earlier Sport and Sport 220 models, and both of those were already featherweight cars to begin with.
Other weight saving measures are found in the new, optional two-piece brake discs, which axe 4 kg, again of unsprung weight. There are optional carbon sill covers which subtract 0.8 kg, which is fairly insignificant, but it does show us just how fanatically committed Lotus can be. So you go bonkers with a weight loss program, but what does it get you?
Bring your stopwatch down to the track, and the results speak for themselves.
The Elise Sprint does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and the Elise Sprint 220 does it in 4.1 seconds. Harder cornering, natch, and a power to weight ratio of 168 horsepower per tonne for the Elise Sprint, and 257 horsepower per tonne for the Elise Sprint 220. By the by, “tonne” is a British term but it also means the same as a metric tonne, or 2,200 pounds. So that all important ratio gets even better if’n ya calculate it out in American cypherin’. Bottom line: Champagne levels of performance at a (good) beer price.
The new Elise features the same suspension setup as before, with a fully independent double wishbone suspension and a front anti-roll bar, coupled with Bilstein high-performance gas dampers and Eibach coaxial coil springs, front and rear. Photo: Group Lotus plc.
Sights & Sounds
Lotus says “the 1.8-liter supercharged Elise is the best-sounding 4-cylinder car on the market,” but, A) that’s subjective, and B) does Alfa still make fours? Cause if they do, Lotus is everso wrong in that statement.
Visually you can tell the Elise Sprint from the matte black transom panel, black wheels which come with custom contrasting metal spun rims, distinct yet understated side stripes on the bodywork, and unique side and rear badging. If you’re not driving a Lotus, you’ll be seeing that rear badging more than anything else. There are also color-keyed inserts for the sports seats, transmission console, and HVAC surround, along with Sprint badge stitching. There’s more detail inside the Elise Sprint with a selection of optional Alcantara trim panels on the doors, sills, seats, and vent surrounds, all with contrasting stitching.
Lotus is justifiably proud.
“Enhanced by less weight, the Elise now provides even more driving purity, greater agility, and higher all-round performance. As we say at Hethel: less weight equals more Lotus,” rejoiced Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc.
So if you can get your hands on a Lotus Elise Sprint, do so. I hate to advocate speed, handling, braking, or vehicular insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Lotus Elise Sprint Gallery

Photos & Source: Group Lotus plc.

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Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept: A Serious Contender?

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept: A Serious Contender? In some ways, VW’s Atlas Cross Sport Concept is just that: A concept vehicle at an auto show loaded with gee-wiz features. In a lot of other ways, this is just VW’s latest SUV. But the real key to the Atlas Cross Sport Concept can be found in the press materials when VW says, “Atlas five-seater shows that Volkswagen has a serious SUV strategy.”
In other words, “take our SUVs seriously.” Well, should we take the Atlas Cross Sport Concept seriously?
Up To Speed
For those out of the loop, the quick sketch is that SUVs are a big deal. People want them, for a number of reasons you don’t have to be Sigmund Freud to really figure out. And car makers want to sell them, because the profit margins are higher than traditional cars. So, bottom line: Everybody wants in on the SUV game. And Volkswagen is kind of late to the party. So, their Atlas Cross Sport Concept has to hit all the right notes and make an impression.
The Atlas Cross Sport Concept sits right in the middle of the SUV world. It’s not huge, like an Escalade, and it’s not goofy and tiny, like a Nissan Juke (if the Juke even counts). The Atlas can seat five and carry a lot of their stuff, and it looks like a modern SUV: a big, two-box design resembling a station wagon on steroids.
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Just Enough
The Atlas Cross Sport Concept is 7.5 inches shorter than the run-of-the-mill Atlas, yet it keeps the same wheelbase. The most notable loss is that third row, which knocks the seating capacity down to five. So the Atlas Cross Sport Concept is not aimed at big families, but it’s still big enough for most people and most families to use most of the time. VW goes on and on about how it looks, but to my eyes, it’s rather inoffensive and generic and, if anything, there’s not much there to even criticize. What really sets VW’s Atlas Cross Sport Concept apart is the hybrid drivetrain.
Power & Performance
Volkswagen notes the Atlas is based on the company’s modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform, and that it can be “built with all manner of drive systems, including a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.” In other words, look for a bunch of engine choices across the range.
The concept uses the same 3.6-liter V6 FSI engine as the “normal” Atlas, putting out 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft. of torque. However, that’s just the start, since output is enhanced by two electric motors “fueled” by a compact 18.0 kWh lithium-ion battery housed in the center tunnel. The front motor puts out 54 horsepower and 162 lb-ft. of torque, and the rear motor adds 114 horsepower and 199 lb-ft. of torque to the party. This means a total system power output of 355 horsepower and 1,439,294 lb-ft. of torque.
Wait, I think my figures are a little off for the torque? Let’s just say it puts out a lot of torque, okay? Anyways, you add all that up and this VW concept hits 60 in just 5.4 seconds, topping out at 130 mph.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Drive Modes
And here’s where things get interestingly geeky and gearhead-centric. The software genies that control everything do some very interesting stuff, allowing this concept to operate in any of five modes: E-Mode, Hybrid, GTE, Off-Road or Battery Hold/Battery Charge.
The vehicle always starts out in the all-electric E-Mode if the battery is sufficiently charged. The all-electric driving range is up to 26 miles. Impressive. In E-Mode, drive power is entirely supplied by the 114 horsepower electric motor at the rear axle. Further, the gasoline engine is decoupled from the drivetrain and shut off. As soon as the software decides it needs the V6, it is recoupled to the drivetrain in an almost unnoticeable process.
When working in Hybrid mode, the V6 and/or rear electric motor automatically engage. If the battery is not sufficiently charged at this point, lifting your foot off the accelerator or hitting the brakes will turn the electric motors into generators where the energy recovered from braking is pumped into the lithium-ion battery. In GTE, which is driver-activated via a button, the throttle map, gearshifts, and steering feel sportier, and the V6 and the electric motors work together to access the full system’s power output. Ya-hoo!
If the driver activates the Off-Road mode, the Atlas Cross Sport Concept goes full-on all-wheel drive. The battery’s state of charge is low, and the front electric motor is exclusively used as a generator for the electric motor on the rear axle. This is said to give this show-car Atlas very impressive off-road ability.
Finally, the dual Battery Hold/Battery Charge mode is activated from a menu in the infotainment system. Battery Hold means the energy content of the battery stays constant and Battery Charge means the battery is charged while driving; and all this sounds quite clever. For example, you might use this mode to intentionally prep for driving in the all-electric mode.
Photo: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
In Person
Will this concept be built? Probably, but that’s not the point, I think. The point here is that VW could be sitting on a very flexible drivetrain that can be dropped into a large number of future vehicles. We will have to wait and see. In the meantime, the Atlas Cross Sport Concept is on display the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
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.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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4 Consumer Trends Shaping The Auto Industry’s Future

