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VW teases larger ID.6 electric SUV ahead of auto show debut

By Michael J. Moody 6 days ago

VW has yet another round of electric vehicles in the pipeline, and it’s not waiting until the official launch to offer a hint of what to expect. Autoblog says the car maker has teased the ID.6 electric SUV ahead of its debut at the Shanghai auto show beginning April 21. The seven-seat EV will be larger than the ID.4 and will be available in two variants, the ID.6 X and ID.6 Crozz. However, the imagery shows that it won’t be as fanciful as the Roomzz concept from 2019 — VW has dropped the sliding doors in favor of more conventional entryways.

While VW hasn’t officially shared specs, Chinese regulatory leaks have suggested you’ll get the same power as the ID.4. You’ll get 201HP from a rear motor in standard ID.6 trim, and around 302HP for a dual-motor, all wheel driver model.

The company has made clear that the ID.6 X

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Concours d’Elegance car show in Plymouth moves into the future

By Michael J. Moody 3 weeks ago

One of southeast Michigan’s favorite car events is under new management, with plans for a blockbuster show this summer and growth — and a bigger digital footprint — in the future.

Concours d’Elegance of America, the July car show that draws vehicles and visitors from around the country, has been acquired by Hagerty Group, the world’s largest insurer of classic cars and wooden boats.

This year’s Concours is scheduled for July 23-25 on the rolling grounds of the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, just west of Detroit.

“I believe in the mythic status of Detroit” in global automotive culture, said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of the Traverse City-based insurer. “I don’t see this as one Sunday in the summer. It’s a year-round connection with Detroit and the car community.

“We also want to knit it together with other events around the country and world. What more can we do with

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Longview car show brings together automotive aficionados after pandemic hiatus | Local News

By Michael J. Moody 4 weeks ago

Michael Black of Longview and his son, Connor, 10, walked through the rows of brightly colored classic and sports cars Saturday at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center.

“We’re interested in old cars and like looking at them,” Black said.

The father and son chatted with the owners, listening to stories from the people showing their labor of love project cars and trucks at the 44th annual LeTourneau University Automotive Society Car Show.

Society President Austin Barker said the stories about the vehicles as well as those who own and work on them are the best part of the show.

“That’s really what it’s all about is getting people out talking about their cars and sharing stories,” he said. “Yeah, the cars are nice, but some of them have a deep-rooted history.”

Barker pointed at a bright red and chrome Chevrolet truck.

“There’s a lot of sentimental value and a

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2021 TOYOTA YARIS NAMED CAR OF THE YEAR AT GENEVA AUTO SHOW +VIDEO

By Michael J. Moody 2 months ago


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Toyota Yaris, Car of the Year 2021, A deserving winner

“The Car of the Year” trophy, which has been awarded since 1964, is the most prestigious and coveted award in the automotive world. A 59-member jury, made up of automotive journalists from 22 countries, selects the winner from seven models that have made it to the round of finalists in the first round of voting.

The finalists for “The Car of the Year 2021” are:

•    Citroën C4
•    Cupra Formentor
•    Fiat 500
•    Land Rover Defender
•    Škoda Octavia
•    Toyota Yaris
•    Volkswagen ID.3

One of these cars will be the successor of last year’s winner, the Peugeot 208.

Now it is a neatly different story. Yaris keeps on being more compact than other B-segment models, but has matured and refined in every aspect: looks, perceived quality, safety and comfort equipment, performance and handling too. The main

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