Crave

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

It may not be the most sophisticated tech car available, but we really like the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. Not as expensive as the Lancer Evo, but offering some degree of its performance, the Ralliart is perfect for our favorite activity, diving into sharp corners at stupid speeds. Its all-wheel-drive system digs in for grip, and the dual clutch automated manual transmission delivers aggressive shifts. With the optional Rockford Fosgate audio system, the stereo pumps out ridiculous bass and Bluetooth phone integration is standard.

Read our review of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.

Who says rear-projection is dead?

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

If the heyday of the gigantic-screen rear-projection HDTV is over, somebody needs to tell Mitsubishi. The company is the sole remaining proprietor pushing out 60-inch-plus TVs too thick to hang on the wall and too inexpensive to merit a cameo on MTV's "Cribs." Its 2009 lineup features two series of what it calls home theater TVs--to differentiate from its flat-panels--and the WD-737 is the cheapest.

The main reason for buying this TV is to get as much screen for as little money as possible, and the WD-737 series fulfills that role admirably. It can't match the black-level performance of most flat-panels we've tested, it has some uniformity issues unique to its category and, of course, you'll eventually need to replace the bulb. However, the replacement is relatively inexpensive ($99, plus shipping), color accuracy is very good, and did we mention the picture is gi-normous? If you want to go really big for less, the WD-737 series is the only game in town.

Read the full review of the Mitsubishi WD-737 series.

Mitsubishi WD-737 series--photos

Mitsubishi is ready to put its i-Miev on the road, but this woman will have a 30-minute wait to charge up her car.

(Credit: Mitsubishi)

Not to be outdone by Subaru's earlier announcement of the Stella electric car, Mitsubishi gave full details on the production i-Miev electric car, including sales volume plans and pricing.

Mitsubishi has been aggressive in pushing its electric car plans by putting its i-Miev into test fleet operations and showing it off at auto shows. The company even let journalists drive one at the Detroit auto show.

The i-Miev fits four passengers for zero-emission driving.

(Credit: Mitsubishi)

Mitsubishi announced that it would begin selling the i-Miev electric car in late July, matching the timing of Subaru's Stella electric car sales. But the i-Miev will initially only be available to corporations and government groups. Sales to private buyers will not commence until April 2010.

Unlike Subaru, which will only sell 170 Stella electric cars, Mitsubishi is planning on producing 1,400 i-Mievs for corporate and government lessees. The i-Mievs will go for 4,380,000 yen, or about $45,300 at current exchange rates. Japanese buyers of the i-Miev would qualify for a $14,300 subsidy for electric vehicles from the Japanese government.

The i-Miev uses a lithium ion battery pack and a 47-kilowatt electric motor to get a range of 100 miles. ... Read more

(Credit: CNET)

The weather's nice, and the kids are out of school. Time to pack up some gear and head out on the open road for summer fun. But what sort of car will hold the family and luggage for a weeklong excursion without costing an arm and a leg to gas up? We scoured our recent car reviews to find the best cars with modern tech to load up for a summer road trip.

See the top 5 summer road trip cars.

This Nissan test mule demonstrates an electric powertrain.

(Credit: Nissan)

2011: The year of the electric car

Change tends to come slowly in the automotive industry, but the pace of electric car development has picked up fast. Major automakers are promising electric cars for sale to the public by 2011 and earlier. Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Ford are all moving ahead, forcing other automakers to get on the ball.

Current battery technology makes a range of 100 miles the magic number to hit, so this first batch of modern electric cars may struggle to gain wide acceptance. But as people find the cost of ownership to be far less than their old gas guzzlers, the popularity of these electric cars for commutes and errands around town is sure to increase.

Samsung's LNB750 series is among the most-requested of new HDTV reviews.

(Credit: Samsung)

Like most CNET editors, I get plenty of reader mail asking what products I'm reviewing next, so here's a list of HDTVs I have in-house or, according to the manufacturers, are scheduled for imminent arrival at CNET Labs East. Each list is arranged in general order of priority for review, although that order is by no means set in stone.

