In Pictures: Celebrating the art of the magazine coverFiled under: Classics, Etc. 
Celebrating the art of the magazine cover - Click above for high-res image gallery
In the high-stakes game of magazine publishing, there's one critical component that can either make or break an entire issue. What are we talking about? The cover. Get it right and an editor-in-chief can move an extra few thousand copies to casual passers by at the nearest magazine stand. Get it wrong, as Car and Driver undeniably did for its April 1987 issue with the wretched Zimmer Quicksilver on the cover, and you end up with the worst-selling edition in the magazine's storied history.
We just happened upon what may be the very best (or worst, depending on your point of view) time waster in the history of the Internet. It's called Coverbrowser.com, and it allows you to see over 450,000 magazine and comic book covers dating back to well before most of us were even born. Using this tool, we dug up some of the best, worst and just plain ridiculous automotive magazine covers in the history of the universe... or something like that.
For instance, do you think unintended acceleration is in some way a new phenomenon? Think again. Can a Buick be worth $65K in 1980 dollars? Yes, according to C&D. Remember the Cadillac Cimarron? See here. Did Oldsmobile ever make a European-inspired sedan worthy of enthusiasts? Apparently, yes. The 1982 Olds Omega, built atop the X-car chassis. Can a lowly pickup truck from GMC outgun a bright red Ferrari? Sure can. How about when a 134-mph Ford was newsworthy?
Just for fun, we also analyzed a few trends in magazine covers. It seems that high-priced exotics were nearly always worthy of being shot with an equally tantalizing female model. See here, here, here and here. And, though there are rare exceptions, Japanese cars didn't necessarily get models unless you count robot ninjas and samurais. Oh, and there's always room for a little misplaced patriotism, right?
All of this raises an interesting question. What's the blogging equivalent of a magazine cover? What will we all be waxing poetic about 30 years from now when we look back at Autoblog? Whatever the case, check out our gallery of awesome (or sometimes not) magazine covers below, and be sure to kill an hour or two over at Coverbrowser.com when you're done. Got any favorites of your own? Feel free to discuss amongst yourselves in the Comments section.
[Source: Coverbrowser.com]
In Pictures: Celebrating the art of the magazine cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Video: Episode 1 of Chevrolet's Corvette Racing Series hits the interwebs cinemaFiled under: Motorsports, Videos, Chevrolet, Racing 
Corvette Racing Series, Episode 1 - Click above to watch video after the jump
As Chevrolet Corvette Racing team heads into its first full season of competition in the American Le Mans Series GT2 class, the first full episode of a new General Motors video series chronicling their journey has been posted on YouTube. The 12-part series will follow the team as it gets ready for the nine race series as well as the annual June treck to Le Mans for the 24 Hours.
Episode one begins with a look back at where 2009 left off. On the final corner of the final lap of the Laguna Seca race last October, Jan Magnussen slammed into a retaining wall with a 57 g impact after making contact with one of the Flying Lizards Porsches.
As soon as the cars returned to the team's Wixom, MI shop, the crew set about getting ready for 2010 including preparing for the all-new 5.5-liter V8. First, though, they had to rebuild the #3 C6.R. Check out the first episode of the series after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading Video: Episode 1 of Chevrolet's Corvette Racing Series hits the interwebs cinema Video: Episode 1 of Chevrolet's Corvette Racing Series hits the interwebs cinema originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Väth V58 turns up the wick on Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG to the tune of 565 HPFiled under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz 
Väth V58 - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is already a fierce little roadster, what with its 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 cranking out 355 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. But for those who want something a bit more bonkers, the folks at Väth have just the solution, by way of the V58 - an SLK55-based beastie that produces - get ready - 565 hp and 568 lb-ft, gains of 210 and 192, respectively. Holy moly.
How does such a thing come to life? Väth starts by upping the Merc's engine displacement to 5.8 liters and adding things like a new compressor, new pistons, high-grade steel catalysts, a sport air filter and much more. In addition to these mechanical tweaks, the engine's electronics have been re-calibrated, and the end result is an SLK that will max out at 193 mph. To manage all of that added power, a new set of high-performance brakes have been added up front. Vath also offers a locking differential and a new fuel cooler as optional upgrades.
Other exterior changes include hot new 19-inch wheels and a custom suspension that can be lowered anywhere from 20 to 65 millimeters, depending on user specification. An aerodynamic package is also on hand, featuring a front lip and rear diffuser made of carbon fiber. Inside, Väth has added the usual decorative touches to the climate control system, ashtray, shift gate, shift knob, door coatings and seat adjustment controls.
Naturally, all of this extra kit comes at substantial cost, and for all of the upgrades that we've listed, you'll need to shell out €55,512 (that's just over $75,900 based on current exchange rates). For that price, you could buy two SLK55s and tie them together, but there's no doubt that the Väth creation would provide buckets and buckets of fun. Hit the jump for the full details in Väth's press release and check out our high-res gallery below.
[Source: Väth]Continue reading Väth V58 turns up the wick on Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG to the tune of 565 HP Väth V58 turns up the wick on Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG to the tune of 565 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.11.10
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP - Click above for high-res image gallery We're going to get ahead of ourselves a little bit with our review of the new Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP. We...
2010 Chevrolet Malibu patent drawings - Click above for high-res image gallery Over the past nine months, we've seen the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu twice at General Motors media...
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.11.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Mitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavor, 2010 GalantFiled under: Budget, Sedan, SUV, Recalls, Safety, Mitsubishi, Off-Road 
Mitsubishi is recalling both the 2004 Endeavor SUV and 2010 Galant sedan over possible corrosion issues that could cause flammable fluids to leak. The safety recall affects approximately 56,113 Endeavors and 2,307 Galants across the United States.
 The Endeavors in question are those that were originally sold or currently registered in states where road salt is used to clear away snow and ice in the winter. According to NHTSA, road salt, mixed with other debris, can become trapped between the Endeavor's fuel filler pipe and a reinforcing bracket, which can cause corrosion and potentially a fuel leak. As for the Galant, the automatic transmission oil cooler pipe on some vehicles may have insufficient corrosion-preventing plating. If so, this pipe can develop a hole, meaning transmission fluid can potentially seep out.
The official safety recalls begin in March for the Galant and July for the Endeavor, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners can contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 for more information regarding either recall. Click through the jump to read the full details in NHTSA's press releases.
[Source: NHTSA]Continue reading Mitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavor, 2010 Galant Mitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavor, 2010 Galant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Happy Birthday Your Majesty: Citroën SM turns 40Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Citroën, Luxury 
Citroën SM - click above for high-res image gallery
Well now, this is exciting. The iconic Citroën SM turns forty years old today. First introduced at the Geneva Motor Show on March 11, 1970, the SM was incredibly advanced for its time. In fact, there are those who would argue that it's still way ahead of the curve.
A couple of basics, if you will. SM stands for Sports Maserati (though some argue it stands for Sa Majesté in reference to the DS - i.e. Goddess, i.e. La déesse'). While probably not the wisest financial decision of all time, Citroën purchased Maserati in 1968. As such, they were able to use the new 90-degree V6 Maserati had developed. Essentially a V8 with two-cylinders lopped off, the SM's V6 (also shared with the Maserati Merak) is one of the most fantastically complex engines ever conceived. How does three timing chains strike you?
But the SM was much more than a powerful (for the time) engine in a sleek and sexy, Robert Opron designed aircraft grade aluminum body. The SM featured the world's first variable-assist power steering system (known as DIRAVI) which is so insanely complicated that we can't even begin to describe it to you (it involves heart shaped cams). Also, the SM featured one-turn to lock. Needless to say, the DIRAVI was tied into the SM's oleopneumatic system. What's oleopneumatic? A fancy French way of saying an oil-based hydropneumatic system.
