Thursday, June 30, 2016

Ex-Apple engineers create solar-powered backup camera

Backup cameras will soon become mandatory in all new cars, but for those of us with an older vehicle, solutions tend to be pricey and cumbersome to install. A company called Pearl, which is composed almost entirely of former Apple engineers, says it has created a solution called RearVision. It's a solar-powered backup camera that is integrated... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/298F3hl via IFT...

Porsche breaks 'Ring record with new Panamera

Although the new Porsche Panamera was just shown barely 48 hours ago, the German sports car manufacturer already has bragging rights over any other sedan on the planet. That's because the flagship Panamera Turbo has turned the fastest lap ever recorded for a production sedan at Germany's famed Nürburgring racing circuit: 7 minutes, 38... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/295Mcgb via IFT...

Lyft offering rides in new Ghostbusters Ecto-1 this weekend

The original Ecto-1, built for the 1984 movie "Ghostbusters," was a 1959 Cadillac hearse that, according to Dr. Ray Stanz, only needed work done to the suspension, shocks, brakes, brake pads, brake lining, steering, transmission, rear end, engine, muffler, and wiring. Basically, it was great, but also a heap of junk. I would ride in it, but I'm... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/297WvmU via IFT...

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 spy shots

Porsche is out testing what appears to be a more extreme version of its latest 911 GT3 RS. However, a number of details suggest the car is actually a mule for a new 911 GT2. Already confirmed by the 911’s chief engineer Andreas Preuninger, the new GT2 is expected to be the last member of the 991-series 911 family. Porsche already has mules... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/1QbrFV2 via IFT...

Sixth-generation Camaro to race in NASCAR Xfinity Series next year

Chevrolet today announced that the sixth-generation of the Camaro, which was introduced last year as a 2016 model, will be the brand's car of choice next year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The car will be marked as an SS model, even though it will share nothing in common with the street car except elements of the look, especially at the front end... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29809MR via IFT...

Volkswagen says it may be able to fix dirty 3.0-liter diesels

Lawyers for Volkswagen told a California court Thursday that the automaker may be able to fix illegally polluting cars and SUVs equipped with its 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine. Owners of the affected cars—which include Volkwagen Touareg SUVs; Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5, and Q7 sedans and SUVs; and Porsche Cayenne SUVs—may not know for... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29ugY3M via IFT...

Brand-new, 57-mile 50th Anniversary Corvette on eBay

In 2003 you could have shelled out about $56,000 to get a brand-new 50th Anniversary Corvette convertible. Now, you can spend $44,900, or possibly less, to get that same car in brand-new condition. A current eBay listing features a 2003 Corvette convertible with the 50th Anniversary package and just 57 miles on the odometer. The owner, cabana_jb... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/297DBwp via IFT...

NHTSA to 300,000 Honda, Acura owners: Don't drive cars until airbags are replaced (breaking)

If you own any of the following list of cars, the NHTSA has an urgent message for you. DO NOT drive them until you get the airbag replaced. These cars have an extremely high risk of their airbags exploding, the agency says. 2001-2002 Honda Accord 2001-2002 Honda Civic 2002 Honda CR-V 2002 Honda Odyssey 2003 Honda Pilot 2003 Acura CL 2002-2003... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29u3h4U via IFT...

Lambo driver claims brake failure caused off-track excursion

Brakes can fail. When you put too much heat into a set of pads and rotors they won't be able slow the car the way they could before. Perhaps you've pushed them too far, and they will actually fail on you. This is a very bad situation for any driver. It's especially bad if you're on a racetrack in a Lamborghini Huracan and you're heading for a... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/2939Slg via IFT...

2016 Honda Pilot: Our long-term fuel economy so far

Summer is finally here, and naturally that means it's time for some road trips. Our long-term 2016 Honda Pilot Touring AWD that joined the TCC test fleet earlier this year finished up its duty in the mid-Atlantic states and has migrated north to the Midwest to report for family duty. Family cars like the Pilot are all-important shuttles for... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29ihSBx via IFT...

