The all-new 2017 Infiniti QX30 is about to be released to the public, and TFLcar’s Roman Mica was there at the first press drive.
Roman spoke with Mark Snyder, deputy chief engineer at Infiniti, about the styling and performance of the latest crossover from Nissan’s luxury division.
Although the QX30 is all new, it shares much of its DNA with the Mercedes-Benz GLA250. It rides on the same chassis, has the same powertrain, and shares a lot of the interior bits with its German counterpart.
Infiniti styling elements set it apart form the GLA, but the GLA is still visible in the shape and proportions. Both cars, unsurprisingly, have the same wheelbase, but differences in exterior and interior styling gives the QX30 two more cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is a good thing as the GLA is pretty space-challenged back there.
Inside, some of the switchgear is identical or nearly identical to the GLA, but Infiniti designers styled the dash to have more of the swooping, curvaceous lines of other Infiniti models. The GLA’s iPod-stuck-on-the-dash touchscreen has been replaced with an integrated screen set deep in the dash. The GLA’s rotary controller carries over, but it has a new name, Infiniti Controller. Either way, the GLA’s controller is much more intuitive than the ones in higher-end Benzes and a lot more on par with those in Mazda products, so the GX30’s system should have the same level of intuitiveness.
Same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the GLA. It makes 208 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm. Infiniti says that the throttle was tuned by Infiniti engineers, so it may feel different from the GLA, or it may not. Power goes to either the front wheels or all the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, just like the GLA.
On thing the GX30 has that’s better than the GLA is the price. Pricing is embargoed for now, but the QX30 does undercut the GLA in both front- and all-wheel-drive trims. The QX30 comes with a lot of standard features, too, so each trim level has a lot to offer.
So is the Infiniti QX30 a worthy contender in the luxury compact crossover segment, or is it just a cheaper GLA? TFLcar will have all the information, including pricing and a driving impression on Sunday night (or is it Monday morning?) at midnight. For now, check out the full TFLnow everything you want to know video above.
Jaguar launched into the rapidly growing and highly competitive luxury SUV marketplace with their all-new, first ever SUV entry – the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace, which was inspired by the acclaimed CX17 concept show vehicle.
The Jaguar F-Pace serves up a tempting menu, with three engine variants and five models to choose from: Luxury; Premium; Prestige; R-Sport; and S.
The engine choices include a 2.0-liter diesel, inline four-cylinder and two 3.0-liter V-6s with Roots-type twin-vortex superchargers, one that delivers 340 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 352 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, while the other is tweaked to crank out 40 additional horses (380), but with the same torque output as the 340-horse version. The two petrol or gasoline engines gear their motive force to Jaguar’s intelligent AWD system through an 8-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. All engines come with auto stop/start technology.
The exterior styling of the new F-Pace is influenced by Jaguar’s F-Type series, from its adaptive LED headlamps, hood (bonnet) bulge to the pronounced rear haunches and tail light assemblies. The F-Pace displays the same athleticism, strength and energetic purity of form as the F-Type, exuding a sense of motion, even when standing still. The stance of the Jaguar F-Pace is low for reduced drag and increased stability, while still managing to deliver a 25.5 degree approach angle and a departure angle ranging from 25.7 to 26 degrees depending on spare tire size and towing equipment. The ramp breakover angle is 20.8 degrees. The F-Pace features 80 percent lightweight aluminum architecture for both strength and rigidity.
The cabin is comfortable and luxurious providing a sports command driving position along with an impressively versatile seating capability and the ability to adapt to a variety of cargo requirements. Switchgear and controls are logically and conveniently placed for optimum user-friendliness, and the F-Pace is loaded with connected technologies and infotainment through Jaguar’s InControl Touch with an 8-inch touch-screen and InControl Touch Pro with a 10.2-inch touch-screen featuring multi-touch gestures and a customizable home screen. A virtual 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster is provided with full-screen navigation display.
Other InControl options include SD navigation, apps, WiFi and SiriusXM satellite radio. An optional wearable Activity Key is available for $400 that is a robust, waterproof, pliable and secure wristband that replaces the key fob. The Activity Key locks and unlocks the vehicle by making contact with the tailgate lock. The conventional key fob may left in the car when locked, and is deactivated, and even should the vehicle be broken into, it will not start without the Activity Key.
Advanced driver assistance features include: autonomous emergency braking; lane keep assist and driver condition monitor; traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed limiter; blind spot monitor and reverse traffic detection; park assist; surround camera system; and adaptive cruise control with queue assist.
During the national press introduction, my driving partner and I experienced both wheel and seat time in two versions of the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace: an F-Pace S priced at $61,895 with an exterior finish of glacier white metallic and a brogue and jet toned interior with light oyster stitching; and an F-Pace 35t R-Sport with a dark sapphire metallic exterior and a jet interior with light oyster stitching. Its price tag as equipped was $63,095.
The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace SUV is an ideal vehicle in any of its trim levels for individuals and families with active lifestyles and impeccable taste. It is off road capable, but is certainly not intended for serious rock crawling maneuvers – after all, why risk damage to a beautifully designed SUV? Base pricing ranges from $40,990 to $56,700 But of course you can up the ante by adding optional equipment and features. A fully loaded limited first year production First Edition F-Pace is priced at $69,700.
The new F-Pace drives, handles and rides like a luxury sport sedan, with comfortable seating for five adults and room for their gear. The F-Type derived chassis technologies including torque vectoring, adaptive dynamics and configurable dynamics allow for a tunable and rewarding driving experience. The AWD system delivers a varying of grip levels in a variety of scenarios, which may be further enhanced by an available adaptive surface response feature. Intelligent driveline dynamics provides all-wheel drivability with rear-wheel drive character. Another feature, all-surface progress control, allows the driver to set and monitor uphill and downhill speed during off-road excursions.
In the final analysis, the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace ranks as a highly desirable and stylish SUV. Jaguar has hit a home run in their first at bat in this category.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2017 Jaguar F-Pace S and 35t R-Sport AWD
Base Price: $56,700. – S / $55,300. – 35t R-Sport
Price as Tested: $61,895. – S / $63,095. – R-Sport
Engine Type and Size: 3.0-liter DOHC, 24 valve, Roots-type twin vortex supercharged V6 with dual independent variable cam timing and Direct injection.
Horsepower (bhp): 380 @ 6,500 rpm – S / 340 @ 6,500 35t R-Sport
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 332 @ 4,500 rpm – S and 35t R-Sport
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Drive Train: Longitudinally mounted front engine / AWD
Suspension: Front – Double wishbone with Adaptive Dynamics.
Rear – Integral Link with Adaptive Dynamics.
Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel discs with ABS, Torque Vectoring, DSC, TC, RSC and ADSR.
Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 AT 255/50 R20 mounted on 5-double-spoke silver painted alloy wheels.
The 2016 BMW X1 is the latest proof that the crossover segment is red hot and continues to give family sedans a run for their money. Why else would a company known for making the ultimate driving machine raise the center of gravity and add heft while developing a new vehicle? I took the X1 to the mountains, around the city, and on flat highways. After spending a week with the X1 xDrive28i it started to make sense as the Bavarian utility knife of BMW’s arsenal.
Powered by the same 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo 4-cylinder that can be found in other BMWs, as well as some MINIs, the X1 xDrive28i has a manufacturer-claimed 0-60 of 6.3 seconds. The engine is rated at 228 hp at 5,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,450-4,500 rpm and feeds the wheels via an 8-speed auto with manual and Sport modes. EPA fuel economy estimates for the vehicle 22/32/26 mpg city/hwy/combined.
While we did not conduct an official acceleration test of the vehicle, I can say that I capitalized on smaller gaps between cars than I normally do when pulling out in traffic. The turbo spools up quickly so as to inspire confidence in such situations, even in Comfort mode. ECO mode, while noticeably slower, is adequate for most daily driving situations but unless you’re looking to save a few pennies at the pump I wouldn’t recommend it. Switch to Sport mode and the X1 comes to life. Throttle response is more aggressive and the revs are held higher. It’s as if the car got an injection of creatine and coffee and is ready to do another set of suicides.
Sitting higher than the typical family sedan, the X1 has enough ground clearance to make the transition from suburban street to driveway head-on instead of requiring the usual angled approach traditional cars sometimes need. The car has also grown in size versus previous X1. It is now roughly one inch wider, two inches taller, but one inch shorter. The car wears its new dimensions well as it is visually more appealing than the frumpy X1 of yore.
BMW X1. [Photo: BMW]
Inside, the X1 is unmistakably BMW. The bulbous steering wheel, greeting chimes, and display units would make it hard to determine exactly which BMW you’re in if you were blindfolded upon entry. With a base price of $34,800, our tester came in $46,395 including $995 for destination. Surprisingly absent from our vehicle were adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane keep assist, especially considering the car was equipped with the Driver Assistance Package ($1,150), Driver Assistance Plus ($700), Premium Package ($3,250), and the Technology Package ($2,550). What’s a guy gotta do to get adaptive cruise control these days!?
Although the X1 is missing some features found on cars costing much less and in much lower socio-economic ballparks, the crossover plays the role of daily grocery getter, family hauler, and status symbol well, all while satisfying those with inner speed demons. On the TFL scale of Buy It, Lease It, Rent It, or Forget It, the X1 xDrive28i earns a rating of Buy It! due to its practicality as an everyday driver, good looks, and relatively reasonable price for a luxury crossover.
Until we can bring you video of the X1, check out this hyper-luxo Bentley Bentayga playing in the sand.
For Steve Becker, building his custom motorcycle is more than just a hobby.
After losing his wife to cancer 25 years ago and finding himself having to raise two sons on his own, Becker decided that he would start building his bike as a way to heal and cope with the adversity instead of possibly giving in to alcohol or drugs.
The bike he created, which he calls the Reaper, is one of the craziest custom bikes on the planet, and represents not only his creativity but also his life.
The engine is a 115 V-twin, but that’s probably the only ordinary part of the bike. It has an auto clutch for easy starting. The seat is Becker’s first baseball glove. The foot pegs are piston rods from an old Ford, and the handlebars are a welded chain from a John Deere combine. It even has a flamethrower.
The gas tank is flanked with two cylinder heads connected to a real, if ornamental, distributor cap. License plates from Nebraska, North Carolina and Oklahoma make up a lot of the bodywork, and an old sign that says “Danger: Do Not Start This Machine” finishes off the huge rear fender.
The Reaper is a true original. Watch the full TFLcar video above to find out how Becker built the bike and find out more about the bits and pieces that make up this cool custom motorcycle.
Before driving the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line, I struggled with the fact that the Volkswagen Golf GTI, costing about the same, is roomier (holds three in the back), is more utilitarian, has more torque (258 lb-ft) and is always on TFLcar’s list as one of the best hot-hatches for the money. How could the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line compete with that? Surprisingly, it proved itself to be a playful little car with just enough masculinity to make it endearing to me.
Setting itself apart from the Beetle with the 1.8-liter turbo, the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line tester I drove came with Bi-Xenon headlights, R-Line front and rear bumpers (with an opening on top of the front bumper for an air-scoop), Panoramic sunroof and 19″ Tornado wheels. The overall look is purposeful and more athletic than the regular Beetle. It sits low, on top of a sports-tuned suspension and the dual exhaust tips hint at the power without looking obnoxious.
Speaking of power: the award-winning 210 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 207 lb-ft of torque. The sweet spot for the turbocharger to spool up and give you great power is around 2,200 rpm. Leading up to 2,000 rpm, there is a bit of turbo-lag. My tester was fitted with a six-speed manual transmission. The clutch is a bit soft, but the throws are just-right giving it a very sporty feel and it’s a breeze to shift in traffic.
Although well put-together, the interior is one of the places where Volkswagen should have been more creative. Given the variety of ways a Mini Cooper’s interior can be configured and livened up, the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line is a bit of a let-down. Still, the front seat feel is an ideal compromise between sport and comfort. The back seats are tight and best-suited for people under 5’6″.
The hard plastics look nice, especially the door trim. Unfortunately, sound deadening material is thin as road noise was prodigious. Fortunately, the 8-speaker, 400-watt Fender Premium Audio System fixes all external noises. It is one of the best sounding systems in this price range. Another cool touch is the flat-bottom steering wheel. Looks nifty, but it needs more padding.
Acceleration and braking are not quite as impressive as the Volkswagen GTI, but the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line surprised a lot of drivers on various on-ramps and red lights. It has no problem hitting 60 mph in (just) under seven seconds and, once you let the power spool-up, hard launches turn into a fun mix of tire spin and a bit of torque-steer.
I averaged a mediocre 25 mpg, but that was combined with a lot of spirited driving.
Performance, real-world performance is where the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line shines. It scurries around corners, feeling light and easily controllable. Traction is an issue, but even when the inside wheel is clawing for grip, it never seems to upset the chassis. I always felt in control and throwing a hard corner at the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line never worried me. This is one of those rare cars that’s fun to drive on an errand.
While the overall package would never suit me, (the GTI is still a better vehicle) I think the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line is silly fun, attempting to be serious while truly having a fun soul. It’s not a real hot-hatch, but it is the best interpretation of Volkswagen’s current Beetle that I’ve driven.
If you need to drive your car in Arizona, chances are you’ll have a great experience.
Five Arizona cities made it onto the top 10 list of best cities for driving by WalletHub, a personal finance website. WalletHub looked at commuting times, gridlock, auto repair shops per capita and gas prices of the 100 most populated cities in the U.S.
The website ranked the cities from one to 100, with one being the best and 100 the worst. Scottsdale, Arizona ranked as the number one best city while the nation’s capitol ranked as the worst at 100.
