Virtual Wall could protect pedestrians with plasma lasers
...t the first practical application for plasma laser technology would be a death ray gun, but Hanyoung Lee had another thought. He designed what's called the Virtual Wall using plasma lasers to make it safer for legal jay walkers to cross the street. T...BYD introduces the Keyless Entry Wristwatch
...s of a keyless entry fob for your car. Developed by (or for) Chinese car manufacturer BYD, the gadget is made only for the F8 model. Press the top button on the right, and the car is locked, press the bottom button, the car is unlocked. The watch al...
Ask Autoblog: How are Michigan roads made?
...an'; The process of constructing roadways in a Michigan is a long and arduous one that takes many millions of dollars, countless workers standing around and at least five seasons to finish. Roadways here on the home turf of the American auto industr...Ask Autoblog: How do you cook with your car engine?
... your car engine?We've been working hard to add more video content to Autoblog, and one bright idea was to resurrect Ask Autoblog as a video series. To kick things off, we decided to answer a question that we had ourselves: How do you cook a meal usi...
Race Driver: Grid to feature eBay Motors marketplace in-game
...es for a while now, but in most racing games is relegated to billboards that we hardly notice while whizzing by and concentrating on our line for the next turn. Codemasters, however, is working with in-game ad firm Engage to take video game advertisi...eBay Find of the Day: 2009 BMW 7 Series front bumper?
...an find anything on eBay. We have no way of knowing for sure if this front bumper offered for auction on eBay Germany is really from a preproduction 2009 BMW 7 Series, but it sure looks the part based on spy shots and renderings that we've seen. We c...
Sound Bite: Audi R8 V12 TDI LeMans
...LeMansDiesel engines may be more efficient than the gasoline-powered competition, but good old fashioned petrol power has always held a huge advantage when it comes to aural bliss. The engine audio emanating from the Audi R8 V12 TDI LeMans still stru...Pagani gets into hi-fi. We likey.
...ars branch out into other consumer products. Porsche is a fine example, and Ferrari is no stranger to peddling assorted branded wares. It looks like Pagani will be adding its name to this list with a new hi-fi home audio system. Built of carbon fiber...
Going, going, GONE: SRT8 Challengers sold out
...SRT8
As expected, the entire first-year production run of 6,400 Dodge Challenger SRT8 models has sold out. The purchase slots for 2008 models were in short supply two months ago when we reported that more than 10,000 orders had been placed for the 42...Audi announces new A3 will reach U.S. in Fall
...di A3.For those of you aching to get your hands on the 2009 Audi A3, we have good news: it will go on sale this September and pricing information should be available close to that date. Audi's adapted press release for the U.S. market is available af...
CES 2008: Bill Gates announces SYNC 2.0
...t/Bill_Gates_announces_SYNC_2_0'; SYNC appears to be a big win so far for Ford, with the communications technology helping to move vehicles off dealer lots faster than vehicles without the system. Ford and Microsoft have been working to take SYNC to...CES 2008: Wagoner expected to announce driverless cars within a decade
...e 2008 Consumer Electronics Show until Tuesday, but word is that a big talking point in his speech will be driverless cars. According to CNN Money/Autos, Wagoner is expected to reveal that GM will be testing driverless cars by 2015 and have cars on t...
Beijing 2008: From Jeep clones to this? Beijing 700R concept
...er the market on coupe concepts at Auto China 2008. Beijing Automotive -- whose Wrangler-style B40 you saw earlier -- is also on the case with its 700R coupe concept, a clean and attractive design with some interesting details. An accent line angles ...Beijing 2008: 1st Bugatti Veyron in China sells for $3.6m
... in Beijing
If you were looking for the new epitome of capitalism's slow-but-steady takeover of communism in China, we've got it for you right here. Bugatti brought its million-euro hyper-car this year to the Auto China show in Beijing, drawing hoard...
