Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

California company debuts circular Bluetooth headset

Maverick Lifestyle, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based manufacturer of hands-free mobile phone solutions, has introduced the Nica Sunrise Bluetooth headset at Amazon.com and select Apple Stores and Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores. A reinvention of the Bluetooth headset, Nica Sunrise features a light-weight, open-air and clean circular design that can be worn comfortably for extended periods of time. Nica Sunrise is a departure from unattractive bar-shaped headsets, stemming from Maverick’s goal to counteract the negative stigma associated with wearing an awkward, protruding earpiece. With an unobtrusive shape, it resembles an audio headphone. Mobile phone users can say goodbye to Bluetooth fatigue in-ear syndrome. The Nica Sunrise’s open-air acoustics allow the headset to be worn comfortably for longer periods because there is

Read more

Bugatti gets dubious honor: worst gas mileage averages

Bugatti is globally praised as among the world’s most innovative, powerful and expensive cars. But it isn’t often the renowned car gets recognition it would rather not have. In the recently released 2011 model list, the Bugatti Veyron has the lowest gas mileage average among all new vehicles tested by the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA). The Veyron has average 8 mpg (city) and 15.5 (highway). While the Bugatti had the lowest average, several other cars known for their speed had abysmal averages. The Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG, the Bentley Continental GTC and Continental Flying Spur and the Rolls-Royce Phantom/Phantom Coupe/Drophead Coupe all have 11 mpg averages in city driving. Lowest 2011 gas mileage averages Bugatti Veyron, 16 cyl, 8.0 L, Automatic,

Read more

Ford has new pitch for 2011 F-150: ‘We’ll bring it to you’

Ford Motor Co. isn’t content with the long-standing, best-selling status of its F-150 pick-up truck. So to increase aware of the 2011 model featuring the new EcoBoost engine, an automaker representative will bring the truck to your house for a test drive. Ford is launching a 60-city tour to promote the F-150. Potential buyers can sign up for a Ford representative to bring the truck to the participant’s house or place of work for a 30-minute drive. The new F-150 model has the EcoBoost V-6 engine, which uses twin turbo charging and direct fuel injection. Ford is touting this EcoBoost engine as being just as powerful as a V-8. Its 365 horsepower can tow as much as 11,300 pounds and

Read more

Toyota, Honda claim top 2011 gas mileages, reports EPA

Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. captured six of the U.S. government’s top 10 fuel-economy ratings for 2011 models, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Department. Toyota’s Prius hybrid remains country’s highest fuel mileage car with 51 mpg (city) and 48 mpg (highway) averages. Ford Motor Co., the only U.S. automaker to rate in the top 10, finished second with the Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ hybrids. Honda finished in the third position with the Civic and Insight hybrids and in fourth with the CR-Z hybrid, according to the two agencies. Automakers selling models in the U.S. are trying to boost the fuel efficiency of their models after President Barack Obama in April ordered a five

Read more

Consumers Digest awards 35 ‘best buy’ for 2011 models

Thirty-five 2011 vehicles and seven companion models have been selected from more than 250 models and received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest magazine. The ratings, published in the December issue (on sale now), span 12 categories: Subcompacts, Compacts, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Full-size Pickups, Small Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and Hybrids. The Best Buys — based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities — reflect the publication’s view the vehicles offering exceptional value. “Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher. Performance characteristics evaluated include

Read more

Bugatti Type 57C leads top-10 most expensive auctioned car list

The automotive website MIBZ.com has compiled a unique car list. It’s a twist on the ever-evolving industry standard list of most expensive new cars. The offshoot list is the 10 most expensive cars sold at auction. The web site doesn’t elaborate how its list was compiled. Nonetheless, the list is a varied, stunning display of vehicles and some extraordinary prices. In all likelihood, the impetus for the list occurred in June when the price record was set in the sale a 1936 Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic, one of only three made, o an anonymous buyer for an estimated $30 million. The site commented: “The buyer remains anonymous and he’d better live in a deserted volcano. Made of platinum. Somewhere on

Read more

Top Gear U.S. version set for debut on History Channel

The U.S.-based version of Top Gear, the globally popular U.K.-based comedic automotive program profiled on 60 Minutes and broadcast in more than 100 countries, will debut Nov. 21 on the History Channel. The 10-episode series is being made by BBC Worldwide Productions and, like its original namesake, will showcase an offbeat celebration of automobiles and driving. The show will be hosted by comedian Adam Ferrara, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. The U.S. version will also feature “The Stig,” the faceless and non-speaking fourth  member of the hosting crew. The U.S. version of Top Gear his being promoted as “Full of amped up adrenaline and action entertainment as it tracks the colorful history of

Read more

World Series: GM will debut Chevy Volt, Cruze campaign

The Super Bowl is the most prestigious and most expensive advertising avenue for automakers, but the World Series may be the second most important broadcast exposure opportunity. At least General Motors thinks it will be the best time to promote the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid. The advertising campaign for the Volt, GM’s most touted new vehicle, will begin during the major league baseball’s pinnacle event and will be part of a broad campaign that Chevrolet will run throughout autumn, according to Joel Ewanick, GM’s marketing director. Ewanick said the ad “would remind viewers of Chevrolet’s nearly 100-year heritage and the place in American culture that the brand shares with baseball.” GM is scheduled to begin production of the Volt for

