Marty Padgett's Inside Scoop on Auto News and RX-8

Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle At NAIAS GM/SAE Conference

By Colin MathewsColin Mathews, January 19th, 2009

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and General Motors are teaming up to present a press conference about development of the fuel cell at the Detroit Auto Show Wednesday. The presentation will be a part of the show's Education Day this Wednesday, January 21, and will kick off at 10:00 a.m. at the GM exhibit in Cobo hall.

The aim of the conference is to present SAE International's 'A World in Motion,' which is a K-12 program designed to foster "the fundamental skills necessary for a future career in science, technology and engineering." The program is targeted towards middle school students across the U.S.

On hand will be an example of...

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and General Motors are teaming up to present a press conference about development of the fuel cell at the Detroit Auto Show Wednesday. The presentation will be a part of the show's Education Day this Wednesday, January 21, and will kick off at 10:00 a.m. at the GM exhibit in Cobo hall. The aim of the conference is to present SAE International's 'A World in Motion,' which is a K-12 program designed to foster "the fundamental skills necessary for a future career in science, technology and engineering." The program is targeted towards middle school students across the U.S. On hand will be an example of... Read More

Tags: Clean, Technology, Industry, bmw, emissions, Detroit Auto Show, General Motors

Posted in: 2009, BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Green, 7-Series, Equinox, RX-8

First Drive: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3

By Bengt HalvorsonBengt Halvorson, September 8th, 2008

“Wow! Is that the new electric sportscar?” That’s what the excited young driver of a big Ford F-150 with a biodiesel sticker ran up to ask just after I’d parked the latest version of Mazda’s RX-8 sportscar, the R3. The fashionably scruffy passer-by obviously hadn’t seen the chromed exhaust pipes or heard the engine, and I’ll never know if he was referring to the two-seat Tesla Roadster or the upcoming Fisker Karma sedan, but the interaction serves to show that even five years after its introduction, the rotary-powered RX-8 is still turning heads, and it’s rare enough on the street for those who don’t keep up with the enthusiast press to... “Wow! Is that the new electric sportscar?” That’s what the excited young driver of a big Ford F-150 with a biodiesel sticker ran up to ask just after I’d parked the latest version of Mazda’s RX-8 sportscar, the R3. The fashionably scruffy passer-by obviously hadn’t seen the chromed exhaust pipes or heard the engine, and I’ll never know if he was referring to the two-seat Tesla Roadster or the upcoming Fisker Karma sedan, but the interaction serves to show that even five years after its introduction, the rotary-powered RX-8 is still turning heads, and it’s rare enough on the street for those who don’t keep up with the enthusiast press to... Read More

Posted in: 2009, Mazda, Coupes, RX-8

The 2009 Mazda RX-8 Is Nigh

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, June 6th, 2008

While I'm updating you on world affairs and new-car intros, it wouldn't hurt to point out the 2009 Mazda RX-8 has arrived stateside, and soon you'll be able to see one in the vivid sheetmetal flesh, Mazda tells us. The 2009 version marks the middle of the current sportscar's life cycle. The exterior's been touched up a little bit, with new front and rear bumpers and taillights. Bigger exhaust pipes jut out from the rear end, and five-spoke wheels are supposed to remind you of the shape of the RX-8's hallmark rotary engine blades. The exterior changes mark more structural changes underneath the skin, where the RX-8 gets tower strut bracing... While I'm updating you on world affairs and new-car intros, it wouldn't hurt to point out the 2009 Mazda RX-8 has arrived stateside, and soon you'll be able to see one in the vivid sheetmetal flesh, Mazda tells us. The 2009 version marks the middle of the current sportscar's life cycle. The exterior's been touched up a little bit, with new front and rear bumpers and taillights. Bigger exhaust pipes jut out from the rear end, and five-spoke wheels are supposed to remind you of the shape of the RX-8's hallmark rotary engine blades. The exterior changes mark more structural changes underneath the skin, where the RX-8 gets tower strut bracing... Read More

Posted in: 2009, Mazda, Sports Cars, RX-8