Many great companies position their brand name and product lines alongside the Carlisle Events moniker annually as part of its automotive events schedule. That trend continues in the weeks leading up to Spring Carlisle as Carlisle Events is pleased to announce that Extang Corporation will be recognized through its 2018 season as the Official Truck Bed Cover of the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s, Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals, Carlisle Chrysler Nationals and Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores. Their presence will include product offerings and installation opportunities throughout the summer show season as well as an on-site presence with products and a representative.

Extang, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, offers folding, rolling and snapping bed covers as well as accessories available to the light truck market. Their history at Carlisle includes longtime midway partners for Ford and Truck weekend, often visiting with and representing products from their sister company, BedRug. This year’s visit comes with the backing and support of their parent company, Truck Hero, Inc. and now as Carlisle Event’s Official Performance Parts Installer, A&A Auto Stores.

Summer events at Carlisle welcome tens of thousands of guests, with nearly as many registered vehicles. Trucks are a significant percentage of registered vehicles at events like Carlisle’s Ford, Chevrolet and Chrysler Nationals. The Truck Nationals event, where Extang will see a full truck showfield, plays host to nearly two thousand trucks and a significant presence of manufacture and retail vendors as well. Additionally, many of the show cars on those fields come to town under tow by…you guessed it, trucks! This makes Carlisle the perfect home for Extang in 2018 and beyond.

“Extang is excited to be a sponsor with Carlisle Events this summer” noted Steve Kelley, VP of Sales. “I’ve always loved the atmosphere that Carlisle Events creates and the enthusiasts really seem to enjoy talking with our factory sales staff. Partnered with the A&A Auto Stores, we’ll have some great deals too!”
“Extang has supported Carlisle Events for nearly two decades,” noted event manager Ed Scholly. “I have personally worked with their staff for charity truck builds and projects with SEMA’s Light Truck Accessory Alliance. I have also used their products on my own vehicles and have always been satisfied with the quality of Extang’s covers,” continued Scholly. “Truck owners attending shows at Carlisle will have an opportunity to not only secure products but see them installed at the event.” concluded Scholly.

Carlisle Event’s season at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds opens with Spring Carlisle on April 18. Details on the season can be found via social media and www.CarlisleEvents.com. There, guests can get info on the shows, buy tickets, register for an event or make appointments for on-site installs.

As Carlisle Events prepares for its annual Pennsylvania-based schedule and its 2018 season, one annual aspect of event promotion has been missing, the calendar of 2019 dates. After meticulous efforts and review in house, Carlisle Events is pleased to share it’s 2019 schedule, with just one change which is the elimination of the Lakeland, Florida fall show, also known as Fall AutoFest. Despite the fall event dropping off the schedule, the popular winter offering in February remains. Further, Carlisle Events/Carlisle Auctions are looking into options for a stand-alone auction in Florida in November of 2018.

With that said, 2019 kicks off Carlisle Events 45th season in mid-January with Pennsylvania’s “Largest Indoor/Heated Swap Meet;” Auto Mania. The three-day swap meet takes place at the Allentown Fairgrounds and is THE perfect wait to beat the winter blues for east coast car enthusiasts. After that, the second “road event” of the year occurs, Winter Lakeland AutoFest at the SUN ‘n FUN Campus in Florida. This weekend hosts a two-day car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions, a multi-day swap meet and car corral and other great automotive features too.

Fast forward two months and the “home-based” portion of the Carlisle Events schedule kicks off. Every event listed below takes place at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds or neighboring Carlisle Expo Center. Events like the Carlisle Ford Nationals presented by Meguiar’s, Carlisle Chrysler Nationals and Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Corvette America are the largest of their type in the world. In addition, the all-new Carlisle Auctions Summer Sale returns to the June schedule as a stand-alone auction event.

Auto Mania - January 18-20 - Allentown PA Fairgrounds

Winter Florida AutoFest Lakeland - February 22-24 - SUN 'n FUN, Lakeland, FL
(Auction Fri./Sat. by Carlisle Auctions)

Spring Carlisle - April 24-28* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds/Carlisle Expo Center
(Auction Thur./Fri./Sat. by Carlisle Auctions)

Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals - May 17-19* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds

Carlisle Ford Nationals - May 31-June 2* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds

Summer Sale - June 15 - Carlisle Expo Center
(Auction Sat. ONLY by Carlisle Auctions)

Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals - June 21-23* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds
Hurst Nationals - July 12-13* - Carlisle Expo Center

Carlisle Chrysler Nationals - July 12-14* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds

Carlisle Truck Nationals - August. 2-4* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds

Corvettes at Carlisle - August 22-25* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds

Fall Carlisle - October 2-6* - Carlisle PA Fairgrounds/Carlisle Expo Center
(Auction Thur./Fri./Sat. by Carlisle Auctions)

Fall Florida Auction – November
(Auction dates, times and location TBD)

*REAR VIEW MIRROR SUNDAY (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) - Last-minute shopping deals and showfield awards (when applicable).

