Lithium-ion batteries are now more common in laptops and other gadgets, although all the world's major automakers are working on applying the batteries for their cars. To start the mass-production of lithium-ion batteries, Nissan's joint venture with electronics maker NEC Corp. will invest 12 billion yen, or $115 million, a technology widely viewed as key for next-generation "green" cars. Nissan officials says, that the new batteries will be more powerful than - and half the size of - nickel-metal hydride batteries that are now commonly used in ecological cars today. Nissan firmly believes the ultimate solution for sustainable mobility lies in zero-emission vehicles.

The so called Automotive Energy Supply Corp., Nissan's joint venture in planning to make advanced lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, hybrids and fuel cells - all important technology to reduce pollution as well as gases linked to global warming. Set be running by 2009, a plant for the batteries that will have annual production capacity of 65,000, and starting capacity of 13,000, Nissan said. The investment will cover three years. The electric vehicles for the U.S. and Japanese market will follow in 2010 but the first commercial products with the new batteries are Nissan forklifts in 2009. The Tokyo-based Nissan has been sometimes criticized as falling behind Japanese rivals such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in ecological technology.

Nissan has said it will introduce its own hybrid in 2010, besides the electric vehicles planned for the U.S. and Japan. By 2012, Nissan plans to mass-market electric vehicles to consumers globally. It is also planning to make available on a wide scale zero-emission electric vehicles in Israel and Denmark in 2011.

The HP2 is the latest bike to carry on the bigheaded BMW tradition of flat-twin engines. In this trim the motor makes 113 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, more than enough to power the 437 pound bike to stellar performance.

Heidfeld seemed quite taken with the motorcycle saying, “I really want to subject this bike to more intensive testing.” Just keep it away from the walls Nick.

Nick Heidfeld set up the time to take a closer look at the extra special high-performance two-wheeler. The exclusive BMW HP2 Megamoto is an uncompromising, lightweight motorcycle, with a design that is reduced to the absolute essentials, and which is capable of producing the greatest motorcycling enjoyment on the road.

Heidfeld: ‘For me, the Megamoto is a fascinating bike. A fantastic motorcycle. Its light weight and low centre of gravity promise top level handling. And it even manages to look special at the same time. As soon as I get the chance, I really want to subject this bike to more intensive

The flat-twin engine guarantees high-class riding enjoyment, with 113 hp / 83 kW at 7,500 rpm coupled with the low weight of 199kg - on the road. The ergonomic seat posture, oriented towards the front wheel, the seat height of 890mm and optional ABS make this extroverted racing boxer suitable for use in everyday riding situations. The upside-down forks are responsible for the precise and sturdy front-wheel suspension, while the adjustable Öhlins strut at the rear provides a spring distance of 180mm for a full-on road riding position.

The purist design coupled with elegant details such as the tank and lamp paneling made of the motorsport material, carbon, as well as the twin Akrapovic exhaust system, underline the exclusive sporting spirit of this BMW motorcycle.

Two of Ducati’s riders, Bayliss and Fabrizio, conquered the race tracks in Qatar last week with impressive numbers! It was as clear as fog lights that the two riders are all set in the upcoming Superbike championship which will start on February 23, 2008. Ducati.com reported that although it was a scorching final test in Qatar’s blazing racetracks, Bayliss and Fabrizio managed to sustain their focus in the final run.

“I’m pretty happy with how things have gone here. On Tuesday we sorted out a few 'gremlins' so to speak. We had a brand new bike here and it always takes a bit of time to run in so we hope that we have solved those problems before next week’s race. We’ve tried different things today with regard to set-up and I managed to complete 55 laps. Lap times were good and we were able to do a long-run after lunch too which went well. I’m also pretty positive about my condition, as although yesterday I wasn’t feeling so comfortable with the bikes settings, I felt much better today after we changed a few things and I think I can say I’m pretty much back to normal. I’m happy I still have another week to get even fitter before next week,” says Troy Bayliss.

“It went well here this week. Yesterday we had a few technical problems but today it all went much better and I’m happy with the progress we made. Today I managed to do 10 laps, each in under 2 minutes, and a total of 71 laps. I’d said that we’re ready for the race next week and I can’t wait for the championship to begin!” Michel Fabrizio commented.

Times clocked in:

• Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m58.8s
• Corser (Yamaha) 1m59.0s
• Haga (Yamaha) 1m59.6s
• Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1m59.6s

A motorcycle smashing cars?! C’mon, you must be kidding. How is it possible for a motorcycle to do that? A tiny motorcycle is nothing compared to huge cars!

True, a tiny motorcycle has no edge. But what if it’s not tiny? I mean BIG motorcycle. Not convinced yet? Well, just let the Monster Motorbike do the talking (I guess by now you know why it is aptly called as such).

If you’re driving a car, and you won’t give way to the motorcycle - might as well pray for your life amigo. The ferocious bike will crash you and your stubborn car instead.

According to reports, Monster Motorbike is pulling crowds in Perth, Australia with its car-smashing feats. The bike powered by a truck engine is heading east for the Melbourne Motor Show set to start February 29 and could be turning north to Queensland.

Monster Motorbike, the masterpiece of stunt driver Ray Baumann, weighs 13.6 tonnes, stands 3 meters high and about 9 meters long. "This is just its first season out after spending three years on it," he said. "We are getting it running right and then we will take it on the road and would love to come up to Queensland."

According to News.com, Monster Motorbike has a Detroit Diesel engine anda  6-speed Allison automatic from a prime mover, and uses a 2-speed Eaton differential from a road train to drive a massive chain on each side of the rear wheel. Additionally, the wheels and tyres come from a Caterpillar 80 tonne front end loader and are well-matched to crushing cars.

Baumann used to drive road trains, then turned to setting records for jumping vehicles over all sorts of other vehicles. "We did stunt driving for quite a few years, broke a few records and broke my back a few times, so this is a way of taking a bit more care," he said. "When we designed it we kept the weight down low, so it isn't easy to roll over. However, it can roll if we ran over a car the wrong way, so we still have to be very careful. It's well and truly dangerous, just not as dangerous as the car jumps. Nine to five really isn't my cup of tea."

After watching the motorbike smash cars would you still want to acquire the Daewoo Nubira for bait?