Autoblog

Today is a movie day, it seems, and once again, it's General Motors in the thick of things. Via HISSTank comes a new set of photos from the G.I. Joe movie set. There, we see a couple of the modified HUMMER H2s that will be used, as well as the Saab Aero X concept. No word on which character's driving the latter. Storm Shadow, maybe? At least it'd match his threads. As for the HUMMERs, they are apparently equipped to traverse hedgerows. At least that's what we gather from those tacked-on rhino-style bumper mods. See more pics at HISSTank and mourn with us for the wholesale destruction of our childhood memories.

[Source: HISSTank]

Autocar just announced their Autocar Award winners, which "celebrate the biggest success stories of the past 12 months – and those who made them happen." One of the highlights of the evening was when it was announced that Autocar readers had selected the Ford S-Max as Car Of The Year. They weren't the first to select this MPV as a COTY and probably won't be the last. When Ford of Britain chairman Roelant de Waard collected the award from Autocar editor-in-chief Steve Cropley, he explained the appeal of the S-Max thusly: "This is the first MPV where you can imagine the owner has a sex life."

Other notable winners included the Saab Aero X as Concept of the Year, Audi as Car Company of the year, and the Fiat Punto as Design of the year. The Aero X was recognized for "elegantly taking familiar Saab cues and showing how they can be incorporated into modern design." OK, we just think it looks like the Saab folks finally got serious about showing their fighter jet roots. And succeeded. Even if it isn't as functional as some would like it to be. Full list of winners after the jump.

[Source: Autocar]

The British press is having a little fun at the expense of the Saab Aero X concept car. The jet-canopied, ethanol-fueled beauty was being driven to London for its stint at the British Motor Show when it stopped to refuel in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

When it came time to continue on its way, the Saab was afflicted with a gremlin that we've all faced before: a dead battery. Scotland's Daily Record reported that the crippled concept was push-started, while London's tabloid Sun newspaper wrote that it was jump-started and then trailered for the remainder of the trip.

Both papers go out of their way to mention that the Aero X is a million-dollar car, as if that somehow makes a dead battery a remarkable event. Please. The Sun also reports -- incorrectly, it should be noted -- that this marked the first time that the Aero X had been seen outside the confines of an auto show.

A Saab rep told both papers that the car's canopy had been opened and closed several times that day, causing the excessive battery drain. Rest assured that come showtime, the Aero X will be sitting at the Saab stand at ExCeL, looking as gorgeous as ever. One look at it, and you'll forget all about this silly battery kerfuffle.

[Sources: The Sun & The Daily Record]