Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Caterham + Yacht = Yes, please]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/09/caterham-yacht-yes-please/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/09/caterham-yacht-yes-please/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/09/caterham-yacht-yes-please/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sunseeker Predator
Sunseeker Predator 108 + Caterham Se7en - Click above for high-res image gallery


There really isn't too much to say here, because when you mix awesome with awesome and come up with something stupendous you needn't bother with the chatter. As a special treat for the London Boat Show, Sunseeker grabbed one of its Predator 108-foot flybridge motor yachts, then instead of putting a tender in the hold, it stowed a Caterham Se7en. The only thing we want to figure out now is whether the Sunseeker is the best garage ever, or if the Se7en is the best replacement for a Zodiac in history?

Have a look at the duo in the gallery of high-res photos below and check out the presser after the jump. We need to make a quick call about getting these in the Autoblog Garage...


Gallery: Sunseeker Predator 108 + Caterham Se7en


[Source: Sunseeker]

Continue reading Caterham + Yacht = Yes, please

Caterham + Yacht = Yes, please originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatCaterhamcaterham 7caterham sevenCaterham7CaterhamSevenetcSunseeker IIsunseeker predator 108SunseekerIiSunseekerPredator108Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19309153/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/09/caterham-yacht-yes-please/19309153/article-detail.xml 19309153 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/seeker_cat_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/seeker_cat.jpg <![CDATA[Michel Collet is an automotive artist who appreciates the details]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/04/michel-collet-is-an-automotive-artist-that-appreciates-the-detai/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/04/michel-collet-is-an-automotive-artist-that-appreciates-the-detai/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/04/michel-collet-is-an-automotive-artist-that-appreciates-the-detai/#commentsFiled under:

Michel Collet's car-inspired creations - Click above for image gallery

There isn't much to be found on artist Michel Collet, but it's probably enough to let his artworks speak for him. Collet sculpts objects that are intended to be the revealing details from vintage machinery, like a door from Stirling Moss' #722 Mercedes Gullwing, or a section from the grille of a 1961 Aston Martin Zagato.

They're small - just a few feet across and weighing 10 to 20 pounds, but still, some of them say so much. Take a gander for yourself in the gallery of images below.


Gallery: Michel Collet car-inspired sculptures


[Source: Michel Collet via Ze Last Chance Garage]

Michel Collet is an automotive artist who appreciates the details originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artartworketcmichel colletMichelColletsculptureMon, 04 Jan 2010 12:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19300929/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/04/michel-collet-is-an-automotive-artist-that-appreciates-the-detai/19300929/article-detail.xml 19300929 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/collet_art_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/collet_art.jpg <![CDATA[Benedict Radcliffe's Wireframe Lambo: Yours for just £40,000]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/03/benedict-radcliffes-wireframe-lambo-yours-for-just-40-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/03/benedict-radcliffes-wireframe-lambo-yours-for-just-40-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/03/benedict-radcliffes-wireframe-lambo-yours-for-just-40-000/#commentsFiled under: ,

Benedict Radcliffe's wire art Koenig Lamborghini Countach - Click above for image gallery

In 2008, UK artist Benedict Radcliffe created a wireframe Koenig Lamborghini Countach because he needed something to outdo the wireframe Subaru WRX. Using 160 feet of 10-millimeter steel tubing, the see-through coupe was parked on the street in London for people to generally gawk at, which they did in the expected large numbers.

Now The Times reports that the piece is for sale, allowing you to gawk at it in your living room for the low, low price of £40,000 ($64,828 U.S.). You'll need a fair bit of room since the artwork is 14 feet long and six feet wide, and probably isn't all that light. The extra effort could be worth it - when else will you get the chance to tell someone you bought a car from Wonder Woman? You can get a closer look at the wireframe Lambo in the gallery of images below.


