Innehållsförteckning för May 2018 från MotorTrend

La portada de este mes cubre la magia de las búsquedas de internet y los automóviles, y aunque es un poco descarada, insinúa cómo se entrega y se consume una porción importante del contenido de Motor Trend todos los días. Lectores como usted ayudan a que nuestra revista mensual tenga una circulación de 1 millón de copias en promedio (gracias), pero en un buen mes, casi el doble de lectores encuentran nuestras noticias, reseñas y consejos de nuestra guía del comprador en MotorTrend.com a través de buscadores como Google. Y eso es únicamente si quiere leer nuestro contenido en inglés; tenemos versiones impresas de Motor Trend en chino y coreano, y publicamos sitios de internet en francés y español. Motor Trend en Español comenzó a principios de los años 2000…

The driver-focused 2018 Buick Regal GS returns as more than just an appearance and chassis-tuning package. This time, the Sport quotient gets Gran’er by two cylinders and 60 hp relative to the base Regal’s. That’s 310 total for you numerologists. Standard all-wheel drive ensures that all those hooves dig in. Keen observers will note Buick has essentially shoved the LaCrosse’s 3.6-liter AWD powertrain into the Regal GS. It’s tempting to view this as a classic muscle car play. But this Regal is just 3 inches shorter in wheelbase and a mere 44 pounds lighter than its full-size Epsilon-platform cousin. So does the Regal GS drive like a LaCrosse with a half-empty fuel tank? Nope. True, the hardware is essentially the same, and with near identical weight-to-power ratio and equivalent gearing,…

For 2019, the engineers at Toyota Racing Development have worked their magic on the Tundra full-size pickup (after a year’s hiatus), as well as new variations of the Tacoma midsize pickup and 4Runner SUV, all available this fall. All three get Fox 2.5-inch rear aluminum-bodied internal bypass shocks to improve damping for everything from rock crawling to high-speed desert running and to provide better on-road performance. Off-road race vehicles traditionally have external bypass tubes, but Toyota went for a Fox shock with bypass zones inside the shock for a more cushioned ride. For better bottoming resistance, the shock becomes stiffer at the extremes of its stroke. The front shocks are paired with specially tuned TRD springs for ride comfort and additional lift for the trail, and dust boots keep contamination…

@markrechtin New plants are good news for U.S. workers. In fact, in some sectors there are more jobs than qualified workers to fill them. “Build it where you sell it” used to be the motivation for foreign automakers to bring plants to America—as well as to avoid transport costs, to achieve quicker-to-market timing, and as a hedge against currency-exchange fluctuations. But today, it’s simply cheaper to build cars here than it is in South Korea or Germany or Sweden. Automakers might have taken a breather during the devastating recession of 2008–2010, laying off hundreds of thousands of auto workers as vehicle sales plummeted and the need for second and third production shifts waned. But auto factory employment is now at a higher level than before the last sales peak—just before…

The pioneers would have loved our support wagon. Although we were testing mainstream wagons from Buick, Subaru, and VW, as responsible adventurers, we added a stalwart luxury-brand wagon to transport photographers and gear from Missouri to California. The 2018 Volvo V60 T5 AWD Cross Country is nearing the end of its life cycle (see the 2019 model on page 50) and is so old it still rides on the EUCD platform Volvo shared with Ford. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Since the V60’s origination, Volvo has updated it with a new engine and transmission, digital displays shoehorned into previously cut holes, and as much safety tech as the older electrical architecture can handle. It also means the 240-hp 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline-four is a bit coarse, the suspension…

At some point in the past I spent time behind the wheel of the old QX50; however, I have no memory of doing so and as such hold no opinion of Infiniti’s compact premium SUV. Well, other than it was never much to look at. The all-new QX50 is handsome. Detractors will grumble that it resembles a Mazda CX-3. So what? The Ford Fusion has looked like an Aston Martin for years. We’ve all survived. The QX50 shows off Infiniti’s talent and affinity for putting sharp creases into curved metal. Such handiwork is impressive from a stamping perspective with the added benefit of looking premium. The interior is (for the most part) pretty spiffy, as well—especially on higher-trim models with the blue suede accents. I do have one giant gripe,…

