Autoblog

Bentley, Bond and Books: Special Series Edition of Devil May Care

John Neff — 2008-05-07T12:58:00+00:00

Click above for photo gallery

Devil May Care, the new James Bond novel set back during the Cold War in 1967, arrives on bookstore shelves May 28th. The book's author, Sebastian Faulkes, has written the story in the style of the late Ian Fleming to celebrate the 007 creator's centenary. As we first reported last September, MI6's greatest secret agent also returns to his Bentley-driving roots in Devil May Care. The car is the same one he drives in Fleming's Thunderball and On Her Majesty's Secret Service: a custom 2-seat Bentley R type Continental convertible with the 4½-liter engine from a Mk VI stuffed underhood. To celebrate Bond's return to Bentley, Penguin Books asked the automaker to design a very limited Special Series Edition -- just 300 copies will be made. (Anyone want to place bets on the aftermarket value of book #007?)

Under the supervision of chief designer Dirk Van Braeckel (the man responsible for the current Continental GT's lines), Bentley has delivered a leather-bound, heirloom-quality piece. The 'Flying B' hood ornament is featured on the cover and spine, and the outer leather is stitched in the same diamond pattern you'll find on the seating surfaces of a modern Bentley road car. The inside cover is also finished off in leather, but is styled in tune with cars of the era in which the story is set. The typeface used is the same one you'll find in a Bentley owner's manual, and each individually-numbered book comes with a matching-number pewter die-cast R type model and a similarly-snazzy book block. The numbering on each book, by the way, is featured on a metal plate supplied by the same firm who does the engine plates for the cars. Finally, all books come with a plexiglass slipcase.

As you might expect, this mega-exclusive book is also mega-expensive. £750 will put one on the bookshelf, where it would surely look nice next to the divorce papers you'll be handed shortly after its arrival. If you're a Bond completist, recent lottery winner, or a Bentley fanatic, you can order the super special edition via Penguin007.com, where they've got all manner of Bond info, a countdown clock ticking off the seconds to the book's release and a link to the Special Series Edition minisite. You regular folk (we know you're out there) can meet us at Amazon, where the pricing's a bit more in tune with blogger pay.

[Sources: Bentley, Penguin Books]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Time is Money: Mercedes-Benz reveals SL 63 AMG Edition IWC

John Neff — 2008-05-07T11:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Mercedes Benz, Lifestyle

Click above for high-res gallery of the SL 63 AMG Edition IWC

Autoblog does a lot of posts on car-related timepieces, and that's thanks to Noah who has an affinity for the finer automotive-inspired paraphernalia in life. Unfortunately, he's not here right now, so I get to tell you about this new limited edition Mercedes-Benz SL 63 that's being produced in conjunction with Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen. Only 200 will be made, and each features the first application of a new white paint finish dubbed designo magno Kashmir. Though my desensitized retinas see plain old white where others see shades of Pearl and Egg Shell, there's no denying this brilliant veneer looks like a million bucks on the SL 63 AMG. Contrast that with the matte black finish of other components on the car's exterior, and you've got the world's most expensive Storm Trooper. Tobago Brown nappa leather will cradle your bum in the AMG sport seats while your feet fall on special black floormats that are one of about a dozen interior surfaces emblazoned with the AMG logo. The rest is pretty much standard SL 63 AMG fare, if you can call anything about this 525-hp convertible standard with a straight face.

Oh, yeah, the watchmaker tie-in: All 200 owners of the SL 63 AMG Edition IWC will also get a limited edition example of IWC's "Grosser Ingenieur" watch. Nothing can replace my Swatch, but I would definitely take the car.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Edition IWC

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Time is Money: Mercedes-Benz reveals SL 63 AMG Edition IWC

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Your oil dollars at work - $9.8 million license plate auction in the UAE

Dan Roth — 2008-05-06T10:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Auction Action, Etc., Lifestyle

While fuel prices continue to ratchet up and put a squeeze on all aspects of the world economy, times are flush within the borders of major oil producing nations. So flush, in fact, that several Emiratis found a total of 9.8 million dollars to indulge in low-number license plates at a recent auction. The fascination with distinctive tags is a world-wide phenomenon, but $926,000 for a plate that says "50G" is uniquely asinine. If that's what our last few fillups helped purchase, we're going to bike more.

[Source: Yahoo]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hard times means some Icelanders can't keep on truckin'

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-05-04T16:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Etc., Euro, Toys, Lifestyle

In Iceland, the leviathan you see in the picture above is called a "jeep." Here in the U.S., it would be called a massively tricked out F-350 Super Duty, or probably just "monster truck." The 6,000 members of Iceland's 4x4 club use them to explore the barely reachable sections of the island nation, trusting 4-foot-high studded tires and a bevy of custom modifications to get them back to civilization.

