Autos

The Swiss quadricycle has a BMW powertrain, the heart of a motorcycle and the suspension of a race car. If only it could be registered in California.

As a reborn pony car, the fuel-inefficient Challenger is a retro stallion

This week’s Wednesday night program will feature a Ford first – the reveal of a new model via the "American Idol" contestants.

So ahead of its time, the New Beetle hit the streets in 1998 -- ushering in an era of retro-themed heritage designs like what's now found on the Dodge Challenger and the Mini Cooper.

With cruiser sales in the toilet and the U.S. economy going from bad to worse, 2008 might not be the best time to re-launch the legendary Indian brand, but that's exactly what's happening. Will the third try be a charm? Only time will tell if the new Indian Motorcycle company, in Kings Mountain, N.C., will be able to succeed where the original Indian (1901-53) and its follow-up California Motorcycle Company (1999-2003) failed.

These limited editions pair Bugatti and Hermès, Lamborghini and Versace, Cadillac and Bulgari, Mercedes-Benz and Armani, Alfa Romeo and Costume National.

Some quicker commutes are a silver lining to gas prices, weak economy.

As the brand's sales fall, speculation mounts that Ford could discontinue the nameplate soon.

Huge gas guzzling luxe-mobiles from the disco era find a fan base with gay collectors.

How cameras can help traffic flow; automated cars show potential.

Is it cold in here, or is it me? Maybe I'm just feeling the cool from Aprilia's new Shiver, in all its freak-out orange glory.

It's been in the works for years, but the Harley-Davidson Museum is finally set to throw its doors open to the public with a grand opening celebration July 12.

The GM import is as entertaining and nimble as its German cousin, the Opel Astra.

The Japanese company is increasing price tags by $200 to $300 on models like the Yaris and Camry.

Diesel owners who switch to cooking grease can run afoul of the law. Just ask the governor.

Toyota has just launched the 2009 Corolla, the 10th generation of what has become the all-time bestselling car in the world. More than 7 million have been sold in the U.S., and total worldwide sales have surpassed 30 million.

Unwittingly choosing the wrong tires can hurt gas mileage. Unfortunately, no rating standard exists.

The average commuting times there and in the Inland Empire are some of the longest in Southern California, which helps makes sense of the carpool toll plan for the 10 and 210 freeways.

Truck and SUV purchases plummet 17.4% last month, compared with April 2007, while passenger autos -- which cost less to fuel -- post a 5.2% gain.

As a reborn pony car, the fuel-inefficient Challenger is a retro stallion

The GM import is as entertaining and nimble as its German cousin, the Opel Astra.

The sedan has the requisite sparkle and performance, but feels like a luxury car wrapped around an economy powertrain.

The best-selling small SUV in Europe vrooms to American shores.

The new luxury sedan has all the sparkle and power you'd expect. If they could just do something about that grille.

The 200-mph supercar, basically a Porsche Motorsport version of the 911 Turbo, is all the scarier for its effortless ways.

The Murano's new front looks more aggressive, but not much has changed on the road.

The 135i packs a lot of oomph into its little body, but those looks . . .

The little car that could grows out but, whew, not up with the Clubman.

In looks, ride, even in sound, a Ford Mustang edition pays proper homage to a legend.

The eight-speed IS-F brings swift splendor to the high-performance luxury club.

The new Audi TT is a bolder, sleeker version of its old self. Yes, still the designer's dream car.

In the midst of rising gas prices, General Motors VP Brent Dewar introduces the 2009 GMC Sierra hybrid to the heartland.

Computer-like precision kind of takes the fun out of it.

A sneak peek shows the truck-nugget tackles today's big issues: driveability, fuel efficiency, space.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI is still rowdy enough to delight true believers. Yet nuance is part of the story in '08.

Infiniti's feisty little hatchback protects car and driver with its lane sensors and AVM cameras.

The Tahoe Hybrid is smart, smooth and strong, but it's a lot of vehicle for a little environmental progress.

