Archive for September 2008

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Buying (16)

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    Quantya Strada, First Drive: The Street-Legal Electric Performance Vehicle You Can Buy Now

    It wasn't until I crashed into a pile of boxes and luggage that I realized riding a motorcycle - even a completely silent electric one with no emissions - around my Brooklyn apartment was a bad idea. I'd been attempting to do a burnout, but the painted concrete floor didn't have enough grip for the Quantya Strada's front tire and plenty for the rear, resulting in a wheelie. Compounding matters was the bar-mounted back brake that sits where the clutch lever normally does. When I went slip the clu

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    2009 Jaguar XF, Part Three

    Why you should buy the 2009 Jaguar XF: The Jerries killed one of your uncles, the Japs the other, the Yanks came into the war too late and now you’re shopping for a mid-size luxury sedan. You’ve seen one too many episodes of The Professionals. Your wife has the complete set of Golden Jubilee china. You’re a dentist living in Miami and since your Lehman brothers stock is now worthless you can’t quite stretch to an XJ. You want a fast luxury car, but think speed kills. Why you shouldn't buy this

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, Part Three

    Why you should buy the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid: You want a hybrid but you do more highway driving than city driving. You need more room than a Prius offers but you don't want to spend the money for an Escape Hybrid. You want an SUV that gets 32 MPG on the highway and you don't really care how it does it. You want a hybrid but you won't pay MSRP. Why you shouldn't buy this car: Spirited driving is something you enjoy. You've ever chanted "drill, baby, drill." You like the idea of cruisi

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    2009 Jaguar XF, Part Two

    Exterior Design: **/**** It all depends on when you catch the 2009 Jaguar XF. Sometimes it’s stunning; sometimes it’s stunningly bland. Sometimes it resembles a four-door Aston Martin; sometimes it looks like either a Dodge Intrepid or a Chrysler LHS. One thing’s for certain, even though it’s occasionally good-looking, it isn’t the coupe in a sedan’s body that the C-XF concept was. Next time, we’d like to see more aggression and more visual drama. Interior Design: *** Once again, it depends on w

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, Part Two

    Exterior Design: **** It may still be a straightforward compact SUV, but thanks to the Opelization of Saturn, the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid looks far better than its predecessor — with a more refined, European styling direction than its competitors, particularly the block-like Ford Escape. The rubber fits the wheel wells, all the handles feel solid and even the hybrid badges, which use the same circuit board motif as those found on other, more-garishly festooned GM hybrids, are in-propor

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    2009 Jaguar XF, Part One

    If the Jeremy Clarkson School of Automotive Journalism has taught me one thing, it’s that any good car review needs a metaphor. They serve to add a tangible anchor to a story, they add humor, they add relevance and, more importantly, they create an easy formula with which us car reviewers can crank out reviews in no time flat about a car most readers will likely never drive. So in keeping with the teachings of Professor Clarkson, we’re picking a metaphor for the 2009 Jaguar XF: Seinfeld’s pretty

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, Part One

    "That's a hybrid but you can't drive it on all-electric power?" No, you can't. And I got pretty good at explaining why not by the time the sixth person asked. The least enjoyable part of spending a week with the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid was telling inquisitive folks how it worked. And how it didn't work. GM bills the Vue as a hybrid, which it is; however, thanks to marketing and hype, most folks assume a hybrid vehicle can be powered by straight electric, straight gas, or a combination

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    2009 BMW 135i, Part Three

    Why you should buy the 2009 BMW 135i: You like the idea of a driver’s car, but you don’t really like driving that much. You heard the 135i was the car to drive this fall. You’re a life-long BMW fan and you have a penchant for blinders. You’re a badge snob. You’re all of the above and you really don’t have an eye for a deal. Why you shouldn't buy this car: You want a four-seat coupe that drives like a sports car. You have a collection of old BMWs and want the modern equivalent to use as a daily d

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: First Drive

    When the chief (at the time, chief-in-training) took a close up look at the then-new 2007 Chevy Silverado, the major improvements made in the areas of ride-and-handling, body control and interior design were fairly evident. We got to wondering, given the Silverado is now competing against the new Tundra and two new domestic competitors in the form of the 2009 Dodge Ram and 2009 Ford F-150, does the truck which debuted in 2006 still stack up? Well, a new engine and a six-speed transmission mean t

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    2009 BMW 135i, Part Two

    Exterior Design: **** Easily the best-looking Bangle BMW, the 2009 BMW 135i excels in proportion, if not in detail. Straight from the front, there’s little indication of the 135i’s purpose, but from there back it’s classic BMW two-door updated for the 21st century. Interior Design:*** Restraint and simplicity do the 135i’s interior many favors. Still, it would have been nice to see an even simpler approach taken without sacrificing the quality. Leather-clad Recaro sport seats would have been a g

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    2008 BMW 750Li, Part Three

    Why you should buy the 2008 BMW 750Li: You're a pop star, Eastern European mobster, an NBA player or a 40-year-old lawyer that hits on college girls. You want a status symbol. You have no idea what an E38 is. Why you shouldn't buy this car: The only thing you use your computer for is checking your e-mail. You have a bad hip. You signed the "Fire Chris Bangle" petition. You loved your old E38. Suitability Parameters: Speed Merchants: No Fashion Victims: Yes Treehuggers: No Mack Daddies: Yes Tu

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    2009 BMW 135i, Part One

    Perhaps more than any other car in its range, the 2009 BMW 135i carries the weight of customer expectation on its shoulders. Supposedly the antithesis to the soft, the bloated and overcomplicated cars dominating BMW's range for the majority of this decade, people want the 135i to herald a return to the simple, well-engineered driver's cars the company became famous for. And with a 300 HP twin-turbo inline-six mounted longitudinally in a small rear wheel drive coupe, on paper at least, it looks l

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    2008 BMW 750Li, Part Two

    Exterior Design: *** Toned down since 2006, the 2008 BMW 750Li nevertheless remains polarizing. It is distinctive, it is strangely attractive and it does look sophisticated. It isn't what you'd call traditionally good looking. Here, in extended wheelbase form, there's an added degree of awkwardness that does the already challenging lines no favors. Interior Design: ** Some people will be impressed with the amount of leather and wood in the 750Li, but once you start using it, it can become rather

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie: First Drive

    The folks at Chrysler have been making a lot of waves on the sea of trucks with their non-traditional approach to the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Instead of leaving well-enough alone, for 2009 Dodge has re-done quite a bit — revamping the rear end with coil (rather than leaf) springs, rethought what a truck bed could do with the Rambox storage system and restyled the interior. Aside from the newly reskinned body, it’s largely these three features which Chrysler hopes will differentiate the new Ram from

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    2008 BMW 750Li, Part One

    Since 1977, the BMW 7-series has represented the thinking man’s luxury car. A vehicle that was, on paper, neither as gargantuan as American competitors like the Lincoln Town Car or Chrysler New Yorker (closer actually in size to the two-door Cordoba), nor as austere as its main Deutschland domestic rival, the Mercedes S-Class, it nevertheless represented the perfect balance of substance and style for the wealthy driver. The latest version was launched in 2001, with BMW facing stiff new competiti

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    KITT: First Drive

    As a child of the 80s and former member of the Knight Rider faithful (I happily toted the Rider lunchbox until third grade) it was nearly impossible to stifle my internal yelp of anticipation when first presented with the keys to the new KITT for an exclusive first drive. It's irrational, because I knew the car sitting in front of me wasn't the F-body KITT of my childhood dreams, but when those sweeping lights fired up in front for the first time, it was enough to make me giddy as a school boy

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More

Crashes and Safety (1)

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    NY Times Calls For Speed-Limited Vehicles, Uses Flawed Logic

    Writing in the New York Times yesterday, Kent A. Sepkowitz called for all new vehicles sold in the US to be limited to 75 MPH, saying, “Speeding is the cause of 30 percent of all traffic deaths in the United States — about 13,000 people a year.” He goes on to compare speeding to alcohol, which he says is responsible for 39 percent of all traffic deaths, “But unlike drinking, which requires the police, breathalyzers and coercion to improve drivers’ behavior, there’s a simple way to prevent speedi

    By Wes Siler Read More

Entertainment (1)

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    Gumpert Apollo, Top Gear's Top Car, Officially Coming To America!

    Click to viewAccording to the good folks at Streetfire.net, the Gumpert Apollo, the fastest super car around the Top Gear test track, is officially coming to America — and not just as a Euro-plated import. The German company announced this weekend a partnership with the Arizona-based tuning shop Evolution MotorSports to have them handle US-market final assembly of ten cars per year, along with performance validation of what's essentially a kit car (winks and nudges all around, as the customized

    By Ray Wert Read More

News (278)

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    PCH, Saturday Night Massacre Edition: 1973 De Tomaso Pantera Or 1973 Lotus Elite?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! 1973 was quite a memorable year; engine compression ratios were down as US emissions laws sprouted some sharp claws, the Arabs got so pissed about their ass-whooping in the Yom Kippur war that they cut off the oil, and Richard Nixon was forced to fire Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox in the Saturday Night Massacre, in order to save the country from those pinko traito

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Charles Van Doren Edition

    Charles Van Doren, son of poet and critic Mark Van Doren, was no dummy. He was also rather likable and good-looking. This is why he was the perfect man to take on the smart but rather unlikable Herb Stempel on the television quiz show Twenty One. The two battled to ties until, on a rather easy question, Stempel failed and Van Doren, eventually, walked away with a large sum of money and lots of fame. His star was to rise once again, but this time in a more ignominious fashion, when Stempel admitt

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Ten Best Vehicles For The Coming Financiapocalypse

    The stock market is tanking, credit is dwindling, banks are collapsing and more people find themselves without a job or even a home. The times of owning a big, fancy, gas-thirsty Lexus SUV have disappeared along with the market for mortgage-backed derivative securities. If you've any hope to survive to drive through the impending financiapocalypse, you'll need a vehicle that's both thrifty and utilitarian. We've culled the ten best vehicles from the suggestions of our would-be hobo commenters

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Porsche Smells Rat, Claims Nissan Cheating On GT-R Nurburgring Lap Times

    The boys at Porsche, obviously stunned that the Nissan GT-R achieved a claimed Nurburgring lap time of 7:29 — faster than either their 911 Turbo or GT2 — decided to do a little testing of their own. Using a stock GT-R sourced from the States, Porsche's 'Ring expert was able to perform a best lap of just 7:54, easily beaten by both the 911 Turbo (7:38) and GT2 (7:34). The results were no surprise to Porsche, considering that its cars have more power yet weigh less than the GT-R, leading the engin

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Ferrari Motorcycle Fails To Appreciate Ferrari Brand

    The latest lame amateur motorcycle design to hit the web is this concept Ferrari, designed by Israeli design student Amir Glinik. In keeping with his genre’s established parameters, it’s a complete non-starter function-wise, but does have a cool looking Enzo-based V4 engine, which seems to put people into a tizzy. We don’t know what it is about freshman motorcycle designs. Why do people with no knowledge of or passion for bikes create them? Why do they have such resonance with a mass audience, w

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    What's The Worst Highway In Your Area?

    For all the talk about $700 billion financial bailouts and tumbling stock prices, it's easy to forget urban blight has been strangling much of our country for decades. Eisenhower-era expressways that now serve no purpose other than to prevent urban redevelopment dot many cities, as do two-lane roads that should have been made four lanes decades ago. We took a look at ten highways that should be destroyed already this morning, but what's the worst highway in your area? Detroit has traditionally b

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Twitter Finds A Use Other Than Jalopnik, Helps Atlanta Residents Find Gas

    We thought Twitter was only useful for Jalopnik readers looking to get notified when we run important stories by subscribing to our feed. But who knew the tool had other uses? In a definitive sign the looming gaspocalypse has in fact already arrived, Atlanta residents are using Twitter to help them locate gas stations that actually have fuel to sell. Those of you who've been too mesmerized by the collapse of our financial system to notice other news may not realize that Atlanta has been running

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    1978 Pontiac Firebird, With Bonus Pontiac Poll

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Today we're going to check out a 30-year-old Detroit car that's an honest-to-god daily driver and parks in the heart of Alameda's downtown. It's got its share of bumps and bruises, but it's managed to survive the hoonage that has killed off most of its second-gen F-body brethren by now. It's also managed to survive the owner's temptation to build a phony Bu

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Because It's All About The Safety: The Volvo 244 Quadra-Bumper!

    OK, fine, we know the official rules state that "added structural elements which extend past the original bodywork line" aren't allowed in the 24 Hours Of LeMons, but how could anyone be against this kind of safety enhancement? Actually, that display is the result of a game of Volvo 240 Musical Chairs, in which you take one Volvo race car, the free parts car obtained to help build the race car, and another free Volvo… and you mix them all together and end up with two Volvo racers and a well-pick

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    $1.896 Million Aston Martin One-77 Sales Contract Leaks With More Pictures, Details

    It looks like a sales contract for the forthcoming Aston Martin One-77 has leaked, bringing with it details of the price, performance and specifications, as well as two new teaser shots. With 700 HP, 553 lb-ft of torque, a 3,300-pound curb weight and a limited run of only 77 units, the One-77 certainly looks like it'll be a special car. But can it justify the astronomical, nearly $1.9 million price? The One-77 will be available in either left- or right-hand drive, has only two seats, uses a car

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    How To Avoid A Flood-Damaged Car

    Given the flooding in the upper Midwest earlier in the year, and the fact that many folks likely chose not to escape recent hurricanes by car, chances are better than ever that you're going to encounter a salvaged flood car on the used vehicle market. Sellers are generally required to disclose flood damage, but unscrupulous retailers have been known to ignore such rules. To help, vehicle mega-retailer Carmax has put together a list of things to look for when checking out a used car that point to

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Mazda Reveals JDM-Only AZ-Wagon

    Mazda has dropped a new version of its itty-bitty Kei car known as the AZ-Wagon for the Japanese domestic market. We're not sure when upright boxes became "lively and stylish," but that's how Mazda's copywriters describe the outside of the little people mover. Depending upon trim level, the interior looks to be either functional and spartan or loaded up with a leather-wrapped wheel and silver-trimmed IP. Buyers can also choose between a traditional four-speed autobox or a CVT said to offer bette

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Shots From Singapore Formula 1 Night Race Show An Amazing Light Show

    This past weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, the first-ever night race in Formula One, was guaranteed to grab the attention of even the most disenfranchised F1 fan. But why is that exactly? In a word, "unpredictability." The clear reason so many people have become bored with F1 is not because the cars aren't fast enough, and probably not chiefly because of the lack of overtaking either. It's because you already know what's going to happen before the race even starts. Not so with Singapore. Highligh

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    EXCLUSIVE: Inside The Fall Of Bill Heard Chevrolet, The World's Largest Chevy Dealership

    The recent collapse of Bill Heard Chevrolet, the largest chain of Chevy dealerships in the world, has left former customers with a slew of problems. I spent an afternoon outside the now barricaded entrance of Bill Heard Chevrolet in Ike-ravaged suburban Houston speaking with former customers left hanging in limbo for this exclusive story of the fall of Bill Heard's dealership empire. Nothing Leaves On any other Saturday at Bill Heard in Sugar Land, Texas, the dealership's main sales lot, one of

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    What's The Perfect Vehicle For The Financiapocalypse?

    Those of you who guessed that society would crumble because of an asteroid or zombie apocalypse appear to be so wrong it's laughable. No, instead, it's bank failures, dealership collapses, rampant unemployment, expensive gas and tainted Chinese milk all conspiring to create a Financiapocalypse. But what vehicle will help you survive it? Tricked-out military machine? A beater? A gas-electric hybrid? A big old diesel truck? The answer is, of course, a Ford Model T. The old Tin Lizzie was designed

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Mercedes SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S Announced At Intersection Of Outrageous And Exclusive

    Daimler has dropped the details on a new version of their top of the-top of the line sports car, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S. With a name that long you have to expect some intense upgrades, and the pointy-star brand comes through with a 650 HP version of the supercharged 5.5 liter V8 (same as the non-S 722), delivering an eye watering 627 lb-ft of torque (also the same). All that power is channeled through a five speed automatic with selectable shifting characteristics. All that

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Am I The New Audi A8?

    If this series of grainy images emanating from the Gulf States is in fact the 2009 (as the page title suggests) or 2010 Audi A8, then things have indeed evolved since we last reported on next decade's Audi flagship. Most noticeable on the exterior is the distinctive rear panel with hints of Audi R8 inspiration, combined with the family drooping-snoot face. On the interior, we're seeing a curvaceous center console complete with actual T-bar shifter combine with what's either a pop-out nav screen

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    1965 Chevrolet Suburban

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. The island has several old Suburbans still racking up the miles; we've seen this '63 GMC Carryall and today we'll be looking at an equally weathered '65 Chevy. This truck parks about a half-block from the '65 Thunderbird and just around the corner from the '87 Mercedes-Benz 560SL, with at least a dozen Alameda DOTS cars living within a couple blocks.

