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Rugged Thinkpads coming to America?

Two months ago, Lenovo competitive analyst Matt Kohut wrote a blog post, Thinkpads are Ruggedized Machines, explaining why the laptop brand favored by many corporate wonks isn't available in a box you can drive over with your 7 Series. But it's not like the company is a stranger to expensive laptop packaging: It's releasing a $5,000 version of the X60 that's swaddled in leather and coddled by a special support staff.

On a recent trip to Lenovo HQ in Beijing, Kohut was shocked--shocked--to see a Lenovo-branded fully-rugged PC on display in the company's Innovation … Read more

Audi A1 photos and details revealed

Mini? Mini who?

Audi has released photos of its Audi A1, aka the Audi Metroproject Quattro concept car that it plans to debut at the 2007 Tokyo auto show next week.

The Audi wins hands-down in terms of a sophisticated and elegant look for a sub-compact, inexpensive car compared with its intended rival, the BMW Mini Cooper.

The Audi A1 makes BMW's Mini Cooper look like Minnie Mouse, a colorful, fun and quirky friend you once thought was cute as a child. But now that you're an adult your interests lie more toward Heidi Klum or Seal.

My … Read more

Another low-cost Linux laptop gets a price hike

I wrote recently (here) about the One Laptop Per Child project's plan to begin selling the XO laptop in a special one-for-two deal: buyers pay $400 for two, receive one, and get a tax deduction for the other, which is then delivered to a child in a developing nation.

As I said, I think that's a good deal--the XO is likely to be a pretty interesting machine, even though its price is twice its original $100 target, and battery life isn't likely to live up to OLPC's original projections (I covered that issue here and here).… Read more

BMW and Mercedes engine partnership? Unlike any other ultimate driving machine

A Ford/Chevrolet NASCAR team; a Toyota/Honda hybrid; a post-race hug between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton; a BMW/Mercedes-Benz engine. There are some things in the automotive world that you just never expect to see. The latter, however, may become a reality. BMW Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer has followed up last week's new model announcement with confirmation that BMW has offered to include its cross-town arch-rival on a joint engine development program with PSA Citroen. According to a German newspaper, Reithofer said that the door is open to Daimler--parent company of Mercedes-Benz--and that a third partner in … Read more

BMW Group to build four new models by 2012

At its management board meeting powwow in Munich yesterday, BMW shed some light on its plans for future models, revealing that it plans to launch four new models by 2012. According to Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management at BMW, the new models include:

The BMW X1, a mini SUV, which will presumably be based on the same platform as the 1-Series coupe that is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. next year. A four-door Gran Turismo sedan, based on the BMW CS concept from this year's Shanghai auto show. A coupe version … Read more

Video: 2008 BMW 135i

Munich's most exciting car in years will remind us why we love BMWs. BMW puts its best engine, the twin turbo 3-liter straight six, into its smallest coupe, the 1-series. Previously, the 1-series hasn't been available in the U.S., and used smaller engines, but for the 2008 U.S. launch, BMW pumps up the power considerably.

See all 2007 Frankfurt auto show coverage

2007 Frankfurt auto show: Day three roundup

The 2007 Frankfurt auto show officially opens to the public on Saturday, but we've been getting a preview of the automotive delights on display for the past couple of days. CNET Car Tech Senior Editor Wayne Cunningham has been busy scouring the show floor to bring you a whole slew of picture galleries. His roundup of the show's speed kings includes close-ups of the V-8 BMW M3, the Porsche 911 GT2, and the Mercedes C63.

Meanwhile, Frankfurt is showing off its fair share of concept cars, including the futuristic Nissan Mixim and the Porsche Cayenne hybrid. Among the … Read more

Photos: New cars at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show

While new car launches were few at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show, some were significant. Mini brought around the Clubman, a stretched version of the Cooper. Volkswagen showed off its new crossover, the Tiguan, and Audi had a significant model update for the A4. Dodge also came to play, putting a crossover called Journey on the floor.

Click here to see our photos.

Photos: Frankfurt speed kings

Automakers used the 2007 Frankfurt auto show to launch a set of hot new cars and updates. These aren't all supercars, but they are all superfast. Exotics are displayed by Ferrari and Lamborghini, while Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, and Audi represent Germany. And there's a significant British contingent from Bentley and McLaren. These are the cars you dream about.

Click here to see our photos.