Ford took a big gamble three years ago when it introduced its all-aluminum F-150 and it paid off…bigly. The automaker’s engineers, dealers and loyal customer base all came through, and sales have been going up ever since production of the next-gen pickup ramped up to full steam. Nevertheless, the full-size pickup segment remains highly competitive and Ford isn’t ready to rest on its lightweight laurels, so it updated the F-150 for 2018. It’s far from a new vehicle, but is a significant refresh that I had the opportunity to check...Continue reading »

Last year, Mercedes-Benz announced that it was going all-in on straight-sixes, launching the M256 family of 3.0-liter gas- and diesel-powered motors. AMG also has plans for this engine too. Impre Autos News reports that AMG is developing a 430-hp version of this engine as the basis for a new lineup of AMG 53 models. This engine and model designation is set to appear first in the next-generation CLS, which is set to make its debut in non-AMG form next year. The E-Class coupe (pictured above) and convertible will also eventually get this...Continue reading »

Tesla’s next passenger vehicle under development, the Model Y compact crossover, will be built on the platform and underpinnings of the California automaker’s much hyped Model 3 sedan, CEO Elon Musk has confirmed. “Upon the council of my executive team . . . who reeled me back from the cliffs of insanity—much appreciated—the Model Y will in fact be using substantial carryover from Model 3 in order to bring it to market faster,” said Musk in yesterday’s quarterly financial call. Musk also acknowledged that the SUV market...Continue reading »

If you have a whole lot of money, one of the world’s leading engineering groups will help you out with your supercar dreams. Take the Lykan Hypersport, Dom Toretto’s favorite mid-engined car, for instance. Only seven of these Lebanese wonders were built by W Motors, a United Arab Emirates based company, yet most of the engineering work was done by Rimac in Croatia. Rimac knows a thing or two about limited production, having stopped the Concept One after just eight units, seven of which remain on the road today. No problem...Continue reading »

It would be the dream of many drivers to be able to get from A to B without ever needing to worry about getting stuck at traffic lights. This fantasy could soon become a reality, thanks to an initiative by Ford and Jaguar Land Rover entitled the Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory. Join vehicle hire specialist Northgate as they delve into what this project entails and whether it really means the end for the dreaded red traffic light. What is the Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory? The Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory will see a roadside...Continue reading »

The Tesla Model S regained Consumer Reports’ top safety rating in the ultra-luxury car segment, after the automaker updated the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on the vehicle. The Model S got an over-the-air update that set the upper limit of the advanced driver-assistance feature back to 90 miles per hour, like the Model S versions built before October 2016. The magazine had lowered its Model S safety scores in April for the newer versions of the sedan and the Model X, Tesla’s luxury SUV, because they didn’t have their AEB system...Continue reading »

The plug-in electric car market in Ireland is up 20% this year, having registered 524 units, increasing the total stock of passenger plug-ins to over 2,200 units. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric (160 registrations) is the first model since 2012 to seriously challenge the leadership of the Nissan Leaf (179 units), winner of all best-seller awards since 2011. Third placed is the BMW 330e (77 units), currently the best-selling PHEV in Ireland. Looking at sales by technology, all-electric cars are recovering ground in this historically BEV-friendly...Continue reading »

Are you ready for a four-door Ford Bronco hybrid? A Ford engineer with loose lips claims that the next Bronco is already in its third design phase but it is still on track for a 2020 release. The all-new mid-size SUV could start around $30,000, pack a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, and offer a hybrid variant an insider source tells Gear Patrol. “They just commissioned another design study, because they feel it looks too much like a Wrangler,” the Blue Oval snitch tells the New York-based publication. “If you’re familiar with the...Continue reading »

The car leasing phenomena reached a record high in 2014, as reported by Time. Due to car leases coming to term toward the end of 2016 and into 2017, a mass of lightly used cars began to flood the used car market. The result? Now more than ever is the perfect time to find a fantastic used car that can meet all your needs for much less than buying it new. Want to know how to find the right used car that will fit your needs? Here are 5 tips from the pros: 1. Outline your needs. Are you looking for something for your commute? Or need a vehicle...Continue reading »

When the first-generation Subaru XV Crosstrek launched a few years ago, I was skeptical that more ground clearance and fender flares is all it would take to get more buyers. But sell it has. According to Subaru representatives, it’s the company’s third-best-selling line, and is second in the country for compact and subcompact crossover sales (first is the Jeep Renegade). Most Crosstrek sales are in America – 60 percent of them. So if lifting an Impreza can yield such impressive sales results, it’s no surprise that...Continue reading »