The Ford GT has returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a dominating fashion. During qualifying in the LMGTE Pro class, the GT managed to take four of the top five spots, with a pesky Ferrari 488 GTE wedging itself into the third position. The return of the Ford GT marks nearly 50 years since the GT40 reigned supreme at Le Mans in the late 1960s.
“As we at Ford drive innovation into every part of our business, it’s worth remembering that our first innovation as a company was not in a laboratory, but on the racetrack,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and chief executive officer, referring to Henry Ford’s win of a 1901 car race that inspired financial backers to invest in his company. “We are passionate about innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”
To illustrate how competitive the qualifying was, Dirk Mueller, along with co-drivers Joey Hand and Sebastien Bourdais, had the fastest lap time of 3:51.185. The second place qualifiers, Ryan Briscoe and co-drivers Richard Westbrook and Scott Dixon, required 3:51.497. That’s a difference of just over three tenths of a second. The fifth place GT came in at 3:52 and change. Not a lot of room for error in that group.
Check out video below from when Ford dropped the bombshell that is the 2017 Ford GT.
Motorcycling offers many venues for the ideal riding experience based on personal preferences and requirements. The Yamaha Super Ténéré ES was named as Cycle World’s “Best Adventure Bike” in that category’s first year. It was perceived to be a comfortable 1200 cc twin long distance cruiser that also delivered a commanding seating position for tooling around urban real estate and was suitable for off-road treks.
For the 2014 model year, Yamaha sought to improve the Super Ténéré ES’s appeal for on-road travel without sacrificing any of its off-road capability, with two examples available: a standard model bike offered in Team Yamaha Blue or Matte Gray/Matte Black and the ES version (Electronic Suspension) that came in only Matte Gray/Matte Black.
The standard model started at $15,090, while the ES began at $16,190, a premium of $1,100. The KYB suspension system was not an active system, but rather was adjustable electronically with three basic damper settings – hard, standard and soft, each of which came with seven levels of fine tuning that could be accomplished on the fly: along with four preload settings that could be dialed in with the bike parked. The basic damper settings include variations for solo, two-up and also take the amount of cargo in the luggage setting and the terrain into account. The ES model also came with ABS brakes and heated grips.
Progressing to model year 2016, there are virtually no changes in the Super Ténéré. Even the pricing structure remains the same. The ES model proves to be the superior bike over the standard bike for off-road riding, as the ability to firm up the suspension tends to eliminate corner wallow, while enabling the bike to soak up severe bumps without bottoming out.
Power is still delivered by an 1199cc DOHC, 8-valve, liquid-cooled, inline parallel-twin engine with YCC-T fuel injection and transistor-controlled ignition. Motive force reaches the rear wheel through a constant mesh, wide ratio six-speed transmission with a multi-plate wet clutch. The final drive is shaft.
Suspension components consist of front telescopic 43mm inverted forks; electronically adjustable compression and rebound damping with 7.5-inches of travel. In the rear is a monoshock with electronically adjustable preload and rebound damping, also with 7.5-inches of travel. The bike rolls on a Bridgestone Battlewing B/W 501- 110/80R19 – 59V tire up front and a Bridgestone Battlewing B/W 502 150/70R17- 69V in the rear, both mounted on laced wire spoke wheels.
Bringing the Super Ténéré ES to a halt are dual 310mm hydraulic discs up front, with a unified brake system and ABS and a 282mm single disc, unified brake system and ABS in the rear.
The bike’s wheelbase measures 60.6 inches and the overall length is 88.8 inches. Ground clearance is 6.5-inches. The dry weight tips the scales at 584 pounds. The seat height is 33.3 inches, adjustable to 34.3 inches. The Super T carries 6.1 gallons of fuel and delivers an estimated average of 43 mpg.
My test Yamaha Super Ténéré ES wore the standard Matte Gray/Matte Black finish and came with a base sticker set at $16,190, while the final tally came to $17,622.79 after factoring in the following accessories: skid plate; tall windshield; engine guards; side case mounting kit and side cases; and a top case. Dealer prep and handling are not included as they are variable.
The Yamaha Super Ténéré ES may not be the perfect bike for all riders, but it pretty much covers all the needs of the majority of riders who want a dual purpose adventure bike that is fully capable for both on and off-road riding scenarios.
