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NORTH CAROLINA

Spotlight: 30th Annual Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

May 27, 2019 by admin 2 Comments

America and Chevrolet in 1969


This Camaro SS was just one of several performance models in Chevrolet’s 1969 product line.

Probably the most significant event of 1969 was the July 20th lunar landing of the Apollo 11 spacecraft. The galactic mission showcased America’s tech prowess in an age when the space program’s computers had less power than the device you hold in your hands today. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” quipped astronaut Neil Armstrong as he set foot on the lunar surface.

That year also saw Richard Milhous Nixon inaugurated as the 37th President of the United States, Vietnam War protests deepen, while the Woodstock Festival gave us three days of peace and music on a bucolic farm in upstate New York.

On the automotive front, Chevrolet continued to lead the U.S. market in sales, fending off archival Ford for another year. It was also a year when Chevrolet flexed its performance muscle, by supplying several powerhouse engines across most of its model line.

Outside of the compact Corvair (which was in its final year, then succeeded by the Vega), models such as the Nova, Chevelle, Camaro, Corvette, and Impala each offered at least one big block V8. It was also the final year for the Impala SS.

Wagons remained the family vehicle of choice and included such names as the Kingswood Estates, Kingswood, Townsman, and Brookwood among Chevy’s full-size models. In the intermediate group were such models as the Concours Estate, Concours, Greenbrier, and Nomad.

The Chevrolet C/K, a line of full-size pickup trucks, were sold under Standard, Custom, and CST (Custom Sort Truck) trims. Chevrolet had 10 (half-ton), 20 (three-quarter ton), and 30 (one-ton) versions. Both medium- and heavy-duty versions of this truck were also offered. The Chevrolet Suburban utility vehicle was now in its sixth generation. Unlike today’s models, this one offered a single driver-side door and two passenger-side doors.




2019 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

You’ll find Chevrolet fan clubs all across the country, including some based on specific models such as the Avalanche, Camaro, and Impala. There’s even a Chevrolet Astro fan club in Japan where this small van is revered. Who knew?

In the area where I call home, central North Carolina, is the Piedmont Classic Chevy Club (check out their Facebook page). Launched in 1980 to celebrate Tri-Five (1955, 1956, & 1957 models), the group later expanded to include all classic Chevrolet models. Today, club members span all U.S. makes and models through 1985.

Memorial Day weekend is important for remembering and honoring U.S. military people who gave their lives in war. It is also favored by classic car enthusiasts, including those without weekend getaway plans. On Saturday, the PCCC folk hosted their 30th annual classic car show, once again choosing Lake Wheeler Park in Raleigh, NC as the site for the show.

And it was a hot Saturday at that! By late morning, the temperature had already topped 90 degrees, with a record within reach. Fortunately, that didn’t stop hundreds of classic car fans and their rides from coming out as well as many more spectators. Proceeds from the event were donated to Raleigh’s Hilltop Home for Children.

Without further ado, the following highlights and photos are from this year’s show.












































Check Out Our Related Information

Besides covering classic car shows on this site, you can find updates on our Facebook page. Live updates shared on Twitter and Instagram too.


Additional Spotlights

Spotlight: 23rd Annual Triangle British Classic Car Show

Spotlight: 24th Annual Rod & Custom Show Presented by the Stray Cats

Spotlight: 2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show


Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show (2019) photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.


Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: Cadillac de Ville Convertible, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Fleetline, Chevy, CLASSIC CARS, Hemmings, Lake Wheeler Park, NORTH CAROLINA, Piedmont Classic Chevy Club, Raleigh

Spotlight: 24th Annual Rod & Custom Show Presented by the Stray Cats

September 2, 2018 by admin 5 Comments

Stray Cats and a classic car show.

24th Annual Rod & Custom Show Presented by the Stray Cats
At 10 a.m, the 24th Annual Rod & Custom Show Presented by the Stray Cats
officially began with the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer for some parts of the country, but here in the Southeast, it means something else: the start of the college football season!

It is also one of the best weekends of the year for taking in classic car shows, which is exactly what this writer did on Saturday with a visit to Littleton, North Carolina. That’s where the locally based Stray Cats Hot Rod Association convened for their 24th Annual Rod & Custom Show. And true to its name, there were multiple examples of hot rods and custom-modified vehicles on display.

34th Littleton/Lake Gaston Festival

The hot rod association’s event is one component of the annual Littleton/Lake Gaston Festival organized by the Littleton Lions Club. Held behind the stores on one side of East South Main Street, the festival includes carnival rides, all-day entertainment, food and craft vendors and, of course, vision screenings.

Stray Cats Hot Rod AssociationAs for the classic car component, it is held on the opposite side of the street, well behind Grandpa’s Kitchen with entrance made along Ferguson Street.

Like other shows of its kind, the Stray Cats began welcoming cars at 8 a.m. Registrants first covered the parking lots before taking over the adjoining grass areas. Judging was held throughout the morning and early afternoon with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. My visit, however, was limited to the morning hours, but I believe the photos included here offer a good representation of the vehicles on hand.

Photos of the 24th Annual & Custom Show

Without further ado, I present to you a photo selection from this year’s show.


Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hod Rod Association

Stray Cats Hot Rod Association


More Spotlights

Spotlight: Capital City Cruisers 2018 Car, Truck & Bike Show

Spotlight: American Children’s Home Show-off Show

Spotlight: 2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show


Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.


Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: CAR SHOW, CLASSIC CARS, hot rods, Littleton, NORTH CAROLINA, Stray Cats, Stray Cats Hot Rod Association, Warren County

Spotlight: Capital City Cruisers 2018 Car, Truck & Bike Show

August 20, 2018 by admin 4 Comments

Capital City Cruisers hosts their 12th annual event.

Chevrolet Chevelle SS Capital City Cruisers
Check out the wheels on this Chevrolet Chevelle SS!

Weeks of above normal rainfall in the Carolinas means one thing: if you have plans in place, then know for certain that they’re subject to change. Moreover, if those plans involve hosting a car show with scores of classic and antique cars prepared to compete, there is a good chance that at least some owners will stay away.

Happily, the bad weather held off long enough for the 12th Annual Capital City Cruisers Car, Truck & Bike Show to welcome more than 100 vehicles to its location in Garner, NC. This judged event awarded the top 100 vehicles, which were split between 75 “old school” models (1987 and earlier) and 25 “new school vehicles (1988 and later). Fittingly, a portion of the proceeds raised money for the local schools, Angel Tree and the Give Back Organization, Inc.

