Got $3 million laying around? Yeah, neither do we.

However, if we did, we could buy the new Elemment Palazzo seen here. Never heard of it? That’s because it’s brand new. It’s built by a company called Marchi Mobile out of Austria.

It has everything you’d ever think wouldn’t go into an RV. Unless, of course, you wanted a master bedroom with its own bathroom, leather seating, 40″ flat screen TV’s throughout, a rainfall shower, underfloor heating, and a fireplace. Not to mention the pullout luxury bar that adds 80% more space to the rig.

The vehicle is 40 feet long and weighs 20 tons, but can still top out at 93mph. (What good is a mobile palace if you can’t run it out a little, right?) And believe it or not, Marchi says it gets 20% better fuel mileage than vehicles comparable in size, due to the Palazzo’s aerodynamic design. (Umm, “vehicles comparable in size”? They could have provided a specific example, because we’ve never seen anything like this before.) For safety reasons, you’ll be glad to know that the entire RV is painted in glow-in-the-dark paint. Yeah, like anybody was going to miss this thing.

Marchi also says that they’d be more than happy to customize the vehicle for you further, but for a price of course. They even said they’d go so far as to cover it in diamonds. Great. Way to have a nice inconspicuous vehicle to take the family on vacation with, huh?

Source: Article by Mariella Moon, of tecca.com.

Related articles

• Marchi Mobile’s eleMMent RV – a luxury mansion on wheels (gizmag.com)
• World’s most expensive motorhome up for sale for £1.9m (talesfromthelou.wordpress.com)
• The £1.8m luxury motorhome (thesun.co.uk)
• Get a sweet ride on land with the Elemment Palazzo (digitaltrends.com)
• Marvelous Mobile Mansions – The Marchi EleMMent Motorhomes are Insanely Plush Portable Palaces (TrendHunter.com) (trendhunter.com)

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Should gas prices be capped? As those power-happy, greedy oil companies continue to increase the price per gallon (which naturally increases our cost of fuel at the pump), is it time for someone to step in and do something about it?

The price of gas has hit close to $4.00 per gallon, on average, in the United States and its not any better anywhere else in the world; it is almost £5.00 per gallon in the United Kingdom (close to $10 in USD) and about $1.50 per liter in Canada. This has in turn caused the transportation companies to raise the amount they require for deliveries and the airlines compensate their fueling increasing by raising the cost of tickets. How much longer will it be before it just spirals completely out of control?

Those that favor capping gas prices support their opinions by saying that congress needs to act not to free the people from the market forces but to allow those market forces to actually control the flow of oil and not be at the mercy of OPEC. They feel that with the aid of the government monopolistic middle-eastern concerns are controlling the gas prices which in turn do not allow the market to influence the price of gas. There was a time when all of the oil companies competed for consumer’s dollars and the market actually controlled the prices, but not now.

Those supporting price caps feel that the government should enact limitations on the oil monopoly; there is no competition for our dollar meaning the gas price will continue to fall and rise based on the whim of those controlling oil in the Middle East.

Those opposed to the capping of gas prices feel that it would cause the current plentiful (albeit pricey) supply to begin to dry up. Lower prices would cause the oil companies to deliver less than what the consumer would want to purchase; that’s right, you would end up with gas shortages. They believe that having price control would do little to actually solve the problem which they believe to be increasing the supply and decreasing the demand.

One solution, according to those opposed to price capping, is to continue research into alternative fuels on a more in depth basis and to think more seriously towards conservation. Basically they feel that price control gives a kind of artificial hope that reinforces the notion that cheap oil is available.

Related articles

• Surprise! Gas prices fall – slightly (knoxnews.com)
• Are gas prices going to plunge this summer? (financialpost.com)
• Oil Prices Plunge: Why Gas Might Not Kill the Recovery (curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com)
• Capitol Hill in the MarketFor Gas Price Solutions (politics.blogs.foxnews.com)
• “New Drilling Bills Won’t Help with Gas Prices, Will Make Rules Weaker than Pre-BP Spill” and related posts (switchboard.nrdc.org)

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Sponsored by Motor Age magazine, the first Chicago Auto Show was held from March 23^rd through March 30^th in 1901. The event took place in the amphitheater of the Coliseum which offered plenty of seating around all sides of the building and cost exhibitors anywhere from $1 to $1.50 per square foot.

The show was held in the Coliseum through 1935 and then moved to the International Amphitheatre which boasts over 255,000 feet (compared to the 58,000 feet in the Coliseum). During the first show in the Amphitheatre there were about 29 different makes and 300 models on display and for the first time included trailers and motor coaches.

The show took a hiatus after the 1941 event and was not held again until 1950 following the Second World War and was the first major show, as well as the largest, held in the United States. At the end of its nine day run it boasted one of the largest turn outs to date with over 478,000 visitors.

Automakers were aiming more towards economy in 1960 and during the show Chevrolet displayed its Corvair with the engine in the rear; Chrysler introduced the Valiant and Ford showed off its new compact Falcon. It was during this event that visitors got a first glimpse at over 36 different imports, including Toyota, Deutsch-Bonnet and Fiat.

In the 1070’s the trend ran towards the smaller cars and automakers took this opportunity to introduce several new, or updated, models at the Chicago Auto Show. Ford displayed two new models, the Maverick Grabber and the Mustang Grabber, while Pontiac displayed a redesigned Firebird and Oldsmobile showed off its Rallye 350.

In 1980 it was determined that more space was needed so the area available was increased to 600,000 feet in order to accommodate over 700 different vehicles that were to be on display. This is also when those enthusiastic about performance got their wish; Chevrolet came out with the Corvette ZR-1 and even with complying with all of the emission and safety standards it was the best handling and fastest model at the time.

In 1998 the Chicago Auto Show drew a record breaking 1,080,637 visitors who were treated to the introduction of the new VW Beetle, Mercedes Maybach, the Ford Libre (considered a concept convertible) and even Kia sponsored an Elan sports car.

Last years show was the 102^nd edition of the event and it covered over 1 million square feet of exhibition area. Some of the vehicles introduced were the 75^th anniversary Chevrolet Suburban, the Kia Hybrid concept and the next generation Avalon.

The 2011 Chicago Auto Show will be held from February 11^th through February 20^th and covers over 1.2 million square feet of the McCormick Place center. If you decide to attend this event you will be able to see over 1,000 different types of vehicles including imported and domestic models, sport utility models and concept, or experimental, cars. It is a great event suitable for the whole family.

Related articles

• Report: Buick Regal Hybrid coming to Chicago Auto Show (green.autoblog.com)
• Models Book Chicago International Auto Show for 2011 (onesourcetalent.com)
• Chicago Auto Show Preview: 2012 Buick Regal With eAssist Option (greencarreports.com)
• GM To Show Buick Regal Hybrid With e-Assist At Chicago Auto Show (crunchgear.com)
• Chicagoland Toyota Dealers to Give Away New Prius at 2011 Chicago Auto Show (prnewswire.com)

Remember the Blues Brothers clichéd line about “cop brakes, cop shocks…” etc? Well, it may well be a cliché but thanks to the new chassis package for the 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit there is a whole lot of truth to it when it comes to this vehicle.

According to Dodge’s press release what makes this vehicle pursuit ready is its performance suspension tuning, rear and front stabilizer bars, anti lock heavy duty vented disc brakes, performance tires (18 inch) with steel wheels along with the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) calibration that is police specific with two modes. It is also equipped with a Police Interface Module making it a complete mobile command capable interior with white/red interior LED lighting for use with night vision equipment.

This release follows on the heels on General Motors release of their new Chevrolet Caprice and its similar police special fanfare. Dodge has countered with the Pursuit which is said to have “crime-busting” technology and a sinister, iconic type design that according to the auto maker will make a suspect panic and stop in their tracks.

You are given a choice of either the renowned 5.7 Hemi V 8 engine or an E-85 capable with a V-6 3.5 Pentastar engine; want to take a guess which ones the boys in blue will prefer? It is also said that the V-6 can get at least 25 miles per gallon while still offering almost 300 horsepower; this is due to the fact that during a light throttle drive, half of the cylinders will shut down.

The 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit can be ordered beginning in September and for those interested there is a Hemi V-8, 6.1 engine option available to civilians.

Here, Jamie Corstorphine drives the new Ferrari 458 on the road and track.  We thought this was pretty cool, and thought it was worth taking a look.  If you don’t want one of these in your driveway already, you will after this.

One word: Bluetooth.

A recent Virginia Tech study found that when the drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting. Not good. In fact, studies have shown that texters are significantly more likely to cause a crash. Someone who talks on a cell phone while driving is equivalent to a .08 blood alcohol level, when it comes to accident risk. So, when you’re tossing back that next phone call, consider it’s loaded. On verage, we overestimate our ability to multitask. So, save the simultaneous sandwich-eating, softdrink sipping, knee-steering while keying in the address to your GPS.

While the Dr. Spock-like phone in your ear device may not be the most flattering, it makes a lot of sense to at least have both hands on the wheel. Otherwise, just remember that the typical time it took study participants to look at an incoming text while traveling highway speed, many traveled the length of a football field before winding up in a “crash.”

Everyone knows the saying that you have to spend money to make money, well, in a way, the same philosophy can be applied to your car. Those years of running and looking good do not just happen, you have to give a little something (ok, sometimes a lot of something) to get good results in return.

You may not realize this but a tank of 90 octane may just turn that Kia you are driving into a Koenigsegg; seriously the extra octane found in premium unleaded does not do engines with low, or even moderate, compression that are designed to run on regular 85 or 87 octane, any favors. So, while using the higher octane may not hurt the engine it is most certainly a waste of money.

Believe it or not one of the most important things you can do to help your car is to wash, rinse and repeat. In other words, regular and consistent washing and waxing helps to preserve your paint and will prevent rust from getting a firm foothold. Don’t forget the interior be sure to vacuum and clean it frequently.

Whether you are heading into a summer road trip or the impending cold of winter your car needs to be prepared accordingly. The most demanding season on cars tires, coolant and batteries are winter and summer, so extra attention is important to those critical areas as it can mean the difference between getting stranded or getting there.

You should also research for technical service bulletins and recalls that are done by manufacturers as not all of them make it to the circulars that you get in your mail or into the daily news. This can be done by searching the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) website or even by signing up by email to be alerted by newsletters such as Automotive News.

Everyone knows about the Check Engine light and it usually gets a bad rap for going on for trivial diagnostics; however, it is there for a reason and you should pay attention to it. Most auto part stores have the means to scan for the codes and then translate them into English for you. True, it could be nothing more than a loose gas cap, but it could also pertain to a possibly serious power train problem, the more you know the better off you are.

One more important tip for maintaining your car is to use the proper engine oil. Check your owner’s manual as it gives you the accepted and recommended viscosities and perhaps even a brand name. Do not just assume that the brand name is a form of advertising it is probable that your car was made with that particular brand in its crankcase and you may be wise to continue with that brand.

Whether you’re behind the wheel with the top down or taking the long way home on your Harley, there are undoubtedly a few roads a man must travel before you can call him a man. As the Wild Hogs knew, sometimes you just need to take it outside. Here are six scenic views of a lifetime, best shared:

MIDATLANTIC
Brandywine Valley Drive – Pennsylvania & Delaware
Route: Brandywine Valley from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, southeast to Wilmington, Delaware

SOUTHWEST
Big Bend – Texas
Route: Ft. Stockton-Alpine-Paisano Pass-Marfa-Shafter-Presidio-along River Road FM170 to Study Butte. Leading down Hwy 118/Maverick Rd. to Big Bend National Park winding up in Marathon.

EAST
New York Finger Lakes Region – Wine Tour
Route: Ithaca-Interlaken-Ovid-Romulus-Seneca Falls-Geneva-Penn Yan-Himrod-to Hammondsport.

Vermont Cheese Trail
Route: Looping from Plymouth Notch, I-89 via Route 4 and Route 100A,  the cheese trail follows Route 100 north to Lincoln Gap Road, to Route 7 in the Champlain Valley. Route 7 links cheesemakers and other attractions, ending near the Canadian border with I-89.

SOUTHEAST
Florida KeysRoute: Highway 1 from mainland Florida to Key West, beginning in Key Largo-Pennekamp-Tarvenier-Islamorada-Duck Key-Hawks Cay-Looe Key-Big Pine Key to Key West.

WEST
Pacific Coast Highway
Route: Monterey-Carmel-by-the-Sea-Point Lobos State Reserve-Big Sur-Nepenthe-San Simeon-Cambria-to Morro Bay

To get your inspiration, and some helpful maps and accommodations tips, check these links:

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

http://www.tripwiser.com/trip_plans?s_key=Road+Trip+USA

http://www.lets-ride.com/ridesevents.htm

The automobile driving manual says the average driver’reaction time is: .75 seconds…….. or 1 car length for every 10 mph……Test your average reaction time.

Be very careful this can be addicting. Click on the link below and good luck.

Driving Reaction Test