John Gilchrist, Mustang Mach-E engineer, demonstrates Active Drive Assist, which will allow for hands-free driving on divided highways. The technology will first be available as an option package on certain 2021 vehicles, including the Mustang Mach-E. (Ford)
Updates to Co-Pilot360 include hands-free driving, over-the-air updates
Ford Motor announced today that its driver-assist technology, Ford Co-Pilot360, will be updated with Active Drive Assist to allow hands-free driving on divided highways. The enhanced system will compare to the semi-self-driving technologies in Cadillac’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot.
The added feature is the next evolution of Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, with the potential for future enhancements, Ford said in a release.
Active Drive Assist is integrated with a driver-facing camera that will track head position and the driver’s eyes, even while wearing most sunglasses. Drivers will be notified by visual prompts on the instrument cluster to return their attention to the road or resume control of the vehicle.
The optional technology, Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package, will first be offered with the electric Mustang Mach-E, on sale later this year, followed by select 2021 models, Ford said. The package includes camera and radar hardware with the ability to separately purchase Active Drive Assist as an over-the-air software update next year. Pricing will be announced closer to on-sale dates for 2021 model year vehicles, Ford said.
A series of graphics and indicators were created to let drivers know when the system is engaged — and when it’s not. (Ford)
Ford said its engineers and test drivers have accumulated more than 650,000 miles testing the radar- and camera-based features.
“We go to far-flung places around the U.S. and Canada — from Florida to California, from Quebec to Texas, Wyoming and Idaho — to try to stimulate those rare-case sensor measurements we might not get anywhere else, capturing data in a number of different ways,” Justin Teems, Active Drive Assist feature lead, said in the release.
Co-Pilot360 refinements
Several other semi-autonomous driving technologies were also updated for Co-Pilot360. Among them:
Active Park Assist: The latest iteration of Active Park Assist (part of the Active 2.0 Prep Package) will allow the vehicle to park itself in parallel and perpendicular spaces. It also offers Park Out Assist so drivers can navigate out of a parking spot when another vehicle is parked too close.
Road Edge Detection and Blind Spot Assist: Road Edge Detection can sense the edges of a lane with visible lines or a road with a clear edge, such as grass or dirt. The technology can then alert the driver if the vehicle starts to drift out of the lane or off the road. Blind Spot Assist was updated to give a nudge to the steering wheel to alert the driver, along with the warning light in the side mirror.
Intersection Assist: Camera and radar sensor technologies in the pre-collision system will be able to detect oncoming traffic attempting to turn left. If there’s a risk of a potential collision with an oncoming vehicle, the vehicle can alert the driver and apply the brakes.
Lane-Keeping: The updated system is now integrated with automatic high-beam headlights, blind spot information with cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, rearview camera, reverse brake assist and reverse sensing system. The technologies will be among the Co-Pilot360 2.0 standard package for Mustang Mach-E.
Drop the kids at school and take the long way to work in this sophisticated yet sinister 2020 Avalon TRD
New for 2020, the Avalon TRD is a customized sport sedan built on the legendary reputation of Toyota Racing Development. (Photos courtesy of Toyota or as credited)
The new Toyota Avalon TRD is not your granddad’s Avalon. When the fifth-generation Avalon sedan was redesigned for 2019, Toyota steered this flagship from its mooring as an icon of modern maturity to a speed-line cruiser. Authenticity and exhilaration were the mantras of design, Toyota said.
Designed and built in the U.S., the interior and exterior design makeover was done at Calty Design Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. Engineering work was done at Toyota’s R&D center in Saline, Mich., and production is in Georgetown, Ky.
Black sport SofTex-trimmed front seats with embroidered headrests are trimmed with Ultrasuede inserts and red accents.
Sold in gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid models, the front-wheel-drive sedan was re-invented with a range of “Toyota firsts.” Among them are dynamic auxiliary turn signals, Toyota Safety Sense P, adaptive variable suspension and authentic Yamaha (guitar) wood trim.
And 2020 brings another first for Avalon, a performance-tuned TRD model, which also is available for the midsize Camry.
Toyota says it has begun introducing TRD-tuned passenger cars to reflect the motorsports division’s 40-year heritage of tarmac racing. Toyota Racing Development has a trophy case of IMSA GTO and GTP championships, open-wheel racing successes (including the Indy 500) and, today, a formidable presence in NASCAR.
2020 Avalon TRD Pricing
The Avalon TRD, $43,330, slots between the Touring and Limited models and above the entry XLE ($36,830) and step-up XSE. (Pricing includes the $955 freight charge from Georgetown.) Check pricing incentives here, which currently include a $2,500 cash-back offer.
The 8-speed automatic has performance modes of Eco, Normal, and Sport.
The TRD Treatment
Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture, the Avalon foundation has steel-plank rigidity. It is an ideal platform from which to hang a performance suspension to create a track-capable but compliant sedan.
The performance tuning is a “holistic” approach, Toyota says. The engineering teams worked out the details at Toyota’s Arizona proving ground, at the Higashi-Fuji proving ground in Japan, and at the MotorSport Ranch in Texas.
The contemporary design includes metallic trim — and no faux wood.
Toyota gave the car a badass stance, wrapped in an aerodynamic body kit with red pinstriping. The kit includes the front splitter, side aero skirts, trunk lid spoiler, and rear diffuser. Unique coil springs lower the car by a half-inch, trimming the center of gravity and improving high-speed stability.
The TRD treatment builds upon the Avalon’s 301-horsepower, direct-injected, 3.5-liter V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission with sport modes and paddle shifters. With a reasonably trim curb weight of 3,638 pounds, fuel economy ratings are achievable at 22 mpg city, 31 highway and 25 mpg combined, on 87 octane.
The Avalon TRD, $43,330, slots between the Touring and Limited models.
Stiffening the Body
From there, thicker underbody braces increase torsional rigidity. Stiffer springs and stabilizer bars increased body-roll stiffness by 44 percent in the front and 67 percent rear. The TRD model does not get the Avalon’s adaptive variable suspension, but with the TRD shock absorbers, there is almost an air-ride quality to the smoothness of weight transitions. The stiffness does not transfer to the cabin with waggling head-toss when traversing speed bumps or driveways.
The front brakes are larger, with 12.9-inch diameter rotors and dual-piston calipers, compared to 12-inch rotors and single-piston calipers on the Avalon XSE. Brake performance is tuned to provide more direct feedback, Toyota says, and I experienced no grab or dive on initial activation.
The Avalon’s 301-hp, direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6. (Mark Maynard)
The lightweight 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels reduce unsprung mass by 18 pounds compared to the 19-inch wheels on the Avalon XSE.
A TRD-tuned cat-back dual exhaust system announces with deep subtlety the driver’s departure and arrival. The organic-sounding tone is channeled through sport-modified baffles with an electronically enhanced engine note. Hit the start button, and the engine fires with a gutsy “flare” and settles into a throaty idle. The sound is never droning at highway speeds, but the enhanced sound can be switched off, if desired. The cabin is well-soundproofed at highway speeds, even with the sound generators.
Matte-black and lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels. (Mark Maynard)
Avalon TRD Interior Features
Inside, there are black sport SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with Ultrasuede inserts and red accents — and red seat belts. Red stitching accents the TRD embroidered headrests, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob with TRD logo and TRD floor and trunk mats.
Standard safety features and technologies include 10 air bags, blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert and Toyota Safety Sense P, which integrates a precollision system with pedestrian detection, emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, full speed-range dynamic radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic braking and intelligent clearance sonar for parking alerts.
The back seat has a long 40.4 inches of legroom. (Mark Maynard)
Paint colors, with red pinstriping, include Supersonic Red (exclusive to TRD), Wind Chill Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic.
Why Buy the Toyota Avalon TRD?
This is a well-executed performance package with legendary engineering at a modest price premium. Avalon might not be on the short list for drivers seeking a sport sedan, but the TRD customization creates long-term pride of ownership.
Drop the kids at school and take the long way to work.
The TRD aero kit includes lower-side skirts, a trunk lid spoiler, and a rear diffuser.
