2012年8月31日金曜日

2012 Jaguar XJ_e plug-in Hybrid Concept Reduce CO2 Emissions without Compromising Performance

2012 Jaguar XJ_e plug-in Hybrid Concept - Left SidePress Release: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will display the ultra-low carbon XJ_e plug-in hybrid engineering research vehicle at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The XJ_e demonstrates how an advanced parallel plug-in hybrid design can deliver reductions in CO2 emissions of over 70 percent, without compromising vehicle performance. Capable of 0-100km/h (62mph) in under 6.5 seconds and with a limited top speed of 250km/h (150mph), the XJ_e achieves CO2 emissions of less than 75g/km and a zero-emission range of 40km (25 miles) on electric power. The innovative XJ_e project was created by JLR as part ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2012-jaguar-xj_e-plug-in-hybrid-concept

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Video: 100-year-old driver jumps curb near elementary school, 9 children injured

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It's never pleasant to run across a story of an elderly driver plowing through a group of innocent pedestrians, but here we are. This time 100-year-old Preston Carter lost control of his Cadillac Sedan de Ville, drove up on the sidewalk and injured 11 people across the street from Main Street Elementary School, which had just let out.

Carter, who turns 101 on September 5, said his brakes failed when he hit the group of kids waiting to be picked up by parents, but a witness said that he had put his car into reverse just before running over the curb into the crowd of people. Four kids were trapped under the car, and people nearby were able to lift the car up to get them to safety. In total, nine school kids and two adults were injured and taken to the hospital, and four of the victims were in critical condition. None of the injuries were life-threatening, according to a report by the local CBS affiliate, KCAL.

When asked why he is still driving, Carter simply said, "They gave me the license." Scroll down for the news report.

Continue reading 100-year-old driver jumps curb near elementary school, 9 children injured

100-year-old driver jumps curb near elementary school, 9 children injured originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/30/100-year-old-driver-jumps-curb-near-elementary-school-9-childre/

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Mario Chalmers Is Silly; Also Talks About Rajon Rondo

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/29/3278450/mario-chalmers-is-silly-also-talks-about-rajon-rondo

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This is how to box up a Local Motors Rally Fighter [w/video]

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Local Motors boxes up a Rally Fighter

Attention Chicagoans and other Midwesterners: If you've been wondering when the Local Motors Rally Fighter might be coming to a show in your neck of the woods, the answer is Sept. 10-15. And no, the Chicago Auto Show has not been rescheduled, it will still be held next February. Rather, the Rally Fighter will be on display at something called the International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is where those few who get excited about metal cutting and forming, tooling, CAD/CAM, and other various industrial operations gather to spend a week pretending that the masses in the United States still care about manufacturing.

While you might think that Local Motors would simply haul or drive the Rally Fighter to IMTS, that's not the case. Instead, one of the cars was boxed up and trucked there, where it will be built live on the floor of the McCormick Place convention center. This demonstration is all part of the IMTS fun, and while the show is really designed for people who still build things for a living, there's likely no reason that blog-reading cubicle-dwellers (or writers...) can't pony up the $50 to attend the exposition.

Scroll down to watch a video about the IMTS Rally Fighter.

Continue reading This is how to box up a Local Motors Rally Fighter [w/video]

This is how to box up a Local Motors Rally Fighter [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/30/this-is-how-to-box-up-a-local-motors-rally-fighter-w-video/

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Mario Chalmers Is Silly; Also Talks About Rajon Rondo

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/29/3278450/mario-chalmers-is-silly-also-talks-about-rajon-rondo

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Hall of Famer Don Nelson thrilled to be retired (Yahoo! Sports)

Former Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson smokes a cigar while talking on the phone outside of the Warriors NBA training facility in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. Nelson always did things his way, and it hardly mattered who objected to his coaching techniques. He is the NBA's winningest coach ever because of it, and, now, a Hall of Famer. And, don't forget, he's the one who could regularly be seen smoking a cigar in the parking lot before games. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Don Nelson never knew just how much he would love retirement. In the Maui plantation town of Paia, he is far from the pressures of the fast-paced NBA lifestyle in which he thrived for more than three decades to become the game's all-time winningest coach.


Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12jrbjsdt/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/hall-famer-don-nelson-thrilled-223449769--nba.html

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Our Celtics 3 on 3 Squad Is Nasty, In A Good Way

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/29/3276278/our-celtics-3-on-3-squad-is-nasty-in-a-good-way

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Magic's Vaughn adds 6 assistants to coaching staff (Yahoo! Sports)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- New Orlando Magic coach Jacque Vaughn has completed his staff, with the addition of six new assistants.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12k34k4c0/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/magics-vaughn-adds-6-assistants-185338420--nba.html

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Another point about the shorter shot clock

On Tuesday, Myron and I happily debated the merits of shortening the current 35-second clock. I am in favor of a shorter college shot clock, while Myron is happy with the current setup, and is wary of change for a variety of very legitimate reasons. The argument generated its fair share of discussion -- 1,000-plus comments on the post itself, and Twitter replies ranging from funny to accusatory to confused to generally agreeable, and everywhere in between.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63443/another-point-about-the-24-second-shot-clock

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UK's silly self-reported hoops violation

Despite the vague moniker, secondary violations are essentially what they say they are: Minor breaches of rules the NCAA enforces but hardly emphasizes in its never-ending task of maintaining amateurism in college athletics. When they happen, the typical response is muted. A school's compliance office finds out and self-reports the incidents, the NCAA says it appreciates the gesture, gently reminds the school to keep up the good work, and everyone goes back to checking Reddit all day.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63454/uks-silly-self-reported-hoops-violation

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NAIA school to barnstorm Nebraska

Barnstorming is a lost American art. It began in the 1920s with stunt pilot flying circus exhibitions, and it was adopted in the middle of the 20th century by Negro League baseball teams, the Harlem Globetrotters and the early precursors of the NFL. Before TV changed the world of sport forever, barnstorming brought athletic flair to the most remote parts of the U.S. and segments of Canada. Also, it’s a fun word to say. Barnstorming. But Doane College -- an NAIA school in Crete, Neb.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63410/naia-school-to-barnstorm-nebraska

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Pac-12's 2013 ESPN television schedule

ESPN and the Pac-12 are beginning a new 12-year agreement for extensive conference action through 2024-25. As part of the deal, ESPN will add men’s regular-season basketball across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, primarily on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, including new 8 p.m. PT Wednesday telecasts. ESPN also receives the rights to one Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal and semifinal game, and the championship game every other year beginning this season.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63376/pac-12s-2013-espn-television-schedule

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2012年8月30日木曜日

Drew adds Weiss, Atkinson as assistants with Hawks (Yahoo! Sports)

ATLANTA (AP) -- Former Hawks coach Bob Weiss is returning to Atlanta as an assistant coach and consultant on coach Larry Drew's staff.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12ouu5e2m/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/drew-adds-weiss-atkinson-assistants-203651160--nba.html

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Which NBA teams do you like watching other than Boston?

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/29/3276765/which-nba-teams-do-you-like-watching-other-than-boston

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Mario Chalmers Is Silly; Also Talks About Rajon Rondo

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/29/3278450/mario-chalmers-is-silly-also-talks-about-rajon-rondo

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Auctions: eBay Find of the Day: 1975 Chevy Cosworth Vega with just 291 miles

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Chevy Vega Cosworth - timecapsule eBay find

In 1970, General Motors vice president John DeLorean wanted more power for the Chevrolet division's Vega. After five years of development, the Cosworth Vega was born. Sometime that year, somebody in Farmington, Ill. bought Cosworth Vega No. 1,094 of 2,061 cars built that year and promptly stored it away.

After changing hands several times, including in 2000 for $9,500 then again a few years later for $28,600 at a Mecum auction, No. 1094 is again available to a new owner. The eBay Motors Buy-It-Now price from RK Motors of Charlotte, NC is $34,900 - no small ask.

However, this is quite possibly the lowest miles, most pristine 1975 Cosworth Vega extant. The odometer shows only 290 miles, and the satin black paint is all original. Inside, the carpet looks factory fresh, and the engine-turned bezel around the instruments gleams like the day it was born.

Even if you're not a Cosworth Vega fan, check out our gallery for a quick trip back to 1975.

eBay Find of the Day: 1975 Chevy Cosworth Vega with just 291 miles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/ebay-find-of-the-day-1975-chevy-cosworth-vega-with-just-291-mil/

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Lego wants your unique vehicle design for upcoming movie [w/video]

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Lego movie vehicles

Time to get creative folks. The folks behind Lego are making a new movie, Lego: The Motion Picture, and they need your help in populating the big screen with custom-created vehicles. Cars, planes, boats, boat-cars, truck-planes. They're all fair game if they can provide transportation to those yellow-headed Lego guys.

But there's a catch. Your vehicle must look like it was built from something else. Turn a castle into air boat (maybe it burned down, fell over and didn't sink into the swamp). Or a pickup truck assembled from the pieces of a 1950s diner. You get the point.

The Warner Brothers 3D CGI film will be directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller who also directed 21 Jump Street and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and produced by Dan Lin of Sherlock Holmes fame and How to Train Your Dragon producer Roy Lee.

Check out the call to action video below, then check out the link on this page to submit a photo of your cobbled-together creation for a chance to win not only $1,000, but also to see your creation on the big screen.

Continue reading Lego wants your unique vehicle design for upcoming movie [w/video]

Lego wants your unique vehicle design for upcoming movie [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/lego-wants-your-unique-vehicle-design-for-upcoming-movie-w-vide/

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Celtics re-sign F Jeff Green (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Celtics have re-signed forward Jeff Green.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12euvdq0q/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/celtics-sign-f-jeff-green-003517984--nba.html

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Video: Details on next Volkswagen Golf emerge in leaked presentation

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The Mk VII Volkswagen Golf will be completely known to the world on September 4. And thanks to leaked pages from a document detailing the new Golf's features, we know a little more about it ahead of time. We'd heard before that the Mk VII would be about 150 pounds lighter than the Mk VI, but a graphic that looks like an indication of where high-strength steels are used is captioned with "More comfort. More safety. -100 kg," meaning an even more impressive 220-pound drop is apparently in store.

As one would expect, dimensions have grown all around. Overall length is up by 2.2 inches, wheelbase grows by 2.3 inches, the stretch meaning a mite more room for passengers in front and back with a cabin length increased by 0.56 inches. Even with the added girth, fuel economy is said to rise by as much as 23 percent.

The available feature set has also grown, with cylinder deactivation, the front transverse differential lock we've been expecting, fatigue detection and traffic sign detection, driving profile selection, run-flat tires and a "multicollision brake" just a few among a long list of particulars. We'll get the rest next week and we'll see it at the Paris Motor Show, in the meantime, you can watch the video below.

Continue reading Details on next Volkswagen Golf emerge in leaked presentation

Details on next Volkswagen Golf emerge in leaked presentation originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/details-on-next-volkswagen-golf-emerge-in-leaked-presentation/

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NAIA school to barnstorm Nebraska

Barnstorming is a lost American art. It began in the 1920s with stunt pilot flying circus exhibitions, and it was adopted in the middle of the 20th century by Negro League baseball teams, the Harlem Globetrotters and the early precursors of the NFL. Before TV changed the world of sport forever, barnstorming brought athletic flair to the most remote parts of the U.S. and segments of Canada. Also, it’s a fun word to say. Barnstorming. But Doane College -- an NAIA school in Crete, Neb.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63410/naia-school-to-barnstorm-nebraska

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3-point shot: Outdoor Midnight Madness

