A growing majority of tradies and delivery drivers are choosing automatic transmissions for their vans, in a bid to give their left feet a rest in the daily grind of gridlock. The majority of these vans sold are the fleet-favoured (but ordinary to drive) Toyota HiAce and the evergreen Hyundai iLoad, but here we’re looking at the next rung down. The latest van to get a self-shifter is the Ford Transit Custom, which we test here in short-wheelbase (SWB) 290S guise against one of its closest rivals – the Volkswagen Transporter TDI340 SWB. This pair have entrenched themselves as staples of the mid-sized van class alongside the aforementioned Toyota and Hyundai, plus the (manual-only) Renault Trafic, $45,975 Mercedes-Benz Vito 114 BlueTEC auto and bargain-basement $33K LDV G10. Often, this pair of slightly premium vans are purchased by single operators who want something comfortable for their mobile office, or those drawn to the lure of a Euro workhorse. But which … [Read more...] about 2017 Ford Transit Custom 290S auto v Volkswagen Transporter TDI340 auto comparison
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Here’s How The Mahindra Roxor Compares To A 1948 Willys CJ-2A Jeep Off-Road
The Mahindra Roxor is the modern incarnation of the original civilian Jeep, the Willys CJ-2A. But to find out if it’s as good in the rough stuff, I took the Indian side-by-side and my junky 1948 Willys off-road, and beat the crap out of both. After flooding the Willys’ engine and denting the Mahindra’s tub, one winner rose to the top. But by just a hair. (Full disclosure: Mahindra lent me a Roxor and a trailer for a weekend, U-Haul let me borrow an Auto Transport trailer to bring my CJ-2A along for the ride, and Ram gave me a 1500 for a few days to tow the Willys. I borrowed a lot of stuff for this test, but I returned most of it without dents. Most of it.) For decades, Wrangler and CJ enthusiasts have complained about how Jeeps aren’t what they used to be. “Oh no, a plastic dash and interior creature comforts!” fans lamented when the YJ Wrangler launched for 1987. “Oh no, coil springs!” they cried in dismay when the TJ launched for … [Read more...] about Here’s How The Mahindra Roxor Compares To A 1948 Willys CJ-2A Jeep Off-Road
King of the hill: 2018 Jeep Wrangler rules the off-road world
If some days are better than others, a day off-roading in a Jeep Wrangler is great. Add some insane terrain, the season’s first sunshine, the muddy muck following a Midwestern winter that wouldn’t quit and the only thing clearer than this overdue sunny day was why the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one of the most capable off-road vehicles in the world.Redesigned for the first time in a decade, the 2018 Wrangler JL builds on 77 years of history to make the American icon more accessible to a global audience who want on-road convenience as much as off-road capability. It’s working; the brand had a record March, led by a record number of Wranglers sold.Exterior changes are subtle but significant, including a more raked seven-slotted grille and rounded angles on the roof and hood for improved aerodynamics. The four-door is nearly 4 inches longer and 2.4 inches wider, though the use of lightweight aluminum sheds 200 pounds. Its front doors went on a diet, dropping 17 pounds … [Read more...] about King of the hill: 2018 Jeep Wrangler rules the off-road world
Detroit area’s cutting edge center for self-driving autos is set to open
Share This Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Facebook Email Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Detroit area's cutting edge center for self-driving autos is set to open The American Center for Mobility will develop self-driving cars safely on on closed tracks at historic Willow Run after fatal Uber crash in Arizona Sent! A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the Conversation To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press Auto Critic Published 6:00 a.m. ET April 1, 2018 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENT EMAIL MORE The only engineering facility built expressly to test self-driving vehicles officially opens Wednesday at the historic 335-acre Willow Run site just west of Detroit. The American Center for Mobility will be home to automakers, … [Read more...] about Detroit area’s cutting edge center for self-driving autos is set to open
The 2016 Road & Track Performance Car of the Year
THE OLD BLACK FIREBIRD was blocking our exit from the gas station. As the passenger door opened, I saw the look on the face of the immense, camouflage-clad good ol' boy who sprang out like he'd just spotted a new form of game on his personal hunting grounds. Throwing the Cadillac ATS-V coupe into neutral, I jumped out to greet the man before he reached our group. I spotted a sun-worn but freshly polished badge on the Pontiac's front fender. No way. Could it be? Advertisement - Continue Reading Below "Eighty-eight GTA, am I right?"The driver, also wearing full hunting camo but half the size of his friend, laughed behind his wraparound sunglasses."Yeah! Been working on her for a while. Lot of specific parts to this model, you know? Everything from steering wheel to spoiler. Hard to get. What you boys doing down here? Some kind of test? That's the new Ferrari, right?""488 GTB," the hulking passenger clarified. "Which makes this," and I paused for effect, "GTA meets GTB." In the space of … [Read more...] about The 2016 Road & Track Performance Car of the Year
