Report: Ford Will Make a “Splash”

Ford

Our corporate siblings have stumbled across a patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that seems to suggest Ford will be bringing back the “Splash” name.

It could be set for use with either the Ranger and/or the all-new Maverick.

The application says it’s for: “Motor vehicles, namely, automobiles, pick-up trucks, electric vehicles, sport utility vehicles, off-road vehicles, and their structural parts; vehicle equipment package consisting of wheels, exterior body parts and seats”.

That latter part suggests to us that the Splash will be a street-performance truck like it was as part of the Ranger line back in the ’90s. It could also be electrified in some way. Then again, the application also lists off-road and SUV use.

Maybe Splash will become a package or trim offered across the Ford lineup, perhaps as a street-performer (maybe hybrid or EV) in some cases and more off-road oriented in others?

We shall see. But with the return of Maverick and now the report of the use of the name Splash, everything old is really starting to feel new. Trends really are cyclical, eh?

[Image: Ford]

2021 Acura TLX Type S Pricing Revealed

2021 Acura TLX Type S

Ford’s Lightning has stolen the spotlight this week, but another hotly anticipated vehicle is jumping around and waving its arms (metaphorically speaking, as cars don’t have arms) to remind buyers it exists and goes on sale soon. That vehicle is the 2021 Acura TLX Type S.

Pricing will start at $52,300, not including the $1,025 destination charge, when the sport sedan goes on sale on June 23. $800 more gets you a high-performance wheel and tire package.

2021 Acura TLX Type S

Only 2,000 of the cars, which have a 355-horsepower turbo V6, sport suspension with a double-wishbone front setup, Brembo brakes, 20-inch wheels, 10-speed automatic transmission, and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, will be sold.

2021 Acura TLX Type S

A build-and-price site is up for consumers, and interested buyers can plunk down a reservation.

It’s no electric truck, but it’s exciting in its own way, especially for those of us who still hold a flame for luxury sport-sedans in what’s become a crossover world.

2021 Acura TLX Type S

It’s also about the same base price as a Lightning XLT. And on sale a year sooner. What’s the better deal, huh?

[Images: Acura]

For GREAT deals on a new or used Ford check out Santa Maria Ford TODAY!

Buy/Drive/Burn: The Cheapest Full-size, Truck-based SUVs in America for 2021

We continue the Cheapest Of series today on Buy/Drive/Burn, and check out the least expensive full-size truck-based SUVs on sale in America in 2021. And we’ve been generous today and equipped each of them with four-wheel drive to avoid any usability concerns. Today’s trio is very close in price but diverges elsewhere. Let’s go.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The Tahoe is new for 2021, is the cheapest vehicle here. This year it gains a host of updates including an independent rear suspension and some very in-your-face-styling. General Motors believes more trims are better, and offers Tahoe in LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country variations. At the lower end, an LS starts at $49,600, and a High Country is $68,200 before options. Unlike the others here, the power plant depends on trim and is provided via the stalwart 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8 (High Country only), or a 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel. The 5.3 and diesel are both available at the LS level, and the V8 is slightly cheaper. A 4×4 LS is available in eight different free colors, most of which are grey-ish. Seats are covered in cloth here, but buyers can choose between Jet Black and “Very Dark Atmosphere,” or as you’d call it light gray. A bench seat can replace the front console, but that’ll cost you $250. With no options selected and after the freight charge of $1,695, the Tahoe asks $54,295.

Ford Expedition

Ford’s Expedition is F-150 based as you’d expect and has been on sale in its current guise since the 2018 model year. It’s available in five different trims presently: XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum. Prices range from a base of $49,025 to nearly $74,000 for the Platinum. All trims feature the same 3.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6, which produces 375 horsepower. In XL STX trim, all six available paint colors are free of charge, and one of them is brown. All seats are covered in cloth at this level, and the only color on offer is Ebony. The 4×4 upcharge is added to the acquisition fee of $656 and the destination charge of $1,695 for a grand total of $55,385.

