Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Aston Martin teases "very special concept" to be unveiled May 19 [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We knew Aston Martin was taking three cars to the Nürbrurgring 24-Hour race this weekend, they being a V12 Vantage GT3 car, the Rapide S Hybrid Hydrogen concept and a V12 Vantage N24 that is close to road-legal. We've just discovered that the automaker is bringing a fourth, a concept to be revealed on Sunday, May 19 that we know nothing about save that it will celebrate the company's centennary.

Based on the image above it looks like it will be a modern take on the Aston Martin racer from the late fifties that contested the World Sportscar Championship and won Le Mans, but we'll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out. There's a short video below, and a press release on its other 'Ring efforts this weekend, to tease you until then.

Continue reading Aston Martin teases "very special concept" to be unveiled May 19 [w/video]

Aston Martin teases "very special concept" to be unveiled May 19 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 May 2013 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martinaston martin rapideAston Martin Rapide S Hybrid Hydrogenaston martin v12 vantageconcept carNurburgringnurburgring 24videoyoutubeSat, 18 May 2013 17:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20574729/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/aston-martin-teases-very-special-concept-to-be-unveiled-may-19/20574729/article-detail.xml 20574729 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/aston-concept-ring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/aston-concept-ring.jpg <![CDATA[Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Last October, Chris Harris got a shotgun ride in the Porsche 918 Spyder. Seven months on, the automaker is quite a bit further on the development on the hybrid supercar, and Porsche invited him to the Leipzig circuit for a test drive.

Harris starts off going through some of the technical bits on the car, including the galvanized carbon fiber instrument panel and forged carbon fiber attachment points, and before he gets in, he's a little unsure of the car. The hybrid aspect is of particular concern, Harris almost wishing that instead of a 3,608-pound coupe with a combined 887 horsepower, that Porsche would ditch the heavy batteries and make a 2,420-pound coupe with the combustion engine's 608 horsepower.

Then he drives it, and all of a sudden, "It doesn't feel like I'm driving a hybrid sports car." You can watch him come around in the video below.

Continue reading Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder

Chris Harris among first to test the mettle of Porsche's 887-hp 918 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris harrisporsche 918 spydervideoyoutubeThu, 16 May 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571600/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/chris-harris-among-first-to-test-the-mettle-of-porsches-887-hp/20571600/article-detail.xml 20571600 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chris-harris-918-drive_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chris-harris-918-drive.jpg <![CDATA[Ariel Atom V8 pitted against Citroën DS3 racer and BMW HP4 superbike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Autocar took an Ariel Atom V8, BMW HP4 superbike and X-Games gold medalist Liam Doren's Citroën DS3 rallycross ride to an airstrip for a drag race. Sadly for all the drivers and for us, the clouds took to the sky and poured more and more rain on the track before the big race.

It's still a fun theoretical battle. The 550-kilogram Ariel Atom brings a 3.3-liter V8 with 475 horsepower, 268 pound-feet of torque and a 748-hp-per-ton ratio. The engine-restricted, 1,300-kg DS3 Rallycross rocks a 2.0-liter four-cylinder set for the day to about 560 hp, 600 lb-ft and - because of its variable boost - anywhere from 454-577 hp-per-ton. The HP4, naturally, does the most with the least, its 169 kg hauling a 1.0-liter engine with 163 hp, 83 lb-ft and a screaming 757 hp-per-ton.

It's a shame the weather didn't allow the entrants to show all they could do, especially the two-wheel-drive Atom. Nevertheless, it does demonstrate how critical the amount of available traction is to get the most from high-performance machinery, and there's lots of launch-controlled action and a winner crowned in the video below.

