Karl on a Different Type of "Cars" -- The Movie

As part of the Mustang GT500 event we got to attend the VIP Premier screening of the next Pixar movie, Cars. And, just like with the 2007 Shelby Mustang, I'm not allowed to talk about the movie yet. But we also got a tour of Pixar Studios in Emeryville (near Oakland and Berkeley). All I can say is "Wow!" Beyond the expected cool stuff (life-sized versions of Mr. Incredible and lots of concept art all over the place) it was really interesting to see the working environment set up by John Lassiter. Basically, he allows the employees to create whatever cubicle design and interior decoration they want. In fact, they made a contest out of it, giving each employee a set budget and telling them to "out do" each other. If you've seen any of the films you know what level of creative talent we're talking about. Now imagine that group cut loose with some budget to design their own workspaces. A very smart idea and just one example of why this film company can essentially do no wrong. The charity work done as part of this premier was for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and during the night they raised over one million dollars through a silent and live auction. To cap the evening off, I rode back to the hotel in a Ford Excursion sitting next to Parnelli Jones. And I thought just driving the new GT500 was a treat...

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http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/.ee906c8

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Did GM Screw Saab's Hybrid

Some things are more important than a house-moving hiatus..... Could this badge be hiding a multitude of sins? Word from Robert Collin at Aftonbladet this morning that GM may have thwarted Saab's Hybrid being announced as an even bigger breakthrough than it seemed to be. As it is, the Saab 9-3 Hybrid won rave reviews for being the first hybrid vehicle to potentially return zero fossil fuel emissions. Aftonbladet are reporting today that what Saab didn't say about the Hybrid...

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http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2006/04/did_gm_screw_sa.html

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BMW Leads Technology Index

Autopia reports that a study from Telematics Research has found that the BMW vehicles have the most most advanced technology features. BMW had a big lead but was followed by Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac. Ford and Hyundai had the least advanced technology features.

Not surprisingly, the TRG ratings show that vehicle manufacturers that tend to sell luxury vehicles are including more safety and entertainment features than economy car maker Hyundai, which ranked last.

However, Lincoln, and Volvo's appearance along with Ford at the bottom was a bit of a surprise. Dodge and Toyota, and Chevy, which have vehicles at a wide variety of price ranges all were in the middle of the pack.

TRG says its Technology Index is based on 30 criteria in the areas of telematics, navigation, phone options, and driver assist technologies. Examples of these high-tech features include monitored telematics, navigation, Bluetooth, voice recognition, premium audio/entertainment and driver assist. TRG expects Asian car manufacturers to move up the list: "Look for a continued movement up the ladder by Asian value brands who are adding these features at a rapid pace."

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http://www.driversdrive.com/cgi-bin/ddblog.pl?ddblog=410061

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DaimlerChrysler Introduces World's First Fuel
Cell-Powered Police Car

I don't know how we missed this story, but last week, DaimlerChrysler released details of the latest addition to their fuel cell lineup, the F-Cell police car. Built for the Wayne State University police department in Detroit, the F-Cell police car features a third-generation police radio, decals, lights and sirens. It will act as a supervisor's vehicle on and in the immediate vicinity of the campus, located in Detroit's Cultural Center, and will help to provide DaimlerChrysler with valuable data to further advance the company's fuel cell technology.

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http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Apr06/10DaimlerChryslerIntroducesWorldsFirstFuelCell
PoweredPoliceCar.html

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What No extra power What's so Special about
California Special

So here it is the much anticipated California Special Mustang GT. So what do you get for your extra[...]

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http://myforddreams2.blogspot.com/2006/04/what-no-extra-power-whats-so-special.ht
ml

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Dodge Updates Durango For Fall

With only one sport utility vehicle currently in its range and one on the way, the Durango plays an extremely important part in Dodge’s lineup. Its not-quite-full-size, not-quite-midsize dimensions give it access to consumers in these two ends of the SUV segment. But, since the launch of the second-generation vehicle two years ago, the competition [...]

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http://cars.blogs.ca/2006/04/10/dodge-updates-durango-for-fall/

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New Mercedes E-Class To Premier In New York

Mercedes has announced today that they will officially be unveiling the new Mercedes E-Class at the New York International Auto Show on April 12th. The premier will be set to an artistically staged electrical storm, in which "lightning bolts of up to 14 million volts will impressively illuminate the potential of the upgraded luxury model." Performed by the California-based special effects experts "kVA," bolts of lighting will be discharged by means of a "Tesla Coil" while "stuntmen in futuristic protective clothing will stimulate the electrical energy required for extremely striking scenes."

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http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Apr06/10NewMercedesEClassToPremierInNewYork.html

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How It Works: Stability Control Brings Stability
to SUV Segment

Electronic stability control (ESC) systems are already commonplace among the luxury car set, and are now becoming more and more available on entry-level vehicles as well, especially SUVs. Just look at the standard equipment lists on a new Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage, both selling for around $20K, and Ford and Chrysler Group have announced [...]

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http://cars.blogs.ca/2006/04/10/how-it-works-stability-control-brings-stability-t
o-suv-segment/

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Mercedes DTM Race Recap: Hockenheim

Welcome, welcome, welcome ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a great weekend. To kick things off on this sunny April morning, I'm going to bring you a quick recap of the DTM season opener that took place in Hockenheim over the weekend. As always, if you have it TIVO'd, read no further; otherwise, here's how the race transpired...

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http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Apr06/10MercedesDTMRaceRecapHockenheim.html

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Mustang to go Fold Found on CarsCarsCars!

Bob over at Cars Cars Cars! points to an article saying the next Mustang Convertible could be[...]

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http://myforddreams2.blogspot.com/2006/04/mustang-to-go-fold-found-on.html

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