Nissan Armada

The most expensive entry of today’s trio is also the only one from Japan. The Nissan Armada in its current guise is sold as the Patrol elsewhere in the world and shares a body with the more expensive QX80 and a platform with the Nissan Titan. Available in four trims, S, SV, SL, and Platinum, the Armada ranges from $48,600 to over $65,000 before options. All trims share the same naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8 used across Nissan’s truck line that’s good for 400 horsepower. Colors available for free on the SV 4WD trim include black and silver. Interiors are dark gray or tan, and the leather has an -ette at the end of it. The four-wheel drive and shipping fee add up for a base price on the Armada of $57,095.

Three big SUVs, all of them ask for around $55,000 of your dollars. Which one goes home with you?

[Images: GM, Ford, Nissan]

For GREAT deals on a new or used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM check out Lodi CDJR TODAY!

Chevrolet Electric Silverado A ZERO Production

Silverado

Chevrolet’s Silverado electric pickup will be built at the Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, along with GMC’s Hummer EV SUV which will also be produced there, General Motors president Mark Reuss said today.

Silverado

A new-from-the-ground-up EV pickup, and not adapted from the gas-powered Silverado, it will use the Ultium Platform. Ultium is General Motors’ virtual development tools and technology, said to have reduced development nearly 50 percent to 26 months.

Chevrolet estimates the new Silverado EV will have a 400-mile range on a full charge. Like its gas-powered sibling, there will be retail and fleet versions of the EV, both expected to be in demand. “Chevrolet will take everything Chevy’s loyal truck buyers love about Silverado — and more — and put it into an electric pickup that will delight retail and commercial customers alike,” said Reuss.

Factory ZERO, General Motors’ renamed Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, signifies the company’s zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion outlook for the future. ZERO is the largest renovation and retooling ever for a General Motors manufacturing plant. Its paint and body shop, along with the general assembly area, are getting upgrades including new machinery, conveyors, controls, and tooling. The plant’s footprint is now over 4.5 million square feet.

Silverado

General Motors previously hawked its modular propulsion system and Ultium battery-powered global EV platforms. The company is definitely looking to compete head-to-head for customers wherever they may exist. Ultium is a joint venture with LG in Lordstown, Ohio to produce battery cells for future battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Construction of that facility is underway.

General Motors world domination plan calls for a million EVs by 2025, and North American EV leadership. How will this work out with the power grid, President Biden’s future vision, and infrastructure improvements?

[Images: General Motors]

Rare Rides: The 1994 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, Fast Personal Luxury

We’ve been talking about Thunderbird often lately, whether it’s in a Buy/Drive/Burn, or a recent Rare Rides on the 007 Edition Thunderbird of 2003.

And earlier today the Internets served up a random ad for a teal 10th-generation T-bird in fantastic condition. Seems like a perfect opportunity to add it to our coverage of the long-lived personal luxury nameplate.

The ninth-generation Thunderbird, or “Aero Bird” as it was commonly called, was a relative revelation in the T-bird timeline. Coming from the downsized Fox-body version of 1980-1982, the new (still Fox-based) ’83 Thunderbird was larger, more modern, more powerful, and even spawned the exciting Turbo Coupe variant. Thunderbird was saved.

But by the late Eighties, the ninth-gen was looking a little aged, and Ford saw it was time to step away from the Fox platform with regards to personal luxury. An all-new 10th-generation debuted for the model year 1989, on the exciting new MN12 platform. Ford started development of the new platform in 1984, when it made an internal declaration that the next Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar be sophisticated enough to compete with European marques like BMW. To that end, the MN12 coupes (and later the FN Lincoln Mark VIII) were given an independent rear suspension amongst their other technical upgrades. They were the only domestic rear-drive cars with that feature outside the Corvette. Ford aimed high and wanted the edge in handling and performance over the front-drive offerings from GM.

For the new cars’ design, Ford relied once more on the VP of design at Ford from 1980 to 1997, Jack Telnack. He’d designed the ninth generation T-bird and Cougar as well. The new MN12 cars were sleeker and more rounded than the Aero Bird, and though they were shorter overall, had a nine-inch growth in wheelbase over the outgoing model. Less overhang, more performance.

Four different engines were on offer depending on the year, and at base was a 3.8-liter Essex V6 in naturally aspirated and supercharged variants (for the Super Coupe). Later, the 4.9-liter Windsor V8 was available (’91-’93), as well as the 4.6-liter Modular V8 (’94-’97). Transmissions were mostly automatic and included two versions of the four-speed AOD and a five-speed manual from Mazda. Shifting yourself was allowed only on the Super Coupe from 1989 to 1995.

[embedded content]

The Super Coupe was popular at its debut and garnered a Motor Trend COTY award in 1989. The supercharged Essex engine had 12psi of boost at 5,600 RPM, which meant 210 horses and 315 lb-ft of torque. Aside from the engine, the Thunderbird “SC” featured different exterior cladding, fog lamps, electrically adjustable shocks, larger wheels, a limited-slip differential, and ABS brakes as standard that were discs at all wheels. Inside, there was an SC airbag cover, and leather-cloth mix sport bucket seats with serious adjustable side bolsters.

The Thunderbird was updated in 1994 and got a little longer at 200.3 inches overall. It also grew in width to 73.2 inches and got a bit heavier. Along with the visual updates for ’94, the Super Coupe had a number of engine changes which improved horsepower to 230. Ford management had already criticized the MN12 team at ’89 introduction for missing both weight and cost targets on the project and caused the project head to take early retirement.

Super Coupe went away after 1995, as the Thunderbird (and personal luxury coupes in general) were not long for the world. By 1996 Thunderbird was offered only as an LX trim. The last one rolled off the assembly line in September 1997 at the plant in Lorain, Ohio.

Today’s Rare Ride is a suitably teal Super Coupe from 1994. With its excellent condition, the 147,000 mileage figure comes as a surprise. Yours in Indiana for $6,500.

[Images: Ford]

Teutonic Tesla: Volkswagen Now Building ‘Gigafactories’

<img data-attachment-id="1755530" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories/volkswagen-power-day-2021/" data-orig-file="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DB2021AL00276_medium.jpg" data-orig-size="1795,1010" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"Volkswagen AG","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Volkswagen Power Day 2021","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Volkswagen Power Day 2021" data-image-description="

VW Group

” data-medium-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories-2.jpg” data-large-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1755530″ src=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories.jpg 610w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories-1.jpg 75w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories-2.jpg 450w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories-3.jpg 768w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories-4.jpg 120w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/teutonic-tesla-volkswagen-now-building-gigafactories-5.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

As much as we’ve criticized American luxury brands for emulating the Germans, we’ve failed to do the same for Volkswagen Group’s pathetic attempts at copying Tesla. That changes with Monday’s announcement that VW will assemble six “gigafactories” in Europe by 2030. Shared on “Power Day” — the company’s bastardized version of Tesla’s Battery Day — the plan is supposed to result in a production capacity of 240 GWh annually when completed and help VW reduce battery costs while also securing access.

It’s not a half-bad plan for a company entirely devoted to electrification, which is probably why Tesla follows a similar model using nearly identical terminology. Though, considering the absolute mess Volkswagen seems to have made of its EV transmission thus far, some might find it difficult to blame the automaker for looking at the competition and breaking out the notepad.

Others will be less sympathetic while acknowledging this is probably VW’s best play if it’s serious about EVs. 

Volkswagen is only in this mess for getting caught circumventing emissions by illegal means, specifically software that flubbed the test results of diesel models. While we’re happy to suggest the brand was placed in a difficult situation by being the first automaker to get majorly busted for skirting the nearly impossible to adhere to rules regarding modern diesel emissions, it was still being exposed to the same scrutiny as other manufacturers. But it went the coverup route before confessing and has responded by transmogrifying itself into a beacon of greenness as penance for its eco-crimes. Volkswagen became a “mobility company” overnight in 2016 — born again, so to speak — despite its product lineup showing its status as a relatively traditional automaker, often forcing us to take it at its word.

