Remember that scene where a severally obsessive-compulsive Howard Hughes (played by the boy from Titanic) can’t stop repeating the same phrase in the movie The Aviator? I suspect a similar phrase hung in the minds of Ford Motor Company executives while signing off on this model. A large-ish, rear-wheel-drive, three-row crossover (SUV, according to Lincoln) […] The post Lincoln Aviator: Right-sized SUV Cleared for Takeoff appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/03/lincoln-aviator-right-sized-suv-cleared-takeoff/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/lincoln-aviator-right-sized-suv-cleared.html
1 Comment
New York City has garnered a reputation for not being particularly car-friendly, but you wouldn’t know it with all the new cars debuting at the 2018 New York International Auto Show this week. Some of the most anticipated vehicles of the year will be revealed in the Big Apple over the next few days, ranging from hot sellers like the Toyota RAV4 compact crossover and Nissan Altima midsize sedan to luxury contenders like the Lincoln Aviator, Acura RDX, and Kia K900. With so many major debuts, it can be tough to keep track of them all. That’s why we’ve gathered them all here in a series of photo galleries. Below, you’ll find exclusive shots from the show floor that you won’t find anywhere else. We’ll continue to add photos throughout the 2018 New York auto show press days, so be sure to keep checking back! Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept2019 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S2019 GMC Sierra AT4The post PHOTOS! Cars of the 2018 New York Auto Show appeared first on Motor Trend. from Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/news/photos-cars-2018-new-york-auto-show/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/photos-cars-of-2018-new-york-auto-show.html The 2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe is more of a grand tourer than a sports car, but it still looks fantastic, packs plenty of power, and growls like an angry bear if you put your foot down. But while it will hang with competitors such as the M4 and the C63 S Coupe, anyone looking for an Audi alternative to the M3 and four-door C63 has been out of luck. Until now. Meet the 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback. Essentially replacing the RS4 sedan, the RS 5 Sportback takes everything we like about the A5 and S5 versions and adds even more performance to the equation. Under the hood, there’s a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 444 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic and rear-biased all-wheel drive, the RS 5 Sportback will hit 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, according to Audi. Like the coupe, top speed is 155 mph. Add the optional Dynamic plus package, and top speed increases to 174 mph. For comparison, the S5 Sportback uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 making 354 hp and 369 lb-ft to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Audi says it lowered the RS 5 Sportback by about a quarter-inch and redesigned the standard sports suspension’s front end to improve both steering and handling. But as we found with the RS 5 Coupe, the upgraded suspension with Dynamic Ride Control is the one you really want. The way it works to minimize body roll makes it worth the added cost. Design-wise, there aren’t many surprises. If you’re already familiar with the rest of the lineup, the RS 5 Sportback looks about like you’d expect. As attractive as the S5 Sportback is already, however, that’s not a bad thing. And while the 2007 RS4 will always hold a special place in our heart, there’s no arguing that the rear hatch offers much more practicality than a sedan with a traditional trunk. Audi hasn’t said anything about pricing just yet, but expect that to be released when the RS 5 Sportback goes on sale in the U.S. later this year. Source: Audi The post The 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback Gets Five Doors and 444 HP appeared first on Motor Trend. from Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/news/2019-audi-rs-5-sportback-first-look-review/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-2019-audi-rs-5-sportback-gets-five.html Subaru will debut the next-generation Forester small crossover at the New York auto show tomorrow, and a new teaser image gives us a better look at the new C-shaped LED elements in the taillights, which will replace the more conventional-looking lights on the previous version.
The current generation arrived for the 2014 model year, and it quickly won the Motor Trend SUV of the Year award. Even today, despite the model’s age, we’re impressed with the Forester’s handling, interior space, outward visibility, and exceptional acceleration with its optional 250-hp turbo-four paired to a CVT. We recently tested this version hitting 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. But the competition is getting tougher, and the Forester could use a more modern interior and smoother throttle response especially on the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter. Incidentally, Toyota will debut a new generation of the RAV4 at the New York auto show as well. Both small crossovers will be revealed March 28. So what should we expect on the next Forester? Subaru hasn’t released any details, but a prototype we saw looked a lot bigger than the current version. The mule, seen last year, appeared to adopt styling cues from the three-row Ascent. Also, expect the new Forester to sit on the new Subaru Global Platform that will eventually underpin all models from the automaker. Source: Subaru The post 2019 Subaru Forester Teased One More Time appeared first on Motor Trend. from Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/news/2019-subaru-forester-new-york-auto-show-teaser/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/2019-subaru-forester-teased-one-more.html Sex sells, but so do SUVs. Since the Jaguar F-Pace went on sale two years ago, the sport-luxury SUV has not only been topping the automaker’s sales charts, but it’s also earned comparison test victories and even an SUV of the Year finalist nod. Impressive considering the F-Pace is the first-ever SUV from an automaker known for sports cars, big grand tourers, and luxury sedans. Three years into the F-Pace’s life cycle, Jag is finally leveraging its sports car and GT expertise for the F-Pace, resulting in the V-8-powered, 550-hp 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR. The heart of any performance Jaguar is its engine, and despite being the largest Jag the automaker’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team has yet worked on, the new F-Pace SVR is no different. Under its new vented hood sits JLR’s tried-and-true 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 breathing out a how-is-that-street-legal F-Type-inspired active exhaust system. The British blower produces 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, an even 170 hp and lb-ft more than the supercharged V-6-powered F-Pace S and the same power as the heavier Range Rover Sport SVR it shares its engine with. The new F-Pace SVR’s power is routed through an eight-speed automatic to Jaguar’s torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, which now sports a new electronic differential at the rear. Jag says its newest F-Pace will do 0–60 mph in 4.1 seconds and that it has a top speed of 176 mph. SVO didn’t just perform a heart transplant and call it a day; it also worked hard to ensure the F-Pace SVR’s prodigious power is actually usable. Its new front and rear fascia plus its new spoiler work to reduce lift and improve aerodynamics, and a stiffer adaptive suspension system and more rigid chassis combines with a revised electric power-steering system to keep the shiny side up during spirited driving. At each corner sit uprated two-piece brakes (15.5 inches up front and 15.6 inches in back) that are both lighter and larger than the standard F-Pace’s, and it has larger wheels, too. Twenty-one-inch wheels are standard, while 22-inch wheels are optional. Both wheel designs are optimized to increase airflow to the Jaguar’s brakes. No matter the wheel choice, the F-Pace SVR has tires that are almost an inch wider than the F-Pace S’, which hopefully should translate into better grip and more inspiring handling characteristics. Inside, the SVO team gives the F-Pace SVR similar treatment to its last high-performance SUV, the Range Rover Sport SVR. The Jaguar gets quilted leather sport seats up front, sculpted rear seats to ensure the outboard occupants stay in place, and a unique sport steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters. The F-Pace SVR also gets the F-Type’s pistol-grip shifter and carbon-fiber accents while still retaining the practicality the crossover is known for.Often it can take a year for a new model to make it from auto show to dealer showroom, but that won’t be the case for the 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR—the new performance SUV hits Jaguar dealers this summer, stickering for $80,985. The post 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR First Look: SVO Crafts a 550-HP SUV appeared first on Motor Trend. from Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/cars/jaguar/f-pace/2019/2019-jaguar-f-pace-svr-first-look-review/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/2019-jaguar-f-pace-svr-first-look-svo.html Cadillac is adding a much-needed second crossover to its lineup. Although late to the game, the XT4 enters the compact crossover market to compete against the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus NX, and BMW X1. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 slots below the XT5 in the lineup, which is currently dominated by sedans. The cute ute sits on an exclusive architecture for compact SUVs. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four making 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission with next generation shifter technology. An Active Sport Suspension is available with continuous damping control, and electro-hydraulic braking assist replaces the traditional vacuum-assistance to boost fuel economy. Although official EPA estimates are not yet available, Cadillac is targeting 25/30/27 mpg city/highway/combined. The baby Caddy looks a lot like the XT5, just 8.4 inches shorter. Notably, it features the brand’s updated grille design similar to the one we’ve seen on the CT6. All versions of the XT4 come with LED lighting front and back, and most feature metallic accents. Sport models get a black mesh grille and window moldings. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on the XT4, but 20s are available. Inside, the look of the interior depends on the trim level and interior combo you choose. You can opt for wood or aluminum accents, and the new Sport can be had with carbon fiber and even Morello Red High-Gloss Carbon Fiber. Massaging seats are available, as is ambient white lighting. Not everyone loves Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system, but the one on the XT4 is a little different. It features a rotary controller as an alternative way to control infotainment functions. Instead of touch controls, drivers can opt to use the controller to access features on the 8-inch screen. Cadillac is using near-field communication technology that promises to make it easier to pair your phones to CUE. Other tech goodies include four standard USB ports, available wireless charging, and available embedded 4G LTE. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 goes on sale this fall for a starting price of $35,790, well below the XT5’s price of $41,590. Customers can begin pre-ordering their XT4 crossovers at the end of March.