4 Consumer Trends Shaping The Auto Industry’s Future

In recent years, we’ve seen dramatic transformations in a variety of industries; changes triggered by developments in emerging markets, technological innovations, and a shift in consumer preferences. One of the industries affected most is automotive.
For some, that comes as no surprise. The conveniences and access to information consumers are enjoying in other areas of their lives, they’re also demanding from automakers. From flexible ownership, to automation, to transparency in manufacturing practices, consumer trends are driving changes in the automotive industry.
But how will these demands impact automakers in 2017 and beyond?
Ridesharing Services
Many of today’s consumers are treating mobility in the strictest sense of the word – they just want to get from one place to another however they can, whenever they need to. With car ownership no longer being the status symbol it once was, ridesharing is on the rise. Companies like Uber and Zipcar allow consumers to select a vehicle appropriate for their needs at that particular time. Consumers are choosing on-demand mobility options like these over ownership because of the flexibility and potential savings they provide.
In 2016, Zipcar conducted a nationwide study of 1,200 city-dwellers to gauge their attitudes and behaviors regarding work, money, lifestyle, technology, transportation, and urban citizenship.
“As a truly urban brand, it’s important for us to understand how people are living in our cities today and what’s important to them,” said Andrew Daley, Vice President of Marketing for Zipcar.
The study revealed the majority of these urbanites prioritized their mobile phones over their cars, and planned to drive less and/or give up their cars altogether in the next five years.
“Zipcar’s mission has always been to enable simple and responsible urban living, and the survey results are encouraging,” Daley said. “Urbanites are continuing to reconsider personal vehicle ownership and are beginning to embrace the idea of automated vehicles, especially sharing them.”
Uber passengers share a ride in India. Photo: Uber
Autonomous Driving
Smart or connected vehicles have moved from the drawing board to the production line. Widely considered the precursor to self-driving vehicles, these advancements have given drivers a taste of autonomy through relinquished control of specific functions. For example, adaptive cruise control that reacts to traffic conditions and accident avoidance functionality are readying consumers for an automotive future that’s automatic.
For some brands, the reality of autonomous vehicles is closer than for others. Earlier this year, Ford CEO Mark Fields revealed the carmaker’s plan to introduce 13 new electric vehicles, some with self-driving capabilities, over the next five years.
“As more and more consumers around the world become interested in electrified vehicles, Ford is committed to being a leader in providing consumers with a broad range of electrified vehicles, services, and solutions that make people’s lives better,” Fields said. “Our investments and expanding lineup reflect our view that global offerings of electrified vehicles will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.”
Process & Practices
As with many industries, automotive consumers have a growing desire to gain an understanding into the processes behind the production – often to ensure safe and sustainable practices are used. More than ever before, customers are focused on the environmental impact of their cars, and greater pressure is being put on automakers to develop more fuel-efficient engines, greater safety features, and alternative powertrains.
It’s a desire for improvement and transparency that every automaker should be prepared for.