VW has endeavored to keep up appearances while sprinting full tilt toward widespread electrification. But the fruit of its labor haven’t always panned out. The company has had a terrible time with battery suppliers and most of the EVs delivered thus far aren’t offering the kind of ranges that would make them compelling choices. Digitizing its products has also resulted in software issues that helped stymie the launches of numerous vehicles. In some cases, it even resulted in incomplete vehicles coming to market.

These are issues most automakers are confronting as they collectively attempt to redefine the purpose of the automotive industry, and we’re now way past the point where the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” would be useful. By now, most manufacturers are totally committed to a future where vehicles are electric, connected, and monetizing your data as often as possible. Volkswagen just seems to have dove in the quickest, suffered the worst for it, and is now in a situation where it absolutely has to make things work.

Hence the new “gigafactories” — which don’t seem a bad solution, if you can ignore the Tesla comparisons.

From Volkswagen:

The Group is pushing ahead at full speed with the development of production capacities in Europe in order to meet the increasing demand for battery cells. “Together with partners, we want to have a total of six cell factories up and running in Europe by 2030 thus guaranteeing security of supply”, explains [Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Technology] Thomas Schmall. The new factories are expected to produce cells with a total energy value of 240 GWh per year by the time they are finally completed. Volkswagen is therefore actively contributing to meet the targets of the European Union’s Green Deal. The first two factories will operate in the Swedish city of Skellefteå and in Salzgitter. In response to increased demand, Volkswagen has decided to refocus the previous plan in relation to cell production and concentrate production of its premium cells in the Swedish gigafactory “Northvolt Ett” in Skellefteå in collaboration with Northvolt. The production of these cells is set to commence in 2023 and will be expanded gradually to an annual capacity of up to 40 GWh.

Those capacities are annual and are supposed to cut battery costs by up to 50 percent once all synergies are accounted for. But we think the big get here is VW having a direct line on an essential component it’s had serious problems procuring in even modest quantities. These also help bring the automaker closer to its goal of making energy management a viable source of revenue. This again harkens back to Tesla. In 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that energy storage would gradually become a larger aspect of the business. The following year, he said that Tesla Energy would likely grow to be at least as big as its automotive aspirations.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has repeatedly announced its role in the planned expansion of the public fast-charging network. Its latest release also said cooperation has been agreed to in Europe with some of the regions the energy companies, including BP, Iberdrola, and Enel. VW is plotting a course of staggered investments. As we’re not fortune tellers, we cannot predict how successful this strategy will be. But it does show that the company isn’t interested in taking half measures. And emulating the parts of Tesla that appear to be working makes it derivate and cringe-inducing, not stupid.

[Image: Volkswagen Group]

Rare Rides: The 1959 Goggomobil Dart, Tiny Roadster Sans Doors

<img data-attachment-id="1755302" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors/goggomobil-dart-2/" data-orig-file="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Goggomobil-Dart-2.png" data-orig-size="1920,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Goggomobil Dart 2" data-image-description="

” data-medium-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-3.png” data-large-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors.png” class=”aligncenter wp-image-1755302 size-large” src=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors.png” alt width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors.png 610w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-2.png 75w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-3.png 450w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-4.png 768w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-5.png 120w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-6.png 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Today’s Rare Ride is an obscure variant of an already obscure microcar. The Dart you see here was an Australian-designed and built version of the Glas Goggomobil.

We’ve featured Glas cars in two installments of Rare Rides twice previously. The first example was a luxurious 2600 V8 coupe, followed up late last year by the much more mainstream 1304 shooting brake.

The car underneath this roadster body is perhaps the most well-known Glas, the Goggomobil. A very small city car, the Goggomobil was the first car produced by Glas and went on sale in 1955. Available in several body styles, the Goggomobil lacked an exciting roadster variant. The Glas is worth a Rare Ride of its own, so we won’t delve too far into it today.

