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Cadillac outranks Tesla in Consumer Reports semi-autonomous tests
It's tempting to assume that Tesla's Autopilot represents the gold standard for semi-autonomous driving features, but Consumer Reports would beg to differ. The outfit has released the results of its first rankings for automated driving systems, and Cadillac's Super Cruise edged out Autopilot to receive the top rating. Both rivals fared well in terms of abilities -- Cadillac's advantage was in safety.
Porsche is the first German car maker to drop diesel
German brands have stuck to diesel in spite of the fallout from VW's Dieselgate, but they're starting to bow under pressure. Porsche has become the first German automaker to drop diesel from its lineup, announcing that it will "no longer offer" vehicles based on the technology. This wasn't a great stretch when the badge is primarily focused on conventional gas engines and hasn't had a diesel model since February 2018, but it would rule out a comeback.
Amazon's Echo Auto puts Alexa in any car
A growing number of cars have Alexa built-in, but what if yours doesn't? Amazon has its own solution: Echo Auto. The new peripheral uses your phone's cellular connection (through a Bluetooth link) to provide Alexa voice commands in vehicles where they normally wouldn't be an option. The device is ready as soon as you start your vehicle, and it now uses location-based routines to trigger events based on where you are. The lights can come on at home when you're about to pull into the driveway, as an example.
Jaguar's next-gen Formula E race car packs more power
The next wave of Formula E cars is finally trickling out, and it's clear they're considerably more exciting this season. Panasonic Jaguar Racing has unveiled the next generation of its racer, the I-Type 3, and it's a dramatic improvement even compared to Jag's last outing. The new machine is 25 percent more powerful than its predecessor without a significant change of weight, producing as much as 250kW (330HP) with a 0-62MPH time of 2.8 seconds. That's important when the league is introducing an "attack mode" that boosts the power to 225kW when a driver just has to overtake a rival.
Boring Company will build a futuristic tunnel garage
The Boring Company has some fairly grand plans when it comes to its tunnelling ambitions. It's proposed a 3.6 mile tunnel from an LA Metro station to Dodger Stadium, and it's recently been selected to build a high-speed transport link in Chicago. Now, it's set its sights on residential applications, and has purchased a property near SpaceX headquarters where it plans to build a private, prototype garage.
Tata will stop selling the 'world's cheapest car'
Tata's Nano was supposed to start a revolution in automotive design when it was unveiled in 2008 as the world's cheapest car. In theory, it opened the door to vehicle ownership for people who'd otherwise have to spring for two-wheeled transport or nothing at all. Fast-forward a decade, however, and the reality is very different. After winding down production, the Indian car maker has declared that the current Nano "cannot continue beyond 2019." The final manufacturing numbers helped explain the move: In a market where virtually all car segments have seen growth, Tata made just one (yes, one) Nano in June versus 275 a year earlier.
Mercedes pulls its plug-in hybrids to prepare for new models
We hope you weren't dead set on buying one of Mercedes' existing plug-in hybrids, as they won't be long for this world. Autocar has learned that Mercedes has stopped producing PHEV versions of the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class and GLE. This doesn't mean that the automaker is dropping plug-ins entirely, as you might have guessed. Rather, it's replacing the whole lot with "third-generation" hybrids that will sell under the company's electric-focused EQ branding.
Tesla is now making 3,500 Model 3 cars per week
Tesla has been scrambling to make its goal of producing 5,000 Model 3 cars per week by July, and it appears to be making good progress... although it also has a long way to go. Electrek has obtained a company-wide email from Elon Musk indicating that Tesla is now reliably producing "above 500" vehicles per day, or about 3,500 per week. Some portions of the line are "almost at 700" per day, he added. In a tweet, Musk also noted that Tesla had assembled its first performance-oriented dual motor model.
Tesla Roadster's 'Augmented Mode' will boost your driving ability
Tesla's current semi-autonomous technology helps reduce your driving involvement. Its next big move, however, could encourage you to take a more hands-on approach. Elon Musk has revealed that the new Roadster will include an "Augmented Mode" that promises to "massively enhance" your driving ability -- he likened it to Tony Stark's Iron Man suit. Just how it would work is unsurprisingly a mystery (the car isn't even slated to arrive until 2020), but it's implied that this will give you a helping hand when you're driving near the car's performance limits.
LED screen shows happy thoughts in your rear window
When I commuted by car every day, I always wanted to build an LED display that would communicate my displeasure with my fellow motorists. My lack of engineering know-how put paid to the idea, but thankfully someone has turned the idea into a product, albeit with a focus on the niceties. CarWink is the brainchild of Wei Cheng Chou, a Taiwanese electrical engineer who studied at California's exclusive ArtCenter College of Design. It's a little display that tells other motorists you're full of love rather than, say, where to stick their genitalia.
