Now this is clever. Designer and artist Karolina Sobecka has worked up an interesting project for the World Maker Faire in New York City aimed at making motorists more aware of their carbon emissions. The system is made up of two devices – a cartoon-like cloud that attaches to the vehicle’s exhaust pipe and an iPhone app that monitors the vehicle’s emissions. The more carbon the car spews, the more the cloud changes color so that both the driver and everyone in the nearby vicinity knows exactly how much pollution is being spewed into the atmosphere.
The concept is pretty neat, but we don’t exactly see too many car owners jumping at the chance to stick a massive, absurdly-colored cartoon cloud on the rear of their vehicle. The iPhone app sounds like a pretty fun toy to play around with from time to time, though. Unfortunately, most vehicle owners probably know just how bad their chariot of choice is for the environment – the trick is making them care. Head over to Makezine to have a look at an interview with Sobecka.
Smart ForTwo preys on your back-seat fears – Click above for video
Are you afraid of getting into your car late at night, only to look in the rearview mirror and see a face staring back at you that isn’t yours? Don’t lie – we all have those random, irrational fears which are all but unfounded. Capitalizing on just such a fear, Daimler’s produced a commercial which preyed on those fears and closed with a clever tagline espousing the fact that don’t have a back seat.
The ad was a huge hit in Germany, where it was originally slated to run during the trailers in movie theaters. It garnered such approval that it eventually made its way into television spots throughout Europe and has now . As we understand it, though, the ad wasn’t banned, it just never aired in the States. The ‘banned” moniker should help it earn some views, but the commercial is good enough on its own to warrant viewing.
See for yourself after you turn on the lights, check behind you and .
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Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
The Retriever – Click above for high-res image gallery
We don’t know why you’d want to haul a car with a Goldwing, but a Swedish company called Coming Through hasn’t constrained themselves to our tiny imaginations. That’s why they’ve created The Retriever, a stowable towing unit you can have installed on the back of a Goldwing 1800 that’s good for pulling up to 5,500 pounds. If you want a little more help doing a dirty job, you can get a winch added to the package. The only drawback: maximum speed while towing is 20 miles per hour. That wouldn’t stop us from wanting it, though, even though we never imagined… Hat tip to Alexis!
Scott Speed takes his NASCAR taxi to Chicago – Click above to watch video
With the venerable Ford Crown Victoria on its way out, cabbies all across the country are being forced to come up with all kinds of solutions to their passenger-hauling needs. The has a bit of favor with this crowd thanks to its roomy back seat, efficient drivetrain and inexpensive MSRP. Of course, all of that goes out of the window when you start talking about the NASCAR interpretation of the sedan. Red Bull recently decided to put one of its tri-oval terrors to work on the streets of Chicago as a cab, complete with none other than Scott Speed behind the wheel.
With a few additions like real headlights, brake lights, turning indicators and a license-plate bezel, the Number 82 Camry was handily transformed into a street legal machine. Speed spent the better part of a morning shuffling people around the streets of the Windy City in a blaze of tire smoke and V8 glory. It looks like plenty of fun, and we’re guessing there will never be another cab ride quite like it. Still, we think we’d rather end up in the Cash Cab. to check out the video.
2011Hyundai Sonata – Click above for high-res image gallery
is movin’ on up. According to The Detroit News, the officially displaced the as the third best-selling mid-size sedan in America last month. In August, the Korean manufacturer sold 21,399 units, falling just behind the at 22,506 and the at a little over 30,000. Those numbers are just based on retail sales, not the vehicles that are sold off to rental fleets. The Sonata has been besting rivals like the and for a good while now, but this is the first time the car has managed to rattle the Japanese triumvirate that dominates the segment.
It seemed to be only a matter of time, though. The Sonata now wears some of the best looking sheet metal of any midsizer out there and its price tag comes in a good bit lower than both the Accord and the Camry. Throw in a snappy interior and very efficient drivetrain options, and suddenly you’ve got the attention of the car-buying public. The Detroit News says that since the 2011 Sonata debuted, the number of car buyers considering the vehicle has leapfrogged from 6.2 percent in January of 2007 to 19.5 percent recently. Thanks for the tip, Nicolai!