Capital City Cruisers Photo Gallery

My time was limited on Saturday, but I was able to show up early on and stay until just after the noon hour. That allowed me to take hundreds of photos and converse with various owners.

About 40 photos were posted on the day of the event on the Auto Trends Magazine Facebook page. Another four dozen or so are included here, with details covering specific vehicles or categories. If you’re the owner of a vehicle featured here and would like a copy, simply right click on the photo and save it to your hard drive.

So, without further delay, I give you a broad sample of the stars, cars, people and other vehicles featured at this year’s Capital City Cruisers show.

Cars, Trucks and a Motorcycle

1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible. Capital City Cruisers.
This 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible is an excellent example of a post-war model.
Unfortunately, the owner’s visit was very short.

1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible Capital City Cruisers


Ford Falcon Thunderbolt Capital City Cruisers
This Ford Falcon, also known as Thunderbolt, is ready to race.

Ford Falcon Thunderbolt Capital City Cruisers


1973 Chevrolet Camaro Capital City Cruisers
This is one “angry” 1973 Chevrolet Camaro. At least according to the license plate.

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Capital City Cruisers


Chevrolet pickup truck Capital City Cruisers
This Chevrolet truck has a few custom parts, including the wheels, bed cover and wood bed.

Chevrolet pickup truck Capital City Cruisers


2007 Honda Motorcycle Capital City Cruisers
This three-wheeled 2007 Honda motorcycle was the lone vehicle of its kind. But it did represent!

2007 Honda motorcycle Capital City Cruisers


1960 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Capital City Cruisers
A 1960 Cadillac Coupe de Ville in all its fin-embedded glory.

1960 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Capital City Cruisers


Ford Model A Capital City Cruisers
This Ford Model A may have been the oldest vehicle at the show.
I caught the owner giving his sweet ride some TLC.

Ford Model A Capital City Cruisers


Mopar Madness

What is a car show without sufficient Mopar representation? In this case, various Plymouth and Dodge models, old and new, paraded in and took over their own slice of the lot.

Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Capital City Cruisers Mopar
Mopar Capital City Cruisers


What is it?

Not every vehicle at car shows fit under the antique, classic or contemporary car theme. Take this customized vehicle which got everyone’s attention when it arrived around noon. The owner said that it is powered by a 1834cc Volkswagen engine with VW front and rear suspension parts. The rest of the vehicle is a mish-mash of anything goes. Oh, the vehicle is a tribute to America’s fallen heroes — the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Capital City Cruisers dune buggy
Capital City Cruisers dune buggy
Capital City Cruisers dune buggy


But Wait…There’s More!

Pontiac Trans Am Capital City Cruisers
1979-1981 Pontiac Trans Am models featured this quad headlight look.
1940 Ford Coupe Capital City Cruisers
And all of a sudden there was this gorgeous 1940 Ford coupe.
Phillips 66 Capital City Cruisers
Your Phillips 66 assist truck at your service!

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Not every vehicle on display is in mint condition. Some are in a work in progress, including this classic Chevrolet pickup truck. Many a classic or antique model have gone through a long process of restoration. Best wishes to this owner as he or she renews this beauty.

Chevrolet truck Capital City Cruisers

Chevrolet truck Capital City Cruisers

Chevrolet truck Capital City Cruisers


We Have Pickup Trucks

Long before crossovers became a thing, pickup trucks have served American consumers and business owners. Nearly every mainstream manufacturer had one, including Studebaker, International and Jeep. These days, the segment remains strong with American and Japanese manufacturers dominating.

Pickup truck fans were not disappointed at the Capital City Cruisers show as more than a dozen were spotted. In addition to the ones we already featured, the following 10 trucks were on also on display.

Capital City Cruisers
1965 International C1200.
1957 Chevrolet 3600 pickup truck. Capital City Cruisers
1957 Chevrolet 3600 pickup truck.
1961 Ford F-100 pickup truck. Capital City Cruisers
1961 Ford F-100 pickup truck.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet “Goldfinger” C/K pickup truck.
Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck. Capital City Cruisers
Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck.
1947-1955 Chevrolet pickup trucks. Capital City Cruisers
1947-1955 Chevrolet pickup trucks.
1940-1941 Ford Pickup Truck. Capital City Cruisers
1940-1941 Ford Pickup Truck.
GMC S15. Capital City Cruisers
GMC S15.
1994 Chevrolet S10 customized pickup truck. Capital City Cruisers
1994 Chevrolet S10 customized pickup truck.
Chevrolet El Camino SS. Capital City Cruisers
Chevrolet El Camino SS.

Previous Spotlights

Spotlight: 24th Annual Rod & Custom Show Presented by the Stray Cats

Spotlight: American Children’s Home Show-off Show

Spotlight: 2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show


Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.


Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: ANTIQUE CARS, Cadillac Coupe de Ville, Capital City Cruisers, CAR SHOW, Chevrolet, CHEVROLET CAMARO, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, CLASSIC CARS, DODGE, Ford Falcon, Ford Model A, Garner, Honda motorcycle, MOPAR, NORTH CAROLINA, Phillips 66, PICKUP TRUCKS, PLYMOUTH, Raleigh

Spotlight: 2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

May 28, 2018 by admin 7 Comments

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show
2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show at Lake Wheeler Park.

As an automotive writer, most of my focus is on what’s new and upcoming, thus the “auto trends” moniker. But I also know that the industry has a rich history spanning nearly 150 years. Keeping an eye on the past while looking toward the future supplies the right perspective about the motorized conveyances we love.

When an opportunity to take in a local show comes up, I like to seize it. And not just any show, but one featuring the classic cars that define America. The 2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show is one such event, held on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day.

This year’s event was the 29th running of the show and it was a good one. Indeed, Hemmings listed it amongst its featured shows for the weekend. With Lake Wheeler Park in Raleigh, NC, serving as the venue, I knew it was one event I had to attend.

I’m glad that I did, because this car show was better than I had expected. One special note: our war dead were remembered — Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). What a pleasant surprise to hear a young lady sing the Star-Spangled Banner.

1955 Chevrolet Handyman.
1955 Chevrolet Handyman.

1968 Chevrolet: 50 Years Later

This year’s show celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Chevy. That year featured such model names as Bel Air and Biscayne; Camaro and Corvette; Corvair Chevelle, and Caprice; Impala and Nova. Not to mention various “C” and “K” trucks and the Suburban.

