New Peel Looks Cool, but Expensive, Dangerous

While design of this miniature car from famed Peel Engineering, which is known for its tiny creations, is nice looking, who would want to be riding in this tiny car tot if hit in an accident.

This is a limited run, and so obviously was built to cater to collectors and those wanting to make a show run to garner attention once in a while.

Called the Peel Electric Mini-Cars, they are offered as an electric car, or much better, a gas alternative is offered.

As usual, the gas cars demolish the mileage of the futile electric car scam, with the 49cc engine of the gas version getting about 119 mpg, while the electric version gets about 40 mpg, while being able to ride for only 20 miles before the need to be recharged. The gas version runs at a top speed of 40 mph.

It does offer a ride for two people, but has virtually no storage room.

The cost of this basically useless vehicle? About $20,000 per car.

That's a lot to pay for what is essentially a little toy car built for the purpose of getting a little attention.

All this is is a marketing gimmick to get the company back in the game again. I guess, to some degree, it's working.

It would be fun to use if you had a piece of property with enough acreage to let it loose a little.

Hopefully no one is dumb enough to take this out in real-world driving conditions. Thankfully it's a limited edition with very few cars offered.

Auto Trends | Noble M600 Supercar

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Noble Automotive is about to release their latest entry into the supercar field, and it's got a lot going for it if you like speed and great 0-60 mph time.

The stainless steel, space frame chassis, along with the twin-turbo Volvo engine allows the Noble M600 to have a great power-to-weight ratio, and it shows in the speed, which can reach up to 225 mph and generate a 0-60 time of three seconds.

Another cool feature if you decide to take this baby off the track is the ability to switch between horsepower modes, where it can alterate between 450 and 550 bhp.

The Noble M600 is a speed demon, no doubt about it, but lacks several things like anti-lcok brakes and ESP. Still, an nice entry into the supercar field.

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Auto Trends | Metro Cell Vehicle

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I couldn't call this Metro Cell Vehicle an auto, but because it defies description at this time, we'll just use that for identification purposes.

This unique transportation device, offered as a 'human delivery system,' is designed specifically for the Los Angeles metro area, but could have potential in other regions as well.

At this time it's being called a PDD (pickup-drive-drop), and can be called upon by people and you can use it to get to where you want. When you're finished with that, you just get out and the Metro Cell Vehicle will return to a unique hub stack built for it.

Of course this is a Concept and is not certain to be used at this time, but it sure would give an interesting, futuristic look to those using them, and the LA area.

I wonder if it will include air conditioning? It looks like it would be extremely hot to drive in if it didn't.

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Auto Trends | Dyson Ball Car

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What's the latest design from Santosh Chawla? It's throwing a car on top of and around a Dyson Ball. You know, the one that we saw navigating vacuum cleaners on infomercials.

Theoretically it could travel on almost any type of terrain and conditions, and could turn at 360º on a dime. And if you accidently turn at 360º on a dime while driving? Adios amigo. That's the end.

While I like the design, and the color of this prototype is one of my favorites for cars, it's just too cutesy to me, and would be more fun to play with on land you owned than being a realistic or safe way to travel.

But doing those 360s on some land or wide open space would be a blast, although it's hard to know how expensive it would cost, and it only runs on hydrogen fuel.

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Auto Trends | New Transformer Bumblebee Chevy Camaro

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Riding on the popularity of Transformers and one of the favorite robots of them all - Bumblebee - Chevy is releasing a limited edition Camaro, which is an exact replica of Bumblebee in the Transformers.

Of course that doesn't include changing into Bumblebee, but you can't have everything.

Fans of the Bumblebee Camaro will get a nice insignia with the word 'Transformers' on the hood and side of the car, and is sure to draw the attention of some rabid Transformer fans out there.

One thing I love about it is the deep yellow color, which is one of my favorites for a car, so Bumblebee or not, I like this new Chevy Camaro.

