Autoblog

Defiance Dodge Charger, saving Earth from aliens isn't clean work [w/video]

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Dodge, Specialty, TV/Movies

You'll be forgiven for not having heard about the TV show Defiance - it actually hasn't aired its first episode yet. The new science fiction show about an alien war against Earth in the near future seems like a perfect fit for the SyFy channel, and, apparently one that Dodge saw as a slick marketing opportunity for its Charger sedan.

Here in Chicago, Dodge has given a large corner of its show stand to the Defiance Charger, a car that won't be skipped by any Mad Max fans in attendance at this year's show. The Charger boasts one hell of a gnarly patina under a confusingly welded cage of tube steel, as well as window bars, a grille guard in front, and big, knobby truck tires. There aren't any obvious guns or turrets on the outside of the vehicle, so we can only hope that the characters driving it go well-armed.

Look for the Charger to make its star turn in Defiance when the series premieres on SyFy on April 15 at 9:00 PM EST. Also, there's said to be a Defiance video game in the works, too, so you may get a chance to steer the burly Dodge for yourself. Find a trailer for the show, below, as well.

Continue reading Defiance Dodge Charger, saving Earth from aliens isn't clean work [w/video]

Defiance Dodge Charger, saving Earth from aliens isn't clean work [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Max's Gigahorse is monstrous, insane

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities, Off-Road

That isn't double vision you're experiencing, it's the Gigahorse. Said to be the "hero car" in Mad Max: Fury Road, the ride, snapped by a Moviehole.net reader, is a double-bodied '59 Cadillac with two supercharged V8s connected by a planetary gear, sitting on a monster-truck chassis and sporting a four-bladed cow catcher. With Charlize Theron as Furiosa alongside Tom Hardy as Mad Max, it's unknown which hero the Gigahorse might serve but it's certainly bat**** crazy enough for The Mad One.

Production is setting up in Namibia (because the Aussie outback has gotten too green, according the director), and peeks at the movie's other rides have shown at least one other car as big as a semi, a couple of buggies and, of course, enough tractor-trailers to remake Convoy. A stuntman said the movie would have "130 cars and bikes and 198 stunts."

Speaking of Theron, last November George Miller said he'd film Fury Road and Mad Max: Furiosa (Mad Maxes 4 and 5, essentially) back-to-back and that production could take 2.5 years, so it might be some time before we see the Gigahorse in the local multiplex.

Mad Max's Gigahorse is monstrous, insane originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford displays two Mad Max Interceptor Concepts in Australia [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, Celebrities, Design/Style

Ford Mad Max Interceptor Concepts - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you were unlucky enough to find yourself in the middle of a post-apocalyptic dystopic world where gang violence and a complete lack of any real human society were the norm, there's only one vehicle you'd want the keys to: a matte black Ford Falcon coupe. Don't believe us? Apparently you've missed out on the Australian cinematic masterpiece that is Mad Max.

Besides launching Mel Gibson's acting career (we're not touching that one with a ten-foot pole), the film and its two sequels were famous for the outlandish cars and motorcycles used to rundown unsuspecting prey and their precious last drops of gasoline. And no single machine from the film was as memorable as Max's Pursuit Special, a 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT351.

In case you didn't know, the Mad Max series is due for a fourth installment. Tentatively due to hit theaters sometime in 2012, Mad Max: Fury Road is set to star Tom Hardy, Teresa Palmer and Charlize Theron... but, of course, the real stars we're most interested in will be the cars, which are currently being designed.

Two of the leading candidates for the hero car have been created in roughly 40-percent size and are on display at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne. See the two scale models along with a slew of other potential designs in our high-res image gallery below. We also suggest you click past the break to check out a quick video of the concept on the show floor in Australia, along with the related press release.

Continue reading Ford displays two Mad Max Interceptor Concepts in Australia [w/video]

Ford displays two Mad Max Interceptor Concepts in Australia [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Mad Max emerges from Thunderdome on Fury Road

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:40:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Australia, Celebrities

It costs too much money to make all those original Hollywood flops that no one pays to see, so new movie news these days is mostly a succession of "We're rebooting/remaking/doing a sequel for [insert any movie made before this year]." So even though Paranormal was shot for $10,000 and made $22 million last weekend, the big news is Mad Max is going the Rocky route, coming in for episode four: Mad Max: Fury Road.

For all of us who do want another hero and do want to know the way home, Mad Max probably won't be him or show us this time around. The project doesn't have studio backing yet, just the franchise's producer, $100 million, and a tentative production date of next year. Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation) and Charlize Theron (really?) are rumored to be tied to the project. Mad Max with a big budget and big stars sounds like a mad mess, but at least it will give us an overdue reason to shout "You can run... but you can't hide!" Hat tip to Richard.