2020 Toyota Avalon TRD Specifications
Body style: large midsize, 5-passenger, front-drive sedan
Standard equipment includes: smart key entry with push-button ignition, moonroof with sliding sunshade, electric parking brake, wireless phone charging, 9-inch infotainment touch screen, 8-speaker audio system, 4 USB charging ports, rearview camera with guidance lines, 8-way power front seats with 4-way lumbar, heated leather and wood steering wheel
Avalon TRD package equipment: cat-back dual exhaust with chrome tips; 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels with 235/40 tires, piano black grille with mesh insert, black rear spoiler, intake engine sound generator, LED headlights-taillights-running lights, dynamic turn signals
Avalond TRD package interior features: black sport SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with Ultrasuede inserts and red accents; red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests, leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, red seatbelts, a shift knob with an embossed TRD logo and TRD floor and trunk mats
Safety features include: 10 air bags, stability and traction controls, blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert, hill-start assist, brake assist and Toyota Safety Sense P (precollision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, full speed range dynamic radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic braking, intelligent clearance sonar)
PRICING
AvalonTRDBase price: $43,330, including $955 freight charge; price as tested $46,712
Options on test vehicle: Supersonic red paint $425; 14-speaker JBL audio system with 3.0 Entune infotainment with navigation and app suite $1,760; door edge guard $140; protection package $657 (bodyside moldings); paint protection film $395; wheel locks $80; Preferred Owner’s (manual) Portfolio $80
here assembled: Georgetown, Ky.
Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 2 years free scheduled maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain
Ford Mustang Mach-E owners will receive 250 kilowatt-hours of complimentary charging through FordPass Rewards at Electrify America fast-charging stations. (Ford)
To kick-start their electric Mustang Mach-E experience, Ford announced June 15 that owners will receive 250 kilowatt-hours of complimentary charging through FordPass Rewards at Electrify America fast-charging stations. That’s the equivalent of approximately three to five full DC fast charges, Ford said in a statement.
According to GreenCarReports.com, that’s potentially a value of hundreds of dollars at EA’s $0.99-per-minute standard rate.
For Mustang Mach-E owners with the extended-range battery, the 250 kilowatt-hours of fast-charging energy is equal to more than three fill-ups. For standard-range models, the free charging is equal to more than five fill-ups.
Using Electrify America’s DC fast chargers, a rear-wheel-drive Mach-E with an extended-range battery can add an estimated 61 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes. All-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive cars are estimated to achieve a 10 percent to 80 percent charge in approximately 45 minutes, Ford said.
The free charging will give Mach-E owners the confidence to plan trips, no matter their destination, said Matt Stover, Ford director of charging, energy services and business development.
“One of the main opportunities we have is educating our potential customers about road-trip readiness,” said Stover.
The free charging is in addition to the two years of free access to the FordPass Charging Network. The network is North America’s largest public charging network, Ford said, with more than 13,500 charging stations and almost 40,000 individual plugs.
Ford Connected Charge Station wallbox will start at $799. (Ford)
Home charging
Ford also announced that a 240-volt, Level 2 home wallbox will be available for $799, excluding taxes. The Ford Connected Charge Station is available at the dealership or online with the purchase of the Mach-E or at FordParts.com.
The 48-amp charge station will be able to charge overnight a rear-wheel-drive Mach-E with extended-range battery. The Mach-E also will have a mobile charge cable, capable of charging on a higher-voltage 240-volt electrical outlet.
Ford works with Amazon Home Services for installation of home charging setups, which will be available later this year.
The 5 millionth BMW built in the U.S.A. rolled off the line at Plant Spartanburg, South Carolina on Thursday, June 4, 2020. (BMW)
Toronto Red X5 M Competition to stay in plant’s historic collection
BMW announced today that its Spartanburg, S.C., manufacturing facility built its 5-millionth vehicle on June 4. The milestone vehicle is a Toronto Red Metallic BMW X5 M Competition equipped with a 617-horsepower M TwinPower Turbo V-8 engine with Silverstone Full Merino Leather interior and 21/22-inch M Star-spoke bi-color wheels. Pricing starts at $115,095, including the freight charge.
But this BMW will not go to an eager owner. Instead, it will remain at the factory and become part of the BMW historic collection.
