As the world’s largest all-Ford weekend speeds into view, its weekend plan is coming together too. This year’s Carlisle Ford Nationals runs June 2-4 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, is presented by Meguiars and for 2017, has an impressive array of special guests. The guests range from those who currently build cars, those who have built cars and even a TV personality and it’s all happening at Carlisle starting June 2.

2017 guests include Chuck Cantwell, Tom Scarpello, Dean McCann, the Robertson Race Team, Rutledge Wood and more. Each has their own historic piece of Ford’s blue oval and for each, an interaction is free with an event ticket or showfield registration.

Cantwell comes to Carlisle to help celebrate the GT500 Mustang. Cantwell is a former Shelby American Engineer from the 1960s who worked hand-in-hand with Carroll Shelby, Charlie McHose and other legendary names within Ford to create the Shelby GT500. Hired by Shelby himself decades ago, Cantwell served as a project engineer based in Los Angeles. In addition, Cantwell oversaw performance and prototype testing for Shelby’s namesake Mustang. His booking for this year’s event came after a chance encounter at Spring Carlisle in April of 2015 where he was walking the grounds as an enthusiast.

Another great guest is Tom Scarpello. Scarpello is the former SVT Marketing and Sales Manager for Ford and was involved in SVT from its start in 1994 all the way through 2004. During that time, he oversaw numerous SVT vehicles coming onto the market and worked directly with John Colleti, the head of SVT. Some years after leaving Ford to pursue other opportunities, he founded Revology Cars. Revology Cars takes classic Ford Mustangs and integrates modern componentry into them to improve their performance, safety, reliability, comfort and of course efficiency. He’ll be at Carlisle FRIDAY ONLY.

Dean McCann comes to Carlisle to celebrate the E & F Code cars, talk Y Blocks and more. Known as “Mr. Supercharger,” Dean's finger prints were all over the Ford Y-Blocks, Battlebirds and F-Code Supercharged cars of the late 1950's. Dean was also involved in the legendary Ford Tri-Power setup while at Dearborn Steel Tubing and has many stories to tell from this unique time period. He’ll be hosting a Q&A session on Friday and Saturday with topics covering Y-Blocks, F-Code Fords and the Battlebird program.

Not only is the GT500 getting love in 2017, so is the Ford GT. As such, the Robertson Race Team is back with a nice array of Ford’s top super car, the Ford GT. The Robertson’s were instrumental in seeing the GT back to the track at Le Mans and continue to place a key role in the brand’s success.

Last but not least, Rutledge Wood comes to Carlisle. Wood has always had a passion for cars and motorsports, learning the business of buying, restoring and selling vehicles from his father at an early age. He’s worked at Country Music Television, with NASCAR and SPEED TV (now FoxSports1) and beginning in 2015, Wood became a specialty reporter and NASCAR analyst. More recently, he covered the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, the Kentucky Derby and hosted a variety of car-related TV shows. Wood comes to Carlisle with eBay Motors as they travel the country to overhaul a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback. Coming to Carlisle is just one of four stops before the big unveiling at SEMA in November.

Complete event details can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

First launched in 1976, the Honda Accord began as a compact hatchback, moved into the mid-size arena in 1990 and has been a full-size sedan since 2008. Its last full redesign for the 2013 model year was significantly updated last year with mods to the exterior and interior, as well as a host of new technology and safety features. A body upgrade, a major facelift and increased techno capabilities added a sportier and more sophisticated demeanor to Accord, and for 2017, the model remains essentially intact.

Last year’s tweaks included the refined design, a more rigid body and upgraded chassis, along with upsized wheels and tires on select models. Technologically, all 2017 Accords can be equipped with Honda Sensing™ as a standalone option on all trims except Touring, which features Honda Sensing™ as standard equipment. Honda Sensing™ is a comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies.

