Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

Elio Motors’ scam worries rise after recent woes

Elio Motors, the upstart three-wheel vehicle manufacturer, continues to attract potential buyers willing to place a deposit for an economic and performance wonderment that hasn’t been built. In September, according to the company’s website, more than 34,000 people have pre-ordered the vehicle with a variety monetary commitments, $100 to $1,000, to purchase the proposed $6,800 vehicle. Three months ago, the deposit list total was 28,000. Paul Elio, the company CEO, believes Elio Motors is getting closer the financial goal to make good on his proposed hiring of a production staff of around 1,500 to assist in the car’s manufacture starting next year. Elio Motors months ago purchased a former General Motors plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, where it’s planning to assemble

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2015 Honda CR-V: More features, new look, better mpg

The 2015 Honda CR-V, which is will debut nationwide Oct. 1, will include what the manufacturer describes as “the most significant mid-model cycle refresh in its history.” As the biggest-selling sport utility vehicle in the United States, the 2015 Honda CR-V will feature a new direct-injected Earth Dreams Technology i-VTEC engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a new suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver assistive features. The MSRP price range is $23,320-$32,770. Interior and exterior styling on the 2015 Honda CR-V will be enhanced. Many new standard and optional features will debut as well as a new premium Touring trim. Gas mileage estimates has also improved. The 2015 CR-V has increased EPA fuel economy ratings of 27/34/29 mpg

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Tony Stewart criminally cleared in Kevin Ward’s death

Tony Stewart, the controversial race car driver known for his aggressive style and fiery temper, will not face criminal charges in Kevin Ward Jr.’s death, a grand jury in New York has decided. Disrtict Attorney Michael Tantillo in Ontario County, N.Y., announced there was no basis for criminal charges. Stewart was racing Aug. 9 in the Empire Super Sprints Series at a half-mile dirt oval in Canandaigua, N.Y., on the night Ward was killed. Ward and Stewart were battling for position midway through the feature race, and Ward hit the outside wall and spun with a flat tire. Upset with Stewart, Ward scrambled out of his car and approached his car under caution while gesturing angrily. After being struck, he

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Top 5 fastest cars on the planet

The fastest car in the world? Doesn’t it seem like every niche, top-line manufacturer is always seeking the top designation? The current leader since February is Hennessey, but the achievement occurred with an asterisk. The Hennessey Venom GT achieved a top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h) at the Kennedy Space Center on the Shuttle Landing Facility’s 3.2-mile runway in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Feb. 14. The “record” run was in a single direction, and since only 16 of the Hennessey models have sold to (30 is the minimum for record consideration), the massive speed achievement doesn’t qualify as the world’s fastest production car in the Guinness Book of Records. To showcase the top-five fastest cars in the world, Bloomberg

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2015 Honda CR-V unveiled, debuts October 1

A week away from its official unveiling, a glimpse of the 2015 Honda CR-V has been unveiled via one image and an uninformative brief press release from the Japanese automaker. In its press release, the redesigned Honda CR-V is described: “A new aggressive and bold appearance with unique Honda style portends the significant enhancements made to the 2015 CR-V. Going on sale October 1, complete information on the newest version of the best-selling SUV in America will be available September 30.” As the best-selling crossover in the United States, the Honda CR-V, had its best sales volume in 2013 with more than 303,00 units sold. The 2011 Honda CR-V was the last redesigned generation. The current CR-V features a 2.4-liter

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Easy Rider fantasy? No problem for $1 million

The chopped motorcycle ridden by Peter Fonda in the iconic 1969 movie “Easy Rider” is for sale and could attract a selling priced of more than $1 million. The auction house Profiles in History told The Associated Press the motorcycle will go on Oct. 18 online and at its gallery in Calabasas, California. The seller is Michael Eisenberg, a California businessman who once co-owned a Los Angeles motorcycle-themed restaurant with Fonda and “Easy Rider” co-star Dennis Hopper. Eisenberg bought the bike year from Dan Haggerty, perhaps best known for his roles in the “Grizzly Adams” TV show and movies. Haggerty was in charge of keeping the custom-designed working properly in the movie’s filming. The stars-and-stripes panhead chopper with chromed hardtail

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Michael Schumacher rests at home with police assist

The media didn’t want to leave former race car driver Michael Schumacher alone in his home near Lake Geneva, so Swiss policemen have been detailed to ensure the legendary race car driver is allowed to recover in peace. According to a report on AutoWeek.com, Schumacher returned home this week after eight months of hospitalization in France and Switzerland following a ski accident. The report detailed that “swarms” of photographers and television crews gathered at Schumacher’s home in Gland, Switzerland. The mass assemblage of media apparently included a Russian news agency seeking to establish a live stream outside the Schumacher’s home. According to Germany’s Bild newspaper, “The police of Gland responded quickly. They patrol Schumacher’s estate on Lake Geneva all night,

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Five Best Factors to Consider When Purchasing Car Insurance

By Zev Goldstein Legendary comedian Don Rickles once quipped, “Show business is my life. When I was a kid, I sold insurance, but nobody laughed.” You know as well as I do that the car insurance business can be no laughing matter. Between the increased cost premiums and the seemingly endless number of possible companies we could insure with, it can be difficult to handle. Here are some useful tips to help you choose the best car insurance: Determine a Good Coverage Level Sometimes, coverage choices are already made for you. For instance, your state already mandates legal minimum coverages for your vehicle, which you cannot dip below. Likewise, if you finance your vehicle, then the financing company may require

