September 2016

Chevy Bolt can push range boundaries with one-pedal driving modes

(September 7, 2016) DETROIT — The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV will offer drivers a customizable one-pedal driving experience that allows for maximum total vehicle range. One-pedal driving combines the highest available level of regenerative braking, which captures otherwise lost energy from deceleration and sends it back to the Bolt EV battery pack for the greatest total vehicle range.

Along with additional software controls, regen braking allows the driver to stop the vehicle without using the brake pedal in certain driving conditions.

Land Rover puts world-first intelligent seat fold technology to extreme test

(September 7, 2016) NETHERAVON, Wiltshire, UK — Land Rover has reached new heights in its new vehicle technology testing. World-renowned British adventurer and well-known Land Rover owner Bear Grylls took to the skies to put the New Discovery’s Intelligent Seat Fold technology to the ultimate test. The system allows Discovery owners to configure their vehicle seating through the InControl Remote app on their smartphone from anywhere in the world — even in mid-air.

Cadillac offers two-day driver training school with 2017 V-Series purchase

(September 6, 2016) Cadillac today announced the Cadillac V-Performance Academy driving experience at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club near Las Vegas, Nevada. The two-day driver training program will be included in the purchase of any of Cadillac’s high-performance V-Series models: 2017 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan, 2017 ATS-V Coupe and 2017 Cadillac CTS-V sedan.

Kia develops new eight-speed transmission in-house

(September 6, 2016) SEOUL — Kia Motors has revealed details of its advanced new eight-speed automatic transmission engineered for use in front-wheel drive vehicles. Kia’s new front-wheel drive 8AT has been developed in-house by the Korean manufacturer, engineered to offer a high level of mechanical efficiency and smooth gearshifts. Crucially, the new FWD 8AT occupies the same space as a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, and weighs 7.7 pounds less.

Mercedes-Benz delivers its four-millionth SUV in strongest-selling August

(September 6, 2016) STUTTGART — Mercedes-Benz delivered more than 156,000 vehicles to customers in August — an increase of 11.8%. The main contribution towards this increase came from the strong rise in unit sales of SUVs of approximately 40 percent. Mercedes-Benz was able to surpass its strongest August to date in the previous year due to double-digit growth in the Asia-Pacific region and in the domestic market.

Two sales milestones were also passed last month — more than four million SUVs and 15,000 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class vehicles have been sold since their market launches.

Nissan to debut 2017 GT-R NISMO, display vintage cars at California show

(September 5, 2016) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nissan returns to southern California — the site of many racing victories and its first home in the U.S. — for the 12th annual Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS).  Fans and enthusiasts alike will be able to see the legendary championship-winning Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) No. 46 Datsun 510, as well as the latest race-winner, the No. 05 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, and the newest race-inspired street machine, the 2017 GT-R NISMO — which has never been seen before on U.S. soil.

Comparing a trio of trucks

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(September 4, 2016) At the age of 89, Cindy’s mom has finally agreed that it’s time to stop living alone in the house she and her husband bought in the early 1950s, and to move in with her kids.Which has meant a lot of work getting the house ready for sale. A good portion of that has been taking things that didn’t sell at the garage sale to the local Salvation Army store, but even some of that was so old and wildly out of style that it ended up in the dump.

FCA's new fourth-generation Uconnect System explained

(September 3, 2016) Let’s face it, we live in a very fast paced world and many of us thrive on instant gratification. We are busy and always on the go. So when we finally get into our vehicles, we may not have the time or patience to wait for our entertainment system to fire up before we are ready to change the radio station or enter an address and start on our journey.