Volkswagen breaks ground on U.S. electric car factory, production starts in 2022
Volkswagen breaks ground on U.S. electric car factory, production starts in 2022
Volkswagen plans to start making electric cars in the United States in 2022. The German automaker is expanding its current Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant to make that possible. Volkswagen will build a crossover based on the ID.Crozz concept at the Tennessee factory alongside internal-combustion models.
Tesla gets permit to start production in Chinese factory
Tesla gets permit to start production in Chinese factory
Tesla received a permit to begin production of Model 3 sedans at its “Gigafactory” in Shanghai. The factory will be the first plant in China that’s owned by a foreign carmaker, and it will be Tesla’s first factory outside of the U.S. The Shanghai Gigafactory is one of four facilities that Tesla has running/in the works.
Toyota partners with weather firm to use wiper blade data to predict weather
Toyota partners with weather firm to use wiper blade data to predict weather
Japanese weather forecaster Weathernews has teamed up with Toyota to utilize its data communication module technology to pinpoint windshield wiper usage and therefore low-level rain that does not appear on weather radar. This technology will help drivers prepare for wet roads.
McLaren’s latest supercar has 804 horsepower and no roof
McLaren’s latest supercar has 804 horsepower and no roof
The McLaren Elva is an 804-horsepower roofless supercar inspired by the McLaren-Elva Can-Am race cars of the 1960s. Under the skin, the Elva boasts thoroughly modern carbon fiber construction. McLaren will make just 399 cars, priced at $1.69 million each. Deliveries begin in 2020.
Survive the slippery, snowy streets with these winter driving tips
Survive the slippery, snowy streets with these winter driving tips
Winter is officially here, which means the roads are more dangerous than ever. Thankfully, we've compiled a selection of driving tips to help you stay safe under slippery conditions, whether you're planning to travel across the state or run a few errands around town.
How Cruise builds digital maps for its self-driving cars
How Cruise builds digital maps for its self-driving cars
General Motors' Cruise division designs its own maps for self-driving cars. Those maps are vital to improving the performance of autonomous cars in real-world situations, Cruise claims. Cruise's self-driving cars compare sensor data to stored maps to orient themselves and plot maneuvers.
Hold your horses: Electric cars won’t go mainstream, Honda says
Hold your horses: Electric cars won’t go mainstream, Honda says
Honda acknowledged the need to make electric cars, like the adorable-looking E unveiled for Europe, but it will reduce its fleetwide emissions using gasoline-electric hybrid technology. Company CEO Takahiro Hachigo also cast doubts on the viability of autonomous technology, at least in the near future.
F1 has plans to race the world’s first net zero carbon engine in 2030
F1 has plans to race the world’s first net zero carbon engine in 2030
Formula One wants to effectively eliminate emissions by develop a "net zero" carbon hybrid powertrain. That will likely involve a combination of efficiency improvements and carbon offsets. Formula One also wants to eliminate single-use plastics at its races by 2025, and reduce emissions in other areas.
With newly added AWD, Toyota’s Camry and Avalon are ready to battle winter
With newly added AWD, Toyota’s Camry and Avalon are ready to battle winter
The Toyota Camry and Toyota Avalon are getting optional all-wheel drive, which should make both sedans a more practical option in snowy regions of the country. The all-wheel drive system from the Toyota RAV4 was modified to work in the Camry and Avalon, which are currently front-wheel drive only.
Stylish and compact, Hyundai’s next concept is tailor-made for Los Angeles
Stylish and compact, Hyundai’s next concept is tailor-made for Los Angeles
The yet-unnamed concept car is the next step in Hyundai's design overhaul. It's powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain, though technical details remain under wraps for the time being. It's unclear at this point whether the concept will reach production, or if it's a one-off design study built for the auto show circuit.
Lyft to return its electric bikes to San Francisco after battery fires
Lyft to return its electric bikes to San Francisco after battery fires
Lyft is about to return its electric bikes to San Francisco after two battery fires in July 2019 forced it to take them off the street. The company said it plans to deploy 4,000 new e-bikes over the next six months in the Bay Area, adding hundreds each week starting in mid-December.
