Spring is officially here, so let’s drive into springtime with something speeding away from winter. How about springtime in Italy, with the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider convertible, assembled in Modena, Italy? The two-seater lives up to Alfa’s heritage, which began in Milan, Italy in 1910 … and it was the 4C that returned Alfa to the U.S. market in 2014, after a 20-year hiatus.

Building on Alfa’s storied racing heritage, and its history of creating exciting, solid-handling, exotic, athletic vehicles, the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider offers driving enthusiasts a mid-engine design and represents the essential sportiness embedded in the brand’s DNA. Handcrafted in Modena, Italy, the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider offers seductive Italian styling and a state-of-the-art Formula 1-inspired carbon fiber monocoque and aluminum chassis that enables an impressive .95 hp to 10 lbs. power-to-weight ratio. 

For 2019, Alfa has deleted the Spider hardtop coupe from the lineup, leaving only the convertible (with cloth targa top), and why not? Driving on a warm spring day, with the top down gets rid of the winter blahs in a heartbeat. New for this year, the 4C Spider complies with American federal regs with a rear backup camera, and Alfa has added standard rear parking sensors and cruise control. Additionally new stand-alone options include a race-tuned suspension; leather- and microfiber-wrapped steering wheel; and carbon fiber or Italian flag door-mirror caps.

The mid-engine rear-wheel-drive convertible is sport-sized with an overall length of 157 inches, width of 73.5 inches and height of 46.7 inches, on a 93.7-inch wheelbase, with a ground clearance 4.4 and a light curb weight of 2487 lbs. And its looks … well, it is Alfa, with hints of Lotus and Ferrari -- exotic, Euro-curved, angular and sculpted, with aggressive body creases. This is a sportscar, and when you drive it on the road, around town, or at the track, the gazes, nods and thumbs up from spectators are what feel-good cars are all about. Well, that and the performance.

The 4C Spider is powered by an all-aluminum direct injection 1750 (1,742 cc) inline-4 turbo engine that delivers 237hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The all-aluminum plant is direct-injected with dual intercoolers and variable-valve timing, and is EPA rated at 24mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway, for an average of 28mpg. My short week of mixed-use fun driving, with lots of tire-smoking and quick turns, yielded an average of 24.4mpg, but you should do better than that with more conservative driving … but why would you want to limit your fun? The one item that limited MY fun was that there are no manual transmissions available. Lack of customer demand prompted Alfa Romeo to only outfit the 4C Spider with a very precise and solid ALFA TCT (twin-clutch transmission). The setup is reliable and synched well, but not as much fun as a manual gearbox in a convertible sportscar.

The manufacturer says the 4C Spider will complete a zero to 60mph sprint in 4.1 seconds. I managed a 4.2 on a dusty track, with a hand-timed 12.8 quarter completed, but both times seemed much faster behind the wheel of this saucy convertible. On the interstate and even around town, with the top down, the engine growls, the wind whips, the 4C Spider deftly handles quick maneuvers and seems at one with its surroundings.

Athletic on the road and at the track … my 4C Spider responded and handled like an autocross star, and its response and handling live up to the Alfa track legacy, but the suspension is also track-oriented … with good road feel for the driver but invasive and susceptible to uneven spring roads around town. It is a rough ride for those not understanding road feel, and the tight steering is not exactly power steering, and if you are not in a sportscar frame of mind, it makes for a chore in tight maneuvering.

The cockpit is minimalistic – traditional sportscarlike. Short on infotainment, but cozy and meant for drivers, there is seating for two. Headroom is 38.0 inches with the top in place and endless when the convertible top is down; legroom is 42.7 inches and shoulder room is 49.8. Rear sightlines are tough, and the throaty engine and road noise are obvious with the top down and also harsh with the top in place. All are acceptable in a sportscar frame of mind, and less so in a touring mode.

From a safety perspective, the 2019 Alfa 4C Spider hits on all cylinders. The convertible is outfitted with advanced multistage front airbags, driver’s knee air bag, door-mounted side thorax air bags, energy-absorbing steering column, interior head-impact protection, passenger knee bolsters, 4-wheel anti-lock brake disc system, all-speed traction control system, electronic stability control, electronic launch control system, and more.