Continue reading Ariel Atom V8 pitted against Citroën DS3 racer and BMW HP4 superbike

Ariel Atom V8 pitted against Citroën DS3 racer and BMW HP4 superbike originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ariel atomariel atom v8autocarbmw hp4citroen ds3liam dorenrallycrosssteve sutcliffevideoyoutubeThu, 16 May 2013 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569468/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/ariel-atom-v8-pitted-against-citroen-ds3-racer-and-bmw-hp4-super/20569468/article-detail.xml 20569468 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-16-at-5.05.46-pm-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/screen-shot-2013-05-16-at-5.05.46-pm-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Rapping grandmas love the Mitsubishi i EV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/rapping-grandmas-love-the-mitsubishi-i-ev/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/rapping-grandmas-love-the-mitsubishi-i-ev/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/rapping-grandmas-love-the-mitsubishi-i-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



For some reason, having unlikely rappers - like minivan-driving suburbanites or British mothers - spit about their rides is still a catchy advertising hook, even in other cultures. Far more so, we're guessing, than having P. Diddy sing about his dog and his pickup truck or a Brazilian street gang doing a Celtic dirge, for example.

And that's how you get three grandmothers ridin' dirty clean in a Mitsubishi i electric vehicle. The ad for the Belgian car sharing company Cambio - promoting the i in its fleet - gets the three "omaatjes" rolling through town in veteran hip-hop fashion, right down to the police once-over. Check out how they do it in the video below, but beware, there is some explicit language.

Continue reading Rapping grandmas love the Mitsubishi i EV

Rapping grandmas love the Mitsubishi i EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbelgiumcambiocambio car sharingrapvideoyoutubeMon, 13 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20565887/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/rapping-grandmas-love-the-mitsubishi-i-ev/20565887/article-detail.xml 20565887 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cambio-i-ad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cambio-i-ad.jpg <![CDATA[Playmate of the Year Raquel Pomplun gets a Jaguar F-Type]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/raquel-pomplun-playmate-of-the-year-gets-a-jaguar-f-type/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/raquel-pomplun-playmate-of-the-year-gets-a-jaguar-f-type/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/raquel-pomplun-playmate-of-the-year-gets-a-jaguar-f-type/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The Jaguar F-Type is slinking its way into vastly divergent corners of the celebrity world. Lana del Rey is its songstress, Englishman-playing-American-terrorist Damien Lewis lead its cinematic debut in Desire, San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick gets the athletic endorsement, and now it's just been driven behind the "Adults Only" doors at the Playboy Mansion: Raquel Pomplun was gifted a year's use of an F-Type for being named 2013 Playmate of the Year.

There's a video below of Pomplun and her F-Type getting 'camera ready,' and a press release below that in case you want to, you know, "read the article."

Continue reading Playmate of the Year Raquel Pomplun gets a Jaguar F-Type

Playmate of the Year Raquel Pomplun gets a Jaguar F-Type originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 May 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jaguarjaguar f-typeplayboyplaymate of the yearraquel pomplunvideoyoutubeSun, 12 May 2013 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20565896/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/12/raquel-pomplun-playmate-of-the-year-gets-a-jaguar-f-type/20565896/article-detail.xml 20565896 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/playmate-f-type_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/playmate-f-type.jpg <![CDATA[Admire 350 Lamborghinis lined up at 50th Anniversary Tour]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/admire-350-lamborghinis-lined-up-at-50th-anniversary-tour/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/admire-350-lamborghinis-lined-up-at-50th-anniversary-tour/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/admire-350-lamborghinis-lined-up-at-50th-anniversary-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



If you're a fan of Lamborghini then you'll want to set aside 13 minutes of your time for this video. The Sant' Agata carmaker is hosting a 50th Anniversary Tour from Milan to Rome and then back up to the factory in Bologna, and the 350 entries in this running of the bulls were staged on a Milan street. YouTube user Shmee150 is with the convoy and he spent the aforementioned 13 minutes walking among the field of glory that spans models from 1963 to now.

None of the cars were running so the video lacks the audio thrill of the supercars merging onto the M6 in the UK. As a virtual tour of Italian art museum showcasing a massive outdoor exhibit of Lamborghinis, however, it can't be beat. Don't hesitate to check out the video below.

