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[VIDEO: Tokyo Mater - Pixar's Cars stars head to Japan for some drifting fury]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/video-tokyo-mater-pixars-cars-stars-head-to-japan-for-some-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/video-tokyo-mater-pixars-cars-stars-head-to-japan-for-some-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/video-tokyo-mater-pixars-cars-stars-head-to-japan-for-some-d/#commentsFiled under:


Click above to watch video after the jump

Disney's Pixar are currently working on Cars 2, set to debut in the summer of 2011, but to hold us over until then, they have created a series of animated shorts called "Mater's Tall Tales" that air on the Toon Disney network. Each video features the lovable tow truck Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, recalling amazing stories from his past - his time on a rescue squad, when he was a famous daredevil, and his stint as a matador in Spain.

The latest tall tale is a hysterical parody of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, in which Mater declares that he "used to be an import." He recounts the story to Lightning McQueen, telling him of how he gets modified and challenged to a drift race in which the loser "will be stripped of all modifications and become...STOCK!" The video had us laughing almost the entire time, and it's definitely worth it to watch. Just follow the jump! Thanks for the tip, Keye!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Tokyo Mater - Pixar's Cars stars head to Japan for some drifting fury

VIDEO: Tokyo Mater - Pixar's Cars stars head to Japan for some drifting fury originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CarsCars 2Cars MovieCars2CarsMovieDisneyLarry the Cable GuyLarryTheCableGuyMaters Tall TalesMatersTallTalesPixarPixar CarsPixarCarsTokyo MaterTokyoMaterTow MaterTowMaterVideoThu, 14 May 2009 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Cars 2 coming a year early in summer 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/cars-2-coming-a-year-early-in-summer-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/cars-2-coming-a-year-early-in-summer-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/cars-2-coming-a-year-early-in-summer-2011/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res gallery of Cars photoshops done by readers

The Disney/Pixar movie Cars didn't have the box office appeal of movies like Wall·e and Toy Story, but on toy store shelves, the autos-only flick was a grand slam. Merchandising and the recent boon for sequels are two great reasons for film executives to make Cars 2. Disney and Pixar are so excited about an encore for Lightning McQueen and his buddy Mater that the 3D sequel has been moved up from 2012 to the summer of 2011. The highly anticipated (at least by us) Cars 2 will reportedly feature both carry-over and all-new characters, but we're assuming Lightning McQueen and Mater will be central to the plot. Hopefully Paul Newman will be well enough to come back for a second helping of Hudson Hornet.

Antz and Ratatoulie director Brad Lewis will take the reigns for Cars 2, and a big part of his job is to wow us with 3D race scenes and super high-def imagery while keeping all-ages storyline that made Cars such a good flick. To keep a new generation of adolescents interested five years after the original hit the silver screen, Pixar will release a series of shorts before the movie comes out, starting with Mater's Tall Tales. The movie is still three years away, and we'll spend that time hoping some automaker doesn't hijack the movie and make it a 90-minute marketing exercise.

Gallery: Pixar CARS Photochops


[Source: Reuters]

Cars 2 coming a year early in summer 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationCars 2Cars2DisneyLightning McQueenLightningMcqueenMaterPixarThu, 25 Sep 2008 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Pixar confirms <i>Cars 2</i> for 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/11/pixar-confirms-i-cars-2-i-for-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/11/pixar-confirms-i-cars-2-i-for-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/11/pixar-confirms-i-cars-2-i-for-2012/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res gallery of reader-submitted Cars photoshops

The animators at Pixar have set their schedules through 2012, and while the slate includes new films like Up and Newt, it's also brimming with sequels. Following the third installment of the studio's Toy Story franchise in 2010, Pixar will release the sequel to our favorite animated homage to automobiles, Cars 2. While we don't know for sure if Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera will return, the press release indicates that the film will be filled with old and new characters for kids and kid-like adults to enjoy. Like most of Pixar's upcoming schedule, Cars 2 will also be presented in 3D, and let me tell you, after watching Beowulf skewer Grendel in the third dimension, we can't wait for an animated fender to fly out of the screen at us. The date is set for 2012, so there's a long way to go, and this installment will be directed by Brad Lewis, who produced Ratatouille, rather than the first film's director, John Lasseter. Lasseter proved himself to be a man steeped in car culture, so Lewis has some mighty big brake shoes to fill.

