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Filed under: Wheels, Green

According to Inside Line, which is quoting an unnamed “senior BMW authority out of Munich,” the German automaker will indeed build a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept that debuted last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW is reportedly planning for a model run of between 5,000 and 10,000 units for 2013. We’ll get to the details in a moment, but here’s the best news: “That name that the marketing people forced on us [is] going to change for sure.” Phew.

Apparently, BMW has no plans to ditch the radical plug-in hybrid powertrain, which put out 356 horsepower and an impressive 590 pound-feet of torque in the concept. That means we’ll get something similar to the turbocharged three-cylinder diesel range extender and twin electric motors powered by a lithium polymer battery pack that was featured in Frankfurt. Sounds great so far, and BMW claims the performance will be even better than the 4.8-second 0 to 60 run quoted for the concept.

Naturally, some of the Vision’s more outlandish exterior bits will go the way of the Dodo, but IL reports BMW’s target of weight is still under 3,000 pounds, meaning that high-tech composites and construction techniques are a veritable lock. Price for this next-gen eco-friendly supercar? Nothing announced - but if you have to ask… well, you know the rest.

[Source: Inside Line]

BMW Reportedly to Produce 2013 Vision EfficientDynamics Supercar originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Wheels, Crimes and Misdemeanors

The Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles (the very same that recently loaned Conan O’Brien that infamous Bugatti Veyron) is facing a bill from the city for parking fees and taxes in excess of $121,000 and counting.

The bill has nothing to do with where the museum keeps their collection, but instead is based on museum customers using an adjoining parking garage. The city charges lots and garages 10% of the parking fees they get for every vehicle, but since the museum is a nonprofit (and thus exempt from regular city business taxes) they thought they didn’t owe the tax. The bill is for parking fees collected between 2004 - 2007 and the museum says that over the last six years they’ve written more than one letter in regards to the debt and never gotten a response from the city, until this most recent (and even more inflated) bill. As it stands now city councilman Tom LaBonge is working with the city attorney, the finance office, and the Petersen Museum to work out a solution.

Car Museum Owes $121,000 Parking Ticket originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Wheels

The Corvette, especially the Stingray models, has often been accused of being the vehicular embodiment of a man’s unmentionables. While there might be something to that, the Corvette is a prude and an amateur when compared to the Superformance Daytona Coupe. If the Stingray is the middle-aged guy who’s always thinking about sex, the Daytona Coupe is the guy who’s always having sex. Stingray guy will talk about what’s he’s packing. Daytona Coupe guy will show you, and show you what he can do with it. The Stingray is Bob in sales. The Daytona Coupe is Ron Jeremy. All it needs: a moustache…

Continue reading Luxist Drives the Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe

Luxist Drives the Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Designer Ondrej Jirec’s college project has been receiving accolades from the EV fanatics’ world over. The Maserati Tramontane is a concept vehicle that was conceived not to be a part of some EV competition, but primarily as a luxury supercar in its own right. It is mainly designed for scenic winding roads. The design personifies simplicity and is a beautiful blend of exterior and interior elements. The slippery, aerodynamic overall shape is the most eye-catching aspect of the concept’s design. At 4,250mm (167 inches) in length the Maserati Tramontane is just 50mm (2 inches) shorter than the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The 1,170mm (46 inches) height is almost identical to the Gallardo.The proposed drivetrain for the concept is an all-electric setup. The front wheels are driven by one electric motor, while the rear wheels each get their own motor.

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Ferrari is all set to unveil a hybrid model at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. There were reports that the lords of formula racing were planning on such a move, but Ferraris foray into the hybrid market has now been confirmed. “We’ll present a 599 hybrid in Geneva, which will represent a great path towards the future,” said Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo. They are known to introduce technological innovation through their cars, this time around too, people are expecting a lot out of them.

[leftlanenews]

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French designer Philippe Starck presents his new line of the amazing alternative energy source, the wind turbines. The turbines, which will be made in the Tuscan city of Siena, can be placed in the garden or on the roof. While the use of micro wind turbines is on the rise in the urban areas, this micro wind turbine is going to be having transparent blades.

The shape consists of a quadrangular model with a power output of 400W. Its helicodial shape can generate power of 1 KW with the wind blowing at 14 m per second. The innovative shape and the ability to be used at home add to the credibility of the Phillipe Starck micro wind turbine.

[designboom]

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Filed under: Wheels

It’s been nearly a year since a large number of Europeans have been able to drive home in a brand new Cadillac or Corvette. Up until March of 2009, a Dutch-based third-party company called Kroymans Import Europe was employed by General Motors to distribute Caddys and Corvettes in nearly half of the 25 European markets (not including the U.K. or Russia). After that distribution company went bankrupt, GM was forced to pull its wares out of these important markets.

In order to rectify that nasty little situation, GM has reportedly been in talks with 30 different dealerships all over Europe with the goal of bringing the Cadillac and Corvette lines back to the market. All variants of the Corvette will be made available, while the Cadillac lineup will consist of the CTS (sedan, coupe and wagon), CTS-V, Escalade and SRX. No details as of yet on what the cars will cost in Europe or when they’ll officially be available for purchase.

[Source: Autohaus (translated) via The Truth About Cars]

Cadillac and Corvette Will Soon Be Available Again in Europe originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scooters finally have a place to charge themselves up and bask in the glory of the sun in Gloucester. These shelters will squeeze the sun of its energy to charge those drained out scooter batteries. The shelters will be a single-storey affair and will be equipped with solar panels atop their roofs that will generate electricity to charge up scooters. Two of these will be built; the first at Halford House on Masefield Avenue that will house six scooters at a time and the second at Badger Vale Court, off Woodpecker Road that will play host to fifteen scooters. However city officials and councilors are worried about vandalism of solar panels. Designed by a twenty-one year old Steven Jones, these green shelters are a great environment friendly and clean way to get our scooter batteries all sparked up and charged.

[This is gloucestershire]

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Piezoelectricity is winning hearts world over and finding more and more uses and applications in every day life. This renewable form of energy will power mobile phones and pacemakers this time. In the form of piezoelectric rubber sheets, this technology will soon help change the way we power up our mobile phones on the go. A material made of ceramic nanoribbons embedded into rubber sheets is being developed. When flexed, electricity will be generated by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. This simply means that, shoes made out of this rubber material will generate electricity as we walk or jog, which can then be used to charge our phones. When placed on our chests, our breathing motion could set the material to produce electricity, which can then be used to power up our pacemakers. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, if all goes well, this material developed by Princeton University will soon find its way into our homes and our lives.

[Physorg]

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We will soon have DJs and VJs roaming our streets and entertaining us on the go, if they use the Ant AV Tricycle that is. This contraption was designed to be a mobile platform that will promote communication and interaction in the urban world today. The bicycle has its equipment powered with a rechargeable marine battery and a power inverter. It has enough space to store all the equipment to put up an awesome audio/video performance without the need of any extra and additional equipment. The Ant AC Tricycle is ready with sliding rails that helps deploy and access the platform quickly and easily and also has a side storage cabinet in which you can store all the extra cables and materials needed to put up a show. This innovation changes the way we consider pedal power giving it a broader and more efficient portrayal that can be used in a world like ours that is fighting to defeat pollution.

Via - [Designlaunches]

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French designer Philippe Starck has decided to take up the task of spreading the use of renewable energy sources by designing micro wind turbines. Known for his designs in hotels, furniture and high-tech lamps, Starck is now working on wind turbines that can be used at home. The designer showed off the ‘Revolutionair’ turbines, a two year long effort made by Pramac from Italy. These turbines can be used in the garden or up on your roof and is available in the quadrangular shaped 400W WT model that generates 400W of power and the helicoidal shaped 1KW WT model that is capable of generating 1KW. Starck has designed these products specifically for domestic use. These wind turbines will help reduce the strain on the power grid and will power up our homes instead. You can buy yourself one of these for 2,500 Euros and 3,500 Euros for the 400W and 1KW models respectively. The wind blows the right way for this design by Philippe Starck.

[Reuters]

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If you love gardening, here’s a great way to make your home go green. A vertical garden may sound out of the box and different, but then again, it looks great and employs a technology that will help you get rid of all the waste food piling up in your garbage bin. So how does this work? Well, you got to thank the worms for all the effort. Designed by Xavier Calluaud, the ‘Urb Garden’ employs the wonders of nature to make your garden look beautiful. All you need to do is collect all the scraps and leftovers of food you have around and place it all in the worm farm. The wiggly worms then do the job of producing a liquid fertilizer. However, this maybe a bit thick adding a little water to it helps it get flowing. This is then sent to the holding tank and is dripped down on the pods where the plants grow. This helps fertilize the plants with fresh fertilizers, produced freshly by the worms! This sure is a great way to get rid of scrap food and go green at the same time.

[Yankodesign]

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If you thought Russian millionaire Abramovich’s Eclipse was the largest in the world, then its time you update your fact file. Belgian-based Emocean Yacht Design has unveiled a 200-metre gigayacht (supersede Eclipse by 30 meters) which will be tagged as the world’s largest yacht once completed. The 200-meter thunderbird envelopes all the provisions and facilities, including a drive-in garage, two 30-mestre day boats, helipad and hanger, 30 meter swimming pool, night club, casino, games room, two-level cinema, three beach clubs, health-spa. It also manages to accommodate 10 VIP rooms, 22 guest suites, a private owner’s deck for 45 passengers as well as 70 crew members. Even with all that booty, it is capable of going at a planned maximum speed of 28 knots, a cruising speed of 20 knots, and a range of 6,500 nautical miles at cruising speed. Simply Wow!!

[Jameslist]

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If you thought Russian millionaire Abramovich’s Eclipse was the largest in the world, then its time you update your fact file. Belgian-based Emocean Yacht Design has unveiled a 200-metre gigayacht (supersede Eclipse by 30 meters) which will be tagged as the world’s largest yacht once completed. The 200-meter thunderbird envelopes all the provisions and facilities, including a drive-in garage, two 30-mestre day boats, helipad and hanger, 30 meter swimming pool, night club, casino, games room, two-level cinema, three beach clubs, health-spa. It also manages to accommodate 10 VIP rooms, 22 guest suites, a private owner’s deck for 45 passengers as well as 70 crew members. Even with all that booty, it is capable of going at a planned maximum speed of 28 knots, a cruising speed of 20 knots, and a range of 6,500 nautical miles at cruising speed. Simply Wow!!

[Jameslist]

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Remember Alfa Romeo’s MiTo in Imola Yellow launched in Japan last year? Alfa Romeo is all set to provide a limited run of 100 units, this time for the Maserati dealership in Europe. The car’s exterior and design is almost identical to its previous counterpart, but it will be distinguished from the average MiTo’s by its Maserati Blu Oceano Paint. The special edition Alfa will read “Alfa Romeo for Maserati” on the sill plate. The classy roadster will have an output of 170 horsepower from a 1.4 liter MultiAir turbo engine and its 18-inch alloy wheels and rear spoiler will add to its racing temperament. Its interiors are decked out in Pelle Frau Upholstery and all heady electronic goodness that anybody could yearn for.

[Autoblog]

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NO girl in this world can deny the charm Barbie dolls bring to their golden childhood days. And by the likes of it, Barbie’s popularity meter is still on the rise! This time around, Mattel in a bid to assist the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), have launched a collection of Barbie Basics, featuring 12 dolls in different yet simple black dresses and a “look” set, consisting of accessories to dress them up.
12 of the best design brains from the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) have styled, dressed and accessorized dolls in their own imitable fashion. The dolls will be up for grabs via eBay.

[If Its Hip Its Here]

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Binoculars were more a signature of gentlemanly adventure than a device to spy on people. Be it bird-watch, a wildlife safari or seeing horse racing, the binocular, although rarely seen today the binoculars are still very stylish to carry around. And finally Hermès have brought it back into the lap of popularity. Thanks to their stake in the German camera markers, Hermès has revamped the Leica’s compact, super-sharp Ultravid model from their sports optics collection with their distinguishing saddle leather, with a tailor-made leather shoulder strap. At $2500, is not really so expensive. Or is it?

[Duncanquinn]

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Seems right out of Cecelia Ahern’s thanks for the memories, but this is very real! Imagine having a 270-year-old Chinese masterpiece in the guest room of your house, now would you use this vase as an umbrella stand? I know you won’t, but it took 50 years for this elderly couple to realize its true worth. Made for the Emperor Qianlong in around 1740, the vase could have earned almost double its current value had the imperial piece of art not been damaged. The vase depicts a unique landscape of mountains with trees and a house.
The vase can be verified for authenticity as the base bears the imperial reign mark of the Emperor Qianlong and a Chinese mark on the upper body that translates to ‘precious thing’. The vase is said to fetch at least $807,900.

[Dailymail]

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Some women like to have their hands free at a fun evening, not just to meet people but may enjoy a drink or two too! That is when a shoulder bag scores over a clutch: you don’t have to worry about where to keep it when your hands are a bit occupied with more interesting things. And if you can’t find a bag that goes with a particular outfit, try going with a multi colored bag instead.
Check out this bag by Zagliani. This multicolored shoulder bag is made from 100% python skin. The front flap has a turn-lock which has a zipped pocket. The main compartment of the bag can be snapped close with a concealed magnetic closure mechanism. The insides of the bag are lined with 100% purple suede and has three pockets one with a zipper. The bag which is 31cm high, 49cm wide and 6cm deep, is finished with a silver metal chain which spots python skin running through the links. The bag is priced around $3,290 a piece

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Weaving its magic over the Asus Eee PC 1101HA is luxury brand Louis Vuitton who has given this hi-tech gizmo a stylish makeover. The exterior of the Asus Eee Pc oozes luxury and class with a leather covered exterior flaunting the famous LV monogram pattern. The one-off Eee PC specially commissioned was done up by a saddler. What is more, the Berlin owner of this fashion netbook is offering it for sale on eBay! And the best part is that it has not been used yet. The features and tech specs of the Asus Eee PC 1101HA are the same and have undergone no change (11.6-inch HD display, Intel Atom Z520 processor with 1.33 GHz, 1 GB of RAM and a 160-GB hard drive). The auction ends on the eve of February 1st with the current bid standing at 212 Euros ($295).
So if you are interested in flaunting this stylish gizmo you had better contact eBay seller 030paul-e right away and place your bid.

[Ubergizmo]

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