Like other auto junkies we’ve been eagerly anticipating Acura’s 2015 re-release of the iconic NSX since the concept was revealed in 2012. The revival has been widely touted albeit considered long overdue, but diehard fans have celebrated the return to a well-packed V6 engine with Honda’s newly developed Sport…
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Mercedes-Benz reimagines the wagon-coupé with five doors
On a recent trip to Florence with Mercedes-Benz I had a chance to drive their all-new CLS Shooting Brake. A five-door reinterpretation of the classic wagon-coupé, this eclectic design shows just how exciting a station wagon can be. The “SB” will begin shipping in Europe later this Fall and…
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The iconic offroad wagon returns to the US after a five year hiatus
This fall Audi‘s iconic Allroad wagon will return to the US as a completely reinvented model that’s respectful of its heritage. I had the opportunity to spend a couple days with the Allroad last week in Colorado and was impressed by the marriage of classic styling and modern features in a wagon that’s fun, functional and luxurious.
The contrast-colored fender flares that defined the original Allroad’s style are just as present on 2013, however the daytime running lights are now styled LED tubes to carry the fender lines. Though subtle, the switch from segmented LEDs to LED tubes propels Audi’s lighting design back to the forefront of innovation. Helping to define the Allroad’s hearty presence is an elongated, single-frame grill that is a bit of a change for Audi. The ruggedness of the model is also evident in 7.1-inch ground clearance, stainless steel front and rear skid plates and a wider wheelbase.
Settling into the driver seat, the most noticeable element is the simplified centerstack which removes many physical buttons in favor of on-screen controls. Audi MMI Navigation powers the Allroad’s GPS, delivering Google Earth maps with street view as well as traffic information through SiriusXM. Audi Connect is an optional package that turns the Allroad into a mobile hotspot and enables features like weather updates, gas prices, travel news and Google search. Initially installed in the 2012 A7, the service is provided by T-Mobile through an in-car SIM card. Subscription go for $25 per month prepaid or $30 per month pay as you go.
The 2L turbo SFI Engine is managed by an eight speed transmission and Tiptronic mode for manual control—perfect for downshifting while descending windy mountain roads. AWD Quattro is standard, and the model’s efficiency is estimated at 23 MPG highway. Not to be limited by luxury, the Allroad will sport 258 lb-ft of torque, 211 horsepower and Class 1 towing.
A perfect all-weather road car with off-road chops, the 2013 Audi Allroad will range from $40,000 to 56,000 MSRP depending on which options you choose.
Images by Josh Rubin
Windshield-mounted cameras deliver adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and lane departure warning
Last week I was invited to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to spend some quality time with the Subaru family. Beyond getting to know the small, fun and passionate team behind the cult manufacturer’s US presence, it was also a chance to put the 2013 Outback through some rigorous testing. Proving the all wheel drive wagon could tackle sand dunes was fun, but what really impressed was their all-new EyeSight safety system.
EyeSight provides adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and pre-collision braking—all features available on several luxury vehicles, but never before seen on a mid-range car. While other manufacturers use a sonar-based solutions, Subaru has installed two forward-facing cameras with integrated technology that processes the video feed to identify objects in three dimensions. The net result is a set of safety features that’s nearly comparable to vehicles three times the price of the Outback.
At speeds under 20mph, EyeSight detects obstacles and brakes to avoid or mitigate impact. At full speed, the system works to alert drivers when they stray from traffic lines. In variable speed traffic situations, the adaptive cruise control monitors the car ahead of you and adjusts distance and speed. EyeSight can also cut the throttle when accelerating towards an obstacle—an effort to prevent users from driving forward when they mean to reverse.
On the drive from Norfolk, Virginia down to the Outer Banks, we had a chance to test the lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The system worked just as well as others we’ve tested from luxury European manufacturers. A final experiment involved driving directly at a foam wall, allowing the pre-collision braking to bring us to a full stop. We stopped succesfully even though I never took my foot off the gas. From there, we turned off EyeSight and took to the sand where the Outback proved more than capable as an off-road car.
The 2013 Outback features a redesigned front end for more aggressive looks. The new Boxer engine increases both power and efficiency on the AWD crossover with a proposed 30 MPG highway. While the Outback’s 8.7-inch ground clearance doesn’t beat out most SUV’s, it proved more than enough to tackle North Carolina’s coastal dunes.
A fully-loaded 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R with EyeSight will retail for around $31,695 MSRP.
Images by Josh Rubin
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