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2010 Mercedes E-Class Spotted, Fully Nude

    German mag Autozeitung claims the picture above, from their September issue, is the 2010 Mercedes E-Class, without any of the black plastic camo we've come to expect from spy photos of the new sedan. The new E-Class looks to be sporting headlights straight from Mercedes' ConceptFASCINATION concept design study set to see a reveal later this week at the Paris Motor Show. The sedan's big, wedge-shaped grille attached to a big, wedge-shaped body looks like it's nine months from a bedroom mating of

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Heather Locklear Arrested For DUI, Wasn't Drunk

    Gaze into the glazed eyes of Heather Locklear, taken after she was arrested around 5 p.m. Saturday evening when CHP officers found the actress in her parked car blocking traffic in Montecito, Calif. Exciting, yes, but the best part of the story's the police report, especially where a "concerned citizen" called police after witnessing Locklear "driving forwards and backwards over a pair of sunglasses and revving her engine" in a parking lot. Except, she wasn't drunk. Yup, you read that right. Mor

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Seven Lap Fiero's LeMons Exploits Chronicled In The Gray Lady's Pages

    The Pontiac Fiero may be one of the most perfect 24 Hours Of LeMons racers that very little money can buy. On paper, it looks like it should dominate: mid-mounted V6 engine, lightweight plastic body, and so on… but Fieros always blow up at LeMons. That's what makes them so great, because the spirit of the race is best captured with a sure-to-disintegrate fast car that makes heroes of its team members. And hey, when hell freezes over one day a Fiero will take the checkered flag! Until then, we'll

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Paul Newman, Racer, Remembered

    Today's news of Paul Newman's death has stunned us. Everyone knew Newman was a giant, but most don't know the eight-time CART winner made just as great of a mark on racing as he made in every other endeavor he embarked upon. Read on as our esteemed Editor-at-Large helps to tell the story only the lucky few of us know. — Ed. It was 1972 when 47-year-old Paul Newman — adopting the shorthand P. L. Newman — strapped into a Lotus Elan at Connecticut's Thompson International Speedway. History remember

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Mitsubishi's LA Design Challenge Entry Reveals MMR25, Rally Racer Of The Future

    Each year the LA Auto Show pits the best of the best of designers from the automakers to try and design some creative looks at our automotive future. Last year, it was all about "green," but this year, the project's called Motorsport 2025, and it's designed to show off what the race car of 2025 will look like. While we don't have the full gamut of responses to show off yet, we do have a sneak peek at Mitsubishi's entry to the quasi-esteemed contest based totally in unreality. It's called the MMR

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    GEM Peapod Photoshop Contest: Win An iPod Touch!

    When we kicked off the original GEM Peapod Photoshop contest, it was more as a lark than anything else, but the folks on the GEM Peapod team discovered it and thought it was a brilliant idea. So brilliant, in fact, that although Chrysler isn't a sponsor of the contest, they've graciously offered to supply an iPod Touch as a grand prize for the winner in exchange for us telling you "If you'd like more information on the GEM Peapod, click here." Seems fair to us. Now, considering the ante has been

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Charles Bronson Edition

    There are some people who think that American actor Charles Bronson was of German heritage. Not so. Neither was he of a Central American or Spanish background. Charles Bronson was born Karolis Bucinskis to Lithuanian parents. After serving our country in World War II, Bronson moved to New York to pursue acting, eventually breaking out in The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape, in which he plays a claustrophobic and tough prisoner (he actually was claustrophobic from his years working in a co

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    2009 Saab 9-3 Racer Readies For Swedish Battle

    Recently absent from the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC), Saab will be entering the 2009 season with this specially prepped Saab 9-3. Going up against the likes of the Volvo C30 racer, the Saab conforms to the series' S2000 specification with a 2.0-liter engine that runs on bio-ethanol fuel. That four-banger has been bolted to a six-speed sequential gearbox, hopefully not with plastic hardware, as that IKEA desk we tried bolting together was always falling apart. [via touringcartimes] (

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Chevy Volt Charging Strategy Redux

    Edmunds Inside Line stirred up kind of a hornets nest yesterday when they reported the Chevy Volt won't use the engine to recharge the battery, spurring a similar story from us. Both of us were told by GM PR we were correct in making that assertion. Turns out the PR team was having the same problems both us and Inside Line were having in understanding how the Volt's engine/battery/motor system will work. GM's VP for Global Program Management, John Lauckner, rebuffing the initial claims, stated,

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    New Sharp Mobile Phone Will Unlock Car Doors, Start Engine For Owner

    Eliminating the need to stuff both car keys and a mobile phone in your pockets, Nissan has partnered with electronics maker Sharp and mobile phone company NTT Docomo to create a phone that can do everything your car keys do, plus make phone calls. The gadget may not be able to help you open packages or stab muggers in the face like a traditional key can, but it can still operate your door locks and start up your engine. It does this by tapping into Nissan's Intelligent Key system which is alread

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Government May Delay $25 Billion For Automakers Until Mid-2010

    Apparently the Department of Energy is really slow when it comes to writing checks, as the Detroit News now reports that Detroit automakers may not get their recently approved loan packages until mid-way through 2010. DOE spokesperson Healy Baumgardner said "there are a number of legal and administrative requirements with which the Department must comply, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, we anticipate it could take at least 6 to 18 months or more, after necessary funds are appropri

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Ten Best Tailgating Vehicles

    The season for tossing around the pigskin and gorging yourself on pig products in the shadow of stadiums is here, and in that spirit we've identified the ten best vehicles for serious tailgating. With the help of our grill-happy readers we've put together a list of cars, trucks and vans that meet the requirements for your meaty adventures. Whether you're a Boomer Sooner or a Cheesehead, you'll surely be able to step up your off-the-field game by investing in one of the ten tailgating vehicles be

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Spanish Bank Giving Away Free Citroen With New Account

    Open a saving account with Spanish bank Banesto and they’ll give you a brand new, all-expenses-paid car. To qualify for a vehicle, a customer needs to lock between $26,400 and $235,000 into an account for at least 24 months, with the type of vehicle offered depending on how much one invests. For $235,000 and 36 months, you receive a Citroen C4 diesel, $175,000 a Citroen C3 and $145,000 a C2. Of course, there’s a catch. Bank customers opting for the cars do so in lieu of interest. So you’re locki

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    DOTS Triumph TR3A Makes Epic Cross-Country Road Trip, We Experience Envy

    First of all, the DOTS Triumph TR3A we saw yesterday is a '59- at least, many of its parts are from that year- not a '60 as I guessed calculated. But that doesn't matter, because it turns out that the owner is a Jalopnik reader and he's just brought the car to Alameda from Pennsylvania in a wild-eyed, road-food-scarfing, .357-brandishing, 10-day journey. Yes, this road trip manages to counter a lot of stereotypes we might be harboring of breakdown-prone British cars driven by tedious old guys in

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    The Evolution Of The Popemobile

    Being the living incarnation of two thousand years of religious tradition has got to be rough on a guy. Popes of the modern era have been burdened with the additional task of traveling to tend to the flock, heading out from the confines of the Vatican City to exotic places like Venezuela, Africa and Hamtramck. Look it up. Anyway, the task would be insurmountable if not for Poppa's trusty and reliable sidekick, the Popemobile. Serving duly as a perch from whence to greet the masses — and as prote

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Saleen Drops Dark Horse Mustang Into The Ring Ahead Of New Mustang Reveal In LA

    With the upcoming debut of the 2010 Ford Mustang at the LA Auto Show, the existing enormous slate of special-edition Mustangs will be wiped clean, ready for a new crop. But not before a couple more special editions come out, like the Saleen Dark Horse. Only 25 of the 620 HP, supercharged, shaker-hood-scoop-intake-wearing Dark Horse Mustangs will be available, and above that, in a livery Henry Ford would approve of: black only. That black gets dropped over a full body kit with matte-black stripes

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    What Will The Auto Landscape Look LIke If Credit Dries Up?

    If you're a WaMu banking customer, your bank failed last night. Don't worry, you're now Chase customers. This is just one of the ways that the major financial crisis we're in is impacting you. We were going to suspend blogging until the crisis was worked out, but Ray threatened a liquidity crunch if we tried. Our good friend UDMAN points out that, if we don't get a major bailout, credit could dry up soon. Given that few people purchase cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles or any other vehicl

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Volt, Sideswipe Caught Sunning Selves On Transformers 2 Set

    Now that the cat is out of the bag, it looks like the producers of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen are getting a bit more lax about photos of their star cars. Here we've got the Corvette Centennial concept lazily parked in front of the 2010 Chevy Volt. This shot joins the video of the same pairing. It is rather nice to get a sense of scale by placing these to vehicles next to GM's large trucks.

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    1969 Dodge Dart

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Dodge Darts are very common on the Alameda street; we've seen a '64 coupe, a '64 wagon, a '69 convertible, another '69 convertible, a '70 sedan, and a '75 Swinger so far, and that's not even counting the Valiant siblings. By comparison, Falcons and Novas are quite rare. Clearly, that Slant Six is an engine to be reckoned with!

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    Lamborghini Estoque Is The Lamborghini Urus?

    Seems the trademark claim Lamborghini placed on the name "Urus" may have been a red herring and the real name of the four-door super saloon set to debut at the Paris Motor Show may be the Lamborghini Estoque. What's an Estoque? It's the small sword used in the killing stroke of a true bullfight — a far more fitting name for the scion of the Espada (another sword by etymology) than archaic-German for "big cow." Although we still have a hard time containing ourselves over the idea of a Lambo that

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    Project Car Hell, Because You Can Edition: 1940 Ford Camper Or Rabbit Limo?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! In yesterday's Alphabet Soup Edition Choose Your Eternity challenge, the TVR went all GBH on the NSU in the poll, sending us scurrying to the nearest W.A.S.T.E. mailbox to inform our friends in San Narciso that PCH Superpower Britain has once again triumphed over Germany. Today we're going to contemplate a pair of projects that will provide years of entertaining debate

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    The Shitty Splitty Triumphs Over Tennessee Rust... For Now

    Of all the cars we saw at the Billetproof Nor-Cal show in Antioch, this split-window VW Type 2 pickup was the hands-down winner of our Rustiest Vehicle Award. Originally a plumber's work truck in Tennessee (you can just barely make out the lettering on the sides), this Transporter became so rust-ravaged that it was junked. After 25 years of quiet oxidation beneath a canopy of kudzu in the junkyard, this Splitty was purchased by a total madman devoted VW aficionado, who got it running and brought

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    Ten Greatest Video Game Cars

    In honor of the vehicular hoonage video games allow us to safely perpetrate, we've selected these, the ten greatest cars from the annals of video game history. They have challenged the deftness of our readers thumbs, the quickness of their eyes and the flexibility of their notions of how gravity works. Whether in a racing sim, an action title or crime-ridden universe, these ten vehicles represent generations of rubber-burning enjoyment. Hit the jump to see them all.

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    Citroen Subtly Blends French Cars, Disco And Transformers

    Before Michael "Awesome" Bay brought Transformers to life on the big screen, Citroen had a series of advertisements with similar transforming robo-cars. This ad for the new Citroen C4 continues where the old ads left off, but now the robo-car has come to New York City and has apparently developed a taste for disco-era Bee Gees music. Of course, Citroen doesn't sell their cars in the US, but that doesn't mean they can't come over here to dance in the streets.

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    Toyota Turns Parts Center Roof Into Giant Solar Installation

    Solar Prius? That's amateur. Toyota has opted to create a 242,000 square-foot solar installation on the roof of its North American Parts Center in Ontario, California. The installation, which will be the largest single-roof installation in North America, will provide about 3.7 million kWh of juice, about 60% of the power needs for the parts center. Toyota also has a solar installation on one of its headquarters buildings in Torrance, helping the company polish its green cred and distracting from

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    Bill Heard, Nations Top-Selling Chain Of Chevy Dealerships, Goes Out Of Business

    Bill Heard Enterprises is closing its remaining 13 car dealerships. The country’s top selling Chevy dealer group, Heard blames "adverse economic conditions, high gasoline prices and our traditional product mix.” However, Heard has come under significant legal scrutiny in the past few years, leading us to believe that more than market economics were at work in the shutdown. A closer look after the jump. According to Automotive News, Bill Heard Enterprises is facing these charges in Georgia:

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    What's The Best Vehicle For Tailgates?

    Football season is here, and unless you're a Michigan or Notre Dame fan, there's a lot of happy tailgating to be done. With Matt Millen gone, it's even safe for Lions fans to return to Ford Field to fire up the grille and eat their weight in ribs. But what vehicle should you take to the big game? A tailgating car or truck has to have space to hold a cooler of meats, a bottle of your special sauce, a grille and perhaps even a beverage of some sort. Because of the inebriated people carrying food t

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    GM Officially Announces 1.4-Liter Four-Cylinder For Chevy Cruze, Volt To Be Built In Flint, MI

    GM has announced it will invest $370 million in a new 552,000 square-foot plant in Flint, Michigan to produce the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines intended for duty in the Chevy Cruze and Chevy Volt. The engines will be rolling off those new lines in two flavors — turbocharged with 140 HP and 148 lb-ft of torque for the Cruze, and a non-turbocharged 100 HP version for the Volt. The plans also indicate the 1.4-liter is destined for service in two additional U.S.-bound models expected to debut in t

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    Chevy Volt Engine Won't Recharge Batteries While Driving; Just A Regular Plug-In Hybrid?

    Edmunds Inside Line is reporting the Chevy Volt apparently doesn't use the engine to recharge its batteries while driving, going against what every media outlet — CNBC, the buff books and every web site including this one — have reported as fact for the past two years. Confusion apparently stems from a press release issued when the concept version of the Chevy Volt was first revealed in 2007 indicating:

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    Ford Cabela's, Harley-Davidson Edition Super Duty Trucks Officially Official

    We told you about the Cabela's Edition Super Duty and Harley-Davidson Super Duty pickups from Ford, and now we have official press shots straight out of Dearborn. The Cabela's special edition will feature two-tone paint, special running boards, mud flaps and the all-important Cabela's badge to prove you eat your road kill. Low-key cycle enthusiasts will prefer the Harley-Davidson "Big Hog Daddy" F-450 with custom blue-flame paint job and requisite Harley badging. Special Edition outfitting aside

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    Deadline Looming For World's Most Butt-Itching Race: 24 Hours Of LeMons Arse-Freeze-A-Palooza!

    You know what sounds like fun? Heading up to the howling icy winds fresh mountain breezes of the Sierra foothills on the day after Christmas, climbing into a heater- and glass-free "race car" you and your loser friends bashed together with duct tape and JB Weld, and battling your frozen fingers and 80 or so other disintegrating hoopties for $1500 in nickels and major bragging rights! Yes, we're talking about the 24 Hours Of LeMons Thunderhill race, otherwise known as LeMons Arse-Freeze-A-Palooza

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    1960 Triumph TR3A

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. It's been a while since we've had a British sports car in this series (I believe the last one was this '71 MGB-GT), so let's celebrate this year's final stretch of open-air motoring weather with this nice Triumph I found parked in one of Alameda's wealthiest neighborhoods.

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    Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept Gets Early Reveal On Way To Paris

    Maserati is hitting the track again with its GranTurismo MC Corse concept, based on the Maserati GranTurismo S. A full roll cage provides driver protection, while upgraded monobloc brakes, an enhanced suspension and fat 18x12 front and 18x13 rear wheels keep the chassis in check. What's under the hood, you ask? The Maser's powerplant gets a new intake system, competition-spec catalytic converters and retuned exhaust, all of which combine for a healthy 450 HP. Of course, aero additions round out

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    Putting The Pieces Together On The Lamborghini Urus

    Jalopnik reader Kooper is just as sick of the jigsaw-like puzzle piece reveal on the new four-door Lamborghini Urus as we are. The only difference is he's done something about it — attempting to put this puzzle together for us with his own take on what the rear end's going to look like. Now, if only he could have done the same on a profile view with that one picture of the front quarter-panel. Yes, well, if wishes were cows... then this one... would have four doors?

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    2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, Ralliart Break Cover Early On Way To Paris

    We knew to expect the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart to see an official reveal at the Paris Motor Show next week ever since we saw the Lancer Prototype-S in Geneva earlier this year. It looks like we don't even need to go to the French capital, as a bevy of shots of the two new Lancer sportbacks have broken free of the confines of their embargoes to show us what we'll see live next week. We're told to expect two versions of the five-door hatchback

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Knight Rider Premieres Tonight

    Just a reminder, the first episode of the new Knight Rider premieres tonight at 8:00 PM EST. We've already all seen it, but don't let our snap review stop you from watching. Although you'd be a stupid piece of KITT not to listen to us.

