Since the latest episode won't be airing here in the US for another three weeks I won't spoil it for you but Jezza described the 662 hp supercharged V8 thusly: "the power is intoxicating, you never get bored with that."

While Clarkson made the 800 mile run solo in the GT500, Hammond and May relaxed on board a high-speed train.  

BTW, it's nice to see that +BBC America has now reduced the delay in airing new episodes of Top Gear to just three weeks. The question is why can't they just air it the same day?

While Tesla is doing some interesting stuff with its SuperCharger 480V charging stations, they are going to need to be closer together. The reality is that even when Model S production gets up to full speed, the smaller battery version with real world range of 120-140 miles is likely to represent the bulk of sales.

As John Broder of the New York Times learned even the mega battery version struggles to make 200 miles when the weather is anything less than California ideal. These charging stations would also be much more useful to a wider range of drivers if Tesla hadn't opted for a proprietary charging connector. As it stands only Tesla drivers can use these stations. 

She started training with the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes http://annarborrollerderby.com/ and after months of learning the skills of the sport, she passed the skills test a couple of weeks ago. This morning we are going to see her for the first time in a friends and family scrimmage. I'll have a bunch of photos later on this afternoon. In the meantime check out this great video that explains the basic rules of the game. 

Reshared post from +Mike Elgan

Why is Apple's Siri still in ‘beta’?

Apple’s Siri personal assistant has been in development for 10 years. Apple doesn’t let app developers use the word “beta” for iPhone apps. And the company spends millions on — and make billions from — the advertising of their “beta” product specifically.

Given these facts, is it disingenuous, unfair, inconsistent, hypocritical and inaccurate for Apple to continue calling Siri “beta”?

http://www.cultofmac.com/215169/why-is-siri-still-in-beta

I've always been highly skeptical of the Better Place model of swapping EV batteries. Unless automakers would be willing to standardize battery pack formats, there is no way that a swapping system could be financially or logistically viable. 

Unfortunately for Better Place, lithium ion battery technology is still very early and rapidly evolving. There are a wide variety of chemistries, air cooled and liquid cooled, and of course everyone has a different size pack. Someday this may be practical but it seems unlikely. 

For the first time since 1986, GM will be offering American customers a passenger car powered by a diesel engine. Will Americans be willing to pay a $2,000+ premium for this fuel efficient power option? Unlike Volkswagen which offers the Jetta TDI with the mid-level SE trim starting at $23,000, Chevrolet is only offering its new engine on a loaded Cruze with leather interior starting at $25,700.

This will prove to be very interesting to watch over the next year or two.