Autoblog

We always scoff at dealerships that charge $250 for floormats, but there are some truly expensive options out there that most of us would need a second mortgage (good luck getting that) to afford. Car and Driver has a new Top 10 List that details the most decadent options in the auto industry, and it's a pretty fun read. We knew of a few, like the Rolls-Royce Starlight Headliner that adds 1,600 tiny lights to the ceiling of your Phantom Coupe, but we didn't know it carries a $12,100 price tag. Then there's the Aston Martin Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX2 DBS Transponder Watch that can unlock the doors of your DBS. Just $37,900! What a steal. One option we weren't aware of is the Granite Trim package that Maybach offers. A small base fee of about $60,600 will get you a gussied up S-Class with actual rock in the doors. Click here to read the rest of the Top 10 Most Decadent Options list and be thankful that you're not wealthy enough to make these tough choices when buying a car.


[Source: CARandDRIVER.com]

Fed up with all of the cars parked along the street in her quiet neighborhood, an 89-year-old grandmother in Germany started slashing their tires. Altogether some 50 tires were vandalized before a neighbor spotted and reported the nefarious nana. The granny, Heidi Kohl, eventually confessed and was fined, but the story doesn't end there. When she told authorities she wouldn't be able to pay, they decided to have her work off her debt. They instead sentenced her to hard time knitting sweaters for her victims. We don't know how sweaters work for traction, but if the German officials are satisfied who are we to question their judgment? Prosecutors added that they don't fear any further actions by the sassy senior, pointing out that she has since moved to a retirement home.

[Source: Digital Spy]

We've seen before how companies in China can take a radical concept design never meant for mass production, modify it a bit and offer it for sale. The latest evidence of such activity can be seen in the Jeepzter. Ostensibly a replica of the Jeep Hurricane concept from 2005, the Chinese replica does away with the dual 5.7L HEMI V8 engines for a single 650cc unit. That lone powerplant sits up front and powers the rear wheels, not all four like the concept. Of course, it goes without saying that the ridiculous turning ratio of the Hurricane has been lost in transformation, as well.

In reality, what we have here is a normal run-of-the-mill off-road utility vehicle with a plastic body cribbed from the classic Jeep concept. We're a bit fuzzy on how this sucker is "street legal" as claimed in the Craigslist ad, so we'd definitely check with your local authorities before actually making a purchase. If you just want to have a Jeep Hurricane-looking thing sitting in your garage, though, now is your chance. Thanks for the tip, toddo!


[Source: Craigslist]

There are fantastic combinations, like bacon and, well, just about anything, and then there are things that should never be combined. Jeep CJ-7s are super iconic, and they represent the pinnacle of AMC's stewardship of the brand. Though the Dukes of Hazzard itself was no Citizen Kane, every kid of that era has indelible images of an orange Charger flying through the air etched in their memories. Again, General Lee: cool. Put them together; ignoring the fact that a proper "Dukes"-themed CJ would mirror the Golden Eagle edition that appeared in the show; and you have created that which should never be. The "01" treatment has been applied to some very odd vehicles the world over, though, so we suppose that a General Lee-themed CJ isn't so bad in the long run. At least both elements appeared in the original show...


[Source: Hemmings]

They say you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, even with the second release of the Audi A4 Driving Challenge for your iPhone or iPod Touch, the price tag is still fairly representative of the quality of the game. According to Audi, 370,000 people downloaded version 1.0, but we'd be curious to know how many of those copies were still on the devices 48 hours after the user first tried it out. Our guess would be not many. Version 2.0 is certainly much improved. Audi has added new vehicles that can be unlocked, including the A4 3.2 and the mighty R8.

The graphics are also better, compared to the original. Unfortunately, like so many other games on other platforms, graphics and good features don't necessarily equate to great gameplay. Compared to Crash Kart, the vehicles in this Audi game are hard to control, and the game simply isn't much fun because the scale speeds are so slow. Since it's free, go ahead and download the Audi A4 Driving Challenge and try it yourself. Thankfully, not all of the free apps on the iPhone and iPod Touch are of the same quality of this one. Perhaps for v3.0, Audi should hire someone with more experience in driving game design.