Continue reading Admire 350 Lamborghinis lined up at 50th Anniversary Tour

Admire 350 Lamborghinis lined up at 50th Anniversary Tour originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 May 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lamborghinilamborghini 50th anniversaryvideoyoutubeFri, 10 May 2013 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20564775/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/10/admire-350-lamborghinis-lined-up-at-50th-anniversary-tour/20564775/article-detail.xml 20564775 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lamborghini-50th-tour_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lamborghini-50th-tour.jpg <![CDATA[Global Rallycross announces Lites class for up and coming stars [w/videos]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/#commentsFiled under: , ,



After two years in the US running just one class of car, the Supercars, Global Rallycross (GRC) is adding a SuperCar Lites class that will run spec cars. Intended to be a development formula for the "next generation of star drivers," the Lites will race at all five US races this year on the same course as the Supercars, and with a format similar to the top class: a 60-minute free practice, 30-minute qualifying, heats, with Last Chance Qualifier and Finals run just before the main Supercar events. Standings will be divided into overall and a Lites Rookie Cup for first-time racers who haven't yet completed a full season.

They'll be driving a Ford Fiesta ST prepped by Olsbergs MSE, a Swedish builder that supplies four of the 20 GRC teams including two-time champion Tanner Foust. They have 310 horsepower compared to 600 hp in the Supercars, all-wheel drive and a six-speed sequential transmission. Ordered directly from Olsbergs, they'll run you $165,000 if you're one of the first ten teams to purchase one, after that they'll be $185,000.

The overall Lites-class winner gets a Supercar drive with Olsbergs MSE in the year-ending Rallycross Battle of the Champs, the top three finishers get Supercar tests like the Young Driver Test in Formula One held at the end of the season. There's a press release below with more info as well as a two videos of Geoff Sykes and Tanner Whitten testing the Lites car earlier this year.

Continue reading Global Rallycross announces Lites class for up and coming stars [w/videos]

Global Rallycross announces Lites class for up and coming stars [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>global rallycrossglobal rallycross litesmotorsportssupercar litesvideoyoutubeThu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20562382/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/20562382/article-detail.xml 20562382 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/grc-lites-class_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/grc-lites-class.jpg <![CDATA[Alfa Romeo Guilietta to star in Fast & Furious 6 [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/alfa-romeo-guilietta-to-star-in-fast-and-furious-6/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/alfa-romeo-guilietta-to-star-in-fast-and-furious-6/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/alfa-romeo-guilietta-to-star-in-fast-and-furious-6/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



We wanted to play this one straight, but since it involves Fast & Furious 6 we just couldn't figure out how. Alfa Romeo is touting the role of the Guilietta in the next episode of car guys and gals versus bad guys and gals, and the now-Europe-inclusive franchise is using the post-stunt vehicles in its advertising. Well, we might add.

We'll let the breathy, exclamatory press release below speak for itself, along with the trailer in which you get to see the "modified" Giulietta demonstrating the textbook technique for pulling down an Antonov cargo plane at take-off speed. You'll find a very Italian set of high-res images above.

Continue reading Alfa Romeo Guilietta to star in Fast & Furious 6 [w/video]

Alfa Romeo Guilietta to star in Fast & Furious 6 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingalfa romeoalfa romeo giuliettafast and furiousfast and furious 6marketingmovievideoyoutubeTue, 07 May 2013 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20559021/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/alfa-romeo-guilietta-to-star-in-fast-and-furious-6/20559021/article-detail.xml 20559021 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/alfa-romeo-giulietta-fast-furious_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/alfa-romeo-giulietta-fast-furious.jpg <![CDATA[Good things get captured by Russian dash cams too]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/good-things-get-captured-by-russian-dash-cams-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/good-things-get-captured-by-russian-dash-cams-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/good-things-get-captured-by-russian-dash-cams-too/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The camera has no favorites, takes no sides - it captures whatever's in front of it, good or ill. We're used to seeing the ill side of Russian streets through the lenses of ubiquitous dash cams, but there's plenty of good to go with it if a video from YouTube user ArkadiYM93 is any indication.

