#2020 Cadillac CT6 On 24s

[enginerumors]

2020 Cadillac CT6 Review, Specs, Release Date

2020 Cadillac CT6 Review, Specs, Release Date

2020 Cadillac CT6 Review, Specs, Release Date – 2020 Cadillac CT6rising in the future. Experiencing unveiled the CT6 full-sized reputation sport deluxe sedan for the 2019 item 12 a few months, Cadillac affords the total-size sedan a few changes to the 2019 version season. The Cadillac definitely the brand’s new Cadillac principal. It is actually far away from the ultra elongated, gratuitously…

[savetopnow]

2018-03-07 23 CAR now

CAR

Auto Spies

#GIMS: BMW's Unveil Of The All-new M8 Gran Coupe Concept Gives Us The BEST Look At The M8 And What's To Come...

#GIMS: CAR WARS! WHICH SUV Would You Take And WHY? BMW X2 vs Lexus UX

#GIMS: Lexus Turns Up The Aggression With UX Urban Crossover

#GIMS: Toyota Returns To Racing Glory With GR Supra Racing Concept

#GIMS: Hyundai Stuns Geneva With Radical Future Design Direction

Autoblog

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS: How are they different?

Pagani's new projects: Huayra successor with manual gearbox, and an EV

2019 Ford Transit Connect gets two new engines and 4G LTE

Jaguar creates custom Greatest Hits XJ for Iron Maiden drummer

Mazda CX-6: How a wagon could sell better than the Mazda6

Car Throttle

The Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Is The EV Concept You Didn't Expect

The All-Carbon Ruf SCR Has A 503bhp N/A Flat-Six And You Want One

An 800bhp Hybrid Mercedes-AMG GT Four-Door Is Coming In 2020

The 542bhp New Stratos Will Finally Be Built

The BMW M8 Gran Coupe Is A Mean, Green M5 In A Sharp New Suit

Electrek

Tesla’s Elon Musk is directly challenged by Hyundai billboard for new Kona Electric

German automakers unveil design of their own high-powered electric car charging network

Green Deals: EGO 21-inch 56V Cordless Self-Propelled Electric Lawn Mower $499, more

Audi and Airbus work together on a passenger drone/electric car hybrid

A large Tesla Powerpack project and discounted Powerwalls could come out of settlement with Arizona utility

Inside EVs

Volvo Polestar 1 Makes European Debut In Geneva

Nissan Says Formula E Fans Are Much Younger Than F1’s

Watch Tesla Model 3 Put Through The Paces At Laguna Seca

Nissan Sold Over 3,700 LEAFs In Japan – February 2018

Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo – Specs, Live Photos & Videos

Jalopnik

Hey cool teens, don’t go to work!

Tenement — 'Stupid Werld'

At $19,500, Will This Restored 1972 Datsun 240Z V8 Restore Your Faith?

You'll Be Blown Away By This Nearly Indestructible Umbrella, On Sale Today Only

The Rimac C Two's 0-60 Time Is Dumbfounding

Motortrend

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is “Surprising” to Drive, AMG Boss Says

Track-Only 2019 McLaren Senna GTR Makes at Least 814 HP

Get Excited for the New Toyota Supra With This Preview Video

Bugatti Chiron Sport Promises Improved Handling

2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van First Look

Reddit Cars

Kobe Steel, Toyota hit with U.S. lawsuit over vehicle metal quality

I'm happy to announce I just got my first car, STella!

Exhaust noises sound way better when being overtaken

Have we jumped the shark with Alcantara?

Should it take this long or is Cadillac incompetent?

Sunday Times Driving

Updated: the best new cars at the 2018 Geneva motor show

Me and My Motor: Chris and Jason Kingsley, founders of Rebellion, the video game developer

‘Uber driver’ crashes into Buckingham Palace

Boom-time for Aston Martin as brand value leaps 268% to $3.6bn

Tornado rips apart car dealerships in Portugal

The Car Connection

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport crossovers recalled over steering wheels that may detatch

2018 Cadillac XTS

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The CarGurus Blog

Top Headlines From February 24 – March 2

Half Price Hot Hatch: Renaultsport Clio 200

Beast from the East: How to drive in snow and ice

Top Headlines From February 17-23

A Buyer’s Guide to Family-Friendly Vehicles

The Torque Report

Honda Urban EV orders start in early 2019

2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van gets a diesel

BMW i Vision Dynamics concept confirmed as the i4

2019 Kia K900 teased in new sketches

Subaru VIZIV Tourer concept is a cool wagon

The Truth About Cars

Ace of Base: 2018 Fiat 124 Spider Classica

Green Porsche With a Lot More Junk in the Trunk Debuts in Geneva

Hot Two-seater Variant Is Just What the Chevrolet Bolt Needs

Toyota Unveils Supra Racing Concept as Possible GR Halo Car

Tesla Reverses Stance on Event Data Recorders, Releases Tool

[componentplanet]

GM Unveils New Lithium-Ion Battery Tech, Vows 400-Mile Cars

General Motors reveals its all-new modular platform and battery system, Ultium, Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the Design Dome on the GM Tech Center campus in Warren, Michigan. (Photo by Steve Fecht for General Motors)r

General Motors is going electric in a big way. This week the company announced plans for a new battery technology called Ultium that will have more range than Tesla and be used in a broad array of future EVs including an upcoming Cadillac luxury SUV and flagship sedan. GM says the technology uses less hard-to-get, hard-on-miners cobalt, and cell costs should fall below the $100-per-kilowatt-hour level that starts to make EVs more competitive than gasoline-engine cars.

The batteries will be built as rectangular pouches rather than cylindrical cells – more space-efficient – that can be stacked horizontally and vertically. GM promises 19 battery and drive unit configurations initially for affordable cars, luxury cars, SUVs and pickups. GM and partner LG Chem are scheduled to break ground in the next three months on a $2 billion plant in Lordstown, Ohio, that could create more than 1,100 jobs. Sorry, make that “good-paying jobs,” since this is an election year.

General Motors chairman / CEO Mary Barra at the Ultium rollout Wednesday in Michigan at GM’s Design Dome.

GM is spending this week briefing analysts, media, employees, and partners at its Warren, Michigan, Design Dome on its Empire Strikes Back strategy. Since fall, relative-newcomer Tesla tripled in value and is worth more than GM and Ford combined as analysts see Tesla being the best pure-play for people who want to get in on EVs as an investment. “GM is building toward an all-electric future because we believe climate change is real,” said chairman and CEO Marry Barra Wednesday. She pegged GM’s EV investment at $3 billion annually.

One attention-grabber is GM’s claim that its new battery technology will provide a range of 400 miles or more per charge, slightly topping the 390 miles Tesla claims for the Tesla Model S Long Range sedan. (Tesla, for its part, plans to lay out its future EV and battery plans within the next month or so.) GM didn’t go into detail on what size battery pack would accomplish the feat, although you’d obviously need larger packs for larger cars.

Working with LG Chem, GM’s new battery technology uses rectangular pouch cells rather than cylindrical cells. Battery modules will be built in Lordstown, Ohio.

The new battery technology will have configurations from 50 kWh to 200 kWh for cars and SUVs. Performance vehicles will achieve 0-60 mph acceleration of as little as 3 seconds. GM says most will have 400-volt battery packs, and support for Level 2 charging (possible at home with 220 volts) and DC fast charging at up to 200 kW. The truck platform would have 800-volt battery packs and 350 kW fast-charge capability. This would include commercial vehicles.

For both cars and trucks, the pouch cells will allow for even higher energy density and lower centers of gravity. The ability to stacks cells horizontally or vertically is unique in the industry. GM also says battery management is built-in and – compared with the current Chevrolet Bolt – reduces battery pack wiring 80 percent.

GM says the new cells will have “the highest nickel and lowest cobalt content in a large format pouch cell.” It also says its researchers are working to eliminate cobalt as one of the battery components. Currently, cobalt is tough to mine, comes from countries that are not always friendly to the US, and working conditions are said to be unsafe, although there’s considerable discussion about whether that’s because of inherent dangers or because the mining companies don’t treat workers well.

GM’s new battery technology will be called Ultium.

GM plans an extensive rollout of new electric vehicles starting this year. According to GM:

Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick will all be launching new EVs starting this year. The next new Chevrolet EV will be a new version of the Bolt EV, launching in late 2020, followed by the 2022 Bolt EUV, launching Summer 2021. The Bolt EUV will be the first vehicle outside of the Cadillac brand to feature Super Cruise, the industry’s first true hands-free driving technology for the highway, which GM will expand to 22 vehicles by 2023, including 10 by next year.

The self-driving, shared EV called the Cruise Origin was shown in concept form in January in San Francisco. Next up to be announced is the Cadillac Lyriq in April. The GMC Hummer EV will be introduced May 20 with production due to begin in fall 2020 at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant, the company’s first plant just for EVs.

GM is staking its massive investment on a big uptick in demand for EVs – whether voluntary, helped by tax incentives, or mandated because of concerns about climate change. GM says:

Third-party forecasters expect U.S. EV volumes to more than double from 2025 to 2030 to about 3 million units on average. GM believes volumes could be materially higher as more EVs are launched in popular segments, charging networks grow and the total cost of ownership to consumers continues to fall.

GM revealed an all-new modular architecture and Ultium batteries at the GM Design Dome in Michigan.

GM is right to be optimistic since there’s pretty much nowhere to go but up for the EV industry. The market last year for electric vehicles was 330,000 in the US out of 17.0 million light vehicles sold, 1.9 percent, and those 48 vehicles include both pure EVs and plug-in hybrids that go 15 to 50 miles on battery before the combustion engine kicks in (but not hybrids like the Toyota Prius).

Pure EVs, 18 models total, accounted for 245,000 sales, or 1.4 percent of the US market. But when Tesla Model 3, Model X, and Model S got done feasting on the market – with no tax credits to offer anymore – what’s left amounted to barely 50,000 sales. Just six pure-EV models managed more than 5,000 sales last year:

Tesla Model 3, 158,925

Tesla Model X, 19,225

Chevrolet Bolt EV, 16,148

Tesla Model S, 14,100

Nissan Leaf, 12,365

Audi e-tron, 5,369

GM had two other electrified vehicles on sale in 2019, the end-of-life Chevrolet Volt PHEV with 4,910 sales and the Cadillac CT6 PHEV with 24 sales. The year before Chevy killed the Volt PHEV, it actually had slightly more sales than the Bolt EV, but demand for plug-ins continues to be soft. Last year the Toyota Prius Prime was the second-best-selling electrified vehicle with 23,630 sales, but the only PHEV with more than 10,000 sales was the Honda Clarity, at 10,728. BMW has the most electrified vehicles, six, with five of them PHEVs.

History has shown that first-to-market status doesn’t always guarantee long-term dominance. Facebook was not the first social media platform. Remember Myspace? In other words, Tesla absolutely dominates the market for EVs today, but this is a long race, not a sprint.

