Mercedes SLS AMG Convertible Leaked In Patent Application [Spy Photos]

We’ve seen the Mercedes SLS AMG convertible before, even in person, but these patent drawings confirm what our eyes have been telling us: it drops the gullwing doors and gains a soft top. More »

Lambo Goes Skiing [Hoon Of The Day]

Forget flying down a ski run, this Lamborghini Gallardo goes up an intermediate blue run, then back down — passing cross country skiers as it goes. More »

STAT: Americans Driving More, Dying Less [Car Crashes]

Preliminary statistics from NHTSA show Americans drove an additional 6.6 billion miles in 2009 and yet only 33,963 died in accidents, down 8.9% from 2008 and 22% from 2005. Thanks nanny state! More »

Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors?

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Fiat heir Lapo Elkann makes the Lakers’ game-winning move – Click above to watch video after the jump

Lapo Elkann is the grandson of Fiat founder Gianni Agnelli and is said to be heir to several Fiat thrones. While courtside at the Staples Center in Los Angeles watching the Lakers play the Toronto Raptors, Yahoo Sports reports that Elkann interfered in a play that gave LA the win.

With the score tied and only seconds left, the Raptors’ Jose Calderon (pictured) was chasing a ball headed out of bounds when Elkann swiped it away. The Lakers were given possession and Kobe Bryant did his game-winning thing. You can see a recap of the event in the video after the jump, and for you rightfully sore Raptors fans, Elkann later apologized. Thanks for the tip, Jeffrey!

[Sources: Yahoo Sports, Goal.com]

Continue reading Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors?

Video: Fiat heir makes game-winning assist at Lakers-Raptors? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster final form revealed in patent drawings?

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Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster patent images – Click above for image gallery

Not that there’s anything new to report from last week, when we saw a prototype Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster at the factory in Affalterbach, but if you’re the type that gets giddy over sketches then these are for you.

As sussed out by Auto Bild, these images are said to be German patent office filings for the roadster. Apparently they sneaked out for a stein one evening and were lured back to the home of the Internet. While it’s true that black-and-white drawings can only tell you so much about a car, we’re thinking we might enjoy having the top down on this even more than we enjoy the coupe. Maybe. Either way, you can see it from every angle and judge for yourself in the gallery of images below.

[Source: Auto Bild (translated)]

Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster final form revealed in patent drawings? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STAT: Americans Driving More, Dying Less [Car Crashes]

Preliminary statistics from NHTSA show Americans drove an additional 6.6 billion miles in 2009 and yet only 33,963 died in accidents, down 8.9% from 2008 and 22% from 2005. Thanks nanny state! More »

Photographing Supercars with Weird, Old Cameras [Geneva Motor Show]

Bored of the deluge of perfect photographs pouring out of motor shows? We’ve taken some old and strange film cameras to Geneva to show you another side of cars. Well, of supercars anyway. More »

Rendered Speculation: Alfa 4C coming to Pebble Beach?

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Alfa Romeo says it achieved its objectives with the stunning 8C Competizione. Now the brand known for the quadrifoglio wants to make the same kind of splash – only bigger – and rumor has it that it will do so by unveiling an Alfa 4C at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours.

Automobile reports that the 4C will be a “a compact, lightweight sports car concept,” shorn of high-zoot and high-dollar goods like carbon fiber and a Ferrari engine. Instead, it will use a 250-horsepower four-cylinder and could be rear-wheel-drive. Price for the limited-to-5,000 vehicles is being estimated at €50,000 ($70,000 U.S.).

However, while the 8C was busy killin’ it, the rest of the Alfa line has been busy struggling. Sales haven’t exactly pleased parent company Fiat, so the fate of Alfa’s (and, by extension, the the 4C) oft-planned return trip to North America is still in question. Unless and until the Giulietta and its variants prove they are winners and show Fiat the money, it looks like the message for the American Alfa will remain, “Please hold…”

[Source: Automobile]

Rendered Speculation: Alfa 4C coming to Pebble Beach? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freakishly Accurate Toyota Driving Simulator [Beige Bites Back]

Bored and unemployed programmer Alan Hartwig decided to take it upon himself to provide an important public service, devoting thousands of hours to develop a hyper-accurate “Toyota Driving Simulation,” so unbelievable you should go check it out. [Toyota Simulator] More »

Chevrolet to employ new "Excellence for Everyone" ad campaign

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General Motors is working hard to improve the image of its core brands, and the largest GM division, Chevrolet, will be getting some fresh new marketing in the near future. The theme, “Excellence for Everyone” will debut in ad spots over the next two months.

In a web chat yesterday, GM’s North American president Mark Reuss told the Detroit Free Press that Chevrolet will be using the Camaro and Corvette more frequently in its advertising to improve the brand’s overall image. “When have you ever seen ‘Vettes and Camaros in ads for Equinox and Malibu?” Reuss stated. And speaking of the Malibu, Reuss says that GM needs to “re-energize the car,” so expect a new set of ads focused around Chevy’s well-liked midsize sedan, as well.

[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty]

Chevrolet to employ new “Excellence for Everyone” ad campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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