You've probably never seen so many old ladies and cats and peacocks helped across the street, as you do in this five-minute clip. You probably also haven't seen a man lift a car to get it unstuck. You can start the feel-good part of your day by watching the video below.

Continue reading Good things get captured by Russian dash cams too

Good things get captured by Russian dash cams too originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dash camrussiarussian dash camvideoyoutubeMon, 06 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20558952/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/06/good-things-get-captured-by-russian-dash-cams-too/20558952/article-detail.xml 20558952 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dashcam-kindness_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dashcam-kindness.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Edo Competition pit a Ferrari FXX against a Maserati MC12 Corsa on the 'Ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/watch-edo-competition-pit-a-ferrari-fxx-against-a-maserati-mc12/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/watch-edo-competition-pit-a-ferrari-fxx-against-a-maserati-mc12/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/watch-edo-competition-pit-a-ferrari-fxx-against-a-maserati-mc12/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


High-zoot supercar tour organizer Gran Turismo Events held its annual Nürburgring track day last month, and in addition to the amateur punters the gates were opened to two tuned supercars from Edo Competition: A Maserati MC12 Corsa and a Ferrari Enzo ZXX. The ZXX, in case you've forgotten, is the same love child of Edo Competition and Zahir Rana's ZR Exotics that belly flopped into the Atlantic during the 2011 Targa Newfoundland.

We get a trip around the Nordschleife with both cars during a no-doubt quick but not insane lap, on board with driver Patrick Simon in the 755-horsepower MC12 and 'Ring queen Sabine Schmitz following in the 840-hp ZXX.

That should be all the build-up you need when the action's in the video below.

Continue reading Watch Edo Competition pit a Ferrari FXX against a Maserati MC12 Corsa on the 'Ring

Watch Edo Competition pit a Ferrari FXX against a Maserati MC12 Corsa on the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 May 2013 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edo competitionferrariferrari enzomaseratimaserati mc12Maserati MC12 CorsaNurburgringSabine Schmitzvideoyoutubezahir ranazr exoticsFri, 03 May 2013 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20556716/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/03/watch-edo-competition-pit-a-ferrari-fxx-against-a-maserati-mc12/20556716/article-detail.xml 20556716 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mc12-corsa-vs-edo-zxx-ring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mc12-corsa-vs-edo-zxx-ring.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Polestar talk about the development of its super S60]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/watch-polestar-talk-about-the-development-of-its-super-s60/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/watch-polestar-talk-about-the-development-of-its-super-s60/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/watch-polestar-talk-about-the-development-of-its-super-s60/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Polestar is getting ready to deliver its first production car, the Volvo S60 Polestar. Letting the S60 stretch its legs, Polestar Racing driver Robert Dahlgren took the blue sedan from Barcelona, Spain to Jokkmokk, Sweden - stopping for wet-weather testing in Germany along the way.

Dahlgren narrates the journey of the "pilot project" that has 350 horsepower and around 368 pound-feet of torque, and will perhaps be the first in an era of hardcore Volvo production cars. It will go on sale in Australia this Summer, with other markets "under investigation." While we non-Aussies wait with fingers crossed, there's a video below to enjoy.

Continue reading Watch Polestar talk about the development of its super S60

Watch Polestar talk about the development of its super S60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 May 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>polestarrobert dahlgrenvideovolvovolvo s60volvo s60 polestaryoutubeFri, 03 May 2013 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20557109/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/03/watch-polestar-talk-about-the-development-of-its-super-s60/20557109/article-detail.xml 20557109 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/polestar-s60-journey_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/polestar-s60-journey.jpg <![CDATA[Watch the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro long-tail testing at Monza]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/watch-the-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-long-tail-testing-at-monza/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/watch-the-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-long-tail-testing-at-monza/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/watch-the-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-long-tail-testing-at-monza/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro long-tail

Audi released a single photo of the long-tailed version of its R18 E-Tron Quattro Le Mans racer, but the photo didn't offer the best view of the stretched rear. The car has been caught testing at Monza, in Italy, and not only do we get a better view of what it's got out back, we get pretty awesome sound as it makes high-speed runs past the camera.