Now read:

EVs Finally Get Some Love from the Most Important JD Power Study

No need to wait for Tesla: the Chevrolet Bolt is excellent (and already shipping)

Tesla Teardown Scares Competitors: ‘We Cannot Do This’

from ExtremeTechExtremeTech https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/307027-gm-unveils-new-lithium-ion-battery-tech-vows-400-mile-cars from Blogger http://componentplanet.blogspot.com/2020/03/gm-unveils-new-lithium-ion-battery-tech.html

[usedcarexpertguide]

2019 Mazda 6 crash tested, Ford Shelby GT500 horsepower, Fiat Ducato Electric van unveiled: What's New @ The Car Connection

2019 Mazda 6 crash tested, earns Top Safety Pick award The 2019 Mazda 6 sedan is a Top Safety Pick, according to the insurance industry-funded IIHS. 2020 Cadillac CT6 lineup sliced with fewer options and engines The 2020 Cadillac CT6 will soldier into its final year with a simplified lineup. 2020 Ford Explorer rated as high as 24 mpg combined The... from High Gear Media Network Feed - June 19, 2019 at 09:30AM

[eddiejpoplar]

2019 Detroit Auto Show: Hits, Misses, and Revelations

DETROIT, Michigan—Thirty years after Toyota launched Lexus and Nissan introduced Infiniti here, and 27 years after Chrysler smashed Cobo Hall’s front windows with the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the North American International Auto Show is done with January. The reviews from jaded auto journos are mixed, and the press day crowds were down despite Toyota and China’s GAC flying in press from overseas. We’re pretty confident, though, in saying what Detroit lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality this year. There is more to like than there is to avoid, even if the Japanese and Chinese automakers are the only ones left who still build concepts, and even though Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mini, Audi, and Volvo this year joined a bunch of other automakers who had followed Aston Martin’s decision to leave town after its Zen display of a decade ago. Herewith, our regular compendium of criticism, the good, the bad, and the philosophical, this time about what there is to see at the 2019 NAIAS:

HIT: Toyota Supra

Too many are getting stuck on the BMW partnership and the long gestation process, nitpicking the design, and decrying the lack of a manual transmission (which by the way Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada has not ruled out, so call your favorite dealer and demand it). Can we all just agree that what Toyota has done is give the world what by all accounts should be a nimble, kick-ass, rear-drive sports car that’s relatively attainable, price-wise? Call it whatever the hell you want, the fact that this car exists at all is pretty remarkable in this day and age. And it’s all but assured that hard-core variants will be in the offing. Yeah, what a terrible thing Toyota has done . . . not.—Mike Floyd

Automotive journalists can be a funny group. After wishing for a new Supra for years, some of them were overheard describing the final production car as less than thrilling, with others going so far as to call it “ugly.” “Look at all those fake plastic vents and intakes,” they decried. But as Supra designer Nobua Nakamura told editor-in-chief Mike Floyd, those nonfunctional pieces could become functional on future variants of the car. I don’t think the new Supra is perfect in the appearance department, and its roofline does look proportionally odd from some angles. But for the love of Suzuka, I’m excited to get a chance to drive it once test vehicles become available. If it lights up twisting roads as I expect it will, any niggling quibbles I have with its styling will go right off the nearest cliffside.—Mac Morrison

The biggest, most anticipated thing at this show is not an SUV, or even an autonomous tall electric sedan, but a sports car. Yes, it’s essentially a BMW Z4 built in Austria by Magna, but at least it has its own sheetmetal, which is more than you can say for the 86. And I’d take that Toyota 86 over most of the cars on the market today. Since the beginning of time, sports cars have relied on sharing some components to make development costs work out. In his introduction of the car, Akio Toyoda said he hopes Toyota will build more new sports cars in the future. Here’s to seeing him fulfill that wish.—Todd Lassa

MISS: Toyota Supra

This was easily the most anticipated car of the show, and I have no doubt it will be a blast to drive. But what is with Toyota outsourcing its performance cars? Sure, it’s great that Toyota will be selling a re-skinned BMW. But right in the same room as the BMW Supra is the Lexus LC, a 2018 Automobile All-Star and proof positive that Toyota knows how to design scintillating cars. With all the emphasis on making Camrys and RAV4s better to drive—which they are, by the way—what does it say when you outsource your halo sports car? I can’t imagine the effect this must have had on the morale of their engineering corps. “Nice job on the new Camrys, and oh, by the way, that new Supra? We’re getting BMW to do it.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to have the Supra back—but I’d prefer a Toyota Supra.—Aaron Gold

REVELATION: The Supra almost wasn’t a Supra

In a chat at the Detroit show with Supra chief designer Nobua Nakamura, he told us that in July of 2013 that he and his team started sketching out ideas for a model that was at first billed as a nameless sports-car project. It was only after seeing the positive reception given to the FT-1 concept—created by Toyota’s Calty design house in California—at the 2014 Detroit show that the FT-1 would become the primary design inspiration for the sports-car project that would eventually be dubbed Supra. And the rest, as they say, is history.—MF

HIT: Akio Toyoda

For giving the best speech I’ve seen at an auto show in years, if not ever. No boring sales numbers. No bits of badly faked enthusiasm. Toyoda-san’s speech was funny, it was too the point, and though it was scripted—I was reading it on the teleprompter along with him—it’s obvious he’s seriously jazzed about this car (even if it is an automatic BMW).—AG

HIT: Fernando Alonso

My wife thinks so, anyway. Alonso appeared briefly on stage with Akio Toyoda for the Toyota Supra launch. Toyoda was gracious in acknowledging that the two-time Formula 1 champion (for Ferrari) and one-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (for Toyota) is driving another marque at the 24 Hours of Daytona later this month (a Cadillac).—TL

HIT: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

For the jaded, it might be easy to look at the new GT500 and see just another jacked-up performance variant of Ford’s pony car. I get that . . . but whatever. More than 700 horsepower (what’s the final number, Ford?!) from the 5.2-liter supercharged V-8, a dual-clutch gearbox, zero to 60 mph in the mid-three-second range, a sub-11-second quarter-mile, magnetic dampers, and an optional Carbon-Fiber Track package with carbon wheels, rear-seat delete, and more? Find me a challenging road course and let’s get it on. Now.—MM

RELEVATION: Mahindra

This plucky Indian company is showing off its not-road-legal CJ-5 clone right in Jeep’s back yard. That takes cojones!—AG

HIT: Lexus LC Convertible concept

Rare is the car that gets scalped and doesn’t look great, but even rarer is a car as stunning to behold as the LC droptop. For all the coupe’s beauty—okay, some folks don’t like the spindle grille, but I think it works there—its overall attitude and stance strike me more as coming from a place of aggression. This concept elevates the LC to true elegance. I wouldn’t be shocked to see examples of the eventual production version at various concours d’élégance in the coming decades.—Erik Johnson

Yes, please. We love the LC hardtop, which was a 2018 All-Star, and with the top down, it takes the LC’s delightful GT style to another level.—MF

And here I thought it couldn’t get better than the LC coupe. Built it, Lexus! Build it, build it, build it!—AG

MISS: Cadillac XT6

It’s a damn shame what’s happened to Cadillac. Yes, I get it, its sedan sales are cratering and OMG it needs crossovers ASAP. I’m sure the XT6 and XT4 will be sales salve, but they come off as old GM badge-engineered exercises, and beyond the expressive grilles look uninspired. While they may put the brand back in the black, it’s sad to see really capable cars like the CT6 be minimized. At least Cadillac gave that car some serious attention in the form of the 550-hp CT6-V (which already is sold out). There is some hope in the form of the emerging EV strategy. Maybe those cars won’t have alphanumeric names.—MF

As another grizzled veteran told me, this three-row luxury SUV would have been a hit in 2012, or even 2016. While there’s nothing wrong with the new XT6 other than the Honda Pilot–esque side surfacing and the too-familiar GM interior plastics and switchgear, there’s nothing about it that pops. While I once believed that rear-wheel-drive proportions don’t matter on a tall SUV, the new Lincoln Aviator and even the 2020 Ford Explorer (gasp) have proved otherwise.—TL

[jesusvasser]

2019 Detroit Auto Show: Hits, Misses, and Revelations

DETROIT, Michigan—Thirty years after Toyota launched Lexus and Nissan introduced Infiniti here, and 27 years after Chrysler smashed Cobo Hall’s front windows with the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the North American International Auto Show is done with January. The reviews from jaded auto journos are mixed, and the press day crowds were down despite Toyota and China’s GAC flying in press from overseas. We’re pretty confident, though, in saying what Detroit lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality this year. There is more to like than there is to avoid, even if the Japanese and Chinese automakers are the only ones left who still build concepts, and even though Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mini, Audi, and Volvo this year joined a bunch of other automakers who had followed Aston Martin’s decision to leave town after its Zen display of a decade ago. Herewith, our regular compendium of criticism, the good, the bad, and the philosophical, this time about what there is to see at the 2019 NAIAS:

HIT: Toyota Supra

Too many are getting stuck on the BMW partnership and the long gestation process, nitpicking the design, and decrying the lack of a manual transmission (which by the way Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada has not ruled out, so call your favorite dealer and demand it). Can we all just agree that what Toyota has done is give the world what by all accounts should be a nimble, kick-ass, rear-drive sports car that’s relatively attainable, price-wise? Call it whatever the hell you want, the fact that this car exists at all is pretty remarkable in this day and age. And it’s all but assured that hard-core variants will be in the offing. Yeah, what a terrible thing Toyota has done . . . not.—Mike Floyd

Automotive journalists can be a funny group. After wishing for a new Supra for years, some of them were overheard describing the final production car as less than thrilling, with others going so far as to call it “ugly.” “Look at all those fake plastic vents and intakes,” they decried. But as Supra designer Nobua Nakamura told editor-in-chief Mike Floyd, those nonfunctional pieces could become functional on future variants of the car. I don’t think the new Supra is perfect in the appearance department, and its roofline does look proportionally odd from some angles. But for the love of Suzuka, I’m excited to get a chance to drive it once test vehicles become available. If it lights up twisting roads as I expect it will, any niggling quibbles I have with its styling will go right off the nearest cliffside.—Mac Morrison

The biggest, most anticipated thing at this show is not an SUV, or even an autonomous tall electric sedan, but a sports car. Yes, it’s essentially a BMW Z4 built in Austria by Magna, but at least it has its own sheetmetal, which is more than you can say for the 86. And I’d take that Toyota 86 over most of the cars on the market today. Since the beginning of time, sports cars have relied on sharing some components to make development costs work out. In his introduction of the car, Akio Toyoda said he hopes Toyota will build more new sports cars in the future. Here’s to seeing him fulfill that wish.—Todd Lassa

MISS: Toyota Supra

This was easily the most anticipated car of the show, and I have no doubt it will be a blast to drive. But what is with Toyota outsourcing its performance cars? Sure, it’s great that Toyota will be selling a re-skinned BMW. But right in the same room as the BMW Supra is the Lexus LC, a 2018 Automobile All-Star and proof positive that Toyota knows how to design scintillating cars. With all the emphasis on making Camrys and RAV4s better to drive—which they are, by the way—what does it say when you outsource your halo sports car? I can’t imagine the effect this must have had on the morale of their engineering corps. “Nice job on the new Camrys, and oh, by the way, that new Supra? We’re getting BMW to do it.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to have the Supra back—but I’d prefer a Toyota Supra.—Aaron Gold

