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Weathering the Road: New Hankook Tire Survey

by | May 2, 2024 | 0 comments

Weathering the Road: New Hankook Tire Survey

New data from Hankook Tire highlights consumer stresses on the road, from inclement weather to teen driving

A passenger car on a dry road that is promoting winter-safe tires.

The latest Gauge Index survey by Hankook Tire reveals insights into the challenges faced by drivers today. (Hankook Tire)

REWRITE BY MARK MAYNARD

If it seems as if driving post-pandemic is scarier than before, you are not alone. In its latest Gauge Index survey, Hankook Tire reveals today’s biggest challenges for drivers.

Drivers face countless challenges as they take to the road each day. They must navigate unpredictable weather, deal with maintenance issues, and deal with the persistent worry parents have about teen driving.

Braving the Elements: A Driver’s Dilemma

According to the Gauge, driving in inclement weather is the top challenge for drivers (25 percent), followed by driving in unfamiliar places (17 percent) and changing a flat tire (15 percent). In addition, 51 percent of drivers indicate that bad weather would prompt them to stop driving or turn around and delay reaching their destination.Hankook Tire Gauge Index logo

When examining generational demographics, it is noteworthy that 62 percent of baby boomers, compared to 37 percent of Gen Z, identified bad weather as a reason to halt or delay their journey. Moreover, among respondents who identified changing a flat tire as the most challenging situation, 17 percent were Boomers compared to 10 percent of Gen Z.

Overall, when harsh weather is forecast, vehicle preparation becomes a ritual for many motorists:

  • 59 percent check tire pressure and tread depth;
  • 53 percent refill fluids; and
  • 50 percent replace windshield wipers.

Teen Driving a Parental Test

The Gauge survey also highlights parental concerns regarding teen driving, offering insights into the complexities of their apprehensions. While striving to maintain a sense of optimism, parents of teen drivers express varying degrees of concern depending on the distance of their teen’s journey.

When teens venture out locally, 39 percent of parents admit feeling “a bit anxious but hopeful.” However, this sentiment diminishes to 28 percent when contemplating their teen driving long distances.

Regional disparities further shape parental perceptions. Northeastern parents are in the most apprehensive group. In the Northeast, 23 percent of parents admit feeling “extremely concerned and fearful” about their teen driving locally. That percentage shows a notable difference compared to the parental concerns in the South (12 percent) and West (7 percent).

Conversely, drivers in the South exhibit a notable sense of trust in their teens’ ability to navigate long distances. A considerable 32 percent of Southern parents feel “confident and relaxed” when their teen embarks on long-distance drives. That confidence surpasses the sentiments of parents in the Northeast (14 percent) and the West (11 percent).

Choose the Correct Winter Tire

Hankook Tire's Kinergy 4S2 features excellent dry, wet and snow performance, complete with a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating.

Hankook Tire’s Kinergy 4S2 is rated a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake.

Traditional all-season tires offer versatility in various weather conditions, but all-weather tires can provide peace of mind. Hankook’s Kinergy 4S2, for example, has a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. The snowflake rating indicates a tire has met certain requirements for severe snow conditions. Dedicated winter tires, however, are the best option for deep snow and ice.

Three-peak snowflake tires have scored at least 110 on the traction index. That means the tires can accelerate at least 10 percent faster than an all-season tire that is not 3PMS-rated.

About the Survey

“The insights provided by the Hankook Gauge Index are invaluable in understanding drivers’ evolving needs and concerns,” said Rob Williams, President of Hankook Tire America Corp.

The Hankook Gauge Index surveys Americans’ attitudes and opinions about driving. The latest survey, conducted March 13-14, polled 1,012 randomly selected Americans age 18 and older.

GM to move HQ to Hudson’s Detroit

by | Apr 15, 2024 | 0 comments

GM to move HQ to Hudson’s Detroit

• GM will become the anchor tenant at Bedrock’s Hudson’s Detroit development.

• GM, Bedrock, the city of Detroit, and Wayne County will establish a partnership to explore redevelopment opportunities for the Renaissance Center site.

Conceptual rendering of Hudson's Detroit with GM branding.

Conceptual rendering of Hudson’s Detroit with GM branding. (Provided by GM Design)

REWRITE BY MARK MAYNARD

DETROIT – General Motors will relocate its global headquarters to Hudson’s Detroit in 2025, becoming the anchor tenant at Bedrock’s development on the historic site of the former J.L. Hudson Department Store. The move marks GM’s fourth headquarters location in the city since 1911, reaffirming its longstanding commitment to Detroit. GM, Bedrock, the city of Detroit, and Wayne County will establish a partnership to explore redevelopment opportunities for the Renaissance Center site over approximately the next year before GM’s move to Hudson’s Detroit.

