Could The Mazda Miata Outpace One of History’s Greatest Muscle Cars?

We here at Automoblog are good pals with these guys at RealMazdaParts.com. I’m not sure exactly how they do it, but every so often they ask hilarious questions and put out some highly entertaining infographics. In this case: Could a 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata outrun a 1970 Chevelle 454 SS?

The answer, if you think about it, is actually pretty obvious, but it does also lead us to consider that our heroes of old were not that heroic.

The short answer is yes, a new Miata is “faster” than a Chevelle 454 SS. Or at least it would be around an AutoX course. But that’s obvious, isn’t it? A Chevelle 454 SS weighs nearly twice what a Miata does, it has a suspension better suited to a hay wagon, and don’t get me started on its braking capabilities.

Handling Versus Horsepower

But this is the old “different horses for different courses” argument. Of course a Miata is going to beat the living daylights out of a 454 SS on an AutoX course. That’s what Miatas are made to do. That sort of contest is inherently biased in the Miata’s favor. Shoot, a Miata could probably beat an AA Fuel dragster in a quarter-mile drag race, if the rules were to go halfway down the strip, turn around, and then come back.

If you look at the handy dandy little chart from RealMazdaParts.com (also seen below) it’s amazing how close both cars are in some areas. The zero to 60 times are pretty close, with the Chevy losing out by 0.3 seconds. The exact opposite is true in the quarter mile, with the SS beating the MX-5 by more than a second.

But, in the drag contest, the big block Chevelle has three times the horsepower and more than three times the torque of the Miata . . . which corresponds into more top end which, as always, corresponds to lower ETs down that asphalt strip baby!

With the optional LS-6 454 big-block V8, the Chevelle SS could surpass 100 mph in 13.3 seconds. Photo: GM Media Archive.

Vintage Versus Contemporary

If you look a little deeper, what this really brings into stark contrast is that the “good old days” weren’t all that good. You’ll run into lots of old timers these days, talking about how cool things used to be, back in the 1960s, in the muscle car era. They talk about it like it’s some sort of golden era, never to be attained again.

Talk about looking at the past through rose-tinted racing goggles.

You look at the performance specs for cars across the board from the mid-century, and they’re not all that impressive. At least from today’s vantage point. Sure, back in 1967, a Pontiac GTO was an impressive car. Was. Sure, a Chevelle 454 SS was the top of the Chevy muscle car heap, Camaros and Vettes not really counting, which is good, since they could be even faster. Yes, the Chevelle could run with Buick Grand Sports and Hemi ‘Cudas and such, but today?

Look at the figures. A 2019 Dodge Charger puts out roughly the same amount of power and will go from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds. That is 1.7 seconds faster than a 454 SS. And the Charger is a four door (for some terrible reason). And the real cherry on top? A new Charger can get over 20 mpg (some as high as 30) on the highway. You will never see that kind of mileage with a big-block Chevelle. Never.

Shoot, you’d be lucky to get it out of the single digits with any of your vintage muscle cars.

Photo: Mazda North American Operations.

Penny For Your Thoughts

What can I say, cars are objectively better today than they were half a century ago. That, of course, does not mean they are more fun. That’s subjective and up to the eye of the beholder.

The only thing that gets me, and I mean really gets me, from this chart is that when you adjust for inflation, the Chevelle is about $7,000 less than a new MX-5. Inflation adjusted, a 454 Chevelle SS would sell for a little under $23,000. 23-thousand! Have you ever seen what these things go for on Hemmings?

Don’t go look. You don’t wanna know. It’s downright chilling.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

 

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2NgtmIq

The Battle For Generation Z In The Small SUV Market

It’s seems like every generation in the United States has caught sport utility vehicle fever. SUVs sell like hotcakes and it makes sense. SUVs are that super-practical, do-anything machine for the 21st century. It’s not uncommon to hear about baby boomers getting a small SUV in the interest of downsizing, or GenXers opting for something larger and more luxurious as they move through their prime earning years.

Millennials are no exception either as they pass into their formative earning and family-raising years.

And while large, luxurious SUVs have their appeal, their smaller counterparts – often referred to as compact utility vehicles – are catching on with younger buyers.

“We see the emerging entry CUV segment growing at a very fast rate and the industry has seen customers looking for CUV body styles over sedans,” said Tyler Graves, Planner – Chief Marketing Manager, Nissan North America. “CUVs offer the fuel efficiency of small cars while offering additional versatility and cargo space.”

“Saving money drives the younger buyer in their choice,” added Michelle Krebs, Executive Analyst, Autotrader. “Smaller vehicles have smaller price tags and sip less gas.”

Untapped Potential

Generation Z, the cohort after millennials, made up 25 percent of the U.S. population in 2015 according to Forbes. Generation Z consists of those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, and is a larger cultural sect than baby boomers or millennials. Like millennials, they are shaping new models of mobility, which sometimes spurs the idea that younger audiences will forgo car ownership all together.

However, a 2016 study on Generation Z from Kelly Blue Book and Autotrader found otherwise. In that study, 92 percent stated they plan to own a vehicle one day.

“They favored Honda, Chevrolet, and Ford as they see those brands as traditional, practical, and trusted,” Krebs explained. “The zero to now 19 crowd will make up 23 percent of the population with $3.2 trillion in purchasing power by 2020.”

“Baby boomers, Gen Xers, millennials – everybody wants their SUV, and Gen Z is no different,” added Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. Sales Analyst.

Ford has studied SUV ownership among the generational cohorts before, and projects that U.S. sales of subcompact SUVs among those 18 to 24 will surpass those of subcompact cars as early as next year. Ford’s research shows that just four years ago, that same age group purchased 8,121 subcompact cars and only 443 subcompact SUVs. Last year the tables turned as those consumers purchased 3,981 subcompact cars and 2,840 subcompact SUVs – a 541 percent leap for subcompact SUVs.

“As more new small SUVs like the Ford EcoSport become available, you’ll see the subcompact SUV segment continue to climb as a popular new car of choice for first-time buyers,” Merkle said.

Ford EcoSport. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Connected Cultures & Long Roads

Securing a slice of Generation Z pie is paramount for automakers, and the market is now flooded with new CUV offerings pointed directly at today’s youth. In order to further attract them, Ford has made things like in-vehicle Wi-Fi, multiple charging ports, and various smartphone compatible entertainment systems a priority. The new EcoSport is already compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

“To Gen Z buyers, connectivity is everything,” said Karen Sullivan, Ford EcoSport Brand Marketing Manager. “Their car serves as an extension of their phone and their home, and we’re seeing an exciting response from these young customers to our all-new EcoSport.”

Ford is strategic in their engineering and marketing of the EcoSport, focusing on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, cargo space, connectivity options, and price but Kerbs believes nothing will happen overnight.

“Ford faces a challenge with the EcoSport and has their work cut out in terms of making inroads in the subcompact segment,” she explained. “The EcoSport must establish its name; it currently lacks consumer awareness and the name itself is confused with Ford’s EcoBoost.”

Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Finding The Mark

According to Krebs, the Jeep Renegade, Compass, and Honda HRV are among the strongest competition for Ford, and each see more user traffic on Kelley Blue Book than the EcoSport.

“In our Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch, a metric that measures brand health down to the model level, the Ford EcoSport does not lead in any of the nearly two dozen attributes we measure, including the three most important,” she continued. “Our analysis shows the most important attributes to shoppers in the subcompact utility segment are durability, safety, and affordability.”

Krebs believes Ford should continue to expand their tech offerings for the fledgling EcoSport, but not at the expense of other important aspects younger buyers will inevitably consider. The Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch metric concluded the EcoSport did not offer as many safety features, had lower fuel economy, and was higher in terms of sticker price at $19,995 (destination and other fees not included) than the competition. 

“Ford needs to find ways to promote the EcoSport, especially to younger, likely urban buyers, to build awareness,” Krebs said. “They need to focus on the aspects in the segment that matter – especially value – and then layer the technology on top of those basics.”

Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Satisfied Customer

Ford stands by the price point, saying the EcoSport’s 1.0-liter engine with its EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg has already attracted younger buyers.

