Automotive News

Little Lexus leads value hybrid SUV luxury corps

The 2024 Lexus UX 250h continues the now six-year run for the uniquely positioned vehicle. It’s arguably the country’s best-valued, most fuel-efficient luxury subcompact sport utility vehicle. It’s a long title and worthy of it. The least inexpensive Lexus starts at $35,340. The Premium and F Sport Design trims both start at $37,800. The top F Sport Handling model begins at $42,770. All-wheel-drive is a $1,400 option on every trim. The top-line choice costs about the same as the average price of a new vehicle in the United States, which makes the little-but-not-so-little SUV additionally attractive. When it debuted, the UX (Urban eXplorer) lineup was offered in gas and hybrid options. The former was discarded in 2023, leaving four hybrid

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2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid: built, billed right

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is marketed as an inexpensive small sport utility vehicle with superior fuel economy. It’s an enticing description for a family needing solid transportation, reliability, efficiency and strong brand resale value. New with last year’s model, the hybrid joins the Corolla family. Its pedigree stands alone as the best-selling car in history. The Cross debuted in 2022, with the new hybrid, of course, substantially boosting gas mileage. In its debut model year, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is available in S, SE and XSE trims. All versions are powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a hybrid system for a combined 196 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. As

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2024 Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar inspired by upcoming rally-raid

The start of the 2024 Dakar Rally is just about upon us and Audi spotlighted its participation Wednesday by unveiling an electric SUV inspired by the desert race. The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar features plenty of horsepower, heightened off road capabilities, and a limited decal package. The Dakar Rally kicks off January 5 2024. Originally run from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal, the Dakar Rally as of 2020 is held as a 3,100-mile, two-week race entirely within Saudi Arabia. Audi has participated in the fastest class, T1 Car Class, of this physical, mental, and mechanical endurance test since 2022. Each Q8 e-tron edition Dakar is based upon the Q8 55 e-tron and is propelled by a 402-horsepower, 490

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The 2024 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E: Many horses from two sources

Mercedes-AMG is keeping the V8-powered sports car alive and not quietly. The SL63 S E Performance debuted last week. It’s not just a hybrid V8 supercar, but the most powerful SL ever conceived. It has more than 800 horsepower and four digits of torque pumped out of the biturbo engine. Its performance makes this a potential titan on the tarmac. Engineers at Mercedes-AMG made this possible by combining a handmade, 4.0-liter V8 with a Formula 1-inspired hybrid system. The engine produces 600 horsepower which exceeds the Porsche 911 Turbo or a Bentley Continental V8. Paired with the hybrid system, the horsepower increases to 805. It’s astounding for the car’s size and class. A 200-horsepower electric powertrain Mercedes says was developed

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2023 Genesis G90: Large luxury sedan class

The automotive industry is fixated on gas mileage averages, emission efficiency and alternative fuels that may one day make internal combustion engines the outliers. It’s all fine. Until then, here’s to the open road and full-size luxury sedans represented well by the six-year-old Genesis G90. Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are the aging stalwarts with loyalist buyers. Genesis is a confident newcomer, comfortable for its occupants and confident transporting them. It’s the young automotive endurance athlete, respectful of its European elders but perfectly capable of leading the pack if the opportunity arises. Offered as the 3.5T and 3.5T E-Supercharger, the 2023 Genesis in both trims is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The base trim V6

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Hello, Goodbye: Next-generation Porsche Panamera Unveiled

Porsche’s unveiling of the new, third-generation Panamera says hello to a new appearance and engineering and goodbye to the Sport Turismo wagon models. The new sedan’s online debut saw the release of a redesigned Panamera and Panamera 4, as well as the current flagship Turbo E-Hybrid. No Sport Turismo models were present as poor sales and a only marginal increase in practicality over its sedan counterpart forced the automaker to cease production. Upon first glance, the Panamera’s most significant change is its appearance. A new front end utilizes enlarged intakes and a sharpened profile but otherwise maintains the original slick styling of the previous generation. Center-lock wheels, a first for four-door Porsches, and a full-length lightbar punctuate the rear end.

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Strike A Pose at the 2023 LA Auto Show

There are many ways to explore the new cars, reveals and concepts at the 2023 LA Auto Show, running from November 17 to 26. One way yet to be evaluated was how auto manufacturers would show off their best car pose. As the reader, you are requested to determine your favorites and leave a comment. I visited different manufacturers’ displays and asked for their best representative to give me a car pose. Some took it seriously, some embraced the weird and knew exactly how to show off their poses and the car. Asking someone to pose with the cars resulted in a whole new experience for the show. These photos were challenging to achieve, with people opening doors, getting in

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Lucid Motors announces first SUV, defines Gravity

Lucid Motors, the upstart electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Northern California, has unveiled the Lucid Gravity, a full-sized, luxury sport utility vehicle with a projected range of 440 miles. The third-year company’s first SUV was announced on the eve of the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s scheduled for production in late 2024 with an expected starting MSRP of less than $80,000. According to the carmaker, “Lucid’s commitment to design excellence, spacious interiors and versatility further sets Gravity apart from the competition.” The exterior design is a combination of aesthetics and utility. A focus on efficiency has led to a target coefficient of drag of less than 0.243. The Gravity’s presence is supported by a substantial frunk, sleek profile, elongated

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2023 Lucid Air Pure: fledgling, worthy luxury sedan

