The legendary Chevrolet Corvette widely regarded as “America’s Sports Car’, zoomed to the top of 2006 list of the top ten “sexiest, hottest, and wildest wheels” released by Road and Travel Magazine. The other pony car, Ford Mustang, came in at second. Rounding up the elite list were the BMW Z4, Hyundai Tiburon, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Nissan 350Z Roadster, Dodge Charger, and the new Pontiac Solstice. As expected, almost all the cars listed were sports cars and coupes with the exception of the Dodge Charger, the only four-seater on the selection.

All these cars possessed one common denominator: pure sex appeal. Road and Travel Editor-in-chief Courtney Caldwell explained the predilection towards sports cars. She said that ‘sports cars are all about the sensations they inspire from how the supple leather feels on our skin to its aromatic splendor, from the youthful spirit felt driving one to the sun on our back and wind in our hair; Sports cars are about fantasy and self image. Just looking at one incites erotic thoughts and visions of grandeur. Owning one turns those images into reality!’

The other cars who made it to the list have already won accolades from other award-giving bodies. The Pontiac Solstice took home the ‘Most Sex Appeal’ award at the 2006 International Car of the Year Awards. The Dodge Charger won the coveted top plum: Car of the Year. Meanwhile, Nissan 350Z’s ads won for it the 2nd Annual Heart String Award for best car commercial, also given out by Road and Travel Magazine.

Adaptive Cruise Control is one of the most advanced innovations in automotive technology today, probably a precursor to fully automated travel. A number of luxury vehicles offer ACC. Mercedes Benz was the first to offer ACC, called the Distronic system. Other automakers followed suit, such as Lexus’ with its Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, Acura, Audi, Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW, Infiniti, Cadillac, Toyota and Jaguar.

Adaptive cruise control uses either radar or lasers that signal the car to slow down if it gets too close to another car on the road and accelerate again if the traffic allows it. AAC promises to reduce rear-end collisions in heavy traffic as well as reduce fuel consumption. ACC can also handle twice or thrice today’s traffic.

Among the models with Adaptive Cruise Control, the Acura RL’s has a collision mitigating braking system. Some Infiniti models are equipped with sensors and cameras that read the lane markers and alert the drivers when crossing into another lane. Meanwhile, sensors in the Audi Q7 monitor blind spots.

BMW has once again cemented its status as a class leader in automotive engine technology after its V 10 M engine, found in the M5/M6 won the International Engine of the Year 2006. This is the second year in a row that the V 10 High Performance engine won the award, the first time an engine got voted to the top spot twice. The 500 horsepower, five-liter engine was also awarded as ‘Best Performance Engine 2006’ and was top ranked in the class exceeding four liters in capacity.

These were not the only accolades BMW brought home; the automaker’s 3.2 liter inline-six engine featured on the BMW M3, Z4 M Roadster and Z4 M Coupe also won in the class with three to four liters in capacity. This has been the sixth year that the engine has won this award, a unique feat for BMW. Meanwhile, the BMW 535d’s 3-liter twin turbo-diesel, 272 horsepower engine also took the first place in the 2.5 to 3.0 liter capacity class, the sole diesel engine winning in the competition.

BMW will use recycled methane to power its paint shop department at the Spartanburg, SC assembly plant. This will be the first automotive paint shop to use methane gas recycled from a garbage landfill.

The gas will be sourced from a landfill 9.5 miles away and will be transported through a pipeline. Durr Systems is in the process of converting and upgrading the assembly plant’s equipment that will handle the methane gas. Half of the plant’s energy will be provided by methane gas piped from the landfill. Landfills are a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas that comes from decomposing waste material. What would otherwise be released into the air as pollutant is now put into good use.

Using recycled methane gas as fuel will allow BMW to save at least $1 million per year. The paint shop department gobbles up a large share of the energy in any auto manufacturer’s plant. Not only will the automaker save up on cost, it will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 17,000 tons and save up energy that can power 10,000 homes per year.

For many years, automakers have created the identity of their vehicles through comprehensible, even prestigious, names. Most of these names have become legendary such as Mustang, Corvette, Explorer, Civic, DeVille, Camry and many more. Now, the trend of giving cars real names is starting to fade and automakers now favor letter combinations. However, the letters of the alphabet it seems is a precious resource that is increasingly becoming inadequate to satisfy the needs of the auto world.

This has caused a number of legal spats between some automakers. For instance, Acura and Lincoln almost went to court due to possible name infringement – Acura’s MDX (see above photo) and Lincoln’s MKX (see below photo) was apparently too similar for comfort. Fortunately, the two automakers settled before any lawsuit was filed. BMW and Infiniti also had a tiff over the letter ‘M’ which figures prominently in both BMW’s M-Series and Infiniti’s M35 and M45.

