The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested the crash-worthiness of the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, two plug-in electric cars that have garnered much attention in these days of rising gas price. The good news: Both the American extended-range electric hybrid and Japanese all-electric sedans can save you gas without sacrificing safety. The IIHS says both high-tech vehicles earned a “good” rating for front, side, rear and rollover crash protection. They also come equipped with electronic vehicle stability controls as a standard feature and were rewarded with the IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick” award. So far this year, only 78 other vehicles—7 of which are green, hybrid cars—were given this high IIHS distinction for exceeding federal safety standards. “What powers the wheels is different, but the level of safety for the Volt and Leaf is as high as any of our other top crash test performers,” says Joe Nolan, chief administrative officer for the IIHS. The IIHS notes that the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are the first mainstream electric cars crash tested by the Institute. And both are a far cry from the GEM e2 and the Wheego Whip, two all-electric vehicles the institute tested for side impact safety as part of a research project last year. In those tests, crash test dummies recorded data that would have indicated severe or fatal injuries for the drivers. Both the Leaf and Volt, however, are classified as small cars and subject to the same safety standards as conventionally-powered gas cars. But both cars feature heavy rechargeable batteries that makes the fuel-efficient vehicles’ overall weights comparable to physically larger cars. “The Leaf and Volt’s extra mass gives them a safety advantage over other small cars,” Nolan says. “These electric models are a win-win for fuel economy and safety.” Consumer Reports has driven both the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf . Our experts have taken their First Drives with the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf . And additional drive time with the Volt and the Leaf have revealed other high and low points. We’ll have more on both cars soon. Chevrolet Volt & Nissan Leaf earn top ratings in 1st U.S. crash tests of mainstream...

The most important step you can take when getting your car repaired is the first one – dropping the car off. It is often the most rushed part of the process, since it is likely to take place on your way to work, but it is essential to get it right. You may be tempted to drop the keys off and run. Instead of rushing out the door, make sure… Here is the original post:  Avoiding An Auto Repair Nightmare

Filed under: Motorsport , Formula One At least three more months will pass until Robert Kubica’s future in Formula 1 is any clearer. That is the claim of Renault team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli, as the injured Polish driver was on Saturday finally released from hospital after an 11-week stay. Continue reading Kubica released from hospital but future remains unclear Permalink | Email this | Comments Go here to read the rest: Kubica released from hospital but future remains unclear Read the rest here: Kubica released from hospital but future remains unclear

Filed under: Green , MG , News MG Motor, the British sports car brand owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, plans to introduce a hybrid version of its newly launched MG6 hatchback. The hybrid version will appear at the end of 2012, is likely to go on sale in the UK in early 2013 and should improve the fuel consumption of the equivalent petrol-engined MG6 by around 20 percent. Continue reading MG Motor plans hybrid MG6 Permalink | Email this | Comments Go here to see the original:  MG Motor plans hybrid MG6 More here:  MG Motor plans hybrid MG6

Filed under: Supercars , News Controversial footballer Mario Balotelli has managed to rack up a staggering £10,000 in parking fines since he moved to Manchester City in August 2010. The 20-year old footballer has also had his Maserati Gran Turismo impounded a shocking 27 times in the eight months he has been based in Manchester according to The Sun – a rate of more than twice every three weeks. He has also racked up an average of three parking tickets a day in the same time. Continue reading Footballer Balotelli racks up £10,000 in parking fines Permalink | Email this | Comments More:  Footballer Balotelli racks up £10,000 in parking fines Here is the original:  Footballer Balotelli racks up £10,000 in parking fines

Filed under: Aston Martin , Audi , Bugatti , Supercars , News Despite all the exotica available from Italy, or indeed Germany, these days, it seems a British supercar fan still prefers an Aston. The Aston Martin DB9 has emerged as the top pick in a survey to find the nation’s favourite supercar, and it has beaten some impressive opposition too – it pushed the Audi R8 and the Bugatti Veyron into second and third spots respectively. Continue reading Aston Martin DB9 named as Brits’ favourite supercar Permalink | Email this | Comments Read the original here: Aston Martin DB9 named as Brits’ favourite supercar View original post here: Aston Martin DB9 named as Brits’ favourite supercar

Filed under: Motorsport , Formula One F1’s governing body is considering banning the ‘DRS’ moveable wing systems for Monaco. Italy’s Autosprint magazine said the reason for the ban would be the danger of the system’s deployment on the famously tight and twisty street layout. Continue reading FIA considering Monaco ban for DRS Permalink | Email this | Comments Excerpt from: FIA considering Monaco ban for DRS Read more:  FIA considering Monaco ban for DRS

If you have not noticed already, Chrysler has really upped the ante in the marketing department for Dodge by just the looks of their new commercials alone. I have to admit, some of the new Dodge commercials are rather entertaining and a dig them especially the ones featuring the new 2011 Charger. What is your take on the new commercials from Dodge? Which one is your favorite? Are you looking forward to seeing the new 2011 Dodge Charger in the Fast Five movie this weekend? Read the rest here: Marketing at Its Best: 2011 Dodge Charger Commercials View original post here: Marketing at Its Best: 2011 Dodge Charger Commercials

Bill Elliott – better known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville – became a NASCAR darling driving the then-new Aero-bird stocker. Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Thunderbird is a V8-powered homage to his Number Nine, but would buying it mean being presented with a not so awesome bill of sale? More » Original post: For $5,995, this T-Bird could be awesome, Bill [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe] See the original post: For $5,995, this T-Bird could be awesome, Bill [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

Filed under: Motorsport , Formula One Months may pass until Lewis Hamilton signs a new deal to race in formula one beyond 2012, according to Martin Whitmarsh. Whitmarsh is the team principal for McLaren, where the 2008 world champion has spent his entire F1 career to date. Continue reading No rush for new Hamilton contract Permalink | Email this | Comments Here is the original post:  No rush for new Hamilton contract See the rest here: No rush for new Hamilton contract

Filed under: Motorsport , Formula One At least three more months will pass until Robert Kubica’s future in formula one is any clearer. That is the claim of Renault team doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli, as the injured Polish driver was on Saturday finally released from hospital after an 11-week stay. Continue reading Kubica future to remain unclear for months Permalink | Email this | Comments See the original post here:  Kubica future to remain unclear for months See original here: Kubica future to remain unclear for months

The Basics: The 2011 Cadillac CTS is a truly world-class sport sedan, sized slightly longer and wider than the BMW 3-Series, the Infiniti G37 / EX35, the Audi A4, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. And after last year’s new CTS Sport Wagon and the new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, there’s an entire family capable of going against those tivals. The 2011 CTS… Excerpt from: 2011 Cadillac CTS

They’re both best-car-of-the-year winners, they’re both available for purchase–for those with patience at least. And today the 2011 Chevy Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s latest Top Safety Pick winners. The IIHS says both the Volt and the Leaf ace its crash tests, which can be more difficult to pass… Read the original here:  Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf Are IIHS Top Safety Picks

In the first independent crash tests of mainstream all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt took top grades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on all measures — in part because both outweigh other small cars. More » Read the original here: Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf crash so good [Video] See the rest here: Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf crash so good [Video]

They’re both best-car-of-the-year winners, they’re both available for purchase–for those with patience at least. And today the 2011 Chevy Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s latest Top Safety Pick winners. The IIHS says both the Volt and the Leaf ace its crash tests, which can be more difficult to pass… Original post: Cheyv Volt, Nissan Leaf Are IIHS Top Safety Picks