Ram 1500 EcoDiesel coming off the line at Warren Truck Assembly Plant. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Buying Versus Leasing
In the past few years, consumer leasing in the United States has risen higher than at any point in more than a decade. For many consumers – but particularly Millennials – monthly charges for everything from rent to phones to vehicles are just part of life. But technology may also be driving the trending lease increase. It seems like a new feature is introduced with each new vehicle release.
“What’s offered inside a car these days is changing so rapidly that some consumers don’t feel they want to be tied down to one vehicle for the next 10 years,” said Alec Gutierrez, Senior Analyst at Kelley Blue Book. “By flipping a vehicle lease every year or two, consumers are able to keep up with automotive tech, trends, and tastes.”

These four trends will absolutely impact how automotive professionals operate in the next few years. Stricter requirements and more knowledgeable consumers will change and influence the industry as we know it.
Scott McLaren is CMO for Fortegra Financial Corporation (a Tiptree Inc. company). Fortegra and its subsidiaries comprise a single-source insurance services provider with a range of consumer protection options including warranty solutions, credit insurance, and specialty underwriting programs.
Cover Photo: Mario Ohibsky

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Automoblog Book Garage: Top Muscle

Automoblog Book Garage: Top Muscle

Being born in 1981, I missed the definitive and quintessential muscle car era. Today my work in the automotive industry covers a wide range of vehicles, from family haulers and trucks to small hatchbacks and sports cars. I’m lucky enough that during a certain portion of the year, I get to teach consumers about the new versions of the Dodge Challenger and Charger.
And man are those cars it on a stick . . .
Modern Day Muscle
The Challenger/Charger of today is as contemporary as any other vehicle. Both have top safety ratings, full on-board stability control systems, navigation, Bluetooth capability, and even heated and air conditioned seats. The Hemi engines under the hood have the latest fuel-saving tech and the TorqueFlite transmission has highly optimized ratios. These cars, like all others on the market, benefit from advancements in engineering and design.
But when you accelerate with a 6.4 Hemi under the hood . . . it’s like being in a time machine.
At that moment, I am no different than the 75 million baby boomers in the 1960s who wanted the rawness of an advanced V8. While I understand from a business sense the popularity and demand of small SUVs, my Detroit roots want to see defiant, powerful, and even outrageous cars have their place: Challenger, Charger, Camaro, Mustang and the like.
Throwback Performance
Top Muscle: The Rarest Cars from America’s Fastest Decade chronicles the golden days of factory muscle cars, including the ones built in secret – the ones never officially approved by senior management. In a “sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll” generation, even car enthusiasts got in on the action, and this book is their story.
The pages examine the definitive collection of these incredibly rare beasts. The machines in this book represent the pinnacle of the muscle car movement. Top Muscle gives us tremendous perspective on where and how the performance cars we love today originated.
Author & Photographer
Darwin Holmstrom has written, co-written, or contributed to over thirty books on subjects ranging from motorcycles and muscle cars to Gibson Les Paul guitars. He is the Senior Editor for Motorbooks, who we partner with for this Book Garage series. Holmstrom is joined by photographer Randy Leffingwell, an established author as well. He wrote his first book, American Muscle, in 1989 while still on staff at the Los Angeles Times. Since then, Leffingwell has authored another 47 titles for Motorbooks and is a respected automotive historian.
Top Muscle: The Rarest Cars from America’s Fastest Decade is available through Amazon or Motorbooks.
Top Muscle Gallery

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review test blaju

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Report: Could a new Toyota MR2 be on the horizon?

Report: Could a new Toyota MR2 be on the horizon? Following the media frenzy of the 2017 Geneva Auto Show, rumors suggests some new Toyota sports cars are on the way.
What’s going on?
A new report from EVO suggests Toyota could be furthering the process of reuniting with its past of making affordable sports cars. Toyota delivered pretty well to the enthusiasts with the 86 sports coupe–those complaining about lack of power notwithstanding.
But now, the new report says Toyota’s planning two additional sports models, one of which might signal the return of the MR2. Yup, you read that correctly.

Please, say it is so…
I wish I could, but there’s no genuine and real confirmation from Toyota quite yet. But EVO did manage to speak with CEO Tetsuya Tada, who hinted at the prospect. He first recognized the 86 and the obvious collaboration with BMW, summoning the return of the Supra. Then, Tada ambiguously admitted that a third model will join the lineup, resulting in a total of three sports cars. By the time the lineup is fulfilled, a new generation 86 will have arrived.
To many, the hints Tada shared suggests a new MR2 is on the way considering Toyota’s past lineup of sports cars that led itself to recognition by enthusiasts.
Originally, Toyota’s sports car lineup consisted of the flagship Supra. Then, you had the mid-engined MR2. And at the entry-level, you had the lovely Celica.
We already know a Supra is on the way. So gap filled. The current and next-gen 86 serves the purpose of the Celica. Gap number two, filled. What does that leave? The MR2.
It’s not all just the talk of the town…
For those of you already skeptical and thinking: this is Toyota folks, there’s no way the maker of the Camry and the Corolla will do this when people don’t care about cars yada yada yada yada yada….
But you see, this is false. Subcompact sports cars with low horsepower, but excellent chassis and handling dynamics are becoming increasingly popular. Or, at least demand is strong enough for Honda to make an all-new one–the S660.
The MR2 would technically be a step above the S660. But Honda is already rumored to be working on reviving the S2000. So the Japanese affordable sports car wars are back.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: EVO
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