Master Shift Adds Paddle Shifters, Keeps Clutch Pedal on Corvette C6 with Manual Gearbox

If you think that paddle shifters are a recent innovation, you might want to reconsider: the first-ever application was on the Bollée Type F Torpédo a century ago in 191, and that car is on display at the Le Mans circuit museum.
In the following years many manufacturers, such as Chrysler, Citroen, NSU and Mercedes-Benz, to name but a few, tried to do away with the clutch, torque converter and/or gear level but electronics were still a long way from reaching maturity and the companies didn't persist with the concept.
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First Installation of the New iPad Mini in a Car

Sure Apple's new iPad Mini might have some shortcomings including its smaller, 7.9-inch non-Retina Display and a steep price tag, but in regards to its footprint, it looks like it could be the perfect fit for automotive applications.
No sooner than it landed on the market, an audio system specialist from Florida named "Soundwaves of Tampa" went ahead to become the first company in the field to install the tablet in a car and specifically, on a 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan.
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Watch BMW's Optional M Performance Steering Wheel with Race Display in Action

Some might say it is a yet another gimmick and a distraction or one more electronic accessory to worry about, but BMW and German motorsports expert and race driver Tim Schrick, beg to differ claiming that the firm's M Performance Steering Wheel with a race display is what the doctor ordered for enthusiasts. Read more »

New EU Tyre Labeling System Comes into Effect, States Consumption, Wet Grip and Noise

It’s true that the current series of letters and numbers on the side walls of the tyres can be confusing to the average buyer, who relies on his tyre provider or a friend’s recommendation when the time comes to change his or her vehicle’s OEM rubber.
That’s why, effective November 1, a new labeling system has been introduced in the European Union. The goal is to inform consumers of the characteristics of each type of tyre and make driving more cost effective, quieter and safer.
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New Mercedes-Benz CLA Already Available in…Die Cast Miniature Form

While Mercedes-Benz is trying to keep a tight hold on the upcoming CLA compact sports saloon, having only released bits and pieces of information along with pictures and videos of camouflaged prototypes, we've already had the opportunity to see official photos of the car.

If that wasn't enough, now, pictures of what is said to be a 1/18 scale a die-cast model of the new CLA have surfaced on the internet!

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Trolling a French Police Car in Paris with a Quadcopter Drone

While the debate on privacy rights and government power over the use of surveillance drones goes on, some talented folks from Team Black Sheep (TBS), which specializes in both filming equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as well as aerial video services, found some time to fool around in France while attending the LeWeb 2012 Conference.

What TBS did on a street just outside of Paris is fly a remote controlled quadrotor, also called a quadrotor helicopter or quadcopter, equipped with a live-feed recording device.

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Lego Goes Back to the Future with First Ever DeLorean Set

The fans over at Lego's Cuusoo have spoken and their wish is the famous Danish plastic brick company's command.

And what exactly did the people wish for at Cuusso, which is an official site where you can share your Lego set concepts with the hope that someone from the company's head honchos in Denmark will like your idea?

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Here's What Happens When You Feed Your Ford Too Much Eggnog…

These festive days, every company and their mother are tapping into the Christmas atmosphere – yes, carmakers included.

Among other initiatives for the holiday season, the Ford Motor Company launched a special app that allows users to either use preloaded images of one of its models or if they prefer, just take a picture of their own ride's grille, and then with the magical help of software, make the cars say what’s on their mind.

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McLaren Launches New Line of Products Inspired by the MP4-12C

Like most high-end carmakers these days, McLaren Automotive is also venturing into the retail business with a range of products that are sold from its recently launched McLaren eStore.

Just before Christmas, the British carmaker released a new line inspired by its MP4-12C sports car series that includes a variety of accessories, clothing and luggage with a price to match its name…

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2013 Toyota Avalon is the First Vehicle in the World to Offer Qi Wireless In-Car Charging

After finding their way into our homes and offices, wireless charging systems for cell phones and other electronic devices are now beginning to make their appearance in automobiles.

General Motors has already introduced a wireless cell phone mat and so has Chrysler's Mopar division, but Toyota is laying claims to the "world’s first application of Qi wireless in-car charging" as part of a Technology Package for both the 2013 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid models.

We reached out to Chrysler to ask whether its already available wireless charging system adheres to the "Qi" interface standards and we will post an update once we receive a reply, but for now, we will take Toyota's word for it.

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New Acura App Lets You Put Some Color to NSX Pre-Production Concept

We’ve seen it in the flesh at motor shows; we've seen it in virtual form on GT5; we've seen it with Honda badges; we've seen it in a Super Bowl commercial; we've seen it in a red shade, and we've even seen it as a roadster in a Hollywood blockbuster.

Yes, we're talking about the Acura NSX pre-production concept and if you haven't figured it out already, we're going to be "seeing" a lot more of the Japanese brand's hybrid sports car since it won't be ready for sale before 2014.

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Subaru Announces New Limited Run 2013 STI Mechanical Watch

Besides an assortment of tuning accessories and components, racing models and quite possibly, a selection of never-before seen concept and special edition production models, Subaru and its STI division will also debut a new limited edition mechanical watch at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon in mid-January.

