Autoblog

Watch this man's natural-gas pickup explode as he refuels it

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Middle East

We've reported before on the proliferation of natural-gas powered vehicles in the heavily oil-sanctioned state of Iran. Now we've got some further very dramatic circumstantial evidence that not all of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles are as safe as their Iranian owners would hope.

It's hard to say just what caused the violent ending in this pickup refilling video - a KTLA rebroadcast from an unidentified news source - but the result is terrifying. In light of this catastrophic clip, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that CNG vehicles have an excellent safety record here in the US. Follow on below to watch the video clip.

Continue reading Watch this man's natural-gas pickup explode as he refuels it

Watch this man's natural-gas pickup explode as he refuels it originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Explosion at Bombardier R&D facility in Quebec leaves two badly injured [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Safety, Videos, Canada

Bombardier has closed its research and development complex in Valcourt, Quebec following an overnight explosion late last week. Two employees were left with severe burns after the incident, including a security guard. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment and remain in medically induced comas. According to reports, local police heard the explosion and saw a ball of fire shoot into the sky before seeing the two men run from the building. Police say the damage appears to have emanated from a research lab, but firefighters were able to quickly get the blaze under control. Law enforcement believes the fire was accidental, but a full-fledged investigation is currently underway.

The complex is under construction as part of expansion efforts, and some have speculated the blast could have been caused by the work. There's no indication as to when the facility will reopen for business. In the interim, Bombardier has established a phone hotline to give employees and their family members information and support.

Bombardier Recreational Products spun off from Bombardier in 2003. It manufactures Ski-Doo snowmobile and jet ski recreational products, as well as Evinrude outboard motors and some ATVs. For more, watch the CBC News story about the blast in the video below.

Continue reading Explosion at Bombardier R&D facility in Quebec leaves two badly injured [w/video]

Explosion at Bombardier R&D facility in Quebec leaves two badly injured [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CNG tank explodes while owner fills up

Zach Bowman — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:46:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Videos, Middle East

A driver in Iran recently had a scare when his car exploded at a filling station. Details are scarce surrounding the video below, but from what we can discern, the driver of the white Iran Khodo Samand backed into the station and the attendant began filling his tank. When the driver and popped the trunk for a look inside, the vehicle exploded, knocking him to the ground. From the looks of things, neither the driver, the attendant nor the two individuals standing on the other side of the island were injured in the incident.

It's unclear what exactly caused the car to erupt, though there's some indication the accident could have been initiated by a faulty compressed natural gas tank. Take a look at the video below for yourself to see if you can figure out exactly what happened.

Continue reading CNG tank explodes while owner fills up

CNG tank explodes while owner fills up originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Watch an NHRA funny car explode in a four-wide drag race

John Neff — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Matt Hagan, the reigning NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champ, kicked off this weekend's Four-Wide Nationals qualifying session at zMAX Dragway in North Carolina with a bang. Hagan's funny car dropped an intake valve into one of its cylinders about halfway down the track and exploded, launching bits of engine and funny car across three of the four race lanes.

Amazingly, Hagan suffered no injuries and managed to keep his car in its lane. Upon exiting the vehicle, he can be seen ripping a piece of the car off and throwing it on the ground in frustration. Turns out he has a right to be frustrated: This is reportedly the third year in a row that Hagan has been involved in an explosion at the Four-Wide Nationals.

Scroll down to watch video of the explosion from a couple different angles, as well as gifs of the explosion and his memorable reaction.

Continue reading Watch an NHRA funny car explode in a four-wide drag race

Watch an NHRA funny car explode in a four-wide drag race originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Watch a burning Midget flip at 1,000 frames-per-second

Chris Shunk — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, UK, MISC

Why is it that everything looks cooler in slow motion? And the slower the better, especially when you're dealing with one of those new-fangled high frame rate super cameras. Case in point? When you add a MG Midget, a serious amount of explosives and a 1,000 frame per second camera and you have some very compelling YouTube footage.

Hit the jump to look on as Speed TV's Stuntbusters lay waste to what looks like a rather tired (and likely non-running) MG. There is nothing but really slow demolition and some Mary Lou Retton-style tumbling, but it's totally worth your 1:09.

Continue reading Watch a burning Midget flip at 1,000 frames-per-second

Watch a burning Midget flip at 1,000 frames-per-second originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Stuntbusters teaches us how to blow up a car in spectacular fashion

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

When it comes to blowing up cars, the boys (and girl) from Mythbusters are starting to get some serious competition from the Stuntbusters crew. While Discovery's myth-busting show bases its explosions around some sort of crazy science experiment, its competitor from Speed seems simply content with fireballs and bombs just for the sake of good television.

Just so long as Stuntbusters keeps its auto explosions to old, unwanted machines like the much unloved Chevrolet Corsica and the never-going-to-be-collectible Mazda 929, as seen in the video after the break, we're okay with wonton destruction in the name of entertainment.