SoftBank pours $2.25 billion into GM's self-driving car division
SoftBank hasn't been shy about its interest in smart cars, and it's taking that fascination to a new level. The company's Vision Fund is investing $2.25 billion in GM's self-driving vehicle unit Cruise. The cash influx will start with $900 million the moment the transaction closes, and will finish with $1.35 billion once the completely driverless Cruise AV car is ready to launch. The move will give the Vision Fund a 19.6 percent stake in Cruise -- not enough to take control, but it could easily prove influential.
UK Amazon Prime members can order a Volvo test-drive
The slice of Amazon Prime's 100 million members that live in the UK now have a new perk: Using Prime Now to order a test drive of Volvo's V40 hatchback. Simply pick a date and a specialist will deliver the vehicle to your door for you to try out for 45 minutes, free of charge, on select weekends in June and July.
Tesla and Consumer Reports continue feud following Model 3 review
Tesla and Consumer Reports have a sordid history of squabbling over car reviews, and that's not about to stop just because the Model 3 is on the road. CR has stopped short of recommending the Model 3 following a handful of complaints, most notably braking. The publication found that the EV only came close to Tesla's estimated 60-to-0MPH braking distance (about 133 feet) once -- it more typically stopped in 152 feet, which was "far worse" than other modern cars and 7 feet further than a giant Ford F-150. This happened with a privately owned second tester, so it couldn't be chalked up to a fluke.
Didi Chuxing receives permit to test self-driving cars in California
You might not hail a ride from China's Didi Chuxing unless you visit Mexico, but there's still a real chance you'll see its vehicles on the road. California's Department of Motor Vehicles has issued an autonomous vehicle testing permit to Didi's American research wing, clearing it to operate self-driving cars as long as there's a safety driver. The move comes slightly over a year after Didi opened its US research lab, suggesting the company isn't wasting much time putting its technology on the road.
BMW's wireless car charging pad arrives this summer
The notion of wirelessly charging your car is no longer a distant prospect... if you have the right ride. Car has heard that BMW will start producing an inductive charging pad for the 530e plug-in hybrid in July, with a release by the end of the summer. Autoblog has confirmed that the pad will be available in the US in addition to the expected European release. It's not certain how much the pad will cost, but one thing's for sure: you can't just walk into the dealership and buy one.
Subaru's first PHEV is the 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid
You're probably more likely to associate Subaru with high-powered rally cars than any kind of eco-friendly transportation, but the automaker is determined to change that perception: it just unveiled plans for its first-ever plug-in hybrid. The 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid (not yet pictured) will combine Subaru's familiar four-cylinder boxer engine and all-wheel drive with a hybrid system from long-time collaborator Toyota to bring efficiency to its familiar crossover SUV. While details of its performance are mostly under wraps, Subaru is promising a pure electric mode for those times when you're more likely to be commuting around town than off-roading (which, let's face it, is most of the time).
Ohio approves self-driving car tests on public roads
Expect to see driverless cars roaming around the Buckeye State in the near future. Ohio Governor John Kasich has issued an executive order permitting self-driving car tests on public roads, adding to a small but growing list of autonomous-friendly states that includes Arizona, California and Michigan. There are conditions, of course, although they're not extremely strict at first glance.
Waymo shows how its self-driving cars navigate snow
Ask people in chillier climates if they're looking forward to self-driving cars and they'll probably just laugh. The technology has an easy time in ever-pleasant locales like California, but snow is a nightmare that obscures lanes, cars and entire roads. Waymo knows how to tackle that problem, though. In a presentation at the Google I/O keynote, the company visualized how its vehicles safely navigate a winter wonderland.
Ford will stop selling Taurus, Focus and Fiesta in North America first
Without warning, Ford revealed in its Q1 financial report that it will stop selling almost all of its sedans in North America. Sure, it will still market SUVs, trucks and commercial vehicles in the region, but will gradually scale back all cars aside from the Mustang and yet-to-be-revealed Focus Active crossover. Now we know which will get phased out first. A Ford representative confirmed to Engadget that the Focus, Taurus and Fiesta will end production for North America by mid-2019.
Ford will stop selling most of its cars in North America
If there was any doubt that the auto industry is rapidly changing, Ford just delivered proof. The industry pioneer is scaling back its small car lineup in North America to just two vehicles, the Mustang and the unrevealed Focus Active crossover, in the "next few years." The rest of its range will be limited to SUVs, trucks and commercial vehicles. Ford isn't shy about its reasons: "declining consumer demand and product profitability" make it impractical to develop other sedans. You'd better act quickly if you've been looking at a brand new Fusion or Taurus.
