The Mythbusters have finally tackled the long-unanswered question, “Why don’t cars have square wheels?”
What’s that? You’ve never wondered why? Neither have we, because it’s freaking obvious. But equally obvious is how awesome it would be to test out a square-wheeled vehicle anyway, which is exactly what the Mythbusters guys did, using an older pickup.
While the full episode is not available online, you can get the gist of the segment by watching the eight clips Discovery has posted, which we’ve conveniently organized for your viewing pleasure .
Well, now we’ve seen everything. Meet Hangover Heaven: A bus service offering hydrating, vitamin-enriched IVs that will apparently take you from “I feel like death” to “Let’s do some shots!” in a scant 45 minutes. Where can you find this rolling cure-all? Las Vegas, of course.
Assuming you make it back to your hotel after a long night of partying hard on the Vegas strip, the Hangover Heaven bus will gladly pick you up from a number of big name casino/hotels, including the Hard Rock, Paris, Bellagio and Cosmopolitan. Too floored to make the trek down the elevator? Hangover Heaven will send someone up to your room, IV in hand, with services starting at $150. That’s certainly more expensive than the usual Vitamin Water and Extra Strength Tylenol regimen, but if it’ll take you from zero to hero in under an hour, hardcore party animals could certainly make a case for the added cost.
According to Hangover Heaven, all of the medication and equipment is FDA-approved. Of course, drinking in moderation is always recommended, with the company stating, “Our buses can work magic, but they cannot bring you back from the dead.” for a high-production-value video testimonial.
has announced it will offer wireless charging in its new . The charging bin will work with MP3 players and iPhone, Blackberry and Android mobile phones, provided those devices are fitted with a special case.
The Pentastar says that this $199.99 Mopar accessory is an “industry first,” but we’ll take the liberty of assigning an asterisk* to that claim, as wireless charging has been offered as a for some time now (even at new car dealers). This is just the first such offering from an official branch of an OEM. The wireless charging hardware isn’t a factory option, it’s actually a dealer-installed accessory, which means that buyers will have to pay for installation or do it themselves.
Either way, wireless charging is a very cool piece of technology, and Chrysler does deserve credit for being the first automaker to officially offer it throughout its dealers nationwide – asterisk or otherwise. to watch a Mopar video of the technology in action.
Traxxas has done a smart job of establishing itself as a toymaker for grownups. With radio-controlled iterations of and , the company has something for everyone.
Or at least it does now. Traxxas is now producing R/C funny cars for straight-line antics. The cars are capable of over 70 miles per hour, come with an adjustable wheelie bar and a TQi 2.4GHz controller with all sorts of fun modes. Launch control, race, burnout and staging mode are all part of the programming. A 1/8th scale Christmas tree is also available.
So far, there are only four funny car models. Buyers may choose between Courtney Force’s , John Force’s Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, Mike Neff’s Castrol GTX Ford Mustang or Robert Hight’s AAA Auto Club Ford Mustang. to see a quick video of the cars in action.
So a new front-drive will now set you back $40,185, but that’s really not the most interesting pricing news from . That would be the RX 350 F Sport, which debuts for the 2013 model year in July, carrying a base sticker of $47,875.
While all versions of the RX get the new spindle grille, the F Sport packs Lexus’ eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a performance-tuned suspension that employs Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, akin to what’s available on the line. Cosmetic enhancements include a mesh grille and F Sport badges, aluminum pedals and black leather seats with contrasting white stitching. A unique set of 19-inch wheels completes the package, which we look forward to getting our hands on.
Lexus has also announced the base price of its hybrid RX, which will start at $46,805, and the hybrid GS. When the goes on sale in May, it will be priced from $59,845. Additionally, the 2012 will see the price bumped $200 across the board. Scroll down to read the full press release.
You don’t build a chassis as superbly balanced and capable as that which underpins the , Toyota GT 86 and without taking it racing. Fortunately the Japanese auto marques involved have plenty of competition spirit coursing through their veins, and are already gearing up to take the nimble little sportscar racing at events around the world.
recently unveiled the which it will be fielding in Japan’s SuperGT series, and now is following suit with the announcement that it will be bringing not one, but two examples of its GT 86 to the Nürburgring to compete in the grueling 24-hour race there next month. The pair of cars – whose level of modification remains unclear – will be fielded by the company’s own Gazoo Racing team alongside one .
Toyota’s racing plans for the GT 86 extend beyond the ‘Ring, however, as it has revealed a program to support privateer teams fielding the car domestically in both the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and All-Japan Rally Championship. The latter announcement crucially comes at a time when rumors have resurfaced of Toyota preparing to re-enter the World Rally Championship – a series which the Japanese automaker dominated in the 1990s with four Drivers’ Championships and three Constructors’ Championships.
