Which State Has The Dumbest Drivers?

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GMAC Insurance just completed its annual survey of driver knowledge, and the results don't look good. Of those questioned, New York drivers proved to know the least about the rules of the road, with 20 percent failing the written exam and 85 percent not knowing basic information like what to do when approaching a yellow light. The trend continued for most of the North East with the region managing the lowest average test score of 74.9 percent.

Meanwhile, the Mid-West took the highest average test score by region with 77.5 percent average. It turns out Kansas drivers are the most knowledgeable of traffic laws. The state's residents managed to pull down an average test score of 82.3 percent. GMAC surveyed a total of 5,000 licensed drivers from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. for its research, and looked into distracted driving issues as well.

GMAC didn't provide average test scores for the entire nation, but we can guess they're nothing to brag about. Our country's approach to driver's education is outdated and underfunded at best, and hand-me-down at worst. Bi-annual testing, behind-the-wheel training (complete with an understanding of vehicle control in emergency situations) and law-enforcement for infractions other than speeding would be a good place to start. It ain't gonna be cheap, but it certainly would be worth it in lives and insurance costs.

[Source: CBS News ]

TPC Racing to Turbo Charge Porsche Boxster Spyder

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TPC Racing Porsche Boxster Spyder – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Boxster Spyder may be one of the purest Porsches to date, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. However, unlike the majority of tuning firms, TPC Racing is different. They take a holistic approach to the project at hand and in the case of their white-on-black Spyder, they're not just looking to improve the Porsche's performance, they're out to build a supercar.

We've spent time with the company's Cayman S Turbo and there's no doubt they've got the skills to accomplish the task (20+ years of motorsports knowledge helps), but how do you improve on something that's damn-near perfect right out of the box? In this case, the answer (predictably for TPC) comes in the form of forced induction.

Although they've already increased the output of the flat-six to 321 horsepower with a few ECU tweaks, the planned turbo upgrade will boost the power to 470 hp... at the wheels. In a 2,811-pound roadster.

But if you only want the power upgrade, look elsewhere. TPC won't offer the engine work alone, opting instead for a comprehensive upgrade package that includes a round of suspension mods that won't just make the Spyder stick harder, but offer infinite adjustability through Porsche's two-mode shock system. The whole kit-and-caboodle will set you back around $16,000 ($10k for the engine mods and $6k for the suspension), but once it's completed, the $80,000 entry price should be enough to shame some of the world's most high-powered exotics.

Kilometer Magazine will be following the build, so expect more updates to come in the following weeks.

2011 Chevy Cruze Priced at $16,275, LTZ Costs $22,695

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Chevrolet announced the starting price of the all-new Chevy Cruze compact today, and it might be shocking to some. The $16,275 price tag, before a $720 destination fee, is considerably higher than the outgoing Cobalt it replaces — $14,990 — but it’s also a larger vehicle with better gas mileage.

The price bump puts it about $1,000 higher than the Mazda3, and we’d guess Ford will price its upcoming 2011 Focus somewhere in between or higher than the Cruze, which goes on sale in September. A Honda Civic VP starts at $16,405, and a range-topping Civic EX-L is $21,005.

The base price gets you a manual transmission LS model; a six-speed automatic is standard in the $18,175 LT. The highly touted Eco model, which is expected to get 40 mpg highway with aerodynamic enhancements, also will start at $18,175.

Check out the price and equipment breakdowns from Chevy below, including the top-of-the-line LTZ. Then let us know in the comments if you think the price is too high or just right. We’re more surprised that features such as USB input aren’t standard on more trim levels at this price point rather than the prices themselves.

2010 Aston Martin Rapide: 4 Door Sports Car Auto Review

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0-60 in 5 seconds? Nice! Check it out!

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

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2010 Nissan Sentra

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Audi designs a foosball table, said to redifine "fine motor skills"

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We know what you're thinking. I love me some foosball; if only the game were infused with a bit more... car. Well, Audi Design has answered your prayers, good friend.

The design was initially unveiled a couple of years ago, but is only now entering production, albeit limited: Only 20 examples of this soccer table are being produced by specialist firm Leonhart, each carrying a heft €12,900 (~$16k) price tag.

And yes, you could probably get yourself behind the wheel of a nice used A4 for that amount. But would that be as much fun? Well, probably. But for the fanatic who's already got an R8 in the driveway, this very well might be the ultimate addition to the gaming room. Details – including endorsement from none other than the head of the Bavarian Table Soccer Association – in the press release after the jump.

Pagani says goodbye to the Zonda

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Pagani Zonda Uno

Another day, another special Zonda. The Pagani supercar is set to speed off into the sunset soon and be replaced by a new model. But before it does, the Modenese exotic automaker has been keeping (themselves and us) busy with special editions. The Cinque was one, followed by an additional run of Cinque Roadsters. Then came the track-bound Zonda R, followed by the Zonda PS, and the Tricolore edition unveiled in Geneva. And now this, the Zonda Uno.

Reportedly commissioned by a member of the Qatari royal family, the Zonda Uno bares the same turquoise paint scheme as the rest of the prince's motor pool. Otherwise, it features elements borrowed from the Zonda R and the previously-mentioned Cinque, including the air scoop and rear diffuser, and the latter's 690-horsepower 7.3-liter V12.

Nice work if you can get it, and you can bet the Al-Thani family payed dearly for it.

Citroën packs the tech into "all-new" C4 hatchback

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2011 Citroën C4

You'd think a term like "all new" would be fairly absolute. But not when it comes to new cars. Take the new Citroën C4, for example. The French automaker calls it "all new". But it's still based on the platform of the outgoing model. That said, the sheetmetal is fresh, the dimensions have grown some and the hatch is packed with all manner of gizmos, solidifying the chevron brand's place as a technological powerhouse.

What sort of tech are we talking about? How about adaptive headlights, lane departure and blind-spot warning systems, user-changeable backlighting in the cabin (along with ringtone-style chimes and alerts) and a new system called eTouch which monitors driving patterns and offers suggestions on how to improve fuel economy. Engine options will likely remain the same, with the addition of the new e-HDi hybrid diesel/electric drivetrain, and we'll be looking for the new C4 to debut in Paris this Fall before sales begin overseas early next year.

The three-door model isn't expected to continue into the new generation, leaving the five-door to go it alone against the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. The DS4 is expected to be based on this model, but as a crossover it'll be further differentiated than the narrow gap between the smaller C3 and DS3 hatchbacks.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta starting under $15k

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According to a well-placed source at VWVortex, Volkswagen is set to release official photos of the new 2011 Jetta in about two weeks' time, and while the new compact sedan won't go on sale until sometime this fall, we'll be learning all about the new model over the course of the next month.

While the timing of the Jetta's release isn't a huge surprise (particularly considering the recent rash of spy shots), the real shocker could be the price. For the 2010 model year the cheapest Jetta will set you back $17,735, but word has it that the new model will start at just $14,950.

Volkswagen officials have long lamented how the dollar-to-euro exchange rate affects pricing of its wares, and recently, VW has been working to source more components and systems from dollar-zone suppliers. Hopefully, the drastically reduced price won't come at the expense of de-contenting and cheapening the interior of the new model. High-quality interiors have long been one of the hallmarks of VW products, so it's doubtful that V-Dub would go down market at the same time that Ford and GM are bringing serious competitive products to the segment. Expect more details to follow soon.

[Source: VW Vortex]

Range Rover settles into middle age, hits the big 4-0!

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Range Rover turns 40 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Since the mid-90s, the the luxury SUV segment has become an increasingly crowded field with almost every brand trying to get a piece of the pie (and in many cases several slices of various sizes). Way back in 1970, though, there was only one. Forty years ago this month the very first Range Rover rolled out of a UK factory and its continued rolling ever since.

Unlike the Jeeps, International Scouts and Land Cruisers of the day, the Range Rover managed to combine the luxury amenities and on-the-road ride qualities of a Jaguar with the rock crawling prowess of those other brands. Range Rover built such a reputation that at one time Jaguar even considered building its own competitor. Fortunately, Land Rover came into the Ford family before that happened and now both brands have passed into Indian hands. The realities of the modern world mean that future Range Rovers will undoubtedly change, getting lighter and perhaps adopting hybrid technology. For now at least, the badge still represents the epitome of British luxury blended with jungle crawling capability.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage priced at $179,995

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2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Carbon Black

Aston Martin has finally put a U.S.-approved sticker onto the V12 Vantage, and if you're aching to get into the 510 horsepower coupe, you'll need to set aside $179,995 for the "base" model.

Included in the kit is the DB9-sourced V12 powerplant putting out the aforementioned 510 ponies and 420 pound-feet of torque, capable of scooting the svelte coupe to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 190 mph.

If the standard V12 Vantage is just too plebeian for your tastes, you can option up for the Carbon Black Edition – an exclusive trim for the States – which includes black metallic paint, carbon fiber accents, a reworked grille, 10-spoke black wheels and a host of interior appointments.

Pricing for the Carbon Black model comes in at a cool $194,995 (undercutting both the DB9 and DBS), and both prices include the $3,000 gas guzzler tax and $1,350 destination charge.

NYC seeks Taxi of Tomorrow; is the UniCab answer?

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A couple of years have passed now since the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) announced its search for a vehicle that would replace the taxis of New York City with something that better fits the times. The TLC created a website for creative types to submit ideas for the "Taxi of Tomorrow," and one of the more interesting proposals to come in over the last couple of years is something called the UniCab.

The groundwork for NYC's Taxi of Tomorrow is quite simple:

• Meets highest safety standards
• Superior passenger experience
• Superior driver comfort and amenities
• Appropriate purchase price and ongoing maintenance and repair costs
• Smaller environmental footprint (lower emissions and improved fuel economy)
• Smaller physical footprint (with more usable interior room)
• Compliance with appropriate Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
• Iconic design that will identify the new taxi with New York City

Born out of those guidelines, the UniCab looks nothing like a traditional taxi, aside from the yellow color. The UniCab features seating for four passengers, an automated ramp for those with disabilities, an infotainment center that displays intended routes and attractions along the way and outward sight lines that allow all of the passengers to get a great view of the glorious city of New York. Though nothing more than a design sketch right now, the UniCab could change our perception of taxis in the future and make hailing a cab the hip, green thing to do. Hat tip to Zelda!

[Source: The Taxi of Tomorrow]

Remote-controlled exhaust valves now available for the Nissan 370Z

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Cobra Technology and Lifestyle dual-mode exhaust

German tuner Cobra Technology and Lifestyle has developed a range of aesthetic and performance parts for the Nissan 370Z coupe and roadster. One of them is an exhaust with a remote-controlled butterfly valve that allows the driver to control how loud it bellows. Delivering the same kind of effect you'd get by revving an Aston above 4,500 rpm, you can buy 120-mm pipes with a flap that ranges from "discrete sportiness to pure racing sound."

You can check it the sound range in the video after the jump. Even with the flaps open it doesn't seem bad at all, but it might still come in handy for those hamlets where any kind of loud noise is a no-no.

[Source: Gizmag]

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Have you seen those Subaru commercials that feature mud-covered Outbacks? You know, the ones where they talk about the thick layer of terra firma as a badge of honor? Well, if you don't like your Subie to stay filthy for long, Subaru has another way to showcase your honor and brand loyalty. We're talking real badges, baby.

As shown at right, the main, circular badge tells the world how many Subarus you've owned, followed by your choice of over a dozen badges that show what sports or hobbies you engage in. As you can see in the main image above, merit badges include the 100,000 mile club, mechanical prowess, gardening, biking and winter sports. The badges have an adhesive backing so they can be easily affixed to any metal surface. And if you don't have a Subaru but think you can buy the badges because they look cool, think again. Proof of ownership via Vehicle Identification Number is required to score your free stick-on schwag. Head over to the Subaru Badge of Ownership site to peruse the options. Thanks for the tip, Keye!

[Source: Subaru]

Nissan prices 2011 Juke in UK - What should the U.S. Cost Be?

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2011 Nissan Juke

It's a big day for the upcoming Nissan Juke. Not only did Nissan drop UK pricing details on its little run about, but the company also dumped a smattering of new photos on the interwebs at the same time. If you happen to find yourself living in the old empire and want to lay your hands on the new crossover, get ready to shell out around £12,795 for the base model. That equates to around $18,500 at current conversion rates, but includes Britain's 17.5 percent Value Added Tax. Subtract the VAT and the base MSRP would be around $15,250. That's a reasonable baseline comparison, but of course, there are other market-specific factors to consider in a price comparison.

