Monthly Archives: June 2018
Presenting The Lexus RC F And GS F 10th Anniversary Editions
If you want limited editions vehicles, there will be a price to pay. If you want the anniversary editions of the Lexus RC F and GS F, the brand’s sport-tuned and performance vehicles, you might have to sell a kidney… or two. Kidding aside, the F sub-brand is celebrating its 10th year anniversary since the debut of the IS F in 2008.
When the IS F debuted a decade ago, it was a direct competition to the tried and tested BMW M3. That was packing a V8 engine, but it was soon followed by the LFA, RC F coupe, and GS F sedan that are all powered by a V-10 machine.
The two anniversary editions are called the RC F and the GS F and there will only be 240 RC Fs in America and 100 GS Fs. That’s how exclusive these two editions are going to be.
Both cars will be finished off with matte Nebula Grey paint, 19-inch black BBS wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, and Brembo brakes with blue calipers. The RC F has blue leather seating with white accents up front and blue accents on the shift knob, steering wheel, and instrument panel cover.
On the other hand, the GS F also gets blue leather seating both for the front and rear passengers and driver. There are also blue carbon-fiber accents, blue suede on the dashboard, and blue seat belts. It will also have blue leather on the steering wheel, console, and shift knob.
Overall, the two cars will get that elegant black-and-blue combination that’s a favorite for most sports and performance vehicles.
These two vehicles are still going to be powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that can produce 467 horsepower. That power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and both cars will come with a torque vectoring differential.
These special edition models should arrive later this year.
Of Course, Nobody Likes The Smaller Trunk of the New BMW X5
There’s nothing more disheartening than finding out that the new 2019 BMW X5 you have been waiting for has a smaller trunk despite it being slightly bigger and having more legroom for passengers. Oh wait, perhaps that is the problem. When BMW decided to give more room for rear passengers, it ironically (and perhaps, questionably) decided that the best way to give that space is to take it from the cargo space.
The new X5 is two inches longer and more than two inches wider than the previous generation, but the cargo capacity has somewhat been diminished to just 31.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up. That’s down from the predecessor’s 35.8 cubic feet capacity. Let’s do that math: that’s four cubic feet less or 11 percent less than the old X5.
There is no information about the cargo space when the rear seats are folded flat, but you can expect that number to drop, too, given that the overall cargo capacity shrunk. The outgoing BMW X5 can carry 76.7 cubic feet of luggage, which will drop to less than 70 cubic feet in the new X5.
How did this happen? There’s no exact explanation and BMW hasn’t offered one just yet. The official specifications from the German automaker said that the new-generation X5’s gasoline variant would have 31.7 cubic feet and this one has no battery or hybrid system that need space. And even if there’s a hybrid or EV variant, the systems should not take that much space since batteries are usually stored beneath the floor.
It looks like BMW simply made the X5’s trunk smaller to differentiate it from the upcoming X7, which is designed to have the largest trunk yet in the German brand’s lineup. If that’s the plan, then BMW has just lost its edge over the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE, both of which the current generation X5 has trumped in terms of cargo space.
Is The Grandmaster Hyundai’s New Three-Row Crossover?
Hyundai is finally ready to make its mark in the crossover segment. It is now filling its lineup with the new Kona, as well as updated versions of the Tucson and the Santa Fe. But aside from these models, Hyundai also introduced a possible new three-row crossover at the Busan Auto Show.
Dubbed as the “HDC-2 Grandmaster”, the concept might be a preview to Hyundai’s plan of designing a new three-row crossover. The model should slot right above the Santa Fe and will have seats available for a total for eight passengers.
The design cues of the Grandmaster are based on the Santa Fe, which was previously called the Santa Fe Sport. But don’t think that this new model would be very similar to the smaller Santa Fe. The Grandmaster will have newly designed wheels, taillights, and side windows never before seen in another Hyundai model.
The name of this new model, if the Grandmaster name will stick, is quite cool and it comes the game of chess, wherein the winner is called the grandmaster. In a statement, the South Korean automaker said that the name is indicative of the company’s plan to create a uniform vehicle line-up that would demonstrate the Hyundai look without necessarily being too similar with each other. Each model, though following a specific design cue, should still have a distinctive character and role.
From what we understand, Hyundai is planning to overhaul the design direction of the company’s fleet. The new design will affect more than just one Hyundai model. Along with the Le Fil Rouge concept car, the new Grandmaster will feature the “Sensuous Sportiness” that Hyundai wants to highlight as its new design theme. This will apply on the automaker’s future sedans and SUVs.
The Grandmaster should be available in the market by 2019.
