Latest Gear Live Videos
3 ways to avoid speeding tickets that won’t cost you a thing
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Features, Transportation,
Each day I commute about 60 miles and I see a lot of things on the road. Some things are just gorgeous, like the snowcapped Olympic Mountains, while the other stuff I see is sheer stupidity, like the lady who decided to go against the flow of traffic today. These a pretty much non-issues in the world of driving, while we think that the real threat are the boys in blue. Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against our task force, but getting dinged for going 5 mph over the speed limit is a bit too ridiculous in my book. Over the years, I’ve noticed ways of how to avoid tickets at little or no cost to you. Continue reading for some tips!
Click to continue reading 3 ways to avoid speeding tickets that won’t cost you a thing
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Chevy calls out Ford in Super Bowl ad
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Last week we showed you a few sneak peaks at Super Bowl ads focused on cars. Now that the Big Game is over, we wanted to hand it to Chevy GM for making a commercial worth viewing.
The spot takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. The Chevy rises from the ashes, unscathed, and drives away. The end of the commercial is what made us laugh. Chevy had the guts to take a blatant stab at Ford. Though that’s a ballsy move on its behalf, I’d suggest they take a closer look at the competition before calling them out. I’d like to draw your attention to the Ford video below. You can watch a Chevy drive away from a CGI apocalyptic hell, or you can watch a Ford drive away after being tossed around in a hurricane. You be the judge.
Click to continue reading Chevy calls out Ford in Super Bowl ad
Cherry offers car washes anywhere in the Bay Area
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech, Transportation,
I’m very picky when it comes to how my car is washed. I’m not a fan of the drive-thru carwashes that seemingly miss many spots, and sometimes even scratch it. That's why I'm envious of those folks who are lucky enough to live in the Bay Area, as you now have a new option—Cherry!
Cherry is a mobile car wash service. You can schedule the car wash from anywhere, using the Cherry Web site or handy mobile app. Within 20 minutes or so, someone will come by and start washing your car. Payment of $29 is accepted through the app or website as well. Your vehicle is tracked using geotags, so (in theory) you don’t even have to meet the person washing your car. Convenience? I think so.
Cherry says that the company only uses 3 gallons of water to wash up to six cars. We’re not sure how that works, but it seems to be a viable business venture in a state such as California, which has implemented car-washing bans. Cherry plans to expand its services beyond the Bay Area in the future. For 29 bucks we’d be more than happy to have them wash our cars here in Seattle.
Mecedes-Benz Actros used as a taxicab
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Here in the U.S., we’re familiar with the semi-trucks we share the highways with during our commutes and rely on to deliver our goods...but seeing a semi as a taxicab, that’s something unheard of. Europe’s semi truck manufactures take pride in their products, and one brand in particular is out to prove they’re the best. That brand is Mercedes-Benz. It's have won Truck of the Year for its newly redesigned Actros. However, that wasn’t enough for the Mercedes. So someone got the bright idea of using an Actros as a taxicab. However, the Actros was set to pick up customers from competing manufactures such as Volvo and Man. Watch a video of their reactions after the jump!
Click to continue reading Mecedes-Benz Actros used as a taxicab
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| Autoblog
Lexus GS growing into a family of vehicles
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Along with the likes of Volkswagen, Honda, and Cadillac, Lexus is heading to the Super Bowl. The Lexus ad features the newly redesigned GS series, which is aimed to compete with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class; to which we say good luck. That said, the new redesign is rather sexy.
The commercial (which can be seen after the jump) is rather sci-fi-ish and features the GS locked in a container. The Lexus eventually breaks free, and at the end of the commercial there are four container boxes lit up while the narrator states, “this is just the beginning.”
This leads us to ask the question ‘what next up from Lexus?’ Toyota recently expanded its Prius family, which led us to believe the GS family will be expecting new additions. Lexus announced on its website that there will be a hybrid option along with an F-tuned option (which is geared to compete with the BMW M5.) This being so only accounts for three containers of mystery, that is if you include the GS 350 apart of the four. So what remains to be answered is what will be the forth family member in the GS line-up?
Click to continue reading Lexus GS growing into a family of vehicles
Bleeding Edge TV 420: OnStar API, FMV, RelayRides at CES
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Full Episodes, Gizmatic, CES, CES 2012, Features, Podcasts, Software, Transportation, Videocasts, Videos,
We chat with Vijay Iyer of OnStar to talk about how the OnStar FMV mirror add-on is performing at retail, as well as the new announcement of the OnStar API. The OnStar API allows third-party developers to write code and apps that tap into OnStar's cloud of user information. The first announced partner is RelayRides, which allows the average user to lend out his or her vehicle when they aren't using it, all controlled by a RelayRides app that taps into OnStar. We get a rundown of what OnStar users can expect from developers going forward. You can purchase the OnStar FMV from Amazon. This was recorded at CES 2012.
