Self-Driving Cars May Increase Demand for Gas

Self-Driving Cars May Increase Demand for Gas
Ram 1500 Sport Buzz Models Revealed
Jeremy Clarkson Fans Punch Back
Toyota Rav4 EV Recalled to Fix Tesla Part
Honda Tackles Takata Recall with New Ads
Mercedes C-Class Coupe September Debut Confirmed

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Self-driving cars might be more efficient on the roadways but they won't be as fuel efficient according to a recent study.

Researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor say that autonomous vehicles will consume more energy than cars being driven by humans because they will be making more trips, more often.

According to data from the U.S. National Household Travel Survey, each adult in most households commutes, run errands and shuttles the kids separately. In order for a self-driving car to complete the same tasks, it will likely make more trips resulting in more fuel usage. For example, the self-driving car might drop off one parent at work before returning home to pick up the other. After that trip, it would then take the kids to school and return home before restarting the cycle in the afternoon and evening.

Calculations by University of Michigan researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak show that increased sharing could mean 43 percent less cars on American roads but they will be used 75 percent more.

There is one caveat though. Autonomous vehicles will be better at conserving fuel by operating more efficiently than humans, which may balance out the increased usage. There's also the possibile of the majority of self-driving cars being electric vehicles, which makes is a win-win situation.

"It could be that sharing the vehicle ends up increasing the mileage because of all these connecting trips," Schoettle said. "The net effect is probably going to be an increase in mileage, and in general the more miles you drive the more fuel you burn."

[Source: Automotive News]

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Ram 1500 Sport Buzz Models Revealed

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Ram has released two new special editions that it calls buzz models.

Both trucks are available in Crew Cab 4×2 or 4×4 form and come standard in Sport trim with a 395-hp Hemi V8, 3.92 axle ratio, dual exhaust, a vented sport hood and 20-inch wheels. The 8.4-inch touchscreen with Uconnect infotainment is also included in both trucks.

The first special edition, known as the Ignition Orange Sport, runs with a black and orange theme inside and out. The seat backs are finished with orange embroidery, there is a color Ram's head on the headrests and colored accent sport mesh is fitted to the seat inserts.

The insides of the Black Sport are as you would expect, nearly all black with leather and light black chrome accents.

Production of the two trucks begins in April. Pricing for the both packages comes in at $1,595, while the cheapest Ram 1500 Sport Crew Cab comes in at $42,215.

Discuss this story at our Hemi Forum

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Jeremy Clarkson Fans Punch Back

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Fan support has come pouring in ever since it was announced that Jeremy Clarkson was suspended from the BBC show Top Gear.

Clarkson was suspended over a "fracas" with a BBC producer which allegedly involved the host throwing a punch. Now, a petition to reinstate Clarkson to the show on change.org has hit a total of 735,537 digital signatures as of publication time.

According to The Daily Mirror, Clarkson assaulted the producer after he found out that catering had not been arranged for the cast and crew following a day of shooting. As a result of the incident, the BBC has announced that it has postponed the final three episodes of this season of Top Gear.

This isn't the first time Clarkson has been in hot water with the BBC. The host has been called out for using racial slurs on camera and having a controversial license plate on his car while driving through Argentina.

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Toyota Rav4 EV Recalled to Fix Tesla Part

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Toyota is recalling all 2,500 of its Rav4 EVs over an issue with components that were supplied by Tesla.

A software flaw can cause the SUVs to shift into neutral inadvertently, resulting in a total power loss. Toyota dealers will now have to repair Tesla's flawed components according to a Toyota spokesperson.

The Rav4 EV project ended late last year and since, Toyota has invested into hydrogen power while Tesla is sticking with pure electric powertrains. Elon Musk has spoken publicly against hydrogen powertrains, calling them "extremely silly."

Although they are no longer working on vehicles together, Toyota still owns 2.94 million Tesla shares, although the Japanese company said last October that it planned to reduce its stake in the California-based brand.

[Source: Auto News]

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Honda Tackles Takata Recall with New Ads

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Honda is turning to advertisements to make sure owners get their recalled vehicles fixed.

Starting on Monday, 30-second radio spots will begin playing in 110 different regional markets while full-page ads will run in 110 newspapers. Targeted Facebook ads will also be part of the campaign. Honda will prioritize the 11 high-humidity states and U.S. territories where cars are most likely to be affected.

Exploding airbag inflators that have been linked to at least six deaths are the issue and pressure is coming from U.S. auto safety regulators to get these recalls done. Roughly 17 million vehicles made by 10 different automakers are all being recalled in the U.S. over the problem. In the affected vehicles, metal shrapnel can fly out of the inflator at the car's occupants.

The pace of the recall has been hindered by a limited supply of replacement inflators. As of late February, just under two million of these vehicles had been fixed. NHTSA has already said that they may use regulatory power to order more replacement parts be built at a faster rate.

Honda alone has called back 5.4 million vehicles, only 340,123 of which have been fixed through the fourth quarter.

"The goals of this campaign are to save lives and prevent injuries," said John Mendel, executive VP at American Honda automobiles. "These ads are a strong call to action from our company designed to break through the clutter, grab the attention of customers driving affected vehicles, and urge that they get required repairs as soon as possible," said Mendel.

Honda owners can check their vehicles' recall status at www.recalls.honda.com or by calling 1-800-999-1009, option 4. Acura owners can check their vehicles' recall status at www.recalls.acura.com or by calling 1-800-382-2238, option 4.

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Mercedes C-Class Coupe September Debut Confirmed

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The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe has been confirmed to make its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

According to AMG head Tobias Moers, the German automaker will also debut the C63 AMG version at the show in September and the company is claiming that the C-Class coupe will have an even "sleeker and more beautiful design" than the S-Class coupe. Those words come from Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener, who also said that the model will be "even better to drive than it looks."

AutoGuide.com's spy photographers have caught the C-Class coupe testing numerous times and the automaker has been able to give it a more distinct look compared to its sedan counterpart thanks to the company's flexible MRA platform. Expect powerplants to be shared with the current C-Class sedan with the C63 boasting the company's new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. Expect a convertible model to follow after the coupe's debut, sporting a folding soft top.

[Source: Autocar]

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Car Reviews

Thursday 12 March 2015

Self-Driving Cars May Increase Demand for Gas

Self-Driving Cars May Increase Demand for Gas

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