2012

The first 40 miles you drive in a fully charged 2011 Chevrolet Volt uses energy stored in the 16kWh battery to propel the vehicle, with the 1.4-liter gas engine kicking in only when the battery is drained and needs to be recharged. But GM engineers are working on a switch for the British version of the Volt, the Vauxhall Ampera slated for 2012, that will let U.K. drivers decide when to drive in electric-only mode and when to use the gas engine, according to an article in TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk.

The tweak is designed to suit the driving … Read more

The 2012 Mercedes SLK's retractable hardtop will offer a new darkening technology for its glass roof called Magic Sky Control, according to an article in The Independent.

Magic Sky Control is an ethereal-sounding name for technology that uses an electrical surge to distribute light-blocking particles across glass. With the touch of a button, the glass changes from transparent to opaque, giving people additional privacy or the ability to block light. In the Mercedes SLK, the application enables occupants to control the amount of light that enters the vehicle through the glass roof of its retractable hardtop on hot days--or … Read more

Nissan unveiled the GT-R in Japan with the announcement that the car would also be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Very few details were released regarding the GT-R, shown here in Aurora Flare Blue Pearl. The supercar, which has an expected base price of just over $100,000, also comes in Meteo Flake Black Pearl.

Nissan has made changes to the body's GT-R structure, setting it apart from previous models. No performance details were officially released. However, Inside Line today reported the GT-R will deliver 523 horsepower and 451 pound-feet of torque--over the 2011 … Read more

Iconic Motors made a lot of waves when it debuted its 800-hp bespoke roadster in 2008. Since then, the custom car has been refined, re-engineered, and rebadged, now officially bearing the name of the 60s-era AC Cobras that it strongly resembles.

The 2012 Iconic AC Roadster spec changers are slight but impressive: it offers increased output of 825-hp from its 6.8-liter V8 aluminum engine. The trim roadster put on a few pounds and now weighs 2,400 lbs., but it also dropped a second of its 0-60 time and is now below 3 seconds. Not bad for two year'… Read more

Most cars are more or less one size fits all, even though its occupants are not. While adjustable seats, pedals, and steering wheels address some of the size differences, there's aren't a lot of accommodations when it comes to the safety features, except to recommend that if you're short you might be better off sitting in the back seat where airbags are less likely to break your face.

Today Ford announced that it will be adding adaptive airbags in the 2012 Ford Focus. These next-generation airbags include features that modify the amount of air pressure deployed in … Read more

You might not remember the 1969 Mustang Boss 302. But if you do, you'll be even more excited about today's announcement of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 and the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca.

Based on the 2011 Mustang GT, the Boss 302 features upgrades to the engine output, brakes, suspension, interior, and exterior. It's lighter in weight and offers better aerodynamics and track performance, according to a Ford news release.

"The decision to build a modern Boss was not entered into lightly," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "The … Read more

With Jeff's wedding creeping up sooner than we expected, it's about time that The 404 Podcast discusses exactly what we'll be wearing to the ceremonies. Always the responsible one, Wilson is prepared with his own suit, and Jeff will obviously be wearing the cheapest tux money can rent, but I've somehow made it 26 years without ever buying a suit and I refuse to start now...hopefully Stacie is OK with me wearing this old thing.

And speaking of horrible fashion, this shirt holster for your Apple iPad is proof that tech-fashion is, and will always … Read more

Jeff looks a little different on this morning's episode of The 404 podcast, doesn't he? Initial reports tell us that the half-moon forming on Jeff's face is actually a smile, which probably has to do with Ilya Kovalchuk staying with the New Jersey Devils this season.

The LA Kings, New York Islanders, the NJ Devils, and a random team in Russia all grabbed for Kovalchuk when he became a free agent on July 1, but only the Devils were able to secure the hockey star for a reported 100 million bucks over the next 17 years, which … Read more

London police are setting up two specialist teams to deal with aspects of e-crime and ticketing fraud surrounding the 2012 Olympic Games.

One of the teams will be dedicated to tackling e-crime related to the Olympics, such as attempted hacks on computer systems and fraud aimed at sponsors and prospective visitors. The other will focus on the prevention of ticketing fraud and other physical crime and will investigate ticketing Web sites. Recruitment is under way for the Olympics e-crime team, which is already investigating Web sites suspected of being set up to launch phishing attacks.

The computer systems at the … Read more