Nissan Leaf Shakes the Money Tree

Nissan turns a new leaf with the approval of a $1.4 billion government loan for production of the Nissan Leaf in Smyrna, Tenn providing up to 1,300 green-minded jobs in a move that calls attention in the automakers’ race to claim the greenest car company award. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy sealed the deal today, after Nissan met rigorous and technical standards for Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. The $25... Read More

Infiniti G37 Journey: Slip, Slide and Speed

When I laid eyes upon the ruby-red sinewy Infiniti G37 Journey sedan in the Michigan driveway, I let out a happy sigh. The G37 is not brand new, but it’s still a stunner with it’s curves that seem to melt into each other. It was going to be a fun week in Detroit — I was about to it kill it with these looks. Yet, every now and then a responsible journalist needs to think carefully about the advice doled out to would be car customers. I was reminded of this... Read More

Musée Louvre-LENS Breaks Ground in Lille, France

The architecture of a new museum is poignant reflection of the moment, which will mark that period in time. When it comes to the monumental construction of the Louvre’s newest addition, the design stands to define the interpretation of an era. Lille France is home of the new branch of the Louvre-LENS scheduled to open in 2012, an environment planned to be condusive to a new way of ingesting art. Designed by a team of architects from the New York, Tokyo and Paris, including... Read More

Car Club Updates: Sarasota Cafe Racers

We admire a dedicated group of car enthusiasts. The Sarasota set have a new tradition in their ranks, and they are spreading it with a new website. They believe in merging car talk and coffee, and hope to inspire other clubs around the country. The club is six years old and has made of tradition of lunching, welcoming cars of any make and model. The website template is adaptable to other regions, in hopes that the idea will catch on. The Sarasota Cafe Racers aim to perpetuate... Read More

Detroit Auto Show: Reinventing after 21st Century Breakdown

It’s the week of the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The international media has already come and gone, after the unveiling of product smorgasbord over two days press reveals. The themes centered around a renewed commitment to a brighter, greener future. For the public, the auto show buzz begins with tonight’s charity benefit, which is among the area’s largest fundraisers. Last year official numbers are at $2.6 million. At writing, local socialites... Read More

The North American International Auto Show: Welcome to Detroit

It’s starts early — in fact the pre-paparazzi party started this evening for me as I popped in a few car-centric events, starting with Infiniti’s push of it’s new M in clubbed-out Comerica Park. It’s become somewhat of annual event with DJs, and ambient lighting. The real deal kicks off in the morning — the North American International Auto Show opens it’s door at 6:30 with the usual January blustery temps. In a few short hours, politicians,... Read More

Carl Craig Shops for a New Car: Volume 1

photo: Santa Fabio Carl Craig is known for his electronic musical wizardry, sophisticated DJ skills and curatorial ear that play out on his Planet E Communications label in classic tracks like “Bug in the Bassbin” and “Throw” and high profile collaborations/remixes with Herbie Hancock and Tori Amos. A visionary in his own time, Craig was brought back on board as creative director of the upcoming 10th-anniversary Movement Festival in Detroit. But what... Read More

Paint the town with Wallpaper’s City Guide App

The Complete Wallpaper 10 City Guide iPhone App Collection Forget about Radio Free Europe, take an iPhone to Berlin and make use of the new Wallpaper* City Guide iPhone App. Berlin is part of the free promo, but cities including including New York and Los Angeles, are available at the iPhone App Store. Each app is available for $3.99. New York, New York Wallpaper* City Guides was launched by Phaidon Books in 2006, with print guidebooks available for over 80 cities that... Read More

Listening to: Dragonette’s ‘Fixin’ to Thrill’

Dragonette ‘Fixin’ to Thrill’ Fixin’ to Thrill is Canadian electropop quartet Dragonette’s third album. Showiness reigns supreme throughout, balanced out by danceable melodies. Unabashedly catchy lyrics are sprinkled throughout and help to pull together the hot mess of synthesizers, electric guitars and percussion instruments. This album is much slicker and poppier than Dragonette’s previous album, Galore, which was charmingly sordid.... Read More