DriveSafe tells friends you're driving, stops danger texting
A new service puts the brakes on texting while driving. DriveSafe automatically replies to incoming texts messages saying not now -- we're driving.
The text reads, "I'm driving at the moment. I'll read your text as soon as it is safe to do so." Texting while driving increases the chances of a crash even more than driving under the influence of alcohol. Texting, or any use of a mobile phone or similar device, is illegal in the UK. Continue reading...
Nissan Scratch Shield is a self-healing iPhone case
When you've forked out 500 notes on your iPhone, you want to keep that baby looking pristine -- so Nissan has invented an iPhone case that heals itself.
The Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case is made from the self-healing Scratch Shield paint found on Nissan's latest cars. In as little as an hour after suffering a scratch or scrape, your iPhone case looks as good as new. Continue reading...
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Top tech trends at CES 2012
The annual CES show in Las Vegas is arguably the greatest gadget show on earth. Traditionally many of the biggest names in tech use it to launch their key products for the coming year.
CES 2012 may not have had one dominant theme in the way that 3D TVs stole the show in 2011, and tablets the year before, but there was still tonnes of interesting tech strewn across the ample exhibition space. Here's what we think were the key trends of the show. Continue reading...
Electric DeLorean hands-on video is 1.21 gigawatts of awesome 
CNET UK has gone hands-on with an electric version of the iconic DeLorean of Back to the Future fame. Hit play on the video above to get a video tour of the electric-powered marvel.
We heard that the DeLorean Motor Company was working on an electric version of the Marty McFly-ferrying DMC-12 way back in October, and now we've finally had a chance to find out what's bubbling under the bonnet. Continue reading...
New Honda NSX hybrid disappoints, amazes in equal measure
The Honda NSX has long been one of our favourite cars, so we shed a nostalgic tear recently when we cast an eye on its modern day successor, the Acura NSX Concept.
Our collective eyeball then shed a few tears of anger. Sure, we were pleased to see the NSX name back in the spotlight, but this thing -- this modern day abomination -- looks and functions almost nothing like the original. Continue reading...
VW E-Bugster concept gallery shows off electric Beetle 
Volkswagen Beetles have traditionally run on 'flower power', and by that we mean the carbon-belching, fossilised remains of plants that have been dead for millenia.
That tradition may soon come to an end, however, thanks to the new E-Bugster concept -- an all-electric version of the VW Beetle that runs on the stuff that comes out of your mains socket at home. Continue reading...
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DC Avanti is India's first supercar
India's automotive industry has been making some interesting power moves of late. It's already delivered the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano, given the world a fantastic new Formula 1 circuit in Delhi and now it's busted out its its very first supercar.
The DC Avanti, pictured above, was created by the car modification gurus at DC Design -- a firm that specialises in modifying existing vehicles and prototypes for the likes of Renault, Aston Martin and GM. Continue reading...
Mercedes and Pioneer's Project-X is a 122mph, 30,000W van
You probably think vans are pretty boring, right? That they're only good for ferrying white goods from warehouses or terrifying cyclists, but you're wrong. In the right hands, a van can be transformed into a sexy, terrifying speed machine that can out-cool anything on four wheels.
Take Project-X. This bad boy, formerly a Mercedes-Benz Vito, has been transformed by tuning company Brabus and audio experts Pioneer and is now the fastest, loudest and most tech-laden van since Hannibal Smith went to the great military prison in the sky. Continue reading...
Luminexence Lotus solar car charger is a tree-shaped carport
If you've ignored the naysayers, saved enough money and splashed out on an electric car, you're probably now looking for a dedicated home charging station. If that's the case, look no further -- architect Giancarlo Zema has teamed up with Luminexence to design a bonkers yet beautiful leaf-shaped example known as the Lotus.
The Lotus -- no relation to Norwich's premier manufacturer of mid-life crisis mobiles -- is a giant solar-powered piece of faux flora that delivers pure, carbon-neutral electricity captured from the Sun. It comes with night-time lights plus an optional information screen, seat and car charging port. Continue reading...
Honda sued over Civic Hybrid's failure to deliver 50mpg
Many of us, at one time or another, have felt duped by car manufacturers' claimed fuel-economy figures, but one woman is fighting back.
Heather Peters, a former lawyer from Los Angeles, is taking Honda to small claims court because her Civic Hybrid is failing to deliver the 50mpg Honda claimed it would, the Daily Mail reports. Continue reading...
New Bus for London: Your New Routemaster questions answered
It's 2012 and, providing the world doesn't end in a cataclysmic fireball, Britain's capital will soon be teeming with an updated, high-tech version of the Routemaster bus, known as the New Bus for London or NBfL.
