Friday, 22 December 2017

CARSCOOPS

CARSCOOPS

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Next Land Rover Defender To Offer All-Electric Variant

Posted: 22 Dec 2017 04:31 AM PST


Land Rover's next-generation Defender will premiere in the next 12 months and is expected to be sold with an all-electric powertrain.

The British carmaker has previously hinted about the possibility of a zero-emissions Defender, and Motoring now claims to have received word that the car has been given the go-ahead for production.

The claim comes from an unnamed "senior Jaguar Land Rover source" but no further details, including the size of the battery pack, have been revealed at this stage. With that being said, we know that the model will utilize at least one electric motor, potentially more.

Allowing the new Land Rover Defender to be offered with a host of different powertrains will be its platform. Rather than using the architecture of the next-gen Evoque or Land Rover Discovery Sport, or even the steel/aluminum platform of various Jaguar models, the new Defender is set to be underpinned by a custom version of the aluminum platform used by the Discovery, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport.

Offered alongside the all-electric Defender will be a number of petrol, diesel, and hybrid alternatives.

PHOTO GALLERY

Sebastien Loeb Returns To The WRC With Citroën - For A While

Posted: 22 Dec 2017 04:00 AM PST


Remember Michael Schumacher retiring from Formula One in 2006 and returning in 2010? Well, the World Rally Championship is about to experience a similar comeback, as Citroën has announced that Sebastien Loeb, by far the most successful rally driver in history, is returning next season, albeit only for just three rounds.

Now 43 years old, Loeb left the WRC after 2012 having clinched his ninth world championship and nothing left to prove. He has since contested only five world rallies (four in 2013 and the Monte Carlo in 2015), but hasn't been present at all these past two seasons.

Instead he's been trying his hand at other forms of motorsport. He set the Pikes Peak hillclimb record in 2013 with the Peugeot 208 T16, contested the Dakar Rally twice with Peugeot (coming in a close second last time), won six races with Citroën in the World Touring Car Championship, and competed in various other series like the World Rallycross Championship, Porsche Supercup, and FIA GT Series.

He'll be back at Dakar and the WRX again this season with Peugeot, and will contest three rallies with sister company Citr̦en, with which he won all nine of his world titles. Having already tested the new C3 WRC, he'll be back behind the wheel in Mexico come March, then Corsica in April and Spain in October Рall rounds which he's won previously.

"The feeling you get in rally is one of the most thrilling feelings I have ever experienced, and I was excited about driving one of these new WRCs in a race," said Loeb. "I don't have any expectations, I just want to enjoy myself."

With 13 rounds on the calendar next season, he won't be able add another championship to his cabinet if he sticks to racing in only three events, but it'll be interesting to see if he can compete after all these years out of the scene.

Photo Gallery

Daniel Ricciardo Thinks Red Bull Can Challenge For F1 Title In 2018

Posted: 22 Dec 2017 03:29 AM PST


Based on their impressive development rate in the second half of last season, Red Bull would be justified in being optimistic about 2018, as long as they avoid another bad start.

One of their star drivers, Daniel Ricciardo, feels that a slow start is the only thing that would stand in the way of his team being among the favorites to claim the 2018 Formula 1 championship.

"We just started off on the wrong foot," said the Aussie driver in an interview with Autosport, referring to 2017. "But the rate of development has been amazing, so I'm hoping if we can start on the right foot in 2018, you would argue we would be the favorites."

"If we started with Mercedes and Ferrari [levels of performance], our development is pretty strong. This year we started off the train. I guess the direction they thought was going to be the right way wasn't."

Ricciardo mentions that his team made a mistake focusing on a specific aero configuration in the beginning of the season, and it took them a while to bounce back. Yet, he also believes that had Red Bull not struggled early on, they could have challenged Mercedes and Ferrari this year as well: "We would be in the hunt," he said. "We would have taken it to the end."

PHOTO GALLERY

McLaren’s Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin Joins Aston Martin

Posted: 22 Dec 2017 03:00 AM PST


British racing driver and McLaren's Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin has left his role in Woking to join Aston Martin.

Goodwin helped develop McLaren's entire modern car range, including the P1, 720S, and more recently the Senna, while he provided his feedback in future models like the BP23 three-seater.

His job description in Aston Martin reads "Expert High Performance Test Driver", and he'll help develop new models like the Valkyrie hypercar, the DBX which is the brand's first SUV, as well as an unnamed-yet mid-engined supercar.

