tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39044500936494272932024-03-06T12:02:19.949-08:00Auto PartsFullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-38320686111055092442019-03-18T23:24:00.002-07:002019-03-18T23:28:57.507-07:00Junkyard Gem: 1991 Toyota Corolla DX Wagon art car<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/753/409/5/S7534095/slug/l/junked-1991-toyota-corolla-station-wagon-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://s.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/753/409/5/S7534095/slug/l/junked-1991-toyota-corolla-station-wagon-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By Murilee Martin<br />
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Many of my Junkyard Gems come from wrecking yards in the San Francisco Bay Area, which offers the wrecking-yard aficionado plenty of well-stocked yards with rapid turnover of inventory (as much scrap metal must be shipped out of the Port of Oakland every day). Because that region is such a hotbed of creative types, including most Burning Man participants, I see plenty of retired art cars in Bay Area wrecking yards. Here's an elaborately painted 1991 Toyota Corolla DX wagon, spotted in a Silicon Valley car graveyard.<br />
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<a href="https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?resize=2000%2C2000%2Cshrink&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2019-03%2F273e8890-3d6d-11e9-9bff-ebe59581140f&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=0a5ba5a3d4f2e07650713f726b2fcdef728ca9eb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?resize=2000%2C2000%2Cshrink&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2019-03%2F273e8890-3d6d-11e9-9bff-ebe59581140f&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=0a5ba5a3d4f2e07650713f726b2fcdef728ca9eb" width="320" /></a></div>
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Granted, the Flying Colors Corolla doesn't show the level of commitment to art-car madness that we've seen in some other junked mobile sculptures over the years; the owner probably wanted to keep one foot somewhat planted in, or at least touching, the square world. <a href="https://www.autoblog.com/2019/03/18/toyota-corolla-dx-wagon-art-car-junkyard/" rel="nofollow">Read More</a>Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-36977588815974087802018-11-14T16:15:00.000-08:002018-12-12T04:30:37.807-08:00Consider in planning a tripNow spring is almost here and this motivates us to use the vehicle more often. Either you prefer to visit good friends or you would like to go on a trip or a rather long vacation with your family. Whatever you and your family would prefer, first of all, you should make sure that your car is in a perfect condition to prevent an accident - because you should always put safety first.<br />
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If you dislike to go to the gas station because of the fact that you will have to be without your beloved car for a few days or because of the fact that this will end in expensive invoices, you should think about an alternative: just do it on your own.<br />
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All you need for this is basic knowledge, special skills, a huge range of the ideal components for your car and - in some cases - competent support. You will find all of it at the reliable webstore of <a href="https://www.euspares.co.uk/parts-catalog/air-filter-10360">euspares.co.uk</a>.<br />
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Here you will be able to select the carmaker of your vehicle, the model and the type. Now you will be presented a huge assortment of qualitative components that will perfectly fit to your car. It does not matter what you are looking for: qualitative components of the brake system, the suspension, various filters, parts of the engine, glow ignitions, <a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homogene_Kompressionsz%C3%BCndung">spark ignitions</a>, body parts, lights, electrics, window cleaning systems or even air conditioning systems and many more. You will find all of it here: components made by reliable brands that you can buy at affordable prices. If you still have any other issues, you can feel free to contact the friendly specialists of our customer service. Just have a try and do it on your own! You will love it!Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-4167594804626124782018-04-26T18:27:00.001-07:002018-04-26T18:27:41.493-07:00New '69-70 Ford Mustang Boss 302, Boss 429 and Mach 1 available soon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/730/963/8/S7309638/slug/l/69mustang-boss302-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://s.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/730/963/8/S7309638/slug/l/69mustang-boss302-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Author: Reese Counts<br />
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For the past few years, Oklahoma-based Classic Recreations has been building some pretty sweet Shelby Mustangs using modern running gear and chassis packed underneath classic bodywork. The company has something new on the horizon. Later this year, Classic Recreations will offer officially licensed 1969-1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, 1969-1970 Mustang Boss 429 and 1969-1970 Mustang Mach 1.<br />
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Read <a href="https://www.autoblog.com/2018/04/19/ford-mustang-boss-302-429-mach1-classic-recreations/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">more</a>...Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-53078477465693418432017-06-04T22:12:00.002-07:002017-06-04T22:12:47.191-07:00Dumbest car thief in Texas steals car, leaves ID behind LICENSE<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="395" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/1636891/sp/163689100/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/36216731/partner_id/1636891?iframeembed=true&playerId=media-preview_0_1_2kz50858&entry_id=1_2kz50858&flashvars[streamerType]=auto" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Author: Jason Marker<br />
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Everything's bigger in Texas. The trucks, the beers, the steaks, the countryside, even the friendly smiles of the Texans themselves are built on a larger scale. The legendary immensity of the Great State apparently even extends to the stupidity of its criminals, as shown by a guy in San Antonio who left his ID behind after stealing a car off a dealership lot.<br />
