The Jeep Wrangler has entered a new generation, but we have yet to see the first of the many inevitable special editions that will launch. Well, this might be it, according to the folks at JL Wrangler Forums.
A member of the forum sent in a photo of a dark silver JL Wrangler on a car hauler. As the forum points out, this Wrangler has a number of special parts that distinguish it from your standard model from the factory, including different rock rails, black tow hooks, black wheels, a gray Jeep logo, and BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM2 tires, as well as factory steel bumpers. The hood features the Moab decal, hinting this could possibly be a special Moab edition. The forum points out this decal is in the parts catalog for the new Wrangler. Jeep launched a Moab edition of the last-gen JK Wrangler for the 2013 model year.
JLWranglerForums said it’s trying to confirm whether this is a special edition Wrangler or something else entirely, such as an aftermarket model. But it’s worth noting that this vehicle was spotted in Auburn Hills, Michigan, near Fiat Chrysler’s headquarters. It was being transported in the area alongside other Wranglers, although all the others were eventually unloaded while the special model remained on the hauler, the forum member said in a post.
Although Jeep hasn’t rolled out a special edition yet, the Wrangler already offers quite a bit in terms of variety. There are more than 200 Wrangler products from Mopar, including performance parts and accessories. Jeep will add a diesel Wrangler for the 2019 model year, and a Wrangler pickup is also expected sometime soon.
After revealing major updates for the 2019 Miata, Mazda has announced pricing information for the RF hardtop. Base prices start at $33,240, up $435 from last year.
The entry-level Club model comes with Bilstein dampers, a shock tower brace, and limited-slip differential when paired with the standard six-speed manual transmission. A Brembo/BBS package, costing $3,770, brings front Brembo rotors and calipers, red-painted brake calipers, a rear bumper skirt, functional side sill extensions, and other upgrades. One step up is the Brembo/BBS/Recaro package that adds Recaro bucket seats and a black-painted roof to the mix for $4,670. Club models with the six-speed automatic begin at $33,840. For $450, buyers can opt for a safety package that includes lane departure warning and a feature that helps avoid collisions at low speeds.
Grand Touring RF models start at $34,230, up from $33,645 from a year ago. This assumes drivers pick the standard manual transmission. This version is available with a $750 GT-S package, which comes with a black roof, front shock tower brace, limited-slip differential, and Bilstein dampers. Prices for automatic models begin at $35,305, and an extra $300 will get you Auburn Nappa leather. Grand Touring models receive heated leather-trimmed seats, rain sensing-wipers, navigation, automatic headlights, auto climate control, and a host of other standard features.
For the new model year, Mazdaincreasedpower throughout the Miata lineup. The 2.0-liter engine now delivers 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, an increase from 155 hp and 148 lb-ft. Other upgrades include a new exhaust system, standard rearview camera, and a telescoping steering wheel.
The 2019 Mazda Miata RF goes on sale in August. Mazda will announces prices and timing for the updated soft-top Miata at a later date.
At the New York auto show last March, Mazda announced plans to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support to the 2018 Mazda6. Unfortunately for Mazda customers, that support would have to be added later since the 2018 Mazda6 didn’t come with it from the factory. Today, Mazda announced that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will finally be available nationwide starting in September.
For customers who already bought a 2018 Mazda6 in anything other than base Sport form, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available as a no-cost dealer-installed upgrade. A more-powerful, 2.1-amp USB port will be installed, as well, reducing charge times. According to Mazda, the installation should take about two hours. Starting in November, the Mazda6 will come with both phone-mirroring systems pre-installed.
When we first drove the refreshed Mazda6 Signature, it impressed us with its luxurious interior and sporty handling, but the ancient infotainment system and lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was a big disappointment. As popular as these systems are with buyers, every new car should at least offer them as an option. This update (mostly) fixes that issue, but sadly, the Mazda6 is currently the only car in Mazda’s lineup scheduled to receive it.
There’s a good chance other models will be added later, but Mazda hasn’t announced a timeline for doing so.
Ford is offering up more information on the 2019 Ranger that goes on sale later this year. To make towing safer, the midsize pickup truck will offer a blind spot information system with trailer coverage.