Aston Martin has also announced the hiring of Simone Rizzuto, previously responsible for vehicle performance testing at Maserati and Alfa Romeo, as Chief Engineer of Vehicle Dynamics.

"I'm thrilled to have people of Chris and Simone's calibre join Aston Martin's already stellar engineering and dynamics team," said Aston Martin's CEO Andy Palmer. "Their decision is a great endorsement of our future plans, while the skills and experience they bring is second to none."

PHOTO GALLERY

Ford Ranger Raptor Tipped To Launch On February 7

Posted: 22 Dec 2017 01:36 AM PST


The upcoming Ford Ranger Raptor will reportedly premiere on February 7 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Australian publication Motoring reports that the Ranger Raptor will come equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, rather than the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 of the current F-150 Raptor.

Power outputs of this new diesel engine remain unconfirmed but it is expected to deliver slightly more grunt than the 197 hp 3.2-liter inline diesel five-cylinder found in standard Ranger variants. A figure closer to the 241 hp offered by the VW Amarok V6 and 254 hp of the Mercedes-Benz X 350d is possible.

Mated to the diesel mill is set to be the 10-speed automatic transmission Ford co-developed with General Motors.

Underpinning the Ranger Raptor will be the firm's T6 ladder chassis, also set to be used by the next-generation 2020 Bronco, and aimed at providing the Raptor with admirable off-roading abilities.

PHOTO GALLERY

Honda Researching Solid-State EV Batteries

Posted: 22 Dec 2017 12:02 AM PST


Honda is reportedly the latest company to jump onboard the solid-state battery train.

Reuters recently received word from Honda spokesman Teruhiko Tatebe that the car manufacturer is researching solid-state batteries.

At the same time, the spokesman shot down rumors that Honda was researching the tech alongside Nissan, stating that "at the moment we're not developing them with another automaker."

Earlier this week, BMW became the latest carmaker to confirm that it was working on solid-state batteries as the industry looks beyond the lithium-ion batteries currently used by hybrids and all-electric production vehicles.

Whereas lithium-ion batteries use a liquid or gel-based electrolyte, solid-state batteries instead use a solid electrolyte. This results in greater thermal management and energy density properties, allowing technology companies to squeeze greater range out of smaller batteries. In addition, solid-state batteries offer superior charging times.

PHOTO GALLERY

Care For A $1 Million Aston Martin V12 Zagato?

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 08:44 PM PST


In 2013, Aston Martin introduced the V12 Vantage Zagato as a way to celebrate its 50th anniversary with the famed design house.

Thanks to its bespoke bodywork, the Vantage Zagato is one of the most beautiful vehicles to ever leave Aston's factory. Now, one has appeared for sale in Massachusetts with a $995,000 asking price.

Listed online by Aston Martin of New England Lotus Motorsports, this 2013 Zagato is painted in a breathtaking color dubbed Fiamma Red that apparently took 100 hours to produce.

When Aston commenced production of the model, it intended on building 150 examples. However, production reportedly stopped after just 61 production cars were produced, making the car rarer than the desirable One-77.

Alongside its Fiamma Red exterior, this example is bathed in Bitter Chocolate-colored leather and alcantara in the cabin, and has been driven just 253 miles from new. Additionally, it includes a number of special features from Q by Aston Martin, including Bitter Chocolate seat belts, alcantara steering wheel, and a fire extinguisher.

Given its limited availability, stunning design and potent performance, it seems inevitable that V12 Vantage Zagato prices will continue to rise, making this car a worthwhile investment for collectors.

PHOTO GALLERY

Faraday Future Boss Allegedly Created $75 Million Trust For Children With Company Money

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 08:02 PM PST


A software developer has accused Faraday Future boss and financier Jia Yueting of creating a $75 million trust fund for his children with company money.

The allegations were first reported by The Verge. Outspoken Washington-based software developer Gu Yingqiong publicly shared what he claims was a draft copy of a $75 million trust fund that the Chinese billionaire set up for his children with money from "Faraday Future's coffers."

Less than one month later, Yueting filed a lawsuit against Yingqiong, claiming that the allegations were false and that Yingqiong's behavior is "a continuous and systematic effort by an individual to intimidate, harass, and defame a stranger over the internet."

