When it comes to running a car, the costs can add up very quickly. It doesn’t have to be that way, though, because there are several ways you could save money on your car.

Buying a new car
The very first place you could save money on your car is when you’re actually buying it. Ok, this isn’t a ‘save money running your car’ tip, but a saving is still a saving – and any money saved is a bonus!

So, if you haven’t already bought your car, or you’re just thinking of replacing your current car, you should try to save money on the purchase. You could haggle for a discount, for example, or simply take advantage of a car dealer’s special offers.

Fuel efficiency
When it comes to actually running your car, one of the main ways you could save money is by keeping an eye on your fuel efficiency.

So, rather than accelerating and breaking harshly, try to ‘smooth out’ your driving. Remember, getting to your destination isn’t a race – so by driving more smoothly, you should be able to save yourself some money in fuel (and improve the ‘lifetime’ of your car).

Other ways you could save money on fuel include removing any excess weight from your car (items in the boot that you don’t need for every journey, for example, or car seats – for children – that you don’t use) and checking your tyre pressures on a regular basis to make sure they’re inflated correctly.

Car insurance
Insuring your car can cost a lot of money – but going about it the right way could cut the costs.

The way insurance pricing tends to work is simple – the more of a ‘risk’ you are seen as to the insurer, the more your insurance will cost.

Despite this, there a few things you could do that may save you a bit of money on your policy. For example, make sure you fill in all the required details on your insurance application form. If you don’t, the form you are filling in (if you’re doing it online) may automatically fill empty boxes with the ‘default’ answer… which, if not relevant to you, could lead to you paying more for your policy.

Another way you could save money on car insurance is by making sure you search the entire market for the best deals. Of course, this will take you a long time to do on your own, so you could use a service that searches through a panel of insurance companies for you. That way, you’ll get to see more of the best deals on the market for your needs.

Bugatti is making headlines with their very first appearance at the Qatar Motor Show, but they did not display their latest Super Sport supercar for all to see. Instead, France’s legendary automotive marque opted to reveal the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the world’s fastest, most powerful, and most exclusive open-top car.

Like with the coupe version, the Grand Sport edition is powered by a 8 liter W16 engine that develops an impressive 1,001 hp at 6,000 rpm. This glorious engine will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in an incredible 2.7 seconds.

“When I had the chance to test-drive the new Grand Sport for the first time, I was filled with excitement,” said Pierre-Henri Raphanel, Bugatti’s official pilot, “as soon as I shifted into second gear, I immediately knew this was a completely different car. Even with the roof on, the driving experience was more intense – I could feel it in my fingertips and at the base of my spine. The car was more precise with less understeer, almost as if you had taken some filters away from the suspension and the steering.”

Bugatti made a fine choice for the maiden Qatar visit, but we hope next time they come packing a much newer model.

Kia Motors unveiled the all-new Kia Soul – its most significant-ever model – at the 2008 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile pointing clearly at a design-led future for the brand.

The segment-busting Kia Soul defies classification and traditional appeal providing a stylish yet flexible alternative for urban motorists who want the opportunity to go against traditional trends at a time when global economic doom-mongers are urging consolidation and conservatism.

Conceived in the United States but developed in Korea and Europe under the leadership of Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer the compact but capacious Kia Soul will arrive in the UK next Spring and is set to offer hard-pressed motorists with a reason to be optimistic.

Building on Kia’s traditional virtues of quality and value the Kia Soul will appeal to anyone with a more rebellious nature who is determined to stand out from the crowd but also wants to watch the domestic budget. Kia Soul has the aggressive and stylish appearance of a much larger 4×4-type vehicle but its 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engine options, developed from the units available in Kia’s cee’d family, will deliver excellent fuel economy and low running-costs.

Paul Philpott, Managing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: “Everyone knows that economic times are hard but Kia Soul is the perfect response for those who want to lift their spirits – it’s blend of innovative packaging and individuality will not come at premium prices.

“Soul will come with an excellent comfort and convenience equipment list plus the opportunity for personalisation in a variety of ways – but I am determined it’s list price will be realistic at a time when every household budget is looking to cut back on frivolities and fantasy.

“And Soul shows clearly the way we intend to move forward – with outstanding design and eye-catching appeal coupled with excellent quality and reliability. This car really does mark the start of a new chapter in Kia’s remarkable story,” he added.

Kia Soul customers in Europe will be offered a choice of 126 ps diesel or 126 ps petrol engines, based closely on the 1.6-litre units produced for the successful Kia cee’d model made in Slovakia.

Kia Soul acceleration times to 62mph range from 10.4 to 11.3 seconds and fuel consumption spreads over a 5.1 to 6.6 litres/100 km span, while CO2 figures vary between 137 and 159 g/km for European models.

Kia Soul cars supplied to the majority of countries in Western Europe and all of North America will be fitted with six airbags, four disc brakes and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as standard.

Every Kia Soul in Europe will be equipped with a factory-fit RDS radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility, plus six audio speakers, a 112 watts output, innovative PowerBass technology and a roof-top antenna. An upgraded sound system – complete with ‘Sound Sensitive Mood Lighting’, a 315 watts output, a large dash-top centre speaker, external amplifier and a sub-woofer in the trunk for a total of eight speakers – can be specified.

Renault has extended its Gordini line-up with the introduction of Renault Twingo Gordini R.S. which is poised to reinforce the image of the brand’s small city car. Twingo Gordini is targeted for customers who are looking for a combination of French style and great sporty look dynamics.

Twingo Gordini is available with a choice of two feisty Euro5-compliant engines: a TCe 100 engine and a filter-equipped dCi 85 diesel engine. Thanks to CO2 emissions of just 100g/km, Twingo Gordini dCi 85 will qualify for the French state’s €500 ‘eco’ subsidy when order books for this version open on January 2, 2011.

With regard to equipment, Twingo Gordini delivers the best of the Twingo range, including manual or automatic climate control (depending on market), cruise control with speed limiter, 80W radio-CD with MP3 playback and Bluetooth® connectivity (hands-free calls, voice recognition, audio streaming) and independent sliding rear seats.

Twingo Gordini will be marketed across most of Europe. Order books for the TCe 100hp version are already open in France, with prices starting from €14,800.

Renault Twingo Gordini R.S. Pricing:

TCe 100, Renault eco
• Tax-paid price €14,800
• CO2 emissions 132g/km

dCi 85 Renault eco2
• Tax-paid price €16,550
• CO2 emissions 100g/km
• French state ‘eco’ subsidy – €500

Shelby SuperCars (SSC) released upon the world the Aero in 2006. The 6.2-litre V8 twin turbo engine spews out a mighty 1183 bhp. The Aero has been upgraded constantly. The most recent version (2009) is said to move your rear at a leisurely pace of 437 kph. The Aero bursts up to 100 KPH in less than 2.5 seconds! This all-American hero is the fastest production car in the planet.

9. Leblanc Mirabeau: $765,00

Designed with 24 hours resilience test at Le mans. It can be driven on the road legally. Mirabeau is using 4.7-liter V8 engine, 700 hp, and can reach average speed of 230 mile / hours. Specially made to order, including for semi automatic transmission system version.

8. Koenigsegg CCX: $1.1 Millions

Swedish supercar makers Koenigsegg relvealed the mid-engined roadster at the Geneva Motor Show, 2006.  At the heart is a 4.7-litre supercharged V8 producing a massive 806 bhp. The car powers past 100 KPH in 3.2 seconds and breaking pace at 417 KPH. The astonishing fact is that the CCX manages a milege of 14 mpg in city and 18 mpg on the highway! Here is a supercar that saves. When we start talking fuel consumption in the same breath as supercar, it yells ‘tough times’.

7. Koenigsegg CCXR : $1.3 Millions

Koenigsegg CCXR is another variant from Koenigsegg CCX that signed in environmentally friendly cars. This car use biofuels, need 3.1 seconds to reach 100km/hours, with top speed 250mph.

