Telsa announces rocket roadster with wicked specs

Elon Musk is a master promoter for his array of high-end electric vehicles. He’s just announced two new products, including what he’s marketing as the fastest street-legal roadster ever made. In addition to revealing plans for an electric semi-truck, Musk surprisingly announced the reboot of the roadster that launched his company. But it’s a far superior vehicle than debuted in 2008. According to Musk, the new generation of the roadster via prototype track testing will accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 1.9 seconds. It’s predicted to have a top speed of more than 250 miles per hour. And it

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Expanding electrical vehicle charging networks coming soon

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If car industry analysts are correct, sales of electric vehicles will soon increase dramatically. With manufacturers offering more models of plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles as well increasing gas-electric hybrids, some industry insiders believe “green cars” could account for as much as one-third of new car sales by 2025. The increase in battery-electric and plug-in hybrids could be even greater if states ban internal combustion engines. California is considering the ban, for example, and just think how the car industry would be affected if ban proposal occurred. Regardless of the severity of the increase, major questions loom: Where will the

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Henry Giselle Roberson born to be a drag racer

Drag racer Henry Giselle Roberson takes after his father. He likes to drive fast cars in a straight line for a quarter-mile alongside other racers doing the same. The elder Roberson, also Henry, and still competing at age 75, began on the streets of San Francisco. The younger Roberson, 31, has been drag racer for more than half of his life. He competes on tracks from Arizona to Oregon. Roberson the younger, who lives in North Highlands, will compete this season through November. About a month afterward, the 2018 season will begin January 1 at Sacramento Raceway. He competes in bracket racing,

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Episode 12, Drag racer Henry Giselle Roberson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (41.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreHenry Giselle Roberson, 31, of North Highlands, California, has been drag racing for more than half his life. His father, age 75, began racing on the streets of San Francisco. The younger Roberson is following his father’s path, competing on tracks from Arizona to Oregon.

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2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid redefines SUV market

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid debuted in 2005. It attracted immediate attention as a midsize, three-row sport utility vehicle achieving 30 miles per gallon in city driving. Not much good has happened in sales since. But Toyota can blame itself. It’s obsessed with hybrids. A year after its debut, the Highlander Hybrid had its biggest year with 31,485 units sold, about 25 percent of all Highlanders purchased that year. A decade later, the Highlander had its biggest year with 191,379 gas models sold, but only 5,976 hybrid models were purchased. The increased popularity of the Toyota RAV4 greatly reduced Highlander sales.

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Mecum Auctions rolls into Las Vegas for 1,000-car debut

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Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector-car auction company, will produce its inaugural Las Vegas collector-car auction Nov. 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. An estimated 1,000 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, Hot Rods and Resto Mods will be on the auction block. Among the “Main Attractions” consigned to date for Mecum Las Vegas 2017 is a well-documented 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster (Lot S105.1). It retains its original aluminum body, red seat covers, 6-inch chrome wire wheels and remains one of the most original automatic-equipped Cobras in existence. Listen to The Weekly Driver Podcast about the Mecum Auctions debut

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Episode 11, Mecum Auction Debuts In Las Vegas

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (33.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreMecum Auctions is the largest automotive auction house in the United States. Mecum will conduct 14 auctions throughout the United States in 2017, including the inaugural event in Las Vegas, Nov. 16-18. In Episode 11, co-host James Raia interviews John Kraman, a television brodcaster and analyst with Mecum, about the new auction as well as his 60-year passion for automobiles.

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Fire risk prompts massive North American BMW recall

BMW is recalling more than 1.4 million cars and SUVs in the United States and Canada for two overlapping heating issues that could increase the risk of fires. According to a manufacturer representative, one recall includes more than 670,000 2006-2011 U.S. BMW 3-Series vehicles to address a wiring issue for heating and air conditioning systems. The first recall includes: the 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3 from the 2006-2011 model years. Also covered are the 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is, and the 2009-2011 335d. The second recall includes more than 740,000 U.S. 2007-2011

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Episode 10, RV travel defines open-road freedom

