CNET announces nominees for Tech Car of the Year

About this time last year, Cadillac's CTS added CNET's Tech Car of the Year to its increasingly crowded trophy case. Its entertainment system's recording capability was one of the things that impressed us, and, presumably, the voters. This year, CNET asks its readers to choose between three imports and two domestics, none of which are Cadillacs.

BMW's M3 Convertible DCT gets a spot on the ballot with its dual-clutch transmission. We wonder if the car's recent recall for transmission problems will affect its standing. The Nissan GT-R shows up again, as you might expect with its cabin full of g-whiz electronics, from the in-dash performance computer to the quick-loading navigation. Lincoln makes the list for its THX-equipped MKS and Infiniti's EX35 Journey gets recognized for its lane-departure warning system and park-assist cameras.

The biggest surprise, though, is the Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie. The pachyderm-sized pickup impressed the CNET judges with its UConnect multimedia system which includes a 30GB hard drive, Bluetooth hands-free system, SIRIUS TV and rear seat DVD player.

The winner will be announced the second week of January to coincide with the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas.

[Source: CNET]

Car insurance

Before you drive any car in the UK you need to have the relevant cover whether it is third party of fully comprehensive it is a legal requirement. If you do not have the appropriate you could face a fine, points on your licence or you could even be prosecuted. So with
car insurance being compulsory for any driver in the UK, it should be common knowledge how to save money and optimise your cover, but why is it that drivers in the UK are wasting millions of pounds each year by paying too much for or even driving around with void cover.

Here is a basic guide on how to stay legal on the road and also how to save a few pounds along on the way.

Fill in your details carefully – ensure you fill out the appropriate paperwork correctly as any mistakes could result in a claim being rejected.

Do not front – fronting your car insurance means if you are down as a named driver when in fact you are the main driver of the car. This is most common with students when they first pass their test. Insurance will be expensive for new drivers so they will have the car insurance in their parents name and pay a fraction of the cost. This is illegal and will result in a void claim.

Do not lie – if you have modifications made to your car then you should always tell your insurer as if you have an accident and the insurance company discover that you have lied then your claim will be rejected.

Secure your car – by securing your car more you can reduce the amount you pay in premiums. Park the car on a drive or in a garage to reduce the risk of it being stolen, you can even install alarms to reduce your insurance costs.

Buy a smaller car – you are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident if you buy a bigger faster car. If you do not need a big fast car then you should stick to something practical, it will be easier on the environment and your wallet.

Pay annually – by paying your car insurance off in one go will save a small fortune as opposed to paying off the policy monthly. You can also look forward to a reduction if you buy online.

Compare – this is the most popular and most efficient method for saving money on your car insurance. You can now compare hundreds of entire quotes against each other instantly so you find the most relevant car insurance out there for the cheapest price.

2010 Mustang GT burnin' rubber

The 2010 Ford Mustang has been knocked for being a tad down on horsepower compared to its retro-new muscle car rivals. Nevertheless, if you have some tires at home that you hate, you can still shred them to smithereens in the 315-hp GT.



Check out AmericanMuscle.com and their large selection of Halo Projector Headlights.

Aston Martin offers power upgrades to last-gen V8 Vantages

If you're a 2005-2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage owner, you may have wished you'd held out for the 2009 model which benefits from an extra 0.4-liters of displacement (up from 4.3- to 4.7-liters) and gains an extra 40 hp and 45 lb-ft of torque, along with some revised suspension tuning. The crew at Gaydon feels your pain and has begun offering a new performance package for the 4.3-liter model.

The kit includes a new induction system originally developed for the DBS that features a pair of toggling airbox valves that open at 5,500 rpm to bring more air into the engine. With the help of a revised ECU that optimizes ignition timing and recognizes higher octane fuels, output increases to 400 hp (20 extra ponies) and torque grows to 307 lb-ft.

The sports package developed for the 2009 model can also be retrofitted to the last generation Vantage and includes forged aluminum five-spoke wheels, upgraded springs and Bilstein dampers. Aston hasn't released pricing for the new performance pack, but we're sure it's less than trading in your old Vantage for the updated model.

