896120t Mercury Verado 200-300 Hp Outboard Power Trim Deflector Plate on 2040-parts.com

Volt, Leaf win top safety rating in crash test

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf electric cars won the highest safety ratings in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, putting them in the top 57 percent of models tested so far this year. About 80 of 140 vehicles tested among 2011-2012 models have received the Institute's "top safety pick," the group's award for state-of-the-art crash protection that exceeds federal safety rules, Institute spokesman Russ Rader said. The Volt and Leaf received a "good" rating -- the highest of four rankings -- on each of four crash tests, said the Institute, which is funded by auto insurers including State Farm, All-State and Geico.

Alfa Romeo's plans for new 2011 Giulia saloon

Today's Alfa Romeo 159 will be replaced by the Giulia in 2011 By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 25 March 2010 17:31 The big news from Alfa Romeo for 2011 is of course la nuova Giulia, which replaces the 159. Unlike the current car, which shares the so-called premium architecture with the Brera twins, the next midliner from Arese adopts a slightly wider and longer variation of the C/D components set. This new, more space-efficient matrix combines a McPherson front axle with a twin-link rear suspension, and engineers promise great handling benefits will result.

Everything is bigger in Texas, even speed limits

Texas is preparing to open a stretch of toll road this November with the highest speed limit in America: 85 mph. The road between Austin and San Antonio will stretch for 41 miles, in an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion on nearby Interstate 35. There are already roads in Texas and Utah where the posted speed limit is 80 mph.