More tech and more space make the Mercedes-Benz GLS the S-Class of the SUV world
Mercedes-Benz introduced the second-generation GLS at the 2019 New York Auto Show. The company's biggest and most luxurious SUV gains more tech features in its quest to become the S-Class of the SUV world. It's offered with mild hybrid powertrains, seven real seats, and a cutting-edge suspension system.
Technology trickles down from above to make the new 2019 Audi Q3 smarter
Audi's unprecedented product offensive continues with the launch of the brand-new, second-gen Q3. The firm's smallest SUV gets tech features like a virtual cockpit and a single screen variant of MMI Touch Response from bigger models. It offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and all-wheel drive.
Drywall or kayaks? The 2020 Toyota Highlander is ready for your weekend plans
Toyota introduced the 2020 Highlander ahead of its public debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show. The fourth-generation Highlander is bigger than its predecessor, and it comes with more tech features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It will begin arriving in showrooms in December 2019.
The 2020 Toyota Yaris offers big car tech in a small, Mazda-flavored package
Toyota resurrected the Yaris nameplate with a little bit of help from Mazda. Closely related to the Mazda2 sold overseas, the hatchback now stands out with a sharper design than before, and tech features normally found on bigger, more expensive cars. The 2020 Toyota Yaris will go on sale by the end of 2019.
The 2020 Subaru Outback wants to take you to (and teach you about) the outdoors
The Outback is one of Subaru's most significant models, so the Japanese firm couldn't afford to make a mistake when it did an overhaul. The sixth-generation Outback stands out with all-wheel drive and a rugged design, but it becomes a more user-friendly station wagon thanks to improved tech features.
The Audi AI:me concept shows how a self-driving city car can fight boredom
Audi unveiled a concept car named AI:me at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It explores what an electric, autonomous, and connected city car could look like. It fights boredom with an on-board VR set while taking Audi's tech-savvy interiors to new heights. The concept could preview a follow-up to the A2 city car.
Volkswagen ID Roomzz concept has rear lights you can customize with an app
Volkswagen unveiled the ID Roomzz concept at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It takes the form of an Atlas-sized SUV with a high-tech, lounge-like interior and an electric powertrain. The Roomzz will enter series production in 2021, and it will go on sale in China shortly after. U.S. sales haven't been confirmed yet.
Entry-level Tesla Model 3 now available only as a special order model
Tesla has deleted the entry-level, $35,000 Model 3 from its online store. The version remains available but buyers need to place a special order by calling the company or visiting one of its stores. Tesla also made Autopilot standard, which increases the cost of its cars, and announced a leasing program.
Supercar tech makes the 2019 GMC Sierra pickup lighter and stronger
The number of V8-powered vehicles that rely on carbon fiber to save weight just grew by one, but the newest member of this expanding club is not what you'd expect. While supercar manufacturers like Lamborghini have used carbon fiber for decades, GMC is bringing the material into the pickup segment with the Sierra.
This Tesla Model S was turned into a motor home and could break a world record
Author and traveler Travis Rabenberg is turning a Tesla Model S into an electric motor home. It has a top speed of 150 mph, and it can drive for up to 200 miles on a single charge. Rabenberg will take his motorhome on an epic road trip from England to Dubai, and he hopes to set a Guinness world record with it.
Jeep will let six mud-flinging concept trucks loose on the trails of Moab, Utah
Jeep has revealed six one-of-a-kind concept trucks based on the new Gladiator pickup. Some of the design studies channel the company's illustrious past, while others were developed with an eye on the future. The six trucks will hit the trails around Moab, Utah, during the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari.
Tesla adds two more classic Atari games to its infotainment system
Tesla expanded the roster of classic Atari games programmed into its infotainment system. Starting in April 2019, owners will be able to use the steering wheel-mounted buttons to play 2048 and Breakout on the car's touchscreen. Tesla previously tried recruiting video game developers, so it could release its own game.
Tesla’s latest over-the-air update lets its cars change lanes on their own
Tesla released an over-the-air software update that lets compatible cars change lanes on their own, without asking the driver for confirmation. It's a feature that owners need to manually engage. Motorists who are not comfortable with the idea of the car deciding when to change lanes can turn the feature off.
Audi reveals the E-Tron’s full specifications ahead of its market launch
Audi has released full specifications about the E-Tron, its first series-produced electric car, ahead of the model's market launch. The E-Tron can drive for 204 miles on a single charge, according to the EPA. Audi chose to play it safe in order to maximize longevity and deliver repeatable performance.
The 2020 Lexus RC F goes on a diet to run faster and hit harder
The Lexus RC F has been one of the heavier cars in its competitive set since its introduction. The Japanese firm's engineers set out to shed weight as they gave the model a mid-cycle update. It keeps its naturally aspirated, 5.0-liter V8 engine but it gains electronic launch control and a Track Edition model.
5G will make cars chattier and smarter, but there’s also a fun side to it
Qualcomm calls 5G "the invention age," and it predicts the benefits of faster download speeds and instantaneous communication will stretch far beyond smartphones. It will make cars safer, smarter, while unlocking new entertainment options currently only found in homes. Here's what a 5G-enabled car could look like.