The story of the Dart began at Buckle Motors, a large Australian car dealership chain. Bill Buckle the senior established his dealership selling Triumph and Talbot cars in 1927. The business grew steadily, and Buckle’s son, Bill Buckle Jr., convinced the management of Buckle Motors to build its own sports car. The idea was inspired by a visit to the London Motor Show in 1953, where many a fiberglass sports car was on display. Management agreed, and Buckle’s first car was the Buckle 2.5 Litre, manufactured in New South Wales and based on a Ford Zephyr. We’re racking up the Rare Rides entries today.

After the 2.5 Litre, Mr. Buckle realized that import taxation could be avoided if a chassis was imported to Australia instead of a complete vehicle. With this in mind, he knew the car he wanted to use and went off to Bavaria to strike a deal with Glas. Glas agreed to send Goggomobil chassis across the sea to Australia, and the Dart was on its way.

<img data-attachment-id="1755304" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors/goggomobil-dart/" data-orig-file="http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-11.png" data-orig-size="1249,658" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Goggomobil Dart" data-image-description="

” data-medium-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-8.png” data-large-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-1.png” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1755304″ src=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-1.png” alt width=”610″ height=”321″ srcset=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-1.png 610w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-7.png 75w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-8.png 450w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-9.png 768w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-10.png 120w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rare-rides-the-1959-goggomobil-dart-tiny-roadster-sans-doors-11.png 1249w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Buckle himself designed the fiberglass roadster body, which consisted almost entirely of smooth edges and lacked doors. Of note: At least one (above) had doors added after the fact to improve usability. It seated only two people and had a very small canvas roof to keep out the rain. There was no trunk as the engine was in the rear, but there was storage in the nose, accessed from inside the passenger compartment.  The design entered production in 1959 and was again built in New South Wales.

very lightweight vehicle, the Dart weighed just 761 pounds. It had an overall length of 120 inches, and a width of just 54 inches. Power was provided by one of three two-stroke two-cylinder engines, in 300-, 392-, or 400-cc displacements. Power ranged from 14 to 18 horses. All shifted their big power through a four-speed manual.

The Dart project was a mild success, and about 700 examples were made by the time the project completed. Though the Dart was the company’s most successful offering, Buckle would go on to build a Goggomobil-based van, and a take on the Mini called Mini Monaco. Today the business is called Bill Buckle Auto Group and sells Toyota, Subaru, and Volkswagen vehicles to the Australian populace.

Today’s Rare Ride is one of about 100 estimated to exist in present times. A lovely orange and grey example, it’s in excellent condition and located in Germany. Yours for $59,665.

[Images: Buckle Motors, YouTube]

2022 400Z HP Revealed?

400Z

According to Project Cars 3, a video game from Slightly Mad Studios distributed by Bandai Namco, the new Nissan 400Z is shown in their latest downloadable content (DLC) power pack to possess some very serious horsepower.

400Z

In its interpretation of the Power Pack, thenewnissanz.com flaunts the numbers shown in the video, such as 445 horsepower and a weight of 3,251 lbs. When it compared the 400Z to the powertrain in the last Z, the 2020 370Z, the numbers they found were 332 hp with a curb weight of 3,333 lbs. If that wasn’t impressive enough, they then pitted the new Z versus the 2021 Toyota Supra, whose inline-six produces 382 hp while weighing in at 3,400 lbs.

400Z

We’ve previously chronicled what we know so far about the 400Z’s powertrain and its design. With no official word from Nissan, there is more speculation than usual, and thus far no spy photos taken here or in Japan.

400Z

Project Cars 3’s power pack is referenced in a trailer, which can be viewed on Yahoo! Entertainment. In the trailer, there are numerous examples of 400Zs, modified for motorsport competition.