Since the 2013-spec car was found to be down on performance versus the 2012, the long-tail is a different evolution to see if Audi can eke out more performance from its already dominant chassis. Have a look and a listen in the video below.

Continue reading Watch the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro long-tail testing at Monza

Watch the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro long-tail testing at Monza originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi r18 e-tron quattroaudi r18 e-tron quattro long-tailfia wecmonzavideoworld endurance championshipyoutubeThu, 02 May 2013 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552740/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/watch-the-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-long-tail-testing-at-monza/20552740/article-detail.xml 20552740 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/audi-long-tail_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/audi-long-tail.png <![CDATA[Local Motors picks first-ever winner of motorcycle design challenge [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Local Motors, the company behind the Rally Fighter, briefly took its four wheels off the dirt and put two on the road for a crowd-sourced motorcycle project. Working with fellow Arizona company DP Custom Cycles, Local Motors invited its community to design a motorbike based on the Harley-Davidson Sportster. More than 200 entries from ten countries were received, and the winner has been chosen in the DP Racer by Andre Costa of Portugal. Second place was the NASCAR-inspired Talledega by Italy's well-known Oberdan Bezzi, third place went to Marc Senger of the US for his NASA-themed DP Customs Lander.

DP Custom Cycles will build Costa's Racer, but hasn't said how many of them will be produced. Serial Number 0001 is already taken, though, having been auctioned off to the Local Motors community. You can watch the selection process in the video and read about the contest and finalists in the press release below, and check out the top ten entries in the high-res gallery above.

Continue reading Local Motors picks first-ever winner of motorcycle design challenge [w/video]

Local Motors picks first-ever winner of motorcycle design challenge [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdsourcingdp custom cycleslocal motorsmotorcyclevideoyoutubeWed, 01 May 2013 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20550832/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/20550832/article-detail.xml 20550832 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/local-motors-dpc-contest_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/local-motors-dpc-contest.jpg <![CDATA[Watch a Camry driver in full road rage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/camry-driver-road-rage/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/camry-driver-road-rage/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/camry-driver-road-rage/#commentsFiled under: ,



There are vehicles that, fair or not, will forever be associated with jerky drivers. But as this very recent footage from an in-car camera shows, even the most mundane of sedans can be piloted by an ass.

In this video, the driver of one very beige Toyota Camry is driving like a person choked with rage. Though we don't see which (if any) actions by our camera car might have lead up to the tirade, we do see the Camry driver swerving from lane to lane, in multiple attempts to get in front of and brake check the couple in the recording.

According to the text associated with the YouTube video, the offending incident took place last week, on a section of I-880 near Fremont, CA. The uploader has gone so far as to include the date, time and license plate number of the Camry driver, in hopes, we guess, that some kind of legal action can be taken against him. Take a closer look for yourself in the video below.

Continue reading Watch a Camry driver in full road rage

Watch a Camry driver in full road rage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad drivingcamry road ragei-880interstate i-880road rageroad rage camryroadragecamrytoyotatoyota camryvideoyoutubeMon, 29 Apr 2013 18:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20551970/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/camry-driver-road-rage/20551970/article-detail.xml 20551970 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/toyota-camry-road-rage-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/toyota-camry-road-rage-628.jpg <![CDATA[Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It's like throwback uniform days at the ballpark, only this happens every day and it's at the police station. A story and video by the Associated Press takes a look at Seattle police officer Jim Ritter and his 1970 Plymouth Satellite police cruiser (the Satellite was renamed Fury in 1975) - and yes, that's him above with the car, Ritter in his period-correct police uniform. As you might guess, this is one of those community relations efforts, but it's no show pony - the Satellite is Ritter's daily driver and he'll ride in convey with Crown Victorias to answer any kind of police call.

