The News for August 3rd, 2018


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:

  • Jaguar announces full list of upgrades for 2019 F-Pace

  • Audi teases upcoming EV supercar ahead of Pebble Beach debut

  • Porsche talks TAYCAN numbers and details

  • A Chevrolet dealer is selling throwback Silverado appearance packages

  • What’s your automotive news?

2019 Jaguar F-Pace


The SUV that’s helping to keep the F-Type alive is getting a bit of a makeover to help keep it competitive against the luxury SUV offerings from literally everyone on the planet. Jaguar stopped short of delivering an entirely new F-Pace and have given it an extensive refresh with a few exterior styling tweaks, new cabin features, and more driver assistance technology. There’s also a new version of the F-Pace that was already announced months ago at the New York Auto Show which Jaguar felt like telling us about again.
In fact, I’m pretty sure this whole press release is from the NY Auto Show and they’re just re-releasing it because we only cared about the supercharged SVR version even though the entire 2019 F-Pace lineup got updated.

Anyway, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR continues to be one of the most powerful offerings in the company and benefits from a host of new features which I guess are also shared with the other less interesting F-Paces. They don’t go into specifics on the exterior updates they say are there, but it’s clear the SVR looks much sportier than the others, benefiting from a new bumper and bigger wheels and maybe some other things. The other F-Paces look unchanged so they don’t matter.
What does matter is the 5.0-liter Supercharged V8 offering 550 horsepower that they somehow stuffed under the hood of this thing. It enables a 0-60 mph time of just 4.1 seconds and a top speed of over 170 mph, making it one of the fastest SUVs under $100,000. Lesser F-Paces continue to be offered with turbocharged four-cylinder gas and diesel engines with outputs varying between 180 and 295 horsepower and a supercharged V6 with 380 horsepower.

Because you can’t have a new F-Pace SVR without new tech, there’s a host of driver assistance tech ranging from Adaptive Cruise Control with Steer Assist and Stop & Go (basically helps you keep a lane and can keep proper speed in traffic), High-Speed Emergency Braking, every parking assist under the sun, and All Surface Progress Control which is like super traction control.
It also has something called Driver Condition Monitor which uses various in-car sensors to collect data on you before feeding it to the hive which Mark Zuckerberg then compiles into terabyte-sized modules for analysis, enabling him to learn how to act like a human. The benefit is that there’s a little popup on the dash that tells you when to drink coffee.\
All that tech plus the double-wishbone and integral link rear suspension, torque vectoring, and dynamic AWD – which aren’t necessarily new – will help drivers get the most out of their F-Type SVR.

Interior upgrades include optional new slimline sports seats, suede headlining, frameless rear view mirror, illuminated door sills, chrome seat switches on the 10-way adjustable seats, and optional carbon fiber trim finishers. The most noticeable upgrade is the new 10-inch touchscreen which hosts the latest Jaguar Touch Pro system. The wider screen enables multi-tasking so you can control media on one side and view weather reports on the other instead of paying attention to the road.
So there you have it – the new for 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a high performance SUV for the people who want performance, practicality, and good looks out of an SUV. So many of its competitors get the first two things right, but not the latter.
The 2019 F-Pace SVR starts at $79,990. If you give them as little as $44,600 instead, they’ll give you an F-Pace that isn’t the SVR.
[Source: Jaguar]

Audi PB 18 e-tron


“Audi will reveal a world first during the 2018 Pebble Beach Car Week in California – a supercar concept car with electric drive”, reads the opening line of the press release. Nope, nobody has ever done an electric supercar concept before. Not ever.
Audi will join the ranks of Rimac, Nio, Tesla, Lamborghini, Renault, and others during the awesome Monterey Car Week event this month with a design study for a future electric super car. There aren’t any details yet, but they do cite the Le Mans-winning R18 e-tron whose technology inspired the solutions for various details.
In a nod to its performance focus, the unveiling will take place at Mazda WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on August 23rd. The following day it’ll join other pretty cars on display at The Quail and wrap things up at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. So uh, look forward to that.
[Source: Audi]

Early Porsche TAYCAN numbers revealed


Porsche is expected to deliver their first all-electric production car next year and some of the details are starting to be revealed. This week they gave us some pretty important numbers and figures as it pertains to its electric powertrain and reiterated its purpose.
The Porsche TAYCAN – the same car that used to be referred to as the Mission E – will be a full fledged Porsche through and through, just with different propulsion. With an expected system power of 600 hp out of an 800 V drive system (downwards compatible to 400 V) comprising of two motors derived from 919 Hybrid tech, it’s going to be properly quick. 0-60 mph should happen well below 3.5 seconds and 124 mph is reached from a standstill in 12 seconds.
Since electric cars are supposed to do more than just impress friends with quick acceleration, the Porsche TACAN is also expected to deliver a range of at least 310 miles on a full charge. When plugged into an 800 V charging system, around 250 miles of range can be replenished in just 15 minutes. Fast recharging times was part of the reason Porsche went with a less common 800 V system, but weight savings were another. They basically opted for fast charging over bigger, heavier batteries. And there’s supposedly less wiring involved which also saves some weight. Yep, it’s a Porsche.

