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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 Debuts With Mild Hybrid V8 Power

At the heart of the GLE 580 4MATIC is the powerful, electrified V8 biturbo gasoline engine with a 48-volt on-board electrical system and integrated starter generator. This sophisticated powerplant offers an impressive output of 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the GLE 580 4MATIC is capable of producing an extra 184 lb-ft of torque and 21 horsepower through EQ Boost over short periods. The integrated starter generator (ISG) is responsible for hybrid functions such as EQ Boost and energy recuperation, resulting in fuel savings previously reserved for high-voltage hybrid technology.

The innovative ISG eliminates the need for a belt drive for ancillary components at the front of the engine, which reduces its overall length. The slim design of the engine, together with the physical separation of the intake/exhaust, creates space for a close-coupled exhaust after treatment.

The 48 V on-board electrical system serves not only high power consumers, such as the water pump and air-conditioning compressor, but also the integrated starter-generator (ISG), which also supplies energy to the battery by means of highly efficient energy recuperation.

The GLE 580 4MATIC also boasts the latest technological innovations from Mercedes-Benz including the variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The revolutionary Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system with Voice Control and natural language understanding is further enhanced with the newly available MBUX Interior Assistant. This update allows for intuitive operation of different comfort and MBUX functions by movement recognition.

In addition to its powerful exterior design, the new GLE offers an entirely redesigned interior with a dual 12.3” digital instrument cluster and touchscreen display, increased space and legroom for passengers and integrated grab handles on the center console.

Starting at $76,800,* the GLE 580 4MATIC features an extensive list of standard equipment including AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping, leather upholstery, and exterior AMG Line, and it is optionally available with 22” wheels.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 4MATIC joins the GLE 350, GLE 350 4MATIC and GLE 450 4MATIC models, and will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2019.

*Above price excludes $995 destination and delivery.

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Apple wanted to buy Tesla in 2013 - report

Tech giant reportedly made a bid for Tesla, but talks broke down due to its insistence Elon Musk step down from the helm.

Craig Irwin, an analyst at Roth Capital Partners, has told CNBC his company believes Apple made a bid of US$240 per share for Tesla back in 2013.

Through multiple sources Irwin has “complete confidence” Apple made a “serious bid”, but he isn’t sure if the interest went as far as formal paperwork.

According Irwin the talks broke down over Apple’s insistence Musk step down from the helm.

Irwin’s comments back up a 2014 report in the San Francisco Chronicle stating Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, met with Apple’s head of accusations and possibly Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, as well.

Due to poor delivery figures in the first quarter, a plunge back into the red, and a warning from Musk the company might have as little as 10 months of cash given its current burn rate, Tesla’s stock price, at the time of writing, is around US$193 ($279).

That’s a far cry from its peak last year of US$365 ($528) around the time Musk tweeted, falsely, that “funding [was] secured” to take the automaker private at US$420 ($608) per share.

At its current price, Tesla has a market capitalisation of roughly US$36 billion ($52 billion).

  The tech giant is sitting on a cash reserve of around US$250 billion ($362 billion) thanks, primarily, to its iPhone range and its unwillingness to repatriate money from Ireland and other low tax countries.

Neither company has commented on this latest report, and it’s not known if Apple remains interested in purchasing Tesla. Apple’s largest acquisition was its US$3 billion ($4.3 billion) purchase of Beats in 2014.

Apple is known to be still investing money in Project Titan, but has scaled down its scope to focus primarily on self-driving car technology rather than engineering a complete vehicle.

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Ford Mustang-Inspired Electric Concept Reportedly Coming This Year

It’s no secret that Ford is working on a dedicated electric vehicle with Mustang-inspired styling, and now Autocar is reporting we’ll get our first look at the vehicle before the end of the year. Albeit as a concept car.

Although the concept will certainly feature outlandish features such as too big wheels and the like, the basic design is sure to show off the styling of the forthcoming production car. This model, as illustrated above, will borrow heavily from the Mustang’s styling book, but is unlikely to wear the pony car’s nameplate.

Resting on its own platform, the battery-electric vehicle will reportedly offer two battery pack options, with the largest pack affording the crossover a range of more than 370 miles between charges. We anticipate the model’s straight-line performance to match up with its sports-car-inspired looks, as well.

While we’ll have an idea of the future Ford BEV’s styling before the end of the year, we don’t expect to see the final product until the 2020 calendar year, at which point the Mustang-inspired crossover will go on sale as a 2021 model year vehicle. Given the model’s sporting intentions and surely generous size, we believe the Blue Oval’s dedicated electric vehicle will wear a price tag higher than the likes of the Chevrolet Bolt or Nissan Leaf, which start at $29,990 and $36,620, respectively.

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German Air Taxi Completes First Test Flight Successfully

A Lilium Jet electric air taxi prototype managed to hover successfully above the ground during its maiden flight in Oberpfaffenhofen, a Bavarian village in Germany.

The five-seater EV weighs about one and a half tonnes (3,300 lbs) and encountered no issues while hovering over a fixed point during this first test.

