All we really want to do at this moment in time is make a never-ending series of N'Sync jokes. But we don't know any. So instead, let's talk about how Audi has just picked Justin Timberlake to be their new spokesman. What's JT doing specifically? Seems as if the four interlocking rings folks are gearing up to do some sort of "extraordinary Internet campaign" for the A1 and "That's where Timberlake will play a leading role."

Just yesterday, we published a report that the new Audi A1 will possibly not be coming to the U.S. Obviously, a star of Timberlake's caliber will be able to effectively move metal outside of our shores. But we have to wonder if Audi's naming Timberlake its brand ambassador doesn't kick a little sand into the eye of the A1-is-not-for-here theory. After the all, the guy started his music career on Star Search and later as a Mouseketeer. It seems fairly apparent that Audi would make a move like this if us American types are in fact getting their small premium city car. Then again, we're not really up on our star watching and our Significant Others tell us that JT is an international phenom. In any case, at this moment in time, we just don't know what to think. Press release after the jump.



[Source: Audi]

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Earlier this year, we saw photos of Aston Martin designers working on a clay-covered Toyota iQ in the studio and applying typical Aston styling cues to it. Creating a leather clad urban commuter car struck us as a dubious proposition for an upscale brand like Aston Martin, but nevertheless the Cygnet is now complete and Aston has released a fresh batch of photos.

While the Aston Martin face is well suited to the extended nose of a DBS or Rapide, we think it looks more than a bit overwrought on the front of the tiny Toyota. On the inside, virtually all of the available surfaces have been covered in red and black premium leather. For the time being, the Cygnet is a concept only, but Aston says it hopes to have it in production in 2010 for European and UK customers. There's no word yet on price, but in the meantime, you can check out our high-res gallery below and brief press release after the jump.



[Source: Aston Martin]

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If you buy a hybrid, you'll be rewarded with excellent fuel economy, right? Well, that's the idea, but sometimes things don't turn out exactly as we had hoped. Such is apparently the case with a number of Honda Civic Hybrid owners who claim that their vehicles don't even come close to achieving the mileage figures estimated by the EPA, leading to a class action lawsuit against Honda.

Back in the summer of 2007, we conducted a telephone interview with John True, one of the two men who started the suit. At the time, True claimed he only achieved, at best, 34.6 miles per gallon and had averaged well under that figure. The window sticker showed EPA estimates of 49 city and 51 highway, though the EPA's revised 2008 rating sits at 40 city and 45 highway.

For its part, Honda admits to no wrongdoing and points out that it was the EPA that estimated those mileage figures. Still, according to The New York Times, the Japanese automaker has agreed to settle the case out of court. If approved, owners of 2003-2008 Civic Hybrids will get a voucher worth up to $1,000 to purchase a new Honda or a check for $100 if they can prove they complained to Honda about their car's mileage.

Interestingly, the current Civic Hybrid, Insight and Fit – Honda's three most fuel efficient models – are excluded from the list of vehicles eligible for the trade-in or purchase voucher. The two plaintiffs would receive $12,500 and $10,000 and their lawyers would pocket $2.95 million. So, um, is it a fair deal? Perhaps more importantly, is Honda to blame here? Sound off in the comments.



[Source: The New York Times]

How cool is this? On minute Tom Smallwood is reeling after losing a (once) steady production job at General Motors' Truck Plant in Pontiac, MI, and the next minute he takes the PBA championship. In a real-life event that mimics some of the great tales in the history of underdog turned champion, Smallwood took third in a PBA qualifier event, making him eligible for one year on the prestigious bowling tour.

That alone barely makes the story interesting, but the tale becomes far more compelling due to the fact that Smallwood rolled into Wichita, Kansas an also-ran and left holding the first place trophy and a $50,000 grand prize. Smallwood, a 15-year recreational bowler, even had to beat out PBA bowler of the year Wes "Big Nasty" Malott in the final round. The former GM line worker performed superbly under pressure by hitting two strikes in the decisive tenth frame to take the match 244-228. After Smallwood's big win he was called by GM to take another plant job but the suddenly high-flying bowler turned down the offer in order to stick with his new profession.

We're thinking Smallwood's meteoric rise to the top of the bowling world will net him quite a bit more than his $50,000 top prize. Advertisers love a rags-to riches-story and Smallwood may be selling resin and those wrist things bowlers wear before you're even finished reading this post. Congratulations Tom!

[Source: Kicking Tires]

The Mexican drug trade business is booming. Drugs are flowing between Mexico and the U.S. on a daily basis, overwhelming the Mexican military and U.S. border patrol officers. Most of the drugs arrive stateside via cars and trucks, and the vehicles transporting contraband range from a Rolls Royce to a VW Rabbit. The New York Times spent some time in Sinaloa, Mexico with Mexican General Federico Solórzano at what looked to be a used car lot.

