| Hydrogen Road Tour: How can H2 cars can go 1,700 miles? Use a tanker truck
June 2, 2009 at 8:24 pm
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|   The Hydrogen Road Tour is scheduled to roll into the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 here in Vancouver tomorrow after 1,700 miles and nine days on the road...
 It's unusual to hear many good things about hydrogen vehicles at a conference dedicated to plug-in vehicles. The reverse cannot be said of the pro-hydrogen folks. At the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver...  GMC Sierra 1500 hydrogen truck - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the few vehicles on display at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver is a modified GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck.  Hydrogen cars in Vancouver - click above for a high-res gallery Vancouver is hosting the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference this week, and that give us a chance to learn a bit more about the city's ongoing hydrogen fuel cell vehicle tests.  Morgan LifeCar - Click above for a high-res gallery By far the most interesting title for a presentation here at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference in Vancouver...  Stating next week, a little thing called the Hydrogen Road Tour will visit 28 cities over nine days. The Tour will cruise north along the West Coast, starting in Chula Vista, California and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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| Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 6.2.09
June 2, 2009 at 8:10 pm
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|   Review: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium retains edge, adds smoothness
For 2009, Subaru's Forester retains and expands what has historically been great about this Fuji Heavy crossover, but the rough edges have finally been hammered flat.  BMW M7? - Click above for a high-res image gallery It seems like every 12 months rumors of an M variant of the BMW 7 Series surface, and this year things are no different.  2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium – Click above for high-res image gallery Adequate dynamics, very capable, super handy. That about sums up the last ten years of the Subaru Forester.  Look, you're a car person, I'm a car person... we're car people. As such, friends, family and the watercooler crowd are depending on us to explain what the hell is going on with General Motors filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Rollin Green, 24, has enjoyed the cumulative benefits of being in a General Motors Corp. family that went to work for the company in the 1940s, but that tradition may end with him.
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| VIDEO: GT5 trailer released, Gran Turismo for PSP coming this October
June 2, 2009 at 7:56 pm
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|  Gran Turismo 5 – Click above for new high-res image gallery or watch HD trailer after the jump That screen cap you see above? That's the first evidence that Gran Turismo 5 will finally have damage rendering. The image is courtesy of the new GT5 trailer (posted after the break) Polyphony Digital released today at the E3 gaming expo. Other bits to note: fully-licensed NASCAR, WRC and Indy racing have been added for the first time, and, in typical Gran Turismo fashion, PD hasn't released a firm date for the game's release.  Novitec Alfa Romeo MiTo – Click above for a high-res image gallery Alfa Romeo's spritely MiTo hatch may have been styled to look like the flagship 8C Competizione... GMC Sierra 1500 hydrogen truck - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the few vehicles on display at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver is a modified GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck.  Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition – Click above for a high-res image gallery Gemballa doesn't strike us as a company that would be easily deterred by minor details. BMW M7? - Click above for a high-res image gallery It seems like every 12 months rumors of an M variant of the BMW 7 Series surface, and this year things are no different.
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| Vancouver 2009: Hydrogen Fuel Cells automotive panel hearts hydrogen, praises EVs
June 2, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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| It's unusual to hear many good things about hydrogen vehicles at a conference dedicated to plug-in vehicles. The reverse cannot be said of the pro-hydrogen folks. At the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver, BC this week, the main message of yesterday's panel discussion on automotive commercialization was that there should be hydrogen vehicles alongside other alternatives, at least in the near term. GMC Sierra 1500 hydrogen truck - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the few vehicles on display at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver is a modified GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck. Morgan LifeCar - Click above for a high-res gallery By far the most interesting title for a presentation here at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference in Vancouver...
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| VIDEO: Ian Callum talks about the 2010 Jaguar XJ
June 2, 2009 at 7:06 pm
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|  2010 Jaguar XJ: Click above to view the video after the jump The top-of-the-line leaping cat was blessed with an aluminum chassis that was well ahead of its time, but the Jaguar XJ's historically derivative design left luxury customers less than impressed – if indeed they recognized it as a new model. Chief Jaguar designer Ian Callum, who hit the ball right out of the park when he designed the award winning XF, now has an opportunity to make things right with the flagship XJ. Novitec Alfa Romeo MiTo – Click above for a high-res image gallery Alfa Romeo's spritely MiTo hatch may have been styled to look like the flagship 8C Competizione...  Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2010 Subaru Legacy The 5th-generation Subaru Legacy has officially begun production, with the first car rolling off the Lafayette...  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.  Ariel Atom - Click above for a high-res image gallery Ariel, our favorite purveyors of minimalist motoring this side of a Se7en, are reportedly working on an all-new vehicle...
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| Audi adds new 1.6-liter TDI to European A3 lineup
June 2, 2009 at 7:03 pm
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|  Audi A3 TDI – Click above for high-res image gallery
Gran Turismo 5 – Click above for new high-res image gallery or watch HD trailer after the jump That screen cap you see above? That's the first evidence that Gran Turismo 5 will finally have damage rendering. Novitec Alfa Romeo MiTo – Click above for a high-res image gallery Alfa Romeo's spritely MiTo hatch may have been styled to look like the flagship 8C Competizione... GMC Sierra 1500 hydrogen truck - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the few vehicles on display at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver is a modified GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck. Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition – Click above for a high-res image gallery Gemballa doesn't strike us as a company that would be easily deterred by minor details.
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| Brembo aims to mass produce carbon-ceramic brakes with new joint venture
June 2, 2009 at 6:56 pm
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|  New technologies always cost the early adopters big bucks. But higher demand leads to increased supply, and costs eventually go down to the level accessibly by the common man. So while carbon-ceramic brakes might be a big ticket item right now – often dipping into five figures as optional equipment on European exotica – Brembo has formed a new joint venture with carbon-fiber supplier SGL Group with the specific goal of mass-producing the brake technology for widespread application.  Police are blaming "bald tires" on this accident, which occurred while an FBI agent drove a Ferrari F50 seized in a drug raid to a storage warehouse. We'll blame the V12 and a heavy hoon-foot.  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.  Autospies says that they've gotten their hands on the first picture of "BMW regenerative brake technology in action on a USA model" (a 550i GT). Well, we're interested in the technology...  Late at night, the driver of this Subaru STI swerved to miss a deer, lost control, hit a tree, flipped twice, plowed through a stop sign and another tree. Everyone inside walked away.
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| Bankrupt GM changes its tone with consumers
June 2, 2009 at 6:21 pm
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|   After filing for bankruptcy protection, General Motors is pushing a new ad campaign promising it will emerge from its financial troubles leaner and stronger. Is this a good marketing approach? Will it allay consumer fears about buying from a carmaker with an uncertain future? Advertising experts say GM — and fellow Chapter 11 filer Chrysler — should move past the negative and focus on their brands as they try to get car sales rolling again. Consumers are staunchly loyal to their car brands, they say.  We weren't expecting this, especially from General Motors, which was forced to sell cars and trucks last month amidst rumors of impending bankruptcy (something that came to fruition as soon as the month was over).  According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd. Look, you're a car person, I'm a car person... we're car people. As such, friends, family and the watercooler crowd are depending on us to explain what the hell is going on with General Motors filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Hummer finally appears to have found a home. General Motors said Tuesday that it has a deal to sell the rough-and-tough truck brand to an unnamed buyer by the end of the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals.
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| Chinese firm lined up for Hummer
June 2, 2009 at 6:13 pm
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|  NEW YORK ? General Motors has lined up a Chinese manufacturing company as the buyer for Hummer, in what could be the first entry into the U.S. auto market by a Chinese company. GM has a tentative agreement to sell the SUV brand to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. of China, the companies said today. According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd.  General Motors said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for the Hummer brand. You can find more details of the deal in Nick Bunkley's report here, but G. Hummer finally appears to have found a home. General Motors said Tuesday that it has a deal to sell the rough-and-tough truck brand to an unnamed buyer by the end of the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals.  Battery manufacturer Valence Technology has big plans to expand its manufacturing capacity. To help pay for the investment, the Austin, Texas-based company has applied for a $225 million grant from the U.  Just because you have no more use for your old ride doesn't mean someone can't make good use of it. No two ways about it, Americans are holding on to their cars longer.
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| Dodge-Eat-Dodge: Dropped Chrysler dealer sues competitor that's staying open
June 2, 2009 at 6:05 pm
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|  Accusing a cross-town rival of influencing Chrysler to shut down its business so they could acquire the customers, Florida's Monarch Dodge has filed a civil suit against Massey-Yardley Dodge. The two Sunshine State dealerships will meet in court to determine whether Massey-Yardley Dodge contacted Monarch Dodge employees with job offers – before Chrysler LLC had announced its closure list.  There has been all manner of speculation leading to this point, but the Temple of VTEC says it has heard from a source who claims the Honda Crosstour will be arrive in the U.  Chrysler LLC's Dodge Viper sports car business has drawn only limited interest from buyers, according to court statements filed in connection with the automaker's bankruptcy hearing.  Click above to watch video after the jump While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues".  Cadillac is enhancing its line with a redesigned 2010 SRX and the addition of the 2010 CTS wagon. Both vehicles go on sale in late summer. Cadillac's redesigned 2010 SRX will carry a $34...
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| Would You Pay This Douche $300 To Drive You In His Ferrari?
June 2, 2009 at 6:00 pm
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|   This Chicago-based refugee from an 80s hair band will rent you his services as a chauffeur in his gold-embellished Ferrari F360 for $300 an hour. Or even his Cadillac Eldorado at $280 an hour. We dub thee — Ferrari Guy. We don't even really know how to properly address this. The super-classy gold treatment inside and out means we have to mock it, the over-the-hill proprietor with no shirt, fake jamming on his guitar should be mocked, Gran Turismo 5 – Click above for new high-res image gallery or watch HD trailer after the jump That screen cap you see above? That's the first evidence that Gran Turismo 5 will finally have damage rendering. It's unusual to hear many good things about hydrogen vehicles at a conference dedicated to plug-in vehicles. The reverse cannot be said of the pro-hydrogen folks. At the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver... New technologies always cost the early adopters big bucks. But higher demand leads to increased supply, and costs eventually go down to the level accessibly by the common man.
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| 2009 Mazda3 recalled over stability control software concern
June 2, 2009 at 5:59 pm
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|  If you own a 2009 Mazda3 with stability control, you may need to schedule some time at the local Mazda store for repairs. Mazda is recalling 7,100 2009 models for a problem with its Dynamic Stability Control system that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says is not in compliance with federal motor safety standards. NHTSA says the issue is that "the yaw rate measured after completion of the sine with dwell steering input exceeded the test standards." Sounds complicated.  As the staff of Tesla Motors has learned all too painfully over the last several years, mass producing a car is no trivial task even if "mass" is only a few hundred....  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.  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...  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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| CalMotors launches into the electric and hybrid powertrain market
June 2, 2009 at 5:59 pm
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|  When CalMotors did the electric drivetrain integration engineering for the eRuf project last year, they used an electric motor from UQM. Becoming decidedly more serious about working in the electric and hybrid vehicle space, they now have their own self-branded components for automotive and marine applications to offer. The Camarillo, California company has teamed up with Parker Hannifin Corporation, a large motion and controls manufacturer, to produce a complete line of electric drivetrain systems for vehicles ranging from sub-compacts to heavy-duty trucks.  A group of 8th grade students at Novato Charter School in Marin County in California have produced an interesting new project. They've created a solar human hybrid vehicle that combines the power of the sun with pedal power. According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd.  Click the Focus EV "mule" for a high res gallery With Magna International set to take control of General Motors' European operations, it will be interesting to see how...  Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma The last time we heard about the goings on at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers it was as part of Fisker's 85 million VC funding announcement.
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| All 2008 Zap Xebras recalled for inadequate braking systems
June 2, 2009 at 5:13 pm
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|  Apparently even the limited safety requirements applied by the U.S. government to vehicles classified as motorcycles were a bit too much for Zap Xebra. The Chinese-built electric vehicles are classed as motorcycles because they only have three wheels, which means they are not subject to crash safety standards. However, motorcycles still have to meet minimum braking performance requirements according to federal motor vehicle safety standard 122. If you own a 2009 Mazda3 with stability control, you may need to schedule some time at the local Mazda store for repairs. Mazda is recalling 7,100 2009 models for a problem... Hydrogen cars in Vancouver - click above for a high-res gallery Vancouver is hosting the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference this week, and that give us a chance to learn a bit more about the city's ongoing hydrogen fuel cell vehicle tests.  How not to endear yourself to the media: send in messages that say, "It is so easy to jump on the bandwagon when you don't know the facts. Shame on you all." This is how Michael Papp is trying to reintroduce himself to the alternative vehicle world.  Within three years, Chrysler LLC's model line could stretch from massive Hemi-V8-powered Dodge Ram pickups to a tiny two-cylinder city car -- and possibly one or more electric vehicles.  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.
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| By the Numbers - May 2009: GM and Ford Surprise Edition
June 2, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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| We weren't expecting this, especially from General Motors, which was forced to sell cars and trucks last month amidst rumors of impending bankruptcy (something that came to fruition as soon as the month was over). Despite this, GM posted a decrease in sales volume of only 29.55%. Sure, GM's sales decreased last month compared to May 2008, but they decreased at a far slower rate than its major Japanese competitors: Toyota (-40. After filing for bankruptcy protection, General Motors is pushing a new ad campaign promising it will emerge from its financial troubles leaner and stronger. Is this...  Honda saw sales decline 39.2% from record-setting May 2008 results. Ford outsold Toyota (down 40.2%) for yet another month. GM sales were down a better-than-expected 29.  Click above to watch the video after the break It shouldn't come as a major surprise that car sharing services like Zipcar are reporting increased membership rates and demand for short-term rental vehicles in these tough economic times. According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd.
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| Lindsay Lohan's Maserati Quattroporte On eBay
June 2, 2009 at 4:30 pm
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|  Lindsay Lohan and cars don't mix, yet her vehicles end up on eBay with her ownership advertised as a positive. Now you can own her white-as-pure-cocaine Maserati Quattroporte. Really? Yeah! It's interesting to see this Maserati for sale since, less than one week ago, the same vehicle was towed away from pal Sam Ronson's house. This was apparently because of a parking violation. Perhaps LiLo's getting rid of the car because she no longer feels able to park it? Either way, her loss is your potential bizarre celebrity memorabilia. Here's the details: It's unusual to hear many good things about hydrogen vehicles at a conference dedicated to plug-in vehicles. The reverse cannot be said of the pro-hydrogen folks. At the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver... New technologies always cost the early adopters big bucks. But higher demand leads to increased supply, and costs eventually go down to the level accessibly by the common man. 2010 Jaguar XJ: Click above to view the video after the jump The top-of-the-line leaping cat was blessed with an aluminum chassis that was well ahead of its time, but...
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| VIDEO: Jay Leno takes EcoJet out for a spin
June 2, 2009 at 4:29 pm
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|  Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above to watch the video Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Jay occasionally leans towards the green end of the interesting vehicle spectrum, and that tradition looks secure as the comedian has recently been spotted out and about in his home state of California in the EcoJet concept.  Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions.  Click above to watch video after the jump Last night was the debut of the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien as its new host. The gangly, six-foot-something comedian made the move from late-late night in New York to just late night in Los Angeles...  Just before noon EST, President Obama gave a press conference concerning this morning's General Motors Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The man who made hope cool again tried to put as positive a spin as possible on the automaker's decision to file... Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma The last time we heard about the goings on at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers it was as part of Fisker's 85 million VC funding announcement.  Ruff and Tuff Electric Vehicles Inc. (RTEV) has spun off its Wheego Electric Cars division. Wheego's first car, the low-speed Whip (pictured), should be available in late July (yes, that's a delay).
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| Stopgap GTA: Novitec takes a stab at the Alfa MiTo
June 2, 2009 at 4:18 pm
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| Novitec Alfa Romeo MiTo – Click above for a high-res image gallery Alfa Romeo's spritely MiTo hatch may have been styled to look like the flagship 8C Competizione, but the performance gap between them is big enough to fit another entire model line. The MiTo GTA, previewed in concept form at this year's Geneva show, promises to close the distance some, but until it arrives, Novitec has come up with an answer of its own, and here it is. GMC Sierra 1500 hydrogen truck - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the few vehicles on display at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver is a modified GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck. Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition – Click above for a high-res image gallery Gemballa doesn't strike us as a company that would be easily deterred by minor details. BMW M7? - Click above for a high-res image gallery It seems like every 12 months rumors of an M variant of the BMW 7 Series surface, and this year things are no different. Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Within three years, Chrysler LLC's model line could stretch from massive Hemi-V8-powered Dodge Ram pickups to a tiny two-cylinder city car -- and possibly one or more electric vehicles.
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| Devil's in the Details: McLaren F1 meets maker in California
June 2, 2009 at 4:16 pm
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|  It's the little things in life that make all the difference. Flames shooting out the exhaust of a supercar? Awesome. Flames billowing out of the entire engine bay? Uh-oh. So seeing a McLaren F1 – in the United States, no less – going up in smoke is a real tear-jerker. We have to admit that with so many drivers exhibiting more flash than talent, reporting on the endless barrage of destroyed supercars got a little tiresome, if not downright depressing.  Normally we take some amusement in super car infernos, but this McLaren F1 fire in Santa Rosa, California makes us sick to our stomachs. A marvelous thoroughbred shouldn't die like this, never like this.  Lamborghini supercars tend to have a relatively long lifespan. The Countach stayed in production for sixteen years from its introduction in 1974 until the Diablo replaced it in 1990...  Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom – Click above for a high-res image gallery With seemingly ever luxury automaker under the sun going after BMW's coveted balance between sport and luxury...
