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Fiat hopes Charlie Sheen will help boost sales
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Fait is taking a chance on Charlie Sheen in hopes of generating sales. The company is betting that the edgey appeal of Sheen will generate more hype for the vehicle, which has been suffering in sales.
The use of Charlie Sheen as a spokesman has generated questionable publicity, Chrysler’s chief marketing officer, Olivier Francois, stands behind his pick, stating, “He [Sheen] definitely has a bit of the scorpion in him.” Francois was the mastermind behind the “Imported from Detroit” ads which starred Eminem, and this years “Halftime” ad using Clint Eastwood. Advertising Age went on the record stating, “From drug use to allegations of domestic abuse, Charlie Sheen is a portrait of bad behavior.”
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Read More 
| Sun Times
Gallery: Fiat hopes Charlie Sheen will help boost sales
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Volkswagen XL1 super hybrid set to go into limited production
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation,
Rumors have been floating around for a year or so that Volkswagen might be putting its Formula XL1 into production. Now if you haven’t heard of the Volkswagen XL1, it’s VW's take on compact hybrids. Yes, we know that name is begs to differ with its size, but XL doesn’t even begin to describe the MPG’s aimed to achieve.
The Volkswagen XL1 is said to achieve 235 miles per gallon. To put that in perspective, you'd be able to get from Seattle to Portland using less than one gallon of gas, which currently costs about $4. The car is powered by a 1-liter motor aided with what we’re assuming will be some sort of electrical motor.
The car may look fast and large in the image, but it’s actually neither. The XL1 weighs in at 1,753 pounds and is the size of Volkswagen Golf. It's also said to top out at a break-neck speed of 75 MPH, however reaching this speed will take some time. Volkswagen reports that the car will take 32 seconds to hit even 50 MPH from a standstill. Given these stats, we’re not so sure we’re all too thrilled with it, but for the MPGs, we can look past this issue.
The Volkswagen XL1 is said to go into production with limited sales. We’re hoping that a few of those sales happen here in the US.
Gallery: Volkswagen XL1 super hybrid set to go into limited production
General Motors officially opposes Washington State Electric Vehicle Tax
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
GM went on the record opposing Governor Christine Gregoire on Senate Bill 5251. For those of you not familiar with the bill, it would impose a $100 annual tax on electric vehicle owners to make up for lost revenue not paid in gas taxes.
GM’s Regional Director Howard Lenox, Jr. wrote "A fee which singles out electric vehicles will be a disincentive to the growth of the electric vehicle market in Washington State. As a practical matter, there are so few vehicles on Washington's roads today that their impact in replacing fuel tax revenues will, for now, be negligible."
Now, we understand where the Lenox is coming from, but has he sat through 405 traffic in the morning? Seattle area traffic is some of the worst in the nation. The bill is supposed to generate $1.9 million dollars in lost revenue by 2017. However, it's still subject to approval by Washington state voters. It’s reported that Arizona, Oregon, and Kansas are among other states to pass similar bills.
How about you? Would you oppose or support Senate Bill 5251? Leave your answers in the comments letting us know!
Gallery: General Motors officially opposes Washington State Electric Vehicle Tax
Happy 60th Birthday, Corvette!
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation, Videos,
So what's there to do when one turn 60? Well, if you're Chevy, make produce one more model before your next anticipated seventh-generation Corvette and series of YouTube videos to match. Check this one out as the 60th Anniversary Corvette 427 Convertible blows out some candles. Let's hope one of those wishes was for a better interior!
Gallery: Happy 60th Birthday, Corvette!
Russian engineer builds radio-controlled hovering DeLorean car
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Mods / Hacks, Movies, Toys, Transportation, Videos,
Ever since I was a child, I always wanted a hover car. More so, I wanted a car what was iconic. Now, granted, any hover car would be iconic, but I wanted something that would be undeniably cool regardless of what era the car was seen in. Well, with a few bucks, some creativity, and a little time on your hands, the dream is now possible.
Back over in the Motherland, a Russian engineer has built a radio-controlled hover car based on the DeLorean from Back to the Future. His mantra for the project is “Where we’re going, who needs roads?” which we find appropriate for the build. Though this isn’t a full size replica, it’s still one hell of a bragging right. Check the video above!
