Monthly Archives: March 2018

Automotive

2019 Corvette ZR1 will do 0-60 in less than 3 seconds

America’s supercar, the Corvette ZR1, will do 0-60 in just 2.85 seconds. That’s faster than a Lamborghini Aventador, and you will be able to get one for much less than supercar money.

The new ZR1 boasts a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 that packs a solid 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque, and will be able to reach speeds of up to 210 mph. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 made its debut at the Dubai Motor Show back in November 2017 and while official numbers have not been released, Corvette product manager, Harlan Charles, revealed the figures at a recent endurance motor show.

America’s Supercar

At this year’s 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, Charles spoke about the numbers behind the upcoming Corvette halo car. Confirmed by CorvetteBlogger, Charles has said the ZR1 will do 0-60 in 2.85 seconds, 0-100 in 6, and the quarter mile in 10.6 seconds!

In comparison, the previous generation C6 ZR1 did 0-60 in 3.3 seconds.

It’s all about the money

The new Corvette ZR1 will have a base MSRP of USD$121,000. I played around with Chevy’s ‘Build & Price’ tool and got my ZR1 optioned up with performance bucket seats ($1995), red brake calipers ($595), Sat Nav and data recorder ($1795), red seat belts (why not?, $395), and a personalized plaque (might as well, $200). The total price for it came to a reasonable-for-a-supercar USD$127,000.

How does that stack up against some of the current supercar heavyweights? Well in comparison to the Lamborghini Huracan and the McLaren 720s, you really can’t go past the Corvette in terms of value for money. You’re looking at more power, a very close 0-60 time, and perhaps a little more subtlety (at least in that price bracket).

Let’s take a look at some of these numbers.

Car Power/Torque 0-60 MSRP
Corvette ZR1 755/715 2.85 $121,000
Lamborghini Huracan 631/443 2.3 $203,000
McLaren 720s 710/568 2.8 $289,000

Surely I am not alone for thinking that while you will get a few more head turns if you’re driving a McLaren or a Lamborghini, a sane individual will see the Corvette as the true value supercar?  The cost of service and maintenance will surely be less. Maybe it’s just me. Perhaps those who do buy supercars only see supercars with lavish European names on them.

Glorious Noise

Here is the video of Harlan Charles giving the Corvette ZR1 a brief kick in the guts at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Sounds great doesn’t it? That’s the sound of supercar savings.

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Automotive

Cadillac CT6 V-Sport gets new twin-turbo V8

Cadillac CT6 range topper sedan is getting some extra grunt and a new trim level. The new V-Sport trim for 2019 will get a made-for-Cadillac 4.2-litre twin-turbo V8. How’s that for some muscle with your luxury?

The new V8 engine is not the only upgrade the CT6 is getting either. With some new design tweaks borrowed from Cadillac’s Escala concept, the new additions aim to give the new V-Sport model some extra incentives for buyers. The headline of course, is the new V8 twin-turbo engine that will pump out a sizable 550 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.

Eight is Enough

The new V-Sport trim is not new to the Cadillac range, with the CTS and ATS getting V badges, but it’ll be the first for the luxury CT6. Previously the CT6 was only available with one 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and two V6 variants, albeit one twin-turbo V6. The new V8 engine will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Additionally, the V-Sport will come with modified Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, and an Active Valve sports exhaust. It will also feature GM’s Active Fuel Management system which deactivates 4 cylinders at low speeds to conserve fuel.

Its got the look

Cadillac has increased the CT6’s performance pedigree but is also adding some style changes to boot. There is a new grille that will adorn the CT6-V along with some sporty aero kits that give the car a more aggressive look.

The one omission from the new V-Sport trim comes in the form of technology. While the CT6 has been in the news because of Cadillac’s new Super Cruise driving tech (aimed to give drivers a true hands-free freeway driving experience), it will not be available in the V-Sport version.

What’s your luxury sedan pick?

Cadillac sold 10,542 CT6s in 2017, and while it isn’t the number one option for large luxury sedans in the United States, it is hard to go past what’s on offer. A new CT6 starts at about USD$54000, and while we expect this new V-Sport to sit more towards to USD$70000-80000 mark, it’s still a great value proposition compared to some of its European competitors. Plus, who doesn’t love a mean looking Cadillac?

The new CT6 will be available starting early 2019. More details on the new CT6 will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show, slated to kick off at the end of March.

To view the original article, click here.

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Automotive

The Lincoln Continental’s last stand

Reports have surfaced that the Lincoln Continental may be phased out once the current generation ends. Is this it for the grand American sedan?

In high school my friend had a 1975 Buick Riviera. It was a boat. Actually, more barge-like. The land barge was difficult to drive and even harder to park, and while it had seen better days, there was still a lingering sense of grandeur to it. You still felt like a king on the road, even when you weren’t sure the car would last the journey.

While at one time the personal luxury car was the ultimate sign of accomplishment, it has been given the backseat with the rise of SUVs and cross overs. Luxury brands have devoted their resources to putting luxury into SUVs and with the probable demise of the Lincoln Continental, it could be the last we see of the big American sedan. And that would be a shame.

Not enough McConaugheys

The current generation Lincoln Continental debuted in 2017 as a replacement for Lincoln’s MKS. It became the longest wheelbase Lincoln produced since the late 70s and boasted the most powerful engines ever put in a Lincoln. Most importantly, it had all the trimmings and features you’d come to expect in luxury.

Just look at the car, it’s gorgeous.

But it’s not selling. There are just not enough Americans ponying up the cash for it. Sales figures for the Continental are pretty dire for 2018. So far there have been 1573 sold. In 2017, the first full year of the current generation, Lincoln sold 12,012. When compared to other large luxury sedans, it’s not bad, but perhaps for the same parent company that ships 2400 F-150s per day, those numbers aren’t exactly meeting expectations.

Here are some figures for competitor brands and their large luxury sedans alongside the Continental:

Mercedes Benz S-Class: 15,888
Cadillac XTS: 16,275
Lincoln Continental: 12,012
Cadillac CT6: 10,542
BMW 7-Series: 9276
Genesis G90: 4398

To an outsider and non-beancounter, those numbers look pretty good. Selling better than the BMW 7-Series, and more than doubling the fledging Genesis brand. But perhaps to Lincoln, those numbers just aren’t good enough, especially in comparison to its GM counterpart, the Cadillac XTS (although selling a little better than the CT6).

We live in an SUV world

These numbers, of course, pale in comparison to the number of SUVs sold in the US last year. For Lincoln, the literal silver lining is that their Navigator is seeing a rise in buyers. With 2351 units sold for January and February of 2018, the year looks promising. Lincoln isn’t done with new SUVs either, with the announcement that they are bringing back the Aviator nameplate.

Where does this leave the Continental?

It leaves it in uncertainty. For those like myself who love their sedans big and beautiful (and local), it’s another sad indictment of the dying segment. Brand perception doesn’t help Lincoln either, unfortunately. With the widespread appeal of European names in the luxury market, there is a tendency to believe that a big sedan with the words Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi are better than ones named Lincoln or Cadillac (they are not).

With the money you end up paying (you’d pay double for an S-Class, and let’s be honest, it’s not worth twice the money), you can’t go past the value of an American made luxury sedan. And doesn’t just feel good to buy an affordable Lincoln instead of overpaying for an Audi?

But that’s just me, a dying breed whose love for the luxury automobile is best described as low to the ground, beautifully sculpted and tech’d up, and proudly saying “Made in Detroit” (okay, technically made in Flat Rock, but close enough).

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Automotive

Truck Yeah! Australia’s performance trucks vs America’s

America’s love for trucks is no secret, with trucks continuing to dominate yearly sales charts. America is also home to some of the most awe-inspiring performance trucks you can buy straight out of your local dealer.

True, a lot of the “regular” trucks you can buy (F150s, Silverados, Sierras, Rams) come equipped with enough power to move houses, but there are just a few that come with that extra performance pedigree. Modified suspensions, menacing looks, big wheels, off-road pedigree and a jackhammer of an engine- all traits you would associate with a performance truck.

King of the mountain

In the US, there is one king of the performance truck, the one benchmark standard in which other performance trucks aim to best. That is, of course, the Ford F-150 Raptor. Even after its recent switch from its beloved V8 engine to a 6-cylinder twin-turbo EcoBoost engine, it is still the high watermark for the segment.

So out of the factory, you can buy yourself a Raptor, starting at USD$50,000, which in itself is already great value, especially for that much performance. Alternatively, you can pluck down about USD$40,000 for Chevy’s Colorado ZR2, powered by GM’s 2.8 litre Duramax turbo diesel, it’s a worthy alternative to the Raptor. Not to be outdone, RAM has said they will power up their Rebel truck with the Rebel TRX. And if that is not quite enough, there is talk of a possible Ram Rebel Hellcat to boot.

When it comes to performance trucks, there is no equal to what you are able to purchase factory ready than in the United States.

Or is there?

Down under thunder

Australia, with its vast lands and plateaus, is perfect for the 4×4 experience. With a recent shift to truck buying (two of the best selling vehicles of 2017 were trucks), more and more manufacturers are seeing the benefits of investing in adding performance to their trucks. But what options do Australian truck buyers have when they want a little more out of their truck?

Forgoing the aftermarket, let’s find out and see if the Australian performance truck market can compete with America’s.

Ford Australia has found themselves in a good spot with the Ford Ranger. Already the 2nd best selling vehicle in Australia for 2017, it continues to do well in sales through 2018. The big news for the Thai-built Ranger is the arrival of its performance edition Raptor.

Raptor by name

The Raptor name is a big name to live up to. The Ranger Raptor, while boasting some trademark Raptor styling (grille, flared arches, wheels) doesn’t quite pack as much punch as its F-150 sibling. Powered instead by 2.0-litre (yes) BiTurbo diesel engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Ranger Raptor will pack 210hp (157kw) and 369 lb-ft of torque (500nm). The latter is substantial, but for those Raptor enthusiasts, will find the horsepower lacking. The good news is that the transmission is the same one found in the F-150 Raptor and the new Mustang GT. So while power may be lacking, you can expect a more than capable drive.

The rest of the package, however, looks excellent. From the suspension, to the terrain management to all the tech, you can bet that there will be few people who will be getting their hands on a Ranger Raptor once it is released. In Australia, prices are expected to be around USD$63,000 (AUD$80,000) and upwards (yes, that’s not a typo).

It’s a good option when Australia doesn’t get a factory built F-150 Raptor and size wise, may actually suit Australia’s terrain better.

The Rugged Truck

Australia’s best selling vehicle is the mid-sized Toyota Hilux truck, it is in sales terms, what the Ford F-150 is to American vehicle sales. It is, however, a rather bland truck that is is more purpose and practicality over style. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just not you would consider when looking for a performance-minded truck.

Enter the Rogue, the Rugged and the Rugged X.

Toyota is looking to up the ante on their Hilux outside of their TRD models and has added some rugged terrain accessories. While customers will get some added equipment, the Rogue, Rugged and Rugged X will still employ the 2.8-litre Turbo Diesel engine available for the Hilux. The power outputs are decent (174hp and 332 lb-ft of torque) if not rather uninspiring.

It’s probably the least fun option you can opt for considering that the upgrades are more cosmetic changes than anything else. With prices expected to exceed USD$43,000, it’s by far the most economical, if not boring option.

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has been synonymous with Australian performance for more than 30 years. With the majority of those 30 years supercharging Holden’s marquee Commodore sedan, HSV has turned to the performance truck market with the closure of local manufacturing.

With it comes the debut of their pumped up Colorado, named the SportsCat.

Based on the Chevy/Holden Colorado, the SportsCat features the same 2.8-litre Duramax turbo diesel engine found in its donor car. HSV enthusiasts were disappointment that HSV didn’t opt for more power, but the Duramax’s meaty 369 lb-ft of torque is still a class leader. On top of this, the SportsCat and its higher spec SportsCat+ come with SupaShock suspension upgrades, rear de-coupling anti-roll bar, performance brakes, and a raft of cosmetic enhancements.

It’s good looking to boot, and its HSV pedigree means that even if there is no power upgrade, there is enough to give it an edge in performance against its local competition.

The SportsCat+ is priced at around USD$62000 (AUD$78000). Certainly not cheap, but it’s more than just a sticker pack and bigger wheels.

So what’s your pick?

My personal choice is clear, if I had to pick one I’d opt for the HSV Colorado Sportscat+, but then again I might be a little biased.

Here I am doing a little off roading in the SportsCat’s donor car, the Colorado Z71 which spec wise, isn’t too far off the HSV version.

I did indeed fall in love with it and hoping that I’ll get my chance to see what the SportsCat+ can do.

