Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Autobots on the roll]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/video-autobots-on-the-roll/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/video-autobots-on-the-roll/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/video-autobots-on-the-roll/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

Michael Bay's first attempt at bringing the Autobots into the real world, the 2007 live action Transformers film, has been all over HBO lately. When looking for HD programming to justify the expense of a flat screen and DirecTV to the Mrs., this movie really hits the spot. So in addition to once in the theater, I've seen it about 10 more times at home. Suffice it to say, I'm ready for T2: Revenge of the Fallen. While we've seen plenty of shots from filming and learned that the once mysterious addition to the Autobots is in fact the Corvette Centennial concept, we haven't had so much as a teaser trailer yet to wet our whistle. The video after the jump is a mere sip, but it will have to do for now. Thought to be shot in Long Beach, CA where filming has moved, it features a caravan of Autobots obeying the most famous of all Optimus Prime orders: Roll Out! The group includes Optimus, of course, and Bumblebee and Ironhide, as well as the Chevy Beat and Trax concepts and the Corvette Centennial concept. There's no sign of any Decepticons yet, but you just wait. Follow the jump to watch the video in high-res for yourself.

[Source: TFLiveBlog via eGMCarTech]

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]]>corvette centennial conceptcorvette centennial design conceptCorvetteCentennialConceptCorvetteCentennialDesignConceptoptimus primeOptimusPrimetransformerstransformers 2 Revenge of the FallenTransformers2RevengeOfTheFallen2008-08-28T16:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Make it work! Project Runway challenge relies on Saturn parts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/make-it-work-project-runway-challenge-relies-on-saturn-parts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/make-it-work-project-runway-challenge-relies-on-saturn-parts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/make-it-work-project-runway-challenge-relies-on-saturn-parts/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view gallery of stills from Saturn's Project Runway appearance

Project Runway is one of those reality shows that you both can watch, if you know what we mean. Though most men man not admit it, watching Heidi Klum and a bunch of models walk down a runway makes up for the obnoxious antics of the designers. This week's episode incorporated one of the show's long-time sponsors, Saturn, which heretofore has been relegated to supplying the winner with that year's Saturn du jour as a grand prize. Episode 7, however, brought Saturn onto the runway in a challenge that required the contestants to create fashions using parts from the new VUE. Make it work, indeed. Though we haven't watched the episode yet (oh yes, we DVR it), the best part appears to be when the designers begin dismantling a pair of VUEs for materials. Mental note: be wary of used late-model VUEs for sale in and around New York City. It appears the designers were most attracted to any cloth they could find in the vehicles, with seat belts being a hot item. We're not going to spoil for you who won the challenge, except to say that the design was not our top choice. You can check them all out in the gallery below, as well as some stills from the episode.

Gallery: Saturn on Project Runway


[Source: Bravo via Jalopnik]

 

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]]>heidi klumHeidiKlummake it workMakeItWorksaturnsaturn project runwaySaturnProjectRunwaytim gunnTimGunn2008-08-28T14:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[Pininfarina Hyperion dash-mounted watch from Girard-Perregaux]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/pininfarina-hyperion-dash-mounted-watch-from-girard-perregaux/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/pininfarina-hyperion-dash-mounted-watch-from-girard-perregaux/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/pininfarina-hyperion-dash-mounted-watch-from-girard-perregaux/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If someone has enough cash on hand to commission an entirely rebodied Rolls-Royce from one of Italy's most famous coachbuilders, you can bet he's not going to be wearing an off-the-rack watch, either. That's why Girard-Perregaux crafted the special timepiece you see here.

As we reported with the initial news of the Pininfarina Hyperion, this one-of-a-kind tourbillon is specially designed to be removed from its ivory leather wristband and mounted into the dashboard of the unique Rolls-Royce. Its meticulously-hand-crafted 30-jewel movement has 72 components but weighs less than a third of a gram, encased in 18-karat white gold with a face colored the same light blue as the Hyperion it was made to accompany. Like the one-off Hyperion is based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, the watch is based on the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon. But again, like the car, there was only one built.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion


[Source: Girard-Perregaux via TimeZone]

 

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]]>girard-perregauxgirard-perregaux rolls-royce hyperion pininfarinaGirard-perregauxRolls-royceHyperionPininfarinahyperionpininfarinapininfarina hyperionpininfarina rolls-roycePininfarinaHyperionPininfarinaRolls-roycerolls roycerolls-roycerolls-royce hyperion pininfarinaRolls-royceHyperionPininfarinaRollsRoyce2008-08-27T17:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[EarthRoamer XV-JP only camper to conquer Rubicon Trail]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/earthroamer-xv-jp-only-camper-to-conquer-rubicon-trail/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/earthroamer-xv-jp-only-camper-to-conquer-rubicon-trail/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/earthroamer-xv-jp-only-camper-to-conquer-rubicon-trail/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the EarthRoamer in action

Being that my family's in the motor home business, I know a thing or two about RVs. One thing I know is that they don't like going off road. Hell, they don't like potholes and speedbumps. Being constructed mostly of balsa wood and tinker toys, modern RVs tend to shake like an earthquake over anything but ribbon-smooth pavement. That's why the EarthRoamer XV-JP is unique. It's the only camper that's ever traversed the Rubicon Trail without flipping on its roof, and that's due mostly to the fact that it's based on the Jeep Wranger Rubicon Unlimited platform. In place of the standard Jeep's two rear doors is a big box containing a bench seat, small kitchen, a toilet (!) and extra storage. It's not very roomy, but the 'Loftop' roof flips opens to increase headroom to, oh, about nine feet, as well as make room for the queen size bed on which you'll be sleeping. There's even an 80-watt solar panel on the roof to charge the batteries when you're parked and a 160-amp engine alternator to keep things powered while on the move. A 6,100btu furnace, 25-gallon water tank and indoor and outdoor showers round out the RV-ification of this Jeep. For those looking to tackle some serious bush, the EarthRoamer packs electric locking front and rear differentials, an electric sway bar disconnect, twin Dana 44 differentials and a Warn 9000 heavy-duty winch. If you do head for the trail, though, just make sure your pots and pans are securely stowed.

Gallery: EarthRoamer XV-JP


[Source: Squob]

 

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]]>campersEarthRoamerEarthRoamer XV-JPEarthroamerXv-jpjeep camperjeep rvJeepCamperJeepRvXV-JP2008-08-27T14:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Lounge on deck of VW Caddy Topos Sail Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/lounge-on-deck-of-vw-caddy-topos-sail-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/lounge-on-deck-of-vw-caddy-topos-sail-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/lounge-on-deck-of-vw-caddy-topos-sail-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Topos Sail concept

Turns out the recreational and commercial vehicle show in Dusseldorf, Germany has attracted more concepts than the just the Fiat Portofino. Volkswagen showed up with the Caddy Topos Sail concept, another nautical-themed vehicle that brings the boat life to land locked lovers of the water. Based on the Caddy MPV, the Topos Sail concept's biggest attraction is its roof, which is covered in wood decking and surrounded on all sides by aluminum roof rails. The roof deck is designed for lounging in the sun just like on the deck of a yacht, and the panels flip up to act as back rests. The concept also features a nifty ladder built into the rear lift gate with wooden steps, as well as wood trim elsewhere on the vehicle's exterior. We're certain it doesn't float, but you could park the Topos Sail down by the docks, climb up on the roof and order a daiquiri to get the full effect.

Gallery: Volkswagen Caddy Topos Sail Concept


[Source: VW]

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]]>caddy topos sail conceptCaddyToposSailConceptvolkswagenvolkswagen topos sail conceptVolkswagenToposSailConcept2008-08-27T14:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Alchemist: the company that turns cars gold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/alechemist-the-company-that-turns-cars-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/alechemist-the-company-that-turns-cars-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/alechemist-the-company-that-turns-cars-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more gruesome shots of gold-plated exotics

Do you ever wonder what company actually does the 24-carat gold plating jobs on those gilded exotic and luxury cars that surface on the web from time to time? Perhaps you're looking for someone to do the same to your Camry? Alchemist is the appropriately named company behind these works, and its specialty is gold plating just the roof panel, though it will to dip the entire car in gold for the right price. The company is based in London, England and headed by a Frenchman named Jacques Blanc, who will soon be taking a perfectly good Aston Martin DBS and gilding the entire thing with 24-carat gold and platinum-leaf at the upcoming MPH Show in London.

