Scion xB Trails Consumers’ Fickle Tastes   29 May 2007 16:52 GMT
While car makers have dramatically squeezed down the design time of their vehicles over the past 10 years, tastes and needs change even more quickly. Toyota's shoe-box Scion was aimed at the youth market when it was introduced: cheap, practical...
Source: wired.com

Mini Cooper Going Green?   29 May 2007 16:44 GMT
Good mileage can come in a really small package, at least if you believe some reports. The diminutive Mini Cooper has been overhauled with hybrid-like features such as regenerative braking and an automatic shutoff that turns off the engine when...
Source: wired.com

Plug-in Prius Gets 125 MPG   29 May 2007 12:57 GMT
Lithium Technology Corporation (LTC) retrofitted a Toyota Prius to get more than 125 miles per gallon using its lithium iron phosphate batteries. LTC says it has better controls for monitoring the voltage of the batteries that prevents malfunctioning and keeps...
Source: wired.com

Is Ford About To Dump Volvo Cars?   29 May 2007 12:52 GMT
Ford is now mulling the sale of its Volvo Cars division after it managed to sell most of its ownership stake in Aston Martin earlier this year to a group of investors for a cool $925 million, according to reports...
Source: wired.com

Franchitti Takes Indy Victory   29 May 2007 11:54 GMT
The skies cleared long enough for Dario Franchitti to take victory away from his teammate and best friend, Tony Kannan, in a soaking Memorial -Day weekend event. Kannan held a decisive lead when the first downpour broke. After a three-hour...
Source: wired.com

Review: 2007 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B   29 May 2007 11:54 GMT
The 2007 spec.B does not look fast. When parked, it seems as if on its way to Target. It doesn’t just ask for a car seat in the back—it demands one. Except … there’s still that Subaru nostril on the...
Source: wired.com

Behind the Wheel | 2007 Nissan Altima: The Pace Picks Up as Act 4 Begins   26 May 2007 05:59 GMT
The redesigned Altima gives Nissan a bit of needed sizzle in the crowded market for midsize, midprice front-wheel-drive sedans.
Source: NY Times

Wheelspin: On This Run, Way More Bandits Than Smokeys (but No Beer)   25 May 2007 23:52 GMT
Thirty years after “Smokey and the Bandit” was released, about 200 fans retraced the route traveled in the movie.
Source: NY Times

Collecting: A Sleeping Beauty Since ’62, Rare Bugatti Awaits Its Comeback   25 May 2007 22:59 GMT
Collectors are abuzz over a Bugatti Type 57C Atalante coupé soon to come to auction. One of about 40 built, the Atalante has not moved from its garage space since 1962.
Source: NY Times

Diesel Surge Should Prompt Tax Rewrite   25 May 2007 19:20 GMT
Diesel vehicles are expected to outsell hybrids in the United States within five years. This influx of clean and efficient will require a change to the tax code. According to a study by UBS and Ricardo, annual diesel and hybrid...
Source: wired.com