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[AM General to produce wheelchair-accessible transit vehicle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/14/am-general-to-produce-wheelchair-accessible-transit-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/14/am-general-to-produce-wheelchair-accessible-transit-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/14/am-general-to-produce-wheelchair-accessible-transit-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


While General Motors looks over a stack of offers for its HUMMER brand, the fate of AM General hangs in the balance. The military contractor developed and built the original Humvee until the rights to the HUMMER name were bought by GM, who then contracted AM General to continue building the H1 (until it was discontinued) and then the Chevy Tahoe-based H2. (The Chevy Colorado-based H3, meanwhile, is built entirely by GM at its Shreveport, Louisiana plant.) With the future of its General Motors contracts uncertain, AM General has announced a new deal of another kind.

Starting in 2010, the Indiana-based company will begin producing a new series of wheelchair-accessible transit vehicles for the Vehicle Production Group, LLC. Although, as VPG points out, the usual development gestation period for such vehicles is two to three years, VPG and AM General intend to get the ramp-equipped para-transit vehicle to market in less than 24 months. Over 3,500 units have already been ordered, leading VPG to project that annual production will well exceed that number, while AM General intends to use the same workforce it currently employs for the new project. As for what the para-transit vehicle will look like, no one knows, but there was word of AM General developing a new version of the Standard Taxi (see above) with a low ride height and large doors that appears as if it could easily accommodate wheel chairs.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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]]>am generalAmGeneralhmmwvhummervehicle production groupVehicleProductionGroupvpgwheelchair accessiblewheelchair-accessibleWheelchairAccessible2008-08-14T09:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/am-general-to-produce-standard-taxi-cabs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/am-general-to-produce-standard-taxi-cabs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/am-general-to-produce-standard-taxi-cabs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Standard taxi

It sure ain't pretty, though beauty, in this case, is likely in the eye of the beholder. A few years back, a new take on the taxi was provided by Standard Taxi, a company based in Troy, Michigan. The design for the purpose-built people hauler uses GM running gear and is able to haul four passengers in relative comfort. We hadn't heard a peep from the company until today when we learned that Standard is now working on negotiations with AM General to build the vehicle in its plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, where AM General builds the Hummer H2 SUV and SUT. So far, no announcements have been made regarding whether or not the plant would continue working full-time in the face of lagging Hummer sales, though we imagine that plenty of excess capacity is available. According to AM General, the deal would in no way impact the assembly of military Hummer models.

We can't say whether a production version of the Standard Taxi would feature the pushrod 4.3-liter V6 that the concept had underhood, though there are plenty of options from the GM parts-bin from which to pilfer. A Standard Taxi equipped with GM's 2-Mode hybrid system could prove to be extremely well-suited for taxi duty in some of the world's toughest environments.

[Source: Hummer Guy]

 

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]]>am generalam general humveeam general productionAmGeneralAmGeneralHumveeAmGeneralProductionhummerhummer h2HummerH2mishawakamishawaka indianaMishawakaIndianastandard taxiStandardTaxitaxitaxi cabtaxi cabsTaxiCabTaxiCabstaxis2008-07-14T19:06:00+00:00<![CDATA[Production Jeep J8 debuts in Germany]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/11/production-jeep-j8-debuts-in-germany/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/11/production-jeep-j8-debuts-in-germany/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/11/production-jeep-j8-debuts-in-germany/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a photo gallery of the Jeep J8

Unless you're a foreign military, government, or humanitarian organization, you're not getting your hands on the Jeep J8, a vehicle we think a number of Jeepers would be all over in about two seconds if it were to be offered in neighborhood dealerships. Available as a two-door pickup (above) or a four-door (like the civilian Wrangler Unlimited), the J8 goes on sale this month and was officially revealed at Euro Camp Jeep '08 in Germany.