Read more

Toyota announces largest recall in history, 1.6 million cars with brake issues

Recalled plagued Toyota Motor Corp. has announced its latest and largest recall to date, this time 1.66 million Avalon and other vehicles, including Lexus models, for brake cylinder issues. The new recall includes the 2005 and 2006 Avalon sedan, 2004 through 2006 Highlander (the non-Hybrid model) and Lexus RX330 crossovers, and the 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 sedans. Additionally, the latest recall, mostly in Japan and the United States, comes less than two months after a recall in Canada and the United States of 1.3 million Corolla and Matrix cars. In that instance, the vehicle had defective engine control modules that could cause the vehicles to stall. The vehicle’s brake master cylinders can leak small amounts of fluid, resulting

Read more

Super Bowl 2011: Cars.com joins GM among car-related advertisers

Cars.com has announced it will join GM among perhaps at a half-dozen automakers and other car-related companies advertising during Super Bowl XLV in 2011. A popular automotive site, Cars.com will return to the Super Bowl for the fourth straight year. It will debut two 30-second commercials, one each in third and fourth quarter of the Feb. 6 broadcast of FOX from Arlington, Texas. “The unique attention paid to Super Bowl ads ensures our messages are delivered,” said Carolyn Crafts, Cars.com vice president of marketing. “Our ad during last year’s Super Bowl reached more than 106 million viewers – the largest television audience of all time. “After the game, we not only saw an enormous surge in visitors to Cars.com –

Read more

Electric car curious? Rent a LEAF, CODA or Renault from Avis, Enterprise, Budget soon

If you’re not quite sure if you want to buy an electric car, there’s an alternative to a test drive at a dealership — renting a Nissan Leaf, a Renault Fluence, Kangoo Express of CODA sedan. Depending up rental car company preference — Avis, Budget or Enterprise — and where in the world you live, several electric vehicles will soon be available for a business trip, vacation or for fun. Avis Budget Group, which also owns Budget Rent A Car, has ordered 500 Renault Fluence Z.E.’s and Kangoo Express Z.E.’s to rent in France, Spain, Belgium, England, Germany, and Portugal in 2011. Enterprise, Avis’s rival, has signed a deal with CODA to buy as many as 100 of its sedans in

Read more

Ferrari World iconic theme park set for early opening in Abu Dhabi

The much-talked about, long-anticipated Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, will open Oct. 27 — one day earlier than expected — in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Ferrari World is the only theme park dedicated to the renowned racing cars and features the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, which can hit top speeds of up to 150 mph. Ferrari World is home to 20 Ferrari-inspired rides, race simulators and attractions, all nicely package in the 2.2 million square floor edifice covered in famous Ferrari red and styling of a Ferrari GT. Ferrari may have outdone itself with Ferrari World, with its estimated cost of $624 million. A Ferrari logo adorns the roof of the

Read more
,

Volkswagen Golf TDI, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (video)

Who says diesel-powered cars have to be economy cars that get great gas mileage but are a fantastic bore to drive? Not VW. The 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI is a perfect example of a fast, frugal and fun car. Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of cars, Matthew developed a strong foundation in automotive technology and design. His work emphasizes accuracy and depth, aimed at informing both enthusiasts and industry professionals with straightforward, precise reporting.https://theweeklydriver.com/

Read more

Super Bowl 2010: Car commercials revisited (Toyota Corolla, 2009)

Automakers have been major contributors through the years to a much-anticipated social phenomenon: Commercials of the Super Bowl. The 30-second and one-minute spots are the most expensive on television. And while it’s the game most fans tune in to watch, commercials, halftime entertainment and the rest of the pageantry are eagerly and equally awaited spectacles for many football and non-football fans. Chrysler will return to the commercial fraternity during the Super Bowl this year for the first time since 2004. Companies with connections to automobiles also involved in the  Feb. 7 game (that’s less than three weeks) include: Hyundai, Bridgestone, GoDaddy.com, Anheuser-Busch, Cars.com, Honda and Audi. The companies’ commercials for this year aren’t yet available for viewing, of course. But

Read more

Super Bowl commercials: Kia offers Las Vegas, bikinis, Gabba Gabba dolls in its new 2011 Sorento ad

Kia is advertising the 2011 Sorento with an innovative Super Bowl ad geared toward kids and their parents and featuring Yo Gabba Gabba figures. The ad features the creatures fantasizing in different situations, like partying in Las Vegas and hanging out in a hot tub bikini-clad young woman with a come-on look on her face. But by the end of the commercial, the creatures are relegated to their original locale, in the backseat of a new Sorento waiting for its driver to leave the driveway of their suburban neighborhood. The idea is clever and the music is cool.   Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of

Read more

Super Bowl commercials: 2010 Hyundai Tucson without gimmicks

Hyundai is among nearly a dozen auto-related companies that will advertise during Super Bowl KLIV. Its 2010 Tucson is getting strong reviews, and with this 30-second commercial, the Korean carmaker takes a classy approach. It doesn’t specifically poke fun at any other manufacturer. Rather it touts the technological virtues of the new Tucson and simply asks the question why other manufacturer’s don’t already offer than same? The commercial is straight-forward, devoid of overt flash, talking animals and anything risking being cute. It just gets the job done Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of

Read more
Previous Next