Magazine 3272

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10BEST TRUCKS AND SUVS FOR 2019
FEB/2019 I NTE LL IG EN CE. INDEPENDENCE. I RREV ERE NCE .
FULL DETAILS ON TOYOTA’S MONSTER COUPE

AUDI A7 VS. MERCEDES-BENZ CLS450
NEW BMW 3-SERIES DRIVEN ON THE STREET AND RACETRACK
Features
— Car and Driver
038 vol. 64, no. 8
Election Special Report!
10BEST TRUCKS AND SUVS
We really only voted on
these trucks and SUVs In This Issue:
in hopes of getting an
“I Voted!” sticker to “It’s as though Ford conjured
display on IG. N`]RYY`]RPV¼PNYYfS\_b`³
by The Editors
—DAVID BEARD, LONG-TERM TEST: 2017 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT350
—
056
Comparison Test
RAIN OR SHINE
074
Audi A7 vs. Merdeces-
Benz CLS450 4MATIC.
by John Pearley
5bÜZN[
—
064
Feature
SWEDISH HEAVY METAL
When you find yourself in
a remote Swedish mining
town . . . you’re going to
want to find a raggare club
and slow-roll in their
classic American iron.
by Josh Dean
—
074
Long-Term Test
2017 FORD MUSTANG
SHELBY GT350
I have a humming bird and
it hums so loud, you think
you were losing your mind.
by David Beard
—
On the Cover
Der Supra.
photography by
Greg Pajo
F E B / 2 0 1 9 . C A R A N D D R I V E R . 003
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Always drive safely and obey traffic laws. Apps, prices and services vary by phone carrier and are subject to change at any time without notice. Subject to smartphone connectivity and
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trademark of Apple Inc. All rights reserved. 4. 2019 Lexus UX 200 EPA 29/city, 37/hwy, 33/comb MPG estimates. Actual mileage will vary. 5. UX AWD system operates at speeds up
to 43 mph. ©2018 Lexus.
UX 250h F SPORT AWD5
Car and Driver
vol. 64, no. 8
012
On the Web
MERCEDES-AMG A35
HATCHBACK
This hyperhatch will
donate its 302
horsepower to a small
sedan for the U.S.
Departments CARandDRIVER.com/
AMGA35
—
Columnists 018 . The Physics of . . . 088 . Tested 2018 FERRARI 812
024 . JOHN PHILLIPS DRAGSTER TIRES PORSCHE CAYENNE . The SUPERFAST
Bigger than crap. No mere rubber donuts, they’re entry-level trim of this revamped Our test results prove it’s
026 . DANIEL PUND active parts of the driveline. SUV now deserves your attention. aptly named.
Cutting off dying limbs. 020 . MAYBACH MUSIC 090 . ARIEL ATOM 4 CARandDRIVER.com/
028 . EZRA DYER Okay, so maybe we aren’t the only A Civic Type R engine and 1350 Ferrari812Superfast
Let us not roll the coal, comrade. ones who love writing about cars. pounds of curb weight make for a —
— 022 . IF YOU CAN’T BEAT ’EM . . . compelling lesson in applied LEXUS UX250h
Upfront In the age of mobility as a service, physics. How small does a hybrid
012 . Reveal of the Month rental-car companies are making —
SUV have to be before it’s
2020 TOYOTA SUPRA their peace. Etc. just a hatchback?
Toyota—with a lot of help from — 008 . BACKFIRES CARandDRIVER.com/
BMW—resurrects a hero. Drivelines Oh, Mabel! You’re such a card! LexusUX250h
016 . Bonus Reveal of the Month 082 . 2019/2020 BMW 092 . WHAT I’D DO
SUBARU STI S209 3-SERIES . Steering feel returns. DIFFERENTLY
The latest limited-run car is for 086 . AUDI e-tron Rob Dickinson.
the U.S. only. Audi’s future doesn’t feel all that
different from today.
006 . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 9
Backfires:
The joyful noise of the
commentariat, rebutted
sporadically by Ed.
FINE WHINES reading about them. If

I just read the “Appa- I ever get the chance
lachian Outlaws” to drive any of these
comparison test in cars, I can maybe
the November issue. refute your opinion,
Here comes the but until then, I’m
flood of Porsche-bias sticking with you.
letters. —Jason Hinkle
—John Grant Campbell Reading, PA
Chatsworth, GA
Well, actually . . . Whose brilliant idea
—Ed. was it to drive three
sports cars worth
I finished reading more than $500,000
“Appalachian combined through
“AM I THE
Outlaws,” and while Appalachia? I hope
I didn’t need to read it made you realize
it to know that the
Porsche would be the
there are better
things to do with ONLY ONE
winner, I still thought whatever it cost you, WHO THOUGHT Porsche prevails. I snuck into the “Appa- the 911 would score
A VW BEETLE
it was an enjoyable but I doubt it. assume this issue’s lachian Outlaws” zero. If you don’t
article. It seemed to —Larry Price letter writers will be comparo? The angle believe me, park a 911
me, though, that a
911 Turbo might have
White Plains, NY
Hotels, food, and SNUCK back at you again.
Sorry, but Porsche
of the pic on page
041 is not flattering
near a real sports car
like a Lamborghini
been a better fit than gas are cheaper INTO THE makes a good car. to the 911 and shows or a Ferrari or even a
‘APPALACHIAN
the GT3, due to forced there than in other As to the Aston and how completely ordi- Corvette and watch
induction and a less areas and the roads your comment on the nary-looking it is. I’ve the passersby. None
hard-core demeanor
more similar to the
are just as good and
empty—Ed. OUTLAWS’ glovebox, in my expe-
rience, a glovebox
loved Porsches since
I was a kid (and still
of them will pay any
attention to the 911. I
Aston’s and AMG’s. I
think a lot of people The Aston did well,
COMPARO?” does only two things:
One, it sags over time,
want one), but it looks
like a frumpy house-
have been to several
local car shows with
accuse you of having but once again the and, two, it rattles and wife showed up in my Diablo and nobody
biases toward certain squeaks. I congrat- the Sports Illustrated paid any attention to
automakers, mostly ulate Aston Martin swimsuit issue. the 911s nearby.
those from Stutt- for having deleted —Gary Delabate —Jacques Lahaie
gart and Bavaria, and the rattle box, which Cranford, NJ Alpharetta, GA
though I myself am is useful only to hold Regarding that need
somewhat partial junk I’ll never touch Here we go again. for attention, please
to AMG, there’s one again after having put The 911 GT3 scores tell me about your
thing I think a lot of it in there in the first more than the childhood—Dr. Ed.
people forget: You place. Vantage and the
guys actually get —Scott C. Lees GT C. What a surprise! You call the new
to drive all these Conway, SC C/D always allocates Aston Martin
amazing machines, I still use the glove more points to the Vantage “movie-star
something most compartment for its 911, especially in the handsome” and want
people, myself unfor- intended purpose, subjective areas that to knight Aston design
tunately included, and it keeps my nobody cares about chief Marek Reichman
will never get to do. opera-length silks in for sports cars, like for his design. Do
So I tend to put much fine condition for fuel economy. Here you think a catfish is
more stock into your evenings out—Ed. is my suggestion: handsome? That’s
opinions based on Allocate 50 points for what the Aston’s front
driving them than Am I the only one who the exterior styling. end looks like. And
my own based on thought a VW Beetle With its dated look, if I were Reichman’s
probably learn to live trying to sell this over-
with it. That was until priced car.
I saw the price. While —D. Craig
reading the article, I Bartlett, TN
was thinking it would The most basic
be a good value for Altima starts below
around $28,000– $25,000, and a
“I CAN DRIVE $30,000, but it’s well-equipped
AND I DON’T
$36,645! I laughed version with the
out loud. Also, the turbo 2.0-liter can
NEED OR Nissan has a three-

year/36,000-mile
be had for about
$30,000, Mr.
WANT A warranty, whereas an Bond—Ed.
COMPUTER’S
Infiniti Q50 has a four-
year/60,000-mile What really is an
‘HELP’! CARS warranty. Another

important factor is
indicator that the
end is near is a
boss, I would dock his approaching the rear I was wondering if you ARE GETTING the better trade-in $37,000 Nissan
SMARTER
paycheck for not fin- end of a tractor-trailer. might consider com- value of a 2017 Q50 Altima. Seriously,
ishing the front. It’s because I’m paring accident-avoid- over a 2017 Altima. a $37,000 Nissan
—Ian Chiu
Hillsborough, CA
trying to pass the
left-lane camper that
ance rates for drivers
of cars with manual WHILE WE And don’t get me
started on the value
Altima. I better start
digging my bunker
Isn’t getting won’t pass the trac- transmissions versus CONTINUE TO of an Acura TLX. In now as the world has
DUMB DOWN
catfished the tor-trailer! The first automatics. I’d be the end, I bought gone cray cray.
worst?—Ed. time, I was able to interested to see the my daughter a fully —Michael Santos
BIG BRAKE
maintain momentum
and pass the left-
real-world difference
in the safety of drivers DRIVERS. loaded TLX with the
V-6. I may not be the
Antelope, CA
I read with interest lane blocker; the who are required MAYBE IT’S smartest guy in the COMING SOON
JUST ME,
the article about second time, I got to be engaged at all world, but I would Really enjoyed the
automated-emer- shut down, hard. At times compared with have to be certifiable “Startup Derby”
gency-braking (AEB)
systems and the
the next stop, I got the
owner’s manual out
those who are near-
somnolent in their BUT I DON’T to buy an Altima over
a Q50 or a TLX for a
article from the
November issue and
balloon car [“Brake and figured out how complacency. THINK THAT’S difference of had to comment on it.
THE RIGHT
Check,” November to turn off as many of —Justin Stewart only a couple The part about Lyons
2018]. My sister the electronic nannies Purchase, NY thousand dollars. I Motor Car caught
had the scare of her
life when the AEB
as I could. I can drive
and I don’t need PRICING GAMES SOLUTION.” guess Nissan has lost
interest in selling a
my attention, since
the founder, Kevin W.
system on her new or want a comput- I just finished reading high-value car for a Lyons, is a graphic
Honda spotted a er’s “help”! Cars are your article on the good price. It’s more designer and that’s
mylar balloon blowing getting smarter while 2019 Nissan Altima interested in selling been my profession
across the highway we continue to dumb Platinum Edition One SUVs. There are still for the last 30-plus
and made an emer- down drivers. Maybe [“The Middle Man relics like me who years. So I thought:
gency stop from it’s just me, but I don’t Would Like a Word,” prefer a beautiful “Hey! I love cars,
70 mph. She only think that’s the right November 2018] high-performance too. Maybe I should
escaped unscathed solution. and was interested sedan over an SUV. see what the dude’s
due to light traffic. —Jay Klein in looking at that car All I can say is, good about!” even after the
—Kent Brady Cincinnati, OH further because of luck, Nissan, with negative comments in
Canal Winchester, OH It’s not just you—Ed. your positive review.
Also, I must admit
Count me in the group Your recent article that the 2019 does
of Neanderthals on automated- look more beauti-
who don’t like auto- emergency-braking ful and upscale than
mated emergency systems is one of the any Altima before
braking. My first expe- most helpful things it. It also seems to
rience with these I’ve read on the topic. have good interior
systems was in a Well done. space and features.
rented Suburban. The —Chase Rowan I was thinking that
systems can’t take Aldie, VA it would be a good
human behavior into value for my daugh-
account. Like, there My better half tells ter’s first car and that
might be a damn good me that she’s more while I would never
reason I’m going 85 alert when driving our consider owning a
mph and still accel- manual-transmis- sedan or SUV with
erating while rapidly sion Volkswagen GTI. a CVT, she could
Sic your dogs on us at: [email protected] or join: backfires.caranddriver.com 009

the article. I logged on “Mineral Rites” in speed. I went over the in tired packages sedan if all its devel-
to the company’s site your November article many times usually don’t stay opment decisions
and, in all honesty, I issue followed by and ordered a 2018 around for long. Does were made solely
think you undersold it. “Startup Derby,” Mineral Grey, manual anyone remember on take rates? Sport
I knew from the which touts some M2, which arrived in International Harvest- suspension or marsh-
minute I saw the new and proposed July. This thing is fun! er’s Scout? Ford is an mallow ride? Rear-
godawful logo that EVs. So which side No buyer’s remorse automotive zombie, drive dry-road grip or
came up on the site’s are you on? That of even after hearing treading water until it front-drive low-fric-
homepage that you the 40,000 kids in the about the M2 Com- sinks out of sight. tion traction? Con-
may have been too Democratic Republic petition, which would —Brent Fetterly trollable oversteer
generous in your of Congo mines or have been another Redding, ON or wallowing under-
writeup. The car is the elites who drive $8000 up here in You’ve got to pity steer? You see: Every
mechanical vapor- Teslas? Canada and not avail- Ford. Selling nearly decision based on the
ware and, geez, —Dan Koch able in the dark grey. 1 million F-series preferences of non-
buddy, if you’re going Hastings, NE Thanks, guys, for the trucks every year is a car-lovers would have
to whip up a dream advice and keep up burden few would been the wrong one.
car, at least make it M2, BRUTE? the irreverence! want—Ed. —David Floro
handsome! But you As an avid reader —Tim King Shawnee, CO
want to know my since the late ’60s, I Thornhill, ON THREESOME
favorite part of the have always looked What the hell?! BMW What?! The Hofmeis-
site? What sums up forward to each Jeff Sabatini hit the is dropping a proper ter kink just describes
all the reasons buyers new issue. Recently, nail on the head with six-speed manual a window? Seriously?
should run away? Go while searching the his comment on from its quintessen- You mean to tell me
read the “About the Porsche website, I how the M2 would tial sports sedan that it doesn’t involve
Founder” section and finally realized that be much better as because, as reported handcuffs, lederho-
note its grammati- a 911 or Cayman S is a hatch [Long-Term earlier, the slushbox sen, and an Angela
cal errors and self- just not the car for Test, November is “easier to use” and Merkel look-alike?
aggrandizement and
then check out the
me unless I am willing
to spend the entire “I WENT 2018]. I have a 2015
M235i, which is
the beancounters
predict the take rate
Screw BMW then; I’m
going to get some
quote near Lyons’s ownership experience OVER THE almost perfect for me. on the manual will be of that Ford Power
ARTICLE MANY
signature: “In every in a state of buyer’s A hatchback would less than 10 percent Stroke action instead.
revolution there’s one remorse. It was the make it perfect. [“The Third Degree,” —Dave Lesack
man with a vision.”
No credit given, but
outrageous pricing
on the options list TIMES AND —Dave Prepelka
Moon Township, PA
November 2018].
Don’t these people
Kelowna, BC
I know where it’s that squashed that ORDERED A ROCKLIKE

understand that the MINERS ALLOWED
2018 MINERAL
from: Captain James dream. I then began stick is a way of life for So what’s the possi-
T. Kirk, who said it looking through your The lease on my third many of us die-hard bility that the lack of
in the original Star
Trek episode “Mirror,
back issues for some-
thing fun to drive and GREY, MANUAL Silverado will be up
at this time next year.
Bimmer fans? I’ve
been a loyal BMW
availability of these
minerals starts to
Mirror.” I rest my for what I consider M2, WHICH Based on the photos owner for over 25 curb the prolifera-
ARRIVED IN
case. to be reasonably in the November issue years, on my fourth tion of electric cars
—Brad Snow priced, and I came of the restyled Silver- 3-series with a few [“Mineral Rites,”
Bluffton, IN across the April 2016
test on the BMW M2. JULY. THIS ado [“King without
a Crown”], this will
5s in between. I was
looking to replace
November 2018]?
—Erich Schroeder
Imagine my head
scratching after
This looked like the
answer and could be
THING IS FUN!” be my last. The dash
and interior are the
my ’14 335i M Sport
with the upcoming ’19
Katy, TX
I read the article had with a manual six- same as those in my model until I heard URSA DENTE
2014 and 2017. The this news. But now I’m John Phillips’s
front end has to be so done with these description of the
the ugliest combina- poseurs. If I wanted Beartooth Highway in
tion of sheetmetal, a Buick, I’d shop at the November issue
bumper, and lighting General Motors. sounds like a mix of
I have ever seen on a —Gregory Heil rally-car madness
truck. Who dreams Windsor, ON and, well, madness.
up this stuff? Time to I can relate after
look at a Ford F-150. You mention the taking a rental Jeep
—R. McAllan current F30 3 “feels Cherokee up to Mount
Wall Township, NJ notably deficient” Marston lookout in
but that the new G20 Montana on a whim.
Great review of the 3-series won’t offer a A paltry 7346 feet
Silverado, but is Ford manual because the in 20 miles of spa-
really a consideration take rate is declining. ghetti paved with
anymore? Compa- Would BMW have ever jagged riprap that
nies that sell old tech invented the sports passes as a “road.”
010 . CAR AND DRIVER . FEB/2019

Editor-In-Chief Publisher and Chief
I guess it worked for bought a 2018 Accord time. Tomorrow is Eddie Alterman Revenue Officer
— Felix DiFilippo
the tracked logging Sport 2.0T manual my colonoscopy prep Deputy Editor —
machines scattered back in February after day. Thanks, karma. Daniel Pund National Advertising Sales
Creative Director Director Cameron Albergo
about. I didn’t get reading your reviews —Dave Kettlehake Darin Johnson General Manager, Hearst
Executive Editor Men’s Group Samantha Irwin
any pictures of the of the car. It’s every- Dublin, OH Jared Gall —
NEW YORK
journey, as my wife thing you said it was, Go lightly, my Technical Director Group Advertising Director
Eric Tingwall Joe Pennacchio
was petrified and I and it has become my friend—Ed. Managing Editor CHICAGO
Mike Fazioli Integrated Sales Director
was too concerned favorite car I’ve ever Design Director Rick Bisbee
Nathan Schroeder Integrated Advertising Director
with keeping the Jeep owned. I’m planning Why do so many car Features Editor Marc Gordon
Assistant Yvonne Villareal
on the mountain and to give this car to my wheels have five-fold Jeff Sabatini DETROIT
Senior Editor Tony Quiroga Group Advertising Director
avoiding flats. It is son when he’s old rotational symmetry? Reviews Editor Josh Jacquot Marisa Stutz
heartening to hear enough to drive—in I suppose it is to dis- Technical Editor David Beard Digital Sales Director Nina Frost
Associate Editor Annie White Assistants
Toni Starrs, Rene Tuohy
that places like the 13 years. I sure hope tribute tensile and Associate Managing Editor
LOS ANGELES
Juli Burke
Beartooth are still Honda still offers the compressive forces Copy Chief
Group Advertising Director
Anne Rethmeyer
around in this sani- Accord with a manual somewhat evenly, but Carolyn Pavia-Rauchman Digital Sales Director Lisa LaCasse
Copy Editor Beth Nichols Integration Associate
tized and oh-so-care- when that happens. why five? Road-Test Editor Michelle Nelson
Charles Dryer Assistant Olivia Zurawin
ful world we play in. Anyway, thanks for —Bob Southard Editor, Montana Desk DALLAS
PR 4.0 Media Patty Rudolph
Phillips is also part making this purchase Lancaster, PA John Phillips —
European Editor Mike Duff HEARST DIRECT MEDIA
of another breed and an easy decision for It looks good—Ed. Carolinas Editor Ezra Dyer Sales Manager Brad Gettelfinger
—
Staff Photographer MARKETING SOLUTIONS
nation, doing things me. Keep up the good Marc Urbano
MISSENT MAIL
Executive Director, Integrated
because they are work. Art Assistant Austin Irwin Marketing Dawn Sheggeby
Road Warriors Harry Granito, Director, Integrated Marketing
there to do. Thanks —Scott Cellupica Mr. Loh: Kunal Haria, Sean Flavin, Eric Bratten
Kevin Moreno Senior Manager, Integrated
for the writing and Hopkinton, MA Your publication is — Marketing Michael Coopersmith
Contributing Editors Art Director, Group Marketing
inspirations. much better than Clifford Atiyeh, Csaba Csere, Elena Martorano
Malcolm Gladwell, Fred M.H. Marketing Coordinator
—Ken Kozol I purchased a 2018 that slanderous fish Richard Panciocco
Gregory, John Pearley
Director, Digital Marketing
Eldridge, IA Honda Accord 2.0T wrapper called Cars Huffman, Davey G. Johnson, Kelly Martin
Peter Manso, Bruce McCall,
six-speed. It’s the And Drivers [sic]. Jens Meiners, P.J. O’Rourke,
Research Manager Peter Davis
—
VAN STUFF nicest stick-shift Motor Trend reminds Steve Siler, James Tate,
Dweezil Zappa
THE BLEND LINE
Executive Creative Director
Daniel Pund’s sedan available at me of Grit magazine in — Maury Postal
Deputy Online Editor Creative Strategist Craig Daitch
November column my price point, it just the 1950s . . . simple Dave VanderWerp Director, Creative Strategy
Merv Garretson
Testing Director K.C. Colwell
reminded me of took a little convinc- articles for “salt of the Buyer’s Guide Executive Editor
Director, Digital Media Strategy
Meagan Maginot
something I had heard ing from the C/D earth” folks like me. Kirk Seaman Accolades Manager, Media
Senior Online Editors Strategy/Planning Coordinator
on a car talk show on reviews. Do you know Us readers don’t need Joe Lorio, Mike Sutton, Rebecca Taroon
Kevin A. Wilson —
the radio. Caller: “I the take rate for the wordy college terms, Using Shell V-Power®
Senior Online Consumer Editor ADMINISTRATION
NiTRO®+ Premium Advertising Services Director
really want an SUV. stick-shift Accords in perverse metaphors, Gasolines and diesel fuels Rich Ceppos Regina Wall
appropriately in all Online Editors Alexander —
Can I get one with the U.S.? I saw Louis or references to the Car and Driver test vehicles Stoklosa, Andrew Wendler PRODUCTION
ensures the consistency Associate Online Editor Operations Account Manager
sliding doors?” D’Arcio asked in the Nazi war machine. and integrity of our Joseph Capparella Chris Hertwig
instrumented testing —
—Kaj Ostergaard November issue That kind of thinking procedures and numbers,
Assistant Online Editor
CIRCULATION
Daniel Golson Executive Director, Consumer
Troy, MI about sales figures is for the birds. And both in the magazine Online Managing Editor Marketing William Carter
and online. Jennifer Misaros
(Click. Dial tone.) for 2017 BMW Sports your Jonny Lieberman —
Online News Editor Published by Hearst
—Ed. Wagons [Backfires], . . . what a beefcake. Laura Sky Brown 300 W. 57th Street
Buyer’s Guide Assistant Editors New York, New York 10019
and since you’re occa- He looks like a big, Drew Dorian, Eric Stafford —
FIRST-TIMERS sionally accused of a beautiful bear. Did Assistant Technical Editor
Maxwell B. Mortimer
President & Chief
Executive Officer
Steven R. Swartz
Loved Ezra Dyer’s similar business rela- you know his name Online Staff Photographer
Chairman
Michael Simari
column in November tionship with Honda, means “man of life”? Assistant Photographer William R. Hearst III
Brad Fick Executive Vice Chairman
about a kid’s first car. I figure you may My late husband, Earl, Online Copy Editor
Frank A. Bennack, Jr.
—
Mine was a ’49 Ford have access to that read Motor Trend for Kara Snow HEARST MAGAZINE MEDIA,
Online Production Manager INC.
for $60. With all the information. decades. He died on Luke Sellenraad President Troy Young
Online Production Designers President, Marketing
social B.S. going on —Matt Girardi, the mug with your Sarah Larson, Jeff Xu & Publishing Director
today, I think the first Parkland, FL August 1994 issue Online Production Assistants Michael A. Clinton
CUSTOMER SERVICE Ron Askew, Darren Fitzgerald, Chief Content Officer
criterion should be a Over a 24-ounce in his lap. We buried Visit service.caranddriver.com Ian Geiman, Matt Wolfgram Kate Lewis
or write to Customer Service Social Media Specialist Senior Vice President,
manual transmission porterhouse, Honda Earl with a case of Department, Car and Driver, Michael Aaron Chief Financial Officer &
informed us that as P.O. Box 37870, Boone, IA Photo Assistant Treasurer
until the age of 21. It’s Charmin and a stack 50037 for inquiries/requests, Debi Chirichella
Charley M. Ladd
hard to be texting and of December 7, it of back issues to ease changes of mailing and Product Director Mark Quint Secretary
email addresses, subscription Interactive Design Director Catherine A. Bostron
shifting gears at the sold 4449 Accords his journey across the orders, payments, etc. Sam Conant
— Chairman David Carey
same time. in 2018 with manual River Styx. I’ve never PERMISSIONS Material in
this publication may not be Editorial Office Publishing Consultants
transmissions—Ed. Gilbert C. Maurer,
—R. Semantel driven an automobile reproduced in any form without
permission.
1585 Eisenhower Place
Mark F. Miller
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Eagan, MN but your magazine REPRINTS For information on — —
THINK TANK
reprints and e-prints, please Printed in the U.S.A. INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS
really rings my bell. contact Brian Kolb at Wright’s — Brazil, China, Greece, Spain
ACCORDINGLY —
Reprints, 877-652-5295 or Editorial Contributions
Your November —Mabel Tittmann [email protected]. Unsolicited artwork and HEARST AUTOS
To order digital back issues, President Nick Matarazzo
manuscripts are not accepted,
Just making sure you issue came in the Coopersville, MI go to your favorite app store.
and publisher assumes no Chief Marketing Officer
Car and Driver© is a registered
received your slice of mail today, and it Letters like this one trademark of Hearst responsibility for return or Jill Meenaghan
Communications, Inc. safety of unsolicited artwork, General Manager
commission from my couldn’t have arrived are why we got into Copyright 2019, Hearst photographs, or manuscripts. Jamie Kyi
Communications, Inc. Query letters may be addressed Executive Assistant
local Honda dealer. I at a more opportune the business—Ed. All rights reserved. to the deputy editor. Janie McGraw
Sic your dogs on us at: [email protected] or join: backfires.caranddriver.com 011

