The Canadian province of Ontario announced that the Nissan Leaf will qualify for the full $8500 rebate on electric vehicles sold in Ontario. The provincial government offers incentives of $5,000 to $8,500 Canadian dollars will apply to electric vehicles sold in the province. The incentives vary based on the size of a cars battery, but the Leaf is able to qualify for the full $8,500 rebate.

On sale in Canada at the end of 2011, the Leaf has already attracted 2,500 “handraisers”, and the $8,500 credit is sure to make it an attractive proposition in an area where gas hovers around the $4/gallon mark.

[Source: Nissan Canada]

As time goes on and innovations are being implemented to existing safety products, you’d think that they would get, well, safer. But that might not be the case when it comes to the newest type of airbag, as a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows.

Raising all kinds of questions about airbags that were required in vehicles from 2004 to 2008, this IIHS study says that they may actually place drivers who wear their seat belts at a greater risk of death.

This research is based on statistical analysis of 3,600 driver and front-seat passenger deaths that were the result of frontal crashes between 2004 and 2007. While it found that the newest type of airbags helped unbelted people about the same as older airbags, belted drivers had a 21 percent greater chance of dying.

“It is possible that the systems are not making the right decisions,” said David Zuby, Senior Vice President for Vehicle Research at the IIHS. “Under previous requirements, air bags didn’t need to be quite so sophisticated.”

Even though the study didn’t come up with reasons why belted drivers are at greater risk, safety experts are throwing out a few explanations. The one that holds the most validity is that automakers design airbags for unbelted drivers, as they are required to test for this percentage of the driving population – even though 80 percent of drivers wear seat belts.

This research was presented in January at a convention of auto engineers, but hasn’t received widespread attention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the organization that regulates air bags, met with the researchers and carmakers in March but hasn’t commented on the study, stating they had not had time to fully review it.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

BFGoodrich Tires has long had a passion for racing, both on the tarmac and in the dirt. In a unique move linking their on-road and off-road interests, BFG has just announced an expanded contingency program for five classes in the 2010 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs. This program offers SCCA competitors the chance to race in the BFGoodrich Tires / Wide Open Excursions “Baja Challenge” (BC) race car for the 43^rd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in November.

Seats in the Wide Open Excursions BC race car, equipped with BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires, will be awarded to drivers who win their class using BFGoodrich tires at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs in September. This is in addition to BFG’s existing contingency program that offers SCCA Club Racing National drivers two BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires for first place and one tire for second place.  Eligible classes include AS, T2, T3, SSB and SSC.

“Because of our legendary success both on- and off-road, BFGoodrich Tires is uniquely qualified to offer a program like this to our racers,” said Roberts Kukainis, motorsports manager, BFGoodrich Tires.  “One thing we know at BFGoodrich Tires is that those who race on our tires are all about fierce competition, and we expect this contingency program to become a race in itself among our SCCA racers.”

The 2010 SCCA National Championship Runoffs will take place Sept. 20-26 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. More than 600 drivers will participate in the event, making it the country’s largest amateur championship. Those who bolt on a set of BFGoodrich tires and display the required decals will be eligible for the contingency.

“BFGoodrich Tires has definitely sweetened the pot for the track guys this season,” said Joel Lipperini, 2009 SCCA SSC class winner.  “We are very passionate about racing and winning – we aren’t out here to get rich, we do it all for the excitement on the track.  The chance to win championships on the track and in the desert, in the same season, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  I’ve never raced in Baja, but you better believe that I’ll be at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs pushing my car, my tires and myself to the limit.”

The complete Press Release after the jump.

[Source: BFGoodrich Tires]

Continue Reading…

An 18-wheel Semi-truck, carrying a fuel trailer, and a 1995 Honda Accord were stopped by Slidel, LA police for drag racing on rural backroads. The drivers, Craig Smith (semi) and Brandon Tanks (Honda), were cited for the rural drag race, which, according to police, exceeded 80 mph. Smith said the two had discussed how fast their vehicles were, and decided to settle it with a drag race. Smith’s fuel trailer was empty, so the two raced down Old Spanish Trail.

Louisiana Highway Patrol officer Capt. Kevin Folz reported that at the time of the stop, the Semi was in the lead.

We’re guessing VTEC hadn’t kicked in yet.

[Source: The Advocate]

The Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance is possibly the world’s most exclusive collector car show, attracting celebrities like Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and Ralph Lauren. The venue is the perfect place for Porsche to show off its upcoming 918 Spyder, which has been all-but-confirmed for production.

Porsche is looking to find 1000 people to express interest in the 918 Spyder, and so far have garnered 900 on that list. Pebble Beach’s ultra-high-net worth patrons can surely yield that number, allowing Porsche to put their hybrid supercar flagship into a very limited production run. The 718 horsepower roadster will also be shown close to Silicon Valley, home of the Tesla roadster and many wealthy folks with environmentally conscious views.