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According to KSAT, Carlos Gonzales was busy at work at Auto Boulevard in San Antonio on the afternoon of May 27 when he discovered that one of the cars on his lot had been stolen. Apparently, one of his salesmen had been showing a prospective customer a used Infiniti G37 when the salesman had to step away to deal with another customer. While the salesman was away, the customer climbed into the Infiniti and made off with it. Unfortunately for him, he left his ID behind at the dealership.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2017/06/02/dumbest-car-thief-in-texas-steals-car-leaves-id-behind/?hcid=ab-around-ab-tile-2" rel="nofollow">Read more</a>...<br />
<br />Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-32555104544877872362016-05-30T17:37:00.001-07:002016-05-30T17:37:15.331-07:00How America invented the road trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/348/204/7/S3482047/slug/l/landscape-with-road-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/348/204/7/S3482047/slug/l/landscape-with-road-1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were on a short road trip, just an hour hike from Detroit to Port Huron, MI, and my German friend Mathias was giddy. He turned on a country station and said this was how he always imagined America. He came for the techno and urban decay, but he what he wanted to see was the open road.<br /><br />Germany may have the Autobahn, but America grew up around the car. The large expanses of countryside carved up by highways and freeways are just as iconic as any skyline. The American love affair with road travel didn't spring up overnight. Whole industries, technological innovations and federal agencies had to come into being over time. Whether traveling across the country or a few hours from home, there's a lot to appreciate about the way road trips have shaped America.<br /> Chamberlain, South Dakota - A concrete teepee encloses benches at a rest area by the Missouri River on Interstate 90.<br />Rest Areas<br /><br />Brace yourself for the high drama of the history of the roadside rest stop. The 1956 Federal Aid Highway Act didn't just set up the freeway system, but also the network of rest stops that line freeways to this day. The feds considered rest areas important safety measure, giving tired drivers a break from hours of travel.<br /><br /><br />The act called for the rest areas that would be maintained and supervised with bathrooms and areas for picnics. What the act didn't specify is how creative designers could be with the rest stops. These rest stop might be the only contact travelers had with the local culture as they pass through. Many are tailored to the region they're in, such as large tee-pees in southwestern states. Almost all contain some basic information about the state and surrounding area. Some are considered excellent examples in mid-century design and have developed an unusual fan base.<br /> Road Maps<br />Road Maps<br /><br />Check out the crazy map above. That is a AAA atlas of transcontinental routes in 1918, before most roads outside of cites had even a number to label them. The first usable maps with labeled streets came out in the late 1800s, but were for bikers, pedestrians, and carriages in big cities. People traveled long distances by train. Roads outside of major population centers were usually country dirt roads. When Horatio Nelson Jackson completed the first cross-country road trip in 1903 it took him sixty-three days of traveling over rough terrain to go from San Francisco to New York.<br /><br />As cars became more common, lousy roads and maps became more of an issue. AAA was founded to deal with the map side of those problems. Along with Automobile Blue Book Publishing Company, AAA printed maps which highlighted "good" roads. These maps often included photos of routes to help drivers figure out where they were. The photos still posed a problem, as identifying roads by the surroundings would be useless if the landscape changed. AAA constantly sent out pathfinders to find what routes were safe for cars. Maps improved dramatically when standardization of route names and serious road improvement began in the 1920s.<br />6626<br /><br />Source: autoblog.com/photos/america-history-the-road-trip/#slide-3482047Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-84272357404567472242016-05-16T16:25:00.003-07:002016-05-16T16:25:40.601-07:00VW factory employees will receive bonuses after all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/midas/b4920c3e42f0b81b9f02da08cee9d098/203822590/163056511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/midas/b4920c3e42f0b81b9f02da08cee9d098/203822590/163056511.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Author: Antti Kautonen<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Earlier this spring, doubts were voiced whether Volkswagen AG would pay bonuses to its workers this year. Those fears were premature. The automaker announced it will pay the employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement a profit share of €3,950 or $4,470 for the fiscal year 2015.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">"Despite the difficult situation", said Dr. Karlheinz Blessing of VW's human resources department, "Volkswagen's employees produced a very good team performance and their strong commitment needs to be acknowledged." Reflecting Volkswagen's challenges, the bonuses are down slightly from last year as earlier the employees received $6,670. Of the $4,470 bonuses per worker, VW has already paid an advance portion of $1,750 in November 2015.</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> Earlier, the German state of Lower Saxony called for Volkswagen's executive bonuses to be reduced or cut, Reuters reported in April.</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">www.autoblog.com/2016/05/16/vw-factory-employees-will-receive-bonuses-after-all/ <----- br="" link="" press="" read="" release="" the="" this="" to="" visit=""></-----></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span> </span>Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-78362737021165290402016-04-14T17:52:00.004-07:002016-04-14T17:52:56.941-07:00Polaris RZR stunts look great, even when they go wrong<iframe width="718" height="404" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yb7YTEQG_nY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Auhtor: Chris Bruce
Every amazing stunt that we see on videos like the Gymkhana series requires hours of meticulous planning. Even then, things can go wrong. We rarely get to witness these failures, but UTVUnderground now takes us behind the scenes of its awesome XP1K3 clip to show us the accidents they witnessed while filming. The stunts may not all have been successful, but some of them lead to even more impressive footage than if things had gone right.
