With summer fast approaching in the northern hemisphere, auto enthusiasts will be coveting sports car ownership with the abundance of warm weather and dry pavement. Residing in the upper echelons of the sports car hierarchy, the German-built Porsche 911 is considered the ultimate manner for a driver to embrace sunlight-toasted roads. For those in possession of a Porsche 911, it is understandable that a considerable amount of your recreational time will be spent behind the wheel this summer. For others like me, Porsche dream rides will be likely left out of reach for 2013. However, in my case, I received a pleasing consolation in the form of a new book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 sports car.

“The Porsche 911 Book” is a broad 50th anniversary presentation to the success of the sports car known as the 911. As a hardcover book with 300-plus pages of material, the weight of Porsche history can definitely be felt. Spending several days absorbing The Porsche 911 Book, the action of flipping through the large pages is unlike anything existing in electronic publishing. Though the Internet is a wealth of information, it’s refreshing to digest content from a fine, heavy book. The Porsche 911 Book is one of those resources that instantly provide the sensation of discovery. It’s recommended you avoid placing the book on your lap for a long period.

For those looking for an information-heavy resource to the famous German sports car, The Porsche 911 Book will fall short in fulfilling your demands. Light on text, the hardcover book is an assortment of gigantic, glossy photographs. The Porsche 911 Book is the ultimate family photo album of Germany’s most enduring sports car. A timeline of the Porsche 911 captured in gloriously studio staged photography, the love for the German sports car was name clear though the lens of Rene Staud. Prototype, production and racing versions of the 911 are represented as a full visual history lesson in the book’s pages.

Won over immediately by the quality and attention to detail, I was eagerly guided through every generation of Porsche 911s. Several pictures have captured my interest for several minutes in book. First was the 1959 Porsche T7 known as the precursor to the principles and design shaping the Porsche 911 four years later. The T7 was a rare opportunity to seek eyes on a living prototype to what would be a sports car mainstay. Moving on through the Porsche 901 into the first generation 911, the photographs inside The Porsche 911 Book captured a coy European sports car set to take on the world.

First of the more intriguing images from the early part of the book is a photo of the opened engine cover revealing the air-cooled powerplant. Printed across two pages, the preserved engine label indicating the firing order of the spark plugs is like a factory image taken in 1963. Progressing through the pages, the first Porsche 911 Targa top model and the evolution to the “ducktail” rear deck proved captivating.

As The Porsche 911 Book explores history in the 1970s, motorsport accomplishments participating in world sports car, IROC and rally car competition is prominent. The 1980s and 1990s models are vibrantly colored with supercar examples such as the 959 and the 911 GT1 demonstrating the blinding heights of performance competing firmly with Ferrari and Lamborghini. Leading to the current 911 platform version of the sports car, the 2012 Carrera S and Carrera 4 models allow the book to end on a contemporary note.

A combination of interior and exterior photos throughout the book provide realization to technology as well as definition to type of driving experience expected from each generation. Despite all the large pages, there are few pages of text in The Porsche 911 Book. Short, multilingual introductions as well as basic performance and model specifications remain the extent words inside the photo book.

In this case, the less-is-more, minimalist approach truly does justice to the book’s overall presentation as a photo collection. What is written provides insightful coverage to the Porsche 911.

Listed at $125.00, The Porsche 911 Book is a premium treat to the lovers of the rear-engined sports car’s history. This vivid collection of Porsche 911 vehicles literally and figuratively captures the weight of the iconic car.

If you’re Porsche 911 fan or knows a 911 fanatic, there may not be a better gift out there. Pick it up on Amazon for significantly less than list price (currently about $80.)

Been to China lately? I have. Although the Shanghai Auto Show was a bit dull, the real story was on the streets of smaller cities throughout China that are dominated by factories, constant building of high-rises, and a crazy mix of everything automotive from junk to gems. With over one billion people, you would expect a large array of car choices. That would be correct for the rising middle class, plenty of VWs and the like to go around. For the bosses and factory owners however, the choices are considerably narrower due to effective advertising and a dose of peer pressure. Will you see a gold wrapped Lamborghini like you would in Dubai? No, not yet at least. You will see however, a convoy of Benzes, Bimmers, and a Bentley. You will see a Rolls Royce parked next to a Yaris. You will see a Ferrari next to a fake Ferrari. How could I tell them apart you may ask? The fake one had an enormous wing on the back that was also riveted on – backwards no less. The question is, which was more disturbing, that the real one was next to a horrible fake, or that the onlookers looked at them as equals.

