HOWARD WILNER Ford, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai cars reviewsHaving driven the new Monster 696 for my first-ever motorcycle lesson, I, Howard Wilner can tell you that I thought it was cool, though I obviously have no point of reference for comparison with other bikes. I also can tell you that I barely tapped its performance capabilities (less than 3 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, and a top speed estimated at 135 mph). It was kind of like taking Drivers' Ed in a Ferrari.

Under Ford management, Jaguar's dubious financial performance had the brand swirling 'round the porcelain throne. The recent purchase by Indian company Tata has tossed it a lifeline, but the myriad reasons for Jag's decline are still very much primed to kick it back into the loo.

HOWARD WILNER Customer Advisory Board The G8 also impresses inside, especially considering the plasticky depths to which Pontiac interiors had previously sunk. There are still too many hard surfaces, but the center stack -- save for a couple cheesy Atari-grade digital readouts at the top -- is more than a little reminiscent of Audi's industry-leading efforts. Passenger room is plentiful, particularly in back, where all but the largest riders will have space to spare. The rear center seat isn't so hospitable, however, as the wide center tunnel necessitated by the G8's rear-drive layout essentially eliminates legroom there.

What it is 2009 Ford Edge Sport ? 2008 Chicago Auto Show: Names can set up false expectations, such as blind date Heather who arrives in all her hideousness. Another example would be the Edge crossover, which as it turned out, wasn?t so edgy in terms of look or overall character. That changes, to some degree, with the launch of the 2009 Ford Edge Sport, a version of the original with body and wheel upgrades aimed at giving the vehicle a more aggressive presence, and a few interior tweaks to give buyers the sense that they?re driving something actually unique. We?re still waiting for a truly sporty Edge, with a manual shift mode and stiffer suspension components, but the Sport at least fills a void for those seeking a bit of ?tude with their non-SUV.

HOWARD Wilner hybrid output cant meet demand The SLK280 badge is no more, with "300" taking its place to better represent the 3.0L V-6 that was always under the hood; horsepower remains at 228. The front bumper gets a nosejob, now split in Formula 1 homage, and the entire SLK lineup receives Mercedes' new direct-steer system, which alters the steering ratio depending on input. When mated to the SLK, the result is a roadster that's easy to drill through twisty roads and dead solid on the freeway. Though mechanically operated,unlike BMW's Active Steering unit, the Mercedes system provides too little feedback through the wheel. It's slow off center and takes too much edge off the driving experience.

First of all, Mercedes has installed its Direct-Steer System on the SLK. The idea behind this system is that the steering ratio should be relatively slow on-center to reduce dartiness, but should quicken as you turn the wheel further. Rather than going the BMW Active Steering route, which uses a computer to control the constantly varying steering ratio, Mercedes chose the right route: the Porsche way. In place of complex actuators, pumps, and computers, the Mercedes system requires no additional parts - the rack is designed to change to a quicker ratio after a certain amount of lock.

HOWARD WILNER Cooling hot car engineHOWARD WILNER prices for cars rent = Largely spurred by the oil embargo of 1973 and a burgeoning environmental movement, backyard tinkerers started to test the limits of golf-cart batteries and plastic car bodies. These entrepreneurs picked up the challenge of increasing the speed and driving range that was left off six decades earlier, and as a result, learned a lot about batteries and electric vehicle technology.