Automotive

Apple iCar Designs Capture Apple’s Journey From The 80s

Computing giants Apple are known for their iconic and forward-looking product design, so it was a big disappointment for motorists and dreamers alike when, late last year, the plug was pulled on their plans to develop an Apple car.

It seems the project will continue in a different guise, with Apple’s IT experts concentrating on the development of a self-driving system which will eventually find its place in a vehicle designed by an established car manufacturer – if all goes to (the new) plan.

It’s a massive loss for those of us who fancy the latest Apple designs, but a great opportunity to imagine what might have been – so that’s just what the people over at Click Mechanic have done, creating five imaginary Apple car designs inspired by classic Mac hardware from the past thirty years. Think of it as the Batmobile meets desktop computing.

Macintosh 128K

The journey begins in 1984, when Apple released the Macintosh 128K. The angular, off-white design of the iCar Macintosh responds to those clunky early desktops that you occasionally still see in an office storeroom or Dad’s utility room. They have that sturdy look that causes IT managers and home computing nerds alike to think: “I won’t throw it out just yet, it’s sure to be useful again some day.”

Blended with the sporty look of that forward-thinking decade, it cannot help but call to mind a sexier version of the disastrous Sinclair C5.

iMac G3

Skip forward to 1998 and the splash of color we enjoyed with the iMac G3. Snub-nosed and smooth as a pebble, the iCar G3 is available in shades of blueberry, lime, tangerine, strawberry, and grape – and of course, you can see the engine through the back window.

The headlights are modeled on the G3’s banging front-facing speakers.

Power Mac G5

From the plastic 128k to the glassy G3, Apple have always managed to capture the zeitgeist in terms of chassis material.

They did it again with the anodized aluminum alloy of the PowerBook G4 in 2001.

Power and strength likewise characterize the vehicle the G4 has inspired, the Power Mac G5 car.

MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is an enduring classic that continues to evolve. Lightweight and adaptable, the vehicular version borrows that clean, speedy look – although rumors that Apple have removed the CD drive from the car stereo are sure to be controversial!

As the Air user likes to flit from café to meeting room to conference center, so the driver of the iCar Air will be very much the guy or gal around town as they take those hard urban corners at an impressive pace.

iPhone7

Which brings us right up to present day and the jet-black glass of the iPhone7. Minimal to look at, the outsider can only imagine the engine and tremendous range of features so neatly hidden within that hyper-modern exterior.

We would be thrilled to sit behind wheel.

Apple products not only reflect the time they inhabit – they lead the way for competitors and imitators to follow, as great architects always have. So be sure to study these exercises in wishful thinking closely for a hint at the kind of machine we can expect to see next from the biggest tech company on Earth.

G. John Cole is a technology writer and digital nomad. A native Englishman, he is always on the move, but can most commonly be spotted in Norway. Follow him on Twitter: @gjohncole

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New Toyota TRD Models Arrive This Fall

Toyota Racing Development, the in-house performance shop for the automaker, has turned it’s benevolent gaze upon some vehicles you may not normally think of as performance oriented, and the results are good. In this case, the three cars that TRD has gotten their grease-stained, banged-knuckled hands on are the Tundra, Sequoia, and the RAV4.

Tundra TRD Sport

The new Tundra TRD Sport is offered on both 4×4 and 4×2 models in CrewMax and Double Cab configurations. Power comes from Toyota’s ever popular 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, which produces 381 horsepower. TRD has added Sport Tuned Bilstein Shocks and TRD front and rear anti-sway bars to the mix, and also had a go at exterior enhancements.

The mirrors, bumpers, and hood scoop are color coordinated; there are 20-inch silver sport alloy wheels, LED headlights with a smoked chrome bezel, daytime running lights, LED fog lights, mesh grille with body color surround, and TRD Sport bedside graphics. Snazzy! Colors for the Tundra TRD Sport are Super White, Magnetic Gray, Midnight Black Pearl, Blazing Blue Pearl, and Barcelona Red Metallic.

Those last two are also good candidates for band names and/or replacements for Peter Criss and Ace Frehley.

