Autoblog

Google's next driverless car goal? 1,000,000 miles

Aaron Richardson — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Technology, Videos

Google co-founder Sergey Brin announced at Web 2.0 that Google's next goal for its driverless cars is to go 1,000,000 miles without driver intervention. According to Brin, Google's teams have already amassed more than 1,000 incident free miles without driver involvement.

Up to now, Google's driverless cars have gone 160,000 miles, but with some limited human input. The company admits that there's been one fender bender, but attributed that to human driver error rather than Google's software.

Google would like to reach a point where it's legal for driverless cars to mingle with everyday traffic, but Brin said there's a lot of research and development left to do. Before the technology can be marketable, Google says it needs to be developed to need to a point at which human drivers can ignore the road entirely. Click past the jump for a video with more details.

Continue reading Google's next driverless car goal? 1,000,000 miles

Google's next driverless car goal? 1,000,000 miles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mythbusters answers which is greener, cars or motorcycles?

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Motorcycle

Using portable emissions equipment, a wide sampling of cars and bikes from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s and with the help of Dr. Kent Johnson of UC Riverside, the Mythbusters team claims they proved motorcycles are dirtier than cars.

Doing so meant gathering data in real-world driving conditions along a 75-percent freeway, 25-percent city driving loop in and on the vehicles from different eras. The results of that test proved one thing that everyone should already know: motorcycles use less fuel than cars.

They also produce less carbon dioxide than cars, which accounts for 90 percent of a vehicle's emissions. Where cars pull ahead, though, is in the amount of other noxious gases they produce. The Mythbusters found that bikes produce tons more hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic; nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain; and carbon monoxide, everyone's favorite odorless deadly gas. Astoundingly, the 'busters claim bikes produce up to 8,000 percent more carbon monoxide than cars. Yes, 8,000 percent.

A controlled test on a track using a small displacement, fuel injected modern bike didn't give two wheelers the help the 'busters thought it would.To give bikes another chance, Jamie and Adam built an aerodynamic frame to make the modern bike sip even more gently through the wind. The result, predictably, was that the emissions got a little better, but were still worse than the car's. See the videos for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Mythbusters answers which is greener, cars or motorcycles?

Mythbusters answers which is greener, cars or motorcycles? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dan Neil calls out D.C. drivers as the world's worst

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Humor

Dan Neil on DC drivers - Click above to watch video

Dan Neil isn't exactly known for being Mr. Sensitive. In fact, Neil has built an entire career around ruffling people's feathers and not saying sorry. In a clip from SPEED's upcoming The Car Show, Neil calls out drivers in Washington, D.C. as the worst, not in America, but in the world. Harsh.

That said, we can't say we disagree. As far as we're concerned, thumb screws are preferable to an afternoon spent trying to traverse the D.C. Beltway. Click the image above to check out the video at The Car Show's Facebook page.

Dan Neil calls out D.C. drivers as the world's worst originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: CAR projects Michigan will net up to 23,000 new auto jobs in 2011

Chris Shunk — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Ford, GM

The fourth quarter of 2010 showed strengthening auto sales, and analysts believe 2011 will reveal further sales growth. That will likely lead to more profit for automakers, and The Detroit News reports that Michigan jobs could follow. The report cites findings by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) that show up to 23,000 new Michigan jobs in 2011 alone.

That's a huge number of high wage jobs in a region still burdened with unemployment levels over 10 percent, and a big reason the Mitten State is projected to be a jobs winner is a shift in the competitive landscape. Ford and General Motors are making money in a down auto market and Chrysler was breaking even even before refreshing most of its vehicle lineup. CAR points out that the Detroit Three are also competitive on labor and legacy costs, quality and manufacturing efficiency, which frees up more money for product development.

CAR has reportedly been able to track at least $5.6 billion in announced projects in Michigan over the past 24 months, and the industry continues to recover from the Great Recession; a number that stands a good chance of increasing.

