Tag: alert

Video: Spoiler Alert! The French leak key chase scene from Fast Five

Filed under: Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, Celebrities

fast five dodge chargers

Dodge Chargers get furious in Fast Five – Click above to watch video after the jump

Fast Five, the fifth installment in The Fast and the Furious franchise, hits theaters Friday, April 29th. Since we live in the age of instant gratification, you’re able to hunt down some of the key scenes and check out the furious action before you decide to plunk down your hard-earned bucks for a ticket. In order to facilitate the decision making process, a key chase scene has made its way to YouTube courtesy of the French arm of Universal Pictures.

We’ll let you decided whether or not you want to watch the clip posted after the jump. However, we will tell you that Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) use a pair of pumped-up Dodge Chargers in a… unique capacity. The tow-rating on a 5.7-liter-equipped Charger is 2,000-pounds max, and even if you double that figure we’re pretty sure the director is employing a healthy scoop of automotive movie magic to shoot this scene. We’ll save the real sleuthing for a future episode of Mythbusters.

Click past the jump to watch three minutes and 44 seconds of Fast Five. It goes without saying that there are massive spoilers here, right? The audio is in French, but you shouldn’t have too much trouble figuring out what’s going on.

Gallery: Fast Five

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Spoiler Alert! The French leak key chase scene from Fast Five

Video: Spoiler Alert! The French leak key chase scene from Fast Five originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ninja Alert! Beware of car salesmen trained in the art of phone calls

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, BMW

It may sound obvious to say you should be wary of car salesmen on the phone, just as you should be wary of car salesmen in general. To hammer the point home, though, here are some audio files of Jerry Thibeau training salespeople at car dealerships, in this case a BMW dealership, to schmooze and potentially ensnare customers before they even walk on the lot.

With the Internet stealing large portions of business from car dealerships, there’s a real need for dealers to invest in this kind of telephone training. Thibeau answered the call when he started New York-based Phone-Up Ninjas back in late 2009.

Guys like Thibeau charge $2,000 a day plus expenses to visit car dealerships for these training sessions. They can also do the work remotely, dubbing constructive criticism into mystery shopper phone calls to point out where a salesperson’s pitch could use some help.

The car salesman on the other end of the line has a job to do: make you buy a car (or how about this nice SUV that’s just a little more per month?). Just remember that, next time, you may be talking to a ninja.

Our advice? Hang up. Follow the jump to hear the ninja training calls, or read the full report at AOL Autos to learn more about how this industry operates.

[Source: AOL Autos | Image: Getty]

Continue reading Ninja Alert! Beware of car salesmen trained in the art of phone calls

Ninja Alert! Beware of car salesmen trained in the art of phone calls originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spoiler Alert: 2011 12 Hours of Sebring in the books

Filed under: Motorsports, Racing

12 Hours of Sebring 2011

2011 12 Hours of Sebring – Click above for image gallery

The 2011 running of the historic 12 Hours of Sebring is officially over, and the results show some old-hat veterans and surprise newcomers on the podium. There was plenty of action to be had across the classes, including some impressive comebacks and debuts.

Click past the jump for a full race recap and the results of the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring.

Gallery: 2011 12 Hours of Sebring

[Source: American Le Mans Series]

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: 2011 12 Hours of Sebring in the books

Spoiler Alert: 2011 12 Hours of Sebring in the books originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Feds pondering banning EV alert noise shutoff

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Hyundai, Electric

hyundai sonata hybrid

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was supposed to begin reaching customers late in 2010, but a last-minute change prevented that from happening. The battery-packing Sonata was originally fitted with an on/off switch to disable the synthetic engine audio that would come on whenever the vehicle was being driven under electric power, but a forthcoming regulation changed that.

Hyundai ordered a last-minute change deleting the switchgear because of a bill passed by Congress (and later signed by President Obama) that made non-defeatable noise-making devices mandatory for hybrids and EVs. Automotive News reports that the ball is in the court of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the agency plans to set a proper timetable in the next three years.

While the law banning the EV alert noise on/off switch will likely stop automakers from adding the switch in the future, we’re thinking NHTSA should still act fast in coming up with a date. The move would help automakers to know what they can and can’t do, preventing more product delays in the future.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Second Drive

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Feds pondering banning EV alert noise shutoff originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: New NYPD sirens add rumble to alert distracted pedestrians

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology, Videos, Police/Emergency

the rumbler police siren video screen shot

The Rumbler: Coming to a Cop Car near you – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you’re walking down the street, you might be distracted with a phone at your ear, or you might be listening to your iPod, or you might just be oblivious. When driving, the car you’re in is insulated to reduce the amount of exterior noise that enters the cabin, and besides, you might have a stereo on. This can be a problem for the police, who use their sirens as an attention grabbing device. There is a solution, however, and it’s called the Rumbler.

Fitting a pair of subwoofers under the rear bumper and connecting them to the horn, the police are able to grab your attention in a whole new way. The Rumbler produces a tone at the same volume as the sirens, but because its a much lower tone, you don’t just hear it, you feel it. CNN Money’s Peter Valdes-Dapena explores the Rumbler as fitted to NYPD patrol cars in the clip posted after the jump.

[Source: CNN Money]

Continue reading Video: New NYPD sirens add rumble to alert distracted pedestrians

Video: New NYPD sirens add rumble to alert distracted pedestrians originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spoiler Alert: Daytona 500 winner makes history

Filed under: Motorsports

2011 Daytona 500

If you’re saving your 2011 Daytona 500 viewing experience for a later date, you’ll want to go ahead and skip this post all together.

