Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: NY cracking down on cabbies using cell phones - only took 10 years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-ny-cracking-down-on-cabbies-using-cell-phones-only-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-ny-cracking-down-on-cabbies-using-cell-phones-only-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-ny-cracking-down-on-cabbies-using-cell-phones-only-too/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's hard to believe, but cab drivers in New York City are prohibited by law from talking on cell phones, with or without headsets. That doesn't seem to stop them, says the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission. Citing phone-related accident statistics, the commission is now proposing more stringent rules that would raise fines and even keep cabbies from using hands-free devices to chat. "We've tried everything else; there's no other way we can make this work," says Matthew W. Daus, the taxi commissioner.

In the first six months of 2009, only one ticket was issued for every 500,000 cab rides. Cabbies escape prosecution because they claim they were only wearing the hands-free devices, not using them. "Judges have been dismissing summonses because there's no proof of conversation," says Daus. Under the proposed rules, the wearing of a headset merits an infraction. Under the current rules, cab drivers are allowed to talk on cell phones while stopped at a red light. The new rules would require drivers to pull over to answer the phone.

Without a doubt, the cabbies are riled. Calling the proposed rules inhumane, they claim mobile phones are crucial in emergencies and the only way they are able to keep in touch with relatives during their 12-hour shifts. While the drafted rules are subject to public hearings next month, the drivers point out the absurdity of some of the proposals. When one organizer at the New York Taxi Workers Alliance was told that he'd have to pull over to answer a ringing phone, his amusing answer was rather succinct: "Where do you get space to put your car?"

[Source: NY Times | Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: NY cracking down on cabbies using cell phones - only took 10 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cabbiecellular phoneCellular PhonesCellularPhoneCellularPhoneslegalmobilemobile phoneMobilePhonenew lawsuitnew york cityNewLawsuitNewYorkCitynyc taxiNycTaxirulestaxiMon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fail: Defect reportedly causing NYC car registration stickers to unstick]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/fail-defect-reportedly-causing-nyc-car-registration-stickers-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/fail-defect-reportedly-causing-nyc-car-registration-stickers-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/fail-defect-reportedly-causing-nyc-car-registration-stickers-to/#commentsFiled under: ,



Apparently, there have been some two million vehicle registration stickers and another 2.5 million inspection stickers issued this year in New York. No great shakes there - except for the fact that the stickers aren't living up to their names, as they are refusing to securely affix themselves to car windshields. This, as you might imagine, is a bit of a problem since citations for a missing or improperly stuck sticker can cost up to $100.

According to The New York Times, two separate vendors are responsible for the not-so-sticky stickers, and the affected units are being replaced free of charge. It seems, though, that most drivers are taking matters into their own hands by simply using adhesive tape to get the stickers to stay in place in lieu of filing the paperwork for a new one.

Police in New York are reportedly being instructed to be lenient on offenders as long as sufficient evidence is found that the vehicle's owner was affected by the bad batch of stickers. Happen to be one of the owners in question? Click here for instructions on how to get a new inspection sticker and hit the jump for a press release from the New York DMV explaining the issue.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: woody1778a via C.C. 2.0]

Continue reading Fail: Defect reportedly causing NYC car registration stickers to unstick

Fail: Defect reportedly causing NYC car registration stickers to unstick originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inspection stickerInspectionStickerlicense plate stickerLicensePlateStickernew yorknew york citynew york inspectionnew york inspection stickersnew york licensenew york license platesnew york registrationnew york registration stickersnew york stickersNewYorkNewYorkCityNewYorkInspectionNewYorkInspectionStickersNewYorkLicenseNewYorkLicensePlatesNewYorkRegistrationNewYorkRegistrationStickersNewYorkStickersny inspectionny licenseny registrationny stickersNyInspectionNyLicenseNyRegistrationNyStickerswindow stickerWindowStickerThu, 15 Oct 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Montreal, Niagara Falls, New York City: F1 looks to return to North America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/montreal-niagara-falls-new-york-city-f1-looks-to-return-to-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/montreal-niagara-falls-new-york-city-f1-looks-to-return-to-no/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/montreal-niagara-falls-new-york-city-f1-looks-to-return-to-no/#commentsFiled under:



Since the Canadian Grand Prix was canceled for this season, Formula One has been entirely absent from North America. But participating automakers, investors and organizers alike know that the North American market is vital and can't be overlooked, and to that end several new developments are said to be underway to bring F1 back over to the western shores of the Atlantic.