REVELATION: The Supra almost wasn’t a Supra

In a chat at the Detroit show with Supra chief designer Nobua Nakamura, he told us that in July of 2013 that he and his team started sketching out ideas for a model that was at first billed as a nameless sports-car project. It was only after seeing the positive reception given to the FT-1 concept—created by Toyota’s Calty design house in California—at the 2014 Detroit show that the FT-1 would become the primary design inspiration for the sports-car project that would eventually be dubbed Supra. And the rest, as they say, is history.—MF

HIT: Akio Toyoda

For giving the best speech I’ve seen at an auto show in years, if not ever. No boring sales numbers. No bits of badly faked enthusiasm. Toyoda-san’s speech was funny, it was too the point, and though it was scripted—I was reading it on the teleprompter along with him—it’s obvious he’s seriously jazzed about this car (even if it is an automatic BMW).—AG

HIT: Fernando Alonso

My wife thinks so, anyway. Alonso appeared briefly on stage with Akio Toyoda for the Toyota Supra launch. Toyoda was gracious in acknowledging that the two-time Formula 1 champion (for Ferrari) and one-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (for Toyota) is driving another marque at the 24 Hours of Daytona later this month (a Cadillac).—TL

HIT: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

For the jaded, it might be easy to look at the new GT500 and see just another jacked-up performance variant of Ford’s pony car. I get that . . . but whatever. More than 700 horsepower (what’s the final number, Ford?!) from the 5.2-liter supercharged V-8, a dual-clutch gearbox, zero to 60 mph in the mid-three-second range, a sub-11-second quarter-mile, magnetic dampers, and an optional Carbon-Fiber Track package with carbon wheels, rear-seat delete, and more? Find me a challenging road course and let’s get it on. Now.—MM

RELEVATION: Mahindra

This plucky Indian company is showing off its not-road-legal CJ-5 clone right in Jeep’s back yard. That takes cojones!—AG

HIT: Lexus LC Convertible concept

Rare is the car that gets scalped and doesn’t look great, but even rarer is a car as stunning to behold as the LC droptop. For all the coupe’s beauty—okay, some folks don’t like the spindle grille, but I think it works there—its overall attitude and stance strike me more as coming from a place of aggression. This concept elevates the LC to true elegance. I wouldn’t be shocked to see examples of the eventual production version at various concours d’élégance in the coming decades.—Erik Johnson

Yes, please. We love the LC hardtop, which was a 2018 All-Star, and with the top down, it takes the LC’s delightful GT style to another level.—MF

And here I thought it couldn’t get better than the LC coupe. Built it, Lexus! Build it, build it, build it!—AG

MISS: Cadillac XT6

It’s a damn shame what’s happened to Cadillac. Yes, I get it, its sedan sales are cratering and OMG it needs crossovers ASAP. I’m sure the XT6 and XT4 will be sales salve, but they come off as old GM badge-engineered exercises, and beyond the expressive grilles look uninspired. While they may put the brand back in the black, it’s sad to see really capable cars like the CT6 be minimized. At least Cadillac gave that car some serious attention in the form of the 550-hp CT6-V (which already is sold out). There is some hope in the form of the emerging EV strategy. Maybe those cars won’t have alphanumeric names.—MF

As another grizzled veteran told me, this three-row luxury SUV would have been a hit in 2012, or even 2016. While there’s nothing wrong with the new XT6 other than the Honda Pilot–esque side surfacing and the too-familiar GM interior plastics and switchgear, there’s nothing about it that pops. While I once believed that rear-wheel-drive proportions don’t matter on a tall SUV, the new Lincoln Aviator and even the 2020 Ford Explorer (gasp) have proved otherwise.—TL

[jonathanbelloblog]

2019 Detroit Auto Show: Hits, Misses, and Revelations

DETROIT, Michigan—Thirty years after Toyota launched Lexus and Nissan introduced Infiniti here, and 27 years after Chrysler smashed Cobo Hall’s front windows with the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the North American International Auto Show is done with January. The reviews from jaded auto journos are mixed, and the press day crowds were down despite Toyota and China’s GAC flying in press from overseas. We’re pretty confident, though, in saying what Detroit lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality this year. There is more to like than there is to avoid, even if the Japanese and Chinese automakers are the only ones left who still build concepts, and even though Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mini, Audi, and Volvo this year joined a bunch of other automakers who had followed Aston Martin’s decision to leave town after its Zen display of a decade ago. Herewith, our regular compendium of criticism, the good, the bad, and the philosophical, this time about what there is to see at the 2019 NAIAS:

HIT: Toyota Supra

Too many are getting stuck on the BMW partnership and the long gestation process, nitpicking the design, and decrying the lack of a manual transmission (which by the way Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada has not ruled out, so call your favorite dealer and demand it). Can we all just agree that what Toyota has done is give the world what by all accounts should be a nimble, kick-ass, rear-drive sports car that’s relatively attainable, price-wise? Call it whatever the hell you want, the fact that this car exists at all is pretty remarkable in this day and age. And it’s all but assured that hard-core variants will be in the offing. Yeah, what a terrible thing Toyota has done . . . not.—Mike Floyd

Automotive journalists can be a funny group. After wishing for a new Supra for years, some of them were overheard describing the final production car as less than thrilling, with others going so far as to call it “ugly.” “Look at all those fake plastic vents and intakes,” they decried. But as Supra designer Nobua Nakamura told editor-in-chief Mike Floyd, those nonfunctional pieces could become functional on future variants of the car. I don’t think the new Supra is perfect in the appearance department, and its roofline does look proportionally odd from some angles. But for the love of Suzuka, I’m excited to get a chance to drive it once test vehicles become available. If it lights up twisting roads as I expect it will, any niggling quibbles I have with its styling will go right off the nearest cliffside.—Mac Morrison

The biggest, most anticipated thing at this show is not an SUV, or even an autonomous tall electric sedan, but a sports car. Yes, it’s essentially a BMW Z4 built in Austria by Magna, but at least it has its own sheetmetal, which is more than you can say for the 86. And I’d take that Toyota 86 over most of the cars on the market today. Since the beginning of time, sports cars have relied on sharing some components to make development costs work out. In his introduction of the car, Akio Toyoda said he hopes Toyota will build more new sports cars in the future. Here’s to seeing him fulfill that wish.—Todd Lassa

MISS: Toyota Supra

This was easily the most anticipated car of the show, and I have no doubt it will be a blast to drive. But what is with Toyota outsourcing its performance cars? Sure, it’s great that Toyota will be selling a re-skinned BMW. But right in the same room as the BMW Supra is the Lexus LC, a 2018 Automobile All-Star and proof positive that Toyota knows how to design scintillating cars. With all the emphasis on making Camrys and RAV4s better to drive—which they are, by the way—what does it say when you outsource your halo sports car? I can’t imagine the effect this must have had on the morale of their engineering corps. “Nice job on the new Camrys, and oh, by the way, that new Supra? We’re getting BMW to do it.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to have the Supra back—but I’d prefer a Toyota Supra.—Aaron Gold

REVELATION: The Supra almost wasn’t a Supra

In a chat at the Detroit show with Supra chief designer Nobua Nakamura, he told us that in July of 2013 that he and his team started sketching out ideas for a model that was at first billed as a nameless sports-car project. It was only after seeing the positive reception given to the FT-1 concept—created by Toyota’s Calty design house in California—at the 2014 Detroit show that the FT-1 would become the primary design inspiration for the sports-car project that would eventually be dubbed Supra. And the rest, as they say, is history.—MF

HIT: Akio Toyoda

For giving the best speech I’ve seen at an auto show in years, if not ever. No boring sales numbers. No bits of badly faked enthusiasm. Toyoda-san’s speech was funny, it was too the point, and though it was scripted—I was reading it on the teleprompter along with him—it’s obvious he’s seriously jazzed about this car (even if it is an automatic BMW).—AG

HIT: Fernando Alonso

My wife thinks so, anyway. Alonso appeared briefly on stage with Akio Toyoda for the Toyota Supra launch. Toyoda was gracious in acknowledging that the two-time Formula 1 champion (for Ferrari) and one-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (for Toyota) is driving another marque at the 24 Hours of Daytona later this month (a Cadillac).—TL

HIT: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

For the jaded, it might be easy to look at the new GT500 and see just another jacked-up performance variant of Ford’s pony car. I get that . . . but whatever. More than 700 horsepower (what’s the final number, Ford?!) from the 5.2-liter supercharged V-8, a dual-clutch gearbox, zero to 60 mph in the mid-three-second range, a sub-11-second quarter-mile, magnetic dampers, and an optional Carbon-Fiber Track package with carbon wheels, rear-seat delete, and more? Find me a challenging road course and let’s get it on. Now.—MM

RELEVATION: Mahindra

This plucky Indian company is showing off its not-road-legal CJ-5 clone right in Jeep’s back yard. That takes cojones!—AG

HIT: Lexus LC Convertible concept

Rare is the car that gets scalped and doesn’t look great, but even rarer is a car as stunning to behold as the LC droptop. For all the coupe’s beauty—okay, some folks don’t like the spindle grille, but I think it works there—its overall attitude and stance strike me more as coming from a place of aggression. This concept elevates the LC to true elegance. I wouldn’t be shocked to see examples of the eventual production version at various concours d’élégance in the coming decades.—Erik Johnson

Yes, please. We love the LC hardtop, which was a 2018 All-Star, and with the top down, it takes the LC’s delightful GT style to another level.—MF

And here I thought it couldn’t get better than the LC coupe. Built it, Lexus! Build it, build it, build it!—AG

MISS: Cadillac XT6

It’s a damn shame what’s happened to Cadillac. Yes, I get it, its sedan sales are cratering and OMG it needs crossovers ASAP. I’m sure the XT6 and XT4 will be sales salve, but they come off as old GM badge-engineered exercises, and beyond the expressive grilles look uninspired. While they may put the brand back in the black, it’s sad to see really capable cars like the CT6 be minimized. At least Cadillac gave that car some serious attention in the form of the 550-hp CT6-V (which already is sold out). There is some hope in the form of the emerging EV strategy. Maybe those cars won’t have alphanumeric names.—MF

As another grizzled veteran told me, this three-row luxury SUV would have been a hit in 2012, or even 2016. While there’s nothing wrong with the new XT6 other than the Honda Pilot–esque side surfacing and the too-familiar GM interior plastics and switchgear, there’s nothing about it that pops. While I once believed that rear-wheel-drive proportions don’t matter on a tall SUV, the new Lincoln Aviator and even the 2020 Ford Explorer (gasp) have proved otherwise.—TL

[robertkstone]

2020 Cadillac XT6 First Look: Key Addition Doesn’t Wear Flagship Mantle

Cadillac is a brand under repair. Cynics paint a faded marque in existential peril. Optimists see light on the horizon.

