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| Behind the Robe: A Judicial Perspective on the 24 Hours of LeMons
May 26, 2009 at 8:27 pm
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|   The 24 Hours of LeMons Penalty Pit - Click above for a high-res image gallery Want to win LeMons? This isn't the ticket. But it will give you a glimpse into what awaits you in the B.S. inspection and what (not) to do when you've been black-flagged on race day. After spending three days toiling under the Nevada sun, we've got a unique perspective on what it's like to inspect, enforce and generally wreak havoc on the throngs of budding amateur racers that made up this past weekend's Goin' For Broken 24 Hours of LeMons at Reno-Fernley Raceway...  Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 - Click above for a high-res image gallery The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this June.  2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough...  BRUSA Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery BRUSA, a Swiss electronics company, recently attended the EVS24 conference in Stavanger, Norway, with an electric sportscar called the Spyder in tow.  Mazda rotary engine patent diagrams - Click above for a high-res image gallery Last October, it seems that Mazda quietly filed a patent for a twin-spark, direct injection version of the automaker's iconic rotary engine.
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| Casual Mafia relishes "In My Prius" rap video. So do we
May 26, 2009 at 8:24 pm
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|  Click above to view the video after the jump The latest video from Casual Mafia, called "In My Prius," would be a winner if for no other reason than it uses a dad wearing a Snügli as a backup dancer. It gets better though, with references to the ozone layer (back in effect!) and the HOV lane that shows a deep understanding of what makes the Prius so appealing. Given that Casual Mafia is the sketch comedy team behind the "Douchbag Anthem," there's a real good chance (read: 100%) the new video is nothing more than love/hate snark, but who cares when it feels so fun to watch?  It's not a Prius. For some reason, people want to compare the two: Toyota's pioneering, world-beater Prius hybrid and this new, dedicated Lexus hybrid-electric luxury sedan.  Japanese automakers on Wednesday praised President Barack Obama's new rules to push green vehicles and transform the U.S. auto industry -- a shift that likely puts Japan's manufacturers at an advantage.  Henderson was asked by one consumer who needs to replace his first generation Prius, why he should "wait" for the Volt. Henderson responded "I would love to take you out of your prius! so why wait for the volt? the car will be beautiful...  Whereas some were dismayed by these changes, experts agree that these new constraints offer exciting new possibilities. One question is whether the vehicle's design should...
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| Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.26.09
May 26, 2009 at 8:20 pm
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|  First Drive: 2010 Lexus HS 250h is pretty on the inside
The automotive arms race is in full effect, and the latest weapon comes from Lexus in the form of its HS 250h. Billed as both the world's first hybrid-only luxury sedan and the most fuel-friendly luxury vehicle, the HS has a lot going for it, aside from its styling. Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 - Click above for a high-res image gallery The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this June.  2010 Lexus HS 250h – Click above for high-res image gallery Just because The Cold War is over doesn't mean that all cold wars have come to an end. Two protagonists in the auto industry – once again, East vs.  MINI United '09 at Silverstone - Click above for a gallery of high-res images To celebrate 50 years of all things small and wonderful, MINI held a little party at one of England's most iconic racetracks, Silverstone. It's not a Prius. For some reason, people want to compare the two: Toyota's pioneering, world-beater Prius hybrid and this new, dedicated Lexus hybrid-electric luxury sedan.
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| VIDEO: Superman loves new 2010 Toyota Prius
May 26, 2009 at 7:44 pm
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|   Superman and the 2010 Toyota Prius - Click above to watch the video after the break Apparently, even the Man of Steel wants to save on gas by purchasing a hybrid car. According to a set of pictures snapped by Danny Choo at a shopping mall in Yokosuka, Toyota is using Superman as a spokesperson of sorts to shill their latest 2010 Prius hybrid hatchback in its home market of Japan.  The 2016 CAFE standards of 35.5 MPG will almost certainly punish performance cars. Did you know that the 2010 Toyota Prius only manages to wring 134 HP out of its 50 MPG? Look at it this way.  2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits - Click above for an image gallery To coincide with the official launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius in its home market of Japan, the automaker...  Want to know more about the solar moonroof option that's available on the latest third-generation Toyota Prius for 2010? Read on. According to Tech-On from Nikkei newspaper in Japan...  Toyota Prius at US Capitol, by Flickr user Izik With the ink hardly dry on new 35-mpg fuel economy rules, California's already embarking on the next set of guidelines for emissions beyond 2016.
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| Chelsea Sexton tries out the Chevy Volt, smiles
May 26, 2009 at 7:40 pm
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|  When we drove the Chevy Volt test car about a month ago, we found everything progressing as planned and didn't see anything that looks like it will push back the planned November 2010 Job 1 date. Our friend Chelsea Sexton, one of the most prominent plug-in vehicle supporters around, recently got a chance to step into the driver's seat, curious to see if the Volt "would be nickel-and-dimed to a shadow of its potential." What did she find? That the car creates lots and lots of smiles. She wrote about the experience over on her new blog:  I was recently told by Volt vehicle line executive Frank Weber that "the gas tank will be between 6 and 10 gallons." Below is some further detail I was given by Volt lead engineer...  The project aims to optimize the combination of both components to maximize efficiency and minimize cost. At this point, proof of concept of the hardware has been demonstrated.  A reader posed us an interesting question the other day about air intakes and grilles. Specifically: do electric vehicles need them at all and why do many internal combustion vehicles have such large examples.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video Last night, GM's Bob Lutz went to New York to rebut the thrashing that David Letterman gave to the Chevy Volt a few weeks ago.
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| Mini JCW World Championship 50 unveiled at MINI United
May 26, 2009 at 7:25 pm
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|  To go along with the Mini 50 Camden and Mini 50 Mayfair, spotted at the Mini United gathering this weekend was a British Racing Green treat: the Mini JCW World Championship 50. The 50th anniversary JCW special gets an exclusive non-metallic BRG finish, Pepper White roof and stripes, JCW aero kit, cross-spoke Challenge alloy wheels in jet black, carbon black leather seats with red piping, and Alcantara JCW steering wheel, and a sport suspension along with carbon fiber bits and identifying plaques throughout.  Mini 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden – Click above for high-res image gallery In case you hadn't heard, Mini is turning 50 years old, and it's throwing a big b-day bash right now called the MINI United Festival at Silverstone in the UK.  Karvajal Designs ZX-1 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Karvajal Designs has been displaying its Chevrolet Corvette-altering wares for some time, and it's finally giving up the details on its line of C6 exterior and engine modifications.  Last month, a team from the University of Warwick in Britain said it had built an eco-friendly racecar that contained parts made from vegetable fiber and ran on fuel made from chocolate waste.  The Guggenheim Museum is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the completion of its building, designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, with an exhibition called "Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward.