Road conditions of highways outside of major cities such as Shanghai or Beijing are smooth and occasionally traffic-free which would bode well for an owner that wanted to stretch the legs of a piece of European iron. The local roads are a mixture of potholes, scooter riders that do not seem to understand the laws of physics, trucks of all shapes and sizes that are all equally overloaded, and as a whole all are involved in a complete disregard for the rules of the road.

On the upside, if you’re a manufacturer all you need to do is advertise that your piece of iron is a car for owners and not workers – you’ll sell more than you can make. If you sell cars like Buick or Toyota, there are lots of takers as well, for middle managers and people dreaming of life in an enclosed vehicle. There are so many interesting things to write about, I could dedicate the rest of my life to the subject and never cover the same ground twice. For me it’s the little things that make the difference (the Royale with cheese, if you will). For example, luxury cars (I will not single anyone out) are not the same as you know and love in other parts of the world. Suspensions are cheaper and stiffer, interiors that are sold as leather are more leatherette in look and feel, fit and finish is miles better than Chinese domestic product but horrifying compared to the normal production European or USA product. Droopy headliners – check, mismatched interiors – check, window tint with logos in the line of sight and also upside down – check.

Here are some cars that I found on the street that I thought you might find cool and educational. What I find interesting is a Chinese McDonalds parking lot that was filled with enough high priced-iron to make it resemble a Beverly Hills car dealership. On the other side of the spectrum is a small sample of some domestic product that includes a three-wheeled micro pickup truck and a minivan that lives up to its name.

Hennessey, the Texas-based tuning company known for churning out such monsters as the 1000 hp Cadillac CTS-V, the Cadillac Escalade that beats up on a Nissan GT-R, and of course their own creation, the Venom GT which impressively took the top speed record from the Bugatti Veyron (controversial,) just whipped up what they call the Hennessey VelociRaptor SUV.

Based on Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor – the truck of all trucks in my mind – at 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque, the team at Hennessey have made quite a few changes to the truck.

The most obvious of which is the SUV-ness of the whole thing:

Turning a Truck into an SUV

The Hennessey team took the $44,000+ truck and converted it into an SUV. And I mean a full-on conversion, as you can see from the pics.

The VelociRaptor SUV seats up to eight people:

And although obviously based on the F-150, ends up looking like a more aggressive Ford Expedition from any angle other than the front:

And it specs up to the Expedition quite well too, as far as seating and cargo are concerned.

So basically what you’re buying here is…

As far as utility goes, an aggressive-looking Ford Expedition with a monstrous engine.

So what about the power?

Hennessey’s VelociRaptor SUV keeps the same 411 hp, 6.2-liter V8 powerplant that’s in the F-150 SVT Raptor, despite the vehicle’s additional 600 lb weight.

The result: 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Doesn’t sound awful for a vehicle of its size, sure.

Plus, you can upgrade it – Hennessey offers an upgrade to the F-150 Raptor truck, giving it a supercharged 600 hp, and offer the same upgrade on the SUV, which would let it hit 0-60 in 5.9 seconds – 0.7 seconds slower than the truck.

But here’s the thing…

The cost: $149,500

Given, they’re only making up to 30 of these per year, if there’s demand for them, but I still don’t get it.

I love the SVT Raptor – I think it’s the coolest truck on the road (next to the Lambo-smoking GMC Syclone,) and usually I’m a huge fan of Hennessey’s models, but I’m having trouble understanding this SUV.

People buy SUVs for utility – it’s in the name (Sport Utility Vehicle.) They buy it so they have a ton of space in the back to carry people and guns and deer and, I don’t know, boats and whatnot. That I get.

The Raptor was made to be a badass on-road and off, and look good doing it.

The SUV doesn’t accomplish that. Yup, it carries a lot of shit. Check. Off-roading? From the company’s press release: “the company suggests that buyers should intend using this vehicle for on-road as well as light to moderate off-road duties.”

So what are you suggesting?

The VelociRaptor SUV is a cool project that some people will get. They want a giant SUV that gets negative fuel economy and has space to carry a small house if need be. It’s special, there aren’t very many made, and that’s who it’s for.

But looking at the cost, it’s slow and impractical in every way compared to its competition:

Range Rover

The Range Rover Sport HSE we drove last month cost about $70,000 (they start around $60,000) and could get from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds thanks to its 375 hp 5.0-liter V8. It was also comfortable, refined, and can go off-road.

