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Video: How Porsche got Patrick Dempsey into the driver’s seat for Le Mans

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Porsche, Celebrities, Humor

Patrick Dempsey changes drivers

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. Ask Patrick Dempsey and he’ll likely tell you the same secret for landing a role on a hit TV show or, for that matter, driving a Porsche in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

That’s because, like McQueen and Newman, Dempsey has earned his place in that rarified field of actors who also race. He’s competed in Baja and Grand-Am, co-owns an IndyCar team, and this year returned to Le Mans where he and his teammates Joe Foster and Patrick Long finished fourth in the GTE-Am class behind the wheel of their Porsche 911 RSR.

It’s a grueling race, and the fluid transition between drivers behind the wheel is a key element to success. Check out the satirical video below to see how Dempsey and company got ready.

Continue reading How Porsche got Patrick Dempsey into the driver’s seat for Le Mans

How Porsche got Patrick Dempsey into the driver’s seat for Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Aug 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Seat Leon ST longroof revealed

Filed under: Budget, Wagon, Europe, SEAT

Seat has officially unveiled the Leon ST – the first estate/wagon version of the Leon ever offered – which expands the third-generation Leon and Leon SC lineup that went on sale last year.

With the introduction of the ST (Sport Touring) comes driver-assistance technology new to the Leon range, including adaptive cruise control, adaptive chassis control and progressive steering. But the main reason you’d opt for the estate is probably for its cargo capacity, which starts at 20.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and stretches to 51.9 cubic feet when they’re folded down. Seat did a good job keeping the Leon’s identity after revising it into wagon form, but despite the ST’s clean lines, it comes very close to looking like a small minivan to our eyes. Perhaps that opinion will change after we view the new wagon in person.

Volkswagen-owned Seat uses the Golf’s chassis for the Leon series, as well as VW engines. Seat claims the ST was designed with fuel efficiency in mind, and its light weight (for a wagon, at least) of 2,718 pounds for the base model and range of small, direct-injected, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines support that claim. Engines range from 1.2 to 2.0 liters in size and have between 104 and 182 horsepower. All told, Seat claims the Leon ST with the worst fuel efficiency will still net drivers a stellar 53.3 miles per gallon on average, using the European cycle.

Since Seat doesn’t sell cars in the US, you’ll have to wait for the next VW Jetta SportWagen if you want something like this Leon ST package. For more details, check out Seat’s press release below.

Continue reading Seat Leon ST longroof revealed

Seat Leon ST longroof revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Perp steals cop car from back seat, makes dangerous getaway

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos

In an episode that wouldn’t have been out of place on Reno 911!, a man that was on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both, was picked up by police for stealing a pickup truck, and managed to wriggle out of his handcuffs and steal the police cruiser he was being held inside. The entire fiasco, which took place last month near Salt Lake City, can be seen on the cruiser’s in-car cameras.

The suspect, Gordon Graham, took advantage of the officers’ inattentiveness while they were searching his truck, contorting about so his hands were in front of him, and then wiggling out of the cuffs. He then dove head-first through a flap that was opened for him after complaining about the heat, got in the driver’s seat, and made a break for freedom.

After nearly hitting one of the deputies in his escape, Graham lead police on a high-speed chase across two Utah counties. He eventually abandoned the cruiser, leading cops on a two-hour manhunt.

Not surprisingly, police caught up with him. Graham was charged, plead guilty and was sentenced to prison for second-degree receiving stolen property, second-degree theft and two counts of shoplifting in the third degree.

Check out the two videos below for a rundown of the chase. The first is a newcast from KSL TV in Salt Lake, while the other is in-car video of Graham’s escape from the handcuffs.

Continue reading Perp steals cop car from back seat, makes dangerous getaway

Perp steals cop car from back seat, makes dangerous getaway originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla Model S recalled for seat safety issue

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors

Tesla Model S at sunset

Back when the first Tesla Model S electric vehicles were rolling off the assembly line in California, CEO Elon Musk was literally checking each vehicle before it went out into the wild. As production ramped up, this was no longer possible. And, not that we’re suggesting the two issues are directly related, now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Tesla are announcing the first big Model S recall. Tesla’s first NHTSA recall affected the Roadster back in 2009.