Most of those models were present and the ones on display were entered for judging. The club welcomed owners of other US brands, including AMC, Buick, Cadillac, Dodge, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac and Studebaker. As long as the vehicle was made in the US and was from 1992 or earlier, they qualified.

I did not stay around long enough to learn who won an award. Contestants plunked down $20 to enter, otherwise, admission to the general public was free. Proceeds from the show benefited the private, nonprofit Raleigh’s Hilltop Home. The home serves children with severe developmental and medical disabilities.

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

As for the models on hand, the following represent the photos taken. The first group includes stories gleaned first hand from the respective owner.

If I got something wrong, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll make the necessary correction.


1967 Cadillac de Ville Convertible

Several vehicles on hand also prominently displayed “for sale” signs, including a 1967 Cadillac de Ville Convertible. This beautiful specimen of Cadillac hugeness looks factory new with its white body, white sidewall tires and a red interior.

This model is powered by a 429 cubic inch (7.0 liters) V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and has a three-speed automatic transmission. This engine makes 340 horsepower.

The owner was present and said he was asking $38,500 for it.

1967 Cadillac d'Ville Convertible

1967 Cadillac d'Ville Convertible

1967 Cadillac d'Ville Convertible

1967 Cadillac d'Ville Convertible


1950 Chevrolet Fleetline

Not displayed on the green, but sitting in the lot directly across from the field was a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline. This model was also for sale, with a listed price of $8,500. Some wheel well rust was evident and the interior has seated many passengers for nearly seven decades.

The Fleetline was a subset of the Fleetmaster. All models have a 215 cubic inch (3.5-liter) inline six-cylinder engine making 90 horsepower.

1950 Chevrolet Fleetline

1950 Chevrolet Fleetline

1950 Chevrolet Fleetline

1950 Chevrolet Fleetline

1950 Chevrolet Fleetline


Chevrolet Pickup Truck
A lowrider Chevrolet pickup truck with an “aftermarket” umbrella.

1968 Plymouth GTX

The owner of this 1968 Plymouth GTX told me he purchased this model from the previous owner for just $5,000. He replaced the original engine ($7,000) with one displacing 480 cubic inches, otherwise it is true to the original and showroom clean.

With an estimated value of approximately $21,000, the owner stands to enjoy a handsome profit should he decide to sell it. He plans to keep it and keep driving it about three days per week.

1968 Plymouth GTX

1968 Plymouth GTX

1968 Plymouth GTX

1968 Plymouth GTX


1932 Ford coupe. 1931 Chevrolet coupe.
1932 Ford coupe. Followed by a 1931 Chevrolet coupe.
Plymouth Valiant Scamp
The “Scamp” name has been used twice by Plymouth. The first was from 1971-1976 as a special trim level on the this Valiant. The name was resurrected in the early 1980s
for a pickup truck based on the Plymouth Horizon compact car.
Mercury Comet
The Mercury Comet was a twin to the Ford Maverick.
The model pictured here is from the fifth and final generaation, built from 1971 to 1977.
1949 Kurtis
If there was a rare car at the show, it was this 1949 Kurtis, one of only 17 built. The vehicle is named for American racing car designer Frank Kurtis.

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

Chevrolet Camaro

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

1955 Chevrolet

2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show


1946 GMC (General Motors Truck)

1946 GMC Truck

1946 GMC Truck

1946 GMC Truck

1946 GMC Truck


1956 Ford F100

1956 Ford F100

1956 Ford F100

1956 Ford F100


1992 Ford Mustang 5.0

1992 Ford Mustang 5.0

1992 Ford Mustang 5.0

1992 Ford Mustang 5.0


Chevrolet Impala

Chevrolet Impala


And the best of the rest. Simply click on any photo and it will enlarge.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”13″ gal_title=”2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show”]


See Also —How to Get Out of a Car Lease Early


Additional Spotlights

Spotlight: 30th Annual Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

Spotlight: 24th Annual Rod & Custom Show Presented by the Stray Cats

Spotlight: Capital City Cruisers 2018 Car, Truck & Bike Show

Spotlight: American Children’s Home Show-off Show


Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show (2018) photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.


Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: Cadillac de Ville Convertible, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Fleetline, Chevy, CLASSIC CARS, Hemmings, Lake Wheeler Park, NORTH CAROLINA, Piedmont Classic Chevy Club, Raleigh

Electric Avenue: BMW 740e

March 23, 2018 by admin 7 Comments

The 740e is BMW’s big PHEV.

2018 BMW 740e
The BMW 7 Series includes this 740e, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

Certain dreams of mine were recently fulfilled when a handsome, shiny BMW 7 Series arrived at my home one blustery March afternoon. The new conveyance completed my quest to drive each of BMW’s numbered car models ranging from 3 to 7. Yes, “2” remains unfulfilled, but if there is some prioritizing in the BMW numbering order, then the “7” wins by five.

But the received model wasn’t one of the anticipated 7 Series trims powered by inline-six, V8 or V12 engines. Instead, it was a new model with a twin-turbo inline-four cylinder engine and an AC synchronous electric motor with integrated power.

That integration covers the vehicle’s electronics, the charger and generator mode for recuperation. In other words, it works in tandem with the gas engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission to power this plug-in electric hybrid vehicle on its own or in conjunction with the rest of the powertrain.

I think I just said a mouthful.

Make no mistake about it: the 740e xDrive iPerformance is its own take on the much-heralded 7 Series. For the series familiar, you may wonder if the new model is reductive from a power standpoint. In some ways it is, although I’m certain BMW wants us to view it as something the automaker developed in an effort to strike out in a new direction.

To that end, we’ll examine the highlights of this full-size, luxury all-wheel drive sedan with room for five.

2018 BMW 740e.

The 2018 BMW 740e as it finished crossing the Rocky River Bridge in Chatham County, NC.

1. Every Bit a 7 Series.

Rest assured, the 740e is very much a 7 Series sedan. The “740” moniker tells you that it is a base model, with 750 and 760 following. The “e” says it is electrified, in this case you’ll find a PHEV, not a pure electric vehicle. This means the sedan runs on battery power exclusively when charged or taps the gas engine much of the time.

Apart from the powertrain and its overall driving characteristics, everything about the 740e is familiar, even praiseworthy. There is something about the 7 Series sheet metal that puts a smile on my face. As if the ultimate in BMW design has arrived. And it has.

The familiar twin-kidney grille is wholly in proportion to the front fascia, neither itself overwhelming nor overtaken by the beautiful headlamps. Its frontal presentation is amplified by the lovely sculpted lower grille opening and the elegant lines running from the front to the back of the hood.