[Source: Detroit News | Image: M. Spencer Green/AFP/Getty]

Report: CAR projects Michigan will net up to 23,000 new auto jobs in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Where are the flying cars we were promised? Popular Mechanics thinks it has the answer

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Specialty

Terrafugia Transition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Surely, you're familiar with the Jetsons, the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon world from the 1960s that was said to take place in the year 2062. Too futuristic for your blood? How about Ridley's Scott's Blade Runner, which starred Harrison Ford and was supposed to show life in the year 2019? And then there's Back to the Future II, which is even closer to our modern day, depicting life at 2015.

What's the constant in all of these retro-futuristic takes on what tomorrow may hold? ~~Hoverboards.~~ Flying cars. We're not sure about you, but we don't see no stinkin' flying cars floating down our streets. So, what gives? Besides reality, of course. Well... actually, reality is the key. The problem with flying cars from 50 years ago all the way until today remains the same: because the machine needs to operate just as capably in the sky as on the ground, compromises have to be made.

Compromises don't exactly equal success in the automotive or airplane marketplace. To meet government regulations, an automobile must pass a stringent series of safety and environmental tests, and the same is true for airplanes. Needless to say, then, combining the two is pretty darn difficult to accomplish. That said, Popular Mechanics has found reason to be excited about the prospect of the Terrafugia flying car. If that's a topic that interests you, we suggest you click here to read all about it.

Gallery: Terrafugia Transition Flying Car

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Where are the flying cars we were promised? Popular Mechanics thinks it has the answer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CAR releases updated "tube map" of the auto world

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Subway Map to the Auto World - Click above for high-res image gallery

Five years ago, CAR created a subway-style map of every major automaker, its brands and sub-brands, along with its technological partners, spin-offs and related relationships. It was enough to make our head explode, but the map made deciphering the incestuous relationship between the world's automakers a bit easier.

In its latest issue, CAR has updated the map for 2010, including every major and minor automaker and how each are tied together. The Brit pub admits they've taken a decidedly Western perspective, leaving out some of the odder marques and a few brands from emerging markets, but even then SAIC and Tata are in the mix, along with Fisker and Maybach.

Obviously, General Motors' brands have been pared down in the last five years, but before the mag went to print, they weren't able to update the map with the so-to-be-shuttered Mercury marque. And yes, they've got Porsche as a sub-group within Volkswagen and the newly-minted partnership between Toyota and Tesla as well.

Check both the original and upgraded maps in the gallery below, and make sure to view them in high-res to get the complete perspective.

Gallery: CAR Automake 'Subway' Maps

[Source: CAR]

CAR releases updated "tube map" of the auto world originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4.0 software hints at automotive integration, new dock

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

Our Apple-obsessed brethren at TUAW have been probing the company's new iPhone 4.0 software and, with the help of a trusted tipster, came across what could be a new automotive-related feature buried within the update.

The new software will apparently allow a "iPod out" functionality, which could be integrated into vehicles utilizing the iPod Accessory Protocol. While that's nothing new, the software tweaks have the potential to allow users to control music and other content through the iPhone (or by relation, the iPod Touch or iPad), turning the device into a separate remote control of sorts.

If that's the case, there's a distinct possibility that Apple - or third party accessory manufacturers - could develop a car kit complete with a dock, buttons and custom menus. The video after the jump provides a snooze-worthy tease of the functionality, and if this software sleuthing is to be believed, we might see some kind of Apple-branded car kit released by year's end.

[Source: TUAW]

Continue reading iPhone 4.0 software hints at automotive integration, new dock

iPhone 4.0 software hints at automotive integration, new dock originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Papa John's selling recovered Camaro diecast, free pizza and charity involved

Michael Harley — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Chevrolet, Toys/Games

We're suckers for a happy ending - especially when it involves cars, kids, and hot pizza. Recall, if you will, this past summer when John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's Pizza, was on a nationwide quest to find his beloved 1971 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - a car he sold in the mid-Eighties to fund his first store. John found his car in Kentucky, paid out more than a quarter of a million dollars in finder's fees, and then generously gave free pizzas from its 2,600 nationwide locations to all Camaro owners on August 26th.

