Automotive News

Ferrari F430 once owned by President Trump set for auction

The Pope prefers a Fiat 500. President Donald Trump prefers a Ferrari — at least he did for a few years. But the 2007 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe, purchased new by the former businessman, is now up for auction by its second owner. The auction, conducted by Auctions America, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will be held April 1. Introduced in September 2004 at the Paris Motor Show, the F430 is designed by Pininfarina. Formula 1 traits, including new aerodynamics and an electronic differential, were included as well as a steering wheel mounted manettino switch. It allowed for quick adjustment of vehicle dynamics. Resplendent in Rosso Corsa, the F430 features Scuderia Ferrari shields on the fenders. The car is powered by

Read more
,

2017 Geneva International Motor Show: New cars galore

As arguably the most important international auto show, the Geneva International Motor Show will this year offer its usual complement of debuts and concepts in the ever-changing automotive industry. The year’s show, scheduled March 9-19, will be held in its traditional neutral location, the Palexpo in Geneva next to the international airport. Here’s a list of some of the manufacturers’ offerings in alphabetical order: Audi — The 400-horsepower RS3 Sportback debuts. Dendrobium — It’s a new hypercar from Singapore. Ferrari — The Superfast, with its 800 horsepower V112, will debut with plenty of fanfare. Kia — Say hello to tiniest Kia, the Picanto. McLaren — The Super Series is the replacement of the 650S lineup. Seat — The Ibiza supermini

Read more
,

Mercedes-Benz breaks from tradition with first pickup

For some purists, viewing a Mercedes-Benz station wagon is odd. Now the German luxury carmaker is further expanding tradition with its first pick-up truck. The latest version of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class concept will be presented at the Geneva International Motor Show. It will be available later this year in selected global markets. One caveat: The new luxury midsize truck won’t be available in the United States — at least for now. Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has announced the X-Class will debut in “key markets” — Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and some European countries. A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said the pickup “will close one the last gaps in our portfolio. The X-Class will set new standards in

Read more

Charity offers free Aston Martin, chat with James Bond

Donate to charity and have a chance to win an Aston Martin and hang out with Daniel Craig, the actor who played James Bond, Agent 007. That’s the incentive provide of United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to support its mission. The fundraising platform work with affected states to reduce the threat and impact of landmines and other explosive hazards. UNMAS coordinates UN interventions to focus on areas of greatest need and to provide education and assistance to people caught up in conflicts. Currently, UNMAS works in 18 countries and territories around the world to both save and rebuild lives. Hundreds of additional small prizes will be awarded, but an Aston Martin Vantage GT Roadster is the major attraction. In

Read more

Mercedes-Benz recalls 1 million cars after 51 fuse fires

Another day, another recall. This time it’s Mercedes-Benz. Parent company Daimler AG announced it’s recalling one million newer-model Mercedes-Benz vehicles globally after 51 fires were reported because of a defective fuse. The vehicles affected: certain C-class, E-class and CLA cars and GLA and GLC SUVs, all from 2015 through 2017. The models have a defective “current limiter,” or fuse, according to the carmaker’s U.S. regulatory disclosure. Among the million vehicles scheduled for recall, 307,629 are in the United States. And 30 of the fires were in vehicles in the U.S. No death nor injuries have been reported to the Germany carmaker. It will begin its U.S. recall in July when new parts are available. The German automaker said that no

Read more

Cars3: The future is now, but has Paul Newman returned?

The release of Cars3 is less than four months away, but the marketing of the third film in the increasingly popular series has begun in earnest. The movie was announced months ago, but the trailer for the film debuted appropriately during the recent telecast of the Dayton 500. The theme is the future. It’s not about future cars, but the future of Lightning McQueen. The movies’ main character is trying to make a comeback after a crash and while up against a slew of new, young talent. Plenty of rumors think the main voice in the trailer is Paul Newman’s. The iconic actor and race car driver the films have emulated, died in 2008. Modern technology is certainly capable of

Read more

Consumer Reports: Best New Cars of 2017

Consumer Reports picks lots of best lists. Arguably the most popular list is the publication’s annual best car list. For 2017, like in previous years, the Consumer Reports’ list of best new cars, was selected because the vehicles are outstanding all-around performers — reliable, safe and satisfying. According to Consumer Reports, “That means they have scored high in our stringent track tests and extensive owner surveys. They have won our admiration, and we recommend them with confidence.” Here’s the synopsis breakdown of the Consumer Reports’ criteria breakdown, followed by the list best new car list for 2017. Cars with hyperlinks have been reviewed by TheWeeklyDriver.com via their 2017 models or in a recent year. Overall Score: A consolidation of findings

Read more

Trophy Trucks: Modifying for movement, speed

Trophy trucks race in the highest class of off-road competition and have one goal — moving fast in the desert. But the high speed doesn’t mean barreling down a straight, well-paved asphalt road. Rather, trophy truck racing is contested on the craziest terrain found in the off-road realm — deserts to similarly rugged regions. Trophy Trucks are not street legal. Instead, they’re designed for intentionally enduring intense punishment in brutal conditions. The Trophy Truck racing class was introduced in 1994, and the name is appropriate. The machines are automotive works of art. And to compete at the premier level, small adjustments to stock are nowhere near enough. Modifications in a truck’s suspension, shock absorption, power train and the chassis all

Read more

The worst car ever? Auto-Kabine, a VW Bug on steroids

The ugliest car ever made is an ideal topic over a great burger and couple of beers. There’s plenty of room for discussion. But the worst car ever? There seems to be a consensus: The Hoffmann Auto-Kabine. M. Hoffmann, a post-WWII engineer and entrepreneur, built bicycles and Vespas in Germany in the late 1940s and then decided to entry automobile manufacturing. It was disastrous. The Auto-Kabine microcar, which resembles a VW Bug on steroids, couldn’t have been a more contrary mechanical assemblage. The engine drives the single rear wheel mounted on a cradle. It pivots on a kingpin in the center of the vehicle’s triangular frame. An extraordinarily complex lever mechanism operates the steering. The short wheelbase, rear-wheel steering proved

Read more

Consumer groups to President Trump: keep passed gas deal

About 4 1/2 years ago, the Obama administration announced new strict gas mileage standards effective 2025. The rule mandates the U.S. auto fleet averages 54.5 miles per gallon. Industry leaders and environmentalist endorse the pending standard. Announced by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa P. Jackson, the new standards will significantly cut U.S. oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA. President Trump has proposed rolling back the standard. The Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America is in disagreement. With permission, following is the leader the two groups have written to the president: President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: February 23, 2017 On

Read more

Lexus, Porsche top J.D. Power reliability survey

Lexus and Porsche are the most dependable car brands after three years of ownership, according to the 28th annual survey conducted J.D. Power, the global marketing research company. It is the sixth consecutive year that Lexus topped J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The streak puts Lexus halfway to tying its record of 12 consecutive titles for most dependable brand between from 1997 to 2008. Toyota, Buick and Mercedes-Benz rounded out the top five brands overall. Mercedes, Hyundai (No. 6), BMW (No. 7) and Jaguar (No. 10) were newcomers to the Top 10 this year, while GMC, Acura, Ram and Lincoln dropped out. The industry averaged 156 problems per 100 vehicles in the latest dependability study, up by four

Read more
,

Watch Car of the Year pick live from Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva International Motor Show is arguably the most important car event of the year. In addition to new model debuts, the Car of the Year is selected. This year marks the 54th year of the honor. The announcement will be made Monday, March 6 at 3 p.m. local time in Switzerland. Among 29 original candidates, seven finalists were selected last November after a week of testing in Denmark. The finalists for the sixth Car of the Year celebration during the Geneva International Motor Show include: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Citroën C3, Mercedes E-Class, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 3008, Toyota C-HR and Volvo S90/V90. The finalists were tested again in Denmark. The Car of the Year honor is organized by seven of

Read more

Mercedes-Benz gets dubious meanest ‘honors’

The Mercedes-Benz AMG G65 has received plenty of praise, but it now also has a dubious honor — for the second straight year. A performance-oriented luxury SUV, the Mercedes-AMG G65 is the “meanest” car, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. It’s the most environmentally dirty 2017 car on the road. In a repeat of 2016, Mercedes-Benz again dominates the ACEEE’s worst polluters list. The German manufacturer has five of the 12 lowest-scoring models, although three if the selections are close siblings. Toyota, which accounted for three of the 12 greenest cars, is also represented on the “meanest” list with three entries, two full-size SUVs – a Toyota and a Lexus – and the hefty Toyota Tundra pickup

Read more

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric greenest of green cars

The unheralded Hyundai Ioniq, the new midsize sedan with the unusual name, has the smallest environmental footprint among 2017 vehicles, according to American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The 20th annual environmental ratings, available on greenercars.org, is a comprehensive list of the year’s Greenest, Meanest, Greener Choices, and best-in-class vehicles. “Anyone buying a new car now has plenty of options for making an environmentally smart decision,” said Eric Junga, Transportation Research Analyst at ACEEE. “Whether you are looking to purchase the greenest car available, or the greenest vehicle for your needs such as a minivan, or simply stay away from the bottom of the list, greenercars.org can help you.” The following vehicles comprise the Greenest List for 2017. Each car is given a

Read more
,

New Ferrari 812 Superfast: Italian carmaker’s finest?

Ferrari may have outdone itself. The iconic Italian automaker will debut the Ferrari 812 Superfast, “the most powerful and fastest Ferrari” in the manufacturer’s history at the 2017 Geneva Auto Show. Th 87th Geneva Auto Show will be held March 9-19. According to Ferrari, the 812 Superfast will be brand’s last naturally aspirated V12. It’s powered by a 6.5-liter V12 that outputs about 789 horsepower, 8,500 rpm and 525 pound-feet of torque at 7,000 rpm. The 812 Superfast, which is front-mid mounted, is matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s the first Ferrari to use electric power steering. Four-wheel steering has been added to increase low-speed maneuverability as well as high-speed stability and responsiveness. The V12’s acceleration is 0-100 kph in 2.9

Read more

Buying a car with flood damage can be trouble

The nationwide flood damage this year has affected many industries, including the automotive market. Tens of thousands of cars have been submerged, leading to potentially significant damage. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB.org), unwitting consumers are at risk of buying a flood-damaged car if they don’t adhere to guidelines. Unknowingly buying a vehicle with flood damage may put you and your family in physical and financial danger. A vehicle’s electronic systems are often destroyed from prolonged exposure to water rendering many of its safety features inoperable. Experts from a leading pre-insurance auto inspection company note that while misrepresenting a vehicle with flood damage is illegal, it happens often. “If a deal looks too good, be careful,” said James

Read more
Previous Next