Automotive News

NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Honda Civic gets sporty

Honda has introduced, via YouTube, the 2016 Honda Civic sedan, the 10th generation of the enduring compact car. The sedan trim is among several new Civic models that will debut in the fall of 2105. The coupe, high-performance Si models, a 5-door hatchback and the first Civic Type-R model for the U.S. market will also be unveiled later this year as part of the new chapter in the Civic’s 43-year history. The 2016 Honda Civic will feature two all-new engines – including the first application of Honda turbo engine technology in the U.S. These powerful and fuel-efficient new engines combine with a sophisticated new body and chassis design to deliver incredibly responsive and sporty performance with a higher level of

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2016 Acura MDX: More technology, comfort for luxury SUV

Although it’s not a new generation, the 2016 Acura MDX has several updates from its one-year-older predecessor. The new edition of the luxury sport utility vehicle has a nine-speed, push-button automatic transmission and a revised all-wheel drive system. A frameless rearview mirror and several technology features are also new. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The three-row, seven-passenger Acura MDX feature a 3.5-liter, 290-horsepower with the aforementioned nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but my weekly driver featured the optional all-wheel drive. There’s a lot of competition in luxury SUVs and buyers can make diverse choices. With the Acura MDX, the choice is an abundance of comfort and and technology instead of less in those areas and more in performance

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VW made $600 car for China, but did world’s cheapest car vanish?

A new cheap single-seat car, introduced several years via a prototype, was scheduled for release recently China and would have made the Tata Nano, the not-too-long ago world’s cheapest car, seem expensive. Made in Hamburg, Germany, and shown only to Volkswagen stockholders in secrecy, the unnamed vehicle was said to 4,000 Yuan or the equivalent of $600. That’s about one-third of the cost of the original Tata Nano, the India-made vehicle that debuted via much publicity in 2009. (But has anyone heard anything further about arguably one of oddest-looking vehicles in history?) The new vehicle, built in Germany, was predicted to travel 100 kilometers (62 miles) on one liter (28 ounces) of fuel, also making it the world’s most economical

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Carsquare.com: the easiest, best way to buy or lease a car

Carsquare.com is a new website that provides something previously absent from the online car-buying experience. Whether a consumer is looking to purchase a new car in a specific price range or interested in reading used car reviews, Carsquare.com features a diverse offering — from the best used car tools to educating yourself about buying a new car to generating a specific vehicle’s used car history check. The Carsquare.com platform aggregates information from the best automotive industry companies available on the Internet and has developed relationships with Carfax, eBay Motors, CarsDirect, Usedcars.com, MyCarMatch, LotLinx, Swapalease.com, and others. The new portal provides all the tools to help make a consumer’s search simple, precise and ongoing, whether looking for new or used, to

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2015 Honda CR-V: Best crossover SUV gets better

In its 21st year, the Honda CR-V is mature, a standard bearer in the sport utility market. The 2015 edition further defines the top-selling people mover. The 2015 edition isn’t a new generation, but there’s plenty new. For starters, the 2.4-liter, 185-horsepower engine is now the same as the Accord’s direct-injection, four-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission. The exterior styling has been refreshed. And, so, too has the interior. New are a front console armrest, rear climate vents, a 7-inch touchscreen linked to the LaneWatch blind spot monitoring system on the higher-level trim. The Touring trim also has upgraded safety technologies. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2015 Honda CR-V is a five-passenger crossover sport utility vehicle. It’s available in

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Model-T still reigns among best Ford cars ever made

The Ford Motor Company has celebrated numerous milestones. Its current achievement is the 2015 Mustang, now 50 years old. The iconic sports car’s success at its half-century mark brings to mind many other Fords. More specifically, since Ford‘s debut in 1903, the manufacturer has made so many automotive industry revered vehicles, it’s hard to pick the carmakers’ best. It’s a subjective choice, certainly. The Best Car Ever Made in History Choosing the best car ever made in history is a complex and subjective endeavor, as it involves weighing a myriad of factors that span technological innovation, design, impact on the automotive industry, and cultural significance. This article aims to explore these criteria and provide insight into how one might approach

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Tesla Model S sets record as best-testing car in history

Consumer Reports has announced what other automotive publications have also determined in other models of the high-end Tesla. The electric vehicle has tested better than any car in history of the magazine’s respected ratings systems. Specifically, the all-wheel drive the 2015 Model S P85D sedan tallied 103 points in the magazine’s system that by definition doesn’t surpass 100 points. Consumer Reports’ staff reported: “The P85D is brutally quick, with instant acceleration. The car’s thrust is forceful and immediate. Its near-instant g-forces can otherwise be achieved only by leaping off a building—literally.” “That this electric car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds without an engine’s roar makes it frighteningly eerie in its silent velocity. It’s so explosively quick

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Rare Bugatti Veyrons at auction, rare pedal car an option

The first and last hardtop Bugatti Veyron supercars made, numbers #001 and #300, went up for aution in RM Sotheby’s auction Thursday night, Aug. 13 during Monterey Auto Week. It will be nteresting to note what prices the two rare cars attract as well as the difference between the selling points the two iconic vehicles. The three-day auction, which began with a preview Aug. 12, is being held at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey. The original Bugatti, a 2006, Bugatti Veyron 16.4, is predicted to sell for $1.8-$2.4 million. The second Bugatti, a 2012 Veyron 16.4 Super Sports, is predicted to sell for about $1 million. Bugatti enthusiasts can also take note: If you didn’t make the highest

