December 2017

Polestar announces initial launch markets for Polestar 1

(December 14, 2017) Polestar, the new electric performance brand of Volvo Cars, has announced the initial launch markets for its first car, the Polestar 1. This follows Polestar’s successful brand launch in October that’s seen customers line up for the new Polestar 1 subscription, and expressions of interest in the Polestar 1 already outnumber early production slots, instantly affirming the car with performance and electric car aficionados alike.

Mercedes G-Class interior reinterpreted for today

(December 13, 2017) The G-Class is an off-road legend and the ultimate benchmark for so many fans of cross-country driving. Since 1979 more than 300,000 examples of it have allowed their owners to experience adventures that would have been unachievable with any other vehicle.

Outwardly, the "G" has changed very little. But in fact this very special off-roader has constantly reinvented itself. With its completely updated interior and numerous new features, the G-Class has now undergone the most significant transformation of its almost 40-year career, in technical as well as stylistic terms — while still managing to stay true to itself.

Porsche Museum showcases its oldest 911 for the first time

(December 13, 2017) STUTTGART, Germany — After three years of restoration, the Porsche Museum will finally present one of the newest additions to its collection — and the oldest 911 that it holds — at the special exhibition “911 (901 No. 57) – A legend takes off” from Dec.14 to April 8, 2018.

The red coupé was built in October 1964 as one of the first series-production models of the sports car known back then as the 901.

New Mini brand logo unveiled

(December 13, 2017) MUNICH, Germany — At the core of the new Mini brand identity lies an awareness of traditional values combined with the spirit of future-oriented development. This philosophy is also reflected in the visual appearance of the British premium brand, of which the central element is the Mini brand logo. The current interpretation of the globally familiar logo takes the form of a reduced design that focuses on the essentials. It will be seen on all current Mini models from March 2018 onwards.

10 years and one million Toyota Corollas in Mississippi

(December 13, 2017) BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. — The first team member was hired in November 2007. The first Corolla was built in November 2011. The first decade was celebrated on Tuesday when the one millionth Mississippi-built Toyota Corolla rolled off the line.
 
Just weeks after Toyota Mississippi treated North Mississippi to a free concert to say thanks for 10 years, team members cheered as the one-millionth Corolla was driven off the production line.
 

Swedish families help Volvo develop autonomous drive cars

(December 13, 2017) Volvo Cars will from today start developing its autonomous drive cars with help from Swedish families who will test its cars on the public roads of Gothenburg and feed back their impressions to Volvo Cars engineers.

The first two families, the Hains and the Simonovskis from the Gothenburg area, have now received the Volvo XC90 premium SUVs with which they will support the Drive Me project. Three more families will follow early next year and over the next four years, up to 100 people will be involved in Drive Me.

Mercedes-Benz to unveil all-new infotainment system at CES

(December 12, 2017) STUTTGART, Germany —  Mercedes-Benz will focus on the world premiere of the completely new infotainment system in the guise of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Jan. 9-12 in Las Vegas. Featuring innovative technology based on artificial intelligence and an intuitive operating system, the MBUX is set to usher in a new era in terms of infotainment and Mercedes me connectivity.

Infiniti achieves record sales from January through November 2017

(December 12, 2017) HONG KONG — Infiniti is on a roll. The premium brand has achieved record sales so far this year and unveiled two new global SUVs last month: the QX80 and QX50. Infiniti has sold 221,204 vehicles so far this year globally, an increase of 8% and a new record.

In November, Infiniti sold 20,790 vehicles globally, 4% more than last November. It was the best November sales month for Infiniti in the Americas and China.

Goodbye Juke, hello Kicks

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(December 12, 2017) Nissan has dropped the youthful but design-challenged Juke crossover for a more mainstream design sourced from Mexico, the Kicks. Though a subcompact — like the slightly larger Rogue Sport introduced earlier this year — the Kicks is significantly larger than the Juke, with a 3.5-inch longer wheelbase, 6.7-inch greater length and 0.6-inch greater height.

Last Oldsmobile made to be sold at auction Friday

(December 11, 2017) The last Oldsmobile to come off the assembly line is headed for auction. General Motors and GM Financial will sell the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero at State Line Auto Auction in Waverly, N.Y., on Friday, Dec. 15.

After rolling off the assembly line in Lansing, Mich., it spent some time at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing.  E
ventually, it ended up at the GM Heritage Center.