It’s difficult to consider the 2023 Lucid Air Pure the entry-level vehicle of the young carmaker’s five trims. It’s the brand’s least expensive and least powerful sedan. But it would be many manufacturers’ flagship offering. The 2023 Lucid Air Pure is a continuation of the car’s debut in late 2021 as a 2022 model. Its starting price is $77,400, with Lucid‘s latest, the top-line Sapphire, priced at $249,000 (no options). Performance is the key for all trims, a “meager” 430 horsepower to the highest in the mainstream car industry, the Sapphire’s 1,234 horsepower. With its single-motor, rear-wheel drive layout, the Air Pure is exemplary for daily driving requirements. If it were the only trim, Lucid enthusiasts would be satisfied. But

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Driver’s dozen provides new car review challenge, South Korean EVs take honors

Automotive journalists often drive new vehicles for a week and then write reviews about their experiences. It’s rare one vehicle in a manufacturer’s lineup can be quickly compared to a more modest or a higher-end trim of the same car. Also unusual is promptly testing two diverse cars or trucks from the same carmaker. The novel approach was one idea presented at the recent Best of the Bay, a 2 1/2-day gathering of the Western Auto Journalists (WAJ). It’s the 30-year-old Bay Area community of automotive content creators and industry representatives. Nine manufacturers showcased 13 cars at Vintner’s Resort in Santa Rosa for testing, including two from Genesis, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota. Acura, Honda, Lexus, Mazda and Mercedes-Benz (AMG) presented

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Determining Liability in Truck Accident Claims

There were 523,796 large truck accidents in the United States in 2021, a more common occurrence than might be expected. Results can be devastating, from severe injuries to fatalities. Personal injury law allows those injured in truck accidents to receive damages compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. To ensure a fair settlement, it’s essential to accurately determine who was at fault for causing the accident and who should be responsible for the injured party’s losses. How is liability determined? It’s advisable to consult an experienced legal professional like this truck accident attorney in Dallas to understand the details. Driver Liability The law places a legal duty of care upon drivers which requires them to safely operate

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2024 Ford Mustang honors its iconic muscle car elder

Only a few new cars have debuted in half-year models, and it hasn’t occurred in more than 30 years. The most well-known example of a fractured name is the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang, the iconic muscle car known by a mid-year moniker but never marketed as such by the manufacturer. The carmaker’s longest-tenure vehicle debuted at the New York World’s Fair as a 1965 model in April 1964. A few months later, the manufacturer made modifications but the updated cars were still 1965 models. The changes eventually prompted experts to designate the differences with the earlier model acquiring the half-year qualifier. The 2024 Mustang, available since the summer of 2023, marks the first year of the car’s seventh generation. Date

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Day in the Life of a CDL Driver

The trucking job imposes excellent challenges but also opens a new perspective. Truck drivers operate vehicles on domestic and international routes taking them to various destinations. A truck driver’s job is never monotonous. If you’re considering applying for a CDL driver job and want to know about the day in the life of a driver, here are some highlights, obstacles and recommendations. Planning An average workday includes thorough planning, navigating the roads and maintaining safety. The day starts with planning the route to meet the requirements. Drivers usually have booked time slots with the warehouse to take the cargo. Also, they might have various stops to deliver goods to adjacent distribution centers. Lastly, drivers have a specific delivery time they

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2023 BMW M2: Big little coupe respects drivers who enjoy the art of driving

Electric and continuously variable transmissions are increasingly refined. So much so, dismissing the once-dominant manual transmission makes sense for new car buyers. Why bother with all that three-pedal fuss? Still, while the industry is always in flux, one prominent publication recently reported 17 mainstream manufacturers offer 31 cars in 2023 models with manual transmissions. BMW also still understands drivers with a preference for shifting. The stalwart German manufacturer is among a few carmakers with several lineup choices offering manual transmissions. BMW’s selections are all performance-focused, the M2, M3 and M4. The newly redesigned 2023 BMW M2 is a high-performance version of the luxury automaker’s entry-level 2 Series coupe. The rear-wheel drive, two-door features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 453 horsepower.

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Can I Receive Compensation For Lane Change Accident Expenses?

While driving, you’ll need to change lanes on your journey to make left or right-hand turns. As you change lanes, you need to check your path to ensure it’s clear and available for you to move into the adjacent lane. Many of today’s newer vehicles come equipped with alerts that let you know when an obstruction is in your blind spot. However, many vehicles don’t have this technology. Regardless, it’s up to all drivers to check for clearance before changing lanes. If another driver crashes into your car because they failed to make a proper lane change, you may be wondering if you can get compensation. The answer will depend on several factors. How Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Applies to Lane

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Voice-Control Your Smart Home with the Latest Mercedes MBUX Update

Mercedes-Benz has announced a sophisticated enhancement to its MBUX Voice Assistant—a seamless integration with smart home technologies. Effective immediately, this advanced feature facilitates users to orchestrate their domestic appliances and security apparatus via vocal commands from their vehicles. This refined iteration of the MBUX Voice Assistant is now congruent with an array of esteemed smart home brands, encompassing Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, TP-Link, and myQ by Chamberlain Group. The suite of controllable devices extends from intricate lighting systems and intelligent plugs to state-of-the-art thermostats, motion detection mechanisms, and automated garage doors. The system proffers a real-time diagnostic of various home apparatuses. An inquiry such as, “Hey Mercedes, is the domestic environment secure?” might elicit a response delineating, “All fenestrations are

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