Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Greenwashing? Governator looks to have gotten himself a new Dodge Challenger SRT8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/greenwashing-governator-looks-to-have-got-himself-a-new-dodge-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/greenwashing-governator-looks-to-have-got-himself-a-new-dodge-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/greenwashing-governator-looks-to-have-got-himself-a-new-dodge-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



It is well known that California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a very public change of heart when it comes to seeking out a greener lifestyle. Heck, he's gone from owning the very first civilian AM General HMMWV to talking up green environmental initiatives and start-ups like Tesla. He's even taken delivery of one of the company's Roadsters.

Fitting in the car, however, is apparently proving to be a bit of a challenge for the bodybuilder/actor formerly known as Conan, so word is that he's trying to return it to Tesla. What he might have slotted in the garage in the space of that Tesla? If TMZ's paparazzi video footage at the link is to be believed, the answer is a TorRed Dodge Challenger with all the trimmings. A little lighter on the green credentials, sure, but it's not black, it's not hard to get into, and it makes all the right noises for the man character who said the best things in life are "to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women."

[Source: TMZ]

Greenwashing? Governator looks to have gotten himself a new Dodge Challenger SRT8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AM GeneralAmGeneralarnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggercaliforniacelebritiesdodgeetcgovernatorgovernmentHMMWVhummerhumorpaparazzischwarzeneggertmzMon, 30 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[The voice of Lexus is now the voice of Mitsubishi]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/the-voice-of-lexus-is-now-the-voice-of-mitsubishi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/the-voice-of-lexus-is-now-the-voice-of-mitsubishi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/the-voice-of-lexus-is-now-the-voice-of-mitsubishi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Even though he had a long television acting career, you probably don't remember James Sloyan - but you know his voice - perhaps better than you'd like. Sloyan has been the narrator for every Lexus commercial since the brand's 1989 launch. Imagine the slogan "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection," and your mind will probably be a-tumble with images from any of those high-production-value commercials broadcast over the last 20 years.

But Sloyan is with Toyota's luxury brand no more, having been replaced by James Remar, another actor you've seen everywhere but probably don't know by name. Sloyan has moved on to Mitsubishi, and you can hear his voice right now on radio ads in some markets. So listen out for "One lean, mean MIVEC machine" when he's talking about the Outlander, and try not to think of sparse piano compositions and champagne glass pyramids.

[Source: Ad Age]

The voice of Lexus is now the voice of Mitsubishi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcelebritiescommercialsetcjames remarJames SloyanJamesRemarJamesSloyanlexusmitsubishitoyotavoiceoverMon, 30 Mar 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Climactic cliffhanger from <i>The Italian Job</i> solved with science]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/climactic-cliffhanger-from-the-italian-job-solved-with-science/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/climactic-cliffhanger-from-the-italian-job-solved-with-science/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/climactic-cliffhanger-from-the-italian-job-solved-with-science/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Spoiler Alert: If you want to be surprised by the ending of The Italian Job, stop reading now.

We had a theory that humanity was officially bored when the carpet rake was invented. Once people didn't have to subdue woolly mammoths for dinner, they could focus on how to subdue the shag. That theory has been bolstered by news that the cliffhanger ending of The Italian Job has been attacked - and solved - by a host of amateur minds responding to a contest held by the Royal Society of Chemists (RSC).

The end of The Italian Job sees the gang in the front of a bus teetering over a cliff, looking at all the gold at the back end of the bus and knowing they can't get to it without plunging to gold-plated deaths. The question posed by the RSC was simple: How could the gang get the gold out of the bus and remain alive to spend it? Ironically, the answer was all about physics, not chemistry.

The winning entry, submitted by John Godwin, describes the following sequence: Break the windows at the back to reduce weight; break two windows at the front, hold one gang member upside-down out of the window to deflate the front tires and stabilize the vehicle; drain the rear fuel tank through an access panel at the bottom of the bus; gang members leave one by one from the front, collecting stones to replace their weight; keep adding stones until someone can safely go to the rear to retrieve the gold.

And for that, Godwin won a trip to Turin. If you happen to be bored, you can always read Godwin's 6-page, scientifically thorough treatment, or check out the some of the other 2,000 entries and diagrams at the RSC site. So now that we've got that taken care of, what's next... what really happened to Thelma and Louise?

[Source: RSC via Yahoo!]

Climactic cliffhanger from The Italian Job solved with science originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesetchumormoviemoviesthe italian jobTheItalianJobukThu, 29 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler sponsors <i>Terminator: Salvation</i>, we see hope, irony]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/chrysler-sponsors-i-terminator-salvation-i-we-see-hope-iro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/chrysler-sponsors-i-terminator-salvation-i-we-see-hope-iro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/chrysler-sponsors-i-terminator-salvation-i-we-see-hope-iro/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If a company is going to stay in business, there's no question that it must continue to market itself. Yet Chrysler's choice to pay to do so via this summer's Terminator: Salvation is a head-scratcher. Some folks have made an issue -- a valid one -- of public funds being used to secure the sponsorship. Regardless of who's paying, we don't get this at all.

