Monthly Archives: August 2018
2019 Mazda CX-9 Receives Simple Update, Now With More Gear
For a bit more money, you can get the 2019 Mazda CX-9 with much more exciting gear, including the Apple CarPlay and the Android Auto. This is a perfect upgrade for a crossover that the family loves because of its sheer functionality and style.
The Mazda CX-9 is better than ever. That is if you ever found something wrong with Mazda vehicles before today. Almost all Mazda cars and crossovers have always been right on the money—they are not exactly extravagant and they are not out-of-the-box imaginative, but they are always a good value for money because of their functionality and their style.
Mazda improves the interior comfort of the CX-9 too. Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) values have been lowered by using a thicker headliner and thicker floor mats. The Japanese automaker said this move is supposed to aid “in ease of conversation and enjoyment.” The company also retuned the suspension on all version, making riding the CX-9 a smoother, finer, and more enjoyable experience.
There are a number of different versions for the CX-9: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. They have special packages such as the Sport Package which is available for Sport, and the Premium Package available for the Touring trim.
You can choose to have the Mazda CX-9 with either a front-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive, except for the Signature since that comes standard with an all-wheel drive. The Sport trim will sell for $32,380 (front-wheel drive) and $34,080 (all-wheel drive). There’s a $1,290 option for the Sport Package.
The Touring will cost $35,330 (front-wheel drive) and $37,130 (all-wheel drive). The Touring Premium Package will add $2,390 for both trims. The Grand Touring costs $40,840 (front-wheel drive) and $42,640 (all-wheel drive) while the Signature trim gets a price tag of $45,365 for the all-wheel drive.
The available color options for the all-wheel drive are Soul Red Crystal ($595), Machine Gray Metallic ($300), and Snowflake White Pearl Mica ($200).
NASCAR’s Brian France Arrested For DUI, Drug Possession In NY
NASCAR’s CEO and Chairman, Brian France, was arrested in New York on Sunday night for driving under the influence of alcohol and for drug possession of a controlled substance known as oxycodone.
France, a member of the famous France family for their involvement in the world of motorsports, took a leave of absence from NASCAR. He will be replaced in his role on an interim basis by Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Jim France, Brian’s uncle.
The 56-year-old was arrested on Sunday night and released on Monday morning after an arraignment. According to a police statement by the Sag Harbor Village on New York’s Long Island, France “was operating a 2017 Lexus northbound on Main Street failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign.” After he was pulled over by the police, they found that France was intoxicated and he was arrested.
“Upon search of his person, due to a lawful arrest, France was in possession of oxycodone pills.” The report said that France’s alcohol blood levels were more than twice the legal limit of 0.08. He also struggled to keep his balance during the sobriety test.
This was not the first time that France had a run-in with law enforcement due to his intoxication. In 2006, it was reported that France hit a car and a tree in a Daytona Beach parking lot. He was reckless and he struggled to get out of the car, witnesses back then said. However, he wasn’t given a DUI because officers were not able to confront France until he had returned to his house and was no longer driving.
France became CEO of NASCAR in 2003. His grandfather, William HG France founded the organization in 1948 while his father, Bill Jr., served as CEO until he stepped down in 2000.
In a statement, NASCAR said that it is aware of the incident and is currently gathering information. “We take this as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts.”
NASCAR’s substance abuse policy states that: “[The organization] prohibits the misuse of alcohol, prescription drugs, and any other substance used in a manner that affects safety or impacts the integrity of the competition, including – but not limited to –illegal or performance-enhancing substances.”
Top 3 Features of the 2019 Lexus LC Yellow Edition
The Lexus LC 500, even without the exclusive additions, is already a powerful and beautiful car. It slots between a capable touring car and an everyday supercar. But though the LC 500 has its own identity, that didn’t stop the brand from treating it with more features.
Exterior
The color outside is, of course, an eye-catching vibrant Flare Yellow. It is really just yellow on the surface with a hint of a mango-like color to it, too. Lexus also fitted this special edition with extra aero bits like the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic rear spoiler. This helps in the LC’s stability, especially when it is going at high speeds. Completing the whole look is a set of 21-inch forged alloy wheels.