The next step will be to attempt more complex flying maneuvers and actually move forward, as reported by Spiegel.

Also Read: Audi, AirBus And Italdesign’s Pop.Up Flying Taxi Concept Takes Off For The First Time

These flying taxis will apparently be ready for commercial use in at least two German cities by the year 2025 and will utilize 36 electric jet engines embedded in the wings. They will also be very quiet and “will be able to fly at 300 km (186 mph) per hour for an hour,” said the company’s co-founder Daniel Wiegand.

“The Lilium plane tends to be cheaper than a helicopter because there is almost no mechanics in it and it consumes only a tenth of the energy,” he added. Wiegand also wants his company to operate all the flying taxis themselves, using their own booking platform.

“I exclude that we sell the plane to wealthy private individuals or companies, and the goal is for many citizens to book flights with us, for prices like a taxi.”

The five-seat Lilium Jet, which is based on a two-seat test model, will continue to be remotely controlled during test flights. However, once in operation come 2025, it will be flown initially by a pilot, in order to make things easier in terms of licenses and approvals.

“In ten years maybe it should be able to fly autonomously,” concluded the company’s boss.

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SsangYong Tivoli: Facelifted model debuts in Korea

The SsangYong Tivoli has only recently gone on sale in Australia, but back in the company’s home market of South Korea, the compact crossover has just received a fairly comprehensive upgrade.

Dubbed as the “Very New Tivoli” going by these promotional images out of the domestic market, the updated model gets subtle design revisions on the outside, along with a significant technology upgrade in the cabin to align the entry-level model with the larger Korando.

Up front there’s a new bumper with stacked fog-lights, along with a larger lower intake. At the rear there’s been changes made to the bumper as well, while new LED tail-light graphics lend a more upmarket look.

Top: ‘Very New’ Tivoli, Bottom: 2019 SsangYong Tivoli (AU spec)

The most noticeable changes have been made in the cabin, though, with the Tivoli gaining a digital-heavy cockpit borrowed from the new Korando.

Drivers are treated to an available 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with configurable displays, while the central infotainment system has grown to 9.0 inches and gets the company’s latest interface.

These changes have been combined with a new design for the dashboard and centre stack, along with revised designs for the air vents, too.

Top: “Very New’ Tivoli, Bottom: 2019 SsangYong Tivoli (AU spec)

According to overseas reports, the updated Tivoli will also offer a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which SsangYong claims will provide “powerful performance” – though further details are yet to be confirmed.

We’d wager the new petrol motor is the same or at least similar to the new 120kW/280Nm unit that will be offered in the new Korando, which is paired with a six-speed manual as standard or a six-speed auto sourced from Japanese firm Aisin.

The updated model is available to order now in South Korea, with customers who pre-order before June 4 eligible to receive a special Tivoli shirt. It’s expected the larger Tivoli XLV will get similar changes in the coming months as well.

Australia

Given the pre-facelift Tivoli (above) only just went on sale locally last November, there could be a bit of time before we see the changes made for the Korean model reflected Down Under.

has contacted SsangYong’s Australian division for further comments regarding availability and timing of the updated Tivoli for our market, and is awaiting a response.

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2020 Ford Taurus revealed for China

Ford has revealed a revisedversion of the car that could have been the new Falcon. The Chinese-market Ford Taurus has had its first facelift since going on sale in 2015.

Despite being exclusive to China, the Ford Taurus produced for the Middle Kingdom received significant input from Ford Australia during the design and development process, based on the local arm’s know-how from nearly six decades of Falcon production.

While sales of sedans have shown significant decline globally – to the point where Ford USA has killed all its passenger models bar the Mustang sports car – such vehicles continue to sell well in China, where sedans maintain prestige, particularly long wheelbase limousine versions.

Compared to the recently axed Taurus previously on sale in North America, which rode on the company’s ageing ‘D3’ front-wheel drive architecture, the Chinese-market Taurus is based on a stretched version of the ‘CD4’ platform that underpins the Fusion and Mondeo.

Key changes for the 2020 model year include revised body work to give the front-wheel drive sedan a sleeker and more upmarket aesthetic, including a new grille with chrome elements, new headlights with LED internals that incorporate ‘dynamic’ indicators, and a set of new LED tail-lights that are joined through the bootlid by a chrome strip.

The new rear lighting clusters also have a new signature compared to the outgoing model, while there’s new alloy wheel designs to choose from.

Ford has introduced a top-spec Vignale version (pictured in blue) for the first time, too. Unique features include a special grille at the front, more chrome, a black-painted roof, and bi-colour 19-inch alloys that are exclusive to this variant.

At this stage there aren’t any interior images, so it’s unclear whether any major changes have been made in the cabin.

It’s believed the Chinese model will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine in two states of tune, with the more powerful unit developing around 245bhp (182kW).

The updated Ford Taurus is set to go on sale in the Middle Kingdom later this year, and will be manufactured exclusively by the Changan-Ford joint venture in China.

As for global markets, it’s unlikely we’ll see the Taurus exported from China to regions like the US and Australia.

Down Under, sales of medium and large sedans continue to drop, with Ford’s own Mondeo struggling to make 100 registrations a month.