Complete details about every event and auction backed by Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions can be found by online at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Nissan’s top-selling vehicle, its compact crossover – Rogue – no longer offers a third row, but has added drivers’ assist technology and a bevy of other enhancements for 2018.

Rogue for 2018 adds available ProPILOT Assist technology, which provides assisted steering, braking and accelerating during single-lane highway driving. ProPILOT Assist helps drivers stay centered in the lane, navigate stop-and-go traffic, maintain a set vehicle speed and maintain a set distance to the vehicle ahead. And, it is all done with a simple two-button operation.

Among the other enhancements to the 2018 Rogue are:
• NissanConnect featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ and one additional USB port (inside front center console box) added to all grades
• Standard Motion-Activated Liftgate added to SV grade (in addition to SL grade)
• SL grade adds standard Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Revised Midnight Edition Package (SV grade) with new black front and rear fascia accents, black rear license plate finisher, black V-motion grille, black emblems
• New S Value Package (replaces Appearance Package, late availability)
• SV Sun and Sound Touring Package revised to include Premium Package content
• Revised SV Premium Package with added Intelligent Cruise Control and memory driver's seat and outside mirrors
• Revised SL Platinum Package with ProPILOT Assist (Intelligent Cruise Control with full speed range and hold, steering assist) and electronic parking brake (replaces foot release parking brake)
• Two new exterior colors: Scarlet Ember and Midnight Pine
• As in previous years, Rogue offers passenger and cargo flexibility with its innovative EZ Flex Seating System™ and Divide-N-Hide® Cargo System. The 2018 Rogue is available in three grade levels: S, SV and SL.

Assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, utilizes corrosion-resistant and high-strength steel for its unibody chassis and with mid-size crossover dimensions, Rogue measures 184.5 inches long; 72.4 inches wide and 66.6 inches high on a 106.5-inch wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 8.2 inches (AWD) and curbweight for the AWD in SV trim is 3614 lbs.

Rogue’s refined interior presents a premium look and feel, and is enhanced with a D-shaped steering wheel and leather-booted sport-mode shifter, available heated steering wheel, memory for driver's seats and mirror, and remote engine start.

While thick rear roof pillars create a large blindspot, and the side curtain airbags limit headroom for second-row passengers, Rogue’s cabin is spacious for a midsize SUV at 41.6 inches of front headroom, 38.5 inches in row two. Interior legroom is roomy in front at 43.0 inches for row one and comfortable in row two at 37.9 inches. Shoulder room is 56.6 in row one and 55.9 and 49.3 in row two.

Rogue’s standard power source remains its 170-horsepower, 175 lbs.-ft. of torque, transverse 2.5-liter inline-4-cylinder DOHC engine, mated to an Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission) with standard Sport Mode and Eco switches. With an EPA rating of 25/city, 32/highway and 28/overall, my week of mixed-use testing yielded an average of 26.0mpg. On the road, acceleration is sluggish, but steady. Uphill grades and passing at speed require strategy and perseverance, and the electric power-assisted power assisted rack-and-pinion steering was often heavy. On the track, the 0-60mph time was 9.3 seconds, and a quarter-mile was a 17.3-second journey.

Independent strut front suspension with coil springs and an independent multi-link rear provide a firm on-road feel, as Rogue may not be suited for severe off-road challenges.

Earning top marks in safety, Rogue Safety Shield technologies include radar-based Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Additionally, Rogue is constructed with zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones; energy-absorbing steering column; hood-buckling creases and safety stops; body side reinforcements; shift interlock system; vehicle security system; vehicle dynamic control and traction control system.

The 2018 Nissan Rogue starts at $24,800 for the base S trim in FWD and $26,150 for AWD. The SV with all-wheel-drive started at $27,370. The SV trim adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Nissan Intelligent Key® with push button ignition, blind spot warning , rear cross traffic alert, dual zone automatic temperature control and a 6-way power driver's seat to the base S. The Midnight Edition in Black with special cosmetics is priced at $28,465 and the upper-scale Rogue SL I tested starts at $32,250 in AWD and gains Nissan Door to Door Navigation with Premium Traffic, Intelligent Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Leather-appointed seats.

My Monarch Orange test 2018 Rogue SL (premium color that added $395) added a power panoramic moonroof and LED headlights with the SL Premium Package for $1820. The SL Platinum Package, for $790, added 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Cruise control and Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection. The standard Charcoal Leather seats were upgraded to a Premium Tan-appointed seating look with special quilted leather inserts as part of the Platinum Reserve Interior Package, for $250.

