Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. There’s also just a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:
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Ford reveals all-new Focus for global markets
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Chevrolet debuts… uh, striking new Camaro facelift
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Next-gen Silverado HD launches next year
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BMW M2 Competition gets leaked
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What’s your automotive news?
2019 Ford Focus
World, say hello to your new Focus. Ford has revealed their all-new 2019 Focus global lineup following the success of the previous model where Ford first learned how much better the One Ford strategy was. The Focus has been redesigned from the wheels up to be more spacious, more engaging, and smarter. It will launch with three different body styles plus one that’s ever so slightly taller than the others.
The first thing you’ll notice is the all-new bodywork and its more cab-rearward configuration. There’s a longer hood, revised aerodynamics that increase efficiency, and it appears they were fans of Volvo’s ‘Thor’s Hammer’ running light design too. The sleek bodywork provides a more premium look and allows for more cabin space while not taking up any more space than the old model.
Depending on the market, you can get the Focus as a four-door sedan, five-door hatch, and a five-door wagon. They highlighted three new trim levels as well, including a sportier ST-Line (not to be confused with the actual Focus ST… it’s like M-Sport with BMW), an upscale Vignale, and a more adventurous Active which turns the Focus into a soft-roader that no one will buy.
The interior is another area that gets refined and stuff. There’s a redesigned instrument panel that aims to make it easier to get in and out, an electric parking brake and rotary gear shift dial, and a narrower center console with soft knee pads all in the name of saving space. They even redesigned the side mirrors to reduce that air throbbing effect when you drive with the windows down at speed.
Ford says the Focus is designed to be “a smarter car for a smarter world” (did they not hear about the Tide Pod challenge?) which means the debut of Ford Co-Pilot360, a new driver assistance suite, and the Ford Pass Connect apps. Some of the new safety features introduced include adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, stop & go, and sign recognition; adaptive headlights which adjust for cornering and illuminating road signs (they say that’s an industry first); more automated Park Assist; and Evasive Steering Assist to help you dodge stopped cars.
Some of the Ford Pass Connect features include a WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices and live traffic within Sync, and a mobile app with a vehicle locator, real-time status displays, and remote locking/unlocking and engine start.
Engineers also spent time on improving the car’s driving experience by developing a new suspension and chassis that’s 20% more rigid. They say you’ll have improved body control from all that plus more responsive steering from a new electric power steering unit. As is all the rage these days, they’re also adding drive modes for the first time which adjusts engine and transmission response, steering feel, and cruise control to match the occasion.
Available engines are all dependent on the market, but there a range of 1.0-liter, 1.5-liter, and 2.0-liter engines with different outputs and gas and diesel options offered between China and Europe. America will get their engines finalized at a later date.
The all-new Focus goes on sale in China and Europe later this year. America has to wait until the second half of 2019.
[Source: Ford]
2019 Chevrolet Camaro
Then there’s this thing. Chevrolet has revealed a “reinvigorating” 2019 Camaro that adds a distinctive new design that absolutely nobody has said anything bad about, some new tech features, and more love for the turbo four-cylinder model.
The 2019 Camaro’s striking new design “follows the mantra that all elements must not only be beautiful but also enhance performance”, which is about the funniest thing I’ve read all week. It certainly helped with the latter though as the grille details and hood and fascia vents all provide cooling and/or reducing drag or lift. Design “highlights” include more model-specific details, up front especially. For instance, the SS gets the black face paint and the hollowed-out “Flowtie” Chevy emblem that I’m sure has as big of an affect as they say it does.
Chevrolet rolls out an updated version of their infotainment system to all 2019 Camaros that tries to mimic a typical smartphone interface which gets displayed on a standard 7″ or optional 8″ display. Additionally, the SS and ZL1 get a standard rear camera mirror, forward collision alert, an enhanced performance data recorder, and line lock on 10-speed-equipped SS models because America.
Perhaps the best news for fans of the four-cylinder is that Chevrolet’s track-ready 1LE package is now offered on the 2.0-liter turbo-equipped Camaros. The Turbo 1LE (above) features a fully reworked suspension, wider summer tires, Brembo brakes, flat-bottomed steering wheel, available Recaro seats, and additional track modes with some other fun stuff thrown in. It’s only available on manual-equipped cars and it has a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
Pricing has not been announced yet.
[Source: Chevrolet]
Chevrolet Silverado HD Teaser
Chevrolet is scheduled to reveal the next-generation Silverado HD next year as a 2020 model. It’s about to get into the thick of its testing and validation stages as they strive to make it the most capable Silverado yet. The first production example is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in Q3 2019. And uh… it’ll look a little bit like this.
[Source: Chevrolet]
BMW M2 Competition Leaked
I’m sure BMW doesn’t want me covering this, but I didn’t want them to introduce the X2 so I’d say we’re even. BMW Blog Slovenia has found themselves in possession of some M2 Competition details and photos which were leaked – by total accident I’m sure.
According to the unintentional leak, the M2 Competition is given the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six from the M4 that’s been detuned to 410 horsepower and 405 lb.-ft. of torque, a substantial jump of 45 hp and 62 lb.-ft. over the standard M2. If this package is anything like it was on the M4, it’ll also include revised suspension and steering settings plus unique wheels (check) and seats.
As expected, the M2 Competition seems to coincide with a face lift for the 2 Series/M2 that looks to have added revised headlights, new kidney grilles, and a new lower lip, though some of that may just be a Competition deal only. We’ll see more of this car at the Beijin auto show in two weeks.
[Source: BMW Blog Slovenia via Autoweek]
What’s your automotive news?
That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2018 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]
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