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    Commenter Of The Day: Fire Matt Millen Edition

    Sometimes it's hard to make the right decision, just ask the now former Detroit Lions general manager (not to be confused with the other GM in town, you know, GM) Matt Millen. Without much in the way of NFL executive leadership experience he stepped in to head a team that, since, has had a bad record even for an organization based in Detroit. They're 31-84. They're 53 games below .500 after playing only 115 games. That's bad. Even Bill Ford, Jr lost faith in Millen, and he ran Ford Motor Company

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Project Car Hell, Alphabet Soup Edition: TVR Or NSU?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Last time around, we saw the Chevy-powered RX-7 beat the Nissan-powered Corona in the race to the Lake Of Fire, according to the results of the Choose Your Eternity poll. Before you've slipped beneath the sulf'rous waves in your vintage Japanese machine, however, you might want to check out the acronymic torment fun to be had with today's choices. We can thank- if that

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    Caral V8XS Transforms Vauxhall VX220 Into V8-Powered Monster

    The Vauxhall VX220 is one of the forbidden fruits of the GM product portfolio we covet ferociously, and this heavily modified, 4.2-liter supercharged V8-equipped version dubbed the Caral V8XS makes it all the more painful. At 450 HP, the Jaguar-sourced motor certainly would light a fire under the slinky two-seater, but the powertrain isn't the only place upgrades happen. The entire interior gets restyled with some darn nice-looking leather and a new gauge cluster with built-in lap timer. And, of

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Ten Best Used Bargain SUVs...And One That Isn't

    Since owners are fleeing their SUVs like rats from a sinking ship, it seems like a great time to put together a list of the top used SUV bargains. Luckily, Popular Mechanics has put together just such a list. After all, some people out there actually need a purposeful wagon to take them off-road or help them haul a trailer and family. As such, there isn't a single crossover on the list, but you can be assured that these rugged trucks will get the job done without forcing you to work a second job

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Street Concepts Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept Coming To SEMA

    An urban-camo version of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe will be debuting at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas. As the rendering of the car shows, it'll employ the "secret military project gone horribly wrong" style of SEMA design, as opposed to the "straight forward performance" look of the HKS Genesis Coupe or the "possibly ripped-off Lexus tuner design" look of the RMR Genesis Coupe. The performance enhancements will include a new exhaust, cold-air intake, tweaked suspension and Brembo brakes

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    Caterpillar 793, World's Coolest Dump Truck, Now With Electric Drive

    The colossal Caterpillar 793 is one of the coolest pieces of heavy machinery on the planet. Traditionally powered by immense 16-cylinder engines churning out over 2000 HP, we're now being told by Caterpillar that a new electric-drive version is on the way. But don't think that means it's going soft. The new 793F AC can carry about 250 tons of junk in its trunk, and that's just the entry-level model. The burly 795F AC can take about 400 tons. That's like having Arnold Schwarzenegger possessed by

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    What's The All-Time Greatest Video Game Car?

    We all enjoy our time behind the wheels of real cars, but sometimes, due to time constraints or local authorities unwilling to close roads for us to take high horsepower cars around tight-n-twisties, we're forced to resort to video games. Also, we crash sometimes, and we've yet to find the reset button in a real GT-R. But, the fake world of video gaming allows us all sorts of options to try all sorts of cars on all sorts of tracks and roads both real and imaginary. The best part is video games l

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Man Builds Ariel Atom From Scrap Parts, Sets New Bar For Home-Built Cars

    We've hacked together some pretty hairy cars in our day, but a self-proclaimed "Maker" with the nom de plume Proximacentuari has put together a positively amazing home-built version of the Ariel Atom, the track-day speedster. The MAKE mag reader's called it "Z59," and powered by a four-cylinder from an Acura RSX, it's the result of over 800 hours of work. But, that work's been well-placed as the little devil's got a 0-to-60 time of 4.5 seconds. Not too shabby for a little roadster built with par

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    CNG-Powered Toyota Camry Hybrid Coming To LA Auto Show

    Toyota announced today plans to show off a CNG Camry Hybrid concept at the LA Auto Show in November. For those not in the exclusive "T. Boone Pickens Fan Club," CNG stands for "Compressed Natural Gas." Although details are sparse on what to expect in LA, the press release below the jump does provide lots of memories of Toyota's failed 1999 CNG Camry experiment, undertaken during the heyday of the SUV when cheap gas was plentiful. Toyota Corporate Communicator Irv Miller contrasted the 1999 marke

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    1966 Lincoln Continental

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. We're going to look at our fifth Alameda Lincoln today; of the first five, the suicide-door primered '69 was the crowd favorite in the Favorite DOTS Lincoln poll. Today's car is another suicide-door model, and the oldest of the bunch as well.

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    Bentley Arnage Final Series: Even Bigger Luxury For The Big "B"

    When you're a brand all about exclusivity, what do you do when your flagship hits the end of a very exclusive run? Well, if you're Bentley, you take the last 150 cars and make them just a bit more exclusive. That's what the brand with the big "B" badge has done with this — the Bentley Arnage Final Series, an uber-luxe sedan we're told will combine the performance of the T with the refinement of the R and is coming to the Paris Auto Show next month. The "Final Series," we're told, will be "the ul

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: The Western White House Edition

    These days, everyone thinks of our President's ranch in Crawford, Texas as the "Western White House." And though it certainly is the current one, there have been numerous Western White Houses before. The LBJ Ranch was referred to as such and was also located in Central Texas. President Nixon had Casa Pacifica in San Clemente as his original White House-away-from-the Washington Press Corps-White House. President Reagan's Rancho del Cielo northwest of Santa Barbara, California once was used to ent

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    PCH, Budget Engine Swap Edition: Chevy V8 RX-7 Or Nissan V6 Corona?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Last time around, we saw the beat-to-hell Dodge Colt Turbo take the win over the totally trashed Chevy Sprint Turbo in the Choose Your Eternity poll. That's great, but what if you want a cheap Japanese car that doesn't rely on turbocharging to give you the power needed to set your town's all-time record for Exhibition Of Speed tickets issued in a single week? You'll ne

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Top Five Reasons Your Tires Fail

    Mike Allen over at Popular Mechanics put together a handy list of the top five reasons for tire failure. We figure it's important stuff since, you know, your tires are pretty much more important than any other part of your car — they're what the whole rest of the vehicle rides on. Believe it or not, there's more that can be wrong with your tires than just underinflation, so check out the list below the jump. 5.) They're Damaged So... you're telling us damage is bad? Wow. Guess we'll have to stop

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    How Do The Chrysler Hybrids Match The Volt's EV Range?

    When Chrysler dropped its bevy of extended-range electric vehicles in our laps today as part of the company's new ENVI program, we wondered how coincidental it was that Chrysler was claiming the same all-electric range as the much ballyhooed Chevy Volt. The Volt makes concessions to seating and obsessively maximizes aerodynamics to get its 40 mile range, but the Chrysler EV and the Jeep EV both claim 40 miles as well. No funny-shaped center consoles, no wacky aero-trickery, just batteries and el

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Mercedes Special-Protection Group Unveils Latest S600 Pullman Guard State Limo

    Mercedes has a long history of providing shrapnel protection to heads of state via its Special Protection Group, and the company's latest S600-based Pullman Guard limo appears to live up to its lineage. Not just a stretched S600, the Pullman Guard is basically a custom-built limo with armoring designed into the body structure rather than just added on in key points, resulting in protection from projectiles, grenades and paparazzi. Of course, when not under attack, occupants are privvy to state-o

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    Transformers 2 Corvette Centennial Concept Character Named "Sideswipe"

    After revealing the identity of the Corvette Centennial Concept that had been spotted on the set of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen and giving you close-up detail shots, we've now got word that the Corvette Concept is not merely a car, but a robot in disguise named Sideswipe. Originally a Lamborghini in the old cartoons, Sideswipe is a rule-bending but loyal Autobot warrior out to take down the evil Decepticons. Sideswipe's latest identity was uncovered at the recent Hasbro Licensing Summit,

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Shiny, Happy Chrysler EV Really Called GEM Peapod

    We got a look at the Chrysler "Peapod" this morning, though at the time we didn't know it was actually the GEM Peapod. The "Global Electric Motorcars" all-electric range of "community vehicles" has been on sale for ten years now. The Peapod is the latest concept set up for a debut in GEM's 2009 lineup, which also gets an updated and greenwashed name - GreenEcoMobility (blech). If you're into the details of an electric, four-passenger, 25 MPH, 30-mile-range overgrown golf cart, there are plenty o

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    Ten Cars With Better Fuel Economy Than A Toyota Camry Hybrid

    The hybrid version of the Toyota Camry is, behind the Toyota Prius, the best-selling hybrid in America, but there are at least ten other cars for sale this year that get better EPA-estimated mileage on the city, highway or combined cycles. Some are diesels, some are hybrids and some are just light-weight cars with smaller displacement motors. But all share one thing in common — they're more fuel efficient. So why's the Camry Hybrid selling so well? Your answer's as good as ours.

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Jeep EV: Rock Crawling The Electric Way

    Not content to let the Dodge EV and Chrysler EV hog the electrified-concept spotlight, the Jeep EV makes its debut as well, complete with range-extended electric status and the possibility of monster rock-crawling capabilities. This Jeep Wrangler Unlimited gets a battery pack, an electronics controller, and a 268 HP electric motor with 295 lb-ft of torque, while the big gas engine is subtracted in favor of a fuel-sipping generator. The knee-jerk reaction to an electrically motivated Jeep might b

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    Chrysler EV Range-Extended Electric Minivan Gets Real Non-CNBC Reveal

    The next-generation power train blitz from Chrysler continues following the unveil of the Dodge EV with the Chrysler EV, a Chrysler Town & Country equipped as a Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV). Following GM's lead with the Chevy Volt, the Chrysler EV promises the same 40 miles on all-electric power followed by a recharge from an on-board generator (ie: a two-cylinder gas engine). Considering the packaging advantages for batteries available with a big van, the claims seem almost easy to hi

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    UAW, Obama Riding McCain On Owning Foreign Cars Like Rest Of Country

    Sen. John McCain took heat yesterday from UAW president Ron Gettelfinger for three of his thirteen vehicles being foreign-made. Now McCain's taking heat from the Obama campaign in a new attack ad so heavily protectionism-flavored, it's a good thing the ad's just running in the Great Lakes state. Yes, Michigan, a land that unlike the rest of the nation, remains a magical place where American cars still outsell foreign cars. While the overtones of protectionism are strong, the nuts n' bolts of the

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    What's Your Best Line For Getting Out Of A Speeding Ticket?

    We're all going to need some good excuses to give Johnny Law when the super-quick (allegedly) Dodge ev and 2009 Audi S4 Avant hit the streets. One of the side effects of car appreciation is the occasional speeding ticket, but the right mix of feigned-ignorance and cleverness can help avoid going into debt for your frequent forays into illegality. Help us out by helping us figure out — what's the best line for getting out of a speeding ticket? The single greatest moment in speeding-ticket-avoidan

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    Honda Thinks Plug-In Technology Not Yet Up To Task

    Apparently, even in light of Chrysler's announcement this morning, Honda thinks all this plug-in hybrid stuff is nonsense...at least until battery technology is up to the task, reports Bloomberg News. Masaaki Kato, head of Honda's research unit, said "For battery-powered vehicles to become more widespread, more popular in the market, we feel battery technology needs to advance further." Kato considers the rapid release of a plug-in hybrid when technology isn't quite up to the task could be a PR

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Chrysler "Peapod" Electric For "Gated Communities" Spotted Outside HQ

    Our invitation to the Chrysler press event debuting their selection of electric vehicles seems to have been lost in the mail, but we decided to head up to the Auburn Hills headquarters after seeing the Proton Lotus Europa Dodge EV debut on CNBC this morning to see what the hoopla was all about. That's where we caught this second Chrysler EV concept, nicknamed by CNBC's Phil LeBeau "Peapod," being trucked away for safe cover. We don't know whether that's the actual name, but Chrysler CEO Bob "The

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    2009 Audi S4 Sedan, Avant Revealed Ahead Of Paris

    We've been showered with photos and details of the new Audi S4 Sedan and Audi S4 Avant ahead of the official Paris unveiling and the numbers do look good. Using supercharging and direct injection, the folks in Ingolstadt have managed to squeeze 333 HP out of the 3.0-liter V6, good for a 5.1 second 0-to-62 run while still returning an average of 24 MPG. S4 buyers will also get a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox, Quattro all-wheel drive and the standard-issue array of electronic nannies keeping everyt

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Chrysler Unveils Dodge EV, A Tesla-Like All-Electric Sports Car

    Today on CNBC, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli revealed a Tesla-like all-electric performance sports car called the Dodge ev along with three other vehicles operating either partially or entirely on an electric powertrain. The four vehicles are Chrysler's ENVI electric car program, and include an extended-electric Chrysler minivan, a new "gated community" electric called "the peapod" and a Jeep Wrangler four-door. The ev, the first of the four unveiled, not only operates entirely on plug-in power li

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    1983 BMW 633CSi

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. I've been seeing a fair number of E24 BMWs in Alameda lately, so let's add this one to the DOTS parade. We've had this '83 633CSi, this '87 M6, and '87 L6 so far, and now it's the turn of another '83 (I've been looking for some 5- and 7-series BMWs of this era on the island, but so far I haven't found any parked in photo-friendly spots).

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Honda's Musical Road To Be Paved Over

    This strip of road in Lancaster, California is one of only a handful of roads in the world that will "sing" as you drive over it. The music comes from the noise made by tires passing over a series of carefully cut groves in the road's surface. Now local residents want it all to be paved over, just because not everyone drives a Honda Civic at exactly the right speed. Made by Honda as part of an upcoming advertising campaign, the road's incredibly out-of-tune rendition of "The William Tell Overtur

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    Opel Volt: Chevy Volt To Get Re-Badged For Europe

    With last week's reveal of the production version of the Chevy Volt comes a rumor GM will sell the Volt across the pond as an Opel. No, we're not talking about a Segway-pooping Opel Flextreme, we're actually talking about an Opel Volt. Our sources tell us to expect the 2011 Opel Volt to be mechanically identical to its Chevy sibling and share much of the overall exterior and interior styling. The most noticeable change to the Opel Volt will be a unique front fascia and headlamps. That’s right fo

    By The Auto Insider Read More
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    Spirit Of Billetproof Captured Perfectly: The Granada Rod!

    Out of all the old Fords at the Billetproof Nor-Cal show, this one may have been our very favorite (yes, even beating out the undeniably awesome Maserati-powered Ford). Why? It's really a Malaise Era Ford Granada! Jump away to get the rest of the story. Its creator had a bare, beat-to-hell shell sitting on one side of the garage… and a $100 '79 Ford Granada sitting on the other side. You can see where this is going, right? For a budget of less than a thousand bucks, he handcrafted most of the b

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Seven Item Checklist For Buying A Used Car

    With today's four-bucks-and-higher gas prices, a used car can make a lot of sense over buying a new overweight monster from the new car lot. However, unless you're buying certified pre-owned, most used car purchases aren't covered by stringent consumer protection laws and don't carry the guarantee of the manufacturer, meaning it's a decision made without a safety net. As a used car buyer you should always be careful — no matter how you're buying the car. To help, we've prepared the following sev

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Gawker Introduces Threaded Commenting, Jalopnik Goes To Plaid

    Our Gawker bosses have decreed old-school in-line commenting is so 2005 and decided it's time for us to enter a new age of comments - the age of threading. Apparently all the cool kids are doing it and now, so will we. What's a threaded comment, you ask? Threading is a way to make comments read more like conversations instead of a bunch of disconnected single replies. Now, when a comment is replied to by other commenters, all the replies will appear directly below the original comment. Each of t

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Megatron To Return As Tank In Transformers 2, Shoots Special Effects Tech?

    These renderings, if they're real, give further evidence Megatron will be making a return in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as a tank. While their authenticity hasn’t been validated, they appear to come from the same far east source that’s been leaking shots of pre-production toy molds for a couple of months now. In other news, one of Transformers 2’s special effects technicians was injured after pouring gasoline rather than diesel on a fire. Unconfirmed reports state that he was attemptin

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    BMW 7-Series Hybrid Concept Revealed Awash In A Sea Of Green Marketing

    With 427 HP on tap, the 750i ActiveHybrid concept just revealed by BMW ahead of the Paris Motor Show isn't exactly going to appeal to most treehuggers. The concept's more along the lines of the Mercedes S400 BlueHYBRID and the Lexus LS600hL — looking green without in any way being green. Of course, while it may share essentially the same mild hybrid system as the Mercedes, the BMW has a throbbing 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 compared to the Benz's sensible V6. That engine combined with a 20 HP electr

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Bentley-Branded Safes Are Bulletproof Refrigerators, Just Like The Cars

    Need a place to stash a newly minted golden parachute from your time at Merrill Lynch? Perhaps that Blancpain watch you got as a going-away present from Lehman Brothers deserves a proper keeping. You're in luck, disgraced captain of industry, because German safe-maker Stockinger has partnered with Bentley to build 400 safes of the finest luxury, highest quality and silliest of brand partnerships. The "Arnage" will keep watches safe and wound while the "Continental" works best for jewelery. Outfi

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Are Four-Door Supercars An Easy Way To Make A Buck?

