Following the traditional summer break, all teams are now camped outside the legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit in preparation for this weekend’s 2012 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. The circuit is a favorite on the F1 calendar, thanks mostly to its history, the surrounding pristine scenery and the fact that it has the longest lap of any...Friday, August 31, 2012
Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix Preview
Following the traditional summer break, all teams are now camped outside the legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit in preparation for this weekend’s 2012 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. The circuit is a favorite on the F1 calendar, thanks mostly to its history, the surrounding pristine scenery and the fact that it has the longest lap of any...
Thursday, August 30, 2012
2013 Buick Regal gets sizable price hike thanks to standard eAssist
Buick has announced that the 2013 Regal will come equipped with standard eAssist when it hits dealers in the fall. As a result, the MSRP of base model will jump considerably over the 2012's starting price. While last year's Regal started at $27,055, with eAssist as a $2,000 option, the 2013 model starts at $29,015.
While we knew that eAssist would be standard in the 2013 Regal, this is the first pricing information we've seen. This further classifies the Regal as a premium sedan, and distances itself from the entry-level Buick Verano, which starts at $22,585, but can cross $30,000 when fully loaded. The downside of this move is that it detracts from the value argument when comparing the Verano and Regal.
Still, Buick hopes that buyers will be drawn in by the improvement in fuel economy. While last year's base Regal returned EPA fuel economy numbers of 19 miles per gallon city and 31 highway, the standard eAssist four returns 25/36. Scroll down for the full press release.
Continue reading 2013 Buick Regal gets sizable price hike thanks to standard eAssist
2013 Buick Regal gets sizable price hike thanks to standard eAssist originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsGM to Invest $1-Bilion in Russia During Next 5 Years
After China, Russia is one of the fastest growing and developing auto markets in the world. Now, following the Chinese model of outsourcing as much as possible, GM will be investing a reported $1-billion in Russia, during the next five years.
The American giant currently makes cars in Togliatti, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, and with the substantial investment will be increasing its production capacity in the country, as well as local s...
The American giant currently makes cars in Togliatti, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, and with the substantial investment will be increasing its production capacity in the country, as well as local s...
Source: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/gm-to-invest-1-bilion-in-russia-during-next-5-years-48882.html
2012 Brno Post-Race MotoGP Test Final Times: Crutchlow Leads Yamaha Trio At Test
Cal Crutchlow has topped the timesheets at the post-race test at Brno, getting well inside his fastest lap from yesterday's race on an old tire. Crutchlow's Monster Tech 3 Yamaha teammate Andrea Dovizioso took 2nd spot, having worked on the corner speed that had been lacking during the race weekend. Jorge Lorenzo set the 3rd fastest time on his current machine, the Factory Yamaha rider also having tested a first prototype of the 2013 M1, comprised of a new chassis and a modified tank. Lorenzo had spent some of the time focusing on braking, an area he was losing out on during the race.
Dani Pedrosa was the first of the Hondas, ending the test in 4th spot, though less than a quarter of a second off the time of Crutchlow. The Repsol Honda man had mainly been working on setup, though he had also had a new silencer to test, fitted as a way of adding weight to the bike needed to hit the 160kg minimum bike weight for 2013. Stefan Bradl was first of the satellite Hondas, just edging Alvaro Bautista by a few thousandths of a second, ending ahead of the second Factory Yamaha of Ben Spies. Spies had left the test early in the afternoon, having little testing work on his plate due to the fact he is leaving the factory at the end of the season.
French Adventurers in Citroen C-Zero Close to Completing World Trip [Video]
Two French men with a spirit of adventure, decided to take a kei-car-based Citroen C-Zero around the world. Last time we checked, Xavie Degon and Guy Antonin were making their way through China, after having passed through Japan.
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
2012 Brno MotoGP Sunday Post-Race Press Releases
Press releases from the MotoGP teams after Sunday's race at Brno:
Year:
2012
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S - More Images Released [Photo Gallery]
Now that we’ve met the new four-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models, in both coupe and cabrio guises, watched the promotion...
Video: Next 911 GT3 caught on video with PDK transmission
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Porsche
There's been debate about whether the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 will come with a manual transmission or PDK only. Inside Line has said that only one transmission will come to market, and the 911's product chief, August Achleitner, told IL that both transmissions were being tested but that it looked like the PDK would get the nod. Few outside Porsche testing facilities know what the answer final is, but thanks to some spy video, we now know what a PDK-equipped GT3 would sound like.
Other speculation surrounding the everyday racer says that it will be 150 to 200 pounds lighter than the preceding generation, and that its engine has been moved forward a bit to improve handling. Power output is expected to be around 480 horsepower, leaving room for the GT3 RS to hit the 500-hp mark. Check out the video below for the sights and sounds - and note what looks like a Gurney flap on the prototype's unique rear wing.
Continue reading Next 911 GT3 caught on video with PDK transmission
Next 911 GT3 caught on video with PDK transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/next-911-gt3-caught-on-video-with-pdk-transmission/
Wakeboarding The Flood
When you come across a funny video, make sure to send it in here. I’ll credit you for helping me find it! the2bucks.com Beer Bottles Mario Theme: www.youtube.com Wakeboarding The Flood Copyright issue? Send me a message and we’ll get it resolved ASAP.
Source: http://extremesportsblog.com/wakeboarding-the-flood.html/
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle
Filed under: Etc., On Two Wheels, Japan
Yes, this sounds like something straight out of the The Onion, but it appears to be the real deal. Toto Ltd., a Japanese toilet company has apparently constructed a highly efficient motorcycle that runs on, well, excrement. The project, which has been ongoing since 2009 is called 'Toilet Bike Neo,' made its debut on Thursday in a Fujisawa showroom.
The basis is a three-wheeled, 250cc trike, with a specially built toilet as the seat. It's important to note that the contraption does not run on the rider's (*ahem*) leavings. Rather, the vehicle runs on livestock waste, or waste water. The toilet-derived seat is just a rather blatant advertising device.
According to a Metro UK report, the vehicle "runs on biogas fuel (fertilized, purified and compressed livestock waste and household waste water) provided by the Shika-oi Town in Hokkaido and Kobe city."
This puts Toto at the front of the clean vehicle initiative in the Japanese market. The report says this vehicle could very well spawn a production model (we're guessing it wouldn't include the toilet seating), but there's no word yet on production timing or price for the poo-burning hog.
Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Commentsracing transmissions skip barber racing school racing steering wheels
Report: Toyota hacked by ex-IT worker, sensitive info stolen
Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Technology, Toyota, India
According to Toyota, a former employee has hacked into its computer systems and stolen sensitive information.
According to an Automotive News report, Toyota filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court in Lexington, Kentucky late last week. The complaint was filed against former IT contractor Ibrahimshah Shahulhameed, who Toyota says was fired on August 23. According to the filing, Toyota indicates Shahulhameed logged on to its system the evening of his firing and downloaded and printed trade secrets.
One result of the filing is that Toyota has acquired a restraining order against Shahulhameed, prohibiting him from leaving the United States or disseminating the information that Toyota says is ill-gotten company property.
The specific area that was hacked was ToyotaSupplier.com, a site where the automaker's suppliers exchange highly sensitive information with Toyota about both current and future products.
Toyota states that it will continue to investigate the security breach and do not yet know exactly what has happened with the confidential information. There is the possibility that it may have changed hands, but according to a Toyota manufacturing spokesman, "It's too early to speculate on what-if's."
According to the court documents, Shahulhameed is an Indian citizen who was living in Georgetown, Kentucky, and was apparently about to leave for his native India.
Toyota hacked by ex-IT worker, sensitive info stolen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/toyota-hacked-by-ex-it-worker-sensitive-info-stolen/
Spyshots: 2014 Smart Fortwo Test Mule
Usually, when we show you a test mule of an upcoming vehicle in our website’s spyshots section, the parts come from just one manufacturer. But Mercedes has jumped across the Maginot Line and is building cars with the French, creating a test mule that’s both a smart and a Renault.
This alliance impacts not only the small cars, but also the engines they use, commercial vehicles built by both companies as well as Nissan&a...
This alliance impacts not only the small cars, but also the engines they use, commercial vehicles built by both companies as well as Nissan&a...