Aston Martin’s new DB11 Volante shares its AMG-sourced 503-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with the DB11 V8 Coupe launched last year. So too for the eight-speed automatic transmission, suspension, brakes, hood, front fenders, and doors, along with much of the underlying structure ahead of the windshield. What’s different? Apart from the obvious, the bone line along the new rear fender now runs 0.4 inch higher over the wheel opening than on the Coupe before curving gently downward toward the tail, and the top surface of the fender is more horizontal. Aston engineers also worked hard to ensure the cloth roof folded down into a stack just 10.2 inches tall. As a result, the DB11 Volante is endowed with a low, languidly voluptuous profile few modern convertibles can match. And unlike many…

Stop us if this sounds familiar. But in case you missed the news on the A8 and A7, here’s the rundown of the latest A6. As you’ve already guessed, the least expensive of Audi’s medium and large sedan triumvirate again borrows heavily from the long-tail A7 and coddling A8 luxury sedans. At the front, it’s identical to the A7 and mostly the same from the side, save the roofline. The rear end is the A6’s calling card, clearly related to the other two but uniquely executed. The interior is, like the nose, identical to its near-twin, the A7. Its showpiece is the latest MMI system featuring a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen at the top of the dash and an 8.6-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback below to control the climate and accept…

Code name: EP3 Manufactured: 2001–2005 Total built: 4,490 Swindon produced two versions of the EP3, the second Civic Type R: one for the European market and one for the Japanese market, both based on the seventh-generation Civic three-door hatchback. The European version was the softer of the two, with a 197-hp variant of the 2.0-liter VTEC four under the hood, a close-ratio six-speed transmission, and uprated brakes. The faster, more focused JDM model got a special 212-hp engine built in Japan, as well as a helical limited-slip differential, sharper suspension settings, and red Recaro seats. Code name: FN2 Manufactured: 2012–2015 Total built: 2,985 Japan and Europe went quite different ways when it came to the third-gen Civic Type R. JDM versions (FD2) were based on the eighth-generation four-door Civic sedan…

McLaren Senna. Magic, right there. Ayrton Senna became a three-time world champion at the wheel of a McLaren Formula 1 car in just four years. Now, almost a quarter century later, the two names are reunited. One of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, Senna’s understanding of vehicle dynamics was the stuff of legend along pit lane. He could talk for an hour about a single lap of Monaco, insiders recall, describing everything that the car was doing, what was happening, and why. Senna dabbled in road car development while at McLaren, working with Honda (then the McLaren F1 team’s engine supplier) on the final chassis tune of the original NSX. Had he not been tragically killed in the 1994 San Marino GP at Imola (after he’d left McLaren…

FIRST LOOK COMING IN LATE 2019 2018 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW Elon will have to reckon with a new fast gun in town when it comes to battery-powered SUVs. When Porsche brings its first pure electric vehicle to market in late 2019, it will bear a strong resemblance to the Mission E Cross Turismo unveiled at the Geneva auto show. This is the second iteration of Porsche’s Mission E concept—which bowed in 2015 as a four-passenger sports car with suicide doors and a pledge to beat Tesla with more than 600 horsepower, 440 kW and an 800-volt system to charge its lithium-ion batteries twice as fast. Since then, Porsche has honed the engineering while finalizing the body style and design, part of a $622 million investment in the new electric…

The waiting is over. Mercedes-Benz will finally introduce the A-Class sedan to the U.S. market this year, and with the debut of the European A-Class hatchback, we have an idea what to expect. The new A-Class features a radiator grille with a diamond pattern. The hood slopes down more than its predecessor’s, and you’ll also notice larger wheel arches that hint at the model’s athletic aspirations. An optional two-section AirPanel grille with adjustable louvers improves aerodynamics. As many teaser images previewed, the new A-Class’ front end bears a strong resemblance to the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS. Although the A-Class is a compact car at the lower end of the price spectrum, Mercedes didn’t shy away from upscale touches. As teased at CES, the A-Class gets goodies from higher-end models in the…

Nissan made big, brainy waves at CES by unveiling its brain-to-vehicle research project. If you’ve read recent headlines about people controlling robotic arms or quadcopters simply by thinking about doing so while wearing funny electroencephalography (EEG) caps bristling with sensors and wires, you might wonder whether the era of drive-by-wireless imagination is upon us. It is not. Nor is direct brain control of your commute what Nissan is after. This sandbox research project simply aims to use brainwaves to make your time in a car more pleasurable in two specific instances—when you’re driving and when you’re being driven. The simple truth of brain control of anything via EEG is that, for now at least, detecting sufficient brain activity to control roboarms, copters, or cars typically requires the user to wear…

The Oregon Trail gets all the attention, but far more Americans emigrated on the lesser-known California Trail headed toward what would become the Golden State. Many wealthier Eastern Americans traveled by sailing around Cape Horn to San Francisco. The rest made the treacherous 2,000-mile trip from Independence, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, the same way we did: by wagon. Our wagons might as well be spaceships compared to those the settlers used. The typical transport was a farm wagon. About 10 feet long and 4 feet wide with no seat, no brakes, and no suspension, they were packed from floor to canvas-covered ceiling with supplies and belongings. Pioneers were expected to walk alongside their wagons as they were pulled across “Indian country” by four pairs of oxen. According to 1849’s The…

When you focus on what you’re good at instead of posing as something you’re not, you get a success story like the Lexus RX. But even the RX luxe-crossover has its limits—hauling multiple passengers—so Lexus is extending its appeal with an extended version. About 4 inches longer than the regular RX models, the 2018 RX 350L comes in front- and all-wheel-drive V-6-powered variants, and an all-wheel-drive hybrid comes in the spring. With a third row squeezed in the back, the second row has been raised a little to allow for third-row foot room. It’s a nice touch, and there’s still sufficient second-row headroom. But the third row is cramped. Counterintuitively, the true value of occasional-use three-row crossovers like the RXL isn’t necessarily in those extra seats but in the extra…

Let’s face it: Less than 1 percent of us are ever going to blast around the Nürburgring; fewer still will come within an arm’s reach of the Civic Type R’s record-setting lap time. Still, we autocross junkies and wannabe street racers must plead guilty to wanting to slap that little extra zhoosh onto our rides. Honda’s golden child is ridiculously capable even in stock form. After all, it was a Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist. But the aftermarket is starting to produce a trickle of parts from folks who think they can do the tiger from Tochigi one better. Our colleagues at Super Street checked out the latest offerings. Borla Cat-Back ATAK Exhaust American exhaust maker Borla might not be the first name you think of when seeking…

A low, leaden sky shrouds distant office blocks, and wintry rain threatens to escalate into snow. We’re standing outside a nondescript building in a nondescript industrial park in East London, looking at three Porsche Panamera Sport Turismos parked in a small compound. There’s military-spec fencing all around, and strategically placed cameras stare balefully back at us. Police motorcycle outriders are parked in formation at the end of the street. The security here is real—and for good reason. We are all about to transport $14 million worth of gold bars 12 miles through the streets of central London. In these Porsches. London bullion merchant Baird & Co. buys and sells gold, along with platinum, palladium, rhodium, silver, and other precious metals. It refines gold, too, turning hundreds of millions of dollars…

It ain’t the actual production-spec Toyota Supra, but if you squint a bit and use your imagination to remove some of the racing bits like the huge rear wing and all the intake scallops, there you have it. It’s been two decades since a Supra last graced a Toyota showroom floor in America, and the GR Supra Racing Concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show is the closest indication of the next iteration, which will arrive in dealerships early next year. In this instance, “GR” stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s racing and go-fast parts operation. It’s a pet project of Akio Toyoda himself, so you know this car means business. The concept’s composite hood, front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings, and rear…