For old time's sake, check out our gallery of reader-contributed Cars photoshops below.

Gallery: Pixar CARS Photochops


[Source: Cinematical]

Pixar confirms Cars 2 for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad lewisBradLewiscarsCars 2cars 2 3dCars2Cars23dpixarpixar cars 2PixarCars2Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kachow! Lightning McQueen 13th in first race, just ahead of Mach 5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/17/kachow-lightning-mcqueen-13th-in-first-race-just-ahead-of-mach/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/17/kachow-lightning-mcqueen-13th-in-first-race-just-ahead-of-mach/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/17/kachow-lightning-mcqueen-13th-in-first-race-just-ahead-of-mach/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lightning McQueen came home 13th in his first race in the Japanese Super GT-300 Championship, one place ahead of new rival, Speed Racer Mach Go Go Go.

The rookie, who looks suspiciously like last year's Team Toy Story APR Toyota MR-S, has apparently been lured away from The Piston Cup by a company that makes products under license of Pixar and Disney. No matter, my three-year-old was beside himself with joy when he saw number 95 hit the track, and I suspect he was not alone.

14th pace finisher, the Mach Go VEMAC 320R (below), is far from new to Super GT's 300hp class, but may get a little more attention internationally once Speed Racer is released Stateside.

Kachow! Lightning McQueen 13th in first race, just ahead of Mach 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CarsDisneyLightning McQueenLightningMcqueenMach 5Mach FiveMach5MachFivePixarSuper GTSuperGtMon, 17 Mar 2008 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #71]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/autoblog-podcast-71/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/autoblog-podcast-71/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/autoblog-podcast-71/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're shooting from the hip this week for Podcast #71. Rather than prepare, we're going with gut reactions. Starting it off, we mull over the loss of the USGP from Indianapolis, and postulate on where else F1 may pop up in the US. An F1 race on the Vegas strip would be the bomb. Staying with motorsports, we marvel at how Team SARD spanked everyone extremely hard at Tokachi with a hybridized Supra GT. We're sure that racing will improve the hybrid breed at a much steeper pace than conventional powerplants. In other racing news, Dale Junior has split from Budweiser, so he'll have new livery to plaster all over his left-turn machine.

Moving on from racing, we ponder the leakage and eventual announcement of the Porsche 911 GT2. It's as unassuming as a Porsche can get, but it packs 530 horsepower and uses the rear wheels to push top speed to the 200 MPH realm, while being a docile everyday car. While Porsches always make us giddy little schoolboys, Subaru's recent model line revisions have us alternating between cheers and jeers. The good: the Legacy SUS, or whatever the heck they call their Outback sedan is kaput. The bad: so is the straight Legacy wagon. We devolve into a styling review of Subaru's new corporate language for a while before surfacing again to discuss the inanity surrounding presidential candidates and hybrid vehicles. Idiocy, 'nuff said.

On a lighter note, we discuss the rumored sequel to Disney/Pixar's "Cars." Not surprising when you consider how lucrative the tie-ins usually are. Off entertainment and on to entertaining cars, we ogle the leaked pictures of the FPV Falcon, and discuss the future plans of that platform here in the US. It does look mean, so thanks to that janitor who picked these renderings out of the trash. Our pithy cavalcade keeps rolling along, and we chew over Bob Lutz's latest comments about the future of diesel powerplants in the US. It's odd that Bob is cool on diesel just as GM is poised to roll out new oil-burners. Wrapping up, we put out the call to action again for the Reader Ride - add your pix to the Flickr pool and include details! The hour duration of Podcast #71 will give you enjoyment to and from work, enjoy!

SUBSCRIBE to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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Autoblog Podcast #71 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastbudweisercandidateclintondale juniorDaleJuniordisneyearnhardtescapefalconfpvgt2hybridindianapolisindylegacymotogpobamaorionoutbackphotospixarpodcastporschepresidentsardsequelspy shotsSpyShotssubarutokachiusgpWed, 18 Jul 2007 15:20:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #71Dan Roth55:11autoblog podcast, podcast, sard, toyota, supra, indy, indianapolis, usgp, motogp, lutz, diesel, gm, falcon, orion, australia, spy shots, subaru, styling, legacy, outback, earnhardt, nascar, budweiser, disney, sequel, pixar, cars, candidate, hybrid, obama<![CDATA[Rumormill: Disney/Pixar planning second lap for <i>Cars</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/13/rumormill-disney-pixar-planning-second-lap-for-i-cars-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/13/rumormill-disney-pixar-planning-second-lap-for-i-cars-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/13/rumormill-disney-pixar-planning-second-lap-for-i-cars-i/#commentsFiled under:



Our sister site Cinematical reports that a sequel to Disney/Pixar's Cars is apparently in the works, and could arrive as early as Summer 2009. If that's the case, we should expect to see a trailer for Cars 2 attached to next summer's Pixar entry, Wall-E. The rumor really built up steam when Paul Newman made comments to reporters about a possible sequel at the Indy 500. Our friends at Cinematical seem to be disappointed that Lightning McQueen and friends appear to be getting a sequel, as it's not one of their fave Pixar flicks. They also wonder why Cars could get another go-round when its box-office grosses were low compared to the great Pixar successes. We think it's merchandising, where Cars appears to be quite the juggernaut, what with the toys, video games, bed sheets, etc. that continue to appear in stores everywhere. Anyway, you won't hear a peep of complaining from us. Cars was one of our favorites last summer, as the talking rides were very cool, and there were plenty of subtle and not-so-subtle references in there to make any pistonhead a happy camper. Seriously, any movie where Richard Petty voices an animated Plymouth Superbird sporting the #43 that's named "The King" is A-OK in our book. Sequel? Bring it on.

[Source: Cinematical]

Rumormill: Disney/Pixar planning second lap for Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carscars 2cars sequelCars2CarsSequeldisneydisney / pixarDisney/PixarpixarFri, 13 Jul 2007 15:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog's CARS Photochop gallery is complete]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/autoblogs-cars-photochop-gallery-is-complete/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/autoblogs-cars-photochop-gallery-is-complete/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/autoblogs-cars-photochop-gallery-is-complete/#commentsFiled under:


click on image above to view the high-resolution gallery with 61 pics

What started off as a suggestion turned into something much bigger when we politely prodded our readers to submit their own Pixar creations to us using the CARS Photochop guide we posted on January 2nd. In less than 10 days we've received 61 submissions, which is incredible. We were doing well at updating the gallery with your submissions in real time, though that exercise took a back seat this week to our Detroit Auto Show coverage. Today, however, we finally got around to uploading the last batch of pics to complete the gallery.

The quality of submissions is incredible and it looks like everyone had fun anthropomorphizing their daily drivers. What amazed us, however, were the submissions that actually seemed to express the personality of the subject car. The little white Honda S2000 on the track with a giddy grin, the HUMMER H1 with a snorting sneer, and the Gemballa Mirage GT that looks frighteningly overconfident and cocky. In truth, they were all really good, and a special shoutout goes to Mike Warren who submitted four quality designs - the Hugger, C. Exef, General HUMMER and Mater II.

