Jaguar Land Rover hopes its future vehicles can help stop the spread of colds and the flu

2019 Jaguar I-Pace, European model (Photo: Jaguar Land Rover)

Can a car help combat the spread of colds and the flu?

That's what Jaguar Land Rover is looking to find out with its future models.

The British company has announced Wednesday that "the car of the future could help win the battle against superbugs."

The cure?

The luxury auto manufacturer said in a statement it is looking to use a type of ultraviolet light technology (UV-C) like what the medical industry has been using for more than 70 years.

"The average motorist spends as much as 300 hours per year behind the wheel," said Dr. Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover chief medical officer, in the statement. "There is a clear opportunity to better utilize cars for administering preventative health care."

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Jaguar Land Rover says its future models could help stop the spread of viruses. (Photo: Jaguar Land Rover)

This technology already is widely used to disinfect water, filter air and sterilize surfaces. Jaguar Land Rover believes it can be integrated into its cars to stop bacteria from surviving in the cars cabin.

According to the company, recent medical trials of the technology suggest the technology can cut four major drug-resistant superbugs, including MRSA, by up to 30 percent.

"In the colder months infections are spread more easily, it's reassuring to know that in your car at least, you can be confident that harmful pathogens are being neutralized," Iley said.

The company says it's exploring "a wide range of driver and passenger wellbeing features as it works towards a self-driving future."

While Iley said he believes cars can play "a part in preventative healthcare in an age of shared mobility," a date for when the technology will be integrated in the cars was not included in the announcement.

By: www.usatoday.com

Volvo CEO predicts huge increase in plug-in hybrid sales

Volvo expects plug-in hybrid versions of models such as the S90 (shown) to soon account for up to 25 percent of global sales.

Volvo expects a huge increase in sales of its plug-in hybrid vehicles by year-end after underestimating demand for its growing family of electrified models.

"By the end of the year we should be up to 20 to 25 percent," Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson said during a roundtable discussion with journalists this week.

In the model lines where plug-in hybrids are currently available, this includes the XC90 and XC60 SUVs and the V90 and V60 station wagons, those variants account for about 10 percent to 15 percent of Volvo's global sales.

Volvo didn't have enough batteries, electric motors and the other key components needed to make its plug-in hybrids, Samuelsson said.

"We are not happy because we could sell more [plug-in hybrids]," he said. "We underestimated the demand."

Tripling capacity

Samuelsson said Volvo is currently "ramping up all the components" it needs to produce its plug-in hybrids -- as well as its recently added family of mild hybrid powertrains.

"We are tripling the capacity from what we had about a year ago to where we will be at the end of this year," he said.

Volvo will introduce a range of mild hybrids this year, starting with diesel and gasoline versions on the XC90 and XC60. The mild hybrids, which will wear Volvo's new B badge, will be equipped with Volvo's brake-­by-­wire energy recovery system.

Despite the supply bottleneck Volvo sold 26,800 plug-in hybrids in Europe last year, up from 16,000 in 2017, according to figures from market analyst JATO Dynamics. By 2021 Volvo expects that a quarter of the vehicles it produces worldwide will be plug-in hybrids. The other model lines that offer the powertrain are the S90 and S60 sedans.7

By: www.autonews.com

Porsche adds sporty 'coupe' to Cayenne lineup

Porsche aims to reignite sales of the popular Cayenne crossover with a sportier coupe variant that will square off against the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and the BMW X6.

The German automaker hopes to lure the sport-ute crowd and boost profitability with what it refers to as the "sportiest-looking model in the segment."

Porsche Chairman Oliver Blume, in a statement Thursday, calls the Cayenne Coupe "more progressive, athletic, and emotional."

The Cayenne Coupe is expected in U.S. showrooms this fall. It will start at $76,550, including $1,250 for shipping. The Cayenne Turbo Coupe will start at $131,350, including shipping. Both Cayenne Coupe models are priced higher than the standard Cayenne.

The Cayenne Coupe is a competitive response to similar coupe-crossovers from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. BMW created the coupe-crossover segment with the X6.

