Kimpex 08-120-01 Front Suspension A-arms on 2040-parts.com

Auto-safety history gets its place in the Smithsonian

Smithsonian museum officials say their new collection of auto-safety objects dating to the 1930s is about America's love affair with its cars. But really it's about our passion for, well, staying alive. While some enthusiasts might question whether their cars should be braking for them, it's hard to quarrel with most of this technology.

Chrysler eight-speed gearbox to boost big sedans' fuel economy

Chrysler Group says its new eight-speed automatic transmission will be the first offered on domestically produced automobiles and will boost fuel economy and cut emissions of the company's two full-sized, rear-drive sedans. The transmission initially will be available on 2012 Chrysler 300s and Dodge Chargers powered by Chrysler's 292-hp Pentastar V6 engine, the automaker said Thursday in a statement. The cars are being assembled and will start arriving in dealerships by Oct.

New Nissan 'Golf rival' teaser shot revealed

AFTER a long absence from the compact family hatchback market, Nissan has released a teaser shot of the car that it hopes will 'putt' the Volkswagen Golf in its place. The new car will be called the Pulsar, and comes eight years after the final UK-bound Almera hatchback was sold. Nissan will be hoping that the dour reputation of that car will be left long behind, and on the basis of its latest models like the new Qashqai, things are looking good.