By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

Shoulda transformed first…

Transformers Bumblebee Camaro Crashes!

By Chris Bicknell

Bick66

It looks as though the Decepticons have found a new disguise for the upcoming Transformers 3 movie, scheduled for release in 2012. These wild NASCAR-impersonating robots from outer space were seen tearing up the streets of Chicago during filming for the anticipated blockbuster this past weekend. Chevrolet’s presence has been strong throughout the recent popular Hollywood recreation of the 1980′s cartoon series, most notably with Bumble Bee, the yellow and black concept Camaro and the more recent Corvette Stingray concept, both of which were sighted as well during the Chicago shoot. So it’s no surprise that all three of the NASCAR themed stunt-cars are modeled after Chevy-sponsored teams. Check out more pictures after the jump, and see the full story at seibertron.com.

Continue reading "NASCAR Transformers Spied in Chicago" »

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Initially, I was pretty impressed with this Bumble Bee costume, but after I saw that it actually transforms, I was blown away. It might not be the easiest thing to walk around in, but you know it would be awesome to show at a Halloween party in this get-up. Big-time props to the guy who made it.

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

As with most weeks, I got cool stuff sent to me. “Hey Fireball! Whatta ya think of my (fill in the blank).” And with that kinda traffic coming at me, I get the privilidge of seeing the best of what’s out there. Sort of.

Well, not all of it is lip smackin’ goodness. Some of it is downright cheese of the Limberger nature. But, without more dumb explanation, here’s what’s cool in design this past week. And no, you can’t buy the Phat Boy Can from me. It’s on “special order” from Iceland.

THE BUGATTI BORDEAUX

Big and beautiful, but they’re only building them for the richest MoFo’s on the planet. So, if we get to “see” one, it’ll cost about 10K.

Continue reading "Fireball's "Cool Designs of the Week"" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

A bunch of you guys really liked the Stingray concept that Chevy unveiled at the Chicago auto show, so here’s GM’s design chief talking about the inspiration for the concept. I know that with everything going on at GM, plans for a C7 are a long way off, but I would really love to see the next Corvette look a bit more retro and muscular like this concept.

Ok, so these junkyard sculptures don’t actually transform, they’re made out of scrap cars, and they’re definitely not licensed by Hasbro. But in all fairness, these babies probably look more like Optimus Prime’s ilk than the "Transmorphers" being peddled in Hong Kong’s street markets. Four more pics after the jump. ChinaCarTimes via Jalopnik

Continue reading "Chinese Transformers!" »

What’s cooler than a 50-foot mechanical spider perched on the side on a building? A 50-foot mechanical spider walking down the street! Is this thing insane or what? Anyway, here’s the news:

• Like the old song says, breaking up is hard to do. After speculation that Ford was going to kick Volvo to the curb, it looks like the Blue Oval is going to stick with the Swedish automaker. While there are probably several factors involved in the decision, I think it basically comes down to one thing: meatballs. Detroit News
• While the Chevy Volt spotted on the set on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is "representative of the production vehicle," it’s not sporting the same sheet metal that consumers will see in the showroom. What else did we learn? The car’s character will be called "Lutzinator," carry heavy cannons, and be able to fly. Jalopnik
• A test mule for Ferrari’s Enzo has been spotted, and while it just looks like a 430 with big rear tires, it apparently sounds amazing. Apparently, Modena is looking at powering it with a  twin-turbo V8. Next Autos
• By 2015, every taxi in Boston will be a hybrid. While I’m all for green machines, I hope Seattle goes with something like the natural-gas Crown Vics, because there’s nothing worse than getting off a cramped plane and having to squeeze into the back of a Prius. Wired
• Our buddy Rich just posted some awesome pics of Jaguar’s new 500 horsepower XF-R testing in Death Valley, and from the looks of them, it seems the engineers have gotten most everything sorted out. Automotive Traveler

Yesterday, I drove back from Deadwood, Oregon, and made a little detour so I could take 101 along the Pacific. Even thought I get nervous when I’m too far from tall buildings or Thai food, it was still awesome. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Transformers star Shia LaBeouf, was arrested for DUI early yesterday morning after an "unsuccessful" turn left his truck upside down in a LA intersection. Seriously, why don’t drunken celebrities just take a cab when they get wasted? Are they really worried about a $20 fare? Perez Hilton
• If you kill someone while sending a text message in England, you’ll get a stiffer sentence than you would if you were talking on the phone. Is it fair? Who knows. The one clear thing here is just how awful it would be to be responsible for a traffic death. Auto Express
• The first Ferrari California has been spotted in the wild, and even thought I don’t like the idea of a Prancing Horse with a convertible hard-top, I still think it looks pretty good. What do you think of the blue? World Car Fans
• Well, if there’s one thing that all model of cars have in common, it’s that sometime, somewhere, somebody is going to wreck one. For the Tesla Roadster, Friday was that day. Jalopnik

Does that Corvette look like a Hot Wheels car or what? Overall, I think it’s pretty dope—I love how there’s no A-pillar—but the back is a little busy. No word on exactly what role this car will play in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, but I’m confident it’ll be a good guy. Check out a couple of more photos over at Seibertron.

The General pretty much owned the last Transformers flick—not that we’re complaining—and with the amount of energy the company is putting into the Volt, it’s not surprise that the brass would want it to make an appearance in the sequel. Given the audience response to the first flick, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen should be a sure thing at the box office—so GM’s new baby will get in front of plenty of eyeballs—but I wonder how the movie will play up the fact that it’s a hybrid? After all, no Transformers are actually gas-powered. And while I’m sure the filmmakers will come up with something interesting, I don’t have any clue as to what they’ll do. Any ideas?