Elon Musk says Tesla will build a European Gigafactory outside of Berlin
Elon Musk says Tesla will build a European Gigafactory outside of Berlin
Tesla is adding another engineering and design center location, as well as another “Gigafactory,” in Berlin, Germany. The latest Gigafactory joins other facilities in Nevada and New York, as well one in Shanghai that's currently under construction. Musk said it would be located near a Berlin airport.
Uber CEO apologizes for calling murder of Saudi journalist Khashoggi a ‘mistake’
Uber CEO apologizes for calling murder of Saudi journalist Khashoggi a ‘mistake’
Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has apologized to his staff after calling the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi a mistake during an interview on the HBO show Axios. I am sorry for what I said during that interview, he said. I think some folks are right to have been outraged.
This radar system could finally put an end to children dying in hot cars
This radar system could finally put an end to children dying in hot cars
A new A.I.-powered device can reportedly detect unattended kids and animals left alone in vehicles with 100% accuracy. The experimental technology uses a combination of radar and cutting-edge machine learning to make its potentially life-saving predictions. Here's how it works.
Airbag racing suits will be mandatory for 2020 American Flat Track racing
Airbag racing suits will be mandatory for 2020 American Flat Track racing
Sports apparel manufacturer Dainese and American Flat Track racing have taken a major step in the interest of motorcycle racing safety. Following a similar requirement 2018 for MotoGP racing, starting with the 2020 season, American Flat Track Premier Twin competitors will be required to wear airbag tracksuits.
Gazelle Ultimate T10 review: The best commuter ebike
Gazelle Ultimate T10 review: The best commuter ebike
Gazelle's Ultimate T10 is a practical commuting bike, yet it ups the ante with excellent design that races ahead of its boring competitors. Read our Gazelle Ultimate T10 electric bike review to decide if this is the commuter ebike for you.
Cookie Monster is back as a voice for Waze. Here’s how to set it up
Cookie Monster is back as a voice for Waze. Here’s how to set it up
In honor of the Cookie Monster and his birthday, Waze, the Google-owned navigation program, is bringing back his voice. Now Cookie Monster can you tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street. Like earlier this year it is expected to be available for a limited time.
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus Boot aims to be the supercar of off-road vehicles
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus Boot aims to be the supercar of off-road vehicles
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus is shifting focus from racetracks to the legendary Baja 1000 off-road race. The Boot is a reincarnation of a classic off-road racer, packing up to 650 supercharged horsepower. A racing version will compete in the 2019 Baja 1000, where the original raced 50 years ago.
Volkswagen and HP want your next car to have 3D-printed parts
Volkswagen and HP want your next car to have 3D-printed parts
Volkswagen and HP are looking for ways to get 3D-printed metal parts into production cars. HP was able to print 10,000 scale models of the Volkswagen ID.3 electric car, proving its Metal Jet 3D printers can work at high capacity. Volkswagen wants to 3D print gearshift knobs and other small parts.
Volkswagen aims for value with its updated 2020 Passat sedan
Volkswagen aims for value with its updated 2020 Passat sedan
The sedan segment in America is shrinking, but Volkswagen still believes in it. The German firm introduced the redesigned 2020 Passat with a new look, more tech, and a lower price to boot. With a base price of $23,915, Volkswagen is cutting the price of the Passat by about $1,300.
Tesla is working on an even more insane performance version of the Model S
Tesla is working on an even more insane performance version of the Model S
Tesla already has Ludicrous mode, so what could be more insane than that. The answer is Plaid. That's what Tesla is calling a new performance upgrade for the Model S. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the upgrade will be available next year, with more details to follow in the coming months.
2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid review: Not enough
2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid review: Not enough
The 2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid aims to offer practicality, performance, and good gas mileage. That's a tall order for any vehicle, so can the Acura MDX pull it off? While it helped create this segment, the Acura MDX now faces more competition from Cadillac, Lexus, Lincoln, and Volvo.
