Car Sport 2011

3/31/10

Sunken Yacht Prank

I wouldn’t be pleased at all if that happened to my boat.. Look how it occurred after the break.

Actually, this was made on purpose, to play prank. But I guess, coast guards or any other rescue teams wouldn’t be delighted to find out that it’s only a joke.. I know I wouldn’t.

Ever see pears in a fancy wine bottle and ask yourself how they did it. How, indeed? Its quite simple, find a pear tree and all you need to do is put a bottle over the growing pear. The pear will grow inside of the bottle.

Once it's at full growth, break it off from the tree and keep it in the bottle.

Toyota today unveiled the working class version of the Aston Martin Cygnet North American version of its iQ mini that will be marketed under the Scion brand in the United States at the New York Auto Show.

With the exception of the darkened headlamps and tail lamps, and the newly designed front bumper with modified upper and lower grilles, Scion's model is identical to the Toyota iQ sold in other regions of the world including Europe.

With an overall length of only 120.1-inches (more than 30-in. shorter than the Toyota Yaris), width of 66.1-inches and a 78.7-inch wheelbase, the iQ is the smallest model in the Toyota Group's North American lineup.

Available exclusively as a three-door hatchback, the iQ has seating for 3+1 in an asymmetrical configuration with the driver's and front-passenger's seats being slightly off set. The golf-kart's car's rear seats feature a 50/50 split and the ability to fold flat, creating enough space -according to Toyota- to accommodate up to two golf bags.

Like its European twin, the 2011 iQ is offered with a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces over 90 horsepower and is combined with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Toyota said that it expects the iQ to achieve a combined fuel economy in the high 30s (mpg).

According to the Japanese automaker, the iQ will come standard with 10 SRS airbags a six-speaker audio system with USB and auxiliary ports. Active safety features include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Traction Control (TRAC).

The iQ will go on sale in the States in early 2011, with prices to be announced closer to launch.

The recent Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HODSB) show saw General Motors' Vauxhall division displaying its new generation Astra police vehicle that is offered for UK and overseas law enforcement officials.

Dick Ellam, Manager Vehicle Conversions for Vauxhall said: "It was a great honour to be asked to exhibit the new generation Astra at such an influential show, particularly with an organisation as well regarded as ACPO. We were delighted to be able to show our British built Astra to so many of the leaders in today's law enforcement industry."

Along with the latest-generation Astra, GM's European arm also offers a police version of the new Insignia (to be sold as the Buick Regal in the States).

Our man Phil is making good use of his digital camera at the New York Auto Show sending us 'live' photos of all the new models being presented at the Jacobs Javits Center.

This here is the all-new and very promising 2011 Kia Optima sedan that will go on sale in the U.S. this fall and in Europe next spring. The South Korean automaker's press conference at the NY Show isn't until tomorrow, so we don't have all the details on the mid-size saloon yet.

What we do know is that the Optima is a sister model to the also new Hyundai Sonata so expect to see the range comprising the same four-cylinder gasoline and hybrid powertrains. More photos after the jump.

(Photos: Phil Alex)