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| Mandatory California motorcycle emissions testing dropped
June 2, 2009 at 4:13 pm
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|  A few months ago, California State Senator Fran Pavley introduced legislation that would have required regular smog checks for motorcycles larger than 280 cc and newer than model year 2000. That mandate was planned to go in effect in the year 2012, but that's now changed.
It's unusual to hear many good things about hydrogen vehicles at a conference dedicated to plug-in vehicles. The reverse cannot be said of the pro-hydrogen folks. At the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference here in Vancouver... New technologies always cost the early adopters big bucks. But higher demand leads to increased supply, and costs eventually go down to the level accessibly by the common man. 2010 Jaguar XJ: Click above to view the video after the jump The top-of-the-line leaping cat was blessed with an aluminum chassis that was well ahead of its time, but...
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| VIDEO: Scott Griffith, Zipcar CEO: We have never had a request for a GM product
June 2, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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| Click above to watch the video after the break It shouldn't come as a major surprise that car sharing services like Zipcar are reporting increased membership rates and demand for short-term rental vehicles in these tough economic times. It's also to be expected that as more and more people rely on these services, new car purchases will be reduced somewhat.  NEW YORK ? General Motors plans to cut about 3,000 more white collar workers this year in the United States, the company's top executive indicated today. GM CEO Fritz Henderson said GM's U.  Click above to view Ken Block's Gymkhana Two video after the jump When it comes to driving deity Ken Block, words fail. So we'll keep this brief. Make the jump for the full video of Gymkhana Two...  During Bob Lutz's speech to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit last week, one of his slides included some current and future product plans. Most of what was on the chart was already well known including cars like the Orlando...  GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said today in a televised address that General Motors has embarked on "a defining moment in the history of General Motors." He called the bankruptcy that GM filed today "a fast-track plan to form a leaner .
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| Blink and you'll miss Ken Block in new Gymkhana video:
June 2, 2009 at 2:26 pm
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|   Explosions, hooks and slides and the destruction of fluorescent light bulbs--all in the name of gaining attention for DC Shoes? Noted rally driver and DC co-founder Ken Block slides his way through Gymkhana Two, a high-performance sequel to his popular Gymkhana Practice video. Block maneuvers a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, custom-built by Crawford Performance, around the Port of Los Angeles. Click above to view Ken Block's Gymkhana Two video after the jump When it comes to driving deity Ken Block, words fail. So we'll keep this brief. Make the jump for the full video of Gymkhana Two...  Lars Martensson's Subaru Impreza WRX STI concept - click above for a high-res gallery It's fair to say that Subaru has enjoyed a run of strong product in recent years...  Ken Block's new Subaru WRX STI - Click above for a high-res image gallery Ken Block, co-founder of DC Shoes and extreme sports junkie, has only been driving rally cars for a few short years...
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| Is This The 2010 Mercedes E-Class Wagon?
June 2, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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|  These shots appear to show the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Wagon, the Teutonically efficient way to haul your crap. Expect the same range of engines as the sedan: a V6, V8 and a super-efficient diesel. No word on launch timing, but the 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG sedan is due in November, while the diesel version is coming next March. When we drove the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Sedan, we found it to be a refreshing return to traditional Mercedes values like solid build quality and timeless looks, no reason to expect the wagon to be any different. [via Burlapp Cars] General Motors said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for the Hummer brand. You can find more details of the deal in Nick Bunkley's report here, but G.  Here's a little problem to solve: Although budgets are shrinking, it still costs million to run a Formula One team. On the other hand, the teams go through spare parts like a rib joint does napkins.  2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery Either Toyota intentionally downplayed initial numbers or the sluggish economy is not affecting Prius sales as much as the company feared. During Bob Lutz's speech to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit last week, one of his slides included some current and future product plans. Most of what was on the chart was already well known including cars like the Orlando...
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| 8th graders build solar human hybrid vehicle
June 2, 2009 at 1:48 pm
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| A group of 8th grade students at Novato Charter School in Marin County in California have produced an interesting new project. They've created a solar human hybrid vehicle that combines the power of the sun with pedal power. The students started off with a four-wheeled, four-passenger pedal powered vehicle called the Zero Emission Machine, or ZEM. The ZEM was built in Switzerland and the company that created it has since gone belly up because the vehicles were too expensive to manufacture.  Here's a good one. How would you define alternative energy? Solar power? Wind turbines? Recycling waste grease into biodiesel? Well, if you're Rex Tillerson, the CEO of Exxon, then "alternative" energy has a very special meaning.  The Volkswagen Group sold more than a million cars in China last year (more than three times its United States sales), so it wasn't surprising that when VW decided to add another battery collaborator, it chose the fast-moving Chinese company BYD.  According to a recent study conducted by JPMorgan, hybrid sales are about to take off. Last year, there were some 480,000 total hybrid vehicles sold around the world, which represents less than one percent of global sales.  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: Forza Motorsport 3 trailer, game info released
June 2, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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|  Click above to watch the official Forza 3 trailer Ahh, yes. We've been waiting a long time for this. Microsoft Game Studios and Turn 10 Studios have announced that the third rendition of the Forza Motorsport franchise is coming soon, and from the looks of it, there will be plenty to rejoice over. Forza 3 promises to be even more of an evolution than the previous installment, and the developers appear to have addressed the improvements we were hoping to see in the new version.  Devon Motor Works GTX rendering - Click above for an image gallery According to court documents filed by Chrysler, there is but one lone official offer for the firm's Dodge Viper automotive business...  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.  Christian Pearce, illustrator extraordinaire, sees no limits when it comes to his hot rod art, proving that even the touchscreen-enabled Nintendo DS and the homebrew app, Colors can be a deadly combo for imaginative creation.  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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| Vancouver 2009: learning about the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program
June 2, 2009 at 1:41 pm
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| Hydrogen cars in Vancouver - click above for a high-res gallery Vancouver is hosting the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference this week, and that give us a chance to learn a bit more about the city's ongoing hydrogen fuel cell vehicle tests. The Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program is a seven-year program, and is testing modified H2 Ford Focuses in real-world situations. The Focuses are Ford's third-generation hybrid electric hydrogen fuel cell test vehicles and use a 5, Morgan LifeCar - Click above for a high-res gallery By far the most interesting title for a presentation here at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference in Vancouver...  Suzuki Crosscage - Click above for an image gallery It's been a little while since we last heard from Suzuki regarding its planned hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle, but apparently...  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.  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.
