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alternative energy
NICE Ze-O: Production Electric Car For $28,000, Ugly For Free
The NICE Ze-O is yet another all-electric vehicle set to be unveiled at this month's British International Motor Show. The only difference here is the Chinese-built bucket of ugly will be leapfrogging the likes of Nissan and GM, and going on sale in autumn to the Brits at a whopping $28,000. NICE is an acronym for "No Internal Combustion Engine," but it's a bit of a misnomer considering the looks. With a range of only 65 miles and top speed of just 55 MPH, the Ze-O is kind of a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering we don't even know how much power that blender motor has. [Paultan]
i feel gassy
While people who drive out of necessity are understandably upset about high gas prices, the real enthusiast driver recognizes the positives. Artificially low fuel prices have subsidized an American automotive lifestyle out-of-sync with the needs and desires of serious drivers. And although we're not happy to be forking over the dimes for premium fuel, we've got five reasons the enthusiast is happy the era of cheap gas is over.
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Five Reasons High Gas Prices Are Good For Real Drivers
While people who drive out of necessity are understandably upset about high gas prices, the real enthusiast driver recognizes the positives. Artificially low fuel prices have subsidized an American automotive lifestyle out-of-sync with the needs and desires of serious drivers. And although we're not happy to be forking over the dimes for premium fuel, we've got five reasons the enthusiast is happy the era of cheap gas is over.
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12:30 PM on Thu Jul 17 2008
By Matt Hardigree
19,677 views,
126 comments
Latest by johnniewalker: Credit card companies must be loving the high prices for gas. They probably take their profits and invest them in oil futures - causing the prices to go even higher. The avg credit card transaction costs 3%. On a $4.00 more »
offbeat news
LA Gangs Experiment With Pedal-By Shootings
Faced with ever increasing fuel prices and pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, LA gangs have begun to explore non-traditional means of going about their day-to-day operations. As one of the many possible changes being examined, a pilot program of using bicycles to take on tasks once only done by car is underway. This initial step has been showing promise, with the successful "Pedal-by" shooting occuring on LA's East 43rd St., near Hooper Avenue on Monday. The two targets were not badly injured, as it was a simple warning pedal-by, but initial response has been positive. More »
industry news
Chrysler Minivans To Get Hybrid, Diesel Power According To Windsor Daily
A recent report in the Windsor Star claims the cars Chrysler plans to hybridize by 2013...will be minivans. On top of that, they're even looking at a diesel version of the soccer mom-mobiles, with both to be built at the company's Windsor, Ontario plant. More »
industry news
Toyota To Lower Sales Forecast, Try To Wrest Sales Crown From GM By Tricking Them?
According to reports out of Japan today, Toyota plans to lower its global sales estimate to 9.5 million vehicles this year, down from a previous sales estimate of 9.85 million. The report comes the day after GM's "Sweeping-Reorganization Press Conference, Part II," thus making their significant 385,000-unit sales forecast cut seem like a paltry hiccup in comparison. Well played, Toyota, but will it be enough for the win and the title of the world's super best number one automaker? More »
2010 fisker karma
Fisker Karma Gets Approval To Go Finnish
Valmet Automotive, based in Finland, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fisker Automotive to build the Fisker Karma. With this announcement, we also get further details surrounding the hybrid luxury sports car: According to Valmet CEO, Ilpo Korhonen, the Karma, which we have seen testing before, will be capable of traveling 50 MPH before the engine kicks in to charge the batteries. It has a maximum all-electric range of 62 miles, and the starting price tag for the US may be bumped up an extra five grand to $85,000.More »
offbeat news
Toothless Old Guy Builds 50 MPG Engine-Powered Tricycle, CNN Thinks It's Newsworthy
Auto mechanic Bobby Stags has created a tricycle outfitted with a gas engine in his effort to combat the rapidly rising cost of gas. What's it mean to his bottom line? How about 50 MPG fuel economy? Hmm, although CNN's team appeared besides themselves over this great invention, it doesn't sound quite so breaking to us. We wonder if CNN's ever heard of a Honda Spree or a Yamaha Zuma? If they haven't, get ready for "Breaking News: Industrial Giant Honda Builds 80 MPG scooter, More At 11!" headlines. Oh, 24-hour news cycle, how your beastly maw must be continuously fed with the excremental tidbits of not-at-all-important news. [CNN.com]
i feel gassy
Polling Confirms Americans Will Not Drive 55, Also They Don't Understand Energy Policy
Lacking a call-center or professional statisticians, we asked you what you thought the national speed limit should be. Apparently Rasmussen Reports don't trust us, and since they have both of those things, they decided to ask pretty much the same question. They found 59% oppose one, 34% support one and 7% aren't sure. What the poll also found — as well as our own version of the poll — after the jump. More »
i feel gassy
With gas prices continuing their climb, owners are fearfully turning to alternative uses for their devalued SUVs. Whether you have a Suburban, an Excursion or a Sequoia, alternative uses from that sport utility vehicle now that you can't afford to actually drive it are sounding pretty good right now. Here's ten alternative uses for your gas guzzler that won't require you to fill it up first.
