General Motors is spending $1.2 billion to revamp its full-size pickup truck plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The investment will be used to improve several aspects of the factory’s operations.
GM says some of that money will be used to upgrade the plant’s paint shop. In addition to a new, thin-film pre-treatment facility, the investment will also be used on a new E-coat paint that can be tailored to each vehicle style and increase coverage and curability. Radiant tube ovens are also being installed to cut energy consumption and improve the overall look of paint finishes.

On the production front, Fort Wayne Assembly will be fitted with new equipment that helps with the marriage of the truck cab and box to the chassis. A new skillet system will also be put into place that helps with instrument panel assembly.

“This investment is more evidence that the customer is at the center of every decision we make,” said Cathy Clegg, GM North America Manufacturing vice president. “Truck customers demand top quality. The upgrades at Fort Wayne Assembly will enable our team to continue delivering for them for years to come.”

GM says production will continue uninterrupted in Fort Wayne while the upgrades are being completed.

New details have emerged on Audi’s next-generation A8 flagship sedan. In an effort to keep up with Mercedes-Benz’s latest S-Class, the new A8 will be loaded with latest high-tech gadgets to go along with its futuristic styling.
One of the biggest new features for the next A8, due out in 2017, will be Audi’s latest Piloted Driving safety suite. Thanks to the use of long-range radar sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors, laser scanners and video cameras, the next-gen A8 will be able to drive itself in urban areas at speeds up to 37mph.

And the interior of the A8 will be just as high-tech as the outside features. The next A8 will make use of organic LEDs and gesture controls for things like switching radio stations or answering phone calls.

“The A8 will be the next-generation of the every successful vehicle model for Audi, so what we are doing is looking at which future technologies make sense for our customers, what do they expect and how can we surprise out customers,” Audi’s technical development chief Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg told Auto Express. “The next level of sophisticated technology will be in the A8.”

On the styling front, the new A8 will take its inspiration from Audi’s Prologue concept. Under that sleek body work will reside new engines with electric turbocharging technology. A plug-in hybrid is also planned for the A8.

An exact timetable for the next-generation Audi A8 has not been announce, but the new sedan should debut sometime next year.

Photos by Brian Williams.

Hyundai has become the first automaker to equip a production vehicle with Google’s Android Auto. The in-car infotainment system is being rolled out in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata sedan.
Starting today, the Android Auto system is available on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata with Navigation. Owners that have already purchased a 2015 Sonata with Navigation will be able to upgrade to the Android Auto system via a software update.

“Android Auto aligns with Hyundai’s core interior design principles of safety, intuitiveness and simplicity,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We launched this highly anticipated feature on our best-selling Sonata, adding to our promise of value. With the launch of Android Auto, we provide more owners with the experience of cutting-edge technology.”

Although the system is currently limited to the Sonata, Hyundai says it will soon spread throughout its lineup.

The Android Auto systems brings the functionality of an Android-powered smartphone to the Sonata’s eight-inch touchscreen. Some of those mobile features include Google Maps, Google Play Music and Google Now. Sonata owners can also download third-party applications such as iHeartRadio and Skype. For safety reasons, the Android Auto system limits the use of some apps with the vehicle is shifted out of park.

Three-years on from its market debut, Porsche has begun shakedown testing for the updated version of its 981 Boxster. Porsche’s updated Boxster will be formally unveiled by the end of the year.
As with most of Porsche’s updates, the new Boxster will receive subtle rather than radical design tweaks. Those changes will include revised headlights and a reshaped front bumper. The rear of the car will be treated to similar changes.

The interior of the Boxster is also expected to get a light freshening, but our spies’ cameras have not yet been able to peer into the sports car’s cabin.

There is some big news for the Boxster on the horizon, however, as the newest models will be fitted with flat-four engines. In base form the Boxster will displace 2.0L while a bigger 2.5L will also be on offer. Both mills will make use of Porsche’s turbocharging technology, which should equate to nearly 400 horsepower in top-spec.

The Boxster’s mechanical twin, the Cayman, will also adopt the new engine range.

Look for the updated Porsche Boxster to make its world premiere at either the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show or the Los Angeles auto show in November.

The first-generation (B5) Audi A4 has developed quietly into something of a cult icon among German car enthusiasts. While perhaps best-appreciated for its twin-turbocharged S4 variant (available in the much-coveted 6-speed/wagon combination), even the base car still maintains a loyal following.

Over the years, though, Audi’s small sedan grew both in size and stature. Like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the A4 evolved into more of a global-market family vehicle than a true compact, leaving behind the buyer that embraced it for its small size and nimble chassis.