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| Nissan and Europcar announce new partnership for electric car rentals
May 26, 2009 at 6:44 pm
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|  Hey look, another new Renault-Nissan partnership to promote EVs. Today, a new alliance with Europcar was announced that will make electric vehicles available for customer rentals starting in 2010. The car will first be available in Europe (specifically, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom) as well as Australia and New Zealand. Further expansions are already on the drawing board. Europcar says it wants to become the first major rent-a-car company to offer EVs.  It's about to get a lot easier to drive a Th!nk City electric car. Residents of Oslo, Norway - and tourists - will soon (i.e., tomorrow) be able to participate in a new car sharing plan called Move About.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video If you think the silence of an electric car on the road is a big surprise (and it is), how paradigm-shifting is an electric jetski? A pretty big deal, if you ask us.  NEW YORK - Most car companies are racing to bring electric vehicles to the market. But one startup is skipping the high-tech electronics, making cars whose energy source is pulled literally out of thin air.  A story in the New York Times shines a light on some reasons for the Committee of Chrysler Affected Dealers to challenge the car company's bankruptcy efforts. The element...
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| Hyundai reports 4,000 scrap car trades in UK, reveals some surprises
May 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm
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|  Governments all over the world have introduced Cash-For-Clunkers-style programs that are nothing if not controversial. While the stated intent of each of these schemes is to increase new car sales and remove older, dirtier and less fuel efficient vehicles from the road, some powerful organizations have voiced concerns that untold numbers of classic machinery may be lost forever for no good reason...  Barack Obama GreenCarReports.com, a partner site to TheCarConnection, carried this story yesterday regarding the new federal economy standards. Editor-in-Chief John...  2009 BMW 335d Over at our sister site GreenCarReports, we've taken a look at the market for new clean diesels--and concluded that the most likely buyers may be previous diesel owners.  Ralph Nader has a question for the Federal government regarding the GM bankruptcy. Actually, the perennial presidential candidate and long-time consumer advocate has a lot of questions for Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank...  We Americans want hybrid leadership. We want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Trouble is, most of us aren't willing to pay for it. Johnson Controls surveyed 2309 adults on all matters hybrid...
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| Despite new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, rumors of a new CLK persist
May 26, 2009 at 6:38 pm
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|  2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery According to a puzzling report from L'Automobile Magazine in France, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch a new CLK coupe even though that model would undoubtedly compete with the German automaker's own just-released E-Class coupe. Ostensibly, there's a gap in the automaker's lineup that could be filled by a coupe that's slightly smaller and a bit less expensive than the new E-Class, but the rumor continues to confuse by suggesting that the revived CLK would still be longer than its predecessor by five centimeters.  Bond String Quartet - Click above for a high-res gallery To kick off the launch of the 308 CC, French carmaker Peugeot has enlisted the musical services of the high-heeled female string quartet Bond.  These are some confusing times in the automotive world. For the past few years, it seemed as though Porsche was primed to rule the world. It was selling plenty of product...  Jean-Marc Gales, who has been running Citroën since leaving Mercedes-Benz in February, is aiming make Citroën Europe's third-largest brand. During a recent interview with an Italian newspaper...
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| Meals On Wheels: Ten Great Mobile Eateries
May 26, 2009 at 6:00 pm
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|   We love vehicles. We love to eat. Whether pushcart or Airstream, Mexican or Korean cuisine, we love the combination of wheels and meals. Here are ten diverse vehicles serving up hot meals. There are just a few of the hundreds of delicious portable restaurants. What's your favorite truck, van, cart, wheeled-stall, motorcycle or otherwise mobile platform dishing out food? Click above to view the video after the jump The latest video from Casual Mafia, called "In My Prius," would be a winner if for no other reason than it uses a dad wearing a Snügli as a backup dancer. The 24 Hours of LeMons Penalty Pit - Click above for a high-res image gallery Want to win LeMons? This isn't the ticket. But it will give you a glimpse into what awaits you in the B. When we drove the Chevy Volt test car about a month ago, we found everything progressing as planned and didn't see anything that looks like it will push back the planned November 2010 Job 1 date. Superman and the 2010 Toyota Prius - Click above to watch the video after the break Apparently, even the Man of Steel wants to save on gas by purchasing a hybrid car....
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| Mazda delivers first Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid
May 26, 2009 at 5:42 pm
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|  Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid (Iwatani Corporation version) A little while ago we told you that Mazda had begun taking orders for its Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. Well, today they delivered the first one to a Japanese energy company, Iwatani Corporation. As we told you before, the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid takes the basic powertrain from the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE and adds an electric motor in series, adding a healthy dose of zoom-zoom while extending the range.  Take a close look at the car in these photos. What at first glance appears to be a '70s race car done up for SEMA is actually S. Kartuzoff's Lada Samara Gladkov Edition. 2010 Lexus HS 250h – Click above for high-res image gallery Just because The Cold War is over doesn't mean that all cold wars have come to an end. Two protagonists in the auto industry – once again, East vs.  Since our first encounter with GM's HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) engines in August 2007, the powertrain research engineers at the GM Tech Center in Warren...  The trend toward engine downsizing has reached Volkswagen?s more-affordable performance models. It's a move that not only makes them more powerful but provides reduced fuel consumption...
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| STUDY: Toyota and Honda supplier relations suffer while Ford, GM improve
May 26, 2009 at 5:37 pm
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|  In the latest installment of an annual supplier relations survey put together by Planning Perspectives, Honda and Toyota have upheld their top positions in spite of suppliers describing downgrading them to merely "adequate.  As the bidding to take over over the Saturn brand from General Motors nears its conclusion, it looks increasingly likely that Roger Penske will walk away with the "prize.  MILWAUKEE - The clock is ticking on a June 1 deadline for General Motors Corp. to restructure, and this make-or-break week is expected to bring more plant closures, employee concessions and other last-minute efforts.  A gent in Britain with a load of can-do spirit and a personal fortune has decided that the British Motor Show must go on next year. Scuttled this year after a long decline...  Toyota supposedly wishes to offer GM the technology that underlies the Prius and other Toyota vehicles should GM go into bankruptcy. The intellectual property under...
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| Electric car sharing coming to Oslo, Norway
May 26, 2009 at 5:32 pm
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| It's about to get a lot easier to drive a Th!nk City electric car. Residents of Oslo, Norway - and tourists - will soon (i.e., tomorrow) be able to participate in a new car sharing plan called Move About. As of May 27, Move About will start public car sharing with 13 electric vehicles at three locations in downtown Oslo. Michael Eimstad, Move About's managing director, told AutoblogGreen that the program will be open "to anybody with a driving licence, and is (as far as we know) the first of its kind in the world." Hey look, another new Renault-Nissan partnership to promote EVs. Today, a new alliance with Europcar was announced that will make electric vehicles available for customer rentals starting in 2010.  Volvo – The Game – Click above for gameplay videos Starting grids, chicanes, curbs and locking up the brakes diving into hairpins make you think of what car brand? Of course, Volvo. Click above and scroll down to watch the video If you think the silence of an electric car on the road is a big surprise (and it is), how paradigm-shifting is an electric jetski? A pretty big deal, if you ask us. NEW YORK - Most car companies are racing to bring electric vehicles to the market. But one startup is skipping the high-tech electronics, making cars whose energy source is pulled literally out of thin air. A story in the New York Times shines a light on some reasons for the Committee of Chrysler Affected Dealers to challenge the car company's bankruptcy efforts. The element...
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| Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis?
May 26, 2009 at 5:29 pm
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|  Gearing up for production of the Silver Ghost, Rolls-Royce recently put out the call for craftspeople good with wood, leather, and paint. If a new MotoringFile report is true, if any of you get the job, you might be making wood veneers not just for the new plutocratic sedan, but for a few special Mini models as well. MINI United '09 at Silverstone - Click above for a gallery of high-res images To celebrate 50 years of all things small and wonderful, MINI held a little party at one of England's most iconic racetracks, Silverstone.  Rolls-Royce, which enjoyed a 20 percent sales increase in 2008, is bracing for another strong year in 2009. In fact, the luxury automaker announced this week that it would be increasing its manufacturing work force by 50 percent.  Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost will not only mean more sales for the company, it will mean more workers.  Automotive designers in 1999 foresaw a 2009 populated by compressed natural gas-powered cars, huge 16-cylinder engines and crossover vehicles. At least they got one right.
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| Mahindra still on track to launch new pickup in U.S. before 2010
May 26, 2009 at 4:50 pm
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|  A recent report from The Wall Street Journal suggested that the expected launch of Mahinrda's latest pickup trucks in the United States has been delayed until 2010. According to Global Vehicles USA, the company that will be distributing the trucks in the States, that's not the case. John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles, told PickupTrucks.com: I was recently told by Volt vehicle line executive Frank Weber that "the gas tank will be between 6 and 10 gallons." Below is some further detail I was given by Volt lead engineer...  Click above for a high-res gallery of the V12 Vantage preparing for the Nürburgring 24-hour race It started with one lone V8 Vantage, dubbed the N24, that ran the Nürburgring 24-hour race in 2006.  Yesterday, Brammo CEO, Craig Bramscher tweeted that bike #1, meaning their TTXGP entry, the Enertia TTR, was ready for the shipping crate and then went on to mysteriously mention a #2.  A few weeks ago Tesla CEO Elon Musk brought the Model S on Late Night with David Letterman and Dave misrepresented the car calling its 40 mile range "ridiculous." Last night after having issued a challenge to do so...
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| Fiat Wants to Avoid Chrysler Product Liability
May 26, 2009 at 4:42 pm
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|  Lawyers for Fiat said on Tuesday that, in taking over a bankrupt Chrysler, it would be an unfair burden if Fiat had to be responsible for product-liability lawsuits filed over vehicles built by the old Chrysler. Fiat was responding to concerns raised last week by several consumer groups and plaintiff's lawyers who asked Judge Arthur J... Jean-Marc Gales, who has been running Citroën since leaving Mercedes-Benz in February, is aiming make Citroën Europe's third-largest brand. During a recent interview with an Italian newspaper...  Chrysler LLC says former Borden Chemical and Duracell chairman C. Robert Kidder will become chairman of the new Chrysler once it acquires old Chrysler's assets and joins with Fiat.  Fiat's acting like it hasn't eaten in years, hungrily throwing down for the pieces of the business that troubled automakers are trying to spin off. General Motors Europe is seriously contemplating cutting free its Opel unit...
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| Officially Official: Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 coming to the UK in June
May 26, 2009 at 4:39 pm
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| Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 - Click above for a high-res image gallery The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this June. In keeping with its NSFW nomenclature, the FQ400 is putting out 403 hp at 6,500 rpm, with peak torque – 387 lb-ft of the stuff – arriving at an oh-so-usable 3,500 rpm... The 24 Hours of LeMons Penalty Pit - Click above for a high-res image gallery Want to win LeMons? This isn't the ticket. But it will give you a glimpse into what awaits you in the B.  Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that... 2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough... BRUSA Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery BRUSA, a Swiss electronics company, recently attended the EVS24 conference in Stavanger, Norway, with an electric sportscar called the Spyder in tow.
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| The Case Against CAFE: HP Per MPG
May 26, 2009 at 4:00 pm
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| The 2016 CAFE standards of 35.5 MPG will almost certainly punish performance cars. Did you know that the 2010 Toyota Prius only manages to wring 134 HP out of its 50 MPG? Look at it this way. If our auto industry is going to be competitive, we need to be producing cars that people want to buy. Fun cars. Assuming that a HP figure is a rough approximation of the fun to be had with a vehicle (in the interest of diversity we're not looking at power-to-weight figures as they exclude SUV drivers and fat slobs), then we need to, as a country, be producing vehicles with the most fun per MPG. Superman and the 2010 Toyota Prius - Click above to watch the video after the break Apparently, even the Man of Steel wants to save on gas by purchasing a hybrid car.... To go along with the Mini 50 Camden and Mini 50 Mayfair, spotted at the Mini United gathering this weekend was a British Racing Green treat: the Mini JCW World Championship 50. Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 - Click above for a high-res image gallery The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this June. Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that...
