What Is Electronic Stability Control and How Does it Actually Work?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’ve all had it happen. Rainy night, headlights barely cutting through the haze, when suddenly you’re facing the headlights of the car behind. Odds are, despite the panic and intensity of the moment, you managed to look like a drift hero and save yourself a trip to the body shop. Odds are even better you saw the dash light up like a Christmas tree when it happened. That light was your car telling you the stability control saved the car, and maybe not you. It’s also one of the most important aspects of car safety today.

What on earth is stability control?

A Jaguar E-Type gets loose | Michael Cole via Getty Images

Stability control has been around since the mid-90s, and the world is better for it. In layman’s terms, it’s a series of electronic systems that tells the computer in your car, called the ECU, when you might be having a massive accident. These systems rely on a series of wires that run to and from the brakes, wheels, and other points in the car; where they monitor pitch and roll.

Said wires will detect which wheels are slipping and when, and add or remove power to keep you pointed straight ahead. These sensors will also detect how much pitch (up and down) and roll (side to side) is occurring in the car at a point in time. It’s a helpful trick to have, but stability control should never be more than a backup. If you want to avoid getting unintentionally, a good set of rubber is the best thing for it.

What about traction control?

An orange Mclaren Arrow Indy Car does a burnout.
The Mclaren Arrow Indy Car sans traction control | Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images

RELATED: Are More Expensive Tires Actually Better?

But how does a car get to a point where stability control is needed? Simply put, that means there’s wheel slippage in one direction or another. Wouldn’t it be helpful if there were also a way to detect said slip as it was happening? That’s where traction control comes in. Traction control, or TCS, as it is often called, detects wheel spin and nothing else, unlike stability control.

Traction control is what you feel when trying to get going on a snowy hill. If the vehicle detects wheels a-spinning, the car will cut power by X% to those wheels until they have more traction, then get you going. Safety systems like TCS are also pretty useful in sports cars. There it helps to reign in the absurd amount of power in cars like the Mclaren 765LT; a near 800 hp car MotorTrend called “fast”.

Should you turn these systems off?

Ken Block drifts his Ford WRC car on a dirt road in Mexico
Sideways royalty Ken Block in Mexico | Massimo Bettiol via Getty Images

In a word, NO. Do not turn TCS or stability control off in any situation unless on a closed course. Even then, it’s best to be certain you know what to do before you get sideways. Plenty of racing schools will show you how, so keep it off the street; there’s a reason that car you saw at Cars and Coffee went into a guardrail. Don’t be that guy. However, should you know what to do, it’s hard to have more fun in a car on a closed course. Just make sure not to end up on YouTube.

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2021 Dodge Charger R/T – Impressive Speed Within Reach

by Gabrielle DeSantis

From the powerful Challengers to the beefy Chargers, it’s clear Dodge knows how to deliver fast and fun in a stylish package. But the 2021 Dodge Charger R/T is impressive in another area, according to a recent ‘best-of’ list. This car proves top-notch speed is well within the reach of those with even the most modest of budgets. And, it makes the Dodge Charger one of the best value propositions yet this year, especially if sporty cars with reasonable MSRPs are a priority for you.

The list of fastest sports cars on a budget

U.S. News assembled a list of cars that some are saying allows you to have your favorite cake and eat it too. This roster features sweet rides that provide incredible driving experiences, as well as affordable price tags. These thrilling cars embody fun and performance in a way that allows the impressive speed to be within reach.

Some are sports car sedans. Others are hatchbacks. And one car earning strong scores on this list is no surprise to Dodge fans. The 2021 Dodge Charger R/T is a top contender for speed on a budget.

How the 2021 Dodge Charger R/T ranks

With an impressive overall score of 7.8 out of 10, the 2021 Dodge Charger R/T brings above-average performance to the table. These U.S. News evaluations look at everything from safety and performance to infotainment and tech. So, achieving such a score indicates the Dodge Charger is a decent offering overall.

And knowing you can get 370 hp for $37,245 makes the prospect of owning one of these Chargers even more appealing. In this report, the critics say the Dodge Charger might just be the most affordable way to own serious V8 power.