The six-seat Maybach 72, when 62 decimeters just isn't enough

As if the regular old Maybach 62 wasn't decadent enough, someone just went ahead and created a Maybach 72. Starting with a donor 2004 Maybach 62, the creator stretched it enough to add a pair of rear-facing back seats to make a true limo experience. Whereas the original model was 62 decimeters (decimeter = 1/10th meter) long, the resultant party palace is 72. The price of the vehicle is said to be double that of the original at $780,000. That's a whole lot of coin, but it does have less than 500 miles on the odometer. And this is the only Maybach we know of that goes to 11 72. It's no taxi, but it sure is novel.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Repercussions of failed automaker bailout spreading quickly

Late Thursday evening, the U.S. automaker bailout bill failed to pass through the Senate. The legislation is dead and there are no plans for another bill to go through the process until the end of the year. To quote Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, this will be "a very, very bad Christmas" for many Americans.

Over the past day, Senators have tried to resolve the House-approved bill so it could pass Senate Republican muster, but reports suggest that the UAW was unwilling to accept GOP demands that workers agree to parity in pay and benefits.

News of the failed bill has already spread to markets across the Pacific, with the Nikkei index nose-diving over 6%. Things on this side of the world are bound to be worse when trading on the New York Stock Exchange begins tomorrow.

According to reports, General Motors has got bankruptcy and restructuring advisors on speed-dial in preparation for the bad news and Chrysler has already retained CH11 counsel.

Countless economists and industry analysts are warning that if any one of the Detroit 3 goes under, it will spell disaster for an economy already suffering in a recession. Video of the vote is embedded after the jump. More to follow tomorrow.

[Sources: Reuters, Detroit News, Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mercedes bringing three Concept BlueZero cars to Detroit

Mercedes-Benz is bringing three "Concept BlueZero" vehicles to the Detroit Auto Show next month and each highlights the automaker's plan for low- or no-emissions motoring in the future.

The first concept is the BlueZero E-Cell, an all-electric compact five-door equipped with lithium ion batteries that can provide a theoretical range of 100 km (62 miles) on a two-hour charge.

The two other concepts include the BlueZero F-Cell, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, and the BlueZero E-Plus, which utilizes the Smart ForTwo's turbocharged three-cylinder engine to charge a lithium ion battery pack creating an extended range electric vehicle (EREV, ala the Chevrolet Volt), that can travel for 600 km (373 miles).

The design language shown on the E-Cell (above) is good indication of what the next generation of Mercedes A- and B-class vehicles will look like when they arrive in 2011.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via icars.sg]

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in 2008

Drumroll please! The 2008 Top 10 most popular cars among car thieves are... The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute recently released their list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles for 2008, and trucks and SUVs are the biggest target. We wonder if this might reflect some people finding a nefarious way to dispose of their gas-guzzler and collect the insurance money. Hopefully that's not the case, but seriously, if you were a car thief, would you want a land yacht instead of a canyon carver?

For whatever reasons, the most targeted vehicles aren't necessarily the most drool-worthy ones on the road. Thieves tend to go after vehicles that easily blend in with traffic, can be sold for parts or are popular in foreign markets where they can be dumped quickly. Big vehicles also tend to spend more time parked in driveways or on the street rather than in garages, so they're more easily accessible by naydoers. The IIHS looks at insurance-claim reports to determine theft-frequency rates and compile the Most Stolen Vehicle list. The figures are reported in number of claims filed for every 1,000 vehicles insured each year, and this most recent report covers vehicles made and sold between 2005 and 2007.

Ten Most Stolen Vehicles:

1. Cadillac Escalade ESV
2. Ford F-250 SuperCrew
3. Cadillac Escalade
4. Dodge Charger
5. Ford F-350 SuperCrew
6. Hummer H2 SUT
7. Dodge Magnum
8. Hummer H2
9. Dodge Durango
10. Honda S2000 convertible

A car you will never see: Volkswagen Concept Coupe

We usually don’t show sketches and computer images from design schools or design contests because they lack any reality. It’s usually just an art student who fantasizes about an odd design, then slaps a on badge of his/her favorite company and describes the car as powered by some engine that isn’t even chemically possible (for some reason no one teaches art students smiles and dreams cannot be converted into combustible fuel.)

This wasn’t even the winner of Volkswagen Brazil’s design contest (probably because it looks a lot like the Kia Kee,) but designer Daniel Gerzson made a pretty cool video so at least we can post it.

