CES 2011: GM shows off OnStar equipped with 4G, Skype, video monitoring and more [w/video]

Filed under: CES, Technology, Buick, Cadillac, GM

OnStar with Verizon 4G LTE

Click above to view the video after the jump

Verizon just rolled out its 4G LTE wireless broadband network, and with General Motors using Big Red for its OnStar system for over 15 years, GM is asking itself: What can we do with all this bandwidth?

The answer is ‘plenty’… but nothing immediately.

Instead, GM and Verizon equipped a Buick LaCrosse with a 4G LTE modem and a host of cameras, sensors and controls and is trotting it out at CES to demonstrate how the broadband tech could be implemented.

Among the possible applications is a vehicle monitoring system that utilizes a handful of lipstick cameras to transmit video to the driver to see what’s going on both inside and outside the vehicle while they’re away. On the same front, the system can be paired with Verizon’s 4Home service, which connects with home security cameras, lights and thermostats and transmits information back to the driver.

Other features include voice search, a traffic view that streams live traffic-cam images, Skype with video chat and a impact detection system that would identify if your car was hit in a parking lot, and would then turn on all the exterior cameras and capture an image of the offending vehicle as it drove away.

Hit the jump for a video of the various systems in action along with the press blast, and look for our initial impressions from CES later this week.

Continue reading CES 2011: GM shows off OnStar equipped with 4G, Skype, video monitoring and more [w/video]

CES 2011: GM shows off OnStar equipped with 4G, Skype, video monitoring and more [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: When Group B monsters roamed the earth

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Renault, Peugeot, Lancia

Group B monsters in action – Click above to watch video after the jump

Though it only existed for four short years, Group B racing has continued to captivate fans of all ages. From 1982 through 1986, motorsports enthusiasts around the world gathered en masse to watch Lancia, Audi, Renault and Peugeot battle for supremacy. Ferrari and Porsche even got in on the action with the legendary 288 GTO and 959, respectively. The cars were lightweight, powerful and sounded like they built in Hell by the Devil himself. In other words, the cars were a sight to behold and a treat to the ears. They were also incredibly dangerous.

Large groups of people stood on the edge of the road as the beasts rumbled by at triple-digit speeds. Accidents happened and there were a number of fatal incidents for both drivers and viewers alike. In 1986, the FIA banned Group B cars, but the legendary vehicles are still held in high regard. If you need a refresher, roar past the jump to watch the Group B monsters in action.

Once you’ve watched the clip, sound off in the comments and let us know what you think would be the most terrifying vehicle to try and pilot. Group B cars are near the top of the list but we’re sure you can think of some others… Top Fuel Dragsters, board-track racers, land-speed record streamliners…

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: When Group B monsters roamed the earth

Video: When Group B monsters roamed the earth originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S.

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Japan, Videos

JDM Legends

JDM Legends brings vintage Japan to the U.S. – Click above to watch video after the jump

Trey Cobb, the founder of Cobb Tuning, has a love for vintage Japanese automobiles. In 2009, Cobb and fellow Japanese car junkie Eric Bizek decided to build a company around that love affair and JDM Legends was born. Based in Utah, JDM Legends imports, restores, services and sells classic Japanese cars.

The team has already brought a 1973 Toyota Celica, 1970 Datsun 510 and a handful of early Nissan Skyline models back to life. More cars are planned for the future and two of the Skylines are currently being offered for sale.

JDM Legends had someone stop by with a video camera and capture the cars currently in the garage. Though the film is a bit slow, the cars look particularly stunning in high-definition. Hop the jump to watch the clip.

[Source: JDM Legends via Vimeo]

Continue reading Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S.

Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ohio police use Tazer seven times on driver in diabetic shock, dislocate his shoulder

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Videos

Dash cam footage of John Harmon being tased
Ohio police use Tazer on diabetic driver – Click above to watch video after the jump

According to the Cincinnatti Enquirer, motorist John Harmon was on his way home from work when his blood-sugar got too low. As a diabetic, this meant trouble, and Harmon’s vehicle veered into another lane. A nearby Hamilton, Ohio sheriff’s deputy spotted the unintentional maneuver and pulled him over. The officer then approached the car with his gun drawn and screamed at Harmon before smashing his window open. Harmon, 52, was then cut out of his seatbelt and dragged him to the ground. On the way down, his elbow was severely dislocated but the pain didn’t end there. During this process he received seven shocks from a Tazer and kicked in the head… all while cowering on the ground in pain. According to the account, an Ohio Highway Patrol Officer arrived on the scene and was shocked to find Harmon being treated in this manner. He separated the officers from Harmon, only to discover Harmon’s diabetics.

Harmon is currently suing the sheriff’s office, but the officers are all still working. In fact, the original officer on the scene filed felony charges against Harmon and his boss signed off on them.

The Highway Patrol video of the incident is available after the jump. A word of warning, however: While you can’t see the commotion, you can hear Mr. Harmon’s anguished voice.

[Source: Cincinnati.com]

Continue reading Video: Ohio police use Tazer seven times on driver in diabetic shock, dislocate his shoulder

Video: Ohio police use Tazer seven times on driver in diabetic shock, dislocate his shoulder originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: IL pits 2011 Buick Regal Turbo against 1987 Grand National

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Buick

1987 Buick Grand National vs. 2011 Buick Regal Turbo

1987 Buick Grand National vs. 2011 Buick Regal Turbo – Click above to watch video after the jump

When General Motors first announced that Americans would once again be able to get their power-hungry hands on a turbocharged Buick, enthusiast minds immediately leapt to visions of a modern day Grand National. Now, however, it’s clear that the new Regal Turbo isn’t exactly the second coming of old-school forced-induction glory. That hasn’t stopped the crew at Inside Line from lining the two up on the quarter mile and sharing their exploits with the world. The editors chose an ’87 Grand National as the representative of the old-school set, and predictably, it puts the new-age Regal CXL Turbo in its place without breaking a sweat down the quarter mile.