    So the Lambo teaser images were for the Lamborghini Urus, a four-door concept car on it's way to the Paris Motor Show. The bovine Urus, the latest in a string of four-door supercar production or concept cars joining the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide in the realm of the more-than-two door uber-cars. With seemingly every premium carmaker in the process of making a concept or production supercar with four doors, we have to ask: is the four-door supercar just an easy way to make a buck? T

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Official Accessories For New Camaro To Include Big Wing, Ground Effects

    The 2010 Chevy Camaro fans over at Camaro5 have snapped some shots of the factory accessories from the unveil of the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS this weekend that’ll be available for the new muscle car from the American Revolution. In addition to the usual chrome wheels and cold air intakes, there will be a range of — how should we say this? — less tasteful bolt-ons including a high wing, colored engine parts, ground effect bodykits and color-matched lighted interior trim pieces. The full list, courtes

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Lancia Ypsilon Versus Concept Wears Versace For Paris

    Usually it's just the models posing with the Italian cars that wear Versace to the Paris Motor Show, but this year, Lancia's new concept car, the Ypsilon Versus, will also be dressed in the designer label. Visual enhancements to the standard Ypsilon include special "Bronzino" Bronze paint, a screen-printed "Versus" logo on the roof, bronze 16-inch alloy rims, and a bronze chrome finish on the grille, handles, door mouldings, rear bumpers, and tailgate handle, sporting the Versus logo. If you lik

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Lamborghini Urus Four-Door Concept Coming To Paris, Fittingly Named After A Big German Cow

    The lid on the mysterious Lamborghini teaser images has cracked open a bit wider today, and what we see inside is the Lamborghini Urus, a four-door, front-engined, super saloon to compete against the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide. The engine is unknown at this point, but sources say it lies behind the front wheels and turns an all-wheel-drive system. But for us, the big story is the name "Urus," a Latin word with Germanic origins used to describe a very large type of cattle prev

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Toyota A-BAT Gets Green Light, Tundra Diesel Gets Black Flag

    According to Pickuptrucks.com, Toyota has given the go-ahead on a production version of the radical Toyota A-BAT concept first revealed at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The compact, unibody pickup would be equipped with an expandable four foot cargo box and hybrid synergy drive while fitting into the footprint of the RAV4. The A-BAT would be one of only a few members of the compact segment (along with the Ford Ranger, which we still are told is on the outs, and the Pontiac G8 ST), as the rest of t

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    1965 International Harvester Travelall D-1000, With Bonus Proto-SUV Poll

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Once again, Alameda has managed to provide a cool International Harvester for our enjoyment, and this time it's a great big '65 Travelall D-1000. Around here, we don't sneer at modern leather-trimmed SUVs because they're faux-macho minivan substitutes- no, we sneer at them because they're making us soft! Here's an example of an off-road-ready machine made b

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2010 Ford Fusion: In The Nude

    Our latest set of shots of the 2010 Ford Fusion from the quickest-to-the-snap spy photographers of KGP showed the new mid-size from Dearborn wearing a very fashionable leopard-print skin. While yes, there's much you can tell from those spy shots — including further confirmation of the ditching of the smiling grille, perhaps indicative of the very sad Ford sales numbers as of late, we'd previously seen the Fusion wearing. But, regardless of the "why," we wanted to see the new Fusion's exterior ge

    By The Auto Insider Read More
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    PCH, Rebadged Japanese Turbo Edition: Chevrolet Sprint Turbo Or Dodge Colt Turbo?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Once we gave Germany a second chance against PCH Superpower Italy, they pulled off the upset- that's right, the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman (just barely) beat the Lamborghini Urraco in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll! But what about the Japanese? They totally get shortchanged in Project Car Hell, what with their cars' excessive reliability and ease of parts obtainm

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Top Ten Most Important NASCAR Crashes Of All Time

    Our friends at Popular Mechanics have put together a list of what they consider the top ten most influential crashes in NASCAR history, complete with video. These ten smash-ups were influential not in how they changed the course of a single race, but in how they got us to today's "Car of Tomorrow," a race car that is to "stock car" what the Republican Party is to "conservatives." That is to say, it's become nothing at all like a real for-sale car, and therefore not-at-all interesting to most har

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Iso Rivolta Fidia And Rat Rod Chrysler Sebring Down On The San Francisco Street

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. San Francisco is just a few miles from Alameda, right across the Bay, and I wouldn't be shocked to find that it has as many cool old cars per square mile as the island. PhilRoastBeef spotted this super-rare Iso Rivolta Fidia parked on Polk Street, and then WhatWouldJesseDo sent in these shots of a totally bewildering Dodge Intrepid Chrysler Sebring

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    GM Considering Sale Of Medium-Duty Truck Division To Isuzu

    According to Automotive News, GM is planning to sell its medium-duty commercial truck division to Isuzu (Ed. Note to Automotive News: "Medium-Duty" is not the same thing as "Mid-Size." Please make a note of this. Thanks!). According to Isuzu representatives, they have not been contacted by General Motors regarding the possible deal, but said they would respond positively to the prospect. The news comes after Navistar backed out of a deal on GM medium-duty trucks which would mirror the sale of th

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    2010 Buick LaCrosse Spied, Possibly In Pursuit Of Lincoln MKS

    The battle of big American quasi-luxury sedans is heating up as the 2010 Buick LaCrosse nears production. Although this is our best set of spy photos yet, it's still rather silly as the Buick Invicta concept essentially previewed what's hiding under the camo here. As you can see, Buick is taking dead aim at the Lincoln MKS for the coveted role of "car for sexy grandfathers" title. Spy report after the jump. We caught a convoy of 2010 Buick Lacrosse prototypes running on public roads—this time w

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Car And Driver Gives Five Reasons To Not Buy A Cheap Beater Car, We Disagree

    Car And Driver realizes that while hybrids and alternative fuels may get all the hype, the solution for many people on fuel economy is still the simple old econo-bucket beater. However, they've come up with five reasons why buying something like a cheap old Geo Metro isn't a good idea. Car And Driver makes some valid points, but we're thinking we'd still rather have a old beater. Although our five reasons below the jump won't apply to most consumers — we think maybe consumers should just become

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Audi Backs Traffic Project To Get Cars Talking To Traffic Lights, Minimize Time Spent At Stops

    Audi has thrown its weight behind "Travolution," a German traffic light communication management system trying to smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion. The system works by way of 46 smart traffic lights installed in Audi's home town of Ingolstadt which communicate with specially equipped Audi A5s and A6s. The cars interpret the information from the lights and display an ideal speed to the driver which leads to smooth sailing through green lights as opposed to hitting the reds. The lights al

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    1986 Jaguar XJ6

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. The Jaguar XJ6 sold in fairly large numbers in North America during the 70s and 80s, but you don't see many of them on the street these days. Perhaps that's because brutish, ham-fisted Americans (and those Moosehead-swilling, tuque-wearing Canadians) can't be trusted with such precision British machinery… or maybe all those British car jokes really do draw

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2009 Ford F-150 Pricing To Start At $21,320 For Regular Cab XL

    For all eleven of you truck buyers left out there, Ford has finally dumped all of the details on the 2009 Ford F-150, capabilities, capacities, fuel economy and now, pricing. As we told you earlier, the F-150 boasts an 11,300 lb tow rating and a 3,030 lb payload capacity, but what about that pricing? The F-150 XL entry model kicks things off with a 4.2 liter V8 and a four speed auto for $21,320. The top range bells and whistles super-luxe mega-capabilities F-150 Platinum tops out at a hefty $44,

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    PCH, You Bought WHAT? Edition: Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Or Lamborghini Urraco?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Yesterday we saw more evidence of what happens when a German car takes on PCH Superpower Italy in a Choose Your Eternity challenge: a 68-32 drubbing of the BMW by the Ferrari. Going up against a Superpower is no picnic, but we're going to give Germany another shot at a stunning upset today. Who will triumph, the Benz or the Lambo? Which one do you want more? Which one

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    First Pictures: The Buick Regal Is Back...In China!

    Despite being dead as a badge in the United States for four years and dead as a duck in China for just as long, Buick plans to sell the Opel Insignia as the Buick Regal in the People's Republic. While this news has been on the street for about a month now, thanks to our friends at China Car Times, we've got the very first shots of Buick's new royalty. Hit the jump for the full scoop of a story that'll make your grandparents grab their canes, stand up and cheer. Usually we're not advocates of ba

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Leaked Ferrari Memo Details "FX150," Location Of Hoffa's Body, Info On Area 51

    Color us highly skeptical of this "leaked Ferrari document" which has popped up on the internet detailing the so-called "FX150" prototype. Something just seems completely off about it. Maybe it's the reference to the Euro 5 emissions standards followed closely by details of a monstrously powerful twin-turbocharged V8 engine that's got our hoax-o-meter going off. Why would the Italian CEO at Ferrari write a memo in flawless English, addressed to nobody and with details of a 90 degree all-aluminum

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    2008 Peugeot Design Contest Picks Top Ten Future Cars We'll Never See

    The initial round of voting in the fifth annual Peugeot Design Contest has just concluded, with the field of entries from design students on the subject of "Imagine the Peugeot in the worldwide megalopolis of tomorrow” winnowed down from over 2,500 entries from 95 countries to ten best concepts. It's now up to you to pick the winner. The ten which remain are the purported best of the best of the best of the submitted — with entries ranging from pod-shaped supercommuters to jet fighter-styled spe

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    First Episode Of New Knight Rider TV Show Online At Hulu...And Right Here

    Want to see the first episode of the new Knight Rider TV show a week earlier than it'll air on broadcast television? If so, it's your lucky day — just moments ago it went live on Hulu for the watching. But why go there when we've got the full episode below the jump? We won't spoil anything that hasn't already been spoiled already, but if you're a fan of turbo boost, you'll be happy in the first few minutes.

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Todd Palin One-Time Owner Of Rare Centurion Truck Conversion

    Among information gained from the Sarah Palin emails was the Yahoo ID of her husband, Alaska's "first dude," Todd Palin. A quick Google search shows that "fek9wnr," as Todd Palin's commonly known on the interwebs, once offered up for sale an old F-350 "Centurion" truck (not pictured) on a Yahoo! car board. The message, dated August 2006, is signed by "Todd Alaska" so we're fairly sure it's him — we mean, how many guys named Todd can live in Alaska anyway? But that's not as important as the quest

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    2011 Tesla Model S Electric Sedan To Be Produced In Silicon Valley

    Priced around $60,000, capable of 240 miles on a single charge and producing no emissions, the Tesla Model S sedan will begin rolling off its new assembly line in California in late 2010. That’s only shortly after Chevy Volt’s scheduled mid 2010 production start date. Unlike the plug in Volt, the Model S will be fully electric. Tesla’s new factory will be located in San Jose and employ approximately 1,000 workers. Construction is expected to begin next summer. The Tesla Roadster will continue to

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    1974 Buick LeSabre Luxus Convertible, With Bonus Convertible Poll

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. After seeing some kind of weird foreign wagon yesterday, we're going to return to good ol' vintage Detroit iron today. Yes, before The General got all innovative with electron-powered machinery, he was building two-ton cruisers that didn't just park- they dropped anchor. This one is a '74 Buick LeSabre, a car that told OPEC it didn't give a damn about the 1

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Bob Lutz On Colbert Report, Claims Chevy Volt Will Get You Laid

    GM product czar and vice-chairman "Maximum" Bob Lutz took his battle for the General to The Colbert Report this evening, and he took some serious hits from the man all about the truthiness. Despite the knocking, he managed to give a couple right back. But of all the instant classic moments of this interview, it's the point in which Lutz tells Stephen Colbert the just-revealed Chevy Volt can get you laid when we officially moved GM's #2 man from the position of "hero" up to the position of "fathe

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    2009 Pontiac G3 Officially Coming To U.S. Market...Just Because

    We brought you the rumor here first, then we were told it wasn't going to happen, and then back on, but now it's official — Pontiac G3 will be headed to the United States as a 2009 model year five-door hatchback. Yes, folks, GM's decided the Chevy Aveo was just so nice, they couldn't let Chevy have all the fun, now foisting the rebadged Korean econobox onto the brand that was once all about "driving excitement." But that time seems so long ago. Don't get us wrong, we're of the opinion the Chevy

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    PCH, Mysterious Factory Racer Edition: Ferrari 360 Challenge Or BMW E46 M3?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Yesterday, a majority of you felt that the Porsche 928 would be a better LeMons car than the Lexus LS400, citing the alleged reliability of the big Toyota as a factor in the decision. Would a car designed to haul well-to-do realtors in utter comfort be reliable after a few hours of full-throttle hoonage, bashing into tire walls and other cars, even with Japanese engine

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID Provides Smugness For Very Serious German Businessmen

    The Mercedes S400 BlueHYBRID (note the use of all caps here, to let people know IT'S A HYBRID!) takes the exquisite S-Class and makes it into a Lexus LS600hL-killing eco-smug limo. Starting with a 3.5-liter V6, a hybrid drivetrain with a 20 HP electric motor and lithium-ion batteries specially developed for automotive use are added. Altogether it makes about 299 HP and produces just 190 grams of CO2 per kilometer...the best rating in the world for a car this big. For more details, or if you're l

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    LeMons Racing Through The Eyes Of Car #99

    It's 2:00 AM on race day in a nondescript warehouse farm just outside of Detroit. Bryan and I are bending the roll cage hoop while Bill cuts the mounting plates and Ben notches tubing. Our Celica-turned-race car sits dejectedly on jack stands, gutted and ready for welding. Preparation work that normally takes weeks is being compressed into two days and crucial safety equipment is being fabricated on a college-term-paper timeline. A final pull on our tubing bender and a vital component of the too

    By Andrew Didorosi Read More
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    Six-Wheeled Yamaha R1 Kart Ensures You'll Die Smiling

    One of the most awesome death-traps we've seen in a while, this custom 6-wheel go-kart is powered by a 1000cc engine from a Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle. That means there's about 180 HP screaming directly behind you, sending power through all four rear wheels. This thing makes a 'Busa Kart look ordinary. We're somewhat surprised that it wasn't sold, even with its $6,000 starting bid. But then, the seller does say: "I DO NOT SUGGEST THAT ANYONE RIDE THIS KART." Never has going out in a blaze of glory

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    2010 Audi A7 Caught Testing, Crashing Near The Nürburgring

    This Audi A7 mule was spied in Germany, but not ripping up the Nürburgring like you would expect. Rather, it was too busy bouncing off guardrails on a small country road located just off the racing circuit. It appears that the accident didn't involve any other vehicles (or any biodiesel), and the driver is said to be fine, but we can't be sure as to whether or not it was caused by a faulty component on the car or old-fashioned driver error. What is clear are the skid marks drawing a line straigh

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Dodge Challenger Super Stock Drag Package Available For Order...If You're Man Enough

    We're stoked that Chrysler is offering a Dodge Challenger Drag Pak turn-key racer, but how exactly do you go about ordering one from your local Dodge dealer? Since these mighty Mopars are going to be limited production, you gotta prove you're worthy. First, you're required to submit your application in writing to a dealer, who will then fax it to Mopar Motorsports' secret lair. Keep in mind that this is all first-come first-served, so you probably want to get a fax confirmation to make sure your

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Chevy Volt: Five Key Interior Features

    Oh sure, the exterior's hot for a plug-in appliance, but the interior's just as slick. In fact, it's on the inside of the Volt where some of the biggest differences from concept to production were made. We sat down with Volt styling guru Bob Boniface, and let him give us the scoop on all that is interesting on the inside of the car. Here's the top five.

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Chevy Volt: Five Key Exterior Features

    It's been four years since the world's largest automaker (arguably) began work on reviving the electric car and almost two years after the concept was first revealed on the stage of the Detroit Auto Show, and seeing the Volt's shiny exterior up close we can say, yes, it's nothing like the look of the sleek, low-to-the-ground concept with vented windows we've seen toted out for every show over the past two years. But, that's not to say it's bad. In fact, it's quite a sharp looking extended-range

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Google Search Coming To 2009 BMW 1- And 3-Series

    Stateside buyers of BMW’s 1- and 3-Series vehicles will now have the option to add “BMW Search Powered By Google Maps” to their BMW Assist and Navigation system-equipped vehicles. Basically, this means they’ll be able to search for addresses and phone numbers directly from their navigation system using Google Maps. The advantages of such a system are obvious, allowing drivers a quick and easy method to find contact details and directions on the fly. But, as with all BMW options, BMW Search is ac

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    1973 Volvo 1800ES Station Wagon

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. 1960s Volvos haven't played a large role in this series; so far we've seen this '66 Amazon, this '69 144, and this '69 P1800. Now we're going to add a rare 1800ES wagon, which I found parked along Alameda's San Francisco Bay shoreline (not far from the '68 GMC pickup).

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    GM's Lutz: Chevy Volt Will Use GPS To Determine Distance From Home, Adjust Engine Accordingly

    At GM's "blogger town hall" at the end of yesterday's Chevy Volt unveil, the General's Vice Chairman and product czar, "Maximum" Bob Lutz, made mention to a Volt feature we hadn't yet heard about, and is even more techie-cool than the iPod-like interface on the center stack. Apparently, the Volt will "know how far you are from home" using what we're assuming is an on-board GPS system. The plug-in electric extended range hybrid's computer will then use that distance, along with route information,

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Chevy Volt, Live And Unplugged!

    The finale of GM's centennial celebration today was the official reveal of the production 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the first official plug-in hybrid production vehicle from a major auto manufacturer. Details are slim, but what we know is this — GM calls it an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV), it has a top speed of 100 mph and 40 miles on all-electric based on the EPA city cycle. The rest of what we know, plus the official press release, are below the jump. More on the Chevy Volt:

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Woman Flattened By Own Van While Fleeing Police

    Given the frequency with which police chases are aired on television, it is a bit of a surprise that Baker County, Florida senior citizen Mary B. Davis didn't know the proper way to bail out of a vehicle. Maybe she was upset that her son had been arrested after a domestic dispute call. Maybe it was because she was 63. Maybe it was the van she was driving. Whatever the reason, the local Sheriff claims that the woman was threatening locals after her son's arrest and rather then risk arrest herself

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: Lee Corso Edition

    Those who enjoy college football, a.k.a. those people who didn't go to some small music college in rural Iowa, have a special relationship with ESPN's college football analyst Lee Corso. Why? He wears comically ugly ties. He likes to wear mascot helmets. There's a rumor that he's a penis. But more than anything, he has a bad habit of claiming, in various arenas, that both teams will win. This way, he's never wrong but never quite right. In that spirit, the Chevy Volt reveal has the Commentariat

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    PCH, V8 Imports You Should Totally Run At LeMons Edition: Porsche 928 Or Lexus LS400?

