Three Chinese Dudes Build Transformer from Citroen C2

Custom Made Citroen Transformer (Image via Sci Fi Tech)
Transformer Fans… this is awesome!

A trio of Chinese friends came up with their own Citroen C2 Transformer. They call the Transformer-like robot Autobot X2 and it does a good job of resembling Bumblebee from the movie. Let’s hope they gave their version a more appropriate voice for a Transformer.

The robot is said to weigh over 1323 pounds and the builder’s say they spent about $8000 constructing the gizmo. Next on their build list is reportedly Optimus Prime. Who knows what they intend to do with the robot now that it is complete. I’d hate to have that giant robot fall on me, I wonder how if it is free standing or has supports you can’t see in the image. Too bad it doesn’t really transform.

[ Gizmodo ] VIA [ Sci Fi Tech ]

Written by Trend Spotter on October 11, 2007  |   No Comments

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OnStar To Add Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Feature

General Motors OnStar (Image courtesy Overthetoplimo.com)GREAT IDEA, wonder if it’s better then LoJack

If you’ve never been in a vehicle that’s equipped with OnStar service you’re really missing out. Besides the obvious GPS and navigation features it also provides remote door unlocking (it happens to the best of us), emergency or accident assistance and can even email you monthly reports of your vehicle’s condition. Worse comes to worse it can also be used to locate a stolen vehicle, and will soon offer a new service that should help police avoid dangerous high speed pursuits as they attempt to recover your ride.

Known as ‘Stolen Vehicle Slowdown’ the new service will actually slowly reduce power to the engine of a stolen vehicle while it’s being pursued by police, gradually bringing the vehicle to a stop. Here’s a breakdown of how the system will work once the owner reports the stolen vehicle:

- Once the vehicle has been reported stolen to law enforcement, the subscriber can call OnStar and request Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance. OnStar will confirm the subscriber has not opted out of the Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service.
- OnStar will use real-time GPS technology to attempt to pinpoint the exact location of the stolen vehicle and provide this information to law enforcement to help them recover the vehicle.
- When law enforcement has established a clear line of sight of the stolen vehicle, law enforcement may request OnStar to slow it down remotely.
- Safeguards will be in place to ensure that the correct vehicle is slowed down.
- OnStar then sends a remote signal to the vehicle that interacts with the Powertrain system to reduce engine power which will slow the vehicle down gradually.

While there are plenty of people who won’t like that their vehicles can be controlled remotely like this, it’s actually a great idea when you think about how dangerous high speed pursuits can be. But for those still opposed it will be completely optional and you can expect to see it available on upcoming 2009 models.

[ OnStar ]

Written by Trend Spotter on October 9, 2007  |   No Comments

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Aptera Electric/Hybrid Car On Pre-Order for $500

Aptera

If you’re in the market for an environmentally friendly car that looks like an anemic space fighter, the Aptera may be for you. Unlike most electric/hybrid cars with this sort of look, the Aptera is actually going to be produced, and if you reserve yours now for a fully refundable $500, you can expect to receive it in (only) about a year. It seats 2.5 with plenty of room for luggage, and can supposedly hit 60 mph in about 10 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 95 mph. More pics, and specs on the superefficienttotallybadass engine options, after the jump.

Aptera

The design of the Aptera includes everything you might expect to find in a “normal” car, including airbags, a rear view camera, GPS navigation, and CD/MP3/DVD player with XM. It also includes a RFID key fob to start the car, and a solar assisted climate control system that keeps the car comfortable using energy from solar panels in the roof while you’re out doing whatever it is people who drive cars like this do. When it comes to the engine (the important part), you’ve got two options:

? All Electric – This Aptera is powered exclusively with batteries and will get you around town to the tune of approximately 120 miles depending on your driving conditions. At night you simply plug the Aptera into any standard 110 volt outlet and in just a few hours you will have a fully charged vehicle that will take you another 120 miles. The approximate cost of this option with all the features listed above will be $26,900.

? Plug-in Series Hybrid – This Aptera is also powered by an electric drive train but it is assisted by a fuel efficient gasoline powered generator which stretches your range significantly. In typical driving you may achieve over 300 miles per gallon and you will have range far beyond any passenger vehicle available today. The approximate cost of this option with all the features listed above will be $29,900.

Aptera

Be sure to click through to check out Aptera’s eye-gougingly slick website, featuring old people in bathing suits and not much in the way of relevant information.

[ Aptera ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

Written by Trend Spotter on September 27, 2007  |   No Comments

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HumanCar’s Imagine – A human powered car in the wilds!

imagine car1

Pictured above is a concept photo of the production model of the “Imagine” from HumanCar. Touting the FM-4 human-powered propulsion system, Imagine is a four-passenger electric/human hybrid powered car. Designed by Stephen Brand, Imagine runs on a rowing machine styled propulsion system and an additional DC electric motor for some extra drift.

(more…)

Written by Trend Spotter on September 21, 2007  |   No Comments

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Triketek X2 Arrow: Get Ready for the Cruise Machine!

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See what do we have here?It?s not a sports car of some sort, but another three-wheeler from Triketek, of the V2 Roadster fame! The X2 Arrow, is presently flaunting itself at the Frankfurt?s IAA auto show, which is apparently the biggest platform for new European releases.

The X2 Arrow is a two-seater and definitely a cruising trike, which provids a roll-cage safety to the occupants. It assures about 156km/h in a straight line, featuring a 61 hp, and 95 Nm petrol engine. You can even opt for a 41 hp diesel engine, if you want to cut down on your expenses. It has certain features that make it a hit, such as, priority to safety of the driver and passenger, ABS, traction and stability control, brake assist, electronic brake distribution and sports seating with harness belts, besides various others.
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If you have a car license, all you need is to jump into your X2, fill in the 200-liter tank and drive away without a bother! For all this fun, you need to pay approximately $33,300 in addition to the taxes for the base model, whereas 45,400 for the turbo Ultima model. What you get with the cruiser is a 4-year warranty and a service at an interval of 10, 000 km.

Via: Gizmag

Written by Trend Spotter on September 15, 2007  |   No Comments

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Urban Aeronautics readies ‘X-HAWK’ flying car for 2009

urban x hawk

Super Sky Cycle and the Moller?s M200G Volantor has already gone into production and now, there is another good news for the flying enthusiasts. If you have been following news related to the flying cars, you must have heard of Urban Aeronautics. The company has revealed its plans to produce the worlds ?first? flying car by early 2009. Their flying machine dubbed X-Hawk will have a top speed of 155 mph with an altitude of 12,000 feet. I have covered the X-Hawk earlier too in my list of Top 10 flying cars. The company says that the X-Hawk is a ?rotorless? Vertical-Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. To be more precise, it is an aircraft that has the VTOL capability of a helicopter. Get ready folks! Flying cars are coming your way in real.

via Gizmodo

Written by Trend Spotter on September 12, 2007  |   No Comments

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