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Dreamworks was founded by three Hollywood titans as an independent studio with the aim of making good, and profitable, movies. That didn’t happen. Now the Paramount-owned Dreamworks just wants to make money the Hollywood way: opportunistic copying. It is in talks with Electronic Arts to make a Need for Speed movie, perhaps because it wants its own Fast & Furious franchise, certainly because it is bankrupt of ideas. In either case, Dreamworks is not alone.

Word was that a deal should have been done already, but nothing has been announced. That deal is said to already have a script for the film written by George Gatins, whose borther wrote Real Steel. If the deal doesn’t come off as planned, it’s been said that other studios are waiting in line to chat with EA about the same thing.

If you want to a glimpse of a Hollywood vision of Need for Speed, Michael Bay did the trailer for Need for Speed: The Run last year. To extrapolate the movie, imagine that trailer being fifty times longer, fewer sound effects lifted from Transformers, actors who look like their in-game counterparts but can’t act nearly as well, and explosions. And even more hot women. Scroll down for the vid.

Continue reading Need For Speed video game to become a movie? [w/video]

Need For Speed video game to become a movie? [w/video]

We may have gotten used to it by now, but the bottom line is that the Bugatti Veyron is an astonishing feat of engineering. The task of summing it all up, then, would fall to one Jeremy Clarkson.

In addition to hosting BBC’s celebrated Top Gear and penning columns in an array of magazines and newspapers, Jezza was tapped by the people behind the Xbox driving sim Forza 4 to voice-over the video clips showcasing some of the exciting cars in the game’s virtual stable, including the Veyron.

You may have already seen it while playing the game, but evidently pleased with the job Clarkson and Turn 10 Studios did, Bugatti itself released the video for your viewing pleasure. Follow the jump to watch the brief clip.

Continue reading Jeremy Clarkson narrates Bugatti Veyron presentation for Forza 4

Jeremy Clarkson narrates Bugatti Veyron presentation for Forza 4

In between bouts of Olympic games, the official torch that traditionally kicks off the opening ceremonies makes the long journey by a relay of runners to the host site. And you can bet that over the course of years, it has passed through some tricky environmental conditions. But is it ready to endure the unpredictability of British weather?

To find out, BMW – a main sponsor of the fast-approaching London Olympics – lent its wind tunnel facility to test the torch in a variety of conditions. Over the course of the grueling test, the torch was made to withstand temperatures ranging from 23 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, winds generated at upwards of 50 mph, with snow packed into the front and under driving rain. But all the while the flame stayed lit.

The tests were carried out at the BMW Energy and Environmental Test Centre in Munich, a facility which boasts three wind tunnels and two climatic test rooms capable of simulating weather from -4F to 131F, replicating the Arctic Tundra and the Sahara Desert, generating wind speeds at up to 174 mph, and simulating altitudes approaching 14,000 feet above sea level.

Watch a video of the testing procedure shown on the UK’s ITV1 news by scrolling down.

Continue reading BMW lends its wind tunnel to test the Olympic torch [w/video]

BMW lends its wind tunnel to test the Olympic torch [w/video]

Renault Sport invited its fans to suggest challenges for the Twingo R.S. to overcome, and one of the chosen feats was for it to play the ball in a game of ten-pin. After some establishing shots and burnouts, the 133-horsepower hot hatch gets going down the lane.

To make sure it doesn’t disappoint, a stern gang of mute, pouty models looks on because, well, you can’t have car-bowling without that, now can you?

Continue reading Renault Twingo R.S. makes a lousy bowling ball

Renault Twingo R.S. makes a lousy bowling ball

There aren’t a lot of automakers that also make motorcycles: Peugeot, Honda, Suzuki, and perhaps most pertinently, BMW. And now Audi is getting in the game – not with its own four-ringed motorbikes, but with today’s acquisition of Ducati.

In the announcement just released, Audi confirmed the deal but stopped short of confirming the reported purchase price of $1.1B. Although Audi is, of course, part of the Volkswagen group, it is Audi AG itself that officially bought the motorcycle manufacturer, making Ducati the third Italian operation under its umbrella alongside Lamborghini and ItalDesign-Giugiaro.