The interior features include a TRD shift knob and TRD Sport floor mats.

Toyota says the Tundra and Sequoia are ideal for adventuresome families in need of that unique combination of performance, utility, towing ability, and comfort. To build upon that, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is introducing the new TRD Sport grade for Tundra and Sequoia later this year. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Sequoia TRD Sport

The 2018 Sequoia SUV, called the Sequoia TRD Sport for this version, also comes in 4×4 and 4×2 and with the aforementioned 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine. TRD Sport Tuned Bilstein Shocks and TRD front and rear anti-sway bars improve the ride and handling.

The Sequoia TRD Sport’s key exterior upgrades include a new front grille and bumper grille insert, metallic black mirror caps, 20-inch alloy sport wheels in black, a darkened rear tail light housing, black satin finish, TRD Sport badging on the front doors, and a metallic black and chrome Sequoia badge on the liftgate. Color choices for the Sequoia TRD Sport include Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and the new Midnight Black Metallic.

Interior features include standard black fabric or optional black leather captains chairs (these are part of the optional Premium Package), TRD shift knob, TRD Sport floor mats, and TRD Sport sill protectors.

Select 2018 RAV4 models will include optional heat/power fabric front row seats, heated steering wheel, and wiper de-icer as part of a new Cold Weather Package. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

RAV4 Adventure

The cute-ute of the latest TRD offerings is the RAV4 Adventure. The RAV4 Adventure will be available in front-wheel drive with an Automatic Limited-Slip Differential, or with Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive. Both come with a standard Tow Prep Package, upgraded radiator, supplemental engine oil and transmission fluid coolers, and a higher ride height suspension.

The RAV4 Adventure model will also come standard with Trailer Sway Control and Hill-Start Assist Control.

Exterior styling tweaks add large overfender flares and 18-inch five-spoke black alloy wheels, sporting the boss meat 235/55R18 tires. Lower body guards, black headlight bezels, black fog lamp surrounds, roof racks, and “Adventure” badging complete the set.

Color-wise, the RAV4 Adventure buyer will get to choose from five: Black, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Silver Sky Metallic, Super White, and one new color for the RAV4, Ruby Flare Pearl. I know, Ruby Flare Pearl sounds like a burlesque dance from the 30s, but just go with it.

The 2018 RAV4 Adventure along with the Tundra and Sequoia TRD Sport will arrive in September.

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: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit: Additional Eyes, Advanced Warnings

It used to be that a “Police Pursuit” or “Police Special Option” package consisted of heavy duty shocks and springs, an oil cooler, and a white paint job. Dodge aims to upgrade that by now offering an “Officer Protection Package” option on their Charger cop cars. Dodge, officially FCA US (that’s Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) teamed up with an outfit from Auburn, California, called InterMotive Inc., to deliver the new Officer Protection Package.

Dodge is doing it at no cost to police agencies that order the 2017 Charger Pursuit package.

Frankenstein Features

This is basically parts bin engineering at its finest. You know what parts bin engineering is, right? Just in case you don’t, parts bin engineering is when you take available cool parts your company is already making, and use them to make another car better; more efficient, perform better, upgrade this and that etc.

Most of the time parts bin engineering was focused on consumer level products, making them faster (stuffing bigger engines into smaller cars) or more luxurious (taking leather seats from an upmarket car and bolting them directly into a mid-level offering).

What Dodge is doing in this case is taking some bits and pieces that it already has in abundance; rear facing cameras and radar crash warning sensors, and installing them on police cars for officer safety.

Photo: FCA US LLC.

Additional Eyes

Dodge has taken the rear-facing camera and radar in its 2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit law enforcement vehicle and reprogrammed it to detect movement behind the vehicle. By this clever move, Dodge hopes to prevent an ambush of the officers and warn them if a subject is approaching from the rear.

Yes, police safety has been increasing for decades, but hey, if you’ve got the parts in the car already, why not tweak them a little bit, just in case?

“This technology is designed to prevent an officer from being ambushed from the rear while parked. While it does not replace vigilance, this technology acts as a second set of eyes and provides police officers with added peace of mind when they are in a parked Charger Pursuit,” said Jeff Kommor, Vice President for FCA U.S. Sales Operations, Fleet and Small Business Sales.

