2019 Denver Post Auto Show Preview

Sunday, March 24, 2019 S7
Bud Wells
Beneath the glitter – the power source
By Bud Wells
An ever-expanding number of
alternatively fueled vehicles will be
scattered over the convention center hall
this week, though it may require a look
past the gleaming, gorgeous, glistening,
sleek, brilliantly finished cars and trucks.
The differences aren’t visibly prominent
– the power sources under hood, under
trunk and under floor
Twenty years ago, there were no hybrids
or electrics among the auto show displays;
the first gas/electric hybrid appeared in
2000 and plug-ins and all-electrics began
multiplying five to 10 years ago. Today,
there are far more than 100 hybrid/plugin
hybrid and all-electric models offered
for sale in the U.S.
Many will be featured throughout the
auto show confines, including the Nissan
Leaf Plus, fresh into dealer showrooms,
making claims of 226 miles on a full
charge. Also the Chevy Bolt EV and
Hyundai Kona with ranges topping 200
miles.
Look, too, for the Jaguar i-Pace, Kia e-Niro,
BMW 530e and the newest Honda Insight,
a gas-electric hybrid earning a 55-milesper-gallon
estimate in city driving.
Satisfying to me in January was a
smooth, advanced test of a luxury gas/
electric hybrid automobile – the 2019
Lexus LC 500h Coupe. The sleek
product is an excellent blend of
appearance and performance.
Lexus labels it a “world-class
luxury coupe, with enhanced
steering, suspension and braking.”
Combined with a
295-horsepower, Atkinson-cycle
3.5-liter V-6 engine are two electric
motors and a lithium-ion battery
pack, with total output of 354-hp.
The power system is tied to a
revolutionary transmission setup
which incorporates a continuously
variable tranny and an Aisin
4-speed automatic to the engine
and motors.
With the new transmission
system, I felt actual shift points
when the LC was being powered
by the gas engine, eliminating
most of the droning associated
with many CVT-equipped vehicles.
It is a strong runner, and will clip
off the 0-to-60 in under 5 seconds;
don’t confuse it, though, with the gas-only
LC500 luxury coupe, which is much more
powerful with its 471-horsepower V-8
engine. The 500h looks the same, with its
long, tapered hood and well-defined rear
haunches.
The interior is finished beautifully
with alcantra headliner and toasted
The stylish, hybrid version of the 2019 Lexus LC 500. (Bud Wells photo)
caramel leather with satin metallic trim,
and enhanced with its Mark Levinson
surround-sound system .
A drive of 250 miles rolled up an a fuelmileage
reading of 30.3 miles per gallon,
not bad for the 4,500-pound coupe. The
hybrid is rated at 27 in the city and 35
on the highway. Included in its secure
braking is a regenerative function for the
hybrid side.
Its trunk space is only 4.7cubic feet, other
adjacent space is devoted to the battery
pack behind the rear seats. The Lexus LC
models are built in Aichi, Japan.
– Contact Bud Wells at
budwellscars@comcast.net.
The new, all-electric Jaguar i-Pace. (Jaguar)
The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV. (Chevrolet)
MUST-HAVES for your next vehicle
Serious technology for your safety
Buying a new car, SUV, minivan or
truck is always a thrill! After choosing
the model and color interior, here
are technological features worthy of
consideration. Some are downright
cool and some will sit quietly in the
background, but all help drivers stay safe
on the road. In fact, some will even do
a few tedious driving tasks. Ready to
explore your options?
INTELLIGENT CRUISE
CONTROL WITH DISTANCE
ADJUSTMENT
Cruise control has been around for
decades, of course, but in recent years it
has been advanced with radar and other
sensing technology. The result is not
only a system that maintains speed but
one that also maintains a distance from
the vehicle ahead. It can slow down and
speed up with the flow of traffic, and
many systems also will come to a full
stop and then start up when the vehicles
ahead move.
SELF STEERING
Many brands and models offer self
steering as an option. While imperfect,
these systems’ ability to keep the vehicle
in the lane by observing the lines in the
road is quite impressive and helpful. Self
steering systems will always warn in real
time if a situation requires the driver to
take the wheel.
LANE DEPARTURE/BLIND
SPOT WARNING
Lane departure and blind spot warning
systems have been offered for a number
of years and they are quite effective in
letting the driver know that another
vehicle is in a blind spot or is otherwise
too close in the next lane. Most
manufacturers now offer technology
that actually makes it harder to change
lanes in those situations by tightening
the steering, vibrating and/or sounding
alarms, thus making drivers aware of the
need to stay in their lane.
AUTOMATIC BRAKING
Typically coupled with intelligent cruise
control, automatic braking is quickly
becoming a major safety benefit. By
sensing vehicles, objects and people
ahead (and behind in some backup
systems) it will automatically stop
vehicles in time to avoid a collision.
Sensors update the vehicle’s computers
hundreds of times per second allowing
the car to “think and read” faster than the
human brain.
SELF PARKING
Various parking assist systems have
been around for over a decade. Originally
only able to parallel park, these systems
can now also back into slotted parking
spaces. Once lined close to the space, self
parking systems can typically park the
vehicle in 20 seconds.
REAR CROSS TRAFFIC
ALERT
Backup cameras are terrific devices
and most vehicles are now equipped
with them. One extra feature to look for,
however, is rear cross traffic alert. This
warns the driver that a vehicle or person
is approaching as the vehicle is slowly
backing up, providing plenty of warning.
BACKUP COLLISION
INTERVENTION
Another beneficial feature is backup
collision intervention. It’s simply
automatic braking while in reverse, and is
one more level of protection from backing
into something – or someone.
AND A COUPLE MORE
NOT TO MISS!
Auto-Dimming
Headlights
While not an absolute necessity, this
technology is being offered on a wide
variety of new vehicles. It automatically
turns on high beams for maximum
visibility and dims them when sensing
oncoming traffic ahead.
Heads-Up Display
Heads-up displays have been available
since the 1990s, but very few buyers opt to
have them. A number of manufacturers
offer this worthwhile feature. Needed
information is contained in a virtual
display projected on the windshield,
limiting the driver’s need to look down at
instruments and controls. Some versions
have infrared sensors that project
animate objects ahead, allowing the
driver to better see a person or animal in
the roadway.
Vehicles with the newest technological
features will be on display at the Denver
Auto Show at the Colorado Convention
Center, March 27-31, 2019.