G. David Felt

Start Stop, Affects the Starter? So I have also wondered this and another web site actually got an answer. More info available at Green Car Report but to quote their story, the end result of what happens with the starter system on new auto's is as follows: What follows is his explanation of those technologies. (1) The gear ratio from the starter-drive pinion to the flywheel ring gear is optimized to make the starter's motor turn more slowly. This can be done without materially changing the design of the transmission or flywheel at all on existing designs. Crucially, this reduces starter-motor speed (in RPM), since 90 percent of starter-motor brush wear occurs not during cranking, but during the coast-down after the start has finished. If a higher-torque motor can spin more slowly, its coast-down time is shorter, increasing its longevity. Pushbutton start (2) The composition of the carbon and copper brushes on a start-stop motor differs from its traditional counterparts to increase longevity without accelerating the wear on the commutator. (3) Rather than rely on oil-impregnated bushings for the rotating assemblies, start-stop starters mostly use needle bearings. (4) The solenoid on start-stop starters decouples the mechanical action of engaging the drive pinion into the flywheel from the electrical action of stopping and starting the motor. This allows for a dedicated design to turn power on and off to the motor, optimizing contact design and wear, against contacts that have to be integrated as part of a spring-loaded plunger. This also reduces the electrical load requires to turn the engine, so that there is enough current available for accessories/lighting to operate during the start event. (5) Finally, start-stop motors are integrated with other technologies that identify when each cylinder of the engine will reach top-dead center. That lets the fuel injectors pulse and fire during the middle of a complete rotation of the crank, against having to wait for a complete revolution that lets the first cylinder reach that position to start the fuel-spark timing sequence. So their story also has an explanation about the RAM start/stop system and a link to their story on the Cadillac using ultracapacitors in their auto start/stop system. Very cool tech.

BOLT has a Lovely 10" screen in the center and the 8" as the dash. Very nice. Opal Buick These look pretty much the same to me other than the steering wheel and a different programming of the dash screen. Center screen is the same. Seats also have similarities. So I wonder how much change other than color there really is.

Like it and the rugged look they are going for. Reminds me of the Eagle 4WD, only much better!

So built both a Ford and Dodge and They are pretty close in price, I would rather have a V8 but have to say you get more in the package with the FORD.

I invite you to test drive a 2017 Explorer Sport Edition. The Sony Premium sound system and instrument is pretty nice. Back seat room is very roomy as my 6'6" tall 280lbs frame was able to sit without my knees hitting the seat in front of me. My daughter and son's girlfriend sat in the third row. Amy, my daughter is 5'8" and had plenty of legroom. Kay is only 4' 11" so tons of room but both thought the third row was very comfy. Agree that the XLT is a let down, dash design sucks and driving dynamics are Blah. But the Sport with the V6 EB moved and handled aggressive driving with minimal body roll for this SUV. My son and I both agree that the Platinum trim is over priced and not worth it, but the sport trim at $45K was a decent ride and handled so well. I also like the Durango, but my son is not a fan of the style.

Yes, I would take a Ford Explorer over either of these two. I have test drove over the weekend with my son the Explorer Sport and WOW, was very impressive. He is looking to trade in his jeep for the explorer possibly or upgrade to a GC.

Just enjoy watching the taillights of American and German auto's while you rev your tin fart can engine.

Pass on both this and the Honda Pilot.

@FordCosworth Thanks for showing these, they are freakin funny.

Not up to snuff compared to the 640 of the V! But then badge snobs will not care.

Read E63 as E43, Just called the Seattle MB dealership asking about this and was informed that the E63 is a future model that is not available for order or sale at this time and they have no further information than what MB has stated on the web site under the AMG listing. I was invited to come in and test drive the inspiring AMG E43. So at this time, E63 is vaporware.

Not according to their web site MBUSA.com They clearly state that the AMG E43 Sedan starts at $72,400.

I honestly do not know how their dealerships make any money. How do you stay alive with the lights on selling so few products? They are not Apple of the auto world.

Moving the Field Goal post AGAIN!. CTS Starts at $45,995 with Turbo 4 Banger 268 HP 295 lb-ft CTS-V starts at $85,995 with 640 HP 630 lb-ft CTS-V weight 4141 E-Class starts at $52,150 with a Turbo 4 Banger 241 HP 273 lb-ft AMG E-Class starts at $72,400 with 396 HP 384 lb-ft AMG E-Class weight 4145 Here are fully loaded everything I could add results and the CTS-V tops your $100K where AMG E-Class DOES NOT. End Result is CTS-V eats the AMG! AMG - $94,205 AMG Spec CTS-V $100,245 CTS-V Spec WRONG, There is NO E65 available in the US. Their own web site only allows an E43. Even the lower C63S cannot beat the CTS-V. Apple to Apple Sedan Comparison is that MB looses to Cadillac in an AMG to CTS-V comparison. ACCEPT THE FACTS MB only wins above this class based on the facts of the web site.