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| VIDEO: Volvo The Game now available for free download
May 26, 2009 at 3:59 pm
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| Volvo – The Game – Click above for gameplay videos Starting grids, chicanes, curbs and locking up the brakes diving into hairpins make you think of what car brand? Of course, Volvo. As promised, Volvo - The Game has been released today for free download for PC only – sorry Mac lovers (ironically, a group that we susspect probably includes a lot of Volvo owners...). Developed by SimBin, the game offers six Volvo models for turns on two tracks: the Eco Drive Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden and the Chayka track in Kiev, Ukraine. Click above to view the video after the jump The latest video from Casual Mafia, called "In My Prius," would be a winner if for no other reason than it uses a dad wearing a Snügli as a backup dancer. The 24 Hours of LeMons Penalty Pit - Click above for a high-res image gallery Want to win LeMons? This isn't the ticket. But it will give you a glimpse into what awaits you in the B. When we drove the Chevy Volt test car about a month ago, we found everything progressing as planned and didn't see anything that looks like it will push back the planned November 2010 Job 1 date. Superman and the 2010 Toyota Prius - Click above to watch the video after the break Apparently, even the Man of Steel wants to save on gas by purchasing a hybrid car....
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| Bloc Rockin' Beater: Twin-turbo Skyline-powered Samara shows off a Lada intercooler
May 26, 2009 at 3:57 pm
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| Take a close look at the car in these photos. What at first glance appears to be a '70s race car done up for SEMA is actually S. Kartuzoff's Lada Samara Gladkov Edition. The car has been dubbed "Adrenalin," and as the description says, "It is the Russian car!" with motive power coming from a Nissan Skyline engine that has been boosted by a pair of Garrett AR 48 turbos. The before-and-after pics show how much work went into creating this oddly classic and simultaneously modern vehicle. Click above to view the video after the jump The latest video from Casual Mafia, called "In My Prius," would be a winner if for no other reason than it uses a dad wearing a Snügli as a backup dancer. The 24 Hours of LeMons Penalty Pit - Click above for a high-res image gallery Want to win LeMons? This isn't the ticket. But it will give you a glimpse into what awaits you in the B. When we drove the Chevy Volt test car about a month ago, we found everything progressing as planned and didn't see anything that looks like it will push back the planned November 2010 Job 1 date. Superman and the 2010 Toyota Prius - Click above to watch the video after the break Apparently, even the Man of Steel wants to save on gas by purchasing a hybrid car....
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| FOLLOWUP: Fiesta Movement car towed by The Man, not stolen after all?
May 26, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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|  Who knew that the Fiesta Movement was going to turn out to be the Fiesta Adventure – at least, for Agent 44 Jake Bronstein. Not long ago, he reported his Fiesta stolen and Ford was meant to be tracking it on a joyride near Port Chester, NY. Turns out that Ford wasn't tracking the right car, and for some reason, Ford can't track his car. That's most inconvenient, because Bronstein's Fiesta is sitting in a New York impound lot. And to add insult to injury, the impound lot says the car isn't there. Volvo – The Game – Click above for gameplay videos Starting grids, chicanes, curbs and locking up the brakes diving into hairpins make you think of what car brand? Of course, Volvo. It's not a Prius. For some reason, people want to compare the two: Toyota's pioneering, world-beater Prius hybrid and this new, dedicated Lexus hybrid-electric luxury sedan.  Click above for a high-res gallery of the Protoscar LAMPO concept We got our first taste of the Protoscar LAMPO back in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The all-electric...  Hype maintenance can be hard work. Following the Earth Day announcement that the EEStor ultracapacitor had passed independent tests that showed it had a relative permittivity of 22...
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| Hybrids dominate Kelley Blue Book top green cars for 2009
May 26, 2009 at 3:41 pm
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|  2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res gallery
The editors over at Kelley Blue Book recently sat down to compile one of those staples of the publishing world: a top ten list...  Team Nimik Citroen 2CV/Ferrari F355 hybrid one-off - Click above for high-res image gallery This is surely one of the most original/bizarre/impressive/controversial hybrids we've seen in quite some time.  Metro Buddy - Click above for a hi-res gallery The Metro Buddy was officially revealed at EVS 24, and we now have a gallery of official renderings, as well as pics from the coming out party, to share with you.  ExerTrike Tri-Hybrids - Click above for a gallery While we wait for the $10 million Automotive X Prize road races to get started, our old friend Jory Squibb is organizing...  Subaru's been hyping its future green technology for years, but despite promises of diesels and hybrids, those of us in the States have yet to sample any alt-fuel, boxer-powered Imprezas, Legacys or Foresters.
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| We take a quick spin in GM's latest HCCI engine prototype
May 26, 2009 at 3:00 pm
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|  Since our first encounter with General Motors' HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) engines in August 2007, the powertrain research engineers at GM's Tech Center in Warren, MI have continued plugging away at the technology, trying to turn it into a marketable reality...
 When opening a door, one expects to grab the handle and pull without the risk of injury. If you own a 2002 or 2003 Hyundai Sonata with chrome handles, you may not have that luxury, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Here's the thing: American automakers used to fully support E85-capable (aka flex-fuel) vehicles. With a few cheap additions to a standard engine ($100, or thereabouts)... Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that...  Click above for high-res gallery of the Pratt & Miller LMP1 Corvette that never was Autoblog friend and sports car racing junkie, Mike Laney, recently got the chance to tour Pratt & Miller (a.
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| Hyundai recalling over 91,000 Sonata sedans due to... sharp chrome door handles?!
May 26, 2009 at 2:57 pm
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| When opening a door, one expects to grab the handle and pull without the risk of injury. If you own a 2002 or 2003 Hyundai Sonata with chrome handles, you may not have that luxury, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a result, Hyundai is recalling 91,000 Sonatas because the chrome plating on the upper edge of the interior handle may wear, "causing cracking or separation between the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle." NHTSA says the sharp edge can cause "laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle." Ouch.  2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping...  Although Volkswagen is known for its diesels, the German marque is glad to show that it's also a player on the fuel-cell battlefield. How? By shipping 16 fuel-cell Passat Lingyu sedans to the U.  Volkswagen has announced that it will recall some 25,594 examples of its 2006-2009 Jetta over a potential driveshaft issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars with the company's 2.  The obnoxious car precious metals-plating cold war between Russian mobsters and oligarchs and Middle Eastern oil sheiks has jumped to the next level. Chromed cars are now passé, with one Russian stepping up his game with a gold-plated BMW M5.
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| U.S. Expected to Own 70% of Restructured G.M.
May 26, 2009 at 2:55 pm
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| From our colleagues at DealBook: The government will hold a vast share of a new version of General Motors after it emerges from bankruptcy protection and provide G.M. with about $50 billion in financing so that it can restructure, people with direct knowledge of the situation said on Tuesday. The Treasury Department will receive about 70 percent of the new G.M., while the United Automobile Workers union will hold 17.5 percent through its retiree health care fund. MILWAUKEE - The clock is ticking on a June 1 deadline for General Motors Corp. to restructure, and this make-or-break week is expected to bring more plant closures, employee concessions and other last-minute efforts.  According to The Washington Post, the White House is readying General Motors for a bankruptcy filing that could come as early as the end of next week. According to the paper...  While it might not save General Motors Corp. from bankruptcy, GM and the UAW reached a tentative labor agreement Thursday that ultimately could give the union safer footing if the troubled automaker files for Chapter 11 reorganization.
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| WITH PDF OF AGREEMENT: UAW leaders endorse GM contract changes
May 26, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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|  The UAW's plant-level leaders emerged from a meeting today saying the leadership has unanimously endorsed tentative labor contract changes with General Motors Corp. The measure now moves to membership for ratification later this week. •PDF: The new settlement agreement between GM and UAW. Nearly all UAW-GM workers will be offered buyouts, according to a UAW summary of the proposed changes obtained by the Free Press.  Residents in and around Detroit have a new bike and walking path to enjoy, and it's reportedly only the beginning of a much broader plan to introduce a network of green pathways that will one day stretch to around 100 miles.  The plan for GM bankruptcy would also give the automaker just short of $30 billion in additional aid. That $30 billion figure is a starting point for the government negotiations... While it might not save General Motors Corp. from bankruptcy, GM and the UAW reached a tentative labor agreement Thursday that ultimately could give the union safer footing if the troubled automaker files for Chapter 11 reorganization.
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| Money's not there for flex-fuel and other advanced technologies, automakers say
May 26, 2009 at 2:09 pm
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| Here's the thing: American automakers used to fully support E85-capable (aka flex-fuel) vehicles. With a few cheap additions to a standard engine ($100, or thereabouts), a car could get a special badge, drink corn (where available) and get the automaker a bit of goodwill, especially from politicians. The Auto Alliance often went out of its way to proclaim all of the flex-fuel vehicles its members were selling (see this PDF).  There's a financial swine flu making its way through the car industry. Chrysler caught it and it proved terminal. Porsche was on intensive care for a moment but should recover.  Entrepreneur Roger Penske wants to use the Saturn dealership network to sell vehicles built by Renault Samsung Motors and imported from South Korea. According to Automotive News...  In the wake of last week's announcement by President Obama that the proposed California greenhouse gas emissions rules would be adopted on a national level, Keith Crain...
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| Clarkson on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI: It's crap and it's brilliant!
May 26, 2009 at 1:58 pm
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| Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that, for now at least, only has a home in the Q7, but at some future date may appear in some other VW group products (think Bentley). The V12 produces 500 hp and a ridiculous 758 lb-ft of torque, enough to get the 2.5-ton SUV to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds. A gent in Britain with a load of can-do spirit and a personal fortune has decided that the British Motor Show must go on next year. Scuttled this year after a long decline...  Volkswagen is preparing its 2011 Touareg, and the company's most expensive expensive Stateside offering is slated to lose weight. Although the German automaker is reportedly aiming for a 600 pound drop... 2008 smart fortwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery The diminutive little smart fortwo may be the darling of microcar fanatics the world over, but it's seemingly always been plagued with at least one major shortcoming: it's rough...  BMW's interpretation of a gran turismo may differ from the traditional - think Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati - but judging by the specs released by BMW (and leaked onto the Web two days ahead of schedule)...
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| What Might Have Been: Corvette LMP1 challenger
May 26, 2009 at 1:58 pm
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| Click above for high-res gallery of the Pratt & Miller LMP1 Corvette that never was Autoblog friend and sports car racing junkie, Mike Laney, recently got the chance to tour Pratt & Miller (a.k.a. Corvette Racing HQ), and besides building the Speed GT Cadillac CTS-V, Pontiac GTO.  2009 Cadillac CTS While the whole industry tries to bail water from a sinking industry, the underlying competition isn't taking a holiday. If anything, it's getting hotter as the rules change.  Pontiac's demise could be good news for people looking for great deals on some very good and unappreciated cars. It also virtually guarantees some current and recent Pontiac models will become prized collector cars in the future.  First, I'd like to believe that no environment was harmed in the making of our feature on megapowered supersedans, which will be published in the Automobiles section on Sunday.  Cadillac's V-Day stunt driving exhibition - Click above to watch the video Although things are understandably more than bit somber in General Motors' U.S. operations as of late, over in China, the mood is a bit more upbeat.
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| REPORT: Cars officially banned from New York's Time Square
May 26, 2009 at 1:54 pm
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|  The crossroads of North America is about to become a lot more pedestrian-friendly. New York City's Times Square is reportedly getting a makeover to make it car-free. According to an Associated Press report, portions of Broadway from 42nd Street up to 47th and from 33rd to 35th are being closed to cars to cut down on pollution, traffic and pedestrian accidents. NEW YORK - Most car companies are racing to bring electric vehicles to the market. But one startup is skipping the high-tech electronics, making cars whose energy source is pulled literally out of thin air.  David Letterman dismissed the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car on April 29, saying it wouldn't have the juice to make it out of his driveway. General Motors Corp.  Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery It is common for cities to contribute to the electric vehicle world by working with automakers and/or utilities to build EV charging stations.  May is National Bike Month (among many other things), and there are loads of events in New York City to promote and encourage the use of bicycles, from races and classes to Bike to Work Day, which is scheduled for Friday.
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| First Drive: 2010 Lexus HS 250h is pretty on the inside
May 26, 2009 at 12:59 pm
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| 2010 Lexus HS 250h – Click above for high-res image gallery Just because The Cold War is over doesn't mean that all cold wars have come to an end. Two protagonists in the auto industry – once again, East vs. West – are currently embroiled in an in-car safety and technology arms race that is beginning to look more like NASA vs... Team Nimik Citroen 2CV/Ferrari F355 hybrid one-off - Click above for high-res image gallery This is surely one of the most original/bizarre/impressive/controversial hybrids we've seen in quite some time.  2009 Monaco Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery Another race, another week of wondering whether the other Formula 1 teams would make enough progress to catch Brawn GP. It's not a Prius. For some reason, people want to compare the two: Toyota's pioneering, world-beater Prius hybrid and this new, dedicated Lexus hybrid-electric luxury sedan.  Click above for a massive high-res image gallery from 2009 LeMons Reno We've finally wrapped up our "inspection" and "judging" of the LeMons Reno "racers," and as suspected, there's a motley assortment of cars, contenders and bribes.