Reveal of the Month
SUPRACAR!
TOYOTA—WITH LOTS OF HELP
FROM BMW—RESURRECTS A HERO.
by John Pearley Huffman
001
The Supra’s chief
engineer has suggested
;\daUR/VTAV`¼[NYYfYRcR_NTV[TaUNa
mighty reputation in the form of the new
(A90) Supra, which will blast out of a
Magna Steyr assembly plant in Graz,
Austria, alongside its brother, the BMW
that cultists planning a Z4. Yes, under a skin based on the FT-1 con-
2JZ engine swap cut
TOYOTA’S FOURTH- GENERATION (chassis code A80) costs by waiting for the cept car from 2014 beats a turbocharged
Supra Turbo, sold here from 1993 to 1998, has fronted four-cylinder model. 3.0-liter straight-six just as its fast and furi-
movie franchises, shredded drag strips in as little as six 002 ous forefather had. Beyond that, well . . .
seconds, and—if we recall correctly—conducted the London This Supra’s GR badge
refers to Toyota’s
Philharmonic at the request of Queen Elizabeth II. The iron- Gazoo Racing division
strong 2JZ straight-six under its hood has worn turbochargers big (distinct from TRD,
Toyota’s in-house
enough to sleep in and swims like a shark in a nitrous-oxide ocean. tuning shop). Gazoo is
And yet, Toyota has left us Supraless for 20 years, sitting idly by also slated to work on
the next-generation 86
as the car accumulated a mountain of pop-culture street cred. and Lexus GS F.
001
012 . CAR AND DRIVER . FEB/2019 photography by G R E G P A J O

POWERTRAIN
Instead of the herculean 2JZ, the A90
generation gets a version of BMW’s B58
turbocharged and direct-injected 3.0-liter
inline-six making somewhere near 335 002
horsepower. Naturally, there’s room for
more power—the Z4’s B58 is tweaked to
382 horses—but modern engines are
already so stressed that it’s unlikely this
one has the reserve capacity needed to sup-
port such monumental power increases as
those that made the 2JZ legendary.
The chassis, however, will support
less power. The chief engineer, Tetsuya
Tada, has admitted that a four-cylinder
version of the Supra will come later. We
suggest that such a machine be called Cel-
VPNAUR\[Yfa_N[`ZV``V\[\ßR_RQ\[aUR
2020 model will be a version of the ubiq-
uitous ZF eight-speed automatic gear-
O\eA\f\aNV`[μafRa]YN[[V[Ta\\ßR_
dVYY`b]]\`RQYf\ßR_NàV_Vaf\b_
self stick with some Z4 engines
in some markets but not ours. A T O Y O TA E N G I N E M A D E T H E S U P R A
A LEGEND, BUT THE A90’S MOTOR
CHASSIS WA S O U T S O U R C E D T O G E R M A N Y.
B M W ’ S B 5 8 I N L I N E- S I X I S T H E N E W
Like the engine, most of the HEART AND SOUL OF THE SUPRA.
2020 Supra’s mechanical sub-
stance comes from BMW’s
parts bin. The component set here is the Cluster Architecture

(a.k.a. CLAR) upon which BMW erects most of its products, from
the upcoming 3-series on up. While most of the structural duty is
handled by unitized steel stampings, some body panels, such as
the hood and door skins, are aluminum, and the rear hatch is
made from a composite material.
“The way the partnership worked,” explains Ben Haushalter,
Toyota’s product manager for the Supra, “is that the styling is
100 percent Toyota. We basically partnered with BMW for their
platform and powertrains. Once we had decided on the hard
points for the car, we sort of went our own ways.”
Those hard points include a 97.2-inch wheelbase. At 172.4
inches overall, the Toyota is 1.7 inches longer than its BMW sib-
ling and 5.3 inches shorter than the fourth-generation Supra on a
wheelbase that’s 3.2 inches more meager. Of course, the old Supra
had a nearly useless rear seat while this new one is honest enough
a\`XV]aURP\[¼Tb_NaV\[NYa\TRaUR_
Haushalter says that 50/50 front/rear weight distribution was
a major focus of the development program. To achieve that bal-
ance, the cockpit’s mass is pushed back toward the rear-axle line
and the battery is located in the cargo hold. According to C/D’s
scales, the 1993 Supra Turbo put 53.0 percent of its 3480 pounds
on the front wheels, much in thanks to the iron-block 2JZ.
Initially, Toyota will deliver Supras on 19-inch wheels shod
with Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires measuring
013
001
255/35ZR-19 in front and 275/35ZR-19 in the doesn’t take much to see echoes of the 001
_RN_1RcRY\]RQ`]RPV¼PNYYfS\_aUV`N]]YV 1967 2000GT in the greenhouse design as BMW-sourced buttons
notwithstanding, the
cation, the tires will feature Supra logos on SISTERS, VaaN]R_`Q\d[a\N]V[PURQaNVY3_\ZN[f Supra’s interior layout
and design differ
the sidewalls. Sometime after launch, the NOT angle, the new Supra is voluptuous. But is significantly from the
19s will be promoted to an option and T W IN S it beautiful? Z4’s more minimalist,
driver-centric cabin.
18-inch wheels will become standard. — “It’s ‘function sculpting,’ ” explains
Y O U ’ D H AV E 8RcV[5b[aR_\S0NYafaURA\f\aNQR`VT[
DESIGN TO BE BLIND
studio in California that developed the 002
TO CONFUSE Sharp angles and air
There’s some old-school Supra in the THE Z4 AND FT-1 concept. “Carving out surface where vents aside, there’s
A90’s headlight and front-fender design, THE SUPRA.
f\b QVQ[μa [RRQ `\ZRaUV[T YRa` Hb`J [\a something of the A80
WHICH Supra in this new car,
but there’s also some Formula 1 car in how SHOULD \[Yf_RQbPRZN`ÒbacV`bNYYf_RQbPRaUR especially when viewed
the center section of the hood becomes a P L E A S E FA N S
ZN``6Sf\bY\\XNaNYYaURV[`N[Q\ba`\[ from the side.
OF BOTH
pronounced schnoz up front. And it FRANCHISES. aUV`PN_μ`S_\[aR[QdRa_VRQa\ORR¦ PVR[a
about where we were putting surface. It’s
[\a \[Yf ORNbaVSbY Oba Va Y\\X` R¦ PVR[a
N` dRYY³ <XNf `\ Na YRNà aUR P\[PR]aμ`
designer thinks it looks good.
002
003
Toyota also designed the interior while year as a 2020. Toyota isn’t talking pricing especially when they’re powered by sweet
relying on BMW for many of the bits and fRaObadR¼Tb_RaUR@b]_NÙ\bYQYN[QNa inline-sixes.
pieces. The infotainment system behind around $50,000, close to what BMW will “When you boil it all down,” says Bill
the 8.8-inch center screen is BMW-based command for a four-cylinder version of its Fay, Toyota’s senior VP of operations, “the
but with fresh Supra-spec graphics. car. A Supra with a German engine and Supra delivers a certain level of excitement
German bones is a little hard to swallow, to the brand that you can’t bring with
HOUSEKEEPING but it’s harder still to argue against more trucks and hybrids.” Having already
BMW, having carried much of the develop- rear-drive sports cars in our market, driven a prototype, we agree.
ment burden, has reserved the right to
¼_à`NYRÀURG!Ù\bYQUVaÙ\d_\\Z` 004
this spring as a 2019 model, with the Supra
following sometime in the middle of the
003
Put the Supra in
Sport mode and a
butterfly valve
opens in the
exhaust, pumping
up the noise. Some
(fake) noise is piped
in to the cabin, too.
004
The Supra will use
BMW’s iDrive
infotainment
system, which users
should find much
more refined and
intuitive than
Toyota’s typical
solution.
Bonus Reveal of the Month CHASSIS
FORMULA S209
New, wider rolling stock (265 millimeters
cR_`b`!"\[S\_TRQ//@dURRY`¼YYàUR
SR[QR_½N_RÀUR1b[Y\]@=@]\_a:Nee
GT 600A tires were specially developed
for the S209; there are new brake pads and
an ABS calibration to match. An increased
BUILT TO CLEAN UP AT OUR ANNUAL LIGHTNING LAP TEST, dURRY\ß`RafVRYQ`N#V[PUdVQR_a_NPX
STI’S LATEST LIMITED-RUN CAR IS FOR THE U.S. ONLY. dUVYR /VYàRV[ QNZ]R_` ! ]R_PR[a àVßR_
by K.C. Colwell `]_V[T`N[QNàVßR__RN_N[aV_\YYON_`b]
port a body bedecked with additional aero
doodads. There are more braces bolted on
aUR@&μ`b[QR_`VQRaUN[f\bμYY¼[QV[N
sixth-grade class photo. The most inter-
RàV[TN_RaU_RRQ_NdàVßR[R_`±\[RP\[
necting the rear shock towers and two
QVNT\[NY Na aUR S_\[a±aUNa V[P\_]\_NaR
springs to preload the chassis without
completely compromising ride. The result
is a sharper STI on turn-in, with the brak-
ing ability of a mid-engine exotic.
DESIGN
Obligatory box flares in the front and rear
add 1.7 inches of width. The Type RA’s
wing surface carries over, and front, rear,
and side skirts (previously available at the
parts counter) come standard. Inside, the
S209 makes use of the same Recaros as
the regular STI, albeit with silver trim.
POWERTRAIN
.SaR_fRN_`\SàNT[N[a]\dR_@A6¼[NYYf
TNcR aUR NTV[T 27" "YVaR_ ½NaS\b_ N
WHEN WE STARTED LIGHTNING 31-hp bump, for a total of 341 at 6000
Lap at Virginia International rpm. It’s the result of a thorough over-
Raceway (VIR) back in 2006, the haul, with forged pistons and connect-
idea of a manufacturer using our lap data ing rods, a larger turbo delivering more
as a development objective was as prepos- boost, higher-capacity fuel injectors, a
terous as the pony-car war boiling over the newly designed intake to accommodate a
750-hp mark or Magna Steyr building S_RR_O_RNaUV[T P\[VPNY NV_ ¼YaR_ N[Q N[
the next Toyota Supra. Of course, both of intercooler water sprayer. STI says the
those once-improbable things (plus a `]_NfR_V`T\\QS\_NO\ba¼cR]\[VRÀUR
great many more) have come to pass, and only trick is that the driver must remem-
\[N_RPR[aa_V]a\C6?@bON_bP\[¼_ZRQ ber to activate it. Introduced in the 2018
another: Our 2:59.8 lap of a 2016 Cadillac Type RA, the six-speed’s shorter third
ATS-V was one of the development targets gear exposes the sloped walls of its torque
for the WRX STI–based S209. plateau. The well-used prototype we drove
The 2019 S209 comes from Subaru hit 133 mph on VIR’s front straight, about
REAR AND ENGINE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL SIMARI
Tecnica International (STI), the in-house 5 mph faster than the Type RA, even
motorsports arm and hot-rod shop aU\bTU dR±NURZ±S\_T\a a\ b`R aUR
responsible for manufacturing legends intercooler sprayer. The all-wheel-drive
such as the 22B, the Spec C, and the S204 system carries over from the STI Type RA.
N`X`\ZR\[R½bR[aV[Forza if those mod-
els don’t ring a bell). Part of a line of special HOUSEKEEPING
editions that dates back to 2000, the S209 Subaru hasn’t yet decided how many
V` aUR RVTUaU 6Z]_RgN @ PN_ N[Q aUR ¼_à S209s it will make, but 200 is a safe bet.
available outside Japan; it will be sold in When the S209 goes on sale this summer,
the U.S. only. We drove an S209 prototype buyers will have a choice of either WR Blue
NaC6?N[QdRμ_RP\[¼QR[aaUNaVadVYYOR paint with dark wheels or white with gold
the quickest and best-handling STI ever wheels. We’re expecting it to cost close to
sold stateside. Here’s how the company #!&&&±[\aP\V[PVQR[aNYYfaUR]_VPRPN]
turned a WRX STI into the S209. for our LL2 class.

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BLACK MAGIC
—
The drag tire’s sleight of hand, easily
missed by the casual observer, is that dif-
ferent parts of the tread move at different
speeds. As the tire’s leading edge bunches
up, the tread momentarily slows down. This
changing momentum creates a force acting
The Physics of . . . in the direction of the ground contact angle,
. The vertical component of this force
DRAGSTER TIRES
more than doubles the downward load on
the tires, allowing torque to be channeled
into extraordinary acceleration rather than
a fruitless burnout. If you marked points on
the wheel [W] and the tread [T], you’d be
able to see this slowdown across the front
of the contact patch. While the wheel moves
degrees, the tread covers a smaller angle,
degrees. The ratio of / is the effective
NO MERE RUBBER DONUTS, THEY’RE ACTIVE PARTS OF THE gear ratio that helps rocket the dragster off
the line. Moving toward the rear of the con-
DRIVELINE. by John Pearley Huffman tact patch, the tread accelerates to match
the rotational speed of the wheel.
THINK OF AN NHRA TOP FUEL DRAGSTER as one big mechanical computer.

Every element is engineered to act in a predictable way and predictable
order to turn 15 to 20 gallons of nitromethane fuel into 11,000 horsepower
and a 3.7-second, 335-mph 1000-foot run. And all that power and logic are delivered
through a pair of bias-ply drag slicks manufactured in Akron, Ohio. Thirty-six
inches tall, 17.5 inches wide, and weighing 48 pounds apiece, they’re part number
2747 in the Goodyear Racing catalog, $917 per tire. Each one is expected to last eight
runs, or a bit more than 1.5 miles.
The insights here are largely drawn from racing engineer Chuck Hallum’s SAE
paper, “The Magic of the Drag Tire.” The story starts after a burnout to heat the
tires’ rubber and the full-power run begins.
THE SQUAT ened for a harder launch. By the time the tire THE END
The massive torque has released the torque stored in its wrinkled As the dragster finishes its run, the engine is
channeled through sidewalls and tread and grown back to its shut down and its compression helps brake
the rear axle shifts original size, the Top Fueler is already pulling the machine. The rear tires distort again as the
the load of the car more than 4.00 g’s of acceleration. car slows, sometimes developing flat spots at
rearward and tries their trailing edges. But those big parachutes
to twist the tire on THE GROWTH do most of the work at this point.
its 16-inch beadlock rim. The sidewalls wrinkle After the car
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y P E T E S U C H E S K I
as the tire—generally running between 6.0 launches, inertia Only Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars have
and 10.0 psi of pressure—shrinks in radius by grows the tire to as the massive torque to effectively use and abuse
more than six inches and the tread effectively much as 38 inches such huge rear tires this way. It’s glorious. And
balls up at the front of the contact patch. That in diameter, simulta- after all this glory, what happens to the tires?
compression of the tire expands the contact neously lengthening Some, er, retire into less stressful work in
patch to almost 250 square inches—larger and narrowing the contact patch. This effec- slower classes. And others get turned into
than two side-by-side sheets of 8.5-by-11-inch tively lets the final-drive ratio grow taller for “draggers.” These are pulled up and down the
paper. The compression of the tire also means higher speeds and reduces rolling resistance track between runs to coat the surface with a
that the final-drive ratio is effectively short- as the vehicle hits terminal velocity. layer of rubber for improved grip.

1162
1200
Poetry and Prose
MAYBACH MUSIC
BMW (404)
OKAY, SO MAYBE WE AREN’T THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO LOVE
WRITING ABOUT CARS. by Annie White
825 844
THE 757
PLASTICS
These are the most
popular brands in our
data set and the
CADILLAC (376)
643
FERRARI (423)
models most paired
with each brand. Plus
a few cases (Lexus
Land Cruiser?) where
the MCs needed a
LAMBORGHINI (455)
CHEVROLET (220)
fact-checker. REFERS GENERICALLY
TO SUVS PRODUCED BY
OTHER AUTOMAKERS
(E.G., “JEEP ROVER”): 27
CAD (1)
BEEMER (589)
448 436
384
361
JAGUAR (237)
CADDY (448)
222
CHEVY (423)
RARI (421)
LAMBO (238)
194
JEEP (357)
154
BIMMER (169)
LAMB (64)
JAG (124)
Audi Buick Ferrari Jaguar

Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles:
TT (6), R8 (5), A8 (4), Regal (19), Century (4), Testarossa (9), California XF (8), F-type (4), XJ (4)
5000 (4) LeSabre (4), (7), Enzo (5) Erroneous: Elise (1)
Rhymes with: Cloudy, Park Avenue (4) Rhymes with: Sorry, Atari, Rhymes with: NASCAR,
outtie, proudly, Rousey Rhymes with: Do it, to it, party, Armani, Rastafari fast car, Babar, black card
(Ronda) rendezvous it, truance
Ford Jeep
Bentley Cadillac Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles:
Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles: Fiesta (10), Escort (7), Cherokee (4), Wrangler
Bentley Truck, Bentayga DeVille (16), Escalade (8), Explorer (7) (4), Trackhawk (1)
(44); Continental, Seville (7) Rhymes with: Afford, Rhymes with: Sleep,
GT, Flying Spur (13); Rhymes with: Daddy yak, Accord (Honda), Forbes, street, seat, beat, sheik
Mulsanne (11) Shaq Daddy, zaddy, fatty ignored
Rhymes with: Dempsey Alternate uses: Tom Ford, Lamborghini
(Jack), Winfrey (Oprah), Chevrolet Harrison Ford, Betty Ford Most-mentioned vehicles:
MacKenzie (Spuds) Most-mentioned vehicles: Murciélago (18), Gallardo
Impala (25), Camaro (5), Honda (11), Aventador (9)
BMW Corvette (5), Nova (5) Most-mentioned vehicles: Rhymes with: Bikini,
Most-mentioned vehicles: Rhymes with: Heavy, Civic (72), Accord (55), Rambo, Houdini,
7-series (23), M6 (7), confetti, everyday, plenty Passport (2) Yamborghini
3-series (7) hay Rhymes with: Mama,
Rhymes with: Girls’ names anaconda, Rhonda,
ending in “ina,” reefer, Yolanda, Fonda (Jane)
seater, FEMA

1179 MINI (18)
SCION (15)
MERCEDES-BENZ (80)
ALFA ROMEO (18) KOENIGSEGG (6)
IF CAR AND DRIVER EXISTS at INFINITI (19) GENESIS (2)
SMART (2)
the intersection of the auto- PAGANI (23)
mobile and the clever manipulation of ACURA (146)
GMC (27)
the English language, then we’re
sharing that corner with a huge cadre MITSUBISHI
(62) LINCOLN
of rap and hip-hop artists for whom (145)
writing about vehicles they admire,
MERCEDES (394)
DODGE (71)
own, or have owned (and dissing the
cars their rivals drive) is an art. We’ve KIA (72)
combed through more than four
decades of data from Genius.com, an FIAT
CHRYSLER (138)
online database of song lyrics, to get a (74)
look at how our musical comrades see
MERC (4)
the car world. Spoiler alert: Things SUBARU
aren’t looking good for Smart. (92)
VOLKSWAGEN
(133)
BENZY (22)
MAZDA (94)
HYUNDAI (96)
LOTUS (132)
DESPERATE
529 WANNABES
Some of these strag-
BENZ (413)
glers, like Lincoln,
455
may have done bet-
446 434
ter if we’d searched
422
by model names, like
Navigator, instead of
by brand name.
374
ROVER (379) LAND ROVER (43)
LEXUS (458)
ROLLS-ROYCE (59)
213
TOYOTA (162)
185 176 179 175
154
BENZO (266)
ROLLS (154)
LEX (71)
YOTA (13)
Land Rover McLaren Mercedes-Maybach Rolls-Royce

Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles:
Range Rover (145), SLR (7), P1 (2) Pullman (1), S600 (1) Phantom (18), Ghost (5),
Range Rover Sport (2) Erroneous: SLK (1) Rhymes with: I’m back, Corniche (4), Wraith (4)
Rhymes with: Hangover, Rhymes with: Donna Cadillac, yak, gray-black Rhymes with: Your choice,
ran over, Hova, sober, Karan, LeBaron, apparent, her choice, f***bois
chauffeur dare ’em Nissan
Most-mentioned vehicles: Tesla
Lexus Mercedes-AMG GT-R (6), Micra (3), Altima Most-mentioned vehicle:
Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles: (2), Patrol (2), Qashqai (2) Roadster (4)
GS (8), ES (1), LX (1), SC (1) S-class (14), CL-class (7), Erroneous: Elantra (1) Rhymes with: Testa(rossa),
Erroneous: Land Cruiser (3) G-class (7) Rhymes with: Hit man, extra, wrestler, Fresca
Rhymes with: Texas, Rhymes with: TMZ, peon, fleece on, pecan Alternate use: Nikola Tesla
necklace, reckless, Rolexes ABC, scream at me,
make believe Porsche Toyota
Maserati Most-mentioned vehicles: Most-mentioned vehicles:
Most-mentioned vehicles: Mercedes-Benz 911 (28), Panamera (13), Corolla (20), Camry (5),
GranTurismo (4), Ghibli Most-mentioned vehicles: Cayenne (11) Land Cruiser (2), Prius (2)
(1), Quattroporte (1), CL-class (7), G-class (6), Rhymes with: Horse, Rhymes with: Motorola,
Spyder (1) E-class (5), S-class (5) bored, of course Crayola, Bogotá, yoga
Rhymes with: Kamikaze, Erroneous: 7-series (1)
illuminati, Pavarotti Rhymes with: Tracy Volvo
(Luciano), Atari McGrady, Swayze Most-mentioned vehicle: V70 (1)
(Patrick), saved me, Rhymes with: Chaz Bono, YOLO,
Hades, ladies SoHo, logos, yo-yo, loco
021
Strange Bedfellows 3\_[\daUR`R]N_a[R_ÙV]`N_RYVZVaRQ
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a_NQVaV\[NY _R[aNYPN_ P\Z]N[VR` UNcR N
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THE FUTURE IS BLEAK for the UV_RZN_XRaUN`Ù_b[XS_\Z""]R_PR[aV[
traditional rent-a-car business. !NZ\[T;\_aU.ZR_VPN[Ob`V[R`à_Nc
?R[aNY ¼_Z`μ à\PX ]_VPR` UNcR RYR_` a\ YR`` aUN[ " ]R_PR[a V[ aUR ¼_à
ORR[abZOYV[TNàURV[Qbà_fSNPR`P\Z ^bN_aR_\S%NPP\_QV[Ta\N_RPR[a_R]\_a
]RaVaV\[ S_\Z aUR aU_VcV[T _VQRÙN_V[T S_\Z0R_aVSfNOb`V[R``Re]R[`RZN[NTR
`RPa\_ dUR_R P\Z]N[VR` N_R V[cRàV[T ZR[a¼_Z/baaUR`R`ZNYY`PNYR]N_a[R_
URNcVYfV[aUR_NPRS\_aURQ_VcR_YR`àNeV ÙV]`ZVTUaURY]aUR\YQ_R[aNYTVN[a`NQN]a
—Avis is trying a multipronged approach to

/baaURP\Z]RaVaV\[Q\R`[μafRaUNcRaUR a\ [Rd P\[`bZR_ QRZN[Q` N[Q ]_\cVQR
V[S_Nà_bPab_R [RRQRQ a\ ZNV[aNV[ aURV_ `b]]\_a a\ N ½RQTYV[T `RPa\_ 8NRYV[ N[Q
T_\dV[T½RRa`\SNba\ZNaRQaRàcRUVPYR` stay relevant in these changing times. .QNZ`\[ O\aU `Nf aUNa aURV_ P\Z]N[VR`
dUVPUàVYY_R^bV_R_RTbYN_`R_cVPR`bPUN` Shortly after announcing its Waymo part- UNcR [\ ]YN[` a\ Re]N[Q aUR NT_RRZR[a`
nership, the brand launched its integra-
\VY PUN[TR` N[Q aV_R]_R``b_R PURPX` tion with Amazon’s Alexa. Customers can dVaUaURV__R`]RPaVcR]N_a[R_Òbad\bYQ[μa
?R[aNY P\Z]N[VR` Q\ @\ RcR[ N` aURV_ initiate a reservation by saying, “Alexa, OR\]]\`RQa\aURVQRN3\_[\dVaμ`NaR[b
tell Avis I need a car” or facilitate expense
à\PX]_VPR``YV]aU_RR\SaUROVTTRàa_NQV reports with the phrase “Alexa, ask Avis \bàVRb]ORadRR[aU\`RZN]]V[T\baaUR
aV\[NYPN__R[aNY¼_Z`N_RRe]R_VZR[aV[T for my last rental receipt.” For now, only Sbab_R\S_VQRUNVYV[TN[QaU\`RdU\àN[Q
Avis Preferred customers can schedule
dVaUN[Rd]NaUS\_dN_Q'ZNV[aR[N[PR rentals via their in-home devices. a\ORZN_TV[NYVgRQOfVa
022 . CAR AND DRIVER . FEB/2019 illustration by M I C H A E L B Y E R S