Grand Touring Across California in a 2018 Lexus LC 500
CAMBRIA, California — It was probably around the third visit to the Lexus stand when I realized I was staring at one of the most striking, captivating cars I’ve ever seen. This in 2016, at a frigid, snowbound Detroit auto show, when Lexus trotted the stunning LC 500 out for its world debut. I distinctly remember returning to the Lexus show stand multiple times, trying to drink as much of the LC 500 as I could. Fast forward over a year, and I’ve nabbed the keys to a Liquid Platinum 2018 Lexus LC 500 for the weekend. With an evening and two full days cleared out, I’m set to explore what happens when Japan plants its flag in European-held territory.For the record, I never said the LC 500 is beautiful, and after hours of oogling, I’m not sure it is. It’s alluring, engrossing, and unbelievably unique, but I remain unconvinced it’s objectively a beautiful car. In place of conventional good looks we get something incredibly original, and that’s … [Read more...] about Grand Touring Across California in a 2018 Lexus LC 500
2018 Hyundai Accent Manual
How much car do you really need? If the answer is not much and you’re looking to spend less than $16,000, let us introduce you to the Hyundai Accent. In base-grade SE trim, Hyundai’s smallest, least expensive car fits that bill and comes with a six-speed manual transmission, offering everything you need in a car and nearly nothing you don’t. (Unless you need a hatchback, though, because Hyundai has dropped that body style from the lineup.) The Accent sedan comes standard with air conditioning, a 5.0-inch touchscreen audio system, remote keyless entry, and power windows, mirrors, and locks. This year, Hyundai tossed in cruise control and Bluetooth, too; both were optional before. Those extra items push the price north by a mere $250 over last year’s model, to $15,880. The biggest change, though, is that the 2018 Accent is all new. New Accent, Who Dis? The wheelbase has grown by 0.4 inch, and the bumpers are 0.6 inch farther apart. Next … [Read more...] about 2018 Hyundai Accent Manual
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S Manual
What It Is: It’s the version of Porsche’s updated-for-2017—and newly turbo-fied—entry-level sports car with a fixed roof, a 350-hp engine, and a six-speed manual transmission. Along with its 718 Boxster convertible sibling, the 718 Cayman coupe offers one of the purest driving experiences available in any sports car, including within Porsche’s own stable. As part of a lineup-wide redo, the ’17 Cayman S received quicker steering from the 911 Turbo, firmer suspension tuning, bigger brakes from the 911 Carrera, and fresh sheetmetal nearly everywhere, as well as a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four in place of the prior car’s naturally aspirated 3.4-liter flat-six. Output increased by 25 horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque, the latter available, usefully, some 2600 rpm lower on the tachometer. (The horsepower peak is lower, too, by 900 rpm, but the maximum engine speed dropped by 300 rpm, to 7500.) The Sapphire Blue Cayman S we drove for this review … [Read more...] about 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S Manual
2018 GMC Yukon Denali First Drive Review: Shifting Gears
There is a certain expectation when you are rolling in an $80,000 SUV big enough to seat eight and tow a horse trailer. You want to be rolling in style. You want your seats to be comfortable and heated or cooled with the push of a button, your playlist pumping out of high-quality speakers. And the journey should be smooth and effortless.Fitting the bill is the GMC Yukon Denali. For the 2018 model year there is a new grille, dropping the honeycomb to share the new GMC look already on the new Acadia and Terrain. The more jeweled look will eventually migrate across the portfolio. Denali also picks up new and unique 22-inch wheels and adds the Ultimate package with an assortment of creature comforts and safety features.But the key upgrade is the 2018 Yukon Denali becomes one of the first SUVs in the GM stable to get the new 10-speed automatic transmission paired to its 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque to propel a vehicle weighing almost 6,000 pounds. … [Read more...] about 2018 GMC Yukon Denali First Drive Review: Shifting Gears
HOT ROD’s Favorite Products From The 2017 SEMA Show! #TENSEMA17
Half a century ago the recently formed Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association did something that never existed. It hosted a trade show for parts and services intended to modify cars and trucks. It was a small affair—so small the card tables and folding chairs of its few displaying vendors didn’t take up all of the basement under Dodger Field.A lot has changed in the past fifty years. For one thing, SEMA officially changed its name to Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association. Then it moved the show to Las Vegas. And it did something unprecedented in the 40 years it’s been there: a trade show about car trinkets became the seventh-largest trade show in the world and the second largest in Las Vegas (in case you’re wondering, the Consumer Electronics Show owns top distinction in both categories). The convention space covers nearly 1.3 million square feet.With such a large target market in one place, SEMA vendors use the show as an opportunity to … [Read more...] about HOT ROD’s Favorite Products From The 2017 SEMA Show! #TENSEMA17