cars

There’s a new Sheriff in town…

…well, Carabinieri actually.

See, the Carabinieri is Italy’s national military police force, protecting both military and civilian populations, and is one of Italy’s four Armed Forces.

If you’re a car fan, you’ve most likely seen the Italian Police’s Lamborghini, but what you haven’t seen is the new addition to the Carabinieri fleet – an Alfa-Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde.

Armed with a 503-hp engine, the Alfa QV’s twin-turbo V6 delivers a 191-mph top speed and 3.9 second 0-62 time – perfect for chasing down criminals on the Autostrade.

The Giulia QV doesn’t just have new stickers, lights and sirens – it’s added cameras, tablets and other policing technology.

Fiat-Chrysler head honcho Sergio Marchionne presented the first two Giulia QV’s to the Carabinieri, with more to be added in the future, in addition to some Jeeps and Fiats.

Photos from Alfa Romeo.

All-New LC 500 & LC 500h from Lexus

The New York International Auto Show is back in town, running until April 3rd, and this year’s show may be the biggest one yet. Several new cars debuted from luxury car brands this year, including BMW, Mercedes, Maserati and Lexus, to name a few.

One of the big standouts from this year’s auto show is the new Lexus LC500 and LC500h luxury coupe. The New York Auto Show marks the LC 500h’s North American debut, as well as its first appearance together with the LC 500.

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Styling, performance and craftsmanship of the LC mark it as the flagship coupe of the Lexus brand. The LC marks the beginning of a new phase for Lexus with its outstanding visual appeal, highlighted by an aerodynamic shape, its curves and wide, imposing stance.

The LC 500 has a newly developed 10-speed automatic transmission — the first ever in a luxury automobile. The LC is the first Lexus to use the brand’s all-new, premium rear-wheel-drive luxury platform, which promises enhanced dynamic capability and performance.

The LC 500 Hybrid features the world’s first Multi Stage Hybrid System, the next generation of hybrid powertrains specifically designed for performance vehicles. The hybrid system aligns engine speed with throttle inputs, while also balancing power and fuel consumption.

Akio Toyoda, Chief Branding Officer and Master Driver for Lexus said that, “a few years ago, we decided to guide the future of the brand with products that had more passion and distinction in the luxury market. This flagship luxury coupe’s proportions, stunning design and performance make a strong statement about our brands’ emotional direction, and will grow the Lexus luxury appeal globally”.

The pulse of the LC 500 comes from a high-revving 5.0-liter V8, the same found in the the RC F and GS F. Selected for its smooth, linear throttle response and hearty engine sound, the all-aluminum V8 has 467hp and 389 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine in the LC 500 uses a dual intake inlet that helps improve breathing and allows the vehicle to achieve a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 4.5 seconds.

As of now, there’s not much known about the LC hybrid, other than its actual existence.

Other new models for Lexus featured at the show include the 2016 GS F, an elegant, yet aggressive, sedan which lends its 467 horsepower, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 to the LC 500, and Lexus’ 2016 RX which demonstrates that sophistication can, indeed, have an edge.

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The New York International Auto Show is back!

The New York International Auto Show strikes again! With approximately 1,000 vehicles on display contained under 950,000 sq. ft., the show is one of the world’s biggest and greatest automotive shows for over one million car enthusiasts to check out the newest cars, trucks and SUV’s.

A few dozen, new for 2016, cars made their big debuts at the show. Some of these were the all-new Audi A4 with a power boost up to 252hp, the sixth generation BMW 7 series, the 365hp BMW M2, an all-wheel-drive Ford Fusion V6 Sport and Hyundai’s new flagship brand, Genesis, showed us the new G90. Other debuts include the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Fiat 124 Spider, Cadillac CT6, the 5.0-liter V8 Lexus LX500, Lincoln Continental, Mercedes E-Class with a new 2.0-liter, 241hp four cylinder and the Volvo S90 luxury sedan.

New concept vehicles were also revealed at the show, including the Buick Avista coupe grand tourer, Volkswagen BUDD-e, the Kia A1A Optima and the Kia Telluride.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the New York International Auto Show over the next few days.

First Responders at the New York International Auto Show

Ever go to the New York Auto Show and wonder where all those police cars on the lower level come from? They come from the New York City Police Museum.

Incorporated in 1998, The New York City Police Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the New York City Police Department, the world’s largest and most famous police service. Every year, they have a spectacular display of the police cars of New York City, from the 1930s to present day.

1958 Ford Custom 300 with factory 292i V8 (4.8L) and 3 speed automatic. Emergency equipment includes a Federal signal Model 17 light, Federal Signal Model 28 siren, Stewart Warner Police Special Speedometer and Motorola Twin V Police Radio.

1974 Plymouth Satellite Custom with factory 318i V8 (5.2L) and 3 speed automatic. The NYPD switched from the larger Plymouth Fury to the smaller Plymouth Satellite due to the gasoline crisis. Each car was $3,767. Precinct numbers were added to the sides of the cars in 1978. Includes a Signal Stat #9555 light bar, Signal Stat VI Siren & Control Center, Stewart Warner Police Special speedometer and Motorola T-Power Radio

1989 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Police Package with Federal Signal Aerodynamic 24H lighter and Federal Signal PA-300 radio. This car is built in tribute to P.O. Edward Byrne.

2016 Smart Car, with 89 horsepower and CVT transmission. NYPD installed options include NYPD specialized LED lighting and message board with 72 different programmed messages and a VIT fuel management system.

2016 Ford NGPI Utility, comes with 304 horsepower and al-wheel-drive with police tuned suspension, heavy duty wheels and brakes, NYPD specialized LED lighting, Rumbler siren, front push bumper, ballistic door and window panels, computer tablet with keyboard and printer, priority start (battery rundown protection), skid plate, AVL (automatic vehicle locator). It also has a park kill module, which turns the sirens off when the vehicle is placed in park, and a run on module, which allows the vehicle to run when the ignition key is removed but turns the car off when the brake is pressed so the car can’t be stolen.

1961 Plymouth Savoy from “Car 54, Where are You?”, with factory 318i V8 (5.2L) and 3 speed automatic, and Motorola Twin V radio, Stewart Warner Police Speedometer, Federal Signal Model 28 Siren and Federal Signal Model 17 light. Each car cost $2,694 in 1961.

1989 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Police Package
1961 Plymouth Savoy from “Car 54, Where are You?”
1974 Plymouth Satellite Custom
2016 Ford NGPI Utility
1961 Plymouth Savoy from “Car 54, Where are You?”
1958 Ford Custom 300
2016 Smart Car
1958 Ford Custom 300
1974 Plymouth Satellite Custom
2016 Ford NGPI Utility

2016 New York International Auto Show Press Day!

Today is the day! 2016 New York International Auto Show Press Day has arrived. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and right here for live coverage, beginning today at 5PM. 

50th Annual Easter Jeep Safari, Jeep honors CJ-5 and others

The 2016 Easter Jeep Safari is already underway in Moab, Utah for their 50th year running. It kicked off Saturday, March 19th and is running straight through to Sunday, March 27th. The Safari is an event starting in Moab, using your own vehicle on 40 different trails ranging in difficulty for a 9-day long adventure! Every year, Jeep shows off new concepts at this event which utilize both production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts. The Safari is hosted by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers Inc., which is one of the the local four wheel drive clubs of Moab.

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For almost 30 years, the CJ-5 was in production, making it the longest-living Wrangler model to be produced. It’s been said throughout the years that the CJ-5 was one of the hardest vehicles to kill off. The CJ-5 went through years and years of changes and upgrades since it was produced for so long. Some of the most noticeable changes were gas tank relocation, frame length and width and various transmissions and engine size upgrades. The CJ-5 sure is an iconic Wrangler model, which is what makes this 2016 Shortcut Concept that much more special.

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The 2016 Shortcut Concept is inspired by the classic CJ-5 to handle tight, winding trails. It is overall a tad more than 2 feet shorter, while the wheelbase remains the same. The bumpers were also pushed in a small amount and the rear spare tire was taken off – bringing the Shortcut closer in size to the older CJ-5. The Shortcut features no doors and roof as well as a restyled grille, hood and tailgate. The Shortcut also shows off the classic round side-view mirrors. Another eye catcher of course are the matching body color 17-inch rims that are fitted into 35-inch tires. As for the engine specs, the Shortcut will be running the same 3.6-liter V6 and five-speed automatic from the current Wrangler.

Jeep is extremely excited this year for the Easter Jeep Safari. Mike Manley, the head of Jeep for FCA Global said, “Every year, the Jeep team looks forward to pushing the limits with new, exciting, and capable concept vehicles for our most loyal enthusiasts at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, where we receive a tremendous amount of valuable feedback.” I think we can all agree that this year’s concepts are on point. Manley continued, “This year is extra special, as together with our biggest fans, we celebrate Jeep’s 75th anniversary, as well as the 50th running of the Jeep Safari”.