Fleet and small business sales are, of course, the people that make and sell things to taxi companies, delivery companies, and the like. Essentially anyone who buys cars or vans by the dozens – obviously, this includes cop cars.

Photo: FCA US LLC.

Advanced Warning

The Officer Protection Package is all about the concept of situational awareness. You know when you’re on the track, or the road, and even though you cannot see that other car in your mirrors, you know they are there. Change in air pressure, subconscious perception of a new shadow in your peripheral vision, increase in non-determined, aperiodic acoustical noise – that stuff leads to enhanced situational awareness.

You know what’s going on around you without having to look.

The Officer Protection Package is designed to improve an officer’s situational awareness further. So when a cop is parked and working inside the vehicle, filling out incident reports or logging something into the computer system, the Officer Protection Package makes use of the car’s ParkSense rear park assist system and ParkView rear backup camera to warn the officer if anyone is behind the vehicle.

The InterMotive portion of all this is a module plugged into the OBDII port. The module itself, the brain box of the operation, is secured under the dash. When the officer turns the thing on, the reverse sensors will be activated. If something comes across the sensor’s field of view, a chime will sound to warn the officer. This allows them to check behind the vehicle via the camera display. The system is also smart enough to lock all the doors, roll up the front windows, and will also flash the taillights.

Handy, no? It’s sort of like cars that automatically lock your doors for you when you hit 10 mph or leave the headlights on for 30 seconds so you can find your house keys.

The Officer Protection Package is already in the hands of “dealers” (i.e. fleet sales people have them in stock), and can be easily installed by the law enforcement agency’s motor pool mechanics, if departments want to go that route (think of slightly older cars and stuff like that).

The Officer Protection Package is available on all 2017 and future Dodge Charger Pursuit orders.

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: FCA US LLC

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The Range Rover Sport SVR Just Topped A Ferrari

The Range Rover Sport SVR Just Topped A Ferrari An SUV has not only matched but outperformed a supercar on a notable road in China. The new Range Rover Sport SVR has taken the record for negotiating the 99 corners of the famous Tianmen Road. A standard production Range Rover Sport SVR set a new unofficial record of 9 minutes 51 seconds for the seven mile ascent, at an average speed of 42.8mph, beating the previous record of 10 minutes 31 seconds, set by a Ferrari 458 Italia in 2016.
Tackling Tianmen Road is the latest challenge completed by the Range Rover Sport PHEV, following a climb to the Heaven’s Gate natural rock arch last month. The PHEV made its debut in a race against two-time open-water swimming world champion Keri-anne Payne and endurance athlete Ross Edgley in Devon, UK.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
The new Range Rover Sport SVR is the fastest Land Rover to date with its 567 horsepower supercharged V8. The SUV hits 60 in 4.3 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 174 mph. It’s considered a flagship for the brand with design revisions and lightweight materials to enhance performance, handling, and agility. Engineers focused on controlling pitch under heavy acceleration and braking, and changes to the damping hardware have improved turn-in, mid-corner grip, and body control.
It must have worked, at least according to Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Ho-Pin Tung, who again piloted the Range Rover Sport SVR for the record-breaking feat.
“I am used to the high speeds of racing but these 99 turns were something unique. Maintaining concentration was the biggest challenge as the road twists and turns constantly, with huge drop-offs to the side,” he explained. “The consequences of getting it wrong would have been really serious so I focused on establishing a rhythm and the Range Rover Sport SVR made this easy – it may be an SUV but it has the performance and agility of a supercar and can take you to places a supercar can only dream of.”
Range Rover Sport SVR – Tianmen Road Challenge Gallery

Photos & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.

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Pre-Ordering Open For Polestar 1

Pre-Ordering Open For Polestar 1 The Polestar 1, the first car from the new electric performance brand Polestar, is now available for pre-ordering in 18 countries. The news follows Polestar making its first public appearance at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, and so far the response has been positive.
“With over 7,000 people interested in owning a Polestar 1 since its reveal, we are extremely encouraged by the passion shown for our product,” explained Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer, Polestar. “We will now take the next steps towards delivering this beautiful car to our first customers.”
The Polestar 1, an Electric Performance Hybrid GT, produces 600 horsepower and over 700 lb-ft. of torque. Photo: Polestar.

