Drew Dowdell

Last week we reported that Honda would be closing their UK manufacturing plant in Swindon. That plant produces Honda Civics and CR-Vs mostly for the European market. However, in addition to European production, the Swindon plant also produces the Civic Hatchback and Civic Type-R for North America. Production in Swindon is to finish out the model run into 2021. Automotive News reports that Honda CEO Takahir Hachigo said "Given out efforts to optimize production allocation and production capacity on a global scale, we have concluded that we will produce the Civic for North America in North America." The North American sourced Honda Civic is built in Alliston, Ontario and Greensburgh Indiana. The Honda Civic hatchback makes up about one third of Civic's 325,760 US sales for 2018. View full article

Ahead of the Geneva Auto Show, Volkswagen has unveiled the R version of their T-Roc crossover. The T-Roc is a small crossover not (yet?) sold in the U.S. that slots below the Tiguan and most directly related to the Volkswagen Golf. Standard models went into production for the European market in 2017. That brings us to 2019 and the unveiling of the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc R. The T-Roc R is the new top of the line for the T-Roc range. Shown above as a nearly production ready concept, the T-Roc R gets many of the upgrades the Golf R gets. That includes a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed to the standard 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. That will hustle the T-Roc from 0-62 mph in 4.9 second with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Keeping all that power on the ground is a Golf R sports suspension that is lower to the ground and a standard progressive steering system. Drive modes help keep control and include a race mode and launch control that manages and maximized torque. The electronic stability control can be switched off for driving at the limit and 17-inch brakes help to bring it all to a stop. For now, the entire T-Roc line remains Forbidden Fruit in the U.S., but with crossover sales increasing rapidly, perhaps Volkswagen can be persuaded to send it over. Volkswagen Press Release on Page 2 New T-Roc R combines performance and lifestyle Volkswagen is set to present the T-Roc R, new top model for the successfully launched crossover product line, at the Geneva International Motor Show (7– 17 March 2019). Developed by Volkswagen R, this powerful vehicle boasts some impressive performance data: its four-cylinder TSI engine with 2.0 litre capacity and an output of 221 kW/300 PS as well as torque of 400 Nm. The standard combination with 7-gear DSG and 4Motion all-wheel drive ensures excellent acceleration without any loss of traction. The Volkswagen T-Roc R can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. The sports running gear (with lowered suspension) ensures ideal road holding. Progressive steering comes as standard and plays a part in ensuring agile driving behaviour; the 17-inch brake system provides effective braking. The driving modes include a special race mode, which guarantees an especially sporty driving experience. These measures are supplemented by the launch control feature, which provides optimal traction during acceleration while offering maximum drive torque and a corresponding stability management program. The ESC Electronic Stability Control feature can be manually switched off to ensure particularly dynamic driving at the limit. The sporty characteristics of the T-Roc R are underscored by the unmistakable design on the exterior and in the interior. The redesigned radiator grille has a polished silver band of anodised aluminium on the underside that runs the entire width of the vehicle. The bumper’s model-specific design is painted the same colour as the car. The light units in the vertically arranged daytime running lights are integrated into the front. The rear bumpers include visual air outlets in the upper part and an “R” diffuser in a contrasting colour. The double-ended exhaust system on both the left and right are specific to the “R” model. The T-Roc R is equipped with 18-inch Spielberg alloy wheels as standard. The 19-inch Pretoria Dark Graphite matte alloy wheels and 235/40 R19 tyres are available as an optional extra. The sill panel trims sport a stainless steel design and have the “R” logo, which can also be seen on the radiator grille and on the sides of the vehicle. The “R” logo is also displayed on the backs of the seats. The leather multifunction sports steering wheel with paddle levers and decorative stitching in Crystal Grey also shows its sporty side with the “R” logo, as does the black headliner and the greeting on the start screen. The pedals shimmer in stainless steel. The new crossover model for performance and lifestyle is based on the harmonious concept of the T-Roc, 200,000 units of which have already been sold. The new T-Roc R expands the broad range of the compact crossover with an emphatically sporty model for individualists who attach as much importance to a stylish appearance as to outstanding driving performance. View full article

I've only ever driven the Pacifica Hybrid and it was fantastic.

I could see getting my partner a C-Class

Get the LaX then

I've grown to accept it. I really like the tail end. Yeah, I know the Camry is the same V6, it just doesn't have as nice an interior as the Avalon and I know you like the lux of your Genesis.

Really? I'm surprised. The Avalon is one of my guilty pleasures and it is way faster than its HP numbers would suggest.

At least go with an Avalon if you're going Toyota.

It will. Even in trucks. V8s will be limited to the HD/SD trucks eventually.

It will be. All Volvos will get some form of Hybrid starting the 2020 model year, and most, if not all, are getting a Plug-in option.

Ugh, that's one thing I hate about intellilink... every time we plug the phone in it tries three times to switch to Pandora even though we set it back to whatever we're listening to, usually XM or FM. I look forward to having android auto and apple car play....I carry one of each. I found the auto-stop in the Cherokee (not Grand) to be a little too aggressive in heavy traffic, but otherwise, I didn't mind it too much. I only shut it off once during a trip back to PA from Miami when there was a huge wreck on 95 north. The one thing I really really want in my next vehicle is adaptive cruise control. I think it would make a world of difference for me during the long drives I do.

One of mine would be the Toyota 4Runner. It ain't purdy, but there is something reassuring about this old, solid off-roader. Out of date in just about every way imaginable, they still ride nice. In a different life situation, I might own one.

Yeah, we've mostly given up on the Intellilink NAV in our Buick and just use Waze or Google Maps now.