    Not very shockingly, the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL beat up on the Pontiac Bonneville in our 6.9 Liters Of Misery Choose Your Eternity poll on Friday, no doubt because voters were counting camshafts or dollars in the original purchase price or something. Today we're going to have the traditional post-24 Hours Of LeMons PCH, only instead of letting you choose between the cars that finished #1 and #2 (in this case, a Supra and a Jetta) we're going to choose between two cars we really, really want to see

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    The Top 52 Lemons Of The 24 Hours Of LeMons Detroit-Ish

    We're still in 24 Hours of LeMons racing season, and that means it's time to show the top finishers in the most recent race: LeMons Detroit-ish, aka LeMons Toledo! In fact, we've got shots of all the cars that managed at least one lap in Toledo last weekend (which featured more Crown Victorias than a typical police chase). When you're done here, be sure to check out the top cars from other LeMons events, including LeMons New England '08, LeMons South '08, LeMons SF '08, LeMons Arse-Freeze-A-Pa-L

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    2009 Acura TL Priced At $34,995

    Fancy a bit of buck-toothed big Acura style? The 2009 Acura TL starts at $34,995. That will buy you a 3.5-Liter V6 and an automatic transmission (a manual is coming next year). Speed freaks will want to spend up to the $38,505 Super Handling All Wheel Drive-equipped model with the 3.7-liter, 305 HP V6 (the most powerful Acura ever). The truly committed can plump for the $43,235 TL SH-AWD with 19-inch wheels, summer performance tires and Technology Package. None of those prices include the $760 d

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Transformers 2: Megatron Really A Tank?

    Adding a smidgen of confirmation to rumors that Megatron will be a tank in next summer's Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is this image of a villainous bot with tank treads. While it may just be a concept for a possible design, it definitely looks capable of some serious robo-butt-kicking. The Corvette Centennial had better watch its back. [via seibertron]

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    We Hit The Slovenian (And Croatian) Jackpot: 12 Vehicles Down On The Adriatic Street

    Located just south of Austria and in the northern portion of what was once Yugoslavia, Slovenia is an ideal place to find street-parked cars from all over Europe, East and West, not to mention the occasional Detroit truck. Nicjasno, the guy who brought us the rescued Slovenian Peugeot 504, is back with a vast collection of photos from his part of the world. Make the jump for over 100 photos and Nicjasno's descriptions. Car: Jaguar XKC-140 Location: Piran - Slovenia - Europe Description: This c

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    British Driving Test Now Judges Eco-Friendly Motoring Aptitude

    The nanny state has added one more criteria to their driver licensing tests: Eco-friendly driving skills. The Telegraph reports that the new testing is being implemented to comply with EU regulations, with government officials stating that motorists practicing the eco-friendly driving techniques could see savings of up to a month's worth of fuel over the course of a year. Basically, it's the same thing our automakers are promoting with the help of Ah-nold, except ours isn't mandated or federally

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    The Chevy Volt Won't Save GM, But The Chevy Cruze Might

    If you're a GM fan-boy, you're probably a pretty happy camper this week. GM's celebrating its centennial and you've seen the live reveals of both the upcoming Chevy Cruze, the 40 MPG+ econobox you can't ignore yesterday, and today, the Chevy Volt, GM's resuscitation of the electric car. One of these two will save GM, the other will not. If you can't tell from the headline, let's make it clear again: Keep your fancy-pants electric cars, GM — you won't be saved by the Chevy Volt. No, instead, it's

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Australian Teen Crashes SUV Into Tree, Repeatedly, Attempting To Dislodge Koala

    Proving that the best intentions aren't always matched with the best actions, 19-year-old Brett Seabrook of Victoria, Australia attempted to help a koala he thought was injured by repeatedly ramming its tree with his Toyota Landcruiser. Apparently the incident began when the Aussie teen found the koala at his campsite and wrapped it in a blanket — which is sort of a nice way of saying he abducted it. After hanging out with the koala for a while, he released it into a tree. That's when the koala

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Gas Lines Forming In Houston After Ike, Prius Drivers No Longer Target Of Ridicule

    Now that Hurricane Ike has passed, the Houston area is grappling with few working gas stations and many people wanting to drive. As the energy capital of the U.S., it's a strange site to see police guarding gas stations and lines crawling down the street and running through parking lots and neighborhoods. Though there's been some anger and violence at unsupervised stations, most of what we've seen has been orderly. The cause of this? First, there's a sudden demand for gas caused by generators an

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Chevy Volt, Honda Insight Or Toyota Prius?

    With today's reveal of the Chevy Volt we can finally compare the three main fuel-efficient vehicles that will fight to the death for hybrid market share. In the silver trunks you've got the 2011 Chevy Volt from Michigan, weighing in at $40,000. A featherweight at $18,500, in the light silver trunks there's the 2009 Honda Insight. Finally, in the third corner, sporting the edgy red metallic trunks and weighing in at $22,000 is the reigning champion, the Toyota Prius. Which one has boxed its way i

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Production Chevy Volt Press Photos Revealed, Now Without Engineers!

    You saw the live shots of the Chevy Volt already, but now here it is, folks: the long-awaited Chevy Volt press photos — without engineers covering up all the important bits of the car. As we've already said, the plug-in hybrid should achieve a 40-mile all-electric range, after which point a 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder will be doing the electricity-generating duties. Just don't call the gasoline mill an engine: In Volt parlance it's a "range extender." More importantly, a full charge on the ba

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    BMW Launches Up-Armored 5-Series Security

    Struggling to find new ways to add weight to its product line, BMW has released an armored version of the 5-series. The 5-Series Security adds only 551 LB to a regular 550i or 530i, while making the most of high-tech materials to ensure complete safety for its occupants. Like the BMW X5 Security, this vehicle can withstand projectiles up to a .44 Magnum. With the extensive use of Kevlar mats in the doors, roof and floor, steel plates in particularly vulnerable areas and 22mm glass-and-plastic se

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    1963 Chevrolet Bel Air

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Today we're going to take a look at a car that was once everywhere, selling in numbers so vast that Ford and Chrysler execs could only shake their heads in envy. Yes, the early-60s full-sized Chevy… and where are they now? Well, the nice ones are mostly locked away in garages and get trailered to car shows, cruise nights, and lowrider events. The beaters mo

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Chevy Orlando Concept Re-Revealed On-Screen Ahead Of Paris

    We know Chevy probably will beat us over the head with how family-friendly and roomy the Chevy Orlando concept is as its shroud drops at the Paris Motor Show, but naming it after the kid-centric megabux epicenter of Disney just seems a bit extreme. The seven passenger minivan "multi-purpose vehicle with distinctive sport utility-like design" is based on the same platform the 2010 Chevy Cruze rides on and is powered by the same 2.0-liter turbodiesel we Yankees will never see. The press release, d

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    Commenter Of The Day: The End Edition

    Regardless of how you feel about the band, The Doors' opus "The End" has woven its way into the minds of millions through its haunting melody, obscure lyrics and the premature death of its author. Not too shabby for a simple tune about breaking up with a girlfriend. Said Jim Morrison about the song, "It started out as a simple good-bye song probably just to a girl, but I see how it could be a goodbye to a kind of childhood. I really don't know. I think it's sufficiently complex and universal in

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    Alfa Seller Makes Use Of Multiple-Choice Test To Weed Out Crybaby Buyers

    Craigslist sellers tend to leave themselves open to a lot of headaches caused by clueless buyers, particularly those who think they have what it takes to own an Italian sports car (or who think an Italian sports car can be used as daily transportation by a non-wrench/non-wealthy individual). I am reminded of a friend who, right out of high school and in her first-ever job, scraped together enough cash to buy her first-ever commuter car… a Fiat X-1/9! She's wised up since then (now drives a prime

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    Question Of The Day, Bonus Edition: Will GM Last Another Hundred Years?

    Today's the last day of GM's first hundred years. Will tomorrow be the first of the next hundred? GM is celebrating its centennial with a series of presentations down at the glass Tower 'o Power this week. We've got staff standing by to bring you the latest, but in the meantime, we wanted to ponder the bigger question surrounding this anniversary. Since GM wants to focus on its next century as much as its first, we wonder: Will GM will last another hundred years? Relentless competition, the dome

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    AAA Supports Teenagers Driving Alone, Because Billy's Just Too Damn Talkative

    The American Automobile Association of Michigan is on a quest to strengthen the state's graduated licensing laws by restricting the number of passengers who can ride with a teen driver. Statistics show that teens transporting passengers are more likely to be involved in an accident; according to Jack Peet, Community Safety Services manager for AAA Michigan, "When there are multiple passengers, the crash risk is 3 to 5 times greater." Of course, loss of life is tragic, but it's the money that get

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    Drunk Man Arrested For Having Sex With Chevy Blazer

    We've seen a lot of deviance associated with the sexualization of the automobile, whether it be dragons getting busy with cars to their own theme song, or British mechanics shagging tail pipes while dressed in ladies frillies. We've even told you how to make an SIU (Sexual Interface Unit). But until now, we've never actually seen anyone having sex with a car. Well, mark that one off the list, as this incredibly drunk bloke goes to town on the front end of a Chevy Blazer. We're not even sure what

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    Peugeot Sport Reveals 908 HDi FAP Hybrid

    Based on the race-proven 908 HDi LMP racer, the new Peugeot 908 HY adds electric power to the already potent mix in the form of an 80 HP gear-driven electric motor/generator that replaces the starter motor on the standard car. Juice is stored in 10 lithium-ion battery packs strategically placed in several locations to maximize weight distribution. Also squeezing out juice for the batteries is a KERS system that makes use of energy from the brakes. Altogether, the electric motor's 80 HP can be us

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    2010 Chevy Cruze Spotted In The Wild, Camo-Free

    Despite the Lordstown reveal of the all-foam 2010 Chevy Cruze, a real one was spotted in a parking lot wearing only a domino mask over the badge, as if nobody would notice. The Cruze has been overshadowed by the PR tour de force that is the Chevy Volt; that said, the 45 MPG Cruze is shaping up to be a very serious contender, and these are the first virtually camo-free images we've seen of the car out in the wild. Is it wrong we're actually excited about getting behind the wheel of what's essenti

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    1952 Dodge Pickup Truck

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. It's Truck Monday once again, and I've finally got a really old non-General Motors truck to show you- not that we don't love rattly old GMC and Chevy pickups with beer cans rattling around in the bed, of course, but we mustn't forget that The General had some competition back in the 1950s.

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    In Toledo, Team First Blood GMC Sonoma Takes People's Choice... And People's Curse!

    The People's Curse is a hallowed 24 Hours of LeMons tradition, in which the teams vote to destroy the car they hate the most. Sometimes the Curse goes to a car suspected of blowing past the $500 spending limit (e.g., this BMW 740), sometimes it goes to a car driven too aggressively (e.g., this BMW E30), and sometimes it goes to a car for perceived cheating and aggro driving (e.g., this Mazda 626). We've even seen a car get the Curse for being too slow! But we've never, ever seen a car that gets

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    Innovations In The 24 Hours Of LeMons Judicial System: The Sarah Palin Penalty!

    You think Sarah Palin might have imagined, back in her Mustang Grande days, that one day there would be a racing penalty named after her? Strange the way one's life can take such twists and turns, eh? So, the way the Sarah Palin punishment works: First, the miscreant must don a camouflage mask, put on lipstick, and pick up a toy rifle. Next, raccoon urine is sprayed all over him or her (yes, really!). While carrying a baby doll, the miscreant must then find a stuffed bear hidden somewhere in the

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    "Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen" Trailer Will Force Us To See Star Trek

    Despite our desire to never again see a Start Trek movie that doesn't star Ricardo Montalbán, it looks like we'll be going to see the new J.J. Abrams vision for the franchise when it hits theaters next May as Aint It Cool News is reporting the full trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will be hitched to it. But, we're also hearing we should expect the teaser trailer for next summer's blockbuster that's the sequel to last summer's blockbuster and is also the prequel for the blockbuster

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    PCH, 6.9 Liters Of Misery Edition: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL Or 1966 Pontiac Catalina?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! The spirit of the Madman couldn't push the '53 Muntz Jet over the 16 Peugeots in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity challenge, although the Jet did give the Instant French Junkyard a good run for their money. Today we're going with a new concept: two very different cars with very similar engine displacements. Yes, it's Detroit versus Stuttgart, with the super-sophisticat

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    Moller Planning Flying Ferrari 599 GTB For Russian Businessman

    We love flying cars, and apparently so does a Russian businessman who contracted Moller to design a flying car based on the Ferrari 599 GTB. Moller is the leading authority on flying "cars", but as far as we can tell this is the first time they're seriously designing a flying machine based on an existing automobile. They call it the Autovolanter — catchy eh? To catch you up on their previous creations, there's the Moller M200 flying saucer, and the M400 Sky Car which has graced the covers of man

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    How To Make A Deer Stand From A Travel Trailer

    Let's say your 20-foot Prowler travel trailer has reached the end of its useful life on the road and you're unsure what to do with it. You also happen to be in dire need of more commodious accommodations from which to hunt the fauna of your choice. You're in luck friend, as we've discovered the perfect way to solve both problems at once — the elevated trailer deer stand. Like the Gods upon the mountaintop...er, telephone pole, this bedecked trailer looks down upon its surroundings as its creator

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    Jaguar E Type, Custom Van Coexist Peacefully Down On The NYC Street

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. We're heading back to New York City, where Dolo54 shot this interesting pair of vehicles for us a couple months back. Yes, a vintage XKE and a jaw-dropping van that rivals even the Spinellimobile for the world-record Custom Van Awesome-O-Meter™ reading. Make the jump to see all the photos and read Dolo54's description. Thought I'd send you these p

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    Lotus Celebrates 60 Years Of Simple, Lightweight Cars With A Diamond-Trimmed Lotus Europa

    It's been 60 years of Lotus, and in that time the British cottage automaker has produced a bevy of light, tossable cars that capture the essence of spirited driving. For that reason, we'll give them a bit of a break with their Diamond Lotus Europa. That's right, this is a fully-loaded Europa with leather stripped off the most aristocratic cows in England...and diamonds. Oh the diamonds. The gear knob, steering wheel and other surfaces feature jewels set in cool matte black metal (they call it "m

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    Michigan Woman's Mustang Becomes Real KITT

    Just in time for the September 24th premier of NBC's new Knight Rider show, the local NBC news affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan has found a great way to shamelessly promote the show a woman claiming that her recently sold Mustang GT was bought to be turned into a real-life example of KITT for the show. Deb Fralick had to sell her beloved Ford Mustang GT for $19,000 after faced with bills from a life-threatening illness and several visits to the Mayo Clinic. We're not exactly sure how much tim

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    What's The Worst Weather You've Ever Driven Through?

    So yeah, there's a hurricane coming. No biggie. The windows are almost all boarded up, we've got beer, we've got food, we've got scrabble and, more importantly, we've got the cars in the garage. If we had a press vehicle, we'd maybe consider taking a leisurely trip out into the storm, but driving in a non-press vehicle over a power line is a fate worse than death — though death is certainly involved. Even if we went out into the hurricane, it might not be the worst weather we've driven through.

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    AC Schnitzer Digital Shift Knob Is Happy To See You

    AC Schnitzer has announced the availability of a new shift knob with a digital gear readout, available for all BMW and Mini models. We're announcing this knob's got a certain phallic sensibility. Aside from the obvious nonsense of a digital readout on a shifter which only your palm can see, something about the shape of the shifter here gives the knob a certain "Enzytic" sense of length-enhancement when gears at the front of the gate are selected. Or maybe Freud would just have a field day with u

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    Fiat Fiorino Qubo Concept Revealed Ahead Of Paris Debut

    Described as a "free space" vehicle, the Fiat Fiorino Qubo has broken cover ahead of its stage debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. Marketing spin aside, the little Fiat is a five-passenger MPV aimed at young city-dwellers, with features geared more toward practicality and activity than comfort and luxury — think Honda Element or Scion xB. Priced at the equivalent of $18,200, the Qubo is offered with either a 75 HP "Multijet" engine or a 73 HP "Petrol Driven" engine, and you can shift via 5

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    1974 Chevrolet Nova

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Today's car is a model that you'd expect to find on the island in large numbers, given the sheer quantities sold, but that's not the case. In fact, this is only the fifth Chevy Nova (we've had a '63, a '70, a '74, and a '77 so far) in this series. Why so many more Dodge Darts then Chevy Novas? I think the answer lies partly in the incredible durability of t

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    Torque Meter Toast For Production Chevy Camaro Gauge Cluster

    One of the more intriguing features of the concept version of the new Chevy Camaro's interior was the "torque meter" on the four-gauge instrument cluster. Unfortunately, according to Popular Mechanics and now confirmed in a photo taken by Xeper, a forum fan-boy over at GMInsideNews, it's a feature that won't be making it from concept to 2010 Chevy Camaro production accessory. Popular Mechanics' Ben Stewart made the claim first in his review of the pre-production Camaro concept last month:

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    Commenter Of The Day: Run For The Hills Edition

    Some of you may have noticed that yours truly has recently moved to Houston, which is target Numero Uno for this Ike fellow, who I assume is of Latin descent... though he could also be Assyrian. I've never been good with names. Either way, I've had the chance to grab some beer, canned tuna and follow my own How To Escape A Hurricane By Car advice and relocate further inland. I'll be cool and, should internet and power access provide, I'll be posting. If you're in the path of this storm, be smart

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    Entire 2009 Saab 9-3 Lineup Gets XWD, Non-XWD Model To Start At $28,835

    We knew it was on the way, but the Cross-Wheel-Drive system which debuted on the 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X has been made available across the rest of the 9-3 lineup for 2009. The Haldex-sourced system provides on-demand all-wheel drive which can be shifted to the wheel with the greatest grip on the fly. XWD equipped cars start at $34,870 for a 9-3 2.0T XWD Sport Sedan to a starting price on the 9-3 Aero V6T XWD SportCombi of $43,165. Also of note: The Saab 9-5, which is short for this world thanks t

