Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
2017 Toyota Camry hybrid targets those who want more power than a Prius can offer
Toyota has long been a leader in the areas of hybrid vehicles and pushing fuel mileage to new heights. While the Prius is their most well-known offering in this arena, it’s worth noting that there are others to consider -- including the hybrid version of their top-selling Camry sedan, which isn’t quite the fuel mileage champ as a Prius is, but excels in other ways to make up for it.
GETS YOU MOVING
The Camry hybrid features a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine; plus an electric motor. This provides you with 200 horsepower. The vehicle is front-wheel drive and the transmission is a CVT.
That translates to a bit of a surprise -- a much more enjoyable ride than you’ll get in a Prius or many other hybrids. You don’t hit the gas and wonder, “When it this thing going to get moving?” or worry about holding up traffic. You actually can get around pretty well and not even realize it’s a hybrid most of the time. What's interesting is that this Camry hybrid actually performs better than the standard 4-cylinder engine on the non-hybrid Camry.
It comes at a bit of a fuel economy cost, you lose at least 10 mpg off the 50+ mpg Prius, but 40 mpg is a realistic goal here and that’s not too bad. Official numbers on the Camry hybrid are 40 city/37 highway/38 combined, but I was able to top that during my testing. Using the Eco and EV modes will help boost your fuel mileage, but limit the fun of the drive at the same time.
2017 GMC Acadia poised to compete well among midsize SUVs
Nine years is a long time for a vehicle to go without a refresh, but that’s how long it took for the GMC Acadia, which finally gets a new look in 2017 as it aims to grow its sales with a redesign.
The new Acadia has gone on a bit of a diet -- getting shorter and lighter -- and the question now is: Will the changes be enough to improve this midsize SUV’s standing on the intense battlefield that this segment has become?
NEW LOOK
For the 2017 version of the Acadia, you lose just over 7 inches of length, about 3.5 inches of width, plus just under 7 inches of height. Add that all up and the inside is a bit smaller -- less head room, less leg room, less cargo space. The other part of the diet is the weight, roughy 700 pounds are gone.
The design changes mean that if you go for a three-row version of the Acadia, you’ll have less room in the back seats -- meaning they’re strictly for little ones. The weight change means a peppier drive due to less poundage being hauled around with you, and of course a boost in the fuel mileage numbers.
Carl Edwards' departure was as sincere as it gets, and shouldn't be a surprise
Leaving a job while you’re at the top of your game is not easy. That’s why so few people do it.
But that’s exactly what Carl Edwards did this week.
The man who was one late-race caution away from potentially winning a Cup championship in 2016, and who lost the Cup to Tony Stewart on a tie-breaker in 2011, let the world know that he would not be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2017, even though he would have been a title contender once again.
He is off to explore other to-be-determined ventures (charity work, family time, political office perhaps) and Xfinity champion Daniel Suarez will assume his ride.
Edwards didn’t say “retirement”, and I imagine he’s got a few turns left behind a steering wheel in the future on a fill-in basis, but he’s done competing full-time in the sport that has been his life since he became an adult.
As per usual, some folks on the Internet can’t seem to accept the truth on this. I’ve seen far too many comments like “There’s more to this story. He must be sick” or similar speculation.
Volkswagen starts production of 2018 Atlas SUV in Chattanooga
Volkswagen Chattanooga has started series production of the Volkswagen Atlas. This marks the beginning of the process of building inventory for market introduction of the Atlas in 2017.
“I am very proud of the hard work the Chattanooga team has put in to bring the Atlas to series production,” said Christian Koch, President and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga. “The challenge of integrating a new vehicle line while simultaneously completing a major expansion of our facility was daunting, but our team stepped up to the task and now we have taken another step towards the market introduction of the Atlas,” he said.
The Volkswagen Atlas, unveiled on the Santa Monica Pier in October of 2016, launches a new chapter in the company’s American history. The seven-passenger Atlas offers class-competitive levels of technology and room, combined with Volkswagen driving dynamics and attention to detail.
Truex Jr. Named National Driver of the Year by Eastern Motorsport Press Association
Martin Truex Jr. has been named the 2016 Eastern Motorsport Press Association National Driver of the Year. The award was voted on by members of the EMPA.
Driving the No. 78 Toyota Camry for Denver-based Furniture Row Racing, Truex’s stellar 2016 season in NASCAR’s premier division included four wins, five poles and a series’ leading 1,805 laps led, all career season highs for the native of Mayetta, N.J.
His dominating victory at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway set a NASCAR record for miles led (588) and an event record for laps led – 392 out of 400.
“Martin had an impressive season, winning two of the triple crown events – the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500 (Darlington, S.C.),” said Earl Krause, a veteran motorsports journalist, EMPA board member and lead announcer at Pocono Raceway. “He nearly pulled off NASCAR’s version of the triple crown but came up inches short of winning the Daytona 500. He also had exciting Chase victories at Chicago and Dover. I covered Martin since his early racing days at Wall Stadium in New Jersey, and like his father – Martin Truex Sr. -- he has always been a class act both on and off the track.”
