CARSCOOP |  |
- McLaren F1 Replica has Japanese Internals from a Toyota MR2
- Dacia Duster Pickup Prototype Spotted in Romania
- A Russian Having Drinks in His SUV Next to the River, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
- Washington Man Drives 100,000 Miles in His Nissan Leaf
- Hennessey's 703HP Corvette Stingray C7 Runs 200 MPH on Texas Highway [Updated]
- BMW M Boss Would Like to Build M7, Looking Into M3 Gran Turismo
- Stretched VW Bus to Get Brushless Heart of Totaled Tesla Model S
- Subaru WRX Project Manager Dissects 2015 Model in New Video
- BMW Reportedly Approves i8 Spyder for Production in Late 2015
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Rendered in Coupe and Wagon Outfits
- McLaren to Replace Windscreen Wipers with Fighter Jet-Based Sound Wave Tech!
- Canada’s Dubuc SLC to Unveil Tomahawk Kit Car at the Montreal Auto Show [w/Video]
- Guess What These Guys Fished Out of the River…
- Bertone Reportedly On the Verge of Bankruptcy, Turkish Buyer Said to be Interested
- GM to Invest $1.3 Billion in Five U.S. Plants to Build New 10-Speed Auto, V6 Engine
- Jaguar Eats Up Mercedes with Chicken Ad Remake
- BMW X5 E70 Aero-Tune from Prior Design will Cost You €9k
- BMW Video Explains Advantages of Laser Headlights on the i8
- Study Puts Numbers Behind Increase of All-Wheel Drive Sales in US
- This Is the Real Production MG CS Small Crossover
- Either I'm Blind as a Bat or Purportedly Leaked MG CS Sketches Show Existing Concept…
- Golf Cart-Based Tumbler Batmobile Looks Legit
- Do Yourself a Favor and Just Keep Away from Cranes When in Russia
- Chevrolet Withdrawal from Europe Leads to Job Slashing in South Korea
- Toyota to Start Settling Sudden Acceleration Cases
| McLaren F1 Replica has Japanese Internals from a Toyota MR2 Posted: 17 Dec 2013 07:09 PM PST  A while back, we wrote about a Polish tuner of sorts who built a replica of the legendary McLaren F1, complete with a three-seat layout and a mid-mounted Audi V6 engine. The reason we mention this is that we received a comment today on the same post from a one "Racer" pointing us towards a set of freshly uploaded videos on YouTube of two F1 clones, one of which is based on the hardware of the third and last generation Toyota MR2. The person who uploaded the video under the alias "RR" gives no information on the build or his/her whereabouts. However, the maker mentions that the car with the MR2 four-cylinder heart is for sale (now, don't go sending a check or personal details without asking any questions…), as is a second F1 replica, this time a rolling chassis with the iffy note "you will get free Audi S8 engine+transmission". Print screens and a video samples of the F1 clones can be found under the break.                  |
| Dacia Duster Pickup Prototype Spotted in Romania Posted: 17 Dec 2013 04:45 PM PST  There has been a lot of talk about a pickup version of the Dacia Duster SUV, especially after the Renault-owned carmaker discontinued the Logan pickup. However, nothing materialized until recently, when a Duster pickup prototype was spotted undisguised in Romania. Based on the pre-facelift Duster, the single cab pickup looks neat and could pass as an official project. However, according to the Romanian website Autoindustry, the car is built by local coachbuilder Romturingia, which specializes in modifying Dacia models into special vehicles like ambulances. According to the report, Renault's involvement in the project is limited to technical support through the carmaker's local engineering center Renault Technologie Roumanie. The Duster pickup prototype is said to have been built following requests for from big fleet customers for a multi-purpose vehicle with a generous open loading area and off-road capabilities – the prototype is four-wheel drive. The pickup uses many common components with the Duster SUV and features a single cab with two seats in order to have a big loading area. The bed is 1.7-meter (66.9-inch) long and can take up to 400 kg (882 lbs). There's no information about the engine, but the truck is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox. According to a source familiar with the matter who wished to remain anonymous, the project was commissioned by Renault's special sales division in Romania. It is yet unclear whether the Duster pickup will remain a one-off or will reach series production, but rumor has it Dacia will soon release official information. So what do you think, should the Duster pickup be built? By Dan Mihalascu Story References & Image Credits: Autoindustry           |
