Autoblog

Espresso Veloce V12 coffee maker is ready to crank up your morning

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

We're not sure Espresso Veloce makes anything else, but we're also not sure it needs to. This is the V12 coffeemaker, a java-dispensing chunk of aluminum, magnesium and titanium with pistons for cups. There will be just 500 of these made, sprung from the forge of the Arte Meccanica Mastrogiuseppe, after company founder Paolo Mastrogiuseppe.

It's the espresso maker for letting guests know that you're a car guy just in case your greasy, chewed up fingernails and the long-term rebuild project on the lawn isn't enough of a giveaway. Pricing on the Espresso Veloce V12 hasn't been divulged but you can expect it to provide the same kind of jolt as the product it dispenses.

Espresso Veloce V12 coffee maker is ready to crank up your morning originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini knows how you take your coffee after a test drive

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mini

Mini Netherlands wanted to give its countrymen a good reason to test drive its cars, so it threw in a free cup of coffee with the spin - but not just any old cuppa joe. Cars were fitted with a sensor that analyzed the driver's style. The chip was then placed in a special coffeemaker that produced a blend to match the driving; middle-of-the-road test pilots would get a lungo (long) coffee, test-the-rollcage types were given a ristretto (short, and stronger).

The knock on the head for U.S. drivers? Milquetoast test drivers were given an Americano - a watered-down espresso. You can watch the unique promotion at work in the video below.

Continue reading Mini knows how you take your coffee after a test drive

Mini knows how you take your coffee after a test drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat 500L to launch with world's first in-car coffee maker option [w/video]

Chris Tutor — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Videos, Crossover, Design/Style, Fiat

Generally speaking, until we've had at least twice of the FDA's recommended daily allowance of caffeine, we aren't as observant as we need to be. For instance, when we wrote about the newly announced Fiat 500L, we were so distracted by its massive glass roof, seating for five and the potential of six engine choices we totally overlooked a small, but buzzworthy option.

When launched, the 500L will be the first production car in the world to offer a "true espresso coffee machine." Yup, right there between the front seats plugged into its very own power source will be an actual, water-boiling, caffeine-dispensing, java-juicer.

Developed by famed Italian coffee maker Lavazza, the "Coffee Experience" kit comes with car coffee cups, a spoon holder and its own sugar container. At least one media outlet says the kit will cost €250 (about $300 USD). Fill the Lavazza 500 base with water and pop it into the center cupholder. The heating element boils the water, steeping the coffee-filled pod in the top part and, seconds later, you have a piping hot cup of brew.

Well, not you. Unless you live somewhere other than the States. Because while we fully expect the 500L to be sold here, there's no indication from Fiat that the Coffee Experience kit will make it through the gauntlet of attorneys just itching for a good burn lawsuit. It could happen, but it's not likely, so we're guessing 500L owners will want to keep an eye out on eBay for retrofit possibilities. Check out a couple of videos by scrolling down to see if it percolates your interest.

Continue reading Fiat 500L to launch with world's first in-car coffee maker option [w/video]

Fiat 500L to launch with world's first in-car coffee maker option [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seinfeld teases new car show with other comedians

Zach Bowman — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Celebrities, Humor

As it turns out, making a successful television show about cars is more difficult than it looks. Just ask Adam Carolla or the kids from the U.S. version of Top Gear. As we recently heard, Jerry Seinfeld has decided he should give the premise a go with Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, a new web series. If the concept sounds dull, brace yourself for the pointless teaser video below. True to its name, the show looks to feature comedy names like Ricky Gervais, Larry David, Michael Richards and Alec Baldwin all riding along with Seinfeld in some of his more interesting vehicles. We're not exactly sure where the coffee part comes in.

With a roster like the one above, you'd be forgiven for expecting to find yourself weeing with hysterical laughter at the promo. Unfortunately, the YouTube clip features little more than a few glamor shots of some classics from Austin-Healey, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Triumph and Volkswagen rolling on public streets and the comics laughing with each other sans actual jokes. We wouldn't call it pulse-quickening by any stretch, but hopefully the actual show will be better. Produced by Sony-owned Crackle, the web program premieres on Thursday, July 19 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Check out the promo video below or head over to the show's site.

Continue reading Seinfeld teases new car show with other comedians

Seinfeld teases new car show with other comedians originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cappucino Rampante: Nespresso makes a machine for Ferrari (sorta)

Noah Joseph — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Ferrari, Design/Style

We're gonna let you in on a little secret from our world over here. Most of the time we spend at auto shows, we're pretty busy bringing you the latest from the show floor. But everyone deserves a coffee brake, and when we need our caffeine fixes there's no shortage of automakers eager to one-up each other with the best cup of java. Ferrari's espressos consistently rank among the best of 'em. Only fitting then that the company of the Prancing Horse should have its own espresso machine, right?

Following in the footsteps of Lamborghini's and Brunopasso's (metaphorically) octane-infused machines comes this one from Nespresso, designed for that winningest of merchandizing brands. It comes, as you can see, packaged inside a racing helmet, the visor lifting to expose the spout, the chin pulling out like a drawer and various panels exposing the other compartments. Just the thing for when you need a dose of Vivalto Lungo to go with your Forza Ferrari. Unfortunately it's only a concept for the time being, but if anyone can pull it off, it's the boys from Maranello.

[Source: Yanko Design via RideLust]

Cappucino Rampante: Nespresso makes a machine for Ferrari (sorta) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grounds for Celebration: TV scientists convert VW Scirocco to run on coffee

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Volkswagen, UK

This is what we mean when we say that the future of alternative fuels isn't anywhere close to being decided. A team from the BBC program Bang Goes the Theory has rigged an older Volkswagen Scirocco to run on coffee pellets. It's a bit complex, with the coffee grounds needing to be heated to 1,292 degrees Fahrenheit, and the resulting concoction cooled, separated and filtered before it's run to the engine. Because coffee contains carbon, however, it works.

It's expensive, though. The trial run the Starbucks Scirocco will make from London to Manchester and back will cost more than 25 times what the same trip on gasoline would because the car goes just three miles on a kilo of coffee. The 209-mile trip is also take ten hours, due to the number of stops required to refill the fuel canister and regularly clean out the system.

So, on second thought, this is not what we mean when we talk about the future of alternative fuels. But it is really neat, and it's for the kids, and those sorts of things count for a lot in our book. Hat tip to Joviocoe!

[Source: The Daily Mail]

Grounds for Celebration: TV scientists convert VW Scirocco to run on coffee originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brunopasso: the espresso machine for auto enthusiasts

Noah Joseph — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Lifestyle

Cars need gasoline, and their drivers need coffee. While we wouldn't recommend combining the two into one beverage, why not infuse our coffee makers with more high-octane attitude? That's where the deviceSTYLE Brunopasso PD-1 espresso machine comes in. The styling, penned by Japanese designer Tadahito Ishibashi, draws its inspiration from classic sportscars. For instance, the indicators are laid out like the gauges on a car's dashboard, and it even has an authentic beechwood press lever like an old-school gear shifter. (Oh yeah, and we're sure it makes a delicious cup of joe.) The Brunopasso is available in red, brown or silver, but at $850, this kind of caffeinated style doesn't come cheap.

Gallery: Brunopasso PD-1

[Source: Brunopasso via Luxist]

Brunopasso: the espresso machine for auto enthusiasts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will the Nav direct you to a coffee joint? New Volvo safety systems

Dan Roth — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Volvo, First Drives

I wish my S60 could conjure up a little coffee avatar in the LCD screen like the new S80 can. It'd be even better if it could perk a cup up for me. The new pictogram fun is part of a rollout of new safety features from the Swedish automaker. Coming to Volvo stores before the end of the year should be a Collision Warning with Auto Brake system, Driver Alert Control, and adaptive cruise control. The new safety features will be in the new large Volvos based on the EUCD platform; the S80, XC70 and V70.

Collision Warning with Auto Brake is a descriptively named system that will sound alarms should sensors detect a collision is imminent, and if the driver doesn't react, the system will apply the brakes. Driver Alert Control is a vehicular big brother that keeps an eye on how you're doing. If it detects erratic driving, it will suggest that you take a breather. We bet you could trigger the coffee cup icon by clipping an apex or two and making sharp, decisive inputs to the controls, but then again, Volvos tend to be tuned to allow a bit of entertainment before they say "Ja, shoor, dat's fun, but you could crash, don'tchaknow."

[Source: Engadget]

Will the Nav direct you to a coffee joint? New Volvo safety systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skip the Starbucks-- Nespresso unveils in-car joe-to-go

Joel Arellano — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., I.C.E., Technology

Aside from the next-gen Camaro, this is a concept some of us want to see in production as soon as possible.

Sibling blog Luxist has reported on the Nespresso InCar coffee machine concept. The portable device creates hot coffee using coffee capsules provided by Nespresso.

The concept was one of several entries at the Milan furniture fair Salone del Mobile. The winner was another Nespresso, the 'Nespresso card' which carries with it the holder's coffee preferences. Personally, we'd just dogtag that info and get the coffee machine that won second place.

Java-obsessed Autoblog readers may also recall that Audi's Roadjet concept that premiered in Detroit back in January featured an in-car espresso station.

[Source: gizmag via Luxist]

Skip the Starbucks-- Nespresso unveils in-car joe-to-go originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Apr 2006 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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