Tesla Turns Detroit on Its Head   27 Jul 2007 22:03 GMT
As the Big Three continue the toughest labor negotiations in decades, maybe both sides could take a lesson from far-away Silicon Valley. Tesla's $98,000 electric sports car will roll off assembly lines in October. As impressive as the technology under...
Source: wired.com

Around The Block: A Lesson in European Economy   27 Jul 2007 13:32 GMT
Chrysler’s 300C CRD (for common-rail diesel) features a 215-horsepower Mercedes-Benz V-6 and offers an impressive balance of power and efficiency.
Source: NY Times

Design: Watches With Gauges and Gears. Alas, No Brakes.   27 Jul 2007 13:28 GMT
Luxury watch makers have been turning to the automobile, motorcycle and even aerospace industries for high-tech ideas.
Source: NY Times

Technology: Summer Tunes That Come From Every Direction   27 Jul 2007 13:11 GMT
Blasting music in a car is one of the joys of summer driving. So if two channels of music are great, wouldn’t more channels sound even better?
Source: NY Times

Subaru Impreza WRX Gets Minor Upgrades, a Dose of Maturity   27 Jul 2007 11:45 GMT
It's got a little more go (224 hp), thanks to a redesigned intake, turbocharger and intercooler. Torque peaks earlier in the power band (at 5200 rpm). The WRX loses its limited-slip rear differential, though Subaru spokespeople insist that the Vehicle...
Source: wired.com

Diesel King Mercedes Still Sees Plenty of Life in Gasoline Engines   27 Jul 2007 10:39 GMT
Though the gasoline engine is more than 100 years old, improvements continue to make it more efficient, while producing fewer emissions. At the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz is slated to unveil a brand-new Dies-Otto engine, which will soon afterward...
Source: wired.com

Forbes Calculates the Most Dangerous Commutes in U.S.   27 Jul 2007 10:35 GMT
Not everyone will agree with how the magazine arrived at its list. It looked at the country's 25 largest metropolitan areas. Then it used three criteria to gauge purported danger levels: year-round particulate pollution levels by the U.S. Lung Association;...
Source: wired.com

Toyota Moves Plug-in Hybrid to Testing   27 Jul 2007 10:19 GMT
GM and Ford have plug-in hybrids in the works, but Toyota has moved ahead to put one in testing for the Japanese government, according to published reports, echoed in AutoWeek. The vehicle looks like a stock Prius, and is reportedly...
Source: wired.com

In Biofuels Gold Rush, Flimflam Begins to Rise   27 Jul 2007 10:03 GMT
It shouldn't be surprising that with the gold rush in biofuels, con artists and glad-handing incompetents would see opportunity. This may be an unfair appraisal of Earth Biofuels chairman Dennis McLaughlin. But his company filed for involuntary bankruptcy two weeks...
Source: wired.com

NASCAR Competiton Gets Fiercer, More Mature   27 Jul 2007 10:03 GMT
Auto racing snobs have always been horrified at the cheating and the rumors of race rigging behind the scenes at NASCAR. Worse still, officials of the league tended to be more interested in show-biz than in sport. Yellow flags would...
Source: wired.com