First Car Show In the 2022 Kia K5!

Look at these vintage dealership signs for McDonald Cadillac GMC in Saginaw! I remember when they still sold Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles there back in the day.

Today, I rode through and briefly showed the K5 at a local car show! It was a good opportunity to see custom Firbirds, Cadillacs, low rider bikes, Camaros and a lot more. I intend to take all of my cars at some point to a show as I continue to fix them up how I want them. I’ll also be taking them on road trips. Check out local car shows in your area! We also went to the Bay City Rib Fest today as a family, which was also a good time.

Do you have a custom car? Or have you participated in a car show before?

Long live summer!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqThO0tr_ixrz1zxKpnyxbQ

Copyright © 2022 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Coming In Hot – The 2023 Honda Civic Type R

A new generation of Type R is coming - Honda fans rejoice! And if you like red interiors,
you're going to be very happy.

Honda has dropped details on the 2023 Honda Civic Type R, which should delight performance enthusiasts everywhere. While details are sparce, let’s talk about some of what’s new.

We haven’t heard from Honda on what pricing or power figures will be for the new Type R, but we do know that the manual transmission and 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine will carry over. I suspect that the engine will be more powerful, because otherwise what’s the point of releasing a new version, right? Overall, the design is less wild outside, but sportier inside, I think. On the interior, there are red seats AND red carpeting, which really reminds me of old Buicks, Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles from the 80s and early 90s for some reason… But it works here, because like I frequently mention – I’m a sucker for a red or brown interior anyways! Seats are heavily bolstered for track days and there’s a digital gauge cluster that I’m sure provides all necessary info for performance driving as well, such as boost.

Competition for the Civic Type R would include the Volkswagen Golf R, Hyundai Elantra N, and the soon-to-be-discontinued Hyundai Veloster N. Are you a Civic Type R fan? I’m interested in hearing more performance specs on this when they’re finally released.

Copyright © 2022 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Coming Soon - The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS

The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV will be built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico alongside the gasoline powered Blazer.

Chevrolet has now officially unveiled the 2024 Blazer EV. It’ll ride on the Ultium platform and will have front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models. Based on first looks, I can see some design influence from GM’s other midsized Ultium EV offering, the Cadillac Lyriq – namely in the side profile. Ironically, the gas-powered crossover Blazer also now looks less appealing in my eyes after I’ve seen the Blazer EV. Though something tells me that this EV model will be just as controversial in nature as the gas model amongst diehard Chevy enthusiasts, since many will continue to say this isn’t a “real Blazer”. For many people, the word “Blazer” brings back memories of the of the K5 Blazer era - i.e., an SUV based on a body-on-frame architecture actually meant for off-roading, not a crossover. For me, I remember the S-10 Blazer of the 90s and Trailblazer of the 2000s.

History lessons aside, this new Blazer EV will offer up to 320 miles of range and an SS trim level with 557 HP. Speaking of trim levels, four will be offered: 1LT, 2LT, RS and SS. As mentioned, you can get the Blazer EV in several drive configurations – the 1LT, 2LT and RS come standard with FWD, but the RS can also be had with RWD. AWD is also offered on the 2LT and RS and depending on your choice of battery pack size, you’ll get 293 miles of estimated range out of the 2LT – the RS will be able to travel up to the aforementioned 320 miles of range depending on your configuration. GM hasn’t said what size the Blazer EV’s battery packs will be, but we know the Ultium battery packs are supplied by LG Chem. So, based on prior knowledge of GM's Ultium platform and specs, its reasonable to assume that the battery packs could be similar in size to the Lyriq. When plugged into a DC fast-charger, the Blazer can charge at up to 190 kW and gain 78 miles of range in 10 minutes.

I like how tech-focused the interior of the Blazer EV is -
and I'm also always a fan of red and brown leather.