Mitsubishi set to idle Illinois plant for seven weeks

Slumping sales have pushed Mitsubishi to schedule a production stoppage at their Normal, Illinois plant early next year for a period lasting more than 40 days. The facility, employing 1,568 workers, manufacturers both the Galant and Eclipse. When the assembly line lights go dark between February 16 and April 3, it will signify the longest halt of production since the facility began operation in 1988. The news obviously isn't good, but it thankfully doesn't carry any immediate word about layoffs. According to Mitsubishi, all employees will remain on payroll during the shutdown and be shifted to other non-production jobs, including maintenance and training.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Volvo plans to release 'micro-hybrid' in 2011

Volvo's product development unit is still hard at work, even as Ford has slapped a price tag on the brand. In an effort to develop more environmentally-friendly vehicles capable of meeting stringent emissions regulations on the horizon, the Swedish automaker has been working on some new highly-efficient vehicles. In addition to the DRIVe trio of ultra-efficient diesel-powered models, Volvo is working on an all-new micro-hybrid model. Set to join the lineup in 2011, the vehicle will be available with a choice between gasoline or diesel power, and a manual or automatic transmission. Fuel-saving technology will include a start-stop system plus brake-energy regeneration to cut consumption by nearly 5 percent. We'll see a full hybrid (with the ability to run on electric power only) in 2012 with the D5 diesel engine (Volvo's similar battery and flexfuel ReCharge Concept is above). A plug-in electric is also expected to follow down the road.

[Source: Channel4]

Audi R8 held hostage

We consider ourselves fans of the Audi R8. Whether in regular strength V8 form or new and improved extra bold V10 flavor, the R8 is a car that many of us would consider doing unmentionable things to attain. It's a car that seems to do just about everything right, and produces numbers that belie its specs. It elicits emotional responses from those who see it as if they'd just come across a potential new mate. It's visceral. But would you have a hard time choosing a real live human being over an R8? That is the dilemma in this clever Audi spot found on YouTube. Follow the jump to decide.

GM has spent $750 million developing the Volt

Although they're a big part of the Congressional pitch to get some federal funds, green cars aren't going to make the Detroit 3 profitable on their own any time soon. Take the Chevrolet Volt for example. When GM CEO Rick Wagoner testified that the Volt is being pushed into production for 2011, he added that, "It will not be at that point fully cost competitive." That statement might seem like the understatement of the century to some.

According to this CNN Money piece, GM has actually spent about $750 million to develop the Volt, much of that in battery research. Apparently GM recognizes the need to stay ahead of (or at least alongside) the competition in developing new technology and is willing to take the risk of spending that kind of money even in desperate times. Of course, some of that money will eventually be spread across the range when the Volt's powertrain and battery advances get shared with other GM models. Still, it's unlikely the Volt will add to rather than bring down the bottom line until a second generation model is introduced, which may not be until 2014-2016.

[Source: CNN Money]

Audi R8 V10 - new images

After yesterday’s first details on the most powerful R8 ever, Audi revealed today new image gallery of the R8 V10. The car will make its world debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show, and sales will begin in the second quarter of 2009.

Although it’s the minor exterior details (such as new grille, new wheels, and oval exhaust tips) that distinguish the newest R8 in the family, it’s the engine that really counts. The R8 V10 will be powered by the same 5.2 liter V10 as the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. The engine is rated at 525 hp, which is 105 more than the V8 version but about 27 less than the Gallardo.

Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder production starts

All the elements for the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder were already in place. Lambo was already making the coupe version of the LP560-4, and it already knew how to make spyder versions of the Gallardo. So it’s no surprise that only about three weeks after the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder premiered at the LA Auto Show, the production line has already begun making the first demonstration and test cars.

Is that big news? No, not really, but we just like any excuse to haul out the picture gallery for the 201 mph, 560 hp, 5.2-liter V10 engined super roadster. Besides it will be a while before we probably get our hands on one... The LP560-4 Spyder is sold out for the next eight months.

HUMMER might be getting shown the door, but it's not going to leave without taking some of the silverware. Four Wheeler magazine put the marque's newest brute, the H3T Alpha, up against the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, and... um... the Suzuki Equator (bet you didn't see that one coming), and the V8-powered HUMMER truck took home the medal.

