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The cars that won't live to see 2015 [w/video]

Every year in the fast-paced automotive industry brings new models, but it also spells the end for some that have been less successful. This year will be no exception.
Japan's automakers make up the bulk of the list of discontinued models for the 2015 model year: Acura is replacing the TL and TSX with the new TLX sedan, Honda is bidding farewell to the Fit EV as the new Fit hatchback takes its place, and Nissan is saying goodbye to both the Cube and Murano CrossCabriolet. Both the Nissan Maxima and Mazda2 exit stage left before their upcoming replacements arrive, while Toyota is terminating the RAV4 EV and FJ Cruiser as well as the Scion xD, and Lexus IS C and IS F that are being effectively replaced by the new RC. Meanwhile Infiniti is finally discontinuing the G37 that was already replaced by the newer Q50.
From our own domestic automakers, Cadillac discontinues the CTS-V sedan and wagon as the new CTS rolls in, Chevy is canceling the mild-hybrid Eco versions of the Malibu and Impala sedans, and Chrysler is killing off the 200 convertible as the new 200 sedan arrives.

Comma.ai makes your car semi-autonomous for $999

At TechCrunch's Disrupt conference in San Francisco, Comma.ai founder George "Geohot" Hotz announced the launch of the Comma One semi-autonomous driving device. Hotz said at the conference that his company has worked on the Comma One for about a year, and it will be available at the end of the year for $999 and a $24 per month subscription fee. But aside from the reasonable price, which TechCrunch points out is possible thanks to off-the-shelf components, the appeal here is that it's an add-on to an existing car that can be installed at home by the car's owner. This gives people with normal cars the opportunity to have semi-autonomous features without having to buy an entire vehicle... that is, if you have a Honda or Acura with lane-keeping assist, since Comma One is currently only compatible with those vehicles. It remains to be seen if the company will add more vehicles to the list over time. The device is roughly the size of a large cell phone or aftermarket navigation system, and it has a screen on the front and a pair of cameras on the back. The computer combines information from the device's cameras and the car's radar sensors to understand what's happening and how to respond. Hotz explained at the conference that this system is similar in capability to the Tesla Autopilot system, and will be able to complete a drive, start to finish, without the driver having to touch anything. He did however emphasize that the driver must still pay attention in the event something goes wrong, comparing the experience to watching a young student driver. Hotz told TechCrunch that the device should start shipping at the end of the year. He also said that owners of compatible Honda products in the San Francisco area are eligible for beta testing, and can get involved by emailing him at george@comma.ai. So if you've been pining for a semi-autonomous vehicle of your own, but couldn't spring for a Tesla, you won't have to wait much longer. We should point out that we don't know yet how well the system works, though we hope to find out soon. Related Video:

Acura Performance Electric Vision concept sure looks like the next NSX

Production of the second-generation Acura NSX ended in 2022, but the nameplate might not be consigned to the automotive attic for very long. The firm published sketches of an electric concept named Performance Electric Vision that can easily pass as a third-generation NSX. Acura's dimly-lit images hide many of the design study's finer details, but we can tell that the Performance Electric Vision concept features a futuristic design — it almost looks like it was beamed from the 22nd century. Its low front end has either hidden headlights or no headlights at all, and it receives neon green accents as well as a backlit Acura emblem. Pronounced wheel arches and a massive wrap-around windshield define the concept's silhouette, while the back end gets neon green accents as well as an air diffuser that looks like it belongs on a race car. Interior photos haven't been released yet, and Acura didn't have much to say about what powers the coupe. All we know is that it's electric. Officially, the Precision Electric Vision concept illustrates one of the directions Acura's design language can take in the coming years. Could there be more to it than that? While this is pure speculation, we don't think the NSX's spot in the Japanese brand's lineup will remain empty forever, and we've heard vague rumors detailing an electric third-generation model before. Rewind to September 2022: Jon Ikeda, the company's vice president, tellingly answered "I would bet on it" when asked whether the NSX nameplate will return for another generation. He added an important detail: "It's going to be electric." Cast in this light, the Performance Electric Vision concept sure looks like a preview of the next-generation NSX, but bringing it to the market is easier said than done. It takes more than an executive making a proverbial bet to bring a car to production, and Ikeda's team will notably need to convince Acura parent company Honda to spend money on a new NSX. Related video: