Saturday, January 31, 2009

Honda Element Gets Extreme Makeover - Daisy Singer by Philo Northrup

Philo Northrup is responsible for giving his Honda Element named Daisy Singer an extreme makeover and in his own words this is what he had to say:
"Daisy Singer is so named because of two objects attached to it. I started to artify this brand new 2004 Honda Element in Marcola, Oregon, with my mentor, Jack DeVore. He had an old SINGER sewing machine treadle and an old DAISY stove door. The names on these iron relics just seemed to fit for some strange reason. Later I found out that Daisy Singer, sewing machine heiress, left her fortune to whoever found her will in a bottle. She tossed this bottle into London's Thames River in 1937, and it washed ashore in San Francisco in 1949 to be found by a very lucky beachcomber named, of course, Jack.
So Daisy Singer it is!
My ambitions with this ArtCar are formal, not thematic, focusing on design & texture. I am creating something antique and curvilinear out of a new shoebox. I am indulging my love of oxidation - the patina of decay. Daisy is an earthy ArtCar, which fits in nicely with the fiery Truck in Flux, and the aquatic Buick of Unconditional Love. Like the Buick of Unconditional Love and the Truck in Flux, this ArtCar features a living garden on the roof.
Daisy has already traveled extensively from Canada to Arizona and I plan to take it on ArtCar tours to schools & hospitals around North America." via
Daisy Singer by Philo Northrup
Daisy Singer by Philo Northrup

Daisy Singer Door Panel Close Up
Daisy Singer Door Panel Close Up

How Berkeley Can You Get? Art Car Fest Video

This Art Car Fest video was taken on my first event with my Mercedes Pens Art Car and was featured in it as well. They interviewed artists from all over the US & Canada who gathered for the 2005 ArtCar Fest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of the other art cars also featured were: Amethyst, Cinnabar Charm, Temple Bus, Siren, Von Tiki, La Sirena, Science Is Golden, Periodic Table Car, Glass Quilt, Daisy Singer, Truck In Flux, Buick of Unconditional Love, Banana Bike, Sopa Box Derby Coffin and many others. Enjoy

Amethyst The Magic Bus by Samonberry

Samonberry is the creator of the Amethyst the Magic Bus who learned his craft at the Old-world school of Gypsy Painters. His art is very true to the original psychedelic art of the 60's and has managed to do a great job of capturing that era. His art includes posters, stickers, fine art, clothing along with this amazing 72 VW bus called Amethyst. I saw Samonberry at my first Art Car Fest in 2005 and was also featured in a video in which he describes how his art car came about.

Amethyst The Magic Bus by Samonberry
Amethyst The Magic Bus by Samonberry

Amethyst The Magic Bus

Cadillac Voltec-powered Converj

American cars were once the epitome of massive gas-guzzlers but today all the once-great but now- struggling "big three" are working flat out on alternative fuels and smaller vehicles. Another example is the electric- powered Cadillac Converj concept that was one of the star exhibits at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Cadillac Voltec-powered ConverjDeveloped as a well-appointed grand touring 2+2 coupe with strong design cues and lots of interactive technology, the four-passenger car is intended to show how GM's Voltec electric-propulsion technology could be used to power a luxury coupe.Voltec gives the car a range of up to 65km of petrol- and emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds more kilometres.

With a top speed of 160km/h, the car has independent MacPherson struts, front magnetic ride, a compound crank-twist rear, four-wheel disc brakes, full regenerative brakes to maximise energy capture and electric power-assisted steering. It has a 2742mm wheelbase, massive 21-inch wheels at the front and 22s at the rear, and is 4620mm long, 1883mm wide and 1368mm high.

The Cadillac's Voltec electric propulsion system comprises a 16-kWh, T-shaped battery, an electric drive unit and a four-cylinder engine- generator and electricity is its primary energy source. A thermally managed battery pack with more than 220 lithium-ion cells is integrated into the Converj's chassis and stores electricity from the grid when the vehicle is plugged in. It takes less than three hours to recharge the battery at 240V, or about eight hours from a 120V outlet.

