Vehicles: Page
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Fossils Could Be Key to Future Li-ion EV Batteries
“To improve the adoption of EVs, we need much better batteries,” says researcher Mihri Ozkan of the University of California-Riverside. “We believe diatomaceous earth, which is abundant and inexpensive, could be another sustainable source of silicon for battery anodes.”
By Alan Harman • Oct. 31, 2016 -
U.K. Analysts Say Hybrid Sales Belie Dark Future
The news comes as the British government announces another £10 million investment into EV charging infrastructure.
By Paul Myles • Oct. 31, 2016 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 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 -
Chevy Cruze Hatch Smart, Sporty Step Forward
Form follows function, so the Cruze Hatch should appeal to buyers with active lifestyles. Folding the second-row seats opens up 47.2 cu.-ft. of cargo space.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 31, 2016 -
Wheego Retooled as EV-, Autonomous-Tech Supplier
The former electric-car maker now is focused on developing products for autonomous vehicles that use machine learning and artificial intelligence.
By Alysha Webb • Oct. 27, 2016 -
Bolt EV Bound for Korean Market, GM Korea Exec Says
GM Korea President and CEO James Kim says Korean customers had expected the Bolt to be offered locally, although a spokesman for the automaker earlier this week said GM only was “studying” whether to offer the EV there.
By Vince Courtenay • Oct. 26, 2016 -
Chevy Makes Trax More Upscale
Previously, the midgrade LT trim level was the most popular with Trax buyers, but GM executives expect the mix to richen due to the addition of a number of active safety features on the new Premier trim. Overall, the interior is much improved.
Oct. 26, 2016 -
Artificial Intelligence Next Big Thing for Cars
Key takeaways from a diverse panel of experts at the recent WardsAuto User Experience Conference discussing how AI will recast our time behind the wheel.
Oct. 25, 2016 -
No Incentives for Hybrids, Thailand Says
Toyota argues the Thai government should include hybrid vehicles in its promotion policy to keep them close in price to pure internal-combustion-engine vehicles.
By Alan Harman • Oct. 21, 2016 -
Toyota’s Powertrain Strategy Extending Beyond Hybrids
To date, the Japanese automaker, the world’s leader in gas-electric hybrids, has introduced three new engines with forced induction – two gasoline and one diesel – on 11 Toyota and Lexus cars.
By Roger Schreffler • Oct. 21, 2016 -
Report Touts Bigger Oz Role in Intelligent Mobility
The Australian Driverless Vehicle initiative is proposing a 5-year funding and incentive package focused on research, development, demonstration and deployment similar to the U.K.’s £100 million Intelligent Mobility Fund.
By Alan Harman • Oct. 20, 2016 -
Right Time for Prime
Toyota’s latest plug-in version of its venerable Prius hybrid has great bang-for-the-buck, and comes at a time when plug-ins are the hottest green-car segment.
Oct. 20, 2016 -
Lear Innovation Center Targets More than Automotive
Some 25 full-time Lear designers and engineers are moving into the Innovation Center to collaborate with students from the nearby College for Creative Studies and Wayne State University School of Engineering.
Oct. 19, 2016 -
BMW’s Near-Perfect I-6 Gets Even Better
Why not go to an easier-to-package V-6 like everyone else? BMW’s head of inline gasoline engines reminds us the I-6 not only is inherently smoother, but it also is significantly lighter.
By Gary Witzenburg • Oct. 19, 2016 -
Porsche’s Reality: More Speed, Fewer Pistons
The new 2.0L and 2.5L engines represent the first time Porsche, which has a rich legacy of horizontally opposed piston engines, has developed one that combines turbocharging and only four cylinders.
Oct. 18, 2016 -
Audi Names First Production EV e-tron
The e-tron name will be carried without any specific model designation, a move evoking the naming of Audi’s original quattro launched back in 1980.
By Greg Kable • Oct. 18, 2016 -
GM Courts Jilted VW Diesel Buyers
Although the Detroit automaker put a new diesel in its U.S. product plan several years ago, it is doubling down on the technology by adding it to the Cruze Hatch and Equinox.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 17, 2016 -
Singapore Car-Sharing Program to Deploy Fleet of EVs
The Economic Development Board says by 2020, drivers will be able to share 1,000 EVs and 2,000 charging points across the island state.
By Alan Harman • Oct. 14, 2016 -
GMʼs Opel Opens Propulsion-Systems R&D Center
Opel’s Global Propulsion Systems Center employs more than 800 engineers and technicians to develop future propulsion systems using state-of-the-art technology.
By Paul Myles • Oct. 13, 2016 -
2016 Wards 10 Best UX Quick Hits
A summation of all 29 vehicles evaluated as part of the inaugural Wards 10 Best User Experiences competition. Many of these comments are taken directly from score sheets submitted by WardsAuto editors. Prices listed are sticker, as tested.
Oct. 13, 2016 -
Technology, Engine Lineup Distinguish New 5-Series
Headlined by a 4-wheel-drive M550i xDrive M Performance model, the latest incarnation of the 5-Series follows an evolutionary path with an appearance less distinctly removed from its predecessor as 5-Series models have been in the recent past.
By Greg Kable • Oct. 12, 2016 -
Nissan to Unleash High-Powered Nismo in Australia
The ʾ17 Nissan GT-R Nismo features a version of the VR38DETT engine making 591 hp and 481 lb-ft. of torque, and uses the same pair of high-flow, large-diameter turbochargers as the GT-R Nismo GT3 race car.
By Alan Harman • Oct. 12, 2016 -
’17 Infiniti Q60: Good Looks, Great Personality
Nissan’s luxury brand is appealing to sports coupe buyers who appreciate beauty but look deeper than just that.
By Steve Finlay • Oct. 11, 2016 -
GMC Debuts Latest All-Terrain Truck, Duramax Diesel
GMC unveils the Sierra HD All Terrain X, a Duramax turbodiesel-powered addition to the brand’s off-road trim lineup. The new Duramax in the Sierra and Silverado HDs produces 445 hp and 910 lb.-ft. of torque.
By Bob Gritzinger • Oct. 10, 2016 -
Video Goes Behind-the-Scenes for Chevy Colorado FCV Assembly
The imposing Colorado ZH2 stands more than 6.5 ft. tall and rides on 37-in. tires and modified suspension to tackle whatever terrain the Army might throw at it during field testing next year.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 7, 2016 -
Mercedes-Benz Set to Join Formula E Racing Grid
Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, the automaker’s U.K.-based motorsport offshoot, looks set to take up the option on one of two entry slots to be made available during the fifth Formula E season, which would boost the grid to 24 cars.
By Greg Kable • Oct. 7, 2016