Ford specifically has committed to investing in its SUVs and pickups, particularly in markets like the US, leaving a cloud of doubt over larger passenger models like the Fusion and Mondeo – though Ford has said the latter will remain on sale in Europe and Australia for the “foreseeable future”.

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Jaguar Land Rover loses $6.7 billion during financial year

On a brighter note, the luxury automaker did turn a profit in the final quarter and expects to be in the black this year.

Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed it lost £3.6 billion ($6.7 billion) in the financial year ending 31 March 2019.

Around £3.3 billion ($6.2 billion) of that figure comes from the company writing down the value of its goodwill, real estate and facilities, as well as some of the costs related to slashing its worldwide workforce by 4500 people or around 10%.

Taking extraordinary items out, the company had an operating loss of £358 million ($667 million) during the last financial year.

Revenue was down £1.6 billion ($3 billion) to £24.2 billion ($45.1 billion), while global sales dipped 5.8% to 578,915 vehicles on the back of dramatically reduced demand in China. On the upside, sales in the UK and North America were up 8.4% and 8.1%, respectively.

In other good news, the company made a £120 million ($223 million) pre-tax profit in the last quarter, even after spending on £149 million ($278 million) on redundancies.

Tata Motors says it believes Jaguar Land Rover will return to profitability this financial year, helped by an improving situation in China and an efficiency drive, which has already saved £1.25 billion ($2.3 billion) so far.

P.B. Balaji, chief financial officer (CFO) for Tata Motors, told news outlets including Automotive News Europe the automaker has “managed to stabilise” the situation in China.

He also reiterated Tata was not looking to sell Jaguar Land Rover. A recent report suggested the luxury automaker was close to being sold to the PSA Group, which would add the British firm to its roster of marques including Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall.

Jaguar Land Rover also announced today Ken Gregor, its CFO for the last 11 years, will be stepping down to be replaced by Adrian Mardell, automaker’s chief transformation officer.

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Second Bugatti Model Might Go Electric

Bugatti is ready to introduce an additional model line to its vehicle lineup, according to brand president Stephan Winkelmann.

“I think that we have the opportunity to do more [than one car],” Winkelmann told  in an exclusive interview during Motor1Days at the Autodromo di Modena in Modena, Italy.

The long-time automotive executive also shared his thoughts on what a potential sibling to the brand’s supercar line might offer. Alluding to Bugatti’s product history, Winkelmann said that he currently envisions such a vehicle as being very fast, but, unlike the Chiron, also daily driveable.

“This could be, for example, a full-electric car,” he added. While Winkelmann is certainly not averse to the idea of an electric Bugatti, he acknowledged it will have “to be the best [of its kind], that’s for sure.”

Furthermore, the new model will likely welcome a body style that’s vastly different from the likes of the Chiron, as well as the Veyron before it.

“It’s clear that when you think about the second [Bugatti] model you always have to see what [the body style could be],” Winkelmann said. “Believe me, we really looked into every detail of the body style and I think that there is one that is very promising for a company like Bugatti. [It’s a body style] which is not today on the market.”

Regardless of when – or if – it arrives, Bugatti buyers can anticipate a vehicle that’s also notably less expensive than the multi-million-dollar supercars the brand currently sells. That said, Winkelmann noted that the new model would still crest the seven-figure sum if produced and sold today.

Only time will tell what ultimately defines Bugatti’s second model line. Nevertheless, if Winkelmann has his way, it seems reasonable to bet that within the next decade the brand will sell a low-seven-figure electric vehicle that’s blazingly fast, yet well-rounded enough to use as a daily driver.

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Driven: 2019 Lexus LC500 Limited Edition Is A Master Of All Trades

Building a car that manages to look dashing both inside and out while delivering an exciting and responsive driving experience, all in exceptional comfort, and not costing a million or so, does seem nigh on impossible. However, the 2019 Lexus LC500 Limited Edition proves otherwise.

Over a period of seven days, we had the opportunity to discover what the LC500 is all about and can say that it is easily the best performance car the Japanese automaker currently builds.

Concept car looks

The LC500 was first unveiled a few years ago as a road-going version of the stunning LF-LC Concept. Typically, concept vehicles as eye-catching as the LF-LC only ever make their way to dealerships with drastically watered down looks. In this case, though, Lexus was able to largely retain the same styling as the concept. As a result, the finished product really is a sight to behold.

Sure, styling is a subjective thing but we were unable to find a single person who didn’t love the exterior and interior design of Lexus’ premiere grand tourer. This thing turns heads like a supercar, attracts off-the-cuff comments from people passing by, and puts a smile on the faces of everyone that sees it. The car we tested was the new LC500 Zinnia Yellow Limited Edition, first unveiled for the UK market back in October last year and soon also introduced to Australia. To say this thing turns heads would be an understatement. It drops jaws.

Distinguishing the LC500 Limited Edition from the rest is a unique Zinnia Yellow paint scheme which has been paired with a set of huge chrome and black 21-inch wheels with 245/40 and 275/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires at the front and rear respectively.