Gallery: Russian engineer builds radio-controlled hovering DeLorean car
For those that have been to Mexico City, you’re familiar with the green Volkswagen Bug taxis employed by the city. They green VWs have become an icon to Mexico City, just as coffee has become an icon to Seattle. However, the green Bugs are on their last leg, as this year they will become extinct.
Due to government regulations and safety bylaws, all cabbies are required to have four-door vehicles. While we couldn’t see the convenience of having a two-door taxi inthe first place, a former cabbie told the AP that they were cheap to operate. However, safety is an issue, and cramming people into what essentially is a 74-year-old car does cause more than a few safety concerns. So if you want to experience the green cabs for one last time, book your flights to Mexico City now before it’s too late!
Read More | Autoblog
Gallery: So long green cabs of Mexico City
Photographing the Lamborghini Aventador like a boss using a light on a stick and Forza 4
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Design, Transportation, Video Games, Videos,
I may not shoot often, but when I do I make sure I shoot like a boss. Now, grante,d access to the most expensive equipment may not always be something that you can count on, but regardless of what camera you've got, lighting is key in any shot. Apart from solid lighting, thinking outside the box may also be necessary, as Blair Blunting uses Forza 4 to get inspiration for shooting the Lamborghini Aventador. Don’t believe us? Check out the video above!
Read More | AutoBlog
Gallery: Photographing the Lamborghini Aventador like a boss using a light on a stick and Forza 4
Ford brings updated SYNC and MyFord Touch software update to 300,000 cars
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Software, Transportation,
Technology is a driving factor today for many purchases, and automotive purchases are no exception to this rule. Many of those that have purchased or have driven in a new Ford lately have noticed that the vehicle may have been equipped with MyFord Touch or Microsoft SYNC. Ford’s Partnership with the technology giant has proven to be a valuable investment, generating growing sales on a yearly basis. However, as we all know, the technology we bought two or more years ago can quickly get outdated. Ford acknowledges this, and is releasing a software update that will launch on the 2013 Ford Taurus and Flex, as well as seven other vehicles. Even better, they are releasing the same update for 300,000 current owners of older models as well.
Ford will begin mailing out the update shortly, which will be loaded on a USB drive with instructions; stopping by a dealership for installation is also an option. The update isn’t frivolous either, as it will consist of a smoother UI, enhanced voice recognition, and an enhanced visual experience allowing the user to navigate with ease. Furthermore, for vehicles equipped with a navigation unit, Ford will include a SD card with updated maps.
Click to continue reading Ford brings updated SYNC and MyFord Touch software update to 300,000 cars
Read More | Ford
Gallery: Ford brings updated SYNC and MyFord Touch software update to 300,000 cars
This is how easy it is to fool a TSA body scanner
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Misc. Tech, Transportation, Videos,
Well, this is a it alarming. You know those crazy TSA body scanners that blast you with radiation and can pretty much make you appear naked in the scanned image? Well, apparently, they are easier to trick than a regular old metal detector. More invasive, potentially hazardous to your health, and not as good as the faster, simpler, and more efficient metal detector. Hopefully this opens up some eyes, raises some eyebrows, and results in quick change. More at the link below, which we recommend sending to your local government representatives in the hopes that action is taken.
Read More | TSA Out of Our Pants
Gallery: This is how easy it is to fool a TSA body scanner
Can the NHTSA make cars safer with mandatory backup cameras by 2014?
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Cameras, Editorial, Transportation,
A few nights ago I found myself, along with two of my friends, shooting the breeze at a local watering hole. All of us come from different walks of life and hold different views on politics and social matters; but our love of good food, cars, and company puts all that aside. If you put us together for an extended period of time, one of us is doomed to end up in a hospital because of another, but it’s all fun and games.
Mid-way into the evening, my friend mentioned that he’s in the market for a new pistol. The other guy highly opposes guns. The bartender chimes in with his two cents, stating knifes kill people, cars kill people, and since people die in hospitals, the hospitals must be killing people, too. With these two bickering back and forth, it got me wondering just how many people get injured, or killed, on a yearly basis due to getting his by a car and how that compared to gun fatalities. Recently the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a bill that would require all automotive manufacturers to include a backup camera in all vehicles by 2014. However, this wouldn’t come out of the manufacturers pocker, as the expense is passed on to the consumer. It would end up raising the cost of a vehicle by about 200 bucks. It's a small price to pay, and would more than likely save a bunch of lives.
Click to continue reading Can the NHTSA make cars safer with mandatory backup cameras by 2014?
Read More | AutoBlog