Pre-ordering involves a fully-refundable deposit, which serves as a placeholder for the car. During the selection process, a configuration tool allows prospective buyers to visualize their Polestar 1 before placing an order. The 18 countries where ordering is open include the United States, China, Sweden, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Canada.
In October, Geely Holdings, parent of Volvo Cars, announced a $756 million dollar investment to bolster the early phases of Polestar’s product lineup and industrial footprint. Much of the Polestar 1 (about half) is based on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture; the rest is entirely new technology developed by Polestar engineers working within Volvo’s R&D department.
Source: Polestar.

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Nissan IMx KURO Concept: You Connect Your Brain To This One.

Nissan IMx KURO Concept: You Connect Your Brain To This One. The Nissan IMx KURO concept is a zero-emissions crossover that aims to investigate Brain-to-Vehicle technology. No. Really. Brain-to-Vehicle technology. I have no idea either, but I do hope they get it right. This car, the Nissan IMx KURO, is both a crossover concept and somewhat of a demonstrator platform for making vehicles even more predictive and safe with what Nissan calls Intelligent Mobility.
Concept Versus Reality
And apart from the overall crossover-ish design, it’s that Brain-to-Vehicle, or B2V, stuff that makes the Nissan IMx KURO so interesting. The overall design is simultaneously lumpy yet with protuberant edges, and none of it holds together well. The whole things screams “concept car” because you know there’s no way Nissan would make this.
Before You Know It . . .
This B2V technology has the potential to speed up reaction times for drivers, leading to cars that can keep adapting to make driving more enjoyable. Nissan says all this comes from “research into using brain decoding technology to predict a driver’s actions and detect discomfort” which sounds pretty creepy to me.
Nissan hopes by catching signs that a driver’s brain is about to initiate a movement, say turning the steering wheel, reaching for a control knob or pushing the brake pedal, driver assist technologies can begin the action more quickly. Ergo, reaction times improve and manual driving is enhanced. Or to put it more plainly, the car can see you reach for the control panel, think for itself (in a limited way) and say ‘A-ha! You’re going to turn the radio down, I’ll start doing that for you.’ But, you don’t have to be Marvin Minsky to see how this might not work.
The IMx KURO was first revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2017. Kuro is the Japanese word for black. Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Autonomous Vibes
The other, more subtle way that Nissan’s B2V stuff could work is while in full autonomous mode. If it detects you are feeling some level of discomfort, the artificial intelligence system can evaluate that and change the driving configuration or driving style.
Not to be gross about this, but here’s a concrete example: Suppose you’re in full autonomous mode, and decide to read some reports on the way into work. You’ve already told the IMx KURO to hurry along, so it’s driving rather rapidly and trying to make up time. But now the B2V system notices you’re looking a bit green around the gills, and decides to dial back on the abrupt lane changes to help you out. Get it?
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Getting Connected
All this is achieved by you wearing a device that measures your brain wave activity, which is then passed on and analyzed by the autonomous system. Then, by anticipating the intended movements, the vehicle takes action, for example turning the steering wheel or slowing down. The system can do that 0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than you or I could – Nissan also adds “while remaining largely imperceptible” which I would have to feel to believe.
Smart Transportation
The IMx KURO also has other clever tricks up its sleeve, aside from coiling itself into your brain. Since it’s an EV, it has some party favors to make it a good citizen. For example, after getting you to the airport, the IMx KURO can then go park itself and find a spot where it can connect to the local power grid, and act as a “virtual” power plant by returning electricity to the grid. Slick, no?
Oh, and once you return to the airport, the IMx KURO can pick you up at the terminal and drive home with little to no input from you. Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy.
The Nissan IMx KURO on display at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show.

