2020 Kia Forte GT gets dash of sportiness to make daily commuting more exciting
The 2020 Kia Forte GT is a sportier version of Kia's Forte compact car, complete with a more powerful engine and available six-speed manual transmission. The GT debuts at SEMA 2018 alongside two wildly customized Fortes, including a drift car co-developed with Red Bull.
Ford’s GT supercar goes on a carbon fiber diet to keep its performance edge
The 2019 Ford GT Carbon Series is the latest iteration of Ford's race-proven supercar. Ford claims the Carbon Series sheds unnecessary weight without sacrificing creature comforts. The Carbon Series will be available to order when the Ford GT application process reopens November 8.
Volkswagen and Mobileye plan autonomous ridesharing service for Israel
Volkswagen and Mobileye plan to launching a ridesharing service in Israel using autonomous electric cars. Development work will begin in 2019, with full-scale commercialization in 2022, according to the partners. Many other companies plan to use self-driving cars in ridesharing programs.
The Lexus ES 350 measures its trunk space in wine bottles, not cubic feet
One of the concepts Lexus is bringing to the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas is a 2019 ES 350 with a wine cooler built into the trunk. It's beautifully integrated with an oak floor and wine barrel inserts. The cooler stores at least six bottles of wine, but don't expect to find it on Lexus' list of options.
Project Clubsport 23 shows the tuning potential of Nissan’s 370Z sports car
Debuting at SEMA 2018, the Nissan 370Z Project Clubsport 23 is the kind of car Nissan envisions its customers building with factory and aftermarket performance parts. The 370Z was treated to an engine swap and numerous other upgrades, including a custom exhaust system exiting through the rear bumper.
Electriq-Global wants to power cars with zero-emission, water-based fuel
Australian-Israeli startup Electriq-Global claims to have developed a water-based fuel that offers zero emissions, with greater range than batteries or fuel cells, and at a lower cost to boot. But as with all emerging technologies, the water-based fuel isn't guaranteed to work in the real world.
Porsche’s stunning 1990s throwback sold for much more than anyone expected
Porsche is celebrating its 70th birthday by building a stunning, one-of-a-kind 911 called Project Gold. It started life as a 993-generation 911 from the 1990s and underwent a full restoration that includes a variety of improvements. Project Gold was auctioned for $3.1 million, with the proceeds to going to charity.
This 2019 Ford Edge ST camera car is ready to capture all the action
A 2019 Ford Edge ST was transformed into a camera car for Hollywood films by specialist firm Pursuit Systems. The matte-black crossover sports a roof-mounted rig that can house a remote-control camera. Ford said discussions are underway to use the Edge ST for feature films.
Tesla drivers in N. America will soon be able to put lane changing on autopilot
Tesla's Navigate on Autopilot feature, which goes live tonight, will assist drivers by guiding the car from the on-ramp to the off-ramp of a highway, including making suggestions for lane changes and navigating highway interchanges. The speed of the lane changes is set by driver preferences.
SpeedKore found a way to make the Dodge Demon even more ferocious
Wisconsin-based SpeedKore Performance Group took a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, dialed it up to 1,203 horsepower, and put it on a carbon-fiber diet. The result is a truly hellacious muscle car. In the hands of NHRA Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett, the SpeedKore Demon ran an 8.77-second quarter mile.
Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door sets Nürburgring lap record (sort of)
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door just blitzed Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife in what Mercedes claims is a record-setting time. But that depends on how you classify this fast four-door. The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 lapped the track faster, but Mercedes claims its contender is a more legitimate production car.
The McLaren Speedtail is a 250-mph, 1,000-hp work of art on wheels
McLaren's BP23 project has a name: Speedtail. The hyper GT model is presented as the heir to the emblematic F1 made during the 1990s. It receives a 1+2 seating configuration and more luxury features than any McLaren model before it. Production is limited to 106 examples and all are already spoken for.
Another recall! 1.5M Ford Focus cars may have stalling problems
Ford's latest vehicle recall covers 1.5M Ford Focus cars, most of them on the road in the U.S. The issue concerns a problem with the fuel tank that could lead to an engine stall. The company says it will notify affected owners, but says that in the meantime, affected cars should be run with at least half a tank of gas.
Jaguar Land Rover finally gives cars support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles might be a blast to drive, but they've been missing a major feature for the more tech-inclined owners: support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. That situation has been rectified with 2019 line of vehicles, which will support the in-car smartphone systems.
Elon Musk hails ‘incredibly historic quarter’ as Tesla reveals profits
Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk kept his promise of steering the company towards profitability during the second half of 2018. Tesla posted a net income of $311 million during Q3. Musk promises Tesla will continue to make money, partly because it has streamlined the Model 3's production process.
Hitch a ride around a racetrack in Jaguar’s 592-hp XE SV Project 8
The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is a monster sedan that only 300 people will have the chance to own. But there's another way to experience this 200-mph brute. Jaguar is offering rides in the Project 8 around Germany's Nürburgring. The car will serve as a "race taxi" alongside a Jaguar XJR575.
Zero Motorcycle’s latest electric bikes boast more power, longer range
Zero Motorcycles is back with a new line of electric bikes for 2019. On deck for this year's run is a significant improvement in horsepower, new top speeds and extended range. The new specs on the company's bikes make them comparable with some of its combustion engine competition.