The video shows that the tuned Polaris RZR spent a lot of time rolling over to get the perfect shots. It's sturdy roll cage kept the driver safe, but at least one stunt could have gone terribly bad. The machine attempted to jump over derelict trains but came up just short of the landing ramp. The front end made it across, but the edge ripped off the rear wheels. It was a very close call, but the team eventually got the trick right.
These failed stunts are a lot of fun to watch, especially when set to the musical notes of Jesus Built My Hotrod. After watching this video, check out the actual XP1K3 clip below to see how this things look when everything goes just right.
<iframe width="716" height="403" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Kdk7PFlQXg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
source: www.autoblog.comFullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-86893370795993235462015-09-07T19:16:00.003-07:002015-09-07T19:16:50.487-07:00Mercedes' Tesla fighter will have 311-mile range<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/750x422/quality/95/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-e-cell-prototype-doors-open-2-1277159033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/750x422/quality/95/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-e-cell-prototype-doors-open-2-1277159033.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Author: Brandon Turkus<br /><br />Mercedes-Benz is preparing to take the fight to Tesla, and it'll do it using an EV with up to a 311-mile range, the company's research-and-design boss told German publication Auto Motor und Sport (Google Translate warning). Perhaps more impressive than just the range, though, will be the modular nature of the EV platform, which will allow Stuttgart to easily adapt it to multiple vehicles.<br /><br />"We are working on an intelligent concept for a highly attractive electric vehicle with a range of [228-311 miles]," Mercedes' Thomas Weber said in the interview with Auto Motor und Sport. Weber added that this vehicle is coming "soon," although that word can have multiple meanings in this industry.<br /><br />Mercedes is taking Tesla and the all-electric vehicle increasingly seriously, as Automotive News reports. But while it continues to invest heavily in EVs and hydrogen fuel cells – roughly half of Daimler's $6.4 billion research-and-design budget went into research on low-emissions tech last year – the company is most heavily committed to plug-in hybrids. As previously announced, Stuttgart will field ten new PHVs by 2017, including electrified variants of the C- and S-Class.<br /><br />source: autoblog.com/2015/09/05/mercedes-tesla-fighter-311-mile-range/<br />Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-38264821745612316732014-09-15T19:08:00.000-07:002014-09-15T19:08:00.283-07:00 Nissan not shuttering Leaf EV battery plants, at least not yet By <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/3000x1993+0+3/resize/628x417!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/midas/f2e88806787efafcd97c0b0443368a48/200757955/c19600c79df94fbb86e4d90ccad2bcd0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/3000x1993+0+3/resize/628x417!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/midas/f2e88806787efafcd97c0b0443368a48/200757955/c19600c79df94fbb86e4d90ccad2bcd0.jpeg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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By Sebastian Blanco<br />
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The big news on the electric vehicle front today is that Nissan is considering slowing down EV battery production in the US and UK and source all of Nissan's big packs come from Japan. Nissan may also buy some batteries from the Korean company LG Chem. This is apparently causing dissent within Nissan, but it follows what Alliance partner Renault is doing in the hunt for 180-mile EVs.<br />
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This change – officially denied by Nissan – raises a lot of questions here, since Nissan made a huge deal about building the Leaf pack in Tennessee a few years ago. In fact, the car's big price drop was due, in part, to localizing battery production. If the company is really going to give up on building the packs where it makes the cars, then does Nissan not see itself as being capable of producing an energy-dense battery cheap enough to compete with Tesla and its Gigafactory and GM (which, of course, has long worked with LG Chem on batteries)? Whatever Nissan decides, it needs to be ready to compete in a market that offers a $35,000, 200-mile car by 2017.<br />
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Nissan would not comment directly on the reported change, but Rachel Konrad, the Alliance's global director of communications and marketing told AutoblogGreen, "The Renault-Nissan Alliance remains 100 percent committed to its industry-leading EV program. This global commitment continues for the foreseeable future, and we have not taken any decision whatsoever to modify battery sourcing allocation. Nissan has no plans to impair its battery investments. Beyond that,we will not comment on speculation or anonymous sources, and as a matter of policy the Alliance does not confirm or deny procurement reviews."<br />
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source: green.autoblog.com/2014/09/15/nissan-not-shuttering-leaf-ev-battery-plantsFullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-47329551181224262242013-09-23T06:17:00.003-07:002013-09-23T06:23:42.728-07:00This incredible Mercedes V12 sculpture is built from bone, wood and fossils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/adam/b9ba1520073869d1d4a5118f1faeddc7/Eric_van_Hove-merecedes-engine-sculpture-000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/adam/b9ba1520073869d1d4a5118f1faeddc7/Eric_van_Hove-merecedes-engine-sculpture-000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By Lauren DeAngelis Puckett<br />
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We've seen some impressive automotive replicas, but this one definitely takes the prize as the most unique yet. Belgian artist Eric van Hove created this sculpture, titled V12 Laraki, of a Mercedes V12 engine using a whopping 53 materials, including wood, bone and fossils. The dizzying array of materials includes mother-of-pearl, sand stone and mahogany, just to name a few.<br />