Gallery: Wireframe Lamborghini Koenig Countach by Benedict Radcliffe


[Source: Times Online]

Benedict Radcliffe's Wireframe Lambo: Yours for just £40,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artBenedict RadcliffeBenedictRadcliffeenglandetcwireframe lamborghiniWireframeLamborghiniSun, 03 Jan 2010 11:39:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19300417/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/03/benedict-radcliffes-wireframe-lambo-yours-for-just-40-000/19300417/article-detail.xml 19300417 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/radcliffe_lambo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/radcliffe_lambo.jpg <![CDATA[Jonny Greaves jumps 301 feet to claim 2WD truck record]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/jonny-greaves-jumps-301-feet-to-claim-2wd-truck-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/jonny-greaves-jumps-301-feet-to-claim-2wd-truck-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/jonny-greaves-jumps-301-feet-to-claim-2wd-truck-record/#commentsFiled under:



A little over a year ago a stunt driver named Chris Morena took a Dodge pickup off a dealer lot, installed a roll cage, racing seat and metal bracing for the bed, then used it to jump over a slew of cars and through two fireballs. He was only trying to go 134 feet. Instead, he went 193 feet and set a jumping distance record in a pickup.

Until a few days ago. That's when race driver Jonny Greaves took his closed-course 2WD racing truck and jumped 301 feet and happily remained alive to talk about it. Employing a bit of Back to the Future precision, calculations had worked out that his truck had to be the end of the jump ramp going 105.5 mph and, managing to hit that, he went exactly 301 feet. It isn't car launching, but it's now the mark to beat for 2WD trucks.

Just as impressive, Greaves had been doing practice runs that went as far as 200 feet before the record-setting attempt, and he nailed those as well. Perhaps Travis Pastrana, who's had slightly less luck on the run-up to his 270-foot New Year's Eve stunt, might want to give Greaves a ring.

[Source: Race Dezert]

Jonny Greaves jumps 301 feet to claim 2WD truck record originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etcjonny greavesJonnyGreavesjumpstuntstuntsworld recordWorldRecordMon, 21 Dec 2009 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19288185/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/21/jonny-greaves-jumps-301-feet-to-claim-2wd-truck-record/19288185/article-detail.xml 19288185 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/greaves_jump_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/greaves_jump.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Valet vigilante vandalism visualizes very vunerable vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/video-valet-vigilante-vandalism-visualizes-very-vunerable-vehic/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/video-valet-vigilante-vandalism-visualizes-very-vunerable-vehic/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/video-valet-vigilante-vandalism-visualizes-very-vunerable-vehic/#commentsFiled under: ,

Valets burning all kinds of rubber -- Click above to watch video

We suppose we should thank some of the less savvy lunkheads out there for their egos - if they didn't post videos of their antics, they might not be caught. A few valets in the employ of Atlanta-based AAA Valet, working at the St. Louis Hyatt hotel, used patrons cars for serious burnout sessions in an underground garage. Nothing was spared - Civics, SUVs, Porsches, Acuras; it appears that if it could be driven, they would find a way to eat up its tires.

The clincher: the digital displays of drifting doom ended up on YouTube under the profile of "Valet Underground". Someone blew the whistle, and now AAA valet doesn't service the Hyatt hotel anymore. Not surprisingly, the videos are gone - we just hope their licenses have met the same fate. Follow the jump to check out the action. Hat tip to Luke!

[Source: Fox2 Now]

Continue reading VIDEO: Valet vigilante vandalism visualizes very vunerable vehicles

VIDEO: Valet vigilante vandalism visualizes very vunerable vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etcvaletvalet parkingValetParkingvideoThu, 17 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19285195/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/17/video-valet-vigilante-vandalism-visualizes-very-vunerable-vehic/19285195/article-detail.xml 19285195 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/aaa_valet_vid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/aaa_valet_vid.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: In Da Club Cherokee? Enterprising kids go all Jeep techno]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/video-in-da-club-cherokee-enterprising-kids-go-all-jeep-techno/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/video-in-da-club-cherokee-enterprising-kids-go-all-jeep-techno/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/video-in-da-club-cherokee-enterprising-kids-go-all-jeep-techno/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Jeep Cherokee beatbox - Click above to watch video

If your Jeep Cherokee has been sitting around for a while, it probably makes a few noises. You might not mind, though, if they were noises as well orchestrated as those in the video shown above.

