Autoblog

Ford's 1.0L EcoBoost engine makes the journey to LA... in a carry-on bag

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:30:00 EST

We can't even begin to imagine all of the weird stuff that the Transportation Security Administration has seen through the screen of the airport x-ray machine (or worse, when they find when they get to snap on those latex gloves and actually rummage through your belongings). But we have to imagine that this, right here, was worth a second look or two as it ran through the TSA line.

What you see nestled into this carry-on-size suitcase is Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, making the journey from Detroit to Los Angeles for the 2012 LA Auto Show. According to the Ford communications team member who forwarded these along, the TSA had no issues with sending the diminutive engine through the x-ray machine, though much like a laptop, the engine did have to be sent through the scanner in its own plastic tub.

Why is the 1.0-liter engine heading for LA? Because Ford will be offering it in the States pretty soon. We'll be finding out early next week exactly what car will be fitted with the 1.0-liter mill, though our best guess is the Fiesta, since it's due to be refreshed for the 2014 model year anyway, though Ford recently gave us the opportunity to sample this engine under the hood of a Euro-spec Focus hatchback.

Ford's 1.0L EcoBoost engine makes the journey to LA... in a carry-on bag originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota hacked by ex-IT worker, sensitive info stolen

George Kennedy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Technology, Toyota, India

According to Toyota, a former employee has hacked into its computer systems and stolen sensitive information.

According to an Automotive News report, Toyota filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court in Lexington, Kentucky late last week. The complaint was filed against former IT contractor Ibrahimshah Shahulhameed, who Toyota says was fired on August 23. According to the filing, Toyota indicates Shahulhameed logged on to its system the evening of his firing and downloaded and printed trade secrets.

One result of the filing is that Toyota has acquired a restraining order against Shahulhameed, prohibiting him from leaving the United States or disseminating the information that Toyota says is ill-gotten company property.

The specific area that was hacked was ToyotaSupplier.com, a site where the automaker's suppliers exchange highly sensitive information with Toyota about both current and future products.

Toyota states that it will continue to investigate the security breach and do not yet know exactly what has happened with the confidential information. There is the possibility that it may have changed hands, but according to a Toyota manufacturing spokesman, "It's too early to speculate on what-if's."

According to the court documents, Shahulhameed is an Indian citizen who was living in Georgetown, Kentucky, and was apparently about to leave for his native India.

Toyota hacked by ex-IT worker, sensitive info stolen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW unveiling new Euro police cars soon

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Government/Legal, Crossover, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, Police/Emergency, Military, Motorcycle

During next month's General Police Equipment Exhibition & Conference (GPEC) in Leipzig, Germany, BMW will present its next round of vehicles developed for police and VIPs. Five 2013 cars and four motorcycles - the 3 Series Touring, X3, 7 Series High Security and X5 Security, i3 Concept, R1200RT, G650GS, F800ST and K1600GT - will be displayed at the BMW stand.

Potential German federal and state police use of the 3 Series Touring and X3 were considerations during development, with features such as iDrive-controlled sirens and LED beacons integrated to BMW factory standards. At the opposite end, the electric i3 Concept is for police in urban areas where emissions reduction is a key consideration.

The BMW 7 Series High Security and X5 Security meet the elevated standards of amoured vehicles classified by the VR scale. The BR1 to BR7 measurements assess the resistance of the armour itself, but not how well the entire vehicular package withstands attack. The VR tests address that; the scale goes from VR1 to VR9, the 7 Series H.S. is rated at VR7 overall and VR9 in some specific cases. the X5 Security is rated VR4, which is tough enough to stop rounds from a .44 Magnum.

Motorcycle officers get the latest version of the much-used R1200RT, a brand new bronze-green military version of the G650GS, a prototype of the F800ST and a police-issue, six-cylinder K1600GT.

BMW unveiling new Euro police cars soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan suffers major cyber attack [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Nissan

Cyber crime is big business these days, and everyone from organized crime rings to governments are participating. The latest publicized attack was announced by Nissan, after the automaker detected malicious malware on its computer network.

Nissan Vice President Andy Palmer issued a statement that the attack has been detected, adding that neither customer nor employee data was accessed. Palmer says that the incident "initially involved the malicious placement of malware within our IS network, which then allowed transfer from a data store, housing employee user account credentials."

Palmer did say that employee user IDs and hashed passwords were transmitted. That certainly sounds bad, but Palmer claims that Nissan has no indication that personal information was compromised.

Palmer also added that the attack occurred on April 13, but the automaker apparently chose not to disclose the issue until the extent of the damage was known. Nissan has also reportedly taken the time to ensure that their system data was properly secured. Scroll down to view the video statement issued by Nissan.

Continue reading Nissan suffers major cyber attack [w/video]

Nissan suffers major cyber attack [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM addresses Escalade's most-stolen status with new security features

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Technology, Cadillac, GM

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so Cadillac is rolling some new anti-theft technology into it's flagship Escalade. While the 'Sclade is pretty long-in-the-tooth these days, it's still one of the most stolen vehicles extant.

The new security features include a new encryption system for the key, key cylinder and ignition system, a beefier steering column lock, an inclination sensor to sound an alarm when the vehicle gets towed, a shock sensor, and a new wheel lock system. And of course, Escalades already come with OnStar, which is capable of remotely locking the ignition and tracking the vehicle if it does go missing.

Read the full release after the jump.

Continue reading GM addresses Escalade's most-stolen status with new security features

GM addresses Escalade's most-stolen status with new security features originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan's not-so-armored car services and how they move money

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Safety, Videos

They do things a little differently in Japan. Now that we've qualified for the Understatement Of The Year award, allow us to elaborate. Here in the United States, banks rely on privately-contracted security services to move large quantities of money from one secure location to another. These armed guards roll around our cities in the urban equivalent of wheeled tanks, complete with heavy armor, tires that can't be flattened and enough bulletproof glass to make the president seriously consider trading in The Beast for something with a little more flair.

That's not the case in Japan. In that neck of the woods, banks ferry their cash about in what look like unarmored, clearly marked vans. Crewing these decidedly less tactical vehicles is apparently a pair of guards, each armed with nothing more than a helmet, a whistle and a baton. But what these guys lack in gear they make up for in preparation. Before both men can enter the vehicle, one must make a full walk-around to ensure no one is waiting to pounce on the van. In addition, before any money is brought out into the light of day, it's not uncommon for one or both guards to make a thorough sweep of the surrounding area. Sound bizarre? Take a look at the video after the jump and see for yourself.

Continue reading Japan's not-so-armored car services and how they move money

Japan's not-so-armored car services and how they move money originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at Cold War air base

Noah Joseph — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Videos, BMW

Click above to watch the video after the jump

It's not without reason that BMWs are among the top choices for high-security personnel transport. BMW Security vehicles - armor-reinforced versions of the standard roadcars we see on the road every day - are known to be both secure and responsive to quick, often life-saving maneuvers. But what good would these vehicles be if their drivers didn't know how to handle them properly?

That's why BMW has a security vehicle training facility in East Germany. Built on the grounds of what was once the largest Cold War air base in Europe, the center is run by advanced driving instructor Klaus Heimerl, who shows chauffeurs and security personnel how to evade any number of potentially threatening situations, from ambushes to roadside bombs.

Of course, BMW isn't the only automaker offering armor-reinforced versions of its vehicles. Nor is it the only company offering this kind of evasive - and potentially life-saving - driving instruction. And while this level of protection might not factor into the daily driving routines of most drivers in the United States, for many drivers in many countries, it could make all the difference between life and death in scenarios that arise on a near-daily basis.

Continue reading...

Continue reading BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at Cold War air base

BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at Cold War air base originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ready, Aim, Fire! BMW security cars take assasin's bullet, live to tell

Zach Bowman — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Safety, Videos, BMW, Specialty, Luxury

Testing BMW's armor plating - Click above to watch video after the jump

BMW has been manufacturing and selling premium security vehicles for clients around the world for over 30 years. The company's newest line-up of bullet-proof beasts includes the the X5 Security, X5 Security Plus, the 760Li High Security and the 750Li High Security. Depending on which level of protection clients require, BMW can offer armor against everything from pistol fire to assault rifle rounds and small explosions.