Gallery: Alchemist: Gold Plated Roofs


[Source: Alchemist]

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]]>alchemistalchemistsalchemygoldgold platedgold plated cargold plated roofgold-platedgold-plated roofGold-platedRoofGoldPlatedGoldPlatedCarGoldPlatedRoof2008-08-26T12:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Fast and Furious 4 trailer debuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/video-fast-and-furious-4-trailer-debuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/video-fast-and-furious-4-trailer-debuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/video-fast-and-furious-4-trailer-debuts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for gallery of stills from Fast and Furious 4

Could it be? Could the fourth installment of The Fast and the Furious be... as good (we use that word loosely) as the first movie? Perhaps even good enough to make us forget the installments that followed, both of which tried to shoot poison darts through our eyes and into our brains? Too early to make predictions, but for now we can certainly enjoy the trailer, which is high on action and light on dialogue -- just like we like our action films. And unlike some other action trailers, the stunts will get your blood going but don't require you to believe that Jason Statham should be shooting laser beams out of his eyes. Follow the jump for the video and The Return of the Vin. Thanks for the tip, Brodiemash!

Gallery: Fast and Furious 4


[Source: DumbDrum]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fast and Furious 4 trailer debuts

 

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]]>fast and the furioufourth installmentmovie trailermovie trailersmoviesMovieTrailerMovieTrailerspaul walkerPaulWalkertfatftfatf 4Tfatf4the fast and the furiousthe fast and the furious 4TheFastAndTheFuriousTheFastAndTheFurious4trailertrailersvideovideosvin dieselVinDiesel2008-08-26T08:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Transporter 3 trailer debuts, could be worse than Transporter 2]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/transporter-3-trailer-debuts-could-be-worse-than-transporter-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/transporter-3-trailer-debuts-could-be-worse-than-transporter-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/transporter-3-trailer-debuts-could-be-worse-than-transporter-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The first Transporter was a nifty little romp. The second one was an absurd little romp. This third installment, befitting a director whose last name is Megaton, has absolutely overdosed on the outlandish. But apparently you've all spoken by making the first two profitable, and this is what you want. The plot in the third film is like John Woo redid Crank, but with a detonating bracelet and an Audi. And as much as we dig Jason Statham, if he doesn't hit the brakes soon he's on his way to becoming the pauper's Nicholas Cage. Or the rich man's Steven Segal, which might not be so bad... Follow the jump to check out the trailer. Thanks for the tip, JP!

[Source: Trailer Addict]

Continue reading VIDEO: Transporter 3 trailer debuts, could be worse than Transporter 2

 

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]]>jason stathamJasonStathammoviemovie trailersmoviesMovieTrailersthe transporterTheTransportertrailertrailerstransportertransporter 3Transporter32008-08-25T18:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[The most obnoxiously tuned Toyota Prius... Ever]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/the-most-obnoxiously-tuned-toyota-prius-ever/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/the-most-obnoxiously-tuned-toyota-prius-ever/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/the-most-obnoxiously-tuned-toyota-prius-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

We truly do appreciate the custom-car scene, in all of its various guises. There is, however, a problem with the custom Prius you see above and in the video embedded after the break. Generally speaking, the goal of modifying a car is to either A) make it go faster or B) make it look better.

When Classe Gustafson, Elvis Häggbom and Kenny Kyrk from Sweden had finished spending $184,000 customizing a Toyota Prius, they had accomplished neither. This Prius-trocity, which was modified for a television show, is anything but subtle. It lost two doors during its transformation from mild-mannered hybrid eco-mobile to whacked out sport compact that just happens to get good fuel economy, though it did get scissor-style portals that are nearly impossible to open in the process. And it also gained a huge honkin' stereo and the body-kit from a Volvo SUV. The over-the-top paint-job is the final touch. The Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, however, went untouched save for the obligatory fart-can exhaust. Nice.