The trials lasted a week and involved traveling 1,000 miles over various terrain from sea level to more than a mile high. According to Four Wheeler, "Not only was the HUMMER highly competent and the staff favorite on the trail, it also has the added pluses of on-road comfort, distinctive looks and a usable pickup bed." While we wouldn't mind seeing the H3T earn the top spot against a wider field and stiffer competition, regardless of year, it's good to see it rewarded for its monumental capability.


[Source: Four Wheeler]

Tata Nano, goes 60 mph in 17 seconds

The Tata Nano's claim to fame is its budget $2,500 price tag. You'd have trouble picking up a 1995 Honda Civic with 140,000 miles on it for that price. But what do you get for the price of a lawn tractor? How about a 624cc 33-hp motor mated to a four-speed manual transmission, for starters. That potent combo will propel any lucky Nano driver from 0-60 in 17 seconds. Add some groceries and a passenger (or a slight uphill grade) and we're guessing you'll never see 60 mph in any time frame.

CAR Magazine in the UK recently became one of the first publications in the world to drive the Nano and did mention that it has a compliant ride, which is quite a feat considering the MSRP. The Nano also has options like a radio and air conditioning, but if you ever want to go faster than 50, we'd advise you skip the freon. Tata is looking to remedy this "performance" problems with a more powerful gasoline powerplant mated to a five-speed automatic, but for now the Nano will only manage to hit 60 in the time it takes to heat up a hot dog in your 1,200-watt microwave. That 13-year-old Honda is starting to sound pretty good right about now.

[Source: CAR Magazine via eGMCarTech]

2010 Mercedes E-Class - official image leaked

When it rains it pours. Earlier today we had an almost undisguised image of the 2010 E-Class sedan, now official images were leaked on the web. Now it’s official, the future E-Class sedan will take some cues from its S-Class big brother. This includes a sleeker body than the current model, with harder crease lines and a slightly rising rear-end.

A correction from the earlier post has the E-Class sedan premiering at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the coupe bowing at the Geneva Show in March, and expect the convertible and/or AMG version to make an appearance at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Mercedes to offer a wide variety of V6 and V8 engines, including a 525 hp 6.3-liter V8 for the E63 AMG model.

[Source:german car zone]

Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro unveiled ahead of Detroit

For those who still have sufficient cash-flow to purchase high end sports cars, the latest and greatest remains a must. In keeping with that reality, Audi is cranking up the juice on its flagship R8 sports car with the introduction of the R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro, which got an early reveal on the web today. The R8 shares some less visible bits with its corporate cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo, but until now the Lambo's V10 engine has remained exclusive to the Italian side of the family.

The R8 V10 will be the street going version of the R8 LMS that debuted a couple of weeks ago at the Essen Motor Show in Germany. It's 5.2L V10 is rated at 525 horsepower and 390.91 lb-ft of torque in European spec form. Those numbers fall a bit shy of the latest Gallardo LP560-4 even with the same displacement, which ensures that the Lamborghini can still command a price premium over the German machine. The U.S. version of the R8 V10 should remain pretty close to these numbers. That will be enough to push the 0-62 sprint under four seconds to 3.9 seconds. Unfortunately, the R8 is still saddled with the same craptastic 6-speed R-tronic as the only alternative to its proper manual gearbox. The R8 V10 now also inches closer to the magical 200 mph mark with a terminal velocity of 196 mph. The V10 version gets a new set of all-LED headlights for both high and low beams and the scoops on the side blades now bulge out to suck in the extra air needed to feed and cool the larger engine. A new rear diffuser also helps keep the rear end planted where a set of twin oval tailpipes replace the quad exhausts on the standard model. The R8 V10 will be available in Germany starting next spring with a base price of EUR 142,400 (approx $180,000) and will make its official debut in January at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Follow the jump for Audi's official press release and check out the high-res images in our gallery below.

[Source: Audi]

Galpin Ford selling 2008 Mustang GT for $18,995

One positive side effect of the auto industry experiencing such a low sales volume is the incredible deals you can find on a new car. Manufacturers have already pulled out the old tried and true incentives of employee pricing and 0% financing, but we've never seen a deal like this before. Galpin Ford, which bills itself as the #1 volume Ford dealer in the world, is offering the 2008 Ford Mustang GT for the bargain bin price of $18,995. The dealership says it has come across 40 models of America's favorite muscle car from a "performance fleet" and is offering them at nearly 1/3 off on a first come, first serve basis. We don't know exactly what "performance fleet" means, so be sure to check the odometer and ask what these Mustangs experienced in a prior life before buying. Their original $28,160 MSRPs have been knocked down by Ford's own employee pricing deal, an additional $2,500 rebate and Galpin's own discount of $3,794. If you're interested, you better act quick as there's sure to be big demand for such low priced Detroit iron while gas is still below $2/gallon.

