Here’s a great example of what kind of crib an affluent car junkie would own – a garage condo. Literally speaking, it’s a condo unit that’s built like a garage. Or perhaps a garage that’s built like a condo unit. Way. Too. Cool.

Can’t say that this isn’t for single guys that love cars almost as much as they love hanging out in bars after work. Well, except if your wife loves cars as much as you do, which is highly unlikely. She’ll probably be nagging you about the exhaust fumes sticking to her clothes. We’re sure you can handle that. At least, you’ll still be sleeping in the living room if your wife kicks you out of the bedroom.

Source: Jalopnik

Ever fantasized about getting hurled over sixty miles per hour high above the earth’s dust, strapped to a bucket seat? Well, that’s what you’ll get paying for a ride on Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s one of two amusement rides. It features carriers that resemble the Ferrari F430 Spider each having four individual buckets seats, 2 up front and 2 behind. This is totally unadvisable for people with dentures, geek eyeglasses or toupees. But then again, if you’ve gots the money, you’ve gets the carnival ride of your life. Your kids are going to be begging for this ride. They’ll appreciate it better than your million dollar prancing horse. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s looking to get its gates opened late this year.

Source: World Car Fans

So what’s it like to be a resigned Lamborghini senior test driver? Well, apparently, Mr. Valentino Balboni has driven too many all wheel drive Lambos to be sick of it. Actually, he’s spent more hours driving Lambos than any fan and owner could ever dream of. And that’s why he designed his namesake, the LP550-2, with rear wheel drive.

The result? Sheer awesomeness. Remember folks. The beauty of rear wheel drive as compared to all wheel drive, quoting Mr. Balboni is “You need to control the car, the car doesn’t control you.” This is not a marketing hype for RWD, folks. It’s the real deal, coming from someone who’s spent his life designing AWD supercars.

And with that we leave you with Mr. Balboni powersliding in winter wonderland. Just click on the link below. Enjoy.

Source: Autoblog

Here’s something to whet your appetite. If you’re a car thief, that is.

Thanks to advancements in technology, car thieves (ahem) owners now have a way of unlocking their car’s doors AND be able to start the engine even if they lost their key.

All they need is one of these babies – the Electronic Key Impressioner, EKI for short.

As its name suggests, it makes an impression of your keys by scanning your car’s door locks.

The software running this nifty device then interprets the lock code and comes up with a solution.

It can even decode your engine’s ignition lock. Righteous.

But here’s the icing: the EKI can visually scan and record the tumblers inside the door lock, draw up the right key, and order an automatic key cutter to cut you a new key.

Don’t you just love technology?

We’re not sure whether this is legal in your stretch of the woods, but one thing’s for certain. Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie will love to get their hands on one of these.

Maybe they can make a sequel to Gone In 60 Seconds.

We’re just gonna’ glide.

Remember, folks. Technology has its limits. And for the EKI, that’s several Ford models, locks with traditionally shaped keys unlike high-end European models, and of course, keyless entry systems which have no use for a key whatsoever.

Of course, you knew that.

Source: Jalopnik

Finally, someone listens. I have always been an advocate of old school technology. And this opinion by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is a clear indication that there are other people out there who care to see the dangers lurking behind too much technology in modern cars. According to LaHood, “some of these car manufacturers are putting all these gadgets and bells and whistles that are going to distract people.” Exactly.

With already around 6,000 fatalities plus over half a million injuries related to distracted driving, the kind secretary has mustered enough courage to talk to car manufacturers about it. Not that he’ll be successful in the near future. Car manufacturers know it’s in-car entertainment and technology that consumers want, so it’s going to be one hell of a tough battle.

Secretary LaHood, you have the full support of all the old school drivers out there. And to those of you who prefer using an iPhone to play music in your car over the conventional radio, watch out because your days may be numbered.

Source: Motor Trend

Part of what makes Ferrari road cars so freaking ultimate is the fact that they bother to spillover their Formula One technology onto their production road cars. And here’s further evidence – the 599 hybrid. It’s set to debut at the Geneva International Motor Show this coming March and will showcase the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system). This announcement was made during the unveiling of the 2010 Ferrari Formula One car in Valencia.