Yueting filed his lawsuit in California in October but it was dismissed due to a procedural issue. Shortly after, the tech billionaire filed for a temporary injunction in Washington and a libel lawsuit.

While Yingqiong's allegations haven't been independently verified, they do come at a particularly tumultuous time for the electric startup. In recent months, over half a dozen senior executives have left the company. Despite this, Faraday Future claims to have recently secured $1 billion in additional funding.

PHOTO GALLERY

Nissan Canada's Finance Services Suffer Possible Data Breach

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 07:33 PM PST


Nissan Canada has revealed that personal information of customers that used its financing services may have been compromised in a possible data breach.

The automaker was made aware of "unauthorized access to personal information" that occurred on December 11, reportedly targeting those that have financed a car through Nissan Canada Finance and Infiniti Financial Services Canada.

A statement released by Nissan says that the unauthorized access could have impacted information including customer names, addresses, vehicle make and model, vehicle identification number, credit score, loan amount, and monthly payment.

Nissan doesn't yet know how many of its 1.13 million finance customers could have been affected but says it is notifying all customers and offering them 12 months of credit monitoring services from TransUnion free of charge.

"We sincerely apologize to the customers whose personal information may have been illegally accessed and for any frustration or inconvenience that this may cause. We are focused on supporting our customers and ensuring the security of our systems," Nissan Canada Finance president Alain Ballu said.

PHOTO GALLERY

Audi Recalling 330,000 Vehicles In Germany Over Electrical Issue

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 07:02 PM PST


Audi is recalling 330,000 vehicles in Germany due to a potential electrical issue.

The company says that certain vehicles could have problems with electrical connections for the auxiliary heater, potentially causing fires. A handful of customers told Audi that they smelt burning in their cars, triggering an investigation from the firm.

Speaking to Reuters, an Audi spokesman said the recall affects A4, A5, A5 Cabriolet, and Q5 models built between April 2011 and May 2015.

There have been no reports of injuries, fires or other damage.

PHOTO GALLERY

Apple Patents Navigation System For Autonomous Vehicles

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 06:33 PM PST


Apple has secured a patent for a navigation system designed for self-driving vehicles.

Dubbed 'Autonomous Navigation System', the patent application notes a method used by Apple to improve the efficiency of navigation systems for autonomous vehicles, significantly reducing the need to remake detailed maps, CNBC reports.

The technology company notes in the application that traditional autonomous vehicle systems use static information, including maps, as the base of their navigation systems. Sensors are then used to identify real-time information that changes from day to day.

Rather than following this approach, Apple's technology utilizes a computer model for predicting routes using sensors and processors. This allows the system to direct the car "independently of any data received from any devices external to the vehicle, and any navigation data stored locally to the vehicle prior to any monitoring of navigation."

Despite remaining tight-lipped about its ventures into the world of autonomous vehicles for a number of years, Apple has slowly started to admit its interest in the industry. In fact, Apple chief executive Tim Cook recently said the firm is "very focused on autonomous systems" and views autonomy as "sort of the mother of all AI projects."

PHOTO GALLERY

Ford CEO Jim Hackett Apologizes After Harassment Claims

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 06:02 PM PST


Ford chief executive Jim Hackett has responded to harassment allegations filed against the carmaker.

In an open letter to employees, Hackett apologized to any employee that has been subject to harassment.

"I want to take this opportunity to say that I am sorry for any instance where a colleague was subjected to harassment or discriminatory conduct.

"On behalf of myself and the employees of Ford Motor Company, who condemn such behavior and regret any harassment as much as I do, I apologize. More importantly, I promise that we will learn from this and we will do better," Hackett said.

Earlier this week, a report from The New York Times indicated that many Ford workers, especially women, have been subject to harassment and retaliation at the firm's Chicago factories.

"There is absolutely no room for harassment at Ford Motor Company. We don't want you here, and we will move you out for engaging in any behavior like this," the newly-minted Ford CEO said.

The Detroit News reports that a video denouncing harassment and discrimination presented by Ford manufacturing chief Bruce Hettle and vice president of the UAW's Ford department Jimmy Settles, is playing on a constant loop at all of Ford's U.S. manufacturing plants. In August, Ford also reached a $10 million settlement over sexual and racial harassment claims at two of its Chicago facilities.

Concluding the letter, Hackett encouraged accusers to come forward.

