Performance

Driving diesel: BMW 123d

With falling gas prices dampening enthusiasm for alternative fuels, and poor economic conditions causing automakers to tighten their belts, plans for new diesel car launches in the U.S. have slowed. However, diesel engine cars still present a good option over gasoline-powered cars, generally getting much better fuel economy. Although automakers scaled back their plans, Bosch, which makes diesel engine components, still wants to change the perception of diesel cars in the U.S. so the public will be more receptive, and even demanding of this technology from automakers.

To that end, Bosch loaned us a 2007 BMW 123d, a car you can't currently get in the U.S., so we could see how it performed in comparison with gasoline cars. Combating the image of soot-spewing diesel trucks, Bosch adopted the slogan "good, clean fun" for its diesel technology, and the BMW 123d was a means to make sure we had some fun.

BMW started selling its 1-series car in the U.S. last year, as the 128 and 135, in coupe and convertible formats. While we found both cars to be very enjoyable, the 123d is a hatchback, a style that makes much more sense with the diminutive sports car. Increased rear headroom makes the cars rear seats more usable, although still tight, and the hatchback means you have substantially more cargo area. After driving the 123d, we really wish BMW would bring the 1-series hatchback to the U.S., with a diesel or gas engine. It didn't hurt that this 123d was also fitted with an M kit, meaning a sport-tuned suspension. … Read more

Subaru releases WRX STI Spec C in Japan

When we tested the 2008 Subaru WRX STI last year, it seemed as if Subaru poured everything it could into this halo car. The STI is Subaru's signature rally car, competing with the Mitsubishi Evo for the hearts of gearheads around the world. But apparently Subaru was holding back, as it just released a limited run of 900 of a Spec C version of the WRX STI, this new car featuring even better performance than the standard STI.

Subaru managed to reduce friction in the STI's turbocharger through the clever use of ball bearings, which in turn let … Read more

In reversal, Chrysler saves Viper

DETROIT--Chrysler Group will continue making and selling Dodge Vipers after all.

The company on Friday removed the for-sale sign from its Viper business and will continue making the sports car through 2010 "and beyond," a Chrysler official said.

The move to keep the Viper marks a sharp departure for Chrysler under a Fiat-led management team. Under former owner Cerberus Capital Management, cash-strapped Chrysler had been trying to sell assets to stave off bankruptcy. The plan failed, and Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 on April 30 and emerged June 10.

(Source: Automotive News)

Spark plugs giving way to lasers

Say goodbye to spark plugs, a 19th century technology about to be supplanted by lasers. The U.K. paper The Telegraph reports that Ford is working with the University of Liverpool to develop a laser ignition system for internal-combustion engines. That's right: engines with frickin' lasers strapped to their heads.

The laser beam is delivered by a thin, fiber-optic cable to a focusing lens that would take up much less space than a spark plug, allowing engineers greater flexibility in designing valves and cylinders. The laser beam can be split to ignite the fuel mixture from multiple points deep … Read more

Return of the SHO

Over the last year, Ford has been at the top of the game with its cabin tech, offering the best MP3 player and cell phone integration, along with a truly useful navigation system. But less interesting were its engines. Ford just stepped up the performance end with its all new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, the muscle version of its standard Taurus sedan.

This car uses Ford's new EcoBoost engine, a direct injection 3.5-liter V-6 with twin turbos. During our testing of the new SHO, we saw impressive 0-to-60-mph times, and even found a few points to compare to … Read more

One mile, two cars, high speeds

Which car is faster: the Porsche 911 GT2 or the Corvette ZR1? These two cars go head-to-head in a performance race to see which is quicker in a mile.

Katherine Legge's near-fatal crash

Oftentimes we spectators forget how perilous it can be for a race car driver whizzing down the track at triple-digit speeds. Man or woman, a crash can be very scary. So, in today's edition of my blog tribute to women in car racing I present a near-fatal crash video featuring British Champ Car driver Katherine Legge.

This video comes from the 2006 Champ Car race at Road America, where a broken rear wing drives Legge into a tailspin that sends her car flipping over and into a wall, catching fire, and breaking into countless pieces. Amazingly, Legge comes out … Read more

Fuel Efficiency Adviser gives engine data overload

A lot of Web sites sell plans and devices purported to boost your car's fuel economy, but the best way to squeeze more miles from the gallon is to change your driving habits. The Fuel Efficiency Adviser won't actually tell you how to drive more economically, but it will give you information that can help change your driving style. Simply plug the Fuel Efficiency Adviser into your ODB II port, present on all cars from 1996 on, and it will show instant fuel economy, how much your current trip is costing, range to empty. It shows many other … Read more

Quarter Midget Racing!

Yesterday we took a look at USAC midget car racing. If you thought that was fun, get ready for Quarter Midget racing!

While the United States Auto Club is arguably the foremost promoter of Quarter Midget racing, there are many national and regional promotions who host events for these cars that are literally about a 1/4 the size of regular midget cars. Partially because of the minute size of these cars, Quarter Midget racing is typically reserved for children 5-16 years of age. The Quarter Midgets, while resembling motorized go-karts, typically reach speeds of up to 45 mph, and … Read more

Game Booster pumps up your system

Normally, I am very skeptical of software that claims to make your computer faster or increase the speed of your connection to the Internet. I've never seen any of them actually deliver.

So when I came across Game Booster, released by IObit on Monday, I thought, "Ah! Another useless piece of junk. It won't boost anything!" Curiosity made me try it anyway. And I have to admit that I was wrong, though not entirely.

First off, the app works. It improve your games' performance by turning off other software and services that would otherwise run in the background the whole time. This helps free up the system resources, making them available for the game you are about to play.

The application is very simple. Once launched, it gives you a list of services running and software running in the background that it deems unnecessary for gaming. There's also a big button labeled "Switch to Gaming Mode." Pressing this button will stop everything on the list, making the system even more ready for the real action.

Once you are done with the gaming, you can click on the same button--now labeled "Back to Normal Mode"--and Game Booster will restart all the services it stopped earlier to bring the computer back to normal operating status. … Read more