Friday, 23 September 2016

Volkswagen EV Previewed in New Sketches Ahead of Debut

Volkswagen EV Previewed in New Sketches Ahead of Debut

Volkswagen EV Previewed in New Sketches Ahead of Debut

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There's a new Volkswagen EV debuting later this month, and these sketches give us a better idea of what to expect.

The German automaker previously released teasers for the new EV bowing in Paris, but this is the first time we get to see the entire thing, albeit in sketch form. The concept will be a five-door hatchback with sliding rear doors and you can expect to see futuristic lighting and a shortened front end since there's no traditional gasoline engine under the hood. And like other electric vehicles available in today's market, Volkswagen will go the route of eliminating the front grille.

2016 Paris Motor Show Preview

The new Volkswagen EV is expected to arrive on the market by 2019 and will be capable of going 250 to 300 miles [402 to 483 kilometers] on a single charge. Its size will be similar to the Golf offered today, with tech features including a constant, 24-hour connection to the internet and a continuous link to a Volkswagen app store.

This particular EV will be the second of five from Volkswagen as it looks to move away from its massive dieselgate scandal. After the hatchback, a crossover will come along with a luxury sedan and a sports car. The first of the electric vehicles will likely be a production version of the Budd-e concept.

[Source: Autocar]

Discuss this story on our Volkswagen Forum

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Tesla Owners Awake to Latest Software Update

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Tesla is forcing its drivers to take the wheel following a software update aimed at improving the safety of the automaker's Autopilot system.

In what the automaker is calling an "enhanced safety requirement," the car's computer will disable Autosteer if the driver "ignores repeated warnings" and won't allow the system to be reengaged until the car is parked. Tesla didn't say how many warnings the system would provide the driver before disabling the system.

The changes to the self-steering system are part of a larger software update that emphasizes the use of radar over cameras when Tesla's semi-autonomous Autopilot system is engaged. Originally incorporated in the automaker's vehicles starting in late 2014, the radar system was originally intended to supplement the cameras used for Autopilot driving. With Version 8.0 of Tesla's software, radar takes over primary responsibilities for safety during semi-autonomous driving.

ALSO SEE: Tesla Turns to Radar to Make Autopilot Safer

While radar is unaffected by weather, it struggles to differentiate between small and large objects. To combat this, Tesla has made improvements to its radar that allow it "access to six times as many objects with the same hardware," while stitching together radar images "into a 3D picture of the world." Tesla's cars will also now map signs, bridges and other large, stationary objects and add them to a "geocoded whitelist" that are accessible across the automaker's network.

The updates to Tesla's semi-autonomous driving suite come in the wake of a number of crashes that have occurred while Autopilot was purportedly engaged. There has been no proof that the systems have actually caused any crashes.

ALSO SEE: Autopilot Not to Blame in Fatal Accident Involving Model S, Tesla Says

Other updates in Version 8.0 of Tesla's software include a redesign of the infotainment system's touchscreen layout to provide an uncluttered view of the map, and clearer voice command recognition. The gull wing doors on the Model X also now open and close more quickly.

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2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Arrives in US with $20,535 Price Tag

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The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback will arrive showrooms in the U.S. starting next Monday.

With a starting price of $20,535 including destination, the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback LX model comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission paired to a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. Available for an additional $800 is a CVT that reduces torque to 162 lb-ft. The Sport model get a slight power boost with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque with the manual, while the CVT keeps its 162 lb-ft of torque.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Making Public Debut Later this Month

The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport model starts from $22,135 while the EX model has a $23,635 price tag. Pricing for the Sport Touring trim will be announced at a later date, but it will only be available with a CVT. Upgrading to the EX-L Navi model with a CVT will run $26,135.

The Civic Hatchback LX model with a manual transmission will return 30 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, while the LX equipped with a CVT gets 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Sport CVT model sees a slight reduction in fuel economy to 30 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback will make its public debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show next week.

Discuss this story on our Honda Civic Forum

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Tesla Sues Michigan After State Bars Vehicle Sales

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After its two-year-long bid to gain a sales foothold in Michigan hit a brick wall, Tesla has filed a lawsuit against the state.

The suit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Michigan, targets governor Rick Snyder and other top officials, Reuters reports.

Unlike other automakers, Tesla uses a direct sales model to get its vehicles to buyers, rather than a traditional franchised dealer network. That clashed with state laws forbidding the practice — laws passed in 2014 to exclude companies like Tesla from using a direct sales model.

Recently, Michigan denied Tesla a dealership license.

Catch up on all the latest Tesla News

The lawsuit demands that Michigan officials hand over an order allowing the automaker to sell vehicles. Tesla, as well as its CEO, Elon Musk, wants it in writing that the company is "entitled to a vehicle dealer license." Beyond that, it wants a judge to repeal the law that bars the company from operating in the state.

Tesla is able to operate stores in 23 states and the District of Columbia, but four states, including Michigan, have shut their doors. Other states have placed limits on the number of stores Tesla can operate.

In a statement reported by Reuters, Tesla blames existing automakers and protectionist policies for its market shutout.

"Unfortunately, the local auto dealers and local manufacturers have made clear that they oppose any law that would allow Tesla to operate in Michigan," Tesla states. "As one leading legislator told Tesla: the local auto dealers do not want you here. The local manufacturers do not want you here. So you're not going to be here."

While its dealership application was shot down, Tesla has a used car license application that is still under consideration.

This story originally appeared on thetruthaboutcars.com

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2018 Chevrolet Equinox Debuts with 40 MPG Diesel Option

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Chevrolet is going to offer the segment's first turbo-diesel with the new 2018 Equinox.

The available 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine joins the lineup which consists of two gas powered units: a 1.5-liter turbo four and an available 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo.

The entry-level 1.5-liter model will return a GM-estimated 31 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive trim and will deliver a GM-estimated 170 horsepower.

More performance can be had with the larger 2.0-liter engine boasting an estimated 252 hp, while returning a GM-estimated 28 mpg on the highway. Although GM didn't reveal exact torque specifications, it did say that 90 percent of the torque is available from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm. That allows the Equinox to offer a 3,500-pound [1,585 kilogram] max trailering capacity that is equal to the current V6 model's capacity.

The 2.0-liter engine is mated to GM's new nine-speed automatic transmission.

SEE ALSO: Chevrolet Equinox, Traverse Adds Flair with Special Edition Models

As for the turbo-diesel engine, it is an all-new design that will deliver an estimated 136 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque. GM expects it to return an estimated 40 mpg on the highway.

The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox will go on sale spring 2017, while the 2.0-liter option and the turbo-diesel engine will arrive in summer 2017.

"With three choices, customers can select an engine that offers more of the attributes that are important to them: efficiency, performance and capability," said Dan Nicholson, vice president, Global Propulsion Systems. "The advantage for each is the power of a larger engine and the fuel economy of a smaller engine."

Discuss this story on our General Motors Forum

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New Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Heads to US in Spring 2017

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The new Smart ForTwo Electric Drive has been introduced ahead of its world premiere at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

Boasting 80 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque, this urban all-electric vehicle will be available in coupe or convertible form in the U.S., with the coupe arriving in spring 2017. The Smart ForTwo Cabriolet is the only electric convertible on the market and will arrive U.S. dealerships in summer 2017. The automaker is also adding an electric variant to the Smart ForFour, but that won't be available in the U.S.

On the generous Euro NEDC cycle, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive will return approximately 99 miles (160 kilometers), but expect that figure to be less on the U.S. cycle. Smart has said U.S. range and overall electric motor specifications will be revealed closer to launch. It will, however, be faster to charge thanks to a high-performance on-board charger. The automaker estimates the U.S. preliminary new-generation charge time will be 2.5 hours, compared to the previous model's 5.5 hours.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Smart Fortwo Cabrio Priced from $19,650

Both models will have a top speed of 81 mph (130 km/h) and will do the standard zero-to-60 mph sprint in 11.4 seconds for the coupe and 11.7 seconds for the convertible.

"The smart is the ideal city car, and with electric drive it becomes a little bit more perfect," says Annette Winkler, head of Smart. "This is why we will soon be offering our entire range – smart fortwo, smart cabrio and even our smart forfour – as all-electric versions. Together with lots of smart fans and enthusiastic drivers of the predecessor generations, we are looking forward to the unique driving fun offered by the new smart electric drive at very attractive prices, especially in countries where there is a buyer's premium."

Discuss this story on our Smart Forum

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