Each vehicle is put through a battery of tests at our track to determine its performance and some models stand out while others do not. Our list highlights the overall top-scoring vehicles in our...
Shelby has already wowed the muscle-car world with the GT350, a flat-plane-crank V8 wonder that screams to a stratospheric 8200 rpm redline. For those who think those 526 ponies gets overshadowed by the 707-horsepower Hellcat, Shelby brings back Terlingua Racing Team Mustang to raise the stakes.
“The new M5 does not need go-faster cosmetics,” said BMW Motorsport Chief Engineer Thomas Ammerschlager. On big bumps the 340i does seem to float more, but overall it inspires more confidence, even if it keeps the road at a detached distance.
Ford Motor Company issued five recalls today, with most affected vehicles being Ford-model trucks and SUVs. Combined, the recalls affect roughly 285,000 vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. If you believe that you own one of the vehicles listed below, we encourage you to call Ford Customer Service at 800-392-3673 or Lincoln Customer Service at 800-521-4140 for additional details. Recall notices will be sent to owners of affected vehicles by mail. RECALL #1: 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang, and Lincoln Navigator UNITS AFFECTED: 201,900, including 184,000 in the U.S. and 17,900 in Canada This recall stems from a transmission problem--specifically, an issue with the output speed sensor on the transmission's lead frame. The underlying problem appears rooted in the software associated with the powertrain control module, which could cause vehicles to downshift suddenly. According to Ford: "Under certain conditions, the transmission controls could force a temporary downshift into first gear. Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time of the downshift, the driver could experience an abrupt speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up. This condition could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash." CHECK OUT: Jeep Renegade Vs. Kia Soul: Compare Cars Three accidents have been potentially linked to the problem, but no injuries. Ford says that dealers will inspect the powertrain control module and upgrade the software if there are no diagnostic trouble codes found. The upgrade will prevent the vehicles from downshifting into first gear if a fault with the output speed sensor takes place. Ford also says that it will replace the lead frame on vehicles that have logged fewer than 150,000 miles. The recall is limited to vehicles equipped with 6R80 transmissions that were manufactured on the following dates: 2011-2012 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Assembly Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant between August 19, 2011 and March 9, 2012 2012 Ford Expedition vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant between August 19, 2011 and December 19, 2011 2012 Ford Mustang vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant between August 19, 2011 and February 21, 2012 2012 Lincoln Navigator vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant between August 19, 2011 and December 17, 2011 RECALL #2: 2014-2015 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility UNITS AFFECTED: 81,036, including 75,364 in the U.S., 4,615 in Canada, and 1,057 in Mexico This recall is meant to address a problem with the SUVs' suspension systems. Ford says poor weld quality could cause the left and right rear suspension toe links to crack. Depending on the severity of the fracture, owners might hear noise coming from the rear of the vehicle, have difficulty steering, or experience loss of steering control. READ: Is Minnesota's alcohol breath test law legal? We're about to find out Ford has received a report of one accident and one injury related to the problem. The recall affects vehicles built on the following dates: 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant between January 17, 2014 and May 31, 2014 2014-2015 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant between January 21, 2014 and May 13, 2014 The repair will involve dealers replacing the left and right rear suspension toe links and aligning the rear suspension. RECALL #3: 2007-2012 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and Mercury Sable UNITS AFFECTED: 199 , all registered in the U.S. This small recall is meant to repair a problem with the cars' driver-side airbag. According to Ford, a crucial element of that device may be missing, and as a result, the airbags might not deploy as intended during collisions. Thankfully, Ford knows of no accidents or injuries related to the problem. The recall affects vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant and Oakville Assembly between December 13, 2007 and October 6, 2011. Dealers will replace the driver-side airbag module at no cost to owners. RECALL #4: 2016 Ford Fusion UNITS AFFECTED: 39, all registered in the U.S. The vehicles affected by this recall may suffer from a problem with the driver seat track assembly. According to Ford, the bracket that mounts the seat to the track rail might not have been properly welded, which could increase the risk of injury to drivers. However, Ford says that it's received no reports of associated accidents or injuries. ALSO SEE: Long-Term Test Drive: Which 2016 Honda Pilot trim level should you buy? The recall is limited to vehicles manufactured at Hermosillo Assembly Plant between March 10, 2016 and March 16, 2016. Dealers will replace the Fusion's driver seat track assembly at no charge. RECALL #5: 2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty UNITS AFFECTED: 2,596, including 2,288 in the U.S., 271 in Canada, and 37 in Mexico Ford says that the sidewalls of tires on some of these vehicles might have been damaged during the assembly process. If the damage was severe enough, the tires could rupture while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. However, Ford has no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem. The recall affects vehicles manufactured at Kentucky Truck Plant between April 5, 2016 and April 10, 2016. Ford says that dealers will inspect the tires on those vehicles for inboard sidewall damage and replace tires, as necessary.