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| Hummer reportedly purchased by Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer
June 2, 2009 at 1:35 pm
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| According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd., presently doesn't build automobiles, it is known for making construction and maintenance equipment, but more recently it has segued into heavy-duty trucks. General Motors said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for the Hummer brand. You can find more details of the deal in Nick Bunkley's report here, but G. Hummer finally appears to have found a home. General Motors said Tuesday that it has a deal to sell the rough-and-tough truck brand to an unnamed buyer by the end of the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals.  DETROIT - With an almost certain bankruptcy filing days away, General Motors is beginning its reinvention, planning to retool one factory to make its smallest vehicles ever in the U.  General Motors Canada has announced that it has begun notifying its dealer body that it will be culling its sales networks by some 42 percent. The massive cut means that GM's 709 dealers will be trimmed by around 245 stores.
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| Getting Hit In The Junk By An Exploding Airbag
June 2, 2009 at 1:00 pm
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|  Ever wonder what it's like to get nailed in the privates with a skateboard propelled by an exploding airbag? Wonder no more as this idiot has done it on video. Point and laugh, and hopefully learn. This setup seems as if it could come straight from the future where Idiocracy's "Ow My Nuts" is a wildly popular fully syndicated television show. Why anyone would set a skateboard, sans trucks and wheel, over a charged airbag, straddle two chairs and then submit to the pounding that follows? We know this guy did, because he's an idiot. A group of 8th grade students at Novato Charter School in Marin County in California have produced an interesting new project. They've created a solar human hybrid vehicle that combines the power of the sun with pedal power. Hydrogen cars in Vancouver - click above for a high-res gallery Vancouver is hosting the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference this week, and that give us a chance to learn a bit more about the city's ongoing hydrogen fuel cell vehicle tests. Click above to watch the official Forza 3 trailer Ahh, yes. We've been waiting a long time for this. Microsoft Game Studios and Turn 10 Studios have announced that the third rendition of the Forza Motorsport franchise is coming soon...
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| Hummer Is Sold, but to Whom?
June 2, 2009 at 12:33 pm
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|  General Motors said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for the Hummer brand. You can find more details of the deal in Nick Bunkley's report here, but G.M. is keeping the buyer under wraps for some reason. So who is it? Let the guessing game begin… Here's what we know: According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd. Look, you're a car person, I'm a car person... we're car people. As such, friends, family and the watercooler crowd are depending on us to explain what the hell is going on with General Motors filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Rollin Green, 24, has enjoyed the cumulative benefits of being in a General Motors Corp. family that went to work for the company in the 1940s, but that tradition may end with him. Hummer finally appears to have found a home. General Motors said Tuesday that it has a deal to sell the rough-and-tough truck brand to an unnamed buyer by the end of the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals.
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| Review: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium retains edge, adds smoothness
June 2, 2009 at 12:32 pm
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| 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium – Click above for high-res image gallery Adequate dynamics, very capable, super handy. That about sums up the last ten years of the Subaru Forester. And yet – once the sportier turbocharged version put rally-bred heat under the skinny pedal, the Forester was no longer just the squishy, squeezy Official Car of Vermont. It was suddenly possible to haul the family Newfoundland to the groomer and scorch the doors off more prestigious iron by flattening that Birkenstock. Eat our dust, Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions.  Aprilia Scarabeo 200 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Considering a scooter but not sure if you're cut out for the two-wheeled lifestyle? Piaggio believes it may have the answer to this common problem with its latest promotion...  Bentley Arnage Final Series – Click above for a high-res image gallery The auto show circuit may be on its annual summer break, but that's not going to stop Bentley.  Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer...
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| REPORT: Chinese Company Buying Hummer
June 2, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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|  According to the NYT, the entity GM's reached a preliminary agreement with to buy the Hummer brand is a random machinery company in western China with ambitions to become an automaker. We're hoping next on the ambition list isn't "take over USA with their own pseudo-military utility vehicles."
According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd. General Motors said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for the Hummer brand. You can find more details of the deal in Nick Bunkley's report here, but G. Hummer finally appears to have found a home. General Motors said Tuesday that it has a deal to sell the rough-and-tough truck brand to an unnamed buyer by the end of the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals. DETROIT - With an almost certain bankruptcy filing days away, General Motors is beginning its reinvention, planning to retool one factory to make its smallest vehicles ever in the U.  Like most other countries with native automobile industries, China has implemented a Cash-For-Clunkers-style used car scapping program. Interestingly, the Chinese government is also subsidizing the replacement of old...
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| Top 10 Talking Points To Sound Smart About GM Bankruptcy
June 2, 2009 at 12:28 pm
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| Look, you're a car person, I'm a car person... we're car people. As such, friends, family and the watercooler crowd are depending on us to explain what the hell is going on with General Motors filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. So that we don't all end up regurgitating the five-second sound bites from TV newscasts, we've assembled the Top 10 talking points you need to know. Remember these tips and the ignorant masses will see you as wise as a cable news show pundit. For everything else, you're on your own. According to sources at The New York Times, General Motors' Hummer division has been sold to a machinery company in western China. That company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd. Hummer finally appears to have found a home. General Motors said Tuesday that it has a deal to sell the rough-and-tough truck brand to an unnamed buyer by the end of the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals. Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer...  Once upon a time, General Motors stood strong and mighty, the world at its feet. Today, the world prevails, and GM is on its knees. Bankrupt. Can't pay its bills. The filing Monday was just a formalization of what we already knew...
