Video: Fiat 500 Abarth Race Track Driving & Beauty Shots

The new 500 Abarth, which was first introduced at the 78th Geneva Motor show earlier this year, is due to go on sale from July 19 in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, France and the Netherlands. Aside from the base 135Hp version, Fiat has also introduced a limited production variant called “Opening Edition” that squeezes 160Hp from the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine (click here for details and 42 high res images). Follow the jump to see the video that includes driving footage on the race track as well as exterior and interior shots. -Continued

Video: Veritas RS III with 600Hp BMW M5 Engine

Newly found German sportscar maker Veritas has released a video of the RS III roadster taking on the famous Nurburgring race track. The Veritass RS III is a one-seater roadster based on a monocoque frame and equipped with a modified version of the BMW M5’s 5.0-liter V10 engine that pumps out 600Hp. Veritass supports that the lightweight RS III can sprint from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 3.2 sec and achieve a top speed of 347 km/h (216 mph). -Video after the jump

Via: Worldcarfans

Video: 2009 Maserati Quattroporte Facelift

Leaving aside the subtle design tweaks, the biggest change in the 2009 Maserati Quattroporte is the introduction of a new range-topping model dubbed the Quattroporte S. While the standard version is fitted with the familiar 400 Hp 4.2-litre V8 engine, the Quattroporte S adopts the new 430 Hp 4.7-litre V8 recently introduced on the GranTurismo S. Both versions of the Quattroporte are matted to a 6-speed automatic transmission developed in association with ZF. –Video after the jump

New BMW 7-Series Video: Driving & Static Shots

BMW unveiled the fifth generation of its flagship 7 Series sedan that will be introduced to the public for the first time at the forthcoming Paris Auto Show in October with European sales following shortly (U.S. market debut in spring 2009). With looks partially inspired from the CS Concept, the new 7-Series features a less controversial design than its predecessor and plenty of technical innovations such as rear-wheel steering, night vision and turbocharged 6-cylinder and V8 engines. Follow the jump for the video or click here for pictures and details. -Continued

Video: Toyota F1 Meets the Batmobile at Silverstone

Thanks to a partnership between Panasonic Toyota Racing and Warner Bros. Pictures, the Batmobile and the Badpod found their way to the Silverstone race track on Thursday evening (July 3) for a demonstration run alongside Toyota’s TF108 race car which has adopted a new look for this weekend’s British GP. To mark the release of the new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight” staring Christian Bale, the Dark Knight artwork will be displayed on the TF108s and the overalls of Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, as well as the team's motor home. -Video after the jump

Video: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 S with Dual Clutch Test Drive

The guys over at Car Magazine videotaped their first encounter with the recently revised Porsche 911 Carrera 2 S (see wallpape gallery here). The particular test car was equipped with the German sports carmaker’s first ever double clutch semi-auto gearbox dubbed PDK. Check out the video right after the jump. -Continued

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Car

Video: Ferrari California’s Foldable Hardtop in Action

Bit by bit Ferrari is releasing more details and info on its new California 2+ coupe-cabriolet model. This time the Italian sports carmaker has revealed a short video displaying the California’s retractable hardtop that can be deployed or retracted in just 14 seconds. Video after the jump. -Continued

Via: Autoblog.it

2008 Top Gear Episode 1: Supercar Fuel Economy Test & BMW M3 vs Toyota Prius

We stumbled upon the first episode of Top Gear Season 11 on YouTube and we immediately knew we had to share it with you. In this first part the team is concerned about rising gas prices. In typical Top Gear style, they fill up five supercars (Ferrari 599, Lamborghini Murcielago, Aston DBS, Audi R8 and Mercedes SLR) with 1 gallon of fuel and race them around a track to see which one will go the furthest.

Next up, they drive a Toyota Prius Hybrid on the race track as fast as possible with a new BMW M3 Sedan following behind at the same pace. Ten laps later, guess what? The Prius did 17.2 UK MPG (14.3 US MPG) while the M3 Sedan 19.4 UK MPG (16.2 US MPG)! Not that anyone will drive a Prius like that, but it does go to show you that fuel economy isn’t always only about the vehicle you drive, but it’s also about how you drive. -Video after the jump

A Train That Never Stops at Stations: Ingenious or ...