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Jeep Crew Chief 715

The Crew Chief is a salute to legendary Jeep military service vehicles

Jeep Renegade Commander

Jeep Renegade Commander

The Jeep Renegade Commander is built to blaze a trail deep into the secluded wilderness.

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Jeep Comanche

The Jeep Comanche is designed to be off-road ready with practical utility.

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Jeep FC 150

The Jeep FC 150 is a heritage cab-over design, rich in history and capable of tackling any terrain.

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Jeep Trailcat

The Jeep Trailcat is a  Hellcat-powered off-roader, capable of both crawling and high-speed runs.

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Jeep Trailstorm

The Jeep Trailstorm has added offroad capability with a 2-inch lift kit, 37-inch tires and Dana 44 axles.
To view more photos of the Jeep concepts, check out our album on Facebook.

Photography by Michael Simari and Jeep

Serial One: The First Honda in the US

In 1969, Honda debuted the N600, the first Honda car that was imported to the US. Designed to combat bad fuel economy and high emissions, the N600 was roughly three feet shorter and half the weight of the average American car at the time.

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Mechanic and restorer Tim Mings is the only full-time Honda N600 mechanic in the world – having worked on over 1,000 throughout the past 20 years. From the first 50 produced (serial #1 through 50), only 3 survived. After sitting under five decades of dust and dirt, Tim recently found this N600, purchasing it sight unseen, unaware of its’ pedigree. Now, it’s Tim’s mission to restore Serial One, the very first N600 that rolled off the line. Mings says it’s “humbling that I get to be the guy that does it. I’m the first person to take it apart since it was put together in 1967”. Once the restoration is complete, it will be going to the Honda Museum.

 

During the 12- to 18-month rebuild, Honda will be documenting the restoration of this special car at SerialOne.com – follow along, both with Honda and us, as we keep a close eye on the progress!

Images from: Honda Motor Co.

Ford opens doors for law enforcement

Ford has always been a staple in law enforcement vehicle history – going all the way back to 1919 when departments used Model T police trucks. Then, came the infamous Crown Victoria era in the early 90s and late 2000s. Now, we have the new Explorers and Tauruses we see most departments using on the roads today.

Ford is taking their dedication to law enforcement one step further, and will now be offering doors that protect against armor-piercing bullets. Since 2008, they’ve offered factory-installed ballistic panels on their police car doors, but they only protect against handgun fire and non-armor piercing bullets. Only about 5 to 10 percent of police vehicles sold by Ford have the optional ballistic protection, which costs about $1,500 per door.

In this photo provided by Ford Motor Company, a Michigan State Police officer shoots at the doors of a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association in Brighton, Mich.
In this photo provided by Ford Motor Company, different types of ammunition used in testing are displayed, foreground, as a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle sits parked in the background during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association in Brighton, Mich.
In this photo provided by Ford Motor Company, a Michigan State Police officer shoots at the doors of a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Barry County Conservation Club in Hastings, Mich.
In this photo provided by Ford Motor Company, a Michigan State Police officer and a Ford engineer look at damage to a door of a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Barry County Conservation Club in Hastings, Mich.
This photo provided by Ford Motor Company shows entry holes through the outer skin of the door panel of a Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle during ballistic testing of doors against small arm fire at the Barry County Conservation Club in Hastings, Mich.

Controlling 60 percent of the US police vehicle market in 2015, Ford will be the first in the US to meet the Justice Department’s highest standard for body armor, which is the equivalent of a bulky SWAT team vest.

The ballistic panels, which cover the majority of the door, have two layers. The first layer is made from ballistic-grade ceramic tile, which disperses the energy and starts to break the bullet into pieces on impact. The inner layer is made from aramid fiber, which is the same material used for Kevlar, and catches the shrapnel from the bullet.

Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations said that “any kind of protection that can be added into the vehicles that officers are driving in is a great idea”, since officers are frequently targeted when they are in their patrol cars.

Unavailable to the public, the doors are destroyed when police cars are scrapped so they don’t wind up in the bad guys’ hands.

Engineering the doors proved to be a challenge since the added weight of the ballistic protection had to be supported by the hinges of the door, though they made it happen. Ford will continue to offer both non-armor piercing and armor-piercing protection doors for departments with different needs. Pricing for upgraded protection has not been announced.

Photo Credit: Ford