April 2015

All-new Jaguar XE compact sports sedan to reach U.S. in spring 2016

(April 29, 2015) MAHWAH, N.J. — The Jaguar lineup will significantly expand in 2016 with the addition of the brand's all new, aluminum intensive Jaguar XE compact sports sedan which will join the modern Jaguar sedan lineup alongside the all new Jaguar XF and Jaguar XJ sedans.

Toyota engineers to drive One Lap of America endurance race

(April 28, 2015) ERLANGER, Ky. — Although you won’t see Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, or Farrah Fawcett in the 2015 One Lap of America endurance race, the stars of the 1981 movie, Cannonball Run, would find it eerily familiar to their script.  The late Car & Driver magazine writer and auto racer Brock Yates, who wrote the screenplay, based it upon his experiences organizing the race four times between 1971 and 1979. 

Yates’ idea evolved into the One Lap of America, gaining legitimacy along the way.  It is now run by his son Brock Yates, Jr.
 

Ford first-quarter income off 6.6 percent as new F-150 launch ramps up

(April 28, 2015) Ford today said its first-quarter net income fell 6.6 percent to $924 million as the launch of its aluminum-bodied pickup cut production. Ford said the F-150 introduction has gone so well that it is increasing its projections for North American profit margins slightly but that economic conditions in South America have been worse than expected.

Revenue in the quarter fell 5.6 percent to $33.9 billion.

Nissan donates $500,000 to support Mississippi museums

(April 28, 2015) CANTON, Miss. — Nissan has donated $500,000 to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to support ongoing construction efforts and future exhibits at the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Audi launches innovative mobility program: Audi on demand

(April 28, 2015) Audi has introduced Audi on demand, an innovative mobility program that gives customers a new way to experience the Audi brand and its range of vehicles at the touch of a button. With Audi on demand, customers can reserve an Audi by the day for up to 28 days. 

The premium service is currently available in San Francisco as part of a beta program and will be rolled out across additional U.S. cities in the coming years. 

GM facility ranks among nation's top green power users

(April 28, 2015) FORT WAYNE, Ind. — General Motors’ Fort Wayne Assembly Plant — home of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra and 43 percent powered by methane captured from decomposing trash in a nearby landfill — ranks No. 5 among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s top 30 generators of onsite green power.

The plant’s generation of 53 million kilowatt hours of green power could supply the equivalent electricity use of more than 5,000 American homes annually.

2015 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercrew: Treading lightly

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(April 28, 2015) There are many nice things to say about the 2015 F-150, and one exasperating thing. Let’s get the exasperating thing out of the way first. This is not a vehicle for bank robbers, getaway drivers, the easily exasperated, those prone to road rage or folks suffering from ADHD.

Ford issues recall of 390,000 vehicles for door latch issue

(April 26, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 390,000 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta and 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for a door latch issue. The door latch in these vehicles may experience a broken pawl spring tab, which typically results in a condition where the door will not latch. If a customer is then able to latch the door, there is potential the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Supermarket coolers to become more energy efficient thanks to racing

(April 26, 2015) LONDON — Williams Advanced Engineering, the division of Williams that commercializes Formula One racing derived technology and know how, has collaborated with UK start-up Aerofoil Energy to develop a new aerodynamic device that can significantly reduce the energy consumed by refrigerators in supermarkets and convenience stores.

Porsche connects its vehicles with the Apple Watch

(April 25, 2015) Porsche is one of the first car makers in the world to offer the opportunity to connect its vehicles with the Apple Watch. As a result, drivers can now access Porsche Car Connect functions even more conveniently, without having to reach for their iPhones.

However, the Apple smartphone still continues to manage communication with the vehicle and integrates the Apple Watch as an additional display and control element.