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    Honda Civic: Judging for 2016 Wards 10 Best Interiors

    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.TRANSCRIPT​Honda left us disappointed with the interior of the ninth-generation Civic compact car, but it certainly hits the mark with the c...

    March 31, 2016
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    The Big Story: 48V Industry’s Next Power Play

    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.Automotive electrical systems taxed by technologies for meeting tightening global fuel-economy and carbon-dioxide emissions regulations soon...

    By James M. Amend • March 31, 2016
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    Primearth, AESC Power Players in EV, PHEV Production

    Although their product portfolios do not include mobile-phone, computing and general power-grid applications, the battery manufacturers are giants in the auto industry thanks to their connections to Toyota and Nissan.

    By Roger Schreffler • March 31, 2016
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    What Makes a Great Interior?

    This year’s Wards 10 Best Interiors field consists of 47 nominees, including 18 utility vehicles and 15 sedans. The competition serves as the launch pad for Wards 10 Best User Experiences, which will be dedicated to judging the effectiveness of the newest human-machine interfaces in today’s vehicles.

    March 30, 2016
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    All-New Chrysler Pacifica Courts Next-Gen Parents

    Chrysler looks to maintain its dominant position in the surprisingly resilient small-van segment with its all-new ’17 Pacifica minivan. On sale this spring, the Pacifica replaces the Town & Country in FCA dealerships.

    By March 29, 2016
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    Nissan Reveals Gas-Engine Titan in New York

    The second-gen Titan sees horsepower grow slightly from its 5.6L V-8 and later will add a new V-6 engine to the lineup.

    March 24, 2016
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    Spanish Startup Unveils Prototype EV Sports Cars

    Slightly more than 13 ft. long with a range of more than 250 miles, the first version of the Art-Tech will be a 3-door 4-seater.

    By Jorge Palacios • March 24, 2016
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    Acura Refreshes MDX, Adds Hybrid Powertrain

    The MDX hybrid model should get 35 more horsepower and 7 mpg better city fuel economy than non-hybrid AWD grades.

    March 23, 2016
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    Researchers Claim Better Idea for Biodiesel Production

    Using sugarcane instead of soybeans in generating biodiesel fuel could be far more productive, a research team at the University of Illinois contends.

    By Alan Harman • March 23, 2016
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    Hyundai Exec, Korea President Tour EV Factory

    Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Eui-Sun had been billed as a key presenter at the EV Expo, but changed plans to show Korean President Park Guen-hye how the all-electric Ioniq is produced at the automaker’s Asan plant.

    By Vince Courtenay • March 18, 2016
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    Software, Autonomous Tech to Raise Vehicle-Recall Stakes

    Stout Risius Ross data shows design-related defects were blamed in 60% of U.S. recalls in recent years, a leading-edge indicator that advanced technology and integration issues are becoming big factors.

    By David Zoia Editor • March 17, 2016
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    Mahindra Counters Dieselgate With New Engine Lineup

    The automaker has developed two new, versatile multipurpose platforms, one due this year and the next in 2017. It also is working on six small eco-friendly engines, three diesels and three gasoline models.

    By Sudhakar Shah • March 17, 2016
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    GM Revs Up Another Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    The third ZL1 line of Camaros ever built gets GM’s LT4 6.2L V-8, a supercharged monster boasting 640 hp and 640 lb.-ft. of torque.

    By James M. Amend • March 16, 2016
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    Putin Associate Engineers CEO’s Exit From AvtoVAZ

    Sources say CEO Bo Andersson fell out of favor with Sergey Chemezov, whose company controls one-third of the automaker, because he favored foreign parts makers over local producers with suspected links to organized crime.

    By Eugene Gerden • March 15, 2016
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    Thailand Plots Course for Electric-Vehicle Future

    EV use will be opened to the public in the third phase in 2020 when the government says it will offer support to help develop basic infrastructure, smart charging and vehicle-to-grid systems.

    By Alan Harman • March 14, 2016
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    New Infiniti Engine Makes Q50 Smoking Hot Ride

    The new Nissan/Infiniti VR engine is a winner in the refreshed Q50 sport sedan but its neck-snapping gobs of torque, not 400 hp, is the real story.

    March 14, 2016
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    Autonomous Cars Need Million-Mile Reliability

    Cars used 22 hours a day could rack up at least 233,000 miles a year in city driving and much more in highway driving.

    By John McElroy • March 10, 2016
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    XT5 Much More Than Utilitarian Hauler

    On sale in April, the 5-passenger CUV benefits from softer edges in the sheet metal, an excellent 3.6L V-6, sophisticated all-wheel drive and aggressive mass reduction. Inside, the XT5 is ergonomically sound and isn’t trying too hard to be flashy.

    March 9, 2016
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    Chrysler Touts Pacifica’s Fuel-Economy Gains

    The ’17 Chrysler Pacifica minivan gains in all measures of fuel economy, but the bigger jumps come later this year when additional efficiency measures are added, including stop/start technology and a plug-in hybrid.

    By March 9, 2016
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    BMW Celebrates Centennial With Visionary Concept

    BMW celebrates its centennial with the unveiling of the Vision Next 100 concept, a far-reaching view of how the German automaker anticipates technology will be integrated into future models.

    By Greg Kable • March 7, 2016
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    Trinidad & Tobago Warms to Compressed Natural Gas

    Fuel subsidies for premium gasoline and diesel are being cut as part of Trinidad & Tobago’s drive to promote switching to CNG. The Caribbean country is a major natural-gas producer, having proven reserves of 25.2 trillion cu.-ft.

    By Andrew Burnyeat • March 7, 2016
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    ’16 Chevy Malibu Modern Family 4-Door

    After several years of missteps for a long list of both objective and subjective reasons, the second-best selling Chevy car rights the wrongs of the recent past and hits all the high notes.

    By James M. Amend • March 7, 2016
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    Mazda Diesel Moving in Japan, Export Markets

    There’s still no indication Mazda will follow through on original plans to sell its Skyactiv diesel in North America, but an executive says the automaker remains committed to the engine.

    By Roger Schreffler • March 4, 2016
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    U.K. Insurers Tout Autonomous Emergency Braking

    Supporters say the simplest form of AEB sensor, enabling a Lidar-based system found on the likes of the Volvo V40 and Mazda3, could cost manufacturers as little as £40. More advanced systems could cost no more than £200.

    By Alan Harman • March 3, 2016
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    Electric Turbo, 48V Electrics Onboard New Audi SQ7

    The performance-minded CUV’s new diesel engine employs two exhaust-gas-driven turbochargers and a separate electrically driven compressor to give the driver full torque the instant the accelerator is pressed.

    By Greg Kable • March 3, 2016