May 2013

Vettel heads straight from Monaco to Infiniti car testing

(May 29, 2013) LE CASTELLET, France — Less than 24 hours after claiming second place in the incident-packed 2013 Monaco Grand Prix, Formula One Triple World Champion Sebastian Vettel was back on track at the famous Circuit Paul Ricard in his role as Director of Performance for Infiniti.

Chevrolet performance rides again with Hot Rod Power Tour

(May 29, 2013) DETROIT — A caravan of Chevrolet high-performance production and concept vehicles will be led by the Hot Wheels 1967 Camaro Concept at the start of the Hot Rod Power Tour — the weeklong road trip that kicks off the summer cruising season for thousands of car enthusiasts.

Ram truck owners near Moore, Okla., deliver supplies

(May 29, 2013) Ram Nation: This Memorial Day weekend, Ram truck owners from cities near tornado-ravaged Moore, Okla., converged on disaster-torn neighborhoods to deliver supplies and help area residents cope with sorting through the rubble.

Taking Aston Martin Vantage to extremes

(May 29, 2013) Aston Martin is taking sports car performance to extremes with the announcement of the new V12 Vantage S. The new car replaces the outgoing V12 Vantage in markets around the world and, with the exception of the One-77 hypercar, arrives as the fastest road-going  Aston Martin yet offered.

Looking goofy in the quirky Nissan Juke Nismo

By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(May 29, 2013) I've spent the past week driving a Nissan Juke Nismo. Arguably the craziest looking production car on the road, Juke is something one might expect to see Roger Rabbit in cruising the streets of Toon Town.

I appreciate its quirky styling, but I'm less than convinced that as an owner, I could look at it parked in my driveway for three or four years. I caught a little flak from friends when they saw me behind the wheel, but sticks and stones, sticks and stones….

2014 Corvette Stingray SAE-certified at 455 horsepower

(May 28, 2013) DETROIT — The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s all-new LT1 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 460 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm, with the available performance exhaust system, Chevrolet announced today.

The Stingray is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower (339 kW) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) with the standard exhaust system. They are the highest standard power ratings ever for the Corvette, delivered with efficiency that is expected to exceed 26 mpg on the highway.

Ostrich feathers among GM 'tools' used to build vehicles

(May 28, 2013) DETROIT— Amid high-tech robots, miles of conveyers and multiple assembly lines, a number of inconspicuous hand-held “tools” — including ostrich features — and their skilled operators are helping General Motors ensure highest levels of vehicle quality before they leave assembly plants.

Cavalli steers his creation Life Ball MINI 2013 along the magenta carpet

(May 28, 2013) VIENNA — Watched by tens of thousands of spectators, the Life Ball MINI 2013 by Roberto Cavalli last Saturday marked its first public appearance on the Life Ball’s Magenta Carpet. The one-of-a-kind Mini was auctioned for a record 150,000 euros ($193,500).

World's best-selling electric vehicle cleans up the taxi business

(May 28, 2013) Cities across Europe are going through a quiet revolution as taxi companies start to shift from conventional diesel-powered cabs to zero-emission — and near-silent — Nissan Leaf taxis.

The world's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) is fast becoming the taxi drivers' favorite too; attracted by lower running costs and fueled by a desire to reduce airborne pollution in city centers.

Ford leads auto industry in using 3D imaging to improve F-150 quality

(May 28, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford engineers are using 3D mapping in what is believed to be the technology’s first application in the auto industry to better analyze rear axle parts of F-Series pickups during assembly, leading to a smoother, quieter ride for drivers of Ford trucks.