The post 2019 Cadillac XT4 First Look: Opposite the Escalade appeared first on Motor Trend. from Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/news/2019-cadillac-xt4-first-look-review/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/2019-cadillac-xt4-first-look-opposite.html Regardless of where we think Volkswagen’s true strengths prevail, the company is dead set on electrification. Granted, much of this is the direct result of the diesel emissions fiasco. But it doesn’t appear to be solely interested in providing lip service to an angry public; it wants to build these cars and it really wants you […] The post Fewer Seats, More MPGs: Volkswagen Debuts Atlas Cross Sport in New York appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/03/atlas-cross-sport/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/fewer-seats-more-mpgs-volkswagen-debuts.html Volkswagen recently discontinued the Touareg in the U.S., but now it’s introducing another midsize SUV for our market. Previewing a five-seater version of the Atlas is a hybrid concept SUV that is making its debut at the New York auto show. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Concept has the same squared-off proportions as the seven-seater Atlas that went on sale last year. But it features a noticeably raked roof line and distinct front fascia with grille crossbars illuminated in white. The roof spoiler has black side fins, and large 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels finish off the look. It’s unclear what the final version will look like, but VW calls the concept “near-production.” The five-seater measures 7.5 inches shorter than the regular Atlas but has the same wheelbase. It sits on the familiar MQB architecture that can accommodate various types of drive systems. This concept features the same 3.6-liter V-6 engine as in the Atlas, producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. But there is also an 18-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and two electric motors: one with 54 hp and 162 lb-ft up front and one with 114 hp and 199 lb-ft in the rear. Total output is 355 hp, helping to propel the five-seater to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, according to VW’s estimates. A seven-seater Atlas we tested hit the mark in 7.9 seconds. The plug-in hybrid features five drive modes. E-Mode allows the SUV to drive up to 26 miles on electricity only, while GTE mode sharpens the steering, gear shifting, and throttle map for a sportier drive. Other modes include Off-road, Hybrid, and Battery Hold/Battery Charge that keeps the battery’s energy content constant or charges the battery while driving. The model’s 4Motion Active Control offers more modes, including On-road (Comfort and Eco), Off-road (Rocks, Sludge and Sand, Gravel), Sport, and Snow. VW also says a mild hybrid powertrain system could fit into the concept. This version would utilize a smaller 2.0-kWh battery and produce 310 hp. Hitting 60 mph would require 6.5 seconds, VW says. Inside the concept, you’ll find a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen that can display navigation data in 3D format. The display can accommodate three or more pieces of content—such as POI, geographic info, or the vehicle’s route—hovering above one another in virtual space. Also look for a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. A five-seater Atlas will launch in the U.S. in 2019. It will enter production alongside the seven-passenger Atlas and the Passat in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Source: Volkswagen The post Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV Concept Previews New Five-Seat Variant appeared first on Motor Trend. from Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/news/volkswagen-atlas-cross-sport-suv-concept-previews-new-five-seat-variant/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/volkswagen-atlas-cross-sport-suv.html The United States and South Korea reached a free trade agreement on Monday that spared the Asian country from punitive steel tariffs, assuming Seoul keeps an eye on just how much steel it sends to American buyers. A quota on Korean steel exports means the country can only sell 70 percent of its recent average […] The post U.S., South Korea Reach Trade Deal; No Korean-built Hyundai Pickups in America’s Future appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/03/u-s-south-korea-reach-trade-deal-no-korean-built-hyundai-pickups-americas-future/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/us-south-korea-reach-trade-deal-no.html Our spy photographers have caught the upcoming BMW M8 Convertible once again, this time undergoing performance testing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. That high-performance variant of the 8 Series will be available in multiple body styles, including as a coupe, convertible, and a just-announced four-door Gran Coupe. Like other BMW vehicles wearing the M badge, this particular M8 prototype features larger lower front air intakes that should make it look more aggressive. Out back, there’s the requisite quad exhaust pipes found on all M vehicles. This prototype appears to be equipped with carbon ceramic brakes, as hinted by the gold calipers peeking behind the massive alloy wheels. Even with the camouflage, it’s clear that the 8 Series Concept’s design has stayed mostly intact, featuring clean lines and thin headlight clusters that are slightly swept back. Unlike the smaller M4 Convertible, the M8 Convertible will have a power retractable soft top instead of a more complicated folding hardtop that takes a good chunk of cargo space. The upcoming BMW M8 will likely come with the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 from the M5 where it’s rated at 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission will likely be the only gearbox available. The M5’s all-wheel drive system, which is capable of sending all of its power to the rear wheels, could come standard as well. Photo source: CarPix The post Spied! BMW M8 Convertible Caught Testing at the Nurburgring appeared first on Motor Trend. from Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/news/spied-bmw-m8-caught-testing-nurburgring/ via Loving My Cars https://lovingmycars.blogspot.com/2018/03/spied-bmw-m8-convertible-caught-testing.html |