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    James May Disagrees With Telegraph Readers, Says '49 Triumph Mayflower Is Ugliest Car Ever

    The readers of Britain's Telegraph decided that the Pontiac Aztek was the king of their 100 Ugliest Cars Of All Time list, but James May disagrees. In fact, his pick for the Ugliest Car Ever wasn't even on the list! Meet the 1949 Triumph Mayflower, about which Mr. May states: "Its details are ugly, its overall proportions are ugly, its very concept - as a car to appeal to Americans who believed they were directly descended from the Pilgrim Fathers - makes one shudder." [Telegraph.co.uk]

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    Tesla Finalizes Single-Speed Transmission, Ups Output, Range

    The thorn in Tesla's side, the troubled single-speed transmission for its all-electric Tesla Roadster, has finally been approved for production, and with it comes an announcement of more power and better range. After durability problems with the original single-speed transmission, Telsa was forced to used a two-speed cog swapper for production. But now, after re-sourcing the business to transmission mega-star Borg Warner, the redesigned single-speed is ready to go and offers big benefits. Beca

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    2010 Ford Taurus: The Cover-Up Continues

    Despite the cat already being out of the bag on the new 2010 Ford Taurus, Ford's furiously trying to shove it back in, covering up the new Ford Taurus in all sorts of anti-spy camouflage. And though the sedan is covered and padded to the extreme there's still a lot to learn from these photos. The front bumper appears to have more detail than the previously snapped Taurus, suggesting that wasn't a final product. There's also a tester running around with dual exhausts, which could mean EcoBoost, o

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    UC Berkeley Researchers Create Bus That Steers Itself, Solving All Transit Problems

    A group led by researchers at UC Berkeley have successfully tested and developed a bus that steers itself using magnets built into the road. While the driver still controls the acceleration and braking, and can take over steering, a computerized system is responsible for the direction of the bus. As simple as it sounds, this development could have a large and positive impact on transit in the future. In stand-alone form, the system will help guide the bus within a centimeter of the curb accurate

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    Circle Of Automotive Life Nearly Complete: DOTS '67 Cougar Now In Junkyard

    Remember the 1967 Mercury Cougar we saw down on the Alameda street, just a little over a week ago? Well, I was shopping for some race-car pieces at an Oakland self-service junkyard yesterday when I spotted a primer-black Cougar that looked very familiar. Yes, just weeks after this 41-year-old car had been holding the Mercury flag high, that mean ol' tow truck hauled it away (I took the photographs in late July). I suspect the car was bought by the owner of the beater '68 Mustang as a parts car a

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    Rapid Fire Louie Like Rambo Got Bullets: Team First Blood Prepares To Rescue Forgotten POWS In Toledo

    Get ready for another 24 Hours of LeMons weekend, folks, because the Detroit(ish) race is coming up this Saturday! The Toledo race may be the most punishing of all the LeMons events, because it's the only one that literally runs for 24 straight hours. Last year's Detroit People's Choice winners- who work as designers for The General when they're not building cheap race cars- have upped the ante this time around, by building a truly astounding deuce-and-a-half out of a '91 GMC Sonoma. Yes, you re

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    Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION To Debut At Paris, Preview New E-Class

    Is the Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION, set to debut at the Paris Motor Show, a concept version of a car we're not going to get? Let's run down the list: German? Check. Shooting brake? Check. Diesel-powered? Check? Stupid name? Check. Yes, this fanciful look at a two-door wagon is but a wild way of previewing the lines of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and teasing hatch fans everywhere, though we hope we're wrong. Powered by the same small diesel mill found in the Mercedes C250 CDI BlueEFFICIEN

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    2009 Renault Symbol Has "Plenty Of Arguments In Its Favour To Win Over Families"

    "The lines of this three-box saloon... suggest refinement and elegance. Its status-enhancing front-end looks are underpinned by the design of the headlamps and the specific grille which is picked out in chrome." And so it goes. The biggest question we have about the 2009 Renault Symbol is, 'Did the Renault PR team even look at the car before they wrote the press release?' The answer is an obvious no, as the new Symbol appears to have finally beaten out the original Toyota Prius as the ugliest th

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    Honda City Not Coming Here, Officially Launched In Thailand

    Honda launched its latest generation of the City subcompact in Thailand yesterday, a fitting locale considering Bangkok is about as close as it's going to get to our shores. The attractive little sedan is priced at the equivalent of about $15,000 and gets power from a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, sending it to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Gas mileage is expected to be top notch, but we're wondering about that front grille. Did Ford export some Dave to Southeast Asia? Full pr

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    1965 Ford Mustang GT

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. We saw an Alameda Mustang just a couple of days ago, but I'm making the rules here and I say there's no reason we can't have a two-Mustang week! I found this '65 parked on the same block as the '78 Datsun 280Z, the 1986 Toyota Corolla GT-S and the 1960 Cadillac. Alameda has plenty of first-generation Mustangs and I haven't been in any hurry to shoot all of

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Chrysler Planning To Bring Nine New Vehicles To Market By 2010

    Concerns about Chrysler's lack of upcoming product are unfounded, reports the Detroit Free Press. Chrysler President and Vice Chairman Jim Press has promised at least seven new models for 2010, with as many as nine possible during a period he called Chrysler's upcoming "product renaissance." So how come Chrysler's new lineup has been kept such a secret? "We don't have enough money for a PR stunt. All we have is enough money to build a car that we can sell," Press said during a San Francisco spee

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    NFL Turns To Armored Cars To Protect Players

    According to Jason Forston, Executive VP of marketing and sales at Texas Armoring Corporation, NFL security has been in talks with his company for the purpose of building armored cars in bulk for players. Following the shooting of Jacksonville Jaguars' Richard Collier last week, no doubt agent-driven interest in armored cars for NFL players has spiked, with Texas Armoring gettin' much of the spotlight. Their products feature all the gadgets a junior James Bond could want in a ballistically pro

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    PCH, Sochaux Versus LA Edition: Madman Muntz Jet Or 16 Diesel Peugeots?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! We had a couple of 2-fer-1 Hell Project deals go toe-to-toe on Monday, and the Nash/Hudson combo triumphed over the pair of '57 Cadillacs by a 2-to-1 margin in the poll. Aren't multiple-car projects fun? Sure they are! And what's more fun than two projects dripping oil in your yard? Sixteen projects, of course… unless you're the type who prefers the challenge of a sing

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    Mercedes C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Shows Off Next-Generation Benz Diesels

    Mercedes has announced a new C-Class car with its next-generation four-cylinder diesel mill, uniquely titled "BlueEFFICIENCY." While we're not sure about the name, the specs are certainly impressive: Mercedes claims 204 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque from the 2.2-liter four, while returning a combined 45 MPG and meeting EU5 emissions standards in C-Class Prime form. Mercedes claims the BlueEFFICIENCY engine will replace four separate diesels at the company, and be offered in the E-Class, the new GLK

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    A Perfect AMX, A 390 Rambler Rogue, And Other Fun Stuff Down On The Golden Street

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Last weekend I was in Denver again, and I ended up on the streets of Golden for the Golden Super Cruise. It was early evening and I didn't have my good camera, so I figured I only had time to shoot a few cars before l ran out of light. We've all seen nine million Camaros and Chargers and deuce coupes, so I figured I could skip that stuff. "I'll jus

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    Mini Off-Road Crossover Concept Includes Laser-Projected 3D In-Car Entertainment Globe

    The off-road Mini Crossover Concept may be small on the outside, but on the inside there's a giant 3D globe that utilizes laser technology to integrate all of the car's entertainment, communication and navigational features into a touchscreen interface. The globe splits into hemispheres allowing the driver to check out a map while a passengers surfs the web. Intense laser projection displays information, in both text and graphic form, at multiple layers within the globe. The driver can either in

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    2010 Ford Mustang Interior Revealed; Shows Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary Changes

    After getting a clearer look at the 2010 Ford Mustang GT500 yesterday, we just got these perfect spy shots in from the folks at KGP laying out the interior changes for the 2010 Ford Mustang. If you're having a hard time identifying the differences, don't be shocked, as they're subtle and evolutionary over the outgoing 2009 model. Given the rubber steering wheel, we're assuming this interior belongs to the base V6 model, but changes like the revised center stack, cleaned up emergency brake lever,

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Stuntman Becomes Human Torch, Tries Out New Uvex Racing Suit

    Stuntman Lutz Duda (with a name like Lutz, he's got to be a badass) provided a demonstration of the protective capabilities built in to the Uvex RS3 fire suit. How? He built a raging fire, put on the RS3 and then sat down in the middle of the fire. At half the weight of the average fire suit, the RS3 meets FIA requirements for protection from 850 degree temps for 35 seconds while allowing for weight in other areas of the race car. We don't know what exactly Duda said ahead of this stunt, but we

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Renault Ondelios Concept Sets Gullwing Doors Into Attack Mode Ahead Of Paris

    Renault describes its new gullwing-door Ondelios Concept as an "environmentally friendly high-end crossover." The Ondelios is certainly high-end, with smart technologies to help drivers settle in at the wheel; for example, the included Samsung cell phone, which also acts as a hands-free door lock, recognizes the driver and loads all his or her personal settings, such as seat-adjustment settings and favorite music. On the environmental side, the Ondelios gets a hybrid powerplant combining a more

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    1961 Plymouth Valiant V-200

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Today we're returning to a block that's given us quite a few DOTS favorites, including the '46 Chevy truck, the Fieroborghini, and the '62 Corvair van. Just around the corner are a couple more: the '87 560SL and the '65 Thunderbird. I see this Valiant all over town, and it's obviously its owner's primary means of transportation. You can't say that about mos

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    Toyota Launches UK Trials Of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

    Toyota, teaming up with EDF Energy, begins road trials today of the first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the UK. The trials will give Toyota real-world driving test data on its PHEV, while EDF will get to test its public charging stations, 40 of which have already been installed throughout the country — as well as provide yet another marketing win for the automaker by making them the first major manufacturer to test plug-ins in the UK. Plug-in test cars will be given to EDF employees to drive in the

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Mini Reveals Crossover Concept, Takes Brand Off-Road For First Time

    BMW has released a series of sketches of their new Mini Crossover Concept, a tease of the 2011 Mini Crossman we're expecting from the brand. How much resemblance this bears to the Magna Steyr-built production model rumored to debut in 2010 is uncertain, but these sketches clearly point to a four-door, four-seat vehicle with all-wheel drive and a more athletic feel. Press release and more sketches below the jump.

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    Fun With Corvettes In Quebec And North Carolina!

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Today we've got a couple of modified Corvettes caught in motion by eagle-eyed readers, one in Quebec and the other in North Carolina. See, the problem with Corvettes is execrable build quality lack of interior space, and here we see two different approaches to solving that problem! Thanks to Seatbelt123 and RacerX for sending these in; make the jum

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    Commenter Of The Day: O'Henry Pun Off Edition

    Though residents of Austin, Texas sometimes go a bit far in their appreciation of their own weirdness, the annual O'Henry Pun-Off is a great example of what makes the Central Texas city unique and enjoyable. For more than 30 years the best pun-ters from around the world have met in Austin, one-time home to William Porter (a.k.a. O'Henry), to sling their best puns in order to be named the Punniest of them all. If you're in the area around May it is a must visit. Today's QOTD invited straight-forw

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    Mud Bog Jag XJS Sings Dixie With A British Accent

    Reader Brian spotted this classy Jaguar XJS-HE at a Wal-Mart in Ft. Pierce, Florida over the weekend, leaving us to ponder how something like this comes about. We're also somewhat surprised at how well the XJS body lends itself to jacked-up 4x4 duty — the proportions just seem to sort of work. But what's underneath that gorgeous British coachwork? Judging by the live axle and frame rails, we're pretty sure it's not a V12/Turbo 400 anymore. (Thanks Brian!)

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    2009 Renault Megane Officially Revealed

    Renault has released official pictures and information of the 2009 Renault Megane, set to debut at this year's Paris Motor Show, thus assuring that no more French car magazines will be shut down for publishing photos of the new hatch. The company plans to release six different versions of the Megane by 2010, including a range of environmentally friendly diesel options that come in below the 120g/km C02 mark. Press release below the jump.

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Mazda Develops Direct Injection Start-Stop, Claims 10% Fuel Economy Improvement

    Mazda has developed its own start-stop system capable of turning its cars’ engines off while they’re stationary, then quickly restarting them when it’s time to pull away. The Mazda system differs from that of rivals in that it leaves the pistons in a pre-combustion position, injecting fuel and igniting it to restart the engine rather than using the electric starter motor. This makes it both faster (.35 seconds to start) and smoother. Mazda claims that, in urban areas where frequent stops are mad

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    Italian Style With Hollywood Pedigree: 1966 Ghia 450SS Could Be Yours!

    If you're looking for a fast Italian machine from the 60s, you've got your Ferraris and Maseratis and such, and even your Intermeccanicas. Don't stop with those cars, though, because Ghia didn't just do coachwork for other manufacturers- they made a few cars themselves! This '66 450SS, once owned by Wilt Chamberlain, has had its original Chrysler 273 V8 replaced with a Chevy 350; that seems sacrilegious (though it was done by Boyd Coddington), but it's still a fast, beautiful car. The auction en

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    Report: Cadillac Escalade Likely Joining Enclave, Outlook, Traverse On Lambda Platform

    That bastion of bling second only to the Hummer H2, the Cadillac Escalade, is being downsized, according to a new report from the folks who forecast trends in motors. The next Escalade would likely be yanked from the current body-on-frame GMT900 platform and developed instead on the Lambda crossover platform that underpins the Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. A V8 engine is rumored to be required for any possible downsizing to happen, and Lambda is said to be able to

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    IIHS Suggests Driving Age Should Be Raised, Angering The Pimpled Masses

    Those buzzkills over at the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) have indicated that they think the driving age should be raised in order to prevent deaths. The group points to lower fatality rates among teens in New Jersey, a state which doesn't grant full licenses to drivers until they're 18, compared to states with lower ages. As we pointed out in our guide to teenage driving rules, licensing guidelines vary from state-to-state and can include a variety of measures. Simply notching u

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    Nissan Raises MSRP On GT-R By $7K, Base Model To Now Start At Almost $77K

    Apparently forged blocks of badass have jumped in price lately, because raw material costs are said to be behind a $7,000 price increase on the Nissan GT-R. With the bump, the base GT-R will now set you back $76,840, while the Premium runs $79,090; add another grand for destination and handling, along with whatever obscene markup your local Nissan dealer wants to throw in for himself. If you got your GT-R order in before September 5 you just saved yourself a bunch of scratch, as the new pricing

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    Volvo DRIVe Lineup Coming To Paris, Bringing 60 MPG-Plus Fuel Economy With It

    The Paris Motor Show will see the debut of Volvo's eco-friendly DRIVe models, the sub-120 g/km diesel variants of the C30, S40 and V50. Though lacking in any C02-spewing supercars, Volvo still has to meet mandatory European emissions standards and this new series features a number of clever and straight-forward ways to reduce 'em without utilizing exotic drivetrains. Drag is significantly reduced with the aerodynamic Libra rims, new underbody panels, the addition of ducktail spoilers and a cover

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    Leaked Transformers Corvette Centennial Concept Toy Possibly Reveals Robot Mode

    Leaked photos of a clay mold for a cheap Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy of the Corvette Centennial Concept may be showing us the robot mode for a character we're told will be called either "Hot Rod" or "Stinger." So cheap in fact, it doesn’t actually transform, instead relying on a carved depiction on the underside to please the robot-loving kiddies. The interesting thing is the 2D robot’s design is nearly identical to the supposedly fan-made Stinger renderings that leaked last week, cl

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    New Nationwide Series Dodge Challenger Looking Muscular On Track, Unlike Rest Of Field

    We reported last year that the next battle in the Muscle Car Wars (patent still pending) might play out on the oval tracks of Nascar's Busch Series. We were only partially right, as testing of the Nationwide Series (formerly Busch Series Leagues) 2009 Car of Tomorrow began yesterday at Richmond International Raceway. Dodge showed up at the test with their new Dodge Challenger — with more than a mere sticker set for the headlights and grille. Thanks to NASCAR's decision to relax a-pillar-and-forw

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    1986 Ford Mustang SVO

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Though we've seen many of Alameda's first-generation Mustangs (a '65, a '66, another '66, a '68, a '69, and a '73) and even a Mustang II, the Fox Mustang hasn't been well represented here. In fact, we've only had this beater '86… until now. Yes, parked just a block or so from the '89 Ferrari Mondial T, here's a very nice example of the rare Mustang SVO.

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    Chevy Orlando Concept Unveiled Ahead Of Paris Motor Show

    Here are the first details and photos of the new Chevy Orlando concept MPV ahead of the official reveal at the Paris Motor Show next month. The Orlando, a seven-seat family vehicle based on the Cruze platform, drops it squarely into territory currently occupied here in the states by the Mazda5 and...not much else. The three rows of seating are arranged theater-style for better occupant visibility, and of course, they all fold flat for minivan-like cargo capacity. The photos show a sportier exter

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    2010 Ford Mustang In The Nude!

