New Hyundai airbag keeps front passengers from injuring each other during a crash
Hyundai developed an airbag that deploys from the driver's seat to fill the space between the front occupants of a car. The middle airbag will prevent the front passengers from hitting each other during a crash. Hyundai will begin offering this technology on some of its models in 2020, and Kia might, too.
Hyundai, Aptiv form $4 billion joint venture to develop self-driving cars
Hyundai teamed up with Aptiv to form a joint venture that aims to put autonomous cars on the road by 2022. The two firms will begin testing prototypes in 2020, and they hope to sell their technology to other companies -- including rivals -- as soon as possible. The joint venture is a $4 billion project.
Karma Automotive wants to make its cars sound like movie special effects
The 2020 Karma Revero GT will have a unique sound to warn pedestrians that it's coming. Karma is taking advantage of flexibility in regulations that require electric cars and hybrids to emit noises. The Revero GT is a plug-in hybrid, but Karma plans to follow it up with an all-electric model.
Toyota uses hydrogen fuel cells to power one of its Japanese factories
Toyota took components from its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car and used them to make a generator to power one of its factories. If testing goes well, Toyota plans to add hydrogen power at more factories. Toyota is one of the main proponents of hydrogen fuel cells vehicles, which still face many obstacles.
Mercedes-Benz wades into the micromobility fray with its first electric scooter
"These agile, electrically powered scooters are the perfect way to cover short distances quickly and without harming the environment," Mercedes-Benz said in a statement. The new E-Scooter in the Mercedes-Benz EQ brand family was developed in cooperation with the scooter specialist micro. Specs remain under wraps.
Ferdinand Porsche was 100 years ahead of his time with his 1900 hybrid
After all its recent success with hybrids, you might think Porsche had discovered some new technology, but Porsche started with a hybrid way back in 1900. Yes, 1900. Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the company of the same name, was fascinated by electricity even as a teenager.
This auto shop class teaches high schoolers how to make their own electric cars
To revive an ailing auto shop program, high school teacher Ron Grosinger decided to go electric. He launched a class that allows students to convert old clunkers into electric cars. The first car students worked on was a 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet, and things have taken off from there.
Model 3 is the first Tesla electric car to win an IIHS safety award
The Tesla Model 3 was named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+, making it the first Tesla to earn an IIHS safety award. The Tesla Model 3 earned a higher score in IIHS testing than the Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car thanks to better headlights.
Amazon orders 100,000 vans from a company that has never made a car before
Jeff Bezos announced Amazon ordered 100,000 vans from a company that has never built a car before. It bought a fleet of electric vans from startup Rivian, and it plans to deploy them all by 2024 in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint. Details about the deal and the van are still trickling in as of writing.
This 750-hp Chevrolet Camaro is not your average, soul-crushing rental car
Hendrick Motorsports is bringing two limited-edition variants of the Chevrolet Camaro to select Hertz locations across America. The most alluring model is a V8-powered ZL1 upgraded to 750 horsepower thanks to a bigger supercharger. 224 cars will be available to rent starting halfway through October.
Audi balances carsharing, EVs, and sports cars as it prepares for the 2020s
Digital Trends sat down with some of Audi's top executives to learn about how the company sees itself evolving during the 2020s. It will continue to build sports cars -- that's never changing -- but they'll be joined by a bevy of electric vehicles and shared vehicles. Some will even tick all three boxes.
Volkswagen makes it easier for customers to talk to their car via their phone
Volkswagen improved its Car-Net infotainment system for 2020 by adding more features and making it quicker. Smartphone connectivity lets owners lock or unlock their door and check their fuel level, among other functions, by tapping their screen a few times. The company also wants to make in-car Wi-Fi cheaper.
Uber’s new RideCheck feature could turn out to be a lifesaver
Following 12 months of testing, Uber is rolling out its RideCheck feature to all of its riders and drivers across the U.S. RideCheck uses a smartphone's sensors to monitor a vehicle’s movement. If the system detects something is amiss, it will contact the vehicle's occupants to check if everything is OK.
Uber’s self-driving cars head to Dallas, but they’ll be driven in manual mode
Uber is taking its self-driving vehicles to the streets of Dallas, Texas, but they won't be driven in autonomous mode at the start. Instead, its Volvo SUVs will use human drivers to collect data to help it build the high-definition maps that power its self-driving system.
Live out your Mario Kart fantasies on this Norwegian cruise ship
Norwegian Cruise Lines began building go-kart tracks on top of its ships in 2017, and it's preparing to inaugurate the most epic course yet. The two-story, 10-turn speedway will take racers right over the ship's edge. It's on top of a mammoth ship named Encore that will go on its first cruise in November 2019.
Every other U.S. state should follow California’s lead on gig economy laws
With California's gig economy legislation now the law in that state, it's time the rest of the country follows and protects gig economy workers. No regulation sets a bad precedent that other industries might follow, Digital Trends' Ed Oswald argues.
Electric-car drivers may be able to choose their vehicle’s alert sound
If automakers have their way, your next electric car will offer a variety of alert sounds for when the vehicle moves at low speed, instead of just one. The sounds are a safety measure to warn pedestrians of approaching electric cars, which are much quieter than traditional vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz taps into its heritage to build an electric sci-fi hot rod
Mercedes-Benz unveiled a modern interpretation of the 1902 Simplex, one of its most significant prewar cars. Presented as a sculpture, the Vision Simplex concept blends heritage-laced styling cues with futuristic technology, including an infotainment system that knows exactly what the driver needs to see.
Nissan’s Leaf follow-up will become its best-selling electric model
Nissan is preparing to release a futuristic, high-tech electric crossover positioned as a more-spacious alternative to the Leaf. Dealers who have already seen the car said it looks like nothing else on the road, and its interior is unbelievably sleek. It will offer up to 300 miles of driving range and room for five.
United Auto Workers set to strike at General Motors; truck, SUV supply at risk
The United Auto Workers union said that its members at General Motors are set to go on strike as negotiations for a new contract are not going well. The strike may affect the vehicle manufacturer's supply of trucks and SUVs at its dealerships if it lasts more than several weeks.
This company wants to solve the dirty problem with self-driving cars
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors wants your next ridesharing experience to be a bit more hygienic. The company is introducing what it's calling the Wellness Pod that claims to kill about 99.9% of germs in every vehicle by using a UV air sanitizer.
2020 Toyota Prius hybrid finally adds Apple CarPlay compatibility
The 2020 Toyota Prius gets an important feature that was missing from the hybrid's 2019-model-year update: Apple CarPlay. Aside from a new infotainment system that supports CarPlay, Toyota's bestselling hybrid is largely unchanged for the new model year.
Toyota is actively testing a solar-powered Prius to cut the cord
Toyota covered a Prius Prime plug-in hybrid in solar panels in an attempt to stretch its range. Tests showed a maximum range improvement of 35 miles. But high costs mean Toyota likely won't put a solar array like this one into production. A smaller-scale solar roof is currently available from Toyota.
2020 Toyota 4Runner goes off road with more safety and tech features
For an old school SUV, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner has a lot of tech features. The 4Runner already offered a bundle of off-road driving aids, and for 2020 it gets an updated infotainment system and new safety features as well. Toyota now offers both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the 4Runner.
Nissan used its car seat design experience to create these cool gaming chairs
In honor of National Video Games day, Nissan used its experience designing car seats to create three custom gaming chairs for the e-sports crowd. Each chair is inspired by a specific Nissan model. Nissan sketched out chair designs based on the GT-R Nismo, Leaf electric car, and Armada off-roader.
GM recalls 3.4 million pickup trucks and SUVs over faulty brakes
General Motors has voluntarily recalled over 3 million pickup trucks and SUVs due to a brake problem. The faulty brakes can cause drivers to experience a harder brake pedal and an increase in stopping distance which poses a crash risk. Here's how to find out if your vehicle is affected by the recall.
BMW teases hydrogen cars again with fuel cell X5 concept
BMW unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell version of its X5 SUV at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. The automaker plans to build a small batch of similar vehicles in 2022, but hasn't committed to larger-scale production. BMW sees some promise in hydrogen, but is also investing in battery-electric cars.
Ford is done with subscription services, sells Canvas to competitor Fair
Ford is selling its Canvas subscription service to Fair, which operates its own app-based cap subscription service. Canvas started in 2017 and currently has about 3,800 customers in three cities. Other automakers continue to pursue subscription services as an alternative to buying and leasing.
Superwagons, EVs, and autonomous 4x4s wowed us at the Frankfurt Auto Show
Automakers from all over the spectrum show their wildest designs, their most advanced electric cars, and their quickest performance models at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The 2019 event didn't disappoint. Here are the most exhilarating cars Digital Trends spotted while walking around the town-sized convention center.
BMW previews the next 4 Series with a concept car you’ll either love or hate
BMW previewed the next-generation 4 Series at the 2019 Frankfurt Auto Show by introducing a concept called simply 4. It shows a bolder design that differentiates the 4 from the more elegant-looking, four-door 3 Series it's based on. The production variant of the next 4 Series could arrive in 2020.
Watch this Tesla Model S set a lap record at Laguna Seca Raceway
Ahead of an attempt to nab the 4-door EV sedan lap record from the Porsche Taycan at Nürburgring, Tesla has posted a video showing its Model S breaking a similar record at California’s Laguna Seca Raceway. The Model S zipped around the course in 1:36:56, taking the record from a Model 3 drive a few months ago.
Redesigned Land Rover Defender is positively teeming with new tech
Land Rover has been working overtime to bring a fresh kind of tech to the newly redesigned Defender. Land Rover claims that the most in-depth technology redesign in 70 years is coming to America in spring 2020. The new Defender 90 and 110 series vehicles will keep you connected, informed, and entertained.
Electric Mini conquers range anxiety with drive from Munich to Frankfurt
The all-electric 2020 Mini Cooper SE wasn't shipped to the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show -- it was driven there. The 248-mile trip was completed with just one stop to charge, according to Mini. On sale next year, the Cooper SE will be Mini's first mass-produced electric car.
Self-driving cars are an extremely tough problem. This mini-game shows you why
Imagine heading into the office sipping your coffee and reading the paper at 65 miles per hour while Alexa or Google drives your car. Well, put that dream on hold for now. The Washington Post released a very interesting online simulator showcasing how difficult a problem full Level 5 Autonomy truly is.