M-Zero: Inspired by M with a whiff of Aston
...ou see above, dubbed the M-Zero by its designer Mael Oberkampf, looks like spawn of a BMW M6 and Aston Martin DB9. Up front it's an all business BMW with a convincing set of "angry eye" headlights and a bit of snarl, but inspiration from Aston can be...MINI gets its panties in a bunch for charity
...tioned off to raise money for the cause of AIDS. The annual charitable event is organized by Life Ball, Europe's largest AIDS fundraiser event. Previous years saw MINIs designed by fashion houses like Missoni, Versace and Diesel, but this year's desi...
In India, Kama Sutra inspires young car designer
...l before, so it comes as little surprise that the Italian styling firm Pininfarina's interest was piqued when it heard that a young Indian's car designs were inspired by the ancient love-making guide Kama Sutra. Ramesh Gound, a student of the Nationa...VIDEO: Six records broken at Crusty Demons Night of World Records
...yan Capes and Seth Enslow at Calder Park on March 28 in Melbourne, Australia, a new world record for the longest distance jump from ramp to ramp on a motorcycle was set at over 351 feet by Robbie Maddison. In fact, the record was beaten twice that ni...
Ford surprises with $100 million net income in Q1
...an analysts expected. It recorded in its ledger a net income of $100 million, which compares favorably to the $282 million it lost during the same quarter last year. Revenue fell 8% to $39.4 billion, but that doesn't include the sale of Jaguar / Land...Ferrari and Maserati report record quarter
...h times at the moment, but the sales downturn here in the States doesn't seem to be bothering Ferrari and Maserati. Ferrari sales were up 4% year over year to 1,654 units, due in part to outstanding sales of its 612 Scaglietti and 599 GTB Fiorano. Br...
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT
...GTAs a tyke I staged an all-out assault on my parents' better judgment for a G.I. Joe hovercraft. Not three months had passed following their surrender when I ransomed my mischievousness for the next toy my happiness hinged upon. Oh, that hovercraft?...Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap
...o the podcast know, Project MR-S met its untimely demise when a truck driver clipped the rear end of our 2ZZ-powered daily-driver, spinning it into the center divider with my fiancée behind the wheel. Fortunately, Melissa made it out okay. Unf...
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT
...GTAs a tyke I staged an all-out assault on my parents' better judgment for a G.I. Joe hovercraft. Not three months had passed following their surrender when I ransomed my mischievousness for the next toy my happiness hinged upon. Oh, that hovercraft?...Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap
...o the podcast know, Project MR-S met its untimely demise when a truck driver clipped the rear end of our 2ZZ-powered daily-driver, spinning it into the center divider with my fiancée behind the wheel. Fortunately, Melissa made it out okay. Unf...
US federal regulators clear Jag/Land Rover sale
... company needs US government approval to buy two British companies. No sweat off of Tata's brow, though, as federal antitrust regulators cleared the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover, which Ford is selling to the Indian automaker. The transaction was rev...Confidence or no confidence, Mosley will retire next year
...off with something like this dangling overhead. That's the date for which Max Mosley, the embattled president of the FIA, has called an exceptional general assembly of the organization's constituents to discuss his future with the governing body. In ...
AMGs future includes hybrids, twin-turbod V8
...of AMG-massaged Mercs will have to balance high output with low emissions. That means more turbos, less displacement and (gasp) hybrids.The big and bad 6.2-liter V8 won't be around much longer. Instead, AMG is turning its focus towards a new, twin-tu...GM wants gay community to drive Equinox fuel cell vehicle
... community, there's always a risk involved. Just ask Ford, which had to deal with the American Family Association's boycott just for advertising in gay-centric publications. General Motors apparently doesn't care what associations like the AFA think ...
GM appoints four brand czars as part of realignment plan
... and cut through red tape, and to that end is changing the management structure of its brands. As of June 1, GM is establishing four new "brand czars" who will have increased control over their products and be responsible for their divisions' success...Danica Patrick to test for Honda F1?
...ng a lot of attention since claiming her "maiden" victory in the IRL race at Motegi in Japan two weeks ago. Now officials are considering giving Danica Patrick a shot at test driving a Formula One car.
Patrick has had a checkered past with F1 prospec...