[Source: Auto Focus | Image: Warner Bros.]

REPORT: Mad Max emerges from Thunderdome on Fury Road originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: If Mad Max had been scored by Lemmy

Alex Nunez — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:35:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Celebrities, Overheard in AIM

Mad Max - Ace of Spades

My IM dinged with the following message: "Why did nobody think of this before? And if they had, how come I didn't see it until just now? " Those questions come from our buddy, Davey G. Johnson, erstwhile Jalop, extreme Jim Rockford aficionado, and all-around finder of things awesome, like the YouTube link that followed seconds later. It's now embedded above, because some things are meant to be consumed by the masses. A Mad Max clip show set to Motörhead's "Ace of Spades"? Yeah, that qualifies. Strap yourselves in for 2 minutes and 50 seconds of appropriately-scored vehicular mayhem. Consider this your Saturday morning wake-up call. Go grab a coffee and we'll see you back here at 9, when the day's normal posting schedule begins. We've also got plenty of coverage in store from our team camped at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction. Should be fun. See you again in a few.

[Source: YouTube]

VIDEO: If Mad Max had been scored by Lemmy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A model of things to come: Mad Max diorama

Dan Roth — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Classics, Etc., Toys/Games

We may or may not have already passed peak oil. All we know is that the post-apocalyptic vision wrought in Mad Max films may someday become reality, and then we're all gonna wish we had Interceptors. AutoArt Models recently came out with a 1:18 die cast Interceptor model recently, but it doesn't come filthy enough for some fans. Detail-man extrodinaire Paul Miller decided to do something about it and built his own insanely detailed diorama complete with lots of dirt and dust (and some fuel drips!), Max himself, and other well chosen accessories for the scene. We're way behind building our own Edsel model for the Autoblog Garage, but Paul's work is at a level we'll never achieve. We're inspired to try, though, after seeing his work! Paul will also build you a custom model or diorama with this insane level of detail, provided you're willing to part with some money. He charges between $400 and $700 for his dioramas and his contact info can be found at Hemmings via source link below. You'll also find more pics of his Mad Max masterpiece there, and you can check out what a squeaky clean Interceptor model looks like right out of the box in our gallery below.

Gallery: AutoArt Models 1:18 Die Cast Mad Max Interceptor

[Source: Hemmings]

A model of things to come: Mad Max diorama originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spotted: Mad Maxine Mustang

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:39:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Trends, Performance, Etc., Ford, Lifestyle, Humor, Specialty

While cruising along in Southern California one morning this week, we spied what could pass for a new hero car in the next installment of the "Mad Max" movie franchise. Just check out those rows of steel studs along the hood, roof and trunk. Perhaps bouyed by the historic executive branch runs of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, the newest chapter of this apocalyptic anecdote could see the Mad Max reins being handed over to a woman. Spotted proudly piloting this studded silver V6 'Stang, we've dubbed her "Mad Maxine." Just like the car, the driver transformation hadn't been completed yet, but she definitely looked the part with her steely gaze and guard dog companion. Whatever it is, we got a kick out of this personalized pony. One word of advice though -- if you see this in your rearview mirror, kindly move aside. Come to think of it, it doesn't look too pedestrian-friendly either...

Gallery: Mad Maxine Mustang

Spotted: Mad Maxine Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Luber Custom Stilet features post-apocalypse look

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

Click on the image above for more high-res shots of the Luber Stilet

Looking like it just time-warped from the set of Mad Max into the Motobike Salon in Moscow, Russia, is the Luber Custom Stilet trike. What looks like rusty metal body panels is really just an airbrushed effect; the body is molded from fiberglass. Powered by a 300 horsepower 5.7 liter V8 and automatic tranny of unmentioned origin (probably a Chevy 350), we imagine that this trike has no problem getting out of its own way.

Not into the post-apocalyptic look? No problem, Luber appears happy to paint the machine to suit your preferences, all for the price of $50 grand. This is one machine that will definitely stand apart from the crowd, whether at a bike show or your local hangout... which is more than we can say for the majority of bikes rolling out of the custom shops these days. Thanks for the tip, Greg!

Gallery: Luber Custom Stilet Trike

[Source: cardesign.ru / Luber Custom)

Luber Custom Stilet features post-apocalypse look originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will peak oil trigger Mad Max society?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green, Technology, Lifestyle

According to a study by the Energy Watch Group (EWG), all of you Mad Max fans out there might get the chance to live the movie if oil production continues to decline. The oil industry believes Earth's oil reserves can last about another 42 years at current pumping rates. Energy Watch, basing its conclusions on actual rates of production, says that oil production has declined since 2006 and will continue to do so -- by 2030, oil production could be half of what it is today.

