Today we have a new but very interesting gadget to show off. Especially at it’s reduced pricepoint via Amazon (Over 50% off). From Peak we have a camera display that can be placed over your vehicle’s rearview mirror and provide a quick view of what’s going on right behind you. The actual camera mounts onto your license plate while the transmitter is housed in your trunk, so while viewing what’s going on behind you you’re also greeted with what’s going on ground level, so you know not to hit something.. Like the family pet for instance. The purpose of course is to prevent such strategies and increase the safety of parking, or backing up your vehicle in general. It’s a great tool for any driver, but especially makes it different with large trucks or semis which have a difficulty in that visibility area by default.

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Ever play Mario Kart and say to yourself “damn, I wish I could drive that in real life.” Well, if you’re a Gamestop PowerUp Rewards member, you may get the chance to make that into a reality. Nintendo and West Coast Customs (the guys who fix up cars from the MTV show Pimp My Ride) worked together to build the actual Mario karts, two of them, that really work. Or, if not, then you may be lucky enough to at least touch or sit in one at the LA Auto Show this and next week. Check out the pictures taken at the LA Auto Show inside.

The guys at West Coast Customs built two karts, the Mario Standard Kart and Luigi Bumble V. I’m more of a motorcycle Mario Kart player, but these are still damn awesome.

Reggie Fils-Aime was on-hand to reveal both Mario Kart 7 and the real karts in a press conference, which unfortunately we missed. However, Reggie was spotted later on shooting a video for the Nintendo Fanclub Facebook page (I subsequently stopped filming when I learned that, but we did catch the big man in the relatively-small kart. Let’s just say these aren’t made for tall people). As Nintendo spokespeople told me outside of the show floor, the karts are actually the first vehicles presented at the show floor that can actually fly in the air and drive underwater*.

The karts themselves weren’t being driven at the show, but you will be able to watch them in full use on TV on an episode of  Inside West Coast Customs in early 2012. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the crew in the body shop loves Mario and Mario Kart, and that at least some of them are living the dream building the first real driveable karts.

It was really surprising to see Reggie fit in the car. Christen barely fit in himself, and he’s just over 6′. Reggie didn’t exactly slide out though, as you may imagine.

Mario Kart 7 releases for the Nintendo 3DS on December 4th.

*”Note that while the gliders and propellers on the in-game go-karts let players soar through the air or drive underwater, these real-life karts do not. Trust us on this one.” – Nintendo Press Release

Chevy’s Spark minicar is becoming an electric vehicle come 2013, which is GM’s first full EV since their EV1. The Spark EV joins Chey’s growing electric vehicles that includes the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology.

Chevy plans to start out the new EV model of the Spark with limited production offering in select countries with the American market being one of the chosen few. The advanced nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs that will power the Spark EV will come from A123 Systems. These batteries supposedly utilize nanoparticles to increase the battery cell’s storage surface area, facilitating quicker storage and release of electrons. No information on its driving range, recharge time, battery size or other performance specs have been announced yet, with details being released closer to the launch date GM executives mention.

GM is also keeping a tight lip on details like pricing, where the new EV will be built and other interesting specs. However, by the looks of pictures, it seems that the Spark EV will have a some exterior styling differences than the standard spark, but, again, no real information has been released.

There are already many EVs on the market already, with Tesla and Nissan being the bigger names in the game, but electric vehicles from other auto brands like Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Kia are in the works. Looks like we’ll be seeing a battle of the EVs in the coming years!

Known for their aftermarket creations, BRABUS has decided to get into the electric car game and debuted a high-performance 4WD full electric prototype at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September. While they didn’t create the car from the ground up, they did use a Mercedes-Benz E-Class as the base unit for their prototype.

BRABUS usually tries to boost the power of what they’ve chosen to tune, but this time, they’ve totally replaced the E-Class’ gasoline engine and replaced it with only electronic hardware. But they’re not putting any ordinary hardware in; they’re replacing it with High Performance stuff. This refers to the E’s very impressive 429 horsepower and 2,360 lb.-ft. of torque. But it’s 4WD label implies that each of its wheels is fitted with a Protean electric motor, which are lightweight, thus making them perfectly suited for the project since BRABUS likes to keep their creations. Light. Each 330-volt motor produces a peak power output of 80 kW, which fit inside of some 19-inch BRABUS Monoblock Q wheels that were added for better styling and handling.

