The first-ever plug-in-hybrid from the iconic MINI brand launches in 2017 with the same good looks and fun-to-drive appeal as its gas sibling, and with a knock-your-socks-off 72MPGe fuel economy. This is a MINI with maxi appeal. “It’s the perfect car for the U.S.,” project director Uwe Seitz told me at the MINI hybrid's world premiere at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, loaded with EV-style … [Read more...]
2016 vehicles we loved or hated to buy
You win some, you lose some. Customers, that is. Every year, some vehicle models shine, others go stale. Here are the winners and losers in 2016, from sub-compacts to family sedans and SUVs to hunky trucks. 2016 sales winners Let's start with one model that wins every year. This year, as in every other year in the past several decades, Americans will buy more Ford pickup trucks than any other … [Read more...]
Motor Trend 2017 Car of the Year
And the winner is..... Nominees for the prestigious Motor Trend Car of the Year, SUV of the Year and Truck of the Year awards include Tesla S60 and Model X, Chevrolet Bolt, Volvo S90, Jaguar XE and F-Pace and Ford F-150. Winners are being announced during a live stream and gala event in Los Angeles on Monday, November 14. It's the kick-off event for LA Auto Show week. Ecoxplorer Evelyn Kanter … [Read more...]
Robots deliver mail in Switzerland
What do you get when you mix a driverless car with a drone that delivers packages? You get a self-driving robot that delivers mail and packages, on demand, like the ones being tested now in Switzerland, These are courteous robots, sharing the sidewalk with pedestrians, and stopping when they get close enough to bump into one. The special delivery self-driving robots are at work in a couple of … [Read more...]
Indy 500 is Just One Reason to Visit Indianapolis
Indianapolis is justifiably famous for the Indy 500 car race every Memorial Day weekend. But the city has a much more to offer. Here's why you should visit Indianapolis, starting with the chance to get on the track yourself to do hot laps - as I did (yes, that's me, ecoxplorer Evelyn Kanter in the photo above)- and a couple of the the best museums on the planet. Of course, you should visit the … [Read more...]
Autonomous driving in an Acura TLX
It was eerie driving on I-75 in Northern Michigan at 65mph recently without my hands touching the steering wheel or my foot touching the gas pedal or brake. While full-time autonomous driving is still years away, technology in vehicles now allows it part-time. I was test driving a 2015 Acura TLX, the new mid-size marvel replacing both the TSX and TL sport sedans in the Acura line-up. To say … [Read more...]
Contest to win a 2015 Ford Edge
Ford is sponsoring a sweepstakes win a 2015 Ford Edge SUV, with its award-winning fuel-saving EcoBoost engine. No purchase is required. The giveaway is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous US states and the District of Columbia (sorry Hawaii and Alaska), at least 18 years old. Enter by June 20 to be eligible. You enter the giveaway here or by signing up at one of the cities where … [Read more...]
Best 2015 cars under $25,000: Chevrolet Trax crossover
Great drives: The 2015 Chevrolet Trax offers fuel economy, sporty handling and a bunch of safety and technology features as standard equipment, at a starting price f $20,120. No wonder Trax has become one of Chevy's best sellers since it was introduced to the US market early this year. ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter just spent a long weekend test driving the Trax over several hundred miles of … [Read more...]
Win an Audi R8 racetrack experience
Enter to win the chance to get behind the wheel of the new Audi GR8 supercar on a super racetrack. The contest is to is to help launch the competition version of the Audi R8, the most powerful Audi production vehicle ever, based on the R8 LMS racecar. The R8 competition redefines the iconic R8 as the pinnacle of Audi performance with 570 hp and racing-inspired, lightweight matte carbon … [Read more...]
6 Best 2014 car models
What are the best 2014 car models? That depends who you ask. These are the top six models named by the respected automotive website Cars.com, for quality, innovation and value. In alphabetical order, and with the reasons for their selection: 2014 Acura MDX: The MDX is the best example of where Acura excels most, which is luxury feel at not-quite-luxury prices, with a bit of innovation thrown … [Read more...]