Check out AmericanMuscle.com and their large inventory of SCT Flash Tuners.

[Source: Galpin Ford]

Jaguar XF recalled twice in December... so far

The XF has earned its status as a true Jaguar now that it's been recalled... twice. In bang-up British car fashion, at least one of the problems is electrical. The XF's instrument panel is supposed to offer audible feedback for a variety of functions like turn signals, safety belt warnings and basically anything that dings. Wires that power the instrument cluster's integral speaker can fracture, rendering the panel mute. The fix is apparently little more than a reconfiguration of some software – we wonder if the panel's software will pipe its audio to the stereo instead – that strikes us as one of the slick things you might be able to pull off with CAN.

The other XF recall involves a rear seat belt that could have been improperly installed. The outboard rear seat belts may have an improperly installed D-Ring that could fail to rotate properly, which would hinder occupant protection in the event of a crash. The fix for the rear belts is to inspect and correct the problem. Welcome to the family, XF!

[Source: GoodCarBadCar, Recalls.gov - 1 and 2]

Nissan GT-R launched in Europe with 5 more hp

We already knew that the 2009 GT-R will gain five more extra hp, but what we didn’t know is that Europe would get it first. But that’s okay, because this is the first time Europe gets to taste the GT-R, as it get officially launched there today.

Europe’s Godzilla comes with a few more changes. Now stickier Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tires are standard. The GT-R is now offered in three different versions: standard, Premium edition and Black Edition. All come with price increased of 3.8 percent

As mentioned before, the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 gets a bump from 480 PS (473 hp) to 485 PS (478 hp), according to an official statement from Nissan UK. Nissan calls tis a 5 hp bump even though the car is listed as 480 in the states. While trying to split hairs about whether it’s a five or eight extra horses, remember that most testers believe the engine really produces over 500 hp.

In Europe Nissan has already received the maximum 2500 orders for the GT-R, this means that any new customers will have to wait until 2010 to storm the countryside.

1995 Ferrari motorcycle to be auctioned

Ferrari doesn't make motorcycles. At least, not officially... but that fact hasn't stopped a number of custom cycle makers from taking matters into their own hands. Perhaps the most famous Maranello-inspired two-wheeler was made by Arlen Ness, but that one's not all that practical in conception. We would imagine a Ferrari motorcycle to be a truly sporting machine, equally as comfortable on the race track as the street, or, more realistically, being shown off in one's garage. Ferrari seems to agree, as the only cycle ever created that bears an official Ferrari chassis number -- SF-01M -- has true sporting pretensions.

Built by David Kay Engineering and completed in 1995, this one-and-only Ferrari motorcycle sports a DOHC engine displacing 900cc and putting out 105 horsepower at 8,800rpm. The only styling choice we take exception with are the Testarossa-style strakes on either side, but nothing's perfect, right? So, what's the only officially official Ferrari bike worth? We'll find out for sure when the auction ends on the 20th, but the expected price is between 325,000-375,000 Swiss francs, or around $300K in U.S. dollars.


[Source: Bonhams]

Four-cylinder Toyota Highlander priced at $25,705

Toyota has just announced pricing on the 2009 Highlander SUV with its new 4-cylinder engine. The latest entry-level model in the Highlander lineup will arrive at the dealership with a base MSRP of $25,705. That figure cleanly undercuts the price of the Highlander V6 FWD ($27,600) and the Highlander Hybrid ($34,700). The new 4-cylinder engine displaces 2.7-liters and is rated at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Mated to an all-new 6-speed electronically-controlled automatic, it's enough motivation to get the SUV to 60 mph in a claimed 9.7 seconds, yet still return an EPA estimated 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (22 MPG combined). For comparison, the Highlander V6 is rated at 18/24 and the Hybrid at 27/25... yes, the new gasoline-fed inline-4 is more efficient than the hybrid on the highway. Look for the new four-cylinder Highlander at Toyota dealers in January.


[Source: The Auto Channel]