• HDTVs in-house
  • Sony KDL-52XBR9
  • Toshiba 47ZV650U
  • Sony KDL-52V5100
  • Panasonic TC-L32X1
• HDTVs arriving soon
  • Samsung LN52B750
  • Samsung LN46B650
  • Samsung PN50B650
  • JVC LT-46P300
  • Samsung UN46B8000

You'll notice a lot of Samsungs on that list. One reason is that Samsung TVs are quite popular with readers, so I tend to want to review them; another is that Samsung has been the most-responsive, despite some delays, in getting me review samples. I've also put in requests for new models from Mitsubishi (both LCD and DLP), Sharp, and LG, but so far haven't received confirmation that any of those models are on the way.

Spring preview: HDTVs

In the meantime, if you're hankering to read my review of a particular HDTV that's currently shipping, or you think any of these sets is a waste of my time, go ahead and leave a comment. Since I can use blogs like this as leverage with manufacturers to get more review samples, comments work better than e-mail.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

With all the emphasis on eco-friendly cars at recent auto shows, we didn't expect to see so many performance cars in New York.

But many automakers had souped-up versions of existing models on display, giving driving enthusiasts something to enjoy. Mercedes-Benz had an AMG version of its E-class and BMW made the X6 into an M. VW launched the new GTI and Nissan NISMO'd its 370Z. Honda even showed up with a Mugen-equipped Fit.

Faster, and more furious: Performance cars from the New York auto show

Honda demonstrated a dog-friendly Element at the New York auto show.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET")

Honda and Mitsubishi design dog-friendly cars

Honda and Mitsubishi showed off dog-friendly concept cars at the 2009 New York auto show. The Honda version, built on its Element model, is slated to be offered as a trim option this fall. Honda of North America got the idea for the concept after the pet-friendly Honda WOW was shown at the Tokyo auto show. This concept generated so much interest in the U.S. that Honda developed the idea of making an Element specifically for pet-owners. Mitsubishi had a less-developed concept on display built in its Outlander SUV.

Sixteen speakers come standard on the Mitsubishi LT-249 series. Go ahead, count 'em.

(Credit: Mitsubishi)

Not to be outdone by LCD TV makers touting LED backlights, 240Hz refresh rates, and stratospheric prices, Mitsubishi brings its own twist to the game of HDTV step-up-oneupsmanship with its Unisen models, each of which sports a new 16-speaker audio system.

Nestled below the pursed lips of the simulated image above, you'll find 16 speakers, an array that even when turned off should impress visitors to your living room.

When turned on, according to Mitsubishi, the "intelligent speakers...direct perfectly balanced audio waves beside and behind you to reproduce 5.1 surround sound and create an unprecedented depth of sound experience." We haven't tested the system, but on paper it sounds a lot like the principle employed by virtual surround speakers like the Polk Surround Bar.

Given the price of third-party surround bars, the entry-level LT-151 series doesn't seem too expensive.

(Credit: Mitsubishi)

If Unisen performs as well as such speaker systems, it will certainly represent the best TV sound we've ever heard. The question, of course, is whether it's worth it. The Polk bar above costs about $1,000, and less expensive options like the Zvox 325 ($299) are also available that do a solid job of simulating surround.

Then there's the myriad true surround systems out there with actual rear speakers--although they're not direct competitors to Unisen, since the biggest benefit of simulated surround is lack of rear speakers, wires, etc.

Mitsubishi's three series of Unisen models include 40-, 46-, and 52-inch sizes, and the least expensive, the 40-inch LT-40151, costs a suggested retail price of $1,799. Compared with competing 120Hz LCDs, like Samsung's LN40B650 ($1699) or Sony's KDL-40V5100 ($1499), that's not a massive premium.

On the surface, Mitsubishi's new sets look pretty appealing for people who want better sound from their TVs, and perhaps the company's picture quality has improved over last year's models, such as the LT-46148. We'll know more when we can get one in for review.

All of Mitsubishi's Unisen models will be available in May. Pricing and step-up details follow.... Read more