Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV tries to balance power and efficiency with mild-hybrid V8
The redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLE will get a V8 mild-hybrid powertrain when it launches in the United States later in 2019. The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 makes 483 hp on its own, but can also get a 21 hp electric boost. Mercedes-Benz hasn't disclosed gas mileage figures for the V8 mild-hybrid model.
EV owners may still need to stop at a Chevron station, but not to buy gasoline
EVgo, the operator of a sizable network of electric car charging stations, has partnered with Chevron. Five Chevron stations located in California will install EVgo chargers that electric car owners can pay to use. Using a 100-kw charger channels up to 62 miles of range into an EV's battery in about 15 minutes.
Texas awaits one signature to put a statewide stop to red light cameras
When Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs state House Bill 1631 into law, he will bring a halt to red light cameras in the state. Abbott campaigned against them when he ran for office and Texans assume his signature is a done deal. The central issue in the bill's passage is the presumption of guilt.
Don’t trust Tesla’s new autonomous lane-changing feature, Consumer Reports warns
Consumer Reports warns that last month's Autopilot updates that enabled automatic lane changing may put you at risk of a ticket or accident. Reaction times lagged what a human could do, testers say, and the system cut others off or passed in ways that could violate the law.
Parents will never miss soccer practice with BMW’s new 523-horsepower SUVs
BMW is launching M Performance versions of its biggest SUVs, the X5 and X7. While not full-on M models, they do pack 523-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engines, allowing both SUVs to sprint from zero to 60 mph in under five seconds. BMW will start building the X5 and X7 M Performance variants this summer.
Insiders claim the Tesla Model S nearly became the long-rumored Apple car
Apple offered to buy Tesla in 2013, according to an analyst who spoke to people familiar with the talks. Apple made Tesla a great offer, but the deal fell through when Elon Musk refused to step away from the company he helped found. An Apple takeover remains on the table, according to the same analyst.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup lets you see through trailers — sort of
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck gets a handful of updates for the new model year, including a transparent trailer camera system and a big boost in maximum towing capacity. A diesel engine option for the Chevrolet Silverado is also expected to launch following a delay.
Live out your 007 fantasy with this special edition Aston DBS Superleggera
Aston Martin is releasing a limited-edition DBS Superleggera inspired by the James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Superleggera's ancestor was 007's car in that movie. Aston Martin will build 50 of the special edition cars.
Weighing the risks: The most dangerous cars, trucks, and SUVs in the U.S.
Bigger may not be better or greener, but larger passenger cars are safer than smaller, according to iSeeCars. In its analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) annual report, the fatal accident rate for passenger cars decreases corresponding to size.
Cover your risky riding with Voom’s A.I.-driven insurance for e-rides and drones
On-demand mobility vehicle insurance company Voom wants to protect your assets. An outgrowth of Skywatch, a drone insurance provider, Voom covers user risks for a wide range of short-term mobility platforms. Without liability insurance, an hour riding an e-scooter or piloting a drone could result in financial ruin.
USPS taps self-driving big rigs to move mail between cities
The United States Postal Service is teaming up with autonomous-truck company TuSimple for a trial using its self-driving big rigs to transport mail between depots in Arizona and Texas. With the American Trucking Association forecasting a shortfall in drivers, more and more firms are exploring solutions like this.
2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport uses cameras to spot off-road obstacles
The 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport gets a host of new tech features, including a camera system that shows what's underneath the car. It also gets a mild-hybrid powertrain to improve gas mileage. The 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport goes on sale in the United States this summer.
Many Uber and Lyft vehicles have glaring safety issues, report says
A Consumer Reports survey of roughly 94,000 cars registered with Uber and Lyft in New York City and Seattle found that many had open safety recalls. The rate of open recalls was similar to that of personal cars, however. It's down to the drivers to ensure these recalls are fixed.
Alexa and Google Home-compatible JuicePlan simplifies EV charging at home
JuicePlan, eMotorWerks' new residential electric vehicle (EV) level 2 charging service subscription plan that simplifies EV home charger selection and installation, is now available in parts of California, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. JuicePlan subscriptions start at $19 per month and include installation.
Seat belts will be required in Chevrolet’s new Teen Driver Mode
Seat belts are such a simple technology, yet teens are terrible at wearing them. To curb this tendency, Chevrolet has announced a new safety feature for its Teen Driver Mode that prevents the transmission from leaving Park if seat belts are not engaged.
Bosch sensors used in Skywalker’s lightsaber will keep flying taxis in the air
Bosch wants to help companies make flying taxis a reality. Aviation technology is too big and too expensive to power a flying taxi, so the German firm is developing a universal control unit using smaller, cheaper sensors already used in cars. Bosch believes flying taxis will become common in the 2020s.
With Tesla bleeding money, Elon Musk initiates hardcore spending review
After posting a sizable $700 million loss in the first quarter of 2019, Tesla announced it will review every expense no matter how big or small to keep spending in check. Company CEO Elon Musk will personally approve every 10th expense page. The company's stock briefly dropped below the $200 mark after the news broke.
GM hits reverse with Maven carsharing as it closes service in eight cities
GM-owned Maven will close its carsharing service in nearly half of the 17 North American cities where it currently operates. Competing with the likes of Zipcar and Car2Go, the company said it wants to concentrate on the markets where it has the "strongest current demand and growth potential."
Mercedes-Benz safety-car concept monitors the road ahead and your kids
The Mercedes-Benz Experimental Safety Vehicle 2019 was designed for a world where humans and machines share driving duties. It can use lights to communicate with other road users, and even monitor an infant's vital signs. It's the latest in a long line of Mercedes-Benz safety-car concepts.
Ford aluminum truck beds prove haters wrong, are cheaper to repair than steel
Repair costs were a major concern for truck buyers when Ford launched its aluminum F-150. But insurance data indicates that, if anything, the F-150 may be cheaper to repair than traditional steel trucks. Part of that is due to Ford's thorough training of dealers on aluminum bodywork repairs.
GM thinks up new electronic brain for its cars, allowing over-the-air updates
General Motors is launching a new electrical architecture to support more tech features in its cars. The system debuts on the 2020 Cadillac CT5, and will roll out to most other GM models by 2023. General Motors promises much faster processing speeds and over-the-air updates.
Walmart slashes prices on electric hybrid bicycles for National Bike Month
Electric bikes can be economical, convenient, and fun. Heading into summer, Walmart slashed the prices for two pedal-assist Hyper E-ride Mountain Electric Hybrid Bikes by 40%. Pedal-assist and electric-only bikes and scooters come in many styles, sizes, and price ranges. We found a variety of e-rides for under $1,000.
Semi-autonomous and always available: A peek into the near future of car rental
The world is inexorably moving to an era where personal mobility is connected, shared, electric, and ultimately autonomous. Soon we will see connected rental fleets with a dedicated lane at airports for self-driving cars, where drivers control the car to the airport, and then the empty car drives itself to the rental lot.
Ford gears up to build rugged, capable hybrid trucks and SUVs
Ford is planning to put hybrid powertrains into big trucks and SUVs, and doesn't want to sacrifice things like towing capacity and off-road capability. A new hybrid system may help do that. The system debuts in the 2020 Ford Explorer, and will likely migrate to other vehicles after that.
2020 GMC Sierra sees a bunch of updates, including adaptive cruise
GMC announced updates to its 2020 GMC Sierra half-ton pickup truck, including much-needed adaptive cruise control, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine option, improved towing cameras, and expanded availability of the 10-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan ProPilot 2.0: Hands-off highway driving, here we come
Nissan is launching a new version of its ProPilot Assist system in Japan that's much smarter than the current version. It can handle acceleration, braking, and steering on highways while using a camera to make sure the driver doesn't fall asleep. Nissan will launch the new system in Fall 2019.
Hyundai wants to make sure you’re seeing the outside world, not inhaling it
Hyundai wants to improve the quality of the air you breathe when you're behind the wheel. The South Korean company is developing an intelligent air purification system that continuously monitors the quality of the air inside the cabin, and cleans it when it detects the presence of harmful particulates.
Aston Martin will revive James Bond’s DB5 at a price only Goldfinger can afford
Aston Martin will build 25 new versions of the DB5 from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, complete with gadgets. These "continuation cars" will cost millions of dollars, but won't be road legal. It's Aston's second continuation-car project, after the recent revival of the DB4 GT.
Volvo’s new app walks you through what to do after an accident
Volvo's Accident Advisor sends information on what to do after an accident directly to a driver's smartphone. Drivers can also use it to notify their insurance companies and find a repair shop. Volvo is making Accident Advisor available free of charge on all 2015.5 model year and newer vehicles.
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra keeps an eye on the road even if you’re not looking
Hyundai has again updated the Elantra, one of its most popular and most affordable models. For the 2020 model year, the Elantra receives standard driving aids like lane-keeping assist and forward collision warning. Hyundai also developed a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) that improves efficiency.
Tesla’s recent Model S fires prompt the company to update its battery software
Following three recent Model S incidents where the vehicles caught fire while parked, Tesla has started pushing out an update for Model S and Model X batteries that alters their settings to make them safer. The electric-car maker says it’s continuing to investigate the exact cause of the fires.
The recently revealed McLaren GT is a road trip-ready supercar
The luxury British automaker finally unveiled the McLaren GT, its first-ever grand tourer (GT) model. The ride is intended for the road instead of the racetrack. Here's everything we know.
The 2019 Audi A4 gets a noticeable face-lift, and adds hybrid power
Audi last tweaked the design of the Audi A4 a year ago, making mild changes to the exterior, but there are much larger changes on the way, both inside and out. The latest refresh gives the A4 a sportier, more aggressive appearance, and pushes the fuel economy to nearly 40 mpg.
Mini’s most powerful models to date will make you want to take the long way home
While the original Mini wasn't born to race, it didn't take long for pilots to uncover its potential and place it on the podium. The firm is channeling its performance heritage into performance-oriented, John Cooper Works-badged variants of the Clubman and the Countryman. Both come with a 301-horsepower four-cylinder.