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Video: Nissan GT-R vs. Bullet Train – Top Gear

CARversation — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:49:48 +0000

Top Gear takes the Nissan GT-R up against a Bullet Train in Japan. Find out who will win, Jeremy Clarkson in the GT-R or Richard Hammond/James May in the Bullet Train.

View the two parts below after the jump…

History behind the car logos

CARversation — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:08:06 +0000

The Alfa Romeo logo represents the coat of arms of the city of Milan and are related to the crusades, hence the cross. On the right, a snake is eating a figure, either a child or a Saracen (depends on who you ask).

The four rings in the Audi logo represent the four companies of the Auto-Union consortium of 1932 – DKW, Horch, Wanderer, and Audi. The Audi name (latin for “Hear!”) disappeared after WWII, but was revived in1965.

The BMW logo is a rounded, stylized representation of a spinning propeller blade (the company build military airplane enginges originally).

Buick‘s logo originated from the coat of arms of the Buick family (of Scottish origin); a red shield with a checkered silver and azure diagonal line running from the upper left corner of the shield and a gold cross in the lower left corner (the cross had a hole in the center with the red of the shield showing through), and in the upper right corner was an antlered deer head with a jagged neckline. The logo underwent many revisions, then in 1960 the logo was changed to three shields, to represent the three Buick models in production at the time (LeSabre, Invicta, and Electra).

The original Cadillac logo is based on the family crest of the man for whom the company was named, Antoine de La Mothe, Sieyr de Cadillac (though many believe the crest is a fake, concocted for the purposes of the company’s logo). The symbolism of the wreath surrounding the crest is uncertain (though the original wreath design was a bouquet of tulipped leaves).

Popular legend has it that the Chevrolet logo was inspired by wallpaper in a French hotel where William C. Durant was staying (the legend says he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on the wallpaper and tore a piece of it off to keep to show to friends and later turn into the company logo). However, his wife says that the bowtie emblem was first seen by her husband in a Virginia newspaper on a vacation around 1912, upon which he told her that the thought it’d be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet (per Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine, October 1986).

The Chrysler logo has undergone quite a few changes over the years; the one shown here is an adaptation of the original medallion logo used on Chrysler cars at its inception in 1925. This logo was brought back to use in 1994, and the pair of silver wings were added after the company merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998. Now that Chrysler’s been sold to Cerberus, they’re switching back to the Pentastar design, though the cars are still using the logo shown here.

The Dodge Ram logo first appeared as a hood ornament in the 1930s, used on both trucks and cars. The Ram was chosen for the image it portrays – sure-footed, King of the Trail.

The prancing horse featured on the Ferrari logo was the emblem of Italian WWII flying ace Fancesco Baracca, whose parents persuaded Enzo Ferrari to use the symbol of their late son for his Alfa Romeo race cars. When Ferrari later started his own car company, he continued use of this logo.

Henry Ford‘s right-hand-man, Harold Wills, printed business cars to earn money as a teen, and when Mr. Ford needed a logo, Wills pulled out his old printing set and used a font that he had used for his own cards. The oval was added in 1912, and blue was added for the Model A in 1927.

The Infiniti logo is derived from the symbol for infinity, not surprisingly. The concept of the open road and traveling toward infinity was one the company wanted the customer to feel. The logo also suggest Mt. Fuji.

Originally the Swallow Sidecar Company, Jaguar gained its new name in 1945, though why this particular animal was chosen is uncertain (though it makes a much better hood ornament than a swallow…). It’s thought the leaping jaguar is meant to represent the speed, power, and quickness of the cars.

The founder of Lamborghini, Ferrucio Lamborghini, had a passion of bull fighting, as evidenced by the logo chosen for his car company – a charging bull. Mr. Lamborghini also carried this theme over to the names of his cars, almost all of which were named after eithera breed of fighting bull or a paritcular bull.

The trident prominent in the Maserati logo is the traditional symbol for Bologna, where the cars were originally made (they’re now built in nearby Modena).

Rei Yoshimara, a world-renowned corporate image-creator, designed the Mazda logo. The ‘V’ represents wings outstretched.

The three pointed star of Mercedes’ logo represents their domination of land, sea, and air. First used on a Daimler in 1909, a laurel wreath was added in 1926 to signify the union with Benz, and was later simplified to the current logo design in 1937.

Some believe that the Mitsubishi logo represents a ship’s propellers (Mitsuibishi was involved in shipbuilding early in the company’s existence). However, a more commonly accepted explanation is that the logo is formed by the joining of two family emblems and does not represent any part of a ship.

The Porsche badge is the coat of arms of the city of Stuttgart (where the cars are built). The city was built on the site of a stud farm, which explains the horse in the coat of arms; the antlers and red and black stripes are part of the arms of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg.

Subaru is the first Japanese company to use a name derived from its own language, and that name is reflected in its logo. The name refers to a group of six stars in the constellation of Taurus (we refer to them as the Pleiades).

The Toyota logo is comprised of three ellipses, representing the heart of the customer, the heart of the product, and the ever expanding technological advancements and opportunities that lie ahead. Another interpretation is that it represents the three interlocking aspects of the culture of the company – freedom, team spirit, and progress. Also, in Japanese ‘Toyo’ means an abundance of, and ‘ta’ is rice. In some Asian cultures, those blessed with an abundance of rice are believe to be blessed with great wealth.

