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Latest Gear Live Videos
Volkswagen bringing “concept” AWD Passat Alltrak to New York Auto Show
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
When it comes to an AWD station wagon, your choices in the U.S. are less than desirable. Consumers are faced with two options, Audi Allroad and various Subaru models. One is overpriced and the others can be found on many driveways. However, Volkswagen is planning to bring the Passat Alltrak to the States for the New York Auto Show, and they hope to be the third major option.
Now before you run down to the dealership and put in your order, Volkswagen is debuting the Alltrak as a “concept,” even thougt the same vehicle was featured as a production model at the Tokyo Motor Show. We’re guess that this is Volkswagen’s test to see how American buyers will react to the option. The Passat Alltrak is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel motor, pumping out 138hp and 168hp. The lower of the two will be available in a manual transmission.
Though the price hasn’t been announced for the American variant of the Passat, we’re guessing it’ll be priced somewhere in the high 20s or low 30s.
Gallery: Volkswagen bringing “concept” AWD Passat Alltrak to New York Auto Show
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Video: Semi trucks and ice don’t play nice
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
The band Underoath once said, “It’s dangerous business walking out your front door.” It appears that statement definitely rings true if you happen to drive a semi truck with any regularity. Any semi driver will tell you that the job has its perks, but it also comes at a high cost of danger. At any level, driving a semi is risky business, but adding snow to the mix just takes it to the next level.
Don’t believe us? Check out the dramatic video above, caught in Norway, as a semi and a tow truck go rolling off an icy overpass. Yeah, like we said, it’s risky business.
From what we hear the driver is in stable condition, only suffering a few broken bones.
Gallery: Video: Semi trucks and ice don’t play nice
How to remove dents from your car using dry ice
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Misc. Tech, Transportation,
There's an urban legend out there that says that you can repair door dings and dents that you find on your car by rubbing dry ice over the dent and then heating it with a hair dryer or heat gun.Sure, it sounds a little silly, but as it turns out, it works!
Roaming the various threads and comments on VW Vortex, we came across a creative tutorial showing how the process works in removing and smoothing out dents. Hit the link to see how it’s done, thanks to the thread found on VWVortex.
Click to continue reading How to remove dents from your car using dry ice
Read More 
| VW Vortex
Gallery: How to remove dents from your car using dry ice
OnStar Family Link Tracking package set to launch this month
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: GPS, Transportation, Videos,
OnStar is ready to roll out their Family Link Tracking system. The system will be available to the masses at the end of the year, after OnStar has been talking about the system for a year or so already. Surprisingly enough, the system doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but only a measly $4 a month on top of an OnStar plan.
The system isn’t designed to give you minute-to-minute, real-time updates, but updates the family members in 20 second intervals or so. Instead, its purpose is to keep track of your vehicle and the location of it, and possibly keeping tabs on your kids as they’re behind the wheel. Check out the video above for a detailed look and see how it works!
Read More | Engadget
Gallery: OnStar Family Link Tracking package set to launch this month
Scion FR-S packing heat with a 5.0 Liter V8
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Mods / Hacks, Transportation, Videos,
Well for those that wanted it to happen and those of you that said it would happen, here it is, the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S built into a drifter. But to everyone’s dismay, the heavy mods have happened sooner rather than later.
The T86 features great low end driving dynamics, but lacks the same excitement on its top end; and its acceleration leaves much to be desired for seasoned drivers. It wouldn’t take long for the aftermarket to find a remedy for this with ECU reflashes and chips, but a complete engine swap one would see later down the road.
Well that’s not the case for the T86, as Manabu "Max" Orido's Toyota GT 86 popped a 5.0-liter V8, from Lexus’s IS-F, into his T86. Though we wish this was a factory option, a video for now will have to suffice. Enjoy!
Gallery: Scion FR-S packing heat with a 5.0 Liter V8
Volkswagen Eurovan converted into a camper
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Mods / Hacks, Transportation,
A few months back, we hit you with the Toyota Prius “Camper.” Yeah, that shoulda been an April Fools joke, but it was the real deal. However, jokes aside, the Volkswagen Eurovan has also gone “under the knife,” so to speak, and has been converted into a camper.
Thankfully, this conversion isn’t a monstrosity like the Prius was, but a modern take on the camper van. The Eurovan is dubbed the Doubleback, as the backend extends about six and half feet, giving campers more room. Keep in mind that the roof also extends giving campers more headroom. The only downfall of the conversion is that you make a four passenger van into a two passenger van. However, buyers can opt for the front bench seat adding room for one more occupant.
The company says that the conversion only adds 286 pounds to the curb weight, which isn’t bad considering the room that you’re getting. If you’re wondering about the price, it’s about $87,975 with taxes, conversions, and all the good stuff.
Read More | AutoBlog
Gallery: Volkswagen Eurovan converted into a camper
Color coordinating the Geneva Motor Show
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Design, Internet, Transportation,
The Geneva Motor is behind us now, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop drooling over the cars that debuted at the Show. Researching through the archives, trying to find a car you want as your next screensaver can be a pain, especially, if you’re looking for a vehicle of a particular color.
Well, fret not, as the guys over at CarBuzz have created a neat infograpfic to help locate a vehicle color of your choice.
Read More | CarBuzz
Gallery: Color coordinating the Geneva Motor Show
Google’s self-driving car brings a blind man to Taco Bell
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Google, Transportation, Videos,
We’ve had a lot of chatter about self-driving cars here at Gear Live, but apart from doing a few hot laps around a closed circuit and quick drive around the Autobahn, we haven't really seen a practical application. But our thoughts have changed, as Google has produced a self-driving Prius, which wouldn’t have been our first choice, but that’s not the point.
Google has developed a brilliant application of the autonomous car. As we reported before, the autonomous car was aimed for traffic improvement and flow, but Google believes that the technology could be used to assist the blind and those unable to operate a vehicle on their own.
The video follows Steve Mahan, as he gets around doing his daily routine. The tasks may seem trivial to us, but to a person of limited mobility, the possibilities are now endless.
Gallery: Google’s self-driving car brings a blind man to Taco Bell
Batman pulled over by the police and the story behind it
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Misc. Tech, Transportation, Videos,
Have you ever thought you'd see a real-life Batman on the other side of the law? Being pulled over by police and questioned? No, this isn’t a scene from the new Batman movie, but rather a reality that played out on the streets of Baltimore.
Lenny B. Robinson, a wealthy philanthropist, dresses as Batman as a part-time gig. According to the report, Robinson visits sick children in the hospital to cheer them up and boost the moral of the parents. He signs autographs and gives out Batman toys to the children. The Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is only a part of his gig.
Robinson told the Post that he is having a “real” Batmobile built. Watch the video above to see Batman being pulled over by the police.
Read More | AutoBlog
Gallery: Batman pulled over by the police and the story behind it
SAAB caught in the state of limbo
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
It’s been roughly three or so months since SAAB filed for bankruptcy. In addition, Saab Cars North America shut its dealerships down, forcibly. With the bankruptcy, many cars were left in limbo, caught between sale and repossession, we suppose. Though we’re not all entirely sure as to how the legalities work in this case, all we know is that there more than 900 SAAB vehicles on the Jersey Coast.
Though we've never been SAAB fans, it's saddening to see these cars left and exposed to the Jersey grossness. The sobering part of this is that these are the last of the SAABs to hit US soil, or that of which were produced. In any means, fan or not, these cars deserve a proper farewell or a home at best. On second thought, anyone down to go to Jersey and rescue a few SAABs? Follow the jump to see more pictures.
Click to continue reading SAAB caught in the state of limbo
Read More | Found Our Own Road