The crown jewel of the General Motors empire is pulling  up stakes from its Manhattan headquarters to return  to the safe confines of Detroit after its four-year experiment in the big city. This followed GM firing the brand’s top executive just a few months prior. The entire lineup is under review, as the future of the current flagship CT6 sedan is in doubt when it ceases production at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant in June after barely three years on sale. The new strategy is to make Cadillac GM’s “lead electric vehicle brand,” and it will get the first vehicle from the automaker’s new BEV3 platform, which will produce a family of electric vehicles of all body styles and offered with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive.

Countering the Lincoln lineup—with its magnificent Navigator getting raves and the splendid Aviator just unveiled—you wonder what Cadillac’s counterpunch will be.

The finger in the dike appears to be the XT6 global three-row crossover unveiled at the 2019 Detroit auto show that will be built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, for sale this summer.

The aging truck-based, profit-churning Escalade SUV may be the brand’s flag-bearer, but it’s still a few years away from a redesign. Might the XT6 assume the flagship mantle in the interim, especially as Cadillac strives for global relevance?

“Escalade is an aspirational vehicle but is too large for much of the world,” Andrew Smith, executive director of Global Cadillac, said. For many years Cadillac executives have recognized the need for a unibody three-row family vehicle to keep customers from leaving the brand. The urgency for an entry in this segment has grown with low gasoline prices fueling demand for larger utility vehicles in the U.S. and an increasing appetite for SUVs in China.

Enter the XT6, a six- or seven-passenger crossover that rounds out the core lineup. The compact XT4 is in the fastest-growing segment, the XT5 is in the largest segment globally, and the XT6 is a walk-up offering more space and utility for families that don’t need the full-size Escalade.

The XT6 is practical. It doesn’t try to make a broader statement for the brand. Work started before the XT4 was finished; the XT6 was developed with the full range in mind. Executives chose to name it XT6 instead of XT7 “because we don’t see anything slotting between this and the XT5,” Smith said.

It does not replace the CT6 as the tech flagship—for one, it does not have Super Cruise, which provides hands-free driver assistance on the highway. Super Cruise will start rolling out across the Cadillac lineup in 2020—after the XT6 launch, newly minted Cadillac president Steve Carlisle said.

The goal was to tap Escalade cachet with a vehicle from the same C1 architecture as the XT5, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia, allowing it to be made in the same plants in Spring Hill, Tennessee, as well as in Shanghai.

Under the hood, the familiar 3.6-liter V-6 has 310 hp and 271 lb-ft with cylinder deactivation and stop/start capability. It is paired to GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission, as opposed to the eight-speed in the XT5. Although it was designed to accommodate additional powertrains, execs are mum for now. Electric motors might not be in the cards. Carlisle pointed to GM’s strategy of purpose-built electrified vehicles such as the Chevy Bolt and Volt.

The XT6 has MacPherson strut front and five-link rear suspension with preloaded springs, and it gets an upgrade from the damping system in the XT5, XT6 chief engineer John Plonka said. Continuous damping is standard on the Sport model and optional on Premium Luxury. As in the XT5, the optional AWD system can be turned off for better fuel economy. A twin-clutch rear axle provides torque vectoring. AWD is standard on Sport, optional on Luxury.  So although the XT6 won’t do Moab, it will tackle the road to the cottage.

To stand on its own, it had to have presence. With the XT6 riding 9.3 inches longer and 2.3 inches wider than the XT5, Smith said it was one of the first times he was asked to make a vehicle taller. All this adds weight, but after much debate it was deemed vital. And although Cadillacs have been notorious for splitting industry-standard vehicle segments in the past, the XT6 sits in the heart of the segment dimensionally.

Designed and engineered in Detroit as a global vehicle, the XT6 had to have its own look and character. Once designers had a clear picture of the target buyer, they dropped the gigantic wheels, whereupon the sketches flowed easily. XT6 is the first vehicle from scratch to adopt the softer, simpler look of the Escala concept sedan from 2016—a divergence from years of hard edges—but it retains signatures such as the vertical light arrangements. The new look resonated in customer clinics, and clay models were sent to China for input.

Cadillac designers placed emphasis on a roomy interior. All three rows had to be comfortable. In China this is often a multigenerational purchase, designed for parents in the front row, children in the second, and grandparents in the back—so the XT6 comes with a choice of two captain’s chairs or a middle bench that seats three.

This seating arrangement necessitates rerouting air vents, allowing for ample head- and legroom for adults in the back, a dual-pane sunroof, and proper acoustics for conversations from front to rear. Seats have a new structure for comfort, and the leather has a new chevron stitch pattern. The front seats are heated and cooled; the second row is heated. Additional second-row cupholders are in a pull-out drawer under a center console, which has separate climate controls. There are outlets to power devices throughout.

Second-row seats pitch, tilt, and slide to access the back row, or you can go between the captain’s chairs. Cargo area buttons flip down headrests and fold the third and second rows completely flat—perfect for that Home Depot run. The well for the spare tire can also store the security shade. Above the well is a storage bin with a cover that stays in position at any angle—handy for tall groceries.

There are two models: Sport and Premium Luxury. Both can be ordered with a Platinum package. Luxury adopts the Escala face more closely with a lot of bright trim. Sport has a black mesh grille inspired by the V Series and more black trim for a murdered-out look. Standard wheels are 20 inches, with optional 21s for Sport.

Inside is a new-look steering wheel and upgraded instrument panel, but the overall appearance is similar to XT5 with some shuffling of how materials such as microsuede, engineered wood, and copper carbon-fiber weave are used.

The next-generation CUE infotainment system bows on the 2020 model with a rotary dial that moves like a joystick, or you can touch the 8.0-inch screen. And yes, there are volume knobs and an 8- or  14-speaker Bose sound system. Connectivity includes wireless phone charging and NFC technology to allow Bluetooth pairing of Android phones with a tap.

Although there’s no Super Cruise, driver-assist systems include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, lane departure warning, steering assist, and night vision with automatic high-beam and optional adaptive headlights, which are expected to become legal in the U.S. soon. Haptic safety alerts vibrate the seat.

The first pre-production vehicle rolled off the line in Spring Hill in September. Employees named it Elvis as it left Tennessee for a dealer meeting in Las Vegas. Dealers have clamored for it ever since, Smith said. The Shanghai plant built its first model in December.

The XT6 goes on sale this spring, competing against the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, and Volvo XC90. Competitive pricing means it could start anywhere from $45,000 to $55,000 and still slot easily between the XT5 ($42,690–$66,890) and the Escalade, which opens at $76,490.

Relocating Cadillac headquarters to Detroit will help with the launch of the XT6, and there are plans for a new model every six months, Carlisle said. Time in New York was well spent, he said, but “having the makers and sellers in close proximity will only help.”

2020 Cadillac XT6 BASE PRICE $45,000-$48,000 (est) VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 6-7-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 3.6L/310-hp/271-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT 4,500-4,700 lb (est) WHEELBASE 112.7 in LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 198.8 x 77.3 x 68.9 in 0-60 MPH 7.7 sec (MT est) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON Not yet tested ON SALE IN U.S. Spring 2019

The post 2020 Cadillac XT6 First Look: Key Addition Doesn’t Wear Flagship Mantle appeared first on Motortrend.

from PerformanceJunk WP Feed 3 http://bit.ly/2Frwl03 via IFTTT

[savetopnow]

2018-03-07 20 CAR now

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[jonathanbelloblog]

First Drive: 2019 Cadillac XT4

SEATTLE, Washington — We’ve been herded into a ballroom at the Four Seasons hotel in Seattle, where we’re listening to Cadillac reps explain the why behind their new ‘Y’ trim-level strategy, augmented by a fancy PowerPoint presentation. Listed on the left arm of the slide’s Y graphic are the Premium Luxury and Platinum trims, with Sport and V-Series on the right. At the base of the Y is the Luxury level. Y should you care? Because the 2019 Cadillac XT4, the marque’s all-new compact crossover we’ve come here to drive, represents the first implementation of Cadillac’s Y approach, that’s Y.

Cadillac says it’s aiming the XT4 at the entry-luxury, compact crossover set (think Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo XC40, etc.), though it feels at least a half-size bigger than any of those vehicles. The Cadillac team says it focused on providing more usable interior volume than the competitive set, and indeed, the XT4’s 39.5 inches of rear seat legroom beats all the players mentioned here, and its 22.5 cu-ft of cargo space with rear seats up, 48.9 with them down is better than most.

As for how it stacks up in the exterior looks department compared to the competition, we’d say pretty well, especially from the direct front or rear view. The 2019 XT4 sports a version of Cadillac’s new, thinner grille that first debuted on the CT6 sedan, with sleek and slim vertical headlights and similar taillights that echo one of the old CTS Wagon’s best styling traits. Let’s just say the profile isn’t its good side, with a generic appearance not unlike that of its General Motors stablemates. Standard wheels are 18 inches all trim levels, though each varies slightly in color.

That brings us back to the Y strategy. The base Luxury model checks in at $35,790 to start and features aluminum-color interior accents, leatherette seats, and satin aluminum exterior trim. For $40,290, buyers can veer either to the left or right side of the Y with the Sport or Premium Luxury trims. Choose the Sport path, and you get carbon-fiber interior and gloss black exterior trim, body color door handles, leatherette seats with sport accents, carbon-fiber or wood interior trim, a thicker steering wheel and unique pedals, and gloss black roof rails among other features. Premium Luxury takers get leather seats, wood or aluminum interior trim, satin aluminum exterior trim and roof rails, and nickel-finish door handles. Both upscale trims also receive front and rear park assist, lane change and side blind zone alerts, and rear cross traffic systems. A power liftgate, driver’s seat memory, and an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror are also part of the Premium Luxury package.

After reading all that you may be asking yourself, “Self, where are the V-Series and Platinum models at?” Not every Cadillac will get those treatments, but we suspect the XT4 will be at least going Platinum soon enough. All XT4s regardless of trim get Cadillac’s new 8.0-inch infotainment screen with the marque’s redesigned Cue system that does away with the frustrating haptic feedback switchgear in favor of a center-console mounted rotary knob controller. Located behind the gearshift lever, it’s further augmented by a volume knob and various quick key buttons. We had limited time to explore the setup in depth, but our cursory experience is that it’s an improvement over the outgoing Cue, mostly in terms of usability. We’re told this new rotary-knob system will find its way to other Cadillac models and is already being implemented on the CT6 sedan.

Under the hood of the XT4 is an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. While that’s down significantly from the old 2.0T’s 272 hp and 295 lb-ft, Cadillac says the engine is far more efficient thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharger, cylinder deactivation, and the engine’s trick “Tripower” valvetrain system, which utilizes a shifting groove that effectively “slides” the cam lobe profile to one of three settings depending on driving condition. At the low end of the profile spectrum is the Active Fuel Management groove, which disables two cylinders and is designed for very light, freeway cruising; low valve lift is set up for balanced power and efficiency; and high valve lift engages when you need to put the hammer down in passing or hill climbing situations, for example. Additionally, the new engine’s peak torque comes on between 1,500-4,000 rpm compared to the outgoing engine’s 3,000-4,600 rpm, meaning in routine cruising conditions you’ll typically see the tach needle stay under 2,000 rpm, further optimizing fuel economy.