Besides the steering the suspension, headlights, brakes and transmission were all run off the SM's hydraulic system. Headlights? Yup. The SM featured six headlights behind a beautiful glass cover, two of which turned with the steering wheel, and six could pivot up and down depending on rear ride height. In other words, if the rear of the car was loaded down, the lights would automatically adjust to point straight ahead so as not to blind oncoming motorists.
Back in 1970, not only was the SM the fastest front-wheel drive car in the world (the factory claimed 137 mph, but many took the cars up to 145 mph), it had the shortest stopping distance of any car, period. Credit the dual-channel hydro-brakes and the fact that the front rotors are inboard. In fact, rumor has it that until the Porsche 959 showed its face in 1986, the SM was the production deceleration king. One last little tidbit. As far as we know, the Citroën SM is the only car ever designed specifically to seat two men up front and two women in the back. Amazing, no? Happy birthday SM! Maybe in another forty years the world will be ready to embrace you. Read the press release after the jump.
[Source: Citroën]Continue reading Happy Birthday Your Majesty: Citroën SM turns 40 Happy Birthday Your Majesty: Citroën SM turns 40 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 NHTSA announces 2009 fatalities lowest since 1954, continue downward trendFiled under: Government/Legal, Safety  Safety doesn't sell cars. At least that's what Detroit executives walked around saying back in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The whole of them were convinced that if you even mentioned the word "safety" in a marketing campaign it would imply that cars were unsafe. In fact, it took a crusader like Ralph Nader to stand up to the auto industry and say enough with the death traps, like he did when he published his infamous Unsafe at Any Speed (only one chapter is about the Corvair!) in 1965. Like him or loathe, if you've walked away from a serious car accident in the last forty or so years, you probably owe him.
And it looks like many more of us have been walking away from car accidents lately. According to a new report from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the death rate for calendar 2009 plummeted by a frankly significant 8.9-percent from 2008. 33,963 Americans were killed on our roads last year, as opposed to the 37,261 people that perished in 2008. Still terrible, but much, much better. In fact, 2009's fatality rate (measured with the totally morbid metric, "death per mile") is actually the lowest such rate since 1954. Were cars safer back then? No, not even kinda sorta. It's just that a much smaller percentage of the population drove back then. The Interstate system was still two years off, so road trips were rare and mostly for truckers and beatniks.
Why the drop in the death rate? Many factors. Cars are getting safer. More air bags, crumple zones, better construction techniques, stability control, better tire technology - all of it is adding up to help prevent accidents, or at least make them more survivable. Also, campaigns like "Click It or Ticket" have increased seatbelt usage, and cops nationwide are cracking down harder than ever on drunk drivers. However, there's one other reason the death rate fell so far in 2009: people drove less. Meaning that if our economy recovers and we start driving more, the death rate could - and probably will - increase. Make the jump to read the press release.
[Source: NHTSA | Image: Bantam Dell Publishing Group]Continue reading NHTSA announces 2009 fatalities lowest since 1954, continue downward trend NHTSA announces 2009 fatalities lowest since 1954, continue downward trend originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-basedFiled under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Work, Ford, Specialty 
Will the new Police Interceptor be a toughened Taurus SHO? - click above for high-res image gallery
Just a quick note: The Detroit News is reporting that the next Ford Police Interceptor will be based on the same platform as the Taurus. For you platform geeks out there, that's the Ford D3 chassis that underpins everything from the the Lincoln MKS to the Volvo XC90 to the Ford Flex (though the Flex and the Lincoln MKT ride on a lengthened version called D4). Yesterday, we explained that a new Police Interceptor is showing up tomorrow (Friday, March 12) in Las Vegas and that it probably won't be riding on the Panther platform. Regardless, the concept will be unveiled at the Vegas Motor Speedway.
