The schematic of Volkswagen's current Beetle: What impact will a bigger back seat have on the model's traditional sloping roofline?(Credit:Automotive News)(Credit:Automotive News)WOLFSBURG, Germany--The successor to the New Beetle will arrive in 2012 with more back-seat room and better packaging, said Stefan ...

  Navteq staffers monitor CHP reports for traffic incidents.(Credit:Josh Miller/CNET)Ever since the 1930s, drivers have listened for traffic information over the radio, but this century, traffic data is being revolutionized, offered on-demand and integrated visually with GPS navigation systems. We visited Navteq's SF Bay Area Traffic Operations Center to see how one company collects traffic data and sends it to GPS devices, smart phones, and the Internet.On the morning we visited the office, three staff members were on duty, compiling information for Navteq's Northern California traffic markets, which includes the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and as far down as Fresno. These staff members primarily fill in incident reports, as traffic flow information is compiled automatically. A traffic incident could be a collision, a disabled car, road construction, a baseball game, or anything else that affects traffic.The primary source of incident information for the Traffic Operations Center comes from the California Highway Patrol, on a Web page anyone can use called the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page. As the Navteq staff reads each incident, they also listen to police scanners, which give them additional information, such as which lanes are blocked....

  Honda unveiled the 2010 VFR1200F, the next generation of motorcycle technology, resulting in unsurpassed rider experience.Just a few of the incredible features and benefits found in the VFR1200F include Honda MotoGP engine technology and architecture; a light and compact 1237cc liquid-cooled 76-degree V-4 that pumps out amazing levels of ...

  (Credit:Automotive News)NASHVILLE--A year ahead of selling its first electric car, Nissan North America is already wondering whether it will need more factory capacity for batteries.The potential U.S. demand for electric cars is far from clear, but Nissan could find itself without enough batteries to meet its plans, says Carlos Tavares, Nissan Motor Co.'s chairman for the Americas.The company is spending $2 billion to expand its plant in Smyrna, Tenn., to produce 150,000 five-passenger Nissan Leafs a year in 2012 and 200,000 lithium ion batteries to power the hatchbacks and serve as replacement batteries.But Nissan also is developing two more electric vehicles to follow the Leaf, Tavares says.And in addition to the three new electric models, the company eventually wants to convert some existing gasoline models to battery power, Tavares says."It would trigger additional capacity," he told a small group of reporters."The current invested capacity is not going to be enough."U.S. Nissan dealers will not be the Leaf's only customers.The $2 billion Smyrna investment is intended to supply dealers in all markets, from Canada to South America, Tavares says....

  (Credit:Wayne Cunningham/CNET)Lexus adds a much needed convertible to its lineup with the 2010 Lexus IS 350 C. As the name suggests, it is based on the IS 350 sedan, Lexus' smallest and most affordable car. But a low price doesn't mean a shortage of luxury; the ...

  The XL 335S features many of the same features as the XL 340S, with one very important exception.(Credit:TomTom)I've always praised TomTom for its innovative features on its line of portable navigation devices (PNDs). But one thing about TomTom devices that has always stuck out at me ...

  The Lincoln MKS with an EcoBoost V6 engine is put to the ultimate challenge for speed and handling against four European luxury V8s up Loveland Pass, Colo. The challengers are the Maserati Quattroporte, the Jaguar XF, the BMW 550i, and the Mercedes E550.Unfortunately, no real details of the challenge, ...

  The Viper Smart Start app can control your car from wherever you are, as long as you have a data connection on your iPhone or iPod Touch.(Credit:Directed Electronics)Car security company Directed Electronics is unveiling a new iPhone application Tuesday that lets customers control parts of their Viper SmartStart-enabled vehicle from their iPhone or iPod Touch. The app, called Viper SmartStart, is quite similar toZipcar's recently released iPhone app, except it can work with your car, and not one you're renting for the weekend. It too creates a virtual keychain control module that can do things like lock and unlock your vehicle, open the trunk, and activate the alarm, getting rid of the need to carry around one of those keychain clickers as long as you've got your phone handy.Coolest of all, though, there's a "Smart Start" button in the center of the screen that can turn on your vehicle. The company is promoting this as a simple way to defrost or cool off a car before you get in--that is, assuming you correctly set the climate controls the last time you were inside.Since the app uses the iPhone's data connection to send the commands, you can control your car (or cars) from anywhere you have an EDGE or 3G signal. It also means you can use it on a non-cellular data device like the iPod Touch, as long as it's near Wi-Fi. The app is completely free, but it requires you have Viper's SmartStart system installed in each car you want to take control of. This costs $499 for a new installation, or $299 for cars that already have a Viper alarm system, as well as an active subscription to Viper's Smart Start service. Buyers of the system get a year of the $29.99 service included when they get the service installed; then they have to pay after that. I'm still waiting for a version that can give you live video and steering controls, like the ridiculous, yet awesome remote-controlled BMW in "Tomorrow Never Dies" Though something tells me that's not happening anytime soon. You can watch the company's promo video after the break.Correction 9:07 a.m. on October 13: This story initially misidentified the remote-controlled car and James Bond film it was featured in. It is a BMW, and it appeared in "Tomorrow Never Dies."... Originally posted at Web Crawler

  (Credit:Automotive News)TURIN, Italy--Fiat S.p.A. may turn to Chrysler for help in reviving its European lineup of prestige sedans.The Italian group's upscale Lancia brand could get a replacement for its Thesis flagship from the next-generation Chrysler 300, due in 2011, a Fiat source said. It ...

  (Credit:Josh Miller/CNET)BMW's revived 6-series has always suffered from an unattractive rear, and this problem hasn't been fixed in the 2010 650i Convertible. Its lack of a proper roof also makes the profile of the 650i bland, so it's best to spend as much time ...