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Perhaps as a platform to promote vehicle sales to its active-lifestyle, youth-oriented, and other-hyphenated niche markets, American Honda Motor Co. and Honda Canada Inc. today announce a 3-year agreement naming Honda as the official vehicle of the National Hockey League (NHL). Predictable press release wording reads as follows: "This partnership integrates the leading brand in the automotive industry with the strength, momentum and excitement of the NHL brand."

"Elements of the agreement," they say, "include Honda sponsorship of NHL television and Internet coverage along with active participation at NHL events in both the United States and Canada." American Honda's Steve Center, vice president of advertising and public relations, notes that the NHL "plays a big part of the sports landscape in North America," pointing to the league's 53 million fans in the U.S. and Canada.

So, to recap, VW stands for soccer and Honda has just inked an agreement with the folks who wield pucks, sticks, and busted teeth (why not Acura, now the brand of the snaggle-tooth?). Depending upon which way this election goes, being a Hockey Mom could become quite chic, so listen up you hockey families: Honda's got an Odyssey they'd love to sell you. Or a Pilot, a CR-V, or an Element.--Colin Mathews

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Hot on the heels of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety accolades (five new "top safety pick" awards for a fleet total of 16), Ford Motor Company rolls out Collision Avoidance with Brake Support. The system mirrors functionality found on many upscale European luxury vehicles and will be optional in select Ford and Lincoln vehicles next year.

Using radar sensors to detect moving vehicles ahead, Collision Avoidance with Brake Support alerts the driver with a beep and a red warning light projected onto the windshield when it believes a collision is imminent. When the system is triggered in this way, the vehicle's brakes are pre-charged and a brake-assist feature is also engaged, which enables maximum brake force more rapidly from the time the driver touches the brake pedal. Ford does not mention a seatbelt pre-tensioning function, as is employed in pre-collision systems by manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz.

According to Ford's VP of engineering for global product development, Paul Mascarenas, "Ford will be the first to offer this technology on mainstream models that many families can afford." It is Ford's latest use of radar-based active safety technology rolling out in its '08 and '09 models. Previously, the automaker announced Adaptive Cruise Control that launched this year, as well as BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert, to debut in 2009.--Colin Mathews

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In another "near-production" study (read: soon-to-be-released) from VW/Audi, the firm makes an economical splash at the Paris Auto Show with its A4 TDI concept e. Using an efficiency-tuned version of the 2.0-liter diesel engine found in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI clean diesel that's been wowing enthusiasts and setting mileage records, the A4 makes due with 20 less horsepower (120 total) and about 22 less lb-ft. torque (214) - plus a few other econo-tricks - in the name of astonishing efficiency from an approximately 3,500-lb. sports/luxury car. How does 58 mpg sound to you and your wallet?

The econo-tricks mentioned above are similar to those employed on hybrids and fuel-efficiency models popping up across the automotive spectrum, and include items like the low-rolling resistance tires found on cars like the Chevy Cobalt XFE, regenerative braking employed by the likes of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the increasingly popular engine stop/start feature making its way into luxury brands like the BMW 3-series, and electrically-boosted power steering like that found on products like the new Acura TL. In addition to these more predictable fuel-saving measures, the A4 goes the distance with soft springs on the intake valves (creating less drag on one camshaft, ergo less fuel-sipping drag on the engine), and variable-rate technology on its fuel pump and A/C compressor that uses only as much engine energy as needed for those items, not one iota more.

Taking efficiency to the extreme are electrically-actuated rear brakes, magnesium parts in the six-speed transission with its economy-minded ratios, and even an insulating wrap on the transmission to heat its fluid more quickly, all this in the name of reducing friction and therefore the energy costs of moving this slick new A4 down the road.

