California low-carbon fuel regulation ruled unconstitutional by judge

Federal judge Lawrence J. O'Neill of the U.S. District Court in Fresno has stopped implementation of a California law that favors fuel producers with lower greenhouse gas emissions as part of the production process. The New York Times reports the judge has ruled that the regulation is an over-reach on California's part, one that attempts to regulate what goes on outside the borders of the state (it "unconstitutionally discriminates against out-of-state producers").

The intention of the law was to crank down greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the start of the next decade. The laudability of the goal isn't in question, but the ruling holds that it's unconstitutional for California to discriminate, and the state cannot dictate farming methods for biofuel raw materials or the source of electrical energy for refineries. Ethanol, trucking, and farming interests all opposed the law in the first place, as well.


Source: Autoblog

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New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification

If Fido can distinguish people and other pooches by their backsides, why not a seat? When students at the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology in Tokyo, Japan asked that question, they came up with a car seat fitted with 360 sensors that makes a map of the pressure applied by your posterior. Among the six rumps tested, the seat was 98 percent accurate at sorting one from another.

The ultimate aim is to work with automakers to develop an anti-theft solution that would be available in the next few years. With such a small testing pool, it's too early to start asking the difficult questions about real-world viability (especially when you start to factor in things like different articles of clothing, Costanza wallets, and so on), but we have a feeling this kind of technology will find an application somewhere.


Source: Autoblog

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2012 BMW X6 M Sports Activity Category AWD Ultra-high-revving Last Generation Engine Available with 5-seat Option

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – November 14, 2011… Finding new ways to expand the boundaries of what is possible with existing BMW models has always been the singular purpose of the craftsmen at BMW M. The BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M are the first all-wheel-drive models to offer the remarkable performance, dynamic driving experience, athletic design, and the premium quality of a BMW M product.
The X5 M and its X6 M sibling become the first BMW M models with all-wheel drive, and likewise they’re the first BMW M models in the Sports Activity category. The X5 M is a midsize SAV with seating for five and a 2-piece tail / lift gate. Launched in concert with the X5 M is the BMW X6 M, a thoroughbred M vehicle based on the remarkable chassis of the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe, which features seating for four and a 1-piece lift gate.

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2012 Volkswagen NILS Lightweight 460 kg Single-seater with Electric Drive was Specially Designed for Commuters

Electric vehicle for commuters: NILS travels like an arrow into the urban future
* Lightweight 460 kg single-seater with electric drive was specially designed for commuters
* NILS research project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport
Wolfsburg / Frankfurt, 13 September 2011
Volkswagen AG is presenting a car for the urban world of tomorrow at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA): NILS. The single-seat electric vehicle reflects a new, fascinating form of minimalist mobility. The concept car – with its progressive aluminium space frame, wing doors and free-standing wheels – exhibits a high level of dynamic performance, yet travels with zero emissions and silently towards the future. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.

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