| _______________ | 1 |  | Video: Homebuilt Steaurus 2000 is a Blue Oval the likes of which we've never seen | Filed under: Etc., Videos, Ford, Humor 
Just a few of the specs: eight batteries, one toaster, one microwave, one DVD player, one VCR, five exterior cameras and a "secondary auxiliary defroster." Oh, and one really, really funky hat, under which exists one heck of a hair style. Those are the things you'll find in and around the Stearus 2000, the creation of a real-life Captain H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock that debuted at this year's Woodward Dream Cruise. (How in the heck did we miss this one?)
The name is a combination of the words "Steve," its inventor, and "Taurus," the car. Steve is from Marine City, Michigan, a town that obviously breeds one-of-a-kind folk. He has almost as many quotable lines as his car has features (one of our favorites: "I also have a hammer"), so do yourself a favor and follow the jump to hear about the Stearus 2000 in his own words.
[Source: The Detroit News]Continue reading Video: Homebuilt Steaurus 2000 is a Blue Oval the likes of which we've never seen Video: Homebuilt Steaurus 2000 is a Blue Oval the likes of which we've never seen originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 2 | | Report: Mercedes-Benz developing 'Magic' active body control | Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury 
Mercedes-Benz has codenamed its latest suite of driver convenience aids "Magic," and the automaker will soon introduce a Magic Carpet Magic Body Control suspension technology and a Magic Sky Control roof tech. Sadly, there are no wizards nor Tinkerbells involved in any of this, just a whole bunch of electro-hydraulic and magnetorheological engineering.
Magic Body Control is the next generation of Active Body Control. Created with the help of ZF, the system of bushings atop the strut towers neutralizes wheel and body movements at two different frequencies. Daimler's testing indicates that MBC reduces 80 percent of unsavory suspension reverberations. It will show up on the S-Class and CL-Class in 2013.
Magic Sky Control will be seen as soon as next year on the new SLK. Working like photochromatic sunglasses that get darker in the sun, a magnetorheological glass offers a range of opacity from "near totally clear" to "dark blue." It doesn't alter the form of the roof and can be applied to any window, so expect to see this new development work its way through Mercedes-Benz's lineup. This technology could be used around a car's entire greenhouse and perhaps obviate the need for sun visors.
[Source: Inside Line]Report: Mercedes-Benz developing 'Magic' active body control originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 3 | | Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.9.10 | 
Honda did something silly during the launch of its all-new 2011 Odyssey minivan. The automaker built a large autocross-type "track" in the parking lot of San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium and invited journalists to take its latest eight-passenger family hauler for hot laps.
You know what they say; if at first you crash your monster truck in the pursuit of a world record, try, try again. Joe Sylvester, the owner and driver of the Bad Habit monster truck, has officially nabbed the world record for flying contraptions of that variety, sailing 208 feet through the stratosphere before touching ground on the other side.
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.9.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 4 | | Nissan-Dongfeng creating new brand for China? | Filed under: China, Nissan  It looks like the Chinese car market is going to get a little more crowded. According to a report from Just-Auto, Nissan and its partner company, Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, will be forming a new brand just for the people's republic. Called Venucia, the company aims to have its first products on the road by 2012. With such a short development time, we expect its stable to be made up primarily of Dongfeng products with new fascias and Nissan powerplants, but you never know. Just-Auto says that Nissan and Dongfeng have devoted an entire team to the project, including research, design and manufacturing.
Interestingly enough, Venucia won't completely replace Nissan in China. Instead, the two companies will sell vehicles right alongside one another. Nissan has said that it will provide engines for the project, and that the brand is aimed toward filling the need for inexpensive, quality transportation in the Chinese market.
Dongfeng said that the Venucia project is part of its plan to sell one million vehicles annually. Last year, it sold 519,000 units.
[Source: Just-Auto]Nissan-Dongfeng creating new brand for China? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 5 | | Video: BMW goes unscripted with 413,000-mile 2800 CS | Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Videos, BMW 
Murray Fowler's 1969 BMW 2800 CS - Click above to watch video after the jump
As much as we adore vintage iron, we love the people responsible for keeping them around even more. You'll never find a more dedicated sample of humanity than those prowling local swap meets and cruise-ins, each nearly guaranteed to boast a tale or two of how they came to be infatuated with the make or model of their choice. BMW has recently decided to tap into that wealth of unparalleled brand loyalty with a new video series that the company is calling "BMW Unscripted." The episode after the jump focuses on one very smitten owner and the immaculate 1969 2800 CS he bought new over 40 years ago.
Murray Fowler was 40 years old when he drove his 2800 CS for the first time, and over the years, the guy has racked up a dizzying number of miles on the clock - a total of about 413,000 at the time that the video was recorded. This isn't some garage queen locked away from the temptation of beautiful Southern California roads. Oh, no - this is the real deal. Hit the jump to take a look at the flick for yourself.
