Beck/arnley 086-1871c Front Ceramic Pads on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Panteras, Battlebirds and Patrick Dempsey's entrepreneurial brilliance

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars. Since there's more out there than we'd ever be able to cover, here's our daily digest of car stuff on the Web you may not otherwise have heard about. -- Sure, later versions of the De Tomaso Pantera looked a bit outrageous with their wide fenders and Countach-like spoilers.

Nissan Frontier diesel teased at Chicago Auto Show

Nissan Motor Co. is exploring plans to put a small but powerful four-cylinder Cummins diesel engine in its mid-sized Frontier pickup. The company used the Chicago Auto Show today to showcase a 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine that would deliver almost 200 hp and more than 350 pounds-feet of torque.

First customers get Coda EVs in California

After years of the hiccups that start-up car companies know all too well, electric-car maker Coda delivered its first three sedans to customers on March 16. Black, white and silver Codas were turned over to their new owners--two in Los Angeles, one in Palo Alto. "We were looking for something green," said first Coda owner Carmen (last names were not released).