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> VW will carbon offset what it sells for one year

Volkswagen just announced that it will teamed up with Carbonfund.org to help new VW purchasers clean up their carbon footprints. Every new Volkswagen purchased in the United States from September 1, 2007 through January 2, 2008 will come with one year of carbon emission offsets, courtesy of Volkswagen. It looks like money for each vehicle purchased will be donated to help reforest areas of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) in Northern Louisiana.

The trees help reduce the amount of CO2 in the air, but also provide other environmental benefits like wind and water breaks, as well as shelter for local wildlife. We're not sure if that means rabbits or not. DaimlerChrysler's smart ran a similar campaign a year or so ago, as did Peugeot. We're not sure what impact those had on climate change, but at the rate rabbits multiply, we think Volkswagen might make a bigger impact on the offset front.

Full release with more info about the program and about Carbonfund.org after the jump. Also, follow the read link or click on the image to go to Carbonfund.org to calculate your vehicle's carbon footprint.

[Source: Volkswagen]

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> AutoblogGreen for 09.03.07

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

For many of you, today is a day off, right? If you'd like to spend your time off peeping some unusual and long-forgotten green vehicle concepts, we've got the list for you. Check it out, then get back to not working.

AutoblogGreen also heard over the weekend that Toyota may announce a plug-in deal this week, something we'll certainly be anxious to report on. What else do we have for you? See the list below.

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> Video of 140 mph joyride gets driver a slow ride to jail

Filed under: Etc., Euro

We understand a lot of strange urges, especially when it comes to cars. What we don't understand is the urge to do something illegal, commit it to video, and then upload that video to one of the world's most famous broadcast mediums.

A teenage mechanic in England took his dad's MR2 for a high speed run on the M65 and, recording the event for posterity on his cell phone, got to an indicated 140 mph. An off-duty police officer watched him thread traffic and use the shoulder for his run, and got his license plate number but didn't follow and arrest. A week later, the officer was told about a YouTube video, and it turned out to be the teen in question on that very drive. Campbell told the court that he didn't upload the video, but he sent it to a friend who did. The court did give him a small break, shaving 20 MPH off his offense, and charged him for driving 120 instead of 140. For his friend's efforts, Campbell gets to spend a stint in the brig while he contemplates his next feature film.

Thanks for the tip, EricDJ!

[Source: This London]

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> Clarkson's Escort Cosworth up for sale

This vehicle represents two pieces of history: it's an Escort Cosworth, which might as well have come out of a Harry Potter novel it was so wild; and this particular Cossie was owned by none other than Jeremy Clarkson. Yes, that Jeremy Clarkson. It was, in fact, one of his favorite cars. That's quite a complement coming from a man as difficult to please as Jezza. It isn't clear how long ago he owned it -- the article simply says "once owned by" -- but it is clear that he named it "Gary."

Besides the name, the only other aspect of the car that gives us pause is the color: Mallard metallic green. Only the British could come up with that. The verde monster has a 2.0-liter engine which someone, perhaps Clarkson, upgraded with a larger turbo, uprated fuel pump and modified head gasket. It should get more than the standard 227 bhp and get to sixty even faster than the "hair-raising 5.7 seconds." All this, and that can't-be-missed two story tail can be yours for just £16,989, and a huge insurance bill.

[Source: Auto Trader UK]

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> Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The IRL on Belle Isle - And they're off!

Filed under: Motorsports

Castro-Neves leads Franchitti into turn 1, click for more

The first IRL race at Belle Isle in Detroit is underway and twenty laps in pole sitter Helio Castro Neves still leads Andretti-Green's Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan. The cars are flying under the bright sunshine here in the middle of the Detroit River. Roger Penske ordered up perfect weather for this event.

Update: Results after the jump

Gallery: Detroit GP 2007: IRL race action

Continue reading Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The IRL on Belle Isle - And they're off!

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> GM backs off in-store Malibu vs. Camry comparos

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Chevrolet, GM, Honda, Toyota

When news came back in May that GM would encourage Chevy dealers to have a Camry on hand for customers to compare directly to the forthcoming Malibu, we lauded the company for walking the walk. Similarly confident in the Saturn Aura, the General ran a program earlier this summer in which Aura shoppers were offered comparison drives in both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. According to GM, the Saturn program was a success, and Aura sales rose during the promotion. Despite that, the Malibu vs. Camry deathmatch is now officially DOA.