First up, and probably the most straightforward, would be the reinstatement of the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The event was long a mainstay of the F1 calendar and a prominent event both for locals and for racing fans from across Canada and the United States. Quebec provincial government minister Raymond Bachand confirmed in a recent radio interview that the local governments are motivated to bring the race back to Montreal, and that talks are ongoing with Bernie Ecclestone. A five-year deal at a more reasonable rate than what Ecclestone previously demanded is what local governments are seeking.

Meanwhile, reports are surfacing of several new circuits being built up the St. Lawrence River near Niagara Falls, Ontario. With the backing of Jeff Gordon and others, Kuwaiti investment firm Bayt Al Mal is reportedly building a new $200 million motorsports park in Niagara to include a one-mile oval track for NASCAR races and a 2.5-mile road course that could attract the Canadian Grand Prix to the site. The facility being built boasts seating capacity for 100,000, plus hotels and other accommodations on a 623 acre site. Several other projects are also reportedly under way in the region, close to upstate New York and not far from Detroit, including a 3.5-mile road course for the IRL.

Enough about Canada, what about the United States, you ask? Ecclestone's latest tirade precludes a return to Indy, while in his view none of the hundreds of existing race tracks in the United States would be suitable. Following his previous indications that a new track could be made near Las Vegas, Bernie's now suggesting that only New York would make a viable location for Formula One to return to the U.S. We wonder, meanwhile, what he'll come up with next.

[Sources: F1-Live and GrandPrix.com | Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Montreal, Niagara Falls, New York City: F1 looks to return to North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadian grand prixcanadian grand prix niagara fallsCanadianGrandPrixCanadianGrandPrixNiagaraFallscircuit gilles villeneuveCircuitGillesVilleneuvef1f1 nyf1 ontarioF1NyF1Ontarioformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnegrand prixGrandPrixmontrealnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCityniagara fallsNiagaraFallsontarioquebecunited states grand prixUnitedStatesGrandPrixusgpFri, 17 Apr 2009 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[In New York City, garage is spelled with a $]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/in-new-york-city-garage-is-spelled-with-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/in-new-york-city-garage-is-spelled-with-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/in-new-york-city-garage-is-spelled-with-a/#commentsFiled under: ,



We're sure there are plenty of reasons some people would want to live in New York, but it's hard to see why a car guy would want to. Forget the traffic, the kamikaze cab drivers and astronomic insurance rates. Even if you can put up with all that, where the heck are you gonna park a car?

The New York Times' story, "The Ultimate Luxury: A Garage," gives us even more reason to shun The Big Apple as a place of residence. Apparently, New York houses, condos and apartments with garages command about 5% more than those that don't. In some neighborhoods, add 25%. So that means if you have a condo worth $1 million, adding a garage could get you at very least $50,000 more than your car-hating neighbors. One real estate broker estimated that a six-bedroom townhouse he's selling will bring an extra $1 million because of its car accommodations. The townhouse is priced at $18.75 million.

So why aren't real estate owners on a garage-building spree? Because convincing the city's Department of Buildings that you need a curb cut is a long, trying process. The government agency approved only 54 new Manhattan curb cuts in 2008; three less than last year.

And then there's the anecdote of one family paying $6,600 a year to put their car in a public lot. That's enough to convince this bunch of car guys that there are better places to call home.

