When Spring Carlisle rolls around each April, for the Carlisle Events staff, it’s the third event of the year. For the 100,000+ guests that pass through the gates of the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, however; it’s opening week of car show season for them. For five days, April 19-23, America’s Automotive Hometown came to life with an international audience, all focused on one thing; the classic and collector car hobby.

Wednesday of event week got it all going, as it has for decades. This day saw many of the vendors finalizing their load in and set up, plus some early wheeling and dealing within the swap meet and car corral. Wednesday also saw many of the 500+ cars that were part of the newly expanded auction roll in to the Carlisle Expo Center in front of a wildly successful auction weekend. In addition to those cars at the auction, the fairgrounds also hosted over 1,000 classics. These gems within the car corral were for sale person to person, with many sales reported throughout the weekend.

Thursday through Saturday really helped solidify Spring Carlisle as one of the premier events of its type in the world. Aisles were packed shoulder to shoulder with guests who spent every available show hour from sun up to sun down picking, purchasing and mingling along the way. Vendor sales were also reported to be brisk and despite some wet weather, spirits remained high all around.

Of course, guests come from all over the world too, including one couple who made it to Carlisle from near Liverpool, England for the first-time ever. Their feelings on the show as first-timers echoed that of those who have been coming for years; WOW!

Spring Carlisle didn’t just offer the standard buying and selling experience either, there were charity angles and educational seminars too. On stage, Steve Mercurio of Pro-Metal Shop in Danville, Pennsylvania hosted FREE metal fabrication sessions, while Folds of Honor brought its Dream Ship to Carlisle to raise awareness and money for families of fallen service members. In addition, via generous monetary and automotive donations, Kathy Hawkins, a local cancer survivor, took in more than $5,000 in donations that will go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

In all, Spring Carlisle was a smashing success and is just the beginning for all that the 2017 season schedule has to offer. More information on the season, including links to buy tickets, register a car or become a vendor can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Model Year 2017 is barely into its halfway point, and some carmakers have already begun springing the 2018s on us. So when you read this review of the 2017 Acura TLX, you may already be watching commercials of the 2018 TLX.

While the 2018 TLX is refreshed with a more aggressive and sporty look inspired by the Acura Precision Concept’s signature diamond pentagon grille, paired with changes to the sedan's stance, proportion, wheels and sheet metal, and there are some high-tech additions, the 2017 TLX is noteworthy in its own right, having earned the Consumers Guide “Best Buy” nod in the Premium Midsize Cars segment.

The TLX journey began 30 years ago as the TL, when cars were given alpha-numeric names that meant something other than just being cool numbers and resonant letters. Launched by Acura in 1996, TL was short for “Touring Luxury.” The midsize luxury sedan became TLX in 2014 – replacing both the TL and TSX.

Still in its first generation, with its facelift beginning for the 2018 model, the 2017 TLX last presented a refreshening in 2015, and only a new palette of colors changes this year -- San Marino Red, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Modern Steel Metallic.

Longer and wider than most of its competition in the small-midsize-luxury segment, the exterior “beak” look is underwhelming, and that figures to become striking in 2018. A blend of sports-sedan athleticism and premium refinement, the exterior design embodies taut body surfaces, dynamically sculpted fender arches, and purposeful character lines in small sports-sedan proportions.

Assembled at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio Auto Plant, TLX is 190.3 inches long, 53.0 inches high and 57.0 inches wide, on a 109.3-inch wheelbase, offering a ground clearance of 5.8 inches.

Inside, the quiet cabin is well-thought-out and offers an abundance of available luxury features and technologies including heated and ventilated front seats, HomeLink®, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, Smart Entry/Push Button Start keyless access system, Acura Navigation System with 3-D view, and AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ with Traffic Rerouting. A 7-inch On Demand Multi-Use Display™ touch screen, located in the center console, controls these and other features, and, with its contextual menus, displays relevant items while minimizing instrument panel clutter. The TLX also features AcuraLink®, Acura's cloud-based connected car system.