There's still no official word from Ford on the matter, however. However, if the new Interceptor is in fact Taurus-based, that means no rear-wheel drive Falcon in the United States. Which is a definite bummer. Also, while there are all-wheel drive variants of the D3 platform - and we think it's safe to assume that if the new Police Interceptor is D3-based it will be AWD - it lacks frame rails. Has Ford figured out a way to make a unibody car tough enough for police work? We shall see. And if the new PI is a Taurus, will it be based on a modified 365-horsepower SHO? We'd wager yes. Let's just hope they fit some bigger brakes for cop duty, eh?
[Source: The Detroit News]DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-based originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Report: Chrysler reconsidering light-duty diesel for RamFiled under: Truck, Work, Chrysler, Dodge, Diesel 
During last summer's bankruptcy proceedings, New Chrysler chose not to contract Cummins to produce a light-duty diesel engine for the its Ram pickup trucks. At a rumored 5.0 liters of displacement, this diesel engine would have been somewhat less powerful but also less expensive and more fuel efficient than the larger 6.7-liter inline six-cylinder diesel, also supplied by Cummins, in heavy duty Rams.
Now our friends from PickupTrucks.com report that Dodge may be back in the light-duty diesel game. Joe Veltri, Chrysler vice president of product planning, reportedly said at the NTEA Work Truck Show, "We're in discussions with Cummins. There's no contract [with Cummins] but [a light-duty diesel] is in our plan."
As an aside, it seems as if the so-called light-duty engine could also find its way into the Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 Ram trucks in addition to the expected 1500. "Does every guy need a 6.7-liter diesel? It could certainly package in a heavy duty," Veltri said.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]Report: Chrysler reconsidering light-duty diesel for Ram originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 2012 Chevrolet Malibu design completely revealed in patent filings?Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet 
2010 Chevrolet Malibu patent drawings - Click above for high-res image gallery
Over the past nine months, we've seen the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu twice at General Motors media events that were closed to the public. On neither occasion were we allowed to take any photographs of the styling buck, but now we can finally show you what the next Malibu looks like. A General Motors filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office shows what is obviously an unidentified Chevrolet four-door sedan.
It retains all of the standard Chevrolet design features including the dual-port grille and four individual tail lights. Compared to the current and very well reviewed Malibu, the new car has more sculpted surfaces, especially around the corners. The chopped off tail of the current generation car is generally considered to be the weakest part of that design, and the new model addresses that area with what looks to be a much more attractive posterior.
The new Malibu will ride on the same Epsilon II platform that underpins the Buick LaCrosse and Regal. The new model will have a shorter wheelbase than the 112.3-inch span of today's car, but it's not clear if it will be as short as the 107.8-inch wheelbase of the new Buick Regal. The new Malibu will, however, be both wider and taller than the current model. The interior is also significantly upgraded with higher quality materials as GM tries to keep up with the advances of new models from Ford.
The next Malibu will probably debut in late in 2011 as a 2012 model, and we may see it in public at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. The timing of the Malibu should line up nicely with the Ford Fusion/Mondeo replacement and make for a very interesting battle in the mid-size sedan market.
[Source: Carscoop]2012 Chevrolet Malibu design completely revealed in patent filings? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Nissan only offering GT-R Premium for 2011, priced from $85,060* - will volume be constrained?Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Nissan 
2010 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery
The illustrious Nissan GT-R is, quite possibly, one of our favorite cars currently in production. Now entering its third year in America, Godzilla receives a few minor tweaks for 2011, including some minor suspension tuning, a double clear coat on its front and rear fascias, new rear cooling ducts and - wait for it - slightly darker wheel center caps than on the 2010 model that is pictured. Additionally, the 2011 GT-R - henceforth only available in Premium trim - gets more standard features, including auto on/off headlamps, speed-sensitive windshield wipers, Bluetooth, a USB iPod interface and XM NavWeather and NavTraffic. All of this can be yours for $85,060 (*including $1000 destination charge), which represents an increase of $1,020 over the 2010 GT-R Premium. Get your pocketbooks out.