With the help of radar housed in the taillights, the Ranger will be able to detect blind spots all the way to the back of an attached trailer. The system alerts drivers when another car is in its blind spot until the vehicle has passed. The Ranger can store up to three different profiles for three trailers. On the instrument cluster, drivers can enter the trailer’s length so the blind spot monitoring system knows the proper distance to start providing warnings. Not only is the system useful for detecting vehicles in the next lane over, but it will also warn drivers of an oncoming vehicle that’s backing out of a parking space.
The Ranger has been announced with three trims for the U.S.: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The blind spot information system will come standard on the top two trims. Other safety features the Ranger will offer include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and lane keep warning and assist.
Expect the 2019 Ford Ranger to come with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The jury is still out on whether or not Ford will offer a Raptor in our market. Towing information has not yet been released for the standard Ranger, and we still don’t know power output figures. But we do know it will be paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
With the 2019 Ascent, Subaru’s finally back in the three-row crossover game. From the outside, it certainly looks like a Subaru, but what about the inside? How’s the cabin look and feel? Is it functional and practical enough for families? After testing an Ascent Premium and Touring, we got to know Subaru’s largest CUV very well. Read on to see what we thought in our latest interior review.
Great Visibility
Over the past several years, beltlines have gotten higher and A-pillars have become thicker. In some cases, it helps make cars safer, but the downside is that some modern crossovers make you feel like you’re sitting in a bathtub. Slide behind the wheel of the Subaru Ascent, and it quickly becomes clear that’s not the case for this vehicle. The Ascent is remarkably easy to see out of, which helps make it easy to drive.
Room to Breathe
Midsize crossovers may all technically be in the same segment, but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same size. The Ascent’s wheelbase is a full 4.0 inches longer than the Toyota Highlander’s and almost an inch longer than the Ford Explorer’s. Subaru uses that extra space to give the Ascent an impressive, spacious cabin that feels open and airy. Retract the sunshade on the optional panoramic moonroof, and it feels even more open.
Clashing Materials
Buyers who spring for the top-of-the-line Ascent Touring will get a car that’s significantly nicer than the base model. The Java Brown leather and wood-like matte trim look and feel like they were pulled out of a luxury car. The problem is, without upgrades to the rest of the touchpoints, it can be a little jarring to feel regular plastic right next to other fancy materials.
Standard Technology
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in the Ascent. Subaru’s EyeSight safety system also comes standard, integrating adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and pre-collision throttle management into a single package.
Comfy, Comfy
If you’re shopping for a $100,000 flagship luxury sedan, it’s generally safe to assume any car you buy is going to have comfortable seats. With mainstream crossovers, however, that’s not always a guarantee. But Subaru didn’t just give the loaded Ascent great seats. It also stuck them in the lower-trim models. They might not be wrapped in leather, but the Premium-trim’s cloth seats are still seriously comfortable, even on long road trips.
2+1-Row Crossover
The Ascent has room for as many as eight passengers spread across three rows. But unless families regularly need that third row, the rear seats will probably spend most of the time folded down. With them up, there simply isn’t much cargo room left. It’s even a struggle to fit a week’s worth of groceries back there. Drop the third row, however, and there’s plenty of room.
Buttons Galore
From the outside, it will be hard to mistake the Ascent for anything other than a Subaru. But there aren’t many surprises in the cabin, either. Anyone familiar with modern Subarus will see a lot of similarities in the Ascent. For better or for worse, that means black plastic and a center console with more than a few buttons and knobs.
Charge Up
When your phone needs juice, Subaru has you covered. The Ascent comes with four USB ports standard and six on Limited and Touring models. Customers can add two optional USB ports, as well, bringing the possible total to eight. Theoretically, that means everyone could charge their phones at once, and in a car built for families, you can never have too many USB ports.
Seeing Double
Subaru’s current center console design uses two screens, and the 2019 Ascent is no different. One is an 8.0-inch touchscreen that controls the infotainment system, and the second one, mounted high on the dash, displays additional information. In theory, it’s a great way to avoid cluttering a single screen, but especially on lower-end models, it feels a little unnecessary. That said, young kids will probably love the “target acquired” graphic that’s displayed when the adaptive cruise control locates a car ahead.
