May 2017

Acura MDX production begins at second facility in U.S.

(June 1, 2017) MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Production of the Acura MDX luxury SUV was bolstered this week when the East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio began producing the vehicle, the second U.S. plant to build the MDX. East Liberty joins Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln in producing the MDX

Ford to produce 1,500 limited edition Focus RS performance cars for 2018

(June 1, 2017) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Performance fans talking to each other and posting comments online about the Ford Focus RS hot hatch performance car have led to a special 1,500 unit limited-edition celebrating the end of run of this generation hot hatch. Passion from the enthusiast community led Ford to introduce an exclusive new version of its critically acclaimed Focus RS for North America.

Lamborghini collaborating on study of carbon fiber materials with medical field

(May 31, 2017) HOUSTON — Automobili Lamborghini is collaborating with Houston Methodist Research Institute, to share its expertise in the study of carbon fiber composite materials. The ongoing research project is focused on a biocompatibility study of composite materials to be used mainly in prosthetic implants, but also in subcutaneous devices.

The aim is to identify new materials that are lighter, better tolerated by the human body, and more resistant over time than those currently used in the medical field.

Cadillac builds on (V2V) vehicle-to-vehicle development with new capability

(May 31, 2017) NEW YORK — Cadillac’s CTS sedan, one of the first production vehicles in the world to contain Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication, has now successfully demonstrated Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) capability in Michigan. Cadillac CTS development vehicles received real-time data from traffic controllers on signal phasing and timing during successful demonstrations recently conducted in collaboration with Michigan road agencies.

50 years ago — Mazda launches rotary-powered Cosmo Sport

(May 30, 2017) TOKOYO — It was a pivotal moment in automobile history when, 50 years ago today, Mazda launched its rotary-powered Mazda Cosmo Sport. The sleek, stylish two-seater marked the beginning of a legacy of innovation that endures to this day — a legacy of fun-to-drive cars and motor sport success powered by unique technology.

Ferrari Museum expands with two new exhibitions

(May 30, 2017) MARANELLO, Italy — The Ferrari Museum of Maranello today opens its new exhibition spaces and two exhibitions - "Under the Skin" and "Infinite Red" - in the presence of President and CEO of Ferrari Sergio Marchionne, Vice President Piero Ferrari, director of the London Design Museum Deyan Sudjic and mayor of Maranello Massimiliano Morini.

First China-built Volvo S90s arrive in Europe via groundbreaking rail link

(May 30, 2017) Volvo Cars has become the first car maker in the world to export China-made cars to Europe by train via China’s new ‘One Belt, One Road’ trade initiative. The first S90 premium saloons, built at its Daqing plant in China, will arrive at a distribution center in Zeebrugge, Belgium this week.

The cars have been transported to Belgium via the recently opened China-Europe railway link. The connection brings down the time it takes to transport vehicles to Europe by two thirds compared with the naval route, meaning customers receive their car faster after ordering.

2017 smart fortwo passes (up) gas for electric drive

By Christoper A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(May 30, 2017) The polar opposite of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, the U.S. version of the 2017 smart fortwo ditches its gasoline powerplant for electric drive. Available in coupe and cabrio form, the electric smart hits U.S. smart dealers this summer, and costs $1,200 less than the previous generation electric smart.

Rolls-Royce 'Sweptail' — Realization of one customer's coach-built dream

(May 29, 2017) When, approximately one year ago, Rolls-Royce presented 103EX to the world, it invoked its coach-building heritage to inspire its future clientele. This Vision Vehicle envisaged a world of completely personal luxury mobility where new technologies would allow every Rolls-Royce to be designed in their owners’ image, should they wish.

Such a Rolls-Royce would represent the truest meaning of luxury — a personal, Bespoke motor car like no other for each individual commissioning patron.

BMW M8 is icing on the cake of sporty BMW 8 Series lineup

(May 29, 2017) MUNICH, Germany — Alongside the ongoing development of the standard 8 Series, the engineers at BMW M are also working flat out on the M model. A fully camouflaged, early prototype of the future BMW M8 will be unveiled in a driving presentation as part of the support program for the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

Classical M features like larger air intakes, modified brakes and a sports exhaust with four tailpipes hint at the significantly boosted power and dynamic potential of the car and whet the appetite for a driving experience of intense emotional richness.