popular mechanics 2009 - 03

P o P u l a r M e c h a n i c s M a r c h 2 0 0 9 V oluMe 186, no. 3 cMG 08638 Science Technology AuTomoT ive h ome o u T doorS $ 3.99 74470 08638 03 0 3 [...]... law Sweepstakes subject to complete official rules available at: PopularMechanics.com/myRide Looking for Cool New Products & Services? CHECK OUT THE PM archives Google and PoPular Mechanics have teamed up to bring you the full PoPular Mechanics magazine archives online You can now browse through 100-plus years of full text issues at popularmechanics com/archives See our coverage of Detroit and get a sneak... enough for fast-paced fragging (three graphics cards ensure rapid-fire rendering) The secret: a creative mixture of desktop and high-powered laptop-size components — SETH PORGES PhotograPh by kyoko hamada POPUL ARMECHANICS.COM The side of the case swings open for easy access to upgradable components | MARCH 2009 23 u P g r a d e P M wish list Test Drive in-ear heaDphone aDapTors card-carrying player... Laboratory’s energy– water research initiative Water-cooled power plants withdraw up to 50,000 gal for each megawatt-hour produced Air-cooled power plants are far more water-efficient, using only around 600 gal per megawatt-hour Gear + Tools + Toys Liquid cooling replaces noisy fans A laptop-like external power supply saves space and prevents overheating game-Frame Computer gamers who want turbocharged machines... customizable ultraskinny 4.7-in.-thick fuel tank sits interior too under the floor to save room And the tiny climate control unit uses a thinner fan to reduce noise This allows the dashboard to be asymmetric, which in turn yields more interior space Glove box? Who needs it? The Euro- and Japan-only iQ has an optional canvas bag that pops onto the dash The 91-hp 1.0-liter three-cylinder is tipped forward,... Harley-Davidson XR 1200 | Honda Insight | Mustang GT | Mazda3 n e w c a r s + Baby Benz test drives P M n e w c a r s 2 0 0 9 Mercedes-Benz A 170 In Europe, the A-Class is the tiniest Mercedes-Benz you can get To see what we’re missing, we drove a new A 170 more than 1000 miles throughout Germany, traveling from Frankfurt to Munich, Ingolstadt and Stuttgart—and back Ours paired the 116-hp 1.7-liter four-cylinder... personal heel-toe downshift butler Nissan 370Z | Lexus RX350/450h | Toyota iQ | Mercedes-Benz A 170 | Porsche Cayman | Pontiac G8 GXP | Harley-Davidson XR 1200 | Honda Insight | Mustang GT | Mazda3 POPUL ARMECHANICS.COM | MARCH 2009 31 + PM TEST DRIVEN P M 2 01 0 Lexus RX350/450h Haptic Hybrid The multimedia interface system in the new Lexus RX is intuitive and cunningly equipped with a computermouse-like... through videos, diagrams and step-by-step builds; or ask PM experts to give advice for the project you are working on right now And while you are exchanging tips and ideas at myBuild, take the time to submit your DIY magnum opus to our 2009 DIY Rally, which exhibits the best projects that PM DIYers have to offer To sign up for myBuild or the 2009 DIY Rally, go to popularmechanics.com/mybuild Swap stories,... diminutive size means the 1973-pound iQ feels quicker than it is Even the so-hip-it-hurts fashionistas gave the iQ a double take through their sunglasses On the autostrada, the iQ showed that it’s stable, refined and comfortable even at 90 mph But it’s the 54.7 mpg that’s the real payoff — andreW engliSh POPUL ARMECHANICS.COM Nissan 370Z | Lexus RX350/450h | Toyota iQ | Mercedes-Benz A 170 | Porsche Cayman... York auto show along with exclusive test drives, analysis, trends and the latest automotive coverage Get it first at popularmechanics com/automotive Log on to popularmechanics.com every day for new stories and magazine-feature extras! goods news + trends + breakthroughs Cosmic Pointand-Shoot The worl d ’ S l a r geS T d igiTa l Ca mera i S C ur r en T ly aT wo r k moni Tori n g T h e u n iv er S e f... control keeps her tracking straight, and the brilliant seven-speed PDK encourages running flat out—at least until good judgment and the fear of arrest by the Guardia Civil make discretion overtake valor This sure beats the office — mike allen 34 MARCH 2009 | POPUL ARMECHANICS.COM 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP OLD-SCHOOL MUSCLE Pontiac stuffed the 6.2-liter LS3 Corvette motor into the G8 to create the $39,995 . inquiries, log on to service.popularmechanics.com, or write to Customer Service Department, Popular Mechanics, P.O. Box 7186, Red Oak, IA 51591. Subscribe Go to subscribe.popularmechanics.com or call. Executive Officer Geore R. Hearst, Jr. Chairman how t o reach us E-Mail popularmechanics@hearst.com. Mail Popular Mechanics, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019-5899. Fax 646-280-1081. Please. Jerry Beilinson Managing Editor Ta ra Cox s ubscriptiO ns subscribe.popularmechanics.com EDITORIAL BOARD OF ADVISERS POPULAR MECHANICS is gr ateful to these scientists, innovators and leaders,