The problem is that Icelanders are having their own currency issues, with a free-fall even worse than the dollar's being just the start. When gas is almost $8 per gallon, that puts a fill-up somewhere around the $500 mark. And that puts a hurting on everything -- especially when you have to spend even more money getting your truck hauled out of the ice it just fell through. Not that any of this really stops them, because, well, there isn't much else to do in Iceland. So follow the link and check out the trucks in the slideshow. It's big-wheel badness.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

JCL Aston Martin Tourbillon: the Supercar of Watches

Noah Joseph — 2008-04-25T08:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Gadgets, Lifestyle

This is a tourbillon. Nobody needs a tourbillon - it's sort of like the supercar of watches. And nobody really needs a supercar. You can get a rally-tuned all-wheel-drive four-door Japanese family sedan that will get you from A to B just as fast, and with less fuss. Likewise you could get a digital Casio that will tell you the time just as well. What the tourbillon and the exotic supercar have in common is that X-factor that sets it apart from the rest. Fitting, then, that this is no ordinary tourbillon; this is the Aston Martin tourbillon.

The tourbillon mechanism was originally developed for pocket watches, which, sitting in the same position most of the time, would throw off the balance of the mechanism over time. The highly complicated tourbillon, French for "whirlwind", involves a mechanism that rotates inside the case, counteracting the effects of gravity. The Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX 3 Tourbillon GMT you see here showcases the company's own proprietary JLC caliber 988 tourbillon movement, which features an AM/PM indicator and a 48-hour power reserve. Oh, and that second hand? That's not a second hand. It indicates the time in a second time zone...handy for the world traveler. The seconds are indicated by the rotation of the movement itself. The mechanism is housed in a black ceramic and 18-karat rose gold case sandwiched between sapphire crystals. The strap is perforated with contrasting white top-stitching, just in case the watch wasn't desirable enough already. But you can keep dreaming: only 300 are being made, and with fine tourbillons typically selling for five figures, don't be expecting one as a retirement gift from the company pension plan.

[Source: Sybarites]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Adam Carolla's audition drive for Top Gear (not really)

Jonathon Ramsey — 2008-04-23T19:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Pontiac, Lifestyle

SpeedTV did a video podcast featuring Adam Carolla -- along with SpeedTV's Kendall, and 50 Cent -- flogging a Pontiac G8 around a track. Carolla gets a check mark for being able to make jokes at speed and while in a spin. Whether he's actually funny, we'll let you decide. Since it wasn't done as a trial for the US Top Gear, and we have no idea what he was meant to be doing -- or allowed to say -- we shouldn't judge too harshly. But Clarkson doesn't have anything to worry about just yet...

[Source: Final Gear via Jalopnik]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda develops walking assist device to aid elderly/disabled

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-04-22T14:55:00+00:00

Filed under: Gadgets, Japan, Tech, Honda, Lifestyle

Click on the image to see more pics of Honda's Walking Assist Device

While Honda is known primarily for its cars and motorcycles, the company's engineering prowess extends into many other areas, as well. You may be aware that Honda also makes a jet and the ridiculously advanced robot known as Asimo. It appears that after reliably getting Asimo to walk on its own, Honda is phasing some of its robotics technology into other worthwhile endeavors, namely an experimental walking assist device for disabled individuals. Honda's Fundamental Technology Research Center will be showcasing the device at the International Trade Fair on Barrier Free Equipments & Rehabilitation for the Elderly & the Disabled, which will be held at Intex Osaka, Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2008. Available in three sizes, the device uses brushless DC motors powered by lithium ion batteries that allow up to two hours of walking assistance per charge. I'm just glad that my grandmother will soon be able to throw her old fashioned walker in the air, and wave it like she just don't care.

Gallery: Honda Walking Assist Device

[source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda develops walking assist device to aid elderly/disabled

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Saturn officially hip, launches blog and social networking site

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-04-17T16:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Saturn, Lifestyle

GM is working hard to ensure that its newest automotive division, Saturn, is considered cool, hip and edgy. In this day and age, that means the interwebs, specifically a blog and social networking site. According to a post by Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak on GM's FastLane blog, www.ImSaturn.com will feature news about Saturn along with photos and videos you haven't seen anywhere else. Like other social networking sites, you can join in on the fun by starting or joining groups where people with like-interests gather together and talk. The first 400 members get a free t-shirt, but if you want one you'd better hurry 'cause there are already 300-plus members.

