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    FreeValve Camless Engine Promises Efficiency Gains

    Lightweight, low-cost and generating low friction, FreeValve engine concept functions without camshafts and allows valves to open and close almost instantaneously. The production-intent engine has been installed in a Qoros 3 concept car.

    By Mike Aguilar • Jan. 30, 2017
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    Fields Says Talked Fuel Economy, Trade, Oval Office Décor in Meeting With Trump

    Detroit automakers lobbied for a single fuel-economy standard nationwide that would eliminate requirements such as separate electric-vehicle sales bogeys in California and 11 other states.

    By David Zoia Editor • Jan. 27, 2017
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from WardsAuto

    Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.

    By WardsAuto staff
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    V-6 Mills Mean Big Business For Mack Plant

    FCA’s Mack Avenue Engine Plant looks ahead to a bright future building an increasing number of Pentastar V-6 powerplants over the coming decade as V-8s wane and upgraded V-6s replace them.

    By • Jan. 27, 2017
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    Toyota Maximizes Power in Yaris Minicar’s New Engine

    The naturally aspirated 1.5L I-4 gasoline engine develops a maximum 110 hp and peak torque of 100 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm. It accelerates from 0-62 mph in 11 seconds.

    By • Jan. 27, 2017
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    Toyota Doubles Engineers for Lexus LS

    The increased amount of safety tech in the car is why it has more than 100 electronic control units, compared with 75 in the current LS, chief engineer Toshio Asahi says.

    By Roger Schreffler • Jan. 25, 2017
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    Tesla Expands European EV Fast-Charging Network

    Tesla’s Destination Charging program augments its Supercharger stations by placing standard wall-charging points in partnerships with organizations including hotels, resorts and restaurants.

    By • Jan. 23, 2017
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    Seating Supplier Adient Rolls Out Flurry of New Concepts

    Adient started the year collaborating with FCA on the innovative Chrysler Portal concept shown at CES, then introduced three more big ideas at NAIAS.

    Jan. 23, 2017
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    Achates: Opposed-Piston Engine Makers Tooling Up

    Inexpensive to manufacture, compatible with all fuels, cleaner burning and up to 50% more fuel efficient, the opposed-piston engine is finding traction with manufacturers, Achates says. The first demonstration vehicle will be ready for driving next year.

    Jan. 23, 2017
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    JCW Countryman, Most Muscular Mini, Ready to Launch

    The 2.0L I-4 engine boasts 13 hp more than the previous JCW Countryman using a turbocharging system integrated into the cast-steel manifold, gasoline direct injection and a fully variable valve control system.

    By • Jan. 19, 2017
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    Eye-Catching Infiniti QX50 Suggests Nissan-Daimler Collaboration A-OK

    Rumors the two automakers might scrap plans to continue developing vehicles together were flatly denied at the Detroit auto show, where one of the biggest draws was the stylish CUV concept chartered with taking Infiniti interior design to the next level.

    By David Zoia Editor • Jan. 19, 2017
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    Fleet Managers Fret About U.K. Clean-Air Fallout

    Rising concerns about compliance with carbon-dioxide emissions rules are in line with apprehension over changes in company-car taxation and other measures aimed at raising the uptake of Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles in the U.K.

    By • Jan. 17, 2017
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    The Big Story: FCVs – Hydrogen in the Pipeline

    After two decades of automotive fuel-cell development, industry interest, declining costs and increasing regulations make the prospects for a hydrogen-fueled future brighter than ever.

    By • Jan. 17, 2017
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    Marchionne on Trump, Tweets, Mexico, Google Self-Driving Cars and Diesels

    “None of us have had a tweeting president before. It’s a new way of communication and I think we are going to have to learn how to respond.”

    Jan. 16, 2017
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    Ram, Jeep Diesels Under Fire

    The EPA says the 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 in Ram 1500 pickups and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs use illegal “defeat devices” that allow emissions to exceed federal limits. FCA stands by its vehicles.

    By • Jan. 12, 2017
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    European OEMs Downsizing, Going Electric

    Hybrids, excluding plug-ins, marginally grew to 1.5% in 2015, or an estimated 175,200 units, from 1.4%, or 205,500 one year earlier, according to an annual report on the EU market.​

    By Roger Schreffler • Jan. 12, 2017
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    Camaro Sets New Tone for Sporty Chevy Interiors

    The iconic muscle car strikes best possible balance between heritage design and modernity.

    By Gary Witzenburg • Jan. 12, 2017
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    2017 Wards 10 Best Engines Quick Hits

    A pro-and-con summation of all 40 powertrains evaluated in the 2017 competition. Many comments come directly from editor score sheets.

    Jan. 11, 2017
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    VW at Turning Point in U.S., Execs Say

    While the Dieselgate emissions scandal continues to make headlines, the automaker says it is focused on rebuilding its relationship with U.S. customers via a new line of CUV models and push into electrification.

    By David Zoia Editor • Jan. 10, 2017
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    New Face and Diesel for ’18 Ford F-150

    Ford engineers a significant makeover of its best-selling F-150 pickup for the ’18 model year, updating engines, adding technology and restyling front and rear. A diesel engine is coming in spring 2018, Ford says.

    By • Jan. 9, 2017
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    Odyssey Unwrapped With In-Vehicle Camera, Advanced Automatics

    The fifth-generation of Honda’s minivan keeps pace with competitors on technology, thanks to a cabin microphone and camera, as well as 4G LTE and a customizable display audio screen.

    Jan. 9, 2017
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    Google Building Own Self-Driving LiDAR, Radar and Vision Systems

    The cost of LiDAR systems used in autonomous vehicles has been reduced 90% from about $75,000, Krafcik says.

    Jan. 9, 2017
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    Autonomous Cars Most Helpful to Disabled, Poll Shows

    The Nissan survey finds 56% of U.K. drivers see autonomous vehicles being of the greatest value to the personal mobility of the disabled, while 42% cite the visually impaired and 30% believe the elderly would benefit the most.

    By Alan Harman • Jan. 9, 2017
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    VW’s I.D. Buzz Packages High Tech Under Retro Skin

    The I.D. Buzz forms part of a multi-model EV initiative headed by VW brand chief Herbert Diess, who aims to rehabilitate the company’s image following the Dieselgate emissions scandal.

    By Greg Kable • Jan. 8, 2017
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    Struggling Faraday Future Boldly Hypes New Electric Supercar

    Company officials say the vehicle will be available in 2018 even though the assembly plant that will build it currently is just a patch of graded dirt.

    Jan. 4, 2017
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    Canada Rolls Out Own Testing of Autonomous Cars

    Participants in the pilot test that began Nov. 28 include the University of Waterloo, Canadian communications giant BlackBerry and motor-home maker Erwin Hymer Group.

    By Aishu Ravishankar • Jan. 3, 2017