FAIL No2: Volvo V60 Safety System Flub Ends with a Dead Dummy Named Bob

This is officially the second safety system demonstration in as many "Look at this!" announcements that has gone horribly wrong for Volvo. That's right, two. The first one was back in May and led to a new S60 estate crushing itself into the back of a truck - see the video here. This latest mishap occurred during a media demonstration to Australian journalists in Europe.

Now that the known-as-safe Volvo brand is officially owned by the Chinese, is this a sign of things to come?

The mechanism in question is part of Volvo's pedestrian avoidance technology, which makes use of cameras and radar in the nose of the vehicle to control the brakes and stability control system in order to reduce driver/pedestrian injuries. The object that the system was meant to detect was Bob the Dummy; as you can see in the vids below, it didn't detect a damn thing.

That's not to say the system is terrible; after all is said and done, it worked 75% of the time. Of the twelve runs, only one ended with Bob getting the full force of the Volvo unleashed on him, with the other two still being less than perfect. Some of the blame has been placed on a camera that doesn't work well in low-light conditions (infrared / night vision, guys?).

Volvo's Jonas Tisell, Active Safety Systems manager, told journalists, "The failure of the test was due to the dummy not being set up properly, therefore it did not give an echo enough for the system. So the dummy was not relevant in this situation." So...blame it on the dummy? And "not relevant"? How does being to blame (according to Volvo) translate as irrelevant?

More like Volvo just got caught with its pants down...again.

By Phil Alex

Via: Drive and Autoblog.com

Lamborghini Indomable Study Merges Gallardo and F-22 Fighter Into One

At the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan, design students Daniel Chinchilla Ochoa and Alberto Fernandez Albilares prepared this Lamborghini design study, called the Indomable.

Under the supervision of Filipo Perini, head of Lamborghini Centro Stile and designer Alessandro Salvagnin, Ochoa and Albilares were tasked with creating a design study based on the existing Lamborghini Gallardo's wheelbase.

The Indomable is the result. Said to be inspired by the latest generation fighter planes such as the F-22 Raptor, it incorporates features like a Y-shaped glass engine bay cover and a taillight assembly that also acts as the rear wing.

Ochoa has had an interesting career. Having worked on everything from aftermarket aerokits for Volkswagens and Fords to designing busses for his homeland of Mexico, he then worked an internship at Lamborghini Centro Stile for 6 months after finishing his Masters at Scoula Politecnica di Design.

By Tristan Hankins

Designers: Daniel Chinchilla Ochoa & Alberto Fernandez Albilares

Source: Carbodydesign

____________________________________________________________________

Dutch Superbus Limousine Hits the Track in New Video

Remember the 15-meter long Superbus from Holland's Delft University of Technology? Sure you do; it's the big, electric, beetle-icious bus that's going to be the efficient transportation for the future's well-off city dwellers.

Way back in March we brought you some photos of the first prototype being built, and now it looks as if the Superbus is starting to take shape. For some new video of a more show-ready bus making its way around the track, scroll on down.

Here's a brief refresher: the Superbus should be able to carry 23 passengers in personal or group cabins, will feature obstacle detection systems, and hopes to make a go at 155 mph. For some more information, check out our previous post here.

By Phil Alex

VIDEO: BMW Clip Shows 6-Series Coupe Concept Inside and Out

While not the action-packed video we were hoping for, nevertheless, here are the first official clips of BMW's Concept 6-Series Coupé that will take center stage at the firm's Paris Motor Show stand next week.

The two new promotional videos walk us around the exterior as well as the interior of the Bavarian GT. Despite being billed as a concept, the production version of the 6-Series Coupe, which is expected to arrive in showrooms next year, will only get some minor styling changes such as more subtle tail pipe and exterior mirror designs. Scroll down to watch both videos.

Citroen’s Survolt EV Takes on Agni Z2 Electric Motorcycle in Friendly Race [with Video]

Following its appearance at the Prince of Wales' Start Eco Car Spectacular, Citroen's conceptual Survolt electric racer has gone head-to-head (battery-to-battery?) with the Agni Z2 electric motorcycle at a friendly race held at Thruxton Race Circuit recently.

In the red corner, and behind the wheel of the Citroen Survolt is Le Mans / Touring Car racer Vanina Ickx, daughter of six times Le Mans winner and F1 driver Jacky Ickx.

The carbon fibre bodied Survolt features a tubular chasis and twin electric motors. With 220 kw (30o-horsepower) from 0 to 5,000 rpm, the Lotus Elise-sized Survolt can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in under five seconds. It has a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph) and an estimated range of 200 km (124 miles) from its twin 31kw lithium ion batteries.

In the blue corner, and piloting the Agni Z2 is the fastest woman around the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) course and championship leader in the 2010 TTXGP clean emissions motorcycle race, Jenny Tinmouth.

The Agni Z2 comes with eighty small battery packs and a 50 kw (65-horsepower) electric motor offering a 0 - 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph) sprint time of just 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 209 km/h (130 mph).

Below are pictures and video of the friendly race, as the two racy women took their electric vehicles around the Thruxton Circuit as part of a joint publicity showing.

By Tristan Hankins

___________________________________________________________________

Aston Martin Drops More Video of its One-77, Confirms Engine Specs

Aston Martin has released a new video (part four of a series, apparently) detailing its One-77 mega-super-hyper car flagship as well as showing it out on the track. Specifications? Sure thing. The 7.3-liter V12 has been officially certified at 750 horsepower and 750 Nm (553.2 lbs-ft) of torque making it -according to the company- the most powerful naturally aspirated road car engine in the world today.

