OMG - I’m not really sure what to say about this thing - really.
It’s got zero articulation, chain drive, balloon tires, it floats, can climb vertical walls (to a point) and has absolutely no roll-over protection.
Calling it a tractor would be too polite - but hey, I’ll bet someone’s commuting with it in Russia… 
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Totally off topic here gang, but useful, so here ya go…
Found this today - figured I’d share:
You get a plain-jane looking little tool that allows an almost limitless number and types of conversion to be made:
feet >> meters - that kind of stuff
Here’s what’s covered:
density
distance
energy
flow
light
mass
power
acceleration
amount of a substance
angle area
computer
concentration
pressure
speed
temp
time
torque
volume - wet
volume - dry
…and you can set up a “Custom” section, too, if you so choose to build your own conversion of some sort…
Heck, NASA is even using this on the Space Station.
It’s free. You can donwload an .exe file (look away Ben) or download the zip, uncompress, then install.
This is a great little tool, IMO. Probably not the only one, but handy to have and you can’t beat the price.
Sphere: Related ContentJeep(R) Gets in on the Action at the 2007 Winter X Games and Launches the Jeep Safe Way to Play Campaign
* Jeep teams up with Dr. John R. Tongue of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and professional snowboarder Stacy Thomas to provide important winter sports safety messages
* Nearly 400,000 sledding, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling injuries reported annually
ASPEN, Colo., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — With millions of people planning to watch the athletes at this year’s Winter X Games perform bold and daring stunts, the Jeep(R) brand is launching the Jeep Safe Way to Play campaign to communicate important safety messages to consumers before they head to the slopes and try to imitate what they’ve seen on television.
To help get the word out, Jeep has partnered with Dr. John R. Tongue, fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and professional snowboarder Stacy Thomas to spread awareness of winter sports safety measures that can often reduce the chance of injuries and keep everyone safe.
“More than 12 million Americans will take advantage of the winter season and spend time outdoors sledding, skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling this year,” said Dr. Tongue. “Of those, nearly 400,000 — or approximately one out of every 30 — Americans will sustain a winter sports-related injury.
“Our goal is to make sure consumers embodying the adventurous Jeep motto, ‘go anywhere, do anything,’ are acting in a safe and intelligent manner whether they’re on the slopes or in their own backyard.
“A proud sponsor of the Winter X Games since 2002, Jeep has been dedicated to safety and outdoor action sports for more than 66 years. The Jeep Safe Way to Play campaign combines Jeep’s commitment to safety and adventure in an effort to ensure that the same attention to safety designed into every Jeep vehicle is carried over to sledding, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
Jeep Tips to Play By
As part of the Jeep Safe Way to Play campaign, Dr. Tongue and Thomas encourage consumers to follow these important safety tips as they head outdoors this season:
General Winter Sport Safety Tips
* Protect your noggin: Children 12 years and younger should wear helmets
when sledding, skiing or snowboarding and everyone should wear a helmet
when snowmobiling to prevent head injuries. The most serious sledding
injuries and most common skiing injuries result from collisions with
fixed objects, such as rocks or trees. Wearing a helmet can help reduce
the seriousness of these injuries.
* Use the buddy system: Never participate in winter sports alone. Always
select a partner and be sure to stay together when playing outdoors.
* Dress for success: It is important to choose proper clothing when
heading outside. Wear layers of light, loose, and water and wind-
resistant clothing. The water-resistant outer layers will help keep
participants dry when they fall and the layers will accommodate the
body’s changing temperature. Bright colored clothing is the best
because it can be seen at a great distance.
Sledding Tips
* Ride in style: The safest way to ride a sled is to sit in a forward-
facing, feet first position. To decrease the chance of injury, avoid
sledding downhill head first.
* Think with your head when choosing a sled: Avoid sleds that are made
out of thin plastic sheets. They can be pierced and steered by sharp
objects that may be buried in the sledding path. The safest sleds are
equipped with runners and a steering mechanism.
* Supervise your children: The majority of sledding injuries occur in
the areas at the end of a sledding path. Adult supervision is needed to
ensure that children sledding down the hill do not collide with other
children at the end of the path.
Skiing/Snowboarding Tips
* Fall like a pro: Learning how to fall is just as important as learning
how to ski or snowboard. Whenever possible, skiers and snowboarders
should fall forward or sideways instead of backwards to decrease the
chance of a serious knee injury.
* Watch the weather: Skiers and snowboarders should keep a look out for
icy patches and be prepared to make adjustments for ice, deep powder
snow and wet snow while on the slope. As snow gets packed down and
turns firm, skiing and snowboarding becomes more difficult and runs
down the hill become quicker.
* Don’t start cold: At the start of each new day, skiers and
snowboarders should take a couple of slow runs to warm up their bodies
and become familiar with the slopes.
