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Next-generation Kia K900 teased

Introduced for the 2015 model year, the current Kia K900 hasn't been around especially long, but Kia is already on the cusp of launching a second-generation of the full-size flagship sedan. An official reveal date wasn't provided by Kia, but we won't have to wait long to see the fully revealed car. The company said the sedan will go on sale in select markets during the second quarter of 2018. So expect to see it in a few months. In the meantime, Kia released the above teaser image. From what we can tell, the new K900, which was developed by both the Korean and U.S. branches of Kia, will look much leaner and better emphasize the car's rear-drive layout. A major contributor to this is how the base of the A-pillar is much farther away from the front wheels, providing a long nose that highlights the longitudinal engine up front. The trunk is more pronounced than on the current model, further making the car look longer and lower. The headlights should be distinctive with unique LED accents, and they don't sweep back along the fender like the current model, either, making the front look more blunt and tough. We expect the K900 to share its platform with the Genesis G90, just as the current one did with the old Hyundai Equus. That also means it will probably be available with both the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 and the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 in rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Related Video:

2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante First Drive Review | The speed of style

If you're not a car designer, chances are you've tried to draw a sportscar, and realized just how hard it is to get those proportions just right. One false line, and the sleek coupe of your imagination looks like a kumquat. So you can imagine that transforming the striking V8-powered Aston Martin DB11 coupe into an equally stunning Volante ragtop was harder than it looked, a task which required Aston designers and engineers to nip and tuck everything past the windshield. "There were lots of healthy, heated debates," lead designer Julian Nunn says of how the DB11 Volante – fancy speak for convertible – was packaged. As it sits before us on a brisk winter morning in Southern France, the British drop-top has a sleek, fleet look thanks to the elegant rake of its nose, the sharp arc of its roofline, and the taut contours of its derriere. Aston's designers nailed the proportions – it's a stunner. How they got there was a game of millimeters, starting with a minuscule lift of the haunches to accommodate the eight-layer folding soft top. To soften the look of those lifted surfaces, the wheel arches are faceted slightly inboard, lending them more depth and dimension. The convertible loses the air vent at the rear, since there's no roof to create lift; as such, the so-called AeroBlade feature which ducts air through the C-pillar is also gone. But the rear spoiler remains, automatically deploying for downforce with a speed-dependent algorithm based on driving mode. The stack height (that is, the vertical space occupied by the folding roof) measures 10 inches, the lowest in its class, which helps the DB11 achieve its graceful looks with the added benefit of keeping the center of gravity low. The top takes 14 seconds to lower, and will drop at speeds up to 31 mph. A Volante with its top down puts Aston's typically gorgeous cabin on full display: the door's brogued leather details surrounded by an improbably shaped veneer surround; the complex curvature of the veneer around the capacitive touch-sensitive infotainment interface; the improbably generous swaths of leather and Alcantara upholstering the dashboard and A-pillar surfaces. There's even, for the first time, veneer on the backs of the front seats. The tiny rear seats come with ISOFIX car seat attachments, a first in a Volante. I could go on about the DB11's unusual and intriguing aesthetic choices, but I've also got a persistent gripe with the electronic instrument cluster.

Ferrari 488 Special Series V8 named Pista in leaked photos

Ferrari Photo Page leaked Ferrari's presentation of the 488 Special Series last month. Today, the site's Instagram has what appear to be press shots of the coming Ferrari that reveal the coupe's name: 488 Pista. The word "Pista" means "track" in Italian, and it would be the next peak in the lofty range already notable for the 360 Challenge Stradale (Road), 430 Scuderia (Team), and 458 Speciale (Special). We also get a few potential specs, namely a rumored 721 horsepower. If the press photos are accurate — everything in front lines up with the blurry screenshot from the recent teaser vid — we can begin to see how Ferrari increased aerodynamic efficiency by 20 percent over the standard 488 GTB. Autocar says Ferrari's aimed at the 340 kilograms of downforce produced by the Porsche 911 GT2 at 155 miles per hour, 15 kg more than achieved by the 488 GTB. Instead of a hood carved out with two deep scallops as on the 488 GTB, nearly the entire span of the hood on the 488 Pista plunges before reaching the leading edge. In back, a large, heavily dished wing tops a new rear fascia, its center span hovering a few inches above the bodywork. Below, a much more aggressive rear diffuser sits between vertical vents at the flanks. The interior doesn't look much changed, but note the carbon fiber floor instead of floor mats, the leaner center tunnel area, and shift selector buttons on a stalk styled after the one in the LaFerrari. A reveal at the Geneva Motor Show seems likely, where we'll look forward to detailed specs on that engine derived from the 488 Challenge race car but 10 percent lighter. Based on what we've seen so far, a Geneva debut will be thrilling no matter how much of the 488 Pista leaks before then. Related Video: Featured Gallery Leaked Ferrari 488 Pista Images News Source: Ferrari Photo Page Rumormill Geneva Motor Show Ferrari Coupe Luxury Special and Limited Editions Performance Supercars 2018 Geneva Motor Show ferrari 488 ferrari 488 pista

Lexus will bring production UX small crossover to Geneva

Lexus has announced it will show its upcoming UX crossover at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The new nameplate goes 0n a smallish crossover, designed to compete with the BMW X2, the Jaguar E-Pace, the Mercedes-Benz GLA and others. Some reports say the UX would be replacing the CT200h hatchback, which has been on the market since 2011. The manufacturer first used the name on a concept at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, and the shapes have now been worked into a production version. The Paris concept was certainly bulky and scifi-like, but then again, so is the Toyota C-HR on which the UX is reportedly based. Lexus trademarked the model names UX 200, UX 250 and UX 250h with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office way back in 2016, so expect those to reflect the powerplants on offer; the 250h stands for a hybrid version, as has become the norm. The UX's production version might also bear a similarly over-the-top spindle grille as on the LF-1 Limitless concept, which will also be shown at Geneva for its European premiere. The teaser image released by Lexus shows little more than a full-width taillight panel that takes a curious upturn at each end, and much of the crossover is still veiled by darkness. We'll see if any more teasers surface before the car's debut. View 17 Photos Related Video: Image Credit: Lexus Design/Style Geneva Motor Show Lexus Crossover Luxury 2018 Geneva Motor Show lexus ux lexus lf-1 limitless lexus ux concept

