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2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility dominates Michigan State Police testing

The Michigan State Police has released its preliminary findings from testing the 2019 crop of police vehicles, and the results are a bit surprising. The consistent top performer of the bunch was the 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility, better known to civilians as the Ford Explorer. Specifically, the top performer was the model with the new turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The Michigan State Police conducts acceleration, top speed, braking and lap time tests of all the available police vehicles. The 3.0-liter Police Interceptor Utility was the fastest to 60 mph at 5.77 seconds, had the highest top speed of 150 mph, and the best average lap time of 1:36.47. The lap time was particularly impressive as it was just over half a second faster than the next quickest car, the all-wheel-drive V8 Charger. View 13 Photos Still, the 2019 Dodge Charger gave the Explorer a serious run for its money. The all-wheel-drive V8 Charger was only 0.1 seconds behind the Explorer to 60 mph with a time of 5.87 seconds, and the rear-drive version was third quickest at 6.15 seconds. Both V8 Chargers were only 1 mph off of the Explorer's top speed, and the V6 example was third fastest at 141 mph. We already mentioned the all-wheel-drive V8 Charger was half a second off the Explorer's lap time, and the rear-drive variant was just over 1 second behind, giving it the third fastest average time. Dodge also took home braking bragging rights. The V6 Charger won out with a distance of 126.9 feet, followed by the rear-drive V8 Charger with 128 feet, and the V6 Durango Pursuit stopping at 128.8 feet. Now of course where there are winners, there are also losers. The slowest accelerating police car was the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, better known as the Fusion Hybrid, with a time of 9.24 seconds. At 8.59 seconds was the V6 Dodge Durango, and the V8 Chevy Tahoe with four-wheel-drive was third slowest at 7.98 seconds. Lowest top speed was 106 mph with the Ford F-150 Police Responder with the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6, followed by the V6 and V8 Durangos with 117- and 118-mph top speeds respectively. In braking, the Chevy Tahoes performed the worst with the rear-drive version stopping at 145.7 feet and the four-wheel-drive version stopping at 142.5 feet. The F-150 followed with 141.9 feet. When it came to lap times, the Fusion Hybrid lapped the slowest with a time of 1:46.31. The V6 Durango was about a second faster with a time of 1:45.45.

Cadillac tops Tesla in Consumer Reports semi-automated driving test

General Motors' Cadillac outscored Tesla in a new ranking of partially automated driving systems tested by Consumer Reports and released on Thursday. The highly influential nonprofit organization, which tests and rates a variety of consumer products from appliances to vehicles, said it compared Cadillac's Super Cruise and Tesla's Autopilot with similar systems from Nissan and Volvo. Nissan's ProPilot Assist was ranked third and Volvo's Pilot Assist fourth. Consumer Reports said it has been testing partially automated driving systems for several years but elected to conduct a formal study intended for publication, because "we are at a tipping point where they are now going mainstream," according to Jake Fisher, director of auto testing. The organization said its tests, conducted on a private track and on public roads in Connecticut, were designed to measure the systems' ability to automatically control steering and speed in certain situations, while helping drivers pay attention and regain manual control of the vehicle when required. CR noted that any of these systems can increase driving risk if used in inappropriate situations, or if drivers become inattentive or over-reliant on them. While they can help relieve driver stress and fatigue, Consumer Reports said, the partially automated systems are "not intended to be self-driving features." The systems typically use cameras, radar and other sensors, as well as mapping data, to monitor location and traffic conditions and help keep a vehicle centered in the lane at a safe distance behind other cars. Each system has limitations. Cadillac's Super Cruise, for instance, only functions on divided highways that have been mapped by GM. In contrast, Tesla's Autopilot can be used even on small, curvy roads with poor lane markings, but "operates erratically in those situations," Consumer Reports said.The organization tested Super Cruise on the Cadillac CT6; Autopilot on the Tesla Model 3, Model X and Model S; ProPilot Assist on the Nissan Leaf and Infiniti QX50; and Pilot Assist on the Volvo XC40 and XC60. Consumer Reports said Cadillac's Super Cruise did "the best job of balancing high-tech capabilities with ensuring the car is operated safely and the driver is paying attention." Tesla's Autopilot was cited for its capability and ease of use, while Nissan's ProPilot Assist did a better job than Autopilot or Volvo's Pilot Assist in keeping drivers engaged.

2019 Hyundai Kona gets standard safety tech, as prices creep up

The 2019 Hyundai Kona is marking its second year on the market with a few upgrades to sweeten the funky subcompact crossover. The most significant change is the addition of new standard safety equipment. Every trim level from the base SE to the ultimate, well, Ultimate, get automatic emergency braking and collision warning, lane-departure assist and driver attention warning. All of these features were only available on the Ultimate trim level last year. There are a few other small changes here and there. Hyundai is eliminating the silver with black roof color option, but adding a new color called Sunset Orange. The 12-volt power outlet up front goes away on all models in favor of dual USB charging ports. The Infinity upgraded sound system and Hyundai BlueLink connectivity software are now available on the SEL with the SEL Tech Package. The sunroof is also only available as an option on the Ultimate trim, and is included with the SEL Tech Package. View 16 Photos And as is the way with new model years, especially when new equipment is added, prices have crept up a bit for all Kona trim levels. The SE increases by $490, SEL by $650, Limited by $900, and Ultimate by just $100. All-wheel-drive is $100 more expensive, too, at $1,400. The same goes for the SEL Tech Package, which now starts at $1,600. You can see all the prices for both model years below. Trim Level 2019 2018 SE $20,970 $20,480 SEL $22,780 $22,130 Limited $26,530 $25,680 Ultimate $28,480 $28,380 AWD option $1,400 $1,300 SEL Tech package $1,600 $1,500 Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: Hyundai, James Riswick Hyundai Crossover Hatchback hyundai kona

2020 Chevy Trax spied sporting design cues from the new Blazer

We saw spy shots in August for what we thought was either a redesigned Chevrolet Trax or new GMC subcompact crossover. At the time we were leaning Chevy. But after this latest batch of spy shots taken near GM's proving grounds, we're now thinking this one is the Trax replacement and the other one was a GMC. For one, the thin row of LEDs looks remarkably similar to the 2019 Chevy Blazer's LED strip. The additional light slightly below that is similar to the Blazer as well, leading us to believe that the next Trax will have a Blazer-esque front end. At first glance, this vehicle looks slightly larger than today's Trax with a much brawnier shape than the current blob-like design. The rear roof cladding could be hiding the same sloped rear window with spoiler hangover we see on the Blazer. Circling back to the other small GM crossover we caught testing, this one doesn't have those Blazer elements. The curved windshield and sloping roof are like those of the GMC Terrain, as are the horizontal grille bars. By contrast, the above car has a straighter windshield and a roof shaped more like the Blazer. One element that does seem to diverge from the new Blazer are the taillights, but they don't exactly look production-ready anyway. If we're right about this being the next Trax (and we're pretty sure we are) then this looks to be a more distinctive vehicle than what it will replace. The mirrors have left their awkward spot on the doors, and it's shaping up to be a much sportier looking crossover as a whole. This vehicle will most likely end up being a 2020 model year car, and if so, we would expect to see undisguised photos of both it and the assumed GMC version next year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2020 Chevrolet Trax spy shots Spy Photos Chevrolet GMC Crossover SUV Future Vehicles chevy trax

