Drew Dowdell

Volvo has released some teaser images of the upcoming Volvo XC40 EV crossover. This will be the brand's first full EV as the other EVs the Volvo has released are going to its Polestar brand. What we did know was that Volvo's first EV was going to be based on an existing model. Volvo is expecting to make the XC40 EV one of the safest vehicles ever built. The XC40 rides on Volvo's Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that was designed with multiple different modes of propulsion in mind. It's the same platform found in the Polestar 2. As it was planned from the start to be capable of being an EV, it wasn't that hard to convert it over from gasoline. Like most EVs, the battery pack is in the floor, but being in such a small package, it required some extra aluminum crumple zone shielding to prevent puncture in an accident. Being mounted in the floor lowers the center of gravity to reduce the risk of a rollover. With no 4-cylinder engine up front, the space under the hood is mostly empty. Volvo took the opportunity to reinforce the front to further protect passengers in a front end collision. A whole suite of safety tech will come along with the XC40 that includes sensors, cameras, and radar to allow the vehicle to "see" around itself and take action if needed. It's not going to have autonomous driving, but since the platform is modular, autonomy could be added on later. We don't have any details on price or power, but that will come when the XC40 debuts on October 16th. View full article

well... the engine might be corvette but the rest of the car is not based on Corvette I think he is implying.

Spotted this just a few blocks from my house. Rare to find them in good condition these days. They tended to eat timing belts.

I've driven these. I can't imagine anyone is going to miss the 10 horsepower.

Ford Kwality may not be job 1 these days, but in terms of interior styling, Lincoln has hit it so far out of the park, Cadillac can't even see the ball anymore.

The prius is terrible to drive. it's the antithesis of a driver's car. That doesn't make all hybrids bad driving cars.

Nissan has debuted the 2020 Nissan Patrol for the Middle East. We had gotten a preview when the Nissan Patrol leaked out on Facebook a few weeks ago. The Nissan Patrol is known as the Nissan Armada in the U.S., however we will not get this update until at least the 2021 model year as the 2020 Armadas are already on dealer lots. Overall, the Patrol's formula remains the same, a chiseled, upright SUV with a posh interior and real off-road chops. It takes on the company's V-Motion grille with a broad flat bottom. It's flanked by C-shaped LED running lamps. At the rear, there are fewer changes, though Nissan did install new tail-lamps with sequential turn signals. The interior has moved even more upscale with available diamond-stitched quilted leather seats. The infotainment system has been upgraded with support for Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Nissan says that the interior will also be noticeably quieter. In the Middle East, the standard engine is a 4.0 liter V6 producing 275 horsepower and 291 lb.-ft of torque or customers can upgrade to the 5.6 liter V8 with 400 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft of torque. In the US, only the 5.6 liter V8 is available with 390 horsepower and 394 lb.-ft of torque. Customers who chose the V8 will also get to choose Nissan's Hydraulic Body Motion Control adaptive suspension system. No official word on when the Patrol updates will make it to the Armada in the U.S., but we expect to see something for 2021. Middle East buyers can pick one up by the end of this month. View full article