Still feeling more than a bit elated with the return of his Z28, and intent on providing hope and inspiration to less fortunate children, Schnatter has now created a nifty little 1:64 scale diecast replica of his car. The metal cars sell for $4.99 apiece and each one comes with a coupon for a free medium cheese pizza ($1 from each car purchased will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation). In addition to selling the cars online, Papa John's is donating 5,000 mini Camaros directly to Toys for Tots. All told, Papa John's is contributing more than $155,000 to the Marine program and touching countless lives in the process. Go ahead and order a couple... we did. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Papa John's]

Continue reading Papa John's selling recovered Camaro diecast, free pizza and charity involved

Papa John's selling recovered Camaro diecast, free pizza and charity involved originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Etc., Motorcycle, Humor, Specialty, Design/Style, Off-Road

2009 SEMA Show Las Vegas - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year at SEMA, we fill the week with posts featuring special vehicles and products that we felt were important enough to share. Generally, they are the most newsworthy projects and new model introductions, but sometimes they are just things that caught our eye. When all is said and done, we think we've given all of you a good taste of what's on offer here in the desert.

Of course, there are always things we see and shoot that don't make it into the regular posts from the days we are here. We end up with a few hundred photos of random weirdness and cool stuff that just didn't make it into a dedicated post. That's what this post is for. It's basically a chance to dump some of that random wackiness and wonder that is SEMA into one big bowl and invite you all to take a sip. Click on the gallery below and you'll see race cars, hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles, wheels and more. None are labeled, but all should provide a unique look at what we saw at SEMA 2009.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Random sightings

SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus may offer decontented, track-focused LFA

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lexus

We're still trying to wrap our heads around yesterday's drive of the Lexus LFA, but before we give up the goods on Toyota's first V10-powered hypercar (check back on Monday), we cornered Paul Williamsen, the National Manager of Lexus College, about ToMoCo's plans to offer a harder, track-focused LFA.

In the last few years of development, Lexus considered building several more LFAs to be used in a one-make spec series to pit wealthy privateers against each other, further accentuating the LFA's extensive motorsport involvement. That plan fell by the wayside when Toyota decided to limit production to just 500 units.

However, Lexus is actively considering offering owners the option to purchase a decontented LFA, stripped of its luxurious, tech-laden interior and fitted with more track oriented features to be used as a weekend racer. A final decision hasn't been made yet, but Williamsen was clear that these hardened LFAs would have to be created out of the current allocation, as Lexus is intent on keeping production to a "hard" 500 units. Considering that nearly all the components fitted to the LFA were derived from prototypes that ran at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring and other events (the suspension remains adjustable for corner balancing and nearly all the components on the race cars were serialed production pieces), it wouldn't take much to turn the LFA into a tried-and-true racer with a few thoughtful, minimal mods.

Lexus may offer decontented, track-focused LFA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lithuanian foam sculptor does BMWs too

Michael Harley — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:34:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc.

Click on the above image for a photo gallery

Whether or not the foam-skinned car based on a Mercedes-Benz got your motor going yesterday, you have to give the artist credit for painstakingly completing not one, but two of these polyurethane-plated projects. Thanks to a reader's tip, we found this BMW 6 Series-based interpretation wearing the same brilliant red paint, flashy 30-inch dubs, and dual triangulated exhaust tips.

While the sculptor has kept much of the Bangle-butt intact, the overall aesthetics on this execution are much more pleasing to the eye. A glance inside indicates this attempt isn't as thorough as the other (the interior appears merely painted, not sculpted). However, as witnessed by the junk in the door-mounted map pocket, this one is getting some use on the streets too. Thanks for the tip Tarakonaz!

Gallery: Lithuanian foam 6 Series

[Source: Omnitel.autos]

Lithuanian foam sculptor does BMWs too originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 May 2008 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche-o-philes Alert: CAR celebrates 60-years of Stuttgart's finest

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:28:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche

Click above for a high-res gallery of Porsche pictorials, courtesy of Car.