Tellingly, Audi also points to certain technologies developed by Ducati – particularly their control systems, combustion chamber process and competence in lightweight construction – as particular assets that “offer great potential for AUDI AG and the Volkswagen Group.” Read more in the official release after the jump.

Continue reading It’s official, Audi has just bought Ducati

It’s official, Audi has just bought Ducati

There’s nothing unusual about vehicles in first-person shooters – Rage has its Jetter and Cuprino, Battlefield 3 has two entire classes of wheeled vehicles – but there’s usually still a person involved. But what about when your vehicle is your shooter? Then you have the PS3 game Wheels of Destruction World Tour, which is essentially Death Race 2 without the felons and bad acting.

There are three classes in the arcade-style game: Scout, Heavy and Assassin. Your job is to pilot one of them in “death matches, free-for-alls, and capture-the-flag frenzies.” The goal seems simple: “battle to crush opponents, slaying everything in your path of relentless devastation, both online and off.”

And don’t forget high scores. There are a couple of gameplay and instructional vids after the jump.

Continue reading Wheels of Destruction combines first-person shooters with futuristic cars

Wheels of Destruction combines first-person shooters with futuristic cars

Production of the upcoming Maserati Kubang may be set for the Jefferson North plant where Chrysler builds the Jeep Grand Cherokee on which the high-riding Maserati will be based, but that doesn’t mean that the Trident marque is giving up on production in its home country of Italy anytime soon.

According to statements made by union officials, Maserati is gearing up to produce a new four-door sedan at a facility on the outskirts of Turin – although whether that is the larger replacement for the Quattroporte or its upcoming baby brother remains unclear – but that’s not all. Maserati, according to reports, has also been tasked with building the 4C sportscar for sister-brand Alfa Romeo, much like it had with the higher-end 8C Competizione that came before.

Between the two new sedans, the SUV, the ongoing production of the GranTurismo line and the Alfa 4C, Maserati sure seems to have its hands full – with a little game of musical factories – for a brand currently represented by two model lines.

Maserati gearing up to produce Alfa 4C, new sedan in Italy

Rally driving is so reliably mesmerizing that we never lack for viewers when we post rallying footage, especially when raw engine noises accompany the raw talent. Yet we rarely come across videos that take a deeper look at who races, the private lives of privateers and the urge to ‘run what you brung’ through quiet forests with few spectators and less money. Motorsports filmmaker Matt Johnston wants to change that.

Johnston has started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for Easier Said than Done, a full-length feature on what might be the dirtiest side of rallying – finding the money and staying in the game. He isn’t trying to fund the whole project itself, he says it’s going to happen anyway. What he wants is more capital to hire equipment and crew.

Follow the jump for the trailer and check out his Kickstarter page for a breakdown of the project.

Continue reading Help fund a film about the world of rally

Help fund a film about the world of rally

Automation, the game that allows players to build their own car company from the ground up, has made a big step forward by releasing a engine-builder demo. Those who have already pre-ordered the game can download a preview of the designer right now by heading over to the Camshaft Software site, while the rest of the world gets to wait until April 22. So far, the glimpse is limited to four-cylinder applications, though players can tweak nearly every aspect of the four-pot’s design. Block, crank and head material are all up for grabs as are intake, exhaust and fuel design and cam profile.

The company was kind enough to slide us an early copy of the demo filled with tutorial videos explaining the intricacies of each engine system. While incredibly involved, the program seems to be a great way to expand one’s knowledge by eeking ever-better horsepower out of an engine. Though all of the options can be a bit overwhelming, even for those of us with grease under our fingernails, Automation offers clear explanations on each variable. Hit the jump for a quick video and the press release, and be sure to check out the game’s site on the 22nd for your own free demo.

Continue reading Automation engine design demo up and running

Automation engine design demo up and running

There are lots of automotive video games, from realistic racing games like Gran Turismo and Forza to fun driving games like Mario Kart to social games like Disc Drivin’ for iOS. But there is only one Grand Theft Auto.