6. Maybach Landaulet: $1.4 Millions

Remember the Targa top first devised by Porsche? The Landaulet is a similar design where the chauffer (has to be) area has a stationary metal roof but the passenger area has a retractable one.

The Maybach Landaulet was designed on the Maybach 62, is as big as Luxembourg. As a matter of fact, I think the Maybach 62 was built keeping Poland in mind? That’s for another day.

This ultra luxury courtyard is a perfect way for dictators and other heads of state to get shot in the head. Powered by a 6.0-litre V12 behemoth which produces 604 bhp, the ‘Luxembourg’ is limited to 250 KPH by something more powerful than a V12 engine, German laws.

5. Lamborghini Reventón: $1.42 Millions

Not yet clear whether this old version of Reventon is still available. Only 20 units have made, This car created using black aluminum rim, like the newer version of roadster, the design is inspired by fighter aircraft.

4. Lamborghini Reventón Roadster: $1.56 Millions

presenting the most expensive Lamborghini ever made, the Reventon Roadster. Take the Reventón, add some more awesomeness and in the process slice the roof off. May be this one has eject seats? The car is precisely meant to do what the picture tells.

The same engine powering the Reventón powers this topless Italian beauty. Say hello the newest poster on your kid’s bedroom wall.

3. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster: $1.8 Millions

There are only 5 units available, and go on sale. Chassis made from carbon titanium. Powered by 678 HP Mercedes AMG V12, only 3.4 seconds to reach 100 kms/hours. Can reach 217 mph top speed. The body carbon and suspension is using titanium and magnesium.

2. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport $2 Millions / $1.67 Millions for Coupe version

The holy grail of engineering excellence, the Veyron is, surprise surprise, the second most expensive car in the world.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is a topless version of the Veyron. The car uses the same 1001 bhp engine of its sibling. Having the top down at 350 KPH doesn’t mean suicide however. The car is designed such that there is no draft inside. This means the Grand Sport is easily the world’s fastest roadster.

1. Koenigsegg Trevita: $2.21 Millions

Just three units to be produced. Koenigsegg Trevita is designed based on Koenigsegg CCXR and added with new shimmering diamond carbon fiber, named “Trevita” in Swedish means “three whites”.

Those three cars fully equipped with Koenigsegg Shimmering Diamond Weave bodywork, using double carbon wing, paddle-shift, inconell exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes with ABS, hydraulic lifting system, infotainment system, tyre monitoring system, chrono instrument cluster and special airbags.The navigation system is also developed custom just for this model

For the Machine Koenigsegg placed the same 1018bhp engine. Special for this model, the exterior paint fully developed in Sweden, at Koenigsegg headquarters.

sox-and-martin-colle

If you’ve dreamed of owning a genuine Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda, get ready to stop dreaming and start driving. Diane Sox and Buddy Martin, of the legendary Sox & Martin drag racing team and Mr. Norm’s Garage debuted the first Collector Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda at Mopars At The Strip on March 26, 2010.

Inspired by the Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda that won the 1971 NHRA Pro Stock National Championship, the Collectors Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda’s are serious performance vehicles based on the new Challenger. The Collector Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda is available in three models. The Sox & Martin Super Street Edition boils the hides with an available 625 horsepower, the Super Stock Edition shakes the asphalt with 725 horsepower, and like its namesake, the Pro Stock Edition is equipped with a heart stopping 900 plus horsepower Hemi engine, Dana 60 differential and 4 link rear suspension.

Instantly recognizable, the Sox & Martin Collector Series Hemi Cuda’s are available in the same red, white and blue paint scheme and period correct Sox & Martin graphics as the fearsome original NHRA Pro Stock National Championship winning Hemi Cuda. Optional features include Cuda style quarter panels, along with a modern interpretation of the 1971 Cuda grille and tail panel that’s complemented by an aggressive hood scoop reminiscent of the one on the first Sox & Martin Pro Stock Hemi Cuda. Inside, the cockpit features custom leather seating with the Sox & Martin Supercars shield embroidered on the seat backs. In addition, each Sox & Martin Collectors Series Hemi Cuda is personally signed by Buddy Martin and has a special fender tag that identifies its equipment and S&M serial number.

Production for the Collectors Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda’s is limited. So remember the drag racers adage, “he who snoozes, looses,” and don’t miss your chance to own a real piece of history.

One championship isn’t enough so IndyCar is planning to throw a new format in its racing series by introducing two new championships to go with the overall driver’s title: the top driver in road courses and the top driver in oval courses.

We’re not exactly sure what this accomplishes, but as far as IndyCar is concerned, it’s right in-line with the common tenor of the racing series. In addition to that, the new format should, at least it’s what IndyCar is hoping for, drum up interest from racing fans of other series like Formula One and NASCAR. Likewise, IndyCar drivers will now compete for more than just one title and those that aren’t in a position to win the overall driver’s championship can still stake claim to the two other titles that will now be up for grabs.

According to officials of IndyCar, the first champion – the road course winner – will be crowned at the Aug. 22 race at Infineon Raceway in California while the oval champion will be honored on Sept. 19 following the race at Motegi, Japan. The overall champion will then be crowned at the racing series’ season finale on Oct. 2 at Homestead.

We like the whole expanded title format, but while it may foster a new level of competition among the drivers, it’s still a little too early to tell if it will go over among casual fans of racing. For what it’s worth, this year should be an interesting IndyCar season to keep tabs on.

Second rule: As is the norm, we invited back 2009’s 10Best winners and all the new or significantly altered cars for 2010. Every qualifying vehicle must be on sale no later than January 2010, ergo the complete absence of vaporware.

In all, we hosted a total of 58 automobiles at our secret base hidden amid the farm plots of southeast Michigan. We flogged the cars for a week over our long-standing route, which serves up everything from smooth curves to pockmarked apexes to first-gear corners to high-speed straights to elevation changes.

There, we sought answers to the following questions: 1) How well does this car perform its intended mission? Does a given luxury car, for example, ride harshly? Does it sacrifice rear-seat headroom for an aggressive tumblehome? 2) Is this a highly engaging, fun-to-drive vehicle in its category? Does it compel the driver to get in and enjoy it? And 3) What kind of value does it represent? How much goodness does it deliver for its price?

The cars on the following pages max out in all three areas. These are the machines that have cracked the greatness code. The overwhelming consensus in our results, arrived at by a diverse array of drivers and their biases, has convinced us that these are the 10 worthiest cars on the American road. And their average base price of just over $35,000 was far below our $80,000 cap.

The Nominees

The nominees are listed below. They consist of all-new cars, 2009 10Best winners (called out in bold), cars that were not available for the 2009 competition, and those with significant updates. All cars must fall under our base-price cap of $80,000 and be on sale in January 2010.

Acura TL 6-sp manual • Acura ZDX • Audi A5 2.0T • Audi A6 3.0T • Audi S4 • Audi S5 Cabriolet • Audi TTS • BMW Z4 • BMW 3-series/M3 • Buick LaCrosse • Cadillac CTS/CTS-V • Chevrolet Camaro • Chevrolet Corvette/Grand Sport/Z06 • Ford Fusion/Fusion hybrid • Ford Mustang/Shelby GT500 • Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO • Honda Accord • Honda Fit • Honda Insight • Hyundai Genesis coupe • Infiniti G37 • Jaguar XF/XFR • Kia Forte/Forte Koup • Kia Soul • Lexus HS250h • Lexus IS convertible • Lincoln MKS EcoBoost • Lotus Evora* • Lotus Exige S 260 Sport • Mazda MX-5 Miata • Mazda 3/Mazdaspeed 3 • Mercedes-Benz E-class • Nissan Cube • Nissan 370Z • Pontiac G8 GXP* • Pontiac Solstice coupe* • Porsche Boxster/Cayman • Porsche 911 Carrera • Subaru Legacy • Subaru Outback • Suzuki Kizashi • Toyota Prius • Toyota Venza • Volkswagen Golf*/GTI

When you are deciding which car to purchase, the above items are very important. But there are smaller characteristics you should consider that may cost you more money over time. These include:

Depreciation value
Gas tank size
Number of cylinders
Maintenance costs over time
Ease of repairing parts
Finding affordable tires
Seasonal automatic start system
Bluetooth capabilities

Depreciation Value

This is used to estimate the value of your car over time. As soon as you purchase a car, it will begin to depreciate which means it will begin to lose its value. Cars depreciate at different rates. If you are deciding between two cars, you should look up the depreciation value of these cars to see which one will be worth less in the future.