Rider comfort and convenience are paramount. The ES includes cruise control, adjustable seat and windshield height, tunable front and rear suspension, both a side and center stand, a gear indicator, heated grips and a power outlet. Foot controls are mid-mounted for the rider, with a seat and folding pegs for a passenger.
Instrumentation includes a digital speedo and bar graph tach, fuel range and fuel level bar graph, a digital clock and trip odometer. Turn signals are unfortunately non-canceling and the side bags are somewhat difficult to clear when dismounting, and they also create added windage in high wind situations.
The infinite adjustability of the ride quality and the two-position “D-Mode” (drive mode) throttle response allows the rider to adjust mapping for conditions or preferences. The traction control regulates ignition timing, fuel injection and throttle valve opening based on wheel spin, allowing for a smooth response that is not abrupt. Three modes are available to match rider preference, including off.
Super Ténéré ES provides both an antilock braking system and unified braking system. With UBS, applying the front brake lever also provides some rear-wheel braking; pressing the rear brake first overrides UBS for traditional separate front and rear braking action.
The handlebars are fitted with wraparound grip brush guards and are comfortably positioned, but could be higher for off-road riding when standing.
Throttle response is immediate across a broad torque range and braking is positive. The Super Ténéré ES is suited to a variety of riding situations, and is well balanced and easily managed, except when backing on an incline, the short rake make directional stability a bit of a chore.
Bottom line, if you’re looking for adventure, The Yamaha Super Ténéré ES may well be just the right bike for you.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2016 Yamaha Super Ténéré ES
Base Price:
$16,190.00
Price as Tested:
$17,622.79
Engine:
1199cc DOHC; 8-valve, liquid-cooled inline 2-cylinder with YCC-T fuel injection and transistor-controlled ignition.
Transmission:
Constant mesh six-speed, multi-plate wet clutch.
Drivetrain:
Shaft drive
Suspension, front:
Telescopic 43mm inverted forks; electronically adjustable compression and rebound damping with 7.5 inches of travel
Suspension, rear:
Monoshock; electronically adjustable preload and rebound damping with 7.5 inches of travel.
Brakes, front:
Dual 310mm hydraulic discs, Unified Brake System and ABS
The 2016 Yamaha Super Tenere ES is a highly evolved adventure bike with infinite riding scenario adjustment capability. The large side and trunk boxes are not very attractive, and though practical for storage, make mounting and dismounting difficult. Once onboard, however, you’re ready for long range touring.
Check out TFLcar’s video series Kickstart, where we buy, ride and sell a classic BSA Thunderbolt:
A few days ago, we at TFLcar brought you our list of the top five sleeper cars, or cars that don’t necessarily look fast but actually are. Now, Roman Mica and Nathan Adlen are back to bring you the opposite – our top five cars that look like they should be really fast, but actually aren’t.
A few of the cars on this list may lead to some controversy, especially one that has a pretty sizable cult following and tuner enthusiast market. It’s not that the cars on the list are necessarily bad, it’s just that their bodies write checks that their engines can’t cash.
Three of the cars on the list suffer from economy car roots, two of them are electric hybrids, one has a more famous, fast ancestor and one has a much faster big brother.
As usual with TFL Top 5 videos, we give you a list of five cars and then give a bonus. One of the cars on the list is given away by the featured photo; can you name the others? Watch the full video to find out what TFLcar thinks are the top five cars, plus a bonus car, that look like they should be really fast but are actually not, in some cases really not.
Volkswagen AG will expand into electric vehicles and ride sharing as part of its new business plan, which was announced to the public Thursday.
The plan, which CEO Matthias Mueller presented to the company’s supervisory board on Tuesday, outlines a future strategy for the company as it rights itself after the diesel emissions scandal. Called “TOGETHER – Strategy 2025,” the plan outlines a few key areas that constitute a dramatic shift in the automaker’s core businesses.
At the heart of the plan is an expansion into more electric vehicles. The company plans to release more than 30 battery-electric vehicles over the next 10 years, and is also putting a priority on battery technology development with an eye toward it becoming a potential revenue stream. Reading between the lines, it seems as though VW is hoping to sell technology, and batteries, to other companies.
