Land Rover Puma Concept: Post-Apocalyptic Party Wagon

Land Rover Defender: 6X4 Puma Concept

The Defender, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is unfortunately not available in the U.S. due to trivialities like airbags and safety.  But if you happen to be in Southeast Asia and are looking to stage a political coup with a few dozen of your closest insurgent military friends, take the Puma Concept for a spin.  (Rocket launcher sold separately).

Land Rover Puma Concept

The Land Rover Defender seems an obvious choice for a military conversion given its already no-frills off-roading capabilities.  So to make it even more war-ready, Land Rover Malaysia and Sasbilt Technologies Malaysia added a couple more wheels and a camouflage paint job to spawn the 6×4 puma.  Clearly geared towards military applications, the Defender 6×4 Puma features an extra-long wheelbase.  The increased cargo capacity that this size creates can be used to fit an electric generator to power the powerful radio and satellite needed to communicate with team members, as well as accommodate 4 passengers.  Also the vehicle can drive with all six wheels or through just four.  According to press releases, this concept was born out of the idea to supply a versatile VSAT satellite vehicle which can be used in the battlefield. The vehicle will be powered by a 2.4 liter turbodiesel engine Ford Duratorq Puma engine.  Reports are that the Puma has generated a lot of interest from Malaysian Armed Forces. 

I am not to certain how this long vehicle will work in the battlefield even though Land Rovers have always been known for how great they are off-road.  It surely is not the most sprite or maneuverable looking concept I’ve ever seen.  The extra long wheel-base, which is a necessity for the types of uses mentioned above, looks like it  could easily become stuck when it has to go over a hump in a ravine  What I REALLY can’t wait for is to see one of these here in America.  No, I don’t think the U.S. military will be picking up a contract for the Puma.  I’m thinking of all those sweet 16 and post-prom parties with screaming teenagers from N.J. hanging out of the gun ports.  Everyone knows, it’s a rite of passage to call in a carpet bombing for your bar mitzvah.

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The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5: We’re Already Busy Brainstorming Lascivious Uses For The Cargo Space

The hatchback version of Chevrolet’s subcompact Aveo sedan, the new Chevrolet Aveo5 hatchback has undergone a major overhaul for the 2009 model year. While still sitting on a Daewoo-based platform, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 represents GM putting a tentative toe in the “tall car” water.

Gaining a little extra head room, the new Aveo5 will have the capacity to seat up to 5 adults while its rear-folding seats provide approximately 42.9 cubic feet of cargo area [because our mothers read this, we'll simply say, "I wanna get you in the backseat, windows up..." and allow you to form your own allusions].

Scoring relatively high safety ratings [all things considered], the 2009 Aveo5 comes equipped with “Hold Control,” a feature that reduces wheel spin and traction loss in slick conditions, as well as an OnStar panic button, for when you’re sitting at a stop light listening to the guy next to you with the super hot chick riding shotgun rev his V8 and you’re paralyzed with the sudden realization that your wife actually talked you into trading your Impala for an Aveo5. We jest, of course; she’ll probably only be marginally hot…but we digress.

With an EPA fuel consumption estimate of 26 mpg city/34 mpg hwy and a tank that reportedly gets over 400 miles off a single tank of gas, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 blows other small-car competitors like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris right out of the water. In addition to better fuel economy and significantly more interior room, the 2009 Aveo5 will be priced starting at $12,120, which Chevy hopes will make it the least-expensive new car in America.

2009 Chevrolet Aveo5
Base Price	$12,120 - $14,860
Vehicle Layout	Front Engine, FWD, 5-door hatchback
Engine	1.6L/107hp/106lb-ft DOHC 16-valve
Transmission	4-sp automatic/manual
Curb Weight	2,546 - 2,557lbs
Wheelbase	97.6in
Length x Width x Height	154.3in x 66.1″ x 59.3″
0-60 mph	N/A
EPA City/Hwy Fuel Economy	26/34
CO2 Emissions	N/A

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Stile Bertone’s B.A.T.-mobile

While the manufacturing arm of Bertone – Carrozzeria Bertone – sits in the tangled web of Concordato Preventivo, Stile Bertone is reviving the family name with the North American debut of the Alfa Romeo Bertone B.A.T. 11 concept.

The B.A.T. 11 is a remake of the 1950’s Alfa Romeo Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica [B.A.T.] car, and seems to be just what the doctor ordered for the ailing Bertone family. The partial brainchild of [and funded largely] by dentist Gary Kaberle, the B.A.T. 11 is based on the platform of the Maserati GT and is ultimately intended to be a longer version of Alfa Romeo’s 8C Competizione.

The B.A.T. 11’s original debut was planned for the Geneva Auto Show back in March, but was instead revealed at a private party separate from the showroom floor. At first blush, the design flaws were obvious and a lot of engineering clean-up was needed before the B.A.T. 11 would be ready for its Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance run in August. Squashing fears that it wouldn’t be completed in time, the B.A.T. 11 was revealed to the press on Tuesday, July 29th.

Although admittedly not the sexiest piece of machinery Stile Bertone has ever designed, with the kinks worked out, the B.A.T. 11 is certainly an engineering marvel worthy of the Bertone name.

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2008 Lotus Elise SC

A Red Lotus Elise SC

Ever since my best friend in High School had a 1986 Fiat Bertone, I have had a fondness for mid-engine sports cars. Such a bare bones and unashamedly single-minded vehicle made it a unique contrast to the Mustangs and Camaros that were the typical car selection of a teenage boy in my hometown.

Sure the muscle cars always had more horsepower and straight ahead top speed. But with the engine screaming just behind your ears, it handled the extreme curves of the roads that wind through the mountains where I lived so well that you felt you were ready to compete in a GT road race. Fast forward to the 2008 Lotus Elise SC, a car that does so much right, it may be the best pure sports car in the world.

The Lotus Elise SC is essentially a supercharged version of the entry-level 190-hp Elise. A 1.8 liter DOHC putting out 217 horsepower does not sound especially impressive, but in a car that weighs only about 2,000 pounds it is more than plenty. Weight is a big part of what makes this car work so well. The Lotus-designed lightweight chassis is constructed of epoxy-bonded aluminum and steel rear subframe wrapped in a composite fiberglass body.

The Toyota-engineered engine is coupled with a Magnusson supercharger that gives the Elise SC a top speed of 150 mph propels the car to 60 mph in a respectable 4.4 seconds. The SC has the same engine used in the upscale Exige, but with a different supercharger that Lotus engineers tuned to coax out a similar power output while maintaining 20-26 mpg. In something so small, so light this performance can only be described as thrilling.

Agility is the first test. Not the cars, but yours. As you climb, fall or basically crawl into the Elise you become quite aware of its proportions. The Elise is just 44 inches tall, 73 inches wide and 149 inches long making it shorter than the diminutive Toyota Yaris.

The available options and interior is not overflowing with amenities, though you do get a leather wrapped steering wheel, seats and door trim, AC, electric windows, airbags, antilock brakes and even (gasp) a cupholder. Traction control and limited slip differential are also available.

The white on black gauges that stare you in the face are effective in communicating to the driver that this is a vehicle that you will drive, not the other way around. The driver’s attention is mandatory if you are planning on taking corners at any significant speed. Steering is responsive and precise and the ride is on the very firm side but completely appropriate and befitting the racecar feel of the SC. The driving pleasure of the SC more than overcomes any minor lack of manners or comfort. In fact, the ride is surprisingly pleasant compared to what would be expected of such an overtly racecar oriented vehicle.

For those that are looking for the automotive equivalent of a booty call, the base price of $54,000 is not that much to ask. When’s the last time an impractical $54,000 car was considered affordable? But for a car that delivers like few can, it’s a downright bargain.

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Aston Martin SuperCar Is In The Works

Aston Martin fans found out that the British manufacturer is working on a brand new supercar which is going to be a direct competitor to the Bugatti Veyron and Mercedes SLR. Sabino Leerentveld, a Dutch designer, unveiled its vision of how the new supercar will look like.

This looks like something I could drive. Aston Martin has always been one of my favorite brands because of the lack of saturation. Now if it was only Hydrogen or Solar Powered.

Source: 4WheelsBlog

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GE Works to Make Heavy Hybrids Out of Mega-Movers

Mega Mover dump trucks have been used in open pit mining as a means to save money; larger trucks require fewer trips with larger loads and reduced fuel costs. As fuel prices continue to climb GE (General Electric), with additional funding from the US Department of Energy, has been working to include hybrid technology in these mega movers. As many of the huge mining trucks already have diesel generators and electric motors as their motive power adding regeneration technology and rugged battery packs would seem the only hurdle.

Testing of the hybrid system has already been conducted and the project to date has had favorable results. Tim Richter, from GE’s Hybrid Systems division, indicated in his blog about the Off-Highway Vehicle, mega dump truck test that the next step is to determine how to best utilize the batteries of stored energy and to determine the length of service that can be expected from the batteries.

As the regenerative breaking electricity is stored in the batteries of the vehicle determining the best application for the energy during operation will be the next objective. Whether the power is reserved for increased boost for powering the truck up steep grades or for increased torque from a standing start, or both, will require more testing.

They will also need to test the types of batteries available under the harsh conditions found in open pit mining. Effects from the jostling along rough terrain, the impact of loads dumped into the working truck, and the dust and mud that can be found under mining conditions will all require further research.

The costs related to a hybrid system are always a concern, but with fuel prices ever increasing the fuel savings found in hybrid vehicles is gaining favor. What the exact savings will be with the hybrid system in these mega trucks is not specified. The Chevy Tahoe 3-Mode Hybrid System resulted in a 50% increase in fuel mileage and earned it the 2007 Green Car of the Year award at the LA Auto Show. GE’s target output and fuel savings for the hybrid project is not mentioned, but if they can achieve a similar result it would seem a safe bet that the technology will be implemented with haste to help battle the costs of rising fuel.

Source[GE Global Research Blog via EcoGeek]

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Video: Parking Problems and a Painters Solution

I caught this video clip on TopSpeed and had to share it.
While the problem it depicts is common to many the solution found to resolve it is rather unconventional and not likely something a car lover would ever succomb to. Take a look for yourselves.

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The Mini Ardun Flathead Engine: Miniature V8’s that Really Gallop

What happens when you mix a CNC Machine and a craftsman with a lot of time on his hands? In the case of Ron Bement of Denver, Colorado you get working classic engine reproductions in miniature. So far Bement has built an Offy, a Flathead and is now building a 7-inch Ardun engine replica.

The beauty of these engines is not just in the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, but that these aluminum beauties actually run. Take a look at the following video and enjoy the sites and sounds of these tiny, methane fueled,  28-hp V8’s. Then after the video head on over to the FordBarn for more photos and information.

Thanks for sharing, Bas!

Source[FordBarn]

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