The Honda Accord was the most researched new car by consumers in 2010 according to new internal data released by Kelly Blue Book (KBB).

Honda also took the second spot with the Civic, while the Toyota Camry placed third. The Accord, Civic and Camry have all placed in KBB’s top five since 2004.

Rounding out the top five are another Honda, the CR-V, in fourth, while the fifth place finisher is new to the list – the Hyundai Sonata. The new Sonata has been a tremendous success for Hyundai, bringing the car to the top five from 29th place last year.

Other big changers for 2010 include the Ford Mustang, up eight spots to number eight, the Toyota Sienna, up seven places to number 11 and the Chevrolet Equinox, up seven spots to 13.

Big losers in 2010 in include the Toyota Corolla which dropped nine spots to number 14, the Prius, down nine spots to 17 and the Chevy Camaro, down seven places to 19th.

Along with this data, KBB also released info on the five brands with the most interest among consumers. Despite Honda vehicles taking three of the top five most researched vehicle spots, as a brand Honda finished second with 11.4 percent of consumer interest. First was Toyota with 13.4 percent of consumer interest, while the remainder of the list is made up of Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan.

Hit the jump for the full list of the Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles in 2010:

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Already popular in Europe, start-stop technology is about to become more common-place in North America – especially if you drive a Ford.

Common in hybrids, start-stop systems shut off the engine when the vehicle comes to a rest and immediately fires it up again the second the brakes are released so there’s no delay in power deliver when the driver reaches for the gas. Those few seconds when the engine is off add up, especially when you combine all the stop-signs, red lights and stop-and-go traffic. Some automakers claim the resulting fuel economy savings is as much as 10 percent – although it’s certain to vary depending on the type of driving you do.

Ford has announced it will expand its use of start-stop technology into its non-hybrid cars and crossovers, starting in 2012. It’s not year clear, however, which vehicles will be the first to receive the upgrade or if it will be limited to higher-dollar EcoBoost models – which is certainly a possibility.

Until changes are made to the U.S. government’s EPA testing procedures the use of start-stop technology won’t improve fuel economy numbers on paper, but real world improvements will be noted. And with Ford making this push, it will only be time before other automakers follow suit and the EPA tests begin to take start-stop technology into account.

Official release after the jump:

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In a bid to meet strict 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, the pickup truck segment might face the biggest challenge of all. While more efficient engines are part of the solution, automakers are increasingly looking at cutting weight as a way to improve overall fuel economy.

The first of a new generation of pickup trucks will be the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, and according to Rick Spina, head of full-size truck development for General Motors, it could be as much as 500 lbs lighter than the current model. Spina didn’t stop there, however, stating that by the 2020s GM hopes to cut as much as 1,000 lbs from its trucks.

To do so GM will have to move away from steel and begin using more steel alloys, aluminum and even magnesium in it trucks – all of which are certain to increase manufacturing and, therefore, retail costs.

2016 CAFE regulations will require a 35.5 mpg average, and with roughly half of all vehicle sales consisting of light trucks, then the auto industry is looking at having to build trucks that get 30 CAFE mpg. (It’s important to note here that CAFE is roughly 25 percent higher than the EPA sticker MPG that consumers are used to seeing on cars).

Still, Chevy has a long way to go to meet that goal and all other automakers will be forced to follow suit, effectively turning around an historical piling-on of weight while fuel economy increases have been minimal. Since 2000, the average weight of light duty trucks has gone up 22 percent, while fuel economy has improved just 2 percent.

[Source: Reuters]

Even NASCAR is getting into the action when it comes to making guest appearances on TV historical dramas. Coming soon to your small screen is Roush Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards who will be playing General John B. Gordon on HBO’s forthcoming mini-series “To Appomattox.”

The mini-series features eight parts and revolves around the last battle of the Civil War. “To Appomattox” stars Michael C. Hall as General Ulysses S. Grant, William Petersen as General William Tecumseh Sherman, Paul Giamatti as James “Pete” Longstreet and Bill Paxton as Stonewall Jackson. The series will start filming in the spring 2011.

But HBO isn’t stopping with Edwards. According to a press release, they are negotiating with other NASCAR personalities for the mini-series. “This production is honored to have developed a connection between this ultimate American sport with the ultimate American story,” the release stated.

[Source: Hardcore Racefans]

It can be pretty boring picking out furniture for your house. But how about it was much more than just furniture… what if it pulled double duty as something really cool and fun? How does a coffee table that turns into a virtual car that hooks up to your favorite racing game sound? It sounds pretty sweet, and now, it’s a reality.

Thanks to Austrian company Race-Star, the two come together without looking like an eye-sore in the ConverTTable.

In its basic box table design, you’ll find a special gaming secret. Just unfold the ConverTTable to reveal a driving wheel, adjustable pedals and a track mounted racing bucket. When it’s time to play Gran Turismo 5, just move the flower arrangement and coffee-table books to a safe spot and tear up the asphalt. When company comes over, just  fold the table back up for a respectable looking living room.

You can buy the Race-Star ConverTTable setup for €4,999 (that’s about $6,605 US). If the price doesn’t deter you, the long argument with your wife to convince her you really need it could.  Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.

