September 2014

Behind the scenes at the Prancing Horse

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(Septem
ber 22, 2014) After 23 years at the helm, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has left Ferrari; left as in pushed out the door. For Montezemolo it was an ironic end to a career that began with the wunderkind modernizing the Ferrari F1 team for Enzo Ferrari and leading it to success after years of failure, and ended with him lobbying for a return to rules more favorable to Maranello, as he steered Ferrari’s car division to record profits.

New top end Cadillac to be built in Detroit in 2015

(September 20, 2014) DETROIT — Cadillac announced today it will elevate its growing portfolio with a new, top-end, high-technology car. The as-yet unnamed Cadillac will go into production in the fourth quarter of 2015 at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.

Cadillac Elmiraj
Cadillac Elmiraj

The addition of this new Cadillac is part of a previously announced $384 million investment in the facility on Detroit’s east side. Tools and equipment unique to the Cadillac model were installed recently.

Subaru’s latest ad campaign focuses on going where you’ve never been

(September 21, 2014) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru of America has debuted its new advertising campaign for the all-new 2015 Subaru Outback. The campaign includes two national television spots by acclaimed director Lance Acord (known for his work on Lost in Translation and Being John Malkovich).

Aston Martin Vanquish — Meet Carbon Black and Carbon White

(September 19, 2014) Hot on the heels of the successful introduction of the sought-after new 15 Model Year Vanquish, Aston Martin is revealing two new special edition versions of its ultimate GT: The Vanquish Carbon Black and Carbon White.

Offering Aston Martin’s desirable Carbon Black, or Carbon White, special edition treatment to the Vanquish Coupe or Volante creates a sports car with a powerful road presence to match its 200 mph-plus performance.

Special exhibition at Porsche Museum: 'Project: Top Secret!

(September 19, 2014) STUTTGART — From Sept. 17 through Jan.11, the "Project: Top Secret!" special exhibition at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany will showcase 16 unique vehicles, most of which have never been shown to the public. The range of automobiles on display includes top-secret concept cars, camouflaged prototypes as well as one-of-a-kind record-breaking, testing and experimental vehicles.

Working life long over



Following World War II International truck production began with a slightly new design for 1947 with the barrel-shaped grille sprouting little "wings," which are mostly gone from this 1948 model truck discovered in North Carolina. International stuck with the front-end design until 1950. This truck apparently hauled heavy farm equipment in its working life.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

Midsize pickups Colorado and Canyon start shipping to dealers

(September 18, 2014) WENTZVILLE, Mo. — The two newest entries in the midsize truck segment are one step closer to being on the road, with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon shipping to dealers today.

Consumers have created more than 100,000 configurations of the trucks since the Colorado Build Your Own and Canyon Build Your Own websites went live on Sept. 3.

Volvo reveals the all-new Volvo XC90 R-Design

(September 18, 2014) Volvo Cars has released the first images of the R-Design version of the all-new XC90, aimed at buyers looking for a head-turner that radiates a truly sporty and dynamic look.

“R-Design is created for people with a passion for things that add spice to life,” said Alain Visser, senior vice president, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service of Volvo Car Group. “It appeals to customers that love active driving and a personal, expressive design. Every single R-Design detail is designed to contribute to the individualistic and refined expression these customers desire.”

Dodge Challenger Hellcat — 707 horses and 22 mpg

(September 18, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, the most powerful muscle car ever, now boasts a fuel-economy rating as compelling as the 707 horses hurrying from its 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI Hellcat V-8.

Equipped with Chrysler Group’s segment-exclusive TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, the new Challenger SRT Hellcat has earned a highway fuel-economy rating of 22 miles per gallon (mpg) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Hyundai collaborates with Congressional Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus

(September 17, 2014) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hyundai has collaborated with the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus and the Department of Energy to highlight the introduction of the first mass-produced fuel cell vehicles in the U.S. retail market.

In a briefing organized by the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, Hyundai executives, members of Congress, and an official from the Department of Energy discussed the innovative and clean technology that powers hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the need for additional hydrogen infrastructure in the United States.