Tires and Technology, Your Car’s Connection to the Road.

How much tire keeps your Car or Truck on the Road!  Think about it, in reality it is not that much between your car and the road, about the size of four palm prints, one for each tire.  Look at the palm of your hand, and that is your cars footprint in four places. In essence those four patches of rubber is all that keeps your car on the road. That small amount of space is what keeps a couple of tons of moving machine with you and your family inside, safe and on the road.

How those tires are engineered and made is the difference of how those four patches of rubber keep you on the road. What is the first thing you think of when you drive over that pothole on the highway? “Ouch!” Is my first response, as the car jumps and bounds out of the pothole and on its way, then again as the back tire hits the same spot, yep I am sure that I will have two flats within a few miles. How does that black doughnut withstand that and still come out round and full of air?

We found out that there is more to tires than just looking good on your car when – BFGoodrich® Tires, invited us to one of their dealer training events designed to educate tire dealers on their main products. BFG has been making tires since the end of the 19^th Century, while its hardworking history may not be as fancy as some of the designer brands of tires, the BFG brand is a part of the Michelin family, keeping its American tough guy heritage.

Aggressive traction be it in snow, mud, on road or off road, is key to moving as well as stopping, better grip in mud and snow, Side-Biter lugs in the sidewall improve traction in mud, snow and rocks. Raised bars in the shoulder help release compacted mud for better traction in soft soil. 3-D sipes create biting edges for better snow traction. With 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, indicating the Rubber Manufacturer Association’s severe snow traction requirements. The BFG KO2 tire has 10 percent greater traction in the mud and 19 percent greater traction in the snow4 compared to the previous-generation tire.

Durability is equally important with the KO2 lasting twice as long on gravel roads and 15 percent longer on asphalt, (think of a gravel road is very rough sandpaper, and asphalt is finishing sandpaper, both scrub off the tread.) The KO2 has a new tread design and rubber formulation that gives it better tread life, helping it to last twice as long on gravel and 15 percent longer on asphalt than the previous tire. The tread rubber has been optimally blended to reduce chips and tears on gravel. The footprint shape and interlocking tread design provide more uniform wear over the long haul. Special stone ejectors push objects out of the tread to reduce drilling into the tire.

The BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KO2 tire incorporates race-proven and race-winning CoreGard™ technology for split and bruise-resistant sidewall rubber, and a thicker, extended shoulder to prevent sidewall failures, giving it unmatched toughness. Twenty percent stronger sidewalls are critical in off-road performance. The BFG KO2 sidewalls are designed to deflect protruding objects, reducing the chances of splits and snags.

Off Road Tires are not the only products BFGoodrich has to offer. The same is engineered into their high performance tire, the gForce™ COMP-2™ A/S. Incorporating a Performance Racing Core (PRC) that delivers crisp responsive control while cornering hard, on wet, dry or light snow covered roads. Delivering wet and dry traction, stopping up to 15 feet shorter on wet roads and up to 5 feet shorter on dry roads, with better snow traction. Technology directly derived from track tires and optimizes the contact patch (that spot the size of your palm,) for enhanced traction at speed for increased acceleration, while adding sidewall stiffness to resist deflection for immediate turning response, while still maintaining ride comfort.

UltiGrip™ Technology: The g-Force™ COMP- 2™ A/S is made with a high-silica, cold-weather flexing compound designed for the best wet and dry grip, with all-season traction. This combined with Directional Tread Design and V-shaped angled lateral and longitudinal grooves optimize rubber-to-road contact for ultimate dry grip while efficiently evacuating water for better wet traction.

G-Force™ Tread: With advanced mold design and a performance tread profile evenly distributes stresses across the tire footprint improving long-term wear, as well as resisting irregular wear typically associated with directional tread designs.

Performance Racing Core (PRC): ETEC System™ (Equal Tension Containment System), Dynamic Suspension System (DSS), and g-Control™ Sidewall Inserts provide a reinforced internal structure that increases control while maintaining ride comfort and added sidewall stiffness to resist deflection for immediate turning response.