Big thank you to MozyPro and JackThreads for sponsoring the show - be sure to check them out! MozyPro provides simple, automatic, and secure data backup. As for JackThreads, we've got exclusive invite codes that give you $5 to use towards anything you'd like on the site.
JAC 4R3, the pirated Ford F-150, set to debut at Beijing Motor Show
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation,
Last summer I finally had a chance to return to my motherland, Ukraine. I grew up hearing stories of the place, but never got to experience it for what it really was, despite being born there. Apart from that fact that most of the stories I heard growing up were true (such as the mob “security personnel” running everything) I was shocked at the counterfeits I saw everywhere.
Now I’m not talking about computer software, as that's inevitable. What surprised me most were the vehicle counterfeits. Yes, you’d have your legitimate Benz here and there, but the general public mostly drove knock-offs from China. I saw countless fake vehicles everywhere, Toyotas to Dodge vehicles each having a Chinese cousin.
Chinese manufacturer JAC will be debuting the 4R3 at the Beijing Motor Show. The 4R3 is essentially a Ford F-150 copy. JAC is aiming to release the 4R3 in South American and African markets as an inexpensive work vehicle. The truck is powered by a diesel propelled four-banger, set to generate a little over a 100 horsepower and 177 torques. Though we’re not sure on what Ford has to say about this, we've gotta assume that it’s only a matter of time before JAC hears from Ford legal!
Read More | Car News China
BMW 5 Series drives autonomous driving test hits the Autobahn
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Science, Transportation,
A few weeks ago we reported on autonomous driving as a feature in the Toyota Fun-Vii, but it looks like BMW might have beat Toyota to the punch line.
Last year BMW scored 2-minute laps at Luguna Seca with the click of a button. This year BMW is back with new and improved technologies. When BMW hot lapped their 3 series at Luguna, they relied on radars and cameras to get the car to do what they wanted it to do. That wasn’t good enough for BMW, so they pushed the enveloped to have an autonomously-run car on the Autobahn, a road that has no speed limit. In order to execute this feat, BMW relied on ultrasonic scanners and lasers to read the road, traffic, and lanes. The system executes the necessary tasks and keeps with the flow of traffic. You can see the 5 series in action after the jump!
Though it is too early to see if this system will make it into production anytime soon, the technology is something manufactures have been dreaming of since the 50s. For now, BMW will be equipping some vehicles with a new Traffic Jam Assist system, aimed at helping you deal with traffic more efficiently.
Click to continue reading BMW 5 Series drives autonomous driving test hits the Autobahn
Read More | Autoblog
Projection mapping is the future of showcasing
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Design, Transportation,
Though the technology is beyond me, the use of projection mapping in auto shows is clearly a win.
With the help of a Russian marketing team Radugadesign (Translation: RainbowDesign), Audi has incorporated projection mapping into its showcases. Though Audi’s showcase is far more complex than ‘The Lamborghini Project,’ which also used projection mapping, the man-hours behind the project look mindbaffling.
However, as slick as it looks, the point of the presentation is a bit over our heads, other than promoting individualism and Marlboro. Yes, the cigarette company. The relation between the two companies confuses us, but the two working together can sure produce a sick showcase.
Click to continue reading Projection mapping is the future of showcasing
Read More | Autoblog
Mercedes-Benz B-Class plug-in hybrid set for U.S. debut soon
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
The U.S. segment for luxury automobiles is a cutthroat marketplace. The top two players, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, are in a constant battle for supremacy. Last year BMW led in sales by 2,715 vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz obviously hopes to take the lead. However, the road to success is that of trial-and-error. Mercedes-Benz plans on introducing a B-Class into its current line-up of vehicles for the States. The B-Class would be a plug-in hybrid aimed towards the U.S. buyer, says Joachim Schmidt, head of global sales for Mercedes-Benz.
Along with the B-Class, Mercedes-Benz plans on extending its hybrid line-up along with adding smaller class of vehicles—the A-Class. Though these are solid moves in attempting to overthrow BMW’s lead, only time, along with sales, will tell if Mercedes-Benz succeeds.
Read More | Autoblog