If you decide to sell the car later on or trade it in for a new one, you may lose a lot of money. While trading in a new car is far from most people’s minds, savvy buyers will begin planning for the future. If the cars are similar in the features you are looking for, this may be what will separate them and make your decision easier.

Gas Tank Size

The size of the gas tank will determine how much money you will have to spend in gas each week. Given gas prices these days, you may want to opt for a car with a smaller gas tank. Gas mileage is also important. If you are deciding between two cars and they both have similar features, finding out what you will be spending in gas each week may help you make the decision.

Number of Cylinders

The number of cylinders your new car has will determine how much you will spend in gas per week as well. While a six cylinder engine is much faster than a four cylinder engine and may get better gas mileage on the highway, the gas tanks are bigger which will cost you more money each week.

Maintenance Costs Over Time

You should research the maintenance issues that could affect your car a few years after you purchase it. If the car you are thinking of buying has a transmission that will begin to fall apart after two or three years, you may not want to pay this cost. Find a car that has little maintenance other than new tires, oil changes, and transmission flushes. This will cost you less in the long run.

Ease of Finding Repair Parts

There are many minor repairs that you can do yourself including changing air filters, adding air to the tires, replacing wind shield wipers, adding anti-freeze and wind shield wiper fluid, and even oil changes. But if you cannot find the proper valves, containers, or areas under the hood where these items should be, then you should find a car that is easier to repair. These repairs should take minutes, not hours to complete.

Finding Affordable Tires

If you buy a sports car or other high end new car, you may be forced to buy high end tires that can cost you hundreds of dollars each time you need to replace them. If you do not have much money in your budget for these expenses, then you should not buy the car. You should find a car that fits lower end tires. You should be able to choose which tires you want to put on your car.

While these items seem small, they can add up to quite a bit of money over the years. Even though your employment situation may change, you should only buy a new car that you can afford now. You can always upgrade later on.

Seasonal Automatic Start System

This is an option that people who live in cold areas appreciate in the mornings on their way to work. By pushing a button, they are able to start their car without leaving their front porch. This is a great way to heat up the car before leaving the house. In colder climates, it is important to start your car and let it run for at least five minutes before driving it. An automatic start system will allow you to do this without having to go out into the cold

These systems can vary in price and may be worth it if you live in an area that is colder than most. If you decide not to include it in the price of the car, you can have it installed later on. You should check your warranty before installing it, however, as changes to your car may cause the warranty to be cancelled or reduced.

Other heating options include heated seats, extra air vents, and heated floor mats. Walking out to a cold car in the morning is not a fun experience. With an automatic start system, your car will remain locked and will be warm when you are ready to drive to work. This is also good for small children and pets that may need to go to the vet. Small children and pets can be more prone to illness than adults, so keeping them warm during the cold months will help.

Bluetooth Capabilities

If you have to travel for business in your car and spend time on the phone, or if you need a navigational system to get to your destination, you should consider finding a car that is equipped with Bluetooth capabilities. Newer model cars that have navigational systems that use this technology to find almost any location while driving. The device will tell you which way to turn, how miles to the next exit, and even provide alternate routes in case of traffic or construction.

Bluetooth is wireless technology that allows you to talk to people using headset instead of talking on a cell phone. The technology is so advanced that in some models, your voice will activate a computer system that holds the phone numbers of those you want to talk to. You do not need a cell phone or any other device. Your voice will be captured by microphones that are around the driver’s side of the car. You request a phone number and then speak as soon as you are connected.

This technology will make cars safer and easier to use. Bluetooth can also be used in audio systems, connecting to the Internet, and can be used to call emergency services in case of an accident or theft.

While this feature is still optional and can cost a lot, if you are the type who needs to be in constant contact with your job, you should consider buying a new car with these options. If you travel on business, you will never have to worry about getting lost again. You can research more about this technology online or through car manufacturer’s web sites.

Having this technology in your car will make ordering food, finding a restaurant, or finding a particular item much easier as you will have access to information services that you can call at anytime.

Since their characteristics can be expensive on a new car, you will need to consider your budget and how much you can afford to spend on extra features each month. You may have to wait on some of them until you buy your next new car. But it is good to know what is out there. This will help when you are negotiating the price of your car. Options like Bluetooth and automatic start systems can be installed later on and oftentimes by the same dealer who sold the car originally.

It will be easier to sell your car later on if you can offer extra incentives like these. In some cases, you may be able to get a discount on your car insurance because the Bluetooth can also act an anti-theft device. You should ask your car insurance provider if you can receive a discount.

History
NASCAR was first born in 1949 when the Winston Cup series was made. There was a long line of stockcar champions waiting. In the later years of NASCAR when the champions began to come from stockcar racing the major champions of the time were Richard Petty and David Pearson. The two would change history of NASCAR forever. In the seventies there were many good racers but the one of the best of that time was Cale Yarlborough. He won four championships and racked up an outstanding total of seven hundred and seventy points. As the champions began to retire it brought in a new flow of drivers. The new drivers were Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliott, and Michael Waltrip. It was always a fight between them as to who would get the championship. The major champion of the eighty’s was Dale Earnhardt. The turn of the decade would bring a new champion to the mix. Jeff Gordon had been racing for awhile but with years of experience and a new race car he won many championships during the ninety’s. The turn of the century brought on many new racers. Bobby Labonte was a long time racer that was rising to the top. His brother Terry Labonte had been a two time champion in the eighty’s and the ninety’s. Bobby Labonte in two thousand drove the Interstate Batteries Pontiac and won the championship in two-thousand.
Equipment The equipment used back in the early years of NASCAR was just a basic car with a number painted on it, a helmet, and some pads and body gear. As the years past the cars used for racing got safer and different makes began to get used. The newer cars had better padding and a better structure, so if the driver got in a wreck it would protect him better. The helmets were built stronger and the pads became thicker and more comfortable.

Rules and Regulations
As NASCAR has evolved through the ages the rules haven’t changed much. The rules only changed with the cars. There can be more support over the door in case of a wreck, and the engines have to be a certain make. The carburetor had to be a certain make that restricted the gas so the car would run as it is supposed to. There are a total of forty three drivers on the track at any one time. The drivers could not drill holes in the roll cage enabling for the car to go faster. Doing this would give the bars less strength and they would collapse in a race. A NASCAR must be equipped with a radio and the driver must have gloves, seatbelts, uniforms, and fire safety equipment. Over the years the rules have been enforced more.

now that they have actually given me some NASCARs to paint on, I think it would only be fitting, and fun to start a league.
My garage the Next Level will have these cars painted up quickly, and we will have special prices for the members of our website.  Here is the link.
Get signed up and register for the league.  The website is only a day old, but I figure we have like 2 weeks to get it all figured out.
Like I said earlier, get signed up early, and we will be sure to have special pricing on these cars for the members of our site, as well as some website exclusive paint schemes.  Should be a blast!
Here are some of my Nascars that I had painted on pontiac GTO’s.  There is no limit to the people that sign up.  We can have as many groups as necessary.

Jason Philis is not unlike a bunch of NASCAR fans these days.

He’s been a fan of the sport for most of his life. Since he was about 3, he figures. And he’s got some issues with the way NASCAR is changing.
“Maybe I’m too much of an old school fan to appreciate this ‘better’ NASCAR, but I feel there has been a steady drop off of what made this sport great,” Philis wrote in an E-mail this week. “Drivers in their cars going 500 miles to prove who the better driver is. What happened to that?”
As Philis figures, with the new car styles and technological advances, the driver only has about 10% input into winning and the rest lies on the shoulders of technology and what happens back at the shop.
The new car design partially implemented last year, and fully in place this season, has a bit to do with that change.
However, ask any NASCAR star about driving these cars and they all say they’re working harder than ever to get around the track. In some ways, that’s actually been a throwback to the days when guys like Buddy Baker hurled cars around a speedway.
NASCAR’s thinking behind the COT was to eventually cut costs to teams and to also bring the competition closer, and ultimately – or allegedly – have better racing.
Part of that equation has worked.
Robby Gordon, a driver-owner, said earlier this week his team has run the same five cars for the last three months.
“We continue to build new inventory, build new cars, which are only better,” Gordon said, responding to a reporter’s question about next season’s budget. “And we do that throughout the season. So I can’t see any reason why next year would be a lot more money than it was this year to operate one of our cars.”
For an independent team, that’s a big deal. Huge. On that level the car has worked.
But, it’s also failed, too.
Gaston Gazette writer Monte Dutton wrote earlier this week that there’s a big difference between equal cars and equivalent cars. With equivalent cars, teams can adjust and improve the racing.
“By demanding that so much be all alike, NASCAR officials have diminished the quality of the racing,” wrote Dutton. “Generic cars have created generic races.”
Indeed, Sunday’s race at Pocono was far from a thrill-fest, and there have been plenty of complaints from fans this season that the COT has led to some boring races, no matter how many green-flag passes NASCAR has recorded.
Philis says he really misses the days when the cars on the track really looked like the cars on the road.
Yet, what troubles Philis is how rare it is for anyone outside of the big multi-car teams to win, and he fears that down the road there will be no one left but the big teams owning all the cars.
In fairness to NASCAR, it’s been a long time since a single-car team made a dent in the sport.
Whether the COT ultimately changes the ratio of multi-car teams to single-car teams won’t be known for some time.
“That’s not what I call fair and competitive racing,” Philis said of the current state of NASCAR. “Give all drivers the same range of equipment. Either make it affordable and available to all teams or restrict them from the big teams. Make it fair.”
Stock car racing is a long way from having that kind of level playing field, and probably never will. That worked with the IROC series on a limited basis, and that series is now dead.

And would we really want that in NASCAR?

On this project codenamed stingray, the horse breeder 9FF joined the Russian Top Car Tuner to create a radical self. To each his job, the aesthetic Top Car and mechanical 9FF.

In this program Panamera Turbo, a very nice evolution of the body has made many moves inserts or elements in carbon fiber. Alone may be the side skirts are a little heavy but still this is only my opinion. At the rear, one discovers a fine diffuser combines carbon fiber has a new line of exhaust has 4 outputs which should make it even more sporty sound from the V8 Turbo.

on the other side, I am not at all a fan of the spoiler AR carbon that does not much heavier and even the line of the Panamera when viewed in profile. The car benefits from a lowered chassis, large 22-inch wheels (black or aluminum) and dispenses the famous flag carbon fiber.

9ff focuses on the mechanics part and should motorize this car with the evolution foreseen for the Turbo version of the V8 (between 550 and 650 horses). The braking system is also improved with new 6-piston calipers and anti roll bars larger diameters for greater precision of the car on the road.

Even if the work is quality, hope that the interior of the Panamera is as well made …

On Sunday, Ashley Force, another comely lass who loves all things smelling like motor oil and shaped like spark plugs, became the first woman to ever win the NHRA Funny Car ( fuh-fuh-funny car! funny car!)event. You may remember Force from that reality show “Driving Force” where her and her racing family pretty much did the same things that the guys did on “American Chopper”, but with less muscle shirts and more helmets. And, yes, based on some of her phtos, it appears she’s also a person you’d most likely not ask to leave your sleeping quarters for munching on a crumbly snack.

Force’s win comes just a week removed from Danica Patrick’s monumental Indy Car victory, hopefully providing inspiration for plenty of young lead-footed ladies who someday dream of becoming racing champions. The only thing left is for a female monster truck driver to take Mrs.BIGFOOT over 50 burning station wagons and this glass ceiling in racing will be officially shattered forever.

If you’ve ever doubted the power that comes from a Subaru, then this video should – at the very least – make a believer out of you.

In an ironic twist of fate, a tractor-trailer got stuck on a icy and snowy road, rendering it immobile and, in the process, clogging up traffic and feeling the wrath of some pretty hot-headed drivers behind it.

Never fear, semi-truck, you’re savior has arrived!

A Subaru WRX STI – a miniscule car compared to that behemoth truck – showed up and pulled the hapless semi out of the road, saving it from the wrath of a lot of angry drivers that got stuck behind it.

Normally, in these situations, the shoe should have been on the other foot. But seeing this video has made us rethink our opinions about the WRX STI. It may not be a Superman-esque feat, but it was nevertheless impressive in every which way you look at it.

Tesla’s attendance at the Detroit Auto Show has been finalized and the California-based electric car maker will go to Detroit the old fashioned way: road trip. Beginning on December 17, 16 Tesla employees will start their road trip from Los Angeles and will go on a city-by-city tour en route to Detroit and Detroit Auto Show in the first week of January.

The decision to travel to Detroit by land was prompted by the company’s desire to espouse the message that Tesla is more than just a rich environmentalist’s pet car. “We are out to porve the Roadster is tough and durable, and that range for anxiety is for the week,” Tesla’s announcement said.

As we’ve mentioned, their trip from LA to Detroit will be marked by a number of pit stops along the way, mainly because the cars need to be recharged every so often but also because it affords the brand to expand their reach to other parts of the country. A number of cities have already been listed on the company website as to when the Tesla caravan will stop by their areas so if any of you are looking for a first-hand look at the electric sports car, check out their site to see if they’ll be dropping your city in the coming weeks.

The last time that we heard the words Jaeger-LeCoultre, Aston Martin’s director of design Marek Reichman was showing us his new timepiece. Just in time for Christmas the French watch manufacturer has just come up with the exclusive AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing Paris. Making the high end chronograph even more desirable is that there will only be 24 units produced. While the other Jaeger would unlock the doors of your new DBS Volante, this one merely pays tribute to Aston Martin’s 1959 Le Mans 24 Hour championship.

This exclusive edition timepiece features a black PVD-coated grade 5 titanium case with a black and white face decorated with black luminescent numerals. The layout is meant to mimic Aston’s characteristic gridwork motif found on the racing car’s radiator grill. The entire package is framed by a black flange and features movement bridges and plates coated with ruthenium, a very rare metal that is derived from platinum while the rest of the chronograph is decorated with ornate orange accents on the dial and color matching stitching on the band to ensure a more than memorable Christmas morning for any Aston MArtin enthusiast.

An exclusive limited edition of 24 pieces available at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in Paris

The 2009 edition of Le Mans 24 Hours thrilled both motor sports enthusiasts and fine watchmaking devotees. Fifty years on from Aston Martin’s victory in the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Aston Martin Racing team has exceeded all expectations by finishing an excellent fourth overall in this year’s race, having been quickest of the petrol runners from start to finish.

As part of the three-year partnership signed between the two exceptional brands this spring, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated Le Mans with two limited editions of the AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing model, which is still the only chronograph operating without push pieces thanks to its revolutionary patented vertical-trigger system.

Following the success of the 2 AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing presented at Le Mans 2009, Jaeger-LeCoultre just launched a new limited edition of 24 pieces of its iconic chronograph, only available at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in Pairs, Place Vendôme .

This exclusive edition features a black PVD-coated grade 5 titanium case with black and white dial, and black luminescent numerals. The dial decoration revealing the movement reproduces the characteristic gridwork motif of car radiator grills and is framed by a black flange. The movement bridges and plates are coated with ruthenium, while the chronograph levers in orange eloxed aluminium appear through an opening between 4 and 8 o’clock.

Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in Paris will receive the first pieces of this exclusive limited edition of 24 last week of Novembe

Warning: if reading the word “penis” over and over again makes you uncomfortable, you might want to avert your eyes. First of all, the real story here is that Russian super-SUV maker Dartz never wanted to use whale penis skin to cover the seats in their ultra-lux Prombron. They wanted to use whale foreskin. Why? Well, it’s been said that Aristotle Onassis had the bar stools on one of his yachts clothed in sperm whale foreskin. Why did Mr. Onassis do that? Sperm whale foreskin is supposedly the softest leather on earth. Now you know.

Anyhow, for some reason Dartz decided not to go with whale foreskin for their Prombron SUVulger, which would have really given new meaning to the phrase “from Russia with love.” Oh, yeah! The reason was a massive international save the whales (and their penises) outcry led by none other than Pamela Anderson. And really, what better advocate could whale wienies have than Pam? For all we know she very well might be the world’s foremost expert on cetacean penis – ever seen that video from her honeymoon? Anyhow, Dartz backpedaled, cut the whale foreskin (so to speak) and then decided to build a special Volga (above) thanking Pam Anderson for helping to save the whales. And their Johnsons.

We think. Look, at this point we’re used to babbling, incoherent ramblings from Dartz. After all, they released the world’s second most incomprehensible press release when they announced no whale members would be harmed during the construction of their gaudy, oligarchical SUV. How do we know it’s only the second most difficult to make heads or tails of? Because Dartz just released the most incomprehensible press release in the world explaining the thinking behind this here car. And you can read all of its unshaven glory after the jump. One more thing: whale penis.

For the longest time, NASCAR has tried to attract a bigger demographic to its sport but while some of their drivers s have their own following, there’s not a lot of them in the sport that can draw the mainstream audience.
That of course has changed now that Danica Patrick is headed to NASCAR in 2010. According to the Associated Press, the highly-popular IRL driver has reached a deal with JM Motorsports to be one of their drivers. Although no announcements have been made, a source said that Patrick is scheduled to participate in some races for next year’s Nationwide Series while splitting time with her forays in the IRL with Andretti Autosport.
Whatever schedule Danica Patrick does have in NASCAR next year, the sport should nevertheless be grateful to have somebody like Patrick – a proven commodity both on and off the track – on its fold.

Maybe then, the sport can attract a whole new demographic of fans altogether.

In collaboration with sports retailer Adidas, Porsche Design will be releasing a completely new line of products including shock-absorbing sneakers (called the ‘AC Bowman’), golf t-shirts, duffel bags, weatherproof jackets called the “Spray Light Top”, which, according to Porsche ‘fuses technical outdoor performance with timeless style. The wind and waterproof GORE-TEX® Paclite® Shell offers superior breathability and includes a 28,000 mm-water column, while remaining extremely lightweight and packable.’

All the said items are now available at Porsche Design stores anywhere in the world, making it a perfect holiday present for your loved ones – even if they don’t own a real Porsche.

Engineered luxury sportswear The Porsche Design Sport Spring/Summer 2010 Collection
Stuttgart/Herzogenaurach. Porsche Design Sport – the collaboration between adidas and Porsche Design – fuses performance technologies with highly refined male style. With the Spring/Summer 2010 collection Porsche Design Sport enters its seventh season.
Functionality, top quality technology and striking design set the Porsche Design Sport Spring/Summer 2010 range apart. “Driving”, “Golf”, “Running/Fitness”, “Tennis”, and “Water/Snow” are the categories that make up the collection of apparel, footwear and accessories. With each piece, exclusive materials are combined with performance-enhanced details and superior craftsmanship to create a signature look that is cutting-edge, modern and timeless.

For Spring/Summer 2010, Porsche Design Sport focuses on the “Water/Snow” category, with “Water” being the seasonal highlight. To test and develop the perfectly crafted Porsche Design Sport sailing range, 3-times Olympic gold medalist and 2-times America’s Cup winner Jochen Schümann provided significant support, testimonials and advice.

The footwear highlight product is the “AC Bowman”. Engineered in cooperation with Jochen Schümann, it is tailored for fast, flexible agility using shock-absorbing adiPRENE®. The fast-drying mesh upper and sticky rubber outsole for wet deck traction make this high performance item the perfect fit for inshore as well as offshore racing. The “Horizon II” marks adidas’ 2nd approach to luxury sailing. Its premium design and innovative drainage system have made it a favourite of Jochen Schümann and his team.

In apparel, the “Spray Light Top” fuses technical outdoor performance with timeless style. The wind and waterproof GORE-TEX® Paclite® Shell offers superior breathability and includes a 28,000 mm-water column, while remaining extremely lightweight and packable. The “Spray Light Top”, also engineered in cooperation with Jochen Schümann, includes other details such as a stow-away storm hood, waterproof half-zip and neoprene accents. Rounding off the highly functional sailing range are exceptional accessories like the “Navigator” and “Cargo” bags; these use waterproof materials in combination with the latest in bonding and seam sealing technology.

In “Running/Fitness” Porsche Design Sport introduces the “Bounce:S²” – the next generation of the premium running shoes “Bounce:S”. The first of these was launched in January 2008 and has been recognized with several awards, including the “Plus X Award 2008″, Europe’s biggest technology, sport and lifestyle competition. That same year, an international jury of design experts granted the “Bounce:S” the German “Red Dot Design Award” for innovative design and the renowned “Time” magazine awarded the high-tech running shoes as one of the best 50 inventions of the year. The “Bounce:S²” takes a new approach to comfort and design: a one piece and virtually seamless mesh outer layer engineered for breathability and step-in comfort is affixed to a futuristic RPU exoskeleton that brings structure to the shoe, while guarding it against abrasion.

The Porsche Design Sport collection will hit retail in January 2010 and will be available in selected high-end boutiques, adidas Sport Performance Concept Stores and Porsche Design Stores worldwide.

Stylish yet understated, casual yet technical, Porsche Design Sport is defining a new era of engineered luxury sportswear.

The adidas Group is one of the global leaders in the sporting goods industry offering a wide range of products around the three core segments adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has approximately 31,000 employees worldwide and generates sales of about 10.3 billion.

Porsche Design is a luxury brand with particular focus on technically inspired products. The brand was founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, and since then its products have stood for functional, timeless and purist design. The product portfolio includes classic men’s accessories, a sport and fashion collection as well as electronic products and a men’s fragrance range. The products are designed in the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria, and sold worldwide in own stores, shop-in-shops, high quality department stores and exclusive retail outlets.

Jochen Schümann is a 3-times Olympic Gold medalist (1976, 1988 and 1996) and 2-times America’s Cup Winner with the team Alinghi (2003, 2007). He was furthermore ISAF World Sailor of the Year (1996). For the past two years, Jochen Schümann has provided significant support, testimonials and advice to test and develop the perfectly crafted adidas Porsche Design Sport sailing range. Together with his team “All4One” he is outfitted with Porsche Design Sport products.

We’re saying it now; if you’re a Beatle-maniac, then this product is not for you. Porsche Design, the German sportscar maker’s Austrian product design studio, has released – or re-released one of the most iconic sunglasses in modern history: the Yoko Ono’s.

The wife of the late John Lennon became infamous after being one of the main reasons behind the Beatles’ break-up. But while she has been regarded as public enemy no.1 for a lot of Beatles fans, nobody can deny that the woman didn’t have style.

Yoko Ono could be seen everywhere wearing the original Porsche Design sunglasses after she shot to fame for being John Lennon’s love interest. As a matter of fact, she wore it so often that the glasses became one of her trademark staples, wearing them on the cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine as well as on the record sleeves of “Yes, I’m a witch” (2007) and “It’s alright” (1982). In addition, Yoko Ono wore the sunglasses on a photo shoot for the fashion magazine, “New York”.

So now, fast forward to two decades and Porsche Design has decided to bring back the Yoko Ono sunglasses, only this time it goes by its catalog name, the P’8479. We don’t know how the glasses are going to fare for this generations’ liking, but we do know that Porsche already can already sure that the P’8479 will probably not go over a certain anti-Yoko Ono fan base.