The base model packs a 117 horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline engine, though a 110 horsepower diesel mill is also available in ol Blighty. Step up to the 190 horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter and all-wheel drive, and you're looking at a final price tag of £19,995 – around $23,850 after converting from the mighty pound and ditching the VAT. At that price point, buyers are treated to a new XTRONIC CVT with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.

Those numbers should give us a feel for how the 2011 Nissan Juke will be priced once it hits our shores, though don't hold us to it. The oddly styled Juke is deceptively small and will likely straddle the various segments in the entry-level class. Off-hand, we can see it doing battle with the forthcoming Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the Suzuki SX4, inexpensive 'box' cars like the Kia Soul, along with basic hatchbacks.

How Much Should The Nissan Juke Cost

China-only 2011 Buick GL8 Minivan Spotted

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For years , Buick has produced the GL8 minivan for the Chinese market. It's based on the late-1990s Pontiac Trans Sport. With that van being severely outdated for the better part of a decade now, Buick's just about ready to replace it with an all-new design. The new GL8 (we don't yet know if the name badge will carry over) has been spotted out testing and it looks very much like the Buick Business Concept that debuted last year in Shanghai.

One of the more interesting visual elements of the concept was its dipped beltline, similar to those on the Hyundai Genesis coupe and the more recent Honda Odyssey concept. The interior of the Buick van looks very upscale, in keeping with what we've seen in the new LaCrosse and Regal.



Considering that the prototype in the spy photos still doesn't have completed light clusters, it's likely that the GL8 replacement won't officially debut until next year's Shanghai show.








[Source: auto.163.com]

Cadillac May Get Seven-seat Lambda Variant

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Brace yourself, Cadillac fans. Word has just come down the pike that The Crest will "absolutely" be getting a new model based on none other than the Lambda architecture. That means that a variant of the Chevrolet Traverse will be sold under all four of The General's brands. So far, drivetrain options are still up in the air and vague at best, but we'd be willing to bet our lucky penny that both front- and all-wheel drive models will be available. Chances are that power will come from the same 3.6-liter V6 found under the hood of every other Lambda out there, too.

It's hard not to approach this with a cynical eye. Right after the company's 2009 bankruptcy blitzkrieg, GM promised the world that it was through with badge engineering for good. Swapping nameplates and fenders had done much to lead the company to the brink of collapse, and the waves of fresh new models hitting our shores had us thinking that maybe the company had turned over a new leaf.

By all accounts, the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave are selling well, so is this a case of Detroit getting greedy or is the company simply trying to spread development costs as thin as possible? Either way, it will take something really special to convince us that this is a smart move.

[Source: InsideLine]

Ford Said To Be Shutting Down Mercury Division

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According to a report from Bloomberg, which is citing two unnamed sources that are supposedly "familiar with the plan," Ford is planning to close the doors on its Mercury division after 70 years of existence. If true, Mercury will join recently departed brands ranging from Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer.

We can't say that this news comes as a shocker, as analysts far and wide have been predicting such an event for the last few years, but Ford has repeatedly denied any plans to cancel its interplanetary division when questioned.

For what it's worth, the Mercury brand has seen its sales fall by nearly three-quarters since the year 2000, now representing less than two percent of Ford's annual sales. What's more, Mercury is scheduled to lose two of its four models next year.

Stay tuned for more as the story develops.

Jeep Releases Pictures of 2011 Grand Cherokee Gettin' Dirty

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Well, look what the interwebs have dragged in. Chrysler has released a flood of new photos of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee doing manly things like fording rivers and blazing trails across the untamed desert. We approve. The company also turned out a tasty press release, complete with a few details on the newest version of Jeep's luxury utility. We no longer need to wonder about what the Grand Cherokee was doing bombing around the Nürburgring. Chances are Chrysler was attempting to see just how big of a difference the truck's reworked fully independent suspension and stiffer chassis would handle a serious flogging.

There's no surprise in hearing that the base Grand Cherokee will feature the new Chrysler Pentastar V6.The new powerplant should up fuel economy should return 11 percent better fuel economy than what's currently available, upping the highway figure to 23 mpg. Throw in the standard tow rating of 7,200 pounds and suddenly you've got an SUV worth looking into.

Expect two-wheel drive models to carry an MSRP of $30,995, with the four-wheel drive variant setting you back another $2,000.





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