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Auto Trends | 2010 Buick LaCrosse

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Saying it took about five years to bring the 2010 Buick LaCross to the market, the company presented their luxury sedan and it looks like they have a winner.

According to exterior design manager Mike Pevovar, “The overall impression is one of harmony and continuity. There’s an international look and feel to the 2010 LaCrosse, yet it is instantly recognizable as a Buick, with cues pioneered by the Enclave."

Included with the design are a number of safety features as well as advanced intelligent personal technology, along with four-wheel drive.

Check out their website for numerous other features on the 2010 Buick LaCross.

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Marotti’s Trike Motorcycle Car

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From the front and three-quarters view, this three-wheel car, trike - or whatever you want to call it - from Marotti, has the look and feel of something from outer space or a former sci fi film. The side view of the vehicle leaves a lot to be desired, and wasn't though out too well in my opinion, but otherwise isn't too bad.

The inclusion of tail fins and rudders makes you think of the 60s, along with the sleed body design.

According to Poland-based Marrotti, it's "as dynamic as a motorcycle and, at the same time, as safe and easy to drive as a car." Maybe we could call it a carcycle, or something like that!

The 750cc V-four 100 horsepower motorcycle engine from Honda pushes the 970-pound car pretty good, and would be a lot of fun to try.

Now what is its use again?






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Auto Trends | BMW S.X concept

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The latest concept car from BMW has been designed by Iulian Bumbu, who has also designed the Lamborghini Insecta concept.

What's impressive to me about it is its adherence to the way BMW expressives itself in its cars, but at the same time taking it into some new areas, which should delight fans of the brand.

It's expected that the BMW S.X concept could be the successor to the BMW 6-series.

Very sleek and nice charcoal. Nice sports coupe from the Italian designer.

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Auto Trends | Secret Agent Bentley

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For only $500,000 in pocket change, you can own your own bullet-proof Bentley, which will put on the equal with just about anything James Bond drives.

This car isn't only bullet-proof, it also includes a self-contained oxygen system which can be used when you come under the inevitable poison gas attack.

That's just for starters though, as there's also ballistic steel in the doors, a gas tank that is explosion proof, Kevlar flooring, and can run on flat tires.

But the ultimate in this secret agent car is the exploding hinge bolts which will blast the doors open and give you a quick exit if you have to escape quickly.

I never knew ordinary life could be so exciting. Just owning it would give you some game. If you ever really had to use it, well, you'll be the neighborhood hero.

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Auto Trends | Sexy Citroen GT Straight from Gran Turismo 5

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In a video game named Gran Turismo 5, a real-life simulator, a car was designed considered the best of them all called the Citroen GT, which was actually produced and driven in the streets of London.

What's a breakthrough is things are reversed here, as usually a game will take a real-life car and employ it in their racing and/or chase scenes.

But in this case it's reversed, and a car from the game has been inspired by it and brought to real life. Very cool.

In the video you can see which car it actually is. You'll probably have trouble telling which one is the physical car and which one is from Gran Turismo 5.



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Auto Trends Audi Grand Piano

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In celebration of its 100th anniversary, Audi's design team has partnered with world-renowned piano builders Bosendorfer to design a grand piano.

Along with the celebration, Audi chief designer Wolfgang Egger said he also wanted to get his design team to think outside the box when building the piano, in order to come up with potential design ideas for the car.

While the Audi design team kept the basic shape of the piano to keep the acoustics the same, as you can see they changes the outward design quite a bit.

The $140,000 Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano will debut on July 16 at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt.

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Auto Trends | Customized Denim Ferrari Interior and Exterior

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This Ferrari 599 is evidently owned by the grandson of the late Fiat Chairman Gianni Agnelli, which he had customized into basically a symbol of blue jeans denim (not the Chairman).

Lapo Elkann is the grandson, and he had this beauty covered on the exterior with a two-tone matte blue, while the inside is completely upholstered with denim. Fun!

I like the contrast navy blue color of the roof, mirrors and pentagram wheels to contrast the lighter shade. Nice.






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