Ian Callum’s ability to design such beautiful cars with regularity must drive the other guys nuts. Just look at the F-Type. Proportion is spot on. The body’s gesture needs no superfluous creases to create “surface excitement.” Every line counts. The entire 2018 F-Type lineup receives simpler but bolder front and rear fascia updates to better distinguish one model from another. All get full LED lighting, extensive interior tweaks including Jaguar’s latest infotainment system, and new magnesium-framed “slimline” seats—which are shockingly comfortable and supportive. The rating for Jaguar’s new Ingenium 2.0-liter turbo-four stands at an impressive 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Ingenium is all aluminum, uses direct injection, and boasts an innovative electrohydraulic valvetrain. Its exhaust manifold is integrated directly into the cylinder head. A twin-scroll turbocharger rides…

It was oddly appropriate that our migratory party of eight would suffer a wagon calamity on the California Trail. It’s a fate that befell many of the Gold Rush pioneers and other westward travelers whose tracks we’d been following. Our quartet of modern, reliable transportation was slated to journey in five days what took our 19th century ancestors five months. Those early pioneers dealth with 50-inch wooden wheels, broken trails, and death by dehydration. We had winter tires, paved roads, and Egyptian cotton bedsheets. Still, we should have known better. Ghosts haunted our path. By the side of a pitch-black, wind-swept two-lane Wyoming highway, our plan became as mangled as our Buick. The story we’d begun the day before was over. Right there and then, we knew this couldn’t be…

Crisp, angular, and lush, Volvo’s V60 midsize wagon redesigned for 2019 is everything folks want in an SUV—just without that elephantine ride height and abundance of vertical sheetmetal and glass. Wagons can be cool. This V60 is lithe, sexy transport with the versatility to carry five people and lots of their stuff. We’ve already seen Volvo’s excellent Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform at work with the XC90 (a Motor Trend SUV of the Year winner) and the midsize XC60 (a SUVOTY finalist). We also liked its iteration in the sleek, substantial V90 wagon. Now Volvo has shrunk down its big wagon—that’s the “scalable” part—from full- to midsize. The platform is downscaled, but the V60 itself has grown considerably in wheelbase and overall length over the outgoing model, and its lower…

Market research never created a great car. No one asked GM to build a Corvette or Ford a Mustang. The engineers and entrepreneurs who made cars that changed the world—Ettore Bugatti and Ferdinand Porsche, Henry Royce and André Citroën, to name but a few—built what they knew was right, not something shaped by the opinions of others. So what, then, are we to make of the 2019 Ferrari Portofino, the most market-researched new Ferrari in history? Deep breath … the Portofino is not a great Ferrari. Maranello’s newest GT joins a lineup that includes both the scintillating 488 GTB (our 2017 Best Driver’s Car) and the spectacular 812 Superfast, and it’s competing with a back catalog crammed with glories such as the 275 GTB and the Enzo. Viewed in…

I was heading down a narrow, craggy lane outside of Cape Town, South Africa, when we approached a group of children walking along its dry, grassy edge. I slowed. They were maybe 10 or 11 years old, dressed in a palette of primary colors: yellow shirts, red or blue pants. I guess they’d just gotten out of school. Turning around, they glanced at us in the black-grilled, laser-headlighted, hulking electric-blue 2019 Audi A7 and instinctively spilled into our path, loping into a sort of spontaneous dance. “Jeez, I don’t want to hit anybody,” I murmured to my co-pilot, Automobile’s Rory Jurnecka, braking to inch through them. Just like that, smiling faces filled the side windows as they patted the fenders while laughing and waving. “This looks like an Audi commercial,”…

As one of the original hot hatches, the Volkswagen Golf GTI combines practicality and excellent driving dynamics. For 2018, the entire Golf lineup gets a significant refresh, and the spunky GTI gets a much-needed infusion of tech. Sadly, we don’t get the power increase found in Euro-spec GTIs, nor does it get the Digital Cockpit option. Does that mean our GTI is less fun? Oh gosh, no. The 2.0-liter turbo-four carries over with 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and comes paired to a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch auto. At the track, the manual-equipped GTI was the slower of our two testers, but both are six-second 0–60 cars. Save the manuals, indeed. Road test editor Chris Walton liked that the dual-clutch shifted smoothly; in manual mode, auto upshifts…