cars

Sirius Satellite Radio may start beaming video through its service by end of next year, according to comments made by boss Mel Karmazin at a media summit this week in New York. Don't expert to see Howard Stern and his naked guests; The company will initially focus on video content that keeps the kids quiet in the back seat. That's probably the easiest sell to current users and a fairly affordable type of content for Sirius to license.

Bits is bits, so sending video shouldn't be much harder than audio with the main difference being that the … Read more

It's one of the experiences we dread most: The cursed "Check Engine" light goes on. That's when you're destined for the even worse experience of seeing the mechanic.

The most frustrating thing is you're never sure if it's something real or just a cranky electrical circuit deciding to be difficult. Either way, you know you'll be paying for it somehow. That's why we have high hopes (and prayers) for the "CarMD" to succeed. We know this handy gadget debuted a few months back, but it's worth mentioning again … Read more

While Skywalker may have favored the force instead of a display helmet, those of us representing the Han contingent should probably stick with high-tech aides when kicking it into hyperdrive.

SportVue showcased a GPS-enabled Heads Up display prototype at last week's 39th Annual Tecate-Score Baja 1000. The helmet display attaches to the visor of your helmet and offers a view similar to that of the SportVue MC1 (shown left). It allows drivers to gauge info without having to take their eyes from the road.

In the case of the GPS-enabled SportVue Heads Up display, drivers were able to read … Read more

Volkswagen is not really known for its off-road prowess, but that might be about to change with a new series of VW-branded sleds for kids. The snazzy snow-skimmers, which boast steering wheels and padded seats, come in a choice of trims inspired by VW favorites such as the GTI and the Beetle. There are no details on whether or not the sleds have brakes or whether they will come fitted with VW's steering impulse system, but they sure will have other parents glowering with envy on the slopes.

Source: CarScoop via Autoblog

General Motors will be keeping us busy this week as we report live from the exhibit floor of the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. Over the weekend, GM announced that it would be debuting two production hybrids in addition to its already substantial offering of new model releases and special editions.

The 2008 Buick Enclave, the 2008 Saturn Vue, and the 2008 GMC Acadia crossovers were on our radar already, but the General has thrown in a couple of extra debuts in the shape of the Saturn Aura Green Line, a hybrid version of Saturn's Euro-inspired sedan that makes … Read more

It's difficult to imagine what customer segment the designers at GM had in mind when they came up with the idea of the Cadillac Escalade EXT. The 2007 model that just arrived into the CNET Car Tech garage boasts a dazzling array of tech features: heated and cooled front seats, a factory-installed DVD player, DVD-based touch-screen navigation, as-standard XM Satellite radio playing through an eight-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system and...an 8-foot cargo bed.

With all-wheel drive and a monstrous 6.2-liter engine, the EXT could theoretically be used to haul around stacks of 50-gallon drums or to tow … Read more

OK, we're officially depressed. First, we hear about the air guitar T-shirt. Bad enough. Then came the USB electric guitar. But a guitar that plays through your car stereo?

As Red Ferret reports, owners of new Volkswagen Golfs, Beetles, Rabbits and Jettas will get a complimentary guitar with their purchase. Why? Here's an explanation from First Act GarageMaster, which makes the guitars: "Owners of new VW models can transform their cars into mobile amps, with a newfound freedom to rock in the driveway, play at outdoor parties, or shred in the beach parking lot. New rockers will … Read more

If you're prone to speeding, you might think twice before doing it anywhere in Deutschland. The German Federal Traffic Ministry and the Association of German Automobile Tuners (a group that encourages tuning?) have launched a punctuation-happy program called Tune It! Safe! that will feature a Mercedes CLS V12 Rocket sedan decked out for German polizei at this year's Essen Motor Show.

The modified police rocket can reach speeds of up to 225 mph--a necessity, I suppose, when going after reckless drivers on the autobahn.

This gravity-driven "car" (top photo) took the prize for "Best Design Exploration" at the Unlimited Derby car race, an event sponsored by IBM at the Industrial Designers Society of America conference in Austin, Texas.

It was designed by ID-One, a creative services company of engineers, industrial designers and graphic artists. (We wonder if they had been flipping through the Tiffany's catalog at the time--see the sterling silver baby rattle below.)

The race is akin to the Boy Scouts' Pinewood Derby in that entries must be gravity driven and fit specific size parameters. Unlike the Pinewood … Read more