Meanwhile, this problem is not only between automakers. Cadillac had to change the XLR’s original name CLR because it was already used as a name for a bathroom cleaner. Also, Toyota’s MR2 had to be renamed to Coupe MR in France since MR2 when pronounced, sounds like a common vulgar expression there. Amongst the letters, X is quite popular among automakers while Y, P, U, and O are not. The letters S and Z are also in great demand.

The use of alphanumeric names is not exactly an innovation, Ford called his first car the Model A. Mercedes-Benz and BMW are also well-known for giving alphanumeric names to its vehicles such as S-Class, M-Class and the like. In the ‘90s, many automakers began to follow suit. All Lexus vehicles also have alphanumeric names. The reason why automakers are picking vague letters and numbers as vehicle names is to build up the image of the whole brand, not just that particular model. For example, Lincoln has been changing their vehicle names as part of its turnaround plan last year. “We were in a situation where people were saying, ‘We drive a Town Car,’ and we want people to say, ‘We drive a Lincoln,’ ” explains Sara Tatchio, a Lincoln spokeswoman.

The BMW 3 Series added another feather to its cap, or shall we say fender, when it was adjudged as the 2006 World Car of the Year besting two other finalists, the Mazda MX-5 and the Porsche Cayman S. The award-winning BMW 3 Series received its latest accolade in a ceremony held in conjunction with the ongoing New York International Automobile Show. The World Car of the Year award is chosen by an independent panel of automotive journalists from all over the world. Contenders for the award must be available in most markets of the world. They are evaluated according to style, performance, handling, comfort, and utility. Other criteria include value, safety, environmental responsibility, and significance.

The BMW 3 Series, long considered around the world as an automotive icon, has met these criteria and emerged as the clear winner in this year’s competition. The BMW 3 Series is considered as the quintessential luxury sports sedan and a true world car. It is sold in over 140 countries worldwide and is available in four different body styles: sedan, sports wagon, coupe and convertible. It also has a wide variety of engines ranging from 4-cylinder diesel to high performance 6-cylinders. The BMW 3 Series is also noted for its excellent value due to its free scheduled maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles and the outstanding residual value.

The current model of the 3 Series boasts of such high tech features as aluminum inline six-cylinder engine with Valvetronic technology and advanced Dynamic Stability. Tom Purvis, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America received the award. “We are delighted to receive this recognition for the 3 Series. The BMW 3 Series is the true embodiment of a world car, he enthused. Other winners of the car of the year awards where the Citroen C4 as 2006 World Car Design of the Year, Porsche Cayman S as World Performance Car and the Honda Civic Hybrid as World Green Car.

Come April 13 to 24, 2006, the automotive industry will once again converge at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in the Big Apple to witness the world’s automakers bring out and introduce their newest vehicle models and concepts at one of the biggest auto events this year – the 2006 New York International Automobile Show. The NY Auto Show promises a very exciting presentation this year with automakers expected to pull out all the stops to unveil their latest offerings. Nearly 1,000 cars, trucks, minivans, SUVs and crossover vehicles with prices ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 will go on display at the auto show.

John LaSorsa, the chairman of the NY Auto Show said that “There are more all-new cars and trucks coming to the 2006 Show than we’ve ever seen before, from the luxury new S-Class Mercedes and Jaguar XK Convertible to the nimble and fuel efficient Nissan Versa and Honda Fit, the Javits Center will be overflowing with completely new and re-styled 2006 and ‘07 model year vehicles.”

Expect to see a good mix of both import and domestic car makes and models from industry heavyweights Toyota, Ford, Honda, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen, Volvo, Audi and many more. Among the most anticipated new models to be unveiled at the show include the 2007 Ford Edge, the Jaguar XK convertible, the crossovers Mazda CX-7 and CX-9, the Nissan Versa, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford GT, Ford Adrenaline, Saturn Sky, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz GL Class, Jeep Compass, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen, a new SUV from Daimler Chrysler and the Audi Q7, a seven seater from the German automaker.

The automakers will also whisk the coves off more than a dozen concept vehicles at the show. These include the Chrysler Imperial, Aston Martine Rapide, Acura RDX, Hyundai HCD9, and the Toyota F3R. The auto show will also witness the debut of several new hybrid vehicles such as the GMC Sierra Hybrid, Ford Focus FCV, Lexus RX 300H Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid and Saturn Vue Hybrid.

All roads will definitely lead to the Javits Center between 34th and 39th streets on April 14. A special public sneak preview will be held on the 14th while the official opening day will be on the 15th. In case you will not be able to go, just stay tuned to The Auto Blog. We will provide you with the latest news, important events and reviews from New York.

Starting with 27 new vehicles from all over the world, the list of contenders for the 2006 World Car of the Year award has now been reduced to three just as the annual awards nears its end before the New York International Auto show officially begins. The eventual winner of the said award will be declared on April 13, 2006 at the second press day of the New York Auto Show.

Making it to the final list of contenders are the BMW 3 Series, the Mazda MX-5, and the Porsche Cayman S. These top three contenders for the award were chosen, through casting secret ballots, by a jury of 46 international automotive journalists—the same group who will eventually decide which car would be declared the 2006 World Car of the Year.

