| Next-Gen Nissan Juke Arrives in 2016 Posted: The Nissan Juke will live on and the next-generation model will arrive in 2016. The Japanese automaker has confirmed the second-generation Nissan Juke will continue to be built in Sunderland, England, which follows a $152-million investment into the plant. By keeping Juke production in Sunderland beyond 2020, it secures the jobs of 34,000 people within the company and in the wider supply chain. The new Juke is expected to go on sale late next year with a concept debuting early in 2016 that will push the compact crossover's design further. According to a report, the new Juke will focus more on technology and interior quality than radical exterior restyling. SEE ALSO: Nissan Juke R 2.0 Heading to Limited Production Expect the next-generation Nissan Juke to be built on the CMF-B platform that is also underpinning the next-generation Nissan Micra and Renault Clio models. The Japanese automaker will also incorporate more efficient engines and better refinement in key areas of the interior. Since the new Juke will share its platform with the compact Micra, there's a possibility that Nissan will use a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine for the first time in the crossover. The Juke NISMO model will also live on for the next gen. [Source: Autocar] Discuss this story at our Nissan Juke Forum Loading, please wait...  |
| Chevy Finishes Restoring Special Corvette Damaged in Sinkhole Posted: The folks at Chevrolet have finished fully restoring the one-millionth Corvette ever made, which was heavily damaged in a sinkhole with seven other cars at the National Corvette Museum last year. The restoration of the white 1992 Chevrolet Corvette convertible took 1,200 hours to complete, and was unveiled today at the Bowling Green, Kentucky, facility.  "We felt it was important to restore this extremely significant car in Corvette's long, storied history," said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, in a press release. "When we disassembled it, we found that each employee involved in building it had signed a part of the car, which was fantastic and moving to see. It brought the history to life, and reinforced the importance of the project."
ALSO SEE: Corvette Museum to Recreate Sinkhole Experience The team working on the restoration wanted to keep as many of the original parts as possible to help keep those signatures intact and keep the car historically accurate, so instead of sourcing new parts, they tried to repair and preserve the damaged parts. Only two signed panels couldn't be revived, but the team had the signatures scanned and printed on the replacement parts. One signature was so damaged that it couldn't be scanned, so the team hunted down the assembly line worker from 1992 to get her signature again. Luckily, the 5.7L LT1 engine, transmission and other drivetrain components weren't damaged in the sinkhole. This 1992 model is the second sinkhole car restored. Of the eight cars that fell victim to the sinkhole, three will be fully restored, while the remaining five will be preserved in their damaged state as part of an exhibit about the sinkhole disaster. The next and last car to be restored will be a 1962 Corvette. Visit GM's press site to play with some cool before and after photos. Discuss this story at our Chevrolet Corvette Forum Loading, please wait... |
| Jaguar Lowers Prices, Adds Features and Free Maintenance Posted: Jaguar this morning revealed that it is not content with being an expensive outlier in the luxury car segment, so the British automaker has dropped prices for the U.S. market and will offer free scheduled maintenance. The brand re-iterated its desire to compete in the heart of the luxury car segment, an idea that starts with the introduction of the entry-level XE sedan and F-Pace crossover. While the production version of the crossover and its pricing will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Jaguar has announced the starting price and engine options for the new XE sedan.  The XE will be offered with three engines: the XE 25t will start at $35,895 and uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the XE 20d will use 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel and cost an extra $1,500 over the 25t with a price of $37,395. Finally, the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 will start at $42,695. All prices include destination.
The XE will be offered in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive guises and is looking to compete with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. This pricing strategy will make the XE 25t cheaper than the BMW 328i and Mercedes C300. Additionally, the XE 35t will be more affordable than the BMW 340i and Mercedes C400 4Matic. ALSO SEE: 2016 Jaguar F-Type Review Jaguar also announced the pricing of its upcoming XF mid-sized sedan. The 2.0-liter equipped XF 25t will start at $52,895, while the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 XF S will start at $63,695. A diesel engine will also be on the way for the vehicle. Showing off its focus on value, the company announced that all new owners will get its new customer care program called EliteCare. This is an ownership package that provides no charged scheduled maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance, a subscription to Jaguar InControl Remote & Protect, and a new car bumper-to-bumper warranty. All of these services are for five years or 60,000 miles. The company also teased the F-Pace crossover again. Pricing of the crossover will be announced on September 14 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Expect it to sit between the XE and XF in terms of pricing within the model lineup. Discuss this story at our Jaguar F-Pace Forum Loading, please wait... |
| 7 Tips to Help You Pass Your Driver’s Test Posted: So, you don't have a driver's license yet. That's unfortunate. You're missing out on the joys of unfettered personal mobility. However, if you're taking driver's education classes, you're well on your way to enjoying the freedom provided by the open road. You're on the right path! Study hard, pay attention in class and soon enough it will be time to take your road test. This can strike fear into the hearts of even the strongest, but you needn't worry. Here are seven useful tips to help you ace the big test.
7. Practice Makes Perfect 
It should go without saying, but before taking an official road test, you should get as much behind-the-wheel practice as possible. Sure, the study of rules and regulations is vital, though hands-on experience is, arguably, even more important. If you don't get the feel for how a vehicle handles and accelerates, how will you be able to drive it properly, especially with an instructor staring you down? On road time will also expose you to how other people drive, which means you'll be better prepared for eventualities.
