Aptiv releases massive self-driving car data set, aiming to boost safety research
Aptiv and its NuTonomy division are releasing a data set from self-driving car sensors in order to aid research. Data comes from real-world testing of self-driving cars in Boston and Singapore. Aptiv claims this is the largest dataset of its kind to be made available to the public.
Ford wants the 2020 Explorer to be a place for drivers to digitally detox
The 2020 Ford Explorer gets a "mindful mode" for its 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, stripping away all information except the speed and fuel readouts. Ford believes this will help improve drivers' state of mind. The 2020 Ford Explorer goes on sale this summer.
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG A35 is a gateway to the world of sport sedans
Mercedes-AMG has released a quicker evolution of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan. Named A35, it receives a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine rated at 302 horsepower, and an available Track Pace app that speed-craving motorists will love. The Mercedes-AMG A35 will go on sale in time for the 2020 model year.
No splicing, no drilling: Garmin’s BC 40 camera wirelessly helps you back up
Garmin has released the BC 40, its first wireless rear-view camera. Powered by a pair of AA batteries, the device attaches to your car's rear license plate and transfers footage to a compatible, Wi-Fi-enabled navigator. The navigator is not included in the price, so motorists will need to spend at least $380.
Uber expands its low-cost Ride Pass program to 17 more cities
Uber launched its money-saving Ride Pass program in five cities in October 2018. This week the company is rolling it out to 17 additional locations, offering riders savings of up to 15 percent per trip for a monthly fee, making it a tempting option for regular users of the ridesharing service.
The Hudway Drive head-up display brings 21st-century tech to any type of car
Hudway, a California-based firm specializing in head-up displays, has released a device named Drive that brings 21st-century connectivity to any type of car. The Drive sits on your dashboard and places navigation directions, messaging notifications, and other information right in your line of sight.
Audi isn’t giving up on sedans as it pivots towards electrification
Audi wants to release no less than 12 electric cars by 2025. Most of them will be SUVs and crossovers, but the company still believes in sedans. It's working on an A4-sized, battery-powered four-door expected to come out by 2023. The yet-unnamed model will join at least four other EVs in Audi showrooms.
Domino’s in-car infotainment app lets you order pizza on the drive home
Another day, another way to order a pizza at Domino's. As part of its quest to prevent you from getting through an entire day without ordering one of its greasy wheels, the company has now teamed up with vehicle software company Xevo on an app that lets you order pie via your car's infotainment system.
Recall bounty hunters needed as millions ignore deadly Takata airbag recall
It's a recall campaign from hell and too many people aren't responding. Toyota Motor North America and Carma Project want to give financial rewards to people who alert family and friends to the deadly Takata airbag recall by using word-of-mouth notifications as a game to incentivize people.
Is this electric car startup the next Tesla, or will it go the way of Coda?
The electric car startup formerly known as EVelozcity has changed its name to Canoo. It also announced a lineup of four cars including a commuter-friendly model and a lifestyle-oriented car. Its first electric vehicles will begin to appear in 2021, and they'll be distributed through a subscription service.
Tesla Model 3 vulnerability exposed at Pwn2Own; hackers take home the car
A Tesla Model 3 vulnerability was exposed at the Pwn2Own hacking competition, which is run by Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative. The hackers, who were able to display a message on the electric vehicle's internet browser through a JIT bug in the renderer, won $35,000 and took home the car.
Tesla ends scheduled servicing because electric cars need less maintenance
Tesla will longer offer scheduled maintenance plans, switching to an "as needed" model. This reflects the fact that electric cars need less regular maintenance than gasoline or diesel cars. Tesla is undertaking many policy changes as it looks to increase profitability while launching more vehicles.
Tesla revives its referral program with chances to win a Roadster
Tesla has revived its referral program that ended in February because of cost pressures. This time around the perks aren't quite as diverse, though it does offer regular chances to win a Roadster or Model Y signed by Elon Musk, together with 1,000 miles of free Supercharging.
The 2019 Toyota C-HR gains a popular tech feature as its price comes down
Toyota has updated the C-HR, its entry-level crossover, by adding an entry-level trim level to the lineup. Every model regardless of price also comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay. Android users are currently out of luck, but that could change in the coming years.
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi group uses Microsoft cloud platform for connected cars
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is launching a new cloud platform for its cars. Based on Microsoft Azure, the Alliance Intelligent Cloud will enable features like connected services and over-the-air updates. The first cars to get it will be the Nissan Leaf and Renault Clio.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe teased way ahead of its November debut
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is coming to the United States, eventually. The new compact BMW won't be unveiled until the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Unlike the 2 Series coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe will be based on a front-wheel drive platform instead of rear-wheel drive.
Volvo wants to use speed limiters, in-car cameras, and data to reduce crashes
Volvo believes new tech is the best way to improve car safety. The Swedish automaker will let owners set speed limits when loaning out their cars, install cameras to monitor drivers, and use data to design better safety features. Volvo previously said it would limit all cars to 112 mph.
This modified Land Rover Discovery is heading to Africa to help fight malaria
A Land Rover Discovery will be used by the Mobile Malaria Project for a nearly 4,000-mile trek across Africa to study malaria. The SUV is equipped with a mobile gene-sequencing laboratory, as well as everything necessary for serious off-roading. Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations division did the work.