"These models have proven to be particularly popular in emerging luxury markets like China and the Middle East," said AutoPacific analyst Ed Kim. "Porsche clearly hopes to gain volume by introducing a model in a growing segment."

The midsize Cayenne was Porsche's second best-selling model in the U.S. last year — behind the compact Macan — with sales 10,733 units. But U.S. sales of the Cayenne have dropped off since peaking at 18,507 in 2013, and Porsche faces more competition from new SUVs and crossovers from BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar, Land Rover and others.

The Cayenne Coupe features sharper lines with a redesigned rear section, adaptive rear spoiler, individual rear seats and either a panoramic fixed glass roof fitted as standard or an optional carbon fiber roof. The rear doors and quarter panels have been redesigned to broaden the shoulders of the vehicle. The license plate bracket is now part of the bumper and makes the vehicle look like it sits lower to the ground.

The Cayenne Coupe will be available with two high-performance engines. The standard model will feature a 3.0-liter mono-turbo V-6 engine capable of generating 335 hp and sprinting from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The top-of-the-range Cayenne Turbo Coupe is equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, capable of 541 hp and a 0-to-60 mph acceleration time of 3.7 seconds.

By: www.autonews.com

Nissan Tests Invisible To Visible Tech That Makes Real Life Like A Video Game

Nissan wants to merge the real and digital worlds. The Japanese automaker is testing what it calls "invisible-to-visible" (I2V) tech, which uses digital projections that, among other things, allow drivers to converse with virtual avatars. The tech was unveiled at CES 2019 in January, but Nissan is just now giving it a real-world road test.

I2V connects users to what Nissan calls the "Metaverse." If that sounds like a Ready Player One ripoff to you, you're not too far off. Nissan wants to use I2V to project digital avatars of people into cars, so vehicle occupants can have a conversation with someone who isn't actually there. So you could, for example, get a lesson from a driving coach who isn't even in the same zip code as the racetrack. Nissan also believes I2V can be used to help drivers "see the invisible," such as what's around a corner or too far down the road to be seen by the naked eye. Other companies have also proposed using similar tech for in-car advertisements.

At CES, Nissan demonstrated I2V in a simulated car interior in its booth on the show floor. But now, Nissan is conducting tests in a moving vehicle to see how people react. The test vehicle is a modified Nissan NV350 van, a model that isn't sold in the United States. Nissan teamed up with Docomo to equip the van with a 5G connection, allowing the onboard systems to transmit the massive amount of data required to make I2V work.

Nissan has not discussed specific plans to use I2V in a production car. That's not too surprising, as the tech likely has a long way to go. Lifelike holographic images and digital projections have yet to be perfected in any form, let alone one that will work reliably in a moving vehicle. Nissan will also have to make sure that the "Metaverse" doesn't become too distracting. The digital projections could very well lead to information overload, although that won't be a problem if self-driving cars ever become mainstream.

By: www.thedrive.com

VOLKSWAGEN GROUP NOW PLANNING TO LAUNCH 70 ELECTRIC CARS BY 2028, UP FROM 50

German automaker isn't backing down in its commitment to electric vehicles, and says it will be carbon neutral by 2050.

Volkswagen Group's leadership has announced a ramping up of its already ambitious electric vehicle plans at its 2019 annual press conference.

The German automaker now plans to launch 70 new electric cars by 2028, up from the 50 it had previously committed to.

It now predicts it will make 22 million electric vehicles in the next decade, up from the previous forecast of 15 million.

If all goes according to plan, 40 per cent of the group's sales will be electric by 2030.

Production of the company's first mass-market pure electric vehicles begins this year, when the Porsche Taycan and the Audi E-Tron crossover start trundling out the factory gate.

Volkswagen says there are 20,000 reservations for both of these initial models.

Next year, the company will be sales of the first vehicles based on its new MEB electric car architecture, starting with the Volkswagen ID hatch.

It will be followed up with production versions of the Volkswagen ID Crozz crossover, ID Buzz kombi van, ID Vizzion sedan, Seat el-Born hatch, and Skoda Vision E crossover.

The company estimates it will spend €30 billion ($48 billion) by 2023 on its electric vehicle roll out.

In addition to ramping up its EV efforts, the company has also pledged to be fully CO2 neutral by 2050 "in all areas from fleet to production to administration".

The automaker will begin first by reducing its CO2 output, switching to renewable energy sources, and compensating for unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. The company says it has also begun to make changes to its supply chain, with particular effort being put into steel and aluminium production.

Interim targets include halving CO2 emissions from its own factories, compared to 2010 levels, by 2025, and converting its coal-fired power plant in Wolfsburg to natural gas.

By: caradvice.com.au

Wild and Weird Cars (or Whatevers) at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show

The Geneva Motor Show's kaleidoscope of vehicular curiosities never fails to amuse. But with stalwarts like Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volvo sitting this year out, there was even more floor space for automotive outliers to make their appeals to the showgoers here, who are among some of the planet's wealthiest clientele. Here's a look at some of the edgiest and wackiest rides to grace Geneva's 89th annual automotive party, and even more can be found in the gallery.

© Automobile Magazine Staff

AURUS SENAT

Did you know this massive Russian sedan became that nation's official presidential vehicle in 2018? You'd be forgiven if you didn't, especially since the honking conveyance looks like the illegitimate love child of a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Chrysler 300C. Available in standard, extended-wheelbase, and armored versions, this blocky behemoth is powered by a hybridized twin-turbo V-8 producing 598 horsepower and has enough road presence to scare the groveling peasants well out of the way.

© Automobile Magazine Staff

GFG STYLE KANGAROO

All things considered, it's relatively easy to unveil a nonoperational mockup of a hypothetical vehicle, but it's another thing altogether to build an actual, driving concept car-something GFG Style did with its electric-powered Kangaroo. The car made its dynamic debut in St. Moritz weeks before Geneva, which allowed the opportunity for video playback of the bouncy, big-wheeled crossover sliding across snow. The self-described "Hyper SUV" looks more hyper than SUV, but being the brainchild of design legend Giorgetto Giugiaro and son Fabrizio makes this 483-hp off-roader all right in our books.

© Automobile Magazine Staff

PAL-V FLYING CAR

Sometimes the wildest cars at Geneva aren't even cars. Take the Pal-V, for instance, a Netherlands-built roadcar/gyrocopter combo that uses dual engines to reach a claimed top speed of 99 mph on the ground or in the air. Simply unfold the twin rotors and tail boom, fire up the Rotax 912 iS engine, and fly your bad self over that pesky traffic. Right? Riiiight.

© Automobile Magazine Staff

ZENVO TSR-S

Four-digit horsepower is nothing new in the supercar world and neither are active aerodynamics, but the 1,177-hp Zenvo TSR-S takes the latter to comical heights with its rear wing. Zenvo's "Moar Wing" philosophy has manifested in various ways over the years, but this next-level setup features a positively ginormous hydraulic "four-way active centripetal rear wing for improved speed and stability." We can't vouch for the actual track performance of the allegedly enhanced dynamics, but the Danish carmaker's in-house-developed twin-supercharged 5.8-liter V-8 sure sounds like an ambitious stab at the supercar establishment.

© Automobile Magazine Staff

HISPANO SUIZA CARMEN

Perhaps wilder in theory than in execution, this Hispano Suiza redux is an embodiment of the original company founder's granddaughter's wish to resuscitate the brand's fabled name in this series of 19 cars. (The firm was originally started in 1907.) While the modernized grille is a bit of a head-scratcher, the tapered tail is a clever re-interpretation of the astounding 1938 Dubonnet "Xenia" model that currently resides in Peter Mullin's collection. The fact that the new car directs 1,000 electric horsepower to the rear wheels leaves us even more bemused at its old/new dichotomy.

© Automobile Magazine Staff

LAMBORGHINI CENTENARIO TRACTOR

What's a high-end car show without a supercar-inspired tractor? Authorized by the heirs of Ferruccio Lamborghini himself, this steampunk implement is powered by a 2.2-liter three-cylinder producing a stout 37 horsepower. Builder Klima Lounge says it will build a total of five of these hot rods at €250,000 each, which is a rather big ask for a 25-mph ride. Plus, we suspect the handling might be a bit, uh, lacking. But as the press materials point out, "Important history. Without tractors no Lamborghini supercars [sic]." Point taken, boys.

