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Archive for the ‘ Automotive ’ Category

Rob Dyrdek Kickflips A Car.


Following GM’s publicity stunt, which dropped a 2012 Chevy Sonic out of a plane, MTV-reality and action sports-star Rob Dyrdek recently performed a kick flip in the Chevy Sonic. For those of us that didn’t grow up riding skateboards, a kick flip is a 360-degree rotation in mid-air.  “A kick flip with a Chevy Sonic was a no-brainer,” said Dyrdek. “I am a Chevy guy from my ’69 Camaro to the Tahoe I drive every day. The Sonic’s power and sportiness made it the perfect vehicle for this awesome stunt.”

 

 

The stunt was performed at Six Flags Magic Mountain, while MTV filmed the feat for the Season 5 premiere of Fantasy Factory. Dyrdek executed the kick flip over the world’s-largest skateboard that he created for a previous stunt.

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2011
12/19
CATEGORY
Automotive
Entertainment
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Lexus Teases A Sporty New Concept Car.


Luxury auto brand Lexus has released the first teaser image of a new concept vehicle set to be unveiled at next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  The Toyota-owned brand said that the new concept model will showcase a new design direction for the brand, developed by its team in California.  Believed to be a sports model, it appears to signal something of a departure from the understated styling that Lexus has been known for in recent years, with sharp lines and an aggressive appearance.  That’s an aim also being embraced by Lexus’s parent company Toyota, which unveiled its new sports car in late November in a bid to shed its rather staid image.  The model will be officially revealed January 9, on the first press day of the show ahead of its public opening, which takes place January 11.

2011
12/18
CATEGORY
Automotive
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The Maserati Gran Turismo S Superior Black Edition.


The strange, nearly unexplainable string of ebony-themed luxury cars I’ve seen recently rolls on with the Maserati Gran Turismo S Superior Black Edition ($TBA). Created by the mad minds at Anderson Germany, the Superior features a silky matte black exterior treatment, glossy black 21-inch wheels, new carbon fiber replacements for the hoot, mirrors, tailgate, and roof ledges, an enhanced 4.7-liter V8 pumping out 492 hp, a slew of carbon fiber and black Alcantara elements in the interior, and even a PS3 — although whether it’s the shiny black or matte black model is anyone’s guess.

2011
12/12
CATEGORY
Automotive
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Ferrari F430 Tatooed By Philippe Pasqua.


French artisan Philippe Pasqua has unveiled his latest work of art: a Ferrari F430 that’s been covered in skin-colored leather and exquisitely tattooed.  For all car enthusiasts, this one-off creation shall be on display at the Galerie Laurent Strouk, Paris around the middle of January 2012.

2011
12/08
CATEGORY
Art
Automotive
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The Mini Cooper… Inflatable.


What do you get when you combine the ultimate summer playground with a fun, cool brand that is willing to play with you? You get life-size Mini convertibles, inflatable beach toys that are as much fun for adults as they are for kids.  Most likely kids will have no chance at all to play with these toys as the Mini inflatable screams grown-up fun in an irresistible way. This is the ultimate beach accessory; too big for the ordinary pool but perfect for the warm waters and sandy beaches where the in crowds gather to see and to be seen.

Beach-goers can just grab one and play in the sand or on the water. They will be able to enjoy the sun, catch the waves, look cool, pose for some pics. These are pictures they will want to broadcast and post online because the beach Minis will not appear on every beach. People will want their friends to know where they are so that they can join the fun.  Mini Inflatables were created by Access Agency after the unveiling of the Mini Indoor Drive-in for the new Countryman in Italy.

Access’s cool car experiences for Mini include the recently launched Sephora’s new Same Day delivery service using the Mini Clubman.  The Mini Inflatables are incredibly flexible as promotional and entertainment tools. They can be used not only at the beach over summer but in many other environments as well.  Additional uses for the beach include fun Mini rides in Mini Inflatables pulled by speedboats or jet skis.  Mini Inflatables are effective as massive “balloons” on top of actual Minis in showrooms, outdoor picnic promotions, parks, special events such as Art Basel and other large-scale festivals.

 

2011
12/07
CATEGORY
Automotive
Entertainment
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Japan’s Dekotora Scene.


