This Ferrari 360 Spider will Leave You… BedazzLED

For some bizarre and unexplainable reason, certain owners of Italian exotic supercars think that adding myriads of LEDs to their vehicles is a very cool idea. After the colorful Lamborghini Diablo and its super-LED trimmed Ferrari F458 counterpart, we bring you yet another bright creation, this time a Ferrari 360 Spider with more flashing lights than a 1990s rave party in Amsterdam… Videos follow after the break. 

VIDEO

Read More

Skoda Remembers the VisionD Concept

We're not sure why, but Skoda has released a new gallery of pictures of its VisionD concept that we first laid eyes on at the Geneva Motor Show back in March 2011. Perhaps it is because the Czech automaker would like to refresh our memory on the design of the VisionD, which according to the company, offers a "clear indication" of the future styling direction for all Skoda models.
That or the VW Group owned company wants to show us how good the VisionD looks alongside a pretty woman...
The VisionD also represents a new proposal for a compact-size fastback with a slinky roofline and a long wheelbase with relatively short overhangs. Skoda says that the car's proportions not only offer a more aggressive stance, but also allow for improved interior space.
We'll remind you that at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this past September, the VW Group company showed the MissionL, a concept for a compact sedan model that drew its styling inspiration from the VisionD.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Video: Perfect Parking Job New York City Style

If you have ever lived in or at least visited a large city like New York, you'll know that, sometimes, finding a parking space can be than harder than searching for a needle in a haystack.

And the worst thing is when you're driving in circles for hours and finally find a free space only to discover that you can't fit in.
Not surprisingly, some drivers are so desperate that they don't care if they have to bump their way to squeeze in, like this owner of an older generation Toyota Camry that just had to park no matter what. A time-lapse video is waiting for you just after the break.

VIDEO

Read More

Christmas News: African Boys Make Homemade Toy Car [Video]

It's a well-known fact that children of all ages and ethnicities enjoy receiving gifts. Nevertheless, it's not uncommon for certain kids in better-off countries and/or families to be overly spoiled and at the same time ungrateful despite getting whatever their hearts desire …and then some more.

This brings us to this video starring a little boy from Africa and his homemade toy car. Even though it's clear that there are much more important concerns in his and his friends' lives, using whatever materials he could get his hands on, he was able to build this simple yet ingenious in its own way, toy car.
Be sure to check out the video past the jump.

VIDEO

Read More

Mechanical Synfonica is an Ode to Orchestra with a Pinch of Good-looking Women

While fast cars and beautiful women are a match made in heaven, producer Alexander Sperr and director Daniel Michaelis took a slightly different turn with their latest clip by incorporating the classic sounds from a symphony orchestra into the mix.

The cars featured in the video are a modified Audi S5 and a BMW 3-Series [E92]. While we can't say that we're too enthusiastic about the editing of the video which was allegedly shot at the Stelvio Pass in Italy, the clip is worth a few minutes of your time. You can check it out after the break.

VIDEO

Read More

Formula 1: Sauber is Third Team to Leave FOTA, Toro Rosso to Follow

A spokeswoman for the Sauber Formula 1 team has confirmed to ESPN that it has sent a letter to the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA), informing them that it will no longer be part of it.

The move makes Sauber the third team after Red Bull and Ferrari to leave FOTA which, ironically, was formed on July 2008 in a meeting in Maranello in order for the F1 teams to present a unified stance in talks with FIA and the Bernie Ecclestone-owned Formula One Group that owns F1’s commercial rights.
Unlike Ferrari and Red Bull, Sauber did not issue an official statement explaining the reasoning behind its decision. We can speculate, though, that its long-lasting link with Ferrari and the use of the Maranello's engines may have something to do with the issue.
According to Autosport, Toro Rosso, another F1 team that is not only powered by Ferrari engines but also has the same owner as Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, is likely to join the trio of teams that abandoned FOTA.

Read More

The 10 Best Engines of the Year 2011

The annual list of Ward's 10 Best Engines of the year has been released. The magazine's editors chose the winners after spending October and November driving 36 vehicles with 34 of those featuring new or significantly upgraded powerplants.
To be eligible to participate in the competition, Ward's states that "each engine must be available in a regular-production U.S.-specification model on sale no later than first-quarter 2012, in a vehicle with a base price below $55,000".
And the winners of this year's competition are:

• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi A6)
• 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW Z4/528i)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i coupe)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Chrysler 300S/Jeep Wrangler)
• 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford Edge)
• 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang Boss 302)
• 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Buick Regal GS)
• 1.6L DOHC I-4 (Hyundai Accent/Kia Soul)
• 2.0L Skyactiv DOHC I-4 (Mazda3)
• 3.5L DOHC V-6 HEV (Infiniti M35h)

The magazine's editors pointed out that seven out of this year's 10 Best Engines came equipped with direct fuel-injection technology.
"With so many engines featuring gasoline direct-injection and forced induction, we're pleased to have a list that is rich in technology," commented Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of WardsAuto World magazine. "Additionally, every engine reinforces the idea that even fuel-efficient vehicles must be fun to drive."
Notably, all 10 engines are gasoline units with no diesel or electric engines making the final cut. The only hybrid powerplant is the Infiniti M35h's V6 unit. Ford and BMW where the only companies to be represented twice in the list, while GM had only one engine, the Buick Regal GS's 2.0L turbo, as did Audi, Chrysler, Hyundai, Mazda and Infiniti.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More