Recently in Automobiles Category

Oh the joy of pulling pranks @ work.  Recently I pulled a fast one on one of my friends at work.  Well, Sophia being the Fast-n-Furious (she's into cars), smart ass and gamer chick that she is...she figured a little payback was in order.  The story was posted on our Microsoft games blog at Gamerscoreblog.  The short of it...several thousand post-its and a couple hours later, my Mustang was lookin like a mighty fine Viva Pinata ride.  :-)  Moral of the story...hell hath no fury like a scorned gamer chick...

Technorati Tags: Automobiles, Gaming, Humor, Microsoft

You absolutely have to LOVE the creative genius behind this commercial.  The entire soundtrack was created by a choir.  You can see the official site, with the full commercial and an additional video of how it was made at:

http://www.honda.co.uk/civic/

A few posts ago I blogged about who killed the electric car.  Well here's yet another alternative fuel which we won't have a problem finding plenty of - WATER.  This video is almost too good to be true.  You have to wonder what the implications of this could be on the world economy (and the Presidential Bush family's income) if overnight we could literally power all our vehicles with nothing but water.

Here is a Fox 26 News report on a guy who created the ability to power vehicles or just about anything by converting H2O into HHO.  The prototype vehicle shown can travel 100 miles on 4 OUNCES of water!

Technorati Tags: Alternative Fuel, Automobiles, EV Automobiles, Green Energy, Hybrid Vehicles, Science, Video

Are you tired of dropping your paycheck at the pump these days?  Yeah, well...I am too.  Ya know...recently I purchased two new vehicles.  I was seriously considering a hybrid, especially something like a Prius.  Problem is that it was too small for my needs.  I also wanted an SUV for the wife and kid.  There just wasn't anything on the market that was decent, and to make matters worse, you had to pay a pretty steep premium which in the long run, for those don't hold on to their cars for long, it came out as a losing proposition.

So what about all those predictions that every car would be electric by the year 2000?  What ever happened to all those cars GM was testing?  That's a great question.  My buddy Digital Bill, over at the Wizards of Technology, and I were having a little chat about this very thing tonight.  He clued me in to a few interesting sites I wanted to share with you.  I think these will open your eyes just a tad bit and make you wonder why the hell we are having to pay close to $4 /gallon for fuel these days.  All I can say is that I'm ticked off as hell.  We really need to start questioning our elected officials as to why we are in the current state of fuel crisis when we have had the ability to change things for over a decade.  I know the answer...GREED.  The question is what are we going to do about it?

You can start by checking out these sites:

http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/
http://www.stefanoparis.com/piaev/acpropulsion/eBox/ebox.html
http://www.pluginamerica.com/
http://www.stefanoparis.com/piaev/pml-mini/pml-mini.html
http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=1084

Technorati Tags: Automobiles, EV Automobiles, Green Energy, Hybrid Vehicles, Politics, Video

Here's a post that just doesn't need any words....behold my friends...

Most of you who read this blog know by now that I am a bit of a car nut.  Although my preference lies within the Ford family, I can appreciate some nice wheels when I see them.  Which leads us to what is probably the coolest PD in the US right now.  Amherst, Ohio Police Department is now sporting some pretty slick new Dodge Chargers as standard duty patrol vehicles.  These bad boys look downright MEAN.  NewageMusclecars.com has a great write-up on the Amherst PD's newest ride.  All I can say is that I don't look forward to the police departments throughout south FL getting these anytime soon!  Speed Demons in Ohio, watch yer 6!

Technorati Tags: Automobiles

Technorati Tags: Rant

The man, the myth, the legend...ROCK ON Jack!

[ via Ford Mustang Blog ]

Jack Roush Inducted Into IMHOF:

Jack Roush, owner and founder of Roush Enterprises was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame earlier today at a ceremony in Talladega, Alabama.

More after the jump...

Technorati Tags: ROUSH, Automobiles, NASCAR, NHRA

Most certainly on the list for my next "upgrade" in Mustangs...

[ via Ford Mustang Blog ]

2006 Roush Stage 3 Mustang Unvieled:

The 2006 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang is simply "the best Mustang we have ever built" according to Jack Roush.  The Stage 3 ROUSH Mustang packs 415 ponies and 385 lb-ft of torque under the hood, thanks to the addition of the ROUSHcharger system.