The general's troops have seized 766 vehicles to date ranging from Jaguars to brand new SUVs to classic muscle cars. Custom choppers, pickup trucks and sports cars are all accounted for on the lot, but these vehicles are different from cars and trucks you can purchase at your local dealership: they have secret compartments for carrying drugs and weapons across the Mexican boarder. The vehicles housed untold millions of dollars in addition to automatic weapons in false sidewalls, modified bumpers and trap doors. General Solórzano reportedly told the NYT that vehicles have been retrofitted with bullet-proofing tech, machine gun turrets, secret compartments that hold sharp nails for police cruisers in hot pursuit and even a smoke machine to assist in losing the Federalis.

The vehicles are being stored at a military base because drug traffickers have raided police facilities and took back the vehicles seized near the border. In total, the Mexican government is said to have over 14,000 vehicles in its possession, yet tons of drugs make the trip from South America to the U.S. without detection. The vehicles will eventually be sold at auction or will be used by other federal agencies, but the apparent crawl of the Mexican legal system means trials are sometimes years away. Head over to the NYT to read more about the vehicles that bring drugs from the Mexican boarder to a town near you. Pretty interesting stuff. Top tip, Mehul!

[Source: New York Times | Image: Jesus Alcazar/AFP/Getty Images]

It goes without saying that when you think you've seen everything, you ain't seen jack. We were reminded of this the other night while perusing the New York Post's online sports page for the skinny on the Hideki Matsui deal. Frankly, Godzilla's contract status seemed a lot less important once we spied this classified ad for a 2001 Lincoln Town Car combination hearse/limousine displayed on the page.

The description touts the strange Townie as essentially representing the zenith of funereal transportation innovation:

"YOU COULD COMPLETELY ELIMINATE HAVING TO HAVE TWO VEHICLES AT EVERY SERVICE, SO NOW YOU CAN TAKE THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO THE CEMETARY [sic] IN ONE CAR."

But something tells us that accompanying dearly departed Aunt Myrtle on her final ride just might not appeal to everyone.

In any case, for $18,900, some enterprising limo company is going to have itself the ultimate utility vehicle – capable of transporting six adults for a night of debauchery in plush, floaty comfort, and saving the county coroner's van a trip when things go a little bit too far...

[Source: New York Post]

	What does the Prius PHEV mileage really mean on the JC08 cycle? Here's why you won't get 76.7 mpg in one of these.		From Hummer to the Volt, one engineer's tale How the Volt saved one man's job.
	Honda plans to settle Civic Hybrid mileage suit out of court. Is it a fair deal? Is Honda paying for what might be an EPA error?	Other news: GM: Volt plus EEStor could work ... if EESU worked BMW rumored to quit hydrogen but just dropping Hydrogen 7 REPORT: Mercedes-Benz begins testing electric SLS supercar

OnStar has provided nothing but good press lately for General Motors, and the automaker is going to ride that pony all the way to the finish. The next person in line to take advantage of OnStar's benefits is that Arctic gadget freak himself, Santa Claus. Unveiled as an installed option on his new sleigh – which he picked up when he dropped by OnStar HQ – it comes with at least one extra feature you won't be getting anytime soon: a reindeer health meter.

But you haven't been left out of the bonanza. GM has partnered with NORAD so that if you have an OnStar subscription, you can keep track of K. Kringle during his midnight run. From 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve until early Christmas morning, press the blue button and OnStar will update you on the hour with info relayed by the guys deep in the mountain.

It's not a Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, but it's a start. Follow the jump for the press release and watch Santa get his Christmas present.

[Source: OnStar]

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While Audi and BMW have embraced turbocharging, Mercedes has -- by and large -- stuck with large displacement, naturally aspirated engines. However, If a recent report is to be believed, that's set to change late next year.

Insideline quotes Daimler AG Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development board member Dr. Thomas Weber as saying the big 6.2-liter V8 powering Mercedes' AMG lineup will be replaced by the end of next year by a twin turbocharged 5.5-liter V8. And that's not all. Under Mercedes' reported plan to downsize its powertrains, all V8s will shrink in size for 2011, with turbocharging making up for the power deficit. If true the move to smaller displacement engines would help increase efficiency while also reducing CO2 emissions.

While the report only mentions V8 engines, we're guessing there's a good chance Mercedes could use more turbos in its V6 product lineup as well. The move will help the German automaker meet more strict emissions laws in both Europe and the U.S., while giving the torque-craving masses what they need.



Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright ©2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Insideline]