| BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
Yesterday, DailyTech reported on VW's intention to bring a diesel-electric hybrid Golf to market. The hybrid powertrain would boost fuel economy to nearly 70 MPG on the small two/four-door hatchback. BMW also has diesel-electric hybrids on the brain with its new Vision EfficientDynamics concept vehicle. The concept is based on the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) and uses a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Variable Twin Turbo diesel engine. The diesel motor develops 204 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the previous BMW X6 ActiveHybrid concept vehicle which was a full hybrid, the Vision EfficientDynamics is a mild-hybrid vehicle. A 15kw generator boosts total power to 221 HP, while regenerative braking steps in to help power the vehicle's electrical systems and recharge the rear-mounted lithium-ion battery pack.
BMW X6 Invents a New Niche
BMW's new X6 pre-production concept car pushes the design innovation pedal to the metal. The X6 is making its press debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show, and will hit showrooms in 2008. It's the silhouette that causes a double-take. Huge wheels and a SUV-like body capped with a sportscar roofline. BMW's goal with the X6 was to marry the brawn and offroad qualities of an SUV with the sportiness and sleek lines of a coupe. They call it a Sports Activity Coupe. A Porsche's Cayenne may drive like a hot rod, but it doesn't pretend to be a coupe: The Cayenne really looks like an SUV. The X6 looks like nothing on the road today. "It says I've got the muscles to take on any road, any time. But at the same time, it's dressed up," says BMW Group Design Chief Chris Bangle. "It's like a powerful athlete wearing fine clothes — you can still see the muscles rippling under his shirt." Now the question is, will buyers prefer an SUV in athletic gear or one dressed to kill.
Keith Urban and Nelly Furtado Collaborate
Australian country star Keith Urban made a dash visit to Los Angeles this week to hook up with pop star Nelly Furtado. Urban and Furtado will record a duet for Nelly's forthcoming album. Urban and wife Nicole Kidman have been living in the couple's house on Sydney Harbour, with Nicole taking life easy awaiting for the birth of their first child in June. Keith will most likely stay in LA for the Grammy Awards on February 10. He is nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for 'Stupid Boy', up against Tim Graw, Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson and George Strait. Nelly is up for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her song 'Say It Right'. She is competing with Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, Feist and Fergie. The Nelly Furtado collaboration with Timbaland, 'Give It To Me' (also featuring Justin Timberlake, has earned a nomination for Timbaland for Producer of the Year and for Nelly for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
Rejoicing Over Rebate
President Bush is proposing a temporary tax rebate to put more cash in people's pockets to get them spending and stimulate the economy. Word on capitol hill is that the president favors $800 rebates for individuals and $16-hundred for married couples. The checks haven't even been mailed out yet, but already people are planning on how to spend the extra cash. News of a tax rebate got some shoppers at the Empire Mall a little stir crazy. "I would go shopping and spend it in the mall all in one day, it wouldn't be too hard to do," said Brook Petersen. While how much of a rebate taxpayers would get hasn't been decided yet, Crazy Days shoppers say any amount would help. But most of the people we spoke with wouldn't go on any big shopping sprees, but rather would spend money on necessities or even save it. "I think it's a good idea as hard as some people work," said Sarah Bentley. Sarah Bentley has three children and says $16 hundred dollars wouldn't last long in today's economy. "I would buy groceries, because groceries are so high, grocery and gas, that's the main thing, grocery and gas," said Bentley. Ali Adamson is planning to get married soon, so the money would not be spent on any luxury items. " $800 dollars, I'd like to say I' d put it in the bank, which I would probably do with a wedding coming up," said Adamson. Others would save it to cover future expenses. "Probably save it for my kids for school or college," said Caron Wipf. "We would save it for a house, we are planning on buying a house or building one in the next few years and after that save it go on vacation," said Sharon Hofer.
CDC tests confirm FEMA units are toxic
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Dramatic 'Heavy Hitter' ads now considered OK
If an ad is found to be false or misleading, the attorney must pull it. Other states handle advertising by lawyers differently. Florida, for example, restricts "manipulative" lawyer ads and goes so far as to bar attorneys from bragging about "past successes," according to the rules. The Florida Supreme Court even upheld a complaint against a personal injury lawyer because his ad featured a pit bull wearing a spiked collar. This, the justices said, invoked images of viciousness. New York banned the use of terms like "Heavy Hitter" or "Dream Team" in 2006. Its rationale: It didn't want lawyers to imply success. "They (New York and Florida) are very aggressive in their advertising regulations," said David Clark, deputy counsel at the Nevada Bar Association.
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