“I’d never heard of EcoSport, but I loved it the minute I saw it,” said Kelly Oswald, 19, one of the first owners.

Oswald, a suburban Baltimore college student, represents a growing link between Generation Z and subcompact SUVs. Last year, 11.3 percent of those 18 to 24 who purchased a new SUV purchased a subcompact one, up two percent from five years earlier.

“I went in looking to buy an used car,” she continued. “I didn’t expect there to be an affordable option to buy a new car.”

Although Oswald may be ahead of the curve.

“That age group, regardless of generation, does not typically buy a new vehicle for a first car,” Krebs said. “They generally drive an used car that might be a hand-me-down from their family.”

2018 Nissan Kicks: Photo: Nissan North America.

Kick Start

The Nissan Kicks, another new entry, was introduced last year during the Los Angeles Auto Show as the sixth member of the company’s SUV and crossover lineup. The S trim begins at $17,990, the SV at $19,690, and the SR at $20,290. The Kicks is standard with Automatic Emergency Braking, RearView Monitor, and seven air bags. SV and SR grades add Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

“The new Kicks is designed to fit the needs of singles or couples looking for expressive styling, personal technology, smart functionality, and advanced safety features at an affordable price starting under $18,000,” explained Michael Bunce, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.

Although, like the EcoSport, the Kicks faces an uphill battle in its newness.

“It’s becoming very crowded with entries,” Krebs said of the CUV segment. “There are some all-new ones – Nissan’s is the Kicks – but also some that have been there for a bit and have stronger brand names.”

Nissan doesn’t dispute the market’s little breathing room but remains confident.

“The segment is becoming increasingly competitive with new entrants,” Graves said. “However, we’re very optimistic about Kicks and the value we’re able to offer customers.”

Photo: Nissan North America.

Forward Looking

According to the automaker’s U.S. sales report for May 2018, overall sales of Nissan crossovers, trucks, and SUVs were up four percent. The Rogue lead the way, with a May record of 38,413 units, up 18 percent. However, Nissan noted that total May sales stood at 131,832 units, a decrease of 4 percent compared to 2017.

The Kicks, as it is just arriving, was not included in the report, although a long-term strategy is in play.

“We expect Kicks buyers to have a great experience with the safety and technology that we are offering,” Graves said. “We believe that Kicks will attract younger buyers and we hope to see them eventually move up our lineup as their needs progress.”

The Kicks tops the EcoSport in EPA fuel economy ratings (33 mpg combined versus the aforementioned 28) and has a lower price point, beginning just under $18,000 versus near $20,000 for the EcoSport. The Kicks is one of the best offerings in the segment in terms of these two factors.

Photo: Nissan North America.

Combined Approach

The Honda HR-V, although still relatively new, is a bit more established, having been on the market for three years now. While the HR-V is pointed toward Generation Z, Honda has taken into account older millennials.

“The Honda HR-V was developed with men and women between the ages of 18 and 34 in mind,” explained Jessica Pawl, Media Relations Manager, American Honda. “The HR-V is designed for people with active lifestyles who want a vehicle that makes their lives easy, but want to enjoy getting where they’re going.”

Honda’s HR-V team went for flexible packaging, efficiency, and overall value when engineering the vehicle.

“It’s fuel efficient, fun to drive, and features advanced safety technology,” Pawl continued. “It’s very well rounded and affordable, featuring the dynamics of our best sedans and the functionality of our most practical cars.”

“The HR-V benefits from the very strong brand image of Honda,” Krebs added.

The 2018 HR-V starts at $19,570, with two-wheel drive models earning an EPA-rating of 31 combined and all-wheel drive variants coming in at 28 combined. The HR-V was the number two seller in the segment last year, being edged out by the Subaru Crosstrek. Honda’s long-term strategy is similar to Nissan’s.

“Honda’s balanced portfolio offers buyers the opportunity to grow within the brand, moving up in vehicle size as their family grows and needs adjust,” Pawl said.

Photo: Honda North America.

Future Considerations

CBT Automotive Network notes in this January feature that Generation Z is more tech oriented than millennials and will likely not recall a time without Wi-Fi, smartphones, social media, and any number of streaming services. It’s something the automotive industry needs to be cognizant of as they approach this now rather large and significant cohort.