Still with us? This year marked the 53rd running of the biggest race in NASCAR, and thanks to a completely re-paved track, the event saw a record 74 lead changes between 22 drivers. The new sticky asphalt also led to plenty of side-by-side racing with more than a few pile ups as a result. But all of that carnage happened to open the door for one very unlikely winner.

Wood Brothers Racing took home the checkered flag for the first time since 1976 with 20 year-old Knoxville, Tennessee native Trevor Bayne behind the wheel. Never heard of him? We aren’t surprised. This Daytona 500 only marked his second Sprint Cup series start. Bayne led the last six laps and successfully fought off a last-minute rush by Carl Edwards to take home the $1.46 million purse and become the youngest-ever winner of the Daytona 500. While Bayne was only scheduled to run five races with Wood Brothers this year, this win just might change his schedule.

[Source: ESPN | Image: Glenn Smith/AP Photo]

Spoiler Alert: Daytona 500 winner makes history originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don’t

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

2010 Race of Champions
2010 Race of Champions – click above for high-res image gallery

Düsseldorf’s Esprit Arena hosted this year’s Race of Champions, making it the first time the event has been held in Germany and the first time it’s been held indoors. The 1.2 kilometer track, consisting of an outside and an inside loop, would play host to one of the finest collections of motorsport champions ever assembled: Formula One World Champions Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, 500cc motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan, Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx and British Touring Car champ Jason Plato. However, it was a rookie from a country not known for its motorsports that took the fight to all of them and walked away with the belt. Make the jump for our detailed recap.

Gallery: 2010 Race of Champions

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don’t

Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don’t originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automotive X Prize: And the winners are… (spoiler alert)

Filed under: Hybrid, Earnings/Financials, Specialty, Electric

Automotive X-Prize vehicles line up in the Knockout Stage – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to meet the winners of the 2010 Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize. But before we get to declaring the victors, let’s take one last look at the finalists:

Mainstream Class

  • Edison2, Very Light Car (team name, car name)

Alternative Class – Tandem

  • X-Tracer, E-Tracer

Alternative Class – Side-by-Side

  • Aptera, Aptera 2e
  • Li-ion Motors, Wave II
  • RaceAbout Association, RaceAbout
  • TW4XP, TW4XP
  • ZAP, Alias

Gallery: Automotive X-Prize Knockout Stage

Want to see the actual winners (besides the two that are rather obvious, of course)? Click past the jump.

Continue reading Automotive X Prize: And the winners are… (spoiler alert)

Automotive X Prize: And the winners are… (spoiler alert) originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Event Alert: September 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Auctions, Paris Motor Show, Event Alert

September means the end of summer vacation, but the automotive festivities continue, including the Paris Motor Show at the very end of the month. We’ll have a full team coverage in the City of Lights, but that’s almost a month away. Between now and then there are hundreds of car-related events to keep all but the most rabid gearheads satisfied.

While our coverage of Monterey and the Woodward Dream Cruise last month gave us a year’s worth of classic and collectible car memories, September has a lot more to offer for classic car fans. Here’s some highlights:

  • Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival
  • The Great Labor Day Cruise
  • Chico Concours d’Elegance
  • Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance
  • Kirkland Concours d’Elegance
  • Coastline Car Classic & Motoring Road Rally
  • Belmont Shore Car Show
  • Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance
  • Japanese Classic Car Show
  • Salisbury Concours d’Elegance
  • Route 66 Rendezvous
  • Glenmoor Gathering
  • Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance
  • Capitol Concours d’Elegance
  • Cruisin’ For A Cure
  • New York Motorexpo
  • San Diego Hi-Performance Expo

If you’d like to buy your own classic, there are plenty of auctions in September as well: RM Auctions: Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction, Worldwide Auctioneers Auburn Auction, The Branson Auction, Vintage Toy Vehicle Auction, Mecum St. Charles Auction and the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction.

Racing fans can take in Formula 1 action during the Italian and Singapore Grands Prix. NASCAR has stops at Atlanta, Richmond, New Hampshire and Dover. IndyCar heads to Kentucky and Japan in September before wrapping up the 2010 season in Miami in October. The WRC hosts the Rally Japan this month, while the ALMS heads to Georgia for the Petit Le Mans at the end of the month. Grand-Am fanciers can catch the last race of the season at Miller Motorsports Park. Two-wheel fans can see the AMA Pro Superbike Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

If none of those events appeal to you, check out our Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. And please don’t forget to use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: September 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: September 2010 Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Identity of the Stig revealed… again [spoiler alert, maybe]

Filed under: UK, Celebrities

Is everything made by Aston Martin better than everything made by Ferrari? Is the Porsche 911 really nothing more than a glorified Volkswagen? Is a three-wheeled Reliant Robin the best possible choice as a replacement for the out-of-service space shuttle? And, finally, Who is the Stig?

These are the ongoing questions asked time and time again by fans of the hit British motoring show Top Gear. And, in the case of the Stig, that topic is also one of Google’s most often searched queries. Interestingly enough, those in the know claim they’ve had the answer for quite some time.

If you don’t want the elaborate ruse to be spoiled, stop reading now. Still with us? Okay, good. It’s Ben Collins. Allegedly. In this particular case, though, the evidence seems almost indisputable since it comes from financial information obtained from Collins Autosport, Ben Collins’ own company.

According to the paperwork, the former Formula Three racing driver had a big increase in pay in 2003, which just so happens to be the first year in which the White Stig took over for the recently deceased Black Stig. That income was reportedly from “driving services provided for the BBC, mainly in the Top Gear programme.” So there you go. Mystery solved?

P.S. – Can we get that autobiography already, then?

[Source: Telegraph]

Identity of the Stig revealed… again [spoiler alert, maybe] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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