Alles over Google Invasion: Google Streetview Camera Cars Continue Their US Invasion | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Gizmodo | 2007-08-03 17:30:31
As promised, here's our second gallery of Google Streetview camera car sightings from across the United States. The fleet of Chevy Cobalts (and others) is invading the U.S., fanning out across the country while they take their 360° pictures that will end up in Google's vast photo database of every highway and byway. Check out the gallery of cars below, where each is labeled with its location, and then take the jump after the gallery and see a US map with pushpins inserted, showing you where each of the Google Streetview camera cars has been spotted thus far.
galleryPost('cameracars2', 16, 'Camera Car Invasion');
Thanks, everybody, for sending in your excellent photos. You're invited to keep sending more as you spot the cars, and if there are enough, we'll continue building our galleries. [Previous Gallery]
http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/140313274/google-streetview-camera-cars-continue-their-us-invasion-285655.php
Alles over Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra, Part 2 | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-11-30 07:32:49
Exterior Design:
Silverado: ****
I've always though an aggressive centerline on the front of a vehicle creates a unified central point that draws the eye forward. The Silverado's got that. One star deducted for the odd looking rear-wheel flares.
Sierra: ***
Two stars because the Sierra looks like a truck, though the sparse grille -- an emotionless void -- is unfulfilling. It gets the third star because the Denali package's black mesh grille adds a hint of sophistication that sets the more upscale Sierra apart from the Silverado. Interior Design: ****
A substantial improvement over the last iteration. Despite the continued use of cheap plastics, there's a level of ruggedness that's been missing from pickup trucks of any manufacturer -- save a luxe model like Lincoln's Mark LT. But the most striking change from the previous model is how much more quiet the new trucks are (via a new spray-on foam sound-deadener and 19-mm-thick insulation under the carpet). One point deducted because, although the mouse-hair roof liner's gone, it has a tactile equivalent to nothing I know of -- and that's no good thing.
Acceleration: ***
When unladen and fitted with a V8 engine, particularly the big 6.0 liter V8 VortecMax the trucks have serious drive-your-ass-into-your-seat acceleration. Still, they seemed to lack the confidence-inspiring pull to drag 10,500 lbs. around town on a regular basis. Such is the job of the heavy duty versions.
Braking: ***
Even when stressed by a loaded bed and full trailer, the stoppers felt substantive at first, but soon tuckered out, despite the four-wheel discs. In Phoenix, an on-site test against competitors produced the expected impressive results, though I did see very little yaw during those at-the-limit stops.
Ride: *****
Company reps are quick to point to the fully boxed frame that's "62% stiffer in beaming and 230 torsionally stiffer." Whatever the reason, after driving 45 minutes down the highways and byways of Phoenix in the old model, my ass was in pain. An hour into driving one of the new GMC Sierras along the same highway later in the day, and I had not a single complaint about jarring and jolting from road bumps -- the ride's much more refined.
Handling: ****
The new pickup should only have three stars even with the upgrade made by the new rack-and-pinion steering system and the Hotchkiss-type live axle rear suspension. It's just that the previous model of the truck was just that bad. Still, they've included StabiliTrak electro-nanny as a standard feature, and everyone who's ever driven a fully loaded truck in a quick-brake situation knows, it's so much better to not get into one -- they get an extra star for that.
Gearbox: ***
Nothing special with the standard five-speed, we would have liked to have seen a truck with the new six-speed, as the General tells us they'll be almost 10% more fuel efficient with them. Unfortunately, in the rush to get the trucks to market, they seemed to have been unable to get the six-speed's production ramped up as well. They claim they'll be standard issue starting mid-year.
Audio/Video: ***
Come on, man -- it's a truck -- what do you expect? Still, with the level of quiet in that cab, even the standard radio system sounded above and beyond anything we'd heard previously in a pickup. The best part of the system is that all radios now come standard with an aux-in jack. Also, the rear-seat entertainment's top-notch -- we even played Playstation in the back of a Sierra going around the Phoenix "performance course" at the GM test facility -- all of which makes up for the difficult-to-follow touch-screen nav system. Still, you get the hang of it after a few miles.
Toys: ****
Not much to speak of on the inside other than the rear bench features a really cool one-handed fold-flat option that gives full access to the floor of the rear area. It's the truck bed where the real cool kit can be found. It features a three-rail cargo management system running the length of the box sides and the forward box wall. You can order all sorts of accessories including tool boxes, bike mounts and sliding bed dividers that when coupled with moveable tie-downs, allowing customizable storage options.
Trunk: ***
The truck bed comes in three bears sizes, 5-foot 8-inch, 6-foot 6-inch and 8-foot lengths depending on whether you're getting a regular, extended or crew cab size. Nothing special.
Value: ***
Coming in at a starting price of $23,605 for the standard cab, they're not cheap. But for the money you get extras like like Stabilitrak, and ... ok, yeah, who am I kidding, they're pricey.
Overall: ****
These are solid pickups that go above and beyond the General's previous generation of trucks. Even with the high price, they're at the top of the light-truck hierarchy.
– Ray Wert
Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra, Part 1
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/jalopnik-reviews/jalopnik-reviews-2007-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra-part-2-218071.php
Alles over Stout Sighting at Willow Springs | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-11-21 17:33:06
A corner-of-eye image registered in our periphery after a long day of driving modern machines on the roads and byways surrounding Willow Springs Raceway at the recent Motor Press Guild track day. Closer inspection revealed that that the fuzzy retinal artifact was in reality the oddly placed turn signal on top the hood of another Toyota Stout. This particular Stout was sitting restored in the front office of the raceway, sporting a bed full of straw hats and tires. Hot laps were unfortunately not being offered. – Mike Bumbeck
Related:
SEMA Show: Wicked Stout [internal]
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/toyota/stout-sighting-at-willow-springs-216071.php
Alles over El Camino de los Muertos, a Day Late: Satanamino! | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-11-03 05:10:52
A few weeks ago we decided to always carry a camera with us, as we see the kookiest rides bumping along the highways and byways of Los Angeles with ridiculous frequency. But nothing prepared us for what we saw this morning. Yes friends, the Devil drives a '73-'77 custom El Camino. While we're not shocked by the choice of vehicle, we were very surprised that Beelzebub hangs out in La Cañada Flintridge.
Regardless, you simply can not mess with dirty black, flames, vented side pipes and evil, evil pentagram wheels. Plus, it was bellowing smoke. We tried to give Satan a thumbs-up, but he just dropped the hammer and stole our soul. – Jonny Lieberman
Related:
More El Caminos [Internal]
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/custom-carshot-rods/el-camino-de-los-muertos-a-day-late-satanamino-212090.php
Alles over Spy Photos: 2007 Jeep "Scrambler" Wrangler-Based Pickup? | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-10-26 23:24:06
Although yes, the Jeep Gladiator program may have been scrapped by the kids over in Auburn Hills due to the need to create a new platform for the vehicle. Despite the sighs and sad faces from Jeep truck enthusiasts everywhere, it looks as though the American side of the German-American hybrid may have come up with something that'll turn those frowns upside down. It's being called the "Scrambler" by some, but "cool" by many more. It's a pickup truck based on the new Jeep Wrangler platform, and it's been spotted tooling around the highways and byways of Metro Detroit, and it may even see the light of day before......the end of the month's SEMA show. Allpar's got what they're claiming is more of the skinny:
"Set for an introduction at the SEMA show in about a week, this new pickup concept reportedly consists of two variations. Sources familiar with the strategy tell us that DaimlerChrysler hopes to produce these pickups in small volumes at the Viper Plant, using mechanicals from the 2007 Wrangler, while aftermarket kits will also be made available to fit previous-generation Wranglers. We'll have to await the official announcement in about a week to see exactly how the distribution and manufacturing details will be carried out. But a program such as these Jeep pickups, if our information is correct, is the perfect marriage of the SEMA show's current status: It's a major manufacturer future-product announcement with a clever nod to the aftermarket built right in.
While we presume that the '07-based pickups will be sold through Jeep dealerships, we're told that the kits will reportedly be available to transform 1997-2006 Wranglers into the pickups you see here. Sources suggested that the kits will cost about $8,000-$10,000 (assembly not included), and would require lengthening the frame with parts supplied in the kit. The truck we photographed had a wheelbase extended to approximately 119-inches."
Ooh, that'll be good news to all the folks who bought themselves some Wranglers with all of the discounts Chrysler's been throwing down over the past couple of years. We can't wait to see how this develops. – Ray Wert
UPDATE: Ok, Glenn "sometimes right, sometimes wrong, but always looking for the big score" Paulina now has an update on his "sure bet" on the "Scrambler":The Wrangler-based pickups we photographed show an updated version of the AEV Brute pickup conversion done by American Expedition Vehicles. AEV has a strong history with Chrysler Corp., having DaimlerChrysler's Design Excellence Award at the 2002 SEMA show.