Truck, yeah! Tesla is using its electric Semi to deliver cars in California
Tesla has been quiet about the Semi since unveiling the truck in 2017. The project is alive and well, and the California-based company released a video showing a prototype of the truck towing a load of cars on the freeway. Pricing starts at $150,000, and deliveries are tentatively scheduled for 2019.
Stanford wants to teach its autonomous race cars to learn from their past
Researchers at Stanford are working on a new way to control self-driving cars. It leverages artificial intelligence to help driverless prototypes plan their next move by analyzing data generated by the situations they have previously encountered. The technology is promising, but it's not ready for production yet.
Jeep will sell a limited-edition Gladiator pickup online for one day only
Jeep introduced its long-promised Wrangler-based pickup truck at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Called Gladiator, a heritage-laced name, it was designed to conquer the great outdoors, not the construction site. The first Jeep pickup in nearly 30 years comes with four doors, four-wheel drive, and a removable top.
Midsize truck face-off: Jeep Gladiator, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma
Several years ago, it looked like the midsize pickup segment in America was bound for the history books. It's thriving once again thanks to new entries from Chevrolet, Ford, and now Jeep. Here is how the 2020 Jeep Gladiator compares to the Ford Ranger, the Toyota Tacoma, and the Chevrolet Colorado.
The 2019 Arteon reigns over the Volkswagen lineup with style and aplomb
Volkswagen is known for being sensible and conservative when it comes to design, but with the 2019 Arteon, it cut loose and created a stylish car that could appeal to customers on a more emotional level. The fastback-like sedan goes on sale in April 2019 with a 268-horsepower turbo four and plenty of tech inside.
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG A35 is a gateway to the world of sport sedans
Mercedes-AMG has released a quicker evolution of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan. Named A35, it receives a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine rated at 302 horsepower, and an available Track Pace app that speed-craving motorists will love. The Mercedes-AMG A35 will go on sale in time for the 2020 model year.
No splicing, no drilling: Garmin’s BC 40 camera wirelessly helps you back up
Garmin has released the BC 40, its first wireless rear-view camera. Powered by a pair of AA batteries, the device attaches to your car's rear license plate and transfers footage to a compatible, Wi-Fi-enabled navigator. The navigator is not included in the price, so motorists will need to spend at least $380.
The Hudway Drive head-up display brings 21st-century tech to any type of car
Hudway, a California-based firm specializing in head-up displays, has released a device named Drive that brings 21st-century connectivity to any type of car. The Drive sits on your dashboard and places navigation directions, messaging notifications, and other information right in your line of sight.
Audi isn’t giving up on sedans as it pivots towards electrification
Audi wants to release no less than 12 electric cars by 2025. Most of them will be SUVs and crossovers, but the company still believes in sedans. It's working on an A4-sized, battery-powered four-door expected to come out by 2023. The yet-unnamed model will join at least four other EVs in Audi showrooms.
Is this electric car startup the next Tesla, or will it go the way of Coda?
The electric car startup formerly known as EVelozcity has changed its name to Canoo. It also announced a lineup of four cars including a commuter-friendly model and a lifestyle-oriented car. Its first electric vehicles will begin to appear in 2021, and they'll be distributed through a subscription service.
The 2019 Toyota C-HR gains a popular tech feature as its price comes down
Toyota has updated the C-HR, its entry-level crossover, by adding an entry-level trim level to the lineup. Every model regardless of price also comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay. Android users are currently out of luck, but that could change in the coming years.
Tesla wirelessly gives the Model 3 a 5-percent increase in power
Tesla again showed the potential of its innovative over-the-air software updating system, this time by making the Model 3 five percent more powerful via a firmware update. The Performance model gained 23 horsepower, which should make it peppier off the line and around town. The update was free for all Model 3s.
Mercedes wants to turn your car into a comfortable shopping mall on wheels
Mercedes-Benz designed its MBUX infotainment system with e-commerce in mind. Motorists can upgrade compatible cars via an over-the-air software updating system, but the brand wants to take this technology to the next level. It will soon let its customers buy anything, from a shirt to Thai food, through its cars.
Unrestrained by heritage, Polestar sets its sights on becoming a digital brand
With no heritage to worry about, Polestar is free to move full-speed ahead towards its goal of becoming a digital brand. All of the company's upcoming models will be electric, and they will inaugurate an Android-powered infotainment system. Polestar COO Jonathan Goodman explains what the brand stands for.
Mustang-like and electrified. What did Ford just show a preview of?
Ford posted an enigmatic picture of a blue Mustang emblem on a black background right as Tesla prepared to introduce the Model Y in California. Is the Blue Oval teasing a hybrid version of the Mustang, or is it previewing a Mustang-inspired, battery-powered crossover? We could find out at the 2019 New York Auto Show.
Automakers are spending billions on self-driving technology people are afraid of
Automakers are spending billions of dollars on developing the technology that will power self-driving cars, but research shows consumers have no interest in giving up control. Will they ever recoup their investment? The future doesn't look bright in 2019, but the next decade will bring major perception changes.
Adventurous and electric, Porsche’s second station wagon will arrive in 2020
Though it's a concept car, the Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo will become a production model in 2020, after the Mission E-inspired Taycan sedan arrives in showrooms. It's entirely electric and it boasts a 600-horsepower all-wheel-drive powertrain that sends it from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk, 911-like 3.5 seconds.