2017 Chrysler Pacifica: New strong rival in minivan niche

Pacifica isn’t a new automotive nameplate. Chrysler first used it on a concept vehicle 1999. The Chrysler SUV/wagon discontinued in 2008 after four years of production was also called the Pacifica. But the name has returned again with the debut of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan. It’s the replacement for the royal-sounding and now-defunct Town & Country. The three-row, seven or eight-passenger minivan joins the niche market dominated for many years by the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. But out and good riddance with the former vehicle Chrysler called a “sports tourer.” And welcome its sibling that resembles no one

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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

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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:

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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

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2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: Efficient, luxurious, priced right

One major consideration for car buyers considering a hybrid is the cost increase from the gas-only equivalent. Lincoln avoids the potential consternation. The 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is priced the same as its gas-only sibling. Lincoln for several years has been trying to regain its luster of yesteryear. The MKZ Hybrid was introduced in 2011 as part of the initiative. It’s the manufacturer’s first entry into alternative engines, and the price match is unique in the industry. The entire MKZ lineup this year received a refresh. The interior changes included and updated radio and climate controls and a simplified console.

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Watch Car of the Year pick live from Geneva Motor Show

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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

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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”

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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

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2017 Volkswagen Jetta: enduring sedan holds its own

Now in the seventh year of its sixth generation, the Volkswagen Jetta is approaching its 30th birthday as a little sedan that can. For 2017, the Jetta receives a few upgrades, most in improved technology. New are a rearview camera on all trim levels and driver assistance features on lower trims. There’s also an updated infotainment system with a USB connection to replace the former cable connection. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Jetta hybrid and diesel have been discontinued for 2017, leaving four trims — S, SE, SEL and GLI. The SEL trim, my weekly driver, included many of

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New Ferrari 812 Superfast: Italian carmaker’s finest?

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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

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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

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2017 Lincoln MKZ: A worthy underdog luxury sedan

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Four years after its last redesign, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ received an interior refresh and an exterior facelift. The five-seat luxury sedan debuted in 2006 as the Zephyr and was renamed the MKZ the following year. Regardless of the badge, the underdog Lincoln is still seeking a better market share. It’s positioned among the most competitive automotive segments. Since its debut, the vehicle gas-only trims have sold more than 34,000 units in the United States in a year only twice. Sales the last two years were slightly more than 30,000. Available with gas-only or hybrid engines, the Lincoln MXZ has

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Keep your car love alive with Valentine’s Day gifts

SPONSORED CONTENT Everyone loves their car when they buy it, but after the honeymoon phase is over, it’s sometimes hard to keep that love going strong. 3M Auto, Prestone, Meguiar’s and Royal Purple have come up with five easy solutions to fall back in love with your car just in time for Valentine’s Day. 1. Take Years Off the Look – Yellow and hazed headlight lenses don’t just make your car look old, they’re also a safety hazard and can decrease visibility. 3M Quick Headlight Renewal provides an easy-to-use headlight restoration solution to help increase visibility and remove minor haze

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Commentary: Can fuel cell vehicles thrive?

I recently attended a gathering for alternative fuel vehicles, hosted by Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition (SCCC). The SCCC is part of a national network that supports the reduction of petroleum consumption in transportation. Several alternative fuel vehicles were on display, including the Toyota fuel cell car called the Mirai. The Mirai is a good-looking midsize sedan fueled with compressed hydrogen. The compressed hydrogen passes over a fuel cell stack to produce electricity for the electric drive motor. The Mirai has a 300-mile range, takes only three minutes to fill, and drives like any other car. It’s perfect, but where do

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2017 Jeep Cherokee: Modern look, respect for the past

Jeep celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2016. A year earlier, the compact Jeep Cherokee replaced the Liberty in midseason. It continues the sport utility vehicle’s extended celebration and legacy as the modern version of the original WWII vehicle. For 2017, the Cherokee remains primarily the same as last year’s model. It also had a midseason addition last year with the top-end of five trims, the Overland. It joins the Latitude, Limited, Sport and Trailhawk. As the most powerful Jeep in the lineup, the Overland model I drove for a week featured a 3.2-liter, 24-valve V6 engine with 271 horsepower and

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Tata Motors debuts exclusive new sports car Futuro

Tata Motors, the Indian carmaker that nine years ago introduced the world’s cheapest car, will debut its first sports car in the sub-brand TaMo (Tata Motors) at the Geneva International Motor Show. The new model, one of several new vehicles planned by the company that owns Jaguar and Land Rover, will be called the Futuro. It will feature a 1.2-liter, mid-engine turbocharged inline four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower. The two-seater will be unveiled in Switzerland as a concept. According to several media reports, the Tamo Futuro should be available in about 18 months. Its debut coincides with Tata’s decision to streamline

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