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| Franco-Italian Relations: Ferrari F355 - Citroen 2CV hybrid
May 26, 2009 at 12:45 pm
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| Team Nimik Citroen 2CV/Ferrari F355 hybrid one-off - Click above for high-res image gallery This is surely one of the most original/bizarre/impressive/controversial hybrids we've seen in quite some time. In fact, it's likely to be so controversial as to single-handedly effect Franco-Italian relations. After all, how does one explain away the melding of one of Italy's favorite sons (F355) and a variant of France's iconic people's car, the 2CV fourgonnette? 2010 Lexus HS 250h – Click above for high-res image gallery Just because The Cold War is over doesn't mean that all cold wars have come to an end. Two protagonists in the auto industry – once again, East vs.  It takes inspired madness to imagine the perfect mate for a Ferrari F355 chassis is a Citroen 2CV Fourgonnette body. After thousands of hours of labor, this is the fastest French bread-van you'll ever see. 2009 Monaco Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery Another race, another week of wondering whether the other Formula 1 teams would make enough progress to catch Brawn GP.  2009 Indy 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery On Saturday we asked you in a poll if you care about the Indianapolis 500. The number one response with 40% of the vote was, "I never cared in the first place.
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| First MINI E delivered to customer
May 26, 2009 at 12:40 pm
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|  MINI E - Click above for a hi-res gallery Despite thousands of people signing up for a chance to lease the MINI E, only 500 are being produced at this stage, with 50 of those destined for Berlin. Now, after months of winnowing down the list, the very first car has been delivered to one very happy customer. After meeting all the necessary requirements and having a charger installed in his garage, Peter Trepp took delivery of his shiny new ride last Friday. He had actually just test-driven one the day before and had learned then of his impending good fortune. Take a close look at the car in these photos. What at first glance appears to be a '70s race car done up for SEMA is actually S. Kartuzoff's Lada Samara Gladkov Edition. Volvo – The Game – Click above for gameplay videos Starting grids, chicanes, curbs and locking up the brakes diving into hairpins make you think of what car brand? Of course, Volvo. Who knew that the Fiesta Movement was going to turn out to be the Fiesta Adventure – at least, for Agent 44 Jake Bronstein. Not long ago, he reported his Fiesta stolen and Ford was meant to be tracking it on a joyride near Port Chester, NY.  2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery Jeremy Clarkson's disdain for the Honda Insight was pretty much a foregone conclusion, leaving the way in which...
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| McLaren Plans a New Factory
May 26, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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|  McLaren, the British company best known for its success in Formula One, has announced plans to build an auto plant next to its existing McLaren Technology Center in the British Midlands. The McLaren Technology Center, a luscious and curvy white structure in Woking, England, created quite a buzz when it opened in 2006. When opening a door, one expects to grab the handle and pull without the risk of injury. If you own a 2002 or 2003 Hyundai Sonata with chrome handles, you may not have that luxury, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here's the thing: American automakers used to fully support E85-capable (aka flex-fuel) vehicles. With a few cheap additions to a standard engine ($100, or thereabouts)... Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that... Click above for high-res gallery of the Pratt & Miller LMP1 Corvette that never was Autoblog friend and sports car racing junkie, Mike Laney, recently got the chance to tour Pratt & Miller (a.
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| Baddest Citroen 2CV Ever Sports Ferrari F355 Guts
May 26, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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| It takes inspired madness to imagine the perfect mate for a Ferrari F355 chassis is a Citroen 2CV Fourgonnette body. After thousands of hours of labor, this is the fastest French bread-van you'll ever see. Imagine sitting at a stop light somewhere in Europe, an old French delivery truck next to you. When things turn green it issues a Satanic wail and disappears into the distance as only an Italian supercar can. This is the result after 1,500 hours of work by Nimik, an group of crazy Italians who like to build rally cars and turn heads doing it. When opening a door, one expects to grab the handle and pull without the risk of injury. If you own a 2002 or 2003 Hyundai Sonata with chrome handles, you may not have that luxury, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here's the thing: American automakers used to fully support E85-capable (aka flex-fuel) vehicles. With a few cheap additions to a standard engine ($100, or thereabouts)... Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that... Click above for high-res gallery of the Pratt & Miller LMP1 Corvette that never was Autoblog friend and sports car racing junkie, Mike Laney, recently got the chance to tour Pratt & Miller (a.
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| Rendered Speculation: Honda S2000 successor rumored to get hybrid power, AWD
May 26, 2009 at 11:57 am
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|  Honda is in the sea change business lately, reasserting itself in the hybrid sphere with the Insight and forthcoming CR-Z, and giving Acura the ZDX and perhaps a sleek new coupe to play with. The latest Honda rumor originating from the homeland is that the company could be working on a car that will replace the S2000 more in spirit than in configuration.  Rumor on two continents – Germany in Auto Motor und Sport and Japan in Holiday – has it that Acura is developing a sleek four-door to join the lexicologically questionable segment known as "four-door coupes.  click above for a high res gallery of the Honda CR-Z concept Following the introduction of the second generation Insight, Honda has recommitted itself to developing hybrid drive vehicles. Volkswagen is preparing its 2011 Touareg, and the company's most expensive expensive Stateside offering is slated to lose weight. Although the German automaker is reportedly aiming for a 600 pound drop...  In just a few minutes, Daimler will be starting a press conference with Dr. Thomas Weber, the head of R&D for Mercedes-Benz. Dr. Weber will be making an announcement about a new strategic partnership for electric vehicles.
