Drew Dowdell

I can't decide if I like it or if it is a Mercedes-Mitsubishi Colt Vista / Honda Element crossover....

Do try not to spread politics to non-political threads. Keep it to the tariffs threads.

Mercedes unveiled the Mercedes-Benz GLB at an event in Salt Lake City yesterday. The GLB joins the GLA in the small crossover space, however it can be configured with seating for up to seven passengers. Built on the compact, front wheel drive, transverse engine platform that is shared with the GLA, the boxy shape makes the most of its 111.4 inch wheelbase (5.1 inches longer than the GLA). The GLB can be purchased as a 5-seater or 7-seater with a second row that can slide fore and aft up to 6 inches. Mercedes says the boxy shape gives the GLB powerful off-road proportions, and short front and rear overhangs help with approach and departure angles. Front-wheel drive is the default, and Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel drive is optional and comes with various modes for comfort, sport, and off-road. Hill-Start assist and downhill speed regulation contribute to the GLB's off-road chops. Powering the GLB is a 2.0 liter transverse 4-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1800 rpm - 4,000 rpm. It is likely that we will later see AMG engine variants join the lineup like the 416 hp 4-cylinder that AMG just debuted. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB will be in dealerships by the end of 2019. At a glance: GLB 250 4MATIC Transmission 8G-DCT (automatic) Displacement (cc) 1991 Output (hp) 221 at rpm 5,500 Max. torque (lb-ft) 258 at rpm 1800 - 4000 Acceleration 0-60 mph (s) 6.9 Top speed (mph) 130 *Spec for load compartment capacity calculated according to VDA standards. View full article

You'd have to do almost the entire interior wrong. For example, the dashboards are all unique, so buttons and such would be in the wrong place. The door panels are unique, the window/seat control panel from my car won't fit a Riv or Eldo. I think someone would catch that.

Well there's one vote for reopening politics....

After a brief hiatus, Ram is reintroducing the EcoDiesel for the 2020 Ram 1500 and in doing so, snatches away the torque crown held briefly by GM with their inline 6-cylinder diesel. The 3.0 L V6 Diesel in the 2020 Ram produces 480 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm, 20 more than the 460 in the GM Inline-6, while horsepower increases to 260 hp at 3,600 rpm, a bit lower than the GM's 277 hp and the Ford Powerstroke 250 hp. The EcoDiesel is a DOHC V6 and achieves these numbers with a new generation water-cooled variable geometry turbo charger, higher compression ratio, redesigned cylinder heads, lightweight aluminum alloy pistons, and a redesigned EGR system. The EcoDiesel will be available in all models and configurations, including for the first time, the Ram Rebel. The 2019 Ram 1500 Classic is offered with the previous generation of this engine. The engine will be produced at FCA's facility in Ferrara, Italy. View full article

Linden NJ, 1979

I suspect we haven't heard the end of the FCA-Renault merger.

That'd be stainless steel.....

Cadillac should have snagged the Pullman or Autobiography trademark before Mercedes and Land Rover respectively. Does anyone use Portfolio?