The XT4’s transmission is all-new too, a 9-speed automatic with a broader ratio than the outgoing 6-speed unit (7.6:1 vs 6.0:1) and a 4.69 first gear along with a 0.62 top gear to get that sub-2,000 rpm cruise speed. A twin-clutch all-wheel-drive setup is available on all XT4 models for an extra $2,500 and features a front disconnect to run in FWD at the push of the drive mode button. Other drive modes are AWD and Sport, both of which activate the all-wheel-drive system, while the latter also boosts steering effort and throttle response, allowing for higher shift points. Suspension is strut-type up front, and five-link a la XT5 in the rear. Sport models are available with an optional Active Sport Suspension.

We had a chance to wring out both Sport and Premium Luxury versions of the XT4 over a smorgasbord of Washington state highways and rural backroads, and we came away impressed. Both XT4 trims exhibited a sporty feel for a crossover thanks to a combination of precise steering and throttle inputs and good body control. Slowing things down are strong electro-hydraulic assist brakes that we’re told were benchmarked for feel against the ATS. This means the pedal is firm and not over-boosted like several other crossovers we’ve driven. It took a little getting used to initially, but ultimately rewarded us with excellent modulation.

The XT4’s 2.0T engine felt lively and eager to rev through the midrange, though it starts running out of breath above 5,000 rpm. That said, in normal driving, plenty of low-down torque and the 9-speed transmission conspire to keep revs low while not feeling like the XT4 is bogging in the slightest. This is possibly the best 9-speed we’ve experienced to date, with little gear hunting and silky smooth shifts that are almost imperceptible at times. That said, the XT4 is no rocket—258 lb-ft of torque only goes so far when there’s nearly 4,000 lbs of crossover to push around. Given that the XT4’s target demographic is young urban dwellers, this shouldn’t matter in the least though when tooling around the nation’s cityscapes.

Both XT4s we drove were equipped with the optional all-wheel drive system. Switching between FWD and AWD is seamless, but it takes a few seconds to complete. In FWD mode on dry pavement, a firm boot of throttle from a stop led to a bit of wheel spin and light torque steer, while the XT4 moved out confidently under heavy acceleration in AWD mode. We wonder how many buyers will actually toggle between the FWD and AWD settings, but they should keep it primarily in FWD if they want to optimize fuel economy and lessen drivetrain wear.

We’re looking forward to getting more seat time in the XT4 and seeing how it compares with its rivals. But for now, we can safely say we enjoyed our first encounter with what’s bound to become a volume seller for Cadillac. And there’s more where the XT4 came from. Cadillac is promising a new model launch every six months through 2020, and if the XT4 is any indication, we’re betting the American luxury brand is in for more successes to come—especially now that we know more of the what behind the Y.

2019 Cadillac XT4 Specifications

ON SALE October 2018 PRICE $35,790 (base) ENGINE 2.0L turbocharged DOHC 16-valve I-4/237 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 258 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,000 rpm TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, FWD/AWD SUV EPA MILEAGE 22-24/29-30 mpg (city/hwy, FWD/AWD) (est) L x W x H 181.1 x 74.1 x 64.1 in WHEELBASE 109.4 in WEIGHT 3,660 lb (FWD Luxury) (est) 0-60 MPH 7.0 sec (est) TOP SPEED N/A

IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

First Drive: 2019 Cadillac XT4

SEATTLE, Washington — We’ve been herded into a ballroom at the Four Seasons hotel in Seattle, where we’re listening to Cadillac reps explain the why behind their new ‘Y’ trim-level strategy, augmented by a fancy PowerPoint presentation. Listed on the left arm of the slide’s Y graphic are the Premium Luxury and Platinum trims, with Sport and V-Series on the right. At the base of the Y is the Luxury level. Y should you care? Because the 2019 Cadillac XT4, the marque’s all-new compact crossover we’ve come here to drive, represents the first implementation of Cadillac’s Y approach, that’s Y.

Cadillac says it’s aiming the XT4 at the entry-luxury, compact crossover set (think Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo XC40, etc.), though it feels at least a half-size bigger than any of those vehicles. The Cadillac team says it focused on providing more usable interior volume than the competitive set, and indeed, the XT4’s 39.5 inches of rear seat legroom beats all the players mentioned here, and its 22.5 cu-ft of cargo space with rear seats up, 48.9 with them down is better than most.

As for how it stacks up in the exterior looks department compared to the competition, we’d say pretty well, especially from the direct front or rear view. The 2019 XT4 sports a version of Cadillac’s new, thinner grille that first debuted on the CT6 sedan, with sleek and slim vertical headlights and similar taillights that echo one of the old CTS Wagon’s best styling traits. Let’s just say the profile isn’t its good side, with a generic appearance not unlike that of its General Motors stablemates. Standard wheels are 18 inches all trim levels, though each varies slightly in color.

That brings us back to the Y strategy. The base Luxury model checks in at $35,790 to start and features aluminum-color interior accents, leatherette seats, and satin aluminum exterior trim. For $40,290, buyers can veer either to the left or right side of the Y with the Sport or Premium Luxury trims. Choose the Sport path, and you get carbon-fiber interior and gloss black exterior trim, body color door handles, leatherette seats with sport accents, carbon-fiber or wood interior trim, a thicker steering wheel and unique pedals, and gloss black roof rails among other features. Premium Luxury takers get leather seats, wood or aluminum interior trim, satin aluminum exterior trim and roof rails, and nickel-finish door handles. Both upscale trims also receive front and rear park assist, lane change and side blind zone alerts, and rear cross traffic systems. A power liftgate, driver’s seat memory, and an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror are also part of the Premium Luxury package.

After reading all that you may be asking yourself, “Self, where are the V-Series and Platinum models at?” Not every Cadillac will get those treatments, but we suspect the XT4 will be at least going Platinum soon enough. All XT4s regardless of trim get Cadillac’s new 8.0-inch infotainment screen with the marque’s redesigned Cue system that does away with the frustrating haptic feedback switchgear in favor of a center-console mounted rotary knob controller. Located behind the gearshift lever, it’s further augmented by a volume knob and various quick key buttons. We had limited time to explore the setup in depth, but our cursory experience is that it’s an improvement over the outgoing Cue, mostly in terms of usability. We’re told this new rotary-knob system will find its way to other Cadillac models and is already being implemented on the CT6 sedan.

Under the hood of the XT4 is an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. While that’s down significantly from the old 2.0T’s 272 hp and 295 lb-ft, Cadillac says the engine is far more efficient thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharger, cylinder deactivation, and the engine’s trick “Tripower” valvetrain system, which utilizes a shifting groove that effectively “slides” the cam lobe profile to one of three settings depending on driving condition. At the low end of the profile spectrum is the Active Fuel Management groove, which disables two cylinders and is designed for very light, freeway cruising; low valve lift is set up for balanced power and efficiency; and high valve lift engages when you need to put the hammer down in passing or hill climbing situations, for example. Additionally, the new engine’s peak torque comes on between 1,500-4,000 rpm compared to the outgoing engine’s 3,000-4,600 rpm, meaning in routine cruising conditions you’ll typically see the tach needle stay under 2,000 rpm, further optimizing fuel economy.

The XT4’s transmission is all-new too, a 9-speed automatic with a broader ratio than the outgoing 6-speed unit (7.6:1 vs 6.0:1) and a 4.69 first gear along with a 0.62 top gear to get that sub-2,000 rpm cruise speed. A twin-clutch all-wheel-drive setup is available on all XT4 models for an extra $2,500 and features a front disconnect to run in FWD at the push of the drive mode button. Other drive modes are AWD and Sport, both of which activate the all-wheel-drive system, while the latter also boosts steering effort and throttle response, allowing for higher shift points. Suspension is strut-type up front, and five-link a la XT5 in the rear. Sport models are available with an optional Active Sport Suspension.

We had a chance to wring out both Sport and Premium Luxury versions of the XT4 over a smorgasbord of Washington state highways and rural backroads, and we came away impressed. Both XT4 trims exhibited a sporty feel for a crossover thanks to a combination of precise steering and throttle inputs and good body control. Slowing things down are strong electro-hydraulic assist brakes that we’re told were benchmarked for feel against the ATS. This means the pedal is firm and not over-boosted like several other crossovers we’ve driven. It took a little getting used to initially, but ultimately rewarded us with excellent modulation.

The XT4’s 2.0T engine felt lively and eager to rev through the midrange, though it starts running out of breath above 5,000 rpm. That said, in normal driving, plenty of low-down torque and the 9-speed transmission conspire to keep revs low while not feeling like the XT4 is bogging in the slightest. This is possibly the best 9-speed we’ve experienced to date, with little gear hunting and silky smooth shifts that are almost imperceptible at times. That said, the XT4 is no rocket—258 lb-ft of torque only goes so far when there’s nearly 4,000 lbs of crossover to push around. Given that the XT4’s target demographic is young urban dwellers, this shouldn’t matter in the least though when tooling around the nation’s cityscapes.

Both XT4s we drove were equipped with the optional all-wheel drive system. Switching between FWD and AWD is seamless, but it takes a few seconds to complete. In FWD mode on dry pavement, a firm boot of throttle from a stop led to a bit of wheel spin and light torque steer, while the XT4 moved out confidently under heavy acceleration in AWD mode. We wonder how many buyers will actually toggle between the FWD and AWD settings, but they should keep it primarily in FWD if they want to optimize fuel economy and lessen drivetrain wear.

We’re looking forward to getting more seat time in the XT4 and seeing how it compares with its rivals. But for now, we can safely say we enjoyed our first encounter with what’s bound to become a volume seller for Cadillac. And there’s more where the XT4 came from. Cadillac is promising a new model launch every six months through 2020, and if the XT4 is any indication, we’re betting the American luxury brand is in for more successes to come—especially now that we know more of the what behind the Y.

2019 Cadillac XT4 Specifications

ON SALE October 2018 PRICE $35,790 (base) ENGINE 2.0L turbocharged DOHC 16-valve I-4/237 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 258 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,000 rpm TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, FWD/AWD SUV EPA MILEAGE 22-24/29-30 mpg (city/hwy, FWD/AWD) (est) L x W x H 181.1 x 74.1 x 64.1 in WHEELBASE 109.4 in WEIGHT 3,660 lb (FWD Luxury) (est) 0-60 MPH 7.0 sec (est) TOP SPEED N/A

IFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

2018 New York Auto Show Hits, Misses, and Revelations

NEW YORK, New York — The New York International Auto Show has hereby won the right to call itself the North American International Auto Show next year, as it has usurped the erstwhile holder of that title, Detroit, with more newsy and relevant car and truck unveilings. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche all will be here again in 2019.

This year, New York has the usual fleet of new sport/utility vehicles, including such high-volume models as the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. But there are actual autos—cars—here as well, including a Nissan Altima that proves the brand’s revived commitment to the midsize sedan segment.

And there is a concept car that has taken our breath away like no other concept, at Detroit, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, or even Geneva has, this year …

HIT: Genesis Essentia Concept

And the winner of the “Wait, that’s a Hyundai?” award goes to this breathtakingly beautiful concept car. What a work of art.

