SUV Rollover Ratings Improve

Not only are there more new SUVs on the market, but more of them are receiving four-star rollover ratings than ever before. Of the 145 2007 SUVs tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 78  earned a four-star rating, compared to just 48 of the 103 tested from the 2006 model year.

The leap in safer SUVs is tied directly to the addition of standard electronic stability control — 86% of 2007 SUVs have it, compared to 43% in 2005. The system automatically applies brakes to each wheel when the car loses control while skidding or in other avoidance maneuvers.

Rollover accidents account for just 3% of all accidents but result in 33% of all traffic fatalities. The government has mandated that stability control be standard on all vehicles by 2012.

SUVs Show Improvements in Rollover Ratings (USA Today)

Lance Briggs' $150,000 Mechanic Bill

There’s nothing worse than getting in a car accident. For most of us, that means dealing with the police and the insurance company, replacing a bumper or — worst case scenario — writing off the whole car and getting a new one. Football player Lance Briggs is in a whole other league, and we’re not talking about the NFL.

Briggs crashed his $350,000 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster on the side of a highway late Sunday night and set off a firestorm about his actions. We care less about his abandoning the scene of the accident — which is illegal folks, don’t do it — than we do about the car itself. You see, not only is this a Lamborghini, it’s the most powerful Lamborghini. And it’s a convertible, meaning it costs even more money than the coupe. Plus, those little letters and numbers you see in the name mean this is a special edition of the Murcielago Roadster that produces 640 hp, not the 500-plus some news outlets are reporting. The V-12 engine allows the car to hit 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, which is faster than almost anything else you can buy.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Not anymore. The shop where the car was towed estimated damages at $150,000, stating, “The body panels are cracked all around, the radiator popped out and there’s heavy, heavy suspension damage.” The source also correctly pointed out that the Lambo is handmade and will need to be rebuilt by hand.

The $150,000 Questions (Chicago Sun-Times)

2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2009 Audi A4

• Competes with: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Infiniti G35
• Looks like: A slightly squarer version of the last A4
• Drivetrain: 265-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 with six-speed manual or automatic; 160-hp, 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with six-speed manual or CVT; front- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2008

The new Audi A4 may not look much different from the one you see parked outside Crate & Barrel, but it has gone through a significant redesign. Most noticeable are the slight exterior design tweaks, especially the squared-off headlights. They may look more boring than the old ones, but they house a cool LED and conventional headlamp combo.

The structure of the body has been radically changed, though, so the new A4 is both lighter and more rigid to make it safer than before. Usually when a car company beefs up safety, performance-draining weight is also beefed up. Interior room has been increased, so passengers will have more space to take in the redesigned instrument panel and dashboard.

The Ultimate Used-Car Salesman

Jeremy Piven, known to most as Ari Gold from HBO’s phenomenon “Entourage,” will play used-car liquidator Don Ready in an upcoming comedy produced by Will Ferrell. The plot of “The Goods: The Don Ready Story,” follows Piven’s character during a maddening Fourth of July used-car sale. We have no idea if the script will be good or bad, but they couldn’t have picked a better leading man.

Ari Gold Sells Cars (Cinema Blend)

NASCAR Inspires Road-Worthy Energy Drink

They could have called it "Wheels Side Down" or "Gentlemen, Start Your Adrenaline," but DC Brands International picked “Turn Left” as the name of its new energy drink targeted at the 75 million NASCAR fans.

The company says Turn Left offers a "steady energy high," though you have to assume that 33 cars racing around a track at speeds in excess of 150 mph — with only a thin layer of decals separating the bodies — would easily give onlookers a natural energy high, leaving no need for liquid horsepower.

“In studying the marketplace, no one had yet addressed NASCAR fans as individuals,” said Richard Pearce, president and CEO of DC Brands. “The nature of NASCAR is all-American — it appeals to men and women who appreciate an adrenaline rush. This further expands the traditional energy drink demographic.”

NASCAR fans, no doubt, also will be encouraged to keep Turn Left in their cars to ensure they stay awake at the wheel on their way to and from the track on race day.

In addition to Turn Left, DC Brands sells Dickens Energy Cider, perhaps for when the racing season is over.

Video: Jaguar XF Straight From England

Car Magazine, an enthusiast publication in the U.K., delivers an up-close look at Jaguar’s new XF sedan. Just a day after we brought you the first images and details, this video brings all that writing and imagery to life as only video can. Especially interesting to see in motion are the moving air vents and rising shift knob.

YouTube video via Autoblog

More Dodge Journey Photos, Info

Over the weekend we posted our first look at Dodge’s all-new crossover, called the Journey. While we were down on the name and the apparently sub-par interior, that doesn’t mean it’s not the right type of vehicle for the Dodge lineup. We’ve updated our photo gallery below with new images of the Journey in R/T trim with roof racks and the traditional red paintjob that Dodge always uses for new models. We’re also listing the available engine types and their respective fuel economy.

Video: 2008 Cadillac STS Technology

Kelsey Mays recently reviewed the new 2008 Cadillac STS and came away impressed not only by its road manners, but by its use of new technology. In the video above, he tackles the car’s lane departure warning system and the blind-spot warning system, similar to one on the Volvo S80. Check it out and tell us if you like the idea of these new safety devices.

2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2008 Jaguar XF

• Competes with: BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, Lexus GS
• Looks like: An ungainly S-Type crashed into the beautiful C-XF concept
• Drivetrain: 420-hp, supercharged 4.2-liter V-8; 300-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 and 240-hp, 3.0-liter V-6, all mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: March 2008; dealers are taking orders now

When the concept version of the new XF debuted at last year’s Detroit auto show, it was heralded as the car that would save Jaguar. It’s hard to remember any other concept drawing such undisputed praise. Jaguar vowed to build a production model true to the sexy concept, and it did — for the most part.

First Drive: 2008 Saturn Vue Red Line

A few months ago, I was introduced to the all-new 2008 Saturn Vue and was relatively impressed with the package on my XR tester. It had a nice V-6 engine, a high-quality interior and a utilitarian cargo area. When the Vue Red Line arrived in our fleet I was expecting a car similar to the XR, only better — or at least faster. The only thing better about the Red Line, though, were the seats.

Aesthetically, the Red Line features a huge front bumper and lower grille. Teamed with a lowered suspension, they give the SUV a go-fast look, but Saturn didn’t add any extra horsepower to the Red Line. Why not make it a go-fast SUV in the speed department, too?