The 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider starts at $66,900 plus a $1595 Destination charge. My test ride was bathed in a very energetic Giallo (Yellow) Protopo exterior paint, matched to a black and yellow interior for an additional $1500. My ride had upgraded 10-spoke silver wheels for $1800 and came with 205/40R18 and 235/35R19 3-season tires. Yellow brake calipers were an unnecessary cosmetic, but, OK, we got them for $450. An Alpine Premium Audio system, with subwoofer added $950, but the cabin is road and engine noisy (a good noise though), so I would suggest that you stay with the basic sound system and save the cash. The sticker-as-tested came to $73,195.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

In November of 2010 Carlisle Events purchased a 50+ acre plot of land south of the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds referenced by many as the former IAC or Lear Plant.  This footprint included a massive factory, plus acres of parking.  While the initial purchase was made to preserve parking, which supports the annual automotive events at the fairgrounds, Carlisle Events also had plans to redevelop the industrial landscape for mixed use commercial and residential.

As the work has progressed, the landscape on the southside of Carlisle along Route 34 (Carlisle Springs Rd.) has changed dramatically.  Trees have been planted where a factory once stood, lining streets that will connect parts of town that haven’t been directly connected in over 100 years.  While some trees have gone in, others have come out on the opposite side of the road.  This was done as a precursor to a much-needed storm water runoff area. 

Another aspect of the project that has necessitated a temporary new look to the landscape was the removal of a large rock, some shrubs and more importantly, a war memorial plaque.  The plaque was positioned on the west side of Carlisle Springs Rd. near the parking area closest to Hamilton St.  It was placed there decades ago to honor and remember factory workers who served and sacrificed via military action/service as part of World War II.  The plaque, while a long-standing fixture at the facility, was not visible to the masses as of late due to overgrowth in its area.  In addition, it was affixed to a large rock, which over time and due to various aspects of attrition, had deteriorated and crumbled to a point where it could no longer be maintained or fixed.

This plaque will return as soon as possible (likely mid-summer).  With its return to the factory site, the plaque will continue to honor those who worked at the factory, served our country and made many sacrifices along the way.

Complete details on the project can be found at https://www.carlislepa.org/carlisle-plan/.  In addition, car show season commences in less than six weeks with Spring Carlisle.  Parking areas adjacent to the main project footprint will be open, but guests may experience some delays as it is an active construction site.   

 

Only six years into its fourth generation, and two years removed from a solid style refreshening, the 5-passenger Subaru Forester compact SUV has entered a new generation with more power, a larger imprint and the addition of Subaru’s DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System. In fact, Subaru of America, Inc. has centered its new ad campaign on it, with spots that gives viewers an intimate look into the lives of three different Forester owners by highlighting how the vehicle’s safety features, including the new Subaru DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System, versatility and reliability, make the 2019 Forester the safest, longest lasting and most adventurous Forester ever, according to the manufacturer.

The 2019 Forester is built on the Subaru Global Platform to deliver higher levels of agility, crash protection, ride comfort and quietness. Available in standard, Premium, Limited, Touring and new Sport trim levels, all Foresters are powered by an enhanced direct-injection, 182 hp 2.5- liter four-cylinder BOXER engine featuring Auto Stop/Start and paired with a standard Lineartronic CVT. Also standard on all trim levels is Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Also for 2019, all Foresters come standard with the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The top-of-line Touring debuts the segment-exclusive DriverFocus safety technology which offers another layer of safety and convenience for the driver. The system uses facial recognition software to identify signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction and provides an audio and visual warning to alert the driver. DriverFocus also works with EyeSight to reduce the chance of an accident. And for added convenience, DriverFocus recognizes up to five drivers and remembers their seat and exterior mirror positions as well as multifunction display and climate control settings.

The 2019 Forester debuts a more rugged style that showcases Subaru’s new design language while retaining a strong family resemblance to the rest of the brand’s portfolio. 
Inspired by the needs of outdoor enthusiasts, the 2019 Forester Sport, the trim model I tested, joins the line with unique appearance elements and specially enhanced standard equipment. A Sport grille with black gloss finish frame, black-finish 18-in. wheels and rear roof spoiler give Forester Sport a rugged look, while orange accents on the black underguards and roof rail mounts add a modern, youthful touch. The interior is a unique dark gray material with orange stitching and accents throughout that is exclusive to the Sport model. With unitized body construction, ring-shaped frame reinforcement frame safety structure, all Forester models feature lower body side cladding, which helps protect against mud, rocks and other road debris.

Longer and wider for enhanced road stability, but still within compact crossover SUV parameters, the 2019 Forester’s 105.1-inch wheelbase has gained 1.2 inches, to support its 0.6-inch longer 182.1-inch length, its 0.8-inch wider 71.5-inch width and 67.5-inch height (up 1.1 inches,) with ground clearance of 8.7 inches (same as before). Forester Sport weighs in at about 3531 lbs.