A V A I L A B L E I N S T O R E A N D A T U LTA . C O M
The Columnists $5455. Nearby rests a ’72 Maverick with a
Boss 351 engine and a B&M ratchet shifter.
On the Mav’s rump is the cursive legend
John Phillips // “One, five, four, ²3Y\TTRQV[Y\cV[TZRZ\_f\S1NcR?\`R³
Buzz’s brother. He also has a moving letter
two, six, three, seven, eight.” I \SP\[Q\YR[PRS_\ZDVYYVNZ0YNf3\_Q7_
recited that sequence when I first b]\[aURQRNaU\SUV` SNaUR_<QQYf3\_Q

and Buzz’s father had never met.
Then there are Buzz’s big-buck bombs:
met Albert “Buzz” Rose, owner NfRYY\dμ#%@URYOf4A"8?dU\`R¼_à
owner installed a trailer hitch to tow his
of 48 Fords. “Firing order, small- boat. “Runs like a raped ape,” Buzz told
me, but when I revealed it was C/D’s own
block,” he rightly answered. Brock Yates who conceived that phrase, he
replied, “Never heard of him.” Then more
“Guess I gotta let you in. Bigger Shelbys: a ’67 GT500 with twin Holley
than crap.” A lot of FoMoCo lore S\b_ON__RY` ORN_V[T 3\_Q ]N_a [bZOR_`
and a ’69 GT350 Hertz rental with faux
dV_R dURRY` <[ aUR ½\\_ NaaNPURQ a\ N
is, to Buzz, bigger than crap. Most of it. U\ZRZNQR Qf[\ Yb_X` N ZN``VcR 3\_Q
Buzz is 65, has white hair, glasses, Pop- SOHC 427 engine for which Buzz has been
eye forearms, and one lower tooth that juts \ßR_RQ"!²:NXR`#"U\_`R]\dR_³
out like a fang. He talks faster than an he said before I could ask. “Goes in my ’64
auctioneer. So fast that he sometimes 3\_Q0bà\Z"ad\Q\\_/VTTR_aUN[
swallows the middle of sentences, leaving crap.” And it is. Engine and car.
the listener to manufacture content. His 3\_fRN_`/bggμ`dVSRUN``bTTRàRQUR
conversational pace is a kind of numerical slow down. The two of them live in what
à_RNZ\SP\[`PV\b`[R``_NaaYV[T\ß3\_Q might be described as modest circum-
VINs, option codes, and production num- stances. Buzz basically lives in the barn, is
bers. Buzz has a prominent forehead. I where he lives. “You could sell just four or
think there’s a lot up there. ¼cR\Sf\b_PN_`N[Q[RaNZVYYV\[Q\YYN_`³
Today, Buzz has been pricing parts: I told him. There’s maybe a mil in his ’69
$3800 for wheel covers for his ’71 Mustang :R_Pb_f 0\bTN_ 2YVZV[Na\_ 0\O_N 7Ra
Mach 1 Ram Air 429 and $4000 for a carb 428; his preproduction ’69 Mercury
for his ’71 Mustang Boss 351. He once 0fPY\[R 07 !%( UV` μ$ :bàN[T /\``
entered 12 cars in a single car show—hired 302, a car Buzz bought when he was 20
friends to drive—and they all got cited for fRN_`\YQ(UV`μ$!1RA\ZN`\=N[aR_N(N[Q
going 72 mph in a 55-mph zone. The cop his pearl-white 8700-mile ’69 Mustang
called them “the dirty dozen,” distributed Boss 429 that he bought in 1972. “The
tickets, then asked for a group photo. The ;V[R³ N` UR PNYY` Va dN` ¼_à \d[RQ Of
\ßR[QR_`NYY`ZVYRQN[QOb[PURQQN[TR_ NPa\_=RaR1bRYSNZ\b``\_a\SS\_aURAC
ously against a guardrail. and said, “Anyone can work on a Chevy, series Alias Smith and Jones. Buzz picked up
Buzz’s collection spans 71 years. Mostly Oba\[YfNZRPUN[VPPN[d\_X\[N3\_Q³ aUR:bàN[TNa1bRYμÙ\b`RV[9\`.[TR
:bàN[TÒbaNY`\3NV_YN[R`?N[PUR_\` I think that’s what he said. Hard to get les. Since then, he has changed only the
T-Birds, Torinos, Cougars, and a lone Buzz to back up. car’s oil, battery, and decaying Goodyear
Sunbeam Tiger. Every summer, he tries to He won’t allow me to reveal his loca- =\YfTYN`4A`7bà`\f\bX[\dNμ#&/\``
Q_VcRaURZNYYY\TTV[TZRPUN[VPNYN¤ VP tion, in part because his cars are stored 429 sold in 2015 for $465,000.
aV\[` V[ N [\aRO\\X 5R UN` a_\bOYR ¼[Q V[ N ¼_Ra_N] \S N QV_a½\\_RQ d\\Q ON_[ “Sell ’em? Crap, no!” Buzz replied, a
ing decent fuel, so he just runs them “fat whose six-by-six posts are rotting and YVaaYR ZVßRQ ²6μZ N U\N_QR_ 6S 6 UNQ N
N[Q àV[Xf³ /bggμ` ¼[TR_[NVY` N_R OYNPX collapsing. On one wall are 100 or so hub- million bucks, I’d buy more cars.” I think I
as toads in a tar pit. He caught me looking caps and 20 steering wheels. On another is heard his wife moan from stage left.
N /\`` U\\Q N[ N[PVR[a =UVYP\ 3\_Q At the end of my three-hour tour, I told
clock radio, and maybe 35 dusty car-show Buzz he should abandon his nickname and
trophies. call himself Axle Rose, with an e. Ha-ha.
Buzz’s collection is all over the map But he was busy summoning a photo of his
and barn. There’s a ’70-1 3NYP\[dVaUN ’65 Mustang whose odo had just displayed
solid-lifter 429-cubic-inch V-8 that was a 99,999 miles with the speedo indicating
drag-racing experiment. In its own black 102 mph. I thought he was going to say,
PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT READ
trailer reposes a ’76 Mustang Cobra II with “Bigger than crap,” but instead he said,
2000 miles that Buzz bought new for “Should have gone faster.”
Buzz’s great white water buffalo, “the Nine,” has

been untouched apart from oil, a battery, and tires.

cR[aV\[NY ]N``R[TR_ PN_` /RV[T `RR[ V[
anything that doesn’t ride high or doesn’t
make at least some nod toward rugged
Daniel Pund // There’s a hoary utility, no matter how transparently false,
is fashion suicide. Or maybe a company
saying in the newspaper business doesn’t want to appear that it’s not being
(or in the business of criticizing

]_\NPaVcRNO\baPbaaV[T\ßQfV[TYVZO`
This is the part of the story where I
commence gnashing my teeth about the
newspapers) that goes: Two is a death of sedans and the increasing domi-
coincidence, three is a trend. Three

[N[PR\S@BCaf]RcRUVPYR`<[Yf6PN[μa
really bring myself to do it. I can’t because,
examples of anything is a trend and

dRYY 6μcR P\ZR a\ `RR aUR P\[cR[aV\[NY
sedan as sort of an outmoded concept. It
feels like sacrilege to type those words.
is, therefore, ripe for the dreaded Sports sedans, particularly those conjured
“trend story.” Notice that guys

Of/:DdR_RS\_ZN[f\Sb`dU\PNZR\S
NTR V[ aUR μ%` N[Q μ&` aUR QR¼[V[T
enthusiast automobile. It was no coinci-
named Joe wear blue shirts sometimes? QR[PRaUNadUR[6¼_àdNYXRQaU_\bTUaUR
Trend. That kids seem to be wearing S_\[a Q\\_ \S aUR RQVa\_VNY \¦ PR` \S Car
narrow trousers? Trend. The corollary to and Driver`\ZR%fRN_`NT\aURNQQ_R``
this rule is: If your assigning editor has on the side of the building was 2002. And
noticed anyone doing anything, no matter it was no coincidence that, at the time, my
how unique or inconsequential, then it is a ]R_`\[NY PN_ dN` N &&! ;V``N[ @R[a_N
trend and is ripe for the dreaded trend story. @2?aURaUR[PY\`RàN]]_\eVZNaV\[\SN
With General Motors’ recent announce- aUNaNf\b[TW\b_[NYVàP\bYQNß\_Q
ment that it will kill multiple model lines, And while the 2002 and SE-R each had
dR¼[NYYfUNcR\b_P_VaVPNYaUV_QReNZ]YR \[Yfad\Q\\_`V[àRNQ\SS\b_f\bμQUNcR
allowing me to write this trend column. to be blind to call them anything other
FCA started the ball rolling almost than sedans.
three years ago when it announced that it /ba6μcRORTb[a\_RP\T[VgRaURàN[Q
would cease production of two fairly N_Q aU_RRO\e`RQN[ S\_Z N` `\ZRaUV[T
recently introduced sedans, the Chrysler of an anachronism, and a weirdly space-
200 and the Dodge Dart. This was easily V[R¦ PVR[a\[RNaaUNa`bàNV[RQOfaVZVQ
QV`ZV``RQ Of aU\`R RNTR_ a\ ½NT Va N` N[ tastes and simple inertia. The two major
anomaly because, well, the cars weren’t ZN_XRaàUNa]R_`VàV[dN[aV[TNcRUVPYR
cR_fT\\QN[QaURfUNQ_R]YNPRQcR_`V\[` with a trunk are China and the U.S. Okay,
that were tragically bad. Maybe eccentric so they’re not just any markets; they are
FCA just stinks at building mainstream aURd\_YQμ`YN_TRàZN_XRaÀUNaRe]YNV[`
sedans. Then, in April of last year, Ford dUf`RQN[ÙNcR[μaNY_RNQfQVRQ
dropped the news that it would discon- their licenses taken away by their med- AURa_b[XN`dRX[\dVaQR_VcR`S_\Z
tinue essentially all its traditional cars dling, ungrateful adult children. It is less a literal storage chest, or trunk, bolted to
\cR_aUR[ReaSRdfRN_`V[PYbQV[TRcR_f RN`f a\ QV`ZV`` aUR QRNaU` \S aUR 0_bgR aUR_RN_O\Qfd\_X\SPN_`Qb_V[TaUR¼_à
thing but the Mustang. Coincidence? and the Ford Focus. If they’re not selling few decades of the 20th century. The word
4:μ`Z\cRdN`[μa^bVaRN`Q_NàVP6a well enough to justify continuing to pro- “sedan” comes from the sedan chair, a seat
has chosen, at last word, to relocate to duce them, it’s not because their owners V[NO\eNa\]U\_Vg\[aNY]\YR`PN__VRQOf
QRNaU _\d aUR S\YY\dV[T cRUVPYR`' /bVPX and potential buyers are dying. It’s be- porters wearing silly pants. All this so that
LaCrosse; Cadillac CT6 and XTS; and cause their form factor is dying. Notably aUR `V[TYR \PPb]N[a QVQ[μa UNcR a\ dNYX
0URc_\YRa 0_bgR 6Z]NYN N[Q C\Ya AUV` absent from these death rolls is a single aU_\bTU aUR ¼YaU \S $aUPR[ab_f PVaf
P\bYQ ZRN[ aUR RcR[abNY PY\`b_R \S \[R @BC\_a_bPX/ba%"]R_PR[a\SaURcRUV streets. Just like the Toyota Camry. Any-
Canadian and four U.S. assembly plants. cles killed or slated for death are sedans or way, I don’t mean to say that I want sedans
It’s true that the Impala, LaCrosse, and Z\QRYYV[RàUNaV[PYbQRN`RQN[cR_`V\[ to go away. And I don’t think all sedans
EA@N_RR``R[aVNYYfaU_RRcR_`V\[`\SaUR AUR _RN`\[V[T ORUV[Q aUR`R Z\cR` dVYY T\ NdNf /ba aURf N_R [\ Y\[TR_ aUR
`NZR P_RNZ ]bß .[Q Vaμ` N` RN`f a\ QV` which are either traitorous, inspired, or QR SNPa\ Nba\Z\aVcR P\[¼Tb_NaV\[ aUR
miss them as it was for Ford to dismiss the sadly necessary, depending on whom you N``bZRQS\_ZS\_cRUVPYR`YN_TRN[Q`ZNYY
Pb__R[a ANb_b` N cRUVPYR aUNa aUR /YbR YVàR[ a\ V` cN_VRQ AUR ZN_XRa S\_ `ZNYY T\\QN[QYNZR@RQN[`dVYYUNcRa\\ßR_
<cNYUN`YRaYVRSNYY\dS\_NYZ\àNQRPNQR cars is weak because gas is cheap. Nobody something special—sportiness, elegance,
[\dAUR`RN_RTR[R_NYYf_RTN_QRQN`cRUV in America wants to look poor. Regulatory àNaRYV[R``±a\ `b_cVcR V[ N d\_YQ QRaR_
PYR`S\_]R\]YRdU\N_R[μaSN_S_\ZUNcV[T àNabaR`NQcN[aNTR@BC`\cR_Z\_RP\[ ZV[RQa\ZN_TV[NYVgRaURZ

THE BEST SEAT AT IMSA
The lead car always has the best view, and more and more often,
that car is the NSX GT3. It’s a feat made possible by such a
powerful production car that its chassis and engine went
straight into the GT3. With shared technology, whether you
purchase your own GT3 race car or the street-legal NSX,
you’ll enjoy the same driver-centric exhilaration.
NSX GT3 Race Car shown. ©2019 Acura. Acura, NSX, and the stylized “A” logo are registered trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
The Columnists above the engine, so there’s no need for a
fuel pump. Or water pump, or valvetrain.
If this thing were any more elemental, it
Ezra Dyer // I count 15 cars parked would be a hydrogen atom.
The Trabant does have a luxurious
outside the International Spy RYRPa_VPàN_aR_Oba/b_gf[`XV¼[QàUNa
his freshly charged battery is dead. No
Museum in Washington, D.C., worries. We’ll just give it the ol’ East Ger-
man jump-start—which is to say, push it
for the 12th annual Parade of up the street while Burzynski pops the
clutch. You know why Trabants have a
Trabants—16, if you count the rear-window defroster? To keep your
Lada. Which means that if there UN[Q` dN_Z dUVYR f\bμ_R ]bÙV[T aURZ
Just kidding. There’s no rear-window
defroster. (It was an option.)
were 15 more Trabants, then the The push works, and the car cackles to
YVSRdVaUaUR¼aSbYàNPPNa\pop-pop-pop of
total horsepower would almost a cold snowmobile. Burzynski pulls back
N_\b[QN[Q\ßR_`ZRaURdURRY²8RR]aUR
equal that of the car that I drove here, a choke on for a little while,” he advises.
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. AUR ¼_à aUV[T f\b [\aVPR Q_VcV[T N
That’s if I generously assume each one has Trabant is that everybody notices a Tra-
the Trabant’s most powerful two-stroke bant. We’re only half a block down the
engine and still makes its factory-spec street when an older guy on the sidewalk
26 horsepower, a number that may or may ¼eR`b`dVaUNàN_RN[QOYb_a`²A_NON[a³
not be accurate. I’m not sure there were a Burzynski says he’s accustomed to this
lot of dyno tests going on in East Germany. sort of attention.
The Trabant is widely regarded as the I blip the throttle as we wait at a light,
worst car ever made, a two-stroke Com- `V[PR[RVaUR_\Sb`V`R[aV_RYfP\[¼QR[aV[
mie ox cart with cotton-and-resin body- the 594-cc two-stroke’s ability to idle.
work and seating for four miserable souls. When the light goes green, I give it full
So of course it has a huge following. Well, aU_\aaYRN[QdR`b_TR\ßaURYV[Ra_NVYRQ
maybe not huge. But Trabants continue to by a faint blue cloud that in the Redeye
generate enough interest that otherwise- would be burnt rubber but here is pure
sane Americans go to the trouble of exhaust. “I’m running a 50-to-1 gas-to-oil
importing the things from Europe. I ratio, but you can do 40-to-1 if you want
wanted to meet these people and possibly that blue smoke,” Burzynski says. Com-
drive one of their cars to help restore some rade, supplies are meager and winter is
of my eroding automotive perspective. long, so let us not roll the coal.
The night before, I went into the Hellcat’s The Trabant is not as lethargic as its 26
performance menu and detuned the horsepower would suggest. In fact, it can
engine before I handed the key to the P\bYQ¼[Q`\ZR]R_V\QN]]_\]_VNaRab[R` XRR]b]dVaUa_N¦ PV[N[b_ON[P\[aRea
valet—detuned it to 500 horsepower. Cue ²6 a_VRQ a\ ¼[Q `\ZR 2Nà 4R_ZN[ PN` The thing to remember is that it has more
FNX\c@ZV_[\ß'DUNaNP\b[a_f settes,” he says. “But you know what they engine than brakes, and it doesn’t have
Trabant owners embrace self-depre- dR_RYVàR[V[Ta\,=UVY0\YYV[`³A_NON[a' much engine. The column-mounted four-
cating humor, which is probably a prereq- Can you feel it (and hear it and smell it) speed is one of the rare gearboxes where
uisite. A sign in front of a 1988 601 reads, coming in the air tonight? Fuller gave up f\b ÙVSa N[Q ÙNXR f\b_ ¼à Na YVSR
“One of only 2,818,547.” They’re also ded- on East German audio material after simultaneously.
icated historians. An owner named Roger deciding, “I really don’t want to listen to Did you know that Phil Collins is a huge
Fuller tells me that he went so far as to the collected speeches of Erich Honecker.” fan of the Alamo? It’s true. And the East
research East German musical tastes so he It’s time for a drive, courtesy of Andy Germans were fans of Phil Collins. There’s
Burzynski of New York. First, he gives some kind of theme there involving lost
me a quick walkaround of his greenish causes but I don’t have the patience to sort
machine. The ignition key and the door it out. I’ve got a fast car waiting for a long
XRfN_RQVßR_R[aObaaURVT[VaV\[XRfUN`N drive home. I climb back into the Redeye
small notch cut in it, so you can feel which and remember it’s still in 500-hp mode.
key is which in the dark. Suspension is a Suddenly that seems like more than
single transverse leaf spring at each end, enough. But I put it back to 797 horse-
so, you know, pretty much just like a Cor- power anyway. Then I do a burnout down
vette’s. The gas tank is under the hood the block, for America.
After driving the Trabant, Dyer needed two weeks of

intensive IROC-Z memory therapy to smile again.

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other debris. dents and scratches.

AlloyCover ™
The WeatherTech® AlloyCover™ Hard Tri-Fold Pickup Truck

Bed Cover is a lightweight, low-profile foldable bed cover
that maximizes protection from harsh weather conditions
without compromising style and strength.


side window
deflectors
Side Window Deflectors are custom-fit,
in-window-channel, rain and debris guards
that allow fresh air to enter and leave the vehicle.
Designed and Engineered in USA -

Handcrafted in Germany
Bumper Protector Seat Back Protector CargoTech®

Durable defense against scuff marks and Helps to prevent cargo from moving
protect the surface of your vehicle’s bumper dirt on the back of your seat. during driving. Set of 4.
from dings and scratches when loading or
unloading personal items or pets.
Techcare
Keep your mats clean and protected during the winter months. This cleaning duo
winter messes. Specially formulated for WeatherTech FloorLiners and FloorMats.


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Other great PetComfort® products!
Pet Barrier PetRamp™ Seat Protector

Adjustable heavy-duty barrier helps keep The WeatherTech® PetRamp™ helps pets of The Seat Protector is a water-repellent
pets safely secured in the back of the vehicle. all ages to access vehicles and various seat cover that protects against scratches,
household areas. damage and spills that can potentially ruin
the seat surface of your vehicle.
See these products and more at PetComfort®.com

_10BESTC/D022019
201 9 • CA
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BEST TRU
CAR AND DRIVER’S 10BEST TRUCKS AND SUVS

OFFICIAL BALLOT - FEBRUARY 2019
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: TO MARK YOUR BALLOT, USE A BL ACK OR BLUE PEN.
DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR. YOU MAY WRITE THE NAME OF A CANDIDATE NOT PRINTED
ON THIS BALLOT BUT ONLY IF YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR VOTE COUNTING.
Completely fill in the oval next to your choice as shown:
NOTE FROM THE EDITORS: F\bU\YQV[f\b_UN[Q`N[\¦

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]VPXb]a_bPX@BCN[QcN[6[àRNQNSaR_NdRRX\SaRàV[TQ_VcV[TN[QO_VR½fàN_V[TOYN[XYfaU_\bTUdV[Q
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NO_\NQR_`]RPa_bZ\SPN]NOVYVafN[QV[aR[adRQVcVQRaURcRUVPYR`V[a\PYN``R`F\b_c\aRZNaaR_`XV[QN
SUBCOMPACT SUBCOMPACT COMPACT

SUV LUXURY SUV SUV
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE) (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE) (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE)
The vehicles below are These trucklets are very much This group of small, mainstream
competing to be the best of like those to the left but SUVs has been slightly resentful
the so-called cute-utes generally cost enough that about losing the “cute-utes”
(a.k.a. jacked hatchbacks, people are less likely to make descriptor to those new
niblets, small potatoes, Frodo). fun of their size. subcompact hussies. They
totally need your likes!
Ford EcoSport 1.0 BMW X1
(INCUMBENT)
Ford EcoSport 2.0 Jeep Cherokee 2.0T
BMW X2 Jeep Wrangler 3.6
Hyundai Kona 2.0
Cadillac XT4 Mazda CX-5
Hyundai Kona 1.6T (INCUMBENT)
Jaguar E-Pace
Hyundai Kona Electric Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Lexus UX250h
Kia Soul Subaru Forester
(INCUMBENT) Volvo XC40
Nissan Kicks Toyota RAV4
From the Editors of Car and Driver

Photography by John Roe
_ 0 3 8 _Car and Driver _ Februar y 2019

COMPACT MID-SIZE MID-SIZE
LUXURY SUV SUV PICKUP
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE) (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE) (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE)
Luxury might be in this class’s These SUVs are the family- A lull in the mid-size-pickup
title, but these premium-brand ferrying, full-size station wagons market means that the Honda
SUVs are almost exclusively of the modern era. Note: The Ridgeline runs unchallenged. So,
sport oriented. Think of them as Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a unless a huge meteor strikes
sports sedans for today’s world. family vehicle for preppers only. Earth, it might just win.
Acura RDX Ford Edge ST Honda Ridgeline

(INCUMBENT)
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Honda Pilot
Quadrifoglio Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4
BMW X4 30i Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T
BMW X4 M40i Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.0T FULL-SIZE
Infiniti QX50 PICKUP
Kia Sorento (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE)
Jaguar I-Pace Mazda CX-9
(INCUMBENT)
Mercedes-AMG GLC63
Mercedes-AMG GLC63 Subaru Ascent Rarely has the full-size-pickup
S coupe race been more hotly contested.
This year, two all-new domestic
Porsche Macan heavyweights take on the
(INCUMBENT)
MID-SIZE reigning champ, the Ford F-150.
LUXURY SUV
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE) Chevrolet Silverado
1500 5.3 RST
PROPOSAL 19-1 Chevrolet Silverado
Large and expensive enough to 1500 5.3 LT Trail Boss
impress the neighbors but
sensible and compact enough to Chevrolet Silverado
fit in most garages, mid-size 1500 6.2 High Country
This proposal would:
• Ban use of the word luxury SUVs are aspirational Ford F-150 3.0 Power Stroke
“crossover.” vehicles for people with largely Ford F-150 Raptor
• Outlaw clever variations of reasonable aspirations. (INCUMBENT)
the term “SUV” (e.g., SAV, GMC Sierra 1500 6.2 AT4
SUS, XUV, etc.). Audi Q7
(INCUMBENT) GMC Sierra 1500 6.2 Denali
• Allow individuals 21 and older
to purchase, possess, and Audi Q8 Ram 1500 3.6e Big Horn
use marijuana. BMW X5 40i Ram 1500 5.7 Rebel
• Prohibit use of the term “SUV” Lincoln Nautilus Ram 1500 5.7e Limited
in relation to the Kia Niro.
Should this be adopted?
Yes
No LARGE
SUV VAN
(VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE) (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN 1 MODEL LINE)
PROPOSAL 19-2
This class of outsize utes is so Minivan stigma might be one of
American that it makes Lee the reasons for the rise of SUVs,
Greenwood proud. Hell, even the but these practical big boxes still
This proposal would: German incumbent hails from appeal to plenty of rationalists.
Allow C/D to test the puncture Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
resistance of any SUV part that’s Chrysler Pacifica
Lincoln Navigator (INCUMBENT)
made to look like a skid plate.
Should this be adopted? Mercedes-Benz GLS450 Ford Transit Connect
(INCUMBENT)
Yes
No
039_
Best Subcompact SUV
Hyundai Kona
it does bring hope to the tiny-ute race. _by Eric Tingwall
_10BESTC/D022019
The kind of sweeping gen-
eralization that claims
that all politicians are the THE KONA’S PLATFORM OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
same might convince you that today’s The Hyundai Kona is the rare vehicle to package a 200-plus-mile battery without
vehicles are so universally good as to a skateboard architecture. The Kona’s K2 platform (also used for the Elantra and
be practically equal. But anyone who the Ioniq and the Kia Niro) was designed from the outset to accommodate
actually believes that has never waded internal-combustion, hybrid, plug-in-hybrid, and battery-electric powertrains.
through the swamp of underwhelm- Engineers designed three rear suspensions to afford this flexibility. While
ing subcompact SUVs. A $28,000 vehi- gas-powered, front-drive Konas use a torsion-beam rear end, the electric model
cle that needs a full 10 Mississippis to employs a multilink design [A] to shoulder the weight and bulk of the 64.0-kWh
achieve 60 mph (looking at you, Ford battery [B]. (All-wheel-drive gas Konas use a third design, a different multilink _ I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y C H R I S P H I L P O T
EcoSport) really undermines the notion arrangement.) Beyond the powertrains and rear suspensions, structural
of continuous automotive progress. An differences are minimal, with either the gas
indiscriminate subcompact-SUV pur- engine or the electric motor using the same
chase is a gamble against a frenzied ride, front end [C]. Without a combustion engine to
a raucous cabin, an overtaxed engine, or provide cover, the EV uses noise- and
A
all three in a single vehicle. vibration-abatement measures, such as
The Hyundai Kona is a welcome additional gussets on the hub carriers
exception in a segment where low prices and a mass damper on the rear
buy automakers blanket coverage for all subframe, to quell road noise.
manner of dynamic sins. Starting at
201 9 • CA
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AND SUV
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BEST TRU

HYUNDAI KONA
VEHICLE TYPE:
front-engine or -motor,
front- or all-wheel-
drive, 5-passenger,
4-door hatchback
BASE PRICE:
$21,035–$37,495
POWERTRAINS:
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter
Atkinson-capable
inline-4, 147 hp, 132
lb-ft; turbocharged
and intercooled DOHC
16-valve 1.6-liter
inline-4, 175 hp, 195 lb-
ft; permanent-magnet
synchronous AC motor,
201 hp, 290 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS:
6-speed automatic with
manual shifting mode,
7-speed dual-clutch
automatic with manual
shifting mode, 1-speed
direct-drive
CURB WEIGHT:
3000–3800 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS

ZERO TO 60 MPH:
6.4–9.2 sec
1/4-MILE:
15.0–17.0 sec
TOP SPEED:
103–135 mph
(governor/drag limited)
BRAKING, 70–0 MPH:
171–175 ft
ROADHOLDING,
300-FT-DIA
SKIDPAD: 0.88 g
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
COMBINED/CITY/
HWY: 27–120/25–132/
29–108 mpg/MPGe
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THE KONA IS A
F U L LY R E A L I Z E D ,
COMPETENT
A L L- A R O U N D E R I N
A SEGMENT WHERE
THOSE QUALITIES
ARE SOMETIMES
I N S H O R T S U P P LY.
041_
Best Subcompact Luxury SUV
BMW X1
BMW X1
_10BESTC/D022019
BMW developing a front- The second-generation front- or all-wheel-drive X1 is a
drive vehicle might sound VEHICLE TYPE: ]N_NT\[\SS\_ZN[QSb[PaV\[AUV`PUN_ZV[TbaRμ`ReaR_V\_
front-engine, front-
as crazy as Bernie Sand- or all-wheel-drive,
V`b[ZVàNXNOYf/:DN[QaUNaZNaaR_à\R[a_fYRcRYYbeb_f
ers running in 2020 on a promise to 5-passenger, 4-door buyers. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four isn’t the most
hatchback
ObVYQaURdNYY3\_/:DaU\bTU½Re BASE PRICE:
]\dR_SbYV[aUR¼RYQObaVa`S_RR`]V[[V[TNaaVabQRN[QYV[RN_
ibility proved a winning strategy. In the $35,945–$37,945 power delivery, as well as the tidy operation of the eight-speed
ENGINE: turbocharged
½\b_VÙV[T ZV[VYbeRP_\``\cR_ `RT and intercooled DOHC
automatic, land the X1 near the top of the class in terms of
ment, the X1 faces its strongest con- 16-valve 2.0-liter acceleration. Its athletic chassis is always happy to unwind a
inline-4, 228 hp,
aR[QR_à\QNaR;Rd\ßR_V[T`V[PYbQR 258 lb-ft
back road, but the ride is never too busy for daily operations.
the Cadillac XT4, the Jaguar E-Pace, the TRANSMISSION: .[QdUVYRaUREμ`V[aR_V\_ZNf[\aUNcRaUR¼_Rd\_X`\S
9Reb`BE"UaURC\Yc\E0!N[QaUR manual shifting mode
some of its newest adversaries, it does have usable space. Its
X1’s slightly squashed sibling, the X2. CURB WEIGHT: 101 cubic feet of passenger volume remains class leading, as
3600–3750 lb
/ba dUVYR aUR`R [RdOVR` N_R àVYY ¼[Q
V[T aURV_ dNf aU_\bTU aURV_ ¼_à TR[ C/D TEST RESULTS
erations, the incumbent X1 has already All-wheel-drive model
worked through a rear-drive campaign ZERO TO 60 MPH:
6.3 sec
and is now running on a new platform. 1/4-MILE:
14.9 sec @ 94 mph
TOP SPEED: 129 mph
(governor limited)
201 9 • CA BRAKING, 70–0 MPH:
OF R 170 ft
S
AN
ROADHOLDING,
AND SUV
300-FT-DIA
D DRIVER
SKIDPAD: 0.87 g
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
COMBINED/CITY/
KS
HWY: 25–26/22–23/
C S
10
BEST TRU
31–32 mpg

IN A CLASS OF
SUVS WITH MANY
MISFITS AND
WEIRDOS, THE X1
Best Compact SUV
IS PRACTICAL,
C O N V E N T I O N A L LY
HANDSOME, AND
G E N E R A L LY
Mazda CX-5
E XC E L L E N T.
The compact Mazda continues to dominate in a class
created by the family-SUV founding fathers, Honda,
Subaru, and Toyota. _by Annie White
All politics is self-interested. That’s why you don’t often see cor-
porations clamoring for stricter environmental regulations or
megawealthy people arguing for a tax increase in the top bracket
RePR]aV\[`[\aRQ([\N[T_fYRaaR_`]YRN`R:_/bßRaa@\dUR[dRaRYYf\baUNa
the Mazda CX-5 is the best compact crossover for sale today, it’s not only
because we believe it to be true. It’s also because we hope that by rewarding this
particular brand of excellence, we’ll encourage more of it.
There are other strong contenders in the CX-5’s class this year. The Jeep
Wrangler, for instance, is a superlative vehicle but so committed to its particular
mission that we can’t recommend it for everyone. The Subaru Forester is new
does its ability to swallow 27 cubic feet

of cargo with the seats up and 59 with
them folded. It’s here the X1 separates
Va`RYSS_\ZaUREaURYNaaR_μ`_\\½V[R
creating a claustrophobic rear seat and
a paucity of cargo space.
In one of the fastest-growing seg-
ZR[a`V[aURZN_XRaaUR_Rμ`N[\ßR_V[T
that caters to every taste, style, and pri-
ority. But none of its competition is
quite the complete package the X1 is.
A TIGHT RACE
The battle between the BMW X1 and
the Volvo XC40 was the hardest
fought in this year’s competition.
The XC40 has modern exterior
styling and a downright stunning
interior. But after the mudslinging,
the Volvo’s unenthusiastic
powertrain and aloof chassis were
unable to beat the BMW X1.
OVERALL AVERAGE SCORE

1. BMW X1 2. Volvo XC40
PROPOSAL 19-3
This proposal would bar any carmaker from naming
90.1 89.8
one of its SUVs after a sports coupe it once produced.
Should this be adopted?
Yes
No
043_
_10BESTC/D022019
for 2019 and competent in every way, MAZDA CX-5
engineered for the desires of Subaru’s VEHICLE TYPE:
clientele. Toyota’s RAV4 is also compel- or all-wheel-drive,
ling, with a fresh design and meaning- 5-passenger, 4-door
hatchback
fully improved driving dynamics. But BASE PRICE:
the Subaru is Ted Cruz dull, and the $25,345–$26,745
ENGINE: DOHC
Toyota is satisfying, not engaging. 16-valve 2.5-liter
AUR:NgQNV`QVßR_R[a6a]_\cVQR` Atkinson-capable
inline-4, 187 hp,
Ybeb_fT_NQR V[aR_V\_ _R¼[RZR[a Na 186 lb-ft
solidly nonluxury prices; ride and han- TRANSMISSION:
dling that feel sized up from a Miata, manual shifting mode
rather than dumbed down for mass- CURB WEIGHT:
3500–3700 lb
market appeal; and an exterior that
H A N D S O M E I N S I D E A N D O U T, T H E C X- 5 I S R E A L LY T H E O N LY
bucks the boxy conventions of its seg- C/D TEST RESULTS
C O M PA C T S U V T H AT A D E S I G N S N O B C A N L I V E W I T H .
ZR[a V[ SNc\_ \S `\ZRaUV[T `VT[V¼ All-wheel-drive model
cantly more elegant. But most of all, ZERO TO 60 MPH:
8.1 sec
there’s the sense that the CX-5 was 1/4-MILE:
designed for people like us— 16.3 sec @ 85 mph
TOP SPEED:
people who love to drive. 126 mph (drag limited,
That’s a platform we mfr’s claim)
can get behind. 182 ft
ROADHOLDING,
300-FT-DIA
SKIDPAD: 0.82 g*
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
COMBINED/CITY/
HWY: 26–28/24–25/
30–31 mpg
*Stability-control-
inhibited.
D

Best Compact Luxury SUV
Porsche Macan
The art of compromise. _by Josh Jacquot
There’s a simple reason Porsche’s incumbent

Macan continues to win the compact-luxury-
SUV race: It presents the best set of compro-
mises, and we think that’s a good thing. The foundation of this
position is that we will always, on some level, see SUVs as
utility vehicles and not as wanton driving partners. So it’s the
Macan’s provocative fusion of capability, control feel, and
sensible comfort that wins our hearts—even in the presence
of Alfa’s gonzo 505-hp Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Chief among
Porsche’s strengths is that it avoids the common mistake
many manufacturers make when engineering an SUV that
PN[ab_['[RPX`[N]]V[TàVß[R``1_VcV[TZ\à:NPN[P\Z
petitors with purpose is a violent exercise in head toss, the
b[`RaaYV[T YNaR_NY WR_X ]_\QbPRQ dUR[ N aNYY àVß cRUVPYR
rotates quickly. But the Macan is supple, and rather than mus- PORSCHE MACAN
cling physics into submission, it endears itself to the surface S/GTS/TURBO
and hoovers up the road with self-assured compliance, its VEHICLE TYPE:
front-engine, all-wheel-
`RcR[`]RRQ QbNYPYbaPU a_N[`ZV``V\[ \ORQVR[aYf Ùb¤ V[T drive, 5-passenger,
the gears. In the Macan, driving composure is built in rather 4-door hatchback
BASE PRICE:
than built on. And so we again recognize the 340-hp Macan S, $56,450–$88,750
the 360-hp Macan GTS, and the 400-hp Macan Turbo, plus ENGINES: twin-
turbocharged and
the newly eligible 440-hp Macan intercooled DOHC
Turbo with Performance Package EVEN WITH AN 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6,
(the four-cylinder model still isn’t U P D AT E D M O D E L
ON THE HORIZON,
340 or 360 hp, 339
or 369 lb-ft; twin- REFRESHING THE NOT-SO-
included) as the best compact luxury
SUVs available.
THE MACAN STILL
TA K E S D O W N
THE BEST FROM
turbocharged and
intercooled DOHC
24-valve 3.6-liter V-6,
LAME LAME DUCK
A L FA , B M W, A N D 400 or 440 hp, 406 or
The updated 2019 Macan doesn’t
MERCEDES. 442 lb-ft go on sale until late this spring and
TRANSMISSION:
7-speed dual-clutch
thus is ineligible for this year’s
automatic with manual ballot. It brings the mildest of
shifting mode
CURB WEIGHT:
refreshes, making last year’s model
4351–4565 lb perhaps the least-lame lame duck
of all time. Porsche swaps the 2018
C/D TEST RESULTS Macan S’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6
ZERO TO 60 MPH:
3.5–5.1 sec
for the single-turbo 3.0-liter found
1/4-MILE: 12.1–13.6 sec in the Panamera and Cayenne,
TOP SPEED:
156–169 mph (drag
yielding a modest bump in
limited, mfr’s claim) horsepower to 348 but bringing a
150–186 ft
more substantial torque gain, with
ROADHOLDING, twist increasing from 339
300-FT-DIA
SKIDPAD: 0.82–0.94 g
pound-feet to 354. A GTS and an
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA even nuttier Turbo model are sure
COMBINED/CITY/
HWY: 19/17/23 mpg
to follow. (The base version with
the turbocharged 2.0-liter
inline-four maintains the same 252
horsepower and 273 pound-feet of
torque as before.) Chassis
adjustments include revised
anti-roll bars and optional air
springs along with new tires in the
same widths on wheels ranging
from 18 to 21 inches.
045_
Best Mid-Size SUV
_10BESTC/D022019
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aUNa dVaU PN_RSbY ab[V[T N[Q N P\[
àN[aRfRa\dN_QN_RdN_QV[TUbZN[
MAZDA CX-9 3_VR[Q` P\b[a_fZR[ .ZR_VPN[` f\b UNcR ZNPUV[R_RYNaV\[ÙV]f\b_\OYVTNaV\[`
VEHICLE TYPE: ORR[ SRQ N OVYY \S T\\Q` Of aUR U\à \S PN[ PN[ OR \]]\_ab[VaVR` ;\aUV[T V[ aUV`
or all-wheel-drive,
QVQNaR` V[ aUV` _NPR S\_ ORà ZVQ`VgR @BC PYN`` PN[ ZNaPU aUR 0E&μ` Qf[NZVP
7-passenger, 4-door AURfμYYaRYYf\baUNa`VgRV`dUNaZNaaR_ÀUNa]R_S\_ZN[PR P\Z]RaR[PR6aμ`[\aRcR[PY\`RS_VR[Q`
hatchback
BASE PRICE:
N[QP\ZS\_aN[QP\[¼QR[PRQ\[μaAURfμYYaRYYf\baUNaVSf\b .[Q aUR :NgQNμ` a\_^bR_VPU ab_O\
$33,275–$35,075 N_Rc\aV[TV[aUV`PYN``f\bμcRNY_RNQf
TVcR[b]\[Q_VcV[T]YRN`b_R/baaUR_R
IF YOU NEED A
16-valve 2.5-liter V`N[\aUR_dNf]R\]YR.c\aRS\_aUR T H R E E- R O W S U V,
Miller-capable inline-4,
250 hp, 310 lb-ft
:NgQN0E&V`Nc\aRS\_N[RddNf. YOU WILL NOT
FIND A BETTER-
TRANSMISSION: QVßR_R[adNf.ORaaR_dNf DRIVING, MORE
6-speed automatic
with manual shifting
DRμ_R UR_R a\ aRYY f\b aUNa N` S AT I S F Y I N G O N E
THAN THE MAZDA
mode .ZR_VPN[`f\bPN[UNcRRcR_faUV[T C X- 9 . P E R I O D .
CURB WEIGHT:
4200–4400 lb
NYYaURaVZRF\bdN[aT\\QY\\X`,<S
P\b_`R f\b Q\ ANXR N TN[QR_ Na aUR
C/D TEST RESULTS ½\dV[T Pb_cR` N[Q aNba YV[R` \S aUR
All-wheel-drive model
ZERO TO 60 MPH:
6.8 sec
1/4-MILE:
15.4 sec @ 91 mph
TOP SPEED: 132 mph
(governor limited)
168 ft
ROADHOLDING,
300-FT-DIA
SKIDPAD: 0.85 g*
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
COMBINED/CITY/
HWY: 23–24/20–22/
26–28 mpg
*Stability-control-
inhibited.
•
D
charged 2.5-liter inline-four is a frugal
overachiever, a triumph of the little guy.
And size. Yes, let’s talk about size.
It’s true that the CX-9 is not as volumi-
nous as some of the other candidates in
this race. But with 135 cubic feet of pas-
senger space and up to 71 cubic feet of
cargo room, the CX-9 may be consid-
ered small only by those who won’t be
`NaV`¼RQb[aVYaURfUNcRSN_a\\ZbPU
This is not your way. This is not our
dNfAUV`VàURaVZRS\_NQVßR_R[adNf
God bless America, and God bless
drivers of the Mazda CX-9.
CENTER FOR RESPONSIVE UTILITIES

How committed is Mazda to performing well for its constitu-
ents? Have a look at the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) system
that comes standard on 2019 CX-9s. GVC automatically and
briefly reduces engine torque by a tiny amount as the driver
begins a turn. This allows just enough load to transfer forward
PROPOSAL 19-4 to take up the compliance built in to the front suspension,
Remember the Mazda commercials in setting off a cascade of positive effects: Surer turn-in
which the little kid would whisper, response makes the vehicle feel nimbler and reduces the
“Zoom, zoom”? That was creepy, right? number of steering corrections required, which in turn
reduces side-to-side motions that can cause head toss. And
Yes Mazda achieves this increased sportiness without a sacrifice
No to ride quality. GVC is not likely, on its own, to sell a single
CX-9, but Mazda did it for the good of the people.
0 47_
Best Mid-Size Luxury SUV
Audi Q7
F\b[TR_Z\_RNaUYRaVPP\[aR[QR_`]_\cR
unable to take down the practical
and trustworthy Q7. _by Eddie Alterman
_10BESTC/D022019
AUDI Q7
VEHICLE TYPE:
drive, 7-passenger,
4-door hatchback
You may look at the Audi Q7 and see a cham- N[QP\_[R__NQVbÀUb`R^bV]]RQaUR BASE PRICE:
pion of the 1 percent, but we see a beacon of Q7 asks no on-road compromise for its $54,545–$60,945
ENGINES:
possibility for all sport-utility manufacturers `b_]_V`V[T\ß_\NQP\Z]RaR[PR turbocharged and
N[QNOR[PUZN_X\SRePRYYR[PRS\_aURV[Qbà_fOR[R¼aV[TNYY Okay, there are a few faults, most of intercooled DOHC
16-valve 2.0-liter
those in the market. Trickle-down economics? Hardly—the which you can avoid. Skip the base inline-4, 252 hp, 273
Q7 itself demarks the bottom strata of the VW Group’s pre- turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder, because lb-ft; supercharged
ZVbZ @BC` AUR 9NZO\_TUV[V B_b` /R[aYRf /R[aNfTN RcR[ aU\bTU aUR >$ V` N[ NYbZV[bZ 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6,
=\_`PUR0NfR[[RN[QRcR[aUR>$μ`_b[[V[TZNaRaURÙV[f intensive beast, it still tips in at 4800 333 hp, 325 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION:
haired, sport-scented Q8, turn to the Q7 to provide a well- ]\b[Q`N[QaURS\b_à_bTTYRà\XRR] 8-speed automatic with
_RN`\[RQY\[TVabQV[NYR[TV[R]YNaS\_ZN[QaURTY\ONYc\YbZR acceleration in line with expectations. manual shifting mode
CURB WEIGHT:
that subsidizes their existence. 0U\\`RaUR`b]R_PUN_TRQ YVaR_C# 4776–5085 lb
You can feel those more expensive utes in the Q7’s com- N[Qf\bTRaNSbY`\ZR U\_`R]\dR_
]\_aZR[a<[Va`\]aV\[NY]R_S\_ZN[PRaV_RàUR>$\baT_V]` N[Q " ]\b[QSRRa \S Y\d]RNXV[T C/D TEST RESULTS
N[Q\baO_NXR`VaàU_RR_\dYbeb_fbaRP\Z]RaVaV\[/baRcR[ a\_^bR ]R_SRPaYf `bVaRQ a\ aUR QbNY ZERO TO 60 MPH:
5.5–7.0 sec
\[NYY`RN`\[_bOOR_NS\b_dURRYàRR_V[TR^bV]]RQ>$SRRY` QRZN[Q`\SV[PVaf]baaR_V[TN[Qa\YY 1/4-MILE:
Y\dN[QYVaURN[Q_RNQfS\_NPaV\[±NYN_TRS\_ZNa4A6VSf\b dNf OYNgV[T DR RcR[ YVXR Va` ]\dR_ 14.2–15.4 sec
TOP SPEED: 128 mph
dVYY.cNVYNOYRNV_`]_V[TÙRY]VaNQN]aa\RcR_f_\NQ`b_SNPR QRYVcR_fORaaR_aUN[aURa\_^bVR_ab_O\ (governor limited)
155–186 ft
ROADHOLDING,
201 9 • CA 300-FT-DIA SKIDPAD:
OF R 0.80–0.90 g
S
AN
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA

AND SUV
COMBINED/CITY/
D DRIVER
HWY: 21/19/25 mpg

KS
C S
10
BEST TRU

charged V-6 in the new and putatively
sportier Q8.
As for the dim, cramped third row,
this should only be used to age cheeses.
The rest of the interior—perfect seats,
commanding driving position—is sub-
YVZR\ßR_V[TaURYNàN[QORàcR_`V\[
of Audi’s knob-based MMI infotain-
ment system. The new dual-screen,
virtual-button unit in the Q8 is a show-
room heart-stopper and wallet-opener,
but you can operate the one in the Q7
dVaU\baaNXV[Tf\b_RfR`\ßaUR_\NQ
6[aUR¼[NYN[NYf`VàUV`VàURZ\à
well-rounded, high-value, and trust-
worthy SUV in its segment. Maybe in all J U D G I N G B Y A U D I ’ S R E C E N T D E S I G N S , T H E D AY S O F T H E K N O B - R I C H / S W I T C H - H E AV Y
SUV-dom. I N T E R I O R A R E N U M B E R E D . S O M E D AY W E ’ L L M I S S T H I S P R E C I S I O N - C R A F T E D C A B I N .
• Practicality.
• Price.
049_
MERCEDES-BENZ
Best Large SUV
_10BESTC/D022019
GLS450 4MATIC
VEHICLE TYPE:
M
Mercedes-Benz GLS
drive, 7-passenger,
4-door hatchback
BASE PRICE: $71,145
ENGINE: twin-
Patrician wins third term. _Of7R@NONaV[V turbocharged and
intercooled DOHC
362 hp, 369 lb-ft
lowy ride. It is smartly sized and pack- TRANSMISSION:
aged such that all three rows provide manual shifting mode
enough room to be comfortable, and yet CURB WEIGHT:
5394 lb
aUR49@PN[àVYY¼aUN[QVYfV[aURNcR_
The Mercedes-Benz GLS450 earns its third age garage. Its twin-turbocharged 3.0- C/D TEST RESULTS
consecutive 10Best Trucks and SUVs award liter V-6 puts out only 362 horsepower, ZERO TO 60 MPH:
not just because it’s an outstanding hauler of but Benz’s nine-speed automatic makes 5.7 sec
1/4-MILE:
people and their freight, but because it is a comparative bar- the most of it, allowing this 5400- 14.2 sec @ 98 mph
gain. Even within Mercedes’ dizzying range of products, this pound SUV to make sub-six-second TOP SPEED: 133 mph
(governor limited)
S-class of SUVs starts at $71,145, $20,000 lower than an gR_\a\#Z]U_b[`N`Rß\_aYR``YfN` BRAKING, 70–0 MPH:
actual S-class. You get a lot when you buy a GLS. its button-operated third-row seats fold 184 ft
ROADHOLDING,
That said, the price of our test unit was within a change ½NaAUR49@`VZ]Yf_VQRÒRaaR_Q_VcR` 300-FT-DIA
WN_\S`Ve¼Tb_R`/baS\_]R_`]RPaVcRaUR9V[P\Y[;NcVTNa\_ `ZNYYR_N[Q\ßR_`NUVTUR_YRcRY\S¼a SKIDPAD: 0.79 g
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
that served as its only competition this year has a base MSRP N[Q¼[VÙaUN[f\bPN[TRaV[N[f\aUR_ COMBINED/CITY/
\S$!"N[QNa\]\SaURYV[R/YNPX9NORY;NcVPN[PYRN_ large SUV, and that’s as true of the base HWY: 18/16/22 mpg
$100K as easily as these jumbo SUVs dispatch potholes, speed cRUVPYRN`VaVàUR`Ve¼Tb_RReNZ]YR`
bumps, and inconveniently placed parking blocks. Regardless
of price, the Lincoln fared no better against the GLS than its
Ford Expedition sibling did last year.
The GLS’s unibody structure feels aptly Teutonic. It steers
more like a sedan than a truck, and its air springs deliver a pil-
201 9 • CA
OF R T H E C H O C O L AT E-
A N D - N O U G AT
S
AN
AND SUV
INTERIOR OF THIS
D DRIVER
GLS IS MUCH
MORE TO OUR
LIKING THAN THE
KS
N AV I G AT O R ’ S
’
C S
V E G A S - A T- N I G H T
10
BEST TRU
CABIN.

Best Mid-Size
Pickup
Honda
Ridgeline
Honda’s unibody pickup truck wins a
landslide victory, garnering 100 percent of
the votes. _Of7R@NONaV[V
HONDA RIDGELINE
VEHICLE TYPE:
IDENTITY POLITICS
front-engine, front- Few segments are as
or all-wheel-drive,
5-passenger, 4-door
diverse as mid-size pickup
pickup trucks. Three new competi-
BASE PRICE:
$30,985–$36,285
tors run the gamut from a
A unibody pickup based on the same platform ENGINE: SOHC traditional body-on-frame
that underpins Honda’s Odyssey and Pilot, the 280 hp, 262 lb-ft
pickup (Ranger) to a car
Ridgeline is an anomaly. It’s the only pickup TRANSMISSION: with a bed (Santa Cruz)
6-speed automatic
on the market with a transverse-mounted engine (a 280-hp CURB WEIGHT:
to a dedicated off-roader
"YVaR_C#N[QV[VaÒN`RP\[¼Tb_NaV\[VaQ_VcRàURS_\[a 4300–4500 lb (Gladiator).
wheels. Scandalous!
While the Ridgeline’s towing and payload ratings are C/D TEST RESULTS
All-wheel-drive model
lower than some of the competition’s, this mid-sizer makes a ZERO TO 60 MPH:
populist play with a roomy and comfortable cabin and road 6.4 sec
1/4-MILE:
ZN[[R_ÒR¼aaV[TN`RQN[:\àVZ]\_aN[aVa`b[V^bRSRN 15.0 sec @ 93 mph
tures—a lockable in-bed trunk, a dual-hinged tailgate, and a TOP SPEED: 112 mph
(governor limited)
composite bed that can double as a big speaker—make it BRAKING, 70–0 MPH:
something more than merely a shrunken version of a full-size 182 ft
ROADHOLDING,
truck. That’s change we can believe in. 300-FT-DIA
It’s enough to get the Ridgeline elected best mid-size SKIDPAD: 0.80 g
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
truck for a third consecutive year—although we should COMBINED/CITY/
make it absolutely clear that the Ridgeline ran unopposed HWY: 21–22/18–19/
25–26 mpg
at this year’s event. That will certainly not be the case for
2020. Ford’s new Ranger, a traditional body-on-frame
a_bPX]\dR_RQOfNcN_VN[a\SaUR:bàN[Tμàb_O\ YVaR_
four, will be in the running. So will the 2020 Jeep Gladia- Hyundai Santa Cruz
a\_ N D_N[TYR_ON`RQ \ß_\NQ_RNQf a_bPX dVaU ad\ `\YVQ
axles. And the following year will likely bring the Hyundai
Santa Cruz, a unibody sport pickup based on a concept from
2015. But with its spacious interior and
WHICH IS THE sublime driving manners, the Ridge-
REAL TRUCK? THE
B R O D O Z E R S T H AT
line will still be a strong contender
GOT STUCK IN THE against, well, other contenders.
MUDDY FIELD OR
THE RIDGELINE
T H AT D R O V E
RIGHT THROUGH?
Jeep Gladiator
051_
Best Full-Size Pickup
Ram 1500
Ram uses sophistication instead of bravado to win
the country’s highest-stakes race. _by Jared Gall
payload, and towing capacity, these are But nobody spends more pennies on
tech leaders writ large. And remember its interiors than Ram. In the 1500’s
bare-metal interiors? Even more than upper trims, Laramie Longhorn and
the rapidly escalating towing wars, Limited, the detailing and material
Never mind their blue- ultraluxe cabins are the fastest-devel- richness exceed not only those of any
collar, tough-guy image. oping front in the pickup-truck urinary other current pickup, but the standards
Pickups are among the olympics. It makes sense: $70,000 ver- established by any domestic vehicle in
most progressive vehicles you can buy sions of $30,000 trucks make a pretty many decades. These are Duesenber-
today. Not even the TruckNutz guy or penny for their makers. gian works in the age of plastic. No
aUR !aU ]R_`\[ a\ ¼a OYNPX
20s and street tires to his brodozer is
foolishly retrograde enough to sug- SCREEN TIME
gest that pickups themselves are auto- Tesla might have pioneered it and Ram
motive troglodytes. In terms of polish, might not be the second brand to
power—remember late-’70s V-8s? Nat- employ it, but the truck company’s
urally aspirated diesel heavy-duties?— adoption of a big-ass screen means
that the huge, portrait-oriented
infotainment display has arrived for the
201 9 • CA mass market. Plug in your phone and
OF R
Ram’s 12.0-incher offers split-screen
S
AN
AND SUV
functionality that can display Android

D DRIVER
Auto or Apple CarPlay up top and the

radio on the bottom. Redundant HVAC
KS
C S
BEST TRU
10
controls flank the screen for those who
still want physical buttons to manage
their cabin climate.
ONCE THE
CRUDEST AND
MOST CARTOONISH
OF THE BIG
T H R E E ’ S F U L L-
SIZERS, THE RAM
1500 IS NOW
A L M O S T E L E G A N T.
the Ram’s rear suspension delivers a RAM 1500

class-leading ride with or without a VEHICLE TYPE: front-
engine; rear-, rear-/all-,
trailer, smoothing out high-frequency or rear-/4-wheel-drive;
PUNaaR_N[QÙ_bTTV[T\ßOVTVZ]NPa` 5- or 6-passenger;
4-door pickup
with ease. BASE PRICE:
AURRA\_^bR!%c\YaUfO_VQ`fàRZ $33,490–$40,090
POWERTRAINS:
is standard with the V-6, optional with DOHC 24-valve
the Hemi, and helps even the latter 3.6-liter Atkinson-
capable V-6, 305
engine snug up to the Ford Raptor’s hp, 269 lb-ft + AC
ab_O\ "YVaR_C#V[SbRYRP\[\ZfAUR motor, 12 hp, 36 lb-ft
(combined output,
Ford engine and GM’s 6.2-liter V-8 305 hp, 269 lb-ft);
make more power and torque than the pushrod 16-valve
5.7-liter V-8, 395 hp,
?NZμ`5RZVObaNab_O\PUN_TRQC#V[ 410 lb-ft; pushrod
a pickup is just weird and socialist, and 16-valve 5.7-liter V-8,
395 hp, 410 lb-ft + AC
.ZR_VPN[ cRUVPYR a\QNf±[\a N 0NQVY if you record the 6.2 and play it in motor, 16 hp, 49 lb-ft
YNP[\aN9V[P\Y[[\aNAR`YN±PN[U\YQ _RcR_`RVaWbà`\b[Q`YVXRNC%¼_V[T (combined output, 395
hp, 410 lb-ft)
NPN[QYRa\aURa\]YRcRY?NZ`μPNOV[` !"#$%1\aUR`NZRdVaUaUR TRANSMISSION:
2cR[ N Ob[PU \S ]_V``R` S_\Z .[[ Hemi V-8 and it sounds an awful lot like 8-speed automatic
with manual shifting
._O\_ N_R[μa `\ `\Sa N` a\ \[Yf _\YY a staticky recording of someone saying, mode
around on a truck’s carpets and fondle “That’s one small step for man, one CURB WEIGHT:
4895–6102 lb
Va`QNÙ]NQORS\_RQRPYN_V[TNdV[[R_ giant leap for mankind.” In its comfort,
though. Fitted with either the standard P\Z]\`b_R N[Q PN]NOVYVaf aUR ?NZ C/D TEST RESULTS
coil springs or the optional air springs, "V`.ZR_VPNNaVaÒRà ZERO TO 60 MPH:
6.1–7.2 sec
1/4-MILE:
14.7–15.6 sec
TOP SPEED:
106–108 mph
(governor limited)
177–204 ft
ROADHOLDING,
300-FT-DIA
SKIDPAD:
0.68–0.78 g*
FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
COMBINED/CITY/
HWY: 17–22/15–20/
21–25 mpg
*Stability-control-
inhibited.
Best Van Chrysler Pacifica
A modest proposal. _by David Beard
CHRYSLER
19-5 PACIFICA
A PROPOSED AGREEMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE CHRYSLER PACIFICA AS THE VEHICLE TYPE: front-
BEST MINIVAN ON SALE TODAY engine, front-wheel-
drive, 7- or 8-passenger,
4-door van
BASE PRICE: $28,390
This proposal would name the Chrysler package to add some snazzy accents to its ENGINE: DOHC
Pacifica the best minivan because it: already upscale look and not resemble an 287 hp, 262 lb-ft
• Provides the most comfortable way to haul HVAC technician’s work van. TRANSMISSION:
9-speed automatic
the tribe across town or country. • Arranges its controls in a manner that is CURB WEIGHT:
• When equipped with Chrysler’s Stow ’n Go easy to understand. 4473–4610 lb
seating (base and hybrid models lack this • Caters to front passengers with Barcalounger-
feature), quickly converts from soccer-team like seats that provide 12-hour comfort. C/D TEST RESULTS
ZERO TO 60 MPH:
shuttle to bathroom-remodeling supply hauler 7.3 sec
by allowing the second- and third-row seats to This proposal will recognize this most 1/4-MILE:
15.6 sec @ 90 mph
be folded into cubbies beneath the floor. efficient means of transporting passengers TOP SPEED: 112 mph
• Entertains rear occupants with the available and cargo as the best minivan in the land. (governor limited)
Uconnect Theater’s 10.1-inch touchscreens. Should this proposal be adopted? 164 ft
• In Limited trim, provides an in-car vacuum ROADHOLDING,
300-FT-DIA
to clean up the impending Cheez-It fallout. Yes SKIDPAD: 0.87 g*
• Corners with surprising confidence—for a No FUEL ECONOMY, EPA
COMBINED/CITY/
one-box, that is—thanks to its HWY: 22/18–19/
refined chassis. 28 mpg
• Employs a 287-hp 3.6-liter V-6 *Stability-control-
mated to a smooth-shifting nine- inhibited.
speed automatic that motivates the
van with authority.
• May implement the S Appearance
201 9 • CA
OF R WITH SUVS NOW
T H E D E FA C T O
S
AN
AND SUV
CHOICE FOR
D DRIVER
FA M I LY V E H I C L E S ,
THE PURCHASE OF
A M I N I VA N H A S
KS
BECOME RADICAL
’
C S
AND CHIC.
10
BEST TRU
_ 0 5 4 _Car and Driver _ Februar y 2019 _The En d

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© SOPUS Products 2019. All rights reserved. CS14208-30
MERCEDES-BENZ CLS450 4MATIC
Price: $94,540 • Power: 362 hp
Torque: 369 lb-ft • Weight: 4413 lb
0–60 mph: 4.4 sec
056 . C O M PA RO . CA R A N D D RI V ER . F E B/2 0 1 9
Audi’s A7 battles the
Mercedes-Benz
CLS450 4MATIC while
California drowns.
_by John Pearley
5bßZN[
L]U\a\T_N]UfOf7NZR`9V]ZN[
AUDI A7
Price: $83,240 • Power: 335 hp
Torque: 369 lb-ft • Weight: 4372 lb
0–60 mph: 4.4 sec
057
ight rain is to Southern California what a hurricane is to Florida or a days of driving on roads sloppy with mod-
blizzard is to upstate New York. Highways close, semis jackknife, est rain and some—gasp!—wispy snow.
Z\b[aNV[``YVQRNdNfN`ZbQN[QU\b`R`\Sd\_ÙV]¼YYdVaUaU\`R But these are all-wheel-drive sorta-sedans
seeking God’s mercy. It’s not the end of civilization, but it’s close. built in Germany, where winter weather is,
Into this apocalyptic nightmare we drove the new-for-2019 Audi you know, actually wintry. Despite the
A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS450 4MATIC, boldly risking nature’s cars’ summer tires, these were ideal condi-
wrath to discover which of these squished-roof four-doors would best tions in which to evaluate this pair. And
\cR_P\ZRVaNYYdVaUT_NPRN[QP\[¼QR[PR .[QdUVPUZNfORT\\Q by the time we reached our testing venue,
enough to thrive in a world gone mad for crossovers and SUVs. it had dried out enough to complete valid
Our route took us through Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis trials. Perfect.
Obispo counties along the superla- The obvious omission here is the BMW
tive State Routes 33, 166, and 58, with 640i xDrive Gran Coupe. But while both
a quick blitz to the Mojave Desert for the A7 and CLS are new this year, the Gran
instrumented testing. That’s two Coupe was new way back in 2012. That’s
058 . C O M PA RO . CA R A N D D RI V E R . F E B/2 01 9
2019 AUDI A7 2019 MERCEDES-
BENZ CLS450
4MATIC
PRICE AS TESTED
BASE PRICE
$83,240
$68,995
$94,540
$72,695
DIMENSIONS
LENGTH 195.6 in 196.4 in
WIDTH 75.1 in 74.4 in
HEIGHT 55.2 in 55.3 in
WHEELBASE 115.2 in 115.7 in
FRONT TRACK 65.0 in 63.8 in
REAR TRACK 64.4 in 64.1 in
INTERIOR VOLUME F: 51 cu ft F: 52 cu ft
R: 44 cu ft R: 41 cu ft
CARGO VOLUME 25 cu ft 12 cu ft
POWERTRAIN
ENGINE turbocharged DOHC turbocharged DOHC
24-valve Miller- 24-valve inline-6 +
capable V-6 AC motor
183 cu in (2995 cc) 183 cu in (2999 cc)
POWER HP @ RPM 335 @ 6400 362 @ 6100
TORQUE LB-FT @ RPM 369 @ 1370 369 @ 1600
REDLINE/FUEL CUTOFF 6500/6500 rpm 6250/6250 rpm
LB PER HP 13.1 12.2
DRIVELINE
TRANSMISSION 7-speed dual-clutch 9-speed automatic
automatic
DRIVEN WHEELS all all
GEAR RATIO:1/ 1 3.19/5.9/38 1 5.35/5.1/33
MPH PER 1000 RPM/ 2 2.19/8.6/56 2 3.24/8.3/54
MAX MPH 3 1.52/12.4/81 3 2.25/12.0/78
4 1.06/17.8/116 4 1.64/16.5/107
5 0.74/25.5/129 5 1.21/22.3/129
6 0.51/36.9/129 6 1.00/27.0/129
7 0.39/48.3/129 7 0.86/31.4/129
8 0.72/37.5/129
9 0.60/45.1/129
FINAL-DRIVE RATIO:1 4.41 2.82
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION F: multilink, coil F: multilink, air
springs, anti-roll bar springs, anti-roll bar
R: multilink, coil R: multilink, air
springs, anti-roll bar springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES F: 13.8-in vented F: 14.2-in vented,
disc cross-drilled disc
R: 13.0-in vented R: 14.2-in vented
disc disc
STABILITY CONTROL fully defeatable, fully defeatable,
competition mode, competition mode
launch control
TIRES Bridgestone Goodyear Eagle
Turanza T005 F1 Asymmetric 3
255/35R-21 98Y RunOnFlat
F: 245/40R-19 98Y
CAR AND DRIVER TEST RESULTS

R: 275/35R-19 100Y
ACCELERATION
0–30 MPH 1.5 sec 1.6 sec
0–60 MPH 4.4 sec 4.4 sec
0–100 MPH 11.5 sec 11.3 sec
0–120 MPH 17.2 sec 17.0 sec
1/4-MILE @ MPH 13.1 sec @ 106 13.0 sec @ 107
ROLLING START,
5–60 MPH 5.4 sec 5.4 sec
TOP GEAR, 30–50 MPH 2.8 sec 3.0 sec
TOP GEAR, 50–70 MPH 3.6 sec 4.2 sec
TOP SPEED 129 mph (gov ltd) 129 mph (gov ltd)
ancient history and BMW is in the process of phasing out the
6-series GC. Plus, “Gran Coupe” is still such a silly name for a CHASSIS
BRAKING, 70–0 MPH 157 ft 162 ft
car that’s not a coupe and only so gran. The 640i xDrive Gran ROADHOLDING,
300-FT-DIA SKIDPAD 0.93 g 0.93 g
Turismo, which was new for 2018, is a blunter and bigger thing 610-FT SLALOM 43.2 mph 44.5 mph
aUNaQ\R`[μa¼aV[aUV``]RPVR`
Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinders power both cars. The WEIGHT
CURB 4372 lb 4413 lb
Audi arranges its six pots in a vee while the Mercedes has its lined %FRONT/%REAR 54.1/45.9 53.9/46.1
b]V[N_\d6[aR_RàV[TYfaUV`NYY[Rd:R_PRQR`R[TV[RVàUR¼_à FUEL
direct-injected gas-powered inline-six that Mercedes has built TANK 19.3 gal 21.1 gal
RATING 91 octane 91 octane
since the original 300SL’s mechanically injected 3.0-liter six was EPA COMBINED/
produced between 1954 and 1963. The Mercedes is also hybridized CITY/HWY 25/22/29 mpg 26/23/30 mpg
C/D 450-MILE TRIP 20 mpg 20 mpg
with a 48-volt motor-generator sandwiched between the engine
and transmission that pitches in with another 21 horsepower SOUND LEVEL
IDLE 38 dBA 37 dBA
when asked. The Audi, meanwhile, features a 48-volt motor-gen- FULL THROTTLE 69 dBA 74 dBA
70-MPH CRUISE 63 dBA 63 dBA
tested by D A V I D B E A R D in California City, CA 059

erator connected via a belt; it helps the are coupes. They’re mid-size four-doors with slicked-back hair, Mercedes-
engine’s stop-start system but doesn’t do more fashionable than the upright Audi A6 and Mercedes E-class Benz CLS450
anything to move the A7. sedans with which they share most of their mechanical substance. 4MATIC
Both cars carry a full load of technol- Nevertheless, they’re bent on being more than just beautiful. Charismatic
ogy as all current luxury cars must. inline-six
There’s more computing power in the 2. Mercedes-Benz CLS450 4MATIC engine, capable
infotainment systems of these cars than The Mercedes CLS-class is the original. Fifteen years ago, when all-weather
there was available to NASA when it, along upright four-doors were still acceptable in polite company, that ability.
with Stanley Kubrick, faked those “moon ¼_à09@]V\[RR_RQaURPU\]]RQSNàONPX_\\S]_\¼YRaUNaUN` Structural
landings.” Accordingly, they’re pricey. The spread throughout what’s left of today’s sedan market. This new vibrations, lazy
.bQV ON`R` Na #%&&" N[Q V[½NaR` a\ one is the third-generation CLS, and its style is consistent with transmission,
$83,240 as tested while the Benz starts at the previous two but a bit more gelatinous. And its specialness has claustrophobic.
$72,695 and bloats to $94,540. been dulled by Mercedes’ own AMG GT 4-Door—a more beauti- Plenty
1\[μaYRaaUR`YRRX_\\½V[RàURS_NZR- SbYN[QZ\_R]\dR_SbY_Vß\[aUR`NZRVQRN of style, not
less window glass, or the manufacturers’ Number for number, the CLS450’s performance is practically enough
propaganda tempt you into believing these indistinguishable from the A7’s. Both cars leap from zero to 60 substance.
060 . C O M P A R O . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 9
mph in 4.4 seconds, both pull 0.93 g on the
skidpad, and their 70-to-zero stopping
QVàN[PR`N_RdVaUV[¼cRSRRa\SRNPU\aUR_
At a 70-mph cruise, both cabins hum with
a mere 63 decibels of noise, and after 450
miles of driving, these Germans both
returned 20 mpg. Top speed? They’re both
governed to 129 mph. Deciding between
these two comes down to more-subjective
evaluations. With a subdued and almost
soothing snarl, the new Mercedes straight-
six doesn’t rev as much as it unfurls.
There’s no feeling of the turbocharger
kicking in, just a ribbon of torque. Oddly,
though the Mercedes’ long-stroke six is
rated at 362 horsepower—up 27 on the
Audi—both engines carry peak-torque
ratings of 369 pound-feet.
Only 41 pounds separate the curb
weights of these two, and the Merc can
O_VR½fNQQU\_`R]\dR_S_\ZVaÙfO_VQ
system. So why isn’t it quicker? Instead of
adding rocketry to the CLS, the motor-
generator mediates the driving experi-
R[PR ¼YYV[T V[ a\_^bR ORS\_R aUR ab_O\
spools or during gearchanges. The nine-
speed automatic shifts softly using the
steering-wheel-mounted paddles, and
when left to swap gears itself, it never
seems eager. As willing as the engine is,
the rest of the powertrain is a shoulder
Ù_bTNdNfS_\ZV[QVßR_R[aAUR`NaV`Sf Top: This is the best As with the A7, the CLS’s interior design is startlingly good.
ing sensations of a direct mechanical con- wheel in the business,
if you go for that sort Accented in silvery wood and featuring large circular vents that
nection are lost in the torque-smoothing of thing. The CLS is could blow out a named hurricane, the dash is all very tasteful.
grace of the electric motor, the torque con- expertly finished
elsewhere, too, with DRYYNYZ\àNYY.ZOVR[aYVTUaV[TSRNab_V[T#!QVßR_R[aP\Y\_`V`
verter, and nine tight gear ratios. sumptuous materials. available, and the driver can choose to let them constantly cycle
Still, the combination of 245/40R-19 so that it’s like driving through a psychedelic Ruth’s Chris Steak
front and 275/35R-19 rear Goodyear Eagle House. Not exactly tasteful, but tasty.
3.`fZZRa_VP _b[½NaaV_R`N[Q\]aV\[NYNV_`]_V[T`dVaUaUR In some ways, the CLS’s interior is clearly superior to that of
4MATIC system made for tenacious grip even on slimy roads. It’s the A7. The seats are better shaped, the steering wheel has a beef-
easy to go very quickly without realizing it. But the CLS’s struc- ier handshake, and the optional head-up display is easy to read.
ab_RSRRY`½VZ`f5VaRcR[aUR`ZNYYRà_\NQQVc\aN[QNÙbQQR_ But it feels cramped and claustrophobic. And while the 12.3-inch
rolls through the car that all the occupants hear and that the widescreen display atop the dash is beautiful, its menus seem laid
driver feels in the steering column. This happens no matter what out for a touchscreen, not a click-wheel controller and touchpad.
drive mode the suspension is in, and it’s not at all Mercedes-like. Compared with the audible and haptic feedback of the Audi’s
061
multitouchscreen system, the Mercedes’
setup feels so 2009.
On top of all that, there’s that pricing
disparity. Toss the M-B’s $5400 Burmester
surround-sound system overboard and the
Audi’s advantage is still $5870. That seals
aUR09@μ``RP\[Q]YNPR¼[VÙ
1. Audi A7
What the A7 has is immediacy, an instant
response to every input from the driver.
Its quick, linear, predictable, and tactile
_R½ReR` ORTRa aUR `\_a \S P\[[RPaV\[
ORadRR[Q_VcR_N[QZNPUV[RaUNaμ`RePVa
V[T R[aR_V[T N P\_[R_ P\[¼QR[a T\V[T
through it, and satisfying coming out.
Forget the Knight Rider–style scanning
LED light show that the head- and tail-
YVTUa`]ba\[RcR_faVZRf\b¼_Rb]aUR.$
That’s just a distraction. This isn’t a car
that relies on electronics to simulate inti-
macy, but one carefully built around tech-
nology to enhance the joy of partnering
with something mechanical.
Relative to the Jell-O–mold styling of
the CLS, this second-generation A7 is
sharper and more aggressive, yet somehow
less self-consciously sporty-looking. It has
a faceted muscularity that the CLS lacks
N[Q aUNa aUR ¼_à .$ QVQ[μa UNcR RVaUR_
Critically, it also has triangular side win-
dows in its C-pillars that open up the cabin Audi A7 .bQVb`R`NYaR_[NaV[TReUNbàTN`R`S_\Z Top: With its two-
to more light and keep it from feeling Great both banks to feed the blower’s twin-scroll screen MMI Touch
Response system,
cramped. Even though it’s actually 0.8 reflexes, turbine. Turbo lag is therefore nearly non- Audi proves that
inch shorter than the Mercedes overall, it brilliant ReVàR[aV[aUR[RdR[TV[RN[QaURa\_^bR virtual buttons can
be almost as good as
Y\\X`Y\[TR_N[QZ\_RT_NPRSbYAUR¼_à interior, rides àN_aÒbVYQV[TS_\ZWbà\ßVQYR6aμ`[\aN` real ones. Almost.
.$dN``R[`b\bÀUV`\[RV`¼a well on 21s. P_RNZfNàURà_NVTUa`VeV[aUR/R[gOba
The A7 is also a hatchback while the The engine it feeds a seven-speed dual-clutch auto-
CLS retains a trunk. So it has 25 cubic feet lacks person- matic transmission with satisfyingly quick shifts. Add in the
of usable cargo room compared with the ality. talents of the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and this is the
CLS’s 12 cubes, which means the A7 is a A squished best-driving all-weather sedanlike hatch currently on the market,
viable alternative to many two-row cross- roof that even if it is heavier than it should be, at 4372 pounds.
overs—for those willing to sit low. makes sense. AURPUN``V`V`R^bNYYfb[SNgRQOfaURURSaAUR.$X[\d`dUR[
DVaUaURReUNbà]\_a`NVZRQV[a\aUR to pivot and when to plant its feet in corners. Body control is kept
valley between the V-6’s cylinder banks, V[PURPXN[QVaà_N[`VaV\[NYORUNcV\_V`^bVaR½bVQ2cR[\[aUR
062 . C O M PA RO . CA R A N D D RI V ER . F E B/2 01 9
FINAL RESULTS
ME
RC
ED
ES
-BE
optional 21-inch wheels, it treads lightly Surprisingly, since the Mercedes car-
NZ
M
ax
CL
im
over imperfections. ried an extra $1100 of sound deadening,
um
S4
po
50
But it’s the A7’s Virtual Cockpit and the Audi proved at least as quiet under
in
ts
AU
4M
MMI Touch Response infotainment sys- most circumstances. Some credit for that
av
DI
ai
AT
la
A7
IC
bl
tems that will attract the most attention. must go to the A7’s new 255/35R-21 Bridge-
e
Built around three high-resolution dis-
plays—two of which are touchscreens
stone Turanza T005 grand-touring sum-
mer tires. RANK 1 2
with haptic feedback—and included as Mercedes may have invented the “four- VEHICLE
part of the massive $8300 Prestige pack- Q\\_P\b]R³ObaVaμ`.bQVaUNa[\dQR¼[R` DRIVER COMFORT 10 10 8
ERGONOMICS 10 9 8
age, the Audi electronics set a new stand- the standard. The A7 sweeps on enough REAR-SEAT COMFORT 5 4 3
N_QS\_aUV`àbß=YbàURdU\YRV[aR_V\_V` tangible measures, and nearly all the REAR-SEAT SPACE* 5 5 4
CARGO SPACE* 5 5 1
gorgeous and uses tricks like a cutout intangible ones, to clearly distinguish FEATURES/AMENITIES* 10 10 9
headliner to improve headroom for rear- itself as better than the CLS—come rain FIT AND FINISH 10 9 9
INTERIOR STYLING 10 10 8
seat passengers. or shine. EXTERIOR STYLING 10 9 7
REBATES/EXTRAS* 5 0 0
AS-TESTED PRICE* 20 20 17
SUBTOTAL 10 0 91 74
POWERTRAIN
1/4-MILE
ACCELERATION* 20 20 20
FLEXIBILITY* 5 3 3
FUEL ECONOMY* 10 10 10
ENGINE NVH 10 8 9
TRANSMISSION 10 8 7
SUBTOTAL 55 49 49
CHASSIS
PERFORMANCE* 20 20 20
STEERING FEEL 10 7 6
BRAKE FEEL 10 8 8
HANDLING 10 8 8
RIDE 10 9 8
SUBTOTAL 60 52 50
EXPERIENCE
FUN TO DRIVE 25 21 19
TOTAL 24 0 213 192

*These objective scores are calculated from
the vehicles’ dimensions, capacities, rebates and
extras, and/or test results.
063
DUR[f\bº[Qf\b_`RYSV[N_RZ\aR
064 . F E AT U R E . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 9
@dRQVÙZV[V[Ta\d[ . . .
065
f\b¶_RT\V[Ta\dN[aa\½[QNraggarePYbON[Q`Y\d_\YY
V[aURV_PYN``VP.ZR_VPN[V_\[LOf7\Ù1RN[
—
photography by Greg Pajo
T H E DR I V I NG AG E I N S W E DE N IS 18 , and as that magical number approached,

;VPXYN`5\YZT_R[NPPR]aRQaUNaUV`¼_àPN_d\bYQORNC\Yc\ORPNb`R\SP\b_`RVad\bYQ
be. But he pined for something big and bad and born in Detroit, preferably before he was.
So in 1990, at 19, as soon as he’d saved enough money, he drove 210 miles from his home
in Kiruna to the nearest big city, Luleå, and bought a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Now 47,
Holmgren says his attraction to the car hit him “like a bolt of lightning on a clear day.”
Holmgren’s obsession with American cars may not be normal, Which is why the town is in the midst of one of the most auda-
but neither is it uncommon. On a summer afternoon in the center cious and mind-boggling civil transformations in history. Back
of most any working-class town in Sweden, parades of Cadillacs in 2004, LKAB—the government-owned company that runs the
and Oldsmobiles and Plymouths course through the streets, mine—announced that it would have to dig deeper, rendering
driven by men sporting leather jackets and slicked hair. The cul- much of Kiruna unstable due to subsidence. If the mine were to
ture has a name—raggare, typically translated as “greaser” but survive, then a huge part of the community would have to be relo-
derived from a verb meaning “to pick up girls”—and it’s turned cated about two miles away. Ever since, engineers and bureaucrats
Sweden into an unlikely museum of American cruising culture. UNcRORR[¼Tb_V[T\baU\da\aRN_Q\d[N[Q_RObVYQ`\ZR"
Holmgren’s current ride, a metallic-blue 1967 Cadillac homes and most of the town’s key buildings.
DeVille, is parked outside the headquarters of the Midnight Sun This has kept Holmgren busy. He’s worked on a crew that
Cruisers (MSC), the raggare club he co-founded in 1989. The club- razed some of the town’s oldest homes, driving an excavator and
house is a two-story brick building across the street from Kiruna’s picking the houses apart carefully to preserve what can be recy-
ski hill. The original idea was to have a place where Holmgren and cled. Now he’s working on relocating the E10 highway, the main
his friends could rebuild engines, drink beer, and complain about route to Norway. The new road, unfortunately, points directly
work. Within a year, there were 20 members. Today, there are 90. toward the MSC clubhouse and will soon pass within a few dozen
Most of the members, then and now, work at Kiirunavaara, a feet of where Holmgren has parked his pride and joy.
mountain in Kiruna that contains the largest underground iron- “We’re a car club; we don’t care about noise and dust,” says
ore mine on earth. Since its founding in 1898, the mine has pro- Johnny Karlsson, one of Holmgren’s closest friends. He owns a
duced more than 900 million tons of high-quality magnetite. “No paint shop, drives a pristine pink 1960 Coupe DeVille, and drums
mine, no Kiruna,” Holmgren says. in a rockabilly band called the Stylemasters.
Nicklas Holmgren
066
Micke Drugge
The raggare party Over the years, MSC has added more
does not care whether garage space as well as a 1950s-themed bar
it is day or night, which
seems appropriate with vinyl booths, a wall mural of the devil
given the region’s smoking a cigar, and the club’s logo
periodic confusion RU S S I A
between the two. RZORQQRQV[½\\_aVYRYNVQOfNZRZOR_ Kiruna
with a wooden leg who also built the cus- A r c ti c C ir c le
tom chrome lights. A few years back,
Australia’s Wheels magazine had a contest to identify the coolest
clubhouse in Sweden. MSC won, and the prize, a jukebox pre-
SW EDEN
Y\NQRQdVaU&"`_\PXμ[μ_\YY`Va`V[N_\\Z\ßaURON_dUR_RaUR
Stylemasters and other rockabilly bands regularly play.
.àURNSaR_[\\[`YVQR`V[a\RcR[V[TZRZOR_`¼YaR_V[N[Q FINLAND
gather. The sun, however, lingers. Summer days are extraordi- NO R WAY
narily long in Kiruna, which sits 90 miles above the Arctic Circle. Helsinki
Oslo
For weeks on either side of the solstice, the sun doesn’t set, which Stockholm
is how the club got its name. The winter, though, is brutal. It’s
frigid, of course, and dark. The sun doesn’t come up for weeks.
Adrian Rönnbäck, a 27-year-old with a shaved head and a thick
beard, didn’t get his 1966 Sedan DeVille out until April 4 last
year—and even then, there was still a light layer of snow on the
roads. His “piss yellow” Caddy is from Texas, with six owners
since being imported in 2014. It needs paint and has torn carpet
N[Q P_NPXRQ b]U\YàR_f /RR_ PN[` N[Q O\aaYR` YVaaR_ aUR ½\\_
under the back seats, but Rönnbäck says he has plans. He wants to
paint it matte black with a candy-red roof.
Rönnbäck works in Kiirunavaara, 4475 feet below the surface.
He shows a video shot through the Caddy’s windshield of his
15-minute drive from the mine’s entrance into the earth, saying, You Can See Russia
“This is my commute.” Kiruna, Sweden, lies about 90 miles above the Arctic Circle,
There are some 300 miles of paved roads winding under at 67.8558° N, 20.2253° E. That’s about as far north as
Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The nearest IKEA is a
Kiruna, deep enough that the average temperature down there is four-hour drive—south, of course.
78 degrees Fahrenheit. The mine’s dining room—which LKAB
F E B / 2 0 1 9 . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E AT U R E . 0 6 7
advertises as the deepest restaurant on the planet—is often 85. a subgenre of raggare that Swedes call raggarbil. As in the U.S., it’s
So Rönnbäck might enter the mine when it’s -15 degrees outside a badge of honor among a certain sect of greasers to have a car so
and switch on the air conditioner by the time he parks. beat up that it invites the police to stop you. Which then allows
Achi Nurmilampi, a 50-year-old mine inspector who drives a these owners, who tend to become masters of Swedish inspection
Ford hot rod, tells us, “In the 1970s, Kiruna had the most Ameri- àN[QN_Qà\½\baaURNbaU\_Vaf\SaURP\]`dU\N_RS\_PRQa\
can cars per capita.” True or not, most everyone we encounter admit upon closer scrutiny that the car passes muster. The one
believes it. The number of classic cars in town has varied over the we’ve spotted displays a carefully curated collection of stickers,
years, often following the mine’s booms and busts. But even in the including the ever-popular “MILF Hunter.”
worst times, he says, the locals never abandoned their love of DRPNaPUb]dVaUVa`\d[R_:VPXR1_bTTRNaaUR[Reaà\]5R
.ZR_VPN[V_\[=\]bYN_Vaf\S`]RPV¼PZ\QRY`dNeR`N[QdN[R` V`NdRYQR_NaaURZV[RN[Q\[aUV`QNf\ßURV`dRN_V[T\cR_NYY`
but Kiruna is a GM town. When editors from Bilsport, a Swedish dVaUNZRÙaN[Xa\]N[QN]NV[aR_μ`PN]dVaUaURO_VZ½V]]RQb]
car magazine, came to town awhile back, they said they had never 5RUN`Nc\YbZV[\b`¼ÙR_ZN[μÒRN_Q`YRRcRaNaa\\`\[O\aU
seen so many Cadillacs in one city, Holmgren recalls. But the most arms, and a large horseshoe ring in his nose. “Everything,” he
popular classic car in Kiruna, Karlsson adds, is the 1965 Chevy `Nf`²Và\]V``]R\]YR\ß³
Impala. “It’s as usual as a Volvo,” says Holmgren. Raggarbil cars are often lowriders and convertibles, because
2cR_fT_RN`R_V[8V_b[NaRYY`N`YVTUaYfQVßR_R[aà\_fNO\ba aUR ]\V[a V` a\ ]N_af N[Q aNXV[T aUR a\] \ß ZRN[` f\b PN[ ¼a
how they got hooked on the cars. Roger more guests inside. It is not unusual to
Lindehag was your typical teenager in see eight or more young Swedes piled
1979, with long hair and a profound love When raggare was born into a single car as the sober driver
of Deep Purple. Then he went to see
.ZR_VPN[4_N§aVAUR[ReaQNfURTNcR
in the 1950s, it “caused does slow circles around town. At least
b[aVYaUR]\YVPRaRYYaURZa\X[\PXVa\ß
all his records to his brother, cut his hair, a huge moral panic.” at which point they cruise to another
and coated it in grease. He’s been riding Newspapers warned of town, which is an impressive commit-
with the raggare ever since. “That movie
changed my life,” he says. “It changed a
the dangers of these ment to civil but social disobedience.
AUR ReRZ]YN_ V[ 8V_b[N V` .[a\[
lot of lives.” gangs of young men, and @axY[NPXRμÙRNcVYfZ\QV¼RQ&"!0NQVY-
When raggare was born in the 1950s, Stockholm commis- lac Series 62, which has many dents, a
Va²PNb`RQNUbTRZ\_NY]N[VP³Re]YNV[`
Thomas O’Dell, a professor of ethnology
sioned a report looking rusty roof, and an air suspension.
Another nickname for cars like this,
at Sweden’s Lund University. News- into what could be done. @axY[NPXRRe]YNV[`V`_xaa`\N, which is
papers warned of the dangers of these As a result, Sweden ReNPaYf dUNa Va `\b[Q` YVXR F\bμcR T\a
gangs of young men, and the city of
Stockholm commissioned a report look-
passed “raggare laws,” the aesthetic right when your car looks
as if the squeaks in the back seat come
ing into what could be done. As a result of giving the police reasons from rodents, not springs.
this 1962 report, Sweden passed “raggare to stop American cars. Stålnacke, 25, is a mechanic in the
laws,” giving the police reasons to stop mine’s machine shop. Five days a week,
American cars. The whole point of rag- he rebuilds heavy equipment 5000 feet
gare<μ1RYYRe]YNV[`dN`²a\OR`RR[V[aUROVTTRà½NÙVRàPN_`³ below the surface from 5:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., with a 29-minute
It still is. During our visit to Kiruna this past summer, MSC Yb[PUORPNb`RURRe]YNV[`²6Sf\baNXR f\bQ\[μaTRa]NVQ³
was in the midst of the 2018 edition of its Classic Car Rundan, an He makes good money, and despite his car’s outward appear-
annual tradition held on a Saturday in mid-August. At some point, ance, both his front and back seats have new upholstery. He spent
the club’s elders realized that car shows are nice, but given the \[N`\b[Q`fàRZaUNa¼YY`Z\à\SaURa_b[XAUR¼_à
choice, most people would rather see the cars moving. So MSC time he cranked the volume, every window in the car cracked. He
began a rolling trivia quiz. Between 10:00 a.m. and noon, partic- left them all in place. He’s also bolted a rare Biarritz chrome
ipants cruise around Kiruna, stopping at 10 locations to answer wheel—one of a set that cost a friend of his $8000—to his trunk.
^bRàV\[``bPUN`²6[dUNafRN_QVQ5R[_f3\_Q¼_à]_\QbPRaUR “I have destroyed it so it can be there,” he says.
Model T?” and “Which years was the Chevy 262 V-8 built?” It is not uncommon to hear Stålnacke coming blocks before
We join the festivities in Nurmilampi’s Ford, which has a furry you see him, with up to 15 friends aboard, blasting 1950s rock or
brown tail hanging from its rearview mirror. It looks like real fur, sometimes death metal. The police, he says, want him to go home.
but it’s too long to be rabbit. He often will, rather than accede to the Man and turn down the
“I think it’s cat,” he says, surely kidding. volume. “I say, ‘I’m having a party. I can’t turn it down.’”
He’s not. “It’s not my cat!” he says. The MSC car show set an all-time record for entries this year.
We stop to pick up a case of beer at Systembolaget, the The car culture in Kiruna is clearly thriving, which raises the
national chain of liquor stores and the only retail outlets in question that nobody seems able to answer. The 27-year-old
Sweden where you can buy beverages with more than 3.5 percent Rönnbäck asks it, apropos of nothing, late into the Saturday-night
alcohol. Although the ban on drunk driving is rigorously enforced _\PXNOVYYf]N_afaUNaPN]`\ßaURQNfONPXNaaURPYbOU\b`R
UR_RRcR_fPYN``VPPN_`RRZà\UNcRNPN`R\SORR_\[aUR½\\_V[ “Why do you think we all love these cars?”
back, if not also liquor bottles rolling around under the seats. But Mostly people just say that’s how it has always been, since they
there is always a designated driver, and nearly everyone has a per- were kids. It’s how they hope it’ll always be, kind of like the mine.
`\[NYO_RNaUNYfgR_V[aURTY\cRO\e6aμ`]R_SRPaYfYRTNYa\Q_V[XV[ 5R Y\\X` a\dN_Q aUR QN[PR ½\\_ V[a\ aUR OYb_ \S dUV_YV[T
the car, so long as you aren’t driving. leather, and considers this. Perhaps he thinks about the beer and
A black 1956 Plymouth Belvedere with a green top passes us, the parties and the girls and the rebellion. Perhaps not.
looking as if it had been pulled out of a barn after having served “I think it is because these are the most beautiful cars ever
S\_QRPNQR`N`N_NPP\\[U\àRY;b_ZVYNZ]VRe]YNV[àUNaaUV`V` made,” he says. “There’s nothing else in the world like them.”
068 . F E AT U R E . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 9
Anton Stålnacke
The Swedish greasers we met in Kiruna were enthusiastic

about old American cars, beer, flouting authority, and
rockabilly music, not necessarily in that order. Also
“surströmming,” which is canned sour herring with a smell
so strong, we’re told you shouldn’t open it indoors.
069
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Long-Term Test: When the tires get worn and the factory
warranty runs out, that’s where we come in. Car and Driver is
your source for the 40,000-mile evaluation.
2017 FORD MUSTANG

SHELBY GT350 Arrival: May/2017
Departure: Oct/2018
a mountain road or a racetrack, and its
ability to then cover a few hundred miles
— home. It’s as though Ford conjured a spell
Voodoo child. _by David Beard `]RPV¼PNYYfS\_b`
We did keep our wits about us for one
critical decision when ordering our long-
S
termer. Although we were curious about
ay “voodoo” and people tend to think of pins stuck into the durability and performance of the
Q\YY`N[VZNY`NP_V¼PRN[Q\aUR_QN_X_VabNY`/baaUV` Rea_RZR 4A "?μ` PN_O\[¼OR_ dURRY`
ancient religion has a lighter side, a white magic our acne-riddled roads and the wheels’
believed to be capable of casting a spell so strong it can replacement costs—$4175 apiece for the
bind souls together for eternity. fronts and $3517 for each of the rears—
DRdR_RR[a_N[PRQOf\b_¼_àRe]\`b_Ra\aUR:b` shook us out of our reverie. We ordered the
tang Shelby GT350’s voodoo, $57,045 GT350, which includes a $1300
O\aUVa`YVaR_NYN[Q¼Tb_NaVcRcN_VRaVRÀUR Rants & Raves penalty from the Man for consuming too
former is Ford’s Voodoo V-8, a hand-built, much fuel, and selected only a few extras.
½Na]YN[RP_N[X "YVaR_ `P_RNZR_ aUNa We opted for the $3000 Electronics pack,
sets spines a-tingle with its 8250-rpm red- GT350 which adds Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment
+
line. The latter relates to the Shelby’s N.S. system, turn-signal mirrors, navigation,
\aUR_d\_YQYfPUN``VÒNYN[PRN[Q½bVQVaf and dual-zone climate control. We also
the ease with which the GT350 tears up —Nathan Schroeder chose the no-cost Grabber Blue paint, a
head-turning shade of awesomeness, and
white over-the-roof racing stripes to pay
homage to Shelbys of the past—only $475,
but a decision we would later regret. All in,
our Ford ran $60,520.
Obeying the 1000-mile break-in period
by not revving the engine sky-high took
painful restraint. But once we got past it,
aUR 4A " PYVPXRQ \ß N gR_\a\#Z]U
time of 4.2 seconds and ran the quarter-
mile in 12.4 at 118 mph. At 40,000 miles, it
posted identical numbers for both tests.
When our car was new, the 70-to-zero-
mph panic stop took 153 feet, but that
stretched to 164 feet in the end, likely
ORPNb`RaUR\[`Ra\SdV[aR_ZNQRVaQV¦
PbYaa\TRaURNaV[a\aUR_bOOR_S\_\b_¼[NY
test session. On the skidpad, the Mustang’s
lateral adhesion measured 1.02 g’s at the
start and gained 0.01 g by 40,000 miles.
Not long after our initial test, we
V[QbYTRQ V[ N YVaaYR N[VZNY `NP_V¼PR AUR
074 . CAR AND DRIVER . FEB/2019 photography by G R E G P A J O

“FORD SURE NAMED THIS VOODOO ENGINE RIGHT.
I FEEL LIKE MY RIGHT FOOT HAS BEEN POSSESSED BY
THE SPIRIT OF CARROLL SHELBY.”
— E D D I E A LT E R M A N , E D I T O R - I N - C H I E F
075
farmlands of southeast Michigan breed
not only large humans, but also raccoons
the size of grizzly bears, one of which
became acquainted with the Shelby at high
speed late one night. The incident dam-
aged the bumper cover, splitter, various
trim pieces, and a fender-mounted oil
cooler, requiring a trip to the shop for
repairs and fresh paint. Restoring the
stripes and clear protective wrap took
another four trips to accomplish. In total,
the raccoon set us back $3684, $1508 of
which was for the vinyl stripes—more
than three times the original cost to have
the entire car thus equipped.
But that wouldn’t be the only damage
dRV[½VPaRQ\[aUR4A ".`Vaab_[`\ba
aUV`PN_V`[\a`bVaRQS\_\ß_\NQQbaf.[
eight-second, tank-slapping ride on loose
gravel left the Mustang high-sided on a
local road’s shoulder. The failed rally stage
required another trip to the body shop, in
which the resurfaced passenger door and vide exceptional support for enthusiastic driving, after four hours
`\ZR Z\_R 4_NOOR_ /YbR ]NV[a P\à b` \_`\\b_O\QVR`dRYP\ZRQ_RYVRSS_\ZaURV_P\[¼[R` Rants & Raves
$832. Lesson learned. <[PR`RaaYRQV[a\aUR4\YQR[@aNaRdR_R]YNPRQaUR_RN_aV_R` “It’s nearly impossible
to hit redline without
DVaU QV_RPa¼aZR[a dV[aR_ aV_R` before releasing the Mustang onto roads that are somewhat more breaking the law.”
b[NcNVYNOYRdR`R[aaUR4A "a\0NYVS\_ aU_VYYV[TaUN[aU\`RV[:VPUVTN[.[NSaR_[\\[\[.[TRYR`0_Rà —Maxwell B. Mortimer
nia to pass the colder months. It was dur- 5VTUdNfaU_\bTUaUR@N[4NO_VRY:\b[aNV[`VàURORàdNfa\ “There are still plenty
ing the 2400-mile trip out west that we experience the Shelby voodoo. The car is agile and stable, with of $25,000-car
interior bits, but the
_RTVàR_RQ aUR ¼_à \S ZN[f P\Z]YNV[a` immediate turn-in. The steering is surgically precise, and the GT350 drives like
about the 16-gallon fuel tank’s limited helm buzzes with useful feedback. Meanwhile, the Brembo brakes something more
expensive.”
range. Only once over the course of our remain tireless, corner after corner. Track-focused cars such as —Dave VanderWerp
test did we travel farther than 300 miles aUV`N_R\SaR[NOb_QR[a\YVcRdVaUQNVYfObaaUR4A "μ`ZNT[R “This Mustang lives
on a tank, and then it was only 301. Even torheological dampers do an exceptional job soaking up rough- its best life confusing
when we were stretching it, most of us [R`ÀNXRaURb`bNY.[TRYR`0_Rà_b[[R_μÒ_RNXNa;RdP\ZOμ` law enforcement: It’s
blue and striped, and
would pull over after some 250 miles. Then ?N[PU,;\dNf0\[aV[bRb[aVY`[\dN]]RN_`\_f\bUVaaURa\d[ it sounds like it’s
again, while the snug Recaro buckets pro- of Big Pines, then turn around and repeat. Just beware of the rock traveling 100 mph
just trundling down
slides that the thunderous exhaust note side streets in
may have left in its wake, and at the bot- second gear.”
—Alexander Stoklosa
Service Timeline: a\Z\SaUR_b[SRRYf\b_O_NV[½\\QdVaU
Sippin’ on some syrup. livestock-grade adrenal extract. “I didn’t bother with
the radio because all I
Key: - Repairs - Damage - Maintenance :bPU \S aUR 4A "μ` `]RPaNPbYN_ really wanted to hear
- Normal Wear - Oil Additions handling is attributable to its aggres- was the engine.”
—Joseph Capparella
May 10, 2017 August 7, 2017 November 8, 2017 November 13, 2017 January 20, 2018 March 16, 2018
92 miles: Ford Mustang 7751 miles: Dealer 14,001 miles: Dealer 14,158 miles: Dealer 21,090 miles: We add 25,931 miles: We add
Shelby GT350 begins its performs an oil change replaces the outer-right replaces the inner-right 1.0 quart of oil. 1.5 quarts of oil.
long-term test. and routine inspections, amber turn-signal bulb amber turn-signal bulb
$150 under warranty, $0 under warranty, $0 February 5, 2018 April 18, 2018
June 26, 2017 23,195 miles: Dealer 26,078 miles: We add
4031 miles: Damage October 2, 2017 November 10, 2017 December 9, 2017 performs an oil change 2.0 quarts of oil.
from a raccoon strike 11,530 miles: The 14,070 miles: We add 18,301 miles: We add and inspections, $161
requires a new front local tire shop patches a 3.0 quarts of 5W-50 2.0 quarts of oil. April 21, 2018
fascia, splitter, and trim. tire puncture, $20 synthetic oil. February 7, 2018 28,370 miles: We add
Dealer also replaces a January 6, 2018 23,230 miles: Dealer 2.0 quarts of oil.
bent oil cooler. Four November 1, 2017 November 10, 2017 19,976 miles: We add replaces the worn front
subsequent visits are 13,990 miles: An 14,082 miles: Dealer 2.0 quarts of oil. tires and performs a May 15, 2018
needed to install the off-road incident sends performs an oil change four-wheel alignment, 29,796 miles: Dealer
stripes and clear the GT350 back to the and routine inspections January 8, 2018 $857 performs an oil change
protective wrap, $3684 body shop for passen- and replaces the engine 20,101 miles: We and routine inspections
ger-door repairs and air filter, $177 replace the worn rear February 19, 2018 and replaces the engine
paint, $832 tires, $660 24,114 miles: We add air filter, $203
0.5 quart of oil.
M AY/ 1 7 JUN/17 JUL/17 AUG/17 S E P/ 1 7 O C T/ 1 7 N O V/ 1 7 DEC/17 JAN/18 FEB/18 MAR/18
0 7 6 . L O N G -T E R M T E S T . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 9
sive wheel alignment, which also contributes to its eagerness to
follow every groove in a road’s surface. Not too long after we
replaced the rear rubber, the right-front tire chewed itself to the
cords. With a new set of Michelins up front and an alignment, the
tramlining lessened, but it never went away completely. Then
again, that tendency of the GT350 to magnetize itself to a road is
a constant reminder of the Mustang’s track ability, and a very
RßRPaVcRN[NY\TQ_VcR_NaaR[aV\[N``VàF\bμYY[RcR_ORaRZ]aRQ
a\aNXRNUN[Q\ßaURdURRY
As marvelous as the high-revving V-8 is, its thirst for oil and
gas proved insatiable. Run it hard and it will drink premium at an
alarming rate. During one of our mountain blasts, the GT350
emptied its tank in 151 miles at an average of 10 mpg. Our 17-mpg
test average was 1 mpg better than the EPA’s combined rating, but
ours includes many miles on the interstates. And then there’s the
oil-consumption issue: Over 40,000 miles, we added 21.5 quarts
of 5W-50. That’s in addition to scheduled oil changes. It’s the most
we’ve ever added during a long-term test
Opposite: Behold the by a long shot. Ford released a supplement
glory of an uncovered to the owner’s manual stating that the
V-8. Left: Some
unfortunate econo-car engine might consume a quart every 500
plastics, and the seats miles under severe use. “Severe use”
are tighter than the
skin on a hot dog. pretty accurately sums up our treatment
of just about any car, but particularly one
with an 8250-rpm redline. And we were
lucky; internet forums are rife with horror
stories of Shelbys consuming far more.
In a perverse way, we’re thankful this
car requires some oil additions; it provides
an opportunity to open the hood and
admire the engine, something rarely
worth doing in modern cars. There’s also
an audible tick between 2000 and 3000
rpm as the forged pistons slap around in
the cylinders. Calamitous as that may
`\b[Q3\_Q`dRN_`VaUN`[\RßRPa\[aUR
engine’s longevity.
Other logbook gripes centered on the
clutch’s unnatural engagement and its soft
return stroke not following the driver’s
S\\aObaaURYVTUaRß\_aQ\R`RN`RYRSaYRT
]NV[ V[ a_N¦
P .[Q aUR A_RZRP A? #
six-speed manual is a marvelous piece of
hardware; the short-throw shifter works
through the gates with a precision remi-
niscent of German sports-car gearboxes.
June 1, 2018 July 30, 2018 August 23, 2018 September 21, 2018 OPERATING COSTS (FOR 40,000 MILES)
32,041 miles: Dealer 34,854 miles: Dealer 36,551 miles: 38,564 miles: We MAINTENANCE .................................................... $1078
addresses a vibration once again addresses We replace the rear add 1.5 quarts of oil. NORMAL WEAR .................................................. $2304
coming from the shifter the clicking noise from tires, $692 REPAIR ....................................................................... $0
by replacing the shifter the left rear, replacing October 1, 2018 GASOLINE (@ $3.09 PER GALLON) ................ $7271
assembly and bezel. the wheel bearing and August 29, 2018 38,999 miles: Dealer
Technician also replaces CV shaft. Noise is still 36,974 miles: Dealer looks into a clunk during DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION ...................... $4596
the left-rear wheel present. All repairs are performs an oil change clutch engagement but
bearing to fix a clicking covered under and routine inspections, finds everything to be in SERVICE
concern and repairs the warranty, $0 $147 proper working order. DEALER VISITS (SCHEDULED/UNSCHEDULED) ... 5/7
bubbling stripes on the All work is covered DAYS OUT OF SERVICE ............................................ 27
decklid. All work is August 14, 2018 September 7, 2018 under warranty, $0 UNSCHEDULED OIL ADDITIONS ..................... 21.5 qt
covered under warranty, 36,009 miles: We 37,668 miles:
$0 add 1.5 quarts of oil. Another tire puncture October 27, 2018
requires a patch at the 40,076 miles:
July 23, 2018 August 17, 2018 local tire shop, $20 Long-term test ends,
34,327 miles: We add 36,212 miles: The but not before we add
2.5 quarts of oil. local glass shop repairs September 12, 2018 2.0 quarts of oil.
a windshield chip, $40 37,965 miles: Dealer
performs a four-wheel
alignment, $95
APR/18 M AY/ 1 8 JUN/18 JUL/18 AUG/18 S E P/ 1 8 O C T/ 1 8 N O V/ 1 8
077
2017 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT350
PRICE AS TESTED ........................................... $60,520
BASE PRICE ...................................................... $57,045
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive,
We did experience a few mechanical 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
ENGINE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and
gremlins not of our own creation, though. heads, port fuel injection
Upon returning from California, we DISPLACEMENT ............................... 315 cu in, 5163 cc
POWER ........................................... 526 hp @ 7500 rpm
noticed excessive vibrations from the TORQUE ..................................... 429 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm
shifter and a clicking sound emanating TRANSMISSION ................................. 6-speed manual
WHEELBASE ........................................................ 107.1 in
from the left-rear wheel. A new shifter LENGTH .............................................................. 188.9 in
assembly and bezel remedied the vibration WIDTH .................................................................... 75.9 in
HEIGHT ................................................................. 54.2 in
issues, and the dealer discovered a bad CURB WEIGHT ................................................... 3806 lb
wheel bearing and an axle nut that had not been properly torqued. The noise remained
even after the dealer replaced the bearing, and during a return visit, the service WARRANTY
3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
technician found that the axle’s half-shaft had been moving within the bearing, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
5 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection
apparently from the improperly torqued nut. And yet, despite another new bearing, 5 years/60,000 miles roadside assistance
plus a half-shaft, and everything tightened to spec, the clicking sound remained. It
wasn’t until we replaced the rear tires for the second time and decided to swap wheels MODEL-YEAR CHANGES
2018: Three new colors: Kona Blue, Orange Fury, and Lead
from side to side that the noise vanished. Why? The mystery remains unsolved, but Foot Gray. Grabber Blue and Avalanche Gray slither away.
2019: Aerodynamic improvements, revised suspension
at least all the repairs were covered under warranty. We also lodged complaints about tuning, a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, recalibrated anti-lock
some low-speed clutch-engagement noises, but the dealer braking, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber make the
GT350 even more track focused. Velocity Blue and Ford
informed us that it’s just the nature of the beast. And adding Performance Blue are added to the color palette, and
Rants & Raves to our stripe woes, the white lines on the decklid bubbled Lead Foot Gray and Triple Yellow are dropped.
“This thing demands around the spoiler.
your full attention. One
hand on the wheel?
To the ditch with you!”
1R`]VaRaURàRNQf½\d\SS_RÙ\VYR[aR_V[TaURcNYcRP\cR_ CAR AND DRIVER TEST RESULTS
—Jared Gall the Shelby still needed oil changes. Five of them, ordered up PERFORMANCE
by the oil-life monitor, occurred at intervals of around 7500 ZERO TO 60 MPH:
“The V-8 never gets ZVYR`N[Qa\aNYRQ% %AURR[TV[RNV_¼YaR_Re]\`RQb[QR_ NEW ....................................................................... 4.2 sec
old, and most loud 40,000 ................................................................... 4.2 sec
cars get old fast.” the hood by a cold-air intake, sucks up more dirt than a street ZERO TO 100 MPH:
—Tony Quiroga sweeper. We replaced the element at 14,000 and 30,000 miles. NEW ....................................................................... 9.0 sec
40,000 ................................................................... 8.9 sec
“The Mustang GT’s <SP\b_`RdRN_RP_VaVP`N[Q`\ZRàNßR_`SRYaaUR[RRQa\ ZERO TO 150 MPH:
new Quiet Start complain about life with the Shelby. Some thought the aggres- NEW ..................................................................... 22.2 sec
mode would be 40,000 ................................................................. 22.0 sec
welcome here.” sive Recaro seats were too heavily bolstered for daily use, ROLLING START, 5–60 MPH:
—Older Tony Quiroga requiring one to contort their body to get in or out. Others NEW ....................................................................... 4.7 sec
40,000 ................................................................... 4.6 sec
“It attracts attention whined about the seats eating spare change from their pock- 1/4-MILE:
everywhere it goes, ets. We see it as simply a piggybank; save that change to buy NEW .................................................. 12.4 sec @ 118 mph
both the good kind and 40,000 .............................................. 12.4 sec @ 118 mph
the bad kind.” oil, or tires. Also, who carries change anymore? And proving BRAKING, 70–0 MPH:
—Joseph Capparella their insincerity, some of our editors’ complaints were shortly NEW ......................................................................... 153 ft
40,000 ..................................................................... 164 ft
“It looks like a followed by suggestions that Ford should sell us this now-used ROADHOLDING, 300-FT-DIA SKIDPAD:
Mustang but drives a GT350 at a steeply discounted rate. NEW ......................................................................... 1.02 g
lot more like a 40,000 ..................................................................... 1.03 g
Corvette than anyone It’s easy to forgive a car’s shortcomings when it’s this good TOP SPEED (DRAG LIMITED, C/D EST) ..... 175 mph
at GM would admit.” to drive. Is the GT350 the quickest Mustang ever? Not even EPA FUEL ECONOMY,
—Dave VanderWerp COMBINED/CITY/HWY ........................ 16/14/21 mpg
close. The grippiest? Nope. The most visceral driving experi- C/D-OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY .................. 17 mpg
ence of them all? Absolutely. Even in regular Coyote V-8 form, LIFE EXPECTANCIES (estimated from 40,000-mile test)
today’s Mustang is a special car. But the Shelby GT350 has the FRONT TIRES ........................................... 25,000 miles
REAR TIRES .............................................. 20,000 miles
Voodoo, and it is magical. FRONT BRAKE PADS .............................. 90,000 miles
REAR BRAKE PADS ........... more than 100,000 miles
WHAT BITS AND PIECES COST

HEADLAMP (LEFT/RIGHT) .................. $1336/$1272
ENGINE AIR FILTER ................................................. $77
OIL FILTER .................................................................. $9
WHEEL (FRONT/REAR) .......................... $983/$1044
TIRE (FRONT/REAR) ................................. $347/$339
WIPER BLADES (PAIR) .......................................... $35
FRONT BRAKE PADS ............................................ $325
QUART OF OIL ........................................................... $11
FIVE-YEAR DEPRECIATION
Depreciation data from ALG. Based on 15,000 miles per year.
$60,520 $39,943 $33,891 $29,655 $26,024 $21,787
$60K
$40K
$20K
$0
YEAR 0 1 2 3 4 5
0 7 8 . L O N G -T E R M T E S T . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 9
What owners say about V1...
Bill P., Phoenix, AZ
Where’s the radar? An arrow lights
up, pointing either Ahead, to the
Trust ...V1 earns it
side, or Behind. And, amazingly,
it’s never wrong. one ambush at a time.
Arnie R., Atlanta, GA Harold B., Houston, TX
So easy to operate, a box with one
knob. No need to poke around at On my way home this afternoon I was
full-arm’s reach for little buttons the following another detector user. I could see
size of rice grains.
red blinking in his windshield as we went
Glenna R., Dallas, TX past the first radar. Thinking the danger was
Love the arrows! Where’s the behind, Mr. Ordinary Detector User hit the gas.
radar? They tell me every time.
A detector without the arrows is Uh-Oh. V1’s Radar Locator was showing two
like a car without headlights. arrows, one pointing toward the trap now
behind, and a second arrow ahead. The “2”
Chas S., Charlotte, NC
Situation Awareness you can trust. on the Bogey Counter confirmed we were
With the Radar Locator arrowing being double teamed.
toward threats, and the Bogey
Counter telling how many threats Sure enough, Mr. O. D. User cruised into the
you face, V1 makes defense easy. second trap up the hill at 15 over and got
Cal L., Trenton, NJ
himself a blue-light special.
I’ve owned my V1 since 2001, and V1 points to every trap. I trust it completely.
I’ve had it upgraded twice. I trust
the arrows to point out every radar
trap. When I know where, I know
how to defend.
Tells how many:
Radar hiding within a
Ed H., Las Vegas, NV
How can anyone not be smitten by
the Arrows? Radar ahead needs a Reads instantly.
different defense than radar behind.
When I know where, I know what
to do. When I put the threat behind
me, the arrows confirm it. Without
Ahead
the arrows, you’re guessing.
Rob R., Sacramento, CA

Turns On/Off, adjust
This is the slam dunk best radar volume, press to mute. Beside
detector. No databases to keep
updating, or other “features” I’ll Scans behind for radar.
never use. Instead V1 tells me the
important stuff—the Bogey Counter
tells you how many threats within More LEDs glow as radar Behind
strengthens.
range and the red arrows tell where
they are.
www.valentine1.com
© 2018 VRI
Call toll-free 1-800-331-3030

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SAVVY® - $69 V1connection™ - $49 V1connection™ LE - $49 Valentine Research, Inc. Ph 513-984-8900
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Valentine One is a registered trademark of Valentine Research, Inc.
2018 Kia
Stinger GT
AWD
Fleet Files: Arrival: Mar/2018
Miles: 20,231
Here’s how our other long-term vehicles Observed mpg: 22 2018 Honda
are faring in their 40,000-mile trials: —
A long-term
Accord 2.0T
Arrival: Apr/2018
logbook devoid of Miles: 21,777
commentary means Observed mpg: 30
two things. The —
first is that the car All is proceeding to
hasn’t compelled plan for our Accord,
the professionally which crested the
opinionated to fill halfway point of
its logbook pages its 40,000-mile
with gripes. It test with no sig-
means the machine nificant mechanical
is without major problems. Rough
flaw or failure shifts through the
and that it is 10-speed’s low
doing its job. No gears smoothed
notes, however, out after around
also means that 10,000 miles,
the car lacks the and staffers have
emotional punch called the Accord
to trigger praise. “close to perfect”
So it goes with our and “a near-ideal”
Stinger. We’ve put highway cruiser.
more than 20,000 Why near-ideal?
miles on it without Well, the aluminum
powerful flattery hood flutters at
or objection, high speeds, and
Ne wcomer just adding fuel, the hyperactive
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ E450 4MATIC WAGON

swapping tires, forward-collision-
and changing the warning system
oil at the scheduled interprets even
Arrival: Sep/2018 intervals. Whether moderate tailgating
Miles: 4080 Observed mpg: 22 this ultimately (which—shocker!—
— translates to sat- many at C/D are
OK AY, LET’S TRY THIS AG A IN: The last time we checked in on our new long-term isfaction or apathy guilty of) as an
E-class wagon, it had just been ravaged by a box van driven by two mesomorphs at our is something we’ll impending collision.
local fried wingery. We were devastated to learn that the car-length scar left by said box determine in the Still, its comfort-
van rendered our E400 a total loss. Keen eyes will notice that the E wagon featured here next 20,000 miles. able interior and
is a 450 series. That’s because Mercedes-Benz took pity on our wagonlessness and sup- Maybe. casual athleticism
plied us with a newer version of the all-conquering estate. This time, little expense was —Josh Jacquot make the Accord a
`]N_RQV[\ba¼aaV[Tf\b_UbZOYR[N__Na\_`DUR_RNàUR]_RZNab_RYfQRNQ2!dN` popular choice for
restrained in display and amenities, ringing in at a value-conscious (!) $77,635, this road trips, even as
E450 nearly kisses 90 grand. It has the same $1900 ride-calming air springs and $1770 our long-term fleet
heated/cooled/massaging front seats as before but adds a $4900 quilted-leather fills up with the
Designo interior and the $2250 Driver Assistance safety suite to help achieve its lofty SUVs that erstwhile
MSRP. More important, it gets a 33-hp bump over the E400, shrinking the zero-to-60 sedan buyers
sprint from 5.0 seconds to 4.8. So far the only reservation logged is a warning not to can’t seem to get
wear new blue jeans in the car: Their dye gives the cream-colored seat inserts a sickly enough of.
hue. But it’s hardly fatal. —Eddie Alterman —Annie White
2018 ALFA ROMEO 2017 PORSCHE

2019 INFINITI QX50 AWD GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO 718 BOXSTER S
8831 MILES 21,115 MILES 39,576 MILES
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000
080 . L O N G - T E R M T E S T . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 8 photography by M A R C U R B A N O
IT CAN STOP YO U R HE A RT.
AN D STA RT I T AGAI N.
Stunning from the first glance, its sleek form captivates.
Inside, you’re enveloped in rich Nappa leather and Sen
Wood accents. Accelerate—and feel the instant response
of the Skyactiv®-G 2.5T turbocharged engine. This is
the 2018 Mazda6 Signature—a perfect balance of style,
craftsmanship and power. It’s an experience that will
make you rethink what a sedan can be.
2018 Mazda6 Signature shown in Soul Red Crystal Metallic.

TURN 16, THE LAST, LONGEST, AND FASTEST on the Algarve [+] Steering We drove two versions of the new G20-
International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal, is a chassis engi- feel is back designation car in Portugal: the rear-drive
neer’s nightmare and an exercise in commitment in the new (in Sport 330i on the street and the all-wheel-drive
BMW M340i xDrive. The apex is hidden just beyond a blind crest mode), strong M340i on the track. Both wore summer
that is doubly useful for turning the car and taking its measure at ride-handling aV_RÀUR[Rd4R[cRY\]RV`àVßR_N[Q
the limit. Commit to the throttle before the crest and the all- balance, larger than the F30 it supplants. It grows
dURRYQ_VcR`RQN[_\aNaR`P\[¼QR[aYfN`VaYVTUaR[`8RR]f\b_ class-leading 1.6 inches in wheelbase, 2.9 inches in over-
right foot pinned and the car holds a neutral attitude down the hill chassis tech. all length, and has a wider track, front and
before settling into the compression at corner exit and ripping [–] Another rear. Still, BMW’s priorities were right: The
down the front straight. It’s a delicate balance that requires a com- manual bites car’s center of gravity is 0.4 inch lower.
]RaR[aPUN``V`N[QNP\[¼QR[aQ_VcR_ the dust, Both the modest 255-hp four-cylinder
@b¦ PVR[aP\[¼QR[PRd\bYQORVZ]\``VOYRdVaU\baNP\ZZb personal 330i and the driver-focused M340i, with its
nicative tiller. Tangible steering is hardly new to the 3-series— assistant not %U]V[YV[R`Ve\ßR_PYN``P\Z]RaVaVcR
this is, after all, the sedan that endowed the body style with the without bugs, powertrains with output gains of 7 and 62
]_R¼e²`]\_a³/baaURYNà SNYaR_RQAUR/NcN_VN[`N_RXRR[Yf ho-hum horsepower, respectively, over the models
aware that the F30 was absent much of the driving magic that interior they replace. The four-cylinder feels simi-
built the 3-series’—and, indeed, the company’s—reputation. materials. lar to most boosted 2.0-liter fours in the
With this car, BMW aims to change that. `RTZR[a\ßR_V[TNQR^bNaRVSb[V[`]V_V[T

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summer tires on rear-drive models and
all-season rubber on xDrive versions) and
a variable-ratio steering rack. But the bits
that matter most, the ones primarily
responsible for a controlled chassis when
pushed and a comfortable one when not,
are the new position-sensitive dampers,
dUVPU P\ZR V[ ad\ QVßR_R[a PNYVO_NaV\[`
on both the base car and with the M Sport
package [see “Damp It All”]. Adaptive
dampers are optional on either model and
were installed on the M340i xDrive models
we drove on the track. But their presence
isn’t required for controlled handling.
Our blast through Portugal’s inland
back roads proved the bandwidth of the
position-sensitive dampers in the 330i
equipped with the M Sport package. Its
outside wheels absorb small but sharp mid-
corner bumps at pace without upsetting
Top: Strangely shaped power. Grunt comes early with this engine, aURPUN``V`N`VT[\S[\a\[YfN[RßRPaVcR`]_V[TQNZ]R_P\ZOV
digital gauges are but it’s conspicuously missing a high-rpm [NaV\[ObaNY`\`b¦ PVR[aa_NcRYQR`]VaR`VaaV[T[RN_YfUNYSN[V[PU
strange. Top right: You
may choose any assault on redline. The 330i certainly isn’t lower than the base car. Cars with the M Sport package also have
transmission you’d slow, but the four’s power delivery and ]R_PR[aàVßR_`]_V[T`N[Q¼_ZR_N[aV_\YYON_`N[QaURfÙN_R
like, as long as it’s the
eight-speed auto. sound make it more of a tool than a toy. The aURV_ $V[PUS_\[a_\a\_`N[QS\b_]Và\[¼eRQPNYV]R_`±NP\Z
turbocharged six triggers deeper emo- OV[NaV\[aUNa]_\cRQV[QVßR_R[aa\URNa±dVaUaUR: !V
tions. It’s smoother and sounds better than But back to the steering. At speed and with Sport mode
the four, and it makes the M340i a seriously quick thing—we esti- selected, the variable-ratio rack usefully communicates the front
mate it’ll hit 60 in as little as 4.1 seconds.
Both models are available with rear- or all- FRONT REAR
wheel drive, though the rear-drive M340i shocking ne ws DAMPER DAMPER
DAMP IT ALL
is exclusive to the States. If you weren’t
already certain that saving the manuals is
a losing battle, BMW is pounding another Much of the 3-series’ character is determined by the
[NVY V[a\ aUR P\¦ [' G3μ` ]R_cN`VcR N[Q position-sensitive dampers that come on the base
and M Sport–equipped 330i and the M340i. The
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y P E T E S U C H E S K I
RßRPaVcRRVTUa`]RRQNba\ZNaVPVàUR\[Yf MAIN
available transmission. twin-tube shocks use a tapered inner tube and shafts PISTON
SECONDARY
An electronically controlled limited- fitted with two pistons. As the smaller secondary PISTON
`YV] QVßR_R[aVNY V` àN[QN_Q \[ O\aU cR_ piston enters the tapered section, damping force
sions of the M340i and part of the $5000 increases by about 50 percent. The rear axle applies
M Sport package on the 330i. Also included the additional force only in compression, and the SECONDARY
PISTON
in that package are 19-inch wheels (with front axle applies it only in rebound. MAIN
PISTON
08 4 . C A R A N D D R I V E R . F E B / 2 0 1 9
tires’ relationship with the tarmac. This,
says Jos Van As, BMW’s vice president of
Q_VcV[TQf[NZVP`V`N]_\QbPa\SaURàVßR_
chassis as well as multiple changes to the 3’s
steering and suspension. In Sport, the elec-
tric-power-steering system’s damping is
reduced relative to that of the previous
3-series, allowing more kickback and sur-
face acknowledgment to reach the driver’s
hands. More caster produces greater
self-centering torque. Though the 3’s steer-
ing is accurate in Comfort mode, feedback
is muted, and hard drivers will appreciate
the added information and modestly
V[P_RN`RQRß\_aNcNVYNOYRV[@]\_aZ\QR
Inside, the design is updated but famil-
iar in its relatively spartan presentation.
BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional adds a
12.3-inch display in which a speedometer
N[QN_RcR_`R`dRR]V[TaNPU\ZRaR_QR¼[R
the outer edges of the instrument cluster.
A 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is
also included in the package. Otherwise,
base cars get a 5.7-inch instrument display
and an 8.8-inch infotainment touch-
screen. A large head-up display is also
available and projects all manner of infor-
mation—speed, speed limits, route
instructions and navigation data, warning
indicators, and more—onto the wind- 2019/2020 BMW that refuses to respond. Typically, your The new 3-series’
shield. As with BMWs of the past, dedi- 3-SERIES hearing-impaired mother-in-law’s pres- steering communi-
cates more clearly
cated buttons for the most-used features VEHICLE TYPE: ence is required for such indignity. than the car’s digital
of the HVAC and audio controls reside front-engine, rear-
or all-wheel-drive, But that’s really all that’s wrong inside assistant, so at least
one thing is going right
below the infotainment screen. The center 5-passenger, 4-door the 3-series. The front seats are both sup- in this crazy world.
sedan
console has buttons for the drive modes, BASE PRICE:
]\_aVcRN[QNaa_NPaVcR@VeS\\aR_`dVYY¼a
engine start, and other systems as well as $41,245–$56,995 comfortably in the outboard rear seats and
ENGINES:
NYN_TRV1_VcRX[\O½N[XV[TaURÙVSaR_6aμ` turbocharged and
the standard rear seatback is split 40/20/40. And, of course,
a usable design, but neither the presenta- intercooled DOHC there’s no shortage of tech. The optional Driving Assistant Pro-
16-valve 2.0-liter
aV\[[\_aURZNaR_VNY`½NaaR_aUR μ`àNab` inline-4, 255 hp, 295
fessional combines the functions of the available adaptive cruise
N` N Ybeb_f PN_ :NgQN Pb__R[aYf \ßR_` lb-ft; turbocharged control and the steering and lane-keeping assist. Even without
interiors that are both more striking and 24-valve 3.0-liter
the full setup enabled, the latter system takes undue liberties if it
equally easy to use. inline-6, 382 hp, senses the car is too close to the lane’s edge, which can be annoy-
369 lb-ft ing. A new Back-Up Assistant option will retrace the 3’s path in
With this model comes the brand’s TRANSMISSION:
latest tech, including a personal-assistant 8-speed automatic with reverse for up to 150 feet to aid in complex maneuvers such as
feature similar to Mercedes’ recently manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS
reversing around obstacles in a tight alley.
unveiled MBUX system. Called the BMW WHEELBASE: 112.2 in Pricing for the 2019 330i is the same as it was for the 2018
LENGTH: 185.7 in
Intelligent Personal Assistant, it responds WIDTH: 71.9 in
model, at $41,245, while the M340i starts at $54,995, or $3350
to voice prompts preceded by the words HEIGHT: 56.8–57.0 in more than the old 340i equipped with the Track Handling pack-
PASSENGER VOLUME:
“Hey, BMW,” or it will—sometimes reluc- 95 cu ft age. Adding all-wheel drive to either model raises the price of
tantly—accept whatever name you give TRUNK VOLUME: entry by $2000. Expect the 2019 330i to hit dealerships in March
17 cu ft
it. But its comprehension is often poor, CURB WEIGHT:
followed by the M340i, a 2020 model, in the summer. We’re told a
and it was unresponsive to our repeated 3600–3850 lb 330e plug-in hybrid will arrive sometime in 2020. There are no
PERFORMANCE
attempts to communicate using conversa- (C/D EST)
current plans to bring a diesel-powered 3-series—or, for that mat-
aV\[NYYN[TbNTRDUR[dRQVQ¼[NYYf`bZ ZERO TO 60 MPH: ter, a wagon—to the U.S.
4.1–5.3 sec
mon its attention, the assistant was able to ZERO TO 100 MPH:
AUR P\Z]RaVaV\[ UN` VZ]_\cRQ `VT[V¼PN[aYf `V[PR aUR 3
tell us the distance to a large nearby city 10.5–13.8 sec 3-series made its debut in 2012. That the 3-series is better is
1/4-MILE: 12.5–13.9 sec
N[Qa\P\[¼_ZaUNaaURR[TV[R\VYYRcRYdN` TOP SPEED:
beyond question; whether it is the best in its segment is a notion
okay, a command BMW provided as an 130–155 mph that will require back-to-back (-to-back) seat time with its
FUEL ECONOMY
example in the system’s demonstration. EPA COMBINED/CITY/
competitors to determine. But the 3er didn’t need a personal
Overall, though, the feature felt not quite HWY: 24–27/21–24/ assistant from the future or bigger screens to cure its ills. We’ll
30–34 mpg (C/D est)
_RNQfS\_]_VZRaVZR3RdRe]R_VR[PR`N_R settle for a chassis that communicates and engines that don’t balk
more debasing than talking to a machine at hard driving. And by those measures, the G20 succeeds.
085
of the moment. Electric motors drive the
S_\[aN[Q_RN_NeYR`"!]\b[Q`\SYVaUV
bZV\[ONaaR_fPRYY`_VQROR[RNaUaUR½\\_
N[QNZVQ`VgR@BCd_N]]R_PNà`VaV[a\
the thickest part of the luxury-vehicle
market. In a couple years’ time, the e-tron
dVYYORWbà\[R\ßR_V[TV[NSbYYfS\_ZRQ
electro-ute segment, alongside entrants
from Tesla, Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes-Benz,
and possibly more. Audi’s not talking
about EPA range yet—more on that later—
ObadR`b`]RPaaUR$"$&"Ra_\[dVYYRN_[
EVEN THE OIL-SOAKED MIDDLE EAST can’t avoid the clean- Typical a rating just north of ZVYR`@\Vad\[μa
energy future. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), smaller than Audi experi- revolutionize the electric-range game.
Maine and sitting atop 6 percent of the world’s oil reserves, cur- ence, solid It won’t revolutionize the idea of an
rently produces 98 percent of its energy with fossil fuels. It is also build quality, .bQVRVaUR_2cR[N`.bQVRYRPa_V¼RQaUR
in the midst of building the world’s largest solar power plant. The reasonable URN_a\SaUV`@BCVaYRSaaURO_N[Qμ`PYRN_
Emiratis know a day will come when their near-bottomless oil price. character fully intact. The e-tron looks
will be as useful as a basement full of .<9S_RRU\b_`½\]]fQV`X` Typical like an Audi, drives like an Audi, and, hell,
AUV`P_RNaR`N¼aaV[T]N_NYYRYdVaUaUR@BC we’re driving here, Audi experi- even sounds like an Audi.
.bQVμ`¼_àZN``]_\QbPRQRYRPa_VPcRUVPYRaUR&Ra_\[ Audi’s ence, unex- In the e-tron, there is no Spaceballs Eas-
]N_R[aaURC\YX`dNTR[4_\b]VàURd\_YQμ`YN_TRàNba\ZNXR_ ceptional ter egg or Ludicrous acceleration mode.
N[QcV_abNYYfNYYZVYYV\[]N``R[TR_cRUVPYR`Va`\YQV[$N_R range. AUR.bQVμ`S_\[aZ\a\_]ba`\ba#%U\_`R
powered by fossil fuels. .P\àYfY\dc\YbZR2C]_\T_NZYVXRaUV` ]\dR_N[Q%]\b[QSRRa\Sa\_^bRdUVYR
d\[μaVZ]_\cRaURO\aa\ZYV[RN[faVZR`\\[/baWbàNàUR@a\[R aUR _RN_ P\[a_VObaR` N[\aUR_ %% U\_`R`
Age didn’t end because humans ran out of stones, the oil-powered N[Q ]\b[QSRRa 6a d\[μa YRNcR f\b
economy will run dry before the wells do. The Audi e-tron is a O_RNaUYR`` Oba aUR Ra_\[ aNXR` \ß dVaU
hedge, a bet, a prediction of what comes next. the authority and immediacy we’ve come
Though it foreshadows the future, the e-tron is also very much to expect from electric cars. Toggle the
gear selector from drive to sport and out-
]ba V[P_RN`R` a\ % N[Q U\_`R]\dR_
086 . CAR AND DRIVER . FEB/201 9

