Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
2017 Audi A6’s smooth power will make you love driving
I have high expectations of Audi vehicles.
From the time I first stepped into one years ago, they have impressed me highly, so any step down in new models will be noticed. As the saying goes, getting to the top is hard, but staying up there is harder once the standard is set.
I recently tested a 2017 Audi A6, the luxury automaker’s mid-size sedan entry, and I’m back with a full report on my experience.
2017 Chevy Cruze hatchback brings a unique option to GM small car lineup
Compact cars may be a smaller part of the sales pie than they used to be, but they’re not going away. Chevy knows this, and are doing what they can to keep the Cruze up-to-date in this extremely competitive segment.
One thing they were lacking was a hatchback option on the Cruze. While they long ago offered a hatch overseas on the Cruze, it’s just now coming to the U.S., having debuted with the 2017 model. I recently tested one out and I’m back with a full report.
2017 Honda Civic is a fuel-efficient, non-flashy everyday vehicle
“Car guys” dislike vehicles like the Honda Civic for the most part, because they are pretty boring in the grand scheme of things, unless you go for the tricked-out versions.
But boring is safe, and boring is reliable, and boring is fuel-efficient. So boring is very attractive to the masses who don’t care about super-sporty motors and flashy colors and designs -- as evidenced by the countless grandmas and neighbors and cousins of yours who probably own a Civic.
I recently spent some time in 2017 Civic sedan, and I’m back with a report about which side of that argument I fall on.
2017 Ridgeline is a strong truck return for Honda
While it was gone from the market for a couple of years, the Honda Ridgeline wasn’t quite about to disappear. Instead, it got a major revamp, and the result is the 2017 Ridgeline -- a freshly updated and strong competitor in the newly resurgent category of small trucks.
I recently spent some time in a Ridgeline and here's my take on the experience.
2017 Volkswagen Touareg is spacious and powerful, but has identity crisis
Volkswagen is primarily known for its cars -- the Jetta, Passat, Beetle, etc. -- and that’s the first image of a VW most people will get in your head.
But the folks in the front office are thinking about SUVs and how to boost their stake in that ever-growing segment of the auto industry. Later this spring, the three-row VW Atlas will debut, and will be the largest SUV in the lineup. Until the Atlas debuts, the two-row luxury-lite Touareg SUV is the largest VW has to offer, and I recently spent some time in one.
Dodge Resurrects the Demon brand for upcoming Challenger model
Dodge shocked the performance world when it launched the most powerful and fastest muscle cars in the world – the Challenger SRT Hellcat and Charger SRT Hellcat. Now, two years later, Dodge is raising the bar again with the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.
“Most cars attempt to be everything to everybody. Then there are the rare few that revel in a single objective, rendering them totally irresistible to a subculture," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT – FCA North America. "The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is conceived, designed and engineered for a subculture of enthusiasts who know that a tenth is a car and a half second is your reputation."
FCA US issues response to EPA report on diesel violations
FCA US is disappointed that the EPA has chosen to issue a notice of violation with respect to the emissions control technology employed in the company’s 2014-16 model year light duty 3.0-liter diesel engines.
FCA US intends to work with the incoming administration to present its case and resolve this matter fairly and equitably and to assure the EPA and FCA US customers that the company’s diesel-powered vehicles meet all applicable regulatory requirements.
FCA US diesel engines are equipped with state-of-the-art emission control systems hardware, including selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Every auto manufacturer must employ various strategies to control tailpipe emissions in order to balance EPA’s regulatory requirements for low nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and requirements for engine durability and performance, safety and fuel efficiency. FCA US believes that its emission control systems meet the applicable requirements.
FCA US has spent months providing voluminous information in response to requests from EPA and other governmental authorities and has sought to explain its emissions control technology to EPA representatives. FCA US has proposed a number of actions to address EPA’s concerns, including developing extensive software changes to our emissions control strategies that could be implemented in these vehicles immediately to further improve emissions performance.
FCA US looks forward to the opportunity to meet with the EPA’s enforcement division and representatives of the new administration to demonstrate that FCA US’s emissions control strategies are properly justified and thus are not “defeat devices” under applicable regulations and to resolve this matter expeditiously.
-- Press release courtesy of FCA
BMW 5 Series Wins User Experience Award at NAIAS
The all-new 7th generation BMW 5 Series is already earning accolades from the industry as it recently was awarded the Best Designed User Experience Award from EyesOn Design. The EyesOnDesign Awards are the officially-sanctioned design awards for the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), honoring the best production and concept vehicles making their worldwide auto show debut in Detroit.
The all-new BMW 5 Series won the judges votes by featuring a broad array of technology and design working in perfect harmony. The new 5 Series makes use of a new user interface (iDrive 6.0), BMW Gesture Control, the latest generation of Head-Up Display, Remote 3D View and an improved Voice Control with natural voice input, marking a new era of personalized connectivity. The BMW 5 Series is the most innovative BMW 5 Series to date, combining unique driving dynamics using Remote Control Parking and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems clearing the way towards semi-automated driving. “BMW has long been a pioneer in advanced Human Machine Interface (HMI) technologies and the new 5 Series brings together everything we have learned in our 100 year history. It is truly an honor to receive this prestigious award from EyesOnDesign for the Best Designed User Experience on the all-new BMW 5 Series.” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America.
Starting at $51,200 plus destination and handling, the all-new BMW 5 Series will be available at U.S. dealers in February 2017.
-- Press release courtesy of BMW
Audi breaks annual U.S. sales record with 210,213 deliveries; SUVs set pace
Audi sales in the United States grew 4 percent in 2016 for a total of 210,213 vehicles, surpassing 2015 as the brand’s best annual performance. December 2016 sales increased 13.7 percent to 23,195 vehicles.
December 2016 marked the best-ever month of sales in Audi of America history and the 72nd consecutive month of record sales for the market. The previous December record was set in 2015 with 20,399 deliveries. The annual result marks the seventh straight year of record sales for Audi in the U.S.
2018 Audi SQ5 makes debut at NAIAS
Featuring an all-new 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine, the 2018 Audi SQ5 produces 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, between a broad 1370 – 4500 rpm range. The eight-speed tiptronic transmission is well suited for the low-end torque of the turbocharged V6 and its eight gears provide quick, smooth shifts.
Every Audi SQ5 is standard-equipped with quattro® all-wheel drive, offering high-precision and dynamic handling through active torque distribution to both axles. As part of the available S sport package, the SQ5 with quattro sport rear differential can offer an even more dynamic driving experience by actively splitting torque between the wheels of the rear axle, with the ability to direct nearly all torque to one wheel, helping maximize driving dynamics.
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