The new Range Rovers offer even more – the base starts at $83,545 with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 producing 340 hp propelling you to 60 mph from a stop in 7.1 seconds, or you can go for the top-spec version (for an even $100k) whose 510 hp supercharged 5.0-liter V8 can get you there in only 5.1 seconds. And go off-road and all that.

Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG

Sure, it may look like you everyday suburb-cruising grocery-getter, but the Mercedes GL63 AMG isn’t your normal Soccer Mom ride.

With a massive 550 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque coming from its 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, the GL63 is able to knock off that 0-60 mph time in only 4.8 seconds.

That’s faster than a Porsche Cayman.

The current GL63 starts at $117,000.

So what’s your point?

All I’m saying is that for a starting price of $149,500, you have some more practical choices than the VelociRaptor SUV. I get it – a ton of work went into each one of these, you want unique, you want individual, you want American. That’s fine.

But for me, I’d always have that nagging feeling that I could be driving around a refined Mercedes or rugged Range Rover with more power, could be going off-road, faster, and have an extra $30-80,000 burning a hole in my pocket.

But then again, it wouldn’t say “SVT VelociRaptor” on the side, and I might just pull up to another one at the stoplight.

Which one would you choose?

Over the course of the past several months, automakers have supplied us with some marvellous new high-performance machines. Presented with the sight of such beauty on four wheels, the floor space of Detroit and Geneva offers a static display rather becoming to vehicles crafted to explore motion. Building a special sports car in honour of 100 years in the automotive business, Aston Martin has decided to host their latest concept car debut in a dynamic fashion.

At Germany’s Nürburgring, the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept car made its fast premiere to the public. Designed and constructed in a time-span under six months, the CC100 Speedster Concept blended Aston Martin’s history as well as perceived future in the two-seat sports car. The Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept car is a modernized tribute to their DBR1 prototype sports car racing car that raced in the mid-to-late 1950s. “The need to create a truly fitting tribute to 100 years of the Aston Martin brand has brought out the creativity and talent that makes Aston Martin such an exceptional luxury sports car maker.” said Design Director Marek Reichman. Replicating the classic competition roadster’s bodylines and character, much of the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept’s styling appears rather distinct from the vintage race machine. Notable on the CC100 Speedster Concept is the current-era Aston Martin front end and cabin access gained through opening half-doors. Multimatic Incorporated is brought Aston Martin’s design creation to life using carbon fiber construction. Think of the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept as the DBR1 if it was designed and built using 2013 technology.

An operational concept car, the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster’s heart beats with a production-based AM11 V-12 engine. The CC100 Speedster Concept’s 6-liter engine is the same powerplant used to propel Aston Martin’s modern street models such as the DB9 and Vanquish. Paired with a six-speed automated sequential manual transmission similar to the one found on V-8 powered examples of the Vantage, the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept needs just a little more than four seconds to accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour. Top speed for the racing-inspired concept vehicle is electronically limited to 180 miles per hour.

The Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept’s Nürburgring introduction consisted of a lap around the classic German race circuit alongside a 1959 DBR1. Respected to steer the historic Aston Martin DBR1 car around the Nürburgring race track was British motorsport legend Sir Sterling Moss. Moss won the 1000-kilometer Nürburgring race four times over the course of his career including twice with the Aston Martin DBR1. For the Aston Martin DBR1, success of the race car was not limited to the Nürburgring event. In 1959, Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the DBR1 sports car.

Part of an Aston Martin presence that later included the 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring. A #005 and #007 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is vying for overall victory in the ADAC 24 Hours of Nürburgring. While the CC100 Speedster Concept may influence the design future, this weekend’s race at the Nürburgring is also exhibiting advanced propulsion for Aston Martin. A Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S has been recording its first racing laps on the 15.5-mile course.

Unlike the anniversary-motivated Veneno released from Lamborghini, Aston Martin is intent to keep the CC100 Speedster Concept as a one-off. However, the centennial-marking concept car built by Aston Martin could guide the look of future vehicles from the British premium car company.

Information and photo source: Aston Martin

By now I’m sure you know we’re not particularly crazy about NASCAR over here at Automoblog. When there are so many motorsports that are far more complex and technical than driving a stripped-out muscle car in a circle, NASCAR seems to be a bit…let’s just say, simple. Don’t get me wrong, I think the cars they drive are incredible machines and on a track with some turns, It’d make for a very interesting sport.

But my feelings on the sport itself are irrelevant right now, and there’s no denying its popularity and community surrounding it.

Dick Trickle, the much-loved retired NASCAR driver, reportedly committed suicide yesterday at the tender age of 71.

