Monthly Archives: July 2017
How Much Do The 2018 Ford Mustang Models Cost?
Although the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 remains on top of everybody’s list of their favorite muscle cars, Ford is not backing out without a fight as it revealed its sixth-generation Mustang with rear suspension and elegant interior. Compared to the Camaro, the new Ford Mustang has more power, options and features.
The Mustang EcoBoost is driving away from using a V-6 engine and now has a four-cylinder engine as Ford’s entry-level Mustang. The starting price is $26,485, an increase of a measly $400 compared to the entry-level Mustang last year that still packed the ratty V-6 model. The 2.3-liter engine can produce 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
The GT version, which has displacement and aural theater, costs $35,995. Powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 engine, the GT version of the 2018 Ford Mustang is priced $1,900 more than the 2017 Mustang GT, though that means 460 horses and 420 pound-feet of torque. That’s 25 more horsepower and 20 more pound-feet of torque. The power that comes from the V-8 engine can top the Camaro SS V-8, further fueling the competition between the two brands.
If you prefer the convertible versions of both the EcoBoost and the GT models, you can shell out $5,500 more for the EcoBoost and $9,500 more for the GT.
Regardless of your choice for powertrain, you can opt for Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission for $1,595. The interior of both muscle cars can be upgraded to a Premium model whose price will be in the vicinity of $4,000 to $5,000. The Premium interior will bring an Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, selectable driving modes, aluminum interior trim, leather-trimmed seating, and 18-inch wheels on the EcoBoost models.
Aside from the Premium package for the cabin, there’s also a Performance package for those who want more power. EcoBoost owners can pay an extra $2,495 for an additional 3.55:1 Torsen limited-slip rear end, larger radiator, revised chassis tuning, 19-inch aluminum wheels, and upsized brake discs with four-piston calipers.
GT model owners, on the other hand, need to shell out $3,995 more. Aside from the EcoBoost Performance package, the GT will also get 19-inch wheels, the 3.73:1 Torsen differential for stick-shift cars, and Brembo six-piston front brakes.
4 Key Components Of The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, now on its second generation, is taking cues from a minivan by integrating its stylish exterior with a more spacious interior and third-row legroom. The upscale design is based on what we see on the Tahoe and the Suburban, and the Traverse now rides on an elongated C1XX platform that is also being used by Cadillac XT5 and the 2017 GMC Acadia.
1. Exterior
The 2018 Traverse will look very different from the previous generation. It now has a more mature and sleeker design, thanks to its side profile being based on the Chevy Tahoe and the Suburban. The masculinity of the new Traverse can be seen on the character line that runs rearward, as well as the belt line between the side windows and door handles.
A particularly notable exterior is the D-Optic LED headlights, which will come standard on the High Country and Premier trim levels. The design cues that experts will love the most are the large C-pillar, strong wheel well arches, the increase in ground clearance, and approach and departure angles.
2. Interior
The cabin is larger for the expected eight passengers, including the driver. You can turn the Traverse into a seven seater with the optional second-row captain’s chairs. The second and third rows also have more legroom because of the longer wheelbase, which will also make it possible for the cargo space to be almost incomparable. The 2018 Traverse will now be able to hold 98.5 cubic-feet of random items, four cubic feet more than the Tahoe.
3. Drivetrain
There are two engines the Traverse will make you choose from: the 3.6-liter V-6 engine and the new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is exclusive to the RS model. The former can produce 255 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. On the other hand, the RS model has an output of 305 horsepower at 6,800 rpm while torque remains at 260 pound-feet at 2,800 rpm.
Both the engines are paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system is available for all models, including the four-cylinder engine.
4. Prices
The base L trim will sell for $30,875, an increase of $1,280 from the previous model’s starting price. The 2018 Traverse has six trim levels—L, LS, LT, Premier, High Country, and RS.
Photos
Check out some photos of the new Chevrolet Traverse in the gallery below:
3 Important Things Revealed About The 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce revealed its eighth-generation Phantom, the second generation under BMW , that features a full-aluminum spaceframe called the “Architecture of Luxury.” The reason why Rolls decided to go into such extreme is because the spaceframe will allow the Phantom to be quieter, lighter, stiffer, and more technologically advanced.
Air Suspension Features No Bumps And Ruts
The use of a double wishbone front suspension and five-link rear axle will allow for “air suspension,” which basically means the most luxurious passenger experience a sedan could provide. The new Phantom will use stereo cameras, much like Mercedes’ Magic Body Control, on the front to identify if there are bumps or ruts ahead. This will allow the car to adjust the suspension at speeds up to 62 mph.
