Boat Marine Inboard Engine Motor Mount on 2040-parts.com

U.S. unveils blueprint to tackle driver distraction

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday the agency isn't looking at new regulations to address distracted driving, but rather is calling on automakers to step up voluntary efforts to combat risks with new technologies and education. LaHood, who's made distracted driving a top automotive safety priority of the Obama administration, said he's met with the CEOs of numerous automakers and feels confident "they're committed to safety." He even praised Subaru of America for a TV ad that highlighted the dangers of driver distraction. The commercial featured a father talking to his teenage daughter about the risks of using a cell phone while on the road.

Audi to show rugged A4 allroad in Geneva

While Audi's A6 allroad quattro didn't resonate in North America and ultimately was discontinued after the 2005 model year, it did enjoy mild popularity in Europe and continues to be sold there. Now Audi plans to bolster the line with the addition of the A4 allroad quattro that's set to make its first public appearance at next month's Geneva motor show. Beginning with an A4 Avant, Audi improves its off-roading abilities by raising the ride height by 37 millimeters to 180 millimeters and widening the track in front and rear by 20 millimeters.

Autoweek in review: This week's highlights

Here's a rundown of what you might have missed at Autoweek.com the past few days: --Automakers brought goodies galore to the SEMA show floor in Las Vegas. Check out all our coverage at the Autoweek SEMA show page. --After negative reception of the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic launched last spring, Honda is saying the next refresh for the Civic could be as soon as 2013, which is about a year ahead of schedule.