[Source: Autoblog]
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After completing a top secret 220 day orbital space trial mission, the US Air Force’s Boeing X-37B unmanned space craft landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

And waiting to tow it off the flight-line and to the hangar was your everyday 1994 Chevrolet C3500 dualie pickup truck. Perhaps the landing should have taken place in Texas.

It goes to show that the humble pickup truck, even one that’s 17 years old can be used for just about anything, though there are likely few ‘94 C3500 rigs on the road today that can boast towing such a precious load as this one.

Naturally, the truck in question was powered by the most suitable engine for such a job, the old 454 cubic inch (7.4-liter) V-8. And judging from the photos, appears to have many years of use left in it. As ads declared when this truck was built – like a rock!

[Source: Pickup trucks.com]

Here’s kind of an unsettling, unconventional and pretty innovative idea. You know how you can’t help but stop to gawk at a traffic accident. If you own a business, in the near future, you may be able to maximize your brand’s reach with that captive audience with Crashvertising.

Here’s how it works: the Crashvertise team is notified of an accident and they head to the scene with posters and roadside emergency triangles that highlights whatever campaign is being promoted. But that’s not all they do – to draw even more attention to themselves, the Crashvertisers will hand out related swag from the featured advertiser.

Watch a video after the just to see how the Crashvertise concept works. Even though it’s just a joke for the time being, it’s a new idea that someone might actually try out. What do you think – tacky or brilliant?

[Source: Crashvertise]
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The 2008 Lamborghini Reventon is a very rare car. Only 20 were ever produced, so finding one for sale is not the easiest thing in the world. Finding one that has no mileage is even harder, but we have.

With performance specs like 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 211 mph, it is hard to imagine anyone not be tempted to take this 650-hp, Murcielago-derived supercar on a drive and play with its fighter jet inspired instrumentation. However, an owner in Dubai, U.A.E. has done just that. He mustn’t have been crazy about his new car – or maybe he was just crazy, because his unused Reventon is listed on sale at a used exotic car dealership.

After speaking with a representative for the dealer (yes we make long-distance calls to serve you better), we found out that the car still has just delivery mileage on it and the car can be yours if you have a spare $1.5-million at your disposal.

While most of us won’t be able to own a Reventon, follow the link to see more pics and details to help you daydream better.

[Source: Alain Class]

Corvette’s Z06 platform is arguably one of the most potent foundations on which to build a street-legal race car from. Callaway Europe has recently been working on its Z06-RR, outfitting the American sports car with plenty of race-inspired go fast goods while retaining its street legality.

Starting with the Z06′s aluminum frame that’s been stiffened with a cage, Callaway bolted on a set of AP Racing brakes while Moton dampers handle suspension duties. For the exterior, the Z06-RR features a GT2 spec rear wing and a ZR1/GT3 front splitter. The only performance modification mentioned is a new exhaust system, but it is stated that a special LS7 track engine does power the Z06-RR, built by APP Racing Engines in Holland.

Make sure to check out a video of Callaway’s Z06-RR in action after the break.

GALLERY: Callaway Corvette Z06-RR

[Source: Corvette Motorsport]

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The Lotus story continues to intrigue with plans to deliver five all new cars over the next five years. After debuting all five concepts at the Paris Auto Show, Lotus then brought its traveling road show to the LA Auto Show. Now the storied British brand is keeping the hype alive by releasing a selection of stunning photographs of its concepts.

There aren’t any new pics of the Eterne 4-door concept (easily the most unrealistic of the group), but Lotus did snap some nice glam shots of the Esprit, the Elan, the second-generation Elise concept, the the flagship Elite.

First to market will be the Esprit, with an on-sale date set for the Spring of 2013. With a body made entirely of carbon fiber it will be a true exotic, using a supercharged version of the Lexus 5.0-liter V8 making 542-hp in standard trim and a whopping 612-hp in R-spec trim.

Following the Esprit will be the Elan, launching in the Fall of 2013 as a coupe, with a convertible model set to follow. As a competitor to the Porsche 911 it will use a 4.0-liter version of the Toyota-sourced V6 found in the Evora, the Elan will be 200-lbs lighter. An R-Spec model will also be offered, boasting 450-hp. Both it, and the Elise, will use a combination of aluminum and composite materials to keep weight to a minimum. In addition, Lotus will offer both the Esprit and the Elan as a hybrid.

The flagship for the new Lotus will follow six months later in the Spring of 2014, with a standard trim making 612-hp. A hybrid option will be offered and this grand touring exotic comes exclusively with a retractable hardtop.

Spring of 2015 will see the launch of the second-generation Lotus Elise. Gaining size and weight over the current car the new Elise will come in at under 2,400 lbs. Power will come from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with forced induction (either a turbocharger or supercharger), making a total of 316-hp. That should be enough to deliver a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. Plus, those in search of a fuel efficient sports car will be able to get it with the new Elise as Lotus also plans to offer a hybrid option. Unlike the rest of the hybrids in the Lotus lineup, the Elise will be a mild hybrid (like the Honda system) and feature start-stop technology.

GALLERY: Lotus New Era

See after the jump for a video of the new Lotus concepts from the LA Auto Show:

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