Yearly Archives: 2017
Don’t expect any new VW, Audi or Porsche diesels in the U.S.
"Dieselgate" may now go down in the record as the scandal that killed the diesel engine in the U.S. Even though General Motors and Mazda have revealed new diesel-powered models for the United States, European automakers have largely turned their back on diesels. Mercedes-Benz has already stopped pushing diesels in the U.S. and now the VW Group, which consists...
Honda Civic Type R to get more versions and possibly all-wheel drive
The 2017 Honda Civic Type R has finally arrived in showrooms, marking the first time that the Civic Type R has been sold in the U.S. The 306 horsepower Civic Type R is the most powerful Honda-badged model ever sold in the United States, but Honda is reportedly already working on additional versions. Honda is considering an all-wheel drive Civic...
VW says it doesn’t make sense to bring the new Polo to the U.S.
Volkswagen has unveiled the all-new VW Polo subcompact, but if you were hoping that VW would finally bring it to the United States, prepare to be disappointed. Even though the VW Polo would be a great rival to other subcompacts, like the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit, VW says that it has no plans to offer it in the...
California tells VW to build EV charging stations in low income areas
As part of its punishment for the "dieselgate" scandal, Volkswagen agreed to spend $800 million in California to support clean air vehicles. California legislators have now decided to tighten the agreement and is now telling VW to spend a portion of the funds in low income areas, which are disproportionately affected by air pollution. Poor communities tend to have more...
2017 Mazda CX-9 gets Top Safety Pick Plus rating
Mazda has announced that the 2017 Mazda CX-9 has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating, the highest score from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The new CX-9 earned the highest "good" ratings in the collision and occupancy protection tests and passed the IIHS’s new headlight tests with its standard LED lighting. Related: 2017 Mazda CX-9 – Review “The concepts of...
2018 Ford Expedition FX4 is ready for the unknown
Ford has unveiled the 2018 Ford Expedition FX4 Off-Road package, which it describes as the "most off-road capable Expedition ever." The FX4 off-road package adds off-road-tuned shocks, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, skid plates and side steps to the all-new 2018 Expedition. “The FX4 Off-Road package delivers off-road driving confidence,” said Mike Kipley, Expedition vehicle engineering manager. “The technology we’re...
2018 Lexus CT 200h gets refreshed as it leaves the U.S.
The Lexus CT 200h is officially leaving the United States at the end of the 2017 model year, but there are other markets that will get the hybrid hatchback a bit longer. To keep it a little up to date, Lexus has given the 2018 Lexus CT 200h a slight facelift. From the front the 2018 CT 200h now has...
2017 Nissan Titan King Cab models are available now
The 2017 Nissan Titan and Titan XD King Cab models are now available. Nissan has announced the pricing for both models, with the Titan S King Cab 4x2 starting at $33,745 and the Titan XD S King Cab 4x2 at $34,755. The new King Cab body body style is available in half-ton and XD versions with a standard 6.5-foot bed...
First 2017 Honda Civic Type R sells for $200k
Even though you can now walk into a dealer and buy a 2017 Civic Type R for under $35k, one person has paid $200,000 for the first 2017 Honda Civic Type R to roll off the production line. The Civic Type R was auctioned off on Bring a Trailer, where the winning bid raised $200k to benefit the Pediatric...
2018 Subaru Crosstrek priced at $22,710
Subaru has announced the pricing for the all-new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, which starts at $22,710 - just over $100 more than the outgoing model. The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek will be offered in three trim levels: 2.0i base, Premium and Limited when it arrives late this summer. The 2018 Crosstrek is the second model to debut that is based on Subaru's...
