Vehicles: Page 124
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Fiat 124 Spider a Fun Ride
The automatic version is less than thrilling, but the manual-equipped drop-top 2-seater is a blast to drive, and with a base price of less than $25,000 it’s a relative bargain.
July 6, 2016 -
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Aston Martin, Red Bull Team Up on F1-Like Super Hybrid
Between 99 and 150 road-going versions of the AM-RB 001, as the new coupe is codenamed, are slated for production.
By Greg Kable • July 5, 2016 -
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Toyota C-HR Concept’s Design Language ‘Sensual Tech’
The C-HR (coupe-high rider) compact CUV unveils Toyota’s “Sensual Tech” design language combining high-technology features with what the automaker calls a “sensual and fashionable style.”
By Paul Myles • July 5, 2016 -
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Jaguar Mostly Gets It Right, But Interiors Could Use Some Polish
Interior quality is one of the most critical differentiating factors when it comes to high-priced automobiles. That trend makes Jaguar’s design decisions all the more puzzling.
By Theo Nissim • July 1, 2016 -
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Intelligent, Yes, To a Point
Mercedes bills the new E-Class as the most intelligent car in the world, a significant achievement as autonomous cars arrive. In truth, it stands as a brilliantly executed sedan best experienced from behind the steering wheel.
July 1, 2016 -
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Formula 1 Aerodynamics Designed Into U.K. Sports Car
The maker of the 500-hp Elemental Rp1 claims it is capable of generating 880 lbs. of downforce at 150 mph purely on aerodynamic design features underneath the car.
By Paul Myles • June 30, 2016 -
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Army Trucks and Michigan DOT Talk to Each Other on I-69
Four line-haul Class 8-plus-size autonomous military trucks and 20 roadside radio signals helping them communicate with their surroundings underwent successful testing along a 7-mile stretch of Michigan freeway.
By David C. Smith • June 29, 2016 -
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Oz Motoring Group Wants U.S. Dieselgate Deal Parity
CEO Michael Bradley of the Australian Automotive Assn. says Australian owners caught up in the scandal deserve better from VW than they are getting, and this could start with a goodwill payment.
By Alan Harman • June 28, 2016 -
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Connected Vehicles Ultimately a Good Thing, Says Covisint
If an automaker in partnership with a supplier using Covisint’s identity and access-management technology can detect failure patterns via examining smart-part data, then expensive and time-consuming disasters could be avoided.
June 28, 2016 -
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Mercedes Bringing Stratified-Charge V-6 to U.S.
With the new stratified-charge application, the turbocharged 3.0L V-6 will continue to employ direct fuel injection, but the injectors have been redesigned to spray under higher pressure later in the intake stroke, just before compression.
June 27, 2016 -
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Mercedes AMG Raises the Bar With New GT R
The rear-wheel-drive GT R runs the most powerful version of Mercedes-AMG’s M177 engine yet, a 585-hp 4.0L turbocharged V-8 with direct injection.
By Greg Kable • June 24, 2016 -
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GM, U.S. Navy Expand Fuel-Cell Business Case
The automaker’s fuel cell will power an unmanned undersea vehicle capable of up to 70 days under water, with greater range and endurance than a battery-powered unit.
By James M. Amend • June 23, 2016 -
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Fifty-Cent Fuel Ahead, If Stars Align
GM fuel-cell chief Charlie Freese calls the scenario, which builds off data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a “no-brainer.”
June 23, 2016 -
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EcoBoost Technology Migrates to New Ford Vans
The 2.0L EcoBlue engine will be offered for Transit 2-ton and Transit Custom models in 105-, 130- and 170-hp power ratings, each of which offers increased power and torque compared with the outgoing 2.2L engine.
By Jorge Palacios • June 22, 2016 -
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Canadian Researchers Paring Cost of Electric Motors
The public-private collaboration has found a way to include 60% fewer permanent magnets in electric motors by substituting them with more than 100 small magnetic components, resulting in smaller, less-costly and more-efficient motors.
By Alan Harman • June 20, 2016 -
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Noisy Latches No More
A leading door-latch supplier says most of its customers are beginning to turn an ear to the common device, and they don’t always like what they hear.
June 20, 2016 -
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Mini Vision Next 100 Combines Autonomous, Sport Driving in One Package
The concept is designed to drive autonomously, but when it detects a suitable road, it allows the driver to switch to John Cooper Works mode for ultimate performance potential.
By Greg Kable • June 16, 2016 -
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Salt Baths Charge Up Batteries, Researchers Discover
It has the potential to improve EV-driving range to a point where the alternative-propulsion systems could be competitive with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
By Alan Harman • June 16, 2016 -
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Volvo’s T6 Engine Part of Bold Powertrain Strategy
Volvo’s Drive-E T6 Twin-Charged I-4 is more than a great engine. It represents a global plan to cut costs, improve efficiency and standardize parts and processes.
By Gary Witzenburg • June 15, 2016 -
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Mazda Hoping for ‘CX-Mine’ Response to CUV
The automaker bills this family hauler as its quietest vehicle ever and the most exciting 3-row CUV on the market. The new CX-9 sort of seats seven, has a stellar powertrain and handles great, uncharacteristically hugging the road.
June 14, 2016 -
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PSA to Hike Car Builds, Add Engine Output in Slovakia
The facility, which makes Peugeot 208 hatchbacks and Citroen C3 Picasso microvans, launches output of a third model in the second half of this year. What PSA calls a ‟B Mainstreamˮ car is the successor to the Citroen C3 now built at Poissy, France.
By Peter Homola • June 10, 2016 -
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Oz-Designed EV Surfaces But Headed Underground
Tomcar says full-scale production of the zero-emissions Tomcar LV1 begins in November at its manufacturing facility in Melbourne, with deliveries to mining-industry customers starting in February.
By Alan Harman • June 10, 2016 -
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GMC Sierra Denali Loses Bump, Keeps Grind
Magnetic-ride control is a technical revolution in fullsize pickup comfort and elevates the truck’s balance between ride and handling to the head of the class among Detroit’s truck sellers.
By James M. Amend • June 9, 2016 -
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Nissan Plant Takes Sustainability to Higher Level
Sunderland’s 19,000 solar panels and 10 wind turbines save the equivalent of 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually and generate 7% of the plant’s electricity needs, enough to build the equivalent of 31,374 vehicles a year.
By Paul Myles • June 9, 2016 -
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Zipcar Sees Perfect Fit With Autonomous Future
“We feel like we’re in a good place,” Zipcar President Kaye Ceille says.
By David Zoia Editor • June 8, 2016
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