Ah, the advances of modern automotive technology. While I understand the good intentions behind Collision Avoidance systems, I'm still a little apprehensive at the idea of Drive Assist (and Driverless cars, but let's not jump too far ahead). Seeing someone in the driver's seat casually changing lanes on the interstate while playing Candy Crush with both hands (and no knees, either) would be a disconcerting sight today. Why? Because there is nothing "casual" about it — at least not yet.

Take the unfortunate soul in the above video, for example. Obviously, his loaner Cadillac's "Automatic Parking Assist" feature was enough of a novelty for him to feel the need to take out his phone and record it in action.

While it may be a while before the steering wheel is completely nixed in modern car production, the days of "auto"-something are upon us, whether we like it or not. And after accidents like this Cadillac (or Google's self-driving Lexus SUV), the concept of self-driving technology brings up some interesting questions, like this one:

Who is held responsible for a Drive Assist crash? The driver, or the automaker?

The short answer: it depends. I won't go into all the legalities — I'll let you and our other readers talk it out.

So after all is said and done, do you trust Drive Assist technology? The guy in the video might need a little convincing after this... (or at least a car that uses both Drive Assist and Collision Avoidance.)

*Disclaimer: The Cadillac driver attempted to leave a note, but after he went to quickly retrieve paper, the other car was gone. Whoops.

One of the greatest parts about working on a project build is the community of support that comes with it. Being able to share your latest modification or those vanity shots through social media is a great way like-minded enthusiasts can get connected, help each other out and simply receive the encouragement or inspiration they need to keep pursuing their passion.

Meet Chase Goodwin, owner of an '09 Sierra 1500 4x4 Crew Cab, and Coralee Lack, owner of a '12 Jeep Wrangler JK that she named "Jules" — two Instagram influencers we think are definitely worth following.

Chase Goodwin  |  @goodwin43

2009 GMC SIERRA SLE Z71 4x4

1. Best mod to your vehicle:

My favorite mod to the truck is the custom grille I made specifically for it.

2. Favorite driving music:

I usually like to drive with rap music just because I like to showcase my stereo system.

3. Ugliest car ever made:

I'm with the typical crowd and have to say the Pontiac Aztec is the most hideous vehicle I've ever seen.

(Truck owner Billy Futey from our first Take 5 article would have to agree!)

4. Most used app (besides Instagram):

Facebook

5. Next automotive adventure:

I'm hoping that my next automotive build will be a little more serious and higher quality — possibly trying to get into SEMA or another big show of that sort.

As you can see from this "Then and Now" photo, Chase's GMC pickup has gone through some awesome transformations — from that undeniably sweet stance, to those Nitto Terra Grappler G2s, to the slick Stormtrooper trim. We're excited to see what's up next for this young builder. Find out more about the project and follow Chase's journey on Instagram (@goodwin43)!

Coralee Lack  |  @crawler_chick

2012 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON UNLIMITED

1. Best mod to your vehicle:

This is difficult to answer because it takes so many mods to make the Jeep do the type of driving that I enjoy; but since I have to pick just one, it would have to be the Bestop Trektop NX Soft Top. I can quickly flip the top open to let the sun in or take the back windows out and use it in a bikini top configuration, which looks really cool.

(We also love Bestop's truck bed covers, too!)

2. Favorite driving music:

My favorite driving music is anything from Puscifer. Maynard is a genius!

3. Ugliest car ever made:

I could list a few ugly cars, but to me, the Nissan Cube is hands down the ugliest car ever made.

4. Most used app (besides Instagram):

Snapseed for photo editing

5. Next automotive adventure:

I try to get out and adventure in my Jeep as often as I can, but the next big adventure on the books is the 2017 Rebelle Rally, which is a 10-day all-women's off-road and navigation rally.

Maybe it's because she 'wheels in the most beautiful locations, or that we're big fans of those Nitto Trail Grapplers, but Coralee's photos always catch our eye in the sea of Jeeps on Instagram (@crawler_chick). But there's even more to this amazing off-roading lady than meets the eye. Learn what fuels Coralee's passion for adventure and let it inspire you, too!

Want to be featured in an upcoming Take 5? We're looking for more Instagram influencers with project vehicles running Nittos! If interested, send us an email: editor@drivingline.com.

With over 64,000 reservations reportedly already made for the "flagship" electric car in the first 36 hours of release, there is much anticipation for the FF 91's 2018 production. However, skepticism remains as Faraday Future's concept cars can't seem to perform as planned, experiencing awkward technical difficulties two years in a row at CES. Can Faraday Future deliver on all that it's promised?

Features

• Facial Recognition Technology
• Driverless Valet Parking
• True Keyless Entry
• NASA-inspired zero gravity seats
• Best in class high-speed on-the-road internet
• FFID: global user profile

Specs

Now, we wait. Do you think the FF 91 will live up to the hype? See Faraday Future's "new species" in the video above and the gallery below. Then decide if driverless cars are in your future after watching an Autopark fail.

All photos courtesy of Faraday Future

Sung Kang’s “Fugu Z” was a showstopper at last year’s SEMA Show. The Fast & Furious franchise heartthrob’s ’72 240Z wore a dream list of aftermarket parts, and crowds could not break themselves away. It won Best Import at SEMA, and it’s already a Hot Wheels car. Star power, big splash. 

It cannot be a coincidence that its follow-up project, unveiled at SEMA Show 2016, made just as big a splash. A lowly Ford two-door was slid in place of the low-slung Datsun, working with most of the same suppliers and using the same restrained white color palette. To most, this might not have appeared to be an exciting script, but Sung was determined to make this sequel another box-office hit.

Project Underdog, “UDog” for short, took a ’72 Ford Maverick and transformed it into what we see today. Sung first saw the potential this forgotten vehicle had when his character, Han, drove it in Fast Five. In the UDog build process, Sung had the vision of helping transform today’s budding car enthusiasts into tomorrow’s top car builders.

Car restoration was used as both a literal and figurative vehicle to promote youth outreach, matching aspiring shop hands with industry leaders. With Sung acting as sensei, three shop-class students—Alexis Hernandez, Christian Quiroz and Tony Chen—were chosen to help build UDog. Garnering the help of SEMA, the team began work on the Maverick—an underdog car if there ever was one. The U3 logo, seen throughout the car’s design, represents the three teen builders. The result, seen here, will be auctioned off to fund other youth auto-shop outreach.

The chosen platform, the Maverick, was created as an economy car that definitely wasn’t a Pinto, but it wasn’t quite a Mustang either. The Maverick represented potential; it was a blank canvas for cheap speed. It was mechanically simple: front-engine, rear-wheel drive and available before big bumpers and emissions controls complicated matters. While not often seen in high-caliber builds, the Maverick can give the bucks-down performance nut the opportunity to make something special.

For the U3 team, they wanted to do something different with the Maverick, so they injected some new blood into this old soul with a 2.3L Ford EcoBoost engine. This new-generation engine was the perfect answer with its small displacement, high output and fuel efficiency. The ease of this engine swap would not have been possible without the help of SEMA Garage, where it was built. Using a 3-D scanner, they were able to collect data on both the engine and engine bay to virtually find the optimal mounting locations to maintain a good center of gravity for the UDog. This EcoBoost engine gave the project a 310hp heart, which after visiting GReddy, a custom turbocharger was installed to give it more power—beating closer to 400 hp.

From unleashing the potential of this ’72 Maverick to helping the students get a glimpse of their own potentials, no matter how overlooked, the parts were always there; someone just needed to put them together. For both Project Underdog and the students, Sung Kang played the perfect role to make a difference in their lives. Building showstoppers isn’t new to Sung, so it came as no surprise that the UDog received an enthusiast reception at the SEMA Show. Crowds could not break themselves away. It won Ford’s Special Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Design and is on its way to becoming a Hot Wheels car. Star power, big splash. Some things never change.

Maverick: Secret JDM Influence?

Did the kenmeri Skyline want to be a Ford Maverick when it grew up? Look at the Maverick’s roofline: long hood, short deck, fastback styling. Now add the UDog’s take on it with Rocket Bunny flares, the big wheels and other JDM stylings. Are we the only ones seeing an alternate-universe kenmeri Skyline here? Maybe. Except, of course, that the Maverick was around for three years before the kenmeri turned up across the ocean.

Though Americans know the kenmeri as a delightful chunk of JDM unobtanium today, the truth is that Nissan wanted its new-for-’72 Skyline to have a more luxurious American feel. The people in the ads were also American—or else, not so very obviously, Japanese. (Mary, aka Diane Krey-Wesley, was all-American; Ken, aka Jimmy Zinnai, was half-Japanese and half-Russian.) Thus you had Ken and Mary, popularly shortened to kenmeri. This was fun wordplay: flip the order of the names and you get Mary Ken—or American.

