1937-64 Checker Cab Crankshaft F0600c600 on 2040-parts.com

Suzuki loses the American Dream, dies an unloved death on our shores

On Nov. 5, 2012, the American Suzuki Motor Corp.filed for bankruptcy and announced that no more Suzukis will be sold in America—not now, not ever. (Unless someone has the Bricklin-like foresight to import Wagon Rs to our advanced civilization in, say, 50 years.) And with that news, the Stateside automotive journalists filed their respective stories, drove home and sat on the couch to twiddle their thumbs.

Apple announces 'iOS in the Car' hands-free system

Apple has announced the next generation of in-car iPhone integration with its latest software update, iOS 7, named 'iOS in the Car'. Next year will see carmakers including Honda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Ferrari, Chevy, Infiniti, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo, Jaguar, and Acura offering Apple's new iOS in the Car system, developed to let drivers use key iPhone functions via the dashboard screen. Drivers will be able to make phone calls, play music, display Apple Maps and receive iMessages either by using the car's controls or through voice commands to Apple's voice-recognition program, Siri, which can also read iMessages aloud and write new messages as part of Apple's Eyes Free feature set.

Audi A1 e-tron Wankel range-extender EV trial begins

Audi A1 e-tron trial begins in Munich If car makers are going to foist electric cars on us, the least they can do is make them as useful as the limited technology permits. And that’s what Audi are doing with the A1 e-tron EV. The Audi A1 e-tron isn’t a daft BEV (battery electric vehicle) with a woeful range at the mercy of weather conditions, instead it’s a range extender EV with a small Wankel engine which kicks-in when the battery charge is used up to increase range.