Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
Redesigned 2017 BMW 5-series sedan shines on the open road
BMW is not a name people take lightly. This is an auto company with a century of history, and a reputation that it must uphold.
One of their most popular vehicles in their midsize 5-series sedan, which has been redesigned for the 2017 model year to be more powerful and lighter. I recently spent some time in a 2017 BMW 530i xDrive sedan, and I’m back to let you know if it lives up to the company’s lofty name.
2017 KIa Niro crossover enters the hybrid battlefield with strong numbers
My first thought: Another hybrid? Do we really need that?
But wait. This one looks different … It’s a crossover, has decent passenger room and actually has a little speed. And it’s affordable.
Okay, Let’s talk about it.
The Kia Niro is the vehicle in question here. As Kia and Hyundai make an increased push in the green car market, they have unveiled some new models for 2017, and the Niro is one of the bigger launches (along with the Hyundai Ioniq). I recently spent some time in a Niro and I’m back with a full report.
1. STRONG FUEL ECONOMY
This is the key to a successful hybrid. If it’s not there, they won’t sell.
The numbers are in, and they are impressive: I averaged 48.6 mpg during my time in the Niro.
Official numbers are 49 highway, 52 city, 50 combined -- and I’m sure those can be met or beaten if you drive the vehicle with the goal of maximizing that number.
It is worth noting that the mpg numbers shrink a bit on top trim level of the Niro (40 city/46 highway on the Touring model).
2017 Volvo V60 Cross Country is a tough, reliable wagon
The word wagon may as well be on the extinction list, as it’s growing increasingly rare to see them on the road these days in the sea of SUVs that dominate family car buying in the U.S.A.
But fear not, wagon lovers: Volvo hasn’t forgotten about you. They continue their long wagon tradition with the Volvo V60, which also comes in a Cross Country version that I was able to spend some time in recently. Here’s my full report on what this unique vehicle offers.
Joe Gibbs Racing remains winless in 2017, despite strong efforts
BROOKLYN, MIch. -- It might sound odd to say this in the middle of June, considering how strong the Toyotas have been running overall in 2017, but Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to visit Victory Lane in the Cup series. Every week they contend, and every week they fall short.
Let’s look at Michigan’s results … Kyle Busch led 40 laps in Sunday’s race, and was among the top contenders to win. But as the final laps played out, he fell back and finished 7th. He’s run well enough to be third in points, but has yet to be first to the checkered flag this year.
Both Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth were knocking on the door of the lead Sunday (Hamlin’s shot came right at the end too). But in the end, Hamlin came home in 4th and Kenseth was 11th. Both of these drivers are on track to make the playoffs on points, but would prefer to get there via a trip to Victory Lane.
The fourth Gibbs driver, Daniel Suarez, is a rookie so there isn’t huge pressure on him to win this year. But he has the talent to do so, as he showed last year in winning his Xfinity title.
Fords struggle at Michigan; Stewart unhappy with debris caution
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- In the finishing order at MIS, Fords were on the short end of the stick.
The lone positives were a 3rd-place run by Joey Logano, who has been in a funk lately and needed good news, and an 8th-place run from Roush-Fenway driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Beyond that it was pretty disappointing, though Darrell Wallace Jr. did do better in his second go-around in the Petty #43 car, finishing 19th.
On Twitter after the race, Ford team owner Tony Stewart showed he’s not going to stop speaking his mind even though he’s retired from driving in the Cup series.
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk aimed at the off-roading crowd
While the overall state of FCA as an auto company can be debated, there’s no question that Jeeps remain very popular, and are one of FCA’’s biggest strongholds in the industry (along with their Ram trucks). And while many Jeep fans have turned into city dwellers and haven’t left the pavement in years, there are still some dedicated off-roaders out there who remain committed to the brand.
For them, there are still some Jeep options that keep their needs in mind, including the 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, in which I recently spent some time.
What is a Trailhawk?
There are two engine options on the Cherokee Trailhawk; A tamer 2.4-liter four cylinder option (184 hp); or a powerful 3.2-liter V6 (271 hp). My test vehicle had the stronger option and it performed admirably for me; I would recommend the upgrade.
The vehicle features a 9-speed transmission, and optional all-wheel drive (again, it’s recommended).
The Cherokee Trailhawk is designed for off-roading capability, so it must be said that this vehicle does not offer the best feel on regular roads (it can be quite bouncy and unsettling at times, to be honest).
Instead, it is designed to perform in adverse conditions (snow, sand/mud and rock settings are included via the Selec-Terrain system), and work well no matter what conditions you are driving in.