According to our sources, AEV has created a new version of the Brute based on the all-new 2007 Wrangler, and has discussed some level of joint-venture manufacturing with DCX, utilizing the Viper plant as a prime niche-production site. AEV would take their business and production volumes to a new level, while DCX could tap into AEV's experience with Wrangler-based pickup conversions. If such a relationship comes to fruition, it would most likely be offered through official Jeep channels, bringing an interesting pickup alternative to Jeep dealers for a very low overall investment. It would solve the cost issues that killed the Gladiator concept, which used its own unique platform.
It's our understanding that the arrangement between AEV and DaimlerChrysler is still in the concept stage, perhaps awaiting the public's response to the new 2007 Wrangler-based pickup at this year's SEMA show.
We had posted this update: These photos may actually be an AEV Conversions vehicle called the Brute, which has been on the market for some time (thanks, David G. and Jason West.) Jason West wrote, "Those are AEV Brute trucks which have been in production for a few years now, with AEV's new Highline fenders and hood. That top is all new though, I haven't seen that one yet. Very cool. Looks like they've also redesigned the bed a bit (gas filler is back on the driver-side and the side tiedowns are gone) and widened the tailgate."
The Jeep Scrambler: Wrangler-based Pickup [Allpar.com]
Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Jeep Liberty To Get Fabric Roof?; Spy Photos: 2008 Jeep Liberty; At My Signal, Sheath Hell!: Jeep Gladiator Concept Axed As Production Model [internal]
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/spy-photos-2007-jeep-scrambler-wranglerbased-pickup-210350.php
Alles over 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Cruising Come Rain Or Shine, But Parking? That's A Toughie! | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-08-19 20:53:54
The two biggest issues at any Dream Cruise are always the potential for rain and the potential inability to find parking. That's one of the reasons we were up at 5:00 AM to hit the streets and byways looking for spots to ditch our ride and make a walking cruise down Woodward Avenue. Just our luck, the rain decided to get up early too. But that's allright, that's ok -- thanks to a tip from one Jalopnik reader late in the evening last night -- we've got some covered parking, which is where we took the above pic of Woodward Avenue, drenched in rain. It only took us driving through three police barricades to get there, and the use of reasons like "Dream Cruise host committee" (lie), "Press" (obvious lie), "Grand Marshall's little brother" (come on now!). Despite our blatant fibbing, we got into this little alcove of dryness without more sweat than we usually do. However......since we'll only have the Wert-mobile there, and we'll be exposed to the elements -- it does us little good. However, Chuck and Jerry on the boob-tube this morning (plus a liberal dose of weather.com) tell us the rain's expected to clear up sometime soon this AM -- and that's good, cause the thing is -- the rain doesn't stop coupes -- but it certainly ain't so peachy for our friends sporting drop-tops.
But if you're looking for spots to hit up today along M-1, the Detroit News has the scoop on where to be on this most storied of storied avenues. They point out all the obvs spots -- and then check back here throughout the day where we'll be pointing out the not-so-obvs ones -- just keep hitting refresh on our Woodward Dream Cruise mini-site. In addition, Spinelli will be providing some love throughout the day (thanks to camera-shy cam-man James LaMoreaux's pics) with something really special. We got a tour of Ed Meurer's amazing car collection out in Farmington Hills yesterday. The man must own more than 100 classic cars, many of which Spinn'll be spinning up for our readers throughout the day. Of course, if the rain continues it may end up being the only thing you see today, other than perhaps a tour of Woodward's best and brightest coffee shops.
Navigating the avenue [Detroit News]
Related:
Our ever-expanding Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/2006-woodward-dream-cruise/2006-woodward-dream-cruise-cruising-come-rain-or-shine-but-parking-thats-a-toughie-195343.php
Alles over 2006 Woodward Dream Pre-Cruise: WTF, It's Only Tuesday! | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-08-17 00:07:22
So yesterday was quite possibly one of the most amazing sights we've ever seen on Woodward Avenue and it got us into thinking this will be one of the largest Woodward Dream Cruises we've ever seen. That's because, as you can see in the video above, even though it's 9:30 PM, all of Woodward Avenue's eight lanes are chock full o' classic cars and not-so-classic cars checking out the extremeness of it all on Metro Detroit's most storied of storied byways. Whether it was a "Michigan Santa Truck," or a classic Camino, Camaro or 'stang -- or of course, you could be rockin' a 90's Land Rover -- you just need to ignore the drunk boomers making out. Get a room, you two!
Related:
More 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise [internal]
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/2006-woodward-dream-cruise/2006-woodward-dream-precruise-wtf-its-only-tuesday-194563.php
Alles over Spy Photos: Still More on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Convertible | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-07-07 00:18:02
Go ahead, call it a Corniche, see if we care. Whatever you call it, the coming drophead Rolls is closing in on the Palm Beach ladies who luncheon. It's now in Arizona for hot-weather testing, having arrived recently from Northern Europe where it was dodging elk the size of garbage trucks on snowy byways. Any time now, it'll be in the hands of some valet at The Breakers who just smoked an entire double-dime bag. But the crushed-emeralds-encrusted salmon is to die.
Paparazzi Preview -- Rolls Royce Corniche [Winding Road]
Related:
Spy Photos: More on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Convertible [internal]
Comment on this post
Related: Spy Photos: 2008 Ford F250 Super DutyRelated: Spy Photos: Aston Martin DBS, Vantage VolanteRelated: Shot of New-Gen BMW X5 Leaked
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/spy-photos-still-more-on-the-rollsroyce-phantom-convertible-185437.php
Alles over Spy Photos: Still Spy Photos: More on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Convertible | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-07-06 15:06:12
Go ahead, call it a Corniche, see if we care. Whatever you call it, the coming drophead Rolls is closing in on the Palm Beach ladies who luncheon. It's now in Arizona for hot-weather testing, having arrived recently from Northern Europe where it was dodging elk the size of garbage trucks on snowy byways. Any time now, it'll be in the hands of some valet at The Breakers who just smoked an entire double-dime bag. But the crushed-emeralds-encrusted salmon is to die.
Paparazzi Preview -- Rolls Royce Corniche [Winding Road]
Related:
Spy Photos: More on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Convertible [internal]
Comment on this post
Related: Spy Photos: 2008 Ford F250 Super DutyRelated: Spy Photos: Aston Martin DBS, Vantage VolanteRelated: Shot of New-Gen BMW X5 Leaked
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/spy-photos-still-spy-photos-more-on-the-rollsroyce-phantom-convertible-185437.php
Alles over Rental Car Reacharound: Ford Mustang GT | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-06-23 23:57:32
Duty called as I was asked to visit a customer in Seattle on Monday of this week. I caught an early morning flight to SeaTac and was admittedly giddy to see what Hertz had lined up for me that day. Being a Hertz Gold Card member has its benefits, including the occasional upgrade to a Lincoln Navigator or Nissan Xterra at econo-box prices, so I had hoped that it would be something better than the usual Taurus, but not the faux-Jaguar X-Type Taurus (Jag or not, I have some dignity).
Things were looking up as I approached the Hertz Gold Member counter and encountered not one, but two black-and-gold-striped Hertz Shelby GT350-H Mustangs, hoods up and taunting me with their exposed engine bays (sans engine covers!) The  Hertz-stangs , or as I like to call them,  Must-Hertzes, were unlocked and open for viewing. They were available, but I had to resist the temptation, as my companyÂ's expense department would probably frown upon the $189.99 rate ($254.65 a day after taxes and airport charges). I can'Ât even get them to pay for Neverlost at 10 dollars a day; even with Enron-style accounting it would be hard to hide $190 over the estimated 70 it usually costs to pick up a corporate ride at Hertz.
Dejected, I found my name on the wall of business travelers and headed out to space #356, where I found an Ice-Blue 2006 Ford Mustang GT waiting for me. Not bad, at least it wasn'Ât the V6, so I swung open the door, hit my head on the A-pillar and fell into the bucket seats. After the stars cleared out of my head, I fired up my ride for the day, and was soothed by the initial  vroom of the V8 starting up, followed by the subtle idling rumble of a classic ponycar.
As I made the usual adjustments to the seats and mirrors, I took a moment to take in the interior. I liked the retro gauge faces with the big numbers, and the center stack with the stock Ford radio was a familiar sight, as it seems that every Taurus, Freestyle and Mustang I'Âve rented all share the same audio parts-bin. The stubby auto shifter took some getting used to, but provided some entertainment in traffic.
What struck me as odd was the choice of interior colors for this particular vehicle. They went with the beige and black color scheme with the cloth seats. The seats were comfortable and supportive, although I thought there was a something wrong with the passenger seat until I saw an empty soda can rolling underneath making all the racket. Hey, as long as I can see through the windows and the seat isnÂt sticky IÂm OK if the cleaning crew misses a few items now and then. Anyway, the color scheme was a bit odd because the shade of beige (or taupe, or cream, or whatever the heck it was) was unusual. It reminded me of a cup of coffee with just a bit too much cream, enough to distract me for the drive. I would have gone with a black and grey interior, which IÂ've seen in other Mustangs IÂve rented.
As I maneuvered my way out of the parking garage, I had to restrain myself from gunning the throttle, the Mustang has a nice little torque curve and while it was fun to blip the throttle over the speed bumps I drew some looks of disdain from the Hertz attendants working the lot every time I made the tires squeal. I found my way out of the garage and made my way out into traffic. Well, I didn'Ât exactly  make my way into traffic; more like  laid-down-a-strip-of-rubber -and-flew into traffic. The V8 proved itself worthy in the morass of cars as I headed out to the office in Bellevue; the handling was smooth and the overall ride was acceptable for a sporty coupe. The steering was a bit vague, but SeattleÂs byways seemed a lot smoother than my regular L.A. commute. Perhaps I was concentrating more than I should have on trying to see over the long hood to avoid the potholes IÂ'm accustomed to.
I reached my destination for the day, performed my dog-and-pony show and packed up for my return trip home. This time, I remembered to duck when sliding my 250 lb frame into the driverÂ's seat. Getting in and out of certain vehicles for a fat guy like me can be a challenge, I would probably have to make sure I park where I can swing the long door wide open if IÂ'm handed the keys to another Mustang.
Overall it was an enjoyable ride, worthy of the Hertz  Fun Collection . Maybe next time my Gold status will bless me with the  Must-Hertz GT-H.
-by Gene Manuel
Send us your Rental Car Reacharounds! tips@jalopnik.com
Related:
Rental Car Reacharound: The Ford Five Hundred [Internal] Comment on this post
Related: In The George W Bush League, Are There Four Strikes?Related: Don Ho's Toyota Perforated by Vandals
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/rental-car-reacharound-ford-mustang-gt-183055.php
Alles over Electric Car Removed from Smithsonian, Replaced by SUV | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Gizmodo | 2006-06-20 18:34:18
Is it a case of bad timing, or is it a little fishy that just a week before the documentary critical of GM, Who Killed the Electric Car? is to be released that one of the few examples of the EV1 electric car in existence has been removed from the Smithsonian's Museum of American History by its curators? Prototypes of the EV1, called an "engineering marvel," were the only mass-produced electric vehicles ever to hit the highways and byways of the US, and the leased cars were inexplicably removed from circulation and destroyed by GM.
The EV1 will be replaced at the Smithsonian by an SUV, the robotic VW Touareg designed by Stanford University. Is it a coincidence that GM is one of the largest financial supporters of the Smithsonian, and its EV1 was mysteriously removed from that museum on the eve of the premiere of this GM-critical documentary? Hmm. Just asking. – Charlie White
Smithsonian Kills the Electric Car [treehugger]
Comment on this post
Related: Uaser: Laser of SoundRelated: Tomy Vinyl RecorderRelated: Stonehenge Pocket Watch
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/electric-car-removed-from-smithsonian-replaced-by-suv-181959.php
Alles over Who Doesn't Love Hot '60s-Looking Italian Girls on Vespas? | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | Jalopnik | 2006-06-17 17:47:40
The Motorpasions had this posted on their site and we fell in love with it. It doesn't matter that we no habla Espanol. Or for that matter, Eye-talian. Because Vespa is universal in any language, as are fresh-faced, sexy Sixties mod girls. The only downside to this absolutely exquisite piece of vintage Piaggio advertising is that we can't stop muttering "Vespa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa..." We'll be down on the corner by the bodega all week. Thanks for stopping by.
Vespa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa... [Motorpasion]
Related:
Byway Star: Installing a Stereo on Your Scooter [Internal]
Comment on this post
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/retro/who-doesnt-love-hot-60slooking-italian-girls-on-vespas-181415.php