What uber-hip marketing strategy would be complete without internet speak? Saturn's got that covered too. I M Saturn and U R 2!

[Source: I M Saturn]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nike Hyperdunk goes hyper-viral with Kobe Bryant/Aston Martin "stunt"

Alex Nunez — 2008-04-11T15:27:00+00:00

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Lifestyle, Celebrities

Video posted after the jump

No, Kobe Bryant did not throw caution (and the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff hopes) to the wind by leaping over a moving Aston Martin. If you don't know what we're referring to, don't feel bad. We were in the dark until emails began flooding in this morning.

Nike has unveiled its new Hyperdunk basketball shoe, which is endorsed by Kobe and will go on sale this July. To help ramp up awareness, the company filmed a new viral video in which Kobe shows off the new kicks and, in a demonstration of their lightness, wows teammate and observer Ronny Turiaf by jumping over an Aston Martin convertible that's driven directly at him.

Kudos to Nike: if our email inbox is any indication, you've created the buzz you're looking for. And if any of you were still wondering if the video were real, Kobe told a local news reporter, "Hollywood, baby!" when asked how he did it. We tend to agree with the speculation offered up by the Bleacher Report: Kobe really jumped (his leaping ability is not in question) as the car simply drove by beside him. Watch it for yourselves below the fold and tell us what you think.

[Source: KB24.com]

Continue reading Nike Hyperdunk goes hyper-viral with Kobe Bryant/Aston Martin "stunt"

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It had to happen: The smart fortwo for eight

Michael Harley — 2008-04-11T14:57:00+00:00

Filed under: Aftermarket, Euro, SMART, Lifestyle

Take a smart fortwo, cut it in half just behind the doors, and spend 300 man-hours over the next month adding nearly nine more feet to the vehicle's length. The result is the world's first smart fortwo "limo" that is about as long as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class! The images show a prototype model from Carbonyte, a UK limo specialty company, that was designed as a promotional vehicle (we see more than just a little resemblance to a popular energy-drink company). As expected with a custom fabrication, the customer can choose his or her own design, seating capacity, and intended use (if you have the need, Carbonyte is looking into creating a electric fortwo hearse). We know what you are thinking. Adding all this mass to a smart must slow the fortwo to a crawl. Right? Well, Carbonyte claims the original 600cc engine can still propel the contraption to a blistering 80 mph. Maybe so, but not with us in it.

Carbonyte's press release is posted below the fold.

Gallery: Smart Fortwo Limo

Continue reading It had to happen: The smart fortwo for eight

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VW Rabbit is the new top-researched car on Gaywheels.com

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-04-10T10:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Etc., Hatchbacks, Volkswagen, Lifestyle

This quarter, the Volkswagen Rabbit knocks the Toyota Yaris out of the top spot on Gaywheels.com's list of top-researched cars. The Yaris, which had hung on to the numero uno spot for the last twelve months, dropped to third place as the VeeDub managed to snag the second spot as well with the hardtop-convertible Eos, which is also a chick car. Making their first appearances on the list are the Volvo C30 at number nine and the Mazda 3 at the tenth spot.

Interestingly, Joe LaMuraglia from Gaywheels.com points out, "60% of the vehicles on the most-researched list are hatchbacks and four of those six have a MSRP starting at under $16K." You'll also see that the entire list, which is available after the jump, is populated with gas-sippers.

Note too that each vehicle on the Most-Researched list is offered by a gay-friendly brand -- based on corporate policies for offering domestic-partner benefits to employees in the U.S.

Comments, as always, are welcome. Please remember to keep 'em clean.

[Source: Gaywheels.com]

Continue reading VW Rabbit is the new top-researched car on Gaywheels.com

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Have lunch with the legends at the new Shelby Corner Cafe

Drew Phillips — 2008-04-09T17:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Lifestyle, Shelby

The newest place to eat in Vegas isn't anywhere close to the strip, unless you are talking about the drag strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Shelby Automobiles will open its new Shelby Corner Cafe at its Las Vegas facility this weekend alongside the NHRA drag races. Mr. Shelby himself will be on hand for the opening, along with well known drag racers like Bob Tasca III, Don Prudhomme, and Robert Height. The 13,000 square foot restaurant, in addition to serving guests visiting the plant, will provide a place to eat for Shelby employees and will serve as an alternative source of grub to race spectators. Carroll's famous chili is on the menu, of course, and the press release is after the jump.

