Automotive

2018 Audi SQ5 Makes World Debut At NAIAS

Audi’s Q series, that would be their line of SUVs, has an S sub-brand that focuses on more performance oriented options. Their latest, the 2018 Audi SQ5, just took it’s debut bow at the 2017 North American International Auto Show.

The Q series breaks down into three models: The Q3, the Q5, and the Q7. Essentially, that comes across as “small, medium, and large.” Right now, we’ll be looking at the sporty version of the Q5, the SQ5.

Power & Performance

The 2018 SQ5 is motivated by an all-new, 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine, cranking out 354 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. The torque curve is particularly broad-shouldered, producing all that grunt from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. Said power and torque is put to the pavement via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission that Audi says “is well suited for the low-end torque of the turbocharged V6.”

They said something similar about the A5 and S5.

Naturally, the Audi SQ5, like all Audis, is standard-equipped with quattro all-wheel drive.

The 2018 Audi SQ5 with the quattro sport rear differential actively splits torque between the wheels of the rear axle, and can direct nearly all torque to one wheel. This creates a more engaging driving experience. The technology is part of the available S sport package. Photo: Audi of America.

Suspension Setup

The 2018 Audi SQ5 has a newly developed front and rear suspension. The new front five-link suspension is lightweight and said to offer greater steering precision and exceptional handling. Audi engineered the placement and performance of the steering-rack accordingly.

The SQ5 sport package also includes, for the first time on the model, an adaptive air suspension. The air suspension system can lower the vehicle height by 30 mm compared to the standard adaptive suspension. This air suspension system allows for the adjustments of both the ride height and the firmness of the dampers (shocks, as we call them in America) and is controlled via the Audi drive select.

The SQ5’s advanced driver assistance systems are designed to keep occupants safe. Standard Audi pre sense city, an automatic emergency braking system, can help detect stationary vehicles and pedestrians, and if necessary, initiate full braking at speeds of up to 52 mph to avoid a potential collision. Also available is adaptive cruise control with stop & go. This automatically maintains distance from the vehicle in front, including braking and accelerating. And finally, between 0-40 mph, traffic jam assist combines acceleration, braking, and steering guidance, which can help decrease the stress of driving in heavy traffic. Photo: Audi of America.

Drive Modes & Steering

The Audi drive select has four modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual. If you opt for the available sport adaptive air suspension, you can also choose from an allroad and a lift/offroad mode. The allroad and lift/offroad modes raise the air suspension for increased ground clearance when needed.

Say, dealing with berms while heading up for a ski weekend.

Audi has also tweaked the aforementioned steering on 2018 SQ5. A dynamic steering package is available, which offers a variable steering ratio that adjusts based on vehicle speed and the Audi drive select setting. So at higher driving speeds, the system improves straight-line stability, while at lower driving speeds, there is a more direct steering ratio. This helps increase steering response for easy maneuvering.

In other words, parking is made a lot easier while still retaining great highway manners.

So the SQ5 hits the Goldilocks zone in a rather nice and sporting way. Not too big. Not too small. And it can go, turn, and stop better than your average SUV. We thought it was a nice addition to the North American International Auto Show.

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.

2018 Audi SQ5 Gallery

2018 Audi SQ5 Performance Charts

Photos & Source: Audi of America.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-audi-sq5-makes-world-debut-at-naias/

2018 Ford F-150: Intelligence Meets Capability

The Ford F-150 pickup truck is, for all intents and purposes, the class leader in the full-size truck world, and a benchmark for what America does best: Pickup trucks. We here at Automoblog, and certainly I, do not really have a dog in this fight. I just want a truck that works, when I need a truck.

So, we are not going to get into any sort of Ford vs. Chevy vs. Ram vs. Toyota vs. everybody else sort of arguments here. If, however, you want to know the facts about the new 2018 Ford F-150, here they are.

Ford breaks down the details of the 2018 F-150 into three main areas: It’s tougher, it’s smarter, and it’s more capable.

Materials & Technology

Ford is still on the prowl with their “Built Ford Tough” slogan, mentioning it as a critical part of the 2018 F-150’s DNA. They also point out how they continue to use a “high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body.” Yes, certain competitors try to play this as a fault, but, if you know much about materials, structural engineering, or aluminum, it is far from a fault.

Like all new cars hitting the roads from Bangor to Beijing these days, the Ford F-150 will be slathered with a whole slew of high tech goodies. Gone are the days when the only tech-oriented bit of fluff you could get was an FM radio. The upcoming F-150 gets an available, class-exclusive Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection system. It can automatically apply the brakes to help prevent a collision with another vehicle or pedestrian.

There will also be an available Wi-Fi hotspot for the truck. Sure, that might seem like a bit of unnecessary icing on the cake, but consider this: Trucks are primarily used as tools by the blue collar types of this country. Change in plans. Here’s the new drawings. Here’s the list of what you need to pick up from the second job site. Here’s the new list of parts you need to drop off at Carl’s. Here’s blah-blah-blah.

Man, when I was using a truck as part of my daily job, I would have loved to have that kind of connectivity.

The 2018 Ford F-150 will provide an array of avaialbe connectivity features and safety technology. SYNC and SYNC 3 with FordPass enables Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus other mobility services. An available 360-degree camera helps with backing up to a trailer or maneuvering the truck through tight and congested areas. The available lane-keeping assist system will help drivers avoid unintentional drifting while the available Blind Spot Information System, with trailer tow technology, accounts for the length of a trailer up to 33 feet. The latter uses radar sensors in the taillamps to monitor areas that may not be readily visible. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Power & Performance

Now, as far as that “more capable” stuff goes, here’s where the rubber, literally, meets the road. The 2018 F-150 features the best towing capability of any F-150 yet. No specs are given, but the clear implication from Ford is that it’s more than the outgoing model. And since the 2017 F-150 could yank your house off its foundation, let’s just say we’re not worried about the upcoming specs for towing a trailer.

Ford, when it comes to towing, emphasizes the backbone of the 2018 F-150, the fully boxed, high-strength steel ladder frame. When combined with the aluminum alloy body, the F-150 continues to save weight, transferring to heavier payloads hauled and heavier trailers towed.

All this pull comes thanks to an new, standard 3.3-liter V6 engine, with direct-injection for increased efficiency. The 3.3-liter V6 is expected to offer the same 282 horsepower and 253 lb-ft. of torque as the previous model’s standard 3.5-liter V6. In other words, it’s the same performance, but you’re spending less on gas.

The all-new, second-generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost is available, paired to the segment-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.0-liter V8 is available too, with significant upgrades in power and torque, and will also be paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission. And for those of you that are fans of diesel engines, Ford is adding an all-new 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine option for the 2018 F-150. It was designed, engineered, and tested in-house by Ford, and will be paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Ford F-150 is also the first full-size truck to add automatic start/ stop as standard equipment across all models and engines.

The second-generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine features advanced dual port and direct injection technology, reduced internal friction, and improved robustness. F-150 engineers focused heavily on things like output, efficiency, quality, and durability. Like the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost will be paired to the segment-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Pricing & Availability

The 2018 Ford F-150 will hit dealerships this fall; Ford has not announced pricing at this time. The 2018 F-150 will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.

Chevy, Dodge et al, there is your line in the sand. It should be interesting to see how others in the truck segment respond.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

Check out these Automotive tips

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/2018-ford-f-150-intelligence-meets-capability/

Genesis Showcasing 2018 G80 Sport in Detroit

The new Sport trim of the Genesis G80 will be on display at the upcoming 2017 North American International Auto show in Detroit, Michigan. The Sport variant is marked by its distinctive copper styling elements to separate it from the rest of the G80 fleet.

Special 19-inch wheels, leather sport seats, unique steering wheel, and carbon fiber interior treatments are among the other design features.

Performance & Powertrain

The 2018 Genesis G80 Sport runs with a 3.3-liter direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V6, creating 356 horsepower. The engine is paired to a sport-tuned, performance enhancing eight-speed automatic transmission. Matching the power under the hood is an upgraded and specifically designed suspension, meant to deliver a superior ride and dynamic maneuverability.

Overall, Genesis engineers focused on a refined, robust powertrain, smooth ride, and agile handling.

Rear-wheel or all-wheel drive is available, depending on a driver’s preferences.

Safety & Security

The 2018 Genesis G80 Sport is standard with a host of advanced safety features: Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Alert, and a multi-view camera are just a few. The vehicle also keeps the drivers and passengers connected to the world with things like Destination Search powered by Google. Other connectivity features, like Enhanced Roadside Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Recovery, will provide extra safety and security for owners.

Pricing & Availability

Additional details, including full specifications and pricing, will be available closer to when the vehicle goes on sale.

The 2018 Genesis G80 will join the brand’s flagship machine in Detroit, the G90, a finalist for the North American Car of the Year. The new G80 will go on sale this spring, although the 2017 Genesis G90 is available now. The North American International Auto Show begins Sunday, January 8th with media and industry specific events. The show officially opens to the public on January 14th.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.