Most Silent Motor In The World
Rolls-Royce said the Phantom will have the most silent motor in the world, thanks to 286 pounds of sound insulation, “silent seal” tires, double-skin alloy, felt layers between the floor and bulkhead, cast-aluminum joints, and one-quarter inch of two-layer glazing around the car. That means the Phantom VIII is 10 percent quieter at a speed of 62 mph compared to the Phantom VII.
Don’t make this silent motor fool you of the Phantom’s power. It has a new twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V-12 engine that can deliver 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive system.
Safety Features Are On Point
The new Phantom will have safety and tech features, of course. Included in the package are night vision, a surround-view camera system, forward collision warnings, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, and cross-traffic alerts. As for what’s waiting for you in the cabin, you can expect a whole range of tech features such as the usual navigation and entertainment systems, a wi-fi hotspot, and a 7×3-inch head-up display.
BMW Electric Crossover To Feature Level 3 Autonomy
We don’t know what BMW ’s upcoming electric crossover will be called, but what we do know is that it will arrive with a level 3 autonomy. So, whether or not it’s called the i5, iNext, or something else, the BMW electric crossover has the ability to bring the level 3 autonomy to fruition, which will revolutionize the auto industry.
The SAE International defines level 3 autonomy as “conditional automation.” Basically, it means the car can take over the whole driving mechanics and functions as long as the driver is in the car and ready to take command of the vehicle once required. Unlike level 1 or level 2 autonomy, the human driver can take his eyes off the road under level 3, as well as relax a bit because he doesn’t have to handle the steering wheel either.
The driver would be able to text, make a call, or even read a book under this level 3 autonomy. However, he will be alerted if he needs to intervene and take over the car. It will be the system’s responsibility to decide if it cannot function under the current conditions.
Kevin Marcotte, BMWi’s national manager in Canada, told InsideEVs that the German automaker’s use of level 3 autonomy in its electric crossover is the “next big thing for us in terms of leapfrogging the industry.” It will be a “major leap” for the autonomous driving technology.
For years, there have been rumors that the German automaker is working on a new electric vehicle—a crossover, some said. The reports about BMW’s use of level 3 autonomy means that any doubts can be put to rest. There is indeed an electric crossover from BMW and although we aren’t sure yet what it’s going to be called, we have a little tidbit in the form of level 3 autonomy.
BMW recently announced its shift to electronic vehicles, including that it’s calling the iNext that will introduce a number of new technologies. Apparently, that will be released in 2021 while the i8 roadster will debut next year. A Mini BEV is reportedly going to be launched in 2019 and the all-electric XBMW X3 will be unveiled in 2020.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Is It An SUV Or Something Else?
Rolls-Royce is coining a new term for a segment that falls somewhere between a crossover and an SUV. Called the High-Sided Vehicle, the Cullinan isn’t exactly an SUV, as Rolls pointed out. Instead, it’s a “lifted ride” with ample ground clearance, cabin space, and off-road capabilities.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan was spotted while being tested at the Nurburgring, but we don’t exactly know what to call it because categorizing it under the SUV segment would madden car enthusiasts all over the world. And yet, it isn’t a crossover exactly since that would seriously disappoint luxury car dealers because a Rolls isn’t one for off-road tracks.
Still, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Rolls is at least dabbling into developing a luxury SUV-like vehicle and sends it to the Nurburgring for testing. That makes sense. The HSV, as Rolls wants to call the Cullinan, can handle off-road challenges just like any other SUV. It would have a significant ground clearance as opposed to what we see on their luxury sedans, but it still wouldn’t be high enough to make it awkward for passengers to climb in it.
The Cullinan will be based on the platform used on the Phantom VIII, which many of you know uses a new aluminum spaceframe architecture that would make the luxury sedan lighter, stiffer, and somehow, more powerful.
For the powertrain, Rolls-Royce is planning to use BMW’s 6.75-liter V-12 engine in the Cullinan, though it’s quite possible the luxury automaker is also going to produce a plug-in hybrid variant in the future… just to make the Cullinan compliant to current eco-friendly standards.
The Cullinan is riding on an air suspension, much like the much awaited eight-generation Phantom. That would provide seamless driving experience for the driver and the passengers of this HSV.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is set to compete directly with the Bentley Bentayga once it pops in the scene sometime in 2018. No complete details have been revealed by Rolls so far.
The Electric Mini Hardtop Has Been Confirmed For 2019
In 2019, Mini will launch an electric version of its Hardtop. The brand finally confirmed the kind of body style the electric vehicle, which it has been working on since October, will have on Tuesday. This marks the fact that Mini is truly serious about dabbling into electric vehicles.
According to the source , the electric Mini Hardtop will be built at the brand’s plant in Oxford in United Kingdom instead of the earlier assumption that it would be produced in mainland Europe because of what happened with Brexit. But for the electric powertrain, its components would be from factories located in Germany.