Enzo Ferrari would have turned 120 yesterday

Former race driver-turned company founder Enzo Ferrari was born 120 years ago Sunday, and the Italian sports car maker is celebrating the anniversary with a photography exhibit of his life at the Enzo Ferrari Museum, on the site of his birthplace in Modena. The exhibit includes images of il Commendatore during various stages of his life, from childhood to his career as an Alfa Romeo race driver, then a manager and manufacturer. Ferrari died Aug. 14, 1988 at the age of 90. Born outside of Modena, Italy in 1898. His father, Alfredo, owned a small metal engineering shop that built bridges and roofs for the state railway. Enzo started out as an Alfa Romeo racing driver in 1924 but quickly transitioned to his true talent, preparing the race cars under the Scuderia Ferrari name. He ran Alfa Romeo's factory team before striking out on his own, first under the name Auto Avio Costruzioni in 1939, then as Scuderia Ferrari, which he founded in 1929 in Modena, fielding mostly Alfa racing cars and motorbikes. The 125 S was the first official car to bear his name in 1947, powered by a V12. Ferrari under his watch went on to produce other classics including the 288 GTO, the Dino series and the 365 Daytona. The iconic businessman reluctantly agreed to start producing street cars only thanks to the pleading of his accountants, who argued for the need for revenue to cover the overhead of racing and two different factories destroyed during World War II bombings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. According to a 1979 People Magazine profile, he once reacted indignantly to the distraught wife of a Ferrari race team driver who was anguished over her husband risking his life "for a hunk of iron." "It's not just a hunk of iron," Ferrari replied. "It has a heart and soul, and I give if life." Nowadays, Ferrari is looking to expand its product portfolio to hybrids and an SUV, the latter of which might've made Enzo squirm. "He was a man with extraordinary vision and ability to manage people and resources as well as a strong entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional courage," current Ferrari Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a statement.

Car theft skyrockets thanks to rising parts prices

Cars and trucks today have achieved a high level of average quality, with safety and technology features that keep occupants safer than ever and meet consumers' high expectations. But the National Insurance Crime Bureau finds that those components come with a rising price tag, leading to expensive repair bills — and rising vehicle thefts to support a thriving black market for parts. The nonprofit NICB said it looked at the cost of replacement parts for the top 10 stolen 2016 models, with average OEM part prices pulled from a database of more than 24 million vehicle damage appraisals generated for 2016 and 2017 insurance claims. The list did not include major components like engines or transmissions, only easily-stripped components like bumpers, doors, hoods and headlights. It found that: The 2016 Toyota Camry, which had a used market value of around $15,000, had 15 commonly replaced parts that added up to almost $11,000, not including labor, with quarter panels alone costing almost $1,600 a pair and a set of alloy wheels tallying more than $1,600. The Camry was also the top stolen vehicle in 2016 at 1,113 thefts. A 2016 Nissan Altima had 14 standard parts worth more than $14,000, including a single headlamp assembly that costs just over $1,000. The Altima was the second-top stolen vehicle in 2016 at 1,063 vehicles stolen. And the 2016 GMC Sierra pickup, which was No. 7 on the 2016 top-stolen list, rang up $21,000 from 20 standard components, including an $1,100 headlamp assembly and an $1,100 rear bumper. "For the professional theft ring, stealing and stripping vehicles for parts has always been a lucrative business," Jim Schweitzer, NICB's senior vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "On today's cars and trucks, the parts are often worth more than the intact vehicle and may be easier to move and sell. That's why we see so many thefts of key items like wheels and tires and tailgates ... there's always a market for them." Check out the NICB infographic below. Vehicle thefts in the U.S. rose by more than 4 percent in 2017, based on preliminary FBI data, after rising 7.6 percent in 2016, though the overall trend has been down since vehicle thefts peaked in 1991, according to the NICB. Related Video: Image Credit: National Insurance Crime Bureau Aftermarket GMC Nissan Toyota Auto Repair Insurance Ownership auto parts car values stolen car nicb national insurance crime bureau components

Facelifted 2019 Fiat 500X features new lights front and rear

Jeep has been testing an updated 2019 Jeep Renegade, so it should come as no surprise that its Fiat-badged cousin, the 500X, is also going to be refreshed for 2019. The new Fiat has finally been spotted, testing alongside the Jeep, and it's going to be a mild update. Most of the changes appear to be in the lights. Up front, the headlights and the fog lights appear to be sleeker. The main headlights have been slimmed down a bit. The fog lights have shrunk all around and have lost a little bit of the roundness of the current model. At the back, the taillights retain the same shape, but they have much more depth now. Instead of having a smooth round plastic housing, the lights are concave, starting with a red outer ring. Inside that is a clear ring that may be turn signals and/or reverse lights. Then, in the center, at the deepest level, is a light we're not totally able to identify. It does appear to have lights arranged in a plus shape. It may just be a basic taillight that stays on with the headlights. We expect the 500X to be revealed sometime this year. Considering how little is changed on the outside, we're not expecting any major changes to the powertrain, which includes either a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder or a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The former is currently only available with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, and the 2.4-liter engine is available with front- or all-wheel drive but only with a nine-speed automatic. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Fiat 500X spy shots View 16 Photos Spy Photos Fiat Crossover SUV Economy Cars fiat 500x