While certainly a fine choice, these factory-built options in Australia are a step off their American counterparts. While HSV will soon bring the Chevy Silverado here in an official capacity, those wanting extra grunt with their trucks still have to opt for the aftermarket options.

Until the Ford F-150, Colorado ZR2 or the Ram Rebel make their away outside of the US, the American truck is still king of the mountain.

Or is it? …

The real king of the mountain

There is, however, one other option in Australia that is unrivaled. Sure, it’s a different segment, but in essence, it ticks the box of what you need your truck for (hauling goods, transporting equipment), and blasts the box for performance into smithereens.

I am, of course, talking about the ute.  And when it comes to performance utes, HSV was at the top of the game. With the final run complete, the HSV GTSR Maloo bowed out with a bang.

Powered by the supercharged LSA engine, the 6.2-litre V8 pumped out an impressive 580 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. All while capably carrying your tools and equipment from work site to work site (you just couldn’t really take it off-roading).

And that glorious soundtrack was something else.

Good night sweet Prince.

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Automotive

Would you buy a car for just one feature?

Is there one feature on your car that was the main reason you bought your car? Is it ridiculous to think that people buy cars because of one thing?

I got thinking about this after I read about a recent Jeep Wrangler related problem customers were having with FCA’s much-maligned UConnect infotainment system.

Some Jeep models feature ‘Off-Road Pages’, a tool in their UConnect system that helps drivers ascertain certain off-road related information. This includes things like “pitch, roll, altitude, GPS coordinates, drivetrain power distribution”, important for those who like being off the grid with their vehicles.

Cue issues Jeep Wrangler owners are having with their UConnect system and Off-Road Pages.

Turns out those who purchased a 2018 Jeep Wrangler, after being promised on Jeep’s own ‘Build & Price’ tool on their website, that Off-Road Pages are actually coming to 2019 models and not 2018 ones.

Owners are outraged, with some pointing out that it was a key feature in their decision to purchase the vehicle.

https://twitter.com/resilientcypher/status/971863813971693568

Did you really buy that car because of that one feature?

It got me thinking, do people really buy their car primarily for one feature? Is it possible that you would spend all that money based on a singular aspect of a car? Sounds ridiculous when you think about it but Jeep Wrangler owners may beg to differ.

Looking back at the cars I’ve owned I try to think back to any one feature that helped sway my

decision to purchase that car. A previous car I owned had a fantastic Heads Up Display (HUD) and could park itself (which in the two years I owned it, didn’t use once), but they were merely bonuses to the rest of the car. Sure, it helped, but I would have bought the car if it didn’t park itself too.

It’s a feature filled kind of world

Modern cars come equipped to the nose with features and technology. Unless you’re opting for the base model, you’re bound to get some of the basic necessities of modern driving. Reverse camera and Sat Nav are probably the two functions most crucial, although some people will say in this day and age, upgraded sensors and cameras are key. To some, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) has become a standard must-have feature of their new cars too.

The number of features and options available are almost endless: 360-degree cameras, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring, gesture control, Adaptive Cruise Control, everything from massaging seats to autopilot.

Why did you buy your car?

My hope is that you didn’t buy your car for any one of these aforementioned features alone. I would hazard a guess that most people do buy their cars for multiple reasons and features, and that makes sense. My current car doesn’t have a heads up display, can’t park itself, doesn’t have blind spot monitors, no massaging or heated seats, but I did buy it because of a few things. I bought it because of its ultra sports suspension, Brembo brakes and 360 hp (okay so I also bought it because it had low mileage and was a manual).

I can see why Jeep Wrangler owners would be annoyed by what has happened. It is a big component of an off-road minded vehicle, but hopefully, they can see that in the end, the Wrangler is still great at what it does even though it won’t be able to tell you exactly what it is doing via a computer screen.

FCA promising customers a vehicle can do something when it can’t however, is something else entirely.

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Automotive

Polestar reveals first vehicle, the Polestar 1

Volvo’s offshoot performance brand Polestar have just lifted the covers off their first high-performance hybrid electric vehicle, the Polestar 1.

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the Polestar 1 will see Volvo join the electric vehicle battle. Alongside other European luxury brands like Jaguar, Polestar is charging up to compete against current electric vehicle leader Tesla with an onslaught of EVs over the next few years.