Inside, the Forester cabin is roomy with good sightlines. The Base Forester provides 41.2 inches of front headroom with 39.6 inches in the rear seats (actually losing 0.2 inches in both areas), and my test Sport trim was even cozier at 40.2 and 37.7 inches. Legroom is 43.3 inches in row one and 39.4 inches in row two (gaining 1.4 in the rear), with shoulder room gaining better than an inch at 58.2.and 57.2.

The quiet interior has been designed for both greater passenger comfort and increased durability in everyday and recreational usage. New front seats are constructed to enhance comfort on long drives, and a new Electronic Parking Brake frees up console space by eliminating the traditional parking brake handle.

All Forester models now feature standard automatic climate control; and Keyless Access with Push Button Start is standard on Sport, with climate controls that can be set when Remote Engine Start is activated. 

All 2019 Foresters power up with a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 182hp and 176 lb-ft of torque (a gain of 12 and 2 over last year). Fuel economy is rated at 26mpg/city, 32mpg/highway and 28mpg combined, and I averaged 29.9mpg in mixed-use driving. More responsive, but not as quick as last year’s turbo (which has been discontinued), my test Sport finished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 8.6 seconds during a 16.5-seccond quarter-mile. Highway passing at speed was predictable and efficient, and handling was somewhere between carlike and trucklike.

The 2019 Subaru Forester is available in five trim options. The Base Forester starts at $24,295; the 2.5i Premium starts at $26,295; the Sport begins at $28,795, the Limited starts at $30,795 and the Touring starts at $34,295 – the trim upgrades are largely concentrated in cosmetics and a few accessories. 

My Crystal White Pearl Sport was matched to a Gray Sport Cloth interior and came with a  moonroof. We added the $2045 Blind-Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert Package with Reverse Automatic Braking, STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus, Harmon Kardon Audio and a power rear gate. All-weather floor liners added $132; rear seatback protector added $93; the auto-dimming mirror with compass and Homelink added $365; side window deflectors added $99.95; splash guards added $172; and destination and delivery charges added $975, for a sticker-as-tested of $32,676.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Chevrolet has been producing iconic American trucks since 1918, and launched the Silverado as a trim level for Chevrolet C/K pick-ups and Suburbans from 1975 through 1999, when it became its own line. Silverado continues its tough and capable truck legacy as it kicks off its all-new 4th Generation with the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.

Last redesigned for the 2014 model year, the 2019 Silverado is longer, wider, higher and lighter than Gen-3. Redesigned from the ground up, with an expanded range of eight models and six engine/transmission choices, Silverado’s wheelbase is up to 3.9 inches longer and it has an overall length that is 1.6 inches longer, enabling more cargo volume and more interior room for all cab lengths. And the 2019 Silverado is up to 450 pounds lighter than the previous model, thanks to advanced manufacturing and the use of mixed materials, including a fully boxed steel frame that is 88 pounds lighter than its predecessor, while offering 10 percent greater torsional rigidity.

Also re-engineered is the all-new Durabed with best-in-class cargo volume, with the short-box offering 63 cubic feet of volume with its bed floor width widened by nearly seven inches, while employing a higher-strength steel floor with yield strength increased for optimal strength and mass. You also get an all-new, segment-exclusive power tailgate and bed-mounted 120-volt power outlet; higher payloads and trailering ratings; more and stronger tie-downs – 12, with a doubled strength of 500 pounds of force before bending; and enhanced front and rear suspensions. Chevrolet has also improved the brake system, expanded its roster of safety systems and has added the next-generation Chevrolet Infotainment systems and connectivity to the setup.

My test Silverado 1500 LTZ with a Crew Cab fits full-size parameters. With a short 5-foot-8-inch box, the all-new Silverado measures 231.7 inches in length (the 6-foot-6-inch box adds 9.5 inches and the 8-foot box is not available with the Crew Cab). Silverado now measures a widebody 81.2 inches wide (up 1.2 inches) and a towering 75.4 inches high (for the 4x4), a gain of 1.6 inches, and some trims are as much as 78.4 inches high. All of this, on a 147.4-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 8.9 inches and step-in height measures 22.2 inches, while the Silverado LTZ’s base curb weight comes in at 5008 lbs. (a loss of nearly 300 lbs. for this trim) with the 5.3-liter engine and 4x4 configuration. 

