The future is here…almost.

Tesla Motors, the brand behind the sporty Lotus inspired electric car the Tesla Roadster recently leaked photos of its upcoming five-passenger, electric battery powered sedan, the Tesla Model S.

Taking styling cues from Maserati, pulling 0-60mph in about five seconds and clocking in 300 miles per charge, the Model S will start at a base price of $49,900 (after a $7,500 tax credit). The car charges in about four hours with fueling (charging?) costs coming it about $4 per charge.

Reservations are being taken now, but you’ll have to be patient as the Model S doesn’t go into production until 2011.

Once again GIANT called it. Mickey Factz (who was featured in our Aug/Sept ’08 issue) is now a spokesperson for Honda. Check out his new spot for the 2009 Honda Accord below:

When Ford released the Flex in the 2008, the reaction to the automakers first foray into the Crossover Utility market was polarizing. Some critics, drivers, and fans (like Nelly) were absolutely enamored by the elongated two-tone design of the automobile. Others however, dismissed it as vehicle that didn’t know what it wanted to be – a car or an SUV.

Lucky for Ford, the Detroit’s Urban Wheel Awards erred on the side of enamored and bestowed the Flex with “Urban Truck of the Year” award at its 2009 ceremony. Judged by an independent and multicultural panel, the Ford Flex bested competitors the Dodge Ram and the BMW X6 to take the coveted title.

“Ford’s Flex offers design, comfort, flexibility, good looks and technology in a distinctive package that is an utterly fresh statement,” said judge Brian Armstead of AutoSense. “Thoughtful touches like the hidden rocker panels, capless fuel filler, and the illuminating touch pad locking system set the Flex apart in a very crowded segment.”

Ford’s Group Vice President of Global Quality Bennie Fowler and Earl Lucas, Lead Interior Designer on the Ford Flex (pictured above) were on hand to accept the ‘Urban Truck of the Year’ Award on behalf of the Flex.

The Audi R8 V10 will become the first commercially available (if you have $130,000 or so to drop) car to only have LED lights in all of its illumination components, including headlamps, turn signals and brake lights.

Audi’s eventual goal is to have the LED lights behave “smartly” by adapting to driving conditions.

Not since Honda Civic headlights were getting jacked in the mid-90′s has there been this much craze for roadway illumination.

Take a ride with hip-hop superstar Nelly and automaker Ford as they customize the St. Lunatic’s Ford Flex.  - MADISON MOBLEY

The Flex, Ford’s newest crossover vehicle, caught the artist’s eye in July at when the American automaker sponsored an event in Atlanta.

“When I saw it, I said ‘Yo, that’s hot! How can I get one of those?’” said Nelly. “I’m what you call a ‘premiere stuntastic stuntman,’ and when it comes to cars, my love runs deep.”

Nelly reached out to Ford and New York City mixmaster Funkmaster Flex, who has partnered with Ford to customize vehicles since 2005.

Nelly, Funkmaster Flex and Ford met for the first time on October 2 in Flex’s warehouse in The Bronx to discuss the customization process. Two weeks later, Nelly and Ford met in Dearborn, Michigan for a second meeting. Funkmaster Flex commented, “From our initial meeting to follow-up conversations that we had about this vehicle, there was no doubt that we could deliver something that would ultimately be true to Nelly and his own style”

Usha Raghavachari, Ford’s crossover Marketing Communcations Manager, was delighted to see how excited Nelly was about the Flex. “He is a huge hip hop star who transcends the traditional audience. The fact that he is attracted to the Flex is a huge testament to its head turning design,” said Raghavachari.  

After meeting with Nelly in New York, Ford designer Melvin Betancourt began sketching. Nelly wanted a custom-color blue car with a white roof, great sound system, 22-inch wheels, and an exhaust system with a little rumble in it, and a personalized interior. He got just that. A custom appliqué was designed for the roof. NC Forged “6 spoke” 3-piece aluminum wheels with NC floating center caps were selected.

“Wheels are either all-chrome or all painted,” Betancourt said. “We did chrome rims with a brushed aluminum center, which is very unusual. We also offset the wheels with a 4.5 inch rim in the back, and a three inch rim in the front, which creates a staggered look.”

Inside the Flex, Ford went with a black Tuscany leather interior with Katzkin seats and blue stitching to compliment the blue exterior while the roof’s appliqué artwork replaced the wood grain trim on the interior. Also inside, is Ford’s exclusive SYNC technology and a CIM LIIV wireless entertainment system.

Despite the custom bells and whistles incorporated on the ‘Nelly’ Flex, don’t expect to see “NELLY” scrawled on every seat and floor mat. “If anything, I wanted ‘Ford’ or ‘Flex’ on the seats. Something classic. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older,” Nelly said.

Ford helped the rapper celebrate his 34th birthday at Club Lavo in Las Vegas this past Sunday night (Nov. 2) — Flex cake included.

Though the “Nelly” Flex is nearly complete, there is still some unfinished business. The custom blue must be officially named Nelly’s own. Word on the street is that the color will be nationally known as “Saint Lou Blue.”

We’ll see…

Shots just hit the Internet of luxury automobile manufacturer Aston Martin’s much lusted after new flagship model, the One-77.  

Aside from it’s aggressive the styling, the car sports a hand built 7.0-liter V12 engine which resides in its aluminum and carbon fiber chassis. The One-77 is expected to reach 0-60 mph in a whopping 3.5 seconds and have a top speed of 200 mph.

77 limited edition versions of the the One-77 will be available for 1 million Euros later this year. 

Check out the flicks below. 

Source

It looks like high-end “toy store” Hammacher Schlemmer injected a Big Wheel with steroids to create their new Motorized Monocycle. I was going to give this one to Alyson and the I Need This crew but then I said, “Nah…”

I can’t see riding this through the streets of NYC, but if you have the open space and $13K, you too can ride out.

The single-wheeled motorized vehicle provides a pure adrenaline rush propelling a single rider up to 25 MPH and is powered by a 31cc, four-stroke 11/2-hp engine. The wheel operates by using a centrifugal clutch on its inner steel frame to engage the larger 67″ diameter outer flywheel, which actually makes contact with the ground using a rubber tire. Riders can steer the device by leaning to one side or the other to safely navigate through any surface such as pavement or grass.

The hand-holds have a finger throttle that provides progressive acceleration and a brake that allows for confident stops for riders up to 275 lbs. and a minimum weight of 110 lbs. is suggested for proper counterbalance during acceleration and braking. The fuel efficient Motorized Monocycle can also cruise for up to two hours on less than 1/2 gallon of gasoline.

So start saving them pennies now and you could Jackass-ing it down Old Man Willis’ hill in no time!

Apparently, it comes in a punk-ass yellow too. Someone needs to send Xzibit to pimp one of these out!

There are only a few things that will get me up and at the office before 9am: sneakers, liquor and cars. So, when the good folks at Land Rover asked me to get up at the crack of dawn to see the new LRX, I was game… but needed coffee.

In retrospect, it was well worth the loss of sleep. The Land Rover LRX (seen above) is sleek and sexy compact 4×4 hybrid — that’s right, a hybird. According to Land Rover reps, this baby will get 50 miles to the gallon. And while its only a concept right now, there are talks of introducing the lines in the near future.

Land Rover also showcased the G4 LR3, the all-terrain sport 4×4 that will be used in the Land Rover G4 Challenge. The Challenge will support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. According to Land Rover, this new global partnership with the world’s largest humanitarian organization will ensure the adventure competition leaves a positive legacy by acting as a platform to generate funds and assist life-changing humanitarian projects around the world.

The Challenge will again have off-road driving at its core, combined with adventure sports and extreme initiative challenges for an ultimate test of team spirit and physical fitness. The entire Land Rover fleet will be involved, with the Range Rover Sport, Freelander 2 and Discovery 3 all in action as competition vehicles in the distinctive Tangiers Orange colour. The victorious national team will win a Land Rover for their National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society.

And my personal fave… The 2008 Range Rover Supercharged. I will take this one, please!