400Z

Not having played Project Cars 3, I had to admit the trailer gave me the urge to go out and buy a Playstation4. I wonder if there’s a Gamestop nearby where I can go and try it out?

[Images: Slightly Mad Studios]

Cadillac to Expand V-Series Performance Lineup, Blackwing

<img data-attachment-id=”1753952″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing/the-ct5-v-blackwing-will-be-the-most-powerful-and-fastest-cadill/” data-orig-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-7.jpg” data-orig-size=”1280,853″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”5″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”Canon EOS 5DS”,”caption”:”The CT5-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadillac ever. Descended from the brand\u2019s racing legacy, this vehicle elevates V-Series\u2019 heritage of performance, styling and meticulous refinement.”,”created_timestamp”:”1607027495″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”125″,”iso”:”100″,”shutter_speed”:”0.004″,”title”:”The CT5-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadill”,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”The CT5-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadill” data-image-description=”

Cadillac

” data-medium-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-4.jpg” data-large-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1753952″ src=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”407″ srcset=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing.jpg 610w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-3.jpg 75w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-4.jpg 450w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-5.jpg 768w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-6.jpg 120w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-7.jpg 1280w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

As much as we like to chide domestic automakers for abandoning traditional cars for the juicier margins of crossover vehicles, they haven’t done away with them entirely. Cadillac even went so far as to introduce Blackwing variants of the CT4-V and the CT5-V in 2021, something many claimed was necessary after the V-Series lost some of its mightiness when the new models arrived. Apparently, General Motors wants its luxury division to keep it up with the Blackwing models while it continues to expand the V-Series lineup.

“The V-Series lineup has expanded,” Cadillac Chief Engineer Tony Roma told GM Authority in a recent interview. “You’re going to see more of that in the future. We’re going to do more V-Series. It’s important to our brand and you’ll see it on other products.”

If you’ve driven the old ATS-V, you know that the CT4-V doesn’t really stack up around the corners or in a straight line. The newer Caddy is more about keeping pace with perceived European rivals while the older one was about making them all your bitch. Prices reflect this, so Cadillac’s biggest crime here is diluting the V-Series name. While it still denotes an uptick in performance, it’s no longer the kind of jump that totally transforms a vehicle — hence the need for the hardcore Blackwing line.

<img data-attachment-id=”1753966″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing/the-ct4-v-blackwing-will-be-the-most-powerful-and-fastest-cadill-3/” data-orig-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-12.jpg” data-orig-size=”1280,853″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”11″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”Canon EOS 5DS”,”caption”:”The CT4-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadillac ever in the subcompact class. The CT4-V Blackwing is more nimble, and benefits from extensive aerodynamic development and testing.”,”created_timestamp”:”1606927045″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”46″,”iso”:”400″,”shutter_speed”:”0.003125″,”title”:”The CT4-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadill”,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”The CT4-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadill” data-image-description=”

Cadillac

” data-medium-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-9.jpg” data-large-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-1.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1753966″ src=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-1.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”407″ srcset=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-1.jpg 610w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-8.jpg 75w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-9.jpg 450w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-10.jpg 768w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-11.jpg 120w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-12.jpg 1280w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

This is where we get slightly worried. If Cadillac starts throwing the V-Series around too liberally, it’s going to lose all meaning. Fortunately, the brand seems to understand that it’s already walking a tightrope when it comes to performance designations.

“Blackwing is reserved for really the pinnacle, the purest expression of performance, track capability, and that’s what it’s going to stand for going forward,” said Roma. “[The CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blacking] won’t be the last Blackwing cars that we do, but you won’t see one on every vehicle. It’s not appropriate. I couldn’t imagine doing an Escalade-V Blackwing. Maybe we’d do an SUV, maybe we’d do an Escalade-V, who knows.”

Cadillac is already supposed to be developing an amped-up Escalade with the same supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 that’s supposed to go into the CT5-V Blackwing. We think GM would be wise to make it part of the V-Series family, as it would showcase that the name does indeed denote enhanced performance. But sticking a Blackwing badge on something that’s pushing three tons and has trouble holding 0.6 Gs of lateral acceleration would only diminish the title.