1. Pitt plans on making a statement in its final season in the Big East by resuming its traditional role under Jamie Dixon as a title contender after last season’s NCAA miss. To tipoff the campaign, the Panthers are doing something out of the box for the more maligned Panthers by hosting a Midnight Madness event --- outside. The unique event will be a part of the school’s 225-year anniversary celebration. The men’s and women’s teams will play on a wooden outdoor floor, near the Pitt Union.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63401/3-point-shot-outdoor-midnight-madness

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2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider Spectacular Performance with Remarkable Usability

2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider - Front SidePress Release: McLAREN FORMULA 1 DNA MEETS THE THRILL OF OPEN TOP DRIVING IN THE NEW 12C SPIDER Jul 3, 2012 - Unique Retractable Hard Top (RHT) of new 12C Spider may be operated at speeds up to 30kph (19mph) - Shared Formula 1 technology DNA in 12C and 12C Spider means performance is similarly impressive for both derivatives - McLaren 12C Spider configurator launched online at: www.configure.mclaren.com - 12C Spider now available to order through 38 McLaren retailers in 22 countries worldwide McLaren Automotive today announces the launch of its second model in the MP4-12C family: ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2013-mclaren-mp4-12c-spider

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Celtics re-sign F Jeff Green (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Celtics have re-signed forward Jeff Green.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12euvdq0q/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/celtics-sign-f-jeff-green-003517984--nba.html

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Report: There's a reason all crash test dummies were male until last year

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crash test dummy

Last year, government regulators made female crash test dummies a mandatory part of crash evaluations for the first time in collision evaluation history. Until then, manufacturers had been content to use dummies patterned after the average American male.

Safety advocates have argued for years that designing for male occupants present problems for smaller females. When airbags deploy, they're meant to strike occupants in the chest, but smaller individuals may instead be hit in the chin. If that happens, further head and neck injuries could ensue. According to Automotive News, smaller women are three times as likely as average-sized male drivers to be seriously injured in accidents.

Automakers have repeatedly argued that the average-sized test mannequin covers 95 percent of the driving population, and that developing a smaller dummy would take too long to create and be cost prohibitive. That argument has officially fallen by the wayside with the new requirements. Automotive News reports manufacturers are officially required to use small female crash dummies in front collision evaluations for 2011 model-year units.

There's a reason all crash test dummies were male until last year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/theres-a-reason-all-crash-test-dummies-were-male-until-last-yea/

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2012年8月29日水曜日

Autoblog Podcast #297

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Tesla Model S test, Farley vows to fix MyFord Touch, Zombie models, BMW replaces 'is' with "M Performance," Motor Trend top driver's car

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Episode #297 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week Dan Roth, George Kennedy and Jeff Ross talk about the first instrumented test of the Tesla Model S, Jim Farley's vow to keep fixing MyFordTouch until it's right, BMW's alphabet-soup with model names, models that are not returning after this year, and the Motor Trend top driver's car for this year. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #297:



Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 BMW M6 Convertible
2012 Porsche Panamera S
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Hosts: Dan Roth, Jeff Ross, George Kennedy

Runtime: 01:24:33

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #297

Autoblog Podcast #297 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/autoblog-podcast-297/

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Create A Celtics 3 on 3 Team

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/28/3273257/create-a-celtics-3-on-3-team

Bradley Reed Sorenson Stanley Ford Robert La Caze Josh Howard Giovanni Lavaggi Michel Leclere

Rajon Rondo: Greatest Celtic Point Guard Of All Time?

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/28/3274479/rajon-rondo-greatest-celtic-point-guard-of-all-time

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Spy Shots: Chevy SS prototype spotted wearing Pontiac G8 clothes

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Chevy SS mule wearing Pontiac G8 bodywork

Do not adjust your computer screen, you are not seeing the rebirth of the Pontiac brand. General Motors has chosen to use a G8 to disguise a test mule for the latest prototype of the forthcoming Chevrolet SS. The G8 was closely related to the Holden Commodore and Vauxhall VXR, the platform upon which the new Chevrolet performance model will be based. It should come as little surprise, then, that GM has opted to use the cladding from the former G8.

Thought the front clip of this mule is pure Pontiac, note the vents immediately behind the front wheel. That is a distinctive design hallmark of the Vauxhall VXR. Also note that this vehicle is right-hand drive, as the Holden and its Chevy counterpart will be very closely related. That likely includes potential drivetrains. The spy photos of this mule also reveal very wide rear tires, and rear wheels that do not match the fronts.

Production of all three vehicles is set to begin in Australia in late 2013. Click below to check out the gallery of the test mule for Chevy's new rear-drive performance vehicle.

Chevy SS prototype spotted wearing Pontiac G8 clothes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/chevy-ss-prototype-spotted-wearing-pontiac-g8-clothes/

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Report: Why Google is frustrating your local car dealer

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Google logoCar salesmen have long ranked among the most universally reviled members of society, just south of real estate agents and lawyers. But the past decade has seen the plaid sports jacket and gold chain crowd doing much to bolster their image, with many auto dealers building impressive online reputations by cultivating positive customer feedback.

That's where this latest tale of woe begins: Automotive News is reporting that Google has been deleting hundreds of reviews of dealerships from its Google+ Local pages, but doing so in a capricious and arbitrary fashion. The dealerships, as you might expect, are angry.

One Suzuki dealer who reportedly had 400 reviews zapped in two days time told AN, "Google believes it can do whatever it wants and has no accountability." His store saw its positive ranking disappear as a result of the deleted reviews. Google's response was that it has merely been trying to make sure that reviews are "authentic, relevant, and useful," according to the report. The Suzuki store owner and two other dealers have subsequently filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission.

Google has no formal way for dealers to appeal the deletions, or even understand why they were made, leaving them with little recourse but to go through the process of rebuilding their cache of positive reviews one customer at a time.

Why Google is frustrating your local car dealer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/why-google-is-frustrating-your-local-car-dealer/

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3-point shot: Huge addition for Cincy

1. Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said landing 7-foot-1 David Nyarsuk is a huge addition, both literally and figuratively: “He’s a shot blocker, finisher and runs great. If he was a JUCO he would have been No. 1 in the country." Nyarsuk went to NAIA Mountain State (W.Va.) where he averaged 9.8 points and eight rebounds last season. Nyarsuk, who is from the Sudan, resolved a student visa issue, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63347/3-point-shot-huge-addition-for-cincy

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Official: 2014 Mazda6 finally breaks cover in Moscow

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2014 Mazda6 - front three-quarter view

Mazda has made the unusual choice of selecting the Moscow Motor Show to unveil its all-new 2014 Mazda6. The mid-size sedan looks very sharp, and powered by the Japanese automaker's latest line of Skyactiv engines, it ought to be efficient and solid to drive, as well.

Visually, the Mazda6 is the company's latest expression of their Kodo ("Soul of Motion") design language and draws heavily from the company's well-received 2011 Takeri showcar. A widened, stretched version of Mazda's five-point grille is employed and it's perhaps the most attractive version of that design element to date. The grille is connected to the LED headlights via shiny bits, a design tactic reminiscent of the new BMW 3 Series.

According to chief designer Akira Tamatani, "We have created a design in which the wild and dynamic expressions of motion artistically realize a powerful presence." The color seen here is called Soul Red, and was enveloped by Mazda to accentuate the shapes of the new 6.

Inside, the layout is a clean and straightforward one, which has become a hallmark of Mazda cabin design. The cabin is highlighted by a color-matched interior accent panel. A trained eye will even notice a rotary selector to control the navigation system, à la BMW's iDrive.

At least in Russia, the 2014 Mazda6 gets the new range of Skyactiv engines, including the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G (gas) engine that makes 110 kW (148 horsepower), sending power to the front wheels through either a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic, or a six-speed Skyactiv-MT manual gearbox. The uprated engine is a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter unit, developing 141 kW (189 horsepower). This engine is mated to the aforementioned automatic. A diesel engine is also expected, but it's not yet clear whether the U.S. will receive an oil-burning option (Mazda has committed to bringing an unnamed diesel model to the States in the next few years).

Also incorporated into the powertrain is Mazda's new "i-Eloop" system, which is essentially regenerative breaking. This is combined with "i-stop", stop/start technology. Actual EPA fuel economy estimates have not been released at this time, nor has price or availability, though Mazda says global deliveries are slated to begin later this year.

Check out the gallery of the all-new Mazda6 and more info on the mid-size sedan in the press release below.

Continue reading 2014 Mazda6 finally breaks cover in Moscow

2014 Mazda6 finally breaks cover in Moscow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/2014-mazda6-mazda-6-reveal-moscow/

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Video: Julius Randle wins dunk competition

Uncommitted power forward Julius Randle, ranked No. 3 in the ESPN 100, soars to the Elite 24 dunk contest title.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63317/video-julius-randle-wins-dunk-competition

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Official: Confederate heads to Bonneville with prototype X132 Hellcat Combat

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In 2010, James Hoegh rode his Confederate P120 Fighter motorcycle across the Bonneville Salt Flats and reached 159 miles per hour. A little later he went back and got that up to 162.6 mph. This year he's going back to the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials in Bonneville to try and hit 170 mph, which would break the record of 168.912 mph in the APF3000 class, set last year by Wink Ellis.

Heogh is sticking with Confederate for the attempt, but he's switched over to the X132 Hellcat Combat, a specially developed prototype version of the X132 Hellcat. The one-of-a-kind bike maintains the 132-cubic-inch S&S XWedge engine of the standard Hellcat and fits upgraded kit like a custom dual-track intake, CNC-ported heads with shorter cylinders, new rocker arms, a radiused crankshaft and a different compression ratio.

It won't be one-of-a-kind for long though, with Confederate set to produce "a limited number" of Hellcat Combats early next year. The trials were held this past weekend and results weren't available at the time of writing, but if Hoegh manages to break the record with his, we imagine the production run will sell out even faster than limited-edition Confederates usually do. Scroll down below for the press release.

Continue reading Confederate heads to Bonneville with prototype X132 Hellcat Combat

Confederate heads to Bonneville with prototype X132 Hellcat Combat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/confederate-heads-to-bonneville-with-prototype-x132-hellcat-comb/

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 8/28

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/28/3274684/boston-celtics-daily-links-8-28

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Video: BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition gets the fast-cut treatment

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The $71,890 BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition has had sounds added to the sight of it with a terribly short promo video. Shot at the Lime Rock track of its inspiration with cameos by Skip Barber and Bill Auberlen of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, it's all quick cuts and a bellowing exhaust.

The Fire Orange coupe holds pat on power but gets hi-po parts from the M division catalog, like the M3 Competition Package and carbon fiber roof, to do more with the power it does has. You can watch 19 seconds of it in the video below.

Continue reading BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition gets the fast-cut treatment

BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition gets the fast-cut treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/bmw-m3-lime-rock-park-edition-gets-the-fast-cut-treatment/

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Video: Police cams capture woman's 119-mph stuck accelerator run [w/video]

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2011 Kia Sorento runaway car dashcam still

Police car dashboard cameras have provided plenty of footage over the years of criminals attempting to evade police or horrific car accidents, but Lauri Ulvestad wasn't the former and some inspired - if not lucky - driving prevented the latter. Ulvestad, 47, of Ames, Iowa, experienced a stuck accelerator while driving her 2011 Kia Sorento along Interstate 35 in Missouri, and while she was able to call police to help clear traffic in front of her, it was her miraculous driving that ultimately ended the day with not so much as a scratch on her crossover.

The dash cam footage of a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer shows Ulvestad at speeds of well over 100 miles per hour swerving around cars and even using the median to avoid a collision. Ulvestad's Sorento was equipped with a keyless, pushbutton starter that she was unable to turn off, and according to the phone recording with a 911 operator, she was also unable to get the car to decelerate or shift the vehicle into neutral. After the 59-mile ordeal that lasted for about 35 minutes, police finally told her to try pulling back on the accelerator while hitting the brakes. This worked, and her Sorento came to a stop on the shoulder, leading some to suggest that accelerator entrapment (i.e. a floor mat wedged under the gas pedal) was to blame rather than a computer-related unintended acceleration. It has been reported that Kia is investigating what caused the problem, but it is just amazing that nobody was injured during the course of this event.

For vehicles with pushbutton starters, most can still be shut off by pressing and holding the starter button for a few seconds. This combined with shifting to neutral and applying the parking/emergency brake can usually help bring an out-of-control vehicle safely to a stop.

Scroll down to see the dash cam footage of Ulvestad's frightening incident.

Continue reading Police cams capture woman's 119-mph stuck accelerator run [w/video]

Police cams capture woman's 119-mph stuck accelerator run [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/police-cams-capture-womans-119-mph-stuck-accelerator-run-w-vid/

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2012年8月28日火曜日

Report: Auto loan delinquency rates at historic lows

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One indicator of the status of our economy is the rate at which car owners are able to make payments, or rather, aren't. The rate at which owners can't get the check in the mail for their new car is called the delinquency rate, and according to a Los Angeles Times report, it has fallen to an all-time low.

Credit report entity TransUnion began tracking this data in 1999, which it calculates as the percentage of borrowers 60 or more days past due. Currently that rate was recorded at 0.33% for the second quarter of 2012 - down from 0.36% in the first quarter and a full 25% lower than last year.

Auto sales in the U.S. have risen 14% in the first seven months of 2012 to 8.4 million vehicles. Experts suggest this is a result of more relaxed credit conditions, allowing buyers with poorer credit to find a way to purchase a new car. This trend could eventually result in the delinquency rate climbing back up.

"We are at such a low delinquency level" said Peter Tureck, automotive vice president for TransUnion's financial services business wing, "that a slight rise through the end of the year should be expected, though the overall rate will remain relatively low."

Which states have the highest delinquency rates in the country right now? That would be Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all of which are within the 0.55% to 0.60% area.

Auto loan delinquency rates at historic lows originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/auto-loan-delinquency-rates-at-historic-lows/

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First Drive: 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid [w/video]

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No One Ever Said Dethroning A Prius Would Be Easy

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

It's generally not polite to start a story about a new Ford by referencing a very popular Toyota, but we're going to make an exception this time.

With fuel prices continuing to creep upwards, sales of advanced-powertrain vehicles are booming (in May of this year alone, nearly 46,000 units left showrooms). While some vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, soldier forth with modest sales from month-to-month, Toyota's Prius family of vehicles (the standard Prius, smaller Prius C, larger Prius V and Prius Plug-In Hybrid) consistently leads the sales race. Understandably, that places a big red target on their backs.

Aiming its scope, and bracketing wisely, Ford is introducing a slew of new advance-powertrain models over the next year. These include full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. One of the first to arrive is the all-new C-Max Hybrid, which has the Prius V aligned in its crosshairs, and not a single person carrying a Blue Oval business card is keeping it a secret.

To determine whether or not the new Ford has the right stuff to challenge the Prius V, we put one through its paces in Southern California last week.

Continue reading 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid [w/video]

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-first-drive-review-video/

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition Debuts as Tribute to U.S. Military Members

2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition - Front SidePress Release: New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Freedom Edition Debuts as Tribute to U.S. Military Members - New Wrangler Freedom edition harkens back to Jeep brand’s military roots - Red, White and Blue Wrangler Freedom edition now available in Jeep showrooms - All 2012 Jeep Wrangler models powered by 3.6-liter V-6 engine producing 285 horsepower, with fuel economy up to 21 mpg - $250 from each Wrangler Freedom edition sold to be donated to military charities - Chrysler Group LLC offers a $500 cash allowance to eligible consumers through its ‘Military Bonus Consumer Cash’ program - Jeep Wrangler ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2012-jeep-wrangler-freedom-edition