6. Use Common Sense 
Before taking a driver's exam, put away your cellphone, finish that breakfast croissant you've been masticating and pay attention. A little common sense goes a long way while behind the wheel, especially when prying eyes are watching your every move. Avoid speeding, don't tailgate the car in front of you, and pay attention to signage so you don't violate any one-way streets or blow through a crosswalk. Bottom line, don't do anything stupid. SEE ALSO: Why You Should Buy Your Next Car at Costco
5. Keep Both Hands on the Wheel 
Another useful suggestion to help you ace a driving test is to keep both of your paws on the tiller. Don't get handsy with passengers, pick the remnants of breakfast out of your teeth or fiddle with the radio. Grab hold of the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and keep your hands there. This strategy is safe, effective, and it will help put your instructor at ease.
4. Look Ahead, Far Ahead 
In both racing and street driving, it's important to look far ahead of your own vehicle. Keeping an eye on what's happening in the distance is critical. The sooner you see something, the faster you can react to it and the safer you and your passengers will be.
3. Be Observant 
With your smartphone tucked away, your hands on the wheel and eyes looking ahead, there's another thing you should be doing. We know, driving can be so hard, but bear with us. It's important to be observant of what's going on all around you. Check your mirrors often, scan areas along the roadside for children playing or potential cross traffic that could cause issues. Again, the sooner you spot a potential risk the better it is for everyone. SEE ALSO: What I Learned at Performance Driving School
2. Adjust to Driving Conditions 
Inclement weather can often happen when you least expect it. If conditions change during your driver's test, it behooves you to be on guard. This means slowing down, braking sooner, increasing the following distance between you and the vehicle ahead and negotiating corners with great care. Rain, sleet and snow can make driving a challenge for even veteran motorists; take it easy if conditions are less than ideal.
1. Don't Crash 
Like we need to tell you this, but if you're taking a driver's test and rear-end the vehicle ahead, sideswipe the cart corral in a Target parking lot or try to push over a telephone pole, it's a safe bet you're not passing the test. Just sayin'. Do your best to keep things shiny-side up. Check out our Tips and Advice Section Loading, please wait... |
| Jeep Cherokee, Infiniti Q50 Make ‘Most Hackable Cars’ List Posted: With all the recent news surrounding possible vulnerability and security flaws with vehicles, a report has been released detailing the most hackable cars on today's roads. Forensic engineering consulting firm, PT&C|LWG analyzed today's cars finding that they use anywhere from 20 to 70 computers, making them vulnerable to hacking. According to the firm, vehicles with the highest risk of digital threat have the most features networked together, especially where radio or WiFi networks can be connected to physical components of the vehicles. What has become the poster child for car hacking is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee and the American automaker's Uconnect infotainment system. Recently exposed as the only vehicle to be recalled due to its potential hackability, the Jeep's Uconnect system not only controls navigation, WiFi and Bluetooth, but has access to numerous drive functions including brakes, engine, steering, adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, crash mitigation and lane-departure warning systems. Although the vulnerability was exposed on the Cherokee, 1.4-million vehicles from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) have been recalled so a software update can be done to correct the issue. SEE ALSO: Jeep Cherokee, Uconnect Vulnerable to Wireless Hacking Even luxury sedan shoppers aren't immune, as the Infiniti Q50 also found its way onto the list. The Infiniti Connection System has vulnerabilities from cellular networks, Bluetooth and AM/FM/XM Radio, which could affect the driver assistance, adaptive steering, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry systems. The sedan was also recalled due to a fault in the Direct Adaptive Steering software, which could potentially disable power steering when the engine reaches freezing temperatures. Other vehicles on the list include the Cadillac Escalade, Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion, all of which rely on some sort of system that has access to WiFi, Bluetooth and a cellular network. The firm also released a list of the least hackable cars, which include the 2014 Audi A8, Dodge Viper, Honda Accord and Tesla Model S. It said that the least hackable cars are those with the fewest computerized and networked components, which means the vehicle's networks can't communicate with other physical components of the vehicle. This is also interesting because Tesla was the subject of a hacking scare, but the automaker quickly released a patch to correct the issue. [Source: Business Insider] Discuss this story at our Jeep Cherokee Forum Loading, please wait... |
| New Rolls-Royce Dawn Model to Debut September 8 Posted: The Rolls-Royce Dawn will make an online debut next week before heading to the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The newest model to join the British automaker's lineup, the Dawn is expected to be a convertible version of the Wraith, but it is being reported that every body panel except for the signature doors is new. The Dawn will be a four-seat convertible and will likely end up competing against the new S-Class Cabriolet that recently got unveiled by Mercedes-Benz. According to Rolls-Royce, the 1952 Silver Dawn served as a muse for the new model. The Dawn was shown to its dealer network earlier this summer and is expected to officially launch in the first quarter of 2016. SEE ALSO: Rolls-Royce Dawn Announced Rolls-Royce released three teaser images for the upcoming convertible, none of which are very revealing, with the only thing being confirmed is that the doors will be similar to the ones on the Wraith. Thankfully, the online unveiling of the Rolls-Royce Dawn is less than a week away on September 8. After it makes its online debut, the newest family member to the prestigious and luxurious automaker will be on display at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany where AutoGuide.com will be sure to get an up close and personal look. Discuss this story at our Rolls-Royce Forum Loading, please wait... |
