First-ever 2018 BMW X2 Coming This Spring

The first-ever 2018 BMW X2 xDrive28i will be available at launch with the latest generation 228 horsepower 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission and all-wheel-drive system providing 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds. The 2018 BMW X2 is 3.2 inches shorter and 2.8 inches lower than the BMW X1 on the same wheelbase. The first-ever 2018 BMW X2 will be available in Spring 2018 with pricing to be announced closer to market launch.

MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT At Tokyo Show

The MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT all-electric high-performance SUV is powered by three torqueful electric motors fed by a high-capacity battery system  located under the floor mid-ship of the vehicle for a low center of gravity. The triple motor 4WD system employs a single motor to drive the front wheels, complemented by a new Dual Motor Active Yaw Control system that couples two rear motors through an electronically controlled torque-vectoring AYC unit integrated into the Super All-Wheel Control vehicle control system.

Mazda KAI and VISION COUPE Debut In Tokyo

The Mazda KAI CONCEPT compact hatchback featuring the next-generation SKYACTIV-X gasoline engine previews a new generation of Mazda cars.

The Mazda VISION COUPE represents Mazda’s design vision for next-generation models.

All-New 2018 Audi A7 Sportback Coming Next Year

The all-new 2018 Audi A7 Sportback will initially launch with the 340 horsepower 3.0 V6 TFSI engine paired with a seven speed S tronic transmission taking it from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds to a top speed of 155 mph and features a total of 39 driver assistance systems split up into three packages: the Audi AI parking package (gradual introduction beginning 2018), the City assist package with the new crossing assist, and the Tour assist package. All-wheel steering moves the rear axle with a spindle drive that turns the wheels by as much as 5 degrees. The optional sport differential actively distributes drive torque between the rear wheels, complementing quattro all-wheel drive. The optional voice control with MMI navigation plus, allows the natural speech dialogue system to process questions and commands in two ways – with information stored onboard and at the same time with detailed knowledge from the cloud. The new Audi A7 Sportback will launch in the German market in late February 2018.

2018 911 Porsche Carrera T Starts At $103,150 In March

The new 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T ("T" for Touring), powered by a 370 horsepower twin-turbo 3.0 flat-six engine mated to a manual transmission, at 3,142 pounds is lighter, and has a shorter constant transaxle ratio, and a standard mechanical rear differential lock delivering zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds to a top track speed of 182 mph. The 911 Carrera T is equipped with several performance-enhancing features that are not available on the standard 911 Carrera like the PASM Sport Suspension with a 0.39-inch lower ride height, a shortened gear lever with an embossed shift pattern in red, and seat centers made of Sport-Tex material. Rear-axle steering is an option for the 911 Carrera T. The 2018 911 Carrera T is now available for ordering and is expected to reach U.S. dealers by March 2018. The base MSRP is $103,150 (including the $1,050 delivery, processing and handling fee).

2018 Chevrolet Traverse SUP concept Coming To SEMA

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse SUP concept to be shown at the SEMA Show, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, features a stand up paddleboard carrier by Thule®, Blue Wave bodyside graphics and yellow stripes, dark gray fascias, rockers and wheel opening trim, gloss black bodyside molding and glass black foglamp bezels.

Volvo's Polestar Performance Brand Taking Orders

Polestar, Volvo Car Group’s performance brand, unveiled its first three planned made-in-China cars. Polestar 1 is a 600 horsepower  two-door, 2+2 seat carbon fiber body Grand Tourer Coupé with an ‘Electric Performance Hybrid’ drivetrain, set to roll off the production line in mid-2019. Polestar 1 is an electric car supported by an internal combustion engine with a range of 93 miles on pure electric power. Polestar 2 will start production later in 2019 and will be the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from the Volvo Car Group. It will be a mid-sized BEV, joining the competition around the Tesla Model 3, and with consequently higher volumes than Polestar 1. The Polestar 3 is a larger SUV-style BEV. Cars will be ordered 100% online and offered on a two or three year subscription basis. The zero-deposit, all-inclusive subscription will also add features such as pick-up and delivery servicing and the ability to rent alternative vehicles within the Volvo and Polestar range, all incorporated into one monthly payment.

All-New 2018 Honda Accord Goes On Sale Today

The all-new 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T goes on sale today with a starting MSRP of $24,445 (including $875 destination charge) with an EPA fuel economy rating of 30/38/33 mpg (city/highway/combined). The all-new 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T is powered by a new 192-horsepower VTEC Turbo® inline 4-cylinder engine with a Continuously Variable Transmission in all LX, EX, EX-L and EX-L Navi trims and with either the CVT or a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission in Sport trim. The Accord 2.0T, arriving next month, will be powered by a 252 horsepower 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo® engine. The Accord Hybrid, featuring the third-generation of Honda's two-motor hybrid powertrain, will join the lineup in early 2018.

Ivan "Ironman" Stewart and a 1984 Baja 1000 TV Report

Ivan "Ironman" Stewart, 72, won a record 17 Baja 500 off-road races and three Baja 1000's and a total of 82 races in a career than spanned from 1973 to 1999. He joined the Toyota factory team in 1983 and recently talked about his racing experiences at the Toyota car museum in Torrance, California (which will soon be closing and moving to Texas). He discussed the challenges of constantly reacting to the changing, unpredictable, rugged terrain in off-road racing, specifically down the Baja peninsula. The demanding endurance Baja races could last as long as 20 hours straight, and without bathroom stops, it necessitated a catheter device to take care of relieving oneself (pictured left). Ivan said before the start of one race he sent his crew chief into fits when there was fluid on the ground under his vehicle. It wasn't anything mechanical, too much coffee forced Ivan to take leak sooner than expected. Races today are much different with the help of GPS, state-of-the-art communications and extensive TV coverage.

Back in 1984 as a KGTV San Diego sportscaster (above right) I spent the good part of a day covering the Baja 1000 and appeared to be the only media around. 
Click here to watch video.

1992 Video: Interview with Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca, Chairman of Chrysler Corporation is interviewed on KWHY-TV- The Business Channel, UHF22, Los Angeles, just months before his retirement in 1992. His discusses the turnarounds, cost cutting and new cars.

Click here to watch interview.