Alas, poor , we knew you well. It was only a matter of time before someone came forward with an in-car video explaining exactly what happened to that that was in Colorado. As you can imagine, the short flick is filled with plenty of shaky-hand-cam action as well as the painful sound of aluminum bouncing off of cast aluminum bouncing off of stone. We’re not entirely sure what this Subaru did to deserve this kind of torture, but we applaud its pluck for surviving as long as it did.
The owner, Alexander Pringle, was apparently forced to abandon his valiant steed after he punctured the oil pan. It didn’t take regular trail goers long to relieve the vehicle of its seats and stereo. Fortunately, the Colorado Trail Patrol was kind enough to pull the lifeless hulk off of the trail so that other, more properly outfitted off-road enthusiasts could continue to enjoy the scenery. to see the video for yourself (we’ve included the cringe-inducing, previously shown towing footage as well).
For all of its faults, the AK-47 remains an impressive piece of machinery. While other assault rifles have come and gone over the past 62 years, the Soviet Union’s greatest contribution to modern warfare continues to liberate the oppressed and strike fear into the hearts of gun control groups everywhere. While no one knows exactly how many of the rifles have been produced, estimates put the number of genuine AK-47 models at around 75 million units with another 100 million weapons bearing a similar design.
Its ammunition, the 7.62×39 round, is plentiful, cheap and insanely powerful. You can forget all those cheesy movies where police take cover behind their cruiser’s doors. We’ve personally seen an AK-47 blow through quarter-inch steel with full-metal jacket rounds like it was perforating a sheet of cardboard.
We’re telling you all this because it’s incredibly important that no one attempt a stunt similar to what’s depicted in the video after the jump. In it, the CEO of the Texas Armoring Corporation (a manufacturer of bulletproof vehicles of all descriptions), sits behind the one of his company’s armored windshields while one of his employees puts three rounds into the glass. How’s that for a testimonial? to check out the insanity for yourself.
While the recent struggles of its larger countrymen have been well publicized, finds itself at something of a quiet turning point. It would be hard to blame the Japanese automaker for kicking back and enjoying the warm fuzzies it’s earned over the years with cars like the and , but as a small company going it alone in a pond full of bigger, better-funded fish, it still has much to prove.
Among the competencies Mazda must demonstrate, it must show it can build the powertrain technology necessary to reach fuel economy goals mandated by the U.S. government, rival automakers and the buying public. The only hybrid models it ever sold here were built under contract, and to this point, no other alternative fuel vehicles have found their way into its North American showrooms. What’s more, Mazda’s last attempt at a styling language, the flowing folds of , came in for critical praise on the showcar circuit thanks to stunners like the and , but the philosophy never really gelled in production form (its awkward, Jokerian pulled-smile and ribbed sheetmetal choices triggered more confused looks than praise). Compounding matters, the company on its iconoclastic , whose rotary engine and lightweight construction were brand cornerstones.
So… has Mazda lost the plot? As it turns out, not a bit. In fact, after spending a few days grilling company executives and driving prototypes of its forthcoming 2013 CX-5, we think the company seems as clear about its identity and mission as it’s ever been, and the proof is in the CX-5’s pudding. The new small crossover singlehandedly attempts to answer most of our nagging questions by packing Mazda’s new SkyActiv blueprint for eco-friendly enthusiast driving (”sustainable Zoom-Zoom”) and the seeds of Mazda’s , so we couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel.
Shucking off Hurricane Irene’s wrath, we flew to Iceland to get our first taste of the CX-5.
While the recent struggles of its larger countrymen have been well publicized, finds itself at something of a quiet turning point. It would be hard to blame the Japanese automaker for kicking back and enjoying the warm fuzzies it’s earned over the years with cars like the and , but as a small company going it alone in a pond full of bigger, better-funded fish, it still has much to prove.
Among the competencies Mazda must demonstrate, it must show it can build the powertrain technology necessary to reach fuel economy goals mandated by the U.S. government, rival automakers and the buying public. The only hybrid models it ever sold here were built under contract, and to this point, no other alternative fuel vehicles have found their way into its North American showrooms. What’s more, Mazda’s last attempt at a styling language, the flowing folds of , came in for critical praise on the showcar circuit thanks to stunners like the and , but the philosophy never really gelled in production form (its awkward, Jokerian pulled-smile and ribbed sheetmetal choices triggered more confused looks than praise). Compounding matters, the company on its iconoclastic , whose rotary engine and lightweight construction were brand cornerstones.
So… has Mazda lost the plot? As it turns out, not a bit. In fact, after spending a few days grilling company executives and driving prototypes of its forthcoming 2013 CX-5, we think the company seems as clear about its identity and mission as it’s ever been, and the proof is in the CX-5’s pudding. The new small crossover singlehandedly attempts to answer most of our nagging questions by packing Mazda’s new SkyActiv blueprint for eco-friendly enthusiast driving (”sustainable Zoom-Zoom”) and the seeds of Mazda’s , so we couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel.
Shucking off Hurricane Irene’s wrath, we flew to Iceland to get our first taste of the CX-5.
Automotive News is reporting that recently scored a hit against – at least in terms of social media marketing for the new . When Nissan received word that Toyota was planning to pull back the sheet on the Camry last week, it reportedly set about snatching up promoted tweets featuring the words “Camry,” “Toyota Camry,” and “mid-sized car.” A promoted tweet directs those searching for the terms toward a specific tweet instead of all tweets featuring the term for a 24-hour period. In this case, those looking for information on the Camry were pointed toward product news from Nissan.
At this point, it’s unclear whether Nissan intentionally set out to scuttle Toyota’s Twitter effort or if the two companies were merely giving each other some good-natured harassment. Either way, we can imagine Toyota will be a little more careful about protecting its search terms in the near future.
Are you bored with the recent rash of LED headlights, tailights and daytime running lamps? might just have something for you, then, because it’s working on a new way to illuminate your commute. We’re talking about lasers here people… the future is (almost) now!
BMW believes that, just as halogen beget LED, LED begets laser lights. If true, laser technology will allow its cars to utilize lighting systems that are more efficient than current setups while also allowing for light patterns that are more consistent and brighter. In addition to the greater illumination possibilities, the diodes used would be significantly smaller than LED units.
The first vehicle to wear laser eyes? The new .
to read the full press release and learn a bit more about BMW and it’s plan for laser lighting.
While we had to look at the calendar and make sure it wasn’t April 1 when we got wind of this, we assure you, it’s absolutely true: has worked up a one-off in honor of the late superstar Freddie Mercury. The coupe is swaddled in pearl white paint with red and gold accents outside and features the Queen frontman’s signature as well. Indoors, designers chose to wrap the cabin in a one-off yellow interior as an homage to Mercury’s 1986 stage costume. The seats even feature a Union Jack emblazoned on their backs.
While the idea of this special model is a strange one, the motivation behind it isn’t – the unique Evora S is set to be auctioned off for charity as part of the celebrations tied to Mercury’s 65th birthday bash at the Savoy Hotel. Proceeds from the auction will go to benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust, an HIV AIDS charity founded by bandmates Brian May, Roger Taylor and Queen manager Jim Beach after Mercury’s death. The event will also feature donations from May and Taylor as well as Top Gear, Raymond Weil and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. to read through the pun-choked press release. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got some to blare.
is set to unveil a lightly revised version of the European Honda Insight at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. This will feature greater efficiency gleaned from substantial aerodynamic work (check out that new grille and front bumper), reduced engine friction, improvements to the CVT and the air-conditioning system. What does all of that translate into on the road? Honda says that the tweaks allow the 2012 Insight to produce 96 g/km of CO2, or 57 mpg on the European cycle. As GreenCarReports.com points out, the European cycle typically yields results that are around 10 to 20 percent higher than the U.S. cycle.
That means that the revised Insight will likely crank out anywhere from 45.6 mpg to 51.3 mpg on the U.S. test – provided we get the same updates that Europe is receiving. The 2011 model is good for 40 mpg city and 43 mpg highway. Look for Honda to pull the sheets off of its revised dedicated hybrid on September 13. for the press release.
The web is afire with news that has managed to demolish the standing production-car record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The news comes courtesy of EVO Magazine’s own Chris Harris and Lexus itself via the miracle of Twitter. Lexus test driver Akira Iida reportedly managed to twist the LFA Nürburgring Edition around the infamous circuit in 7:14. If true, that time puts the carbon-fiber exotic four-seconds ahead of the previous production-car champion, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, at 7:18, and it puts the LFA Nürburgring Edition in the top five quickest vehicles to ever run the track.
Impressive.
We’ll keep you posted with more information as Lexus releases details on the run. Here’s hoping they had the video cameras rolling while they were out laying waste to the Green Hell.
The Detroit News is reporting that may move its planned and Alfa Romeo SUV production from Turin to the United States. That would leave the Italian plant open and available to produce a new future city car.
According to an unnamed source close to the situation, the decision is based largely on the fact that the Euro has made substantial gains against the dollar in the past few months. A little less than a year ago, Fiat announced that it would invest $1.44 billion in the Turin facility in order to produce Jeep and Alfa Romeo SUVs beginning in late 2012, but since then, the Euro has gained nearly 9 percent against the dollar.
Needless to say, that makes the possibility of manufacturing Jeep vehicles abroad and importing them back into the U.S. considerably less profitable. Building the two vehicles here in America would keep Jeep assembly domestic and give Alfa Romeo a leg up when it comes time for that brand to re-launch in the land of the free.
General Motors has been fairly tight-lipped about whether or not we’ll see the next-generation here in the Land Of The Free. Right now, most signs point to “no.” That’s a real shame, too, given that the new mid-sized pickup packs what appears to be an efficient and powerful 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine and some snappy styling. That’s the kind of combination that could make us miss the new global all the less. Regardless of whether or not the new Colorado makes it to our back yard, the truck promises to bring buyers elsewhere in the world the capability they want in a convenient package.
A keen-eyed member of Asian forum t has managed to snap a few quick shots of what appears to be a production version of the pickup. The vehicle has lost the integrated rear bumper of the concept as well as its large 20-inch wheels, but remains fairly true to the original design otherwise. for more photos.
Imagine the car that most accurately approximates the spirit of rock music. A with a Hemi under the hood? A ? Maybe an old ? How about a Renault Wind? Well, maybe not, but the French automaker is, at least, the one that has teamed up with Gibson for a pair of unique creations.
The partnership includes, first of all, a special-edition Gibson SG ‘61 guitar with decked out in Gordni blue with white stripes and Gordini nameplate. The collaboration has also extended to a unique Renault Wind Gordini by Gibson show car that features the same paint scheme as the guitar (and other Gordini models) but with Gibson logos and guitar strings woven right into the leather seats. Even the audio system has Gibson guitar knobs for controls.
This isn’t the first time that cars and guitars have teamed up on these pages, what with the and the . Whether it’s a worthwhile use of the Gibson name, however, is a matter of perspective. for the press release and check out the images in the gallery for a closer look.
Lance Krall, Tony Hawk and Lee Majors. Three names with seemingly no connection, except for the fact that these men are working on a pilot related to the lives of folks in the stunt industry. We would’ve said the lives of stunt men, but there are clearly (very clearly) women in this industry as well.
The pilot is called Crash & Burn… and it’s hilarious. The producers for the pilot are skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and actor Lance Krall, who you probably recognize as the Karate instructor from an episode of the Office where Michael and Dwight take each other on. Maybe. Either way, Krall portrays a stunt “actor” looking to get into the industry, and he appears to be learning the ropes from far more seasoned vets.
to watch the teaser clip. A word of warning, however, as some of the language is not safe for work.
The is nearly upon us, and concept vehicles are flying out of the ether at an ever-increasing rate. has foisted the latest concept salvo upon the automotive world with its electric A2 concept. It’s a compact four-seater with an eye towards tomorrow’s style and long-range performance.
With the A2 Concept, Audi is looking to move its LED lighting technology into the next generation. The headlights feature a high-resolution, non-glaring high beam and high-efficiency low beam light modules. For the taillights, Audi is looking towards laser lighting, and the rear-facing illumination uses diodes that project a beam of light while also adapting to the changing lighting conditions. Additionally, the brake lights will adjust their illumination based on how much force is applied to the pedal.
There’s no word on what will power this A2 concept, but Audi promises a mixture of long driving ranges and performance. It will certainly be a neat trick if it can deliver both.
for the press release, and check out more of the A2 concept by clicking through the gallery. We imagine that some of what you see here in rendered-conceptual form will make it into upcoming Audi small cars.
embraced the social media movement early on, and it proved a successful tactic ahead of the launch of its then all-new . The automaker is once again taking to Facebook and Twitter, this time to keep hatchback fans in the loop of the production progress of the upcoming . Key folks involved in the development of the hot hatch are putting together video updates, which will then be offered up exclusively to the vehicles Facebook fans and Twitter followers.
Over 300,000 Facebook users have signed on to get updates on the car so far.
Ford’s director of global performance vehicles and motorsport business development, behind the wheel of a Focus ST as it takes on various driving conditions at the automaker’s Lommel test facility in Belgium. to see Capito explain his testing, and how the Lommel facility mimics roads from around the world. Also, head over to if you want to become a fan of the upcoming ST.
