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The RICS has warned valuers to be aware of “the potential for significant changes in value” in the retail property market.

Egos: Check yourselves before stepping foot in the 2019 BMW M4. The two-door coupe or convertible is humbling in its speed and price. The M4 carries the banner on from the two-door M3 coupes that helped make BMW legendary, but the M4 is the most savage version of the breed. It’s quick and precise, with potential for speed that leaves little...

The 2019 Ram 1500 aced the IIHS' slew of crash tests but missed out on its top award due to headlights that don't provide good coverage at night. The IIHS found that the new Ram scored "Good" ratings in each of the instrumented six tests it administers including small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints...

Waymo, which recently launched its autonomous ride-hailing service in the Phoenix area, is betting big on traditional sensing technologies—including cameras, GPS, radar, and those super-expensive spinning lidar sensors on the roof.

These Waymo cars are essentially beta-testers, which means they are not fail safe. (Remember Uber?) If Waymo happens to have an accident and the fault is found to be with the sensor array, it’s a safe bet Waymo won’t be able to blame a blizzard or pea-soup fog.

An MIT spinoff startup called WaveSense hopes to hasten the arrival of autonomy in regions with, you know, weather, by providing an additional “leg” of the environmental perception stool that is utterly weatherproof: ground-penetrating radar (GPR). There are numerous applications for this technology in use today. Law enforcement locates buried booty or bodies with it, road commissions use it to assess road-bed fitness, it helps utilities locate pipes, and archaeologists rely on it to find the next King Tut’s tomb. Although most of these applications use a much lower-frequency radar than the forward-looking automotive kind—1–3 gigahertz (billion cycles per second) versus 77 GHz—WaveSense uses a frequency that’s way lower still—100–400 megahertz (million cycles per second).

The higher-frequency GPR provides super-high resolution but can’t measure as deep and suffers from “blur” at higher vehicle speeds. It’s also more susceptible to things like trash on a roadway, “thermal drift” as temperatures change, and the inevitable variation in the height of the sensor off the road that comes with vehicle pitch, roll, and payload variation. A 100–400-MHz system avoids these problems and can detect, record, and analyze underground features buried 6–10 feet deep. It also requires just 40 microwatts total, of which only 4 “leak” into the surrounding air. Higher-frequency GPR consume 1,000 times as much power. This radar senses differences in the electromagnetic properties of objects such as pipes, roots, and rocks in the surrounding dirt—all of which tend to be extremely stable over time.

As with camera- and lidar-based positional sensing, the road network must first be mapped by vehicles using essentially the same hardware, correlating GPR imagery with GPS location data. It takes a few passes to ensure the 5-foot-wide beam generates full coverage of a lane. The raw map data can be used for location-correlation, providing lateral/longitudinal accuracy within about an inch, and it works at highway speeds. Sensors that can “see” through 10 feet of dirt are unfazed by a layer of grunge on the lens, and at scale the sensor should cost $100 per vehicle. Another bonus: They mount underneath, so they don’t mar the vehicle’s styling.

WaveSense co-founder and CEO Tarik Bolat acknowledges the technology has some limitations. The radar does not work well in standing water, though deep snow is not a problem. The steel plates in bridges provide insufficient detail, so driving on them is GPR’s blinding “blizzard.” Happily, radar, lidar, and cameras should work fine on bridges, and autonomous cars won’t enter flooded areas. Frost heaves and large variations in moisture content can alter radar reflections of shallower features, but modern road engineering minimizes the risk of these factors, and deeper features typically remain stable over time. Another benefit: It’s difficult for malicious actors to alter or fake underground geography or to spoof radar reflections.

WaveSense is operating on $3 million of seed money and is working with several automakers, Tier 1 suppliers, and tech companies to bring GPR to production. The U.S. military has deployed the MIT-developed GPR technology on autonomous vehicles operating in certain areas in Afghanistan; now WaveSense is targeting early-adopter autonomous delivery and ride-hailing companies and plans to map the top 10 urban metroplexes and the major interstates connecting them—all of which limits exposure to potentially problematic environments like poorly drained or undeveloped roads. Pilot programs with certain partners will begin in the New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, L.A., and San Francisco metro areas, with vehicles testing in late 2019.

