Jonathon Ramsey

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VIDEO: More celebrating as Mini marks 50th Anniversary with Wash Me

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 6:59PM


Mini 50th anniversary project Wash Me -- Click above for high-res photo gallery

You didn't really think it was going to stop with Krink, did you? Oh no. Mini and art have combined again on a limited-edition book and art project called "Wash Me." Starting with the idea of the "Wash me!" imperative scrawled into dirty cars the world over, ten artists that have never used a car as a canvas have "transformed [a Mini] into a transient work of art."

What does that mean? It means they painted a bunch of Minis lots of different colors and wrote (ironic?) things on them. And there were gorillas involved. Two, in fact. Or maybe it was one gorilla and Sasquatch. You can see for yourself in the video and press release after the jump, and the high-res gallery of images below. Take that, art world.


Gallery: Mini Wash Me Anniversary Project


[Source: Mini]

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SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour straps on some factory accessories

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 4:41PM


2010 Honda Accord Crosstour factory accessories -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda's 2010 Accord Crosstour doesn't yet appear on the Japanese automaker's accessories site, but a few images of aftermarket bits have been shared with an Element owner's forum (viewable below), and we now have some live shots straight from the show floor at SEMA.

On top are a rack and window deflectors and down below is a set of skirting that completely encircles the car. The effect, especially from the side, imbues the car with the kind of chunky brawn we used to associate with Subaru, before Subaru decided to dip its design pen into the inkwell of elegance. From the stock shots, the mods might even help, but our man Lavrinc on the show floor who took these live shots seems to indicate otherwise. In any case, as our first drive reviewer asked, is it enough? Thanks for the tip, Jubby!


Gallery: Honda Crosstour Accessories


Gallery: SEMA 2009: Honda Accord Crosstour with Honda accessories


[Source: H&A Accessories via Element Owners Club]

VIDEO: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo is like missing Koenigsegg ancestor

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 12:20PM

700-hp 1969 Saab 99 Quattro Turbo – Click above to watch video

Sweden has just over nine million people – that's an entire country whose population is just a little bigger than New York City – and we'd believe it if someone told us they exclusively devoted their time to blessing the world with peculiar automotive concoctions. We'd file this latest one under "quirky," but it's far too powerful: a 1969 Saab 99 given the Audi Quattro treatment and a turbocharging to the tune of 700 horsepower. And then left to look rather stock.

The brainchild of a man named Gustav, it's development is recorded on Savar Turbo for those of you who speak Swedish (translated, if you don't). It runs sub-10-second quarter-miles with ease, which includes a few tenths lost for wheelspin and manually shifting gears. And we like it. We like it a lot. And we want whatever he's been drinking – we're guessing drums of aquavit. Follow the jump for videos of this stealthy Swede's quarter-mile runs and have a look at what's under the hood in the gallery of high-res images below.


Gallery: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo


[Source: Savar Turbo via Car Throttle]

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VIDEO: Audi in on developing dashboard-mounted buddy robot

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009 at 7:01AM

MIT and Audi present Aida -- Click above to watch video

We don't know where carmakers got the idea that we want intelligent robots learning our behavior and then talking to us. Wherever it was, we don't want it any more than they thought we did 25 years ago in a talking Maxima. Nissan has its PIVO concept, which has the distinction of being as creepy as it is cute. Now Audi's in the game with it's much cuter, Wall-E reminiscent cybernetic accomplice, Aida.

In conjunction with MIT labs, Aida – an acronym for Affective Intelligent Driving Agent – is not only meant to help you think less about where you're going and how you're going to get there, she also pays attention to all of your driving so she can start recommending things (we call Aida "she" because of the LED eyeliner).

Yet even though cuter, Aida is just as creepy as PIVO because "after two weeks, Aida learns your favorite areas of town... and builds knowledge about the different activities you enjoy in the city." Eventually Aida knows all of your driving habits and then starts suggesting detours based on real world events happening nearby. That might sound cool until your wife borrows your Audi one day and Aida chirps, "It's 7 a.m.! Time for the crack house!" Follow the jump to watch the video, and prepare for your precocious robot overlords.

[Source: Engadget]

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REPORT: Saab in "expansionist mood," plots own 9-3 replacement, new compact

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 4th, 2009 at 8:59AM


Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The talk has begun: last week the outlines of Koenigsegg's intent for Saab was publicized, now the sports car company is flapping their jibs to back it up. The 9-5 and 9-4X that GM developed will be arriving shortly, and behind those is the 9-5 SportCombi. The gem for Saab fans is the mention of a redesigned 9-3, and perhaps a 9-1 and 9-2.

That 9-3 might even make a return to the days of quirky, since it is "more unlikely than likely" that it will be built on a GM platform. In short, Koenigsegg wants to do a clean-sheet design, and that could mean restoring the aura of the Saab 900 to the brand's smallest car. That, a huge leap in feel and quality, and the ability to sustain a paucity of sales for a few years just might put a Swedish crown back on the old gal. However, we realize that is asking a lot...

But going beyond that, Koenigsegg's plan is that the 9-3 wouldn't remain the brand's smallest car for long. A 9-1 or 9-2 that takes inspiration from the 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept is being considered, which would finally give Saab an entrant in a segment where buyers have proved they are willing to pay a premium for well-done small cars. The test of Koenigsegg's ambition begins now.