The company shut down its WRC operation to branch into Formula One, but now that its F1 program is long gone, could the time be right for Toyota’s return to the pinnacle of rallying? Only time will tell, but for now you can scope out the press release and video footage to see what Toyota has in store in the short run.
Car and Driver is reporting that 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 in just two weeks. Aside from that, the 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.
The Koenigsegg Agera R recently took to the Nürburgring for a little fun. Not surprisingly, there were a few cameras on hand to see the 1,100-horsepower titan whomp its way around the course, including one lens stationed at the exit to the pits. At the end of the track’s long straight, the vantage point allows viewers to see the vehicles on track at the peak of speed. For the Agera R, that means a flyby at somewhere around 250 mph. Now, we’ll be the first to say there’s no way of discerning just how fast the Koenigsegg is actually traveling when it comes by the pits. Sadly, “damn quick” isn’t an acceptable unit of speed.
Check out the video to see what we mean. The first half of the clip shows the supercar simply cruising around. If you want to see the real action, we suggest jumping ahead to around 1:30.
The Official Car Of Beverly Hills Gets A Dramatic Rework
Generally speaking, I’m a pretty measured sort of guy. But when it comes to convertibles, I’m a bit of a lunatic. I’ve been known to motor with the top down in all conditions – including light rain and snow – much to the bewilderment of other drivers (and quite often the chagrin of my passengers). For the most part, it doesn’t matter if I’m driving in a bare-bones roadster or a lux-lined GT. Thankfully for my hapless guests, however, advances in technology have done much to assuage discomfort in poor weather. These days, there are far fewer tradeoffs associated with top-down motoring: improved aerodynamics, wind blockers, enhanced ventilation, sun-reflecting leather and, of course, seat heating and cooling – all features that have done much to make me better company. What’s more, modern underlying structures are stiffer and there’s little in the way of the noise, vibration and harshness penalties that there used to be.
In terms of innovation, nobody has done more to advance the everyday livability of the convertible than . They kept the faith back in the early 80s when nearly everyone had gotten out of the convertible business. They brought back the folding hardtop. They came up with the pyrotechnic roll hoop to augment rollover safety. They created Airscarf. , too. Hell, with this , they’ve even invented a new windshield wiper fluid delivery system to prevent errant schvitzing when driving with the top down (more on that in a minute).
On its face, a typically sober German engineering approach would seem to be at odds with the very idea of a top-down bauble, but Mercedes has taken a very logical approach to building something so frivolous. Amazingly, this philosophy works in the SL’s favor… most of the time.
There are plenty of ways to test a vehicle’s durability. You might hand the keys to your average teenager for a week or plop a journalist behind the wheel for an hour. Or you could simply enter the machine in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. has opted for the latter option for the company’s upgraded-for-2012 . The automaker’s development team want to fully stress the supercar’s systems by putting it through one of the world’s most grueling endurance races. Of course, the fact that Nissan wants to one-up in its own backyard certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
Nissan has thrown a bit more downforce at the vehicle’s front end and the factory wing has been replaced as well, but the engine, transmission and suspension all remain unaltered from the factory Club Track edition. The competition vehicle will wear slightly wider tires, as well as safety cage and a larger fuel cell to accommodate the race regulations. The factory brakes have also been swapped out for more aggressive hardware.
Nissan says some of the changes may make their way to production in the near future as the company pushes the vehicle to break the seven minute lap time barrier at Germany’s most famous track. to see the video for yourself.
There has been plenty of debate about whether bicyclists should be able to take up a lane typically reserved for motor vehicles. While that argument is far from settled, we can all agree that hit-and-run accidents between cars and bikes have got to stop.
At least one bus driver seems to agree with that statement, as evidenced by the action displayed in this video posted by the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania police department. The driver in question, a minor, faces multiple charges.
After seeing the bicyclist get hit, a quick-thinking bus driver can be seen blocking both traffic lanes, leaving the hit-and-run driver with nowhere to go. Well done. to watch the traffic camera footage.
“Our mission for the gen-five Viper was to build the best Viper yet.”
Those words pretty much sum up the seven videos we’ve embedded after the break. Of course, a whole heck of a lot of engineering went into realizing that mission, and the team from is justifiably proud of what they have been able to accomplish.
From the evocative curves of the body to the subtle changes to the 8.4-liter V10 that were necessary to net 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, turned the cameras on its own staff to show just how the 2013 SRT Viper went from the drawing board to an actual vehicle.
Wanna watch? Of course you do. for the video extravaganza.
We love Mini’s sense of humor, and its April Fools’ Day pranks this year were among . While we really, really wanted the Cowley camper to be real, actually went ahead and built the Amphibious “Yachtsman” – and then brought it to the , just as promised to in its fake April 1 press release.
Considering that some car companies have been known to release , we’re even more bemused by Mini’s antics.
Click to read the entire absurd press release, then go ahead and check out our of high-res images of the Yachtsman.
Anyone with an Xbox 360 and Forza Motorsport 4 will be able to get their hands on a virtual version of the all-new . As revealed at its 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 that debuted alongside the production car will also be digitized for the game and included in the pack.
to watch the official 50-second teaser video of the 2013 SRT Viper in Forza Motorsport 4.
Despite having a media center that’s plagued with bad coffee and prone to , the is one of our favorite automotive expos. It’s not an all-out automotive blitzkrieg like , but the vast majority of New York debuts are actual, honest-to-goodness production cars rather than spiffy concepts that only show what could be possible. And if you’ve paid attention to , some mighty big nameplates had some show-stopping debuts here in the Big Apple. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
We’ve walked the show floor, sipped some free coffee, shook hands with plenty of executives, and after two days of New York madness, we’ve come up with our picks for the five best reveals here at the show. Which of the took top honors? You’ll have to to find out.
Our sister site visits the University of Michigan in their latest episode to check out a bipedal robot named MABEL. While other similar robots like ASIMO (built by ), and the Partner Robots (from ) have wowed crowds with their ability to walk upright, MABEL advances the technology with a complex system of springs in its knees so that its gait more resembles actual human locomotion. This enables MABEL to actually run like a human, with both “feet” leaving the ground for part of each stride.
MABEL actually set a world record for fastest two-legged machine last summer, hitting a peak pace of 6.8 miles per hour. (By comparison, ASIMO tops out at 3.7 mph.) More importantly, MABEL is able to walk and run over more than just flat terrain, as it can dynamically balance similar to a human. University of Michigan researchers say this technology may be able to help the disabled regain the ability to walk some day, or be deployed for future vehicles that don’t use wheels.
The Juke-R needed a complete rework for just 480 horsepower. The needs only a few bolt-ons to more than double that number, apparently.
Despite having very little experience with imports, the guys over at put together a hilarious video showing exactly how to get a Nissan Cube to crank out 1,001 horsepower. After the base dyno test, the crew outfitted the Cube with some Type R badges, dragon vinyl, a GT-R inspired rear wing and some new wheel covers.
The end results were off the chart. if you have dreams of seeing what a 1,001-hp Nissan Cube looks like.
The is new for the 2013 model year, so it makes sense that would jump start the vehicle’s launch with a new ad campaign. Honda’s luxury arm went with the “Gulliver’s Travels” theme, which of course demonstrates that the refreshed crossover is big and luxurious, yet not too big. Get it? Gulliver is a giant and yet the RDX is big enough for him… moving on.
to watch the pair of 30-second spots. In the first ad, the little people give Gulliver an RDX, and in the second spot they wash it. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of Lilliputians to wash a mid-size luxury CUV.
You’d expect someone with a nickname like “hotshoe” or “leadfoot” to be behind the wheel of a . “Slowhand” less so, but that’s the nickname of one Eric Clapton, who in addition to being one of the most highly acclaimed rock and blues guitarists of all time also happens to be a huge nut for the Prancing Horse marque. In fact, Clapton is understood to have a couple of years back, where he presumably got the reddest of red carpet treatments while placing an order for a custom Ferrari.
That unique one-off, called the SP12 EPC has been dropping on and off of our radar, with some a couple of weeks ago and some hasty of the custom creation leaving a dealership in the UK a few days thereafter. But if those didn’t provide clear enough a picture for you, a batch of alleged patent renderings have now surfaced showing every line of the car’s bespoke shape. Check it out in the gallery for a closer look.
Visitors to the will be able to take a closer look at the ,’ just days after the company’s prototype made its first flight. The two-place airworthy machine is perhaps best considered a roadgoing low-wing aircraft (not a ‘flying car’), as its technical specifications are anything but earthly.
For starters, the curb weight of the composite and aluminum Transition is just 970 pounds, with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 pounds (useful load is 460 pounds). It is powered by a 1.4-liter Rotax 912ULS, a water-cooled flat-four developing 100 horsepower.
In aircraft mode, the thick automated electromechanical folding wings open and a gearbox transfers power to a four-bladed pusher propeller just behind the cockpit. Top speed in the non-pressurized Transition is about 115 mph, with a flying range of just over 400 miles. In terrestrial mode, with the wings folded and a license plate hanging in the slipstream, power is sent to the rear wheels and the top speed falls to just 65 mph. Fuel economy is about 35 mpg, with an on-road range in excess of 600 miles.
According to Woburn, Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, the company has more than 100 reservations for this novel contraption. If you have Popular Science dreams, get out your thickest checkbook, as the current anticipated base purchase price is a lofty $279,000.
