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Here's a a short CGI film featuring two transforming robots fighting in Hiroshima, Japan, 100 years after the end of World War II.
Much coolness...
[via Geeks are Sexy]
Lies, damn lies and HP ratings: C&D dynos five Nissan GT-RsFiled under: Tech, Supercars, Nissan
Continue reading Lies, damn lies and HP ratings: C&D dynos five Nissan GT-Rs
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Let there be victory: Hyundai Genesis trumps Lexus GS 350 in comparoFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai, Lifestyle
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Spoon to recreate NSX Type-R in LHD trim for U.S.Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Japan, Supercars, Acura, Honda
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Design Study: Nissan 240/Fairlady Z successorFiled under: Coupes, Nissan, Rendered Speculation
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Saleen Racecraft Focus RC2 coming in under $20kFiled under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Ford
Click above for a high resolution image
Saleen is primarily associated with its Mustang lineup, but the American tuner has been known to dabble in everything from mid-engine exotics to humble hatches. Back in 2004, they launched the N20 Focus, complete with a body kit, suspension upgrades, a sporty interior, and a 75-shot nitrous system (sorta). Saleen ended up selling only a handful of cars, and eventually resulted in a $700,000 fine from the California Air Resources Board for altering emissions control systems in the car. Despite the letdown of the N20, Saleen is launching another version of the Focus, dubbed the RC2, under the budget-friendly Racecraft brand.
Based on the Ford Focus coupe, the RC2 features subtle exterior styling changes including a new front fascia, mesh grille, side skirts, rear spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. The suspension is upgraded with stiffer springs, shocks and larger sway bars, and larger brakes are fitted up front. Horsepower is bumped by approximately 15 with a dual-tipped exhaust system and cold air intake. Production will start in the first quarter of 2009 and will be relatively affordable at under $20,000. Will this next generation Saleen Focus have more success than the previous version? We think it's got a pretty good chance. Check out the galleries below to compare the Saleen N20 and RC2.
[Source: AutoWeek.com]
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Eureka, for those that don't watch it, is a light SciFi show about a secluded brain trust town populated by eccentric geniuses and the "Average Joe" Sherriff Carter. The show won't necessarily win points for scientific accuracy or believability (points that are waxed over with TecnoBabble) but you will find a lighthearted comedy-drama that fun to watch.
We're about 4 shows into Season 3 of Eureka, and I have to say that the latest episode, "I Do Over" (Watch the full episode free!), was one of the best ones yet. Sure, it's the old Time Loop trope seen in ST:TNG and Groundhoug Day, but the Eureka flavor made it fun again.
Here are some quick thoughts on Season 3 so far:
[**** WARNING: Spoilers ahead! *****]
Rumormill: Mercedes BLK on the wayFiled under: Crossovers/CUVs, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill
While there is a mad rush for automakers to make smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for the U.S. market, many of the vehicles we crave are already available to European customers. Mercedes sells A- and B-Class vehicles were deemed too small for U.S. consumption. One product Mercedes doesn't have in either of its two biggest markets is a small crossover vehicle, but that could change in 2011.
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Q would be proud: Aston Martin and Jaeger LeCoultre release their second DBS transponder watchFiled under: Gadgets, Aston Martin
With a 510 hp V12 under-hood, you wouldn't need any extra motivation to buy an Aston Martin DBS, but the James Bond factor certainly doesn't hurt. So if you're going to be driving 007's ride, you're going to need a Bond-esque watch to go with it. While 007 sports an Omega, Aston Martin's official timekeeper has come out with a watch complete with the kind of high-tech features that would make even Bond take notice.
Like the first one we reported on a year ago, the second DBS watch from Jaeger LeCoultre integrates a transponder that can open and close the doors on the Aston Martin supercar it's designed to accompany. The device took some 18 months to develop, but operation is simple: touch the glass between 8 and 9 o'clock to open the doors, between 3 and 4 to close them. The watch has been redesigned to incorporate more DBS styling cues, with a silver DBS logo below 12 o'clock over a movement designed to mimic the brake calipers on the top-of-the-line Aston. The new AMVOX2 will be officially unveiled at the Paris show in October. Check out the press release after the jump and the micro-site here for more info.
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Ford Flex gets the woody treatmentFiled under: Aftermarket, Time Warp, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford, Humor
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Trident diesel sports car not vaporware, still sounds too good to be trueFiled under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Supercars, UK
Continue reading Trident diesel sports car not vaporware, still sounds too good to be true
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Hyundai to sell 50,000 Genesis per year, Sonata hybrid coming in 2010Filed under: Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai
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Effects of Reduced Training On FitnessMost fitness buffs share a fear of getting out of shape if they back off from their regular training schedule. That fear is not totally unwarranted. Studies have shown significant decreases in aerobic capacity and local muscular endurance following a complete layoff for as short a period of time as one to four weeks.
That’s a complete full stop. What about backing off the intensity of your workout only? What will the affect be? Studies have been launched to determine whether workouts of reduced length, intensity, or frequency can maintain aerobic capacity, strength and power. Twenty-four male swimmers, all competitive college athletes, all of whom had completed five months of intense training (averaging swimming 9,000 yards per day, six days a week) participated in one study focusing on this problem. Following the final competition at a championship meet, the swimmers were divided into three groups. Group one reduced their training routine to 3,000 yards per day, three days per week. Group two reduced their training routine to 3,000 yards per day, one day a week. Group three stopped swimming completely.
All of the swimmers were tested at the end of the five-month competition period (just before the beginning of the study) and then again during the study at the end of weeks one, two and four. Tests included the measurement of the swimmers’ strength in performing swimming motions (these were measured on dry land using a special resistance machine) swimming power (the ability to apply force during swimming; this was measured in the water using a different machine) and maximum aerobic capacity.
Effect of Reduced Training On Strength
Over the four weeks of reduced training, NONE of the three groups showed significant decreases in their strength while performing swimming motions.
Effect of Reduced Training on Aerobic Capacity
Over the course of the five-month training period, aerobic capacity for all athletes increased significantly. During the subsequent reduced-training period, group one, the ones who trained three days a week, maintained their increased aerobic capacity in spite of the fact that they were only swimming one-third as much per workout and swimming on only half as many days. Group two, who swam only one day a week, saw a drop in aerobic capacity to nearly what it was before the five months of competition training. It was no longer significantly higher.
Effect of Reduced Training on Power
Swimming power, not surprisingly, decreased for all the swimmers in all three groups of participants in the study. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in how much swimming power decreased between all three groups of the study. On average, subjects showed a decrease in power of 13.6 percent by the fourth week of the study. About half of that loss in swimming power occurred in the first of the four weeks of the study.
These results suggest that people who have trained themselves to achieve a high level of aerobic fitness can reduce training by 70 percent for four weeks without significantly losing aerobic capacity or strength. Power, the ability to deliver strength over time, decreases quickly with reduced training.
Navistar not going to buy GM's medium duty truck businessFiled under: Trucks/Pickups, Etc., Commercial Trucks, Chevrolet, GM, GMC
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