Power comes from a 150-horse turbodiesel with 295 lb-ft of torque, with that juice going to all four wheels via a five-speed auto and Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD. The J8's built to be a workhorse, with a Dana 60 rear, leaf springs in back, upgraded brakes, and a revamped intake that lets it ford 30 inches of water and handle a sandstorm lasting up to five hours. Its max payload is 2,750 pounds, and it has a towing capacity of over 7,700 pounds. Because the J8's duties will vary depending upon who's placing the order, a variety of cargo and seating configurations are offered, as is left- or right-hand-drive. All this, and no, you can't order one. Yes, that sucks.

Gallery: Jeep J8


[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Production Jeep J8 debuts in Germany

 

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]]>command tracCommandTracdana 60Dana60euro camp jeepEuroCampJeepgovernmenthumanitarianjrrpj8militaryturbodiesel2008-07-11T10:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Chinese anti-terror Segway commandos]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/photo-of-the-day-chinese-anti-terror-segway-commandos/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/photo-of-the-day-chinese-anti-terror-segway-commandos/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/photo-of-the-day-chinese-anti-terror-segway-commandos/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



From Xinhua via our friends at China Car Times comes the above photo, showing Chinese counter-terrorism forces going through drills as they prepare to crush any dissent terror threat that might arise during next month's Olympic Games. The black ninja suits, fritz helmets, body armor, and submachine pistols all fit the profile of a specialized group like this. But... Segways?

UPDATE: Turns out, Engadget is having a caption contest. (Thanks, seoultrain.)

[Source: Xinhua via China Car Times]

 

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]]>anti terrorAntiTerrorchinachina policeChinaPolicecommandocounter-terrorolympic-gamesolympicgamesolympicspolicesegwaysegway-security2008-07-03T15:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[British Army replaces Land Rovers with US-made Ridgback]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/british-army-replaces-land-rovers-with-us-made-ridgback/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/british-army-replaces-land-rovers-with-us-made-ridgback/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/british-army-replaces-land-rovers-with-us-made-ridgback/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In response to a ratcheting body-count in Iraq and Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defence has ordered a fleet of 157 Ridgback armored vehicles. The Ridgback, made in the United States, was unveiled last week at a military vehicles exhibition in Millbrook, Bedfordshire in the UK.

Pictured in the illustration above, the Ridgback offers increased protection for personnel against mines and roadside bombs and will replace the Land Rover Defenders which the British Army currently has deployed in the field. The order is part of a larger £150 million contract to upgrade the army's motor pool in the Middle East. The vehicles will be equipped with weapons and communications systems as well as beefed-up armor. It is capable of carrying 12 people and is equipped with run-flat tires allowing it to travel at speeds of up to 55 mph on punctured rolling stock.

[Source: 4Car]

 

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]]>british armybritish militaryBritishArmyBritishMilitaryland roverLandRoverridgbackuk armyuk british military army ridgbackuk militaryUkArmyUkBritishMilitaryArmyRidgbackUkMilitary2008-06-29T17:45:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mercedes introduces new Zetros military truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/mercedes-introduces-their-new-zetros-military-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/mercedes-introduces-their-new-zetros-military-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/mercedes-introduces-their-new-zetros-military-truck/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click on the above image for a Zetros photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz chose the International Defense Exhibition Eurosatory 2008 in Paris, a show we don't normally attend, to introduce their new Zetros truck. The model pictured above is the Zetros 2733 A 6x6, offering permanent all-wheel-drive to all three axles and the ability to haul nearly 10 tons of equipment and supplies. If you just don't have that much stuff, Mercedes also offers the Zetros 1833 A 4x4, a two-axle derivative with a reduced load capacity. Both versions offer go-anywhere capabilities with exemplary off-road manners and the ability to be upgraded with state-of-the art armor for protection against mine and ballistic attack. While you'd expect the Zetros to handle like a wet noodle, the German automaker insists the Zetros has been designed with the driver in mind, adding "...the ideal seating position behind the front axle delivers intuitive car-like handling." Since we don't have a Zetros planned for an "In the Autoblog Garage" review, we'll just have to take their word on that.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Zetros Off-Road Truck


