Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
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."
Ryan Blaney earns first Cup victory; first triumph for Wood Brothers since 2011
Ryan Blaney passed former champion Kyle Busch with nine laps to go and held off former champion Kevin Harvick to capture his first Cup Series race Sunday afternoon at Pocono Raceway, behind the wheel of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion.
Blaney and his Wood Brothers Racing teammates, celebrating their 99thcareer win, overcame a loose wheel after their first pit stop and a lack of two-way radio communications throughout the day to get the Woods’ historic No. 21 into Victory Lane for the first time since the 2011 Daytona 500. The second-year driver and the 18thto win for Wood Brothers Racing talked about dueling with Busch and Harvick in the final 10 laps of the Axalta Presents the Pocono 400.
“Kyle stayed out and he was on a little bit older tires and it looked like he was getting pretty tight, especially off of one and that’s where new tires really seemed to come alive because you could hold the line and get runs on him, downshift and get next to him,” Blaney said after climbing out of his classic red-and-white racer. “I had a big run on him off of three and he did a good job blocking, and we were able to get under him, but then I had to hold the 4 off. He was super-fast. I can’t thank Kevin enough for racing me clean. That was really cool of him, but it was definitely hectic. Hopefully the fans liked it. It was really cool.”
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric makes a bold entrance to electric car market
The successful all-electric car is the elusive white whale of the auto industry, with a variety of automakers chasing the dream with limited success over the years.
But the battle is heating up again and some strong contenders are emerging. Including a somewhat surprising entry, the brand new Hyundai Ioniq. New for 2017, it features three varieties: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric.
I recently tested the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up.
Samsung gets back on track with impressive Galaxy S8 smartphone
It’s been a rough year for Samsung in the smartphone world. Sure, they’re still one of the biggest names in the business and sell plenty of product around the world, but controversy over their Galaxy Note 7 phones catching on fire due to poorly made batteries has had them on the world’s radar for the wrong reasons.
In a business as competitive as smartphones, that’s something you need to squash quickly and move on, or you’ll be left behind. Samsung made changes and worked to solve the issues and regain the public’s trust in their phones, and are now fully focused on their next offerings -- primarily the Galaxy S8 and its big brother the Galaxy S8 Plus (which, to clarify, are successors to the S7 line of phones, not the aforementioned Note 7).
I recently spent some time with an S8 Plus from AT&T, and I’m back what a report on how it’s been improved and who should consider upgrading.
2017 Audi S6 combines comfort and luxury with raw power
Welcome to the fun zone.
Audi may have a hoidy-toidy reputation on the whole, but slap an S in any of their model names and things get a bit more loose.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2017 Audi S6 midsize sedan, and I’m back with the highlights of what you can expect from this hot rod.
1. Uberfast
The simplest way to put it is to say that the Audi S6 is a thoroughly enjoyable ride -- combining all the comfort and smoothness of the A6 with a more performance/sporty edge. It gets up to speed in stunning fashion for its size: You’re hauling you-know-what before you even realize it (“Am I really going that fast?” was a common expression during my time in the S6).
If you want to tone down the speed, get out of dynamic mode (which would be better labeled as beast mode).
New 2017 Volvo S90 sedan is a big upgrade for Swedish automaker
Sometimes you gotta try something new.
Without much fanfare for their previous midsize sedan (the S80), Volvo got in redesign mode and debuted the Volvo S90 for the 2017 model year.
A major improvement on its predecessor, I recently spent some time in an S90 and I’ll let you know how it measures up in the always-competitive luxury sedan segment.
1. LUXURY ABOUNDS
The exterior design of the S90 makes a statement -- this isn’t your dad’s Volvo.
You get a classy design up front that screams luxury (elegantly titled the “Upright Waterfall Front Chrome Grille”), and an overall sharp look that will get you some attention. That’s not often said about a Volvo, but it can be said about the S90. Part of the improvement is a sleek new headlight design (LED lights in an design called “Thor’s Hammer” -- another great bit of language from the Swedish automaker)
Diving inside, even when compared to other midsize luxury sedans, the S90 has a well-appointed and comfy interior. One specific detail I noticed was that the leather steering wheel feels great in hands. It’s also very roomy, even in back.
Genesis lineup scores high on technology
Genesis, Hyundai’s new upscale wing, is a fresh face in the world of high-end rides, but it came in with a bang. The 2017 lineup of the G80 and G90 are top-notch examples of quality luxury vehicles, exceeding what many expected from Hyundai.
For a full take on the Genesis G90, check out my review here (http://bit.ly/2iRolcn). In this review, I’m focusing strictly on the technology portion of the G90, and what it has to offer compared to its luxury rivals. Once you get beyond looks and comfort and overall ride quality, technology can be the decider for many when choosing a luxury ride, so it’s of ever-growing importance.
2018 Toyota Yaris hatchback announced
Toyota has announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2018 Yaris hatchback.
