Motor News
MotorWeek tracks auto industry news, focusing on crash tests, safety ratings, new advances in technology and the latest from auto shows around the world.
Booster Seat Ratings
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its latest ratings for best-fitting booster seats, and the results bring good news to parents shopping for these critical safety devices. 15 of the 17 new child booster models introduced for 2012 have earned the top rating of “Best Bet” from the institute, and only two: The Safety First All-In-One and… Read More
Shuttle Gets Towed
The space shuttle program may be grounded, but that doesn’t mean the Space Shuttle Endeavour is sitting still. That’s right, NASA’s retired orbiter is on the move once again, and it’s getting a little help from a Toyota Tundra pickup truck. After recently getting dropped off at Los Angeles International airport, the Endeavour made its way along a 12-mile… Read More
Outdoor Car Shows
The outdoor car show season is winding down, and this week we bid a fond farewell to a longtime favorite, but send a warm welcome to a new must-see event on the car-show calendar. Celebrating 50 years dedicated to the pursuit and enjoyment of Ferraris, our good friend Ron Spangler and his Prancing Horse Farm recently hosted a farewell bash that drew an… Read More
Paris Motor Show
Paris gets the distinctive honor of kicking off our Auto Show coverage for the coming year, so let’s see which cars were shining the brightest in the City of Lights. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: The Paris Motor Show is always filled with glitz and glamour and the 2012 exposition was no different. And, no debut drew more attention than the Jaguar F-type. Officially… Read More
Luxury Frontal Crash Test
You could call it a case of midsize misfortune, as several of the world’s top selling luxury cars are slammed with sub-standard crash test results. A new frontal crash test from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is making ripples with big name brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus-all receiving marginal or poor ratings. According to the IIHS, the… Read More
AWD Jaguar
The fabled British performance brand Jaguar is more well-known for tackling challenging roads and race tracks than making tracks through ice and snow. But, that’s about to change. Jaguar has announced that an all-wheel-drive system will be offered on some 2013 XJ and XF sedans. Labeled “Instinctive All Wheel Drive,” it be the first all-wheel drive Jaguars… Read More
Monterey Motoring
Every year in the third week of August, auto aficionados flock to the Monterey Peninsula for what has become a weeklong extravaganza of classic-car races, shows and tours…and we weren’t about to miss out on all the fun. The week started for us at the Concorso Italiano, with an eye-catching array of Italian exotics from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and their… Read More
Ford Plugs-In
Ford is energized about their future as the domestic automaker announces details of their first plug-in hybrid vehicle to hit the market. The blue oval has made great strides over the last few years in the hybrid-electric segment and has emerged as a major rival to Toyota’s dominate Prius hybrid lineup. Ford plans to up the ante this fall with the plug-in… Read More
VW Buys Porsche
A storied sports car company is bought out by Europe’s largest automaker after a long and turbulent deal that nearly divided two of Germany’s most powerful automotive families. It’s a takeover that’s been years in the making, but Volkswagen has finally moved to buy the remaining 50.1 % stake of Porsche. Under the newly-structured plan-agreed to by both… Read More
Chevy Confidence
If you’re in the market to buy a new car, Chevrolet has a limited time incentive program that may be hard to pass up. General Motors has initiated a bold plan to lure new buyers to their most popular brand. Under its new “Chevy Confidence” program, consumers can return any new 2012 or 2013 Chevrolet car or truck within 60 days –if they’re not-for whatever… Read More