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Latest by S. Edelstein

2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure

New Toyota tech will automatically shut off engines, apply parking brakes

Toyota is launching two new safety features for the 2020 model year. One will automatically shut off a car's engine when stationary, and the other will automatically shift into park and apply the parking brake to prevent rollaways. Toyota has not specified which vehicles will get the new features.
Volkswagen I.D. R Nürburgring

Watch as Volkswagen’s ID R racer wins the ultimate EV bragging rights

The Volkswagen I.D. R has set a lap record for electric cars at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife. The electric race car's lap time of 6:05.33 beat the previous record by 40 seconds. Volkswagen was looking for another challenge for the I.D. R after setting the overall record at Pikes Peak.
2020 Toyota Yaris

Toyota pushes ahead with solid-state batteries for future electric cars

Toyota is working on potentially game-changing solid-state batteries, and they may arrive sooner than expected. The Japanese automaker's R&D boss said Toyota hopes to unveil the batteries in 2020, two years ahead of schedule. Toyota plans to introduce more electric cars to its lineup.
racing tech in your current car road cars feat

The technologies your car inherited from race cars

From disc brakes to the rearview mirror, many things you might take for granted in your current car were honed on the racetrack. Formula One, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and World Rally Championship racing has contributed many important innovations. Buckle up and see how racing tech has influenced modern car design.
boxbot self driving autonomous electric delivery vehicle

Startup Boxbot has a unique plan for its autonomous delivery vehicles

Boxbot plans to use small autonomous electric vehicles to make local deliveries as part of a logistics network that includes automated distribution hubs, as well as human-driven vehicles. Boxbot will test this concept with logistics firm OnTrac in California this summer.
gordon murray returns to car design with t50 supercar t 50

Legendary designer Gordon Murray is back with another analog supercar

McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray is back with what he calls the F1's spiritual successor. The T.50 aims to combine modern technology with old-school analog feel. But that combination will cost a cool $2.5 million. The T.50 also incorporates a suction fan, just like Gordon Murray's Brabham BT46B F1 car.
5g c 2vx guide traffic save lives v2x highway

Ford says its future V2X-equipped cars will talk to pedestrians, infrastructure

Ford plans to add V2X communications tech to every car and truck it sells in the United States by 2022, but first it has to solve some problems. Interoperability with other communications tech will be a major hurdle, according to Ford. The automaker is working on a way for V2X to interface with Bluetooth.
the current state of autonomous vehicles cadillac  s super cruise system

Cadillac’s Super Cruise system adds 70,000 miles of compatible highway

Cadillac's Super Cruise driver-assist system will soon work on more stretches of highway. Cadillac is adding 70,000 miles of Super Cruise-compatible divided highways in the United States and Canada. Super Cruise will also be available on more vehicles over the next few years.
Sportsmobile Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van

Outdoorsy lets you buy a fully equipped camper van with just a few clicks

Outdoorsy is launching a new online platform to sell complete camper vans. The company will start with Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vans with conversion work done by Sportsmobile. Outdoorsy previously allowed users to rent vans only.
2020 BMW M8

With up to 617 hp on tap, the 2020 M8 is BMW’s new performance flagship

The 2020 BMW M8 is finally here after numerous teases. The sportiest version of BMW's big coupe and convertible packs a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, and the M5's trick all-wheel-drive system. The 2020 BMW M8 will be available in standard (600 hp) and Competition (617 hp) forms.
Land Rover Defender testing in Kenya

New Land Rover Defender off-roader goes on safari to prove its toughness

The next-generation Land Rover Defender underwent an unorthodox testing program. Land Rover gave a prototype Defender to wildlife conservators working to help African lions. The SUV was used to track lions and haul supplies. Land Rover plans to unveil the new Defender later this year.
Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato concept

Lamborghini’s Huracán Sterrato concept is pure rally-ready awesomeness

The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato concept shows what a Lamborghini rally car would look like. It's an Huracán Evo with more ground clearance, chunkier tires, and plenty of LED spotlights. Lamborghini has no plans to put this rally-car concept into production, however.
apple ios developer academy logo

Apple CarPlay set for a major update, including new dashboard screen, this fall

Among the 2019 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference announcements were a series of updates for Apple CarPlay. The system gets a revised look and enhanced Siri integration. Apple claims CarPlay is available in 90% of new cars in the U.S. The updated CarPlay is part of iOS 13.
2020 Ford Escape

Ford says it puts 250 bottles’ worth of recycled plastic in the average new car

Ford claims to use 1.2 billion recycled plastic bottles every year, an average of 250 bottles per car. The plastic is used to make underbody shields and wheel liners for Ford cars and trucks. Ford claims recycled plastic has the added benefit of being lighter than conventional plastic.
2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe

Mercedes-AMG GT 73 plug-in hybrid will unleash 805 hp, report says

The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door may get a new twin-turbocharged V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, according to a new report. Expected to be called Mercedes-AMG GT 73, the plug-in hybrid would have 805 hp and all-wheel drive. The same plug-in hybrid powertrain may also be used in other AMG models.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 diesel

Chevrolet Silverado to finally get its diesel engine, but is it worth the wait?