| A Russian Having Drinks in His SUV Next to the River, What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Posted: 17 Dec 2013 04:16 PM PST  We've all, or at least most of us have, had one drink too many at some point in our lives. When that happens, it's always smart to have at least one person in the group who is more sober and mature than the rest of your pals and who will put a stop to any crazy stunts that you will surely regret the next day. That person was obviously missing from this Russian booze party next to the Volga River. In fact, when the man in the green SUV reached his tipping point, his friends seemed to be more interested in having some laughs at his expense than stopping him from doing something stupid… See what he did in the video that follows.    |
| Washington Man Drives 100,000 Miles in His Nissan Leaf Posted: 17 Dec 2013 03:37 PM PST  Steve Marsh of Kent, Washington, is the owner of a Nissan Leaf that recently clocked 100,000 miles (160,934 km) since he bought it new in early 2011. If you're wondering why he drove it so much, it's because the man has a 130-mile (209-km) roundtrip daily commute – remember that next time you think your ride to work is too long… "With a daily commute of about 130 miles, I've saved more than $9,000 compared to my old gas-powered car since I bought my Leaf. With plenty of public charging options, as well as a charger installed at my office, my Leaf is a perfect car for my commute," said Marsh. Since the Nissan Leaf has a driving range of 75 miles (121 km), Marsh has to charge the batteries twice a day: in the morning, after he arrives at work and in the evening, when he returns home. In order to be able to do that, he had to convince his employer, Taylor Shellfish, to install a charging unit at its office in Shelton. Luckily for him, the company agreed. Marsh says he bought the car first and foremost for its low cost of ownership, since electric vehicles have fewer routine maintenance costs, in addition to the lower operating costs of driving on electricity compared to gasoline. He believes that he couldn't have done it without Washington's strong charging infrastructure, with state governor Jay Inslee thanking Marsh personally for his commitment to electric driving. By Dan Mihalascu     |
| Hennessey's 703HP Corvette Stingray C7 Runs 200 MPH on Texas Highway [Updated] Posted: 17 Dec 2013 05:23 PM PST  Yes, Hennessey took its tuned Corvette Stingray HPE600 out for a 200mph or 332km/h run on a public highway in Texas, but before you get all ramped up about it and blow your horn, learn that it do so on a closed section of the road with police officers on hand. In fact, they also confirmed the car's speed through their dash-mounted radar… The Texas-based tuner's Corvette C7 was fitted with the HPE600 naturally aspirated package that You'll find Hennessey's video footage of the speedy run waiting for you right under the jump. Correction: We contacted Hennessey and they told us that the 200mph Corvette C7 was fitted with the HPE600 naturally aspirated upgrade (with 603bhp) and not the HPE600 supercharged kit (with 600bhp) that we mentioned in the original version of this post.   |
| BMW M Boss Would Like to Build M7, Looking Into M3 Gran Turismo Posted: 17 Dec 2013 02:35 PM PST  Unlike Mercedes-Benz, which has been offering AMG variants of the S-Class for a while now, BMW has never given the M treatment to its flagship sedan, the 7-Series. The closest thing to a BMW M7 is the Alpina B7, a 540hp 7-Series that sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 194 mph (312 km/h). However, a BMW M7 may become a reality in the future if BMW M engineering boss Albert Biermann gets his way. The engineer said he would like to build an M7, which would top BMW M's lineup as a flagship performance sedan. In the event that happens, don't expect the M7 to be similar to the B7 built by BMW specialist tuner Alpina (pictured below). "I would love to compete in this area of the market. The money is just there to pick up. An M7 would be a much different proposition to the B7," Biermann was quoted as saying by Autocar. However, BMW's M division does not have concrete plans for an M7, as it is pursuing different projects at the moment, including exploring the idea of adding of four-wheel-drive systems to the next-generation M5 and M6 models, as well as a possible M3 version for the 3-Series GT in 2016. As for SUVs, even though BMW M has developed the X5 M and X6 M, it is not planning to do the same thing with the X3 and X4. Instead, the two SUVs will get M Performance versions, similar to Audi's S models. By Dan Mihalascu BMW M7 photoshop by Auto Projecoes![2014-BMW-M7-Saloon[4]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J5QCB-nuT94/UrDRJ5Y5c4I/AAAAAAAPfjA/gsKKCEBIDxM/s1600-h/2014-BMW-M7-Saloon%25255B4%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg "2014-BMW-M7-Saloon[4]")