Everything in this segment is just Meh! Driving is very subjective. Bill did a great writeup, but for the weight to HP to me it is not impressive and after having spent time in their cars lately, due to a family member asking my input on retiring her old Mazda 6 and what to get next. I was not impressed with the auto. Yes, many changes and some improvements as I did notice how much quieter this one is over the older ones. Style = Meh Zoom Zoom = Meh In ending, all auto's have gotten heavy and fat due to Safety this, Safety that, they need to either go hybrid with proper electric motors to help with the initial momentum or put in higher HP engines. Right now the motor lineup in Mazda is just MEH! And then replace that new Turbo with something much bigger and better in the CX-9 as it is a dog in moving that pig.

Wonder why the Explorer is declining. Seems to be a nice SUV especially in the Sport trim.

That is Art Work!

Awesome

Awesome write up, interesting and entertaining. I learned much from this. Sadly, I think the small engine with HP and lower Torque is a mistake in this class of auto. Be interesting to see where it ends up at.

I see the point your trying to make. Think of this point: Every category of auto has their slush mobiles and their drivers auto. You take the compact auto class and put together all the compact cars and some are slush body rolling nightmares and some are tight and handle very well. Compact CUV's, some are fat pigs that wallow in driving and others are athletes that go the distance and leave you with the WOW, what an amazing performance. The BOLT will surprise you especially if you put it in SPORT mode. Take 5 years of a wife driving a Trailblazer SS AWD custom tuned and able to easily hold it's self at 157 mph as both her and I have driven it since we own it. Get in to the BOLT and her first impression was wow this is small compared to the TB, interior space was WOW, this is roomier than the TB. In normal mode, all 266 lb ft of torque moves you very nicely from a stop. Step on it at 55 and the auto jumps forward. Now do this in SPORT mode and everything is tight and even faster. As stated Drivers auto is very subjective and I drive alot of CUV's and SUV's. MT stated what they got and never mentioned that I saw sport mode and yet other reviews have all talked about the big difference between normal mode that is exciting to drive and sport mode that for some more laid back drivers would scare them. The BOLT is a well designed EV, that is a drivers auto. I have this as a Yard stick to see how exciting FORD, FCA, MB, BMW, etc. can step up to and deliver. BMW i3 is fast but a terrible drivers auto. Just trying to commute in it beats the hell out of you. BOLT gets you moving, holds it own and still gives you comfort. You really need to go TEST DRIVE one and then post your own impression. I am excited to hear what BILL and DREW think when they can get one for a week test drive.

The BOLT is not high like other CUV's, Was surprised by this and yet is does handle like a driving auto. Test drive it first before you say it is not. That also surprised me. Cruze had 5.5 inches of ground clearance, BOLT is 6" Most CUV's are around 8-9 inches. I challenge you to test drive the BOLT and then think about how it drives compared to cars and handles. For 99.9% of people, they will never go over 93 mph but getting up to speed fast and holding in turns, this little auto does the engineers proud. Way better tuned chassis and suspension than I would have expected and at highway speed, it still can jump forward way better than allot of ICE auto's. New respect for those that created and built the BOLT.

No different than MB, yet Cadillac does not need these low bottom feeders that really add nothing except make a name plate no different Than Chevy, Toyota, Ford, etc..

FAST TIGHT Blast to drive So FAST is true, you have 266lb ft of torque from zero MPH. It moves and in sport mode it seems to move even more. Test drive before you say it is not fast. I am used to speed and this jumps off the line when you hit the accelerator. TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT, never said LIGHT or proper LITE. The BOLT is very much a drivers auto especially in SPORT mode. Very little body sway and it really holds in corners. Far better than many auto's especially those that they say are driver auto's. Blast to drive. So quiet and yet moves so well. Loved the overly large dual LCD screens, customization and the Android Autoplay. SWEET way to have your auto.

PASS, I bet they end up having to deep discount them and then only hard core diesel fans will then buy. Gonna be very hard to sell in Washington as the state has termed these auto's as non-compliant and as such you have to pay an extra fee yearly to drive them. Nothing like being nailed hundreds of dollars to drive a polluting auto. I doubt they will be around here as our tabs are already expensive.