Every time we hit up our local newsstand, ten minutes is inevitably spent flipping through the automotive masterwork known as Car. Unfortunately, we have a hard time justifying the exorbitant price tag, so it's a rare occasion when we walk up to the register and plunk down our hard-earned $10.95. But when the August 2008 issue hits the shelves, it's coming home.

Car is doing a 60-year retrospective on Porsche, looking back on the storied marque from Stuttgart to attempt to find the ultimate model to wear the crest. Thankfully, the cash-strapped among us can join in the fun. Car is running dozens of features on its website that correlate with its print issue, including new and archived reviews, stories of Porsche's racing triumphs and videos, plus one absolutely addictive game that's kept Editor Neff sated while recovering from another trip to the dentist.

Naturally, no Car-created retrospective could be complete without stunning photography to match the mag's pithy prose. We've assembled a small gallery of some of our favorite pics from the website, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't go to Car Online to enjoy the features first hand.

Gallery: CAR: The Greatest Porsches

Porsche-o-philes Alert: CAR celebrates 60-years of Stuttgart's finest originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 May 2008 21:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NADA: Luxury segment has the worst depreciation

Dan Roth — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Tuners, Etc.

Spend more for the cutting edge of luxury and style, and you could wind up taking a larger whack than most when it's time to trade in that sled. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is reporting that premium luxury vehicles actually have the highest annual depreciation rate. The reason for the stone-dropping value is that luxury car buyers tend to want the latest and greatest. The preference for the next big thing leads to owners turning in their current cars faster than people who will drive a Taurus until its wheels fall off. Manufacturers also keep rolling out new versions of their top-tier cars to keep these customers coming back for more, which also takes a bite out of resale value since the next iteration is often right around the corner. Those cars that don't get refreshed as quickly end up with heavier incentives to maintain their sales volume in between refreshenings. In the end, it's a win-win for everybody. Automakers continue to move iron, early adopters beta test the products for the rest of us, and if you're willing to be a little bit behind the curve, you can pick up a three-year-old car for a small potatoes and still feel like you're living large.

Topping the list of annual value-losers is Jaguar's XJ8, which drops 25 percent in just a year. Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus and Volvo also make appearances in NADA's top ten list of dubious distinction. The luxury cars are kept company by such ignominious vehicles as the Suzuki Verona, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. Judging from those rankings, it looks like the top and bottom extremes lose their value the fastest. If you're in the market for a Joneses-pleasing marque, this is good news.

[Source: NADA via Winding Road, Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty]

Continue reading NADA: Luxury segment has the worst depreciation

NADA: Luxury segment has the worst depreciation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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4-door Ferrari Pinin to headline RM Auction at Maranello

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Sedan, Performance, Auctions, Ferrari

click above to view more images of the 1980 Ferrari Pinin show car

Ferrari won't be building a four-door model now - that's what the Maserati Quattroporte, developed under Ferrari's tutelage, is for. But there was a time when Enzo himself considered the prospect. What spurred his interest was what you see above: the Ferrari Pinin show car, unveiled by Pininfarina on its 50th anniversary at the 1980 Turin auto show.

In the end, the rumored discussions between Enzo Ferrari and Sergio Pininfarina didn't yield a small production run of four-door Pinins, and only this one prototype was ever built. It's been sitting in the private collection of noted Ferrari collector and racer Jacques Swaters, who is putting it up for sale at the upcoming second annual "Leggenda e Passione" event run by Canadian auctioneers RM Auctions. The Ferrari and Maserati auction is scheduled to take place on May 18 at the Fiorano race track in Maranello.

Only a one-off as unique as the Pinin could manage to relegate this pair to "also ran" status: not one, but two Ferrari 250 California Spyders will also be up for auction, each estimated to fetch in the neighborhood of $5 million (give or take a mil). S/N 0923GT, a red 1958 long-wheelbase version (like the one Ferris Bueller crashed), was once owned by Hollywood actor James Coburn, and s/n 2377GT is a black 1961 short-wheelbase model. Only 100 examples of the 250 California Spyder were made, making them one of the most sought-after Ferraris out there.

