Nissan receive top IIHS safety ratings

Both of the eco-friendly models received ‘good’ ratings for front, rear, side and rollover protection.
The Nissan LEAF fully-electric vehicle comes with an electronic stability control program as standard, and even with a load of batteries on board the car offered ample protection in all areas.
The Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is also equipped with an electronic stability control program as standard which helped it offer adequate protection in all areas.
IIHS chief administrative officer, Joe Nolan, recently spoke about the achievements of the electric vehicles, saying,
“What powers the wheels is different, but the level of safety for the Volt and LEAF is as high as any of our other top crash test performers.
“The way an electric or hybrid model earns top crash test ratings is the same way any other car does. Its structure must manage crash damage so the occupant compartment stays intact and the safety belts and airbags keep people from hitting hard surfaces in and out of the vehicle.”

It just goes to show that new technology vehicles are developed without compromising existing standards of safety and equipment.

Volvo S60

So what of Sweden, and its oddball automobiles? Once upon a time, they were durable, strong like oxen, but austere in a way that could only be engineered within the confines of a socialist welfare state, which subjugates individuality in the name of the collective good.
‘SPORTY’ AND ‘VOLVO’ NO LONGER MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

Eventually the “box on wheels” thing got old, and Volvos got a little more interesting. Along the way there were turbocharged variants of the 850, which were varying degrees of arousing, as well as the S60 and V70R, laden with goodies like turbochargers and adjustable shocks, but ineffectual in their quest to make a dent in the German heavyweights.

The eternal problem with sporty Volvos has been their resemblance to the well-known IKEA breakfast. Less expensive than its continental counterpart, it’s also not particularly flavorful and much of its appeal comes from sheer novelty. But if the old S60 was like the mealy, grey meatballs served by the flat pack furniture chain, the new 2011 model is like the Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapon – a simple looking grey metal tube that is capable of destroying far superior weaponry.

Kia Optima SX Turbo

And the 2011 Sorento, the first U.S.-built Kia, became the first of its products to break the 100,000 sales mark in one year.
Kia credits its success with a "design-led transformation." We hear that a lot, but in Kia's case you can actually see what it's referring to when you look at vehicles like the Sorento and Sportage SUVs, not to mention the Forte coupe and the Soul utility box.Its latest attempt to draw some attention through design is the 2011 Kia Optima, a midsize family sedan that offers Kia's first turbocharged engine in the U.S. In addition to the forced-induction engine, the Optima SX also features flashy 18-inch "pie-plate" wheels and chiseled bodywork that suggest it's more than your average family sedan.Four Cylinders and a Turbocharger
And the Optima SX Turbo delivers indeed. With 274 horsepower available at 6,000 rpm and 269 pound-feet of torque at 1,750, its 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder has slap-you-out-of-your-midsize-sedan-doldrums capability. If the drivetrain and its power output sound eerily familiar to the 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T we previously tested, call yourself a genius. It is, of course, but Kia officials are quick to point out that the Optima SX uses "different engine and transmission tuning."

Massa has also spent time on Ferrari's racing simulator

Ferrari just announced that injured driver Felipe Massa could be back in the saddle as early as Monday. Massa hasn't been in an F1 car since July's Hungarian Grand Prix, when a spring from another car flew up and hit him above his eye, fracturing his skull.

The first time he has even been back on track was last week when he took the wheel of a kart. Because of testing bans in place this season in F1, Massa can't drive the current car he was running until Hungary. As he gets back up to speed, the FIA has granted him permission to drive a 2007-spec car fitted with GP2 tires.

Massa has also spent time on Ferrari's racing simulator. Word has it he's already mastered Barcelona and is working hard at beating the Interlagos circuit now. Before taking the wheel of the 2007 car, he still needs to pass an examination, but once he's cleared, he could be on track in Italy by Monday. This will be testing only as the driver isn't expected to compete for Ferrari any more this season.

Range Rover Evoque caught prepping for show

When Land Rover officially revealed the Range Rover Evoque they didn't include a single shot of the five-door baby crossover utility. Thankfully, someone with early access to the upcoming Paris Motor Show floor decided that was some kind of crime, and so they took shots of the more family-minded Evoque occupying the Land Rover stand. The secret snapper also got images of the cabin, and we think it's beautiful distillation of the Range Rover Sport's interior language. We can't wait to see it ourselves next week.

For now, have a look at the link below for more shots of the Evoque five-door, and be sure to hit the jump for a video of the two-door.

UPDATE: Range Rover has written to say that this is a five-door prototype of the Evoque shown to dealers at a pre-show event for dealers in Paris. It will not be appearing at the show, only the two-door.

Bosal Muffler Single inlet and dual outlet configuration; 53 in. L x 7 in. W x 11 in

Bosal Muffler - Natural, Aluminized steel, Direct OE Replacement, Standard OE Replacement
Part Number: BOVFM1728
Manufacturer Number: VFM-1728
Bosal Muffler Bosal Muffler
List Price: $105.67
Our Price: $89.55
You Save: $16.12
Free Shipping
Info/Buy
BOSAL REAR MUFFLER, ALUMINIZED STEEL, NATURAL FINISH, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- Single inlet and dual outlet configuration; 53 in. L x 7 in. W x 11 in. H; Oval casing; Standard direct fit OE replacement; Made to fit vehicle-specific requirements for backpressure, emissions, sound levels, and sensors; Precision-manufactured to high tolerances for long life; Easy installation.

GM sued for unauthorized use of Einstein

If Albert Einstein were alive today, he'd be very old and quite wealthy. In fact, the world famous scientist still banks about $10 million per year solely from corporations purchasing one-time rights to his likeness. Einstein has been dead since 1955, but an institution is still collecting money on his behalf, and there is a rather substantial price to pay to use his likeness. Just ask General Motors.

The Detroit News reports that The General is being sued by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem for $75,000 over a fall, 2009 print ad that contained Einstein's likeness without the school's blessing. The ad, which appeared in the September issue of People Magazine, features Einstein's head Photoshopped onto the body of a young, muscular guy with the tagline "Ideas are sexy, too."

But while the Hebrew University feels it has an open-and-shut case, GM claims that it purchased the rights to Einstein's image from a reputable firm. GM spokesperson Ryndee Carney told the DetNews that the company guarantees that clients have rights to use the images selected.