Fifty years ago, Dodge entered the American “Muscle Car” Wars with the 1970 Challenger, debuting in fall 1969 with a Chrysler “E-body” short-deck, long-hood platform it shared with the Plymouth Barracuda. In those days, 425 horses muscled up Challenger from a 426 c.i. HEMI; and some trims only got you 145hp from a 225 6-cylinder option. Challenger ceased production in 1974 and returned as a retro-luxury-muscle car in 2008. Following a re-design in 2015 that built on the 1970s architecture, Challenger has added a few cosmetic, trim and wheel options each year, and introduced a 707-hp Hellcat in 2017. New for 2019, if 707 hp wasn’t enough, Challenger sets the bar even higher with a new 797-hp SRT Hellcat Redeye model, and other Hellcat models get a 10-hp increase to 717 horses.

Also for 2019, Challenger’s SXT and GT models are available in both RWD and AWD; the GT trim gains a performance hood and front splitter; R/T Scat Pack models come with a new standard power-bulge aluminum hood; Hellcat models now come with a new dual snorkel hood; in R/T models, the rear seats can be deleted at the cost of $1 and have a net weight savings of 55 lb; some cosmetic, wheel, tires and performance items have been added as options and the SRT 392 and limited-edition SRT Demon have been eliminated.

Assembled in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Challenger comes at you with a 1971-style split grille, projector headlamps with halo light-emitting diode surrounds and LED tail lamps. In the rear are a body-colored rear spoiler and dual-chromed exhaust tips integrated into the lower rear fascia. My test Challenger R/T measured an aerodynamic 197.9 inches in length, 75.7 inches in width and 57.5 inches in height on a 116.2-inch wheelbase, providing running ground clearance of 5.2 inches. My R/T trim weighed in with a curbweight of 4177 lbs. – some Challenger models hit 4500 lbs. 

Challenger power is unparalleled, available with five engine choices and either manual or automatic transmissions. The muscle champion is a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat High Output V-8 that thunders out 797hp and 707 lb-ft of torque -- EPA-rated at 13mpg in the city and 22mpg on the highway. The 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI Hellcat V-8 muscles-up with 717 hp and 656 lb-ft torque, EPA rated at 13mpg/city and 21mpg/highway. The 392 c.i. (6.4 -liter) HEMI V-8 charges out 485hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, EPA rated at 15/city and 25/highway. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 and its 372 horses and 400 lb.-ft. of torque that powered my test Challenger R/T,  is EPA-rated at 16/city and 25/highway; and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is also offered, delivering 305 hp / 268 lbs.-ft., rated at 19/city, 30/highway (RWD). 

My Challenger R/T test ride was muscle car quick, both on the highway and on the track. I blazed down the dragstrip in a 5.9-second (hand-timed) zero-to-60-mph dash, and a 14.3-second quarter-mile. For comparison, the top-power, Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye with its 797-hp power plant has been factory tested in a 3-second 0-60mph sprint and a quarter-mile elapsed time of 10.8 seconds.

But my Challenger R/T and its 372-hp 5.7-liter HEMI engine mated to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission will generate more sales, so I tested it that way and was more than satisfied with its performance. While there is slight hesitation when pedal stomping at speed to pass or overtake a hill on the interstate, it is undeniably powerful and attacks the highway confidently while being smooth and a head-turner around town. 

Gentle for passengers, Challenger’s independent SLA double-wishbone front and five-link independent rear suspension smooth out most irregularities and while there is some float at high speed reminiscent of 1970s road feel, and the steering shows some rear sway in quick turns at speed, the available SRT-tuned suspensions in Sport Mode gives a track-worthy feel.

Inside the 2019 Dodge Challenger is a performance-focused cockpit, featuring refined materials, execution and technology, also inspired by the interior of the 1971 Challenger. The cabin seats five and accommodates with 39.3 inches of front headroom and 37.1 inches in row two; leg room of 42.0 inches in front and 33.1 inches in the rear, and shoulder room of 58.5 and 53.9. 

Challengers run the gamut from a $28,095 base for the SXT trim, to $77,945 for the 797-hpSRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. While little is more exhilarating to a car guy than a street-legal 797-hp iconic muscle car, I tested the third-trim up in the line, the R/T, as that is the model more purchasers will buy. In RWD configuration the base was $34,545.

In ToRed exterior paint, my test ride eschewed many decal cosmetics that would have been really cool at little or no cost, and it came outfitted with cloth seats, though I would have liked leather available in packages that would have added $5000 or more, so we went cloth and lean. A sunroof would have added $1295, but that was also left off so we went for entertainment and added an Alpine Audio Group with subwoofer for $995 and a UConnect 4C navi system with 8.4-inch display screen for $1095. The Driver Convenience Group added Blind Spot and Rear Cross Path Detection, High Intensity Discharge Headlamps, power multi-function mirrors with manual fold-away Rhombi Illuminated Air Catcher headlamp for $1295. 

My ride had the fun-to-drive 6-speed manual transmission (an automatic 8-speed trans would have added $1595), so we saved money there, and Destination charges of $1495 put my 2019 Challenger R/T at $39,045.

> 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. </I> 

It’s quite common for over 3,000 Ford branded vehicles to be showcased at the annual Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiars.  Following a 2019 event that hosted a record-setting 3,194 vehicles on the National Parts Depot Showfield, 2020 is shaping up to be another stellar offering from Carlisle Events.  Though the 25th anniversary event is still months away, Carlisle Events is excited to share what themes and anniversaries will be showcased in America’s Automotive Hometown starting at 7 a.m. daily.

Running June 5-7, 2020 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, indoor displays will offer a diverse snapshot of Ford’s impeccable production history.  One of the most popular showcase displays is hosted in Building Y.  Home to the annual Carlisle Select display since 2015, this feature positions 12-14 cars that are unique to the history of the Ford brand in front of a captive audience.  Additionally, every participant since year one of the display receives a commemorative plaque and sees their name affixed to a banner that hangs from the Building Y rafters, logging the history of the Ford Nationals Select.

Between Building T (located adjacent to Y) and the remainder of the grounds, additional displays will undoubtedly pack in the enthusiasts eager to see some of the best cars on the planet.  Planned is a 50th Anniversary display of the Grabbers.  There’s also a spotlight on the Ford GT, a Euro Ford Garage which includes the 50th Anniversary of the Capri and 35th Anniversary of the Merkur, a Thunderbird reunion and Starliner reunion too.   

Of course not every owner of one of the recognized celebrations is selected to be featured.  That doesn’t mean their car isn’t welcome at Carlisle.  With such a massive facility and show car layout, registering for the Showfield is very easy and in most cases, available at a discounted rate.  A link to register for the event is available at www.CarlisleEvents.com.  Once on the Ford Nationals portion of the page, event hopefuls can either register to show their car OR pick up single day/weekend tickets to enjoy the event as a spectator.  

Seeing these great displays is just one aspect of the fun.  There are product walk-arounds and FREE test drives from Ford, on-site installations from A&A Auto Stores, automotive competitions like autocross, a real street shootout and a burnout contest, plus there’s a massive midway and automotive flea market.  Shopping is made easy for any Ford lover as vendors and midway partners alike bring the must have and hard to find parts, merchandise and collectibles to Carlisle. 

To be involved with the 2020 Carlisle Ford Nationals as an automotive flea market vendor or midway partner, call 717-243-7855 to inquire about pricing and availability.  Otherwise, to be part of the show as a spectator or by showing a vehicle, visit one of the following web pages to learn more.

General Info:  http://www.carlisleevents.com
Event Info:  https://www.carlisleevents.com/events/events-detail/index?id=ford+nationals
NPD Showfield:  http://store.carlisleevents.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=24
Featured Vehicle Consideration:  https://www.carlislefeatures.com
Spectator Tickets/Weekend Passes:  https://www.carlisletickets.com

If you are used to seeing the Buick Regal as an upscale, quiet sedan … get ready for an expanded experience. As variants on the 6th-generation Regal, Buick has trebled down with a four-door Sportback, the GS sedan and the TourX wagon.

What began in 1973 as a classy sedan with a Buick-silent interior, the Regal ended its initial production run in 2004 and was relaunched to North America in 2011 (production and sales have been ongoing in China since 1999). Following a sporty mid-generation tweaking in 2014, Buick went all-new with Regal in 2018, with a sleek, sporty design increased horsepower, an upgraded cabin and advanced infotainment … and went on a quest to appeal to all tastes with a separate five-door sportback (hatch) design and the vehicle I tested – the TourX station wagon/crossover, which Buick touts as “a crossover with the drive dynamics of a car and the versatility of an SUV; a contemporary design and attainable luxury credentials … combined with passion and youthful energy.”

While the GS sedan offers a 310-hp 3.6-liter direct injection V- 6 engine, and the Sportback gives buyers an option of the 3.6 or a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, the TourX only goes with I-4 turbo. But the TourX doesn’t skimp on much else. Available in three trim levels — TourX, Preferred and Essence — the TourX line is designed to introduce a new generation and a new segment of buyers to the Buick brand, while showcasing more of a lifestyle vehicle than the rep of the traditional Buick. The base Regal TourX is not outfitted with all the frills of the two upgraded trims -- power seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped wheel, driver aids and upgraded infotainment features, etc., but it presents plenty as standard including an all-wheel-drive system, a flat-folding rear seat to increase cargo space to 74 cu.ft., keyless push-button start/entry, air conditioning/dehumidifier, hands-free power liftgate, eight-speed automatic transmission, Hill Start Assist, 10 air bags, universal home remote, heated side mirrors, and a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. And for 2019, the Base TourX offers an optional air ionizer for climate control system. 

TourX employs unibody construction and Euro-sculpting, with a raked windshield, forward leaning dynamics and purposeful side creases. Coming at you is Buick’s winged heptagonal grille, flanked by LED daytime running lights and headlights that enhance the low, wide appearance of the front end. The luxury wagon weighs in at 3708 lbs (curb weight) and measures 196.3 inches long, 73.3 inches wide and 5.4 inches high on a 11.4-inch wheelbase, to provide confidence, stability and generous interior cargo room, though it doesn’t translate exactly into occupant room.

The Regal TourX seats five and is tighter inside than one would expect, with 38.8 inches of front headroom and 39.6 inches in row two; legroom is 42.1 inches up front and 36.9 inches in the rear seats, and shoulder room is 56.9 and 55.4. Its long, low appearance suggests roominess, and the intuitive layout and controls make it a luxurious passenger’s environment with a driver-centric approach that features sophisticated fit and finish, premium materials and host of modern technologies. The cabin demeanor is upscale, clean and uncluttered, though the Buick legacy of quietness is slightly intruded upon by noticeable wind noise.

TourX power is predictable and solid for the niche, delivered by a direct fuel injection 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 250hp and 295 lb-ft of torque lags a beat until the turbo kicks in, but I still managed a 6.8-second zero-to-60mph sprint during a 15.2-second quarter-mile.

Fuel economy is EPA rated at 21 mpg/city and 29 mpg/highway and my week of tests yielded an average of 24.9 mpg. 

TourX’s low center of gravity and rack-mounted electric power steering make for precise cornering, and the Macpherson strut front suspension and a 5-link rear level pavement irregularities  with the expectation of a luxury vehicle.

TourX safety measures include standard frontal airbags, knee airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags and head-curtain airbag; StabiliTrak, electronic stability control system with traction control and daytime Running Lamps; and available active safety features including Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Park Assist.

There is a Buick Regal for nearly every taste. The 2019 Buick Regal Sportback starts at $24,990, and runs through five trims, topping at nearly $40,000. The Regal GS Sedan bases at $39,070 and the Buick Regal TourX is available in three trims, starting at $29,070 for the TourX; basing at $32,670 for the Preferred trim that adds Eight-Way Power Driver Seat With Two-Way Power Lumbar, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
and other items; and upscaling to $35,070 for the Essence trim with Heated, Leather-Appointed Driver and Front-Passenger Seats, Heated, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and Hands-Free Power Liftgate with LED Logo Projection.

My base TourX in standard Summit White, with Shale cloth seats came with the Buick® Infotainment System with 7-inch diagonal color touch-screen. Floor mats added $100; Roof luggage carriers added $519; and destination and freight charges added $925 for a price-as-tested of $30,614.

> 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. </I>

Kia has earned a new rep as a manufacturer of 19 different trendy, sporty, quality 5-door hatchbacks, multipurpose vehicles, hybrids, sedans and minivans, and has even evolved into producing entry luxury vehicles. Last year, Kia introduced the compact executive 5-door fastback it calls Stinger.  An athletic, bold, adventurous performance car with luxurious accommodations and surprising power, the 2019 Stinger builds on its inaugural year with available convenience technologies such as wireless phone charging, rear outboard heated seats, Surround View Monitor as well as expanded availability of front ventilated seats.  

Offered in a half-dozen trims, Stinger’s upscale rear-wheel drive GT versions receive a limited-slip differential, while the more economical 2.0 trims add a sunroof, navigation with 8-inch touchscreen Harman/Kardon® 720-watt audio with ClariFi™ technology and 15 speakers, as well as LED headlamps with the new available Sun and Sound package. Blind Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning are now standard across all trims, as are 18-inch machined finish wheels as standard equipment, while a host of additional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are now standard on the Premium, GT1 and GT2 trims. 

Far exceeding past expectations of the Kia badge, the current generations of Kia offerings show trendy and bold sculpturing and Euro design cues. Stinger pays off that design advancement with an angled and refined front clip, sporty silhouette and svelte shoulders. Muscular, forward-posed and confident, Stinger flows its prominent fastback into a rounded roofline, short front end and understated for an aura of upscale athleticism.

Stinger’s sculpted steel unibody construction shows exterior dimensions of 190.2 inches in length, 55.1inches in height and 73.6 inches in width on a 14.4-inch wheelbase, that accommodates its curbweights from 2649 lbs. to 4182 lbs. depending on trim, engine size and drive configuration.

Inside, an ergonomically friendly control layout sits within a cozy cockpit style cabin. Sitting behind the wheel, you get a coupelike feel with an upscale demeanor. The cabin seems dedicated to enhance the driver experience while pampering passengers with luxury. Typically a high-cost option on most competitors, all Stingers come standard with a leather-appointed interior. Available ultra-soft Nappa leather covers the deeply contoured seats and the driver’s seat has available air-cell bladders in the seatback and width-adjusting bolsters for optimal support and comfort. Connectivity and infotainment. are attended to with precision, and the height-adjustable color Head-Up Display enables the driver to see driving information projected on the windshield glass. This includes speed, turn-by-turn navigation, audio and cruise control settings, and Blind Spot Detection information. 

More cozy and coupelike than roomy, Stinger provides 38.3 inches of front headroom with 37.0 inches in the second row; 42.6 inches of legroom in row one with 36.4 inches in row two, and shoulder room of 56.4 and 54.8.

From a power perspective Stinger offers the same two engines it muscled up with in 2018. The 2.0-liter Twin Scroll turbo-4-cylinder set-up is rated at 255 hp and 260 lbs-ft of torque, for an EPA-rated 21 mpg/city and 29 mpg/highway for AWD. And its 3.3-liter Twin-Turbo V-6 gets you 365 hp and 376 lbs-ft. for 17mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Both engines are paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and my test Stinger GT2 and its 3.3-liter averaged 22.7mpg with some highway cruises mixed in with in-town maneuvers and autocross fun.

Exhibiting turbo-beat acceleration and track-worthy handling, Stinger performed well on the track to the tune of a 4.6-second zero-to-60mph dash and a 13.1-second quarter-mile that seemed quicker behind the wheel. On the autocross, country roads, and weaving in and out of highway traffic, Stinger carves turns well with its responsive Rack and Pinion / Electric motor steering, and body roll is controlled. The MacPherson front suspension and Multi-link (5-link) rear with gas shocks work in concert to level irregularities while providing good road feel. 

Regarding safety, Stinger is outfitted with Dual Front Advanced Airbags, Dual Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags, Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags, Driver's Side Knee Airbag and such safety features as Forward Collision Avoidance with pedestrian detection, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Anti-Lock Braking System, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, Brake Fade Compensation, Cornering Brake Control and Electronic Stability Control.

With 12 configurations available – AWD, FWD, 2.0-liter engine, 3.3-liter and six trims –The Kia Stinger is base- priced from $32,990 for the FWD 2.0L I-4 turbo to $52,400 for the GT2 AWD 3.3L V6 twin turbo. 

My test GT2 (top of the line) came with Low Beam Assist – Dynamic, Smart Power Trunk, Surround View Monitor, Shift-by-Wire Gear Selector, Head Up Display, Nappa Leather Seat Trim, 16-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat with 4-Way Power Air-Cell, Lumbar Adjustment, 2-Way Side Bolster, Cushion Thigh Extension, 12-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat with 4-Way Power Lumbar Support, 12-Way Power-Adjustable, Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Lumbar Support and Heated Rear Outboard Seats. My ride was in AWD, $2200 more than the FWD version. A cargo net in the trunk added $50, a cargo mat added $125, mud guards were $115, puddle lights under the vehicle added $285 and remote start was $495. With destination charges of $995, my test 2019 Kia Stinger G2 stickered at $54,340.

> 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. </I>

The car count at Corvettes at Carlisle is always something people wonder about.  On one hand, you can absolutely see over 5,000 Corvettes at the show, on the other, not every one of them register for the Fun Field.  So when a new record is set, it’s always fun to share that info.  For 2019, Corvettes at Carlisle, presented by Corvette America, broke a year-old Fun Field mark.  The official count for this year was 2,901.  What makes that total even more impressive is that this was supposed to be a “down year” for the event, given that every five years there is a Corvette Caravan to Bowling Green, Kentucky.  That event happens just after Corvettes at Carlisle.

So how does an event that would otherwise see a bit of a downtick during Caravan year break a record?  The answer could be one of three things.  First, the weather (but for a little rain Friday morning) was beyond amazing.  Temperatures were in the 70’s during the day and in the upper 50’s at night.  Second, the passion of every single Corvette enthusiast who comes to Carlisle from around the world keeps the event growing and growing.  Oh…and Team Chevrolet brought 14 of their all-new 2020 C8 Corvettes to the show.  That showcase had people standing rows deep not only at their specially built showcase display, but within the Team Chevrolet tent too.

The reality is, Corvettes at Carlisle is a one-of-a-kind event that has to be experienced in person to truly appreciate it.  Cars and car lovers, vendors and concessionaires were on-site days in advance of the show.  Once the gates opened Thursday, it was a non-stop sea of cars rolling through the gates.  In fact, Saturday’s gate traffic saw cars coming from before 7 a.m. until about 3 p.m.  It was an amazing sight to behold.  Everyone at Carlisle took in all aspects of the show.  Past the C8 were some amazing midway partners, while the automotive flea market was bustling too.  Vendors were buying from each other, Corvette enthusiasts were shopping too and there were smiles all around.

It wouldn’t be a Corvette show without seminars and tech talk sessions via three different locations, four if you count the C8 walkarounds at the stage, it was beyond easy to get a Corvette education.  Seminar hosts included Wil Cooksey, the NCRS team, Kevin Mckay and Jim Mero just to name a few.  In addition, Paul Koerner of the Corvette Mechanic Team led four days of seminars at his annually expanding footprint adjacent to Building T.  The Corvette Mechanic Team has become such a trusted force at Carlisle that when a showgoer has a Corvette issue, they are the first ones any staffer thinks to call.  

Competitions and comradery were also prevalent.  Lingenfelter Performance supported the second annual King of the X autocross competition, offering $1,000 in total prize money for competitors.  In addition, there was a beauty contest, burnout contest, car club gatherings, a jam-packed downtown Carlisle Corvette parade and street party and more.  On Friday night the competition gave way to the aforementioned comradery via the annual Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation dinner.  Lance Miller, co-owner of Carlisle Events, took a pie to the face, well over $20,000 was raised for the CMAF and a good time was had by all!  

The recap of Corvettes at Carlisle 2019 could fill two more pages based on its sheer level of amazing, but then there’d be no reason to see it in person!  So…save the date.  Corvettes at Carlisle returns to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds August 27-30, 2020 and Fun Field registration is now open.  Get details at www.CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855.