Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Sets Meaningless Record

Posted on 21 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Getting Dirty in Sweden

Porsche keeps truckin’ along.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid has demonstrated its on-road and off-road performance with a very special “record” (sorry, German humor). As part of a film shoot, the most powerful Cayenne ever clocked a hand-stopped time of 3:51 minutes around the Swedish Gotland Ring. The track is still under construction and partly paved. Continue reading →

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Stout Scarab Minivan Joins Concours of Elegance 2019

Posted on 21 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on 1936 Stout Scarab Minivan

Chrysler Airflow stablemate?

A 1936 Stout Scarab – one of nine made Stout Scarab – with a questionable claim to be the world’s first production ‘minivan’ – will be on display at Concours of Elegance in September.

The Scarab was the creation of automotive and  aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout. Inspired by ‘futurist’ architect and designer Buckminster Fuller and his tear-drop creation: the Dymaxion, Stout saw the Scarab as a production phenomenon in an age of uninspiring automotive design. Continue reading →

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My Friend Jim Dunne

Posted on 20 August 2019 by Ken Zino

In some circles he was considered an outlaw, but as a hired gun he took the best spy shot I ever saw. Jim Dunne sitting in the driver’s seat of what was likely his deliberately bland white Chevy Caprice took a photo off of his outside mirror of a line of cars undergoing testing on a public road. In focus in the lead car was Dave Hill driving, then chief engineer of the Corvette, followed by a line of prototype Corvettes. (I hope this photo re-emerges as people remember his passing yesterday.)

It had it all – Detroit Royalty surprised, hot cars, and a globally saleable glamour shot. Yes, Jim Dunne had it – he was the sine qua non of an entire category of journalism – automotive spy photography.

Continue reading →

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Honda Database Leaks 134M Rows of Employee Data

Posted on 19 August 2019 by Ken Zino

An exposed database at Honda allowed anyone to see which systems on its network were vulnerable to unpatched security flaws, potentially giving hackers insider knowledge of the company’s weak points.

The server contained 134 million rows of employee systems data from the company’s endpoint security service, containing technical details of each computer and device connected to the internal network. Affected by the White Hat probe were locations in Japan, USA, Mexico, and the UK. Continue reading →

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New Audi Customers Offered Seven Silvercar Rental Car Days

Posted on 19 August 2019 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on Silvercar by AudiAudi of America announced today a new customer program, “Always Audi.” Customers – apparently, they are scarce – who purchase or lease a 2019 or newer Audi A4, A5 Cabriolet, Audi Q5 or Audi Q7 will receive seven rental days, which can be used individually, with Silvercar at no additional cost.

Silvercar is the fledgling all-Audi, car rental service available in 26 Silvercar locations nationwide. Program marks industry first for the so-called premium market by in Audi’s view proving a “customer experience linking ownership and on-the-go transportation needs.” Continue reading →

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EVs ‘Normal Now’ Claims Electrify America

Posted on 19 August 2019 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on EVsElectrify America, a fast-charging provider for electric vehicles today launched its newest marketing campaign titled “Normal Now.” The digital campaign will kick off nationwide with a new informational website – www.NormalNow.com – as well as online videos, streaming TV ads, digital banner ads, social media ads, paid search, and streaming audio and podcast.

The “Normal Now” campaign aims to introduce and normalize zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) for the vast majority of Americans who are not aware of or have never considered switching to a zero-emission vehicle.
Continue reading →

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Penske’s Will Power Wins Pocono Demolition Derby

Posted on 19 August 2019 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on IndyCar

Pole-sitter Josef Newgarden, #2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet V6 (l to r); Simon Pagenaud, #22 Penske Truck Rental Team Penske Chevy V6; and race winner #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevy – Will Power.

Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet IndyCar V6 won a rain-shortened NTT IndyCar Series ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania yesterday. The victory marked the 13th consecutive season that Power has won at least one race, a streak that dates to the 2007 Champ Car World Series season.

It was only a couple of miles into what was supposed to be a 500-mile race at the Pocono tri-oval, when a bonehead move by Takuma Sato eliminated five contenders. The restart 45 minutes later pretty much determined the outcome in a thunderstorm shortened race that purported to be professional racing. Thus far Sato has not been penalized for causing a life-threatening accident.
Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls New Camry Models for Bad Airbags

Posted on 19 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Toyota Camry

Software continues to affect to performance of hardware – not always to the driver’s  or passenger’s benefit.

Toyota Motor is recalling some 2019 Camry vehicles blowing up.  for a programming defect that  prevents front airbags from inflating. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) “may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag and knee air bag, in the event of a crash.”

Dealers have been instructed to comply with the law and stop selling affected cars in inventory.* Continue reading →

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July Global Vehicles Sales Drop More Than 3M

Posted on 17 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on July Global Light Vehicle Sales

Everywhere you look the economy is fragile and likely headed for a recession.

July global light vehicle (LV) sales fell 1.5% in year-on-year (YoY) terms in July, but the selling rate rose to 92.5 mn units/year, from 92.1 mn units/year in June, according to consultancy LMC.

Sales performance was mixed, with good results in some regions counterbalanced by weakness elsewhere. There was YoY growth in the USA, Western Europe, Japan and South America, but the US selling rate was lower than in June, while Western Europe was propped up by Germany. Continue reading →

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Carvana Launches First Vending Machine in California

Posted on 16 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Carvana Los Angeles

All Carvana vehicles come with a 7-day return policy.

Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, unveiled its newest Car Vending Machine today, located in the Westminster area of Los Angeles. The newest addition stands eight stories high and holds 30 vehicles, offering a unique pickup experience for those who purchase a vehicle on Carvana.com.

Customers that choose to pick up their vehicle at the Car Vending Machine are greeted by a Customer Advocate and receive a commemorative, oversized Carvana coin to activate the fully automated vending process, taking only minutes to complete the transaction compared to hours spent at the dealership. Continue reading →

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Aston Martin Automotive Galleries and Lairs

Posted on 16 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Aston Martin Automotive Galleries and Lairs

How the One Percent live…

Aston Martin today revealed a new design service for car enthusiasts and collectors. Aston Martin Automotive Galleries and Lairs, revealed at Pebble Beach, enables people to “create the perfect space for their car in a customer garage or a complete, luxury retreat.

“Automotive Galleries and Lairs is an opportunity for clients to work with the Aston Martin Design Team but also with renowned architects, focusing on those with local knowledge and an excellent understanding of the specifics of the brief,” said Aston. Continue reading →

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All-New 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Mustang Unveiled

Posted on 15 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Ford Performance aka Ford Racing

The previous Xfinity Mustang started racing full-time in 2011, winning the driver’s championship three times and the owner’s title on six occasions.

Ford Motor today revealed the all-new 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Mustang racecar. It’s part of Ford’s presence in race series around the world, from hot rods to stock cars to endurance racers.

The NASCAR Mustang marks the fifth all-new motorsports Mustang unveiled in the past year. It joins the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, National Hot Rod Association Funny Car division, Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, and grassroots Cobra Jet, which have all found their way to the winner’s circle in their respective forms of racing. Continue reading →

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EV Charging Stations Surpass Fuel Stations in UK

Posted on 15 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on EV Charging v Gasoline in UK

The end of petrol? Click to Enlarge.

In fewer less than 100 years since the UK’s first petrol pump was installed there are now ~1,000 more public places to charge electric cars than there are forecourts to pump petrol – 9,300 EV charging locations compared to 8,400 fuel stations.

The crossover happened more than a year before Nissan’s 2016 prediction of August 2020 – a result of the accelerating adoption of EVs (electric vehicles) amongst UK motorists some of which was forced by regulations. Continue reading →

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2020 Corvette Stingray Starts Production Late This Year

Posted on 15 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Interior

Here’s what it takes to get this view.

2020 mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette Stingray starts at $59,995* but won’t enter production until late this year. Preorder at Chevrolet.com or by visiting a preferred Chevrolet dealer.

The popular Z51 Performance Package price remains unchanged at $5,000 and on any trim of Corvette. The package propels the new mid-engine Stingray from 0-60 mph in fewer than 3 seconds, nearly a second faster than the 2019 Corvette Stingray. Paired with the 1LT trim, that level of performance can be had for less than $65,000. Continue reading →

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Ford Expands Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Seat Belt Recalls

Posted on 14 August 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Ford and Licoln seat-belt recalls

More is better?

Well, the bad old auto company practice of trying to put a “fence” around a recall – the smaller and cheaper the better – is well entrenched. The latest Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ seat-belt recall appears to be a good example, although the ongoing tardiness of NHTSA in posting relevant documents is also in play here.

Ford Motor Company said today it is recalling “certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.” Continue reading →

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