[Source: Argentina Auto Blog and RM Auctions via Italiaspeed]

Gallery: 1980 Ferrari Pinin

4-door Ferrari Pinin to headline RM Auction at Maranello originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2008: Road and Travel names 2008 International Car Of The Year winners

Dan Roth — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., Audi, Buick, Chrysler, GM, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo

Road and Travel Magazine crowned the winners of its 2008 International Car Of The Year at 12th annual NAIAS-eve ceremony last night. Honda's newly-ginormous Accord took the coronation on the car side, while Chrysler's revamped Town and Country used its slick new features to win the truck category. RTM's judges are a veritable who's who of heavy-hitting auto journos, including Ann Job, David E. Davis, Jr., Denise McCluggage and Autoblog's own John McElroy. The pundit firepower lends real credence to the selections, even if you don't agree 100%. Results were sorted by JD Power and Associates, and General Motors had the most vehicles named to the overall list. GM was also presented with the first Earth Angel award, honoring the environmentally-friendly efforts of the automaker. The full list of winners is included in RTM's press release, posted after the jump.

[Source: Road and Travel]

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Road and Travel names 2008 International Car Of The Year winners

Detroit 2008: Road and Travel names 2008 International Car Of The Year winners originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Compressed air car on track for production this year

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Green, Plants/Manufacturing

Guy Negre's compressed air vision has crossed our desks before. The vehicle, which uses a motor powered by 4,000 psi of compressed air stored in carbon fiber tanks, will actually start production in India soon - after 15 years in development - thanks to some help from India's biggest automaker, Tata, which itself just unveiled the world's least expensive car called the Nano. The MDI Citycat and Minicat are built from lightweight materials and offer large passenger and luggage space with zero emissions motoring. The energy required to refill the compressed air tanks reportedly costs about $2, and there are optional propulsion units to extend the roughly 90-mile (at speeds of 40mph or below) range of the vehicle so you aren't stuck if your air car runs out of breath.

We wonder if the MDI Citycat and Minicat might actually increase the demand for compressed air. We can just imagine someone finding a way to make money selling high-octane squeezed atmosphere. Regardless, 100 miles of zero emissions sounds good to us, and MDI is also considering setting up local factories in various markets to virtually eliminate transport costs and pollution, too. With Tata's large resources and the insatiable demand of the burgeoning Indian market, these clever cars stand a good chance of success.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Compressed air car on track for production this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make it up to the kid with an Alfa Spider

Noah Joseph — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Alfa Romeo

Uh-oh. The big day came and went and you forgot a present for that pint-size kiddie on your shopping list. This is gonna cost ya. We'd charge you for information on the ultimate "stop crying, let me make it up to you" gift, but our lawyers insist it's legally questionable and our life coach says it's "wrong", whatever that means.

So here's what you want to get to make the kid forget the conspicuous and disappointing void under the tree: an Alfa Romeo. Okay, not a real one, but everything is relative and to a child, this will seem just as cool - trust us. These downsized rideable Alfa Spiders are available with a choice of body-styles - 8C Competizione or Brera - and powertrain. A hair under three bills will get pedal-power, or an extra two hundred nets the 6-volt electric version. Shipping's extra if you live outside the UK, and the roadsters are made for kids ages 2-5. Oh, and they're available only in red.

If your kid's passion lies elsewhere than with Alfa Romeo, we'd recommend a better education. In the meantime, don't fret: Turbo Toys has a variety of similar ride-ons, including a Maserati, Audi TT, Jag XK, Porsche, and several Ferraris.

You can thank us later.

[Source: Turbo Toys via Carscoop]

Make it up to the kid with an Alfa Spider originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobile names Audi R8 top car for '08; GM wins for hybrid tech

Dan Roth — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Performance, Etc., Technology, Audi, GM

click above for more high-res images of the gorgeous Audi R8

It's that time of year where everyone's prognosticating like Nostradamus about what the coming year will hold. The authoritative ink slingers at Automobile magazine have decided that Audi's R8 deserves the dual honors of 2008 Automobile Of The Year and Design Of The Year, as well. While infused with the generous spirit, Automobile named General Motor's Two-Mode Hybrid rig Technology Of The Year.

The R8 is Audi's sports/GT that looks like a supercar and radiates a glow across the entire Audi model line. Not only does it have neck-snapping visual presence, with a 420 horsepower V8 between the axles, there's a deep well of accelerative force to go along with a finely-tuned AWD chassis that doesn't scramble the occupants. Park the R8 next to some rosso italiano, and the lithe German with its metal side blades, straked vents front and rear, and muscular stance might just steal all the thunder.

Big trucks that return 20mpg in the city have been about as realistic as Tinkerbell, until now. General Motors partnered with BMW and the artist formerly known as DaimlerChrysler to develop a flexible hybrid architecture for a wide variety of applications. The second-generation system, with lots more transmission trickery added to the bag of fuel-saving techniques, is allowing the GMT900 platform to post city EPA mileage numbers not far behind four-cylinder midsizers. Because of the system's joint development, we should start seeing this hardware popping up in a variety of different vehicles soon. We're sure that not everyone will agree with Automobile's picks, so fire away with your own suggestions.

Press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Audi R8

Continue reading Automobile names Audi R8 top car for '08; GM wins for hybrid tech

Automobile names Audi R8 top car for '08; GM wins for hybrid tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari F2008 to kick off F1 launches

Noah Joseph — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:23:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari

Ferrari F2007

After 60 years, Scuderia Ferrari still hasn't gotten tired of getting a head start over its rivals. This time, the team has confirmed that the car it will be campaigning next season will be unveiled within a couple weeks' time on January 6.

The early launch date, which was leaked first by Kimi Raikkonen and then confirmed by president Luca di Montezemolo and CEO Jean Todt, places Ferrari as the first F1 team to unveil its car in the new year. Toyota will be unveiling its car on January 10, BMW Sauber on January 14, Honda on January 29 and Renault on January 31. The remaining teams, including Williams, Red Bull, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Force India and Super Aguri, are expected to show their cars later on. Following the much hyped spy scandal, McLaren is opting to forego the festivities of a glitzy unveiling for its 2008 car.

With the F2008, Ferrari is hoping to repeat this past year's performance by reclaiming the driver's and constructor's titles. The car is expected to be an evolution of the F2007 (pictured above), which was hailed as a revolutionary design.

[Source: Inside Line]

Ferrari F2008 to kick off F1 launches originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ugliest Car Ever: The Aurora (no, not that one)

Dan Roth — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:06:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Safety, UK

click above image for gallery of the Aurora Safety Car

"We pass the basket for a second collection this week at Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration so the parish project car can be finished." It didn't go down quite like that in the Branford, CT parish of Father Alfred Juliano back in the 1950s, but the priest did build a car of his own design that was partially funded by parishioners. I remember rifling through a stack of musty Mechanix Illustrated backissues in my misspent youth and coming across a feature on this vehicle, called the Aurora. A lot of people have declaimed the hideousness of Juliano's "safety car" throughout the years. It certainly has a peculiar reverse rake to its stance, while the flowing, organic form of the fiberglass body give the Aurora the appearance of a quickly departing Sea Ray , rather than an automobile headed at you.

Father Juliano had a lifelong automotive avocation and studied art before entering the priesthood. His intent with the Aurora was to create the world's safest automobile atop a salvaged Buick chassis. The body was hand-laid fiberglass and the bubbilicious daylight openings are rendered in plexiglass. Despite his efforts, things did not go well for Fr. Juliano. The car's press unveiling was a disaster, and Juliano ultimately ended up in financial trouble and was forced to leave his order. The Aurora was given to a garage to settle a debt, and that's where England's Andy Saunders tracked the vehicle down. Andy runs an auto import and customization business, and relishes a challenge. Restoring the Aurora was an arduous process, but as you can see, it's risen like Lazarus from the very disintegrated state Andy found it in. Since its restoration, the car has appeared at several events and museums, including Goodwood. Quite the resurrection.

[Source: NY Times, Photo: Andrew Saunders / NYT]

Gallery: Aurora Safety Car

Ugliest Car Ever: The Aurora (no, not that one) originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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