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Ten Things To Do With An SUV That Don't Involve Driving
With gas prices continuing their climb, owners are fearfully turning to alternative uses for their devalued SUVs. Whether you have a Suburban, an Excursion or a Sequoia, alternative uses from that sport utility vehicle now that you can't afford to actually drive it are sounding pretty good right now. Here's ten alternative uses for your gas guzzler that won't require you to fill it up first.
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12:00 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
12,935 views,
126 comments
Latest by stoneman: @IronEagle: That's not what she said the last time we were in it. more »
2010 chevy volt
GM To Employ Duct Tape, Rush Production Volt To Stage By September
GM is accelerating development of the 2010 Chevy Volt in an attempt to ready the production version for a reveal as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary in September. Although we know GM desperately needs a cutting-edge Prius-killing success to stem the sales slide, given past RenCen rush jobs, we're not sure that setting a time deadline instead of a performance benchmark is the best way to move forward. A look at potential pitfalls after the jump. More »
industry news
GM To Get More Layoffs, Lose A Brand
According to the WSJ, GM's early-August board meeting is likely to result in layoffs affecting both blue- and white-collar workforces. They're also reporting GM is seriously exploring sloughing off another brand, either by outright closure or by placing it up for sale, a-la Hummer's "strategic review." We've put together a quick brand-viability
i feel gassy
Gas-Mileage Savings Calculator Shows True Cost Of Trading Your Guzzler For A Sipper
As much as it may hurt to have to fill up your car every month (or week), the price of gas still isn't high enough to make trading in for a hybrid a reasonable solution for most, a reality punctuated by the Gas-Mileage Savings Calculator from Edmunds. The calculator takes the value of a trade-in compared to the cost of a more-efficient vehicle and, based on driving distances and the cost of gas, determines how long it would take to break even. For example, we took a 2006 Explorer XLT V8 and compared it to a new Jetta SportWagen TDI at $4.25 a gallon and 1,200 miles a month. At that rate it would take four years to make up the difference. The price of gas would have to rise to a ridiculous $16.50 a gallon to break even within a year — and we don't expect those prices until 2010 or so. Press release below the jump. More »
i feel gassy
Toyota Corporate Blog Urges You To Buy A Toyota, Then Ride Your Bike
Toyota is taking an unusual step on their Open Road corporate blog by promoting the idea of driving less. At first glance, this would seem oxymoronic, but Toyota is careful not to say "don't buy a Tundra." They're just saying that once you do buy a Tundra, you should leave it parked in your driveway for special occasions and hoof it everywhere else. The PR folks at Open Road also offer some suggestions in case you actually have to drive your new Toyota, like avoiding drive-throughs (Prius owners with engine shut-off are excepted of course) and turning off the engine at red lights. After all, "Idling is bad." Umkay. So what to make of this unconventional strategy? More »
i feel gassy
Hybrid SUVs Skip Gas-Guzzler Tax, Still Get Hybrid Credit Thanks To Tax Code Loophole
GM's two-mode hybrids, the Tahoe and Yukon, along with Chrysler's versions, the Durango and Aspen, have come to an ironic intersection in the tax code: These vehicles are eligible for a hybrid tax credit, yet theoretically should also be hit with the gas-guzzler tax. Does that sound like the world's loopiest loophole to you? We certainly think so. More »
ford mustang svo
We've now heard from a second source that Ford is readying a return to the 2010 Ford Mustang of a badge familiar to malaise-era muscle car fan-boys — the Mustang SVO. Just like the original limited edition mid-eighties Mustang was all about merging power performance with fuel efficiency — we're hearing similar rumblings on this new 'stang. We'd already heard Ford's plans for the Boss engine lineup and we already understood the new Mustang would be less V8-focused than the current Mustang's muscular lineup. We'd also heard the pony car would be receiving Ford's new silver bullet, a twin-turbocharged engine equipped with their new EcoBoost technology. What we hadn't heard was what the boys over at Garage419 today claim — that it'll be a four-banger capable of hitting 300 HP and this newly-badged 'stang will be lighter than the GT by 500 lbs. Holy game-changer, Batman!
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Ford To Bring Mustang SVO Badge Back For 2010 With 300 HP Eco-Boosted Four-Cylinder
We've now heard from a second source that Ford is readying a return to the 2010 Ford Mustang of a badge familiar to malaise-era muscle car fan-boys — the Mustang SVO. Just like the original limited edition mid-eighties Mustang was all about merging power performance with fuel efficiency — we're hearing similar rumblings on this new 'stang. We'd already heard Ford's plans for the Boss engine lineup and we already understood the new Mustang would be less V8-focused than the current Mustang's muscular lineup. We'd also heard the pony car would be receiving Ford's new silver bullet, a twin-turbocharged engine equipped with their new EcoBoost technology. What we hadn't heard was what the boys over at Garage419 today claim — that it'll be a four-banger capable of hitting 300 HP and this newly-badged 'stang will be lighter than the GT by 500 lbs. Holy game-changer, Batman!
More »
industry news