The Model S recall affects 1,228 vehicles that were made between May 10 and June 8 of 2013 and is about a possible failure of the seatback mounting. Specifically, “an improper method for aligning the left hand seatback striker to the bracket may have weakened the weld between the bracket and the frame of the vehicle.” What does that mean? “In the event of a crash, the left hand seatback may not stay mounted, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.”

“Tesla has revised assembly procedures and retrained manufacturing technicians.”

The problem happened because Tesla redesigned the joint between the bracket and vehicle to “improve function and reduce weight,” and the new joint was put into place May 10. The new bracket worked just fine, but then, “on June 7, 2013, a technician on the assembly line was adjusting the alignment for the newly designed left hand second row seat striker utilizing a slide hammer when he noticed the action caused the striker to become loose. … Upon review, Tesla Quality determined that the weld and bonding between the second row left hand seat striker mounting plate and the vehicle was compromised due to this method of adjustment.” Since then, “Tesla has revised assembly procedures and retrained manufacturing technicians.”

There have been no complaints or reports of injury about this issue. Tesla will repair the issue in the affected cars, but has not yet said when. Owners should be on the lookout for notification from Tesla if their car is subject to the recall.

You can read more in these PDFs (1, 2), which are letters between Tesla and NHTSA regarding the recall. You can also find more information on the NHTSA site by searching for campaign number 13V249000, and the text of the recall can be seen below.

Continue reading Tesla Model S recalled for seat safety issue

Tesla Model S recalled for seat safety issue originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Fiat officially introduces seven-seat 500L Living

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Hatchback, Fiat

As Fiat prepares to expand the lineup of the 500 with the roomier 500L, the Italian automaker has just announced a further addition to its enlarged hatchback offering. While the standard 500L has a five-passenger seating configuration, the new 500L Living brings a third row of seats, upping capacity to seven passengers.

Based on the specs Fiat released, the 500L Living has had its overall length stretched by about eight inches to accommodate the extra seats, while width and height stay about the same. We still have no word on the wheelbase of this new model versus the 500L. Fiat also says that the 500L Living will have a luggage capacity of 22.5 cubic feet (we assume that number is with the rear seats folded, which is smaller than that of the five-passenger 500L (12.1 cu-ft with rear seats up and 46.2 cu-ft with rear seats down).

European sales of the 500L Living will commence this summer, but there is no mention as to if or when this seven-passenger Fiat could be offered in the US, to compete against the likes of the Mazda5, Ford Transit Connect Wagon and Nissan NV200. Scroll down for the more information on this new Fiat model.

Continue reading Fiat officially introduces seven-seat 500L Living

Fiat officially introduces seven-seat 500L Living originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford developing seat capable of detecting heart attacks

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology, Ford

details of the Ford electrocardiogram seat

A heart attack behind the wheel can render much of your car’s safety equipment moot despite decades of advancement. Ford Motor Company has tasked its European Research Center in Aachen, Germany with finding a way to reduce accidents caused by drivers experiencing heart trouble. According to the automaker, their prototype seat with contactless electrocardiogram technology can warn drivers to seek medical attention immediately by scanning for potential cardiovascular trouble through clothing.

According to Ford, by 2025, nearly one quarter of Europeans will be at least 65 years old, a figure that increases to one third by 2050. As risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age, drivers suffering from conditions like angina can be more than fifty percent more likely to be involved in an accident, so there’s a lot of motivation to push this technology.

The prototype seat presently delivers accurate readings for 95 percent of drivers 98 percent of the time. Ford researchers are now looking into how the seat can be integrated with the other safety systems to work together to protect drivers who experience issues behind the wheel.

