Nissan pins Leaf's WattStation charging woes on a software bug, works on a fix

GE and Nissan had previously ruled out GE's WattStation as the cause of a few Leaf charging failures, and that story of EV tragedy looks to be winding to a close with a more definitive explanation. As the two tell us, a bug in the Leaf's on-board charging software can damage the relevant hardware under a perfect storm of conditions: if a drivers uses a specific (but not necessarily GE) charger, an undervoltage or similar power crisis can bring the Leaf to its knees. Nissan says it's hurrying towards a remedy, although we're working to confirm just what that entails.

Engadget , Nissan pins Leaf's WattStation charging woes on a software bug, works on a fix

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mrnom, Nissan pins Leaf's WattStation charging woes on a software bug, works on a fix

NASCAR suspends driver indefinitely after positive drug test

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Penske Racing driver AJ Allmendinger after a second drug test confirmed the presence of "a banned substance" in his system. Race officials have not clarified exactly which substance was found in Allmendinger's urine samples, but a spokesperson for the driver said he has contracted an independent lab to test the products he uses on a regular basis to see if there's a reason behind the positive result. The Allmendinger camp says the results were within nanograms of accepted parameters, though NASCAR has declined to comment on the levels themselves.

Autoblog , NASCAR suspends driver indefinitely after positive drug test, NASCAR suspends driver indefinitely after positive drug test

Four-foot Dodge Viper shifter mod is a head-scratcher

Where the outlandish reigns supreme, functionality and practicality take a back seat. That's why we admire folks who poke fun at the insanity of the automotive aftermarket. Take this particular Dodge Viper owner. Rather than swap in the latest short-throw kit, the guy bolted on a four-foot-long shift knob. Why? According to his YouTube account, he was jealous of drivers with longer knobs. Har Har.

He helpfully points out that the modification won't work on GTS coupes or hardtops due to clearance issues. Regardless, the owner promises the modification will "get you lots of attention GUARANTEED." No arguments there.



Autoblog , Four-foot Dodge Viper shifter mod is a head-scratcher

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maximum, Four-foot Dodge Viper shifter mod is a head-scratcher

The List #0360: Learn to Drift

To let a car do what it wants is very different than making it do what you want. It's the difference between a car's rear end getting loose in a corner and the intentional act of drifting. There's a huge chasm of skill that lies between the two, though the end result might look the same sometimes. A few of us on the Autoblog team know a thing or two about drifting, particularly that it's not as easy as it looks. To control that moment of chaos the way professional drifters do takes incredibly precise inputs (from both your hands and feet), the right equipment and many hours of practice.



Autoblog , The List #0360: Learn to Drift

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wareground, The List #0360: Learn to Drift

Bandwidth The New Measure Of Business Success

TalkTalk Business commissions Corporate IT Forum study into impact technology has on company performanceThe appeal of a prestigious address pales in the wake of advances in technology, a new study by TalkTalk Business suggests, with upgraded IT topping new office space as the choice investment for businesses with limited funds.42 per cent of British firms believe their business would be most disrupted without access to the internet and data services, according to the survey of more than 500 company owners and senior directors across the UK, with nearly a third (31 per cent) citing faster connectivity as the technology investment that would ha

Press Release Distribution , Bandwidth The New Measure Of Business Success, Bandwidth The New Measure Of Business Success

Facebook's stock is tanking – did investors get played by big banks?

. Although Facebook (FB) met expectations in its first-ever earnings report on Thursday, the reaction from investors has been decidedly ugly so far. By the end of trading on Friday, the company's stock price had dropped by 117% to close at $23.70, or about half the value of its 52-week peak of $45. Making things worse, Facebook's big slide came on a day when the NASDAQ closed up 2.24%, meaning Facebook can't plausibly blame its slide on weak U.S.

Boy Genius Report , Facebook's stock is tanking â€" did investors get played by big banks?, Facebook's stock is tanking â€" did investors get played by big banks?

Lapping it up at the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix [spoilers]

Monaco. Italy. Canada. Japan. There are a handful of grand prix host countries that Formula One could not do without, so central they are to the character of the sport. But Hungary?

The Hungarian Grand Prix actually dates back to the pre-war era when the legendary Tazio Nuvolari won its first running for Alfa Romeo, and the race has been held every year without fail at Budapest's Hungaroring since 1986.

Saturday's qualifying sessions left Lewis Hamilton on pole position for the third time this season.

Romain Grosjean, who has shown impressive form this season for Lotus, landed alongside the McLaren.








Autoblog , Lapping it up at the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix [spoilers], Lapping it up at the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix [spoilers]