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| Stretched VW Bus to Get Brushless Heart of Totaled Tesla Model S Posted: 17 Dec 2013 01:56 PM PST  This stretched VW Bus will accelerate off the line as quickly as some sports cars (probably) once it receives its… unusual engine swap. The grand plan conjured up by Otmar Ebenhoech, the man behind this project, is to rid it of its clattery diesel engine and replace that with the salvaged powertrain from the back of a totaled Tesla Model S (number 7822, an 85 kWh car), also making it capable to handle the power, and using its battery too. After assessing the damage to the car, Otmar discovered that its front suspension components are unusable, as is its steering rack (among others he needs), and he's now looking for somebody "parting out" another wreck to gather everything he needs. He is experienced in EV conversions, though, and regularly drives an all-electric Porsche 914, so we look forward to seeing what he creates. It sounds ambitious since the idea is to get all of the functionality of the donor car, but as you'll see in the time-lapse video posted below, they've already proceeded to making room for the Model S' small brushless electric motor in the engine bay of the VW; the second one shows the wrecked silver sedan arriving on a flatbed. Story References: Plugincars and Green.autoblog By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Subaru WRX Project Manager Dissects 2015 Model in New Video Posted: 17 Dec 2013 01:36 PM PST  Subaru has high expectation of the 2015 WRX and wants to convince potential buyers of the car's qualities in a new video featuring Masuo Takatsu, project general manager of the new WRX. The video shows various stages of the car's development, with Mr. Takatsu talking about the car's strengths. One of the most important upgrades, according to the engineer, is the steering response time, which he claims, has "dramatically" improved and is now on par with European sports cars. As well as shortening response time, Subaru engineers also gave the car a sharper turn in thanks to improved rear grip. A lot of attention was dedicated to obtaining the driving feel customers expect from a Subaru WRX, and Takatsu says it was achieved by building a stiffer body to work in conjunction with the stiff suspension, but without altering ride quality. Scroll down to find out what else is new on the 2015 Subaru WRX from the official video. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| BMW Reportedly Approves i8 Spyder for Production in Late 2015 Posted: 17 Dec 2013 01:11 PM PST  Citing a BMW inside source, the Bavarian loving crew at Bimmerpost is reporting that the German company has given the green light for the production of the i8 Spyder with an introduction date set for late 2015. The same person who shared the news added that "the approval came last Friday and a production intent model was shown internally at BMW [we assume he means the brand's Munich headquarters]". BMW showed its interest in expanding the i8 lineup with the release of the i8 Spyder Concept at last year's China Auto Show in Beijing, without entering any details about a production car. We don't need to tell you the 2015/2016 i8 Spyder will be in line with the coupe as far as appearance, interior, powertrain and other such details are concerned. The first examples of the coupe will begin arriving to the hands of their owners in mid-2014. According to the BMW boss Ian Robertson, the $135,700 i8 Coupe's entire allocation for next year has already been sold out, though to be frank, this doesn't really give us a true picture of the interest in the car as he didn't mention any specific numbers. Thanks to Tom B. for the tip! BMW i8 Spyder renderings courtesy of Wildspeed                     |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Rendered in Coupe and Wagon Outfits Posted: 17 Dec 2013 12:45 PM PST  It's no secret that the introduction of the regular sedan versions of the new 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will soon be followed by a raft of models and body styles, which should arrive within the next two years. These will include the AMG high-performance editions, the Coupe, Convertible and Estate/Wagon/T-Model (different names for different markets), not to mention a new GLK, which will use the same underpinnings and interior as the C-Class. The web has already welcomed the first rendered attempts based on the production sedan to visualize the upcoming additions to the compact luxury series, and if you scroll down, you'll find a sample set with the two-door model, the station wagon and C63 AMG saloon. Designs via Xtomi and Autofans         |