[Source: eMercedesBenz]

Continue reading Mercedes introduces new Zetros military truck

 

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]]>6x6defense exhibitionDefenseExhibitionheavy truckHeavyTruckmercedesmercedes benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenzZetros2008-06-24T13:26:00+00:00<![CDATA[AutoblogGreen for 06.23.08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/autobloggreen-for-06-23-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/autobloggreen-for-06-23-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/autobloggreen-for-06-23-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



GPM. Think you can learn to adapt your mental fuel efficiency calculators from the standard miles per gallon to the European-style gallons per mile? Some say such a shift in the U.S. will help people better understand just how equivalent two vehicles are in terms of burning fuel to get somewhere. Perhaps, but a shift might be happening anyway, and that gasoline consumption in America peaked in 2007.


More headlines after the jump.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 06.23.08

 

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]]>2008-06-23T06:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mahindra "keen" to buy HUMMER]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/mahindra-keen-to-buy-hummer/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/mahindra-keen-to-buy-hummer/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/mahindra-keen-to-buy-hummer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



General Motors is already having meetings with its dealers regarding all the possibilities for its HUMMER brand. According to reports, there are several companies interested in making a purchase of the military-inspired vehicles, though Tata Motors now appears uninterested despite earlier reports. One suitor is said to be Mahindra & Mahindra, the Indian company that plans on making a big splash entering the American market itself over the next few years. Just-Auto quotes an unnamed official at the company who says "Mahindra is very keen on acquiring the Hummer." Hmm... Isn't it interesting how one little word can change the meaning of an entire sentence. Anyway, Mahindra already produces a vehicle that shares an eerie resemblance to the original GI-spec HUMMER that it sells to the Indian military.

Currently, the vast majority of Hummer sales are made in the States, but Mahindra doesn't sound worried about that. "The U.S. market might not be able to afford their own HUMMER any longer, but India is a growing and strong economy. When Indians like something we go out and get it, no matter what the cost, because we know how to make it work for us," according to an unnamed source. Uh huh... good luck with that.

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>hummerindia hummerIndiaHummermahindramahindra and mahindramahindra axemahindra hummermahindra-and-mahindraMahindraAndMahindraMahindraAxeMahindraHummer2008-06-17T11:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Land Rover 6x4 Puma Concept not one to mess with]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/land-rover-6x4-puma-concept-not-one-to-mess-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/land-rover-6x4-puma-concept-not-one-to-mess-with/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/land-rover-6x4-puma-concept-not-one-to-mess-with/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Land Rover Defender is already a pretty badass vehicle. So how do you make a no-frills, no-nonsense off-roader even more badass? Why, add more wheels, of course! That's the approach taken by Land Rover Malaysia and Sasbilt Technologies Malaysia, which together built the behemoth you see above. While we've seen more than our fair share of stretched Range Rovers and Hummers, this concept truck actually has a purpose beyond prom night.

Targeted towards military applications, the Defender 6x4 Puma features an extra-long wheelbase that not even the jungle camo could disguise. The increased cargo capacity can be used for an electric generator or field telecommunications equipment, and the vehicle can drive through all six wheels or through just four. Unveiled at the Defense Services Asia 2008 show in Malaysia, the concept truck reportedly drew attention from military contractors from around the region.

[Source: paultan.org]

 

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]]>land rover defenderland rover defender 6x4land rover defender 6x4 puma conceptLandRoverDefenderLandRoverDefender6x4LandRoverDefender6x4PumaConceptmalaysia land roverMalaysiaLandRover2008-05-12T18:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[U.S. Navy wants you... to join the Dale Jr. Division]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/u-s-navy-wants-you-to-join-the-dale-jr-division/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/u-s-navy-wants-you-to-join-the-dale-jr-division/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/u-s-navy-wants-you-to-join-the-dale-jr-division/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image to enlarge

 The U.S. Navy and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are partnering on a national recruiting program that'll officially kick off when Junior pilots the above #83 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on May 24. On that very same day, prospective sailors will also be able to visit their local recruiting stations and sign up to be a part of the new "Dale Jr. Division" being formed at the Navy's Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. We are not making any of this up.