    These exclusive shots, coming by way of Jalopnik reader Rob, are the first to show the new 2010 Ford Mustang without the S&M leather cladding we've come to know and despise. Yes, finally the new Mustang has disrobed to show us some pretty leopard-skin body paint and oh yes, the look we're now seeing is exactly what we expected after we showed you those exclusive sketches a few months ago. But now we've decided to even strip away the body paint to show you an exclusive rendering of the 2010 Ford

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    Nine Generations Of Vauxhall Small Cars: From Viva To Chevette To Astra

    Along with teaser shots of the new Astra for Vauxhall and Opel came this shot displaying the first nine generations of the car — assuming you include the Vauxhall Viva and Chevette. It's an interesting walk down memory lane for a company that's manufactured an average of 100,000 cars a year in this sector since 1963.

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    PCH, 57 Varieties Of Hell Edition: Two 1957 Cadillacs Or 1957 Nash/Hudson Combo?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Last time around, the '69 AMC SC/Rambler grabbed a photo-finish 51-49 win over the '70 Chrysler 300 Hurst in the Choose Your Eternity poll. We're going to stick with good ol' American machinery today, but instead of picking one of two vintage musclecars, your choices will be 2-for-1 1957 package deals. These cars have been waiting for you for 51 years... waiting for a

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    New Opel Astra Teaser Images Appear, Blurrier Than A Sasquatch

    GM has released a set of vague sketches to tease those European brethren among us who are anxiously awaiting the launch of the new Astra, which we're not expecting until the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. The new hatch is set to draw inspiration from the 2009 Opel Insignia, which is probably the 2011 Saturn Aura and can be seen blocking the view of a blurry Astra. Whether or not this Astra becomes a new Saturn Astra in 2011 or 2012 is still unclear, with the possibility said to be very dependent upon

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    Las Vegas Hummer Dealer, One Of Largest In Country, Closes Doors

    The WSJ reports that Towbin Hummer is the only Hummer dealer in Las Vegas, and one of the brand's biggest franchises in the US — at least it will be until tomorrow, when the dealership shuts its doors for good. While Towbin will be just one of several Hummer dealerships to close this year, it's perhaps the most significant due to its location and place on the sales charts. After all, when you stake your claim on being the biggest and the baddest, and Vegas rejects you, you've probably hit the en

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    Vast Quantities Of Old Iron Down On The Toronto Street

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. We get to see quite a few interesting cars and trucks in Toronto, where they must use magical rust-free salt on the roads during wintertime, and today we've got a huge batch of good ones. In much the same way that a bicycle ride hipped Albert Hoffman to LSD, BMWer pedaled his way to vehicular enlightenment in his neighborhood. Jump away to see all

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    California Company Builds First Chevy Tahoe Hybrid Stretch Limo

    California-based LimeLite Coachworks has produced the first known hybrid SUV stretch limo, adding 160 inches to a 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. While we'd imagine that the hybrid Tahoe limo is mainly going to be used as a curiosity for limo services, LimeLite claims that the juiced Tahoe is actually still good for an 80% fuel economy increase over a standard Tahoe — not insignificant for a limo company trying to stretch its fuel budget. The Tahoe Hybrid can operate all standard limousine functions, i

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    What Car Should Matt Hardigree Buy Off Of Craigslist?

    There's nothing better than spending someone else's money. In that spirit, you have a chance to spend Associate Editor Matt Hardigree's money, since he's looking to buy something on the fun end of the equation to carry him through a couple years of driving before he has to become an adult. He's getting married soon so he's not planning to spend much money. By virtue of working here he doesn't have to drive his own car that often. Since it's Monday and you've given up on working, what should Matt

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    CItroen C3 Pluriel Charleston To Debut At Paris, Pay Homage To The 2CV

    Citroen will be introducing the Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston special edition at this year's Paris Motor Show, paying homage to a design theme that once graced the lovable 2CV. The two-tone black and Bordeaux red color scheme is the big draw here — and by "here" we mean only in France where they remember the older model. Instead of a special edition of the C3, we sort of wish they'd be debuting a new 2CV concept. C'est la vie. Press release and photos of a 2CV we spotted in Geneva below.

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    Federal Highway Trust Fund Could Run Dry This Month

    Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is warning that the Federal Highway Trust Fund could run out of money by the end of this month, reports the AP. The fund is facing an $8.3 billion shortfall in projected revenues, primarily due to high gas prices reducing the amount of fuel purchased by American consumers. The immediate impact would be a delay or reduction in payments for local road and bridge projects the government had agreed to partially fund, likely resulting in a delay or reduction in wo

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    Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion Diesel Claims 62 MPG Without Fancy Electric Motors

    The new Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion Diesel claims to return 62 MPG (US); in comparison, when measured using the same European combined cycle, the 2008 Toyota Prius gets 54 MPG. That's right: Using nothing but a thrifty diesel engine, low-rolling resistance tires, a revised gearbox and minor aerodynamic improvements, the non-hybrid diesel smacks the Prius around wholesale, making the Golf BlueMotion (blue stands for pee, by the way) a seriously impressive vehicle. But will you ever be able to buy

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    1932 Ford Model B Pickup

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. So far, we've seen mostly 1960s and 1970s vehicles in this series, but we've seen a couple of 1930s machines (a 1937 Cadillac and a 1939 Chevrolet). Today we've rolled the clock back to 1932, with a new Oldest Alameda DOTS Champion. That's right, I've managed to find a 76-year-old truck parked on the street!

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    Automakers To Hit Congress Hard This Month For Loans That Aren't A Bailout

    After a nasty summer of sliding sales and eroding market share, domestic automakers are planning to lobby the US Congress for $50 billion in low-interest government loans. The companies claim the money would allow them to modernize plants and develop new fuel-efficient vehicles; ordinarily, automakers would have tapped existing lines of credit for the required cash, but rising interest rates combined with debt ratings reduced to junk status have rendered their options severely limited. But, the

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    Aussie Man Builds Big-Block Batman Tumbler With Nitrous, Videotapes Entire Build Process

    Beginning in 2006, Aussie superhero Grant Hodgson started off with a dream, a dream of being the Batman, and he's been building a faithful replica of the Tumbler ever since. This time it comes with a build blog. Grant's version looks to be even closer to the real deal than the one built by Bob Dullam, featuring a 560 HP GM 454 CID V8, Turbo 400 automatic transmission, Argo V drive and a reinforced 35-spline Detroit Locker nine-inch rear end. The best part is that we get to watch it in action and

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Ekranoplan Landings, Terrifying Concept For Reusable Space Flight

    We have an occasional obsession with Soviet-era ekranoplans, the half-plane, half-hovercraft madness machines which take advantage of the ground effect, a phenomenon which provides for high lift at low altitudes. We've meandered across all manner of ekranoplan, from the massive Caspian Sea Monster to Luigi Colani's vision of an ekranoplanic future. But today we find out Ruskie planners once envisioned a future where space travel was enabled by ekranoplans. Propelling heft into space is much easi

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    GM Fires Next Salvo In PR Wars With "GM Facts And Fiction" Website

    General Motors, taking a page from the Bush administration's "Setting The Record Straight" communications, has gone live with a website called "GM Facts And Fiction" designed to directly address criticism levied against the company. A quick glance at the site, located at gmfactsandfiction.com, indicates that the main topic of PR concern for the General right now is whether they're asking for a government bailout or not. That's not all, though: The site doesn't pull punches, incorporating "myth"

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    Citroen Hypnos Hybrid Crossover Concept Channels FURTHUR

    With the Hypnos crossover concept, Citroën is trying to explore ways to “make technology more human and approachable.” And, while the 200 HP hybrid powertrain said to deliver 60+ MPG is certainly laudable, we’ve received unconfirmed reports of a rehab facility in the south of France that's taken in the entire Citroën Design Department. Of course, the Hypnos is just the latest in a long history of wacky concepts from the French automaker. Hit the jump for their official explanation of the Hypnos

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    Honda Insight Vs. Toyota Prius: Separated At Birth?

    It's hard not to think the new Honda Insight hybrid and the Toyota Prius look like kissing cousins. But, while both are five-door hatches sharing similar profiles, cut lines and green-tinged halos... they've got vastly different designs. Below the jump, we've detailed seven of the literally tens of differences between the two happy hybrids. And yes, we're even including the big "H" on the front of the 2010 Honda Insight.

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    BMW M-Division Working On New 8-Series

    As has been expected for some time, BMW is indeed working on a new 8-Series to sit atop the BMW range. Expected to look much like the CS Concept, the coupe-shaped sedan is now reportedly being developed by BMW's special M-division. After all, the 8-Series will be going up against the likes of the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. But don't expect to see it wearing the tri-color 'M' badge. In an interview with Drive.com.au, BMW M president Ludwig Willisch explained: "It's a car that doesn

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    New EPA Ruling Means Lawnmowers, Boat Engines Likely To Get Catalytic Converters

    The Detroit News reports on a major emissions-limiting ruling by the EPA Thursday that will affect recreational boats and outdoor power equipment with engines smaller than 25 HP. Small engines, such as those found on boats and lawnmowers, are essentially unregulated, making up as much as 25% of current yearly US CO emissions. The new ruling will require a significant reduction in that output, likely necessitating the use of catalytic converters and other pollution control devices. Boat engines w

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    Subaru Forester And Impreza Boxer Diesel Bringing 37 MPG To Paris Motor Show

    The Subaru Forester Diesel and Impreza Diesel are coming to next month’s Paris Motor Show equipped with the new Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel engine. The innovatively light and compact engine is capable of delivering 145 HP and a huge 258 lb-ft of torque while returning up to 37 MPG (combined) when paired with a 6-speed manual transmission in the Forester. Hmmm, a practical, capable crossover SUV that drives well and gets 37 MPG? Yes please. But will it come to the US? Maybe. Full details after the

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    Brabus B63 S Package Takes Mercedes C63 AMG To 530 HP

    It's Mercedes C63 AMG tuning season around these parts, as we now bring you the Brabus B63 S to complement yesterday's RENNtech version. So what hath the Brabus folks wrought? It's not quite RENNtech output, but by adding free-flow catalytic converters, high-flow air filters and tweaking the ECU with new ignition and injection maps, Brabus bumps the 6.2-liter V8 from 457 HP to 530 HP, sends torque from 442 to 479 lb-ft and gives you enough to propel the newly tuned beast to a top speed of 197 MP

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    1977 Ford Granada

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Given the incredible number of Ford Granadas sold to rental car companies American car buyers, you'd think we'd have seen quite a few of them in this series. Not so! We had a '77 Granada two-door last winter, and now we're on our second- also a '77 two-door. Ford was pretty unashamed about marketing these things as cut-rate Mercedes-Benz ripoffs, but it app

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    PCH, Murilee's Dream Musclecars Edition: 1969 AMC SC/Rambler Or 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! The air-conditioned Renault 12 won handily over the Peugeot 504 in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll. We're going to take a break from PCH Superpowers- don't worry, you'll see more of France, Britain, and Italy soon enough- and head on back to Detroit. Well, Detroit and Kenosha, because we're going to look at a pair of cars that definitely tempt me into making a so

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    RENNtech Mercedes-Benz 6.3 AMG, First Pictures And Details

    The horsepower brokers over at RENNtech have turned their wrenches to the already powerful Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG to create what they consider to be a fitting heir to the Mercedes 6.3, appropriate given the name and the fact that latest C-Class has grown nearly to the size of that ultimate sedan. In order to achieve proper Überness, they've released the 6.2 AMG V8 from the grips of unnecessary restriction and managed to squeeze out nearly 100 additional horsepower. The sleek sedan achieves up to

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    Chinese Valve Stem Warning Could Affect Everyone Who's Had Tires Replaced Since 2006

    Consumer Reports warns of a potential problem with as many as 30 million rubber replacement valve stems manufactured in China for NC-based Dill Air Control Products and sold after mid-2006. While a federal recall hasn't yet been issued, NHTSA has opened an investigation after a Florida man died following a blowout and flip allegedly caused by one of the defective valve stems. Yes, it was a Ford Explorer. So, how do you know if you have one of the millions of potentially deadly valve stems on you

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    In Cordoba, I Have What I Need: Soft Corinthian Leather... And DESTRUCTION!

    Is it possible to have too many Cordoba posts? Never! After winning the 24 Hours Of LeMons SF '08 in an Integra, placing fifth at the '07 Arse-Freeze-A-Pa-Looza LeMons in a Sentra SE-R, and taking on a 24 Hours Of Le Mans team in a soapbox derby championship race, Krider Racing is now channeling Ricardo Montalban and campaigning a '76 Chrysler Cordoba demolition derby car! They competed in the California State Demolition Derby Championship last month; make the jump to see all the photos and read

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Official Transformers 2 Behind-The-Scenes Video Shows Off Audi R8

    This official Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen behind-the-scenes video from Wal-Mart gives a closer look at the Audi R8 during the first day of shooting on the set. Also clearly visible is Michael Bay's massive douchebagitude. With all the hype surrounding the blatant product placement that is the Corvette Centennial Concept and the production-ready Chevy Volt we sometimes forget that the R8 is going to have some screen time too. Though it's not like Audi is showing off anything we haven't se

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    How To Escape A Hurricane By Car

    Evacuating from a hurricane involves more than just getting into your car and driving away from the coast. Of the estimated 120 deaths associated with Hurricane Rita, 107 of them were related to the mass vehicular evacuation rather than the storm itself. With hurricane watches being issued for the Mid-Atlantic and a major hurricane approaching the Bahamas, we thought it was a good time to review the proper steps an individual should take when evacuating from a storm in a motor vehicle.

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    Best South Park License Plate Ever

    Liba-low, liba-low, TIMMAY! Yes, this may be old by internet standards, but we still think its funny. Our hats are off to you, sir or madam, as you have struck comedic gold with your handicapped vanity plate. This could only be topped if the vehicle crashed into a similarly equipped "JIMMY"-plated car. [DirtGetsWet]

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    '64 Caddog Triumphs- Relatively Speaking- Over Massachusetts Rust

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. We love old Cadillacs, of course, and we love them best of all when they're defying the odds and surviving on the street in The Rusty States Of America. Ironclad Lou shot this mean-looking Caddy in Quincy "City of Presidents" Massachusetts. Jump away for more! Greetings, Murilee. I email you from the great commonwealth of Massachusetts. To be more

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Mazda Kiyora Concept To Debut At Paris Motor Show; More Nagare Styling, Anyone?

    Not content to debut just the freshly face-lifted 2009 Mazda MX-5 at the Paris Motor Show, Mazda will also be showing off it's latest iteration of the Nagare design language via the Mazda Kiyora Concept. The "urban compact concept car" features not just the swoopy design style, but also a four-cylinder direct-injection engine capable of stop-start operation and a new conceptual platform designed for optimized safety and driving dynamics. In addition to the MX-5 and the Kiyora, we'll get our firs

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    New Honda Insight Hybrid Revealed, Expected $18,500 Price Tag To Make It World's Cheapest

    Honda pulled a fast one on us and gave its new Prius-killer a crazy dusted-off name — the 2010 Honda Insight. While certainly not creative, the intent behind this vehicle is. At an expected price tag of $18,500, the new Honda Insight is expected to compete at a much lower price point than any other hybrid on the market. Although it's only a "concept" version, we're told we should expect the final version to show off more than 90% of the same looks as the one pictured here. We'll find out for s

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    GM: Chevy Volt Spotted On Transformers 2 Set Is Not Final Production Model

    The video and images of a Chevy Volt on the set of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen showed a car very similar to the Volt that GM has been lifting the skirt on. But now GM is saying the dark-blue car is "not the final version at this stage." GM spokesman Rob Peterson told Inside Line that it is "representative of the production vehicle," which makes sense as we've now learned that this prop is just a re-bodied Malibu. Though it should be noted that he wasn't even aware the car was out in Cali

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    Suzuki Kizashi Engine Details Leaked By Enthusiastic Aussie Importer

    The upcoming 2010 Suzuki Kizashi sedan, based on the 2008 Suzuki Kizashi 3 show car, will be available with at least two Suzuki-developed engines: A 2.4-liter four cylinder for the entry-level Kizashi and a V6 displacing around 3.6 liters for the up-level model. The Kizashi is making its way through the development cycle at the littlest Japanese automaker that couldn't, but an excited Australian importer got a little loose with his words, revealing the engine lineup, along with some additional i

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    1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Today we're going to look at one of the many reasons that Cadillac has had to struggle so mightily to build a coherent brand image- ideally, one that attracts buyers who might otherwise buy European machinery- in the Post Malaise Era: the 1984 Eldorado Biarritz. These cars weren't built for the long haul, but The General built them in sufficient numbers tha

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    Toyota Dealer Takes Deposits For Plug-In Prius That Doesn't Exist; Toyota Applauds Their "Excitement"

    According to Toyota's Open Road blog, Magnussen’s Toyota in Palo Alto, California was "doing what Toyota encourages its dealers to do:" Take customers' money. The Silicon Valley dealership had apparently been deluged with requests for a plug-in Prius hybrid; knowing Toyota was working on such a vehicle, Magnussen's decided to take "deposits" for plug-in Prii, despite the fact that Toyota had not yet announced any timetable for retail sales. Irv Miller, Toyota VP of Corporate Communications, then

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    PCH, Who's Afraid Of Cheap French Cars Edition: Peugeot 504 Or Renault 12?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Yesterday we learned that 58% of Jalopnik readers prefer a Cadillac Allanté to a Chrysler TC By Maseratii, and we'd love to keep the run of crypto-Italian cars going. However, we're taking a break from PCH Superpower Italy to return to our old Hell Project friends, the French. You can talk all day about getting a Matra or an Alpine, but some of you seem to think your s

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Arash AF10 Itching To Enter Production

    Back in 2006, Arash Farboud was snubbed by Ferrari when he requested a shiny new Enzo. Apparently they didn't feel the inherited fortune made in pharmaceuticals was enough to make him Ferrari material. Undaunted, Arash decided to pull a Deuce-move and thumbed his nose at Ferrari, building his own supercar. He pulled together the Farbio GTS as a proof of concept, and for the British Motor Show unveiled a concept car called the Arash AF10, a carbon fiber, Corvette-powered Enzo killer. Since then,

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    GM August Sales Down 20.7% From August 2007; Still Best Sales Month In 2008

    General Motors is reporting total August 2008 sales down 20.7% from August 2007; the report had a silver lining, however, as August marked the best month for GM sales in 2008 largely due to the popular Employee Pricing for Everyone sale the automaker has been running since Aug. 20. That sale has since been extended through September 30 and expanded to include some 2009 models. Car sales rose at Chevrolet, Cadillac and Pontiac, while GM also reported a 29% increase in sales of its Lambda-based cr

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    Lutz Calls For Three-Year NHTSA Crash Testing Moratorium

    In a conversation with WardsAuto.com, GM vice-chairman and product czar Bob Lutz stated his desire for at least a three-year suspension of US frontal and side-impact crash testing standards. Said Lutz, “In Europe, the crash-test procedures are different than in the U.S., so the tests are different. If our government says cars that meet crash tests in other countries are good enough to be sold here, we would have more high-mileage, small-car flexibility.” In other words, Lutz isn't calling for th

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    Volvo Claims V70 Police Package First Turn-Key Police Car

    Volvo announced this week that they are going to start production of a version of their V70 wagon pre-fitted for service in the British Police Force. The company claims the "turn-key" police car will be the first offered, at least in Britain. Typically, police vehicles must be custom painted and outfitted before seeing service. This was true for our Charger Police Car which lacked almost every amenity. The hot-looking V70 comes painted and equipped with a lightbar, radio prep/wiring, larger brak

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    Toyota August Sales Down 9.4%, Lexus Off 9.1%

    Toyota is reporting total US sales were down 9.4% for August 2008 as compared to the same period a year earlier. Trucks led the decline with a drop of 17.6%, though Toyota cars also declined 3.4%. Bright spots for Toyota included the Yaris subcompact, which was up 20.5%, and, inexplicably, the huge Sequoia SUV, which was up 86.1% from August 2007. And, for those of you counting, total Toyota hybrid sales for August 2008 (including Lexus hybrids) came in at 19,529 units, more than 13,000 of which

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    HKS Tunes 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

    Even though no media outlets have yet driven the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, that hasn’t stopped the company from handing them out to every tuner in the western hemisphere. The latest to get their grubby, carbon-stained hands on the Coupe is HKS, known for sticking big turbos in little cars — which is exactly the approach they took with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. No performance numbers have been revealed yet, but expect HKS to unveil a range of Genesis performance upgrades, along with the boobs

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    New Transformers 2 Video Captures Chevy Volt, Corvette Centennial Concept, Fanboy Commentary

    This new video may not be the clearest shot we've seen of the 2010 Chevy Volt, Corvette Centennial Concept, or any of the other GM product-placement-bots on the set of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen, but what it does bring to the table is behind-the-scenes commentary from real fanboys. The Transformers geeks inform us that Bumblebee, also known as "that muthafuka riiight there," is "the shiiit." You just can't get this kind of insight anywhere else. [via Transformers.MovieChronicles]

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    Ford Reports 26% Sales Decline In August, SUVs Down 53%

    Ford is reporting August US sales of its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands are down 26% over the same period a year earlier, mainly due to continuing weakness in truck and SUV sales. While trucks are off 39%, the really breathtaking number is the 53% decline in SUV sales — despite the fact that Ford is touting a 17% rise in Escape deliveries. Focus sales were also up 23%, and the folks in Dearborn say that part of the sales decline is due to a 31% decrease in deliveries to fleet customers; genera

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    Welcome To Africa, Where Peugeots Never Die!

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Remember that '73 Porsche 911 Carrera RS in England that Battles shot for us a while back? No longer content with the cars parked down on the West Oxfordshire street, he's gone to North Africa- Tunisia, to be exact- and found some great survivor Peugeots (and one each bonus Renault and Skoda) for our enjoyment. Make the jump for the rest of the Dow

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Ford Vehicles Star In Movies, Just Not Like Reese's Pieces

    The boys over at the blue oval are beating their chests after a successful summer of blockbuster product placements. But, we can’t help but detect a bit of desperation in their release. After all, if the product placements, which they undoubtedly paid big bucks for, had been successful, would they really have felt the need to remind us of them? Ford starts by explaining the basic premise of product placement, “Think of what the 1982 film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, did for Reese’s pieces.” But

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    America's 10 Most Confusing Traffic Signs

    The creation of safe and legible road signs is an art, but the 10 traffic guideposts below demonstrate not all sign makers are Michelangelo. Whether because of confusing symbols, contradictory instructions or an excess of information, these signs obfuscate more than help the driver. Most of these signs are the creation of local and state governments that seem to lack the time or sophistication to make clear ones. Although these are the 10 most confusing traffic signs we could find, feel free to

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    What's The Ultimate Hurricane Survival Vehicle?

    It's been an active tropical season with Hanna, Ike and Josephine currently stirring up trouble in the Atlantic. Living in Texas, we've already been caught in two named storms. This included a brush with an outer-outer band of Hurricane Gustav that nearly overwhelmed the little compact car we were driving and, for that matter, slowed down just about everything on the road. It got us wondering: what would be the ultimate Hurricane survival vehicle? It would be cheating to go with a tracked vehicl

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    GM Suing Employees, Families To Recoup $450K In Misused Employee Discounts

    GM has filed at least three lawsuits in a bid to recoup $450,000 in improperly extended employee discounts given by former employees, retirees and their widows, reports the Detroit News. The irony? GM filed the latest lawsuits on the same day it began its latest "employee pricing for everyone" promotion. When not in the midst of an employee pricing free-for-all, GM allows as many as six vehicles a year to be purchased with employee discounts, and the special pricing can be given to family member

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    1973 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. There's been just one Corvette so far in this series (also a '73), and I assume so few are on the street for the same reason so few first-generation Camaros are on the street: Car Show Guys! Yes, most old Corvettes now live in garages, emerging only for shows and cruise nights; I'm thinking of shooting a few early C4s for this series, but even those are pre

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Hyundai To Unveil i20, i20 I-Blue Concept, ix55 SUV And Santa Fe Hybrid In Paris

    We're finally seeing some official shots of the Hyundai i20, the Euro-market grocery getter that will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show next month. The i20 is expected to arrive with 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter gasoline engine options as well as a 1.4-liter common-rail diesel for the petrolphobic. In the i20 i-blue Concept, the diesel has been tweaked for maximum emissions and economy: a CO2 output of just 99g/km and 68 MPG estimated. Finally, Hyundai plans to introduce a repackaged Santa Fe Verac

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Daddy's Little Cruise Missile Makes Mother Nature Cry: Another Evil Cordoba

    After seeing the '78 Chrysler Cordoba in Alameda, reader John Mopar (probably not his real name) hipped us to this '77 Cordoba in Oakland, which is equipped with a Weiand high-rise intake and dual Holley 650s perched on a 400 engine. Hate those damn environmentalists, their strident demands that we stop destroying the world, and, in fact, everything they stand for? Do you get brain bubbles of rage every time you see a Prius or pass a Whole Foods? Sure you do! Well, then, this car is for you! The

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    Detroit's 2008 Belle Isle Grand Prix: ALMS Results And Mega Gallery

    In addition to the IRL racing on Belle Isle, we also had the fun and hard-charging swagger of ALMS racing. We has the opportunity to tag along with Corvette Racing, who snagged a swank chalet location right on the corner of turn seven this year, a perfect spot to watch the Jake-emblazoned Corvette C6.R's doing their thing. The American LeMans Series runs four different classes simultaneously; GT2, GT1, LMP2 and LMP1, each with escalating levels of financial backing. With a crowded track and huge

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Detroit's 2008 Belle Isle Grand Prix: IRL Race Result Tainted By Controversy, Prickish Fans

    Last weekend saw the second iteration of the reborn Belle Isle Grand Prix and we were right there, enjoying the spectacle played out in weather so perfect Roger Penske couldn't have paid for better. Aside from a couple spin outs, Sunday's Indy Racing League run was largely unremarkable until lap 72, when things got very interesting. Helio Castroneves had been leading Justin Wilson and Tony Kanaan for the bulk of the race, but officials ordered Castroneves to yield to Wilson after aggressive bloc

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Rambo P. Coltrane: South Carolina Sheriff Invests In APC Armed With .50-Cal Machine Gun

    Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County, South Carolina has gotten ahold of an M113A2 Armored Personal Carrier (APC) for some serious police work. And though a new APC fitted with a .50-cal belt-fed machine gun is a scary prospect, the Sheriff's department claims it only pays about $2,000 a year to acquire this kind of equipment (though we're not clear if that means the total cost). Perhaps they could replace the old Crown Vics with APCs. Either because he's a religious nut or has a sense of humor,

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Commenter Of The Day: The Continuation War Edition

    Though popular history tends to look at World War II as a fairly straightforward conflict between democracy and fascism it's far more complicated than that. When the Soviets and the Americans met on the Elbe they partied as allies, which was such a distressing sight to the Germans that one shot himself in the head in front of a partying group of soldiers from Omaha and Siberia. The democracy in Britain actually declared war on the democracy in Finland as part of their allied stance with the Russ

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    PCH, Fly Me To Italy Edition: Cadillac Allante Or Chrysler TC By Maserati?

    Welcome to Project Car Hell, where you choose your eternity by selecting the project that's the coolest... and the most hellish! Last time we screeched up the corroded roll-up door of the Hell Garage and crawled inside, we saw the pair of Fiat 1200 Spiders stomp all over the Fiat 124 Coupe. We still love Italian cars, of course, and we don't want to leave Italian Hell yet… so, after all the discussion about today's Nice Price Or Crack Pipe $12,500 Chryslerati, we pretty much had no choice but to

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    Nissan GT-R Crashed In The USA

    Godzilla, or the new Nissan GT-R as some call it, has only just started stomping around our shores, already we've got our first report of a GT-R smashed up somewhere stateside. Details are vague (some say the GT-R got into some fisticuffs with a Corvette ZR1 in a dark alley) but it's clear the incident wasn't exactly a minor fender-bender. The forum fanboys at MyGTR think it may have had something to do with the GT-R being driven into a pizza parlor, so maybe it was trying to take out a Ferrari

    By Mark Arnold Read More
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    Porsche Design Launches P'9120 Desk Radio

    Not to be confused with the last Porsche Design radio, the P’9120 is an attractive desktop radio capable of linking to an iPod or similar radio, and is encapsulated in an attractive aluminum body. The radio is said to be a joint product of Porsche Design and Etón Corporation, known for their hand-crank emergency radios — always a benchmark of fidelity. And, like all Porsche Design products, we’re betting the P'9120 will be ridiculously overpriced and pretty low-quality, which doesn’t sound to us

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    1917 International Truck And 1947 International Harvester Truck: No Relation!

    This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Today we've got more fine photos from 24 Hours of LeMons New England field operative and Airstream chronicler UDMan. This time he's found a couple of ancient trucks, one made by the (Mack precursor) International Motor Truck Company 91 years ago, the other by International Harvester a mere 61 years ago. Jump away to see all the photos and read UDMa

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Helicopter Parents Rejoice: $200 Mini GPS Remote Tracking Device Now Available At NAPA

    Stalkers Parents have just gained a potent new weapon in their electronic babysitting arsenal, or at least a new outlet at which to purchase it. Your local NAPA auto parts store will soon be stocking the GPS Tracking Key, a cell-phone sized, battery-powered GPS tracking device with a built-in data recorder. Just use the convenient magnetic base to attach the Tracking Key to the vehicle in question, allow the unsuspecting driver to hit the road, then retrieve the device upon his or her return. Th

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Heads Up, California Racers! Gold Mine Of Potential LeMons Cars At SF Tow Auction Tomorrow!

    San Francisco tows away a lot of cars, as anyone who lives there can tell you, and the DPT bureaucracy is Kafkaesque enough that they have anywhere from 100 to 300 unclaimed cars to sell every week at their Wednesday morning auctions at Pier 70. The minimum bid is 200 bucks, and nowadays they even separate the runners from the non-runners (back in the Wild West City Tow era, you had no way of knowing which cars ran and which didn't; after you bought a car, you'd either break out the hot-wiring s

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    Next-Gen Ford Ethanol Injection Engine, Codenamed Bobcat, Eyeballing Diesel Market

    According to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, Ford is developing an engine which might offer a powerful alternative to diesels at a lower price. Codenamed Bobcat, the gasoline-powered engine allegedly begins with Ford's EcoBoost architecture and then, with the help of ethanol injection, goes places turbocharged engines can't normally venture. By using a secondary set of injectors to shoot ethanol from a separate tank into the combustion chamber, compression ratios can be drastically raised witho

    By Ben Wojdyla Read More
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    Do You Think You Can Drive Better Than ESC?

    Most people who love to drive and have something sportier than a Ford Taurus love to make a point of switching off the electronic nanny, whether in the guise of old-fashioned ESC or the form of some other acronym. And, while this may be appropriate if you're about to do a burnout or you're in the middle of a spin-out contest, there's an argument to be made as to whether or not you're better or worse than the system itself. There's much visceral appeal to seeing the "ESC OFF" button light up on t

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Electric Smart Fortwo Undergoing Real-World Tests In London

    Though not yet available to the public, Daimler has released a few copies of their electric Smart Fortwo to agencies and companies around Britain for some real-world testing. Don't be surprised if you're cruising around Islington only to find yourself apprehended by a bobby in a juiced-up Smart car, though you can try to escape by driving further than the car's 72-mile range. If you can get the cops to run out of power that'll give you an eight-hour jump on them. Drivers of the vehicles have acc

    By Matt Hardigree Read More
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    Presidential Candidates Accused Of Automotive Flip-Flopping

    This just in: Barack Obama is a filthy polluter. Thanks to in-depth research into his controversial past, we can exclusively reveal that the Democratic candidate once drove a V8 engine-equipped Chrysler 300 before switching to his greener-than-thou Ford Escape Hybrid. But what does Joe “Pinko” Biden drive? And what about everyone’s favorite Real American Hero, John McCain, and his national security expert, mom-of-the-year VP, Sarah Palin? In keeping with his elite Northeastern liberal ways, Joe

    By Wes Siler Read More
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    OnStar Helps 3,000 Per Hour Get Out Of Hurricane Gustav's Way

    GM saw a 30% rise in OnStar call volume Sunday, mainly from Gulf coast residents fleeing the approach of Hurricane Gustav. GM says it had as many as 500 OnStar advisors helping evacuees — more than 3,000 per hour by Sunday — get directions, find Red Cross shelters and make hotel reservations. Customers pushing the little blue button were also given 30 minutes worth of free airtime to take calls in their cars so family members could get in touch with loved ones. OnStar also had specially trained

    By Andrew Stoy Read More
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    Toyota To Reveal New Avensis, Production iQ And AWD Urban Cruiser At Paris Motor Show

    Toyota's just dropped what we should expect to see from them at next month's 2008 Paris Motor Show. We're told the super number one best awesome automaker from the land of the rising sun plans to reveal the new third-generation of the Toyota Avensis (the car's platform is the same as that of the Scion tC), the production version of the iQ concept first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year and lastly, the AWD Toyota Urban Cruiser. More details in the press release below the jump.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    1967 Mercury Cougar

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. The Cougar wasn't just a rebadged Mustang, Torino, Thunderbird, or Contour- it was a legend! We've seen a few Alameda Cougars, including this '68 (which won the Favorite DOTS Mercury poll), this '73, and this '75, but we're overdue for another one. How about a mean-looking first-year example, complete with primer and missing lug nuts?

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro

    Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. The VW van is a fairly common sight in Alameda, so much so that I keep passing by most T2 Transporters without stopping to photograph them (we've seen numerous T1 buses: 1956, 1957, 1960, 1966, and 1967). I'd been contemplating the inclusion of an early water-cooled Volkswagen van in this series- but still wasn't convinced they belonged- when I spotted this

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Nice Price or No Dice (2)

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    Nice Price Or Crack Pipe: Restored 1973 Pinto Squire Wagon For Nearly 20 Grand?

    It's time for Nice Price Or Crack Pipe once again, where the readers decide whether a car's seller has anything close to a grip on reality when it comes to asking price. Last time we were here, the $7,900 Chrysler Cordoba got a Nice Price thumbs-up from 48% of voters; not a majority, but the closest we've seen yet. Old guys like me, who suffered through a childhood of Pinto passengerhood followed by teenage years of beater Pintos clogging up the roads (now I'm having a PTSD flashback of being a

    By Murilee Martin Read More
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    10K Mile '81 Cadillac Cimarron For $8,995: Nice Price Or Crack Pipe?

    A decisive 85% of you felt that the $39,975 Iran Khodro Paykan Deluxe required a major helping of Hubba Rocks to look like a wise investment, but today's choice might be more of a dilemma. Yes, the Cimarron was a total disaster for Cadillac, diluting its brand at the worst possible time, but that makes it a historically significant car… and Pixel has found this super-original, low-mileage example in a used-car dealership with an $8,995 price tag. You might be looking at the best Cimarron on the

    By Murilee Martin Read More