British saxophonist Julian Smith spent a few hours with a Cherokee and an array of friends with rhythm and came up with a number that could be straight out of Stomp. Or an Art of Noise album. Follow the jump to see the vid, and as a bonus, there's another take on car beats with Snob Scrilla and a Toyota Yaris. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: In Da Club Cherokee? Enterprising kids go all Jeep techno

VIDEO: In Da Club Cherokee? Enterprising kids go all Jeep techno originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatboxcherokeeetcjeepjeep cherokeeJeepCherokeejulian smithJulianSmithmusicmusic videoMusicVideoSnob ScrillaSnobScrillaToyota YarisToyotaYarisvideoWed, 16 Dec 2009 19:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19282624/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/16/video-in-da-club-cherokee-enterprising-kids-go-all-jeep-techno/19282624/article-detail.xml 19282624 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/jeep_cherokee_beatbox_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/jeep_cherokee_beatbox.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Gag Me With a Yule Log - GM allows kids to track Santa Claus via Onstar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/video-gag-me-with-a-yule-log-gm-to-allow-kids-to-track-santa/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/video-gag-me-with-a-yule-log-gm-to-allow-kids-to-track-santa/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/video-gag-me-with-a-yule-log-gm-to-allow-kids-to-track-santa/#commentsFiled under: ,

Santa pays a visit to OnStar -- Click above to view the video after the jump

OnStar has provided nothing but good press lately for General Motors, and the automaker is going to ride that pony all the way to the finish. The next person in line to take advantage of OnStar's benefits is that Arctic gadget freak himself, Santa Claus. Unveiled as an installed option on his new sleigh - which he picked up when he dropped by OnStar HQ - it comes with at least one extra feature you won't be getting anytime soon: a reindeer health meter.

But you haven't been left out of the bonanza. GM has partnered with NORAD so that if you have an OnStar subscription, you can keep track of K. Kringle during his midnight run. From 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve until early Christmas morning, press the blue button and OnStar will update you on the hour with info relayed by the guys deep in the mountain.

It's not a Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, but it's a start. Follow the jump for the press release and watch Santa get his Christmas present.

[Source: OnStar]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gag Me With a Yule Log - GM allows kids to track Santa Claus via Onstar

VIDEO: Gag Me With a Yule Log - GM allows kids to track Santa Claus via Onstar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etcnoradonstarsantasanta clausSantaClausvideoTue, 15 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19282686/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/15/video-gag-me-with-a-yule-log-gm-to-allow-kids-to-track-santa/19282686/article-detail.xml 19282686 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/onstar_santa_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/onstar_santa.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: TN Senator Corker's daughter carjacked, suspects apprehended via OnStar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/video-tn-senator-corkers-daughter-carjacked-suspects-apprehen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/video-tn-senator-corkers-daughter-carjacked-suspects-apprehen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/video-tn-senator-corkers-daughter-carjacked-suspects-apprehen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Senator Corker praises OnStar -- Click above to watch the video

Tennessee Senator Bob Corker had this opinion of OnStar a month ago: "Each month I get the bill for OnStar and [I think], 'I don't want to pay this again.'" Then his daughter Julia was carjacked in Washington D.C. last week driving his Chevrolet Tahoe, and having been yanked out of the car by her throat, she was left lying in the street.

Thankfully, Corker's daughter was all right, and she was able to call her father who was nearby. She also remembered that the vehicle as equipped with General Motors' OnStar system, and within an hour, the service had notified the D.C. police that the Tahoe was parked at a Taco Bell seven miles away in Maryland. Corker said that the carjacking happened about 9:15 pm, and by midnight the suspects had been identified and he was headed back home with his daughter.

His opinion of OnStar now: "this is an incredible service." Follow through to the jump to hear about the ordeal in Corker's words (the OnStar talk begins at about 2:15), or check out CNN for the nitty gritty details. And for proof of the extent of Southern politesse, Corker begins the tale with "A gentleman appeared, opened the door, grabbed her by the neck... and he threw her on the pavement and drove away." A "gentleman?" Hat tip to Berto!

[Sources: Politico; CNN]

Continue reading VIDEO: TN Senator Corker's daughter carjacked, suspects apprehended via OnStar

VIDEO: TN Senator Corker's daughter carjacked, suspects apprehended via OnStar originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob corkerBobCorkercarjackcarjackingcorkeretcgovernmentonstarsenator bob corkersenator corkerSenatorBobCorkerSenatorCorkervideoMon, 07 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19267700/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/07/video-tn-senator-corkers-daughter-carjacked-suspects-apprehen/19267700/article-detail.xml 19267700 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/corker_onstar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/corker_onstar.jpg <![CDATA[Ricardo develops airplane taxi bot to reduce emissions, noise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/ricardo-develops-airplane-taxi-bot-to-reduce-emissions-noise/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/ricardo-develops-airplane-taxi-bot-to-reduce-emissions-noise/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/21/ricardo-develops-airplane-taxi-bot-to-reduce-emissions-noise/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ricardo TaxiBot -- Click above for high-res image gallery

It's certainly good to see some other wheeled vehicles doing their part for the environment, even if it is an airplane -- especially if it's an airplane. Actually this news isn't about the plane itself, but a "pilot-controlled towing vehicle" for an airplane called a "TaxiBot."

Ricardo -- the same folks that make car components -- have engineered the TaxiBot to allow a plane to turn off its main engines when taxiing to the gate and around the concourse. The trick is an automated clamper placed within a standard tug; once the pilot guides the nosewheel into the clamp, the pilot steers, turns, and brakes the tug with the airplane controls. Instead of motive force coming from giant Pratt & Whitneys, the tug's two 500-hp V8s can pull planes up to 747s and A340s.

If adopted widely, the TaxiBot could save airports and airlines millions of dollars in gas and debris damage as well as sparing the world tons of CO2 emissions. You can get the details on the taxibot and its implementation in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Ricardo TaxiBot


[Source: Ricardo]

Continue reading Ricardo develops airplane taxi bot to reduce emissions, noise

Ricardo develops airplane taxi bot to reduce emissions, noise originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneairportetcricardoricardo taxibotRicardoTaxibottechtechnologySat, 21 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19248916/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/21/ricardo-develops-airplane-taxi-bot-to-reduce-emissions-noise/19248916/article-detail.xml 19248916 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/ricardo_taxibot_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/ricardo_taxibot.jpg <![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Camaro, Le Mans-style]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/rendered-speculation-camaro-le-mans-style/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/rendered-speculation-camaro-le-mans-style/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/rendered-speculation-camaro-le-mans-style/#commentsFiled under:


Concept Le Mans Camaros rendered by Vizualtech -- Click above for image gallery

Ah, it's the Swedes again. Never content to sit around when there's a perfectly good car you could mod, a gent named Bo Zolland at Viztech has rendered what he thinks a Le Mans or ALMS Camaro could look like, and there are a couple of no-good drifters in there as well. Of course this doesn't mean that there will be a Camaro in either series, but it's fun to play, no? However, if any of these cars did come to life, we'd take the red SS with the white stripes and front-side-exit exhaust. Sideways. Have a look at Zolland's work in the gallery of photos below.


Gallery: Vizualtech Rendered Le Mans Camaros


[Source: Vizualtech]

Rendered Speculation: Camaro, Le Mans-style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bo zollandBoZollandcamaroetcrenderingvizualtechTue, 10 Nov 2009 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19229265/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/10/rendered-speculation-camaro-le-mans-style/19229265/article-detail.xml 19229265 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/camaro_alms_viztech_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/camaro_alms_viztech.jpg <![CDATA[Turn the Dodge Viper logo upside down and guess who appears...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/turn-the-dodge-viper-logo-upside-down-and-guess-who-appears/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/turn-the-dodge-viper-logo-upside-down-and-guess-who-appears/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/turn-the-dodge-viper-logo-upside-down-and-guess-who-appears/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Stonehenge, Rosebud, The Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd - all have confounded us with their hidden meanings. And to that list we now add the logo for the Dodge Viper. Somehow it has eluded us for years that, when turned upside down, the Viper logo turns into what appears to be... Daffy Duck. Or, as some other folks have mentioned, perhaps it's Duck Dodgers, or Darkwing Duck. Someone else thought it was "a gator with a volcano in the background," but we have no idea how that happened...

Regardless of which name that foul goes by, it's quite a revelation to make this late into the Viper game. If there were any meaning intended from the inversion, we'd expect it to be a swan, not a duck. But what does it all mean? History might know. For now, it's just another one of those quirks that is the Dodge Viper, and yet another reason we'll miss it when it departs in 2011. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: Bits & Pieces via Boing Boing | Image: Micihi1308 via Wikimedia Commons]

Continue reading Turn the Dodge Viper logo upside down and guess who appears...

Turn the Dodge Viper logo upside down and guess who appears... originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Daffy DuckDaffyDuckdarkwing duckDarkwingDuckdodgedodge viperdodge viper logoDodgeViperDodgeViperLogoduck dodgerDuck DodgersDuckDodgerDuckDodgersetcSRT-10SRT10viperviper logoViperLogoMon, 09 Nov 2009 18:38:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19225295/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/09/turn-the-dodge-viper-logo-upside-down-and-guess-who-appears/19225295/article-detail.xml 19225295 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/dodge_viper_daffy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/dodge_viper_daffy.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: More celebrating as Mini marks 50th Anniversary with <i>Wash Me</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-more-celebrating-as-mini-marks-50th-anniversary-with-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-more-celebrating-as-mini-marks-50th-anniversary-with-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-more-celebrating-as-mini-marks-50th-anniversary-with-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Mini 50th anniversary project Wash Me -- Click above for high-res photo gallery

You didn't really think it was going to stop with Krink, did you? Oh no. Mini and art have combined again on a limited-edition book and art project called "Wash Me." Starting with the idea of the "Wash me!" imperative scrawled into dirty cars the world over, ten artists that have never used a car as a canvas have "transformed [a Mini] into a transient work of art."

What does that mean? It means they painted a bunch of Minis lots of different colors and wrote (ironic?) things on them. And there were gorillas involved. Two, in fact. Or maybe it was one gorilla and Sasquatch. You can see for yourself in the video and press release after the jump, and the high-res gallery of images below. Take that, art world.


Gallery: Mini Wash Me Anniversary Project


[Source: Mini]

Continue reading VIDEO: More celebrating as Mini marks 50th Anniversary with Wash Me

VIDEO: More celebrating as Mini marks 50th Anniversary with Wash Me originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artetcminiwash meWashMeThu, 05 Nov 2009 18:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19225165/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/05/video-more-celebrating-as-mini-marks-50th-anniversary-with-w/19225165/article-detail.xml 19225165 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/mini_washme_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/mini_washme.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Bored Bulgarians engaging in Russian Road Roulette]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-bored-bulgarians-engaging-in-russian-road-roulette/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-bored-bulgarians-engaging-in-russian-road-roulette/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-bored-bulgarians-engaging-in-russian-road-roulette/#commentsFiled under: ,



One of Russia's most popular exports has been its version of roulette - you know, the kind where the player usually closes his eyes during the game and someone has a good chance of ending up dead. In this case it's being played in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the jouers are drivers and motorcyclists running red lights.

The point of the game is to get through a red light at high speed without hitting another car or pedestrian. Bets are said to have climbed as high as €5,000 ($7,370 U.S.), and even folks on the street are said to have placed bets and then watched the intersection to see if anyone bought the farm.

The first fatalities came in June, when a motorcyclist hit an onlooker. The Bulgarian police have been trying to stop the action, but it's hard to stay ahead of text messages among all those intersections in the capital. Be careful on the streets in Bulgaria, folks, and watch out for anyone yelling "Di di mao!" Hat tip to Andrew!

[Source: Reuters via RPMGo | Image credit: Emil Manolov via CC2.0]

REPORT: Bored Bulgarians engaging in Russian Road Roulette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bulgariaetceuroperoad rouletteRoadRouletterouletterussian rouletteRussianRoulettesofiaMon, 02 Nov 2009 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19218263/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/02/report-bored-bulgarians-engaging-in-russian-road-roulette/19218263/article-detail.xml 19218263 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/sofia_roulette_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/sofia_roulette.jpg <![CDATA[Porsche releases limited edition "Designed 4 Ambition" calendar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/porsche-releases-limited-edition-designed-4-ambition-calendar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/porsche-releases-limited-edition-designed-4-ambition-calendar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/porsche-releases-limited-edition-designed-4-ambition-calendar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Porsche calendars and diary -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche has released info and images on its three calendars and diary that will be happy to keep you company throughout 2010. Two of them are especially focused on the Panamera, because damn it, you're going to like that car whether you like it or not...

The Driver's Perspective calendar provides images of various models, highlighting the Panamera, and comes with a collector's coin "which shows the motto and the year." The Designed 4 Ambition Calendar was hatched by the designers at the Development Centre in Weissach and is focused on "extraordinary sporting performance and individual exclusivity," taking its subject as -- you guessed it -- the Panamera. It comes with a CD-ROM that also holds a short film and a screensaver, and there will only be 4,000 made.

Finally, the One of a Kind calendar take behind-the-scenes peeks at classic cars, like the Martini Racing car pictured above, of which only one was ever built. You can find out more about the calendars and the diary in the release after the jump, and check out some of the images in the high-res gallery below.


Gallery: Porsche 2010 Calendars


[Source: Porsche via Car Body Design]

Continue reading Porsche releases limited edition "Designed 4 Ambition" calendar

Porsche releases limited edition "Designed 4 Ambition" calendar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriescalendardesigndiaryetcpanameraporscheporsche panameraPorschePanameraFri, 30 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19210181/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/30/porsche-releases-limited-edition-designed-4-ambition-calendar/19210181/article-detail.xml 19210181 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/porsche_cal_10_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/porsche_cal_10.jpg <![CDATA[Mini uses spare art for new 2010 calendar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/mini-uses-spare-art-for-new-2010-calendar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/mini-uses-spare-art-for-new-2010-calendar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/mini-uses-spare-art-for-new-2010-calendar/#commentsFiled under: ,

Minimalism Calendar -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Mini made a calendar. Or rather, Mini assembled a calendar with artworks chosen from among thousands submitted from around the globe. The calendar's theme is Minimalism, and the only rule for submissions was to include a silhouette of the car in the piece. For car calendar fans, there are no topless women - nor topless Minis, for that matter - slathered in oil...

The calendar presents the 12 works chosen by a team of judges that included Mini design head Gert Hildebrand. The works tend toward the funky and, of course, the modern, but if you're a Mini owner they'll probably make you happy just looking at them. You can check out three of the pieces in the high-res gallery below. For the rest of you who don't want a Mini but just want the art, you can find out more about the calendar at the Minimalism site and buy it for €21 ($31 U.S.) at the Mini shop.


Gallery: Mini Minimalism Calendar


[Source: Mini]

Mini uses spare art for new 2010 calendar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcalendaretclifestyleminimini calendarmini cooperMiniCalendarMiniCooperminimalismminimalism calendarMinimalismCalendarWed, 21 Oct 2009 14:39:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19200368/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/21/mini-uses-spare-art-for-new-2010-calendar/19200368/article-detail.xml 19200368 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/minimalism_calendar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/minimalism_calendar.jpg <![CDATA[Travis Pastrana reportedly plans to jump from bridge to barge on New Year's Eve]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-travis-pastrana-to-jump-from-bridge-to-barge-on-new-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-travis-pastrana-to-jump-from-bridge-to-barge-on-new-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-travis-pastrana-to-jump-from-bridge-to-barge-on-new-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In the same way that just about anything under Sir Richard Branson's "Virgin" umbrella has come to mean hip and edgy, things affixed with the "Red Bull" stamp are coming to mean "That's frickin' crazy!" Last year for New Year's Eve Robbie Maddison took his motorbike and leaped on to the 96-foot Arc de Triomphe replica in Las Vegas, then jumped the 96 feet back down to the ground.

This year for Red Bull's New Year, No Limits stunt, Travis Pastrana wants to break the record for the longest jump in his rallying Subaru. He'll be launching from the Pine Street Pier in Long Beach and hoping to make it onto a landing ramp more than 270 feet away. In between the pier and the ramp: 250 feet of water.

Pastrana's going for an old school jump, opting not to use a specially prepared car for the trick. Pastrana says he wants to drive out of the stunt and get back to the party, but also mentions Spanky Spangler as inspiration. Spangler did a 225-foot jump in a Chevy Nova, but he landed in the water -- on purpose. From 270 feet away, flying through the air, Pastrana's attempt to land on a barge will be like trying to alight on a pencil. If nothing else, it should make some excellent TV, and if he makes it unhurt a great start to the New Year.

[Source: AP | Image credit: TravisPastrana.com]

Travis Pastrana reportedly plans to jump from bridge to barge on New Year's Eve originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etcholidayjumpnew years eveNewYearsEvenyered bullRedBullstuntsubarutravis pastranaTravisPastranatrickMon, 19 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19200016/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/19/report-travis-pastrana-to-jump-from-bridge-to-barge-on-new-year/19200016/article-detail.xml 19200016 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/pastrana_nye_redbull_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/pastrana_nye_redbull.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: "Lesser luxury" is the new black]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/report-lesser-luxury-is-the-new-black/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/report-lesser-luxury-is-the-new-black/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/report-lesser-luxury-is-the-new-black/#commentsFiled under: ,



Up until very recently, the reason that you bought a BMW 3 Series or a Mercedes-Benz C-Class was to prepare you to buy a 5 or an E in a few years. You know, ladders to climb, blowing up to do, de-luxe apartments in the sky to own. These days, according to a new study, that is less and less the case: fewer premium buyers are moving up and more buyers are actually moving down.

According to numbers compiled by the Power Information Network, in 2006, nearly 16% of new car buyers moved from a compact to a mid-sized car, but through the first half of this year, only about 11% did so. And compared to 2006, this year two other categories showed 4% gains: people moving from large to mid-sized cars, and those moving from mid-sized to compact cars.

Gas prices have a bit to do with that, as does the democratization of high-end features, but the real story appears to be that unless David Stern signs your paychecks, being a baller is out. Customers don't want to look like they're flaunting their money, or they simply don't want to spend it. Even brand-loyal buyers are either keeping their cars, or instead of buying new ones they're going for pre-owned certified or an off-lease deal. Even Acura and Lexus are seeing their customers turn their aspirations downward.

According to Automotive News, brands that appear to be poised to benefit from this trend include Hyundai and Audi. The Korean firm's Genesis sedan is an all-the-luxury-you-want option for $10,000 less than most comparable brands. Less flashiness and an engineering-led message could also be the catalyst for Audi, whose sales declines are a third of the luxury market's overall. Said Scott Keogh, Audi's chief marketing officer, "There is affluence, and consumers have means, but frivolousness has gone away."

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

REPORT: "Lesser luxury" is the new black originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto buyingAutoBuyingcar buyingcar buying trendsCarBuyingCarBuyingTrendsetclifestyleluxuryluxury carsluxury goodsLuxuryCarsLuxuryGoodsnear luxuryNearLuxurypremiumWed, 14 Oct 2009 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19193593/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/14/report-lesser-luxury-is-the-new-black/19193593/article-detail.xml 19193593 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/genesis_sed_1280_5_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/genesis_sed_1280_5_opt.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> faces mounting criticism over costly new stunts. Again.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/top-gear-faces-mounting-criticism-over-costly-new-stunts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/top-gear-faces-mounting-criticism-over-costly-new-stunts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/top-gear-faces-mounting-criticism-over-costly-new-stunts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Top Gear fans greet each new season with more eager glee. Top Gear critics have taken to welcoming each new run with more criticism. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the latest "How dare they!" comes from a Minister of Parliament (MP) and Friends of the Earth, who want to run TG up the flagpole for "extravagant costs" and 'wanton destruction" -- those two things coincidentally being two of the things that fans love most.