Oliver Zipse, the BMW Group’s head of production, highlighted the need to use multiple plants for the diversification of the brand. It also allows for the production to be flexible, depending on the demand for the electric cars in the future.
Mr Zipse takes pride in Mini’s “adaptable production system,” which will be able to react instantaneously to the changing demands of the customers. When there is an increase in demand for the Hardtop’s electric version, it will be easier for Mini to boost the production of its components.
Mini is no stranger to mainstream electric cars. In fact, it used to lease a Mini E electric car, which was based on the Hardtop, on a trial basis. Whatever the feedback was from that leased electric car, it looked to be positive because it acted as a research tool for Mini to allow it to work on the future of its e-vehicles.
Mini’s lineup for electric vehicles will use a plug-in hybrid technology, much like the BMW. Currently, the Cooper S E ALL4 is using the hybrid tech already, and it is expected to be fitted in the rest of the Mini’s range of cars.
This move by Mini only showed how confident the brand is in moving to a more electrified future. The brand expects that hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and pure electrics will account for 15 to 25 percent of the company’s sales by 2025.
4 Things To Know About The 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante
The Vanquish Zagato Volante is said to be the rarest Aston Martin car ever created and there will only be 99 units of this made. This makes it as hard to come by as the coupe version that was based on a collaboration dating back to over five decades.
The Ashton Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante was spotted for the first time in July 2017 at the Nurburgring. Here are what we learned about it so far based on a report :
1. Exterior
The drop-top version of the Vanquish Zagato Volante is similar to the couple, except for the missing roof and the fact that it’s made entirely from carbon fiber. It’s the back part where the drop-top version will look different because the trunk lid has been reshaped while the tailgate has been replaced by a conventional lid.
2. Interior
Inside, the Zagato is similar to the standard Vanquish Volante. The overall design is unchanged, but the cabin now has enhanced high-end materials and special features. Some of the differences are the “Herringbone” carbon fiber on the center stack, the aniline leather and the “Z” quilt pattern stitch on the seats and door panels, the “Z” embossed on the headrests and center console, and the double contrast stitching of the upper door panels.
3. Drivetrain
The Vanquish Zagato Volante is using a naturally-aspirated 5.9-liter V-12 engine that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that remains standard. That pairing has an output of 591 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The standard Vanquish has 23 horsepower less than the Zagato Volante, which can go from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds.
4. Pricing
There’s no final word on how much the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante will cost. What we do know is that there will only be 99 units of the Zagato available, so eager hands should place a reservation immediately. Based on estimated, though, the Zagato convertible will be somewhere north of $450,000.
5 Things To Note About The 2018 Jaguar XJR575
The Jaguar XJ has been around since 1968 and has been the luxury automaker’s prized flagship for 47 years. The current generation has been around since 2009 and got an upgrade for 2017. But for next year, the XJ will get a brand new trim level, bringing 567 horsepower to Jaguar’s most powerful road-going production so far.
1. Exterior
Aside from the black trim paint on the grille, air dam, and corner vent mesh, there’s not much update here that will separate the Jaguar XJR575 from the current generation. There’s a special XJR575 badge on the radiator grille and though it’s only a minimal update, it looks smashing just the same.
On the side, there’s a healthy dose of contrasting black on the mirrors and window trim. The wheels are 20-inch Farallon in gloss black but the real story falls behind the wheels—the brake calipers are finished in contrasting red.
There are two colors to choose from: Satin Corris Grey and Velocity Blue.
2. Interior
It’s hard for Jaguar to boost its interior styling from the already perfect XJ. There are new features here, don’t fret, such as the 10-inch touchscreen with updated software and the gloss black trim on the door handles, window switch bezels, center console trim, and HVAC vents.
On the dashboard, you’ll see the “575” badge to remind you the kind of machine you’re sitting on. Other features include the diamond-quilted seats and a 4G internet connection with hotspot capability.
3. Drivetrain
Compared to the previous XJR, the XJR575 gets 17 more horses, bringing the total to 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. These figures are thanks in large to the 5.0-liter V-8 engine that can bring you from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The top speed is 185 mph in just 44 seconds. Imagine that!
4. Pricing
Right now, we’re still not sure if the XJR575 will be available in the US. In the UK, it sells for $122,120.
5. Competition
The XJR575’s direct competitor is the BMW 7 Series’ range toppers, particularly the 750i or the M760i. The 750i comes with either a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive while the M760i has all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
Tesla Ditches Model S 75 RWD
The introduction of the Tesla Model 3 means the American e-vehicle company is going to drop something off its lineup. Tesla has a history of reconfiguring the bottom end of its lineup whenever something is added on its top end. For the Model 3, the reconfiguration would hit the Model S 75 RWD.