Dick was well-known in the racing community as a fun-loving, whimsical character, and his apparent suicide came as a shock to everyone who knew him.

Lincoln County, NC police received a call believed to be from Trickle saying “there would be a dead body and it would be his.” When they tried phoning back, they got no answer. His body was found next to his pickup truck in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City shortly after.

Racing in one form or another in the ’70s and ’80s, Trickle finally moved to North Carolina in ’89 and quickly became a well-known NASCAR driver and personality.

In his 31 years of racing, Trickle won somewhere around an impressive 1,200 races before retiring in 2002 (although he continued to race short tracks years after that.) He was so successful that they literally lost count of how many races he won.

Have you seen Days of Thunder? You know, that late-’90s flick about Daytona 500 with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman? The main character’s name was Cole Trickle. Guess who that was based on.

The dude made an impact on the sport.

Dick Trickle, you will be missed.

If you’re thinking “WTF is the Ford EcoSport?” it’s because Ford doesn’t offer it in the US. The following is a guest post from our friends at MotorBeam.com who went to a media event in Goa, India to test drive it and see whether we think Ford should offer the EcoSport in the States.

The 2013 Ford EcoSport is a compact SUV that was unveiled last year at the Delhi Auto Expo and is meant for emerging markets like India, Brazil and China. The EcoSport has been on sale in Brazil since 2003 and the second generation model will be sold globally under the One Ford plan. Ford has plans to sell the EcoSport in more than 100 markets, thereby offering the vehicle to developed countries as well. Ford has already showcased the EcoSport for the European markets (it’ll sit below the Kuga there), which has minor changes compared to the one on sale in Brazil and China. The EcoSport is based on the Fiesta’s B-car platform and it is safe to say the vehicle is the jacked up version of the Fiesta.

The compact SUV segment is a new and emerging segment and has vehicles like the Buick Encore, Chevy Trax, Nissan Juke and Renault Duster in it. Ford doesn’t have any immediate plans to launch the EcoSport in the US yet, but it could serve as an excellent alternative to the Fiesta. Ford held an international media drive event in Goa, India, where over 200 journalists sampled the EcoSport. I was part of the initial batch and got to sample the EcoBoost equipped model.

Exterior

The EcoSport measures under 4-metres in length (without the spare wheel) and is quite tiny on the outside. Ford has designed the vehicle quite aggressively but the dimensions are only as big as a hatchback. However the EcoSport is taller and gets 200 mm of ground clearance and 550 mm of water wading ability. It looks stylish with the large hexagonal front grille, silver roof rails, tail gate mounted spare wheel and black cladding giving it presence. The EcoSport also gets a neat touch with the tail gate opener placed inside the right rear tail lamp assembly.

Interior

The interiors of the Ford EcoSport are identical to the Fiesta’s. The dashboard is quite big and features dual tone black and grey treatment, with silver inserts at certain places. The seats are comfortable with good all round support. There is ample space at both the front and rear, with enough legroom and headroom on offer. The rear seat does not get an arm rest but the scooped front seat back and deep foot well gives 6-footers enough space. The width of the rear seat prevents a fifth passenger from entering and thus the EcoSport is strictly a 4-seater.

The EcoSport’s boot is quite small at 346-litres but the rear seats can be flipped in 60:40 format to increase luggage space to 705-litres. Quality is not that great, average at best, with some parts not solidly put together. There is quite a bit of cost cutting with the absence of an engine cover, engine guard and twin-blade wipers on the vehicle. Ford has certainly made the EcoSport to a price.

Equipment

The EcoSport might not have the best quality but it is loaded with features, including 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, Hill Hold Assist, SYNC system, leather seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, steering mounted audio controls, etc. Some of these features are only standard on top end trims.

Engine & Performance

The Ford EcoSport is offered with three engines; a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 112 PS and 140 Nm (110 hp & 103 lb-ft) paired to a 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox, a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 91 PS and 200 Nm (89 hp & 147 lb-ft) mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol with 125 PS and 170 Nm (123 hp & 125 lb-ft) coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This 1.0-litre unit has received the 2012 International Engine of the Year award and even though it’s a 3-cylinder unit, it offers excellent performance and refinement.

At high revs (past 4500 RPM), there’s a sporty exhaust note and the cabin is well-insulated from road and tyre noise. Power delivery is smooth and there is turbo lag below 1600 RPM, past which the motor pulls strongly. Step on the gas and response is immediate and linear. It doesn’t feel fast since there’s no kick in the pants feel of a turbocharger. This EcoBoost engine gives the same performance of a 1.6-litre mill, while consuming 20% less fuel. You barely realize you’re driving a 1.0-litre car which weighs more than 1250 kgs. According to Indian fuel rating agency (Automobile Research Association of India), the EcoSport will return a mileage of 18.9 km/l (44.5 mpg.)

