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Driving the Panamera and Mike's Rant | Autoblog Podcast #487

This week we cover some recent news like the upcoming Land Rover Discovery, updates to FCA's large car platform (including the Challenger), and talk about water injection. Then we go into what we've been driving - David just finished his time in the Porsche Panamera Turbo and Mike tried the GMC Acadia. And then Mike (who is still uncomfortable writing in the third person) goes on a rant about why automakers shouldn't specify which cars are aimed at women. The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want questionable buying advice, send a message or a voice memo to podcast at autoblog dot com. Autoblog Podcast #487 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics and stories we mention Land Rover is bringing a new Discovery to the Paris Motor Show An AWD Challenger is coming, which means more Hellcat The Jeep Wrangler finally gets modern headlights Water Injection from the BMW M4 GTS is coming to the mass market 2017 GMC Acadia 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo A rant about sexism in marketing Another take on the $6000 fun car Rundown Intro - 00:00 The news - 00:50 What we've been driving - 11:30 Rant - 30:49 Listener's fun car - 35:56 Total Duration: 42:22 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes

EPA posts 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited fuel economy

When Jeep loosed a trio of 2018 Wrangler photos in October, Jeep cognoscenti parried over details like radio antenna placement and painted tailgate hinges, while every other viewer merely noted, "It's still a Wrangler." Now that the Environmental Protection Agency's listed fuel economy ratings for the 2018 Wrangler Unlimited with the 3.6-liter V6, Jeep savants will again parry over details. Every other viewer will merely note, "It's still got Wrangler gas mileage." According to the EPA, the current Wrangler Unlimited with the 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed manual clocks 16 miles per gallon in the city, 21 on the highway, and 18 combined. The 2018 version with the same six-speed manual comes in at 17/23/19. Switching transmissions, the current model with the five-speed automatic hooks up 16/20/18, the 2018 model with an eight-speed automatic does 18/23/20. Those numbers might not jump off the page, yet according to the EPA's cost calculator, you'll save $250 per year on gas with the eight-speed auto 2018 Wrangler Unlimited, $150 per year with the coming six-speed manual. The eight-speed auto option also exceeds Chrysler's prediction from 2014 of a nine-percent improvement in fuel economy over the five-speed auto. Now we wait for numbers on the dark horse four-cylinder, which we'd expect to best the sixer's numbers, unless the rumors are true and the four-pot really is packing every wild horse it can handle. In that case, we'll turn to the EcoDiesel for frugal kicks. If we don't find out beforehand, we can expect those goodies and more at the LA Auto Show in December. Related Video: News Source: FuelEconomy.gov via Motor Trend Auto News Government/Legal Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles

You probably won't see FCA's famous Easter eggs on an Alfa Romeo

They started in Jeeps, with images of seven-slot grilles showing up on windshield edges, the text "SINCE 1941" appearing in the clear plastic of headlight units, and a relief map of Moab engraved into a rubber cubby liner. Then a Chrysler got a map of Detroit and the outline of Laguna Seca materialized near the Viper's window switch. We've come to call them Easter eggs, but Klaus Busse points out that they were never really meant to be secrets, just ways to dress up what he calls "dead plastic." He's nevertheless cool with the phrase being applied and likes the enthusiastic response these design details get. Busse is intimately familiar with many of them, having signed off on many of them in his time as head interior designer for FCA's US operations. He recently moved to Europe to lead Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Fiat design there, so when I caught up with him next to the new Stelvio crossover at the Alfa stand in LA, I had to ask: Are we going to see any of those neat design details in Alfas or Maseratis anytime soon? The short answer is no. But he didn't say it's out of the question. Busse said if, for example, a designer wanted to put an Italian phrase somewhere on a car that was in keeping with the brand, he would allow it. Although he didn't come out and say it, it seems like he might feel this type of fun design element isn't necessarily appropriate for a higher-end brand like Alfa. And I get that. But I'm still going to check all the compartments of that new Alfa crossover for a map of the Stelvio Pass. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: LA 2016 View 11 Photos Design/Style LA Auto Show Alfa Romeo Jeep 2016 LA Auto Show easter egg