BFGoodrich® Tires now boasts two of the highest performing all-seasons tires in their respective tire categories. Engineered from BFGoodrich’s rich heritage of pavement racing and motorsports technology, BFG knows that performance seeking drivers demand the same attributes in a tire on the street in all seasons. BFGoodrich Tires’ UltiGrip™ Technology and g-Force™ Tread provide enhanced wet and dry traction, optimized rubber-to-road contact and the ultimate grip in hard cornering for control all year long.

For more information about the BFGoodrich® Tires g-Force™ COMP-2™ A/S tire, please visit http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

The Greatest Race, A Great Book To Read To Kids of Any Age!

The Greatest Race, The Record-Breaking Win of the 1955 Mile Miglia by Dwight T Knowlton in collaboration with Sir Stirling Moss.

The Greatest Race is Knowlton’s second in an ongoing series of children’s books. Chock full of automotive visuals, this book will involve kids of any age, especially if they love cars. The Greatest Race tells the story of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 722 race car that ran the 1955 Mille Migla race. The author uses pictures and brief text to tell the exciting, and sometimes intense story. Driver Sir Stirling Moss and Navigator Denis “Jenks” Jenkinson won the race setting records, both the 722 car and the stories of the race have become legend.

Knowlton’s books are designed to be shared. When an adult reads to a child perched in their lap, they bond as they discover a passion for automobiles together. Young children love the touch and feel of books and the process of turning the pages is part of their being involved. What will grab them are the Knowlton’s vivid drawings that tell the story, making each pages come alive. Everyone will feel the roar of the race cars, smell the hot brakes, and feel the G forces as the cars round the turns, as you read the engine sounds aloud. “Err-Rrrr-Rrrt. BrrrrmmMMM, BrrrrmmMMM!!!” and “Vrrmmm. Vrrrrmm. VRRRRMMMMM!” will engage listeners and readers alike.

Don’t expect a happy-go-lucky story, the written word, just a sentence or two per page tells a factual story of running the Mille Miglia. Knowlton has recreated drawings from original documents giving the reader the feel of actually being at the race, showing the race cars and racers as they appeared in 1955.

The Greatest Race comes after The Little Red Racing Car, a story about a Red Maserati also driven by Sir Stirling. These two books begin a series of children’s books, each about a car from a different country. Future stories are planned about a Porsche and a Jaguar. Word is we will start to see stories about girls and their love for cars, as Knowlton now has a daughter to share his automotive passion with.

Dwight T. Knowlton is the creator of the Carpe Viam brand. Embrace his “Seize the Road” philosophy by signing up for updates at carpenew.com. In addition to books he has a signature line of tee-shirts and accessories that you, and any little racer, will want to wear when reading these stories. Knowlton’s books are produced and printed right here in the USA.  You may purchase his books, as well as his signature line of tee-shirts and other accessories that make story time one in the driver’s seat. CarpeGear.com

McLaren Brings the 570S, an affordable Supercar to Washington DC

McLaren Brings an affordable Supercar to the marketplace, the 570S Coupe.

 

We were given the opportunity to explore the newest model to the McLaren brand this week when an early production model was presented to the public in Washington DC. “Born to Challenge” is how McLaren opens their brochure on the 570S, a mid-engine rear wheel drive sports car.  This brings the brand a model within reach for those who have less than a quarter of a million dollars to spend.

Built on a Formula 1 inspired carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis, this model follow much of the design language you will find in the other models in McLaren’s line up with a low stance and very flowing liquid lines. The front and the back have a similar design vibe, with large cats-eye red tail lights define the rear, while a beak nose with ground effects and teardrop headlights in front.

The 570S is a member of the brand’s Sports Series designed with a strong, stiff but lightweight

carbon fiber structure that delivers exceptional handling precision to the driver.  Standard Active Dynamic system provides technology to the driver to choose between normal, sport and track settings for the drive train as well as the suspension.  Powered by a 32-vlave DOHC VVT twin-turbo V-8 engine provides 562 horsepower with 443 lbs. of torque to the seven-speed McLaren dual clutch seamless-shift gearbox to move the 3186 pounds of automobile.