No other video game brings the dark humor inherent in mayhem like the GTA franchise, and it looks like a new installment will be here in a scant six months. According to a report on Joystiq, a Linked In resume for an animator and employee at game developer Rockstar was spotted listing Grand Theft Auto V with a shipping date of October 2012. Since then, the resume has been removed from the site and Rockstar is not commenting, according to the report.

Of course, the video game industry is as notorious for slipping shipping dates as it is for rumor mongering, so while you might want to place your preorder on Amazon, don’t be surprised if you’re still waiting come Christmas. Joystiq is skeptical about an October shipping date, pointing out that Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, has already announced BioShock Infinite for an October launch, which would put the two titles in unnecessary competition.

Until then, we still have the GTA V trailer, which you can see if you scroll down.

Continue reading Rockstar animator’s resume suggests Grand Theft Auto 5 coming in October [w/video]

Rockstar animator’s resume suggests Grand Theft Auto 5 coming in October [w/video]

Car and Driver is reporting that Lamborghini has trademarked the name “Deimos.” One would naturally assume that the Italian supercar manufacturer plans to use the name for an upcoming vehicle, and the next one in line is the SUV concept that will debut at the Beijing Motor Show in just two weeks. Aside from that, the Gallardo has a replacement in the pipeline as well. Being Lamborghini, though, the name could be given to some unknown concept or one-off that’s sprung on us unsuspecting enthusiasts at an upcoming auto show.

What – or more appropriate, Who – is Deimos? In Greek mythology, Deimos was the son of Ares and Aphrodite and the personification of terror, which certainly has us wondering what sort of Lamborghini his name will be attached to. One of the moons around Mars was also given the name. And Lamborghini could even be referencing the video game God of War that features a character named Deimos (above), though that one’s a long shot.

The curious thing is that the magazine could find no connection between “Deimos” and bullfighting, the traditional sport of Spain that Lamborghini most often references with its vehicle names. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a connection, but it could be so obscure that no one figures it out before the name debuts on the back end of the next Lamborghini.

Lamborghini trademarks the name “Deimos”

Anyone with an Xbox 360 and Forza Motorsport 4 will be able to get their hands on a virtual version of the all-new 2013 SRT Viper. As revealed at its New York Auto Show debut, the hotly anticipated American supercar is headed to the game as part of an exclusive Viper Pack.

Turn 10, the studio behind the game’s development, has revealed that the Viper Pack will be available this summer, and in addition to a drivable version of the Viper, will also include a Viper Autovista experience that lets players inspect the car very closely using their controllers or the hands-free Kinect system. Pricing for the pack has not yet been mentioned, and though not confirmed, we hope the GTS-R racing version of the Viper that debuted alongside the production car will also be digitized for the game and included in the pack.

Keep scrolling to watch the official 50-second teaser video of the 2013 SRT Viper in Forza Motorsport 4.

Continue reading Viper coming to Forza this summer, will include Autovista version [w/video]

Viper coming to Forza this summer, will include Autovista version [w/video]

Cadillac has announced base pricing for the 2013 XTS, its all-new, full-size luxury sedan. The car goes on sale this spring with a starting MSRP of $44,995 (*including destination charges).

The front-drive XTS will be available in four specifications: Base, Luxury, Premium and Platinum. All-wheel-drive will be available with any of the three trim packages. Cadillac will be deploying CUE, its new capacitive touch infotainment system, as standard equipment and every XTS will be equipped with Magnetic Ride Control.

Not mentioned today was the specific availability of Cadillac’s new safety suite or any further pricing information about the specific packages. Cadillac did say it will be releasing a CUE Apple iPad app next month that will replicate the XTS’ center screen. Click past the jump to read the full press release, then comment on whether you think Caddy’s pricing is a fair shake in Comments.

Continue reading 2013 Cadillac XTS priced from $44,995*

2013 Cadillac XTS priced from $44,995*

The Enclave has been a boon for Buick since it arrived in 2007, with impressive sales complemented by profitable transaction prices. And even though the big Buick has gone without a refresh since its debut, the Enclave managed its best year ever in 2011, with a segment-leading 58,000 units sold.

