With several modifications on the exterior, a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle that was seized from a recent incident of driving under the influence (DUI) became part of the police fleet of the Blount Country Sheriff in Maryville, Tennessee.

Archie Garner, who is the assistant chief deputy of Blount County, is the man behind the reinvented vintage Volkswagen Bug. Originally clad in red body paint, the DUI-confiscated Beetle was immediately sent to the Maryville county’s beautification group for a revamp to become a Lady Bug. The initial plan for the VW Beetle, however, did not push through and was returned right away to the Blount County Sheriff Office. From there, Garner took over and shelled out his own money to modify the car.

A total of $2,000 was spent for the changes done on the Beetle that was christened as the county’s “Bug-erceptor”. It now dons white body paint with accurate police cruiser decals and auto parts like barred rear side windows, siren, radio, and spotlight. To keep the vintage feel of the Beetle, a 1960s police car staple red bubble-shaped light, which Garner bought online, was mounted on the roof. Moreover, the car also has the police cruiser requirements like the fire extinguisher, blanket, measuring device, and traffic cones. The cones used, however, are only four-inched tall to fit inside the vehicle.

Although the “Bug-erceptor” is equipped with all the necessities, it is not fit enough for any high-speed chase as its ceiling speed is only around 70 miles per hour. With the comical features of the VW Beetle, it is unlikely to have the authority factor of the regular police cruisers. For that, the bug-like car is planned to be used mostly for public relations activities of the Bounty County Sheriff Office.

Source: Knox News.

Nissan Cube shed different looks after some students of the prestigious art and design school Pratt Institute for cosmetic makeovers based in Brooklyn, New York revamped the exterior design of the Japanese car of Nissan Motor Company.

With the theme “Cube-ism: Automobile meets art”, students of Pratt professor Martin Skalski squeezed out their creative juices on color and sculpture to come up with a couple of new Nissan Cube exteriors. The project pushed through with the help of Bruce Campbell, who is the vice president for design of Nissan Motor Company in the United States.

With the help of computers, the ideas of the Pratt students made various patterns with a variety of colors and were printed on adhesive vinyl. One of the designs was dubbed as Quazé. This particular Nissan Cube design concept was sort of patterned from the map of Brooklyn where diagonal shapes were intersected. The design, however, was in done in abstract to emphasize the energy present in the streets of Brooklyn.

“We wanted to create an un-go-fast car,” said John Renaud, a student at Pratt.

The second of two Nissan Cubes, on the other hand, sported a deep root-beer brown. The sharp polygon shapes had the color of vinyl. The geometric shapes were supposedly inspired by Al Held and Bridget Riley.

“We embrace the idea of styling,” said Professor Skalski. “Wanting to make someone’s day more interesting.”

The design of the Nissan Cube is a favorite of Shiro Nakamura, who is the chief designer of Nissan Motor Company. According to Nakamura, the car is very appealing especially to the younger drivers.

“The Cube is the least carlike of cars,” said Nakamura. “It is more product design than automobile design.”

Source: New York Times.

Car technologies do sprout like mushrooms. Every now and then, there are these so-called upgraded auto parts. To supplement the performance of a car, manufacturers come up with numerous high-end gadget and gizmos that make the time spent inside the vehicle more comfortable. Sony, for example, has recently introduced another high-end CD tuner christened as the MEX-BT36000 U for cars.

The latest CD tuner from Sony boasts of its USB port that enables car owners to plug in their MP3 players. From there, one can already listen to his or her playlist straight from the digital musical players. Another highlight of the MEX-BT36000 U is the A2DP Bluetooth feature. The Bluetooth, on the other hand, allow players and mobile phones to be connected to the CD tuner’s system without the need for wires. Through an infrared remote control, one can browse through the songs conveniently.

MEX-BT36000 U is not solely for the car sounds as it can also be used for hands-free phone call. Through its Bluetooth feature, mobile phones can use it as its loud speaker. Owners, however, do not need to worry about pesky feedbacks as the Sony’s CD tuner has a top of the line microphone that can offset echoes of any sort.

In a couple of month, the Sony’s MEX-BT3600U in-car CD tuner will be available across Europe and hopefully will also be available soon here in the United States.

Source: News Sky.

After an absence of more than a century, who would have thought that the Detroit Electric car, which debuted in 1907, will go back into production. Behind the reincarnation of the vintage electric car is the partnership of ZAP and Youngman Automotive Group.

The Detroit Electric car was originally a product of Anderson Electric Car Company from 1907 until 1939. This company was among the notable brands during that time, that a huge chunk of its customers were established personalities like Rockefeller, Henry Ford, and Jay Leno, to name a few. Aside from that, the Detroit Electric was even one of the iconic figures that made it to the postal stamps. These are only some of things that attracted the Zap and Youngman Automotive Group tandem to recreate the Detroit Electric. The opportunity knocked on the duos’ door when the vintage e-car was sold to them.

Only a limited number of the Detroit Electric car will be available in the market. Expected to be released a couple of years from now, the reincarnated car will stick to the original features of the car. Its current automakers plan to still use the vintage curves and exterior components of the electricity-driven vehicle. By 2010, the limited Detroit Electric cars are expected to roam the streets again.

Source: News.

The blockbuster 2007 movie Transformers has truly captured the hearts of many. Transformers animated series enthusiasts were joined by a new and younger throng of fans because of the film. A Las Vegas dad, for example, even customized his 2007 Ford Mustang to resemble the Decepticon member Barricade for his young boy.