"No one is above the rules, no matter where they are in the hierarchy. This is absolute. We have zero tolerance for any behavior like this, and we will stamp it out together."

VIDEO

McLaren Confirms Testing EV Supercar, Production Model Still Years Away

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 05:29 PM PST


McLaren aren't ditching the idea of developing a zero-emission hypercar, but the road to get there is very demanding and the current battery technology isn't helping them, either.

Nevertheless, Woking has an all-electric mule out there, as confirmed to Autocar by the company's engineering design director Dan Parry-Williams.

"We've got a pure EV mule, and part of the reason for that is to ask how we can deliver driver engagement in a fully electric world. But there's still quite a journey from here to there, in terms of our products", Parry-Williams said.

The McLaren exec added that, despite the investment made "into energy-dense batteries rather than power density", the current technology remains the biggest challenge when developing a high-performance electric vehicle.

"Let's say you want to drive on track for half an hour. If that was an EV, that car would have over 500 miles of (road) EV range, and it would be flat as a pancake at the end. The energy required to do really high performance on track is staggering. And then you have to recharge it", he added.

As a result, a fully electric McLaren is still somewhere in the future. Nevertheless, the automaker will launch electrified models, in accordance with their 'Track 22' business plan that calls for half of their cars to utilize a hybrid powertrain by 2022.

Note: McLaren P1 pictured

PHOTO GALLERY

Watch A Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 Go Flat Out On The Autobahn

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 05:01 PM PST


The Mercedes SLC might have been overshadowed recently by the latest AMG models, but it's still fun to drive, especially in range-topping 43 trim.

Introduced along with the facelift almost two years ago, when the SLK moniker was dropped in favor of the SLC, the AMG 43 serves as the successor of the SLK 55.

Unlike its predecessor, which used a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8, the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 367PS (362hp) and 520Nm (383lb-ft) of torque available on tap, which is 55PS (54hp) less and 19Nm (14lb-ft) more, respectively, than the SLK 55. In spite of its power deficit, it covers the 0-100km/h (0-62mph) acceleration in 4.7sec, an 0.1sec improvement, before topping out at 250km/h (155mph).

One of the few places, outside a track, where you can explore its power is a derestricted part of a German Autobahn, which is exactly where AutoTopNL took the little roadster for a flat-out run. So, if you're wondering what reaching an indicated 260km/h (162mph) looks like from the cockpit, you may want to click the play button on the video below.

VIDEO

Bugatti Announces It Delivered 70 Chirons Worldwide This Year

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 04:31 PM PST


It has been a good year for Bugatti, as 70 units of the Chiron have been shipped to customers throughout the world, helping the Molsheim-based car brand reach their target.

More than 300 units of the hypercar have been spoken for so far, despite a price tag in excess of $2.5 million. As Bugatti has announced that it will limit production to 500 units, this means that there are 200 still left for prospective customers.

"It is a tremendous success for the entire Bugatti team that we have already reached the target of 70 vehicles in the first full year of production of the Chiron", said the brand's CEO, Wolfgang Durheimer. "This outstanding performance is especially important because we aim to keep the waiting times for our customers as short as possible."

Europe, where 43 percent of orders have been registered, is Bugatti's largest market, followed by the United States and Canada with 26 percent. A further 23 percent have come from the Middle East, whereas the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 8 percent.

Unveiled during the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the successor of the Veyron has a 1,500PS (1,479hp) and 1,600Nm (1,180lb-ft) 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine. It needs less than 2.5sec to sprint from naught to 100km/h (62mph), though its top speed has yet to be announced. Still, it should be interesting to see if, at some point, they decide to go after the Koenigsegg Agera RS' 457.94km/h (284.55mph) record-breaking run or not.

PHOTO GALLERY

Toyota Highlander Tops Consumer Reports' SUV Satisfaction Survey

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 04:01 PM PST

As consumers have, for some time now, been flocking towards crossovers and SUVs, it's inevitable that more of these vehicles end up on the used car market.

So, let's say you're looking for a 3- to 5-year old mid-sized SUV, which still has a lot of life left in it, do you know what to shortlist and what to avoid?

If not, then Consumer Reports' owner satisfaction survey, put together using feedback from owners, should help you decide better, and Japanese automakers scored big here, bagging three spots in CR's Top 5.