According to AutoWeek, Joel Piaskowski, formerly of , and , is now making his way to to head the exterior design team for the automaker in the Americas.
Piaskowski is perhaps best known for penning the and – two vehicles that helped change the Korean automaker’s image here in the United States. He then left Hyundai at the end of 2008 to become the head of design at Mercedes-Benz’s advanced design studio in Irvine, California. Following his departure in March of this year, Piaskowski officially joins Ford Motor Company on October 1.
With recent debuts like the as well as the upcoming , Ford is proving that it’s capable of creating great design. Adding Piaskowski to the mix of clever-eyed design team should only strengthen Ford’s future portfolio, and we’re eager to see what new designs come out of the Blue Oval under the journeyman’s leadership.
has been so kind as to give us an inkling of what to expect from the company when it arrives at this year’s Paris Motor Show. The Swedish carmaker will display new of both the sedan and the V60 wagon. According to the press release, both cars will receive the usual go-fast treatment, starting with a few aesthetic changes outside. The R-Design cars will wear a more aggressive fascia up front, unique 18-inch alloys, revised sports seats inside and a few suspension tweaks to help everything stay planted through the twisties.
That means firmer bushings all the way around, a strut-tower brace up front and lower, stiffer coils on all four corners. The icing on the cake is a new corner traction control system that uses a torque-vectoring system to make for smoother cornering, a compelling feature that . Don’t look for any extra horsepower under the hood, though. Volvo has left the usual array of engines completely untouched. Both the R-Design S60 and V60 will debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show next month. for the full press release.
Peugeot EX1 concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Automotive history is riddled with examples of crossovers between cars and motorcycles. Some are made by automakers, others by motorcycle manufacturers. But if you’re going to make a go of it, it probably helps to have a company that makes both. A company like , or . Or Peugeot.
Gearing up for its home expo, the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the French automaker has unveiled a unique take on the formula called the Peugeot EX1. Of course, what you’re looking at is a show car, a concept for how the company’s two core competences can be melded together in one vehicle.
The EX1 celebrates the marque’s 200th anniversary in the form of a lightweight, all-electric two-seat roadster which Peugeot claims “has already broken several world records for acceleration from a standing start.” To that end, the equivalent of 340 horsepower is channeled from a pair of electric motors to all four wheels, mounted at the rear as if on a trike, but with enough track to maintain the stability of a conventional car.
It’s an intriguing concept that reminds us of the nearly produced . While you’re waiting to get our firsthand snapshots and commentary from the Port de Versailles show floor, you can check out the massive high-res image gallery below and the full details in the press release after the jump.
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[Source: Peugeot]
: Peugeot celebrates bicentennial with EX1 electric roadster
Brazilian bleachers collapse injures 100 – Click above to watch video
According to The Daily Telegraph, over 100 spectators watching a race were injured in Brazil when a section of bleachers collapsed. Around 500 spectators were observing at a drag race in the Brazilian city of Quatro Pontes when the structure gave way. Six people were immediately taken to the hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the incident, and two of those are still in critical condition.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, though structural faults are believed to have been the cause. for a video of the collapse, but be warned, the images may be upsetting for some viewers.
Forty-six Years Of Refinement Make It The Muscle Car To Beat
2011 Ford Mustang GT Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
Potentially ruinous. All that work on an impressive new 5.0-liter V8 engine, chassis tweaks and other piecemeal refinements for the are almost all for naught because of a single glaring issue. What could erase all the gains the Mustang has made for 2011? The answer is nestled between the front seats, and it goes by the name 6R80.
Despite the promise that a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission carries, not to mention the associated fuel economy, the auto ‘box blunts the Mustang’s edge severely. Can the new 5.0-liter V8 and wind in your hair make up for the dulling effect of the Mustang GT Convertible’s transmission? to find out.
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Photos copyright (C)2010 Dan Roth, John Neff / AOL
Lamborghini Jota spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
If there are two things we know about , it’s that a replacement for the outgoing (tentatively dubbed ) is in the works, and that the automaker is bringing to this year’s . Our spies have just caught this heavily clad prototype doing its thing at the ‘Ring, giving us the impression that Lambo’s new V12-powered supercar will saunter its way onto the Paris stage.
