Nissan is using old Leaf batteries to power and connect off-the-grid campers
Nissan has teamed up with trailer manufacturer Opus to design a mobile, weatherproof power pack built with battery cells sourced from the first-generation Leaf. Called Roam, the pack stores enough electricity to power a camper for up to a week -- assuming there is enough sunlight to keep it charged.
2020 GMC Acadia toughens up on the outside, gets smarter on the inside
The 2020 GMC Acadia crossover gets styling updates and a more rugged AT4 trim level. Under the skin, the Acadia sports a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a wider array of tech features. The GMC Acadia is a sibling of the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave family haulers.
2019 RAM 1500 Classic Warlock special edition: Badass style without the whoop
If you like the looks of blacked-out badass trucks but don't want to fork out the big bucks for a no-compromise off-road desert racer, FCA announced the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock, a special edition pickup truck that focuses on appearance with only a touch of additional off-road capability.
Amazon plugs in with $700 million investment in electric pickup company Rivian
Amazon invested $700 million for a minority stake in U.S. all-electric truck maker Rivian, according to a joint release. The announcement follows a Reuters report that GM and Amazon might invest from $1 billion to $2 billion in the company. Rivian introduced the R1T pickup, at the 2018 LA Auto show.
Psychedelic Volkswagen Microbus from Woodstock returns for an encore
With its trippy paint scheme, the Volkswagen "Light" bus became a symbol of the 1969 Woodstock music festival. VW teamed up with the artist who created this rolling mural to stage a comeback in time for Woodstock's 50th anniversary. Volkswagen will also launch the Microbus-inspired I.D. Buzz in 2022.
2020 Kia Soul and Soul EV continue to think inside the box
The 2020 Kia Soul is the third generation of Kia's boxy curiosity. The Soul maintains its signature look, but gets tech and powertrain upgrades. The all-electric Soul EV returns as well. Both the gasoline and electric 2020 Soul models debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Bentley Bentayga Speed surpasses Lamborghini Urus as world’s fastest SUV
The Bentley Bentayga Speed has wrested the title of world's fastest SUV from its cousin, the Lamborghini Urus. But the Bentley is just 1 mph faster than the Lamborghini. It requires 626 horsepower to achieve that top speed. The Bentayga Speed debuts at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Rock out in the carpool lane with Singing Machine’s Carpool Karaoke microphone
Carpool Karaoke fans can count down the days till summer to buy Singing Machine's Carpool Karaoke, the Mic, which debuted at the New York Toy Fair 2019. Connect the Carpool Karaoke Mic to your car radio to make your next road trip a mobile karaoke party. The Carpool Karaoke Mic is for passenger use, not drivers.
Tesla’s Dog Mode lets good Samaritans know that Fido’s A-OK
Tesla's latest over-the-air software update adds two clever features called Sentry Mode and Dog Mode, respectively. Both were requested by Tesla owners on Twitter. Sentry Mode records footage and alerts the owner if someone breaks in, while Dog Mode runs the A/C so owners can safely keep their dogs in their car.
Ford F-150 recall: Fault could cause vehicle to downshift into first gear
Ford is recalling 1.48 million F-150 vehicles over a potential fault that could cause it to suddenly downshift into first gear. The automaker said it's currently aware of five accidents related to the issue, "including one report of 'whiplash' potentially related to this condition."
BMW’s X3 M and X4 M pack 503 horsepower in nontraditional form
BMW is starting even further from its heritage with the 2020 X3 M and X4 M performance crossovers. But with up to 503 horsepower available in each vehicle, does that really matter? Production of the X3 M and X4 M begins in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in April.
Model X owner claims confused Autopilot causes crash; Tesla rejects blame
The driver of a Tesla Model X told New Jersey police he veered off the road and crashed after the Autopilot system malfunctioned. He wasn't hurt or charged, but the crossover sustained significant damage. Tesla denies the claims and it stresses Autopilot is safe to use and easy to override if needed.
Maserati is prepared to fight for a piece of the electrified supercar segment
The on-again, off-again Alfieri concept Maserati first showed in 2014 is on track for production. It will offer three drivetrain options, including hybrid and electric variants, and it will take just two seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop in its quickest configuration. Pre-production will start in 2020.
Will Apple sell its Touch ID and Face ID technology to automakers?
Recent patent filings suggest Apple wants its Touch ID and Face ID technologies to spread across the automotive industry. The company outlined how motorists could use their finger or their face to unlock their car, and even make in-car purchases. It hasn't made a firm commitment to bring the technology to production.
Someone stared at a Volvo on their phone for nearly 10 hours to win it
Volvo didn't want you to watch the 2019 Super Bowl or the million-dollar ads that pepper it. Instead, it gave those willing to ignore the big game the chance to win a two-year subscription to a brand-new S60. The three participants who many spent hours staring at the S60 on their phone won the contest.
Zero DS police edition electric motorcycle stops a Telsa Model S
A powerful and quiet Zero DS electric motorcycle police edition pulled over an also silent and fast Telsa Model 3 the Bay Area recently. Zero's electric motorcycles require no drivetrain maintenance and fuel costs are a fraction of gas-powered motorcycles, both big pluses for police department budgets.
Serious, funny, and controversial: Every car commercial from Super Bowl 53
Advertising during the Super Bowl costs a small fortune; analysts peg the cost of a 30-second commercial at about $5 million. An immense amount of work goes into creating ads that are anything except for forgettable. From funny to controversial, here are the car commercials that aired during Super Bowl LIII.