This is the second time Truex will be the recipient of the EMPA Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year trophy. He received the prestigious hardware after winning the 2004 XFINITY Series championship.
“My racing roots are in the Northeast and to be recognized by the EMPA takes on a special meaning for the entire Truex family,” noted Truex. “My family has spent many days and nights racing at Northeastern tracks, and that’s why I always feel like I’m going home when the NASCAR series competes at Dover, Pocono and New Hampshire.”
Truex added, “I want to thank the EMPA members for this humbling honor. The real heroes are my teammates at Furniture Row Racing for bringing fast race cars to the track on a weekly basis. I also want to thank our team owner Barney Visser, team president Joe Garone and our sponsors – Furniture Row, Denver Mattress, Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, TRACKER Boats, Auto-Owners Insurance and Visser Precision.”
Truex joins an elite list of drivers from different racing disciplines who have garnered the EMPA National Driver of the Year award, including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Rusty Wallace, Tony Stewart and Terry Labonte from NASCAR; Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti and Mark Donohue from IndyCar; and Joe Amato and John Force from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
-- Press release courtesy of Eastern Motorsport Press Association
Free NASCAR Hall of Fame admission, driver autographs highlight Fan Appreciation Day
In what has become a much-anticipated season kick-off event, NASCAR will offer FREE admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day. That’s just one of the many exciting offerings during the day-long celebration of NASCAR’s passionate fans, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
NASCAR stars past and present will participate in autograph and Q&A sessions throughout the day, in addition to free access to the Hall. Fans will be admitted into the Hall on a first-come, first-served basis in lieu of needing a ticket. Doors open at 8 a.m. ET.
However, tickets to the below autograph sessions featuring stars from all three NASCAR national series must be secured in advance. Tickets for these autograph sessions will be available for free on NASCARHall.com.
Each fan can secure up to two tickets for one of the seven autograph sessions (one ticket for an individual or two tickets for an individual and their guest).
Toyota to exhibit more than 45 vehicles at NAIAS
The Toyota exhibit at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), from January 8-22 in Detroit will feature more than 45 cars, trucks and SUVs including the global premiere of the all-new 2018 Camry.
Camry, the best-selling car in America for 15 consecutive years and Cars.com’s “Most American Made” for the past two years, has evolved into an eye-catching sedan with this new generation for 2018.
The Toyota exhibit in Detroit’s Cobo Center also showcases the new C-HR, which represents a leap forward in design, manufacturing and engineering for Toyota. Arriving for sale at dealerships this spring, C-HR has a bold, outgoing character with a diamond-shaped avant-garde physique and a modern, comfortable cabin for fashion-forward, trendsetting owners.
Ford, Toyota establish SmartDeviceLink Consortium
Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Company are forming SmartDeviceLink Consortium, a nonprofit organization working to manage an open source software platform with the goal of giving consumers more choice in how they connect and control their smartphone apps on the road.
Mazda Motor Corporation, PSA Group, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) and Suzuki Motor Corporation are the first automaker members of the consortium. Elektrobit, Luxoft, and Xevo join as the first supplier members. Harman, Panasonic, Pioneer and QNX have signed Letters of Intent to join.
SmartDeviceLink provides consumers easy access to smartphone apps using voice commands and in-vehicle displays. Adopting the open source platform gives automakers and suppliers a uniform standard with which to integrate apps. Developers benefit because they can focus on creating the best experience for customers by integrating one linking solution for use by all participating automakers.
Adient unveils new luxury seating concept at NAIAS
Adient , a global automotive seating supplier, has unveiled its AI17 automated driving seating system to show how automated driving will impact the driver and passenger experience in a contemporary premium vehicle at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The interior of automated driving vehicles will play an important role as drivers and passengers spend more time on non-driving activities. Once vehicles have the capability to be computer-driven, occupants will demand far more flexibility from a vehicle’s seating and interior space than ever before.
"Our AI17 demonstrator shows how we are embracing the opportunities for innovation afforded by automated-driving vehicle technology,” said Bruce McDonald, chairman and chief executive officer of Adient. “The concept features innovations that increase interior flexibility, while also providing occupants with higher levels of safety, comfort and convenience.”
Adient, created when Johnson Controls’ automotive seating business was spun off as an independent company in 2016 and is sharing several concepts and production ready products at this year’s NAIAS.
Yanfeng reveals XiM autonomous vehicle interior concept at NAIAS
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, the world’s largest supplier of automotive interiors, unveiled its vehicle interior concept, called the Experience in Motion demonstrator 2017 (XiM17), at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. With a focus on Experience in Motion, the concept features more than 25 innovations, offering new consumer experiences for future autonomous vehicles.
“We focused the concept design to meet the future needs and expectations of consumers when it comes to the interior of the vehicle, as well as to enhance the overall autonomous driving experience,” said Han Hendriks, chief technology officer, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “Representing our theme, Experience in Motion, the XiM17 offers leading innovations that provide flexibility in the vehicle, allowing for optimal capabilities and comfort for various situations.”
The XiM17 helps answer the question, “What will people do in their vehicle, if they no longer have to drive?”
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