Ice May Melt, but the Snowmobiles Keep Coming (New York

Ice May Melt, but the Snowmobiles Keep Coming (New York Times)
In the self-proclaimed Snowmobile Capital of the World, there are perhaps two kinds of snowmobile enthusiasts: speed demons and nature lovers.

Starbucks eyes prime city lot (Rutland Herald)
Interest in one of Rutland's most visible and highly trafficked corners is percolating, but problems with access to the site could cool a potential deal with Starbucks.

Winter Driving Tips From the Experts
Winter conditions can be challenging for drivers of all skill levels. The editor of Sympatico / MSN Autos Canada offers sound advice from the Great White North.
Marc Lachapelle, with Gerry Malloy for Sympatico / MSN Autos Canada

Column: New cars don't quite captivate the young single guy (MLive.com)
Sushi? Check. Martinis? Check. Breakdancing? Check. Video games? `Bout time. Beautiful women glinting next to fast cars? A given. An MTV reality show? You betcha.

Preview: 2006 Porsche Cayman S
Porsche's new mid-engine coupe builds on the Boxster S, but kicks it up a notch in the performance department.
Mike Meredith

Week in pictures: Macworld stars, awesome cars (CNET)
roundup Apple fans at Macworld Expo find iPod, iMac and other offerings golden and delicious. Also: Cool cars, ugly DVD players.

Test Drive: Project Gotham Racing 3
Editors at MSN Autos take Microsoft's latest driving game out for a spin.
Perry Stern

HOW DO WE . . . ? (The Plain Dealer)
Q. My kids are interested in how things work. How can I get a tour of an auto plant, chocolate maker or other fun factory-type tours? A. Barnstorming with kids to a historic village, park or mansion is fun, but sometimes kids just want to see cool stuff being made.

In Detroit, the Rebirth of the Hip(s) (New York Times)

In Detroit, the Rebirth of the Hip(s) (New York Times)
The swollen rear fenders that dominated car design in the late 1960's, the shape of oversize muscle and latent sensuality, are bulging from many of the dream machines at the North American International Auto Show.

Toyota F3R concept - a cool place to hang out

Toyota F3R concept - a cool place to hang out (Independent Online)
Toyota's latest concept revives a genre all but forgotten in today's automotive world - the minivan.

'Polar Express' (Deseret Morning News)
HEBER VALLEY Blond, blue-eyed Braden Adams, a 7-year-old at SCERA Park Elementary School in Orem was excited really excited. He had been waiting three very long months for this one night, the night he would put on his pajamas, take the train to the North Pole and meet Santa.

Cool cart from Urban Mover (GOLFmagic)
It irritates me sometimes to see youngsters an adults who perhaps should know better zooming around our courses on golf buggies as if competing in some kind of off-road challenge.

Cool cart from Urban Mover (GOLFmagic) It irritates me sometimes

Cool cart from Urban Mover (GOLFmagic)
It irritates me sometimes to see youngsters an adults who perhaps should know better zooming around our courses on golf buggies as if competing in some kind of off-road challenge.

Skip the big bill and lousy wheels (CNN.com)
We all have different automotive tastes, but if you're a leisure traveler, you may not be in the habit of reading rental agreements, damage waivers and sorting through what make and model car to rent. If so, never fear. We can tell you how to get the best rental deals and pick a car that's right for you.

Toyota F3R concept - a cool place to hang out (Independent Online)
Toyota's latest concept revives a genre all but forgotten in today's automotive world - the minivan.

iPod add-ons: Boombox purses, and more (CNN Money)
Apple's cavernous booth at San Francisco's Macworld Expo contains snazzy new computers, software galore -- but no iPods.

Baby, you can drive my iPod (CNN Money)
What were the most expensive iPod accessories on display at this week's Macworld Expo?

Toyota F3R concept - a cool place to hang out

Toyota F3R concept - a cool place to hang out (Independent Online)
Toyota's latest concept revives a genre all but forgotten in today's automotive world - the minivan.

Review: Cincotti a crooner in search of a niche (Bonita Daily News)
They say that there are really no new ideas. Witness the retro muscle cars that Detroit resurrects each year now; the movies that remake remakes; fashion more 1966 than 2006.

Diesel hybrid concept car also taps the sun (MSNBC) Taking

Diesel hybrid concept car also taps the sun (MSNBC)
Taking concept cars to a new level - one that combines a diesel engine, electric motor and solar panels - Ford unveiled its Reflex sportscar this week at the North American Auto Show in Detroit.