Bugatti celebrates its 110th anniversary with special-edition Chiron supercar
This Bugatti Chiron is a tribute not only to Bugatti's 110th anniversary, but to the automaker's home country. The French flag figures prominently in the design, from the rear spoiler to the seats. The Chiron itself is still among the fastest cars in the world, with a governed top speed of 261 mph.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata’s orange birthday treat sells out online in mere hours
Mazda introduced the MX-5 Miata at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. Three decades later, it unveiled a commemorative model named 30th Anniversary Edition at the same event. The roadster gets edition-specific paint, orange accents inside, and a nine-speaker sound system. The 500 U.S-bound examples have been spoken for.
Self-driving startup Aurora attracts major Amazon investment
Amazon is showing a growing interest in autonomous tech, having recently taken part in a $530 million funding round for Silicon Valley-based self-driving startup Aurora Innovation. Aurora was founded in 2016 by contributors to driverless-car projects run by Google (now Waymo) and Uber, among others.
U.K.’s ‘advanced’ self-driving car trials won’t require human safety drivers
The U.K. government has announced that it is moving toward 'advanced' trials of self-driving cars -- meaning trials that do not have human safety drivers on board. This is the latest part of the United Kingdom's promise to have fully self-driving cars on the road by 2021.
Caving to buyer demand, Toyota finally begins adding Android Auto to its cars
For years, Toyota refused to offer Android Auto due to valid privacy and security concerns. That's finally changing for the 2020 model year. The 4Runner, the Tacoma, the Sequoia, and the Tundra will all come standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Other models will presumably follow.
Land Rover’s new 2020 Range Rover Evoque is smart off-road and chic in the city
Land Rover introduced the all-new 2020 Range Rover Evoque. The familiar design keeps the outgoing model's shape and dimensions but receives an injection of styling cues from the Velar. The interior gets a full tech makeover with a dual-screen infotainment system and trick off-road technology never seen elsewhere.
Toyota aims to turn its grocery-getter RAV4 into a genuine off-roader
Debuting at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road boasts rally-developed suspension and more aggressive styling. But does that make it a true off-road vehicle? Toyota is trying to emphasize off-road capability with the latest RAV4, despite it being a car-based crossover.
2020 Subaru Legacy gains 260-horsepower turbo engine, massive touchscreen
The 2020 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan has been redesigned inside and out. The exterior may look largely unchanged but underneath, the Legacy boasts a new turbocharged engine and an available 11.6-inch touchscreen. The 2020 Subaru Legacy debuts at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.
2020 Kia Sportage gets a bigger standard touchscreen and more driver aids
The 2020 Kia Sportage rolls into the 2019 Chicago Auto Show with small but significant updates. Kia tweaked the exterior styling, added an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard equipment, and gave the Sportage more driver aids. The updated Kia Sportage hits showrooms later this year.
AAA report: Freezing temps slash electric vehicle range almost in half
Extremely cold temperatures can decrease electric vehicle operating range by 41 percent, according to a new report by the American Automobile Association. The excess battery drain results primarily from using the vehicle's HVAC to warm the vehicle interior. High temperatures with more AC also shorten driving range.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI spices up the compact sedan segment
Volkswagen unveiled the 2019 Jetta GLI at the annual Chicago Auto Show. The hot-rodded model receives a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the GTI plus an array of brake and suspension upgrades. It stays true to its heritage by being comfortable inside and relatively low-key on the outside.
Toyota’s aging Sequoia gets a shot of adrenaline with TRD Pro off-road model
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro is the latest model in Toyota's TRD Pro line of off-roaders. The Sequoia gets upgraded suspension, and all TRD Pro models get new infotainment systems for 2020. The 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro debuts at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.
2019 Cadillac XT5 Sport continues luxury brand’s crossover obsession
The 2019 Cadillac XT5 gets a new Sport package to bring it in line with the smaller XT4, and the family-oriented XT6 launching later this year. The XT5 Sport debuts at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. Expect more crossovers, including an all-electric model, in Cadillac's future.
2019 Ram 1500 takes aim at GMC Sierra with new ‘multifunction’ tailgate
The 2019 Ram 1500 gets a reconfigurable tailgate to counter one of its competitors, the GMC Sierra 1500, which has a Multi-Pro tailgate. Ram's version can open like a conventional tailgate, or split into individual doors. The Ram 1500 multifunction tailgate debuts at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.
Aston Martin’s intrepid plan to compete with Rolls-Royce takes shape
Aston Martin is preparing to resurrect the Lagonda nameplate to use it on a sub-brand focused on making luxurious electric cars. It's taking aim at Rolls-Royce and Bentley, among other rivals. The Lagonda All-Terrain Concept that will break cover at the Geneva Auto Show will preview its first model.
Tesla cuts the price of the Model 3 again, this time by $1,100
The Tesla Model 3 is getting its second price cut of 2019. Tesla reduced the price by $1,100, bringing the base price of the electric car down to $42,900 before government incentives. That's still above the $35,000 base price Tesla has been aiming for since the Model 3's launch.
Waymo may take a ride with Nissan-Renault for robo-taxi services
Autonomous car company Waymo is reportedly preparing to partner with the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance to develop robo-taxis and other services linked to the technology. Waymo has already inked deals with several automakers, though this latest deal could help it to take its self-driving tech to more markets.