2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Test Drive: Cure for the Common Crossover

America gets its turn with the CTS Sport Wagon that Cadillac hopes will revitalize and grow the small market for station wagons here. In other words, it seeks to make wagons cool again. Does it?

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Source: http://feeds.popularmechanics.com/~r/pm/blogs/automotive_news/~3/-14rCtMHAOA/4328163.html

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Bias Is A Four Letter Word

Possibly Ed’s rant against overusage of “bias” has escaped the attention of some commenters. “Bias” is no longer a welcome word on TTAC. Usage can result in permanent banning. I am inclined to put the word “bias” on our bad word list. The only thing that keeps me from doing so is the fact that [...]

Source: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/07/bias-is-a-four-letter-word/

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Report: Japan says Pacific Ocean holds vast amounts of rare earth metals

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Rare earth metal chart

It's been reported that soaring demand for rare earth metals will likely drive prices way up. This concept of demand = increased prices is supported by numerous individuals and firms. First, there's the report from Metal-Pages, which indicates that the price of neodymium, an element used in electric motors, doubled in 2010. Then there's Robert Bryce, author of Power Hungry, who indicates that "prices will gyrate upward, adding cost to any automaker building hybrids." Finally, Roskill Consulting states that demand for rare earth metals will outstrip supply within four years, leading to exorbitant prices. Needless to say, the idea that rare earth prices will soar is a theory supported by many.

Fortunately, researchers in Japan have discovered vast amounts of rare earth-rich mud in the Pacific Ocean. This discovery could keep prices of rare earth metals in check. The research group, led by Yasuhiro Kato, associate processor at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Engineering, found that the amount of rare earth metals in sample areas of the Pacific Ocean is approximately 1,000 times more than the amount that exists on land.

The newly-found rare earth-rich mud is unique in that it hardly contains any radioactive elements and, despite being some 11,500 feet below the water's surface, is claimed to be easy to mine using existing technologies. However, there seems to be one issue: the rare earth-rich mud is in international waters, which means that any country interested in mining the area will need to gain approval from the International Seabed Authority. Hat tip to David!

[Source: Tech On]

Report: Japan says Pacific Ocean holds vast amounts of rare earth metals originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/06/report-japan-says-pacific-ocean-holds-vast-amounts-of-rare-eart/

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COTD: Sexual engineering edition [Commenter Of The Day]

It's been nearly two days since an erotically charged (read: dirty) comment took the COTD crown. Enough's enough. We're returning to the "adult" humor with a little something about certain principles of mechanical engineering. Please tell the kids to go watch TV. Preferably something with Sinbad in it. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/vABwGicj7og/cotd-sexual-engineering-edition

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The Soviet Ship That Cuts Through Ice Like a Nuclear-Powered Knife Through Butter [Monster Machines]

What the Soviets lacked in ability for effective governance, they made up for in ballsy engineering prowess. Really, who else would think to pack two nuclear reactors into a ship and set it loose in the Arctic breaking ice? The North Koreans? Psshhh, not likely. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/MzwIUHwbb6E/the-75000hp-nuclear+powered-soviet-ship-that-busts-up-ice-like-the-berlin-wall

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Behind the scenes of the final Space Shuttle launch [Spacelopnik]

The very last Space Shuttle launch is scheduled for this weekend. To the men and women responsible for watching every detail what seems like a quick deal is more like an eternity. NASA Navigation and Flights Control Engineer George W. Hatcher describes those final moments. — Ed. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/SnD1_LH8T30/behind-the-scenes-of-the-final-space-shuttle-launch

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Rent, Lease, Sell or Keep: 1999 Mercury Mountaineer

What is luxury? Back in 1999, that was an easy question to answer in the U S of A. Three Letters: S U V . When I first started in the auction business these mastodons absolutely dominated the marketplace. You could go to the nearest Ford factory auction and quite literally pick out your colors, [...]

Source: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/07/rent-lease-sell-or-keep-1999-mercury-mountaineer/

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Venturi Volage set to launch in 2012

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Venture Volage at 2011 Challenge Bibendum - Click above for high-res image gallery

First unveiled at the Paris Motor Show way back in October of 2008, the Venturi Volage has finally been given a not-so set-in-stone launch date: available sometime in 2012.

According to Venturi, development of the Volage is complete. Here's a look at the Volage's finalized specs: its top speed is 100 miles per hour and each of its four Michelin Active Wheel electric motors cranks out 55 kW (74 horsepower) and 43 pound-feet of torque, giving the vehicle a total of 220 kW (300 hp) and 171 pound-feet of torque. The Volage tips the scales at a scant 2,370 pounds and its 45-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack provides, according to Venturi, 200 miles of range at 55 mph.

The question that Venturi has yet to even hint at answering is "what's the Volage's price?" That's unknown, but what we do know is that Venturi is set to launch the Volage in 2012, provided that Michelin put its Active Wheels into the mass-production cycle soon.



Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2011 AOL

[Source: Plugin Cars]

Venturi Volage set to launch in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/07/venturi-volage-set-to-launch-in-2012/

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