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Vehicle dependability surged in 2009, J.D. Power survey finds

In the depths of the Great Recession that threatened their existence, automakers built better vehicles. A lot better. The improvement in dependability of three-year-old 2009 vehicles from the year before was one of the biggest ever measured in the J.D.

Michael Schumacher vs the Nurburgring rollercoaster

Michael Schumacher vs the Nurburgring rollercoaster By Ben Barry First Official Pictures 17 July 2009 13:03 Michael Schumacher still holds the Nürburgring GP circuit’s lap record (1:29.468 back in 2004), but he’s never left the startline faster than he did last weekend – when he was strapped into the world’s fastest rollercoaster, subjected to 4.5g at launch and accelerated up to 135mph along 1212m of track. The rollercoaster – originally planned to open in Easter 2009 as part of a €215 million expansion plan – finally got the champers treatment at the German GP, and runs right next to the race track’s start/finish straight before spearing off into a number of tortuous twists and turns. How did the ’Ring people manage to get the former F1 world champ on board?

Drivers unmoved by electric cars

SUPPORT for electric cars appears to be failing to spark off real interest from drivers, according to a survey of more than 3,000 motorists. Only 1% of UK drivers own an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV), while CO2 emissions are at the bottom of the checklist when Britons are shopping for a new car, the poll by Auto Trader found. Since January 2011, motorists have been eligible for up to £5,000 upfront cost relief on the purchase of a new electric vehicle but the survey showed that 35% of drivers were unaware of this grant.