The KERS system uses several Li-on batteries and an electric motor to provide boost that will bring fuel economy up by 35%, or to a combined economy rating of 14mpg. The only downside is the engine is going to be shifted out in front, and will likely result in a different prancing horse altogether. Well, we’ll just have to see how it turns out. Ferrari is making a compromise between performance and economy just to keep up with the green revolution.

Source: Car Blog

This is probably the worst idea ever. Mitsubishi is planning to screw the only car worthy of attention in their lineup – the Lancer Evolution – by transforming it into a hybrid.

Are they serious? It’s not like it’s a Ferrari or Lamborghini. The Evo is known, almost respected, by many as a true rally car, rivaling Subaru’s Impreza. But now that they’re thinking of putting in an electric motor to give power to the front wheels, and limiting its 2.0-liter MIVEC four banger to splash juice on the rear wheels, it just ain’t gonna’ be the same Evo no more.

Have you ever heard of a hybrid AWD rally car? Even the KERS system met with a lot of criticism in Formula One. It looks like Mitsubishi is really in the midst of an identity crisis right now, no thanks to the crisis looming over the entire automotive industry.

If their plans materialize, we might be looking at a sans rival status for the Impreza, which probably pleases the hell out of Subi fans everywhere, including yours truly. So sad for the Evo, though.

No offense to ecomodders and lovers of all things economical. Peace!

Souce: Jalopnik

For those Porsche fanatics who aren’t content with owning just the Italian make’s cars, Porsche Design has something new for you. Feast your eyes on the P’9522 Black Edition mobile phone.

Porsche Design says that the phone comes packed with innovative functions, such a fingerprint sensor. Apart from that, details on the phone are still a little sparse.

The phone’s body is “milled from a block of solid aluminum”. “As is typical for Porsche Design, the black has a functional background: the Chronograph I is derived from the appearance of the non-reflective instruments used in racing cars, in which everything right down to the instruments is matte black. This avoids unwanted reflections and guarantees easy readability,” says Porsche Design Group CEO Dr. Juergen Gessler.

The P’9522 Black Edition is slated to become available by the end of January.

Source: World Car Fans

Being a Mercedes Benz owner and an iPhone techie does have its perks. Like getting to use the mbrace iPhone app, for instance.

The mbrace system lets you do a bunch of stuff to your beloved Benz from the convenience of your iPhone’s touch screen. The app’s screen display looks like a Benz key fob, with unlock, lock, and locate buttons. So you don’t need the car keys to lock and unlock your car’s doors. It’s a handy solution to those scenarios where you accidentally lock the keys in your car. No more bending wire hangers or sticking pointed objects into the door lock.

The app’s locate system is also especially nifty. Just in case you forget where you parked your Benz, the car’s and the iPhone’s GPS systems team up to point you to your car. The mbrace app will even show you Mercedes Benz dealers around your area.

Oh, and you’ll need to subscribe to the app monthly, too. Definitely a small price to pay considering the benefits.

Source: Jalopnik

If you’re a hardcore video game racer and you managed to miss out on the first GT Academy, then we’ve got good news. Nissan and Playstation are bringing the GT Academy back.

The first GT Academy, launched in 2008, gave video gamers a chance to prove that they’re not good only on the virtual racetrack. The top video gamer got to participate in a racing progrem and get behind a race-spec Nissan 350Z for the European GT4 Cup.

The second GT Academy is looking to be even bigger than the first. The competition is divided into 5 stages; by the last stage, the top twenty racers from each participating country will be pared down to two ultimate competitors. The racer that outshines the other gets to drive the 370Z at the Cup.

If you don’t mind the grueling work the Academy requires, mark December 17, 2009 on your calendar. The time trial to be launched by Playstation on that date will be your only way to the 2010 GT Academy.Source: AutomobileMag, Playstation.Blog.Europe