Two more cryptic strategies deal with the company’s products. VW’s product portfolio consists of around 340 model variants, and the plan is for those to be “systematically geared to profitable growth, taking regional market and customer needs into account.” What that could mean is that they will be simplifying and possibly eliminating models to streamline the portfolio.
The second cryptic strategy was for VW to “optimize the vehicle and drivetrain portfolio to focus on the most attractive and fastest-growing market segments.” This can be summed up into three letters: S, U and V. They already said they will be introducing SUVs and/or crossovers in every segment, and since crossovers are hot now, it makes sense that they would jump on the bandwagon.
Early speculation was that VW was going to shed some of its non-core brands and even its commercial arm. The plan didn’t say anything about that, but it also didn’t mention any of the non-core brands like Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati as part of its strategy, so it potentially opens up the door for a sale.
Likewise, while the report did mention the commercial arm of VW and the brands that make it up by name – Scania, MAN, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – it said that it wants Volkswagen Truck & Bus to become the most profitable in the group. Does the omission of Scania and MAN hint at a possible sale, or at least the possibility that a sale is possible? Time will tell.
VW will also look to mobility and ride-sharing opportunities as another future revenue source, mentioning its recent tie-up with on-demand mobility provider Gett. As reported previously, the company will consolidate all the component manufacturing from all of its brands under one umbrella.
In the end, the plan proposes a leaner, more efficient Volkswagen that will focus on electric vehicles, SUVs and consolidation. Will this be enough to bring the company back from the dieselgate scandal? Start the conversation in the comments below.
Volkswagen introduced the all-electric BUDD-e electric vehicle at CES earlier this year, and TFLcar was there. Watch the full video below:
The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid has been significantly upgraded for the 2017 model year. Improvements include updates and upgrades to the chassis, powertrain, electronics, interior and exterior. The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid hits the market today with a base MSRP of $29,605.
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
New Accord Hybrids come standard with Honda Sensing, the company’s suite of driver assist technology, which includes:
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Other safety features include a multi-angle rear view camera, an expanded view on the driver’s mirror, and on Touring trim, new automatic high-beam headlights.
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
One of the most notable changes is the second-generation 2.0-liter i-VTEC Atkinson Cycle engine which now makes a combined output of 212 horsepower, up 16 horsepower over the 2015 Accord Hybrid. The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid makes 232 lb-ft of torque from 0 to 2,000 rpm. The EPA fuel economy rating is 49 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 48 mpg combined.
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
The powertrain has three modes of operation:
EV Drive – using its electric propulsion motor and lithium ion battery pack to drive the front wheels for short distances under light loads (with the engine turned off)
Hybrid Drive – the electric propulsion motor drives the front wheels while the gasoline engine powers a second motor/generator to supplement electrical current drawn from the battery pack
Engine Drive – using a lock-up clutch mechanism to connect the engine and propulsion motor, the front wheels are driven by both the motor and gasoline engine
The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid is available at dealerships now.
Check out the 2016 Honda Accord Coupe video below:
Chevrolet has announced pricing for the upcoming 2017 Cruze Hatchback – also known as the Cruze Hatch. Arriving at dealerships in the fall, the five-door Cruze will start at $22,190 including destination and will come in the base LT trim level and the upscale Premier trim level. It will also be offered with an RS package.
The company is calling the Cruze Hatch “the most connected car on the road.” It will be available with built-in 4G LTE with a Wi-Fi hotspot, Chevy’s Teen Driver system, and wireless charging. The car will also be compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Behind the second row of seats is 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the rear seats down increases cargo volume to 47.2 cubic feet. For comparison purposes, the current Ford Focus hatchback has 23.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up but only 43.9 cubic feet with them down.
Powering the Cruze Hatch will be the same 1.4-liter turbocharged four found in the sedan version of the car. Horsepower is rated at 153 while torque is 177 lb-ft. Shoppers will have their choice of a six-speed manual (yea!) or a six-speed automatic. With the manual transmission, the Cruze sedan can reportedly get up to 30 mpg in the city and 42 on the highway. The hatchback may suffer slightly due to differences in weight and aerodynamics, but not by much. While it may not be a hot hatch like the Ford Focus ST or VW GTI, the Cruze Hatchback has all the makings of a nice little car that delivers in areas that count in the segment: style, utility, and economy.
