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[Rent an R8 for $8,000 per day... not including the flight to Tokyo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/rent-an-r8-for-8-000-per-day-not-including-the-flight-to-tok/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/rent-an-r8-for-8-000-per-day-not-including-the-flight-to-tok/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/rent-an-r8-for-8-000-per-day-not-including-the-flight-to-tok/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong bought 13 Rolls-Royce Phantoms for shuttling guests around the city. The Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo has purchased just one car, and will leave the guest to drive himself. That car is an R8, finished in the hotel's trademark Brewster Green, with a gold Peninsula logo outside, and cognac leather inside. To avail yourself of it -- once you've gotten to Tokyo -- you'll need to book the Peninsula Suite, which goes for the ho-hum figure of ¥850,000 per night. That $8,000 U.S. every day to burble at single-digit speeds in Tokyo traffic, although you are allowed to take it outside of Tokyo. Come to think of it, the speeds probably don't matter -- if you have that kind of money, there's a good chance you've got an R8 or better in your own garage already...

[Source: Asahi via German Car Blog]

 

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]]>audiaudi r8AudiR8hotelhotelsjapanpeninsulapeninsula hotelpeninsula tokyoPeninsulaHotelPeninsulaTokyor8r8 peninsula hotelR8PeninsulaHoteltokyo2008-09-04T18:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[F1 driver turned male model: Lewis Hamilton poses for new McLaren shoe line]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/f1-driver-turned-male-model-lewis-hamilton-poses-for-new-mclare/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/f1-driver-turned-male-model-lewis-hamilton-poses-for-new-mclare/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/f1-driver-turned-male-model-lewis-hamilton-poses-for-new-mclare/#commentsFiled under:

Lewis Hamilton is finding that there's more to life than being a really, really ridiculously good driver. Like male modeling. While we don't think Lewis will make a career of it, he actually did a pretty good job posing for the new McLaren shoe line recently launched as part of its lifestyle collection. The line includes four different shoes, from a laced shoe suitable for everyday use to full driving boots. Interestingly, none of the shots show him actually wearing the shoes on his feet, but we don't think that was the point. So now we have to ask... who would win in a walk-off? Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso?

[Source: McLaren]

 

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]]>Formula 1Formula1Lewis HamiltonLewisHamiltonMcLarenMcLaren driving shoesMcLaren shoesMcLaren SportMclarenDrivingShoesMclarenShoesMclarenSport2008-09-04T17:35:00+00:00<![CDATA[Dunhill creates luggage for Bentley's lords and ladies]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/dunhill-creates-luggage-for-bentleys-lords-and-ladies/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/dunhill-creates-luggage-for-bentleys-lords-and-ladies/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/dunhill-creates-luggage-for-bentleys-lords-and-ladies/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more images of the Bentley luggage collection by Dunhill

Dunhill, the English leather goods maker, has worked with then Bentley Design Team to create a five-piece luggage set. Huzzah! Not only does the fluting on the bags echo the fluting on your Arnage's seats, but the luggage trim is done in knurled aluminum. The entire set consists of a briefcase, large and small suitcases, a washbag, and a weekend bag. You can expect to pay £4,300, before options. But then, if you're an Arnage owner, you're probably more concerned with finding out if you can get leather to match your seats. Check out the gallery below for more photos.

Gallery: Dunhill Luggage for Bentley


[Source: Sybarites]

 

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]]>accessoriesbentleybentley accessoriesbentley collectionbentley luggageBentleyAccessoriesBentleyCollectionBentleyLuggagedunhilldunhill luggageDunhillLuggageluggagetraveltravel accessoriesTravelAccessories2008-09-04T16:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mobile Home: Motive presents a guide to in-car living]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/mobile-home-motive-presents-a-guide-to-in-car-living/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/mobile-home-motive-presents-a-guide-to-in-car-living/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/mobile-home-motive-presents-a-guide-to-in-car-living/#commentsFiled under: ,



Motive has the skinny on what you should know if you need to crash -- for a few weeks, that is -- in your car. Of course, the first advice is to get a minivan or SUV with tinted windows. However, if things have come to the point where reclining seats are your bed, you probably aren't in a position to double-down on a Vanagon. Some of the tips you might have guessed: get earplugs, don't subsist on the McDonald's dollar menu, and don't bathe in fountains. Others you might not have expected: put fabric softener sheets under the seats, park in Wal-Mart lots overnight if you need, and Panera Bread and Dunkin' Donuts have free wi-fi. And no matter what, don't try to hide your keys somewhere on the car and then think you can get blasted on two-buck-chuck inside the car. That's called Operating Under the Influence. Click the link for the other tips in a thoroughly entertaining read that you will hopefully never need to take advantage of.