Dynamics

The EcoSport handles very well and has a decent steering wheel too, which feels a tad light at high speeds. It does give good feedback and also has pull drift compensation, which prevents the vehicle from moving to either side if there are road undulations or crosswinds. Braking is strong although there is some nose dive under heavy braking. Ride quality is very good and the vehicle absorbs bumps in its stride with confidence. There is however a fair bit of harshness on really bad roads. The biggest spoilsport are the tyres, which offer poor grip and tend to screech in no time, as they have low rolling resistance in the interest of economy.

Conclusion

The Ford EcoSport is an excellent product for emerging markets as it offers a few SUV traits in a tiny footprint. While it’s not as well built, it does offer good driving dynamics and performance, along with stylish exteriors. This makes the EcoSport a popular choice among compact SUV buyers. For the developed world, the EcoSport might look small in size, but it is a vehicle which many would take to easily, as it’s easy to park and maneuver, while at the same time it will cost under $20,000 (if launched in the U.S.).

Do you think Ford should offer the EcoSport in the States?

Faisal Ali Khan is the editor of MotorBeam.com, a website covering the automobile industry of India.

The luxury car segment is a field where many vehicles play. Commonly recognized luxury features are not hard to find in the current auto climate. These days, you can get leather seating in a Ford Fiesta. For this reason, a premium carmaker must define their cars with innovation in making the luxury riding experience unique and fulfilling. When it comes to a flagship vehicle, luxury brands can be forgiven for pulling out the stops. Creating the updated version to their S-Class large sedan, Mercedes-Benz has readied a comprehensive level of high-end luxury.

Described by Mercedes-Benz as “The Essence of Luxury”, the German automaker has set lofty ambitions for what is the newly revealed S-Class. Radiating with a meaningful styling and new technology, the refreshed styling of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class makes the car a bolder executive ride. “Stylish sportiness and sensual forms in synthesis with timeless clarity and effortless superiority make the S-Class a true design icon”, says design chief Gorden Wagener. The new S-Class’ exterior sports a more characterized physique. Front bodywork wraps around the car’s headlamps and larger chrome grille. A pair of side contours etches out a “convex-concave effect” creating a three-dimensional appearance along the door panels. From front to rear, the S-Class luxury sedan structure projects maturity with a playful sense of performance. It will be available in a short and long wheelbase variant.

One of Mercedes-Benz’s first begging points about the new S-Class is their use of LED technology throughout the sedan. Headlamps, taillights and interior illumination are made solely possible with around 500 LEDs in place. The S-Class is billed as the first ever car without a single light bulb. Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus have been enhanced.

High performance lighting is only one of the active driving features found on the new S-Class. Deeply entering the technological realm of untouched luxury territory, electronic aids create a driving sensation unlike anything else in the automotive marketplace. Adaptive Damping System ADS PLUS as well as the AIRMATIC air suspension system is in place to keep the wheels steady on the road and the ride is solid. An optional system said to offer “the world’s first suspension with eyes”, ROAD SURFACE SCAN uses a stereo camera to regulate the S-Class’ ride. Under an extended PRE-SAFE protection array, the S-Class will electronically assist in collision avoidance. Autonomous emergency braking at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour, rear collision warning and protection as well as smart seatbelt control are components to the PRE-SAFE technology.

Driving the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, more headroom and additional shoulder space will provide front section riders with roomier accommodations over the previous model. Dashboard information is provided through two high-resolution TFT displays. One screen serves as the instrument cluster for the S-Class while the display on the right-hand side relays infotainment and other comfort control information. A telephone keypad found on the center console and LINGUATRONIC powered Speech Dialog System allows the driver to exact easeful control of the infotainment features. A ten-speaker stereo system is standard with two options for upgrading the audio system. Both available audio setups are surround sound speaker systems provided by Burmester. A Frontbass system added to the S-Class involves mounting the woofers in the car’s firewall for better sound performance.

An ENERGIZING massage function for the seating uses 14 actuated air cushions in the seat back to supply the occupant with one of six message programs. One of the available cabin technologies on the new S-Class is the AIR-BALANCE package incorporating an “active perfuming system”. Fragrance choices with the AIR-BALANCE package include Freeside Mood, Nightlife Mood, Downtown Mood and Sports Mood is provided to the occupants.

