June 2015

Electric bus route launched in Gothenburg, Sweden

(June 15, 2015) GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Gothenburg is launching the public transport of the future. Gothenburg's first route for electric buses opened today. The buses are silent and emission-free and run on electricity from wind power and hydropower. The bus route is among the most modern in the world. Among other things, passengers can recharge their phones onboard and enter and exit the bus from indoors. 

Rethinking the Lexus RC 350 F Sport

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(June 14, 2015) December is not the time of year that you want to have a Lexus RC 350 F Sport for review, yet here I was driving a Molten Pearl (orange to you and me) version from the suburbs of Detroit to dow
ntown and back again in weather that couldn’t decide just how much snow it was going to unleash to go with the bone-chilling cold. Standing out like a safety vest against the accumulating snow and gathering dark, the RC 350 F Sport and its summer tires were as out of place in these conditions as blue jeans and a t-shirt at a commencement address.

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider arrives this summer starting at $63,900

(June 13, 2015) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Adding to the Alfa Romeo brand's legendary racing history and the exciting experience of open-air motoring, the all-new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider debuts this summer with panoramic views complemented with a signature Alfa exhaust note, plus the essential sportiness of the award-winning 4C — handcrafted in Modena, Italy — groundbreaking and seductive Italian style.

Innovative technologies are in new Audi R8 model family

(June 12, 2015) At Audi, race cars and production cars have a lot in common in many technical areas — including their controls and displays. The best example is the similarity between the Audi R18 e-tron quattro race car prototype, which will start at the 24 hours of Le Mans this weekend, and the new production Audi R8 sports car.

Toyota breaks ground on Technical Center expansion in Michigan

(June 12, 2015) ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With the push of a plow by a 2015 Tundra TRD Pro, Toyota officially broke ground Thursday on the expansion of the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Michigan. The ceremony at Toyota’s campus in York Township marks the first visible step toward its growing investment and employment in the state while strengthening its North American research and development operations.
 

Honda to sell limited number of RC213V-S bikes to U.S. customers

(June 12, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda has confirmed that the revolutionary RC213V-S is to be sold as a premium 2016 model, with a limited number set to be made available to U.S. customers. Every sport bike enthusiast has dreamt of climbing aboard a MotoGP machine and experiencing firsthand these bikes' exceptional engineering and performance, but with rare exceptions, only top-echelon racers have had that opportunity — until now.

Print your favorite car at home — Ford opens one-stop 3D shop online

(June 12, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Want to 3D-print a Shelby GT350R at home? Or would you prefer to simply purchase an F-150 Raptor 3D digital image for a presentation? How about both? Ford fans can now download digital images for Ford vehicles at the first-ever, automaker-authorized one-stop online store for 3D-printable vehicle files.

The Ford 3D Store, 3d.ford.com, allows customers to use advanced technology to make their own models of Ford vehicles of the size and material they desire, or simply opt to purchase a 3D digital file from a growing library of more than 1,000 Ford images.

Ultimate yard art

We like this unique display some enterprising home owner erected in his yard near Newton, Iowa. We call it a very good use of a neglected Model T Ford. (Photo by Jerry Brown)

'Just Ride' during Harley-Davidson World Ride June 27-28

(June 11, 2015) MILWAUKEE — Just ride. It’s a simple idea that expresses the passion that unites motorcycle riders around the world, regardless of age, location, or brand. It’s also all anyone needs to do to join the thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders and Harley Owners Group members who are flexing their freedom and hitting the open road during the Harley-Davidson World Ride on June 27 and 28.

Chevy Silverado owners stay closely connected to their trucks

(June 11, 2015) DETROIT — Chevrolet Silverado owners are some of the most connected drivers on the road, making up the largest population of OnStar RemoteLink mobile app users. And they’re using the app more often than most drivers to check tire pressures, oil levels and remotely start their trucks.

In the near future, Silverado drivers will also have an unprecedented industry-first connection to their trucks called Proactive Alerts, which can predict and notify drivers when certain components need attention — in many cases before vehicle performance is affected.