No specific reason has been given for the change of heart. A GM spokesperson says only that "it's been off the table for quite some time" and that "it wasn't the best approach" for the Malibu. The (undoubtedly significant) costs associated placing comparison vehicles in the 4,000+ Chevy dealers was said to not be a factor in the decision.

[Source: CNNMoney]

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Malibu

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> World's Fastest Diesel Pickup controversy settled

Filed under: Motorsports

The Great Pickup Controversy has been settled. It was reported last week that the Rocket Ranger, from SPAL USA, crossed the Bonneville Salt Flats at 215.091 miles per hour. In doing so, SPAL claimed it set the top speed world record for a pickup truck. However, back in 2002, Gale Banks Engineering's Project Sidewinder Dakota ran the flats at 217.306. So SPAL actually didn't get the world record, yet because of their 215+ run they now hold the national top speed title. Why? Because as in boxing, there are multiple bodies that ignore one another and crown their own champions. The FIA certifies world records, the Southern California Timing Association certifies national records, and neither body acknowledges the other's certifications. SPAL got its from the SCTA, Banks from the FIA. Banks has congratulated SPAL, but wants to unify the titles with its own run in the future. So it ain't over. Stay tuned.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

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> So Sad: Audi R8 mysteriously burns

Filed under: Etc., Euro, Audi

While there were some R8s that burned in the development phase, Audi worked hard to massage the platform and make it production ready. These pictures are reportedly a mule, not a production R8 that went up in flames. Scuttlebutt has it that fuel spillage was the culprit here, though speculation of something else is also offered if you click through and read the related thread on the R8talk forum. Either way, it's a tragic end to this particular R8's short life. Of course, in the end, it's only a car, so as long as everyone escaped unharmed, it's not even a blip on the cosmic scale.

Gallery: R8 Fire

[Source: R8Talk.com]

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> Detroit Grand Prix 2007: IRL Sunday morning warmup photos

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda

Click the photo of polesitter Helio Castroneves for more warmup shots

The IndyCars just finished up their final warmup for todays' race on Belle Isle. Helio Castroneves ended up on top of the session, with Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti swapping their qualifying positions, coming in second and third respectively. The teams are now heading back to the paddock to finish their final preparations before they lineup on the grid at 2:30 this afternoon. 21 photos from the session can be seen in the attached gallery below.

Gallery: Detroit GP 2007: IRL Warmup

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> Porsche Design rescues the day with an emergency radio

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc.

There's a hurricane bearing down on your city and you want an an all-in-one system to listen to emergency services. You also want it to look good. As usual, Porsche design has come to your rescue with the Eton P9110. In addition to its AM/FM/Shortwave radio, it has a flashlight, cell phone charger, siren, red strobe, and a hand crank so you can keep it powered. Because it's from Porsche design, it's made of aluminum, sports knurled knobs and machine bolt treatment, and the crank utilizes a magnetic locking system. Of course, it also costs two-and-a-half times more than the most expensive Eton product, but you know what they say: there is no substitute.

[Source: Gizmag]

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> IIHS rates the 2008 Subaru Impreza

Filed under: Safety, Hatchbacks, Subaru

Well, it seems the folks at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety like the look of the new Subaru Impreza. Granted, a wrecked version of the car is what's got them going, but that's good for the rest of us. Why? Because the offset frontal crash test performed by Subaru shows that the Impreza passed with flying colors. After the IIHS received and analyzed data from the crash performed by the automaker, it rated the 2008 Impreza 2.5i 5-door as "Good" (the highest rating) in each of the individual injury measurement categories. Naturally, it also scored an overall rating of "Good." We're sure that IIHS will take it upon itself to smash up a few Imprezas in its independent testing regimen in due time, as well. Until then, click the read link to see the full breakdown from IIHS based on the manufacturer's test.

Thanks for the tip, Michael!