Until we can get our hands on one, check out this video of the car’s debut from the 2016 Detroit Auto Show.
Buyers won’t be paying more for the 2017 Nissan Z, the Japanese car company’s iconic sports car.
Nissan announced earlier this week that the U.S. price for the 2017 370Z Coupe, 370Z NISMO and 370Z will remain at 2016 prices. That means buyers can get the 370Z Coupe with a manual transmission at a starting price of $29,990, the 370Z NISMO with a manual transmission at $41,990 and the 370Z Roadster at $41,820.
For the 370Z Coupe, buyers can choose between eight trim levels that include the standard 370Z, the Sport, Sport Tech and Touring. Nissan equipped each of its 370Z Coupe trim levels with a 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine with variable valve timing. Buyers can also choose between a six-speed manual transmission with a rev-matching system for downshifts, or a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The 370Z NISMO comes in four different trim levels that include the 6MT, 7AT, Tech 6MT and the Tech 7AT. For 2017, Nissan has kept the NISMO the same since redesigning it two years ago.
Buyers will see similar styling features including an aerodynamic appearance, standard 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, black and red leather seats, red trim inside the cabin and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The NISMO comes with a 350-horsepower, 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine with variable valve timing. Similar to the coupe, the NISMO comes with a choice between a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic transmission. Both transmissions have the rev-matching feature with the automatic also coming with adaptive shift control and manual shift mode with paddle shifters.
Also standard on the NISMO are four-wheel independent suspension, a strut-tower brace and performance dampeners to improve handling, high-performance brakes and a viscous limited-slip differential.
For the Roadster, buyers can choose between five trim levels, which include the 7AT, Touring 6MT, Touring 7AT, Touring Sport 6MT and the Touring Sport 7AT.
The convertible top Roadster comes equipped with a 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine with variable valve timing. It also offers a choice between a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters that are equipped with a rev-matching feature. Nissan also equipped the Roadster with a four-wheel independent suspension.
Some of the standard features on the base Roadster trim level include Bluetooth phone system, USB input and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Buyers who choose the Touring Roadster will also get such features as in-car navigation system on a 7-inch touch display, a Bose audio system, heated and cooling seats and a backup camera. And, the high-end Touring Sport Roadster comes with a viscous limited slip differential, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and high-performance brakes.
Check out this TFLcar video of the 370Z’s little brother, the 2016 Nissan Sentra:
Jaguar has had some forgettable entry-level sedans – the Ford Modeo-based X-Type comes to mind – but the company is looking to shed that reputation and take on the likes of BMW and Audi with the all-new 2017 XE sedan.
TFLcar’s Roman Mica and guest reviewer Craig Cole from AutoGuide were in Aspen, Colorado, right in TFL’s backyard, to drive the XE.
The XE comes with three choices of engines. The base model gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 240 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. The top level gets the Jaguar/Land Rover 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 that makes 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the XE from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.
A diesel-engined XE is also available. It has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes 180 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque.
Jaguar hasn’t yet released fuel economy figures for the new XE.
Power is put to the rear wheels or all four wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic, interestingly the same transmission that’s in BMWs, Audis, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and also the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger, Challenger and Durango, although those are built by Chrysler under license.
The all-wheel-drive system was developed in-house at Jaguar and is unique as it sends 90 percent of the power to the rear wheels in normal conditions, making it feel more like a rear-wheel-drive car. All wheel drive is available on the diesel and V6 versions, but base four-cylinder versions only get rear wheel drive.
Roman and Craig drove the diesel version of the XE, and it carried the price tag of about $55,500 with destination.
The base XE 25t with the four-cylinder turbo starts at $35,895 and has three trim levels – base, Premium and Prestige. The 20d diesel adds R-Sport trim and prices range from $37,395 to $47,495 for rear drive and $39,895 to $49,995 for all wheel drive.
The 35t V6 model ditches the base model and starts at $42,695 for a Premium rear driver and $45,195 for a Premium with all wheel drive. A top-of-the-line R-Sport with all wheel drive runs for $52,695, giving the XE a range of about $18,000 from base to top.
So does the new 2017 Jaguar XE put a scare into BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz? Watch the full video above to find out.