© Automobile Magazine Staff

CHELSEA TRUCK COMPANY HOMAGE 2

Though nowhere as wild as the six-wheeler Defender unveiled in Geneva last year, this backdated Defender 90 certainly piques the curiosity of diehard Land Rover fans. Built to mimic ancient Series IIA models (1948-1967), this one-off features custom-built aluminum "wings" and signature inboard IIA-style headlamps-and it's a fascinating clash of the modern and the vintage.

By: www.msn.com

Going The Distance: Vehicles Most Likely To Last For Over 200,000 Miles, Or Even 300,000

A 2020 Toyota Sequoia at the Chicago Auto Show on February 7. (AP photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Auto experts caution that the industry may be on the verge of an affordability crisis. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for a new vehicle in the U.S. has reached nearly $36,600, which is up by about $1,000 over the last 12 months. Edmunds.com says the average new-vehicle loan payment is now at $556 a month for a 69.4-month term.

Aside from proper care and maintenance, the best way to ensure you'll get your money's worth - and then some - when shopping for your next car, truck or sport-utility vehicle is to choose one that's best suited to deliver many, many years of faithful service. Whether it's stocks, bonds or autos, buy-and-hold is always a sound financial practice.

While it's true that just about any of today's new vehicles can eventually reach the 200,000-mile mark and beyond, some models prove to be inherently easier, cheaper, and more amenable to keep running than others. To help identify them, the automotive data and research company iSeeCars.com looked at more than 13.8 million used-vehicle transactions conducted last year. What they found is that, for the most part, the longest lasting cars on the road are trucks.

Of the 14 vehicles the website determined are most likely to be driven for more than 200,000 miles, nine are SUVs. While most are of the burly truck-based variety, the list does include a hybrid gas/electric-powered crossover model. Also represented are three pickup trucks, a minivan, and a single sedan. We're featuring the complete list in the accompanying slideshow.

Topping the list is the full-size Toyota Sequoia truck-based SUV, with 7.4% of all models trading hands during 2018 having registered more than 200,000 miles, with many more left in the proverbial tank. The industry average among all vehicles is 0.8%. "Full-size SUVs like the Sequoia are built on truck platforms so they have the durability of a truck and the cargo space for up to eight passengers," says iSeeCars.com CEO Phong Ly. "Toyotas are known for their reliability, and our findings show that these capable family haulers are able to go the distance for their owners."

In addition to industry-wide stats, iSeeCars.com lists which models in each vehicle category are most likely to last the longest. For example, the top-selling full-size Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup trucks are slightly above average in this regard, with 1.9% and 1.8% of them, respectively, finding new owners last year with over 200,000 miles on the clock. Among sports cars, the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster is most likely to be driven into dust, with 0.6% of them trading garages last year with more than 200,000 miles driven.

And that's just the beginning for some vehicles. The study notes that six of the 14 models on the longest-lasting list are twice as likely than the national average (0.2% versus 0.1%) to continue running well in excess of 300,000 miles. Assuming an owner drives 12,000 miles per year, this comes out to at least 25 years of blissful operation, with most of them coming without a car payment. Now that's longevity.

You can read the full report here.

The fine print: iSeeCars.com analyzed over 13.8 million pre-owned cars sold during 2018 from the 1981 through 2018 model years. Vehicles that were not in production as of the 2018 model year, heavy-duty trucks, and low-volume models were not included. For each model, the percentage of the number of cars with at least 200,000 miles on the odometer when sold was calculated.

By: www.forbes.com

New 2020 Cars Worth Waiting For

Sneak previews of the new cars and SUVs in advance of our track tests

We have our eyes on this promising group of new and redesigned models coming later this year.

Although these vehicles may be tempting, we traditionally recommend holding off purchases for a year or so after the launch of a redesigned or brand-new model. 

Even historically reliable vehicles can have initial teething problems during a redesign. Plus, waiting will give us time to purchase and test the vehicles, ensuring you're making an informed decision.