Firm shoulders, a high waistline and a long roofline impart the “bigness” of this model. The rear deck is almost as short as the hood is long. The rear fascia is marked by large, but tasteful wraparound tail lamps, a trunk lip spoiler and dual exhaust ports. The telling feature that this model is a hybrid is the charging port situated just ahead of the driver’s door between the wheel well and the hood.

The overall look of this sedan’s visage is unmitigated elegance, with its ornamentation somewhere just above minimalist.

2. Cavernous, Luxuriant Interior

With 10.5-feet between the wheels, the BMW 7 Series delivers an exceptionally spacious cabin. There is room for five with rear seat legroom the best you’ll find in this class.

2018 BMW 740eIn some ways the best seats are in the rear, especially for outboard seated passengers with the middle armrest folded down. Indeed, with the available executive lounge seat option, your recliner chair dreams come true.

Similar to the exterior, the interior finds a happy balance between minimalism and an overwrought design. Yes, all the important controls and features are at the ready, but the look is orderly and uncluttered.

Leather is used liberally throughout the cabin, with soothing colors. Wood trim, metal accents and carbon fiber are subtle touches found throughout.

Tech features are in abundance and include a 10.2-inch color display with gesture control, an even larger instrument panel display and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon auto system. Look up and you’ll find a dual-panel sunroof…activate a switch and the trunk rises.

The trunk space measures just under 15 cubic feet, which is below average for this class. Two quick tugs on a lever and the hood disengages, then easily lifts once your hand slips underneath.

2018 BMW 740e.

3. Electric or Not.

The most difficult number to wrap my head around was the 14-mile all-electric range this big sedan provides. That range is considerably less than some models out there, with the Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 coming in at just 12 miles. Mini, by the way, is a BMW brand.

So, this means that when tapping the typical public charging station, drivers can expect a full charge in about 2.5 hours. Then, when operating the 740e in “Max eDrive” mode, the sedan behaves like an electric vehicle — the internal combustion engine stays off, except under hard acceleration.

That said, you may find operating the sedan in “AUTO eDrive” mode the best choice as the system activates the engine when needed. What’s interesting about this mode is you can sense the transition between the two power sources as the engine will immediately kick in when additional power is needed.

Choose the “battery control” mode if you wish to save electric power for later or if you want to charge the battery as you drive. This mode may be the best among the three as under certain driving conditions, it can send power to the 9.2 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack chiefly by means of regenerative braking. Take a long trip and you may find the battery replenished when you arrive, with no need to connect to a power source. Then, drive around town for a few miles without using fuel.

2018 BMW 740e

4. Feel the Power.

You say 255 horsepower? In a BMW 7 Series? When I showed the 740e at a local Cars and Coffee event and shared the performance numbers with visitors, their reactions ranged from surprise to disbelief. Indeed, few could wrap their minds around the horsepower number, let alone the fact that just four cylinders were present.

Fortunately, the 255 hp is simply a base number. Helping matters is the additional 111 horsepower from the electric motor. Further, when combined with the gas engine, full power rises to a respectable 322 system horsepower and 369 pound-feet of system torque. Compare that to the 320 horsepower and the 330 pound-feet of torque in the inline-six and you’ll understand why both models have a BMW-announced 0-60 mph time of just 5.1 seconds.

Do you have a need for speed? The 740e delivers, although you should manage your expectations. Certainly, this hybrid isn’t anywhere near as fast as the Tesla Model S and is slightly behind the Volvo S90 T8. For instance, with the Volvo, the gas motor is the same size as the BMW motor. But Volvo uses a supercharger and a turbocharger to provide more power overall. Its all-electric range is 50 percent longer too, coming in at 21 miles. In any case, the Volvo isn’t an accurate competitor as it is sized nearer to the 5 Series, than to the 7 Series.

2018 BMW 740e

5. The Range is a Mystery.

I would love to say the BMW 740e’s range will keep you from avoiding fuel pumps for days on end. It won’t. The reality is that its EPA-estimated 27 mpg fuel economy is difficult to attain. Yes, the instrument panel readout said 26.7 mpg, but I found myself heading to the pump sooner than I had expected.

What (or who) was to blame? That would be none other than the sedan’s 12.1-gallon fuel tank, coming in considerably smaller than the 20.6-gallon tank found in other 7 Series models. I understand why the smaller tank was present: to lighten the load for this 4,740-pound sedan and to make room for the battery pack. Either way, the full driving range is just 326.7 miles. That’s far below the 494.4 miles with the 740i.

2018 BMW 740e

BMW 740e Parting Thoughts

Mission accomplished. At least my personal quest to drive the 7 Series is over.

I won’t pretend the 740e delivers an experience matching the top 7 Series trims, but it does come close to rivaling the 740i. No doubt, its short all-electric and overall ranges are its main demerits.

Then again, many of its competitors, including Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, have similar short ranges. On the other hand, the Cadillac CT6 has a 31-mile all-electric range and a 15.6-gallon fuel tank. Like the Volvo S90, the CT6 is a midsize luxury sedan. Again, a head-to-head comparison isn’t fair. But there is still room for improvement, something we’re likely to see as the technology matures.

The bottom line concerning the 2018 BMW 740e is that it allows the manufacturer to offer a compliance model in markets where emissions restrictions and fuel economy mandates are the strictest. Not too long ago, a diesel might have provided the better solution along with the superior range these engines afford. But diesels have fallen into disfavor due to cheating issues and aren’t considered by some as the way forward when it comes to all things clean driving.

2018 BMW 740e.


2018 BMW 7 Series

  • BMW 740e from $90,700 (plus $995 destination)
  • Price as tested: $99,845
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • Engine No. 1: 2.0-liter twin-turbo inline-four gas
  • 255 horsepower @ 5,000 to 6,500 RPM
  • 295 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,550 to 4,400 RPM
  • 111 horsepower @ 3,170 RPM (electric motor)
  • 184 foot-pounds of torque @ 0 to 3,170 RPM (electric motor)
  • 322 total system horsepower
  • 369 total system torque
  • Engine No. 2: 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six gas
  • 320 horsepower @ 5,500 to 6,500 RPM
  • 332 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,380 to 5,000 RPM
  • Engine No. 3: 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gas
  • 445 horsepower @ 5,500 to 6,500 RPM
  • 479 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,800 to 4,500 RPM
  • Engine No. 4: 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 gas
  • 600 horsepower @ 5,500 to 6,500 RPM
  • 590 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,550 to 5,000 RPM
  • 8-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 126.4 inches
  • Length: 206.6 inches
  • Width: 74.9 inches
  • Height: 59.2 inches
  • Passenger volume: NR
  • Storage volume: 14.8 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NR
  • EPA: 27 mpg (740e)
  • Premium grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 12.1 (740e); 20.6 (others) gallons
  • Curb weight: 4,740 pounds (740e)
  • IIHS safety rating: Not Tested
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 7 years/70,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 12 years/unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Dingolfing, Germany

See Also — PHEV: 2018 Mini Cooper Countryman

BMW 740e photos copyright of Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: all-wheel drive, BMW 7-SERIES, BMW 740e, Chatham County, electric avenue, electric range, luxury, NORTH CAROLINA, PHEV, plug-in hybrid, Rocky River Bridge, twin-turbo engine

Deep Purple 1919 Pierce-Arrow Wins Best in Show at Pinehurst Concours

May 4, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

It’s a wrap for the 2015 edition of the Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance. This year’s show was the largest one yet with 280 vehicles judged across 13 categories.

Porsche Row at the 2015 Pinehurst Concours d'Elegance.

Porsche Row at the 2015 Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance.

The third annual Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance has concluded and with it came yet another successful event for this emerging vintage auto show. The Pinehurst Resort is North Carolina’s golf mecca and the Concours tournament has become its crowning non-golf achievement.

Indeed, in just three years the Concours d’Elegance has grown into a jam-packed, two-day affair, featuring an Iron Mike Rally and the Concours display itself. Unfortunately, heavy rain canceled this year’s Iron Mike, named for the 15-foot tall statute at Fort Bragg that honors America’s paratroopers. The resort’s proximity to the military base lends to that tie-in, with a soldier’s choice award just one of numerous honors associated with the Pinehurst Concours.

Pinehurst Concours Grand Marshall, Dennis Haysbert.

Grand Marshal and Hollywood celebrity Dennis Haysbert
greets the throngs at Pinehurst Concours.

Pinehurst Concours Winner

Saturday, however, dawned cool and bright with little hint of the punishing storms on Friday remaining. More than 280 vehicles were on display, covering 13 judging categories. The overall winner this year was a 1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 64 A-4 Tourer, a stunning 7,000-pound exemplification of automobile design with its deep purple finish and naturally white tires. That vehicle was originally owned by Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, one of the highest paid Hollywood actors of the 1920s.

Now owned by Bob Jepson, Jr., a Georgia businessman and philanthropist, Jepson purchased the automobile the previous September, and came to the resort expecting only to show the car and enjoy the venue. Instead, Jepson found himself standing beside Grand Marshal Dennis Haysbert and others as he was presented with the top award.

1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 64 A-4 Tourer

First in Show was this 1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 64 A-4 Tourer.

Other winners this year included a 1929 Franklin Model 137 and a 1948 Tucker 48 Sedan, winner of the Ross Awards. The Tufts Awards went to a 1937 Duesenberg JN Rollston SWB Convertible and to a 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost – L&E Tourer Chassis.

A 1950 Mercury 72c won a restoration award and the Chairman’s Award went to a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko. As for the men and women in uniform, they chose a 2015 McLaren P1 for the Soldier’s Choice award, a $1.35 million British super car and a 903-horsepower gas-electric hybrid at that.

Motorcycles, Orphans and Micro Cars — Oh My!

This year’s show welcomed motorcycles for the first time, what composed the thirteenth and final judging category. A 1975 BMW R90S placed first and a 1957 MV Agusta 125 Bialbero Corsa was also recognized.

Other judging categories covered pre- and post-World War II American and European models, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Corvette, and Porsche. Categories for orphan cars, micro cars and American performance were also judged. Not one category featured vehicles built after 1975, thus the models on display ranged in age from 40 to 105.

Black Daggers Parachute Demonstration Team

One of four members of the Black Daggers Parachute Demonstration Team
from Fort Bragg who dropped in on Saturday.

A New Display and a USO Connection

The 2015 Concours d’Elegance layout was changed as the organizers combined the concours with the fairway club to administer a seamless “Cars & Coffee” type display. This year, the organizers also teamed up with the USO and strengthened its relationship with Fort Bragg. As a result, the Black Daggers Parachute Demonstration Team performed a drop, landing four specialists on the target in front of the club house.

At a news conference on Saturday morning, Pinehurst Concours chairman, Bob Ingram, and president, Jay Howard, shared how much the show has grown over the past year. Indeed, Ingram noted that 4,000 more tickets had already been sold than in 2014, although he declined to provide the precise sales numbers.

For the first time the Pinehurst Concours also featured a tie-in with a marquee band as the vintage rockers “Three Dog Night” entertained at 5 p.m.

Ingram noted that the “Pinehurst experience is different from many other places” as the proximity of the paddock and general admission parking provide ease of entrance for guests. Ingram pointed out that some of the more established Concours events have logistical challenges with attendees required to park far away and then bussed to the grounds. As for the Pinehurst Concours, the show’s organizers wanted their guests to arrive on the premises without operational hassles impacting their experience.

2015 Pinehurst Concours d'Elegance

An aerial shot of this year’s Pinehurst Concours.

Future Growth Potential

As improved as this year’s Pinehurst Concours was over the previous years, Ingrams believes that there is much more potential to be realized in the coming years. He emphasized that it would take “years to where it can possibly be” and by building it slowly it offers sustainable growth.

That there is no direct seasonal automotive competition to the Pinehurst Concours should help maturate the event. That it also has the potential to someday rival Pebble Beach or Amelia Island is something only the organizers may have in mind.

All photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: 1919 PIERCE-ARROW, AUTO SHOW, BLACK DAGGERS PARACHUTE DEMONSTRATION TEAM, BOB INGRAM, CLASSIC CARS, DENNIS HAYSBERT, FORT BRAGG, JAY HOWARD, NORTH CAROLINA, PINEHURST CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE, PINEHURST RESORT, US, USO, VINTAGE CARS

Tesla Motors Opens First North Carolina Supercharger Station

October 22, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

Electric vehicle maker extends its supercharger network.

Burlington, NC, may not be an instantly recognizable location for people outside of the Tarheel State, but it is a city that is strategically located halfway between Winston-Salem and Raleigh. It is also near where interstates 40 and 85 intersect, making it the ideal location for Tesla Motors to set up its very first supercharging station in the state. Tesla has done just that, choosing a parking lot at the Alamance Crossing mall where vehicle owners can quickly recharge their vehicles.