Comfortable, but not spacious, TLX provides 37.2 inches of front headroom with 36.7 inches in row two. Legroom is a relaxing 42.6 inches in row one, but a tight 34.5 inches in the rear seats; and shoulder room goes 57.5 and 55.4.


TLX powers up with either of two engine choices designed to merge muscle with acceptable fuel economy. The TLX 2.4-liter inline-4-cylinder engine delivers 206 hp and 182 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA rating of 24/city, 34/highway and 28/combined mpg on Premium Unleaded 91 Octane; and the direct Injection 3.4-liter V-6 provides 290hp and 267 lbs.-ft. of torque for a 21/31/25 estimate on Premium Unleaded 91 Octane. My week of mixed-use driving with the 3.4-liter V-6 averaged 21.6mpg.

The V-6 proved to be refined and predictable, while imparting a gratifying engine purr. Passing at speed and conquering hills and inclines are accomplished effortlessly, though steering was vague at times, and road feel was often loose.

On the track, my TLX with the 3.5 engine mastered a zero-to-60mph sprint in 6.4 seconds (it seemed quicker behind the wheel) while finishing off a 14.8-second quarter-mile.

The 2017 Acura TLX sedan advances Acura's reputation for delivering cutting-edge safety performance with its AcuraWatch™ suite of technologies. The TLX deploys a cooperative monocular camera and millimeter wave radar system that expands both the fidelity and scope of the vehicle's road-sensing capabilities. This fusion of camera and radar technology underpins the TLX's available Collision Mitigation Braking System™, which can provide enhanced car-to-car and car-to-pedestrian collision mitigation, while also enhancing the capabilities of the Adaptive Cruise Control. Crash tests helped TLX earn a perfect five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It also earned a Good rating in the moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength tests and for its head restraints and seats from the IIHS.

The 2017 Acura TLX starts at $32,000 in Front-Wheel-Drive with the 2.4-liter inline-4 engine. The 3.5-liter V-6 gains you 84hp for $3400 -- included with the V-6 engine upgrade are the dynamic Sequential SportShift paddles, an electronic gear selector, 8-way power front passenger seat with lumbar adjustment and the sporty 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. All-Wheel-Drive adds $2200. The Technology Package adds $4050 for rain-sensing windshield wipers, perforated Milano premium leather-trimmed interior, Acura Navigation System with 3-D view, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ with exclusive street and freeway conditions Traffic Rerouting™, Color Multi-Information Display with turn-by-turn guidance, AcuraLink® The Next Generation, ELS Studio® Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, Song By Voice®, HD Radio®, GPS-linked climate control, and such safety additions as Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor. Back-up Sensors add $528, a Decklid Spoiler adds $397 and Body Side Molding adds $259.

With a destination charge of $950, the 2017 TLX as-tested stickered at $43,834, but with the 2018s already being talked up, there may be room to deal.

> 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.

Carlisle Events isn’t just taking baby steps into the tech world for 2017, its sprinting into an all-new world of opportunities. One such opportunity is partnering with a mobile app called MotorCrush. MotorCrush is built for modern performance car enthusiasts, providing an insider view of trending mods, enhancements, restorations and tuning. It’s all happening LIVE, in real-time and offering all the car content you love, sourced from real drivers (not editors).

Downloading MotorCrush for Android or iOS devices offers nothing but the best for its users. Once downloaded, users can show the car community their stuff. Spare no detail because there’s room for it all! The app allows users to check-in to identify where their car is and share it with others nearby, again, doing this is possible live and in real time.

Car owners, lovers and those that are proud of the work they’ve done on cars will love MotorCrush. MotorCrush also allows users to list every modification, tune and part associated with their ride so they can build up some clout and credibility within the community. Better yet, if the MotorCrush user loves showing at car shows or showing off at car meets, the app allows users to connect and spontaneously create a get together. Finally, since gear is gold when it comes to cars, MotorCrush lets users share their wares and find others who are looking for exactly what powers the rides of fellow app users.