A comfortable tech-fest

Apart from the look-at-me paint scheme, it also comes standard with the usually-optional Enhancement Pack. This means occupants enjoy four-wheel steering, variable gear ratio steering, a Torsen limited-slip differential, carbon fiber roof, heated and ventilated seats with 12-way electric adjustment, an active rear spoiler, and carbon fiber scuff plates. Lexus has also gone to town on the cabin of the Limited Edition, fitting it exclusively with white leather seats, yellow Alcantara on the doors panels, and black leather virtually everywhere else.

Before we get into what the LC500 is like to drive, it’s worth discussing that interior in a little more detail. It is an absolutely beautiful place to spend time in and is certainly one of the best in this class occupied by the likes of the Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes-Benz SL500, old BMW 6-Series models, and the even entry-level Mercedes-AMG GT. All of the surfaces are beautifully finished and the cabin is well-thought out. The yellow Alcantara on the door panels triggered audible gasps from anyone that saw it and the steering wheel is also a joy to use.

As with other Lexus models, the LC uses the company’s maligned touch-pad controller to operate the infotainment system. For what it’s worth, this touchpad has been updated for the LC and is much nicer to use than in other applications, such as the RC. It is far from perfect, but it gets the job done.

Taking a deep dive into the infotainment system , it’s clear that it isn’t that well thought-out. There is an excessive number of menus and sub-menus and, infuriatingly, you cannot use most of the controls unless you’re actually stationary. The navigation system is good but not great as I was never able to work out how to cancel a destination.

Infotainment system aside, it’s hard to think of anything Lexus could have done better in the cabin. The LFA-inspired digital instrument cluster is a true show-stopper, particularly when it glows white when Sport+ is enabled. The Head-Up display works a treat, the front seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the car has surprisingly good visibility. At the rear, you will find two small seats but they are absolutely tiny and really only fit for children or not-that-tall adults. Or family members you hold a grudge against…

Supercar sounds with grand tourer comfort

Whereas the exterior design of the LC500 shouts ‘I’m a supercar,’ the comfortable interior reminds you this is a Grand Tourer – and that becomes immediately apparent when you drive the thing.

Step on the brake pedal, press the engine Start/Stop button and the LC500 fires into life with an intoxicating rev of the engine. It is the same naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 found in a handful of other Lexus models, including the GS F and RC F, and delivers 471 hp and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque. These certainly aren’t earth-shattering numbers but they are more than adequate.

The V8 is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This gearbox provides silky-smooth gearshifts when you’re cruising around and is almost on par with some dual-clutch systems, as well as a significant improvement over the eight-speed auto of the GS F and RC F.

Behind the wheel, it is obvious that this is a special piece of machinery. There are a number of different driving modes available, including Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Sport+, but the last is really the only one you need. Switched into Sport+, the transmission put in manual mode, and the traction control system turned off, the LC500 is exceptional fun to drive.

Pin the throttle and BANG, the transmission produces a visceral sound akin to a cracking whip as you shift between the gears. Approach the corner and again, the transmission and exhaust come to life, revving up the engine and, on occasion, delivering an intoxicating pop. The four-wheel steering provides excellent turn-in and mid-corner grip is impressive, but if you’re over-zealous, the LC500 can be pushed into a bit of understeer. That can be easily corrected with a dab of the brakes or a touch of the throttle, however.

During a series of drives in the LC500 through winding countryside and exciting roads slicing their way through forests, I was left dizzy with excitement as if I’d taken a couple shots of tequila. The Lexus seems to melt around you as you drive, responding instantly to every input and reminding you that it can do this all day long. The brakes never felt stressed despite the 1,950 kg (4300 lbs) weight and always delivered great feel.

Shout it out loud

Then comes the exhaust. Lexus clearly spent a lot of time and money ensuring that the LC500 would sound good and have ended up creating one of the best-sounding cars on the market. It’s actually hard to believe that the GS F and RC F feature the same engine, as they sound nothing alike. What’s even harder to believe is that this is a Lexus and not an Aston Martin or a Mercedes-AMG which you may typically associate with the finest sounding V8s on the market. There are no excessive crackles and burbles from the exhaust as you get in cars like V8-powered Jaguar F-Type models. The LC500 sounds animalistic but at the same time refined.

If we did have one criticism of the auditory experience, it would be the lack of sound from the engine itself. The automaker appears to have spent so much time making the exhaust sound good that sounds from the rear-end frequently drown out the deep bellow from up-front.

Lexus says the LC500 will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 4.7 seconds. While that’s respectable, it’s not spectacular – though not much of a surprise for a car which weighs so much. What’s more important is how the car accelerates in gear and while flowing between corners, and in our experience, it feels like it has just the right amount of power.

Fuel consumption sits at a claimed 11.6-liters per 100 km (20 U.S. mpg) and while you could achieve that figure on the highway, it’s not realistic in everyday driving. We rarely saw it gulping down less than 17 liters per 100 km (13.83 U.S. mpg) during our 1,200-odd km (754 miles) with the car. At least the huge 82-liter fuel tank (21.6 gallon) petrol tank does mean you don’t have to virtually live at fuel stations like many other performance cars.