More after the jump...

Technorati Tags: Automobiles, FORD, Mustang, ROUSH

Now this is my idea of a rental car!

[ via PlanetMustang.com ]

Carroll Shelby takes the Mustang GT-H for a Spin:

Who better to take the inaugural test drive than the man himself?  That’s right; the legendary Carroll Shelby was caught toying around with the new Ford Mustang GT-H “rent-a-racer” in a Hertz parking lot.  His name is on the car, so why is he driving it like he stole it?  Check out the video footage of Shelby and his black & gold steed in action!

Technorati Tags: FORD, Mustang, Automobiles

For those of you who might be into fast cars, trucks and jet engines, you might like these pics I took today.  I just wanna know one thing, what is someone thinking when they strap their ass to a jet engine on 4+ wheels going 300mph down a skinny lane for 1/4 mile? Check out the full set on my FlickR site.

Technorati Tags: Automobiles, Drag Racing, FlickR, Photos, NHRA

Yep - you read right.  Our mighty #99 has been hit with the Hollywood bug...straight from the Roush Email blast:

"Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion, as he makes his debut on FOX's hit show "24" this coming Monday, April 3 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Edwards takes on his first role in a primetime drama as Jim Hill."

"I had a blast! Everyone was so cool. John Cassar (the director) is an amazing guy and Kiefer (Sutherland) is just really cool."
Carl Edwards

"I watched a couple takes and he was moving faster than our average extra."
Kiefer Sutherland

Catch some behind-the-scenes footage during FOX's pre-race show this Sunday, April 2 live from Martinsville, Va. at 1:30 PM ET.

Now that's what I'm talkin about...racing and 24..what a combo!  ;-)

Technorati Tags: NASCAR, 24 - TV Show

Wow - has it really been almost a month since my last post?  Whew.  Been a hectic and nutty month.  All is well in bisonium-land and normal posting shall resume immediately.  Been doing quite a few things lately and haven't had a whole lot of spare time for blogging.  The Gearlive thing didn't work out so that is one less thing on my plate.  I feel better posting things for MY readers so it will remain that way for the time being.  I have 2 new additions to the family - both with 4 wheels. :-)  Although I was hell-bent on acquiring a new BMW, somehow I couldn't turn my back on my Fords and decided to continue buying American, despite my long standing desire for that Bimmer.  Therefore, welcome my 2 new babies:

1) 2006 Ford Mustang - and this aint 'yo moma's average 'stang.  Welcome back the pure American muscle cars of the 60's and 70's.  I absolutely fell in LOVE with this car when I saw it.  After driving it, I was sold.  Looks aside, this thing SOUNDS as good as it looks.  Over time, I'll be adding all sorts of new hidden features, namely under the hood.  Ultimately this will turn into a full-blown race car, but for now, it's my daily ride.  Don't wanna void the warranty just yet with that Shelby Supercharger being bolted on to the motor. :-)

2) 2007 Explorer Sport Trac - this is primarily the wife's ride.  This thing wasn't on the lot but 3 days, and it wasn't even really supposed to be out yet.  It makes for a killer baby-mobile without the suburban hell of a soccer-mom mini-van.  That just wasn't happening so this was the next best thing while retaining some respectability on the streets.  It also happens to make a killer rig for those weekend camping trips around Florida.

Needless to say, I am a happy camper (pun intended).  Full pics of both rides are on my Flickr site.  Sorry for being absent over the last month, but hopefully I am all caught up and ready to keep blogging my life away.  :-)

Technorati Tags: General, Automobiles, Photos

Technorati Tags: Automobiles, Comedy, Video

As if US auto-makers don't have enough problems right now, it looks like Ford will be adding to the unemployment rate by shipping even more US jobs overseas to India.  This is exactly the kind of actions that will eventually lead to a MAJOR technology crisis in this country in the not too distant future. I am a veteran and have always believed in buying American, but it seems that even American made products aren't American anymore.  I love my Ford F-150, but my next car is going to be a BMW and I don't feel an ounce of regret.  By the time American corporations feel the effects of what they are doing now to save a buck, it will be all but too late to recover.

[ via Information Week ]

Report: Ford to Outsource IT, Engineering to India:

A newspaper in India says Ford Motor Company is planning to dramatically increase its use of outsourced IT and engineering labor.

