Kia’s HabaNiro concept is an autonomous electric car that knows when you’re sad
Debuting at the 2019 New York Auto Show, the Kia HabaNiro concept is supposed to preview the future of the everyday car. That future will include artificial intelligence tech that can read the driver's emotions, according to Kia. The HabaNiro's electric powertrain also provides 300 miles of range, Kia says.
With drift mode, Kia’s Stinger GTS lets you unleash your inner hooligan
Debuting at the 2019 New York Auto Show, the limited-edition Kia Stinger GTS gets a trick all-wheel drive system that should enable plenty of sideways action. But don't get your hopes up; only 800 buyers will get to try it. Kia will also offer the Stinger GTS in regular rear-wheel drive form.
2019 Audi TT RS gets subtle cosmetic surgery ahead of its trip to the Big Apple
The 2019 Audi TT RS gets a minor face-lift, but it keeps its signature turbocharged inline-five engine. The updated TT RS makes its United States debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show. The Audi TT is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with a special-edition version also hitting showrooms.
Acura will take the green flag in IndyCar, but just for one race
Acura will slap its logo onto an IndyCar racer for the first time since 1994. An Acura-liveried car will race in the NTT IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Long Beach. But the livery will be the only different thing about the car. Acura is making this one-off return to highlight its sponsorship of the race.
Archrivals BMW and Daimler detail plans to join forces on mobility services
BMW and Daimler are joining forces to take on the likes of Uber and Lyft. The two German automakers are investing $1.1 billion in a mobility-service joint venture encompassing ridesharing, car-sharing, electric-car charging, and parking services. Autonomous cars are also part of the long-term plan.
Hellcat engine fits in the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler, but there’s an issue
The 6.2-liter supercharged V8 Hellcat engine fits in the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, Jeep boss Tim Kuniskis confirmed in an interview with Australian media. But the fit would be too tight to pass federal crash tests, he said. That effectively nixes the idea of Jeep offering the Hellcat in either vehicle.
Vive la France: Peugeot shifts its American comeback plans into high gear
French automaker Peugeot will return to the United States after more than two decades away. Parent company Groupe PSA previously discussed a U.S. return for one of its brands, but would not confirm which one until now. Peugeot planned to return to America by 2026, but it's moving much faster than expected.
Volkswagen puts self-driving cars to the test on the streets of German city
Volkswagen is testing prototype self-driving cars in Hamburg. The automaker claims this is the first test of autonomous cars on the streets of a major German city. Five self-driving cars operate with human safety drivers on board. VW is working with Hamburg's government on other tech initiatives.
415-hp Polestar-engineered powertrains coming to 2020 Volvo V60 and XC60
The Polestar Engineered upgrade originally offered on the 2019 Volvo S60 sedan will be available on the V60 wagon and XC60 crossover for the 2020 model year. Changes to the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain yield 415 horsepower. Volvo didn't discuss pricing or any other availability details.
Redesigned 2019 Subaru Forester crossover starts at $25K, hits showrooms in fall
The 2019 Subaru Forester hits showrooms this fall with more tech than ever, including a system that uses facial recognition to detect driver fatigue. Pricing starts at $25,270, but goes up to $34,295 for the top Touring model. The Forester moves to the Subaru Global Platform used by the Ascent.
The compact XC40 crossover will kick off Volvo’s electric-car push
The Volvo XC40 will get an electric powertrain option, according to a new report. The electric version will be unveiled later this year, and go on sale in 2020. The XC40 will be the Volvo brand's first mass-market electric car, but the related Polestar 2 will launch around the same time.
Bentley’s 542-horsepower Continental GT V8 is the best kind of downsizing
The Bentley Continental GT V8 has fewer cylinders than its W12 sibling, but Bentley expects it to offer better gas mileage and more agile handling. The V8's top speed of 198 mph is also pretty darn fast. Bentley will launch the Continental GT V8 in the U.S. first, followed by other markets.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to recall 860K U.S. vehicles over emissions issues
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will recall 862,520 cars in the United States because they don't meet emissions standards, the EPA has announced. The affected vehicles span model years 2011 to 2016. Owners can continue driving their cars until they are notified to bring them into an FCA dealership for a fix.
Tesla ends scheduled servicing because electric cars need less maintenance
Tesla will longer offer scheduled maintenance plans, switching to an "as needed" model. This reflects the fact that electric cars need less regular maintenance than gasoline or diesel cars. Tesla is undertaking many policy changes as it looks to increase profitability while launching more vehicles.
This modified Land Rover Discovery is heading to Africa to help fight malaria
A Land Rover Discovery will be used by the Mobile Malaria Project for a nearly 4,000-mile trek across Africa to study malaria. The SUV is equipped with a mobile gene-sequencing laboratory, as well as everything necessary for serious off-roading. Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations division did the work.
Volvo wants to use speed limiters, in-car cameras, and data to reduce crashes
Volvo believes new tech is the best way to improve car safety. The Swedish automaker will let owners set speed limits when loaning out their cars, install cameras to monitor drivers, and use data to design better safety features. Volvo previously said it would limit all cars to 112 mph.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe teased way ahead of its November debut
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is coming to the United States, eventually. The new compact BMW won't be unveiled until the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Unlike the 2 Series coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe will be based on a front-wheel drive platform instead of rear-wheel drive.
Toyota aims to turn its grocery-getter RAV4 into a genuine off-roader
Debuting at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road boasts rally-developed suspension and more aggressive styling. But does that make it a true off-road vehicle? Toyota is trying to emphasize off-road capability with the latest RAV4, despite it being a car-based crossover.
Audi’s traffic light information system shows the challenges facing V2X tech
Audi’s traffic light information system is among the first commercial applications of potentially game-changing vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology. Based on a real-world experience of the system, which predicts when traffic lights will change, it looks like the technology is still a work in progress.
