That’s a Wrap: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Production Officially Ends

The final 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon rolled off the production line at Fiat Chrysler's Brampton Assembly Plant on Wednesday. While the Ontario facility continues building the Chrysler 300, as well as Dodge's Charger and Challenger, the drag-focused Demon's time on Earth has passed. Currently a black-on-black beast, the car will be repainted "Viper Red" […] The post That's a Wrap: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Production Officially Ends appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Japan’s SoftBank Dumps Cash Into America’s Autonomous Vehicles, Sets GM Deadline for 2019

Several months after procuring a large ownership stake in Uber, SoftBank has placed $2.5 billion into General Motors' self-driving program. The automaker intends to begin deploying autonomous vehicles next year and CEO Mary Barra says her company will invest $1.1 billion of its own funds into the effort to ensure the timeline is adhered to. Thanks […] The post Japan's SoftBank Dumps Cash Into America's Autonomous Vehicles, Sets GM Deadline for 2019 appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Unlikely Automotive Component Enters the Digital Age, Promises Convenience, Annoyance, Privacy Concerns

Why should life be hard? We have science. That was basically my dad's rationale for replacing his gas-powered lawnmower for one of the lithium-ion variety — a product I didn't know existed until it showed up at his house one day. Yes, technology can be great. In our cars, it keeps insurance adjusters at bay and […] The post Unlikely Automotive Component Enters the Digital Age, Promises Convenience, Annoyance, Privacy Concerns appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

French President Convinced Trump Wants to Kill German Cars; Steel Tariffs Strike U.S. Allies

There's been quite a bit of the old "he said, she said" as the global trade war between developed nations coalesces. Germany has not covered U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policy favorably, not that it has much reason to. His new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum has tested relationships with numerous countries and, while it […] The post French President Convinced Trump Wants to Kill German Cars; Steel Tariffs Strike U.S. Allies appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

One More Media Take On Elon Musk’s Media Meltdown

Oh, Elon. Elon, Elon, Elon. As you, the reader, no doubt know, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been blasting the media – and financial analysts – for being critical of his company and/or its products. He was too annoyed to even answer questions from analysts during one recent earnings call – turning attention instead to […] The post One More Media Take On Elon Musk's Media Meltdown appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

2018 Toyota 4Runner Limited Review – Old Isn’t Always Bad

Age can be a strength or weakness, and in the case of Toyota's 4Runner, it's almost certainly the former. Indeed, I expect that when it comes time for the company to fully update the model, there will be plenty of hand-wringing among 4Runner fans as they worry that Toyota will screw it up. Considering that […] The post 2018 Toyota 4Runner Limited Review – Old Isn't Always Bad appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Getting Into the Last of the Ford Fusion Sports Will Cost You

We'll miss it when its gone. The Ford Fusion Sport debuted as a pleasant throwback to an era of attainable muscle, just as the passenger car death plunge got underway in earnest. By taking a sensible family sedan, stuffing it with the largest mill its engine bay could handle, sending a propshaft to the rear wheels, […] The post Getting Into the Last of the Ford Fusion Sports Will Cost You appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Nissan Updates the 370Z in Lieu of Delivering a Successor

Less than a year away from its 10th birthday, Nissan's 370Z is getting a modest refresh in the hopes of maintaining some kind of relevance. Despite being the better car, the present model failed to outsell the 350Z in the United States in all but its introductory year, and annual deliveries have continue to tumble […] The post Nissan Updates the 370Z in Lieu of Delivering a Successor appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

2019 Acura RDX First Drive – Turn Up the Volume

In the fiercely competitive compact crossover segment, a game arguably invented by Lexus, a company has to have a killer app in order to stand out. The XC60 trades upon a platform of safety, thanks to the goodwill built by the Volvo brand. BMW has – rightly or wrongly – its rep for being the […] The post 2019 Acura RDX First Drive – Turn Up the Volume appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

QOTD: Ciao, Arrivederci – Can You Muster a Tear if Fiat Gets the Axe?

Pity the poor Fiat brand. The Italian marque's return to the North American market resembled a musket left out in the rain. The priming pan went up in a flash but the main powder charge failed to ignite. Once the recession-battered public got its fill of the tiny, retro Cinquecento in 2011 and 2012, it was […] The post QOTD: Ciao, Arrivederci – Can You Muster a Tear if Fiat Gets the Axe? appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Trade War Watch: U.S. Public to Have a Say on Auto Import Threat

There was a mighty blowback against the Trump administration's suggestion to elevate tariffs to as much as 25 percent on all foreign-built passenger vehicles. Already reeling from fresh import fees on aluminum and steel, Europe expressed its collective distaste on new taxes while Japan vowed to plead a strong case for itself. Meanwhile, prominent politicians and two […] The post Trade War Watch: U.S. Public to Have a Say on Auto Import Threat appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Expect a Future Fiat Chrysler With a Lot Less Fiats and Chryslers: Report

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne, due to retire in less than a year's time, will lay out the automaker's future on Friday. Well, the next five years of its future — and we all know how malleable those plans can be. According to a Bloomberg report, sources with knowledge of the plan say the […] The post Expect a Future Fiat Chrysler With a Lot Less Fiats and Chryslers: Report appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Consumer Reports About-face Brings ‘Recommended’ Label to Tesla’s Model 3

The Consumer Reports review that criticized the Tesla Model 3's stopping distance and all-consuming touchscreen seems to have sparked CEO Elon Musk's recent spat with the media, but a change of heart at CR might cause Musk to think twice about his proposed rating site for journalists. After the automaker improved the model's 60-0 mph […] The post Consumer Reports About-face Brings 'Recommended' Label to Tesla's Model 3 appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Electric Vehicles Could Short Governments $92 Billion in Taxes by 2030

As governments across the globe push for the proliferation of electric vehicles, they're creating a new problem for themselves. While EVs may be helpful in mitigating pollution in and around city centers, they're not going to be nearly as friendly on the infrastructure. A report from the International Energy Agency suggests the ramp-up of battery […] The post Electric Vehicles Could Short Governments $92 Billion in Taxes by 2030 appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Rental Review: 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300

It's a truism, but it's true nonetheless: Every brand has a core product, and this is doubly true for automakers. The core product for BMW is the 3/4/whatever-Series of once-compact cars. If you buy a 3 Series BMW, it requires no explanation. Audi's core product is currently in the process of Schrodinger-vibrating between A3 and […] The post Rental Review: 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

The Blame Game: Driver Fingers Autosteer as Cop Car Collision Cause

This won't help our Pravda rating. Police in Laguna Beach, California told the "media" that the driver of a Tesla Model S that collided with a parked Ford Police Interceptor Utility on Tuesday was operating in Autopilot mode. At least, that's the driver's claim. Images released by Laguna Beach PD reveal a somewhat glancing rear […] The post The Blame Game: Driver Fingers Autosteer as Cop Car Collision Cause appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Is Ford Going the Pushrod Route With Its New V8?

Ford's upcoming heavy duty gasoline truck engine program, codenamed "7X," was believed to be a 7.0-liter V8 built with the express purpose of replacing the 6.8-liter Triton V10 and perhaps the 6.2-liter Boss V8. While the program will indeed bear fruit at Ford's Windsor Engine Plant next year, there's a new report claiming the mill's […] The post Is Ford Going the Pushrod Route With Its New V8? appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars https://ift.tt/Jh8LjA