Lexus Sponsors YouTube's Indy Film Content

YouTube is making a play for developing custom content or content that can't be found elsewhere online as it defends its competitive video position against rival Hulu. Part of that defense is the YouTube Screening Room which has been around since 2008, but appears to be making a comeback with YouTube finding new sponsors to promote the films.

What is the Screening Room? From the channel's description, it features "top films from around the world to find the audiences they deserve... While the majority of these films have played at international film festivals, occasionally you'll find films that have never before screened for wide audiences."

Today American Express is sponsoring the Screening Room, but last Tuesday Lexus did its marketing sponsorship duty and brought the Screening Room content to the YouTube audience with a front page banner ad, intro commercial before the film played, and some banners promoting the all-new CT200h filled the screen.

British Royal Wedding Inspires Project Kahn’s Maybach 57 Tune

Project Kahn is jumping the shark on the royal wedding bandwagon with a special tune to celebrate Prince William and Kate Middleton's big day on April 29. Traditionally, royal weddings have been marked by commemorative stamps, coins and memorabilia, but times have changed and the British aftermarket specialist’s tribute is a subtly modified Maybach 57 limousine. Read more »

VIDEO: State Trooper Forces Honda Civic Driver Out of the Fast Lane

How many times have you come across a slow driver that refuses to let go of the fast lane? Probably more times that you can remember. In this video we see one of those drivers in a Honda Civic, the difference being that the person behind him / her is a state trooper.

Of course, when there’s a cop on your tale, you’ll slow down, but common sense says you should also move over and let him pass as soon as you find a chance to change lanes, something that this driver didn’t do. On the other hand, we see the double standards at play here with the police officer dangerously tailgating the Civic. But at least the video has a funny ending with the trooper forcing the Honda driver into the right lane. Watch the clip after the jump.

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Mitsubishi i EV Priced from $20,490 in the U.S., Close to $5,000 Less than Nissan’s Leaf

The main reason for which Mitsubishi will drop the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant models from its U.S. range is to focus on developing zero-emissions vehicles like the Mitsubishi i (also known as the i-MiEV in Europe). The Japanese carmaker announced at the New York Auto Show that the plug-in EV will arrive in U.S. showrooms in November 2011, with prices starting from $20,490 (€14,100) for the standard ES model and $22,490 for the better-equipped ES version, government subsidies included. Read more »

Kicherer Launches New Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 AMG Supersport GT in Style

In its third consecutive take on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, German tuner Kicherer has released a new package with performance and styling modifications for Stuttgart’s supercar, and just to capture our attention, the company threw a beautiful female model into the picture (not included in the package).

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Nissan Leaf is the 2011 World Car of the Year

The Nissan Leaf was named 2011 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show, taking the top spot ahead of the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8. It is the second important award for the Japanese automaker’s all-electric car after being voted 2011 European Car of the Year. Read more »

Britain’s Favorite Roundabout Competition Turns Nasty

In one of my most controversial blog posts, I chastised American motorists for their resistance to that shining light of roadway design: the roundabout. I argued that Europeans have had the roundabout for decades and are as experienced and accepting of them as anyone in the world.

Well, it turns out I may have been a little too optimistic in that statement as a recent survey by Central Contracts car leasing has shown. Asking visitors to their site to nominate their favourite roundabout, what Central Contacts got instead was countless emails highlighting their least favourite roundabout – and why they were nominated.

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Volvo Boosts Output in 2012 S60 and XC60 R-Design Models

At the 2011 New York Auto Show, Volvo announced that the 2012 S60 R-Design sedan and XC60 R-Design crossover will receive significant horsepower and torque increases when they go on sale in the U.S. late this summer.

Both the S60 and XC60 R-Design models are powered by Volvo's most potent six-cylinder unit, the turbocharged T6 engine. Thanks to a series of upgrades, the T6 in the 2012MYs produces 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque, an increase of 21 horses and 29 lb-ft (39 Nm) of torque compared to 2011 R-Design models. Maximum torque is now achieved from 3,000 rpm and remains available throughout the rev range.

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Honda Airs Funky Commercials for 2012 Civic Lineup [Video]

The wraps only just came off the all-new but not-so-new looking 2012 Honda Civic at this week’s 2011 New York Auto Show, yet the Japanese automaker has already launched an advertising campaign for its popular compact model. The fully integrated national campaign is called “To Each Their Own” and it’s the creative work of Honda’s long-standing agency, RPA.

The campaign touts the idea that consumers are all different and there's a unique Civic for each of one of them, bringing attention to the variety of different Civic models. The ads feature five distinct characters, with each one of them representing a different model.

The stars are: Jack the urban woodsman who shows off the Civic Hybrid; Mitch the zombie salesman who’s into high-tech gadgets and drives a Civic Sedan; Teeny the monster college student in the fuel-efficient HF model; Aiko the young Ninja girl paired up with the Civic Si and finally, Cesar, the Champion Luchador who drives a Civic Coupe.

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Last Stand: Mitsubishi Sends Off Eclipse with 2012 SE Special Edition Series

Produced since 2006, the fourth generation Mitsubishi Eclipse is nearing the end of its career and to mark the occasion, the Japanese manufacturer has announced a final special edition for the Coupe and Spyder models.

As Mitsubishi will cease production of the Eclipse after the upcoming 2012 model year without offering a replacement model, the SE Special Edition is the manufacturer's way of saying goodbye to a model series produced since 1989.

All Eclipse trim levels (GS, GS Sport and GT) will be available as SE Special Edition versions which includes “SE” side decals, black side mirrors and 18-inch dark finish alloy wheels, along with the high-end standard features available on the Eclipse GS Sport versions of both the coupe and convertible models.

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Lucarelli-Monza Crafts Extreme Fiat 500 Abarth with RWD and Mid-Mounted 230HP Engine

There are tuners and there are tuners with some taking the easy way out going for a quick fix while others take up the challenge to create something truly unique. Italy’s Lucarelli-Monza belongs to the second category of tuners. The Monza-based tuning house has revealed details on its newest creation called the 500 Abarth Motore Centrale R230.

As its name implies, the heavily modified Italian hatchback gains a new layout with a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. Of course, such a radical change is not an easy task with the company having to re-engineer the entire vehicle.

Among other changes, the rear seats of the production model were dropped to create space for the engine while there’s also a new rear suspension set-up and a high-performance braking system with 335mm front- and 305mm rear- discs coupled with four-piston calipers.

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Mini Launches New Folding Bike, Priced at €499 / $728

After last year's electric scooters, the Mini brand continues to explore two-wheel territory, this time with a folding bicycle. The Mini Folding Bike stays true to the company's tradition, in the sense that it fits into the boot of almost any vehicle when it's folded. Not surprisingly, all Mini models can accommodate the small bicycle into their trunks. Read more »

The Dangers of Test Driving: BMW M5 E60 Driver Overtakes M5 F10 Prototype at 300km/h [Video]

Being a test driver for any automaker isn’t an easy task. In fact, there are times it can be downright dangerous, as this video clip proves. You see, it is one thing filming a prototype vehicle from a distance and on foot and another when a fool does it holding a cell phone camera on one hand and the steering wheel with the other while passing you on the autobahn at around 300km/h (187mph)… That’s just beyond stupid.

The cars in question here are a BMW M5 E60 and what is claimed to be a lightly camouflaged prototype of the next generation M5 F10, which we saw in concept form at this week’s 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. Watch the short video after the break.

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2005 Ford Focus Saleen S121

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I like Steve Saleen. I wish I was a bigger fan of Fords. I'd buy some sort of Saleen version.

I met Steve Saleen once. To make a long story short, back in the early nineties a friend of mine had a teenage cousin who was getting himself in all sorts of trouble. She asked me if I would play "big brother" and try and give the kid a bit of guidance. (What the hell was she thinking?). Knowing that this kid was into Mustangs, I took him with me to the Vintage Fall Festival at Lime Rock Park the year Saleen was the featured marque. Steve Saleen was there. My friend's cousin, who very obviously had no money whatsoever and no hope of getting any (legally) in the near future, went up to Steve Saleen and started asking questions. Saleen did not brush him off. In fact, Saleen talked to him for a good 15 minutes, treating him like he was a guy with $100,000.00 in his pocket, ready to put it down on a few Saleens, and not like the penniless kid he was. I was impressed.

This is a rare Saleen Focus. Until tonight, I had no idea that there was such a thing. Saleen built two versions of this car, the S121 and the N20. The N2O came with a nitrous kit that boosted the 150 HP stock engine to a whopping 225 HP. The S121 basically used a free flow exhaust to achieve 160 HP.

This car is an S121. Besides the 10 extra horsepower, you get all the traditional Saleen touches; an improved suspension, Saleen body kit and graphics, different tires and wheels, customized interior components, and upgraded brakes.

The body kit is a bit over the top and I could do without the graphics, but the rest of the stuff most likely makes the Focus a fun to drive car.

This car is #72 of 175 built. It has just over 59,000 miles on it and looks to be in very nice condition.

This is not my type of car, but it's rare and different and I thought I should point it out. The asking price of $10,000 is reasonable if you think about what other "economy" cars are out there for that price. Yes, you could get a newer Civic, stock Focus, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, etc., etc., but none of those cars would have the exclusivity of the Saleen name. I'm also pretty certain that none would be as fun to drive as this car.

Located in Kansas City, MO, click here to see the eBay listing.

A big thanks to JaCG reader, Russ, for sending me the link to this car!

1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE Sportline

I've always liked the 300CE. This one is a little bit special. It has the fairly rare Sportline option.

The Sportline package included lower, wider profile tires, quick ratio steering, a lower, stiffer suspension, Sportline badges and a few minor trim pieces. The engine was unchanged.

Very few cars came to the US with the Sportline package. Most were sedans (it was, unfortunately, not available on the station wagon). The seller of this car says that just over 100 Sportline Coupes were sold in the US.

This car looks like it's in nice condition, but the seller leaves very little information in his ad. He does, however, leave a phone number.

Located in Stuart, FL, click here to see the Craigslist ad.

1968 Opel Commodore - Rare Car / Horrible Ad

The Commodore was never officially imported into the US. It was essentially an upscale Opel Rekord.

Somehow this one wound up in what looks like a junkyard in Virginia.

There is no description in the ad and the pictures are poor. The car looks to be in very, very rough shape. Based on the picture of the engine compartment, it looks like this car has the desirable 2.5 liter Opel 6 in it.

At best this is a major project car. At worst it's a a parts car.

If you're looking for a rare and unusual Opel, it may be worth calling on this car.

Located in Tidewater, VA, click here to see the Craigslist ad.

Odd Spot: Nissan 370Z Challenges a Mexican Chicken in a Barn Race [Video]

Yes, you read that correctly. This is a video of a Nissan 370Z coupe challenging a chicken - a Mexican chicken with racing goggles and a helmet, to be precise- in a barn race, and it’s an official spot from Nissan Europe. The admittedly unusual commercial is the creative work of the folks over at the TBWA/G1 advertising agency. Take a look at the clio after the break and tell us what you think in the comments section below. Read more »

Softer 450HP Maserati GranTurismo MC Launches in the U.S.

Remember the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale that was introduced last year at the Paris Auto Show? The Italian sportscar maker has brought a ‘softer’ version of the MC to the States that drops the “Stradale” word from its name. That is because the GranTurismo MC has a full automatic gearbox instead of the original Race Shift transmission and two extra seats in the back instead of a roll cage. Even so, the Granturismo MC is the fastest series production model Maserati has ever sold in America. Read more »

2012 Fiat 500C Debuts in New York, Priced from $19,500

Fiat’s newly introduced 500C may not be a convertible in the real sense of the word, but the Italian company that holds the fates of Chrysler hopes to capture the attention of sun-seeking buyers with its panoramic canvas-top mini, which made its US debut at this week’s 2011 New York Auto Show.

Scheduled to go on sale this May, the new 2012 500C will be offered in two trim levels, the base Pop that is priced at $19,500, and the better-equipped Lounge, priced at $23,500. According to Fiat, the 500C is the only four-seat cabrio in the U.S. market. However, Fiat’s definition of a ‘cabrio’ is loose -to say the least- given that the 500C comes with full frame doors and columns, simply adding a rollover canvas top in place of the metal roof.

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2012 Mercedes E63 AMG Gets New 5.5-liter V8 Bi-Turbo with up to 557HP

Mercedes-Benz used the 2011 New York Auto Show to reveal the updated 2012MY E63 AMG, which now features the new 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine instead of the old naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter unit. The new powerplant, already known from the CLS63 AMG, delivers 525 horsepower as standard, with an additional 32 ponies for a total of 557HP with the AMG Performance package. In base form, the 5.5-liter unit produces 7 more horsepower than the previous 6.2-liter engine.

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