Reissue of a Porsche Design Classic Yoko Ono Sunglasses available again

Stuttgart/Munich. Porsche Design stands for functional, timeless and purist design. Since the brand’s foundation in 1972 it has created countless products that have gone on to become classics. One particular milestone is the sports sunglasses from Porsche Design, available again from now as the P’8479. State of the art modern materials have been used for the new edition, with Beta-Titanium, a favourite material for space travel technology, ensuring lightweight flexibility.

The sporty, 80s style shield sunglasses were made famous by Yoko Ono. The artist wore them for the first time at a press conference in 1979. After that, Ono was seen in the Porsche Design glasses so often that the P’8479 is now primarily known as the Yoko Ono sunglasses. Among other appearances, the singer was pictured wearing them on the cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine as well as on the record sleeves of “Yes, I’m a witch” (2007) and “It’s alright” (1982). In addition, Yoko Ono wore the sunglasses on a photo shoot for the fashion magazine, “New York”.

Porsche Design is a luxury brand with particular focus on technically inspired products. The brand was founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, and since then its products have stood for functional, timeless and purist design. The product portfolio includes classic men’s accessories, a sport and fashion collection as well as electronic products and a men’s fragrance range. The products are designed in the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria, and sold worldwide in own stores, shop-in-shops, high quality department stores and exclusive retail outlets.

Related item:  p-8479 sunglasses by porsche sale

As energy priorities and consumer attitudes have changed over the past couple years, automakers–especially from BMW, Ford, GM and Mercedes-Benz–have developed quite a range of options that will be showroom ready in the New Year. And that variety demonstrates a sustained commitment on automakers’ part to continue providing variety and innovation for some time to come.

2011 Ford Fiesta

Chevrolet Cruze

Honda CR-Z

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Volkswagen New Compact Sedan

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

Chevrolet Volt

Hyundai Equus

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible

Fisker Karma

2010 BMW Active Hybrid 7

Audi R8 Spyder

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Rolls Royce Ghost

MSRP: $245,000
Notes: The Ghost–it really is silent, too–will hit showrooms April 2010. It’s the most casual of the Rolls lineup, but it doesn’t scrimp. Each Ghost will be built to order and will have a night-vision system; head-up display; wood and hand-stitched leather interior; coach-opening rear doors; Teflon-coated umbrellas in the front doors; and optional lambswool floor mats, panorama sunroof, lounge seating, massage function, cool box with interior illumination, integrated champagne glasses and rear tables.
Read on for more auto coverage including lists, rankings, and features about the most expensive cars in the world and the best cars for driving in the snow.

Vizualtech, the wizards of renderings have come up with a new one, an ALMS-style Chevy Camaro. Vizualtech’s Camaro is designed as an American Le Mans Series GT car, and it very much looks that part. This aesthetically appealing car has a super-low stance with the wheels pushed slightly outside.

Other noticeable additions include a high rear-mounted wing, huge fender vents for the front and the rear, big diffuser, low side skirts and big wheels. Like most other cars from Vizualtech, this one is just a rendering as well, and like most other renderings from Vizualtech, we wish this was real.

The Toyota Innova is one of Toyota’s best selling models in India, and DC Designs have created a “luxurious” lounge for the Innova. Treatment given out to the popular SUV includes wide recliner seats with calf support with sliders to easy entry and exit, aircraft style roof module, privacy partition and door panels and quarter panels.

The modders have also added a 19-inch LCD TV, DVD player, LED lights, and a chiller. Optional upgrades include front and reverse cameras, satellite television, swivel jump seats, a leather upgrade and a body kit for theInnova. And all that looks rather good, especially when compared with the stock Innova, plus, DC Designs isn’t mutilating a Rolls Royce, so there aren’t any problems.

What’s interesting, and to some point intriguing, is that they are comparing the Innova Lounge with the Rolls Royce Phantom and amenities offered by a first class jet liner. The DC Innova is interesting, but comparison with the Roller is a long shot by any means, it isn’t in any way a comparison of equals. And well, to cut things short, the Phantom costs something like $350,000 while DC’s work on theInnova carries the tag of INR 495,000 ($10,500) and well, that clearly won’t be much of a competition.

Seriously, most of the luxury cars would have to do some serious work before they even thought of a comparison with the Phantom. Scroll down for more images and the comparison of the DCInnova with the Phantom.

To take its widely popular Sync to the next level, Ford has joined hands with the University of Michigan to bring cloud computing to Sync. Called American Journey 2.0, the project will tap the power of innovation in the students and will hopefully go to the “next level.”

A major reason for the success of the Sync have been young buyers mostly in their twenties, so using the same demographic to create the next level, Ford hopes to make Sync even more attractive to its buyers. Students of course, will get a chance to unleash their creativity in preparing the car to contact and communicate well with the external world. Ford on the other hand may get its hand on a much more advanced improved Sync.

The HSV Encore concept is about impressive power and performance, and tackles the issue of emissions without going overboard. Dated for 2020, the concept gets power from a powerful 6.0-l V8, the monstrous engine, however, does not mean that the concept has no regard for its emissions, in fact, it tackles this with a very ingenious approach.

While moving at lower speeds, or where less power is required, a cylinder shutdown function switches off four cylinders, thus using only four and reducing fuel consumption. As the requirement for more power arises, all cylinders fire up to deliver the might of the V8. The Encore gets more environmentally friendly by carrying two fuels, hydrogen and Ethanol E85. The driver is free to select the choice of fuel, depending upon preference and need.

Designer Edwin Conan sees the car being entirely produced from carbon fiber, thus allowing it to be light weight and safe. The concept will have split suicide doors and a practical interior to fit in with the everyday commute.

Artist Keny Marshall deconstructed his 1983 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and reconstructed it into a ball, naming his project “reCARstruction.” This piece of art has been created for the Children’s Museum at Pittsburgh. Checkout the time lapse video after the jump to see Keny construct the “jeep” ball.

The EEL eco car concept is based on the age old philosophy that when we drive to work, other empty seats are just a waste. Unless you go to work in a carpool, there’s a fair chance that the empty seats are wasting fuel. The EEL
eco car concept solves the problem in a small car form, with tandem seating for two passengers.

This not only makes the concept fuel efficient, but since there are no extra seats, it makes sure that the percentage of occupancy is quite good. The compact car is powered by a Lithium ion battery, and also has a bioethanol engine for backup. EEL
eco car concept car is the work of designer Imran Othman.

Since there is a trend of showing the child/kid version of super heroes and super villains, we like to assume that this kiddy Warthog was used by Master Chief when he was a toddler. It is basically a Power Wheels 2001 G3740 Street Scene Silverado modded to look like the Warthog. Master Chief would have been so proud if he wasn’t a freaking program.

It was speculated that
BMW might create an electric version of the unsuccessful BMW C1 scooter, and the brand has unveiled an electric concept version of the C1. The original C1 offered enhanced protection to the rider, and even included seat belts, but never really got to selling much. Now that electric is the buzz word, the C1-E could be quite a promising concept for BMW, or at least for the direction its future scooters may take.

The C1-E is focused on safety as well, with a roll-over bar, energy absorbing impact elements, and a seat belt. A lithium-ion battery powers the scooter’s electric motor for a zero emission ride.
BMW says there is currently no plan to put the C1-E into series production.

The WB-1010 aircraft from designer Reindy Allendra is an entry to the KLM Indonesia aircraft design competition. Looking 85 years into the future, the concept aims to solve the transportation needs for a world with a crowded population. The concept was designed on the belief that while materials and technology for aircrafts will be a lot better and more advanced in
the future, the design and flight principles will not be altered drastically. That is,
the future aircraft will be similar in design to present day aircrafts, only a lot faster and with better technology.

Going by the current trends in population growth, it can be expected that the world will be a crowded place in the next 85 years. Major air routes will have an extremely high volume of traffic, and will thus need larger, more comfortable, and still have to maintain compactness in its structure.

The WB-1010 will be able to seat more than 1500 people, and be able to reach a speed of nearly 1000 kmph. This giant plane’s body will be made of a material similar to GLARE used in the Airbus A380, with Helium injected inside the body to make the airplane lighter, all windows on the other hand, will be made of “smart glass.” Though the aircraft will be able to harvest wind energy, it will mainly rely on conventional fuel as the main energy source. A robotic extractable stand at the plane’s belly will help the plane during landing, and working in conjunction with a super jet, the WB-1010 will be able to land vertically, without the requirement of a runway.

The Cupcake car first came into being at Burning Man a few years ago, but now is the time to satisfy your crazy whims with your deep pockets as these cars are actually available for purchase. The joy of driving around in a giant-sized cupcake, with yourself disguised/dressed as one will surely outweigh any feeling of guilt you have for splurging $25000 on such a thing. The battery powered car has a top speed of 7mph, and you get to customize it with your choice of toppings and colors. Sweet!

There are a whole lot of customized cars in the Middle East, all full of bling. And with the people going the extra mile (after the extra mile) the Police probably won’t love to be left behind. The Abu Dhabi police, not to be outdone by the people on the road, have the most wicked chopper known to cops. We don’t know what purpose it serves, but the cops there would probably love riding around in this custom Falcon motorcycle built by Paul Teutul Sr. of Orange County Choppers, and commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Police department.

If somebody asked you a few months ago that you can now start your car straight from your iPhone, you’d be probably think that dude was nuts. Well, crazier things have happened because, apparently, you can now in fact start your car from your iPhone, thanks to a new application called the Viper SmarStart.

Ok, the idea isn’t exactly revolutionary – electronic car ignitions have been around for a while – but never has the technology come from a mobile phone. The application, which you can get for free, connects to the SmartStart hardware that has been installed in your car and the really cool thing about this particular system is that it does more than just start your car. It can also turn on the car’s heater, unlock the doors, and systematically manages the car’s alarm, ensuring you that it’s up and about at all times.

Unfortunately, while the application itself is free, the hardware isn’t. Word has gone out that the Viper SmartStart will go for around $300 and after getting a first-year service free of charge, users will have to shell out $30 a year to avail of the service. It’s a lot more expensive than we initially thought, but then again, you have to pay to avail of good service so everything pretty much rounds up.

Remember that monstrosity of a [’supposed’ Batmobile] that was created out a Camaro?

To the owner of that vehicle, you should take some notes from this one man from Sweden. This is how you make a Batmobile.

Word out of the streets of Sweden is that this real-life replica of the Batmobile was based on a 1973 Lincoln Continental chassis that has been modified with a slew of gadgets that would make even Batman’s utility belt obsolete. The Batmobile comes with rear-view video cameras, voice recognition controls, a height-adjustable suspension, GPS, a plasma screen TV, and of course, a DVD player.

For the car to look exactly like the one used in the first two Batman flicks directed by Tim Burton, the Swede reportedly spent close to $1 million and used up about 20,000 hours just to get the full scope of the Batmobile, right down to the minutest of details.

Seeing as this cost about as much as any supercar out there on the market, we’re compelled to throw our Camaro-inspired Batmobile a bone, if only because this guy had the resources to actually make a look-alike.

But about that ’Gothem City’ text? We still can’t forgive that.

Captain & Teenille – Love Will Keep Us Together

240km.com  has obtained the audiotape of President Barack Obama calling Kanye West a “jackass” for hijacking Taylor Swift‘s acceptance speech during the VMAs.

After making the remarks, Obama said “Where’s the pool?” Presumably, he was worried the joke would go wide. He noted the last time that happened, he got burned for killing a fly.

Obama said, “Cut the President some slack.”

The Acurabot, the newest showcar in Blaupunkt’s sponsorship stable, was unveiled in its new form at this years CES in Las Vegas. This highly modified 1994 Acura Integra LS was completely rebuilt over a seven week period between November’s SEMA show and the January 7th start of CES.

Owner Tajai Das of Xclusive Concepts first bought the car in 1998 as a stock, non-Vtec, Integra LS. By 1999 he had begun to customize the car’s appearance, soon taking the Best Vinyl Graphics category at the 1999 Import Revolution show in his native Ontario. “That was it,” Das recalls. “From that moment, I was hooked.”

    The Acurabot has since undergone three separate overhauls, each time raising the bar on performance, appearance, and sound. By 2003, Das had assembled what he considered his dream team for the third customization of the Acurabot, and the car took Best in Show awards across Canada, and took the Best Stereo Display at Hot Import Nights Chicago, edging out Blaupunkt’s acclaimed Evil-Z.

    The car has always had a Transformers-inspired theme, a nod from Das to his childhood. “When I realized that great showcars had to have a theme, I knew mine was going to be based on Transformers,” says Das. “It unites my childhood toys with my obsession for cars, and I love when someone tells me that they the car brings them back to childhood memories.” In addition to the extensive transformers mural work, the centerpiece of the install features a motorized replica of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the transformers franchise.

    The most recent overhaul of the Acurabot took place in period between the 2004 SEMA show in November, and the 2005 CES: just seven weeks. “This rebuild is the hardest we’ve ever worked to get a car ready,” comments Das. “In order to get everything we wanted to do finished in time, I had to be creative getting these guys to work to their absolute limits. In the end, we were all absolutely exhausted, but I think we are all in agreement that this is the best work we’ve done yet. The car speaks for itself.”

    For Audio reproduction, the Acurabot features four sets of Blaupunkt component speakers in the hood, doors, and trunk. Four 12-inch Blaupunkt Velocity subwoofers are mounted in a rear-seat enclosure, and a fifth is in a roof-mounted enclosure. The fullrange speakers and roof-mounted subwoofer are driven by five Velocity VA2100 amplifiers in the rear seat enclosure, and two VA2200 amplifiers are mounted in the motorized chest of Optimus Prime to drive the four rear-seat subwoofers.

    The extensive interior fabrication and audio installation were performed by Phantom Car Audio of Mississauga, Ontario, owned by Dan Baird. The sound and video system was designed and installed by master fabricator/installer Cameron Gunn with Baird and Jeff Schwarz. Gunn’s design features a total of 28 video monitors, including the centerpiece Chicago in-dash fold out monitor/DVD player. Source components for the system also include three standalone Blaupunkt DVD players, an integrated TravelPilot navigation system, and America SIRIUS satellite radio receiver, an under-dash Sony Playstation 2, and two rearview cameras located in the eyes of the motorized Optimus Prime robot in the trunk.

    All the work on the project was performed at the BKS Custom shop, owned by Bernard Sandy who was responsible the exterior fabrication, paint, clear and polish work. The airbrush work on both the interior and exterior were performed by Dominique Nguyen, who’s company Dominique Designs shares shop space with BKS.

    The car rests on Cusco full coilover system, Type R rear control arms, and Vibrant sway bar and Ti bars. Braking was enhanced with an AEM 13-inch big Brake System, and the ride sits on 19-inch Racing Hart 3-piece CR rims shod with nitto Neo Gen tires. All suspension system components are custom chromed, and braking/suspension system was installed by Simon Rowe of Rowe Tech.

    The B18B LS V-Tec conversion motor was bored and stroked to 2.0 liters by Alain Neverette of HTP engineering. It features custom seals, cam gears, rods and pistons, and a polished Vortech Engineering supercharger that was customized to accommodate the Acurabot’s automatic transmission. Custom mapping of the engine software chip was performed by Paul Needring of Nee-Tronics.

    The Acurabot will be touring throughout the US in 2005, including numerous stops at Vision Entertainment’ Hot Import Nights enthusiast shows.

    Acurabot Modifications

    ENGINE:

- Acura Integra LS V-Tech Conversion Motor B18B stroked to 2.0 liters, bored and polished.

