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BMW M Bike: Don’t worry, I’m still rear-wheel drive!

March 19, 2010 at 9:36 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Bikes, BMW, Laughs

We’ve posted about smaller BMWs going front-wheel drive, but here’s a small BMW that keeps it true – it’s by the M division, lightweight and rear driven! This limited edition BMW M Bike features disc brakes, a cool matt anthracite frame, leather saddle and stylish rims and handles. There are M badges too, of course.

BMW says that with the M Bike you’ll “attract a lot of attention – at least for a few seconds” as “the high total gear ratio transmission delivers astonishing speed” – they’re talking about the light and robust Shimano SLX gear system there. No turbos here, speed depends on your legpower, but at least you’ll be seated well on the fi’zi:k saddle (with red inlay) designed for comfort and superior grip. Other notable components include the Manitou Match suspension fork with 80 mm spring deflection. The M Bike weighs 12.9 kg.

It is available in June online at www.bmw-shop.com, which also sells a full M Collection for you to look like a riding advertisement. Profits go to making real M cars. Larger image after the jump.
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Plush new Citroën seats for the Gunners!

February 5, 2010 at 1:46 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Citroën, Laughs

At times, it’s good to lighten up a little, take our mind off government policies, impending fuel price hikes and overpriced cars, that’s why we’re sharing this with you. Citroën has been the “official car” for Arsenal Football Club since 2008, and the French car company recently placed new luxury pitch-side seats at the North London club’s Emirates Stadium.

I always wondered why footballers would want to watch their teammates in tight Recaros, but these red Citroën seats with the Arsenal crest actually look really plush – I wouldn’t mind them in my living room (by now you must have guessed which team I support). Designed by Loughborough UK based Auto-kit International, the 40 seats are wrapped with top-quality leather. Gunners boss Arsène Wenger said: “We are delighted with the new Citroën dugout seats, which are a real improvement and very much in keeping with the overall stadium design.”

Seen here are Thomas Vermaelen, Manuel Almunia, Craig Eastmond and Eduardo. Perhaps they should spend less time on PSPs and train harder for this Sunday’s must-win match against Chelsea! A closer look at the new chairs after the jump.
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Proton employees show off “creative concepts” at its 2010 Family Day celebration

January 10, 2010 at 4:07 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Laughs, Local News, Proton

It was an early start for a Saturday morning, but I dragged myself out of bed to Proton’s Shah Alam factory to join in the national carmaker’s annual Family Day event; yesterday’s 2010 edition also kick off Proton’s silver jubilee 25th anniversary celebrations. They erected a seriously huge tent (more like an airplane hangar!) to house 18,000 staff and their families who packed the venue. The guest of honour was none other than the man who’s vision created Proton: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed accompanied by wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah.

No, there weren’t any sneak preview of the Persona facelift or new Waja that I had hoped to catch, but the event was anything but boring, thanks to the participants of Proton’s Invention and Innovation competition, an in-house inter-department contest where staff came up with “concept cars” using units that were destined for scrapping. It was very entertaining to say the least; there was a supercar, a shoe car, a caravan, a wooden sportscar, a Donald Duck inspired gullwing Saga and a space ship!

Check the gallery after the jump, but before firing the poison arrows, please do not take them too seriously – this is just a fun contest open to all Proton staff, not a prototype design shootout for the next production model. Enjoy!
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Gemballa’s Stormtrooper inspired Ferrari Enzo

December 30, 2009 at 4:05 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Ferrari, Laughs

German tuner Gemballa, which is famous for its work on Porsches, has dabbled into the world of molesting Ferraris – and they aimed for the best. This Enzo you see here is called the Gemballa MIG-U1 (sounds more like a Russian fighter jet) which should be a privately-commissioned one-off model favoured by the mega rich when a standard supercar (even if it’s the Enzo) is not exclusive enough.

Details of the MIG-U1 flows out from the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, a conglomerate that runs several automotive companies, among other businesses from their HQ in Dubai. They claim the Enzo has a brand new exhaust system, freshly sculptured rear bumper and wing, new side sills, and fierce front bumper. As with Gemballa’s Porsches, the MIG-U1 comes with a roof-mounted air intake. Interior mods include quilted upholstery, dual-tone floor mats, and a LCD screen.

If I was a Stormtrooper, I’d gather my mates to petition Darth Vader to make this the official company car! More pics after the jump.

Source
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Airline war on the F1 grid – AirAsia passengers might get Richard Branson as stewardess!

December 17, 2009 at 9:18 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Laughs, Lotus

richard-branson

Yes you read right! Sir Richard Branson of Virgin fame could be serving AirAsia passengers in a stewardess uniform – but only if Lotus F1 beats Virgin Racing in the battle of the newcomers. Lotus F1 chief Tony Fernandes will have to do the same on a Virgin Atlantic flight if the Malaysian backed team loses in the duel!