Braking is done by carbon ceramic discs with 6-piston calipers in the front and 4-piston in the rear, stopping the vehicle in 108 ft. from 60 mph. 19” x 8” wheels on the front with 20” x 10” in the rear, shod with 225/35 R19 and 285/35 R20 track-biased Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires. The double-wishbone independent suspension has damping and roll modes that include normal, sport and track settings.  And open differential with brake steer and stability control for winter, normal, sport and track settings.  ABS traction control and ESC provide additional driver aids, no matter what road you are driving on, or what conditions you are driving in.

Though this car is designed for the racetrack, most owners will be putting this supercar through its paces on the street.  And doing so in a comfortable 2 seat cockpit tailored by McLaren with dynamic materials like Alcantara, with five sport-inspired luxurious interior designs that complement the 17 available exterior colors.  A simple and clean center stack features a screen where the driver can analyze on-track performance, even in every day driving, along with a few controls for the other features of the car.  If you are looking for a gear shift, well that is for lesser cars, technology works with you as you drive.

We look forward to testing this car when it comes to market towards the end of the year, and you will be the first to hear of our thoughts.

Story by William West Hopper
Images by McLaren media &
William West Hopper

All New 2016 Audi TT Comes in two body styles with Lots of Technology

2016 AUDI TT

2016 Audi TT Roadster

Audi has been the sleeping giant in the luxury automotive marketplace. Offering a lux line for the practical VW brand, long before other automakers saw the benefit of having a separate luxury line. 

VW Beatle Dash from the 1960's

 Audi while well known for having front-wheel drive they also brought forth Quattro® all-wheel drive, before most even offered it on their specialty cars.   Their sports line was often a hatchback coupe, until the mid-1990’s when they marketed a dedicated sports car the TT, named after Tourist Trophy motorcycle race on the Isle of Man in Great Brittan.

The TT was quickly tagged as a “chick car,” probably because it was seen as attractive, nimble and fun to drive.  Again nothing new to the folks at VW, as their New Beatle was also labeled a Chick Car. And women were buying both in record numbers. 

2016 Audi TT Coupe

Chick car or macho sports car, now the TT has come of age with a third generation model for 2016. Combined with lots of technology, performance options, and a refined body design, it will no doubt be fun-to-drive with its driver-focused performance.  Offered in a coupe (hardtop) and roadster (convertible), as well as an upscale S model, the TT will feature a 2.0 liter engine with Audi Drive Select and Quattro® permanent all-wheel drive. Mated to a six-speed dual clutch S tronic® transmission.  The base 2.0 engine will produce 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while a performance tuned version will up that to 280 hp, with 280 lb-ft of torque and a 4.6 0-60 time. Audi drive select will allow the driver to adjust the all-wheel drive, shift points and throttle response as well as the steering.

Interior of the Audi TT

The cockpit will revolutionize the way the driver interacts with the vehicle through an innovated virtual cockpit. Unveiled at the 2015 Consumer Electronic Show the Virtual cockpit is, an entirely digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics replacing traditional gauges and interfaces for a customizable driving experience.

Digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics replaces traditional
guages for a customizable driving experience.

Technology goes beyond the dashboard, with the intelligent drive train, with standard customizable magnetic ride suspension.  The all-new TT front end and floor assembly are made of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel components, while the superstructure comprises aluminum castings, extruded sections and panels.

2016 Audi TT Roadster

Design features short overhangs, broad wheel arches and a lean a muscular stance. Standard full LED headlamps exude modern sports car appeal, with a broader and flatter Singleframe® grille, sharp contours across the hood,  electric rear spoiler and new centrally mounted round exhaust tailpipes

A TTS model is available and will intensify the TT Experience and provide an even greater experience. The Audi TT is available in 10 different color options, including two specific TTS colors, Daytona Gray and Sepang Blue. Pricing for the TT Coupe will start at $42,900; TT Roadster at $46,400 and the TTS Coupe at $51,900, excluding destination and deliver charges of $925.

The New Audi TT will be in dealerships in July 2015. For more information on the 2016 Audi TT please visit www.audiusa.com.

Truck Shopping... OK Van Shopping

American Iron, all dolled up is a staple of the SEMA show

SEMA, The Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Show, one of the largest annual trade shows hosted in Las Vegas each fall, features every aspect of the automotive industry, be it shop equipment, tires, aftermarket accessories, lubricants and of course plenty of automobile manufactures with customized vehicles on display. 