| McLaren to Replace Windscreen Wipers with Fighter Jet-Based Sound Wave Tech! Posted: 17 Dec 2013 12:19 PM PST  The windscreen wiper is a simple yet brilliant invention that has remained largely unchanged for 100 years. Since Mary Anderson invented them in 1903, wipers have allowed us to drive our cars safely when it rains or snows. However, to an innovation-driven company like McLaren Automotive, windscreen wipers are a bit old fashioned. McLaren is reportedly designing a system adapted from fighter jets to keep the windscreen clear in bad weather. The system is said to use high-frequency sound waves similar to those used by dentists to remove plaque from patients' teeth. The carmaker is developing it for its new supercar expected to launch in 2015 – most likely the P13. While McLaren is keeping the new technology secret, chief designer Frank Stephenson told The Sunday Times that the system is already in use on military airplanes. "It took a lot of effort to get this out of a source in the military. I asked why you don't see wipers on some aircraft on when they are coming in at very low levels for landing. I was told that it's not a coating on the surface but a high frequency electronic system that never fails and is constantly active. Nothing will attach to the windscreen," Stephenson said. According to Paul Wilcox, professor of ultrasonics at Bristol University's faculty of engineering, the simple way to do it would be "to have an ultrasonic transducer in the corner of the windscreen that would excite waves at around 30kHz to bounce across the windscreen." It doesn't sound like a bad idea at all: the absence of wipers will make cars more aerodynamic and lighter too, as there would be no need for the motor that moves them. Thanks to Frisco for the tip! By Dan Mihalascu         |
| Canada’s Dubuc SLC to Unveil Tomahawk Kit Car at the Montreal Auto Show [w/Video] Posted: 17 Dec 2013 11:46 AM PST  Chances are, you've probably never heard of Canadian startup Dubuc Super Light Car (SLC), but their ambition is to make themselves heard and seen at the 2014 Montreal International Auto Show, where the company's first product will have its world premiere on January 17. The Tomahawk is a two-seat coupe with a mid-mounted engine that will be sold as a kit car. Entirely designed and manufactured in Quebec City by Dubuc Super Light Car, the Tomahawk is said to have an eight times faster assembly time than comparable vehicles (250 hours versus 1,500-2,000 hours). The car features a bonded and bolted aluminum monocoque frame weighing 300 lbs (136 kg) and a lightweight polymer bodywork. The Tomahawk has suspension components from the Corvette C4 and will be delivered with steering wheel support, pre-pierced holes for wires and hoses, and an ergonomic cockpit that can sit a 6'3" (190cm), 275-lbs (125-kg) driver. The kit also includes doors that open at a 75-degree angle, door panels, dashboard, console, seats, a DOT-approved windshield, a see-through Targa roof and side mirrors. The folks from Dubuc SLC say the car weighs under 2,000 lbs (907 kg) fully equipped. They also say the car is perfectly suited for an electric or gasoline engine, but don't mention any particular powerplant. Dubuc SLC is currently in talks with TM4 to test designs and control systems, which would result in an electric car entirely designed and built in Quebec. The complete body and frame kit is offered at CAD$19,995 (US$18,904) and requires the installation of mechanical components, which are usually recycled from a retired automobile. However, depending on components, the total cost of the car can reach or even exceed CAD$30,000 (US$28,365). That's if you assemble it by yourself - otherwise you'll have to pay someone to do it. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: Dubuc via Autoblog-com           |
| Guess What These Guys Fished Out of the River… Posted: 17 Dec 2013 11:20 AM PST  To answer your first question, no, the tractor you see pictured in the above screen shot is not the catch but the actual angler that came to the rescue of the men recording and standing around with their shirts off scratching their heads and wondering how they're going to explain this one to their friends, wives, relatives and insurers. The geographical location of the incident isn't mentioned, but as you've probably already figured out for yourself, the Russian language points to either Russia or one of its neighboring countries. Don't let us keep you waiting, proceed to the break below and click play to watch the amusing video.    |
| Bertone Reportedly On the Verge of Bankruptcy, Turkish Buyer Said to be Interested Posted: 17 Dec 2013 11:02 AM PST  Bertone, one of Italy's most renowned design houses, is on the brink of bankruptcy according to several reports. The company asked for court administration on December 11 and has 120 days to find solutions, which are mostly limited to finding investors. Bertone was badly hit by the 2008 financial crisis and has seen its orders reduced to an unsustainable level ever since. The company was forced to sell its carmaking business to Fiat in 2009, including the Grugliasco plant in Turin, which now builds Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte models. To compensate for the loss of that unit, the company has set up a new sub-division called Bertone Workshop, which specializes in building