Video: John Doe Learns How To Drive A Shelby Cobra

Here’s a great driving scene from Fox Network’s TV series, “John Doe” starring Dominic Purcell. In a few words, the series is about the life of John Doe, a mystifying man who possesses knowledge of literally everything in the world yet has no memory of who, or even what, he is. In this clip, which is dubbed in Italian, John Doe "learns..." how to drive a Shelby Cobra 427 like a pro on the streets of Seattle.

Via: Motorpasion

Nissan Navara To Die 4.0... Limited "DIE HARD" Version Released

Nissan UK is celebrating the launch of the fourth instalment in the Die Hard film series staring Bruce Willis by releasing a limited edition Navara called “DIE HARD 4.0”. In all, Nissan will produce 444 individually numbered units of the “DIE HARD 4.0” version which is based on the recently launched 2008 model year 2.5 dCi Navara.

Just so you don’t get excited or anything, the only difference between the “DIE HARD 4.0” version and the Outlaw double cab plus optional Premium has to do with the hand polished stainless steel styling bar behind the cab area, the DIE HARD 4.0 body decals with a shattered glass effect, plus the individually numbered tailgate badge. -Continued after the jump

According to Nissan, five of the 444 trucks will be more prized than others since all the new owners’ names will go into a hat and numbers 1, 4, 44, 400 and 444 will be randomly allocated and in addition will receive a free specification upgrade as found on the top of the range Aventura model. The additional equipment over the standard Navara DIE HARD 4.0 includes a voice activated DVD satellite navigation with a full color 7” screen and a premium audio with MP3 CD compatibility worth around £1200.

The Nissan Navara “DIE HARD 4.0” goes on sale in the UK from July 2 with prices starting for the manual version from £18,995 (+ VAT) and £20,095 (+ VAT) for the automatic -€28.200/$38.000 & €29.800/$40.200 respectively.

Batpod: Batman's Two Wheel Obsession Breaks Cover

Remember that famous question “Joker”, Batman’s archrival asked: “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” In the upcoming Batman flick, “The Dark Night” that’s due out next summer, we’ll get to see one of cape crusader’s newest toys: the two-wheeler Batpod.

Batman’s version of any form of transportation means plenty of gadgets and the Batpod is no exclusion as its fitted among others with huge cannons mounted on the front of the motorcycle. Although it looks a big “home-made” chances are Batman can still kick some ass while driving it. Hell, Batman can kick ass driving a cardboard box, it’s just what he does. Posted by Dani

Via: Autoblog.com

Joker's Car In The Upcoming Batman Film, The Dark Night

Making a short detour from our everyday-car spy images, we discovered this scoop photo on the movie website, Latino Review. According to the author, Joker will use the purple-colored 30’s pick-up truck in the sequel of Batman Begins, “The Dark Knight” which is due for release in July 2008. True or not, the pick-up looks so out of place and messed up that we couldn't imagine anyone else driving it but Joker.

Via: Latino Review

New Transformers Clip Shown On Jay Leno's Tonight Show

Transformers star Shia LaBeouf, aka “Sam Witwicky” appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and apart from the usual chit chat we also saw a clip from the movie featuring Sam trying to hide the Autobots in his backyard from his father. We heard that Michael Bay’s movie would have a few funny scenes, but if they’re like this one, we’d rather someone take them out before the film hits cinemas worldwide on July 4th.

Video: George Bush’s Cadillac DTS Limo Breaks In Rome!

Bad luck Bush strikes again. The President’s motorcade came to a halt on his way to the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy this past weekend when his custom Cadillac DTS limo bit the dust. Luckily, the Italian people made light of the situation and filled the air with laughter and snickers followed by applause and cheers when Bush got out of the car and just decided to walk the rest of the way. Ι’m sure the American people are pissed that others are poking fun at their president because it’s a privilege only they think they are entitled to.

