February 2016

Bugatti Chiron: 1,500 hp; 0-62 in 2.5 seconds; $2.6 million

(March 1, 2016) GENEVA — The French luxury brand Bugatti is celebrating a world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show unveiling the Bugatti Chiron, the most powerful, fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive production super sports car in the world.  The Chiron is the latest generation of the ultimate super sports car and is a completely new development.

Cadillac unveils 'Don't You Dare' campaign during Academy Awards

(February 29, 2016) Cadillac has revealed the next chapter of “Dare Greatly,” the brand’s rallying cry for reinvention, with four new commercials that aired during the 88th Academy Awards. The new directive, titled “Don’t You Dare,” reflects the brand’s evolution as it continues to expand, elevate, and innovate with new products.

Nissan's Decherd Powertrain Plant produces 10 millionth engine

(February 29, 2016) DECHERD, Tenn. — With a new engine assembled every 19 seconds, the production lines at Nissan's Decherd Powertrain Plant don't stop often or for very long. Today was an exception as the team stopped to celebrate a milestone — production of the plant's 10 millionth engine.

The 10 millionth engine was a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine that will be assembled into a Nissan Altima scheduled to be built at Nissan's Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, located about an hour away and also in Tennessee.

What next? An 'Intelligent Parking Chair' from Nissan

(February 29, 2016) YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan Motor Co. has announced the first "Intelligent Parking Chair," a concept inspired by its intelligent park assist technology that allows drivers to easily park their vehicles using automatic steering.

The "Intelligent Parking Chair" is a unique chair that automatically moves to a set position. The chair includes a roller to automatically move 360 degrees paired with a system that indicates the target position. Four cameras placed on the room's ceiling generate a bird's-eye view to wirelessly transmit the chair's position and its route to destination.

Ford's Cleveland engine plant gets $145 million upgrade

(February 29, 2016) CLEVELAND — Ford is investing $145 million to upgrade its Cleveland Engine Plant creating or retaining 150 jobs to support strong demand for an all-new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine family for the 2017 Ford F-150 lineup.

Science of subterfuge: Ford uses camouflage to hide in plain sight

(February 29, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Engineers are developing new ways to hide Ford prototypes in plain sight using modern camouflage designs and techniques. No industry is as challenged with keeping its new products under wraps as automakers, which must test their vehicles on public roads.

Bringing a new meaning to Shelby GT350H

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(February 28, 2016) Don’t look now, but in the near future, your average Pony car will be a hybrid. I’m not talking full-on Prius-style hybridization here (at least not yet), but the sort of light electrification that will keep Mustangs and Camaros from being a big drain on an automaker’s CAFE plans.

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration wins prestigious cross-industry design award

(February 27, 2016) HONG KONG — The Infiniti Q80 Inspiration concept, representing the daring vision of the brand’s future design language, has been awarded one of the most prestigious cross-industry design prizes. The concept car, unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, has received an iF Design Award in the "Professional Concept" category, with the Q80 Inspiration’s striking fastback design winning over the 58-member international jury.

The concept vehicle was chosen to receive the accolade from total list of 5,295 entries from 53 countries.

Chevy brings 'mild-hybrid' system back to Silverado

(February 26, 2016) DETROIT — Chevrolet has announced that a select number of 2016 Chevrolet Silverados will be offered with eAssist technology. The new mild-hybrid electrical system leverages many of the technologies and components from Chevrolet’s lineup of innovative electric vehicles including battery cells from the Malibu Hybrid and software controls developed for the Volt.

As a result, Chevrolet can deliver a low-volume, affordably priced hybrid pickup that delivers uncompromised capability and up to 13 percent better fuel economy in city driving.

Lightening strikes again: The Lotus Evora Sport 410

(February 26, 2016) In a move that should surprise no one, Lotus has raised the bar once again by lightening the Evora in order to develop the sensational Evora Sport 410. Following on from the recently announced Elise Cup 250, and the Exige Sport 350, Lotus’ famous Lightweight Laboratory has been hard at work cutting the weight of the Evora 400 by 154 pounds.