Power & Performance
And, and just in case you think the IMx KURO will be zero fun along with being zero emissions, keep in mind it’s driven by a pair of high-output electric motors living at each end of the car, giving you all-wheel drive capability. Combine that with the 320 kW of power and an astonishing 516 lb-ft. of torque (more than the Nissan GT-R kids) and this thing could really scoot. There is also a high-capacity battery redesigned and re-engineered for increased energy density that supports a driving range of more than 370 miles on a single charge.
In some ways, Nissan could be onto something, but in others, I’m not sure your average customer wants to literally, physically connect their brain to a car.
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.
Nissan IMx KURO Concept Gallery

Photos & Source: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

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2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel Delivers Unprecedented Fuel Economy

Those looking for a fuel efficient car this year might be literally blown away by the 2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel Sedan. The car delivers an EPA-estimated 52 miles per gallon on the highway, the highest highway fuel economy of any non-hybrid/non-EV in America.

While that number is impressive, The 2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel is actually part of a larger initiative by the automaker.

“Chevrolet is dedicated to offering customers a wide range of propulsion options,” said Steven Majoros, Director of Chevrolet Marketing.

Transmission Options

Based upon the EPA highway estimate, the 2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel with the six-speed manual transmission can travel over 700 miles on a single tank of fuel. The six-speed manual returns an EPA-estimated city mileage of 30 with 37 combined. A new, highly optimized Hydra-Matic nine-speed automatic transmission is also available. When equipped with the latter, EPA estimates are 31/47 city/highway and 37 combined.

Engine & Emissions

The 2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel Sedan is powered by an Ecotec 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder turbo-diesel. It creates a solid 137 horsepower (102 kW) and 240 lb-ft. of torque (325 Nm). Chevrolet received a passing grade from the U.S. government for the engine, meeting the strictest environmental standards for validation, including Tier 3 Bin 125 emissions standards.

The vehicle also includes start/stop technology for additional fuel conservation.

Connectivity & Pricing

The 2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel comes with a variety of infotainment options too, including things like the available OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also available and compatible with the Chevrolet MyLink system. Last year, Chevy owners took full advantage of such connectivity and tipped the scales on data usage.

Pricing starts at $24,670 including the $875 destination charge. The 2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel Hatch will follow the Cruze Diesel Sedan later this year, but arrive as a 2018 model.

“We know customers are looking for the right combination of fuel efficiency, driving dynamics, and more,” Majoros added. “With the EPA-estimated 52-mpg highway Cruze Diesel Sedan, they can get it all.”

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

Photos & Source: Chevrolet

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Chevy Redline Editions Announced

At the Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet announced the introduction of the Redline special edition series. And by special edition, they mean slapping some badges and trim onto cars. Specifically, the Redline special edition is offered on nine Chevrolet cars, trucks, and crossovers, and Redline is the broadest cross-portfolio special edition ever offered by the brand.

And that, honestly, is saying a lot. Because making these half-baked “special editions” is something all American car companies have been doing ad nauseum since time immemorial.

Chevy’s Redline offerings come with black wheels with red hash marks, black nameplates with a red outline, blacked-out grilles, and black Chevrolet bowtie logos.

There’s more doo-dads and gee-gaws affixed here and there, depending on the model. The Silverado and Colorado Redline pickups have red tow hooks, for example, while the Camaro Redline gets black hash marks above the wheels. Chevy says it’s a design cue taken from their long heritage in motorsports, but everyone usually just calls them Grand Sports Stripes.

The various packages are offered on the Cruze LT (both sedan and hatchback), the Malibu LT, the Camaro LT/SS (both coupe and convertible), and Chevy’s crossover platform rides: Trax LT, Equinox LT, and Traverse Premier. For the trucks, it’s Colorado LT, Silverado Double Cab LT Z71, and Crew Cab LTZ Z71.

This whole idea of the Redline special edition has been knocking around since the 2015 SEMA Show in Los Vegas. Chevy says since everyone loved it so much at SEMA, they decided to make a production run and expand the Redline editions to cover nine vehicles in their car, truck, and crossover segments.

Brian Sweeney, U.S. Vice President of Chevrolet shard his views.

