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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

What You Missed | Your Autoblog Daily Digest for February 12, 2020

Feb 12, 2020

Top Stories of the Day

2020 Ford Explorer ST Drivers' Notes Review | A new age of ST

Ford may have started the transition of its ST sub brand with the Edge ST , but the 2020 Ford Explorer ST completes that transition from spunky hot hatches to performance crossovers. The 2019 model year was the last for the Fiesta ST , so we bid adieu …

Hyundai 45 EV production hatchback spied for the first time

Last fall, Hyundai celebrated the 45th anniversary of its original concept car with another concept, the Hyundai 45 EV. It blended the angular Giugiaro-penned lines of that Pony Coupe concept with the company's early Pony hatchback production car . Th…

Aston Martin Vantage Roadster goes fast, and so does its roof

Two years after the hardtop Aston Martin Vantage redefined the Vantage nameplate yet again, the coupe has dropped its top. Below the shoulder the Vantage Roadster holds true to nearly everything that compelled us to label the coupe "a significant mil…

Refreshed 2021 Hyundai Elantra GT, also known as i30, coming to Geneva

The current-generation Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback only arrived in the U.S. for the 2018 model year, but it seems Hyundai has seen fit to give it a refresh. The company released a teaser image of the updated car in i30 form, the name it carries in E…

Man killed in Tesla crash had complained about Autopilot

DETROIT — An Apple engineer who died when his Tesla Model X hit a concrete barrier on a Silicon Valley freeway had complained before his death that the SUV's Autopilot system would malfunction in the area where the crash happened. The complaints wer…

Watch the 2020 Technology of the Year presentation to Kia

CHICAGO — Kia's Blind Spot System won the 2020 Autoblog Technology of the Year Award . Watch the presentation at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show as Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore hands the trophy to Kia Corporate Communications Director James Bell, followed…

Genesis topples Lexus in its first J.D. Power dependability survey

J.D. Power is out with its annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study for 2020, which looks at problems experienced by owners of three-year-old vehicles. The big takeaways are continued improvement in overall vehicle dependability, with the brands Genes…

Chinese Grand Prix postponed by F1 organizers due to coronavirus

LONDON — Formula One organizers on Wednesday postponed the Chinese Grand Prix that was due to be staged in Shanghai in April, the latest sporting event impacted by the fast-spreading viral infection in the country. More than 1,100 people have been k…

Nissan files civil suit against Ghosn, seeking $91 million in damages

TOKYO — Nissan filed a civil suit Wednesday seeking 10 billion yen ($91 million) in damages from the Japanese automaker's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn. Nissan filed the case in Yokohama District Court to recoup some of the monetary damages suffered,…

2016 Mazda CX-5 recalled to address failing DRLs

Mazda announced Tuesday that it will recall more than 35,000 examples of the 2016 CX-5 crossover to address an issue that may lead to deterioration or failure of its LED daytime running lights. In affected models, the gasket used to seal the wiring…

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

What You Missed | Your Autoblog Daily Digest for February 11, 2020

Feb 11, 2020

Top Stories of the Day

Next-generation VW Golf R spotted undisguised in the snow

The next-generation Volkswagen Golf R has been spotted undergoing winter testing without a coat, giving us a detailed look at what to expect from the range-topping hot hatch. A few cues here expose this prototype for what it is. We can start in the…

Nikola announces Badger BEV/FCEV pickup truck with 600-mile range

We still have a couple of years to wait for the production version of the Nikola semi. That hasn't stopped the Phoenix-based EV startup from announcing its next concept, the Badger electric pickup truck . Beyond the name, what stands out most about th…

VW Arteon wagon variant spied for the first time

Rumblings of an Arteon wagon are reaching a boiling point , as one of our spy shooters has managed to catch one testing in the wild. The disguise is halfway decent on this one, but there's no mistaking that Arteon front end and grille for any other ne…

