America's Best Top 10 of Detroit's

The signs are everywhere: American automakers are on the mend. Free of any bailout stigma, Ford is leading the pack, with compelling cars and trucks delivering massive profits. One step behind, General Motors has emerged from bankruptcy as a leaner, nimbler company, with several new models that are scoring well with critics and consumers. And Chrysler has allied with Italy's Fiat to revamp its aging car lineup. Whether Ford can sustain its momentum, and whether GM and Chrysler can thrive again, remains to be seen. What is clear is that Detroit's Big Three are raising their game. These 10 models are proof.

Buick Regal Turbo

With impressive models such as the Enclave crossover and LaCrosse sedan, Buick is suddenly back on the consumer radar. Its sales are up nearly 60 percent in 2010, more than any other brand in the industry. The jewel in its crown is the new Regal. It glows at the curb, with a modern sophistication that's often lacking in Motown sedans. The good vibes continue with a handsome interior that's reminiscent of German luxury cars. And the 220-horsepower turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine delivers the power and smoothness you expect from a premium sedan.

Cadillac CTS

The sedan that kicked off a renaissance at Cadillac adds a coupe for 2011, a sharp-edged rogue that looks one part show car, one part stealth fighter. The CTS is a red, white and blue reply to anyone who says America can't build a sporty luxury car to compete against Europe or Japan. The cabin is Lexus-quiet, smartly finished and loaded with intuitive technology. Its 3.6-liter 304-horsepower V6 engine is mated to a suspension that expertly balances long-distance comfort and sporty control. The CTS sedan also offers the space of a midsize luxury car at the price of compacts such as the BMW 3-Series.

Chevrolet Corvette

No list of America's best cars would be complete without the iconic Corvette. That's not just nostalgia talking: The Corvette continues to up its game, achieving modern feats of performance that leave many exotic foreign sports cars — and their owners — quaking in their boots. For less than $50,000 to start, the Corvette brings a 430-horsepower V8 engine and a fat roster of performance technology. The Corvette's surprising cargo space and fuel economy, at up to 16 mpg city/26 mpg highway for the base model, is just the icing on its speedy cake.

Chrysler 300

Those who dismiss any chance of a Chrysler comeback shouldn't forget cars like the 300. The 300 sedan blew people away when it arrived in 2005, reminding them that Chrysler can score big when it decides to swing for the fences. With Mercedes E-Class components covered by a bold, all-American shell, the 300 became a smooth-driving hit with both urban and suburban buyers. The 300 then spawned Hemi-powered offshoots, including the Dodge Charger and Challenger. An all-new 300 will reach showrooms next year, with a more elegant shape, a higher-class interior and Chrysler's solid new Pentastar V6 engine as the base powerplant.

Dodge Ram

Full-size pickup trucks are the one automotive segment still owned by Detroit. And while Ford's F-150 remains the nation's best-selling vehicle, the Dodge Ram is our current champ. Behind its macho truck-stop grille, the Dodge offers a choice of three engines, including a 5.7-liter 390-horsepower Hemi that outmuscles anything in the half-ton class. The Ram's unique coil-spring rear suspension delivers a less jarring ride than Ford or Chevy, and at no expense to hauling or towing ability. The Ram is also plush and roomy, stuffed with clever storage solutions, including lockable, waterproof boxes in the bed.

Ford Fusion

Who says America can't build a hybrid? The gas-electric version of Ford's popular midsize sedan whips the Toyota Camry Hybrid in looks, handling and fuel economy — 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway versus the Camry's 31/35. The standard Fusion is one of the market's slickest-driving family sedans, with a 175-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or with a 240-horsepower V6. A Fusion Sport AWD provides winter security, though its all-wheel drive and 263-horsepower V6 trim fuel economy to just 17/24.

Ford Fiesta

Small cars have been a notorious blind spot for Detroit. Now, with cars such as the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Cruze, that's changing. Straight out of Europe, the Fiesta hatchback is the kind of small car you buy because you want it, not because you can't afford anything else. The Ford is cute as all get out, and surprisingly fun to drive, despite a modest 118 horsepower from its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. The Fiesta also returns 40 mpg highway, thanks in part to its dual-clutch automatic transmission, a technology typically found in 6-figure sports cars. Its biggest knock: The Fiesta isn't very roomy inside.

Ford Mustang

Loyalty rules in the pony-car war among the Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger. But the rare person who tests all three may have to admit: The Mustang is the sharpest-handling and the most fun to drive. The Ford was already updated for 2010 with fresh styling, suspension, brakes and a higher-quality interior. It's a pair of terrific new engines, though, that puts the 'Stang over the top for 2011. Even budget buyers get a 3.7-liter V6 engine that combines a burly 305 horsepower with a stingy 31 mpg highway.

GMC Acadia

Can't see yourself in a minivan? Check out the Acadia — or its siblings, the Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse. With smooth styling, three roomy rows of seats and trusty handling, the Acadia is one of the best large crossovers for Americans with growing families. The GMC accommodates seven or eight passengers, including the ability to comfortably fit 6-foot-tall adults in the third row. The Acadia is roomier than, say, a Honda Pilot, and beats it in the fuel-economy department, at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway for the front-drive version.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep has seen sales slip away as Americans fled SUVs for crossovers. Now, an all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee looks to lure them back, and it's a dandy. The Grand Cherokee looks terrific, restoring the clean, muscular lines of classic Jeeps but adding newfound elegance. A lavishly redesigned cabin offers proof that Jeep is finally getting serious about interior design. The Jeep is based on the solid Mercedes M-Class, with an independent rear suspension that does wonders for ride and handling. The new Pentastar V6 engine delivers 290 horsepower, with an optional 360 horses from a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi.

