November 2015

New Ford Transit-based motorhomes ready for families

(November 12, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Recreational vehicle manufacturers are offering all-new motorhome models based on the Ford Transit commercial van. The newest Transit RV is the Winnebago Fuse, a Class C motorhome built on the new Transit cutaway chassis. It's the latest in a growing number of Transit-based options for active families.

Ducati sets all-time sales record hitting 50,000 for the year

(November 12, 2015) BOLOGNA, Italy — Ducati continues to grow and has now — for the first time its history — has broken through the 50,000 bike sales per year barrier. This ground-breaking result was reached on Nov. 10. By the same date last year Ducati had sold 40,650 motorcycles which was, at the time, a record for the Bologna-based bike manufacturer.

In the wake of this major achievement, the company is now getting ready to reveal the most important new products for 2016, a year that will, as previously announced, see the arrival of nine new bikes.

New GM wind tunnel accelerates fuel-saving designs

(November 11, 2015) WARREN, Mich. — General Motors is now able to accelerate and verify fuel-saving designs earlier in development of new cars and trucks thanks to a new reduced scale wind tunnel test facility on the campus of the company’s Technical Center. GM’s new, 35,000-square-foot Reduced Scale Wind Tunnel aerodynamically tests clay models up to 40 percent of the scale of a vehicle.

Fiat 500 reaches 1.5 million sales in Europe

(November 11, 2015) The Fiat 500 on Tuesday reached the 1.5 million unit milestone in Europe with the landmark car in question, a white 1.2 Pop, rolling off the production line in Tychy, Poland, destined for its new owner in France.

The Fiat 500 has reached this impressive tally just eight years and four months after its launch, collecting more than 40 international awards along the way including the prestigious European Car of The Year accolade in 2008.

Trio of Audi Sport and performance models to make U.S. debut in L.A.

(November 11, 2015) HERNDON, Virginia — Reinforcing the brand’s success from road to track, Audi will showcase a trio of new performance vehicles — including the all-new R8, RS 7 performance and S8 plus — at the Los Angeles Auto Show. 

“The Audi Sport and performance models have always been an essential part of our brand’s character,” said Filip Brabec, director of Product Management for Audi of America. “The Audi R8, RS 7 performance and S8 plus represent the maximum of Audi performance, premium design and technology for our customers.”

Ford F-150 Pro Trailer Backup Assist gets top CES award

(November 11, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Pro Trailer Backup Assist on the 2016 Ford F-150 is named the top CES 2016 Best of Innovation Awards Honoree in the Vehicle Intelligence category by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes the challenge of backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob.

Hyundai unveils rendering of new range-topping G90 luxury sedan

(November 11, 2015) Hyundai Motor has revealed the first rendering of its new range-topping G90 luxury sedan, which is named EQ900 in Korea. The elegantly designed, technology packed G90 hints at the recently-launched Genesis brand’s design identity and future direction.

Ninety-four classic cars spanning 83 years at Silverstone sale

(November 10, 2015) BIRMINGHAM, England — Ninety-four classic cars spanning 83 years, as well as a host of automobilia and luxury lifestyle items, will be offered this weekend at Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.

One of the biggest classic car auctions in the calendar, the two-day sale takes place on the Nov. 14 and 15 at the NEC, Birmingham.

The highlight of the sale has to be a "on the button" low mileage 1991 Jaguar XJ220 (pictured below), estimated at between £300,000 ($468,000) and £350,000 ($546,000).

Honda introduces new Montesa 4RIDE

(November 10, 2015) Twenty-five years after the release of the Evasion, Montesa Honda presents a new, non-trials focused model, set to be showcased at EICMA, in Milan later this month. 

Montesa celebrates its 70th anniversary with its biggest announcement yet. Just a few months after the release of the new Cota 300RR, the launch of the 4RIDE expands the Montesa offering to a total of four models, including the existing Cota 4RT260 and 4RT260 Factory.

Subaru confirms new three-row crossover to be built in Indiana

(November 10, 2015) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru has confirmed that a new three-row crossover model, effectively replacing the retired Tribeca, will be produced at its SIA plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The all-new crossover is expected to be built beginning in 2018 and will be a larger vehicle than the Tribeca, with full third-row capability.

The new vehicle has not yet been named, but will likely carry a name synonymous with outdoor adventure, consistent with the company’s other successful crossovers; Outback, Forester and Crosstrek.