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There's a new bill in Congress that would cut the corn ethanol tax credit by 6 cents to $.45/gal and create a $1.01/gallon credit for cellulosic ethanol..

It's just a matter of preference and philosophy. Some like their rear armrests floppy, loose, and accessible, while others prefer heavy, over engineered, tightly-toleranced center armrests that require a deliberate pull.

Sure it'd be nice if Cadillac used brushed aluminum instead of silver painted plastic, but the Germans do the same thing, only choosing to leave their plastic matte black. It's just that silvery plastic naturally draws more attention than black plastic, and the CTS uses this silvery material much more prominently as a centerpiece of the interior. And before somebody mentions how BMW and Audi use real aluminum, those are large strips of metal plastered on the dash and doors, just like how real wood trim is used in the CTS. I'm talking about the material used to surround buttons and knobs, which apart from maybe the G35's "Washi paper" metal, is always plastic.

TOYOTA OPEN ROAD BLOG: Living Up to Our Commitment http://blog.toyota.com/2008/03/living-up-t...l?no_prefetch=1

This wagon is a natural complement to the sedan and coupe, and if anything, I like the styling even more. The center of interest has been pushed back, giving it a more cab-rearward "slingshot" appearance. The new visual weight above the rear wheels takes attention away from the busy front end, and this starker contrast helps to emphasize the hood's length. Also, the taller, more vertical liftgate and D-pillars go well with the CTS's tall, blunt front end. I like the wheels, too, which look larger than they are. Headroom appears better than the sedan's, though this wagon doesn't address the other complaint I have with the CTS sedan's rear seat: poor outward visibility and difficult ingress/egress. With a more vertical C-pillar specific to this bodystyle, like you would find on a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes wagon, passengers won't have to lean forward just to peer out, or duck their heads to climb in. I suppose Cadillac wanted to reuse the rear doors and windows.

[source: Autoblog]

You'd hope that people would just use "food" to make "food." Really, we're toying (mostly unwittingly) with the unknown, using our bodies as test subjects to see just how "harmless" these synthetic additives, pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, and antibiotics can be. It's no mere coincidence that new cancers and birth defects are on the rise. This is unchartered territory.

I used to be a believer, until I got a Magellan 3250 portable nav from Costco for $200 (list price $449). It's compact, has its own battery and a nice screen, comes with Bluetooth, and does everything an integrated system can. In fact it pays for itself... I won't need Hertz NeverLost next week. The only downside is if you forget to bring it... then you're screwed. For occasional use, it's fine and surprisingly not too clumsy. I do agree the G8 should at least offer the option.

If there were actual footage it'd be even more dramatic. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/alaska/alaska-week.html

Mexican Cokes, the glass bottled ones that use sugar cane, not HFCS, rule. (They make both kinds.)

That's great news. The Malibu now gets better gas mileage than a Cobalt automatic. The '09 Sonata also gets 22/32 MPG, btw. And he Civic automatic gets 25/36, tied with the Cobalt XFE (manual).

Actual pics of the car in Beijing... Official pics... The side profile seems particularly Rovery.

If people have the impudence to personally attack you for your choices, ignore them. There's no point in arguing with these bullies. Don't let them taint your world view and create new stereotypes and reactionary antagonism of your own, because that would be succumbing to their wishes. They are like trolls, and if you decide to feel threatened by their antics, then they have succeeded. I think lots of perfectly reasonable and legitimate ideas - public transportation, sustainable agriculture, protecting natural resources - lose their "message" because some individuals self-promote themselves, or try to make money, in the name of some movement. And, of course, they tend to act saintly and holier than thou, which in turn makes the topic politicized and loathed, spoiling it for the rest of us. Assholes come in every way, shape, and form..

Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards are national energy, not environmental, policies.

That's the ad for the 2007s... and it was 26 mpg, not 27. The DI will maybe bump the '09s to 17/25 FWD.

Go Dazhong!

I actually don't mind the height and proportions of the Invicta anymore. Sure, it's tall, but it's in a redefined crossover sedan sort of way, similar to the idea of the Lincoln MKT. There is a trend for taller vehicles as they give the perception of spaciousness. Cars like the Corolla and Taurus are relatively tall but have goofy styling as a result. Buick happened to make height look intentional, graceful, and stately. The Rolls Phantom certainly isn't some low slung coupe.

Beautiful. The concept's big wheels help mask the tall beltline, which I don't like. Everything else looks great.

The 15/22 mpg G6 convertible is geared for acceleration (3.69:1 final drive). With a different ratio, the 3.9 would likely get better FE than with the 3800. Impala LTZ 3.9 3729 lbs 3.29:1 18/28 mpg Lucerne CX 3800 3761 lbs 2.86:1 16/25 mpg The Impala LTZ does have AFM, which the Lucerne won't have, but perhaps it will come with the Impala LT's 2.86 final drive.

A SAIC-developed Chevy-badged Roewe MPV made in Hamtramck?

Those wheels definitely look Rover/Roewe: Some parts of it make me think Citroen C4 Picasso... but maybe that's just a coincidence.

PL46 (2002 A4+) and PQ46 (2006+ Passat) don't share anything in common. Different drivetrain layouts, different suspension...

Yeah, the previous generation Passat (1998-2005) did share a platform with the A4 from two generations ago (1996-2001). That's where VW got their longitudinal engine setup, 30V engine, and five-link front suspension. From 2002 onwards, the A4 has used an Audi-exclusive platform. The current Passat has a transverse/front strut layout and an iron-block DI VR6 as opposed to the A4's alloy DI V6 and more advanced front suspension.

Nice. Minivans aren't dead, and this can keep them alive here in the US. Sure, it's smaller than our current offerings, but perhaps this will start the downsizing phase. It looks quite a lot bigger than Zafira or Mazda5, more like a Galaxy/S-Max or Previa/Estima?