PREVIEW: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta is all new

The redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, which will include a host of interior and exterior upgrades — green technology innovation to design efficiency — will debut at the New York International Auto Show. The show will be held April 18-27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. The new Jetta’s efficiency has been improved by reducing air drag and utilizing new tires that help improve rolling resistance. New driver assistance systems are available, such as Blind Spot Detection, frontal collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Inside, the Jetta sees an upgraded interior with new materials and an enriched

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Rare Ford Mustang display in Sacramento honors iconic car

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Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Sacramento will be celebrating Ford Mustang’s 50th birthday on April 16 with a display of the iconic cars, including the first Ford Mustang to enter the State of California. The celebration, which will also include a birthday cake in the shape of a Ford Mustang, will be held at UTI, 4100 Duckhorn Blvd., from 8 a.m. until noon. Ford Motor Co. unveiled the first Mustang on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building on April 17, 1964. More than nine million Ford Mustangs have been sold since. The cherry red 1965 Mustang entered the

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Rare vintage cars to rust buckets set for Oklahoma auction

Another stash of vintage cars and trucks, some left untouched for more than 50 years, will go on sale via auction in June in Oklahoma. And the cache of about 250 vehicles may generate a vast amount of attention — similar to a globally popular auction last year in Nebraska. The new auction is a graveyard of scrap metal compared to rarities in the Lambrecht family auction that featured many nearly new and rare vehicle models and attracted buyers worldwide. The auction was broadcast live on the internet. Still, the new collection of Oliver Jordon, all stored on a scrapyard

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Bubba Watson and his controversial drive, a 1969 Dodge Charger

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Bubba Watson, a golfer of emotion and a non-purist’s swing, won The Masters for the second time in three years Sunday on the storied layout at August National in Georgia. Watson’s second victory at the event showcased his aggressive style of play. But the golfer’s first win at The Masters also included a slight controversy. But how did a nearly 45-year-old Dodge Charger put a damper on Watson’s first victory? Watson’s skills and personality were captivating. But his choice of cars, a 1969 Dodge Charger named The General Lee that once “starred” in the Dukes of Hazard television program, isn’t

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2014 Lexus ES 350: Seductive, smooth luxury sedan

There were many skeptics when Lexus introduced its auto line to America around 1990, but it was an instant success. In recent years, Lexus slipped in popularity as rival automakers introduced alluring entry level luxury sedans. But the carmaker is holding its own in the growing entry luxury market with its posh, decently priced 2014 Lexus ES 350. The $35,470 ES has been with us in various forms in the entry luxury market for approximately 25 years. The original model had a standard V-6 when rivals had four-cylinder engines. The ES 350 was given a thorough redesign for 2013 and

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2014 Hyundai Sonata: Firmly in family sedan mix

Now in the fourth year of its current generation, the 2014 Hyundai Sonata is no longer an outsider trying to find a sliver of the market share. The Sonata is well established and holds its own in the crowded pack of family sedans like the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and Mazda 6. While not a newbie in 2014, the Sonata has been tweaked enough to stay fresh. The changes include: driver-selectable steering effort, a sport-tuned exhaust (SE 2.0T only), available xenon headlights and LED taillights (Limited only), a ventilated driver seat (Limited) an optional blind-spot monitoring

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Michael Schumacher has moments of improvement

Michael Schumacher, the Formula One driver hospitalized in Grenoble since last December after a skiing accident in France, has “moments of consciousness and awakening,” according to his agent. Sabine Kehm, the racer’s long-time representative, said occasions are the most positive message to emerge since the accident. The statement reads, “Michael is making progress on his way. He shows moments of consciousness and awakening. We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble, and we keep remaining confident. “We would like to thank you all for the continuous sympathies. At

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PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Genesis: Elegant, powerful

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis, which will debut at dealerships in late April, has been redesigned and will start at $38,000 for the 3.8L V6 and $51,500 for the 5.0L V8 model. Hyundai is touting the upscale sedan as the “the combination of bold design, superb driving dynamics, unmatched standard technology and attractive pricing positions.” 2015 GENESIS PRICE STRUCTURE Model     Engine     Transmission     MSRP 3.8L RWD     3.8L V6     8-Speed A/T w/ SHIFTRONIC     $38,000 3.8L AWD     3.8L V6     8-Speed A/T w/ SHIFTRONIC     $40,500 5.0L RWD     5.0L V8     8-Speed A/T w/ SHIFTRONIC    

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Lexus, Mazda shine in 2014 Best Family Car list

