Lyft pledges to offset its carbon emissions, commits to carbon-neutral rides
While Lyft has figured out how to effectively transport its passengers in an efficient and rather cost-effective manner, it remains the case that this convenience comes at quite an ecological cost. But now, the ridesharing giant is putting its money on the line to do what it can to offset those costs.
Is this Lamborghini Huracan the fastest camera car in the world?
The 610-hp Lamborghini Huracan isn't what normally comes to mind when you think of a camera car, yet a California-based film-making company has created just that. The V10-powered supercar receives a gimbal and a Red Epic 8K camera to keep up with even the fastest shots. The project took months of work.
Audi considers subscription service, plans over-the-air updating system
Audi's foray into electric car territory will give it access to technology that will trickle down to its gasoline-powered models. The company will launch an over-the-air software updating system when it introduces the e-tron quattro, and it's considering testing a Netflix-like subscription service.
‘Bullitt’ Ford Mustang joins other American landmarks on the National Mall
The 1968 Ford Mustang driven by Steve McQueen in 'Bullitt' recently emerged from decades of hiding, and now Ford and the car's current owner are making up for lost time by displaying the iconic muscle car on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Mustang will sit in a special display case on the Mall.
Peek under the sheet metal of Audi’s upcoming e-tron EV
Audi gave us an early look at what powers the e-tron quattro, its first volume-produced electric car. The 95-kWh battery pack provides about 250 miles of range in every day driving conditions. The company is going to great lengths to make driving and charging an electric car convenient and stress-free.
Lexus LS may get plug-in hybrid, EV, and hydrogen fuel cell variants
The latest and greatest Lexus LS launched with a new twin-turbo V6 and a hybrid variant. It may receive a more powerful hybrid version, a plug-in hybrid, an all-electric, and potentially even a hydrogen fuel cell variant in the span of its current generation over the next few years.
Chevrolet now lets you pay for Shell gas right from the driver’s seat
Hate having to fumble for your wallet or plastic payment card just to get some gas in your tank? Chevrolet and Shell know your pain and have developed a solution. You can now pay for gas without even touching your wallet, but you still have to step outside to fill up your car's gas tank.
Ford says its Mustang Cobra Jet dragster will do a ‘mid-8-second’ quarter mile
Trying to show up your friend’s Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Demon at the drag strip? Then Ford’s newest purpose-built Mustang Cobra Jet, will certainly help. It pays tribute to the original competition car from the 1968 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)’s Winter Nationals.
Cadillac CEO Johan de Nysschen unexpectedly departs amid tumult at luxury brand
General Motors unexpectedly announced that Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen is leaving, effective immediately. He came to Cadillac in August 2014 after making a name for himself at Audi. He is being succeeded by Steve Carlisle, who had been GM Canada's president and managing director.
2019 BMW M2 Competition coming this summer with more horses and torque
The 2019 BMW M2 Competition is coming to showrooms this summer. BMW says the new car adds an updated 405 horsepower BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine. The new M2's wide 406-pound-foot torque power band can rush the coupe to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds with DCT and 4.2 seconds with a manual shifter.
The Enspire SUV concept is a Buick that thinks it’s a Tesla
The Buick Enspire is an all-electric SUV concept debuting at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show. The Enspire boasts a claimed 370-mile range and lots of new technology, making it a potential Tesla rival. But it's unclear at this point whether Buick will actually put this sleek-looking SUV into production.
Volvo’s first-ever all-electric truck mutes deliveries and trash collection
Volvo Trucks is seeking to make noisy trash collection and urban deliveries more quiet and environmentally friendly with its new, first-ever, all-electric truck. It's called the FL Electric and represents the company's latest all-electric offering for large scale, heavy-duty commercial applications.
2018 Toyota owners are tuning out the automaker’s Entune 3.0 App Suite
Toyota owners are complaining of numerous problems with the automaker's Entune App Suite infotainment system, particularly the latest Entune 3.0 system installed in new versions of the best-selling Toyota Camry midsize sedan. Owners claim the Entune system is slow to load and unreliable.
Thanks to telemetry, Bugatti can spot problems with its cars before customers do
Bugatti uses a race car-style telemetry system in its Chiron supercar to remotely check for maintenance issues from its French headquarters. That means the automaker can spot an under-inflated tire in a car thousands of miles away, and alert the owner of the problem immediately.
Check out BMW’s new autonomous R&D center
BMW Group announced the official opening of its latest R&D facility in Unterschleißheim just north of Munich specifically for researching and developing autonomous driving tech, showcasing the automaker's transition into a “tech company.”
A new Mercedes-Benz S-Class EV is in the works to battle the Tesla Model S
In the latest move to produce more electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has a new EV in the pipeline with its sights set directly for the Tesla Model S. Dubbed the "EQ S," it will be based of the new S-Class full-size sedan, as part of a plan introducing at least 50 new electrified models by 2022.
