Last year, Kia introduced the Niro to its line-up – a hybrid SUV that didn’t look like a hybrid and more resembled a sporty hatchback than a crossover. With a real feel for “green,” Niro was marketed as an HUV, or Hybrid Utility Vehicle, that was EPA rated at 51mpg. Backing that up, Niro officially received a Guinness World Records title for the lowest fuel consumption by a hybrid vehicle, as it traveled from Los Angeles to New York City with a fuel consumption record of 76.6 mpg – hypermiling to achieve the record that average drivers on average streets and highways won’t approach.

Following up in year two, Niro continues its green ways and has been recognized as such by being selected Green Car Journal’s 2018 Green SUV of the Year™. Additionally, Niro has gained honors from other sources including earning a J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) award and J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study accolade in the Small SUV category. And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded its best rating possible, Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+), to the 2018 Kia Niro when equipped with available Forward Collision Warning System and Autonomous Emergency Braking System as well high-intensity discharge headlights.

Building on 2017’s launch, Kia has upgraded Niro for 2018 with a new plug-in model, a Graphite Edition with an exclusive paint color, gloss-black exterior trim and a full suite of safety and tech enhancements. The 2018 Niro also sees a number of trim-specific additions in standard safety, tech and infotainment features.

Looking atypical of hybrids, Niro was conceived at Kia’s design centers in Irvine, California, and Namyang, Korea. Niro’s demeanor is curvy, slim, strong and confident with subtly sculpted surfaces offset by robust styling cues. Niro sports wide and low proportions, measuring 171.5 inches long, 71.1 inches wide and 60.4 inches high, on a 106.3-inch wheelbase. The overhang is 34.3 inches in front and 30.9 inches in the rear and Niro has a ground clearance of 6.3 inches. Curbweight for the upper trims is 3161 lbs.

The Niro cabin is also sporty and intuitive, filled with hip and high-tech interior accouterments. Glossy white or black accents underline the HUV’s straightforward theme, and the instrument panel is uncluttered and clean, with colorful and informative gauges in easy sight, and driver-friendly primary and secondary controls positioned intuitively. Interior roominess measures 40.1 inches of front headroom with 39.1 inches in the rear; legroom is 41.7 inches up front and 37.4 inches in row two, and shoulder room comes in at 56.0 and 55.2. Seats with increased pad density in the cushions ensure a comfortable ride, and Niro boasts an elevated seating position much like the Kia Soul, providing drivers with a more commanding view of the road as well as easy ingress and egress.

The powertrain begins with the Kappa 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine, engineered specifically for hybrid applications. The two-tiered system includes an aluminum block and head engine that delivers 104hp and 109 lbs.-ft. of torque, and a 240-volt Lithium-ion polymer battery-powered electric motor that provides 43 hp. The combined system is rated at 139hp and 195 lbs.-ft of torque, for a driving range of 583 miles.

EPA rated at 51mpg on the highway, 46mpg/city and 49mpg overall, my week of interstate and in-town driving yielded a much-lower average in town – 34mpg – but 53 mpg on the highway and an average 44.2mpg.

More than simply economical, Niro’s power system also displays a spirited performance on the road. Acceleration is smooth and swift for the niche, and moving more quickly than expected from a hybrid, my test Niro sprinted a zero-to-60mpg dash in 8.9 seconds (hand-timed) during a 16.9-second (hand-timed) quarter-mile.

Corners were taken effectively for the segment with little body roll and comparatively small top wobble. Road noise was surprisingly present in the cabin, but for the most part, Niro handled more like a sedan than a Crossover. Acceleration was respectable enough for everyday driving, braking was confident, steering was supple and responsive and the independent front suspension with MacPherson struts, stabilizer and gas shocks, worked well with the independent multi-link rear with twin tube shocks to smooth out most road irregularities.