[Source: IIHS]

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> 2007 Detroit Grand Prix: ALMS race action

Filed under: Motorsports, Acura, Audi, Chevrolet, Dodge, Porsche, Ferrari

Click the photo of the Audi R10 overtaking the Ferrari F430 for more race action

In qualifying for the first ever American Le Mans Series race in Detroit, the LMP2 class cars put the mighty Audi R10s in their place. The diesel racers that have dominated for almost two years were relegated to the fourth row of the grid. However. once the green flag fell all bets were off. If you're a race fan and you love to see cars battling for position on the track, not to mention seeing a variety of different kinds of cars sharing it, check out the ALMS. The Detroit race ran two hours and forty-five minutes and the action never let up. If you haven't watched the race but plan to do so, stop reading now. Otherwise for results follow the jump.

Gallery: 2007 Detroit GP: ALMS Race

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> 2007 Detroit Grand Prix: ALMS Pit Lane Walk

Filed under: Motorsports

Since it began in the late nineties, the American Le Mans Series has made an effort to reach out to fans. One of the more popular activities during ALMS weekends is the grid walkthrough. They bring the cars out to the grid one hour before the green flag and then they open the grid to all fans. The crews and drivers all gather by the cars and fans stroll through and get close-up looks at all the racers. Check out the gallery for many shots of the cars and assorted other views.

Gallery: 2007 Detroit GP: ALMS Grid

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> Live from the Detroit Grand Prix 2007

Filed under: Motorsports

Autoblog is live at the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle this morning. We're hanging out at the Acura Chalet this weekend as the track action has kicked off for the day. The IRL cars have already been out for a couple of practice sessions and the American Le Mans Series cars are doing their final pre-race warm-up right now. Keep checking back all weekend for more updates and lots of photos.

In qualifying for the ALMS race on Friday factory Porsches of the Penske team dominated the front row with the Acuras and Dyson Porsche filling in the next two rows. The big dog Audi R10s could only manage to get to the fourth row on the grid. As usual the Corvettes took the top spots for GT1 cars with the Risi Ferraris taking GT2

Gallery: 2007 Detroit Grand Prix: ALMS

Gallery: 2007 Detroit Grand Prix: IRL

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> Adaptive damping system added to the new Ford Mondeo

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Tech, Ford

Ford vehicle dynamics manager, Norbert Kessing

Ford has announced the availability of a new adaptive damping system for the latest generation Mondeo in Europe. Although Ford is calling it an active suspension system, what it has described clearly doesn't meet the definition of a system that senses the forces on the body and wheels, and actively moves them up and down to follow the road surface.

Nonetheless, systems like this have proven very effective at offering optimized ride and handling on different road surfaces and driving conditions. The adaptive damping lets the car get better handling without a harsh ride and at a much lower cost than a true active system. Ford is calling its system Interactive Vehicle Dynamic Control (IVDC) and it includes four accelerometers at the corners in addition to yaw, pitch and roll sensors to adjust the damping on the fly. The setup will run £650 (about $1,300) in Britain and all the details are pasted in after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

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> Real production Pontiac G8 spied, new concept logo ditched

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, GM, Pontiac

With RWD, crisp, modern looks, and a prodigious V8, the G8 has to be the most highly anticipated Pontiac in a generation. We're beginning to see test models in southeast Michigan, but Down Under the G8 has been captured in production trim. When comparing the production G8 in the photo above to the preproduction model we snapped-up at Woodward, there isn't a whole lot different going on, except for one small logo. It looks like the General settled on the stand-by red Pontiac logo instead of the silver decoration that was on both the concept from Chicago and the G8 on Woodward. Either that, or GM is planning on having two different logos, which is possible, since the preproduction model is a GT and the purple production model isn't. To check out more pictures from Australia on the Wheelsmag website by click the "Read" link below.

[Source: Wheelsmag]

Thanks for the tip, Gray!

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> Hybrid concept has only one horse

Filed under: Concept Cars, Green

In the never-ending quest for ever more horsepower by some automakers, it's refreshing to see inventive, ecologically-friendly ideas for new propulsion systems. One firm in particular, though, might have taken the low-horsepower hybrid car to the extreme. A Dubai group is proposing that their one-horsepower vehicle supplemented by electric motors is the greenest transportation system available. Oh, wait. Not one horsepower. One horse-powered vehicle.