Daimler shows Mercedes-Maybach teaser video ahead of 2018 Beijing Auto Show
Mercedes-Maybach released a teaser video of its vehicle promised for the 2018 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which opens April 25. Take a look at the video and current and past Maybach cars and concepts to make your own guess as to just what will be unveiled.
Owner survey suggests Tesla’s batteries see only limited degradation
Tesla's batteries display less than 10 percent degradation of their energy capacity after 160,000 miles. That means, by extension, that their cars could also travel farther than previously believed. That is great news for Tesla, which has received more than its fair share of bad news in recent weeks.
Why Volkswagen is returning to rear-engined cars after a long hiatus
All of Volkswagen's early models were rear-engined, including the Beetle and the Bus. The original Golf from 1974 inaugurated the front-engined, front-wheel drive era, but Volkswagen is about to go back to the Beetle's layout. All of its two-wheel drive electric cars will be rear-engined. Here's why.
Volkswagen tests autonomous parking, aims for 2020 commercial launch
Volkswagen is testing autonomous parking at Germany's Hamburg Airport. In addition to making life more convenient, the automaker believes self-parking cars could enable a variety of new services for its customers, while getting them accustomed to the idea of more widespread driverless car usage.
JVC and Kenwood launch head units with wireless Android Auto
Android Auto is going wireless. JVC and Kenwood unveiled wireless Android Auto receivers at CES 2018, and now, three months later, Google is helping out too, enabling wireless Android Auto for folks this week. If you own a Pixel or Nexus running Android Oreo or higher, congratulations -- no more wires.
Ford intends to launch self-driving car service ‘at scale’ by 2021
Ford has signaled its determination to begin operating an autonomous-car service "at scale" by 2021. Early indications are that it'll launch some form of delivery business rather than a ridesharing service using its driverless vehicles, though any venture will first require regulatory approval.
Tesla boss admits company had been too reliant on robots
In a recent interview, Tesla's Elon Musk admitted that the company relied too much on robots which slowed down production. "Humans are underrated," the CEO tweeted.
Formula One streaming service will launch at the 2018 Spanish Grand Prix
The Formula One racing series is getting its own streaming video service, which will launch in May in time for the 2018 Spanish Grand Prix. F1 TV will first be available on desktop, followed by mobile access via iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire. Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV users will have access by summer.
What crash? Waymo to test autonomous cars without safety drivers
Waymo has become the second company to apply to test autonomous cars without safety drivers on the streets of California. The state regulator began inviting applications at the start of April, and would also allow cars without a steering wheel, pedals, and mirrors to take to the road.
VW leans toward SUVs, but it stresses the next Passat will be worth the wait
It's difficult to make a business case for a sedan in a market obsessed with SUVs and crossovers, but that's what Volkswagen has done. As it beefs up its line of high-riding models, it's planning a re-imagined Passat that will help it grow on the North American market. The model will make its debut next year.
Citing broken rules, agency boots Tesla from fatal accident investigation
The NTSB removed Tesla from the investigation of a March 23 fatal accident involving a Tesla Model X. Tesla agreed to NTSB restrictions from releasing opinions or analyses regarding the accident until the final report is released, but was removed from the investigation after it claimed the driver was at fault.
VW says battery-swapping stations are a pipe dream, not an imminent reality
Years ago, several companies promised to bring battery-swapping stations to the market. Robots took out an EV's depleted battery, replaced it with a fully charged one, and sent it on its way in a few minutes. It's promising on paper, but Volkswagen says it's not going to happen anytime soon.
Mercedes’ new subscription service lets you drive a luxury car without buying
Mercedes-Benz Collection is a subscription-service pilot launching in Nashville and Philadelphia in June. It's Mercedes' attempt to rival similar services from BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Porsche, and Lincoln.
Sweden is fitting electric rails along its highways to power EVs
Sweden plans to fit electric rails along its highways so electric vehicles can maintain power as they motor along. The EVs will need to be fitted with a retractable arm that automatically connects with the rail when the vehicle enters a highway. The nation recently opened its first electrified road in Stockholm.
Porsche could build its own charging network as it bets big on electrification
As it prepares to launch the electric Mission E, Porsche considers building a network of charging stations and launching a reservation system.
Xing Mobility promises an electric supercar quicker than a Tesla Roadster
Taiwan-based Xing Mobility is developing a 1,341-horsepower "rally inspired" electric supercar that it claims will out accelerate the upcoming Tesla Roadster. But, as with all claims from new automotive companies, these should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Kia wants to solve one of the biggest problems with electric cars
Kia just announced the completion of its three-year pilot program developing a wireless fast-charging system for a fleet of Kia Soul EV prototypes. The current system won't be available to consumers, but hasn't ruled it out for future models.
Residents in this Florida city will soon let their cars do the talking
Motorists who live and work in Tampa, Florida, will soon get the opportunity to test connected car technologies in real life. City officials are looking for 1,600 drivers to test vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication systems in a pilot program. Pedestrians can participate, too.