The WardsAuto Engine & Technology Update

NOVEMBER 7, 2016

SEMA brings out the beast and whimsy in FCA’s Mopar designers and engineers – and this year’s concepts are no exception. But the big news is under the hood.

VW Scandal Won’t Kill Diesels

Even though cheap gas and bad publicity might be suppressing demand, it’s very possible diesel sales will perk up in the coming year.

Clean-Gasoline Proposals Fuel Environmentalists’ Ire

The latest proposed controls “are paving the way for a future ‘petrolgate’ air-pollution scandal,” an environmental-advocacy group says of the European Commission rules under discussion.

2016 GM SEMA Concepts

Gallery
Chevrolet storms the annual SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas with a broad lineup of concept cars and trucks.

Sensuous Giulia Drives Alfa’s Return to the States

Test Drive
Alfa Romeo hasn’t made much of splash in the North American market with its 4C, but the FCA-owned Italian brand expects big things from its all-new Giulia sedan, featuring the first application of FCA’s Giorgio platform and two new engines.

Chevy Cruze Hatch Smart, Sporty Step Forward

Test Drive
Form follows function, so the Cruze Hatch should appeal to buyers with active lifestyles. Folding the second-row seats opens up 47.2 cu.-ft. of cargo space.

Chevy Makes Trax More Upscale

Test Drive
Previously, the midgrade LT trim level was the most popular with Trax buyers, but GM executives expect the mix to richen due to the addition of a number of active safety features on the new Premier trim. Overall, the interior is much improved.

Fossils Could Be Key to Future Li-ion EV Batteries

“To improve the adoption of EVs, we need much better batteries,” says researcher Mihri Ozkan of the University of California-Riverside. “We believe diatomaceous earth, which is abundant and inexpensive, could be another sustainable source of silicon for battery anodes.”

Upgraded Mileage Adds to Mustang’s U.K. Street Cred

The annual MPG Marathon saw the 5.0L V-8 Mustang Fastback achieve an average 30.5 mpg compared with its official homologated economy figure of 17.4 mpg. The marathon’s previous improvement record was 58.2% set in 2014.

U.K. Analysts Say Hybrid Sales Belie Dark Future

The news comes as the British government announces another £10 million investment into EV charging infrastructure.

10 Best UX Awards Ceremony

Video
Highlights from the 2016 Wards 10 Best UX awards ceremony at the WardsAuto User Experience Conference held recently in Novi, MI.

Wheego Retooled as EV-, Autonomous-Tech Supplier

The former electric-car maker now is focused on developing products for autonomous vehicles that use machine learning and artificial intelligence.