Peng Yu-lun is a Taiwanese inventor who came up with an idea that promises to help save energy and significantly increase train speeds. In a nutshell, Peng Yu-lun devised a concept for a train that never stops at stations to pick up or drop passengers. According to Peng Yu-lun’s concept, the base train enters the station and locks into a "boarding" car filled with passengers, which is put into motion ahead of time. After the rear of the travelling train catches up, the car is joined to the rest of the train. -Continued

Likewise, those wanting to get off the moving train will have to board the designated car on top of the train as it will be detached at the next station. Peng Yu-lun says that a train like the domestic Kaohsiung MRT has a maximum speed of 85 km/h, but due to stops, it achieves an average speed of just 35 km/h. If the train followed his concept, it would be able to maintain an average speed of 85 km/h throuout the entire trip thus saving time and energy.

While the idea sounds great in theory, it does have its flaws. Leaving safety factors aside, the system is restrictive in the sense that some stations are more popular than others – what happens if more people than the designated car can fit want to get off at a particular station, can you imagine the commotion!

Info: TaiwainHeadlines

Video: Audi TT RS at the Nurburgring

The highly anticipated Audi TT RS has been caught on tape by an amateur videographer on the famous Nurburgring race track in Germany. Slated to be released sometime in 2009, the RS will be the top of the line model in the TT range competing against rivals such as the BMW Z4 M Coupe and the Porsche Cayman S.

It has been said, but not officially confirmed, that the TT RS will make use of a turbocharged version of VW’s U.S. spec 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine. Then again, we say, why should Audi go into all that trouble to transform an old engine into one that will have to comply with the strict European emission standards when it has already developed an all-new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 TFSi unit for the new S4 that could easily be pushed to deliver over 360Hp? -Video after the jump

Via: Autoblog.it

Video: RWD Nissan S-Cargo with 4.1-liter V8 Engine!

The S-Cargo was a funky-looking mini van based on the 90’s Micra platform and equipped with a puny 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that was built in limited numbers by Nissan from 1989 to 1992. While this custom model that’s for sale in New Zealand might look as innocent as the standard car on the outside, get ready for a surprise once you open the hood; this S-Cargo has been fitted with a Nissan derived VH41DE 4.1-liter V8 engine (same as the one found in earlier Infiniti Q45s) that in stock form, produced 267Hp. Moreover, the S-Cargo has been converted to RWD. -Continued

If you’re wondering what if feels like driving such a compact, tall and lightweight vehicle equipped with a V8 engine, the seller’s description says it all: “Runs and drives mint but you need big balls if you want to give it the berries as its very fast!”

Via: JPCN , Source: Trademe

Video: Alfa Romeo MiTo Sport Hatch

The MiTo is Alfa's first car to be built after the breathtaking 8C Competizione, which by the way, inspired the Italian carmaker’s designers to the point that the subcomact sport hatch looks like a mini version of the supercar. With dimensions of just 4.06 meters long, 1.44 meters high and 1.72 meters wide, the MiTo’s most prominent rival will be the MINI Cooper. You can either click here to see our MiTo gallery that consists of 45 high-resolution images along with the specs or follow the jump and check out the video that includes driving footage as well as exterior and interior studio shots. -Continued

Opel Insignia Gets Camera System that Reads Signs and Alerts Drivers

The new Opel Insignia that’s set to go on sale in Europe later this year will be offered with an optional dual-function camera that not only reads speed limit and no-overtaking signs and displays them on the instrument panel, but also alerts drivers when they unintentionally veer out of their lane.

Called “Front Camera System”, it utilizes a front mounted high-resolution camera located between the windscreen and the rear-view mirror that can take 30 pictures per second along with two signal processors that filter and read the photos. -Continued

Depending on light conditions, the system’s Traffic Sign Recognition function begins to repeatedly read signs at 100 metres. When a match is found in the car’s software, the sign is displayed in the instrument panel; it will even prioritise a no-overtaking sign over a speed limit warning sign.