3 Things We Can Expect From The 2019 Jeep Renegade
When the Jeep Renegade debuted back in 2014, it easily became a favorite because of its city-friendly design and off-road capabilities. After four years, Jeep decided it’s time to redesign the Renegade, which showed off its new looks at the Turin Motor Show in Italy.
Sleeker and more modern, the new Renegade will feature an updated grille, snazzier lights, and a new set of powertrains.
Updated Grille
One of the first things you’ll notice about the new Renegade is the changes on the front grille. The vertical chrome bars are the same, but they are now thinner and they still divide the grille into seven square sections.
Snazzier Lights
Both the headlights and the taillights are more stylish on this new Renegade. Wasn’t it just a few days ago that Jeep teased the Renegade’s new taillights? This would redesign the whole look of the Jeep’s rear end and would somehow be the highlight of the differences that separate this new Renegade from the previous model.
There’s an “X” inside each lamp but this one is bigger and more prominent than before, plus the black surround is no longer bulky. In the center of the light, there might be a Jeep grille. Aside from the headlights and the taillights, Jeep also redesigned the lower vents and repositioned the foglights.
New Powertrains
Jeep said it would have new engines for the European market (we have no word yet about the US market). The new engines include a 1.0-liter engine that produces 120 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine with 150 horsepower or 180 horsepower, depending on the configuration chosen by the buyer.
Specifications of the Jeep Renegade for the US version are not available yet, but the current model in the market offers 1.4-liter turbo-four that churns out 160 horsepower or the optional 2.4-liter I-4 with 180 horsepower.
There Will Be No McLaren SUV In The Future
If you are one of those on the lookout if supercar maker McLaren is going to come up with a super SUV, you will be sorely disappointed. The company made it clear that entering the highly-profitable SUV market is not part of its long-term Track22 business and development plan.
McLaren wants to focus on building two-seater sports car and build its legacy to be the most important sports car brand in the world.
Luxury automakers Lamborghini, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce have already entered this market, so it wasn’t so far-fetched that we were thinking McLaren and Ferrari would do the same. Both companies, however, rejected the idea of joining the fray and they would rather focus on what they do best—making sports cars.
Tony Joseph, McLaren North America president, said that McLaren is a profitable company and has been in existence long before such trends started. “So there’s really no need to go into SUVs. We want to concentrate just on two-seat sports cars and be known as the iconic sports car company,” he told Automotive News.
McLaren, of course, could build an SUV if it wants to. It has the engineering, the architecture, the facilities, and the capability. It does not want to, and that’s a big difference. Many could see it as a waste of opportunity for McLaren to make money and dip its hands into the profitable market of SUVs.
However, McLaren isn’t in financial trouble. Far from it, actually, making its decision not to dabble into SUVs understandable. In 2017, the automaker posted its biggest sales year, delivering 3,340 units the entire year. We’re only halfway through 2018, and it’s already on pace to break the record it made in 2017.
Those figures are expected to rise in the coming years since the company plans to unveil 15 new cars by 2022.
3 Things To Know About The 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
The 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera will be based on the convertible Volante version, and that is why when it was seen testing at the Nurburgring, we knew exactly what we are looking at. The coupe version looks exactly like the convertible but with the DB11’s hard top and floating roof design.
Aggressive Wheels
Although the DBS Superleggera and the Volante share some design language, there will be stark differences in terms of its overall look. The most obvious difference, based on the spy shots, is the set of wheels. The Volante has simple, thin, split five-spoke wheels while the DBS Superleggera would have a more aggressive and overly-styled set of wheels that still feature the five spokes. There’s a wide opening behind the front wheels and the wide sills extend backward from the opening and merges eventually with the rear fenders.
Upgraded Rear End
There are more differences at the back. There’s a bigger diffuser at the rear bumper and the exhaust tips now share the same size. Remember that in the Volante, there were small outboard units. The taillights are covered up, but we can see from the shots that they appear to be simpler than those found in the convertible.
DB11 Interior
The new Aston looks a lot like the interior of the DB11, and we were expecting that. But since the exterior changes are quite comprehensive and if those are any indication, we can expect a couple of more changes in the interior of the DBS Superleggera.
If you are interested, you won’t have to wait long to see the final production output. Aston Martin said that it would reveal the DBS Superleggera this month. It is set to be the company’s new flagship sports car and it could have as much as 700 horsepower.
All You Need To Know About The New 2019 Subaru WRX And WRX STI Series.Gray
Subaru wants to keep the aging WRX and WRX STI models and it came up with a tricky way to do so. Enter the 2019 Subaru WRX and WRX STI Series.Gray. The two vehicles are coated with a coat of Cool Gray Khaki paint and finished off with black-painted mirrors, black wheels, and black badges.