This new boot camp division is limited to 88 slots, a nod to the number worn by Dale Jr.'s NASCAR Sprint Cup ride. The Navy will support the new recruiting effort with a full media offensive, and Earnhardt Jr. will be on hand to christen his namesake division when its recruits report in August. Junior will also make a return trip to visit the group when it completes the basic training course. We eagerly await the logical next step in this high-profile partnership with Dale Jr. -- a Navy announcement that funding for a high-banked oval at Great Lakes has been approved.

[Source: Navy NewsStand]

 

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]]>dale earnhardt jrdale earnhardt jr.dale jrdale jr.dale jr. divisionDaleEarnhardtJrDaleEarnhardtJr.DaleJrDaleJr.DaleJr.Divisionnational recruiting programNationalRecruitingProgramnavy recruitingNavyRecruitingrecruit training commandRecruitTrainingCommandu.s. navyU.s.Navyus navyUsNavy2008-04-29T08:26:00+00:00<![CDATA[DO NOT mess with the Dillon Aero SUV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/do-not-mess-with-the-dillon-aero-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/do-not-mess-with-the-dillon-aero-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/do-not-mess-with-the-dillon-aero-suv/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

For this blogger, ever since the movie Stripes, there have been recurring automotive fantasies that began with "Wouldn't it be cool if there was a remote-controlled gun turret on this car?" The folks at Dillon Aero, however, were probably watching the evening news as opposed to cinema when they came up with the Dillon Aero SUV: a government-issue GMC Yukon XL equipped with a Dillon Gatling gun.

The vehicle looks like every other typical VIP G-man SUV, except instead of a leather bench in the back, there is a mounted mini gun and a gunner. When the kind of threat is detected that needs a dose of 30,000 rounds of hot lead every minute, the gunner pops up through the roof. The split hatch forms side protection for the gunner, who can swivel 360 degrees while firing. And then, well, the target is toast as bullet casings rain down on the professional grade SUV like in a John Woo movie. Now if Dillon could just work on rocket launchers... Thanks for the tip, Travis!

[Source: You Tube]

Continue reading DO NOT mess with the Dillon Aero SUV

 

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]]>armored vehiclesArmoredVehiclesdillondillon aerodillon aero suvDillonAeroDillonAeroSuv2008-04-16T09:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[Contender for next-gen HUMVEE looks battle-tested in Baja]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/contender-for-next-gen-humvee-looks-battle-tested-in-baja/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/contender-for-next-gen-humvee-looks-battle-tested-in-baja/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/contender-for-next-gen-humvee-looks-battle-tested-in-baja/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Now that the Hummer -- the original Hummer H1 -- is distinctly out of flavor, the U.S. armed services are busy looking for its replacement. Having put out a request for proposals, one of the supposed leading candidates is this: a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle developed by Navistar and BAE Systems, Inc, a British defense industry firm. The two together already provide the H1's temporary replacement, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle.

The Mad Max monstrosity has the same track as the H1, but that's about all they have in common. Built of many off-the-shelf components from Navistar's parts bin, the truck's modular build configuration makes an easier job of modifying it for different missions and repairing. It's shaped to disperse charges from roadside bombs, the armor is an inch thick, it has a flat floor to allow exit from either side of the vehicle, and it can escape a battle without a wheel and without engine cooling. Not bad. Follow the link to get the full specs on the military's potential new charge. But if they want something even more brutish, they could always go for this.

You may also remember that the producer of the original H1, AM General, is also working on its own candidate for the next Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which we've yet to see.

[Source: Motor Trend]

 

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]]>baeh1hummermilitarymilitary techMilitaryTechmrapnavistar2008-03-24T14:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Vintage Diesel: Gray Eagles developing a turbodiesel Harley]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/17/vintage-diesel-gray-eagles-developing-a-turbodiesel-harley/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/17/vintage-diesel-gray-eagles-developing-a-turbodiesel-harley/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/17/vintage-diesel-gray-eagles-developing-a-turbodiesel-harley/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There's a diesel motorcycle under development, but it's not being made by Suzuki in Japan or BMW in Germany. It's being developed by a group of pensioners who call themselves the Gray Eagles, an informal collection of retired engineers and executives from Harley-Davidson and Outboard Marine. And if that doesn't strike you as out of the ordinary, the engine is not being developed from scratch or being retrofitted from another application (like the ThunderStar 1200 TDI) - it's being converted from a gasoline engine.

The Gray Eagles started with an '88 Harley-Davidson FXRS and converted its V-Twin to run on diesel, fitting it with a turbocharger and electronic fuel injection. Karl Nilson, one of the team members, was once in charge of Harley's "Nova Project", a program to develop a unique 150hp six-cylinder engine in collaboration with Porsche. That project was shelved in the early 80's due to budgetary constrictions after $15 million was invested, but Nilson, along with his fellow Gray Eagles, hopes to see diesel bikes on the road during his lifetime. The diesel bike is being presented to potential customers such as Harley-Davidson and even the Pentagon, who already run some dirt bikes on the same diesel the army uses for its tanks, jeeps and trucks.

(You can check out a video of the turbodiesel chopper by clicking here.)

[Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Motive]

 

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]]>diesel chopperdiesel harleydiesel motorcycleDieselChopperDieselHarleyDieselMotorcyclegray eaglesGrayEaglesgrey eaglesGreyEagles2008-02-17T16:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Geneva '08 Preview: Morgan LifeCar concept surfaces]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/13/geneva-08-preview-morgan-lifecar-concept-surfaces/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/13/geneva-08-preview-morgan-lifecar-concept-surfaces/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/13/geneva-08-preview-morgan-lifecar-concept-surfaces/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click on the image above to view in our hi-res gallery

Morgan has a lot of dedicated fans, but it's image is about as cutting-edge as a cantaloupe. The last time the company unveiled a new concept, the big news was that it had four wheels. But seriously folks, the Morgan LifeCar is a concept that has been a long time coming. It took several companies and three universities almost three years and nearly ₤2 million, including a healthy dose of government funding, to develop. And it's finally ready.

The LifeCar is based on the Morgan Aero 8 and powered by hydrogen fuel cells with regenerative braking technology in a package that is at once both futuristic and retro. (Leave it to the Brits to do both.) Together with its partners, Morgan, which was responsible for the design and final assembly, will take the wraps off the LifeCar concept at the fast-approaching Geneva show, and we've got an eyeful of images for you in the gallery below.

Gallery: Morgan LifeCar concept

[Source: CarBodyDesign.com]

 

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]]>geneva lifecarGenevaLifecarmorgan concept genevamorgan lifecarMorganConceptGenevaMorganLifecar2008-02-13T20:05:00+00:00<![CDATA[Touareg of Duty: VW drafted into army, issued turret gun]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/touareg-of-duty-vw-drafted-into-army-issued-turret-gun/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/touareg-of-duty-vw-drafted-into-army-issued-turret-gun/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/touareg-of-duty-vw-drafted-into-army-issued-turret-gun/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click above to view more images

When Germany starts stockpiling armaments, it tends to worry the neighbors. This, on the other hand, is more likely to scare your neighbor into buying a HUMMER. While we don't know any technical details about this military-spec Volkswagen Touareg, we wouldn't expect it to turn up on your local dealership's lot anytime soon.

The images show a Touareg stripped of its chrome hardware and slathered in matte green paint. It's been fitted with all manner of combat communications systems, from the looks of the antennas that would likely get blown off by the automatic turret cannon on the roof (which, by the way, appears to be mounted to the stock roof rack). The Vee-Dub doesn't seem to have had much bulletproofing bodywork done, aside from maybe some indiscernible internal reinforcement, which would lead us to believe that, for the time being at least, this appears to be a demonstration prototype only.

