Just as there is a television channel for everything, so is there an organization. Left Lane Drivers of America is a grassroots campaign to get slowpokes into the right lanes. To "help slower drivers get the point," Left Lane Drivers of America is selling $29 windshield decals with "Move Over" and a big arrow pointing where to go. The org says it's not just a courtesy thing-it's about safety and is the law in many states.
If you live in a one-traffic-light town, you probably can't fully comprehend how desperate things have become in big cities like Los Angeles. Not enough people are telecommuting to make even a noticeable dent in traffic alleviation (in fact, are things worse?), and widening freeways has simply created one more lane of bumper-to-bumper traffic. What's a commuter to do? Meet Carpool Kenny-an inflatable torso. His purpose is to sit in the passenger seat and allow solo drivers to take advantage of the carpool lane by fooling the coppers into thinking there's a flesh-filled complete body. He's outfitted in a suit for legitimacy. It's $19.89 from www.prankplace.com.
"Looks like a modern-day Range Rover and a '79 Datsun pickup mated and had kids," exclaimed Editor Cappa. Who had been elected to have that birds-and-bees conversation with him? This is a Mahindra SUV, which will make its debut in the United States in 2009. If Mahindra rings a bell, it's likely on account of the Mahindra Jeep built by the Indian manufacturer from '47-'54. Willys parts were used (so it was kind of a CJ-3B) until the company made its own pieces. There will also be two- and four-door pickups. A four-cylinder diesel is the plan, along with a six-speed automatic transmission and an independent front and coil-sprung rear suspension. Global Vehicles will be the importer and distributor of the SUV and pickups.
Here's what happens when you take an Unlimited Rubicon, let the Mopar people near chrome, and introduce an experimental color, Liquid Charcoal Pearlcoat.
Consumerreports.org has more than 200 vehicle crash tests courtesy of video taken by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as the agency complied its safety ratings. The easiest way to find the tests once you're on the Consumer Reports Web site is to choose "Cars" from the navigation bar, then "Safety & Recalls." Once the pop-up window appears, you'll be able to select make, model, and year for any the IIHS has tested.
Seems the whole diesel thing might actually stick (this time). The Grand's got it, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen have teamed up on technology, and there's the on/off/on/off/on/off/on/off rumor about the Nissan Titan, for starters. Now GM has a V-8 diesel coming after 2009. The new 4.5L Duramax will be designed for North American light-duty trucks and Hummers and will fit where a small-block V-8 gas mill could. It's expected to make more than 310 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. Expect Dodge, Ford, and Toyota to chime in and line up shortly.
"The only way I can explain that is . . . even the color beige can say a thousand words differently to a thousand different people. You just have to listen closely." -Sam Locricchio of Design & Corporate Quality Communication for Chrysler Group on the JT pickup's paint shade, Hearing-Aid Beige