Chevy to launch limited edition Bumblebee Camaro

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Diehard Transformers fans take note: Chevrolet is reportedly planning to launch a limited edition Bumblebee Camaro to capitalize on the upcoming flick, Revenge of the Fallen.

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We're sure none of you saw that coming, right? The car, available with either V6 or V8 power, will be available for order June 1 and the first cars are scheduled to roll down the assembly line on the 24th of that month, which, not coincidentally, is the same day the movie is scheduled for released in the U.S.

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Unfortunately, we don't have any images of the new Bumblebee package to show off or pricing information, but rumor has it that the car will be painted up in the same Rally Yellow that's available on other Camaros � importantly, that's not the darker color that's featured in the movies � set off by black racing stripes, of course.

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To help set the Bumblebee edition apart from its siblings, GM will equip the car with Transformers badging on the wheel centers and sill plates along with an embroidered emblem on the console inside. Thanks for the tip, Jay!
via:autoblog

And they're off! Gumballers head out of Los Angeles on first leg of rally

Entrants of the 11th running of the Gumball 3000 started their cross-country rally Friday afternoon, cheered on by hundreds of fans as the cars began their journey at the Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles. The rally will also stop in Las Vegas, Sante Fe, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, and Orlando before finishing in Miami. Judging from the selection of vehicles, supercars were fastfivecars definitely the rides of choice this year.

There were a pair of Bugatti Veyrons, a handful of Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLRs, a Jaguar XJ220, SSC Ultimate Aero, Audi R8, and dozens of your standard Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martins. Of course, there were also a few non-standard rides, like this bio-diesel Land Rover, a metallic-green lowrider, and this bad boy. We were on hand to see the cars off as well, and brought back plenty of high-res photos that can be seen in the gallery below.
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The Life Ball MINI 2009 designed by *The Blonds* for Katy Perry

MINI is once again teaming up with Life Ball to raise awareness and funds to fight AIDS by raffling off a customized MINI Cooper Convertible.









Press Release



The Life Ball MINI 2009, designed by "The Blonds" for Katy Perry.



Prize draw for the first time at this year's Life Ball.



Munich/Vienna. When fashion and music come together at the Life Ball, the result will always be something fascinating and unique - the new Life Ball MINI created in Katy Perry style by American designer duo The Blonds.



MINI is supporting the Life Ball for the ninth year in succession in 2009. The 17th Life Ball - taking place on 16 May 2009 - marks the beginning of a four-year cycle, the elements water, earth, air and fire representing both metaphorically and in their artistic embodiment the fundamental symbols of life. Europe's biggest AIDS charity event offers MINI an outstanding platform on which to underline its socio-political commitment.



The Life Ball MINI will be offered in a prize draw for the first time in 2009.

Becoming the owner of the new Life Ball MINI has never been easier for all MINI, Life Ball and Katy Perry fans. A ticket costs 10 euros and can be purchased at all Life Ball events, from all BMW and MINI dealers in Austria, directly from the Life Ball, from the official distributor of Austria's "class lottery" Prokopp and, of course, over the Internet. Go to www.mini.at for detailed information on the various sources. All the proceeds from the draw will go to the Life Ball and projects fighting HIV/AIDS.



The "Life Ball MINI 2009 designed by The Blonds for Katy Perry".

MINI handed American creative double-act The Blonds the latest addition to the MINI family - a new MINI Convertible - to serve as the canvas for their inspiration. The brains behind The Blonds are Puerto Rican Phillipe and US designer David Blond. The Life Ball MINI 2009 is dedicated to their friend Katy Perry. The singer has been in the music business since 2001 and achieved her international breakthrough in May 2008 with the worldwide hit "I Kissed a Girl". Its success was then surpassed by the follow-up single "Hot N Cold". Katy will escort "her" MINI down the Blue Carpet at the Life Ball.



The Blonds specialise in stand-out couture oozing sex appeal and glamour. Their outfits are striking, richly decorated and complemented by knock-out accessories: sparkling, dazzling, dramatic. Stars such as Beyonc�, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Shakira, Madonna, Britney Spears and Dita von Teese have all worn creations by The Blonds at big occasions.



And now The Blonds' signature style and Katy Perry's personal look have come together to produce a one-off piece of automotive couture: the Life Ball MINI 2009.