[Source: Audi]

Being able to complain that hauling your 34-foot Airstream around means leaving your full-dresser Harley at home for vacation strikes us as an enviable problem to have. For those of you with a surfeit of high-end toys and a longing to hit the road, Airstream has you covered with its new PanAmerica model. Being a high-end product itself, the PanAmerica sports Airstream's trademark aluminum construction and mid-century modern styling that ensures it's perpetually in vogue. The best part of the trailer, however, is that it sports a garage in its aft compartment that can swallow a pair of motorcycles, some ATVs, or our current favorite, a red Radio Flyer wagon. The garage has an 11-foot depth and is comprehensively equipped with tie downs and wheel clamps so your scooter will stay put while you drag everything over mountain passes.

The dragging part will require a pretty beefy tow vehicle. You'll want your pickup to have the largest available engine to cope with the 11,500-pound gross weight rating. Once you've docked your rig at camp, it's nothing but traditional Airstream class inside, meaning stainless appliances, indirect lighting, and snazzy cabinetry. It all looks like some kind of 1950's Brasserie, and if we had 85 large to drop on a jet-age home away from home (and a truck brawny enough to pull it), we'd be blogging from various bucolic undisclosed locations on a daily basis.


[Source: squob.com]

Last week Congress signed a bill that frees up $25 billion in low interest loans for all automakers (including non-domestics if they plan to spend the money on green tech) and suppliers that spend money in the U.S. to develop green technologies. That was a big deal for Detroit automakers struggling to stay afloat during an abominable automotive downturn.

According to the Wall St. Journal, the $700 billion economic "rescue plan" fighting its way through Congress at the moment also includes money to bail automakers out of bad car loans, which in turn would supposedly go a long way toward freeing up money in the woeful car loan market. We're assuming this car loan bailout issue isn't just for Detroit automakers, as several overseas automakers offer financing here in the States, and plenty of banks are knee deep in car loans, as well. After looking at the positively radioactive sales for September, it's clear that the economic crisis is also affecting car sales. Not only are people finding it harder to get car loans even if they have good credit, but many would-be shoppers are staying away from big ticket purchases altogether until this fiscal mess gets fixed.

[Source: Blogging Stocks]

Last week, our heroes survived magic napalm, chased a Spanish babe who inflicted curb rash on a Spyker, and we learned Mike has amnesia of sorts. Then, to mask Mike's identity, they faked his death, gave him no plastic surgery, and let him take on the name used by his dad. Yeah, we're sure he'll stay really low-profile that way.

Anyway, tonight:

"Journey to the End of Knight". Mike infiltrates a racing gang with the help of an old army buddy; Sarah and KITT join him.

It's after the jump, kids.

Click above for more images of the Track Tvan

If you're one of those take-no-prisoners off-road types, then we've found the perfect camper trailer for you. It's called the Tvan, and it's made by Track Trailer. The company, Australian-based and located outside Melbourne, has been in business since 1982. Their Tvan model is specially engineered to eliminate the problems found with conventional flip-over type campers (which stow the tent on the bed). With the Tvan, the tent is stowed in the rear hatch allowing your bed to be kept clean and dry. Even better, a hard roof over your head ensures a better night sleep.

As Track is experienced building military trailers, much of their heavy-duty technology finds its way into the Tvan. Features such as an asymmetric link suspension with Koni shock absorbers, 10 inches of wheel travel, and a 30-degree departure angle allow the trailer to follow the tow vehicle over nearly every terrain. With a hot dip galvanized steel frame, it is also built to take abuse and last. Of course, the kitchen appointments are stainless steel with abundant power outlets, lights, and ventilation to take the edge off of roughing it. It even comes with a 70-liter "food grade" water tank as standard equipment. Now, we found you the camper, you just have to figure out how to get it here... unfortunately, the Australian company isn't shipping to the States.

[Source: Squob]

A Route 666 sign would look right at home in the shop next to the Fiat crest that's displayed on the wall. In fact, they may share a meaning. It seems we're not the only ones that chuckle when the number of the beast pops up on road signs. Barnegat, New Jersey can't keep mile marker 66.6 on either its Parkway or Turnpike. Whenever the signs are replaced, they're stolen again. The situation is much the same further north in Morris County, where so many Route 666 signs went missing that New Jersey changed the route designation to 665. There's a joke in here somewhere about hell rides on Jersey roads, but it happens elsewhere in the country, as well. The former interstate 666, which runs through Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado, was renamed Route 491, though there are certainly some drivers that continue to drive like hell no matter what road they're on.

[Source: AOL Autos, Photo: Brad Templeton]