The Volkswagen logo is simple, but the name has an interesting meaning – in German, it translates as the “Peoples’ Car”.[Source gawlowski.com]
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Video: Inside the BMW M3’s V8 Literally

CARversation — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:13:12 +0000

In almost every movie you watch now CGI graphics are used. Their awesome but most of the time graphics don't do that great of a job. Nothing beats the real thing. The advertising firm IdeaCity recognized this and melded high-tech wizardry with old-school filmmaking to create an absolutely beautiful ad for BMW's new M3. The IdeaCity crew went to Munich to study the M3's V8 engine. They had three complete engines shipped out to Belgium, where manifolds were cut, cylinders were shaved and lighting holes were drilled to mount special cameras, lenses and lights. After two weeks of intensive study and preparation, the team took another four, 20-hour days to film what happens inside the 420 hp mill during a single revolution. The completed spot was filmed at 10,000 frames-per-second and doesn't utilize any form of computer-generated effects. We watched the video over and over and feel you will do the same[Source Auto Blog]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG5B7ztN1mc]

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BMW X3 Ad Makes Fun of American SUVs

CARversation — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:55:24 +0000

This just has to be one of the funniest BMW commercials and smartest. I wonder if American companies will have their own commercial to fight back to the X3.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9cvH1tsA-A]

[Video]Spy Video Of Nissan GT-R V-Spec

CARversation — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:02:04 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an article about the Nissan GT-R V-Spec(click here to see it) and how this version of the GT-R will have 300 pds less than current GT-R and also will have about 550hp. This car has little difference from a regular GT-R like a new front splitter, modified rear spoiler, and different wheels. Nissan has also set a sub-7 minute 25 second Nürburgring goal for the GT-R V-Spec — 18 seconds faster than the current car. Underhood, the GT-R V-Spec's turbocharged mill will see an increase in boost, raising output to 550 horsepower — up from the standard GT-R's 480 horsepower. In addition to the power boost, the V-Spec will also shed 330 pounds. A standard GT-R weights around 3,800 pounds, the V-Spec will shed around 300pds with carbon fiber body panels. Well, the car has been spotted only in video this time. Enjoy the video. What a lucky job these drivers have.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QEqTHC8pWU]

2010 Bentley Arnage [Spied]

CARversation — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:42:18 +0000

Spy photographers have captured the Bentley’s updated Arnage. The next-generation Arnage isn’t slated to hit the market until 2010, but Bentley execs reportedly want to create a true competitor to Rolls Royce’s offerings and are getting a head start on the project. It is also possible that Bentley could offer its next-generation Arnage T with the Bugatti Veyron’s quad-turbocharged W16 engine. Last year, Bentley fitted an Arnage prototype with Bugatti’s W16 engine proving how serious they are. When the next-generation Arnage finally hits the market in 2010, look for prices to be in the neighborhood of $400,000.[Source:Left Lane News]

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[Video]Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera & Spyder road test

CARversation — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:05:33 +0000

Australia's CarAdvice.com.au road tests Lamborghini's crowned super-machine, the Gallardo Superleggera in Italy.

CarAdvice.com.au also road tests Lamborghini's fashion symbol – the Gallardo Spyder in Italy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CZ7DOpW5IA]

[Video]Lexus LF-A sounds incredible

CARversation — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:00:20 +0000

Recently, it has been said that the Lexus LF-A at the Nurburgring race and also spy photos came up recently. It was only a matter of time before someone filmed the car with a 500-hp 5.0-liter V10 that can be heard anywhere. You get to see and hear some fly-bys. Enjoy. [Source:Auto Blog]-Click on continue reading article for the video and pictures.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB85hwb2_r4]

Porsche GT3 RS [Spied]

CARversation — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:56:56 +0000

Spy photographers have spotted a facelifted Porsche 911 GT3 RS prototype out testing on the roads of Germany, just outside of the Nürburgring. Some new modifications to the Porsche are LED lighting that will be applied across the 911 models and cleaner front bumper design, with larger intakes at the corners. This model will maintain the RS trademarks like the competition-spec roll-bar, lightweight fixed rear wing, and thinner glass for further weight savings. A new rear bumper design is also in the works, sculpted to bring a bit more attention to the GT3 RS’ center-mounted exhaust tips. Visual changes aside, I wonder what changes are under the hood. Is more power to battle the Nissan GT-R V-Spec , or Lexus LF-A . All three cars are at the Nurburgring, which is just interesting.[Source:Left Lane News]-For More Pictures Click Continue Reading Below!

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Honda NSX RWD Pictures

CARversation — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:22:20 +0000

Honda originally planned to show off the next generation NSX to the seething throngs at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show. But due to bad reviews of the car, Honda’s designers headed back to the drawing board to redesign the front clip housing the 550 hp, 4.5-liter V10. The NSX is slated for production in the fall of 2010. The new NSX will supposedly kick off Honda’s first serious attempt at producing rear-wheel-drive vehicles to rival BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Infiniti.[Source:Auto Blog]

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