When the battery's energy is low, the Converj seamlessly switches to extended-range mode. During this secondary level of operation, electricity needed to power the vehicle is created on-board by a flex-fuel- powered engine that operates rather like a home generator to create electricity. Irrespective of whether the car is in electric or extended-range mode, the Converj is propelled by an electric- drive unit that converts into mechanical energy the battery's electrical energy or the energy from the engine-generator. The energy generated during braking is captured and stored in the battery and the driver has 370Nm of instant torque and 120kW of power to play with.

The aerodynamically designed Cadillac Voltec-powered Converj uses GM's magnetic ride control and the car's all-glass roof incorporates solar panels that help offset power drain from the vehicle's accessories. To reduce drag, there is a full under-vehicle cover and small grille openings and low-profile rear-vision cameras replace conventional outside mirrors.

© Source: theautochannel
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Dodge Viper ACR 642 CV and 813 Nm – Video

The Dodge Viper doesn’t have ‘just’ 600hp, as the manufacturer has officially declared, but actually a good 642, as revealed by a dynograph test from Dragtimes. The experiment shows that the Dodge Viper could challenge the Corvette ZR1 as America’s fastest and most powerful car. As the guys at Jalopnik say, only a head-to-head test run of the Dodge and Corvette will find out.



© Source: eurocarblog
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New Ford F-150 Pricing

Ford product planners became more than a little concerned over the long term future of the company cash cow, the F-150 pickup. Although the all-new F-150, then undergoing final testing before launch, was a careful evolution of a highly successful formula, no-one knew whether that meant much anymore.

Ford F-150In May, as the average price of a gallon of gas neared $4.00, the F-150 was knocked off the top of the monthly sales charts for the first time in 17 years, outsold by Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord. That sent a chill through Dearborn: Ford's product planners knew that for most of the 30-plus years the F-150 had reigned as America's -- the world's - best selling vehicle, gas had cost $2 a gallon or less. The world had changed. America was changing. Maybe the F-150 would have to change, too.

The solution wasn't rocket science: develop a pickup truck that was smaller and lighter. The product planners looked at three options -- adapting the T6 Ranger pickup being developed by The T6 Ranger was discounted because it was simply too small. A D4-based unibody truck looked costly and time consuming. That left a lighter truck built around the new F-150 hardware.

The more the product planners looked at it, the more appealing the idea appeared. The new Ford F-150 frame, designed to deliver maximum towing and payload capacity, was stoutly engineered, and therefore heavy. A revised frame, built to the smaller 126 in. and 133 in. F-150 wheelbases (which would allow a regular cab model with a 6.5 ft bed and a Supercab model with a 5.5 ft bed) and optimized for lower towing and payload, could be made lighter. Lighter wheels, tires, and suspension components could be used.

Body-on-frame construction mean a unique cab and front clip could be relatively inexpensively engineered. The F-150 beds could be carried over. Powertrains would be Ecoboost four cylinder and V-6 turbos. The V-6 looked especially promising -- even in a relatively mild state of tune the 3.7-liter turbo could pump out more power and torque than the F-150's base V-8.

The Ford F-150 could tow 11,300 lb, more than anything in its class. They reasoned that if the F-100 was to be Ford truck tough it, too, would need an impressive towing number. They picked, quite arbitrarily, say my sources, 7500 lb. That pushed up the overall vehicle weight. It pushed up cost. It killed engine choices. And in the end, it killed the F-100, too, when Kuzak and marketing boss Jim Farley rightly concluded that suddenly they didn't have the 21st century, $4-a-gallon pickup truck they thought they once had.

