Tag: ipopular

Help Popular Mechanics find the worst road in America

Filed under: Etc.

road in horrible condition

Popular Mechanics is searching for America’s worst roads, and it needs your help. Readers from all over the U.S. are encouraged to submit photos showing just how bad their local thoroughfares are. Once the submissions have been evaluated, PM will choose its top five.

The “winning” roads will get a visit from the Popular Mechanics crew, who will analyze just how screwed-up it is with a custom data-logging device. Strapped onto a car, the analytical tool’s multi-axis accelerometer will provide information to the researchers and help them determine which road is the worst of the bunch.

A few ground rules are in place, however, because certain roads have to be excluded from testing. The magazine isn’t interested in private roads, or “streets” that lack paving. Editors are looking for standard roads that, over time, have gone from smooth to suspension-busting. Head over to Popular Mechanics for information on sending in your local road for consideration, if you feel it makes the cut.

[Source: Popular Mechanics | Image: Monica’s Dad/Flickr via CC 2.0]

Help Popular Mechanics find the worst road in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf named ‘Breakthrough Products’ by Popular Mechanics

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Nissan, Electric

Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf

It looks like Popular Mechanics had room for two vehicles this year on its annual “Top Products” awards list. Both the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf were named Breakthrough Products for 2010. PM praised the ride quality and technology of the Volt, stating that it’s “more than the sum of its cutting-edge parts.” In addition, the publication prominently touted the Volt’s range-extending abilities, possibly as a jab at the other winner.

The magazine still had some love left for the Leaf, though, calling it, “a pure EV with space for five, a moderate price and enough range for most tasks – plus, an operating cost that’s irresistibly low.” The Leaf does not do any one thing that hasn’t been done before, but Nissan has combined a lot of features together in a mass-market-ready package that has already resulted in 20,000 pre-orders in the U.S. alone.

Contrary to PM’s 2008 Breakthrough car (Click to see what it is. Hint: it’s a three-wheeled electric vehicle), you will actually be able to buy both of these 2010 cars the same year they’ve been acclaimed, a nice change of pace in this uncertain world. To see the rest of Popular Mechanics‘ Top Products of 2010, click here.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf named ‘Breakthrough Products’ by Popular Mechanics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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