Snowmobiling Tips
* Drive on the right side: When traveling on snowmobile trails always
stay to the right - just like driving on the road - and always slow
down at the top of a hill, cliff or snow bank to help prevent
collisions with oncoming snowmobiles or unforeseen objects.
* Use designated hand signals: It is often difficult to hear over the
noise of snowmobiles, so keep the lines of communication open with hand
signals. Before heading out with a group, identify hand signals that
can be used to tell others when to speed up, slow down, stop,
turnaround, etc.
* Leave a note: Before departing on a snowmobile trip, always leave a
note describing where you’re going, who you’re with, when you plan to
return, and what equipment you have with you. Leave the note with a
friend, at the front desk at a hotel or with someone who will notice if
you do not return in a timely manner.
Driving Tips
* Drive slowly: When driving in the snow, do everything slowly. Even
when driving vehicles that are equipped with the newest safety
features, like the traction control system and electronic stability
program that come standard on all Jeep vehicles, drivers should
accelerate, turn and break slowly and gently.
* Watch for ice: Be aware of potential icy areas such as shady spots and
bridges. Even if it’s blue skies and sunny, it’s still icy on bridges
and in the shade throughout the winter months.
* First Aid Kit: You should keep first aid items (bandages, aspirin, and
wraps) in your vehicle in case someone gets injured on their way to or
from winter sporting activities.
“The Jeep brand has a full-line of 4×4 vehicles designed to get families to and from their destinations safely this season,” said John Plecha, Director - Jeep Brand Marketing and Global Communications. “Through the Jeep Safe Way to Play campaign, we hope to make sure that drivers and families are just as safe on the slopes and sledding hills as they are in all seven Jeep brand vehicles.”
Sphere: Related ContentThe Land Rover Range Rover Awarded Third Consecutive Automotive Loyalty Award by Polk
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Land Rover was honored by R. L. Polk & Co. during its eleventh annual Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards ceremony at the 2007 Automotive News World Congress in Dearborn, MI. Range Rover won the Prestige SUV category for the third consecutive year.
“We are elated that our customers are loyal to the Range Rover,” said Kevin Donovan, Market Manager for Land Rover North America. “To lead the Prestige SUV segment for three consecutive years reflects our customers’ passion for the unique driving experience provided by this award winning vehicle.”
The Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards recognize manufacturers for superior owner loyalty performance. Loyalty is determined when a household that owns a new vehicle returns to purchase or lease another new vehicle of the same model or make.
Land Rover has produced preeminent sport-utility vehicles since 1948 and has positioned itself globally as a brand synonymous with adventure, innovation and understated luxury. The Range Rover, Land Rover’s flagship model, epitomizes these attributes.
Land Rover North America is part of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR3 vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull, England. Land Rover’s worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800- FIND-4WD or log on to www.LandRoverusa.com.
Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change. For the latest Land Rover pricing and product information, contact Land Rover North America Corporate Communications at (949) 341-5800. Land Rover-related press releases and electronic photos of the company’s products are available on-line in the Land Rover section of Ford Motor Company’s news media website (media.landrover.com).
Sphere: Related ContentChrysler Group Announces Pricing for the New 2007 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee CRD
* Full-size, diesel-powered sport-utility vehicle for under $39,000
* Up to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy and 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions
* Class-leading torque and driving range (450 miles); outstanding towing
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Chrysler Group announced today at the Washington Auto Show pricing for its first diesel-powered, full- size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will begin to arrive at Jeep dealerships in March.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD will begin at $38,475, including $695 destination. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland 4×2 and 4×4 models.
“The Chrysler Group is leading the way to bring the advantages of diesel to various U.S. vehicle segments,” Tom LaSorda, President and CEO, Chrysler Group, said. “Chrysler Group will continue to build upon our diesel leadership in the years to come. We believe that clean diesel technology can and should be a part of the national energy solution. It’s crucial that our country’s policymakers set regulations that encourage a diversity of approaches to reducing our dependence on oil.”
The new 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3,800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque (510 N*m) @ 1,600-2,800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 20 miles city and 25 miles highway for 4×2 models and 20 miles city and 24 miles highway for 4×4 models. Most recently, the engine earned a spot on “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” list.
The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 pounds), and class-leading driving range of approximately 450 miles. Clean diesel technology also improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD
With an MSRP of $38,475 for 4×2 models and $41,715 for 4×4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD includes Sirius Satellite Radio, Quadra-Drive II(R)*, five-speed automatic transmission, 17- inch aluminum wheels, memory system (seats, mirrors, pedals, etc.), air conditioning with dual-zone automatic temperature control, rain sensitive windshield wipers, premium leather seats, SmartBeam headlamps, tire pressure monitor, engine block heater, and AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 radio. (*4×4 models only)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
With an MSRP of $41,960 for 4×2 models and $45,395 for 4×4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD includes a five- speed automatic transmission, Quadra-Drive II*, 17-inch chrome clad wheels, ParkView rear back-up camera, ParkSense(R) rear back-up system, skid plates*, trailer tow package, tow hooks*, engine block heater, Sirius Satellite Radio, DVD-based AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 navigation radio and UConnect(R) hands-free communication system. (*4×4 models only)
“The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer excellent performance, increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and a driving range of 450 miles - the equivalent of driving from Washington D.C. to Boston,” said Craig Love, Vice President–Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Unlike past experiences Americans may have had with diesel engines 20 years ago, the 3.0-liter CRD available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is engineered to be a smooth-running, quiet, clean engine. Consumers may forget that they are driving a diesel vehicle.”
The Jeep brand also announced last year that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use a fuel with an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E85) in their vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues Chrysler Group’s commitment to alternative fuels and technology.
More than 60 percent of the Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel powered. Between 2003 and 2007, the Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America. Of the estimated 20 vehicles available, 12 or more will have the option for a diesel powertrain (up from four in 2003).
The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be fueled with B5 (5 percent) biodiesel at the assembly plant to help increase the awareness of biodiesel. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany.
Sphere: Related ContentWell, I saw an old ad today for the Dodge GTX sold in South America in the late 60’s. That got me to thinking and I found this little number on YouTube. 
It’s a scene from something - the whole thing is in Spanish, but hey, there’ snot much talking, yet a whole lot of tires squealing.
It’s a decent chase scene with all the hallmarks of low-budget shooting:
Well, I’m sure this won’t help SUVs get a better name, as it smacks of self-servitude in a big way. Still, there is a point in this info - mainly, that most of today’s cars lack the good to tow even modest amounts of cargo.
This has, the group says, had an impact on lifestyle choices folks have had to make with impacts felt in other industries and sectors…
That’s all well and good. Give me a Jeep Commander with a diesel option and I’ll happily tow my home around - just because I could and it’s be affordable to do so. Until then, perhaps this group should get it’s act together and work on ways to get more than 11 mpg out of the rigs that can tow things…
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99% of Car Towing Capacity Lost Since 1970s
SUV Owners Group Releases New Consumer Towing Guide
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — The shift in consumer preference to SUVs and light trucks for family transportation was driven not just by the desire for better comfort and safety — since 1970 fuel economy mandates that resulted in downsized vehicles caused 99 percent of cars to lose their ability to tow basic recreational equipment, Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America (SUVOA) announced today.
“The gutting of car towing capacity should be a wake up call that major lifestyle consequences could loom large as the nation contemplates the next wave of energy policy changes,” SUVOA President Barry W. McCahill said. “The threat is on several fronts — California’s carbon dioxide law and the 10 states that have chosen to follow suit; the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on the regulation of carbon dioxide; and proposed federal legislation to increase federal fuel economy standards.”
“Achieving better fuel economy and energy independence are critical national imperatives. But let’s do it in a thoughtful, balanced way that ensures millions of Americans won’t lose their outdoor lifestyle,” he added. It is estimated that there are more than 20 million recreation and utility towables in the United States.
In the 1970s, before the federal program to regulate automotive fuel economy was enacted, some 70 percent of domestic passenger car models could tow a small fishing boat or camping trailer weighing 2,100 pounds. Today, just one percent of cars can handle that load, and many popular recreational tows weigh considerably more.
“If towing a boat or camp trailer is part of your lifestyle, or may be in the future, you need to consider carefully what vehicle you purchase. Cars and even many of the popular new crossover SUVs can’t do the job,” he said.
SUVOA posted a new towing guide on its web site (http://www.suvoa.com/) complete with illustrations to help consumers match 2007 tow vehicles to popular RVs, boats and other recreational equipment that need to be towed. The guide is the first of its kind in that it also includes all 2007 passenger vehicles, safety tips and illustrations, links to other towing-related sites, and is available free to the public at http://www.suvoa.com/.
“Regrettably, federal auto policy doesn’t always consider the tradeoffs that exist among national goals. One day the focus is on new safety requirements. The next, it’s on tougher emissions controls. Today, it’s on both those and improving fuel economy and they are often at odds with each other,” McCahill said.
“All are important. But meeting them creates performance and design conflicts and tradeoffs,” he continued. “The loss of car towing capacity and reductions in safety because of vehicle downsizing are unfortunate historical evidence of what can happen.”
Derrick Crandall, President and CEO of the American Recreation Coalition agreed that while fuel prices and the desire to decrease dependence on imported oil are now center stage, decisions being made today, if too extreme, could have serious consequences for outdoor recreation.
