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Video: New Odyssey ads feature Honda Vac, star power

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Honda, Humor

Honda has released a string of new ads highlighting its refreshed, 2014 Odyssey minivan. While the Japanese brand hasn’t started bragging about attaining the first Top Safety Pick+ for minivans, it’s all too happy to brag about another first – the world’s first van with a built-in vacuum cleaner.

In three spots, anthropomorphic children’s rubbish discusses the merits of the new minivan, only to be sucked up by the built-in vacuum, which is only available in the top-end Touring Elite model. There’s also quite a bit of star power floating around for those that watch a lot of TV. Neil Patrick Harris from Doogie Howser, MD and How I Met Your Mother voices a character in one of the spots, while Rainn Wilson from The Office stars in another. Take a look below for all three ads from Honda.

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New Odyssey ads feature Honda Vac, star power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Chevy Impala nets five-star crash rating from NHTSA [w/video]

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Chevrolet

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala is officially a safe car, earning a five-star safety score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program.

GM General Director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness, Gay Kent, says that the 2014 Impala was “designed to provide excellent crash safety,” and there’s a long list of safety features to back up that statement, some of which are firsts for Chevrolet. Only a few years ago luxury brands, such as Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, were pioneers of radar-based safety technologies. Now the technology has trickled down to more affordable cars, such as the 2014 Impala, which also features traffic-sensing radar (a first for a Chevrolet), adaptive cruise control that adjusts vehicle speed and can stop it in gridlock traffic, crash-imminent braking, collision alerts and lane departure warning. The car also has a rear-mounted video camera paired with an ultrasonic system to help with parking, 10 airbags and the list goes on.

Of course, driver aides such as traction control, stability control and anti-lock brakes come standard on the Impala, too, as does OnStar, GM’s GPS-based service that will send an emergency call for help if it senses the vehicle was in a crash.

Scroll down to read the press release about the full range of safety features that earned it a five-star crash rating, and be sure to check out the video of the crash test below.

Continue reading 2014 Chevy Impala nets five-star crash rating from NHTSA [w/video]

2014 Chevy Impala nets five-star crash rating from NHTSA [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM employs a safer seatbelt to retain five-star safety ratings

Filed under: Safety, GM

General Motors, like all automakers, is constantly researching new means of keeping its customers safe. One of the primary lines of defense inside an automobile is the seatbelt, and GM has fitted some select vehicles with an updated latch system that gives engineers greater control over tensioner tuning. It’s this increased level of control and tunability that has helped a handful of General Motors vehicles retain their five-star crash safety ratings, even as the tests get tougher.

Called the Dynamic Locking Latch Plate (DLLP), the system provides greater control over a passenger’s torso in a crash. The DLLP buckles also allow GM safety engineers a greater degree of fine-tuning to make sure the airbags and belts are working together to keep the interior a safe place.

Ever since the New Car Assessment Program was updated, automakers have had to work harder to achieve five-star crash ratings. General Motors vehicles equipped with its DLLP seatbelts are scoring well in NCAP testing. Not every model gets the updated tech, but GM is utilizing the technology throughout its fleet as needed.

GM employs a safer seatbelt to retain five-star safety ratings originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Scion tC earns NHTSA five-star crash rating

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Safety, Scion

2011 Scion tC – Click above for high-res image gallery

The redesigned 2011 Scion tC coupe has officially earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Thanks in part to no fewer than eight airbags, the little Scion managed to ace the government’s collision and rollover tests.

The tC features driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, driver and passenger knee airbags and side-curtain airbags.

In addition to its impressive airbag tally, the car also packs ABS, traction control, stability control, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and Smart Stop technology to help prevent the airbags from ever having to deploy. Click past the jump to see the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Scion tC: Review

2011 Scion tC

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading 2011 Scion tC earns NHTSA five-star crash rating

2011 Scion tC earns NHTSA five-star crash rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR star Jeff Gorvette will compete in CARS 2

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Chevrolet, Toys/Games, Celebrities

Jeff Gorvette from Pixar’s CARS 2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our onslaught of CARS 2 character debuts continues this week with an exclusive reveal just for Autoblog readers. Pixar is letting us announce that NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon will make an appearance in the film as Jeff Gorvette, an up-and-coming Chevrolet Corvette C6.R that’s “turning hoods wherever he competes.”

More than just a cameo, Gordon’s character will compete as a “respected competitor – and legitimate threat – at the World Grand Prix.” Pixar makes no obvious connection to Gordon’s actual roots in NASCAR, but the character of Jeff Gorvette is a Chevrolet and will wear #24 like Gordon’s actual racecar, although obviously it isn’t an Impala. We’re not sure how the Corvette Racing team that just finished 3rd and 4th in this past weekend’s season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring feels about having an oval racer portray its beloved C6.R GT2 car on film, but Pixar needed an accomplished road-racing car and probably wasn’t interested in a character named Jeff Gimpala.

We’re also privileged to announce that Darrell Waltrip will be returning as a character in CARS 2, reprising his role as racing announcer Darrell Cartrip, the “Kentucky-born #17 Chevrolet Monte Carlo known for his wild color commentary.” He’s graduated from being a Piston Cup announcer and will be on-hand to call the World Grand Prix in the sequel.

Check out both characters after the jump, including a video turntable of Jeff Gorvette. You can also view all of the new CARS 2 characters in our high-res gallery below that we continually update as new characters are announced.