Heavy on the technical -- and on the bulk

A bit better gas mileage, but only by a bit

Mercedes GL320 CDI is just fine, but it's another SUV in a world that should be thinking green.

From stem to stern, Audi's S5 Coupe is one smooth operator, all refinement and lubriciousness. Get it on the highway, and it moves like greased lightning.

Impreza gets bigger and blander -- not exactly the way to lure the mainstream.

Plagued by reliability issues, the company is doing damage control with its new C-class.

The Chrysler Town & Country Limited -- quick, comfortable and commodious -- is a patriarch among minivans.

With the capacious Enclave CXL crossover, Buick seeks to assert its premium-brand cred.

Overindulgence done right, Mercedes-Benz's CL63 is luxe lightning.

If you didn't sign up in 2004, you're outta luck.

The Accord EX-L's quieter, safer, more middle-of-the road. Just like its target audience.

Upgrades inside and out give the coupe a more refined feel.

In Germany, automakers are in fierce competition to come up with the most jaw-dropping shrines. Car-loving travelers, come peek under the hood.

Porsche's 911 Turbo for 2007, the class of its class, simply laughs at lag.

With a nifty and satisfying sport-utility like this in its portfolio, the automaker may save itself yet.

No question, there's a lot of bunny for the buck here. VW's re-engineered Rabbit is agile, sturdy and quite a catch.

Chrysler's '08 Sebring Convertible has a nifty roof mechanism. But things go down quickly from there.

The C30 could mark the emergence of a species: Volvo rockinus.

The classy automaker goes ultra-sassy with a supercar for grown-ups.

Ford's new offering is quite a looker, and much more affordable than the luxury brand.

Looks aside, there's plenty to praise in the 2008 Scion xB -- more fun, more substance, more room inside. And isn't beauty an inner glow?

Pumped up and powerful, this Mercedes brings a racy pedigree to the street.

The 2007 Tundra competes in the large pickup market with all the right gadgets

Jeep Wrangler takes a civilized turn from its wilderness legacy.

Hyundai's Veracruz has styling and room to spare. (Children are optional.)

Looks hot, drives great, comfy in any weather. It's hard not to like BMW's new convertible.

The Smart Fortwo is more than a little fun, but its tiny size offers slight advantage stateside.

This mega-Lexus parallel parks itself and detects if a driver's nodding off. It has everything, except, perhaps, the fun factor.

Fully tricked out, the S8 is a wicked sound machine. Go ahead, crank up `Radar Love.'

Lotus, Porsche flaunt their latest European power plays: street legal, if not streetwise.

Kia's seven-seater Rondo is compact, practical and, well, restful. Pile in the family and go celebrate thriftiness.

Ferrari's new 2007 599 GTB Fiorano gives the laws of physics a run for their money. Newton would approve.

Stylish, speedy, secure. Volvo's S80 runs easily with the BMW-Lexus pack.

If your house seems too small, you can always move into the Bentley Arnage T. But you may have an even bigger mortgage.

Cute? Yep, as a bug. But the carmaker skimped too much with its subcompact Yaris.

A new automatic transmission makes Maserati's Q-ship easier to drive. But is it easier to love?

The '08 LR2 has genteel charm, off-the-charts handling -- and plenty of star power.

Great mileage, big power, cleaned-up emissions. Only problem with Mercedes' E320 Bluetec diesel is you can't get it in California. Yet.

Despite the price, BMWs remain hugely popular. The new 335i Coupe, with a seriously great turbocharged engine and fine interior, demonstrates why.

The revamped Escape hybrid gives Ford a much-needed victory. Perfect? No. Revitalizing? Definitely.

Sleek and slithery, the Jaguar XKR is a quicker breed of cat.

The road to a certain enlightenment could begin with Nissan's Versa or Chevy's Aveo. Imagine: Contentment in less car than you can afford.

Like a Trojan horse, Camry sneaks gas-saving radicalism into a trusted American staple.

The Swiss quadricycle has a BMW powertrain, the heart of a motorcycle and the suspension of a race car. If only it could be registered in California.

With cruiser sales in the toilet and the U.S. economy going from bad to worse, 2008 might not be the best time to re-launch the legendary Indian brand, but that's exactly what's happening. Will the third try be a charm? Only time will tell if the new Indian Motorcycle company, in Kings Mountain, N.C., will be able to succeed where the original Indian (1901-53) and its follow-up California Motorcycle Company (1999-2003) failed.

Is it cold in here, or is it me? Maybe I'm just feeling the cool from Aprilia's new Shiver, in all its freak-out orange glory.

Custom ace Ian Barry and actor Jason Lee are behind the Bullet Falcon, crossing a 1950 Triumph Thunderbird with a 1920s board track racer aesthetic.

The May 3 event spotlights the sport's history and, yes, some of its legends.

Redone for 2008, the CBR1000RR is ultra fast and easy to use , with systems that makes its power user friendly.

Ask any female biker and she'll tell you the same thing: A motorcycle is a great prop for soliciting male attention. Stares, smiles, honks, devil horns -- it starts happening as soon as you throw a leg over.

Motocross daredevil Travis Pastrana lands in documentary.

In bringing the newest Ulysses to market, Erik Buell has lived quite the odyssey -- from farm boy to Superbike racer to Harley-Davidson engineer to Buell Motorcycle Co. founder, chairman and chief technical officer.

There's no standardized test for bikes' fuel economy, so where are figures coming from? Hint: the EPA emissions test is involved.

The WR250X is best zipping through city pavements and canyons, where its 282 pounds are easy and fun to throw around.

A small California company is bringing back a bike popular a century ago.

The single-cylinder, street-specific Duke was born to accelerate and brake hard. But is it an aristocrat through and through?

There are many ways to learn Italian. You can take a language class and memorize the words. You can travel to Italy and experience the culture. Or you can ride Ducati's new 848, which will give you an entirely different lesson in Italian.

Dual-sport bike is also an easy rider.

It may have started as a dirt bike, but after customization it's been transformed into the Super Single. Will it catch on with road racers?

George Clooney takes a spin on a replica 1918 Indian, Tom Cruise buys a special Ducati, and Jesse James just builds his own.

Not to rub it in, but I do have a dream job. I get paid to ride motorcycles. I get to ride all the newest stuff. And I get to ride most of it before it's even available to the public.

It doesn't rain very often in sunny SoCal, but when it does, motorcyclists should consider these 10 tips from Ray Ochs, director of training systems for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

Sales are down, costs are up. Despite that, bike makers are optimistic. Expect new models, even a new niche.

Harley's 2008 softail merges post-war nostalgia with ultra-modern cool.

Moto Guzzi's 2008 Breva 1200 Sport attempts to be slick and sexy. But mamma mia, is it thick around the ankles.

The new VTX1300T is a meat-and-potatoes sort of cruiser.

Three-wheelers draw more and more interest. These new models demonstrate why.

Three-wheelers are registered as motorcycles in California, but even though they have a third wheel and different handling characteristics, an official safety class for three-wheelers doesn't exist.

The company's middleweight bike is ready for a wild time; it's no commuter.

This battery-assisted bike is not only good for the earth, it's good for the wallet.

Suzuki's highly anticipated B-King is a two-wheeled version of Darth Vader. It's big. It's black. And the Force is definitely on its side.

Stunt riders Brandon Landers, Preston Landers and Beau Gonzales performing inside the Ball of Steel

His awe-inspiring stunts could take your breath away, but Evel Knievel's boundless optimism was the most heroic act.

TAKE 15 pound-feet of torque. Factor in 22.5 horsepower. The numbers don't add up to bragging rights, especially for an Italian sport bike manufacturer.

Marco Polo never had it like this. A motorcycle tour across his ancient route offers luxury hotels and stunning scenery. And there is plenty of adventure to go around.