Vivint’s Car Guard keeps tabs on your vehicle when you’re not in it
Home security isn't limited to just what it is in your home. Vivint is reflecting that notion with the addition of the Vivint Car Guard. A simple plug-in that you can place in just about any vehicle, this service will automatically detect if your car is bumped, towed, or stolen and will alert you to it.
Waymo boosts robo-taxi plans with new service center in Arizona
Waymo has announced plans for a facility in Phoenix, Arizona, that will help to service, maintain, and grow its fleet of autonomous Waymo One cars. The vehicles operate as part of the company's robo-taxi ridesharing service that launched in the area toward the end of 2018.
Tesla wirelessly gives the Model 3 a 5-percent increase in power
Tesla again showed the potential of its innovative over-the-air software updating system, this time by making the Model 3 five percent more powerful via a firmware update. The Performance model gained 23 horsepower, which should make it peppier off the line and around town. The update was free for all Model 3s.
Nvidia’s new simulator brings virtual learning to autonomous vehicle developers
Nvidia introduced a data center simulator for testing autonomous vehicle tech. Designed to speed up autonomous driving development, Drive Constellation is an open, cloud-based platform technology vendors can use to validate systems efficiently, safely, and much faster than with vehicles on real roads.
Bentley’s 542-horsepower Continental GT V8 is the best kind of downsizing
The Bentley Continental GT V8 has fewer cylinders than its W12 sibling, but Bentley expects it to offer better gas mileage and more agile handling. The V8's top speed of 198 mph is also pretty darn fast. Bentley will launch the Continental GT V8 in the U.S. first, followed by other markets.
Amazon and Kia team up to simplify EV home-charging station installs
Kia Motors announced a new program with Amazon for electric vehicles. Customers planning to purchase a new Kia EV or PHEV can check out recommended Level 2 240-volt home charging stations and arrange installation in their homes. Customers can have home chargers installed before they take delivery of their new cars.
Mustang-like and electrified. What did Ford just show a preview of?
Ford posted an enigmatic picture of a blue Mustang emblem on a black background right as Tesla prepared to introduce the Model Y in California. Is the Blue Oval teasing a hybrid version of the Mustang, or is it previewing a Mustang-inspired, battery-powered crossover? We could find out at the 2019 New York Auto Show.
Adventurous and electric, Porsche’s second station wagon will arrive in 2020
Though it's a concept car, the Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo will become a production model in 2020, after the Mission E-inspired Taycan sedan arrives in showrooms. It's entirely electric and it boasts a 600-horsepower all-wheel-drive powertrain that sends it from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk, 911-like 3.5 seconds.
Can electric cars be S3XY? Tesla says yes with the new Model Y crossover
Tesla introduced a new crossover named Model Y at its design studio in Los Angeles. It's a more spacious alternative to the Model 3, and a smaller sibling to the Model X. All-electric, the Model Y is on-sale now through a reservation system, and the first deliveries are tentatively scheduled for 2020.
Nuro’s awesome robot delivery pods are tootling into Texas
Robo-delivery startup Nuro is taking its awesome delivery pods to Texas. The vehicles will deliver Kroger groceries to customers' doors in Houston following a successful pilot program in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nuro’s futuristic pod is driverless, though a trailing safety driver keeps an eye on its progress.
James Bond may ditch his V12 Aston Martin for electric power, report says
James Bond may take the wheel of an electric car in the next 007 movie, reports British newspaper The Sun. The car in question would be the Aston Martin Rapide E, the British automaker's first all-electric model. The association between James Bond and Aston Martin goes back to 1964.
Ford to expand autonomous-car research in race to launch robo-taxi service
Ford is in a race with Waymo and GM Cruise to launch large-scale taxi and delivery services using autonomous vehicles. Already testing its technology in four U.S. cities, the automaker is reportedly making plans to expand its program to Austin, Texas, for further trials on public roads.
Nearly 3 in 4 Americans are reportedly afraid of self-driving cars, study says
The latest AAA consumer survey finds most Americans fear self-driving cars. Few people would trust autonomous vehicles to transport people they care about. An earlier easing of fears reversed after high-profile fatalities. However, 53 percent of U.S. drivers think most cars will be fully autonomous by 2029.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to recall 860K U.S. vehicles over emissions issues
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will recall 862,520 cars in the United States because they don't meet emissions standards, the EPA has announced. The affected vehicles span model years 2011 to 2016. Owners can continue driving their cars until they are notified to bring them into an FCA dealership for a fix.
GM Cruise to double its autonomous-car team to meet robo-taxi goal
With its eye on the launch of a robo-taxi service by the end of 2019, General Motors' Cruise Automation says it will add 1,000 workers to its autonomous-vehicle team over the next nine months, doubling its workforce. The San Francisco-based firm launched in 2013 and was acquired by GM three years later.
Check to see if your Honda or Acura vehicle is part of the latest Takata recall
Honda has recalled more than a million vehicles in the U.S. that contain faulty and potentially lethal Takata airbag inflators. The inflators were fitted during earlier repairs, but have now been deemed unsafe. The notice is part of an ongoing recall by 19 automakers that affects tens of millions of vehicles.