Curiously, the folks at Nagtroc.org are reporting that just 315 GT-R units are slated to come to the U.S. during the 2011 model year. That striking us as odd, we talked with Nissan spokesperson Darryll Harrison, and he says that the automaker can't confirm the limited production volume. Hmmm. The 2011 model is just now hitting the nearly 700 GT-R certified Nissan dealers across the country, though if the unit constraint holds up, it's likely that more than half of the approved showrooms will never see one. Either way, hit the jump for the full details in Nissan's press release.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Sources: Nissan, Nagtroc.org]Continue reading Nissan only offering GT-R Premium for 2011, priced from $85,060* - will volume be constrained? Nissan only offering GT-R Premium for 2011, priced from $85,060* - will volume be constrained? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Alleged patent images for Porsche Panamera convertible turn upFiled under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Luxury 
Porsche Panamera Convertible patent drawing - click above for high-res image gallery
See, apparently we aren't crazy, though we may have been a little smidge off the mark. Back in October, we reported that Porsche had begun work on an open top version of their then new Panamera super sedan. Only we said it would be a two-door 'cause, you know, drop top and all that. Whoops! If these alleged German patent office images from Autocar are anything to go on, Porsche is going after the highly nuanced (to put it mildly) - and presumably lucrative - four-door convertible market, joining the ranks of such noted automakers as... those dudes in Miami that chop the tops off Chrysler 300Cs. Okay, fine, the Maybach 62 Landaulet is kinda like a four-door convertible (but not quite), though at $1.35 million, it actually might compete in a different segment. And yes, yes - we know - the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is technically a four-door convertible.
But never mind any of that, as judging by these images, the Porsche Panamera convertible looks to be pillarless, something that the neither the $25,000 Jeep nor the mega-bucks Maybach can lay claim to. As such, the Panamera's chassis would presumably have to be beefed up in a major way to retain some semblance of stiffness and rigidity. Though maybe not quite as much as you (and we) might think. If you look closely at the patent images, you can see that, like the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drop Head Coupe, the A-pillar has been reinforced with a mini-triangle. You'll also note that the Pan's butt isn't any bigger than before, suggesting a folding cloth top as opposed to a space-intensive retractable hardtop. Back to chassis strength - thanks to modern production techniques, it's possible to substitute in thicker gauge steel that will increase stiffness without adding as much weight as traditional afterthought convertible chassis bracing.
And where does this leave those of us wishing for a modern-day 928? Not in a very good place, we're afraid. These patent drawings clearly show that the new, most-likely upcoming Panamera Convertible has been engineered as a four-door from the get-go, and never a duoporte. Shame...
[Source: Autocar]Alleged patent images for Porsche Panamera convertible turn up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Study: Where do our nav systems take us most? WalmartFiled under: Etc., Technology 
Groan. Remember the $350,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom parked in front of a Walmart? Apparently it's not an isolated case. That's right, according to a new survey by TeleNav, most Americans use their navigation systems to find the Arkansas-based mega-store full of cheap stuff that Sam built. The great burning irony, of course, is that most cars with navigation systems are "luxury" products. Though of course that's changing, as navigation systems are making their way into lower strata vehicles and portable units and smart phones offer full GPS at much lower prices.
After Walmart, us Americans are searching for Starbucks, Target, Best Buy and Bank of America, respectively. Full disclosure time. Have we ever used a nav system to find a Walmart? Yeah, once, but we were in Louisiana and in need of spray paint (don't ask). We'll sleep okay tonight. We do, however, wonder how many two-gallon pickle jars would fit inside an Audi Q7.
