Adam's Autos

Welcome to Adam's Autos! "Where I rate autos to help YOU find an A-Rate ride!" Adam’s Autos is a creative medium dedicated to providing consumers with the appropriate information to make an informed new or used automotive purchase. Additionally, Adam’s Autos highlights and promotes local businesses, alongside a variety of today’s latest automotive trends and topics. I also discuss my own personal cars and projects. So fasten your seat belts! We're going for a ride!

Monday, June 27, 2022

Chevrolet Malibu: Throughout the Years

The Chevy Malibu has been around for so long now, until its likely that you or someone you know has or will own one at some point.

The Malibu has long been a bread-and-butter staple of the Chevrolet brand's midsized car lineup, though it has taken different forms over the years, such as the Malibu MAXX. The Malibu actually began its life as a trim level of the Chevelle, but was eventually promoted to being its own model in the late '70s. Past Malibus were produced in Arlington, Texas among other places, but the current North American Malibu is built at GM Fairfax Assembly in Kansas City, Kansas - where the Cadillac XT4 is also built. We'll see if the Malibu lives on for another generation, especially given sedan vs. SUV sales these days.

All of that said, here's a look at the Malibu, from past to present. Which is your favorite? I like the 2008 Malibu best personally (red car in the middle picture). Its the most similar overall to my Saturn Aura.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Kia K5 vs. Civic Si!

A couple of car guys talking car things!

I love meeting other car enthusiasts, and that's what happened recently as I was going down the highway. I ran into Joe Regits and we promptly had to have a quick (and safe) pull. He ended up coming out the victor, because his 9th Gen. Civic Si has some pretty serious mods on it. But it was fun! We stopped after and talked cars for a good while, and we even had a chance to talk about our car collections. His collection also included an Acura Integra Coupe, which he's now sold, but got plenty of use out of.

If you have the time, follow him on Instagram, @slow_joe_fg4! Thanks for the fun Joe, let's meet up again! I'll likely have a few more upgrades besides just a K&N air filter on my K5 by then!

(SN: A short time after this pull, I encountered some stalling issues with my K5 due to improper fuel being in the tank. To see how I handled this, visit my YouTube page and watch the video.)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AdamRichardsonAdamsAutosBlog/featured

Stalled Out Photos:

If you contact UVO Roadside Assist, the info will be displayed on your navigation screen. Also,
getting towed to your local Kia dealer via the UVO services is complimentary.

I believe I had bad gas in the tank, as I normally put midgrade in and then stopped once
gas prices went up. Thus, if you have a K5, I recommend using AT LEAST midgrade for
optimal performance.

VW Will Revive Scout as an EV Off-Roading Brand

Volkswagen is one of many automakers dedicated to having a portfolio of electric vehicles. If they’re recent products such as the ID.4 and Electrify America charging network didn’t have you convinced, then reserve further judgement until you hear about Scout.

Scout was a name last used by International Harvester in the 60s and 70s, but VW is planning to revive the nameplate on an off-road focused SUV and truck around 2026 in the United States. Scout will be financially supported by VW. I think this is a great idea on VW’s part, given America’s never-ending thirst for SUVs and trucks. Plus, demand for EVs is growing steadily, especially given current gas prices. I like VW’s electrification and current product lineup, and Scout will only enhance that strategic direction further. This also heats up the rugged EV truck arena even more, with the upcoming HUMMER EV and Rivian models. This represents a unique opportunity for Scout to establish itself as perhaps a more “unique” alternative with a tie-in to the International Harvester past.

Will you be looking to buy a Scout? Prototypes and additional sketches are expected to be released within the next year or so. Direct competition for Scout once they’re released would be the Rivian R1S and R1T as well as future electrified Jeep and Ford Bronco variants.

Update, Aug. 28th 2023:

Scout Motors has selected South Carolina as the site for their manufacturing facility. This is a wise strategic move in my opinion, as this would make Scout’s vehicles eligible for the federal EV tax incentive up to $7,500.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Spring Cleaning

I recently completed the spring/summer cleaning on my Aura, Bravada, K5 and Telluride! This is your friendly reminder to do the same for your cars - they'll look good and run even longer! Now, its time to plan some *shorter* road trips - that way we save a little gas too, right?

Friday, May 20, 2022

VW Will Revive Scout as an EV Off-Roading Brand

VW is planning to throw its hat into the EV off-roading/active lifestyle vehicle game with a Scout revival.

Will you be looking to buy a Scout? Prototypes and additional sketches are expected to be released within the next year or so. Competition for Scout once they’re released would be the Rivian R1S and R1T as well as electrified Jeep and Ford Bronco variants.

Friday, April 29, 2022

Colorful Cars

Let's all say "YAY" for colorful cars! So many choose black or white or silver these days, its good to see some variety in a parking lot. I'm personally a fan of two-tone paint jobs, like my 2018 Jeep Compass that had green paint with a black roof or the new Chevy Blazer (above) that's yellow with a black roof - this is actually a color for 2022! I had to look it up just to make sure it wasn't a custom job.

Today's question is simple: What color is your car and what's your favorite color in general? Do you like colorful cars?

I think Dodge, Jeep and Kia have some of the most interesting color options in their cars on the market right now among mainstream brands.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Lighting Strike - Ford F-150 Lighting Starts Production

Ford has appeared to somewhat hint that there are other electric and electrified pickup trucks on the way.

It’s 4/26/2022, and the Ford F-150 Lightning has started production today at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan! Future F-Series electric trucks will be built at Blue City Oval in Stanton, Tennessee starting in 2025. Ford is spending $11.4 billion to build and EV factory in Tennessee and a gigawatt battery factory there as well. This will no doubt make Ford even more competitive with Tesla in the EV space, and a leader in the EV pickup truck wars we’re seeing gain traction. We still have yet to get any seriously concrete plans on when the Cybertruck will enter production… However, if you’re already wanting more EV trucks from Ford, fear not - Ford CEO Jim Farley said that another EV truck is on the way.

Two great features on the F-150 Lightning are V2L and V2V charging, allowing users to charge other EVs and also power their homes for a set amount of time using their truck. The standard battery in the Lightning is good for 426 HP and 775 lb.-ft. of torque. The extended range battery makes 563 HP, but the same amount of torque. Towing capacity is rated at 10,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 2,000 and AWD is standard. Range with the standard battery is estimated to be 230 miles on a single charge and 300 miles with the extended range battery. SK Innovation supplies the F-150 Lightning’s lithium-ion battery packs. The cells in the battery use nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry.

Pricing starts at $41,669 for the F-150 Lightning Work Truck before federal incentives and discounts, but currently the Lightning is all sold out. You’ll likely wait a year or more if you reserve one now. Other trims for the F-150 Lighting are the XLT, Lariat, and Platinum. Some upcoming competitors for the F-150 Lightning include the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Rivian R1T, GMC HUMMER EV truck, Lordstown Endurance and the Tesla Cybertruck.

Are you excited for the EV truck wars? So far, I actually like the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV best.

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Cars of Kansas City

The DBZ Charger was an unexpected surprise to see on the road!

I recently went on an adventure to Kansas City, KS and Overland Park, KS, and while there, these were some interesting vehicles I saw! Sports cars seem to be the "exclusive" or "luxury" vehicle of choice here. My favorite has to be the DragonBall Z Dodge Charger, followed by the custom Toyota Supra. It was a fun trip!

See my YouTube page for a short on my time in the Jeep Grand Cherokee I rented while I was in Kansas.

Adam's Autos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AdamRichardsonAdamsAutosBlog/featured

Monday, February 14, 2022

The Chevy Spark has (Officially) Lost Its Spark - 2022 Marks the End

The Chevrolet Spark is one of the smallest and cheapest new cars sold in America. Its also one of the few remaining small cars available with a manual transmission.

The least expensive vehicle in America, the Chevrolet Spark, will end production this summer. It first debuted back for the 2013 model year and even had an EV variant at one point. The base price of the Spark is $14,595 after destination and that will get you a 1.4L engine with 98 HP and one of the last remaining vehicles on the market with a manual transmission (a 5-speed manual to be exact) AND manual roll-down windows as well. Opting for the CVT adds $1,100 to the base price. I’ve played with the Build Your Own tool and I see the Spark comes in some interesting color combinations. But with 98 HP on tap, I’m sure this won’t get you anywhere super fast.

This is how I'd get my Spark (if I had to get one) - in the Activ trim with Blue Glow or Crimson paint, a manual transmission and a few options, like the Summer/Winter floor mats and sport pedals. It really looks like this Activ trim should've had AWD, however... That would've made the Spark more unique among subcompact cars.

Until we see if Chevrolet introduces any other sedans (likely electric on the Ultium platform), the Malibu will be Chevy’s last 4-door car standing. I doubt it’ll last longer than another year or two. Beginning with the 2023 model year, the Trax will be the cheapest Chevy on offer, and as you can imagine, it sells in greater numbers because it’s a crossover and that’s what’s popular with buyers right now. I’m honestly surprised the Trax still exists too, given the newer Trailblazer is now on sale.

Well, perhaps we’ll see another EV model in GM’s electric future revive the Spark name.

Friday, February 4, 2022

Check Out Koenigsegg’s New Electric Motor

Sometimes, there’s truth in the saying “big things come in small packages”. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Koenigsegg, they are a Swedish company that makes super cars. They have developed a new electric motor, named “Quark”, that will be used in the Gemera four-seater. It weighs all of 63 pounds, but be fooled by the size of this motor - it makes 335 HP and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

This electric motor combines both radial and axial-flux construction to adequately balance power and torque. But its probably worth noting that peak power figures are only available for 20 seconds, after which they taper off drastically. This is pretty typical with electric vehicles and motors. After the aforementioned 20 seconds, power of the Quark drops off to 134 HP and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. No worries however - the Gemera will have a total of three electric motors and a 600 HP three-cylinder engine, so it’ll still be plenty quick I’m sure. In fact, Koenigsegg says that the electric motors are meant to assist low speed range on the Gemera while the ICE powertrain supplies high speed power.

