Automotive Reviews

GM unveils electric shock treatment: new $105K pickup truck

The electric truck wars are on. With all major manufacturers vying for the future marketplace, GM has just made the biggest, boldest mainstream move to date – the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. Mary Barra, the CEO of GM, announced the vehicle during the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. She revealed the all-electric light-duty pickup will have an estimated 400 miles of range (with the largest battery), as much 664 horsepower and 780 lb-ft of torque. The 0-to-60 mph time is estimated as quick as 4.5 seconds with the Wide Open Watts Mode. Initially, there will be two trim levels offered: the flagship RST and the WT (Work Truck) model. The new Silverado EV will ride on

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New GM troubles, massive lawsuit claims faulty transmissions

The eight-speed transmissions installed in numerous Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, including several trucks and SUVs manufactured by General Motors, are faulty. According to a new class-action lawsuit against GM in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, the automaker shipped vehicles with transmissions with that: “Slip, buck, kick, jerk, harshly engage, suffer abnormal internal wear, sudden acceleration, delay in downshifts, delayed acceleration, difficulty stopping the vehicle, and eventually require replacement of the transmission or its components.” Vehicles affected include: Cadillac ATS (2016-2019), Cadillac ATS-V (2016-2019), Cadillac CTS (2016-2019), Cadillac CTS-V (2016-2019), 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6, Cadillac Escalade/Cadillac Escalade ESV (2015-2019), Chevrolet Camaro (2016-2019), Chevrolet Colorado (2017-2019), Chevrolet Corvette (2015-2019), Chevrolet Silverado (2015-2019), GMC Canyon (2017-2019),

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Welcome back, Ford Bronco: better looking, off-road savvy

It’s been 25 years, but the Ford Bronco is back. The sixth generation of the former compact off-road-geared utilitarian vehicle has re-emerged. It’s available for the first time as a mid-sized, two-door sport utility vehicle. Used Bronco prices have dramatically increased with buyers perhaps remembering the family workhorses from decades ago. The Bronco debuted in 1965 as a 1966 model and as the first SUV. Its fluctuating success was matched against the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. The Bronco’s demise was often attached to the notorious 1994 low-speed police chase of former NFL running back O.J. Simpson. He was the back seat passenger in a white 1993 Bronco XLT driven by Al Cowlings on Interstate 405 in Southern California.

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New Tesla rear camera, trunk woes prompt 475,000 recalls

Tesla is recalling more than 475,000 of its Model 3 and Model S electric cars from model years 2014 to 2021 because of rearview camera and trunk issues that increase the risk of crashing. The U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer is recalling 356,309 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles to address rearview camera issues and 119,009 Model S vehicles due to front hood problems, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced The federal regulator has been discussing another camera issue with the automaker while probing the electric vehicle manufacturer’s driver assistant system and other issues. According to the manufacturer’s sales figures, the total number of vehicles being recalled is about the same volume of vehicles Tesla delivered in 2020. Tesla: Recall Issues

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Tiger Woods back, still can’t drive or play straight

Now that the fandom and television network adulation have subsided, a calmer, bigger-picture perspective on Tiger Woods’ return to golf is warranted. He is not a hero. And nor does he represent the beauty of the mentorship that occurs between fathers and sons. Instead, Woods, 10 months removed from his third automobile accident in 14 years — all the golfer’s fault — is still a father in denial. While he previously appeared on national television to apologize for his poor personal life choices, Woods has yet to appropriate any public forum to address his wont for reckless driving. Tiger Woods: 3 accidents, 14 years Woods’ children aren’t fatherless only because the 82-time PGA Tour winner and 15-time Major winner was

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2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S: Beautiful, Expensive Beast

Not too many years ago, the term “four-door sports car” rattled automotive purists. It’s now part of the accepted lexicon only to be replaced with the latest oddity, “supercar luxury family sports sedan.” A few abound including the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S. The addition to the German stalwart manufacturer began as a 2016 model as a two-seat coupe. But a convertible and four-door sedan are now offered. The niche of niche segments also includes the Audi S7 and RS 7, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe and the Porsche Panamera. For 2021 (2022 models are pending via supply chain shortages), the AMG GT 63 S is the top-line of four trim levels. All-wheel drive is standard

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Hydrogen Highway goes awry in Hyundai Nexo

About 55 years ago, the Chevrolet Electrovan debuted as the first modern hydrogen-powered vehicle. It weighed 7,100 pounds. It had a top speed of 70 miles per hour, a milestone achieved in an eternity of 30 seconds. The vehicle was scrapped not too long after its short life only in General Motors’ testing facilities. The Electrovan had a 150-mile range but its alternative fuel was expensive. And its large carrying containers, positioned behind the middle bench seat, didn’t define automotive safety. Not much in the technology’s sustainable future occurred for nearly a half-century. Hydrogen cars most prevalent in California Now, three vehicles — the Honda Clarity, Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai — are part of the still-niche hydrogen marketplace. All

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Toyota no longer king of the green car industry

It’s hard to believe that Toyota, the automaker behind the hugely successful hybrid-electric Prius, is no longer viewed as the green car industry leader. According to Danny Magill, an analyst at the London-based think tank InfluenceMap, Toyota has gone from a leading position to an “industry laggard” in clean-car policy as other automakers push ahead with ambitious electric vehicle (EV) plans. InfluenceMap gives Toyota a “D-” grade—the worst among automakers—saying it exerts policy influence to undermine public climate goals. While companies like Tesla have produced fully electric cars now part of the EV rage, Toyota, focusing on gas-electric hybrids and futuristic fuel cell vehicles, has started to lose market share. Toyota Prius: Losing Its Green Car Crown Records show the

