The electric Mini Cooper SE’s driving range confirms it’s not a road-tripper
The electric Mini Cooper SE’s driving range confirms it’s not a road-tripper
With up to 110 miles of range in ideal conditions, the Mini Cooper SE is has one of the shortest driving ranges of any electric car sold in the United States. The company argues it was developed as a city car, not for long trips, and buyers can take advantage of quick charging. Pricing starts at $30,000.
The Porsche Taycan falls completely short of the Model S when it comes to range
The Porsche Taycan falls completely short of the Model S when it comes to range
201 miles really isn't great, but we don't think it's going to be a deal breaker for buyers. Those in the market for a Porsche Taycan certainly have the means to invest in a home charger, and odds are they have a gasoline-powered car (or two, or three) for long trips. The EPA has only rated one version of the Taycan.
Uber offers skiers and snowboarders a hassle-free ride to the slopes
Uber offers skiers and snowboarders a hassle-free ride to the slopes
Heading to the slopes this winter? If you need transportation to get between the city and the piste, then Uber's latest offering might well come in handy. Uber Ski operates in 23 locations across the U.S. and guarantees a vehicle that can handle all of your gear. Though it does involve a surcharge.
HBO, Twitch, and other streaming apps may come to Tesla’s dashboard
HBO, Twitch, and other streaming apps may come to Tesla’s dashboard
Tesla cars already have a slew of special infotainment features, but even more in-car streaming services and video game streaming might become available to Tesla owners. A Twitter user found premium streaming apps like HBO Go, HBO Now, and Comedy Central, as well as popular gaming platforms like Twitch and Mixer.
Waze just added a new feature designed to make winter drives easier
Waze just added a new feature designed to make winter drives easier
Navigation app Waze has launched a new feature just in time for winter. It lets you report unplowed roads so you can help fellow drivers in the area better plan their route. The feature joins other reportable issues such as potholes and floods, and is available to Waze’s global community of 130 million users.
Use Wheels’ new helmets and the bikesharing startup will discount your ride
Use Wheels’ new helmets and the bikesharing startup will discount your ride
Eager to keep its riders safe, as well as to avoid scrutiny from regulators, bikesharing startup Wheels has fitted its electric bikes with helmets. And riders will get a discount if they wear one. California-based Wheels operates in eight U.S. locations that include Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami.
Truck owners prefer GM and Ford over Tesla Cybertruck, new study says
Truck owners prefer GM and Ford over Tesla Cybertruck, new study says
There has been a lot of hype surrounding Tesla’s electric pickup truck, but drivers still prefer other electric pickup models, according to a new study. Out of about 1,100 car shoppers, 63% of current truck owners prefer the GM electric truck and the Ford F-150 electric truck over the Tesla Cybertruck.
Walmart will begin to use autonomous electric cars to deliver groceries
Walmart will begin to use autonomous electric cars to deliver groceries
Your Walmart groceries might soon be delivered via an autonomous vehicle thanks to the retail giant’s new partnership with Nuro. The partnership kicks off in the coming weeks as a pilot program in Houston and will deliver groceries using Nuro’s self-driving technology and fleet of electric vehicles.
Outdo your neighbors with this Nissan Leaf mobile Christmas tree
Outdo your neighbors with this Nissan Leaf mobile Christmas tree
Instead of decking the halls, Nissan decked out its Leaf electric car in thousands of Christmas lights. It's a festive demonstration of the car's ability to harvest energy through regenerative braking. This uses energy normally lost as heat to recharge the battery pack.
This autonomous truck just made a cross-country grocery run
This autonomous truck just made a cross-country grocery run
An autonomous truck developed by startup Plus.ai just completed a cross-country trip, hauling a refrigerated trailer for Land O'Lakes between California and Pennsylvania. The truck took three days to cover the 2,800-mile distance, with minimal human intervention, according to Plus.ai.
Hacker finds Tesla is working on a neighborhood-friendly Autopilot
Hacker finds Tesla is working on a neighborhood-friendly Autopilot
Tesla is teaching its Autopilot-equipped cars how to recognize stop signs and traffic lights, according to a hacker, which represents a step toward making the software more suitable for urban use. There's no word yet on when the new features are coming, but we expect they'll be rolled out in the coming months.