The Lexus LC500 Limited Edition costs a cool $205,000 in Australia and while this Zinnia Yellow model isn’t offered in the U.S., an LC500 can still be picked up stateside from $93,325. Consider it money well spent for what could very possibly be the best looking sports car right now – and one that offers the whole package as well.

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4 Tech Advances Making Driving Safer

  This year’s class of cars is generating serious buzz, and it’s not only because they’re so stylish. No, today’s drivers are excited about the new features, largely powered by automation, that are making driving safer. If you’re on the market for a new car, be on the lookout for these new safety capabilities, coming to dealerships near you.

In-Car Monitoring

One of the most serious problems plaguing our roads todays is distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel, and while there are countless PSAs warning drivers about the behavior, they’ve had a limited impact. Now car companies are taking things into their own hands with in-car monitoring systems.

In-car monitoring systems use cameras to monitor drivers’ eye movements to ensure that they’re always focused on the road. In addition to addressing distracted driving, this technology could also alert to drowsy drivers who are falling asleep behind the wheel, which would be useful for late night driving and long trips, and is already used by many in the trucking industry.

IoT Meets 5G

Cars are getting smarter, but they can’t meet new safety landmarks without support from other systems, including 5G connectivity. So how is 5G changing the way we drive? 5G promises to supplement self-driving technologies like auto braking so that external traffic sensors could potentially override in-car failures. Improved connectivity could also help local traffic system to communicate with drivers in emergency circumstances or when there are infrastructural issues impacting traffic flow.

Blind Spot Monitoring

All vehicles have a blind spot and the inability to see clearly at all times is a serious safety concern. That’s why it’s no surprise that blind spot monitoring is one of the most popular new safety features, found on 73% of 2017 cars and increasingly a standard option. If you have the choice, blind spot monitoring a necessity as it can guard against serious accidents.

Crash Avoidance

While tools like blind spot monitoring can help you avoid accidental collisions caused by visual interference, more cars now also include crash avoidance systems that can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and even animals. When you’re focused on the road, it’s easy to miss a pedestrian that suddenly dodges into traffic, especially if they’re not in a crosswalk or at a light, but these systems can stop or slow your vehicle to minimize harm to pedestrians. It is important to note that these systems have really only been tested at low speeds. While pedestrians theoretically shouldn’t be a problem in higher speed areas, it’s concerning that this feature might not work where it’s needed most.

Investing In Safety

While some of these new safety features come standard on today’s cars, many features still come only at an extra cost, so you’ll need to pay up to benefit from these tools. And though each passing year leads to more standard safety features, for drivers who can’t afford a new vehicle, it could be a decade or more until they have access to these safety features. It’s important to be aware of this added cost and how that will slow adoption of and access to these technologies because how we behave on the road has a lot to do with how we perceive other drivers and with shared safety norms.

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BMW M2 Competition Vs Honda Civic Type R In Unlikely Drag Race

Time and again, you’ll come across interesting drag race matchups out there but this one’s a bit unlikely and to be honest, a mismatch. It’s the BMW M2 Competition versus the Honda Civic Type R.

Now, we all know that the Civic Type R is a fast car. In fact, it’s now the fastest front-wheel-drive car in the Nurburgring with a lap time of 7:43.8. Even better, it even beat 10 other cars that lapped the Green Hell, and a lot of them aren’t front-wheel drive. One of those other cars that the Civic Type R outruns in the ‘Ring is the BMW M2 Competition, which lapped 7:52.36.

However, this is a drag race. The Civic Type R is lauded for its on-track performance regardless of its status as a front-wheel-drive car. But in a drag race, the BMW M2 Competition has a lot of advantages over the Japanese hot hatch. To put that in perspective, let’s drop the numbers here first.

The Civic Type R is of course powered by its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that produces 316 horsepower in its Japanese and European. Other markets, like the United States, has a slightly detuned version at 306 hp.

The BMW M2 Competition, on the other hand, has a 3.0L S55B30T0 single scroll twin-turbo engine under its hood, which is its main deviation from the normal M2 coupe. Along with the new mill comes more power, as well, at 405 hp and 406 pound-feet of torque.

The M2 Competition has an obvious advantage over the Civic Type R in terms of power output and with the fact that it’s rear-wheel drive. However, the Japanese hatch is slightly lighter than the Bimmer by around 500 lbs. Will this weight advantage give the Honda a win at the drag strip?

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A90 Toyota GR Supra launched in Japan

  Following the market launch of the new A90 Toyota GR Supra in the United States, the reborn sports car has now been introduced in Japan after a 17-year hiatus since production of the fourth-generation A80 ended in 2002. The Supra is also set to be introduced in Malaysia later this year.

For the Japanese market, the Supra will be offered in three grades – SZ, SZ-R and RZ – priced from 4.9 million (RM186,420), 5.9 million (RM224,465) and 6.9 million (RM262,498) yen respectively. All three grades feature an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive as standard, but unlike the US-spec cars, there are two engine options.

The range-topping RZ comes with a BMW-sourced B58 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six engine, which serves up 340 PS at 5,000 rpm and 500 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm.

Meanwhile, the SZ-R carries a smaller-displacement B48 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder with 258 PS at 5,000 rpm and 400 Nm from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. The base SZ also comes with the inline-four, albeit with just 197 PS at 4,500 rpm and 320 Nm from 1,450 to 4,200 rpm.

Unsurprisingly, the RZ is the quickest in the zero to 100 km/h sprint, taking just 4.3 seconds to do so. As for the four-cylinder versions, the SZ-R requires 5.2 seconds to complete the feat, and it’s 6.5 seconds for the SZ.

Another thing to note is only the RZ and SZ-R grades come with adaptive suspension and a rear active differential – these items are absent for the SZ. A Sport mode is available for all Supra grades, which increases the responsiveness and characteristics of the car for a more dynamic driving experience.

In terms of exterior equipment, the RZ is identified by its 19-inch wheels with 255/35 front and 275/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, as well as exhaust tips measuring 100 mm in diameter. The variant also gets a red-themed Brembo brake system where the front features 348 mm discs and four-piston calipers, while the rear sees 345 mm discs and single-piston calipers.

Further down the pecking order, the SZ-R is fitted with smaller 18-inch wheels instead, also with Michelin tyres (255/40 front and 275/40 rear). The SZ gets even smaller 17-inch items with run-flat tyres (225/50 front and 255/45 rear). Both also come with 330 mm brake discs, coupled to two-piston front and single-piston rear calipers, along with 90-mm diameter exhaust tips.

Moving inside, RZ and SZ-R cars come with eight-way powered seats, while the SZ only has manual seats. Upholstery used for the RZ is a mix of Alcantara and red leather, but the latter is available in black for as a cost option. The SZ-R gets the Alcantara/black leather pairing instead, with black fabric reserved for the SZ.

In other areas, the SZ only gets dark silver trim, with carbon-fibre trim being found in the remaining two grades – the RZ benefits from sports pedals as well. A dual-zone climate control system is standard on all three variants, as is the Toyota Supra Connect infotainment system.

The latter consists of an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 12-speaker JBL sound system (RZ and SZ-R) or four-speaker setup, with a variety of functions like telematics and Apple CarPlay support. There’s also a head-up display but only for the RZ and SZ-R – a digital instrument cluster display is standard for all three variants.

Safety kit is rather comprehensive across the range too, as all grades come with the Toyota Supra Safety suite, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert, blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and rear-cross traffic alert.

Customers will also have access to a range of accessories, like a luggage soft tray, a portable toilet, ergonomic seat cushions, seat belt soft pads, car covers, a rescue hammer and even a child seat.

However, the most interesting stuff are the GR Parts, including the Toyota Gazoo Racing Recorder, which allows drivers to log their driving data to an SD card. This can be supplemented by an optional dashcam, which synchronises the video with the recorded information.

There’s also a TRD body kit (pictured here) available that consists of a front spoiler, side skirts, side door garnishes and a boot spoiler. Cough up even more yen and you can also get yourself a set of 19-inch forged aluminium wheels in a multi-spoke design, or carbon-fibre side mirrors caps, or even have “Toyota Supra” projected from the puddle lamps.

Last but not least, let’s talk colours. In Japan, the Supra is available in White Metallic, Ice Grey Metallic, Prominence Red, Deep Blue Metallic, Silver Metallic, Black Metallic, Lighting Yellow and Matte Storm Grey Metallic.

Interestingly, there’s a catch with the final grey option, with Toyota explaining that only 24 examples finished in said colour will be scheduled for production this fiscal year. As a result, customers who want their Supra in Matte Storm Grey Metallic will have to submit their request before June 14 this year. If their lucky enough to win this “colour lottery,” they’ll get to buy their car in the “rare colour.”

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Mustang Shelby GT500 Tech Cancels Out Unwanted Engine Noise

Ford Mustangs have a distinctive, instantly recognizable sound. It’s a big part of the legend that makes them an iconic part of the American performance car landscape.

While many manufacturers have courted controversy by piping artificial noise into the cabin, the new Shelby GT500 Mustang has the opposite problem – it’s just too darn loud. Road & Track spoke with Tom Teknos, who leads the team in charge of noise, vibration, and harshness at Ford Performance Vehicles.

While that trademark burbly exhaust note is an important part of the experience, the cacophony of other sounds in the engine bay can somewhat harsh the buzz of driving a high-horsepower Mustang.

Teknos’ team has placed an array of microphones under the hood of the Shelby GT500 as part of an elaborate noise-cancellation system. When those unpleasant frequencies are picked up by the microphones, opposing frequencies are played through the cabin speakers, thus cancelling out those sounds.

Of course, to isolate and track down those sounds, you must first discover what is causing them in the first place. That’s no easy task when thousands of tiny explosions are happening every minute in a space smaller than a phone booth.

In this situation, sounds are broken down into “primary harmonics” and “secondary harmonics.” The primary harmonics are the sounds produced by the firing of the cylinders, while the secondary harmonics are made up of other sounds, like the sound of an accessory belt moving or intake noise.

The key to success for Teknos’ team lay in eliminating those secondary harmonics as much as possible without negatively impacting the primary harmonics that Mustang buyers dearly love to hear.

Part of that involved considerable tuning of the exhaust system to naturally cancel out those less-pleasant sounds, while the high-tech noise cancelling system took care of much of the rest. While we’ve had significant others accuse of only hearing what we want to, it’s a claim we’ll gladly own up to when we get behind the wheel of the new Mustang Shelby GT500.

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Unique Alfa Romeo Giulia Gets Retro-Inspired Ochre Paint

  Postcards of Italian beauty in a race between past and future

Today, the unbreakable bond with Alfa Romeo’s unique heritage is expressed in the new Ochre paintwork of Alfa Romeo Giulia: the modern reinterpretation of a historic colour. Yet another way of renewing the Alfa Romeo legend on the roads of the 1000 Miglia, more than ninety years after the first win. 430 cars in the event: 44 are historic Alfa Romeos, from the best-represented constructor, which also provides Giulia and Stelvio for the official convoy. Yesterday’s first stage took the caravan from Brescia to Milano Marittima, 322 km, accompanied by the crowds of enthusiastic spectators always drawn to this event. At the end of the day, the standings were headed by two Alfa Romeos: the 6C 1750 SS number 81, driven by the Vesco-Guerrini team and, close behind, the 6C 1500 SS number 59 FCA car driven by Moceri and Bonetti. After the sealing and racing and technical inspection procedures, the first stage of the 2019 1000 Miglia got under way yesterday. A memorable edition with 430 crews taking part: almost 900 people, with every continent represented. Alfa Romeo is the automotive constructor with the largest group, including 44 official and private entrants, as well as an impressive fleet of current production cars in the official race convoy. Quite fittingly, since the one thousand imperial miles of the “world’s finest travelling museum”, as Enzo Ferrari defined it, are the ideal backdrop for appreciating the Alfa Romeo brand’s peerless history and its future-focus that never forgets a glorious past.

Alfa Romeo Giulia shows off its new Ochre paintwork

Every one of the brand’s cars has always incorporated the five ingredients that make it one of the world’s most desirable brands on the automotive stage: distinctly Italian styling; innovative, state-of-the-art engines; impeccable weight distribution; unique technical solutions; and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio. What’s more, the cars’ design also features clear references and tributes to the timeless lines of Alfa Romeo’s greatest successes, starting from the unmistakable front cloverleaf and the badge, both iconic and immediately recognisable. One significant reworking of a historic characteristic is the Ochre paintwork that delighted the fans at the start of the 1000 Miglia.

Indeed, one Alfa Romeo Giulia model on show in Brescia bore the distinctive colour that appeared on its predecessors and other models in the Sixties and Seventies. This shade underlines the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s very short overhang and large front mudguards, the set-back cockpit resting over the drive wheels and the muscular rear mudguards. A combination of taut lines and sleek, dynamic proportions that was a feast for the eyes of the fans present at the starting line.

First touch on the throttle in Brescia

The cars left Viale Venezia at 14:30 hrs and in half an hour were on the shores of Lake Garda, for the first regularity trials with the first stamp inspections. In fact, the journey towards the final destination of Cervia-Milano Marittima includes a series of timed checkpoints and stamp inspections. At the start, every competitor receives a timesheet which must be stamped at specific times, which vary depending on the car’s starting position. Apparently complex, this system becomes more and more natural as the race progresses. The route, set by a roadbook, also includes time trial sections. These have to be covered in a given period of time, at a specific average speed. Which is more fun, pure speed or regularity? There is no one answer and opinions differ, although of course every driver shares the will to win that takes over once the competition starts.

Postcards of Italian beauty

One of the secrets of the 1000 Miglia’s almost a century of success is the perfect integration of four-wheeled masterpieces into lovely landscapes and roads often well off the beaten track. Instead of the motorways full of hurrying commuters and holidaymakers, the race uses state, regional and provincial highways, where participants can savour the beautiful Italian countryside and fully appreciate the proverbial pleasure of driving Alfa Romeo cars. The sheer power of the “Alfa Romeo Racing” Quadrifoglio momentarily shattered the rural quiet and the elegant rose gardens of Parco Giardino Sigurtà at Valeggio.

Then came the town circuit through Mantua, an urban museum that welcomed the travelling museum, after which the route ran along the border between the Lombardy and Veneto regions and beside the banks of the Po River, sun-drenched but rather cool. The cars reached Ferrara as the sun was starting to set. The streets were crowded and as evening approached, more and more people thronged the pavements and verges to watch the cars pass, almost falling silent as they paraded past the Castello Estense. From Comacchio southwards, the route took the cars through a succession of seaside villages, the sunset bathing the stork colony near the town of Fosse Ghiaia and the drivers began to tire during the last dash towards Ravenna..

The crews were sustained in this final leg by boundless, universal passion, and it was dark when the first car passed the Parco della Salina at Cervia and finally arrived in Milano Marittima. However, the 1000 Miglia never rests, even in the shade of the pine woods:, while the drivers and navigators went to eat and rest, knowing that they had only a few hours of sleep ahead of them, the mechanics got to work to tend the cars. A fine sight, a blend of hard work, dedication and authentic passion for the wonderful cars which today set off at 06.15, travelling south across Italy on their way to Rome.

Milano Marittima (Ravenna, Italy), 16 May 2019

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Mercedes-Benz no closer to a five year warranty

The top 10 manufacturers in Australia now all sport five year warranties, but Mercedes-Benz is no closer to increasing its warranty offering, instead focusing on reducing service pricing and the costs customers see most often during ownership.

at the launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQC in Norway, Mercedes-Benz Australia’s head of media relations and product communications Jerry Stamoulis said while the media and other companies focus on extended warranties, it’s looking in another direction.

“So you know the discussion of warranty is a talking point at the moment. More so for the media and some of the other car companies, but it is something we’ve been discussing for years,” Stamoulis said.

“It is not a fashionable item for us which we just started talking about. At this stage it is not something we are offering.”

  “So we are concentrating more on how can we reduce servicing costs. And we are doing that with some of our servicing products which customers can purchase,” he continued.

“So there is a few things that we’re doing to improve that customer experience from a servicing perspective, because a five year warranty won’t reduce or eliminate servicing costs.”

Pushed on the topic, Stamoulis said the company’s primary concern is reducing the cost of customer touch points with the brand, which begins with reducing the cost of servicing your vehicle.

“We are always considering what is something that customers are really pushing us on. Servicing costs and servicing packages with transparent pricing is a priority and we recently re-launched these packages. And you never say never to anything, but at this stage we are not offering it [a five year warranty].”

The cost of adding an extra two years to a warranty varies by manufacturer and, asked why Mercedes-Benz was resisting the change and what the precise cost would be, Stamoulis was non committal.

“There is no industry standard. It is brand-by-brand and vehicle-by-vehicle. And that can change depending on what is happening in the dealerships. It is not just a figure that we can come up with. It is a figure that needs to be agree upon by a number of people. So it is not something we are only just starting to think about.”

It’s safe to say that a five year warranty may still be a while away for Mercedes-Benz customers.

At this stage, Mercedes-Benz is joined by Audi, BMW and Jaguar with three year warranties. While Jaguar offers a five year warranty on I-Pace and Lexus has offered a four year warranty for a number of years, the premium market is quite stagnant with its position.

It’s likely to take one of those brands to push up to five years before the others join the movement.

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A Jeep In Your Online Dating Profile Has Crazy Effect

So, yeah. It’s come to this. Once upon a time, prospective partners had to actually meet one another before going all judgmental on the vehicle (or lack thereof) driven by a potential soulmate. Yes, such a thing is tremendously superficial, but hey, we’re car fans. It probably shouldn’t matter as much as it does, but the truth is most people will judge you to some extent on your choice of wheels. And apparently, Jeep owners garner more attention than all others – at least when it comes to folks looking for love at the online dating website

For the record, we didn’t go scouring dating sites looking for such things. The good folks at Car and Driver uncovered this morsel of 21st-century life from, which published the results of this crazy . For reasons nobody can explain, the site found that people with Jeeps in their profile photos were far more likely to get messages from prospective mates – like 243 percent more likely. The report doesn’t specify if that applies to men, or women, or both, but if you’re a Zoosk member struggling to find that special someone, well, you know what to do.

Interestingly, Jeeps aren’t the only attention-getters on Zoosk. The report also says profile photos with BMWs get 143 percent more messages, and Toyota photos see 73 percent more messages. In fact, simply having any sedan, van, or truck in the photo also nets an increase in messages, though we’ll go out on a limb and say you should avoid using creepy windowless murder vans at all costs.

At this point you might be tempted to say simply showing people you’re responsible enough to own a car is an inherently attractive quality. It makes sense, but before you proudly take a selfie next to your cool VW GTI, the study says profiles with hatchback photos see a decrease of messages by 15 percent. Guess you should’ve bought the Wrangler instead. Cue the trumpet fail music.

It probably goes without saying that you should take all this with a grain of salt. We know nothing about the methodology behind establishing these numbers, and also, it’s from a freaking online dating site. Still, lying about the car you own is probably better than lying about how much you weigh. After all, you can always rent a Jeep.

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This is the production version of the Aiways U5 ION

Aiways is a new EV brand from China. The ION U5 is their first production car; a nice looking mid-size crossover. It debuted last year as a semi-concept, and the production car looks largely the same.

Aiways ION U5 concept.Power comes from an electric motor with 190 hp and 350 Nm, mated to a 63 kWh battery pack. Range will be 460 kilometers NEDC, according to Aiways.

The company will offer an additional battery pack that can be installed separately for long journeys, this extra pack will add 100 kilometers to the range. Size: 4680/1865/1700, wheelbase is 2800.

The Aiways U5 ION will be launched on the Chinese car market in the second half of the year. Aiways ION U5 concept.

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