“Redline is another example of Chevrolet bringing SEMA concepts to showrooms. The SEMA show has proven to be a great way to identify customization trends in the industry, and quickly apply those trends to our most popular Chevrolet models. Based on the strong interest Redline attracted at the show, we believe they will be very popular with customers looking for standout cars, trucks, and crossovers,” he said.

No word specifically on how much the Redlines will run you, but you know, most of these things are never too terribly expensive. Silverado Redlines are the first available but orders can be placed at Chevrolet dealerships now for others in the lineup. All Redline vehicles will be available for purchase by the end of 2017.

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.

Chevy Redline Edition Gallery

Photos & Source: Chevrolet

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Maven Expands Car-Sharing Services To Atlanta

Maven is General Motors’ personal mobility brand. Essentially, it’s the answer to outfits like Zipcar and car2go that the General set up a little while back. Maven has expanded its programs in Atlanta, from just the Lyft Express Drive program to Maven City car-sharing services.

Increasing Locations

In just over 11 months, Maven has launched three car-sharing or ride-based products and has expanded into 17 cities across the United States and Canada.

Those cities include Ann Arbor (the one in Michigan), Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Jersey City (the one in New Jersey), Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. You’ll note that these are all large cities, both in terms of population, but also size. Most of them also have pretty good public transportation systems too (most of them, Los Angeles I’m looking at you!).

These are all places where you don’t really need a car until you need a car. Most of your daily activities can be taken care of either on foot, or using ubiquitous public transit. Every so often though, you need a car. You go shopping and buy something big. Your beloved aunt Evie, still alive and kicking at 87, flies in for a visit. What, you’re gonna make her ride the bus?

No, you go get a Zipcar or a car2go or, GM is hoping, a Maven account, rent a car for a few hours, get the job done, drop the car off, and don’t worry about it any longer. So far it seems to be working out for GM and Maven. They have more than 20,000 members that have traveled 61 million miles. So if it works in far flung and exotic locales like Jersey City and Waterloo, Ontario, why not Atlanta?

The average Maven City trip is 121 miles and lasts more than 13 hours. Meanwhile, Maven City’s most popular vehicles are the Chevrolet Tahoe and Volt. Photo: General Motors.

Practical Expansion

“Atlanta loves cars,” says GM, and Maven gives urban Atlanta dwellers a nice selection of rides to choose from: hybrid electrics to sedans and SUVs. And, as is the case in this market segment, the cost of doing this is actually pretty low. Hourly rates start at $8 per, and that includes gas and insurance, so that’s not all that bad, when you consider all the costs are paid for up front.

At the moment, Maven in Atlanta has 50 vehicles at more than 20 locations throughout the city. Registered members can reserve one via the Maven app. In case your an Atlantan . . . Atlantian? . . . Aleutian? . . . Alsatian? . . . anyway, for a person that lives in Atlanta, Maven’s initial offerings can be found in Ponce City Market, Midtown, West Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, East Atlanta Village, and and Inman Park.

There are now more than 100 global Maven team members as the brand continues to attract top talent from the car-sharing, ride-sharing, and connected car industries, as well as some of the best minds from within GM. The Maven team has filed seven patent applications to help make car sharing more efficient. Photo: General Motors.

Global Markets

Your choice of rides includes the Chevrolet Cruze and Cruze Hatchback, Malibu, Tahoe, and Volt; GMC Acadia and Yukon, along with the Cadillac ATS and Escalade. At this point, GM treats Maven as a semi-experimental but ongoing thing. In addition to working in real world city environments, GM also has campus car-sharing locations at GM do Brasil headquarters in São Caetano do Sul, and at GM Australia/Holden headquarters.

São Caetano do Sul makes a ton of sense since it’s right in the Middle of São Paulo. Have you ever driven in São Paulo? Shoot, have you ever read about driving in São Paulo? The place is completely nuts. It’s like a chaos theory experiment gone horribly awry. Imagine the Ben-Hur chariot race scene and you get 90% of the picture. Also, have you ever noticed that most Brazilian race car drivers come form São Paulo? Coincidence? I think not!

Anyhoo, if you live in Atlanta, Maven looks like a viable car-sharing outfit.

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.

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