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Jeep make subtle changes to new 2018 Wrangler

Jeep has updated its stalwart, the Wrangler, for the 2018 model year. Though the automaker touts that the changes are quite extensive, many of them aren’t as obvious as they may seem. Both the two and four door versions largely resemble their predecessors with the exception of certain tweaks done here and there.

The vehicles get refined styling that maintain the look of the original but improved further. The Wrangler’s unique elements include a keystone-shaped grille, iconic round headlamps and square tail lamps, improved aerodynamics as well as a fold-down windshield that should appease off-road purists.

These vehicles have been made available with a number of different door, top and windshield combinations. Jeep has also loaded them with the latest safety features and advanced technologies. This should make them enticing vehicles for those looking for an SUV that offers bang for their buck but also offers a certain level of individuality.

One of the oldest SUV manufacturers to date, Jeep has been in the business for more than 75 years. It’s been at the forefront of developing very capable offroading vehicles that can handle the toughest terrain. The automaker is owned by FCA or Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and is a major player in the SUV market especially in North America.

Ferrari threatens to leave F1 if sport’s proposed changes are made

After the recent announcement made by Liberty Media, the owner of F1 regarding certain changes to powertrain specifications, several engine suppliers are up in arms about it. The issue surrounds the proposed idea of standardizing powertrains.

Several automakers, especially those who have worked tirelessly through R&D to develop competitive technology, aren’t willing to forgo this in order to allow for a more level playing field. Ferrari is one such team, and has threatened to walk away from the sport as reported by Motor Authority.

Ferrari isn’t too happy with the proposed plan which was made vocal by its CEO and Chairman, Sergio Marchionne. He likened the move of standardizing such mechanicals to similar rules that define how NASCAR racers are developed and built.

Unlike other Motorsport categories, NASCAR’s rule book dictates pretty much everything that include body dimensions and mechanicals need to be built to a certain code. This effectively ensures that very little can be altered by each team, making sure that the spotlight is shone on driver talent rather than massive R&D budgets.

Renault and Mercedes-AMG, two other major players in F1 share Marchionne’s sentiment. Like Ferrari, they too are engine suppliers to a number of other teams in Formula One and as such, aren’t too happy with having their hands tied during R&D.

This isn’t the first time that Ferrari have threatened to leave, it has done so several times in the past when it didn’t agree with the path F1 was taking. These threats haven’t amounted to anything in the past, probably because whether Ferrari realizes it or not – the two share a symbiotic relationship.

These new regulations haven’t been set in stone and once each team has given its own two cents, certain changes will probably be made to keep the big guns happy. Till then, stay tuned and we will let you more about this issue as it unfolds.

Source: Motor Authority

Vintage Fiat to celebrate the automobile on heritage drive

One of the oldest Fiat cars in existence will make its way from Hyde Park in London down to Madeira Drive in Brighton, as part of the notorious heritage trial on 5th November, 2017. This 1899 Fiat 3½hp is owned by FCA UK Ltd, and is on permanent display at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

The car can seat two adults and two small children facing the driver – not very comfortable but it works. Powering this vehicle is a horizontal two-cylinder engine of 697cc that is mated to a three-speed (no reverse) gearbox. This Fiat can reach a top speed of 34km/h and return a fuel consumption figure of 14.9km/L.

FIAT or Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, was founded by Turin investors in July 1899. It initially operated out of a temporary factory but moved into a purpose-built one in March 1900. The company benefited greatly from the acquisition of two businesses, one of them being a bicycle manufacturer.

This company had a prototype car called the Welleyes, which Fiat used to derive its own car. From there, Fiat grew to an industrial giant and is now, one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers.

The automobile has come along way since its humble beginnings, and this 1899 Fiat 3½hp is a testament to that. Many of the creature comforts and technology that we take for granted today came about out of necessity as a result of attempts of modernizing early vehicles to suit customers’ needs.

Ford makes drifting a Focus RS easier with electronic kit

Ford has developed a new technology that will enable Focus RS owners to have more fun with their hot hatches in a way that wasn’t possible before. It’s called the Drift Stick and is basically a rally-inspired electronic handbrake, developed and designed specifically for this car and was approved by rally and stunt driver Ken Bock.

The car already had a feature called Drift Mode, where the electronics would allow the Focus RS’ rear wheels to break traction to perform a controlled slide around a turn. Now, Drift Stick will make this maneuver far easier, which was the point of its inception.

Referred internally as Project Wicked Stick, its development was led by Ford Performance program manager John Wicks. This kit is basically an aluminium lever between the driver’s seat and manual transmission.

Tugging on it, opens up the rear-drive unit’s clutches of the AWD system, and then hydraulic pressure is applied to lock the rear wheels to induce a drift. This results in clutch-free tails-sliding action, which is similar to maneuvers executed by rally drivers around sharp turns.

https://youtu.be/z-SHQw8G5SE

“The passionate engineers at Ford Performance are also enthusiasts,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “Everyone here is encouraged to think outside the box, so project ‘Wicked Stick’ was born.”

“Our engineers will leverage the learnings from its development for many future products for Ford Performance and, ultimately, take back even more of an innovative spirit when they rejoin our mainstream engineering teams,” he added.

Ken Block, who is known for his eccentric and creative stunts performed in his viral Gymkhana videos, contributed to the project and was responsible for the final sign-off. He is a seasoned veteran of using the hydraulic handbrake in rally cars, to execute the same maneuvers.

Incorporating the hydraulic handbrake into the current Focus RS wasn’t considered because substantial modifications would need to be done to the car. These changes couldn’t be easily reversed should an owner want the car returned to its original configuration.

Using electronic technology to accomplish the same goal, was considered a more sensible choice. The following are the benefits that this system offers:

Instantaneous engagement and release – just five to six pounds of pressure is required to operate the Ford Performance Drift Stick – significantly less than a hydraulic handbrake – for easy, precise use
Installation and removal is easy, as there is no welding, hole drilling or calipers as necessary in a hydraulic kit
It also connects to the onboard diagnostics port on the car, allowing it to function as a professional calibration tool

The Drift Stick is available as a kit for Focus RS owners in the US and Canada, which includes the Drift Stick lever, mounts and circuit board with professional calibration functionality. Owners won’t void the factory warranty by choosing to get this installed in their vehicles.

McLaren 720S wins 2018 Performance Car of the Year title

McLaren’s 720S has managed to nudge out nine other competitors to win the 2018 Performance Car of the Year title by Road & Track. According to the title, the car is the friendliest, least intimidating supercar thye have ever driven.

The 720S is the first model in the second-generation Super Series range. It has received praises by many due to its ability to blend performance with added luxury and exceptional driving enjoyment.

Commenting on the award, Tony Joseph, President, McLaren Automotive North America said: “We believe that the McLaren 720S is a revolutionary step forward, not only for our brand, but for the supercar segment.”

“To be named Performance Car of the Year by Road & Track is a great validation of the car and its capabilities,” he added.

Introduced this year, McLaren’s 720S features a 4.0-litre V8 engine that produces 710bhp and 770Nm of torque. It can accomplish the 0-100km/h sprint in just 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 341km/h. It also features McLaren’s active chassis system called Proactive Chassis Control II.

Unlike most other supercars, the 720S features a decent amount of creature comforts and wide variety of cutting edge technologies at the driver’s fingertips. And as such, this probably won’t be the only award that this McLaren will bag in its lifetime.

Subaru launch WRX STI Final Edition

Subaru has introduced the WRX STI Final Edition as an official send-off for the current generation to make way for more efficient platforms that may involve electrification. The Japanese automaker will only be making 150 cars for the UK market, and it comes with the latest bells and whistles.

First of the lot is driving performance, which has been improved by changing from mechanical and electronic to fully electronic control of the Multi-Mode Driver’s Control Centre Differential (DCCD). This provides the vehicle with optimum cornering ability, by shifting power to the wheel that needs it most.

Wheel size has been increased to 19-inches to accommodate the larger Brembo brakes with yellow painted calipers. This new setup improve fade-resistance and brake performance as well as offer a consistent pedal feel. Subaru says that the improvement will prove exceptionally useful when driving at the car’s limit.

Visual disparities between the Final Edition and the regular WRX STI are subtle at best. It gets Final Edition badges and a redesigned front bumper that houses the lower grille blacked out with a geometric textured panel. The signature hexagonal grille has been sharpened with a black surround outline.

Inside, Subaru has given the car high gloss black inserts for the instrument panel, gear stick surround, door panels that complement the steering wheel with red stitching and red seat belts. The front seats are now heated, and a larger 5.9” multi-function display has been added to the top of the dash.

Like models that preceded it, the Final Edition gets bi-functional projector LED lights, with a single bulb enabling High Beam Assist to switch between high and low beam automatically. There’s a single-lens camera embedded in the font windscreen that detects on-coming traffic and this allows the headlights to switch to a different light intensities.

The Subaru WRX STI Final Edition has already gone on sale in the UK and it won’t be long before all 150 vehicles are snatched up.