NYC seeks Taxi of Tomorrow; is the UniCab answer?

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A couple of years have passed now since the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) announced its search for a vehicle that would replace the taxis of New York City with something that better fits the times. The TLC created a website for creative types to submit ideas for the "Taxi of Tomorrow," and one of the more interesting proposals to come in over the last couple of years is something called the UniCab.

The groundwork for NYC's Taxi of Tomorrow is quite simple:

• Meets highest safety standards
• Superior passenger experience
• Superior driver comfort and amenities
• Appropriate purchase price and ongoing maintenance and repair costs
• Smaller environmental footprint (lower emissions and improved fuel economy)
• Smaller physical footprint (with more usable interior room)
• Compliance with appropriate Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
• Iconic design that will identify the new taxi with New York City

Born out of those guidelines, the UniCab looks nothing like a traditional taxi, aside from the yellow color. The UniCab features seating for four passengers, an automated ramp for those with disabilities, an infotainment center that displays intended routes and attractions along the way and outward sight lines that allow all of the passengers to get a great view of the glorious city of New York. Though nothing more than a design sketch right now, the UniCab could change our perception of taxis in the future and make hailing a cab the hip, green thing to do. Hat tip to Zelda!

[Source: The Taxi of Tomorrow]

Remote-controlled exhaust valves now available for the Nissan 370Z

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Cobra Technology and Lifestyle dual-mode exhaust

German tuner Cobra Technology and Lifestyle has developed a range of aesthetic and performance parts for the Nissan 370Z coupe and roadster. One of them is an exhaust with a remote-controlled butterfly valve that allows the driver to control how loud it bellows. Delivering the same kind of effect you'd get by revving an Aston above 4,500 rpm, you can buy 120-mm pipes with a flap that ranges from "discrete sportiness to pure racing sound."

You can check it the sound range in the video after the jump. Even with the flaps open it doesn't seem bad at all, but it might still come in handy for those hamlets where any kind of loud noise is a no-no.

[Source: Gizmag]

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Have you seen those Subaru commercials that feature mud-covered Outbacks? You know, the ones where they talk about the thick layer of terra firma as a badge of honor? Well, if you don't like your Subie to stay filthy for long, Subaru has another way to showcase your honor and brand loyalty. We're talking real badges, baby.

As shown at right, the main, circular badge tells the world how many Subarus you've owned, followed by your choice of over a dozen badges that show what sports or hobbies you engage in. As you can see in the main image above, merit badges include the 100,000 mile club, mechanical prowess, gardening, biking and winter sports. The badges have an adhesive backing so they can be easily affixed to any metal surface. And if you don't have a Subaru but think you can buy the badges because they look cool, think again. Proof of ownership via Vehicle Identification Number is required to score your free stick-on schwag. Head over to the Subaru Badge of Ownership site to peruse the options. Thanks for the tip, Keye!

[Source: Subaru]

Nissan prices 2011 Juke in UK - What should the U.S. Cost Be?

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2011 Nissan Juke

It's a big day for the upcoming Nissan Juke. Not only did Nissan drop UK pricing details on its little run about, but the company also dumped a smattering of new photos on the interwebs at the same time. If you happen to find yourself living in the old empire and want to lay your hands on the new crossover, get ready to shell out around £12,795 for the base model. That equates to around $18,500 at current conversion rates, but includes Britain's 17.5 percent Value Added Tax. Subtract the VAT and the base MSRP would be around $15,250. That's a reasonable baseline comparison, but of course, there are other market-specific factors to consider in a price comparison.

The base model packs a 117 horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline engine, though a 110 horsepower diesel mill is also available in ol Blighty. Step up to the 190 horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter and all-wheel drive, and you're looking at a final price tag of £19,995 – around $23,850 after converting from the mighty pound and ditching the VAT. At that price point, buyers are treated to a new XTRONIC CVT with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.

Those numbers should give us a feel for how the 2011 Nissan Juke will be priced once it hits our shores, though don't hold us to it. The oddly styled Juke is deceptively small and will likely straddle the various segments in the entry-level class. Off-hand, we can see it doing battle with the forthcoming Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the Suzuki SX4, inexpensive 'box' cars like the Kia Soul, along with basic hatchbacks.

How Much Should The Nissan Juke Cost

China-only 2011 Buick GL8 Minivan Spotted

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For years , Buick has produced the GL8 minivan for the Chinese market. It's based on the late-1990s Pontiac Trans Sport. With that van being severely outdated for the better part of a decade now, Buick's just about ready to replace it with an all-new design. The new GL8 (we don't yet know if the name badge will carry over) has been spotted out testing and it looks very much like the Buick Business Concept that debuted last year in Shanghai.