2020 Lexus UX 200 F-Sport Drivers' Notes | The little Lexus

The 2020 Lexus UX 200 is moving into its second year on the market, and we decided it was time to take a spin in the F Sport model. Similar to other F Sport models from Lexus, this one amps up the handling and styling, but retains the same powertrain…

[VIDEO] Video shows students in school bus tumbling through scary rollover crash

A security camera captured the terrifying moment a school bus with 25 students and a 74-year-old driver inside rolled over during a crash. According to nbc4i , the unexpecting bus driver rammed a car that had blown a red light. Eight students and the …

2020 Porsche Macan GTS First Drive | Big in Europe

ESTORIL, Portugal – There's a reason SUVs haven't caught on in Europe like they have in the U.S. The 2020 Porsche Macan GTS isn't large by American standards, but in a small village nestled in the hills of western Portugal, it might as well be a Pete…

The Porsche Macan will be sold alongside its electric successor

The next-generation Porsche Macan due out in 2021 will exclusively be available with an electric powertrain . That doesn't mean the current, gasoline-powered car has reached the end of its lifecycle. It recently benefited from a mid-cycle update, and …

2020 Subaru Outback Review & Buying Guide | All hail the mighty wagon!

It may not look it, but the 2020 Subaru Outback is a completely redesigned model. Eager to keep its snowball of success rolling, Subaru chose to evolve and refine its popular, genre-bending utility vehicle rather than re-inventing the wheel. The key…

Mercedes-Benz confirms 2021 S-Class, EQA to launch in 2020

Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG confirmed in its full-year 2019 financial results that the automaker will launch both the new flagship S-Class sedan and its new, all-electric EQA crossover before the end of 2020. The S-Class is expected soo…

5 great dash cam options to keep you ever vigilant in 2020

Looking for a dash cam for your car? Contrary to what the internet might have you believe, they aren't just for capturing wild happenings in Russia. Dash cams are becoming more and more popular all across the world. Some can help you keep a record of…

Monday, February 10, 2020

What You Missed | Your Autoblog Daily Digest for February 10, 2020

Feb 10, 2020

Top Stories of the Day

2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV spied uncovered

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade made its big debut a little over a week ago, complete with its fancy interior and displays , but the company has only shown the short-wheelbase model. One of our spy photographers has picked up the slack and caught the long-…

First production 2020 SSC Tuatara unveiled at Philadelphia Auto Show

Last summer, SSC North America announced that the first production Tuatara was introduced to its owner during Monterey Car Week, yet no photos of the handover were provided. The Washington-state-based carmaker was oddly low key about the event, havin…

Two-door Ford Bronco spied with production body

It's happening! The two-door variant of Ford's new Bronco 4x4 has been spotted in the wild, this time wearing what appears to be the earliest version of its production-intent body work. We previously speculated that it could be some time before a two…

Jeep Gladiator incentives as high as $9,000 amid lackluster sales

Remember earlier last year when the 2020 Jeep Gladiator was so hot, dealers were adding over $10,000 to the price ? Yeah, those days are well and truly over. According to CarsDirect and Automotive News , Jeep and its dealers are now discounting the pic…

2020 Toyota Camry TRD Drivers' Notes | A polarizing sedan

Nobody expected a 2020 Toyota Camry TRD model before Toyota announced both this sporty sedan and the Avalon TRD at the same time. And even after that, we had a hard time believing that the Camry and Avalon TRD versions would be legitimately compellin…

[VIDEO] My favorite vehicles at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show | Behind the Wheel S02 // E07

Behind the Wheel is a video series that shows you a bit of what it's like to work at Autoblog. The editors and video producers will show you the cars we have in our fleet, and you'll get a behind the scenes look at some of the personalities that help…

VW Atlas Tanoak is pretty much dead, but a smaller pickup is a possibility

CHICAGO — Nearly two years ago, Volkswagen showed off the Atlas Tanoak concept , a midsize pickup truck based on the Atlas crossover. It had rugged, truck-like looks, and according to VW's Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategy, Hein Schafer…

Five quick thoughts on the 2020 Volvo S60 T8 hybrid

The 2020 Volvo S60 joined our long-term fleet in January, just in time for a blast of snow and ice. It's handsome inside and out, handles well and is an interesting choice for luxury sedan buyers. I spent a long weekend in the Volvo shortly after its…

2020 Chevrolet Blazer Review & Buying Guide | It sure isn't boring

We'll say one thing for the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, it isn't boring. By channeling the spirit of the Camaro , if not its literal styling, the Blazer brings some excitement to a midsize SUV segment mostly known for anonymous kid haulers or outdoorsy roa…

[VIDEO] Jay Leno learns all about the Porsche Taycan

Hours apart, two of the biggest names in automotive television posted videos with Porsche's new electric, the Taycan Turbo S . Jay Leno of Jay Leno's Garage dropped his 38-minute experience with the car, while Top Gear released two Chris Harris clips …

Friday, February 7, 2020

What You Missed | Your Autoblog Daily Digest for February 7, 2020

Feb 07, 2020

Top Stories of the Day

2020 Chicago Auto Show Mega Photo Gallery | Deep dish

CHICAGO — The Chicago Auto Show featured a range of debuts, from the powered-up Ford GT to the desert-conquering Jeep Gladiator Mojave. While there were few truly ground-breaking products, Chicago did give us the opportunity to get better looks at ca…

Executive shakeup at Ford in wake of earnings report, rough Explorer launch

Jim Farley DETROIT — Ford Motor Co on Friday said that top executive Jim Farley will assume the role of chief operating officer, positioning him as potential heir to Chief Executive Jim Hackett. Farley, president of new businesses, technolo…

The 2020 Honda Civic Type R drops the fake vents up front, still wildly popular

CHICAGO — Honda surprised us with a Civic Type R update at the Tokyo Auto Salon a short time ago, but today's Chicago Auto Show was the first chance we had to get up close and personal with the refreshed hot hatch. Many of the changes are minor, but …

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Accord and Camry | How they compare on paper

Admittedly, this comparison isn't exactly coming at prime time for the midsize hybrid sedan segment. We're pretty sure we can hear a cricket or two chirping. Not only are midsize sedans waning in popularity as crossovers boom, so are conventional hyb…

2020 Subaru Outback Luggage Test | Score one for wagons

I'm reporting to you from my home in Portland, Ore., which is pretty much ground zero for 2020 Subaru Outback ownership. They're absolutely everywhere, challenged only by its little Crosstrek brother for new-car ubiquity. A big reason for that is own…

The Ducati Superleggera V4 is a 230-hp carbon fiber rocket

According to Ducati, the "Superleggera V4 is the most powerful and technologically advanced production" motorcycle that has ever rolled out of the factory in Borgo Panigale, Italy. Considering the amazing two-wheeled masterpieces that Ducati has buil…

Have it your way: GMC's Hummer EV will offer several powertrain options

General Motors confirmed plans to resurrect the Hummer nameplate on a GMC-badged electric pickup , and it's beginning to release details about the drivetrain that will power the model. Speaking to investors, company president Mark Reuss announced buye…

2021 Jaguar F-Type pricing announced, including a big decrease

CHICAGO — Jaguar unveiled the redesigned 2021 F-Type coupe and convertible just before the end of 2019, but pricing was kept in the dark. Today, at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show , Jaguar put numbers to trims, and the starting price remains the same at $6…

Jeep Wrangler JPP 20 shows off new Mopar accessories

Do you like the appeal of factory accessories, but find it tiresome to order them all individually? Well, assuming you're looking to buy a 4-door Jeep Wrangler this year, you're in luck! For 2020 (and 2020 only), Jeep will sell you a loaded-up Mopar …

Carmakers and coronavirus: A list of plant closures in China

Automakers and parts suppliers have shut factories in China, in line with government guidelines, or have flagged a hit to profits following the coronavirus outbreak. Below is a list of latest announcements by car companies: • BMW said production at …