"MINI is a long-standing Life Ball Partner with an exceptionally fine understanding of how to incorporate creativity into the fulfilment of a partnership," said Life Ball organiser Gery Keszler. "Year after year, the Life Ball MINIs created by the designers of the Life Ball Fashion Shows provide stunning evidence of this. The Life Ball MINI 2009 will be a special edition reflecting a life in the limelight; after all, international pop star Katy Perry and New York's The Blonds - the designers of this year's Life Ball Fashion Show - are responsible for the Life Ball MINI. The signature features of the pop princess and the cutting-edge designers are sex appeal and maximum glamour, set off by striking, richly decorated, knock-out accessories. I wish the future owner lots of fun with the Life Ball MINI."



MINI. A history of success.

The MINI has been a magnet for public affection ever since its launch in September 2001. In April 2007 - just six years after the start of series production - the one-millionth MINI rolled off the assembly line at the Oxford plant in England. The design, charisma and agile handling of the MINI made it a highly desirable car from day one.



The new MINI Convertible lays on an even more intense experience of freedom on the road. With its beautifully evolved design and extended functionality, state-of-the-art chassis technology, even more powerful and yet more economical engines, and further optimised safety systems, the latest edition of the open-top four-seater builds soundly on proven strengths. Added to which, new and attractive colour options and equipment details lend an extra level of appeal. An unbeatable standard of materials and workmanship reinforces the stand-alone status of the MINI Convertible as the only open-top premium car in its segment.



It goes without saying that the new MINI Convertible comes with the latest fuel-saving systems and optimisations. This MINIMALISM strategy includes the Auto Start Stop Function, Brake Energy Regeneration and the Shift Point Display. All of these measures reduce fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions.



The social commitment of the BMW Group.



Worldwide measures to combat HIV/AIDS are one of the main elements of the corporate and social policy pursued by the BMW Group. The company's involvement in South Africa is particularly wide-ranging, covering a comprehensive workplace programme for employees and their families, plus a number of different projects in the local communities and further afield. The carmaker is also committed to fighting this pandemic in other affected countries, such as Thailand and China. Membership of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) underlines its long-term commitment at its various locations.

via:World Car Fans







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New York Auto Show: Honda Element Concept Transforms SUV into Dog-friendly Hauler

New dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element add canine-specific enhancements to one of the fastfivecars dog-friendly vehicles available, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today at the New York International Auto Show.

Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly� components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall. Major components will likely include:

* a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
* second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
* an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
* a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
* second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
* all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
* a spill-resistant water bowl; and
* Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

�In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,� said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. �Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.�
Read More








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2008 Chanel Fiore Design Concept in Video

Luxury brand buyers are chosen not for their practicality and functionality, and above all, for style, beauty and prestige. Jin Young Jo offers nebezyzvestnomu brand Chanel get their own car, the name he received Fiole.


Execution of the project is quite decent - good sketches, good design, interesting video presentation, and shape of the body is easy to read. Company logo of Chanel guessed and front lines, and at the rear of the sidewall Fiole.


The student created the Chanel Fiole concept as part of a class project. Using the words "Fashion Art of Vehicle," and being assigned the brand label famous for everything from perfume & makeup to watches & jewelry, Jin developed what he felt was a matching concept. "Fiole is inspired by the peculiarity of Chanel," he said. To elaborate this "peculiarity" he used only deep blacks and reflective whites. In his video animation of the vehicle, it is hard to tell if the car is black, or white reflecting its dark surroundings. An aerodynamic form was also important to Jin for the purpose of this project. Hence, he designed the Fiole in such a way that it


Such a vehicle could stand at the head of all the products offered by Chanel, and buyers would be found. Why not.



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High-speed Detroit-Lansing rail line envisioned

LANSING -- Are we ready for a high-speed, hydrogen-powered, magnetically-driven rail line from Detroit to Lansing?


A new proposal to help alleviate the problem of heavy traffic in the state of Michigan is under way. A company called Worldwide Hydrogen Super Highways says it has designed a magnetic-levitation (maglev) rail line to run near existing highways between Detroit, Lansing and Ann Arbor. Interstate Traveler Co. LLC, the company that is pitching this project is made up of 200 international investors.


The magnetic rail cars would carry passengers, vehicles (like a ferry) and freight. Sutton said the rail line could be used by many private operators that own the cars, similar to railroads that are shared by railroad companies.
more detail. ...




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Spyker's owner shot in apparent assassination attempt

Reuters is reporting that Alexander Antonov, the owner of flamboyant Dutch supercar company Spyker, has been seriously wounded in an apparent assassination attempt while leaving his Moscow residence. The Russian billionaire, who is also the chairman of the board of the Konvers Group (a banking concern), was shot along with a bodyguard.

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Video: Terrafugia "Flying Car" Makes First Flight

What do we know about the Transition? Well, it's an unleaded-fueled front-wheel drive vehicle on the ground, It gets a fuel economy of around 30 MPG and has a top speed of 65 MPH. The design features an automotive-style entry and exit and it'll retail at a street price of $194,000 when it eventually goes on sale. But, you can reserve one now for just $10,000 at Terrafugia's website.






more detail. ...



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More Lambo shoes: Reventon sneakers!

Tim Cooper came up with a hideous set of pumps inspired by the Lamborghini Gallardo. Now, a French designer at Subaru in Japan has come up with sneakers that pull their inspiration from the Lamborghini Reventon.

They're a little blunt at the front, but otherwise -- and as one might expect -- they're sleek, angular, olive drab, and boast a healthy dose of carbon fiber trim. Check out that trick suspended heel, too. We're not likely to ever see a production version, but if Lamborghini did decide to offer them, we'd take these kicks over the Lamborghini cologne any day.
via:autoblog



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Mazda Releases Redesigned AZ-Wagon i in Japan

Mazda releases redesigned Alkmaar station wagon I was in Japan
- The special needs of the new improved model provides a user-friendly and more peace of mind --

Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of its redesigned Mazda wagon alkmaar me, the special needs of the vehicle is equipped with a wheelchair ramp slope. New model is based on completely re-designed micro-mini-station wagon alkmaar This is released in Japan in September 2008. Sales today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealers throughout Japan.

Alkmaar make the new station wagon in the rear of the wide open and spacious cabin high roof. Other improvements designed for wheelchair users, including a new three-point seat belts and handrails on both sides of the rear cabin, as standard equipment. In addition, user-friendly as well as improving care for the slope entry / exit ramp is a moderate than the previous model.

The main features of the new station wagon alkmaar letter i
- A new three-point seat belts for the wheelchair users (the previous model, equipped with two seat belts)
- Handrails on both sides of the rear cabin to provide additional support and standard equipment
- Wheelchair access easier because of the warmth of low-floor ramp slope
- Anti-theft immobilizer devices as standard equipment.
Source: Mazda



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BMW and MotorSport Vision Join to Offer Driving Experiences (UK)

Race track owners and operators MotorSport Vision (MSV) are teaming up with BMW UK to offer a unique M experience in some of their tracks. A fleet of M3 Coupes will be made available to those interested in driving these V8s around the famous Brands Hatch in Kent and Oulton Park in Cheshire as part of a package.

Experienced instructors will be at hand to show drivers how to get the best out of the M3s. A flying lap in a Formula Brands single-seater race car forms part of the deal. The Bedford-based Autodrome will be introducing M3-only experiences, which means more track time for the drivers.
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Rumours tip Virgin as late Honda bidder

As the clock to Melbourne clicks down to less than 40 days, the latest rumour in the Honda saga is that Sir Richard Branson may be the mysterious late bidder for the Brackley-based team.

It seems clear that the proposed management buyout, led by Nick Fry and Ross Brawn, came close to fruition in recent days, until reports that an 'unnamed third party' stepped in at the eleventh hour.
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Porsche Purist: The Cars, Products and Lifestyle

In the Fall of 2008, I had the great pleasure of connecting with John of Massachusetts. John has a website (993C4S.com) dedicated to Porsches and Porsche lifestyle and culture; it�s a really good read, and a great source of information.


As we connected more and more, John asked me to develop a new logo for his site, based on rebranding it to reflect his ever-expanding audience. John wanted the logo to be more illustrative than iconographic, reflecting the style I used on my Phil Hill series of prints. I also developed the accompanying typography.







The refurbished site is now called Porsche Purist, again to reflect on his growing market. This project was great fun, and very proud of the results. Make sure you make this site part of weekly web intake!