WaveSense had me at “$100/car” and “mounts underneath.”

Read more by Frank Markus here:

• Autonomics
• Tales from the Crypt(o): Blockchain Goes Mobile 
• Stacked DAC: A Direct Air Capture CO2
• Wood-Be Weight Savior
• A New Ford Concept Helps Blind People “Look” Out the Window

The post Weatherproofing Autonomy – Technologue appeared first on Motortrend.

The 2020 Toyota Supra was finally revealed (officially) this week, returning the iconic nameplate to the lineup after an absence of more than 20 years. With such a big gap between this model and the last one, it goes without saying that expectations were high for the successor to the Mk IV, a car that has reached mythical status thanks to its prevalence in pop culture. The Mk V Toyota Supra was never going to please everyone, but will its design please most? Take a look below and decide for yourself.

The 2020 Toyota Supra was inspired by the FT-1 concept of 2014, so we’ve thrown images of that show car in the gallery for reference. And just for kicks, we’ve also included a few shots of the Mk IV Supra. Let’s start with the Supra’s front end. The FT-1 influence is clear, with the production car getting a similarly pointy front bumper inspired by the nosecone on an F1 car and wide-open intake vents in the lower valance. The light signature of the headlamps and LED daytime running lights is pretty close to that of the concept, and you could even argue that the cluster of three projectors is a nod to the MK IV.

From the side, the 2020 Supra looks sleek, but not as sleek as the FT-1. Considering the production car’s significantly shorter wheelbase, we applaud Toyota designers for capturing the general curviness of the FT-1’s profile. Even the double-bubble roof made it to production.

Much of the concept lives on in the Supra’s rear end. The Taillight shape is retained and the trunk lid gets a molded ducktail spoiler—though no active rear wing like the FT-1’s. The rear three quarter view might be the Supra’s best angle, as it highlights its shapely rear fenders.

The interior might be the most controversial aspect of the new Supra, as it’s very clearly BMW-derived. The switchgear, infotainment graphics, and shifter all scream BMW—because they are. Pretty much none of the FT-1’s futuristic, racing-inspired cabin design made it to production, though the center console does have a divider on the driver’s side that could be a vestigial element from the concept’s F1-like cockpit.

What do you think of the 2020 Toyota Supra’s design? Tell us in the comments on Facebook!

The post Refreshing or Revolting: 2020 Toyota Supra appeared first on Motortrend.

Though Nissan’s obsession with tank treads grows tiring, the brand has proven you can put tracks on anything and make it cooler. Case in point: the Nissan Altima-te AWD project vehicle that just made its debut at the Montreal auto show.

The one-off is based on a 2019 Altima and ditches its wheels for a set of heavy-duty tracks. It also gets some cool-looking 7.0-inch fender flares all around to complete the Mad Max-meets-mega-snowmobile effect. Adding the wide-body fenders took about 150 hours of work, according to Nissan, and the Altima’s ride height was increased by 3.0 inches.

It joins a bevy of other tracked Nissans that include the Rogue Warrior and the Nissan 370Zki that made the rounds at a number of other car shows last year. Like the 370Zki, the Altima-te was modified by Motorsports in Action in Quebec. The outfit used a Dominator track system from American Track Truck measuring 30 inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 48 inches long, in case you want to similarly mod your Sentra or Versa.

If you find yourself in the Great White North, the Altima-te AWD will be on view at the Montreal show through January 27 before making tracks for the Toronto auto show the following month.

Source: Nissan

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As is usually the case at Barrett-Jackson auctions, this year’s Scottsdale sale is teeming with Mustangs. One of the most notable is this foxy red Cobra R coupe, which sold for $132,000, making it the most expensive Fox Body Mustang ever sold at auction.

This 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R was the 11th of just 107 units made. It features a 5.0-liter V-8 engine paired to a five-speed manual transmission. The Cobra R variants were tuned to produce 235 hp, and were only offered to licensed racers. This one features various upgrades, including a revised camshaft and GT40 cylinder heads from Ford Racing.

The Mustang logged just over 500 miles on the odometer over the past quarter century. It has had two previous owners: a Ford dealer in Connecticut and Jerry’s Classic Mustangs in Alabama. The car has never been dealer-prepped, the listing says, and it has never seen water.

The final year of the Fox Body Mustang generation was 1993. Prior to that, the Fox Body Mustang had served as Ford’s performance flagship since 1979.

To underscore just how well this Mustang performed at auction, let’s take note of a few figures. The most expensive Fox Body Mustang auctioned off until now went for $82,500, and coincidentally it sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2017. That car was a 1990 Ford Mustang convertible with 16 original miles on the clock. The Cobra R’s rarity and condition—especially considering most other examples were probably raced—likely pushed it above the $100,000 threshold, but who knows? Maybe the Fox Body’s time has come. If you’ve got a low-mileage 5.0 or SVO, you might want to hang on to it just in case.

Barrett-Jackson ushers in a new year of high-octane auction action during its 48th Annual Scottsdale Auction, featuring some of the world’s most coveted collector vehicles and authentic automobilia collectibles, January 12-20, 2019, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. As in decades past, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions will be the epicenter of Collector Car Auction Week and entertain thousands of automotive enthusiasts with interactive exhibits, entertainment, and activities. Check your local TV listings to see it live on MotorTrend Network and download the app for exclusive, live coverage.

The post 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra R Sells for a Record $132K at Barrett-Jackson appeared first on Motortrend.

As President Trump and Congress feud over the government shutdown, regulatory agencies that test and approve vehicles for sale in the U.S. remain closed. That could impact the launch dates for several much-anticipated vehicles slated for launch in the next several months.

This buzz-kill is in contrast to the public reaction to acres of shiny new vehicles unveiled at media days for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. What’s more, automakers are gearing up for next month’s Chicago show that bills itself as the largest consumer show in America.

Before a new (or significantly re-engineered) car can go on sale, it must be certified by the federal government. Under the Clean Air Act it is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor does the verification. But the lab is among the agencies not being funded during the month-long shutdown.

On the bright side, many new vehicles are not slated to go on sale until spring, and the majority are fall launches. While automakers are concerned if the shutdown goes too long, in most cases there is still time before panic sets in.

Concern is a bit higher for diesel-powered vehicles. The emissions reporting scandal is still fresh in American minds, and many automakers have canceled or whittled down their plans to offer diesel-fuelled vehicles in the U.S.—the exception being large pickups that are huge profit-makers for Detroit. Some diesel-powered vehicles have faced long wait times for certification as federal agencies have been more meticulous in the wake of the cheating scandal.

Keep reading to find out where the new vehicle launches stand at nine automotive brands.

Ram

The EPA completed the federal emission testing and certified the 2019 Ram 2500 heavy-duty pickup—but had not finished testing tailpipe emissions for the Cummins diesel version of the Ram 3500 when the shutdown hit. That process is on hold, FCA CEO Mike Manley confirmed at the auto show. Both trucks are scheduled to go on sale this spring. The automaker says other vehicles are undergoing their normal quality validation testing and no shipments are not being delayed at this time. That includes the 2019 Ram 1500 with a diesel, that is still in the certification process.

Jeep

A Grand Cherokee with a diesel is still in the lineup awaiting its turn for certification.The new Jeep Gladiator midsize pickup is not due until spring so there is no impact yet.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen will show the new Jetta GLI (a standard 2019 Jetta is pictured) next month at the Chicago Auto Show. It is slated to launch in March. Executives think the launch will be OK if federal employees get back to work by the end of January, but it will be tight.

Ford

Ford has a lot of vehicles (GT500, Explorer, Escape, and Lincoln Aviator) slated to go on sale this year, and many of them are in the queue for certification. Nothing is due in the next few months so no delays at this time. But if the shutdown is prolonged, there will be concerns.

The 2020 Ford Explorer is due in June and the Aviator also goes on sale this summer. The GT500 is not due until fall. We have not yet seen the new Escape yet so it likely has more time.

Cadillac

Cadillac’s big XT6 crossover is due this spring so there is still time before it feels any impact as long as the backlog does not become onerous. GM officials say they have no launch delays at this time but, like other automakers, are currently awaiting decisions in the certification process for a number of 2019 and 2020 models.

Porsche

There is some concern that the mid-cycle refresh of the volume-leading Macan could be delayed, as it is slated to go on sale in March. Same applies to the Cayenne Hybrid. The next-generation 911 isn’t coming to the U.S. until July or August so there should be plenty of time to get tested under the wire.

Kia

Kia’s new Telluride three-row crossover goes on sale this spring but no reports of delays at this time.

Hyundai

Hyundai’s new Palisade three-row crossover will be available this summer. At this point, officials say no Hyundai model is on hold awaiting EPA certification due to the shutdown.

Honda

Nothing from Honda is being impacted. The new Passport crossover goes on sale next month but is already certified.

The post The Cars the Government Shutdown Might Delay appeared first on Motortrend.

The McLaren MP4-12C is a fascinating supercar. First of all, the fact that it exists is perhaps the craziest part of the story. Sure, McLaren’s flirted with passenger vehicles in the past. Back in the late ’60s, Bruce McLaren himself drove around the U.K. in a prototype M6GT, one of two built back when McLaren was considering competing in Group 4—50 cars would have needed to have been built to meet homologation rules and that number was a bridge too far. Then of course there was the Gordon Murray-designed F1, the legendary car against which all other supercars are forever measured. Then McLaren teamed up with Mercedes to build the Mercedes-McLaren SLR, a machine that was much more muscular German thug (i.e. AMG) than McLaren liked. Then, finally, this thing, the MP4-12C. With it came the decision that, yeah, McLaren was going whole hog and becoming a “regular” car manufacturer.

Was it perfect? No. The MP4-12C had flaws, and we famously ranked it one spot behind a Subaru BRZ at Best Driver’s Car. Hey, that Subaru is pretty great. But the MP4-12C is something else: it is an uncompromised expression of one person’s indomitable will. In this case, that person is former McLaren CEO Ron Dennis. I honestly don’t even know that much about Mr. Dennis, but what I do know could fill a book. A quick anecdote to set the stage: a guy I know once got a ride on Ron’s private jet. Ron had a rule about no shoes allowed inside the plane. Even though it was pouring rain, my friend was forced to remove his shoes, walk up the soaked steps in his socks, and fly to Paris with wet feet. The MP4-12C, therefor, represented what Ron Dennis thought a supercar should be. All the way down to and including the weird name. Flaws aside, McLaren built approximately 1,800 MP4-12Cs (and later 12Cs), as well as around 2000 MP4-12C Spiders. Not a bad start, all things considered.

This particular MP4-12C is a very special edition done by the fledgling MSO, aka McLaren Special Operations, limited to 10 examples, and called High Sport. Initially, only five High Sports were planned, but since the upgrades were all very functional, demand was great and McLaren built five more. First and foremost, power went way up. From 592 horsepower to a devilish 666 hp. The exact same output as the way-off-in-the-future 675LT, as a matter of fact. Visually, you can tell High Sports by the significantly revised front end that previewed the 650S’ schnoz.  You can also tell by the massive air vents on the side of the front fenders just ahead of the wheels. Those come from McLaren’s GT3 effort at the time. The same is true for the high pressure-relieving louvers on top of those same fenders, the rear fascia, and the wing.

This particular High Sport is arguably the most coveted of all. It’s chassis number 9, and was built for a very particular client: Ron Dennis. If it’s not this High Sport then it’s the one that was rumored to have been built for the crown prince of Bahrain, though no one’s seen that one. Anyhow, chassis 9 is the only one of the 10 High Sports finished in the Vodafone Racing Team’s F1 livery. There’s also the additional MSO Red Rocket airbrushed details. Under the “bonnet” you’ll find signatures from the team that drove and crewed an MP4-12C GT3 to a win at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Perhaps best of all, the car comes with a signed letter from Ron Dennis, explaining his commissioning of this car. You know, if I’m going to write that book, I should probably get my hands on that letter. Thing is, this High Sport did not sell at another auction a few years back, with a high bid of $900,000. So… no letter for me!

Post Script: The McLaren 570S took the Best Driver’s Car trophy back to Woking, England, in 2016. All is forgiven. On both sides.

Barrett-Jackson ushers in a new year of high-octane auction action during its 48th Annual Scottsdale Auction, featuring some of the world’s most coveted collector vehicles and authentic automobilia collectibles, January 12-20, 2019, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. As in decades past, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions will be the epicenter of Collector Car Auction Week and entertain thousands of automotive enthusiasts with interactive exhibits, entertainment, and activities. Check your local TV listings to see it live on MotorTrend Network and download the app for exclusive, live coverage.

The post Barrett-Jackson Hidden Gems: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C High Sport Chassis 9 appeared first on Motortrend.

There’s a new version on the way soon, but the 2019 Porsche 911 is here to bide time and burn money. This year is the last of the 991 generation, the 992-generation 911 is due later this year. For its last year, the 2019 911 earns a 7.0 on our overall scale, which is very high for a (mostly) six-figure car with two usable seats. (Read more...

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has some work to do to stand out in the German automaker’s showrooms. Its predecessor got by on its looks and its low price. The 2020 CLA250 has a new baby sibling in a new 2019 A-Class that’s not as pretty but may have more rational appeal to some buyers. Then again, the CLA250’s dramatic...

Despite record sales last year, and profitability in recent quarters, Tesla is reducing its full-time employee headcount by 7 percent. CEO Elon Musk made the announcement in an email to Tesla employees on Friday.

Tesla’s headcount grew by 30 percent last year, which was more than the company can support, Musk said in the note. The email discussed the company’s current challenges, namely making its products more cost-competitive.

Right now, the least expensive Model 3 costs $44,000 before tax credits. This model has the mid-range battery with an estimated 264 miles per charge. Federal EV credits dropped from $7,500 to $3,750 on January 1, 2019 and they will fall again to $1,875 on July 1. We’re still waiting on the lower-price Model 3, which Musk has promised will cost $35,000.

“Tesla will need to make these [job] cuts while increasing the Model 3 production rate and making many manufacturing engineering improvements in the coming months,” Musk said in the statement. “Higher volume and manufacturing design improvements are crucial for Tesla to achieve the economies of scale required to manufacture the standard range (220 mile), standard interior Model 3 at $35K and still be a viable company. There isn’t any other way.”

Tesla made a 4-percent profit in Q3 last year. Preliminary results indicate the company will post a profit again for Q4, but it should be less than the previous quarter. With the help of the higher-priced Model 3 deliveries around the world, the automaker expects to continue a profit in the new quarter. Despite production bottlenecks, the Model 3 was the best-selling luxury vehicle in the U.S. last year.

This is the latest round of layoffs after Tesla announced last June it dropped 9 percent of its workforce. The company noted the duplication of some roles, and said it needed to reduce costs and focus on profitability. It said production of the Model 3 would not be affected by these cuts.

Read the entire statement from Musk here.

Source: Tesla

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Ford is the king of pickup truck sales, and it wants to stay that way. A big part of the plan is continued innovation, and on the heels of introducing a fully aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup for the current generation, the Blue Oval has confirmed an all-electric F-150 is coming. This model will be in addition to the previously announced hybrid version coming in 2020.

Ford global marketing chief Jim Farley told inventors at the Deutsche Bank Global Automotive Conference in Detroit that plans are in the works to electrify the best-selling F-series truck.

“We’re going to be electrifying the F-Series—battery electric and hybrid,” Farley said, according to the Detroit Free Press.

A timeline wasn’t part of the announcement, nor were any other details such as powertrain information, but a Ford spokesperson tells us that there are plans to debut a pure EV F-150…eventually.

“We are constantly looking at new ways to better serve our truck customers, from materials to features to propulsion systems,” Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg told us. “We are not specifying timing. We don’t have any other details to share at this time.”

Of course, this isn’t the first time a Ford executive has hinted at an electric F-Series.  Last year, executive chairman Bill Ford had this to say at a celebration of the Ford Rouge manufacturing complex’s 100th anniversary:

“[The F-150 Hybrid is] going to be a truck that takes you farther without sacrificing power and a truck that helps you do more when you get there, with electricity for everything from your tools to your camping gear. And then we’ll keep innovating. When it comes to building the best trucks in the world, we never rest. Whether they’re gas, diesel, hybrid—or when the time comes, fully electric—we will ensure they power the world in a sustainable way and remain Built Ford Tough.”