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The artist received a 2011 Cda-Projects Grant to create the extremely detailed and true-to-life work, which "aims at de-constructing a Mercedes V12 engine down to every single component (around 200 of them) before duplicating each element bit by bit in over 50 different local materials with the help of 35 master craftsmen from various regions in Morocco." The grants website also notes that the project represents a commentary on "the economic and social dynamic between the European and African industry."<br />
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The work will next be on display at the Marrakesh Bienniale of contemporary art in February 2014 in Morocco. Check out the impressive photos in our gallery, and learn more by visiting the artist's website and Facebook page.<br />
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Source: www.autoblog.com/2013/09/21/this-incredible-mercedes-v12-sculpture-is-built-from-bone-wood/Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-16076339130842600192013-01-17T03:25:00.000-08:002013-12-13T22:53:41.244-08:001967 Toyota 2000GT Solar Electric Vehicle<div align="center">
<img height="272" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/1967-toyota-2000gt-solar-electric-car-628.jpg" width="521" /><br />
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By Sebastian Blanco<br />
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Q may have packed James Bond's cars with plenty of killer tech (get it?), but the 1967 Toyota 2000GT you see above has got it's own bad boy secrets. Well, if bad boys like zero-emission electric vehicles.</div>
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Weighing just 1,460 kilograms (3,218 pounds), this modified 2000GT is all-electric under the skin – and on the skin in some areas. A high-performance solar panel embedded into the hood and a transmission solar panel sits in place of the rear glass. These feed energy into to a 345-volt, 40-kWh lithium-ion battery which, in turn, powers a 120-kW electric motor. Together in the stylish 2000GT, this powertrain is good for a top speed of over 200 kilometers an hour (124 miles per hour).</div>
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The car is on display at the Detroit Auto Show this week, but we fist caught wind of it a year ago when a video popped up showing the work of Japan's Crazy Car Project. Since then, some powertrain components have been upgraded (it used to have a 35-kWh battery). You can see the original video of the car in action at http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/classic-toyota-2000gt-turned-into-solar-powered-ev/</div>
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Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-74226144553914720872012-02-01T03:43:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:54:30.091-08:00Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport<br />
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The Ford Mondeo range of cars offers the best in style, appearance and performance on the roads without compromising on quality or safety. These models are available in various specifications and styles to suit the requirements of all.<br />
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The Mondeo range starts with Edge which is priced at £17,795+, while the Zetec costs about £19,095. The Mondeo Titanium which offers better features than the Zetec is priced at about £20,695 while prices for the Titanium X and Titanium X Sport start at £22,695 and £26,845 respectively. Do remember that these are the buy it new prices and you can find a <a href="http://www.motors.co.uk/used/cars/ford/mondeo">second hand Ford Mondeo</a> for much cheaper from previous owners.<br />
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The Mondeo Titanium X Sport features Ford’s full kinetic design and innovative technology, ensuring an unbelievable driving experience. These cars are available in two body styles namely 5 door and Estate derivatives with a 2.0 163 PD TDCi, 2.2 200PS TDCi or 2.0 240PS EcoBoost engine.<br />
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Extra features included in Titanium X Sport are 19” Y-spoke Alloy wheels, twin straight pipes exhaust, Alcantara Leather seats with red stitching, sport suspension, Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS, body colour side skirts and rear spoiler, alloy pedals, leather steering wheel and gear shaft with red stitching, ‘Piano Black’ finish interior trim details and a body styling kit.<br />
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The Titanium X Sport is the epitome of modern sports style as is proved with its unique sports bodystyling. It is the best in the Mondeo range of cars offering almost all the features as standard and offering the best possible driving experience. While the model offers the best features possible, care has been taken to ensure that the driving and maintainence does not prove costly.<br />
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The Bi-Xenon headlights, a standard feature in the Titanium X Sport, are more than twice as powerful as conventional headlights, but use only two-thirds of the energy. The Mondeo Titanium X Sport is perfect for those interested in a sports style car which offers economy without compromising on features and style.<br />
<br />Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-2153965293334595542011-12-16T18:15:00.001-08:002011-12-16T18:15:19.378-08:00Corvette Z06 tops Motor Trend list of shortest-stopping vehicles<img height="266" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/corvette-z06-carbon.jpg" width="400" />
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<br />
By Jeremy Korzeniewski
<br />
<br />
Any modern performance car worth buying puts just as much emphasis on stopping as it does on going. After all, what's the point in being able to hit ludicrous speed if you can't manage to get it back down without heading fascia-first into an unmovable object?
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So, what's a good stopping distance? According to the crew at Motor Trend, 100 feet from 60 miles per hour is a pretty good starting point. And the best of the best do the deed in significantly less. How's about 93 feet, recorded by both the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition and the 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia.
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There's a smattering more Corvettes and Ferraris in the under-100-feet club, plus a couple Audis, Porsches and Vipers, along with a lone Lamborghini and the 2011 Nissan GT-R. If you're willing to allow non-DOT-approved tires, a prototype Lexus LFA managed to halt from 60 in 94 feet.
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Speaking of tires, it seems that the best stopping treads are the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, which are joined on the list by the Pirelli Pzero Corsas and a couple sets of Bridegstone Potenzas.
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We've got to hand it to the Corvette Z06 for topping the list, especially since it's one of the least expensive vehicles in the under-100 club.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-81028257024983686422011-09-15T03:39:00.000-07:002011-09-15T23:55:57.685-07:00Audi Urban Concept Sportback ready for wireless charging in the city<br />
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<center><img height="212" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/audi-urban-concept-sportback-frankfurt.jpg" width="320" /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><br />
<div>
By Sebastian Blanco<br />
<br />
Not as easily spotted as its Spyder relative, the Audi Urban Concept Sportback more closely matches the renderings we saw before the start of the Frankfurt Motor Show. That's not to say we were totally prepared for the quirkiness of either version, but at least the Sportback's carbon fiber reinforced plastic body was somewhat known to us.</div>
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Under the CFRP, the Sportback and Spyder share the same all-electric powertrain. That means two electric motors with a combined output of 15 kW (20 PS) of continuous power and 47 Nm (34.67 lb-ft) of torque as well as a li-ion battery that has 7.1 kWh of usable energy (total size unknown) and offers a range of 45 miles. Getting from zero to 62 mph (the concept's top speed) takes a gentle 16.9 seconds, which would be fine if Audi ever releases this vehicle for sale in its intended environment: the city.</div>
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Perhaps even more appropriate for a city getabout, the battery pack can recharge in just an hour from a standard (in Europe) 230-volt household current. If you have access to a 400-volt, three-phase current fast charger, that drops to approximately 20 minutes. Both concept vehicles are also ready with Audi Wireless Charging (AWC) technology, which uses contactless induction from a 3.6kW primary coil installed into a parking spot, say, to automatically start refilling the battery pack when you pull the car into place. Audi didn't say how long this wireless charging takes, just that it "is comparable to that of other charging technologies."</div>
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Get more details on Audi's new 1+1 seater in the press release after the jump and check out detailed pictures in the gallery above. </div>
Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-29929870307403279992011-07-25T04:35:00.000-07:002011-07-25T04:37:04.988-07:00Toyota safety tech can take steering control to avoid impact<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/toyota-emblem-630.jpg" width="447" height="219" /></div><br />By Zach Bowman<br /><br /><br />According to The Detroit News, Toyota is working on a new pre-crash system that will actually take control and steer the vehicle to minimize impact in the event of an unavoidable collision. The system combines super-sensitive radar with a camera array in the front fascia to detect possible impacts. On-board computers then calculate the correct levels of braking and steering required to avoid the crash, and if the driver fails to act, the automatic system takes over.<br /><br />Like most manufacturers, Toyota has the admirable goal of reducing injuries and fatalities in its products to zero, though The Detroit News reports that the automaker wouldn't comment on when we could expect to see the innovations on the road. The pre-crash steering is specifically designed to reduce the chance of a vehicle-pedestrian impact, and Toyota is also working on systems to accommodate drivers who have heart attacks while behind the wheel.<br /><br />It's true that vehicle fatalities have seen a steady decline over the past few years thanks to improved safety technology, but as cars get safer, drivers become even more detached from the task at hand. Economists call it a Jevons Paradox; drivers have effectively consumed the safety benefits supplied by car companies to become lazier and less safe than they would be without the tech. Maybe Toyota should find a way to force drivers to put down their phones, shut off their infotainment screens and simply drive. Just a thought.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-76222888941481009972011-06-20T22:17:00.000-07:002011-06-20T23:02:40.267-07:002012 BMW M5 configurator comes alive, threatens bank accounts everywhere<img style="width: 429px; height: 329px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/bmw-m5-configurator.jpg" /><br /><br />by Zach Bowman<br /><br /><br />John Milton had some pretty strong views on temptation. The famous poet and author of Paradise Lost wholeheartedly believed that one could not truly know one's goodness without facing genuine temptation on a regular basis. After all, how could you know whether you're straight-laced as a saint or crooked as the devil's own claws if you circumnavigated the world's vices? Fortunately for us, BMW has been so kind as to pull back the sheets on the company's 2012 M5 configurator. If ever there was a reason to fall into lust, this is it.<br /><br />Right now, you can only pick from a handful of exterior colors and a pair of wheel options, but the German automaker says that more choices will arrive soon. For the moment, you can spend a few sacred moments meditating on whether your menacing sedan would look better in Monte Carlo metallic or Alpine White and what sort of peril you'd have to endure in order to secure the funds necessary to buy this beast for yourself. Don't worry, your secret's safe with us.