“Coming from a tech background, I’d create websites and consult companies about search engine optimization all the time,” said Carlisle Events co-owner Lance Miller. “I was always intrigued by the unique ways to combine my technology passion with my automotive passion,” continued Miller. “MotorCrush is such an amazing app. I believe it'll revolutionize the automotive way of life. It helps connect like-minded individuals within a wonderful hobby. More so, it's a fun way to showcase cars, look at cars, learn what modifications are neat for your car and meet new people! Do yourself a favor, download the MotorCrush app on your mobile phone and play with it. Tell your friends and family, it'll be neat once it becomes a known automotive go-to app. Carlisle Events is proud to be on the leading edge and feel this is a nice start. There's more to come, much more,” concluded Miller.

Download the app today and see what MotorCrush is all about and get involved with Carlisle Events for an event this year too. Register for the showfield or buy a single day ticket by visiting www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855. Either way, get involved today!

Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions host two massive events in April and October; Spring Carlisle and Fall Carlisle respectively. These two events draw a combined 200,000+ guests from around the world and each event hosts a three-day collector car auction, swap meet and car corral. In addition, events like Spring and Fall Carlisle often serve as a fund raiser of sorts for those in need, be it from the sale of items or merchandise on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds or from a consigned/donated vehicle with Carlisle Auctions. For 2017, both Carlisle Auctions and Carlisle Events are teaming to help a central Pennsylvania woman named Kathy Hawkins.

Kathy is a mom and a cancer survivor but prior to January 30, 2008, she was just a mom. On that date, she was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and her life has changed ever since. While she’s still a mom to two teenage boys, she’s much more than that. Upon diagnosis, Kathy was given medicines specific to her case, including an oral chemotherapy pill. That oral chemo pill has helped suppress her cancer.

Though she will always have Leukemia, advances in medicine, including the aforementioned oral treatment are what’s keeping Kathy alive today. To further advancements for others, Kathy has been nominated to run as a candidate in the 2017 Man & Woman of the Year Campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The campaign spans 10 weeks (March 9-May 19) and for every dollar raised, Kathy gets a vote and all money raised goes directly to the LLS. In addition, Kathy has set a goal for $50,000 to establish a grant to be given in honor or memory of someone with leukemia.

So where does Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions fit in? As part of Spring Carlisle 2017, vehicles have been donated for sale via a silent auction style bidding process. This will take place over three days, Wednesday at 7 a.m. through Saturday at 5 p.m. At that point, the top write-in bids will be verified and winners contacted. Their donation is tax deductible and Kathy’s cause is furthered by those who live all things automotive at Spring Carlisle.

While Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions supported this venture, it would not have been made possible without the generous donations of a few locals. William H. Wessel’s Used Cars of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania donated a 2002 Mazda MPV Van, Liberator Performance of Carlisle, Pennsylvania donated a 1977 Porsche 924, while Red Circle Performance Pre-Owned donated a 1995 Honda Accord. All vehicles will be bid on and sold as is, with 100% of the money going to Team Kathy.

Kathy will be on hand Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Carlisle Expo Center and auction to tell her story, thank the dealer donors, accept campaign donations while at the auction and encourage people to bid on the cars at Spring Carlisle positioned on the fairgrounds.

For details on Spring Carlisle, visit www.CarlisleEvents.com, call 717-243-7855 or to learn more about Kathy Hawkins’ campaign, check out www.teamkathyforthecure.com.

What began as a mid-size replacement for Buick’s Century and Regal sedans in 2004 (for the 2005 model year), the 2017 LaCrosse begins its third generation as the Tri-Shield badge’s flagship vehicle.

Fully redesigned in 2010 and upmarketed as a full-size premium sedan, LaCrosse has been redesigned again for 2017 with a striking, all-new demeanor, sophisticated technologies and more-responsive performance. Longer, lower and wider than the previous model, the 2017 LaCrosse is built on a stronger, yet lighter structure. It is about 300 pounds lighter than Gen-Two, thanks largely to the use of press-hardened, high-strength steels, which contributes to greater efficiency and more responsive handling. There is also the introduction of “the new face of Buick,” which is influenced by new grille design with a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color -- red, silver and blue -- Buick Tri-Shield insignia, accented by wing-shaped elements set against darkened waterfall grille bars.

