Drew Dowdell

This means that if the Challenger also gets canned when the LX cars go away, Mustang will be the only pony car to choose from.

71 Coupe Deville maybe.

updated.

Rumors coming out of Detroit are saying that the 7th generation Camaro development has been shelved, citing multiple sources from within General Motors, MusclecarsandTrucks.com reports. The current model will likely run until 2023 and then the nameplate will go back into the dustbin for the second time. The current car is based on the Alpha platform, the bases for the now canceled Cadillac ATS and CTS. Their replacements, the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5 use a second generation of that platform called Alpha 2. The sources say that the Camaro will not move to the new Alpha platform. If the rumor is true, this will be the second time the Camaro has been canceled. The last of the 4th generation, then known as F-Bodies, finished their run in 2002. Chevrolet revived the Camaro for a 5th generation using a cut down version of the Australian Zeta sedan platform. The current 6th generation car came out as a 2016 model and was lighter and slimmer than the 5th generation car. The Camaro only sold 50,963 copies for 2018, a substantial drop from the 84,391 sold in 2012. View full article

Jaguar Land Rover's chief Dr. Ralph Speth insists that in spite of recent spate of terrible earnings, the company is not for sale. JLR's recent issues stem from the collapse of diesel car sales in Europe while the company has a drought of hybrids and cleaner vehicles for sale. JLR is also spending billions on building plants overseas for global market production. Jaguar has recent had to layoff thousands of workers in an effort to slash $3.2 Billion in annual spending. Dr. Speth's comments come after the Jaguar I-Pace won three World Car Awards, including World Car of the Year. View full article

At the Nürburgring this weekend, Mini-Cooper will be showing a lightly disguised prototype of the new John Cooper Works GP, a limited production car coming next year. Mini says that only 3,000 units will be produced. The model features a 300 horsepower twin-turbo 4-cylinder engine, specialized suspension, weight reduced construction, and specialized aerodynamics. The prior version of this car was able to run the 'Ring at 8 minutes 23 seconds. The engineers will conduct test runs of the prototype without pushing it to its limits this weekend at the 24 hour race at Nordschleif. View full article

With the onslaught of EVs and PHEVs in the coming years using the VHS plug. Tesla needs to have a plan.... they don't, but they need to.

Don't be the Betamax. Sony made the best VCRs out there when they first were released, but they didn't allow anyone else to use their format. Eventually VHS came about which everyone else used and Betamax eventually fell by the wayside and was pushed out of the market. Telsa with their non-universal plug should take note of this.

It was early 80s day yesterday here in Pittsburgh. 1. My Toronado was out 2. Early 80s boxy Escort Wagon in decent shape for such an unlovable car. 3. 80 or 81 Pontiac Firebird running well, but visually rough 4. Monte Carlo Aeroback on a trailer, victim of an engine fire. 5. Jeep Wagoneer 6. Some old Benz diesel clattering away ( I think it was a 300D, but that era anyway)

No, they haven't been at an event that I've been at yet. They are mechanically identical, so I would expect the performance to be the same. Maybe some slight differences in suspension tuning, but I don't know that for a fact. It may just come down to taste, I like the interior and exterior of the Telluride better than the Palisade. My only experience with the Palisade was on the show floor in LA in November... so my recollection of the interior is a bit foggy.

I have not yet. I had a conflict and couldn't make it to the test drive event. What I can say is that the interior of the Telluride is still nicer than the Explorer. Explorer, for it's good looks, still had some cheapness built into the interior.

Since this is my first review in a while, would those of you with twitter or Facebook mind sharing this or sharing the tweets and FB posts I already made? Trying to get into this more full time, but I need page views to do that.

The Nappa leather is just not available in certain colors. Not much, if anything.

This blows away an Acadia Denali. I had one as a rental just a week after the Kia

I have to say, I tested out 9 vehicles that day and the Telluride is the one that made the biggest impression on me.

