Tesla the Most American Car Company

Tesla the Most American Car Company

car luxury car Sedan sport car Tesla

Last year Tesla was the only car company to assemble 100% of their cars in America. The only others that came close were Jeep, Caddilac, and Dodge which barely broke 80%. When I was up at the Tesla factory this past June, I learned that Tesla makes 100% of their cars here in California. It got me thinking, are they the most American car company?

When it comes to measuring how American a car is, there are two variables to consider. The first variable is where the company sources the materials and the other is where they assemble the final product. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publishes a report each year listing the percentage of a vehicles engine, transmission, and assembly that originate in either the US or Canada. 

The American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA) defines a passenger motor vehicle as a motor vehicle designed to carry not more than 12 persons with a gross vehicle weight rating not higher than 8,500 pounds (3,800kg) and includes multipurpose passenger vehicles and light duty trucks. So we have two categories here and three measurements. The first we can call content origin, then the second we can call assembly.

The ALA breaks these two variables down by each model, so we need to roll that up by the manufacturer to see those numbers at the company level.

First, let’s answer the question about where these companies assemble their cars. As I mentioned I had to aggregate this data up to the manufacturer level so that we’re not looking at individual models from the survey, and as it turns out, maybe you guessed, Tesla is the most American car company when it comes to assembly location.

We’re looking at this by Manufacturer, and as you can see it’s a stark contrast from first to second place, but if we drill down to the brand it’s a bit closer. Tesla still ranks #1 but Jeep is a close second, and right behind them you have Acura making up the only 3 with over 80% of their cars made in America.

Assembling the car is one thing, but where those parts come from is another. If we look at which cars are the most American based on the source of their parts, Tesla falls to #3 behind Fiat Chrysler and Honda.

Coming in at #1 you may have guessed it; Tesla is the most American car company overall. When looking at it by the manufacturer we have Honda coming in second, Fiat Chrysler third, GM fourth, and Ford rounding out the top 5.

source: www.linkedin.com/pulse/tesla-most-american-car-company-pretty-much-ben-sullins

ToscaDistro Pada 8:30 AM Komentar

2018 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport The First Look

2018 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport The First Look

2018 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport car Chevrolet Chevrolet Corvette Sedan sport car

Here is the short review of 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, The Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport occupies the slim real estate between the 455-hp Stingray and the supercharged, 650-hp Z06, combining elements of the two. The Stingray’s naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 is surrounded by the Z06’s gnarly bodywork, flared fenders, meaty tires, and wide-track suspension. Think of the Grand Sport as basically equal to the track-ready Z06 in every way save for power. The combination is potent enough to earn it a spot on our 2017 10Best Cars list, and track rats can go nuts and buy a Z07 aerodynamics and handling package very similar to the one available on the Z06, complete with carbon-ceramic brakes, a deeper spoiler, a harder-core suspension tune, and ultragrippy Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tires. 

The new things of 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, Similar to its Stingray and Z06 siblings, the Grand Sport receives a multitude of minor updates for 2018. The backup camera boasts higher resolution, the head-up display can be adjusted over a wider range, and there are a few new interior and exterior color combinations. Headlining the Grand Sport’s transition into the new year is the limited-production Carbon 65 Edition package that’s also available on the Z06. 

The Corvette reviewed here came so equipped, meaning it wore exclusive Ceramic Matrix Gray paint, featured Carbon 65 graphics on the fenders and doors, and had carbon fiber practically splattered all over it, including on the splitter, rocker-panel blades, spoiler, side mirrors, hood insert, rear fender ducts, wheel caps, and about half of the steering-wheel rim. These carbon-fiber items are all optional on regular Grand Sports, as are the package’s included Competition Sport seats. The net effect is eye-catching—our Carbon 65 coupe attracted endless attention. 

The interior’s blue stitching (including quilting for the removable carbon-fiber roof panel’s microsuede-upholstered headliner), additional black microsuede accents, and carbon-fiber trim noticeably classed up the Corvette’s cabin. Whether that’s worth the package’s $15,000 cost (and this specific Carbon 65’s $99,230 sticker) is up to you.

Here is the specification of 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport:

Other photos of 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport:

Source: www.motortrend.com and
      www.caranddriver.com

ToscaDistro Pada 3:23 PM Komentar

Here Are The 10 Most Exciting New Cars of 2018

Here Are The 10 Most Exciting New Cars of 2018

car Most Exciting New Cars of 2018 Sedan sport car

To a car person, not many things can eclipse the excitement of a new model year. For those less motorvated, a crop of new cars can still inspire thoughts of a new ride. And no automotive marketing exec would ever say it, but most folks understand it: The majority of new model year releases have either no changes or barely enough to justify terms such as “refresh” or “new” (as opposed to “all new”). Despite this, every year vehicles premiere that genuinely merit attention. Which ones? Some are industry sales leaders; some represent a new direction for a manufacturer, carrying the promise of future growth; and some are just plain cool. 