Despite a competitive CUV segment and the potential there for automakers, how many eggs to place in that basket is open to debate. As manufacturers use entry-level CUVs as a means to introduce younger audiences to their brand, it’s important to consider how these buyers, especially Generation Z, differ from others. While automakers have the best intentions, there is no guarantee these younger buyers will remain loyal, especially with so many rising stars in the SUV and CUV universe.

“The segment remains unclear as to how big it will be,” Krebs said. “They definitely want to own a car, but counting on Gen Z to drive sales of any new vehicle is misplaced, particularly in light of how cost-conscious they are.”

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company, Nissan North America, Honda North America.

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2Nf2l7U

2019 Dodge Charger Lineup: The Automotive Industry’s John Bender

The Dodge Charger is the captain of the Detroit Muscle team; there is no better example of a modern day muscle car. On the whole, Dodge is becoming (even more so) the most rebellious brand in the automotive industry with their amped-up Chargers, Challengers, and Durangos. As things shift toward electrification and automation, and as countless small SUVs flood the market, Dodge is flying a pirate flag through a sea of Claire Standish wannabes.

The 2019 Charger lineup is proof Dodge is not budging from the table. By all accounts, they have propped their feet up, typical of their John Bender attitude.

“Despite a shift toward utility vehicles in the United States over the past decade, the Dodge Charger and Challenger continue to buck the trend,” explained Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and Fiat – FCA North America. “Charger and Challenger retail sales have increased 70 percent since 2008, and since the launch of Scat Pack in August 2014, high-performance model sales increased from four percent to more than 25 percent.”

Here is a look at the Dodge Charger lineup for 2019.

2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Charger SRT Hellcat

The Hellcat is the big dog in the 2019 Charger lineup, standing as the quickest, fastest, and most powerful sedan in the world. The supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 twists out 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft. of torque, and comes connected to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Helping this massive Hemi breathe are dual inlets that feed cooler outside air into the engine compartment.

The Launch Assist feature uses the Hellcat’s wheel speed sensors to watch for driveline-damaging wheel hop when launching. If hop is detected, engine torque is modified within milliseconds to regain grip. With Line Lock, the front brakes engage and the rear is left open for burnouts to heat up and clean the tires.

After arriving for that late night jazz show (it’s where I would take it), the Charger Hellcat will employ its After-Run Chiller system. This allows the supercharger/charge air cooler to continue cooling down after the engine is turned off.

Charger R/T Scat Pack

This Super Bee can sting rival pony cars with its naturally-aspirated 392 Hemi V8 and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic. The aforementioned Launch Assist and Line lock are now standard on the Scat Pack which puts 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft. of torque to the pavement. Optional for 2019 is a Bilstein three-mode Adaptive Damping Suspension system.

Inside, drivers are treated to a “Dark Dub Plate” instrument panel and Houndstooth cloth performance seats with plenty of bolstering. When the Scat Pack’s Launch Control feature is engaged, those seats are greatly appreciated. The system coordinates the engine, transmission, driveline, and suspension for hard straight-line sprints.

In the words of Samuel L. Jackson from Jurassic Park: “Hold Onto Your Butts.”

Charger R/T

A solid daily driver, the R/T comes with the evergreen 5.7-liter Hemi V8, good for 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft. of torque. The performance-oriented chassis includes the suspension and steering to match; the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic and 2.62 rear axle ratio are both standard.

The R/T gets a makeover for 2019 with a new hood, fascia, side sills, spoiler, and seats. Opt for the Cold Weather Package and get a heated steering wheel and heated seats.

Charger SXT AWD

Powered by the Pentastar V6, the SXT AWD returns a healthy 27 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive system is complete with an active transfer case and “front-axle disconnect” to increase overall efficiency. The Pentastar V6 is attached to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic and delivers 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft. of torque.

A new Caramel Nappa leather interior and the aforementioned Cold Weather Package are among the available options.

