http://www.cnet.com/8300-13640_1-43.html Girl on Cars en-us A car tech blog from Laura Burstein Copyright 1995-2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:56:00 GMT Remote control Hummer H3: no driver needed http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9895723-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars (Credit: General Motors/Zerc Customs)

Here's one that's sure to chap the hides of eco-warriors everywhere: An engineering lecturer from a university in the U.K. has converted a full-size Hummer H3 into a remote controlled toy.

So those folks who get bent out of shape when they ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9895723-43.html Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:56:00 GMT Laura Burstein First drive: Mini Cooper Clubman http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9879152-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars

Mini Cooper S Clubman

(Credit: Mini USA)

After months of making the rounds at every conceivable auto show, the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman is finally on sale in the U.S.

The wagon-style Clubman is billed as a roomier car that still maintains the personality of the original Mini. To ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9879152-43.html Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT Laura Burstein First drive: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9877803-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars

2008 M3 coupe

(Credit: BMW NA)

As a fan of the predecessor to this current M3, the e46, I was skeptical about driving what some called a heavy, underpowered car that didn't quite live up to its ancestors' legacy. A few die-hard enthusiasts, amid cracking tired Bangle jokes that ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9877803-43.html Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT Laura Burstein Petty car part thievery: are you at risk? http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9855984-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars Someone had the nerve to swipe my special-order, aftermarket clear side markers from my BMW 325 Ci last week while the car was parked outside in a valet lot in Beverly Hills while I was having dinner. Not only did the d-bag (think French for shower) pry off the lenses ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9855984-43.html Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT Laura Burstein Porsche's winter fantasy camp, Part 2 http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9852511-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars

Laura's car, lucky number 7

(Credit: Laura Burstein)

The Porsche Camp4 racetrack is perched more than 9,000 feet above sea level. So if the sight of the new Porsche 911 Carrera S to which I was assigned didn't take my breath away, the elevation certainly did. ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9852511-43.html Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT Laura Burstein Winter driving tips from Porsche http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9853430-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars

(Credit: Reagan Morgan)


Here are some winter driving tips straight from the Porsche Camp4 Colorado curriculum:

  • Cars respond more slowly on slippery surfaces. Always wait a moment after steering, braking, or accelerating to see how the car behaves before giving it more input.
  • Visibility is greatly reduced in bad weather.

...]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9853430-43.html Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:58:00 GMT Laura Burstein Porsche's winter fantasy camp http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9852498-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars (Credit: Jonathan Elfalan, courtesy of Road & Track)

When the weather turns cold, scores of well-to-do winter sports enthusiasts flock to the high slopes of Vail valley in Colorado for world-class skiing and snowboarding. But about 20 miles west of Vail Village, high upon a privately owned mountain, sits a secret ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9852498-43.html Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT Laura Burstein Top five sports cars from Detroit http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9851802-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars There was no shortage of sexy, sporty cars at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Here are my favorites (in somewhat of a particular order):

(Credit: CNET Networks)

5. Mazda Furai concept

The race-bred concept, which means "wind" in Japanese, is based on the Courage C65

...]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9851802-43.html Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:00:00 GMT Laura Burstein Speed Racer's Mach 5 goes to Detroit http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9845203-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars (Credit: Warner Brothers)

Ladies and gentlemen, start your salivating. Those of us silly enough to go to Detroit in the middle of January to look at cars will be able to gawk at the super-cool Mach 5 from the Wachowski brothers' remake of the classic 1960's 'toon. The car ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9845203-43.html Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:29:00 GMT Laura Burstein Another hybrid Porsche on the way http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9843118-43.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=GirlonCars

Porsche Panamera hybrid

(Credit: Porsche AG)

Porsche announced today that it's developing a hybrid version of the Panamera, a four-door GT car that will debut in a traditional combustion engine version in 2009.

The hybrid system will use a combustion engine, plus an electric motor and an additional clutch, ...

]]> http://www.cnet.com/8301-13640_1-9843118-43.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:25:00 GMT Laura Burstein