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-8157808889329475112011-06-08T06:26:00.000-07:002011-07-05T00:35:09.787-07:00I DRAW CARS book coming for budding car designers<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 440px; height: 308px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/pageimage-492856-2169996-idrawcars223.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br />by Jeff Glucker<br /><br /><br />Love cars? Surely, then, you spent many a classroom hour doodling them all over their book covers and binders. Sometimes they looked kinda cool, while other times you wish you had used pencil instead of pen. A new book is in the works that will help budding automotive designers hone their skill, and the octavo will serve as both a sketchbook and a reference guide. It's called I DRAW CARS, and you can help bring it to life.<br /><br />The team behind the book is currently asking for help on the Kickstarter.com website, and they've nearly hit their goal. There is still room to help out, and for some we'd think this would be money well spent.<br /><br />I DRAW CARS was created to inspire and guide those who are intrigued by automotive design. The guide portion of the book breaks down the various vehicle segments being produced, as well as the various angles and perspectives one might choose to pen a design. The templates utilize non-photo blue ink, which means you can scan your design into a computer and the template won't come through, leaving just your image behind.<br /><br />The project aims to put a great tool in the hands of those who dream to someday design the real thing. Check it out at the official website, and head over to Kickstarter if you feel like pitching in.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://gumtree.com.au/" style="line-height: 1.2em; text-decoration: underline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309849956_1" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; " >Gumtree.com.au</span></a> is Australia's favourite classifieds. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Here are some relevant links for used cars: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://adelaide.gumtree.com.au/f-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-cars-W0QQCatIdZ18320" style="line-height: 1.2em; text-decoration: underline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309849956_2" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; " >http://adelaide.gumtree.com.au/f-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-cars-W0QQCatIdZ18320</span></a> | <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://brisbane.gumtree.com.au/f-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-caravan-campervan-motor-home-W0QQCatIdZ18374" style="line-height: 1.2em; text-decoration: underline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1309849956_3" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; " >http://brisbane.gumtree.com.au/f-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-caravan-campervan-motor-home-W0QQCatIdZ18374</span></a></div></span></div>Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-75871060490733771372011-05-24T15:44:00.000-07:002013-06-21T03:58:08.722-07:00Insurers to use young driver behaviour to calculate premiumsThe ECJ’s ban on using gender as an assessment factor when calculating insurance policies may<br />
soon mean men have access to cheaper car insurance but for many young drivers in 2011, insurance premiums are simply too expensive or unavailable altogether. That could all be set to change, however, with the introduction of a ‘pay-how-you-drive’ initiative by the Co-Operative Insurance.<br />
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The Co-Op’s new insurance policy, aimed exclusively at the 17-25 age group, includes the installation of a Smartbox – like a black box recorder on an aeroplane – to record how the young driver handles the car on the road, sending information back to the insurance company so that they can then determine whether they need to reduce or increase the policy holder’s premium.<br />
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According to the Co-op, over three quarters of young drivers will be helped to achieve much lower premiums, averaging a saving of £328 per year, per person.<br />
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The policy will still be include a No Claims Discount with the policy, making it a particularly attractive one to those wishing to get a foot on the ladder of their car insurance career. Performance-based reviews will occur every three months to determine whether or not the young driver in question will receive a ‘safer driving discount’.<br />
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The Smartbox will send information using satellite technology back to the insurance company on factors like speed, acceleration and braking, cornering, and what time of the day or night the young driver is driving at. If the driver proves to be diligent, they stand to make an 11 per cent saving on their premium. Drive badly, and they could see an increase of as much as 15 per cent.<br />
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The Parliamentary Transport SelectCommittee investigation, a document commissioned by the<br />
government this year, outlined how the challenges faced by the insurance industry have been<br />
addressed, with investigators having made recommendations on how to tackle and get around<br />
issues such as the cost of insurance for young drivers.<br />
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According to a related article in moneysupermarket.com car insurance news, there are other things that young drivers can do decrease their car insurance premium, such as adding and older, more experienced driver as a named driver. It does, however, warn that young people and their parents must not, under any circumstances, add that driver as the main driver. This practice is known as ‘fronting’, is tantamount to fraud, and offenders will be prosecuted.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-12337001282828951622011-05-10T22:09:00.000-07:002011-05-10T22:13:30.151-07:00Ford's plan to make commutes more efficient, optimize EVs<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 436px; height: 355px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/fordgooglepredictiongraphicfinal-630op.jpg" /><br /></div><br />by Damon Lavrinc<br /><br />Android developers across the world have descended on San Francisco for this week's Google I/O conference, and Ford is getting in on the action with its announcement to utilize Google's new Prediction API to increase efficiency and decrease commute times.<br /><br />The Prediction API has a range of location-based uses, but Ford's plan involves tapping into your driving habits, gathering historical commute and errand data, and then optimize your route depending on traffic, weather and a host of other information.<br /><br />Cutting down commute times and increasing fuel efficiency are at the top of the list, but it's obvious Ford is primarily planning to use the tech for its future all-electric and plug-in hybrid-driving vehicles. By determining drive routes ahead of time, storing that information in the cloud and directing drivers to the most efficient roads, Ford can eliminate some of the range anxiety EV drivers have to contend with.<br /><br />Tomorrow, a group of Ford researchers will be showing off concept version of the system at Google I/O, complete with a prototype use case that involves the driver opting in for the service (Ford is adamant that personal information security is of the utmost importance) and then utilizing the Google Prediction service to determine the most efficient route. The vehicle would ask the driver, "Good morning. Are you going to work?" and if the driver responds, "Yes," the system will choose a route that's optimized for the powertrain. This could also include EV-only zones, something that's being experimented with throughout Europe.<br /><br />We'll have more on Ford's implementation of the Predictive API tomorrow...Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-88771727222171622042011-04-07T15:57:00.000-07:002011-04-07T16:04:11.248-07:00BMW Brilliance Automotive previews 5 Series plug-in hybrid prototype<img style="width: 428px; height: 295px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/bmw-5series-plugin-lead.jpg" /><br /><br />by Aaron Richardson<br /><br /><br />In the lead-in to the Shanghai Motor Show, BMW has teased an upcoming plug-in hybrid 5 Series that will be exclusive to the Chinese market. The prototype of this greener version of BMW's midsize sedan is based on the China-only long-wheelbase 5 Series platform.<br /><br />The car is part of a joint venture between BMW and Chinese automaker Brilliance. The car is the tip of an eco-friendly iceberg BMW has aimed squarely at China, a country with an increasing appetite for premium-segment cars and a serious need for green-focused, energy-efficient vehicles.<br /><br />Despite its size, BMW says the plug-in 5 Series will manage nearly 250 miles on a single charge and tank of gas, with up to 47 miles of those on electric power only, provided you don't creep past 37 miles per hour. Those numbers certainly aren't what you'd call impressive, but they're a step in the right direction and they'd likely be a major help in the thick traffic snarls that China's major cities are famous for. As for the U.S. market, a full plug-in 5 Series is unlikely, but BMW is understood to be planning to bring a traditional mild hybrid version of the car to our shores.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-46618775530680673612011-03-21T05:24:00.000-07:002011-03-21T05:33:32.812-07:00Hot Wheels holds 3D race on side of historic Aussie building<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 416px; height: 265px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/hot-wheels-commercial.jpg" /><br /></div><br />by Aaron Richardson<br /><br />Hot Wheels teamed up with an Amsterdam-based company called Muse Digital to create a 3D commercial that can be projected onto buildings. In this case, Hot Wheels had Muse make them a 3D, computer-generated race between four of its iconic models.<br /><br />The race was projected onto the side of the historic Sydney Customs House. So advanced are the projected 3D graphics that the building appears to get destroyed throughout the course of the race, as familiar orange track bursts through the walls and a number of other calamities ensue.<br /><br />The video itself is pretty campy, but the technology behind it is seriously cool.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6GcighIL9w0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-75880720388858955542011-03-01T06:39:00.000-08:002011-03-01T06:49:54.783-08:00Subaru's RWD Sports Car getting 2.0-liter non-turbo engine, confirmed for America<img style="width: 432px; height: 308px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/10-subaru-boxer-architecture-geneva-2011.jpg" /><br /><br />by Jeremy Korzeniewski<br /><br />Peanut butter and jelly. Beer and brats. Wine and cheese. Subaru and all-wheel drive. It's true – Subaru has done an enviable job convincing Americans that its automobiles are synomous with all-wheel drive, and the idea of a Subie that eschews four driven wheels for a powertrain sending its horsepower to the rear wheels only sounds like heresey to the diehard WRX driver.<br /><br />But it shouldn't... at least, that's what Subaru is now trying to convince the masses with its new rear-wheel-drive Boxer Sports Car Architecture. It's worth noting that the automaker has confirmed for the first time here at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show that the upcoming production version of this sports car is coming to America. If all goes to plan, production will commence in the spring of 2012 at a Subaru production plant in Japan.<br /><br />Will Subaru's American enthusiasts come to accept a rear-wheel-drive sports car from their beloved Japanese automaker? How about one that's being jointly developed with Toyota? That remains to be seen, but we'd guess the answer depends a lot on how well Subaru is able to tune the chassis to deliver proper sports car driving dynamics. To that end, Subaru (which is doing the hardcore chassis engineering on the joint Toyota/Subaru architecture) has done all it can to lower the car's center of gravity, using its tried-and-true boxer engine design that Subaru claims "is without a doubt the most suitable engine for the RWD Sports Car." There are some features to back up that claim, including all-aluminum construction and the lack of a balance shaft due to the engine's inherently smooth operation – both of which contribute to a minimal amount weight hanging off the front end of the car.<br /><br />Note that the engine in this engineering study displaces just 2.0 liters and is naturally aspirated. Clearly, this isn't going to be a car that relies on sheer power for performance. According to Subaru: "Instead it maximises the potential of this newly developed chassis to achieve the fundamental characteristics of a rear-wheel-drive sports car by delivering sporty performance as driver and vehicle work in unison, as well as providing agile response afforded by its short wheel base."<br /><br />It's interesting to note that the boxer engine sits lower and further back in the engine bay than other Subaru models due to the lack of a front differential or driveshafts. Such an arrangement centralizes weight and mass towards the center of the car, which aids handling and ought to help provide neutral dynamics and facilitate quick directional changes. Front struts work with a rear double-wishbone suspension arrangement, and just 101 inches (2,570 millimeters) seperates the front and rear wheels.<br /><br />It certainly seems that all the necessary ingredients for an entertaining sports car are present and accounted for. Naturally, we can hope for expressive styling to match, though Subaru isn't commenting on the exterior appearance at this time. In any case, you can color us intrigued by this new rear-wheel-drive coupe from Subaru, and we look forward to finding out first hand if it drives as well as the company promises.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-62902662493557308502011-02-12T20:28:00.000-08:002011-02-12T20:36:57.842-08:00Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 446px; height: 219px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/iggy-insurance.jpg" /><br /></div><br />by Jeff Glucker<br /><br />Unless you live in New Hampshire, here in the States, you're required to have some form of car insurance covering your vehicle. The annual cost to insure a car depends on an array of factors ranging from the type of vehicle to where you live to your driving record. You undoubtedly know what you pay for insurance on an annual or monthly basis, but do you know how much you will end up paying over the course of your driving life? According to Insurance.com, the average person will spend $84,388.<br /><br />What does 'average' mean in the context of this study? In this case, researchers assume that you first insure your own vehicle at 21 years old, get married at 27, insure two teenagers for a few years and then stop driving when you turn 75. That passage of time is filled with a variety of claims, including accidents and other incidents that get sent across your insurance agent's desk.<br /><br />Predictably, Insurance.com offers up a few suggestions for cutting your overall coverage expenses. Some are easier said than done (avoid traffic tickets) while others might actually be fun (defensive driving course). Check out the company's press release for the full details after the jump.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-53456966403857615552011-01-18T06:26:00.000-08:002011-01-18T06:29:06.778-08:00Torture-tested Ford EcoBoost V6 engine torn down at Detroit Auto Show<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 417px; height: 251px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ford-ecoboost-teardown.jpg" /><br /></div><br />by Jeremy Korzeniewski<br /><br />Exactly as promised, Ford sent a couple of technicians to the show floor at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in front of a live audience to disassemble the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that was torture-tested for the equivalent of a few hundred thousand miles of rigorous duty on the dyno and in the engine bay of various F-Series trucks.<br /><br />How'd it fair? Rather well, we'd say, and it managed to churn out 364 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque on the dyno after all the abuse it took. That matches up rather well with the factory ratings of 365 horses and 420 lb-ft.<br /><br />As you might expect, there was a good amount of carbon build-up on the piston crowns and the valves – think of how much dust was surely ingested over the course of 1,062 miles of the Baja 1000 race, which this engine took part in, finishing first overall in its class – along with a 13-percent loss on one cylinder during the leak-down test. All other initial measurements were well within factory tolerances, and Ford will continue testing each individual piece from this engine to ensure its durability.<br /><br />No doubt about it, this is an impressive showing for the EcoBoost engine.Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3904450093649427293.post-65853666206318677722011-01-03T04:05:00.000-08:002011-01-03T04:22:02.625-08:00BMW Unscripted follows Tiffany Coates around the globe<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 408px; height: 230px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/bmw-unscripted.jpg" /><br /></div><br />by Zach Bowman<br /><br />The last time we heard from BMW Unscripted, an ancient 5 Series was stalking the tall grass of South Africa in search of meerkats. Now the company has turned its attention to Tiffany Coates and her BMW R80GS. The duo have traversed the globe together, ranging over five continents and covering untold miles in the process. For Coates, no country or region is off limits, and she's spent time everywhere from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Alaska and Australia. Her travel is impressive, without a doubt, though we're more taken with the perspective that her gallivanting has given her.<br /><br /> "People always assume that the world is full of dangerous places, and they think, and they say as well, that I'm mad to go travelling where I do. I always replay, 'but, 99.9 percent of people in the world are really nice, decent people like you and I.'"<br /><br />We can think of a few politicians that could use some time in the saddle of an R80GS. Hit the jump to have a look at a slice of Coates' life on the road, and remember not to let your fear rule you, people. There's a whole world out there just waiting to meet you.<br /><br /><object width="385" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XAUhV1r-kUo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XAUhV1r-kUo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="385" height="385"></embed></object>Fullhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09161301504621280958noreply@blogger.com1