The 2018 Kia Niro starts at $23,340 for the base FE trim, and moves up through the LX at $23,650; the EX at $26,150; and the Touring at $32,000. My test Niro LX upgraded from lower trims with LED Daytime running lights and fog lights; cloth/leather seat trim with heated front seats; Black high-gloss interior accents and auto-dimming rearview mirror; Blind-Spot Detection; Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Crimson Red exterior paint added $295, paired with a Gray cloth and leather interior. The EX Advance Technology Package added $1950 for Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Keep Assist System; Smart Cruise Control and 10-Way Driver's Seat Adjustment, with 2-way Power Lumbar Support. A trunk cargo net added $50 and a Cargo Mat added $95; mud guards were $95; carpeted floor mats were $135; and destination fees of $940 brought the sticker-as-tested to $29,710 – under $30K for a sporty hybrid SUV.



> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

The 2018 Acura TLX performance luxury mid-size sedan has been refreshed with a sporty and angular architecture that plays off the manufacturer’s aggressive new design direction, and its AcuraWatch™ technology is now standard equipment on all grades, as TLX moves to the forefront of its niche in the application of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies.
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Considered a compact executive/entry-level luxury sedan at birth, TLX was launched in 2014 for model year 2015, replacing the TL (initialese for “Touring Luxury”) and TSX in the Acura line-up. Revised for this year, the 2018 TLX gains Acura Precision Concept’s signature diamond-mesh pentagon grille, a wider stance, revised front fascia, fenders and wheels, and new infotainment with a simplified interface. New features for 2018 include: Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®; standard AcuraWatch Suite®; multi-view rear camera; collision mitigation braking system; adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow; lane-keeping assist system; road departure mitigation system; Bling spot information; rear cross traffic monitor; and updated 7-inch dual-screen center stack infotainment with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and SiriusXM 2.0. You also get automatic high beams as a new feature that can detect oncoming traffic and switch to low beams until the oncoming vehicle has passed.

Longer and wider than most of its competition in the segment, last year’s exterior “beak” look is now striking and bold. The TLX’s overall demeanor is one of sportiness, athleticism and refinement, with powerful lines, in a mid-size package.

Assembled at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio Auto Plant, TLX measures 191.7 inches long, 57.0 inches high and 73.0 inches wide, on a 109.3-inch wheelbase, offering a ground clearance of 5.8 inches. Curbweight ranges from 3505 to 3838 lbs.

Inside, the quiet cabin is well-thought-out and offers an abundance of available luxury features and technologies including heated and ventilated front seats, HomeLink®, Smart Entry/Push Button Start keyless access system, Acura Navigation System™ with 3-D view, and AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ with Traffic Rerouting. A 7-inch On Demand Multi-Use Display™ touch screen, located in the center console, controls these and other features, and, with its contextual menus, displays relevant items while minimizing instrument panel clutter. The TLX also features AcuraLink®, Acura's cloud-based connected car system.

The TLX cabin is more cozy than cavernous, providing 37.2 inches of front headroom with 36.7 inches in row two. Legroom is comfortable in front at 42.6 inches, but tight in the rear seats at 34.5 inches; while shoulder room goes 57.5 and 55.4.

TLX is powered by the same two engine choices that have been in place for years. Both engines are designed to merge muscle with acceptable fuel economy. The TLX 2.4-liter inline-4-cylinder engine grants 206 hp and 182 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA rating of 23mpg/city, 33mpg/highway and 27mpg/combined mpg on Premium Unleaded 91 Octane; and the direct Injection 3.4-liter V-6 delivers 290hp and 267 lbs.-ft. of torque for a 21/30/24 estimate on Premium Unleaded 91 Octane. My week of mixed-use driving, and some admitted pedal-mashing, with the 3.4-liter V-6 averaged 21.9mpg.

The V-6 set-up was responsive and confident, resulting in smooth passing at speed, effortless uphill vanquishing and seamless shift points. Steering was a bit light, with some loose cornering at speed and some vague road feel from the MacPherson Strut Front Suspension and multi-link rear.

On the track, my 3.5liter TLX finished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 6.3 seconds during a 14.7-second quarter-mile.