It's not just the cars that are on the go at Detroit auto show (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
DETROIT -- Was that the sound of breaking window glass I just heard? Uh ? yep!

Charging commuters gets a cool reception (Guernsey Press and Star)
PAID parking for commuters has been rejected by the Consumer Group. 'I am most interested to see the results of your survey which indicate no enthusiasm for the level of paid parking which could discourage commuters from using their private cars,' said chairman Roy Bisson.

Where's My Chevette? (The Motley Fool via Yahoo! News)
I'll admit it. I'm a sissy. I like small cars. When I was in college in the late '80s, I drove a 1981 Chevy Chevette. Perhaps not the most reliable car I've owned, but when you're 18 and have your own set of wheels, you don't complain. Under ideal conditions, the Chevette's fuel economy would approach 40 miles per gallon, and even though gas prices were less than $1 a gallon, the savings were

A sampling of items deserving of attention (Pacifica Tribune)
I have to pick and choose the cars I write about. Sometimes it works out fine because I try not to write about cars I do not like. But there are so many really good cars available that I leave out some great ones. Here are four that deserved a full article if I only had the space.

The Truth About Fuel Economy Ratings
If your new car's actual fuel mileage does not match the fuel economy numbers on the window sticker, it's not necessarily your car's fault.
Ann Job

Community (Woodstock Independent)
The "Monster" signs tied to the chain-link fence along Country Club Road in front of the McHenry County Fairgrounds provided the first clue that something was afoot. The second clue was the occasional line of cars parked in front of the fairground buildings Friday and Saturday evenings.

Carnap ring seen hiding cars in Oro (Sun Star)
GONE in 60 seconds? At least that's what it looks like to police looking into possibilities that carnappers are maintaining a warehouse in the middle of the city where they store their loot instead of sneaking it away where the risk of being caught in checkpoints is high.

Four games give N-Gage new life [2005-03-09] (T3)
Drive fast cars, conquer the Caribbean, raise and race a thoroughbred horse and be a pinball wizard, all on your N-Gage QD. [ more ] Ultra-thin Cyber-shot T7 unveiled [2005-03-09] Sony shows off the digital camera equivalent of Kate Moss, the extremely-skinny-but-still-damned-sexy Cyber-shot T7.

Test Drive: Project Gotham Racing 3
Editors at MSN Autos take Microsoft's latest driving game out for a spin.
Perry Stern

The Truth About Fuel Economy RatingsIf your new car's actual

The Truth About Fuel Economy Ratings
If your new car's actual fuel mileage does not match the fuel economy numbers on the window sticker, it's not necessarily your car's fault.
Ann Job

Science Becomes Art in American Laundry Rooms (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The most capacity in its class, tinted windows, computerized Hi Definition controls and energy efficient performance -- the new Kenmore Elite Oasis HE features innovations that are more analogous with new cars and consumer electronics than with laundry appliances, but the features on this new line of high-efficiency washers and dryers put them among the most sought-after hybrids of 2006.

Community (Woodstock Independent)
The "Monster" signs tied to the chain-link fence along Country Club Road in front of the McHenry County Fairgrounds provided the first clue that something was afoot. The second clue was the occasional line of cars parked in front of the fairground buildings Friday and Saturday evenings.

Charging commuters gets a cool reception (Guernsey Press and Star)
PAID parking for commuters has been rejected by the Consumer Group. 'I am most interested to see the results of your survey which indicate no enthusiasm for the level of paid parking which could discourage commuters from using their private cars,' said chairman Roy Bisson.

A sampling of items deserving of attention (Pacifica Tribune)
I have to pick and choose the cars I write about. Sometimes it works out fine because I try not to write about cars I do not like. But there are so many really good cars available that I leave out some great ones. Here are four that deserved a full article if I only had the space.

Carnap ring seen hiding cars in Oro (Sun Star)
GONE in 60 seconds? At least that's what it looks like to police looking into possibilities that carnappers are maintaining a warehouse in the middle of the city where they store their loot instead of sneaking it away where the risk of being caught in checkpoints is high.

Detroit's 'Big Three' Automakers Launch New Incentive Programs
General Motors, Chrysler and Ford announce new programs in efforts to boost slackening year-end sales.
Perry Stern

Top Luxury Cars on MSN AutosThe most popular luxury cars

Top Luxury Cars on MSN Autos
The most popular luxury cars on MSN Autos, based on visits to the site's vehicle pages during the third quarter of 2005.
compiled by MSN Autos

Carnap ring seen hiding cars in Oro (Sun Star)
GONE in 60 seconds? At least that's what it looks like to police looking into possibilities that carnappers are maintaining a warehouse in the middle of the city where they store their loot instead of sneaking it away where the risk of being caught in checkpoints is high.

