Cars and Motors

Did you know Mercedes' new C-Class cars contain over 40 lbs of hemp? It's true, man, and (unless you're trafficking) you won't find it in the trunk. Since 2002 automakers such as Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Lotus, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo and more have incorporated hemp-based components in their vehicles. Even bike, boat and plane designers are getting in on the action. Makes you wonder just what those dudes are smoking.

A bright yellow MINI seen navigating the Fifth Ring Road in Beijing, China displayed a curious warning to fellow commuters in the form of a handmade rear window sign reading “New Driver – Woman”.

Nissan is testing an innovative new luminescent paint on their Leaf EV that's powered by nothing more than sunlight. The durable, organic Starpath coating absorbs UV radiation from sunlight, allowing the car's paint to glow for up to ten hours after sundown.

Rolls-Royce has officially confirmed longstanding rumors by announcing the forthcoming debut of the company's first SUV. If the words “sport” and “utility” seem rather uncouth, fear not: RR has code-named it “Cullinan” (after the famous 3,000 carat diamond) and is disdaining the term SUV in favor of “high-bodied car”.

Police in Hangzhou, China are getting tough – Ford Tough – when it comes to defusing riots. Dubbed the “Saber-Toothed Tiger”, the heavily modified and armored Ford F-550 Super Duty truck is ready to put the bite on fomenters of urban unrest.

For 44 years the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE for short) has recognized manufacturers for the Year's Most Innovative Use of Plastics via the annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition. Let's take a closer look at the category and Grand Award winners for 2014.

The Ram full-size pickup truck from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) is coming off its best annual sales in a decade so you might have noticed more of these boldly styled trucks on the road. Just in case you haven't, the upcoming 2016 Ram Laramie Limited boasts badging that's simply impossible to ignore.

From the sister company of Seabreacher, comes a water sports accessory that will send you flying high above the water. The Jetovator attaches to a personal watercraft (PWC) and utilizes water thrust to propel above the water and maneuver in all directions.

The Mando Footloose looks and rides like a bike, but it is no ordinary, spokes-chain-and-gears bike. For starters, it has no chain--that age-old symbol of the bicycle (a symbol that can sometimes be a real pain). It is also electric and foldable, making it ideal for the urban commuter or the free spirit looking for their "transportation soul mate."

For twenty years the annual PACE Awards have celebrated technological innovation in the automotive industry. This year 33 finalists will compete for awards recognizing noteworthy achievements in products, manufacturing processes, and information technology. This rundown of 2014's winners in the Product category illustrates what it takes to set the PACE.