It's a rubbish name, but an awesome piece of kit, we think you'll agree. But to many, it's shrouded in mystery. That's why we figured we'd take a break from stockpiling canned goods to answer some of the most pertinent questions about the NBfL. Continue reading...
6 in 10 Brits nickname their cars, names include 'Lady Gaga'
Us Brits are a strange bunch. Not content with cheese rolling, bog snorkelling and Morris dancing, half of us have also taken to giving pet names to our cars.
According to a study of 3,000 drivers by parking operator NCP (PDF link), six in ten UK drivers aged 17 to 45 have admitted to nicknaming their vehicles. The most popular names were Betty, Bertie and Bob, but worryingly, a quarter of those surveyed admitted opting for celebrity names, including Prince William, Rooney and Lady Gaga. Continue reading...
Larareth Wazuma VF8 is a Ferrari-powered quad bike
When building a fast vehicle, achieving a favourable power to weight ratio is key. If you put a fairly powerful engine inside a relatively light chassis, you're guaranteed terrifying performance -- and that's exactly what French tuner Lazareth has attempted with the Wazuma VF8.
This, says Autoblog, is a quad bike that's powered by a Ferrari engine. Let that sink in for a second. Swill it around your brain and let the cocktail of excitement and pant-soiling horror brew a while. When you're done, you may pick your jaw up off the floor and read on. Continue reading...
How practical is the Ferrari California?
Supercars aren't the most practical vehicles in the world. Anyone who's ever driven one will know they're about as useful as a ham sandwich at a Bar Mitzvah unless you're hooning around a track.
Ferrari has wholeheartedly embraced this trend of unrelenting inflexibility, but there's one model that looks set to change all that. The California, the prancing horse claims, offers typical Ferrari performance without compromising everyday usability. To test this claim, we hopped into the hardtop convertible for a few days to put it through its paces as an everyday runabout. Continue reading...
Mercedes G-Class, Sprinter 4x4, Unimog, Zetros off-road test
We know a thing or two about off-road vehicles. Or at least we thought we did, until Mercedes-Benz invited us to Milbrook Proving ground in Milton Keynes to have a go in some of its most terrifying capable all-terrain vehicles.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a Sprinter 4x4 and two beasts we never dreamed anyone would be foolish enough to let us have a go in -- the gigantic Unimog and the horrifying wheeled spectre of doom that is the Zetros. Needless to say, we took great pleasure in hooning around in all four, and we took some pictures of our adventures to share the experience. You're welcome. Continue reading...
G-Class
Google revs up driverless car patent
Google's taking us for a ride, having patented a method for transferring a car into robot-control mode, the BBC reports.
The search giant has been awarded the nugget of intellectual property, which describes 'Transitioning a Mixed-mode Vehicle to Autonomous Mode'. In non-patent speak, that means switching a car from driver control to a state where the car itself takes charge of the wheel. Continue reading...
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid due in 2012
Good news, nature fanboys. Volvo's uber-frugal, 150mpg V60 Plug-in Hybrid just took a step closer to reality. A limited production run of 1,000 vehicles will go on sale in November 2012.
Volvo has confirmed the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will sell for between £45,000 and £50,000 in the UK. Assuming the government's plug-in car grant is still available and the car qualifies for it, that price will reduce by a further £5,000. Continue reading...
BBC maps all UK car crashes since 1999
Ever wondered how many car crashes occur in the UK? No, probably not. And if you have, you've probably guessed the number was somewhere north of 'quite a few' and moved on with your life. That's how we roll.
The bods at the BBC roll in a very different way. Not only have they questioned just how many road traffic accidents occur on UK streets, they've channelled their warped curiosity into creating a visual illustration of all serious crashes (ie those that have resulted in injury) since 1999. Continue reading...
Airless puncture-proof tyre concept developed by Bridgestone
For all the millions of pounds tyre manufacturers invest in new tyre technologies, they all have the same crucial flaw -- run over something sharp and they're rendered pretty much useless.
So tyre maker Bridgestone is busy developing a new non-pneumatic, or airless, concept tyre that it says will be completely resistant to punctures, AllCarTech reports. Continue reading...
Top 5 insane concept cars from the Tokyo Motor Show
Where would you find a four-wheeled smart phone, a tiny futuristic tank and a robotic mobility scooter straight from the pages of a manga comic?
That's right -- the Tokyo Motor Show. We're looking East as we cast a wry eye on some of the most outlandish concept cars ever devised. Continue reading...
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