Even the vehicle's electronics get in on the fuel-saving game, with the navigation system choosing the most efficient route possible, or the car's electronics running the driver through an "economy training program." Cars may soon be forcing us to get involved with driving...it's nice to think that we may be challenged behind the wheel once more, what with distronic cruise control, lane-departure warnings, and stability control taking the helm these days while many drivers are too busy texting to be bothered.

Of course, there is a performance price for high economy. 10.7 seconds to 60 mph hardly rates as exciting, though it is on par with the Toyota Prius. And with stellar mileage, suave styling, and tenacious handling courtesy of Audi's stiff new A4 platform wearing 225/50 low-rolling-resistance tires, the A4 should put the appliance-like Prius to shame. Suddenly the thought of driving an economy car doesn't seem so depressing.

Plenty of low-end torque from the little turbodiesel should make stoplight-to-stoplight easy and stress-free (much like the insta-torque of an electric motor from rest), and as long as you plan ahead for freeway on-ramps, a range of 996 miles (assuming the standard 16.9-gallon fuel tank) should provide more than adequate compensation for reduced 0-60 mph times.

Wonder what mileage-busting Australian couple John and Helen Taylor could net with an A4 TDI concept e...--Colin Mathews

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Long the purveyor of impossibly elegant hardtop coupes like the CL550, Mercedes takes "sense and sensuousness"--Jane Austen is surely rolling in her grave--to a new level in its concept FASCINATION coupe, an early predictor of the next E-Class lineup due in 2010.

The mechanicals are based on a "future E-Class Coupe," Mercedes said as it introduced the new concept to the Paris auto show crowds. The lineup of the next E-Class will include a four-cylinder diesel with 204 horsepower. That's a version of the diesel we'll see in the Benz GLK sport-ute.

Edging over into the Brits' playbook, Mercedes claims it took design inspiration from the classic Shooting Brake idiom, also an inspiration for the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. But they are careful to note that the FASCINATION is as useful as it is stylish, and claim to have incorporated impressive amounts of cargo capacity and stunningly decorated passenger space in a segment often defined by cramped quarters and form that trumps function. The gracefully arcing Mercedes hardtop tradition is thankfully continued, albeit with a greater sense of forward motion along the lines of its successful, aggressively styled CLS four-door coupe.

Interior materials are said to be inspired "by the world of equestrianism," and that means loads of leather climbing onto portions of the dashboard. Aluminum, fabrics, and wood are also used throughout. Featuring materials straight from a Bang and Olufsen showroom, even the luggage compartment is lined with a melange of wood, aluminum, and smoked glass, they say. Oh, and in case you have to transport some delicate organic radicchio home for the family, a refrigerated compartment and a humidor are included. (No frozen mixed veggies for my children.)

Ladies and gentlemen, get your checkbooks ready.

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It was bound to happen sooner or later. The darling of different, the MINI, is ever so slowly creeping toward Maxi. "Continuing its overwhelming story of success," says parent BMW, the MINI brand releases its Crossover Concept today at the Paris auto show, alongside BMW's X1 crossover concept.

The delightfully British-English press release proudly announces that the Crossover Concept is "a new model variant for the first time measuring more than four metres in length, with four drive wheels and four single seats." From the concept renderings we see the traditional MINI funkiness, but hiked up on platforms shoes, stretched, and with a pretty fly 1.5 doors on the driver's side and a full two on the passenger's. Of special curiosity is a protruding, "War of the Worlds"-looking "MINI Centre Globe," which purports to set new standards in consolidating navigation and infotainment functions.

If done as well as MINI's models have been thus far, the brand should have a strong player in the burgeoning cute-ute market. Sales of small SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape have risen as big SUVs have slid like a pitonless climber on Annapurna.

The release seems to dwell on the theme of this MINI's greater size and all-wheel drive as lending the concept "more calibre, more options." Predictably absent in the wording was the toll that AWD, presumably higher curb weight, and a lower coefficient of drag take on fuel economy. Be careful, MINI: Maxi ain't in vogue right now.--Colin Mathews

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