---
title: "The Evening Rush for Dec. 16, 2015"
description: "Your nightly cull of automotive, gear and lifestyle news, all in one place."
date: "2015-12-16"
modified: "2015-12-16"
authors:
  - name: "Max Goldberg"
    job_title: "Associate Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/max-goldberg"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/1337/the-evening-rush-for-dec-16-2015"
categories:
  - "News"
---

# The Evening Rush for Dec. 16, 2015

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/121615_eveningrush_records_hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

*The Evening Rush is your daily roundup of auto, gear, and lifestyle news, all in one place. Less time searching, more time driving. Motor on.*

**Automotive**

Ford plans to launch [self-driving cars](<https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/12/15/ford-to-begin-autonomous-vehicle-testing-on-california-roads.html>) in California by 2016. The company will test fully-autonomous Fusion hybrids out of its new Silicon Valley research center in the beginning of the year.

![121615\_eveningrush\_ford\_art.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/121615_eveningrush_ford_art.jpg>)
**Ford**

Photos were recently leaked of the [Mercedes-Benz C-Class convertible](<https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1083485_2017-mercedes-benz-c-class-cabriolet-spy-shots>). The new drop-top is set to compete with the Audi A5 convertible, the Infiniti Q60 and the BMW 4-Series convertible.

As if the Volvo XC90 wasn’t cool enough: The Swedish SUV will be getting [Apple CarPlay](<https://observerunion.com/2015/12/16/volvo-xc90-gets-apple-car-play-in-the-us/>). Once you plug your iPhone into the car’s USB port, many favorite iPhone functions will be accessible through the car’s touchscreen.

**Gear**

It is always great when a gadgets serves two functions. The [Zus car charger](<https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/zus-the-truly-smart-car-charger-car-locator#/>), for example, doubles as a car locator. If for some reason you forget where your car is, open up the Zus app and let the device direct you straight through the parking lot to your wheels.

![121615\_eveningrush\_carfinder\_art.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/121615_eveningrush_carfinder_art.jpg>)
**ZUS**

Every adventurer, urban or otherwise, deserves a tough backpack. When it comes to durability and an orientation towards survival, 5.11 Tactical products are second to none. Check out 5.11’s [Rush 72](<https://www.511tactical.com/rush-72-backpack.html>) backpack and start planning your next excursion. A sense of security: already packed.

**Lifestyle**

If you or a loved one is into records, this is a gift you shouldn’t miss. The [101 Essential Rock Records](<https://101essentialrecords.com/>) is a dictionary of grooves, beats and licks that no music junkie should have to exist without.

As winters get cold, often legs do, too. This season, don’t get left out in the bluster without a good pair of long underwear. Pick up a pair of [Heattech Extra Warm Long Johns](<https://www.uniqlo.com/us/product/men-heattech-extra-warm-long-johns-166316.html#56~/men/underwear-and-socks/long-johns/heattech/~>) from Uniqlo, famous Japanese textile wizards.

## Author
Before working at *The Drive*, Max Goldberg raced the streets of Westchester in an ambulance as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician. He has boundless enthusiasm.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/maxems>)