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Someone has already test driven the 2016 Chevy Volt

Due to some well-placed connections at General Motors Canada headquarters in Oshawa, a senior member of the gm-volt.com forum with the handle "kickincanada" got about 30 minutes behind the wheel of a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. Kickincanada owns a 2012 Volt, and other than personal reservations over the styling of the new car, he came way nothing but impressed by the second-generation hybrid. He drove the Premier trim, posted his observations on the site, then answered questions for other owners desperate to find out what's coming. He said the interior materials are "more upscale," there is less hard plastic and better leather, the seats are more comfortable, and ergonomically, "Everything is beautifully laid out." Although obviously not as luxurious, the interior reminded him of the Cadillac ELR. Tech touches like a better display, Apple integration, a wireless charging area for the phone, heated rear seats, and a better rear console were also worth noting. As for driving, Kickincanada called it "incredible." The "much more luxurious drive" comes courtesy of a "firm and sporty" suspension setup, less NVH thanks to more sound insulation, quieter Michelin Energy Saver tires, and quieter operation of the genset ICE. He said acceleration from a standstill felt quicker because there was no delay between applying the throttle and the car taking off. He estimates owners should be able to get about 100 kilometers (62 miles) out of the electric mode alone on a full charge, and that the new Volt is "clearly improved in almost every way" (the car's official range, as determined by the EPA, is 53 electric miles). We look forward to finding out ourselves. Click through to gm-volt to read all of his thoughts and responses if there's a hybrid purchase in your future. Related Video:

Weekly Recap: Autonomous driving goes commercial in Nevada

Nevada granted Daimler Trucks North America the first license to run an autonomous commercial vehicle on public roads in the United States Tuesday, marking another milestone in the technology's rapid advancement. Gov. Brian Sandoval and Daimler truck chief Wolfgang Bernhard promptly used the license to lap Highway 15 near Las Vegas in a newly revealed Freightliner Inspiration Truck. It was a clear signal that autonomous driving is big-rig reality, though it's still a long way from widespread use. Nevada certified two of Daimler's Freightliner Inspiration Trucks, which use the company's Highway Pilot system with a stereo camera, radar, and lane-keeping collision-prevention features to regulate the brakes and steering. The radar component has a long-range sensor that can cover 820 feet at an 18-degree angle and a shorter-range unit that stretches 230 feet at a 130-degree angle. The Inspiration trucks are based on the existing Freightliner Cascadia Evolution model used on US roads. In addition to the autonomous technologies, it also has futuristic design cues, including blue lighting in the front and a new hood and grille. While there are only two Freightliner Inspiration trucks in existence, Daimler expects to bring the Highway Pilot system into mass-produced big rigs by 2025, in time to capitalize on the market's predicted growth. The German truckmaker predicts the global hauling market will triple by 2050, and the United States will be a key part of that growth. Trucks carry 69.1 percent the nation's domestic freight tonnage and hauled 9.7 billion tons of freight in 2013, according to the American Trucking Association. Daimler expects autonomous driving to augment this growth, and perhaps evolve the role of the truck driver. Still, the company points out autonomous tech is not meant to replace drivers, but to assist them and relieve fatigue and monotony on long hauls. The driver has to stay in control for passing, in city traffic, and when hooking up the trailer. The company said autonomous driving also offers the potential for improved fuel economy – tests showed a five-percent gain – and lower maintenance costs. Daimler also said the technology could reduce congestion on the road. Much of this is attributable to the constant flow of traffic, which is aided by autonomous driving. While the benefits are becoming increasingly apparent, autonomous technology is still met with skepticism.

This 93-car Iowa auction is like a Big 3 classic muscle museum

Bill "Coyote" Johnson has been buying cars since high school and has amassed a collection totaling 113 vehicles, according to NBC 6 News. But time has changed his motivations and priorities, and he's decided to auction 93 of those cars, many of which are classic muscle from Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Plymouth and Pontiac. The megasale will take place Sept. 14, 2019, in Red Oak, Iowa, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner infected Coyote with a love for Detroit muscle when he was just a teenager, and his desire quickly turned into an obsession. He's spent the past 40 years finding, buying and working on a variety of makes and models. Unlike some collectors, Coyote didn't discriminate against certain brands and has rides from each of the Big 3 automakers. Included in the auction are Camaros, Satellites, Super Bees, Chargers, Challengers, Barracudas, Coronets, GTOs, Mustangs, Cutlasses and others. Possibly the most intriguing aspect of the auction is that all of these cars will be sold as-is with no reserve. Many of them will need work, depending on quality standards, but this seems like a golden opportunity to find a classic car without leaving a bank account in shambles.  The auctions are open for bidding online now, and the full auction will take place on September 14. Check out the full listings and bid at VanDerBrink Auctions.