Etc : Car News And Reviews

When people need to move a large family, SUVs are all fine and good, but they aren’t always the most spacious or comfortable inside, and often the fuel economy leaves a lot to be desired. Some shoppers who don’t like SUVs still turn to minivans and one of the best and most popular is the Chrysler Pacifica, which has been revamped for 2021.

Priced at roughly $1.2 million, the McLaren Senna is one of the rarest and most expensive vehicles in the world. The automaker has announced a new version of the hypercar that’s incredibly affordable. For just $582 USD, you’re getting a pint-size children’s toy complete with real McLaren features.

Each time Ford prepares to retool one of its factories, it has to 3D scan the space to update its digital model. Computer-aided design is used when updating factory layouts, and gathering 3D scans of the space typically takes humans weeks of work.

Many automakers have been moving out of states where unions are common, such as northern states and California, instead moving into southern states such as Texas, where unions are rare. Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk have announced that the location for the hotly contested Cybertruck factory has been chosen.

Some of the most important vehicles that Ford has unveiled in recent memory are the new 2021 Bronco and Bronco Sport. Both SUVs are aimed at the off-road crowd who wants to get out and have some adventures.

This is how they did it in the days before Microsoft PowerPoint. Greg’s Automotive dug up this awesomely retro bit of automotive history which features a sales training presentation for the original 1970 AMC Gremlin.

When it comes to Class 1 Baja race cars, they’re usually covered with so much mud, dirt, and bugs, that you really don’t pay attention to their color scheme or body styling. But in the case of this beauty from Jimco Racing, we have an off-roader that’s as beautiful clean as it is dirty.

In the course of duty, Police officers have to transport strangers in their vehicles. This can create all kinds of health risks, as you don’t know what sort of illnesses their passengers might be carrying. Cop cars often use plastic rear seats that can be hosed down and cleaned with disinfectants.

Every car manufacturer these days has its own high-tech infotainment system. One of my favorites has been Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ UConnect system. In recent years, it’s been considered one of the most reliable and intuitive systems on the market, making its way into vehicles from Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Chrysler.

Most of us our doing our part to stay home as much as we can these days, so that means less time behind the wheel, and more time on the couch. The good news for gearheads is that there are tons of great car movies for you to enjoy from the comfort of your living room.

Tesla’s upcoming electric Cybertruck drew both cheers and jeers when it broke cover. With its primitive stainless steel body, its looks have divided opinions on whether it’s something a first grader would have come up with, or an innovative new approach to vehicle design.

Over the years, I’ve seen some really stupid things done to cars. One trip over to Reddit’s Awful Taste but Great Execution subreddit will fill your eyeballs with all kinds of automotive sins (among other horrors.) 

The Pontiac Aztek is arguably one of the ugliest vehicles ever created. While the early take on a crossover certainly wasn’t Pontiac’s proudest design moment, the brand did make lots of great sports cars over the years, with the 1970s Firebird Trans Am being one of the most iconic of its cars.

Since crash testing of vehicles first started, the practice has saved countless lives, influencing the design and engineering of just about every aspect of modern cars, trucks, and SUVs. But cars designed for racing must handle much more extreme forces in order to protect their occupants, with reinforced roll cages, protective head restraints, and form-fitting racing seats with five- or six-point harnesses among their standard equipment.

These days, automakers use virtual reality and simulation software to figure out everything from ergonomics and aesthetics to visibility. Car companies also use things like wind tunnels to simulate drag, and treadmills to test wear and tear.