Honda Accord Turns 40, 2018 Kia GT Spied, 2018 Nissan Sentra: What’s New @ The Car Connection

From The Car Connection: 2017 Toyota Camry review The Toyota Camry is America's best-selling car in a competitive segment that includes strong entries such as the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, and Subaru Legacy. The Camry was most recently overhauled in 2015, and this year's model carries over largely unchanged. Honda Accord's turns... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/297RZrD via IFT...

Pagani Zonda still lives: One last special edition

Could it be back from the dead? Kind of, but not really. Pagani announced back in 2014 that it was discontinuing development of its Zonda supercar with the jaw-dropping Zonda Revolucion, but images have made their way onto the web showing one last hurrah for the Zonda. If you'll take a walk down memory lane—or, more appropriately, a... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/298TGky via IFT...

The Chevrolet Camaro turns 50, another Bugatti Royale is re-created, dual-clutch transmission don'ts: Car News Headlines

The Camaro is turning 50 this year and Chevrolet is celebrating with a series of events and appearances, as well as a couple of videos featuring commercial and promotional footage from throughout the car's history. One of those videos is short and sweet, but we prefer the 18-minute montage showing full ads from every generation of Chevy's pony... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/2953zxT via IFT...

Automakers want to dial down EPA's 2025 goals, but energy advocates & consumers push back

In 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled bold, new fuel economy standards for the year 2025. With less than a decade to go before that deadline, automakers are now asking the EPA to lower the high bar it's set, but energy advocates and the general public have urged the agency to stay the course. The EPA's benchmarks include a... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/297fPRp via IFT...

5 things you should never do with a dual-clutch transmission

Dual-clutch gearboxes are becoming increasingly common, and today's versions of these fast-shifting automatic gearboxes are far better than they were just a few years ago when they first hit the consumer market. Our friend Jason Fenske at Engineering Explained takes a look at these transmissions in this simple, highly informative video, and he... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/295m1uN via IFT...

Chevy celebrates Camaro's 50th anniversary with rare video footage

Chevrolet has released a pair of new videos celebrating 50 years of Camaros with rare footage of all six generations of the pony car in action. The video above features complete commercials and promotional videos, while the shorter video below is a compilation with snippets from ads throughout the car's history. To say that 2016 is the Camaro's... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/294TTmP via IFT...

2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, Q5 recalled to fix failing airbags

There have been plenty of airbag-recalls recently due to Takata's exploding inflators, but today's recall of the 2008 and 2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 is a little bit different. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the airbag systems on those vehicles may suffer from corrosion, and as a result, they might not deploy at all... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29dC7BX via IFT...

2018 Kia GT spy shots

The oft-rumored sports sedan based on Kia’s GT concept from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show is real, and it's already on testing on the road and track. Though heavily disguised, we can the proportions and details are similar to those of the striking concept. In particular, we can see the sleek profile, Kammback-style rear, pronounced front... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/1YPVssB via IFT...

50 years of Camaro commercials

The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced September 12, 1966, just shy of 50 years ago. Chevrolet is honoring a half century of the Camaro a bit early with a series of gatherings and appearances, as well as this new video compilation featuring snippets from ads throughout the pony car's history. As these commercials show, the Camaro started with a bang... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29cduqn via IFT...

Honda Accord's turns 40, somehow still looks better than the rest of us

Mine was a gray 1986 Accord Hatchback that overheated up the hill on my way home, and didn't have the brakes to stop me going down the hill on my way to high school. I loved it. Over 40 years, there have been 12.7 million stories or more like mine across the U.S. This month marks Honda's 40th anniversary of selling its Accord in the U.S. In June... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/294ZIFv via IFT...

Honda-powered Mini loves wheelies

The classic Mini Cooper is a very cool old machine. The Honda K-Series engine, which powered Hondas and Acuras this centruy, is a stout, fun powerplant. Apparently, when you combine the two you don't lose any of the charm of either but rather gain an ultra-compact machine hellbent on popping wheelies and ripping up dragstrips. Exhibit A can be... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/295DDmy via IFT...

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

"Fast 8" heads to Iceland and brings new rides for the snow

"Fast 8" is slated to hit theaters in 2017. The cast and crew are hard at work filming right now, and the social media team for the film posted some new shots to its Facebook page. This is a globe-trotting adventure much like the last film, but this time we're heading somewhere cold. The latest shots are all from Iceland and most of the team... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29r9ajp via IFT...