Gallery: CARS 2 Characters

Grem Acer Shu Todoroki Raoul ÇaRoule Carla Veloso

[Source: Pixar]

Continue reading NASCAR star Jeff Gorvette will compete in CARS 2

NASCAR star Jeff Gorvette will compete in CARS 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Kia Optima receives five-star NHTSA crash rating

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Safety, Crossover, Kia, Mini

2011 Kia Optima – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Kia Optima set the mark as the first Korean-built car to be officially five-star certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The all-new Optima recieved five-star ratings in the frontal, side-impact and rollover tests.

The Optima sports six airbags, active front headrests, side-impact door bars and height adjustable three-point seat belts for each seat. This five-star rating is indeed something worthy of bragging rights, as NHTSA imposed significantly stricter testing standards for 2011 models. Follow the jump for Kia’s press release.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Optima 2.0T: First Drive

2011 Kia Optima 2.0T

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading 2011 Kia Optima receives five-star NHTSA crash rating

2011 Kia Optima receives five-star NHTSA crash rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy Celebrity latest unlikely rap video star

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, Celebrities, Humor

Chevrolet Celebrity music video – Click above to watch video after the jump

We’ve got to wonder what it is about crappy cars that inspire acts of musical tribute. It seems like every time we turn around, the internets are serving up another heaping helping of clever lyrics and catchy beats to commemorate some heap that most people would just as soon forget. It wasn’t until just recently that we were able to pry the snappy licks of the V-O-L-V-O music video from our gray matter. Now it seems that the mechanical muse has struck in the form of a faux-wood paneled Chevrolet Celebrity wagon.

While the video after the jump lacks the wit of the Volvo 240 wagon ode, it makes up for its shortcomings with some of the staples of the music video arsenal – a bit of exposed female anatomy and ranting about “The Man.” Hit the jump to watch the clip for yourself, just be warned, the images might possibly be NSFW depending on how strict your cubicle overlords are. Thanks for the tip, Matthew!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy Celebrity latest unlikely rap video star

Video: Chevy Celebrity latest unlikely rap video star originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Safety, Honda

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new testing methodology has proven to be remarkably tougher than its old tests. In the past NHTSA gave out five-star ratings like they were “massage” pamphlets on the Vegas strip, but the new regulations have led to only 11 five-star Overall Vehicle Scores out of 50 vehicles. So with that in mind it’s big news for Honda that the all-new 2011 Odyssey has earned an overall five-star rating for all three crash tests, test category and overall. In fact, the Odyssey’s only four-star score came in rollover testing. Honda points to its new Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure as a reason the Odyssey fared so well in NHTSA testing. ACE evenly distributes crash energy throughout the front end of the vehicle, making front-end collisions less dangerous for passengers.

The Odyssey’s big win from NHTSA comes after the popular minivan managed the top score of “Good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Odyssey isn’t yet eligible for the Top Safety Pick designation since it hasn’t been tested for roof strength. Hit the jump to read over the Honda press release.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Odyssey: Review

2011 Honda Odyssey

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating

2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Touring Superleggera ramps up production of Bentley Flying Star

Filed under: Coupe, Wagon, Bentley, Luxury

Touring Superleggera Flying Star – Click above for high-res image gallery

Bentley shooting brake, anyone? Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera can hook you up. The Milanese coachbuilder unveiled the Flying Star at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and stole our hearts in the process. But since the shooting brake debuted and its order books opened, Touring has only made three examples of the custom creation.

No wonder, as the coachbuilder says it takes 4,000 man-hours to transform a Continental GTC (still the outgoing model, we gather) into the long-roofed coupe. But thanks to increased investment in the form of new equipment and staff, Touring can now reportedly be working on up to five vehicles at a time.

Each example still takes six months to deliver, with total production limited to 19 examples. Fortunate buyers can specify from a range of customizations, including the twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 in states of tune ranging from 552 horsepower (base) to 621 (Supersports).

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Touring Superleggera Flying Star

Live Photos: Jonny Lieberman / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]

Touring Superleggera ramps up production of Bentley Flying Star originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Glee star Jane Lynch teaches text-ed

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Celebrities, Humor

Jane Lynch teaches Text Ed – Click above to watch video after the jump

By now, we should all pretty much have a handle on how dangerous it is to text while driving. Thanks to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s efforts against distracted driving, the word is slowly getting out that using a handheld device while behind the wheel can be as dangerous as driving while under the influence. Now, LG is out to do its part with a series of videos helmed by none other than Glee super villain Jane Lynch. Lynch has already been working with the phone manufacturer in a series of Text-Ed videos that cover everything from sexting to mobile harassment.

In the latest clip, Lynch plays someone serving community service for being busted for texting while driving. As part of her penance, Lynch is forced to lead a group of parents in a talk on the dangers of her actions.

While the clip is plenty funny, the truth is that LG has discovered that around 70 percent of teens say that they’ve been in a vehicle while their parents were texting while driving. Additionally, 44 percent of parents admitted to doing the deed. Hit the jump for a look at the video as well as the press release. Oh, and here’s that link she tells you to check out.

Gallery: Jane Lynch LG Text-Ed

[Source: LG]

Continue reading Video: Glee star Jane Lynch teaches text-ed

Video: Glee star Jane Lynch teaches text-ed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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