Though Mercedes-Benz is hardly an outcast in this bastion of American automotive hot-rod heaven, with plenty of hot-rodded passenger cars on display throughout the show. They choose SEMA to showcase the Metris Van, known as the Vito or V-Class elsewhere in the world. Four custom conversions, each displaying a very high degree of fit and finish from different outfitters, presented a very different vision to the hard working concept one thinks for a van.

Hartmut Feyhl with his #DJVan

at the '14 SEMA Show in Vegas.

These were customized specifically for display at SEMA. Mercedes-Benz provided each outfitter with a van and fifty thousand dollars, giving each two months to produce a product for display at SEMA. While this was the first public showing of the mid-size van for the American market of this van segment for Mercedes-Benz, the customization interpretation was of more interest than the vans themselves.

Different from each other as the audience they would attract, they got attention as to the service they would perform in the real world.  RENNtech produced a Party/DJ Van that took the club scene anywhere. Pumping out music and emitting a cloud of fog, this rendition featured a clam shell style roof that raised up and presented a DJ booth, complete with all the equipment need to put on a dance party at the push of a button.

Renown race-car driver

 Tommy Kendall talks

 with Hartmut Feyhl

 owner of RENNTech

HQ Custom Design presented a luxury van conversion, perfect for that group of friends heading to an event. A cross between an executive shuttle and a man cave with multiple big video screens. Luxurious reclining leather seats and every amenity desired by passengers while watching everything from movies to sports events, as they are being transported.

#FireChiefVan by RADO, perfect for the first responders.

A show stopper was the RADO Fire Chief Concept Truck, which blasted the hall with its emergency sirens and strobe lights. Designed to provide a mobile command unit for first responders, featuring a full complement of equipment for the fireman to arrive at the scene ready to enter a burning building at the release of a safety harness holding them into the seats that were more racing seats than what you might find in the backseat of a passenger van.

#FireVan has race seats

and special quick release

breathing tanks.

Garmins #GolfVan, a rolling pro shop for golfers.

Garmin golfing products as well as golf pro shop items on display.

For the Golfer, Garmin presented a rolling Mobile Golf Pro Shop. This golf shop on wheels had a high-tech golf simulator, a roll out green, and an infotainment system designed for merchandising golf products.  A Mobile performance center carried within, and easily set up outside the van to help golfers evaluate their game and simulate potential outcomes to their swings.


Though the Metris Van will become available for sale in the USA in late in 2015, there is no doubt that they will have a variety of outfitters to customize them to any number of uses, not unlike the current Sprinter product line.

Optima has the biggest display of customized vehicles at SEMA

Aftermarket suppliers like OPTIMA battery has a huge display of vehicles on display at SEMA.   This show has everything for every vehicle, be it street or off-road.  Work truck as well as high performance upgrade outfitters can find parts and supplies in the aisles of the show.

Booths set up inside to take orders and sell products, displays set up outside, including race tracks and any number of automotive activities.

Customized SMART Four Two on display at SEMA.

SEMA is the show to see all kinds of customized vehicles, large, small, and connect with industry experts.  More importantly it is where a lot of the business of the aftermarket automotive world is conducted.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan - S550

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 550

Many think of a vehicle as simply a machine designed to move people or objects from one place to another. Well, the Mercedes-Benz S550 is hardly a simple machine. More like an intelligent, safe, and extremely good looking people mover, though at first, it may not appear to be a cheap one! After, driving the W222 (Mercedes-Benz's chassis designation for the S-Class,) for a weekend, there is no question that this is a vehicle of very high value, and one that proves that the saying; “You get what you pay for,” applies in more ways than just cost.

The largest in Mercedes-Benz’s line, S-Class models have been known as the flagship sedans for the marque. Elegant in design this S-Class has many features that make driving safer and more enjoyable.
This one came equipped with a sun roof to provide a view to the heavens; ambient lighting to sooth you during a late night drive; leather upholstery and a wood and leather steering wheel to comfort your hands. Magic Vision Control, to see what you cannot see; illuminated door sills, so you know you are

The S-Class dash is an information central control.

entering a Mercedes-Benz, Command ® with navigation, CD/DVD audio video player, so you know where you are going, Burmester® surround sound system, for your listening pleasure, including Sirus XM ® radio traffic weather, so you know what you will face on the roads, Attention Assist - PRE-SAFE® to protect you in case of accident, full LED headlights with active cure illumination, to see what’s ahead of you, and a rear view camera to see what’s behind you.

