March 2016

Ford, Spotify team up to enhance entertainment experience for FordPass

(March 29, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — With Americans spending more than 900 hours a year mobile — and 25 hours or more per week listening to music — Ford and music streaming leader Spotify are teaming up to create a new entertainment experience for FordPass members.

As part of its transformation into an auto and mobility company, Ford is introducing FordPass — a platform that reimagines the relationship between automaker and consumer.  The mobility experience platform aims to do for car owners what iTunes did for music fans.

Hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai named 2016 World Green Car

(March 28, 2016) NEW YORK — The hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai fuel cell car has been named the 2016 World Green Car. Toyota  is no stranger to the World Car Awards program — now in its 12th year. 

The Toyota Prius (2010) has previously earned “Top Three in the World” status for both the World Green Car and the overall World Car of the Year categories as voted by 70-plus international automotive journalists that make up the jury. In addition, the Toyota GT86 was a “Top Three in the World” finalist for World Car of the Year in 2013; the Toyota iQ in 2009 for the same category; and the Toyota Harrier Hybrid in 2006 for World Green Car.

2016 Kia Sedona SXL: Traveling first class

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 28, 2016) When is a minivan a luxury vehicle? When it’s a Kia Sedona SXL, and has a base price of $39,900 and as-tested bottom line of $44,690. For that price, not only do you get things like the $2,800 SXL Technology Package (Xenon HID headlights with High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Surround View Monitor, Smart Cruise Control, chrome side sill trim, and a 115V cargo area power inverter), or the $1,095 rear seat entertainment system, you get an interior that looks like it's taken from a private jet.

Chrysler Pacifica: A rehabilitated nameplate for a reimagined minivan

By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(March 27, 2016) I'm not the kind of guy who breaks the rules; well, not many...um, at least not all of them. So, I have been patiently sitting by my keyboard for the past week waiting for Chrysler's embargo to expire for the drive evaluations of its 2017 Pacifica that I was lucky enough to experience in California in mid-March.

Porsche to Inspect pedal hinge clip in Cayenne models as precaution

(March 26, 2016) ATLANTA — Porsche is conducting a voluntary safety recall of 409,477 Cayenne models worldwide from model years 2011 to 2016 for a precautionary inspection. Of those, 88,300 are in the United States and 10,370 are in Canada. The reason is a clip may have become dislodged from the pedal bracket.

Nissan introduces half-ton truck to the 2017 Titan lineup

(March 26, 2016) NEW YORK — Nissan officially unveiled the standard bearer of its family of Titan pickups — the 2017 Titan Crew Cab, powered by Nissan's 5.6-liter Endurance V8 gasoline engine — at the New York International Auto Show this week. With the all-new flagship XD model of Nissan's reimagined Titan family of pickups already in dealer lots, this volume model, half-ton Titan will go on sale late this summer.

All-new Pacifica could make it cool to drive a minivan

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica

(March 25, 2016) NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — For the most part, minivans live out their existence lonely and unloved, with owners who are all too self-conscious of and embarrassment associated with driving one. To be sure, the minivan is not an aspirational vehicle. Nope. They are strictly life-stage vehicles, ready to fill the void between the third-trimester and the age when the kids no longer want to be seen with their parents — especially in a minivan at Wal-Mart.

Dana Mecum’s 29th original Spring Classic to feature world-class muscle cars

(March 25, 2016) The event that started it all — Dana Mecum’s annual Original Spring Classic auction — returns to Indianapolis again this year, May 17-21, for its 29th anniversary. The event will be headlined by coveted muscle cars, Corvettes and multi-car collections amidst an estimated 2,000 vehicles to be showcased at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Toyota reveals plug-in Prius Prime hybrid — 22 miles of electric range

(March 25, 2016) NEW YORK — If there’s electricity in the air at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, it’s probably coming from the Toyota display, where the world’s hybrid vehicle leader has unveiled the new Prius Prime, an ultra-efficient model with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. “Prime” means best, making it the perfect name for one of the most technologically advanced, best-equipped Prius in the model’s history.

Mitsubishi debuts Outlander plug-in hybrid, Mirage G4

(March 25, 2016) Mitsubishi Motors debuted the production model of the all-new 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and the 2017 Mirage G4 subcompact sedan at the 2016 New York International Auto Show. Both vehicles are new models to the Mitsubishi product lineup and are important to the brand's growth plans in North America.