At an event in May, I got to spend some time with the 2020 Kia Telluride. The Telluride is an all-new model for Kia, though it is based on the Kia Sorento’s platform. Being a good bit longer than the 7-passenger Sorento, it is substantially roomier inside, allowing for 7 or 8 passenger configurations depending on trim level. The version I tested was the top of the line SX package with all-wheel drive and an additional Prestige Package. Kia makes standard a whole host of active safety equipment. Thankfully, I didn’t get to test any of the more important ones. One important safety feature on my shopping list is Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and the Kia has it standard. On appearance alone, Kia is going to have a hit on their hands. Though on the same platform as the Kia Sorento, the Telluride strikes a handsome square and almost truck-like silhouette. The overall look is of a vehicle even bigger than it is. Up front are an attractive set of headlight clusters with yellow surround daytime running lamps. As this is a new entry to the segment, Kia spells out the model name across the front of the hood making sure you know what model vehicle it is. It still manages to look classy. My tester had the black 20-inch wheels, LED headlamps, and rear fix-glass sunroof that comes with the SX trim level. Because this was the top of the line SX with Prestige Package, it came with beautiful Napa leather chairs, second-row captain chairs, heads up display, and premium cloth headliner and sun visors. The overall fit and finish of my tester was excellent. Switchgear is nicely weighted and has a premium, if not luxury, feel to it. The styling inside is handsome if conservative, and passengers could be fooled into thinking they were in a vehicle of higher pedigree. While it is roomier than the Sorento, is it still smaller than some of its primary competition. The Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, and Buick Enclave all boast roomier interiors. Still, second-row comfort was good and third-row accessibility is acceptable, though best left to the kids. My experience with the Telluride’s 10-inch infotainment system was limited, however, it is based on the same UVO system found in their other vehicles. Even in its native modes, I find Kia UVO to be one of the easier systems to use, but if you use the included Android Auto and Apple Car Play most often, you won’t be in the native system much anyway. The only engine option on the Kia Telluride is a 291 horsepower 3.8 liter direct-injected V6. Torque comes in at 261 lb-ft, about average for this segment. Coupled to the engine is an 8-speed automatic, and if you check the box for an additional $2,000, you get an active AWD system. The system constantly monitors traction and via a controller in the cabin, the driver can select between 80/20 (Comfort and Snow), 65/35 (Sport), and 50/50 (Lock, best used for off-roading). If you do care to do off-roading, you have 8-inches of ground clearance to play with. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds which again is pretty much the expected capacity for the segment. EPA fuel economy is rated at 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined. The 2020 Telluride has not yet received a crash test rating. Though the engine only puts out 261 lb-ft of torque, the 8-speed automatic makes quick work of it and acceleration is sufficient at a reported 7.1 seconds. Engine noise is hushed and refined. One of my favorite things about the Kia Telluride is its ride. The suspension is soft and comfortable. The big 20-inch wheels can slam hard if one hits some more serious potholes, but overall this is one of the nicest riding big SUVs. That soft suspension does have a downside; body roll and handling are not what you would call sporting. Though the steering is precise and well weighted, the big Kia hefts and leans through corners. Take it slow with grandma in the back and all will be well. The towing package adds a hitch receiver and a load leveling suspension. Kia is not a brand known for luxury vehicles, but in SX Prestige trim, this Telluride can certainly count as one. That leads us to the price. At $46,860 after destination charges, the Telluride handily undercuts the competition, some of which don’t even offer the level of active safety technology the Kia offers as standard. If you’re shopping in the large SUV segment, the Kia Telluride is definitely one to add to your test drive list. Year: 2020 Make: Kia Model: Telluride Trim: SX Engine: 3.8L Gasoline Direct Injected V6 Driveline: All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque @ RPM: 262 lb.-ft. @ 5,200 rpm Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 19/24/21 Curb Weight: 4482 lb. Location of Manufacture: West Point, GA Base Price: $31,690 As Tested Price: $45,815 Destination Charge: $1,045 Options: SX Prestige Package - $2,000 Carpeted Floor Mats - $210 Carpeted Cargo Mat w/ Seat Back Protection - $115 View full article

As we wrote late last month, the Jaguar XJ is about to use up one of its nine lives. The big cat gets euthanized next month without a direct replacement ready for market. However, we also told you that the cat will be back, possibly as an electric vehicle next time. At an investor meeting Jaguar confirmed that to be true. Jaguar is working on a new Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) platform for use under the next XJ and for the next Range Rover. The flexible platform is capable of being used in electric, plug-in hybrid, or mild-hybrid configurations. It is also being designed to be very light weight, eventually to be used to replace all five of the platforms that Jaguar Land Rover uses. Jaguar Land Rover hopes to increase profits by reducing the number of architectures. Jaguar does plan to continue to develop the I-Pace platform which is unrelated to MLA. The XJ's direct replacement will launch first as a electric model with a predicted range of 292 miles using a 90.2 kWh battery. Later, 6-cylinder models (likely the new inline-6 recently shown in Range Rover) will become available. The 292 mile range in the XJ would rival the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. For those who prefer a plug-in hybrid, the MLA platform will use a 13.1 kWh battery giving an estimated EV range of about 31 miles. Mild-Hybrid versions get a belt-alternator-starter setup to give a small electric boost at start. Also on the MLA platform will be the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Both names currently offer plug-in hybrid versions, but the new MLA platform could enable the Range Rover to be available in an all electric version. Land Rover has not yet confirmed this to be the case. The Range Rover would come first with the Sport following close behind in 2021. All of this comes in the background of huge job cuts at Jaguar after a record $4.6 billion loss. View full article

My 1.4T Encore barely gets over 30mpg

What? No, the Venue is the smallest crossover you can get. Trax/Encore are larger.

AMG and M have both been watered down by making them mid-level trim packages. Anyway, back to the GX. I see this just and an "old money" purchase for people who just want another Lexus SUV that can go anywhere.