It being an electric car “done the Porsche way”, they still have to make it engaging to drive in conditions where other EVs may falter, and for that they’ve turned to the 919 LMP1 champion. The Porsche Toucan will use two “permanently excited synchronous motors” which generate a permanent rotary motion that can be applied at any time without needing to be started. They boast “both extremely high sustained performance and maximum efficiency”, which translates to a smooth, consistent, and compelling amount of performance.

The design is convenient for Porsche because it also generates less heat, meaning it can actually make a lap around the Nürburgring – or even Catalunya – at max output without needing a breather. But Porsche knows that the Taken, starring Liam Neeson is going to be pushed like any other Porsche by a few people, so they’ve given it an intelligent water cooling system that responds in real-time to driver actions and can target specific areas of the battery pack.
In short, when the Porsche Tarzan is full shown to the world next year, it’s going to be the culmination of years of work and serious devotion from the guys who won Le Mans twice with electric assistance. It’s going to be good.
[Source: Porsche]

Minnesota dealer offering throwback Silverados


Dealer specials are making a huge comeback. The Yenko name is back (just not the dealer) with a whole line of super fast Chevys, a lone Ford dealer in the deep south is selling supercharged F-150 Lightning Tributes, and now a Chevrolet dealer in Minnesota is kicking it old school with a 70’s-inspired appearance package for newer Silverados.
The story, as reported by Autoweek, starts with a green Silverado that was taken in as a trade by Blake Greenfield Chevrolet. Apparently some staffers thought its uncommon color would make it a hard sell, but Blake Greenfield took the opportunity to do something crazy with it.
He ended up creating a retro appearance package that was inspired by his father’s ’73 Chevy. They took it to a vinyl shop to get a new two-tone color scheme to mimic the look of the Big 10 special-edition pickups of the late 70s. It also gained a lift kit, old school white wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires with white lettering, and the appropriate badges and chrome trim.
It’s simple, but it took off in popularity after they started using it for promotions. The dealer is now offering this package on all 2014 and newer Silverados for $5,995 with everything included. Those interested can contact the dealer or just buy the original truck is listed here.
[Source: Autoweek | Photo Source: Blake Greenfield Chevrolet]

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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32 responses to “The News for August 3rd, 2018”

  1. Greg Kachadurian Avatar
    Greg Kachadurian

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/22a706b0ccd3101d6dd63ffa8c6b6abb462d0dd1f734116174f8f35077117c93.jpg
    I found a Ford order tracking site that works a few days ago. Estimated delivery is the 11th now.
    Me_IRL https://media.giphy.com/media/DpB9NBjny7jF1pd0yt2/giphy.gif

    1. Kamil K Avatar

      I’m so happy for you!

    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      I’d be itching at this point. Sleeping much?

      1. Greg Kachadurian Avatar
        Greg Kachadurian

        I’ve been itching for months! Sleep isn’t much of an issue as long as I can keep my mind off it for more than a few minutes.

    3. kogashiwa Avatar
      kogashiwa

      That’s even cooler than the Domino’s pizza tracker!

  2. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    A good week for news Greg, thanks!
    I wonder has anyone called Audi out on their BS and if they have responded?
    The Chevy pickup is a good idea and I’m sure not much more than double what it should cost.

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      I forgot to add, looking at info on the Jag Face (it’s all about the face right?), I came across one of the more bizarre promo photos I’ve seen for a while. Perhaps even caption competition worthy?
      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bdd0869925c6733e2d6355f474d1a7c71d983cf986ef1c4bab255dc809ad0ec6.jpg

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Wow, that must be some sort of homage to car photography of the ’80s?

  3. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    That Chevy truck is AWESOME! I want it. I wonder if Katzkin makes plaid seat covers?
    https://barnfinds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1976-C-10-Interior.jpg

    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      Both of our old C10s usually wore a seat cover similar to this back in the day.
      https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ossAAOSwceZakC7j/s-l500.png
      Needs to have the front pouch to slide a long gun in too.

    1. salguod Avatar

      Why is it that none of them can seem to figure out the natural lines of the front fender of the truck? The one in the story needs to loose the “hook” in the graphics above the bumper while the two you linked to don’t line up with the lines of the fender at all.
      Cool idea, just the missed details would drive me nuts.

      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Agreed. That’s exactly where my eyes go, too.

    2. Tank Avatar
      Tank

      The wheels on the 2nd one (turner) Definitely do not go with that design scheme

  4. Joe Dunlap Avatar
    Joe Dunlap

    6 g’s to make my truck look like a 45 year old, malaise era crapcan? Heeeelllll yaaaa!!!

