Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
I ran the math on 2026 plug-in hybrid SUVs against their gas counterparts. Recovery percentage, charging access, premium fuel, and what changed when the federal credit ended.
Read moreThe automotive sector is changing, especially due to the rise of Electric Vehicles and the discontinuation of the increasingly familiar roar from internal combustion engines. Audi has once again reinvented the RS3 and introduced the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine after years of being part of Audi‘s performance cars. This article will provide information regarding why the RS3 compact car is more than just performance numbers; however, Performance is considered the beating heart of the Audi RS3. The Beating Heart: A Five-Cylinder Masterpiece The 2.5-litre TFSI five-cylinder engine is the “heart and soul” of the RS3, and many performance enthusiasts continue to enjoy this engine. It has proven itself an exceptional engine, and it is available from dealerships/dealers of used cars for
Read moreThe start of the 2024 Dakar Rally is just about upon us and Audi spotlighted its participation Wednesday by unveiling an electric SUV inspired by the desert race. The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar features plenty of horsepower, heightened off road capabilities, and a limited decal package. The Dakar Rally kicks off January 5 2024. Originally run from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal, the Dakar Rally as of 2020 is held as a 3,100-mile, two-week race entirely within Saudi Arabia. Audi has participated in the fastest class, T1 Car Class, of this physical, mental, and mechanical endurance test since 2022. Each Q8 e-tron edition Dakar is based upon the Q8 55 e-tron and is propelled by a 402-horsepower, 490
Read moreYears after Hyundai and Kia emerged from automotive doldrums to offer stylish, top-rated, economic and performance-oriented vehicles, non-believers still quibble. A standard refrain is that South Korean manufacturers don’t offer prestige. The argument isn’t valid, particularly with the introduction of the 2018 Kia Stinger. It joins a strong lineup from both manufacturers (Hyundai owns about one-third of Kia) challenging long-time standard bearers. The new, speedy and handsome sedan provides another strong example of how the once upstart underdog is a severe competitor to rivals like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A5, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In its initial year, the Stinger is available in five-tRIM evels. The top-line GT has rattled the parameters of what might be expected from
Read moreGenesis, the newcomer luxury brand from Hyundai, has accelerated past Audi and is now top-rated by Consumer Reports in its annual ranking of automotive brands. Audi was ranked No. 2, followed by BMW, Lexus and Porsche in the top 5. The remainder of the top 10 in order: Subaru, Kia, Tesla, Honda and Toyota. The magazine’s annual report card ranks brands based on road and safety tests, owner satisfaction and reliability. Lexus stood out in the rankings more for its reliability and standard advanced safety features than its road test scores, which often have trailed rivals. The magazine reported every Audi model tested, which totaled eight in the latest survey period, and every Genesis tested, just two models, are all
Read moreThe 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 higher speeds. The A5’s stability and braking are reassuring. Manual transmissions are nearing dinosaur status, but the Audi A5 is
Read moreAnother chapter in the long saga of Volkswagen and its scheme to hide emission levels in some of its vehicles has resulted in the manufacturer offering to buy back more tainted diesel cars and spend an additional $1 billion to settle the air pollution scandal. The German automaker agreed to buy back tainted 3.0-liter engine vehicles sold between 2009 and 2012. The company will fix newer 3.0-liter cars. Volkswagen will pay $225 million into a “national mitigation fund” to address air pollution effects from its tainted 3.0-liter engine vehicles. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said $66 million would go to California, according to a report in the Sacramento Bee and on several automotive websites. Volkswagen previous agreed to spend
Read moreGood Housekeeping, the magazine whose testing institute has evaluated products and presented the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval since 1909, has unveiled its inaugural “Best New Cars” for 2016. The new list was compiled in conjunction with Car and Driver, the renowned automobile publication. The two publications’ collaboration narrowed 160 vehicles to 41 across four categories; eight winners: Compact, Sedan, Eco and Crossover. Then, the engineers from the Good Housekeeping Institute logged 2,000-plus miles on real roads, assessing performance, safety features, family friendliness, price, infotainment systems, usability, storage and intuitive design. Here are the winners, announced January 11, 2016 at North American International Auto Show in Detroit: Compact Mazda3 S 5-Door Grand Touring (2015): Swift acceleration gives this car a
Read moreThe continuing saga of the emissions scam affecting Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen has again expanded with the announcement of the problem affecting 85,000 vehicles with 3.0-liter diesel V6 engines dating to 2009. The engine software is allegedly designed to foil emissions tests, according to the EPA. The California Air Resources Board and the EPA “will continue to investigate and will take all appropriate action,” the federal agency said in its statement. Previously, the EPA said the software was found on 2014-16 models with the Audi-developed 3.0-liter diesel, including SUVs from all three brands and larger sedans from Audi. The EPA made its initial allegations on the 3.0-liter engines on Nov. 2. An EPA spokeswoman said the additional model years covered
Read moreThe ever-expanding Volkswagen scandal has gotten worse. The automaker has issued a “stop-sale” for more than 10,000 Audi, Porsche and VW SUVs and high-end cars with 3.0-liter diesel engines. Federal regulators have labeled the cars as having “defeat devices” dating to 2013. The stop-sale includes more vehicles than identified by EPA on Monday. It only labeled the specific model years of three vehicles it had tested as violating emissions rules by allowing the vehicles to emit up to nine times legally allowable levels. RELATED VW EMISSION SCANDAL CONTENT: More VW, Audi, Porsche models added to cheat list Volkswsgen can’t sell 2016 diesels in the United States Volkswagen CEO Winterkorn resigns in emissions scandal The new stop-sale covers the 2013 Audi
Read moreVolkswagen is in further trouble. The scandal-plagued carmaker has received a second notice of violation of the Clean Air Act with emissions test violations expanding to additional VW vehicles as well Audi and Porsche models. The additional vehicles affected by the violation notice include the diesel versions of the 2014 VW Touareg, the 2015 Porsche Cayenne and the 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5. These vehicles are equipped with 3.0-liter engines that release emissions of nitrogen oxide up to nine times the EPA standard, the agency said. Additional Related Content: Volkswagen Can’t Sell 2016 Diesel in the United States Volkswagen CEO Winterkorn Quits in VW Emissions Scandal Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Hits 11 Million Cars Globally The
Read moreWatch out for an Audi SQ5 near you. It’s driverless and it’s now making its way from San Francisco to New York utilizing Delphi autonomous car technology. Jump-starting the long-planned and heavily promoted claims by Tesla one of its electric cars will also be driven across the country on autonomous technology, Audi hopes its experiment will prove successful in time for the New York Auto Show. The Audi‘s trek, which began March 22, is planned for about 3,500 miles. In addition to the vehicle, the Audi voyage began with a few engineers and a “driver.” Stints of six-to-eight hours are planned with the driver in the car. The SQ5 is one of four vehicles Delphi has modified for autonomous driving
Read moreThe new 2015 Audi A3 compact sedan is innovative and attractive, and it’s ideal for driving on tight city roads. It’s also reminiscent of Audi’s 1994 A4. With Audi’s trademark single frame grille and pearl white LED headlights, the A3 is an anticipated addition in the A-segment. Compared to 1 Series and B-segment models, A3 sedan’s wheelbase doesn’t look visually cramped. The result: a handsome exterior, low roof line and wide rear pillars. It’s as attractive as the Mercedes A- and B-classes, with the right tinge of sportiness. The Audi A3 Sedan is a car for Gen Y. The interiors are exquisite and elaborate. The furnishings are well-fitted with a finesse that can put its rivals to shame. The engineering
Read moreThe 2014 Audi A3 has been named World Car of the Year over the BMW 4 Series and the Mazda 3 at the New York International Auto Show. The World Car Awards program, now in its 10th year and held in conjunction with Bridgestone Corporation, chose the 2014 Audi A3 from an original list of 24 vehicles from around world. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said: “The Audi A6 was the first winner of this award and we are delighted that the 2014 Audi A3 has repeated that achievement by being voted 2014 World Car of the Year.” “The Audi A3 showcases Audi’s technical competence in all aspects of carmaking, not least in the
Read moreFor the seventh straight year, theweeklydriver.com has selected its top-10 Cars of the Year. Honda continues its streak as the only manufacturer represented in each year of the list. We’ve picked 70 cars, of course, in the past 10 years, and now 13 Honda models have been featured, including in 2013, the Honda Odyssey and Honda Accord. As editor and publisher of the site since its debut in 2004, I wrote 34 full reviews of 2013 model year cars and trucks. Contributors Dan Jedlicka (www.danjedlicka.com) and Bruce Aldrich (www.tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com) also contributed reviews to the site in 2013, pushing the total reviews to more than 100 for the year. Aldrich also filmed and produced all of the videos on the site
Read moreTwo Mazda models, the perennial favorite Honda Accord and several sports cars and sedans have been selected in Car and Driver’s 32nd annual 10 Best list of 2013 cars with prices less than $80,000. Car and Driver this year recognized five all-new cars to redefining excellence for the entire industry. Half of the 10 vehicles selected have starting costs of less than $25,000. Car and Driver writes, “These are the vehicles that offer the most value, that elegantly and comprehensively fulfill their missions, and that engage their drivers in spirited conversation. They are not always the newest or the trendiest, but they are the consistent overachievers.” The 32nd Car and Driver 10Best and publication’s comments: Porsche Boxster/Cayman – “The secret
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