The Knockout phase of the Automotive X Prize delivered more blows and thrills, as remaining teams completed the required tests. After a long and stressful past few days, the teams all seemed thrilled to be returning home—at least when done by choice.
Consumer Reports ran several tests at different parts of the Michigan International Speedway, [...]
Filed under: Cars on June 30th, 2010 | No Comments »
Modern multi-speed automatic transmissions are marvels. In our testing, we’ve found that they often improve both acceleration and fuel economy.
But as more automakers add gears to their automatic transmissions going to five, six, seven, and beyond, some manufacturers have been reluctant to adapt to equip their shifter with manual overrides.
I was reminded of [...]
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The Automotive X Prize competition has completed the Knockout phase at Michigan International Speedway. Over the past several days, the contest challenged even the best teams as they faced numerous, often divergent hurtles such as emissions, fuel economy, cruising range, acceleration, and emergency-avoidance maneuver tests. As Consumer Reports packed up its test gear Tuesday late-afternoon [...]
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Response to our recent post suggesting best cars for teens has been tremendous, and not all responses have been positive.
Trying to pick the best car for our kids while balancing the budget may be one of the toughest decisions parents ever have to make. For starters, we’d insist that the car have electronic stability [...]
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With the Automotive X Prize competition, Aptera has stood apart from its competition–literally–being a germinating business that presents itself with a bold corporate image. Where the other competitors have been cramped in the shared garages, Aptera sets up shop alongside its impressive 18-wheeled hauler apart from the other teams. But this popular favorite was humbled [...]
Filed under: Cars on June 29th, 2010 | No Comments »
We recently posted a blog on being almost done with our latest testing of some 54 models of ultra high performance (UHP) tires. We also included summer and all-season models and suitable Winter tire replacements. At the time we completed all but the tread wear testing on the UHP summer and all-season models. The work [...]
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The Automotive X Prize entered the second-week of its Knockout phase Monday, with the remaining teams proceeding through emissions and dynamic testing. Consumer Reports is again conducting most of the track tests, such as acceleration, braking, and emergency-avoidance maneuver evaluations from the previous phase, plus adding lateral g and passing tests. We are again seeing [...]
Filed under: Cars on June 29th, 2010 | No Comments »
Independence Day brings more than fireworks, marching bands, and barbeques. It also typically brings a wave of new-car incentives, which can save car buyers thousands of dollars. Our regular lists of Best New Car Deals show you recommended models that are currently carrying either customer or dealer sales incentives. But in the July 4th spirit, [...]
Filed under: Cars on June 29th, 2010 | No Comments »
Gasoline prices are up in most areas across the country just before the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend compared to the week before. The national gasoline average is $.12 above the price this time last year. Diesel fuel is about $.01 below this time last year.
National regular gasoline prices
Price
Change from last week
Regular gasoline/gallon
$2.76
↑ [...]
Filed under: Cars on June 28th, 2010 | No Comments »
A challenging first week of the Automotive X Prize Knockout Phase is now complete and several more vehicles have been eliminated due to the latest tests on emissions and fuel economy. They include American Hypower, BITW Technologies, Edison2 (Very light car #3), Team EVX, and both West Philly vehicles. These are in addition to the [...]
Filed under: Cars on June 28th, 2010 | No Comments »
