Vehicles: Page 131
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Jatco CVT Software Takes on ‘Smoothness Problem’
Jatco engineer Haruhisa Nakano estimates 70% of CVTs supplied to Nissan, the supplier’s biggest customer, will feature so-called D-step shift in the next two to three years.
By Roger Schreffler • Jan. 13, 2016 -
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VW’s U.S. Diesel Fix Remains Work in Progress
Executives apologize profusely at NAIAS but rule little out as the automaker looks for solutions to its emissions scandal. Vehicle buybacks, installation of new technology and the funding of non-auto-related environmental-improvement projects are among potential remedies.
By David Zoia Editor • Jan. 13, 2016 -
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IBM Offering ‘Watson’ Cognitive Computing for Cars
IBM’s Watson is a technology platform that uses natural language processing and machine learning to reveal insights from large amounts of unstructured data.
Jan. 12, 2016 -
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Porsche Dials Up Top-of-Line 911 Turbos’ Numbers
Both the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S boast more horsepower, quicker acceleration, higher top speeds and improved fuel efficiency.
Jan. 11, 2016 -
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2016 Wards 10 Best Engines Quick Hits
A concise pro-and-con summation of all 31 powertrains evaluated in the 2016 competition. Many of these comments come directly from editor score sheets.
Jan. 8, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: Volvo XC90 T6 2.0L Turbo/Super-4
The T6 promises to be a perfect fit for a lot of Volvos coming down the road and is proving out a new strategy for squeezing more performance and efficiency from smaller and smaller engines.
Jan. 8, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: Toyota 1.8L DOHC 4-cyl./53-kW Drive Motor
Toyota engineers have come through again with the ’16 Prius, setting new benchmarks in drivability, efficiency and value.
Jan. 8, 2016 -
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Hyundai Says Ioniq World-Beater in Fuel Efficiency
The automaker claims the car achieves fuel efficiency of 52.7 mpg using a 1.6L Kappa GDi engine developed specifically for hybrid applications and mated to a permanent-magnet electric motor powered by a lithium-ion-polymer battery pack.
By Vince Courtenay • Jan. 7, 2016 -
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Chevy Bolt to Spark GM’s Urban Sales, CEO Barra Says
The Bolt also soon could see duty in ride-sharing, another alternative and predominately urban mobility segment where GM recently has dipped its beak.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 7, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: Subaru 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC H-4
With the arrival of high-efficiency hybrids, there’s something comforting and nostalgic in an engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that needs a giant hood scoop to pull in enough air to let the intercooler do its job. That’s kickin’ it old-school.
Jan. 7, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: FCA 3.0L Turbodiesel DOHC V-6
Two diesels, the Nissan/Cummins 5.0L V-8 and General Motors’ 2.8L Duramax 4-cyl., were in the running for Wards 10 Best Engines but could not keep up with the Ram 1500’s 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6, which completes a three-peat of fairy-tale proportions.
Jan. 7, 2016 -
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New Lab Pursues Harmony in EV Standards in U.S., EU
The goal is to avoid creating a fragmented landscape in which each actor along the EV supply chain operates vehicles and charging platforms and smart grid systems with different and sometimes incompatible standards.
By Brenda Dionisi • Jan. 7, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: Nissan 3.5L DOHC V-6
For more than 20 years, the Nissan VQ’s calling card has been its unmistakably creamy midrange. But the new version displays a lot more composure when pushed hard, even to the brink of the 6,600-rpm redline.
Jan. 6, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: Hyundai 2.0L I-4/50-kW Drive Motor
The Sonata PHEV is a sizable and stylish car that looks a lot more expensive than its $34,600 base price. To experience this world-class drivetrain brings quick realization that it’s a bargain.
Jan. 6, 2016 -
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XF Makeover More Than Meets the Eye
The ’16 Jaguar XF gets a top-to-bottom makeover, including an all-new aluminum architecture, new exterior styling, front suspension shared with the F-Type and a 380-hp version of the British brand’s supercharged 3.0L V-6 engine.
By Bob Gritzinger • Jan. 6, 2016 -
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VW Wows CES With Technology Wrapped in Nostalgia
The BUDD-e is a square, practical package, but inside and out it is loaded to the gills with the latest technologies and concepts.
Jan. 6, 2016 -
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BMW Concept Advances Toward Autonomous Driving
At the heart of the conceptual interior fitted to the i Vision Future Interaction is BMW’s next-generation head-up display technology. The heavily reconfigured unit is supported by a contemporary 3-D digital instrument display.
By Greg Kable • Jan. 5, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: Ford 5.2L DOHC V-8
Ford dismantled a perfectly good 5.0L V-8 and put it back together with more displacement, less friction and weight, a volumetric efficiency of 110%, higher compression, 100 more horsepower and the ability to spin at a jaw-dropping 8,250 rpm without forced induction.
Jan. 5, 2016 -
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2016 Winner: GM 1.5L DOHC 4-cyl./120-kW Drive Motor
The Voltec propulsion system already was one of the most innovative powertrains ever mass produced. Now GM has made it significantly better in every way. There was no way we could not put it on the list this year.
Jan. 5, 2016 -
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European LV Emissions Down, Fuel Efficiency Up
BMW, Mercedes and Audi all achieved 45 mpg in 2014, while Peugeot and Renault improved to 53.5 mpg and 52 mpg, respectively. BMW showed the biggest improvement over 2004, 34%, followed by Mercedes (32%) and Peugeot (28%).
By Roger Schreffler • Jan. 5, 2016 -
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Very Good Year for Powertrains
When an editor lobbies for the powertrain that scores dead last in our competition (and shall remain nameless), it speaks volumes about the progressive leaps being achieved in noise attenuation, power delivery and drivability.
Jan. 4, 2016 -
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Land Rover Adds Diesel to Boost Range Rover in U.S.
The already capable and luxurious Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SUVs get turbodiesel V-6 power for the ’16 model year. Significant upgrades help meet stringent U.S. emissions limits.
By Bob Gritzinger • Dec. 28, 2015 -
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2016 Wards 10 Best Engines Test Drive: Chevy Malibu v. Honda Civic
Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.TRANSCRIPTSmall 4-cyl. turbocharged engines are all the rage, and General Motors and Honda offer up two that go head to head in this year’s ...
Dec. 23, 2015 -
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U.K. Extends Subsidies for Buyers of Greenest Cars
The government says extension of the grant program at least through March 2018 will benefit more than 100,000 people, double the number who have claimed the grant since 2011.
By Alan Harman • Dec. 23, 2015 -
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Honda Powertrain Overhaul Targets Weight, Emissions
“China will adopt some of the world’s most stringent regulations in terms of fuel economy,” Honda automotive R&D chief Keiji Ohtsu says. “In 2025, we don’t expect to be able to sell conventional internal-combustion engines, meaning we will be selling mostly hybrids including plug-in types.”
By Roger Schreffler • Dec. 22, 2015
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