Dodge has already teased the refreshed 2019 Challenger Hellcat and the facelifted 2019 Charger Hellcat. Now, FCA has announced the full range of changes for the 2019 Charger lineup, which includes a new fascia, as well as performance upgrades across the board.
Starting with the flagship SRT Hellcat, the Charger will remain the most powerful sedan in the world with 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Power will be routed to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. For 2019, the Charger Hellcat features a new performance grille with dual inlets to feed air into the engine.
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BMW as always stuck to its “Ultimate Driving Machine” mantra, even though many of its models feature semi-autonomous technology designed to take away responsibility from the driver. BMW wants to keep people driving, and believes that modern consumers aren’t ready for fully autonomous cars.
Ian Robertson, BMW’s special representative in the UK, said that fully autonomous cars may never happen due to regulatory hurdles. Consumers are excited by the prospect of a self-driving car, but governments haven’t had a chance to step in yet. And Robertson thinks that there will come a time when regulators won’t allow autonomous cars in any circumstances.
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2018 was the first year of the Dodge Durango Pursuit, built specifically for American law enforcement agencies. A Durango police SUV was long overdue, and now the 2019 model has just been unveiled în New Orleans. The 2019 Durango Pursuit features a new front fascia, now with integrated brake-cooling ducts that improves performance and overall durability.
The SUV will also soon come with a performance-tuned, load-leveling suspension that bolsters control and stability. Under the hood, there will be a choice between two very familiar engines, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft. All Durango Pursuits come equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission that distributes power to all four wheels.
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It’s crazy to think we live in a world where the average car horsepower rating is 296. In a year, this number is expected to increase to 300. And despite cars getting more powerful, they’re significantly more fuel-efficient than ever before. The average fuel economy rating of new vehicles has climbed 24 percent since 2008 based on data analysis by Edmunds.
On the other hand, the average horsepower rating has increased by 14 percent in the same period and has jumped by three percent this year alone. Decades ago, if you wanted a fuel-efficient car, you would most likely be lumbered with an underpowered four-cylinder engine. Government regulations requiring improved fuel economy ratings have pushed automakers to develop new, more fuel-efficient four-cylinders.
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After a lot of spy photos, Aston Martin has finally revealed its new Super GT flagship, the DBS Superleggera. Replacing the Vanquish S, the revived DBS is a car „dedicated to delivering an unforgettable driving experience and class-leading in-gear acceleration.”
Marking the return of both the DBS and Superleggera illustrious names, the vehicle is based on an evolution of the lightweight aluminum structure of the DB11, which uses forged double wishbones at the front and a sophisticated multi-link layout at the rear. As standard, it also comes with adaptive damping and a choice of three driving models, GT, Sport, and Sport Plus, controlling the powertrain.
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Volvo had barely savored its new factory in Charleston, South Carolina before newly imposed tariffs threatened its future. This plant was opened to build the all-new S60 sedan as well as the next-generation XC90 SUV. Volvo was set to hire around 4,000 new employees, but Automotive News Europe reports that these plans might be up in the air due to the fear of the tariffs.
If these tariffs are imposed, it could have a major effect on Volvo’s new factory. Volvo’s CEO Hakan Samuelsson said that if there are trade barriers and restrictions, they won’t be able to create as many jobs as they plan to.
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Now that the new S60 has been revealed, the next-generation V40 will be the last new Volvolaunch before the end of the decade. Swedish automaker will be putting its plan to electrify every existing model into action. Volvo design chief Thomas Ingenlath confirmed the company’s first fully electric car will be a version of the XC40.
According to the design chief, the electric XC40 won’t go on sale until very soon after the launch of the Polestar 2, which is due in 2019. An electric version of the next generation XC90 will also follow. Volvo will only produce electric versions of models in its current lineup. All-electric Volvo cars will use lithium-ion battery power, with the XC40 EV joining the existing XC40 plug-in hybrid.
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Car keys have evolved a lot since the introduction of the automobile. Keys started off as metal sticks that you’d turn in an ignition, but have evolved into proximity key fobs that you carry around to trigger a start button. Proximity keys are great because they allow drivers to get in their cars without having to reach into their pocket.