Tuning Menu

1972 Ford Maverick

(Photos by: Cory Mader, Justin Pagtalunan, Terence Patrick)

Never fear, more Underdog photos are here! Take a look at the gallery below to see more of Sung Kang's latest creation.

One of the most common wear points on a four-wheel-drive truck or SUV are the shocks. Coupled with the added stress of going off-road, larger tires and heavy aftermarket components such as bumpers and skid plates, the shocks' oil, seals and valves can breakdown rapidly. When this happens, the vehicle’s handling becomes compromised on-road and off. Signs that your shocks need replacing or rebuilding generally include increased body roll, heavy nose-diving on braking and front end lifting on acceleration, along with an increased bounce/vehicle movement over uneven terrain. (Learn more about this in our Suspension 101 article.)

Years of ‘wheeling and daily driving had left our friend’s 2007 Nissan Titan 4x4 with blown front struts and worn rear shocks. Since the truck was fit with a Rough Country Suspension 6-inch lift, the oil-coated front struts were a dead giveaway that the shocks were no longer working as they should. While we’ve shown you how to rebuild shocks in the past, for this application, the front struts were not rebuildable. Luckily, Rough Country Suspension released a strut set designed specifically for lifted ’04-’15 Nissan Titans.

When the truck was originally lifted a little over five years ago, Rough Country only offered a strut spacer (top strut). This spacer was designed to sit atop the stock or an OE-replacement strut to provide the 6 inches of lift. One of the drawbacks of the strut spacer is the fact that you are left with the strut's factory valving, which wasn’t designed for larger aftermarket tires or aggressive off-road driving. Now, Rough Country builds a replacement strut for the ‘04-‘15 Nissan Titan with a 6-inch lift. 

By relocating the strut’s coil perch on the N2.0 struts, Rough Country was able to eliminate the need for the spacer. This strut is also valved specifically for the Titan in order to offer a smooth ride and adjust for the larger tire configuration.

Before you can remove the strut, you’ll need to break the steering knuckle loose at the upper control arm. You’ll also need to unbolt the sway bar and outer tie-rod. We had the benefit of working on a two-post lift, but you could easily do this at your home garage.

The strut is bolted to the Titan via three bolts at the top of the strut tower and one bolt that attaches it to the lower control arm. Once unbolted, you can simply slide out the assembly.

This Titan’s original strut caps and coils were pretty worn and rusted, so the owner opted to purchase a new set. This meant we didn’t have to breakdown the blown struts, but we did have to use a coil compressor to assemble the new setup.

The new struts didn’t require any additional modifications and bolted to the stock mounting locations. In total, expect to spend a couple hours for the install. Depending on if your front end was sagging or not, it’s also a good idea to have your alignment checked post install. 

Since the front shocks were getting upgraded, it only made sense to check on the condition of the five-year-old rear shocks. As we suspected, they were shot as well. Replacing them are a set of Rough Country N2.0 series shocks. Rough Country builds the N2.0 series shocks with what it calls "velocity sensitive valving," which utilizes a 10-stage variable valving process. The idea is to allow for a smooth highway ride, while still retaining enough dampening to handle rugged off-road conditions. 

The Titan is sporting 35x12.50R18 Nitto Trail Grapplers, which have quite a few years and miles on them as well. The radial mud-terrain tires are mounted on 18x9 ATX AX186 Slot Series Wheels.

For Titan owners with slightly smaller lifts, Rough Country also offers 2-inch and 3-inch N2.0 replacement series struts. As is the case with the 6-inch struts shown here, the 2- and 3-inch versions relocate the lower coil perch, so you won’t need a strut spacer.

We got a chance to drive the truck before and after the shock upgrade. As you can imagine, going from a completely blown shock to a properly valved new set made a tremendous difference. While this Titan is far from stock, the valving works well for the sandy terrain and frequent use the truck sees.

As a bonus, we put together a quick clip of the install. To check out a full line of Rough Country’s suspension upgrades, visit them at roughcountry.com.

Read another Rough Country review from our F-150 Bed Mat installation.

Evil things come in small packages, and that’s why we love this Cummins-powered drift Mazda Miata by Pistonhead Productions. Hair dressers beware, the “Soot Salon”—as they cleverly nicknamed it—is guaranteed to leave soot in your hair for days and a sinister smile on your face for weeks.

Pistonhead Productions started as a YouTube channel for automotive DIYers founded by Clayton Mannerow and stars Jacob Gettins and Garret Mannerow. It has since turned into a crew of Canadian gearheads known for building awesome and wild rides out of their garage. They’ve built a 630-whp Toyota Supra and a 2JZ Nissan Skyline R34 that they drove across Canada, but here we are talking about what might be their craziest build yet!

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is beloved amongst many weekend warriors because it’s lightweight, rear wheel drive and has excellent handling. On the other hand, it’s got a reputation for being slower than maple syrup. Far from fast, at stock it barely pushes out 116 hp. To improve on that, the MX-5 chassis has seen its share of swaps from various Honda engines to V8 powerplants, but the crazy minds at Pistonhead Productions found a way to fit a diesel-powered, turbocharged Cummins 4BT engine into the MX-5’s dainty engine bay.

For this build, a ’96 3.9L Cummins 4BT was sourced, owing to its reliability and aftermarket support. Northern Upfitters, title sponsor of the build, was on hand to lead the engine build and assist in turning the power up to 400 hp. To make sure they got the most power out of their drift machine, they installed a Nitrous Express diesel stacker 175 dry shot for that extra boost. Getting the massive engine to fit, hooked up and running wasn’t the only challenge; the crew still had to find a way to correct the Miata’s 50/50 weight distribution that they obliterated as soon as they chose the Cummins engine. To get an idea of what they had to deal with, the 3.9L Cummins 4BT weighs more than three times heavier than the standard 1.6L 16-valve DOHC B6 Miata engine.

To help with the balancing act, they mounted the engine as far back on the subframe as possible. They skillfully rerouted different components as far back to the rear as possible, such as the fuel cells and a trunk-mounted radiator system. After some trial, error and a few curse words, everything was all in place, but the added weight meant the need for stronger supports. This is where they turned to Eibach Suspension racing springs with a spring rate of 12,000 lb-in and 700 lb-in in the front and rear, respectively. The final piece of the puzzle was sourcing a ’99 Ford F-250 Super Duty ZF5 transmission, EXEDY stage 2 Ford Mustang clutch, fabricated a custom driveshaft and finished with a Ford 8.8-inch rear differential to complete the mash-up build. All of these parts were carefully selected for their availability and compatibility to both the Cummins engine and the MX-5 chassis.

Throwing a Cummins engine into a Miata wasn’t merely a project to flex their automotive ingenuity, it’s motivated as a charity build. Pistonhead Productions wanted to inspire a new generation of automotive enthusiasts by raising money. The challenge? Finishing the build within 48 hours. Through crowdfunding, they were able to accomplish their goal with more than $4,000 extra to donate to the automotive shop program at the local high school.

It’s not every day you can see a Miata going sideways, spewing out tire smoke and diesel smoke at the same time. Catch the little tire-slayer with a giant engine as it tours North America competing at various drift events before getting raffled off to one lucky winner.

Tuning Menu

1990 Mazda Miata

(Photos: Nathan Vestal and Nicholas Delplavignano)

So you want to drive a badass American car but you want to be… well, different? Meaning the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger are out. We got to thinking the same thing. The good news is you’ve got a few options....

The bad news is, there’s a reason why the muscle-driven, 2-door cars are so popular – they offer a lot of fun and a lot of function for a surprisingly affordable price tag.

But that's all we'll say about those cars.The other models have something to bring to this party of badasses too. Take the Fiat 500 Abarth for example. While the duder looking for a car to expand his ego might not be comfortable in the zippy and cute compact, for the right person it can be the perfect vehicle to badassery. With that in mind, lets take a closer look at what these 2017 cars have to offer.

2017 Fiat 500 Abarth

Photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Size is only one of the small things about this sporty compact, it also comes in at the lowest price. And while 160 horses isn't saying much, it'll power that short wheelbase around better than a roller coaster.

2017 Lincoln MKZ

Photo courtesy of Lincoln.

Lincoln's put a lot of effort into appealing to a younger demographic and its paying off in the Lincoln MKZ. Definitely not a grandpa's car, the MKZ is still a mature choice - which means it comes with plenty of luxury amenities and is also available in higher trim packages including a 350hp, twin turbocharged engine and a "Driver's Package" option with sport-tuned suspension and more.

2017 Ford Focus RS

Photo courtesy of Ford.

While the Ford Focus RS is no more affordable than it's sexier sibling the Mustang, it's got the long-awaited trim level the domestic market has been itching for. Coming with functional back seat space (that the Mustang lacks for anyone taller than 5'1"), AWD and a slew of race-ready additions to handle your drive-like-you-stole-it style.

2017 Dodge Charger Daytona

Photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The bigger brother of the classic Challenger, the Dodge Charger has four doors and is just as much fun. The Daytona version costs you extra, but is available for 2017 and comes with a punch of styling and performance - of course, there's the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat too... but who really needs more than 700 horsepower?

2017 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

Photo courtesy of GM.

If a BMW and a Corvette had a baby... it might be a little like the Cadillac ATS-V. Bringing modern technology and power alongside Cadillac's long-standing mark of American luxury, the Cadillac ATS-V will tap others on their shoulders and whisper "baller" in their ears.

This line-up is a start for what's available in 2017 in the domestic market. If you're looking for something new that's fun to drive and makes a statement, 2017 looks to be a very good year. What other models do you have your eye on?

While they’ve never really been out of style, it’s no secret that turbos are “in” right now. You can literally find one on everything from 10,000-rpm Hondas and diesel pickups to big block street cars and factory Ford Mustangs. But with so many different types of vehicles benefitting from this blissful form of forced induction, there are bound to be failures. And in some extreme operating environments, not even insurance items such as wastegates, blow-off valves, ball bearing center cartridges, or 360-degree thrust bearing assemblies can keep a turbo from reaching its breaking point.

So if you’re rocking a turbo’d car, truck, SUV or anything else on wheels, we’ll show you these breaking points so you can sidestep them.

1. Foreign Object Damage

Anytime a turbocharger ingests something — be it dirt, dust, a shop rag or a bolt left in the intake — it can spell disaster. Unfortunately, outside debris making its way across the blades of a compressor wheel (the intake side) accounts for 80 percent of all turbo failures. When this failure occurs, the leading edge of the compressor wheel’s blades will indicate any impact from the object(s), and the inducer bore (what the compressor wheel sits in) may show signs of contact or scarring. In the photo below, an IHI turbo off of an LB7 Duramax diesel fell victim to a bolt being left in the intake.

The most common cause of debris infiltrating a turbo? A dirty air filter. That’s right, lack of maintenance on one of the most basic components on your vehicle can cost you a four-digit figure (turbo) and potentially a five-digit one if any shrapnel makes its way into the engine. Fortunately, being that most modern turbocharged applications utilize an intercooler (a heat exchanger positioned between the turbo and engine) to cool intake temps, it often becomes the catchall for compressor wheel fragments.

SOLUTION:

Run a quality air filter with an outerwear, keep it clean if it’s reusable or install a new one at the proper interval if it’s replaceable.

2. Overspeeding

Once a turbo is pushed out of its compressor map, it may not always produce more boost, but it will almost always create excess drive pressure, causing the shaft to see more speed than it was designed to handle. When overspeeding occurs, the turbine (exhaust) wheel is usually the first component to give way, and we’ve even seen a few come apart and exit the tailpipe at the speed of light (scary!). In particular, overspeed scenarios are somewhat common on high performance diesels. Even in completely stock form, a modern diesel pickup can see 30 psi of boost or more, and it doesn’t take much in terms of power-adders to exceed the limitations of the OEM charger (namely programmers and/or larger injectors).

In the diesel aftermarket (where sled pulling and drag racing is extremely popular), a single turbocharger can see as much as 100 psi of boost. When the S400 based BorgWarner turbo below was subjected to more than 70 psi of boost, followed by a big shot of nitrous and an external wastegate that failed to open, catastrophic overspeeding occurred. The thrust bearing checked out, which led to excessive shaft play followed by the compressor wheel making contact with the housing and effectively wedging itself sideways in the inducer bore.

SOLUTION:

Keep your turbo’s boost-to-drive pressure ratio as close to 1:1 as possible (1:1.5 is OK in most cases), which may entail running a wastegate to bleed off excess drive pressure or opening up the exhaust flow via a larger turbine housing.

3. Oiling Issues

Lack of proper lubrication (oil supply) will kill the bearings in a journal bearing turbocharger in short order. When subjected to a lack of oil supply for extended periods of time, the journal bearings will eventually begin to allow shaft play, followed by the compressor and/or turbine wheel making contact with its respective housing. Inadequate oil supply can also score the thrust bearing, as well as introduce excessive heat for the center section to deal with. On larger frame turbos, it’s recommended to use a -6 AN oil supply line (at a minimum) to ensure appropriate oil flow is always on tap.

Oil contamination — be it from lack of maintenance, coolant or fuel in the engine oil or debris from an internal engine component breaking down — can wreak havoc on a turbocharger as well. Corrupt motor oil can lead to all of the problems mentioned above (worn journal bearings, a damaged thrust bearing, or scoring of the shaft), less the super-heating of the turbocharger’s bearings. A scored shaft from a Garrett TP38 turbo (due to contaminated engine oil) is shown below.

SOLUTION:

Run no smaller than a -6 AN oil supply line, make sure your engine oil is changed regularly and is always free of contaminants.

4. Seal Leaks

Most modern turbochargers make use of dynamic seals (vs. carbon seals), which keep the oil being supplied to the center section from making its way into the intake (compressor) or exhaust side (turbine) of the turbo. However, things like excessive crankcase pressure in high horsepower engines, operational wear on the seals or an improperly routed (or undersized) oil return line can lead to oil leaks. Once the center section becomes overly pressurized, it can push oil into the intake and/or exhaust side of the turbo.

SOLUTION:

If you’re running excessive crankcase pressure or oil pressure due to a high horsepower application, a better crankcase ventilation system or a dry sump oiling system should be looked into. If you’re pushing oil from an old turbocharger, it may be time for an overhaul.

5. Thrust Bearing Failure

The thrust bearing is located nearest the compressor wheel. Its job is to limit end play (and we’ll note that typical end play should be between 0.002 to 0.004 inches). Because this bearing rides on a thin film of oil between it and shaft, it is crucial that the bearing doesn’t come in contact with the shaft. Once contact occurs (such as in the 270-degree thrust bearing application in the midst of a rebuild shown below), thrust bearing failure is usually imminent. And once the thrust bearing is gone, wheel-to-housing contact is soon to follow. Anytime a turbo is fitted with an aftermarket (often bigger, and heavier) compressor wheel, a 270-degree thrust bearing’s lifespan is shortened considerably.

One of the best ways to improve the durability of a turbocharger is to add a 360-degree thrust bearing (right), which provides a full circle of oil lubrication around the shaft (vs. 75 percent with a 270-degree unit, left). The 360-degree bearing pictured below comes standard in all of High Tech Turbo’s S365 forged milled wheel (FMW) turbochargers, which are based on the S366 unit offered from BorgWarner. The company dissects the box turbos and scraps the factory, 3-pad 270-degree thrust in favor of the 6-pad unit pictured on the right.

SOLUTION:

For insurance (and whenever possible), add a 360-degree thrust bearing to your turbo or specify a 360-degree thrust option when purchasing a new unit.

6. Surging

Also referred to as turbo bark or chirp, compressor surge occurs when intake air actually reverts back out of the compressor. It’s most often experienced when elevated boost is produced and then cut off abruptly (i.e., you lift off the throttle suddenly). The noise you hear is the compressed air trapped in the intake that has nowhere else to go but back out the way it entered the turbo. Surging is extremely hard on the compressor end of the turbo, and prolonged surging will eventually beat the thrust bearing to death. Blow-off valves are commonly used in high-surge applications. If violent enough, surging can literally explode a compressor wheel (see below).

The worst cases of turbo surge are common on over-turbo’d vehicles (i.e., applications where a turbocharger has been improperly spec’d). For instance, a 12-valve 5.9L Cummins-equipped Dodge Ram sporting a 71 mm BorgWarner S400. Because this engine was designed to utilize a 54-to-56 mm turbo, a unit with a much larger compressor (and turbine) wheel will experience considerable surge at lower engine speed. In this configuration, the turbo will nearly always be in the meat of the surge line, and it will never enjoy a lengthy service life.

SOLUTION:

Spec a properly sized turbo for your engine (i.e., don’t go too big) to ensure you stay above the surge line at low rpm and out of the overspeed zone on the top end.

7. Extreme Heat

Extreme heat can kill anything, right? Well, the same goes for turbochargers. Prolonged exposure to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit will eventually take its toll on the turbine (exhaust) side of the turbo. Common failure points due to heat are: stress cracks in the turbine inlet flange, eroded edges of the turbine inlet volutes (pictured below) and deformation of the tips of the turbine wheel blades.

Common causes of excess heat being generated include: high performance, a restricted exhaust system, cracked intercooler, or even a clogged air filter. It’s been our experience that heat will damage something internally in the engine (a valve, a piston, etc.) before it can do considerable damage to an Inconel turbine wheel. Still, it happens on occasion.

