Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Latest Gear Live Videos
Fisker to replace battery packs on Karma EV vehicles
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
Fisker has issued a recall for the battery pack fitted in the Karma. The issue lies within the battery pack cell, produced by A123 Systems, which could result in “battery underperformance and decreased durability.” This has been identified as a plausible cause of Consumer Report’s Fisker Karma malfunction.
Fisker says that the issue could affect about 670 Karmas, and only a “handful” of Karmas actually manifest the issue. Roger Ormisher, Fisker’s director of global communications, told Wired that it would be installing new packs into affected Karmas as soon as a fault-free pack can be produced. The recall is setting Fisker back by $55 million, and the replacement will be free for customers.
Fisker is also extending warranties to consumers in the United States and Europe. In the States, the warranty is extended by 10 months/10,000 miles on top of the existing 50 month/50,000 mile warranty. European owner will also experience the same extension from 48 months/100,000 km to 60 months/100,000 km.
Fisker will be notifying affected customers with updates to their vehicles in the days to come.
Read More 
| Wired
Gallery: Fisker to replace battery packs on Karma EV vehicles
Advertisement
Standing mile record broken by the trio from Hennessey
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
The guys over at Hennessey have always had a knack for speed, power, and record breaking. So it doesn’t come to us as surprise that they broke the standing mile record down in Texas. The trio used their Ford GT to reach the record setting speeds at 257.7 mph.
Beneath the wildly wrapped GT lies the beast that powered it all: a twin-turbo charged motor. Their previous setup included a supercharger as well, but that was scrapped and swapped with a more efficient twin turbo setup. What the video above to see the record setting run from the cockpit.
Gallery: Standing mile record broken by the trio from Hennessey
Mini Countryman throws man off cliff, all in the name of marketing
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Mini has been on a crazed marketing campaign, and went on the record as to say “expect the unexpected.” Now doing a few donuts here and there is a far cry from the unexpected, but setting a man to fly off the top of a Mini Countryman’s roof definitely qualifies. Check out the John Cooper Works Mini in action above!
Gallery: Mini Countryman throws man off cliff, all in the name of marketing
Coda EV heading into production this week
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
The biggest turn off in buying an electric vehicle for most is the sticker price. Some, like the Fisker Karma, hover at six figures, and other like the Tesla cars range from $50,000 onward to $100,000, which is priced well above most pocketbooks. That leaves room for only a few EVs to choose from in the $30,000 neighborhood, primarily the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi I. If these two don’t float your boat, there is a new contender entering the market outta California.
The company is called Coda Automotive, and it's set to roll out a new 5-passenger EV. The company is based out of Los Angeles, California, and its EV plant is in Benicia. The car is priced reasonably at $35,200.
Buyers will have the option of choosing five exterior colors, two wheel designs, and those lucky enough to be within the first 500 customers will get cars that feature limited-edition accents, signifying they’re on of the first Coda vehicles to hit the road.
Click to continue reading Coda EV heading into production this week
Read More | CNet
Gallery: Coda EV heading into production this week
Win a chance to drive an Audi R8 for a day
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation, Videos,
Decisions, decisions, decisions! Would you take an Audi R8 delivered to your doorstep to ride around for a day, or go to Audi Sportscar Experience in Sonoma, California? These are the decisions 8 lucky winners will have to make after winning Audi’s #WantAnR8 Twitter campaign.
This is Audi’s second year running with the event, and the contest closes on October 29th. “Audi is splitting the campaign into four entry periods, with two winners from each period,” Autoblog reports. Last year over 75,000 hashtags were used in the campaign, we’re not sure what the odds of winning are, but you can bet we’ll be hashtagging like crazy to win. #WantAnR8. See?
Read More | Autoblog
Gallery: Win a chance to drive an Audi R8 for a day
Newly redesigned Volkswagen Beetle attracts male buyers
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Design, Transportation,
Let’s face it, the New Beetle wasn’t much of an attention grabber. It came off as cute, girly, and flowery, and as such, it lacked in sales to the male population. But Volkswagen wanted to change that, so they redesigned the New Beetle to be more manly and appealing across the board. They have succeeded.
Volkswagen has reported that male sales for the Beetle are up to 43%, which is a staggering improvement from the 29% of the New Beetles from years past. Also, many dudes, according to VW, have showed an interest in the diesel version of the Beetle, which is due some time in 2013. Also, along with the redesign, VW’s ads have also had a male focused vibe, which is also an aiding factor in their sales.