one-off models for wealthy customers, but orders have been scarce. According to a report from Italy's La Repubblica, Bertone workers haven't been paid for months and went on strike. The administrator appointed by the court will have to steer Bertone during these difficult times and save 165 jobs by identifying new buyers. It appears that negotiations are being held with an unnamed Turkish company, said to have offered €2 million ($2.75 million) for the Bertone brand. Pending approval by an Italian judge, the deal will lead to Bertone filing for bankruptcy early next year in order to facilitate the change of ownership. If the deal doesn't go through, there are reportedly seven other companies interested in buying Bertone. No names were given, so let's just hope whoever buys Bertone retains the workforce and keep the company going. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: Leftlanenews           |
| GM to Invest $1.3 Billion in Five U.S. Plants to Build New 10-Speed Auto, V6 Engine Posted: 17 Dec 2013 10:32 AM PST  General Motors will invest $1.3 billion (€943 million) in five existing plants in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana to build new fuel-efficient engines and transmissions, improve vehicle quality and streamline logistics. GM says the investments will create or retain approximately 1,000 jobs. The investments will be directed towards the production of a new V6 engine, new 10-speed transmission and an existing 6-speed auto box, and will be used to fund assembly plant upgrades, including a new paint shop and logistics optimization center. The recipient plants are those from Detroit, Flint and Romulus (Michigan), Toledo (Ohio) and Bedford (Indiana). Of the total sum, $493.4 million (€358 million) will be invested in Romulus Powertrain Operations, which includes $343.4 million for equipment to produce an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission and $150 million to increase capacity of a previously announced new V6 engine. Roughly half of the total investment, $600 million (€435 million) will be directed to the Flint Assembly for facility upgrades, including a new paint shop. GM says the 10-speed automatic transmission will "contribute to improved fuel economy and performance", with details about it and the new V6 engine to be announced at a later stage. Since 2009, GM has announced investments of about $10.1 billion (€7.3 billion) in the U.S. ($2.8 billion in 2013 alone), creating or retaining more than 26,500 jobs. By Dan Mihalascu     |
| Jaguar Eats Up Mercedes with Chicken Ad Remake Posted: 17 Dec 2013 09:29 AM PST  Remember the Mercedes-Benz commercial that used chicken to promote the brand's Magic Body Control system? It was a funny ad that compared the carmaker's suspension technology in the S-Class to the "stability" of chickens' heads when dancing to the beat of Diana Ross' "Upside Down" song. Jaguar, however, wasn't that impressed with Mercedes' commercial and decided to make it even better. We don't see carmakers attacking each other that often in commercials (that's because in some countries this practice isn't even allowed), but usually when that happens, the results are very interesting, to say the least. This Jaguar ad makes no exception, and you'll have to watch it to see why. We'll only tell you that the commercial promotes "cat-like reflexes" over Mercedes' Magic Body Control. We've also added a second ad from the carmaker's latest campaign that you can watch after the break. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| BMW X5 E70 Aero-Tune from Prior Design will Cost You €9k Posted: 17 Dec 2013 09:00 AM PST  If you're a BMW X5 E70 (that's the previous generation) owner and the Bavarian firm's own products don't make the styling cut for you, Prior Design has dropped a new wide-body kit onto the market priced from €8,999, which comes to around US$12,400 at the current exchange rates. Before we describe the package, let us tell you what parts seen in the display model are not included in the package: the matte finish, exhaust pipes, blacked out double kidney grille and mirrors, and the two-tone alloy wheels. With that out of the way, let's see what you do get from Prior Design. The kit comes with a new bonnet featuring three air-scoops, side skirts, a front bumper with a lip spoiler, rear bumper with a diffuser, four fender extensions and the mounting material. Check out more pictures of the finished product in the gallery below.            |
