Cars
January 23rd, 2012 at 12:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Safety, Technology
Scosche has created a new device designed to disable cell phones while driving. The cellCONTROL uses Bluetooth to block calls the instant a vehicle begins moving. According to the company, users activate the system online, download an application onto their mobile phone and plug a trigger unit directly into the vehicle’s OBD-II port. Once installed, the cellCONTROL automatically blocks telephone functions, from ingoing and outgoing calls to SMS, MMS, and internet connectivity. The device isn’t a blanket block, however. According to Scosche, the device lets the phone to work as intended once a hands-free headset is detected.
The application will automatically alert an administrator via text or email should the cellCONTROL be deactivated, removed or otherwise tampered with. Scosche says the device is compatible with more than 1,200 devices and any vehicle sold in the U.S. after 1996. Prices start at $129.95. Seems like small price to pay to drive cell-free. Click past the break for the full press release.
Continue reading Scosche debuts accessory that blocks all cell phone use in cars
Scosche debuts accessory that blocks all cell phone use in cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 23rd, 2012 at 12:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Etc., Off-Road, Ram
Venchurs Vehicle Systems has turned its attention toward the full-size truck market. As you may recall, the company produces expedition-ready versions of SUVs like the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, and now truck owners can have their beasts turned into similarly capable Xplore machines. While Venchurs plans to expand to trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series in the near future, the company only offers the Xplore Ram for now. Buyers can choose from three stages of off-road prowess depending on their needs.
Stage one starts with custom Katzkin leather seats and a variety of dealer-installed Mopar accessories, while stage two throws in black aluminum wheels wrapped in meaty BF Goodrich tires, adjustable Bilstein 5100 series shocks and a stainless steel cat-back exhaust. Hardier floor mats and smattering of Xplore aluminum badges are also part of the mix.
Stage three lets owners choose from a variety of ARB goodies, including special racks, tent systems and recovery hardware should they find themselves mired. Stage four vehicles are custom built at the Venchurs facility in California, and include special matte-finish paints alongside AMP tricks like power retractable running boards and bed sliders. If you’re ready to weather the apocalypse, hit the jump for the full press release.
Continue reading Venchurs Vehicle Systems shows off Xplore truck line
Venchurs Vehicle Systems shows off Xplore truck line originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 21st, 2012 at 12:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford
The time has come for the custom widebody Mustang from Galpin Auto Sports to find a new owner. Built by Galpin for industrial company SPX, this specially built Mustang features a hand-built body that widens the car by an incredible nine inches highlighted by PPG Candy Apple Red paint. Under the hood is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing over 700 horsepower, and it has also been fitted with forged three-piece wheels, a custom suede interior, upgraded exhaust system and more.
Whether it was the look and sound of the car or whether bidders were simply feeling generous, this attention-grabbing pony car nabbed a final bid of $160,000, all of which will be donated to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can see our live photos above, or hit the jump to watch a video of the car being auctioned off in case you missed it on SPEED.
Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2012: Galpin Widebody Mustang nets $160,000 for charity
Barrett-Jackson 2012: Galpin Widebody Mustang nets $160,000 for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 21st, 2012 at 12:55pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty
When Steve Saleen launched his new company, SMS Supercars, back in 2008, he announced that he would be expanding his portfolio of vehicles to include the muscle car offerings from Chevrolet and Dodge. First up was the 570 and 570X Challenger, followed soon after by the 302 Mustang.
Now, Steve Saleen’s muscle car trifecta is finally complete, as SMS officially unveiled the 620 Camaro at Barrett-Jackson this week. The car maintains the styling cues featured on both the Challenger and Mustang with an aggressive front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, butterfly hood and chrome 20-inch wheels. Inside is a custom leather interior, and under the hood, the 6.2-liter V8 has been supercharged to 620 horsepower and 570 pound-feet torque.
In addition to unveiling the car at Barrett-Jackson this week, SMS actually auctioned off the first production example last night. This particular car was also a special “Bondurant Edition” in honor of Steve Saleen’s former racing teammate, Bob Bondurant, and the two decided to donate the proceeds from the sale to two charities: Cox Charities and the Make A Wish Foundation of Arizona.
So, how did the car do? Bidding for the SMS 620 Camaro eventually reached the $100,000 mark, meaning the two charities will be getting a significant donation and the lucky new owner just got a nice tax write-off. Did we mention a Bondurant three-day performance driving school is included with the car?
You can see photos of the 2012 SMS 620 Camaro in the gallery above, and check out a video of the car being auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson in the video after the jump.
Continue reading SMS Supercars unveils 620 Camaro, auctions first example for charity at Barrett-Jackson
SMS Supercars unveils 620 Camaro, auctions first example for charity at Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 20th, 2012 at 03:58pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Ford
We normally associate with Roush Performance with the Ford Mustang, as we’ve tested several examples over the year from the race-ready 427R Trak Pak to the current 540 horsepower RS3. The Michigan tuner is now looking to expand, though, and has recently introduced a new line of performance products aimed at another segment of the Ford product line, the F-150.
The F-150’s new powertrains are the main focus of Roush’s product blitz, with supercharger systems available for both the 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8s. Roush has also developed cold air inductions kits for the entire powertrain lineup with the exception of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Additionally, Roush is offering a stainless steel cat-back exhaust for most of the F-150 lineup that produces a more aggressive tone than the stock system.
You can read more about the new F-150 products from Roush in the press release after the jump, and you can get a closer glimpse at the supercharger and the exhaust system in the gallery above.