Accord’s updated exterior styling included replacing the previous wrap-around front bumper with a more sharply creased and intricately structured front fascia, the lower portion of which tucks into large intake-like meshed areas that house LED fog lights. Revised suspension tuning increased road and auto-cross capabilities, and the sedan received a more contoured aluminum hood with deeper sculpted creases and a brighter, more pronounced front grille. The expressive face of Accord is complimented by a sharply carved rear bumper fascia and aggressive LED taillight design.

Available features for 2017, depending on model and trim, include remote engine start, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, rear seat heaters, and a 60/40 split and folding rear seat. The Accord Sedan and Coupe, depending on trim, also feature multiple exterior colors, interior fabrics and décor.

Accord is constructed with Honda's next-generation ACE™ body structure, and presents an aerodynamic and lightweight body, sophisticated suspension design and upscale interior package while offering passenger comfort and ergonomics as well as advanced performance and safety and driver-assistive systems. Its crisp styling is packaged in a length of 192.5 inches, an overall height of 57.7 inches, width of 72.8 inches and a 109.3-inch wheelbase, while weighing in at a curb weight of 3170 lbs. for the base Accord LX, topping out at 3605 lbs. for the Touring trim.

The 2017 Accord Sedan and Coupe are offered with two advanced engines – a direct-injected 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine (offered in regular and Sedan Sport versions), and a 3.5-liter V-6 that is the most powerful engine offered in a Honda sedan. The 2.4 is rated at 185hp and 181 lbs.-ft. of torque with an EPA estimate of 27/city and 36/highway for the sedan. The Sedan Sport adds 4 horses and 1 lb.-ft and loses about 1 mpg. The 3.5-liter produces 278hp and 252 lbs.-ft. of torque and gets an EPA rating of 21/34 for the Touring trim.

My test Accord 3.5-liter was a solid performer on the road, and economically, was in the mid-30s in miles per gallon, but city driving took its toll and I averaged 23.8 mpg overall in mixed-use driving. On the track, good acceleration finished off a zero to 60mph run in 6.2 seconds and a quarter-mile accomplished in 14.6 seconds – more than 1.3 seconds quicker than I ran last year with the smaller engine.

Accord handles well, with predictable steering and very little yaw. Reliable on the road, Accord is a sweet performance ride on the autocross, with little drift during quick turns. For family outings on the highway, Accord’s suspension is family-comfortable.

With seating for five, the interior allows 39.1 inches of front headroom and 37.5 in row two for the Base models, but you lose space with the upscale trims -- Touring only affords 37.6 inches of front headroom and 37.0 in row two. Legroom for all trims is 42.5 in row one and 38.5 for second-row passengers, and shoulder room goes 58.6 and 56.5

The cabin is packed with such amenities as power door locks, power windows with auto-up/down driver's window, tilt and telescopic steering column, USB audio interface, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, speed-sensitive volume control, Maintenance Minder™ system, illuminated power window switches, Smart Entry and Start, Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display and a 160-watt, 6-speaker audio system.

The base 2017 Accord sedan starts at $22,455 for the base LX, with the 2.5-liter 185hp Inline-4 engine and 6-Speed Manual transmission. The automatic adds $800. Seven different trim styles take it all the way up to $34,930 for the Touring trim I tested, with the 278hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and automatic transmission. The Touring trim also comes with Honda Sensing™, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™, continuously variable transmission and 19-inch Alloy Wheels -- wheel upgrades run from $1396 to $2240. In Basque Red Pearl with an Ivory interior, my Accord Touring added body side molding for $225; chrome door trim for $275; sport grille for $399; door visors for $276; a moonroof visor for $129; splash guards for $104; door edge guards for $95; rear bumper appliqué for $71; and door visors for $271. Inside, illuminated door sill trim added $290; interior illumination added $125; a trunk tray was $139 and all-season floor mats were $143. A wireless phone charger system added $290 and destination and handling added $875 for a price-as-tested of $37,981, but a base Accord LX can sticker as low as $24,000.

> 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.

The Carlisle Truck Nationals take place August 4-6, 2017 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, and this annual showcase of all things truck delivers truckloads of family fun (pun intended). Truck weekend at Carlisle is the most family friendly event on the Carlisle Events’ season schedule and provides unmatched levels of energy, entertainment, competition, history and destruction. 2016 was a top 5 all-time show with over 1,700 registered trucks and that momentum carries into 2017.

Many excellent showcases support the event, including the Big Rig Show & Shine and American Truck Historical Society’s annual presentation. For the big rigs, this appeals to many regional guests who are employed in the trucking industry. The Big Rig Show & Shine presents participants in their modern-day rigs, haulers, flat beds, tow and other heavy trucks, plus adds a commanding presence from car haulers and heavy recovery vehicles. For the ATHS, they bring an amazing showcase of antique and classic trucks to Carlisle.

While the showfield is laced with trucks of all sizes and eras, we anticipate the participation in the Big Rig Show and Shine and from our Antique Truck owners to continue wowing truck fans at Carlisle. The Carlisle Truck Nationals will be recognizing 100 years of Ford and Dodge trucks as part of its invitational displays. Applications are currently being accepted from owners of historic trucks.

Featured displays also include classic fire apparatus and a fan built replica of the Optimus Prime truck from the movie Transformers. Family fun welcomes back the Phantom Fun Zone, monster trucks featuring Big Foot and Snakebite as well as Freestyle Motocross exhibitions. There will be live music and competitions too, including frame dragging, burnouts and beauty.

Besides checking out trucks on display, the weekend offers an opportunity to hang out with truck lovers of all types, including truck clubs, truck owners and truck vendors. More than 40 clubs make a weekend of this event, taking an opportunity to recruit new club members, shop the vending areas, enjoy the entertainment schedule and share their passion for trucks of all kinds.

Getting involved is simple too. Owners of light trucks, Jeeps, Vans, SUVs or Big Rigs are all welcome! A showfield pass puts you and a guest in the event and on-site for all three days! Bring your truck, your chair and a pop-up tent to join Carlisle Events for all the action. Daily spectator admission is also available at the gate or online as well as a three-day pass, offering savings off the daily gate prices. Complete event details can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Volvo has launched a new flagship, its all-new midsize luxury sedan, the S90, that replaces the S80 in its lineup. Marketed as a vehicle that celebrates those who follow their own paths, its commercials are set to the inspiring words of American poet, Walt Whitman, and his “Song of The Open Road.”

This subliminal urging to escape the confines of indoor spaces to seek inspiration outside and behind the wheel, is paid off with Volvo luxury, attention to detail, crisp and upscale architecture, and Volvo’s advanced modular product platform – Scalable Product Architecture – that underpins all new Volvo cars in the 90 and 60 Series.

Making a strong first impression, the 2017 S90 has received a car-full of accolades from industry magazine and groups: S90 was a finalist for the 2017 Motor Trend “Car of the Year” and the “2017 North American Car of the Year”; it won the “Roadshow Editor’s Choice Award”, presented by CNET, excelling in multiple areas; it won the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show ) “EyesOn Design Awards” that honor the best production and concept vehicles making their worldwide auto show debut in Detroit; was called “an All-Star” for its “cohesive package of safety, style, sensibility, and supple ride” by the editors of Automobile magazine, and the S90 was awarded Top Safety Pick designation for 2017 by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

The S90 is a premium 4-door, 5-seat flagship sedan that carries the confident face of Volvo’s new design language, along with classic Volvo styling cues. Key features include the iconic “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design, the new grille and Volvo Iron Mark, and the expressive use of the Volvo word mark on the rear.

Measuring 56.8 inches in height, 195.4 inches in length, and 79.5 inches in width, on a 115.8-inch wheelbase, the Volvo S90 is sleek, rounded and elegant with 9-inch 10-spoke Silver Diamond cut alloy wheels, special trim badges, grille and cosmetic elements; color-coordinated door handles with side decor, illumination with Puddle Lights, a Panoramic Moonroof with Power Sunshade; dual integrated tailpipes; retractable mirrors and tire pressure monitoring system.

The lavish cabin adapts design cues utilized in Volvos XC90 model with new details on the dashboard and instrument panel, including new air blades that stand vertically on each side of the Sensus user interface. Measuring a comfortable, but not spacious
38.7 inches of front headroom with 37.8 inches in the rear; legroom of 42.2 inches up front and 35.9 inches for passengers and front shoulder room of 47.5 with 44.9 inches in row two, the cabin is packed with amenities. A brief list of interior niceties includes Keyless entry; Rear Park Assist Camera; 4-Zone Electronic Climate Control; an Automatic CleanZone Function that lets you and your passengers enjoy clean, healthy cabin air and monitors incoming air -- shutting the cabin's air intakes if harmful substances are detected. You also get a 12.3-inch digital driver display; 224-watt High Performance Audio System with tweeters and woofers; Sensus Navigation; Smart Phone Integration; SiriusXM Satellite Radio; Speech Function; Sun Curtain, Rear Side Door Windows and rear window; Nappa Leather upholstery; ventilated and heated front seats; 10-way, Power Front Driver Seat including Driver Seat Memory; Inscription Carpet; Interior High Level Illumination, headlight high-pressure cleaning; and Road Sign In formation that detects various speed limits and road information signs.

Offering two 4-cylinder engine options (and a Plug-in Hybrid model as well), the T5 models use a 2.0-liter Inline four -cylinder turbocharged engine that puts out 250 hp and 250 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA estimate of 34/highway and 23/city. My test T6 AWD powered up with a 2.0-liter In-line four-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged engine that provided 316hp and 295 lbs.-ft. Rated at 31/highway and 22/city, my tests brought in an average of 26.6mpg.

Handing was solid, and road manners were refined, though the suspension was rough at times. S90 was agile, but steering was a bit heavy with minor understeer. Performance-wise, the twin-charged T6 engine was not hesitant and accelerated seamlessly. On the track, a zero-to-60mph sprint was finished off in 5.9 seconds and the quarter-mile was dispatched in 14.4 seconds (hand timed).

Available in four trim options, the S90 T5 Momentum starts at $46,950; the S90 T5 Inscription starts at $49,650; the S90 T6 Momentum starts at $48,100 and my test S90 T6 Inscription based at $58,600. The T8 Hybrid will start at $68,150.

My T6 Inscription added Bright Silver Metallic exterior paint for $595 and was mated to Charcoal Perforated Leather upholstery. A heated steering wheel added $300; the Convenience package added $2250 for a compass in Interior Rear View Mirror, Park Assist Pilot and Front Park Assist, Heated Washer Nozzles, Power Operated Trunklid, 360-degree Surround View Camera, 12 Volt Outlet in Luggage Compartment and Homelink®. Going all out and all upscale, the Luxury Package added $3450 for Nubuck Headliner, Heated Rear Seats, Deluxe Rear Seat Center Armrest and a Backrest Massage. A Graphical Head Up Display added $900 and upmarket sound systems and suspension could have added an additional $4400, but were not on my test vehicle. With destination fees of $995, the sticker as tested was $67,390.


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.

Mazda launched its CX-9 in 2006, as a midsize three-row crossover that laughed in the face of standard SUV boxiness, and offered more carlike handling and a more sculpted look. That first CX-9 shared elements with its Ford brethren, but after 11 years, and now a full season into its second generation, Mazda’s flagship sports-ute stands and rides firmly on its own.

Largely unchanged for the 2017 model year, the mid-trim-level CX-9 Touring adds Smart City Brake Support as a standard feature, an amenity that was previously reserved only for CX-9’s Touring’s available options package as well as Grand Touring and Signature trims. And this year’s model has trimmed down a bit, as my test CX-9 Signature in AWD configuration is 26 pounds lighter with a curbweight of 4301 pounds.

Speaking to the niche’s tech-demanding audience, technology highlights on the CX-9 include an available windshield-projected Active Driving Display; MAZDA CONNECT™ infotainment system with 7-inch or available 8-inch, full-color touchscreen display and voice command; standard rearview camera; Multi-function Commander control; Auto-dimming rearview mirror; Standard Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio; BOSE® 12-speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint® and AudioPilot®.

CX-9’s execution of the Mazda KODO—Soul of Motion design lives through its proportion—a long hood, swept greenhouse, large wheels and short overhangs that convey stability and a contained sense of potential energy. At 199.4 inches long, CX-9 is 1.2 inches shorter than its Gen-1 length, but its wheelbase was stretched 2.2 inches to 115.3 inches, benefiting passenger leg room as well as entry to and exit from the rear. CX-9 carries shorter overhangs on both ends than previous models, as its long hood adds a sense of strength through proportions. CX-9 measures 77.2 inches in width and 67.6 inches in height with a ground clearance of 8.8 inches and curb-to-curb turning circle radius in 19.4 feet.

After being named as a finalist for the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, 2017 World Car of the Year and 2017 World Car Design of the Year, CX-9’s design cues play a role through the KODO architecture concept. CX-9’s exterior flows with a proud front fascia that blends into crisp lines that flow to the rear, a rounded and curvy demeanor and subtle creases. The cabin is ergonomic, thoughtful, high-tech and imbued with upscale inclusions specific to each trim level. The focus of CX-9 continues to be one of being an automotive experience rather than simply another vehicle to get from, place to place.

CX-9’s powertain remains its 2.5-liter inline-4 turbo that delivers 227hp on regular (87-octane) unleaded fuel and 250hp with Premium (93-octane) gas. Torque is 310 lbs.-ft., and the EPA estimate is 20/city, 26/highway in AWD configuration (FWD gets 2mpg better). A week of road tests in mixed-use situations averaged 22.9mpg.

The CX-9 driving experience is marked by responsive steering and a relatively smooth ride on uneven surfaces. Acceleration was steady and predictable, as passing at speed and tackling long uphill grades proved easy tasks. On the track, a zero-to-60mph time of 7.3 seconds and a consistent 15.4-second quarter-mile were fun and stable. Autocross tests showed some top wobble during quick turns, but certainly well within expectations for the niche.

The CX-9 cabin is comfortable, but tight for drivers and passengers over 6-feet tall. Front headroom is 39.3 inches up front without a moonroof, 38.5 in row two and a child-friendly 35.4 inches in row three. Legroom is comfortable at 41.0 in front with 39.4 in row two and a confining 29.7 in row three, and shoulder room comes in at 57.9, 58.1 and 53.1.

The cabin is packed with high-tech and comfort amenities. My test Signature was loaded with such items as Nappa leather-trimmed seats, Auburn-colored interior accents, leather wrapped steering wheel with unique stitching, genuine Rosewood interior trim, power sliding-glass moonroof with sunshade, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated front seats, windshield-projected Active Driving Display, 12-speaker Bose® Centerpoint® 2.0 Surround Sound System with AudioPilot®, SiriusXM Satellite radio, Mazda Navigation System and much more.

Safety items include i-ACTIVSENSE, which provides active safety features such as Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitoring. CX-9 is also outfitted with Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam, Smart City Brake Support, Distance Recognition Support System, Forward Obstruction Warning and Smart Brake Support. And there is also the typical array of airbags, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution with Brake Assist, dynamic stability control and traction control system, a tire pressure monitoring system and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 starts at $31,520 for a front-wheel drive in the Sport trim – AWD starts at $33,320. Touring trim starts at $35,970 (FWD); the Grand Touring trim starts at $40,370 and the new top-of-the-model-line Signature starts at $44,315 for AWD.

My test ride, a CX-9 Signature in Machine Gray Metallic (an extra $300), mated to a Jet Black Mica interior, offered no available major packages as this trim is loaded as is. Mazda Mobile Start (Smartphone-controlled App) added $550 and an Interior Lighting Kit added $350. With a destination fee of $940, my 2017 Mazda CX-9 Signature stickered-as-tested at $45,905.

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.