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Screaming Fords at Kirkland Concours d'Elegance

Compared with its high-tech-center neighbors--Bellevue and Redmond--the town of Kirkland, Wash., is relatively unknown. But Kirkland is where the vibrant car-collector scene in the area is shown at its best each fall at the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance. And while you may not have heard of Kirkland, you've probably heard of its famous Pacific Northwest weather--not the best, you'd think, for outdoor car shows.

Tesla asks NHTSA to investigate fires

In response to concerns following a recent accident which appeared to result from road debris damaging the underside of a battery compartment of a Tesla Model S, causing a fire in the engine compartment, the company has announced that it has requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conduct a full investigation into the fire incidents. In a blog post, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote the following about the investigation: "While we think it is highly unlikely, if something is discovered that would result in a material improvement in occupant fire safety, we will immediately apply that change to new cars and offer it as a free retrofit to all existing cars. Given that the incidence of fires in the Model S is far lower than combustion cars and that there have been no resulting injuries, this did not at first seem like a good use of NHTSA's time compared to the hundreds of gasoline fire deaths per year that warrant their attention." Tesla has also released a software update to the cars which will maintain their standard ride height at highway speeds, preventing the air suspension from lowering the car an extra inch at highway speeds for greater aerodynamic efficiency.

Rolls Phantom Series II at 2012 Geneva motor show

Senior industrialists – and Sir Alan Sugar’s chauffeur – will be cheered by the news that Rolls-Royce has updated its premium luxury vehicle, with the launch at the 2012 Geneva motor show of the Phantom Series II. Nine years after launch, the heavyweight – in so many ways – limousine gets cosmetic enhancements, some fresh new tech and significant tweaks to drivetrain and ‘user experience’, say RR. The new Rolls-Royce Phantom doesn’t look that different, does it?