One of the more interesting visual elements of the concept was its dipped beltline, similar to those on the Hyundai Genesis coupe and the more recent Honda Odyssey concept. The interior of the Buick van looks very upscale, in keeping with what we've seen in the new LaCrosse and Regal.



Considering that the prototype in the spy photos still doesn't have completed light clusters, it's likely that the GL8 replacement won't officially debut until next year's Shanghai show.








[Source: auto.163.com]

Cadillac May Get Seven-seat Lambda Variant

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Brace yourself, Cadillac fans. Word has just come down the pike that The Crest will "absolutely" be getting a new model based on none other than the Lambda architecture. That means that a variant of the Chevrolet Traverse will be sold under all four of The General's brands. So far, drivetrain options are still up in the air and vague at best, but we'd be willing to bet our lucky penny that both front- and all-wheel drive models will be available. Chances are that power will come from the same 3.6-liter V6 found under the hood of every other Lambda out there, too.

It's hard not to approach this with a cynical eye. Right after the company's 2009 bankruptcy blitzkrieg, GM promised the world that it was through with badge engineering for good. Swapping nameplates and fenders had done much to lead the company to the brink of collapse, and the waves of fresh new models hitting our shores had us thinking that maybe the company had turned over a new leaf.

By all accounts, the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave are selling well, so is this a case of Detroit getting greedy or is the company simply trying to spread development costs as thin as possible? Either way, it will take something really special to convince us that this is a smart move.

[Source: InsideLine]

Ford Said To Be Shutting Down Mercury Division

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According to a report from Bloomberg, which is citing two unnamed sources that are supposedly "familiar with the plan," Ford is planning to close the doors on its Mercury division after 70 years of existence. If true, Mercury will join recently departed brands ranging from Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer.

We can't say that this news comes as a shocker, as analysts far and wide have been predicting such an event for the last few years, but Ford has repeatedly denied any plans to cancel its interplanetary division when questioned.

For what it's worth, the Mercury brand has seen its sales fall by nearly three-quarters since the year 2000, now representing less than two percent of Ford's annual sales. What's more, Mercury is scheduled to lose two of its four models next year.

Stay tuned for more as the story develops.

Jeep Releases Pictures of 2011 Grand Cherokee Gettin' Dirty

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Well, look what the interwebs have dragged in. Chrysler has released a flood of new photos of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee doing manly things like fording rivers and blazing trails across the untamed desert. We approve. The company also turned out a tasty press release, complete with a few details on the newest version of Jeep's luxury utility. We no longer need to wonder about what the Grand Cherokee was doing bombing around the Nürburgring. Chances are Chrysler was attempting to see just how big of a difference the truck's reworked fully independent suspension and stiffer chassis would handle a serious flogging.

There's no surprise in hearing that the base Grand Cherokee will feature the new Chrysler Pentastar V6.The new powerplant should up fuel economy should return 11 percent better fuel economy than what's currently available, upping the highway figure to 23 mpg. Throw in the standard tow rating of 7,200 pounds and suddenly you've got an SUV worth looking into.

Expect two-wheel drive models to carry an MSRP of $30,995, with the four-wheel drive variant setting you back another $2,000.





Check out the other pics here:

2010 Volkswagen GTI Review

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In 1983, Run-DMC was fresh (which meant dope), Volvo 760 Turbos weighed 3,300 pounds and the 2,200-pound Volkswagen GTI made its U.S. debut. In 2010, the Rabbit-turned-Golf entered its sixth generation and attempted to draw a clear line to the first-generation car. The historical link has been made especially clear in the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, though it's gone through the typical changes you face when you hit your 30s. The GTI is now 1,000 pounds porkier, but it's still as slick as a greased pig when it comes to handling.Inside, there's plaid seat upholstery and higher-quality materials. Just like it was back in '83, the underhood motivation is only available from a four-cylinder, a change from recent generations that could be stuffed with Volkswagen's VR6. At a glance, the 2010 model promises to be more visceral than its direct predecessors, but does it come anywhere near the primal magic of the original, or is it just playing dress-up? Thats for you to decide!

BMW Releases M3 GTS Specifications

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BMW has just dropped the juicy details on the spanking new M3 GTS. Here's the skinny: under the hood is a 4.4-liter V8 with 450 horsepower and 324 pound-deet of twist. All that muscle kicks at the rear tires via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and helps the car get to 60 mph in under 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 189 mph. BMW's army of Bavarian engineers managed to slim the car's weight down to around 3,373 pounds, which should make the already wicked M3 even more devilish on track.

Speaking of tossing the M3 GTS around on track, BMW has fitted the car with a bolted-in roll bar as well as factory mounting points for an additional cage. While the standard three-point belts are par for the course, the race-bred German comes with six-point belts for both front occupants as well. Stopping duties fall on hefty six-piston calipers squeezing on 14.9-inch rotors up front and four-piston blocks out back.

If you want it – and lets face it, we all want it – get ready to shell out a lofty $170,000.

Video: 2010 Mazda Mazda3 Grand Touring

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Toyota FT-86 Delayed Until 2013 (Possible Hybrid)

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If a report from Japan's Best Car is to be believed, Toyota will delay the release of the FT-86 from 2011 to 2013.

The reasons behind the delay are varied, and include a different design direction, the economic slowdown and possibly a revised powertrain strategy that could include some kind of hybrid motivation.

As reported previously, the original FT-86 concept was just that – a design study – and Toyota is apparently second-guessing the styling of the coupe before it reaches production. Additionally, ToMoCo is reportedly gauging the success of the Honda CR-Z, which could influence the final drivetrain specs of the FT-86. If that means a hybrid powerplant is in the cards, we're not totally heartbroken, but if Toyota decides to remake the coupe as a front-driver, consider our dreams officially dashed. Regardless, the next iteration of the FT-86 is slated to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of 2011.

Mini Moke Car May Get The Greenlight

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Mini is reportedly seriously considering creating a production version of the Beachcomber concept that debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show. The Beachcomber was produced as a Mini Moke-inspired preview of the Countryman crossover that debuted in Geneva, but the concept left the doors and roof behind to create what looked like the offspring of a Jeep Wrangler and the iconic British small car.

Mini SVP for brand management Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht acknowledged that the response to the concept was so strong that BMW is now looking at the business case for this open-sided variant. If Mini does proceed with the Moke/Beachcomber that would bring the lineup to seven models, including the upcoming coupe and roadster variants. A production version would probably come with removable doors and a folding fabric roof. We wouldn't expect to see this one appear until at least 2012 or 2013 at the earliest, if then, but in the meantime, make the jump to see Dr. Armbrecht and designer Gert Hildebrand discuss the Beachcomber concept.

Thirteen-year-old renders Porsche 918 RSR racer

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Like most of the motoring world, our automotive lives really got off the ground at age 13. We suddenly realized that in just three short years, we would be legally allowed to drive our very own cars, and that revelation started a chain reaction of magazines, posters and models that eventually led to our first set of keys. We may have even been known to sketch a barely recognizable dream car or two. We weren't, however, cranking out professional-grade renderings of a Le Mans version of the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept.

Here's the deal: Team Speed forum user PorscheCarreraGTMay6 has been so kind as to share his vision of what a genuine Porsche hybrid racer might look like. That's all fine and good. After all, the internet is awash with plenty of Photoshopped what-ifs, but what makes these really special is that A) the person claims to be 13 years-old and B) the renders are drop-dead gorgeous and C) there's a good chance we're going to see a 918 Spyder racer within the next few years. The user even cranked out a YouTube video and a solid description of the reasoning behind the model.

Tuned 2011 Ford Mustangs Already In The 10's

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There's no doubt that the 2011 Mustang GT is one of the most potent ponycars to ever come from Ford, but to the Mustang faithful, a big part of its legacy will be how it takes to the aftermarket. The new 5.0-liter V8 seems to be off to a good start, with at least two different modified 2011 Mustangs already achieving ten-second time slips at the dragstrip.

The first to achieve the feat was JPC Racing, who had their 2011 Mustang out at the track within 24 hours of receiving the car. Using 4.56 gears, beefier upper and lower control arms, racing slicks and a 100 shot of nitrous, JPC's 'Stang nailed a best time of 10.96 seconds @ 125.75 mph. A short time later, the boys at Evolution Performance nailed a 10.88 @ 126.66 run using just 3.73 gears, a prototype cold air intake, Eaton Trutrac differential, D.O.T. approved racing tires and a 100 shot of nitrous.

While the numbers themselves aren't all that impressive, the simplicity of the modifications and the brief time in which they were developed surely are. We can't wait to see what the various tuners around the country can do once they have time to develop more parts for the new Mustang. You can watch both of the runs in the videos posted after the jump.

Officially Official: Buick Regal GS Is A Go!

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Last week, we heard rumors that Buick had finally decided to produce the Regal GS but no official announcement came from General Motors headquarters.

This morning as U.S. media gathered to drive the Regal in California, the GS officially became a reality. And while our man Michael Harley is on the launch, we also just received an email from Dayna Hart in GM communications proclaiming:

"At wave 1 of our drive program for Regal we just confirmed that the Regal GS will be added to the Buick portfolio. We are not providing any additional details at this point."



As the quote notes, Buick isn't sharing any other details about the GS such as timing, or what engine will be in the car. We're expecting that Buick will stick with the 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected Ecotec inline-four that was listed on the spec sheet for the concept version shown at the Detroit Auto Show last January. However, now that Hyundai has announced the Sonata Turbo with 276 horsepower, we're expecting that Buick will try to ensure that the Regal GS will have more than the 255 hp announced back in January.

Bimmerfest 2010: The Rose Bowl Hosts North America's Largest BMW Gathering

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Bimmerfest is billed as the celebration of being a BMW enthusiast – but to most it is simply the world's largest BMW event held in North America. After starting as a small get-together at a BMW dealership in Santa Barbara just over a decade ago, the show has outgrown all of its venues... until now. The 2010 show, its 11th annual event, was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this weekend. Thanks to strong online forum support for Bimmerfest, this year's show was packed with thousands of BMW models covering decades of production and dozens of vendors peddling accessories. If you have a Roundel on your hood, it's worth the trip (some drove from as far as Alaska and Florida just to attend).

The best part of Bimmerfest – and the reason we enjoy the show so much – is that nearly every single BMW at the show is privately owned. Sure, BMW North America brought some cars to display (among them an X6 M and a 7 Series Alpina B7), but the diversity and customization of the owned cars meant no two were alike. We weaved our way through hundreds of freshly detailed 3 Series and 5 Series models to find dozens of real gems. Our favorites included the race-bred E30 M3 models, a sweet BMW Z8, and a rare BMW 850CSi six-speed manual.

Benz reportedly upping dollars to pursue Gen Y "digital natives"

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Mercedes has developed social media initiatives aimed at "digital natives," folks 16-to-33 that have grown up with the web, that don't stop at posting photos and blasting a few characters at a time. One is a community called Gen-Benz, with 580 members who provide Mercedes comments and commentary on the brand.

The other forum for feedback comes via a group of 1,800 M-B Advisers who provide feedback on the marque's advertising and branding. Interestingly, Mercedes has used the group to get input on marketing the SLS AMG, not just the models you might think more appropriate for the 16-to-33 demographic.

The results being promoted do raise an eyebrow. In one instance, some Gen-Benz members were dispatched to dealers as mystery shoppers and they reported that dealers didn't treat them well, a verdict that Mercedes' VP of marketing described as "a truth we wouldn't have known about for a couple of years." In another case the M-B Advisers told Mercedes to stick with an emotional pitch for its SLS AMG, yet we aren't sure how many other ways there are to advertise a nearly $200,000 car. Still, a fairly conservative company going this far to interact with current and new buyers is a smart move.

[Source: MediaPost]

World's first motorcycle hearse?

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Given the level of dedication we've seen from the dead when it comes to their motorcycles, it comes as no surprise that somebody has given one the Munsters treatment and created the world's first motorcycle hearse. Built in Auckland, New Zealand by an automotive engineer, the bike can carry up to 440 lbs in an underbelly cradle. Push a button and the rig slides out to let the pallbearers do their thing. A complex system of hydraulics helps stabilize everything, and two riders are needed to get the deceased from place to place.

Power comes courtesy of a 1,350 cc Harley-Davidson engine, and the motorcycle hearse's inventor, Mike Price, says that he originally wanted to partner with them on the project. Harley wanted Price to sign a lengthy contract before they'd even look at his design, however, so he politely told them where they could stick that dotted line and built the bike himself after work. Are there classier ways to get to your final resting place? Sure, but few are any cooler.

[Source: Papakura Courier, YouTube]

Rendered Speculation: Audi A9 concept

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From the front, high three-quarter angle, Daniel Garcia's Audi A9 concept is a little too reminiscent of BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. Yet, as is the case with so many geniune Audis, get to know it a bit more and you discover its beautiful and original secrets. As a concept, it's full of features like self-repairing panels and a pushbutton that changes the exterior color, but we have to admit we're digging those electroluminescent, spoked wheels.

Better yet is the exterior, with its inviting proportions, conceivable enough that if someone told us this will be the 2016 A7 Sportback we'd give them the benefit of the doubt. Have a better look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below, and we'll hope that one of Audi's coming software apps includes running a program that turns your A8 into this.