McLaren MP4-12C arrives in USA (video)

The MP4-12C hits the US The McLaren MP4-12C has finally hit the USA, and to celebrate McLaren has put together a video showing its arrival in America. Being a supercar lover in the USA can have its drawbacks, particularly if you have a penchant for supercars from smaller car makers, because the US can be rather tetchy about letting a handful of supercars on American roads, just in case they destroy the fabric of American society. McLaren had that problem with their last car – the iconic McLaren F1 – and it took years for the legislative mess to be sorted to let ultra rich Americans indulge in a bit of McLaren love (mind you, it also lined McLaren’s pockets as they charged and arm and a leg for software to make US F1s legal).

Aptera hits a speed bump

While the streamlined, electric two-seat Aptera 2e may be one of the most efficient cars ever designed, the process of getting it to market is becoming a little less efficient. Original plans had the 2e going on sale this year, but the company said on Wednesday that the car will be available to consumers starting in 2010. No specific date was set.

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.