Autoblog's CARS Photochop gallery is complete originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CARSgalleryPhotochopPhotoshopPixarThu, 11 Jan 2007 20:03:00 EST<![CDATA[HOW TO: Photoshop your car into Lightning McQueen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/how-to-photoshop-your-car-into-lightning-mcqueen/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/how-to-photoshop-your-car-into-lightning-mcqueen/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/how-to-photoshop-your-car-into-lightning-mcqueen/#commentsFiled under:


click on image above for gallery of high-res images

Every car has a personality, and most of us take that next step and christen our cars with names like Roger, the Powder Blue Thunder Wagon, the Scalded Chicken, and the Jetta Knight (all names of past cars I've owned). After watching Pixar's computer animated opus to the automobile, CARS, we know have demonstrable proof that cars can smile, wink and express all the emotions on their front fascias that their owners do. But until now, coaxing the personality out of your car in a visible way hasn't really been an option. Thanks to psychochild on the North American Subaru Imrpeza Owners Club forum, we now can all infuse our daily drivers with the personality of Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera. The only tools you'll need are Photoshop and the courage to use it. psychochild's instructions are straightforward and can be followed by even the newest of noobs. Even we could do it, as is evident by Ernie Intercepter and Ned Nassau (check the gallery).

If you take the challenge to Pixar your own car, send the results to abresearch at gmail dot com and we'll publish them in our gallery.

[Source: NASIOC.com]

Continue reading HOW TO: Photoshop your car into Lightning McQueen

HOW TO: Photoshop your car into Lightning McQueen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CARSphotoshoppixarTue, 02 Jan 2007 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Pixar's "Cars": Ahhh, that new DVD smell]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/05/pixars-cars-ahhh-that-new-dvd-smell/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/05/pixars-cars-ahhh-that-new-dvd-smell/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/05/pixars-cars-ahhh-that-new-dvd-smell/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sure, "Bullitt" had a few nice cars in it. So did "Gone in 60 Seconds". But in Pixar's, "Cars", nothing but sweet, sweet animated automobilia. November 7 is the day you can park a copy right in the middle of all your other DVD tributes to transportation. Unless they're alphabetized, of course. Then "Cars" would be more toward one side or the other. But we digress.

One Amazon reviewer says the "Cars" DVD is somewhat slim on the extras we've come to expect from Pixar releases, but buyers at least get a new short, a behind-the-scenes, some deleted footage, and at least one Easter egg bonus. Australians got their copies on Oct. 25, and if you don't mind spoilers, here's a complete review of the disc and all its extras.

"Cars" on DVD should be in U.S. stores Nov. 7, several online retailers are taking pre-orders now.

Pixar's "Cars": Ahhh, that new DVD smell originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Nov 2006 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carscars dvdCarsDvddisneydisney carsDisneyCarspixarpixar carspixar dvdpixar's carspixar's cars on dvdPixar'sCarsPixar'sCarsOnDvdPixarCarsPixarDvdsteve jobsSteveJobsSun, 05 Nov 2006 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: What's up, Doc?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/rr-of-the-day-what-s-up-doc/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/rr-of-the-day-what-s-up-doc/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/20/rr-of-the-day-what-s-up-doc/#commentsFiled under:



Though I and my generation weren't raised during Hudson's heyday, we can thank Pixar and Disney for picking up and dusting off the automaker's most famous model - the Hornet. The Hudson Hornet is experiencing a revival right now thanks to the animated film CARS that featured a Hornet named Doc who has all the answers.

A man who wears his affection for Hornets on his sleeve owns this gorgeous 1951 model; he goes by the Flickr handle Proud Hornet Owner. The car has been in his family since 1968, ever since his father bought the green machine from the original owner for $500. As a matter of fact, Proud Hornet Owner's first car ride ever was a trip home from the hospital on a cold winter's day in his father's Hornet. Nowadays, the Hornet only sees sunny weather. Proud Hornet Owner also tells us that the car is quite a celebrity now thanks to CARS, as little kids want to get their picture taken with the one and only Doc.

If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos of your ride into our Flickr group. We select one image to highlight each week day, and on the weekend let you vote for the RR of the Week. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.

Continue reading RR of the Day: What's up, Doc?

RR of the Day: What's up, Doc? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carsdisneyhornethudsonpixarWed, 20 Sep 2006 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Opels brought to life by Pixar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/21/opels-brought-to-life-by-pixar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/21/opels-brought-to-life-by-pixar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/21/opels-brought-to-life-by-pixar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

r Opel Astra

Think you've seen a lot of tie-ins involving Disney/Pixar's Cars this summer? Well, here's one more, in which the stars of the Opel lineup get a Pixar-style rfacelift.

Click here and you'll be brought to an Opel/Cars minisite that shows the characters from Pixar's latest tour de force interacting with the Opel Astra (above), Opel Meriva, and Opel Zafira. In addition to the intro movie that plays automatically when you enter the site, you can click on a link to watch a Euro-market TV commercial that shows the three GM cars auditioning for the part of Mater.

The spot is well done, and it's pretty neat seeing how the Pixar folks gave life to the Opels. Each car has it's own personality: Astra is very sporty and aggressive, Zafira is slick and stylish, and Meriva ... well Meriva's a little more shy. If you saw Cars and liked it, you'll get a kick out of it.

Desktop wallpapers, a screensaver, behind-the-scenes podcasts, and a PDF coloring book are also available for download.

Addendum: Thanks to reader/commenter Scott K for finding the direct link to the minisite!

(Additional images after the jump)

[Source: Opel]

Continue reading Opels brought to life by Pixar

Opels brought to life by Pixar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jul 2006 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carscars movieCarsMoviedisneydisney carsdisney/pixardisney/pixar carsDisney/pixarCarsDisneyCarsopelopel astraopel merivaopel pixaropel zafiraOpelAstraOpelMerivaOpelPixarOpelZafirapixarpixar carspixar opelPixarCarsPixarOpelFri, 21 Jul 2006 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[First review of CARS says film has a flat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/09/first-review-of-cars-says-film-has-a-flat/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/09/first-review-of-cars-says-film-has-a-flat/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/09/first-review-of-cars-says-film-has-a-flat/#commentsFiled under:



We here at Autoblog have been unabashedly eager to see the upcoming animated feature from Pixar Studios called CARS in which hot rod racer Lightning McQueen rolls into a sleepy hollow and make friends with the colorful characters of Carburetor County. So it is with much chagrin that we report to you this first review of Director John Lasseter's magnum opus. CARS has received an unflattering grade of 2 out of 5 stars from Sarah Lindner of the Austin American-Statesman.

On the film's plot Ms. Lindner comments, "For a huge stretch of the film, there's not what you would call a story going on. There are just cars hanging out." Uh, is that a bad thing? That's how we plan to spend our retirement - hanging out with cars. It seems the great effort on Mr. Lasseter's part to infuse CARS with enough auto-related minutia to please even the most diehard enthusiast has been lost on this reviewer. For instance, how cool is it that the numbers on the license plate of Luigi, a Fiat 500 in the film, represent the latitude and longitude of the Ferrari factory in Maranello. That's worth at least one star alone in our book.

Look for an official Autoblog review of CARS when we finally get a chance to see it after today's nationwide release.

[Source: Austin360]         

First review of CARS says film has a flat originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CARSdisneyfilmlightning mcqueenLightningMcqueenmoviepixarpixar studiosPixarStudiosFri, 09 Jun 2006 15:26:00 EST<![CDATA[CARS inches ever closer to the silver screen!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/31/cars-is-coming-to-the-silver-screen/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/31/cars-is-coming-to-the-silver-screen/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/31/cars-is-coming-to-the-silver-screen/#commentsFiled under:



Automobiles, racing and Pixar -- what's not to love? We're totally geeked about CARS, the upcoming movie release that will be brought to us courtesy of Disney and Pixar next Friday. We've got a smorgasbord of media coverage laid out below all nice and convenient-like, so surf to your little gearhead heart's content.

BusinessWeek has one of it's famous slide shows dedicated to the movie, complete with character and actor bios as well as photographs of the cars upon which the characters are based.

AutoWeek, which evidently has some kind of partnership going on with the movie promoters, dedicated most of last week's issue to the movie's launch. Inside, you'll find a very cool feature on the crew at Pixar and their fearless leader, John Lasseter, a closer look at the movie's characters, and even an interview with Lightning McQueen himself!

Autochannel (and other outlets that pick up PRNewswire feeds) has a preview of the movie and information about the movie's premiere at Lowe's Motor Speedway, which happens to be all sold-out. Anybody who is able to score some tickets this late in the game are encouraged to donate them to your friends here at Autoblog.

Don't forget the official sites over at Pixar and Disney, where they've got trailers and other fun stuff.

CARS inches ever closer to the silver screen! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 May 2006 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CARSDisneyPixarWed, 31 May 2006 19:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Kelley Blue Book values CARS star at $1.5 million]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/kelley-blue-book-values-cars-star-at-1-5-million/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/kelley-blue-book-values-cars-star-at-1-5-million/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/kelley-blue-book-values-cars-star-at-1-5-million/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In a bit of creative (if liberally stretched) cross-brand marketing, Kelley Blue Book, the folks responsible for helping consumers evaluate the value of all things four-wheeled, have teamed up with Walt Disney and Pixar to offer assessments of how much the animated stars in CARS are worth.

The upcoming film, slated to hit theatres June 9 will star Lightning McQueen, a 200-mph racer KBB believes is worth $1.5 million, the most expensive valuation in the guide's history. KBB executive editorial director and market analyst Jack R. Nerad also reports that this marks the first time that his company has attached a value to a tow truck: "'Tow-Mater, as this specific tow truck likes to be called, was difficult to place a value on without a pink slip or any appropriate badging, but its value has been enhanced due to its low-volume, hard-to-find model status.'" Uh-huh.

Check out the press release at the link.

[Source: Auto Racing Daily; Pixar Animation Studios]

 

Kelley Blue Book values CARS star at $1.5 million originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$1.5MAnimated MovieAnimatedMovieCarsDisneyKBBKelley Blue BookKelleyBlueBookLightning McQueenLightningMcqueenPixarTow MaterTowMaterWalt DisneyWaltDisneyWed, 24 May 2006 13:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford and AutoWeek drive "Cars" in Detroit to fight diabetes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/21/ford-and-auto-week-drive-cars-in-detroit-to-fight-diabetes/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/21/ford-and-auto-week-drive-cars-in-detroit-to-fight-diabetes/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/21/ford-and-auto-week-drive-cars-in-detroit-to-fight-diabetes/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ford Motor Company and news source AutoWeek are sponsoring an advanced screening of the upcoming Disney and Pixar movie, Cars. The charity event, which will be held in Detroit, Michigan on June 4, will consist of two private viewings before the movie's public release on June 9. Tickets are $150 each with the proceeds donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Says J Mays, Ford vice president of design, "It's only fitting that Ford helps bring this movie classic home to the community that helped put the world on wheels."

Information on how to purchase the tickets can be found at the link.

Related: CARS character comes alive
Getting excited for Pixar's 'Cars'

[Source: Ford via Auto Spectator]

Ford and AutoWeek drive "Cars" in Detroit to fight diabetes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 May 2006 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animatedAnimated movieAnimatedMovieBlue OvalBlueOvalCarsDisneyFord Motor CompanyFordMotorCompanyJ MaysJMaysPixarSun, 21 May 2006 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[CARS premiering at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 26th]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/cars-premiering-at-lowe-s-motor-speedway-on-may-26th/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/cars-premiering-at-lowe-s-motor-speedway-on-may-26th/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/cars-premiering-at-lowe-s-motor-speedway-on-may-26th/#commentsFiled under:

The public won't be privy to Pixar's next masterpiece until June 9th, but celebrities and lucky members of the press will be able to see the film at its world premiere, which will be held at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. We've followed the progress of CARS over the last few months and are trying to score press passes as we speak. It looks like director and huge car buff John Lasseter has created a film that will appeal to you, your spouse and your kids, because you know none of them will go see The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift with you.

Related posts:
Detroit's involvement in CARS
CARS character comes alive
Getting excited for Pixar's CARS

CARS premiering at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 26th originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 May 2006 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As anyone who reads Autoblog is aware by now, we're pretty jazzed about Pixar's upcoming June 9th release of CARS, which is shaping up to be a celebration of the auto on celluloid. A pair of recent Detroit News articles reveals just how large a part the domestic duo of Ford and GM has played in the movie's making, in addition to our already reported on involvement of Porsche.

The film's director, John Lasseter, has been a good friend of Ford's design diva J Mays since 2000. The pair visited SEMA and attended the Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance together. Mays even visited Pixar's studios in Emeryville, CA on more than one occasion to check on the film's progress. The most prominent Ford in CARS ended up being a 1949 Mercury Police Cruiser - the town's sheriff (pictured above).

Lasseter also visited General Motors and spent time with some of the General's designers. The director was one of the very first people to view the redesigned C6 Corvette, in fact. CARS features a few cars from GM including a '59 Impala lowrider named Ramone, a '75 Cadillac Coupe de Ville named Tex and an unnamed green HUMMER.

J Mays and the Blue Oval's current head of things that go fast, Hau Thai-Tang, were among a group of 700 who viewed an early screening of the movie at Pixar's studios last weekend.

[Source: Detroit News]

Detroit's involvement in CARS originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The upcoming animated feature CARS by Pixar Animations Studio impresses us more and more by the minute. When the studio approached Porsche back in 2002 to obtain the rights to use a 911 in its next film, Porsche agreed and quickly got swept up in the fun. The company wanted to build full scale running models of some of the film's characters, including the lead "car-acter's" love interester Sally Carrera, and it wasn't until a chance encounter with Jay Leno that they were turned on to the fabricating talents of Eddie Paul.

Eddie Paul took possession of a 1999 Porsche 911 and began by cutting the car in half behind the front seats. In order to recreate the exact dimensions of Pixar's CG car, Paul removed seven inches from the car's wheelbase, raised the roof by three inches and added a more upright windshield... with eyes. New front fenders, headlights, taillights, rocker panels and a front bumper sporting the mischievous smile of Sally Carrera make the working model a dead ringer for its digital counterpart.

Paul's previous credits include building John Travolta's hot rod in "Grease", as well as 50 other vehicles for that movie, and also many of the sport compacts in "The Fast and the Furious". After a promotional marketing tour, sheetmetal Sally, as well as versions of Lightning McQueen and Mater from the movie, will take up residence in the lobby of Pixar's studio in Emeryville, CA.

[Source: Gizmag]

CARS character comes alive originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Apr 2006 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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About the only company in the world having a better decade than Toyota is Pixar, the computer animation studio responsible for Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life, Monster's Inc., Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. Steve Jobs' side project was recently bought by Disney and the first picture to be officially released under the ownership of the Mouse is Cars, which features the voices of Paul Newman, Owen Wilson and Richard Petty.

Many have wondered out loud whether even Pixar has the creative talent to write an interesting story about talking cars, and after watching the newest trailer for Cars we can say we're genuinely excited to see this flick. The trailer actually reveals some clever product placement for Porsche in the film, as the lead character's love interest is a pale blue Porsche 911.

Check out the new trailer here and let us know what you think in the comments.

Getting excited for Pixar's 'Cars' originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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