Tom Murphy
WardsAuto
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Past articles by Tom:
Winner: Chevrolet Blazes Trail With Excellent, Affordable UX
The Chevrolet Trailblazer wins a 2020 Wards 10 Best UX trophy for a long list of standard, user-friendly features, first-rate driver-assistance technologies and even wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a starting price below $20,000. → Read More
Mouth-Watering Bavarian Goodness Spices Up 2021 Toyota Supra
With BMW's 382-hp 6-cyl. offered with 255-hp 4-cyl., ’21 GR Supra delivers tasty Bavarian sandwich, piled high with Black Forest ham, extra sauerkraut. → Read More
COVID-19 Isn’t Derailing GM’s EV Commitment
GM’s battery-electric vehicles from Cadillac and GMC Hummer remain on schedule to launch next year. Around mid-decade, Morris expects EV sales to be brisk. → Read More
Cummins 6-Cyl. Sees 45% NOx Reduction with Tula Tech
On the Federal Test Procedure cycle for heavy-duty engines, the Tula-equipped X15 engine achieves a notable 45% reduction in NOx, according to a paper being presented virtually this week at the International Vienna Motor Symposium. → Read More
Wards 10 Best Interiors Testing Hardly Business as Usual
We’re taking the process virtual, using Microsoft Teams so editors can shoot live video inside nominated vehicles while discussing features relevant to our judging criteria. Other judges will be watching on their laptops from home. → Read More
GM Motors On Without Powertrain Division
Whether you want to call it GM Powertrain or Global Propulsion Systems, it doesn’t matter because the operation ceases to exist as a stand-alone entity within General Motors. → Read More
2020 C8 Corvette: No Junk in That Trunk
It took 14 years of development work – and decades of wishful thinking – but filling the back end of the eighth-generation Chevy Stingray with an award-winning small-block V-8 makes for magnificent handling. → Read More
Vantas Bringing Chinese Vehicles to U.S. in 2021
Vantas, part of HAAH Automotive Holdings, displayed two Chery-built SUVs at NADA. → Read More
VW Launches Atlas Cross Sport as Midsize CUV
The Atlas has done well competing among 3-row CUVs, and now the 2-row Atlas Cross Sport, launching at VW’s plant in Chattanooga, has a chance to make inroads among popular midsize utes. → Read More
Ford Explorer Wins 'Best in Show' Among 10 Best UX Winners
All 10 winning vehicles were on display at the conference and power inverters allowed conference attendees to climb behind the wheel, navigate the touchscreen, experience the high-resolution graphics and toggle through menus. → Read More
’20 Ford Mustang 2.3L High Performance EcoBoost
EcoBoost High Performance is attractively priced, starting around $33,000, a step-up of $5,000 over base 2.3L 4-cyl.. → Read More
Ford Mustang’s New EcoBoost Cements Era of 4-Cyl. Muscle Car
Acceleration with the new EcoBoost engine is linear, and it feels much more stout than the base 310-hp 2.3L, which tends to run out of breath at high rpm. On paper, these two engines are separated by 22 hp, but it feels like so much more. → Read More
Easter Eggs Plentiful in Audi A8 L
A8 L is a Wards 10 Best UX winner for massaging footrests, illuminated seatbelt buckles, flawless voice activation and dual touchscreens. → Read More
Detroit Provides Powertrain Feast for Truck Shoppers
Taken as a whole, the latest powertrains for fullsize pickups represent a truly impressive collection of state-of-the-art engineering dedicated to lightweight materials, reduced friction and improved efficiency. → Read More
Taycan EV Joins Porsche Sports Car Lineup
Available first in the U.S. by year’s end, the Taycan is the world’s first 800V battery-electric vehicle and represents Porsche’s bid to take EVs into high-performance realms, capable of 161 mph and likely priced below $200,000. → Read More
2019 Woodward Dream Cruise
Muscle cars drive the Woodward Dream Cruise, but true classics were easy to spot at this year's event. Since 1995, hundreds of thousands of classic car enthusiasts have gathered along Detroit's main thoroughfare, Woodward Avenue, on the third Saturday in August to celebrate some 40,000 autos of the past. → Read More
Ford GT Test Drive: No Frills, Loads of Chills
Just in time for this weekend’s Woodward Dream Cruise in suburban Detroit, we take a spin in Ford’s two-seat super coupe with a rich Le Mans legacy. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ → Read More
Finally, We Drive Mazda’s Diesel As Launch Approaches
The 2.2L Skyactiv diesel 4-cyl. is a fine work of technology and runs smoothly. But it’s more expensive and less powerful than its turbocharged gasoline alternative. → Read More
ZF Global Technology Day 2019
ZF Friedriechshafen shed light on several technological advancements earlier this month at its Global Technology Day for international media at a test track north of Dresden, Germany. A 2-speed electric-vehicle transmission, self-driving shuttles, advanced chassis control, motion-sickness research, automated steering for collision avoidance, external side airbags and mobile apps for buying fuel… → Read More
ZF Tackling Self-Drivers, Motion Sickness, Side Impacts
ZF and partner 2GetThere are rolling out autonomous shuttles in Europe and the Middle East. Through advanced chassis control, the supplier’s goal is to improve vehicle handling and eliminate motion sickness. And the world’s first external side airbag is in testing. → Read More