| BMW Video Explains Advantages of Laser Headlights on the i8 Posted: 17 Dec 2013 08:43 AM PST  BMW's laser headlights that it optionally offers on the new i8 mid-engined hybrid sports car don't only look cool and different on the car, but also offer a significant visibility advantage, even compared to the standard-fit LED ones. They've been brought up many time, being one of the definite talking points when it came to the i8's exterior look, but a video explanation is more than welcome, given that this is new tech that has yet to proliferate. If this was not already clear, the lasers are only used for high beams, and in this application they reportedly double the range that the light can reach, taking it up to 600 m or 1970 ft. Another advantage is the reduced strain caused to oncoming cars, as the light is now focused and does not spread as much as in the case of a conventional setup. Now scroll down and check out the video, below. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Study Puts Numbers Behind Increase of All-Wheel Drive Sales in US Posted: 17 Dec 2013 08:12 AM PST  A recently conducted Polk study, quoted by The Detroit News, informs us that the apparent increase in popularity of cars with all-wheel drive can also be matched by actual figures. Its data shows that a five percent increase in the sale of these vehicles through September of 2013, compared to the same time frame five years ago – now they make up one third of all new cars sold in the US. Yes, you guessed it; it's the popularity boom of crossovers that caused it, though, buyers of sedans who are also ticking this extra traction (and safety) box count too – who'd want an Audi A4 without Quattro, right? The leading segment is that of non-premium compact crossovers. They now make up 13.6 percent of the market. In 2008, their share was only 9.6 percent. Some buyers do see it as unnecessary because of a) the extra cost that they will have to bear (AWD adds about $2,000 to the price of an average car according to specialists' estimates) and b) the dent it puts in the fuel economy figures. It's expected not to deter luxury buyers, though, and that's where the most notable rise is expected to occur next. By Andrei Nedelea                   |
| This Is the Real Production MG CS Small Crossover Posted: 17 Dec 2013 07:28 AM PST  Since we were on the subject of the MG CS and the "leaked" sketches of what we believe to be depicting the…older concept, allow us give you an idea of what the real production version of the small crossover will look like. These spy shots of a camouflaged MG CS prototype (we don't know yet whether MG and its Chinese parent company SAIC Motors will retain the name) come to us courtesy of China's Autohome and Xcar. From the views we have of the prototype, we see that, while changes have been made to bring the car to production standards, such as its proportions (the taller and more practical for regular use glass house), framed doors, mirrors and new door handles, the CS's styling and stance is clearly derived from the study. If done right, not only in terms of design, but also mechanically and quality-wise, the CS could offer MG the opportunity to reach a broader, and perhaps even a global audience. At this point, though, MG and SAIC Motors are keeping their cards closed on when and if the CS will be marketed outside of China. Photo courtesy of Autohome & Xcar        |
| Either I'm Blind as a Bat or Purportedly Leaked MG CS Sketches Show Existing Concept… Posted: 17 Dec 2013 06:57 AM PST  I always like to leave some room for error when it comes to anything containing the word "leaked", be that to confirm or deny a report and/or photos in question, unless I have solid proof. With that said, I bring to your attention these allegedly leaked sketches of the MG crossover circulating on the net. A number of sites are reporting that they depict the near production version of the MG CS crossover, which was displayed as a concept at this year's Shanghai Auto Show in April. Not to be a ballbuster, but all I see here is the aforementioned concept in grayscale drawings… But hey, I'm human, and if I'm wrong, and the following statements are true, please do tell on me in the comments after the break, where you can also compare the "leaked" sketches with the concept car: Worldcarfans: "It looks a lot like the concept but has been toned down a little bit to give it a more production-suitable appearance", Leftlanenews: "It bears more than a passing resemblance to the CS concept that debuted at this year's Shanghai Motor Show but its front end is closer to that of the Golf-sized MG5 hatchback and its overhangs are longer" Autoevolution:" The pictures show a production vehicle that retains a few styling cues from the CS concept, but without getting too far from MG's current design By John Halas                 |