Beginning this month, Tesla will deliver the first orders for Model 3, which means the discontinuation of the least expensive version of the Model S by the end of 2017. The Model S 75, which employs a rear-wheel-drive system, is currently being sold for $69,500.
Once Tesla pushes through with its plan to drop the Model S, the only remaining cheapest Model S would be the all-wheel-drive 75D, which is selling for $74,500. Generally, this move will increase the price gap between the Model 3, which starts at $35,000, and the Model S.
The S range would also turn into an AWD-only lineup with the Model 3 being the only Tesla available with a rear-wheel-drive system.
The gap further widens in terms of features, configurations, and even battery charging fees. Comparing the two vehicles, a Tesla document showed that the Model S has more than 1,500 configurations and several other premium features while the Model 3 has less than 100 possible configurations.
In addition, those who buy a Model S with a referral get free Supercharging for life while those who drive the Model 3 will have to pay every time they charge using Tesla’s network.
Of course, it sure do looks like the two sedans belong to different ends of the spectrum because of their completely different price range, features, and performance. The strategy of the company is glaring, though, for many: widen the gap and offer only the most efficient versions of the vehicles.
After all, it worked with Tesla in the past. Who would say it won’t work now?
Tips For Planning Your Epic Road Trip in Spain
Spain reeks of romanticism. This has helped to make the country one of the most popular travel destinations in the entire world. We strongly recommend that you plan your next road trip in Spain.
For western tourists, traveling to Spain seems like a dream come true. Just remember that your trip can quickly go awry, if you do not put in a significant amount of time and effort to plan for everything.
What do you need to take into consideration when traveling to Spain? You’ll find out in the guide below.
Familiarize Yourself With The Geography
First and foremost, you should take a good look at a map of the country. Believe it or not, Spain is actually one of the largest countries in Western Europe. Only France is larger. Simultaneously, the country has plenty of mountains. Since the country is so big and mountainous, you’ll need to prepare carefully to ensure you’re able to visit the attractions that you feel are most important. Renting a vehicle is definitely a good choice. Also, you’ll want to choose the right lodging.
Choose a motel that puts you in close vicinity to the attractions that you want to visit the most.
Traveling At The Right Time
Spain experiences a wide variety of weather conditions. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that you book your destination for the spring or fall. Tourism experts concur that these are the best times to visit the country. Spain experiences the most pleasant weather during the spring and fall. Summer is too hot for the average traveler. You should also consider avoiding the country in July and August, since this is the time that most people visit Spain.
Instead, you should book your trip for October, September, April, May or June. This will help you avoid excessive crowds and overwhelming heat!
Don’t Plan Too Much For One Day
Even if you plan to rent a vehicle, you should not plan too much for one day. Many of the cities in Spain are located far away from one another. Therefore, you should consider visiting a single city each day. Otherwise, you will find yourself driving the entire day and spending very little time at each destination. If you really want to see everything that each city has to offer, you should plan to remain at each for at least two nights. This will allow you to see all of the city’s attractions in the most pleasant way possible and without feeling rushed.
Getting Euros
When traveling to Spain or any country in the European Union, you’ll need to get some Euros. In Spain, the easiest way to access Euros is by using the ATM machines. The country is one of the most modern in terms of banking systems and ATMs. In fact, it is generally possible to find an ATM on almost every street in the country’s biggest cities. Just make sure you contact your bank and let them know that you’ll be traveling to Spain and plan to use your card. If you feel the need for extra privacy and safety, enter a bank and use the ATM found inside.
Getting An International Driving Permit
If you’re going to work with a luxury car hire agency in Marbella , you’ll need to remember that you’ll need to acquire an international driving permit. Thankfully, acquiring the permit isn’t too difficult. Also, you’ll need to be aware that finding free parking in Spain is nearly impossible. This is definitely the case in the big cities. On average, renting a parking space at a parking garage will cost anywhere from 18 to 30 Euros per day. Simultaneously, you’ll also be expected to pay a little more to park your vehicle at the hotel. Usually, these establishments will charge an extra 11 to 12 euros for parking each night.
This might seem like a substantial amount, but having access to your own automobile will prove to be well worth it!
Bring Your Own Tissue
Finally, you should always bring your own tissue when traveling to Spain. Believe it or not, many of the local facilities will not stock their bathrooms with toilet paper. This is generally true for nightclubs, restaurants and even gas stations. Make sure you bring some along! Carry your own to avoid feeling horrible along the way. Also, the light switch for the bathrooms will usually be located in the most awkward location. Look on the outside wall before stepping into the bathroom stall.