[Source: VWVortex via Carscoop]

Gallery: Military-spec Volkswagen Touareg

 

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]]>armored volkswagenArmoredVolkswagenarmoured touaregArmouredTouareggerman army vwGermanArmyVwmilitary volkswagenMilitaryVolkswagenvolkswagen touareg armyVolkswagenTouaregArmy2008-02-11T12:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[Who's faster? Lamborghini Reventon vs. Tornado jet fighter]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/25/whos-faster-lamborghini-reventon-vs-tornado-jet-fighter/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/25/whos-faster-lamborghini-reventon-vs-tornado-jet-fighter/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/25/whos-faster-lamborghini-reventon-vs-tornado-jet-fighter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click image for photo gallery

Car vs. jet stunts are kind of ridiculous, but they're entertaining nonetheless. The more exotic the hardware, the better the entertainment, and Lamborghini's Reventón is about as exotic as it gets these days. In a made-for-TV showcase (no, we haven't found video yet), a Lambo test driver and an Italian fighter pilot lined up one of the jet-inspired supercars and a Panavia Tornado combat plane on a 3000-meter runway to see which vehicle could accelerate faster. Long story short, while it probably made for great TV, the Lambo lost in the end. Hey, the 650-horsepower Reventón may be badder than both John Shaft and Truck Turner combined, but when matched against a fighter jet whose twin Turbo-Union RB199 engines combine to make 39,332 horsepower at sea level, it's bound to come up a little shy. We'd take one, anyway.

[Source: Lamborghini]

Gallery: Lamborghini Reventon vs. Panavia Tornado

Continue reading Who's faster? Lamborghini Reventon vs. Tornado jet fighter

 

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]]>Aeronautica MilitareAeronauticaMilitareItalian air forceItalianAirForcelamborghini reventonLamborghiniReventonpanavia tornadoPanaviaTornadoreventon vs tornadoReventonVsTornadotornado fightertornado planeTornadoFighterTornadoPlane2007-11-25T11:04:00+00:00<![CDATA[Boeing Laser Avenger: Humvee with frikkin' laser on its head]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/16/boeing-laser-avenger-humvee-with-frikkin-laser-on-its-head/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/16/boeing-laser-avenger-humvee-with-frikkin-laser-on-its-head/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/16/boeing-laser-avenger-humvee-with-frikkin-laser-on-its-head/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Boeing wants more government contracts, and it thinks lasers are the way to get them. The company's Laser Avenger system is something it whipped together in eight short months, and it's pretty impressive. Mounted on a retrofitted anti-aircraft Humvee, the setup is being demonstrated as a way to zap IEDs from a distance, neutralizing them before the convoys and patrols they target ever rumble by. Its 1kw laser beam causes near-instantaneous detonation of the munitions its been used on so far, and Boeing's also hinting that it might just work as an anti-aircraft weapon, too. Trucks with laser guns might be a lot closer than you think.

[Source: Popular Mechanics via Instapundit]

 

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]]>boeing laser avengerBoeingLaserAvengerhumveelaser avengerLaserAvenger2007-11-16T10:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ford Fusion engine may flying high in unmanned aerial vehicle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/06/ford-fusion-engine-may-flying-high-in-unmanned-aerial-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/06/ford-fusion-engine-may-flying-high-in-unmanned-aerial-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/06/ford-fusion-engine-may-flying-high-in-unmanned-aerial-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



In the mid-size sedan segment, there are few more benign engines than those that power the otherwise terrific Ford Fusion. That assessment may not be entirely true after Boeing has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered by an internal combustion engine of the Ford variety. While the article doesn't specify which Fusion engine is being used, we'd guess it's the 2.3L Duratec four-cylinder. Ford's Research and Advanced Engineering created the UAV's means of propulsion, which utilizes a multi-stage turbo unit powered by hydrogen fuel. A car engine was used because it has more modern materials than older aircraft engine designs, and they tend to perform well at high altitudes where turbocharging is involved. The Boeing concept performed well during three days of testing at a simulated 65,000 feet, and the ultimate goal is for the UAV to perform for seven days at a time. It seems Ford CEO Alan Mulally still hasn't scratched his aircraft itch after 37 years on the job at Boeing.