Check out the video past the jump, where you'll learn the proper ingredients for a couple types of bombs; one powered by gasoline and one with a fiery mixture of moth balls and black powder. You are interested, aren't you? See the conflagration in all its glory after the break.

Continue reading Stuntbusters teaches us how to blow up a car in spectacular fashion

Stuntbusters teaches us how to blow up a car in spectacular fashion originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Thai car ripped apart by explosion as bomb expert inspects

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Honda

Car bomb explodes in Thailand - Click above to watch videos after the jump

A squad of explosive experts were called on to a dangerous scene in Thailand's Narathiwat province near Bangkok today. According to MSNBC, a trio of roadside bombs detonated, killing two and wounding 13. A group of explosive experts were called in to defuse the third of those bombs, but it exploded, injuring seven officers.

The horrific incident was caught with both still photography and video. The footage shows a bomb expert cautiously approaching the suspected Honda Civic when an explosive device - believed to have been planted there by Islamic insurgents - was triggered.

The videos are graphic, but they also show the protective ability of the bomb squad's gear. The bomb squad expert who approached the vehicle was injured, but survived. Click past the jump to watch the pair of video clips.

Continue reading Thai car ripped apart by explosion as bomb expert inspects

Thai car ripped apart by explosion as bomb expert inspects originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: The definition of catastrophic failure

Zach Bowman — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos

Tractor pull explosion - Click above to watch video after the jump

As tenants of the information superhighway's underpass, we feast on a daily ration of bizarre automotive videos. That diet has put us in contact with some of the most heinous clips of mechanical destruction ever seen by human eyes. But today, we bring you something that completely redefines the notion of catastrophic failure.

The guys at Bang Shift managed to unearth a clip of tractor pull featuring one incredibly powerful machine by the name of Never Satisfied. Power supposedly came from an International DT466 diesel engine modified to suck down alcohol and force-fed over 200 pounds (!) of boost from four superchargers.

Now, we wouldn't dare call ourselves mechanical experts, but judging from the considerable carnage in the video after the jump, those levels of pressure may have been a little much. After the nose of the tractor erupts into an impressive ball of flame, the entire top half of the engine is launched into sub-orbit. It eventually returns from atmosphere and plunks down into the dirt next to the driver. If you look close, you can still the coffee-can sized pistons laid over on the frame.

Messy.

Hit the jump to see devastation for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Aaron!

[Source: Bang Shift]

Continue reading Video: The definition of catastrophic failure

Video: The definition of catastrophic failure originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Why? Dude blows up diecast cars in slow-mo

Chris Shunk — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We'll tell you exactly why, because it's a lot of fun. We know, because we had a similar experience in late adolescence, but we used GI Joe vehicles (even the awesome hovercraft) and firecrackers. But what we didn't have back then was a 600 fps camera, but lucky for us, people do now... and they have YouTube to share it with the rest of us.

After the jump is video of diecast cars getting blown sky high with what appears to be some relatively large explosive. What makes this little experiment so much fun is that our mini pyrotechnician friend captured the carnage 20 times slower than conventional video, giving us a crystal clear picture of every blast. And to make the one minute video that much more entertaining, the creator cut his masterpiece to one of the best pieces of music any aspiring video editor can use in a disaster sequence; Ode To Joy. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself, and keep in mind that blowing things up can lead to blowing off fingers and shrapnel in the eye, so don't try this at home!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Why? Dude blows up diecast cars in slow-mo

VIDEO: Why? Dude blows up diecast cars in slow-mo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: French workers vote against blowing up plant as long as their demands are met

Michael Harley — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

Workers at French car parts maker New Fabris (its main clients include Renault and Peugeot-Citroen) have voted down immediate plans to explosively send the roof of their plant into the troposphere, as long as talks with aides to Industry Minister Christian Estrosi are in the works. It seems that the workers, part of the CGT union, are demanding higher redundancy payouts as nearly 370 of them have lost their jobs following the collapse of the automotive sector.

Gas canisters had been placed around the factory to facilitate the pending pyrotechnics, but they have since been moved. Christian Paupineau, a delegate of the CGT union, told Reuters that the talks must be forthcoming. "There has to be significant progress. The canisters are being stored and kept under surveillance and they can be re-installed at any time," he added.