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| It's a Small World After All: Official pictures from MINI United
May 26, 2009 at 11:50 am
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| MINI United '09 at Silverstone - Click above for a gallery of high-res images To celebrate 50 years of all things small and wonderful, MINI held a little party at one of England's most iconic racetracks, Silverstone. The event was equal parts racing, music festival and fashion show, highlighted by a concert by "modfather" Paul Weller, he of The Jam and The Style Council fame. Click above and scroll down to watch the video If you think the silence of an electric car on the road is a big surprise (and it is), how paradigm-shifting is an electric jetski? A pretty big deal, if you ask us.  From a peak of more than 19 million in the 1970s, manufacturing jobs in the United States have dwindled to only about 12 million today, and the continuing recession is likely to depress the number still more.  BMW will bring the elevated seating and packaging of an SUV to its 5-series line with the addition of a liftback model called the Grand Turismo or, simply, GT. The automaker is now revealing the production look for the vehicle...  Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace.
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| Ready for summer? ECO electric jetski is
May 26, 2009 at 10:52 am
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| Click above and scroll down to watch the video If you think the silence of an electric car on the road is a big surprise (and it is), how paradigm-shifting is an electric jetski? A pretty big deal, if you ask us. The benefits of going electric on the water are many, and EcoWatercraft - the makers of the new ECO Jetski - answers the "Why Electric?" questions this way: NEW YORK - Most car companies are racing to bring electric vehicles to the market. But one startup is skipping the high-tech electronics, making cars whose energy source is pulled literally out of thin air.  Click above and scroll down to watch the video Here's a challenge that it would be nice for all of us to try. Hydrogen vehicle advocate Greg Blencoe is still smarting from the DOE funding cut for hydrogen vehicle research dollars.  Bob Lutz, super salesman. Fifteen minutes talking to General Motors Corp.'s vice chairman converted talk show host David Letterman from dismissing the Chevrolet Volt...  The more we see and hear about the entrants for the upcoming TTXGP race at the Isle of Man, the more excited we are at the prospect of zero emissions electric motorcycles.
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| Red Audi R8 Rear-Ends Red Ferrari 599 GTB In Red China
May 26, 2009 at 9:00 am
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|  The Chinese love fast, red cars. Chinese taxi drivers love abruptly stopping in the road. Thus the front of an Audi R8 met a Ferrari 599 GTB's trunk. It appears the Ferrari won. [WreckedExotics]  Formula One: Jenson Button became the first British driver to win the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix from pole since Jackie Stewart did it in 1973. The win was Button's fifth in six races this season... In the wake of last week's announcement by President Obama that the proposed California greenhouse gas emissions rules would be adopted on a national level, Keith Crain...  The situations with GM and Chrysler are beginning to look like what happens after a fumble in an NFL game: a dozen men pile on top of each other all trying to get the ball.
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| Motorsports Links: Jenson Button Wins Monaco
May 26, 2009 at 8:59 am
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| Formula One: Jenson Button became the first British driver to win the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix from pole since Jackie Stewart did it in 1973. The win was Button's fifth in six races this season, and his Brawn GP team are quickly pulling away in the championship. The Monaco Grand Prix, raced under idyllic conditions, encapsulated the fortunes of the team. Button and his teammate, Rubens Barrichello, dominated the race, from wire to wire, with Ferrari driver, Kimi Raikkonen finishing third for the team's first podium of the season. The Chinese love fast, red cars. Chinese taxi drivers love abruptly stopping in the road. Thus the front of an Audi R8 met a Ferrari 599 GTB's trunk. It appears the Ferrari won. [WreckedExotics] In the wake of last week's announcement by President Obama that the proposed California greenhouse gas emissions rules would be adopted on a national level, Keith Crain...  Two very different Chrysler dealerships, separated by just seven miles in southeastern Pennsylvania, are facing two very different fates. Weathers Dodge in Lima, Pa....
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| Volkswagen and BYD partner up for electric cars
May 26, 2009 at 8:58 am
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|  2009 BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
Last week, Volkswagen and Chinese automaker BYD signed a memorandum of understanding to work together "in the area of electric mobility" and vehicles that use li-ion batteries... NEW YORK - Most car companies are racing to bring electric vehicles to the market. But one startup is skipping the high-tech electronics, making cars whose energy source is pulled literally out of thin air. These are some confusing times in the automotive world. For the past few years, it seemed as though Porsche was primed to rule the world. It was selling plenty of product... Although Volkswagen is known for its diesels, the German marque is glad to show that it's also a player on the fuel-cell battlefield. How? By shipping 16 fuel-cell Passat Lingyu sedans to the U. Volkswagen has announced that it will recall some 25,594 examples of its 2006-2009 Jetta over a potential driveshaft issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars with the company's 2.
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| Automotive News publisher says that after 34 years CAFE still doesn't work
May 26, 2009 at 8:55 am
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| In the wake of last week's announcement by President Obama that the proposed California greenhouse gas emissions rules would be adopted on a national level, Keith Crain, the publisher of Automotive News has published an editorial calling CAFE a failure. The imposition of fuel economy rules certainly played a part in the tremendous technical innovation that has occurred over the last three decades. Cars today are significantly more fuel efficient than they were back in early 1970s while emitting only a tiny fraction of the noxious pollutants they did then and producing much more power. NEW YORK - Most car companies are racing to bring electric vehicles to the market. But one startup is skipping the high-tech electronics, making cars whose energy source is pulled literally out of thin air.  With gas prices on the rise again, those of who still have jobs to commute to might well be looking for a way to save some money. Given the often limited mass transit options in the United States, car pooling is often an excellent option. Toyota supposedly wishes to offer GM the technology that underlies the Prius and other Toyota vehicles should GM go into bankruptcy. The intellectual property under...  Over the past couple of years, Volkswagen has been introducing low CO2-emitting variants of several of its mainstream car models under the BlueMotion banner. The latest...  On the same day that President Obama announced tough new CAFE standards for new cars in the coming half-decade, Ford began production of its new, more efficient EcoBoost engine in Ohio.
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| GM and Chrysler CEOs called to D.C. to explain dealer closings
May 26, 2009 at 8:55 am
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| The situations with GM and Chrysler are beginning to look like what happens after a fumble in an NFL game: a dozen men pile on top of each other all trying to get the ball. The difference in the case of GM and Chrysler is there are far more than two teams struggling for the prize. The latest to hop on and shove a hand in is the Senate Commerce Committee, which wants the CEOs to testify "early next month" regarding the planned dealership closings.  The President told the reporter he wanted the government to get out of the automotive business as soon as possible, and said the government would help any auto workers who lost their job to be effectively retrained.  WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama said he hopes General Motors and Chrysler emerge from their restructuring as "leaner, meaner" companies that are more competitive.  A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things.