[Source: Wired]

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]]>Classe GustafsonClasseGustafsoncustom priusCustomPriusElvis HggbomKenny Kyrkmodified priusModifiedPriussweden2008-08-22T19:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Brunopasso: the espresso machine for auto enthusiasts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/brunopasso-the-espresso-machine-for-auto-enthusiasts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/brunopasso-the-espresso-machine-for-auto-enthusiasts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/brunopasso-the-espresso-machine-for-auto-enthusiasts/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cars need gasoline, and their drivers need coffee. While we wouldn't recommend combining the two into one beverage, why not infuse our coffee makers with more high-octane attitude? That's where the deviceSTYLE Brunopasso PD-1 espresso machine comes in. The styling, penned by Japanese designer Tadahito Ishibashi, draws its inspiration from classic sportscars. For instance, the indicators are laid out like the gauges on a car's dashboard, and it even has an authentic beechwood press lever like an old-school gear shifter. (Oh yeah, and we're sure it makes a delicious cup of joe.) The Brunopasso is available in red, brown or silver, but at $850, this kind of caffeinated style doesn't come cheap.

Gallery: Brunopasso PD-1


[Source: Brunopasso via Luxist]

 

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]]>beveragebrunopassocappucinocoffeecoffee machineCoffeeMachinedrinkespresso2008-08-22T07:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[<strike>Class</strike> Clown: Lamborghini smoking accessories]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strike-class-strike-clown-lamborghini-smoking-accessories/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strike-class-strike-clown-lamborghini-smoking-accessories/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/strike-class-strike-clown-lamborghini-smoking-accessories/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Smoking cigars. It conjures images of wood-lined, quilted-leather private clubs and back-room deals brokered with a hand-shake between captains of industry and diplomats. Though tobacco may be taboo in modern society, cigars still have an air of class about them. At least until Lamborghini got involved.

While we're all for automotive-themed products, especially those of the finely-crafted variety, this seems to take things too far. Made by Tonino Lamborghini (think of it as Sant'Agata's Porsche Design), this range of lighters and cigar cutters, in our view, infuses the flashy, fast-paced Lamborghini image into a realm where it doesn't belong. Maybach can get away with slapping their badge on a smoker's set. Even Porsche Design manages to carry it off with a degree of class. But as much as we like Lamborghini's fantastic sportscars, when our first-born child arrives, we'll take a pass on these.

UPDATE: The good folks at Lamborghini have informed us that, despite using the same name and logo, Tonino Lamborghini is in fact no longer affiliated with Automobili Lamborghini. Our appologies for any confusion.

[Source: eLighters via CarScoop]

 

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]]>lamborghinilamborghini cigar cutterlamborghini lighterLamborghiniCigarCutterLamborghiniLightertonino lamborghiniToninoLamborghini2008-08-21T09:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Let there be victory: Hyundai Genesis trumps Lexus GS 350 in comparo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/let-there-be-victory-hyundai-genesis-trumps-lexus-gs-350-in-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/let-there-be-victory-hyundai-genesis-trumps-lexus-gs-350-in-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/20/let-there-be-victory-hyundai-genesis-trumps-lexus-gs-350-in-com/#commentsFiled under: , ,



InsideLine, no strangers to luxury, recently put the Hyundai Genesis up against the kind of competition the Korean automaker wants to be associated with: the Lexus GS 350. The GS 300 first came out in 1993 and had the luxury re-defining LS and ES for siblings; at the time, Hyundai was still making do with Excel, Sonata, and Scoupe, and parking any of them next to a Lexus would have laid bare the gulf. Now the marques are going head-to-head. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call progress.

Still, issues of cost -- and perception -- skew the comparison slightly. The V8 Hyundai goes up against a V6 Lexus, because adding two more cylinders to the Lexus would have meant a $12,000 difference. As it is, there's still almost $8,000 between them. And there's the fact that the Lexus and the Hyundai don't exactly compete with each other (we'd have thought an ES comparo would make more sense) in brief, either.

Nevertheless, it's not a bad bout, and it turns out to be one of the closest fights InsideLine has ever judged. The Lexus gets a win-by-a-nose for things like fit and finish and speed, while the Hyundai returns the favor in the highway performance and space issues. The flying H takes home the silverware by a mere two points, aided in part by the price advantage -- which, as far as Hyundai's concerned, is the point. Follow the link for the full story. Thanks for the tip, Charles!

