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

If you just can’t get enough of Italian automaker Ferrari, then you might want to put Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on top of your “Places to Go” list.

Sitting on 2,500-hectare Yas Island, about 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi’s airport, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will be the world’s largest indoor theme park. The park is scheduled to open in 2010, with 20 attractions for visitors. Rides include the world’s fastest roller coaster, a G-force simulator, and various racing simulators. A “flume ride” will also give visitors a view of the heart of a Ferrari 599 motor.

“Each (attraction is) designed to bring to life a different part of the Ferrari story,” according to the automaker.

Source: Left Lane News

If you happen to drive a Chrysler-made car, here’s a little something that might cheer you up.

Mopar, Chrysler’s accessories and parts division, has announced earlier this week that its online store will be including components for live TV in Chrysler vehicles.

The new technology, called FLO TV, will allow drivers of Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler cars to watch up to 20 channels. It’s made possible by a small antenna that can be mounted on the vehicle’s roof.

The components for FLO TV will be available for installation at dealerships as early as December this year.

Source: Left Lane News

How many of us have actually dreamt of coasting down the streets in those diminutive, almost-whimsical bumper cars? Well, only one man actually went and modified carnival bumper cars to make them street-legal. His name’s Tom Wright and he’s a builder from San Diego County, California.

The first bumper car Wright purchased and hotwired was a retired Lussee. The process of making the small vehicle ready for the road took over a year, with Wright using a Harley motor to power the bumper car. Due to the excessive vibrations caused by the motor over time, though, the Harley motor was replaced with 750cc engines. From that first bumper car, Wright’s fleet now boasts of 8 road-ready bumper cars, all sporting customized bodies and interiors

‘FUNYWUD, ‘DMV OK’

‘IS2LEGL’, ‘NOBUMPN’

‘IBBUMPN’, ‘ENSANIT’

‘ALFACAR’, ‘HOT IDEA’

The cars’ design alone would be enough to attract a fair share of attention on the road. The fact that these babies have clocked in at as much as 160 mph is a welcome bonus.

Source: Jalopnik, Benchrace

If you like navigating the off-road trails but wish that you could bring all your creature comforts with you, then you might be interested in Dunkel Industries’ latest creation. Meet Dunkel Industries’ most recent brainchild: a Luxury 4×4 that puts other recreational vehicles to shame.

Under this ultimate RV’s sleek, shiny, black exterior and on top of its Ford F-650 chassis sit a plethora of features that guarantee to make your off-road trips as comfortable as possible. Inside the RV are customized cabinets that offer maximum storage capacities, so you can load the RV up as much as you want. The RV’s bathroom is a dream, equipped with a water pump and heater, a porcelain toilet, a fiberglass shower, and a stainless steel showerhead. The kitchen sports stainless steel walls, with a foldable kitchen sink and 2 pull-out tables.

LED accent lights, reading lights, and house lights ensure that you can go about your business even though you’re parked in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night. For your off-road entertainment, Dunkel Industries’ ultimate RV comes with power outlets and flat screen monitors. The RV even has docking ports for mp3 players, as well as DVD and CD players.

The RV’s exterior is also chock-full of features geared to make off-roading easier. Aside from providing storage space, the truck’s bed can be tilted to serve as a ramp for loading small off-road vehicles (such as dirtbikes or ATVs) onto the roof. For those situations that require heavy-duty pulling, the RV comes equipped with 3 winches. Customized tires and wheels easily support the RV’s body, capable of taking the vehicle through any off-road trail.

According to Dunkel Industries, “We created a vehicle that has unlimited versatility. A military grade 4×4 system, made by Fabco, makes our truck claw at the ground when normal RVs would be spinning their wheels. A custom wood, leather and fiberglass interior makes rest and nourishment comfortable and easy. We designed the RV as a luxury escape with no limits on how far you can travel. It’s beauty and the beast under one roof.”

Beauty and beast, indeed. With an RV like this, who wouldn’t want to pack up, take a road trip, and brave the wilderness?

Source: Autoblog, Dunkel Industries