Tesla owners now need to pay a monthly fee to unlock their car’s best features
Tesla owners now need to pay a monthly fee to unlock their car’s best features
Digital Trends expects the automotive industry's paywall to continue to grow during the 2020s; Tesla's decision to charge customers for access to full connectivity is only the beginning. The Model S, Model 3, and Model X will nonetheless come standard with basic features such as Bluetooth streaming and navigation.
2020 Hyundai Sonata first drive review: Laser light show
2020 Hyundai Sonata first drive review: Laser light show
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata can drive itself out of parking spaces, watch your blind spots, and look good while doing it. The redesigned Sonata swings for the fences on style and tech. Can Hyundai fend off the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima, not to mention new crossovers?
This 3D-printed electric car could be sketchiest Kickstarter yet
This 3D-printed electric car could be sketchiest Kickstarter yet
A Chinese startup is running a Kickstarter program to fund production of its 3D-printed electric car. The pint-sized YoYo has a top speed of just 43 mph, with a claimed range of 93 miles. XEV hopes to start production in 2020, and is looking for about $550,000 in funding.
Tesla fans want a Cybertruck made of Legos, and it might actually happen
Tesla fans want a Cybertruck made of Legos, and it might actually happen
One Lego fan is hoping to make a Lego Cybertruck set a reality. A Lego Ideas user posted a rendering of a Tesla Cybertruck Lego set that looks just like the original version, complete with front trunk and tailgate opening and closing function. So far, the idea is backed by more than 2,100 supporters.
A racing-inspired software update could boost the Jaguar I-Pace’s range
A racing-inspired software update could boost the Jaguar I-Pace’s range
The Jaguar I-Pace is getting a software update based on data from real-world driving and the I-Pace eTrophy racing series. Official ratings won't change, but Jaguar claims drivers may get improved real-world range. Jaguar also tweaked the all-wheel-drive and regenerative braking systems.
Ford wants to trick your body into thinking it’s warm to maximize EV range
Ford wants to trick your body into thinking it’s warm to maximize EV range
Using the climate control system reduces an electric car's range by up to 50%. Rather than giving EV buyers a free parka, the company is working on color-coded ambient lightning technology that makes the passengers feel cooler or warmer than they really are. We could see this feature in production.
Mercedes-Benz and Bosch are starting an autonomous shuttle service in California
Mercedes-Benz and Bosch are starting an autonomous shuttle service in California
Operating between downtown San Jose, California and the west part of the city, the ride-hailing service will include 30 prototypes based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Only Bosch and Daimler associates will be allowed to ride in the cars, but the partners plan to open it up to the general public as soon as possible.
Watch Elon Musk take Los Angeles by storm in the Tesla Cybertruck
Watch Elon Musk take Los Angeles by storm in the Tesla Cybertruck
Los Angeles-based car-spotters were in for a treat when Elon Musk cruised down the 405 freeway in the one and only Tesla Cybertruck prototype, and later parked it in front of a swank Malibu restaurant. The company was either testing something, like the powertrain, or it simply wanted to show off its first pickup.
Self-driving baggage tractor is the latest smart tech for airports
Self-driving baggage tractor is the latest smart tech for airports
With an eye on creating the "smart airport" of the future, Air France has unveiled a self-driving baggage tractor that allows staff to focus on other work, thereby making the baggage-handling process more efficient. It's just the latest example of how a growing number of industries are utilizing autonomous technology.
Hyundai tries to make ordinary sedans more exciting with the Sonata N-Line
Hyundai tries to make ordinary sedans more exciting with the Sonata N-Line
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata has plenty of tech, but it's a bit short on fun. Hyundai will try to fix that with a sporty Sonata N-Line model. We snagged an early test drive of a prototype. On sale in fall 2020, the N-Line packs a 290-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
New ‘shady’ research from MIT uses shadows to see what cameras can’t
New ‘shady’ research from MIT uses shadows to see what cameras can’t
What if you could look at an existing video and determine what was happening just outside the camera's view? That's the idea behind new research from MIT that uses shadows to recreate the objects that are outside the frame. The research could potentially be used for applications like self-driving cars.
The often-forgotten original Tesla model is finally getting some love
The often-forgotten original Tesla model is finally getting some love
The day might come when Tesla needs to establish a division dedicated to classic cars. In the meantime, it promised Roadster owners waiting for spare parts that relief is around the corner. It will establish a service team dedicated to keeping its first model on the road. It's also inviting owners to trade them in.
