Ford’s Breadcrumbs technology helps off-roaders find their way home
Like Hansel and Gretel, the Ford Ranger's navigation system drops a pin per second to show off-roaders the way they came. The Breadcrumbs function can make the difference between getting home before dark, and spending an hour looking for a way around a river. It's available on the Ranger and the F-Series trucks.
Rivian snags investment of another $1.3 billion to manufacture electric pickups
Rivian is turning into the automotive industry's darling. The Michigan-based company recently received $1.3 billion in funding and will use the money to ramp up production of its first two models by the end of 2020. Getting it right the first time is crucial to the electric pickup maker's success.
Lordstown Motors starts taking orders for electric, 600-hp pickup truck
Lordstown Motors, a startup that purchased the Lordstown, Ohio, factory from General Motors, plans to be the first manufacturer to launch an electric pickup truck. Its Endurance is tentatively scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2020. It will use four in-wheel electric motors, and it will cost $52,500.
Tesla update adds Stardew Valley and backgammon from Lost (Yep, the TV show)
It sounds like compatible Tesla models will soon be able to recognize traffic lights and stop signs thanks to an upcoming over-the-air holiday software update. The repertoire of in-car games will also grow with the addition of Stardew Valley, and a version of Backgammon inspired by the TV show Lost.
At CES 2020, BMW will make sleeping in a city car sound attractive
Half electric car and half boutique hotel, the BMW i3 Urban Suite looks like a regular-production model when viewed from the outside, but it gets a custom, two-seater interior designed with coziness in mind. BMW will deploy a fleet of Urban Suites on the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada, during CES 2020.
Car2Go car-sharing service shutting down in the U.S. after reality check
Share Now explained that, in a nutshell, it can't be profitable in the United States without investing a significant amount of money, and it is calling it a day. It will also shut down in London, Brussels, and Florence, but it will continue operating in 18 cities across Europe, including Helsinki and Copenhagen.
Volkswagen will deploy retrolicious autonomous vans during the 2022 World Cup
One of the coolest concept cars of the decade will come to life on the streets of Doha, Qatar, during the 2022 World Cup. Volkswagen will turn the ID Buzz concept into an autonomous shuttle that will carry up to four passengers at a time. Truck manufacturer Scania will contribute 10 driverless buses to the project.
Why General Motors won’t be showing its next electric car at CES
The four-week-long strike that paralyzed General Motors earlier in 2019 has delayed its latest concept car, which is expected to be both electric and autonomous. It's now scheduled to debut during the first half of 2020. It might preview Cadillac's upcoming electric crossover, or it could be an electric pickup.
Croatian startup Rimac begins testing autonomous, electric hypercar
Autonomous technology in a 1,900-horsepower hypercar? It sounds odd at first, but Rimac is out to break the rules. The C Two unveiled in 2018 is well on its way to production, and it's getting design tweaks, an updated powertrain, and an improved interior. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2020.
2020 Audi RS Q8 first drive review: Do-it-all SUV was a decade in the making
Ten years of advancements in the fields of hybrid technology, infotainment systems, and chassis wizardry shaped the 2020 Audi RS Q8 into a well-rounded performance SUV for the whole family. It blends intuitive technology, a tremendously powerful V8 engine, and a cabin with ample space for people and gear.
Bosch’s A.I.-powered tech could prevent accidents by staring at you
How do you feel about being monitored by artificial intelligence while you drive? Bosch is working on technology that monitors everyone in the car, and it argues it's in the name of saving lives. The system knows if you're dozing off, and whether the person riding in the back is wearing a seat belt.
The Cybertruck vs. F-150 comparison isn’t fair, Tesla tells California officials
One of Tesla's top executives explained the Cybertruck will enter production as a Class 2B truck, while the Ford F-150 falls into the 2A category; they're not in the same segment. The Cybertruck's true rivals will be 2B's current leaders: the Ford F-250, the Ram 2500, and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500.
The electric Mini Cooper SE’s driving range confirms it’s not a road-tripper
With up to 110 miles of range in ideal conditions, the Mini Cooper SE is has one of the shortest driving ranges of any electric car sold in the United States. The company argues it was developed as a city car, not for long trips, and buyers can take advantage of quick charging. Pricing starts at $30,000.
The Porsche Taycan falls completely short of the Model S when it comes to range
201 miles really isn't great, but we don't think it's going to be a deal breaker for buyers. Those in the market for a Porsche Taycan certainly have the means to invest in a home charger, and odds are they have a gasoline-powered car (or two, or three) for long trips. The EPA has only rated one version of the Taycan.
You asked, BMW listened: Android Auto compatibility is coming in 2020
The list of automakers resisting Android Auto just got smaller. Shortly after it stopped charging users an annual fee for Apple CarPlay, BMW announced that most of its models will be available with Android Auto about halfway through 2020. The feature will be free on compatible cars, as well as wireless.
Hacker finds Tesla is working on a neighborhood-friendly Autopilot
Tesla is teaching its Autopilot-equipped cars how to recognize stop signs and traffic lights, according to a hacker, which represents a step toward making the software more suitable for urban use. There's no word yet on when the new features are coming, but we expect they'll be rolled out in the coming months.