Toyota tops the list with the Highlander, which is followed by the 4Runner. Honda's Pilot also made it into the Top 5, although it's not all Japanese, as Jeep fans love the Wrangler in spite of its faults, as it's a hoot to drive off-road, and most VW Touareg owners said they'd buy it again.

On the other hand, CR also lists three SUVs that owners were mostly dissatisfied with, and one of them comes from the FCA group - but you'll have to watch the following video to find out more.

VIDEO

Hennessey And Dodge Introduce The World's Fastest Christmas Tree

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:29 PM PST


Christmas is right around the corner and Hennessey Performance is celebrating the occasion in typical fashion.

In the company's latest video, John Hennessey explains they came up with the idea of creating the world's fastest Christmas tree so they reached out to Dodge to see if they had a Challenger SRT Demon available. Dodge didn't but the company happily sent over a Challenger Hellcat Widebody.

During a baseline test, the Challenger was able to hit a top speed of 177 mph (284 km/h) with the makeshift roof rack but not the tree. When the tree was added to the roof, it didn't have much effect on the car's performance as the model was able to hit a top speed of 174 mph (280 km/h).

Like the standard model, the $71,495 Challenger Hellcat Widebody has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that develops 707 hp (527 kW) and 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) of torque. It enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 195 mph (313 km/h).

While we have no reason to doubt this is the world's fastest Christmas tree, we've seen trees mounted on everything from a Ferrari 458 to a McLaren F1 GTR.

Video

VW Arteon To Celebrate Its U.S. Debut In Chicago

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:16 PM PST


A number of automakers are teasing their unveilings for the North American International Auto Show but a new report is suggesting the Volkswagen Arteon will make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

Originally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the Arteon is a stylish flagship which will replace the slow-selling CC which was only bought by 3,237 people in the United States last year.

Detailed specifications haven't been announced but Consumer Reports says the model will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 276 hp (205 kW). The engine will be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which can be paired to an optional all-wheel drive system.

Like the 2019 Jetta, the Arteon will be underpinned by the MQB platform. That's where the similarities end as the Arteon is a large and relatively luxurious vehicle that will slot above the Passat.

Pricing remains unconfirmed but the publication believes the model will cost around $34,500. That would make the Arteon significantly more expensive than the Passat which starts at $22,995. However, the Arteon should should come nicely equipped with power front seats, an infotainment system, and an assortment of other goodies.

Photo Gallery

Autonomous Chevy Bolt Involved In Motorcycle Crash In San Francisco

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 02:33 PM PST


It has emerged that one of Cruise Automation's self-driving Chevrolet Bolts was involved in a crash with a motorcycle in San Francisco.

In California Department of Motor Vehicles documents uncovered by CNET, it's been discovered that the Bolt and motorcycle collided on December 7 at the corner of Oak Street and Fillmore Street.

Following investigations, it was concluded that the Bolt was in autonomous mode at the time of the accident and was attempting to change lanes. Once the car realized that the gap to change lanes was shrinking, it started to make its way back to the original lane. Unexpectedly, a motorcyclist who was lane splitting at the time made contact with the side of the Bolt before falling down.

Fortunately, the Bolt was traveling at just 12 mph at the time of the collision while the 1996 Honda S90 was overtaking at 17 mph. The biker suffered a minor shoulder injury while the passenger side of the Bolt was left badly scratched.

Unlike some other incidents involving autonomous vehicles, the Bolt actually wasn't blamed for the crash. Instead, police determined that the motorcyclist was at fault for attempting to overtake the Chevrolet in an unsafe way.

"At Cruise, we test our self-driving cars in challenging and unpredictable environments precisely because by doing so we will get better, safer AV technology on the roads sooner," a General Motors spokesperson said.

PHOTO GALLERY

Jaguar I-Pace Could Be Significantly Cheaper Than The Tesla Model X

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 02:02 PM PST


The Jaguar I-Pace is inching closer to production and now we're starting to get an idea how much the model will cost when it goes on sale next year.

According to Autoblog.nl, the entry-level I-Pace S will start at €82,000 and come equipped with LED headlights, a Meridian audio system, and 18-inch alloy wheels. An additional €8,000 will get drivers the I-Pace SE which features leather upholstery, a power-operated tailgate, adaptive cruise control, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The I-Pace HSE is slated to start at €97,000 and come with additional equipment such as 18-way power front seats, heated seats, a Meridian surround sound system, and LED Matrix headlights. Buyers who want a fully-loaded model can reportedly opt for the I-Pace First Edition which costs €106,00 and includes all the aforementioned equipment as well as a panorama glass roof, a head-up display, and an air suspension.