[Source: Motive]

 

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]]>lifestylelifestyle changesLifestyleChangeslifestyleslivingliving in your carLivingInYourCar2008-09-04T09:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[HUMMER crashes Burning Man in a big way]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/hummer-crashes-burning-man-in-a-big-way/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/hummer-crashes-burning-man-in-a-big-way/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/hummer-crashes-burning-man-in-a-big-way/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of Burning Man vehicles

The theme of this year's Burning Man festival out in the desert of Nevada was "The American Dream." There are few things in this world that embody the American spirit more than the automobile, and transportation of all sorts was on display at this year's festivities. We already showed you The Dogsled, which made its first appearance at the Woodward Dream Cruise just a few weeks before but was actually designed and built for Burning Man. That machine was truly impressive, but take a good look at this Hummer replica that towered over the unique individuals who gathered themselves together at the Playa, a wide desert expanse at the festival. As you can see from the video embedded after the break, the Bummer Hummer was made from wood and painted up in all sorts of crazy hues. According to one party-goer, "It is a statement on the consumerism culture of America, especially with gas at $5 a gallon nowadays." They must be from California. Of course, the wooden Hummer burned in the end. Thanks for the tip, Patrick!

Check out more vehicles from Burning Man 2008 in our gallery below.

Gallery: Vehicles of Burning Man 2008


[Source: SFGate, photos by bmiller1710 | CC2.0]

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]]>bummer hummerBummerHummerburning manburning man 2008burning man hummerBurningManBurningMan2008BurningManHummerhummer2008-09-02T12:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[Chrysler design done with the 'edge,' going organic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/chrysler-design-done-with-the-edge-going-organic/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/chrysler-design-done-with-the-edge-going-organic/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/chrysler-design-done-with-the-edge-going-organic/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Trevor Creed resigned from the position of Chrysler's head of design, and as of today is succeeded by Ralph Gilles, the man who designed the 300C. Since every change at the top comes with a "new sheriff in town" speech -- or at least one-liner -- this is what Gilles had to say: "It's definitely time for a new aesthetic at Chrysler. ... We're done with the 'edge' look."

Gilles says he wants the Pentastar's cars to look more "organic." This being art, however, that could really mean anything. For concrete examples and practical considerations he mentioned the Dodge Zeo and Chrysler Ecovoyager, and said that he wants to design "sexy" cars that will appeal around the world. Intriguing statements from the gent known for a car that epitomizes the American muscle sedan, but we are all in favor, and we say "aye." The only question is how soon will they start the redesign, and what will organic look like?

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

 

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]]>chrysler designchrysler llcChryslerDesignChryslerLlcdesigndesignerdesignsdodgeralph gillesralph gillies chryslerRalphGillesRalphGilliesChrysler2008-09-02T09:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[BMW helping disabled vets get back behind the wheel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/bmw-helping-disabled-vets-get-back-behind-the-wheel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/bmw-helping-disabled-vets-get-back-behind-the-wheel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/bmw-helping-disabled-vets-get-back-behind-the-wheel/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kudos to the crew at BMW, who recently donated a few cars, a handful of instructors and one of its test tracks to an injured Marine training class. A group of soldiers wounded in Iraq were invited to the track to learn performance driving techniques behind the wheel of some seriously desirable machinery, including the 650i coupe on the right. The vehicles were modified in order to allow the disabled soldiers to operate them, some with hand controls for Marines who had lost their legs in battle. To operate the throttle, drivers pull back a hand lever and push forward to operates the brakes.

Injured soldiers are provided with driver training after healing from their injuries. According to the Marines who attended the BMW training, though, the skills learned on the race track were much more thorough and will prove invaluable in their transition back to daily life.

[Source: The New York Times via Kicking Tires Photo: Chris Keane / NYT]

 

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]]>bmwinjured marine semper fi fundinjured marinesInjuredMarinesInjuredMarineSemperFiFundmarine semper fiMarineSemperFisemper fi fundSemperFiFund2008-08-29T19:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Camping is for squares... the Mehrzeller Caravan Concept debuts in D�¼sseldorf]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/camping-is-for-squares-the-mehrzeller-caravan-concept-debuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/camping-is-for-squares-the-mehrzeller-caravan-concept-debuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/29/camping-is-for-squares-the-mehrzeller-caravan-concept-debuts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Caravan Concept

Yes, we've got more new from the recreational and commercial vehicle show going on in Düsseldorf, Germany. After the Fiat Portofino and VW Topos Sails concepts comes something intriguing straight from the RV industry itself... with a little help from BMW. It's called the Caravan Concept and it's by a company in Europe called Merhzeller. Designed by Christian Freisling and Thersa Kalteis, the Caravon Concept is a traditional hitched travel trailer that's skinned inside and out with more polygons than a PS2 could process. The idea is that customers can custom design their trailer using an online "Konfigurator" so they get just enough geometric shapes to meet their needs. The only bit of warmth on the Caravan Concept is the wood floors, counters and table top on the inside, but other than that it's full blown Fortress of Solitude on wheels, and we like it. BMW is one of many sponsors behind the Merhzeller Caravon Concept, which also includes about three dozen European companies we've never heard of. Regardless, Squob reports that the trailer is building buzz in Düsseldorf, so there may be hope if you yearn to vacation in this 8-bit snowball.

Gallery: Mehrzeller Caravan Concept


[Source: Squob]

 

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]]>MerhzellerMerhzeller Caravan ConceptMerhzeller-Caravan-ConceptMerhzellerCaravanConcept2008-08-29T17:26:00+00:00<![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]

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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]

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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