Posted by Dani

Via: Autoblog.com

’79 Corvette Stretch Limo That Starred In "Mystery Men" For Sale

We vaguely remember the plot of the '99 comedy "Mystery Men" starring Ben Stiller but the 1979 Corvette Limo that we found on e-bay definitely rang a bell. In the movie, the stretched Vette served as the super-villain’s (Casanova Frankenstein played by Geoffrey Rush) personal car.

The Vette’s transformation included extending the frame to over 23 feet (7 meters) total length and modifying the interior by adding two more opposing seats, bar, lights, and rear T-tops. Before its procrustean metamorphosis, the limo started its life as a 1979 3rd-generation Corvette fitted with an 185Hp strong 350c.i. V8 motor and an automatic transmission. Tangentially, did you know that the 1979 Corvette sold 53,807 units, a record number still standing today? -Click “Read More…” below for more images

Via: ebay

Technorati: Chevrolet+Corvette, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Transformers: Bumblebee Makes A Guest Appearance At The Barcelona Show

Barely a month before the long-awaited Transformers Movie hits the big screen (July 4) and the producers of the film decided to take Bumblebee for a cross Atlantic jaunt over to the 2007 Barcelona Motor Show (June 7-19). In case you’re wondering why we’re not seeing the '09 Chevrolet Camaro, that’s because Bumblebee will start off in the film as ’76 F-Body Camaro that later becomes the '09 version.

Via: buscatuning

Technorati: Transformers, Movie, Chevrolet+Camaro, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Lexus Sues Porn Web Site For Illegal Name Use!

Seem like Lexus Cash and her girlfriends Tasty Martina, Voluptuous Valerie and ginger haired Heidi finally ticked off Lexus’ parent Toyota Motor Company who filed a federal suit in Detroit yesterday, May 31, 2007, alleging LexusCash broke trademark laws by using "Lexus" as the name of a pornographic Web site and its star.

Mama Toyota had warned those “bad people” back in December, 2006 by sending a "cease and desist" letter to the owners of LexusCash, Mario Mendoza, 26, and Katie Lynn Krzywdzinski, 24, charging intellectual-property rights infringement. According to the suit, the porno site "uses the mark Lexus in an unwholesome and unsavory context" and "is likely to tarnish and blur the distinctive qualities" of Lexus.

Clearly for reporting reasons –one has to see both sides of a story (…), we took a tour of the porno site to investigate whether Lexus Cash and her voluptuous pals could potentially tarnish the luxury Japanese carmaker’s name. In all honesty, we couldn’t quite figure out how mama Toyota linked the porn site with its high-end baby. Heck, we wouldn’t have known that the Lexus Cash vixen ever existed if it wasn’t for the law suit. And say we did, we wouldn’t of have made the association. Things couldn’t have looked brighter for Lexus Cash. No thanks to mama Toyota's free publicity stunt, hundreds of thousands will pay her (literally) a visit... Via: freep

Technorati: Lexus, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

Lindsey Lohan Calling Paris Hilton: Caught DUI After Crash

Seems like its all about the DUI’s these days as now Lindsey Lohan, or favorite blond/brunette/red-head of Hollywood was caught red handed by paparazzi crashing her Mercedes and fleeing the scene, on foot! Sources say she might be off to the “big-house” to join her pal Paris for the same offense. Unfortunately their big contracts can’t get them out of this pickle. Can NBC please place a camera in these jail-cells. I have no doubt that these girls will find some way to get some cash out of this situation. -One more video after the jump

Via: Motorpasion , Source: spynbuy

Real Madrid Players Test Out New Audi Models

Promotion: communicating with the public in an attempt to influence them toward buying your products and/or services. Now, why the hell would someone be tempted to buy the new A5 just because they saw David Beckham behind its wheel, beats me. I’m not saying that Audi’s promo tactics are pointless -well, unless you support Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, that is. Heck, we’re posting/promoting it so I guess there are a lot of people out there who’ll be lured into buying an Audi A5, S5 or R8 for all the wrong reasons. Hope you aren’t one of them.

More promo pics of Real Madrid players standing by Audi models after the jump. Unfortunately Audi didn’t include images of players with their personal Ferrari’s & Lambo’s

New Transformers Theatrical Trailer

Now this is more like it; Bumblebee standing up on his own two feet, Starscream mucking around in the air and a whole lot more. The final theatrical trailer of Michael Bay’s Transformer Movie is probably the best thing you’ll see until the film hits the big-screen on July 4th. Excited? We most certainly are. Via: Motorpassion

Technorati: Transformers+Movie, Cinema, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Video: John Schneider awaiting final bid on ebay for General Lee

On Friday, May 4, 2007, John Schneider’s “Genera Lee” 1969 Dodge Charger was sold on ebay for a breathtaking $9,900,500, making it the second most expensive car ever auctioned; “just” $1.1 million away from the $11 million paid for a 1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Sports Coupe that was sold by Christie's in 1987. Schneider, aka Bo Duke, had a couple of his pals’ record the last agonizing (?) minutes of the ebay auction. Conclusion: either Schneider has obtained truckloads of millions during his career, either he’s the most cool headed person I’ve ever seen in my life.

Technorati: Dukes+of+Hazard, Dodge+Charger, General+Lee, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Holy ebay! Current bid on John Schneider’s 1969 General Lee has climbed to 9,9 million USD!

We couldn’t believe our eyes either when we saw the current bid for actor John Schneider’s (aka Bo Duke) General Lee on ebay a few minutes ago but it’s true; $9,900,001 and there’s still 3 1/2 hours left before the bid ends! Totally unbelievable -especially when you think that the last time we checked (March 2) the bid was $2,3 million! According to Schneider, this particular ’69 Dodge Charger appeared in the last Dukes of Hazzard movie, "Dukes Go To Hollywood", with Warner Brothers using it as a template to build all the General Lee's featured in the movie. We’ll keep a close eye on ebay and return with the final price. I still can’t believe it; 10 million bucks… -More "multimillion" General Lee pics after the jump







Link: ebay

Technorati: Dukes+of+Hazard, Dodge+Charger, General+Lee, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Mondo Spider Video: Spiderman’s Ride!

Plenty of imagination, several months of free time along with an astonishing low budget -$15.000 /€11.000 were more than enough for these blokes to create the ultimate mechanical arachnoid. The ‘Mondo Spider” might not be able to crawl on walls but we’re more than sure that with a few cosmetic alterations this metal spider could easily find a role in a future Spiderman 4 movie!

Technorati: Spiderman, Mondo+Spider, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Pimp My Rides Saves the earth with a 800Hp biodiesel ‘65 Chevrolet Impala that goes from 0 to 60mph in 3,5 sec

While I’m pretty sure that across the pond this will ring like a joke to the ears of most Europeans for the folks at MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” it’s a step forward to being “green” without loosing their “bling-bling”. As part of a very special Earth Day episode that’ll air on April 22nd at 1 pm ET/PT, the Galpin Auto Sports (G.A.S.) crew will return in the fifth season of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” transforming a 1965 Chevy Impala into a biodiesel vehicle nicknamed the “Bio Rocket.

The green-pimped Impala will be fitted with a new PPE supercharged GM Duramax diesel engine that runs on B-100 biodiesel which, according to G.A.S., reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent –they don’t say compared with what though.... The Bio Rocket’s engine power was boosted from 350 horsepower to 800 horsepower with 1400 lb-ft of torque and according to the team the Bio Rocket can go from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in roughly 3.5 seconds. Via: Autoblog.com , Info: GAS
Press Release after the jump (click “Read More”).

