Dorman H380004 Brake Hose, Rear-brake Hose on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen creates driving style-linked music app

VOLKSWAGEN has created a new smartphone that improvises its own music based on how the car is being driven. Working with British electronic musicians Underworld, Volkswagen has built the experimental ‘Play the Road’ app to help celebrate the launch of the seventh generation Golf GTI. It works by connecting to the car and using its own in-built accelerometer to analyse speed, engine revs, steering, throttle and braking inputs and the urgency of each to create a unique, ever-changing music that ranges from serene background chillout vibes to fast-paced electronica.

Jeep rolls out blacked-out Grand Cherokee 'concept'

Jeep rolled out a new trim package for the Grand Cherokee on Wednesday and is running a contest on the Internet to give it a name. For now, Jeep bills the new Grand Cherokee as a concept but says it anticipates bringing it to showrooms this spring--timing that implies that the production decision has already been made. The concept starts with the four-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee Laredo X package, then adds blacked-out trim, a mesh grille and 20-inch aluminum wheels painted in gloss black.

GM claims 23-mpg average in E-ROD 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

First introduced in 2009, the GM Performance Parts (GMPP) E-ROD program was born with the mission of creating fuel-efficient, emissions-compliant engine packages for hot-rodders. Now the program is back in the news as GMPP claims that an E-ROD-powered 1955 Bel Air returned 23 mpg on a trip from Michigan to Florida while producing emissions comparable to those of a new Camaro SS. All of that green doesn't come inexpensive--or easy.