Big Brother is watching you, or he will be, at least.

On Capitol Hill, members of Congress are throwing support behind a new piece of legislation that will swap the gasoline tax for a mileage tax, allowing the government to tax drivers based on the number of miles they drive rather than the amount of fuel they consume. According to proponents of the plan, the demand for higher fuel-efficiency and the sudden influx of hybrid cars are in danger of stymying the flow of revenue reaped from the gasoline tax. Specifically, Congress is concerned that the nation’s bridges and roads will fall into a state of neglect without the gasoline tax to fund new projects. Fearing that the jobs of countless municipal workers standing around smoking Marlboro’s and jabber-jawing might be in jeopardy, Congress has proposed levying a mileage tax to ensure a “more reliable source” of funding. The devil, however, is in the details.

While a mileage tax would theoretically level the playing field between different types of vehicles, opponents of the plan cite a host of potential problems, chief among them the stark violation of privacy. Currently, the only successful method by which to monitor and record a vehicle’s activity from a satellite location is via GPS device, which would allow the government to constantly monitor a vehicle’s every move. Although White House spokesman Robert Gibbs firmly stated that a mileage tax “is not and will not be a policy of the Obama administration,” staunch supporters of the tax like Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) appear ready to go head-to-head with their own party in favor passing the tax. In response to Gibbs’ immediate dismissal of the suggestion, Oberstar reportedly said, “I have news for you, transportation policy is not going to be written from the press room of the White House.”

Source: Detroit Free Press

A new partnership between American Express Centurion and Maserati has resulted in the creation of the Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion, Special Series. First unveiled at Forbes House (Belgravia, London) for an exclusive audience of American Express Black Card (Centurion Card holders), the Pininfarina designed luxury saloon was received with excitement.

“The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion special series is exclusively built to order: finished in stunning metallic Nero Carbonio (carbon black), it features a sumptuous Bianco Polare (polar white) Poltrona Frau^® leather interior with embossed Centurion logo on the headrests, a bespoke numbered plaque, titanium coloured trim and 20” ball polished rims. The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.2 is powered by an impressive 400HP 4.2 litre V8 engine, powering the car to a top speed of 167 mph and allowing it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The fully automatic ZF gearbox ensures a smooth and responsive ride in all conditions.” If that’s not fast enough for you, the Centurion Edition Maserati is also available in a 4.7 litre edition, with 430HP engine that can reach 174mph top speed, and go from 0 to 62 mpg in 5.4 seconds.

Unique Serial # Plate Identification

Centurion Logo Embossed Headrest

.45 MILLION DOLLAR LAMBORGHINI REVENTON

The Lamborghini Reventon is a 650-horsepower, 12-cylinder super coupe valued at .45 million dollars. This car can move from zero to 62 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds.

Only 20 Reventon’s exist in the world. All of them have been sold. Eleven in the United States, seven in Europe and two in Asia.

American Express has paired with Lamborghini in giving away an experience in sunny Italy for driving the Lamborghini Gallardo around a closed track with instruction from the professional drivers at the Lamborghini Academy near Rome so that those lucky enough to win the car and experience don’t wind up with their new Lamborghini looking like one you would find on wrecked exotics.

Although Lamborghini doesn’t offer their limited edition Reventón model for the American Express giveaway, they have announced that they are manufacturing another 80 models so that you can have your chance to purchase one of your very own. Have your Black Card ready.

Lamborghini Gallardo:

Icon A5 costs less than a luxury car at 9,000. They are said to start rolling off the assembly  line in late 2010, and are currently taking pre-orders on their website iconaircraft.com. ,000 (refundable and transferable) down gets you a spot in line.  They also have a program for the A5 LE edition, which gets you membership in the Icon 100 club, downpayment on that one is 0,000.

Check out the pics and video…

Icon A5 interior photo…

It is an Austrian-based auto manufacturer Magna Steyr who decided to bit Mitsubishi at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The company will present their new eco-friendly vehicle that is fully electric Magna Steyr MILA Concept. It is reported that the car will come with a lithium ion battery pack and recharge time of 2.5 hours.

A car can drive up to 150 kilometers on a single but full charge. However, even if everybody concerned loves the car, Magna Steyr doesn’t feel like producing the MILA for the mass market. The car will be created as a concept solely and some parts can be bought  by other auto makers.

By the way, magna is going to cooperate with Ford in order to create a fully electrical vehicle with zero CO2 emissions.

To tell the truth I don’t belong to a kind of women who likes and drives small red cars and puts numerous fluffy bears in them, I even don’t like all these stickers on women cars, I DO believe they are not for real drivers. But the following set of screwdrivers for women is fantastic – even if you don’t feel like using them you will be surprised how nice and pretty they are.

No doubts, this set looks like a bridal gift or a box of lollipops, I think nobody will treat this driver seriously and any of this screw-driver will put smile on face of a man. BUT, tastes differ and I guess a lot of girls will like it. Would you use the She Driver set just as it is?

Any BMW car is an embodiment of luxury. To drive a BMW car means to be on the top of the world and among really successful and rich people. The BMW 5-series Gran Turismo Concept is exactly of this kind. The car is all about the “driving experience” and attractive appearance. What I like the most, the company has finally backed down from their usual black colour concept and created an eye-pleasing soft apricot colour.

The 5-series Gran Turismo Concept is a Progressive Activity Sedan, that is their own category name they are going to create for vehicles. For example, let me remind you that the X6 not is positioned as an SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle).

The new BMW is pure elegance and luxury four-door, four-seat coupe. I don’t understand the idea behind providing this car with 1650 liters of luggage space but the idea with the Panorama glass roof is something I like a lot. Travelling with comfort and style that is the idea behind this car.

Toyota has announced its new city car that will debut at Geneva Motor Show 2009 next month. Their new monster is a new version of iQ that will come with a 1.33-liter Dual VVT-i engine.

The new car features Toyota’s Optimal Drive technology and a Stop & Start system, that is why this small monster becomes rather speedy and economic. The design of the car hasn’t changed a lot, since it is still small and once again small.

Frankly speaking, I don’t know why such city cars are extremely popular, they are too expensive to be true …

Kia has presented its new concept car at the Geneva Motor show. The concept itself looks great, however I guess something is really wrong with its name, since it is lack of imagination – simply the No 3 Concept, well, something like Chanel No 5.

The car was designed by Peter Schreyer, and it comes with funky headlights, badge and front grille. However, to my mind it looks like a combination of an old Mitsubishi Colt version and a new Ford Fiesta. Don’t you think so? Love the colour of the car – a matte Titanium Grey finish.

The No 3 comes with a fantastic panorama glass roof. Kia has a reputation of a very pragmatic company since most of its concepts become real cars. I guess this concept will hit markets in a couple of years.  

Any BMW car is an embodiment of luxury. To drive a BMW car means to be on the top of the world and among really successful and rich people. The BMW 5-series Gran Turismo Concept is exactly of this kind. The car is all about the “driving experience” and attractive appearance. What I like the most, the company has finally backed down from their usual black colour concept and created an eye-pleasing soft apricot colour.

The 5-series Gran Turismo Concept is a Progressive Activity Sedan, that is their own category name they are going to create for vehicles. For example, let me remind you that the X6 not is positioned as an SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle).

The new BMW is pure elegance and luxury four-door, four-seat coupe. I don’t understand the idea behind providing this car with 1650 liters of luggage space but the idea with the Panorama glass roof is something I like a lot. Travelling with comfort and style that is the idea behind this car.