Interior
The cabin is slathered with yellow color. The interior is wrapped in a generous amount of semi-Aniline leather and Alcantara in colors black, white, and warm yellow. The color schemes used are less vibrant than the exterior, but they are still effective in providing the luxury touch that Lexus is known for. Most of the times, Toyota’s luxury brand could not compete with its European counterpart but when it comes with special edition models like this one, Lexus could battle with the best.
The 10-way power-adjustable front seats are dressed in semi-aniline leather while the headlining above is all wrapped in Alcantara. Between these, there are yellow Alcantara inserts in the door panels and warm yellow contrast stitching on the white leather seats, instrument panel, steering wheel, and center console armrest.
Powertrain
The Yellow Edition is available either in LC 500 or LC 500h. The LC 500 is powered by 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated, V-8 that produces 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and it has a top speed of 168 mph.
The LC 500h uses a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that combines with a pair of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. It can produce 354 horsepower, enough to go from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds. It has a top speed of 155 mph.
As a pure-bred Lexus special edition, the Yellow Edition has Dynamic Handling and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS). The system allows four-wheel steering, enabling the driver to independently control the front- and rear-wheel-steering angles.
3 Things We Know So Far About The 2020 Hyundai Sonata
A prototype for the new mid-size 2020 Hyundai Sonata has been spotted while being tested at the Nurburgring track in Germany. It looks like it’s wearing its final skin, though the absence of production taillights and side skirts is noticeable.
1. Based On The Le Fil Rouge Concept Car
At the Geneva auto show last March, the South Korean automaker introduced the Le Fil Rouge Concept Car. The new Hyundai Sonata will borrow key elements and styling from the concept car, including the fastback roof leading to a large duck-tail spoiler. The concept will also be the basis for the sculpting on some of the panels, as well as the short overhangs and multi-slatted grille. Though these elements are in a toned-down form on the new Sonata, they are nonetheless reminiscent of the concept car in March.
2. It Might Carry The Same Powertrain Options
Hyundai hasn’t been very vocal about the mechanical setup of the new Sonata. The current generation offers a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, a 2.4-liter inline-4, and a plug-in hybrid option. There should be more options available for the new model year and the 1.6-liter turbo engine might be dropped from the lineup. The cars should be set up with a front-wheel-drive system.
3. Coming In The Fall Of 2019
The all-new Sonata will be available in dealerships in the fall of 2019 as a 2020 model. That means that the debut should be sometimes in the early months of 2019. Watch out for the i45 name in other markets because that might be the name the Sonata will be using.
The Sonata is in direct competition with the likes of the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. All of these cars have been updated and redesigned in recent years. Competition in this segment is tougher than ever, of course, seeing as most people now prefer crossover SUVs over mid-size sedans.
Check out the new spy shots of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata in the gallery below:
$1.2 Million Mercedes-AMG G63 Limo Has Bulletproof Body
You never know when you’ll need a bulletproof vehicle and if you ever do, take a look at the Mercedes-AMG G63. It’s a limousine with a bulletproof exterior and lavish amenities in the cabin. You can never go wrong with this armored sport utility vehicle.
You may have to shell out a whopping $1.2 million in cold cash but if you need the extra protection, there’s no bulletproof vehicle more elegant than the Mercedes-AMG G63 limousine. INKAS, the Canadian maker of armored autos, is offering the G63 limousine along with a number of their other creations.
Outside, the limo is wrapped in advanced body armor, ballistic glass, and perimeter surveillance systems. There are infrared and thermal cameras that have the capacity to record local footage. These footages can then be uploaded to a secure cloud server that owners can later view.
The best feature is that the body armor can stop bullets leaving a 7.62 mm high-power rifle. The limousine can also handle explosions from two DM51 hand grenades. In other words, even the president of the United States can be safely tucked inside this vehicle.
Inside, the $1.2 million price tag brings plenty of comfortable features such as the rear seats with a massage function and fully recline. From where you seat, you will be able to control the built-in command center that operates all of the media, lighting and security functions of the SUV.