“We are proud to remain in the city of Detroit in a modern office building that fits the evolving needs of our workforce, right in the heart of downtown,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “Our new headquarters will provide collaboration areas for our teams, executive offices, and display space for our vehicles.”

The move to Hudson’s Detroit will mark the return of General Motors to Woodward Avenue, where it established its first headquarters in the city. GM has entered into an initial 15-year, multi-level lease for the top office floors of the state-of-the-art office building and showcase space on the street level for GM vehicles and community activations.

Conceptual rendering of GM office space at Hudson's Detroit.

Conceptual rendering of GM office space at Hudson’s Detroit. (Provided by GM Design)

What is Hudson’s?

Hudson’s Detroit is a 1.5-million-square-foot development that will feature office space, ground-floor retail, a 5-star hotel, a rooftop bar, residential condominiums, a public plaza, parking, and large event spaces. It consists of a 12-story office building with event and retail spaces and an adjacent 45-story hotel and residential tower, and it presents sweeping city views at every level.

The Hudson’s department store, known as the “Big Store” and “J.L. Hudson,” broke ground in 1891 and was the foremost retailer in Detroit. At one time, it was the second-largest department store in the world. The massive flagship store anchored the bustling Woodward Avenue corridor and was a domestic and international shopping destination until it closed its doors in 1983. The structure was eventually demolished, but Bedrock has ensured that the site’s history is echoed in the new Hudson’s Detroit.

For additional information on Hudson’s Detroit, please visit Hudsons-Detroit.

Conceptual rendering of GM's street level showcase at Hudson’s Detroit

Conceptual rendering of GM’s street-level showcase at Hudson’s Detroit. (Provided by GM Design)

Renaissance Center

The decision to explore redevelopment opportunities for the Renaissance Center site comes as the office real estate market transforms. Post-pandemic, the work environment has changed how office space is utilized. A recent study by CBRE indicated that 80 percent of current office occupiers have adopted or will adopt hybrid work.

When General Motors acquired the Renaissance Center in 1996 it was a catalyst for the revitalization of the city and the transformation of the Detroit riverfront. The development of GM Plaza was the genesis of the private-public Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. The transformation provided expansive public access to the Detroit River for the first time.

Photo of GM World in 2018, located in the Renaissance Center in Detroit.

Photo of GM World in 2018, located in the Renaissance Center in Detroit. (GM photo)

GM’s continuous improvements have bolstered the Renaissance Center area and RiverWalk, totaling more than $1 billion in investment since 1996.

The initial $500 million Renaissance Center renovation was designed to make the site more accessible to the community. This included removing the external concrete towers that limited entry from Jefferson Avenue. Interior improvements were made to ease navigation, including a central glass circulation ring and the addition of the Wintergarden. From this space, visitors and workers could enjoy panoramic views of the Detroit River.

GM developed the first phase of the Detroit International RiverWalk in partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. The project built some of the most popular places on the riverfront, including the GM Fountain, GM Plaza, and the Wintergarden. More than 3.5 million people visit the riverfront each year. USA TODAY named the Detroit RiverWalk “Best in America” in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Photo of the Albert Kahn-designed Durant Building circa 1980s, later renamed the General Motors Building.

The Albert Kahn-designed Durant Building circa 1980s, later renamed the General Motors Building. (GM photo)

GM and Detroit

General Motors invested $2.2 billion in Factory ZERO (formerly the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center) in November 2020 for retooling and upgrades.

Factory ZERO builds several Ultium-powered EVs, including:

  • GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV,
  • Chevrolet Silverado EV WT,
  • The upcoming Silverado EV RST, GMC Sierra Denali EV, and Cadillac Escalade IQ.

Built in 1985, the assembly center has manufactured more than 3 million vehicles. Today, it has become one of the most modern automotive plants in the country, with nearly 4,000 employees.

Over the last decade, GM has awarded more than $117 million in grants to support Detroit-based nonprofit programs. Centered around Detroit’s people and places, GM prioritizes funding toward education, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Front view of GM’s first Detroit headquarters circa early 1900s, located at 127-129 Woodward Avenue.

Front view of GM’s first Detroit headquarters circa early 1900s, located at 127-129 Woodward Avenue. (Photo provided by GM)

GM’s first home in Detroit was at 127-129 Woodward Avenue. It was along the west side of the street between Fort and Congress, where the company resided from 1911 to 1923. In 1923, GM relocated to the Albert Kahn-designed General Motors Building at 3044 West Grand Boulevard. It remained there until the company purchased the Renaissance Center in 1996.

The financial terms of the transaction between GM and Bedrock will not be disclosed.

