September 2014

Macau entrepreneur orders largest fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms in world

(September 17, 2014) Luxury entrepreneur Stephen Hung has purchased the largest Rolls-Royce Phantom fleet in the world, placing an order for 30 Bespoke Extended Wheelbase Phantoms for his Louis XIII hotel in Macau. This transaction represents the world’s single largest order of Rolls-Royces ever.

Two of the fleet will be the most expensive Rolls-Royce Phantoms ever commissioned.

GM to add third shift, 750 jobs for its new midsize pickups

(September 17, 2014) WENTZVILLE, Mo. — Before a single truck has reached the public, General Motors has announced it will add a third shift at its Wentzville Assembly plant, creating an estimated 750 new jobs, to build the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups and Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans.

Audi receives first autonomous driving permit issued by California

(September 16, 2014) HERNDON, Va. — Audi will be the first company to receive a newly established autonomous driving permit issued by California. A range of new regulations that govern the testing of automated driving on the state’s roads take effect today.

Audi has conducted research over tens of thousands of miles in Europe and various U.S. states, where such testing is permitted. The research is aimed at preparing a highly automated Piloted driving system for freeway traffic conditions. Audi envisions this technology could be ready for consumer introduction within five years.

A North Dakota road trip in a Chevy Cruze

(September 15, 2014) MotorwayAmerica editor Jim Meachen and his brother explored vast areas of eastern North Dakota on a week-long genealogy project in August driving a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze — from a rental car agency.

The duo covered more than 1,000 miles in the wide open spaces and at speeds of more than 80 miles per hour on the interstates and on dozens of miles of dusty gravel roads. Gravel roads seem to be an integral part of the North Dakota landscape.

2015 Honda Civic adds new high-value Special Edition at $19,990

(September 16, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — The stylish, feature-rich and fun-to-drive 2015 Honda Civic goes on sale Sept. 17 starting at $18,2901 for the Civic Coupe LX with manual transmission, and a fuel-efficient lineup that includes the Civic Sedan HF with an EPA highway rating of 41 mpg.

Joining the Civic family for 2015 is a new Special Edition (SE) sedan positioned between the LX and EX to provide customers with an even higher-value option, adding over $1,100 worth of telematics, audio, comfort, convenience and style upgrades for just $700 over the Sedan LX.

Valerie Thompson pilots BMW S 1000 RR to new land speed record

(September 16, 2014) WENDOVER, Utah — Motorcycle racer and team owner Valerie Thompson set her 7th land speed record on her CTEK sponsored BMW S 1000 RR during the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association’s 28th Annual World of Speed event Sept. 6-9 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover Utah.

Mercedes-Benz introduces first plug-in hybrid luxury sedan

(September 16, 2014) Mercedes-Benz has introduced a plug-in hybrid version of its flagship S-class sedan.  The S550 Plug-in Hybrid, Mercedes says is the first luxury sedan with the performance of a V8 and the fuel consumption of a compact model.

Mercedes says the new vehicle puts out 436 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, and goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, to a top speed of 130 mph. It has a range of 20 miles of "completely emission-free driving," the company says, using its electric motor, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery.

Nissan celebrates Leaf during national Drive Electric Week

(September 16, 2014) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — More than 60,000 U.S. consumers have "kicked gas" and are now driving the all-electric Nissan Leaf. To celebrate National Drive Electric Week, held Sept. 15-21, Nissan is the exclusive automotive sponsor for more than 130 grassroots events scheduled for markets across the U.S. and abroad.

Dodge drops starting price of 2015 Viper by $15,000

(September 15, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Dodge is reconfirming its commitment to the future of the Viper and repositioning the iconic Detroit-built supercar for 2015, giving the snake more horsepower, improved fuel economy and a new starting price $15,000 less than the 2014 model it replaces.

For 2015, the hand-built American exotic now delivers an increased 645 horsepower, gets up to 20 miles per gallon and is offered at a new starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $84,995. The 2014 model started at $99,995.

Porsche launches 'The Sound of Porsche' in New York

(September 15, 2014) NEW YORK — Porsche Cars North America has announced the launch of The Porsche Brand Pop Up in New York City on beginning today. “The Sound Of Porsche: Stories of the Brand” transforms space in Manhattan’s fashionable Meatpacking District into a modernized record store — to transport consumers to the true essence of Porsche.