The 2018 Acura TLX sedan advances Acura's reputation for delivering cutting-edge safety performance with its AcuraWatch suite of technologies. The TLX system expands the scope of the vehicle's road-sensing capabilities, and its fusion of camera and radar technology, along with the next-gen braking system provides enhanced car-to-car and car-to-pedestrian collision mitigation, while enhancing the capabilities of the Adaptive Cruise Control. Crash tests helped TLX earn a perfect five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It also earned a Good rating in the moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength tests and for its head restraints and seats from the IIHS.

The 2018 Acura TLX starts at $33,000 in Front-Wheel-Drive with the 2.4-liter inline-4 engine. The 3.5-liter V-6 gains you 84hp and 85 lb-ft of torque for $3200 -- included with the V-6 engine upgrade are the dynamic Sequential SportShift paddles, an electronic gear selector, 8-way power front passenger seat with lumbar adjustment and the sporty 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive™ adds $2000. The Technology Package adds $3700 for rain-sensing windshield wipers, 19-inch Split 5-Spoke Pewter and Machine-finish Wheels, perforated Milano premium leather-trimmed interior, Acura Navigation System with 3-D view, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ with exclusive street and freeway conditions Traffic Rerouting™, Color Multi-Information Display with turn-by-turn guidance, AcuraLink® The Next Generation, ELS Studio® Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, Song By Voice®, HD Radio®, GPS-linked climate control, and such safety additions as Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor. Parking Sensors add $634, a Decklid Spoiler adds $397, front and rear splash guards add $108 apiece, Body Side Molding adds $259, Remote Engine Start System III adds $399 and a heated steering wheel adds $500.

With a destination charge of $995, my 2018 TLX as-tested stickered at $45,041.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Perfect! Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Corvette America was just that in 2018, PERFECT! The weather was perfect, the cars were perfect, the people were perfect and the showcase of America and America’s Sports Car was also simply perfect! Four days of support from Mother Nature and 60,000+ guests from around the world helped make Corvettes at Carlisle one for the record books.

In recent years, the popular Corvette weekend was expanded to four-days and even with Thursday as an official show day, thousands of Corvettes were on-site Wednesday. Their presence set the table perfectly for what would end up being the second biggest Fun Field turnout of all time as part of the 2018 show. This year’s turnout topped all but the 2013 offering, which was the first year of the C7 and was less than 100 Corvettes shy of that year’s record turnout. With 5,000+ Corvettes at Carlisle and sunny skies with low temps, what more could the guests want?

Well, the vendors as part of the swap meet certainly offered attendees something special. Many vendors sold out of their products, while others reported great sales totals. The midway, packed with big named vendors, was bigger than ever and included some first-time vendors who vowed to return in 2019. But what was the draw for everyone this year?

Aside from the weather, THE draw was the Corvette American flag and salute to service on Friday, August 24. In the wake of the continued protests from professional athletes during the national anthem, Corvettes at Carlisle vowed to stand in force, and those at Carlisle did just that. 200+ Corvettes came together to form the flag, with a special salute to service ceremony taking place at the stage too. This service and showcase gained national attention via Fox News and their popular Fox & Friends program. It actually marks the second consecutive year that Corvettes at Carlisle was featured on the show.

In addition to the flag and swap meet, guests enjoyed seminars from Paul Koerner of The Corvette Mechanic Inc., walkarounds from the NCRS as well as Team Chevrolet and enjoyed an all-new autocross competition backed by Lingenfelter Performance. The King of the X event spanned multiple days and culminated in a bracket style race-off on Saturday where one top driver earned $1,000 for his efforts.

Corvettes at Carlisle wrapped on Sunday, August 26 and did so following an amazing Saturday night within the Carlisle community. The annual Corvette Parade and Street Party hosted over 400 Corvettes, offering an amazing sight as they cruised into downtown Carlisle. Spectators had a chance to see these beauties in motion, then walk around and shop, drink, dine and interact with the car owners.

With 2018’s event a wrap, plans are ongoing for 2019. Save the date, because Corvettes at Carlisle is already taking registrations for the four-day happening. Corvettes at Carlisle 2019 takes place August 22-25 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and interested parties can register today at www.CarlisleEvents.com.

The Cadillac Escalade is the hip buying choice for the rich and famous as well as the affluent and trendy who are not so famous. The full-size luxury SUV has been a status vehicle since its inception. Introduced in 1999, the original Escalade was nearly identical to the 1999 GMC Yukon Denali, but was redesigned for the 2002 model year to make its appearance fall more in line with Cadillac's “art and science” design theme. Built in Arlington, Texas, Escalade derives its name from the term that refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls, or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers. Escalade has sieged ahead in popularity and is even sought after by thieves, as according to information from the Highway Loss Data Institute, the Cadillac Escalade is the most stolen vehicle in the U.S.

Escalade was last fully redesigned in 2015, and model year 2019 is expected to be the last model year for the fourth generation Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV. Redesigned fifth-generation Escalade and Escalade ESV models are planned to be launched in 2019 as 2020 Model Year vehicles, so only a few minor changes were made for 2018.

New for this year, a 10-speed automatic transmission has replaced last year’s 8-speed; the entire console center was modified, along with the cup holders and a new seat memory system; Satin Steel Metallic was added as a new color, replacing both Silver Coast Metallic and Amethyst Metallic; and Shale/Jet Black (all trims) and Maple Sugar/Jet Black (Platinum only) are the new combined interior options, replacing Shale/Cocoa and Tuscan Brown.

Escalade is luxurious and loaded. Every Escalade has a rear vision camera, automatic front and rear parking assist, Apple CarPlay™, and are Android Auto™ compatible.

Interiors have Surround Vision -- Birdseye view of vehicle; second-row manual release fold-and-tumble seats; heated and cooled front and second-row seating; power fold-flat third row seats; Magnetic Ride Control™ with selectable Sport mode; and “Cadillac user experience” with 16-speaker Bose®Centerpoint® Surround Sound audio system and embedded Navigation. Interiors are filled out with 12-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster, leather seating surfaces with 12-way power adjustability for driver and front passenger, power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory settings, heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and Wireless Charging.

Escalade’s design provides a signature look of elegance and capability. The styling cues combine sculpted surfaces and high-technology embellishments, and dynamic front styling cues are enhanced by a highly detailed Galvano chrome grille that has a unique, almost brushed look and feel. It is accented by full LED lighting in the front and rear that creates razor-like vertical light signatures. LEDs provide even, steady and very bright illumination, while delivering longer life and using significantly less energy than conventional lighting.

Exteriors are enhanced by LED headlamps with Cadillac signature lamps and LED taillamps, 20-inch dual 7-spoke chrome plated aluminum wheels, and a hands-free powered liftgate that is height-programmable.

With a hefty and confident curbweight of 5856 lbs for AWD, the 2018 Escalade measures 203.9 inches long, 80.5 inches wide and a top-wobbling 74.4 inches high on a 116-inch wheelbase (the ESV stretches to 130 inches with 224.3 inches in length and virtually the same height and width). Tow capabilities are 8300 lbs in 2WD and 8100 lbs. in AWD configuration.

Inside, the 2018 Escalade, is refined and precise. With three rows of seating for eight, headroom is accommodating at 42.8 inches in front, 38.7 inches in row two and 38.1 in row three; legroom is 45.3 inches in row one, 39 in the center row and a child-worthy 24.8 inches for the rear row; and shoulder room comes in at a spacious 64.8, 64.4 and 62.6.

Escalade power comes from a 6.2-liter VVT V8 engine with 420-hp and 460 lb-ft. of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rated at 14mpg/city and 21mpg/highway, a week of long highway drives and short in-town excursions averaged 15.5mpg. Responsive in all ranges, power prevailed, and on the track, my test Escalade raced a zero-to-60mph sprint in 6.1 seconds during a 14.5-second quarter-mile. Strong, confident and quick, Escalade showed stability and balance in most steering drills, and my test ride was surprisingly nimble and easy to park.