But what should be the next Blackwing model? The luxury brand has already given its road-hugging vehicles the full treatment, leaving us with a slew of crossover vehicles to choose from. Perhaps the name won’t see much expansion until Cadillac has started its electric vehicle offensive in earnest. We can’t really say, but imagine the world will see a V attached to the tailgate of models like the XT4 and Escalade in the coming years. In fact, we’ve heard rumors that GM is whipping up something speedier for the Chinese market and think it could be an XT6-V. But nobody has been able to confirm anything more than there being numerous models under consideration for future performance applications.

<img data-attachment-id=”1753956″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing/the-ct5-v-blackwing-will-be-the-most-powerful-and-fastest-cadill-3/” data-orig-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-17.jpg” data-orig-size=”1280,853″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”5″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”Canon EOS 5DS”,”caption”:”The CT5-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadillac ever. Descended from the brand\u2019s racing legacy, this vehicle elevates V-Series\u2019 heritage of performance, styling and meticulous refinement.”,”created_timestamp”:”1607195626″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”88″,”iso”:”500″,”shutter_speed”:”0.001″,”title”:”The CT5-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadill”,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”The CT5-V Blackwing will be the most powerful and fastest Cadill” data-image-description=”

Cadillac

” data-medium-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-14.jpg” data-large-file=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-2.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1753956″ src=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-2.jpg” alt width=”610″ height=”407″ srcset=”http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-2.jpg 610w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-13.jpg 75w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-14.jpg 450w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-15.jpg 768w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-16.jpg 120w, http://turbosaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cadillac-to-expand-v-series-performance-lineup-blackwing-17.jpg 1280w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>

[Images: General Motors]

For GREAT deals on a new or used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM check out Patterson Tyler Group TODAY!

Automotive Journalist Dick DeLoach Succumbs to COVID-19

Dick DeLoach

Dick DeLoach, a 44-year automotive industry journalist, who was instrumental at Lowrider magazine and many other automotive enthusiast publications, died on November 9, 2020, following complications from COVID-19. He had been admitted to Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Ontario on October 25th.

Dick DeLoach

DeLoach, 76, of Chino, California, spent his career in the industry as an editor, writer, and photographer. A veteran journalist who specialized in technology, product guides, how-to articles, celebrity profiles, and business features, DeLoach could often be found covering industry and enthusiast events.

Among the publications he worked for were Truckin’ magazine, Lowrider magazine, DUB magazine, LFTD X LVLDParts & People, and Aftermarket Matters Weekly. In addition to his broad career, DeLoach made friendships in and out of the industry and served as a trustee on the ASC Educational Foundation.

I first met Dick when he was on the staff of Truckin’, then owned by McMullen Publishing, and I was a contributor to Custom Rodder, another McMullen title. DeLoach was affable, easygoing, and intelligent. He and I were reunited for a short time at Lowrider, which was not a good fit for me but was for Dick, judging by the number of years he was with the magazine.

Dick DeLoach

Lowrider was an icon of Chicano culture that existed for decades, offering a mix of cultural and political content alongside cars and trucks of that genre. As a staff member who covered the growing popularity of the lowrider movement, Dick played an essential part in chronicling it.

Lowrider played a critical role in forming the culture and image of the lowriding lifestyle and its aesthetics. Popular among Mexican-Americans, the magazine was as much a statement about Chicano identity and pride as it was about ground-hugging vintage cars. By the fall of 1988, Lowrider hit 60,000 in monthly newsstand sales, and by 2000, it was among the bestselling newsstand automotive periodicals in the country, with an average monthly circulation of about 210,000 copies.

DeLoach’s humor could be found in his biography, in which he said he wrote some 30,000 articles. I would tell him whenever we saw each other at a show or event that I was getting close to his total, if only he would stop and take a break for a while.

[Images: Courtesy of Tate DeLoach]