Meet Dekotora: the land of the rising sun’s homegrown and very cool trucker subculture that covers big rigs with neon and ultraviolet lights, colorful airbrushed murals, and shiny stainless or golden exteriors, all the while housing interiors straight out of Brewsters Millions or a 2-star Las Vegas casino, complete with elaborate chandeliers and velvet-lined seats.  This stuff is WILD.  Check the method.

2011
12/06
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
Entertainment
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The World’s Most Expensive Car Wreck.


 

A fleet of luxury sportscars has been involved in one of the most expensive accidents in history after an astonishing multi-car pile-up in Japan.  The wreck included several Ferrari 355s, Ferrari F430s, Ferrari F360, Ferrari F512, Lamborghini Diablo and three Mercedes models as well as a Nissan Skyline.  The Ferrari driver reportedly lost control round a wet curve of China Road in Yamaguchi Prefecture when he hit a median creating a catastrophic chain reaction.

Police said some of the drivers belonged to a group of luxury car enthusiasts from Kyushu island who had gathered to tour the area together.  There were no serious injuries to any of the drivers, aged between 37 and 60, though 10 were taken to hospital.  Even a used Ferrari in Japan can fetch $100,000 or more, meaning the total damage may be $1 million or more.

2011
12/06
CATEGORY
Automotive
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Mercedes SLK 55 AMG vs Ducati Streetfighter 848.


Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new collaboration with Bologna-based Ducati to be unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show.  The ‘Streetfighter Yellow’ models are designed to celebrate the partnership between the automaker and motorcycle brand.  This partnership has already produced several collaborations such as the Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition showcased in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  This time, the firms have produced both a car and a bike — the SLK 55 AMG and the new Ducati Streetfighter 848, both highlighted in bright yellow, a color variant which Mercedes-Benz says it will bring to production if there is enough demand.

Among the special features on the SLK 55 AMG, the most powerful SLK model ever made, are yellow-illuminated LED door sills and contrasting yellow stitching against black leather in the door panels, shift lever and steering wheel.  The Ducati Streetfighter, also finished in striking yellow, features a revised Testastretta 11° engine with 97 kW (132 hp) and new ergonomics.

2011
12/06
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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The Ferrari FF Neiman Marcus Sells Out in 50 Minutes.


The special edition of the Ferrari FF showcased in the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, was sold within fifty minutes on Thursday, October 27, 2011.  Despite a price tag of $395,000 (or $95k more than a dealer-purchased Ferrari FF), the 10 available cars sold out in less than an hour.  The Neiman Marcus FF will come in an elegant Grigio Caldo exterior color and with a matching luggage set to compliment the Ferrari’s treated leather interior.  To top off the package is an awesome Ferrari Winter Driving Experience that will be held in Aspen, Colorado.  You don’t even have to flog your own FF through the Colorado snow; it’s an arrive-and-drive program, using Ferrari’s FFs instead of your own.  Individuals who ordered the Ferrari FF Neiman Marcus also get the added bonus of receiving their cars by spring of 2012 (much sooner than normal FF buyers).

2011
12/03
CATEGORY
Automotive
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The 2013 Hennessey Venom Spyder.


Hennessey Performance has released the first image and details for the Venom GT Spyder, the open top variant of the Venom GT Coupe.  A massive 1,200 bhp (895 kW / 1217 PS) is produced by the Venom GT Spyder’s engine and the model’s weight is stated to be 1,200 kg ( 2,645 lbs ).  Pricing for the coupe is set at $950,000 whereas the Spyder will cost $1.1 million.  Hennessey says it has already received orders for two of the five Venom GT’s it will build for the 2013 model year.

2011
12/02
CATEGORY
Automotive
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A Peek Inside The Lamborghini Factory.


The Italian automaker founded in 1963 by feisty Ferrari hater Ferruccio Lamborghini built a long line of swoopy exotics that demanded passionate, dedicated drivers — with an equally passionate and dedicated mechanic on speed dial. Several ownership changes over the years, including an ill-fated union with Chrysler in the 1980s didn’t help the cause. Lamborghinis inspired lust, but consistency of build and reliability proved elusive… Until the Germans got involved.