—Aaron Gold

Star of the show, and probably the auto show season. It’s exactly the sports grand touring (electric vehicle) design that Genesis needs in order to build up its luxury brand credibility.

—Todd Lassa

MISS: Cadillac XT4

The XT4 looks to be a solid ute with an efficient 2.0-liter engine, it has technology on par with the competition, and the interior looks to be well built. It’s just that it doesn’t move the compact crossover market in any real way. There’s nothing groundbreaking here. I know Cadillac is thrilled to have another crossover and it will likely sell well for them. But other than the Cadillac style, it’s just another in a crowded sea of offerings. The fact that the refreshed CT6 with its 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 took center stage at Cadillac’s New York show stand and not the XT4 speaks volumes.

—Mike Floyd

HIT: Cadillac XT4

Has there ever been a good small Cadillac? The former Standard of the World has been trying and failing for the better part of four decades, but it looks like they finally got it right. The XT4 is cute and playful, a little cheeky even, and yet it still has the dignity and stateliness of a proper Cadillac. The XT4 may prove be the first baby Caddy worthy of the name.

—A.G.

HIT: Cadillac CT6 refresh

Cadillac injected a good dose of Escala concept design language into the CT6’s facelift, while adding the CT6 VSport and the new twin-turbo V-8 options. I think it works. Cadillac’s successor to the Northstar V-8 has been an on-again, off-again proposition for more than a decade, as the luxury brand faced the question of whether it could credibly take on the Germans and Lexus (and now, Genesis) by sticking with the modern Chevrolet small block instead spending big cash on its own, overhead-cam V-8. The timing of its release isn’t great, but the low-volume, hand-built nature of the twin-turbo 4.2-liter suggests it will be an expensive and rare option. Now, if only Cadillac could do something about the sub-German interior quality.

—T.L

HIT: Cadillac CT6 VSport

When the CT6 first came out, I wrote a review challenging any 7 Series owner to take the twin-turbo V-6 CT6 for a spin. If they came back and said the Caddy wasn’t as good as their Bimmer, either they were lying or they didn’t know how to drive. The addition of a twin-turbo V-8 can only make this car better. Now if only Cadillac can do something about the snoozer styling…

—A.G.

HIT: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept

There are a lot of compliments I can fling in the direction of the seven-set Volkswagen Atlas; “sexy” is not one of them. But now that I’ve seen the five-seat Atlas Cross Sport—whoa, Nellie. This new SUV-to-be combines the Atlas’ squared-off styling cues with the shape of the old Touareg. Love, love, love. What we saw here in New York is the concept version, but the Atlas Cross Sport is destined for production and I doubt it will look too much different. I can’t wait to see the real thing.

—A.G.

Or is it Atlas Sport Cross? Cross Atlas Sport? Hate the name, but as SUVs go, the new two-row 2020 VW Atlas is rather rakish for a sport/ute. It is to the three-row Atlas what the VW Arteon is to the Passat.

—T.L.

HIT: Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept

Designed as a vision of how VW could potentially expand the Atlas lineup, the Tanoak’s massive mug screams truck, though the production model would likely have some functional limitations. It definitely looks cool, and given that the Atlas line is built here in the U.S., a truck version is not out of the question.

—M.F.

How do I love VW’s proposed pickup? Let me count the ways. First, I love the way the box cuts into the cab. It puts me in mind of the old Ford Explorer SportTrac, another sort-of pickup that wasn’t trying to look like a miniaturized F-150. I love the way the Atlas’ squared-off styling works on a pickup truck. And I love the fact that VW is being honest about this being a utility vehicle with a pickup bed, rather than a pickup, period. (Are you listening, Honda?) Volkswagen says they have yet to make a decision about putting the Atlas Tanoak into production, and they are gauging public reaction. Public, I implore you to react. I want this thing to happen.

—A.G.

MISS: Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept

Well, you asked, VW. The company says its gauging public and press reaction, and is looking at clinic and sales data before its pickup truck concept gets a green light for production. The first sport-ute pickup was the Chevy Avalanche—remember that one? —and the only unibody, transverse-engine competitor, the Honda Ridgeline, typically does well in its first year (which means, maybe 35,000 units) until everyone who wants one has one, then it settles in below 20,000 per year. The latest Ridgeline AWD gets 18/25 mpg, not much better than the V-6, 4WD Chevrolet Colorado (17/24) or Toyota Tacoma (18/22), and the Chevy and Toyota are available with both four-bangers and RWD, so where’s the unibody truck advantage? While the VW Atlas Tanoak is a credible looking, nearly full-size truck, it’s not going to do much to utilize the Chattanooga plant’s capacity.

—T.L.

What in the heck is a Tanoak? I’ll give VW credit. I highly doubt that name was trademarked and it vaguely makes me think of trees, so there’s that.

—M.F.

HIT: Light up VW badge

VW showed this on their Atlas concepts. Please, Volkswagen, make this happen. Please.

—A.G.

  REVELATION: Tanoak is a tree. Don’t name your pickup after a tree.

If you’re going to build the Tanoak, Volkswagen, and you probably will despite my objections, please, please change its name to something relevant to your brand: VW Atlas Chicken Tax Exemption.

—T.L.

HIT: Genesis G70

Three words: Manual friggin’ transmission.

—A.G.

We were still reveling in the stunning beauty of the Genesis Essentia when Hyundai’s nascent luxury brand unveiled its BMW 3 Series competitor, the G70. Already, the fluid, organic lines of the Essentia have translated to a production model. That should be no excuse for denying the Essentia EV production, however.

—T.L.

MISS: 2019 GMC Sierra AT4

This would have totally been on my “hit” list but for the wheels, which, like the Grinch’s heart, are two sizes too small.

—A.G.

REVELATION:  Something else for Bugatti?

I spoke with Stephan Winkelmann, who has bounced from his longtime role with Lamborghini to Audi and then to help launch Audi Sport, about what’s next from his current Volkswagen Group brand, Bugatti. As always with any exec, he wouldn’t talk specifics, but when I asked if there was room for something else coming for Bugatti beyond the Chiron variants, his non-answer (“I think the brand has a lot of opportunities to do more”) and grin spoke volumes. It seems silly to put Winkelmann in charge of a brand to simply oversee 500 Chirons being built. My money is on some sort of SUV, because of course.

— M.F.

HIT: Lincoln Aviator

When I first saw the design sketches of the Aviator, I thought, Oh, here we go, another Range Rover clone. Shouldn’t someone remind Ford that they sold Jag-Land Rover years ago? But after seeing the new Aviator in person, I changed my tune. This is a good-looking Lincoln with handsome proportions and a great interior. The promise of rear-wheel-drive is, well, promising. Lincoln is keeping mum on the powertrain specifics, only saying that it’s a twin-turbo engine, but if it’s anything like the 400-hp grin-generator in the Continental, then life with this Lincoln is going to be very, very good.

—A.G.

HIT: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The present Corolla iM hatch looked decent, but it didn’t excite in any real way. The significantly reworked 2019 Corolla hatch has the potential to change that, thanks to its new TNGA platform underpinnings and Toyota’s new 2.0-liter engine mated to either a six-speed manual or CVT with a launch mode. No power ratings yet, but it should top at least 150 horses. Kudos to Toyota for keeping the hatch in the Corolla lineup. I hope it drives as good as it looks.

—M.F.

HIT: Nissan Altima

Looks like the Altima has picked up some of the Maxima’s mojo, and I love it. I’m sure some will disagree with me, but I think this is a great looking car inside and out. I can’t say I’m optimistic about the driving experience, not after the lackluster showing of the Rogue and Rogue Sport, but I’m hopeful that Nissan can pull some of that old-time magic out of its hats and make this Altima as good to drive as it is to look at.

—A.G.

It seemed Nissan had given up on sedans when the now-retiring Altima came out, and went straight-to-rental. But the new one, with its optional variable compression turbo four (replacing the V-6 option) and an interior that would have been considered premium a decade ago, indicates that Nissan is as dedicated to the future of its sedans as is Honda.

—T.L.

HIT: 2019 Toyota RAV4

Whoa. Wait. What? When I first saw the new RAV4, I figured it was an early April Fool’s joke. Nope—despite the fact that the current conservatively-styled RAV is selling like ecstasy at a rave (do either of those things still exist?), Toyota has taken the RAV4’s styling in a completely new direction—and what a stunner it is. Some of Toyota’s recent designs have been a bit awkward, but I think this one works, inside and out. In a way, it reminds me of the love child that might result from the coupling of a 4Runner and a Venza. That’s a good thing. Let’s hope the market agrees.

—A.G.

Toyota has split the RAV4 into two designs, both ditching the Camry-like nose. The Adventure series comes with a Tacoma-like grille that’s supposed to make you think you’re driving body-on-frame sport/utility, which doesn’t quite work on that level, though it does take a lot of the “cute” out of this cute/ute.

—T.L.

MISS: 2019 Subaru Forester

I know, I know—you don’t mess with success. Still, did Subaru have to make the new Forester look so much like the old Forester? Frankly, I’d be perfectly happy if the new car looked more like the first-gen Forester. Twenty years is long enough for a retro-mobile, right?

—A.G.

REVELATION: Subaru’s design “aesthetic

Look at the Mark I Forester on Subaru’s stand, and you can see that the Crosstrek has replaced that model [full disclosure: I just bought a new Crosstrek] in the brand’s expanding lineup. The Forester is compact SUV-sized, which is to say, like a Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, etc., and like those rivals has grown over the years. As for the design, well, you generally don’t buy from this brand for the styling, so much as the anti-styling.

—T.L.

MISS: Acura TLX 2.4 A-Spec

At its press conference, Acura mentioned that the V-6-powered TLX A-Spec was proving to be a big hit with younger and more affluent buyers, so they have decided to bring out a version of this car with the 2.4 liter engine. Er… guys… First, it’s the V-6 engine that makes this car. Second, why would affluent buyers opt for the cheaper engine? I can’t see this going well at all. Why not put the Accord’s 2.0T engine in the TLX? Now that would be an A-Spec to get excited about. Save us, RDX!

—A.G.

HIT—I hope: 2019 Acura RDX

The current RDX is, in my opinion, one of the better vehicles in Acura’s lineup; the fact that it’s an aging and fairly conservative design, both visually and mechanically, doesn’t say much about this lost-in-the-weeds brand. But the new RDX looks to be a ray of hope. With a longer-and-lower look than the current car, it’s attractive without being silly. The 2.0-liter turbo engine should prove to be just as much of a gem here as it is in the Accord (assumi from Performance Junk Blogger 6 https://ift.tt/2J5u7Sz via IFTTT

[jonathanbelloblog]

2018 New York Auto Show Hits, Misses, and Revelations

NEW YORK, New York — The New York International Auto Show has hereby won the right to call itself the North American International Auto Show next year, as it has usurped the erstwhile holder of that title, Detroit, with more newsy and relevant car and truck unveilings. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche all will be here again in 2019.

This year, New York has the usual fleet of new sport/utility vehicles, including such high-volume models as the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. But there are actual autos—cars—here as well, including a Nissan Altima that proves the brand’s revived commitment to the midsize sedan segment.