How to understand electric car specifications
How to understand electric car specifications
While electric cars are certainly the hottest thing since sliced bread, many of us are very confused about how to compare them to gas-powered cars. All the numbers for EVs, like Kilowatts, Amps, and KwHs are completely unfathomable to most of the public.
Formula One is adding cost caps in 2021, so teams are spending even more for 2020
Formula One is adding cost caps in 2021, so teams are spending even more for 2020
Formula One is adding cost caps for the 2021 season in order to level the playing field. But some Formula One teams are responding by spending even more in 2020, according to a new report. Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull dominate Formula One in part because of their massive budgets.
Lyft’s self-driving car-testing program is racking up the miles
Lyft’s self-driving car-testing program is racking up the miles
Lyft is steadily growing its autonomous car program, adding a new dedicated testing facility in California and a fleet of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans. Lyft claims its test cars are covering a greater number of miles in autonomous mode than they were just six months ago.
Mercedes-Benz’s brawny G-Wagen will get an electric makeover
Mercedes-Benz’s brawny G-Wagen will get an electric makeover
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class way be one of the last of the old-school SUVs, but it's about to get a modern electric powertrain. The CEO of Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler confirmed it in a speech. Mercedes-Benz plans to launch 10 electric cars by 2022, but it's unclear when the G-Class will go electric.
When it comes to green cars, Hyundai thinks the more, the merrier
When it comes to green cars, Hyundai thinks the more, the merrier
Hyundai will launch 13 hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric cars through 2022. Some of the cars will be updated or redesigned versions of existing models, such as the Hyundai Ioniq and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The total includes six cars and seven SUVs, according to Hyundai.
Former GM factory will get new lease on life building electric trucks
Former GM factory will get new lease on life building electric trucks
A new startup has acquired the General Motors factory in Lordstown, Ohio, and plans to convert the factory to build electric trucks. These electric trucks will be sold to fleets rather than retail buyers. The startup, Lordstown Motors Corporation, was spun out of Ohio-based Workhorse Group.
Audi’s tail-wagging rear-wheel-drive R8 will play an encore in 2020
Audi’s tail-wagging rear-wheel-drive R8 will play an encore in 2020
Audi made the limited-edition R8 RWS a regular production model by popular demand, and Digital Trends learned the model might reach American shores. Like the RWS, the RWD gets a de-tuned version of the regular R8's 5.2-liter V8, and unique chassis tuning that allows it to drift.
I drove a Type R to SEMA and saw the past, present, and future of car culture
I drove a Type R to SEMA and saw the past, present, and future of car culture
I’m blessed to be driving the first Type R to grace the shores of America, and I’m on my way from LA to Las Vegas to attend the 2019 SEMA show. This convention in the inhospitable Nevada desert is a celebration of all things car customizing, and it shows what will be popular in the coming years.
Lyft offers freebies to encourage people to ditch their cars
Lyft offers freebies to encourage people to ditch their cars
If you're a Lyft rider in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Chicago and are considering selling your car, then you could be in line for some freebies from the ridesharing company. The offer is part of Lyft’s Ditch Your Car campaign aimed at reducing car ownership and easing traffic congestion in major cities.
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata turbo shows value and performance can go hand in hand
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata turbo shows value and performance can go hand in hand
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata goes in a bold new design direction, with LED streaks on its hood and sleeker bodywork all around. It starkly contrasts the current Sonata's conservative design. Hyundai isn't offering any details on powertrains or tech features at this time, however.
Honda joins GM, Mercedes, Toyota in self-driving group
Honda joins GM, Mercedes, Toyota in self-driving group
Honda has thrown its hat in the self-driving-vehicle ring by joining the Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC). The AVSC was formed in April of 2019 and already includes SAE International, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Uber ATG, Daimler, and Lyft as members.
Infiniti bets its future on a hybrid system that has flummoxed other automakers
Infiniti bets its future on a hybrid system that has flummoxed other automakers
Infiniti plans to offer a hybrid or all-electric powertrain in every model beginning in 2021. But the Nissan luxury brand won't rely on an ordinary hybrid system. Infiniti plans to use a series hybrid system in which a gasoline engine acts only as a generator, without driving the wheels directly.