- Skunk 2 Cams
- Vortech Engineering Supercharger (Polished) S/C, V-5 SQ G–Trim CCW
- Vortech Engineering Aftercooler (Polished)
- Vortech Engineering Maps Bleed
- Vortech Engineering SuperCharger Drive Pulley
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Management Unit, 8:1 w/spring
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Pressure Regulator
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Pump
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Injectors, 310 CC/MIN

- Vortech Engineering Blow Off Valve (Polished)
- Vortech Engineering Water to Air Cooler
- AEM Fuel Rail
- AEM Fuel Pressure Regulator
- AEM Fuel Filter
- AEM Cam Gears
- Nology Spark Plug Wires (Hotwires)
- Nology Separators (Hotwires)
- Nology ProFire Ignition Module PFM-3A 3 Channel Module
- Nology ProFire Ignition Coil
- Nology PowerCore Ignition Amplifier
- Nology Distributor Cap

- Nology Ground Straps
- Zex Nitrous Management Unit
- Zex Nitrous Supply Bottle 10 lbs.
- Zex Remote Bottle Valve Opener
- Zex Bottle Pressure Gauge
- Zex Nitrous Purge Kit
- JE Pistons
- JE Rods
- JE Seals

- Fluidyne Radiator
- Fluidyne TFAL Fans
- Mugen Oil filler cap
- Vibrant Stainless Steel 4-1 Headers
- 5 Zigen Fire Ball Cat Back Exhaust System
- Optima Yellow Top Battery
- OBX Valve Cover (polished)
- HTP Engineering and Rowe Tech install

    BRAKING, WHEELS, AND SUSPENSION:

- AEM, 13 inch Big Brake System Rotors
- AEM Big Brake Calipers
- Racing Hart Multi Piece 19 inch CR Rims
- Nitto Tires Neo Gen’s 19R/215R/35R
- Acura Type R Rear Control Arms
- Vibrant Upper front Sway Bar

- Vibrant Lower Ti Bars front and back
- Cusco Full Coil-Over System (Height and dampening adjustable)
- All Suspension is Chromed and polished Ferrari style Brushed Aluminum Skid Plate underneath the vehicle. 

    EXTERIOR BODY:

- Completely Molded One Piece Body all panels are Moulded and wide-bodied JT Auto Style NSX Widebody Kit
- Andy’s Auto Sport California Thunder Blitz Front Bumper
- JT Auto Style Evo 5 Rear Bumper
- JT Auto Style Evo 5 Side Skirts
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Front Splitters (Custom)

- Motoriced Carbon Fiber Blade Wing (Motorized)
- APR Carbon Fiber F1 Side Mirrors
- PIAA Fog Lights
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Windshield Wiper Base Cowl (Custom)
- Lamborghini Style Butterfly Doors Custom Hinge NOT Bolt On (Custom)
- 2005 Acura TSX Headlight Conversion
(Custom)
- 2005 Acura TL Taillight Conversion (Custom)
- Suicide custom Gas Cap (Custom)
- Shaved Door Mouldings (Custom)
- Shaved Emblems
- Shaved Antenna
- Shaved Door Handles
- Shaved Rear Wiper
- Shaved Roof Gutters
- One Piece double sided custom carbon Fibre Hood with three TV screens and two speakers moulded underneath
- BKS Custom Paint Job (Custom)
- BKS Custom Cut and Polish Finish (Custom)
- Dominique Designs Airbrushing (Custom)

    IN CAR ENTERTAINMENT:

- Blaupunkt, In-Dash Monitor, DVD Receiver, (Chicago IVDM-7002)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the Dash (10)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the exterior rear quarter glass (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the Interior rear quarter glass (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the Door Skins (4)
- Blaupunkt, 5.8 inch display in the Hood install (1)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch display in the Hood install (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays in Trunk Hatch (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the chest of
Robot (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the trunk next to tail lights Exterior (2)
- Blaupunkt, Velocity 12 inch Subwoofers in Rear Seat Enclosure (4)
- Blaupunkt, Velocity 12 inch Subwoofers in Roof Mounted Enclosure (1)
- Blaupunkt, PVA-2100 Amplifiers on Amplifier Rack in Rear Seat Enclosure (3)
- Blaupunkt, PVA-2200 Amplifiers on Amplifier Rack in Robot Chest Enclosure (2)
- Blaupunkt, PVA-2100 Amplifiers in Trunk Install (2)
- Blaupunkt, 1 set of 5 1/2 inch Components in the Interior
rear quarter glass (2)
- Blaupunkt, 2 sets of 6 1/2 inch Components in each Door Skin (4)
- Blaupunkt, 1 set of 6 1/2 inch Components under Hood (2)
- Blaupunkt, Set of 2 rear view cameras located in the eyes of the transformer head in the Trunk install.
- Blaupunkt, Stand alone DVD Players (3)
- Blaupunkt,
Signal Booster Amplifiers (7)
- Blaupunkt, Signal Controllers (7)
- Blaupunkt, Navigation System (1)
- Blaupunkt Sirius Satalite Radio System (1)
- Stinger, Batteries located underneath trunk enclosure.(2)
- Sony Playstation 2 located in the Dash Board.
- Xterminator, Sound Proof Detening throughout entire car.

- Code Alarm
- Stinger, RCA’s (Hyper Series)
- Stinger, Power Wiring SWKHO Kit
- Stinger, 35 Farad Hybrid Capacitor SHD35
- Stinger, Digital Distribution Block SHD4MAX
- Stinger, All Speaker Wiring
- Robotic Trunk install in the Trunk
comprising of the following: 5 Linear Actuators, 4 worm gears, 18 Sensors.
- Smoke machine installed underneath trunk install.
- Elusion Lighting (LED lighting throughout vehicle
- 1 100 Amp Power Supply installed in the vehicle
- 3 80 Amp Power Supplies installed in the vehicle

    INTERIOR:

- Corbeau Racing Seats
- Corbeau 3inch 5 Point Harnesses
- Auto Meter 5 inch Monster Tachometer gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Boost/Vac gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Fuel Pressure gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Nitrous Pressure gauge (Cobalt Series)

- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Oil Pressure gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Pyrometer Kit gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Volt Meter gauge (Carbon Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Amp Meter (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Amp Temp (Cobalt
Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Stereo Volt Meter (Cobalt Series)
- Ignited Performance Toggle Switches with LED’s (4 in Total)
- Ignited Performance Custom Switch Dins (2 in Total)
- Ignited Performance Push Button Starter
- Ignited Performance Nitrous Purge Button

- Ignited Performance Kill Switch
- Momo Jet Steering Wheel
- Momo Sphere Shifter knob
- Momo Hand Brake Handle
- Momo Racing Pedals
- Momo Carpet Mats
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Dash (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Center Console (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Door Skins (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Rear Quarter Glass Pieces (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Rear Seat Stereo Enclosure (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Rear Seat Nitrous Bottle Enclosure (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Roof Piece Sub Enclosure
- Phantom Car Audio Amplifier Rack (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Plexi-Glass Work (Custom)
- 1A Auto Jet Black Replacement Carpet (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber A Pillars (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Roof Liner (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Trunk Jams (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Side Mirror Covers (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Sun Visors (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Rear View Mirror (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Seat Belt Bolt Covers (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Step Boards (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Dash Trim (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Shifter Trim (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Rear Third Brake Light Cover (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Arm Rest (Custom)
- BKS Custom Paint Job (Custom)
- Dominique Designs Airbrushing (Custom)

First place: Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina(2006)

Price: $ 2,000,000

2-Bugatti 16/4 Veyron Pur Sang(2007)

Price: $1,900,000

3-Ferrari FXX (2005)

Price: $1,816,000

4-Russo-Baltique Impression (2006)

Price: $ 1,800,000

5-Schuppan 962CR (1994)

Price: $1,500,000

6-Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster (2002).

Price: $1,500,000

7-Pagani Zonda R (2009)

Price: $ 1,500,000

8-Bugatti 16/4 Veyron(2006)

Price:$1,440,000

9-Lamborghini Reventon (2008)

Price:$1,379,000

10-McLaren F1 LM 1995

Price:$ 1,250,000