Honda looks down the road to alternative fuels (MSNBC)
DETROIT - The 2006 North American International Auto Show, Detroit's annual celebration of all that's cool and new in the auto world, is well underway and already some of the biggest names in the business are showing why they're considered forward-thinking car makers.

Diesel Power (Forbes)
Adored abroad and abhorred in the U.S., a guide to appreciating the most underappreciated fuel-efficient cars.

It's not just the cars that are on the go at Detroit auto show (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
DETROIT -- Was that the sound of breaking window glass I just heard? Uh ? yep!

David Spade, clowns roll out new Chrysler car, SUV (WOOD TV 8)
DETROIT Some quips from comedian David Spade helped Chrysler roll out a pair of new production cars at the Detroit auto show. Spade was on stage for the debut of the...

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Preseason Thunder Q&A (Fox Sports)
Q: Can you please give us a quick overview of your come back to Daytona after the break? Earnhardt: Yeah, I was just looking forward to getting here, getting testing, seeing what are cars are like, seeing what all the hard work in the shop the guys are doing ,and how that is going to pay off, taking time off in the off season to enjoy myself and now look forward to getting back into the car and

Diesel hybrid concept car also taps the sun (MSNBC)
Taking concept cars to a new level - one that combines a diesel engine, electric motor and solar panels - Ford unveiled its Reflex sportscar this week at the North American Auto Show in Detroit.

BMW keeping cool as competition heats up (The State)
BMW isn t sitting still as competitors try to catch up.In 2005, while Lexus launched the IS, BMW introduced a new version of the 3-series.

2006 NAIAS Coverage
The Official Web Site of the North American International Auto Show.
Editors of MSN Autos

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Preseason Thunder Q&A (Fox Sports) Q: Can

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Preseason Thunder Q&A (Fox Sports)
Q: Can you please give us a quick overview of your come back to Daytona after the break? Earnhardt: Yeah, I was just looking forward to getting here, getting testing, seeing what are cars are like, seeing what all the hard work in the shop the guys are doing ,and how that is going to pay off, taking time off in the off season to enjoy myself and now look forward to getting back into the car and

Test Drive: Project Gotham Racing 3Editors at MSN Autos take

Test Drive: Project Gotham Racing 3
Editors at MSN Autos take Microsoft's latest driving game out for a spin.
Perry Stern

AMERICAN SPECIALTY CARS SHOWS OFF CAPABILITIES IN DESIGN (Asia Pulse via Yahoo! Australia & NZ Finance)
Transport Unique, 'Sunvertible' Roof Systems for SUVs, Crossovers, Minivans

Andy Gets An Earful (CBS News)
When Andy Rooney recently did a segment on the quality of American cars, he broke a record: a record for angry mail.

Detroit Auto Show: Ferrari GG50 (Autoblog)
Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Sports/GTs What a better way to commemorate 50 years designing automobiles than to design your own Ferrari and build it. That s what Giorgetto Giugiaro did and he came up with the GG50. The GG50, as we reported earlier when it originally debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show, is based on Ferrari s 612 Scaglietti and features the same mechanicals

Preview: 2006 Porsche Cayman S
Porsche's new mid-engine coupe builds on the Boxster S, but kicks it up a notch in the performance department.
Mike Meredith

Detroit Auto Show: Kia gets some Soul (Autoblog)
Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , SUVs Kia bought into the whole Year of the CUV craze and designed a concept Crossover Utility Vehicle named Soul that builds on the design of the Kia Mesa full-size sport utility concept that debuted last year. The little ute features a 2.0L four-cylinder and five-speed automatic that turn the front wheels only, though the concept is

Whole Foods goes with the wind (USA Today)
Whole Foods Market is about to put some serious wind in its sales. The trend-setting, natural foods grocery chain on Wednesday will announce plans to become the largest buyer of wind energy credits in North America by purchasing credits equal to 100% of its projected energy use for 2006.

'Gentle Giant' Bana (USA Today)
In the Munich movie poster, he is the human face of vengeance. As undercover agent Avner, he sits slumped over with gun in hand, the weight of a fledgling nation resting on his shoulders, a man torn between duty and defeat.

IIHS's Top 10 Safety Picks
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety picks the ten safest cars of the 2006 model year.
Perry Stern

Diesel Power (Forbes)
Adored abroad and abhorred in the U.S., a guide to appreciating the most underappreciated fuel-efficient cars.