Now there are seven (or maybe nine): Bugatti Royale prototype re-created

The Bugatti Type 41, better known as the Royale, was intended to be the biggest, most luxurious, most expensive car in the world. It was only to be sold to royalty. Launched into the teeth of the Great Depression, only six of a planned 25 were built. None of the original six has changed hands since 1999. Today, four are owned by museums and a... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29bQJS1 via IFT...

How Chevy is celebrating the Camaro's 50th birthday

Chevrolet has a full weekend of summer of activities planned to help celebrate the Camaro's 50th birthday: Tours of the assembly plant where Camaros are assembled, a car show for enthusiasts, and a display at the annual Woodward Dream Cruise. If you're in Michigan—or plan to make a trip to the mitten state—you'll have plenty of chances... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29dEZjK via IFT...

1952 Buick land speed record holder up for sale

It is safe to say that this 1952 Buick Super Riviera looked nothing like it does today when it rolled off the assembly line and made its way to its first owner. Nothing General Motors had in mind for it can compare to what racer Jeff Brock did to it decades later. Christened "Bombshell Betty," the eye-catching Buick is not only a piece of rolling... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29alrwh via IFT...

Route 66 is getting solar panels

Depending on whom you ask, solar energy has either already reached a tipping point or it's very nearly there. The start-up known as Solar Roadways is laying the groundwork for the energy revolution along an iconic stretch of American road: Route 66. We first reported on Solar Roadways back in 2009, when it was awarded a $100,000 contract from the... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/295goKI via IFT...

Mercedes could use water spray to control tire temperatures

Most drivers don't often think about the temperature of their tires, but rubber that has too much ice or snow buildup can significantly reduce traction—even winter tires. Mercedes-Benz appears to be thinking about tire temperatures, though. DON'T MISS: 9 safety tricks the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class can do all by itself Mercedes' parent... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29a6l9P via IFT...

Why We Can't Have An Event Like Goodwood In The U.S.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed (GFoS) is an amazing event (in case you missed it, you can check out our preview here, and watch a replay of Sunday’s live coverage on YouTube here. Click “Photos” to see all the images.) This annual orgy of hot-blooded machinery spans the entirety of the four-wheeled spectrum, bringing together like-minded adrenaline junkies to revel in the wonders of stuff that’s fast. No matter where your gearhead allegiance may...

Bentley Chief Talks Shop About Possible New SUV & Sports Car Models

Bentley has made no bones about expanding its lineup. What was once a company that only had the Continental as a model, Bentley has slowly built up a lineup that now includes the Mulsanne, Flying Spur, and the recently launched Bentayga SUV. With all four models already in the market, the British automaker is looking ahead to a fifth, and possibly sixth model. The only question, which one is going to come first. Autocar caught up with Bentley chief...

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster

The Mercedes-AMG GT was introduced in 2014 as a successor to the SLS AMG. The second sports car developed entirely in-house by AMG, the GT is the first vehicle to wear the "Mercedes-AMG" nomenclature and the first to use the brand-new, twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine. Although it replaces the SLS AMG, the AMG GT is actually smaller and aimed at a different market, with the Porsche 911 being its most important competitor. Now that the coupe has...

Smart Fortwo Cabriolet

Smart took the automotive world by surprise when it unveiled the ForTwo Cabrio at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show. A year later, the Germans launched the smallest production cabriolet, taking the micro car industry into a new era. It’s been 15 years since then and Smart has revealed the third-generation ForTwo Cabrio, which is set to break cover officially at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Based on the third-gen 2015 Smart ForTwo we already...

Lewis Hamilton In Discussion With Mercedes To Design Limited Edition AMG Sports Car

It’s no secret that Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has some sway with Mercedes-Benz. After all, the British Formula One driver and reigning World Champion has won two world championships for the German automaker. So if Lewis Hamilton expresses his desire to develop an “extreme version” of a Mercedes-AMG sports car, Mercedes has to listen. In a recent conversation with Motoring, Hamilton admitted that he wants to have a hand in building the car,...

Check Out The Tech In The New Porsche Panamera

Porsche just dropped details on the 2018 Panamera, a four-door that supposedly combines the comfort and practicality of a luxury sedan with the speediness of a thoroughbred sports car. All opinions aside, that kind of combination requires a good deal of technology to make it work correctly, and of course, Porsche says the new Panamera brings the goods. But the question is – does it really? When it comes to innovation in the pursuit of lap times,...

