If you’re not familiar with hillclimbing, it’s basically a motorsport where drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course. Franco Scribante Racing have just unveiled their stealthy Nissan GT-R hillclimb car, and it will compete in South Africa’s Simola Hillclimb event next month. There’s the massive rear wing, and then something you don’t see everyday, a large front wing that helps generate even more downforce. hThe team says the heavily modified 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine will generate around 1,600 horsepower to the wheels. Read more for additional pictures and information.
What could be better than having your brand new Tesla vehicle delivered straight to your door? Having it delivered by an all-electric Tesla Semi prototype of course. Sure, this particular customer may have known beforehand, and have signed sort of agreement, but that doesn’t make it any less cool. The Semi also appears to be carrying more cars, so you can expect more customer deliveries. Read more for two videos and additional information.
Have you been in a store where a runaway shopping cart is heading your way, either due to human error or just a child rolling around on one? You won’t have to worry about it hitting you with Ford’s Self-Braking Trolley, which is inspired by the automaker’s Pre-Collision Assist technology that uses a forward-facing camera and radar in order to detect objects. This trolley scans ahead for people and objects, like cars, and automatically applies the brakes in emergency situations. Read more for a video of it in-action and additional information.
Elon Musk announced today at the Tesla Autonomy Day event that they company plans to have at least a million robo-taxis on the road by 2020 with full self-driving car technology. This is possible thanks to Tesla’s very own computer for self-driving cars, which uses a neural network system with complete redundancy. So, if one of these chips should fail, the second one kicks in automatically. “All Tesla cars right now have everything necessary for self-driving available today. All you need to do is improve the software,” said Musk. Read more for a video about the chip from Autonomy Day and additional information.
Just when you thought the 2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom couldn’t look any more sleek, Japanese tuner Wald International reveals the Black Bison Editon. In addition to the matte black paint job, the luxury sedan boasts a redesigned front bumper with an integrated spoiler, large air intakes, and chrome trim, while the rear bumper sports a massive diffuser, thick exhaust finishers, as well as a mesh finish. If its anything like the company’s previous Rolls-Royce offerings, you can expect to shell out upwards of $35K+ for the package. Read more for additional pictures and a bonus video.
Classic cars have always been a hit among auto enthusiasts, and that group includes the classic Ford Bronco. California-based startup Zero Labs Automotive decided to create an all-electric version of that iconic vehicle, or to be more specific, it’s a fully restored and re-engineered original Bronco, complete with aerospace grade carbon fiber bodywork, handcrafted walnut / bamboo interior panels, premium leather, a retro-styled digital gauge cluster and more than 1,000 newly-designed parts. Two caveats: it’s expected to cost between $275K – $325K and limited to just 150-units worldwide. Read more for two additional videos, pictures and information.
Photo credit: Emre Husmen
Tesla is set to reveal its first ever all-electric pickup truck later this year, but automotive designer Emre Husmen couldn’t wait for the press event. So, the “Tesla Model P” concept ensued. Sleek and stylish, this Blade Runner-inspired vehicle features thin LED headlights up front, a windshield that stretches as far forward as the front axle of the truck, a massive wheelbase as well as a four door design. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Whether it be combat zones, camps, or civilian uses, Mifram Security’s modular vehicle barrier is a non-lethal solution that helps stop vehicles and assists vehicular control in seconds, without destroying them. They can be installed in just about any length required to create a barrier adapted for numerous wide road widths according to users intend application. Plus, it’s even effective against vehicles that have run-flat protection fitted as opposed to spike systems. Read more for another video and additional information.
Uber’s autonomous vehicle unit has just received a $1-billion investment from a coalition of investors comprised of SoftBank Group Corp ($333-million) and Toyota / Denso ($667-million) ahead of its public stock offering, valuing the division at $7.25-billion. “This investment and our strong partnership with the Toyota Group are a testament to the incredible work of our ATG team to date, and the exciting future ahead for this important project, alongside great partners. The development of automated driving technology will transform transportation as we know it, making our streets safer and our cities more livable. Today’s announcement, along with our ongoing OEM and supplier relationships, will help maintain Uber’s position at the forefront of that transformation,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. Read more for another video of Uber’s self-driving car technology and additional information.
The 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO made its world debut today at the 2019 New York Auto Show, and it boasts a slew of race car-inspired upgrades and tuning improvements to maximize its performance both on and off the track. To start things off, many of the stock components were replaced with carbon fiber versions, including the front / rear bumpers, front fenders, hood, roof, side sill covers, trunk and rear spoiler, which have resulted in a total weight savings of 23 pounds, in addition to nearly 44 pounds of reductions from other upgrades. Plus, its exclusive 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum wheels are lighter than before and incorporate a nine-spoke design that enhances their rigidity. Read more for an unveiling video from New York, additional pictures and information.