2019 AUDI e-tron brakes while steering-wheel-mounted
VEHICLE TYPE: paddles toggle through three levels of lift-
front- and mid-motor,
all-wheel-drive,
\ß_RTR[R_NaVcRO_NXV[T
5-passenger, 4-door .`dVQR½NaN[QRZ]afNàURQR`R_a
hatchback
BASE PRICE: $75,795
aURf Pba aU_\bTU .Ob 1UNOVμ` UVTUdNf`
MOTORS: 2 induction UNcR`]RRQYVZVa`NÙVTUN`&&Z]U2cR[
AC, 181 and 221 hp, 228
and 262 lb-ft; combined NaaU\`RcRY\PVaVRàURRa_\[V`Na\ZOV[
system, 402 hp, 490 aUR ^bVRa a_NQVaV\[ \S P\[aRZ]\_N_f
lb-ft
BATTERY: liquid-cooled
TN`SbRYRQ .bQV` 6[ NQQVaV\[ a\ UbÙV[T
lithium-ion, 95.0 kWh wind and road noise, Audi all but elimi-
TRANSMISSION:
1-speed direct-drive [NaRQ aUR UVTUS_R^bR[Pf dUV[R aUNaμ`
DIMENSIONS P\ZZ\[Qb_V[T2CNPPRYR_NaV\[OfR[PN]
WHEELBASE: 115.3 in
LENGTH: 193.0 in
`bYNaV[TaURZ\a\_`V[]\Yfb_RaUN[RO\eR`
WIDTH: 76.3 in and mounting them to the subframes
HEIGHT: 65.5 in
PASSENGER VOLUME:
aU_\bTU_bOOR_ObÙV[T`DVaUaUR`NZR
105 cu ft ad\ ]_R``b_R`R[`VaVcR UN]aVPSRRQONPX
CARGO VOLUME:
29 cu ft ::6A\bPU?R`]\[`Ra\bPU`P_RR[`b`RQ
CURB WEIGHT: 5500 lb V[aUR>%aURRa_\[μ`PNOV[V`NY`\NZ\Q
PERFORMANCE
(C/D EST)
R_[ UVTUaRPU d\[QR_ 6aμ` _\\Zf a\\
ZERO TO 60 MPH: dVaU NZ]YR _RN_`RNa P\ZS\_a S\_ ad\
5.6 sec
ZERO TO 100 MPH:
NQbYaà\\baYNàaURONaaR_fPUN_TR
18.0 sec .aaURaVZR\S\b_Q_VcR.bQVd\bYQ`Nf
1/4-MILE: 16.0 sec
TOP SPEED: 124 mph
\[Yf aUNa aUR Ra_\[μ` &"XDU ONaaR_f
FUEL ECONOMY dVYYRePRRQ!%ZVYR`\S_N[TR\[2b_\]Rμ`
EPA COMBINED/CITY/
HWY: 83/87/79 MPGe
TR[R_\b` D9A= aRà 3\_ _RSR_R[PR 7NT
(C/D est) bN_μ`&XDU6=NPR_NaR`&ZVYRÒf
EPA RANGE: 210 miles
(C/D est) aURD9A=N[Q !OfaUR2=..``bZV[T
.bQV Q\R`[μa Q_NàVPNYYf \cR_Ù\\a Va`
D9A= PYNVZ dR Re]RPa N[ 2=. _N[TR
aUNaμ` `ZNYY ZVYR` _RYNaVcR a\ aUR
Ra_\[μÒNaaR_fPN]NPVafAR`YNμ`:\QRYE
Want little cameras in N[Q % N[Q # ]\b[QSRRa S_\[a N[Q 1à_RaPUR`Va`XVY\dNaaU\b_a\&"ZVYR`
place of side mirrors, _RN_Oba\[YfS\_RVTUa`RP\[QàV[aÀUV` .aU\ZRaURRa_\[μ`XDPUN_TR_dVYYa\]\ßaURONaaR_f
as on this e-tron? You’ll
have to move out of /\\à Z\QR dVYY a_VZ NYZ\à N `RP\[Q ^bVPXR_aUN[aUR`Y\dPUN_TV[T6=NPRμ`$XDUN_QdN_RPN[N[Q
the U.S. then because S_\Z aUR #Z]U _b[ DR ]_RQVPa N Na_\bTUYfaUR`NZR_NaRNàUR:\QRYEμ`PUN_TR_AUR_Rμ`NY`\
our regulations don’t
allow for them. "#`RP\[Q gR_\a\#Z]U aVZR S\_ aUR àN[QN_Q "XD 10 SNàPUN_TV[T PN]NOVYVaf dVaU N [Rad\_X
""]\b[QRa_\[V[aUV`Z\QR±^bVPX `Y\dYfOY\\ZV[TaUN[Xà\aUROVYYV\[aURCD4_\b]Sb[[RYRQ
Oba[\a_NQVPNYYf`\ V[a\2CV[S_Nà_bPab_RN`]N_a\SVa`1VR`RYTNaR`RaaYRZR[a
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`fàRZ`XVYYSbYYfOYR[Q`b]a\ T\S_RTR[R_NaVcRO_NXV[TdVaU aURORàPUN[PR\S being the oil that greases the transition from
NQQVaV\[NYS\_PRS_\ZaURRYRPa_\UfQ_NbYVPNYYfNPabNaRQS_VPaV\[ TN`cRUVPYRà\2C`
bat ter y ba sics
100,000-MILE RANGE ANXIETY

Every automaker leaves a small portion of EV battery capacity untouched
during a full discharge. This buffer protects the pack’s longevity and is
key to the eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty that is an industry
standard. But there is no established rule on just how much capacity
should be held in reserve. Characteristically conservative, Audi is likely
sacrificing some daily range for long-term mileage. The e-tron uses just 81.0
kilowatt-hours of its 95.0-kWh capacity. Jaguar pushes its smaller battery
harder, using 84.7 kilowatt-hours of the I-Pace’s 90.0.
087
TESTED
Ace of Base
AURR[a_fYRcRYcR_`V\[\SaUR[Rd=\_`PUR
DRd\bYQ[μaPNYYaUR`VePfYV[QR_0Nf
R[[R^bVPXObaaUNaμ`\[YfORPNb`R^bVPX
ness is a moving target. Case in point:
DVaU YNb[PU P\[a_\Y aUV` ab_O\PUN_TRQ
2019 PORSCHE
CAYENNE
VEHICLE TYPE: front-
engine, all-wheel-drive,
5-passenger, 4-door
Cayenne now deserves your attention. YVaR_C#Z\QRYab_[RQ!%`RP\[Qà\ hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED:
LOfA\[f>bV_\TN #Z]UAUNaμàd\aR[aU``]RRQVR_aUN[ $82,780
aUR \_VTV[NY 0NfR[[R Ab_O\ dUVPU UNQ BASE PRICE: $66,750
!" U\_`R]\dR_ Oba NY`\ dRVTURQ and intercooled DOHC
THE ROUTE FROM LOS ANGELES to our desert testing grounds pounds more than this one. 24-valve Miller-capable
V-6, aluminum block
climbs over the San Gabriel Mountains through 40 miles of @VaaV[T V[ aUR Q_VcR_μ` `RNa dR S\b[Q and heads, direct fuel
corners and clouds that test handling, braking, and power. Pick the view is all Panamera. From the radio to injection
DISPLACEMENT:
aUR_VTUaaVZRN[Qa_N¦ PV`_N_R_aUN[aUR`ZRYY\SS_RÙPbaT_N`` what feel like hundreds of vehicle settings, 183 cu in, 2995 cc
in L.A., and by the time the road spits you out onto the freeway, the driver handles pretty much everything POWER:
335 hp @ 6400 rpm
your understanding of a vehicle is fully formed. Of our dozens of through the touchscreen. And yet, instead TORQUE:
P\ZZbaR`\cR_aUR`RZ\b[aNV[àUV`fRN_aUR_RN_RNSRdZRZ of breeding contempt, familiarity with the 332 lb-ft @ 1340 rpm
TRANSMISSION:
\_NOYRàN[Q\ba`'aURa_N¦ PS_RR_b[V[N:bàN[T4AaUR& system has made us more tolerant of its 8-speed automatic with
4A μ`&_]ZÙ_VRXO\b[PV[T\ßaUR_\PXdNYY`N]N_NQVTZ menu structure and logic. Helping to manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS
busting drive in an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and this _RQbPR NTT_NcNaV\[ V` N UN]aVPSRRQONPX WHEELBASE: 113.9 in
most recent assault in the redesigned Porsche Cayenne. screen that responds reliably and with an LENGTH: 193.6 in
WIDTH: 78.0 in
Even more remarkable: It was the base Cayenne that made this audible click. It also switches between HEIGHT: 66.7 in
VZ]_R``V\[;\aaUR"!U]Ab_O\\_aUR! !U]@ObaaURcR_`V\[ functions instantly. PASSENGER VOLUME:
106 cu ft
aUNaàN_a`Na##$"N[QUN`N "U]C#=\_`PURQVQ`]RPaUV` @RaaUR0NfR[[Rμ``b`]R[`V\[a\;\_ CARGO VOLUME:
\[RdVaUaUR\]aV\[NYNV_`]_V[T`N[QNQN]aVcRQNZ]R_`!# mal and the road turns into something 27 cu ft
CURB WEIGHT: 4720 lb
N[QV[PUdURRY`d_N]]RQV[dVQR`bZ aUNa UN]]R[` Na N QVàN[PR N[Q Q\R`[μa
Optional air require much thought, like a Blue Man
C/D TEST RESULTS
ZR_aV_R`""DVaUaU\`RRea_NàUV`
!$]\b[QNYYdURRYQ_VcR@BCPYV[Tà\ springs flatten Group show. At 70 mph, we measured a
ZERO TO 60 MPH:
aUR`XVQ]NQNaNaR[NPV\b`&#TAURNV_ and smooth, the Y\d##QRPVORY`\SV[aR_V\_[\V`RAUR_Rμ` 4.8 sec
`]_V[T`Y\dR__VQRURVTUaOfV[PUR`V[ base Cayenne an incredible solidity, too, that feeds the ZERO TO 100 MPH:
12.5 sec
Sport Plus mode and help the Cayenne is no longer a 0NfR[[Rμ` Ybeb_V\b` `VQR DRμYY b`R aUV` ZERO TO 130 MPH:
come across as more of a large wagon than poseur. space to complain a little about the lack of 25.0 sec
ROLLING START,
N[@BCDUVYRaUR=\_`PURYNPX``\ZR\S At Porsche, cV`VOVYVaf \ba aUR _RN_ dV[Q\d Oba dRμ_R 5–60 MPH: 5.8 sec
aURaU_\aaYR`R[`VaVcVafN[QàRR_V[T]YNf “base” doesn’t reaching here. Get the air springs and the 1/4-MILE:
13.5 sec @ 103 mph
fulness of the lighter Alfa—and the high mean cheap— summer tires and click it into Sport Plus TOP SPEED:
center of gravity is inescapably felt in quick wait, that could mode, and the base Cayenne will have you 157 mph (drag limited)
transitions—its unerring stability makes also be a plus. seeking out the roads usually reserved for 159 ft
reaching for cornering limits easy. =\_`PURμ``]\_a`PN_` ROADHOLDING,
300-FT-DIA
SKIDPAD: 0.96 g
FUEL ECONOMY
tech highlight EPA COMBINED/CITY/
HWY: 21/19/23 mpg
BRAKING NEWS C/D OBSERVED:

16 mpg
Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, or PSCB, are a $3490 option on the

Cayenne and Cayenne S. Iron at their core, the 16.3-inch front and
14.4-inch rear rotors have a 0.004-inch coating of tungsten carbide that
massively reduces brake dust. Porsche claims that the coating will last
as long as the standard iron units. To flaunt the brakes’ low-dust nature,
the 10-piston front and four-piston rear calipers are painted white.
088 . CA R A N D D RIV ER . FEB/201 9

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Atomkraft
The Civic Type R–powered Ariel Atom 4 weighs
1350 pounds and makes for a compelling lesson
V[N]]YVRQ]Uf`VP`LOf:VXR1bß
YOU LEARN LOTS OF THINGS in an Ariel Atom, the most min-

imal of minimalistic sports cars. But perhaps the greatest revela-
aV\[VàUNaVaV`V[QRRQ]\``VOYRa\`bßR_S_\ZcR_aVT\V[NPN_aUNa
you are piloting yourself. Glance through the tubular steel chassis
as the road rushes past and the instinct to step back from a preci-
]VPR¼_R``\ZRdUR_RQRR]V[`VQRf\b_YVgN_QO_NV[<SP\b_`Rf\b
should be looking considerably farther down the road while driv-
ing an Atom, especially given the enormous speeds it can generate
in even the shortest straights, but it is hard not to be distracted by
the novelty of a car that leaves so much of its inner workings on
]R_ZN[R[aQV`]YNf<[aUR\aUR_UN[QaURON_RO\[R`[Nab_R\S
the Atom makes accurate parking a cinch: Just glance through the
frame at the front wheel to see how close to the curb it is.
6aμÒRR[fRN_``V[PRaUR¼_à.a\ZRZR_TRQS_\Z2[TYN[Q
aUR_RNYVgNaV\[\SP\Z]N[fS\b[QR_@VZ\[@Nb[QR_`μ`T\NYa\N`
he puts it, create a four-wheeled motorcycle. The car has steadily
evolved over the years, and this fourth generation is almost
R[aV_RYf[Rd@Nb[QR_``Nf`\[YfaUR]RQNYO\eN[QTN`PN]PN__f
over from the outgoing version. As with some previous variants, 2019 ARIEL those numbers suggest. With minimal
aURB@`]RP.a\Z!dVYYORObVYab[QR_YVPR[`ROfA:6.ba\ARPU ATOM 4 O\Qfd\_X a\ QV`_b]a NV_½\d±N[Q \b_
in Virginia. And it’s still basic enough that the only seat padding VEHICLE TYPE: mid- B8`]RP PN_ P\ZV[T dVaU\ba aUR dV[Q
engine, rear-wheel-
comes from your gluteal fat. drive, 2-passenger, ÙVRYQaUNaB@ZN_XRa.a\ZÙNcR±aUR
While we could list many changes that separate this Atom 0-door convertible sensation of speed is all encompassing, the
BASE PRICE:
S_\ZaURYNà\[RaURZ\à`VT[V¼PN[a\SaURZ`Va`b[QR_aUR]YN` $74,750
Atom devouring its gearing with a savage
aVPÙVRYQNaaURONPX\SaURPN_AUR_Rf\bμYY¼[QaUR80ab_O\ ENGINE: turbocharged joy. You don’t need to wear a full-face
2.0-liter inline-four that powers the Honda Civic Type R, here 16-valve inline-4, helmet to drive one, but you’d better like
making 320 horsepower thanks to less- aluminum block and the taste of bugs and road debris if you
head, direct fuel
Four- _Rà_VPaVcRV[aNXRN[QReUNbà]YbZOV[T injection choose not to.
wheeled thrills AUV` V[ N PN_ aUNa dVaU ½bVQ` dRVTU` DISPLACEMENT: Despite its ability to overload pretty
122 cu in, 1996 cc
don’t come roughly 1350 pounds. POWER:
much every sense, the Atom is not at all
more visceral. A\QR`P_VORaUR.a\Z!N`^bVPXd\bYQ 320 hp @ 6500 rpm intimidating to operate. Control weight-
TORQUE:
The need be doing it a disservice. We predict a 310 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm ing is consistent, the unassisted steering
to wear rubber %`RP\[Q gR_\a\#Z]U aVZR N[Q N TRANSMISSION: provides immersive feedback, and the
6-speed manual
pants. # `RP\[QgR_\a\_b[fRaaUR.a\Z DIMENSIONS
chassis remains benign even beyond the
ZN[NTRà\SRRYZbPU^bVPXR_aUN[RcR[ WHEELBASE: 94.1 in bounds of adhesion. The track-biased
LENGTH: 138.6 in
WIDTH: 74.0 in
Avon ZZR rubber is reluctant to digest
HEIGHT: 44.2 in standing water under braking but still
CURB WEIGHT: 1350 lb
PERFORMANCE
manages to generate mind-bending lateral
(C/D EST) T_V] Qb_V[T \b_ a\b_ \S ]VPab_R`^bR
ZERO TO 60 MPH:
2.8 sec 2[TYVÙ OfdNf` /f aUR R[Q \S \b_ QNf
ZERO TO 100 MPH: under gray British skies, what we really
6.3 sec
1/4-MILE: 11.0 sec
want is a racetrack.
TOP SPEED: 160 mph Ariel has always taken opposing views
on the subjects of weight and power, min-
VZVgV[T aUR S\_ZR_ N[Q ZNeVZVgV[T aUR
latter. And this is only the beginning. The
company promises us that the new turbo-
charged engine has much more to give and
Ariel will give it the chance to do so. Better
keep your eyes up.
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cars with the big bumpers in the our idea out into the world. I spent
What I’d Do Differently ’70s and the ’80s. And in many a huge amount of my father-in-
ways, for our generation, that’s the law’s money to get to that point,
Rob Dickinson, 53 pinup 911. My love of every single because we couldn’t find anybody
model and iteration of the 911 is else to invest in the company. But
The lead singer for English alt-rock group deep and profound. We will indeed I’ve never had a sleepless night
Catherine Wheel through the ’90s, be exploring other areas of
Porsche’s back catalog.
around that purely because I
believed something good would
he founded a small business called Singer What about a water-cooled happen.
devoted to celebrating the Porsche 911. Porsche? Do you ever want to sit down
interview by J O H N P E A R L E Y H U F F M A N
As you can imagine, we have a and pluck away at your guitar
number of opportunities. The 911 and not think about Singer?
will be providing inspiration for No. I’ve got two guitars standing
many years to come. We started at up in my house that I never touch.
the beginning with the early 911s, You’re about to ask me what I
and I would hope that Singer has a would’ve done differently. To cut to
lot of life left in it. the chase and that question, I
Do you build your cars with would have gone around the
the idea that they’ll be used engineering of the car in a way that
every day? would have made our work a little
Of course. If there’s a car on bit more straightforward to
planet Earth that should be a execute. As it is, the work we do
practical, usable car, it’s the on the car is extraordinarily time
Porsche 911. Any sense that we’re consuming, extraordinarily
building delicate garage queens or complicated, and that’s fine. We
pieces of art that should just be knew that had to be. But we could
looked at and appraised from a have made decisions 10 years ago
distance is crazy. It takes a drive in that simplified the process and
one of our cars to fully understand indeed made the cars even better.
what we’ve been trying to do for 10 Hindsight’s a great thing, isn’t it?
years. That’s where the magic is. We made so many mistakes. But
Are you considering ways that without those mistakes, we
consumers might access the wouldn’t be what we are. That
Singer brand without having to stumbling learning that we’re
buy an entire car? still doing, it is part of the charm
Absolutely. We’re a company of the company.
that can’t afford its own products
or services. So we live vicariously
through the guys who can. Thank CUSTOMER SERVICE
Visit service.caranddriver.com or write to
goodness they exist. How can we Customer Service Department, Car and Driver,
P.O. Box 37870, Boone, IA 50037 for inquiries,
take those brand values and put requests, changes of mailing and email
C/D: How would you describe restorations.” Are there other them into something else as addresses, subscription orders, payments, etc.
CAR AND DRIVER® (ISSN 0008-6002), VOL. 64,
Singer? companies in this niche you like? magnificent, as fantastic, as NO. 8, February 2019, is published monthly, 12 times
per year, by Hearst, 300 West 57th Street, New York,
RD: Singer is quintessentially a I divide the industry into two superlative and make it affordable NY 10019, U.S.A. Steven R. Swartz, President & Chief
Executive Officer; William R. Hearst III, Chairman;
design company. That’s how we very definite halves. I see the is something we’re still getting our Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman.
Hearst Magazine Media, Inc.: David Carey, Chairman;
thought of ourselves when we opportunists, who see a business heads around. We are two or three Troy Young, President; Debi Chirichella, Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer; John A.
started. We turned into a restorer opportunity in doing something years into having our own Swiss- Rohan, Jr., Senior Vice President, Finance; Catherine
A. Bostron, Secretary. © 2019 by Hearst Magazine
and a modifier, in terms of doing it similar to, or indeed copying, us. based watch company, and we’ve Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks:
Car and Driver is a registered trademark of
Hearst Communications, Inc. Periodicals postage
ourselves, by accident. That was You can imagine my view on that. had some success launching a paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices.
Canada Post International Publications mail
never our intention. My vision of Although I accept that it’s part of very progressive chronograph. product (Canadian distribution) sales agreement
no. 40012499. Editorial and Advertising Offices:
Singer was always a room with a the scenery of where we find Do you find all this success 1585 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICES United States and
bunch of computers and sketch ourselves. Then we have the surprising? possessions: $13.00 for one year; Canada, add $10.00;
all other countries, add $24.00. SUBSCRIPTION
pads in it. And a bunch of creative people I feel have been inspired by I would sound like an ass if I said SERVICES Car and Driver will, upon receipt of a
complete subscription order, undertake fulfillment of
people moving in the same direc- us and have gone off and done it didn’t surprise me. But being that order so as to provide the first copy for delivery
by the Postal Service or alternate carrier within 4–6
tion. The Singer philosophy is a their own thing in a way I wish I had deep in the trenches every day, weeks. MAILING LISTS From time to time, we make
our subscriber list available to companies who sell
deeply held belief that there are done. The one that hits that out of and being consumed by this, you goods and services by mail that we believe would
interest our readers. If you would rather not receive
entities outside of the OEMs that the park is the Lancia [Delta] rarely look up over the parapet to such offers by postal mail, please send your current
mailing label or an exact copy to Mail Preference
can reevaluate their work and Integrale by the new AA company see the context you’ve found Service, P.O. Box 37870, Boone, IA 50037. You can also
visit preferences.hearstmags.com to manage your
preferences and opt out of receiving marketing offers
present it in a fashion [the manu- [Automobili Amos] in Italy, which I yourself in. I don’t want to do that. by email. Car and Driver assumes no responsibility
for unsolicited material. None will be returned unless
facturers] are unable to, whether think is wonderful. It scares the shit out of me. But it’s accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Permissions: Material in this publication may not be
that’s from a regulatory point of Would you do a 930-style car? affirming to that moment 10 years reproduced in any form without permission. Back
Issues: Back issues are available for purchase in
view or a creative one. Or a 935 race car? ago when I fully had no doubt that digital format only from your app store of choice.
POSTMASTER Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM
Singer helped create a new We’ve got a lot of ideas up our something good would happen 507.1.5.2); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES
Send address corrections to Car and Driver, P.O. Box
industry; we’ll call it “super sleeve. I grew up with the G-series from the work we did to finally get 37870, Boone, IA 50037. Printed in the U.S.A.
092 . CAR AND DRIVER . FEB/2019 illustration by F L O R I A N N I C O L L E

insurance and you could save.
geico.com | 1-800-947-AUTO | Local Office
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Homeowners,
renters and condo coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a
registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2018 GEICO

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Choose your path. Choose your mode.

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