Nissan Brazil Strikes Again with an Ad for a Family Minivan that You’re Never Going See in the U.S. [NSFW]

Back in March, Nissan do Brasil aired a commercial, which drew the wrath of Ford’s local arm for making claims that the Detroit automaker charges customers too much for its family models. But while Ford’s people only saw a Focus and a pair of rappers dressed as engineers chanting about the money they made by overpricing the hatchback, some viewers were also captivated by the curvalicious bikini-clad models…

Now, Nissan of Brazil returns with a new TV spot, this time for the Livina 7-seater compact minivan. While the Japanese carmaker avoids referring to a specific rival, the theme appears to be similar: scantily dressed female models dancing provocatively and a tagline aimed at the competition. And oh; towards the end of the clip you may notice the Livina and young family of four (not that we’re complaining about the appearance of the ladies…).

Read more »

Honda USA Shows Some Personal Appreciation to its Facebook Fans

Recently, Honda USA’s facebook page hit the one-millionth fan mark. To show its appreciation, the Japanese brand responded with some personal gestures that, unlike the look of some of its more recent models like the Civic, took some of its fans by surprise.

For example, in response to a fan that mowed the Honda logo on his lawn, the Japanese company carved his name into the corporate headquarters next to the main entrance. Another fan that showed his love for Honda with a tattoo of the brand’s logo was surprise to find out that Honda's vice president of marketing got an airbrushed tattoo of his name and face. Finally, a fan that received a Honda haircut was emulated by a Honda associate who carved the fan's name in his hair.

Read more »

The Most Affordable Techart Porsche Ever: New Collector’s Edition GTStreet Scale Model

When it comes to tuning Porsche models, Techart is one of the most renowned aftermarket specialists in Germany. This time, however, the tuning firm has something far smaller but also, far more affordable in store for us. We are talking about Techart’s new Porsche 911 Turbo-based GTStreet collector’s edition die cast model. Available only in 1:43 scale, production of the miniature Porsche is limited to just 300 units with pricing set at €59.90 (including 19% VAT in Germany) or about US$89. Read more »

Take that Google: Dodge Rebels Against Robots in New 2011 Charger Commercial

The future, as we imagine it now, may be full of robots doing all kinds of things for us humans, including driving our cars. As some scientists over at Google recently proved, driver-less vehicles may become a reality sooner than we expect, so here's what an automaker that produces cars for drivers has to say about this issue.

In the Chrysler Group’s latest commercial for the 2011 Dodge Charger called “The Future of Driving”, we are presented with a gloomy future, in which robots control all aspects of our lives, from choosing our diet and wardrobe to even walking our pet dogs. The hero of the commercial has nothing to say about all these things, but when a robot invites him to sit on the passenger seat of his own car, things get a little bit out of control...

Read more »

VIDEO: Fast 5 Movie Goers Cause Automotive Mayhem Outside of Theater in Detroit

Fans of all kinds and sorts of the much talked about Fast 5 film went “fast and furious” at a theater parking lot in Detroit before and after a midnight release of the movie on Thursday. Steven Pham, a professional photographer and automotive enthusiast, happened to be one of those early moviegoers and filmed some of the hoonery that went on up until the boys in blue showed up to put an end to the tire-burning games.

We came in contact with Steven and here's what he told us:

"After seeing the trailers for Fast Five, there was a lot of hype in the automotive community. I'm pretty sure every car enthusiast is a fan of the series, if not, then there is something wrong with them. Sure each movie has some sort of unrealistic scene, though I think it adds to the movie in a "wtf, did that really just happen?" kind of way.

Everything that went on in the parking lot outside of the theater before and after the movie was hysterical. Cars revving it up, dozens of people doing burnouts and donuts and to the one guy that was playing the Tokyo Drift soundtrack with his subs. It was like a short film in between all of the Fast and the Furious movie series, except without girls walking around and dancing in bikinis."

Read more »

Study Reveals Steering Wheels Are Nine Times Dirtier than a Public Toilet

This disturbing conclusion comes from a UK survey done at the request of home store B&Q. While 80 bacteria are found on each square inch of toilet, around 700 harmful bugs lurk in the interior of a car and specifically on the steering wheel, gear stick and back seats. The study also revealed that 42 percent of motorists regularly eat meals while driving.

“A car is the perfect place for germs to breed, especially if you eat in it and leave litter or uneaten food around. To avoid potential health risks it would be wise to regularly clean your car inside and out,” said doctor Ron Cutler, director of biomedical science at Queen Mary University, London.

Read more »

Nissan gets Creative with Smoking Billboard at New York Auto Show

It might not be an award winning campaign, but Nissan’s new outdoor board placed right outside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center during the 2011 New York Auto Show (April 22 to May 1 for the public) is sure to grab attention and increase awareness for the firm’s all-electric Leaf family car.

The two-sided Smokeboard was created by the Japanese firm’s advertising partner TBWA\Chiat\Day, which is the American division of the advertising agency TBWA Worldwide.

On one side, the billboard features an actual working tailpipe that emits fumes into the air (with the agency stressing the fact that the exhaust is environmentally friendly…) and a headline that reads, “The auto show has over 1,000 of these”. On the other side, there’s a photo of the Leaf and a caption that says “But only one 100% electric, zero-tailpipe Nissan Leaf”. Check out the ad in action in the clip after the jump.

Read more »

VIDEO: How Not to Take a Corner with a 14-Wheeler Truck

Vehicle accidents happen on the road everywhere and every day. However, some mishaps could be easily avoided if the person behind the wheel has his or her head screwed on the right way. For example, take a look at this video showing a 14-wheeler truck overturning on a busy road in Wenling City in eastern China's Zhejiang Province; this is not the way you are supposed to turn into a corner with such a heavy and long vehicle.

As you can see in the closed circuit TV footage that captured the incident as it happened, the driver of the lorry was apparently in a hurry to pass the traffic light and speeded through the crossroad only to overturn and drop the container on its side. According to media reports, officials said by-passers narrowly avoided being hit. Watch the clip right after the break.

Read more »

The QTvan: World’s Smallest Caravan or Just Clever Marketing?

Mobility scooters (or shop riders) are big business in the UK, with close to a quarter of a million of the island nation’s elderly and disabled population using them to get around. In response to a previous untapped market segment, Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has introduced the world’s smallest caravan that can be towed by a mobility scooter.

In what’s perhaps more marketing ploy than real product, ETA’s QTvan is a 2 metre by 0.75 metre (6.6 feet by 2.5 feet) caravan incorporating a full-size single bed, an onboard battery supply, a 19-inch (48 cm) television, radio / alarm clock, kettle and drinks cabinet. It costs £5,500 (US$9,077 / €6,234) and is offered with such extras as roof-mounted solar panels, air horn, satellite dish, central heating and bespoke paint.

Read more »

U.S. Gov Study Reveals Significant Decline in Border Crossings through Canada and Mexico over the Past Decade

A new study by the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports a considerable decline in the number of people crossing from Mexico and Canada into the U.S.A from 2000 to 2009.

The report found that the number of people entering the U.S. through its land borders dropped 37 percent in this period, from 400 million people in 2000, to 252 million in 2009, with the majority (75 percent) crossing through Mexico. In the same period, border crossings from Canada declined by 40 percent and from Mexico by 36 percent.

Read more »

VIDEO: Meet the Amazing...5-Year Old Screenwriter of Fast and Furious 5

For most of us gearheads, the Fast and Furious franchise is just another way to entertain ourselves for a couple of hours with plenty of fast cars, scantily dressed women and over the top brain-bashing action scenes - nothing more, nothing less.

Does that mean we shouldn’t criticize it? Of course not. And what a better to do it than through a sarcastically amusing (in a tongue in cheek manner) sketch that comes to us courtesy of the folks over at The Onion.

The Onion news network joked about the low quality of the latest installment of the series, Fast 5, which hit the big screen today, in its Today Now show by interviewing one of film’s screenwriters…a five-year old kindergartener named Chris Morgan. Enjoy the clip after the jump.

Read more »

Celebrating 50 Years of Queensland’s Lakeside Park [with Gallery]

Nestled somewhat innocuously behind a golf course in Pine Rivers Shire, South East Queensland, Australia, is historic Lakeside Park Raceway. It holds the distinction as the Queensland’s first permanent, purpose-built racetrack and has sat - for fifty years - on the banks of Lake Kurwongbah. It is a monument to both motorsport and Australia’s can-do attitude, having been built on a foundation of favors, borrowed equipment and volunteer labor - not to mention a former dairy farm.

It is 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of bitumen and yet, it is so much more. Several Aussie motorsport legends – including Dick Johnson, Tony Longhurst and Mick Doohan – cut their teeth at Lakeside. It may not share the prestige or recognition afforded to other tracks like Mount Panorama or Philip Island, but to those who know it Lakeside is just as beloved.

Read more »

Brand New Trailer for "Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon"

Today we get our first look at the second, full-length theatrical trailer for Michael Bay’s upcoming blockbuster film, “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”. The brand new trailer provides us a deeper look into the story, characters and the action we can expect to see in the third and possibly final chapter in the Transformers franchise.

While Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky, this time he will have to do without Megan Fox who was replaced by super-hot-model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Aside from the new (human) faces, we’ll also see a fresh batch of Autobots and Decepticons wreaking havoc on earth, in space and on each other, with Michael Bay promising a more mature and perhaps darker story line. We shall see.

The third chapter of the Transformers films opens everywhere on July 1, 2011. For the time being, follow the jump to check out the new theatrical trailer.

Read more »

Aftermath: Chevrolet Suburban SUV Rams Ferrari California

A crash is never a good thing but fortunately for those involved in this three-vehicle accident in Texas City on April 19, no one was seriously injured. According to a report from The Daily News, the driver of a big ol’ 1987 Chevrolet Suburban SUV was traveling west on FM 517 with his wife and two children when he disregarded the red traffic light and crashed into an oncoming Ferrari California in the intersection. The Italian supercar was squashed between the Chevy and a southbound Ford pickup truck. Read more »

Mad Vandals Fill Airbrushed Range Rover with…Insulating Foam

The owner of this airbrushed Land Rover Range Rover was in for an unexpected and definitely unwanted surprise when his parked luxurious SUV became the victim of vandalism committed by unknown individuals. The incident presumably took place somewhere in Russia.

The artsy troublemakers not only spray painted the Range Rover and broke several components such as the bumpers and lights, but –get this- they also filled all visible openings including the doors, hood and the rear hatch as well as the alloy wheels with insulating foam!

The only piece of evident, if you can call it that, is an odd message on the rear hatch window that reads “Thelema 666 is make me sick. Is a star. What a f***?” Follow the jump for more photos of the SUV before and after the attack.

Read more »

Sic…Lexus Becomes Official Supplier to HSH Prince of Monaco who will use an LS Hybrid for his Wedding

For those who still believe in the institution of monarchy and the legitimacy of kings, queens and royalty in general in this day and age (…some 2,500 years after the Athenians gave birth to democracy), 2011 will be marked by the royal weddings of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, and to a lesser extent, Prince Albert II of Monaco to Miss Charlene Wittstock.

If you wondering what all this has to do with the world of automobiles, Lexus’ European division announced today that it has received the royal stamp of approval from His Serene Highness [HSH] Prince Albert II of Monaco. The latter appointed the Japanese automaker as the official supplier of luxury cars to the blue-blooded residents of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Read more »

Poll: What’s Your Favourite Toyota FT-86 Concept?

Toyota’s FT-86 sports coupe has to be one of the most hotly anticipated cars of the last ten years. A sporty, lightweight, front-engined and rear-wheel-drive spiritual successor to the legendary AE86, brought to you by the same company that built the Celica, MR2 and Supra? Yes, please!

So far, we’ve had three iterations of the “AE86 Nouveau”. First, there’s the original, scene stealing Toyota FT-86 Concept from the2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Then there’s the much derided FT-86 II Concept from Geneva 2011. And lastly, there’s the Ferrari-emulating Scion FR-S that took the 2011 New York Auto Show by storm.

Read more »

Porsche Engineering Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Special Museum Exhibition

Porsche has been making sports cars for more than sixty years, but the historic roots of the brand go further back to 1931, when Ferdinand Porsche founded and registered an engineering design bureau in Stuttgart. Up until 1948, when Ferry Porsche built the first Porsche automobile (the legendary Type 356), the design bureau offered engineering services to important companies around the world. Read more »

Video Tribute: The Fast and the Furious Ten Years On

In the far-flung future, historians won’t be looking at cracked pottery or pieces of timeworn iron. No, they’ll be looking at our movies and...God help us...the internet. So what will these future historians learn about the early 21st century? Well, for one, we liked gasoline-powered land car movies starring actors who couldn’t, you know, act.

I’m talking about The Fast and the Furious and its bevy of similarly named sequels. The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious and Fast 5. Which makes me think the next one will be called FF6 or maybe just Fast.

Read more »

VIDEO: This is One of the Coolest Hidden Garage Spaces You have Ever Seen

San Francisco one of those big, dense cities with very few parking spaces. In fact, in some areas of the city, parking can be more expensive than living space. Add to that the recent changes in the city code for adding garages that prohibit any extensive alterations to the front of historic buildings, and you can see how big the problem is.

To overcome these challenges and incorporate a garage in their investment property on Oak Street, near Ashbury, Corey and Ben McMills of McMills Construction turned to Beausoleil Architects for help, and they came up with an innovative –to say the least- idea.

Their solution to the problem was to transform the entire face of the Victorian apartment house it into a secret two-piece sliding door while keeping its appearance intact. The two doors open thanks to floor mounted hydraulic activators, which rotate them on pivot hinges.

Read more »