04 Kia Optima Power Steering Res,2.4 on 2040-parts.com

Five least-green vehicles

We are a generation seemingly obsessed with the environment, eager to cover our carbon footprints in any way possible--or at least give off a green vibe visible to our neighbors). And though many car buyers are jumping on the hybrid and electric bandwagons, the majority of us still crave brute-power cars and trucks. While being environmentally friendly is nice, there comes a time when you just have to be mean -- eco-mean, in this case.

Scion sets sticker prices on limited-production xD, xB models

Scion has set base pricing for its 2012 limited-production xD and xB automatic models at $16,980 and $18,840, respectively, including delivery charges. For the manual-transmission versions, prices for the xD and the xB increase to $17,780 and $19,790 respectively. Both models debuted at the Texas State Fair on Thursday and are slated to begin filtering into dealerships in October.

Volkswagen launches Car-Net in-car assistance system

Volkswagen has launched an in-car assistance system which will offer a number of convenience and diagnostic features. Not too dissimilar from some other systems already on the market -- such as BMW Assist, Mercedes-Benz'sMbrace, and GM's On-Star -- VW's system will offer roadside assistance, service appointment scheduling, and automatic crash notification. The latter triggers a call from the vehicle to a Car-Net customer specialist when the airbags in the car are deployed, which will then connect the occupants with a local public safety answering point, which can send emergency vehicles to the scene if needed.