Jessie Vigil, who is a disabled Iraq war veteran, revamped his Mustang to look very similar to the Transformers character Barricade for his son Thomas, who is seven years old. The seemingly new car now sports a black and white body paint plus the red-and-blue emergency bar mounted on its hood. To finish off the nine-month long project, “Police” is spelled on the sides plus the phrase “To punish and enslave”. Vigil also added “dial 411 for theater information” on the Barricade-inspired 2007 Ford Mustang.

“My intent was to re-create the movie car,” said Vigil. “When I came back from Iraq, I tried to spoil him. I wasn’t the best dad before.”

To ensure that Vigil will not be breaking any laws, he consulted Chief Deputy Attorney Joe Ulibari. The lawyer initially did not fully support the plan but later on did not see any regulation on copying the police car scheme. It is not illegal to replicate police cars but the owner/s should never pretend to be legitimate police officer. In addition to that, genuine police cars are actually sold to private citizens.

“I don’t think this guy has any intent to mimic a state police officer,” said Ulibarri. “I’m not hearing that he is causing a problem and arresting people.”

Source: Associated Press.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9IZV1IyFPBBH43Q5oWWC2K2k43AD8VD89OO3

Detroit, Michigan has been a popular hub for automobile companies as well as motor shows. Among its popular ‘residents’ include General Motors and Chrysler. For the auto exhibits and festivities, the biggest and most popular is the North American International Show that features a mix of concepts and upcoming models, among others. Another of Detroit’s finest is the Autorama car show that displays customized hot rods every year. Come this Friday, a pool of unique cars consolidates once again in the 56th Autorama.

The annual car show, which is founded by the Michigan Hot Rod Association, is different from the North American show as it solely showcases revamped hot wheels. Autorama promises only originality and creativity as every hot wheels find is customized to look as classic as ever but with a touch or two of the contemporary time. Most body kit parts are upgraded along with beefed up motor parts. Aside from making sure no two cars are alike, the premiere customized hot rod gets the nods of judges for the coveted prize of the Autorama dubbed as the Riddler Award. The winner takes home not only great prestige but also a whopping $10,000 prize.

As if the unique hot wheels are not enough, this year’s Autorama will also showcase hot wheels that took center stage in a couple of blockbuster films. The well-loved muscle car Chevrolet Camaro christened as Bumblebee from the 2007 hit movie Transformers is one of the ‘stars’ of Autorama. Joining the Autobots member is the Lightning McQueen from Pixar’s animated movie Cars.

The annual Autorama will be held at the Cobo Center, which is located in the business district of Detroit, and will run until Sunday. An approximate 1,000 customized hot are slated to grace the event.

Source: Detroit News.

Lexus, which is the luxury division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Company, further establishes its high-end brand as it now offers a top of the line entertainment system for its sport utility vehicles Lexus RX 350 and 400h dubbed as the In Car Entertainment or simply ICE.

To the delight of entertainment technology-savvy owners, an eight-inch WVGA widescreen LCD monitor is attached on the back of both front seats. This kind of system will take after the previous ceiling-mounted drop-down screen that is a standard for the current version of the Lexus RX350. In terms of control, configuring the features of the LCDs is done either by manually adjusting the console on the monitor itself or by aimlessly adjusting settings and other related stuff via a remote control unit. These ICE monitors are also fully-equipped with slots for DVD, USB 2.0 and SD Card as well as RCA inputs. For the convenience of the other passengers, wireless infrared headphones are also readily available. Storing these components is done with much ease as the automaker Lexus designed the headphones with easy-fold features.

This premium entertainment system ICE is now available as a standard feature on the medium size SUV Lexus RX350 and full-size SUV Lexus RX 400h units that are slated to be distributed in the United Kingdom. Lexus SVU and non-Sport Edition owners outside the UK, however, can still avail of this high-end ICE package with a hefty tag price of $4,300 (£2,200).

Source: Carscoop and Autoblog.

Celebrities are going green. There is Jessica Alba who is proud to have a Toyota Prius. And then Jay Leno comes with his BMW Hydrogen 7 — and that would be the same vehicle that actor Edward Norton would be driving. See, this actor has just received the keys to the luxury sedan which comes with quality parts and is powered by hydrogen. The vehicle’s headlights are sure going to be shedding light to wherever the actor may be going.

Aside from owning a new BMW Hydrogen 7, Norton has also become a member of a program — the BMW Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program. Through the program, popular figures in various fields are given a unit of the hydrogen-powered vehicle and the new owners could use the vehicle for whatever purpose. As with regards to receiving a new BMW Hydrogen 7, Norton states, “The excitement of this car to me is that it demonstrates what we’re capable of, and it inspires me to keep advocating for a more sustainable way of life.”

Although Norton is known as an award-winning actor, he has also gained fame as a person campaigning for the utilization of solar energy. He has already worked with solar producers as well as helped people start homes that are do not get power from the grid.

Every now and then, the automobile industry is bombarded with car upgrades. From powerful engines to luminous wheels, the possibilities are considered endless in this business. Among the upcoming car technologies to watch out for are the keyless starters and smart cards that have control on the interior landscape.

With a simple push of a button or two, several interior components are easily adjusted to suit the driver’s as well as the passenger’s needs and preferences. Such technology would make mirror adjustments, keep the temperature constant, or recline seats, among others. The only downside, if one may call it that way, is with such advanced car technology, owners should expect to shell out more dollars. Lost smart cards would call for $250 for the dealer to replace it and of course the labor assistance. For those who want great convenience, that should not be a big issue.

The simpler versions of the keyless starter and smart cards are slowly penetrating the automobile business. To date, there are already some manufacturers that gear their vehicles with the keyless starters. The technology is already available in luxury cars like the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Jaguar XF. Jag XF’s keyless starter, for example, has a button that feels like a heart beating.

Source: Automotive News via Autoblog.