Nother CarGuy

Ford announced it has ceased manufacturing the Taurus sedan at its Chicago Assembly Plant, marking the end of U.S. production of the historic nameplate. It’s not the first time Ford pulls the plug on the Taurus; the same thing happened in 2006, before the automaker revived it with an all-new car in 2008. However, this is likely the last time we’ll hear of the Taurus as a mid-size sedan since sales have fallen abruptly in recent years. Thus, unless Ford decides to reinvent the Taurus into a crossover, or the passenger car market starts recovering at some point in the future, this is the last time we hear about it. Over 34 years of near-continuous production, Ford has built more than 8 million Taurus sedans and wagons at its Chicago facility. Introduced at the 1985 Los Angeles Auto Show as a mid-size car, the Taurus was a major departure from its predecessor, the LTD. It adopted front-wheel drive and sleek, Euro-inspired looks that made it both more attractive and fuel-efficie...

As promised, Ferrari has just released the first details about its world debut for the Geneva Motor Show. And its name is the F8 Tributo. It’s a really important one, too, as it replaces the 488 GTB. The latest in a long line of two-seater berlinettas pays homage both to the engine that powers it as well as the recipe that has been so successful over the years. While the F8 Tributo is the 488 GTB‘s successor, it carries on with the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. However, the powertrain sees significant improvements. It now produces 720 PS (710 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 770 Nm (568 lb-ft) of torque from 3,250 rpm, an increase of 50 PS and 10 Nm (7 lb-ft) compared to its predecessor. And while Ferrari doesn’t explicitly say it, the fact that it has the exact same specs as the 488 Pista hints that it could very well be the same engine. The only difference is the peak torque of 770 Nm comes slightly earlier in the 488 Pista, at 3,000 rpm. What this means is the F8 Tributo delivers ...

The Opel Cascada is slated to go out of production later this year and Buick has finally confirmed its version of the car is also going away. Even when Buick declined to confirm the Cascada’s death after Opel announced it was axing its version, it was clear that the Cascada was living on borrowed time. Thus, the announcement wasn’t too surprising. “The Cascada has played its role in the portfolio perfectly, outselling many other premium convertibles while bringing in buyers from outside GM”, Buick told Autonews. They added that the model will be discontinued at the 2019 model year and dealers should have enough inventory to last them until then. The Cascada was launched in early 2016 and became Buick’s first convertible in 25 years. Featuring a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) and up to 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque, the Cascada was billed as an affordable alternative to the Audi A3 Cabriolet. Despite being cheaper than the Audi, the Cas...

General Motors shocked the auto industry when it announced plans to close up to five North American plants and slash 15 percent of its salaried workforce earlier today. The initial release was light on specifics, but the company has now added a “North American Capacity Actions” sheet which spells out of the death of a number of different models. Like previous actions by Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, GM’s sedan lineup is seeing major cuts. Things will kick off on March 1st 2019, when the last Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Volt are built at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant in Michigan. At the same time, a couple hundred miles away, the last Chevrolet Cruze will be built at the Lordstown Assembly Plant in Ohio. When summer rolls around, the Cadillac CT6 and Chevrolet Impala will cease being built at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant on June 1st. The Impala will get a slight reprieve as the model will continue to be built at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada until th...

The Beetle has reached the end of the road as Volkswagen of America has announced the iconic model will be going out of production in 2019. Volkswagen is marking the occasion by introducing a Beetle Final Edition which will be available as a coupe and convertible. The model draw inspiration from the 2003 Beetle Última Edición (Last Edition) which celebrated the end of first-generation Beetle production in Mexico. As a result, the 2019 Beetle Final Edition will be available in two unique colors – Safari Uni and Stonewashed Blue – which pay tribute to the Beetle Última Edición which was only available in beige and light blue. Customers can also order an assortment of other colors including Pure White, Deep Black Pearl and Platinum Grey. The Final Edition SE features a modestly revised exterior with body-color mirrors, a sunroof (on the coupe) and 17-inch alloy wheels. Bigger changes occur in the cabin as the model has cloth and leatherette seats and a leather-wrapped ste...