Audi’s takeover of the company in 1998 instigated dramatic changes in how the famed cars from Sant’Agata Bolognese were conceived, developed and constructed. Eager to retain the brand’s “Italianness,” the Germans kept company headquarters in Sant’Agata, much like how Bugatti remained stationed in Molsheim, France, and Bentley didn’t stray from Crewe, England, once Volkswagen took over.

The German influence not only resulted in shared platforms (like the Audi R8/Lamborghini Gallardo aluminum spaceframe), it also brought a sea change in how emerging technologies are researched, developed and incorporated into the ever-evolving world of supercars.

Lamborghini hit a landmark when it sold its 10,000th Gallardo in 2010, a figure that represents more than all other models produced since the company’s founding. As a replacement for the mighty Murcielago approached the zenith of its three-year development, camouflaged mules were spotted darting through Italian countrysides and along the famed Nürburgring Nordschliefe, and the 691-horsepower flagship was being “fine optimized” in preparation for production.

2011
11/30
CATEGORY
Automotive
Tech
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The Porsche Tower.


A Miami Beach condo developer plans to build a new skyscraper with a robotic parking deck built in. The Porsche Design Tower project will allow owners to ride their vehicles into a robotic elevator system that drops them and their vehicles at their doorstep. The $560 million tower will rise in Sunny Isles Beach as part of a collaboration between Porsche Design Group and a local developer, Gil Dezer. “After the resident pulls over and switches off the engine, a robotic arm that works much like an automatic plank will scoop up the car and put it into the elevator. Once at the desired floor, the same robotic arm will park the car, leaving the resident nearly in front of his front door.” The condo will have 132 units over 57 stories, with larger units sporting up to four parking spaces per unit.

2011
11/24
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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The Crashed Ferrari Coffee Table.


This is a coffee table containing the compacted remains of a Ferrari inside constructed by designer Charly Molinelli.  He came up with the idea after a customer asked him to design something “a bit special” for their front room.  He then sourced a wreck and built a wooden cabinet on wheels to present to his client – although the price of the swanky piece is unknown.

2011
11/23
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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The Masonry Cyrus Aston Martin.


Mansory has release the Cyrus package based on the Aston Martin DBS or the Aston Martin DB9. A coilover suspension provides the best road holding and emphasises the striking rims in XXL. The refinement is perfected by an exclusive interior programme. At the front axle, a newly designed front skirt with enlarged air inlets provides the optimal ventilation for the twelve-cylinder aggregate. The Mansory CYRUS Aston Martin DBS / DB9 front is visually enhanced with the newly designed carbon bonnet. The newly designed rear skirt with the integrated diffuser emphasises the superior look and provides space for four stainless steel end pipes of the sonorous sport exhaust system.

2011
11/17
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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The Fire Breather.


One look at this mysterious whip and your lead foot just starts twitching. The Firebreather is a 2011 Camaro re-tooled & restyled by American muscle car custom house, Classic Design Concepts. Originally the ‘breather was made for the forthcoming movie, Jinn. Now, CDC is making 50 of these supercharged, 600 horsepower monsters available to the public. Good luck getting on that list.

2011
11/16
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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The Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom 102EX.


Luxury car maker Rolls-Royce has developed its first electric-powered vehicle, that goes up to 125 miles fully charged.  The one-off Phantom 102EX has been touring the globe to gauge the reactions of Rolls-Royce owners and potential customers to a fully electric-powered car.  The 6.75-liter V-12 was replaced by a massive 71-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery housed within the aluminum spaceframe.

“We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,” chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos said in a statement.  “We begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce cars of the future.”  The company wants to ascertain how long the car can drive between re-charges and how it operates in extreme weather conditions, but there are no plans yet to develop a production version.

“I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience,” Muller-Otvos said.  “It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future.”

2011
11/13
CATEGORY
Automotive
Tech
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The DeZir.


It’s not simply the cherry red color of Renault’s sleek, new electric car that gets my staff’s blood pumping but it’s that the ‘DeZir’ is proof that eco-friendly initiatives and a passion for cars can go hand in hand.” Laurens van den Acker, the leader of Renault’s Design Department, spearheaded DeZir based on three simple words that describe Renault’s brand best; ‘simple’,’sensuous’ and ‘warm’.

