Honda Black Box Ends The Arguments

Honda's Drive Recorder is the solution to the arguments involving car crashes. The Drive Recorder is essentially a souped-up black box. It includes a camera that records video and audio for 12 seconds prior to a crash and eight seconds after. Also included is a box that records other important data and statistics, such as speed and deceleration rates.

All of the data gets stored on a solid-state SD flash card that can easily be dumped onto a computer and saved. The camera lens makes use of a 135-degree field of vision to capture everything visible from your windshield.

The Drive Recorder is currently available in Japan for $500 for Honda owners.

Detroit 2008 Preview: Toyota A-BAT Hybrid Pickup Concept

Toyota has muchly criticised over the past year from environmentalists for its ever larger and thirstier trucks. Now with A-BAT hybrd pickup concept, Toyota wants to switch its direction. The Japanese automaker was one of the marques which brought compact pickup trucks in the U.S. market, but Toyota has largely left it behind over the past decade.

The new A-BAT concept pickup is 27 inches shorter than an extended cab Tacoma and nine inches shorter than the regular cab model. The A-BAT is the first Toyota to have a mid-gate allowing cargo longer than the standard four-foot bed to extend into the cab. With the tailgate down, drivers can pack the proverbial 4x8 sheet of plywood. Power for the A-BAT comes from Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive mated to a four-cylinder engine.

We'll bring you more information when the A-BAT officially debuts at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

Gallery: Toyota A-BAT Hybrid Pickup Concept

Tokyo 2007: Toyota Crown Hybrid Concept

The full-size Toyota Crown is available in Toyota's Japanese domestic lineup almost 50 years.Toyota is driving the car into the 21st century by adding its highly touted hybrid drivetrain to the royal sedan. The big sedan is equipped with the latest version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system as used in the new LS600h.

The THS II system has a two-stage "motor speed reduction device" that combines smooth acceleration with high fuel economy, low noise and lower CO2 and exhaust emissions. It's equipped with VDIM traction control, active steering and 10 airbags.