Ford Teams with Harman to Enhance the Audio Experience in its Vehicles

Ford Teams with Harman to Enhance the Audio Experience in its Vehicles
2017 Chevrolet Volt Earns Top Safety Marks from IIHS
2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country Teased
Ken Block Hits the ‘Industrial Playground’ in Gymkhana 9
5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the New Mazda Miata MX-5 RF
2017 Chevy Bolt Tops Tesla Model 3 with 238-Mile Range

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Ford and HARMAN are working together to revolutionize the in-vehicle audio experience.

The two companies have announced the new B&O PLAY sound system that will be heading exclusively to Ford's global vehicle lineup starting next year. According to Ford, "B&O PLAY products reimagine more than 90 years of audio heritage, with natural materials, distinctive design and high-quality audio for seamlessly integrated experiences, whether a listener is in their home, on the go, or soon, in their car."

The new system features a unique approach that creates a customized audio experience with specially tailored speaker placement and calibration for each vehicle in the Ford range. Ideally, the dynamic tuning ensures optimal sound is maintained in the cabin, regardless of what the driving conditions are like or where someone sits.

To show off the power of sound, the two companies released a video unveiling an installation called Sound Journeys, an on-site experience that triggers the five senses. By using B&O PLAY products, the installation brings to life three different habitats: a forest, a canyon and an ocean. You can see some of the installation in action in the video above.

"Customers tell us they value consistent, high-quality audio experiences, and our collaboration with HARMAN is helping provide that," said Raj Nair, Ford's executive vice president, product development and chief technical officer. "This is just one of the ways we are creating richer, more engaging in-vehicle experiences for customers."

Discuss this story on our Ford Forum

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2017 Chevrolet Volt Earns Top Safety Marks from IIHS

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has finally tested the second-generation Chevrolet Volt.

Although the Chevrolet Volt was redesigned for the 2016 model year, IIHS didn't test it until now as part of a testing program of electric vehicles. The 2017 Chevrolet Volt earned good ratings across-the-board for crashworthiness, and its performance in the small overlap front test was an improvement over the previous-generation Volt that earned an acceptable rating.

As a result, it qualifies for a Top Safety Pick+ award, the highest IIHS gives.

The Volt earned a superior rating for front crash prevention when equipped with optional Front Automatic Braking and Low-Speed Front Automatic Braking. On track tests conducted by IIHS, the vehicle avoided collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph.

When equipped only with Low-Speed Front Automatic Braking, the Volt avoided a collision at 12 mph, and its impact speed was reduced by 5 mph in the 25 mph test. IIHS also noted that the low-speed system gets credit for the warning function and earns an advanced rating.

Starting next year, vehicles will also need good or acceptable headlights in order to qualify for a Top Safety Pick+ award. The Volt's standard headlights earned an acceptable rating, but when equipped with optional high beam assist, the headlight rating improves to good.

Discuss this story on our Chevrolet Volt Forum

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2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country Teased

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Volvo is teasing the new V90 Cross Country before it makes its official debut at the end of September at the Paris Motor Show.

While its styling will largely stay the same as its V90 counterpart, the Cross Country model will no doubt feature plastic cladding around the wheel arches and rocker panels, a brushed aluminum roof rack, model-specific alloy wheels and a taller ride height. Underbody protection will also be part of the package.

Under the hood will be a choice of outputs from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. When just turbocharged, the engine puts out 250 horsepower, while a supercharged and turbocharged version of the powerplant will offer 316 hp. A T8 hybrid version will also be available while all-wheel drive will likely be standard.

The new V90 Cross Country is the spiritual successor to the Volvo XC70 and is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in 2017 as a 2018 model year vehicle.

Discuss this story at our Volvo Forum

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Ken Block Hits the ‘Industrial Playground’ in Gymkhana 9

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The next installment in the tire-shredding Gymkhana series is here.

By now you likely know the formula: race car driver Ken Block, an exotic location, a fast car and lots of screeching tires belching smoke into the air. Gymkhana nine does not disappoint, bringing together all of those classic elements, if you're willing to call Buffalo, New York exotic.

Gymkhana nine explores the "raw industrial playground" of Buffalo, which has plenty of abandoned factories and train stations packed full of fun obstacles for Block to slide around.

The 600-horsepower Ford Focus RS RX Rallycross car provides the tire-killing power in this latest video, which captures the first time the car has left the Rallycross course to hit public streets.

Block has also teamed up with the folks behind the Forza Horizon 3 racing game, which will add his Focus RS RX to its roster of drivable cars.