© Source: motortrend
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Lamborghini factory in 1968 – Vintage car video

This vintage car video shows the Lamborghini factory in 1968 when the stars of Lamborghini workmanship were the Miura, the Islero and the Espada. The Marzal concept car also gets a look in, the forerunner to the Espada designed by Bertone. This is five minutes of pure nostalgia, with only the sound of the V12 missing.



© Source: eurocarblog
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2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition

(from Mercedes-Benz Press Release) Stuttgart – The new 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition special-edition model sees Mercedes-Benz introducing a new highlight to the segment for four-door premium coupes. A matt designo paint finish lends spectacular definition to the lines of the coupe and makes the CLS Grand Edition really catch the eye. This exclusive style is echoed in the interior with high-grade designo leather and high-quality equipment details. All of which makes the multi-design-award-winning Mercedes-Benz Coupe unmistakable.

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand EditionCoupes are truly special cars. Not least the Mercedes Coupes, which have always epitomised automotive elegance, exclusivity and refinement at the very highest level. With the CLS, Mercedes-Benz paved the way for four-door coupйs. The trend-setting model from Stuttgartinspires coupe enthusiasts with its exciting and muscular styling.

There are four engine variants available for the CLSGrand Edition, including the V6 unit for the entry-level CLS280 model and, perhaps most impressively of all, the CGIdirect-injection power plant for the CLS350 CGImodel, offering high output and low fuel consumption. This V6 engine with piezoelectric direct injection and spray-guided combustion develops 215 kW/292 hp and consumes just 9.1 litres of premium unleaded petrol per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined).

The Mercedes-Benz CLSGrand Edition can be ordered from January 2, 2009. Prices start at 67,294.50 Euros incl. VAT (CLS280 Grand Edition). The deliveries to customers start in March 2009.

© Source: seriouswheels
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2010 Porsche 911 GT3 – Video

Having unveiled its new generation Porsche 911 GT3 just yesterday, Porsche has also released a short showcase teaser with legendary rally driver Walter Röhrl behind the wheel. Combining precision handling, wild styling and an unassuming normally-aspirated flat-six engine, the GT3 proves equally competent on the track as it is on the road.



© Source: caradvice
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Friday, January 30, 2009

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG photo
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG photos
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG interior
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG interior

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG photo
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG photos
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG interior
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG interior

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Pictures

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren pics
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren pics
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren dashboard
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren dashboard

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class picture
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class picture
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class dashboard
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class dashboard

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC images
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC images
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC interior
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC interior

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 Pictures

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 Pictures
2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 Pictures
2008 Mercedes-Benz E550
2008 Mercedes-Benz E550
2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 interior
2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 interior

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG interior
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG interior

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 pics
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 pics
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 images
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 images

2008 Maserati GranTurismo Pictures

2008 Maserati GranTurismo
2008 Maserati GranTurismo
2008 Maserati GranTurismo pictures
2008 Maserati GranTurismo pictures
2008 Maserati GranTurismo interior
2008 Maserati GranTurismo interior

2008 Lotus Elise Pictures

2008 Lotus Elise
2008 Lotus Elise
2008 Lotus Elise pictures
2008 Lotus Elise pictures
2008 Lotus Elise dashboard
2008 Lotus Elise dashboard

2008 Lexus IS F Pictures


2008 Lexus IS F Pictures
2008 Lexus IS F
2008 Lexus IS F
2008 Lexus IS F interior
2008 Lexus IS F interior

2008 Jeep Liberty Pictures

2008 Jeep Liberty
2008 Jeep Liberty
2008 Jeep Liberty pictures
2008 Jeep Liberty pictures
2008 Jeep Liberty interior
2008 Jeep Liberty interior

Biofuel powered Extreme Bentley to debut at Geneva Motor Show

With a little more than a month left until the Geneva Motor Show starts, Bentley has announced today that one of their stand’s starts will be what they call their fastest and most powerful production car ever. Of course, that’s interesting, but not that interesting, you might say. But that’s not all. The car, named “Extreme Bentley” so far, will run on biofuel.

