One of the keys to cutting vehicle emissions over the past 40 years, aside from electronic engine management systems, has been the catalytic converter. Unfortunately, catalytic converters are expensive due to the fact that precious metals such as…

A previously unseen prototype has been spotted wearing surprisingly light camouflage. Given the visible details at the back of the car, this appears to quite clearly be a Cadillac of some sort, as the vertical taillamps and the horizontal…

As is all too often the case, unintended consequences appear likely to play a part in the aftermath of Cash for Clunkers. One of the points made in selling the whole idea was that it would save fuel by taking older fuel-guzzling vehicles off the road…

The on again/off again story of whether the Porsche Cayenne will get a diesel engine seems to be back on again this week. Automotive News Europe is again reporting that a diesel-powered Porsche SUV is set to debut in March 2009. As previously…

One of the biggest concerns with a large-scale move toward electric vehicles is the ability of the electrical grid to cope with the extra load. The grid is designed to have balanced loads across all points. If the loads in any area get too high or…

We've known for some time now that Ford's redesigned 2010 Fusion and Milan sedans would be getting a new hybrid version for the first time. What we didn't know before was that there will also be a new flex-fuel variant. An order guide has appeared on…

This fall, BMW will be introducing two new upgraded diesel engines to the recently launched 7-series in the 730d and 740d. Both engines have a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder layout with common rail injection and turbochargers. The 740d gets the 306 hp…

The Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, wants to see the nominal amount of ethanol in regular gasoline blends increased from 10 percent (pretty much the national standard) to 20 percent and Pawlenty's office released a report this week in support of…

It's been just over a year since General Motors launched its Project Driveway fuel cell field test program. In the 14 months the program has been putting fuel cell powered Chevy Equinoxes in the hands of regular customers, those drivers have…

The cars built off of Audi's “B8” platform, including the A4 sedan, A5 coupe and their derivatives, have much to recommend them. Light weight is not among those characteristics. The lowest mass four cylinder front wheel drive A4 sedan weighs in at…