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PREVIEW: 2016 Mazda MX-5, longer, lighter

With events held simultaneously in California, Spain and Tokyo, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 was unveiled Sept. 3 as a lighter, more angular fourth generation of the best-selling two-seat roadster in history. Introduced 25 years ago, the Mazda MX-5, formerly known as the Miata, had reached total production of 940,000 units in July to correspond to the car’s 25th anniversary. The Mazda MX-5, which is expected to go on sale next year, is also expected to make its North American debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Mazda didn’t announced many details despite its three-city extravaganza. Engine specifications, for example, were not available. But the roadster is expected to

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PREVIEW, 2015 Toyota Camry: New design, more tech

The 2015 Toyota Camry and 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid, featuring new exterior and interior designs as well as increased safety and performance features, will be available in four models beginning in September. The 2015 Camry will be offered in the value-driven LE, the sporty SE, the new XSE and the premium XLE. The XSE builds on the success of the SE and will have an edgier appearance and is being touted as the “sportiest Camry yet.” All Camry gas models will be powered by the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 178 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque. It’s teamed with a standard six-speed automatic transmission with the combination offering EPA-estimated 25 MPG city/ 35 MPG highway/ 28 MPG combined

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Route66 Cruisin’ Reunion: Mustang, GT0 homage

Thousands of vintage automobiles, highlighted by 50th anniversary celebrations for the Ford Mustang and Pontiac GTO, will be instrumental in the global gathering of the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion, scheduled Sept. 19-21 in Ontario, California. Plenty of vendors and three days of food, live music and additional entertainment are scheduled in addition to the more than 2,000 classic cars. Beyond the world’s largest nighttime neon light cruise featuring a dazzling “moving light show on wheels” for which some participants have spent years producing specially lit vehicles, other highlights of this year’s event include: Show-n-Shines; 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Mustang and GTO; Poker Run traveling along historic Route 66; Model Car Contests; Von Hot Rod’s Shindig including pin-striping Circus and

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PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Tucson: More tech, new price

The 2015 Hyundai Tucson, which will feature an improve optional package, has a starting price of $21,500 is available now at dealerships nationwide. A Popular Equipment Package is now available on the 2015 Tucson GLS trim. It adds a rearview camera, 4.3-inch color touchscreen audio display, 8-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, leatherette seat bolsters with cloth insets and automatic headlight control for only $750. Tucson Limited models for 2015 now come with standard LED taillights. Hyundai added a choice of 2.0- and 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engines in 2014 and these options will also be available in 2015.   A six-speed automatic transmission remains standard and both engines are available with front-wheel driver or all-wheel drive. The 2015

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Oldest Indy 500 car set to race at Monterey Historics

Forty years after it debuted as a gathering of old friends in old cars, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will again offer its yearly reverence to racing i n the Monterey Historics. This year’s edition, the fourth year with its new sanction and title sponsor, will likely feature the enduring event’s most diverse field. About 550 cars from nine countries and spanning 81 production years will participate April 14-17. Cars from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States are entered. Vehicles are accepted based on the car’s authenticity, race provenance and period correctness. Brian Blain’s 1911 National 40 is the oldest registered car. The 100-horsepower machine was driven by Charlie Merz in the

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Jaguar global scoop: Project 7 spy photos

The much-touted F-Type Project 7, the fastest and most powerful car ever manufactured by Jaguar Land Rover, is debuting this week, but The Weekly Driver caught an early glimpse. One day before its launch during, we noted the 575-horsepower, supercharged five-liter V8 with a eight-speed automatic. It was the subject of test shoot along the Pacific Ocean in Pacific Grove. A film crew from Long Beach, California, and Great Britain equipped with a video drone, filmed the Project 7 on repeat loops on the curved back roads of the quaint town. The backdrop was ideal: blue skies, no wind and the pristine ocean painting a deep horizon. According to several reports, Jaguar will build only 250 units of the roadster

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Tony Stewart accident: Manslaughter or mistake?

The death of Kevin Ward, Jr., on Saturday night Aug. 9 at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in upstate New York immediately brought further attention to the increasing tension involving the aggressive habits and tempers of drivers like Tony Stewart. Ward, 20, was fatally injured when he was struck by a sprint car driven by Stewart. The incident occurred after the cars of Stewart and Ward cars collided on the track. Ward spun out into the outer wall of the track, but within seconds he climbed out of his car and looked for Stewart’s car to express anger.  The race had continued under a yellow flag and after three cars pass, Stewart’s car struck Ward and it dragged him along the track.

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PREVIEW: 2015 Aston Martin Vantage S Roadster

Aston Martin will globally debut its 2015 V12 Vantage S Roadster and the carmaker’s Design Prototype 100 (DP-100) will make its North American debut during the Pebble Beach Automotive Week beginning August 14. The V12 Vantage S Roadster is equipped with the latest 565 horsepower Aston Martin AM28 6.0-liter V12 engine. It features state-of-the-art Bosch engine management, which allows the car to reach 201 mph and accelerate 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. When it arrives in markets around the world later this year the new sports car will become the luxury British marque’s most potent, fastest and fastest-accelerating series production roadster to date. Developed in-house by the Design team at Aston Martin, DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo is a new, virtual-only

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