Continue reading Have lunch with the legends at the new Shelby Corner Cafe

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bow your heads: Kansas man forming Mustang Church of America

Alex Nunez — 2008-04-05T10:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Etc., Ford, Lifestyle

Charles Ales is into Ford Mustangs. In fact, he owns several; his collection includes all three BOSS variants and four new Shelbys. Over years of collecting cars and hobnobbing with others who share his interests, he noticed that the real car people's enthusiasm for their rides borders on religious fervor. An idea popped into Charles' head last summer, and The Mustang Church of America and Museum was born. It's even got its own logo: the Christian fish symbol with the running pony inside.

Built next to the house in which he was born, the facility is set to open later this summer and will display Mr. Ales' collection of Mustangs. He also plans to host car shows, swap meets and two Mustang blessings a year. Charles and his adopted son Robert Brunch, both ordained ministers, will preside over Sunday services in the non-denominational church. "I'll preach goodness and helping my fellow humankind. I'll preach what we're supposed to do - make this a better world than we found it," he told the local Pittsburg, KS Morning Sun newspaper.

The mural behind his pulpit will show Jesus at the wheel of a '66 Mustang. Bet you don't have one of those at your church.

[Source: The Morning Sun via MustangBlog]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Put your best foot forward with Opel Agila City Heels

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-04-04T12:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Economy, Etc., Euro, Opel, Lifestyle

Click above for high-res gallery of the Opel Agila City Heels

April foolery a few days late? Unfortunately, no... the shoes you see above and in the gallery below are real. Opel has gone and commissioned a one-off pair of Opel Agila City Heels by Luca Stappers. Unveiled on April 2 at trendy shoe boutique Shoebaloo in Amsterdam, the shoes were delivered by a certain Prince Charming who rode, not in an Opel Agila, but on a white horse. We swear, we're not making this stuff up, though we honestly wish they were left in the back of someone's mind before ever hitting the drawing board. Whatever the case, the shoes do exist, so perhaps the lucky owner could cut her losses by lopping off the horrible fake-grille and headlights for some nice open-toed action. Or they could just throw 'em out. Heck, they aren't even white!

Gallery: Opel Agila City Heels

[Source: Opel via CarScoop]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Stolen car vandalized, thief complains to cops

Michael Harley — 2008-04-04T08:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Cadillac, Driving, Lifestyle

In yet another indication that thieves may boast more skill and luck than overall intelligence, a 22-year-old Somers, Connecticut, resident in possession of a stolen Cadillac STS complained to authorities that someone had broken the window on "his" car. Of course, it took the police just a few minutes to determine that there were some serious holes in the thief's story, and maybe more than a small bit of air inside the young man's head.

Although the self-proclaimed "victim" was in possession of the Caddy's keys, there was no supporting documentation proving ownership, or that he was in the process of purchasing the vehicle from an Avis rental agency, as he claimed. In fact, just how the shady character expected to make those payments on a $50,000 car was in question -- his "employment" was all arranged through a local temp agency. Long story short, the rental agency just so happened to be missing one Cadillac STS, and it didn't take them long to press charges.

Instead of sitting behind the wheel of America's finest luxury marque, the vandal finds himself sitting in jail today, unable to post bail of just $3,500... it may be time to call the agency for another temp position. Thanks for the tip, Keith!

[Source: Courant]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Blanc Slate: Porsche Design White Collection

Noah Joseph — 2008-04-03T17:33:00+00:00

Filed under: Gadgets, Trends, Marketing/Advertising, Porsche, Toys, Lifestyle

Click above to view the Porsche Design White Collection in hi-res

White is not "the new black". Nor is anything else, for that matter. Black is the new black, and always will be. That's why it's black. What white is, however, is the white-hottest color for new cars these days. Porsche knows that as well as anyone else, and its merchandising division, Porsche Design, is celebrating the trend with a line of products in hot white instead of the usual black.