[Source: AOL Autos]Study: Where do our nav systems take us most? Walmart originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Rattner: Auto bailout saved Michigan from bankruptcyFiled under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, GM 
Without the government bailout of General Motors and Chrysler, the U.S. auto industry would likely have two fewer domestic automakers and hundreds of thousands of high paying jobs would be history. The Detroit News reports that ex auto task force chief Steve Rattner recently told an audience at a bankruptcy conference that the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit would have faced municipal bankruptcy if Chrysler and GM were liquidated.
Instead, Rattner claims the government bailout not only saved untold thousands of jobs and two enormous American car companies, but the price tag for the government is shrinking as time goes on. Initial estimates by the task force showed that the auto bailout would cost U.S. taxpayers $20 billion or $30 billion after GM and Chrysler's initial stock sale, but Ratner claims that the current price tag is $10 billion or less. The estimated loss has gone down due in part to the fact that old GM's assets are worth more than previously estimated and The General is turning around its operations more quickly than originally thought. If GM continues to surprise and delight, the government may even make some money when it goes public with a stock offering this year or next.
Would the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan have gone bankrupt if GM and Chrysler were liquidated? There is no way to be sure, but if the government hadn't stepped in and bailed them out, its inaction would have probably cost taxpayers untold billions of dollars as well.
[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Neilson Barnard/Getty]Rattner: Auto bailout saved Michigan from bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Report: New GMC Sierra Denali HD to get the dually treatmentFiled under: Truck, Work, GM, GMC, Luxury 
2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery
GMC, the "Professional Grade" truck maker under the General Motors umbrella, isn't finished adding luxe touches to its Heavy Duty series of Sierra pickup trucks. Just yesterday, GMC rolled out a brand-new Denali version of the HD pickem-up truck, but later this year at launch it will be available only as a crew-cab, four-wheel drive, single-rear wheel, three-quarter-ton model.
Before the end of the year, though, GMC will begin spreading the Denali love down its entire line-up of heavy haulers, and PickupTrucks.com is reporting that the dual-rear wheel dually chassis will be included. Naturally, a choice of either the 6.0-liter gasoline-powered V8 or the torque-tastic 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 will be the biggest choice at the time of purchase, followed by the buyers selection of either black, gray or white. Pricing has not yet been announced.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]Report: New GMC Sierra Denali HD to get the dually treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Ji Yong-Ho's tire creatures are steel-belted radnessFiled under: Etc., Design/Style 
Ji Yong-Ho Shark 6 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Art and cars is always a tricky subject. We saw what happened when BMW selected art world mega star Jeff Koons to design their next art car. Long story short, confusion, blinking eyes and a whole lot of chin scratching. However, we think in the case of South Korean artist Ji Yong-Ho, there's just going to be nodding heads and wide smiles. Why? Just look at how amazing his work is.
For those of you that are forced by your significant others to watch Project Runway ("Hi, honey!") no doubt remember last week when style guru Tim Gunn sent them all to the hardware store and contestant Jay won over the judges with his pants made out of contrasting garbage bags. Don't ask how, but we see a similarity (or are just hot to confess that we watch Project Runway in the most manly way possible). Either way, the New York-based Yong-Ho is using old tires to craft his creations. We enthusiastically approve.
[Source: Gana Art]Ji Yong-Ho's tire creatures are steel-belted radness originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Video: Walter Röhrl reunited with WRC-winning 1984 Audi Quattro on famed Monte Carlo stageFiled under: Motorsports, Videos, Audi, Racing 
Walter Rörhl throwing an Audi Quattro WRC racer up the Col de Turini - Click above to watch video after the jump
Can we pause for a moment and give it up for Walter Röhrl? Here's a racer whose professional career began in 1973, first person to win the World Rally Championship twice, winner of the Pikes Peak race and the title Rally Driver of the Century in Italy and Rally Driver of the Millennium in France, and who simply never gave up the habit of winning or doing fast laps.