Starting with the Polestar 1, the 600-horsepower (yes, 600) sports car features a hybrid drivetrain. It has two electric motors that power the rear wheels and a combustion engine that drives the front. The electric motors are good for 218 hp (160kw) and 354 pound-feet (480 Nm) of torque while the in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine powers the front wheels. Combined, it provides the Polestar 1 with 600 horses worth of power.

Netflix and Drive

The car’s sleek, two-door sports coupe look makes it a winner on the surface, but Polestar is promising more than just good looks and performance. The sports car will be one of the first offered on a subscription basis to consumers, available on a 2 or 3 year term. Those subscribing to the service will receive a host of benefits including on-demand services like pick-up and delivery,  while having insurance and maintenance covered. Polestar have said the monthly fee option aims to take;

“the traditional hassle out of vehicle ownership and allows the customer to focus on the enjoyment of driving.”

You can of course, purchase the 1 outright if you choose to do so.

Pole Position

While Polestar have not announced prices for an outright purchase or a subscription fee as of yet, those interested in getting their hands on a Polestar 1 can start pre-ordering the car from the 13 of March with a refundable USD$3000 deposit.

Production is set to begin mid 2019 at Volvo’s new Polestar Production Centre in China. For the initial launch, the 1 will be available in six markets; China, the US, Sweden, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands, with 12 additional markets (including Canada and the UK) to follow after.

The 1 is the first of 3 new vehicles promised by the Swedish automaker. Following the 1, we can expect a Model 3 battling mid-sized Polestar 2, followed by a larger, SUV-sized Polestar 3 over the next few years.

While the 2 and 3 seem to be taking the more practical route, it is fantastic to see that Polestar is being aggressive at launch with a car that is both aesthetically appealing and performance minded. It is distinctly better looking than a Model S (no need to compare it to a Model 3), and has an interior fitting of the Volvo name.

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Automotive

Fully charged: Jaguar uncovers electric I-Pace

Jaguar has finally revealed their foray into the future as the covers have come off their new I-Pace.

In a live global event, streamed via YouTube, Jaguar took the covers off their first all-electric vehicle. First teased back in November of 2016, the I-Pace had, until now, only been seen in its camouflaged guise before being fully revealed during the event.

Electric Drive

Powered by two electric motors, Jaguar has said the I-Pace will hit 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds) and will have a range of 298 miles (480km). The all-wheel-drive set up is also good for outputs of 394hp and 512 lb-ft of torque (294kW / 696Nm). In comparison, Tesla’s Model X does 0-60 in about 4.8 seconds and its range sits at about 295 miles.

The I-Pace is powered by a 90kWh lithium-ion battery that when charged at most public charging stations, will add about 168 miles of range in an hour.

There will be four models available at launch, including a special I-Pace First Edition. The special launch edition is based on the high-end HSE trim, that features 18-way Windsor leather seats, Jaguar’s Driver Assist Pack and unique 5-spoke, 20″ HSE styled wheels. We can assume that there will be options galore available for those looking to add specifics packs and additions to their I-Pace. All models come with Jaguar Land Rover’s dual-screened infotainment and climate control layout, LED headlights, Sat Nav and Connect Pro (4G Wi-Fi, online services).

Electric Looks, Electric Heritage

https://twitter.com/Jaguar/status/969331323222491137

Most striking, however, is how Jaguar has made an electric vehicle just as compelling as a classic XJ (yes, I said it). A classic XJ was symbolic of its time, its lush lines and curves fitting of the late 60s and early 70s. The I-Pace boasts the same vision of a future we’ve seen in countless Hollywood films and is a near perfect representation of it. It is by far, the most beautiful electric vehicle we’ve seen, outclassing the practicality over style looks of Bolts, Volts and yes, Xs.

It’s no surprise that it would take an established player like Jaguar to find the blend of electric performance with style. One that works in today’s (and tomorrow’s) automotive landscape. Combining know-how and heritage, future I-Pace owners will know that their interiors will be more than an iPad bolted on to an empty dash, and that their vehicle comes gimmick-free.

Electric Pricing

US prices have not formally been announced yet, although some have speculated that Jaguar’s electric revolution will begin at about $70,000 before incentives. The I-Pace will arrive in US dealers by the end of 2018.

In Australia, pricing will start at $119,000 before on-road costs (feels good to buy cars in America doesn’t it?) and will come with a 3-year warranty (Jaguar have said the battery comes with an 8-year warranty). Australian buyers can expect the I-Pace to be available in October.

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