Called Naturcar, the concept hybrid conceptualized by Fleethorse is, as the name suggests, powered by a horse. Not pulled by a horse like Conestogas of the wild west, but powered by a horse. For now the concept is nothing but computer-generated video and renderings, but here's how it seems to work.

Passengers sit in the front of the van-sized, mostly glass vehicle, while the horse stands in back on a conveyor belt. Instead of whips and calls of "YAW!" that once were used to motivate horses. The Naturcar, however, uses electricity. No, not to shock, but to power motors on the belt that gets the horse moving. If the horse stops walking, the belt nudges it back into action. The same belt moves the animal's "exhaust" out of the horse's compartment into a holding area beneath the car.

Fleethorse has already thought of the animal cruelty charges it might incur, and has a list of all the precautions Naturcar would employ to ensure the horse's comfort and safety. Unlike its working ancestors, Naturcar's horse would be air conditioned, continually fed and watered and monitored with temperature gauges. The electric motors could even be used to pull the car up hills, sparing the horse the toil.

At first glance, Naturcar seems, well, crazy. A horse-powered car is just nuts, right? Well, yeah. It's nuts, and their ideas for the Naturbus, Naturtaxi and Naturvan are, too. But it's still refreshing to see innovative ideas.

Check out our gallery of photos from Fleethorse or watch a CG video of the Naturcar here.

Gallery: Naturcar by Fleethorse

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> 2012 Lexus GS-F to use 500-HP V10

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Lexus

Well, the Lexus IS-F is really being seen as an M3 fighter in many camps, so something one size up makes sense as well. Its rumored M5-battling GS-F will need some serious hardware underhood to take on its just-right-sized Bavarian rival. Something like a 500 HP V10 would seem a good start. And that's what it will get apparently.

Of course this is still early guesswork, and by the time the car debuts as a 2012 model the benchmark may have made a move of its own, so we'll just trust Motor Trend's predictions for now. They forecast the GS-F will get the LF-A's "500-plus-horsepower, Formula 1-inspired sub-five-liter V-10." That racy mill will find its way into the all-new 2011 GS sedan, backed by a modified eight-speed automatic from the LS 460, which allows "ultrafast" manual shifting via paddles. It should be an interesting challenger to not only the M5, but to the Audi RS6, Mercedes E63 and Cadillac CTS-V as well. We'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the tip, Patrick!

[Source: Motor Trend]

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> Reader Spy: 2009 Lincoln MKS

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Lincoln

Click image for a gallery of other MKS spy photos

Michigan-based reader Alan Adilman spotted something on his daily drive this week that caught his eye, and he thoughtfully snapped the pic you see above and sent it our way. Alan was unsure of what the disguised prototype was, but we're able to clear that up. It's the 2009 Lincoln MKS, which, if we had to guess, will bow in January at the Detroit Auto Show. When Ford reveals the car, expect to see Lincoln's new winged grille up front, as well as a TwinForce V6 in the top-end model's engine bay. Both were previewed on the 2007 MKR concept. Until the big day, however, it will continue skulking about Michigan looking like a Taurus wearing a couple of really extreme bras.

You can check out the other spy pics we've picked up along the way, as well as shots of the original concept in the galleries below. Thanks for the new photo, Alan!

Gallery: Lincoln MKS - spy shots

Gallery: 2006 Lincoln MKS Concept

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> New dealer sticker implemented today

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green, Safety

September 1 begins the era of the more informative dealer sticker, and every dealer in the nation has to participate. The new sticker on every new car and truck will show the NHTSA crash test rating, and real-world gas mileage. Giving customers on-site crash test scores will help drive technological developments at the automakers, while giving buyers the information needed to pick a safety-conscious vehicle. The modified mileage number will be lower than the previous number by 12-percent in city driving, and 8-percent on the highway. Hybrids will take an even bigger hit, with economy numbers dropping by a huge 20-percent.

More safety regulations are coming, too. Beginning todday, all automakers must have side-curtain airbags in half their vehicles weighing under 8,500 lbs. By 2009, all vehicles must have side-curtain protection. Congress must love the auto industry, they seem to have their finger prints on all kinds of ways to make cars cost more (albeit with additional safety that helps all of us), but our legislators haven't been able to come up with any ways to help automakers stay competitive so the needed updates can keep coming.

[Source: Detroit News]

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