Here Are The 10 Most Exciting New Cars of 2018 below:

1. 2018 BMW M5

This car is more than the 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque generated by its 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8. What makes the new M5 special is how it applies that power. The new M xDrive all-wheel-drive system (an M5 first, with a pure rear-wheel-drive mode available) works off a rear-wheel bias, sending power up front as needed. Peak torque is available at 1800 rpm, with the curve staying flat until 5700 rpm — at which point you’re into peak horsepower. Feel the joys of pulling from the line and all the midrange push you can handle sometime early in 2018.

2. 2018 Kia Stinger

Kia’s Stinger concept had a grand debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show as a fiery orange/yellow 2+2 sports coupe, immediately generating dreams of affordable power and performance. The reveal of the production model being a GT-inspired sports sedan disappointed the 2-door set, but that news was tempered by word of the Stinger’s available 365-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine and rear-wheel drive (with all-wheel drive as an option). A competitive sports sedan at Kia pricing should draw some attention; we’ll find out soon enough if American drivers are ready to buy in.

3. 2018 Buick Regal

Has the world gone so topsy-turvy that we’re a little giddy for the arrival of a new Buick again? Apparently so. Beyond its sharp new exterior, the 2018 Regal is a bold attempt to revive the great American sedan. Above the standard Sportback trim will be a Regal GS with a naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive. The 2018 Regal TourX hails the return of the American wagon; that alone is enough to get some of us excited to see it on the road.

4. 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta leaves large, fast shoes to fill, but Maranello seems to have developed a worthy successor. The 6.5-liter V12 in the new 812 Superfast generates a massive 789 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque, squeaks a zero-to-60 mph run in just under 3 seconds, and maxes out at 211 mph. Sitting on an inflection point for Ferrari, the 812 houses what might be Ferrari’s final naturally-aspirated V12 road-going engine, as well as its first electric power steering system in a road car. Years from now it may become a reference point for the supercar producer.

5. 2018 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

The 2018 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo has a variety of powertrain options: the base 330-horsepower turbocharged V6, which will have an E-Hybrid option rated at 456 horsepower; a 440-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 4S variant; and the top of the line 550-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. These are important details for sure, but what you really need to know about the Panamera Sport Turismo is this: If you have the coin, 2018 is the year you can buy yourself a very fast Porsche wagon.

6. 2019 Subaru Ascent

Scheduled for release in 2018 as a 2019 model, the Ascent represents Subaru’s attempt to stake a claim in the 3-seat SUV market as the automaker continues to grow in the United States. Built on the new Subaru Global Platform that underpins the new Impreza and Crosstrek, the Ascent is Subaru’s second crack at a 7-seat people carrier after the Tribeca. The Ascent will also feature a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine that will find its way into future Subaru vehicles.

7. 2018 Audi SQ7 TDI

The 2018 Audi SQ7 TDI quietly uses some interesting technology to stand out in an increasingly crowded performance SUV segment. Diesel is back on the table, and that’s not even the best part: The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine features a production vehicle first — an electric-powered compressor, which kicks in from takeoff and under acceleration from lower rpm. The aim is to apply the 435 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque without any associated turbo lag.

8. 2018 Lexus LS

This new flagship LS sedan makes an immediate impact with its more distinctive and aggressive exterior lines, which set the tone for everything else about the car. A new twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 designed specifically for the 2018 LS replaces the outgoing model’s V8, but produces more horsepower (415 versus 386), while a 10-speed automatic transmission aims to keep shifts smooth and precise. The interior seeks to balance the demands of luxury with an approach that emphasizes function over flash. Touches such as ambient lighting inspired by Japanese lanterns bring a sense of serenity to luxury.

9. 2018 BMW Z4

Model year 2018 will mark 20 years since the last time a Supra was on the U.S. market, and will also be the year of an all-new BMW Z4, since the two cars share the same platform. What we know right now is this: The Z4 will be a roadster; the Supra will be a coupe. Both are to be built in Austria and will reportedly share BMW engines. The Z4 is slated to offer three engines: 180- and 240-horsepower turbocharged inline four cylinders, and a 320-horsepower turbocharged inline six cylinder. A manual transmission will be optional for the Z4, with no word yet on the Supra.

10. 2018 BMW 8 Series

It’s been a long time coming, but BMW’s high-end coupe is back. The all-new 8 Series is slated to debut in 2018 and appears to carry much of the spirit of the original, with a long hood and design elements that depart radically from other models in the current BMW line. Save for one, that is: There are some elements of the i8 to be found in the 8 Series. Combined with touches seemingly drawn from modern GT cars, the result is a handsomely rendered contemporary “sports luxury car,” as BMW describes it. Powertrain options and specs should be public early in 2018 ahead of the release of the new 8 Series.

source: www.autonxt.net

ToscaDistro Pada 8:04 AM Komentar

Toyota's GR HV Sports Car Concept

Toyota's GR HV Sports Car Concept

car Sedan sport car sport car concept Toyota

At this point, it seems like every automaker has announced it will offer electrification across its entire lineup by 2020 or 2025. But while that goal helps automakers meet emissions goals, it doesn't sound all that fun for enthusiasts. The Toyota GR HV Sports concept, though, sounds like a car that would make our electrified future a lot less bland.

As far as we can tell, the GR HV is a modified Toyota 86. But it gets a new front and rear end that the Japanese automaker says is inspired by the TS050 hybrid race car, as well as a matte black paint job. Under the sheet metal, the race car inspiration continues, with the GR HV getting a performance hybrid system that trickled down from the TS050.

But the GR HV's most interesting feature is in the cabin. There's a push-button automatic transmission, but for drivers who want to shift their own gears, there's also a six-speed H-pattern shifter. It's not actually a manual transmission, and there's no clutch to press, but it would theoretically offer a driving experience closer to what you get with a stick shift. That same shift lever also houses the start button under a fighter-jet like cover. Maybe it's a little cheesy, but it's still a neat trick.

With the engine up front, the battery in the middle, and the power going to the rear, Toyota says it's able to provide the performance of a genuine sports car while also offering the environmental friendliness of an economy car. Sadly, there are no official power or performance figures just yet. And with no mention of the potential for production, we have to assume this will stay a concept.Then again, maybe we'll see some of these same elements in the upcoming Toyota Supra revival.
Look for the Toyota GR HV Sports concept to make its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

Other pictures are below :

source: www.motortrend.com

ToscaDistro Pada 7:53 AM Komentar

2017 Audi Q7 2.0T Quattro The First Look

2017 Audi Q7 2.0T Quattro The First Look

Audi Audi Q7 2.0T Quattro car luxury car SUV

I have made an article before about 2018 Audi Q5 2.0 The First Look, and this article is the other variant of Audi. Please continue reading and have a look of the pictures of Audi Q7 2.0T Quattro.

The Orca Black Metallic 2017 Audi Q7 arrived before I got a chance to check out the paperwork on it. All I knew was that headquarters only wanted a story on it if it had the base 2.0-liter engine because we'd yet to weigh in on that variant. I did a quick once-over of the exterior but discovered no giveaway badging. Just the ubiquitous "Quattro" moniker. So I jumped in and drove off.

My very first impression upon listening to the engine pull gently away from a stop was "hey, I thought Audi was out of the diesel biz!" A glance at the tach's 6,750-rpm redline confirmed that this was no oil-burner and called into question some of the choices made by the intake/exhaust sound-tuning team. When I finally rolled clear of the neighborhoods and out onto Detroit's iconic Woodward Avenue, I called for full power. The gentle shove against my backside suggested I'd better sharpen my pencil and prepare to write about what could only be 252 hp towing around 4,800 pounds of gorgeous leather, wood, and creature comforts.

There's no denying the beauty and richness of this interior, most of which comes standard with the $49,950 base Q7 (those walnut inlay panels added $350). Patient, frugal aesthetes can therefore certainly be commended for saving the $6,500 premium demanded for sub-6-second acceleration with the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine option. But it must be noted that said aesthetes earn no green credits for choosing the little engine because the highly stressed four-banger only ekes out one extra city and combined mpg—20/25/22 versus the 3.0's 19/25/21 mpg. You'll want to invest that $6,500 savings in tree planting at www.arborday.org if CO2-reduction is your jam.

Below is the figure of the specification of Audi Q7 2.0T Quattro:

And other pictures below of Audi Q7 2.0T Quattro:

source: www.motortrends.com

ToscaDistro Pada 11:37 AM Komentar

2018 Audi Q5 2.0 The First Look

2018 Audi Q5 2.0 The First Look

Audi Audi Q5 2.0 car Jeep SUV

You might be surprised to learn that the midsize Q5 crossover is Audi's best-selling vehicle—about five times better last year than the A5 from which it sprang, and easily outselling the A4, as well. Based on the same laudable MLB chassis that mounts the engine north/south (unique in this largely FWD-based segment that typically uses east/west), the 2018 Q5 comes standard with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also grows in just about every dimension. Not seeing a major redesign since it was introduced in 2009, the more sharply sculpted Q5 also gains a much-needed interior makeover to catch it up to the rest of the current-era Audi electronics and aesthetics.

The revised 2.0-liter Audi TFSI engine gains 32 horsepower, 15 lb-ft of torque, and a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission replaces an eight-speed automatic. The impressive results are improved fuel economy (gaining 3 mpg in both the EPA's city and combined cycles over its processor) and better acceleration. Our testing produced a snappy 5.9-second 0-60-mph time, which is a second better than the 2017 model and puts it within a half second of the much-ballyhooed Alfa Romeo Stelvio. It's quick, but the Q5 is also smooth. The shifts from the new transmission, dubbed S Tronic, are rapid and nearly imperceptible—and it doesn't have that lurch from a stop or low-speed shift-shudder that some other similar, automated manuals do. Even the engine's fuel-saving automatic stop/start is swift and unobtrusive.

Below is the figure of the specification of Audi Q5 2.0

And other pictures below of Audi Q5 2.0:

source: www.motortrends.com

ToscaDistro Pada 10:45 AM Komentar