Ride Lust

Toyota Creates World’s 1st Rear-Center Airbag, Volvo Seen Yawning

2009-03-12T12:42:35Z

Perhaps in response to the concerns raised in regards to rear-seat safety by the super compact Toyota iQ, Toyota unveiled today the world’s first rear-seat center airbag. Obviously designed to reduce the iQ from “screaming metal” to simply “metal” deathtrap, the new center airbag is intended to provide a buffer between the two closely-seated rear passengers in the event they are sandwiched together like sardines during a side-impact collision. Hyped as an “impressive...(read more)

2011 Range Rover To Be Based On Land Rover LRX Concept

2009-03-12T07:31:26Z

According to sources, Land Rover has confirmed that the Land Rover LRX Concept that debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January has been approved for production as the 2011MY Range Rover. Built on the same platform as the Freelander, the Range Rover LRX would sit beneath the Range Rover Sport as the smallest, most compact model in the Range Rover family. Although the 2011 Ranger Rover LRX will feature 5 doors (has opposed to the Concept’s 2) and a slightly revised front bumper, the basic...(read more)

Jay Leno To Perform Pro Bono For Laid Off Detroit Workers

2009-03-11T10:08:19Z

In a gesture of goodwill towards an area with the highest unemployment rate in the country, comedian and late night talk show host Jay Leno will be performing a stand-up show completely free of charge for unemployed workers in Detroit. Scheduled to take place on the Pistons’ home turf at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, tickets are limited to four per person and the only requirements for admission are a photo ID and the lack of a job. In addition to the live entertainment, Leno will also...(read more)

GM Cancels Development Of Duramax 4.5L V8 Diesel Engine

2009-03-11T08:36:56Z

Obviously circling the wagons in anticipation of yet another attack by marauding bands of debtors, GM announced today that an “indefinite hold” would be placed on further development of their 4.5L V8 Duramax Diesel engine. Originally intended to debut as a fuel-efficient engine option beneath the hood of the 2010 Chevy Silverado, GM claims the worsening economic climate has forced them to cancel the project. Expected to offer a much-needed alternative to GM’s current heavy duty...(read more)

Audi Celebrates 100th Birthday With Public Display Of Auto Affection

2009-03-11T07:10:33Z

Founded by August Horch on July 16, 1909, Audi will celebrate its 100 birthday this year with a special exhibit at the Audi automobile museum in Germany. Aptly titled “From Horch to Audi – The history of perfection has a new name,” the exclusive event will present a collection of Audi’s most historic automobiles to the public, including the only surviving model of the Audi Type P. Introduced as Audi’s very first small car in 1931, the Type P’s brief production run was...(read more)

smart ForTwo + 2 Picks Up Where Failed smart ForFour Left Off

2009-03-10T11:24:05Z

Great news for smart owners: now when you’re mocked mercilessly by fellow motorists, you will have up to three additional passengers with whom to share your shame. Judging the market ripe for a comeback, Mercedes-Benz has announced they will once again introduce a 4-door smart car to the market, this one hopefully more successful than the last. Expected to bear the “smart ForTwo + 2″ badge, the new ute is expected to debut in 2012 as a direct competitor for the likes of the Audi...(read more)

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept SUV To Reach Production By 2012

2009-03-10T09:29:15Z

Unveiled to a stunned, somewhat horrified audience at the Geneva Motor Show last week, the Aston Martin Lagonda Concept now appears slated to transform from an ugly pipedream into an ugly reality. According to Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez, the new Lagonda could begin production in as little as three years, hitting the market in 2012/13. Built on the same platform currently underpinning the Mercedes-Benz GL class, the new Aston Martin Lagonda is, by standard definition, an SUV, but attempts to reconcile...(read more)

Chrysler Threatens Repossession Of Obama Hippie’s Rolling Artwork

2009-03-10T08:05:47Z

Chrysler’s financing department is apparently not a fan of the abstract arts. In St. Petersburg, Florida, recently laid off “artist” Jennifer Stone-Anderson has found herself in danger of losing her precious, hand-painted Obama wagon to Chrysler’s repo man. Released from employment months ago by Rainbow Art and Design in Tampa, FL, rather than spend her newly-acquired free time doing something productive, such as looking for another job, Stone-Anderson decided to convert her...(read more)