At last year’s Paris auto show , Lotus CEO Dany Bahar surprised the assembled press with six concept cars to show the way forward for the brand, complete with specs and production plans. Skeptics were puzzled about the unprecedented bean-spilling, which resembled an investor pep rally more than a press conference. There was a city car—later christened Ethos—a new Elise, a new Esprit supercar, a new Elan to be positioned between the Elise and the Esprit, the Elite front-engine sports car, and a sedan called the Eterne. Or, to be more accurate, there were styling mock-ups of these proposed vehicles. We couldn’t help but wonder about this procession of cars, whose styling is just as indistinguishable as their names. Nor did we understand the decision to desert the current positioning of the Elise at a time when other carmakers are beginning to gravitate toward its light-weight, low-cost approach, or how Lotus would pay for the development and engineering of an entirely new vehicle family brimming with the latest technology. Subsequently, we’ve been treated to a flurry of news releases regarding partnerships, sponsorships, and celebrity plant visits. The very latest releases announced Bronx-raised rapper “Swizz Beatz” being hired as “vice president of creative design and global marketing,” and the all-important partnership with the Norwich City soccer team. We are not kidding. Meanwhile, what’s happening with the new cars supposed to be rushed into production? Bahar himself announced in a simulated interview published by his press department that the Elan would be “delayed, not canceled,” giving him more time to make sure that “the quality of the Evora matches its undeniable performance.” That’s good news, if a bit late in light of the fact that the Evora was unveiled in 2008. German journalist Thomas Geiger, who was present at an event at the company’s headquarters in Hethel, U.K., a few weeks back, reports that the presentation consisted of “PowerPoints instead of prototypes.” According to Lotus, the Esprit is still slated for a debut in 2013. The next-generation Elise—which will be far heavier and more expensive than the current model—the four-seater...

If you live near Chicago, you may want to head down to Naperville, Illinois, the next time you’re in the market for a new or used car. We can’t tell you that you’ll get a better deal there, but we can tell you this: you’ll have access to your own dedicated test track, which beats trying to test drive a car on… Original post:  Illinois Town Gives Car Shoppers Their Own Test Track

Motorway A9 from Munich to Nuremberg – and as usual – there is a high volume of traffic. But despite the stress of the situation, the driver sits calm and relaxed behind the wheel. Why? Because the car is highly automated, i.e. it brakes, accelerates and passes other vehicles on its own, while also monitoring and adapting to the prevailing traffic conditions. And the second reason why? Because Dr. Nico Kämpchen, Project Manager of Highly Automated Driving at BMW Group Research and Technology, has already completed nearly 5,000 test kilometres with his team. In order to offer drivers comfortable and safe vehicles in the future, equipped with the most modern assistance systems available, the engineers at BMW Group Research and Technology have been working for many years on the development of electronic co-pilots to support automated driving in specific situations – for example the BMW TrackTrainer tested on the race track, as well as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and the Emergency Stop Assistant. To further understand the potential offered by these systems, as well as their limitations, researchers are ready to take their next major step: developing advanced driver assistance systems for the motorway. To accomplish this, researchers have equipped a BMW 5 Saloon with intelligent software as well as vision assistance and environment detection systems. The advanced automated assistance function for motorway journeys can be activated with the push of a button. From this point on, the prototype system can autonomously control acceleration and braking, and it can safely pass slower vehicles. One of the greatest challenges early in the project involved reacting to vehicles merging on to the motorway at exit and access points – but even this problem could be solved with a cooperative approach. The prototype system reacts to the situation by allowing the merging vehicles to join the traffic flow, and it can even change lanes giving the merging vehicles adequate space to enter traffic safely. This is possible up to a speed of 130 km/h, but in compliance with current traffic regulations regarding speed limits and such things as prohibited passing zones. “This is an entirely new situation and experience for the driver – it is a strange feeling handing over complete...