We’ve seen the Jota running around for many, many months now, and the rumormilled specs are simply drool-worthy. The new 7.0-liter V12 will reportedly crank out over 700 horsepower, and when you combine that with a lightweight body made of carbon fiber and aluminum, the Jota will undoubtedly be stupidly fast. Of course, all-wheel drive is expected to be on hand to keep the Bull rubber-side down, with early reports suggesting that ’s latest Quattro may provide the groundwork for the new system.
If we don’t see the production-ready Jota in Paris, we’ll eat our driving gloves. Or at least a tire valve cap. In the meantime, click through the high-res gallery below to see the latest Jota prototype running about.
Ferdinand Karl Piëch, head of the Supervisory Board and grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, knows that nothing lasts forever – especially, life. The VW boss man has his mind on his money while his family has his money on their minds.
Piëch, born in 1937, has recently shifted his holdings into two Austrian foundations; Ferdinand Karl Alpha and Ferdinand Karl Beta. The reason behind this move is to protect the company in the event of his death. That’s to say, if he dies his family can’t start selling off shares like platinum hot cakes. His wife Ursula Piëch will assume control of the foundations upon his passing.
As stipulated in his will, the assets can be sold only when the managing board, the advisory board of the trust and at least nine of Piëch’s 12 children all provide a “yes” vote. As you would expect, some members of the family are a little miffed. Also, under the stipulations presented in the will, Mrs. Piëch is not allowed re-marry or divorce Ferdinand after he passes on. If she does go out and find a new hubby, she gives up control of the foundations.
So many , so little time. Reports came in just yesterday that Stuttgart was planning an ultra-hardcore as well, but the German automaker has now announced an altogether different variant of its iconic sports car: the , which will make its official debut at the fast-approaching Paris Motor Show.
Recalling the original 356 and the three successive Speedsters to come since, the new 911 Speedster cuts a classic (if a bit awkward) hunchback profile and 60mm lower windshield. The wide-body stance is the same found on the Carrera 4 and the aforementioned GTS, with which it also shares (along with the similarly retro ) its 408-horsepower flat-six engine, driving the rear wheels through the company’s PDK dual-clutch gearbox.
Created by the Porsche Exclusive department, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the 911 Speedster honors the 1950’s classic from which it draws its inspiration, with only 356 examples on offer. The unique shade of French racing blue comes standard, and continues on the rather, um… interesting two-seat interior, with Carrera White available at no extra charge.
Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, along with an initial batch of high-resolution images in the gallery below. We’ll get a closer look next week in Paris, but with such limited production, we wouldn’t be getting our hopes up about U.S. availability.
Chevrolet Cruze EV – Click above for high-res image gallery
The hasn’t yet gone on sale, but is looking at ways of expanding its electric vehicle lineup. Chevy, along with partner LG, is employing a group of all-electric cars in the form of the . The sedans are part of a demonstration fleet which is located in Seoul, South Korea and is being used to provide data in an electric vehicle research project. The goal is to gather information on driving patterns and charging behavior in addition to consumer acceptance.
The Cruze EVs, along with some Daewoo Lacetti Premieres EVs, are the first fleet of full-size electric vehicles and should provide invaluable information for The General. Staying full-size means not sacrificing cargo space, so the battery pack is mounted to the underbody, leaving the trunk area open for plenty recyclable, canvas grocery bags.
The current range of the Cruze EV is around 100 miles and the car is capable of a 0-60 run in 8.2 seconds. The Cruze EV can hit a top speed of 102.5 miles per hour. Currently, the Cruze EV can be recharged via a standard 220-volt outlet in 8 to 10 hours, however the researchers are testing “quick charge” methods to reduce that figure.
The program, which begins at the end of October, is currently a demonstration and research project for South Korea only. There have been no announcements made discussing the Cruze EV coming stateside.