The added benefit of knowing what new models are coming is that they signal when discounts will grow for the outgoing models, because incentives are often used to make room for the all-new cars.

The cars are presented in alphabetical order. When possible, we provided the month when the vehicle will go on sale.

Learn more about these vehicles by clicking the links to larger previews.

See the vehicles that made our Top Picks list in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.

2020 Cadillac XT6

The XT6 SUV fills the gap between Cadillac's massive truck-based Escalade and the midsized XT5. This new three-row SUV can seat up to seven. Every XT6 gets a power-folding third row and remote-folding second row, plus six USB ports, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The only powertrain choice is a 310-hp, 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard; all-wheel drive is optional. The XT6 gets a generous amount of standard safety tech, too, including AEB with pedestrian detection, and BSW.

On sale: Summer

2020 Ford Explorer

Although it may look familiar, the Explorer has been completely redesigned for 2020. This three-row SUV rides on a new rear-wheel-drive platform (all-wheel drive is optional) and gets more powerful engine choices, including a 300-hp, 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder; a 400-hp engine for the performance-focused Explorer ST; and a 318-hp, 3.3-liter hybrid. The interior features knobs and buttons that handle many functions, and the driving position is improved. Ford says the cargo area is big enough to fit a sheet of plywood, and the third row has more head, hip, and shoulder room than in the outgoing Explorer. FCW and AEB are standard.

On sale: Summer

2020 Hyundai Palisade

The three-row Palisade replaces the Santa Fe XL as Hyundai's flagship SUV. It has a muscular grille and flared fenders. The interior offers family-focused niceties like seating for up to eight people, an intercom system that allows the driver to communicate with the second- or third-row passengers via the audio system, and a Rear Sleep Mode that lets the driver listen to music without any sound going to the second- and third-row speakers. The Palisade has a 291-hp, 3.8-liter V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, with all-wheel drive available. AEB, blind spot warning (BSW), and adaptive cruise control come standard.

On sale: Summer

2020 Kia Telluride

Larger than Kia's three-row Sorento, this bold, new midsized SUV can seat up to eight people. The Telluride shares its underpinnings; its 291-hp, 3.8-liter V6 engine; and its family-friendly tech (an intercom and a driver-only audio mode) with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade. The cabin is well-appointed, and the controls are straightforward and simple. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive is available.

On sale: Spring

2020 Land Rover Evoque

The 2020 version of this stylish compact luxury SUV rides on a new platform and gets a new look-inside and out-that's inspired by its Velar stablemate. The base Evoque is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo engine, and a hybrid powertrain is also available. Its nine-speed transmission has been updated. The Evoque also gets standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and optional ClearSight Ground View uses cameras to give drivers a virtual view "through" the SUV's hood on the touch-screen display.

On sale: Spring

2020 Lincoln Aviator

The new three-row Aviator has a luxuriously finished cabin that offers minimally processed leather-to retain its natural texture-and wood trim. And there's tons of tech, including an optional adaptive air suspension that uses an onboard camera to scan the road ahead for potholes and adjusts the suspension accordingly. A 400-hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 10-speed automatic transmission is standard. The 450-hp Grand Touring plug-in hybrid version can run in electric-only mode for a short distance. The Aviator comes with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is optional. FCW and AEB come standard.

On sale: Summer

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The new CLA sedan is slightly longer and wider than the version it replaces, while retaining a coupelike design. But the biggest change is the addition of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system, which includes a voice assistant that automatically anticipates user requests, such as suggesting a frequently listened-to radio station. The car has a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

On sale: Fall

2020 Toyota Supra

This two-seater sports car is the first new one to wear the Supra badge in the U.S. since 1998. It's built in partnership with BMW and is based on the German automaker's Z4 roadster. (Both are built in the same plant in Austria.) It has a unique design with sharp angles, dramatic curves, and large scoops and air intakes. The rear-wheel-drive coupe is designed with a 50:50 weight distribution, which is a coveted ratio for sports cars because it helps to create neutral, predictable handling. The Supra is powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that produces 335 hp and 365 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic is the only available transmission. Forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are standard.

By: www.consumerreports.org