[ UPDATE ]

The Information Week link seems to be having some issues.  The story can also be found at the Business Standard.

That thing got a HEMI?  Holy smokes, this is gonna be one BAD ride...

[ via Leftlane News ]

Dodge announces 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee:

Offered in “Detonator Yellow” with black accents, the 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee is the first special edition of the “Charger on Steroids.” Powered by the Street and Racing Technology-engineered 6.1-liter HEMI producing 425 horsepower, the Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee features special logos on front and rear fenders, contrasting yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob. It will be available in dealerships this fall. More photos after the jump…

Now THAT's what I'm talkin about!

[ via Gizmodo ]

Live at Macworld: Finally, True iPod Car Integration:

You've seen products like Ten Technology's FlexibleDock, and Belkin's TuneBase FM, or even Harman Kardon's Drive + Play Kit, but you've never seen true, or at least easy streamlined iPod car integration until you've seen 2point5's spec.dock. The thing that's different about the spec.dock is that it's the only iPod solution that actually blends in with your car. It's makes it look as though your car was built with this thing. And because the spec.dock benefits off of your car's cigarette lighter, you have two options — you can either blow off your tunes, or rock out till you need a hearing aid.  What more could you ask for?

This is definitely one of the smartest things that an auto manufacturer can do these days.  My next vehicle MUST HAVE iPod integration.  The iPod is now a permanent fixture in my vehicle and I couldn't imagine driving without it.  The other thing these auto manufacturers seriously need to consider doing is creating a dedicated docking station for the iPod in the vehicle.  Whether that be a hidden compartment with the cable or a dedicated mount that is visible on the dash, I don't want my iPod just floating around the car, It's gotta look good and be protected!  :-)

[ via Leftlane News ]

Detroit 2006: Apple, Chrysler announce iPod integration

The Chrysler Group today announced that it will be the first American automaker to provide full iPod integration as an option in most of its 2006 models, with over three million 2006 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models offering seamless iPod integration beginning this spring. The optional iPod Integration Kit for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge model lines will be available to customers for the MSRP of $175 (US) plus installation from authorized dealerships, and will debut this spring. In addition, the solution can be retrofit to many model year 2005 vehicles.

Drivers will be able to listen to their iPod through the car’s audio system, select their music by artist, album or playlist with radio or steering wheel controls and view selections on the radio’s display.

“Customers have been asking for iPod connectivity and we’re excited to make it available to so many of our vehicles in 2006,” said Randy Ewers, director, Mopar Accessories Portfolio Team. “We’re providing the largest number and range of automobiles with iPod support of any automaker, allowing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge owners to bring and listen to their entire music collections.”

“We’re thrilled that over three million Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge automobiles will offer great iPod connectivity in 2006,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “Over 40 percent of all cars sold in the US in 2006 will offer iPod connectivity.”

Now THIS looks like something that Masterchief (from Halo) should be driving!  Sign me up man - this blows away anything I have been considering so far...

[ via Leftlane News ]

Detroit 2006: Ford’s futuristic F-250 Super Chief Concept

Ford at the Detroit auto show announced the F-250 Super Chief concept, the world’s first vehicle with Tri-Flex fueling, enabling the supercharged V-10 to run for 500 miles between fill-ups on hydrogen, E85 ethanol or gasoline. The tri-fuel flexibility is one possible innovation by Ford to help pave the way for hydrogen vehicles, as the nation’s ethanol and hydrogen fueling infrastructure continues to develop. Super Chief features an interior paneled in American walnut, brushed aluminum and bold brown leather. Convenience features include bold light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, a full glass roof and automated ottoman.  More after the jump...

DOOOOD - this mommy-mobile is off da chain!  Ok, I will go with the modern day station wagon if it looks like this!

[ via Leftlane News ]

LA 2006: Volvo shows special edition Evolve XC90 V8 (updated):

Volvo and aftermarket Volvo specialists Evolve teamed up at the 2006 LA Auto Show to unveil an SUV specifically designed to appeal to the car-crazy Southern California marketplace. The Volvo XC90, owned by film director Brett Ratner, has been significantly redesigned with a number of visual and performance enhancements. More photos and details after the jump…