VW Creates Virtual Golf GTI VI Slot Car Race Game

Once in a while, automakers and their marketing teams come up with up an idea that's actually quite cool. Such is the case with Volkswagen's "GTI Project", a new virtual slot car game that you can play online from the comfort of your office chair -just don't get caught. The Scalectric track that was constructed by a team of 60 modelers and features some 200 scale buildings is truly massive measuring 30ft by 25ft (9.1meters x 7.6meters) while the Golf GTI slot car itself is a 1:43 scale replica. Give it a try and remember to have a little perseverance around the corners...

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

MINI Convertible Dresses Up for "I Kissed a Girl" singer, Kate Perry

You may not know her by her name, but we're pretty sure that you've heard Kate Perry's 2008 pop song, "I Kissed a Girl". So what has MINI got to do with Kate Perry, we hear you ask? Well, the British automaker decided to create a "Kate Perry" style Convertible for this year's Life Ball event, Europe's largest annual HIV/AIDS charity gathering. At last year's event, MINI came up with an erotic themed Clubman styled by lingerie firm, "Agent Provocateur". The Kate Perry-style Life Ball MINI Convertible 2009 is the work of "The Blonds", aka Puerto Rican Phillipe and US designer David Blond.

Aside from a design mock-up that shows a pink leopard-skinned MINI Convertible, we don't have any specific information on the car so we have no idea what it means to be styled for Kate Perry. Of course we could use our grimy imagination and the lyrics of her only well-known song to come up with an idea or two, but we'll behave - this time...

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase 3: Giga 1/8th Scale Die-Cast Model

Being somewhat of die-cast model collectors ourselves, we couldn't bypass the chance to tell you about this giga-sized, 1/8th scale replica of the 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III from 'Icon Models' that will be produced in a limited run of 1,000 units each priced at a hefty $1,295 AUD - that's about €700 or US$925. For non-Australian readers, the GTHO Phase II Falcon is one of the most iconic muscle cars from the land 'Down Under' reputed at its time to be the fastest production saloon in the world.

The actual '71 Falcon XY GTHO Phase III was powered by a modified 351 Cleveland V8 engine that produced somewhere around 380HP. Mated to a 4 speed manual-gearbox, the rear-wheel drive Falcon was said to reach 60mph (96km/h) in 6.4 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.2 seconds while its top speed was close to 230km/h (143mph). Only a mere 300 examples of the GTHO Phase III were built and fewer than 100 survive today. The past few years, prices for the much sought after Ford have skyrocketed to as high as AUD$800,000.

As for the die-cast version of the Aussie muscle car, the 60cm or 23.6-in. long 1/8th scale replica looks the part from the photos featuring many realistic details, but we'd like to see one up close before spending a grand on a die-cast model. According to the maker, the Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase 3 will be available during the thrid quarter of the year.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

AC Schnitzer's Kitschy BMW i-Drive Cover has us Driving Away

At first we thought that BMW tuning specialist AC Schnizter had released one of those tacky car vent fresheners that imitate the looks of an alloy wheel design. Well, we got the second part right as the German tuner has come up with a new, black anodized aluminium cover for the BMW i-Drive, u-Get Confused, infotainment system with an embossed image of an AC Schnitzer Type IV alloy wheel. No word on prices, but do you really want to accessorize your bimmer with one of these?

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

MINI Clubman with Airstream Trailer Concept: First Official Photos

These are the first official photos of a one-off concept of a specially modified MINI Cooper S Clubman and a 6.80-meter or 22-foot Airstream trailer that was created in collaboration with Danish furniture producers, Republic of Fritz Hansen. The design study will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the INTERNI Design Energies exhibition that takes place in Milan on 22 – 27 April 2009.

The concept behind the project is the creation of a mobile base for surfers and beachgoers alike. As such, the designers of Republic of Fritz Hansen kitted out both the American travel trailer and the MINI Clubman with unique features.

Design details include the use of what MINI describes as "surfer-dude wetsuit" neoprene, fresh colors and flower prints which are common on both the Clubman and the Aistream trailer.

The trailer comes with a waterproof interior that is outfitted with numerous chairs, a table and even two surfboards halves, which double up as shelving. A special feature of the trailer is that it fully opens on one side revealing a built-in sun-bathing bed.

In the Clubman, the designers of the Copenhagen-based Republic of Fritz Hansen removed the rear seat bench and stripped out the boot to fit four specially made securing shells with purpose-built mounts that can accommodate diving gear equipment, including flippers, a mask, wetsuit and oxygen tanks.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Beware: Ford Warns Against Malware Attack on Google Searches with its Name

Ford Motor Company issued a warning today to protect internet users against a so-called " black hat Search Engine Optimization (SEO) attack" that uses the firm's name as bait to download malware on computers. According to PandaLabs, there are more than one million links pointing to malicious pages on the net specifically targeting FoMoCo. These links are promoted to the top of the search results. Once the user visits one of these pages he or she is prompted to download and install a malicious "codec" which in turn installs a 'fake' anti-virus program

If downloaded, the fake antivirus software then warns the users that their computers have been infected by malware prompting them to buy the full program or else their PC's will not work properly.

Ford said that it is working in collaboration with Google and other search engine to 'mitigate the impact' of the attack.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

New BMW X5 Security Plus: Bring on the Kalashnikovs

German automaker BMW is extending its range of armored vehicles with the presentation of the X5 Security Plus that complies with the requirements of bullet resistance Class 6 meaning that it can withstand an attack from a machine gun such as the Kalashnikov AK-47. BMW claims that the X5 Security Plus is the first mass-produced vehicle in the world to offer a Class 6 protection.

Compared to a standard X5, the Security Plus models comes equipped with safety glass all around -even between the passenger and luggage compartment, high-performance steel moulded components and panels while the body features sealed joints that also provide protection in critical areas such as between doors and frames as well as between side panels and pillars along.

Other unique features include an intercom system that facilitates communication with persons outside the vehicle, a hold-up alarm that automatically locks windows and doors, windows and doors, acoustic and visual alarm signals, a front and rear camera, a specially developed suspension system, a high-performance brake system and of course, tires with emergency running properties that permit safe driving over a distance of around 150 kilometers (93 miles) at a speed of up to 80 km/h or 50mph even after a total loss of pressure.

The X5 Security Plus is powered by BMW's 4.8-liter V8 that delivers 355HP and a maximum torque of 475 Nm launching the armored SUV from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 8.2 seconds and to an electronically limited top speed of 180 km/h or 112mph.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Mirror Shiny Bugatti Veyron 16.4 up for sale in Abu Dhabi

Unless it's some kind of custom creation, we pretty sure that the shiny-shiny Bugatti Veyron 16.4 that's pictured here is the extremely rare 'Pur Sang' edition that was revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show back in 2007. We've added a set of official pics of the original 'Pur Sang' after the jump so you can compare for yourselves. All in all, Bugatti had produce a mere five examples of the shiny supercar that sported an unpainted, all-aluminum body shell combined with numerous carbon fiber parts (bonnet, roof, rear spoiler etc).

During the 2007 Frankfurt show, Bugatti had announced that all five Veyron 16.4 'Pur Sang' were sold out at a price of €1.4 million - and that does not include taxes, delivery and various other charges that us plain buyers are not aware of. Now -and we repeat, unless it's a custom creation- the close to bling-bling shiny Veyron is up for grabs by a dealer in Abu Dhabi for an undisclosed price.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com