When the Lane Departure Warning function is turned on, the system uses a second signal processor and software to read traffic lanes and record a driver’s normal lane-changing behaviour, taking into account steering input and indicator usage. If the system detects any deviation from the road, then an audible and visual warning is sent from the instrument panel in order to prevent preventing any hazardous situations.

Video: Revised Camaro Bumblebee from Transformers 2 Film

Here we go again; just as we were getting used to not hearing anything about the Transformers Movie, our friendly Autobot Bumblebee from the second installation of the Tranformer film called “Rise of the Fallen” has made its way into the internet well before the movie hits the screens in summer 2009.

The film’s producers –in cooperation with GM of course- have given the Camaro based Autobot a more aggressive look thanks to a Z28-like sport treatment that includes a new front bumper with a spoiler, a hood scoop and a slightly different paint job. See more images along with a small video after the jump. -Continued

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Transformerlive

Video: Iveco’s Amphibious Terramare ATV

The Terramare is a prototype amphibious vehicle based on the Iveco Daily 4x4. Developed by Milan-born engineer Maurizio Zanisi, the Terramare managed to successfully cross the Corsica Channel in a 75 nautical miles voyage that took about 14 hours to complete.

According to the Italian manufacturer, the reason behind the crossing was to draw attention to the injustice experienced by sections of the population in Mali who are deprived of their right to water. In particular, the Terramare project will promote a water supply and sanitation project implemented along the Niger River, which is supporting 12,000 people by guaranteeing each person 25 liters of drinking water per day on a permanent basis. -Video after the jump

Video: Polish TV Crew’s Accident in Volvo V40 Caught on Tape!

A Polish TV crew that was returning back to Warsaw got the story (and the fright…) of their life when their Volvo V40 was involved in a roll over accident near the town of Dziecinów. According to one of the guys involved in the accident, in an attempt to avoid a collision with a green Seat Ibiza that blocked their way, the driver of the Volvo lost control of the car and rolled over into a ditch. Now, as for why the V40 was equipped with an onboard camera that was actually filming at the time of the incident, we have no idea. See the video and pictures of the accident right after the jump. -Continued

Via: Autoblog.nl

Video: French Devise Innovative Alternative to Spare Tires

They say necessity is the mother of invention, but we doubt that’s the case with these fun-loving Frenchmen who decided to attach a little board on wheels on the rear tire of their Citroen Saxo. -Video after the jump

Video: Nissan GT-R Lapping Nurburgring in 7:29’

Finally, we have live footage of the Nissan GT-R lapping the Nurburgring race track in Germany in 7:29.03. According to Nissan, the GT-R’s time was recorded on April 17, 2008 with the Japanese supercar’s chief test driver Tochio Suzuki behind the wheel of a base specification vehicle fitted with standard Japanese market tires. -See the video after the jump

Video: Awesome 1970’s Matte Black Corvette in Spain

A couple of days ago we showed you images of a custom made C3 Corvette painted in a menacing matte finish. Thanks to our vigilant audience, not only did we find out that the Corvette is from Spain, but one of our readers that goes by the nickname “Panic” was kind enough to forwarded us a video of the Vette on the road. Follow the jump to check it out and don’t forget to pump up the volume of your speakers…. -Continued

Thanks for the link Panic!

Video: Gigi Galli Records Fastest Avg Speed at Acropolis Rally

While we wouldn’t mind having Solberg or Loeb take us for a spin, if it were up to us, Gigi Galli would be by far our first choice as we consider the Italian as one of the most spectacular rally drivers ever to set foot on the WRC.

At the Acropolis Rally and despite the fact that Galli was forced to retire three stages before the finish due to a broken suspension arm on his Ford Focus, the Italian won the inaugural Colin McRae Trophy, offered by the organizers of the Acropolis Rally to the driver with the fastest avg. speed through a stage. Galli recorded the rally’s fastest average speed -100.77 km/h or 62.7 mph- though Sunday’s 15.14 km Avlonas stage. -Video after the jump