Autoblog Videos http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog Videos http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff RossThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Lego Caterham Seven does Chapman proud [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/lego-caterham-seven-does-chapman-proud-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/lego-caterham-seven-does-chapman-proud-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/lego-caterham-seven-does-chapman-proud-w-video/#comments Filed under: , ,



A chap who calls himself "Sheepo" has a habit of making custom creations out of Lego bits. These aren't kits, these are the expressions of his own automotive imagination using traditional Lego and Lego Technic parts. His year so far seems mostly devoted to suspension builds and a Land Rover Defender, but his latest work is a Caterham Seven.

Sheepo keeps his builds close to their inspirations, this Seven constructed with working steering, double-wishbone front suspension and Ackerman geometry in front, a three-link De Dion rear suspension in back and disc brakes. A bit of liberty has gone into the gearbox, which is a five-speed sequential unit plus reverse.

At one-seventh scale it is 45 centimeters long, has 2,500 parts and five motors. It is also a Chapman-approved lightweight at just 2.2 kilograms. Check it out in the video below and the high-res gallery of images above.

Continue reading Lego Caterham Seven does Chapman proud [w/video]

Lego Caterham Seven does Chapman proud [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 May 2013 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> caterhamcaterham 7legolego carlego technicsheepotoys Sat, 18 May 2013 19:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571594/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571594/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/lego-caterham-seven-does-chapman-proud-w-video/20571594/article-detail.xml 20571594 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/sheepo-lego-caterham-7-1368690170_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/sheepo-lego-caterham-7-1368690170.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin teases "very special concept" to be unveiled May 19 [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



We knew Aston Martin was taking three cars to the Nürbrurgring 24-Hour race this weekend, they being a V12 Vantage GT3 car, the Rapide S Hybrid Hydrogen concept and a V12 Vantage N24 that is close to road-legal. We've just discovered that the automaker is bringing a fourth, a concept to be revealed on Sunday, May 19 that we know nothing about save that it will celebrate the company's centennary.

Based on the image above it looks like it will be a modern take on the Aston Martin racer from the late fifties that contested the World Sportscar Championship and won Le Mans, but we'll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out. There's a short video below, and a press release on its other 'Ring efforts this weekend, to tease you until then.

Continue reading Aston Martin teases "very special concept" to be unveiled May 19 [w/video]

Aston Martin teases "very special concept" to be unveiled May 19 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 May 2013 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aston martinaston martin rapideAston Martin Rapide S Hybrid Hydrogenaston martin v12 vantageconcept carNurburgringnurburgring 24videoyoutube Sat, 18 May 2013 17:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574729/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574729/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/20574729/article-detail.xml 20574729 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/aston-concept-ring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/aston-concept-ring.jpg <![CDATA[Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/#comments Filed under: ,



The Bowler EXR S is a purpose-built SUV based on Land Rover bones with a 550-horsepower supercharged V8 designed to tackle off-road rallying events like the Paris-Dakar. The Caterham Seven Supersport is a feather-light track day weapon, purposely created to out-hustle just about anything on a winding race circuit. If asked to pick one of the as the fastest around a handling circuit in the UK, the smart money is clearly on the racing Caterham. Right?

Maybe, maybe not, as it turns out.

In what can only be the product of some right-place, right-time car loans, British publication Autocar has put together a wild on-track comparison between the Seven and the EXR S, with a pretty interesting outcome. We won't spoil it for you - go ahead and click it on below to watch the head-to-head for yourself.

Continue reading Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle

Bowler EXR S vs Caterham Seven Supersport in spectacularly bizarre track battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bowlerbowler exrbowler exr-scaterhamcaterham sevencaterham seven supersportland roverlotus 7lotus sevenvideo Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574159/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574159/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/bowler-exr-s-vs-caterham-seven-supersport-in-spectacularly-bizar/20574159/article-detail.xml 20574159 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bowler-vs-caterham-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bowler-vs-caterham-628.jpg <![CDATA[Visteon working on creepy artificial intelligence for your car's infotainment [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/#comments Filed under: ,



Those that hanker for the days when automobiles were generally simple machines - responsive only to the will of their human masters - probably don't work in R&D at Visteon. The Michigan-based automotive supplier, with a track record in climate control and electronics manufacture, has released some new information about a new system it is calling Human Bayesian Intelligence Technology or HABIT.