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Sandra Button: Queen of the Concours d’Elegance

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was doing fine 30 years ago. It had honored the 100th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz and celebrated milestones of many others carmakers along the way — Bugatti to Ferrari to Maserati. Sandra Pruin (now Button) had also been hired as special events coordinator for Pebble Beach Company to help organize dog shows and golf tournaments — and the Concours d’Elegance part-time. The Conours was already internationally prominent and it remains the apex of Monterey Auto Week. But Button has now orchestrated the event for three decades. And she’s been a keen observer as the peninsula’s importance as an automotive-themed destination for events ranging price-gasping auctions to memorabilia shows has expanded. Niche events have come and gone

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Concours d’Elegance: Derek Hill is the new voice of iconic show

As a spectator, participant, judge and son of the most distinguished individual in the event’s history, Derek Hill has attended the Concours d’Elegance for as long as he can remember. This year, seven years after his father’s death, Hill will have a new role — master of ceremonies. Hill, 40, a prominent professional driver in numerous disciplines, will assume the responsibilities of Edward Herrmann, the former actor, director and automotive enthusiast who died last December. Hill’s father Phil, the 1961 Formula One world champion and three-time 24 Hours of LeMans titlist, died in 2008 in Salinas at age 81. He was a judge at the Concours d’Elegance for 40 years and won Best of Show in 1955 with his restored

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Ferrari has nine of top-10 most expensive auctioned cars

With Monterey Auto Week and its collection of high-end car auctions on the horizon in mid-August, it’s always interesting to see how much car enthusiasts will pay for rare automobiles. They’re often Ferrari models. What’s surprising is that some vintage cars attract little attention and sell for reasonable amounts. And, of course, there are cars that attract international investors willing to pay whatever amount it takes. The current highest amount paid at auction is for a 1962-63 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta. It sold for $38.1 million in August 2014 to an investment group at Bonham’s Quail Lodge Auction in Carmel, California. As described in an article on thestreet.com, the 250 GTO has a unique history. Henri Oreiller, a retired Olympic

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Say goodbye to three Honda models in 2015

Honda makes great cars. The Honda Civic, Accord and CR-V are annually among the top-10 best selling vehicles in the United States. But even Honda admits failure sometimes. Which is why at the end of the 2015 model year, three Honda models will be discontinued. Gone will be the Civic Hybrid, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and the natural-gas powered Civic GX. Honda has plans for a new plug-in hybrid and battery electric models. But in the meantime, here’s a look at the three departing Honda models: It’s a Natural Honda Gas The innovative Civic GX was arguably the least appreciated car in the United States. About four years ago, Honda made a concerted effort to market its natural gas vehicle.

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2016 Honda Accord: Five cool new features for sedan icon

Manufactured since 1976 and soon debuting in its 10th generation, the 2016 Honda Accord remains among the most popular and reliable vehicles in the United States. The new edition will be available at dealers in August and it will showcase a new exterior and interior and a good share of new technology. The new features of the 2016 Honda Accord can be grouped into five distinct categories. Here’s the list: New, Modern Wheels A host of new designs will be available, including 19-inch options. The new choices will provide the vehicle with a more aggressive appearance. Bright Lights At Night With new angles taken from its higher-end relative, the Acura, the new Accord will have new new LED headlights and

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Honda Accord

With an emphasis on technology and safety, the 2016 Honda Accord will debut in August. It will have new exterior and interior look and will be the first Honda to offer both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Further advancing, the vehicle’s modernization, the 2016 Honda Accord sedan and coupe will have HD Radio, heated rear seats, front and rear parking sensors an several additional upgrades. The 2016 Accord’s facelift will mean sportier, more sophisticated styling, front and rear. The front restyling will be more sharply creased and with a intricately structured bumper fascia with outside edges that tuck into intake-like meshed areas that house new LED fog lights (Sport trim and above). A new aluminum hood features sharper character lines

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Barrett-Jackson debuts car care products

Barrett-Jackson, the name synonymous with automobile auctions, has debuted a line of car care products for interior and exterior cleaning, waxing and restoration. The exterior car care includes washes, waxes and detailers formulated with Carnauba wax, providing a durable finish and deep wet look shine. The wash and wax is a blend of cleaners, lubricators and hydrophobic polymers that gently lift and wash off dirt. It produces a renewed appearance with a lasting shine and is biodegradable and safe for all finishes. Barrett-Jackson’s paste wax, spray wax, rapid detailer and liquid wax kit are formulated with hydrophobic polymers and work on all exterior surfaces including plastic, rubber and trim. For quick touch-ups, the rapid detailer provides spray-on and wipe-off convenience,

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Hack attack prompts Chrysler recall of 1.4 million vehicles

In the aftermath of two security researchers hacking into the wireless system of a Jeep, Chrysler has announced the recall of 1.4 million vehicles in the United States dating to 2013 models. The vehicles recalled may be affected by a hackable software vulnerability in Chrysler’s Uconnect dashboard computers. The vulnerability was first demonstrated earlier in July when Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek wirelessly hacked and assume control over dashboard functions, steering, transmission and brakes. The recall doesn’t require Chrysler owners to bring their cars, trucks and SUVs to a dealer. Instead, they’ll be sent a USB drive with a software update they can install through the port on their vehicle’s dashboard. Chrysler says it’s also taken steps to block the

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