Kick the Tires

Stories

Stories 41 - 60 of 63

<< Prev 1 2 3 4 Next >>

November 2007
- Top Rides of 2008
  
  Popular Mechanics | Nov 10, 07 4:34 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Popular Mechanics test drove a fleet of upcoming cars and trucks to conceive this list of 2008's best rides, in ten categories: Design: Nissan GT-R Value: Scion xB Energy efficiency: GMC Yukon Hybrid and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid More »
- Toyota Explores Plug-in Prius
  
  Reuters | Nov 10, 07 11:48 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Toyota is launching a three-year study of US consumer demand for a new version of the popular Prius that could run exclusively on electric power and be recharged in a standard electric socket. Toyota may yet beat rival General Motors to market—GM has set a 2010 target date for its plug-in hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt, Reuters reports. More »
October 2007
- Puyo: It's Green, Safe and Glows
  
  Reuters | Oct 24, 07 4:25 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Honda unveiled the unusual Puyo today, an in-development concept car with no sharp edges and a coating of soft silicone to absorb collisions, Reuters reports. Visitors to the Tokyo Motor Show were given a look at the car, which runs on hydrogen fuel cells, is driven with a joystick, and glows different colors when it is running or standing still. More »
- In Europe, Cars Go the Way of Cigarettes
  
  Times (UK) | Oct 20, 07 9:31 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Carbon health warnings for cars are coming to Europe. Under a European Parliament plan expected to be approved this week, 20% of the space in print car advertising will have to be devoted to cigarette-style warnings about vehicles' carbon emissions and fuel efficiency. The most polluting vehicles will also face penalties of up to $10,000, the Times of London reports. More »
- Toyota Loses Quality Grade
  
  Wall Street Journal | Oct 16, 07 8:16 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey won't rubber stamp Toyotas with a high grade anymore, the Wall Street Journal reports. Recent low marks for the Camry V-6 and Tundra V-8 have robbed the carmaker of its automatic okay, while Ford and other US firms are closing the reliability gap. Toyota's other recent problems include a rash of defections and declining sales. More »
- It's a Plane! It's a Car! It's ...
  
  MIT Technology Review | Oct 11, 07 6:33 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - A new vehicle suitable for both air and road travel could be available within two years, reports MIT's Technology Review . By recently producing the world's first automated folding wing, Massachusetts company Terrafugia, Inc. came a step closer to creating the Transition, a "light sport aircraft" that works on the ground and in the air. More »
- GM Puts Brakes on Stolen Cars
  
  Associated Press | Oct 10, 07 7:01 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - GM's OnStar service could soon reduce dangerous police pursuits, AP reports, by allowing police who spot stolen cars to ask operators to send a signal that slows the car to a halt. "This technology will basically remove the control of the horsepower from the thief," said OnStar's president. The system will be installed in about 20 2009 models. More »
September 2007
- Tiny Smart Cars Zip Toward US
  
  Newsweek | Sep 19, 07 2:53 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - With the first Smart Car set to hit the US in January, Newsweek questions the company president on the intelligence of trying to sell a 1,750-pound vehicle in the land of bigger-is-better. Despite bad safety ratings from Consumer Reports and entrenched SUV love in the American psyche, he seems confident—bolstered by 30,000 pre-orders. More »
- Americans Hot for Hybrids
  
  Associated Press | Sep 17, 07 5:42 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Hybrid sales skyrocketed 49% in the first half of 2007, thanks to boom in the Midwest. Oklahoma’s 143% increase was the most of any state, but every state except Hawaii saw growth, the AP reports, with 215,997 vehicles registered this year, compared to 144,721 over the same period last year. More »
- Little Shop of Hybrids: Green Mechanic Opens
  
  Wired | Sep 13, 07 5:30 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - While auto mechanics nationwide now service hybrid vehicles, San Francisco's Luscious Garage is the country's first shop to work exclusively on environment-friendly cars. "There's a critical mass of hybrids in the Bay Area," owner Carolyn Coquilette told Wired , which reports that nearly 10% of new hybrids registered in 2006 were to owners in and around San Francisco. More »
- Silicon Valley Cars Get Their Own Condos
  
  San Jose Mercury News | Sep 12, 07 12:52 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Silicon Valley millionaires (and billionaires) are gearing up for the latest status symbol in Status Symbol Land—condominiums devoted to storing luxury cars. Condos will start at $250,000, and the sites will also offer "club rooms" where guys can talk about cars. "There are more collectors here than anywhere because of money and weather," said the director of a local car show. More »
- 10 Cheapest Rides to Own
  
  Forbes | Sep 11, 07 10:15 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Affordable cars start at the sticker price—the lower the better. But over time, insurance payments and gas costs add up. Forbes searches out the 10 vehicles that will leave the smallest footprint on your wallet. Toyota Yaris Honda Fit Toyota Corolla More »
- Electric Car Nails 0 to 60 in 0:04
  
  CNET | Sep 10, 07 8:21 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The Lightning GTS—a new all-electric sports car—will go from 0 to 60 in four seconds, the car's British manufacturer claims. Part of a coming boom in electric cars (in Europe anyway), the GTS will travel 250 miles on a 10-minute charge and max out at 130 mph. But save up—it should go for about $300,000. More »
- GM Scores With Crossovers
  
  Wall Street Journal | Sep 4, 07 1:45 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - In its fierce battle with Asian automakers to reclaim the hearts and keys of American drivers, GM has three reasons to celebrate: the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook. The company’s crossover vehicles combine the look of an SUV with the higher fuel economy of a sedan—and more important, the Journal reports, consumers are snatching them up. More »
August 2007
- Honda Hybrids Dying to Catch Up with Prius
  
  Newsweek | Aug 28, 07 5:42 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Honda rolled out America's first hybrids a few years ago, but now they're scrambling to reclaim the roads after Toyota out-greened them with the enviro-hip Prius. What happened? Honda’s stylin’ was so “Civic” that nobody knew their drivers were commuting to save the world. If you can't show off your green creds, one analyst says, "the whole purchase is a waste of time." More »
- 8 Traffic-Ticket Myths
  
  Bankrate.com | Aug 20, 07 12:27 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Everyone has a story about ducking a ticket. Bankrate.com investigates what's true and what's unfounded optimism: Mistakes on the ticket will only win the case if they involve the where and how of the ticket or the car description. If the officer doesn't show, you don't automatically win. Red cars haven't been proven to get more tickets—yet. More »
- Hottest Rides of 2007
  
  CNN | Aug 4, 07 4:29 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Whether you want something small and hip or capacious and safe, you can find it in CNNMoney's guide to the best cars of 2007 as determined by Consumer Reports. Budget car, subcompact: Honda Fit Sedan, less then $20,000: Honda Civic Sedan, $20,000 to $30,000: Honda Accord Sedan, $30,000 to $40,000: Infiniti G35 Luxury Sedan: Infiniti M35 More »
- Luxury Cars Flunk Damage Tests
  
  CNN | Aug 2, 07 2:40 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Luxury cars will rack up exorbitantly expensive damage after even low-speed impacts, a federal safety report says. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety numbers out today show that 11 high-end vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Nissan models, have bumpers that are too weak and impact absorbers that don't extend far enough—a costly trade-off of design over durability. More »
July 2007
- Toyota Tests Plug-In Hybrids
  
  San Francisco Chronicle | Jul 26, 07 5:20 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Toyota will provide two experimental plug-in electric hybrid cars to the University of California for road testing, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The new vehicles can travel 100 miles on a single gallon of gas after a boost from a rechargeable battery that plugs in to a standard 110-volt current. More »