December 2015

BMW to present the principles of a non-contact touchscreen at CES

(December 28, 2015) LAS VEGAS — The BMW Group is presenting a Vision Car to demonstrate what the interior and the user interface of the future might look like at the Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas. The rapid advance of networking between driver, vehicle and environment is becoming increasingly intensive and is facilitating new services.

Not for the U.S.: Lotus Exige Sport 350

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(December 27, 2015) Let’s start with the bad news first, straight from the Lotus press release: "The Lotus Exige Sport 350 goes on sale in Europe in February 2016 and will be available outside Europe, excluding North America, from March 2016." The Evora 400, which goes on sale in the U.S. about the same time, is the only Lotus approved for sale in the U.S. Currently there are no new Lotus cars for sale here.

Shoe soles, rag washing help GM approach global zero waste goal

(December 26, 2015) DETROIT — Making shoe soles and washing solvent-drenched rags instead of discarding disposables are two ways General Motors is approaching its aspirational goal of becoming a zero waste manufacturer. With the addition of six landfill-free sites in Mexico and England, the company’s industry-leading landfill-free count totals 131 facilities.

'The Wild Side of Ducati:' Web series dedicated to Multistrada 1200 Enduro

(December 25, 2015) BOLOGNA, Italy Bologna, Italy — The web series dedicated to the new Multistrada 1200 Enduro goes by the name of “The wild side of Ducati”. Online from 23 December 2015 on the Ducati website, the web series tells the story of the most adventurous version of the Bologna-made multibike in six episodes.

Cars-for-Christmas ads have been with us for decades

(December 25, 2015) Lexus has been using its "December to Remember" sales event for years, offering its own spin on gift giving by putting a new Lexus in the driveway on Christmas morning. The elaborate television ads usually show a well-to-do couple or a rather privileged family emerging from their million dollar house to find a new $50,000 Lexus with a huge red bow on the roof even as most of us common folks look on with a mix of emotions from total dislike to envy.

Honda expands airbag recall to 127,000 additional CR-V models

(December 24, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda has announced that it will expand a national recall to replace, free of charge Takata passenger front airbag inflators installed in certain 2003-2004 CR-V models sold in the United States following a recent defect determination by Takata, the airbag inflator supplier. This expansion will add approximately 127,000 passenger front airbag inflators not previously subject to either a recall or safety improvement campaign.

Hyundai captures five 2015 Good Design awards

(December 24, 2015) Hyundai Motor has won five GOOD DESIGN Awards, in recognition of consistent successful application of its design philosophy. The company received awards for the upcoming IONIQ alternative fuel compact vehicle, the new Tucson, the new Elantra, Santa Cruz concept model and the company’s "Sculpture in Motion" art installation.

Hemi power rolls into the world's largest collector-car auction

(December 23, 2015) One Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible is a big deal. Two are a really big deal. Combine two Hemi Cuda Convertibles and a Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Convertible together and the effect is monumental. Those E-Bodies are just three of 31 Hemi-powered Mopars on offer at the Mecum Kissimmee 2016 auction, the largest collector-car and Road Art auction in the world, that will take place Jan. 15-24 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla.

Toyota to display new map generation system at CES in Las Vegas

(December 23, 2015) TOYOTA CITY, Japan — To aid the safe implementation of automated driving, Toyota is developing a high-precision map generation system that will use data from on-board cameras and GPS devices installed in production vehicles. The new system will go on display at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2016 in Las Vegas, Jan. 6 through 9.

Pricing announced for all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD

(December 23, 2015) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Just in time for last-minute holiday adventures, the all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD Crew Cab goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide. Available in five grade levels and a choice of 4x4 and 4x2 drivetrains, the Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel-equipped Titan XD has a starting price of $41,485 including destination charge for the S 4x2.

The top-of-the-line Platinum Reserve 4x4 grade starts at $61,715 including destination.