The show went to Belfast, Ireland to film a few segments that included lofting a car to the top of a gigantic crane, launching a Renault Twingo into the sea, as well as a bit of garden variety drag racing. The MP, Gregory Campbell, is aghast at the apparent cost of such stunts, and even more aghast at the fact that the BBC won't reveal exactly how much the stunts cost. The supposed tally is £200,000 ($315,150 U.S.) for Belfast segments that might make up 10 minutes of the show.

Joining Campbell in outrage is Declan Allison from Friends of the Earth, who said: "The wanton destruction of tens of thousands of pounds worth of machinery impresses no-one. It's a wasteful extravagance and, in the middle of a global recession, in very poor taste."

So there. The complaints will probably have as much effect on the show as previous complaints, which is to say, pffffft. We're far more interested in finding out what Clarkson meant when he said that show heads want "black Muslim lesbian" presenters.

[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

Top Gear faces mounting criticism over costly new stunts. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc americaBbcAmericabelfastetceuropefriends of the earthFriendsOfTheEarthirelandjames mayJamesMayjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonrichard hammondRichardHammondtelevisiontop gearTopGearTue, 13 Oct 2009 12:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19193614/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/13/top-gear-faces-mounting-criticism-over-costly-new-stunts/19193614/article-detail.xml 19193614 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/tg_belfast_cost_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/tg_belfast_cost.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Citroën remixes its 90-year history for celebratory commercial]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/video-citroen-remixes-its-90-year-history-for-celebratory-comme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/video-citroen-remixes-its-90-year-history-for-celebratory-comme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/video-citroen-remixes-its-90-year-history-for-celebratory-comme/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Citroën celebrates 90 years -- Click above to watch video

Citroën is perhaps the wackiest mass-market auto manufacturer still in business (have you seen the 2CV, C-Cactus, and that dancing robot?), and this year, the company celebrates 90 years of mercantilism.

In celebration of that achievement, they have put together a 90-second video flyover of some of the most memorable - or just plain intriguing - pieces of company lore. From using the Eiffel tower as a billboard for a decade, to de Gaulle, the Pope, the WRC, and the Playstation, there's been a lot of it. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Citroën remixes its 90-year history for celebratory commercial

VIDEO: Citroën remixes its 90-year history for celebratory commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycitroenetceuropefrancevideoTue, 06 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19185444/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/06/video-citroen-remixes-its-90-year-history-for-celebratory-comme/19185444/article-detail.xml 19185444 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/citroen_90_ann_vid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/citroen_90_ann_vid.jpg <![CDATA[Trunk Zoo: Italian police reportedly find 1,700 animals stuffed in car's boot]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/trunk-zoo-italian-police-reportedly-find-1-700-animals-stuffed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/trunk-zoo-italian-police-reportedly-find-1-700-animals-stuffed/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/trunk-zoo-italian-police-reportedly-find-1-700-animals-stuffed/#commentsFiled under: ,



A driver in Bari, Italy was stopped for a routine inspection of his car. When police got to the trunk, they found it filled with mammals, reptiles, and birds. We have no idea how he got them all in there or, better yet, what kind of car he was driving, but authorities reportedly found the following hiding out in the boot: 216 parakeets, 300 white mice, 150 hamsters, 30 Japanese squirrels, six chameleons and over 1,000 terrapins.

The police say the man was going to sell the terrapins for €20 apiece ($29 U.S.), and although they didn't say it, we imagine he was going to sell the other animals as well. Instead, the animals have gone to local zoos while the police investigate and the man will get to sell cigarettes and phone privileges in the local hoosegow.

[Source: MyABC50 | Image: marfis75 via CC2.0]

Trunk Zoo: Italian police reportedly find 1,700 animals stuffed in car's boot originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalsanimals trunkAnimalsTrunkbarietceuropeitalypoliceMon, 28 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19175135/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/28/trunk-zoo-italian-police-reportedly-find-1-700-animals-stuffed/19175135/article-detail.xml 19175135 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/bari_animals_trunk_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/bari_animals_trunk.jpg -1 2