Advanced driver assistance tech can more than double your repair costs
Advanced driver assistance systems in new cars can multiply collision repair costs, according to AAA research. Replacing cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and other collision detection equipment after even minor accidents can be surprisingly expensive. Even after repair, damaged systems require calibration.
Chevrolet mulling over a hybrid Camaro with 1960s performance, 21st-century tech
Chevrolet has started polling Camaro owners on two hybrid variants of the muscle car. One would use the turbo four, while the second would rely on the V8. Going hybrid is a way to give performance and fuel economy a significant boost. Chevrolet hasn't yet decided whether to launch the car.
Quicker, sharper, and meaner: Audi rejuvenates the R8 for 2019
Audi has updated the coupe and convertible variants of its range-topping R8 sports car for the 2019 model year. It has increased the 5.2-liter V10 engine's output, it has given the front end a sharper design, and it has made software changes that improve the driving experience. The updated R8 will go on sale in 2019.
Two small planes separately landed on highways in Southern California
The California Highway Patrol has responded to two separate incidents involving planes landing on highways in just a matter of days. Engine problems were to blame in both incidents, and the pilots escaped both times without causing or sustaining injuries. One plane is intact, while the other caught fire.
Transdev ordered to stop using self-driving shuttles as school buses
Transdev, an autonomous vehicle company based in France, has been taking Florida kids to school via self-driving bus. The government would like for that to stop. The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called the project "unlawful" and shut down its operation.
This glow-in-the-dark, scorpion-skinned Fiat 500 Abarth helps fight cancer
Fiat's Abarth division has teamed up with a Dutch artist to create a one-of-a-kind 500 painted with pieces of scorpion skin. Rest assured that no scorpions were harmed to create this hot hatch; a scorpion molts 16 times in its life. Abarth will auction the car in October 2018 and donate the proceeds to charity.
Wirelessly charging an EV in 15 minutes sounds crazy, but it’s getting closer
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory want you to be able to wirelessly charge your electric vehicle in just 15 minutes. It sounds impossible, but they've just passed a major milestone on the journey to that goal. This is what they've developed.
Ford’s self-driving cars hit the streets of the nation’s capital
Ford is deploying self-driving cars in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate their capabilities to lawmakers and ordinary citizens alike. The automaker plans to launch a production autonomous car in 2021. In the meantime, Ford will study how self-driving cars may impact the economy.
Drive.ai brings free, on-demand self-driving car rides to second Texas city
Not only is everything bigger in Texas, but things could soon be easier, too. California-based autonomous car start-up Drive.ai has launched a second pilot program in Arlington. It's similar to the one it already operates in Frisco. Participants can ride in self-driving, geo-fenced shuttles for free.
U.K. on-demand car service plans autonomous vehicles in London by 2021
U.K.-based Addison Lee and Oxbotica formed an alliance to carve a major share of the predicted market for connected and autonomous vehicle services. Addison Lee is an established executive car service in London and Oxbotica's self-driving car system and fleet management software are in multiple trials.
Tesla drops Full Self-Driving option from online configurator to spare ‘confusion’
Tesla no longer offers a Full Self-Driving (FSD) option for Models S, X, and 3 in the company's online configuration tool. CEO Elon Musk said the FSD option caused confusion. The option was for a future software upgrade to the Enhanced Autopilot option. FSD software validation and regulatory approval could take years.
Volkswagen’s next-generation lights will keep you safer, look good doing it
Headlights serve an important purpose when you're behind the wheel, but that functionality doesn't have to stop the lights from looking cool. Volkswagen's new LED headlights, called IQ.Light, don't just light up the road in front of you. They also look dang good while doing it.
The snake escapes: Ford’s 700-hp Mustang GT500 slithers online ahead of schedule
The Mustang Shelby GT500 will return in 2019 with over 700 horsepower, Ford confirmed at the 2018 Detroit auto show. The model won't make its debut until the 2019 edition of the event but a leaked image posted on Instagram has revealed it ahead of schedule. Rumors point to a supercharged, 5.2-liter V8 engine.
Tesla keeps promise with more affordable Model 3 with midrange battery pack
Tesla is keeping its promise of making the Model 3 gradually more affordable. The company released a new variant of the car with a mid-range, 260-mile battery option that's priced under the $50,000 mark. Buyers who take delivery before the end of 2018 are eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit.
Just 10 people will get to put this limited-edition Audi R8 in their garages
The 2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus Competition makes use of Audi's motor sports experience to turn up the performance dial. Decreased weight and increased aerodynamic downforce make this R8 a track monster. Just 10 copies will be available in the United States, priced at over $200,000 each.
Forget transponders with Peasy’s nationwide pay-as-you-go toll service
Verra Mobility launched Peasy, a consumer highway and bridge toll payment service. Designed to be less hassle than managing traditional transponder or toll tag accounts, Peasy pays tolls as they are levied in most of the U.S. Peasy is available nationwide for an annual fee plus per-toll transaction fees.
Workhorse takes on diesel with lighter, cheaper NGEN-1000 electric delivery van
Ohio-based Workhorse Group claims its new NGEN-1000 electric delivery van costs the same as a conventional diesel van and can haul a similar amount of cargo. A lower curb weight makes this possible. The NGEN-1000 is the first Workhorse vehicle to be built at a new Midwest factory.