July 2014

Land Rover reveals third row seating in European Discovery Sport

(July 29, 2014) WHITLEY, UK — Land Rover has dropped the biggest hint yet towards the design of Discovery Sport, with the debut of a new camouflage wrap confirming that the new compact SUV arrives as standard with 5+2 seating in the United Kingdom.

As if "peeling back" the outer layer of the vehicle, the camouflage reveals that the Discovery Sport will in fact have two seats in the third row, enhancing its versatility and appeal as a compact, family SUV.

Third-generation Kia Sorento to be unveiled in Korea at end of August

(July 29, 2014) The all-new third-generation Kia Sorento will be unveiled in Korea next month, featuring bold, swept-back exterior styling. Kia has released teaser pictures of the new crossover, which boasts a lower roofline, higher beltline, more muscular stance, rounded shoulders at the rear and deeply sculpted body surfaces.

First production HondaJet makes public debut in Wisconsin

(July 29, 2014) OSHKOSH, Wis. — The first production HondaJet made its public debut on July 28 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Following a celebratory event commemorating the occasion, the HondaJet concluded the day with an flight demonstration that included high and low-speed passes during the afternoon air show.

Cadillac ATS coupe 2.0-liter gets more torque output, equipment

(July 29, 2014) DETROIT — Greater torque output in the 2015 Cadillac ATS coupe and ATS sedan equipped with the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine, and available safety-enhancing lane-changing and lane-keeping technologies, highlight the new model year for the luxury sport models.

The additional torque — 295 lb-ft and 272 horsepower — was achieved through engine calibration that results in increased boost pressure for improved performance over the class-competitive torque level available at the launch of the ATS Sedan. For 2014, the 2.0-liter ATS sedan was rated at 272 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

New Jaguar XE sedan to feature aluminum-intensive construction

(July 29, 2014) The upcoming Jaguar XE sedan has been designed around a new modular vehicle architecture and uses an aluminum-intensive unibody. Lightweight aluminum will account for 75 percent of the structure, Jaguar announced today.

VW issues recall of 2015 Golf GTI models over stabilizer rod concern

(July 28, 2014) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America today notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will be issuing a voluntary safety recall affecting the front stabilizer rods on certain 2015 model year Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf vehicles.

Chevrolet Volt teams with MBAs across America

(July 28, 2014) DETROIT — Chevrolet is providing 12 extended-range electric Volts to help expand a unique program that matches local entrepreneurs and MBA students committed to   revitalizing small businesses across America.

MBAs Across America launched last year when four first-year Harvard MBA students drove 8,000 miles across the country, offering free business counseling to local entrepreneurs. With the success of their journey, two of the original team members expanded the program into a nonprofit organization.

Honda rolls out two trails bikes for 2015

(July 28, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — Trials riders are about as passionate a bunch of enthusiasts as you're likely to find. Now they have a new way to fire up that passion as Honda adds a second new Cota trials mount to the line that includes the Cota Race Replica introduced in 2014.

"Trials riding is a very unique style of competition that's spectacular to watch and incredibly difficult to do well," said Lee Edmunds, manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications.

BMW i8 to be auctioned during Pebble Beach Concours weekend

(July 28, 2014) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — In celebration of the U.S. arrival of the BMW i8, the world’s most innovative sports car, a one-of-a-kind 2014 BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition will be auctioned during the weekend of the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, ahead of the official fall sale date.

2014 Highlander XLE V6 AWD: A new definition of 'big'

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(July 27, 2014) It’s the damndest thing. No matter how hard or how many times I look at the measurements, Toyota’s third generation Highlander comes out feeling much bigger than it is, especially when compared to the Ford Explorer. Step aboard and you notice just how wide the vehicle is, how far away are some of the controls, and how tall the interior feels.