Unlike the case with most automobiles, the riding experience for passengers receives almost more focus on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class than the driver. Borrowing some of the luxury engineering that resided in the now-defunct Maybach brand, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers super premium backseat comfort. An Executive seat option on the S-Class permits the rear rider to recline at a 43.5-degree angle. A “First Class Rear” option can also be ordered on the S-Class fitting a rear center console between two backseat occupants. Fold-out tables are available with the First Class Rear seating package suited for riders partaking in business transactions or a power lunch.

For a vehicle presenting so much luxury innovation, the new S-Class delivers a powertrain choice showcasing some of the vehicle’s more impressive technology. A 455-horsepower V8 biturbo engine on the S 500 model is 20 horsepower more potent its predecessor. The S 500 model is the powerhouse version of the new sedan with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph capable in 4.8 seconds. Continuing to tout a 3-liter diesel V6 engine, the S 350 BlueTEC version delivers exceptionally low fuel consumption. Two hybrid versions of the S-Class will also be made available. A gasoline-powered S 400 Hybrid will combine a 20-kilowatt electric motor with a 306-horsepower V6 engine. Integrating hybrid and diesel engine technology together, the S 300 BlueTec Hybrid is propelled by a diesel-powered 2.2 liter four-cylinder engine married to an electric motor. According to Mercedes’s data, the S 300 BlueTec Hybrid can potential go nearly twice the distance of an S 500 model on the same volume of fuel. An S 500 plug-in hybrid model is also expected in the near future. A responsive 7G-Tronic PLUS automatic transmission with a DIRECT SELECT lever is included on all S-Class vehicles.

Preparing to challenge the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series, the release of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan should arrive in North America by the end of this year. At a later date, customers in the United States will gain knowledge for what models and powertrains will be available.

Information source: Daimler AG

We have familiarized ourselves with the tune “It’s a Small World” thanks to the folks at Disney. While the automotive sector is still dominated by hulking pickup trucks in North America, the philosophy of a smaller life for drivers has resulted with a slew of new compact vehicles. A small car market once dealt with as a novelty by American automakers is now a serious battleground. As important as the passenger car has become, the commercial vehicle market has also growing fond of a smaller set of wheels.

Responding with excellent fuel mileage and all the utility needed for business, the Ford Transit Connect has led a boom in the small commercial vehicle market in North America. Competitors are beginning to take note presenting their own smaller scale work solutions. Following the debut of a Fiat-based Ram ProMaster van, Chrysler Group is expected to announce a compact companion vehicle imminently. For the meantime, Ram is offering a Dodge Grand Caravan-based commercial minivan. Unwilling to be left behind, General Motors has brokered an agreement to insure their participation in the small van market by late 2014.

Available for fleet vehicle use in the United States and Canada, 2015 Chevrolet City Express cargo van is commissioned to serve the need of urban small businesses. Entering a deal with Nissan, the NV200 van will be the basis for the City Express. Powered by Nissan’s 2-liter double overhead cam engine connected to a continuously variable transmission, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will be a front-wheel drive cargo hauler. Chevrolet’s identity with the City Express is established with its own front end styling featuring unique headlamps and grille. While the idea of Chevrolet depending on other automakers may seem disheartening to those patriotic to the Bowtie badge, sourcing commercial vans from other car companies is a common practice. In Europe, General Motors produces a majority of their Vauxhall and Opel commercial vans in cooperation with Renault. Chevrolet used to sell the Renault Trafic van in Brazil under their brand briefly in the late 1990s.

Being marketed as a smaller commercial van, the Chevrolet City Express is not that small compared to what the automaker had sold in the past. Measuring 186.3 inches in overall length, the City Express is   actually longer than short wheelbase versions of the full-sized Chevrolet van constructed until the mid-1990s. Compared to the current full-sized Chevrolet Express van stretching 224 inches, the City Express continues to boast 122.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Rear cargo doors open in a 40/60 fashion on a hinge allowing up to 180 degrees of swing. Dual side sliding doors also guarantee cargo can be promptly loaded into the City Express. A protective floor cover, six cargo hooks and 20 integrated cargo area mounting points providing maximum convenience to van operators.

At front cabin area of the 2015 Chevrolet City Express, the small van is designed to serve the enterprising individual. Cargo storage areas in the dashboard and center console are large enough for all of the tools needed to logistical work. The 2015 City Express’s center console bin is gigantic enough to hold file folders or a portable computer. The passenger side can fold flat offering a table surface for a laptop or for writing out an invoice. An available technology package on the Chevrolet City Express will provide operators with navigation radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB input, rear view camera as well as XM satellite radio.

