Google’s Self-Driving Car

Google’s self-driving car is growing up right in front of our eyes: The fledgling autonomous vehicle program recently passed its driver’s license test in Nevada, the first license of its kind in the United States. Obtaining Nevada’s self-driving car license clears the way for Google to test its technology on public roads in the state.

Google’s modified Toyota Prius was given the thumbs up after successful test drives in Carson City and on the Las Vegas strip. Alongside the special license, Nevada also issued the car a unique set of red license plates that include the infinity symbol and the words “autonomous car.” With any luck, those plates should differentiate all the other vehicles on the road from Google’s car, which has cameras and radar equipment strapped to the roof.

Bentley EXP 9 F Concept SUV

Bentley is set to put in production their new concept idea the EXP 9 SUV this year. The SUV will be debuted today @ the Geneva Motor Show, with awesome features such as; an 6.0 liter twin turbo-charged W12 engine, all leather insides with hand-stitched lining and the latest upgrades in communication an audio.

Swizz Beatz to serve as a lotus high-profile consultant.

HETHEL, England — Taking a page from the Victoria Beckham and Land Rover playbook, Lotus announced on Monday that it has hired Grammy-winning rapper and producer Swizz Beatz to serve as a high-profile consultant.

“The key is to infiltrate the market in a cool way,” said Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Daoud Dean, in a Lotus video showing the rapper’s first day at work.

The video follows Beatz as he arrives at Lotus in a helicopter, is driven in a Lotus on a racetrack and later advises teams of Lotus employees, including CEO Dany Bahar.

The best is for “things to happen organically,” Beatz expounds.

“They want flash,” Beatz says in describing prospective Lotus buyers. Continue reading “Swizz Beatz to serve as a lotus high-profile consultant.” »

1966 Porsche 906 Carrera Competition Coupe Up For Auction

Currently up for auction and worth about $900,000-$1.1 million, the 1966 Porsche 906 Carrera Competition Coupe offers a top speed of 170 mph and only gets 220 hp from its 2-liter flax-six cylinder engine. Sporting some heavy futuristic design cues, the Competition Coupe features original multi-tubular chassis frame and a new FIA-approved roll cage. Only 66 of these babies were ever made, with this particular one winning a 1967 Australian Championship.

2012 Redesigned Volkswagen Beetle

by Kay Layne

Volkswagen recently released its newly designed Beetle. This 3^rd generation “Love Bug” is trying to shed its cutesy image. The Beetle’s overall look is a touch more edgy and bold.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle (picture courtesy of VW)

This new car is designed around the first original Beetle profile rather than the second generation. Gone is the semi circle design that was found on the front wing, rear wing and domed roof of the 1998 version. Continue reading “2012 Redesigned Volkswagen Beetle” »

Eco Car: Nissan LEAF

Forget about answering the question “Who killed the electric car?” That’s because Nissan is bringing the electric car back from the dead. Sure, the Tesla Roadster has made the electric car cool again, but the 2011 Nissan Leaf is the first, full-electric mainstream vehicle to be put on sale for the American consumer.(forget about those own modified from gasoline to electric model)

This Nissan Leaf is endowed with a lithium-ion battery powered motor that boasts a driving range of 200km when fully charged. it also comes with a unique energy regeneration technology that vastly reduces energy loss brought on by hydraulic braking, well deserving of its recent certification from US Environment Protection Agency as the most efficient vehicle yet.

Paired with a futuristic body anchored by a sleek front with a large, elongated LED headlights with blue reflective design, the car nails its green status further with an extensive use of recycled and recyclable materials in its construction, resulting in an impressive 99% recoverability rate. Continue reading “Eco Car: Nissan LEAF” »

Miss Pearl – custom 1954 Cadillac roadster

This is big. This is a custom 1954 Cadillac roadster named Miss Pearl. This white lady began as a 1954 series 62 Cadillac but after Motorama-inspired ideas it became a fully custom 4-seater. It was designed and built by Patrick Douglas with the help of his crew at Douglas Designs. Every panel is rebuilt, the frame is custom made tubular one and the Northstar 32-valve engine is taken from Cadillac XLR. So has transmission, suspensions, brakes. The dark wood floors, steering wheel, and side panel accents were inspired by the wooden boats on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Miss Pearl — the ultimate land yacht.

BMW M3 CRT

With the top spot of being one of the best coupe’s ever, BMW’s new M3 takes the cake with preformance that is unrivaled. They have made weight-reductions to this model in the form of; new carbon-fiber technology in almost the whole car and also with titanium muffler’s and light-weight wheels. The set price is 185,000$ USD

Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

Dodge Houston; 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Review, Price and Images – The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 use the rather peaky 6.1-liter V-8 for more midrange torque. For the 2011 Challenger SRT8 will come with new hydroelastic engine mounts, suppress idle shake, better control the engine’s, stiffer suspension bushings, rear anti roll bars, a steering ratio quickened from 16.1:1 to 14.4:1, and an increase in the front negative camber from 0.8 degree to 1.4 degrees.

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Interior

The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will use the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercars tires.The steering wheel also 1 inch smaller in diameter than the old Challenger’s wagon wheel. There also have small detail enhancements such as a brushed metal look center console. The Dodge gave a big block with 0.9 mm increase in bore to 103.9 and a 3.6 mm stretch to the stroke to 94.5, for a total of 6410 cc.

This car can makes 470 hp at 6000 rpm, 470 lb ft of torque, a gain of 50 lb-ft with the old engine painted Hemi Orange. There are two systems that work together to give the 6.4 much greater punch in the 2000 to 4000 rpm range where the 6.1 was somewhat wheezy. According to McCarthy say’s 50 percent of Challenger SRT8s are will sold as manuals.

SRT8 392 Right Front

The twin disc clutch in front of the Tremec TR-6060 six speed has been changed to accept the greater power and the pistol grip shifter’s throws are shorter. The Challenger SRT8 can move 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds at 114 mph. The accelerate until stop you can get 0.88 on the skidpad and a clipped 160 foot stopping distance from 70 mph.

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Specifications
Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe
Engine Type: pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 391 cu in, 6410 cc
Power : 470 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque : 470 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
Transmissions: 6-speed manual

Front of Challenger SRT8 392

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 116.0 in
Length: 197.7 in
Width: 75.7 in
Height: 57.1 in
Curb weight: 4203 lb

Test Result:Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 16.3 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 24.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 114 mph
Top speed (drag limited, est.): 170 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 160 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g

Fuel:EPA city/highway driving: 14/23 mpg
observed: 17 mpg

BMW 328 Hommage

As one of the greatest 25 cars in our century, this cold-blooded concept is why your imagination is limitless and with a thought it can become reality. At a Ultra-light weight of 1,720lb’s with an carbon-fiber body, this car is one in a million and also features a door-less design.

Maybach Exelero

Since it’s initial release in 2005, the Maybach Exelero has only had one owner which is Birdman of Cash Money Records. Priced at 8 mllion USD it has one mega sales note, also under the hood it has an 5.9l twin turbo v12 engine that pumps out 700hp. With a 0-60 time of 4.4 secs and an top speed of 218 this is one beastly car, with collaboration from tiremakers Fulda & Pforzhiem Polytechnic Department of Transport Design they have made one amazing car. Reminds me of an 2025 batmoblile….

Ford Mustang CS California Special

2011 Mustang SC ( California Special )

Ford has reintroduced the California Special package for its 2011 Mustang GT Models. The new California Special Package(402A) is the first built on a 5.0 Liter engine in a Mustang GT. The California Special package 402A includes a unique chrome “Billet” grille with a tri-color Mustang Pony logo, GT/CS faded side stripes, unique lower fascia with fog lights, “GT” Unique 19 inch rims, California Special decklid emblem, premium GT/CS floormats, pedestal rear spoiler, unique rear fascia, California Special interior with unique carbon finish on door panels, instrument panel and leather seats. Available in Coupe or Convertible with a Manual or Automatic transmission. The MSRP for the 402A California Special Package is $1995.00 USD. Visit Houston Ford Dealers