Inside, Silverado’s well-appointed, comfortable, safety-focused and tech-filled interior is roomy, quiet and functional, with a sturdy cab structure. Its Crew Cab provides 43.0 inches of front headroom (up 0.2 inches), with 40.1 in the rear (0.4 inches lower). Legroom is considerable, but shrunk 0.8 inches up front, to at 44.5 inches and 40.1 in the cab (0.8 inches tighter), while shoulder room measures 66.0 and 65.2 inches (you lose 0.5 in the cab). 

Silverado powers up with five engine choices: a 2.7-liter turbo is rated at 310hp and 348 lbs-ft of torque; a 4.3-liter V-6 rated at 285 hp and 305 lbs-ft of torque, a 5.3-liter V-8 delivers 355 hp and 383 lbs-ft of torque, the muscular 6.2-liter V-8 with a 10-speed transmission thunders out 420 hp and 460 lbs-ft of torque, and there’s also a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel offered.

My Silverado LTZ with the 5.3 was muscular and attentive, easily passing speed, capably hauling heavy loads and effortlessly accelerating from a stop Proof at the track was a 6.6-second zero-to-60mph during a 15.0-second quarter-mile.

Fuel consumption was EPA rated at 16mpg/city and 22mpg/hwy with an AWD set-up and I averaged 19.8 in mixed-use driving on snow-encrusted roads.

My test Silverado LTZ was steady on uneven roads and softroad obstacles with its independent coil-over-shock front suspension with twin-tube shocks coupled with a solid axle rear with multileaf springs and splayed twin-tube shocks. The electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering was predictable and compliant, 

The 2019 Silverado 1500 is offered in Regular Cab with standard box and long box; Double Cab Standard Box and Crew Cab in short box and standard box, and is configured in 2WD and 4WD. Base prices run from $29,895 with regular Cab and Long Bed to $33,795 for Double Cab standard bed, and $36,495 for Crew Cab and Standard Bed. My test 2019 Silverado 1500 2WD with a 4.3-liter EcoTec V6 came with a Crew Cab and short box, and included the 5.3-liter V-8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, for $36,195. AWD made the ante $39,495 and an upgrade to the 5.3-liter engine moves it up to $40,890. 

Eight trim packages are offered that can add from $1,000 to $18,000. My LTZ trim package – seventh on the list – came with 4WD, chrome grille, 18-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels, Advance trailering features, perforated leather seating, and tons of standard trim items and moved the sticker to $50,295. We added the LTZ Premium package, discounted to $5350, for power sliding rear window with rear defogger, front buckets, power sunroof front center console, polished 20-inch wheels and 275/60R20 all-season, blackwall tires and more. The Technology Package added $1875 for a rear camera mirror, 8-inch diagonal digital driver information center, HD Surround Vision and head-Up display. And we added 6-inch black rectangular assist steps for $725. Destination and Freight charges of $1575 put the sticker at $59,245, but there was a $1000 Package discount and other incentives that put the buy price at $57,245, so check with your local dealer about incentives.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The 2019 Carlisle Events season has seen two of its events come and go, but with the core of its Carlisle, Pennsylvania based schedule upcoming, car lovers from around the world will be more regularly visiting the Carlisle Events web page for details on their favorite show(s) in America’s Automotive Hometown.  Effective March 6, 2019, Carlisle Events pleased to announce that the all-new www.CarlisleEvents.com is LIVE!

Visitors will immediately notice a visual difference with the page, but the new page has more than just a facelift.  The page has been completely re-tooled to make the process more user-friendly for followers of Carlisle Events.  Getting tickets, becoming a vendor, shopping for event specific merchandise or showing a car/truck at Carlisle will be easier than ever, plus the page serves as a source of information, entertainment and e-commerce with enhanced video options, larger images and more.

“After my father, Chip Miller, passed away in 2004 I sold my web design and consulting business to come and work for Carlisle Events,” noted Carlisle Events co-owner Lance Miller.  “Having a background in the tech field taught me a lot about following trends and when we saw many of our customers registering for our events on their mobile devices, we knew it was time to update our website to make it friendly for all visitors,” continued Miller.  “The new www.CarlisleEvents.com caters to all platforms our visitors use and makes it easier for them to find what they are after.”

To see first-hand what the all-new www.CarlisleEvents.com is all about, take a tour for yourself.  The web page as well as the Carlisle Store are open 24/7/365 and just like those who visit a car show at Carlisle, it too can offer an automotive adventure along the way.