For years auto enthusiasts have wondered.. Who is that masked man, who is The Stig. Well we have it here folks. Careful though, sometimes its the mystery that surrounds the man that makes him who he is to you.

The recent kerfuffle with The Stig having written an autobiography and BBC blocking its release brought about this news. Turns out the Stig is Ben Collins!! Collins Autosport, his company confirmed that The Stig errr Ben Collins has been receiving a carload of money from BBC since 2003 when the white Stig first appeared on BBC’s Top Gear.

So there you have it folks. The Stig is Ben Collins, I bet in about half an hour you’re going to be wishing you never found out.

-Ravi Shanghavi

Volkswagen 2011 Phaeton can read street signs using windshield mounted camera originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You mean like Canada? -Ravi Shanghavi

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Cadillac

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced the recall of 2003 through 2007 model year Cadillac CTS sedans for a brake issue that may lead to longer stop times and the increased risk of a crash. Recalled models reside in 21 cold weather states north of the Mason Dixon Line. NHTSA says snow and road salt could cause a front brake hose fitting at the caliper to corrode, with contaminants entering the routing sleeve. Significant corrosion could then result in a brake hose-tube interface that may develop a leak. That sounds bad because it is, but a fix is just a dealer visit away.

Owners of affected CTS models can take their vehicle to the nearest General Motors dealership to have both front brake hose assemblies replaced free of charge. Hit the jump to read the NHTSA press release, which includes all 21 states involved in the recall.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading 2003-2007 Cadillac CTS recalled in cold weather states over possible brake issue

2003-2007 Cadillac CTS recalled in cold weather states over possible brake issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good news for some of the hardest hit -Ravi Shanghavi

General Motors of Canada says it will recall about 885 workers at Ontario plants this year to build more Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossover SUVs.

Breaking news folks. The White House has just announced an additional $2 Billion in funding for the now stalled ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program.   This is huge for anyone who was thinking about purchasing and taking advantage of the government sponsered program which allows you to trade in a eligible vehicle for up to $4,500 off!

The initial $1 Billion ran out very quickly as over 250,000 new vehicle orders were placed.  This new round of federal funding will only buy approx another 500,000 vehicles.   This is free money people.   If you’re on the fence.. get off of it!

Link for details on CNN.com:  http://bit.ly/NVGPf

- Ravi Shanghavi is the CheapIndianGuy

This is very troubling.  Ray LaHood who’s the nations Transportation Secretary has advised a number of US senators that the program is out of funds as of midnight tonight.  They figured the program would inject 250,000 orders for new vehicles into the hurting economy.   $4,500 a pop sure got people  into their nearest dealership and into a Chevy Camaro.. no a Jetta TDI.. well.. since they couldn’t get either of those everyone seems to have bought a Focus.   Yes, a Ford Focus.    Anyhow.  Look s like the going was good while it lasted, and 1 Billion in US tax dollars was well spent.  If you were pondering.  You’ve got 20min to call your local dealership and say “I  Do”.

CNBC News has some more details: http://bit.ly/1yRibT

-Ravi Shanghavi

So you’re in trouble, most especially you lead footed bandits out of Hull,England.  Where the local 5-0 has decided to put a distance between themselves and you.. A short one.  Local police after spending years praying daily at the sixth street chapel have had their wishes granted.  Well, one of their wishes anyways.  To the tune of a Lexus IS-F.  No, not a display piece or a one-of.  But a proper IS-F for every bobbie with a cap and the need for speed.  So speeder beware, or buyer be-aware as you can perhaps simply mosy on down to the local police auction and pickup a unloved Police Subaru Impreza AWD with lovely racing stripes.. errr decals… But be sure to drop in a massive turbo upgrade.  Or you’ll be in the hot seat quicker than… Well 0-60 in 4.3…

-Ravi Shanghavi

So for anyone who hasn’t already guessed whats under this fellows skirt… and no Audi Dev Chief Michael Dick is not just happy to see you…  It’s the 2010 Audi A8, or what the Germans will let us see of it anyhow.

The latest revision of the A8 was to have been launched at the Frankfurt MotorShow in September of this year.. but something broke.  We’re not sure if it was the beerwagen that kept the little men working or if simply the krauts wish only to release one hatchling on us at a time… circa the 2010 Audi A5 Sportback also coming in September.

So here we have it folks.  Only xray vision will grant you a look under this skirt.  You and I will have to hang on waiting to see the fine lines of Audi’s latest A8.  I’m sure Audi in the coming weeks will start with its excruciatingly painful tease of upper body, front angles, and rear views.  phew..

Having driving a number of A8’s I can tell you I’m a huge fan.  Hands down oodles more joy than a 7series or S-Class.  I can’t wait to get in one of the ’10s to lay waste to some roadway.  Frankly out of it’s competitors (including the newly minted Hyundai Genesis) the current A8 model was my vote simply because it’s comfortable, contemporary and most of all fun.  We ran all the top models through a bevy of tests, the old drive to work, the maniacal drive to the end of the road, the in-city puttering, and of course the ever joyful run to the petrol station.   Audi’s A8 stole the place in my heart reserved for only the best of the luxury full-size sedans..  Can they do it again?