Jalopnik: wheels

Bentley Designers Auction Art for Charity

Ray Wert — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:15:53 EST

Art created by designers at Bentley Motors will be auctioned in London on Tuesday with proceeds benefiting a cancer research hospital.

How To Uncute Teddy Bear Wheels

Peter Orosz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Ronal’s teddy bear wheels are a signpost on our culture’s march towards all-encompassing cuteness. But there’s a simple way to turn them into ursine wheels of doom.

All it takes is a liberal application of black paint with two strategic spots of red:

The one remaining snag on the way to pure teddy evil is the wheel lock masquerading as a belly button. The blackest of paints will be inadequate to make that detail even slightly serious. You’d probably have to install a gun in there to complete the transformation. An Oerlikon autocannon should do the job.

Photo Credit: BustedFoxWaGeN, Jackson Allen

Study Says Air Cars Are Inefficient

Ray Wert — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:37 EST

A paper from the University of California, Berkeley, concludes that compressed-air energy storage is a relatively inefficient technology when it comes to personal transportation.

Group Wants Government to Jump-Start the E.V. Revolution

Ray Wert — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:26:49 EST

Calling for what amounts to a Marshall Plan to launch plug-in hybrids and battery-electric cars, a group of auto executives, utility chief executives and prospective plug-in fleet purchasers laid out their strategy Monday at a roundtable in Washington.

A Battle in Canada Over Idling at Drive-Throughs

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:11:14 EST

Canadians are debating whether the drive-through lanes at Tim Hortons, a doughnut and fast-food chain, should be part of an anti-idling ordinance in Kingston, Ontario.

Graham Nearn, Founder of Caterham Cars, Is Dead

Ray Wert — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:25:21 EDT

In the grand scope of automotive history, Graham Nearn's accomplishment may seem very small. The focus of his ambitions was the Lotus Seven, a niche sports car that he first sold as a Lotus dealer in 1959. The dealership was based in Caterham, England, and called Caterham Cars.

Auto Dealers Challenge California's Tailpipe Climate Regulation

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:21 EDT

A public hearing on the federal combined fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for vehicles announced by the Obama administration will be held in New York on Friday.

Audi to Build e-tron Electric Supercar

Ray Wert — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:26:59 EDT

Audi has confirmed that it will build the electric e-tron supercar that made its debut in concept form last month at the Frankfurt auto show.

Design Firm Known for Exotics Turns to Hybrids and Hatchbacks

Ray Wert — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:31:19 EDT

Italdesign-Giugiaro is known for designing exotic cars, but more recently it has broadened its focus to mainstream cars and alternative powertrains.

E.P.A. Says M.P.G. for Electric Cars and Plug-in Hybrids Are a Work in Progress

Ray Wert — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:35:18 EDT

Environmental Protection Agency says its draft standard for plug-in hybrids and battery cars isn't complete, and it is searching for meaningful ways to present the information to car buyers on the window sticker.

New App Connects iPhone to In-Dash GPS

Ray Wert — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:39:49 EDT

Pioneer has introduced the first iPhone app that works with Pioneer's in-dash systems, allowing owners to transfer destinations directly from the handset to the car's system.

Alcohol Interlocks Are Gaining Traction

Ray Wert — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:55:28 EDT

The United States is making progress in the use and development of devices that measure a driver's blood alcohol content through a breath test before the car is able to start. And the public is beginning to accept the technology, too.

Chrysler Turnaround Slow-Going, Fiat Chief Says

Ray Wert — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:50:47 EDT

Chrysler Group will present a five-year business plan by the end of November that outlines numbers and the path out of two years of difficulties, its chief executive said.

Who Let the Chryslers in Here?

Ray Wert — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:39:13 EDT

Hall 6 of the enormous Messe is home during the Frankfurt Motor Show to the cars of the Fiat Group: Fiat, Maserati, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Lancia. And snuggled in there, amongst the gorgeous red and yellow sports cars, is a Dodge Caliber.

Return of the Fastback Roofline

Ray Wert — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:00:27 EDT

The Honda Accord Crosstour is one of a new generation of vehicles with raked roof lines designed to be sporty but also have the carrying capacity and high stance that customers have gotten used to in S.U.V.'s. But don't call it a wagon or a hatchback.

In Samoa, Drivers Switch to Left Side of the Road

Ray Wert — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:45:06 EDT

On Monday at 6 a.m., Samoa switched from driving on the right side of the road to the left.

Toyota Quality Control Includes 'Popeye' and 'Greensleeves'

Ray Wert — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:45:32 EDT

Toyota is famous for its quality control, but visitors to its factories around the world might be surprised at the role that the folk ballad "Greensleeves" plays in the system.

Official Charged in Road Rage Death Was Street Racing Foe

Ray Wert — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:33:40 EDT

Michael Bryant, the province's former top justice official, faces criminal charges in alleged fit of road rage that led to the death of a bicyclist. But earlier this decade, he promoted several tough, controversial measures to curtail street racing in Toronto.

Honda Is Investigated for Air Bag Recall

Ray Wert — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:49:30 EDT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether Honda delayed the recall of almost 440,000 vehicles for an air bag defect that could allow shards of metal to hit the driver.

Brooklyn Rat-Rod Show Keeps Growing

Ray Wert — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:41:43 EDT

The ninth edition of the annual Kustom Kills and Hot Rod Thrills car show took place on Saturday under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway at Union Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.