These three words launched Acker’s vision of creating a seamless vehicle with soft, gradual curves, coated in a vibrant red lacquer. Acker also had a personal concept behind the creation of the DeZir; falling in love. He explains the “implementation of the strategy based on the notion of ‘life cycle’. The first step involves falling in love, an experience that is perfectly illustrated by DeZir’s powerful, sensuous styling and bright red finish; red being the color associated with passion.”

The two-seater coupe is powered by an electric motor mounted in a mid-rear position to optimize weight distribution over the front and rear wheels. Acker wanted the vehicle to be lightweight for power performance and agile movement capabilities which led for its body to be made from Kevlar, while its tubular steel frame is similar to that employed for Mégane Trophy race car. Acker explains “DeZir’s suspension also shares certain features with that of Mégane Trophy – including a double wishbone arrangement – to deliver a particularly high standard of handling precision.” And um… gullwing doors.

2011
11/10
CATEGORY
Automotive
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The Fastest Stroller You’ve Ever Seen.


The Porsche Design P’4911 is a new baby stroller designed by David Dawod for the luxury automaker.  The Porsche Design P’4911 is invented to be lightweight and easy to handle. The stroller is constructed of carbon fiber, aluminum, leather and ball-bearing wheels.  This Porsche stroller is foldable and can be fit into any compact Porsche, making it an easy ride for both parents and the infant.  The designer has taken care of the safety aspect of the infant as the stroller is equipped with a front safety belt, which enhances its sleek design too.

2011
11/09
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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Swimsuit Models x And The Nissan 370Z.


I’ve recently developed a fascination with the Nissan 370Z, and in an attempt to look up some performance and tuning videos, I came across this gem…  An epic video piece put together by SI and the new Nissan 370Z featuring Melissa Haro, Damaris Lewis, and Jessica Hart who all hopped into 370′s.  The girls thought they were going on a leisurly ride through Vegas but the Drift Alliance picked them up instead at the Luxor Las Vegas Casino and took them for a spin they soon won’t forget.

2011
11/03
CATEGORY
Automotive
Entertainment
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A Way To A Wind Powered Future.


The simply named Road Lights is a system of wind generated lane lights powered by the wind of vehicles whizzing by. You’ve all felt it before, that wall of air as a car passes by. Why waste it? The energy captured by the system illuminates a series of pegs 50-100 meters in front of you to lead the way. Eco-friendly (yes I’m still using that phrase) and a perfect opportunity for a really creative car commercial.

2011
11/01
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
Tech
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A Porsche Cell Phone?


Just yesterday I was schedule to come to through to a Porsche event in the Bay Area, and although I couldn’t make it, I tried to look up some pictures of the event this morning.  I didn’t find what I was looking for, however, what I did find was that ‘Research in Motion’, in collaboration with Porsche Design just launched its latest BlackBerry smartphone Porsche Design P’9981.  The exterior is made up of a forged stainless steel frame and the rear is covered with hand-wrapped leather. It also boasts of a laser cut QWERTY keyboard.  The P’9981 comes fully functional with 8 GB of hard-drive memory, a 1.2 GHz processor, as well as Dual-Band Wi-Fi capabilities and offering 720p HD video.  The device offers a smooth browsing experience and a built-in compass, as well as the usual selection of exclusive appl on BlackBerry App World™ 3.0.  The BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone is set to hit stores later this year. Pricing information is not yet announced, but the device is anticipated to cost $2,000.  “The Porsche Design P’9981 is a truly modern luxury smartphone, where the timeless style of Porsche Design meets the unmatched mobile experience provided by BlackBerry,” Todd Wood of RIM said describing the phone.  This will be RIM’s first collaboration with a luxury brand to release a smartphone and RIM now joins other collaborations on the market today, including Samsung with Armani, LG with Prada, Asus with Lamborghini, and Acer with Ferrari.

2011
10/30
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
Tech
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The Top Marques Monaco Line Up.


