Auto Sources

Filed under: Car Buying

While it might seem that the coolest automobiles are only available to those with means, the industry continues to compete most heavily in their largest volume segments. The result is that there is a wealth of “cool cars” available for less than $18,000, and Kelly Blue Book has compiled a list of their top ten for 2008.

The list – composed mainly of domestics and Japanese automobiles – includes the Ford Focus, Honda Fit, Jeep Patriot, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Pontiac Vibe, Scion xB, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki SX4 and Volkswagen Rabbit. Several of the automobiles stayed on the list from last year, however some are newcomers to the Blue Book ranking. Among the factors KBB included in their decision were safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort, technology, fun-to-drive and the intangible “cool” factor. KBB also notes that many of the cars on the list are packed with features like sat-nav, music drives, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, push-button begin and leather seating. While many of those features – like the push-button ignition and iPod connector – cost close to nothing for carmakers to include, many of the features were only available on top-of-the-line luxury automobiles just a few years ago.

Follow the jump for the press release or the link to KBB.com for more information on the top ten coolest cars on a budget.

[Source: Kelly Blue Book]

Continue reading Book Value: KBB lists Top 10 under $18k for 2008

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Celebrities

Click above for pic gallery. Follow the jump for the music video.

The music video for the updated Speed Racer theme, “Go Speed Racer Go”, has hit the internet, and while the song itself gets annoying after a couple of verses (how many times can you listen to that refrain before going insane?), the actual video is mesmerizing. There’s a lot of footage that hasn’t been seen in the trailers and ads so far, and the cartoon come-to-life visuals are simply eye-popping. In that respect, anyone who ponies up ten bucks for a ticket is going to get his or her money’s worth. Hopefully, the strength of the story can match the undeniable visual power the Wachowski’s onscreen kaleidoscope is set to deliver. At least one early review indicates that may not be the case, unfortunately. We’ll wait ’till we see it ourselves next weekend to pass final judgement. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the new video after the jump.

[Source: Ain't It Cool News]

Continue reading Eye Candy: “Go Speed Racer Go” music video

Filed under: Motorsports, Volkswagen

For several years now, Volkswagen has been running diesel-powered Touaregs in a variety of off-road series around the world, including the Dakar Rally, and in the last couple of years, they’ve won their classes at the Baja 500 and Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The versions used so far have run either a 2.5L five-cylinder engine or the 5.0L V10. Arciero-Miller Racing announced at last year’s SEMA show that it was building a new Touareg to compete in the SCORE Trophy Truck Open Production – Unlimited Class. During the inaugural Jetta TDI Cup race last weekend, VW of America PR boss Steve Keyes revealed that the new truck would be powered by the 6.0L V12 TDI diesel that’s going into the Audi Q7 TDI V12. That is also the same engine that propels the Audi R8 TDI concept. The tube frame Touareg Trophy Truck will be covered with body work developed by VW that looks vaguely like a Touareg while being a foot longer. The automaker hasn’t announced were it will unveil the new off-road racer this fall, but it is scheduled to run in the Baja 1000 this November.

[Source: Diesel Forecast]

Filed under: Sports/GTs, Videos, Nissan

The Nissan GT-R is a legend in the making, and hardly a week goes by without the twin-turbo beast doing something amazing. Equally legendary for gaming enthusiasts is the Gran Turismo series, which is the best-selling Playstation game of all time, and the mother of all digital racing competitions. GT creator Kazunori Yamauchi, not surprisingly a hard-core automobile enthusiast, got behind the wheel of the Nissan GT-R and hit 193 mph just for kicks.

Hit the jump for video of Yamauchi racing around a wet Nurburgring in the GT-R. The legendary game creator held his own on the daunting track in very bad conditions, and the GT-R looks and sounds devilish as it pounds through the ‘Ring’s challenging bends. During his ten laps of the ‘Ring, Yamauchi hit .6 on the G-meter when the GT-R forcefully kicked out on him, which rightfully scared the daylights out of him. Yamauchi also said that driving the GT-R was less like driving a thoroughbred and more like sitting astride a lion. While we don’t think Yamauchi has ever driven a lion, but we get the point. He also stated that playing Gran Turismo helped him keep a good racing line on the ‘Ring, which prompted this blogger to immediately get GT5 Prologue (true story).

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gran Turimso creator takes the GT-R up to 193 mph

Filed under: Contests, India

We’ve heard the styling of some Italian vehicles being referred to as sensual before, so it comes as tiny surprise that the Italian styling firm Pininfarina’s interest was piqued when it heard that a young Indian’s automobile designs were inspired by the ancient love-making guide Kama Sutra. Ramesh Gound, a student of the National Institute of design in India states, “When I thought of what the world associates with India, it is Kama Sutra that came to my mind. After studying Kama Sutra, I realized its essence and my theme emerged — two objects coming together and moving in one direction with a force of passion.” He adds, “the exteriors of the body curve and become part of the interiors of the automobile.” Yeah… so it sounds like his studies into Kama Sutra proved useful. For all of his hard work, Gound was rewarded with an internship at the famous Italian design house.

[Source: Times of India]