SOLUTION:

Install a pyrometer gauge to keep an eye on exhaust gas temperature, and stay within the recommended heat threshold for your particular engine/application.

Want more turbo? Learn about upgrading to compound turbocharged diesel engines.

You're never too old for a good burnout. Watch this grandma get behind the wheel of a 900 hp procharged C7 Corvette in this 1320video joyride. Enjoy some of our favorite moments of the video:

1.  Grandma's a badass.

Someone's got a rockstar attitude.

2.  Tell us about the car, Grandma.

All true!

3.  If a cop pulls you over...

"Well, I don't know, officer!"

4.  118 mph!!!

You GO, Grandma!

5.  Own that road.

60? Pshhh...

6.  Final stage: Burnout.

You wish your grandma was this cool.

If you thought one granny driving a C7 was cool, wait until you see two grannies drive a Lambo!

There has never been a better time to be a hot hatch in the US.  For years, we’ve gazed longingly over at our European friends, watching them race through narrow cobblestone streets in their affordable, yet high performing, hatches filled with things that sports cars could only dream of, like groceries & babies. The ultimate car for the driver’s driver whose life requires real practicality, yet whose wallet likes to stay filled - the hot hatch offers something for everyone.

Wonderfully, they’re finally catching on in the U.S. Analysts predict that the 5-door segment will see the biggest growth among body styles in America, with a 37% increase by 2020. With this growth, we'll see more and more automakers rolling out hatchbacks to lure hungry buyers. For 2017, we see the introduction of a Honda Civic hatch and remodeled versions the VW Golf & Mazda 3. Toyota & Chevy offer eco-options like the Prius & the Volt/Bolt, but continue to focus on efficiency vs performance. Subaru’s new Impreza comes with a 5-door option (and a manual, gasp!), but sadly have not included a WRX hatch in their 2017.

Here are the biggest changes for the hottest hatches in 2017:

2017 Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is one of the world’s most popular name plates. But it was the release of the Focus RS that redefined how a Stateside hatchback could perform. Its 2.3L EcoBoost engine produces a thrilling 350 hp & 350 lb-ft of torque, all handled with a 6-speed manual. This mated with an AWD system featuring Dynamic Torque Vectoring, transforms this practical 5-door into a legitimate driver’s car. New for 2017 is the Focus SEL package, which includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, some accent lights and a power moonroof. We reviewed the 2017 Ford Focus RS, read it here.

2017 Ford Fiesta

Like its older brother, the Fiesta is an incredibly well-selling nameplate for the Ford brand.  Although very similar, the Fiesta differs from the Focus in its overall size, drivetrain & cost. Available only with a 1.6L or 1.0L Ecoboost inline-4, even the Fiesta ST lacks the power of the monster Focus RS. However, what it lacks in power, it makes up for in turning radius and ease of parking. Both hatches seat the same number of people, with the larger Focus being slightly roomier. All of this translates to the Fiesta that is less expensive to buy, drive and insure. Not to mention that the fully optioned Fiesta ST sits about $20k beneath the loaded Focus RS.

2017 Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke may have made its first impression for its controversial, head turning looks and funky color combinations, but its wide range of performance places is deftly in the hot hatch posse. Officially a “sport crossover,” the Juke is offered both in AWD & FWD options all with a standard 1.6L 4-cylinder engine. However, when tuned to the NISMO standards, the vehicle gains 30 hp & roughly the same amount of torque with a transmission that makes it truly fun to drive. New for 2017 are 17-inch aluminum wheels that are standard on the SV & SL grades & the Cold Weather package is also standard on the SV. 

2017 VW Golf

Volkswagen’s beloved hatchback has now been in the United States for 41 years. In 2015, it received a full re-design, but 2017 brings a few changes to both the GTI & R editions. The GTI Sport comes with a standard Performance Package, borrowing brakes from the R model and receiving a 10 hp increase, boosting it to 220 hp. The Golf itself has too many trims to list here, but the new Autobahn trim has standard Adaptive Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking. The new R ads 36 more hp, making it the most powerful Golf ever sold in the U.S. The eGolf is the real game changer, however, adding a 50% increase in driving range and increased horsepower and torque. All Golf models are available with Apple CarPlay and absolutely none are available with diesel fuel.

2017 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3’s changes for 2017, are what industry folks like to call a “refresh”—meaning rather than a full redesign, its the automakers sincere attempt to keep competitors at bay by adding new features. For the 3, this includes new exterior styling, new colors & Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control system for better handling. Also new is the iACTIVSENSE Safety System, which includes smart braking, lane keep assist and lane departure warning. But with more aggressive styling, more safety features and more interior options, this well-selling hatch still aims to please.

2017 Mini Cooper Hardtop 2-door

In 2002, the BMW Group did us a solid and brought back the iconic, street legal British go-kart known as the Mini Cooper. Since then, its incredible sales have led to many variants of this little car, pushing the boundaries from Mini to Maxi. However, the original Mini 2-door hardtop has worked hard to maintain its cult status and thus, for 2017 changes are slight. All models include a standard Media Package, which includes a 6.5” screen, voice command and enhanced Bluetooth audio streaming. The FWD Mini maxes out its 2.0L inline 4 in the John Cooper Works edition with 228 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, a 60% increase over the standard model. 

Fiat 500 Abarth/e500

Like the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500 reflects the popularity of an iconic vehicle redesigned for today’s consumer. Since its release in 2007, Fiat has sold over 1 million Fiat 500 models in 110 countries around the world. The quickest of the bunch are the Fiat Abarth and electric models. For 2017, Fiat actually decreased the price of its Abarth model by $2k, enabling it to start just below the magical $20k mark at $19,995. Also for 2017, the Abarth has rear park assist and new 16-inch Hyperblack wheels. The e500 is unchanged for 2017.

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback

All new for 2017

After witnessing the enormous success of the European-styled Ford Focus, Honda quickly followed suit and brought their own 5-door from across the pond. Although they don’t offer anything superior in the hatch category, the new Civic does offer a 6-speed manual for just $19,700. Just don’t be deceived by its aggressive styling, the upcoming Si & R variants are where Honda will put the “hot” back in this hatch. For now, this model is more lukewarm that piping hot.

Interested in the 2017 Ford Focus RS? We gave it a whirl on the road and the track, get the Ford Focus review here.

Audi and the 24 Hours of Le Mans have become synonymous for nearly the past two decades. When the news leaked out in October that their endurance program was to end once this season was completed, the uproar that followed from the motorsport universe surprised no one. The German giant's time in the sport has been one of great success, and wins on track have been complimented by a rise in profits: Audi sales grew from 637,000 in 1999 to over 2 million units last year.

Diesel-Gate was the instant reaction from the "experts" as the reason for Audi's course of action, but there is much more to it than that. Marcus Schurig, who broke the story of Audi's departure to the world, agrees that there are many other factors in play that prompted Audi's decision to leave competition at the world's greatest race behind.

Yes, Volkswagen recently agreed to a settlement worth $14.7 billion with the U.S. authorities, just after a year since the Diesel-gate emissions scandal first hit the headlines. However, that news is positive, as it caps the liability of the VW Group in their most difficult of markets.

Yes, Volkswagen is to cut 30,000 jobs, roughly 5 percent of its global workforce of 624,000. However, this is more largely a result of the motor industry shifting away from traditional combustion engines than merely a cost-cutting technique. Changes in the way that personal transport is addressed for the next few decades, including autonomous cars and car-sharing, are also to be included in this root and branch reassessment of how VW conducts its business.

Sure, going racing in the manner that the VW Group has done since 2014 is not acceptable in the face of job cuts and the need to save money, except there was a strong likelihood that things would have changed regardless, Diesel-gate or no Diesel-gate. Let's consider a few of the signs leading to Audi's departure...

Porsche vs. Audi Means Someone's Spending Money to Lose

From the day that Porsche announced their return to the top class at Le Mans, having been absent since 1998, questions were raised at all levels about the Volkswagen Group's strategy of having two teams fighting in the same arena for the same glittering prize. Logically, Porsche would commit around €200 million per annum to win, and Audi would spend €200 million per annum to lose, or vice versa.

The current rules governing the FIA World Endurance Championship were written to promote the use and development of hybrid technology, a reflection of the direction the automotive world is moving: away from the tracks and onto the highway. However, this path is very expensive, and it is difficult to justify in marketing returns; the VW Group's long-term strategy never meant to have two brands in direct competition.

For the VW group, the logic ran along the lines of Porsche chasing a petrol engine solution and Audi continuing their very successful diesel power-plant introduced to competition back in 2006. Two centers of engineering excellence would, it was hoped, bring a fast-track solution to the issues faced by the motor industry.

Piëch No Longer Has the Power to Strongarm VW's Business Strategy in Racing

Not everyone in VW agreed with this strategy, but Ferdinand Piëch pushed it through. Piëch is the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and still owns 10 percent of Porsche's shares. He was Chairman and CEO of the VW Group from 1993 until his enforced retirement, having reached 65 in 2002. Piëch remained Head of the Supervisory Board of the VW Group, that was ended by a coup orchestrated by VW CEO, Martin Winterkorn, forcing him to resign in 2015.

Piëch had a reputation for getting his own way and had seen off several challenges to his authority, most notably in the removal of Volkswagen CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder and Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking. Piëch is credited with saving VW in 1993, but he was also responsible for some disasters. One of those was the VW Phaeton, which ran up a loss of almost $2.1 billion. Likewise, the Bugatti Veyron, also backed by Piëch, is estimated to have lost $6 million per car, so the production run of 450 units cost VW a whooping $2.7 billion.

With Piëch finally leaving the stage, there was no one to champion the two-brand strategy competing at Le Mans. So the decision was always going to come sooner than later.

FIA's New Regulations Edge on Impossible for Diesel

Porsche beating Audi in 2015 and 2016 didn't advance Audi's case either. With 13 wins already at La Sarthe, Audi has little left to prove in that arena, but had been finding it more difficult and costly with the new regulations in effect.

There was a proposal to go from 8 to 10 MJ of energy recovery, which would have proved very difficult for Audi to exploit. The diesel engine that runs in the R18 is bigger and heavier than the petrol units in the Toyota and Porsche. Despite there being some compensation for this in rules, the difficulties in packaging a second unit within the tight confines of the aerodynamic R18 would be almost insurmountable. Subsequent to Audi's withdrawal, this proposal has been dropped on cost grounds, as the ACO and FIA WEC are keen to attract back Peugeot and other, as yet unnamed, manufacturers.

The Glum Future of Diesel

In the background, there are even more compelling reasons to stop racing at Le Mans than there are issues with the cars or the need to save money to pay for Diesel-Gate. Industry experts currently forecast that diesels will no longer be viable by 2024. Reason asks, "Why promote technology that is going to be dead soon?" No point in going for a petrol solution at Le Mans; Porsche is there already.

In support of the experts' forecast, an announcement was made last weekend that the cities of Paris, Athens, Madrid and Mexico City will ban diesel cars from 2025. Indeed, Athens has declared the ambition of ridding its streets completely of cars; the mayors promised to invest in green infrastructure, such as mass transit, bicycle lanes, and walking paths. Did anyone ask the public, who fund such extravagant adventures, whether they wished to return to the 1880's, before the arrival of the automobile? No? Thought not.

In 2015, Audi sold just over 2 million cars, with an increase on that figure forecast for the current year. Of those sales, 60 percent are diesel, so the scale of the problem that faces the brand is clear. Particularly in the light of politicians' ambitions, literally, a cloud hangs over the brand.

Audi Leaving Endurance Racing on a High Note

It is most appropriate that Audi signed off their years in the endurance world with an emphatic victory (one-two, in fact) in the 6 Hours of Bahrain. They have been at the top since their arrival at Sebring in 1999, beaten occasionally, but rarely down for long.

Audi has also enjoyed success in winning the FIA World Rallycross Championship titles, with Mattias Ekström being crowned Drivers Champion. This gets the brand into a non-traditional marketplace and represents proper value for the budget.

On the customer racing front, the R8 LMS Ultra goes from strength to strength with over 200 examples of the racer sold. To round off a successful year, Laurens Vanthoor was crowned 2016 FIA GT World Cup Champion. Mind you, he finished the race with his R8 upside down at Mandarin Corner in Macau, as bizarre a result as I can remember.

There is also the question of why Audi continues with its DTM program. Whereas the endurance racing campaign had real technical relevance — the introduction of FSI direct injection in 2001, to the advances in diesel engines since 2006 and lately the rapid development in hybrid and associated technology — DTM on the other hand is a marketing circus that brings no new technology to the table. Surely it was a logical case for scrapping that as well.

Volkswagen itself has pulled in its horns with the cessation of its World Rally Championship program, another big ticket item that has become a victim of its own success; for the past three years it has won all the titles.

Audi to Continue Their Racing Program via Formula E Series

Audi has attempted to cover their retreat by using the fig-leaf of participation in the all-electric Formula E series. Little is gained in an engineering sense by this, compared with the LM P1 program. The components are all from one supplier, and technical development is prohibited in many areas. However, Formula E is much, much cheaper than a Le Mans campaign, and the races are held in city centers at attractive places such as Hong Kong, Paris, Berlin and New York. When money is the bottom line for a brand, we are all required to signal virtue.

Get an insider's look on Ford's comeback win at the 2016 Le Mans.

Custom car builders are a bit like mad scientists, often spending months locked away working on secret projects, usually under duress of an upcoming large event. When they finally emerge to reveal their latest creations, there is one reaction that will confirm their efforts were worth it: shock.

Last October during the Stance Nation Japan G Edition event, we met one of those mad scientists. Nozomu Yamamoto was standing by his creation, a shocking Daihatsu Mira Gino. Based on a '99 Daihatsu L700 that takes retro styling cues from the classic Mini Cooper, it was transformed into something much more — something unique.

Fast forward a few months, and we found ourselves in Hofu, a small city in Yamaguchi Prefecture, waiting at the train station to meet Yamamoto. Not entirely sure what to look for, we spot a lowered Honda Odyssey RB.

"That's got to be him."

After driving through the narrow back streets outside of the city we arrived at the destination: a small shrine that Yamamoto had gotten permission to use for the day. We started to set up as he went to his shop, aptly named Yamamoto Works, to retrieve the Mira Gino. The fact it is not road legal and is extremely loud meant that it had to be trucked over.

With the sun starting to rise behind the mountains, the car was unloaded. With only about 10 mm of clearance, the bumpers and front grill were removed to help with loading and unloading. With frost still covering the car, Yamamoto began re-installing the pieces as we started to take in all the features of the Yamamoto Works' Daihatsu Mira Gino.

The Plan

The city of Yamaguchi and neighboring Kyushu are best known for their kaido racers, street racers that style their cars like bosozoku. From a young age, Yamamoto had a different interest in mind; he was more a fan of the drifting scene. More recently, he took a liking to the stance style and applied it to his previous Mira Gino.

His first Mira Gino show the wheels to be at almost -45 degrees of camber and with a ride-height similar to the current one. Yamamoto was brave enough to drive it on the streets, but the frame and chassis components paid the ultimate sacrifice, grinding away at the ground until the car eventually got scrapped.

Yamamoto loved his little Daihatsu, and so he began thinking of how to build his next one. Not wanting to have the same results as his previous build, he wanted something he could enjoy on the local circuits and maybe even drift with. That required a radical shift in thinking, so to clear his mind, he hiked through the mountains. When he returned, he knew what he needed to do. (Yup, just like in the movies).

Heart of a Roadster

When one thinks of performance cars, Daihatsu is rarely at the top of the list. With the Mira Gino limited to front-wheel or all-wheel drive with only around 60 horsepower, Yamamoto had to find a way to improve the performance aspect of his project. So, like most builders, he borrowed from another car.

With its small wheelbase, front engine and rear-drive layout, the NB Mazda Miata Roadster is extremely well balanced and also happens to be Yamamoto's favorite car. Luckily, he was able to locate a scrapped one for less than $100 with all the components needed intact, including suspension, engine and drivetrain.

To upgrade the Mira Gino's factory suspension, Yamamoto chose to use all the Miata's suspension, including the sub-frame and steering components. To take it to the next level, he upgraded the stock shocks and coils for a set of Cusco coilovers.

In addition to the engine, the transmission and rear differential were all used for the build. All the engine internals were left stock while airflow was upgraded with a Tanabe exhaust manifold and custom exhaust and intake pipe built by Yamamoto Works.

The Frame

With all the suspension and drivetrain decided upon, it was now time to mate those to the body of the Daihatsu. The tube frame made this all possible. The dimensions were based off of the measurements of the NB Roadster to ensure the sub-frame, suspension engine and drivetrain could be transferred from the donor car with ease. Yamamoto fabricated the mounting points for the body. The most difficult part of his build was ensuring that the frame remained straight and didn't have any distortions. Any slight distortion can have a ripple effect, affecting everything from the body all the way to suspension alignments.

Body of a Daihatsu

Thanks to the tube frame, Yamamoto could set the clearance to 10 mm and still retain functional suspension. To allow for clearance, the front fenders had about 250 mm of clearance added, while the rear fenders and doors had 330 mm of clearance added.

He then crafted custom overfenders which wrap around the stretched tires, creating a smooth line from body to wheel. The rear overfenders wrap neatly to transition the upper part of the door and the rear pillar. The lower part of the rear side skirts flow neatly into the side skirts with the passenger side sporting a cutout for the exhaust.