Continue reading Roush announces new performance product line for the Ford F-150
Roush announces new performance product line for the Ford F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 20th, 2012 at 04:57am
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Ferrari
There are drawbacks to every kind of alternative to burning fossil fuels in our cars. Electric cars don’t have enough range.Hybrids are burdened with what essentially boils down to two parallel powertrains. Hydrogen is limited to where it is available. Bio-ethanol has its own drawbacks, but don’t tell that to the performance enthusiast. That’s because E85 - similar to what IndyCars run on but mixed with 15% pump gasoline - is not only a renewable and cleaner source of energy, it also provides more power.
Take the Koenigsegg Agera R, for example. With 927 horsepower on tap from ordinary 95-octane gasoline, the Koenigsegg is already one of the fastest, most powerful cars money can buy. But fill it with E85 and it offers up almost 1,100 hp. Now a Norwegian firm is offering an aftermarket bio-ethanol conversion for the Ferrari FF that provides a similar transformation.
Whereas the stock FF (which could now just as easily stand for Flex Fuel) already drives a prodigious 650 horsepower to all four wheels, the converted version packs a whopping 875 hp for a sub-three-second sprint to sixty, all the while dropping the car’s emissions figures by some 80%. The conversion costs just €1500 (less than $2k) - rather insignificant considering the FF’s $300k+ sticker price - and has reportedly been fitted yb an authorized Ferrari dealer to at least one customer’s car, though that doesn’t mean it’s covered by (and very well might invalidate) the FF’s warranty.
Ferrari FF converted to run on bio-ethanol packs 875 hp originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 20th, 2012 at 04:56am
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Tokyo Auto Salon
There are hundreds of aftermarket tuners out there, but few hold the type of street cred that does Veilside. Long known for making Japan’s greatest sportscars even greater, Veilside has now turned its attention to the Mercedes-Benz SL.
Not the newest one, mind you, because it’s not out yet. Instead, Veilside has taken to the Tokyo Auto Salon to unveil a conversion kit that turns the outgoing SL into something closer to the top-of-the-line SL65 AMG Black Series.
To do so, Veilside fitted the SL with a custom body kit that includes new bumpers front and rear, new hood, fenders, side skirts, and spoiler, all crafted from carbon fiber. The result is called the Black Fortune.
The folding roof mechanism present on the stock SL - but removed on the Black Series model - appears to remain in place, so the Veilside won’t encompass the kind of weight savings embodied by the factory special, but with only 300 examples of the kit to be offered at about $30,000 a pop, seeing one on the street should be about as rare a proposition.
Veilside bets on Black with Mercedes SL body kit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 18th, 2012 at 07:29pm
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, China, Porsche, Luxury
You think the prom limo market in America has a propensity for stretching anything with wheels? Just look at China. Instead of buying larger sedans there, wealthy Chinese buyers have a taste for stretching smaller ones. So while BMW, for example, already offers a larger 7 Series, they’ve developed a stretched 5 Series for the Chinese market. We thought that a little strange at first, but this one takes the cake.
Since the Porsche Panamera has one of the nicest interiors on the market, one aftermarket tuner of note has developed a stretched version specifically for China. That tuning firm is no less noteworthy than Ruf, the outfit that has made a name for itself by turning ordinary 911 models into supercar-beating, fire-breathing monsters.
The resulting Ruf Panamera XL is a good 40 centimeters longer than stock, giving it an extra measure of legroom in the back. And while this type of stretch job would normally make an exotic performance automobile like a Porsche look more than a little odd, given the almost universal derision of the Panamera’s roofline, we’d venture to say this - to some eyes, anyway - might be considered an improvement. So much so, in fact, that Porsche is rumored to be considering developing one on its own - let’s just hope that if Stuttgart tackles one on its own that they do a cleaner job of the resolving the B-pillar.
Ruf stretches Porsche Panamera for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 18th, 2012 at 12:58am
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Tokyo Auto Salon, Fiat
The Abarth 695 was originally intended as a Fiat 500-based tribute to Ferrari. Hence the 695 Tributo Ferrari moniker. But this one looks more like a salute to McLaren.
Created by Japanese tuner Office-K and unveiled this week at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this special Abarth has had its Scuderia Red paint hidden under a full chrome vinyl wrap - similar to the one we reported on back in May - and capped with a tricolore racing stripe up the nose.
Otherwise, it’s mechanically the same as the stock 695, which means a 1.4-liter turbo four driving 180 little prancing stallions through a five-speed manual to the front pair of 17-inch wheels with their Brembo brakes. It also means an interior with a chunky steering wheel, Sabelt racing buckets and Abarth’s signature turbo boost gauge. Check it the chrome job in the video after the jump and the images in the gallery above.
Continue reading Abarth 695 shines in Tokyo with full chrome job [w/video]
Abarth 695 shines in Tokyo with full chrome job [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
January 16th, 2012 at 03:55am
Under Cars
Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Technology, Toys/Games
Ferrari isn’t shy about slapping its logo on just about anything it thinks it can sell to fans that will never be able to afford one of its cars. We’ve seen phones (plenty of them), computers, a home gym… and now, headphones and iPod speaker docks.
This new deal with Logic3 features six different lines of headphones and earphones and two distinct speaker docks. Logic3 has divided its offerings into two lines: the Cavallino Collection, which is influenced by the Ferrari road cars, and the Scuderia Collection, which is inspired by Ferrari’s F1 racing team.
As is common with these licensing deals, Logic3 promises that it has worked closely with Ferrari to ensure “the marque’s characteristic style, design and personality are captured within every product.”
Perhaps more of a concern here is how closely Ferrari has worked with Logic3 to insure that these new audio products are of a high quality. We’ll note that Logic3 is not Grado Labs, and its reputation among the audiophile community is virtually nonexistent - a search of Stereophile’s website, for instance, didn’t turn up a single mention of the brand.
To read the full press release, click past the jump.
Continue reading Ferrari branding expands again, now includes headphones
Ferrari branding expands again, now includes headphones originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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By Mikel
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