Top 10 Automotive News Stories of 2014

Big News

Hydrogen Cars Get a Boost – Hydrogen car availability made some big advancements in 2014, with Toyoya releasing the Mirai and Hyundai the hydrogen-powered Tucson. The Mirai will initially go on sale in select states, but is targeting sales across the U.S. Honda showed a new concept version of its fuel-cell car this year as did Audi and Volkswagen. Commitments to build more hydrogen fueling infrastructure also came from the government and a handful of automakers this year.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Toyota Mirai Review

Redesigned Icons – Ford took a huge leap with the new 2015 F-150 by giving the truck a new aluminum body, while the company also made a splash with the Mustang, bringing it into the modern era with new independent rear suspension and a revised look.

Another American sports car icon got a refresh this year, the Chevy Corvette Z06, which now lays down 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque through either a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed auto box. From Mazda, the best-selling roadster of all time, the MX-5 Miata, has been given a full overhaul.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Ford Mustang Review

Lamborghini released the Huracan, which replaces the brand’s best-selling car of all time. Over at Honda, the Civic Type R Concept has been making the rounds, showing us what to expect when it’s all-new iconic performance coupe hits the market. Finally, Toyota gave the Camry and Corolla models a refresh in 2014, bringing new styling and revised driving dynamics to both cars.

U.S. Automotive Sales Surge – Just about every automaker had a stellar 2014 when it comes to sales. It looks like the industry is on track to deliver 16.4 million vehicles in 2014, the best total since 2006. Trucks, SUVs and crossovers in particular did very well in 2014, helped by falling fuel prices and and improved employment numbers. And these sales aren’t the result of heavy discounts; in fact, average transaction prices pushed above the $30,000 mark in 2014.

SEE ALSO: 2015 US Auto Sales Expected to Break Records

Hellcats – Pushing the horsepower wars to even new heights, Chrysler released the ridiculous 707-hp Hellcat engine to the world in 2014. Both the Challenger and Charger use the Hellcat enginer, which is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that makes 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Giving a bold answer to the question, “how much is too much?,” the Hellcat twins both made plenty of headlines in 2014.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Review

 Alfa Romeo finally makes it to America – The iconic Italian brand finally made it back to the North America after years of promising in 2014. For now, the hardcore 4C sports car is the sole Alfa on sale in the States, but eventually the brand plans to introduce crossovers and sedans. Choosing to bring the 4C first will no doubt put Alfa Romeo back on the North American radar, as the hardcore sports car offers a raw and exciting driving experience that few other cars can match.