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (30.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Once an industry dominated by retirees and fair-weather travelers, the recreational vehicle lifestyle is surging in popularity — particularly for younger vacationers. Last year, 430,000 recreational vehicles of all kinds were sold, according to the RV Industry Association (RVIA). That total represented a 15 percent increase in sales from 2016, and it continued a several-year upward trend. Lower credit rates and lower gas prices are among the reasons for the increase in the travel option. The advancement in technology — smartphones, to 4G data connections —

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Elio no more? Plenty of alternative EVs ready to roll

Since its infancy in 2009, Paul Elio has touted his three-wheel, futuristic-looking vehicle as revolutionary. Its originally base cost was $6,800 and its specs were marketed with bravado, including 84 miles per gallon and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. Through nearly a decade of talk, negotiations with various service companies, an increased starting price and several other issues, Elio has taken more than 65,000 reservations for a vehicle whose production model has never been built. Jobs promised have never been fulfilled. Elio has massive debt and little cash. Prototypes of the mystery vehicle were showcased at auto

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Mecum Auctions Las Vegas debut live on Facebook

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Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector-car auction company, will produce its inaugural Las Vegas collector-car auction, featuring an estimated 1,000 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, Hot Rods and Resto Mods, November 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Vehicles from approximately 20 states and and Canada, including a well-documented 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster (Lot 105.1) that retains its original aluminum body, red seat covers, 6-inch chrome wire wheels and is most original automatic-equipped Cobras in existence, will be among the main attractions. A 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot S108) documented with a copy of the original build sheet confirming

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Episode 9, The Pros & Cons of Convertibles

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (27.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreConvertibles are an acquired taste. Driving on a country road on a warm afternoon in a sports car with the top down is the among the best joys of driving. The fresh air, or using the automotive terminology, “maximum ventilation,” can take all your troubles away. But convertible tops, particularly fabric tops, have limitations, including deterioration, poor break-in protection and reduced cargo space. We discuss the pros and cons of convertibles in Episode No. 9. Modern-day convertibles, of course, are far superior to the early varieties. The

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2017 Jeep Renegade: Maintains tough reputation

As the original sport utility vehicle, Jeep has endured wars and multiple owners. It’s prideful, tied to patriotism and known for its off-road durability. It’s also now a hybrid, not via engine options, but in origin. The smallest vehicle in the manufacturer’s lineup, the 2017 Jeep Renegade is the brand’s third-year subcompact crossover. Jeep still manufacturers many of its vehicles near its original plant in Toledo, Ohio. But the Renegade is assembled Melfi, Italy, and in Guangzhou, China. It’s the first Jeep produced outside of North American for international markets, including the United States. The Renegade debuted with substantial importance.

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The Weekly Driver Podcast, #8: Transmission Shift

Driving purists still appreciate shifting gears in their vehicles. But driving a new car with a manual transmission is rare these days. Automotive industry data companies estimate about only about three percent of new vehicles sold in the United States are equipped with manual transmissions. In this episode, we discuss the reasons behind the shift in transmission preferences. We discuss continuously variable transmissions and dual-clutch transmissions. The shift in shifting also has other ramifications, including resale values, gas mileage average and how manufacturers view the industry. Automatic transmissions were once viewed as a vehicle upgrade and with a corresponding price

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Episode 8, Transmission Shifts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (29.8MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe Weekly Driver Podcast gets support from AmericanMuscle.com, your late model Mustang and F-150 Authority. Bringing you the hottest products and top-notch customer service for over a decade. No one makes it easier to modify your ride. Visit AmericanMuscle.com today for all things Mustang and F-150.   Driving purists still appreciate shifting gears in their vehicles. But manual transmissions are rare these days. Automotive industry data companies estimate about only about three percent of new vehicles sold in the United States are equipped with manual transmissions. In

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2018 Audi A5: Refines entry level luxury coupe

The Audi A5 joined the German carmaker’s lineup in 1997, replacing the Audi 80. But for 2018, the Audi A5 is a new generation. And its design and features further designate the car’s position in the entry-level luxury coupe segment as an oxymoron. Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 252 horsepower and advance with a seven-speed transmission, the new Audi A5 advances smoothly and quickly. But there’s a brief turbo lag. The A5’s power is evidenced by its acceleration in the 0-60 miles per hour standard in 5.0 seconds. The all-wheel-drive system is impressive while cornering, particularly at

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