Since prices vary by country, Jalopnik reached out to the automaker and a spokesperson hinted the model would cost 10-15% more than the F-Pace which starts at $42,065. While that seems to imply the model could cost between $46,271 and $48,374, the F-Pace S starts at $59,775 which would presumably mean the I-Pace S would retail for between $65,752 and $68,741.

Jaguar hasn't released final specifications but the I-Pace concept had a 90 kWh battery and an electric powertrain developed approximately 400 hp (298 kW) and 516 lb-ft (698 Nm) of torque. This enabled the crossover to accelerate from 0-60 mph in approximately four seconds and travel up to 220 miles (354 km) on a single charge.

Photo Gallery

Consumer Reports Says The Mercedes GLA Is The Least Satisfying Car In America

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 04:14 PM PST


New vehicles are typically one of the largest purchases that consumers make so it's important that you buy something that you'll enjoy for years to come.

Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen and sometimes owners spend tens of thousands of dollars on something they regret buying in the first place. Consumer Reports want to help people avoid this mistake so they've used data from their Annual Owner Satisfaction Survey along with their own testing and reliability ratings to come up with a list of the ten least satisfying vehicles in America.


Dodge Grand Caravan



The Dodge Grand Caravan dates back to 2008 and its $25,995 price tag simply can't make up for its many faults. As Consumer Reports notes, the minivan has the worst fuel economy rating in its class and its second-row seats are just plain lousy.

Fiat 500



The Fiat 500 bills itself as fun city car but it's simply a small, overpriced hatchback with retro styling. There are a handful of interesting variants but CR says the model suffers from a choppy ride, an awkward driving position, and a noisy interior.

Ford Transit Connect



The Ford Transit Connect was designed as a commercial vehicle and the magazine says consumers shouldn't think about it as a minivan replacement. While it offers good handling and a decent ride, there are plenty of faults including mediocre fuel economy ratings, a cheap interior, and a lack of features.

Infiniti QX60



Luxury vehicles are supposed to be comfortable, quick, and luxurious. The QX60 ticks a few of those boxes but there's no hiding the fact that the crossover is a Nissan Pathfinder in an extra-large suit. Despite highlighting the model's spacious and well-appointed interior, Consumer Reports say the QX60's fuel-economy rating is "so-so" and the driving experience is "mushy."

Dodge Journey



Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is prominently featured on this year list and that's largely due to aging vehicles such as the Journey. While it's relatively affordable, with pricing starting at $21,195, it suffers from worst-in-class fuel economy ratings. Consumer Reports is brutal when it comes to the Journey as the publication says "This low-rated model is a poor value anywhere — even at the airport rental lot."

Nissan Versa Sedan



The Nissan Versa is one of the most affordable sedans in America but buyers might want to simply shop the classifieds. That bargain basement price is a result of some major tradeoffs including a cheap interior and an underpowered engine that is paired to a continuously variable transmission. The model also suffers from a stiff ride and clumsy handling.

Chevrolet Trax



The Trax recently received a facelift but Consumer Reports says one of the biggest issues is the model's turbocharged 1.4-liter engine which isn't powerful or fuel-efficient. The organization also notes the Trax has a cramped interior, a stiff ride, and ambitious pricing.

Acura ILX



Like the Trax, the ILX was recently updated to fix its many shortfalls but these improvements didn't address the car's "stiff" and "jumpy ride." Other disappointments include incessant road noise, a bad transmission, and a confusing infotainment system.

Nissan Sentra



The Sentra has a lot going for it but even responsive handling and a spacious interior can't make up for a stiff ride and a driving experience that is described as "ho-hum and joyless." The base model is particularly disappointing as it is one of the slowest accelerating cars in its class.

Mercedes GLA-Class



The most disappointing vehicle might come as a surprise because it's made by Mercedes-Benz. Despite its luxury ambitions, the GLA is a high-riding hatchback that is small, cramped, and expensive as pricing starts at $33,400. Consumer Reports say the crossover suffers from a stiff ride, a loud interior, a bad gearbox, and poor visibility - just to name a few things.

Hyundai Intelligent Personal Agent To Debut At CES

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 12:59 PM PST


Hyundai has teamed up with SoundHound to develop an Intelligent Personal Agent.

Set to be unveiled at CES Las Vegas, the Intelligent Personal Agent follows in the footsteps of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It responds to the wake-up command "Hi, Hyundai" and will allow drivers to make phone calls, send text messages, and check the weather simply by speaking. Users will also be able to control in-vehicle functions such as the door locks, sunroof, and climate control system.

Hyundai is particularly proud of their system and says that is unique because it is proactive and can anticipate a driver's needs. As an example, the company says the system could give you reminders about upcoming meetings or suggest when you should leave to make an appointment based on current traffic conditions.

Another neat feature is the Agent's "multiple-command recognition" function. It allows users to say multiple commands in one sentence such as "Tell me what the weather will be like tomorrow and turn off the lights in our living room."

The Intelligent Personal Agent will be added to new vehicles in 2019 and a simplified version of the system will debut in the company's next-generation fuel-cell vehicle which will begin testing in South Korea next year. Unfortunately, the assistant will only understand English at launch.

Photo Gallery

Learning Teen Driver Takes A Shot At A Manual Acura NSX

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 12:31 PM PST


If you were like us, you probably learned to drive stick shift in a car that your parents/relative/friend didn't care about getting ruined.

The following 15-year-old, however, had the chance to experience a manual gearbox behind the wheel of an Acura NSX - no thanks to YouTube views.

The NSX in question is a first-generation model and unquestionably one of the most iconic performance cars to ever leave Japan. Have to say, if we were fortunate enough to own an NSX, we certainly wouldn't be lending it out to any teenagers, views be damned!

With that being said, it's worth noting that the NSX, like many other performance-focused Hondas, has a very slick manual gearbox with a positive feel, perhaps making it the perfect choice to learn the basics.

Power for the first-generation NSX was initially provided by a C30A V6 engine delivering 270 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Later iterations had a slightly more potent C32B V6 with 290 hp and 224 lb-ft.

VIDEO

Chevy's SSR Was The Roadster Pickup Truck Nobody Asked For

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 11:59 AM PST


Go back to the early 2000s and you'll probably see that GM wasn't taking that many chances on unconventional body styles, until the SSR came along.

The SSR featured a retro design, inspired by Chevrolet's Advance Design series of trucks from the late 40s and early 50s. Aside from the quirky styling, it also came with a retractable hardtop, making it a rather unique offering.

Inside, while the materials used were far from premium, the SSR was pretty well equipped, even boasting heated leather seats, though good luck trying to turn them on with the doors closed.

Over the course of his review with the Chevrolet SSR, Doug DeMuro found a large number of quirks, which include the odd placement of the heated seats buttons, but also the placement of the traction control button, the removable cup holder, and plenty more.

On the road, the SSR proved surprisingly decent to drive, with a smooth transmission (for such an old GM product that is), and a relatively punchy engine - though DeMuro wouldn't go as far as to call it quick.

In the end, this is the type of car you either love or hate, and since it wasn't exactly a sales success story, we can safely assume that most people wouldn't see themselves driving one of these things on a daily basis.

VIDEO

New Nissan Leaf Scores More Than 10,000 Orders In Europe

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 11:28 AM PST


Nissan was pleasantly surprised with the customer interest on the new electric Leaf as more than 10,000 people in Europe have already placed an order.

It's been two months since the company has opened the order books for the second generation Leaf, with Nissan reporting a strong and consistent demand for it across European markets.

"We are delighted by the tangible customer interest we have received for the new Leaf as it confirms the leadership Nissan has in electric vehicles," said Gareth Dunsmore, Director, Electric Vehicles, Nissan Europe. "However, the new Leaf is not just our new generation electric vehicle, but also the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility in Europe."

During the same time point back in 2010, the original Leaf had just a few hundreds of orders, as EVs were still an unproven technology. Nissan expects orders to further grow as the new Leaf starts to hit dealerships from February 2018 in Europe.

The new Nissan Leaf offers 147hp (150PS) from its electric motor and an official driving range of 235 miles according to the NEDC, thanks to its larger 40kWh battery pack. Nissan has also added features like the semi-autonomous ProPilot system, the e-Pedal, a seven-inch infotainment system and the Intelligent Around View Monitor to the new Leaf.

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