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

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 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

Let’s admit it. We all are guilty of driving in our flip flops. Not to say that this is wrong but the fact of the matter is – it’s wrong. There are states which ban the use of such footwear while driving.

Not only does it tend to get stuck on the pedals, it also makes you look like you don’t own whatever car you’re driving. If you happen to be driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom, people would be wondering why, or rather, how you can afford to drive a Rolls and yet can’t afford a decent pair of driving shoes.

Blame it on the numb feeling shoes give when driving, or maybe the bulky weight which just makes them so uncomfortable, shoes are definitely second on the list for most drivers’ preferred foot wear. Compared to them, slippers, flip flops and sandals just seem to be the more practical substitute.

Well, here’s something which might help you put aside your love for slip ons – the Honda FILA Racing Shoes. Borne out of the need for a pair of lightweight footwear when behind the steering wheel, these shoes will surely give a new meaning to the term ‘light-footed’.

Available in five unique color designs, these shoes are sure to give you a pleasant time on the pedal. Not only does it promise faster footwork, it also gives you a sharper sense for the pedals.

Some of its features include cupped polyurethane heels to prevent slipping, a “ballistic” mesh material for improved feet ventilation, skinnier outsoles for a better feel of the pedals and less weight for more comfort.

FILA says the shoes embody Honda Racing’s commitment to catering to the needs of each and every racer out there. If you’re on the look out for a decent pair of driving shoes, these may fit you just right.

Source(s): Autoblog

How awesome would it be if your car had a dual-view navigation screen - a screen that allows two completely different, simultaneous displays, depending on who’s doing the looking?

Well, if you live in the US, all you can do for now is wonder.

The 2010 Jaguar XJ is among the first of its kind to feature a dual-view navigation screen. The Jaguar XJ’s navigation screen can show two displays at the same time. For example, the screen could be showing a GPS map for the driver, while allowing the passenger-seat occupant to watch some music videos.

While extremely convenient and entertaining, the avant-garde screen is considered illegal in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently mandates that entertainment systems cannt be used in the front of the vehicle while it is in motion. This prevents the driver from being distracted.

Although the driver can’t see the passengers screen, nor access entertainment controls while on the road, Jaguar chief designer Ian Callum admits that the navigation screen’s split-screen feature still violates the NHTSA’s regulations. Jaguar is allegedly hoping that the NHTSA will reconsider and allow the European auto innovation into the US.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed, eh?

Source: Automobile Mag

What can a BMW 7-Series vehicle offer you that other vehicles can’t?

The answer lies in one of the options the 7-Series Bimmer’s iDrive directory offers: the Gentleman function.

“Gentleman function” under the “Front seats” directory

Despite its dubious moniker, the “Gentleman function” is relatively harmless. The option merely allows the driver to control the passenger seat’s position. With the “Gentleman function” activated, the driver can move the seat forward and backward using a memory panel on the driver’s side door panel.

instructions under the “Gentleman function” option

BMW explains that the said option would help front-seat passengers get into the 7-Series vehicle’s cabin, and would make it easier for drivers or chauffeurs to adjust the passenger seat for backseat passengers who need more legroom.

Apparently, the option’s name makes more sense in German, from which the option’s name was directly translated. Perhaps BMW can do better than the could-be-misconstrued-as-sexist “Gentleman function”.

Source: Jalopnik, Edmunds