Gallery: Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept


[Source: Motor Trend]

GM's Liquidation Motors stock reportedly still worth $370M, can't be sold short

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 4th, 2009 at 8:40AM

When General Motors entered into Chapter 11 bankruptcy over the summer, its bad assets were moved into a firm called Motors Liquidation Company (MLC). That company was capitalized with more than 600 million shares that were meant to be worthless; however, quite the opposite has happened: with its shares priced at $0.60 per, MLC now has a market cap of $370 million. How did that happen?

Investors engaged in "naked short-selling" is how it happened. Short sellers usually procure an actual 'tangible' stock from a broker or investment house – 'tangible' meaning a share unit comprising the finite number of a company's total shares – as collateral when they take a short position. The naked short seller doesn't borrow any shares, taking a position before it can be determined if there are any shares available. This allows them to essentially create a position that isn't beholden to the ideal of a "structured" market.

Earlier this year the SEC put the kibosh on naked short selling, and required investors who had done it to get the tangible shares they need to hold their position. Since there are fewer shares to be had, and those naked traders are trying to absorb anything available to cover their positions, the price has yet to decline. Quite simply, no one can make money off of it.

Well, except for the holders of new GM shares. The SEC regulations also called on naked short sellers to close out their positions if they couldn't get the tangible stocks to cover. The investors who can't get actual shares to borrow are having to buy stock from "new" GM shareholders – at much higher prices. Eventually MLC shares will be worth zilch. Until then, the wacky world of finance reigns...

[Source: New York Times]

Mini lets artist "Krink" all over its car

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 3rd, 2009 at 10:29AM

The Krink-ed Mini – Click above for high-res image gallery

New York artist KR begat the artistic style – and ultimately brand and trend – of Krink. Mini, combining its urban credentials with an aesthetic born from Queens graffiti, gave KR a Mini to Krink and put it on display in Hamburg last weekend. In case you didn't know, it is the specific theme of finely dripping paint, especially silver, that is Krink, and it has appeared on Nike and Prada and in the New York Times, among other places.

At this point Mini is getting so post-postmodern cool that pretty soon the brand is going to be able to bottle its own irony and sell it. Follow the jump to read the translated press release, or check out the MiniSpace site, and have a look at the high-res images below.


Gallery: Mini Krink


[Source: Mini]

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REPORT: Bored Bulgarians engaging in Russian Road Roulette

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 6:29PM



One of Russia's most popular exports has been its version of roulette – you know, the kind where the player usually closes his eyes during the game and someone has a good chance of ending up dead. In this case it's being played in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the jouers are drivers and motorcyclists running red lights.

The point of the game is to get through a red light at high speed without hitting another car or pedestrian. Bets are said to have climbed as high as €5,000 ($7,370 U.S.), and even folks on the street are said to have placed bets and then watched the intersection to see if anyone bought the farm.

The first fatalities came in June, when a motorcyclist hit an onlooker. The Bulgarian police have been trying to stop the action, but it's hard to stay ahead of text messages among all those intersections in the capital. Be careful on the streets in Bulgaria, folks, and watch out for anyone yelling "Di di mao!" Hat tip to Andrew!

[Source: Reuters via RPMGo | Image credit: Emil Manolov via CC2.0]

VIDEO: Hyundai steps up to remedy world's worst parking job

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 12:32PM

Todd Jamison is given a new Hyundai Elantra Touring – Click above to watch video

More than a million-and-a-half people have watched an BMW X5 driver from Ontario, Canada make the tiniest of parking errors: hitting the gas instead of the brake and driving on top of two other cars. Turns out Hyundai Auto Canada was one of those 'people.'

One of the cars crushed by the X5 was a 2004 Hyundai Elantra belonging to Todd Jamison – a car that he had finally finished paying off the month before the incident. To make him feel better after that little misfortune, Hyundai gave Mr. Jamison a brand new Hyundai Elantra Touring. Follow the jump to see Jamison getting his reward, and the botched parking job that led to it. Now we're just waiting on the maker of the blue car to step forward... Thanks to everyone for the tips!

UPDATE: The woman responsible for playing monster truck derby with her X5 was identified the day after the incident when she returned to the scene and was recognized by an Extreme Fitness employee whose car was the other one crushed. She has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

[Source: Hyundai Auto Canada]

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Volkswagen prices UK Scirocco R and Golf R, debuts new ad [w/VIDEO]

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 2nd, 2009 at 10:00AM

VW Golf R and Scirocco R - Click above for high-res image gallery

For those of you in the U.K., the R-line versions of the Golf and Scirocco have been priced and can now be ordered. The Scirocco is the bargain of the two, going for £26,945 ($44,257 U.S.), while the Golf takes you slightly higher up the currency chart, priced at £28,930 ($47,518 U.S. -- nota bene: U.S. prices don't directly translate). They both come standard with a 6-speed manual, but if you want the car to shift for you, the DSG transmission option adds £1,300 ($2,135 U.S.) to either car.

They're the fastest and most powerful versions yet in their respective models: the 261-hp, front-wheel-drive Scirocco runs to 62 in 6 seconds; the 266-hp, 4MOTION-equipped Golf in 5.7. If you get the manual you can add 0.2 seconds to those times. The cars will make it to U.K. showrooms in February of next year, but in the meantime follow the jump to read all the specs and watch the video, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.


Gallery: Volkswagen UK Golf R and Scirocco R


[Source: Volkswagen]

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Autoblog Podcast #151: With Car and Driver's Eddie Alterman

Eddie Alterman wades in with Sam, Chris, Dan, and Jonny to talk about SEMA and other recent events.

 
 

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