Aside from the top three contenders for the prestigious World Car of the Year award, top three finalists for three other award categories have also been selected. These vehicles will compete for the World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year awards.

The three vehicles making it to the list of World Performance Car finalists are the Audi RS4, the BMW M5 and the Porsche Cayman S. For the World Green Car category, on the other hand, the finalists are the Citroen C1 1.4 Hdi, Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Lexus RX 400h/Toyota Harrier Hybrid. Then, for the World Car Design of the Year, the finalists are the BMW 3 Series, the Citroen C4 and the Honda Civic/Civic Hybrid (European version).

So, can you predict this early which cars will eventually win on the various categories? Well, pick your choices because we’ll wait for the final results as it is officially announced through a press conference to be presented by The Midway Group and to be hosted by the New York International Auto Show.

I bet you didn’t know that, did you? Maybe you’re thinking paper or plastics are the most recycled products in the world today. But actually, newspapers, aluminum, glass and consumer electronics are only next to automobiles in the most recycled products list. Every year, 95% of old automobiles are stripped down and processed for recycling. Nearly 84% of the automobile’s materials are up for recycling. In fact, 26 automobiles are recycled every minute says a report from the American Iron and Steel Institute. Reusable parts such as engines, transmissions, doors and bumpers are dismantled and remanufactured or rebuilt for use on other vehicles.

When these parts have been dismantled, the car is then compacted and passed through a shredder that sorts the vehicle’s materials into metal and non-metal parts. The metal parts are then melted down and recycled for various uses ranging from construction materials to batteries. In 2004, almost 15 million tons of steel was recycled from automobiles. Non metal components are also recycled into new parts for autos. These include sound deadeners which are recycled from carpets and splash shields which were originally part of spent battery casings.

Fluids such as engine oil, coolant, refrigerant and gasoline, as well as other scrap materials such as batteries, catalytic converters, tires and plastic components are also recycled. Tires become floor mats or brake pedals. Carpets become sound deadening materials. Manufacturers such as DaimlerChrysler and GMC use recycled parts on some components of its new vehicles. In fact, ten percent of the plastic parts of a MINI Cooper, a product of BMW, is made of recycled plastics.

Auto recycling is a very important part of the automotive industry and is actually the 16th largest industry in the US with revenues reaching $25 billion per year and employing over 46,000 people. There are over 7,000 auto-recycling centers scattered across the country today. Automakers are also stepping up their recycling operations to help promote environmental conservation. Auto owners are also encouraged to turn in their old vehicles for recycling.

Automakers are putting more and more advanced technology features in every automobile that rolls off their assembly lines. Almost every aspect of these new vehicles is becoming a showcase of high-tech innovations and gadgets: from advanced safety features to interior comfort and entertainment amenities. It’s actually quite exciting to see what the car of the future has in store. Already, we are seeing some of the latest and most advanced technologies in today’s new models.

For instance, the new 2007 Mercedes Benz S550 is chock-full of new technologies and features such as an infrared technology-based night vision system, a “Pre Safe” system that prepares you whenever the car detects an impending crash. Other automakers are also introducing various technological innovations in their respective new models. The LS 460, a new luxury sedan from Lexus has a feature that allows it to park by itself. The new Acura RL prepares the car and its passengers from impact as soon as the car senses that a crash is inevitable.

One of the biggest advancements in automotive technology is the imminent introduction of a production vehicle from Honda powered by fuel cells. The Honda FCX is expected to be produced, albeit in limited numbers, by 2010. This fuel cell powered four door sedan has a driving range of 350 miles per one charge. Fuel Cells is one of the most exciting and anticipated developments in the industry. Basically, a fuel cell powertrain uses only hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity that will power the car’s engine with only water vapor as exhaust by product.

Mercedes’ “Pre Safe” system is probably one of the greatest advances in car safety systems. When the car detects and imminent collision, panic stop or skid it immediately goes into operation, closes the sunroof, adjusts the seat’s backrests and cushions, raises the head restraints, closes the side windows and tightens the seatbelts. Although these pre-collision systems are only currently available in luxury models, we can expect that lower priced vehicles might begin offering the technology as it becomes more common.

Nevertheless, not all these technological innovations are absolutely necessary or even useful at least. For example, the same high-tech night vision system mentioned above raises some valid questions: On a dark road, are we better off looking at the dashboard display rather than paying attention to the road ahead? Also, BMW got a lot of flak when buyers complained about the complicated iDrive System, which controls climate, navigational, audio and other functions.

With all these technologies that really does enhance the functionality and versatility of automobiles but are admittedly making the driving experience far more complicated than it should be, there could come a time when car buyers will get a “technology overload” and shun away from such flashy and complicated gizmos and gadgets. Whatever it is that lies ahead, one thing is certain, the cars of the future are now here.