The grill mounted camera and adaptive cruise control sensor. 

The advanced safety on the vehicle is amazing, with the cameras knowing where the car was all the time, letting the driver know if something needed to be attend to. The Eco-Start/Stop feature that turned off the engine at full stop, which has been very noticeable on other models, not so on this vehicle. The starting and stopping of the engine was less intrusive. Extras like the Air Balance Package and the ambient lighting became downright necessary luxuries. It felt natural to have the ventilated seats upgraded in Napa Leather. The
option we found most useful was the Night View Assist PLUS. Usable during the day or night, the center of the dashboard displayed a black and white image, reminiscent of a 1950’s television display, of what was in front of the car. When it perceived a human figure it would show that in red.

This vehicle came with no-cost metallic paint in Ruby Black, which garnered a lot of attention as folks debated the actual color the car was depending on the light or what direction they were looking at it from. The W222 S-Class appears smaller than previous generations due to its flowing lines, but in reality the size is not much different than the models that have preceded it. The design allows for excellent visibility of the outside world due to the large window glass, even with the integrated camera boxes at the top center of the windshield.

Doors provide plenty of access for passengers in this sedan.

Indeed, this car is a people mover, designed to move four people in an enormous amount of comfort, and those people can be substantial in size. Moving objects or items is not its strong suit. With an ample-size trunk, not cavernous, and the back seats do not fold down if you want to load beyond a few bags. If you need space to haul stuff, think along the lines of a GL-Class or Sprinter van, but for moving people in comfort, this is the beast of burden to choose.

The trunk close feature is easy as

pushing a button to close and lock.

The doors are large, when you open them you feel their weight. When you close them, they pull themselves in with the Soft-Close feature, latching and locking with precision. No longer do you feel awkward, as if you might break the mechanism, as you go to close the door. The car gives a little resistance, and then performs the task correctly.

The 550 Engine

This was a pleasure to drive with plenty of power from the 4.6 liter V8 biturbo direct injection engine with 449 hp 5166 lb-ft torque, with a 7-Speed Auto transmission with shift paddles, and 4MATIC ® permanent all-wheel drive. Even fuel economy was not painful when it came to time to refuel, getting just under 20 mpg during our weekend of mixed driving.

The price of this vehicle would seem like that of a modest apartment, this S550 4MATIC, totaled out at $122,895, with all the options. But it would be hard to find an apartment that is as well designed or provide as much technology and comfort as this vehicle does.

The C-Class takes styling cues from

the S-Class, especially in the rear.

It is interesting to note that the C-Class we reviewed this summer follows very closely with all the sophistication and technology as the S-Class, just without the size and at half the price.

S-Class Coupe in AMG trim.

The W222 S-Class Sedan has recently been joined by a coupe version, with all the same features, just with a more sporty two-door design.  Both vehicles are available in AMG trim as well as multiple engine options, S550, S600 (sedan only), S63 and S65.  Go to the MBUSA webpage to configure your choice of sedan or coupe models. http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/build

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van

Sprinters wear both the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Logo

here in the USA to appeal to different buyers.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van

It is no surprise we are seeing so many Sprinter vans on US roads lately. Mercedes-Benz is not only a producer of luxury and performance vehicles, it is the world’s oldest truck producer, with the first 5 ton van in 1898. It seems natural for Mercedes-Benz to produce a van that is as well-designed and functional that can handle everything from flowers to heavy off-road work duty.

Mercedes-Benz Grill on a Sprinter

The Sprinters we see today wear a number of manufacturer badges, Mercedes-Benz, or Freightliner. Technically they are the same machine, just rebadged with different grills and logos. The reasoning for multiple brands, is that some companies feel using an American branded truck better befits their image, while others, like FedEx, feel their brand is aligned with Mercedes-Benz.

