Sexy at 70: Porsche’s limited-edition 911 Speedster gets green light for 2019
The gorgeous 911 Speedster concept Porsche introduced in June has received the green light for production. The 500hp, GT3-powered model will be available in 2019 as a limited-edition model. Porsche will stop production after it makes 1,948 examples, a number chosen because the company was born in 1948.
Smart’s roofless Forease concept is a sun-loving city car
The Smart Forease concept debuts at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, where Smart is celebrating its 20th anniversary. However, it's unclear where the brand will go over the next 20 years. For now, the Forease follows in the tire tracks of the Smart Crossblade and Forspeed concepts.
Volkswagen partners with Microsoft on connected car platform
Volkswagen and Microsoft announced a partnership agreement to develop VW's Automotive Cloud. Based on Microsoft's Azure cloud and IoT technologies, the VW Automotive Cloud will power consumer and secure data services as well as telematics for all VW brands, including Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini.
Exclusive: BMW to introduce ‘safe’ fully autonomous driving by 2021 with iNext
BMW may be trying to reinvigorate its future lineup with more electrified vehicles, from plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to full-fledged all-electric cars. But the automaker isn’t limiting its initiatives to just electrification. BMW also wants to be a leader in developing autonomous driving technology.
Exclusive: BMW will offer up to 25 electrified vehicles by 2025, 12 all-electric
While in attendance of the New York reveal of the BMW Vision iNEXT Concept, we learned that the company will introduce up to 25 electrified models by 2025, 12 of which will be all-electric vehicles, featuring the company's fifth generation electric powertrain.
This is how Tesla’s Autopilot system sees the idyllic streets of Paris
Tesla's Autopilot system doesn't care about Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. It's focused on keeping track of other cars, tracking pedestrians, and avoiding collisions with trucks. This video shows exactly how Autopilot identifies the world around it as it drives through the chaotic streets of Paris.
GTA isn’t fun in real life, so Mercedes-Benz wants to suggest safe parking spots
Mercedes-Benz has started testing an in-car app that analyzes crime data provided by police departments to suggest safe areas to park in. Once it knows the kind of area the car is in, the app then classifies parking spaces via a color-coding system. Mercedes could launch the app in the U.S. when it's ready.
Car owners have too much faith in advanced driver assistance aids, AAA says
American drivers like and trust Advanced Driver Assist Systems but don't understand ADAS limitations says a new AAA study. An American Automobile Association survey also found significant percentages of drivers rely too much on adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
This is the ultra-desirable Porsche race car you’d happily sell a kidney for
Porsche has unveiled a modern version of the monstrous 935 race car from the 1970s. Based on the 911 GT2 RS, it gets a sleeker body made from carbon fiber and a 700-hp flat-six engine. Production is limited to 77 examples and each one costs over $800,000. The 935 was developed for track use and it's not street-legal.
2019 BMW i3 electric car gets a bigger battery pack, range boost
BMW claims its updated 2019 i3 will have 153 miles of range when production begins in November. That's 39 miles more than the current i3 can travel on a charge. The improvement comes courtesy of a 42-kilowatt-hour battery pack. BMW will continue offering a range-extended model as well.
SEC sues Tesla CEO Elon Musk for securities fraud, Musk calls suit unjustified
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Tesla CEO Elon Musk with fraud, alleging that Musk made "false and misleading" statements when he tweeted he was considering taking the company private with "funding secured." At the time, Musk also tweeted investor support was confirmed, contingent on a shareholder vote.
Here’s a teaser of BMW’s next-generation 3-Series sedan before its Paris debut
BMW’s world-renowned and iconic 3 Series sedan is approaching the end of its average generational lifespan, having reached the age of seven this year. A new seventh generation 3 Series is in the works and the crew at BMW just released some teasers to give us a little taste before its reveal in Paris.
GM and U.S. Secret Service unveil new Cadillac Beast presidential limo
The U.S. Secret Service posted a photo of two new armored limos joining the presidential fleet. The Beast is a custom 2018 Cadillac that transverses the globe by airplane when needed, always accompanied by a second limo and an armored Chevrolet Suburban SUV that serves as a mobile communications office.
LM Industries asks cities to find uses for its autonomous vehicles
LM Industries is launching a "fleet challenge" in Sacramento and Phoenix asking interested parties to propose uses for its Olli low-speed autonomous electric vehicles. Winners get a handful for vehicles to carry out their plans with. LM Industries plans to take the concept to other cities as well.
Watch this 900-horsepower Ford Mustang drift Germany’s Nürburgring
After drifting Germany's treacherous Nürburgring racetrack in a Ford F-150 Raptor pickup truck, pro drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. returned with a proper drift car. Watch him wreak havoc in a 900-horsepower Ford Mustang. It's amazing that the tires survived for an entire lap.
AT&T uses Harman Spark to transform older rides into connected cars
AT&T and Harman are launching Spark, a car plug-in device that pairs with a smartphone app to give you features such as a Wi-Fi hot spot, roadside assistance, vehicle tracking, geofencing, and more. Compatible with most 1996 and newer vehicles, Spark will be available with and without Wi-Fi data plans.
Live your childhood monster truck fantasies in this six-wheeled Silverado
Mercedes-Benz started a fad when it unleashed the G63 AMG 6x6. Five years later, Hennessey is keeping the trend going with a six-wheeled version of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. Called Goliath 6x6, it boasts eight additional inches of ground clearance and a 705-horsepower V8 engine. Production is limited to 24 trucks.
Volvo’s lifted V60 Cross Country wagon laces up its hiking boots
The Volvo V60 Cross Country is a V60 station wagon with jacked up suspension and more rugged looks. It's the latest Volvo to take advantage of the Swedish automaker's Scalable Product Architecture platform and advanced safety tech. The V60 joins the larger V90 Cross Country in Volvo's wagon lineup.
2019 Honda Civic sedan and coupe add more standard driver-assist tech
The 2019 Honda Civic compact sedan and coupe get a handful of updates to stay fresh, including exterior styling tweaks, standard Honda Sensing driver aids, and a new Sport trim level. No significant mechanical changes, or updates for the Civic hatchback, have been mentioned yet.
Ikea jumps on the autonomous car bandwagon — because why wouldn’t it?
Space10, Ikea's research and development arm, has introduced seven autonomous car concepts. Some fall in line with what we've seen from established automakers, like Volvo, while others bring new ideas to the conversation about autonomous cars. There's a game room and even a farmer's market on wheels.
Porsche brings diesel car production to a screeching halt
Porsche has become the first German automaker to abandon diesel fuels. In a press release, the company said that it was no longer going to be producing diesel-powered cars. It cited the fact that consumers are moving towards other alternatives such as hybrids and electric vehicles for its decision.
Get your camera out: Mercedes-AMG Project One supercar tests on public roads
The Mercedes-AMG Project One is a hybrid supercar incorporating genuine Formula One racing DNA. The $2.7 million Project One is entering its final stage of development, including public-road testing. Only 275 Project Ones will be made, priced at an estimated $2.7 million each.
Audi’s subscription service lets you roll in style without commitment
Audi expanded its mobility options by launching a car subscription service in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For $1,395 a month, buyers can choose from five models (including the Q7, the Q5, and the A4) and swap cars twice a month. The program includes maintenance, insurance, and delivery at the nearest dealer.
Aced it! Tesla’s Model 3 earns a five-star crash-test rating
The results are in and they're great: the Tesla Model 3 has aced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's different crash tests and earned a five-star safety rating. Tesla's smallest, most affordable model achieved a five-star rating in every category, a rare score in the automotive industry.
Amazon Alexa can now hitch a ride in any car with Echo Auto
At its massive hardware event, Amazon unveiled Echo Auto, a dashboard-mounted device that adds Alexa to any car. It is one of a broad range of ways Amazon is trying to integrate Alexa with cars. Echo Auto is available to select invitees and it will ship later this year.
Tesla says dash cam feature using car’s built-in cameras is coming soon
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is promising the next version of Autopilot, which is expected imminently, will include a dash cam feature that uses the car's built-in cameras. It's a feature many Tesla drivers have long been asking for, with Musk saying it's currently going through final testing and will launch with Autopilot 9
Exclusive: Faulty radars are compromising Nissan’s emergency braking system
AEB is designed to alert a driver of proximity to the car ahead, and apply the brakes when the driver can't. But faulty radar modules are causing the automatic emergency braking system in select 2018 Nissan vehicles to turn off, making it ineffective.
BMW’s redesigned Z4 gets two turbocharged engines, long list of tech features
The redesigned BMW Z4 will be available in sDrive30i Roadster and M40i Roadster guises when it goes on sale next year. The more powerful M40i will do zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, according to BMW. The Z4 does not get a coveted manual transmission option, however.
It’s not easy being green: California strips HOV rights from clean-air cars
Changes to California's Clean Air Vehicle decal program are raising the ire of early adopters who helped make the program a success. The decals let LEV and ZEV drivers travel solo in commuter lanes -- for many the greatest incentive to buy green. More than 200,000 drivers will lose the privilege January 1.
Nissan will invite Google into its cars’ dashboards starting in 2021
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has joined forces with Google to develop a brand-new infotainment system. Scheduled to launch in 2021, the yet-unnamed software will boast navigation via Google Maps over-the-air software updates. It will give the passengers access to thousands of apps in the Google Play Store.
Lyft offers some fun stats to celebrate its 1 billionth ridesharing journey
Lyft cars have made a billion journeys since its ridesharing service launched six years ago. Announcing the milestone on Tuesday, September 18, the firm revealed some fun stats about its rides. One person, for example, has so far paid for 9,000 rides, and the longest journey took a driver 640 miles.
Ferrari’s latest special editions are stripped down, old-school sports cars
The Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 are inspired by some of the Italian automaker's most legendary sports cars. They mix old school rawness with modern carbon fiber construction and 789-horsepower V12 power. Both models are expected to go into production for a limited run.
Volkswagen built a 210-mph Jetta, and broke a land-speed record with it
A modified 2019 Volkswagen Jetta just set a land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the G/BGC class. Boasting a 600-horsepower engine, the Jetta hit 210 mph on the salt. The Bonneville land-speed race car serves as a preview of the upcoming Jetta GLI performance model.
Elon Musk: Tesla is bringing most collision repair in-house, outsiders too slow
Unsatisfied with third-party collision repair shops, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter to announce the company is bring most repair work in-house. The goal is a car as good or better than new with the repair completed in under an hour. Musk admits parts availability is a major factor in collision repair turnaround.