Jaguar Heritage to auction off part of its classic-car collection

A few years back it was reported that Jaguar Land Rover had purchased the James Hull classic car collection in its entirety. The collection is beyond significant, as it was at the time of sale the biggest single collection of British cars in the world and the largest private car collection in the UK. Consisting of 543 cars, it ranged from the mundane to the obscure, including some extremely rare prototypes. There were 130 Jaguars, for example, from the C-type to the D-type to the XKSS. When the cars were put up for sale in 2014, the asking price was a not-insubstantial $170 million. JLR didn't reveal how much it spent to buy the cars, but now it seems the carmaker is about to recoup some of those costs. At least 50 cars from the collection will be sold by auction house Brightwells, as part of the Affordable Classics at Bicester sale on March 21; some reports have said JLR would be eventually offloading as many as 100 cars. Looking at the listing, there are some definite gems in there. Not all cars are British, as there are Citroens, Mercedes-Benzes, a Fiat and a Goggomobil. Jaguars and Land Rovers are notably absent from Brightwells' listing, which we take as a clue that the sale will consist of cars not crucial to JLR's wellbeing and heritage. That said, for a lover of British cars there's a possibility to grab something truly interesting: For example, the Reliant Scimitar Ferguson 4x4 Prototype must be worth preserving. A 4WD pioneer also known for Massey-Ferguson tractors, Ferguson fitted its system in Jensens as well as a prototype 4WD Mustang in the 1960s. The fiberglass-bodied Reliant sports car is an interesting sidenote in Ferguson's history. Then there's a Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HS, which is a veritable rally-bred RWD hot hatch in comparison to the American market Chevrolet Chevette, its distant relative. On the hot hatch front, there are also Metro and Maestro turbos, which offer plenty of poke in a light, boxy body. Or if you view the internet's popular "Worst Cars Ever Made" lists as shopping lists, you could build your own collection of slightly dodgy cars: Start with the unfortunate-looking Vanden Plas Allegro, continue to the malaise-tastic Morris Ital Camper, and finish it off with a late-model Lada Riva wagon from the mid-1990s. Some cars are in tip-top shape, and some are best seen as restoration projects, like the very pretty Borgward Isabella coupe from 1960.

Buyers ditching expensive European sedans to buy expensive American trucks

The New York Times ended the automotive week with a story that adds numbers and context to a range of other stories, from the crossover craze to the increasing median price of a new car to ever more grandiose pickup trucks. The NYT piece reveals that the shift to larger vehicles isn't merely about the average U.S. buyer swapping the midsize sedan for a Ford Edge. Luxury buyers are migrating from plush sedans to plush SUVs and trucks that creep close to six-figure prices, and the Detroit Three are running Treasury presses because of it. From 2013 to 2017, the truck category — everything from pickups to minivans — climbed from 30 percent of the market to 41 percent. In January of this year, trucks claimed 66 percent of new vehicle sales. At the milk-and-honey end of profits, GMC alone accounted for 11.3 percent of all vehicle sales over $60,000, not just trucks. That puts the luxury truck maker behind Mercedes-Benz and Ford, The Blue Oval's feasting on Lariat, King Ranch and Raptor versions of the F-150, which make up more than half of that pickup's sales, putting it ahead of Chevrolet, Porsche and Lexus on the high-dollar sales list. The average transaction price of a GMC in Denali trim last year was $56,000; it's easy to see why, when one dealer told the NYT he just swapped a 2012 BMW 550i for a $71,000 GMC Sierra Denali. That truck starts at $52,900. The NYT started its story with a buyer who took home a Ford Raptor instead of an Audi A6, and optioned that $50,020 Ford Raptor close to $80,000. Over at Lincoln, the new $72,055 Navigator — the one so popular that Ford will increase production — crossed hands for an average sale price of $77,000 in January. And a Jeep dealer told the NYT that the two $93,000 Trackhawks he had on his lot "won't be here more than a few weeks." While trucks head up in sales volume and price, cars are headed so viciously in the opposite direction that "the Detroit Three and even some foreign manufacturers acknowledge they are now losing money on many of the cars they sell." So ... get ready for a lot more crossovers and trucks. Related Video: Find out what vehicle is right for you. Give our Car Finder tool a try.

Sunday Drive: Subaru Ascends up to the hottest market segment in America

Utility vehicles – in other words, crossovers and SUVs – are so hot right now. Two of our top stories from last week revolve around the utilitarian vehicle, but besides their jacked-up, five-door bodystyles, they couldn't be more different. The 2019 Subaru Ascent is headed into an extremely crowded and competitive segment, where it'll have to go up against industry stalwarts like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, not to mention upstart contenders like the Volkswagen Atlas. The Mercedes-AMG G63, on the other hand, has very little competition – there simply aren't very many ultra-luxurious, off-road-ready SUVs in the world vying to attract the dollars of the wellest-to-do customers across these United States. Moving on from crossovers and SUVs, our readers remain attracted to classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sportscars. The Toyota Supra's upcoming rebirth earns two places on our list of stories worth highlighting from the week that was; one with leaked information from a Japanese magazine, and another with rumors indicating that maybe we shouldn't be quite so excited. And finally, there's the strange case of the long-lost 2009 Chevy Corvette Z06 that one lucky individual happened to find squirreled away in a storage container with just 720 original miles. A high-horsepower head scratcher if we've ever seen one. As always, stay tuned to Autoblog this week for all the latest automotive news that's fit to print. 2019 Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander: How they compare on paper 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 set to bare its 577-horsepower heart in Geneva Toyota Supra leaks in Japanese magazine ahead of Geneva debut Toyota Supra to be little more than a rebodied BMW Z4? Forgotten 720-mile 2009 Corvette Z06 emerges from storage Chevrolet Mercedes-Benz Subaru Toyota Coupe Crossover SUV Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance barn find sunday drive subaru ascent mercedes-amg g63

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe shows off in four video teasers

Hyundai is ready to turn the lights on the 2019 Santa Fe, and in at least one case, that's the literal state of affairs. The PR folks at the carmaker's Korean HQ released four teaser videos, one of them a commercial demonstrating a few of the tech bits in the coming crossover such as Safe Exit Assist. That driver aid notifies occupants about to exit the vehicle when there's another vehicle approaching from behind, and will temporarily lock the doors to keep passengers from wrecking doors, vehicles, or themselves. The other three vids highlight details throughout the Santa Fe's brand new bodywork, one of them devoted to the fourth-generation vehicle's lighting signatures. When Hyundai goes totally public with the crossover on February 21, we look forward to finding out which lights do what. Beyond that, we'll look to see if this split design lasts longer than the related aesthetic on the resurrected Jeep Cherokee. Elsewhere on the Santa Fe, we see there'll be multicolored digital dash gauges, the option of quilted seat inserts, and a set of dual rectangular exhaust tips. Hyundai's managed to keep most of the Santa Fe's secrets ... secret, but we do know the 2019 model brings a larger footprint and more interior room. Tech goodies should include Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with integrated automatic braking, a Rear Occupant Alert that reminds a departing driver not to forget any precious cargo in the back seat, and some semi-autonomous assistance features. There have also been rumors that Hyundai will do more with this model to differentiate the three-row version from the two-row Santa Fe Sport. The first dose of real info comes on Wednesday, the public reveal goes down at next month's New York Auto Show. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