The Aston Martin Valkyrie and its V12 sound insane

Formula 1 is where the mind goes when we listen to this teaser engine clip of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar. And we're not talking about the lame-sounding turbo cars they're racing now. No, this sound brings to mind the stupid-high-revving machines of the 2000s. It makes sense too, because we've been told that the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine is loosely based on Cosworth's 2.4-liter V8 it made for Formula 1. Rumors place the Valkyrie engine somewhere around 1,000 horsepower with a kinetic energy recovery system providing even more thrust. We've seen a number of reports putting the final combined figure around 1,130 hp, but the actual number will remain a mystery for the time being. The sound of "THE" GREAT British car company! Thank you @Cosworth @redbullracing #AstonMartinValkyrie #NaturallyAspirated#V12 pic.twitter.com/HmEICj29uH — Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) October 3, 2018 This video with the Valkyrie's soundtrack layered behind it comes courtesy of Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. Dramatic renderings of the Valkyrie cycle through in the background, but the noise is what we're paying attention to here. The engine's redline is reportedly 11,000 rpm and we don't doubt it after listening to the soundtrack more than a few times. No other production car revs that high — even LaFerrari tops out at 9,250 rpm. The team definitely has the engine working, and production is slated to kick off sometime in 2019. We'll be waiting impatiently until then to hear that insane V12 in person. Related Video: Aston Martin Coupe Performance Supercars hypercar Aston Martin Valkyrie

2018 Jaguar E-Pace Video Review | Jag's smallest SUV is a high-priced hit

The following is the transcript from our above 2018 Jaguar E-Pace video review. To read more about this compact luxury SUV, read our E-Pace first drive review. There's nothing like some Sunday morning driving. And today I am driving the 2018 Jaguar E-Pace, which is Jaguar's latest gasoline-fueled crossover offering, not to be confused with the I-Pace, which is their electric vehicle. This particular model is powered by a 246-horsepower turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 269 pound-feet of torque. It's mated to a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission, and my biggest gripe about the engine is that it can be a bit laggy, especially driving around in the mountains, particularly in Comfort mode. I would also appreciate paddle shifters on all of the models, not just the R-Dynamic, the lack of which on a $54,000, so-called sporty crossover is pretty disappointing. My disappointment doesn't linger very long, however, as the nicely weighted steering in this cub makes driving on these mountain roads pretty enjoyable. All-wheel drive does come standard on all varieties, and each feature four drive modes: Comfort, Dynamic, Eco, and then Rain/Ice/Snow. Let's talk about looks. Jaguar chief designer Ian Callum knows how to design an SUV. The F-Pace is my favorite looking vehicle in the segment and the style translates nicely to the smaller E-Pace. While it's not as good looking as its big brother, in my opinion, it definitely takes the crown over the Range Rover Evoque and the Discovery Sport, both of which share its platform. In fact, the E-Pace would rather easily be the best-looking vehicle in its class, if not for the newly-released Volvo XC40. This Cesium Blue paint is one of my favorite colors on the market, well worth the $590 price tag, in my opinion. I'm not a huge fan of chrome in general, and while this car is no exception, you can opt for the Blackout Pack, which replaces all the chrome on the car with gloss black paint. My biggest gripes with the F-Pace? Interior, infotainment and price. Those issues remain in its smaller sibling. When it comes to interiors, the Germans and the Swedes do a much better job, and when it comes to price, there are much better interiors out there. Most of the materials inside that you touch do feel pretty nice, but there are still a few cheap-feeling plastics around the cabin. And until there's a significant update to the infotainment system, JLR is always going to be behind the competition.

Humvee maker AM General reportedly for sale, with interest from FCA, GM

WASHINGTON — AM General has put itself up for sale and has hired investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd to seek potential bidders in a deal that could value the builder of Humvee military vehicles at more than $2 billion, people familiar with the matter said this week. Potential bidders include competitors in the military ground vehicle market, such as General Dynamics, Oshkosh Corp and BAE Systems, according to two people familiar with the matter. Automakers like Fiat Chrysler and General Motors may also be potential buyers. GM licensed Hummer from AM General in 1998 to build civilian SUVs. None of the companies would comment or reply to a request for comment. The South Bend, Indiana-based AM General is currently owned by private equity firms. A possible sale of AM General follows a rash of deals over the past 18 months among defense contractors. But relatively fewer makers of defense equipment have gone on the auction block. Last year, United Technologies acquired Rockwell Collins for $30 billion, and in March, TransDigm Group continued its acquisition spree with a $525 million deal for Extant Components Group. AM General could fetch about 10 times its annual earnings of $160 million, one of the people said. The company's favorable tax treatment because of its current status as an limited liability corporation, would allow a buyer to reduce the company's taxable earnings for 15 years. That coupled with recent contract awards could push the ultimate value of the company to over $2 billion in a sale. The sale, should it happen, comes as the U.S. Army is gearing up for a broad effort to modernize its forces, including seeking prototypes of its Next-Generation Combat Vehicle in fiscal year 2022. Last month, AM General was awarded an Army contract for as many as 2,800 new M997A3 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) ambulances. The contract could be worth as much as $800 million if all options were exercised, AM General said at the time. Last year, the Pentagon awarded AM General a $550 million contract to deliver HMMWVs for use as protected weapons carriers, cargo transporters and ambulances to Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, Jordan, Slovenia, Bahrain, Columbia, Bosnia and Kenya as a part of a larger Foreign Military Sales agreement. The sale of AM General offers an opportunity to purchase a prime contractor that delivers a finished product to the Pentagon, and not just an add-on system or service.