Tesla Supercharging Station

Ribbon cutting time at Tesla’s first supercharger station in NC.

 

Extending the Range

The North Carolina station is located near the Carousel Luxury Cinemas complex. It features eight charging stalls and is open 24 hours a day. Tesla owners won’t find signage pointing them to the station, instead they’ll find it by means of an app.

When hooked up to the supercharging stall, a Tesla Model S can take in up to 120 kilowatts of power to obtain half a charge in just 20 minutes. And with it strategically located near shops and restaurants, owners can get a bite to eat and return ready to resume their trip.

Tesla Supercharging Station

Eight charging stalls stand as sentinels ready to serve.

 

Supercharger Station Assistance

Without access to a supercharger, Tesla Model S owners would be restricted to a maximum 265-mile driving range depending on the model. That’s much longer than other electric vehicles, but it does limit long distance travel.

To eliminate range anxiety, Tesla is installing superchargers along three major “highways” across North America. One will connect Vancouver to San Diego and a second one will connect Boston to Miami. The third one is its most ambitious project: providing supercharging stations to make it possible to drive from Los Angeles to New York City on electricity only.

Tesla Supercharging Station.

NC Tesla Model S owners try out the supercharging stalls.

 

Second North Carolina Station

On Tues., Auto Trends spoke with Patrick Jones, communications manager for Tesla Motors about the company’s vision. Jones said that the supercharging network will be completed by the end of this year with gaps filled in next year. Those gaps include connection points between other major cities. For example, from Chicago to Houston. In the meantime, a second North Carolina station is in progress and will open near Rocky Mount later this year.

Establishing a supercharging network requires a collaborative effort, something Tesla received with the assistance of CBL Properties, owner of the mall, electric supplier Duke Energy, and other partners. Said Jones, “We selected this location because there is a lot of shopping around. Customers can come, get out and go to Dillards, grab pizza or a burger while they plug in and charge and then get back on the road.” Jones noted that Tesla owners would be able to make it Charlotte, the largest city in the Carolinas, by recharging at its Burlington station.

A number of dignitaries including Burlington mayor Ronnie K. Wall, and city council member Celo Faucette were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Duke Energy, the state of North Carolina, and Alamance County also sent representatives. Tesla owners, electric vehicle enthusiasts and members of the media populated the assembly of no more than 100 people.

Tesla Supercharging Station

Local stores are just steps away from the supercharging station.

 

Supercharger Station Partnership

CBL & Associates Properties Inc. is the owner of Alamance Crossing. This past June, CBL launched a partnership with Tesla Motors to install superchargers at five of its properties. Besides North Carolina, Tesla Supercharging stations will be built at CB Malls in Rockford, Ill., El Centro, Calif., Fort Meyers, Fla., and Port Orange, Fla.

Tesla Model S supercharging station.

Tesla Model S owners take advantage of free charge time.

 


See Also — Tesla Motors Unveils Supercharger Network

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Engineering & Technology Tagged With: BURLINGTON, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, NORTH CAROLINA, SUPERCHARGER STATION, TESLA MOTORS, TESLA S

On the Road with the 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn

July 19, 2013 by admin 4 Comments

Aligning the right vehicle for the proper trip can sometimes prove challenging. A convertible is ideal for excursions to the beach, a crossover or a minivan is perfect for a long regional trip with the family while a big, burly crew cab pickup truck is the right model for taking to the mountains. Okay, a large sedan would also do, but who is complaining?

Laramie Longhorn
Under the Bridal Veil Falls near Highland, NC.

2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn

And to the mountains is where my family headed soon after a 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4×4 (Laramie Longhorn) pickup truck was dropped off for a recent weekly drive. The trucks model name is as long as this vehicle is imposing, a massive full-size pickup truck powered by a HEMI engine and offering bountiful goodies galore.

Those goodies ranged from the engineering: an eight-speed ZF-supplied automatic transmission; to the technical: a UConnect infotainment system; to the nifty: a pair of lockable side bed storage compartments (RamBox Cargo Management System). No matter how you look at it the Laramie Longhorn is a truck that is as big on style as it is on its proportions, offering a western-themed interior and the accompanying hammered silver badging to set this vehicle on top of the Ram 1500 pack.

A Gem of a Tour

The trip itself started in the Raleigh area and headed west than southwest along I-40 before we found ourselves on the local roads of Macon County, NC. Our destination was Franklin, a small town that I had last visited 22 years earlier when I was unattached, childless and living in Charleston, SC. Its a mountain community that had long been etched in my memory bank, one that seem to beckon me to return. Over the arch of time many thoughts about Franklin, Highlands, gem stones and waterfalls crossed my mind, but this time I had a wife and children with me. Yes, I wanted them to experience what was stored in my mind, not fully expecting to find that the area remained unchanged, rather anticipating that the good elements were probably still in place.

Those elements included gem mining, something that held little interest to the one-time single me, but as a dad with a pair of rock-loving boys in tow and a wife clearly interested in sharing this experience with them, stops at both a local mine and a gem museum were in order. To get there, we needed to travel along a narrow and winding road that lifted, dipped and twisted its way from Franklin to Highlands. Along the way we took in several sites including three waterfalls: Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, the latter allowing us to park the Laramie Longhorn underneath to shoot some pictures and enjoy the beauty of God’s handiwork.

Over-the-Top Luxury

The Laramie Longhorn itself represents the top-of-the-line model in the Ram 1500 line. Its price starts in the high 40s and pushes to the mid 50s when fully equipped. That fully equipped model kept us in comfort on and off the road, a 44 that blends the attributes of a luxury sedan with a workhorse truck.

Laramie Longhornlients. Thats an apt description, because if you are worried about messing up the interior, then the leather clad seating, burl wood trim and other niceties might suffer under heavy duty work crew use. Yet, the Laramie Longhorn offers an example of what the Chrysler Group can serve up despite not having a true luxury brand to offer.

This model features heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, zoned climate control, a UConnect infotainment system that is easy to use, an adjustable instrument panel with ringed dials and electronic read outs, power accessories including a moon roof and a sliding rear window, an Alpine sound system and numerous storage compartments. You can spend hours poring over this truck to discover its many amenities including some that are hidden away like the rear under seat floor storage compartment.

On the road, the Laramie Longhorn can be operated as a 42 model or drivers can select automatic or lockable 44 driving modes. Chrysler set this system up to shift on the fly, ideal when you suddenly encounter road conditions that warrant a quick change. We had a few of those where we had to pull off the road, make a sharp u-turn and head back to a spot that we sailed past just moments ago. No need to wait for a smooth surface as this truck, outfitted with Goodyear off-road tires and 20-inch wheels, can tackle the toughest terrain.

Nantahala National Forest

Nantahala National Forest can best be enjoyed by traveling along Route 64 between Franklin and Highlands. Its an 18-mile trip that will take you about 30 minutes, but you should allow two to three hours if you want to take in the scenery. This road features several pull overs including places for picnicking, stops for viewing the falls and even gem mining. Dry Falls is perhaps the most stunning of the three main waterfalls in the area and offers parking spaces for about two dozen vehicles.

In drier conditions, the water gently flows in several streams over the hanging 65-foot bluff, thus its name. We were fortunate as the area had recently experienced heavy rains the falls were anything but dry, offering a singular and unstoppable torrent of white water. Despite the heavy flow, we were still able to walk underneath the falls and enjoy the cool mist that nearly chilled us. Ah, what a difference local weather conditions can make: temperatures at the falls were in the mid 60s while back home the heat was on. We could get used to this….

Laramie Longhorn

On Road Performance

The Laramie Longhorn is powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, that makes 395 horsepower and 407 foot-pounds of torque. It isn’t the largest HEMI in Chryslers arsenal, a 6.4-liter engine is, but it offers sufficient power without complaint. It does this mated to an automatic transmission, tackling 8-degree inclines with ease. Im not sure why some 18-wheelers insist on staying in the left lane while navigating the toughest roads, but when they finally got the hint that a Ram was on their tale, the truckers moved over and we effortlessly sailed by.

The EPA rates the big Ram 1500 at 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Our best mileage average was 19.4 miles to the gallon, but we did not complain. With four people in the cabin and the attendant long weekend luggage also in place, this pickup had to carry more than 6,500 pounds of people and machine weight. The same Texas transplant neighbor was impressed by the fuel mileage, noting that her similar 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 averaged just 15 mpg on a recent trip back home.

Despite the pretty appellation given to the Ram 1500, my family was impressed that the truck was a four-wheel drive dynamo, able to do a number of tasks less capable vehicles should best avoid. Given that our time with the Laramie Longhorn was limited, we couldn’t try out the front bumper tow hooks or connect our vacationing neighbors Moomba Outback. We thought about filling up the storage boxes with ice and drinks, but chose to use these for luggage storage instead. Yes, you can really carry dozens of cold drinks safely in the sides of your truck bed. Imagine the possibilities….

Western Elegance Meets Pickup Truck Practicality

View manufacturer details and pricing
Franklin, NC

From Jail House to Gem Museum

Downtown Franklin exudes a charm that is typical of many long ago established southern communities. That downtown was in place before the War of Succession, with the county jail opened since 1850. The eight-room jail served Macon County for 122 years before a new complex was built around the corner and across the street from the original jail house. A year before the prison closed, the forerunners of The Gem and Mineral Society of Franklin, NC, Inc., began to meet and since 1974 have been the loan occupants of the old jail house. Today, every room, nook and cranny of the museum is filled with colorful and sparkling rocks, not just from North Carolina, but from across the United States, indeed from around the globe.

The weight of the gems that we brought back with us were less than five pounds and I had to keep to myself simmering dark thoughts of heisting one section of a three-part beryl aquamarine stone and hiding it underneath the Rams tonneau cover. Its 346.5-pound heftiness quickly dispelled those notions as did unpleasant thoughts of spending hard time in a pokey where human and mineral history converge.

2013 Ram 1500

Laramie Longhorn Edition Crew Cab 4×4

 

  • Sticker price from $47,470
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 5.7-liter HEMI 16-valve V-8 engine
  • 395 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
  • 407 foot-pounds of torque @ 3,950 rpm
  • 3.92 inches bore by 3.58 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.5-to-1
  • 8-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 149.5 inches
  • Length: 237.9 inches
  • Width: 79.4 inches
  • Height: 78.4 inches
  • Ground clearance: 9.2 inches
  • Passenger volume: 125.3 cubic feet
  • Bed size: 6 feet, 4 inches
  • Payload capacity: 1,010 pounds
  • Towing capacity: 8,150 pounds
  • EPA: 15 mpg city, 21 mpg hwy.
  • Fuel tank: 32 gallons
  • Fuel type: regular unleaded
  • Curb weight: From 5,780 pounds
  • Vehicle assembly: Warren, Michigan

See Also — Contractor Special: 2015 Ram ProMaster City

Photos copyright Matthew C. Keegan

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 4x4, CAR REVIEW, CREW CAB, HEMI, Laramie Longhorn, Nantahala National Forest, NORTH CAROLINA, PICKUP TRUCK, RAM 1500

Going Blue With the 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium

June 14, 2013 by admin 2 Comments

Fourth-generation Subaru Forester debuts.

Subaru has the midas touch as everything it makes seems to turn to gold. This Japanese automaker is much smaller than its homegrown contemporaries Toyota, Nissan and Honda but it may yet avoid the fate of its even smaller rivals that have left the US market or are still struggling to hold on. Toyota’s 16.7 percent stake in Subaru’s parent company (Fuji Heavy Industries) must be recognized, but regardless of its giant patrons support, Subaru continues to build small vehicles that are big on quality, reliability and safety. This writer spent a week with a 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium edition, the fourth generation of this popular SUV.

Subaru Forester
The fourth-generation Subaru Forester debuts.

The Subaru Forester emerged on the scene in 1998 just as compact SUVs were beginning to catch on. You can consider the Forester as Subarus answer to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, two of the earliest crossover utility vehicles to form this segment.

Other competitors include the Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5, Chevrolet Equinox and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Heading Out

I’m heading to the farmer’s market to pick up some corn and will be see you in a bit. That, “bit” as my wife would tell you might mean anything from 30 minutes to a few hours. This time it would represent a 2.5-hour trip as I navigated the Forester on a 95-mile journey that began in Raleigh and snaked through the Harnett County countryside. There is a bit of redundancy in that last statement too as this central North Carolina county is dominated by wide-open land with you pick em blueberry and blackberry fields, cattle everywhere and the occasional slow-as-molasses farm tractor creating a traffic tie-up in the most obscure places.

The bulk of my test drives are usually accomplished in one day as I head out with my oldest son to destinations around the Tarheel State. There are occasions, however, when a separate trip sans family is in order, usually to give Dad the opportunity to clear his mind and open er up. The day before we splashed our way through Moore County, crossing over a bridge that had been topped by flood waters. The bridge held, the Forester sloshed forward and we were safely back home before we knew it.