F1 to offer track rides with Alonso, Verstappen, Hakkinen

It's not often that a Formula 1 fan gets to experience what an F1 track feels like from the point of view of a racing driver. An in-car camera just goes so far, and tracks are not always open for the public, or even for track days. Now, a special Hot Laps program announced by Formula 1 and Pirelli means some lucky participants are able to take part in ridealongs on the same F1 tracks where all the racing action happens. The first two manufacturers that have announced their participation are Aston Martin and McLaren, and as a result the Vantage and 720S will be used in the program. More car manufacturers have reportedly signed up, and they will be named in the near future. The first Hot Laps will be driven at the 2018 Bahrain GP. The best is still to come. The professional racing drivers that have enlisted for the Hot Laps program are Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen for Aston Martin, and the McLarens will be driven by Mika Hakkinen, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne. Imagine being taken for a ride by such wheelmen! Just doing a grocery run with Alonso behind the wheel would probably be exciting enough, let alone getting a track experience. Of course, the one thing that hasn't yet been mentioned is the price. We can't imagine a lap can be very modestly priced in this case, but it will sure be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Unless you can afford two laps, that is. Related Video: Motorsports Aston Martin McLaren Luxury Performance Pirelli Max Verstappen lando norris

2019 Ram 1500 Sport trim is exclusive to Canada, can be replicated in America

Ram already revealed one region-exclusive 2019 Ram 1500 pickup in the form of the Lone Star trim for Texas. It's basically a Big Horn with fancy badges. But that's not the only one, as it has introduced a Sport trim that will only be available in Canada. Just like the Lone Star, the Sport has an analogue buried among the many trims and options for American-market Rams. But before we get into how U.S. buyers can re-create the Sport, let's take a look at what makes the Sport ... sporty? It's only available with a 5.7-liter V8 making the standard 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. Both two- and four-wheel drive are available as are quad and crew cabs. The exterior features standard LED lights, a body-color grille and other body-color trim, along with a number of black bits of trim including badges. The standard wheels are 20-inch units, while black and silver 22-inch wheels are optional. Also optional is the more aggressive Sport hood. The interior is all black with either cloth and premium vinyl seats or optional leather. It also has diamond-plate steel pattern trim from the Rebel, plus a Sport badge on the dash. Now, the trim looks quite nice, and it's easily re-created in America. To get the same features such as the LED lights, simply choose the Laramie trim level. It can be equipped with the Sport Appearance package which includes everything you see on the body, including the aggressive hood. The one difference is the lack of black badging. The same 22-inch wheels are also available as an option. And, if you want to save a little bit of money with almost the same looks, you can choose a Big Horn Ram, which doesn't have the LED lights, but the Sport Appearance package is still available, along with 20-inch wheels. But if you really want those LED lights, they are an option on the Big Horn. The Big Horn also opens up the option of the V6, if you're feeling especially frugal. If you're in Canada and like the look of the Sport, it goes on sale in the second quarter of 2018. And if you're in the U.S., just spec out a Big Horn or Laramie. Related Video:

Watch a Jeep CJ get disassembled and reassembled in minutes

Movie buffs! Remember the scene in the James Bond film 007: The Living Daylights where Timothy Dalton's character slices the floorpan off a police Lada using a laser, and when the driver hits the brakes the Lada's body simply jumps off its axles? That scene was immediately brought to mind as I watched this clip of eight Canadian mechanics disassembling a slightly modified Jeep in a matter of seconds. Having driven the Jeep to a complete stop, the technicians start unbolting it until the body lifts off the frame and the engine can be hauled away. It only took half a minute to turn the Jeep into just a chassis on wheels. As repair manuals say, refitting is the reversal of removal. Apparently the technicians have now honed their mechanical choreography to the point that the Jeep can be disassembled and reassembled in two minutes and 39 seconds; while I expect a great number of bolts having been removed beforehand and the likelihood of the Jeep falling to pieces with a sharp braking being significant, it is definitely impressive. It also reminds me of someone driving an old, dodgy car, having learned all its kinks to be able to keep it running. According to a Reddit thread, the pre-modified "Jifty Jeep" has been built (and taken apart, and rebuilt) by the School of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) for exactly this purpose. The team travels all around Canada to practice their show, trying to shave seconds off their record. There are worse hobbies.

Watch a Dodge Challenger Demon break 200 mph

We all know that the Dodge Challenger Demon is a monster in short bursts. Its 840 horsepower and drag-ready tires allow it to hit 60 mph in a claimed 2.3 seconds on the way to a sub-10-second quarter-mile time. But it turns out that the Demon doesn't run out of grunt after the quarter-mile. This was proven by a group that took one to the runway where space shuttles landed, Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds in Florida. There they hit a top speed of 203 mph. Dodge doesn't give a top speed for the Demon, but for a bit of comparison, the 707-horsepower Hellcat Widebody has a top speed of 199 mph. Watching the video, it's interesting how calm things appear to be in the cabin. There doesn't appear to be much vibration, and the car was clearly staying steady in a straight line, since the driver hardly moved the wheel. And before you know it, the 2.3-mile run is over. The run's not official unless a record-keeping body is witnessing it, and there will surely be Demons out there trying to beat this run, but it's sure fun to watch in the meantime. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2018 Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 Drivers' Notes Review | Plug and play

The second-generation Mini Countryman debuted at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to the standard and S models, Mini added a new E Countryman plug-in hybrid model. That's what we have here, making our model's full name the Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. It's distinguishable from other models by the green badges on the front and rear and on the charging port on the fender. There are a few changes inside, most notably a power gauge in place of the tachometer. The plug-in model combines a turbo inline-three cylinder engine with a 7.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The gas engine motivates the front wheels while two electric motors power the rear. Three drive modes — Max eDrive, Auto eDrive and Save — adjust the amount of battery pack usage, with Max using all battery and Save mode using the starter generator to keep the battery charge above 90 percent. The biggest Mini (for what that's worth) is still far smaller than nearly every other crossover in its class. It's three inches shorter than a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and four inches shy of an Audi Q3. As compact as it is, there's still a good bit of usable cargo space thanks to the wide hatch and flat-folding seats. Our tester rang up for exactly $40,000 and includes features like 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, Cooper S heated sport seats, a heads-up display and LED lighting. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: The only thing I don't like about this electrified Mini is its name: Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL 4. That's a mouthful. You'd probably just say you bought a plug-in electric Mini Countryman and roll from there. And why would you spend time overthinking the name? The driving dynamics are razor sharp. Launches from stoplights with the electric fortification are brisk. Not in a cliched "this V6 Camry feels brisk" sort of way, but in a 29-degree February morning where the dog is walking too slow kind of way. I give Mini and its parent, BMW Group, a lot of credit for having the foresight to invest in electrification, adding performance and efficiency in a manner that's true to the character of Mini. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Then there's the traditional Mini goodness that shines through in the cornering and handling. I'm late for work. The light turns yellow. Am I stopping? Oh hell no. I'm not even slowing down. In this and all Minis, taking corners at full steam is expected.