2007 Lincoln MKX: official photos and press release (Autoblog) Filed

2007 Lincoln MKX: official photos and press release (Autoblog)
Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , SUVs Autoblogger John whipped me out of a sound sleep on this one. I barely complained, though: I've had a keen interest in this vehicle for some time. Ford released pics and specs of the MKX ahead of its debut, although the dynamic duo of John and Chris are likely sitting in the Lincoln press conference right now. The MKX is Lincoln's

AMERICAN SPECIALTY CARS SHOWS OFF CAPABILITIES IN DESIGN (Asia Pulse

AMERICAN SPECIALTY CARS SHOWS OFF CAPABILITIES IN DESIGN (Asia Pulse via Yahoo! Australia & NZ Finance)
Transport Unique, 'Sunvertible' Roof Systems for SUVs, Crossovers, Minivans

When Mom Is Over There (Washington Post) For one week

When Mom Is Over There (Washington Post)
For one week a Post reporter is pulled into the war effort, helping her brother juggle single parenthood while his wife is serving in Iraq.

2006 NAIAS Coverage
The Official Web Site of the North American International Auto Show.
Editors of MSN Autos

Sunday is the 50th anniversary of Elvis' 21st birthday (Kingsport Times-News)
Sunday is Elvis' birthday. Technically it's his 71st birthday, but for those of us who remember the cool young dude with the ducktail haircut and the out-of-control pelvis, it's the 50th anniversary of his 21st birthday.

ASC (American Specialty Cars) Shows Off Capabilities in Design, Open Air, Performance Materials (The Auto Channel)
DETROIT, Jan. 8 -- ASC Incorporated today unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit several vehicle prototypes with innovations designed to showcase the company's expertise in vehicle design, open-air systems and performance materials, all focused on supporting ASC's goal of helping its automaker clients put more exciting vehicles on the road, faster.

An oasis for the soul (The Daily Tribune)
From where I was sitting on that cool, breezy evening, the little winking spots of light looked like fireflies fluttering against the velvety backdrop of black night. But no, upon closer inspection, it turns out that the staff was simply lighting candles to illuminate the pathways.

Winter Driving Tips From the Experts
Winter conditions can be challenging for drivers of all skill levels. The editor of Sympatico / MSN Autos Canada offers sound advice from the Great White North.
Marc Lachapelle, with Gerry Malloy for Sympatico / MSN Autos Canada

Favorite Five concepts from 2005 (Autoblog) Filed under: Concept Cars

Favorite Five concepts from 2005 (Autoblog)
Filed under: Concept Cars , Time Warp The year 2005 saw some pretty excellent concept vehicles, from cool pre-production one-offs like the Mazda MX Crossport to wacky, far-out doozies like the Jeep Hurricane , which we re about as likely to see produced as we are to witness Pauly Shore thanking the Academy for his lifetime achievement award. Some of them pushed the envelope of design,

XM Radio Advanced Services Concept (Autoblog)
Filed under: CES , Aftermarket , Gadgets So, how exactly does it work? We mean, really work. That s the reaction lots of people have when they read about a new product in a magazine or on-line. (Other reactions include "looks cool", "what a bunch of hype", and "Wow. Hot model.") So it was great news when Autoblogger Chris found XM Radio in his wanderings at the Consumer Electronics

Los Angeles and Detroit Auto Shows Offer First Look at Key Volkswagen Cars for 2006 (The Auto Channel)
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 4, 2006 -- Volkswagen America, Inc., for the second straight year, is revealing a showroom full of all-new, highly anticipated cars at the new year's first major auto shows back to back in Los Angeles and Detroit.

IIHS's Top 10 Safety Picks
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety picks the ten safest cars of the 2006 model year.
Perry Stern

Top Luxury Cars on MSN Autos
The most popular luxury cars on MSN Autos, based on visits to the site's vehicle pages during the third quarter of 2005.
compiled by MSN Autos

2006 NAIAS Coverage
The Official Web Site of the North American International Auto Show.
Editors of MSN Autos

OAKLAND / Blind students study cow's eyeball hands-on / Techbridge expands free after-school science program normally (San Francisco Chronicle)
The inside of a cow's eyeball feels like Jello coating the skin of a frog. The optic nerve resembles spaghetti. The lens is sort of like a marble. "It's pretty nasty, but in a cool sort of way," said Arianna Sepulveda, 14, digging carefully manicured...