Archive for Automotive

Flatmobile: Gotham’s lowrider

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on May 21st, 2008

Flatmobile: Gotham’s lowrider
The Batman inspired Flatmobile just might be the flattest vehicle on Gotham’s city streets. It really looks like Batman’s ride got flattened by a steamroller. I suppose it would not look too out of place, with a midget in Batman costume.

It’s 19″ tall and is supposedly the world’s flattest car that isn’t really a go-kart. The Flatmobile is powered by a jet engine with it’s own custom afterburner, that can deliver 90lbs of thrust powering the Flatmobile to speeds in excess of 100mph. In other words, this car can go fast enough to go rocketing UNDER other cars.

DOORKICK helps keep your car looking new

Posted in Automotive by Shane McGlaun on May 21st, 2008

DOORKICKI bought a new car not too long ago and it seems like every time I get in my wife or kids have added some new scratches to the plastic interior panels from kicking the doors open. I have often wished there was something that could keep the interior panels form being scratched.

A product called the DOORKICK looks like it may be just what I need to keep the door panels looking new. The product is made from a soft foam base and a vinyl material that sticks to the lower part of the door with an adhesive that can stand up to high temperatures inside a car in the summer.

The Anti Sleep Driving Alarm keeps you awake

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on May 19th, 2008

The Anti Sleep Driving Alarm keeps you awake
Many of us do not get the proper amount of sleep. That can be dangerous when you’re behind the wheel of a several ton killing machine. The last thing that you want to do is nod off and wake up in a hospital only to find out that you’ve ushered some other poor souls into the great beyond. Or worse never wake up again.

This little gadget sits on your ear and when your head tilts forward more than 30 degrees, a high pitched alarm will sound in your ear. It’s also great for all night gamers. You wouldn’t want to nod off in the middle of a crucial level. It will cost you $14.99 and could save your life. Probably best to get more sleep, though.

The Voxmobile is ready to rock

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on May 14th, 2008

The Voxmobile is ready to rock
Putting a high-tech sound system in your car is easy. Making the actual car into a “sight of sound” is a little harder. Vox is well known for making the Vox AC30 guitar amplifier, the Vox electric organ, and other innovative electric and bass guitars. So, they approached George Barris to build them a Voxmobile guitar. They wanted a custom roadster that would function as a car and as a mobile amplifier at the same time, for promotional purposes.

It turned out pretty well as the Voxmobile, a vehicle with a Vox guitar silhouette that also is a functioning amp that can support up to 32 guitars. It also features a working Vox organ in the rear. How much? Just $30,000! You’ll attract every Guitar Hero wannabe from miles around.

Internet TV heads for a car near you

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on May 13th, 2008

Internet TV heads for a car near you
TV is everywhere. From the moment of it’s creation, it has spread into every corner of our lives, like the plague. It used to be you could get away from the TV in your car. Not anymore, thanks to USTelematics, who are delivering IPTV to their Voyager in-car entertainment systems.

And so, drivers can now be in the know regarding the latest antics of Desperate Housewives while stuck in rush-hour traffic. USTelematics will also offer a “mobilecast” program called 4VDO, which will deliver broadcast and video programming. I’m not sure if this is something our civilization needs, but who knows, maybe it will ease some Road rage.

The Hamburglar’s getaway vehicle

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on May 13th, 2008

The Hamburglar’s getaway vehicle
This is obviously the Hamburglar’s getaway vehicle. Frankly, I’m surprised we don’t see this kind of thing more often, since Harley’s are a symbol of the American dream. Judging by the hoardes of obese Fast Food enthusiasts out there, the only thing more American is obesity. Which makes this a much desired vehicle.

Hamburger enthusiast Harry Sperl of Florida took a look at his Harley and his collection of burger collectibles. This is the result. The Hamburger Harley. Let the fatties begin fighting over it, while Grimace and Ronald laugh hysterically. It’s got all the fixings, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, buns and patty. The top bun flips up to access to the seat, and the handlebars have a tray with a burger and fries.

Car visor plays everything, kills you dead

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on May 12th, 2008

Car visor plays everything, kills you dead
This may be the last gadget you’ll ever buy. Both because it does everything and because it is the ultimate distraction leading to your fiery demise. At least you’ll be distracted while that tanker truck rams you. Not only can the visor play DVDs, audio and video files, it can play retro video games on its 7-inch LCD 16×9 widescreen display. Just hook up one or two gamepads that are included and you can play emulated 8-bit games. (You get several on an included disc).

It plays DVD, SVCD, VCD, DVCD, CD, CDG, CD-R and CD-RW discs, as well as digital media files stored in MP4, MP3, WMA or JPEG formats. You can even send game or movie audio to your car’s stereo thanks to a built-in FM transmitter. I’m hoping it’s only available as a passenger visor, for all of our sakes. If you’re ready to turn your car into wreckage, this will cost you just over $100.

Device disables your ride if you don’t pay up

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on May 8th, 2008

Device disables your ride if you don’t make car payments
I hear ya. The guys that made this device are only about a step above the cockroaches called Repomen. Still, banks have to protect their investment. This device will make it easier. A company called Sekurus has developed a device called the On Time which will force a new car owner to make their scheduled payments or run the risk of the vehicle not starting. The devices cost about $250 and are installed by car dealerships or finance companies, all because of your crappy credit histories.

When a payment on the vehicle is about due, an LED light on the box will blink. On the deadline day it will make an annoying beeping noise too. The idea is to annoy the hell out of you so you pay. It’s kinda like a loan-shark that way. If the owner makes the payment, the lender will give them a six-digit code that will disable the alerts. If they fail to make that payment, the vehicle just won’t start. And if they continue to avoid paying up, they’ll soon get a visit from the repo man.

Charge your electric car batteries in the house

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on April 25th, 2008

Charge your electric car batteries in the house
The thing that sucks about electric cars is that they need to be plugged in every day. Most people don’t have a plug in their garage or their driveway. That being the case, you are going to have an extension cord mess somewhere.

That won’t be a problem with the MIRA HAV, an electric car that’s designed a little smarter. It allows you to remove the batteries and charge them up in your home. That’s where your outlets are after all, so it makes sense. Obviously moving large batteries to and fro is not ideal either. They have some flaws to work out, but hey, it’s an option that has to work for some people.

Exhaust Air Jack uses exhaust to lift your car

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on April 21st, 2008

xhaust Air Jack uses exhaust to lift your car
Let’s face it people, these days there are a lot of sissy men out there who are puny and helpless. We just aint producing many John Waynes these days. Then you’ve got your traditional damsels in distress. How do you make it easy for these people to jack up their vehicle and change a tire? We aren’t all muscular either.

Well, here’s a car jack that doesn’t require feats of strength. The Exhaust Car Jack will easily lift your vehicle within half a minute. Just connect this to your exhaust, turn on your engine and you’re good to go. The exhaust will inflate the bag, lifting the vehicle’s frame 17″ off the ground. The bag remains inflated even after the engine is turned off thanks to a one-way valve. It’s been proven to work in mud, snow, and on uneven ground where a regular jack won’t work. It costs $129.95.

Pioneer launches $1500 in-car amp sure to make the neighbors mad

Posted in Automotive by Shane McGlaun on April 21st, 2008

Pioneer PRS-A900

Car audio is one of those things you love or hate. I’m mostly in the latter category thanks to my neighbor and his booming car stereo he seems incapable of turning down as he pulls up at 2 in the morning. The police in your town may take issue to it as well but if you just have to prove you have the loudest stereo in town, Pioneer has your amp.

Pioneer announced its new Premier PRS-A900 amp today and it is hella expensive at $1500. Pioneer says that it had the goal of ultimate performance despite the price tag and it shows. For $1500 you might expect a bazillion watts of power and you would be wrong.

Pioneer annouces way cool in-dash navigation units

Posted in Automotive by Nino Marchetti on April 20th, 2008

Pioneer in dash navigation unit

Pioneer over the weekend announced new additions to its line up of AVIC-F advanced in-dash navigators. These new offerings, which join the AVIC-F500BT shown off at CES, are the AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT and Premier branded AVIC-F90BT. Pricing is set at $850, $1,100 and $1,200, respectively, and all units will be available in June.

Pioneer is describing these in-dash units as going “beyond navigation” by offering “enhanced navigation and entertainment features paired with sophisticated voice control.” While you may read that however you choose there is no doubt Pioneer has packed these units with a ton of features, including “Apple iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, MSN Direct, HD radio, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio, single CD, DVD video playback and compressed audio and video playback through USB and SD memory devices.”

For the full details, check out the press release after the jump. These Pioneer units definitely look to be the cause of many wonderful distractions as you cruise down the open roads.

A moped that runs on fresh air

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on April 16th, 2008

A moped that runs on fresh air
A former sheepherder and current rocket scientist/inventor Jem Stansfield, took a couple of air canisters that are typically used by firefighters for their breathing gear, and strapped them on a moped. The result is an air-powered bike that spits out cleaner exhaust then the air that it initially takes in.

Both compressed air cylinders drive a pair of rotary air engines that propel the bike to a top speed of 18mph. It will only go about 7 miles until more air is required. Lucky for him, he has a local dive shop where he can fill up and he’s good to go. It’s people like this that tick off the oil companies, which I find awesome.

Alpine ships IVA-W505 advanced car head unit

Posted in Automotive by Nino Marchetti on April 14th, 2008

ivaw505.jpg

Alpine recently said it was set to make available a new advanced audio/video head unit for use in cars. It is called the IVA-W505 and you’ll find it pricing at around $1,100.

The Alpine IVA-W505 offers up an on-screen graphical user interface with touchscreen controls and a seven-inch display. It can offer support and control of satellite radio, HD Radio, MP3/WMA digital audio players, mass storage devices and Bluetooth hands-free calling. It also tags HD Radio music at the touch of a button (and optional tuner) and transmits the tagged information to an attached iPod for later purchase through iTunes.

MonoTracer is the jet of bikes

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on April 14th, 2008

MonoTracer is the jet of bikes
Why go with a traditional motorcycle, when you can ride into the future on this $82,350 glass/kevlar/carbon/steel MonoTracer bike? It features a fully enclosed cabin which reduces drag and helps keep pebbles and bugs out of your face. The MonoTracer’s 130hp BMW engine goes 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and hits speeds up to 155mph.

So the question is, if you are fully enclosed inside of this speed machine, what do you do at stop lights if you cant put your feet down? Apparently it has little wheels that pop out for parking. Admittedly, it could be faster. And it could have an airbag or two, but the future isn’t about wimpy safety. It’s about coolness and a Utopian look that ain’t cheap.





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