The Cherokee Trailhawk features all-terrain tires, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Selec-Speed Crawl Control, Off-Road Suspension, All Speed Traction control, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation and Anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes, plus higher ground clearance and tow hooks, and unique designs in the front and rear vs. a standard Cherokee. Add all that up, and you end up with a Trail Rated vehicle -- and not in name only. It’s gone through the testing to show it can handle the not-so-beaten path.
Erik Jones glad to be home; Logano working to improve
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Michigan native Erik Jones is among the young drivers in NASCAR's top series still searching for his first win at the premier level. With MIS being his home track, he said it's always a bit busier than usual but also a chance to see familiar faces.
“Yeah, it’s been a busy week. I didn’t get home ‘til Tuesday night, drove back up here and went over and tested a late model on Wednesday over in Grand Rapids, Michigan and then yesterday kind of got to take the day off, visit a little friends and family and then back it again today, so just nice to come home. Nice to sleep in the house that I grew up in and stay there – it’s only about an hour away from here – and roll into the race track in the morning. It’s just cool to be here and on Sunday get all the family and friends out. I’ve burned through every possible hot pass I can get, so just nice to have everybody here and be close to home.”
Logano seeks return to form
Joey Logano has a win this year, but the reality is that the win is considered encumbered, so he does not have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. Add to that the fact that his past month has been a bit rough on track, and the number of winners continues to grow, and it's clear that Logano must stay focused so he is able to make the playoffs -- either with a win or via points.
When asked about this pressure Friday at MIS, Logano said: “It is on my mind. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t, but it isn’t something I am very concerned about. I feel like this team is strong enough to get through it. We just need to get through it, build momentum. The way these stages are, you can gain points pretty quick. We have to be able to string three or four solid races together like we know how to. We have strung 15-20 great races together before. It is nothing this team hasn’t done before. We are very strong. No one is pointing fingers. There is none of that going on. We just have to get through it as a team together.”
Larson, Suarez return to MIS with goal of return to Victory Lane
BROOKLYN, MIch. -- A couple of drivers who know about winning at Michigan International Speedway are Daniel Suarez, who got his first win in the Xfinity series last year at MIS, and Kyle Larson, who earned his first Cup win at MIS in 2016.
Both are back to compete this year -- with Suarez now in the No. 19 Cup car vacated by Carl Edwards -- and they reflected on their wins here and looked ahead to this Sunday's race.
Suarez said Michigan will always be special to him throughout his career.
“I think it’s going to be always a special place. The first one – the first one is always a very, very special one, as you know, and the way that we got that victory here just a year ago it was very good. And another thing like you just mentioned, it gave us confidence and momentum to move forward and to keep working and to eventually be able to get the championship, so very happy to be here."
Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers riding high in wake of Pocono win
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- It's good to be Ryan Blaney right now.
The upstart third-generation driver -- part of a stellar crowd of strong young contenders including Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon and Daniel Suarez -- is one of the future superstars of the sport, and is fresh off his first career Cup series win last week at Pocono, and is now locked into the 2017 playoffs (formerly known as The Chase).
The Wood Brothers, the storied team he drives for that has employed many of NASCAR's legends, are back to their former glory with Blaney in the 21 car, and the future is Blaney's to tell based on how he performs on the track.
At Michigan International Speedway on Friday, Blaney was appreciative of all the positive feedback he got after his maiden Cup victory.
"It was all positive. I didn't see one negative thing on social media. I saw a video from the stands and everyone was on their feet cheering. It makes me feel really good to see people support us. You don't get that much nowadays," he said Friday.
Jimmie Johnson signs three-year extension, and the sky is the limit
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Some bad news for the Cup series competition was announced on Friday: Jimmie Johnson isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
He'll remain in the No. 48 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports for at least three more years, having signed through 2020. Lowe's will also remain on the 48 car through 2018, and Chad Knaus is returning in 2018.
So why is Jimmie sticking around when some of his contemporaries, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards, are calling it quits?
"I truly enjoy competing and love being on the track, " Johnson said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. " A three-year extension makes me smile and I can't wait to get out on the track"
Regarding retirement talk, Johnson isn't saying that 2020 will be his final year.
"I've said it before and continue to say that when the fire does go out I will step down. I don't have any framework now on a timeline," he explained. "I'm as hungry as I've every been. We'll see how these three years go."
AutoTechReviews is your home for In-depth reviews of the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs; information on all the emerging vehicle technology; and breaking news from the world of NASCAR and other motorsports.