[Source: YouTube via WebRidesTV]Continue reading Video: BMW goes unscripted with 413,000-mile 2800 CS Video: BMW goes unscripted with 413,000-mile 2800 CS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 6 | | Mini unveiling new concept on September 23 and you can be in attendance... if you live in the UK | Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Mini, UK
Mini is unveiling a new concept on September 23 in London, and you can win exclusive tickets to join select journalists and BMW Group employees at the live unveiling. All you have to do to enter for a chance to win is e-mail facebook at mini dot co dot uk with the subject line 'MINI Design Concept Event' by Monday, September 13. Excited? Ready to enter? Don't get too jazzed up - Mini is only offering this contest to folks who live in the United Kingdom.
It's pretty disappointing that the contest is only available to UK residents (we totally want to go), but we are indeed interested in what lies under the skin-tight body wrap seen here. It appears to be some version of the Mini Countryman, but we can distinctly see the bulge of two door handles on the driver's side, ruling out any chance that this concept will be the rumored coupe version of the Mini crossover. John Cooper Works treatment, perhaps?
If you live on the English Isle and are interested in attending the event, head over to Mini UK's Facebook page for more info.
[Source: Mini UK Facebook]Mini unveiling new concept on September 23 and you can be in attendance... if you live in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 7 | | 2011 Subaru WRX lineup configurator now online | Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru 
It's time for X-Games fetishists and lovers of sideways, dirt-slinging action to get excited - the 2011 Subaru WRX is one-step closer to being in your driveway. If you head over to Subaru.com, you can play with their online configurator and create the new WRX that appeals to you.
Available as a sedan or five-door hatchback, the Impreza WRX is offered with either six or seven colors to choose from. This is dependent on which engine you want under the hood. The 265-horsepower WRX gets the standard set of color options while the 305-hp WRX STI gets more than a power boost - you can also add Plasma Blue Pearl to the available palette.
Our virtual 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI wears Obsidian Black Pearl and is going to cost us $39,130 (we know, we know - it needs gold wheels). There are plenty of ways to make that dollar figure go way up or way down, so head over to the configurator and have some fun. Thanks for the tip, Peter!
Photos Copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL
[Source: Subaru]
2011 Subaru WRX lineup configurator now online originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 8 | | Infographic: The Unstealable Car | Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology 
What a theft-proof car requires - Click above to view the image after the jump
According to HomeSecurity.net, one million vehicles (worth a total of $7.5 billion) were stolen in the United States last year. If you don't want to join a top ten list of vehicles dominated by Honda and Toyota, there are seven key technologies you'd install to create "The Ultimate Theft-Proof Car." No, one of them isn't The Club.
Leading the way is a radio-frequency transmitter, which is alone responsible for 90 percent of theft recoveries. Following that are a secure identification device like a fingerprint reader, some sort of GPS tracking system, SIM-card operated GSM communications that allow the car to call its owner when its broken into, an interior motion detector, keyless entry and a passive immobilizer. Or you could just get an Abrams M1 tank - we hear they're pretty hard to lift, as well. Follow the jump for the complete infographic.
[Source: HomeSecurity.net]Continue reading Infographic: The Unstealable Car Infographic: The Unstealable Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 9 | | Follow-up: Kia names new vice chairman | Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Kia, South Korea 
Kia has named its next vice chairman. Lee Hyoung-Keun, the company's chief of overseas operations, will step up into the automaker's highest leadership role to fill the void left by Jeong Sung-Eun, who stepped down from the position of vice chairman after a global recall sent many of the company's vehicles in for repairs. Lee, who is also known as Hank Lee, will continue to perform the duties of his old role in the company while taking on the responsibilities of the vice chairman at the same time.
The Detroit News states that Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-Koo was originally responsible for asking Jeong to step down, though Hyundai has not officially confirmed this report. Kia recalled a total of 104,047 vehicles worldwide, with 35,185 of those in the United States. The recall primarily concerned a faulty wiring harness that could eventually cause a fire if left unchecked.
[Source: The Detroit News]Follow-up: Kia names new vice chairman originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
| _______________ | 10 | | Nissan teases Paris-bound Townpod EV concept | Filed under: Concept Cars, Paris Motor Show, Nissan, Design/Style, Electric 
As the Paris Motor Show draws closer, automakers are sending out the usual raft of teaser shots. The pictures never reveal much but they definitely get people talking. The image you see above? It's a glimpse at the zero-emissions, electric concept vehicle called the Nissan Townpod EV.
Nissan has this to say about the Townpod:
It is designed to offer zero-emissions mobility to a future generation of home-based, innovative entrepreneurs who are creative and tech-savvy. It is more than just a car and it's more than just a van - it heralds a new-era of flexible, stylish vehicles that will bring electric-vehicle mobility to the masses.
So, is it an electric city-car for the techie on the go? Will the Townpod EV be a mobile blogging lair for those both green and lazy? Honestly, we have no clue. It's not easy to figure out what something looks like from an image that resembles the eye of an Autobot. For now, we'll just have to let our imaginations run wild.
We do love staring at concept vehicles until our contact lenses dry out, and the Nissan Townpod EV is sure to be no exception. Stay tuned for updates from the Paris Motor Show, and hit the jump to read Nissan's official press release.
[Source: Nissan]Continue reading Nissan teases Paris-bound Townpod EV concept Nissan teases Paris-bound Townpod EV concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments | |
