Atlantis A8112 A-8112 on 2040-parts.com

U.S. seeks 5 percent annual fuel-economy gains through 2016

The Obama administration today proposed gasoline mileage and greenhouse-gas pollution standards for new vehicles for model years 2012 to 2015, filling in the blanks for manufacturers en route to a 35.5 mpg national target in 2016. The Transportation Department and EPA proposal calls for fuel economy to increase by about 5 percent each year, starting from an average of 27.3 mpg for the 2011 model year, the agencies said in a statement. The average car buyer would save more than $3,000 in fuel costs over the life of a vehicle, the statement said.

Tesla delivers its 500th Tesla Roadster

Tesla has delivered its 500th Roadster to a New York customer In truth, much as we’ve criticised the Tesla and its drawbacks, it is a pioneering car. It is really the only electric car that can perform properly outside an urban environment. It has great performance, a decent top speed and reasonable range.

Hennessey tunes Chevrolet SS to 1,000 hp

Forget the Camaro Z/28 for a minute: Hennessey is offering performance packages for the Chevrolet SS that boost the car from from a not-unreasonable 475 hp to the "there's-just-no-way" 1,000 hp. That's right, Hennessey Performance saw a gap in the market for rear-wheel drive domestic sedans with 1,000 hp on tap, and like any smart business, went for it. In fact, we don't know why this niche hasn't been filled until now.