The next generation of car keys is in development right now as automakers begin to replace expensive key fobs with something we already carry around in our pockets: a smartphone. Tesla has already introduced the idea of using a smartphone as a key with the new Model 3, which only has a backup card key if the smartphone dies. A group called the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) – including Volkswagen, BMW, Hyundai, Apple, LG, Samsung, and others – just announced the publication of the Digital Key Release 1.0 specification.
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We’ve been hearing that Chevy had plans to bring back one of the coolest trucks in company’s history: the Blazer, cleverly teasing fans by showing them a guy wearing a blazer jacket. Now, the long-awaited SUV is finally here. So where does the new Blazer fit in? Chevy says it will sit between the Equinox and Traverse, and offer unique design elements for customers seeking a combination of style and utility.
The blazer looks aggressive, a bit like a Camaro at the front. Chevy has styled this new SUV with a wide stance, tight proportions, and a high beltline to help give it an athletic appearance. Each trim level will offer a unique look. The Premier trim features bright chrome while the Blazer RS sports a more sinister blacked-out appearance. No matter the trim, the Blazer will be a unique SUV.
Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is promising but also requires a lot of investment. And while some automakers are going at it alone, others are collaborating on fuel-cell development. Audi and Hyundai announced a joint initiative that will see the two sharing technologies, cross-licensing patents and giving each other access to non-competitive components.
The idea is to put fuel cells into volume production faster and more efficiently. Both carmakers have been investing heavily in fuel-cell development for years. Audi rolled out its first A2H2 prototype in 2004, the Q5 HFC in 2008, and the A7 H-Tron Quattron in 2014. Meanwhile, Hyundai proclaims itself “the world’s first mass-producer of fuel cell vehicles,” offering hydrogen-powered SUVs like the ix35/Tucson and Nexo since 2013.
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Though Jeep is an American brand, the compact Renegade was clearly built to appease buyers across the ocean in Europe. This is probably why Europe has just received an updated 2019 Renegade, while the US will still make do with the 2018 model.
US buyers should not be too upset with Jeep, because this new 2019 Renegade is just afacelift, not the all-new model that is rumored to be in development. The first major difference between the European 2019 Renegade and the US-spec car is under the hood. Europeans can choose from a variety of engines including a 1.0-liter, a 1.3-liter or two diesel engines including a 1.6-liter and a 2.0 litter. In the US market, Jeep only offers a 1.4-liter and a 2.4-liter engine.
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Since the early 20th century, visionaries, investors, and automakers have played with the idea of aflying car. Audi, along with Airbus and several government entities, has signed a letter of intent to start the Urban Air Mobility project in Ingolstadt, Germany.
The press release calls out the Pop.Up Next concept displayed earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. That concept worked by building an electric car that could detach from its motorized base and fly around the city via a quadcopter. The motorized base would need full, level 5 autonomous driving technology as the system would in a ride-sharing capacity.
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Volvo has been teasing with images of the new 2019 S60 sedan for a long time, and now it is finally here. The new S60 resembles its recently revealed V60 wagon sibling. Since the S60 is a sedan, it will likely sell better in the United States, where the car will be built at Volvo’s new plant in Charleston, South Carolina.
As expected, the S60 will be available with a variety of engine options, though this will be the first Volvo car to be sold without the option of a diesel engine. The most powerful engine option is the twin-charged, plug-in hybrid T8 model, which delivers 313 horsepower combined with a rear electric motor adding 87 hp, the total output being 400hp.
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As the automotive industry becomes more global, automakers try to be competitive through any means possible. Some companies are very particular about which suppliers they use, others have decided to join their efforts to simplify and improve their products. Automotive News Europe reports that Japanese car makers are following suit to develop their own new transmission technology.
The country’s nine automakers, including Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and others, will partner with the country’s two largest transmission suppliers to jointly develop next-generation transmission technology. Two competing before suppliers( Toyota Group supplier Aisin and Nissan-affiliated CVT specialist Jatco) will now work together to develop new technologies for the nine automakers.
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BMW revealed its new 2019 8 Series Coupe in M850i xDrive trim with a new iteration of the brand’s twin-turbo V8 powertrain. Based on the flagship 7 Series sedan, the 8 Series will replace the 6 Series but will elevate the coupe to higher levels of luxury and performance over the sedan.
The design holds true to the spirit of the 8 Series Concept first shown last May, and it looks even better due to new signature laser headlight design replacing the Concept’s pinched headlights and subdued crease work along the body. At the heart of the design is BMW’s Carbon Core lightweight construction of carbon-fiber, aluminum magnesium, and steel that also offers improved chassis rigidity on which the standard Adaptive M suspension can work its magic.
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Volkswagen and Ford are in preliminary talks over an alliance to develop and produce products, most likely starting with commercial transporter vans. An announcement from Ford came after Volkswagen’s supervisory board gave its managers a green light to strike a deal with U.S.-based Ford.
The goal is a partnership to share development and production costs. Preliminary talks have already started. Ford’s announcement said that the potential projects could span a number of areas, including commercial vans. Ford said that they look forward to exploring with the Volkswagen team in the future how they might work together to better serve the evolving needs of commercial vehicle customers and much more.
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According to Reuters, Volvo has said that by the year 2025, at least 25 percent of the plastic in its cars will be sourced from recycled materials. For example, recycled plastics can come from fishing nets, bottles, or even straws. The recycled materials are expected to find their way into dashboards and carpets.
The carmaker is already in discussion with plastic producers on how it can best achieve its recycled material plan. Now, Volvo cars consist of roughly five percent recycled plastics, so, boosting that figure by 20 percent in six years is quite a challenge. How will those recycled plastics actually become relevant components? The carpet, for example, will have fibers made from PET plastic bottles.
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Consumers have a short memory when it comes to gas prices. When they go down, buyers rush out to trade their small, economical hatchback for a large, three-row SUV. That’s what happened in 2017 when gas prices dropped and small cars were traded into dealers on large cars and trucks. Now, oil prices are rising and Automotive News reports that people want their small cars back.
But due to a lack of supply used prices are currently rising on small cars. Some analysts believe a seasonal uptick is responsible for the increased demand, while others point to industry decisions by major automakers to kill off many of their small models. Due to the increased demean, dealerships are struggling to stock affordable used cars.
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Let's talk today about two awesome cars. Honda and Ford are for sure two powerful and successful brands. Both of them have good advice for owners. If you are a fan of one of that car you will find no reason to have doubts about, but let us show the difference between Honda Civic and Ford Focus.
There really are no big differences but let's see. First one and most important one: Hondas are Japanese, and Fords are Americans. Honda's high-performance badge has graced some of the most focused hatchbacks ever. While Civic is in its 10th generation, the Japanese brand has once again given it the Type R treatment.
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Audi is happy to report that its SUV models are selling very well this year. Since the beginning of 2018, the German car maker has delivered approximately 287,500 models from its Q crossover and SUV lineup, which translates into 36.6 percent of its total sales.
By 2025, the brand estimates that SUVs will become the most important sector for Audi, accounting for more than 50 percent of its deliveries. Simply put, by that year, one in every two new Audi vehicles will be an SUV. Interestingly, this target is already achieved on the North American market, where the Q models account for around 51 percent of all sales.
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With the new, fourth-generation BMW X5 already out, it’s only natural that it will eventually be followed by its coupe-SUV counterpart, the X6. This niche premium segment is getting more crowded than ever with the launch of the new Audi Q8 and the expected coupe version of the Porsche Cayenne, so we assume the Bavarian automaker is already working on its answer.
These renderings by independent designer Aksyonov Nikita could easily pass off as official images from BMW. There’s not much that can be done wrong with the X6, by just taking the X5 and giving it a sloped roofline and a more stylish hatch you get the next generation of what is one of the most polarizing vehicles on the market today.
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Following news in March that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was looking into reports of faulty airbags in cars made by Kia and its affiliate Hyundai, Kia has announced that it’s recalling more than half a million vehicles in the U.S. because of this issue.
The NHTSA decided to investigate this matter after learning of six accidents in which four people died and six were injured. In each of the crashes, the airbags failed to deploy because of an apparent electronic glitch. Kia is recalling 507,000 vehicles, including 2010-2013 Kia Fortes, 2011-2013 Kia Optimas, and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles.
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