Tag: shows

Ford shows Aussies who’s Boss with special FPV Falcon

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Australia

FPV Boss 335 GT

FPV Boss 335 GT – Click above for image gallery

There’s no shortage of similarities to be found between Australia and the United States. Both are former British colonies flying red, white and blue flags; both are big masses of land divided into states; both have Top Gear spinoffs and share a common affinity for Crocodile Dundee. We could go on, but the key commonality here is love for muscle cars. More than anything, that’s what ties these two countries together from opposite ends of the Earth.

General Motors has capitalized on that shared trait by bringing powerful Holdens over to America under Pontiac badges. Arch-rival Ford, meanwhile, has gone the other way, taking a popular American performance badge and slapping it on one of its Australian products.

The result is the Ford Boss 335 GT. Based on the Falcon sedan, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has given the Boss 335 GT a touch more power than the 2012 Boss 302 Mustang: the 335’s supercharged 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 pumps out 450 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque (compared to the 440hp and 380 lb-ft on the all-motor Boss Mustang). The power’s driven to the 19″ rear wheels through a six-speed manual and kept in check by oversized, cross-drilled and ventilated Brembo brakes.

FPV’s also made sure the special Falcon got all the requisite striping you’d expect from a Boss, and equipped the interior with everything they bad to throw at it. With the American and Australian dollars close to par, though, the $70,000 sticker price may seem a little steep. UNfortunately, this is an exclusively Aussie product, so if you (i.e. our U.S. readers) want to show ’em who’s Boss, you’ll have to stick to the Mustang. Dang.

Gallery: Ford Boss 335 GT

[Source: FPV via Top Speed]

Ford shows Aussies who’s Boss with special FPV Falcon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Speed details new shows with Adam Carolla and Dan Neil

Filed under: Etc.

Adam CarollaThe Speed Channel is approaching the 15th anniversary of its original air date and apparently its going to get much more aggressive with its content in the coming years. Right now, Speed has 20 new shows in development and six of those are ready to show up in your DVR in 2011.

We know that Adam Carolla is working on a show that would be an automotive version of The Best Damn Sports Show Period. Other items in the works include a series of specials with Jay Leno, a reality series based on Gran Turismo 5 (produced in cooperation with Sony and Nissan) and a Gymkhana program to be helmed by The Fast and the Furious Producer/DIrector Adam Cohen.

Those represent part of the growing projects currently under development. These six new shows are ready to by slotted into the lineup (titles subject to change):

–Car Warriors: Think Joes vs Pros but for car construction. A team of average folks square off against all-star builders and their work will be judged by George Barris, Jimmy Shine and Mad Mike Martin.

–American Truckers: Rob Mariani talks about iconic rigs, amazing routes and unique cargo tales. Kind of a niche audience here but the “iconic rigs” could be interesting.

–Car Science: The producers of Sports Science and Fight Science have turned their attention to automobiles.

–Speedmakers: Surprisingly not a Breaking Bad rip-off, but an examination of anything that makes speed possible. The show will examine the Daytona International Speedway, go behind the scenes at Aston Martin and will generally focus on engineering feats designed to maximize speed.

–Ticket to Ride with Dan Neil: Pulitzer-prize winner Dan Neil turns his column into a television show. If Speed lets him handle the writing, this one could prove quite interesting.

–The 10: This one is for the NASCAR fans. The 10 will highlight the best that NASCAR has served up over the years with topics such as Most Bizarre Finishes, All-Time Races, Throw-downs and Closest Calls.

[Source: Speed]

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Speed details new shows with Adam Carolla and Dan Neil originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hyundai shows off super slick Equus owners manual app for iPad

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Videos, Hyundai, Luxury

2011 Hyundai Equus Apple iPad owners manual

Hyundai Equus and its iPad owner’s manual – Click above to watch video after the jump

We know that the all-new Hyundai Equus features an Apple iPad in place of a traditional owner’s manual but now we’re getting our first opportunity to see it in action. In a new ad that will certainly appeal to tech-savvy luxury car buyers, Hyundai shows off the iPad app that provides any information that an Equus owner might need to know about his or her car.