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5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the New Mazda Miata MX-5 RF

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The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is an exciting addition to the Japanese automaker's already fun lineup.

The MX-5 Miata is an iconic car, and the RF continues the roadster's tradition of being a lightweight and immensely fun driver's car, all while giving it more practicality and a bold new look.

The RF version has the same mechanical specs as the soft-top MX-5 Miata, which means it's rear-wheel drive and powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. But the RF is so much more than just a hardtop MX-5 Miata. Here are five things you probably didn't about about Mazda's newest model:

RF Stands for Retractable Fastback, and It's a First for Mazda

The RF in Mazda Miata MX-5 RF stands for Retractable Fastback. In the past, MX-5 Miatas have come with a power retractable hardtop option that had the same look as the soft-top, so this generation MX-5 Miata brings a whole new look and functionality to the lineup and it's the first time Mazda has ever done this. Sporting a distinctly different silhouette than the soft top model, the RF stands out as its own model, and it looks amazing doing so. When the top is up, the RF actually looks like a coupe, something Mazda says MX-5 fans have been asking for.

When the car was revealed at the 2016 New York Auto Show, the audience actually gasped and cheered when it got on stage because it's that sexy.

It's Not that Much Heavier than the Regular MX-5 Soft-Top

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF-08

Adding a power retractable hardtop to a convertible typically adds a lot of weight to a car, but weight is a dirty word in Mazda land.

Mazda engineers are obsessed with keeping the weight of the MX-5 Miata as low as possible, so you shouldn't be surprised that the retractable fastback roof doesn't add a great amount of weight to the car. In total, the hardtop adds about 100 pounds, but Mazda promises that it won't affect the car's performance.

Mazda engineers have something called the "Gram Strategy," where they look at every single piece of a car and try to reduce the weight of every component, gram by gram. They used this strategy extensively with the RF.

You Can Open/Close the Roof While You're Driving

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF-13

The top can be operated at parking lot speeds of up to 6 mph. Because ain't nobody got time to wait around. Even better, it takes only 12 seconds to open and close and is completely automatic because there are no latches to manually fuss with.

The Retractable Fastback Roof Doesn't Affect Trunk Space

Convertibles don't have a lot of trunk space in general, but hardtop convertibles have even less space because cargo capacity is compromised when the top is lowered. This isn't the case with the MX-5 Miata RF, which has the exact same cargo capacity as the soft-top model — about 4.1 cubic feet.

The trunk in the RF is designed to hold two carry-on suitcases, even with the top down.

ALSO SEE: Why Has Mazda Mada a Million Miatas?

You Can Buy It Soon

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF-06

Mazda is looking for the MX-5 Miata RF to hit dealers in the first quarter of 2017. Interestingly, Canadians will be able to buy the RF about a month earlier than Americans, which doesn't help that much, seeing as it will be winter there when the car arrives.

When the RF arrives, it will be offered in a special Launch Edition that will look exactly as it did during its debut in New York. That means it will have the special Machine Gray Metallic paint, a black roof panel, and Auburn Nappa leather interior, a combination that is exclusive to this limited edition car. The Launch Edition will be based on the top trim Grand Touring MX-5 and just 1,000 of these special roadsters will be available in the U.S. Pricing for he RF hasn't been announced yet.

Discuss this article on our Mazda MX-5 Miata Forum

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2017 Chevy Bolt Tops Tesla Model 3 with 238-Mile Range

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an official estimated range for the all-electric 2017 Chevy Bolt: 238 miles (383 km).

Chevy says that it still plans to offer the Bolt for a starting price of below $37,500, before a federal tax credit of $7,500 is applied. The car will begin arriving in select Chevy dealerships in late 2016, offering customers the most all-electric range for the cheapest price on the market.

The cheapest 2016 Nissan Leaf starts at just $29,860 before tax credits, but it only offers 84 miles of driving range. The Tesla Model S is the only other electric vehicle on the market to offer over 200 miles of range, but it costs at least $66,000, which nets you a 210-mile range.

The true range of the Bolt will also fluctuate. Long, 70-mph highway drives will drain the batteries quicker, while around town the small Bolt may actually be able to exceed the 238 rating.

Back when we drove a prototype of the Chevy Volt, the brand said that the car will be able to fully recharge in 9 hours using an available 240-volt charger, and can regain roughly 25 miles of range per hour of charge. If you step up to a DC Fast Charger, the Bolt should be able to regain about 90 miles of range in 30 minutes.

Discuss this story at our Chevy Bolt Forum

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Car Reviews

Tuesday, 13 September 2016