That sounds more to us like we’ll see an electric Ford F-Series when every other car on the road is electric. But then again, it’s also possible a more immediate plan for an electric truck came together between last October, when those comments were made, and Farley’s confirmation of an EV F-Series this week. One big thing that’s happened since then is Ford’s alliance with Volkswagen. The two automakers will work together on next-gen midsize truck production and also explore collaboration in other areas such as electric and autonomous vehicles.

FoMoCo made an all-electric Ranger from 1998 until 2002, so the company has some learnings to draw upon for an electrified F-series truck, although huge advances in EV tech and adoption will make them of limited use. The Ranger EV had a range of just under 100 miles, for example, while now both Tesla and Rivian Automotive intend to launch EV pickups with more than 400 miles of range. The Tesla truck should arrive after Model Y, while we’ve already seen the stunning Rivian R1T currently slated to roll out in 2020.

We already know Ford plans an all-electric Transit van as well as a Mustang-inspired electric crossover, but is the world ready for an all-electric F-150? Could Ford’s recent partnership with EV-focused Volkswagen help in this endeavor? We aren’t sure, but we don’t expect to see Ford’s all-electric pickup anytime soon.

Source: Ford, Detroit Free Press, Green Car Congress

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We finally got to see the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 at the 2019 Detroit auto show, roughly one year after the car was officially confirmed. Although we still don’t know exactly how much horsepower the new Shelby makes, the Blue Oval brand has given us plenty of other specs to drool over. The GT500 will no doubt be a beast, but how will it stack up against the supercharged pony cars from Dodge and Chevy? Keep reading to see how the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat compare on paper.

Muscle Mass

The 2020 Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that’s related to the engine in the 526-hp GT350 but gets a cross-plane crankshaft instead of a flat-plane. The supercharger is a roots-type 2.65-liter unit that forces air through an air-to-liquid intercooler sandwiched between the blower and the engine. Exact power output remains unknown, but Ford engineers promise more than 700 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. Ford estimates the GT500 can do 0-60 mph in roughly 3.5 seconds, which is the time we recorded for a 2018 Camaro ZL1 in testing.

The number to beat is still 707 hp and 650 lb-ft, the amount the standard Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat makes from its a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8. The Hellcat Redeye raises the bar to 797 hp and 707 lb-ft thanks to an engine derived from the one in the limited-production Demon. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 doesn’t quite make the 700-hp club, but still packs a punch. Its supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V-8 produces 650 hp and 650 lb-ft and features 11 heat exchangers.

Switching Gears

The only transmission offered on the GT500 is a Tremec-sourced seven-speed twin-clutch automatic. No manual is currently available. The Camaro ZL1, meanwhile, offers a choice between a six-speed manual and 10-speed automatic. That 10-speed, which was jointly developed by Ford and GM, was once rumored to have been considered for the GT500. Ford engineers ultimately decided on the twin-clutch because it was already beefy enough to handle the high torque of the Shelby’s supercharged V-8, whereas the 10-speed would need to be reinforced.

The standard Hellcat and Hellcat Widebody can be had with an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual, but the Redeye is only offered with the automatic.

 

Track Capability

Where the GT500 might have the advantage over its high-horsepower contemporaries is its on-track performance. The hood and widened front fenders are made from a composite material to keep weight down. A rear seat delete also helps reduce weight. All GT500s feature electronically adjustable magnetic shocks and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires as standard. A Carbon Fiber Track package adds an adjustable carbon-fiber GT4 wing for more downforce, front splitter dive planes to reduce front-end lift, unique springs and anti-roll bars that lower the car slightly, unique damper tuning, and staggered-width 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. A Handling package additionally gets you a Gurney flap for the wing and strut mounts that allow camber adjustments.

The Alpha platform-based Camaro ZL1 is already a competent handler is stock form, but to get the best track goodies you need to opt for the 1LE package. The manual-only 1LE is lighter than the standard ZL1, thanks in part to Multimatic DSSV spool-valve shocks in place of the stock magnetic dampers. In addition, the package includes adjustable camber plates, an adjustable rear anti-roll bar, hard-mounted struts, and solid bushings all around. The 1LE also wears wider and stickier Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires. To improve aerodynamics, the 1LE sports a carbon-fiber rear wing, a large front splitter, and dive planes. In 2017, the Camaro ZL1 1LE lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes, 16 seconds—more than 5 seconds quicker than a Ferrari 488 GTB.

The Challenger Hellcat is arguably more at home on a drag strip than a road course, but if you’re going to drive any Hellcat around a track, you’ll probably want the Widebody variant. That model is 3.5 inches wider than the standard Hellcat and comes with 20×11-inch wheels wrapped in 305/40-size Pirelli P Zero tires.

The Cockpit

For the most part, the GT500’s cabin is your standard Mustang fare. The dash features carbon-fiber accents, and the digital instrument cluster has a few Shelby-specific graphics. The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel looks similar to the one in the GT350, with the paddle shifters being one obvious difference. Instead of a traditional gear lever, the GT500 gets an electronic rotary shifter similar to those found in other modern Fords. The GT500 comes standard with two seats (though a rear bench may be an option in the future), and those well-bolstered Recaro buckets look both supportive and fancy trimmed with leather and Alcantara. An 8.0-inch touchscreen running Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system is standard.

The ZL1 comes standard with Recaro seats, red seat belts, and a suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel. The 8.0-inch central touchscreen offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Chevy’s Performance Data Recorder system is available as an option, and includes a high-definition camera mounted behind the windshield, dedicated microphone, telemetry recorder, and dedicated SD card slot.

The Hellcat comes standard with Houndstooth cloth performance seats, but those seats can be ordered in your choice of two kinds of leather with embroidered or embossed SRT Hellcat logos. The Hellcat gets a flat-bottom steering wheel with backlit SRT logo and a 7.0-inch in-cluster display with unique Hellcat graphics and performance timers. Through the 8.4-inch Uconnect central touchscreen, drivers can access SRT Performance Pages to see various performance data.

Pricing

The starting price for the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 hasn’t been announced yet, but considering that the 2019 GT350 will start at $60,235 and the 2018 GT350R starts at $68,230, it’s a safe bet that the top-trim snake will cost at least $70,000. Chevy charges $64,695 for the ZL1, or $72,195 for one with the 1LE package. The 10-speed auto is a $1,595 option on the regular ZL1. The 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat starts at $61,745 including destination charge and gas guzzler tax. The Hellcat Redeye is priced from $72,845, and the Widebody package adds $6,000 to either variant. The eight-speed auto is a $2,995 option on the “base” Hellcat and Widebody, and comes standard on the Redeye.

The post Specs Check: 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 vs. Camaro ZL1, Challenger Hellcat appeared first on Motortrend.

Chevrolet revealed the 2020 Silverado HD in December, and let’s just say not everyone was a fan of the new look, especially the gaping grille. Now, GMC has released a teaser for the new Sierra HD, and we’re not quite sure what to think.

From this teaser image, we know one thing’s for sure: It’s going to have a huge grille like its Chevrolet sibling. The truck pictured here is the Denali version, which explains why we’re seeing copious amounts of chrome. The headlights look sharp, but we’re not sure how they will look in conjunction with the element that separates them from the grille. We’ll reserve our final judgment until we see the truck in full.

Expect engine choices to mirror those on the new Silverado HD. GM hasn’t released full details, but we know it will receive a direct-injected engine. This unit, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, is rumored to be a Navistar-sourced 6.6-liter V-8 from MD Trucks. The other engine option will be a Duramax turbodiesel V-8 that delivers 910 lb-ft of torque. That engine will come paired to a 10-speed Allison automatic.

The 2020 GMC Sierra Denali HD will reach dealers in the second half of 2019. So we expect a full unveiling pretty soon.

Source: GMC

The post 2020 GMC Sierra Denali HD Shows off Huge Grille appeared first on Motortrend.

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