Besides Scottsdale, the other Arizona communities that ranked within the top 10 included Tucson in second place, Gilbert in fourth, Mesa in fifth and Chandler in sixth. Nevada and Texas also had two cities each that placed in the top 10. In Texas, Corpus Christi ranked third and Laredo ranked eighth. In Las Vegas, Reno ranked seventh and Las Vegas ranked ninth.
Rounding out the top 10 list was Tampa, Florida.
On the flip side, on the top 10 worst cities California had two cities to receive the dubious recognition with San Francisco ranking third and Oakland as seventh.
The other cities that made it as the worst in the nation were Washington, D.C. in first place; Detroit, Michigan in second place; Chicago, Illinois in fourth; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in fifth; Baltimore, Maryland in sixth; New York, New York in eighth; Seattle, Washington in ninth; and Boston, Massachusetts.
WalletHub also compared some of the best to the worst in specific categories to see how they stack up against each other.
For example, 12th-ranked Lubbock, Texas had the fewest average annual hours of traffic delays per car commuter at 12, which is about seven times fewer than Washington, D.C., data from WalletHub indicated.
When looking at car thefts, two California cities were polar opposites. Irvine, which ranked in the middle of the pack at 63, had the lowest rate of thefts per 1,000 residents, or 0.52, which is 31 times lower than Oakland, which was the highest at 15.90.
For average gas prices, motorists saw the best deal in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which ranked at 51. In Tulsa, the lowest average gas price was $2.04, which is about 1.5 times lower than Chicago’s, which had the highest at $3.02 per gallon, data from WalletHub Indicated.
Visit WalletHub’s website to view the 100 cities and where they ranked.
A TFL staffer has a friend who received the following letter from the dealer who sold him a 2015 Passat TDI that was affected by the scandal commonly known as “dieselgate.” You know it’s serious when it ends in “gate.” Anyway, see the letter below.
Hello Everyone,
I thought I would try to give everyone an update on what we know about the VW TDI issue. I am flying to Dallas next week on the 20th to meet with Volkswagen in regards to details of how this moves forward.
Here is what I do know :
1) An agreement was made between Volkswagen, EPA and CARP and others and in this agreement. There will be an offer of a settlement of at least $5100 (this is the minimum amount) for owners of affected cars (must have owned the car prior to last September).
2) Volkswagen has agreed (if the customer wants) to offer to repurchase the affected cars based on a valuation of NADA clean trade as of September 2015 (I am hoping to get more details next week).
3) Customers will have an option to keep their vehicle (if they choose not to take the buy back) and have it repaired (we are still unclear of when these vehicle will be repaired or how the will be repaired) and will still receive the Cash settlement offer of a minimum of $5100 (some vehicles will be higher).
I have included a link below that may be helpful, I am recommending that everyone go on the https://www.vwcourtsettlement.com/en/(see below) website and put your vehicle VIN number in the Vehicle Lookup tab and put in your contact information as I believe this will be what VW uses to proceed forward.
I have personally spoken to several of you and know that everyone is eager to move forward. We as a dealership are as well. Thank you for your patience and hopefully soon we will have more specific information so that everyone can have a better understanding on what this agreement is and what it means to everyone. https://www.vwcourtsettlement.com/en/
While it seems the dealer does not have much new information for owners of affected cars, this is the latest piece of information we have related to the remedy that was announced several weeks ago. For details on VW’s plans watch the video below in which Andre and I do our best to cut through the legal jargon and explain the meat and potatoes of the “dieselgate” settlement.
Dodge is saying goodbye to the Viper, maybe this time for good.
The company will release the 2017 Viper as the last model year for the iconic vehicle, which was introduced in 1992 but has seen some years where it’s been discontinued.
TFLcar’s Roman Mica was in Chelsea, Michigan recently getting a look at the new Viper and seeing some limited-edition models that will commemorate some of the best models of the Viper over its 25-year history.
A representative from Dodge gave an overview of the four limited-edition models, which included a Voodoo Two, ACR 128, GTS-R and GTC models.
Dodge expects to only produce 31 of the Voodoo Two models, which commemorate the first Voodoo from 2010; 28 of the ARC 128, which commemorates Dodge’s track record at Laguna Seca; 100 of the GTS-R, which commemorates the original model released in 1998; and 25 of the GTC, which commemorates the Viper’s most highly customizable model.
Will 2017 be the end of the Viper? And, is it still a fun car to drive that stays true to its American heritage? Find out by watching the full TFLcar video above.
The 2026 Kia K4 hatchback gives interested buyers another option in a time where hatches have been losing ground to crossovers. Here are all the details!
Jeep says the Jeep Wrangler 392 V8 is about to meet its maker...but with recent developments at Stellantis we're skeptical that's actually going to happen.