Charger GT

With the same horsepower and torque specs at the SXT AWD, the GT is another ideal daily driver. Like the R/T, the GT gets a new hood, fascia, side sills, spoiler, and seats – and the newly available 20-inch Satin Carbon and Black Noise wheels don’t hurt anything either.

The vehicle’s systems and controls are accessed through an 8.4-inch Uconnect screen, which includes the Dodge Performance Pages like the upper models have.

Charger SXT

Every muscle car needs a mild cruiser and the SXT certinately fits the bill at 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. Still the Pentastar V6, still the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic, just toned down a bit. Standard features are plentiful: electronic stability control, remote start, cruise control, electric power steering, automatic halogen projector headlamps with LED accents, and three 12-volt power outlets.

The aforementioned Caramel Nappa leather interior and Cold Weather Package are both available.

Colorful Array

What makes the Dodge Charger such an enticing car is the color palette: B5 Blue, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green, Go Mango, Granite Crystal, IndiGo Blue, Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy, TorRed, Triple Nickel, and White Knuckle.

Hard to pick a favorite.

Availability

The 2019 Dodge Charger is expected in showrooms in the third quarter of this year, although any of the above models can be ordered now. The Charger is on track to lead the large car segment in the U.S. for the fifth straight year.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2tRZrNC

Covert Operation: A Yamaha XT 600 goes under cover

Creativity is a tug-of-war between what the client wants, and the designer’s need for freedom. Building custom motorcycles is no different. In fact, some builders won’t even take on a job if they don’t have complete creative control.

Martien Delfgaauw of Berham Customs in Berlin is a little more easygoing than that. But even he was put off by the brief for this Yamaha XT 600.

Rather than bend necks and drop jaws, this stealthy scrambler had to do the exact opposite—blend in.

The XT’s owner supplied this brief: “I’ve got a 2002 XT 600 that I’d like you to turn into a good looking bike. But it musn’t look like a custom bike. It should look stock, somehow, and has to be completely unobtrusive, with a matte black paint job.”

“Also, it mustn’t look new. It has to be perfect for the city, but also off road and long tours. A huge tank’s a must. It has to be comfortable, and it has to be lowered so that I get my feet on the ground properly. Currently it’s not running—some electrical issue. Are you up for it?”

Not surprisingly, Martien was less than enthusiastisch.

Berham create purpose-driven machines all the time. But even then, they go to town on the details—ditching air boxes and installing Motogadgetry everywhere. And none of that was going to be possible here.

“It was too much of what you don’t want to get in a brief,” says Martien. He also had his hands full launching a line of parts for classic BMWs, in collaboration with KRT Framework. So he turned the project down.

But the request kept preying on Martien’s mind. “It was a challenge,” he says, “and challenges are always tempting.” So a few days later, he called his client up and offered to rebuild the XT 600—provided he had plenty of time in which to do it.

Once the Berham crew had ditched the XT’s stock bodywork, the first step was to source a large enough fuel tank that could create a neat line. A Yamaha XS 500 unit fit the bill, but needed some serious massaging to fit the XT 600’s oil-carrying frame.

Martien had to cut the tunnel out completely and rebuild it from scratch—without losing too much capacity. “This meant hours of shaping and beating sheet metal,” he says. He also welded in new threads for fuel taps, and threaded bushings for the new tank mounts.

Next up, the frame was cleaned up and the rear end lopped off. A new subframe was fabricated and welded in, following a more angular line than the typical rear loop design. “The frame’s angles and the need to integrate the rear light called for a bit more trickery,” explains Martien.

The tail section looks like a stock part off an enduro bike, but it’s actually been hand made from fiberglass. Martien had to weld in mounts for the seat, tail, exhaust and a new electrics box.

Alex at Weitgehend Gar in Hamburg handled the upholstery, wrapping the seat pad in a waterproof leather. It had to be waterproof, because Berham’s client will be parking the bike outside, year-round. This XT 600 is most definitely not a show pony.

That’s also why Berham had to keep the XT’s original airbox, rather than cleaning the space out and fitting open filters. Luckily they installed a modified Arrow TT exhaust, saving a little weight and helping the thumper breathe a little better.

