June 2017

Aston Martin Vulcan taken to new extremes with AMR Pro upgrades

(June 30, 2017) GAYDON, England — Aston Martin’s wildest-ever car — the track-only Aston Martin Vulcan — has been taken to breathtaking new extremes with a performance upgrade package developed by the luxury marque’s new performance brand, AMR.

Making its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, the Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro sports extensive aerodynamic enhancements and shortened gearing to produce increased downforce, greater responsiveness and reduced lap times - improvements that underline its status as one of the world’s most extreme and exclusive track cars.

Ford unleashes line-lock on Mustang EcoBoost models

(June 30, 2017) DEARBORN, Mich. — More rubber meets the road later this year when Ford expands the availability of electronic line-lock on 2018 Mustang. The track-exclusive feature – previously available only on V8-powered Mustang GT – will be standard on all pony cars, including those equipped with 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engines.

The feature is available with either the 10-speed SelectShift automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

The Kia Soul Turbo hamster has 'arrived'

(June 30, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — Over the last eight years, the Kia Soul and a trio of paw-tapping, music-loving hamsters have stood apart from the competition and captured imaginations.  So how did Kia go about improving an icon? By turbocharging it. Now available with a 201-horsepower engine, Kia has upped the ante on its funky crossover, and the latest installment of Kia’s award-winning ad campaign finds the ever-present hamsters welcoming the new addition to the Soul family in “The Arrival.”

Lamborghini Centenario makes dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival

(June 30, 2017) GOODWOOD, UK — The Lamborghini Centenario makes its public dynamic debut this weekend at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the supercar class. Going "up the hill," the €1.75 million ($2 million) Centenario coupe, of which only 20 will be delivered to customers worldwide, has a 0-62 mph acceleration of just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph.

Ford recalls 402,462 Transit vans to replace driveshaft coupling

(June 29, 2017) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has issued a safety recall for approximately 400,000 2015-17 Ford Transit van/bus vehicles with medium, long and extended wheelbases and chassis cab/cutaways with medium wheelbases to replace the driveshaft flexible coupling.

In the affected vehicles, continuing to operate a vehicle with a cracked flexible coupling may cause separation of the driveshaft, resulting in a loss of motive power while driving or unintended vehicle movement in park without the parking brake applied.

Honda Fit gets updated styling, new Sport trim for 2018

(June 29, 2017) TORRANCE, Calif.  — The 2018 model year brings significant updates to the third generation of the versatile 5-door subcompact Honda Fit including fresh sportier styling, a more dynamic and refined driving experience, new Sport trim, and substantially upgraded technology and premium features.

Infiniti, Stephen Curry announce global partnership

(June 29, 2017) HONG KONG — Infiniti Motor Co. has announced a global partnership with NBA basketball star Stephen Curry to be its new global brand ambassador. Curry is considered one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, helping lead the Golden State Warriors to an NBA Championship earlier this month.

In a slowing market, Subaru and Nissan expected to gain share in 2017

(July 1, 2017) DETROIT — New vehicle sales in the first half of 2017 are expected to be 8.4 million, down nearly 2.3 percent compared to the first six months of 2016.  With growing economic headwinds, full year sales in 2017 are predicted to reach 17.1 million, down 2.5 percent from the record 17.5 million sold in 2016 and within the 16.8 to 17.3 million range set by Kelley Blue Book analysts earlier this year.

Jaguar's SVO division creates extreme performance XE sedan

(June 29, 2017) MAHWAH, N.J. — Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has revealed the most powerful, agile and extreme performance Jaguar road car ever produced — the 200 mph, 592 horsepower Jaguar XE SV Project 8 sedan. Following the successful F-TYPE Project 7 of 2014, the XE SV Project 8, the second Collector’s Edition by SVO, is a hand-built four-door sedan with supercar performance designed to thrill driving enthusiasts, with an extraordinary combination of explosive power, dynamic agility and all-wheel-drive traction.

Aston Martin DB11 gets V8 engine to go with standard V12

(June 28, 2017) GAYDON, England — After its successful global introduction in 2016, Aston Martin’s definitive GT — the acclaimed DB11 — is now available with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Perfectly complementing the DB11’s existing 5.2-liter twin turbocharged V12 engine, this new powerplant has provided the opportunity to reveal more of the DB11’s sporting character, while expanding its global appeal with a combination of exceptional performance and improved efficiency.