The 2013 edition of the STI-branded timepiece will be produced in a limited run of 300 units, 30 of which will be offered during the show along with a special band adjustment tool.

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Australian Police Warns About Apple iOS 6 Maps After App Directs Drivers to the Desert

In September, Apple decided to ditch Google Maps from its iOS 6 iPhone operating system in favor of its own navigation app. From a commercial point of view, it surely makes sense to promote your own products instead of those of your rivals.

Obviously, the folks at Cupertino should have ensured that their map app was accurate before making it the sole option for iOS6 users. In Australia, police have gone as far as to warn drivers of using Apple's map app.

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Audi's R18 Ultra Lightweight Chair Made from Carbon-Fiber and Aluminum

Much in the same way that not all cars are made equal, not all chairs are made the same either. Case in point, Audi's impressive looking R18 Ultra Chair that made its debut at Design Miami this week (December 5 to 9).

Conceived by designers Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram, the R18 Ultra Chair prototype is named after Audi's R18 Ultra racecar and was developed in cooperation with the Audi Lightweight Construction Center.

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Audi gets into the Winter Spirit with New Snow Sledge

The Volkswagen Group has a tradition in designing unique snow sleds and offering them up for sale during the Holiday season. We've already seen several VW-branded products over the years and now, its Audi's turn to offer its own take with the Snow Sledge. Read more »

The Real Steel: Kuratas is a Giant Transformers-Like Robot You Can Drive on the Road

Here's one way to re-discover and bring the inner child that hides in you out in the world: it's named the Kuratas and it comes to us from Japan – could it have been from anywhere else?

The Transformers-like Kuratas is the work of Suidobashi Heavy Industries (SHI) and in particular, artist Kogoro Kurata and robotics expert Wataru Yoshizaki. The 4.5-ton robot stands 4-meters (13.1 feet) tall and can be controlled either by a driver who sits in the cockpit or via a smartphone.

It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 10km/h or 6mph on the road, with SHI also offering the possibility of fitting the robot with guns that in civilian form shoot plastic bottles or fire BB pellets.

In an intro piece about the robot, the Japanese company tells us:

"'KURATAS' is an art piece. It is not a normal vehicle, so it doesn't guarantee your safety and comfort. However, it does makes your dream of becoming a robot pilot comes true."

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You Can Now Drive the New 2014 Corvette C7 on Gran Turismo 5!

A couple of weeks ago, you may remember us telling you about a camouflaged 2014 Corvette C7 prototype that appeared in a couple of demo "screen saver" sessions on Sony's Gran Turismo 5 (GT5) racing game.

As it turns out, there's more to the appearance of the upcoming Corvette in GT5, as today, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, GM announced that starting from today, players of the game can download and –wait for it- drive the C7 Test Prototype!

The Detroit carmaker worked in collaboration with Polyphony Digital, the developer of the Gran Turismo franchise, to create the virtual Corvette C7 prototype.

GM pointed out that "careful attention was paid to the tiniest details from the creases and wrinkles in the soft camouflage used to disguise the new design to specific driving characteristics that are currently being tuned and refined ahead of the vehicle’s official debut", which will take place at the Detroit motor show in January,

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Chevy Launches New MyLink Infotainment System on 2014 Impala [w/Video]

Besides offering Siri on its Spark and Sonic city cars, Chevy has also made sure that buyers of the all-new 2014 Impala won’t feel short-changed.

The bow tie’s mid-size saloon features the next-generation MyLink infotainment system that allows drivers to personalize their car’s interior by configuring the instruments and center screen by pushing a button.

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Apple’s Siri “Intelligent Assistant” Comes to Chevrolet Spark and Sonic LTZ / RS from 2013

The late Jim Morrison sang, “keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel”. These lyrics from The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” would make a perfect match for Apple’s new Siri app that, from early next year, will be available in two of Chevrolet’s city cars.

More specifically, the company announced today that the Spark and Sonic LTZ and RS owners will be able to pair their cars’ standard MyLink infotainment system to Siri, provided, of course, they have an iPhone running Apple’s iOS 6.

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Apple iGo is a Design Study for an Autonomous Transportation System

In 2000, Apple was a computer manufacturer. Today, it still churns out more-stylish-than-ever iMacs and MacBooks, but it has become a much bigger entity dominating the digital music player, smart phone and tablet markets.

So, now that the iPod, iPhone and iPad have become a part of our everyday lives, maybe it’s time for the company to move on. To what, you may ask?

Shane Baxley, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation Design from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, thinks that cars are a great way for the company to diversify and expand its business. That’s why his project, which was completed last April, is a car-sharing service designed for the Apple brand.

Baxley’s project is named the iGo and it consists of three autonomous electric vehicles:

The iMe is an ultra-compact one-person transportation vehicle; the iWe, a family vehicle for longer journeys and the iUs, a version of the iWe that’s meant for “a date out with the significant other” or, since it’s the only one in which the driver can assume control, be taken out for a ride.

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