The “Another Day. Another Adventure.” international campaign will be launched to coincide with the world premiere of the new MINI Coupé at the IAA International Motor Show. MINI fans will be able to experience not only the sporty two-seater but also real driving fun through TV, print and the social web. The new MINI Coupé is the latest member of the MINI family. The two-seater has a license for everyday adventure – as shown in the campaign. The “Another Day. Another Adventure.” slogan itself clearly signals that MINI is taking an unconventional approach with this campaign. TV and print The three TV commercials showcase the new MINI Coupé as the ideal companion for every adventure. The three locations of Rio de Janeiro, Iceland and Hong Kong promise fascinating landscapes and cultures. In the “Sunday in Rio” TV spot, the MINI Coupé accompanies dancers to the legendary Carnival in Rio and transports viewers to a colourful world of samba. In “Tuesday in Iceland”, the MINI Coupé and its somewhat suspicious passenger are driving across a remote winter landscape; in the third, “Wednesday in Hong Kong”, a MINI Coupé driver “kidnaps” an attractive young woman in a breath-taking car chase. Acclaimed cameraman César Charlone, who was nominated for an Academy Award for best cinematography for his work in “City of God”, was brought in to shoot the films under the direction of Kevin Thomas of THOMAS & THOMAS Films. The corresponding advertisements and billboards will also instil a thirst for adventure with the MINI Coupé. The locations used in the TV commercials also provide the background for print advertising. Social media In a social media campaign entitled “All the Wrong Places”, the MINI Coupé once again embarks on unusual adventures. But this time not alone: In collaboration with the numerous platforms of the lifestyle magazine VICE, a series of five episodes will be shot, up until February 2012, which can then be viewed through MINI and VICE social media channels. In keeping with the campaign slogan, “Another Day. Another Adventure.”, a driver or “Adventure Man”, will accompany the MINI Coupé on its journey, discovering the most exotic places and cultures around the world. However, the driver and the MINI Coupé...

In the closing days of the Bush administration, then-president Bush made the decision to grant General Motors a $13.4-billion loan to keep the company afloat, at least through the transition to the Obama administration. The decision wasn’t a popular one with then-vice-president Dick Cheney, who says in his new memoir that he’d been… Original post: Dick Cheney Opposed The GM Bailout

A new spy video of the 2012 BMW 3 Series shows up on Youtube. The video contains both exterior and interior footage of the new F30 3 Series Sedan. According to the spy photographers, the test mule in question is a diesel, with a Start/Stop system and is limited to 210 kph (130 mph) for test purposes. The day this video was shot, BMW also tested the 3 Series while pulling a trailer (see the beginning of the video). Like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Citroën and SsangYong were testing their newest cars in the Sierra Nevada (Spain) that day. This video also contains a test version of the Aston Martin DBS (evolution rather than revolution?) and two uncamouflaged Citroëns DS5. The new 2013 BMW 3 Series will continue down the same path and BMW plans to offer two or three different lines, one of them, Sport, catering to customers looking for enhanced sportiness in their new vehicle. As expected, the new F30 3 Series follows the design lines of its bigger brother, the F10 5 Series. The F30 3 Series could be considered a scaled down 5 Series, but with unique lines that will make it distinctive within the BMW family. The car also showcases corona rings with full LED treatment which are different from the current generation E90 due to a new design and a “squared” look. For the first time on a 3 Series, the new F30 will feature signal indicators placed on the side mirrors, a design cue driven by recent European car safety regulations. From the side, the new 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan is said to feature a double shoulder line that starts above the front wheel arch and extends to the rear. Despite the complicated and demanding pedestrian safety regulations, BMW managed to keep the car’s nose sitting low, offering a more dynamic look, somewhat similar to the 5 Series sedan. At the back, the 2012 BMW 3 Series brings out a masculine design with a subtle trunk lid and the L-shaped taillights. In just a few weeks, BMW will fully unveil the next generation 3 Series. See the original post: Video: 2012 BMW 3 Series F30 in Sierra Nevada

Wondering which family cars earn the best safety ratings for 2012? Wonder no more–we have them. [FamilyCarGuide] Signs o’ the times: the NHTSA says cities don’t have to spend money they don’t have, switching out street signs that don’t need it. [TheCarConnection] Older drivers are using computers to refresh their driving skills–without getting… Excerpt from: 2012 Jeep Wrangler, Bentley Hybrids, Five-Star Safety: Car News Headlines