The goal of HABIT, in a nutshell, is to learn and predict what in-car setting a driver would like, in advance of him even having to ask for them. Using data about radio, climate control and driving behavior, HABIT stores and analyses (some might say "learns") about a driver's preferences, and then makes cues them up for the driver at the right time of day, or in the right situation.

If all of that sounds a little "big brother" to you, well, just wait until you have a look at the demo video Visteon has put together. We'd certainly like to get a closer look at the HABIT system when it's ready for primetime (or even in advance of that), but we're not entirely sold on the sort of creepy, blonde robot guide that we've seen here. Scroll down to see and watch what we mean.

Continue reading Visteon working on creepy artificial intelligence for your car's infotainment [w/video]

Visteon working on creepy artificial intelligence for your car's infotainment [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> human bayesian intelligence technologyvideovisteonvisteon habit Fri, 17 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574233/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574233/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/visteon-working-on-creepy-artificial-intelligence-for-your-cars/20574233/article-detail.xml 20574233 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/visteon-habit-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/visteon-habit-628.jpg <![CDATA[Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



One driver in Portland, OR should make a hefty donation to his or her local wildlife conservation group after a family of ducks got the person out of a speeding ticket. A Portland police officer clocked a car going 52 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone, but when the officer went to pursue the speeder, a mother duck and her two ducklings ran some unintended interference.

Rather than just going around the ducks, the officer blocks the street to usher the waterfowl from the road. While the speeder got away, it's nice to see some compassion from the authorities. Besides, the gesture might've saved more than just the ducks from an unfortunate accident on the rain-slicked road. Scroll down to watch the video taken from the patrol car's dash cam.

Continue reading Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam

Portland police pursuit quack down caught on dash cam originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> dash camdash camedashcamduckmallard duckpolicepolice campolice chaseportland policespeeding ticketvideo Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20573938/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20573938/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/portland-police-pursuit-quack-up-caught-on-dash-cam/20573938/article-detail.xml 20573938 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/police-chase-ducks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/police-chase-ducks.jpg <![CDATA[Isuzu Trail View is Google Street View for off road]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/isuzu-trail-view-is-google-street-view-for-off-road/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/isuzu-trail-view-is-google-street-view-for-off-road/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/isuzu-trail-view-is-google-street-view-for-off-road/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Isuzu Trail View - video screencap

Isuzu has taken to advertising its not-for-North-America KB pickup truck with a unique initiative. The company wanted to apply the Google Street View philosophy to some of South Africa's more remote off-road trails, and the result is Isuzu Trail View. Using multiple action cameras situated in a 3D-printed housing strapped to the top of the truck, the crew began bouncing along dirt and rock paths, recording all the while. They also shot additional video and worked with experts to provide excellent clips on how to navigate common off-road obstacles.

You can watch the making-of video below, and you can head over to the Trail View site to poke around a few South African trails for yourself. All we want to know is, how long before Jeep does the same here in the US?

Continue reading Isuzu Trail View is Google Street View for off road

Isuzu Trail View is Google Street View for off road originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> googlegoogle street viewisuzuisuzu kbisuzu kb pickupisuzu pickupisuzu trail viewoff roadoff roadingstreet viewstreetviewtrail view Fri, 17 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20566938/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20566938/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/isuzu-trail-view-is-google-street-view-for-off-road/20566938/article-detail.xml 20566938 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/suzuki-trail-view-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/suzuki-trail-view-628.jpg <![CDATA[Face to giant face with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class [w/videos]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-introduction-videos/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-introduction-videos/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-introduction-videos/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Mercedes-Benz isn't a brand afraid to put on a show for any old reason at all - like, just because it's Tuesday - but the premiere of the 2014 S-Class, even by the standards we're used to, was Broadway-theater intense. Held at a purpose-built venue inside a hanger at the Airbus factory in Hamburg, the hours-long extravaganza was hosted by two German newscasters and guest-starred Alicia Keyes, an A380, fireworks, every model in the lineup in a choreographed driving routine while The Stig did donuts in an SLS AMG in the rain, and at the very end, burlesque. That's how much the S-Class means to this brand.

What's it going to mean to the razor's edge of the mass-market large luxury sedan market? The exterior, that's ripe for debate. But the interior - well, it just hung a sign on the segment that read, "Achtung! This, meine Damen und Herren, is how it's done."

Continue reading Face to giant face with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class [w/videos]

Face to giant face with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 mercedes s-classmercedesmercedes s-classmercedes s-klassevideo Fri, 17 May 2013 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571644/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571644/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/2014-mercedes-benz-s-class-introduction-videos/20571644/article-detail.xml 20571644 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-s-class-reveal-live-02-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-s-class-reveal-live-02-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Rolls-Royce gets into LSR game, backs Bloodhound SSC [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/rolls-royce-gets-into-lsr-game-backs-bloodhound-ssc-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/rolls-royce-gets-into-lsr-game-backs-bloodhound-ssc-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/rolls-royce-gets-into-lsr-game-backs-bloodhound-ssc-w-video/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



Rolls-Royce, the "power solutions" company that makes jet engines and much more (not the luxury motorcar company) has signed on to support the Bloodhound SSC Land Speed Record attempt project. This isn't just a financial tie-up and exchange of engines and tech, though, Rolls-Royce is just as interested as the Bloodhound gang in promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics to children in the UK and around the world.

It will be providing its EJ200 jet engine that powers the Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet with 20,000 pounds of thrust. In the Bloodhound, the engine will be the first stage in the hybrid rocket system that they hope will get the SSC to 1,000 miles per hour. Coincidentally, although Rolls-Royce hasn't been officially involved with Bloodhound before, its engines have been used to break records in the Bloodhound predecessors Thrust 2 and Thrust SSC.

There's a press release below with more details and a video that animates how the hybrid rocket inside the blue streak works.

Continue reading Rolls-Royce gets into LSR game, backs Bloodhound SSC [w/video]

Rolls-Royce gets into LSR game, backs Bloodhound SSC [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aerospacebloodhoundbloodhound sscland speed recordlsrrolls roycerolls-royce Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571499/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571499/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/rolls-royce-gets-into-lsr-game-backs-bloodhound-ssc-w-video/20571499/article-detail.xml 20571499 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bloodhound-rolls-royce-aero_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bloodhound-rolls-royce-aero.jpg <![CDATA[Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Last October, Chris Harris got a shotgun ride in the Porsche 918 Spyder. Seven months on, the automaker is quite a bit further on the development on the hybrid supercar, and Porsche invited him to the Leipzig circuit for a test drive.

Harris starts off going through some of the technical bits on the car, including the galvanized carbon fiber instrument panel and forged carbon fiber attachment points, and before he gets in, he's a little unsure of the car. The hybrid aspect is of particular concern, Harris almost wishing that instead of a 3,608-pound coupe with a combined 887 horsepower, that Porsche would ditch the heavy batteries and make a 2,420-pound coupe with the combustion engine's 608 horsepower.

Then he drives it, and all of a sudden, "It doesn't feel like I'm driving a hybrid sports car." You can watch him come around in the video below.

Continue reading Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder

Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chris harrisporsche 918 spydervideoyoutube Thu, 16 May 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571600/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571600/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/20571600/article-detail.xml 20571600 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chris-harris-918-drive_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chris-harris-918-drive.jpg <![CDATA[Hot Wheels stages competition to find its own world's best driver]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Take the Race of Champions, keep its wide-ranging motorsports disciplines but replace national teams with duos called Red Outrageous, Yellow Powerful, Blue High Tech and Green Superfast. Give them rides from a toy store shelf and the cockiness of Top Gun, put them on courses from Mad Max and mix in a vibe and radio chatter from the attack on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back, and what do you have? The Hot Wheels short film World's Best Driver.

The maker of little diecast cars got some big cars together - some you've seen before, some are from other planets - as well as some wild drivers and moto-crossers, and put them to the test at a 'secret' location called the Hot Wheels Test Facility, where things get quite a bit wilder than they do at the Nürburgring.

We have no idea why this movie exists, and we don't care - it's 22 minutes of camped-out fun and you'll find it below.

Continue reading Hot Wheels stages competition to find its own world's best driver

Hot Wheels stages competition to find its own world's best driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aaron rossbryce hudsoncasey curriediecastgeoff aaronhot wheelshot wheels worlds best driverluke johnsonronnie rennervideoworlds best driver Thu, 16 May 2013 19:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571586/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571586/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/hot-wheels-stages-competition-to-find-its-own-worlds-best-drive/20571586/article-detail.xml 20571586 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hot-wheels-best-driver_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hot-wheels-best-driver.jpg <![CDATA[Ariel Atom V8 pitted against Citroën DS3 racer and BMW HP4 superbike]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



Autocar took an Ariel Atom V8, BMW HP4 superbike and X-Games gold medalist Liam Doren's Citroën DS3 rallycross ride to an airstrip for a drag race. Sadly for all the drivers and for us, the clouds took to the sky and poured more and more rain on the track before the big race.

It's still a fun theoretical battle. The 550-kilogram Ariel Atom brings a 3.3-liter V8 with 475 horsepower, 268 pound-feet of torque and a 748-hp-per-ton ratio. The engine-restricted, 1,300-kg DS3 Rallycross rocks a 2.0-liter four-cylinder set for the day to about 560 hp, 600 lb-ft and - because of its variable boost - anywhere from 454-577 hp-per-ton. The HP4, naturally, does the most with the least, its 169 kg hauling a 1.0-liter engine with 163 hp, 83 lb-ft and a screaming 757 hp-per-ton.

It's a shame the weather didn't allow the entrants to show all they could do, especially the two-wheel-drive Atom. Nevertheless, it does demonstrate how critical the amount of available traction is to get the most from high-performance machinery, and there's lots of launch-controlled action and a winner crowned in the video below.

Continue reading Ariel Atom V8 pitted against Citroën DS3 racer and BMW HP4 superbike

Ariel Atom V8 pitted against Citroën DS3 racer and BMW HP4 superbike originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ariel atomariel atom v8autocarbmw hp4citroen ds3liam dorenrallycrosssteve sutcliffevideoyoutube Thu, 16 May 2013 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569468/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569468/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/20569468/article-detail.xml 20569468 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-16-at-5.05.46-pm-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-16-at-5.05.46-pm-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/#comments Filed under: , , ,



The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its new small overlap frontal crash test last year, and while a number of cars have passed the test with an "Acceptable" rating, the 2014 Subaru Forester is the first vehicle to ace the test with a "Good" rating. A total of 13 small crossovers and SUVs were subjected to the more rigorous testing procedure, and only the Forester and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport drove off with the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Two of the worst-performing vehicles that were called out in this group were the Nissan Rogue and Jeep Wrangler, which were the only two not to receive a Top Safety Pick Rating. The Jeep Patriot did earn that distinction despite not performing well in the small overlap test. To be named a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn top ratings in front, side, rear and roof-strength tests, while a Top Safety Pick+ requires four out of five to be "Good" ratings with the fifth no worse than "Acceptable;" the Forester received "Good" ratings in all five tests. Scroll down for a video showing how the Forester and some of its competitors performed in the small overlap test, along with a press release.