[Source: New York Times]

In New York City, garage is spelled with a $ originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new york carsnew york citynew york garagesnew york parkingnew york parking costsNewYorkCarsNewYorkCityNewYorkGaragesNewYorkParkingNewYorkParkingCostsparkingMon, 01 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC congestion charge gets blocked by state]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/nyc-congestion-charge-gets-blocked-by-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/nyc-congestion-charge-gets-blocked-by-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/nyc-congestion-charge-gets-blocked-by-state/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Manhattan's latest attempt at disguised taxation has ground to a halt in the most trivial fashion. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed congestion charge for cars and trucks headed into the city below 60th street was summarily ignored by lawmakers. Rather than a contentious fight in the state assembly, the clock was simply run out and the bill died without being put to a vote. The failure of Bloomberg's plan means that New York City will also miss out on 350 million federally earmarked dollars for mass transit, and other ways to improve air quality and decrease gridlock must be sought. Even if it had passed, Manhattan's fee of $8 for cars and $21 for trucks would have been lower than what Red Ken charges for entry to London proper. While the goal of decreasing gridlock and improving air quality is admirable, we can see how the congestion charge would further squeeze those who can least afford it. To be sure, an alternative to Manhattan's current traffic would be welcome, and embracing change isn't always easy, but lets see what they come up with next. Thanks for the tip, RxMadness!

[Source: AFP, Photo by Mario Tama/Getty]

NYC congestion charge gets blocked by state originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congestioncongestion chargecongestion chargescongestion-chargecongestion-pricingCongestionChargeCongestionChargesmanhattanmayor bloombergMayorBloombergmichael bloombergMichaelBloombergnew yorknew york citynew york congestionnew york trafficNewYorkNewYorkCityNewYorkCongestionNewYorkTrafficTue, 08 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Mayor Mike readies $8 congestion fee for NYC drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/mayor-mike-readies-8-congestion-fee-for-nyc-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/mayor-mike-readies-8-congestion-fee-for-nyc-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/mayor-mike-readies-8-congestion-fee-for-nyc-drivers/#commentsFiled under:

NYC Mayor Michael BloombergNew York's mayor, Mike Bloomberg, is ready to steal a page from his London counterpart's handbook and announce plans to hit drivers who bring their cars into Manhattan below 86th street with an $8 congestion charge in a bid to ease gridlock in the city's crowded midtown business district. The fee would include the existing bridge and tunnel tolls drivers currently have to pay. Some people are understandably upset, and opposition groups are said to be forming in the outer boroughs.

Naturally, there will be exceptions. Taxis are unlikely to pay the fee, and there's word that drivers who avoid the business district while heading to other parts of the city could be exempt as well. The report also mentions possible discounts for individuals who live and/or work in the impacted zone. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to detail the specifics of his proposal in a speech he's giving tomorrow, and we'll follow up after we've heard all the particulars.

If the mayor does set the plan into motion, it'll need to be improved by the state legislature, meaning those of us (ahem) in the NYC media market are going to have the opportunity to watch the political fireworks unfold during the local evening newscasts. This is gonna get interesting.

UPDATE 4/22: Ahead of today's speech, WNYC (New York Public Radio) reported that drivers who use the FDR drive and West Side Highway would be exempted from the fee. The mayor stated as much in his weekly radio program on WABC. More on the proposal as we get the info.

[Source: WCBS TV, New York]

Mayor Mike readies $8 congestion fee for NYC drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congestion chargecongestion feeCongestionChargeCongestionFeemanhattanmayor bloombergmayor mikeMayorBloombergMayorMikemichael bloombergMichaelBloombergmike bloombergMikeBloombergnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitynycSat, 21 Apr 2007 16:36:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Holy holograph! Lexus ad stops foot traffic in NYC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/31/video-holy-holograph-lexus-ad-stops-foot-traffic-in-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/31/video-holy-holograph-lexus-ad-stops-foot-traffic-in-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/31/video-holy-holograph-lexus-ad-stops-foot-traffic-in-nyc/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Holographs have certainly come a long way and you just have to see this Lexus ad to believe it. The company Vizoo is responsible for its creation and has quite a few other non-automotive holographic projectors out there as well. You'll find them quick enough if you click around YouTube for a bit. This particular one is an interactive display for Lexus that allows users to select models and colors before beaming them into the indoor space for a 360-degree walkaround of the lifesize virtual vehicle. It's so realistic that the shop is drawing too big of a crowd for its own good. Police can be seen in the video asking people to move along. The old, "there's nothing to see here" line just doesn't hold water in this case though.