First Day Out

Being the first electric Chevrolet to wear an SS badge, the Blazer SS can hit 60 MPH in under four seconds in Wide Open Watts mode (or “WOW” mode – just like GMC named the Hummer EV’s sporty drive mode “Watts To Freedom” or “WTF”). The Blazer EV SS will also have front Brembo brakes, but each trim level will get a unique front grille, with RS models adding a front light bar that does a “dance” whenever the car is unlocked and that doubles as a charging level indicator for when the vehicle is plugged in. Inside of the Blazer EV, there will be an 11-inch digital gauge cluster with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with available factory navigation (as shown in pictures). Heated and cooled seats will be offered in upper trim levels, as well as red leather seats, which I’m ALWAYS personally a fan of. Other safety and tech features offered include automatic emergency braking, advanced parking assist, and GM’s Super Cruise highway driving system. The MyChevy app will also help you find charging station along your planned driving route, a useful touch. If that’s not cool enough for you, a Police Pursuit Vehicle Blazer EV will be released as well and will be fitted with the largest battery possible and available in RWD or dual-motor AWD.

If the flash of the SS trim is too much for you,
check out other variants of the Blazer EV.
I can't wait to see what the PPV
looks like as well.

Pricing for the Chevy Blazer EV will start at $44,995 for the 1LT trim. However, note that this trim will not arrive until Q1 2024 alongside the Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV). You can place your reservations now for a 2LT or RS Blazer EV, which are due to arrive on dealer lots next summer 2023. The 2LT starts at $47,595 and the RS at $51,995, while the Blazer EV SS will start at $65,995 and will be released in late 2023. Also note that GM is out of EV tax credits, so unless these are renewed by the current government we have in place, getting a $7,500 rebate for your Blazer EV is out of the question (as of the time of this writing). Competition for the Chevy Blazer EV includes the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y and the Kia EV6.

Are you not intrigued by the Blazer EV? I am! If this is the future of GM’s EV crossovers, then its bright because this will turn a new page for GM, showing they can produce a competitive EV while also marking a new chapter in the "Blazer" history books. 

Blazer EV webpage via Chevy.com: https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/blazer-ev

Copyright © 2022 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Here is the 2023 Toyota Crown - Your More “Rugged” Avalon

Say hello to the Crown, making its comeback to America as your electrified Avalon replacement.

Toyota is reviving the Crown in America as a replacement for the upscale Avalon sedan. Unlike the Avalon it’s replacing, the Crown is being marketed as more of an “SUV-ified sedan alternative” rather than an outright large semi-luxury sedan. I fully suspect this is because consumers have largely shifted away from midsize and large cars in favor of SUVs.

Also, in a change from the Avalon, the new Crown will only be offered with hybrid powertrains. The standard powertrain is a 2.5L four-cylinder with three electric motors good for 236 combined HP and an estimated 38 MPG according to Toyota. Top-trim Platinum models will have the company’s new Hybrid Max powertrain setup, also seen in the new Lexus RX, with 340 HP. Fuel economy is estimated to be 28 MPG combined in this trim. It’s also worth noting that the lower trims (XLE and Limited) will use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) while the Platinum trim will use a 6-speed automatic transmission. eAWD is standard on all trims.

The Crown's interior looks to be more luxurious than other Toyota models at first sight. Fitting, since its supposed to be an upscale replacement for the long-standing Avalon. AWD is a definite bonus as well.

In terms of tech features, the new Crown will have a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen in all trims as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless phone charging, premium leather, and premium JBL audio will all also be offered. Standard convenience and advanced safety features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and a two-year complimentary maintenance plan.

What do you think of the Crown? I think it’s interesting nonetheless, I like it. Especially with its two-tone paint schemes - I’m guessing this will only be available on the top trim. However, I’m not sure it will move the bar very much on the “sedan vs. SUV” spectrum, as individuals who want an SUV likely want an SUV for specific utility purposes vs. a car. It’s also surprising to see Toyota dropping a legacy nameplate such as Avalon instead of attaching the word “Cross” to it like they did with the “Corolla Cross”, as Toyota rarely ever rocks the boat with a new niche product like this (a la Honda Accord Crosstour flashbacks). We’ll see how the new Crown does with shoppers when it arrives in showrooms this fall and in early 2023.

Copyright © 2022 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.