We’ve always got our eye out for the cheapest gas prices – especially in the summer when we tend to do more long-distance driving. So how do you stretch your fuel budget? The helpful folks at Shell have some great tips to keep your summer road trips on track.

1. Don’t go overboard, just bring what you need: It’s easy to go overboard and try to bring everything you think you may need, but try to cut that list down to the essentials. Remember: an extra 100 pounds in a vehicle can reduce gasoline mileage by up to 2 percent.

2. Check tires inflation: If your tires are properly inflated, this can improve gasoline mileage by up to 3.3 percent.

3. Beat the traffic: Try to avoid leaving for that camping trip on Friday at 5 p.m. Speeding, acceleration and braking can lower gasoline mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and 5 percent around town.

4. Use the recommended grade of oil: Your car comes with a manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation – this can improve gasoline mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Tip: look for “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol (it contains friction-reducing additives).

5. Fill up with a high quality gasoline: High quality gas improves engine performance while driving. To help recognize what makes a certain gas high quality, look for fuel that is designated with the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Standard. This will help you avoid problems that can be associated with using lower-quality gasoline.

Although Chrysler is maintaining that it’s current priorities still lie elsewhere, the concept of a Jeep pickup remains near and dear for the brand’s CEO John Manley.

Although he said there are  currently no resources available to work on a Jeep pickup at this time, Manley reiterated that “the idea continues to progress because of interest in the vehicle.”

However, in order to eventually get the green light, such a project might need to be tailored to markets outside North America, particularly parts of the Middle East, Africa and Asia, where small, crew cab, four-cylinder pickups have been popular for decades.

What form the Jeep truck will take remains to be seen. A production version of the Wrangler based ‘Gladiator’ concept might be one, which would surely make it one of the most unique trucks sold anywhere in the world.

In order to compete in international markets, said truck would likely boast a 1 metric ton payload capacity (2,205 lbs), though a business case for it would also hinge on the ability to produce and sell it in various markets, taking into consideration manufacturing locations available as well as import/export laws and tariffs.

If a Jeep pickup does ultimately get the go ahead it probably won’t be for the next few years, as Chrysler continues to focus on more immediate product introductions in the wake of its corporate re-structuring. Nevertheless, Manley remains quietly optimistic about the truck’s prospects. “It’s something of huge interest to me,” he says.

[Source: Pickup Trucks.com]

Controversial British actor/comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, best known for playing Ali G, Borat and gay fashionista ‘Bruno,’ is at it again, this time playing the roll of a would be middle-eastern despot in his new film ‘The Dictator.’

The script is said to be loosely based on a book written by the late Saddam Hussein entitled ‘Zabibah and the King,’ in which a beautiful woman, a commoner is raped by her evil husband, essentially a reference to the invasion of Iraq by the United States.

What’s this got to do with cars you might ask? Well, for some reason, The Dictator takes place in New York, where Cohen’s character will challenge four blue Lamborghini’s to a race with, of all things, a camel. (Sounds like an episode of Top Gear).

Not only that, but every dictator worth his madness needs an appropriate form of motorized transport and Cohen will also ride around in a custom built, completely over-the-top Dartz SUV. Dartz is the crazy RussianaAutomaker responsible for building an armored 4 x 4 with whale penis leather interior. For the movie, Dartz will reportedly supply one that’s entirely coated in gold, from the wheels to the seats, which are said to be from Boris Yeltsin’s plane.

Of course, as a Cohen creation, expect “The Dictator” to be nothing less than a rude, vulgar, controversial and in some aspects an extremely funny film. Information gleaned from Paramount Pictures describing it as “the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.” It opens in May 2012.

[Source: Jalopnik]

The world’s greenest race car has been banned from racing—for being too fast.

God forbid. Like the great race cars of history, kneecapped for being too dominant, the Oaktec Honda Insight joins the Porsche 917 and Brabham BT46 as one of the quick yet misunderstood motorsport legends.

Developed for Formula 1000 rallying, the hybrid Insight race car was tuned to get 100mpg when pushed slowly, and 82mpg at a quicker pace. Formula 1000 emphasizes mileage as well as speed, and the Insight was regularly beating the next-best car, a diesel, by over 17mpg. Overall, it has dominated the current 2011 series with two wins and a second place in just the first three rounds. This, competitors whined, was an unfair advantage.

“It was a bit of a shock when I got the call as after six years of hard work we finally had our chance for a bit of glory,” said Paul Andrews, Oaktec boss. “But I fully understand the perspective of the organisers and their wish not to spoil the sport for the other drivers. It’s a shame it had to happen mid-season but it’s the risk you face in going against the grain and trying something radical. If it fails, no one notices; if it’s successful, you have an unfair advantage.”

The team is now looking to race in a class above, where the competition hopefully won’t be so quick to cry foul.

Lexus’ moment to shine is coming soon with the Monaco Royal Couple’s wedding, and more photos and a video of the one-off LS600h Landaulet featuring a special transparent roof has been released to the public. The event will take place on July 2nd, when the Royal Couple will head from Rocher down to the Monaco Harbour and the Sainte-Dévote chapel in true Lexus luxury.

The purpose behind the futuristic, single-piece polycarbonate roof is to allow all of Monaco’s citizens to see the Royal Couple as they tour the streets in the LS600h. More importantly, the luxury sedan will be operating in full electric motor mode, emitting zero emissions.

