Main page | March 25, 2007 - March 31, 2007 »

Will 178 mph on Germany's autobahn soon be history?

Last week, the European Union’s environment commissioner, Stavros Dimas of Greece, set off a national debate here by suggesting that the German government introduce a general speed limit on the autobahn.
While most of the famed highway already has speed limits, there are sections with none which attracts German gearheads like Marc Bongers and his specially modified 435 horsepower Porsche.
The New York Time's Mark Landler discusses the proposed limits - based on concern about emissions - with an unhappy Bongers as he takes his car out for 'a spin.'

Posted by   at 10:47 AM to Environment | Permalink | Comments 0

Light fingers at Ford

Federal prosecutors have forced a retired Ford Motor Co. manager to hand over nearly $660,000 he amassed in what they called a kickback scheme with trucking companies that generated millions over several years, according to the Associated Press.No criminal charges have been filed against John K. Perry, former manager of material planning and logistics at Ford's assembly plant in St. Louis, but a civil lawsuit U.S. Attorney Steven M. Biskupic filed this week in Milwaukee federal court says authorities seized about $660,000 Perry had in a brokerage account, the AP said.

Posted by   at 10:31 AM to Companies | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil prices pop after Iran seizes British sailors

Oil prices rose above $62 a barrel after Britain said Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British sailors and marines in Iraqi waters and gunmen kidnapped three foreigners in southern Nigeria, according to the Associated Press.
Britain's Ministry of Defense said the personnel were "engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters," and had completed their inspection of a merchant ship when they were accosted by Iranian vessels, AP said.

Posted by   at 10:27 AM to Oil | Permalink | Comments 0

GM going to town - New York that is

General Motors is planning to introduce six never-before-seen production cars and one concept car at the New York Auto Show which opens April 6, according to leftlanenews.com
Some of vehicles are expected, such as two new Buick super models, but GM says the concept is a "closely guarded world concept," according to leftlanenews.

Posted by   at 10:06 AM to Companies | Permalink | Comments 0

Ford to introduce Flex at New York auto show

Ford will introduce the Ford Flex, its new crossover vehicle which is based on the Fairlane concept, first shown two years ago and recently on display at the Providence Auto Show, according to leftlanenews.com
The report says Ford could be aiming for sales of about 100,000 a year.

Posted by   at 10:00 AM to Companies | Permalink | Comments 0

Consumer reports discusses infant seat crash data

Consumer Reports says its efforts to remain independent of industry and government contributed to crash-testing errors in a recent report on infant seats.
The February issue article, which was retracted two weeks after it was released, said most of 12 infant seats tested performed "disastrously" and that one should be recalled. Now the magazine is also retracting its request that the Evenflo Discovery infant seat be recalled as well as the seat's "not acceptable" rating.
Tests subsequently conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the side-impact crash tests were run at about twice as fast as the 35 miles per hour the magazine said they were.

Posted by   at 9:56 AM to Safety | Permalink | Comments 0

The flying Dutchman

Talk about concept cars, check out the fabulous PALV, a combination car-motorbike-helicopter designed in Holland and being offered as "a personal air and land ... solution to increasing congestion in our cities, highways and skyways." SeeSparkdesign's description and make sure you scroll down to the pictures.

Posted by   at 12:57 PM to Design | Permalink | Comments 0

Can I have a supercar, Mommy, please? No

Forbes' Dan Lienert has assembled a list of mouth-watering beauties, starting with the $412,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom Dropdead - sorry, make that Drophead convertible. It will be available in September. Other corkers include the $1.2 million Bugatti Veyron 16.4 supercar, the $453,000 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren supercar and Monaco's $392,000 electric Venturi Fétish.

Posted by   at 12:43 PM to Marques | Permalink | Comments 0

What is home made?

USA Today's Chris Woodward has a fascinating piece today which examines the complicated world of international auto manufacturing where vehicles are build in one country from parts made in many others with profits going to yet another. It seems buying American is not as simple any more. But then who was it said Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel?

Posted by   at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

More on air cars

More information on the development of compressed "air cars" is available from a video clip from Australian TV show "Beyond Tomorrow 2005" available on YouTube.com. Developments in Nice, France, and Melbourne, Australia, are demonstrated in strine (Australian accent) while driving working cars.

Posted by   at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Is compressed air the future?

The first commercial compressed air car is on the verge of production and beginning to attract a lot of attention, according to Gizmag.com. With a recently signed partnership with Tata, India’s largest automotive manufacturer, the prospects of very cost-effective mass production are now a distinct possibility. The MiniC.A.T is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that is glued not welded and a body of fibreglass.
The car costs less than $3 to fill a tank on which it can run for about 160 miles. The car will cost about $7,300 and has a top speed of nearly 70 mph. The oil - vegetable, naturally - has to be changed about every 30,000 miles. Initial plans are to produce 3,000 cars per year."

Posted by   at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Callaway Cars to unveil C16 Cabrio at New York Show

Callaway Cars said it will unveil its C16 Cabrio at the New York International Auto Show, according to leftlanenews.com.The Cabrio is the convertible version of the Corvette-based speedster and was designed by Paul Deutschman who has a 20-year history working wiht Callaway.

Posted by   at 10:29 AM to Marques | Permalink | Comments 0

Surprise, surprise. Top Gear to go on

Top Gear, BBC's popular auto show starring the larger-than-life Jeremy Clarkson, will go on, according to Clarkson who recently raised doubt abouk its future. This from leftlanenews.com

Posted by   at 10:25 AM to Shows | Permalink | Comments 0

Nissan loses the keys to promote Altima

The New York Times' advertising columnist Stuart Elliott reports on Nissan's campaign to promote a push-button ignition system on its 2007 Altima sedan by deliberately losing 20,000 key rings in bars, concert halls, sports arenas and other public places in seven large markets. The campaign begins is this week and continues through March 30.
Each ring will have a key that resembles a car key and two others that look as if they could fit the locks on house or office doors. One tag declares, “If found, please do not return,” because the Altima “has Intelligent Key with push-button ignition, and I no longer need these,” a reference to the technology that allows an Altima owner to start the car by pressing a button on the dash rather than inserting a key.
The same tag invites the finder to learn more about the ignition system by visiting a section of the Nissan Web site (nissanusa.com/altima)."

Posted by   at 12:13 PM to Companies | Permalink | Comments 0

Top Gear's future being debated

Jeremy Clarkson's famous BBC show Top Gear will not be returning next season, the outspoken star tells the a local British newspaper, according to a report in leftlanenews.com. Apparently Clarkson and his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond have been rowing with producers over the show's future, with management said to be wanting more celebrity appearances and less focus on cars. It's always been a bit of a loony show but to take the cars away would seem an odd plan.

Posted by   at 11:47 AM to Shows | Permalink | Comments 0