Included in the entertainment system are 4K Apple TV hooked to a 4K television, voice control capability, and a motorized bar with a chiller to keep those fuzzy champagnes chilled.
Still looking for more? The limo also comes with a daylight function that will simulate real light and reduce passenger fatigue.
The Mercedes-AMG G63 will be powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that can make 563 horsepower. Hopefully, the added features won’t make it slow and turn it sluggish.
3 Reasons Why The 2019 Ford Mustang Hennessey Heritage Edition Is Special
It was in 1991 that John Hennessey began modifying and tuning cars to maximize their potential way and beyond what automakers were able or willing to. To celebrate the 10,000th car that Hennessey tuned, the company comes up with the Hennessey Heritage Edition of the 2019 Ford Mustang.
1. There Will Only Be 19 Units Available
This is a proper special edition car. Many tuning companies are quite too liberal in using the phrase “special edition” that we really cannot separate the cars anymore. Hennessey will only be producing 19 units of the car, so you better get your cash ready if you want to own one of these.
2. It Is Based On The 2018 Ford Mustang Heritage Edition
It is important to understand that the 2019 Ford Mustang Hennessey Heritage Edition is based on another special edition model—the 2018 Ford Mustang Heritage Edition. The most prominent addition to the 2019 model is the carbon fiber body parts, followed by a stainless steel exhaust system, a set of 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and a livery package similar to what Ford used on its Heritage Edition Mustangs.
The interior gets a lot of upgrades, too, though you will first notice the individually numbered dashboard plaques that denote the model number of the 19 units that Hennessey will produce. There’s also a letter of authenticity and a personal letter of gratitude that comes from John Hennessey himself.
3. The Car has 808 Horsepower
But it’s not the changes on the exterior and the interior that highlights the Hennessey Heritage Edition. It’s what you find under the hood—a modified version of Ford’s 5.0-liter V-8 engine that can now produce 808 hp and 677 lb-ft of torque. With the new figures, this special edition car can now sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds. It also has a top speed of 200 mph.
Tesla Model S and X Will Receive Interior Refresh
Tesla hasn’t been paying much attention to the Model S and the Model X because the company has been busy fast-tracking the production of the Model 3, the latest in its line of electric vehicles.
According to the images published by Electrek, however, the larger sedan and the SUV models are due for an interior refresh. This is great news for those who still want to spend their money on either a Model S or a Model X because they will be getting the same spartan interiors as the Model 3.
We hope you certainly like how the Model 3 looks like in the cabin because that’s exactly how the interiors of the new Model S and Model X will look like. The images published show a horizontal touchscreen unit that replaces the vertical screen we have found endearing in the Model S and Model X from the beginning. The unit looks thinner than the Model 3’s screen with ultra-thin bezels. Since this was the latest intel we got from Tesla, it looks like the dashboard of the Model S and X will look better than the one in the Model 3.
Interior of the Model 3
The cockpit will also be similar to the Model 3 with its single-vent design and the center gauge cluster removed for a minimalist display readout.
The new spartan interior looks less luxurious than what we’ve come to love about the Model S and the Model X, which are both geared for the higher market than the Model 3. But the refresh will reportedly give both cars access to premium materials such as new seat cushions, additional front storage, and a wireless phone charger.
This latest move from Tesla is part of an effort to catch up with other premium brands that offer electric vehicles, too. The final designs are going to be released next year, so everything can still change and we might face a better interior upgrade for the Model S and X.
Upgraded 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SUV Starts At $45,595
There are no big differences between the current Jaguar F-Pace SUV and the upgraded 2019 version even if Jaguar said the new one received several “enhancements” for the exterior. What changed though is the car’s starting price, which is now at $45,595.
Not much has changed, that we can tell you. But then again, the F-Pace was already one of the best-looking crossover SUVs out in the market, so it does not need a major makeover, really.
That being said, there are a lot of upgrades inside: the 10-inch touchscreen, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and front and rear parking sensors are now standard. And like all 2019 models sold in the United States, a backup camera will now be standard.
Jaguar also added optional slimline seats and three new packages. Owners can avail of the Park Pack bundles that bring automatic parking assist with upgraded parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Drive Pack, on the other hand, includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and upgraded automatic emergency braking.