Lincoln taps Serena Williams to pitch all-new Navigator

Lincoln is turning to a new star to help it pitch the hot-selling Navigator SUV alongside Matthew McConaughey: Tennis megastar and businesswoman Serena Williams. She'll help pitch the Navigator in a social media campaign that launched Thursday. Lincoln released four short spots that will appear on Lincoln and Williams' social channels. In one, the longest at 41 seconds, Williams recalls buying her first Navigator as a teen and says she's come full circle as a mother. She dubbed the vehicle "Ginger." "Ginger was all white, she had 22s and she had rims," she says in the spot. "I felt like, you know, I was kind of balling in a way. It was like my first huge purchase." Another shows Williams talking on a tennis court about being a mother and how the vehicle functions as a kind of bedroom for her daughter, Olympia, who was born last September. "For me that's what's most important." Like the McConaughey spots before them, the new spots hew to the Lincoln script of mostly not focusing on the vehicle but rather on experiences. (Williams' experiences seem a lot less ethereal than McConaughey's.) View 4 Photos Williams is known for her tennis exploits, having won a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals. She has fashion deals with Puma and Home Shopping Network and launched her own fashion brand called Aneres. And she operates the Serena Williams Fund to emphasize education and help victims of gun and domestic violence, plus the Williams Sisters Fund, which she launched in 2016 with her sister, Venus. Serena Williams is also a member of the Oath Board of Advisors. Oath is the parent company of Autoblog. "Serena is an amazing athlete who has won 23 Grand Slams, but she also has a family, she has her own clothing line, she sits on major boards, she's philanthropic — she has all these competing demands on her time," Lincoln Group Marketing Manager John Emmert said in a statement. "We know that time is our Navigator client's ultimate luxury as they balance everything in their busy lives, and Serena exemplifies that balance with poise and grace." It's not the first time Williams has endorsed an automotive brand, notes AdAge. Mini featured the tennis star in a Super Bowl ad in 2016. The Navigator is all-new for 2018. It won North American Truck of the Year last month at the Detroit Auto Show. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Vile Gossip: Ladies who launch

Jean Jennings has been writing about cars for more than 30 years, after stints as a taxicab driver and as a mechanic in the Chrysler Proving Grounds Impact Lab. She was a staff writer at Car and Driver magazine, the first executive editor and former president and editor-in-chief of Automobile Magazine, the founder of the blog Jean Knows Cars and former automotive correspondent for Good Morning America. She has lifetime awards from both the Motor Press Guild and the New England Motor Press Association. Look for more Vile Gossip columns in the future. The year was 2006. We were driving a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 across the Florida Panhandle from Jacksonville to Panama City, only because I couldn't convince Bugatti to let me be the first to drive its exotic powerhouse, the world's fastest car at that time, all the way across America. One gleaming example had arrived in time for the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where the journos massed for their quick test drives out the front drive of the Ritz Carlton, down a short stretch of the A1A, and back to the Ritz. Not far enough for me. I wanted to take the Veyron in all of its 16-cylinder, 1,001-horsepower, $1.3-million-dollar glory on a coast-to-coast extravaganza of a road trip. Never hurts to ask. I asked. Once the Bugatti guys stopped hyperventilating, I explained that the coastal adventure would be contained wholly within the state of Florida, from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of Mexico. My secret destination, however, was to be Vernon, Florida, home of the great Errol Morris' classic documentary about a town in the Panhandle with the highest per-capita population of citizens who'd blown off or whacked off a limb for insurance money. (Google "Nub City.") The Swiss head of Bugatti public relations thought it hilarious. He showed up in a van with a couple of German mechanics to follow us and a failed French Formula 1 driver to serve as my chaperone. I came with a photographer from Germany and one of the most infamous of bad-boy auto magazine tech editors, the irrepressible Don Sherman. Sherman had his own reason for going, and it had nothing to do with a Veyron to Vernon. Once we gave up looking for nubbies, he ordered me to veer south to the handgrip of the Panhandle, familiarly known as the Redneck Riviera. The Don was aiming to secretly execute the Veyron's first Launch Control blastoff in captivity.

FCA UConnect fiasco could set over-the-air updates back years

Since cars have become more software dependent, most major automakers have been inching toward enabling over-the-air updates to keep vehicle electronics, ranging from infotainment systems to safety features, current. But there are only two car companies — Fiat Chrysler and Ford —± currently doing OTA updates, and on a limited basis. GM CEO Mary Barra announced last summer that the automaker will launch a new EV architecture and infotainment system capable of over-the-air updates "before 2020." The one exception, per usual, is Tesla. Since the release of the Model S almost six years ago, the maverick EV automaker has made routine OTA software updates a core part of its vehicle platforms and value proposition, and has sent out updates for everything from adjusting ride height to enabling Autopilot, largely without incident. When I've asked automakers why they can't do the same thing, I've heard reasons ranging from running afoul of their dealers (and archiac regulation) to security concerns. Automakers like Ford and General Motors say they want to act like tech companies, which routinely send out OTA updates for a wide range of devices, but overall the car industry still moves at a very cautious snail's pace. And when automakers do try to move faster and take more risks — unlike with a smartphone update, which people bitch about but live with — the consequences can be significant when things go wrong. That's the case with Fiat Chrysler America and its recent public-relations nightmare when an OTA update went awry. The update went out at the end of last week for the Uconnect system in late-model vehicles, and it made head units go into a near continuous reboot, which caused owners to not only lose access to entertainment features, but also critical functions like emergency assistance. Almost immediately, owners took to Twitter to express outrage, and FCA was caught flatfooted. A tweet went out on Monday on the UconnectCares Twitter account that read, "Certain 2017 & 2018 Uconnect systems may experience a reboot every 45-60 seconds. Our Engineering teams are investigating the cause and working towards a resolution.

2020 Hyundai Palisade vs. Ascent, Pilot, Highlander and CX-9: How they compare on paper

We've finally had our first drive of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade and found it to be well-equipped for sales success. It nails the formula that some of the most successful three-row crossovers have, the aforementioned seating capacity, high driving position, all-wheel-drive availability and a V6 engine. Of course, it also offers a unique and menacing-looking exterior that ought to stand out in the parking lot. To dig deeper into how it compares to other three-row family crossovers, we've fired up the old Autoblog Comparo Generator 3000 (™) and lined the all-new 2020 Palisade up against the 2019 Subaru Ascent, 2019 Honda Pilot, 2019 Toyota Highlander and 2019 Mazda CX-9. Besides being two of last year's best-selling three-row SUVs, the Pilot and Highlander are also the closest in general concept to the new Palisade, while the Ascent and CX-9 also offer a comparable turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain. The CX-9 is also one of our favorites in the segment, and the Ascent is one of the newest entrants on the scene. There are of course numerous other worthy contenders, including the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Volkswagen Atlas, Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Santa Fe and the best-selling Ford Explorer, so if you want to see their specs, check out the Autoblog compare tool. Performance and fuel economy The Subaru, as is so often the case, is the oddball. It has a 2.4-liter turbocharged horizontally opposed four-cylinder (aka a flat-four or a boxer-four) that produces a comparatively modest horsepower rating, but a greater amount of torque. That's typical for turbocharged engines such as Mazda CX-9's turbo inline-four that produces 250 horsepower on premium fuel (227 hp on 87 octane) and 310 lb-ft of torque (the VW Atlas also offers a base turbo-four). The Hyundai, Honda and Toyota, meanwhile, go about it the old-fashioned way, with naturally aspirated V6 engines displacing 3.8 liters in the Hyundai, and 3.5 liters with the two Japanese crossovers. The Toyota and Hyundai lead the pack in horsepower, with the Toyota taking top honors by just 4 horses. The Honda weighs less, though, so their acceleration should be comparable. The Subaru actually accelerates on par with its V6-powered competitors, probably due in part to its continuously variable transmission. The fuel economy trophy goes to the Ascent.

2019 Subaru Ascent pricing announced, starting at $32,970

Pricing for the 2019 Subaru Ascent three-row crossover SUV has been announced. Including destination, the base trim carries an MSRP of $32,970. That's with standard eight-passenger seating, and like every Ascent, a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer-4, a CVT and all-wheel drive. As a refresher, here are 15 fast facts about the 2019 Ascent. You can also see how it compares to the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Standard equipment on the base Ascent includes 18-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone climate control, EyeSight accident avoidance tech, four USB ports, and Subaru's 6.5-inch Starlink touchscreen that brings with it Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Ascent Premium starts at $35,170 and can be had with either 7- or 8-passenger seating (the latter includes second-row bench seating). It adds blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, privacy glass, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, a power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, stain-resistant upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear climate controls, and an upgraded 8-inch version of StarLink. Towing capacity is also raised to 5,000 pounds. There are two optional packages available on the Premium that adds some of the upper trim levels' features. View 14 Photos The Ascent Limited starts at $39,970 with either 8- or 7-passenger seating. It adds 20-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights, a power liftgate, leather seating, proximity entry and push-button start, second-row sunshades and two additional USB ports. An optional package including a panoramic sunroof, a cargo cover, integrated navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system can be added for $2,950. The top Ascent Touring costs $45,670. It includes the Limited's options plus chrome exterior trim, automatic wipers, unique Java Brown leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, wood trim, ventilated front seats, even more USB ports (up to eight), a Cadillac-like rearview camera mirror and a 180-degree front view camera. The 2019 Subaru Ascent will arrive in dealers this summer. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio vs. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: On-paper sibling rivalry

Pricing was revealed for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and with its $81,590 price tag, it's within range of yet another high-performance SUV from Fiat-Chrysler: the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The Hellcat-powered Jeep is more expensive than the Stelvio at $86,995, but depending on options, the price advantage might go either way. This left us wondering, how similar are these two high-powered SUVs? Besides sharing the same number of words in their very-long names, we took a look at some of their performance specs and put them in the spreadsheet below. As always, if you want to compare either of these with other speedy SUVs, be sure to try out our comparison tools. As far as outright speed, both SUVs are surprisingly close. The Trackhawk is just a bit quicker in a straight line, hitting 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds as opposed to the Alfa's 3.9. The Jeep's 180-mph top speed is also 3-mph quicker than the Alfa. But neither of these differences is especially huge. What makes this interesting is how different the paths each SUV takes to get to its results. The Trackhawk accomplishes the task with pure grunt. It has Dodge's Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V8 making 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque to overcome its hefty 5,363-pound body. The Alfa, on the other hand, makes do with less power and torque, 505 and 443, respectively, from its twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. It has less weight, though. Exactly how much less we're not sure, since Alfa hasn't revealed that number, but a regular Stelvio weighs right around 4,000 pounds, so we would guess the weight is similar, possibly a little more. View 14 Photos The differences in how each SUV achieves its performance should result in pretty different driving characteristics, and probably different buyers. Each SUV's bragging points also indicates this. The Trackhawk boasts an impressive 11.6-second claimed quarter-mile time, something that American muscle car fans everywhere care about. The Alfa brags about how it's the fastest production SUV to lap the Nurburgring, something sure to impress fans of foreign cars and those that value handling over straight-line performance. So really, although these two SUVs have performance similarities, they're also very different, and the right one for you depends on what you value. View 29 Photos Also, as an afterthought, we wonder if the guys that attempted a Viper record at the 'Ring would be up for trying to break the Alfa time with the Jeep.

Jeep Super Bowl commercial nets criticism from fish conservationists [Update]

Update. FCA got back to us with the following statement: "The Jeep brand and FCA cooperate with federal/state/local governments and organizations, including Tread Lightly and Access Fund, around the world to help ensure that its vehicles are being utilized in a legal and responsible manner, and follow those guidelines when demonstrating their off-road capabilities. Ecological assessments are made and considered when the Jeep brand conducts demonstrations of a vehicle's off-roading capabilities. The vehicle shown in this video is driving on a designated county road that experiences seasonal runoff and its performance capabilities are authentically portrayed consistent with the Jeep brand philosophy. Other examples of how Jeep demonstrates vehicle capabilities take place at the brand's Camp Jeep activities at auto shows and experiential events." The Super Bowl is always packed to the brim with various car commercials. FCA in particular had a big showing this year with ads from both Ram and Jeep. It's the latter that seems to have drawn the ire of some organizations, particularly one where a new Jeep Cherokee drove up a stream in a commercial called "The Road." Trout Unlimited, a freshwater conservation organization, has criticized FCA for encouraging driving that might endanger fish habitats. Trout Unlimited President and CEO Chris Wood sent a letter to FCA chief Sergio Marchionne, calling the commercial "wrongheaded" and that Jeep got some "bad marketing advice on this one." Wood says many of Trout Unlimited's members are Jeep owners and that he previously owned a Jeep CJ7 that he took all over Vermont. He says that he took it off-roading, though he never drove right up the middle of a stream. We're waiting on a comment from Jeep, but MSN reports that the automaker is defending the ads — though there aren't plans to run them again. Trout Unlimited says driving up and damaging streams can destroy the gravel where fish lay eggs. Either way, off-roaders should always be mindful of their surroundings so they don't destroy the land or sink their vehicles after, say, breaking through the ice on a frozen lake. Related Video:

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the priciest Alfa you can buy

Alfa Romeo has finally announced pricing for its Stelvio Quadrifoglio high-performance crossover, and it's not cheap. The base price is $81,590, which makes it the most expensive car in the Alfa lineup. The next most expensive is the Giulia Quadrifoglio at $75,295. That's a difference of roughly $6,000. And you can make the Stelvio even more expensive by optioning in Sparco carbon fiber shell racing seats or carbon ceramic brakes. Alfa hasn't revealed pricing for those, but expect the brakes to cost the same $8,000 that they do on the Giulia Quadrifoglio. You do get a lot of car for the money, though. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio gets the same twin-turbocharged, Ferrari-built V6 as its Giulia counterpart, still making 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. That will take the car to 60 mph from a standstill in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 177 mph. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is also the current SUV lap time record holder at the Nurburgring. If the price seems acceptable to you, you'll be able to pick one up early this year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: LA 2016 View 11 Photos Image Credit: Drew Phillips Alfa Romeo Crossover SUV Performance alfa romeo stelvio quadrifoglio

Daniel Craig's personal James Bond Aston Martin is for sale

LOS ANGELES — James Bond is parting with his personal Aston Martin. Actor Daniel Craig, who has played the British spy known as 007 in four films, is auctioning for charity the limited-edition vehicle made for him by Aston Martin four years ago, Christie's auction house said on Thursday. Aston Martin cars have appeared in Bond films over nearly 50 years, beginning with 1964's "Goldfinger" in which Sean Connery drove a silver Aston Martin DB5. The brand has appeared in all four Bond films starring Craig. Craig's personal car is a 2014 Vanquish that Aston Martin produced just 100 examples of to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Craig's vehicle is, naturally, number 007. "It was an homage, really, to his career," Becky MacGuire, director of Christie's' The Exceptional Sale, said in an interview. "What he's brought to the Bond character has been so appreciated by the company and, of course, zillions of fans." The vehicle has a midnight blue exterior and dark blue luxury leather interior chosen because of Craig's preference for denim and dark colors, Christie's said. Proceeds from the sale will benefit New York-based charity The Opportunity Network, which helps students from disadvantaged communities achieve their college and career goals. Craig and his wife, actress Rachel Weisz, both sit on the organization's board of directors. The car's value is estimated at $400,000 to $600,000. It will be displayed at Christie's showroom in Los Angeles from Feb. 27 to March 3 before moving to New York, where it will be auctioned on April 20 as part of Christie's annual decorative arts masterpiece sale called The Exceptional Sale. Last year, Craig said he will reprise the role of James Bond one last time. The film is expected to be released in U.S. cinemas on Nov. 8, 2019.Reporting by Nichola Groom Related Video:

Subaru teases new Viziv Tourer concept ahead of Geneva

Subaru has released a teaser image of the Viziv Tourer concept due to be shown at Geneva next month. The name Viziv, which in Subaru concept car speak means "Vision for Innovation," has been tacked on quite a few concepts in recent years, including the Viziv Performance and Performance STI shown in Tokyo. Those offered a glimpse of what the upcoming new WRX and WRX STI could look like, and the Tourer version could then well prepare us for a new longer-roof WRX (or the next-generation Levorg that other markets get). The current car has been with us from 2016, meaning the next-generation car could hit production in 2020. The structure underpinning the next generation car would be the Subaru Global Platform, which debuted with the current-generation Impreza. The Tourer's design language teased with this shot matches the sharp detailing of the Viziv Performance STI seen at the Tokyo Auto Salon, including the taillights. We would expect the front to be a dead ringer, too. The WRX has been with us for over half of Subaru's 50-year history, and it's definitely a core part of the brand's aesthetic. "Pretty" hasn't always been the word that would best define every single WRX generation, but they have always been distinctly Subaru — the five-door variants included. Here's hoping the Tourer makes for a good-looking production car. Related Video: News Source: Subaru Geneva Motor Show Subaru Wagon Concept Cars Future Vehicles Performance 2018 Geneva Motor Show subaru levorg