Hot Wheels has just rolled out two new R/C cars in the Stealth Rides line. The collapsible racers fit into their own cases which double as infrared remote controls. At the moment there are just two vehicles – one with wheels and another with treads – but in October Batman’s Tumbler joins the party. The good news is they fit in any pocket, run for about 45 minutes and cost just $25. The not so good news is that when that 45 minutes is up you’ll have to replace five watch batteries – three in the car, two in the remote – to get them going again. Click the link for the video at CNET. Hat tip to Sea Urchin
One is an American-bred land rocket and the other a Teutonic track terror. They are the and , and Motor Trend has pitted them head-to-head.
provides the voice work and the words for the buff book’s latest supercar comparo, with Herr Lieberman calling the 911 Turbo “the fastest manual transmission car we’ve ever tested.” Acceleration is one thing, but what about sex appeal? According to Jonny, “… both cars were alternately parked in front of my house for two weeks, but I discovered pink lipstick marks only on the Corvette’s windshield. That’s right, someone kissed the ZR1.”
We have running side-by-side for 1,320 feet and the winner is not much of a surprise. The overall winner of the comparison? Well, that’s another story, and the results may surprise you. to see the clip of these two going head-to-head.
2012 Ford Fiesta ST – Click above for high-res image gallery
We can’t find much fault with the , but if there’s one major gripe, it’s a lack of power (well, and paddle shifters for the dual-clutch gearbox). However, it looks like that lone complaint may be addressed with the introduction of the Fiesta ST, the smaller sibling to the .
Similar to earlier this year, the three-door Fiesta is back with a massive front-mount intercooler, revised body work, new wheels and a high-performance exhaust, along with some racy Recaros that probably won’t make the trek from prototype to production.
While it’s doubtful Ford would port over the Focus ST’s 247 horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost mill, the 180-hp turbo’d 1.6-liter or rumored EcoBoost 1.4 are definitely in the cards. With the Focus ST finally having a shot in the States, the globally-certified Fiesta ST might come along for the ride. And maybe a set of paddle shifters will be included in the package.
Ferrari 458 Challenge racer – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you’re reading Autoblog right now, then there is a pretty good chance you’d love to own a at some point in your life. Unfortunately, there is a far, far greater chance that your garage will never feature the Prancing Horse. But just because you can’t own a or 458 Italia doesn’t mean you can’t own a chunk of the Maranello-based supercar maker. Automotive News reports that Fiat S.p.A CEO Sergio Marchionne says that there is a chance the automaker could issue an IPO for Ferrari by 2014.
We know that some enthusiasts will jump at the chance to purchase a single share of Ferrari stock. It would look damn cool to feature a share of Ferrari stock hung on the most important wall in the house. But how much can a company that only sells just over 6,000 vehicles per year be worth? Apparently quite a bit. Morgan Stanley recently valued the exotic car maker at $3.1 billion, or $100 million more than Fiat’s volume brands. It doesn’t hurt that Ferrari routinely pulls in profits of $300 million to $400 million with ridiculous profit margins of 13 percent per very pricey vehicle. Of course, Ferrari also pulls in quite a bit of coin with its ridiculous branding efforts that include everything from clothing to electronics.
While a Ferrari IPO would net quite a bit of liquid gold for Fiat, Marchionne also mentioned that he’d love for Turin, Italy-based automaker to revert back to its traditional ownership stake of 90 percent. Since Enzo Ferrari passed down 10 percent of his company to his son, if Fiat hits 90 percent, an IPO is out of the question.
2011Hyundai Avante/Elantra – Click above for high-res image gallery
is getting ready to launch its . Not only will it sell that car here, it will also be built here as well. Slated to join its and Sante Fe siblings, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra will be built at the in Montgomery, Alabama.
Already on sale in South Korea, the redesigned Elantra will join a strong Hyundai lineup that aims to take a larger slice of the U.S. automotive vehicle sales pie. The , the fuel-economy rating should be good, the and we expect the price to be just right.
According to CEO and President of Hyundai Motor America John Krafcik,
“Hyundai’s philosophy is to build our vehicles where we sell them, and with the addition of the Elantra to our U.S. production mix we now manufacture our three most popular models right here in the U.S.”
The North American-spec 2011 Hyundai Elantra is expected to make its North American debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, and sales of the re-designed model are earmarked to begin early in 2011.