Bose offering full-function head unit with simple style
... Cadillac Seville and in the ensuing 25 years have made their way into all manner of expensive road-going machinery. Most recently, the purveyors of high-end in-car audio systems have outfitted the Bose Media System in the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Tha...Chryslers new technology for 2009 includes UConnect SYNC-killer, in-car WiFi and a swivel screen
...logy that will soon be available in many of its 2009 model year vehicles, and the highlight would have to be the UConnect communications system that looks to compete with some aspects of Ford's Microsoft-powered SYNC system. UConnect appears to be a ...
VW announces Carefree Maintenance Program for 2009 models
... with a new Carefree Maintenance Program standard. What this means is that all scheduled maintenance for your 2009 Vee-Dub will be done and paid for by Volkswagen for the length of your limited warranty, which is 3 years or 36,000 miles. The program ...Toyota extends rust warranty on older Tacoma pickups to 15 years
...from customers that excessive corrosion was occurring on the frames of some older Tacoma pickups, specifically 1995 to 2000 models. The Japanese automaker determined that during this half decade of production, some Taco frames may not have received t...
What really makes a Subaru a Subaru? Love?
...now what really makes a Subaru a Subaru. Love. Really? Allow Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, to explain, "Love is the most powerful emotion and 'I love my Subaru' is the most used phrase I hear about our brand. We wanted t...VIDEO: Nissan Qashqai gets even more extreme, in Thailand
...n Qashqai ad.After Nissan scored creative points with its last Qashqai spot showing the 'lil CUV taking to the half pipe and performing skateboard stunts that would make Rodney Mullen's head spin, its now released a new campaign that involves - God h...
Alpina ends 20-year racing respite with B6 GT3
... enthusiasts and obsessive Bimmerphiles, Alpina isn't as recognized today as it was in the past. The BMW ubertuner and specialty marque has a long history in motorsports that includes wins at the 24 Hours of Spa, the 24 hour at the Nurburgring and th...Tony Stewart looking at making a return to Chevrolet
...tually unshaven Tony Stewart almost make one forget what emblem is now placed on the front of his race car. The television commercials show Stewart staring longingly at a shiny Chevrolet Corvette, despite the fact that he now rolls around the track i...
Strike at Malibu plant averted for now, Lucerne and DTS production to resume
...er contract issues, now its doing it with local plants regarding items that weren't in the national agreement. However, The General has managed to wring two more days to negotiate before workers at its Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, KS, wa...AC Cars moving to Brooklands and Michigan
...arroll Shelby built his legendary roadster, is planning two important moves. The sportscar-maker, owned by Acedes Holdings LLC, is currently based in Malta. However, legal troubles in the country have prompted the company to return to its original he...
Autoblog Podcast #93
... -- we tried to do one last week, but technical difficulties scuttled the effort. With that in mind, we packed some extra content into Autoblog Podcast #93. It's the usual rollicking good time where we discuss our current Autoblog Garage occupants, h...Autoblog Podcast #92
...o for Autoblog Podcast #92 we take time to address some of the excellent emails we've gotten at our new podcast at autoblog dot com address. Feel free to send in questions, comments, SHO-centric ribbing, whatever! We can't promise that it will make i...
VIDEO: smart fortwo crash test leaks out of IIHS
...h its frontal offset crash test, and the video is on YouTube even though the IIHS hasn't released its results yet. For everyone who points out the benefits of the smart's miniscule size, there are a number of others who say they wouldn't want to go u...VIDEO: Volvo wants to eliminate in-car injuries and death by 2020
... know how seriously Volvo approaches vehicle safety. At least we thought we did. In a new Reuters video feature, we learn that the safety-obsessed Swedish automaker has goals far loftier than we had imagined. You see, Volvo has set a goal of zero inj...
More details on the Lotus Eagle
...om the official debut of the Lotus Eagle at the 2008 London Motor Show, Car has been able to procure a few more details about Lotus' new 2+2. The latest crop of spy shots shows the Eagle still wearing its form-obscuring camo, but viewed in profile, i...SPY VIDEO: Ferrari F149 GT California at Fiorano
...eakers - Ferrari has a security breach. Someone managed to get a good vantage point with a video camera over the company's private Fiorano test track in Maranello and caught the oft-photographed test mule of the upcoming new Ferrari model lapping the...
Ferrari split as Formula One goes hybird
...ding to statements released by the sport's governing body the FIA. The Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) will be phased in over a period of several years, starting with the 2009 season and culminating with the full-fledged implementation by 2013....Parking assist one-upsmanship: New VW system doesnt need driver in car
.... That's where the car parallel parks itself while you twiddle your thumbs behind the wheel, and when the Fasten Seat Belt sign is extinguished you can get out and go on about your business. The latest development from VW is called Park Assist Vision...
Caroll Shelby takes delivery of paddle-shifter-equipped Superformance Daytona Coupe
...expect that Carroll Shelby has quite a collection of cars. He's even put up a few for sale recently, including his personal 1969 GT500 Convertible that he's owned since new at Barrett-Jackson this year and the unique Cobra Supersnake that sold for $5...Awesome-Ness custom bike exhibit to open in May
... to view three classic Arlen Ness customsArlen Ness, a legend to the custom bike community, started out by painting customer bikes on the weekends as he worked to deliver furniture during the week to pay the bills. Gradually, his skills and reputatio...
Fiat to produce budget car?
...ping an even smaller car than the 500 and Panda. The new model would be a low-cost vehicle targeted at markets in South America, Russia, India and China.
Depending on how the Italian automaker determines a budget automobile would reflect on the compa...Convertible Coopers will stick with cloth
...oper droptop, and it will retain its cloth roof. While there's been widespread adoption of retractable hardtops, the Coop is staying soft. That's good for weight and center of gravity, so the 'vert will still handle charmingly. True to the Cooper's r...
First 2009 GT500KRs roll out of Shelby Automotive
...0KRWe got a chance to visit Shelby Automotive out in Las Vegas a week or so ago to witness the first 2009 GT500KR going through final assembly. Although the KR was originally intended to be an '08-only model release, demand for the new King of the Ro...Tuner Tuesday: Steinmetz tweaks the Opel Corsa OPC
...rsa OPCThe Opel Corsa is small, cool, and like most other neat U.S.-automaker Euro offerings, unavailable to us -- at least for now. As good as the current car would look wearing Saturn badges and slotted beneath the Astra, we'll have to wait a good ...
Adam Carollas audition drive for Top Gear (not really)
...long with SpeedTV's Kendall, and 50 Cent -- flogging a Pontiac G8 around a track. Carolla gets a check mark for being able to make jokes at speed and while in a spin. Whether he's actually funny, we'll let you decide. Since it wasn't done as a trial ...VIDEO: WebRidesTV pits IS-F against RS4
...gh to top Top Gear (as Gear producers are about to find out), but until Clarkson, Hamster and Captain Slow get back on schedule, the crew at WebRidesTV is back to cure our insatiable lust for all things automotive and in motion. Sure, it doesn't have...
Nissan 360: Day One from Estoril, Portugal
...or more hi-res shots from the first day of Nissan 360
Nissan is holding its second ever Nissan 360 event in Cascais, Portugal as we speak. The two-day Nissan (and Infiniti) product extravaganza gathers every product produced by the company from aro...Cutting room floor: The 2009 Dodge Ram that couldve been
...tches of rejected RamsChrysler is in the battle of its life to regain its competitiveness here in North America, and there is perhaps no vehicle more important to becoming profitable again than the 2009 Dodge Ram. The Pentastar put in a lot of elbow ...
Just in time for the daffodils Saab releases Yellow edition convertible
...ly arrived in force around here, Saab dropped us a line this morning to let us know that it's releasing a new special edition of the 9-3 convertible. The 2008 Yellow Edition is the third of the type following the 1991 original and the 1997 version. T...2010 Mazda MX-5 is coming with Mazda6 cues
...seeing a refreshed version of the MX-5 late next year as a 2010 model. After catching a brief glimpse of the new MX-5, a forum member at Miata.net posted that the 2010 model will be sporting headlamps and taillights similar to those found on the rede...
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