Source: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/spyshots-2014-smart-fortwo-test-mule-48782.html
Video: Police cams capture woman's 119-mph stuck accelerator run [w/video]
Filed under: Safety, Videos, Crossover
Police car dashboard cameras have provided plenty of footage over the years of criminals attempting to evade police or horrific car accidents, but Lauri Ulvestad wasn't the former and some inspired - if not lucky - driving prevented the latter. Ulvestad, 47, of Ames, Iowa, experienced a stuck accelerator while driving her 2011 Kia Sorento along Interstate 35 in Missouri, and while she was able to call police to help clear traffic in front of her, it was her miraculous driving that ultimately ended the day with not so much as a scratch on her crossover.
The dash cam footage of a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer shows Ulvestad at speeds of well over 100 miles per hour swerving around cars and even using the median to avoid a collision. Ulvestad's Sorento was equipped with a keyless, pushbutton starter that she was unable to turn off, and according to the phone recording with a 911 operator, she was also unable to get the car to decelerate or shift the vehicle into neutral. After the 59-mile ordeal that lasted for about 35 minutes, police finally told her to try pulling back on the accelerator while hitting the brakes. This worked, and her Sorento came to a stop on the shoulder, leading some to suggest that accelerator entrapment (i.e. a floor mat wedged under the gas pedal) was to blame rather than a computer-related unintended acceleration. It has been reported that Kia is investigating what caused the problem, but it is just amazing that nobody was injured during the course of this event.
For vehicles with pushbutton starters, most vehicles can still be shut off by press and holding the starter button for a few seconds. This combined with shifting to neutral and applying the parking/emergency brake can usually help bring an out-of-control vehicle safely to a stop.
Scroll down to see the dash cam footage of Ulvestad's frightening incident.
Continue reading Police cams capture woman's 119-mph stuck accelerator run [w/video]
Police cams capture woman's 119-mph stuck accelerator run [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/police-cams-capture-womans-119-mph-stuck-accelerator-run-w-vid/
Spyker And Youngman Form Partnership, Announce Radical Model Plans
Sports car manufacturer Spyker, the parent company of bankrupt automaker Saab, has announced today it has formed a new alliance with Youngman, the Chinese automaker whose attempted purchase of Saab late last year was blocked by General Motors. Under the new alliance deal, which won’t be finalized until Youngman completes its due diligence...Monday, August 27, 2012
Greenpeace renews attack on VW's eco efforts with Star Wars-themed Golf Jedi Edition
Filed under: Green Culture, Hybrid, MPG, Volkswagen
Last year, Greenpeace targeted Volkswagen with its VW Dark Side campaign. A twist on the popular Star War-themed Passat commercial that debuted during the 2011 Super Bowl, VW Dark Side pointed out that VW wasn't doing as much as it could to further the cause of more efficient vehicles.
This year, Greenpeace is updating the attack with the Golf 7 Jedi Edition (the VW Dark Side URL now redirects to the Jedi Edition site) that launches, coincidentally, right about when the real new Golf comes out next month. The Jedi Edition is a "A hybrid diesel that does 315 miles per gallon" and has, due to some sort of Sith power, "A petrol engine that will do 282 miles per gallon." It also "Emits 75% less CO2 emissions than your average car."
As confusing as a diesel/gas powertrain is, the real message here, according to the Greenpeace blog, is:
A short intro video, which raises more questions than it answers, is available below.Don't you just hate it when someone has the power to make a real difference, but won't use it? Take Volkswagen for instance. It's Europe's biggest car maker, eager to display itself as a friend of the environment and known worldwide for its high standards of engineering.
Yet for years VW has failed to put its money where its mouth is and commercially produce cars that are both cheap to run and emit far less CO2 than the rest of the market. ...
So if over the coming weeks you hear gushing stories about VW's new 'green' Golf VII - don't believe the hype.
Greenpeace renews attack on VW's eco efforts with Star Wars-themed Golf Jedi Edition originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2012 Moscow World Supersport Race Result: Dominance To The Flag
World Supersport ran 22 unbroken laps in the dry and the Russian crowd are treated to a masterclass of smooth riding.
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