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| Mercedes introduces new range of bicycles
June 2, 2009 at 11:48 am
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|  new Mercedes Benz bikes - click above for a high res gallery Mercedes Benz has announced an updated and expanded range of bicycles for 2009/10. The new lineup includes two-wheelers of all shapes and sizes, including a pair of kids bikes. Hydrogen cars in Vancouver - click above for a high-res gallery Vancouver is hosting the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference this week, and that give us a chance to learn a bit more about the city's ongoing hydrogen fuel cell vehicle tests. Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Aprilia Scarabeo 200 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Considering a scooter but not sure if you're cut out for the two-wheeled lifestyle? Piaggio believes it may have the answer to this common problem with its latest promotion... Bentley Arnage Final Series – Click above for a high-res image gallery The auto show circuit may be on its annual summer break, but that's not going to stop Bentley.
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| First free 2010 Camaro lowering kit already distributed
June 2, 2009 at 11:46 am
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|  This is a real heart breaker. The guys and gals over at the Camaro5 forums are about as dedicated a group as you'll ever run into, and a number of the members have already picked up their hotly anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaros. One forum member received a rude awakening as his pride and joy 1LT Camaro was relieved of its 18-inch wheels and tires during the night. The criminals had the audacity to use the Camaro's jack, along with the jack of a Land Rover that was also relieved of its rollers, to commit this heinous crime. Click above to watch the video after the break It shouldn't come as a major surprise that car sharing services like Zipcar are reporting increased membership rates and demand for short-term rental vehicles in these tough economic times. Explosions, hooks and slides and the destruction of fluorescent light bulbs--all in the name of gaining attention for DC Shoes? Noted rally driver and DC co-founder Ken Block slides his way through Gymkhana Two... These shots appear to show the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Wagon, the Teutonically efficient way to haul your crap. Expect the same range of engines as the sedan: a V6, V8 and a super-efficient diesel. A group of 8th grade students at Novato Charter School in Marin County in California have produced an interesting new project. They've created a solar human hybrid vehicle that combines the power of the sun with pedal power.
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| More Cities Encouraging Car Sharing
June 2, 2009 at 11:45 am
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| From our colleagues at Green inc. Environmentalists have long hailed car sharing as a more efficient, less polluting approach to urban driving. For example, a 2006 survey done for CommunAuto, a Quebec car-sharing organization, found that each shared vehicle replaces eight individually owned ones, leads to an 1,800-mile reduction in distance driven per year per member and resulted in up to a 44 percent reduction in fuel consumption.  With the EURO-V emissions regulations coming into full effect this year, Mercedes Benz has updated the engine lineup for its big Sprinter vans. The Sprinter uses a range... According to a recent study conducted by JPMorgan, hybrid sales are about to take off. Last year, there were some 480,000 total hybrid vehicles sold around the world, which represents less than one percent of global sales.  Now that the current version of the Astra is going to be replaced, perhaps it's time to remember the previous generation. This model didn't make it to the States but was quite popular in Europe.  From our colleagues at ArtsBeat: Continuing our coverage of news that is tangentially related to Matthew Broderick: a suburban Chicago home that was prominently featured in his 1986 comedy "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is up for sale.
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| Jay Leno takes EcoJet out for a spin
June 2, 2009 at 11:40 am
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| Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Jay often leans towards the green end of the interesting vehicle spectrum, and that tradition looks secure as the comedian has recently been spotted out and about in his home state of California in the EcoJet concept. Aprilia Scarabeo 200 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Considering a scooter but not sure if you're cut out for the two-wheeled lifestyle? Piaggio believes it may have the answer to this common problem with its latest promotion... Bentley Arnage Final Series – Click above for a high-res image gallery The auto show circuit may be on its annual summer break, but that's not going to stop Bentley. Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer...  Kia Soul'ster - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the reasons automakers build concept vehicles is to gauge the public's reaction to a new design. Apparently...
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| VIDEO: Ford Taurus SHO follows Conan to Los Angeles
June 2, 2009 at 11:37 am
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| Click above to watch video after the jump Last night was the debut of the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien as its new host. The gangly, six-foot-something comedian made the move from late-late night in New York to just late night in Los Angeles, and his first show featured special guests Will Ferrell, Pearl Jam and an old friend that made the trip from NYC: his second-gen 1992 Ford Taurus SHO in a brilliant shade of Jewel Green. Click above to watch the video after the break It shouldn't come as a major surprise that car sharing services like Zipcar are reporting increased membership rates and demand for short-term rental vehicles in these tough economic times. Explosions, hooks and slides and the destruction of fluorescent light bulbs--all in the name of gaining attention for DC Shoes? Noted rally driver and DC co-founder Ken Block slides his way through Gymkhana Two... These shots appear to show the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Wagon, the Teutonically efficient way to haul your crap. Expect the same range of engines as the sedan: a V6, V8 and a super-efficient diesel. A group of 8th grade students at Novato Charter School in Marin County in California have produced an interesting new project. They've created a solar human hybrid vehicle that combines the power of the sun with pedal power.
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| REPORT: Bentley Arnage successor to go even further upscale, debut at Pebble Beach in August
June 2, 2009 at 10:59 am
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| Bentley Arnage Final Series – Click above for a high-res image gallery The auto show circuit may be on its annual summer break, but that's not going to stop Bentley. A recent report suggests the crew from Crewe is preparing to take the wraps off its next-generation Arnage at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California this coming August. And when it does, it'll be bigger and badder than ever. 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium – Click above for high-res image gallery Adequate dynamics, very capable, super handy. That about sums up the last ten years of the Subaru Forester. Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Click above to watch video after the jump Last night was the debut of the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien as its new host. The gangly, six-foot-something comedian made the move from late-late night in New York to just late night in Los Angeles... Aprilia Scarabeo 200 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Considering a scooter but not sure if you're cut out for the two-wheeled lifestyle? Piaggio believes it may have the answer to this common problem with its latest promotion...