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Overview

by | Mar 6, 2024 | 0 comments

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Overview

  • Production of the all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger two-door coupe will begin in mid-2024. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

  • Production of four-door Daytona Scat Pack and R/T models and gas-powered two-door Dodge Chargers are scheduled to start Q1 2025;

The all-new Dodge Charger presents a distillation of muscle car design through a modern muscular exterior that focuses on function, avoids excess and subtly acknowledges inspiration from the clean, timeless lines of its predecessors.

The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona will be available first in R/T and Scat Pack trim levels. All Charger models will have standard all-wheel drive. (Photography courtesy of Stellantis)

Jump To Features

‘Multi-Energy’ Powertrains
Electric Driving Range
Performance Features
0-60 mph Acceleration
Charging Times
Daytona Suspension Hardware
2024 Charger Styling Elements
Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust
2023 vs. 2024 Charger Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

Dodge has just revealed its new electrified Charger Daytona, declaring it “the World’s First and Only Electric Muscle Car.” For all the old-school Dodge Charger enthusiasts, the 2024 model will be available as a two-door coupe or four-door sedan. And for enthusiasts with gasoline in their veins, Dodge also will offer “multi-energy” powertrains for the 2024 Charger. There will be two internal-combustion engine options, including the 550-horsepower Dodge Charger SIXPACK H.O. powered by the 3.0-liter Twin Turbo Hurricane High Output engine and the 420-hp Dodge Charger SIXPACK S.O. fueled by the 3.0-liter Twin Turbo Hurricane Standard Output engine. The new Dodge Charger features standard all-wheel drive for all models.

Electrified versions of the 2024 Dodge Charger will feature the 496-hp 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T and the 670-hp Daytona Scat Pack, which can launch from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and run the quarter-mile in an estimated 11.5 seconds.

Two-door coupe versions of the all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack and 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T will begin production in mid-2024.

Production of all-electric four-door Daytona Scat Pack and R/T models will begin in the first quarter of 2025.

Gas-powered two-door Dodge Charger SIXPACK H.O. and four-door Dodge Charger SIXPACK S.O. models are also scheduled to begin production in the first quarter of 2025.

The new Dodge Charger will be built at the Windsor (Ontario) Assembly Plant.

Interior shot of 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack.

Driver entry to a 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack.

‘Multi-Energy’ Powertrains

The next-generation Dodge Charger models are the first vehicles to debut on the STLA Large platform. Dodge calls this platform a highly flexible, battery-electric native platform with the potential to carry extreme power. A variety of suspension modules and powertrain cradles can be used for vehicle-specific performance objectives.

All-electric Charger Daytona models are powered by a 400-volt propulsion system, which Dodge says delivers supercharged V-8 performance with zero tailpipe emissions and instant torque response.

The propulsion system comprises a high-voltage battery pack, a dual integrated charge module, and front and rear electric drive modules. The battery pack is liquid-heated and cooled with a chiller. The lithium-ion-based battery features a high-energy density nickel cobalt aluminum chemistry.

The front drive module has a front-wheel-end disconnect to improve driving range, while the rear EDM includes a mechanical limited-slip differential to increase traction and performance. Both drive modules have a 3-in-1 architecture (inverter, gearbox, and motor); each generates 335 hp (250 kW) and 300 foot-pounds of torque.

Using paddle shifters, the force of regenerative braking — which converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy during deceleration into electricity — can be adjusted by 0.1g, 0.2g, or 0.3g regen.

All-electric, all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger Daytona models are driven by a 400V propulsion system that delivers supercharged V-8 power with zero tailpipe emissions and instant torque response. The partial vehicle image of the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack highlights the wheels, half-shafts, front and rear electric drive modules and the high voltage battery pack.

All-electric, all-wheel-drive 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona models are driven by a 400-volt propulsion system. Below, a ghosted illustration of the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack highlights the wheels, half-shafts, electric drive modules, and the high-voltage battery.

A ghost view of the Charger showing the skateboard powertrain

Electric Driving Range

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is expected to have a battery-driving range of 317 miles, while the higher-performance Charger Daytona Scat Pack provides 260 miles of all-electric range.

Optional Level 2 wall-charging units or public charging credits will be offered through Free2move Charge. In 2023, Stellantis launched the so-called 360-degree ecosystem.

Using a Level 3 DC CCS fast charger, both electric Chargers can be recharged from 20 percent to 80 percent in just over 27 minutes. A 350-kW fast charger will add 9.9 miles of range per minute for the Daytona R/T and 8.1 miles per minute for the Daytona Scat Pack.

When comparing the total cruising ranges of the gas-powered and electric Charger models, the gas model wins. Factoring in combined fuel mileage estimates and the 18.5-gallon fuel tank, the 2023 Dodge Charger has a possible maximum range of 425 miles and a low of 333 miles.

The steering wheel of the Dodge Charger is performance oriented and technical in feel, with a heated flat top/flat bottom design, and includes paddle shifters to manage regenerative braking and a PowerShot button — located on the front of the wheel for quick access — for the Charger Daytona Scat Pack and R/T.