Impressive speed doesn’t have to be expensive

The 2021 Dodge Charger comes with a worthwhile V6 with 292 hp as standard. But bumping up to the 5.7-liter V8 R/T is really where you feel the power. Add in the beefier wheels, road-hungry exterior design, and high-performance suspension, and you’ll almost forget you’re driving a practical sedan with a roomy back seat and spacious trunk. It also proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a fast car.

Car and Driver calls the Dodge Charger “surprisingly athletic” and compliments its ability to still feel “cool.” The V8 engines bring the noise that muscle car enthusiasts love too. But even with the impressive performance specs and available equipment, even Car and Driver says this sedan’s allure may just be its affordable pricing.

Other perks to expect with the 2021 Dodge Charger R/T

The 2019 Dodge Charger | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Speed and price aren’t the only value propositions with a 2021 Dodge Charger R/T. Edmunds points out the wide range of available trims, packages, and options, making it easy to configure the Charger that fits every need a buyer might have.

Choose from six trims, including the SXT, the GT, the R/T, Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, and the SRT Hellcat Redeye. And with five available engine configurations, your Charger can be as aggressive as you want. You can spend as little as $30,570 or almost $80,000, equipping your Dodge Charger precisely to your preferences. 

When you’re ready to take the next car buying step in owning your very own sports car, you should test-drive the 2021 Dodge Charger R/T. Get a feel of true muscle first-hand and see why enthusiasts are so loyal to this car. You’ll enjoy the practicality of a sedan, harness the strength of a sports car, and still have money in the bank. 

RELATED: The 2021 Dodge Charger Has a Dramatic New Gold Trim

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2022 Volkswagen Taos: You’ll Pay Up to $900 Extra for These Advanced Safety Features

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Volkswagen is on the verge of introducing a brand-new vehicle to their line-up. It’s named the newcomer the Volkswagen Taos, which also happens to be the name of a giant automaton that’s found in Greek mythology. While the automaton the vehicle is named after might be a giant, the VW Taos isn’t; in fact, some people have even gotten into the habit of calling it a baby Volkswagen Tiguan. 

Early reports indicate that the VW Taos will be small but comfortable, reasonably priced, and for a little extra money, equipped with some advanced safety features. 

What is the Volkswagen Taos?

If you are mourning the fact that VW discontinued the Golf, you should take a hard look at the 2022 Volkswagen Taos. While it’s not an exact match for the Golf, it looks like it will help fill the Golf-sized hole in your heart. 

When it finally starts to hit the dealerships, the VW Taos will mark VW’s fourth brand new SUV in four years. Beware, this is a compact SUV, with just two rows of seats. It’s only 64 inches tall and 175 inches long. Despite the vehicle’s small size, Forbes described the interior as both “roomy and functional.”

Car and Driver reports that the Taos will be equipped with a gas-sipping 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that provides the vehicle with 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. There will be both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. Standard versions of the vehicle will be equipped with 17-inch wheels, but folks who live in snowier climates have the option of 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. 

The vehicle looks like it will be a good choice for drivers who are interested in an economical vehicle that will work as a daily commuter, that has enough space to schlepp a few dogs to competitions, or as a vehicle to run errands in.

The Volkswagen Taos and its advanced safety features

Safety is a major concern for some drivers. They want to know that if the worst does happen and they get into an accident, that the vehicle they’re in will protect them. Not only does this provide the driver (and their passengers) with some peace of mind, but it can also lead to lower insurance premiums.

Safety ratings haven’t yet been released for the 2022 Taos, but we do know a bit about the type of safety features you can expect to find in the vehicle. As long as you stick to the Taos SE trim or better, you will enough forward-collision warning, automated emergency brakes, and blind-spot monitoring which come standard on the SE. 

MotorTrend reports that for an additional $895, you can get the optional IQ Drive active safety feature which includes things like lane keep assist, emergency assist, and adaptive cruise control. If you want the IQ Drive package on a Taos S model, you’ll have to pay about $100 more.

Purchasing a 2022 VW Taos

If you’re thinking about purchasing a 2022 VW Taos, you shouldn’t panic when you check out how poorly Consumer Reports has rated the vehicle for predicted reliability. The Taos isn’t available for sale yet, so Consumer Reports is simply predicting how happy people will be with the vehicle. Based on the positive reviews many test drivers have posted and VW’s reputation, it’s likely that you’ll be very happy with a 2022 VW Taos.

What is far more encouraging is what Consumer Reports wrote following the road test. “The Taos sounds like it offers a lot in a small package, and it should have special appeal to buyers, including city dwellers who prize entertainment features, safety tech, and interior volume in an easy-to-park package.”

If you’re interested in purchasing a 2022 VW Taos, you’ll have to wait. While no official release date had been mentioned, many don’t expect the vehicle to become available until late summer or even this fall. Once it does start hitting dealer’s lots, you should expect to pay between $22,995 and $33,045 for the subcompact SUV.

RELATED: Who Should Buy the 2022 Volkswagen Taos?

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T-Pain Is Busy Drifting A Nissan Silvia S14.5, BMW E46, and Mustang

by Gabrielle DeSantis

T-Pain is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and drifter? You heard it right, kids. Your favorite rapper from high school has gotten into the driving game, and we don’t hate it. T-Pain has a Nissan Silvia S14.5 and a BMW E46 to drift for his Nappy Boy Drift Team. On top of that, he just picked up a custom Mustang build from one of the biggest names in drifting. Is the name of the song “I’m N Luv with a drifter”?

T-Pain’s ‘Pickle Rick’ Nissan Silvia S14.5

When designing his car, T-Pain decided to pay homage to Rick Sanchez from the Adult Swim hit show, Rick and Morty. Rick turned himself into a pickle to avoid growing up (or something like that). Thus, the Pickle Rick S14 was born. It is basically a green 240 with a face on the front, but what’s not to love?

That back wing says “LOOK AT ME!” and it is hard not to. Midnight Wraps in Atlanta apparently wrapped the car with Morty’s face on the hood. T-Pain and the Pickle Rick 240 headed off to Road Atlanta for Gridlife right after the car was done. And you know what? T-Pain is a pretty good drifter.

Nappy Boy Drift Team was most recently at Formula Drift Atlanta hanging out. Sometimes T-Pain is behind the wheel; sometimes, he is just hanging out taking photos with fans. But his cars always steal the show when he does show up. But that’s not all; the BMW E46 is next up.

T-Pain’s drift ready purple BMW E46

T-Pain’s other car, a purple and gold BMW E46, is also set up for drifting. The convertible BMW has been in the works since 2020 but is set up and running now. Of course, that’s not all T-Pain has in the driveway. He’s also got a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe wrapped in iridescent purple. There’s a white and orange Honda Accord and a grey Cadillac Escalade.

A while back, T-Pain put out a call for some sweet drift cars in Miami, Florida. The boys from Drift HQ up in Southwest Florida were happy to oblige. You can see the Drift HQ Java Green Metallic E46 M3 with a 2JZ, another E36 M3, an S14, Formula Drift PROSPEC Driver Alex Schlagel’s S13 convertible, and other cars happily drifting around T-Pain. At the same time, he raps in the middle of the cars with a lot of smoke. You can watch all of this in the Getcha Roll On ft. Tory Lanez music video above.

Not to mention a custom Mustang from Vaughn Gittin Jr

Vaughn Gittin Jr. is a name synonymous with Formula Drift and drifting in general. You can find him drifting in his own Mustang on Pro race days. You can also find T-Pain and his team out at local events and even on the Formula Drift ProSpec circuit this year. Additionally, T-Pain’s #TPainC137 Mustang build is in the new Assetto Corsa video game. You can see the car above when he picked it up from RTR Vehicles.

So basically, T-Pain and his Nissan Silvia S14.5, BMW E46, and Mustang are out there living their best life. He probably isn’t done building cars, and whatever is next is bound to be pretty cool. He might not Buy U a Drank at the event, but he’ll probably take a photo with you.

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