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Following my post earlier today on Click and Clack’s comments on CAFE (can you see I’m caught up in crazy alliteration?) reader Chris Abraham not only posted a comment, but sent in some more information on the letter and what’s going on with CAFE tomorrow. First, if you’re adverse to PDFs, you can read a transcript of the brother’s letter here.Second, in celebration of Halloween (tomorrow), members of the Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency will be delivering “The Spooky Truth” to Members of Congress. (Read the full post about ‘More on Click and Clack and CAFE - and Halloween!’…)

The way to more efficient hybrids might be through a new DC-DC converter. A consortium of British companies and Universities, led by Prodrive are developing a DC-DC converter which is claimed to be more efficient, smaller and cheaper than those available today.According to their press release, current hybrids without such a device have to compromise the energy storage device (batteries or ultra-capacitors) and the motor. (Read the full post about ‘New DC-DC converter promises to increase efficiency of hybrids’…)

The three car rental operations owned by the Taylor Family of St. Louis - Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car - announced a carbon offset program today that they’re calling the “Industry’s Largest Carbon Offset Program.” The way this CO2 offset program works is that each renter, should he or she choose, pays an extra $1.25 per rental and this money (plus matching funds up to $1 million from the company) gets sent to “fund certified offset projects that work to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.” The program kicks off in January in the U.S. (Read the full post about ‘Three major car rental agencies announce CO2 offset program’…)

A legend is back at Alfa Romeo. The TI badge now appears on the 159 saloon. Short for Turismo Inter­nazio­nale, the discreet two-letter label is reserved for only the most sporty and luxurious models in the range. To mark the occasion, the Italian manufacturer has fitted the newcomer with an upgraded version of its 2.4-litre JTD diesel engine. It now produces 210bhp – up 10bhp on the old unit. Sports suspension has also been added, alongside cosmetic up­-grades inside and out. (Read the full post about ‘Alfa Romeo 159 TI’…)

Shepherd’s latest restoration project is a 1970 Plymouth Duster. The Duster features a 406 cu. in. engine from Mopar Performance Parts. The vehicle features a custom two-tone paint job and custom-painted hood treatment from Ted Moser’s Picture Car Warehouse. It has one-off FOOSE Nitrous II wheels, custom one-off brakes by SSBC, Hydratech brake boost system, Be Cool radiator and a Bowler Transmissions custom-built 4-liter 60 overdrive transmission. (Read the full post about ‘Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s restored 1970 Plymouth Duster’…)

Max Mosley, the FIA’s boss man, has been talking about McLaren, and they’re probably not happy to hear what he’s been saying. First, McLaren can expect extra scrutiny next year. Stealing information from Ferrari won’t be regarded as history, as forgive and forget in exchange for that $100 million. Mosley told reporters earlier today that McLaren’s 2008 car will be thoroughly inspected by experts to insure that it does not use intellectual property of Ferrari. (Read the full post about ‘McLaren under the microscope’…)

All-new, but still retaining the original’s blend of style, performance and versatility, the 2009 Pontiac Vibe also signals the return of the popular all-wheel drive and performance-oriented GT models.The 2009 Vibe will be available in dealership in early 2008. (Read the full post about ‘2009 Pontiac Vibe to be unveiled on November 6th’…)

It will be powered by a 6.1-liter Hemi engine mated to a five-speed automatic.After another year, in 2009, Dodge will expand the Challenger lineup to include both 6.1- and 5.7-liter Hemi versions to be shown at the 2008 New York Auto Show in March.Also a six-speed manual will be added and possibly a dual-clutch transmission. Production will be increased to 30,000-35,000 cars in 2009. (Read the full post about ‘2008 Dodge Challenger SRT limited to 5000 units’…)

Rolls-Royce is still living off that image. The sentence, written by legendary ad man David Ogilvy, so conveyed the essence of the product that it became the centerpiece of other ad campaigns, a short-hand for quality and luxury. Ford introduced the new LTD and defined it as quieter than a Rolls-Royce. Grey Poupon created a market for premium mustard simply by handing a bottle handed through the windows from one Rolls-Royce to another. (Read the full post about ‘”At 60 miles an hour, the loudest noise in the new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock”‘…)

As expected, Lexus debuted their new F-Sport Performance Accessory Line at SEMA, and there’s no shortage of products to choose from, that is, if you have an IS 250/350. Here’s a summary of the offerings: * The most significant upgrades are for the suspension and handling, including a lowering spring set, a sway bar set to reduce body roll, shock absorbers developed by Bilstein, and a chassis brace. (Read the full post about ‘A Summary of the New Lexus F-Sport Performance Accessory Line’…)