Auto Industry News: Land Rover Turns 70, a CRAZY Start to Detroit Auto Show, Flying Taxi Cabs at CES 2018, & Farewell to Gurney
Our weekly auto news spills the beans: the world bids farewell to racing icon Dan Gurney, Land Rover turns 70, the ooh’s and ahh’s of the Detroit Auto Show, and a flying Bell Air Taxi preps to take over the world – well, kind of.
To celebrate the legendary Land Rover brand, they’re restoring a 1948 Rover. And this (as Rover lovers will know) is a HUGE deal. The 1948 is often referred to as the “missing Land Rover.” No one took my advice to call the Rover “Lucy,” but hey, there’s no acquiring for taste, I suppose. According to Motor Authority, Land Rover, who now takes care of the 1948, will “take the year” to fully restoring. While we wait ever so patiently, that’s not all Land Rover will be up to. Rumor has it, that a 2020 Defender will grace us with its presence. As much as we’d love to see its embryonic stages at the Detroit Auto Show, there’s no expected reveal date. But speaking of Detroit…
Detroit Auto Show Opening Acts
Plenty of other automakers will be flexing what they’ve been working on so arduously behind closed doors the last year. Yes, the Detroit Auto Show is upon us, friends. For many enthusiasts, THIS is Christmas. It is perennially packed with new models, old models, revamps, and concepts. And St. Nick is not ready to disappoint in 2018. Huge releases will finally see the light of day. For starts, the much anticipated Ford Ranger will finally be home, but that was expected. Surprises like the Infiniti Q Inspiration, a concept that looks to revolutionize cabin spaces in sedans, will make a splash. Luxury SUVs are also a hot topic, as the gorgeous BMW X2 stole the show in that department. It’s sleek, but capable, with the iconic turbo 2.0 L four that can achieve over 200 hp (In Europe, anyway).
Big Changes in Truck Production
And we’d be remiss to not mention the dominating force at Detroit: the pickups. Dodge recently announced it would be moving Ram Heavy Duty production to the US from Mexico, creating 2,500 jobs, and they didn’t stop there. The Ram 1500, an American staple, looks to increase its fuel economy and improve accompanying gadgets in the entertainment department and compete among the other top names in the upcoming year. But that may difficult because the other big names have come out swinging as well. The Chevy “Like a G*d Damn Rock” Silverado is back, a la Rocky III. Rather than stay a complacent member of the Big 3, the 2019 Silverado put in the WORK. It will return 450 pounds lighter, with a larger bed, and will offer a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel. Sounds like another pickup we know… hmm. Yep. The long-awaited specs of the new F-150 diesel option are here. Ford’s interpretation of the 3.0-liter V6 generates 250 hp and 440 pound-feet of torque at 3,250 and 1,750 rpm respectively. Orders start this month and will be delivered in Spring.
Public Transit Overhaul Continues In Vegas [CES]
The 2018 Consumers Electronics Show (CES) has also seen wild innovation of the futuristic variety. Lyft, in conjunction with the event, has been testing self-driving taxis in Vegas (video). The taxis will feature a fleet of BMW 5-Series sedans, because hey, it’s Vegas, baby. Though safety drivers are still behind wheel, because it is a test after all. But Uber is surely shaking in its boots from real competition. There is also rumor that Fisker will debut an electric vehicle in Vegas, potentially taking EV speeds to a new level and supposedly boasting an incredible 400-mile battery range. And just when Vegas didn’t seem to be popping off enough, just check out this concept Bell Air Taxi is touting…
Around the Circuit
The racing world was hit with sad news today, as it was reported that legendary driver, Dan Gurney, passed away after battling complications with pneumonia. Gurney was the first driver ever to win races in Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar. He was 86.
Danica Patrick’s hope to close out her career by competing in both the Indy 500 and Daytona 500 may nave hit a road block. Chip Ganassi Racing, the team expected to offer Patrick a spot to compete in Florida next month, could not come to an agreement with the legendary driver. Ganassi recognized that while, it was an excellent opportunity, they “couldn’t come to a solution that worked for both of us.” Whether Patrick will find a team before Daytona has yet to be seen, but her finish at Indy is set to be quite the homecoming.