The fuel-efficient Yaris is the Toyota brand’s least expensive model, yet it is equipped with many standard safety and convenience features. Among the many standard carryover safety features is Toyota Safety Sense- C™ (TSS-C), a trio of driver assist technologies that help drivers get from point “A” to point “B” with safety assurance. TSS-C technologies include Toyota’s Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High Beams.
Yaris offers both three-door and five-door body styles in two grades, L and LE, in addition to the five-door Sporty SE. Manual transmission is available on the three-door L and the five-door SE.
Euro Styling
Designed and assembled in France, the Yaris builds on its European styling to add a sportier and more dynamic look for 2018. The updates start with both the L and LE grades receiving a new bold front fascia with a new grille and chrome accents. The SE grade will receive a sporty front fascia that features a new piano black mesh pattern grille surrounded with a chrome accent.
The refined new front is complemented by a modern restyled rear to help provide a wider look and stance. The rear design includes wider, horizontal tail lamps that are integrated into the rear door, new rear bumper with styling that is more in harmony with the rear door design, and a new lower bumper garnish with side reflectors to help portray a broader stance.
The SE is topped off with standard 16-inch Machined Alloy Wheels with dark accents.
Inside, the 2018 Yaris receives substantial audio and convenience updates that starts with the L grade upgrading to a standard tilt, three-spoke steering wheel that now includes audio controls. Both the L and LE grades will now receive the same Sport analog instrumentation currently on the SE grade. The sporty IP includes speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge; LCD display with odometer, tripmeters,
clock, outside temperature, current/average fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed and shift position; ECO-driving indicator and warning messages (automatic transmission only).
The Yaris will be available in eight exterior colors including two new selections: Blue Eclipse (replacing Blue Streak Metallic), and two-tone Blue Eclipse with a Black Sand Pearl Roof (replacing two-tone Crushed Ice with Black Sand Pearl Roof). Carryover colors will include: Super White, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Ruby Flare Pearl, and the two-tone Ruby Flare Pearl with Black Sand Pearl Roof.
The exterior color palette will be complemented with interior fabric choices of combined Black and Gray on L and LE grades, and all-Black on the SE grade.
Staying Entune
Audio upgrades abound with the 2018 Yaris as both the L and LE grades will now be equipped standard with the same Entune™ Audio system available on many other Toyota models. The Entune Multimedia Bundle consists of:
- a 6.1-inch touch-screen display, AM/FM CD player, MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port with iPod® connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition, hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, and Siri® Eyes Free
The SE grade leaps to the next level as it will come standard with Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation App. This upgraded multimedia system consists of:
- a 7.0-inch high resolution touch-screen display, AM/FM tuner, MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port with iPod® connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition, hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, Connected Navigation Scout® GPS Link App, Siri® Eyes Free, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with three-month complimentary SiriusXM All Access Trial and Gracenote® album cover art, HD Radio, HD Radio™ traffic and weather in major metro areas
Pricing
The MSRP for the 2018 Yaris hatchback L grades will range from $15,635 for the three-door with a manual transmission to $16,760 for the five-door with an automatic transmission, reflecting an increase of $385.
The Yaris LE grades will receive an MSRP of $17,285 for the three-door with an automatic transmission and $17,660 for the five-door automatic, both prices reflect an increase of $375.
The sporty Yaris SE grades receives an MSRP of $18,260 for the five-door with a manual transmission and $19,060 for the five-door automatic. Both prices reflect an increase of $1,060.
The MSRP’s for the 2018 Yaris Hatchback do not include the delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $885. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.
The 2018 Yaris will be reaching Toyota dealerships this summer.
| Model # |
Grade | Doors | Trans- mission |
MSRP 17MY |
MSRP 18MY |
MSRP Chg. ($) |
| 1421 | L | 3 | MT | $15,250 | $15,635 | $385 |
| 1422 | L | 3 | AT | $16,000 | $16,385 | $385 |
| 1424 | LE | 3 | AT | $16,910 | $17,285 | $375 |
| 1462 | L | 5 | AT | $16,375 | $16,760 | $385 |
| 1466 | LE | 5 | AT | $17,285 | $17,660 | $375 |
| 1463 | SE | 5 | MT | $17,200 | $18,260 | $1,060 |
| 1464 | SE | 5 | AT | $18,000 | $19,060 | $1,060 |
-- Press release courtesy of Toyota
2017 Lexus RC 200t is a head-turning luxury coupe
Lexus aims for a home run with their 2017 RC 200t sport coupe. I had a chance to test the RC 200t recently, and I’m back with a report on five things you should know about it, and how many bases they were able to reach.
1. Simply beautiful
I’ll just come right out and say it: This is one of the most attractive sporty cars out there that’s within the financial grasp of mere mortal auto buyers. The front end and its sprawling black grille, along with its uniquely shaped headlights, are downright artistic in design. This model is a perfect fit for Lexus’ efforts to use bolder designs in the grille.
In the rear, there are other highlights on the design that make the car shine, including the notches in the rear that won’t go unnoticed.
The F Sport package gets you an even sportier look inside and out, plus an adaptive sport-tuned suspension.
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