Buick is hoping to stretch that streak with the Enclave’s first refresh for 2013. The tweaked three-row crossover will receive several updates, starting with a new front fascia that includes a black chrome waterfall grille and redesigned hood. The front also includes a new headlight design with standard Xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights. Out back, the 2013 Enclave features new LED taillights and a fresh design with integrated exhaust outlets.

Overall, the exterior redesign is evolutionary, but more dramatic changes await inside. The Enclave’s cabin was fast becoming outdated, but Buick upped its game with a fresh dash that includes more modern-looking materials and contemporary center stack. There are also tasteful wood treatments, a smattering of chrome accents and attractive stitching throughout. The cabin also features blue LED ambient lighting that accentuates the size of this voluminous crossover.

The 2013 Enclave will also inherit Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system, which offers a brilliant LCD and interactivity with smart phones via Bluetooth and USB connections. The Enclave also features tri-zone climate control and an industry-first front center airbag for additional crash protection.

Buick engineers hasn’t made any changes to the tried-and-true 3.6-liter V6 or the six-speed automatic, but the ride and handling setup has been given a bit of love. The front and rear dampers were revised for a smoother ride, with adjustments that also ensure big bumps don’t loosen your fillings. The ride has also received more “Quiet Tuning,” (read: insulation) which keeps even more unwanted road noise out of the re-imagined cabin than before.

The 2013 Buick Enclave will make its official debut at the New York Auto Show tomorrow. Scroll down to read over the press release from Buick and peruse official high-resolution images in the gallery above.

Continue reading 2013 Buick Enclave debuts with new look over same drivetrain

2013 Buick Enclave debuts with new look over same drivetrain

Cadillac is updating its best-seller for the 2013 model year, with the SRX crossover getting several technology enhancements, including CUE, the luxury brand’s new infotainment system.

The acronym stands for Cadillac User Experience, which uses a capacitive touchscreen for control of numerous functions, including interfacing with a driver’s smartphone. While other systems like CUE already exist, none offer proximity sensing and haptic feedback such that the display changes as a driver’s hand nears it and gives feedback to his selection. We’ve already posted a deep dive with CUE here.

The other big upgrade is the availability of new safety technology in conjunction with Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat, which we wrote about here. Two packages will be offered, one called “Driver Awareness” and the other “Driver Assist.” The former is focused on crash prevention by way of providing driver alerts, while the latter will also include vehicle intervention.

Cadillac has also added active noise cancellation to the SRX for 2013, along with redesigning the steering wheel and shifter and updating the instrument cluster to accommodate CUE. Some new USB and SD card ports, minor rear-seat entertainment upgrades, standard HD radio, and new interior color combinations round out the changes.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Cadillac CUEs up improved 2013 SRX

Cadillac CUEs up improved 2013 SRX

Cadillac is updating its best-seller for the 2013 model year, with the SRX crossover getting several technology enhancements, including CUE, the luxury brand’s new infotainment system.

The acronym stands for Cadillac User Experience, which uses a capacitive touchscreen for control of numerous functions, including interfacing with a driver’s smartphone. While other systems like CUE already exist, none offer proximity sensing and haptic feedback such that the display changes as a driver’s hand nears it and gives feedback to his selection. We’ve already posted a deep dive with CUE here.

The other big upgrade is the availability of new safety technology in conjunction with Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat, which we wrote about here. Two packages will be offered, one called “Driver Awareness” and the other “Driver Assist.” The former is focused on crash prevention by way of providing driver alerts, while the latter will also include vehicle intervention.