Elon Musk and his Cybertruck make a glorious appearance in N64’s GoldenEye
Elon Musk and his Cybertruck make a glorious appearance in N64’s GoldenEye
This pixelated Cybertruck looks surprisingly at home prowling the streets of St. Petersburg, shooting and getting shot at in equal measures. It's also seemingly more bulletproof than it was during its unveiling. Elon Musk makes an appearance in the game to send James Bond on a dangerous, top-secret mission.
Waymo edges toward full-fledged robo-taxi service with iOS app launch
Waymo edges toward full-fledged robo-taxi service with iOS app launch
Waymo is making it a whole lot easier to sign up for its Waymo One robo-taxi service after launching its ridesharing app for iPhone. Anyone in the U.S. can apply to join the program, though for now you’ll be put on a waitlist for autonomous rides that operate in Phoenix, Arizona only.
Uber received more than 3,000 reports of sexual assault in the U.S. in 2018
Uber received more than 3,000 reports of sexual assault in the U.S. in 2018
Uber's first-ever safety report reveals the ridesharing giant received more than 3,000 reports of sexual assault on both riders and drivers in the U.S. in 2018. The firm said 99.9% of its rides take place without any issue, though the CEO said there’s still more work to do to improve the safety of its service.
Hyundai’s dreamy hot hatch concepts could spawn a fun-to-drive hybrid
Hyundai’s dreamy hot hatch concepts could spawn a fun-to-drive hybrid
The day will come when Hyundai will sell a mid-engined super-hybrid priced well into Porsche territory -- how's that for unexpected? The company's on-going RM-badged series of concept cars will ultimately spawn a production model that will very likely be electrified to some degree. Another concept is due out in 2020.
This simple seat clip could help save the lives of kids left in sweltering cars
This simple seat clip could help save the lives of kids left in sweltering cars
Car Seat CoPilot Automatic Alert System is designed to alert parents or caregivers if they accidentally leave a child in the car. A clip that latches onto the child’s car seat uses a radio frequency signal that triggers an alarm if the paired key fob reaches 10 feet away or more.
BMW makes Apple CarPlay free across its entire range of models
BMW makes Apple CarPlay free across its entire range of models
BMW is no longer charging buyers of its vehicles an annual $80 subscription to use CarPlay. It was the only company in the industry that did this, and it admirably chose to give up a source of revenue in the name of connectivity. Current BMW owners paying for a subscription will get free CarPlay, too.
Here’s how Porsche plans to give electric SUVs snow-conquering grip
Here’s how Porsche plans to give electric SUVs snow-conquering grip
The Porsche Taycan may have just launched, but the German automaker is already thinking ahead to future electric models. Porsche has devised a new all-wheel drive system for electric SUVs that will use four motors. This system could be used in an electric Macan, but Porsche hasn't confirmed anything.
McDonald’s is sending Ford its garbage in the name of sustainability
McDonald’s is sending Ford its garbage in the name of sustainability
Ford isn't breaking into the waste disposal business; its researchers found an innovative way to replace plastic with a natural byproduct of the coffee-roasting process. McDonald's will start sending Ford a significant amount of coffee waste, which will be used to make headlight housings for the Ranger.
There’s a new ‘Cannonball Run’ record for driving across the USA
There’s a new ‘Cannonball Run’ record for driving across the USA
Three intrepid men took on the challenge of breaking the transcontinental record for traveling from New York to California at very high rates of speed to claim the quickest time ever recorded.
This Lotus-based submarine helped Tesla make the Cybertruck aerodynamic
This Lotus-based submarine helped Tesla make the Cybertruck aerodynamic
There's at least one vintage car in Musk's garage: a 1976 Lotus Esprit converted into an electric submarine for the 1977 James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. The wedge-shaped coupe partly influenced the Cybertruck's design, according to the executive. It's a silhouette that's far more aerodynamic than it might seem.
Tesla proposes dirt-busting lasers to clean grime off windshields
Tesla proposes dirt-busting lasers to clean grime off windshields
Forget using wipers to clean your windshield. Tesla thinks you should be able to destroy the dirt with laser beams. The idea, which showed up in a recently published patent, sounds perfect for Tesla’s futuristic Cybertruck, though the company says the technology could be used to clean solar panels, too.