The heated steering wheel of the 2024 Dodge Charger has a flat top/flat bottom design and includes paddle shifters to manage regenerative braking and a PowerShot button.

Charging Times

Level 2 AC11 kW 5-80 percent: about 7 hours, from 5 percent to 80 percent;

DC Fast Charge 175 kW: about 1 hour, from 5 percent to 80 percent;

DC Fast Charge 350 kW: about 30 minutes, from 5 percent to 80 percent;

  • 11 kW onboard charger, Level 2.
An all-new, modern "pistol-grip" shifter and the start/power button are packaged close together on the center console of the all-new Dodge Charger, which also incorporates a wireless phone charger.

The center console has a modern “pistol-grip” shifter, a start button, and a wireless phone charger.

Performance Features

Keeping true to the Dodge Brotherhood of Muscle, Charger Daytona models offer several levels of driver-selected performance. In addition to the Drag, Track, Drift, and Donut modes, there is the PowerShot mode, which adds 40 hp. With a throttle punch, the PowerShot gives a 15-second overboost.

Donut Mode: Enables the vehicle to spin only the rear wheels and to rotate around either of the front wheels without intervention from the traction control system;

Drift Mode: The driver can select three levels of slip angle, and torque is rear-axle biased, using the front axle to help maintain slip angle. Front dampers become full soft, and rear dampers go full stiff to enable an oversteer condition, and the traction control system allows for different wheel speed differentials without setting fault codes;

Line Lock: To prepare for a launch event, the driver can lock the front wheels, removing torque from the front axle to spin the rear tires to clean and warm them.

An optional augmented head-up display (HUD) for the all-new Dodge Charger projects a large field of view with an improved virtual image distance.

The augmented head-up display projects a large field of view and improved virtual image distance.

0-60 Acceleration

0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds R/T; 3.3 seconds Scat Pack

1/4 mile: 13.1 seconds R/T: 11.5 seconds Scat Pack

Top speed: 137 mph R/T; 134 mph Scat Pack

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, shown in Triple Nickel.

The rear of all Charger models has the red “ring of fire” LED taillamps.

Daytona Suspension Hardware

Wheels and tires: The Track Package option for the Daytona Scat Pack adds the biggest tire package used to date by Dodge: 20-inch wheels and staggered Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 305/35ZR20XL (12 inches wide) front/325/35ZR20 rear tires (12.8 inches). The tire package is the first street or road-course-oriented staggered set-up for a Dodge Charger. Front and rear tires can be tuned independently, with the front tuned to achieve maximum lateral acceleration and the rear tuned for stability.

High-performance brakes: Available with the Track Package option on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack, 16-inch Brembo vented rotors with red six-piston front rotors and four-piston rear fixed calipers increase the swept area more than 30 percent from the outgoing SRT.

Suspension: Front multi-link with forged aluminum links. Independent rear suspension with a Charger-unique rear four-link geometry.

Dual-valve semi-active damping: Optional on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack with Track Package, the adaptive damping suspension uses dual valves, one for compression and one for rebound. Dodge says the suspension has three times the number of body accelerometers, four times the wheel-hub accelerometers, and four times the ride height sensors from the outgoing Charger. Using dual valves allows for more force in handling scenarios, a smoother ride over rough roads, and more personalization choices in each driving mode.

New wheels for the all-new Dodge Charger feature center caps with the Fratzog logo.

New Charger wheel designs feature center caps with the Fratzog logo.

2024 Charger Styling

Both two- and four-door body styles share a widebody stance and a common wheelbase. An optional full-length glass roof (a gloss black painted roof comes standard) provides an expansive glass canopy.

A patent-pending front R-Wing hood feature, exclusive to Charger Daytona models, is a callout to the original Charger Daytona. The R-Wing allows airflow to enhance downforce.

The new Charger brings back the three-pointed, triangular badge that Dodge used on its muscle cars from 1962 through 1976. The return of the Fratzog logo represents the electrified future of Dodge.

No automaker has such descriptive paint color names as Dodge (and Plymouth). The new Charger continues the creativity with eight paint choices: After Dark, Bludicrous (as in Be-Ludicrous), Destroyer Grey, Diamond Black, Peel Out, Redeye, Triple Nickel, and White Knuckle.

The patent-pending front R-Wing, exclusive to Dodge Charger Daytona models, is a callout to the original Charger Daytona design while also enabling air to flow through a front pass-through area, enhancing downforce while creating a unique visual profile.

The front R-Wing hood detail, exclusive to Dodge Charger Daytona models, is a callout to the original Charger Daytona design.

Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust

Gas-powered Dodge muscle cars have long had their unique exhaust sound. So, too, will the electric Chargers, using a patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system. Its two passive radiators create an exhaust tone that Dodge says has Hellcat (V-8) sound intensity, worthy of the Brotherhood of Muscle. The Fratzonic system also has a stealth sound mode.

The patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system for Dodge Charger Daytona models creates a unique exhaust profile with Hellcat levels of sound intensity that shatters the preconception of a typical quiet BEV.

The patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system for the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona models creates a unique exhaust profile, which Dodge claims has Hellcat sound intensity levels.

Interior Features

A driver-focused cockpit begins with a layered instrument panel with free-standing, wide-format 10.25-inch or 16-inch driver-info screens. A 12.3-inch center display in the center stack is angled toward the driver.

The heated flat top and flat bottom steering wheel includes paddle shifters for regenerative braking and the PowerShot button. A new “pistol-grip” shifter and the start button on the center console also incorporate a wireless phone charger.

Interior badging corresponds to the model: Daytona for the all-electric vehicles and Charger for gas-powered SIXPACK models.

Daytona Scat Pack and R/T models have a standard nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine stereo with a subwoofer. An 18-speaker, 914-watt system is optional.

Cloth and leatherette seats are standard, with premium options for heated Black Nappa leather and Demonic Red Nappa leather seats. High-backed fixed headrest seats have a unique pass-through and are optional with the Plus Package, Track Package, and Carbon & Suede Package.

Charger’s “hidden hatch” roof design is about cargo capacity, including fold-flat back seats. The max rear cargo area is 38.5 cubic feet, which is 133 percent more cargo volume than the outgoing Charger. A “frunk” space adds 1.5 ft cubic feet of storage.

The optional full-length glass roof of the all-new Dodge Charger enhances the open-air feel of the cabin, and along with the large rear hatch provides an expansive glass canopy.

The optional full-length glass roof and large rear hatch create an expansive glass canopy.

2023 vs. 2024 Charger Specifications

Length/wheelbase: 198.4*/120 inches *SXT to Scat Pack Widebody

Width/height: 82.7*/57.6 to 59.5 (SRT Hellcat to SXT AWD) to *including mirrors

Track, front/rear: 63.3 to 65.6 inches (SXT to Scat Pack Widebody)

Turning circle: 37.7 to 39 feet, SXT to Scat Pack Widebody)

Curb weight: 3,940 to 4,594 pounds, SXT to SRT Hellcat

Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons

Fuel economy estimates

Pentastar V-6: 19/30/23 mpg (RWD), 18/27/21 (AWD);

345 Hemi V-8: 16/25/19 mpg (midgrade recommended)

392 Hemi V-8: 15/24/18 mpg (premium required)

Supercharged 6.2-Liter Hemi Hellcat V-8: (12/21/15 mpg (premium required)

For more information, the March 5, 2024, reveal of 2024 Dodge Charger can be viewed online at Dodge.com.

Marvelous Motorama Exhibit of GM Dream Cars

by | Mar 1, 2024 | 0 comments

Marvelous Motorama Exhibit of GM Dream Cars

A special display of six GM Motorama concept cars will be on view through March 2026 in the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles

A black and white image of a crowd to see the 1953 GM Motorama dream cars

The 1953 GM Motorama display in the Waldorf Astoria New York. (Petersen Museum/GM)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will celebrate “Dream Cars” from the 1950s with its newest exhibit, “GM’s Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars From the Joe Bortz Collection.” The unique display will open on March 16 and run through March 2026. The exhibit will feature six concept cars, displayed initially at GM Motorama shows in 1953, 1954, and 1955.

Staged in the Audrey and Martin Gruss Foundation Gallery, the exhibit will explore the history of General Motors’ traveling Motorama shows. Legendary GM stylist Harley Earl used the shows to present experimental non-production cars that featured design and technological concepts. Some of his creations were put into production, including the 1953 Corvette.

A mid 1980s photo of Joe Bortz in the Warhoops scrap yard leaning on a GM Motorama dream car in complete disrepair.

In the mid-1980s, collector Joe Bortz purchased the four cars from the Warhoops scrapyard in Sterling Heights, Mich. Here, he rescues the 1955 Chevy Biscayne. (Photo courtesy of Joe Bortz)

“These cars are the Picassos and Rembrandts of this automotive generation. To see six of them together, all from the ’50s, and all the real deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” — Joe Bortz, collection owner

The Marvelous Motorama exhibit will feature six cars, including three rescued from near destruction at Warhoops Auto and Truck Parts in Sterling Heights, Mich. After their time in the spotlight, most “Dream Cars” were sent to scrap yards to be cut apart and crushed. Four cars were saved by Warhoops employees and squirreled away among junked car bodies. After hearing rumors about the saved “Dream Cars” in the mid-1980s, collector Joe Bortz purchased the four cars from the scrapyard.

The two tone blue and white 1955 LaSalle II Roadster concept.

The 1955 LaSalle II Roadster concept. (Petersen Automotive Museum/GM)

6 Motorama Cars On View

Museum visitors to the Marvelous Motorama display will see the 1955 LaSalle II Roadster and 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, which Bortz painstakingly restored after both were cut in half in preparation for the crusher, as well as a 1955 LaSalle Sedan in its “junkyard fresh” condition. Additional cars featured in the exhibit are the 1953 Pontiac Parisienne, 1953 Buick Wildcat, and a wholly original and unrestored 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special.

“These cars are the Picassos and Rembrandts of this automotive generation,” said Bortz. “To see six of them together, all from the ’50s, and all the real deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

An artist’s rendering of the 1954 Bonneville Special bubble top.

An artist’s rendering of the 1954 Bonneville Special bubble top. (Petersen Automotive Museum/GM)

“Joe Bortz has an incredibly unique collection of historic cars, the likes of which have never been displayed at the museum,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “The Motoramas were an important part of automotive history, and we are excited to share these ‘Dream Cars’ with enthusiasts from around the world.”

“GM’s Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars From the Joe Bortz Collection” will run through March 2026. To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit Petersen.org/exhibits.

A 1955 color image shows two La Salle concepts cars and a Cadillac, all on turntables for the GM Motorama

The 1955 GM Motorama display in the Waldorf Astoria shows La Salle II concept cars. (Petersen Museum/GM)

About the Petersen

The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. The museum is at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, 90036.

Admission prices: $21 for general admission adults, $19 for 62+, $13 for youth (12-17), and $13 for children ages 4 to 11. Active military with ID, personal care attendants, and children under age 4 are admitted free.

Museum hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For general information: (323) 930-CARS or visit Petersen.org.

Chrysler’s Electric Halcyon Concept

by | Feb 14, 2024 | 0 comments

Chrysler’s Electric Halcyon Concept

Chrysler Halcyon Concept exemplifies the brand’s fully electrified future vision with sustainable design and full autonomy paired with personalized driving experiences.

A front view of the Halcyonconcept

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept showcases a fully electrified future of the Chrysler brand with sustainability-driven exterior and interior design, and full autonomy. (Photos courtesy of Stellantis)

BY MARK MAYNARD

FEBRUARY 13, 2024, AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler today unveiled the Chrysler Halcyon Concept, exemplifying a fully electrified future of the Chrysler brand. The concept embraces sustainability-driven exterior and interior design, full autonomy paired with personalized driving experiences and futuristic technology.

Chrysler plans to launch its first battery-electric vehicle in 2025 and is on course to feature an all-electric portfolio in 2028. The Chrysler Halcyon Concept reinforces the brand’s commitment to the plan of Stellantis Dare Forward 2030, which cultivates electrified and more efficient propulsion systems. The goal is for Stellantis to cut its global carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030 and to lead the transportation industry by achieving net carbon zero by 2038.

A forward view through the front seat area and expansive windshield.

The interior of the Chrysler Halcyon Concept has an almost 360-degree range of view. Chrysler says the design delivers a “digital detox” cockpit through stress-free autonomous features.

Chrysler Halcyon: A Forward-Looking Vision for an All-Electric Future

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept imagines a future that utilizes innovative Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer, DWPT. This technology will wirelessly recharge electric vehicles traveling over specially equipped, dedicated road lanes. The power transfer system is intended to allow unlimited range and travel from destinations, such as New York to Seattle, without needing a charger, charge cord, or public charging stations. Stellantis partnered in 2022 to demonstrate the potential of DWPT technology at the Arena del Futuro circuit in Chiari, Italy.

The concept also envisions incorporating breakthrough Lyten 800-volt lithium-sulfur EV batteries that do not use nickel, cobalt or manganese. By not using these mixed metal oxides, Chrysler anticipates an estimated 60 percent lower carbon footprint than today’s best-in-class batteries and a pathway to achieve the lowest emissions EV battery on the global market. In May 2023, Stellantis Ventures, Stellantis’s corporate venture fund, announced an investment in Lyten to accelerate the commercialization of Lyten 3D Graphene applications for the mobility industry.

Interior Design and Features

A cross-car pillar-to-pillar transparent display centers the sculpted cockpit. The screen provides a forward-looking view of information while keeping eyes on the road. A stowable 15.6-inch console screen can be rotated for portrait or landscape orientation and can assist in start-up and quick access to information. Voice recognition commands can fully control the displays.

AI functionality allows the driver to ask the vehicle anything. STLA Brain technology delivers over-the-air updates for software and features. The Stellantis AI system enables the concept to diagnose issues and communicate OTA solutions without visiting a dealership.