Chrysler's director of media, Susan Thomson, said "We have a following with the Terminator movies and we are going to continue with that." We have no idea what following she's speaking of, unless she means the ancient Dodge police car or equally ancient Jeep from the first film, neither of which made us think, "Chrysler rocks!" A modern, beat-up Wrangler makes a cameo in the latest trailer, but again, it doesn't leave us jonesing for a Jeep.

When all anyone wants from Chrysler is good looking, ably performing cars, we don't know what kind of mojo they expect to garner by showing up in the post-apocalypse. However, we also don't know what Chrysler's sponsorship entails. It could merely be a "Brought to you by" tag. Or maybe Chrysler just likes the word "Salvation." Or there could be a shiny red-eyed Terminator sub-frame hauling ass in a 2009 Dodge Ram with lasers and miniguns. Now that would rock. Hat tip to RDS

[Source: Reuters via World Car Fans]

Chrysler sponsors Terminator: Salvation, we see hope, irony originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcelebritieschryslermarketingmoviespromotionsponsorshipterminatorterminator salvationTerminatorSalvationSat, 24 Jan 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Al Unser Jr., extortion victim?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/al-unser-jr-extortion-victim/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/al-unser-jr-extortion-victim/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/al-unser-jr-extortion-victim/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

According to a grand jury indictment, a New Mexico prostitution ring mastermind was trying to extort two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser, Jr. for $750,000 over a videotape. Bobby McMullin, the ringleader, allegedly had an unflattering video of Unser that he promised to release to the public if Little Al didn't pay him. The racer signed a letter agreeing to pay an unspecified amount for the tape, and indeed some payments were made, but authorities don't know how much money changed hands.

Authorities also don't know - or haven't said - what is on the tape. The former racer said he made the payments because of a "morals clause" in one of his endorsement contracts that could have been at odds with whatever was allegedly on the tape. The attempted extortion happened during the 2004 season while he was with Patrick Racing, his last season behind the wheel.

Although it's unclear why Unser is connected with the defendant, Abuquerque prosecutor Mark Drebing has gone on record that it appears Little Al hasn't done anything wrong, and that Unser is listed as a victim in the indictment.

[Source: Indianapolis Star]

Al Unser Jr., extortion victim? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al unseral unser jrAlUnserAlUnserJrCARTcelebritiescelebrityChamp CarChampCarcrimeetcextortionjr.legalmotorsportsopen-wheelPatrick RacingPatrickRacingunserFri, 26 Dec 2008 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[No Turbo for you! Hilary Duff's manager nixes Porsche buy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/no-turbo-for-you-hilary-duffs-manager-nixes-porsche-buy/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/no-turbo-for-you-hilary-duffs-manager-nixes-porsche-buy/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/no-turbo-for-you-hilary-duffs-manager-nixes-porsche-buy/#commentsFiled under: ,

It appears the sins of her peers have been visited upon super duper pop sensation Hilary Duff. Well, that and good business sense from her manager. Duff, who has done a pretty good job at not becoming infamous, wants to buy a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. It's her dream car. Her business manager's reaction to the 19-year-old Duff getting behind the wheel of a 500-hp SUV: "Nein." Just to make sure everyone was clear on the position, Duff said "he said I'm a terrible driver and don't need that kind of car." If she actually takes his advice -- and doesn't purchase a 911 Turbo as a consolation prize, say -- then score one for Hilary.

[Source: Digital Spy]

No Turbo for you! Hilary Duff's manager nixes Porsche buy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cayennecelebritieshilary duffHilaryDuffporscheThu, 23 Aug 2007 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[The TMZ of car blogs: Celebrity Car Parade]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/13/the-tmz-of-car-blogs-celebrity-car-parade/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/13/the-tmz-of-car-blogs-celebrity-car-parade/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/13/the-tmz-of-car-blogs-celebrity-car-parade/#commentsFiled under:


That would be Hayden Panettiere from "Heroes" and her Porsche Cayenne

Did you know our parent company AOL also owns TMZ, the hottest celebrity gossip blog on the web? If Autoblog and TMZ were to mate and birth a baby blog, it would be Celebrity Car Parade, a very new site started by Autoblog reader Elliot Darvick who loves to see what Hollywood is driving. Who cares if Brit's a bad mom? We want to know what car she's strapping the child seat into. Has Paris turned the corner? Don't care unless she hits a parked car in the process.

We totally dig CCP, and it's not just because Darvick drives an Oldsmobile Alero (as does Hairspray lead actor Zac Efron). We're on board because we like seeing what kind of taste celebrities have in cars. Turns out, some don't have any while others could pick out our dream garage. A few words of advice for Darvick to ensure CCP becomes successful and stays that way - post as often as possible and be careful you don't get sued for using a pic you're not supposed to.

[Source: Celebrity Car Parade]

The TMZ of car blogs: Celebrity Car Parade originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpcelebritiescelebritycelebrity car paradeCelebrityCarParadetmzMon, 13 Aug 2007 10:24:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay find of the Day: 50 Cent's chrome Murcielago]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/08/ebay-find-of-the-day-50-cents-chrome-murcielago/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/08/ebay-find-of-the-day-50-cents-chrome-murcielago/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/08/ebay-find-of-the-day-50-cents-chrome-murcielago/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

August on eBay is the season of celebrity car flogging, with Sean Connery's 635 CSI and a BMW 320is owned by a post-Risky Business Tom Cruise going now. 50 Cent, perhaps making space at one of the mansions for the season's new rides, has thrown his chrome Lamborghini Murcielago into the mix. Inside is black leather with contrasting gray stitching, black carpet, and E-gear. Outside is the aforementioned reflective paint job, sitting on 20's. The whole package has done 1,060 miles, having been in magazines, on TV shows, and a YouTube traffic stop video...

According to the seller, the car has was also the subject of a huge stereo upgrade, but all traces of it have been hidden or removed. If you don't mind the shine factor -- the car doesn't scream for attention nearly as much as a yellow one would -- it's a remarkably decent looking package. And that makes us think something we never expected to be saying about Fifty: if it really is his car, we wish more rappers showed as much restraint with their rides.

[Source: eBay via A Grandiose Blog]

eBay find of the Day: 50 Cent's chrome Murcielago originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionscelebritiesebaylamborghinimurcielagoWed, 08 Aug 2007 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Truman Show? Product placement in real life]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/24/truman-show-product-placement-in-real-life/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/24/truman-show-product-placement-in-real-life/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/24/truman-show-product-placement-in-real-life/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hybrids, especially the Prius, have become the automotive equivalent of a teacup chihuahua to Hollyweird stars. No doubt the public viewings and statements by thespians have raised public awareness of Toyota's green-tinged offerings. The campaign of bringing Toyota Hybrids to the stars has been a clever bit of stealth marketing by the Environmental Media Association. What better way to quickly make a hybrid a desireable item than to equip media figures with the vehicles, adding an air of "sexy" to vehicles that wouldn't be considered conventionally attractive. It's definitely been an effective way to boost the cachet of the hybrid, and we gather that celebrities love to be stroked and told how good they are. The cynical side of us says "follow the money." We're waiting for the big Tinseltown push for keeping old cars going, thus avoiding the raw material, energy, and toxic materials hit that a new car creates. We won't be holding our breath.

[Source: CNN]

Truman Show? Product placement in real life originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2007 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcelebritiesgreenhollywoohollywoodhybridpriusstarsThu, 24 May 2007 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[GM tempting the paparazzi in Detroit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/12/gm-tempting-the-paparazzi-in-detroit/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/12/gm-tempting-the-paparazzi-in-detroit/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/12/gm-tempting-the-paparazzi-in-detroit/#commentsFiled under: ,

Perhaps looking to shake their conservative image, GM is calling all of their A (and maybe a few B, C and D) -list friends to help ring in the New Year at next month's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. It's all part of GM's celebrity car fashion show that they'll host along the banks of the Detroit River. No, really. "Celebrities will accompany GM vehicles as they glide down an aisle set up inside a heated tent along the Detroit River," GM said Monday.

The event will take place on January 6 as a preview party before press days kick off the show on the 7th. GM used Tiger Woods effectively in L.A. for the launch of the Buick Enclave, but Ford, VW and Audi beat them at their own game with the likes of Lara Flynn Boyle, Christian Slater and Molly Simms. Even Chrysler had Jennifer Love Hewitt on hand to help intro the Sebring convertible.

But now we understand that GM was smart to hold off. ANYBODY can get celebs to show up in L.A. Frankly, stars are a dime a dozen out in LaLa Land. It's much more impressive to get them to show up in Detroit. In a tent. Along the river. In winter. On the card so far are Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Vivica A. Fox (Dancing With The Stars), supermodel Petra Nemcova, and Danny Masterson (pictured at right) from "That 70s Show," who will serve as DJ during the event.

Along with the stars, there will of course be cars. A selection of 17 GM models will be on display, including the 2006 Camaro concept, the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line, a 1951 Buick LeSabre concept and another unknown new concept. Not as impressive as GM's Oscar parties, perhaps, but it should help to kick off the Detroit show off with a bang. The invitation-only party for 1,000 is for media reps, dealers and local prominent business people. If you don't already have your invite, it's probably too late.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM tempting the paparazzi in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesCheryl HinesCherylHinesChristian SlaterChristianSlaterDanny MastersonDannyMastersonJennifer Love HewittJenniferLoveHewittLara Flynn BoyleLaraFlynnBoyleMolly SimmsMollySimmsNAIASNorth American International Auto ShowNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowPetra NemcovaPetraNemcovaVivica A. FoxVivicaA.FoxTue, 12 Dec 2006 17:25:00 EST