Cars, Security and a Peek into my Life
Lots of cars and lots of photographs, and I interviewed the head designer of Ford and we laughed a lot, and an auto show smells so good, and then all the cars start to look the same to be honest, and now the end. Will blog my favourites soon.
Flying out tomorrow morning. Heard I’m coming home to feet and feet of snow. I don’t have a shovel though.
TTYT
The days go fast here guys. Up and at ’em early, then to the Connected Car Expo straight to the car hacking talk, obvs.
Blog tag = auto security
It was a half-hour panel I’m pleased to report I kept up with. A lot of because it wasn’t very technical, to be clear.
Then to the 2016 Ford Explorer pre-reveal, which I can’t show you, because of the embargo.
It looks good though, and my article and photo gallery will be live on Autonet tomorrow if you’re interested.
Included this in the photo gallery for the paper, because I am a professional.
Spent all afternoon writing. Here’s what LA looks like for me.
These press trips are gruelling. Not complaining, I understand how fortunate I am, and that it looks glamourous from the outside, but it’s mostly a lot of time by myself at a hotel desk.
Made it to dinner almost on time, and then snuck away from the festivities as usual, and now I’m back at the above desk typing this to you.
But all my writing is now done though, so tomorrow all I have to do is take photos of about 8 new cars and batch upload them to the paper.
Plus document my favourites for here, which is good since come on: I’m at an auto show, there should be more photos of cars here no?
Night TTYT
Took forever to get here.
Plane was 3.5 hours late leaving, it’s a 5 hour flight, so today may be the longest I ever sat still for. It’s not for me.
This’ll be my 3rd time attending the show in 4 years.
Non-car nerds: this is THE car show of North America. If you’re an automaker, and have something special to debut, you do it here.
Last year I was also here with Ford, here’s the show tag.
And last year is when I invented the attack, “The USB to Ego Attack”, here.
Because our plane was so late, we missed Ford’s big Mustang GT reveal, but made it in time for dinner.
Then to a party in The Hills (where they filmed the TV show? Yes Keri). Cool neighbourhood.
Lincoln took over an entire house to introduce its new Lincoln Black Label line. Basically, it’s the highest end Lincoln possible, very chic, will tell you more in a dedicated post.
The guys.
And that’s it for now.
It’s 11pm here, which is really 2am, and I got up at 4am to keep the dream alive, have deadlines tomorrow that take priority, TTY after that.
[another video: Driving Elation]
I was with Volkswagen, to test their all-new 1.8L engine, and the 2014 Jetta.
Plenty of kick, handles precise and direct, nice note.
1.8L TSI Turbo – 170 hp & 184 lb.ft
Note: to get the new 1.8L engine, you have to bump up to the 3rd trim level, Comfortline. The base 2.0L Jetta is starting at $14,990, the 1.8L Comfortline is +$7,000-ish, totalling about $22,000.
Do it, never mind the old 2.0L engine, spend the money with an art-of-long-view. Here’s my full review on Autonet.ca.
Yes I’m yelling, it’s that rare. And that tipped me over: I’d buy this car, this model year. I’ll guess this will be one of the last times that a Jetta can be ordered without a screen.
Plus, the new 1.8L engine; VW’s ergonomic elegance; and an exterior styling that will wear well over time, because it too, is minimal. No GPS; barely any aids, with cruise control being the fanciest; and available in manual.
Then tada – this would be my car for the next 15 years. An great commuter between test vehicles, and a fun week-off car. And I’d seriously consider the diesel.
They had 50! cars lined up, more than half were manual, rare; and also rare was, there were more cars than journalists, so I was alone all day… no passenger time, no passenger.
Spotted in Napa Valley, California.