Autocar got the man back in the Audi Quattro with which he won the 1984 Rally Monte Carlo - Quattros took the first three positions, in fact - and sent him up the Col de Turini to see if he and the car still had it. Follow the jump to find out, and for a little more context, there's a video summary of that 1984 rally and a clip of Röhrl discussing and flying up Pikes Peak.
[Source: Autocar]Continue reading Video: Walter Röhrl reunited with WRC-winning 1984 Audi Quattro on famed Monte Carlo stage Video: Walter Röhrl reunited with WRC-winning 1984 Audi Quattro on famed Monte Carlo stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Review: Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP induces grins, wheelspin and wheeliesFiled under: Motorcycle, Reviews 
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP - Click above for high-res image gallery
We're going to get ahead of ourselves a little bit with our review of the new Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP. We spend lots of time riding various two- and four-wheeled vehicles, and very few - indeed, possibly none at all - garner the same kind of ear-to-ear grins as Ducati's oversized supermoto. It's totally ridiculous and absolutely wonderful.
Sure, it's fast. Yes, it's beautiful. But what is this bike's mission in life? Is it meant solely as a hooligan machine with either the front or rear wheel aloft at any given moment? Is the temptation to leave black stripes and huge plumes of white smoke in your wake from every single stop too much to overcome? We spent 10 days using the latest edition of Bologna's finest all-road rocket for everything from runs to the grocery store to riding two-up for a leisurely Sunday morning ride to an out-and-out battle with the local twisty roads strewn about with pebbles and potholes. Read on to find out what we found.
Photos by Jeremy Korzeniewski / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Review: Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP induces grins, wheelspin and wheelies Review: Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP induces grins, wheelspin and wheelies originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Report: Toyota sales may bounce back big time in MarchFiled under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota 
As Toyota's recall issues hit a fevered pitch over the past few months, customer confidence faltered and sales predictably suffered. We were wondering how Toyota would react to the comparative dearth of showroom traffic, and the answer was to take a page out of the domestic's tattered handbook: big-time incentives.
On March 1, Toyota announced zero percent financing, subsidized leases and free maintenance for two years, and the early results appear to be extremely favorable. Automotive News reports that analysts are seeing big-time gains for the Japanese automaker, with evidence that sales are up 50 percent so far for the month. A 50 percent sales increase for the month would more than wipe out Toyota's depressing January and February, but analysts like Edmund's Jessica Caldwell reportedly feel sales will level out to a predicted 30 percent rise by March 31. "Incentives work best in the early going, but they start to peter out as the month goes along."
So does news of a Toyota sales increase means that Americans are tuning out the recent influx of bad news including a pair of reported runaway Prius hybrids in the interest of saving money? AN reports that analysts like Caldwell and George Magliano at IHS Global Insight feel Toyota loyalists are jumping at the company's big-time incentives, and the brand will have to try new things to attract new customers in the months ahead. That may be true, but we're thinking Toyota must be more than a bit relieved that customers are coming back to showrooms, at least for now.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req. | Image: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images]Report: Toyota sales may bounce back big time in March originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
 Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors?Filed under: Etc., Videos, Fiat, Celebrities, Humor 
Fiat heir Lapo Elkann makes the Lakers' game-winning move - Click above to watch video after the jump
Lapo Elkann is the grandson of Fiat founder Gianni Agnelli and is said to be heir to several Fiat thrones. While courtside at the Staples Center in Los Angeles watching the Lakers play the Toronto Raptors, Yahoo Sports reports that Elkann interfered in a play that gave LA the win.
With the score tied and only seconds left, the Raptors' Jose Calderon (pictured) was chasing a ball headed out of bounds when Elkann swiped it away. The Lakers were given possession and Kobe Bryant did his game-winning thing. You can see a recap of the event in the video after the jump, and for you rightfully sore Raptors fans, Elkann later apologized. Thanks for the tip, Jeffrey!
[Sources: Yahoo Sports, Goal.com]Continue reading Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors? Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