Four splash guards added $160; roof rail crossbars were $355 and a chrome rear bumper protector was $155. Adding destination and handling charges of $975, my 2018 Rogue SL-as-tested came in at $36,080.

> 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 purchased the former IAC/Masland/Leer property in the fall of 2010. This massive footprint sat less than 1 mile from the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, home of the largest classic and collector car events in the world. At the time, the purchase was consummated to assure sustainability for the company going forward. Taking possession of parking was THE main factor, as it was unknown at the time what would become of the IAC facility and its vast landscape if purchased by someone else. It was always known that something bigger and better would rise from the ashes of the devastating fire that brought the historic complex to the ground in 2012. Today, those plans are revealed in detail!

Carlisle Events, Carlisle Auctions, the Miller families, Galbraith Pre-Design and NAI/CIR are pleased to announce the Concours at Carlisle. Not only is the Concours at Carlisle going to offer something new and unique to the north end of Carlisle, it’ll also be an event sponsor of Carlisle Auctions’ Spring Carlisle offering from April 19-21 at the Carlisle Expo Center. In addition, they are coming on board as a season-long sponsor for all other Pennsylvania based events on the Carlisle schedule.

Live where you play and play where you live; that’s the lifestyle afforded to residents of the Concours at Carlisle. The facility will be unlike anything in the region as it’ll be Pennsylvania’s first community of luxury auto collector condos. In short, this means having a layout ideal for a distinguished car enthusiast and the ability to come home to a spacious, climate-controlled garage with an interior mezzanine that overlooks the treasures within. In addition, home owners will be able to custom design their interior to best fit their interests from a personal and automotive stand point.

The facility will ultimately best serve the car collecting community while concurrently improving the Carlisle area; to this end, the Concours at Carlisle was conceived. Along with its conception came the partnership with Carlisle Auctions. Guests of the three-day auction can expect to see multiple levels of branding and representation from the Galbraith group. They’ll be on-site to take pre-orders for units, showcase renderings and answer any questions the 100,000+ guests from around the world who converge on Carlisle might have. Not only will they be at the Carlisle Expo Center, they’ll be within Guest Services of the Carlisle Fairgrounds for this event and many more on the season schedule.

“What better place than ‘CAR’lisle to have luxury car condos,” said Carlisle Events co-owners Bill and Lance Miller (no relation).

“Many people, including my wife, don’t totally understand the passion behind someone so entrenched within the automotive hobby that they’d buy such a place,” continued Lance Miller. “I often wonder myself, why do I enjoy the car hobby so much? Events like the ones we host in Carlisle showcase how car crazy people are and it’s not only because of the car but more importantly, it’s about the likeminded people behind the wheel of the car. I’m grateful for what my father and Bill created in 1974 and how that allows me and so many others to be a part of the hobby day in and day out, noted Miller (Lance).

“The upcoming luxury car condos will be an amazing addition to the Carlisle community and for all car lovers alike,” continued Miller (Bill). “It’s great that they will be locally built as well. Known as the Concours at Carlisle, this great facility will offer lifestyle living at its finest and not only is my wife Peggy and I excited to secure a unit, we know Lance and his wife Michelle are too. We can’t wait to see it all come together.”

“The Concours at Carlisle is an exciting opportunity for car enthusiasts and collectors to be part of an auto condo community which is the first of its kind in the northeast United States, noted Mark Galbraith, co-owner of Galbraith Pre-Design, Inc. “Having a conditioned and secured place to house one’s collection, as well as reside either full or part-time, gives collectors many options when visiting shows and auctions in the region. An exclusive community like this, in partnership with Carlisle Auctions and the Miller families, promises to enhance the collector car scene and experience in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; an experience limited (until now) to collectors in large metropolitan areas or racing communities,” continued Galbraith. “Being Carlisle natives with a rich history of development and construction in the region, we are proud to have teamed up with another Carlisle institution – Carlisle Auctions.”

Spring Carlisle and its partner auction get underway April 18. The five-day event spans April 18-22, with the auction running April 19-21. Complete details about Spring Carlisle, the auction and this awesome new lifestyle community that’s planned for Carlisle, Pennsylvania can be found online at www.CarlisleAuctions.com.

A derivative of “the truck that won WWII,” the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler upgrades in its 4th generation, with a modern design that stays true to the original, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains and more open-air options. And it is loaded with safety features and advanced technology.

Based on the nostalgic military Willys Jeep of 1941, the Jeep Wrangler has been an off-road enthusiasts’ favorite since 1986. A compact four-wheel-drive multi-purpose vehicle, Wrangler debuted in 1986 as a progression of the Jeep CJ-7, was revised in 1996, and last completely redesigned in 2006.

Wrangler has been presented in numerous trims, models and cosmetics with such badge names as: Islander, Renegade, Sahara, Apex, Columbia, Freedom, Golden Eagle, Rocky Mountain, TJ, Unlimited and the Rubicon Tomb Raider. But one of the more popular end enduring treatments has been the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, which debuted for the 2003 model year, and which I tested this year.

Built in Toledo Supplier Park, Toledo, Ohio, the multipurpose vehicle is laid out with a longitudinal front engine, four-wheel drive set-up on a ladder-type frame with an open steel and aluminum body.

Its instantly recognizable keystone-shaped grille pays homage to Jeep® CJ models, and the new 4th-Gen Wrangler subtly improves on the classic rugged exterior with design tweaks that afford up to 30 inches of water fording while improving its aerodynamics. The redesign adds about 2.8 inches in length for the 2-door and 3.8 inches for the 4-door, on a longer wheelbase (1.4 inches longer for the 2-door and 2.4 for the 4-door model). Width has been widened by 0.2 inches and the track is wider by 2.5 inches. Yet with the size gain, Wrangler’s redesigned frame has helped shed 200 lbs. off its previous-generation curbweight.

Wrangler’s 118.4-inch wheelbase (for the 4-door -- 96.8 inches for the 2-door model) accommodates 188.4 inches in length (for the 4-door -- 166.8 inches for the 2-door), 73.8 inches in width and 73.6 inches in height. My Rubicon trim had a ground clearance of 10.8 inches and a curb weight of 4455 lbs. (for the 4-door -- 4145 lbs for the 2-door).

Jeep Wrangler’s interior combines authentic styling, versatility, comfort and intuitiveness. Precision craftsmanship and high-quality materials are found throughout the cabin, and the heritage-inspired center stack features a clean, sculpted form that complements the horizontal dashboard design and sports a finish dictated by the model choice. The cabin is packed with infotainment and ergonomic controls as well as more than 75 available safety features.

Roomy inside for front row driver and passenger, and somewhat tighter for second row travelers, headroom was 42.6 inches up front with the soft top and 38.3 inches in the rear; legroom was 41.2 inches in row one and 38.3 in row two; and shoulder room was 55.7 inches in both rows.

Rubicon offers three engine choices: the 3.6-liter V-6 manual rated at 285hp and 260 lbs.-ft of torque and 17mpg/city and 23mpg/highway, 3.6 V-6 with 8-speed automatic trans rated at 285hp and 260 lbs.-ft of torque and 18mpg/city and 23mpg/highway, 2.0-liter I-4 turbo with 8-speed automatic rated at 270hp and 295 lbs-ft. of torque (unrated in fuel consumption at the time of the test).

On road or off-road, Rubicon performs. The solid axle front suspension with link coil, leading arms, track bar, coil springs and stabilizer bar works with a solid axle rear, link coil, trailing arms, track bar, coil springs and stabilizer bar for a comfortable ride on the highway while attacking potholes, road ruts and off road obstacles. Low-end torque prevails over hill climbs, mud, snow and trails, and acceleration is solid for highway passing and off-the line fun. The steering is tight and attentive, and while not an auto-cross star, it is fine for in-town maneuvers and fun for tree and brush skirting.

I tested the Wrangler Rubicion with the 3.6 automatic and averaged 22.6mpg and my track tests showed an 8.7-second zero-to-60mph sprint and a 16.7-second quarter-mile.

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler starts at $23,995 for the JK Sport 4x4 2-door with the 3.6 engine and moves through 10 trims (Sports S, Willys Wheeler, Golden Eagle, Freedom Edition, Willys Wheeler W, Sahara, Altitude, Rubicon and Rubicon Recon) with additional variations on each trim, to a high base of $42,945.

My Firecracker Red Rubicon test Jeep 4-door based at $41,690 with a manual V-6. The 8-speed automatic adds $2,000, though I think the manual is much more fun and gives more control along with the cost saving. The Cold Weather Group option adds $895 for heated front seats, heated steering wheel and remote start; the Electronic Infotainment System Group adds $1495 for an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Alpine® Premium Audio System, GPS navigation, HD Radio® and auto-dimming rear view mirror; the Dual Top Group which provides both a Black Freedom Top® 3-Piece Hard Top and a Premium Black Sunrider® Soft Top for Dual Top, added $2195; the Jeep® Active Safety Group added $895 for Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection, Parke Sense® Rear Park Assist and LED Tail Lamps; and All-weather floor mats added $130. My test ride had black cloth seats – leather trim would have added $1400. With Destination Charges of $1195, my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon stickered at $49,300.

> 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.