“He has an airline, we have an airline and if we beat him he can come and work on our airline as a Virgin stewardess. We will make sure that the stewardess outfit is perfect. I suspect that he might ask us to reciprocate. I’ll have to check how fetching his stewardess outfits are but I’d be game to do it while totally confident of winning,” said the Briton.

AirAsia boss Fernandes replied: “Bring it on, the sexier the better. Our passengers will be delighted to be served by a Knight of the Realm. But, knowing Richard, the real challenge will be to prevent him from asking our guests ‘coffee, tea or me?’ That would be scary,” he said.

These two “warring” friends subscribe to the power of publicity, so this challenge comes as no surprise. As much as I want Lotus F1 to do well, Tony Fernandes in a tight skirt would be quite a sight! What do you think?

58 Comments      

Santa retires his reindeers this Christmas with the Vauxhall slEigh-REV – ho ho ho!

December 17, 2009 at 3:17 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Laughs, Technology, Vauxhall

Vauxhall slEigh-REV

Stressed at work? Here’s some news to cheer you up. According to GM’s UK outpost Vauxhall, Santa Claus has been in contact with them to request “swift and ultra-clean transport” for his annual blast around the world to deliver presents on December 24.

The jolly fat man said: “The ’08 Model Year reindeers have taken a rest this Christmas. In their old age they’re becoming more flatulent and their increasing methane emissions just can’t be good for the environment – never mind the fact I have to sit behind them.

“I’m as pleased as punch with my new slEigh-REV supplied to me by those kind people in Luton (Vauxhall’s HQ). They tell me it uses specially adapted E-REV (extended range electric vehicle) technology from their upcoming Ampera electric car, which means I won’t have to worry about re-charging as I do my chimney drops around the world on Christmas Eve.”

The slEigh-REV is propelled by an electric motor, and if juice is running low, Santa can count on a gasoline engine – just like the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera which goes on sale in early 2012. The Ampera is the European version of the Chevrolet Volt, which differs from hybrids by having electric to power its wheels at all times and all speeds – its 75 bhp 1.4-litre engine only works as a generator to supply the car electricity should the batteries go weak. The plug-in Volt’s battery-only EV range is 64 km and the total extended range is “over 480 km”.

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If Darth Vader had a sports car…

February 16, 2009 at 2:23 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Laughs

Darth Vader Ariel Atom

Of course he’d need his Storm Trooper backup too.

Storm Trooper Lotus Elise

You know, to do all the dirty work if he gets a flat tyre.

Source (larger image)

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New BMW Isetta prototype spotted on test?!

December 22, 2008 at 6:07 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Laughs

New BMW Isetta

A prototype of BMW’s upcoming new BMW Isetta city car has been spotted on test in our very own backyard in Petaling Jaya! This white BMW Isetta was traveling without much camouflage at all and was escorted by a white E60 BMW 5-Series.

Haha, I’m just kidding. I should’ve saved this for April Fool’s Day 2009 but I just couldn’t resist it. As you probably know it’s a Perodua Myvi (Toyota Passo or Daihatsu Boon to international readers) fitted with the popular “E60 M-Sport” conversion.

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VIDEO: Chevrolet Captiva tows a tow truck

December 10, 2008 at 12:30 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet/Daewoo, China, Koreans, Laughs, Videos

Chevrolet Captiva

This video shows a Chinese woman (supposedly in Shanghai) arguing with a tow truck driver, who appears to want to tow her Chevrolet Captiva away for illegally parking or some kind of offense or another. She got fed up of arguing and just drove her Captiva away, still attached to the tow truck! Probably a testament to the torque a Captiva has, especially the turbodiesel version. This is probably a viral advertisement of some sort, but still quite a smart one. Watch the video after the jump.
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SNL satire sketch on Detroit 3 bail-out

November 26, 2008 at 10:04 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, International News, Laughs, Videos

gm logoAmerican sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live did a satire skit on the Detroit 3 and their request for a federal bail-out which involved the heads of all three American auto companies on a panel – Rick Wagoner, Robert Nardelli and Allan Mulally.

I found it quite hilarious and I am sure those who are opposed to the Detroit 3 getting a federal bailout or simply anyone that enjoys a good laugh will enjoy this. At least the satirical fictional CEOs did not fly in their private jets to the satirical fictional hearing!

Anyway here’s a note: the video jokes about the U.S. congress asking for a 200 mpg car by 2015, but the number is actually 36 mpg, which is about 6.5 litres per 100km.

Watch the video after the jump.

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VIDEO: What would happen if GM collapses?
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