cars

Vehicles

DJ Mobile Car Speeds Along On Sound Rockets

Posted by Sean Fallon at 8:40 AM on September 3, 2008

For many enthusiasts, pimping out car sound systems (and even bicycles in some circles) is a time-honoured tradition. However, Dutch artist Olaf Mooij may have taken this pastime to extreme new levels with his DJ Mobile. Inspired by the Popemobile and the song "God is a DJ" by Faithless, Mooij created a rolling PA system complete with two turntables and several gigantic speakers that look more like rockets. Details are scarce on the system itself, but it does appear that interested parties can rent out the system for loud and obnoxious events. [Olaf Mooij via Born Rich via DVICE]


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Toys

Batman's Tumbler Replica Won't Fly On Rooftops, Ram Through Barricades or Take a Direct RPG Round

Posted by Jason Chen at 5:40 AM on September 3, 2008

This US$499 Tumbler from The Dark Knight is confusing. On the one hand, it's US$499, but on the other hand, it's a 1:6 replica of what Batman's been driving in the last two movies, PLUS it's even big enough for you to fit your 12-inch action figures in. The thing doesn't seem to be remote controlled—you'd be afraid to lose your US$499 from ramming this under a car tire anyway—but does have light-up headlights, a sliding roof panel and movable flaps. If this were only a few hundred bucks cheaper we'd be all over it, but we suppose the price is worth it just to see Brock Samson sitting in Batman's ride. [Entertainment Earth via Random Good Stuff]


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Vehicles

Peugeot: Hurry Up And Make This Concept Car!

Australian Post Posted by Nick Broughall at 1:42 PM on September 2, 2008

peugeot 888.jpgEvery second year, Peugeot has a design competition to create the next generation of motor vehicle. The 888 is one of the 21 finalists for this year's competition, and even though it's not as sleek and shiny as some of the other entries, it's practically a Transformer, making it the epitome of all motor vehicles that have ever been conceptualised in the back of some creative type's mind in the history of the world.

The brainchild of Norweigan designer Oskar Johansen, the 888 is a two-seater with a bit of space for luggage in the back. It's powered (at least in the designer's mind) by lithium-ion batteries located in the boot, which power four electric engines (one for each wheel). There's also solar cells on the boot for a bit of extra juice while your driving.

The best feature of this car though is the fact that when driving around the crowded streets of a city, it arches up using a hydraulic tilting system, so that the driver sits a bit higher and the wheels are closer together, increasing maneuverability. But when you hit the open road, the axles separate again, lowering the vehicle's centre of gravity and keeping the driver comfortable during long drives.

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Vehicles

Chevy Volt Dashboard Looks Like The Future If The Future is White Plastic

Posted by Mark Wilson at 11:00 PM on August 29, 2008

We don't write about car dashboards all that often here on the Giz, but when the dash is from an electric car/hybrid and it shares its white sheen with both classic iPods and Stormtrooper helmets, how could we possibly resist? Nearly buttonless, the Chevy Volt's injection molded centre console features a large LCD that, from what we can tell from the picture, will be locked with the static image of 2/3 battery remaining. It's certainly an interesting look, but I'm just not so sure it blends so well with the rest of the car. What do you think? [thecarlounge via Jalopnik]


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Vehicles

Volkswagen Caddy Van Features a Wooden Boat Deck For Sunbathing

Posted by Sean Fallon at 10:00 AM on August 29, 2008

The designers at Volkswagen brought out the big guns for an upcoming recreational vehicle show in Düsseldorf, Germany by crossing one of their small commercial Caddy vans with a sailboat. While the Caddy Topos Sail design is not capable of travelling on water, it does feature a sailboat style deck on the roof that can be modified for relaxation and sunbathing. It even features a wooden ladder built into the glass to grant easy access to the roof. I suppose that it is clever in a stupid sort of way, but no matter how you feel about the quirky design, it is only a concept.

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Peripherals

Dual Gooseneck Sat-Nav and Mobile Phone Holder: One Big Blind Spot

Posted by Sean Fallon at 9:00 AM on August 29, 2008

In an effort to make driving as dangerous as possible, a UK company called Santok has developed this hideous two headed freak of a gadget holder. The dual gooseneck design makes it easy to stick your sat-nav and your mobile phone to the windshield, and it seems to do a fine job of creating a massive blind spot wherever you choose to put it. Fortunately for most of us, it looks like drivers in the UK are going to be the only ones dealing with this problem in the foreseeable future. Available soon for around US$37. [Santok via Geekalerts]


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Vehicles

Microsoft Working on 'Vi-Fi': Brings Seamless Internet and VoIP to Vehicles

Posted by Sean Fallon at 3:30 AM on August 29, 2008

As if you didn't already spend enough time on the internet, Microsoft is looking to feed your addiction even further by developing a reliable "Vi-Fi" system for automobiles. The major problem that must be overcome is the fact that current Wi-Fi networks suffer hiccups in service as you pass through. This is especially true when moving out of the range of one base station and into another. To smooth the transition process, Microsoft and a team from the University of Massachusetts are working on building a network based around a base station anchor that is backed up by several auxiliary base stations in the area.


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Design

Is this the Futuremark 3D OpenGL-Powered Car Dashboard of the Future?

Posted by John Mahoney at 9:10 AM on August 28, 2008

We've seen all-digital concept dashboards before, but none seem as impressive 3D (or close to reality) as Futuremark's. It scraps everything behind and to the right of the wheel in favour of a smooth, uninterrupted display onto which an OpenGL powered 3D engine renders everything you might need--instrumentation, navigation, entertainment system controls, climate controls, everything.


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Online

I Always Wanted Me a Porsche

Posted by Mark Wilson at 8:30 AM on August 28, 2008

Porsche is now offering online tools to photoshop your favourite model in front of your home. Just hit the link and click on "picture it." As you can see, a US$100,000 sports car really classes up the joint. [Porsche via AB]


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Games

A US$15,000 Gran Turismo Pod: Still Cheaper Than Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche

Posted by Mark Wilson at 3:00 AM on August 27, 2008

We're not sure where every dollar went in this US$15,000 Gran Turismo Prologue Pod, but we can appreciate the integrated PS3, 40" screen, surround sound, racing seat, Logitech G25 wheel (which includes those fancy pedals) and stylish Plexiglas window. It's just a shame that the full version of Gran Turismo 5 isn't actually out yet, making this ubercabinet the world's most advanced demo kiosk. Still, here's another shot from the tech-fantastical cockpit:


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