The safety aspect may be the most obvious application of this technology, but who knows – maybe it could also give real metrics about just how excited a thrilling run in a Mustang Boss 302 actually is. Press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading Ford developing seat capable of detecting heart attacks

Ford developing seat capable of detecting heart attacks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini Countryman to get rear bench seat option in U.S.

Filed under: Crossover, Mini

Mini Countryman

2011 Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Mini launched its all-new Countryman crossover, we were told that it would only be available with the four-seat configuration here in the United States – two buckets up front, two buckets in back. Now, Mini has confirmed that the rear bench seat option – something that’s currently available in other markets – will be available on U.S.-spec Countrymen starting this Fall.

This option is ideal for customers who need the occasional use of a bench seat, whether it be for hauling cargo or having the space for one extra person. (We hate to think of how cramped a Countryman would be with three adults in back.) Expect the bench seat option to show up on order forms starting in September.

Mini Countryman to get rear bench seat option in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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State Farm’s feedback app is the pocket-seat driver you never wanted [w/video]

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Videos

State Farm driver feedback app

State Farm Driver Feedback app for the iPhone – Click above to watch video after the jump

Somewhere deep in the recesses of your mind is the desire, surely Freudian, that “I’d like more input and feedback on how I drive, even to the grocery store.” Or, at least, State Farm believes that’s how some of you feel since it has just released a Driver Feedback app for the iPhone that will give you just that.

Invoking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, State Farm says, “Three of the riskiest driving behaviors are hard acceleration, hard deceleration, and hard swerves.” Using the iPhone’s GPS and accelerometer the app will keep track of the trip and how hard or soft your acceleration, braking and cornering and then issues a score for each category. The complete game-ification of safe driving means that you can also compare your trips and scores, and share with others.

We aren’t sure what the criteria are for measuring Light vs. Moderate vs. Severe actions, but if anyone must know it’s State Farm… right? If you need more convincing, check out the short video after the jump.

Us? Well, let’s just say we remain… unconvinced.

[Source: State Farm via cnet]

Continue reading State Farm’s feedback app is the pocket-seat driver you never wanted [w/video]

State Farm’s feedback app is the pocket-seat driver you never wanted [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seat to build IBX crossover based on Audi Q3

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Crossover, Audi, SEAT

Seat IBX concept in Geneva

Seat IBX concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Seat was awarded the internal contract to build the Audi Q3 at its factory in Martorell, Spain, but jobs aren’t the only thing the Spanish subsidiary of Volkswagen may get out of the arrangement. According to a new report from What Car?, Seat will receive a production version of the IBX concept on the same platform.

The IBX show car was unveiled last month at the Geneva Motor Show, packing a hybrid powertrain and coupe-like three-door bodystyle. When it enters production – tipped for sometime next year – it is likely to more closely follow convention in both drivetrain and layout.

The last time Seat developed a crossover was with the Tribu concept of 2007, though its production was halted midway through its development process when the global economy began to tank.

Gallery: Seat IBX Concept: Geneva 2011

[Source: What Car?]

Seat to build IBX crossover based on Audi Q3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Using an armchair as a replacement seat is a bad idea

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Canada, Humor

passenger armchair

Ottawa police were conducting roadside seatbelt checks as part of the Spring Seatbelt Campaign, when one of their stops brought an unexpected surprise. A green Chevrolet minivan’s driver got into some trouble thanks to the aftermarket passenger seat he installed. This was no Sparco or Recaro, mind you – the driver went with something more akin to a La-Z-Boy.

You see, an armchair resided where the passenger seat was once bolted down. An unrestrained armchair with a thought-deficient passenger riding shotgun. The 33-year-old driver was cited for operating an unsafe vehicle, and he was also charged with driving on a suspended license. The cops scored a two-for-one, and the passenger was lucky he didn’t have to pick windshield out of his face.

[Source: CBC.ca | Image: Ontario Provincial Police]

PSA: Using an armchair as a replacement seat is a bad idea originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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