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      $6k is too high, and besides, I recall the Big 10 trucks more often sporting Chevy Rally rims rather than white wagon wheels. Seems you could spend far less money on a DIY job with custom vinyl, eBay badges, and 18″ rally wheels. You could probably even custom-out the interior too and still have money left over.

  5. Vairship Avatar
    Vairship

    The new Porsche Paykan. See it now at your local Iran Khodro dealer!

  6. Smaglik Avatar
    Smaglik

    Last weekend I finished the power steering hoses and short shifter on the m5… Quite a difference the shifter makes… So it’s in to the m3. Power steering flush, brake fluid flush, and valve adjustment. All the tools for the valve adjustment showed up today, so I’m hoping to bang it out this weekend.
    In other news, my woodshed is finished, and damn near full of wood! Photo is before I drive stuffed it with another cord of Aspen from the forest this past week. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f3ca61be409f310d3988db91b06f1b9b3359b88cce3dc5b2c5e7a4e9c8b18912.jpg

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      This is the best kind of work. We have had a crazy, record breaking summer. Our firewood is already dry and very light – never had this quality before.

      View post on imgur.com

      1. Smaglik Avatar
        Smaglik

        It is, but man, it really beats me up. I’m not in bad shape. I run, cycle, etc. But 4 hours in the forest with a chainsaw followed by tossing rounds into the trailer really kicks my butt. Not to mention the splitting, which is now done exclusively with a hydraulic splitter, because of a tennis elbow issue.
        Speaking of, when do you split that? Wood here would never dry stored in rounds. We split immediately if we want to it season in the foreseeable future.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          I hear you, I always take breaks between refuelling. And I can tell when my chain is too sharp of all things, because I get unconcentrated and make mistakes when the fuel tank lasts longer than usual.
          The wood in the picture will not be split. We live right at a fjord, and the firewood is stored at a height of ca 25m over the fjord, with several kilometres of free wind play towards it. It’s essentially treated with nature’s own hairdryer.

    2. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      Another cord of Aspen? Unbelievable.

      1. Smaglik Avatar
        Smaglik

        Great commercial. I feel like firing up Mary Poppins.

        1. 0A5599 Avatar
          0A5599

          You’re probably thinking of My Fair Lady, which starred Harrison and had a similar-looking set in the Ascot (kinda sounds like Aspen) scene. Dick Van Dyke was the male lead in Mary Poppins.

      2. Maymar Avatar
        Maymar

        Funny they talk about the shocking prestige of a “small car” that’s the same size as a contemporary SWB S-Class.

  7. 1slowvw Avatar
    1slowvw

    5 weeks ago I finished putting a fresh 2.0 aba in my mk2 Jetta. I drove it for 3 weeks before taking it out one evening when it started knocking real bad…I was ready to put the car back in mothballs. But as my wife was going away this weekend I decided to tear down my spare block, my idea was to save the pistons from the newer motor, give it rings and bearings, put my fresh head on and boost it until the cows come home.
    Thursday night I decided I should pull the motor and trans out of the car to get a head start. When I removed the transmission I found I could move the clutch set up back and forth about an 1/8”….I haven’t felt so stupid and greatful at the same time in quite some time.
    I plan on having the car running again tomorrow afternoon…and be hunting v8s by tomorrow night.

    1. wunno sev Avatar
      wunno sev

      wow, what the heck. I’ve spent five years procrastinating on tracking down a rattle in my clutch and you’re pulling and reinstalling engines and gearboxes on a day’s notice. that’s some #inspo right there.

      1. 1slowvw Avatar
        1slowvw

        I’ve had the motor out so many times I can do it solo from running car to motor and trans on floor in about 2 hours….obviously assembly takes a little longer. Probably longer still if I take time to tighten all the bolts properly.

  8. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Has anyone here ever driven a Proton? I remember them as a ridiculed brand from the 90s, but just now I learned they had great success in the UK…at least for a while.

    1. Tank Avatar
      Tank

      I’ve never even heard of them until now. I’m pretty sure we didn’t get them in the US

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Europe got the Wira, also Lancer based as the above car. Very simple, very cheap, horrible reputation for reliability. I can’t remember whose dealerships they were sold on though; I doubt continental Europe had a Lada network as solid as the UK.
        https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Proton_car_models#/media/File%3A1995-2003_Proton_416_(400_Series)_in_Cluj-Napoca%2C_Romania.jpg
        Mobile.de – usually covering Germany and the neighbouring countries – has only 6 on offer:
        https://m.mobile.de/auto/search.html?s=Car&vc=Car&dam=0&fe!=EXPORT&ms=20200%3B%3B%3B&mk=20200&cn=DE

  9. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    This week’s wrenching…new exhaust manifold and egr tube in F150, LCAs, brakes and battery in Stratus. Hoping for a quieter week to come.