Prince Albert II of Monaco decided to choose Lexus’ LS600h in order to promote his commitment to protecting the environment and minimizing the environmental impact of wedding celebrations. We’re not really sure what kind of impact this will have on Lexus’ LS600h sales, but hey, there’s no better way than to lead by example.

Check out a video preview of the Landaulet after the break.

GALLERY: Lexus LS600H Landaulet

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Another year and another release for Scion’s now infamous xB urban utility vehicle. Much of what we’ve come to know about the second generation xB has been left untouched for their 2012 version, except for the addition of standard Bluetooth hands-free and HD radio technology. An option for a premium audio system with 5.8-inch touchscreen and Pandora Internet Radio is also available.

MSRP for the 2012 Scion xB remains aggressive within their market as the five-speed manual retails for $16,300 while the four-speed automatic is at $17,250. Both will come standard with Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio to complement its HD Radio technology for 2012. The standard 160-watt Pioneer audio system will allow users to wireless stream audio from their phone to the vehicle’s sound system. iPod, iPhone and other portable music players can also be connected directly to the system through the USB or AUX port.

The optional 200-watt Pioneer Premium audio system will feature everything that the standard system has but includes a 5.8-inch touchscreen and has iTunes tagging and Pandora internet radio connected through an iPhone.

Everything else is standard second generation Scion xB. It’ll still feature a 2.4L four-cylinder with 158-hp, 16-inch steel wheels with choice of wheel cover design and its iconic box shape.

GALLERY: 2012 Scion xB Audio Systems

Bruce Wayne might drive a Lamborghini, but for Mission Impossible’s Ethan Hunt, it’s a BMW. The German luxury cars are set to star prominently alongside Tom Cruise in the upcoming “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” flick.

From the trailer its clear numerous BMW models will appear throughout the movie, with particular focus on the new i8 hybrid sports car, formerly known as the EfficientDynamics Concept.

Back in January the high-tech BMW was spied at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi doing some filming, and with much of the new Mission Impossible set in the UAE, it’s no coincidence.

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2009, the concept is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain using a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder diesel engine. It can reportedly hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds while getting 62.5 mpg.

Watch the trailer after the jump. Surprisingly, it actually looks pretty good:

Continue Reading…

Toyota is promising a lot with its new Prius c. The upcoming baby Prius is set to up the driving enjoyment factor, while offering even better fuel economy than the standard Prius, while coming in at a price under the current model. And based on the concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, it’s also going to look great! Not so fast…

According to Motor Trend‘s sources the funky concept, “has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming production version Prius c.” If true, that would be a real shame.

Instead, the car will be more like the Prius v, with a focus on functionality, but also on driving dynamics. It should measure about 6-inches longer than the current Yaris, with a wheelbase about 3-inches longer than that car. The platform will actually be shared with the Toyota Rush, allowing the Prius c to be offered with all-wheel drive.

The engine is slated to be a new Hybrid Synergy Drive unit using a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to an electric motor and using a lithium-ion battery pack.

Look for the Prius c to arrive in early 2012.

GALLERY: Toyota Prius c

[Source: MotorTrend]

Discuss this story at PriusForum.com

To celebrate its 10th win at the 24 Hour of Le Mans, Audi has announced a new Limited Edition version of its R8 exotic sports car. Complete with plenty of standard equipment, like the magnetic ride suspension, Bang and Olufsen audio system and  navigation, what really sets this R8 apart is the custom interior and an exclusive paint option.

The cockpit is decorated with Black Nappa leather with crimson red accenting. Red stitching is also used on the seats and flat-bottom steering wheel, while plenty of crimson red leather is used to decorate other cabin details. Also included are custom floor mats, aluminum pedals and illuminated door sills with the R8 logo.

Outside, owners can opt for a special Titanium Matallic paint (at no extra cost), while other upgrades include 19-inch wheels, similar to those on the R8 GT, with red brake calipers. An exterior Carbon Package can also be added.

The Limited Edition model will be available only as a V8 with the 4.2-liter engine making the same 430-hp, with a 0-60 mph time of around 4.5 seconds.

Just 100 versions of the R8 Limited Edition will be offered, and  only made available in the UK for a price of £93,935. (No word on if Audi plans a similar Limited Edition for other markets).

In addition, like all R8 models sold int he UK, the Limited Edition model comes with a free pass to the R8 Driving Experience at Silverstone.

GALLERY: Audi R8 Limited Edition

When BMW‘s X1 luxury crossover model does finally arrive here, it will come equipped with the company’s  new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Making power roughly similar to the inline six-cylinder currently used in cars like the 3 Series, expect it to use the 28i or xDrive28i badge.

Power will be rated at around 240-hp and an impressive 260 lb-ft of torque and this engine will be the base offering for the X1 range says BMW representative Dave Buchko, suggesting that a more potent offering (perhaps a 300-hp X1 xDrive35i) is also in the works. With that output, look for a 7.4 second 0-60 mph time for rear-drive models and a 7.8 second time for AWD ones.

What isn’t yet clear is if BMW will offer a diesel 4-cylinder model currently available in Europe, making 163-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A new, less-potent 2.0-liter, has just been introduced in Europe making 184-hp and 199 lb-ft of torque.

Look for the X1 to arrive some time in early 2012.

[Source: InsideLine]