The full clip showing the crowd and parts of the ad is after the jump. There's also a video showing ViZoo's 3D floating video image technology in action.

[Source: Fresh Creation]

Continue reading VIDEO: Holy holograph! Lexus ad stops foot traffic in NYC

VIDEO: Holy holograph! Lexus ad stops foot traffic in NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holographHolographic Lexus AdHolographicLexusAdNew York CityNewYorkCityViZooSat, 31 Mar 2007 13:34:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC trying its luck with first robotic parking garage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/nyc-trying-its-luck-with-first-robotic-parking-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/nyc-trying-its-luck-with-first-robotic-parking-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/nyc-trying-its-luck-with-first-robotic-parking-garage/#commentsFiled under: ,



Robotic parking garages haven't caught on in the U.S. like they have in other developed countries. Perhaps that's because we're not as strapped for open space as other nations, or maybe its because the only robotic parking garage in the U.S. has dropped both a Cadillac Deville and a Jeep several stories and trapped its patrons vehicles inside for 26 hours because of a software glitch. We reported on that robotic garage back in August when a legal dispute between the city of Hoboken, NJ and Robotic Parking Systems, Inc. trapped even more cars inside.

In the Big Apple, however, space for parking is at such a premium that they're willing to risk the aforementioned pit falls to give this robotic storage-and-retrieval thing the old college try. A new robotic garage will open in Chinatown in early February that, unlike the Hoboken facility, stores its cars underground beneath an apartment building. Built by Automotion Parking Systems (click link to watch a demo), the Chinatown facility will be able to fit 67 vehicles where a traditional garage could only fit 24. Patrons can pay $25/day to park or $400/month, which the AP report tells us is competitive for NYC parking. Automotion claims there's a virtual impossibility of any snafus occuring similar to the ones that plagued the parking patrons of Hoboken, though time will certainly tell on this one.

As always, we here at Autoblog would like to extend our warmest greetings to our new robotic overlords, and just say that we look forward to becoming their sole source of power after we scorch the sky.

[Source: Associated Press]

NYC trying its luck with first robotic parking garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotion parking systemsAutomotionParkingSystemsbig appleBigApplechinatownhobokennew york cityNewYorkCityparkparkingroboticrobotsTue, 30 Jan 2007 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Photos from Audi's parade on Park Avenue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/11/photos-from-audis-parade-on-park-avenue/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/11/photos-from-audis-parade-on-park-avenue/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/11/photos-from-audis-parade-on-park-avenue/#commentsFiled under: ,


UPDATE: Photos added from Neal M. and dc, play-by-play account from Ahmed
UPDATE 2: Video of the Auto Union Type D on the street after the jump


This morning New Yorkers on their way to work were greeted with Audi's Park Avenue parade that marked the R8's first official drive on U.S. soil and the opening of the company's new Audi Forum located at 250 Park Avenue. Autoblog reader Ahmed M. was on hand and armed with a camera phone. He sent us these pics of the R8, R10 Le Mans racer and 1938 Auto Union Type D Silver Arrow, the latter of which was one of the world's first mid-engined racecars. NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg was reportedly on hand to deliver the R8 to the Forum, which is not a dealership but rather a brand awareness space that will educate New Yorkers on the Audi experience and can also host events up to 150 people.

If any other readers were present and have pictures they'd like to share, specifically of the Forum itself, send them to abresearch at gmail dot com and we'll post them here.

Check out Ahmed's play-by-play account of the parade after the jump near the bottom of the page.