Burt Reynolds' movie re-creations fetch $379,500 in Vegas

The recent death of Hollywood legend and automotive enthusiast Burt Reynolds helped drive up the value of four of his former cars from the 1970s and '80s, which sold last weekend at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas auction for a combined $379,500. Reynolds, who died Sept. 6 at age 82, had offered three Pontiac Trans Ams — two of them re-creations of the cars he drove in "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Hooper" and the third from 1984 used to promote his United States Football League team, the Tampa Bay Bandits. The fourth was a 1978 Chevrolet R30 pickup truck, styled like the one featured in "Cannonball Run." The "Bandit" re-creation, a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that Reynolds ordered to be as "movie-correct" as possible but featuring a custom-built 200-4R automatic transmission, sold for $192,500. The car features a freshly built Pontiac 400 cubic-inch V8 mated to a four-speed automatic and featuring all-new Butler Performance parts and air-conditioning components. Reynolds reportedly said this was his favorite car from his films, and it even came with an authentic movie-correct CB radio and CB antenna. The red retro-rocket "Hooper" '78 Firebird, with a 403 cubic-inch V8 and a three-speed automatic, hammered for $88,000. By comparison, a gold 1978 Trans Am also offered at the Las Vegas auction but not connected to Reynolds fetched $27,500. The 1987 Chevy R30 pickup was a re-creation of the Indy Hauler pace truck seen jumping over a moving freight train in "Cannonball Run." It hammered for $49,500. The fourth car never appeared in any of Reynolds' films but is instead the only surviving example of two Trans Ams used to promote the Tampa Bay Bandits of the now-defunct USFL, having been driven out onto the field by Reynolds and his late friend and co-star, Jerry Reed, during opening day one season. It also sold for $49,500. At the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in 2016, Reynolds accompanied a 1977 Trans Am used to promote "Bandit" onto the auction block. That car sold for $550,000. Related Video: Featured Gallery Burt Reynolds 2018 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction Image Credit: Barrett-Jackson Celebrities Chevrolet Pontiac Truck Coupe Performance celebrity pontiac trans am pontiac firebird burt reynolds

2019 Acura ILX gets $2,200 price cut to go with redesign, more features

Acura brought a relatively substantial update to the 2019 ILX, and now it has chopped prices to boot. It starts at $26,895 including destination charges, a $2,200 reduction from the 2018 model. The price came down, yet Acura added to the car's standard equipment; that's something we can get behind. Now the full suite of Acura's driver assistance features come standard, instead of as a $1,300 option. Exterior changes are the most obvious, with lots of new sheetmetal both front and back. You'll still be paying if you want the updated dual-screen infotainment system though. Equipped similarly to a 2018 model, it's $3,550 cheaper with the Premium and Technology packages. That same figure rings true for the A-Spec models too — an ILX with every package equipped tops out at $32,545 now, versus the $36,095 from before. We're all for the heavy price cuts, but the ILX remains the same relatively boring vehicle under the new bodywork. The A-Spec model is still only an appearance package, and doesn't really pay homage to the sporty Acura compacts of the past. A 1997 Acura Integra Type R just sold for $63,800 at Barrett-Jackson. Seeing that, plus the fanfare surrounding the Civic Type R arriving in America, shows that there's clearly tons of untapped hype surrounding small, hot Hondas. A true successor to the Integra Type R, or even just the GS-R, would have enthusiasts tripping over themselves. Keeping the price low for such a vehicle like we see for the 2019 ILX would be the cherry on top. Featured video: Featured Gallery 2019 Acura ILX View 11 Photos Acura Luxury Sedan

Suzuki introduces reborn Katana motorcycle

At the Cologne INTERMOT motorcycle show, Suzuki has shown its all-new Katana bike. The model brings back the classic, sword-referencing Katana name, which the manufacturer first used in 1980 — that bike, the GSX1100S Katana, was also unveiled in Cologne all those years ago. The bike utilizes a modified version of the GSX-R1000 engine in a lightweight, twin-spar aluminum frame. The engine's 150 peak horsepower comes at 10,000 rpm; the bike weighs 474 pounds. There's a fully digital gauge cluster, complete with the classic Katana logo. The bike's styling is quite dynamic, as if it were in fact sliced into completion using a Japanese sword. It is highly reminiscent of the Katana 3.0 concept Suzuki showed last year at EICMA — consider the new Katana a road-going version of the concept bike. The stacked headlight has LED running lights, and the taillight, fitted in the angular tail, also comprises LEDs. The plate in turn is fixed on a swingarm extension, as near the rear tire as possible. There are fully adjustable 43mm USD front forks and an adjustable rear shock from KYB, Brembo brakes from the GSX-R1000 and Bosch ABS. A three-mode traction control system is included, but it can also be excluded via switching it off. The system monitors wheel speeds, throttle and crank position, adjusting timing and air delivery to reduce engine output when it notices wheelspin. The related GSX-R1000 and R1000R models are also updated; the latter gets an adjustable swingarm pivot and new stainless steel braided brake hoses. The R1000R's bi-directional quickshifter and auto-blipper are now standard on the R1000, enabling smoother gearshifts. The Katana and the updated GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R reach dealers in spring 2019. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2020 Suzuki Katana View 13 Photos Image Credit: Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle Bikes intermot suzuki gsx-r1000

Aston Martin skids in stock market debut

LONDON — Shares in luxury automaker Aston Martin fell as much as 6.5 percent on their market debut in London on Wednesday as investors and analysts raised concerns over Aston's ability to deliver an ambitious rollout of new models. The company, which last year made its first profit since 2010 and has gone bankrupt seven times, had priced its shares at 19 pounds each, giving it a market capitalization of 4.33 billion pounds ($5.63 billion). The shares fell to as low as 17.75 pounds. Aston Martin has plans to launch a new model every year from 2016 to 2022. "(It) has very aggressive growth plans. The execution of that growth needs to be flawless — nothing eats cash more than a car company when the cycle turns. There is concern that it's more cyclical than the commentary has been," said James Congdon, managing director of cashflow returns specialist Quest. "The banks have done a good job for their client — but there's no bounce." Aston is going all-in Aston Martin — full name Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc — expects to produce around 7,100 to 7,300 cars in 2019, and 9,600 to 9,800 cars in 2020. It aims to increase production to 14,000 cars in the medium term, helped by new models and improving its manufacturing process. The company is investing all of its cashflow to try to achieve this, leaving nothing for dividends or paying down debt. "In terms of execution risk — this is what I've done for all of my career. I'm an engineer: we mitigate risk," Chief Executive Andy Palmer, who has led a turnaround plan at the company since 2014, told Reuters. Palmer played down risks to the business from Britain leaving the European Union, even as other car manufacturers step up warnings over a disorderly Brexit. He said Aston Martin was "relatively well insulated" from the effects of Brexit because Europe is not its biggest market and it may actually benefit from exporting with a cheaper pound. However, 60 percent of its parts are imported from the EU and will be hit by tariffs if there is no trade deal. "Obviously we'd all prefer no tariffs to be frank, no doubt, but the industry has to learn to adapt, and it always has adapted to changes," Palmer said. Valuation In 2017, Aston Martin had adjusted earnings before tax interest, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 206.5 million pounds, up from 100.9 million pounds in 2016.