Additionally, the doors were completely gutted, leaving just the doorframe and skin. The door skins and fenders had the lower seams smoothed out, creating an uninterrupted door line. The side skirts were custom fabricated to match the height of the front and rear bumpers, straightening the bottom of the door line as compared to stock. With a slight twisting appearance, the side skirts help level the car as the rear was lowered more overall than the front of the car.

It is easy to forget the Mira Gino is a four-door when looking at Yamamoto's version. The rear doors have had the rear door gap expertly covered by the overfenders. The removal of the door lock cylinders also make the doors appear cleaner. This does mean Yamamoto must reach through the window to open the doors, but with no glass, that's no problem. Additionally, the stock side mirrors were ditched in favor of a set of Datsun 510 Bluebird fender mirrors that happened to be on a Hakosuka Skyline at the time.

One can't look at the car and not notice its front hood. The hood, in its own right, is a work of art. To get the hood to fit the NB's engine, Yamamoto took the stock Mira Gino hood and cut the initial opening. He then proceeded to form four different pieces of sheet metal and incorporate the cutout piece for the top. This resulted in the new hood retaining the lines from the original hood — definitely a nice touch considering nothing is stock.

Yamamoto could have opted to have the bonnet run straight to windshield but chose not to in order to allow it to be opened like stock. Leveraging the original hinges, the front hood opens perfectly with the hump just clearing the front windshield.

The front windshield is made of polycarbonate and is secured to the Daihatsu frame. It drops below the original windscreens mount point seemingly disappearing beneath the front hood. Additionally, it is cut out perfectly to accommodate the rear of the engine and framed perfectly, adding the appearance of trim to add a finished look.

The Interior

Confident that everything was as it should be, Yamamoto mounted the body to the tube frame and could start realizing his initial vision. There was still plenty left to finish including the internal roll cage and framing. With plenty of dimple died gussets, the main roll-bar extends from the front to the back via the center of the Mira Gino.

The framing is perfectly wrapped around the engine and drivetrain, providing support for all the internal paneling including floors, transmission tunnel and firewall. The driving position was moved back into the rear passenger compartment. Keeping Yamamoto in place is a fiberglass racing seat that he salvaged from a go-kart he had in the shop.

Accommodating the new driving position meant extending the steering column. The off-brand 310 mm steering wheel with its bronze finish fits right in with the overall theme of the car. There is no steering wheel release, so getting in and out is a bit of challenge, which we experienced firsthand. The shifter was also extended to match the driver's position and topped off with a classic Nardi shift knob.

There were no gauges or other electronics installed. The steering column is bare, and with no switches or push button start, we wondered how he starts his Daihatsu. Unsurprisingly, he pulled out a Mazda key and inserted it into the ignition, which he relocated next to the shifter.

Two final components were also transplanted from the Miata: the pedals and the gas tank. We have never seen a stock gas tank exposed like that, but its raw look added something to the overall feel of the build.

Finishing Touches

With everything fitted, it was time to finish the Daihatsu Mira Gino. Yamamoto chose to paint the frame gold and the body candy red, which are two very traditional colors in Japan. The gold theme was carried through to the gas tank, parking brake and wheels. The chrome-gold 15x8 F1R wheels appear larger than they are tucked under the overfenders.

Located on the last remaining stock piece, the rear glass showcases Yamamoto's car clubs and friends. The two most important stickers Yamamoto pointed out were "Infection" and kanji that reads "Chounirei," also prominent on the back of his coveralls.

Infection is his car club consisting of Odyssey owners, while Chounirei is a bit more complicated. Like many words and phrases in Japan, it is an abbreviation meaning roughly, "Yamaguchi Second-car Racers." This is a smaller group of Yamamoto's friends that have both Odysseys and race cars.

Reactions

Back at the Stance Nation Japan event where we first met Yamamoto, his Daihatsu was voted as the People's Choice award recipient. Afterwards, the internet exploded with shots of the car with many curious people wanting to learn more and connect with Yamamoto.

When asked about his recent rise in fame, Yamamoto told us he is enjoying it and is looking forward to continuing to make new friends. Some of his favorite comments have been that he is "crazy," and another Japanese phrase that loosely translates that his "car stings!"

We also asked him what his wife thought about the Mira Gino. Yamamoto told us that she is very understanding, and even though he has won some prizes and has become a bit famous, it is all about the enjoyment the car brings; as long as he is enjoying it, she will be supportive.

During the photoshoot at the shrine, several people from around the neighborhood decided to stop by to check out what was happening. From the elders of the neighborhood to the primary school kids, everyone was equally interested in the car. Even the cats felt the need to inspect what was happening, often ending up in the shots.

Unleashing the Madness

We left the shrine and moved to the next location to do rolling shots; this is when Yamamoto started to relax a bit more as he would soon be able to let the legs out of his creation. At the first location, we simply did a few shots of him as he passed by, but it was the final location that we truly got to experience the madness of the Mira Gino.

Along a remote sea-road we unloaded the Mira Gino and proceeded to terrify any nearby wildlife. Yamamoto asked if he should do a burnout; we, of course, responded with an enthusiastic, "Yes!" With 160 hp powering a car that now weighs about 900 kg, it was with ease that he launched into a break-stand with the engine bouncing off the rev limiter.

With the Miata's engine sucking in air with the custom intake and unregulated exhaust, it was an epic burnout which affected all the senses. As the smoke billowed through the Mira Gino, Yamamoto gave us his signature rockstar sign. We could tell he was enjoying himself — considering he can't take the car out very often — and even more so when he continued to do three more burnouts, pausing only to let the rare pedestrian pass. It was ear-piercing, smoky, madness, and we loved it.

The look of the finished product along with its huge enjoyment factor would make one assume that it was quite an expensive build. We were shocked to learn just how little Yamamoto spent on the build. Excluding the value of trades that he made, the total investment in parts and material, including the donor Miata, was less than $3,000. That, of course, does not include the two months of labor it took to complete the project, but sometimes you just can't put a price on the labor of love.

The Future

The Daihatsu Mira Gino is not finished. It is currently receiving an upgraded racing seat to support racing harnesses and some well-needed gauges to make sure everything is running optimally. Yamamoto plans to take the car out to the local circuit so that means additional safety requirements must be met. The addition of door bars, harness bar, halo and other components are all on the to-do list.

We asked if he would ever be willing to sell his car; he said he currently doesn't have any plans to, and if someone did want to, he would recommend against it. Just because he doesn't plan on selling the Daihatsu anytime soon doesn't mean there isn't a new project in the future. Although he wasn't willing to tell us what that would entail, we are nevertheless looking forward to the next creation from the laboratories of Yamamoto Works. If it is anything like the Daihatsu Mira Gino, we know it will be nothing short of madness.

Tuning Menu

1990 DAIHATSU MIRA GO

See more photos from our time with Nozomu Yamamoto and his Daihatsu Mira Gino in the gallery below, and check out another Daihatsu, a barely street legal Hijet.

It's one of the most iconic and cherished American-made 4x4s there is. It's the Ford Bronco. Originally debuted in 1966, the rugged SUV went on to evolve into a vehicle that still ignites passion in enthusiasts across the nation. Just a few days ago, Ford announced that it will be bringing back the iconic Bronco in 2020.

Unlike the last Bronco to roll off the assembly line in 1996, the new one is said to be a midsize SUV. Given that the new Ford Ranger is scheduled for 2019, we're guessing there's going to be some crossover underpinning shared between the two. The fact that it’s going to be a midsize SUV also may make it an attractive alternative to the Jeep Wrangler. Dialing back the size is also a nod to the Bronco’s heritage as the first gen models (’66-’77) were significantly more compact when compared to the final fullsize iteration.

From a company that brought us the Ford Raptor, we’re hoping that the 2020 Bronco will live up to its namesake. For now, let's take a quick trip down memory lane and pick out some of the more iconic features that made the Bronco the legendary vehicle it is today.

1st Gen (’66-’77)

It’s the pony that started it all and what many still view as the most desirable Bronco to own. With its removable top, iconic styling and no-frills interior, the Early Bronco was Ford’s proof that it could build an affordable and rugged SUV. Post ’71 models got the stronger Dana 44 front axle and Ford 9-inch rear, making them more desirable for those looking to hit the trail. Available with a V8 and manual or automatic transmission, it was any 'wheeler's dream.

2020 PREDICTIONS

Ford has been good about paying homage to its more iconic models, and we think this generation could have the biggest impact if the company decides to go more retro in the styling department. We’d love to see a solid front axle, but can’t see that being a reality. Instead, we might have a removable top and more squared-off edges throughout the body.

2nd Gen (’78-’79)

In 1978, the Bronco got bigger — much bigger. With a push to a longer 106-inch wheelbase and more shared sheetmetal with the F-series trucks, the Bronco became more modular and comfortable for the masses. This would also mark the last time of the solid front axle.

2020 PREDICTIONS

One of the most iconic racing Broncos of the time was Big Oly. It was a 1970 model that set records in the desert and won the then Mexican, now Baja 1000. This desert racing heritage could lead Ford down the same path as the Raptor. This would mean off-road-tuned electronics, a long-travel suspension and even a selectable rear locker.

3rd Gen (’80-’86)

Hair wasn’t the only thing big in the '80s. The fullsize Bronco got a full revamp in 1980, and with that came a Twin Traction Beam Dana 44 front axle. Desert racers still cherish this front end design today, but it has proven to be less durable over time than a conventional solid front axle.

2020 PREDICTIONS

Despite being larger, many of the core Bronco features remained. This included a leaf-sprung rear suspension, removable top, V8 engine and manual transmission option. Of the aforementioned, the removable top is the most realistic, likely to get the nod.

4th Gen (’87-’91)

To coincide with the ever-evolving F-150 platform, Ford spruced up the Bronco in 1987. It was a bit sleeker with more power and transmission options. The wheelbase was now 104.7 inches, and it shared numerous part numbers with the F-150.

2020 PREDICTIONS

The big takeaway here is shared components. From a business front, it makes the most sense to have multiple vehicles sharing the same parts. We stand by the fact that the 2019 Ford Ranger will be a big indicator of what we will see in the 2020 Bronco.

5th Gen (’92-‘96)

The final generation of the Bronco, made famous by one OJ Simpson car chase, was the most powerful and well-appointed as they came. An Eddie Bauer edition, ABS and 210 hp V8 were all part of the equation for the last run Bronco.

2020 PREDICTIONS

Trim packages are easy ways for Ford to garner more money. We suspect there will be quite a few options as not everyone will want a rugged or upscale version of the Bronco. We also expect this vehicle to demand a premium. Our guess is a mid-30s base model, with the more attractive models starting closer to 40. Technology is another front that will be huge. With driverless car technology booming, we could see many handy off-road assist features, similar to Toyota’s Crawl Mode in the Tacoma.

2019 Ford Bronco

Since so much of the 2020 Bronco swirls around the Ranger coming back, it's fair to say that the Ranger is fairly important in this equation. Globally, the Ranger has continued to be produce. Killed in 2011 for the U.S. market, when the Ranger comes back in 2019, we will likely have a double cab version of it in the states, finally.

Again, we've seen what Ford can do with the F-150 Raptor, and we hope that type of performance potential will translate well to the Ranger. With the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, the midsize truck market for the off-road enthusiast for 2017 is looking great. Now we just have to wait a couple years and see what Ford will bring to the table.

(All photos courtesy of Ford)

We're looking for the next superstar person to add to the Driving Line editorial team!

Do you have a passion for trucks and the off-road community? Do you know the difference between a mall crawler and a rock crawler, a lift vs. leveling kit, shocks vs. springs? Driving Line is looking for a digital-savvy Associate Truck Editor who loves content and everything having to do with it - whether it’s writing content, editing it, facilitating it, analyzing it, or strategizing for better ways of producing it. We’re passionate about what we do and expect each part of our team to be too.

What the Driving Line Associate Truck Editor Will Do:

• Create content focused on the truck market. From truck features, lifestyle & events coverage, tech articles, photography, simple videos or slideshows, to newsletter material and more.
• Oversee freelancers within the truck niche. From onboarding them to our publishing process to assigning articles and seeing them through on deadline, you’ll be responsible to make sure their content is on target and in sync with our editorial calendar.
• Be part of the team. We work hard at keeping content on point and we want you to also. Expanding beyond merely writing/editing, you may find yourself lending a hand at an event, copyediting a newsletter, brainstorming a new video concept, attending client meetings, or making the stars align for the next cover shoot.
• Industry events. Because cool stuff rarely happens sitting still! You’ll need to be able to attend and cover industry events (some travel required) and build relationships with industry VIPs.

Click here for the full job description and to apply. Know someone who might fit the bill, we'd love for you to forward this on to them!

As a car enthusiast, you’re practically obligated to like everything car related, including smaller scales of your favorite vehicles. It usually starts with one of the smallest scales (1:64), Hot Wheels, and if untreated, will quickly turn into a mild obsession. Just like our full size cars, discast vehicles have multiple brands with varying qualities and details. In this buyer's guide, we’ll cover four of the most popular brands specific to the 1:18 scale.

Maisto

Found at most stores, from Costco to Target, Maisto is a well known brand with high volume and affordable pricing. One of best thing about Maisto is that they license almost EVERY manufacturer. If you’re looking for a scale model of your car, chances are Maisto makes it. Retailing close to $29.99 (but usually available for half that), Maisto is a good “bank for your buck” brand if you’re just starting off or looking to build a large collection.

The quality isn’t great, but it's not terrible either, especially considering the price point. Look closely and you’ll see some inconsistencies and lower quality detail associated with mass produced diecasts.

On a positive note, Maisto incorporates moveable parts like opening doors, trunk and hood as well for most.

For the rookie diecast collector, Maisto is a nice entry-level brand to start your collection.

Hot Wheels

Next up, another well-known name: Hot Wheels (Elite version shown) by Mattel. Usually associated with the smaller 1:64 scale, they also produce the large 1:18 scale and have a nice variety of car manufacturers available.

The difference in paint quality and parts is immediately apparent, with an overall heavier feel and components of higher quality. From the soft compound slicks to the detailed livery and paint scheme, the Elite version is an excellent model for the avid collector, with a retail price point range of $75 to $150, depending on the particular model.

The fine points in the engine bay alone are worth the additional price, such as the details in the intake housing along with precision paint, which is especially noticeable with this color scheme across the entire body.

Not all diecasts are actually diecast. New technology has allowed for alternative “composite” bodies, which allow for a lower price point due to saved manufacturing costs yet are still high quality in detail. 

Kyosho

The latest of these resin body alternatives is under the Kyosho, popular among most hobbyists.

What’s more striking than a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster in Red? 

Advances in technology bring this particular model in at $85. Not bad, right? Hold up, one of the primary drawbacks of resin or composite models is that they are sealed, meaning there are no moveable parts. No doors that open, no engine lids to prop. This can make or break a purchase for some collectors, depending upon their preference on display.

I was personally a little disappointed with the fit and finish on the Veneno, as a resin body, the lines and paint should be more exact than diecast, which I found to actually be of lower quality than its diecast stable mates. Seam spacing on the body parts was poor overall, not as bad as the Maisto, but not as good as the Hot Wheels Elite, either.

AUTOart

Like the name suggests, these guys really create automotive art. The intricacies and details on the AUTOart models are incredible. From the red tow hooks to the stamped rivets on the spoiler attachments, no detail is spared. AUTOart pricing varies, but most 1:18 starts well north of $129, but are absolutely worth it. As of late, AUTOart’s prices have gone up, and rightly so, with quality this good.

The mesh on the motorsport kit is separate and noticeably softer than the body itself, just like the real thing. Each of the individual parts of the kit feel as if they are separate (lug bolt, exhaust, spoiler, etc.), a testament to the original mold.

MINICHAMPS

Quite possibly the best amongst reasonably affordable 1:18 scale diecast in my opinion, MINICHAMPS are second to none.

The sheer weight of the MINICHAMPS cars make them feel well put together. They are the heaviest of the bunch, which for me is important, as the feel equates to quality. They are solid, yet open up to show textured seats and steering wheels.

The exposed lines running through the center of the cockpit to the engine are real rubber and even cable tied just like the real deal.

The motorsport center brake light is made of separate pieces, as are the rear engine lower crossbar shown and red tow hook. Even the hood pins are separate.

MINICHAMPS cars come in at a respectable $115 to $215. They don’t have quite the same selection model wise as Hot Wheels, AUTOart or Maisto, but they make up for it in overall quality and craftsmanship.

To collect little cars or big cars? As you can see, they can be equally as expensive; the choice is up to you.

Whether you're a fan of cars, art or both — these art pieces deserve a nod.

1. Post-it Pickup

(Photo: @douggas)

We're huge fans of Doug Breuninger, but how can you blame us? First his Ferrari Re-Imagined creation, then his #notablerides series. These Post-it notes are amazing! Look at the detail on this '79 Ford F-150.

2. Spicy Chicken in a Spicy Chicken

(Photo: @tsugc)

You may have seen this guy's art before if you're a Nitto Tire fan. He's got some real talent. It took Gus Chen no more than 15 minutes to sketch this fun interpretation of Mel Wade's EVO-built '17 Jeep JK, dubbed "Spicy Chicken." 

3. El Camino Carving

(Photo: @hagenandoats)

Hagen and Oats is a handcrafting sister-duo from Minnesota who carve some awesome-looking custom art. This classic Chevy El Camino would be the main exhibit whenever you walk into the room.

4. Red Dragon CAR-toon

(Photo: @micheledallorso)

As awesome as Loren Healy's IFS Ultra4 buggy is in real life, you have to admit, it's even more awesome in CAR-toon form. We've featured Michele Dallorso's art in the past; it's time to bring it back.

5. Cosmic Cruiser

(Photo: @dinohalcrow)

You know this classic Dodge Charger would add pizzazz to any car-lover's wall. If you're interested in buying any of Dino Halcrow's art, send him an email: dinohalcrow@gmail.com.

6. Road Trip Unfolded

(Video: @clymdraws)

Award-winning artist Clym Evernden is from the world of fashion, but this video was too eye-catching to bypass. This #Clymstory is a great reminder of how road trips play a huge part in so many people's lives, whether they're car people or not. Road trips means good times and memories made.

Which one do you wish was hanging on your wall? We'll be featuring six more of our favorite automotive art pieces soon; stay tuned!

'Twas the night before Tokyo Auto Salon, when all through the day, all the foreigners were preparing to head to the Hard Rock Cafe.

As everyone starts arriving in Japan for the annual pilgrimage to Tokyo Auto Salon, there are a few events that people can take in if they arrive a day or two earlier.

Two events we recommend are hosted by our friends from RWB and Super Street.

RWB Car Meet 

An iconic event that is always packed, always brings out the rarest and coolest Porsches and never has been given an official name. Held at the Hard Rock Cafe parking lot in Roppongi, this is the famous RWB Car Meet. Being that it's at the Hard Rock Cafe means there isn't much space, but Akira Nakai still managed to bring about 18 Porsches to show off to guests.

Super Street Fresh Tokyo Car Meet

This was the third time Super Street has hosted the event at the Decks Tokyo Beach parking ramp in Odaiba, and it had the largest turn out yet. Over 500 cars made it into the parking lot with many others not able to make due to both the capacity of the parking lot and the police preventing traffic from entering the area. The police then decided to come in and tell everyone to leave, which was okay because we had a great time anyway.

We think next year they are going to need a bigger parking space.

Enjoy the photos and stay tuned for coverage from Tokyo Auto Salon starting tomorrow.

For those fortunate enough to have participated in a Best in the Desert Racing Association event, you have Casey Folks to thank. Sadly, today, January 12, 2017, we have learned he has passed. The official statement from BITD is as follows:

“With a sad heart, Best in the Desert announces the passing of our leader on January 12, 2017. Casey suffered a massive stroke on the morning of January 7th in Parker, Arizona. He was doing what he loved, living his passion for off-road racing, getting ready to drop the flag on the latest UTV race event.  He was rushed to a hospital and transported by air to Las Vegas for care. Despite efforts by the best doctors in Las Vegas, Casey succumbed to the effect of a stroke this morning.

Casey lived a life most of us only dream about. He was a participant, promoter and friend to the off-road racing industry. An ardent competitor, Casey raced motorcycles between the ages of 21 and 45. He won 16 championships in his career and in 1980, was the first to Ironman the Baja 1000 and finish. He was the only person to finish every Barstow to Vegas race.

In 1968, Casey opened Sportsman Cycle Sales with his racing partner and friend, Tom Scales. The dealership opened as a Husqvarna Dealer with only two motorcycles. One was Casey's race bike and the other was Tom's race bike. Many stories were told Monday mornings after a race about Casey and his Chippewa Charley's (boots) moving another competitor out of the way. Casey didn't gain many friends by this but it sure created a buzz about the guy from Sportsman Cycle. Over the next few decades Sportsman Cycle grew into the premier motorcycle racing shop in Las Vegas. Through Casey's guidance and support, Sportsman Cycle birthed and nurtured many racers that went on to have very successful racing careers. In 1988, Casey passed the baton to his oldest son Daryl so he could focus on his next passion in life: the Best in the Desert Racing Association.

He started Best in the Desert in 1984 for motorcycles. Then he introduced the 'Vegas to Reno' race in March of 1996, adding for the first time cars, trucks and quads to his races. Due to Casey’s drive and strengths, Best in the Desert grew into North America’s largest and most prestigious off-road racing organization, aptly named 'The American Off-Road Racing Series'.

Casey competed in almost every type of off-road event throughout the Western United States.  His portfolio included over 30 races in Baja, Mexico, and the Tunisia Rally in Northern Africa. He served as the American Consultant for the Incas Rally in Peru and was the event coordinator for the Nevada Rally, representing the company 'Acerbis Adventure' based in Italy.

Casey was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2012, joining the ranks of off-road racing’s greatest legends and honored by off-road racers worldwide.

His many friends at the Bureau of Land Management had respect and trust in Casey’s judgment and stated that Casey’s high standards established the rules for safety in off-road desert racing.

He is survived by the love of his life Diane DeLauer, son Daryl Folks and his wife Sheri Folks, his son Bryan Folks, his sister Joan Ragona-Suarez, and 3 beautiful granddaughters: Adrianna, Morgan, Marlee.

Casey created memorable moments for thousands and thousands of people. We thank him for a lifetime of dedication to the sport we all love. As life goes on, and we continue to experience the passion of off-road racing, his legacy will live on.  Remember the words he lived by, 'Life is an Adventure. Come Live Your Adventure with Best in the Desert'. Casey’s life was truly an adventure, and we will always treasure our memories of him.

He will be greatly missed.

Booyah!”

Welcome to Talking Shift: Barrett-Jackson Edition! Today our editors and special guest Phillip Cheng guess the winning bids for some of the cars up for auction: an '89 Skyline GTR, a '91 Porsche 911 RWB, Steven Tyler's '12 Hennessey, an '89 Countach, a '10 Focus RS custom coupe, an '80 Firebird Trans Am, a '70 Bronco 4x4 and a '70 GMC Crew Cab pickup. Watch the video below to learn some facts about these cars you may not have known:

Here are Driving Line's Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2017 bid predictions:

1989 Skyline GTR

Lot #450.1

Justin: $50,000

Ali: $65,000

Kristin: $125,000

Phillip: $30,000

1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Targa RWB

Lot #1333

Justins: $60,000

Ali: $130,000

Kristin: $190,000

Phillip: $70,000

2012 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder "Steven Tyler's"

Lot #3003

Justin: $1 million

Ali: $300,000

Kristin: $1

Phillip: $2.5 million

1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition

Lot #1389

Justin: $200,000

Ali: $300,000

Kristin: $520,000

Phillip: $280,000

2010 Ford Focus RS Custom Coupe

Lot #1540

Justin: $30,000

Ali: $25,000

Kristin: $75,000

Phillip: $40,000

1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Lot #1402

Justin: $300,000

Ali: $60,000

Kristin: $350,000

Phillip: $26,000

1970 Ford Bronco 4x4

Lot #540

Justin: $30,000

Ali: $22,000

Kristin: $70,000

Phillip: $28,500

1970 GMC Crew Cab Pickup

Lot #840.1

Justin: $100,000

Ali: $15,000

Kristin: $110,000

Phillip: $25,500

Join in on the shift-talking and give your two cents! Stay tuned for more Barrett-Jackson coverage, coming at you next weekend.

These automotive artists take the cool style of import cars to a whole new level.

1. Sick AF AE86

(Photo: @stvnnakamura)

We think Los Angeles-based graphic designer Steven Nakamura has great style, as made evident in this Toyota AE86 vector illustration. Can we get this in sticker form?

2. Phantasy GT-R

(Photo: @_crvn_)

Darrien Craven, known as CRVN, creates rad custom art pieces of cars for their owners. Phantasy Kolors' 2009 Nissan GT-R on Nitto Tires is a picture-perfect subject.

3. Mini Chibi Van

(Photo: @chibicars)

Automotive illustrator designer and Chibi Cars co-founder Stephanie Isidro makes this Toyota Sienna look really, really cool. Even though it's so small, the minivan just seems to pop up at you, don't you think?

4. Lit Bimmer

(Video: @coreyrobbinsdesign / @orcavue)

DC-based automotive artist Corey Robbins doesn't just illustrate, he makes his illustrations come to life — or should we say, light. This laser-engraved wooden E30 has real LED lights and would make a perfect desktop piece.

5. Garage TOONed Type R

(Photo: @judsonbryan)

It seems like Judson Bryan can take any cool car and make it look even cooler (he also designs skateboards). This illustration makes us even more excited than ever for the new Honda Civic Type R.

6. Pao Wow

(Photo: @hitchensartwork)

Seeing the real Nissan Pao behind this drawing proves you just how talented Deven Hitchens is. We've shown this young automotive enthusiast/artist love before: you may remember his Apocalypse-interpretation of a Ferrari 488 GTB. His striking portraits never fail to impress the crowds at many shows and motorsports events.

Want more? See six more automotive artists that will most definitely impress you.