[Source: Autocar]

The big, bulky owners manual occupying precious glove box space may soon become a relic for Jeep owners, as the 2011 Grand Cherokee will be the brand’s first vehicle to bring the owners manual to a variety of smartphones. In addition to the owners manual, users will be able to view videos, contact other Grand Cherokee owners and give Chrysler feedback on various aspects of the car.

The smartphone owners manual will be available first for the iPhone, and then hit the Blackberry and Android platforms. As Autoblog astutely pointed out, when smartphones become obsolete in a few years, what will happen to the owners manuals? We hope that a hard copy will still be available. For all the wonders of technology, paper will never suffer from technical glitches, and when a Check Engine Light comes on ten years down the road, we doubt that anyone will dust off their old smartphone to look up the possible problem.

[Source: Autoblog]

Nissan‘s oddball Juke crossover is beating sales projecting in Japan by 300%, moving 1300 units in its first week. The turbocharged Juke is certainly unique looking, and its compact proportions and relatively low price should help make it an attractive proposition in a land where novelty and quirkiness are highly sought after traits in an automobile.

The real test will come when the Juke goes on sale in North America in the fall of 2010. Initial impressions have largely been positive, with some journalists comparing its driving dynamics with the class leading MINI Countryman.

[Source: Autoblog]

Check out Juke Forums for more info

Audi has been hard at work on it’s E-Tron electric sports car, and it’s paying off, with new plans to deliver the car to market ahead of schedule. According to a report by Car & Driver, the E-Tron will arrive in 2012. The vehicle won’t be for sale, however, but for lease.

Lexus recently announced a lease plan for its LFA supercar to avoid individuals or companies re-selling the vehicle at a profit. We’re sure that’s some of Audi’s motivation, but being a high-priced electric sports car, we’re sure Audi also wants to maintain ownership of all vehicles as the first models will be part of a larger learning experience for the German automaker in the field of EVs. Let’s just hope the Audi lease program isn’t so complicated.

What isn’t clear is what form the E-Tron will take, with Audi debuting the car at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, before showing an updated version at the LA Auto Show, and finally unveiling an all-new and smaller E-tron sports car in Detroit.

GALLERY: Audi E-Tron Unveiling at Detroit Auto Show

GALLERY: Audi E-Tron Unveiling at LA Auto Show

GALLERY: Audi E-Tron Unveiling at Frankfurt Auto Show

[Source: Car & Driver]

The new Honda CR-Z will go on sale in the U.S. on August 24th, with a starting price of under $20,000 reports InsideLine. Unfortunately the car will not be eligible for a federal tax credit. Apparently the rules state that only 60,000 tax credits for hybrids are allowed per automaker and Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky told IL that Honda passed that mark several years ago. Honda is able to offer the car for so little because of the less-sophisticated nickle-metal hydride battery used (rather than a lithium-ion one).

At that price range Honda intents to target buyers aged 25-35, although initial reports from Japan suggest the car is a bigger hit with an older demographic.

Sadly, for performance enthusiasts who might be attracted to the CR-Z’s small size and styling, Honda says a higher performance Si or Type R model is not in the plans. John Mendel, Honda’s VP of sales wasn’t exactly forceful on the point, however, commenting that there’s “nothing official” in the product plans. There are also no plans for a pure electric model, with Honda holding the belief that for some applications EVs will work, but that for normal use in the U.S., Honda just doesn’t see an EV catching on – at least with the current range capabilities.

Honda’s new CR-Z makes 122-hp and 128 ft-lbs of torque from a 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor, using Honda’s Integrate Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Fuel economy is expected to reach 31/37-mpg (city/highway) for the 6-speed manual and 35/39-mpg for the CVT automatic.

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z Mega Gallery

[Source: InsideLine]

Audi execs have repeatedly said that the A1 mini-car will not be sold in the U.S. But now Audi boss Rupert Stadler has confirmed that it will be sold here, but not any time soon. According to a report by Car & Driver, Audi is planning to sell its second-generation of the MINI competitor in North America.

The wait will be a long one too, with the A1 just having launched in Europe with a long production cycle, that won’t see the next car for seven more years.

The current A1 is just 155.5-inches in length (with a 97.2-inch wheelbase), 68.5-inches wider and 56-inches tall. Under the hood there are four engine choices. Diesel options include two 1.6-liter versions with either 90-hp and 169 ft-lbs of torque or 105-hp and 184 ft-lbs of torque. Gasoline models get either a tiny 1.2-liter TFSI 4-cylinder with 86-hp and 118 ft-lbs of torque or a 1.4-liter TFSI with 122-hp and 147 ft-lbs of torque. Five and six-speed manual transmissions come standard, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available. Audi rates both gas engines at 46 mpg in the European test cycle, while this tiny car delivers 9.43 cubic-feet of cargo room, which increases to a total of 32.5 cu.-ft. with the rear seats folded flat.

GALLERY: Audi A1 Debut in Geneva

[Source: Car & Driver]