Interstate highways are not my favorite way to get around, but I-40 did quickly take me to Harnett County, enabling me to pick up NC 210 and pass my way through Angier and on to Lillington, the county seat. Welcome to the heart of Harnett County stated the Lillington town limit sign, an atypical small Carolina county seat with just over 3,000 residents, a partially vacant downtown and the usual big box retailer sitting just outside the town where farmers once plowed.

Blue Highways

The appeal in driving on NC210 and then connecting with NC421 was two-fold: it gave me the opportunity to see what the Subaru Forester could do and it also allowed me to enjoy a pair of blue highways. Yes, blue as in William Least-Heat Moons Blue Highways, a 1982 tribute to Americas back roads that once dominated the landscape before the interstate highway system began to take shape in the 1950s.

I had read Moons book while in college, enjoying his account of traveling across America in an old van on roads that few people traversed. His soliloquies introduced the reader to people that seemed impervious to change and to towns that were bypassed and forgotten as new red highways replaced ancient blue highways. The blue by the way had nothing to do with the authors mood rather, it described the color of the roads delineated on old road maps. Remember Rand-McNally?

Paper maps are now part of a bygone era, with in-cabin navigation systems helping to connect people from point to point. Only the tested Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium did not come with one. Instead, GPS navigation is included with a $5,000 Touring package upgrade, raising the Foresters base price up to $32,995. Ouch. No matter, I had my iPhone with me and the maps app activated to help me find my way around. Still, I ignored nearly every turn-by-turn command as I punched the Forester down NC210, having shifted the continuously variable transmission to manual and choosing Sport Sharp for my paddle-shifting pleasure.

Fourth Generation Subaru Forester

Features a New Powertrain.

View manufacturer details and pricing

Subaru Forester

Subaru has outfitted the new Forester with three driving modes: regular, Sport mode simulating six forward gears, and Sport Sharp with its eight gears. They aren’t real gears by any stretch of the imagination, but you can detect the engine begging you to shift as you press down on the pedal. An added bonus is that the appropriately named Sport Sharp enhances throttle response for a more spirited drive. From a dead stop the turbocharged 2.0-liter BOXER engine likely wont fulfill your need for speed, but once you’re in third gear up you’ll sense the performance possibilities.

Instead of heading north on NC401 through Raven Rock State Park I chose NC421 and followed it to US Highway 1 north and then back home. Raven Rock would have been the perfect place to test the Foresters off-road prowess, but flood waters from Tropical Storm Andrea had yet to subside. Thats where I would have liked to test the Foresters X-Mode, essentially a hill ascent/descent feature that takes over the SUVs engine, transmission, all-wheel-drive and other key systems, to get you where youre going. New for 2014, I expect that it will be one of the new Foresters more important selling points.

The 2014 Subaru Forester is otherwise not a radical departure from the previous model. The cabin is comfortable, yet uncomplicated and the large, upright windshield welcomes ample quantities of natural light. A fun feature to have open on warmer days is the panoramic moonroof, what dramatically increases lighting and brings in the surrounding air. And if that air has you traveling down a blue highway, you just may pick up scents of an America that others have forgotten, what you can still enjoy whenever that mood strikes your fancy.

2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium

  • Sticker price from $27,995
  • Five other trim levels available
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve turbo I-4 engine
  • 250 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
  • 258 foot-pounds of torque @ 2,000 rpm
  • 3.31 inches bore by 3.54 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.5 to 1
  • CVT with manual shifting
  • Wheelbase: 103.9 inches
  • Length: 180.9 inches
  • Width: 70.7 inches
  • Height: 68.2 inches
  • Passenger Volume: 113.1 cubic feet
  • Storage Volume: 74.7 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: 1,500 pounds
  • EPA: 23 mpg city, 28 mpg hwy.
  • Fuel Tank: 18.5 gallons
  • Curb Weight: From 3,296 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: Ota Gunman, Japan

Photo copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, all-wheel drive, CUV, Lillington, NORTH CAROLINA, Subaru Forester, SUV

5 Ways to Celebrate the 4th With Your Car

July 4, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

Friends, family, food and fireworks. There is something special about the 4th of July, a date marking America’s independence from Britain.

I have fond memories of the holiday dating back to the 1960s as a boy growing up in New Jersey. Our town kicked off the celebration with a parade and followed up in the evening with band shell music and fireworks.

fireworks and classic cars that were part of the parade, beautiful American-made works of art from the Model T to fin-tailed Cadillacs.

The day has certainly changed for our family. We now reside in North Carolina and live in a community where a parade is not held. That makes sense, though, as the hot temperatures make standing streetside with limited shade an undesirable prospect. But, that means there won’t be a series of cars to take in for my viewing pleasure.

Instead of a parade, I think I’ll get with some neighbors and have some fun with our own cars. That will happen BEFORE the festivities begin and the heat sets in.

1. Wash and wax — Yes, my car is due for its semi-annual wax. This time, I’m going to follow a suggestion made by Popular Mechanics and will work on taking the haze out of the plastic headlights. My neighbor owns a Mothers Powerball and I’m going to borrow it.

2. Clean and replace Inside, my car has some gum that someone dropped on the floor in the back. That gum is now part of the carpet and I plan to remove it. I have no idea if this ice cube method really works, but I think it is worth a try. I’ll reward my hard work by installing new rubber mats front and back.

3. Tidy the trunk I’m certainly not a person that throws stuff in the trunk and forgets it. Indeed, besides the spare and the lift, there is little else left in it. Still, I have a small emergency kit I’ll be placing in it and I’ll recheck the spare to make sure it is ready for duty when I need it.

4. Rubber or not Speaking of tires, I have it on my calendar to rotate same, but I’ll let my tire retailer do it as part of its lifelong Michelin warranty. The wheels, however, continue to accumulate brake dust and need special attention. I have a wheel cleaner that does the trick and will use a soft brush to get into those areas I might miss with my cloth.

5. Take it for a ride Following a morning work out with my car, I think I’ll convince my neighbors to go for a ride. It may not be in parade condition, but it will most certainly look much better than it did the day before. I’ll also ask my buddy, Tim, to bring out his 67 Skylark GS and see if we can head out to the local fishing hole before our wives and kids beg us to come back home.

Happy 4th to you and yours!


See Also — Charlotte Autofair Celebrates 100 Years of Dodge

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: INDEPENDENCE DAY, MICHELIN, NEW JERSEY, NORTH CAROLINA, POPULAR MECHANICS, UNITED STATES

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