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| Jackass: 1969 Camaro gets ZR1 heart transplant
June 2, 2009 at 10:58 am
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|  The 1969 Camaro is one of the most iconic pony cars, and there are plenty of '69s on the road, many of which have been tweaked to provide more power than the impressive stock 427 small-block V8. However, none have been outfitted with the most powerful production GM engine in its 100-year history; the 638 hp LS9. That was true until the Jackass was completed.  click above to see the full ad We've seen GM's very ahead-of-the-curve Stir-Lec concept before, but BangShift has found another old magazine ad scan to share with the rest of the class internet.  Sometime in the next decade, you might be able to enjoy some of the benefits of a diesel without driving one. A technology called HCCI improves fuel economy 15 percent...  New GM HCCI Engine Because of the new rules regarding EPA fuel economy regulations, it only stands to reason that General Motor's PR department had a press release ready on a new fuel-saving technology to put in front of anybody in Washington, D.
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| Jesse James Drives Again: TV host finishing up streamliner, to run soon:
June 2, 2009 at 10:46 am
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|  No, Jesse James is not building his own jet fighter at West Coast Choppers. It only looks like a jet fighter. What you see pictured here is actually the Dees-Milodon Engineering-Davis B Streamliner, which ran on the salt in the 1960s. James bought it several years ago when it still had a Chrysler engine in it. It had gone as high as 237 mph at Bonneville. Click above to watch the video after the break It shouldn't come as a major surprise that car sharing services like Zipcar are reporting increased membership rates and demand for short-term rental vehicles in these tough economic times. Explosions, hooks and slides and the destruction of fluorescent light bulbs--all in the name of gaining attention for DC Shoes? Noted rally driver and DC co-founder Ken Block slides his way through Gymkhana Two... These shots appear to show the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Wagon, the Teutonically efficient way to haul your crap. Expect the same range of engines as the sedan: a V6, V8 and a super-efficient diesel. A group of 8th grade students at Novato Charter School in Marin County in California have produced an interesting new project. They've created a solar human hybrid vehicle that combines the power of the sun with pedal power.
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| A single container ship may emit as much as 50 million cars
June 2, 2009 at 8:14 am
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|  Governments around the world have been cracking down on emissions from cars in recent years trying to reduce noxious and greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, even if all the cars on the planet were completely eliminated from the roads, less than 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and far less than that of other pollutants, would be affected.  General Motors Corp. will pare 2,100 dealers from its business, and has until July 10 to complete the remix of its assets in bankruptcy court paid for by the Obama administration, according to filings today.  WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will announce on Monday the bankruptcy of General Motors Corp., launching a complicated, $59-billion effort to prevent the century-old juggernaut of American manufacturing from collapse.  Given that General Motors has made some 450 million cars and trucks in the United States in the last 100 years, there are surely at least 450 million stories inspired by them: memorable trips and ill-timed breakdowns...  According to the Detroit Free Press, the 14 plants that General Motors is expected to announce for closure on Monday was going to be 16 plants until the UAW got its way on Capitol Hill.
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| Obviously Subtle: Blancpain Chronograph for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo
June 2, 2009 at 8:04 am
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|  Some merchandising efforts are forced, while others you can see coming from a mile away. Swiss watchmaker Blancpain's sponsorship of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series certainly falls in the latter category, especially with huge pictures of their timepieces emblazoned on the side of the Gallardo spec racers. So it came as no big surprise when Blancpain launched its Super Trofeo chronograph. The only surprise was the total lack of branding on the wristwatch itself. (Though that should have been expected as well from a company whose name means "white bread".)  The Chevrolet Volt program could be compared to a World War II bomber flying through heavy flak over occupied Europe. Somehow, against the odds, it keeps flying. And despite declaring bankruptcy on Monday... Governments around the world have been cracking down on emissions from cars in recent years trying to reduce noxious and greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, even if all the cars on the planet were completely eliminated from the roads...  GM officially announced this morning a preliminary agreement's been reached to sell the Hummer brand out of a desire to look like a company building vehicles more in line with what Washington politicians believe 'merica wants.  Jon Lauckner is GM's VP of product development and along with Bob Lutz, co-inventor of the Chevy Volt. "We're closing one chapter and opening a new chapter," he said.
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| G.M. Says Chevy Volt Is Still on Track
June 2, 2009 at 7:52 am
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| The Chevrolet Volt program could be compared to a World War II bomber flying through heavy flak over occupied Europe. Somehow, against the odds, it keeps flying. And despite declaring bankruptcy on Monday, General Motors said it remained committed to keeping the Volt not only in the air, but on schedule for a late 2010 delivery. Jon Lauckner is GM's VP of product development and along with Bob Lutz, co-inventor of the Chevy Volt. "We're closing one chapter and opening a new chapter," he said. Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer... Once upon a time, General Motors stood strong and mighty, the world at its feet. Today, the world prevails, and GM is on its knees. Bankrupt. Can't pay its bills. The filing Monday was just a formalization of what we already knew...  According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, General Motors plans to announce a tentative sale of the Hummer brand less than a day after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
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| Officially Official: General Motors reaches tentative agreement to sell Hummer
June 2, 2009 at 7:06 am
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| Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer," but under the terms of the transaction, the purchaser hasn't been disclosed. GM's brief release (posted after the break) scratches the surface of the plan, saying only that the deal is expected to close by the third quarter of this year, that the new investor is committed to funding future Hummer products – possibly including the H4 and a two-door H3T – and that 3, Kia Soul'ster - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the reasons automakers build concept vehicles is to gauge the public's reaction to a new design. Apparently...  Tesla Roadster - Click above for a high-res image gallery With all of the attention garnered these days at Tesla's Model S sedan, it may be easy to forget all about the fledgling EV-maker's current product, the Roadster.  Toyota Camry Hybrid for Thailand - Click above for a high-res image gallery It may have taken a year to make it happen, but the locally-built Toyota Camry Hybrid is finally ready to go on sale in Thailand. Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom – Click above for a high-res image gallery With seemingly ever luxury automaker under the sun going after BMW's coveted balance between sport and luxury...