Continue reading Photos from Audi's parade on Park Avenue

Photos from Audi's parade on Park Avenue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Audi ForumAudiForumBloombergmayorNew York CityNewYorkCityNYCR10R8Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi planning parade on Park Avenue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/05/audi-planning-parade-on-park-avenue/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/05/audi-planning-parade-on-park-avenue/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/05/audi-planning-parade-on-park-avenue/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We feel lucky having been one of a relatively small group of people to see the Audi R8 in person at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. We won't feel so special after next Wednesday, however, when Audi is planning a parade in the Big Apple that will be lead by the company's new two-seat, mid-engine road rocket. Millions of New Yorkers will be able to catch a glimpse of the R8 leading a pack of Audis that also includes the R10 TDI racecar currently dominating the American Le Mans Series and a 1938 Auto Union Type D Silver Arrow, which represents the line of world's first mid-engined racecars. Why all the hubbub? The celebration commemorates the opening of the newly created Audi Forum New York City, which is not exactly a dealership but what the marketing folk call a "brand awareness venue".

If you're in the area, the procession's going to begin at 10AM EST next Wednesday and start at 52th and Park Avenue. The cars will be flanked by New York City's finest as they drive down to 47th where they'll be parked outside the new Audi Forum NYC for people to inspect. Expect a few celebrities to be present, and supposedly some will be commissioned to drive the vehicles, as well. The occasion will technically mark the first time a production R8 has been seen outside in open air, although we've seen plenty of uncamouflaged mules the last few months. If you're planning to attend, takes pics and send them to abresearch at gmail dot com.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Audi planning parade on Park Avenue originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi forumAudiForumnew york cityNewYorkCitynycparadeprocessionr10r8tdiThu, 05 Oct 2006 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Lithium PT Cruiser taxi cabs planned for NYC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/lithium-pt-cruiser-taxi-cabs-planned-for-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/lithium-pt-cruiser-taxi-cabs-planned-for-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/lithium-pt-cruiser-taxi-cabs-planned-for-nyc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It seem like the most suitable laboratory for testing an advanced propulsion system is the engine bay of a New York City taxi cab, just ask Ford. Hybrid Technolgies has announced it is in negotiations with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commision to get its lithium-ion battery-powered PT Cruisers on the streets of NYC ASAP. PTCruizer.com reports the electric cabs will sport a 600-pound, 320V battery pack that can go through 1,500 charges with a range of 150 miles between each plug-in. Cabbies can expect a downtime of six hours between charges. While each EV PT will cost between $50K and $75K, estimated fuel cost savings could amount to $15,000/year. We'll have to wait and see how these EVs hold up to NYC's tough durability test.

[Source: Hybrid Technologies and PTCruizer.com]

Lithium PT Cruiser taxi cabs planned for NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cabelectric vehicleElectricVehicleevnew york cityNewYorkCityNYCPT CruiserPtCruisertaxiTue, 16 May 2006 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/13/new-york-auto-show-honda-to-ny-civic-buyers-phill-er-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/13/new-york-auto-show-honda-to-ny-civic-buyers-phill-er-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/13/new-york-auto-show-honda-to-ny-civic-buyers-phill-er-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Honda announced today that it is bringing to market a compressed natural gas (CNG) motivated Civic GX to New York buyers this fall.

According to the automaker, the GX will put out 'near zero emissions,' giving owners access to tax credits and home refuelling via an optional Phill home refueling apparatus.

In CNG guise, the green Civic nets an EPA fuel economy rating of 28/39 (city/highway), while meeting federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and ILEV zero evaporative emission standards. It does so via a 1.8-liter four-banger putting out 115 horsepower and 109 ft-lbs. of twist (a 10 percent increase) and 5-speed automatic.

The home refueling appliance, "Phill" is a product of the FuelMaker Corporation, and is usually garage-resident. The system allows overnight refueling, which nets owners natural gas at a rate about 50 percent cheaper than buying traditional gasoline from a station. GX owners on the road can get fuel at select CNG stations around New York State and still save an estimated 25 percent over petrol buyers. Phill must be professionally installed.

Continue reading New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!"

New York Auto Show: Honda to NY Civic buyers: "Phill 'er up!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CivicCNGEarth DayEarthDayECofuel economyFuelEconomygreen motoringGreenMotoringGXHondanatural gasNaturalGasNew York CityNewYorkCityTax CreditTaxCreditThu, 13 Apr 2006 15:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Segway rolling around New York Auto Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/segway-rolling-around-new-york-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/segway-rolling-around-new-york-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/segway-rolling-around-new-york-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you're tired of walking and really don't want to risk a heart attack in one of the Big Apple's (in)famous taxi cabs--assuming you can hail one--Segway is offering an alternative.

Segways, those two-wheel motorized vehicles, will be available for demonstration at the show. The linked article cites the benefits of a Segway such as low maintenance and operating costs. Did you know it only costs 10 cents to fully charge the electric battery, which means the Segway provides 390 miles of operation for the cost of a single gallon of gas. Its tires have a 5,000 miles range. It also has an electronic key start so no one can steal your Segway from the bike rack.
 
Other advantages and contact information while in NYC can be found at the link.

[Source: PR Web via eMediaWire]

Segway rolling around New York Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>human transporterHumanTransporternew york cityNewYorkCityNYCSegwaywalkingWed, 12 Apr 2006 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Auto Show: Audi's TT latest in auto erotic couture]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/new-york-auto-show-audis-tt-latest-in-auto-erotic-couture/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/new-york-auto-show-audis-tt-latest-in-auto-erotic-couture/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/new-york-auto-show-audis-tt-latest-in-auto-erotic-couture/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Audi's 2007 TT coupe received a suitably haute couture introduction in the fashion capitol of North America, New York City. Flanked by coathanger models wrapped in the latest stylings of designer Doo.Ri Chung, the press conference also featured an appearance by German supermodel Tatjana Patitz, lending it an indisputable Sex And The City quality.

We've already hipped readers to the TT's official technical specs, so we'll commence with first impressions in the metal. As we've said, Audi obviously had its hands full trying to replace arguably the most aesthetically cohesive and important automobile design of the last quarter century. Given the company's obsession with integrating the questionable 'single frame' grille, along with the necessary increase in dimensions to accommodate everything from pedestrian safety regs to increases in space, they've done a fine job. It remains indisputably a TT, with fine detailing inside-and-out, including pretty rear light fixtures with rectilinear internal lenses with clandestine amber turn signals. Also well hidden is the retractable rear winglet, which increases downforce at speed without blighting the rump of the TT (as the previous iteration's hastily added spoiler did).

(Click through to the jump for more commentary, press release and 20 additional images, many high-res!)

Continue reading New York Auto Show: Audi's TT latest in auto erotic couture

New York Auto Show: Audi's TT latest in auto erotic couture originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Audiauto eroticAutoEroticBauhauscoupedesignFashionhaute coutureHauteCoutureKristin DavisKristinDavisNew York Auto ShowNew York CityNewYorkAutoShowNewYorkCitypedestrian safetyPedestrianSafetySarah Jessica ParkerSarahJessicaParkerSex and the CitySexAndTheCitytatjana PatitzTatjanaPatitzTTVolkswagenVWAGWed, 12 Apr 2006 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Charger fitted for NYPD uniform]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/31/charger-fitted-for-nypd-uniform/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/31/charger-fitted-for-nypd-uniform/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/31/charger-fitted-for-nypd-uniform/#commentsFiled under: , ,



You may remember a post awhile back on the NYPD agreeing to buy a fleet of 15 Chargers, five V6 models and ten with the HEMI V8, for a pilot program set to commence this summer. Well here are snaps of the first one outfitted for duty mere moments after the decals were applied.

Autoblog reader Max sent us a link to a forum titled NYPD Rant where a few photos of the car are being hosted. The forum's audience is made up entirely of boys in blue, so it's great fun to read their reactions to what may become the newest member of the force.

The real cops of NYC apparently don't expect to see any Chargers on the street until their bosses are done driving them around town between photo-ops, and they worry about back-seat room in the Charger, as well as that sunroof under the light bar. Most officers, however, would forego the Charger if it meant an annual salary that's larger than the cost of their cruiser.

Charger fitted for NYPD uniform originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Mar 2006 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dodge ChargerDodgeChargerNew York CityNewYorkCityNYPDpolice cruiserPoliceCruiserFri, 31 Mar 2006 13:36:00 EST