#128, WeatherTech Raceway adjusts to COVID-19, stays on course

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:14 — 47.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreWithout one vehicle negotiating its 18 percent devilish descent on turn 8 or even one engine starting, WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway has negotiated a lot of racing in recent weeks. But it’s all been behind the scenes and against the calendar clock and uncertainty of the coronavirus. Joining the ever-lengthening list of sports teams and venues, the raceway and recreation area has amended its yearly calendar with a series of rapid-fire announcements. Barry Toepke, director of marketing and communications for the raceway, is our

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Runaway Ford F-150, Expedition SUVs recalled

The next time you view a new Ford F-150 pickup truck or Ford Expedition sport utility vehicle rolling down the road it might be a recalled vehicle.

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Pickup trucks, SUVs rule global market

Grande Prairie, Alberta is a petroleum and agriculture-dominant city about 300 miles northwest of Edmonton. Winter driving is brutal. Citizens and seasonal oil field workers mostly rely on pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles. A few years ago, when visiting the city for several days during the late summer Tour of Alberta, the now-defunct professional cycling event, I re-enacted a version of the old family vacation game. But instead of counting license plates from different states, I counted vehicles. On two early morning runs with temperature in the mid-30s, I categorized the first 25 vehicles viewed. Combined, 43 of the

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PRESS RELEASE: 2020 Range Rover big, pricey, plush

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PRESS RELEASE Range Rover is renowned for combining peerless luxury and refinement with traditional all-terrain capability. The 2020 Range Rover now offers higher levels of performance, refinement and responsiveness with the latest 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder Ingenium gasoline engine. The 2o20 Range Rover 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine is available in 355hp and 395hp outputs, badged P360 and P400 respectively and delivers up to 406 lb-ft of torque that powers the new Range Rover from 0-60mph in as little as 5.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds) and to a top speed of 130mph (209km/h)4. In the U.S., the new P360 engine will

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PRESS RELEASE: 2020 Infiniti QX50 rules as luxury SUV

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PRESS RELEASE The 2020 Infiniti QX50 was completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, becoming arguably the most compelling Infiniti to date with world-first technologies, standout design, enhanced interior space and an entirely new platform. For 2020, the QX50 continues to provide the highest level of versatility, efficiency and performance in luxury mid-size crossovers. The 2020 Infiniti QX50 luxury mid-size crossover is now offered in five well-equipped grade levels and in a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The 2020 Infiniti QX50 Pure comes equipped with standard features and equipment including the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, paddle shifters, 19-inch aluminum-alloy

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PRESS RELEASE: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250

PRESS RELEASE The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB  250 is the highly anticipated all-new addition to the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. A durable and practical SUV with powerful proportions yet compact dimensions, the GLB provides a generous amount of space for up to seven passengers with an optional third-row — a first from Mercedes-Benz in the compact segment. The all-new GLB is equipped with the latest safety technology and the intuitive new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. Arriving in U.S. dealerships by late 2019, the 2020 GLB 250 will start from $36,600 and the GLB 250 4MATIC is priced from $38,600. The

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The Weekly Driver letters: Used trucks, Lexus, Sonata PHEV

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The Weekly Driver is a companion website to the weekly Autopia column I contribute to the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times. Some of my automotive content also appears on RVtravel.com and in Gulfshore Business in Florida. It’s also distributed by Motor Matters, a syndicate in Delaware. With that variety of outlets, sometimes I receive letters from readers. It’s great. With permission from the letter writers, I’m posting a recent batch of comments. Some editing for style, clarity and brevity has occurred. Thank you for reading my content and for taking the time to email. Stay in touch. Cheers,

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Coronavirus hasn’t halted 2020 Classic Car Week

