OCTOBER 2020
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Motoring

NIMBLE GENESIS G70 LUXURY SEDAN IS A BARGAIN RIDE

Test-drive stories by NITISH S. RELE –motoringtampabay.com

2020 GENESIS G70 LUXURY SEDAN Yes, folks, the stick shift has not yet totally joined the dinosaurs. Admitted, the manual gearbox is rarely to be found in the cars of today and even scarcer among luxury sport sedans. Our kudos goes to Genesis for keeping the tradition alive so the driver can have a better control regardless of road conditions.

Introduced just last year, the entry-level Genesis G70 combines performance and luxury to result in an outstanding ride. The rear-wheel-drive car is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder engine cranking out 252 horsepower @ 6200 rpm and 260 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm. The winner of the 2019 North American and Motor Trend Car of the year awards, among several other accolades, delivers power to the rear wheels via a seamless 6-speed manual gearbox. Comfort, eco, sport and custom modes are available.

The long hood with short overhang meets a bold crest grille with the winged Genesis emblem, flanked by LED head and daytime running lights. Vertical tail lamps and chrome dual asymmetrical exhaust tips take up the rear. Step inside and you will discover generous sprinkles of brushed aluminum on the doors, console and pedals. Quilted Nappa leather seats convey class. The floating but practical 8-inch touchscreen display for phone, nav and audio is prominent. Pampering the occupants are dual auto a/c, leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic steering column, 7-inch electro-luminescent display for speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, fuel level, odometer and trip computer gauges, 12-way power driver and 8-way front-passenger seats, 60/40 rear seat, and much more.

Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, stability and traction control, rearview camera, forward collision avoidance and lane keep assist, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights come at no extra cost.

This sleek and lavish Genesis is equipped with a commanding power train, well-appointed and classy cabin, and several safety features. And compared to its European rivals such as BMW and Audi, the G70 is an inexpensive ride.

GENESIS G70

2020 CHEVY BOLT GOES THE DISTANCE – SOLELY ON BATTERY!

2020 CHEVY BOLTImagine going over 250 miles and some more on a full one-time electric charge in a ride. GM claims 259 miles (up 21 from its predecessor), to be exact, in its four-door, five-passenger 2019 Bolt EV. Plus, the four-door, five-passenger Bolt EV is an ultra-smooth and cool hatchback package with superb handling and overall balance. The ride is remarkably cooperative, soaking hurdles with dexterity, sure-footedness and poise.

The four-door hatchback driving force comes from an electric motor propelled by a huge under-floor lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 66 kWh. It produces 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Bolt is mated to a single-speed gearbox with a sport mode switch to liven up handling. Regenerative braking allows the vehicle, when coasting or slowing down, to capture kinetic energy that would be lost. It converts the energy into useable electricity to recharge the battery. Keeping the vehicle stable enough to soak bumps is an independent suspension of front MacPherson strut and torsion beam rear. The column-mounted electric power rack-and-pinion steering is accurate and unswerving. Charging options include a standard 120-volt Level 1 power cord, which takes an hour to recharge 4 to 5 miles. Instead, opt for the 240-volt Level 2 charging, which can recharge 25 miles or so in an hour (cost to install can range from $750 to $1,000).

It isn’t really a stunner though HID projector headlights flanking the familiar and centered Chevy bowtie gives the car a fitting appearance. The cabin is unlike most cars, especially the instrument panel with a 8-inch LCD screen in driver’s vision displaying the digital speedometer, distance, miles to go, average and battery level bar graph indicators. The massive 10.2-inch color screen in the center stack shows entertainment, climate and navigation readouts. We must admit we were pleasantly surprised with the 56.6 cubic foot cargo space, plenty for several bags of luggage. Also standard are a single-zone auto a/c, leather shifter with satin silver and chrome accents, tilt/telescopic steering column, six-way manual front seats, 60/40 split rear fold seat and keyless open/start.

Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, front knee airbags, lane change/side blind zone/rear-cross traffic alerts, rear park assist, pedestrian safety signal, three-point safety belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability and traction control, rearview camera, tire pressure monitor and daytime running lights.

Though no longer eligible for a federal tax credit, the Bolt is a trailblazing vehicle that offers speedy acceleration with ample power. This car of the future could one day be mastered to perfection (imagine going 500 miles on an electric charge).

BOLT EV PREMIER

TAKE THE 2020 GMC SIERRA DENALI OFF-ROAD OR ON THE ROAD!

2020 GMC SIERRA DENALIAfter a major redesign inside out last year, the GMC Sierra Denali 1500 4WD Crew Cab truck for 2020 continues mostly as is. This solidly built full-size pickup ensures reasonably quick acceleration from any speed, ample passing ability and accurate handling/balance. The four-wheel-drive system can be driven in auto, 2WD, 4Hi or 4Lo modes depending on road and weather conditions.

A 6.2-liter V-8 engine, mated to a 10-speed auto transmission, makes 420 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 460 pounds-feet of torque @ 4100 rpm. Handling the suspension is an independent coil-over shock front and a solid axle rear. The power rack-and-pinion electric power steering has an unswerving and communicative feel, making the truck easy to place at sharp curves. GM’s Dynamic Fuel Management system deactivates up to four of the eight cylinders for fuel savings. Tow capacity is an amazing 9,300 pounds. The optional six-position Multipro tailgate can be used as a table, an extension or a step to load items onto the lightweight carbon-fiber bed. And 12 fixed tie-downs each have a capacity of withstanding 500 pounds of weight.

The robust Sierra boasts a mammoth bright and multi-dimensional grille surrounded by LED headlights with C-shaped elements. The rear also shows off C-shaped LED features within the tail lamps and integrated dual exhaust tips. Our 5’ 8”-foot box offers 63 cubic feet for stowage. Climb into the back seat and you won’t find a reason to complain about leg or knee room. The six-gauge analog instrument cluster is well-lit and crystal clear. The huge center console can swallow a laptop. Other notable features include dual-zone auto a/c, tilt/telescopic steering column, dual glove box, heated/cooled front seats, and an 8-inch color screen for audio, navigation and phone readings.

Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for second row, stability/traction and trailer sway control with hill start assist, lane-change and rear-cross traffic alerts, front/rear park assist, four-wheel antilock brakes, rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard.

Indeed, the Sierra is a functional workhorse that you can go cruising on the highway or off the beaten path. It offers an outstanding performance with plentiful tow capacity and a gigantic but classy cabin.

SIERRA DENALI AWD

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