The company has released a new video that shows off exactly what goes into creating an armored vehicle from the factory. According to BMW, the manufacturer takes time during development of the base models to ensure the platforms can handle the added weight of the armored plating and glass. The result is a car that can not only take a serious beating, but can also handle and perform while looking no different than standard BMW models.

Hop the jump to see the video for yourself. But don't blame us if you have a sudden urge to dismantle an armored BMW with machine gun fire though.

Gallery: 2010 BMW 7 Series High Security

Gallery: 2010 BMW X5 Security Plus

[Source: BMW Blog]

Continue reading Ready, Aim, Fire! BMW security cars take assasin's bullet, live to tell

Ready, Aim, Fire! BMW security cars take assasin's bullet, live to tell originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Daimler to pay $200M over bribery scandal

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz, Earnings/Financials

For a number of years Daimler kept secret accounts used by executives specifically for the purpose of making illicit payments to foreign officials - a practice otherwise known as bribing. The "improper payments" were made primarily in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe from banks in those regions. The bribery itself wasn't Daimler's problem - the fired whistleblower and the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission were.

Daimler auditor David J. Bazzetta said he complained about the irregular accounts and payments, and was fired for his actions. He took his case to federal court, as well as doing a bit of whispering to DOJ and SEC officials. That lead the DOJ to investigating whether Daimler contravened the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 by bribing government officials, which covers any company with operations in the U.S.

Daimler isn't the only company with slush funds, and Daimler isn't the only one to get caught - Siemens, BAE Systems, Dooney & Bourke and Willbros Group are huge fish to recently end up in the net. And like a few of those others, Daimler is ready to pay to settle the claims against it to the tune of $200 million. Neither the DOJ nor the SEC has stated that the case is closed yet, but if there's one thing we know now it's that crime doesn't pay. Or maybe that it pays double.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images]

Report: Daimler to pay $200M over bribery scandal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dakar officials won't cancel rally despite Al-Qaeda attacks

Noah Joseph — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Safety

Following meetings between the head of security for the Lisbon-Dakar Rally and government authorities in Mauritania, race organizers, undeterred by recent terrorist attacks in the country, have announced that the event will go on as planned.

Last week, terrorists in Mauritania shot and killed four French tourists and four Mauritanian soldiers. Reports indicated that the attacks were perpetrated by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the infamous terrorist network's North African wing, praying on fears that the militants were expanding southwards from their previous activities in Morocco and Algeria.

Last year's rally had two stages canceled due to security concerns regarding Algerian rebels. This year's rally is set to depart from Lisbon, Portugal, on January 5, passing through Mauritania on January 11 en route to the finish line in Dakar, Senegal, on January 20, covering a total of 9000km (5600 miles).

[Source: Autosport]

Dakar officials won't cancel rally despite Al-Qaeda attacks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smoke 'em out: FogSHIELD anti-theft device really is just blowing smoke

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

There used to be a show on Nickelodeon called "What Will They Think of Next?" Today's answer is the FogSHIELD. It's a device meant to keep thieves from even seeing the car they're trying to break into. How? By laying down 2,000 square feet of high-density gas in 15 seconds. The gas won't kill anyone, lasts for 45 minutes, and it even has a minty smell. So if your FogSHIELD ever goes off, look for the guy who smells like candy.

It costs $4,200, it's not exactly tiny, and it weighs 62 pounds, so we're not sure what kind of car you'd put it in. Probably not either of the Porsche 911's in the video. But if we had one, we'd install it just for fun and turn the garage into the Autoblog disco at least once a week.

[Source: FogSHIELD via Netscape]

Smoke 'em out: FogSHIELD anti-theft device really is just blowing smoke originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to offer four years of telematics

Erin Mays — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Safety, Technology, BMW

BMW has announced it will offer a free four-year subscription of its BMW Assist service to the North American market starting with its 2007 models. It will cost the automaker $80 million in subscription payments, but that's well worth it, according to BMW spokespeople, who say that keeping owners signed onto a service that provides so many safety and convenience benefits is just a "BMW thing to do."

The device is an internal cell phone that relays car diagnostics or emergency information, like an airbag deployment, to a call center in Texas. The system rivals General Motors' OnStar, which has tiered subscriptions that allow owners to specify everything from emergency assitance to a virtual concierge.

[Source: Automotive News]

BMW to offer four years of telematics originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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