Tesla owners now need to pay a monthly fee to unlock their car’s best features
Digital Trends expects the automotive industry's paywall to continue to grow during the 2020s; Tesla's decision to charge customers for access to full connectivity is only the beginning. The Model S, Model 3, and Model X will nonetheless come standard with basic features such as Bluetooth streaming and navigation.
Ford wants to trick your body into thinking it’s warm to maximize EV range
Using the climate control system reduces an electric car's range by up to 50%. Rather than giving EV buyers a free parka, the company is working on color-coded ambient lightning technology that makes the passengers feel cooler or warmer than they really are. We could see this feature in production.
Mercedes-Benz and Bosch are starting an autonomous shuttle service in California
Operating between downtown San Jose, California and the west part of the city, the ride-hailing service will include 30 prototypes based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Only Bosch and Daimler associates will be allowed to ride in the cars, but the partners plan to open it up to the general public as soon as possible.
Watch Elon Musk take Los Angeles by storm in the Tesla Cybertruck
Los Angeles-based car-spotters were in for a treat when Elon Musk cruised down the 405 freeway in the one and only Tesla Cybertruck prototype, and later parked it in front of a swank Malibu restaurant. The company was either testing something, like the powertrain, or it simply wanted to show off its first pickup.
The often-forgotten original Tesla model is finally getting some love
The day might come when Tesla needs to establish a division dedicated to classic cars. In the meantime, it promised Roadster owners waiting for spare parts that relief is around the corner. It will establish a service team dedicated to keeping its first model on the road. It's also inviting owners to trade them in.
Elon Musk and his Cybertruck make a glorious appearance in N64’s GoldenEye
This pixelated Cybertruck looks surprisingly at home prowling the streets of St. Petersburg, shooting and getting shot at in equal measures. It's also seemingly more bulletproof than it was during its unveiling. Elon Musk makes an appearance in the game to send James Bond on a dangerous, top-secret mission.
Hyundai’s dreamy hot hatch concepts could spawn a fun-to-drive hybrid
The day will come when Hyundai will sell a mid-engined super-hybrid priced well into Porsche territory -- how's that for unexpected? The company's on-going RM-badged series of concept cars will ultimately spawn a production model that will very likely be electrified to some degree. Another concept is due out in 2020.
BMW makes Apple CarPlay free across its entire range of models
BMW is no longer charging buyers of its vehicles an annual $80 subscription to use CarPlay. It was the only company in the industry that did this, and it admirably chose to give up a source of revenue in the name of connectivity. Current BMW owners paying for a subscription will get free CarPlay, too.
McDonald’s is sending Ford its garbage in the name of sustainability
Ford isn't breaking into the waste disposal business; its researchers found an innovative way to replace plastic with a natural byproduct of the coffee-roasting process. McDonald's will start sending Ford a significant amount of coffee waste, which will be used to make headlight housings for the Ranger.
This Lotus-based submarine helped Tesla make the Cybertruck aerodynamic
There's at least one vintage car in Musk's garage: a 1976 Lotus Esprit converted into an electric submarine for the 1977 James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. The wedge-shaped coupe partly influenced the Cybertruck's design, according to the executive. It's a silhouette that's far more aerodynamic than it might seem.
Here’s why BMW’s go-fast M division hasn’t released an electric car yet
Weight is the enemy of sports cars, and electrification adds a lot of it. BMW M is waiting for the weight of battery-powered drivetrains to come down before it stuffs one in its cars. The company predicts it will continue making gasoline-powered cars for quite some time, but it's keeping a close eye on the technology.
Mercedes-Benz wants to know what you expect from a ride in a self-driving car
Mercedes-Benz admitted it took a reality check when it comes to autonomous technology, but it's nonetheless moving forward with its plan to deploy self-driving cars, according to insiders. The company has started testing about 30 prototypes in California to learn more about what users expect from a ride in a robotaxi.
The Ford Mustang could ditch its V8 and eventually go fully electric
As Ford develops a hybrid variant of the Mustang, it's looking ahead to what future generations of the car could look like, and it sees a huge battery pack. One of the company's high-ranking engineers called an electric Mustang a when, not an if. It's not around the corner, but the hybrid will arrive in 2020.
Best Buy slashes prices on car electronics and GPS devices for Cyber Monday
There's no need to invest in a new car to benefit from tech features like a GPS, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Best Buyer's Cyber Monday 2019 deals make upgrading an older car with the latest technology even more affordable. From GPS systems to multi-tasking car chargers, here are the best deals available.
Is your car on the list of the 10 most-stolen cars in America?
The most stolen car in the United States in 2018 was a 19-year-old Honda Civic. It's a reasonably simple car that's common and low-key, so thieves love it. The 1997 Honda Accord finished second, while the 2006 Ford F-Series was in third place. Driving an older car isn't necessarily a good way to fool thieves, though.
Chevrolet could make the mid-engined, eighth-generation Corvette a hybrid
Chevrolet will reportedly offer two variants of the hybrid, all-wheel-drive Corvette, including one with about 900 horsepower. The powertrain will consist of an electric motor over the front axle, and a battery pack sandwiched into the transmission tunnel. The company hasn't commented on the report yet.
Can you imagine a Miata with a plug? Mazda says it’s possible
The Mazda Miata has always been small and nimble, but that doesn't make incompatible with electrification. The company's engineers, designers, and executives are debating whether to make the next-generation roadster electrified. It would either go hybrid or get an electric drivetrain, but nothing is set in stone yet.