Thanks for the tip, Bill!

[Source: Defense Tech]

 

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]]>BoeingFord FusionFordFusionhydrogenTurbocharged ford engineTurbochargedFordEngineUAV2007-11-06T17:09:00+00:00<![CDATA[More details on the not-for-us Jeep J8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/28/more-details-on-the-not-for-us-jeep-j8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/28/more-details-on-the-not-for-us-jeep-j8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/28/more-details-on-the-not-for-us-jeep-j8/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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Chrysler's unveiling of the government/military-issue Jeep J8 struck a chord in Jeep aficionados. Whether it was the Wrangler Unlimited-based vehicle's added payload, beefed-up suspension, or available 2-door pickup bodystyle, many of you responded by screaming for a civilian version. The Chrysler Blog has posted a conversation with Dave Cushing, manager of complete knockdown projects, and Jack Robinson, international market manager for the Middle East and Africa, in which the pair talk specifically about the J8.

Though it was developed for non-US military and government agencies (hence the diesel), it became clear along the way that the American military operating overseas would be able to use the J8 as well. Suited for a variety of light-duty applications, the J8's 3,000-lb payload also gives it flexibility that's simply unavailable in the consumer-grade Wrangler (whose payload, by comparison, is 1,000 lbs). The J8 is able to haul more people and/or equipment, and can be armored without a problem. Cushing and Robinson state that there are "no definite plans" to sell the J8 in the US, as the diesel it uses doesn't meet US emissions standards and there is no gasoline version available. Let's hope that changes. Even if the J8 itself can't be sold, we're sure Jeep could score another hit by dropping the new 2-door pickup body on the existing Wrangler's mechanicals and putting it in showrooms at some point in the future. For now, however, the J8 might as well be called the Jeep Unicorn, as far as the North American consumer is concerned. You can read the Chrysler Blog post in its entirety by clicking the "Read" link below.

[Source: Chrysler Blog]

Gallery: Jeep J8

 

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]]>j8jeepjeep j8jeep j8 infoJeepJ8JeepJ8Info2007-09-28T10:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Military makes stronger Humvee from balsa wood and foam]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/19/military-makes-stronger-humvee-from-balsa-wood-and-foam/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/19/military-makes-stronger-humvee-from-balsa-wood-and-foam/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/19/military-makes-stronger-humvee-from-balsa-wood-and-foam/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

TPI Composites has built a Hummer for the Army that is made of composite materials. The Hummer loses 900 pounds of metal body panels and parts, which are then replaced with parts fabricated of fiberglass, balsa wood, foam, and carbon, with resin as a bonding agent.

That 900 pounds is then put back in the vehicle in the form of extra armor where the truck most needs it: in areas that will protect it from roadside bombs. The composite truck has some quirks -- like a body that feels like sandpaper, and the fact that the fenders bend and some other panels are pliable. Yet even though it weighs the same as a traditional Humvee, the point is that it's better built to withstand the threat that kills more soldiers than any other.

AM General and the Army spent 18 months doing R&D on the vehicle. No tests have been carried out yet and the Army hasn't committed to buying any. But if substituting metal for composites and additional armor is shown to save lives, then the vehicle -- which costs more than a standard Humvee -- could make a lot of friends in dangerous places.

[Source: Gizmodo]

 

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]]>AM GeneralAmGeneralarmycomposite hummercomposite humveeCompositeHummerCompositeHumveehummerhumveetpi2007-09-19T13:31:00+00:00