The mood at this year’s Paris Motor Show: Quiet

The Paris Motor Show, held every other year in the early fall, typically kicks off the annual cavalcade of automotive conclaves, one that traverses the globe between autumn and spring, introducing projective, conceptual and production-ready vehicle models to the international automotive press, automotive aficionados and a public hungry for news of our increasingly futuristic mobility enterprise. But this year, at the press preview days for the show, the grounds of the Porte de Versailles convention center felt a bit more sparsely populated than usual. This was not simply a subjective sensation, or one influenced by the center's atypically dispersed assemblage of seven discrete buildings, which tends to spread out the cars and the crowds. There were not only fewer new vehicles being premiered in Paris this year, there were fewer manufacturers there to display them. Major mainstream European OEM stalwarts such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Nissan and Volkswagen chose to sit out Paris this year, as did boutique manufacturers like Bentley, Aston Martin and Lamborghini. This is not simply based in some antipathy on the part of the German, British and Italian manufacturers toward the French market — though for a variety of historical and societal reasons that market may be more dominated by vehicles produced domestically than others. Rather, it is part of a larger trend in the industry. Last year, Mercedes-Benz announced that it would not be participating in the flagship North American International Auto Show in 2019 — and that it might not return. Other brands including Jaguar/Land Rover, Audi, Porsche, Mazda and nearly every exotic carmaker have also departed the Detroit show. Some of these brands will still appear in the city in which the show is taking place, and host an event offsite, to capitalize on the presence of a large number of reporters in attendance. And even brands that do have a presence at the show have shifted their vehicle introductions to the days before the official press opening in an attempt to stand out from the crowd. In many ways, this makes sense. With an expanding number of automakers, with diversification and niche-ification of models and with wholesale shifts that necessitate the introduction of EV or autonomous sub-brands, there is a growing sense that, with everyone shouting at the same time, no one can be heard.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, Volvos earn IIHS Top Safety Pick rating

It's time for another round-up of recent IIHS crash tested cars. The trio this time include the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, 2019 Volvo XC90 and 2018 Volvo S90. All three have earned one of the highest ratings from the IIHS, the Top Safety Pick. And all three continue a trend of very safe cars having slightly below-par headlights, preventing them from earning the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating. Of these three cars, the Corolla Hatchback has the most impressive scores. It earned the highest "Good" rating in every single crash test, including the difficult small-overlap passenger-side collision. It also received the top score for access to LATCH anchors for child seats. The standard forward collision prevention technology also brought home the best score possible, stopping the car before a crash at speeds up to 25 mph. The headlights themselves weren't particularly bad either, earning the second-highest score of "Acceptable" with both the standard and optional LED headlights. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Both Volvos shared similar scores to the Corolla Hatchback, with "Good" ratings for all crash tests they participated in, and top rank for their standard forward collision technology. Both vehicles were not tested for the passenger-side small overlap collision, so there is no score in that area. Both also received the "Acceptable" rating for LATCH anchor access. In the headlight department, the XC90 earned "Acceptable" scores for both of its available headlights, and the S90 received an "Acceptable" for its optional lights, while the standard ones were rated as "Marginal." Related Video:

Kia chasing dinero using Robert De Niro to sell e-Niro

Robert De Niro is living the ideal blueprint for a respected veteran actor. At age 75, he's continuing to make films (Martin Scorsese and Joaquin Phoenix films nonetheless), he's set to be honored at the Marrakech Film Festival, and he's still getting those advertising checks. His newest source of cash flow is coming courtesy of Kia, with the announcement at the Paris Motor Show that De Niro will lead a new advertising campaign for the Niro crossover. The new campaign was introduced in tandem with the European debut of the all-electric version of the Kia Niro. Likewise, the De Niro campaign will strictly be used for the European market. It will include not only TV spots, but digital and print advertising, as well. In a culture that is so dependent on social media that is fueled by memes, the Niro connection seems like a no-brainer. "The communication plan for the e-Niro will be as special as the car itself," Vice President for Marketing and Product Planning at Kia Motors Europe Artur Martins said in a press release. "These advertisements will draw on Robert De Niro's unique ability to entertain, as he educates drivers about the e-Niro — a car that breaks down many of the obstacles to electric vehicle ownership in a way that few others have." The e-Niro, which claims a 301-mile range on a single electric charge by European measurements (280 miles in the U.S.), is part of a larger Niro family. In the U.S., Kia currently offers a hybrid variant, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant, and is expected to launch the all-electric version in the future. Related Video:

Suzuki: 'No comment' on returning to the U.S. with the Jimny

It is impossible not to love the Suzuki Jimny. A prototypical cute ute, with equal parts cuteness and utility, it not only defined its segment, it became a cult classic. Now, it's back, but unfortunately unlikely to come to the American market as the Jimny, Samurai or anything else. "We have no comment on the Jimny or Suzuki returning to the U.S. market," says Nathalie Geslin, a spokesperson for Suzuki in France, from the floor of the Paris Motor Show, where the adorable Jimny made its recent premiere. "For that you'll have to ask Suzuki headquarters in Japan." In France, this is what is known as Le Brushoff. Geslin did confirm that, in the markets around the world where the Jimny will appear, it will be available only in one spec: an adaptable, RWD/AWD, closed hardtop with a manual transmission with available Low range, and powered by a 102-horsepower 1.5-liter gasoline engine. "Suzuki has eliminated diesel motors from their whole range," she said, a notable move and a trend flowing from the fuel's immutable high particulate and noxious gas emissions, and growing global sensitivity to their effects. Actually, she tells us, there will be one other spec. "In the Japanese market, there will be a Kei Car version, an actual smaller Kei Car, which means it will be powered by a motor of less than 600cc." Just 1,500 of these cars are expected to be sold in the French market, mainly to people who, according to Geslin, are not off-reading aficionados, but "People who go off-roading in their normal life, who live in the mountains or work in an area with rugged conditions." This sounds to us like a description of every small-scale goat cheese producer in the White Mountains in rural Vermont, every boutique mountainside vintner in Sonoma county, every yellow micro-beet farmer in the Wisconsin Dells. And all of us who live in four-season climates and love the outdoors but think a Jeep is perfect except that it's a third too large. Like the Jeep, the Jimny is retro cool without being retro. It is just itself. And we need it. If it takes only 1,500 potential buyers in France to allow it to be sold there, how many does that translate to in America? If all of us start emailing Suzuki headquarters every day to beg for it, maybe we can find out. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata's more horsepower will cost less money

Mazda has already announced a power upgrade for the 2019 MX-5 Miata roadster after engineers tweaked the Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter inline-four for 17 percent more power and higher fuel efficiency than the outgoing 2018 model. Now we know the starting price for the soft-top version: $26,625, including destination charge, which is a $915 drop from the lowest-priced 2018 model. As is standard across the Miata lineup, output increases by 26 horsepower to 181 hp, with torque nudging up 3 pound-feet to 151 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Other new features also track with the changes previously announced for the 2019 Miata RF, including the telescoping steering wheel and standard rearview camera. But the soft-top version gets an available brown soft top for an extra $200 for the Grand Touring trim (a black soft top is standard), new package options at each trim level and optional traffic-sign recognition and smart city brake support, which offers automatic emergency braking at low speeds. Also new is that steering column, which is made of aluminum to save weight. Mazda will keep the six-speed manual as an option for all three trim levels, with an available six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and Sport driving mode. Standard features include LED head- and taillights, 16-inch wheels, Mazda Connect infotainment with a 7-inch touchscreen monitor, Bluetooth phone pairing and audio streaming, and keyless entry. Jump up to the Grand Touring trim starting at $31,675 and get 17-inch dark silver wheels, body-color interior trim, auto on/off headlights, auto-dimming driver's side mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated, leather-trimmed seats and a nine-speaker Bose Premium audio system, among other things. Mazda is also offering a $550 GT-S Package on the Grand Touring model with the six-speed manual, a front shock tower brace, limited-slip rear differential and Bilstein dampers. MX-5 Club models start at $30,485 and come standard with the GT-S Package goodies when equipped with the manual transmission. Automatic versions get standard heated cloth seats with contrasting red stitching, body-color interior trim, black 17-inch wheels, front air dam and rear lip spoilers.

Hyundai i30 N gets gnarly new 'N Option' in Paris

Hyundai came to the Paris Motor Show with a new "N Option" show car. It's based off the Hyundai i30 N, and is designed to give us a glimpse of what Hyundai's N division will look like in the future. While this car doesn't feature any powertrain modifications beyond its stock boosted 2.0-liter and six-speed manual transmission, Hyundai has thrown a book's worth of parts at it to make the i30 N look as racy as can be. It has a carbon fiber hood with air vents, carbon fiber rear wing, unique quad mufflers and rear valance design, lightweight 20-inch wheels and some super-grippy rubber. Hyundai used a special matte paint for this show car as well, with red accents sporadically placed throughout the car — we're definitely fans of that mean-looking snout. The interior gets lightweight N bucket seats in Alcantara. Hyundai covered the entire dash and steering wheel in the stuff too. The carbon fiber doesn't stop on the exterior, either; it appears on the dash, air vents, door handles and steering wheel. It has what appears to be a really cool-looking shift knob specially made for this car too. This hatchback takes the i30 N and turns it up to 11 in every way. We love it. Hyundai says it's launching this new N Option in the "near future," but it's not guaranteed to be exactly like this. We're guessing Hyundai is using it as a feeler to see exactly what it'll come to market with. Of course, the U.S. doesn't get the i30 N, but the Veloster N is coming. It wouldn't be difficult to imagine Hyundai giving the same treatment to its odd-numbered-door cousin. Featured video:

Japanese automakers welcome North American trade deal, fear what's next

TOKYO — Toyota, Nissan and Mazda welcomed on Tuesday the revised North America trade deal that left Japanese automakers unscathed, but they may face a bumpy ride when Washington and Tokyo hold new talks on over $40 billion of annual U.S. auto imports from Japan. The United States and Canada reached an agreement on Sunday to update the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement after Washington had forged a separate trade deal with Mexico in August. The updated deal effectively maintains the auto industry's current footprint in North America, and spares Canada and Mexico from the prospect of U.S. national security tariffs on their vehicles. Mazda, which ships cars to the United States from Mexico and Japan, called the deal a "big step forward". Nissan, which makes the cars it sells in the United States locally as well as in Mexico, Japan and other countries, said it was "encouraged" by the agreement. Toyota, Japan's biggest automaker, said it was "pleased" that a basic deal was reached. Other automakers were not immediately available for comment. While the deal has removed the risk that the disintegration of the pact would have posed to automakers, bigger risks loom large for Japanese firms as a chunk of the roughly 7 million cars they sold in the U.S. last year were shipped from Japan, and a trade deal between Washington and Tokyo has yet to be agreed. The United States and Japan last week agreed to begin fresh trade talks, with U.S. President Donald Trump seeking to address Japan's $69 billion trade surplus, of which nearly two-thirds comes from auto exports. Washington is also investigating the possibility of slapping 25 percent tariffs on auto imports on national security grounds, although it has agreed with Japan to put any new tariffs on hold during the talks. Analysts say the United States may take a tougher stance on auto imports from Japan than from its neighbors. "If Japan requests an exemption from the 25 percent tariffs under consideration, Washington could propose a more strict cap on imports than it agreed to with Mexico and Canada," said Koji Endo, senior analyst at SBI Securities. "That would be a risk." This could be a big blow to Japan, as the United States is a key source of revenue for Japanese automakers including Toyota, Nissan and Honda. The U.S. market accounts for a quarter or more of their annual global vehicle sales, and of their total U.S.

Mazda rotary engine returns in 2020 as an EV range-extender

It's really, truly, finally happening, folks. The rotary engine is coming back. And just as the many rumors, patents, and even a Mazda2 prototype suggested, it will return as a range extender for an electric car. The news comes from an official announcement from Mazda itself. We won't have long to wait, either, as the rotary-supported EV is slated to go on sale in 2020. It will be one of two electric vehicles available, the other being fully electric. Mazda also mentions that the rotary powertrain is small enough to fit "shared packaging layouts." It's a possibility that these two vehicles are variations on the same model, similar to the Hyundai Ioniq and Honda Clarity. Mazda further notes that the rotary engine will also be able to run on liquified petroleum gas, citing the engine's ability to handle gaseous fuels. This has us wondering if Mazda will offer compatibility with other fuels at some point. Hydrogen could be a good choice for California, and Mazda has had a number of hydrogen-powered rotary-engine vehicles in the past. Propane compatibility could be popular in other regions. Mazda didn't say anything else specific about the vehicle besides highlighting the rotary engine's high power output with a small package and smooth operation. It also mentioned that the range-extended car could be used as a source of electricity when the power grid is down. We're sure to learn more as we near the car's 2020 launch date. Related Video:

Renault's push for more affordable EVs has global implications

The Renault K-ZE is a small electric car that signals a big change in how the French automaker plans on bringing electric vehicles to the masses. Set to go on sale in China beginning in 2019, the K-ZE is meant to have the design of a sport-utility vehicle, but it's on a supermini-sized frame. While it's set to arrive in Europe by 2021, this petite EV could eventually impact electric sales here in the U.S., too. That's because Nissan, maker of the Leaf EV, is part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, a three-pronged automaker with a huge global presence. In China, however, the Renault brand has been absent from the country's booming market for electric vehicles — driven in large part by government mandates to combat air pollution by promoting cleaner, zero-emission cars and trucks in cities. Speaking ahead of the K-ZE's debut this week at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn, the chairman and CEO of Group Renault, stated the company "was a pioneer and is the European leader in electric vehicles." To this, he added the K-ZE is meant to have global reach and bring costs down for the consumer. "We are introducing Renault K-ZE, an affordable, urban, SUV-inspired electric model combining the best of Groupe Renault: our leadership in EV, our expertise in affordable vehicles and in forging strong partnerships," said Ghosn. In China, the K-ZE will be manufactured as part of a joint partnership in cooperation with Renault, Nissan and the Chinese automobile firm Dongfeng Motor Group. The range of the K-ZE is expected to be about 150 miles per charge, or roughly the current range in the 2018 Leaf EV. Except the K-ZE is almost three feet shorter than the Leaf, which means Renault is getting a lot more range from a smaller and lighter amount of batteries. While a car this size would be too small for the U.S. market, the technology beneath this teeny hatchback/SUV is certain to make an appearance here in the years ahead. At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Nissan provided a hint of its future European EV plans, courtesy of the IMx Kuro Concept. This edgy-looking electric crossover is a good indication as to the design direction of Nissan's next range of electric crossovers and SUVs over the next 3-5 years — look for the design and tech to similarly migrate stateside.

2019 Skoda Kodiaq vRS claims Nurburgring record for 7-seat SUVs

Crossovers usually aren't particularly exciting things, but there are always exceptions, and the latest is this Skoda Kodiaq vRS. It's a new high-performance crossover from VW's Czech subsidiary, and it's closely related to our own Volkswagen Tiguan. Unlike our Tiguan, this Kodiaq boasts a beefy diesel powertrain, and even lays claim to its own Nurburgring lap record. The time for the Skoda is 9:29.84, which is actually rather slow, particularly compared with other fast crossovers and SUVs such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. But the Skoda gets to claim record rights because the time is for seven-seat crossovers, something not offered by the current crop of super SUVs. Also of note is the driver of the record-setting Kodiaq, Sabine Schmitz. She's a Nurburgring expert, and a frequent guest on the U.K. version of " Top Gear." Propelling the Kodiaq vRS is an engine that we have no chance of seeing stateside. It's a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, and it makes 236 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels and gets there through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All that torque is available from just 1,750 rpm to 2,500 rpm. It sounds like a blast, but there's no way VW would try to offer any diesel in the U.S. anymore. The Skoda's impressive performance is augmented with a sportier exterior and interior. It has a deeper chin spoiler, 20-inch wheels and integrated exhaust tips on the outside. On the inside, the Kodiaq vRS gets sporty, body-hugging seats with Alcantara upholstery, plus a Skoda-tweaked Virtual Cockpit like that seen in VWs and Audis. Pricing and availability haven't been announced for Europe yet. We know we won't get the Skoda here in part because no Skodas are available here, but we feel safe in saying we won't see a Tiguan with this powertrain setup either. As we already mentioned, VW isn't going to touch diesels in America anymore. But maybe if we're lucky, VW will give us a version of the hot Tiguan it seems to developing. Related Video: Featured Gallery Skoda Kodiaq vRS View 22 Photos Image Credit: Skoda Paris Motor Show Skoda Crossover SUV Performance

Stretched Rolls-Royce Cullinan is luxury in excess

If the Cullinan SUV wasn't Rolls-Royce enough for you before, then this stretched version from Klassen should assuage any of those doubts. Listed for $2.08 million, it's a far cry from the Cullinan's base price of $325,000. Klassen makes a number of stretched luxury vehicles, but this is the first time we've seen the Cullinan get modified like so. As a nod to its customer base, possibly, this long SUV is given the company's highest level of ballistic protection — B7. That means the thickness of the ballistic steel is 14.5 millimeters thick at minimum, providing protection from armor-piercing rifles and ammunition. The stretch measures 40 inches in length, which makes the Rolls look considerably larger, but not unwieldy. Occupants will be treated to the highest of luxuries including an iMac multimedia center (yes, an actual Apple desktop computer), Bang and Olufsen sound system and special ambient LED lighting — all of which is controllable via an iPhone. Klassen also says that the passengers can ride privately behind a "luxury partition wall." Looking at the "wall" in its other creations, it appears to create the ultimate in private riding for when you just can't stand to be interrupted by your driver. Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of the Cullinan's "wall." Its closest competitor is probably the stretched Bentley Bentayga, also made by Klassen. But why go for that when you can have the Rolls SUV instead? Featured video: Featured Gallery Klassen Rolls-Royce Cullinan stretched Auto News Read This Rolls-Royce SUV Luxury

Skoda Vision RS aims to prove hot hatches can be hybrids, too

Aside from a few virtually unobtainable hybrid supercars, there hasn't been much to get the average car enthusiast excited about an electrified future. Skoda clearly hopes to change that, as evidenced by the Skoda Vision RS concept that has made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. It's a hot hatch that happens to be a hybrid, a plug-in one at that. It sure seems to have all the right ingredients, too. Under the skin, the car combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor that can provide a combined 242 horsepower, with about 140 coming from the engine, and about 100 coming from the motor. For reference, that's 14 more horsepower than a new VW GTI. Speaking of the GTI, the Vision RS is similarly sized, bigger in fact, with an overall length 4 inches greater than the hot hatch stalwart. Despite the power advantage, Skoda's claimed performance is below that of the GTI, with a 0-62 time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. But it has another trick up its sleeve, and that's its ability to run purely on electricity. Skoda says that the 13-kWh battery can propel the Vision RS for up to 43 miles on a full charge. Granted, that's likely on a European test loop and would be less in the U.S., but it will still be more than a regular GTI. The Vision RS looks the hot hatch part, too. Outside it has the crisp, sharp lines, angles and creases we've come to expect from Skoda and most of the VW Group. It's pumped up with big grilles, bulging fenders, a pert rear spoiler, and big rear diffuser. Inside, there are red and carbon fiber accents all over. The upholstery is unique in its environmentally-friendly materials, with some panels made either from recycled polyester or pineapple leaves. The rest is Alcantara, which is apparently a performance car requisite nowadays. Most interesting is the fact that Skoda says this previews a future model. So we could be seeing a real hybrid hot hatch coming from the company in the near future. The company didn't say exactly what year, though. We wouldn't be surprised if the production model looks very similar to this, and even uses a similar powertrain with roughly the same output. We probably won't get the Skoda in the U.S., but since all of the VW Group's affordable models are extremely closely related, we imagine the powertrain will show up in a VW-branded equivalent, one that could be sold in America.

1997 Acura Integra Type R auctioned for $63,800

The Acura Integra, also known as the Honda Integra, was a front-wheel-drive sport compact car that neatly slotted between the Honda Civic and the Honda Accord. The Integra's sportiness wasn't just in its design, as there were a number of quite powerful engine choices for it, and some handling improvements. The mid-to-late-1990s second-generation car was available as the nearly-200-horsepower Type R version, which made a lasting impression no matter if you were an Acura customer, a Honda customer, a British motoring journalist putting the car through its paces in Wales or a PlayStation Gran Turismo gamer driving a virtual Integra at a fictional race track. The bug-eyed, sharply detailed Integra Type R, complete with a strengthened chassis, lightened spec, white wheels and a sizable rear wing, was an instant classic, and two decades later their values are definitely on the rise. No wonder, as they've been called the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars made, and there's some strong competition for that title. However, while the Integra Type R was sold new in limited numbers (just 320 units for the U.S. market in 1997), it wasn't envisioned just how much they could be worth in 2018. The past weekend, a certain high point was reached, as a 1,200-mile, Championship White, Acura-badged example was sold at a Barrett-Jackson auction for an eye-watering $63,800 with fees included. That is roughly double what the car cost new, no matter how new-condition it is. Perhaps the $60K+ sale price for the Type R was foreboded by a particular Florida-based car selling for $40,750 in late June, on Bring a Trailer. That car wasn't even in as-new condition, as it had already accumulated almost 60,000 miles. While these prices might reflect in the values of other used Integra Type R cars and even the more regular-issue, 170-horsepower Integra GS-R models, it might turn out be a blessing for the existing examples not ravaged by road salt or modding in usual Honda fashion, or stolen and parted out: As the values for Type R's keep climbing, it provides even more of an incentive for Type R owners to keep their cars in good or excellent shape. We're just hoping for a sweet spot there, so that the Integras won't all be mollycoddled and cocooned for fear of depreciation — these cars need to be used, out on the road with the VTEC singing, nearing 8,500 rpm. That's what they were designed for.

McLaren 720S Spider patent drawings prove droptop is in the works

McLaren announced recently that it would be launching many new models and variants through 2025. And some European patent drawings seem to reveal one of those models. They show a McLaren 720S without a roof, indicating that it will be a 720S Spider convertible. That's very literally what these drawings are, since it only shows what section of the coupe's roof will be removed, and it doesn't show any of the structure or folding roof that will take its place. The result is a little strange to look at, with proportions that, if we didn't know there was an engine in the way, would almost suggest a rear seat. With the McLaren 570S Spider as a guide, though, we expect that there will be some long, curved cowls behind each of the seats to help retain the coupe's profile, even when the roof is down. We also expect that it will use a folding metal roof like that of the 570S. We also suspect that the 720S Spider will follow the 570S Spider's lead in offering open-air driving without sacrificing performance. The 570S impressively had the same top speed (top up), the same fuel economy and roughly the same acceleration to 60 mph as its coupe twin, even with a 101-pound weight penalty. The 720S will probably be similar with a minor weight penalty, greater price, and almost identical performance. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Everybody's doing flying cars, so why aren't we soaring over traffic already?

"Where's my flying car?" has been the meme for impending technology that never materializes since before there were memes. And the trough of disillusionment for vehicles that can take to sky continues to nosedive, despite a nonstop fascination with flying cars and a recent rash of announcements about the technology, particularly from traditional automakers. Earlier this month, Toyota applied for an eye-popping patent for a flying car that has wheels with spring-loaded pop-out helicopter rotors. The patent filing says the wheels/rotors would be electrically powered, while in on-land mode the vehicle would have differential steering like tracked vehicles such as tanks and bulldozers. At an airshow in July, Aston Martin unveiled its Volante Vision Concept, an autonomous hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle it developed with Rolls-Royce. Aston says the Volante can fly at top speeds of around 200 mph and bills it as a luxury car for the skies. Audi used the Geneva Motor Show in March to unveil a flying car concept called the Pop.Up Next it developed with Airbus and Italdesign. If the Pop.Up Next, an electric and autonomous quadcopter/city car combo, gets stuck in traffic, an app can be used to summon an Airbus-developed drone to pick up the passenger compartment pod, leaving the chassis behind. Audi said that the Pop.Up Next is a "flexible on-demand concept that could open up mobility in the third dimension to people in cities." But Audi also acknowledged that at this point it has no plans to develop it. The cash-stoked, skies-the-limit Silicon Valley tech crowd is also bullish on flying cars. The startup Kitty Hawk that's backed by Google co-founder Larry Page announced in June that it's taking pre-orders for its single-seat electric Flyer that's powered by 10 propellers and is capable of vertical takeoffs and landings. The current version can only fly up to 20 mph and 10 feet in the air and has a flight time of just 12 to 20 minutes on a full charge. The Flyer is considered a recreational vehicle, so doesn't require a pilot's license. Uber says it plans to launch its more ambitious Elevate program and UberAIR service in 2023. "Uber customers will be able to push a button and get a flight on-demand with uberAIR in Dallas, Los Angeles and a third international market," Uber Elevate promises on its website.