This A3 is the first to come to America as a sedan, the previous generation having only sold stateside as a five-door hatchback. When Audi announced that the new A3 would arrive here only in sedan form, initial consternation turned to general hopefulness as comparisons to the classic B5 A4 began to circulate. Despite the absence of certain desirable powertrain combinations, enthusiasts quickly accepted the new sedan and eagerly awaited the opportunity to drive one.

Whether due to the enthusiast support or in spite of it, Audi’s replacement for its entry-level compact has been a strong seller for the German automaker, helping (along with the brand-new Q3) to buoy sales in a lineup that is starting to show its age. A year after its launch, we took another look at the baby from Volkswagen’s Bavarian brand to see if any of the bloom has fallen off the rose.

What is it?
The A3 is Audi’s smallest U.S. offering. Based on the same MQB architecture as the Volkswagen Golf and sharing many powertrain components, the A3′s footprint is significantly smaller than that of the larger A4′s.

As such, engine offerings are limited to four-cylinder engines of various fuel types and displacements. Our loaner is a 2.0 TFSI model, boasting the second-most powerful engine available in this chassis–a turbocharged, two-liter, four-cylinder engine boasting 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Only the S3 offers more oomph. Putting that power to the ground is a transverse application of Audi’s iconic quattro all-wheel-drive system mated to a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.

Inside and out
It should come as no surprise that the A3′s rear seat doesn’t offer the sort of space you’ll find in its larger cousins. This is not a compact-in-name-only, as had become commonplace among the German luxury brands before the introduction of the A3, CLA-Class and 2-Series. There are belts for five adults, but realistically you’d only ever want to carry four, and you’ll want your tallest friend to ride shotgun (and your tallest enemy sit behind him).

The interior is minimalist, at times to a fault. Audi’s clean, clutter-free dash comes at the expense of convenience and connectivity. The hide-away screen, for example, looks tacked-on when in use despite disappearing seamlessly behind the center stack when dismissed. It’s a good compromise on paper, but less so in practice, as there’s very little reason (except, perhaps, individual determination) to disable the screen while driving. With so many vehicle systems centrally controlled via the MMI (and thus, via the screen), it’s a functional necessity.

Audi’s tech is also a mixed bag. On the plus side, the Google-powered navigation system is excellent–both responsive and reliable. Connectivity, however, is less than ideal. Audi’s infotainment system makes accommodation for CD, DVDs, aux-in via a 3.5mm jack and SD cards, but not USB–a glaring omission in a tech-centered vehicle. iPhone and iPod users can make use of Audi-supplied cables.

The news outside, however, is all good. Not only does the A3′s footprint pay homage to the classic B5 A4, but its silhouette does too. Small sedans often suffer from an ill-advised rear deck line, but the A3 is well-proportioned and our tester’s 18″, 10-spoke wheels fill the wells far better than the smaller offerings on 1.8L A3s. Our Premium Plus model also adds aluminum window trim for a nice contrast against the Brilliant Black exterior.

Does it go?
The A3 sedan may look like a snooze on paper compared to its S-branded variant, but make no mistake, this little car can scoot. With 220hp on tap to motivate 3,362lbs, the A3′s power-to-weight ratio is actually much better than that of its spiritual predecessor. Couple that with quattro and Audi’s S-Tronic dual-clutch, and acceleration is a non-issue. Audi claims the A3 2.0T is good for a 0-60 run in just 5.8 seconds–quicker than plenty of sport compacts.

Our loaner’s Sport Package included Drive Select, Audi’s drive mode selector which allows for comfort or sport-oriented programming for the engine and transmission, summoning quicker shifts, more time in lower gears and snappier throttle response when sport mode is engaged. An automatic mode can also be selected, in which case Drive Select will adapt each function based on the driver’s throttle inputs and shift patterns.

And while the A3 lacks the S3′s magnetic ride control suspension, it still does a respectable job of keeping itself planted and predictable. The 225mm-section-width tires, while surprisingly harsh and loud on the freeway, are adequately grippy and communicative. The A3′s steering is Audi’s usual, slightly over-boosted offering, but it’s nothing that can’t be coped with. All in all, the A3 is composed, predictable, comfortable and engaging, whether on the highway or on a tricky back road.

Leftlane’s bottom line
The A3 is a nimble, attractive, comfortable car looking for just a touch more tech-friendliness to complete the package. Despite some minor foibles, the A3 does right by its older sibling and makes for a compelling, accessible all-around driver’s car.

2015 Audi A3 2.0T quattro S tronic, $32,900; Audi MMI Navigation, $2,600; A3 Premium Plus package, $2,550; Driver Assistance package, $1,400; Sport package, $550; Destination, $895, $32,900; Audi MMI Navigation, $2,600; A3 Premium Plus package, $2,550; Driver Assistance package, $1,400; Sport package, $550; Destination, $895