The threats to blow up factories is a relatively new tactic for French workers - employees used to vent frustration by taking their managers hostage (aka "bossnappings") until their demands were met. Union representatives are due to meet with the factory workers on Thursday... assuming nobody blows their lid in the meantime.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Alain Jocard/Getty]

REPORT: French workers vote against blowing up plant as long as their demands are met originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW X5 "Security" model can handle .44 Magnum fire

Michael Harley — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, BMW, Police/Emergency, Specialty

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW X5 Security

If you happen to be the Head of State of a controversial nation, have a lot of enemies, or you are just plain paranoid, BMW's latest X5 variation may appeal to you. It's called the BMW X5 Security, and it has been armored by the factory to protect its occupants against some serious firepower (BMW claims safety class "VR4" to resist the penetration from a .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, or a nine-millimeter Luger). While BMW is understandably mum about specifics, we do know that the body panels (including the roof and trunk) have been reinforced with a ballistic-resistant armored fiber developed in the Netherlands. The windows are upgraded to laminated 22-mm thick security glass, and a camera system with intercom keeps the passengers informed of what's happening outside their isolated cocoon. To handle the extra mass (you know its packing some weight) the Security package is bundled to the X5 4.8i model with its 4.8-liter 350-hp V-8. Nearly indistinguishable from the regular model, BMW has reportedly attempted to maintain the X5's driving dynamics with upgraded suspension and brakes. It's apparently no slouch, but we have yet to see any armored car that is considered exceptionally nimble.

Gallery: 2009 BMW X5 Security

BMW X5 "Security" model can handle .44 Magnum fire originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Explosion and fire at Chrysler's Windsor assembly plant

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:53:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

Around 12:30PM EST today, Chrysler's Windsor assembly plant in Canada, which produces an assortment of the automaker's minivans, caught fire after a reported explosion. Eyewitness reports claim that the explosion was followed by large plumes of black smoke emanating from the northwest corner of the center. Fire crews have cordoned off part of the plant around Drouillard Road and all of the employees have been evacuated. We'll update this post with more information as it becomes available, so stay tuned. Thanks for the tip, Alan.

UPDATE 4:40 PM EST: Workers were allowed back into the plant after the fire was extinguished. Apparently a vehicle on the repair line caught fire, but workers were able to control the blaze. No injuries reported at this time. [Source: MLive]

[Source: Canada.com, Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Explosion and fire at Chrysler's Windsor assembly plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Time waster of the day: Bourne Stunt Simulator

Siddharth Raja — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Volkswagen

Coinciding with the launch of the new Bourne Ultimatum movie, Volkswagen has launched an interactive stunt simulator that allows fans to play out their own stunts online as many times as they want. Users can maneuver any of six different VW models through different explosions, while altering vehicle speeds, props, sound effects and camera angles to make that perfect scene.

Product placement in the movie has several VW vehicles making an appearance, including the Touareg 2 SUV and Golf GTI, a smart move seeing that The Bourne Ultimatum has grossed more than $70 million in its first weekend. That's a hell of lot of viewers seeing VW's new models up on the big screen.

[Source: Bourne Simulator]

Time waster of the day: Bourne Stunt Simulator originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoblog Podcast #63

Dan Roth — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford, GM, Suzuki

It's nice to be back in the swing of things. We're once again cranking out weekly podcasts, and #63 is a compact one. We start off salivating over the news that the next generation Suzuki Swift will be headed for US shores. We devolve from discussing an unsubstantiated rumor into wistful praise for the current can't have it Swift, and even make mention of Swifts from nigh on twenty years ago. The dustup over Alan Mulally's work of fiction at the New York Auto Show keynote draws our ire next. This one has it all, lies, grandstanding media with agendas, attacks, grandstanding media with agendas, misinformation, grandstanding media with agendas, disinformation, and finally, grandstanding media with agendas. Speaking of grandstanding, we nearly go as far as calling Lutz's bluff on the announcement that the hotly anticipated RWD cars from GM are on hold 'till regulators get their shizzle together. Whatevs. The entire GM turnaround is on hold? Not bloody likely. The consensus we come to is: Bad Lutz. So, turn on, tune in and peel out for our latest slice of podcast goodness.

SUBSCRIBE to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
LISTEN to the show now
ADD the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Autoblog Podcast #63 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Airbag supplier explosion not expected to affect vehicle production

Eric Bryant — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Safety

Well, here's at least one story about the auto parts industry that doesn't have to do with bankruptcy or labor turmoil, although we're not sure that it represents an improvement in mood. Takata, a privately-owned company that provides inflatable restraints to the auto industry, suffered a series of explosions that ripped through its Mexican propellant storage facility last week. The four blasts were mostly contained by the dirt berms that surround the building, and no injuries or deaths were caused by the blasts-- but Takata's nearby assembly plant was severely damaged.

Takata supplies the six largest auto manufacturers here in the US, but its customers have not yet been affected. At least one unnamed competitor has stepped up to offer its assistance, and for the time being, no disruption of vehicle production is expected.

The incident is the second serious recent problem for the restraint manufacturer. Last month, a worker at the company's San Antonio seatbelt plant was killed due to a malfunction with a piece of metal plating equipment.

*updated @ 3:07pm EST w/new free link

[Source: Automotive News, San Antonio Express-News]

Airbag supplier explosion not expected to affect vehicle production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments