December 1, 2011 6:00 AM ET

From the Wreckage, Flying Jimmy Elvis Emerges, Victorious

At the Crash-A-Rama in Orlando, Fla., a stuntman earns instant credibility by crashing a momentarily airborne Lincoln Town Car limousine.

November 30, 2011 4:36 PM ET

Predicting a Red-Light Runner? M.I.T. Has an Algorithm for That

The algorithm, designed to predict the likelihood of a car running a red light, had an 85-percent accuracy rate in field tests.

November 30, 2011 3:42 PM ET

Tokyo Auto Show: Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept

The hybrid concept represents the styling direction of the German automaker's future crossover models, its designer said.

From the Automobiles Section

Behind the Wheel | 2012 Buick Lacrosse With Eassist

Smugness Comes Standard

By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN

General Motors

BATTERIES INCLUDED The 4-cylinder LaCrosse now includes a small electric motor that gives a mileage-lifting assist to the gasoline engine.

The 2012 edition of the 4-cylinder Buick LaCrosse with eAssist uses a small electric motor to help this entry-level luxury sedan achieve 25 m.p.g. in the city and 36 m.p.g. on the highway.

‘Tintin’ Film Casts Cars Among Star Performers

By FRED BIERMAN

“The Adventures of Tintin” is about to be released, and like the book that the film is based on, it takes automobiles seriously. The artist behind “Tintin” was an avid driver, and there are about 150 clearly identifiable cars in the books.

Slide Show: More Than Just Scenery

Involuntary Layoffs, Even for Cars

By SAM SMITH

The turn of the automotive model year usually brings a host of discontinued cars, and some 17 models, including the Ford Ranger, Honda Element and Mazda RX-8, have gotten the ax.

Slide Show: Models Take a Final Bow

Motoring

Exorcising the Phantom Wipes

By SCOTT STURGIS

Oil-gulping Audis and Scions with failed ignition coils are among the mechanical ailments covered in the latest technical service bulletins.

PAPER TIGER The Fiat 500 by Gucci window display at Saks in Manhattan.

On Fiat’s Wish List: More Buyers for 500

By NICK KURCZEWSKI

Fiat has sold about 16,000 500 models, significantly behind the company’s 50,000-unit full-year goal. One reason for the lower numbers is a dealer network that has been slow to come together.

Congressman Presses California on Fuel-Economy Standards

By JIM MOTAVALLI

Darrell Issa, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is investigating a California agency he suspects of wielding unlawful influence over federal fuel-economy standards.

Initially, Zipvan will be offered only in the Bay Area.

Zipcar Plants a Tire, Tentatively, in U-Haul Territory

By JOSIE GARTHWAITE

To compete with moving-day mainstays like U-Haul and Budget, Zipcar began a small cargo-van fleet in the Bay Area that may expand to other urban centers next year.