If you’re looking for one of the quickest ways to improve your lap times around a track, simply put—buy a Dodge Viper ACR. The legendary “American Club Racer” series has been renewed for 2016, following a six year absence, but the recipe surely hasn’t been lost during its time away. The new Dodge Viper ACR […]
A fresh face and a new name is more than enough to get the presses moving if your name is Porsche. The 2017 718 Cayman follows in the footsteps of its 718 Boxster sibling, adopting the new moniker, and adding a more powerful engine and some minor design tweaks. The most noticeable tweak not coming […]
In movie history, the Ford Mustang fastback has traditionally been the hero’s car—think Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds (both of them), even Need for Speed. The rationale makes sense. It’s a gorgeous design, a potent performer, heck who wouldn’t want the Mustang to win? This Ford Mustang however treads a fine line between hero and […]
Very few people get to experience what it’s like to get behind the wheel of a supercar on an empty runway, and simply floor it. I can only assume it’s quite the sensation, especially in the $1.4 million dollar Ferrari LaFerrari. While the driver doesn’t reach the limit of 217 mph, (or the claimed 215 in […]
Two Mustangs enter, only one leaves victorious. That’s the premise of this week’s drag strip battle, where a supercharged Mustang GT and a tuned Shelby GT350 take to the quarter mile. From the factory, the 2016 Mustang GT puts down an already impressive 435 horsepower. The Shelby, on the other hand, cranks out 526-horsepower from […]
WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP) — It's been a bad week for German automakers.
Right off the assembly line, the 2016 Audi R8 V10 Plus offers 610-horsepower, and 583 lb-ft of torque. Combine that power with the 3,364 lb curb weight and you get a car capable of 0-100 sprints of 6.1 seconds, or roughly about the same amount of time that it took you to read these first […]
BMW unleashed a new lineup of high performance luxury limos this week to celebrate the company's...
Outwardly, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles looks as if it's doing great. The carmaker, long the most...
Michael Karpf flew earlier this month to the Tesla Motors factory in Fremont, Calif., to pick up his new Model X electric sport-utility vehicle—known for a 200-plus mile battery range and Tesla C...
The lot includes a ‘53 Cunningham, a ‘71 911T, a ‘58 Chrysler Imperial and a 1914 Detroit Electric.
This week, Subaru announced that its 2017 Forester compact crossover SUV will be updated with refreshed styling, new driver safety technology features, and added comfort and styling upgrades. Also on the list of changes is torque vectoring on the Touring trim level and tweaks in fuel efficiency. Subaru has added subtle design changes to the front and rear of the Forester for the 2017 model year, including a new hexagonal design grille, new bumper, and redone headlights for all four trim levels.
Apparently, even world-beating hypercars get recalls every now and then.
Ford won't give the new GT to just anybody. Buyers must be approved. Here's every question you have to answer to be considered.
