Autoblog

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The Scion Hako is one of the ugliest concept cars any of us have ever seen. Seriously, in New York, our watches stopped working in its presence. At the vehicle's introduction, Scion called its orange-hued affront to the senses a "sporty version of a box" -- a turn of phrase we're still trying to wrap our brains around. What's next? Record execs selling us the "easy-listening version of Slayer"? But we digress.

Our friends at Jalopnik were equally uninspired by Hako, so they asked their readers to build a better concept using the magic of Photoshop. They have winnowed down the entrants to a group of five finalists -- a mail truck (above), a better coupe (shown at right), a hot rod, a Hako-mino, and a Deora-ish pickup. Follow the jump to see the latter three and then head over to Jalopnik to vote for your favorite. The winning 'chopper will be announced tomorrow. His or her prize? A taste of sweet internet celebrity and some Scion hats. Don't delay, vote today!

[Source: Jalopnik]

BYD's Wang Chanfu and Jalopnik's Matt Hardigree say hi to the ALMS folks

Jalopnik's Matt Hardigree was minding his own business, speaking to representatives of China's BYD Auto following the company's Detroit Auto Show presser yesterday. BYD had just unviled its F6 DM, a dual-mode hybrid sedan. Discussions turned to taking the car on a brief ceremonial "test drive" that involved moving it a few feet with Matt riding shotgun. As company reps sprang into action, the chairman himself got behind the wheel -- and then it got interesting. You see, what was supposed to be a few feet turned into a not-particularly-legal drive through the show floor. The photo you see above shows BYD Auto chairman Wang Chanfu driving Matt through the ALMS press conference that was in progress at the time. A full firsthand account is posted at Jalopnik, and it is hilarious. Read it here.

[Source: Jalopnik]

If you're into automotive blogs on the internet, you know that Autoblog and Jalopnik are like Ford and Chevy, Coke and Pepsi, or any other great pair of products that divides our desires. There was a time when Autobloggers and Jalops didn't talk to each other and no link love flowed between the two sites, but things have changed since those dark days, mostly thanks to Mike Spinelli, who announced today that he's stepping down as Editor in Chief of Jalopnik.

Typical of Spin and the type of entertaining posts you'll find at Jalopnik, his announcement is posted from the back hills of rural Italy, features prominently his dog Zoe (and a Renault 5 Turbo), and is as engaging as every post he's published over the past few years.

Spinelli will remain at Jalopnik as Editor at Large, though the mantle of EIC will be handed over to Ray Wert. We owe Spin a lot for not only helping our two sites help themselves, but also for playing a major role in legitimizing this little thing we do called blogging.

We'll miss racing you back to the media center too, Mike. Especially because Ray's legs are longer and he can run faster.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Jalopnik recently launched a new site design, and realized its new look required a vehicle giveaway to keep them near the head of the class. You won't hear any argument from us. A previous re-do brought speculation of an engineless early 80's El Camino, but unfortunately that never happened.

This time around they wanted something unique and stylish, and decided to break the bank with an audacious fully custom VW Microbus, nicknamed "Samba." Breaking the bank meant the piggy bank on Wert's desk, so what they settled on was a Maisto G-Ridez edition 1:10 scale Volkswagen R/C Van. While the scale is no way indicative of their place in the blogosphere (Number forty-two in your program, number one in your hearts), the van seems a good fit for their demographic, which puts a premium on non-conformity and anti-social behavior. Click through the read link to find out how you can win Samba for yourself.

Jalopnik has scored some primo spy shots of the 2008 Honda Accord. Super-shutterbugs Brenda Priddy & Co. captured both the sedan and coupe out in the open as they were being prepared for a photo shoot. As you can see by looking at the coupe (click image at right for full views), it's basically a dead ringer for the concept car Honda trotted out in Detroit, only the production version's got a nicer-looking lower front fascia. Around back, the concept's through-the-bumper exhaust has been replaced by a conventional setup. The sedan also receives the new face and its profile is now graced with a BMW-esque kink in its C-pillar. Head to Jalopnik to see all the pics, then weigh in with your opinions.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Yesterday, we got an impassioned plea from AB reader Ray about the upcoming hearing at the Alameda County Administration Building, where efforts to ban both drifting and overnight camping at the historic Altamont Motorsports Park are underway.

We've attended a number of events there, including the monthly Thursday night drifting event, where anyone with a helmet and a vehicle that can pass tech can enjoy all the powersliding mayhem they want in a controlled environment. We've only gone to observe, but have found the group to be a well organized, safety conscious band of enthusiasts.

A couple who moved into a house down the road in 2005 (and promptly built a motocross track on their property, by the way), formed a two-person organization called "Community for a Better Altamont", the goal of which is to reduce the impact of traffic and noise in the neighborhood. Our friends over at Jalopnik have an excellent commentary post on the matter that outlines the players, the facts and the hypocrisy.

[Source: Jalopnik, Community for a Better Altamont, Tracy Press]

Davey Johnson models the Jalopnik uniform – a Husker Du shirt and full facial hair

We spent a nice night on the town in NYC after the first press day of the 2007 New York Auto Show came to a close on Wednesday. We wined and dined, walked for miles and finally ended up at the Manhattan Car Club where fellow bloggers from Jalopnik were throwing a party to celebrate their blogging birthday of sorts (the site is around two and one third years old). The Jalopnik crew were gracious hosts and offered free drinks and loin burgers to a crowd of automotive journalists that's very accustomed to being fed for free.

If you've ever wondered who the power players are in the world of online automotive journalism, check out this gallery of the event that's been captioned by one Ray Wert, Jalopnik's resident socialite and host with the most.

[Source: Jalopnik]

The Chrysler Group's PR chief Jason Vines responded yesterday to the company's decision to ask YouTube to yank the two not-ready-for-prime-time gag ads that Jalopnik had posted and featured on its blog this week. Vines explains the two ads were "part of an outtakes reel for the real gag ads." The two profane ads, he goes on to say, were released without permission, which subsequently sent Vines into a profane-peppered rage of his own after learning of the breach when he returned home from the L.A. Auto Show.

We're not entirely certain what the "real gag ads" are and for what reason so much time and effort was spent producing professional quality gag ads that could never be legally aired in the U.S. Regardless, Vines considers the issue dead. Unfortunately, the Jalopnik crew may find it in their hearts to forgive, but they never forget.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Our friends at Jalopnik are holding an online vote to decide what their T-Shirt slogan should be.

The list is long, distinguished, and Camino-laden. It is also funny, so you should go read through the candidates and vote immediately. I myself voted for "Save the Enzos," which is laying down the smack with extreme prejudice so far. I'd have gone 'Camino but it looks like two of them may still make it into the finals, where they will potentially Ross Perot each other. Clearly, this is more exciting than this past November's election.Other slogan candidates namecheck Chuck Norris and, of course, Jason Vines. Like a jilted Oscar hopeful, GM's Steve Harris is nowhere to be seen on the list of nominees.

Remember, voting is a civic duty.