The WRX Series.Gray is based on the current-generation WRX Premium. Priced at $30,380, the car has a six-speed manual transmission and the optional $2,050 Performance package that will come with Recaro front seats, power driver’s seat, sunroof delete, and high-performance brake pads. The WRX Series.Gray will be sold for $33,480, and it will include all those plus a proximity key with push-button start, LED lights, and fog lights.
The WRX model underwent previous experimentations from Subaru, including special edition colors such as orange, black, and white.
On the other hand, the WRX STI Series.Gray is priced at $41,465. It comes with silver brake calipers, microsuede seats and steering wheel, and Bilstein dampers. And like the WRX, it also has Recaro seats and a proximity key with push-button start.
Aside from these limited-edition Series.Gray WRX and WRX STI, the lineup includes a slew of upgrades for the 2019 model year. The entry-level 2019 WRX is now priced at $28,080 and comes with a larger 6.5-inch infotainment screen rather than the previous 6.2-inch unit. The WRX Premium and Limited trims will come standard with a 7.0-inch screen.
It’s the 2019 WRX STI that came with a lot of upgrades. There’s a new intake and exhaust setup and the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four engine can now produce 310 horsepower, up five horses from last year’s model. It sells for $37,480.
There will only be 750 units of the WRX Series.Gray and 250 units of the WRX STI Series.Gray, so better get your hands on them fast.
Next-Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee Will Be Based On Alfa Romeo Stelvio Platform
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, together with the Dodge Durango, has been using a premium platform gifted by Daimler since 2011. But that’s about to change now as the next-generation Grand Cherokee will underpin the same platform used on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
This was confirmed by company CEO Sergio Marchionne during the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles investor conference in Italy last week. Marchionne confirmed reports that the Grand Cherokee is using the same platform used by the Stelvio and the Giulia sedan.
The original architecture has been modified and extended to accommodate both the two-row and the three-row Grand Cherokee, Marchionne said. The Jeep plans to release both five-seater and seven-seater for the new iteration of the Grand Cherokee. But more than that, the company CEO also revealed that Jeep is planning to come up with a three-row E-segment mid-sized SUV by 2022. That vehicle might be called the Grand Cherokee as well, though we’re not exactly sure where it will sit in the lineup.
Based on the company’s plans, the new Grand Cherokee will be the first vehicle in the lineup to have Level 2 self-driving capability. That means it will be able to brake, accelerate, steer, and change lanes on long highway drives, similar to what the Cadillac Super Cruise system can do. That semi-autonomous driving capability may arrive in 2020, though a Level 3 self-driving technology is slated to appear sometimes by the end of 2021.
There is no specific timeline yet for the next-generation Grand Cherokee, though the work on the new platform has already started. That means that the new vehicle might arrive by 2019 or 2020 at the latest, which is at the end of Jeep’s ambitious five-year plan.
The self-driving technologies might appear on this next-generation vehicle. At least, that’s what makes sense to us. It’s going to either be a 2020 or 2021 model.
Apple CarPlay Is Finally Getting Google Maps And Waze
Here’s the thing, Apple, no one likes Apple Maps. It is terrible and it confuses rather than helps. But news is coming in that you are now getting Google Maps and Waze to work on the Apple CarPlay. That’s great. Thank you. It is about time we stop putting our smartphones on the dashboard, on the cup holder, in front of the aircon vents, or let the front passenger hold it where we can see Google Maps or Waze. It is unsafe and it defeats the purpose of having the Apple CarPlay in our cars.
The latest iOS 12 update will finally bring Google Maps and Waze to the Apple CarPlay. These apps’ superior traffic reporting data, re-routing information, and general direction capabilities will now be available right on your car’s main display screen. It’s a safe way to navigate and use the technology provided by our cars.
Google Maps and Waze are also more superior than OEM integrated navigation systems. What’s great about these two apps is the comprehensive address and points-of-interest searches, accurate traffic reporting (since it collects information from users), and it offers multiple routes based on travel time. Waze, in particular, alerts the users about the presence of traffic officers, speed cameras, and police speed traps.
Like many smartphone apps (and unlike the integrated Apple Maps in the car’s system), the functions of the Google Map and Waze diminish when you don’t have service.
This step is a small but important advancement for Apple as the company tries to take over the vehicles’ main dashboard and increase the presence and usefulness of the Apple CarPlay.
iPhone users won’t get the Waze and Google Map working on their cars right away because the iOS 12, which will bring these two apps, won’t be available until fall. The new operating system will be compatible with iPhone 5s up to the latest models. It will also work on the sixth-generation iPod touch devices and a number of iPad models.