Organizers of the Top Marques Monaco event are looking to fuel Asia’s love affair with all things related to luxury when they bring their event to Macau next month.  Macau has established itself as the world’s gaming capital over the past decade, and Top Marques Macau (to be staged from November 24 to 27 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel) will certainly give those gamblers plenty to think about.  Top Marques Monaco has been staged in April for the past eight years at that city’s Grimaldi Forum and has been labeled “The World’s Most Exclusive Auto Show” by The New York Times, and “The Greatest Show on Earth” by the Financial Times.  The event bills itself as the only “live” car show in the world as guests get a chance to test drive the motors.  On show in Monaco have been “the fastest, most technologically advanced, bespoke cars” and the event promises to bring the same formula to Asia.  There will also be the opportunity for some lucky guests to take those cars out on the road as a special 2.1-kilometer test circuit is being established around the venue.

Among the brands on show in Macau will be Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini and the event comes at a telling time for the luxury car market in the region.  After establishing itself as the world’s largest car market, China’s rapid increase in spending on cars has been tempered this year as the country’s banks tighten up on loans and after local governments started to increase road rules and regulations.  For sales of high-end cars in China, that has meant a rise in sales still of 29 percent this year, but the figure doesn’t look as flashy when put up against the rise of 48 percent seen in the luxury car market in 2010.  Running parallel to the main event will be Top Marques Watches and a Jewel Gala, showcasing limited edition, timepieces and jewelry, as well as “pleasure boats, property, art and many other stunning, bespoke luxury products,” say organizers.
2011
10/28
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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The Lamborghini Estoque.


Lamborghini doesn’t usually build a concept car without it getting put to some kind of use in the future. It’s never happened, and we’ll place bets on the fact that it won’t ever happen. Try as they may to deny the fact that the Estoque would not see the production line, this concept vehicle stood a fantastic chance at becoming the third model in Lamborghini’s line-up.  To prove this theory, I found a recent statement from Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann.  In the statement he confirmed that the company is indeed preparing a third model, and that this new model is not an SUV as people have speculated, but a four-door luxury sedan.

“We have opportunities outside the supercar business, and we showed that with Estoque. It had a more enthusiastic response than we had expected. It was the right time to see if the brand could go outside of supercars. Even now, people are still emailing me about us making the Estoque.”

And if the strong demand for a production version of the Estoque doesn’t make them actually build it, the recent success the company has been having on the Chinese market may just give Lamborghini the final push they need, especially since luxury four-door sedans are in high demand over there.

2011
10/19
CATEGORY
Automotive
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The Aston Martin Voyage.


I feel like I just tricked you.   I’m sure you expected some type of uber-sporty track racing contraption from the minds of the folks over at Aston Martin.  However, someone else has taken their design skills in an entirely different direction in an attempt to get Aston Martin to do something unthinkable. A renowned yacht designer has unveiled a new concept yacht based on the luxury vehicles of supercar maker Aston Martin.  The Aston Martin Voyage boat was inspired by Aston Martin vehicles such as the Vantage, Rapide, DBS and Virage and was unveiled last week.  De Basto, a Miami-based custom yacht designer, put together the concept as a way to test whether the car brand’s signature design could be transposed onto water.

The answer seems to be an emphatic yes, with the design clearly paying tribute to Aston Martin while absorbing the necessary nautical features.  The roof line, window shapes, front and rear lights, side ventilation, hood details and famous frontal grill are all design features of the car carried over to the boat.  Sadly, the model is very much a concept, and de Basto makes clear that although he has Aston Martin’s permission for the use of their name in the concept, it’s not intended for production or any commercialization.  However, with other brands such as Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Lancia already lending their names to high-performance boats, perhaps Aston Martin will reconsider sometime soon?

2011
10/11
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
Tech
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BMW Laser Lights?


BMW will introduce the next generation of head lights (laser lighting on its BMW i8) that could cut energy use in half compared to LED lights.  The laser beam headlights will be twice as efficient as LEDs, and can be up to 1,000 times stronger.  BMW will use miniscule 10-micron long laser diodes, which is 100 times smaller than LED units, in the vehicle.  The small size of the laser diodes will also allow engineers to experiment with new positioning of the headlights.  In their press release on the subject, BMW emphasizes that the laser lights would be safe for both drivers and wildlife.  The laser diodes are not facing forward shining out on the road. Instead, the light would be diffused using a ”fluorescent phosphor material” inside the headlight.  BMW’s laser lighting will get its first airing in the BMW i8 concept. With a production model of that vehicle set to launch in 2013.

2011
10/11
CATEGORY
Automotive
Design
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