Vehicles: Page
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GM’s Fuel-Sipping Beast
The classic image of a V-8 is big and thirsty. Engineers set out to dispel that notion by making the small-block Gen V engines extremely efficient. Along the way, some dynamometers also got toasted.
By Gary Witzenburg • Feb. 27, 2015 -
Audi’s Second-Gen R8 Lighter, Faster, More Fuel-Efficient
The super coupe’s V-10 now incorporates cylinder deactivation and both direct and indirect injection, features that help boost fuel-economy some 10%. The car has the ability to go fast too, hitting 62 mph from a standstill in as little as 3.2 seconds.
By David Zoia Editor • Feb. 26, 2015 -
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 -
Corvette Z06 Tutorial: Know Your Limits
The 650-hp supercar is capable of sprinting to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and traversing a quarter-mile in less than 11 seconds. If you don’t know your limitations as a driver, or passenger, the Z06 will.
Feb. 25, 2015 -
Seven Automakers Now Behind U.K.’s ULEV Campaign
Between them, the seven Go Ultra Low manufacturing members boast 15 ULEVs across a variety of models, from family cars and vans to SUVs and high-performance sports cars.
By Alan Harman • Feb. 20, 2015 -
VW Golf R Is for Rapid
If you so choose, you could get in trouble in this performance car.
By Steve Finlay • Feb. 19, 2015 -
North American Light-Vehicle Production Hits 12-Year High in January
Car production saw a small downtick of 1.0% to 557,872 units, but production of light trucks jumped 5.6% to 768,764.
By Erin Sunde • Feb. 18, 2015 -
Ford Oz Plans Transition to Sales, Engineering Only
The automaker plans a new national sales company and says serious R&D work will still go on in Australia, where its car manufacturing is slated to end next year.
By Alan Harman • Feb. 17, 2015 -
Li-ion Battery Research Moves Ahead at Snail’s Pace
Graduate student Evgenia Barannikova says one of the inspirations for her research is how organisms such as mollusks demonstrate remarkable control to build intricate nano- and macrostructures from inorganic materials such as calcium carbonate.
By Alan Harman • Feb. 11, 2015 -
’15 Chevy Trax Funky, Fun Little CUV
The Trax takes aims at two sets of buyers, empty-nesters looking to downsize and young people buying their first new car. It is an approach that has played to varying degrees of success over the years.
By James M. Amend • Feb. 9, 2015 -
Ferrari Breaks Cover Early on 488 GTB Mid-Engine V-8
The supercar this year will replace the Ferrari 458 Italia and continues a tradition that originated in 1975 with the Ferrari 308 GTB, the automaker’s first mid-engine V-8.
By Giancarlo Perini • Feb. 6, 2015 -
Hyundai’s Fuel Cell Real Deal
Fuel cells have been a chicken-and-egg proposition between vehicle technology and infrastructure. The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell proves the vehicle technology now is ready for prime time.
Feb. 4, 2015 -
Hella Giving Vehicles Sense of Touch
Hella unveils its Intelligent Damage Detection System, which uses piezo-based sensors to detect whenever a body panel sustains a scratch, dent or worse. Think of the implications for rental fleets, car-sharing companies and personal vehicles.
Feb. 2, 2015 -
New Murano: Skip the RX, for Thousands Less
The third-gen Murano has a sedate ride, above-average handling and an interior upmarket in both appearance and features, all for thousands less than a Lexus RX.
Feb. 2, 2015 -
Better Test Drives and Service, Quicker Throughput on Toyota’s Radar Screen
Toyota is shifting its focus to improving the test-drive experience and streamlining sales and service procedures for buyers, in some cases with programs it will launch with Scion, still considered its test-bed brand for new retailing initiatives.
By David Zoia Editor • Jan. 30, 2015 -
In Lexus Parlance, F Is for Flogging
Lexus’ new coupe, the RC, arrives with an angry double-trapezoid face, taut sheet metal, excellent chassis dynamics, bold colors and an excellent 467-hp V-8 that loves track day. This car is not a real-estate agent’s safe choice.
Jan. 29, 2015 -
Ram CEO Says 29-MPG EcoDiesel Pickups Will Be Plentiful
Ram CEO Bob Hegbloom says consumers have been asking for the EcoDiesel engine in other body configurations.
By Byron Pope • Jan. 27, 2015 -
North American Light Vehicle Production at 14-Year High in 2014
December output was 17.1% higher than same-month 2013, leading to 5.2% growth for all of 2014.
By Erin Sunde • Jan. 21, 2015 -
Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2015 - Judges Discussion Part Two
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.A panel of Ward's 10 Best Engines judges discusses which engines in this year's competition didn't make it and why.
Jan. 14, 2015 -
Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2015 - Judges Discussion Part One
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.A panel of Ward's 10 Best Engines judges discusses the winning engines in this year's competition. The final tally was 36 powertrains evalua...
Jan. 14, 2015 -
GM’s Reuss Sees Hydrogen Fuel Cell Use Beyond Autos
“Our stack could be used in a lot of different ways,” he says of the fuel-cell technology, which in its second generation is half the size, 220 lbs. lighter and uses less than half the precious metal.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 13, 2015 -
Mini Announces Most Powerful Production Engine
This is the first John Cooper Works model built on the front-wheel drive global architecture Mini shares with the BMW Group.
Jan. 12, 2015 -
’16 Chevy Volt to Make 50 Miles All-Electric Range
The added all-electric range pushes the new Volt’s combined traveling distance to 420 miles from 380 miles currently. Fuel economy from the 1.5L gasoline range-extender engine rises to 41 mpg from 37 mpg.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 12, 2015 -
Panasonic Advances With Aupeo, eCockpit, Sync
At CES, the electronics supplier is rolling out its new Aupeo customized Internet radio service and emphasizing its role in developing Ford’s third-generation Sync telematics system.
Jan. 8, 2015 -
2015 Ward’s 10 Best Engines Quick Hits
A concise pro-and-con summation of all 37 powertrains evaluated in the 2015 competition. Many of these comments came directly from editor score sheets.
Jan. 7, 2015 -
GM Reveals Investment in Fuel-Saving Powertrain Startup
According to Tula Technology testing, DSF has shown a fuel-efficiency improvement of up to 15% in a multi-cylinder engine compared with an engine without cylinder deactivation.
By James M. Amend • Jan. 5, 2015