I've noticed that while for mid-sized sedans and up there are lot of European and even American cars, when it comes to compact cars there doesn't seem to be anything on the street that isn't made in Japan.

It seems to me the restriction on testing does not help the teams design cars that won't loose parts when they are being pushed to the limit and bouncing over curbs and such.

I have noticed this, but I wouldn't say it is really prevalent, just in some of the nicer residential areas, and a lot in Tokyo.

It just seemed to destroy the strategy element that had been a part of F1 for so long, especially when it was announced not even 2 weeks before the first race

right. Zero moving parts so it is very reliable. It is basically an array of thermocouples. Not very efficient, but when the energy source is free is doesn't matter as much as a Watts per kg or watts per $.

a lot of really ignorant comments flying around here... kids do dumb things, thats just what they do. no matter how good their parents are. we are not talking about the traditional blind spot, but the space below your back window (you know, just a little higher than a child) no amount of technique is going to help you see through the back of your car and see kid playing hid and seek behind your car. stuff like this WILL save lives.

beleive me, with one skinny wheel way the hell out there, it doesn't matter wether you have 1 or 2 discs, you're not stopping.

It would cool if they offered these in some different anodised aluminum colors, at least black.

great pic, if anyone wants it I found an unedited version.

http://tenpercent.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/6a00d8341bf82953ef010534d60091970c-500wi.jpg

I would argue that you are 100% wrong. while a little extreme on Top Gear they tested a prius vs. an M3. the prius was going around a track as quickly as it reasonably could (still probably under highway speeds) and the m3 kept the prius' pace. at that pace the M3 had a slight advantage.

the harder you drive a hybrid the less the electrical motor helps and the more you are just straining a little high strung motor.