The rest of the bodywork is a mixed bag. The stock front fender stayed, but was reshaped to be smaller and sharper. Lucas handlebars were fitted with new Biltwell Inc. grips, but the speedo and most of the controls are still OEM.

The headlight and shroud combo is a setup that Berham has used in the past: A standard Bates-style headlight, capped with a nacelle from Spanish moped manufacturer SRS. Just behind it are new upper fork covers, whipped up on the lathe.

Lowering the bike was part of the brief, but Martien was hesitant to lose suspension travel. So he trimmed the stock suspension as little as possible, and swapped the Yamaha’s stock 21” front wheel for a 19” CWC rim, laced to the stock hub. That did the trick, with a set of Heidenau K60 tires adding just the right amount of all-terrain ability.

With no room to breathe on the livery, the frame was refinished in its original color, and the bodywork in matte black. As for those electrical issues, Berham staffer Dennis wove a new wiring harness.

With the notorious TÜV stamp of approval, the XT 600 was finally ready to return to active duty—as a stealthy, rugged daily runner. The perfect custom for a rider who likes to fly under the radar.

Berham Customs | Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Exsample

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2KASKqg

2019 Volvo S60: South Carolina’s Tasty Little Treat

Volvo Cars simultaneously rolled out a new car and a new manufacturing facility the other day. That’s a double you don’t see happening very often. The new car in question is the S60 sedan, and the factory is the company’s first American manufacturing plant, located outside Charleston, South Carolina. The Swedes say the factory opening reinforces Volvo Cars’ commitment to the United States, and shows how serious they are about the new S60.

Electric Avenue

Volvo points out how the new S60 is the first Volvo car to be sold without a diesel engine. Volvo says this signals “the company’s industry-leading commitment to electrification and a future beyond the traditional combustion engine.” I say it also shows that Volvo doesn’t want to get caught up in a Scandinavian version of diesel-gate and end up with various board members being thrown into Saltvik Prison. (BTW, when looking up a funny Swedish prison name, I came across this: Prison Life in Scandinavia – Discover Scandinavia; seriously dude, an article from a Scandinavian tourist site about how great their prisons are!)

But it’s more than just that, Volvo seems very serious about this whole EV thing, saying that from 2019 all new models will be electrified.

2019 Volvo S60 R-Design. Photo: Volvo Car Group.

Power & Performance

This new, American-built S60 will be propelled by the company’s turbo and supercharged T8 Twin Engine Plug­-In Hybrid system. The internal combustion plant puts out 313 horsepower and the rear electric motor adds another 87 for a combined, healthy power output of 400 horsepower. Tasty!

In addition to the T8 version, the T5 front-wheel drive, and T6 all-wheel drive will also be available.

The new S60 shares the Scalable Product Architecture platform with other Volvo cars, such as the new V60 wagon and XC60.

Safety & Security

And, since this is a Volvo, it’s about as safe as a castle. There’s the City Safety system with Autobrake technology to assist the driver in avoiding potential collisions. Volvo says City Safety is the only system on the market that can recognize pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals and can engage auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions.

There’s an optional Pilot Assist system to support you with steering, acceleration, and braking on well-marked roads up to 80 mph. The S60 also comes with Run­off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, and other steering assistance nannies.

Infotainment? Oh sure: The Sensus Connect system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and works via a tablet style touchscreen interface that combines car functions, navigation, connected services, and various entertainment apps.

Photo: Volvo Car Group.

Pricing & Availability

The T5 FWD, T6 AWD, and T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid will carry an MSRP of $35,800, $40,300, and $54,400 respectively. The new S60 will also be “sold” via Volvo’s new subscription service, Care by Volvo. The subscription deal means no down payment and a monthly flat rate. No worrying about maintenance and that sort of thing.

A well-equipped S60 T6 AWD Momentum is available for $775 a month through the program; an S60 T6 AWD R-Design can be had for $850 a month.

The new S60 also has a Polestar Engineered variant, which includes upgrades to the exterior and interior design, wheels, brakes, suspension, and engine control unit. This is the one you want to buy, but they will be extremely limited.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

2019 Volvo S60 Gallery

Photos & Source: Volvo Car Group.

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2IzQYnR