PRESS RELEASE: GALPIN GOES GREEN FOR EARTH DAY WITH MONSTER BIODIESEL MUSCLE CAR DEBUT ON MTV’s “PIMP MY RIDE”

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Helps Galpin Auto Sports Launch 800-HP “Bio Rocket” Giving Serious Muscle To The Green Movement

VAN NUYS, CA (April 9, 2007) – In celebration of Earth Day, the Galpin Auto Sports (G.A.S.) crew returns in the fifth season of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” and shows that alternative fuel vehicles can be fast and fun by transforming a 1965 Chevy Impala into a biodiesel vehicle nicknamed the “Bio Rocket.” As if the event needed any more muscle, the Bio Rocket will be unveiled by special guest Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger during a ground-breaking Earth Day episode of “Pimp My Ride” scheduled to air on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 1pm ET/PT. The episode will also serve as the kick-off of a “Pimp My Ride” Sneak Peek marathon featuring brand new episodes from the fifth season.

Galpin Auto Sports, the garage of “Pimp My Ride,” takes going green to an all new level in this special episode. Galpin Motors’ dedication to protecting our Earth dates back to 1979 when they began converting fleets of gasoline engine vehicles to run on methanol and even opened the nation’s first methanol service station. Additionally, Galpin Motors was one of the first dealers to sell Ford flexible fuel vehicles, Ford’s TH!NK Neighbors and other electric vehicles, for which they even built on-site charging stations.

“With the increasing amount of traffic on the roads, protecting the environment is a major concern for automotive manufacturers and dealers,” said Beau Boeckmann, president of Galpin Auto Sports, Vice President of Galpin Motors and consulting producer and on-air talent for “Pimp My Ride.” “By installing a monster 800 horsepower diesel engine to run on biodiesel in the ’65 Impala, we demonstrated that you don’t have to sacrifice power to go green.”

The Bio Rocket is loaded with a new PPE supercharged GM Duramax diesel engine that runs on B-100 biodiesel which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent. Switching the Bio Rocket to alternative fuel consumption did not compromise its performance and speed. In fact, it improved it significantly. The Bio Rocket’s engine power was boosted from 350 horsepower to 800 horsepower with 1400 lb-ft of torque allowing the Bio Rocket to jet from 0-60 mph in approximately 3.5 seconds.

Making the inside green counts too, so the G.A.S. crew made the seats from a material comprised of 100 percent recycled fibers. The Bio Rocket’s trunk is lined with biodegradable, all natural hemp and reclaimed wood that was recovered from quarries and pre-existing wooden structures. Finally, eco-friendly meets convenience with a built-in GPS that shows the driver where to find the nearest biodiesel station.

“Galpin’s customizing innovation began in the late ‘50’s and produced national trends in the automotive aftermarket,” said Boeckmann. “50 years later, the aftermarket and tuner world has become a much greater part of the mainstream. We see Galpin’s move to green, ground-shaking horsepower as the ripple that can start a sea of change and we are proud to start that right here, right now.”

Technorati: Chevrolet+Impala, Pimp+My+Ride, MTV, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

New Transformers Spot "Hidden" reveals Optimus Prime

Believe it or not, it’s only a couple of months before Michael Bay’s Transformers make its big-screen debut. Albeit the new 30sec TV Spot wears the title “Hidden” it actually reveals the movie’s basic character, Optimus Prime along with a few other Transformers. Via: Autoblog.com

Technorati: Transformers, Autobots, Decepticons, Movie, Video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Video: Actor Eddie Griffin demolishes a Ferrari Enzo during a rehearsal

For the love of God; can someone please stop all these super-cheery, car-ignorant folks from destroying one Enzo after another? This one fell into the hands of actor Eddie Griffin who was caught on tape crashing the 1.2 million USD Ferrari Enzo during a rehearsal for a charity-racing event to promote his movie “Redliners”. Come to think of it, I really doubt that 1.2 million bucks in advertising would have gathered this much -worldwide- attention... Via: Jalopnik

Technorati: Ferrari+Enzo, Video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Maserati Quattroporte covered with 800kg of shattered glass...

