I like hybrid cars, but i don’t like the battery technology they are chained too. Volkswagon has never bought their Polo model to the US and I think they should. It has phenomenal fuel efficiency. How good is it?

Introduced last year, the Polo BlueMotion is a mileage champ — thanks to a combination of light weight (2,389 pounds); improved aerodynamics; a 79-horsepower three-cylinder turbodiesel engine with direct fuel injection; very tall gears in the 5-speed manual transmission; and low rolling-resistance tires. In the European driving cycle, it achieves 48 miles per gallon in the city and, get this, 74 m.p.g. on the highway (and 61 m.p.g. combined). A further benefit is a 13 percent drop in carbon dioxide output compared with the standard Polo.

READ THE ARTICLE @ THE NYTIMES

You may not know who Jason Calacanis is, but if you have a blog or write professionally he’s kind of a big deal. Jason was one of the early internet tech writers way back in the 90’s with his Silicon Alley Reporter magazine and then started one the two mammoth blogging empires with Weblogs Inc.

Anyways, he has a great article on getting buzz/pr for your startup over on Silicon Alley Insider and its the kind of valuable info most people wouldn’t share.

3. Always pick up the check–always.
At the industry events I mention above I always set a goal of creating deep relationships with a small number of folks as opposed to running around trying to trade cards with as many folks as possible. You can trade cards on LinkedIn, but you can’t break bread there. In the real world break bread, don’t trade contact information.

READ THE ARTICLE @ SILICON ALLEY INSIDER

Looks like Palm is taking some baby steps in the right direction, I hope this is the first of many devices in a rejuvenated company.

SEE THE TREO PRO @PALM.COM

I recently had the opportunity to share a few words with my homegirl Elle over at Lets Just Eat Cheese about life in the Big City.

READ THE INTERVIEW AT LETS JUST EAT CHEESE

Pininfarina presents the Hyperion, a one-off custom-built car derived from the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe which made its world debut at the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach, America’s most important competition for historical classic and one-off cars and a prestigious annual event.

The car is named after Hyperion, one of the Titans of Greek mythology, to underline its architectural and figurative power.

VIEW THE HYPERION @ LET HISTORY LIVE

So you have friends in high places, and they’ve offered to bring you along. Follow these rules if you want to be invited back.

• Ask in advance how much luggage you may bring.

• Don’t take your seat until after the owners find theirs.

• Never tip the staff. That’s entirely up to the owner.

• Nix bringing your own meal. But offering to feed everyone – preferably by air caterer – is a nice gesture.

• Skip the red wine. You don’t want your hosts to remember you every time they see the stain on the carpet.

• Arrange for transportation when you land. Asking for a lift is an inconvenience.

• Show your thanks. One owner gives a gift equal to a first-class commercial ticket when she flies with other owners. You may not need to go so far, but don’t skimp either. – Diane Tegmeyer

VIA MONEY.CNN.COM

I got this in my inbox over weekend, Ralph Lauren has launched a cellphone optimized version of its online store. Ralph Lauren will be placing special barcodes in magazine ads, in store displays and other locations. In order for the bar codes to be understood, a user must download special software that can read the codes via the camera in your phone.

This kind of technology is big in Japan and could take off here in the US given time and the proper execuation by technology companies and the cellphone carriers.

M.RALPHLAUREN.COM