Beginning in 2012, Ford will start equipping some vehicles with their new start and stop technology. The new technology basically shuts down your engine when your car comes to a stop, cutting down on fuel use and emissions. Overall improving the mileage of Ford's cars and saving money for their buyers.

A Ford spokesman said that engineers are still developing the technology, so it will keep the pressure up in the automatic-transmission fluid when the engine is stopped. But so far it sounds like a really good idea for the bad economy. Makes me wonder though, will their be some sort of on and off button if you want to keep your car running when you're stopped. I know some car enthusiasts that love to the rumble of their exhaust.

No ground breaking news for Chevy's Aveo, other then Chevy changing its name. But hey, maybe that is pretty big news for some automotive fans. Anyways, GM's Chevy division will now call it "Sonic." As in Sonic the Hedgehog, but if Sonic drove a car, I don't think it would look like this. The Aveo, well I mean Sonic is rather bland is anything but fast. The car is an entry level subcompact car. The change in the name will be out by next year and will have a price tag of $12,685.

Word flying around the web is Chrysler's CEO Sergio Marchionne is coming out with a Viper in 2012 that suppose to look like an Alfa Romeo.

Currently there are no images of a concept yet, other than of a Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. There was news released that there was a showing of a concept to a convention center down in Orlando Florida back in September, but no images were every leaked.

However information got out that the Viper concept was painted bright red and had flashy lights, perhaps LEDs. The windows appeared to have a teardrop shape, and the curves and flares were a bit more pronounced.

One source compared it to the 1998 Viper. So through all of this information I found on the web, we have to tie two cars together, a 1998 Viper and a Alfa Romeo.

Many automotive enthusiasts say they didn't see this coming, the Chevy Volt has endured more scrutiny and skepticism than any of the nine other semifinalists. But yet it still came out top in the Automobile Magazine automobile of the year award. I honor GM for such a great achievement. There's still a chance that the Chevy Volt might flop because there are so many other car companies that are coming out with electric cars. If the Chevy Volt becomes a flop, the award givers will have a plenty of explaining to do.

It's reported by Autoblog that Chrysler is planning to announce a 40 mpg small car for the end of the 2011 year, could it be the Dodge Hornet concept we saw back in 2006. Autoblog claims it will be based off the new Fiat architecture. I think this is a great idea to add a better economy car to their lineup, hopefully the sales can boost the Chrysler company and get them back on track.

Ford is gearing up for the launch of the 2012 Ford Focus EV at the end of 2011. Ford is targeting 19 markets for the their first all electric passenger car. This includes 14 states and Washington D.C. Ford's efforts are also focused on consumer outreach, education programs and providing information on charging needs. On report the Focus Electric is said to have a 100 mile driving range, pretty decent if you ask me. Can't go on any trips, but this will help you get to your job and back for a cheap price.

In previous articles I listed some of the custom cars that made it to the 2010 SEMA show. Well one oddity I couldn't help but bring up was a version of a Taurus based police car. Everything about the police cruiser wreaks the word stealthiness. That's what Ford designer Melvin Betancourt called the police car, calling it the Police Interceptor Stealth. Betancourt was inspired by the SR-71 stealth airplane used in the 1950s and 1960s to create this Taurus police car. Modifications on it include sinister 22 inch wheels, black paint job, smoke tail lamps, tinted windows, black trim and being 1 inch lower to the ground. Before I thought the new Taurus looked kind of ugly, now after some modifications Melvin Betancourt have proved me wrong. It looks great just like the 2003 Mercury Marauder.

Feast your eyes upon the new 2012 AC Cobra kit. Of course this is not a spittin' image of the original, but it sure pays homage with the retro styling and horsepower the new 427 is making. It sure is an impressive roadster, I love the new style of the headlights and new high polished forged wheels. Even the front end looks to be totally redone, having a newly shaped hood scoop, but what hasn't changed is the iconic massive side pipes. It sure would be just awesome to own one of the beasts!

When a V10 with 600 horsepower is not enough for you, you slap on a twin turbo setup with K&N filters to top it off. This has been done throughout the Viper history I know, from Hennessey Performance to many other aftermarket companies. What makes this twin turbo system so unique is the setup, just check it out. The turbines are in the side and checkout the blow off valve placement. Or maybe that's actually the output of the exhaust, I'm not exactly sure since I'm not a mechanic and not familiar with turbos. But I do know that this Dodge Viper is wicked! Would love to see it perform on the track!