Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Buick, Humor

The only better place to watch a drag race than from the other side of the wall is behind the steering wheel. Then again, that depends on what car you’re driving. This gentleman enjoyed the view from the driver’s seat of his hopped-up 80′s Buick Regal for the holeshot, or just until his seat went from upright to permanently reclined in 1.2 seconds.

All of which just goes to show how souping up a car can sometimes reveal hidden weaknesses in the most surprising ways. Our advice: Do some crunches, get back out there and try again! Check out the disaster-averted hilarity after the jump.

Continue reading Drag racing Buick Regal driver loses best seat in the house

Drag racing Buick Regal driver loses best seat in the house originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Ford, GM

The U.S. House of Representatives is investigating the motives behind the recent decision by Ford to pull an ad from its YouTube account that’s critical of the government bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler, only later to restore it. Representative Darrell Issa, R-California, has asked Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford, for a “full and complete explanation” of his company’s reasoning for temporarily pulling the ad. Earlier this week, Ford reportedly said that the ad was removed from the company’s YouTube page as part of a planned rotation, and that it would continue to run online (there’s no word on whether Ford will resume airing the ad on television, however).

In addition, Ford says that it continues to support the automotive bailout on the grounds that the automotive industry is a tight-knit network of companies, unions and workers. According to The Detroit News, Issa is specifically concerned that Ford received undue pressure from the White House to pull the ad. That’s an allegation that Dan Pfeiffer, White House communications director, staunchly denies. Nevertheless, Issa has asked Ford to turn over any documents that pertain to the discussion of the ad. If you still haven’t seen the ad for yourself, we’ve embedded it after the jump.

Continue reading Chairman of House Oversight asks Ford why it pulled ad

Chairman of House Oversight asks Ford why it pulled ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A German Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) has been in Djibouti since Sunday participating in the EUNAVFOR mission ATALANTA.

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Unga Group Ltd has registered 88 per cent after tax profit for the year ended June 30, 2011.

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Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, UK

Here’s a new one. According to AutoExpress, police in the UK are looking into scanners embedded into roadways that can detect the depth of a vehicle’s tire tread. If your rubber doesn’t meet a set of pre-determined parameters, you could eventually expect to see a fine show up in the mail. Currently, law enforcement says that the technology will only be used in checkpoint scenarios to alert drivers of a potentially dangerous situation, but given that the system costs somewhere around €50,000, or $67,500 at current conversion rates, critics are concerned that the depth-measuring device will be used as a cudgel to drum up revenue.

That concern is bolstered by the fact that Trevor Hall, a major proponent of speed cameras in the UK, is also behind the measure.

We’re all for improving road safety in any way possible, but if this new technology results in fines for motorists, we have concerns. After all, measures like the one proposed here would almost certainly target low-income drivers and unfairly position revenue generation on their shoulders. After all, if you can afford new tires, chances are better that you’ll buy them.

Scanners embedded in road to result in fines for those driving on worn tires? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Technology, Audi, BMW, South Korea

LG Group has taken up legal arms against both BMW and Audi over a patent dispute. The technology company is reportedly aiming to have the sale of vehicles from both German automakers banned in South Korea over an LED patent dispute. According to Korea Times, LG Group is claiming that Osram, the manufacturer of LEDs favored by both automakers, is infringing on LG patents. Oddly enough, LG was once behind the patent game and had to pay Osram to use the company’s LED technology in LG products. Now LG has combined its relevant patents with those of a host of smaller companies, allowing it to skip paying Osram and sue the company for infringement.

Twisted.

Is there any chance of a court outright agreeing to ban such a large section of products from two companies that largely had nothing to do with the dispute? That seems unlikely, but Osram and LG Group may have to sit down and have a nice, lengthy chat with checkbooks in hand sometime in the near future.

LG attempting to ban BMW and Audi sales in South Korea over patent dispute originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

Lexus has introduced a slew of 2012 special edition models, including unique variants of the LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h. The rear-wheel-drive Lexus LS 460 Sport Special Edition offers buyers standard equipment that includes Brembo brakes, a sport-tuned air suspension and sport front seats in addition to 19-inch split-10-spoke wheels and a two-tone leather interior, among other amenities. Expect to hand over $77,000, excluding destination.

Meanwhile, the ES 350 Touring Edition comes laden with 17-inch 10-spoke wheels, a steering wheel and shift knob trimmed in leather and wood, navigation and saddle-tan leather heated and cooled seats. Additional equipment is also part of the package, and all that kit will bump the ES 350 Touring Edition MSRP to $40,475, excluding destination.

Finally, the CT 200h is getting the sport treatment as well with the F Sport Special Edition (seen above). The model is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels of its own, along with an F Sport suspension that includes specific springs and sway bars. An F Sport appearance package is also along for the ride, and includes a mesh grille, larger rear spoiler, aluminum sport pedals and a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel. Asking price? A cool $37,995. Lexus will politely ask for $875 for delivery on each model. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Lexus releases new ES, CT and LS special edition models

Lexus releases new ES, CT and LS special edition models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that Obama earns 44% support in the matchup, while Christie attracts 43%. Six percent (6%) prefer a third option, and …

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Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Hyundai, South Korea

Automotive News is reporting that Hyundai Co-CEO Steve Yang has resigned his duties at the Korean automaker for personal reasons. Yang helped push Hyundai to become the sales powerhouse it is now by improving the company’s image and carving out additional market share even in the midst of an industry-wide downturn.

Yang was responsible for both domestic and foreign operations, and AN reports that executives Kim Choong-hu and Kim Seung-tack will split Yang’s duties moving forward. Yang helmed the automaker’s day-to-day operations, and split CEO duties with two others, including chairman and founding family member Chung Mong-koo. A new CEO will be chosen by the company’s board at a later date.

The 58-year-old Yang is stepping down due to health reasons, according to Automotive News. He will remain as an advisor. Yang was the less visible of the automaker’s trio of CEOs, thanks in part to Chairman Chung’s reputation as a stern leader who has been instrumental in raising his company’s production standards.

Hyundai co-CEO Yang resigns for personal reasons originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

The first season of Top Gear USA was a little rough, and the statistical proof of this came in the form of lukewarm ratings. But instead of dumping the show in favor of more Pawn Stars re-runs, The History Channel decided to give the auto-focused program another chance at success. Good thing, too, as the second season of Top Gear USA was more refined, more entertaining and, we’re guessing, it brought in more ad dollars. That’s because the show’s ratings jumped by 30 percent, with the much-sought 25-54 demographic jumping by 35 percent.

Thanks to those 1.9 million average viewers, History decided to extend season two by eight more episodes. Hosts Adam Ferrara, Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and the crew are already in production, and History tells us the new episodes will feature “more exciting challenges, crazy antics and legendary vehicles.”

The extended season will include Adam and Rutledge coming up with dangerous ways to charge an electric vehicle while driving and Tanner heading to England to drive the Noble M600. The show hosts will even whip up some homemade limos out of some funky rides, and use the stretch monstrosities to chauffeur celebrities to the Emmy Awards.

Like we said, the first season was pretty average (and sometimes unwatchable), but the second run of shows were far more entertaining. We’re thinking that a larger audience can only lead to more investment in the show, which should be a good thing. Hit the jump to read The History Channel press release.

Continue reading Top Gear USA extends second season

Top Gear USA extends second season originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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