| Golf Cart-Based Tumbler Batmobile Looks Legit Posted: 17 Dec 2013 06:34 AM PST  If you're a fan of Batmobiles and have always wanted to build a replica of your own, but never got around to it as it was too big and daunting a task, we are going to take the liberty to suggest shrinking it and building it at a smaller scale, not using an actual car to underpin it. It works and can result in some mean-looking drivable miniatures, such as the mini-Tumbler you see after the break. It was created by Marc Irvin of Marc's Creature Company out of a regular golf cart, retaining its chassis, but using different/modified suspension and steering components, to stay true to the original Tumbler design and functionality. The standard electric motor was also popped out and replaced with a more powerful 6 hp one; maximum speed is 60 km/h or 38 mph. There's even a fully-fitted interior, complete with leather seats, cup holders and iPad stand. The only example currently in existence sold on eBay for $17,500, however, Marc's Creature Company is working on a kit version that it will dub the Mini Tumbler 2. Its price will be even higher, at $32,000, though that's for a fully-assembled one and includes the price of the golf cart too. If you want to build it yourself and get your own donor vehicle, it costs a more reasonable $9,500. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: eBay via Gizmag              |
| Do Yourself a Favor and Just Keep Away from Cranes When in Russia Posted: 17 Dec 2013 06:06 AM PST  Perhaps I'm spending far too much time watching videos from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and all the other countries of the former Soviet Union, but whatever the reason, if you were to visit any of these places and happen to see a crane on the road, YouTube has taught me that for your own well-being, you should stay as far away from them as possible… And oh, if you have a car parked nearby, you may want to consider moving that as well. You can choose not to, but don't complain if something goes awry – and it does, all too often, judging by the amount of incidents recorded on camera. Just skip the jump to see what I mean, and if you want more, take a look at this incident we shared with you just last week.    |
| Chevrolet Withdrawal from Europe Leads to Job Slashing in South Korea Posted: 17 Dec 2013 05:40 AM PST  With Chevrolet pulling out of Europe, GM's South Korean operations will take a heavy blow, as the Old Continent is one of the country's major export destinations for cars. GM said Chevrolet sales in Europe would end by 2016, but the Detroit carmaker has already revealed plans to launch a "voluntary retirement" scheme for around 6,000 salaried employees in South Korea by next March, according to a Reuters report. "This is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance operating efficiency," GM Korea spokesman, Park Hae-ho, told the news agency, without revealing any specific numbers about the job reductions. GM has been slowly but steadily cutting jobs and production at its South Korean operations over the past few years. In fact, this is the fourth round of job reductions since 2009, while GM has said that it would not manufacture the next Chevrolet Cruze in the country and that it would move a large portion of Opel Mokka production to Spain next year.         |
| Toyota to Start Settling Sudden Acceleration Cases Posted: 17 Dec 2013 05:20 AM PST  Toyota will begin an intensive settlement process to resolve the unintended acceleration lawsuits, a California judge said. U.S. District Judge James V. Selna issued an order halting the suits after Toyota and the plaintiffs' lawyers asked for time to try settling the cases. The judge was originally scheduled to hear the first trial in March of about 200 federal claims. "Participation in the intensive settlement process is open to all plaintiffs. Cases that do not resolve during the initial settlement conference shall be set for a formal mediation," Selna said in the order. Toyota's decision to settle the cases comes less than two months after the company lost its first case related to an unintended acceleration accident resulting in two deaths, with an Oklahoma jury ordering it to pay $3 million to the families of the victims. Settlement conferences will begin in February, but Selna set a hearing for January 14 for any comment on the settlement process. Toyota recalled more than 10 million vehicles for problems related to unintended acceleration in 2009 and 2010, with recalls leading to lawsuits claiming that defects affected the value of Toyota vehicles or caused accidents leading to death and injury. Before the lost Oklahoma City trial, the company had won the first three sudden-acceleration claims that reached jury verdicts. In many of the death and injury lawsuits, including the one in Oklahoma City, plaintiffs claim that episodes of sudden acceleration are explained not only by loose floor mats and sticky pedals, but also by the faulty electronic throttle control system. Plaintiffs argue that reports on unintended acceleration increased after Toyota began fitting its cars with the ETCS-i system that controls the engine's throttle electronically instead of mechanically. By Dan Mihalascu     |
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