February 2016

Mini announces all-new convertible on sale in March

(February 23, 2016) The reinvention of the Mini brand continues apace with the launch of the all-new Mini Convertible, which is set to go on sale in March. With major refinements against its predecessor, the car features a striking new design and significant enhancements to make open-topped Mini motoring even more dynamic, stylish and practical.

All-new 2017 Kia Sportage to start under $23,000

(February 22, 2016) Kia Motors today announced pricing for the all-new 2017 Sportage CUV. Offered in three trim levels — LX, EX, and SX Turbo — the all-new Sportage starts at $22,990 for the FWD LX. Kia says the fourth-generation Sportage, Kia's longest running nameplate, comes to market with a starting price that is lower than any competitor equipped with a powertrain comparable to Sportage's updated 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic.

Classic car clubs already number 100 for Silverstone Classic

(February 22, 2016) SILVERSTONE, UK — Already, more than 100 car clubs have registered – in record time – to be part of spectacular infield displays at this summer’s Silverstone Classic July 29-31 ensuring the massive three-day festival is once again the United Kingdom's biggest celebration of motoring history. 

Underlining the event’s ever-spiraling popularity, last year’s Silver Jubilee meeting attracted in excess of 100 clubs for the first time — a figure that is set to be topped again in 2016 with increasing interest from across the UK and Europe.

Honda releases details of new 2016 Civic Coupe

(February 22, 2016) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda has released details of its new Civic Coupe, which this month joins the 2016 Civic sedan in dealer showrooms. Honda says the creation of the new 10th-generation Civic represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new-model developments ever undertaken by Honda, requiring an unprecedented commitment of R&D resources and Honda engineering prowess.

Taking another look at the Chevy Trax, and the updates for 2017

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(February 22, 2016) We we're there when Chevy launched the Trax in San Diego, Calif., and wondered if the city-only drive route wasn’t meant to hide a deficit under the hood. Yeah, it could pull itself up steep hills with relative ease, and there was one uphill stretch where the posted limit reached 50 mph, but we had no opportunity to get on the freeway and joust with the local traffic.

2016 Nissan Maxima adds Midnight Edition Package

(February 21, 2016) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nissan has announced the addition of a new Midnight Edition Package to its 2016 Maxima sedan. The collection of aggressive new appearance features is offered only on the sporty Maxima SR model and available in five color combination — Super Black, Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Coulis Red or Deep Blue Pearl — with Charcoal leather-appointed interior. It is priced at $1,195 over the Maxima SR model's $37,770 starting price.

Maserati to unveil its first SUV at the Geneva Motor Show

(February 20, 2016) Maserati has revealed pictures of its Levante, the first SUV in the brand's more than 100-year history. The new model completes the existing range of sedan and sports cars, extending the offering together with the Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranTurismo and GranCabrio models. The design of the Levante features clear associations with the Maserati brand and its distinctive Italian character

Range Rover helps unveil new Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo

(February 20, 2016) MOJAVE, Calif. — Land Rover on Friday helped Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson unveil Virgin Galactic's new SpaceShipTwo at a special reveal and naming ceremony at its Mojave Air and Space Port base in California.

A Range Rover Autobiography took center stage at the global reveal, towing out the new SpaceShipTwo — officially christened VSS Unity — in front of the world's media, special guests and a group of Virgin Galactic's 'Future Astronauts.'

Cars without keys — Volvo tests replacing keys with smart phone app

(February 19, 2016) For decades, drivers have been accustomed to accessing and driving cars with physical keys. But no longer. In a ground-breaking move for the automotive industry, Volvo Cars plans to become the world’s first car manufacturer to offer cars without keys from 2017.

Volvo customers will be offered an application for their mobile phones to replace the physical key with a digital key. The innovative Bluetooth-enabled digital key technology, will offer Volvo customers far more flexibility, enabling them to benefit from entirely new ways to use and share cars.

007's Aston Martin DB10 sells for nearly $3.5 million benefiting MSF

(February 19, 2016) LONDON — The highly coveted and incredibly rare Aston Martin DB10 made for the latest James Bond film, Spectre, went under the auctioneer’s gavel at Christie’s in London Thursday.  The bidding was tense and exciting before a final bid of an amazing £2,434,500 ($3.48 million).