Ritter started the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum 15 years ago, and there are 14 cars in its collection of automobiles. This one was offered by a retired Seattle city worker living in Nebraska, and after it was determined that it was indeed part of the King County Police Department in 1970, the museum restored it with the help of local businesses. It hasn't been made modern, though - it's got no air conditioning, no computer, and 43-year-old ride quality.

Nonetheless, as a woman remarks in the video below, it's "filthy," which means "awesome." You can read even more about it over on KOMO News.

Continue reading Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video]

Police using 43-year-old Plymouth Satellite to patrol Seattle streets [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1970 plymouth satellitejim ritterplymouthplymouth satellitepoliceseattleseattle police departmentvideoyoutubeMon, 29 Apr 2013 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552124/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/police-using-43-year-old-plymouth-satellite-to-patrol-seattle-st/20552124/article-detail.xml 20552124 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/1970-plymouth-satellite-police-cruiser-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/1970-plymouth-satellite-police-cruiser-628.jpg <![CDATA[Proof the world revolves around the Porsche Cayman]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/proof-the-world-revolves-around-the-porsche-cayman/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/proof-the-world-revolves-around-the-porsche-cayman/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/proof-the-world-revolves-around-the-porsche-cayman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Or at least the world revolves underneath the Porsche Cayman, in the latest video showing off Stuttgart's mid-engine coupe. Porsche put an Easter egg in the world that spins triple-time, a "famous relative" of the Cayman hidden somewhere on the marble planet, and gave a Porsche Martini bag to one of the first 50 people who could point it out.

With more than 300 views there's no chance you'll win the bag, but you can still go on the treasure hunt in the video below.

Continue reading Proof the world revolves around the Porsche Cayman

Proof the world revolves around the Porsche Cayman originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>martiniporscheporsche caymanvideoyoutubeSat, 27 Apr 2013 19:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20550179/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/27/proof-the-world-revolves-around-the-porsche-cayman/20550179/article-detail.xml 20550179 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/porsche-cayman-video_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/porsche-cayman-video.jpg <![CDATA[Is NASCAR green? New ad makes the case]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/is-nascar-green-new-ad-makes-the-case/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/is-nascar-green-new-ad-makes-the-case/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/is-nascar-green-new-ad-makes-the-case/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you're a motorsports fan you've probably come across stories on the efforts Formula One has made to reduce its carbon footprint (KERS anyone?), but you might not have heard about what's being done in the world of NASCAR. Turns out it's pretty intense.

In 2008, NASCAR chairman Brian France got to work on creating a green initiative for the series. It wasn't unveiled until 2009 and it tackled the integration of biofuels, as in the switch to E85, employing alternative energy like the solar array at Pocono Raceway, and recycling. The initiative has a "managing director of green innovation," Dr. Mike Lynch, a website with ways everyone can get involved in making the Earth greener, hybrid pace cars and Miss Sprint Cup in a green race suit.

It's gotten bigger every year, and NASCAR will crank up its promotion with a 30-second spot that ran several times during the STP 400 at the Kansas Speedway. You can watch it below.

Continue reading Is NASCAR green? New ad makes the case

Is NASCAR green? New ad makes the case originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adnascarnascar race to greenrace to greenvideoyoutubeTue, 23 Apr 2013 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546344/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/23/is-nascar-green-new-ad-makes-the-case/20546344/article-detail.xml 20546344 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nascar-green-campaign-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nascar-green-campaign-2.jpg <![CDATA[Grid 2 multiplayer details revealed, includes social followers and YouTube vids]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/grid-2-multiplayer-details-revealed-includes-social-followers-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/grid-2-multiplayer-details-revealed-includes-social-followers-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/grid-2-multiplayer-details-revealed-includes-social-followers-a/#commentsFiled under: ,

Grid 2 gameplay

The developers of Grid 2, which arrives in stores in May 31, three days later than originally announced, have decided to show us some details of the gameplay teased before in its new Racenet rivals system. Distinct from the career mode will be online modes that can accommodate 12 players paired by playlists and preferences like "anti-griefing," which can keep drivers who don't mind rubbin' separate from those who prefer no contact.

Modes are Race, Endurance, Drift, Touge, Checkpoint, Face Off and Time Attack. There are three Rivals modes that can choose competitors based on ability, social connections or custom settings. Overtake and Power Lap are part of Global Challenge events and races can be contested even when rivals are offline.

There's also the ability to record your finest moments in-game and upload them to YouTube. Speaking of which, there's a video below that makes all this info much more exciting, and a press release below that if you prefer the old-fashioned way.

Continue reading Grid 2 multiplayer details revealed, includes social followers and YouTube vids

Grid 2 multiplayer details revealed, includes social followers and YouTube vids originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersgrid 2videovideo gamesyoutubeMon, 22 Apr 2013 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546364/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/grid-2-multiplayer-details-revealed-includes-social-followers-a/20546364/article-detail.xml 20546364 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/grid2-multiplayer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/grid2-multiplayer.jpg <![CDATA[Icona Vulcano teased again before Shanghai reveal [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



It used to be that New York marked the end of the auto show season, but after the Shanghai show has moved so as not to compete with NYC, we've settled in for a few more weeks of teasing. Here we have another glimpse of the Vulcano, the supercar created by Shanghai-based boutique carmaker Icona that we'll see revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show.

It's a fuller view of the back end than we glimpsed in the first teaser, covered in "Red Magma" paint. We're looking forward to finding out what that central hatch hides since the Vulcano's V12 engine - the work of Claudio Lombardi, whose resume includes powertrain engineering for World Rally Championship Lancias and the Formula One and GT Programs at Ferrari - is mounted in front. That engine is mated to electric motors and the whole shebang kicks out 900 horsepower.

The Vulcano is said to be an evolution of the all-electric Fuselage concept that Icona showed at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show. "Evolution" is a broad term, especially when we're going from a zero-emissions vehicle to a 900-horsepower hybrid sports car, but to at least check out where the company has been there's a video of the Fuselage below.

Continue reading Icona Vulcano teased again before Shanghai reveal [w/video]

Icona Vulcano teased again before Shanghai reveal [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept cariconaicona vulcanoShanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor showvideoyoutubeMon, 15 Apr 2013 19:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540002/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/icona-vulcano-teased-again-before-shanghai-reveal-w-video/20540002/article-detail.xml 20540002 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/icona-vulcano-tease-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/icona-vulcano-tease-2.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai reveals flying car among other wacky concepts [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/hyundai-reveals-flying-car-among-other-wacky-concepts-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/hyundai-reveals-flying-car-among-other-wacky-concepts-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/hyundai-reveals-flying-car-among-other-wacky-concepts-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyundai flying car concept

Hyundai has held an IDEA festival for the past three years that gives its engineers a break from seat belts, and electrical harnesses and wheel arch moldings. Each festival serves up a theme for personal mobility, after that there's no limit - competing teams can come up with anything that serves the theme and are encouraged to get creative.

That's how you get concepts like the E4U 'egg car' (pictured); a single-stander mode of transportation that channels Mork from Ork. The oddest thing about the egg is not the yellow shell but the helmet the 'driver' wears. Other ideas included a flying car with 16 (!) rotors, a bicycle that could serve as a spare tire and a car with five joints. Although most appeared totally impractical, all were totally cool.

This year's festival is in the works, the theme being the rather ambiguous "R&D for customers," the point is apparently to come up with concepts that Hyundai customers might actually use. There's a video with scenes of last year's festival and a press release below (our vote goes to the Pandora).

Continue reading Hyundai reveals flying car among other wacky concepts [w/video]

Hyundai reveals flying car among other wacky concepts [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptegg carhyundaihyundai idea festivalidea festivalmobilityvideoyoutubeMon, 15 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540543/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/hyundai-reveals-flying-car-among-other-wacky-concepts-w-video/20540543/article-detail.xml 20540543 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/hyundai-idea-festival-05-1366064358_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/hyundai-idea-festival-05-1366064358.jpg -1 2