Ford Introduces Childproof Driving with MyKey

Ford announced today a new technology called MyKey that will be standard on the 2010 Focus Coupe and quickly spread to the rest of the Blue Oval’s lineup. MyKey can do three basic things: allow parents to limit a vehicle’s top speed to 80 mph and/or the stereo’s volume up to 44% of its max, and set a sustaining chime if the seatbelts aren’t being used. Read more

Hamann Aston Martin V8 Vantage

No doubt – HAMANN knows how to refine luxury cars. And with the tuning programme for the V8 Vantage of the English luxury brand Aston Martin, the Laupheim-based company once again confirms its supremacy as a manufacturer of sport accessories and thrilling body design. Read more

New iPhone Dyno Software

We knew the Apple iPhone would allow for some really great automotive applications. Our pal Marty Padgett at The Car Connection even rounded up the best of the apps a few weeks ago, which we republished here . But what we were hoping for was something that completely leveraged the iPhone’s accelerometers to effectively create a VBox , just cheaper and smaller. Read more

Magnetic Car Concept Released

Once again I am forced to express my jealous admiration for the new breed of magic, eco-friendly car. Oops, did I say magic? I meant magnet: this car overcomes the force of gravity through the strategic use of an electric engine…and magnets. Winner of the unseen technology award at the Interior

motives design awards 2007, the MAG magnetic vehicle concept (designed by Matúš Procháczka) finds an unusual solution to the problem of, expending fuel to get somewhere. Rather than finding a different fuel source, or building a smaller car, Procháczka ingeniously reduces the weight of the car by using an electric engine with magnets the same polarity as the roads. The resulting upward force lightens the vehicle’s weight by 50%. Read more

Volkswagen Overtakes Ford as World’s 3rd Largest Automaker

While Toyota and General Motors continue to duke it out for first place among the world’s largest automakers, the lower rungs have been equally hotly contested. It came as a shock to many that Hyundai-Kia had surpassed Honda to take the Number 5 spot, but if you think the battle is being waged purely between the Far East and North America, don’t discount Europe for long. The continent’s largest auto group, Volkswagen, has claimed its place on the podium as the world’s third largest automaker, beating out Ford in the first half of this fiscal year. Read more

2009 Audi RS6 Photos and Specs

426 kW (580 hp) and 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) of torque – with its twin-turbo V10 and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the Audi RS 6 is a car without equal. Following on the heels of the RS 6 Avant, Audi now presents the sedan. It drives like a supercar thanks to its superior performance and thrilling dynamics, yet offers all of the everyday utility of a large business sedan. Read more

$413,000 for New Corvette ZR1!

Wow, price gouging at its finest. Reports indicate that the first 2009 Corvette ZR1 sold for an amazing $413,000. GM’s new mega powered supercar is already going to be limited to 338 Chevy dealers nationwide. No wonder the ZR1 is reportedly selling for over 4 times what the original pricetag associated with the car ($103,300). Is the 638 HP beast still worth that price tag? I don’t think so.

New Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport (Roadster)

A new Bugatti will publicly be displayed for the first time at this years Pebble Beach Concourse dElegance, on August 16th, 2008

Molsheim, France/Wolfsburg, August 1, 2008 The last preparations are running at full speed. Two more weeks and then Bugatti Automobiles will present their new Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport for the very first time to the public. Read more

Nissan’s New Sensor Pressure Pedal

Great news for hypermilers: Nissan’s developing a new high-tech accelerator pedal that will force you to drive more efficiently. The “ECO Pedal” is equipped with sensors that detect any excess pressure or poor fuel economy and then literally pushes back against your foot to correct wasteful driving habits. I’ve heard of engines that shut down cylinders when they’re not needed, but this seems like a scary new level of artificial intelligence. Read more

Rinspeed Porsche 997 Lemans

The “Le Mans” front skirt with integrated Carbon splitters appears eye-catching and produces a higher aerodynamic down force at the front axle. This increase results in a better road handling. The bigger and re-shaped air intakes for the radiators and the brakes improve the cooling of them considerably. Additional headlights with day light driving lights and the inboard moved fog lights guarantee a sporty yet elegant appearance. Read more