Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

Consumer Reports ruthless in 2013 worst cars list

Consumer Reports annually releases many car lists, best to worst, most efficient to gas guzzlers, unheralded vehicles to those to avoid. The organization’s most dubious list is its Worst of the Year collection. Consumer Reports reviewed more than 80 vehicles is 2013. Two cars from Nissan and Mitsubishi made the top-10 worst list in 2013. Consumer Reports was vicious in some descriptions of its least favorite cars in 2013. The best (worst?) example was publication’s assessment of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. Here’s the synopsis: The Chevrolet Spark’s low price and clever connectivity features may be tempting, but for daily driving, it is painfully slow, irritatingly noisy, rides uncomfortably, and feels Spartan—and not in a mighty warrior way. We expected at

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PREVIEW: 2015 Ford F-150: Lighter, stronger, faster

The 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck, the country’s top-selling vehicle for 32 consecutive years, was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show as lighter, strong and with a greater towing capacity than its predecessor. With a stronger, high-strength steel backbone and high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloys, the new F-150 is approximately 700 pounds lighter than the 2014 edition. The weight reduction will allow the Ford F-150 to haul and tow more, accelerate quicker and stop in a shorter distance. As the best-selling truck in the United States for 37 straight years, the 2015 Ford F-150 will also have a host of new features. A 360-degree camera, eight-inch productivity screen with new truck apps and trailer hitch assist are among the

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Rare VWs on display in Washington’s LeMay Museum

“VeeDub – Bohemian Beauties,” a celebration of Volkswagen history and innovation, will be featured Jan. 11 through April 5 at LeMay Museum, dubbed America’s Car Museum. The museum, located in Tacoma, Washington, will showcase 25 vintage models from both Volkswagen and local car collectors in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Known for its pairing of styling and technology, Volkswagen, which is German for the “people’s car,” embodies the self-expression of several generations of Americans. The brand’s approach to automotive technology has created an ideal platform for customization that eventually extended to buses, dune buggies, kit cars, and Formula Vee racing. As part of the partnership, Volkswagen has provided the following three rare vintage cars for display during the exhibit: * KdF-Wagen —

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Hummer: Auto industry disaster of the decade

Originally conceived by the United States Army as a new “High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle” (HMMVV), the later named civilian Hummer is theweeklydriver.com’s automotive catastrophe of the decade. The idea for the vehicle was so it could follow the tracks and ruts of full size army trucks in military procedures. Original designed by AM General Corporation, a subsidiary of American Motors (AMC), the massive machine debuted in 1982 and should have remained for military use only. The civilian model began in 1992 in part because of the persistence of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who saw an Army convoy while filming a movie and reportedly purchased a fleet of Humvees. Each weighed more than four tons. Several new smaller versions of the Hummer

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Doctors say Michael Schumacher ‘fighting for his life’

Michael Schumacher, the retired seven-time Formula 1 world titlist, is fighting for his life, his physicians confirmed Monday evening, Dec. 30, from Grenoble, France. Schumacher, 44, crashed and hit his head on a rock while skiing Sunday in Meribel, France. Although he was wearing a helmet, Schumacher is in critical condition with severe head injuries. Physicians said Schumacher is in an ‘artificial coma.’  The doctors also said they could not provide any further information about Schumacher’s condition. Schumacher’s family, including is wife, Corinna, and his teenage son and daughter, have remained at his bedside. “Unfortunately, he had some lesions to his brain when he came in, he had some diffuse injuries to his brain, but we can’t really say what

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Michael Schumacher in coma after skiing accident

Michael Schumacher, the retired seven-time Formula One champion and extreme sport enthusiast, remains in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery following a skiing accident in the French Alps. Schumacher, 44, who retired from Formula One racing for the second time in 2012, fell while skiing off trail in Meribel, France, earlier Sunday, Dec. 29. He hit his head on a rock, according to a statement from the resort and as reported via major news organizations. According to the resort managers, Schumacher was wearing a helmet and was conscious when rescuers arrived on scene. The Grenoble University Hospital Center said the retired driver arrived at the clinic in a coma and underwent immediate surgery for a serious head trauma. It was

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Toyota Prius honored as best value in auto industry

The Toyota Prius has been named the best value in the automotive industry for 2013. The top-selling hybrid costs owners only 47 cents per mile to drive, according to Consumer Reports. The Prius, which debuted in the United States in 2000, moved ahead of the Honda Fit in 2012 for the first year of its now two-year reign at the top of the best value list. The Fit held the No. 1 position for the previous four years. In its best value reports, Consumer Reports also selected leaders in many segments of the auto industry. The list incorporates owners’ costs via money per mile driven based on fuel economy, reliability, versatility and other factors. Here’s the list: Compact/Subcompact Car: Toyota

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Super Bowl commercials: Hyundai to tout Genesis, Elantra

Let the 2014 Super Bowl and its commercials — especially for carmakers — begin. And for Hyundai, the game Feb. 2 will mark the automaker’s seventh straight time participating in the biggest advertising day of the year. Hyundai will focus on two c ars in two 30-second spots on Fox Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII, the Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Genesis. The Elantra is the South Korean manufacturer’s best-selling car. The Genesis is the Hyundai’s luxury sports sedan. The Genesis commercial spot, which will be broadcast in the first quarter of the Super Bowl, will focuses on a suite of 360-degree, sensory-based active-safety features like emergency braking and lane-departure warning. The Genesis ad will also highlight the sedan’s AWD

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GM first: Mary Barra picked as new chief executive

Mary Barra became the first woman at the top level of the United States automotive industry Dec. 11 when she was named chief executive of General Motors. Barra, 51, the currrent executive vice president of global product development and global purchasing, will replace current chief executive Dan Akerson on Jan. 15. The selection of Barra to lead GM marked the latest among several appointments of woman chief executives to corporations long dominated by men. Last year, the technology firm Yahoo named a woman as president and CEO. Also, women have been named in recent years to run defense contractors General Dynamics Corp. and Lockheed Martin as well as computer giants IBM and Hewlett-Packard.   Barra’s promotion came one day after

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ICONIC CARS: 1957 Chevy Bel Air: One owner beauty

The 1957 Chevy Bel Air is not the fastest nor the best-looking car of its time. But no other car is more iconic than a 1957 Chevy. The 1957 Chevy has been a classic now for years. It’s been in many movies and it’s one of the most popular choices for fanciers of street cars to rebuild. The 1957 Chevy also caught the eye of Grace Braeger. She owned a 1950 Chevy, but seven years later began to shop for a new car. The 1957 Chevy Braeger purchased was a demonstrator model at the local dealership in Milwaukee of the same name. Braeger drove the 1957 Bel Air and wanted it. She traded in her old car, paid $2,250 and

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Winter Driving Tips: Prepare for the worst

Like the human body, preventative maintenance in cars often means the difference between safe and healthy travel and catastrophe, particularly during winter driving conditions. Here’s  the second in a series provided the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to held drivers prepare and participate safely in winter driving conditions. Stocking your vehicle is appropriate supplies for the season of the first priority.  Carry the following items: * Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper. * Abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow. * Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and emergency markers. * Blankets for protection from the cold. * A cell phone with charger, water, food,

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Winter Driving Tips: Wild animals, strong planning

Winter driving can be safe and it can be treacherous. Learning how to best handle your car or truck in inclement weather conditions is paramount to safe driving. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHSTA) offers a detailed list of safety instructions for during winter  — from knowing your car to planning for trips during poor weather conditions to being aware of wild animals’ changing winter behavior. And there’s is stocking your vehicle with severe weather conditions equipment to properly servicing your car before driving in winter driving conditions. Here’s the first in a series of article that include a checklist and tip for safe winter driving. * For electric or hybrid-electric vehicles, several things can be done to

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2015 Ford Mustang

The 2015 Ford Mustang has been unveiled with a new engine option, updated interior and technology features and a stylishly tweaked sleek exterior design that further enhances the iconic American muscle car. The carmaker Ford also announced the 2015 Ford Mustang will be sold in several countries in Asia and Europe and on four continents. The original Mustang, which debuted in 1964, was available as either a coupe or a convertible. And it had several engine options: A 101-hp 6-cylinder engine, a 164-hp V-8, a 210-hp V-8, and beginning in June of that year, a powerful 271-hp V-8. Many of its other parts were taken from the Ford Falcon and Fairlane. It cost $2,368. The 2015 Ford Mustang, which will

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RVs: Mobile Homes on Wheels

Traveling in recreational vehicles is, for some, the ultimate way of travel. No airports, no security lines. No luggage hassles or rude or sick fellow travelers. The beauty of the country at close range. Although its history is older on other continents, modern-day recreational vehicle travel in the United States dates to the 1920s. Several manufacturers began to offer what were then called house trailers or trail coaches. Airstream was among the the earliest and still among the most well-known RV makers. In their early years, RVs were often associated with the mobile home industry and few units were longer than 30 feet. But in the 1950s, RVs evolved out of the mobile home designation and became a singular industry.

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Paul Walker: car crash death leaves Hollywood uncertain

The death of the actor Paul Walker two days ago (Nov. 30) in a single-car automobile accident in Santa Clarita, California, has reverberated throughout the film industry and among the popular star’s global fan community. Walker, 40, was the star of the “Fast & Furious” film franchise. He was preparing to resume production of the film’s seventh installment. Walker played the rogue ex-cop Brian O’Conner. Walker had already filmed scenes the movie, the pending edition of which features a vengeful rivalry between racing crews. James Wan, the director of the film, Neal Moritz, the lead producer and executives haven’t made decision to continue make the film, set for release July 11. According to a report via Associated Press, Walker hadn’t

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Two Mazdas, Honda Accord among Car and Driver’s 2013 Best

Two Mazda models, the perennial favorite Honda Accord and several sports cars and sedans have been selected in Car and Driver’s 32nd annual 10 Best list of 2013 cars with prices less than $80,000. Car and Driver this year recognized five all-new cars to redefining excellence for the entire industry. Half of the 10 vehicles selected have starting costs of less than $25,000. Car and Driver writes, “These are the vehicles that offer the most value, that elegantly and comprehensively fulfill their missions, and that engage their drivers in spirited conversation. They are not always the newest or the trendiest, but they are the consistent overachievers.” The 32nd Car and Driver 10Best and publication’s comments: Porsche Boxster/Cayman – “The secret

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