Even so, the 2011 Regal Turbo managed to pull off wins in both the slalom and skid pad as well as brake tests, but both results are of little surprise given that the new Regal Turbo has the benefit of over 20 years of technology on its side. You can head over to Inside Line for the full skinny on how both vehicles performed under the scrutiny of IL testing. Hit the jump to check out the quarter-mile video, too. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: IL pits 2011 Buick Regal Turbo against 1987 Grand National

Video: IL pits 2011 Buick Regal Turbo against 1987 Grand National originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mercedes-Benz B55 does the burnout we’ve been waiting for

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz B55 burnout

Mercedes-Benz B55 – Click above to watch video after the jump

When Mercedes-Benz first dropped word that a team of enterprising individuals had wedged a kicking Silver Arrow V8 under the hood of the company’s diminutive B-Class hatch, we immediately began searching around for a video of the machine in action. Now the German automaker has been so kind as to supply just such a clip. While we’d love to see the little five-door lift a leg around a proper road course (Nürburgring?), for now we’ll have to settle for a shot of the steroid-riddled commuter lighting up its rear tires in grand fashion.

As you may recall, the B55 was created by trainees at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt. With 385 horsepower borrowed from an E-Class and about as much weight as a box of tissues, this creation ought to go like stink. Hit the jump to check out the action for yourself. Now we just have to wait and see whose palms we have to grease to be able to plop ourselves behind the wheel for a spell.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz B55

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Mercedes-Benz B55 does the burnout we’ve been waiting for

Video: Mercedes-Benz B55 does the burnout we’ve been waiting for originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Construction gets underway on Austin F1 track

Filed under: Motorsports, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos

Start of construction at Austin's F1 track

Austin’s F1 track breaks ground – Click above to watch the video after the jump

How long does it take to lap the future site of the United States Grand Prix? 31 minutes, according to reports. But that’s before any pavement has been laid down.

Organizers of the upcoming F1 race in Texas planned on breaking ground on the site – currently little more than a bumpy plot of wilderness – by December 2010, and they’ve apparently just made the target, as construction equipment was spotted there before the end of the year. Contractors for the $250 million facility have already been assigned for the project that is slated to finish construction by summertime 2012.

The Austin-based American-Statesman met the construction crews on the site and have compiled a report you can view after the jump, along with a written report available at the link below. Thanks for the tips, all!

[Source: American-Statesman]

Continue reading Video: Construction gets underway on Austin F1 track

Video: Construction gets underway on Austin F1 track originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Cadillac CTS-V ads with Laurence Fishburne debut during Rose Bowl

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Cadillac, GM

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Cadillac trotted out its new new pitchman during the Rose Bowl on New Year’s day, with Laurence Fishburne starring in a pair of new spots that show off Cadillac’s 556-horsepower CTS-V Coupe and Sedan.

The first commercial, which runs a full minute in length, takes aim at cold, “blue-blooded” luxury, then goes on to explain why the CTS-V has personality, gusto and glamor when compared to other high performance luxury offerings. The second, 30-second spot takes a slightly more artistic approach, and you can check them both out after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via GM Inside News]

Continue reading Video: Cadillac CTS-V ads with Laurence Fishburne debut during Rose Bowl

Video: Cadillac CTS-V ads with Laurence Fishburne debut during Rose Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lady Camaro driver has bad day, tries to escape police, succeeds in burnout

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Humor

Camaro Cop Car Burnout

This is the last place you want to do a burnout – Click above to watch video after the jump

When Johnny Law has you and your fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro convertible cornered, your best bet is to turn off the engine and put your hands where they’re clearly visible. While that may be the smart play, not everyone enjoys taking the easy route. One woman apparently decided to put on a show for the officer boxing her in – by ramming his car and allowing her tires to put on one heck of a smoke show.

Amusingly, the display of rear-wheel drive shenanigans was apparently enough to completely frazzle a nearby Mercedes-Benz E-Class. When you watch the video, note that the passing Benz driver couldn’t flee the scene fast enough, yet they were also seemingly paralyzed by fear – or at least indecision. Click past the jump to watch this train-wreck of a traffic stop. Thanks for the tip, Syed!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Lady Camaro driver has bad day, tries to escape police, succeeds in burnout

Video: Lady Camaro driver has bad day, tries to escape police, succeeds in burnout originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW Unscripted follows Tiffany Coates around the globe

Filed under: Etc., Videos, BMW, Motorcycle

BMW Unscripted Tiffany Coates

BMW Unscripted: Tiffany Coates – Click above to watch video after the jump

The last time we heard from BMW Unscripted, an ancient 5 Series was stalking the tall grass of South Africa in search of meerkats. Now the company has turned its attention to Tiffany Coates and her BMW R80GS. The duo have traversed the globe together, ranging over five continents and covering untold miles in the process. For Coates, no country or region is off limits, and she’s spent time everywhere from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Alaska and Australia. Her travel is impressive, without a doubt, though we’re more taken with the perspective that her gallivanting has given her.

“People always assume that the world is full of dangerous places, and they think, and they say as well, that I’m mad to go travelling where I do. I always replay, ‘but, 99.9 percent of people in the world are really nice, decent people like you and I.'”

We can think of a few politicians that could use some time in the saddle of an R80GS. Hit the jump to have a look at a slice of Coates’ life on the road, and remember not to let your fear rule you, people. There’s a whole world out there just waiting to meet you.

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Continue reading Video: BMW Unscripted follows Tiffany Coates around the globe

Video: BMW Unscripted follows Tiffany Coates around the globe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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