Rather than just providing written information, Hyundai has taken advantage of the iPad’s capabilties to deliver an app that shows you what it’s talking about, be it the Equus’ available right-rear jet-style reclining seat or its adaptive headlights. Better yet, the app is free to download on iTunes regardless of whether an Equus is sitting in your driveway (so you can see what you’re missing). Hop the jump to check out an ad featuring the iPad owner’s manual in action. Top tip, Fred!

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Equus

[Source: YouTube via Unncessary Umlaut]

Continue reading Video: Hyundai shows off super slick Equus owners manual app for iPad

Video: Hyundai shows off super slick Equus owners manual app for iPad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Mercedes-Benz shows off Biome concept for LA Design Challenge

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Smart

Mercedes-Benz Biome Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Each year the LA Auto Show plays host to the Los Angeles Design Challenge, where aspiring designers partner with automakers to envision the future of mobility. This year’s theme was to create the 1,000-pound car, and Mercedes-Benz’ three designs – one from the U.S., another from Germany and yet another from Japan – are predictably out there.

The entrant from Mercedes’ U.S. design arm in Carlsbad, CA was not only rendered but built into a full-scale model. The basis for the Biome Concept is a vehicle that “grows in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery.” Not only that, but it’s powered by a combination of the sun and a chemical bond from an imaginary liquid dubbed BioNectar4534. It’s all natural, all organic and all science fiction. Size-wise, the Biome comes in at a theoretical 875 pounds, but it’s massively wide, slightly shorter than a CL and about as tall as a Vector.

M-B’s German design team created the Smart Weight-Watch, an ultra-compact dunebuggy with removable and recyclable plastic and cloth panels, a carbon fiber tub and tires (you read that last part right) and a lithium-ion battery powering two 15 kW motors. Total weight: exactly 1,000 pounds.

Finally there’s the Maybach eRikscha from Japan, a four-passenger, two-wheeled “amalgamation of organic intelligence and biomechanical engineering artistry.” Ummm… sure.

You can bone up on all three concepts in the press release after the jump and check out live images and design sketches below.

Gallery: LA 2010: Mercedes-Benz Biome Concept, Smart Weight-Watch, Maybach DRS

Gallery: LA 2010: Mercedes-Benz LA Design Challenge Concepts

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LA 2010: Mercedes-Benz shows off Biome concept for LA Design Challenge originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota shows off more of the Tacoma X-Runner RTR

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Performance, Truck, Toyota, Specialty

Toyota Tacoma RTR Concept

Toyota Tacoma RTR Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

At this point, SEMA is so close we can almost smell the tire shine. Toyota has rolled out a gaggle of official photos and information on the company’s mighty Tacoma RTR Concept, saying it wanted to build the quarter-mile king to demonstrate what exactly is possible with off-the-shelf parts. For those that don’t recall, the company’s engineers managed to snug a supercharged 5.7-liter V8 borrowed from the Tundra into the engine bay. The final concoction is good for 504 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, and it all gets funneled to the rear axle via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

While we’re on the subject of the rear axle, Toyota says the piece is a narrowed version of what’s found in the stock Tundra, though a TRD limited-slip has been plopped in to get both wheels pulling from get go. The whole concoction should be good for quarter mile passes in the 11-second range. Hit the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Toyota Tacoma RTR Concept

[Source: Toyota]

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Toyota shows off more of the Tacoma X-Runner RTR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes shows C63 and SLS AMG specials in Australia

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Concept 358

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Concept 358 – Click above for high-res image gallery

You may not have guessed it on your own – we probably wouldn’t have, either – but Australia ranks as the fifth largest market worldwide for Mercedes-Benz. And yet all the exciting show cars are almost invariably unveiled at auto shows in the United States or Europe. You couldn’t blame the Aussies for feeling neglected, so Mercedes arrived this year at the Australian International Motor Show with two special AMGs.

