by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 27, 2012
Of all the new vehicles General Motors introduced in the last four years, it could be this compact crossover where the automaker has shown the biggest turnaround. This Equinox’s predecessor showed typical GM cost cutting. The interior was flimsy, poorly finished and...
by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 20, 2012
Now that Consumer Reports has its Fisker Karma back from it’s emergency trip to the dealer, the magazine is ready to share its initial thoughts on the car. In it’s first impression video, CR’s Tom Mutchler starts by saying the obvious – the...
by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 14, 2012
Two days after the Fisker Karma purchased by Consumer Reports died during initial testing, the luxury extended-range electric vehicle is back and the magazine said it is operating fine. Last week, the magazine reported that a battery light on the instrument panel went...
by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 9, 2012
UPDATE: Fisker has fixed and returned Consumer Reports’ Karma. Click here to read the story. Now that the Fisker Karma has finally reached production, problems with the beautiful extended-range electric vehicle are starting to pile up. The latest trouble with...
by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 8, 2012
With interest in cars such as the Chevrolet Volt waning, President Barack Obama went on the offensive Wednesday, announcing a new $1 billion fund to help 15 local communities encourage greater use of energy-saving technologies. During a visit to the Daimler...
by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 6, 2012
The Volkswagen Group plans to continue its assault on the title of world’s largest automaker with a new concept, a droptop version of its iconic sports compact and an announcement of a major new initiative for a “major ecological restructuring,” the...
by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 2, 2012
The Countryman is the biggest model in Mini’s lineup and now it’s getting a new engine to match its extra girth. Mini is introducing the John Cooper Works Countryman with a newly developed 211-horsepower version of the turbocharged 1.6-liter four cylinder Mini engine....
by Bryan Laviolette | Feb 24, 2012
Here’s the deal with the MazdaSpeed 3: There simply is no way to get this much performance and this much horsepower for this little money anywhere else. But to accomplish that, compromises will have to be made. The Speed 3 starts with the small Mazda 3 hatchback,...
by Bryan Laviolette | Feb 15, 2012
ARLINGTON, Va. – After more than a decade of false starts, Gibbs Technologies launched a High Speed Amphibian that it says will change the way rescue crews respond in disaster situations. With the dramatic backdrop of the Pentagon on one side and the Washington just...
by Bryan Laviolette | Feb 2, 2012
Sometimes in life, things are not as they appear. Take this Kia Forte. What looks like your basic compact economy sedan, is actually a stealth sports sedan in disguise. It handles the curves well, has quick, confidence-inspiring steering and just enough power to be...
by Bryan Laviolette | Jan 31, 2012
Everything is smaller when folded, but could that work for cars as well? A consortium of technology companies in the Basque region of Spain is planning to produce a tiny city car that was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Called Hiriko, European...
by Bryan Laviolette | Jan 27, 2012
Let’s cut to the chase: The Chevy Volt is as safe as any other vehicle on the road. And if something in the vehicle is going to cause a fire, it’s more likely to be its gasoline engine and associated plumbing than the groundbreaking car’s lithium-ion battery. Still,...