The reverse-yoke-designed steering wheel folds away, with pedals also retracting when the steering wheel retracts.

The stylized wing logo for Chrysler

The new version of the Chrysler Wing logo, which first debuted on the Chrysler Airflow Concept.

Detroit’s musical culture and heritage inspire Chrysler’s new wing logo. The logos on the steering wheel and other cabin areas are made from crushed and 100 percent recycled composite material made from post-consumer music CDs.

A glass center console links the cabin spaces from the front to the rear. Lighting is a focal point for the console and continues along the doors, footrest, and footwells.

Lightweight, keystone-shaped front seats can fully retract into the rear seat position, creating a giant accessible area.

Rear seats retract into the trunk area to highlight a potential next-generation vision of Stow’ n Go seating, invented for Chrysler minivans. The rear seats stow away either through biometric identification or voice.

A side view with the doors and canopy all opened.

Chrysler Halcyon Concept

Innovative Materials

The dark gray floor is a malleable, textile-infused wood with a microfiber backing, offering multiple potential applications. The wood is traceable throughout its entire production.

Brushed black copper door and door sill film accents provide an alternative to paint, lowering the concept’s use of volatile organic compounds emitted during the painting process. The thin film transitions in shades from black to brown.

The trunk area also features a textile-infused wood floor and a runnerboard on the floor that can be removed for more storage space. There also is a pass-through from the rear seats.

An overhead view of the concept with all four doors open

The tinted acrylic butterfly-hinged canopy.

Halcyon Concept Bullet Points

  • Based on Chrysler’s STLA Large BEV platform, the Halcyon Concept integrates STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive technologies;
  • The concept’s dramatic proportions create a low-to-the-ground profile with a front air blade aerodynamic pass-through for improved BEV range;
  • Butterfly-hinged canopy and red-carpet-style side doors create an open-air feel and give easy access in and out of the vehicle;
  • In Prepare Mode, Stellantis AI assistant preps the cabin to set HVAC levels; predictive navigation provides real-time traffic routing;
A rear view of the Halcyon

The rear of the Chrysler Halcyon concept also carries its own unique silhouette, with a water line that emphasizes the width and shoulders of the car, and the front’s cross-car read and LED-lit Chrysler Wing logo are mirrored in the rear.

  • A Welcome Mode uses biometric identification to greet the driver with LED exterior lighting animation, personalized exterior sounds, and a greeting on interior screens;
  • Personalized vehicle “cymatics” –— sounds and vibrations mirrored through visuals — give calming or energetic sounds based on driver presets;
  • Different sound frequencies prompt corresponding particle shapes on the wide console screen. So-called “calming frequencies” create dispersed particle patterns, while dynamic sounds have energetic shapes;
  • Chrysler’s STLA AutoDrive technology platform enables Level 4 autonomous driving;
  • A dimmable glass canopy and windshield can turn opaque with seats laid back for a unique augmented-reality Stargazing Mode;
  • Drivers can use voice recognition to deploy the steering wheel and control the vehicle through customized EV drive modes.

The reveal of Chrysler Halcyon Concept can be viewed online at Chrysler.com 

Bentley Motors’ Extraordinary Journeys

by | Jan 26, 2024 | 0 comments

Bentley Motors’ Extraordinary Journeys

‘Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served to guests throughout the programme of culinary experiences. Nature, history, arts and culture, well-being, and relaxation will all form a part of the trip.’

3 Bentley cars on a mountains road in england

Five days of grand touring from Bentley Motors in Crewe, Cheshire, England, to The Macallan Estate in Scotland. (Photography by Bentley Motors)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Whether a bucket list item, a fantasy road trip, or a curated Extraordinary Journey of Discovery, I had to share this release from Bentley Motors for its third annual exclusive driving experience.

The program spans five days and four nights, on two 2024 dates:

• Aug. 19-23
• Sept. 2-6

Fortunately, there is enough time to plan for the adventure if you need to move some investments around. The cost per person (double occupancy) is £14,950 or $18,993.98 in U.S. dollars and includes using a Bentley.

The exclusive road trip is limited to just five couples per group.

“Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served to guests throughout the programme of culinary experiences. Nature, history, arts and culture, wellbeing, and relaxation will all form a part of the trip.”

And, of course, the Bentley Event team will provide full concierge service, looking after guests’ every need along the way.

The route begins at the home of Bentley Motors in Crewe, Cheshire (the Pyms Lane site), and finishes at The Macallan Estate in Scotland’s protected Speyside region.

All departure arrangements, flights, and insurance are not included. However, the package includes all accommodations, food, drinks, and activities throughout the five-day programs.

Tickets may be purchased here.

The official release is below, lightly edited for length.

Bentley announces 2024 dates for Extraordinary Journeys UK

CREWE, ENGLAND — Bentley Motors invites you to join an Extraordinary Journey of discovery. Now in its third year, the Extraordinary Journeys U.K. has seen guests from across the world come together to enjoy the grand touring of some of the most stunning British landscapes. Bentley’s guests can connect with like-minded people, switch off from the stress of their daily lives, and enjoy the itinerary that Bentley Motors has curated for them.

The once-in-a-lifetime road trip experiences offer the chance to drive a Bentley through stunning British landscapes, including the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Cairngorms. The breathtakingly scenic route begins at the home of Bentley Motors in Crewe, Cheshire, and finishes at The Macallan Estate in Scotland’s protected Speyside region.

Caren Jochner, Global Head of Brand Experience at Bentley, commented:

“Bentley’s prestige and quality credentials as a maker of luxury cars are undisputed and we are always looking at ways to widen Bentley’s appeal beyond automotive, giving new audiences relevant opportunities to experience the Bentley brand and explore new places. The Extraordinary Journeys series is a demonstration of this – bringing our passion for discovery into a series of adventures for both new and existing Bentley customers.”

A lovely dinner setting at the Macallan estate

Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served throughout the program of culinary experiences.

Sustainable, seasonal, and locally sourced produce will be served throughout the programme of culinary experiences. Nature, history, arts and culture, well-being, and relaxation will all form a part of the trip.

The unforgettable driving programme spans five days of epic, scenic driving, with four nights in unique, luxury accommodations, creating the ultimate Extraordinary Journey.

Guests can access private and exclusive experiences, which can only be offered by Bentley, including a dinner within the Bentley factory.

Guests will be provided with a private car to travel from Cheshire to Scotland, a chance to drive a Bentley perhaps for the first time, or for existing customers to experience new models in a unique driving-led experience. The Bentley Event team will provide full concierge service, looking after guests’ every need along the way.

In the Bentley woodshop

Touring the Bentley woodshop in Crewe.

BENTLEY MOTORS ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day One

Arriving in Cheshire, guests from around the world will be greeted by the Bentley team at the brand’s flagship CW1 House showroom in Crewe. A private lunch will be served before guests are transferred to the heart of Bentley: the factory. Following a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and meet our colleagues along the production line, an intimate, private dinner will take place in the factory, each ingredient sourced within a 26-mile radius.

Day Two

Guests will drive in convoy in Bentley’s latest models – the Continental GT, the Flying Spur and the Bentayga – toward the Peak District National Park. Passing idyllic chocolate-box villages and world-famous market towns, guests will then venture north into the “Dark Peak” region. The final destination for the day is set within the Yorkshire Dales where Georgian country house hotel Grantley Hall will play home for the evening, offering lovingly home-grown and locally-sourced seasonal produce for dinner.

Bentley cars parked along quaint english cottages

Four nights in unique, luxury accommodations.

Day Three

Day three starts with an option to balance the mind, body, and soul by starting the day with a choice of wellness activities in the natural setting of Grantley Hall. After breakfast, the convoy continues into the North Pennines and the Northumberland National Park, offering some of the world’s most spectacular roads. The journey continues through rolling hills, passing spellbinding abbeys, awe-inspiring stately homes, and castles before arriving at The Treehouses at Lanrick. A hidden gem, offering true escapism within a secluded woodland setting, bordering the Trossachs National Park, this truly green accommodation does not compromise on luxury. As night falls, the group will gather to meet their chef for the evening, the renowned Nick Nairn. An al fresco dinner with local, seasonal produce under the stars.

Day Four

Heading northeast toward Great Britain’s largest National Park, The Cairngorms, guests will stop for refreshments at the peerless Fife Arms in Braemar, a 200-year-old Scottish lodge. A pioneer in recycling and upcycling, the hotel is home to a collection of more than 16,000 antiques, curios, and artworks – from Picasso, Freud, and Bruegel to watercolors by H.M. Queen Victoria and HRH Prince Charles.

The journey will then continue to The Macallan Estate, set in 485 acres of Speyside countryside and home to the brand’s award-winning distillery, designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability. The unforgettable immersive experience will feature a meal in the breathtaking surroundings, tutored tasting, and private distillery experience. The final destination in our journey celebrates the partnership between Bentley and The Macallan, sharing an insight into the process, production, people, and passion that make their single malt whisky so special. A farewell for guests will culminate in a private, specially curated dining experience at the Elchies Brasserie, followed by a nightcap where this memorable evening comes to a close.

Tasting whiskey at the MacAllan estate in Scotland

Sampling the single malt Macallan scotch.

Day Five

After a final breakfast, chauffeurs will transfer guests to Aberdeen or Inverness International Airport to travel home. Alternatively, the Caledonian Sleeper from Inverness can be arranged, offering the iconic railway journey to London.

Go here for more information.