11 Fastest Things in The World

Athletes and cars aren't the only ones with a need for speed. Animals, astrophysicists and riders of roller coasters also pursue jaw-dropping velocities. Here are some of the fastest things in the world.

Fastest roller coaster

Hydraulic motors propel riders of this roller coaster from zero to top speed in mere seconds.

Speed: Positively face-peeling. And the ride's hill is double-digit stories high.

Where: Ride it at a U.S. amusement park.

Price: Built in 2005 at a multimillion-dollar price.

See: Riders' amateur videos.

Compare: The fast roller coaster could travel from Chicago to this U.S. city in just 60 minutes.

Fastest animal

Yes, it's a cat. Yes, one is the mascot of a crispy cheesy snack.

Speed: Scientists have clocked an adult female Acinonyx jubatus at this velocity.

Where: Sub-Saharan Africa and central Eurasia, as seen on its territory map.

See: Here's video, plus the National Zoo's live webcam.

Compare: Almost half as slow, a North American animal is faster over long distance.

Fastest airplane

This record has held since 1967. We're talking with a human pilot, not unmanned.

Speed: The North American X-15 hit Mach 6.72, which is this in miles per hour.

Where: Over Murdock Dry Lake, Calif., though the plane didn't take off there. Why?

See: Watch videos of the X-15; visit one at this museum.

Compare: If commercial flights were this fast, L.A. to New York City would take 32 minutes.

Fastest home Internet service

Have typical broadband? Now, imagine this many times quicker.

Speed: Whoa. Yes, gigabytes. With a "g."

Where: Palo Alto? Redmond? Sorry. It's this Southern city.

Price: Ultra-expensive monthly fee.

See: Your current connection speed.

Compare: In five minutes, says the mayor, you download this institution's contents.

Fastest lava flow

Molten rock traveled record speeds in 1977 from the Nyiragongo volcano.

Speed: Oozed almost 40 mph. Typically, lava ... flows ... slowly.

Where: In a country that rhymes with "Nyiragongo."

Price: The eruption cost 2,000 lives.

See: Recent activity. Nyiragongo remains active.

Compare: Could one of the world's fastest men have outrun it? Nope

Fastest lawn mower

U.K.'s Don Wales snagged the title this spring. Was he actually cutting grass?

Speed: The mower hit this top speed, enough for a ticket in every U.S. state.

Where: Achieved in Britain at a famous site for speed records.

See: Video of the mower in action.

Compare: Wales could mow a soccer field this quickly.

Fastest wind

Sorry, New Hampshire. Mount Washington's 1934 record has been beaten.

Speed: During this weather event, sensors measured a 253-mph gust.

Where: Barrow Island, Australia. The landscape is dotted with insect creations.

See: Gust-free video of the island's offbeat animals.

Compare: Hurricane Katrina's landfall speed was about half as fast.

Fastest talker

In 1995,Sean Shannon rapidly recited a famous soliloquy.

Speed: He said the whole thing in 23.8 seconds, or this many words per minute.

Where: The performance was in a Scottish city; Shannon hails from another land.

See: The fastest talker in action.

Compare: Watch Laurence Olivier or Mel Gibson recite the same speech.

Fastest caterpillar

Zippy critter Pleuroptya ruralis, who turns into this rather drab moth (pic).

Speed: 15 inches per second, or this many miles per hour

Where: Across Europe, usually on the plant it eats

See: Photos of the speedy critters; videos of other fast caterpillars

Compare: Adjusted for size, its equivalent speed is faster than a cheetah.

Fastest manmade object

The ultimate prize goes to 1976's Helios 2 deep-space probe.

Speed: The craft reached 153,800 mph. Where was it going in such a hurry?

Where: Launched from Florida, Helios 2 was fastest 28 million miles from the sun.

Price: NASA split the bill with this country's space program.

See: Photos of Helios 2

Compare: The space shuttle (next launch?) orbits Earth about nine times more slowly.

Funny Noseless Celebrities

Photoshop Contest Turns Famous Faces Into Reptiles

Who would have thought the removal of a nose and eyebrows could have such a freaky effect on someone’s appearance? Does that sound strange? Let me explain.

Amazing Thread Art

The French artist Sébastien Preschoux has woven a stunning series of thread installation art works that fuse a few of TheCoolist’s favorite things– creativity, geometry and night photography. His series of “Nocturnes” as he calls them showcase precise patterns of thread work stretched across sections of silent forest. With a camera and some well placed lighting, Preschoux captures his string sculptures to share with the world. These images are not the result of superimposed images in photoshop, but carefully placed and stretched lengths of thread that yield visually brilliant works of art.

Amazing Game Fan Costumes

 

Costumes Reign At Gaming Convention

Fans of World of Warcraft and other top games spare no expense in celebrating their favorite characters Another year, another BlizzCon. Blizzard Entertainment's annual convention isn't just a platform for the latest news about upcoming titles like World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Diablo III. It's also a chance for diehard devotees to show off painstakingly-crafted costumes and let their fan flags fly. Without further ado, we present some of the most eye-catching outfits to grace the festivities this year.

A fine example of a Terran Ghost from StarCraft 2

Sarah Louise Kerrigan, in both her Terran and human/Zerg hybrid forms (StarCraft)

The final five contestants in the costume contest. From left to right: Brenna Bozanic as Ysera, Christina Estrada as female monk from Diablo III, Keikei Flores as Jaina Proudmoore, Elizabeth Cornstock as the female Witch Doctor, and Armando Farfen Jr. as Illidan Stormrage. Christina Estrada was awarded first place.

An amazingly detailed, but almost impossible-to-walk-in cosplay of Illidan Stormrage from World of Warcraft.

Protoss Executor Selendis from StarCraft II.