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Monterey Auto Week, the varied collection of pricey rarities, vintage race cars and coveted relics, is scheduled as planned on the Monterey Peninsula in August. But the uncertainty of the coronavirus virus restrictions could still halt the annual celebration of automobiles. Beginning with the Monterey Kick-Off Cruise-In on Alvarado Street in Monterey and continuing through the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16, the international gathering including more than 30 attractions. “We care deeply about the entrants, judges and guests of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and we want to act wisely in regard to this new challenge that we

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#127, Hey, we’re back: coronavirus halts auto world

The Weekly Driver Podcast took a brief hiatus during the continuing coronavirus crisis. But Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia both live in Sacramento, Calif., are back to discuss the coronavirus in the auto world

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The Weekly Driver Podcast: encore bests during COVID-19

Like many small businesses, The Weekly Driver Podcast remains on hiatus this week during the coronavirus crisis. Bruce Aldrich and I miss our weekly chats with auto industry experts and enthusiasts. It’s an analyst on one episode, a car collector on the next, and it’s all great fun. How about a 30-minute interview with a guy who turned an old firetruck into a mobile pub? How about a half-hour show with a guy from Sacramento who’s as passionate about his vintage Studebaker as any new car owner is about their flashy red, over-the-top, technology overloaded SUV? Or what’s up with

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Geely keeps it clean, drone delivers new car keys

Buy a car from Geely, the Chinese automaker and parent company of Lotus and Volvo, and it will be delivered disinfected. It may also be equipped with a N95-rated filtration system to combat the coronavirus. And to complete the non-contact buying process, a drone will deliver the car keys. According to a report on carandriver.com, Geely began its online car-buying system in February. The manufacturer reported it has delivered 10,000 cars in China with the new service. In February, Geely announced its Icon electric sport utility with be sold with an in-car filtration system. “The new system will now use

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2020 Hyundai Sonata: new look, best sedan value

With the dominating presence of trucks and recreational vehicles, a pleasant, efficient drive in a fair-priced sedan is still appealing. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata comes to mind. Chasing the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, the segment sales leaders for years, the Sonata begins its eighth generation. It’s a much-changed midsize sedan inside and outside. The South Korean manufacturer’s marketing slogan for the new vehicle is “Sensuous Sportiness.” Sportiness works; sensuous is a stretch. The Sonata’s exterior has lost its conservatism for a modern fastback look. The driving lights now extend to the hood and taillamps are c-shaped and

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Gas station pumps pose severe coronavirus concerns

Gas stations across the United States are considered essential and remain open during the coronavirus crisis. But gas pumps and keypads like other public use areas — escalator rails, shopping carts, mailboxes and ATM machines — often have high levels of contamination. According to a report by the maker of Kleenex, Kimberly-Clark, 71 percent of gas pump handles have high levels of contamination. The study was done in 2011, but the coronavirus has quickly rekindled concerns. But are the concerns warranted? While viruses and bacteria are not the same, virus contamination on public surfaces is a problem in a pandemic.

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Ford rules best used trucks for $10,000

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With its dominance in new truck sales, it only seems logical the Ford has the same good reputation used truck sales. It does, and it’s good news for truck buyers with a budget of $10,000 whether in the market for a work truck or a vehicle to tow an RV or boat. Chris Ford, a writer for HotCars.com, has compiled an interesting list featuring used trucks from 1999 to 2018 — all in the affordable $10,000 price range. As the best-selling vehicles in the United States for more than 40 years, Ford has five trucks on the list, dating from

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Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda Ridgeline top 200K list

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The Honda Ridgeline is arguably the most unusually designed truck on the road. It has a large fan base and detractors. But one area in which there’s no disagreement, the Ridgeline has the best longevity of any of its competitors. Although the Toyota Land Cruiser has the top ranking, the Ridgeline is among the three trucks in the top-15 vehicles reaching 20,000 miles, according to iseecars.com. The result of the survey makes a good case for consumers considering buying a used vehicle instead of purchasing a new car or truck. The iSeeCars.com site is a comprehensive platform for all car

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