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Ford goes retro with zero-emissions F-100 pickup truck

What once was old is new is old again — the Ford F-100 Eluminator pickup truck. The automotive industry best-selling truck manufacturer recently announced the concept — a zero-tailpipe-emissions. demonstration truck. It’s powered by the new Ford Performance Parts Eluminator electric crate motor customers can now buy online. Based on a heritage 1978 F-100 pickup, the F-100 Eluminator concept features all-wheel-drive via two electric motors shared with the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Two electric traction motors drive the front and rear wheels, packing 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford F-100: The Past Is The Present The Eluminator is the first e-crate motor from Ford Performance Parts. It’s based on the Mustang Mach-E GT’s traction motor. The

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2022 Genesis GV70: An SUV star is born

Nearly 20 small luxury crossover sport utility vehicles are available in 2022 models — Acura to BMW, Infiniti to Mercedes-Benz. All simultaneously have unique and shared traits. The names change; the vehicles often don’t. Further, there’s no exact definition of what makes an SUV or any other car achieve luxury status. The luxury tagline is used to define vehicles offering better performance, plush interiors made with high-end material as well as top-line safety and advanced technology features. The luxury definition was once reserved for luxury-only brands, namely German stalwarts. Several manufacturers, some formerly consider economy-based, have changed the dynamic. Still, how can a new SUV find its place? Genesis GV70: Legitimate Contender Welcome the 2022 Genesis GV70, a debuting SUV.

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2022 Mini Cooper: Lots of driving fun, logic removed

Twenty-two years ago, several years after it acquired the naming rights, BMW reintroduced the Mini. It was different but with a heritage still affixed to the original two-door compact city unveiled by British Motor Corporation in 1969. The traditional Mini became an icon of British automotive culture. It’s the best-selling British sports car in history. It’s had starring automotive roles in movies and a successful racing career. Its sporting cuteness and unabashed driving fun defined its popularity. The 2022 Mini Cooper is mechanically nearly the same as recent years’ models. Its variety of styles is its appeal as a niche offering for drivers willing to exchange comfort and practicality for driving fun and for reasons not-to-dissimilar from the reason people

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2023 Corvette Z06 a power broker

Not too many years ago, even purists began to wonder. What was up with their beloved Chevrolet Corvette Stingray? The styling was off, a conspicuous look like General Motors’ designers ran out of time. Was the Corvette’s label as “America’s Sports Car” no longer valid? Could the many-time Indianapolis 500 pace car have become an also-ran? 2023 Corvette Z06: More power, better style Annual sales were down for several years, dipping below 20,000 for the first time in 2018. Ah, but just in time, the mid-engine C8 arrived in 2020 after years of planning. The brand was revived. Automotive industry honors flowed. And now it’s happened again with the recently announced, much-ballyhooed and coming-to-a-dealership soon 2023 Corvette Z06. Like its

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2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: country’s best new car value?

Car buyers often maintain their brand and style preferences for decades. It’s among the reasons hybrid and all-electric vehicle sales have increased slowly. As an example, the Toyota Prius is now 21 years old. As the first mass-produced hybrid in the United States, it once dominated the country’s alternative fuel vehicle annual sales. But that still represented less than four percent of all auto sales. 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Offer Great Value The Prius’ popularity has waned, but Toyota still maintains its dominance in the hybrid segment. The Toyota RAV4 now reigns with 28 percent of the market share. Key Takeaways 53 mpg city, 52 mpg highway on regular gas: A 1.8-liter four-cylinder paired with two electric motors and a

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Mazda 6 bids farewell at its best

Say goodbye to the Mazda 6. The highly rated family sedan has been discontinued after the current 2021 model, and it’s a shame when many undesirables remain. The issue for the Mazda is two-fold. Its current generation debuted in 2016 and the competition is increasingly wicked. Matched against the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, the Mazda 6 could barely infiltrate the brigade of perennial top-sellers. How could it? Honda and Toyota have armor-solid reputations and the industry’s best resale pedigrees. For its last appearance as a new vehicle, the 2021 Mazda 6 has a few upgrades. The Carbon Edition joins the family of now six trims. It features a Polymetal Gray exterior color, black exterior accent

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Versatile 2021 Ford F-150 has PowerBoost hybrid engine option

The 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid engine is offered as an option in the 2021 Ford F-150 and changes the game for V-6 engines in pickup trucks. The combination of a V-6 and a pickup truck was once relegated to use as service vehicles and for supervisors to drive. Ford’s creation of the hybrid PowerBoost has raised the V-6 to a new level of functionality and usefulness. The PowerBoost performs at the level of a V-8, uses less gasoline, and takes advantage of proven technology to handle wear and tear once reserved for V-8 engines. An Overview of the Ford 3.5-liter PowerBoost The Ford 3.5-liter PowerBoost is a hybrid currently used in the manufacturer’s F-series of full-sized pickups starting in 2021. It’s

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2022 Honda Civic: Best got better at age 50

Fifty years ago, the Honda Civic was introduced as a two-door or four-door subcompact sedan, a three-door or five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon. It had starting cost of about $1,400 and weighed 1,411 pounds. Simultaneously, not much and everything has changed. The debut Civic’s four-cylinder, 61-horsepower engine, was propelled by a four-speed manual transmission. It advanced from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 10.5 seconds and it had a top speed of 90 mph. The new Civic had a spacious interior, and it quickly built a reputation as environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and reliable. The 2022 Honda Civic, the debut of the car’s 11th generation, designates the brand’s 50th anniversary. It does so in grand fashion, particularly with the sport

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