News

Volvo EX90 Nails Five Stars in Euro NCAP: Safety Nerds, Rejoice

Volvo didn’t just ace the latest round of Euro NCAP safety testing—the brand’s new all-electric flagship, the EX90, walked away with a full five-star score and some of the highest marks handed out this year. If you’ve been paying attention, this shouldn’t shock you. Safety is practically Volvo’s middle name. If the company could trademark seatbelts, it probably would have.

Euro NCAP, Europe’s long-standing independent crash-test authority, put the seven-seat family hauler through its usual gauntlet of impacts, avoidance maneuvers, and child-safety evaluations. The EX90 didn’t flinch. It delivered especially strong results in both adult and child occupant protection—categories that carry real-world significance for families who care about more than just charging time and touchscreen sizes.

“Volvo Cars has long been a pioneer in automotive safety, and the EX90 is the latest example of that leadership,” says Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo’s Safety Centre. According to Volvo, the SUV’s performance reflects more than five decades of studying actual crashes—over 50,000 of them involving more than 80,000 people. This isn’t theory; it’s data-driven design shaped by what happens on real roads, not just what looks good in a controlled lab.

That research forms the backbone of the company’s internal Volvo Cars Safety Standard, a benchmark that goes beyond legal testing requirements. In practice, that means the EX90 isn’t just trying to pass tests—it’s engineered for the unpredictable chaos of daily traffic.

The EX90 is also the most digitally advanced Volvo to date. Built around core computing and constantly updated software, the SUV uses a suite of sensors, radars, and cameras to build a live 360-degree picture of its surroundings. Volvo calls this Safe Space Technology: an integrated safety net that not only reacts to danger but actively looks for it.

Inside, the hardware is equally serious. Reinforced structures and updated restraint systems are tuned specifically for the EX90’s electric architecture. One standout is the driver understanding system—named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024—which monitors the driver’s condition in real time. If the system senses fatigue, distraction, or anything that suggests the person behind the wheel isn’t fully engaged, it offers support. Think of it as having a hyper-aware co-pilot who never blinks.

There’s also a full-cabin occupant sensing setup capable of detecting movements as subtle as a baby’s breathing. If someone—or something small—is left inside unintentionally, the car can alert the driver. For parents, pet owners, or anyone prone to misplacing things, that’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on.

The five-star score joins a growing trophy shelf for the EX90, which already claimed the 2024 World Luxury Car Award earlier this year. With its blend of digital smarts, conservative Volvo style, and a safety strategy built on decades of real-world data, the EX90 isn’t just another electric SUV. It’s the latest chapter in Volvo’s long-running mission to make crashes less deadly—and ideally, less likely in the first place.

Source: Volvo

News

INFINITI advises you on how to prepare for winter driving

As winter squeezes temperatures downward and holiday travel kicks into high gear, INFINITI is reminding drivers that cold-weather confidence starts long before the first snowfall. Sure, winter prep sounds like the usual checklist—tires, fluids, visibility—but INFINITI’s approach blends those fundamentals with the brand’s quietly sophisticated toolbox of engineering, testing, and tech features designed specifically for harsh climates.

“Cold weather can put extra stress on a vehicle,” says James Mastronardi, Senior Manager of Vehicle Performance Development. “A few simple checks ahead of peak winter are essential for your INFINITI to perform at the confidence-inspiring level it was engineered.”

That confidence isn’t marketing fluff. Each INFINITI undergoes climate-controlled torture testing, low-friction evaluations, and high-altitude winter route trials. Features like intelligent Snow Mode, advanced AWD systems, and robust climate-control engineering are all validated under punishing, real-world winter conditions in the U.S. and Canada. As Scott Hallner, who leads Durability and Reliability Testing, puts it: “Our winter testing is performed in extreme conditions… This ensures vehicles can perform predictably when traction, visibility and cabin comfort matter most.”

So, what does that mean for everyday drivers heading into winter? Here’s the breakdown—C/D style—of how to prep your INFINITI (or frankly, any vehicle) for the cold months ahead.

Tires: Your First Line of Defense

When temps drop, so does your tire pressure—roughly 1 psi for every 10-degree temperature swing. Underinflated tires dull handling, stretch braking distances, and reduce traction.

INFINITI gives drivers a clever assist here. The standard Tire Fill Assistant and Easy-Fill Tire Alert make adding air almost foolproof: just pump until the car honks and flashes the hazards. No pressure gauge required.

But pressure is only half the story. Tread depth is the other. If Washington’s head on a quarter isn’t fully covered by tread—or the wear bars are level with the surface—it’s time to shop for replacements. And if you routinely drive on snow or ice, winter tires or chains (as permitted in your owner’s manual) dramatically improve grip.

A pro tip many drivers forget: in cold-weather regions, fuel stations switch to winter-blend gasoline after mid-September. Make sure you’ve got a full tank of it if your driving patterns are mostly low-mileage. It keeps the engine happier in bitter temps.