[Source: Inside Line]

 

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]]>comparisongenesisgs 350Gs350hyundaihyundai genesishyundai vs lexusHyundaiGenesisHyundaiVsLexuslexuslexus gs 350LexusGs3502008-08-20T19:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Man claims prayer brought pump prices down]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/man-claims-prayer-brought-pump-prices-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In the book of Genesis, man was given dominion over all the plants and animals, so we're guessing that dead, liquified ones count, too. Since Rocky Twyman started his Pray At The Pump effort in April, average fuel prices have certainly fallen. Twyman believes that his groups' prayers have effected the change, and that no other factors like shifting consumer behavior, international conflict, or speculators has anything to do with it. Right.

The Pray At The Pump group is not just asking for divine fuel price intervention without also encouraging acts of sacrifice on behalf of man - Twyman's ministry strongly encourages car pooling and better organized trips to maximize conservation on a day to day basis. After all, committing the mortal sin of gluttony while asking for the Lord to make it easier on us all would ring kind of hollow. We suppose even the non-faithful can get behind Twyman's effort in that it's at least as effective as the various fuel-saving trinkum that internet scheisters are imploring us to buy (run your car on water? hydrogen "batteries"?), and it costs nothing, to boot. Combined with a regimen of proven fuel-saving behaviors, extra prayers certainly can't hurt in keeping the flow of car-sustaining manna trickling along at an affordable price.

[Source: BBC, AutoblogGreen, Photo: daylife.com]

 

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]]>fuel price prayerfuel pricesFuelPricePrayerFuelPricesgas price prayergas pricesGasPricePrayerGasPricesprayer fuelprayer gasPrayerFuelPrayerGasrocky twyman fuel priceRockyTwymanFuelPrice2008-08-18T18:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Monterey 2008: Concorso Italiano takes flight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/16/monterey-2008-concorso-italiano-takes-flight/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/16/monterey-2008-concorso-italiano-takes-flight/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/16/monterey-2008-concorso-italiano-takes-flight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Click image above for high-res gallery from Concorso Italiano 2008

The festivities continue around the Monterey Peninsula. We've already shown you pics from Gordon McCall's party and from the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance, but today's coverage picks up an Italian accent. The Concorso Italiano is one of the largest annual gatherings of all things Italian, be it music, cuisine, fashion, tourism, and of course cars. Previously held at the nearby Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course in Monterey Bay, this year's gathering took place at the Marina municipal airstrip. Just like the past 20-something years, this year's Concorso brought out some stunning examples of Italy's finest, cars designed with passione and intended to be driven con brio. And just like in previous years, a few non-Italian cars that bring that same driving thrill were invited in for the party.

While the tarmac didn't offer the same soft picnic grove as the golf course, the organizers tried their best to make up for it with plenty of shady tents to visit filled with vendors, food and fun. Concorso has always been more laid back than some of the other judged events during the week, and even with the slightly more rigid airport setting there was still a feeling that you were at more of a car club meet than a genuine concours. Check out the gallery by clicking one of the images here and you'll hopefully see what we mean. The usual Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, and Alfas were joined by a bunch of Lancias, DeTomasos, Fiats, and a smattering of "others" that included German, Japanese, American, and British cars. Our favorite stop was the supercar lineup that featured two MC12s, two Veyrons, an Enzo and an F50. We even spotted Valentino Balboni, Adam Corolla and Jay Leno while we were there. Click away and enjoy.

Gallery: Monterey 2008: Concorso Italiano

Vintage Maseratis

 

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]]>concorso italianoConcorsoItalianomontereymonterey 2008monterey2008pebblepebble beachpebble beach week 2008pebblebeachPebbleBeachWeek20082008-08-16T07:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Monterey 2008: Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/14/monterey-2008-gordon-mccalls-motorworks-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/14/monterey-2008-gordon-mccalls-motorworks-revival/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/14/monterey-2008-gordon-mccalls-motorworks-revival/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Motorworks Revival party

For more than a decade, Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival party has kicked off the Pebble Beach weekend in style. The event brings together the who's who of the automotive world, and guests are wined and dined alongside some of the world's most impressive machinery. The display of automobiles was particularly exceptional this year with an incredible collection of supercars and priceless classic. Jim Glickenhaus was kind enough to bring out his one-off Pininfarina P4/5 that was displayed alongside a Ferrari Formula 1 car, and we were treated to a pair of Bugatti Veyrons as well as two Koenigsegg CCXs, not to mention a 1-of-20 Lamborghini Reventon. We were also able to make an interesting comparison of the brand new Corvette ZR1 and a Pratt and Miller C6RS that sat back to back. We made sure to take plenty of photographs, and you can browse through them in the high-resolution gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

 

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]]>Gordon McCallGordon McCall Motorworks RevivalGordon McCalls Motorsports RevivalGordonMccallGordonMccallMotorworksRevivalGordonMccallsMotorsportsRevivalMontereymonterey 2008Monterey Jet Centermonterey2008MontereyJetCenterPebble BeachPebble Beach 2008PebbleBeachPebbleBeach20082008-08-14T11:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Unofficial Volt Wait List surpasses 30,000 hand raisers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/unofficial-volt-wait-list-surpasses-30-000-hand-raisers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/unofficial-volt-wait-list-surpasses-30-000-hand-raisers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/unofficial-volt-wait-list-surpasses-30-000-hand-raisers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Shortly after the Volt Concept was shown, a Volt adherent started a website called GM-Volt.com to show General Motors that it was on to something. After the Volt was approved for production, the site added a feature to allow people to "raise their hands" to show interest in the Volt, much like what was done for the smart fortwo before its arrival on our shores.

A little more than a year later, there are almost 34,000 hand raisers in 50 states and 56 countries. While the list is unofficial and doesn't mean that any of these hand raisers are in line ahead of you to purchase a Volt, the site claims that GM is aware of the list and considering making it official in some capacity.

California, no surprise, accounts for the greatest interest in the Volt, but even the folks in the dirty dirty -- that's the South -- have put in a strong showing. Alabama's got 86 Volters on the list, as opposed to Vermont, one of the states suing the EPA over emissions regulations, which has just ten.

As far as countries interested in the Volt, number three on the chart is Turkey (among those who identified their nationalities). Who knew? And tiny Vanuatu has double the number of hand raisers than all of Russia -- two to one. What could be most interesting is the average price people say they are willing to pay for the Volt: $31,298.27. That's about $9,000 short of Lutz's number, but hey, there's still time to negotiate. Thanks for the tip, iOrange!

[Source: GM-Volt]

 

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]]>chevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltChevyVoltgmvoltweb sitewebsite2008-08-13T12:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[The Gumball 3000 comes through sunny Southern California]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/the-gumball-3000-comes-through-sunny-southern-california/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/the-gumball-3000-comes-through-sunny-southern-california/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/the-gumball-3000-comes-through-sunny-southern-california/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to view a high resolution image

The Gumball 3000 started its 2008 tour this weekend, and we caught up with the rally in Huntington Beach, CA where the drivers stopped for a brunch and fashion show hosted by Lux5 Events at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort. The group of 120 cars started out in San Francisco on Saturday and will also makes stops in San Diego and Las Vegas. From there the tour jumps continents and heads to North Korea, eventually ending in Beijing to catch a live view of the Olympic games. Enjoy our gallery of high resolution photos below.

Gallery: 2008 Gumball 3000

 

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]]>20082008 Gumball 30002008Gumball3000GumballGumball 3000Gumball RallyGumball3000GumballRallyRally2008-08-10T19:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Prius schmius -- try an Austin-Healey Sprite and 36 mpg]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/prius-schmius-try-an-austin-healy-sprite-and-36-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/prius-schmius-try-an-austin-healy-sprite-and-36-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/prius-schmius-try-an-austin-healy-sprite-and-36-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Of course your wallet hurts every time you have to fill the car up. Nevertheless, in these trying times we must always remember the words of Fernando Lamas: it is better to look good than to feel good. Cars That Matter has put together a list of classic automobiles that get anywhere from 21 to 48 mpg, which means you can look good while you save money.