The base 2018 Cadillac Escalade starts at $75,990; the Luxury trim with 22-inch dual 7-spoke premium painted wheels with chrome inserts; Driver Awareness Package of Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Safety Alert Seat, Lane Change Alert with Side-Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking and IntelliBeam®automatic high beam on/off headlamps; Rear Camera Mirror; Power tilt-sliding sunroof; Theft Deterrent Package and more, bases at $81,590; Premium Luxury trim starts at $85,990 with more driver assistance and entertainment packages; and the top-of-the-line Platinum trim starts at $95,090 and adds more leather, premium interior and power accouterments. Moving to 4WD adds up to $3000 per trim. My black/black Platinum Escalade added all-weather floor mats ($250); a polished exhaust tip ($140); a cargo net ($55); 1-year-Cadillac remote Access/OnStar safety Plan ($350). With destination charges of $1295, the sticker was $98,480, but local discounts and cash allowances dropped my test ride to $92,480, so discuss price with your local dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

In 2014 when Carlisle Events announced the move to Lakeland, Florida in front of a standing room crowd at its previous facility, someone asked co-owner Lance Miller about the possibility of a Corvette show being part of the fun. At the time, the response was “never say never,” after all; Carlisle Events is known for large scale car events including its flagship car show, Corvettes at Carlisle. Fast forward 4+ years and it’s FINALLY happening - a Corvette themed showcase in conjunction with Winter AutoFest in Lakeland, February 22-24, 2019!

Over the span of three days, the SUN N’ FUN campus in Lakeland comes to life with all things automotive. There’s an automotive flea market, car corral, collector car auction and of course a car show. The 2019 car show will be the biggest and best one yet! The NCRS crew has been hosting their annual event at SUN N’ FUN for a few years as a stand-alone event but for 2019 will join forces with Carlisle Events and Winter AutoFest. This partnership gives guests even more to see and do as part of the annual February weekend.

Branded as the 41st Annual NCRS Winter Regional Corvette Show, hundreds of America’s Sports Cars (and their owners) plus dozens of Corvette themed vendors and enthusiasts of the brand will converge on SUN ‘N FUN for all things Corvette. There is a judged element to the showcase, meaning some of the best-of-the-best from the Sunshine State and the southern region will be in attendance. In addition, with a nod to the NCRS show itself, Carlisle Auctions will host at least one Corvette specific hour as part of its two-day auction in the adjacent hanger/auction arena.

“Winter AutoFest in Lakeland is always an exceptional time,” noted Carlisle Events co-owner Lance Miller. “We have loads of vendors, amazing cars for sale in both the corral and auction, plus we have a fun car show tied to the event and plenty of amazing food! With this said, I’m always excited to steer more Corvettes and their owners to this event,” continued Miller. “While brainstorming with Ed Augustine who runs the NCRS Regional event in Lakeland, we thought it would benefit both events by having them join forces. I’m thrilled to say this will be our inaugural event with the NCRS Winter Regional and it promises to be a great one!”

Miller continued with nothing but praise for the event, adding “I’ve been going to the NCRS Winter Regional event for a long time. I recall going to the venue in Cypress Gardens when it was held there with my father. It’s really neat to know NCRS will be joining us in Lakeland in February of 2019. On behalf of Carlisle Events and Corvettes at Carlisle, we’re encouraging all Corvettes to come out and support this event. We aim to please and look forward to ensuring this event and venue become a destination for every Corvette lover to visit. I hope to see you in beautiful sunny Florida in February!”

Participants for the NCRS event will gain entry to the entire Winter AutoFest weekend for themselves and a guest plus receive two bidders passes for the auction. Corvettes who choose to be a part of the all-new Corvette VIP showfield will also be privy to some amazing perks including a designated parking area in the center of the fun, Saturday morning breakfast and VIP access to preview the day’s auction, two free bidder’s passes and an evening cookout with entertainment and more! As planning begins, stay tuned for more details!

Registration for the NCRS event should be done through them as been the case in years past, while those looking to be a vendor should contact Carlisle Events online at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.