In Making the latest Cadillac Escalade More High-Tech, GM Actually Made it Easier to Steal...

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the Cadillac Escalade is numero uno when it comes to stolen car claims here in the US. The group says that for the first three years of the third-generation Escalade's production (2007-2009) there have been an average of 10.8 claims - from stealing the rims up to the entire car - for every 1000 insured Escalades. That's approximately five times more claims than the average car.

This surge in Escalade theft isn't just because Cadillac's big SUV is many celebrities' vehicle of choice, however. After 2006, the SUV was actually made easier to steal than most cars because GM did away with the simple yet effective steering wheel lock. Instead, it was replaced by some electronic nannies that were supposed to be "better". Don't worry, the lock's back for 2010, so all you up and coming pimps will have harder-to-jack rides. Watch the report in the video below.

By Phil Alex

Source: NYTimes & WXYS

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Geiger Goes Tri-Mode on Chevy's Tahoe Hybrid with LPG Conversion

Geiger, German tuner of all things 'Murrican (and usually high-performance), has decided to try...wait for the pun...its hand at hybrid tuning with the Chevy Tahoe Tri-Mode (there it is!).

Instead of shooting for the moon with 1,000 horsepower or some such nonsense, Geiger has put its powers through a different filter to "get even more economic and environmentally compatible".

Using the Tahoe Hybrid's 6.0 liter V8 with cylinder deactivation / electric drive as a base, Geiger threw an LPG system into the mix (creating three forms of motivation, hence the "tri"). The LPG tank can hold 109 liters or 28.8 gallons.

Geiger says, "With this equipment, [we have] cut the effective fuel costs in half at the current price for LPG."

If you're living abroad and have €56,000 to cough up for a Tahoe Hybrid, you can probably spare the extra €4,000 for an LPG conversion. If these efficiency claims hold up, that might be money well-spent.

By Phil Alex

Video: Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid V8 vs Mercedes GL320 CDI Diesel

The 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid with its 332 Hp 6.0L V8 gasoline engine and two 60-kilowatt electric motors and the 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL 320 CDI with its 215 Hp strong 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine, are considered as two of the most fuel-efficient, full size SUVs on the American market.

Specifically, EPA rates the Chevy at 20 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway and the Mercedes at 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. And with a base price of $53,295 for the Tahoe Hybrid 4x4 and $53,775 for the GL320 CDi, they’re also aiming towards a similar (money-wise at least) audience. But which one is a better buy overall? Well, we don't want to spoil the surprise so we'll just let you follow the jump to see Insideline’s video test to find out. -Continued

Via: Insideline