The first BMW built in the U.S., a BMW 318i, with the 5 millionth, a Toronto red metallic BMW X5 M Competition at BMW’s historic collection at Group Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina. (BMW)
“This BMW X5 M Competition is a symbol of the success of our products and the commitment and dedication of our associates and supplier network,” Knudt Flor, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing said in a statment. “Every BMW X5 in the world comes from Plant Spartanburg. We are proud to call South Carolina home!”
More than half of all BMWs sold in U.S. are built in Spartanburg, according to Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America. “BMW Group has long considered the United States to be our second home and we are proud to say that the U.S. is in fact home to the biggest BMW plant in the world. We congratulate our colleagues on this historic achievement.”
Production milestones at BMW manufacturing: • 1 millionth BMW – Feb. 28, 2006 – Z4 M Roadster • 1.5 millionth BMW – Sept. 8, 2009 – BMW X6 xDrive35i • 2 millionth BMW – Jan. 12, 2012 – BMW X3 xDrive35i • 2.5 millionth BMW – Sept. 17, 2013 – BMW X5 xDrive50i • 3 millionth BMW – March 24, 2015 – BMW X5 M • 3.5 millionth BMW – May 18, 2016 – BMW X4 xDrive20i • 4 millionth BMW – Sept. 8, 2017 – BMW X3 xDrive M40i • 4.5 millionth BMW – March 7, 2019 – BMW X7 xDrive40 • 5 millionth BMW – June 4, 2020 – BMW X5 M Competition
The Spartanburg, S.C., plant is BMW’s largest in the world. Last year, the plant celebrated 25 years and set a new production record of 411,620 BMW SUVs. (BMW)
The South Carolina plant also celebrated two important milestones last year: • 25 years of production and a record year of 411,620 vehicles built. • In 2019, Plant Spartanburg led the nation in automotive exports by value for the sixth consecutive year, with a total export value of approximately $9.6 billion. Nearly 70 percent of the plant’s total production was exported from 2010 – 2019.
The Special Edition Toyota Corolla hatchback in Supersonic Red paint and a body kit. (Toyota)
Special Edition Toyota Corolla hatchback gets red-hot Supersonic Red paint and body kit
Fireworks displays this summer might be socially distanced or even socially unacceptable, but Toyota just lit the fuse on a Corolla hatchback special edition that should get some attention, in Supersonic Red. On sale in late summer, the special edition will be limited to 1,500 hatchbacks, all in the unique metallic paint color.
The package adds $3,100 to the $21,565 MSRP of the Corolla SE with CVT. (Toyota)
Special features include black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and a body kit that adds a splitter in the lower front fascia, side skirts, black rear roof spoiler and Special Edition badging.
The package adds $3,100 to the $21,565 MSRP of the Corolla SE with continuously variable transmission. Find 2020 Toyota pricing here.
Black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels are among the package features.
Special Edition Corollas (and the top-line XSE model) roll with the “big” engine choice: a 168-horsepower, direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 151 foot-pounds of torque 4,400 rpm. The SE comes with the Dynamic Shift CVT (continuously variable transmission), but other models are available with a six-speed manual. CVT fuel economy ratings are 31 mpg city, 40 highway and 34 mpg combined, on 87 octane.
Standard equipment for the Corolla Hatchback SE includes automatic climate control, leather-wrapped shift knob and, with the optional CVT, paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake, three-door SmartKey locking system, automatic up and down windows and two front USB ports. The six-speaker audio system includes an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or Amazon Alexa infotainment.
Slim, J-shaped bi-beam LED headlamps wrap into the front fenders and all-LED taillamps have a diffusing inner lens designed to accent the car’s stout stance, Toyota says.
2021 Corolla updates All 2021 Corolla Hatchback models now have rear seat-mounted side air bags, bringing the bag count to 10. Other safety updates include Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitor standard on the XSE trim level, and optional for the SE grade with the SE Preferred package.
The black rear roof spoiler. (Toyota)
Also standard is the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist technologies: • Pre-collision system with daytime and low-light vehicle and pedestrian detection, with daytime bicyclist detection • Full-speed-range dynamic radar cruise control (CVT only) • Lane departure alert with steering assist • Automatic high beams • Lane tracing assist (CVT only) • Road sign assist