Continue reading Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video]

Subaru Forester first to ace difficult new IIHS crash test [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 subaru forester2014 subaru forester crash test2014subaruforestercrashtestcrash testiihsInsurance Institute for Highway Safetysmall overlap frontal crash testsubaru forestersubaruforesterTop Safety Picktop safety pick+ Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20572277/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20572277/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/subaru-forester-first-to-ace-difficult-new-iihs-crash-test-w-v/20572277/article-detail.xml 20572277 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/forester-xt-lead-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/forester-xt-lead-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Peugeot Climb Dance Pikes Peak film - remastered screencap

Climb Dance, the rally-porn film celebrating the Pikes Peak Hill Climb victories of Ari Vatanen in 1988 and Robby Unser in 1989 - and including footage from both drives - has been remastered in high definition. It was commissioned by Peugeot, maker of the four-wheel steering 415 T16 Grand Raid, the racecar that took both drivers to the top to overall victories.

Peugeot will be hoping that Sébastien Loeb can dance the same way next month when he runs up the now-paved mountain in his 208. You'll find the breathtaking remastered Climb Dance below, as well as tribute the Motor Trend made with Marcus Gronholm in a Ford Fiesta back in 2009. Enjoy.

Continue reading Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory

Peugeot's legendary Climb Dance remastered in high-definition glory originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ari vatanenclimb danceford fiestapeugeotpeugeot 405 t16pikes peakpikes peak international hill climbrobby unservideo Thu, 16 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571485/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571485/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/peugeots-legendary-climb-dance-remastered-in-high-definition-gl/20571485/article-detail.xml 20571485 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climb-dance-remastered_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climb-dance-remastered.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo teases mysterious new small crossover]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/volvo-teases-mysterious-new-small-crossover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/volvo-teases-mysterious-new-small-crossover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/volvo-teases-mysterious-new-small-crossover/#comments Filed under: , ,

Volvo crossover teaser - video screencap

The image you see above is just about all we know of the new Volvo crossover that will be revealed at 8:30 pm Central European Time on May 17 (2:30 pm Eastern Standard Time). Volvo released three very short video teasers, all with the tagline "Leave The World Behind," all of which feature a member of the now-defunct band Swedish House Mafia - Axwell sits in a boat in the first, Sebastian Ingrosso walks toward cabin in the second and Steve Angello stares at the sea in a third.

A microsite, www.leavetheworldbehind.com, accompanies the teasers and it's been said that a short film by Lune will feature the band - Swedish Mafia had a hit in 2009 with the song Leave the World Behind. As for the vehicle, theories are that it could be something between the V40 Cross Country and XC60, the new XC90 or something else entirely. We don't have long to wait, and you can watch both teasers below.

Continue reading Volvo teases mysterious new small crossover

Volvo teases mysterious new small crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> leave the world behindswedish house mafiateaservideovolvovolvo crossovervolvo cuv Thu, 16 May 2013 10:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571478/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571478/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/volvo-teases-mysterious-new-small-crossover/20571478/article-detail.xml 20571478 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volvo-crossover-tease_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volvo-crossover-tease.jpg <![CDATA[Vettel and Coulthard drive Russia's very unfinished Sochi Circuit]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Coulthard and Vettel drive Infiniti M sedans on the site of Russia's future grand prix circuit

The next Winter Olympics will happen in Sochi, Russia from February 7-23, 2014. Sometime after that, barring any delays, a portion of the Sochi Olympic Park will be turned into the Sochi Olympic Park Circuit, a 3.65-mile track for the first Russian Grand Prix in 100 years (the last of two Formula One grands prix were held in St. Petersburg).

As we've come to expect from the Infiniti Red Bull team, it recently sent Sebastian Vettel and brand ambassador David Coulthard to the unfinished venue to run the route in Infiniti M sedans and offer some impressions. With average cornering speeds above 62 miles an hour, Coulthard called it a fast street circuit in the Monaco vein. You can watch them try it out - yes, that's Vettel gone airborne above - and avoid a "White Van Man" in the video below.

Continue reading Vettel and Coulthard drive Russia's very unfinished Sochi Circuit

Vettel and Coulthard drive Russia's very unfinished Sochi Circuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> david coulthardf1formula 1formula oneinfinitiinfiniti mrussian grand prixsebastian vettelsochisochi olympic park circuitvettelvideo Thu, 16 May 2013 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569418/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569418/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/vettel-and-coulthard-drive-russias-very-unfinished-sochi-circui/20569418/article-detail.xml 20569418 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vettel-coulthard-infiniti-sochi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vettel-coulthard-infiniti-sochi.jpg <![CDATA[Pedestrian fakes hilariously bad hit, foiled by Russian dash cam]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/#comments Filed under: , , ,



After the Good-Samaritan-fest that was the last Russian dash cam video, it's back to our regularly scheduled program of scamming and madness. This time, it's a woman who attempts to pretend she's been hit by a car and rendered unconscious, the same tired con-job that happens to be one of the primary reasons that Russians probably perform more surveillance on themselves than the state does.

It's a remarkably bad job of method acting on the woman's part (is she drunk?), but we'll give her credit for persistence. The worst acting job you'll see all day is on video just below.

Continue reading Pedestrian fakes hilariously bad hit, foiled by Russian dash cam

Pedestrian fakes hilariously bad hit, foiled by Russian dash cam originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> dash camdashcamfraudpedestrianpedestrian failrussiarussian dash camscamvideo Wed, 15 May 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569268/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569268/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/pedestrian-fakes-hilariously-bad-hit-foiled-by-russian-dash-cam/20569268/article-detail.xml 20569268 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dashcam-scam_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dashcam-scam.jpg <![CDATA[Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/#comments Filed under: , ,



Red light cameras don't appear to be going away, so it should come as no surprise that neither are the controversies around them. We're told again and again that they're about safety, not revenue collection, yet year after year, the studies and headlines compete to support and tear down those arguments. An investigative report by Florida's WTSP Channel 10 News gets the maelstrom whirling again, having found that various state municipalities have shorted yellow light times to below those recommended by the US Department of Transportation.

The retiming of yellow lights was precipitated by a change the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) made to its guidelines for yellow-light durations. Until 2011, the regulations "mandated yellow light calculations factor in either the posted speed limit or 85th percentile of drivers' actual speed - whichever was greater." That year, though, the phrase "whichever was greater" was cut, and certain cities began resetting the yellow lights to illuminate for the shorter interval - either trying to ensure more safety or more revenue. The FDOT says the new language was only meant to establish a minimum time for yellow lights, not to dictate their exact duration.

Various US government studies and reports recommend not using a road's speed limit when determining the length of the yellow light because it increases violations and crashes, but instead using the traffic's 85th percentile speed or the speed limit plus ten miles per hour.

More than one study has found that people want red light cameras, studies have also shown that while major accidents have been reduced at intersections with cameras, smaller fender-bender accidents have increased, and that's not an isolated finding. And with so much money in play - the Channel 10 news report says Florida collect about $100 million in red light camera fines last year and could get to $130 million this year - it's no wonder cities shorten yellow light times below the minimum guidelines, manipulate accident data, robo-sign tickets with the names of dead police officers, and redesign their license plates to make them easier for the cameras to read.

Check out the news segment in the video below and head over to the WTSP site for all of the numbers and specifics, and if you're in Florida, you'll need to pay even more attention to the lights in front and the traffic behind.

Continue reading Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets

Florida DOT quietly changed yellow-light standards, municipalities issuing more tickets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> department of transportationfloridaflorida dotred light cameratraffic camerastraffic lightsvideowtspyellow light Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569316/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569316/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/florida-dot-quietly-changed-yellow-light-standards-municipaliti/20569316/article-detail.xml 20569316 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/fdot-yellow-light-times.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Honda Grom motorcycle is a 125cc-shot of awesome [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/#comments Filed under: , , ,

2014 Honda Grom motorcycle - profile view, red

My very first turn at the handlebars of a motorcycle came courtesy of an MSF Honda CB125. Despite the fact that it wore a very stern sticker on the tank warning all who rode that it was for instructional purposes only and not for legal sale, I wanted nothing more than to ride it past the cones of my license test and straight home. There was just something about the lightweight, low-power machine that just felt right. Now Honda is giving American buyers the chance to take home something similar. Meet the Grom. Yes, it's basically a sexed-up scooter, but that's fine by me.

There's a fuel-injected 125cc single pushing the fat-tired bike around, and a four-speed gearbox handles shifting duty.The smallish 12-inch wheels give the Grom a bit of a goofball appearance, but the handsome bodywork and gold forks help offset the look. Something tells me this joker is more fun than should be legal. Check out a fun video of the bike in action by scrolling down, and while you're there, you'll find a full press release on all of the new Honda powersports models, including the Grom. You can also head over to the Honda consumer site for more information. The bike will land in showrooms this August with an MSRP of $2,999.

Continue reading 2014 Honda Grom motorcycle is a 125cc-shot of awesome [w/video]

2014 Honda Grom motorcycle is a 125cc-shot of awesome [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 125cc2014 honda gromhondahonda gromhonda grom 125hondagrom125motorcyclevideo Wed, 15 May 2013 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568567/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568567/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/20568567/article-detail.xml 20568567 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-honda-grom-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-honda-grom-628.jpg <![CDATA[Clever water stop sign prevents tunnel crashes in Australia]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/#comments Filed under: ,



Faced with truck drivers not heeding warnings when their tractor trailers were too tall to enter the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, officials turned to a company called Laservision to put an end to these costly crashes that were not only closing the tunnel for weeks at a time, but also put other drivers on the road in considerable danger.

Developed and implemented back in 2011, Laservision's Softstop system projects a familiar bright red stop sign, seemingly in mid-air, at the tunnel's entrance if a vehicle too large to enter is detected. In fact, the stop sign does not float in mid-air, but rather is projected onto a water screen that, should a vehicle not heed its command, would cause no damage from being driven through.

The Softstop water stop sign is a last resort, mind you. If a driver's truck is tall enough that it would crash into the tunnel were it to enter, a number of brightly flashing warning signs are activated that signal the driver to stop earlier. Only if those flashing signs are ignored is the Softstop system activated at the tunnel's entrance. Likewise, the Softstop system can be activated for other reasons, including keeping drivers out for their own protection if there's a fire or other disaster inside the tunnel.

Though we admit to chuckling at the occasional truck-crashes-into-low-overpass video (11foot8.com is a whole website devoted to vehicles crashing into a low railroad trestle in Durham, NC), this clever solution for preventing such accidents is even more interesting to watch in action.

Continue reading Clever water stop sign prevents tunnel crashes in Australia

Clever water stop sign prevents tunnel crashes in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> laservisionsoftstopsydney harbour tunneltruck tunnel crashesvideowater stop sign Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20570531/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20570531/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/clever-water-stop-sign-prevents-tunnel-crashes-in-australia/20570531/article-detail.xml 20570531 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/softstop-water-stop-sign-tunnel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/softstop-water-stop-sign-tunnel.jpg <![CDATA[Jaguar F-Type meets America in first TV spots]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



With its new "Your Turn" global ad campaign, Jaguar has introduced its 2014 F-Type to the world of broadcast media. The effort takes aim at the monied 25-54 demographic, which makes sense of Jaguar recently shacking up with the 2013 Playboy Playmate of the Year Raquel Pomplun and San Francisco NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. You'll also be seeing the new roadster on ESPN's SportsCenter, late night ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, the USA Network show Covert Affairs, the Sundance Channel and theaters, magazines and everywhere digital. On top of all that, a social media campaign includes a contest called #MyTurnToJag that will reward four winners with a custom drive in the new convertible.

You'll find the first two spots below, along with a press release on the roaring red marketing onslaught headed your way.

Continue reading Jaguar F-Type meets America in first TV spots

Jaguar F-Type meets America in first TV spots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 jaguar f-typead campaigncommercialjaguarjaguar f-typemyturntojagvideoyour turn Wed, 15 May 2013 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569281/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569281/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/jaguar-f-type-meets-america-in-first-tv-spots/20569281/article-detail.xml 20569281 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jaguar-f-type-ad-campaign_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jaguar-f-type-ad-campaign.jpg -1 2