Autoblog

Click above to watch the Project Blackjack team tandem drift in Forza 2

This particular blogger happened to be searching for any news on Forza Motorsport 3 (coming sometime in 2009!) when I came across this incredible video. It appears the art of drifting has entered the digital realm, and a group of digital racers named 'Project Blackjack" have put together an extensive video showcasing their talents. This is their seventh film entitled "The Rising Storm", compiled completely from Forza 2 footage, many times with with "camera cars" placed at certain location to capture the action. You can see tandem drifting on tracks like Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta and even the Nurburgring. As you can imagine, figuring out how to correctly film the drifting, getting two to five cars to make a good run together, and then finally compiling the footage took quite a while. You can read more about how they did it on the Forza 2 blog, and check out the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Forzamotorsport.net]

Before landmark films American Graffiti and Star Wars, George Lucas was just another film student at the University of Southern California. During his time at USC, Lucas and 13 other film students put together an eight-minute-long film called 1:42:08. The title contains no words, and the film has no dialog. What does appear on the screen is racing legend Peter Brock as he speeds through Willow Springs Raceway near LA. The movie's sound track? The sound of a Lotus 23 race car at full throttle. Hit the jump to see Lucas' 1966 short film for yourself. It's no Empire Strikes Back, but it's damn good cinematography. If you aren't a big Lucas fan, there's still Peter Brock and a Lotus 23. It's a win-win.

[Source: YouTube]

Click above to watch a preview of the Mustang Challenge on Discovery HD

It's been just over a year since Ford Racing unveiled the FR500S Mustang at SEMA in Las Vegas, but the spec road racer has already been through an entire season of races at some of the best tracks around North America. The Discovery Channel has been at each race capturing all the action from the first green to the final checkered flag, and will be airing a three part series on HD Theater starting December 7 from 8-9 PM ET with the next episodes running on the following two Sundays. The show will feature footage from in-car HD cameras as well as the off-track challenges of each team. Sound interesting? Check out the video preview of the show after the jump.

[Source: MillerCup.com via MustangBlog.com]

That is a phrase you will never, ever want to hear again after watching Nissan's promo video for the 370Z. It's repeated ad infinitum by a synthesized voice on top of some techno music while a series of images showing off the new sports car flicker by on the screen. It goes on for almost two minutes, after which you'll either want to go place an order for the Z or maybe become a serial killer. Follow the jump to watch.


[Source: Luxvelocity]

If automaker-produced kitesurfer-in-distress videos are your thing, VW's got your back. While you wait for the production version of the Concept Pickup the automaker unveiled back in September, how about checking out VW's promo film starring the truck, a pair of lifeguards, and yes, a kitesurfer in distress. Will the guys use the in-dash GPS? Yes! Will we see the pickup drive semi-urgently through sand? Yes! Will she make it? Duh! Will we have a demonstration of how well a collapsed kite fits in the bed? Yes again! Am I alone in thinking it's weird that the lifeguards dive into the water wearing helmets? Anyone? In all, a serviceable vanity film for the pickup. Needs more yellow, though. And Hoff. The video's embedded after the jump.


[Source: VW via GlobalMotors.net]

Well, here's one car we'll all be able to cover in Detroit come January. BMW has officially announced that the second-generation MINI Cabrio will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show. No need to wait to place orders; you can do that now. The Cooper ragtop is priced at $24,550 while the Cooper S convertible costs $3,000 more. Customer delivery kicks off on March 28.

So, what's new? Well, for one, the new Cabrio looks like the current-gen Cooper. Likewise, it shares the hardtop cars' 1.6L engines -- 118 hp NA for the Cooper, and 172 hp turbo for the Cooper S. The Euro-market cars get BMW Efficient Dynamics features including brake regeneration and stop/start. The U.S.? Not so much. Out back, the fold-down tailgate's hinges are now internal, giving the car's tush a smoother look. The fixed roll hoops of the current car have been replaced by a pop-up system behind the back seat. This makes for a good-looking, clean top-down profile and should improve rearward visibility for the driver. Speaking of the top, it can be operated at speeds up to 20 mph or so, and it fully disappears in just 15 seconds. The sliding sunroof feature can be utilized at even higher speeds -- up to 60 mph or so. Stability control is standard equipment.

Inside, the current MINI instrument panel is employed, and drivers with a hankering for extraneous gimmickery can order up the "Openometer", a secondary gauge that mounts next to the tach. It monitors how much time you clock with the top down. Yeah, yeah -- useless. You know people are gonna eat it up. Follow the jump for a video and MINI's full PR (now updated with the U.S. version).


[Source: MINI]

We were half-expecting the next generation BMW Z4 to be revealed at last week's LA Auto Show, but instead, we got an eye-full of the new twin-turbocharged V8 7-series and its ActiveHybrid variant. Yesterday, came word that the new coupe and roadster would be unveiled sometime next month and now, we've got a date: December 15th. BMW has launched a teaser site at http://www.bmw.com/joy that seems to imply that the Z4 will come in a variety of vibrant colors. Either that, or BMW is trying its hand at producing a combination slasher film/laundry detergent commercial.

There's no actual mention of the Z4, or any other car, on the site, just this odd little video that you can check out after the jump. Expect more details to be revealed in the coming weeks and look forward to live photos of the 2010 Z4 from the Detroit Auto Show in January.

[Source: BMW]

Saturday Night Live has been on a roll of late, with a string of strong skits centered around the Presidential election and the ongoing financial crisis. So it was only a matter of time before SNL took on the auto industry to task, using last week's Congressional hearings as the backdrop. As one might expect, SNL writers showed no mercy for Allan Mulally, Bob Nardelli, and Rick Wagoner, and Congress didn't look too bright, either. The omnipresent joke of the entire eight-minute skit was a long, consistent shot at the quality of Detroit 3 products. Even though it's an obvious exaggeration, we're guessing the shots are a sure-fire sign that commercials touting the quality improvements at Ford and GM have fallen on deaf ears. Hit the jump to view SNL's latest.

[Source: DKKonservo]

Click above to see the Veyron do the Top Gear Power Lap

For the past few years, the Top Gear Power Lap has been one of the standards by which we judge the world's fastest supercars. The Stig has piloted everything from the Ascari A10 to the Pagani Zonda around the course, with the Gumpert Apollo S recently taking the top spot with a time of 1:17.1. However, there was always a car absent from the list - the almighty Bugatti Veyron. With four-digit horsepower on tap, the Veyron has the potential to be one of, if not the, fastest car to ever go 'round the Top Gear test track. Well, Top Gear finally got their hands on one and put the Stig behind the wheel to see what it could do. Did it top the Gumpert Apollo? Follow the jump to watch the video and find out. Thanks for the tip, Chad!

[Source: YouTube]

BMW Performance accessories is officially online with 32 upgrades Bimmer drivers, ranging from carbon fiber dress-up stuff to more serious bits like six-piston brakes with cross-drilled rotors or a carbon fiber suspension cross brace. Accessorizing BMW enthusiasts can also purchase form-fitting racing seats, a short-throw shifter, or even a steering wheel with an LED display that tracks lap times, acceleration, and top speed.

BMW is so excited (and wants you to be similarly excited) about its performance parts that it created a video to help inspire owners to pull out their wallets and do some shopping. Hit the jump to see it for yourself, and crank up the speakers in time to hear the exhaust note coming from BMW's new sport muffler. Thanks for the tip, Max!

[Source: BMW]