The new Porsche Design White Collection is highlighted by a white version of the company's award-winning mobile phone, rounded out by items ranging from pens to jackets and laptop cases to sunglasses. Arriving just in time for a summer spent cruising around in a white 911 Turbo convertible, the collection goes on sale next month, its products available in any color you want... as long as it's white. Check out the press release after the jump for more info and the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Porsche Design White Collection

[Source: Porsche Design]

Continue reading Blanc Slate: Porsche Design White Collection

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Officially Official: Knight Rider airing Wednesday nights this Fall

John Neff — 2008-04-02T16:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Coupes, Ford, Lifestyle, Celebrities

Well, this morning, NBC made it official: Wednesday nights this Fall we'll all be able to say "Hello, Mike", as Knight Rider returns to the weekly schedule. The Peacock network unveiled its Fall lineup today and, despite rumors that it would appear on Friday nights, the new Knight Rider is relegated to the Hump night at 8-9PM EST. Encore showings will also run each week on Saturday night from 9-10PM EST. We're a bit surprised, or perhaps disappointed, that the show will be kicking the night off at 8 o'clock, as it suggests adult themes will not be present. Not that we're looking for lesbian overtures in every episode as was brazenly and inexplicably included in the pilot two-hour movie, but knowing that the new KR is sanitized for my nephew's protection is just one more nail in this show's coffin.

Nevertheless, your friendly neighborhood Autoblog plans to watch every episode until the show gets cancelled. Alex Nunez will liveblog each episode every Wednesday night, just like he did the two-hour movie. You're all invited to follow along as Alex poignantly picks apart each episode. Bring a box of tissues, though. You'll need them to dab the blood away from your eyes.

[Source: Variety]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kid Kustoms offers tins and fins for the jogging stroller

Michael Harley — 2008-04-02T14:56:00+00:00

Filed under: Etc., Toys, Lifestyle

Kid Kustoms, offering "Vintage Tins and Fins for your Tots," has brought a serious touch of class to the boring jogging stroller. It's time to ditch the ho-hum toddler hauler in exchange for one of these custom, and collapsible, composite lightweight strollers. Whether you choose the Classic, Signature or Kustom series, each design is available with unique fins, fenders and pin striping (Flame or Primer versions are optional) in an array of vibrant colors that harken back to a different kind of cruising. And these baby strollers aren't just quick chop jobs. The quality and craftsmanship, from their seamless welds to polished chrome, appears to be first-rate. Of course, a product of this caliber will command a premium price. To surround your little bundle of joy in something the other moms (and dads!) can't help but envy will set you back between $2,000 and $3,500. Oh, the cost of being cool...

Gallery: Kid Kustoms Strollers

[Source: Kid Kustoms]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kia engineers specific smells just for Europeans

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-04-01T15:41:00+00:00

Filed under: Etc., Euro, Kia, Lifestyle

While some people love "that new car smell", others are more worried about the health dangers of breathing in the noxious VOCs. Oddly enough, not all noses are created equally. It seems that, like their cars, European sniffers are tuned a bit differently than the schnozes in Korea. Accordingly, before Kia introduces new models into the European market, interior components are sealed up in jars and sent to Europe to be smell-tested.

The ideal Euro-smell is apparently difficult to define (we imagine it assaults the nostrils like a hunk of Limburger), but Kia has "developed odors for the car's interior that were pleasing to Europeans," according to David Labrosse who hails from Kia's European Research and Development Center. If an objectionable odor is found, a sample is heated up to locate the source of the sordid scent, at which time, the offending ingredient is eliminated. This is certainly a case where the nose knows.

NOTE: Despite being sourced from a UK news outlet (again, the Brits are known pranksters on this particular day of the year), we actually don't think is an April Fools joke.

[Source: What Car]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Get your Trek on: Boldly going places in a Toyota Prius

Alex Nunez — 2008-04-01T12:38:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Etc., Toyota, Lifestyle

Click above for more photos of Dr. Yee's Federation Prius-class shuttlecraft

First off, this isn't an April Fool's gag. Dr. Willie Yee is a psychiatrist in Ulster County, New York, but one look at his car tells you that that the man is also a Trekkie -- a serious one at that. Dr. Yee's 2007 Toyota Prius has been transformed from a garden-variety commuter pod into the Federation Prius-class shuttlecraft, Zhang Heng, named for a 1st century Chinese astronomer. The physical conversion involved the application of full Federation markings to the vehicle's exterior and fitting the wheels with a set of moon caps. Inside, a four-person away team can be transported in complete comfort. Dr. Yee has posted extensive documentation related to the Zhang Heng on his website, where you'll learn that it has a top speed of Warp 2 and is armed with a pair of 4-terawatt phasers, among other things (tailgating is not advised).

Kudos to Dr. Yee for keeping things fun. We have to wonder where he gets the dilithium crystals needed to run the warp-enabled car, though. They must be even harder to come by than E85 pumps.

UPDATE: Toyota's Open Road Blog caught up with Dr. Yee, too. Apparently, tinted windows and simulated front-bumper phaser banks are planned future mods.

Gallery: Zhang Heng, Prius-class shuttlecraft

[Source: WillieYee.info]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments