MAY 8, 2017

French supplier Lectra is taking bold steps to change the way leather and other automotive interior fabrics are cut, using forward-looking processes designed to save up to $350 per vehicle interior.

Acura Aims for Easier, Faster Interfaces

A capacitive vs. resistive touchscreen, redone graphics, rearranged hard buttons and faster access to satellite radio stations are new to the ’18 Acura midsize sedan’s infotainment system.

Very Special Engine, Very Special Car

“If there was a slam-dunk engine in this year’s competition, it was this one.” WardsAuto editor David Zoia enthuses about the 350-hp 2.3L turbo-4 in the Ford Focus RS.

2017 Wards 10 Best Interiors: Winners Profiled

Click here for articles, videos and galleries of this year's winners.

Acura MDX More Sport Than Hybrid, But Compelling

Test Drive
Garnering 8 mpg more in city driving than its non-hybrid brother, and priced thousands below other green competitors that don’t handle as well, Acura’s new hybrid CUV should do well for the brand.

Chinese Automaker’s Pickup Gets Poor Safety Rating

“While the Steed is equipped with six airbags and electronic stability control, features which were not offered on the previous model, there has been little change…to improve the safety of the passenger cabin,” ANCAP CEO James Goodwin says.

European Union Suppliers Sharing Autonomous Smarts

Roberto Vavassori, president of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, says in his keynote speech to the group that to keep pace with the development of autonomous-vehicle technologies, R&D investment is essential.

Bolt’s Lead Designer Describes Clean-Sheet Creation

“We developed a unique architecture, a unique and brand-new 60-kW/hr battery, drive unit, the vehicle’s functionality, aluminum doors and liftgate, electronic shifter, touchscreen display system, all launched with great quality in the United States in just three-and-a-half years,” Stuart Norris says.

Tough Selling EVs When Gasoline Cheaper Than Water

“The reality is that gas prices are not going to be down forever,” says American Honda’s Jeff Conrad. It’s not just that though.

Research Indicates Pollution Threat in Low-Cost Cars

The U.K.’s Emissions Analytics testing firm shows in some vehicles, the level of noxious air being breathed in the cabin can be up to 10 times higher than air-pollution figures recorded on the sidewalk as polluted air is driven toward car occupants by the vehicles’ ventilation systems.

VW, Audi Deny New Allegations of Emissions Cheating

“For us it’s not possible to comment on these particular tests because we don’t know what they did,” a VW spokesperson says of the tests conducted for consumer groups in Italy and Belgium. “We only know the results and not what they did in detail.”

Newest Lotus Ready to Tackle Track or Cruise Streets

“Unlike some rivals’ cars, this is something that really can drive to a track, set the fastest lap and take the win before heading home. It’s supremely usable, yet outrageously fast,” Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales says.