Autoblog

Romanian gas is like a troupe of French maids for your engine

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:46:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Ah, Romania, that country of 19 million that many would be hard pressed to find on a map without a label. The nation that's given us world-class literature, Olympic athletes, the Roma, a flighty chap we call Dracula and a stretch of the Transfagarasan Highway, among the world's best drives, among other things. Romania is also known for beautiful women, and according to a Rompetrol commercial, if you fill up with its new Efix Gasoline 95 or diesel, it will be like having a team of those women - dressed as French maids, of course - cleaning out your engine.

The fuel itself is mixed with additives to help clean the engine, but it appears that instead of selling petrol or diesel with Efix, as Chevron here sells fuel with its Techron additive, the fuel itself is called Efix. Which is neither here nor there, really, when there are Romanian maids in French cosplay in the commercial below.

Continue reading Romanian gas is like a troupe of French maids for your engine

Romanian gas is like a troupe of French maids for your engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Romanian criminals attempt to loot a moving truck

John Neff — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Government/Legal, Videos

With money having transitioned from cold hard cash to ones and zeros on a computer screen, stealing someone's personal property has also gone from the romantically dangerous act of train robbing to the Hot Pocket-consuming act of electronic bank hacking. We miss the good old days when miscreants gathered up a posse, left town at a gallop and met the 3:10 to Yuma for a little robbery on rails. Fortunately, there are still some Romanian criminals out there who share our nostalgia.

In the grainy video below you'll see a group of Romanians in an SUV approach a cargo truck from behind under cover of night. Two of the men climb out of the sunroof, with one of them sliding down on the hood and the other hanging back to make sure the first doesn't fall. The man on the hood then manages to open the truck's cargo doors, get a good look inside and, apparently discovering the contents aren't worth the trouble, closes the doors and climbs back in the SUV.

The video was reportedly shot by Romania's Department for Organized Crime and Terrorism, and news agencies are reporting that the gang responsible has already been arrested for stealing items like TVs and cigarettes that were later sold in Bucharest.

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Romanian criminals attempt to loot a moving truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The breast implant defense?

Aaron Richardson — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Celebrities

Romanian TV star Simona Sensual - Click above to view video after the jump

Simona Suhoi is a TV star in her native Romania, where she's known as Simona Sensual for reasons we'll leave to you to figure out. Unfortunately for the ample-chested Simona, her best assets may send her to jail for a spell.

It seems the busty star's new breast implants were giving her severe chest pain, so she hopped in the car to have the matter checked out. The problem was, Ms. "Sensual" had a suspended license after an accident. Police stopped the top-heavy starlet, who claimed she had no choice but to drive, given the severity of her pain and the lack of taxis nearby.

Ms. Suhoi faces five years in the clink if she gets convicted of driving without a license, and has vowed to fight the charge. Her plight goes to show that airbags really can be dangerous. Click past the jump to see "Simona Sensual" in action on Romanian TV.

[Source: The Register]

Continue reading The breast implant defense?

The breast implant defense? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How not to judge your speed in a car jump attempt

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

The incorrect way to gauge your speed for a ramp jump - Click above to watch video after the, ahem, jump

Planning on attempting a ramp jump in an automobile? We have a tip for you: Don't use a Dacia 1310. Why? Apparently it can build up too much speed, causing you and your co-driver to overshoot your landing area. Either that, or you need to reconsider your high school math skills...

Check out this clip from a stunt performed in 1995. We believe it takes place in Romania, and we've also found reports that say both driver and co-driver were okay, which seems to be the case if you watch all the way through the end. That last bit is miraculous because the duo manage to soar quite a bit further than they anticipated. Strap in and come fly with us past the jump to view the clip.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: How not to judge your speed in a car jump attempt

Video: How not to judge your speed in a car jump attempt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dacia shows off new production Duster 4x4

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Renault, Diesel, Off-Road

Dacia Duster - click above for high-res image gallery

You know what the problem with Autoblog is? Not enough Romanian cars! To rectify this hateful situation, we present to you the all-new Dacia Duster, a compact SUV that "rewrites the 4x4 rulebook." What that means is that in Europe, most SUVs are in fact soft roaders. Totally useless in the rough stuff despite their fancy all-wheel drive systems and too expensive for the majority of the people to purchase. The Duster, on the other hand, is going to cost little (hey, it's a Dacia!) yet be quite capable when the going gets rocky, muddy and/or roadless.

We've seen a tricked out, snow-racing version of the Dacia Duster before, but that's not the borscht and potatoes of the new Duster, so to speak. Designed primarily with emerging markets in mind (Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Maghreb), the Duster will also be badged as a Renault and sold in continental Europe. Never forget that it was Renault who helped Dacia to get off the ground in the mid-Sixties by handing over the tooling to the Renault 8, which reemerged as the Dacia 1100 (and the totally awesome 1100S).

Despite its cute-ute looks, Dacia is claiming that the Duster is the real, all-terrain deal. The stats seem to back that up: eight inches of ground clearance combined with 30 degree approach and 35 degree departure angles reminds us of ye olde Jeep Cherokee (hey, the old AMC-developed Cherokee had a lot of French in it). While missing the Cherokee's low gears, the Duster gets a three-stage transmission featuring an auto torque-split mode, lock and two wheel-drive. The tranny tech is actually sourced from Nissan (also owed by Renault) and it figures to work really well. in fact, there is some speculation that the Duster is based off Nissan's Qashqai. Also helpful is that the Duster weighs just 2,816 pounds in 4x4 guise (2,596 pounds as a 4x2). Then you factor in a torquey diesel power plant (105 horsepower, 266 pound-feet of torque) and you've got yourself quite an impressive bad road beasty.

Chances of us getting it here? Slimmer than none. First of all, whomever it is that still owns to rights to the Plymouth brand (Chrysler, Fiat, Daimler, the UAW, Obama?) would have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes if a Duster showed up. Then, of course, there's the undeniable fact that car makers have a sick aversion to giving us cheap, simple, rugged utilitarian diesel trucks. However, you're more than free to purchase an X5 xDrive35d from BMW, and soon you'll be able to buy a reworked Infiniti QX56 that halfway resembles a FX. Good stuff, right? We'll be getting a glimpse of the Duster up close and in the flesh come Geneva, but that'll be fleeting. Press release can be found after the jump.

Gallery: Dacia Duster 4x4

[Source: Dacia]

Continue reading Dacia shows off new production Duster 4x4

Dacia shows off new production Duster 4x4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

Top Gear in Romania - click above to watch video

Another day, another country that hates Jeremy Clarkson's guts. Or at least, another country that is seeking an apology from the Top Gear host for his no doubt rude, but no doubter funny comments about said country. In this case, it's the former Iron Curtain nation of Romania. Seems that during the series' season 14 opener, Jezza had some less than flattering observations about the country that shot former "Conductor" Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife before they could even be tied up and blindfolded.

Clarkson's offending remarks? He referred to Romania as "Borat country." He also donned the silly-looking pork pie hat above and stated, "I'm wearing this hat so the gypsies think I am one. I'm told they can be violent if they don't like the look of you." He also called Romanian water "Communist water" and mentioned that Romanians like to express their sense of humor with guns. Pretty innocuous stuff if you ask us. Especially compared to cracks Clarkson's made about other non-British places. Like Germany, America and Malaysia. Regardless, the Romanian government is apparently expecting an apology. We think they'd have a better chance at satisfaction by issuing a Whamber Alert. In any case, you can see the offending footage in its entirety by clicking through to the jump.

[Sources: Telegraph; YouTube]

Continue reading Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO]

Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear posse spotted filming with bevy of exotics in Romania

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe

The Top Gear crew is preparing the show's 14th season and they've gone to the home of Vlad the Impaler for some help. Piloting a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, Aston Martin DBS Volante, and Ferrari California, the production closed down the Transfagarasan Road that climbs over Romania's Carpathian Mountains.

And as if the road itself, the area's scenery, and connection to Dracula weren't enough, it is said that the Transfagarasan has more tunnels and viaducts than any other road in Romania. It should make this particular TG episode a pump-up-the-volume affair.

Naturally, there are TG side stories to go with the news. When they weren't driving -- and putting scratches on the Gallardo and DBS -- they were drinking local "nectar" and relieving themselves in the woods. Ah, Top Gear, bring on season #14.

[Source: Romanian Times | Image: bortescristian via CC2.0]

Top Gear posse spotted filming with bevy of exotics in Romania originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When in Romania: MAFF Muron Porsche Cayenne

Noah Joseph — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, SUV, Porsche

MAFF Muron Porsche Cayenne - Click above for a high-res image gallery

"Yeah, but it drives like a sportscar." "You should see the interior." "All the kids arrive at soccer practice in one." We've heard it all before, and there may even be some truth to some of the claims, but push come to shove, the Porsche Cayenne is one ugly beast. And there's only one way to fix that: make it even uglier. That's apparently why we've seen so many widebody kits for the Porsche sport-ute - this be-gilled creation being the latest.

Made by Romanian tuning house MAFF, the Muron package adds all manner of fiberglass and carbon-fiber body panels to help accentuate the Cayenne's natural lines. But the Bucharest-based aftermarket garage doesn't stop there, giving the full treatment to the interior as well. Buyers can choose from a variety of cabin trim options, with various leather and alcantara choices available along with carbon fiber accents and plenty of info-tainment choices to make your Cayenne stand out at the soccer field.

Fortunately, there are engine upgrades available too, topping out at 700 horsepower, all of which you can read about in detail in the press release after the jump and view in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: MAFF Muron Porsche Cayenne

[Source: MAFF ]

Continue reading When in Romania: MAFF Muron Porsche Cayenne

When in Romania: MAFF Muron Porsche Cayenne originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Euro trucker sought by police after releasing drive-dancing footage

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Videos, UK, Humor

Follow the jump to see the video of the dancing trucker

It gets lonely in a semi cab, long hours of doing little more than light bouncing and trying to stay in your lane. But on the bright side, it does provide a lot of "me time," and with a little background music and the urge to shake it, the cab could be a great place to... dance! One truck driver, a Romanian Happy Feet, did just that. Then he filmed it and shared his passion with the world. Predictably, police aren't as amused, and they are seeking to have a few words with the twinkle-toes trucker, distributing the video across Europe in order to catch the offender. Follow the jump to see him get his groove on.

[Source: Telegraph]

Continue reading VIDEO: Euro trucker sought by police after releasing drive-dancing footage

VIDEO: Euro trucker sought by police after releasing drive-dancing footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Golden Oldie: 18-karat Vee-Dub in Bucharest

Noah Joseph — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Europe, Volkswagen

This isn't exactly what the recording industry had in mind when The Beatles went gold for the first time. But then, who would have predicted back then that the Iron Curtain would fall and that Eastern Europe would grow into one of the world's largest markets for tasteless luxury items.

This 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, unveiled at this year's Luxury Show in Bucharest, Romania, is covered in tiles made of glass and 18-karat gold. We'd say if you have to ask, you can't afford it, but it strikes us that the whole point of building or buying something this perversely ostentatious is to flaunt to the world just how much it's worth. In this case, the figure is actually just $88,000.

If you're thinking that eighty-eight grand will buy you a well-equipped Porsche 911, we're not far behind you. But then, whoever would even consider buying something this ridiculous probably has a couple of "ordinary" Porsches lying around the grounds already.

[Source: Luxurylaunches.com]

Golden Oldie: 18-karat Vee-Dub in Bucharest originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford offers $78 million for Romanian auto maker

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

When the Romanian government put a 72-percent stake in Automobile Craiova SA on the block, it got one bidder: Ford. The Blue Oval first offered fifty-five million euros in July, then upped it to fifty-seven million euros, which equals $78 million dollars.

Before the government stepped in, Craiova was owned by Daewoo Motors' Romania, which was separate from the GM-owned Daewoo. The Romanian arm went bankrupt in 2006. The state bailout came to the tune of $61 million dollars, which paid for assets and debts. The last year of its operation under Daewoo, the plant put out 24,000 cars. Ford, after a planned $675 million investment in the plant, wants to up that production to 300,000 cars. Conjecture is that Ford will make the Festiva there.

The deal is expected to close on September 12, during the Frankfurt Auto Show. Yet more evidence that in spite of troubles at home, Ford is raging bullish on its overseas operations.

[Source: Reuters]

Ford offers $78 million for Romanian auto maker originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bucharest Ring race track circles Romanian Parliament

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing

Getting around Capitol Hill in Washington, DC can be a tricky venture, but getting around the Parliament Palace in Bucharest, Romania, has gotten considerably easier. Not because the local politics are any less entangled, but because the Romanian legislature is being surrounded by a race track.

The Bucharest Ring, as it's being called, runs some three kilometers around the government building, and the plan is to include 70,000 grandstand seats around the circuit, designed by prolific track architect Herman Tilke.

Racing events are already being lined up for the new track, including the FIA GT Championship, FIA GT3 European Championship, British Formula 3 International Series and the domestic Logan Cup. The GP Masters series, which features over-the-hill legends reliving the glory days in open-wheels, was scheduled to race in Bucharest, but the fate of the entire series remains in jeopardy.

An FIA GT car should lap the track in 1 min 15.3 sec at an average speed of 148.6 km/h. Maybe the legislators will draw some inspiration and speed up the political process.

[Source: Bucharest Ring and GrandPrix.com]

Bucharest Ring race track circles Romanian Parliament originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's in a name? Ask baby SLK

Noah Joseph — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Mercedes-Benz

You just don't meet many girls named Mercedes these days. The German handle has undoubtedly dwindled in popularity as the car brand became a household name, but that apparently hasn't fazed Dumitru Caldara. The Romanian man, evidently an enthusiast of Teutonic automobiles, took it a step further: he didn't name his newborn daughter Mercedes, he named her SLK. Seriously.

Had the baby been a boy, he reportedly would have been named BMW. You know, 'cause SLK would be a tad effeminate for a boy and he might have gotten teased in the schoolyard. There are so many jokes to make, we don't even know where to start, but we're sure our commenters will be glad to pick up the slack (and tell us about their cousins named Mercedes).

[Source: Daily Record]

What's in a name? Ask baby SLK originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cross Lander to sue Mother Romania

Chris Paukert — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Government/Legal

Apparently, the saga that is the Romanian-built Cross Lander is not quite over yet. Our contact at the company's Atlanta outpost, Sean Rich, hipped us to the latest developments.

According to a press release issued Thursday, Cross Lander USA has announced its intentions to lodge a legal grievance against the country of Romania, pursuant to the "Bilateral Investment Treaty" between the U.S. and Romania. The would-be truckmaker alleges that it has been the subject of "a continuous barrage of attacks" by Romanian government officials both past and present, along with AVAS officials and "sensationalist reporters," among others. Cross Lander believes that a "web of corruption" led to the failure of the Romanian governent to abide by its obligations under a privatization agreement, "including the cancellation of a 47 million U.S. dollar budgetary debt."

In related news, Cross Lander announced that it is no longer Cross Lander. Err... kinda. The company is officially changing its name to Global Vehicles U.S.A. Incorporated. However, as a regrettably infectious tune once said, "It's all the same, only the names will change"-- the company and its charter remain unaltered, and the "Cross Lander" moniker is being retained for future U.S. bound products. The embattled firm further states that it plans to move its home base to the Atlanta, Georgia area later this summer, and claims to still have 150 dealers signed up.

Click through to the link for the full press release.

[Source: Cross Lander USA via P.R. Newswire]

Cross Lander to sue Mother Romania originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Mar 2006 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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