But the new LaCrosse is more than just looks and added tech. The luxury sedan is now powered by a new 3.6-liter V-6 engine paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, featuring Stop/Start and Active Fuel Management. This set-up allows the V-6 to operate as a four-cylinder in many conditions.

Once marketed to the 65-70-year-old audience, Buick’s average customer age has dropped to 59, and LaCrosse hits that target by providing all the quietness and luxury that more experienced drivers require, while trending well with younger purchasers who demand high-tech, connectivity, safety, comfort and power to spare in a luxury package.

Vehicle highlights over four trim ranges include IntelliLink® with a frameless 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay; Android Auto and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot integration (standard on all trims); a remote vehicle starter system and keyless open and start (standard on all trims); high-intensity discharge headlamps and LED signature lighting; LED taillamps, and the Teen Driver feature (standard on all trims) that allows parents to set controls, review driving habits and encourage safe driving habits even when they are not in the vehicle.

The dark finish version of the Buick waterfall grille bisected by a chrome bar with the three-color version of the Buick logo comes boldly at you in an elegant, forward-motion vehicle design that measures 197.5 inches in length, 73.5 inches in width and 57.5 inches in height on a 114.4-inch wheelbase. The La Crosse weighs in at 3840 lbs. curbweight for AWD.

Inside, the exterior elegance is paid off with interior lavishness, comforts, tech and quietness. With available leather, upgraded sound systems, connectivity, wireless charging and climate system, as well as the new lumbar massaging feature on certain trims, LaCrosse delivers what most buyers want in their luxury sedans.

Interior measurements are a bit tight for taller drivers at 38.4 inches of front headroom without sunroof and 37.2 inches in the rear; legroom is comfortable at 42 inches in row one and 40 inches for rear passengers; and shoulder room affords 57.7 inches up front and 55.1 in row two.

Safety is attended to with 10 standard air bags – including two knee air bags for front passengers; standard rear-vision camera; Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator and Safety Alert Seat, as well as several additional available safety packages.

From a power perspective, Buick LaCrosse muscles up with a 3.6-liter V-6 DOHC VVT engine with direct injection that delivers 310 hp and 282 lbs.-ft. of torque. Rated at 20mpg/city and 29mpg/highway for AWD, my test LaCrosse Premium averaged 23.3mpg in mixed-use driving.

On the highway, LaCrosse accelerated smoothly and predictably, handled well, showed minimal torque steer, cornered with aplomb and leveled road imperfections as expected from a luxury sedan.

On the track, the 3.6-liter showed a broad torque curve and finished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 6.2 seconds during a brisk 14.7-second quarter-mile –that’s a half-second faster than my last test ride in a Gen-Two LaCrosse.

Available in four trims, the base LaCrosse starts at $32,990; the LaCrosse Preferred trim adds a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, SiriusXM radio and a cargo net and starts at $36,990; the LaCrosse Essence adds leather-appointed seating, heated front seats, memory settings for two drivers, auto-dimming rearview mirror and articulating headlamps and starts at $38,590; and the top-of-the-line LaCrosse Premium trim adds a heated steering wheel, 4-way lumbar with massage front seats, head-up display, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Safety Alert Seat, and starts at $41,990.

My test Buick LaCrosse Premium added AWD for $2,200; Quicksilver Metallic exterior paint added $395 and was matched to Ebony perforated leather inside; Driver Confidence Package #2 added adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, front automatic braking and front pedestrian detection for $1690; the Sights and Sounds Package added Buick IntelliLink® Radio with Navigation and Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound for $1145; a rear lip spoiler added $415; cool chrome air vents on the front quarter panels added $495; custom molded splash guards added $300; premium carpeted floor mats added $190 and Destination Freight Charges of $925 put the sticker-as-tested at $48,820.

> 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.