The Range Rover Evoque is one of the few crossovers offered in three body styles but it appears the company has quietly decided to drop the three-door variant. In a statement to Autocar, a Land Rover spokesperson confirmed the news by saying “From the 2019 model year, Land Rover has rationalized its Range Rover Evoque body style offering to concentrate on the five-door model and convertible, which account for the majority of sales.” There’s no word on how many Evoque coupes the company has managed to sell but the publication says sales dropped off after the convertible variant was introduced. Sourced also indicated sales of the five-door variant account for as much as 95% of overall Evoque sales. If that figure is correct, it’s not surprising that Land Rover decided to drop the Evoque coupe. MINI made a similar decision a few years ago when it dropped the Paceman to focus on the Countryman. In the United States in 2014, MINI sold 2,082 Paceman crossovers compared to 22,645 Cou...

The Cadillac ATS Sedan was designed to take on the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class but it never managed to live up to those lofty expectations. Last year, reports suggested the model would be going away for the 2019 model year and that has now been confirmed by Cadillac spokesman Donny Nordlicht. Speaking to Carbuzz, Nordlicht said “Production of the ATS Sedan is ending due to extensive plant upgrades, expansion and retooling to prepare for the next generation of Cadillac sedans.” Nordlicht didn’t go into specifics but he’s obviously talking about the upcoming CT5. The all-new sedan will eventually replace several different models including the ATS, CTS and XTS. Former Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen had suggested the model will start at around $35,000 and this would be slightly less than the 2018 ATS Sedan which begins at $35,495. Customers who are still in the market for an ATS shouldn’t fret as the sedan is still available at dealerships and Cadillac is going to mana...

The announcement was made with little fanfare as it was tucked away in the company’s first quarter financial results. Buried underneath various statistics is a rather blunt statement that the company will “not invest in next generations of traditional Ford sedans for North America.” Instead, models such as the Fusion, Fiesta and Taurus will be phased out over the next few years. The company isn’t abandoning cars altogether as the company will keep the Mustang. Ford also confirmed plans to launch the all-new Focus Active in North America next year. Additional crossover-like vehicles are possible as the company noted it is exploring “white space” vehicles that “combine the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space and versatility.” In a statement, Ford CEO Jim Hackett said “We are committed to taking the appropriate actions to drive profitable growth and maximize the returns of our business over the long term.” He went on to say the company will ‘pla...

Land Rover has made the decision to kill off the Range Rover Evoque three-door in the United States. Motor Authority reports that the British automaker pulled the plug due to poor demand for the model in the U.S., where it was easily out-sold by the five-door and the two-door convertible. Sales of the three-door Evoque will continue in other international markets. In a bid to update the popular SUV, Land Rover is currently developing a next-generation model, expected to arrive in late 2018 as a 2019 model year in the U.S. The new model will retain the same D8 architecture as the current car but a host of new technologies will be featured. Styling inspiration will also be taken from the Range Rover Velar. Carscoops

Tata has axed its plans to bring a Mazda MX-5-rivalling sports car to the market. At March’s Geneva Motor Show, the automaker unveiled the Racemo, what it dubbed as the world’s most affordable sports car. Despite its impressive design and claimed performance, Autocar India says the project has been shelved because executives believe it would be smarter to invest in its commercial vehicles. In recent times, Tata’s commercial vehicle business has floundered and while recently speaking with company shareholders, Tata company chairman N Chandrasekaran suggested the company needs to prioritize its commercial vehicles. “The commercial vehicle segment has witnessed a continued decline in market share and the passenger car performance has been muted,” he said. Tata originally intended on producing the Racemo around a new flexible architecture dubbed Moflex and ultimately wanted to launch a small city car and an electric crossover around it. Carscoops

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that it will kill off the B-Class Electric Drive after the 2017 model year. Speaking to Autonews, Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran said that production would be phased out in the third quarter of this year so the automaker can turn its attention towards it impending range of EQ vehicles. Moran said that the assembly plant in Rastatt, Germany, responsible for building the B-Class Electric Drive will soon be converted to build the firm’s updated compact vehicles from 2018. The cancellation of the electric B-Class comes as no real shock as it has never been particularly popular. In fact, since hitting the U.S. market in December 2013, only 3,651 examples have been sold across the country. In a statement, Moran said “Due to our strategic focus on [connectivity, autonomous driving, sharing and electric drive systems] for the mobility of the future, we are planning the step-by-step electrification of our portfolio. Moreover, we are evaluating the p...

Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen has confirmed plans to eliminate a number of sedans as the company tries to accommodate customers who can't get enough crossovers. Speaking with Reuters, de Nysschen confirmed "We have to rebalance our sedan portfolio" and this will spell the end for the ATS, CTS, and XTS. The models won't be phased out overnight but the company doesn't plan to replace them once their lifecycles end in 2019. Instead, the company will launch an all-new CT5 which is designed to appeal customers looking for a sedan that costs between $35,000 and $45,000. For comparison, the ATS starts $34,595 while the CTS and XTS both start around $45,500. The CT5 will eventually be joined by a new entry-level sedan that will compete with models such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA. Despite previous reports, the CT6 will continue to be a mainstay of Cadillac's lineup and will serve as the brand's flagship sedan. Cadillac needs more crossovers...

Hyundai has announced plans to drop the Azera in the United States. According to the automaker, the Azera has been a "successful" part of the company's lineup for years as it offered a combination of style and comfort at an affordable price. However, Hyundai notes the car was facing stiff competition from the Sonata and the Genesis G80. A mix of slowing sales and product overlap pushed the company to decide to stop offering the Azera and simplify its lineup. The 2017 Azera starts at $34,100 and is powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine that produces 293 hp (218 kW) and 255 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. The car comes nicely equipped with leather upholstery, heated / ventilated front seats, and GPS navigation. Despite all these features, Azera sales have dwindled as Carsalesbase reports the company only sold 4,942 units in the United States last year. For comparison, Buick sold 27,582 LaCrosse models in 2016 while Toyota sold 48,079 Avalons. Besides announcing the decisi...

Volkswagen has confirmed that it has dropped its plans of launching a 10-speed dual-clutch transmission. While speaking to Automotive News at April's International Vienna Motor Symposium, VW powertrain chief Friedrich Eichler confirmed the gearbox had been dropped. “Two months ago, I had the prototype crushed,” he said. The automaker originally intended on launching the transmission for high torque engines and announced its plan at the 2013 Vienna Symposium, the same location where Ford and General Motors confirmed their partnership to co-develop nine and 10-speed transmissions. GM and Ford's nine-speed debuted last year in the new Chevrolet Malibu and the 10-speed was first dropped into the Camaro ZL1 and Ford F-150 Raptor. Eichler failed to provide a reason why the project had been scrapped but said it was dreamt up during the company's outdated “bigger is better” engineering philosophy. While the gearbox is off the cards for the time being, Eichler didn'...

Kia updated the Forte lineup more than a year ago at the Detroit Auto Show by giving the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback an array of cosmetic tweaks, along with a new S trim, and a 2.0-liter engine. The sleeker Forte Koup was supposed to receive just about the same goodies later in the year, but it never happened. Now we know why. Speaking with CarsDirect, Kia spokesperson James Hope revealed the Forte Koup is going to be axed after the 2016 model year. That means new orders are no longer being taken for the model, but if you’ll hurry, you may still be able to find one in stock at a discontinued price. The EX with the 173-hp 2.0-liter engine is listed on the company’s website with a $19,890 MSRP starting price before destination and handling fees whereas the SX fitted with the beefier 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo is $20,690. In reality, you’ll pay considerably less than that since there’s a $2,500 rebate applicable right now and the dealer might throw in an extra discount as w...

There’s bad news for anyone still holding out hope that Audi might bring the Sport Quattro concept to market because Audi Sport boss Stephan Winkelmann boss says the project is dead. “It’s a nice dream,” Winkelmann told Car and Driver. “but I think we have so much in front of us that the most important thing is to get the lineup where we need it. I think there is the opportunity for a very limited car, but this is not my top priority at the moment.” Audi first imagined the concept on the contemporary RS5’s chassis in 2010 as a way to recall the original Quattro sports coupe. In 2013, the company updated it as the yellow Sport Quattro with a hybrid 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 TFSI engine making a combined output of 690 horsepower (515 kilowatts) and 590 pound-feet (800 Newton-meters) of torque. Audi slightly updated the design once again at the 2014 Consumer Electronics show when it introduced the red Sport Quattro Laserlight concept that featured laser-assisted versions of the com...

Aston Martin has confirmed that the V12-powered Rapide we’re familiar with will soon be killed off to make way for an all-electric variant. The company's chief executive Andy Palmer told Motoring that the Rapide will be initially replaced by the all-electric RapidE while later on the DBX crossover and a new Lagonda-badged sedan will indirectly take its position in the Aston Martin range. “So obviously there’s a platform for the electric Rapide, so it has life in front of it, but the Rapide as you see it today is also going to be replaced by the DBX on one hand and the Lagonda on the other,” he revealed. Aston first unveiled the RapidE as a concept in late 2015 and while it isn’t yet known if Aston intends on keeping the styling unchanged for the production model, the car has the potential to be even more potent than the recent Rapide AMR thanks to around 800 hp of electric grunt. Next year, the RapidE will hit the market, says Palmer, and then be followed up by the DBX i...

Introduced last year as the most affordable option of the Tesla Model S range, the 60 and 60D versions were short lived as the Californian company has decided to discontinue both models. Announced in a short press release, the decision is official, and will be effective starting with April 16, which is the date when those still interested in the two entry-level vehicles will still be able to place an order. "One year ago, we introduced the Model S 60 kWh battery as a more affordable option to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. However, most customers ended up buying an equivalent to the Model S 75 kWh. To simplify the ordering process for our customers, we will be removing the 60 kWh option from our lineup", said Tesla. Tesla also have a solution for current owners of the Model S 60 and 60D, and it involves upgrading their batteries to a 75 kWh capacity. This means not only a longer range between charges, from EPA-estimated 210 miles (338 km) and 218 miles...

The Chevrolet SS, one of the  most honest and talented four-door models of the market , is apparently heading to its extinction this year. The confirmation came from Alan Batey, President of GM North America according to  WardsAuto . It will be a sad day when the SS ceases to exist but we all knew that this was approaching fast; the slow sales didn’t help the SS but to be fair, Chevrolet didn’t do much to promote it either. Essentially the left-hand drive version of the Holden Commodore, the Chevrolet SS was praised by many, but bought by too few. Many people and the press saw  a true spiritual successor of the E39 M5  in the SS, and that means a lot to the right ears.  It was also offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as well, but these days no one is really  looking to buy a thirsty V8-powered four-door  that demands you do the work of shifting. Let’s not forget that GM is also shutting down Holden’s production in Australia anyway, so even if th...

Ford seems poised to kill off the boxy  Flex crossover  in 2020, according to a number of Canadian union officials. The Detroit Free Press  reports that upon Canadian auto workers union Unifor striking a labor contract with Ford, it was revealed that the Flex  won't survive  beyond 2020. This decision comes as the automaker increases investment at its Ontario plant which currently handles production of the Flex, Edge, Lincoln MKX and Lincoln MKT. It is believed that Ford will upgrade the Edge and Lincoln MKX in the coming years, choosing to focus on these models rather than the Flex. As the Lincoln MKT uses the same architecture as the Ford Flex, its future remains uncertain. Almost every year since the Flex's introduction in mid-2008, sales have fallen year on year. Interestingly though, sales were up 13.1 per cent for the first nine months of 2016, reaching 17,034 units. While respectable for such an  opinion-dividing vehicle  as old as the F...