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SVG on the Celtics "Big Three" Rebuild

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/8/23/3262134/svg-on-the-celtics-big-three-rebuild

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Triano to coach Canadian men's basketball team (Yahoo! Sports)

TORONTO (AP) -- Jay Triano is returning to coach Canada's men's basketball team.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12qq5maoq/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/triano-coach-canadian-mens-basketball-212825401--nba.html

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Report: Motor Trend tests Tesla Model S, finds 0-60 in 3.9 sec and 100.7 MPGe

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2012 Tesla Model S - front three-quarter dynamic motion shot

Tesla has said the highest-end Model S has a range of 300 miles (at 55 miles per hour), but until recently, it's been tremendously difficult for anyone outside the company to verify this number. When the EPA did its testing thing, it came up with a 265-mile range estimate for the version with the 85-kWh battery pack. Tesla is even offering a prize of some sort to anyone who drives a Model S over 400 miles on one charge.

Now, Motor Trend writers has had the chance to spend some time in Tesla CEO Elon Musk's personal Performance Signature Model S to see just how far the electric car can be driven. The result? Your results may vary.

First, the good news. Motor Trend ran a battery of tests on the Model S, and its independent measurements discovered the following ways that their independent testing beat the manufacturer's official numbers:
  • 0-60 time: 3.9 seconds (Tesla official number is 4.4 seconds)
  • Quarter mile: 12.5 seconds at 110.9 mph (12.6 seconds)
  • 100.7 MPGe during a 200+ mile drive (EPA says 89 MPGe).
So, then, what's the bad news? At roughly 65 mph with no A/C, MT "only" got 238 miles out of the battery. That's less than advertised, but MT offers an important and reasonable take on this issue:

"But the range that matters is really a psychological/perceptual one, not a specific number. Think about it: We drove from Fontana on the eastern edge of the L.A. basin to San Diego and all the way back to L.A.'s Pacific edge on one charge. Five hours of continuous driving. This is a breakthrough accomplishment that ought to knock down the range anxiety barrier that's substantially limited EV sales."

Word.

Motor Trend tests Tesla Model S, finds 0-60 in 3.9 sec and 100.7 MPGe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/motor-trend-tests-tesla-model-s-finds-0-60-in-3-9-sec-an/

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Report: Cadillac may be working on not one, not two, but several new flagship models

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Cadillac Ciel concept  - in motion - front three-quarter view

Following the rollout of the 2013 ATS and XTS, Cadillac is not content to rest on its crest-and-laurels. According to a report by TheDetroitBureau.com, the two models are merely the first volley in a larger onslaught of new models.

Though Cadillac doesn't aim to take on the German competitors "car-for-car," it's looking to aggressively expand its lineup. According to Cadillac marketing executive Don Butler, "These are fun, happy times at Cadillac... we're expanding and elevating the brand."

According to Butler, the ATS will be followed by "ten new models in the next three years." In addition to a replacement for the Escalade SUV and the CTS range moving up the ladder to better compete with the BMW 5 Series, word is there will be a compact crossover on the way to slot under the SRX. The new CUV would take on the likes of the X1 and Audi Q3. So while Cadillac says it doesn't intend to compete with the Germans directly, it certainly won't walk away from a fight in certain key market segments.

As expected, in the rollout of models will be a Cadillac version of the Chevrolet Volt, dubbed the ELR. It will be joined by perhaps more than one 'flagship' model. The redesigned Escalade will represent one of those flagships, while some version of the Cadillac Ciel concept is said to be headed for production - albeit a toned-down production reality from the stunning concept you see above. This production Ciel - we're betting on a flagship sedan - will share the Omega platform with a large sedan slotted above the XTS.

The first of these vehicles could be in production as soon as 2014.

Cadillac may be working on not one, not two, but several new flagship models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/cadillac-may-be-working-on-not-one-not-two-but-several-new-fla/

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