Visibility: The Often-Ignored Cold-Weather Casualty

Winter roads punish wiper blades. If your blades streak, chatter, or crack, swap them—winter blades are beefier and better at slicing through ice buildup. Pair that with winter-grade washer fluid that stays liquid below freezing and helps melt thin ice.

INFINITI sweetens this routine with smart touches:

  • Fluid-level sensors warn you before you’re stuck staring through road grime.
  • A wiper service position makes it painless to lift blades away from the windshield for replacement or cleaning—activated by a simple double-tap of the wiper stalk.

Before you drive, fully clear headlights, taillamps, mirrors, and all windows. Heated mirrors and powerful LED headlights in INFINITI models help restore clarity quickly, but they can’t compensate for snow and ice left behind in a rush.

Battery Readiness: Don’t Get Stranded

Cold weather weakens battery output, especially as batteries age. A car that feels perfectly fine in October might struggle in January.

A few essentials:

  • Check for corrosion and clean terminals with a baking-soda mixture if needed.
  • Drive longer, not shorter—frequent quick trips don’t allow the battery to recharge.
  • Know that INFINITI tests cold-start capability in sub-zero climates, but no battery is immune to age and extreme cold combined.

Interior Protection: Yes, Floor Mats Matter

Winter brings slush, salt, and mud—enemy number one for carpeting. Rubber or all-season mats are cheap insurance. And while INFINITI interiors are designed to withstand everyday messes, prompt cleaning with mild soap and water keeps surfaces looking new. For tougher jobs, branded leather and vinyl cleaners do the trick.

Safety and Comfort: INFINITI’s Winter Tech Arsenal

Where INFINITI shines is in the integration of cold-weather-ready features that blend comfort with capability:

Safety

  • Intelligent All-Wheel Drive constantly reallocates torque for traction.
  • Predictive Forward Collision Warning monitors not just the car ahead, but the one ahead of that.
  • Lane Departure Warning helps keep drivers centered when visibility deteriorates.

Comfort & Convenience

  • Heated seats, heated steering wheels, massage seating, and rapid cabin warm-up create a calm, cozy environment even in a blizzard.
  • Remote Engine Start takes the bite out of icy mornings.
  • ProPILOT Assist lightens the load on longer winter road trips.
  • A Motion-activated Liftgate keeps hands clean when loading gear in slushy parking lots.

Winter Emergency Kit: A Must for Every Driver

Even with advanced tech, winter storms can shut down roads in minutes. INFINITI recommends packing essentials:

  • Jumper cables
  • Ice scraper
  • Flashlight & spare batteries
  • Road flares
  • Blanket & warm clothing
  • Portable phone charger
  • Water and non-perishable snacks

It’s a small investment that pays off big if you get stuck.

Winter driving isn’t just about reacting to weather—it’s about preparing for it. INFINITI’s winter-testing pedigree, paired with driver-friendly assistance systems, makes that preparation easier than ever. Do the basics, let the tech do its job, and your winter commute—whether frosty morning school runs or long-distance holiday journeys—can stay smooth, safe, and surprisingly stress-free.

Source: INFINITI

Auctions

Low mileage 1995 BMW E36 M3 sold for $90,000

The BMW E30 M3 has long been the blue-chip hero of the M division’s back catalog, with values rising year after year. But lately, something interesting has been happening: its younger sibling, the E36 M3—a car once overshadowed by both its predecessor and its successors—has quietly been gaining recognition. And now, a remarkably preserved 1995 example has hammered for an eye-opening $90,000, signaling that the market is starting to take this generation very seriously.

What pushes a ’95 M3 into six-figure territory? In this case, purity. This E36 has traveled just 3,500 miles since it left the showroom, clocking fewer annual miles than many collector cars rack up in a single summer. Bidding surged quickly, and the final price is a reminder that originality can sometimes outshine modern horsepower wars, turbocharged torque, and digital everything.

This particular car’s story helps explain its desirability. Before the most recent seller took ownership earlier this year, the M3 had remained with its original buyer—someone who clearly treated it like a museum piece rather than a weekend toy. Apart from a set of lightweight-style decals inspired by the rare M3 LTW, the car remains factory-spec, wearing Alpine White paint, 17-inch wheels, and an interior finished in light gray Nappa leather that looks straight from the mid-’90s.

Standard equipment reads like a time capsule: AM/FM radio, cruise control, and, crucially, a five-speed manual transmission. No touchscreens, no drive modes—just driver and machine.

Power comes from BMW’s 3.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-six, producing 243 horsepower and 305 Nm of torque. While the listing didn’t detail the car’s service history, its condition suggests careful maintenance throughout its life, even if its wheels hardly touched the pavement.

Back in August 1995, the original owner paid $42,545 for the car. That’s roughly $90,377 when adjusted for inflation—meaning the new buyer essentially paid sticker price, just 29 years later, for a car that still looks and feels brand-new.

As collectors chase analog, driver-focused machines, the E36 M3’s time has come. The E30 may still wear the crown, but the cleanest, lowest-mileage E36s are stepping confidently into the spotlight. And at $90,000, the market is saying loud and clear: some classics are worth a second look.

Source: Bring a Trailer

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