The first is called Concept 358, and it’s essentially a tweaked C63 AMG sedan featuring the AMG Performance Plus package (which boosts the 6.3-liter V8’s output up to 480hp), 19-inch alloys, special leather interior and a unique Pearl Orange paint job.

The unique SLS AMG unveiled Down Under also features a special paint scheme: in this case a unique Night Black matte-finish with red accents. They’re not ground-breaking concepts, but interesting takes on some of Affalterbach’s best. Details are in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Concept 358 and matte-black SLS AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes shows C63 and SLS AMG specials in Australia

Mercedes shows C63 and SLS AMG specials in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda shows off new BT-50 pickup in Australia

Filed under: Truck, Work, Mazda, Off-Road

2011 Mazda BT-50

2011 Mazda BT-50 – Click above for high-res image gallery


Now that the global Ford Ranger has received its debut, Mazda has taken the time to show off its take on the mid-sized pickup at the Australian International Motor Show. The Japanese automaker calls its version the BT-50, and it wears plenty of the company’s Nagare design language. Along with the swept nose and headlights, Mazda has thrown in similarly fluid taillights out back that remind us of the units on the CX-9 crossover. Mazda says that the company was going for a “sophisticated beast” look. We’ve certainly heard stranger marketing claims, but it the image of sasquatch in a suit does make us chuckle.

And what, pray tell, is under that shapely hood? Mazda isn’t saying at the moment, but we’d be surprised if the company didn’t plan to share power plants with the 2011 Ranger. If that’s the case, buyers can expect to choose between a thrifty 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 150 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque and larger displacement diesel and gasoline options backed by six-speed gearboxes.

Sadly, it looks like you can forget about seeing the BT-50 in the States. Just like the Ranger, this pickup won’t be gracing our shores in any official capacity. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Mazda BT-50

[Source: Mazda]

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Mazda shows off new BT-50 pickup in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lexus shows off world’s coolest driving simulator in new safety commercial

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus

Lexus driving simulator

Lexus’ next (really) big thing – Click above to watch commercial after the jump

It’s no longer kosher for carmakers to run simulations on computers that can fit on desks, because that’s for chumps. If you don’t have gear fit for a Hollywood blockbuster or a trip to Mars, well, you’re not really serious about this whole car thing, are you?

Lexus has joined the latter camp with its new driving simulator, built to simulate crash avoidance. Inside the metal bulb is a Lexus LS460, surrounded by a 360-degree facsimile of a real driving environment. It’s their next big thing, so they say. Us? We just want to reserve it when Gran Turismo 5 finally comes out. Follow the jump to watch the spot.

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Video: Lexus shows off world’s coolest driving simulator in new safety commercial

Video: Lexus shows off world’s coolest driving simulator in new safety commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda UK shows off 2011 Civic hatch with Type-R cues

Filed under: Hatchback, Honda, UK, Design/Style

2011 Honda Civic (UK)

2011 Honda Civic (UK) – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has just released details on what buyers in the UK can expect to see from the 2011 Civic. The company has kept the changes to its spacey-looking five-door largely cosmetic, including a new grille up front. The company says that piece borrows cues from the legendary Type R, and if you squint your eyes enough, you can almost see the resemblance. A new range of wheels is also available for next year ranging in size from 16 to 17 inches depending on engine and trim level. There’s also a new Ionized Bronze paint color available across the lineup.

Inside, Honda has moved to up the ante ever so slightly. SE and ES trims will now boast seats that are covered in half fabric and half Alcantara, while the Si guise now comes with heated front thrones. Otherwise, the vehicle stays much the way it was for 2010. Under the hood, buyers are still greeted with the familiar 1.4 and 1.8-liter powerplants, and the horsepower figures haven’t moved from last year’s numbers, either. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Civic (UK)

[Source: Honda]

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Honda UK shows off 2011 Civic hatch with Type-R cues originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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