The situation we're headed for -- and that some predict as soon as next year -- is called "peak oil." That means that although plenty of oil is still being pumped and sold, there isn't enough of it to go around. And that means the possibility of "widespread blackouts, the virtual collapse of transportation infrastructure in industrialized countries and a shortage of petroleum-based chemical fertilizers necessary to grow most of our food." And that means war, famine, pestilence, and hunger. A situation that is otherwise known as "deep doo-doo."

Of course, the caveat to all of this is that no really knows how this is going to play out. Long-range predictions have a way of being false as often as they're true (paperless office anyone?). We aren't suggesting that EWG is wrong, and we aren't saying that we don't need to be a lot smarter about our resources... but a lot is going to change between now and 2030. Who knows -- if a $30,000 Volt arrives in 2010, we could get another hundred years out of our oil supplies. Nevertheless, in case a Road Warrior future is in store, you might want to start practicing your lines now. Say it with us: You can run, but you can't hide!

[Source: Green Daily]

Will peak oil trigger Mad Max society? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Be afraid: Dragon Tank Truck from Russia

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc.

Two slightly bigger pics can be seen by clicking above.

The only info we have on this badass big rig is from the website where we found the pics: "I've seen a lot of photos of USA or Japan trucks looking very stylish after some big work of decorating. But this one looks different. And it can be met on roads of Russia - it's not from some art gallery." So it's Russian, it's called the Dragon Tank Truck, and it's on the road, not in some art gallery. Oh, and it's awesome. Some sort of Mad Max wannabe? A locomotive enthusiast's dream semi? A Transformer sequel star? A future Cars follow-up bad guy? An SPCA scare tactic? Your guess is as good as (actually, frequently, much better than) ours.

Whatever it is, we love it. Like some cartoon nightmare come to life. As one AB Editor put it, "[this truck] should have a bumper sticker on the back that reads 'Lightning McQueen can bite my ass'."

[Source: English Russia]

Gallery: Badass Big Rig

Be afraid: Dragon Tank Truck from Russia originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Model cars made entirely out of paper

John Neff — Thu, 24 May 2007 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

While perusing Autoblog Latino and brushing up on my Spanglish, I noticed this post that led me to a site called Paper Inside. Its simple tagline - Paper Models are Paper Inside - hints at what you'll find below the fold. The site offers numerous free downloads of paper models that arrive in your printer tray as 2D sheets awaiting entry into the third dimension. We chose the Ecto 1 model to highlight above because it's pretty intricate, but you'll also find the DeLorean from Back to the Future, the General Lee, Speed Racer's Mach-5, the Tumbler from Batman Begins, Mad Max's Interceptor and a McLaren MP4-22 race car. That's not to mention the numerous crafts from Star Wars and Start Trek that are also available. If you poke around, you'll also find links out to other paper model sites where even more vehicles are available.

We downloaded a few models in PDF, and were immediately stumped. The assembly instructions for most consist of dozens of pictures, each lacking any verbiage save for the name of a particular paper piece and an arrow showing where it goes. We'll sit down soon with a pair of child-proof scissors and see if we can't crank one out, but we expect this project will quickly turn into a contest of whose paper airplane can fly the farthest.

[Source: Paper Inside via Autoblog Latino]

Model cars made entirely out of paper originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2007 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR: 'Mad Max' to make NEXTEL Cup debut

Stuart Waterman — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Perennial open-wheel and sports car fan favorite Massimiliano (Mad Max) Papis will become the first Italian in NASCAR's modern era to compete in NASCAR when he pilots the Furniture Row Racing entry at the Watkins Glen NEXTEL Cup road course event August 13.

Papis is having quite a year, racing at the Daytona 24 Hours, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500, and a host of other races, including NASCAR's IROC series. Papis has seemingly raced in nearly everything with four wheels, with an extensive Formula 1, Champ Car, and sports cars resume.

Regular viewers of the Rolex Sports Car series will know that Max is no stranger to NASCAR-style beatin' and bangin' - he should fit right in!

Denver-based Furniture Row Racing is new to NEXTEL Cup this year. Watkins Glen will mark the team's first road course race. Papis and the team recently completed a right turn/left turn test session at Virginia Interational Raceway.

[Source: Furniture Row Racing]

NASCAR: 'Mad Max' to make NEXTEL Cup debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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