A mining project on a mountain ridge on Alaska's Prince of Wales Island may unlock a motherlode of rare earth resources, which are important components of many of today's electric drive vehicles.

If you were to design your own engine for today's automotive market, what features would it include? Aluminum construction? Direct injection? Turbocharging? Variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust? Small displacement but a high output? Try all of these features and you're looking at the latest powerplant developed by Alfa Romeo and Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

Does the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid match its stellar non-gas-electric counterpart? According to Consumer Reports, the answer is simple: the Sonata Hybrid – unlike the conventional Sonata GLS – is full of flaws.

Volkswagen has finally released official U.S. pricing and specs on the 2012 Golf R. The meanest hatch in the company's stable will set you back $33,990 (*plus destination). That's a sizeable chunk of change, to be sure, but it will net you the most powerful Golf production engine to be sold in the States. At 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, the turbocharged 2.0-liter turns out six

We can appreciate a well-orchestrated prank as much as the next guy. But being the car nuts we are, we'd implore any would-be prankster to leave cars out of it. TP the guy's house, Saran-wrap the toilet, make a crank call or two if you must. But for the love of all things holy, please leave the cars alone.

Decent Fuel Economy, Better Looks, Solid Value

Our crafty spy photographer have managed to set lenses upon a completely undisguised 2012 Porsche Boxster S out and about in the light of day. With all of the vehicle's camouflage removed, we can clearly see the body lines of the new convertible. Though the familiar Porsche face hasn't gone anywhere, the side of the vehicle now wears a dramatic side strake and sizable air inlet positioned just f

General Motors has officially unveiled the company's global 2012 Chevrolet Colorado in Thailand. The automaker says the truck is the culmination of a vehicle program that spanned five years, $2 billion and five continents. What did all that effort come up with? For starters, buyers in Thailand will be able to chose between a pair of new turbo-diesel four-cylinder Zach Bowman

The recent Electric Vehicle Conversion Convention (EVCCON) hosted by EVTV appears to have been an unqualified success and plans are already afoot for next year's event. By all accounts, attendees were more than happy with an itinerary that included autocross and drag racing, numerous information sessions, along with an address by Chris Paine