F1-inspired, 563-horsepower Infiniti Q60 Project Black S details finally revealed

Despite being first revealed at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti has been quite coy concerning the details of its F1-inspired hybrid super coupe, the Q60 Black S. That ends at this year's Paris Motor Show, where the company has finally spilled specific information about the car. It's technologically fascinating, even if the on-paper performance doesn't sound all that shocking. Total power output of the concept, now called Q60 Project Black S, is 563 horsepower, with final torque figures yet to be announced. That power comes from a combination of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the Q60 Red Sport 400, along with a trio of motor-generator units that have similar functionality as those found in the Renault Sport F1 car's KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). One large one is connected to the rear axle and generates electricity under deceleration like most hybrids, and it can deliver 160 horsepower under acceleration. The other two motor-generators are coupled to the turbochargers. They generate power under acceleration as the turbines spin. They also act as an electrical anti-lag system, spinning up the turbines when hitting the throttle again after it has been closed in order to provide maximum boost immediately. Power for and from these motor-generators is stored in a 4.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. All the powertrain's power goes through a seven-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels via a mechanical limited-slip differential. The company claims it can hit 62 mph in under 4 seconds. One of the advantages of this powertrain is that electricity is generated both on acceleration and deceleration, which helps maintain battery charge so the motor assistance can be used more of the time. How aggressive the car is with the electrical boost is determined by which mode the vehicle is in, Road, Quali (for qualifying), or Race. Road is the most conservative, whereas Quali is the most aggressive. The reason for this is that if you're qualifying, you have to go the fastest you can in a short amount of time. A digital simulation of the car running a lap in Quali mode at Circuit de Catalunya estimated it would use 15 percent of the battery charge. That means it could do a little over six laps in that mode and maintain full use of its electrical assists. Race mode conserves battery life more, since you'll want that power over the course of the race. A downside to the Project Black S hybrid system is that it's really heavy.

2019 Jeep Renegade gets new turbo engine and new styling

We told you about the European-spec 2019 Jeep Renegade in June, but today we have the low-down on what the U.S. can expect from the refreshed crossover. New for 2019 is a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 177 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. That means the 1.3-liter boosted four is actually more powerful than the outgoing 160 horsepower 1.4-liter. This engine will be standard on Limited and Trailhawk models but optional on the Sport and Latitude — those cheaper trims will get the carryover 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine standard. If you option the 1.3-liter, it'll come with stop-start tech as well. Regardless of engine choice, you'll be getting a nine-speed automatic transmission because the existing six-speed manual is MIA for 2019. As a refresher from what we learned before, the Italian-built Jeep crossover gets new front and rear fascias plus new wheel designs to differentiate it from 2018. You can even get 19-inch wheels on Latitude and Limited trims. An available full LED lighting package brings LED headlights, daytime running lights, fog lamps and taillights. Driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control, parallel/perpendicular park assist and front parking sensors are optional as well. There aren't any pictures of the new colors yet, but you can get Slate blue, Sting grey and Bikini paint on your Renegade ... interesting name choice on the last one. Of course, the Renegade will be offered in both front-wheel and four-wheel drive, with the Trailhawk being the most capable of the bunch off-road. Jeep hasn't released official fuel-economy numbers for the 1.3-liter turbo, but it says the smaller engine and active grille shutters should yield an improvement over 2018. Pricing and availability remain a mystery, but we don't imagine it'll be much longer until that information is available. Featured video:

New Fiat Chrysler CEO picks management team to tackle industry in flux

MILAN/DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler's new boss unveiled his management team on Monday, seeking to revive the automaker in Europe, forge ahead in North America and keep the group in contention in the industry's race to develop self-driving and electric cars. Mike Manley took over in July after long-time chief Sergio Marchionne fell ill and later died after succumbing to complications from surgery. British-born Manley has since pledged to carry through a strategy Marchionne outlined in June to keep FCA "strong and independent." "The next five years will continue to be extremely challenging for our industry, with tougher regulations, intense competition and probably slower industry growth around the world," Manley said in a letter to employees on Monday. "Nevertheless, with a laser focus on execution and a continued flexibility that allows us to adjust as circumstances change ... we have a clear line of sight to achieving our five-year ambitions." Manley appointed Pietro Gorlier, thus far chief operating officer of FCA's components business, as FCA's next European chief to tackle a region where profitability is below that of peers, many workers are stuck in furloughs and various plants run at below capacity. The carmaker's previous European chief Alfredo Altavilla left after FCA appointed Manley as Marchionne's successor. As head of the components unit, Gorlier has also led Magneti Marelli, the parts unit that FCA may either spin off or sell. He will be succeeded at Magneti Marelli by the parts maker's lighting division head Ermanno Ferrari. Japan's Calsonic Kansei has been in talks with FCA about buying the unit, sources familiar with the matter have said, but no binding agreement has been reached and the deal could still fall apart. Choosing an Italian as head of Europe might soothe some fears in Italy that FCA could weaken its link to Fiat's roots. In his last strategy unveiled in June, Marchionne vowed to convert Italian plants to churn out Alfa Romeos, Jeeps and Maseratis instead of less profitable mass market vehicles to preserve jobs and boost margins. Europe will also become a big part of the company's electrification drive. FCA will copy in Europe what worked in the United States, where it retooled plants to build pricier SUVs and trucks in a move since emulated by bigger rivals Ford and GM. Manley also named new managers to succeed him at Jeep and RAM, the two brands which have been driving profits in recent years and remain at the core of growth plans.

Your guide to vehicle subscription services

They might be extremely limited in scope because of location availability, but vehicle subscription services are a growing trend that most luxury manufacturers are jumping on. Plans are expensive, but you're paying for much more than just the car typically. We highlighted four of the larger plans with a few more listed at the end. Care by Volvo Volvo launched its subscription service last year with its brand-new XC40. It was the only vehicle available for a time, but subscribers can now get an S60 sedan as well. Subscriptions are for two years, with the monthly price including insurance, a concierge service, wear-and-tear item replacements and all maintenance. You'll be able to drive 15,000 miles per year with whichever Volvo you choose, and although there are no options to extend that mileage, you can swap cars after a year. Pricing for the XC40 is $650 per month in base trim, while an S60 can be as expensive as $850 for the R-Design. Volvo's plan is to offer more cars soon through the service, but it's relatively limited compared to others right now. Porsche Passport Porsche has two levels in its subscription service: Launch and Accelerate. Launch will cost $2,000 per month and give you access to the Cayman, Boxster, Macan and Cayenne. All of those but the Cayenne can be had in "S" trim as well. Accelerate is where the fun really starts. For $3,000 per month you can choose from a fleet of 911s, including the S, 4S, Cabriolet and Cabriolet S. If those aren't enough, you can also get the Panamera 4S, Macan GTS and Cayenne S. There are no mileage limits and you can change vehicles as often as you'd like. Also included in the price is insurance, repairs, detailing and any maintenance. It might be extremely expensive and limited to Atlanta only, but this subscription service is second-to-none for what you get. Audi Select Audi just launched its subscription car service, and it's offered in one version for a flat fee of $1,395 per month. For that you'll have access to five different cars including the A4, S5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, Q5, and Q7. Not a bad range of vehicles, but it would've been neat to see the recently updated A7 in there too. Maybe in time. Like the others, insurance and maintenance are wrapped up in the price. Audi is allowing for unlimited miles and two car swaps per month here. In addition to that, you'll get two days of free rentals through Audi's Silvercar rental agency should you go on a trip.