And there is a concept car that has taken our breath away like no other concept, at Detroit, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, or even Geneva has, this year …

HIT: Genesis Essentia Concept

And the winner of the “Wait, that’s a Hyundai?” award goes to this breathtakingly beautiful concept car. What a work of art.

—Aaron Gold

Star of the show, and probably the auto show season. It’s exactly the sports grand touring (electric vehicle) design that Genesis needs in order to build up its luxury brand credibility.

—Todd Lassa

MISS: Cadillac XT4

The XT4 looks to be a solid ute with an efficient 2.0-liter engine, it has technology on par with the competition, and the interior looks to be well built. It’s just that it doesn’t move the compact crossover market in any real way. There’s nothing groundbreaking here. I know Cadillac is thrilled to have another crossover and it will likely sell well for them. But other than the Cadillac style, it’s just another in a crowded sea of offerings. The fact that the refreshed CT6 with its 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 took center stage at Cadillac’s New York show stand and not the XT4 speaks volumes.

—Mike Floyd

HIT: Cadillac XT4

Has there ever been a good small Cadillac? The former Standard of the World has been trying and failing for the better part of four decades, but it looks like they finally got it right. The XT4 is cute and playful, a little cheeky even, and yet it still has the dignity and stateliness of a proper Cadillac. The XT4 may prove be the first baby Caddy worthy of the name.

—A.G.

HIT: Cadillac CT6 refresh

Cadillac injected a good dose of Escala concept design language into the CT6’s facelift, while adding the CT6 VSport and the new twin-turbo V-8 options. I think it works. Cadillac’s successor to the Northstar V-8 has been an on-again, off-again proposition for more than a decade, as the luxury brand faced the question of whether it could credibly take on the Germans and Lexus (and now, Genesis) by sticking with the modern Chevrolet small block instead spending big cash on its own, overhead-cam V-8. The timing of its release isn’t great, but the low-volume, hand-built nature of the twin-turbo 4.2-liter suggests it will be an expensive and rare option. Now, if only Cadillac could do something about the sub-German interior quality.

—T.L

HIT: Cadillac CT6 VSport

When the CT6 first came out, I wrote a review challenging any 7 Series owner to take the twin-turbo V-6 CT6 for a spin. If they came back and said the Caddy wasn’t as good as their Bimmer, either they were lying or they didn’t know how to drive. The addition of a twin-turbo V-8 can only make this car better. Now if only Cadillac can do something about the snoozer styling…

—A.G.

HIT: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept

There are a lot of compliments I can fling in the direction of the seven-set Volkswagen Atlas; “sexy” is not one of them. But now that I’ve seen the five-seat Atlas Cross Sport—whoa, Nellie. This new SUV-to-be combines the Atlas’ squared-off styling cues with the shape of the old Touareg. Love, love, love. What we saw here in New York is the concept version, but the Atlas Cross Sport is destined for production and I doubt it will look too much different. I can’t wait to see the real thing.

—A.G.

Or is it Atlas Sport Cross? Cross Atlas Sport? Hate the name, but as SUVs go, the new two-row 2020 VW Atlas is rather rakish for a sport/ute. It is to the three-row Atlas what the VW Arteon is to the Passat.

—T.L.

HIT: Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept

Designed as a vision of how VW could potentially expand the Atlas lineup, the Tanoak’s massive mug screams truck, though the production model would likely have some functional limitations. It definitely looks cool, and given that the Atlas line is built here in the U.S., a truck version is not out of the question.

—M.F.

How do I love VW’s proposed pickup? Let me count the ways. First, I love the way the box cuts into the cab. It puts me in mind of the old Ford Explorer SportTrac, another sort-of pickup that wasn’t trying to look like a miniaturized F-150. I love the way the Atlas’ squared-off styling works on a pickup truck. And I love the fact that VW is being honest about this being a utility vehicle with a pickup bed, rather than a pickup, period. (Are you listening, Honda?) Volkswagen says they have yet to make a decision about putting the Atlas Tanoak into production, and they are gauging public reaction. Public, I implore you to react. I want this thing to happen.

—A.G.

MISS: Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept

Well, you asked, VW. The company says its gauging public and press reaction, and is looking at clinic and sales data before its pickup truck concept gets a green light for production. The first sport-ute pickup was the Chevy Avalanche—remember that one? —and the only unibody, transverse-engine competitor, the Honda Ridgeline, typically does well in its first year (which means, maybe 35,000 units) until everyone who wants one has one, then it settles in below 20,000 per year. The latest Ridgeline AWD gets 18/25 mpg, not much better than the V-6, 4WD Chevrolet Colorado (17/24) or Toyota Tacoma (18/22), and the Chevy and Toyota are available with both four-bangers and RWD, so where’s the unibody truck advantage? While the VW Atlas Tanoak is a credible looking, nearly full-size truck, it’s not going to do much to utilize the Chattanooga plant’s capacity.

—T.L.

What in the heck is a Tanoak? I’ll give VW credit. I highly doubt that name was trademarked and it vaguely makes me think of trees, so there’s that.

—M.F.

HIT: Light up VW badge

VW showed this on their Atlas concepts. Please, Volkswagen, make this happen. Please.

—A.G.

  REVELATION: Tanoak is a tree. Don’t name your pickup after a tree.

If you’re going to build the Tanoak, Volkswagen, and you probably will despite my objections, please, please change its name to something relevant to your brand: VW Atlas Chicken Tax Exemption.

—T.L.

HIT: Genesis G70

Three words: Manual friggin’ transmission.

—A.G.

We were still reveling in the stunning beauty of the Genesis Essentia when Hyundai’s nascent luxury brand unveiled its BMW 3 Series competitor, the G70. Already, the fluid, organic lines of the Essentia have translated to a production model. That should be no excuse for denying the Essentia EV production, however.

—T.L.

MISS: 2019 GMC Sierra AT4

This would have totally been on my “hit” list but for the wheels, which, like the Grinch’s heart, are two sizes too small.

—A.G.

REVELATION:  Something else for Bugatti?

I spoke with Stephan Winkelmann, who has bounced from his longtime role with Lamborghini to Audi and then to help launch Audi Sport, about what’s next from his current Volkswagen Group brand, Bugatti. As always with any exec, he wouldn’t talk specifics, but when I asked if there was room for something else coming for Bugatti beyond the Chiron variants, his non-answer (“I think the brand has a lot of opportunities to do more”) and grin spoke volumes. It seems silly to put Winkelmann in charge of a brand to simply oversee 500 Chirons being built. My money is on some sort of SUV, because of course.

— M.F.

HIT: Lincoln Aviator

When I first saw the design sketches of the Aviator, I thought, Oh, here we go, another Range Rover clone. Shouldn’t someone remind Ford that they sold Jag-Land Rover years ago? But after seeing the new Aviator in person, I changed my tune. This is a good-looking Lincoln with handsome proportions and a great interior. The promise of rear-wheel-drive is, well, promising. Lincoln is keeping mum on the powertrain specifics, only saying that it’s a twin-turbo engine, but if it’s anything like the 400-hp grin-generator in the Continental, then life with this Lincoln is going to be very, very good.

—A.G.

HIT: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The present Corolla iM hatch looked decent, but it didn’t excite in any real way. The significantly reworked 2019 Corolla hatch has the potential to change that, thanks to its new TNGA platform underpinnings and Toyota’s new 2.0-liter engine mated to either a six-speed manual or CVT with a launch mode. No power ratings yet, but it should top at least 150 horses. Kudos to Toyota for keeping the hatch in the Corolla lineup. I hope it drives as good as it looks.

—M.F.

HIT: Nissan Altima

Looks like the Altima has picked up some of the Maxima’s mojo, and I love it. I’m sure some will disagree with me, but I think this is a great looking car inside and out. I can’t say I’m optimistic about the driving experience, not after the lackluster showing of the Rogue and Rogue Sport, but I’m hopeful that Nissan can pull some of that old-time magic out of its hats and make this Altima as good to drive as it is to look at.

—A.G.

It seemed Nissan had given up on sedans when the now-retiring Altima came out, and went straight-to-rental. But the new one, with its optional variable compression turbo four (replacing the V-6 option) and an interior that would have been considered premium a decade ago, indicates that Nissan is as dedicated to the future of its sedans as is Honda.

—T.L.

HIT: 2019 Toyota RAV4

Whoa. Wait. What? When I first saw the new RAV4, I figured it was an early April Fool’s joke. Nope—despite the fact that the current conservatively-styled RAV is selling like ecstasy at a rave (do either of those things still exist?), Toyota has taken the RAV4’s styling in a completely new direction—and what a stunner it is. Some of Toyota’s recent designs have been a bit awkward, but I think this one works, inside and out. In a way, it reminds me of the love child that might result from the coupling of a 4Runner and a Venza. That’s a good thing. Let’s hope the market agrees.

—A.G.

Toyota has split the RAV4 into two designs, both ditching the Camry-like nose. The Adventure series comes with a Tacoma-like grille that’s supposed to make you think you’re driving body-on-frame sport/utility, which doesn’t quite work on that level, though it does take a lot of the “cute” out of this cute/ute.

—T.L.

MISS: 2019 Subaru Forester

I know, I know—you don’t mess with success. Still, did Subaru have to make the new Forester look so much like the old Forester? Frankly, I’d be perfectly happy if the new car looked more like the first-gen Forester. Twenty years is long enough for a retro-mobile, right?

—A.G.

REVELATION: Subaru’s design “aesthetic

Look at the Mark I Forester on Subaru’s stand, and you can see that the Crosstrek has replaced that model [full disclosure: I just bought a new Crosstrek] in the brand’s expanding lineup. The Forester is compact SUV-sized, which is to say, like a Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, etc., and like those rivals has grown over the years. As for the design, well, you generally don’t buy from this brand for the styling, so much as the anti-styling.

—T.L.

MISS: Acura TLX 2.4 A-Spec

At its press conference, Acura mentioned that the V-6-powered TLX A-Spec was proving to be a big hit with younger and more affluent buyers, so they have decided to bring out a version of this car with the 2.4 liter engine. Er… guys… First, it’s the V-6 engine that makes this car. Second, why would affluent buyers opt for the cheaper engine? I can’t see this going well at all. Why not put the Accord’s 2.0T engine in the TLX? Now that would be an A-Spec to get excited about. Save us, RDX!

—A.G.

HIT—I hope: 2019 Acura RDX

The current RDX is, in my opinion, one of the better vehicles in Acura’s lineup; the fact that it’s an aging and fairly conservative design, both visually and mechanically, doesn’t say much about this lost-in-the-weeds brand. But the new RDX looks to be a ray of hope. With a longer-and-lower look than the current car, it’s attractive without being silly. The 2.0-liter turbo engine should prove to be just as much of a gem here as it is in the Accord (assumi from Performance Junk Blogger Feed 4 https://ift.tt/2J5u7Sz via IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

2018 New York Auto Show Hits, Misses, and Revelations

NEW YORK, New York — The New York International Auto Show has hereby won the right to call itself the North American International Auto Show next year, as it has usurped the erstwhile holder of that title, Detroit, with more newsy and relevant car and truck unveilings. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche all will be here again in 2019.