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| REPORT: Toyota to give hybrid technology to GM?
May 26, 2009 at 8:13 am
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|  According to a report in Japan's Daily Yomiuri newspaper, Toyota is willing to give General Motors access to its hybrid technology, free of charge...
Toyota supposedly wishes to offer GM the technology that underlies the Prius and other Toyota vehicles should GM go into bankruptcy. The intellectual property under... The President told the reporter he wanted the government to get out of the automotive business as soon as possible, and said the government would help any auto workers who lost their job to be effectively retrained.  According to Reuters, Chevrolet's Aveo replacement has been postponed until January 2011 due to the well-publicized financial troubles at General Motors and its Korean subsidiary, Daewoo. The project aims to optimize the combination of both components to maximize efficiency and minimize cost. At this point, proof of concept of the hardware has been demonstrated.
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| USF1 boss Peter Windsor confirms deal for Cosworth engines in 2010
May 26, 2009 at 7:44 am
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|  For a time in the 70s and 80s, Formula One wasn't dominated by automaker-backed factory teams...
MILWAUKEE - The clock is ticking on a June 1 deadline for General Motors Corp. to restructure, and this make-or-break week is expected to bring more plant closures, employee concessions and other last-minute efforts. Two very different Chrysler dealerships, separated by just seven miles in southeastern Pennsylvania, are facing two very different fates. Weathers Dodge in Lima, Pa.... I was recently told by Volt vehicle line executive Frank Weber that "the gas tank will be between 6 and 10 gallons." Below is some further detail I was given by Volt lead engineer...  Audi held its annual meeting in Neckarsulm, Germany last week and, as typically happens at such events, the boss got up to say a few words. In this case, CEO and Chairman...
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| Make-or-break week for GM as deadline nears
May 26, 2009 at 7:38 am
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|  MILWAUKEE - The clock is ticking on a June 1 deadline for General Motors Corp. to restructure, and this make-or-break week is expected to bring more plant closures, employee concessions and other last-minute efforts. Without changes, the federal government has said, the Detroit-based automaker will have to file for bankruptcy protection by next Monday. Two very different Chrysler dealerships, separated by just seven miles in southeastern Pennsylvania, are facing two very different fates. Weathers Dodge in Lima, Pa....  "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you." The punch line to an old joke embodies the fear that grips many people over what government control will mean for General Motors. Toyota supposedly wishes to offer GM the technology that underlies the Prius and other Toyota vehicles should GM go into bankruptcy. The intellectual property under... The plan for GM bankruptcy would also give the automaker just short of $30 billion in additional aid. That $30 billion figure is a starting point for the government negotiations...
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| REPORT: Opel's 'preferred' buyer(s) expected to be named mid-week
May 26, 2009 at 7:36 am
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|  It looks like the German government is about to announce its list of preferred bidders for Opel this week, and the list is likely to include Fiat and Magna. Why would this list be coming from Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman and not, say, GM? Because the German government will have to step in with financing guarantees when the deal is made.
 Ferrari four-wheel-drive hybrid patent images - Click above for an image gallery We've known for quite some time that Ferrari was working on a hybrid sportscar, so it's...  Magna tried and lost when Chrysler was for sale. Pulling a Marchionne, Magna's now trying to win GM Europe's Opel division for itself, and rumor is that Saturn is also on the shopping list.  Italian automaker Fiat, Canadian parts maker Magna International and Belgian investment firm RHJ International look to be the final three bidders for General Motors' Opel subsidiary. Fiat's acting like it hasn't eaten in years, hungrily throwing down for the pieces of the business that troubled automakers are trying to spin off. General Motors Europe is seriously contemplating cutting free its Opel unit...
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| A tale of two dealers — only one is spared
May 26, 2009 at 7:32 am
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| Two very different Chrysler dealerships, separated by just seven miles in southeastern Pennsylvania, are facing two very different fates. Weathers Dodge in Lima, Pa., is 87 years old and offers a trip back to the 1940s, with its terrazzo floors, wood paneling and employees who seem to know every customer's name. Just down the road in Glen Mills is David Dodge, which opened in 2005 and features more of a 21st century, big-box look, with its flat-screen TVs and freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. MILWAUKEE - The clock is ticking on a June 1 deadline for General Motors Corp. to restructure, and this make-or-break week is expected to bring more plant closures, employee concessions and other last-minute efforts. I was recently told by Volt vehicle line executive Frank Weber that "the gas tank will be between 6 and 10 gallons." Below is some further detail I was given by Volt lead engineer...
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| Volt Chief Engineer on Chevy Volt Gas Tank Size and Stale Gas Management
May 26, 2009 at 6:58 am
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|  I was recently told by Volt vehicle line executive Frank Weber that "the gas tank will be between 6 and 10 gallons." Below is some further detail I was given by Volt lead engineer, Andrew Farah: A long standing secret seems to be how large the Volt's gas tank will be, can you clarify? The project aims to optimize the combination of both components to maximize efficiency and minimize cost. At this point, proof of concept of the hardware has been demonstrated. A reader posed us an interesting question the other day about air intakes and grilles. Specifically: do electric vehicles need them at all and why do many internal combustion vehicles have such large examples.  Nissan has announced that they are recalling some 360,000 first generation Murano CUVs because of an engine stall risk. Apparently, the material they used for their air intake ducts is prematurely aging and shrinking...  A forumite at Gixxer claims he poured two 20 oz. bottles of NOS into his motorcycle's fuel tank because it was "running like crap." There's only one "NOS" that comes in 20 oz.
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| AutoblogGreen for 05.26.09
May 26, 2009 at 6:43 am
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|  VW and BYD partner up for electric cars
"Hey, wait for us!" says VW. GM's HCCI engines now run from idle to 60 mph These diesel-like gasoline cars sure have come a long way in a year and a half. Since our first encounter with GM's HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) engines in August 2007, the powertrain research engineers at the GM Tech Center in Warren...  Click above and scroll down to watch the video On AutoblogGreen, we regularly promote the idea of parking your car and using an alternative form of transportation whenever it's practical. click above for a high res gallery of the Honda CR-Z concept Following the introduction of the second generation Insight, Honda has recommitted itself to developing hybrid drive vehicles.  Before you think we've gone crazy, let's make clear that this is a post about a serious report published in Nature Geoscience. According to this report, lead that was expelled to the atmosphere through exhaust gases stimulated the growth of clouds.
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