Honda Civic Type R

The current Civic Type R isn’t old – having been released in 2011 – but Honda is already working on the next iteration. Our spy photographers snagged several revealing photos of the next-generation Honda hot hatch as it powered around the Nürburgring and the surrounding area. So let’s cut to the chase: the best news surrounding this (presumably) 2017 Type R is its availability in the U.S. Yep, Honda has already promised the turbocharged, front-drive...

918-inspired, 700-hp Porsche Panamera on the way?

Porsche's all-new Panamera made a big splash yesterday with a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 rated at 550 horsepower headlining the changes to what looks to be a more stylish take on a four-door Porsche. Yet Motor Trend, who was in Germany for the Panamera's debut, says that there's more to come thanks to trickle-down technology first seen in the... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/2947ATU via IFT...

Tesla Model 3 prototype nabbed at service center

A prototype version of Tesla's upcoming, entry-level Model 3 was spotted at one of the carmaker's service centers recently. While the prototype nabbed by an Imgur user doesn't reveal anything new—its interior remains in the conceptual stage—it does serve as a reminder that Tesla is hard at work creating its new sedan. The Model 3's... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/2947N9J via IFT...

Bugatti looking to beat its own top speed record with new Chiron

Bugatti has high hopes for its new Chiron, which the automaker has been parading around at major motorsports events like the Goodwood Hillclimb, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Now, the Volkswagen-owned French automaker says that it is aiming to best the current production car top speed record, something that may not be... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29pmXaj via IFT...

10 hottest collector cars of the summer, bad Porsche parking, Tesla human guinea pig: Car News Headlines

Hagerty, the nation's number one insurer of classic cars, has released its list of the 10 hottest collector cars of the summer. Like in recent years, cars of the 1980s and '90s are becoming more popular, and so are pickup trucks and even SUVs. We take a look at the list, give a history of each, and share Hagerty's stats about how they are... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/294ySL5 via IFT...

2017 BMW M2, 2017 Porsche Panamera, 2017 Smart ForTwo Cabrio: What’s New @ The Car Connection

From The Car Connection: 2017 BMW M2 review While other M cars have sacrificed driver engagement for track times, the M2 gets back to the basics, and makes it the type of M car that enthusiasts expect from BMW. Lincoln offers pickup & delivery service on new models, starting this fall Lincoln hasn't fared especially well with luxury car... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/292TA0s via IFT...

Toyota Prius, Prius Plug-In, Lexus CT 200h recalled for airbag problems: 482,000 vehicles affected

Toyota has announced a massive recall of Toyota and Lexus hybrids. According to the automaker, the recall affects 482,000 vehicles registered in the U.S., including the 2010 - 2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, and the 2011 - 2012 Lexus CT 200h. The problem with those vehicles is their airbags--not Takata's fatally... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/293Cbkz via IFT...

Ford F-150, Explorer, Focus Electric, Transit Connect recalled for brake, transmission, other issues

This morning, Ford Motor Company issued three recalls affecting more than 8,200 vehicles, most of which are registered in the U.S. The problems with those vehicles include serious potential issues with their braking and transmission systems. Thankfully, Ford says that it's received no reports of accidents or injuries related to any of the... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/292QyJx via IFT...

Mercedes recalls AMG GT S over carbon fiber driveshaft issue

A potentially faulty carbon fiber driveshaft has prompted Mercedes-Benz's AMG unit to recall the GT S sports car. The recall covers just 135 examples of the GT S built between June 1 and July 24 of last year and the company has issued a stop sale to prevent dealers from delivering any affected AMG GT S coupes that happen to be in inventory at the... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29p9j6Z via IFT...

Human guinea pig employed in amateur Tesla Model S testing

Tesla has engineered some great features into its Model S sedan. There's the Summon command, which brings your Model S to you on its own. Additionally, there's the AutoPilot feature that has the car drive itself. With any new features, you expect the automaker to do a whole bunch of testing and development before letting it all fly in the hands of... from High Gear Media Network Feed http://ift.tt/29oTs8z via IFT...