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A family car once meant a station wagon or a lackluster, underpowered box-like sedan. No more. For 2014, U.S. News & World Report has selected performance cars and family oriented cars that are perfectly capable for single drivers. The magazine (and its corresponding online edition) has selected the best vehicles for families in 19 categories, compact cars to minivans, hatchback to luxury cars. The 2014 Mazda6, the Best Midsize Car for Families, and the 2014 Mazda3, the Best Compact Car for Families, both have performance that car reviewers love. That performance comes in addition to available high-tech safety features, like

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Tesla, Elon Musk get massive 60 Minutes recharge

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Elon Musk and his empire at Tesla Motors is not new to 60 Minutes. But each time the entrepreneur appears on the enduringly popular Sunday night news program — an old, new or updated segment — there’s something to discover. The interview of Musk on March 30 by Steve Kroft covered familiar ground, the passion Musk has for his high speed, high-technology electric car and the passion for the SpaceX spaceship he hopes will be the first to take human passengers to Mars. What was new, at least for me, was the interview with his mother and brother and Musk’s

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3-wheel Elio interest soars, 3,000 more reserved

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It’s still a year away from its projected public debut, but interest in the Elio Motors’ three-wheel vehicle continues to flourish — at least according to the manufacturer’s website. In early February, the website announced reservations for 84 mpg, 55-horsepower machine had reached 10,000. Six weeks later, the reservation total is approaching 13,000. Deposits from $100 to $1,000 are accepted with different levels of “bang for your buck” if and when the Elio becomes available. Refundable and non-refundable options are available. A non-refundable reservation provides customers with an additional discount worth 50 percent of the initial deposit (a $1,000 deposit

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Tesla, Toyota Prius among most fuel-thrifty 2014 cars

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It’s easy to list the most fuel-efficient cars and truck simply by miles per gallon. But listing the most fuel-sipping vehicles in categories is more comprehensive. Kelley Blue Book assembles a lot of car lists each year, but its most efficient car list for 2014 is arguably its most informative. The list ranges from cars under $20,000 to truck-based SUVs and electric cars to sports cars. Here’s what Kelley Blue Book wrote about the Toyota Prius c One, the most fuel efficient car in the United States with a sticker price of less than $20,000: “The littlest Prius has a

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Rare Barn Find Ford Mustang Shelby Set For Auction

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Barn finds in the automotive world are still out there. The latest discovery is a varied collection of cars and trucks from an estate in Pennsylvania that includes a 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Cobra Jet. The car, owned Larry A. Brown, a now-deceased car and truck collector,  is the expected highlight of more than a dozen vehicles set for auction April 25 at Ron Gilligan Auctioneering in Spruce Creek, Pa. The Mustang features a 428-cubic-inch Cobra Jet engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission, which has only 8,500 miles in total. The spark plugs, belts, fan and hoses are

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Road Rage Revenge: How Sweet It Is (Video)

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Road rage torments many. Maybe we’ve been the victim of road rage. Or maybe we’ve initiated an issue on a bad day or on a lot of bad days. Driving just often brings out the worst in people. Road rage revenge, however, is another matter. How sweet it is. In this instance, earlier this week a woman driver in Tampa, Fla., was the victim of road rage. But she recorded the situation on her smartphone and she had video of the outcome when the perpetrator spun out of control in wet weather and crashed on a median. The woman who

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2014 Infiniti Q60: Power, comfort, hefty price

Infiniti changed the name of its vehicles throughout the brand last year. The 2014 Infiniti Q60 Coupe Journey is the new name for the 2013 G37 Coupe. But that’s about all that’s changed in the upscale coupe from a year ago. It’s performance and luxury oriented, but like a lot of sports coupes, space and practicality aren’t strongest attributes. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The four-seat 2014 Infiniti Q60 coupe is available in five trims: the Q60 Journey, the base model Q60 AWD, Q60S 6MT and Q60 IPL. There’s also a Q60 convertible. My weekly driver was the Journey. It’s

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PREVIEW: 2015 Ford Mustang: Sleek new convertible

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The 2015 Ford Mustang fastback and convertible is available with a variety of engines, a newly designed, more efficient convertible top system, more connectivity options and a new exterior and interior design. The new engine type includes a new turbocharged EcoBoost 2.3-liter and an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 with more than 420 horsepower and manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The convertible roof uses a new electromechanical drive and single-handle center latch to lower in half the time of the current car. Roof features a standard fabric outer layer and is fully lined and insulated for a quieter ride. More compact roof

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