The fourth-generation BMW X5 will arrive much sooner than expected, a new report finds. The X5 that’s currently sitting in showrooms (pictured) was introduced less than three years ago, so it’s not old by any means of measurement, but BMW is already preparing a replacement. The fourth-gen model will ride on the modular Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform that’s also found under the new 7 Series. Switching to the CLAR platform will make the next X5 lighter and more efficient than the current model, which shares many components with the second-generation X5 it replaced. The shift will also allow BMW to streamline its production process by trimming down the number of platforms it needs to build. Mechanically, the next X5 will carry on with six- and eight-cylinder engines, and BMW has previously made it clear that it remains committed to selling diesel-powered models in the United States in spite of the Dieselgate scandal. A plug-in hybrid capable of driving on electricity alone for short distances will be offered, and an M-tuned variant designed to hit the track will sit at the very top of the X5 hierarchy. All but the entry-level X5 will be offered with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. The next X5 will continue to offer an optional third-row seat, but buyers looking for a more spacious BMW SUV will need to patiently wait until the X7 makes its official debut. Also based on the CLAR platform, the X7 is a flagship model that’s being designed to take on the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Audi Q7, and the Volvo XC90. Related: BMW’s answer to the stylish Mercedes-Benz CLA could arrive in 2018 The X7 isn’t expected to begin rolling out of BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, factory until 2018. Marc Werner, BMW of Australia’s managing director, told website Motoring that the next X5 will arrive before the X7, which seems to indicate that it will go on sale next year. Also watch: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus First Drive Please enable Javascript to watch this video
In the span of just one week, Tesla managed to secure more than 325,000 reservations for the recently unveiled Model 3, a spectacular tally which blew away expectations and even surprised Elon Musk . But the auto industry being what it is (read: hyper competitive), GM executive Dan Nicholson couldn't help but take a shot at Tesla's mass market EV during a recent speaking engagement. DON'T MISS: The MacBook Air might be dying, but that’s a good thing Notably, GM, via Chevrolet, has high hopes for a mass market EV of its own, the Chevy Bolt EV. Introduced earlier this year, the car is comparably priced to the Model 3 ($37,500 vs $35,000) and sports a range of 200 miles. Now the Bolt EV may not have some of the bells and whistles that will likely accompany the Model 3, but it will certainly hit the market a lot sooner, a point that Nicholson used to throw a quick jab Tesla's way. The Detroit Free Press reports : Dan Nicholson, GM's vice president of global propulsion systems, said the Chevrolet Bolt battery electric vehicle will go on sale long before Tesla's Model 3 — a car that has generated far more national buzz. "I am very proud of the Chevrolet Bolt that’s coming out, which will be the first to market as a long-range affordable battery electric vehicle," Nicholson said today at an engineering conference in Detroit. "It will have more than 200 miles of range and it will be in production by the end of 2016, so it’s not necessary to put down $1,000 and wait until 2018 or some time after that." On a practical level, it's a fair point. The Chevy Bolt delivers where it matters; it's affordable for mainstream buyers and has Tesla-level range. What's more, Nicholson's snide remark about the Model 3 not being available until 2018 isn't off the mark. From the Roadster and the Model S to the recently released Model X, every single Tesla vehicle ever released has launched later than Elon Musk initially promised. For what it's worth, Tesla claims to have learned from its past mistakes, though it remains to be seen if the company can actually meet its late 2017 launch date for the Model 3. The Chevy Bolt, in contrast, will be available much sooner as it will likely be available later this year. The big question, though, is if it even matters. There's so much hype and excitement surrounding the Model 3 it's hard to imagine any competing EV really putting a dent in Tesla's armor. One might even say that the only thing that can stop Tesla at this point is Tesla, which is to say that they better get a handle on production as to avoid any product delays. Lastly, it's worth noting that Tesla had nothing but kind words to say about the Chevy Bolt EV after its January 2016 unveiling. "Commitments from traditional car makers to build electric vehicles advance Tesla’s mission to accelerate the advent of sustainable transportation," Tesla said in a statement at the time. "We hope to see all those additional zero-emission vehicles on the road.” Of course, it's easy to welcome competition with open arms when you're at the top of the food chain.
Grab your toolbox and meet us in the North African desert.
The new GT supercar from Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] is already one of the most desirable cars on the planet, and that’s before the Blue Oval has listed any performance specs or even mentioned a price. Ford has opened the order books and set up the special website www.fordgt.com where you need to register your interest. There is also a configurator that lets you play around with some of the car’s options such as the color, wheels and interior themes.
But let's not lie, Bat-fleck's Batmobile didn't need much help with that.