Throughout the video you'll see some beautiful details of the million-dollar (actually £1.25 million) Aston flagship, including the side mirror mounts molded into the door shells and close-ups of the wraparound jewel-like tail light.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, says, "The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project. Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of."

Come 2011, sheiks, rulers, and Daniel Craig should expect to receive their own customized version from the 77 one-offs Aston intends to build. Hopefully at Paris we'll get a chance to see it in a new color.

By Phil Alex

Opel Unveils Vivaro e-Concept Hybrid Van at IAA Hannover Show [with Video]

Opel has taken the wraps off its Vivaro e-Concept plug-in electric van at the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover, Germany. The one-off concept was built to demonstrate the benefits of electrification to commercial vehicle operators.

The Vivaro's 111 kw (149 hp) electric motor delivers 370 Nm of torque and a pure electric range of 100 km (62 miles). An unspecified range extender (possibly one of Opel's common rail turbodiesels) gives the van an additional 300 km (186 mile) range.

By storing the lithium ion batteries under the floor, Opel can offer 5 cubic metres (177 cubic feet) of storage space and the ability to haul 750 kg (1650 lbs) of payload. As with most plug-in vehicles, the batteries can be charged through a standard 230 volt socket.

Chris Lacey, Executive Director of International Operations at Opel / Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles explains the benefits of the e-Concept:

"Electric mobility will allow [commercial vehicle operators] to travel in city areas which are now off-limits to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and the range-extender technology makes it possible to use an electric van for normal routine business."

By Tristan Hankins

___________________________________________________________________

New 911 Speedster: Porsche's Blast from the Past, Now on Film

Earlier today, we told you about the all-new 408-horsepower Porsche 911 Speedster that will have its world premiere in Paris on September 30 and hit the streets this December. Now we bring you the first video of the limited edition drop-top 911 with the chopped down windshield and double-bubble hard top, both directly inspired by the original 356 Speedster. Scroll down to watch the official promo.

On a side note, if anyone knows where the video was filmed, leave us a message in the comments section below.

______________________________________________________________________

Nissan Juke Ad: Crossovering to Cross-dressers?

I've watched this bizarre Nissan Juke ad about four times (that I'll admit to), and I still can't for the life of me get the point. For all intents and purposes, it's about dreaming, energy, and possibly angled at people who are emo/hip or worse; all this while the Juke is on your mind. Then your hair gets frizzy and washing machines blow their loads.

As some of you may remember, way back when I first started here my little bio picture appeared to be a gay pirate. That being said, one would think I was far enough outside the box - at least back then - to get this artsy ad, but...nope. I even tried to put myself in the mindset, but still nothing.

There's a nice, calming soundtrack by someone that sounds like Regina Spektor and a few different cross-dressers by my count, but what's the point? Is it just being weird to be weird?

Hand to God, I will deposit $5 US into the PayPal account of the first person to explain this ad in the comments to the point where it makes sense. Otherwise, I'll die thinking that the Juke is a crossover for cross-dressers or something back-alley poetic like that.

By Phil Alex

Via: Thetruthaboutcars

Paris Show Debut for Redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Passat Confirmed

The Paris Motor Show organizers have confirmed the world premiere of the facelifted Volkswagen Passat in both sedan and Estate body styles. Expect the first photos and intel on the revamped Passat to go up just before the grand opening of the show on September 30.

From what we've seen in the spy photos and videos, VW's offering in the mid-size segment will receive significant styling changes to the front and rear ends, including a new hood and grille, plus redesigned bumpers and head lamps / tail lights, for a crisper and more dynamic look.

A plusher cockpit with higher quality materials and a refreshed design is also in the cards. Other changes inside will include new audio and navigation systems as well as the introduction of new extras.

It is believed that for the most part, the current lineup of engines, including the four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel units, will be carried over to the facelifted model.

(Video via: Youtube/AMS)

How do You Say Boring in German? New Teaser Video of Mystery BMW

One more teaser like this and we will probably follow BMW's advice and never blog about this electric-thingamajig again... Now, let's see the Bavarians adding this quote on their "dontblogaboutthis" website... Those that don't mind wasting 34 seconds of their time to watch a black prototype with skinny wheels being loaded on a truck in slow motion may follow the jump for the video.

VIDEOS: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo, Captiva Facelift, Orlando MPV and Cruze Hatchback

As promised, here are the respective promotional videos of Chevrolet's Paris Motor Show-bound Aveo sub-compact, Captiva 7-seater SUV, Orlando 7-seater MPV and the Cruze five-door hatchback. From these four cars, only the Aveo has been confirmed for the U.S market with sales of both the five-door variant and the yet-to-be-revealed sedan model to start sometime in 2011.

FAIL: Toyota Land Cruiser vs Puddle [Accident Content]

Nothing brings you back to driving-reality quite as effectively as good a ol' cold shower, or in this case, a puddle bath. The sinkhole incident involving this new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado reportedly happened during a test-drive event organized by a Prado fan club (we're assuming it occurred somewhere in Russia). Photos and a video of the accident after the break.

Spasiba to Alex V. for the tip!

Via: Carlifeblog , Source: Prado-club

___________________________________________________________________