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Dirtbike base jumping in Chile is airborne insanity

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Motorcycle, South America, Off-Road

Motocross base jump in Chile

Motocross base jump in Chile – Click above to watch the video after the break

For those unaware, the ‘base’ in base jumping is actually an acronym that stands for buildings, antennae, spans (otherwise known as bridges) and earth. In other words, if you jump off pretty much anything that stands tall above the ground below, you’re base jumping.

But what if you base jump from a motorcycle, or, more specifically, a motocross bike? Base jumper Julio Munoz decided to stage just such a stunt, and the results are predictably stunning and insane. And costly.

While Munoz floated safely to earth after a few thousand feet of freefall, the dirtbike didn’t fare so well. After being airlifted via helicopter to the top of the Chilean mountain, then jumped off a low-slung ramp into thin air, Munoz dismounted the machine and let it fall back down to the earth. Wanna watch? Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Dirtbike base jumping in Chile is airborne insanity

Dirtbike base jumping in Chile is airborne insanity originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Dodge Grand Caravan gets new $23,995 base MSRP, now least expensive minivan in U.S.

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Dodge

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has announced that the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan will get lob $1,000 off of its base MSRP, making it the least expensive minivan in the United States. This savings applies to the base Express model, which is now priced at $23,995, not including the $835 destination charge.

The slightly higher-grade Mainstreet model (no, the naming structure doesn’t make sense to us, either) also benefits from a bit of cost savings, taking $250 off of its base price. The mid-range minivan now wears a $25,745 sticker price.

Both the Dodge Grand Caravan and its Chrysler Town & Country twin were substantially refreshed for the 2011 model year. In addition to the higher-quality, more comfortable interior, both minivans now use the automaker’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which produces 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. We still aren’t sure if either of the Chrysler vans are the best-in-segment players, but with a new ultra-low MSRP, the Grand Caravan should now be a bit more attractive to prospective buyers.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

[Source: Chrysler]

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan gets new $23,995 base MSRP, now least expensive minivan in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at a Cold War air base

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Videos, BMW

BMW Security Driving

Click above to watch the video after the jump

It’s not without reason that BMWs are among the top choices for high-security personnel transport. BMW Security vehicles – armor-reinforced versions of the standard roadcars we see on the road every day – are known to be both secure and responsive to quick, often life-saving maneuvers. But what good would these vehicles be if their drivers didn’t know how to handle them properly?

That’s why BMW has a security vehicle training facility in East Germany. Built on the grounds of what was once the largest Cold War air base in Europe, the center is run by advanced driving instructor Klaus Heimerl, who shows chauffeurs and security personnel how to evade any number of potentially threatening situations, from ambushes to roadside bombs. Follow the jump to watch the video, and head to www.bmw.com/drivertraining to find out more.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Video: BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at a Cold War air base

Video: BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at a Cold War air base originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW Z4 to get four-cylinder turbo as base engine

Filed under: Convertible, BMW

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a Twitter update from the folks at Automobile, BMW will be ditching the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six in the base Z4 roadster in favor of a turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant. Big news, yes, but it doesn’t come as much of a surprise since BMW has long flirted with the idea of using turbocharged four-pot mills in its base models like the Z4 sDrive30i and even the 328i.

Details are slim (curse you, 140-character limit), but Automobile states that because this new turbo four would replace the naturally aspirated six, at least 200 horsepower should be on tap. We’d expect a slightly higher output, since the current engine cranks out 255 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. We certainly won’t mind a turbocharged four-banger with gobs of low-end power under the hood of the Z4, and we’d expect to see this new mill show up within the next year.

Gallery: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

[Source: Automobile via Twitter]

Report: BMW Z4 to get four-cylinder turbo as base engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

2011 Honda Insight

2011 Honda Insight – Click above for high-res image gallery

The slow-selling Honda Insight hasn’t exactly stolen any of the Toyota Prius’ thunder since its introduction last year, and with new green cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf ready to join the battle, the future of Honda’s hybrid hatch doesn’t look too bright. Still, the Japanese automaker has given the Insight a host of improvements for the 2011 model year, including a new base model that retails for $18,950 (including the $750 destination charge).

So, what do you ~~lose~~ gain with the base Insight? For starters, a downgraded stereo system is on hand, with a single CD player and two – yes, two – speakers. Audiophiles need not apply. Remote entry is standard on the base Insight, but if you want amenities like cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest and floor mats, you’ll need to opt for the mid-grade LX trim. In other words, the new price leader is something of a municipal and fleet special. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the pricier EX now comes standard with steering wheel-mounted audio controls and can be optioned with navigation.

The Insight’s 1.3-liter inline-four with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist carries over largely unchanged, with fuel economy rated at 40/43 miles per gallon, city/highway. 2011 Insight models are arriving at Honda dealers as you read this, and for the full details on what’s new, follow the jump for Honda’s press release.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Insight

2011 Honda Insight

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011

Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2012 Volvo S60 to get updated turbo five-cylinder as base engine

Filed under: Sedan, Volvo, Luxury

2011 Volvo S60

2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

It seems that the Volvo S60 is set to get a wee bit less naughty for the 2012 model year as the Swedish automaker rolls out a base model for the American market. Sure, we’ve sampled the 2011 edition and were mostly impressed by the safety-first company’s latest effort, but so far, only the range-topping S60 T6 model with all-wheel drive (shown above) has been available.

While Volvo has yet to offer up all the details of what’s in store for 2012, a document from the Volvo Overseas Delivery program managed to make its way online, and it leads us to believe that the base engine for the S60 will indeed be a turbocharged five-cylinder as before. The good news is that the workhorse mill, otherwise known as the T5, has been upgraded a bit for its new duty, reportedly putting out 250 horses rather than the 227 currently on offer.

In related news, the same documentation indicates that the cost for a new S60 using Volvo’s overseas delivery program will be $29,880. Expect the U.S. MSRP to be somewhat (though not substantially) higher. In addition to the T5 engine, that will net you a front-wheel drive S60 without the T6’s Dynamic Chassis, speed-sensitive steering or leather seats (Volvo’s T-Tec upholstery will be standard). Want to know more? Hit up the Kilometer to see the full leaked document.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60: First Drive

2011 Volvo S60

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL
[Source: Kilometer Magazine]

Report: 2012 Volvo S60 to get updated turbo five-cylinder as base engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: ’76 Mazda pickup is the perfect base for a Radio Flyer wagon. Who knew?

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Mazda, Toys/Games, Humor, Specialty

Radio Flyer pickup

Radio Flyer truck – Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you’ve ever thought about picking up a yellow Hummer and painting the word “Tonka” across the side or building a working replica of your favorite Hot Wheels fantasy car, have we got a story for you. An elderly couple in Alaska has built a jumbo Radio Flyer wagon out of an old truck, and what’s more, they drive it around Anchorage on a regular basis.

The underpinnings were borrowed from a 1976 Mazda pickup which Judy Foster (not to be confused with the Silence of the Lambs star, Jodie) inherited from her father. After they took possession, her husband Fred Keller started an eleven-month project to turn it into an overgrown childhood dream. The result is reportedly fully street legal and gets nothing but smiles wherever it goes. Fred and Judy will just have to watch that eight-foot tall handle clearing any low ceilings in parking garages. Follow the jump to watch the KTUU video segment for yourself.

[Source: KTUU]

Continue reading Video: ’76 Mazda pickup is the perfect base for a Radio Flyer wagon. Who knew?

Video: ’76 Mazda pickup is the perfect base for a Radio Flyer wagon. Who knew? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati to base upcoming junior Quattroporte on next Chrysler 300?

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chrysler, Maserati, Rumormill, Luxury

1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati

1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati

As excitement and anticipation mount for the arrival of a new “entry-level” sedan from Maserati, so do the rumors. The new model, expected to slot in below the current Quattroporte, has been the subject of much conjecture and speculation, but the latest hits a little closer to home.

According to reports, the junior QP could share its underpinnings with the next Chrysler 300C. This in contrast with previous reports that the Trident marque was looking to develop a new platform for the model, a move that would be decidedly more expensive for a Fiat/Chrysler empire already spread too thin. (Closer collaboration is expected between the Chrysler and Lancia divisions, which could also lead to a next-gen 300-based successor to the discontinued Lancia Thesis.)

As sources point out, this wouldn’t be the first time that Maserati and Chrysler have gotten into bed with each other. Close ties between onetime Chrysler chief Lee Iacocca and Alejandro de Tomaso (of the eponymous sportscar company that once owned Maserati) led to the disastrous badge-whoring exercise known as the Chrysler TC by Maserati (pictured above). If the latest reports come to fruition, we’d certainly hope the outcome would be in a different league altogether.

[Source: autoblog.it via PistonHeads]

Maserati to base upcoming junior Quattroporte on next Chrysler 300? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Race the Base fundraising event pits supercars against military jets

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Canada

Supercars and airstrips go together like Corvettes and gold chains. There are simply few other locations on this blue marble we call Earth that allow owners to legally and somewhat safely tickle the upper limits of their speedometers. That’s exactly why Zahir Rana, the owner of ZR Auto, has organized a charity event to allow supercar owners to have their time on the tarmac at the Canadian Forces Base in Cold Lake, Alberta. For the low, low price of $1,500 per car and $500 per passenger, drivers can ratchet their exotics all the way up to 185 mph or better.

There will even an exhibition in which Rana will put his twin-turbo, 860-horsepower Ferrari Enzo toe-to-toe with a CF-18 Hornet fighter jet, but the best part is that every last dollar will go to four charities. The Military Families Support Society, Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, Bonnyville Health Foundation and Hearts for Healthcare will all benefit from the Race the Base event. There are only 100 slots available, so if you happen to own a car worth wringing out and have $1,500 Canadian burning a hole in your pocket, head over to the ZR Auto site for more information.

[Source: ZR Auto via The Vancouver Sun]

Race the Base fundraising event pits supercars against military jets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford F150 SVT Raptor drops base engine, gets standard 6.2L V8

Filed under: Truck, Ford

Ford 6.2-liter V8 – Click above for high-res image gallery

During Ford’s announcement of the new powertrain lineup for the 2011 F-150 yesterday, we learned that the new 6.2-liter V8 would only be available in the SVT Raptor, Harley-Davidson and F-150 Platinum models. In the Platinum, the 6.2-liter engine will be an option for those who select the maximum towing package.

However, for the Raptor and Harley models, the big 6.2-liter will now be the only engine available. Since the two limited edition machines are considered premium products, Ford has decided that they should only get the most powerful engine that company will offer in its trucks for 2011. That almost certainly means that the base price of the 2011 Raptor will at least match the $3,000 price premium that was charged for the 2010 SVT Raptor with the then-optional 6.2-liter V8.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150 engines

2011 Ford F-150 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 2011 Ford F-150 3.7-liter V6 2011 Ford F-150 5.0-liter V8 2011 Ford F-150 6.2-liter V8

[Source: Ford]

2011 Ford F150 SVT Raptor drops base engine, gets standard 6.2L V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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