Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: MPG, On Two Wheels, USA

It’s generally accepted that riding a scooter can save you money at the gas pump. Even between the little two-wheelers, though, there is a big difference between the fuel mileage that one machine offers versus another, with the final figure depending on the size of the engine, the gearing of the transmission and the weight of the machine plus rider. As it is with cars and trucks, modifications can be made to improve the fuel economy of a scooter, and Genuine Scooters has just announced that it’s done just that on its popular Buddy scooter. The standard Buddy comes with either a 50cc or 125cc engine, with the larger of the two offering some 90 miles per gallon or so. A new Eco model beats that figure, promising 110 miles per gallon using an engine of the same displacement. We’re unclear as to how the manufacturer was able to eke the extra 20 miles per gallon out of the mill or what impact there may be on performance, but an increase in efficiency is always appreciated.

[Source: Genuine Scooters]

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The Digital Arts and New Media MFA program at UC Santa Cruz is organized around a set of collaborative research areas — and I’m happy to announce a new one in Playable Media. The official description reads:
DANM’s Playable Media research explores the potential of computational systems for the creation of new media forms that invite […]

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Hyundai Motor Co. aims at a higher level of quality and value with the recent release of the Genesis Coupe, touted as the automaker’s ‘halo vehicle’. At the launch in Jeju Island, a popular tourist destination in South Korea, Hyundai took the covers off of the Genesis Coupe for members of the Korean and international […]

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This is one of the funniest Car Commercials I have seen. I can almost see this actually happening. They say a Porche 911 will fly!!!

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By Tom Wallace
GM Global Vehicle Chief Engineer for Performance Vehicles
As an amateur sports car racer, Corvette chief engineer, and rabid racing fan, I’ve seen more than my share of winner’s circle ceremonies. I never thought I would see the day when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and SAE International, the […]

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By Ed Peper
North American Vice President, Chevrolet
Today is an exciting day for us here as we come even closer to the production of the 2010 Chevy Camaro. I want to make sure FastLane readers are among the first to know that starting today, Chevy dealers are taking orders for the new Camaro set to be […]

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This is a tip for my Car Salesman readers, but also to let customers know what goes on behind closed doors in the sales meetings. All Car Salesmen are taught “10 Steps The Road To A Sale” on their first day of learning at the car lot. You had better re…

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While fuel prices continue to skyrocket and a credit crisis is curbing consumer spending, more drivers are looking for ways to cut back on their fuel expenses. There are actually several ways to help drivers save up on fuel costs. These can range from choosing to walk or take the bicycle instead of driving, to […]

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Ford Motor Co. helps keep teen drivers safe with the introduction of an innovative technology called MyKey that is designed to help parents encourage their teenagers to drive safer.Ford MyKey allows parents to program a special ignition key with a pre-programmed list of vehicle options designed for better safety.
For instance, parents can program the […]

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Mazda will unveil the 2010 Mazda 3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The new Mazda 3 will feature a fresh new design inspired by the Kabura concept that Mazda revealed in 2006. This is evident in the new Mazda 3’s new face which is now dramatically swept back. This makes the Mazda […]

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The GMC Sierra is differentiated from other trucks with the motto “Professional Grade.” “Professional Grade” in quality engineering, attention to detail, and going beyond “Good Enough,” to be the best!GMC Sierra has gone above and beyond in creating a …

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J. J. Abrams, the creator of Lost, says that it would be “really fun” to develop an all-text interactive fiction.
And, a collector acquires an amazing manuscript: A typed-out text by recently departed Thomas M. Disch, specifying the interactive fiction Amnesia.

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In what could be a glimpse of the automotive industry’s future, electric cars grabbed the limelight at the ongoing ‘Mondial de l’ Automobile’ (Paris Motor Show) 2008 with several automakers unveiling a slew of new hybrid electric models. Most of the models, such as Renault SA’s Z.E. Concept, are still prototypes and could be several […]

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Announced today, the The Games for Learning Institute (G4LI) is a joint research endeavor of Microsoft Research, New York University and a consortium of universities, including Dartmouth College. Tiltfactor will be home to the 3 year research initiative at Dartmouth, where researchers will be evaluating computer games as learning tools. We will be specifically focusing […]

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Proposals for Networked: a (networked_book) about (networked_art) are now being sought. The deadline is 15 December 2008.
Five writers will be commissioned to develop chapters for a networked book about networked art. The chapters will be open for revision, commentary, and translation by online collaborators. Each commissioned writer will receive $3,000 (US).
Networked Committee: Steve Dietz (Northern […]

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Dear Pod people, I’ve been interviewed by Trevor Dodge and Shane Hinton and am on the latest First Wall Rebate, a podcast “focusing on games and the cultures that spawn them.” If this sounds keen, drink it in through the earbuds and let me know what you think, either here or on the First Wall […]

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Ford Motor Company further beefed up its reputation for safety and technology with the recent announcement of its latest vehicle safety breakthrough advanced “active” collision-avoidance technology called Collision Warning with Brake Support. This new technology uses radar to detect moving vehicles directly ahead.
When the device detects a possible collision, it warns the driver through an […]

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Vice Chairman Bob Lutz discusses the high quality of today’s GM cars and trucks – and issues a unique challenge to compare our vehicles to our competitors’ – in today’s installment of our “The Case for GM” video series. As always, please let us know your thoughts and check back regularly for responses from our […]

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Filed under: HybridJust over a month ago at the Detroit Grand Prix weekend, Corsa Motorsports announced its intention compete in the ALMS LMP1 class with a hybrid-powered race car built in England by Zytek. The new car was supposed to debut this weekend at the Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta. Unfortunately, earlier this […]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

Yikes, isn’t $465,000 a little much to pay for an EV1? But that’s the amount that it seems someone paid for a 1998 model in British Columbia recently. That’s just nuts. It’s $465,000 Canadian, but still. We’ll save our pennies for the B0 (B Zero) or the Nuvu, thank you.

• Did a used EV1 really just sell for $465,000?
• Ferraris greener than Priuses? Statistics to the rescue again!
• Spoiler Alert: 10th Petit Le Mans is over, the first Green Challenge winner is…
• Inaugural VW Jetta TDI cup goes to Josh Hurley
• Auto industry responses to the bailout bill; what do you think?
• Third-gen Prius to be sportier?
• Jetta TDI proving more popular than VW planned
• MOPAR fan converts Plymouth Duster to electric
• Senate passes plug-in tax credits in Wall Street bailout bill
• VIDEO: Danny’s Contentment talks Nuvu with Mia
• Paris 2008: Pininfarina and Bolloré debut the B0 (B Zero) production electric car
• Paris 2008: Video of Saab 9-X Air and designer Mark Adams
• Paris 2008: smart shows off its second-gen ED
• Paris 2008: Venturi Eclectic, the production version
• Paris 2008: Peugeot RC HYmotion4
• Paris 2008: Wallyscar to make electric Jeep-like vehicle
• Paris 2008: Peugeot Prologue HYmotion4 diesel hybrid
• Paris 2008: Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4_e

More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 10.06.08

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