With this being said, it leaves us with one question to ask our male readers, would you buy the new VW Beetle? If so, why or why not? And, ladies - does the new design turn you off? Leave your comments below.
Gallery: Newly redesigned Volkswagen Beetle attracts male buyers
Freightliner Revolution Innovation aimed to change the world of trucking
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
The world of trucking has been a familiar industry for me, as most of my family is involved with it in one way or another. I've even got a cousin who would fit well into the show “Shipping Wars,” seen on A&E, and along with my father and many uncles who do long haul driving. Freightliner recently unveiled its newest concept truck, dubbed the Revolution Innovation, which they’re aiming for production. It’s the truck of this decade and the future, they claim. Though the design and said functionality of the truck is cool, there are many things I see becoming a nuisance and hindrance on the road.
For instance, the Revolution only features one entry point, throwing out the passenger-side door. They eliminated the passenger door, as their research shows it's rarely used. Though we’re not trying to argue with Freightliner’s research, passengers do ride along at times, and the passenger door is used for other things as well. Along with other major redesign changes from the conventional, there are a few good things they’ve changed, such as the user interface with the truck. In all, the design of the truck is cool, but in the long run we don’t see some of its practicality. You be the judge by watching the video above.
Gallery: Freightliner Revolution Innovation aimed to change the world of trucking
Velib and Autolib: Bike and car sharing changing the way Paris gets around
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Paris is one of the trend-setting cities of the world when it comes to fashion and delicious food. However, when it comes to personal transportation, like all metropolitan cities in Europe, it's better to walk than drive. However, soon that may all be changing, as Vélib' and Autolib' launched their ride-share programs. Vélib' features over 20,000 bikes, and Autolib' currently features 250 cars and is expected to grow to over 3,000 cars, by next year. The rental prices range from $12-21 an hour. Not a bad alternative to mass transit. Check out the video above to see how it works.
Read More | Autoblog
Gallery: Velib and Autolib: Bike and car sharing changing the way Paris gets around
Toyota 86 (Scion FR-S) price announced, only to disappoint, at $24,930
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Transportation,
There has been much hype surrounding the Toyota 86 (Scion FR-S for the U.S.) and the Subaru BRZ after both vehicles hit the assembly line a few days ago. Much of the speculation was that the car was going to be a game changer for both manufacturers. On Toyota’s side, they would finally have a proper sports car after killing their legendary Supra (our fingers are still crossed in hopes Toyota will bring it back.) On other side of the field, Subaru has given up their claim to fame in only producing all-wheel-drive vehicles, as the BRZ is a rear-wheel drive coupe. But personally, the biggest blow is the price tag attached to the Toyota 86--$24,930.
Let’s be real here, with a sticker price in the mid $20s, the Toyota 86 doesn’t hold a candle to some its competitors. In the neighborhood of $25,000 you have plenty of other options. If you’re looking for a bit more room and functionality, you can pick up a Volkswagen Golf GTI, which starts at $23,995. If you’re looking for a thrill and all weather functionality, you have the Subaru WRX, which starts at $25,595.
Now if you’re wondering what the BRZ will be priced at, it’ll cost even more without a doubt. But Subaru has not yet released their price on the coupe. Unless you’re a diehard for a coupe, the BRZ’s price point is just illogical, not too mention that for $24,250 you can get a coupe that’ll run circles around the T86 and BRZ all day long. Wondering what that is? The newly redesigned Hyundai Genesis, featuring 274 horses. This, in our opinion is a better buy in the current sports coupe market.
Gallery: Toyota 86 (Scion FR-S) price announced, only to disappoint, at $24,930
Nissan is set to bring back the Datsun nameplate in emerging markets
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
The rumors are true; Nissan is bringing back the Datsun nameplate. Now before your mind goes into nostalgia, reminiscing about a Datsun 240z and the possibility something similar might come back, we can confirm it’s most likely not.
Nissan aims for the Datsun nameplate to play a huge role in emerging markets, such as Indonesia, India, and Russia as an affordable, yet well equipped option out the box for consumers. This is one of the primary reasons why we won't see Datsun in the States, as Nissan already achieved this with its own name. Follow the jump to read to full, yet brief, press release.
Click to continue reading Nissan is set to bring back the Datsun nameplate in emerging markets