The heaviest drinker is the Datsun 240Z, just cracking into the twenties. But plenty of cars hover around the 30 mpg mark, like the Lotus Europa, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, and Fiat X1/9. If you want to crack the big four-oh, you've still got choices: BMW Isetta and Honda S800. And the Crosley Hotshot will get you a miserly 48 mpg.

All right, so there are some niggling issues of practicality -- almost all the cars have only two chairs -- unsuitability for winter, plus many of them are mechanical horrors. As such, we must always remember the words of dear old dad: there are no free lunches. But there are choices, and that has to count for something...

[Source: Cars That Matter, Photo by Liftarn | Creative Commons 2.0]

 

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]]>antique carAntiqueCargasgas mileagegas pricesGasMileageGasPricesmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgvintage carsVintageCars2008-08-10T18:04:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: World record Ferrari Challenge Stradale run in SoCal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/video-world-record-ferrari-challenge-stradale-run-in-socal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/video-world-record-ferrari-challenge-stradale-run-in-socal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/video-world-record-ferrari-challenge-stradale-run-in-socal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more photos courtesy of SpeedAndMotion.com

If you've ever had the pleasure of hearing a Ferrari Challenge Stradale run, you'll know that there are few sounds like it in all of autodom. When revved towards its 8,500 RPM redline, it takes on a raspy snarl that makes the regular Ferrari 360 V8 sound positively tame in comparison. Now just imagine taking that sound and multiplying it by 21. You see, 21 Challenge Stradale owners recently got together in Southern California to celebrate this special edition F-car, and in the process may have set some kind of record.

Arizona had claimed a record a while back when they had just nine of these beasts in one place at one time. Whether or not that was official, the 21 cars that turned up in the L.A. area last weekend clearly have it beat. It's the most we've ever seen at once so until you can show us otherwise, we'll award them the blue ribbon. After the Carrera GT drive last month, this was a nice follow-up.

After the jump you are going to see and hear these cars in action, but before we get to that we wanted to point out that within this pack there were examples in black, silver, yellow, TdF and Bugatti blue, as well as two different shades of Rosso. Such diversity.

Our thanks to SpeedAndMotion.com for the pics and videos.

[Source: SpeedAndMotion.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: World record Ferrari Challenge Stradale run in SoCal

 

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]]>ferrari 360 challeng...Ferrari Challenge StradaleFerrari CSFerrari360Challeng...FerrariChallengeStradaleFerrariCsspeed and motionSpeedAndMotion2008-08-03T18:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[Our kind of recycling: Full-size cardboard Aston Martin DB5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/02/our-kind-of-recycling-full-size-cardboard-aston-martin-db5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/02/our-kind-of-recycling-full-size-cardboard-aston-martin-db5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/02/our-kind-of-recycling-full-size-cardboard-aston-martin-db5/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Even "normal" Aston Martin DB5's are priced in the stratosphere, but Mr. Bond's up-armored version would likely command a premium, were the provenance verifiable. Just like foam, clay, and dynoc make very convincing styling bucks for automakers, cardboard in the right hands can take a pile of Two Buck Chuck shipping vessels and create '60s Aston gold. Creating rather than destroying, perhaps someone should tip off the dude who's smashing musclecars together in pursuit of some kind of artistic expression?

Replicating something of great value and pop culture weightiness out of essentially worthless material without the help of any wooden or metal frame is a skillful trick. Even more skillful is the bang-on accuracy of artist Chris Gilmour's renderings. Toss a coat of paint on that thing, and you's swear that Q Branch built it. There's even a full complement of machine guns, Ben-Hur knockoffs, and a big ejector seat button in the shifter. Looking at the pictures, we expect you to talk.

Gallery: Cardboard James Bond Aston


[Source: Chris Gilmour via Jalopnik]

 

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]]>aston db5aston martinaston martin sculptureAstonDb5AstonMartinAstonMartinSculpturebond astonbond db5BondAstonBondDb5cardboard aston martincardboard db5CardboardAstonMartinCardboardDb5chris gilmourChrisGilmourdb5james bondJamesBond2008-08-02T10:37:00+00:00