The 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe is an exercise in form-over-function design
Porsche expanded its lineup of SUVs with a swoopier evolution of the Cayenne named Cayenne Coupe. Don't let the name fool you: it still has four doors. It stands out with a fastback-like roofline that's lower than the Cayenne's. The two models share the same high-tech interior and most mechanical parts.
Tesla is being hurt by the trade war more than any other carmaker
Tesla is being hurt by the current trade war far more than other carmakers. The EV maker is feeling the impact because it has the tightest balance sheet and is the most vulnerable to changes in the current structure. Tesla could see the very tight path to profitability disappear before its very eyes.
Motorists in wealthier countries are more likely to go electric, study finds
Motorists who live in Europe's wealthier countries are more likely to buy an electric car, according to a study. Conversely, those who live in poorer nations are less likely to give up gasoline. The study reflects the fact that EVs remain more expensive to build -- consequently, to buy -- than gasoline-powered models.
Hyundai’s new entry-level Venue crossover targets used car buyers
The Hyundai Venue was always intended to be an entry-level model, but Hyundai may be aiming lower than most competitors. The Venue will be priced cheaper enough to compete with used cars, according to a new report. The Venue is Hyundai's seventh crossover, and its smallest.
Hyundai invests $90M in Croatian startup Rimac to build an electric super-hatch
Croatian startup Rimac is attracting the attention and money of big-name automakers. After taking an investment from Porsche, it has announced it will help Hyundai develop an electric super-hatch and a high-performance hydrogen-powered car. Hyundai and Kia have jointly invested about $90 million in Rimac.
This futuristic concept car shows how Citroen envisions road-tripping in 2119
Paris-based Citroen is celebrating its 100th birthday by looking at what the next 100 years have in store. The company unveiled a concept car named 19_19 that explores how road-tripping might change in the coming decades. Electric and semi-autonomous, the 19_19 concept was designed as a living room on wheels.
Lyft is eyeing car rentals for longer trips and weekends away
Although best known for ridesharing, Lyft has recently turned its attention to bike and scootersharing, too. And now it's testing a car rental service in its home city of San Francisco. Customers can use the cars for between one day and two weeks, and reserve extras such as bicycle racks for free.
Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen gave his wife a Polaris Slingshot for Mother’s Day
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen surprised his wife Gianni with a Polaris Slingshot SLR 3-wheeler for Mother's Day. After the birth of their second son Jansen wanted to give her a gift they could both enjoy. After their first ride, Jansen posted, "We took this Polaris Slingshot for a spin and it was a blast."
Range Rover Astronaut Edition lifts off solely for Virgin Galactic customers
Range Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) group announced the Range Rover Astronaut Edition. The only customers who can buy the Astronaut Edition are the 600 people who reserved a space flight with Virgin Galactic, for $250,000 each. The Astronaut Edition has unique interior and exterior design elements.
Faith in superior abilities of machines is key to accepting self-driving cars
Some people love the idea of self-driving cars, while other people find the concept terrifying or creepy. A new survey has revealed the biggest difference between these groups is not how open they are to new technology in general, but whether they believe machines can outperform humans in driving tasks.
Audi touts fast-charging capability of its oft-hyped (and much delayed) e-tron
While you might have trouble actually buying one thanks to the lithium-ion battery shortage, that's not stopping Audi from promoting the fast charging capabilities of the e-tron. Audi says the e-tron can charge to 80% capacity in as little as a half hour.
AAA Survey: Americans lack the full story about EVs, so buying lags interest
An AAA survey of American consumer attitudes about electric-powered vehicles found that even though many expressed interest in them and 16% said they are likely to buy an EV next, few are buying electric vehicles today. The AAA survey data also showed consumers lack knowledge about EVs.
All-electric Birò 02 concept car made from 80% recycled plastics
Design studio Mandalaki introduced the Birò O2, an 80% recycled plastics version of Estrima's Birò 4-wheel, all-electric city car. The two-seater fits in scooter-size parking spaces, and owners can carry the battery into homes or offices for recharging. Estrima and Mandalaki plan sell the Birò O2 starting in July.
City bike or cargo bike: Future-proof Xtracycle RFA ebike adapts to your needs
Oakland-based Xtracycle's RFA (Ready for Anything) pedal-assist ebike solves a common problem when choosing a personal vehicle. Adaptabiity is the RFA ebike's core design concept. Change the RFA's wheelbase and add from a selection of add-on components and you transform the ebike from a sport bike to a utility bike.
The Uber, Lyft strike appears to be a flop, but it might have spooked investors
By all accounts, Wednesday's Uber and Lyft strike wasn't very successful, or well attended, with a handful of picketing drivers showing up in most cities. Where it may have had an effect though is on Wall Street as Uber heads for its IPO on Friday.
Ford’s Survival robot is taking boring tasks out of car manufacturing
Ford's European division has developed a self-driving robot that meanders through its factory in Valencia, Spain. Called Survival, the robot doesn't replace humans; it helps them by performing tasks that are boring or mundane. Ford hopes to build additional examples and deploy them in other factories.
The upcoming BMW M8 is dripping with new performance-focused tech
The BMW M8 will likely be the most luxurious BMW M performance model ever, and one of the most complex. Drivers will be able to adjust the feel of the brakes, and rejigger digital displays to minimize distraction. The BMW M8 will be available in coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe guises.
Workhorse could give a castoff GM factory new life building electric trucks
General Motors could sell an idled Ohio factory to Workhorse Group, a company that specializes in electric vehicles. The factory could go from building compact cars to electric pickup trucks. General Motors ended Chevrolet Cruze production at Lordstown in March.
Leak gives an early sneak peek at Mercedes-AMG’s pocket rocket CLA45
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 was leaked on Mercedes' own German website. A photo of the rear of the sporty four-door appears in an online configurator for the lower-level AMG CLA35 model. Mercedes-AMG is expected to extract more than 400 hp from the CLA45, which is scheduled to debut later this year.
Uber and Lyft drivers are striking all over the globe today. Here’s why
As Uber prepares for its IPO later this week, drivers are sending a clear message that they're unhappy by participating in a planned strike on Wednesday. As a result, there's a good chance that in some areas, using rideshare might be expensive if not very difficult.
Amid concerns about EVs and batteries, Audi returns focus to hydrogen fuel cell
Audi will be the Volkswagen Group's focal point for hydrogen fuel cell technology, according to AutoCar. Audi CEO Bram Schot stated the refocus on h-tron fuel cell development is due to concerns about sufficient battery supplies for electric vehicles. Audi will reveal a hydrogen fuel cell prototype later this year.
An electric highway is now powering delivery trucks in Germany
Heavy-duty trucks powered by electricity from overhead lines are now motoring along a stretch of highway near Frankfurt, Germany. The system, designed by engineering giant Siemens, has already been tested in Sweden and the U.S., but the latest setup covers the longest stretch of road to date.
Lyft taps Waymo for driverless robo-taxi rides in Phoenix
Ridesharing company Lyft is about to begin offering a robo-taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona, thanks to its partnership with autonomous-vehicle specialist Waymo. It'll begin with 10 self-driving vehicles, with Lyft customers able to request rides through the app, in the usual way.
Polestar electric vehicle won’t lose $7,500 tax credit because of Volvo sales
Up to 200,000 buyers of Volvo parent company Geely's Polestar electric vehicle will qualify for $7,500 in tax incentives, quelling fears that Volvo sales in the U.S. would affect that number, If Polestar sales were lumped together with Volvo EV sales, both brands would lose the customer tax credit inducement sooner.
McLaren’s next supercar will focus on comfort as well as performance
The new McLaren GT will be a high-performance car built for long-distance driving. McLaren has made similar promises with other cars, but will the GT be the first to actually pull it off? The McLaren GT will be unveiled May 15, with an on-sale date likely to be announced soon.
Coleen ebike bridges functional performance and luxury design at a premium price
Coleen, a startup French ebike manufacturer, originally unveiled its unisex luxury design ebike at CES 2019 in January. Today Coleen announced it is accepting pre-orders for two editions: Mariniere for maritime-inspired city dwellers and Opale for people who prefer a design that mixes wilderness and urban centers.
Revzilla takes a light saber to its prices on Star Wars motorcycle helmets
Revzilla slashed the prices on Star Wars-licensed motorcycle helmets from HJC and Fox Racing. From HJC's open face, three-quarter style X-Wing Fighter Pilot and Poe Dameron helmets for everyday riding to Fox Racing's Boba Fett Limited Edition racing helmet, Revzilla cut the prices on all helmet categories and styles.
The Italian Job’s Lamborghini Miura is rediscovered after 50 years in hiding
This Lamborghini Miura had 15 seconds of fame in 1969's The Italian Job, then disappeared into anonymity for 50 years. Lamborghini did some sleuthing and rediscovered the Miura's movie star history. The car was one of two used in The Italian Job; the other was destroyed.
Ford designers are dropping their pencils and reaching for VR goggles instead
Ford teamed up with Gravity Sketch to bring virtual reality Co-Creation tech to the world of automotive design. The tool has the potential of speeding up the design process by letting designers on different continents work on the same project. The announcement illustrates an ongoing trend in the auto industry.
This 797-HP Dodge Durango Police SUV is a speeder’s worst nightmare
Dodge stuffed a 797-horsepower Hemi V8 into a Durango Pursuit police SUV. The monster cop car was built for One Lap of America, where entrants drive around to a series of racetracks to compete head-to-head. Dodge is looking to defend its title in the Truck/SUV class.
Amsterdam takes first step toward banning all gas and diesel vehicles
Amsterdam has become the latest city to announce plans to ban gas and diesel vehicles from its streets. The pollution-busting effort will begin next year when it prohibits diesel cars older than 2005 from entering the city, with a ban on all fossil fuel vehicles targeted for 2030.
This 600-horsepower 2019 Shelby GT-S Mustang is the ultimate rental car
Shelby American developed this GT-S Mustang for the Sixt rental car company. Shelby has a long history of building high-performance Mustang rental cars for Hertz, but this is the first time it's worked with another company. The Sixt Mustang rental cars will be available in certain regions this summer.
Hyundai just made the Ioniq Electric better in Europe. Will the U.S. get it?
Hyundai's European division has updated the Ioniq Electric with a bigger battery pack that delivers more range, a more powerful electric motor, design tweaks, and more tech inside. The updates have only been announced for the European-spec model, but American motorists could benefit from them sooner or later.
For 2020, Toyota is finally fixing the Prius Prime’s two biggest downsides
The Toyota Prius is our favorite hybrid car, but it's not perfect by any means. For the 2020 model year, Toyota is fixing two of its biggest downsides by adding a fifth seat, and by making Apple CarPlay standard. There are no mechanical or visual changes to report, so the polarizing Prius still has a 640-mile range.