December 2016

Fastest BMW 5 Series ever — M550i xDrive: 0-to-60 in under 4 seconds

(December 18, 2016) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. —  BMW has announced a first ever BMW M Performance version of the world’s most successful business sedan. The first ever BMW M550i xDrive will take the spot as the top of the line performance vehicle in the current BMW 5 Series line-up.

Ford GT deliveries begin as Ford Performance brings ultimate gift

(October 17, 2016) MARKHAM, Ontario — The first road-going version of the all-new 2017 Ford GT has rolled off the line — heralding the beginning of production of the long-awaited halo car from Ford Performance.

In this new, low-volume assembly facility at Multimatic in Markham, Ontario, Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, global product development, and chief technical officer, marked the milestone by driving a Ford GT off the assembly line.

BMW to provide glimpse into interior of the future at CES

(December 16, 2016) LAS VEGAS — The BMW Group will provide another glimpse into the interior of the future at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas with a selection of trailblazing concepts and revolutionary technology. The BMW HoloActive Touch system, for example, will be making its debut at the show.

This innovative interface between the driver and vehicle acts like a virtual touchscreen; its free-floating display is operated using finger gestures and confirms the commands with what the driver perceives as tactile feedback.

McLaren builds its 10,000th car

(December 16, 2016) WORKING, England — McLaren Automotive has celebrated the manufacture of its 10,000th car from the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, England. The 10,000th car, a McLaren 570S finished in Ceramic Grey paintwork from the McLaren Special Operations ‘Defined’ palette, rolled out of the Production Centre just over five years after the first car, a McLaren 12C, was completed.

GM to start autonomous vehicle manufacturing, testing in Michigan

(December 16, 2016) DETROIT — On the heels of the signing of the SAVE Act legislation to support autonomous vehicle testing and deployment in Michigan, General Motors will immediately begin testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. GM also announced it will produce the next generation of its autonomous test vehicles at its Orion Township assembly plant beginning in early 2017.

2017 Kia Niro sets Guinness world record for lowest fuel use in a hybrid

(December 16, 2016) IRVINE, Calif. — Arriving at New York City Hall in downtown Manhattan, the 2017 Kia Niro officially received a Guinness World Record title for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the USA from coast to coast in a hybrid car.  The new record-setting mark is an incredible 76.6 mpg.

Ford turns up heat on winter weather

(December 15, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — The big chill of 2013-14 that gave much of North America bone-numbing temperatures and record snowfall prompted two seldom-used words to enter the daily lexicon: Polar vortex.

On the heels of that infamous season, Ford — committed to gaining a deeper understanding for how its vehicles could better assist drivers in harsh winter conditions — deployed a team north.

Volkswagen Chattanooga starts production of 2018 Atlas SUV

(December 15, 2016) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Volkswagen Chattanooga on Wednesday marked the beginning of series production of the Volkswagen Atlas. This marks the beginning of the process of building inventory for market introduction of the Atlas in 2017.

“I am very proud of the hard work the Chattanooga team has put in to bring the Atlas to series production,” said Christian Koch, president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga.