As October quickly speeds forward, Carlisle Auctions and the team at the Sunset Automotive Group are rapidly planning a NEW two-day classic and collector car auction event unlike anything ever hosted at the 6061 Sawyer Loop, Rd. facility in Sarasota, Florida.  Over 400 consignments are planned and with hundreds already committed, the opportunity to own a piece of automotive history for Suncoast residents has never been easier!  

Carlisle Auctions not only offers two days of 400+ classics, it does so knowing that some of them will cross the block at no reserve, while others are high-end restorations.  Available lots include some low mileage, single owner cars too.  Highlights of note include a 1949 Chevrolet Suburban restomod, a rare color combo 1957 Corvette, a single family owned 1967 Mercury Cougar Dan Gurney, a single owner 1970 Ford F250, a very rare 1972 Buick GS Stage 1 and a 2010 Aston Martin Rapide with under 10,000 miles on it.  These six are just a few examples of the power, style and excellence slated to cross the block.

These cars crossing the block won’t be the only ones to drool over.  Via a partnership with Corsa 7 Motorsports from Sarasota, a pair of high-end exotics will be on display.  Anyone hoping to see first-hand a race prepared 2014 Lamborghini Super Trofeo EVO as well as a Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG 003CS; one of just 5 in existence, can do so with their admission to the auction.  Each car carries an impressive performance pedigree, having won races domestically as well as internationally.

Carlisle Auctions also makes it easier than ever to bid and buy with total confidence via FREE online bidding.  All-new, interested parties can simply visit www.CarlisleAuctions.com to register for online bidding, review consignments, bid and more.  This makes the entire process quite simple, though Carlisle Auctions must still approve a bidder application. 

In addition, spectators are welcome, with tickets costing just $10 daily.  Kids 12 and under are free, while all registered buyers or sellers have access included with their credentials.

To learn all about Sunset – Carlisle and this all-new event in Sarasota, visit www.CarlisleAuctions.com or call 717-960-6400 today.  Act fast though, as this event is expected to sell out from a consignment standpoint and expects to see a great bidder and spectator turnout too.

Launched for 2017 by Kia as a hybrid subcompact crossover, Niro is marketed as a hybrid SUV whose looks are un-hybriddy and more hatchback-like. After receiving a nod from the Guinness World Records folks for “for the lowest fuel consumption by a hybrid vehicle,” after a hypermiling Los Angeles to New York City trek with a fuel consumption record of 76.6 mpg, Niro became a darling for “green” car buyers who also wanted some sportiness along with their earth-consciousness. With the addition of an all-electric version – the Niro EV – to its line-up, the Niro family is greener than ever. Regarding the all-electric Niro EV, I didn’t test it, but it comes standard with DC fast-charging capabilities that Kia claims can refill 80 percent of the battery in just 75 minutes and can travel an estimated 239 miles on a full charge.

For 2019, Niro is a carryover with few updates, as Kia continues to rely on Niro’s sporty demeanor to complement its tops-in-class fuel economy and under- $30K pricing. New for this model year are an updated infotainment system; new software upgrades to its optional navigational system; a renaming of its “Graphite Edition” trim level to “S Touring”; and some minor color and trim mods.

An eye-catching 4-door that sits lower than most SUVs at the expense of ground clearance – only 6.3 inches – the hatch-looking crossover was drawn up at Kia’s design centers in Irvine, California, and Namyang, South Korea. Niro’s angular, slim, sporty, bold and confident character is enhanced by subtly sculpted surfaces offset by robust styling cues. Niro sits wide and low for better road hugging, measuring 171.5 inches long, 71.1 inches wide and 60.4 inches high, on a 106.3-inch wheelbase. The overhang is 34.3 inches in front and 30.9 inches in the rear, and Niro is light, with a curbweight for my tested LX trim of 3199 lbs.  

The Niro cabin is trendy and intuitive, filled with high-demand and high-tech interior enhancements. Glossy white or black accents underline the hybrid-crossover’s straightforward theme, and the instrument panel is uncluttered and clean, with colorful and informative gauges in easy sight, and driver-friendly primary and secondary controls positioned intuitively. Roomy for a subcompact, Niro’s cabin affords 40.1 inches of front headroom with 39.1 inches in row two; legroom is 41.7 inches in row one and 37.4 inches in the rear, and shoulder room comes in at 56.0 and 55.2. Seats with increased pad density in the cushions ensure a comfortable ride, and Niro boasts an elevated seating position much like the Kia Soul, providing drivers with a more commanding view of the road as well as easy ingress and egress.

The two-layered powertrain is anchored by the Kappa 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine, engineered specifically for hybrid applications. The two-tiered system includes an aluminum block and head engine that delivers 104hp and 109 lbs.-ft. of torque, and a 240-volt Lithium-ion polymer battery-powered electric motor that provides 43hp. The combined system, mated to a 6-speed dual clutch transmission, is rated at 139hp and 195 lbs.-ft of torque, for a driving range of 583 miles. Some Niro models are EPA rated as high as 52 mpg/city and 49mpg/highway, and my test Niro LX was rated at 51mpg in city driving and 46mpg/highway -- 49mpg combined. During a week of cruising in town and on the highway, I averaged less in town that the rated specs – 37mpg -- but did better on the interstates –53mpg – for an average of 46.1mpg.

On the road and at the track, Niro offers more than one would expect from a hybrid crossover. Steering response is quick, easy and accurate-for-the-niche, with only minor understeer. Tight turns and spirited cornering are accomplished handily with little body roll or top wobble. Road noise, especially when taking on bumps or tar strips was much higher than expected, but the sedan-like handling and reaction, in addition to the responsive acceleration, made for a solid driving and passenger experience. The independent front suspension with MacPherson struts, stabilizer and gas shocks worked in conjunction with the independent multi-link rear with twin tube shocks to further boost the experience by smoothing out most road irregularities.

From an acceleration perspective, Niro is predictable and rapid for the niche, and provides the perception of greater speed than it really delivers. My zero-to-6mph sprint was accomplished in 8.7 seconds during a 16.7-second quarter-mile, but the drive felt even more sportlike.

The 2019 Kia Niro starts at $23,490 for the base FE trim, and moves up through the LX at $23,900; the EX at $26,400; the S Touring at $28,800 and the Touring at $32,250. My test Niro LX in Deep Cerulean Blue exterior paint upgraded from the lower trim with Folding Rear Center Armrest with Cup Holders, Luggage Board with Under Floor Storage Tray, Rear Combination LED Lamps, Roof Rails, and Smart Key with Push-Button Start and Immobilizer for $1450 (The LX Advance Technology Package). Mud Guards were $95; Carpeted Floor mats were $135; and Auto-Dimming Mirror with Homelink and Compass were $350. With Destination charges of $1045, the sticker-as-tested was $26,880, for a hybrid SUV with sportiness.

> 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 Ford Fusion was launched in 2005 for model-year 2006, and the dour-door mid-size continues in its second generation, which began in 2012 and included a hybrid version. Following a facelift update in 2017, Ford revised Fusion again for 2019 with new front and rear fascias, new Co-Pilot360™ suite of driver-assist safety technologies, an increase in the “electric-only” range in its Hybrid, tweaked cosmetics and expanded feature and trim availability.

Before we get to the 2019 model, Fusion should be here for a few more years. Ford initially planned to discontinue the Fusion along with its other sedans except Mustang, in North America in the next few years, as part of a plan to focus more on SUVs and trucks. However, as Fusion currently is the No. 21 best-selling vehicle in America (and No.7 top-selling sedan), the mid-size is expected to remain in production until 2021. However this year is the final year for the V-6–powered Fusion Sport.

Back to this year, the 2019 Fusion up-designs with new front and rear styling including a new grille featuring a five-bar design finished in chrome on S, SE and SEL models and new chrome mesh on Titanium. This sleeker Fusion also features a new trunk lid panel, fog lamps and LED taillamps, and two new wheel designs and fresh color palettes inside and out also debut for 2019 -- new colors include Agate Black, Velocity Blue and Rich Copper Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.

Big safety news is the debut of Ford Co-Pilot360™, which the Blue Oval calls, “the most advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies.” The suite includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system, lane keeping system, rear backup camera and auto high-beam lighting that together, can help drivers operate with more confidence. And for green-minded customers, the 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine is now standard on Fusion SE and higher trim levels, while the new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid model is projected to have an EPA-estimated electric-only range of up to 25 miles – nearly 20 percent greater than the current model.
 
On the outside, in addition to its new front and rear lower fascias, the 2019 Fusion gets a new decklid panel, foglamps, LED rear tail laps, grille designs – chrome or mesh depending on trim – and wheel packages. At 191.8 inches long, 58.2 inches high on a 112.2-inch wheelbase, Fusion weighs in at 3472 lbs. 

Powering up with an international flavor, Ford Fusion’s four-cylinder engines come with a range of horsepower and fuel economy ratings. The 2.5-liter inline-4 is built in Mexico and produces 175hp and 170 lbs.-ft. of torque; the 1.5-liter EcoBoost inline-4 is built in Romania and is rated at 181hp and 185 lbs.-ft. of torque; and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-4 is built in Spain and delivers 240hp and 270 lbs.-ft. of torque. Economically, the 2.5 gets 22mpg city/34mpg highway and 26 mpg combined for the automatic, while the automatic 1.5 is rated at 24/36/28. My test 2.0 automatic with a six-speed transmission was rated 22/city, 33/highway and 26 combined. My week of testing in mixed-use scenarios averaged 24.5mpg.  

I found acceleration to be decent for the niche with my test 2.0-turbo as my test Fusion completed a zero-to-60mph sprint in 7.2 seconds, en route to a 15.2-second quarter-mile. Highway passing and uphill trials were accomplished effortlessly and the cabin and engine were relatively quiet, thanks to a solidly performing paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission.

At mid- and low-speed, Fusion’s rack-and-pinion with electric power-assisted steering was aggressive in the corners with only slight understeer and yaw was negligible. Around town and at speed, steering is a bit vague, but the MacPherson strut independent front suspension stabilizer bar, working with an independent multilink rear with stabilizer bar smoothed out road irregularities and carried speed well, while the ABS brakes stopped confidently.

Interior dimensions are a bit tight up front with headroom of 39.2 inches and a confining 37.8 inches in row two. Front legroom is accommodating at 44.3 with 38.3 inches for rear passengers and shoulder room is 57.8 in row one and 56.9 in row two, and thick roof pillars inhibit sightlines.. 

The base 2019 Ford Fusion starts at $22,840, the hybrid model starts at $27,555, and the plug-in Fusion Energi starts at $34,595. My test Fusion came in five trims. The S was at the base price; the SE (my test ride) started at $24,120 with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine; SEL at $28,580; the luxury Titanium trim started at $34,340 and the V6 Sport at $40,015. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine added $2860 over the base and added the AWD configuration at no charge. My Oxford White (no-extra-charge) exterior paint was matched to an Ebony Black interior and added the Ford Co-Pilot Assist Package that included Adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go and voice-activated touchscreen navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link® for $655; carpeted cargo mats added $75 and with destination charges of $995, the sticker-as-tested was $29,350, but Available Incentives of up to $3250 may still be available in your area, so check with your dealer, as some Fusions as tested could be priced at $26,100.

> 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>

A one-time econocar has evolved into a sporty, fun-to-drive compact that continues its legacy of good fuel economy and low pricing. The Honda Civic was born during the 1973 model year as an economical subcompact that addressed the U.S. oil and gas crisis. A top seller from the outset, Civic is the 6th top-selling vehicle of all-time worldwide, and currently the 9th best-selling vehicle (including trucks and SUVs) and No.2-top-selling car (classification) in the United States.

With multiple versions to appeal to many buying segments, Civic builds on its 10th generation which debuted in 2016, with a versatile lineup that includes a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan and a hatchback. Available in either of two four-cylinder engines and either a continuously variable automatic transmission or a six-speed manual, Civic has replaced boxiness with sporty architecture and builds on its sportiness with solid segment performance.

For 2019, the Civic line-up tweaks up with changes in styling, adding standard features, augmenting suspension and steering capabilities, and increasing the popular Sport trim across the coupe (hatchback) and sedan configurations. The new Sport front clip eliminates its chrome grille in favor of a stunning black insert. But chrome is not forsaken and is used to surround a new headlight and foglight design while relocating sensors used in the Honda Sensing Suite, which is now standard in all trims. Other changes include an upgraded audio system display, the addition of a volume knob on the updated optional infotainment touchscreen, larger cupholders, steering-wheel control modifications and improved sound insulation for a quieter cabin ride experience. From a performance perspective, the Sport trim now offers an optional non-turbo 2.0-liter engine in both the sedan or coupe.

I tested the Sport coupe, and was immediately impressed by the sportiness of this economical ride. Slotted between the LX and EX trims, the 2019 Civic Coupe Sport comes at you with that black grille that wraps into squint-eye headlights. Along the sides are upsized 18-inch wheels and angled body creases that create a perception of speed or motion waves; while in the rear, a black-painted decklid spoiler, Sport badging and a sport muffler capped by a wide, center-mounted chrome exhaust finisher complete the package.

Civic’s  lightweight Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure and rear frame structures, aid in occupant protection while minimizing weight for better fuel efficiency, and the Civic Sport’s angular unibody construction fits within Compact parameters at 177.3 inches long, 54.9 inches high and 70.9 inches wide on a 106.3-inch wheelbase for a curb weight of 2838 lbs. 

Inside, the cabin is packed with high-quality, soft-to-the-touch materials and such convenience features as remote engine start, electronic parking brake, walk away door locking, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and rain-sensing wipers.

The cabin plays into its compact nature and measures a hunched 36.5 inches up front and only 34.5 inches in row two for the coupe. Legroom is comfortable at 42.3 inches in row one and 35.9 inches in the rear seats and shoulder room is 56.9 and 52.6.

The 2019 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe LX and Sport trims are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb.-ft. of torque. Connected to either a 6-speed manual transmission or CVT, EPA fuel economy ratings are 30mpg/city, 41mpg/highway and 34 mpg/combined.

CVT-equipped Civic EX, EX-L and Touring trims are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with peak output of 174 hp and 162 lb.-ft. of torque with top ratings of 32/42/35 for EX and EX-L trims. My week of testing with the 2.0-liter manual averaged 34.4 mpg.

The Civic Sport’s ride is compliant, road-hugging, highway confident, city proud and auto-cross worthy, with decent, but not explosive passing at speed. The attentive six-speed manual kicks in gently and during track tests, we didn’t perform as well with the 2.0-liter as we would have with the turbo -- maybe as much as 2 seconds slower -- but we did finish off a 9-second sprint to 60mph and a 17-second quarter-mile.

The steering is balanced and obedient, with minimal body roll and predictability in hard cornering. The sound insulation really cuts down cabin noise and the stiff suspension levels out most road irregularities.

The 2019 Honda Civic also features a long list of standard active and passive safety features including the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies that includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ incorporating Forward Collision Warning , Lane Keeping Assist System and Road Departure Mitigation incorporating Lane Departure Warning. Additionally, all Honda Civic models receive automatic high beams as part of their Honda Sensing® package.

The 2019 Honda Civic Coupe starts at $20,750 in LX trim, and runs through four trims, topping out at the Touring based at $26,950. My Sport (second trim up) test ride based at $21,550 with the 6-speed manual and 2.0-liter engine.

In cool Tonic Yellow exterior paint (at no extra charge) matched to a Black cloth interior, my test ride added Body Side Molding for $217, Door Edge Guards for $59, all-season floor mats for $155, Automatic-dimming mirror with HomeLink® for $418, and destination and handling charges of $930, for a sticker-as-tested of $23,378.

<I> 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>

 

As Fall Carlisle waived goodbye to its final vendors earlier in the week, the 2019 central Pennsylvania schedule for Carlisle Events concluded.  The five-day event offered a little bit of everything for everyone, including record breaking heat on its first day followed by rain, wind and cold on day two.  By day three, normalcy returned to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds with aisles and vending spaces alike packed with people and all things automotive.

With thousands of vending spaces filled with millions of items, numerous cars in the car corral and many more in the auction, Fall Carlisle proved once again that its historical significance in the automotive world is justified.  Leading up to the event itself, vendors spent days setting up shop by covering the fairgrounds with all types of automotive pieces and parts.  In addition, car owners hoping to move their ride in the car corral lined the area with over 1,000 cars of various makes and models.  With the gates opening Wednesday at 7 a.m., the influx of attendees was non-stop throughout the weekend.

The fairgrounds fun wasn’t the only entertainment option for showgoers.  Auction cars were available for preview at the nearby Carlisle Expo Center too, all while the Carlisle Auctions staff prepared the facility for its prime time showcase Thursday and Friday.  On grounds at Carlisle, the vendor/customer interaction was non-stop as individuals and companies alike offered show-only specials, with deals and discounts to be had everywhere.

As the sun shined down Friday and Saturday, guests also had the chance to enjoy trivia Friday evening, while Saturday played host to the annual vendor appreciation dinner.  The aforementioned auction saw 500+ consignments cross the block, with just over a 50% sell through rate and $3.6 million in total sales.  The top selling auction car was a 1986 Ferrari Testarossa, moving for a cool $88,810.  The top five overall included two Corvettes, a Cadillac and a Buick.  Additional auction information will be presented in the coming days.

With Fall Carlisle in the bag along with its auction, Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions turns its collective attention to Sarasota, Florida and the all-new Sunset-Carlisle two-day auction.  This two-day offering (November 8-9) will feature 400+ consignments coming from a market ripe with classic and collector car enthusiasts.  All the fun in Sarasota starts at 10 a.m. each day.

For complete information on 2019’s Fall Carlisle event including images and the post-event survey, visit www.CarlisleEvents.com.  While online, learn about upcoming 2020 events, special displays, themes and more.  Speaking of 2020, Carlisle Events gets the season up and running January 17-19 with Auto Mania at the Allentown Fairgrounds.