This year, New York has the usual fleet of new sport/utility vehicles, including such high-volume models as the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. But there are actual autos—cars—here as well, including a Nissan Altima that proves the brand’s revived commitment to the midsize sedan segment.

And there is a concept car that has taken our breath away like no other concept, at Detroit, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, or even Geneva has, this year …

HIT: Genesis Essentia Concept

And the winner of the “Wait, that’s a Hyundai?” award goes to this breathtakingly beautiful concept car. What a work of art.

—Aaron Gold

Star of the show, and probably the auto show season. It’s exactly the sports grand touring (electric vehicle) design that Genesis needs in order to build up its luxury brand credibility.

—Todd Lassa

MISS: Cadillac XT4

The XT4 looks to be a solid ute with an efficient 2.0-liter engine, it has technology on par with the competition, and the interior looks to be well built. It’s just that it doesn’t move the compact crossover market in any real way. There’s nothing groundbreaking here. I know Cadillac is thrilled to have another crossover and it will likely sell well for them. But other than the Cadillac style, it’s just another in a crowded sea of offerings. The fact that the refreshed CT6 with its 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 took center stage at Cadillac’s New York show stand and not the XT4 speaks volumes.

—Mike Floyd

HIT: Cadillac XT4

Has there ever been a good small Cadillac? The former Standard of the World has been trying and failing for the better part of four decades, but it looks like they finally got it right. The XT4 is cute and playful, a little cheeky even, and yet it still has the dignity and stateliness of a proper Cadillac. The XT4 may prove be the first baby Caddy worthy of the name.

—A.G.

HIT: Cadillac CT6 refresh

Cadillac injected a good dose of Escala concept design language into the CT6’s facelift, while adding the CT6 VSport and the new twin-turbo V-8 options. I think it works. Cadillac’s successor to the Northstar V-8 has been an on-again, off-again proposition for more than a decade, as the luxury brand faced the question of whether it could credibly take on the Germans and Lexus (and now, Genesis) by sticking with the modern Chevrolet small block instead spending big cash on its own, overhead-cam V-8. The timing of its release isn’t great, but the low-volume, hand-built nature of the twin-turbo 4.2-liter suggests it will be an expensive and rare option. Now, if only Cadillac could do something about the sub-German interior quality.

—T.L

HIT: Cadillac CT6 VSport

When the CT6 first came out, I wrote a review challenging any 7 Series owner to take the twin-turbo V-6 CT6 for a spin. If they came back and said the Caddy wasn’t as good as their Bimmer, either they were lying or they didn’t know how to drive. The addition of a twin-turbo V-8 can only make this car better. Now if only Cadillac can do something about the snoozer styling…

—A.G.

HIT: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept

There are a lot of compliments I can fling in the direction of the seven-set Volkswagen Atlas; “sexy” is not one of them. But now that I’ve seen the five-seat Atlas Cross Sport—whoa, Nellie. This new SUV-to-be combines the Atlas’ squared-off styling cues with the shape of the old Touareg. Love, love, love. What we saw here in New York is the concept version, but the Atlas Cross Sport is destined for production and I doubt it will look too much different. I can’t wait to see the real thing.

—A.G.

Or is it Atlas Sport Cross? Cross Atlas Sport? Hate the name, but as SUVs go, the new two-row 2020 VW Atlas is rather rakish for a sport/ute. It is to the three-row Atlas what the VW Arteon is to the Passat.

—T.L.

HIT: Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept

Designed as a vision of how VW could potentially expand the Atlas lineup, the Tanoak’s massive mug screams truck, though the production model would likely have some functional limitations. It definitely looks cool, and given that the Atlas line is built here in the U.S., a truck version is not out of the question.

—M.F.

How do I love VW’s proposed pickup? Let me count the ways. First, I love the way the box cuts into the cab. It puts me in mind of the old Ford Explorer SportTrac, another sort-of pickup that wasn’t trying to look like a miniaturized F-150. I love the way the Atlas’ squared-off styling works on a pickup truck. And I love the fact that VW is being honest about this being a utility vehicle with a pickup bed, rather than a pickup, period. (Are you listening, Honda?) Volkswagen says they have yet to make a decision about putting the Atlas Tanoak into production, and they are gauging public reaction. Public, I implore you to react. I want this thing to happen.

—A.G.

MISS: Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept

Well, you asked, VW. The company says its gauging public and press reaction, and is looking at clinic and sales data before its pickup truck concept gets a green light for production. The first sport-ute pickup was the Chevy Avalanche—remember that one? —and the only unibody, transverse-engine competitor, the Honda Ridgeline, typically does well in its first year (which means, maybe 35,000 units) until everyone who wants one has one, then it settles in below 20,000 per year. The latest Ridgeline AWD gets 18/25 mpg, not much better than the V-6, 4WD Chevrolet Colorado (17/24) or Toyota Tacoma (18/22), and the Chevy and Toyota are available with both four-bangers and RWD, so where’s the unibody truck advantage? While the VW Atlas Tanoak is a credible looking, nearly full-size truck, it’s not going to do much to utilize the Chattanooga plant’s capacity.

—T.L.

What in the heck is a Tanoak? I’ll give VW credit. I highly doubt that name was trademarked and it vaguely makes me think of trees, so there’s that.

—M.F.

HIT: Light up VW badge

VW showed this on their Atlas concepts. Please, Volkswagen, make this happen. Please.

—A.G.

  REVELATION: Tanoak is a tree. Don’t name your pickup after a tree.

If you’re going to build the Tanoak, Volkswagen, and you probably will despite my objections, please, please change its name to something relevant to your brand: VW Atlas Chicken Tax Exemption.

—T.L.

HIT: Genesis G70

Three words: Manual friggin’ transmission.

—A.G.

We were still reveling in the stunning beauty of the Genesis Essentia when Hyundai’s nascent luxury brand unveiled its BMW 3 Series competitor, the G70. Already, the fluid, organic lines of the Essentia have translated to a production model. That should be no excuse for denying the Essentia EV production, however.

—T.L.

MISS: 2019 GMC Sierra AT4

This would have totally been on my “hit” list but for the wheels, which, like the Grinch’s heart, are two sizes too small.

—A.G.

REVELATION:  Something else for Bugatti?

I spoke with Stephan Winkelmann, who has bounced from his longtime role with Lamborghini to Audi and then to help launch Audi Sport, about what’s next from his current Volkswagen Group brand, Bugatti. As always with any exec, he wouldn’t talk specifics, but when I asked if there was room for something else coming for Bugatti beyond the Chiron variants, his non-answer (“I think the brand has a lot of opportunities to do more”) and grin spoke volumes. It seems silly to put Winkelmann in charge of a brand to simply oversee 500 Chirons being built. My money is on some sort of SUV, because of course.

— M.F.

HIT: Lincoln Aviator

When I first saw the design sketches of the Aviator, I thought, Oh, here we go, another Range Rover clone. Shouldn’t someone remind Ford that they sold Jag-Land Rover years ago? But after seeing the new Aviator in person, I changed my tune. This is a good-looking Lincoln with handsome proportions and a great interior. The promise of rear-wheel-drive is, well, promising. Lincoln is keeping mum on the powertrain specifics, only saying that it’s a twin-turbo engine, but if it’s anything like the 400-hp grin-generator in the Continental, then life with this Lincoln is going to be very, very good.

—A.G.

HIT: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The present Corolla iM hatch looked decent, but it didn’t excite in any real way. The significantly reworked 2019 Corolla hatch has the potential to change that, thanks to its new TNGA platform underpinnings and Toyota’s new 2.0-liter engine mated to either a six-speed manual or CVT with a launch mode. No power ratings yet, but it should top at least 150 horses. Kudos to Toyota for keeping the hatch in the Corolla lineup. I hope it drives as good as it looks.

—M.F.

HIT: Nissan Altima

Looks like the Altima has picked up some of the Maxima’s mojo, and I love it. I’m sure some will disagree with me, but I think this is a great looking car inside and out. I can’t say I’m optimistic about the driving experience, not after the lackluster showing of the Rogue and Rogue Sport, but I’m hopeful that Nissan can pull some of that old-time magic out of its hats and make this Altima as good to drive as it is to look at.

—A.G.

It seemed Nissan had given up on sedans when the now-retiring Altima came out, and went straight-to-rental. But the new one, with its optional variable compression turbo four (replacing the V-6 option) and an interior that would have been considered premium a decade ago, indicates that Nissan is as dedicated to the future of its sedans as is Honda.

—T.L.

HIT: 2019 Toyota RAV4

Whoa. Wait. What? When I first saw the new RAV4, I figured it was an early April Fool’s joke. Nope—despite the fact that the current conservatively-styled RAV is selling like ecstasy at a rave (do either of those things still exist?), Toyota has taken the RAV4’s styling in a completely new direction—and what a stunner it is. Some of Toyota’s recent designs have been a bit awkward, but I think this one works, inside and out. In a way, it reminds me of the love child that might result from the coupling of a 4Runner and a Venza. That’s a good thing. Let’s hope the market agrees.

—A.G.

Toyota has split the RAV4 into two designs, both ditching the Camry-like nose. The Adventure series comes with a Tacoma-like grille that’s supposed to make you think you’re driving body-on-frame sport/utility, which doesn’t quite work on that level, though it does take a lot of the “cute” out of this cute/ute.

—T.L.

MISS: 2019 Subaru Forester

I know, I know—you don’t mess with success. Still, did Subaru have to make the new Forester look so much like the old Forester? Frankly, I’d be perfectly happy if the new car looked more like the first-gen Forester. Twenty years is long enough for a retro-mobile, right?

—A.G.

REVELATION: Subaru’s design “aesthetic

Look at the Mark I Forester on Subaru’s stand, and you can see that the Crosstrek has replaced that model [full disclosure: I just bought a new Crosstrek] in the brand’s expanding lineup. The Forester is compact SUV-sized, which is to say, like a Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, etc., and like those rivals has grown over the years. As for the design, well, you generally don’t buy from this brand for the styling, so much as the anti-styling.

—T.L.

MISS: Acura TLX 2.4 A-Spec

At its press conference, Acura mentioned that the V-6-powered TLX A-Spec was proving to be a big hit with younger and more affluent buyers, so they have decided to bring out a version of this car with the 2.4 liter engine. Er… guys… First, it’s the V-6 engine that makes this car. Second, why would affluent buyers opt for the cheaper engine? I can’t see this going well at all. Why not put the Accord’s 2.0T engine in the TLX? Now that would be an A-Spec to get excited about. Save us, RDX!

—A.G.

HIT—I hope: 2019 Acura RDX

The current RDX is, in my opinion, one of the better vehicles in Acura’s lineup; the fact that it’s an aging and fairly conservative design, both visually and mechanically, doesn’t say much about this lost-in-the-weeds brand. But the new RDX looks to be a ray of hope. With a longer-and-lower look than the current car, it’s attractive without being silly. The 2.0-liter turbo engine should prove to be just as much of a gem here as it is in the Accord (assumi from Performance Junk WP Feed 4 https://ift.tt/2J5u7Sz via IFTTT