The Driver Assist Pack have all the features of the two packages, but also includes a surround-view camera system and lane centering.
Under the hood, the gasoline engines will come with an emissions-reducing particulate filter. The most popular engine option would still be the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but you can also opt for the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 engine that was used in the 380-horsepower F-Pace S.
Us customers would be happy to know that the 2.0-liter turbodiesel will still be included. This engine can produce 180 horses and 318 pound-feet of torque. Want more power? You can opt for the F-Pace SVR, which is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 engine that makes 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.
Including destination fee, the new F-Pace SUV will be priced at $45,595 for the base F-Pace 25t that uses the 247-horsepower turbo-four engine. The diesel 25d will be available for $49,495. The 296-horsepower 30t is priced at $50,995 while the 380-horsepower S costs $62,495. The range-topping SVR will sell for $80,985.
Paul Walker Documentary To Air On August 11
Paul Walker made his name through the Fast and the Furious franchise, starring in a total of seven movies, the last one released posthumously. But aside from being an actor, he was also a well-known figure in the world of cars.
Car enthusiasts around the world knew who Walker was because he was not only passionate about making movies that centered on tough-riding sports cars. He was also in love with sports cars and died riding in the passenger seat of a Porsche Carrera GT.
That tragedy was what prompted Paramount Network to make a documentary of his life entitled “I Am Paul Walker.” The trailer for the documentary showed various interviews with Walker’s family, cast members, and friends. Of course, there will be plenty of footages of the actor—from his childhood to the many times he spent behind the wheel. It was, well, a “life well-lived.”
An interview with his sister showed that the actor had a penchant for speed even before he started making the movies. She talked about how he always liked to go fast even as a kid.
While the documentary was deeply personal for Walker’s family and friends, most of the world knows the actor as Brian O’Connor, a street-racing former-FBI-agent-turned-secret-government-agent in the long-running Fast and the Furious franchise.
The franchise was in its seventh installment in 2013 when Walker died while riding shotgun in a Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend, Roger Rodas. The car went out of control, striking a power pole and catching fire. Both men were killed in the accident and investigators found that the car was traveling 90 mph at the time of the crash. That was double the posted speed limit in the area. There were no malfunctions in the vehicle and the car’s safety systems all worked during the crash.
Despite these findings, Walker’s father and daughter filed wrongful death lawsuits against Porsche. The case was eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.
The documentary will air on August 11. Other episodes include “I Am Heath Ledger,” “I Am Dale Earnhardt,” and “I Am Steve McQueen.”
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Leads Crashing of Smuggled Luxury Cars
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is leading a hard stance on smuggling, oversaw the destruction of smuggled luxury cars last Monday at Port Irene on the town of Sta. Ana in Cagayan Province, Philippines. This is the second time that the Filipino leader led the crashing of luxury cars—the first one happened in March this year.
A total of 68 contraband luxury cars were bulldozered on Monday. The total amount was $5.5 million for the cars. Another set of eight luxury motorbikes valued at $370,000 were also destroyed in front of the President.
The destruction of the cars was part of the Philippine government’s anti-corruption and anti-smuggling programs. Efforts to curb the corruption in the government have been rampant since Duterte took the seat at Malacanang.
Among the luxury cars crashed during Monday’s program were the Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche Carrera, and Mercedes-Benz SLK 280. Among the newest condemned vehicles were car models from 2006. These makes are the same ones destroyed during a similar operation in March.
Though many believe that the Philippine government should have just sold the luxury cars for profit, it has been Duterte’s policy to destroy smuggled cars because circulating it again in public will still rake in profit for the smugglers. He stated that this operation will discourage smugglers.
On social media, netizens raved about Duterte’s actions against the smuggled cars. While there were past reports about these luxury cars being laundered off to line the pockets of government officials, the President took a time off from his busy schedule to make sure that the cars were destroyed and nobody would profit from them.
In a press release, he said that “You have to show to the world that you have a viable place of investment and business.”
“And the only way to show it is that you are productive and that you have the economy to absorb the productivity of the population,” he added.