Freightliner Grill on a Sprinter

No matter the brand, the Sprinter box van and truck chassis that we see here in the USA are fully assembled in Germany, then disassembled in Dusseldorf for export to the USA. Once here they are reassembled outside of Charleston SC. You may ask, why? It is due to a 1963 trade dispute where USA put a 25% tax on agricultural products and light trucks imports in response to tariffs on the importation of US Chickens by France and Germany. While taxes were later dropped on potato starch, brandy and dextrin, they remain on light trucks today. Not just Sprinters, but any 2 seat truck body, van or pickup made overseas has to be reassembled in the USA to avoid the tax. Even with the extra step of reassembly on American shore, the vehicles are a profitable offering for the manufacturers. (This is not the same for Canadian bound Sprinters, as there is no tax on imports to Canada, as that is an US Tax.)

Crosswind Assist helps keep the Sprinter

On the road in adverse conditions.

Sprinters, like Daimler trucks are some of the most technology advanced and fuel efficient on the road, employing a lot of the technology found in Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles. Technology such as Load-Aadaptive ESP, Crosswind Assist based on the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) (standard on the 2500 models,) keep the van stable at driving speeds above 50 mph during in high wind conditions. Other technology like camera based Lane Keep Assist, Highbeam Assist, radar based Collission Assist, Brake Assist and Blind Spot Assist, will be familiar to drivers of newer Mercedes-Benzs.

The 250 diesel engine is being adapted for use in a number

of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, like this GLK 250 SUV.

Sprinters come to the US with two BlueTEC diesel engine options; an optional V-6 3.0 liter six-cylinder (188hp, 325 lb-ft) or a standard 2.1 four cylinder turbo, (161 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque at 1,400-2,400 rpm.) just like the 250 you would find on an E-Class, GLK or ML-Class vehicle. The six is mounted to the 5-speed, while the 4 is mated to a 7-speed transmission. Both provide class leading fuel efficiency with plentiful power bands, even under heavy hauling conditions. One wonders if an AMG version will be developed, something that was not totally dismissed by MBUSA’s product management.

Sprinter has added a 4-wheel drive option for 2015.

A Four Wheel Drive option is new for 2015, making it a capable service vehicle in both off road operation or when road conditions have deteriorated and traction is necessary to get the work done. Full-fledged four wheel drive, which can be used in two or four wheel drive, with optional high range or low and high range transfer cases are available. Designed more for the heavy truck application than the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system found in the passenger vehicles. Four wheel drive Sprinter are as capable as any ML, and as easy to drive on or off road.

The dash of a Sprinter van is much like other Mercedes-Benz

vehicles.

Driving the Sprinter is more passenger vehicle like than one might expect, considering its truck hearitage. Turning radius is pure Mercedes-Benz, tight and secure, making a U-Turn, even with an extended wheelbase is easily accomplished in one smooth turn. A well-appointed passenger compartment with quality materials, as one would expect from the brand. Excellent visibility, even beyond sitting up in the van’s cab. The outboard mounted exterior mirrors provide good rear sight lines. In the case of the closed back Airstream, a small TV monitor using a rear mounted camera becomes the inside rear view mirror.

Airstream upfits M-B Sprinters.

Mercedes-Benz drivers will feel at home in the Sprinter, as it provides a well-engineered and versatile work truck that can be outfitted in any number of ways. Not just a van, outfitted it can become an ultra-luxury personal cruiser like the Airstream Autobahn or Interstate, a workhorse with tool boxes or with satellite uplink dish on the top as it is used by many TV stations, or as a multiple person transport bus.

The Metris Van, V-Class in Europe will be coming the US

in late 2015.  It too will be customizable depending on needs.

Sprinter vehicles, be they work or pleasure vans are available from selected Mercedes-Benz dealers around the country.  Airstream upfitted vans, like the Interstate are available from RV dealers, while the Autobahn, a luxury travel van with an interior like a private jet are available from selected Merecedes-Benz dealers.

Mercedes-Benz is bringing a smaller van to the US in late 2015, the Metris, about the size of a mini-van. Already on sale in Europe as a V-Class. It too will be customizable in a variety of formats for customers. Keep an eye out for it later in 2015.