“If the poll question is, ‘Do you want better fuel economy?’ who doesn’t?” But if you ask if they are willing to give up vehicles that can transport the whole family comfortably and safely, and pull a boat or other RV on weekends, you likely will get a very different answer,” Crandall said.
“Ironically, the only vehicles left that enable people to enjoy the great outdoors — SUVs and pickups — are under attack and could also lose towing capacity. Nobody intended to kill off the station wagon that was the mainstay for family transportation and recreation. But it happened,” Crandall said.
“Federal policies should encourage outdoor recreation, and a big part of it is making sure that we preserve the kinds of vehicles that can carry people, gear and the various RVs, boats and other towables that people enjoy to their favorite outdoor destinations,” Crandall said.
He pointed to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) data showing dramatic increases over the past 20 years in obesity and diabetes, attributed mainly to eating habits and lack of exercise. The Transportation Research Board states: ” … physical inactivity is a major, largely preventable threat to health.”
According to Richard Coon, President of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), towing ability is part of the outdoor lifestyle and must be preserved. “Even with higher fuel prices, American families are buying RVs in record numbers. Why? Because they want to stay closer to home and avoid commercial travel hassles, and have discovered the value. For about the price of one or two traditional family vacations, they can have fun adventures in their RV whenever and wherever they choose, and for many years to come. And, towed RVs are the most popular choice.”
Coon said there are more than 11 million trailer boats and 5 million trailer RVs in use in the U.S. There are millions more horse, snowmobile, ATV and personal watercraft trailers. Safe towing demands attention to the vehicle manufacturer’s stated towing capacity; number of occupants in the tow vehicle; total weight of what is being towed (including fuel, water, and gear); and proper hitch configuration.
The SUVOA Towing Guide points out that more consumer education on towing is needed because many towing situations dangerously exceed motor vehicle manufacturer and RV dealer recommendations. For example, according to the RV Safety & Education Foundation, 49 percent of travel trailers are towed in excess of the tow vehicle’s recommended maximum capacity, also known as gross combined weight rating.
In addition to the towing guide on http://www.suvoa.com/, there are a number of web sites to help consumers make informed purchase decisions to meet their towing needs.
Sphere: Related ContentExcellent preview of the hottest Audi in…well, ever.
DaimlerChrysler is the Only Manufacturer Building and Testing Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles with Lithium-Ion Battery Technology in Customer Fleets
- Lithium-ion battery research will accelerate future hybrid development
- DaimlerChrysler investigates plug-in technology with test fleet
- Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can drive up to 20 real-world miles on electric-only power
- Industry first PHEV combined with diesel for maximum fuel efficiency
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — More than 20 Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be placed in the Untied States between now and the first quarter of 2008 as part of a test fleet program. Four of the vehicles are already in operation with customers. DaimlerChrysler is the only auto manufacturer currently evaluating a variety of plug-in hybrid powertrain configurations under customer-operation conditions in real-world service.
Battery development is one of the keys to the success of hybrid and fuel cell transportation. Lithium ion holds the greatest promise for battery technology. A number of the Dodge Sprinter PHEVs are equipped with lithium ion batteries which are about half the weight and have much greater storage capacities when compared to nickel-metal hydride batteries. The vehicles will yield technical information through real world driving conditions about lifetime, performance and cost of batteries.
“The future of plug-in hybrid technology rests on a number of improvements, the most significant being batteries,” said Dr. Andreas Truckenbrodt, Executive Director - DaimlerChrysler Hybrid Programs. “The battery systems in the PHEV Sprinter continue to provide valuable data on the possibilities with lithium-ion technology.”
Plug-in technology lends itself to commercial applications in which the vehicle returns to base after each shift to be plugged into the power grid but also works well in urban traffic situations for daily commuters.
Based on Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle technology, the Dodge Sprinter PHEV has the ability to drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power. It accomplishes this with a switch on the dashboard giving the operator the ability to manually switch between modes as needed, or automatically by the vehicle control system. Two different combustion engines are being offered in the PHEV - diesel or gasoline. The diesel version will yield the highest fuel economy benefit and is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system.
Plug-in hybrid technology is part of DaimlerChrysler’s advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which also includes exceptionally efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesel technology, ethanol flex-fuel and zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.
Source: Chrysler Group
CONTACT: Nick Cappa, +1-248-512-4266, or nc503@dcx.com, or Todd Goyer,
+1-248-512-0041, or trg32@dcx.com, both of Chrysler Group
Holy crap - if you live anywhere with winter, this has to be your worst nightmare - uncontrollably sliding downhill into other vehicles - on glare ice.
Zero traction in any direction.
This unique perspective really shows what can happen in town - all in about 2 minutes…too bad they didn’t keep filming the fire truck near the end…
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