Cadillac has also added active noise cancellation to the SRX for 2013, along with redesigning the steering wheel and shifter and updating the instrument cluster to accommodate CUE. Some new USB and SD card ports, minor rear-seat entertainment upgrades, standard HD radio, and new interior color combinations round out the changes.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Cadillac CUE’s up improved 2013 SRX

Cadillac CUE’s up improved 2013 SRX

When a McLaren hits the race track, the competition had better watch out. The British outfit is, after all, one of the most successful in Formula One, having won 176 grands prix, a dozen drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ titles. But McLaren’s prowess extends beyond F1. The Woking firm was a force to be reckoned with in Can-Am in the late 60s, and the last time it built an endurance racing sportscar – the famed F1 GTR back in 1995 – it trounced even the advanced prototype racers to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Now, McLaren is back in the sportscar racing game with the new MP4-12C GT3. Based on the MP4-12C road car, the GT3 racing version took only a year to develop, and McLaren GT has delivered 25 examples of its racing car to independent racing teams around the world. Included in the purchase price are test sessions organized by McLaren and access to the team’s advanced driving simulator and deep expertise in all things motorsport.

The cars are set to compete in the Blancpain Endurance Series (where the MP4-12C also serves as safety car), the VLN series at the Nürburgring, German’y ADAC GT Masters, the International GT Open and the FIA GT1 World Championship. The first of these are set to take place in Germany this weekend at the Nordschleife and Oschersleben, where the MP4-12C will be making its parallel race debuts. Can’t wait that long? We’ve got two high-quality video clips of the car undergoing testing for your viewing pleasure (together with the full press release) after the jump and a fresh crop of high-resolution images added to the gallery above.

Continue reading McLaren delivers 25 MP4-12C GT3s to customer racing teams for 2012 racing season [w/videos]

McLaren delivers 25 MP4-12C GT3s to customer racing teams for 2012 racing season [w/videos]

Chrysler today is launching a continuation of its Halftime In America ad effort for the Ram pickup, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Jeep Wrangler.

The new ads do not feature Clint Eastwood, as the February Super Bowl ad did.

The Ram ad, titled “Tommy and The Ram,” is a vignette that depicts a wife’s admiration for her husband’s hard work and determination to provide for his family in any economic environment. There is a great line in this ad as he drives his Ram to a job site: “Where there’s a truck, there’s a job.” The idea here is that as long as he has a reliable truck, he always has a chance to earn.

The ad for the Chrysler 300 is told through a father talking about his pride in his son making his own way in life, while the Wrangler spot is told through the story of a young daughter adapting to a new life and new city with her family.

The ads will be breaking during the NCAA Men’s basketball semi-finals, NHL games, NASCAR, Mad Men and the American Country Music Awards.

Watch all four ads below.

Continue reading Chrysler turns to ground game with new “Second Half” ads post Super Bowl

Chrysler turns to ground game with new “Second Half” ads post Super Bowl

We couldn’t fault you if it came as no great surprise that BMW was the main automotive sponsor of this summer’s Olympic games in London. The Bavarian automaker has, after all, done its homework to promote the partnership, launching special edition 1 and 3 Series, a pair of special edition Minis, a commercial using the new M5, and a video series profiling specific athletes, all to highlight the point. But the biggest way BMW will be participating in the event is with the massive fleet of vehicles it is providing to the organizers.

All in all, BMW will be furnishing the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralymic Games (LOCOG) with a whopping 4,000 vehicles. The fleet is made up of diesel, hybrid and electric cars, plus motorcycles and bicycles. And because LOCOG has set a low CO2 target for the big event, each vehicle averages less than 120g of CO2 per kilometer.

The first 40 specially liveried vehicles, BMW announced, have now been delivered, including examples of the 520d and 320d. All the German automaker has left is multiply those a hundredfold and it’ll be ready for the big games.

Continue reading BMW delivers first 40 of 4,000 vehicles destined for London Olympics

BMW delivers first 40 of 4,000 vehicles destined for London Olympics

BMW 3 Series fuel economy, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 production delays, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ

Episode #275 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Zach, and Dan cover the BMW 3 Series EPA fuel economy numbers game, GM holding the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to sort out an un-disclosed issue, and the recent pricing and road test information about the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #275:

• BMW forced to lower 3 Series fuel economy rating
• Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 production delays
• Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
2012 Fiat 500C
2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Autoblog Podcast #275