General Motors is set to give its “Chevy Runs Deep” ad campaign some tweaking a little less than a year after the slogan was adopted. According to Bloomberg, GM has found that while the campaign has helped steady sales, it hasn’t exactly pushed potential buyers into the driver’s seat. adopted the slogan shortly after GM Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick joined the company last September, though the campaign’s slow momentum has spurred the company to re-evaluate its creative strategy.
Bloomberg reports that GM is set to continue to air the “Chevy Runs Deep” ads that have performed the best with consumers throughout the fall. The slogan was originally intended to underscore the lengthy heritage behind the Chevrolet brand in America, but some of the spots failed to make the connection.
Cadillac is also set to receive similar advertising attention. Advertising will focus more on specific product attributes than blanket statements in the near future.
There’s some good news and some not-so-good news when dissecting sales figures for August of 2011. For one, posted notable gains for all of its brands, especially , which managed to score an impressive 58-percent sales rise over the same period a year ago.
also impressed with its figures, with Cadillac’s four-percent gain the only one of its brands not to post a double-digit rise.
Of the Japanese brands, only , with a 19-percent overall gain in sales, was able to adequately recover from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that have been plaguing all automakers for the past several months. That said, both and managed to post smaller losses than what were recorded a month ago.
Further, the (30,185 total sales) was again the best-selling automobile (behind the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks, naturally) in August, as it was in July, after briefly to the in June. Have a gander at the complete set of August sales results in our handy-dandy chart below.
*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 26 selling days in August 2011 versus 25 selling days in August 2010, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.
Say what you will about the Alfa Romeo 159, but it’s arguably one of the most attractive sports sedans on the (foreign) market. And when it’s gone, it will be missed. But gone is precisely what it will be soon, as the group begins its gradual discontinuation.
According to reports, production of the 159 has already ceased as the assembly plant in Naples where it’s built is re-tooled for production of the new Fiat Panda. The entire model line has reportedly disappeared from the order books in several keys markets, including the UK, while other markets continue offering the 159 from stockpiles built up ahead of the factory’s temporary closure, but that means only four colors and one engine are available.
The 159 was a model mired by its shortcomings from the get-go. Although the Giugiaro styling turned heads, its edgy front end made for pour aerodynamics. The GM-sourced platform didn’t serve the car well, and neither did its engines. And while it was originally engineered to meet U.S. regulations, the brand’s return to the American market was pushed back time and time again, and is still yet to arrive.
The departure of the 159 leaves a gaping hole in not only Alfa Romeo’s but the entire Fiat group’s line-up. Aside from the and Lancia-badged , the -sized Alfa Giulietta, Lancia Delta and Fiat Bravo hatchbacks now stand as the largest passenger vehicles the company offers. And with the 159’s successor – expected to be dubbed Giulia – not expected until later in 2013, it looks to stay that way for another couple of years at least.
We can quit wondering why it took so long for to drop the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 behind the round headlights of the . According to Wards Auto, the engine had to undergo more than a few tweaks in order to be fit for duty in the trail-rated Wrangler. Engineers had to start by moving the alternator up and away from the middle of the engine to provide for greater water-fording capability. A new intake was also fitted to increase the kind of low-end torque buyers demand on the trail. Meanwhile, on-road civility was increased by changing the intake to draw from the engine’s left side instead of its right along with a unique acoustic cover.
While those changes took a little research and development, they’ve obviously paid dividends in the Wrangler. may apply a similar approach when the company moves to offer the 3.6-liter V6 in the Ram line soon.
The factories were supercars are made can often be as impressive, if not more so, than the vehicles they produce. Unfortunately few of us ever get to see them, remote as they often are from our locales and generally not open to the public. That’s where Megafactories comes in.
The National Geographic program – broadcast Stateside as Ultimate Factories – regularly gains access to these plants, and the next episode is heading to Gaydon in Warwickshire, England, to take us behind the scenes of the dedicated facility where makes its top of the line model: the One-77.
There, they’ll uncover the thousand-square-meter open-plan factory, the 27 technicians who work there and the 77 vehicles they’re toiling to produce. It promises to be a fascinating watch, to say the least, when it airs this weekend to kick off the new series in the UK, but you can catch a little preview with the video , where you’ll also find the press release – and don’t forget the fresh crop of high-resolution images in the gallery.
One-77 stars in new episode of NatGeo’s Megafactories
There’s some good news and some not-so-good news when dissecting sales figures for August of 2011. For one, posted notable gains for all of its brands, especially , which managed to score an impressive 58-percent sales rise over the same period a year ago.
