2021 Volvo top-line V90 wagon honors icons

Someday soon as an homage to the not-too-long-ago automotive history, a manufacturer will introduce a vehicle called a station wagon. A good choice would be next year’s Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design. The 2021 editions, like other carmakers’ choices in recent years, are called wagons. It’s as if the “station” designation is an insult. The original classification derived from families carrying their heavy trundle suitcases to train stations. The long wagons, precursors to sport utility vehicles, became station wagons. Beauties they were, with three rows of seating, lots of interior and exterior wood and comfort to spare. Road trips were

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Self-driving cars are among us but drivers beware

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Self-Driving Cars Self-driving cars are the biggest advancing development in the auto industry. Tesla brought the technology to the mainstream market, offering cars that can drive themselves while the driver just sits behind the wheel. The ideas of a self-driving car and its the technology began with several manufacturers offering self-parking technology. Self-driving technology is exciting, but as it advances, a few misconceptions have circulated. Here are several things you absolutely can’t do behind the wheel of a self-driving car (and some permissible conditions): Sleeping Some people think self-driving cars are great as they allow people to take

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Accidents will happen: What you should know

Few people will go their entire lives and never get into a car accident. Different types of accidents are caused by different sets of circumstances. Although not all accidents can be avoided, knowing where and when you’re more likely to have a crash can help you lessen your chances of being involved in one. Head-On Collision Fortunately, head-on collisions are the rarest form of accident. Head-ons can also be difficult to assign who is at fault. So having car accident lawyers you can turn to will really come in handy in this case. They are more likely to happen in

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#170, WeatherTech Raceway ready for racing

Just like any business relying on visitors, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca had it tough during 2020. Events were rescheduled and canceled. But management did its best to offer recreation opportunities when it could. One unheralded but important track use is the facility’s access to non-competitive racing clubs and performance driving programs. Members rent or bring their vehicle to the racetrack and experience the famous layout. Barry Toepke, the director of heritage racing at the WeatherTech Raceway, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Toepke the upcoming 2021 season

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#169, Hagerty expert talks strong new 2021 auctions

Auto auctions are back! Live, that is. Online auctions have continued during the pandemic, but January sales are a key indicator for collector car sales. And what a January it was. Brian Rabold, Vice President of Valuation Services at Hagerty, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Rabold about the new year, the return of live auctions and some of the surprising prices paid for vehicles. According to Hagerty, January 2021 auto auctions generated $181.9 million. The impressive tally doesn’t include sales from the launch of the Barrett-Jackson

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2021 Honda Odyssey makes minivans proud

The Honda Odyssey, the former standout and industry wonder, is now 27 years and stagnant. But it’s not the minivan’s fault. Sales of sport utility vehicles, crossovers and pickup trucks continue to increase, dominating the industry. Minivans’ success, like the fate of sedans, have floundered. In 1996, a year after it debuted in the United States, the Odyssey had its best sales year, just shy of 178,000. In 2109, the versatile family hauler, which has the same top reputation as the rest of the Honda lineup, fell to 99,000. It was the minivan’s first sales year under the six-figure plateau.

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Auction set: 2021 Ford Bronco, Mustang Mach 1

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The first 2021 Ford Bronco 2-door (VIN 001) and first 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (VIN 001), two highly coveted vehicles, will be auctioned for charity by Ford Motor Company and Barrett-Jackson at the Scottsdale Auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale, March 20-27, 2021. One-hundred percent of the winning from the Ford Bronco VIN 001 will benefit National Forest Foundation and Outward Bound. Both are part of the new Bronco Wild Fund mission to connect people to the outdoors. The total sale price of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 VIN 001 will benefit JDRF, the non-profit organization’s efforts against type

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Tesla fights but agrees to $250 million recall

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Tesla, despite resisting a previous request by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is recalling 135,000 vehicles made during a seven-year span because the cars’ touch screens can potentially fail. According to the NHTSA report, vehicles’ touch screens could fail when their memory chip is full. If a failure occurs, the vehicle’s backup cameras, defrosters and turn signals could malfunction. The recall includes some Model S luxury sedans built between 2012 and 2018 and Model X SUVs built between 2016 and 2018. In the previous its previous request, NHTSA said the issue could affect 159,000 vehicles. The carmaker said

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5 things to do if you’re in a car crash

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT As bad as it may seem to anticipate getting involved in a car crash, accidents occur every day, particularly once you’re a driver or frequent passenger. Six million people are involved in crashes every year in the United States. It’s a nerve-wracking experience. But knowing how to stay calm and how to seek help can assist your recovery from road accidents. Here are the top 5 things to do when you get involved in a car crash: 1. Control Your Emotions An accident can cause severe stress. If you’re involved in an accident, remember to try to keep

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#168, Hershey’s world class auto museum reopens

Its official name is the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, but it’s almost always called the AACA Museum or the Hershey Auto Museum. By any name, the museum in Pennsylvania is among the country’s most active facilities honoring the history of automobiles — and it’s reopened. Jeffrey Bliemeister, the museum’s Executive Director, is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Bliemeister the status of auto museums around the country during the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, we talk about the AACA Museum and its approach to presenting the ever-fascinating

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2021 Lexus UX 200: little SUV big on value

Unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the Lexus UX 200 is the upscale Toyota brand’s newest sport utility vehicle. It’s a subcompact crossover smaller than its NX sibling. The 2021 edition receives a few minor upgrades and tweaks. Small even by sub-compact SUV standards, the Lexus UX 200 is available in Base, Luxury and F-Sport trims. It has a close relative in the UX 250 hybrid. Key Takeaways Smallest Lexus SUV punches above its size: The UX 200 feels bigger than its subcompact profile suggests, with athletic handling and precise steering through mountain roads and city traffic. Sluggish acceleration

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Hey, Ford Mustang owners! What to do next

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car manufactured since 1964 and features six generations. If you’ve treated yourself to one of the current generation Mustangs built since 2015, here’s a guide to improving your vehicle’s performance and handling to better than when it rolled off the assembly line. Upgraded Security Mustangs are so popular, they’re ripe for theft. With that in mind, it’s worth upgrading the vehicle’s security systems. But did you know thieves can steal your car without the key fob? Using a laptop computer and a device held near your front door to scan

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General Motors: no gas, diesel cars, trucks by 2035

General Motors has a heavy foot — at least in terms of carbon neutrality. The world’s seventh-largest automotive manufacturer has announced an expedited goal — to end production of all gas and diesel-powered cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles by 2035. GM plans to use 100 percent renewable energy to power its U.S. facilities by 2030 and global facilities by 2035. It’s five years sooner than the manufacturer has previously announced. The automaker’s new plans were announced one day after President Joe Biden signed a series of executive orders. The plans will prioritize climate change across all levels of government

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NEW TRUCK PREVIEW: 2022 Ram 1500

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Among the lightweight truck’s “Big Three”, the pending 2022 Ram 1500 will feature mid-generation upgrades and include a hybrid powertrain for the first time. The hybrid option will join current gasoline and diesel powertrain options. An all-electric powertrain is on the horizon but won’t be available for at least two years. While not confirmed, the 2022 Ram 1500 will feature the next-generation Uconnect5 infotainment system. Prices haven’t been released and a slight increase is likely for the new Ram. It will likely be released this summer. The 2022 Ram 1500 will have the grille and current slimmer headlamps halogen, LED

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Keep Your Car Looking New Longer

Buying a new car is a significant investment and it should be protected. But while purchasing a new vehicle is a great feeling, your new car quickly loses value. Some cars can lose almost half of their value from depreciation within the first five years of ownership. Therefore, it’s logical to prevent the value of your vehicle from depreciating at lightning speed. One of the best ways to avoid the sometimes massive losses is to keep a vehicle longer. Getting as much use from a safe vehicle for as long as possible helps minimizes the early depreciation. Besides benefitting from

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Budget-Friendly Ways To Improve Your Car

After driving the same vehicle for many years, you may no longer enjoy it. But budget-friendly changes can prevent having to buy a new vehicle. As an alternative, you can upgrade your current vehicle in many ways to freshen it up. Here are seven budget-friendly ideas with various costs that can help your vehicle’s longevity and help you like driving it more. Paint Your Car While a new wrap can be great for a car, sometimes it won’t provide the appearance you’re seeking A good paint job can instantly give your car that “facelift” it needs. But sometimes you need

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