2018 Subaru BRZ Quick Spin Review | Curves required

I had a 2018 Subaru BRZ Limited with a six-speed manual and half a day to play on wet, windy roads hemmed by pine trees in the foothills of a massive mountain range. But Michigan was on my mind. Some cars work everywhere. Michigan's the perfect place to find those that do: The roads are flat and pockmarked, and the seasonal extremes are brutal. It's easy to love a car on one of those bucket-list Alpine passes, but on Michigan roads the car has to work hard to win you over. For example, the MX-5 Miata works in Michigan just fine. It's fun in all conditions in which you can get the rear tires to hook up, and some that you can't. It cheerfully entertains in traffic, on city streets, undulating but uninteresting country roads. Some grand tourers work perfectly well there, too, soaking up enough punishment from the atrocious roadways without battering the occupants. The more voluptuous Aston Martins are particularly good at this trick, and they're plenty entertaining to cruise around in — or mash it flat after a scan of a country intersection shows nothing doing for at least 50 miles in every direction. These cars have more than just compliance — they have a subjective, elusive charm in suboptimal conditions. And the 86 twins, well, aren't Miatas. The car isn't lacking in dynamic ability, of course, but there's a flatness, a one-dimensionality to it. It's simply suffocated, starving for a little bit more. It doesn't have to be this way. Put the 86 in a better situation and its foibles recede but don't disappear. Straight, pock-marked slabs are the death of the thing. So I grabbed one out West, in Washington state where I now live, and fed it revs and curves until I was satisfied that the BRZ works as intended when you keep it happy. And when it's happy, you're happy. The BRZ was on high-performance summer tires, and some of the best roads in Washington are up in the hills currently blanketed by slush and ice, so that was a nonstarter. But there's a windy, weedy little farm road bending through a river valley just 20 minutes from my house. It's got lots of sudden, blind bends — not to mention working farms — so it's not the place to exercise a Corvette Z06. But there are enough turns you can see all the way through to make it fun, and three unbelievable uphill hairpins right at the end. We're talking 15 mph posted speed limit turns, and those signs aren't far off.

J.D. Power dependability survey is out, but you shouldn't depend on it

J.D. Power has just released its latest automotive dependability survey, which of course has usual suspects Buick and Lexus ranking high. Those are safe and solid findings, surely. But when you look a little closer, there are curiosities. Our Consumer Editor, Jeremy Korzeniewski, offered an explanation a couple of years back for why this survey should be viewed with a degree of skepticism, and his take is worth a re-read. What jumped out at Jeremy were the relatively low spots assigned to Mazda, Subaru and Scion among the ranking of makes. Back in 2016 when he wrote his piece, they were ranked 21st, 23rd and 24th respectively. In this year's survey, Mazda ranks 15th and Subaru 26th, both below the industry average of 142 reported problems per 100 vehicles. (And Scion, of course, is in car-brand heaven.) Now, part of what is going on here is surely the fact that all automotive brands are producing dependable vehicles compared with years gone by, so the degree of variance between the best and worst on the list is not as great as it once was. "For the most part, automotive manufacturers continue to meet consumers' vehicle dependability expectations," Dave Sargent, a J.D. Power vice president, said in a statement. "A 9 percent improvement is extremely impressive, and vehicle dependability is, without question, at its best level ever." That said, when a brand like Subaru, regarded by many as mechanically bulletproof, ranks 26th, it leaves people who know cars scratching their heads. Something there does not compute. The problem, as Jeremy pointed out, is one of methodology: When he wrote his piece, there was no weighting assigned to the problems reported in the survey. And that still appears to be the case. Therefore, a problem with an infotainment system or a loose piece of trim is deemed as serious as a blown engine or leaky transmission. (And yes, infotainment is still the biggest problem across the board.) Jeremy's point: If the categories of problems were weighted, you'd see a different picture. When you look at the Consumer Reports brand rankings (subscription required), you get a very different picture. in CR's rankings, Subaru is No. 6 among brands, which, well, sounds a lot more like it. CR singles out the redesigned 2017 Impreza as a car with some new-model problems. (The BRZ had the fewest.) The two surveys jibe a little more closely when it comes to Mazda, which CR ranks 12th, a drop of six places from previous-year rankings.

Ram 1500 Lone Star revealed: It's what they call 'Big Horn' in Texas

How important is Texas to the full-size truck market? Well, it gets its very own trim level. The 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star was announced today at the Dallas Auto Show, making official what had always been assumed: that the Texas-only trim level would make its return on the latest Ram truck. If you should live in one of the other 49 states or Canada, don't feel too left out. The Lone Star is effectively just the Big Horn trim level with a different name and unique "Lone Star" badge. Officially, the feature list has it as a package exclusively available on the Big Horn. Be it Lone Star or Big Horn, the trim level exists above the Tradesman and fuel economy-focused HFE. The Ram SLT is no longer available. As the first trim level not strictly intended as a work truck, these more "civilian" oriented trims have chromed exterior trim (versus black plastic), nicer interior finishings (including a leather-wrapped wheel and cloth upholstery replacing vinyl) and a vast increase in available options. Realistically, most Ram buyers start their shopping trip at the Lone Star/Big Horn aisle. Like every 2019 Ram, the Lone Star will hit dealerships from El Paso to Beaumont in the first quarter of 2018, or within the coming months. It'll be built in Sterling Heights, Mich. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Ram 1500 Lone Star News Source: Ram RAM Truck

Hyundai and Turin IED collaborate on Kite buggy concept for Geneva

The last time Hyundai's European Design Center collaborated with Turin, Italy's Instituto Europeo di Design (IED), we got the PassoCorto concept in 2014. That four-year-old vision made an appearance in recent news feeds, as a potential harbinger of a mid-engine Hyundai sports car when the Theta II engine arrives. The Korean carmaker is at it again with IED, and this time the two have worked up a doorles, roofless, windowless buggy referred to as the Kite concept, planned for display at next month's Geneva Motor Show. The full-sized scale model measures 12.2 feet long, 7.3 feet wide, and 4.7 feet high — that's about four inches shorter and one inch taller than a Mini Cooper, but 20 inches wider. Being a model, the Kite won't be fitted with any powertrain, but the students behind the project envision one brushless electric motor on propulsion duty. This is the first of IED's previous 14 automaker collaborations to have an interior, so the 15 students from nine countries who worked on the project did their homework, tapping Gruppo Sila for the shift-by-wire gearbox, and Sabelt for the seat and seatbelts. Guests to the stand will be able to experience the Kite concept through virtual reality, while the whiz-bang gearbox gets shown in a separate, dedicated area. The design school's annual project serves as the thesis project for the Masters in Transportation Design program. Last year's offering, the Scilla concept prepared with Pininfarina, was a 180-degree departure from the Kite, but the students spent time off-road recently with their McLaren crossover concepts of 2010. If you're smitten with this year's product, you won't be able to buy it, but Hyundai does sell an actual kite. Related Video: Featured Gallery Hyundai Kite Concept News Source: Car Body Design via Carscoops Design/Style Green Geneva Motor Show Hyundai Concept Cars Electric Off-Road Vehicles 2018 Geneva Motor Show