Before you get any crazy ideas about a pissed off girlfriend, let us inform you that this poor Maserati Quattrporte has suffered all this pain for the sake of… art. Work of Italian artist Luca Pancrazzi, the glassy Maserati is shown at the second Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art which opened on 3 March and will run until 3 April 2007. -Continued: Click “Read More…” for more pics


Via: Domus

Technorati: Maserati+Quattroporte, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Ford’s "Casino Royal" Ad cut due to misleading implications!

Remember Ford’s Casino Royal Ad that we showed you last year? Well, take a good look at it cause you’re not going to see it again on TV. See, Britain’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) announced that it has banned the "Focus Zetec Climate" ad that featured footage from the new Bond film 'Casino Royale' due to complaints from two viewers who said that it was misleading because it mainly showed the Mondeo (it appeared in the film), but ended by showing the Focus Zetec Climate which didn’t participate in the movie at all. Who can blame them... -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see ASA’s official press release

ASA PRESS RELEASE

Ad
A TV ad, for the Ford Focus Zetec Climate, showed a car entering a bright white stage in black silhouette. The ad contained footage from the new Bond film 'Casino Royale' interspersed with shots of the car. On-screen text stated "Retail only. Ends December 18th." After further scenes from the film, the James Bond gun barrel revealed a car in silhouette. On-screen text stated "FOCUS ZETEC CLIMATE LICENCED AND LOADED FROM JUST £12,995". The ad ended with the on-screen text "CASINO ROYALE IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 16" followed by the Ford logo.

Issue
Two viewers said the ad was misleading because it mainly showed the Ford Mondeo, which they said was due to be released in 2007 and appeared in the film 'Casino Royale', but ended by showing the Focus Zetec Climate. The viewers said the ad misleadingly implied that the Focus Zetec Climate was used in the film 'Casino Royale'.

Response
Ford believed the ad was not misleading and said it promoted Ford's link with the film 'Casino Royale'. They explained that the main part of the ad, which contained scenes from the film purely to engage and entertain viewers, showed the link between Ford and Bond. They asserted that some scenes from the film featured a car whilst others did not and that the ad's final scenes gave specific details of the Focus Zetec Climate's name, price and image.

Ford provided the ASA with three ads, which featured three different Ford vehicles alongside James Bond imagery, to further demonstrate the wide-reaching nature of the Ford and Bond agreement.

The Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre (BACC) reiterated that Ford had negotiated an exclusive brand association deal with Sony / Eon, whereby Ford promoted the 'Casino Royale' film launch-date in return for using the Bond assets and iconography across advertising for the Ford brand. They said that had resulted in various national press ads showing Bond imagery alongside the Ford Ka, Fiesta and Focus, for example. They explained that they approved the ad on the basis that the connection between the Bond film and Ford went beyond the Ford Mondeo that was featured in the film and related to a range of Ford products.


Assessment Upheld
The ASA acknowledged that Ford and Sony / Eon had a contract which involved running a series of promotions linking Ford cars with the film 'Casino Royale'. We noted the final scene of the ad showed the Focus Zetec Climate, with on-screen text identifying it as such, alongside a specific price. Nevertheless, we considered it was not clear that the car that appeared in shots interspersed with footage from the film was different from the car identified at the end of the ad and that viewers were likely to believe that only one car was being advertised throughout the whole ad. We considered that, because of the difficulty in differentiating between the two cars, the ad was likely to give the misleading impression that the Focus Zetec Climate was used in the film 'Casino Royale', which could make it more attractive to some viewers.

The ad breached CAP (Broadcast) TV Advertising Standards Code rules 5.1 (Misleading advertising), 5.2.2 (Implications) and 5.4.1 (Visual techniques and special effects).

Action
The ad must not be broadcast again in its current form.

Technorati: James+Bond, Casino+Royale, Ford, Ads, Commercials, Video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007