Last month, BMW M Power opened the registration gates for an exclusive and unique event. Thousand of M fans and not only already registered for the new BMW M5 at http://www.m-power.com, and six of them from all over the world got the chance to take part in a “once in a lifetime” event. One of them is Benjamin Goh of Singapore, a true car enthusiast with an equally impressive car collection. The folks over at M-Power visited Ben on his home turf. “Benjamin Goh drove the new BMW M5 – we’ve visited him in his hometown Singapore. It’s my passion for cars that drives me.” Benjamin Goh looks back at the road. “I’m a petrol head.” Ben registered for the new BMW M5 at M-Power.com and was one of the participants in the “BMW M5 Green Hell Fly&Drive” event. We wanted to find out more about Ben and after the event we visited him in Singapore. Benjamin is 43 years of age and we begin to see what he means when he says he is driven by passion. Wherever we are, Ben is at work. Ben’s iPhone rings constantly and he conducts his calls in any one of five languages. Even during a call we hear the “bling” of the phone to say a new message has been received which he then has to answer. Ben’s IT company Benz Pte Ltd. employs six top-qualified experts and specialises in the complete conception and realisation of house automation. … to access perfectly configured control programs for light, air conditioning etc. according to selected scenarios. As we look around Ben’s office, we again see evidence of Ben’s passion. Ben shows us a picture of his first BMW M automobile, a BMW M3 of the “E46″ series. He smiles, saying; “Since that one I have collected all the BMW M models in my garage.” One of the cars Ben currently drives is the BMW M 3 GTS with the serial number 66, as indicated by various accessory items in his office. On another floor of the building, Ben shows us the premises of another company of his, Benz Motorsport. It enters its own kart in the Singapore Karting Championships (SKC) series in Singapore, supporting up-and-coming young drivers. Ben himself is also a passionate racing driver and proudly told us that he came in first in a rain race the...

Hurricane Irene blew through the Eastern states, leaving damage, flooding, and heartbreak in its wake. Many families are emerging from debris-strewn neighborhoods without power, eager for supplies and a break from cabin fever. Proceed cautiously, as your once-safe neighborhood may present new dangers. Here are some tips to help keep you and loved ones safe and avoid further inconveniences: Don’t start a wet engine. If the car is parked in a flooded situation, or stalls in deep water, turning it on can do serious engine damage. Avoid driving through standing water. During most storms, a puddle is just an opportunity to splash, but after a hurricane, it can conceal deep pot holes and tire-puncturing debris. Don’t assume road debris is just sticks and leaves. Many roads are covered with all manner of plant debris from the winds, but within that mess can be nails and other objects unfriendly to tires. Keep in mind, traveling just after a storm has a higher likelihood of experiencing a flat tire. Bring an emergency kit with you and cell phone, just in case. Wet brakes can take longer to slow a vehicle. After driving through large puddles, lightly apply the brake pedal to dry the brakes off. Keep speeds low, courtesy high. This has been a stressful time for everyone in the hurricane zone, so travel slowly—you never know what obstacles you may face—and be extra patient. Intersections may be without lights and drivers will be distracted, making errand-running a bit more dangerous than usual. Be kind to others, be predictable, and follow the laws. Don’t drive under fallen trees. Many trees have fallen during the storm, resting across power lines. While it may be tempting to driving under a tree that is arching over the road, don’t do it. It may look safe, but it is mere chance that is holding the tree in its position. Further, power lines may or may not have electricity coursing through them. Even if you avoid driving on the lines, a wind gust could blow an unseen wire into contact with your car. Call your insurance company if the car was damaged by the storm. Take photos of the vehicle and context, showing the area around the car. Having visual evidence of how the damaged occurred may help with processing the claim. Watch out for pedestrians....

A few months back, we looked at a number of fuel-saving devices and found out that, not surprisingly, none of them worked. The Fuel Doctor FD-47 was one of these devices. After we published the story, Fuel Doctor president and CEO Mark Soffa repeatedly contacted us to challenge our testing methodology and claim that the FD-47 works as advertised. In the end, we conceded that the Fuel Doctor claims to work on vehicles more than two years old and our test was performed on newer cars. We promised to follow up. Our next round of testing revolves around the actual function of the FD-47. The explanation of how the Fuel Doctor works boils down to three essential points: 1) As a vehicle gets older, the electrical ground deteriorates; 2) The deterioration of the ground causes electrical noise and interference that diminish the performance of the fuel injectors and/or ECU; and 3) The FD-47, plugged into a 12-volt port in a vehicle’s interior, conditions this noise and improves vehicle performance. Left: A 13-volt DC current with the FD-47 disconnected. Right: The same 13-volt DC signal from the amplifier (orange) and across the FD-47 connection point (green). When connected, the FD-47 introduces about one volt peak-to-peak of noise. It all sounds pretty far-fetched. ECUs are shielded from noise, both with respect to the ground wire and the other electrical components. But for the sake of argument, we decided to accept the theory that you can actually affect an engine’s ECU through the 12-volt power port. If this noise does occur, and that noise affects the ECU, and it can be fixed through the 12-volt port, does the FD-47 actually cancel any of it? Left: The two signals superimposed, showing that the noise is slightly higher at the source (the FD-47). Right: A close-up look at the noise blips introduced by the FD-47. No. Not at all. In fact, the FD-47 makes things worse. We bought a brand-new FD-47 Platinum from the Fuel Doctor website and sent it to an engineer for an automotive supplier to test the noise-damping characteristics of the device. Basically, we tried to recreate the graph shown on the “ How it Works ” page of the Fuel Doctor website. (At the time of publishing this, Fuel Doctor’s How it Works page is down; you can see an archived version here...

Ever wondered why road signs are made the way they are? How the government manages to ensure that they’re consistent? Most of the standards for directional signs, traffic lights, and other roadway signage are set out in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is the Federal Highway Administration’s answer to sleeping pills. The Manual… Go here to read the rest:  LaHood Says Communities Can Upgrade Signs At Their Own Pace

Parents of driver’s ed students quickly learn that, apart from mounting anxiety of their kids being licensed to drive, the learning experience is far different today. Driving simulators are the norm, and rickety film projectors no longer show film strip shockers like Mechanized Death or Wheels of Tragedy. They might also be surprised to… See the rest here:  Older Drivers Using Computer Keys To Keep Car Keys

A showcase for early computer animation in the 1980s, the movie Tron was unlike anything previously seen on the big screen. Taking audiences into a vast computer program called the Grid, the 1982 release of the motion picture not an immediate hit. However, the acceptance and admiration of Tron evolved as our virtual technology rapidly grew. Following the journey for which the first movie endured, film company Disney decided to rejoin the innovative franchise accepting the all-new world outside as well as inside the Grid. In the 2010 release Tron: Legacy, the revamped Grid’s most captivating creations was a new-generation Light Cycle. For those finding life outside of the Grid rather dull and confiding, United States retailer Hammacher Schlemmer offers a product recreating to sensation of the modern Tron film update for the real world roads. A street-legal motorcycle, the $55,000 vehicle is brought to life featuring all the bright and unique Light Cycle attributes. Parker Brothers Custom Choppers of Florida began crafting the Tron Light Cycle last year ahead of the winter blockbuster. Having previously recreated the Batpod from the 2008 Batman movie instalment “The Dark Knight”, the chore of adapting to Light Cycle into reality was an equally successful feat. Closely replicating the movie vehicle on a steel frame wearing fiberglass panels, The Light Cycle’s memorable shape is accompanied by the two hubless wheels. Riding on tires originally sourced for trucks, the Light Cycle design rolls thanks to customized wheel rims. Just like the Light Cycles that raced around in the Tron: Legacy action scenes, the motorcycle illuminates the roadway. While light ribbons are out of the question, the real-life Light Cycle wears several electroluminescent strips running along the wheel rims, tire cowls and along the side panels. Losing little of the Tron: Legacy movie vehicle’s charm, the Light Cycle presents near identical riding positioning as that of the film’s characters. A padded leather saddle seat forces the rider’s body forward with handlebars positioned through the front wheel. As the handles serve as the acceleration and braking of the Light Cycle, foot pedals allows the rider to select one of six forward gears in the constant mesh...

Infiniti mines the design talent of reigning F1 champ Sebastian Vettel for this “concept.” Last week we stumbled across a video that showed Infiniti-sponsored Red Bull Racing F1 driver Sebastian Vettel consulting on a special-edition FX crossover, and now comes a single image of the result. The white FX concept you see here will be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show . Keep Reading: Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept – Auto Shows View post: Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept: Carbon Fiber, a Spoiler, and Badges Courtesy of the Reigning F1 Champ See original here: Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept: Carbon Fiber, a Spoiler, and Badges Courtesy of the Reigning F1 Champ

The Jeep Wrangler remains one of the most iconic, uniquely American, and instantly recognizable vehicles. Even those who aren’t at all vehicle enthusiasts—or small kids—will be able to point it out as a Jeep. And having such a continuous and consistent design heritage are important factors in being so recognizable, so distinctive. As… More: 2012 Jeep Wrangler: How Does It Compare To The Original CJ?