The car  can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds. It can also go from 37-74 mph in 5 seconds, which is quicker than a Mercedes-Benz E 500 4Matic.The prototype also packs a 56-kWh lithium-ion battery that allows the BRABUS electric vehicle a range of 150 miles. But when used in Eco mode, each motor produces only 50 kW (instead of 80 kW), the range increases to about 217 miles (if the car is going 62 mph). BRABUS says the prototype tops out at 137 mph in Sport mode, or 118 mph in Eco mode. For charging on the road at any normal 220 V AC outlet or on a 380 V three-phase outlet the car is equipped with an integrated charger that recharges the batteries fully in five hours.

But because BRABUS not only does performance upgrades, but also exterior modifications, they’ve added some aluminum front sport fenders with integrated clear-coated carbon-fiber inserts that create a very sporty look, while some side skirts calm the airflow between the wheel wells and feature highly convenient, visually striking LED entrance lights. The interior features a special instrument cluster, which provides the most essential information about the battery, the electric motors and other driving parameters such as speed etc. They’ve also added a ergonomically-shaped sport steering wheel and aluminum pedals and footrest add sporty highlights. Stainless-steel scuff plates with backlit BRABUS High Performance 4WD Full Electric logo and velour floor mats sporting the identical marks are further exclusive accessories.

BRAUBUS hasn’t released any info on price or availability, leaving the automotive world to wonder if they will indeed bring their prototype to life.

The days when kids head outside and play are officially over.  And who do we have to thank for that?  Disney.

Okay, so that’s complete hyperbole, but when you get a load of their Appmates Mobile Application Toys you’ll start to understand what we’re getting at.

The car toys are designed to be driven across the screen of the iPad, literally, and the accompanying app interacts according to their movements.  In other words the iPad becomes a virtual play mat, so gone are the days of sand boxes and “forts”.

The app, Cars 2 Appmates, is free, but the cars, which come in two packs, cost $19.99.  And like any good toy maker Disney has plans to roll out additional versions of the cars, though they’ll start with 4, selling October 1st at major retailers including Apple, and they’ll add two more in November.  Each toy will unlock new content.  Before you buy, you can download the free app and test it out with your finger, though the full experience, otherwise know as magic happens when you buy the toys.

They’ll of course spin this tech off into other products that do what else…promote their movies.  Cash cow?  You bet your ass it is.  The toys don’t interact with the screen using Bluetooth or cable.  Instead Disney has outfitted the bottom of the cars with a sensor, which probably isn’t any more than a magnetic tip that allows the iPad to detect their presence.

Kids will guide the cars over the iPad, which will display a set of roads depicting Radiator Springs, which we believe is the town in “Cars 2″.  There they’ll be able to engage in a variety of options and games.  This includes an exploration mode, which allows them to discover secret spots, discover landscapes and even see a virtual reflection of their car.  There will also be a directed game play mode requiring your tots to complete missions for each character and collect hub caps (the virtual currency) that can be exchanged for car mods such as a new horn, customized tire racks, rocket launcher (what?) and more.  Lastly, they’ll be able to engage in a race.  The winner will be awarded with hub caps.

Driving and phones aren’t exactly a welcomed combination. Texting and driving is a no-no, while talking on the phone without a Bluetooh headset can result in a huge fine. But a joint research team from Princeton and MIT has recently discovered that a smartphone might be beneficial to your overall driving experience. Through much research and real-life tests, they’ve found that having a smartphone while you’re driving may actually improve fuel efficiency by 20% using a fuel-saving system in cars that relies on dash-mounted devices. Called the “SignalGuru,” the system monitors and logs the timing of traffic signals to alert drivers so that they can slow down and avoid idling at lights. Idling at stop lights and then accelerating fast actually sucks up gas faster, thus decreasing fuel efficiency.

So how does this new system work, you wonder? Well, it relies on images that are captured by the phone’s camera, which it then analyzes to predict when traffic lights will change. Somehow, the SignalGuru is capable of working with both fixed-schedule traffic lights and on those that vary based on the traffic flow. The only downside to this new system is its light-predicting accuracy since it varies depending on how many cars have the system. The more cars that have it, the more accurate the readings are.

According to researchers the computing infrastructure that the system is based on could also be adapted to a wide range of applications. For instance, the camera could capture information about prices at different gas stations, about the locations and rates of progress of city buses, or about the availability of parking spaces in urban areas—which all are useful to commuters.

While still in its testing phase, if developed for commercial use, the system would probably use audio prompts and be built to work with existing routing software and most likely be a purchased application.

Cadillac has officially unveiled its Ciel Concept. The oversized, four-seat convertible was first shown off to the public at the 2011 Pebble Beach Councours D’Elegance. It’s named for the French translation for sky, which is adequate given that the car’s design was inspired by the natural beauty of the California Coast. Taking inspiration from the past and full-sized convertibles (think of the Lincoln Continental convertibles of the ’60s), the new Ciel Concept features rear-hinged rear doors, which in popular terms means suicide doors (since there is no B-pillar between the doors, you can see a panoramic side view of the interior when opened).

Under the hood, the Ciel is powered by a hybrid system pairing a lithium-ion battery with a twin-turbocharged, 3.6L V6 engine, making for a sick ass green car that will surely kick any Prius or Leaf’s ass. It pushes out 425 ponies with 430 lb.-ft. of torque so  you now it has some guts despite its green nature.

As a grand touring car, the Ciel’s striking exterior features LED headlights and an exaggerated take on the modern Caddy grille, making for a very futuristic machine that would be the perfect vacay/getaway vehicle to cruise up the coast in. At the rear are chrome exhaust tips and LED taillights, while a chrome trim runs the length of the Ciel. It sits pretty on a set of 22-inch wheels, featuring brushed nickel plating overtop milled aluminum, while carbon ceramic brake rotors aids in stopping power.  Overall, the new droptop Caddy gets a thumbs up in the looks department.

But the interior is just as nice as the outside thanks to some luxurious features such as leather and wood trim and some pull-out cashmere blankets for passengers in case it gets cold while the top is down. There is also a power-assisted transmission shifter, heating and cooling features in all the seats, and tons of other features that recall a bygone era of simple luxury.

GM has really stepped up its game with the Cadillac Ciel Concept. It seems they’ve pleased on every level except the most important one…a solid decision if this baby will see the light of day and become a production model. We’re crossing our fingers!

While the prospect of a two door Porsche Panamera most certainly excites us, don’t hold your breath, because this is not one.  It’s in fact an after market kit offered by TOPCAR dubbed the Stingray GT.  They’ll produce only 25 of these with a starting cost of around $63,000.

It includes a reworking of the doors, a more aggressive body setup, rocker panels and a new front and rear diffuser.  Like all great aftermarket body kits it will rely heavily on Kevlar and carbon fiber.  But that’s not all.  What you can’t see is the mods under the hood.  The engine mod will draw an extra 200 horses from the 400 horse power 4.8L V8, and they’re promising a future tweak that might produce an extra 100 horses from the engine.

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Company TOPCAR ( www.top-car.ru ) presents a new tuning program for the Porsche Panamera, which was called “Stingray GTR”.

We’d like to remind you that the company had already produced aerodynamic body kit Porsche Panamera Stingray before. This body kit was made to enhance the shape of a standard car. Later, the company TOPCAR received a lot of clients’ requests who would like to have more aggressive and “charismatic” car.

Therefore, the company TOPCAR decided to create an entirely new and “all-sufficient “car based on the Porsche Panamera. This time we outstepped a simple design improvement of the factory model. Most of body elements have been re-created. It includes front and rare bumpers, bonnet, front and rare fender extenders, front and rear doors, side skirts. That’s the reason why you can’t call the Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR a classic aerodynamic body kit. It is essential to highlight that the car has become much wider. Extended wings, advanced air vents, sharp outlines of blade front bumper and bonnet, strongly-marked rear diffuser and spoiler on the boot lid, all this created absolutely new aggressive style. Rear doors and wings are visually combined. Now, to open the back door, you need to press a small button and the door opens automatically. All new bodywork components made from carbon fiber and Kevlar by company TOPCAR itself.

Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR is a limited range, which includes only 25 cars. Each car in the range will have its special features and be unique in one’s way.

The exterior styling costs from 45,000 Euros.

It’s obvious that our tuning program involves both design and variety of other technical improvements. The programs to higher engine performance are available for Turbo version cars. A new sport air filter, intake manifold, motronik and valved exhaust system increases car power by 600 hp. Moreover the power might be increased by 700 hp in case sophisticated modification of the engine. It is also possible to insert sports brake system Brembo.

Company TOPCAR offers its clients improving of car interiors according to individual design project and customer’s particular preferences.

Currently we’ve already received four orders for the Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR.

Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/111052433634/porsche-panamera-stingray-gtr-by-topcar-announced#ixzz1NxDrNJof

This is the drool worthy Aston Martin V12 Zagato.  Under the hood is 6.0 liter V12, which produces 510hp and a top speed of 190mph.  It boasts Zagato’s signature double bubble roof, which we just learned is designed to allow for a racer’s helmet.  A new handcrafted aluminium body insures a light weight finish, while maintaining rigidity.  The version pictured here is something of a hybrid, representing a mid-point between the race and road variants.

The new Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be on show at the four hour VLN race at Nürburgring on 28th May, and the 24 hour  Le Mans race June 25th and 26th.

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5 Star Deal via eBay is offering this Garage Laser Parking System for Cars and Trucks for only $11.99 + Free Shipping = $11.99!!

If you need a solution which will aid you in perfect garage parking every time then check out this handy device with a super low price! This garage laser system is designed to guide you and eliminate the risk of damage from trial and error parking attempts. It’s super easy to set up and requires no extra wiring and once it’s on it will emit a bright red laser beam which will precisely target a pre-selected spot on the vehicle where your parking will be lined up. It automatically lights up only when the garage door is fully open and can be used an alert signal for determining when it’s safe to back out.

T3 Motion’s R3 is one odd looking piece of kit.  It’s not quite a car or a motorcycle, but in fact the combination of the two.  However, they’ve managed to achieve a motorcycle classification enabling the vehicle to travel in the car pool lane.  Since it sports a windshield and what appears to be roll bar like head rests, helmets should be optional, though that could vary by state.

In the center of the dash is a Galaxy Tab, though we’re hearing that originally they intended it to be an iPad.  Why the switch? We don’t officially know, but perhaps the proliferation of the Android platform made it more attractive.

T3 Motion says that the R3′s Lithium Ion batteries can achieve a 70-100 mile range on a single charge with a top speed of 70mph.  The projected MSRP is set between $25,000 – $35,000, which seems a tad expensive given the specs, but more importantly the top speed.

The Superbus might be best branded a misfit given its unorthodox nature.  This massively long car, or bus, travels at a speed of  up to 155mph and is designed for cities that don’t want to invest in a permanent railway system.  Range is purported to be just over 125 miles.

It measures 15 meters long, and 8 individual doors provide access for up to 23 passengers.   Power is derived from an electric motor and rechargeable battery system.  To increase safety, they’ve instituted a obstacle detection systems, and promise high maneuverability and formidable breaking power.

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Mattel ain’t no stranger to awesome advertising. This advert, though, easily takes the cake. While an explanation isn’t needed, it might be worth noting that you can’t actually drive around the loop. However they did install two giant sized children roadside on a remote straight away that is detailed in the video below.

Londoners are on track to receive free WiFi in all of their tube stations and soon they’ll be transported in brand new zero emission black cabs thanks to a hybrid Hydrogen fuel and battery pack system.

The taxis we’re developed by a clean energy consortium that includes Lotus Engineering, London Taxis International and TRW Conekt.  They say the cabs will be able to complete a full days worth of driving on just one tank and charge, which equates to about 250 miles.  Acceleration is less impressive, providing a 0-60mph in just 14 seconds.

The new hybrid, clean cabs have been awarded Road Legal status by the UK Vehicle Certification Authority, and should begin a full fleet roll out by 2012.

Road Legal Fuel Cell Black Cabs Make First Appearance on London’s Roads

Posted 28th March 2011

LOUGHBOROUGH, UK, 28th March 2011, Intelligent Energy, the global clean power systems company, has announced that the Fuel Cell Black Cabs have taken to the roads of London for the first time since being awarded Road Legal status by the UK Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA). At an event on 22nd March 2011, one of the Intelligent Energy powered taxis travelled from Forbes House, headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the taxi’s base for the day, to some of London’s most iconic landmarks.

The project to deliver a fleet of the zero emission taxis to the streets of London in time for 2012 is on track, with the first Fuel Cell Black Cabs covering a combined total of over 8,000 miles in road and test track testing conditions. During its first tour of London’s roads, one of the Fuel Cell Black Cabs excelled in rush-hour traffic, with smooth and responsive acceleration provided by the fuel cell and electric motors.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, wants to make Britain a leader in fuel cell technology and has already announced plans to increase hydrogen refuelling stations around the capital. He said, “These prototype zero-emission taxis are a shining example of British ingenuity, combining revolutionary fuel cell technology with an iconic design classic. This marks an important milestone in my goal to create a cleaner cab fleet, firstly through introduction of the first ever age limits moving towards zero-emission vehicles as they come to market. Affordable and low polluting cabs are within our grasp and I urge manufacturers to accelerate efforts to produce them.”

The zero emission taxis have been developed by a consortium, led by Intelligent Energy, which includes Lotus Engineering, London Taxis International and TRW Conekt with part-funding from the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board. The fuel cell and battery powered hybrid taxi provides a 250 mile driving range with rapid refuelling, all within the confines of the body of a conventional London taxi. Now that fully functional, validated, proven vehicles have been produced, the consortium plans to push ahead with the delivery of a fleet to London in time for 2012.

“The Fuel Cell Black Cabs are now road proven with thousands of miles of operation. Indeed, many people may have seen them as they have been driven around various parts of the UK, but we are now happy to formally announce their road legal status and that you will be seeing more of them in the coming months,” noted Dr. Henri Winand, Chief Executive of Intelligent Energy. “At a time when London will soon be demonstrating its commitment to excellence in the sporting arena, we are proud to show that the UK can also deliver world-leading zero emissions, fuel cell electric vehicle technology that will make a real difference both to lowering carbon emissions and improving air quality.”

Editors Notes:

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said:

“Green vehicles are taking to the streets in a big way. High petrol prices and the desire to clean up our air quality make them the smart choice. The zero emissions London taxi looks and performs just like a conventional taxi, even over long distances. It’s a great British innovation and I look forward to seeing them in service in London next year.”

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of SMMT, said:

“The UK is at the heart of the global low carbon industry and is a leader for research and development into new technologies. Over the coming years the low carbon sector is set to become increasingly important for manufacturers and motorists. The Fuel Cell Black Cab is a terrific example of British engineering skills and pioneering innovation”.

The Fuel Cell Black Cab on Westminster Bridge as it passes the Houses of Parliament

About Intelligent Energy
Intelligent Energy is a global clean power systems company, with a range of leading fuel cell and hydrogen generation technologies. The company partners with leading global companies in the transportation, oil and gas, aerospace, defence, distributed generation and portable power markets. Current partners and customers include Scottish & Southern Energy plc and The Suzuki Motor Corporation, with whom Intelligent Energy built the Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, a recent recipient of European WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) – a first for any fuel cell vehicle, which qualifies the scooter as safe to use on all EU public roads and another important commercial milestone on the path to clean, user friendly mobility for all. Other Intelligent Energy world’s firsts in recent years include the development of the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell motorbike and supplying the fuel cell system to Boeing which powered the world’s first manned fuel cell aircraft.
In addition to visiting Intelligent Energy, more information is available via Twitter, Youtube, Flickr and LinkedIn.

For $845,000 you can pick up Porsche‘s latest hybrid vehicle, the 918 Spyder.  Under the hood is a V8 gas powered engine that produces 500 horses of power, while two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear, produce an additional 218HP.  However, the lithium-ion powered electric motors will only provide a 16 mile range and a top speed of 94MPH – we’re confident that their range will significantly diminish at this speed.  Total charge time will be 7 hours on a standard 110v household plug, which is pretty piss poor compared to Nissan’s LEAF.

Porsche expects the 918 Spyder to tackle the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than 7 minutes and 30 seconds, two seconds faster than the company’s Carrera GT.  Top speed should max out at 199MPH and 0-60MPH in a whiplash inducing 3.1 seconds.

A total of 918 of these vehicles will be produced, and those that are willing to throw down the cash can expect delivery by September 18th, 2013 (get it?).

Porsche’s Plug-in Hybrid 918 Spyder Goes From Dream to Reality

The latest rendering of Porsche’s plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder super sports car.

Now available for ordering, the 918 Spyder will feature cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology and stunning performance, forever changing the future of the super sports car

ATLANTA – March 21, 2011 — After outstanding customer response to the concept car first shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche today announced that dealers around the world will begin taking 918 Spyder customer orders. This is a significant step toward actual production of the company’s next super sports car, a Porsche that marries unique plug-in hybrid technology and outstanding performance in a visually stunning and purely Porsche package.

The 918 Spyder will feature a high revving 500-plus horsepower V8 engine assisted by two electric motors with a total of at least 218 horsepower, yet Porsche estimates it will consume only 3.0 L/100 km based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Official EPA fuel economy figures or estimates will be announced just before the first customer cars begin arriving in the United States near the end of 2013.

To ensure the 918 Spyder’s worldwide exclusivity, Porsche will produce no more than 918 examples. Start of production at Porsche’s famed factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen is planned for Sept. 18, 2013 (9/18), and the U.S. base manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $845,000 (excluding destination and handling charges).

With its design inspired by past Porsches like the Carrera GT super sports car and the legendary 917 and highly successful RS Spyder race cars, the 918 Spyder remains faithful to the 2010 concept car. Unlike the concept car, the two-seat production version, based on a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque, will feature a manual roof system with removable panels that can be stored in the front luggage compartment.

Super high performance with very low fuel consumption and emissions

The 918 Spyder will be powered by a unique plug-in hybrid system that will include a high-revving, mid-mounted V8 engine with capacity of more than 4.0 liters and producing at least 500 horsepower. The engine will be based on the Porsche RS Spyder racing engine that demonstrated its impressive performance and efficiency through multiple Michelin Green X Challenge victories in the American Le Mans Series, the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Power will be transferred to the rear wheels via Porsche’s compact, seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) double-clutch gearbox.

Two electric motors – one each on the front and rear axles – together will provide approximately 218 additional horsepower. This configuration also will offer an innovative, variable all-wheel drive system with independent control of the drive forces on both axles. Electrical energy will be stored in a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from a standard household outlet. Electric-only driving range is expected to be more than 16 miles on the NEDC. Recharge time will depend on each country’s electrical power network, but charging is expected to take about seven hours at 110V/10A in the United States. A quick-charge option is being evaluated to further reduce charging times.

With anticipated combined fuel consumption of just 3.0 L/100 km on the NEDC, this equates to CO2 emissions of only 70 g/km or 112 g/mile. On the other hand, the Porsche 918 Spyder will deliver super sports car performance. It is estimated that the final production version will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about 3.1 seconds on its way to an estimated top track speed of 199 mph. It should also tackle Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than 7 minutes and 30 seconds, two seconds faster than the Porsche Carrera GT. Under the right conditions, the 918 Spyder will be able to drive on electric power alone at speeds up to 94 mph for limited distances.

Customers who order the 918 Spyder also have the opportunity to acquire a special-edition 911 Turbo S Coupe or Cabriolet. Also limited to no more than 918 units, the 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder will have exterior and interior design elements echoing the plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder supercar’s styling. It features similar exterior colors, carbon-fiber elements inside and out, enhanced leather equipment and numerous acid-green accents on items such as the brake calipers, illuminated sill plates, interior stitching and instrument cluster needles. A limited-edition badge on the glove compartment door will feature the same production number as the customer’s 918 Spyder.

Worldwide 918 Spyder customers can begin ordering this special edition 911 Turbo S sports car today, and customer deliveries will start later in 2011. The U.S. base manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the Coupe and Cabriolet versions are the same as the standard 911 Turbo S models, $160,700 and $172,100 respectively, excluding destination.

Traditionally Lambo’s have been all about the engine, speed and aerodynamics.  But one look at the cockpit of the Aventador LP700-4 and you might change your mind.  

The dashboard, including the speedometer, dials and the 3D enabled GPS are all rendered on LCD screens using a Tegra powered chip.  To be clear, that’s 3D graphics, not 3D visuals.  Tucked under “the hood” is a 691hp V12 hood, which gives the super car a retail price of $350k.    That’s some serious coin, but so is all of this tech.

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We’ve all done it.  Driven down a narrow road way only to find that there isn’t enough room to turn around and drive out.  The result?  A haphazardous backing out maneuver that could possibly lead to getting your vehicle t-boned upon rentry to a busy street.

The Tata Pixel concept however, can perform a u-turn in as little as 3 meters of radius space.  How?  It sports a prototype transmission called “infinitely variable” that can independently spin each rear wheel in an opposing direction allowing the car to maneuver similar to that of a tank.

The car debuts at the Geneva auto show, but we don’t know when and if it will go on sale.

[Thanks, Chintan]

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It would seem like Tesla’s Model S EV can’t arrive soon enough.

While we knew pricing for the vehicle would be about $50,000 after US tax credits, we didn’t know the launch schedule or what else we should expect in terms of class options.  Now the company’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales & Ownership Experience, George Blankenship, has loosened his lips and spilled some beans on the upcoming all electric car.

The Model S will arrive mid-2012.  The first 1000 cars off the line will be the North American Model S Signature Series.  These vehicles will be packed with a 300 mile range battery and feature unique badging along with extensive complement of options.  Come late 2012, Tesla will deliver the models that provide a 230 and 160 mile range.  Pricing for those units be $59,900 and $49,900 after the $7500 federal tax credits, though they haven’t made an official decision in terms of pricing for the signature series.

Tesla expects to roll out 5,000 units in 2012 and ramp up to 20,000 units per year by 2013.

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Got any plans to enter a burning building?  Yes, we’re talking to you Mr. Fireman or the guy (or gal) that has a tendency to crash race cars filled to the brim with rocket fuel.

This suit can protect its users for up to 12 seconds in excess of 1,800 degrees F.  That isn’t to say you won’t suffer second degree burns, but that’s a small price to pay seeing at today’s fire retardant suits would result in a firey death in as little as five seconds.

The suit is designed by Lamination Technologies of Pennsylvania.  It uses artificial fibers spun into a fire-proof yarn that can be exposed to flames and no matter what won’t light on fire.  Course, as we already pointed out, the temperature on the inside of the suit will rise to a deathly high level and burn it’s victim into a crisp, provided the exposure is long enough.

Lamination Technologies is currently working on a race car version of the suit to be worn by the driver of the 1,000 MPH Bloodhound rocket car.

Via: Gizmodo

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Drives like a luxury car complemented by a quiet interior
• Bluetooth works flawlessly for calls and music, plus AUX and USB inputs
• Roomy interior

Con:

• 100 mile range
• Takes 8 hours to charge on a 220 volt plug
• Mommy mobile like form factor

A few weekends ago I had the luxury of driving Nissan’s all electric car, the Leaf. It travels up to 100 miles on a single charge, and drives like a luxury car despite lacking all the fine lines and moldings of one.

Unlike a traditional, gas guzzling vehicles of today there are no gears, no engine and no start up noise. Powering on the vehicle requires the simple push of a button and the key is merely a fob that transmits a wireless signal to the car’s computer.

From the outside and inside it’s almost impossible to tell that the Leaf is electric. Instead of a fuel cap on the backside of the vehicle, it features a lid that pops open in place of the radiator and reveals two charging ports; 240 and 480 volts.

This is the “fuel cap” that flips open by an interior switch to reveal a 220v and 480v plug

The interior dash of the Nissan leaf as well as the center console is outfitted with the usual arrangement of goodies found in today’s modern vehicles. However, there is an ‘eco tree gauge’ that displays how efficiently you’re driving. The more green or eco conscience you drive, the faster you’ll grow your eco tree. Additional eco info can be accessed via the center console’s 7-inch touch display, which is also used for dialing in directions and locating charging stations. Check out the video for more on this.

To further motivate you, Nissan has instituted some game theory into the eco aspect of driving. The system will rank you according to other Nissan EV drivers in terms of not only kilowatts used per hour while driving, but by comparing the amount of eco trees you’ve produced since your purchase. The system is called CarWings, and wraps a number of other eco offerings into one menu, allowing you to update the location of charging stations and access other tools. A dedicated button provides instant access to all of these features.

The Leaf’s headlights are designed to reduce drag and noise

Under the center console are a variety of plugs, including a USB and AUX input. But those, as they did for me, will be forgotten once you’ve paired your phone to the car’s Bluetooth. I’m not one to wax poetic about Bluetooth, but the Leaf’s works stunningly well. After the initial pairing it was a none issue and required no manual input. Incoming calls?  No problem. Streaming music via Pandora? Instantaneous. Usually you have to manually prompt the system or iPhone to do all this, but it all happens seamlessly with the Leaf. Callers said I sounded a bit distant, but I had no problem carrying on a casual conversation while driving down the PCH to Malibu and back. But, keep in mind that using the USB or Aux input will result in better sound quality – that goes without saying.

The gauges on the dash are perfectly placed allowing you to quickly glance at your speed and other pertinent info. The steering wheel is outfitted with a variety of controls that range from answering a call to instituting cruise control. I did take issue with the four buttons located behind the left side of the steering wheel that control the dash’s HUD; they’re arranged in a counter intuitive manner, don’t mimic the menu’s layout and nor is it immediately evident that they can be used to manipulate this info.

7-inch touchscreen nav and audio system – climate control just below

Driving the Nissan Leaf is an experience in upon itself. Sure, the inside’s features and creature comforts make for a lux experience, but it’s the ride and handling that are the true jewel of this vehicle. At first I was a bit apprehensive since my every day drive is a petrol powered, stick shift vehicle. The Leaf lacks a transmission and the traditional gear leaver has been replaced by a small joystick like knob that shifts you into park with a push of button or drive or reverse by flicking it up or down when pressed into the left most position. A lever, which could be mistaken for the center console box latch, controls the e-brake and doubles as a hill start since it auto disengages when pulling forward; it doesn’t disengage in reverse. Lastly, there is an eco-mode that can be entered by shifting the lever twice into Drive and simply reduces the sensitivity of the accelerometer, thus saving you power by reducing the weight of your would be ‘lead foot’.

Because the Leaf is electric there is absolutely zero noise when the vehicle is started. First time passengers were in such awe that most were willing to place a handsome bet that the vehicle wasn’t “running” – they zipped up when I pulled away.  The car emits a slight whizzing noise upon initial launch, something analogous to that of a scene from the movie “Minority Report”. After that it drives like an every day vehicle. Initial acceleration, or low end torque is present, but the Leaf lacks torque at the high end, making it a bit challenging, though not impossible by any account, to suddenly overtake vehicles at highway speeds. Don’t get me wrong, you can go well above 80mph in this vehicle, it just won’t happen at a rocket ship like speed as found in the Tesla Roadster.  It’s performance is probably comparable to that of a 4-cylinder gas vehicle.  In the corners the Leaf is agile and responsive as is the braking.  I drove it through some of the canyons found in Malibu and the Pacific Palisades, and the Leaf elicited very little body roll and communicated the road’s conditions accordingly.

The eco tree (left) shows how green you’re driving

In terms of comparison of other electric vehicles, I had the luxury of driving an Electric Mini during the same weekend. In fact it was all rather blissful. I was down to my last 20 miles when an e-Mini pulled in front of me and parked. He got out and we began to chat. No sooner than I could say yes, I was driving the all electric Mini around the block. It’s a completely different monster, and the operative word here is monster. By comparison to the Leaf, the E-Mini drives like a tank. Granted it has an automatic regenerative braking system, the ride isn’t nearly as light or smooth. It’s stiff, cold and takes concentration to drive. After this experience I was better able to ascertain how much engineering has gone into the Leaf to make it drive similar to the gas powered car’s we’ve become accustom to. The E-Mini however is an experimental vehicle that will probably never see production, so by no means is it a great comparison, but provides perspective nonetheless.

The 100 mile range of the Nissan isn’t something to take lightly.  Despite residing in LA, which is packed with a number of charging stations, it’s something that you – at least I did – will always remain cognisant of, especially if your trip calls for significant highway driving, since the Leaf’s charge drops off more rapidly at faster speeds.  A battery’s charge is influenced by a number of things; the big one is how aggressive you request power.

The solar panel is used for charging gadgets plugged into the Leaf

Nissan says you can maximize your miles by traveling 28 miles per hour at 68 degree F.  I took a road trip to Malibu on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  I started with a full 100 mile charge.  Well aware of my remaining miles, I began to feel a bit panic stricken when the gauge dropped below 40 miles and I knew I still needed to return home despite my ride home being less than 30 miles. Psychologically it will take time to become accustom with the advent of electric cars; it’s just a different beast and right now calls for, as it should, more conservative driving with an emphasis placed on how many miles you consume and where you’re going – all part of the eco street cred that can be attributed to an electric car.  However, on one occasion the fuel gauge did jump from 10 miles to “empty” within a few hundred feet of travel. Perhaps it is a safety mechanism to insure a driver doesn’t find themselves stranded in the middle of no where, but a disconcerting experience nonetheless, and one I wasn’t willing to take.

For now, the Nissan charging stations are too impractical for a quick charge since the 220 volt stations take up to 8 hours for a full charge.  At your expense (about $2,000) you can have your home outfitted with a 220 volt plug or alternatively you can utilize the included home trickle charger which will take about 20 hours for a full charge.  For those of you concerned about your electricity costs, even though the Leaf will on average cost about $3 for a full charge, you can set the Leaf to charge at “off peak” hours when energy costs are less, which is generally at night time.  However, Nissan has commissioned a company to produce a number of stations up and down the I-5, which will hopefully support 480 volt charging, which means an 80% charge in as little as 30 minutes.  It’s still not comparable to filling your gas tank, but it’s the right step in the right direction.  A company by the name of Better Place has been pushing for “battery stations” that instead of filling up your “tank”, quick switch the dead battery for a freshly charged one.  It remains to be seen which car companies will adopt this technology and if it will become the standard.  Nissan seems determined to develop charging stations, at least for now.

Pardon the cliche, but aesthetics aside the Nissan Leaf fires on all cylinders, despite not physically boasting any.  The range of 100 miles while short, should suffice for most commuters and makes you, the driver, more cognizant of your driving consumption.  A 100 mile range is just the the tip of the iceberg when it comes to an electric vehicle’s range, and as we’ve already seen from the likes of Tesla a greater range is already feasible, though at an exuberant cost.

Nissan’s Leaf was able to obtain a 99 mpg fuel rating since the EPA uses a formula where 33.7 kWhs are equivalent to one gallon of gasoline energy, which is the amount of energy the Leaf consumes when traveling 100 miles.  It’s a tad mind boggling to think that a vehicle can travel 100 miles on the equivalent of one gallon of gas.  You can probably thank the automakers for this, since they’ve supposedly been in bed with the US government to manipulate our car’s crappy fuel economy thus insuring that gasoline remains in demand.  That is provided of course you’re willing to subscribe to a conspiracy theory or two.  So with that all said, there is some mixed emotion that comes with owning a “fuel efficient” vehicle, especially since it comes from a car company that has long pushed the gas guzzlers.

There is some anxiety that is inherently built into driving the Leaf since it can’t be charged up as quickly as it takes to fill your car with petrol.  With that said, the Nissan Leaf is not for the overly aggressive driver, those that take long commutes or don’t have 8 hours to spare for a complete charge.  The Leaf costs upwards of $25,000 after tax credits and at best you’ll probably achieve 80 highway miles on a single charge thanks to battery tech, which is the opposite of fuel powered vehicles which achieve a greater distances at a highway speeds.  But despite any short comings that the Leaf may have, it’s a zippy and handsomely featured car that has set the bar for all future electric vehicles in this price range.