Some of the materials used in this e-motor are aerospace and motor sport grade steel and Koenigsegg’s own “Aircore Technology”, which is hollow carbon fiber for the rotor. The company also has an EV drive unit made of of two Quark motors called the “Terrier”. This unit is good for 670 HP and 811 lb.-ft. of torque while also having the ability to torque vector across the axle.

How Is This Important?

This is a development worth watching I’d say, since electric motors will become increasingly more powerful and needed in the auto industry as OEMs pivot to EVs. The performance that Koenigsegg gets out of their vehicles is interesting enough, but their electric motor technology could inspire other suppliers and OEMs alike to develop more lightweight, powerful electric motors for upcoming EV applications outside of only super cars. If this can be balanced with increased range in EVs and supported by expanded charging infrastructure as time moves forward, EVs could continue to gain market share over conventional ICE vehicles.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Motor Bella 2021

This past September, Motor Bella took place at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. This was an outdoor event held in place of the Detroit Auto Show highlighting some of the latest new vehicles and trends in mobility and electrification. There were also ride alongs in Hellcats, the Ram TRX, Jeeps, Broncos, and a variety of EVs as well - I had a chance to ride in the new F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E GT. Both were shockingly fast (see what I did there)!

Below are 10 pictures that are some of my favorite I captured from the event. The pin in the last picture was custom-made by yours truly at the Ford booth in honor of my late grandfather. He took me and my cousins on a road trip up north to Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan many years back. You can see more from Motor Bella on my Adam's Autos YouTube page - see the link below.

Here's to the return of more auto shows!

YouTube Link: Motor Bella 2021

Bollinger Motors was present at Motor Bella

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody

Hummer EV SUV

Various generations of Corvettes cruising the track

Lincoln Aviator - Shinola Edition

Bentley Bentayga

The new Jeep Wagoneer

Ford F-150 Lightning

Ford Maverick - this red pin I made on-site is meant to commemorate my Paw Paw Powell, who drove us up north in Michigan on a family road trip in his red F-150.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

The Perfect Pair

Whoo hoo! Not often you get a company replying directly to your post about your cars on social media! Thanks Kia! #theperfectpair #K5Telluride #teamkia

SPOTTED: Rare Rides Take 10 & New Cars

Another day, another rare rides post! There are so many rare rides to spot out there, this is just another entry in the series. What new or rare rides have you seen lately? Let's take a look at these ones...

I quite like these new Genesis SUVs - the GV80 is the largest on sale right now.

In this picture, you have some real oddities - how often can you say you have a new Hummer EV, Wagoneer, Mitsubishi Raider, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and a Polestar all in one collage? Plus a Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet and a Dodge Durango Hellcat. Also - check out those purple wheels on that Model 3. And who puts a landau top on a G6???

Hummers have always been about excess - even the upcoming EV ones remain true to this in a way. This pic was taken at Motor Bella 2021.

A prototype Cadillac Lyriq!

2011 Saab 9-5 - final model year for Saab

I spy a final 500 Oldsmobile, Camry TRD and a new Bentley! Can you name the rest?

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Happy Holidays 2021/New Year 2022

Before I forget to post for this whole season - a very happy holidays to everyone out there, no matter where you are and what you celebrate! Enjoy and embrace this season with everyone important in your life!

-Adam (ARich)

Monday, December 20, 2021

My New Car: The 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD

This paint color is called "Wolf Grey"

It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to post some blog updates, but perhaps one of the biggest ones worth noting is that I got a new vehicle! My "realistic dream vehicle” actually: the 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD! I actually worked at Kia in product planning a few years back and performed market research that helped lead to the development of this car. Shoutout to Summit Place Kia in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Mr. David Lee for hooking me up with a cool car and great deal (again), especially during all of the chip-related supply shortages!

This K5 replaces my 2018 Jeep Compass and my mother’s 2013 Buick Regal Turbo at the same time - so 2 cars for 1.

Also, this actually is a very key moment for me, as I now have completed my “dream garage” - and because was part of the market research and development process for the K5 among other products. I have the Kia I always wanted back in high school complete a with red interior and AWD, a 2004 Oldsmobile, and my first car, the Saturn Aura (which is mechanically similar to the Pontiac G6 I initially wanted too). So far, the K5 has been an awesome car and it attracts A TON of compliments when I’m out, just like my Telluride. It’s also not a bad car to drive. Its kinda sporty-ish around town and it gets great fuel economy - my highest record to date is 41.4 MPG.

I’ll be making more posts on the K5 (and also uploading older posts I haven’t had the time to get to), such as what upgrades I’ve made to it and my other cars as well as a K5 review. Life is busy, as I’m sure you all can imagine. But in the meantime, check out two YouTube videos on when I first got the car a few months back and also a 0-60 and 0-100 test video. Like, comment and subscribe - thanks!

YouTube Links:

K5 0-60 and 0-100

Kia K5 - Day 1 Video

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