Extreme Bentley That’s about all the details the British company has released, but considering the current most powerful Bentley is a 600 hp beast, we can only dream about what the Geneva car will be like. And about the biofuel part, the guys from Autoblog expect to see an ethanol adapted version of the twin-turbocharged W12 that powers the most powerful Bentley in production.

© Source: autounleashed
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The new Porsche museum opening January 31 – Video

Exactly four years after Viennese architect Delgan Meissl won the competition to design the Porsche museum, tomorrow Porsche will open the museum to the public. The structure will house 80 vehicles, of which some will rotate through international shows dedicated to historic Porsches. Among some of the most important vehicles is the first Porsche built in 1948, some rare versions of the Porsche 356, the McLaren TAG MP4/2 with Porsche engine, and a large display of competition and series cars. A classic Volkswagen, forerunner of the original Porsche and project from Ferdinand Porsche, will also be on display.



© Source: eurocarblog
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Mercedes Benz E Class Coupe spied in Spain

A couple of days ago we showed you a few leaked photos of the new E Class Coupe, Mercedes’ replacement for the current CLK and now we’ve got the first photos showing the car on the street. The vehicle was photographed in Mallorca, Spain during an internal event for employees, by the guys from Motorpasion and it has minimal camouflage; except for the headlights and tail lights, which are covered, the car is completely undisguised.

Mercedes Benz E Class CoupeSo, what do you think, will Mercedes be able to compete with the other German luxury coupes, like the 3 Series Coupe or the Audi A5/S5? I think they can, because, like any other Mercedes model, they’ve decided to go for more stylish and less aggressive, which I think will appeal to a lot of customers.

© Source: autounleashed
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2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE view
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE view
Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE

Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
Base Price $15,670
Vehicle layout Front-engine, FWD
Engine 2.2L/155-hp/150-lb-ft DOHC 4-cyl
Transmission 5-speed manual
Curb weight (dist f/r) 2780 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase 103.3 in
Length x width x height 180.3 x 67.9 x 55.7 in
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 25 / 37 mpg
MT observed mileage 24.4 mpg (combined city/hwy)
CO2 emissions 0.66 lb/mile

2009 Cadillac CTS-V views and specs

2009 Cadillac CTS-V
2009 Cadillac CTS-V
2009 Cadillac CTS-V views
2009 Cadillac CTS-V views
2009 Cadillac CTS-V interior
2009 Cadillac CTS-V interior

2009 Cadillac CTS-V
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
Drivetrain layout Front engine, RWD
Engine type Supercharged 90 deg V-8, alum block and heads
Valvetrain OHV, 2 valves/cyl
Displacement 362.1 cu in/6162 cc
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Power (SAE NET) 556 hp @ 6100 rpm*
Torque (SAE NET) 551 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm*
Redline 6200 rpm
Weight to power 7.7 lb/hp
Transmission 6-sp automatic; 6-sp manual
Axle/final 3.23:1/2.16:1, auto; 3.73:1/2.35:1, man
Suspension, front; rear Control arms, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar
Steering ratio 16.1:1
Turns lock-to-lock 2.8
Brakes, f;r 15.0-in vented disc; 14.7-in vented disc, ABS
Wheels 9.0 x 19-in; 9.5 x 19-in, forged aluminum
Tires 255/40R-19 96Y; 285/35R-19 99Y Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 113.4 in
Track, f/r 61.8/62.0 in
Length x width x height 191.6 x 72.5 x 58.0 in
Turning circle 37.9 ft
Curb weight 4281 lb (auto), 4292 (man)
Weight dist., f/r 54/46% (auto); 53/47 (man)
Seating capacity 5
Headroom, f/r 38.8/37.2 in
Legroom, f/r 42.4/35.9 in
Shoulder room, f/r 56.7/57.4 in
Cargo volume 13.6 cu ft