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets its diesel engine one model year later than expected. The Duramax inline-six offers more horsepower and torque than the rival Ford F-150's diesel engine. The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado goes on sale later this year with other small updates and new features.
Volvo and POC car-bike helmet crash test

Volvo is crash-testing bike helmets against cars to improve cyclist safety

Volvo and safety gear manufacturer POC have developed car-bike helmet crash tests in an effort to better protect cyclists in collisions with vehicles. The two Swedish companies claim this is a world first. Volvo claims current bike helmet tests don't account for impacts with cars.
Hennessey Maximus 1000 Jeep Gladiator

Hellcat-powered, 1,000-hp Jeep Gladiator is excess fit for a Roman emperor

It was only a matter of time before someone married a Hellcat V8 with a Jeep Gladiator pickup truck. Hennessey Performance not only made the engine swap, but gave the Gladiator 1,000 horsepower. The truck costs $200,000, though, including the price of a stock Jeep Gladiator.
Jaguar Land Rover "sensory steering wheel"

Jaguar Land Rover tests sensory steering wheel to combat distracted driving

Jaguar Land Rover has developed a "sensory steering wheel" that uses temperature changes to give turn-by-turn directions. The automaker claims this tech could help cut down on distracted driving. Jaguar Land Rover has no plans to put the steering wheel into production, however.
Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer

The Crosstrek Desert Racer off-road buggy is like no Subaru you’ve ever seen

The Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer is a Class 5 Unlimited buggy built for off-road racing. It's an attempt by Subaru to expand beyond its traditional focus on rallying and rallycross. Subaru teamed up with Grabowski Brothers Racing and Crawford Performance on the project.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Aurora concept

This tuned Volkswagen Golf GTI sports a hologram-controlled audio system

Volkswagen apprentices crammed a hologram projector into the trunk of a Golf GTI hot hatchback. VW said the hologram was built using currently available tech, but that it isn't ready for use in production cars. Volkswagen commissioned the car for the annual Wörthersee meet.
2020 mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette

Tuners may have a big problem with Chevy’s mid-engine Corvette, report says

The upcoming mid-engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 will feature a "unique encrypted ECU," according to a new report. That ECU will include protections against tampering that may make it impossible to tune, the report claims. The new Corvette will be unveiled July 18.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale

Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale, its most powerful road car ever, is a plug-in hybrid

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is the Italian automaker's latest supercar, and its first production plug-in hybrid. Boasting 986 horsepower and all-wheel drive, it will be a terror on any racetrack. The SF90 proves that Ferrari is serious about electrification and reducing emissions.
Volvo augmented reality

Volvo wants to use augmented reality tech to help design future cars

Volvo and Finnish tech firm Varjo have developed an augmented reality headset that can be used while driving a real car. Volvo claims this will help speed up the development process of future cars. Digital tools are quickly being adopted by automaker design departments.
Alaka'i Technologies Skai

The Skai is a multipurpose flying car powered by hydrogen fuel cells

Alaka'i Technologies is the latest startup to attempt to launch a flying car. But unlike its rivals, the Alaka'i Skai is powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Alaka'i plans to use the Skai as a flying taxi, delivery van, and ambulance, as well as personal transportation.
Volksawgen ID R 5-8

VW may shift $56 billion in battery spending from Samsung over concerns

Volkswagen may shift some of its electric-car battery business away from Samsung over concerns that a deal with the Korean firm will unravel, according to a new report. Volkswagen plans to spend $56 billion on batteries to power a growing lineup of electric cars.
Hyundai N Nürburgring

Hyundai is flying Veloster N owners to the Nürburgring to watch its cars race

Hyundai is hosting an "N Homecoming" for fans of its budding N performance sub-brand at the 2019 Nürburgring 24 Hours race. Hyundai i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR race cars will compete in the race. Hyundai considers the 'Ring to be one of two spiritual homes of N, along with Namyang, South Korea.
(L to R) Audi S6 TDI, S7 TDI, S6 Avant TDI

Audi launches sportier diesels in Europe, but don’t expect them in the U.S.

Audi is adding TDI diesel mild-hybrid powertrains to most of its sporty S models in Europe. The setup aims to boost performance without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Audi parent VW's diesel emissions cheating means they won't be coming to the U.S. Diesel is on the defensive worldwide.
Ford GT 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans retro liveries

Ford says au revoir to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with retro GT liveries

The 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans will be the last for the Ford GT, a tribute to the legendary Ford GT40 that won Le Mans four times in the 1960s. The current GT won its class on its first try in 2016, but was winless at Le Mans in 2017 and 2018. Ford will deck out four GT race cars in retro liveries.
Simon Pagenaud wins 2019 Indy 500

How Verizon and Team Penske used 5G to help win the Indy 500

Team Penske, the most successful race team in Indy 500 history, used Verizon 5G in its bid to win the 2019 Indy 500. Modern race cars generate tons of data, and a 5G connection lets teams harvest that data faster. The Indy 500 is one of the world's oldest races, but it benefits from modern tech.
Nissan Leaf

Leaf electric-car batteries can outlast vehicles by up to 12 years, Nissan claims

Nissan Leaf batteries have roughly twice the life span of the cars they're installed in, according to an executive from the automaker. Nissan is investigating alternative uses for those batteries. That includes Nissan home energy storage, as well as projects to power larger buildings.
2016 cadillac cts v first drive sedan 029

Cadillac confirms V-Series performance versions of the CT5 and CT4

Cadillac will unveil CT5-V and CT4-V sports sedans in Detroit May 30. They will be the latest cars in the General Motors luxury brand's V-Series performance line, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Cadillac did not disclose any details on the CT5-V and CT4-V, however.
Audi TT 20th Anniversary Edition

Audi TT will get the ax to make way for electric cars — and the R8 may be next

Once a design leader, the Audi TT will meet its demise to make room in Audi's lineup for more electric cars. Audi executives confirmed plans to kill off the TT at the automaker's annual shareholder meeting. Audi plans to replace the TT with an electric model in the future.
Mercedes-Benz GLE580 4Matic

Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV tries to balance power and efficiency with mild-hybrid V8

The redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLE will get a V8 mild-hybrid powertrain when it launches in the United States later in 2019. The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 makes 483 hp on its own, but can also get a 21 hp electric boost. Mercedes-Benz hasn't disclosed gas mileage figures for the V8 mild-hybrid model.