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| GM Officially Announces Agreement To Sell Hummer
June 2, 2009 at 7:00 am
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| GM officially announced this morning a preliminary agreement's been reached to sell the Hummer brand out of a desire to look like a company building vehicles more in line with what Washington politicians believe 'merica wants. No word yet on who's buying. Jon Lauckner is GM's VP of product development and along with Bob Lutz, co-inventor of the Chevy Volt. "We're closing one chapter and opening a new chapter," he said. Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer... Once upon a time, General Motors stood strong and mighty, the world at its feet. Today, the world prevails, and GM is on its knees. Bankrupt. Can't pay its bills. The filing Monday was just a formalization of what we already knew... According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, General Motors plans to announce a tentative sale of the Hummer brand less than a day after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
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| GM Exec: Chevy Volt Program Unaffected by Bankruptcy
June 2, 2009 at 6:55 am
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|  Jon Lauckner is GM's VP of product development and along with Bob Lutz, co-inventor of the Chevy Volt. "We're closing one chapter and opening a new chapter," he said. "This is really a defining moment for us. Its new future for the company. It going to let us solve problems that have been with us for many many years and really its a once in a lifetime opportunity to reinvent the company for the next 100 years."  As part of GM's bankruptcy, fourteen plants across the country will be closed or placed on "standby." We've put together this map of locations and dates when the axe falls for each. During Bob Lutz's speech to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit last week, one of his slides included some current and future product plans. Most of what was on the chart was already well known including cars like the Orlando... GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said today in a televised address that General Motors has embarked on "a defining moment in the history of General Motors." He called the bankruptcy that GM filed today "a fast-track plan to form a leaner .
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| AutoblogGreen for 06.02.09
June 2, 2009 at 6:08 am
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|  GM: Volt will survive our bankruptcy
Shocking, isn't it? Who could've predicted it? "The main threat to hydrogen cars" are EVs and plug-in hybrids Haven't heard the "all-steel body" theory before, but here it is. Morgan LifeCar - Click above for a high-res gallery By far the most interesting title for a presentation here at the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference in Vancouver...  Harley Earl's 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible – Click above for a high-res gallery Legendary sportscar marques deserve their own dedicated auctions, and lately they've been getting what they deserve.  "If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat." In an effort to follow the advice of Art of War author, Sun Tzu, the good folks over at Streetfilms...  Chrysler Town & Country EV - Click above for a high-res gallery Chrysler has submitted a series of plans to the U.S. Department of Energy intended to speed up the...
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| EDITORIAL: Michigan's chance to change, improve
June 2, 2009 at 3:38 am
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| We knew it was inevitable. We knew it would be painful, too. Still, Monday was another lousy day for Michigan, with more of those to come as even more jobs vanish. But also and as important, the Chapter 11 filing of General Motors Corp. signals the start of something new and, we have reason to hope, something better. The promised "new GM" will be smaller, sure, but with efficiencies, resources and competitiveness that the old GM was simply never going to attain. This is restructuring, not dismantling. And as Chrysler is showing with surprising speed, it can lead to a new era. Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery As expected, General Motors has announced it's entered "into a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer... Once upon a time, General Motors stood strong and mighty, the world at its feet. Today, the world prevails, and GM is on its knees. Bankrupt. Can't pay its bills. The filing Monday was just a formalization of what we already knew...  While all eyes are on General Motors, its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and the additional $30 billion in loans the automaker will receive from the US government, FoMoCo...  With GM and Chrysler both now in bankruptcy, a relatively healthy Ford stands to benefit, even its its two struggling Detroit rivals gain the advantages of powerful government backing.
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| MITCH ALBOM: Sad day knocks us down -- not out
June 2, 2009 at 2:47 am
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| Once upon a time, General Motors stood strong and mighty, the world at its feet. Today, the world prevails, and GM is on its knees. Bankrupt. Can't pay its bills. The filing Monday was just a formalization of what we already knew, the way a coffin formalizes a funeral. But something we once believed in, looked up to, even nestled inside of, is gone today and will never be the same. The Chevrolet Volt program could be compared to a World War II bomber flying through heavy flak over occupied Europe. Somehow, against the odds, it keeps flying. And despite declaring bankruptcy on Monday... Governments around the world have been cracking down on emissions from cars in recent years trying to reduce noxious and greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, even if all the cars on the planet were completely eliminated from the roads... Some merchandising efforts are forced, while others you can see coming from a mile away. Swiss watchmaker Blancpain's sponsorship of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series certainly falls in the latter category...
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| Business news in brief: Porsche pushes link with VW
June 2, 2009 at 2:34 am
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| Porsche SE's desire to integrate with Volkswagen AG is "the best industrial solution for all sides," the sports-car manufacturer said after VW workers called on Porsche to sort out its financing first. Porsche, which holds a majority stake in Volkswagen, knows its obligations toward Europe's largest carmaker and will fulfill them, it said Monday. Porsche said it has secured 10 billion euros ($14.2 billion) of a 12.5 billion-euro credit line that it's seeking from banks.  WASHINGTON ? On the eve of a possible General Motors bankruptcy filing, a new poll indicates lagging support nationally for government efforts to save the nation's largest carmaker.  Car parts manufacturer Magna has agreed to buy GM Europe, which includes the Opel and Vauxhall brands, according to BBC News. The German government still needs to approve the deal, but may choose insolvency instead.
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