Customizable to a far-reaching variety of businesses, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express van provides more than a surface to place company’s vinyl graphics and signage. Six roof rack mounting points allows fixtures for holding ladders to be easily installed. For business customers desiring windows instead of the traditional panel-covered cargo area, the 2015 City Express can be ordered from the factory to feature a multitude of window layouts.

To be available in two trim levels, the base LS model of the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will include standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes, six air bags, a full-sized spare tire and electronic stability control. The Chevrolet City Express LT variant adds cruise control, remote keyless entry as well as power heated mirrors and door locks.

Tailor-built for the fleet customer, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will exist in a similar capacity as the Captiva Sport. Availability of the Nissan-derived Chevrolet City Express van is scheduled for the fall of 2014. The cost of doing business with the Chevrolet City Express van will be announced at a future date.

Information and photo source: General Motors, Nissan North America

In the 50^th year of Lamborghini’s first venture into the supercar business, 2013 has been a period where the company has celebrated with pompous designs and massive horsepower. How else should an exotic car manufacturer ring in a golden anniversary? The ultra limited Veneno and now the super radical Egoista concept car make clear Lamborghini is still charting a future packed with buzz-worthy exotic rides.

While Ferruccio Lamborghini’s Italian automaker was developing a reputation for building likable performance machines through the 1960s, cars like the Espada and even the ground-breaking Miura were outshined by cars coming from national rival Ferrari. Creating their newest vehicles in the lessons learned from the mid-engined Miura, Lamborghini contacted the Bertone design house and designer Marcello Gandini in the execution of a new futuristic supercar. First displayed as a concept car at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show under the name LP 500, the Lamborghini Countach was forged. Produced between 1974 and 1990, the Countach has resided on many bedroom walls of as the premier choice of all car posters.

The Lamborghini Countach’s shape grew from a sketchpad to become an icon. The wedged-shaped aluminum body was all the rage in the early 1970s. Straightening the curves associated with sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s, the principle behind the wedged-shaped vehicle design was honed for stability at high speeds. Ferrari BB512, Lotus Espirt and the De Tomaso Pantera were a few sports car builders working on a similar aerodynamic premise. For the Countach, the result was a supercar achieving a drag coefficient of 0.42. Unimpressive by today’s standards of advanced aerodynamic mechanics, the Lamborghini Countach’s airflow was noteworthy for its time. For entry by a driver and passenger, the scissor-opening door on the Countach became a trademark for future Lamborghini design. The body is based on tubular steel frame giving the Countach race car-like handling and driving performance.

Despite the Countach’s shape and structure remaining intact, the supercar went through upgrades. Over a 16-year production run, alterations to the Countach saw wider tires, a front spoiler and the bulky, unattractive but necessary front bumper. On later versions, a large rear wing would be infamously available on the Countach. Appearing functional, the option rear wing was actually a performance hindrance that resulted in a lower top speed.

Powered by a mid-mounted V-12 engine, the Lamborghini Countach was first a carbureted powerplant with a 3.929-liter displacement. Generating 375 horsepower, the 1974 Countach’s V-12 was considered quite a powerhouse. The engine power was enough to propel the first cars past 175 miles per hour. On the LP5000 version of the Countach released in 1982, the engine was enlarged to 4.8 liters allowing the supercar to offer more torque. Peak performance came in 1985 when Lamborghini introduced the Countach LP5000S Quattrovalvole model. Upgrading the engine size once again to a 5.2-liter displacement, the LP5000S Quattrovalvole gave the Countach’s powerplant a four-valve per cylinder layout. In Europe, the later model Countach motored with 455 horsepower and 369 pounds-feet of torque. With 0 to 60-mile per hour acceleration in around five seconds, the European Lamborghini Countach could achieve a 183-mile per hour top speed. American bound Countachs alternatively produced 420 horsepower due a fuel injection system replacing the carburetor setup.

Entering the marketplace on similar timing as the first Porsche 911 Turbo, the Lamborghini Countach lifted an Italian automaker to the peak of motorized envy. The release of the Countach corresponded in the aftermath of the oil crisis and economic imbalance. The 1974 model year was a humbling experience for the car, as only 23 cars were sold. Similar to the beginning of the Chevrolet Corvette, success in the performance car world took time for the Countach. Originally, the Lamborghini Countach had to be privately imported into the United States due to emission rules. Wealthy, supercar-crazed motorists needed to source their ride through an automotive grey market. It was not until 1982 when the Countach was officially available in the country. Yes, cabin space was limited, fuel economy was poor and the price crossed the six-figure level after the mid-1980s but elite motorists desperately wanted it. Over 2,000 examples of the Lamborghini Countach were produced for worldwide demand.

Production of the Countach officially ended on July 4^th of 1990. Making way for the Lamborghini Diablo, the Countach was a massive leap for supercar design many have attempted (mostly in vain,) to replicate.

Information and photo source: Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A., Chris Nagy

Whether we are buying a multi-million dollar supercar or a few thousand-dollar used car, the goal is always to acquire a vehicle exceeding our expectations. While performance coming from under the hood is important to many motorists, an increased focus is devoted into discovering magic in the cabin.

Once owning a 1993 Pontiac Sunbird, I accepted the most awkwardly designed radio deck fed through a factory speaker set. The second-dumbest radio deck design (first being the oval-shaped system found in the 1995-1999 Ford Taurus), the cassette player on the Sunbird needed to placed ahead of the gear shifter lever as an ergonomic nightmare. Power and stereo performance were both scarce with the vehicle but I made it work for six years. Thankfully, automotive engineering and marketing minds in 2013 realize motorists expect a better value than what went into a 20-year old economy car.

The novelty of a factory-installed AM/FM radio has worn off. So has the concept of carrying a few songs on a small cartridge or disc is even out of fashion with modern audio entertainment. Today, we are bombarded with in-dash audio deck options allowing users to access wirelessly transmitted content through touchscreens or even via voice command. Streaming radio services such as Pandora and Aha Radio delivers a completely new level of choice. Since many of us have condensed our personal music equipment down to a MP3 Player or an Apple device, almost every new vehicle provides an integrated connection to the on-board audio system. Listening to music at a consistent digital quality, it makes sense to have a capable sound system. Unless you have a premium system, the factory sound equipment lags as manufacturers routinely attempts keep costs down. Though we can expect adequate sound quality, aftermarket equipment can often bring out more vibrancy whether you’re listening to a rap track or classical music.

Upgrading an in-car sound system is a very involved procedure that could consume a hundred to well over thousands of dollars. An audio system upgrade often starts with a new set of speakers. Factory speakers are often constructed using paper and foam providing poor sound performance as well as a low lifespan. Aftermarket speakers can usually comprise of high quality materials such as woven fabrics and aluminum. Along with better materials, aftermarket speakers utilize sophisticated designs greatly allowing occupants to enjoy a fuller audio experience. Not only will the sound quality improve with the aftermarket speaker set, the equipment will offer improved reliability.

Beyond speakers, a sound system in a car could be aided by an amplifier and/or subwoofer. The amplifier is to the stereo system what a supercharger is to a V-8 engine. Greatly boosting the power provided to the speakers, an amplifier can help deliver optimal sound system performance. While amplifiers can be added to factory sound speakers, the best results will come when matched with high qualify speaker units. For those wanting to achieve an intense bass performance with their in-car stereo setup, a subwoofer will be the ideal. In addition to the amplifier and the subwoofer, audiophiles will likely opt for equalizers, crossovers and signal processors to achieve the maximum sound quality from their mobile music machines.

The before-stated upgrades are suited for new cars with a good quality stereo deck. Older vehicles might benefit from one of the latest units from Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine or JVC. MP3 integration, satellite radio and even touchscreen operations can soon be incorporated in almost any vehicle.

Since I mentioned my Pontiac Sunbird, I may not qualify as an audio expert in your eyes. Due to the complexity of electronics and a desire to customize the system to individual tastes, you’re recommended to carefully study plans for installing upgraded audio equipment.

Photo source: Chris Nagy

The all-new 2014 Subaru Forester was first introduced at the 2012 LA Auto Show and is the fourth-generation crossover. It made its launch here in the U.S. just recently and gets much more than just a mild refresh for the fourth-generation model. Subaru has given the crossover a complete redo both inside and out and we could see the differences as soon as we checked it out. The new Forester is built on a new platform but as before will be offered in two models, the Forester 2.5i and turbocharged Forester 2.0XT. This week we’ll be testing a 2.5i Touring model. We immediately noticed the changes on the exterior that has a longer wheelbase and lots of glass. The new model doesn’t look significantly different, but has updated styling inside and out.

Subaru made a number of important improvements on the new mid-size SUV and it competes in the highly competitive segment with the 2013 Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. One of the biggest changes comes in fuel mileage. The 2014 model jumps to the head of its segment in all-wheel drive fuel economy. This 2.5i Forester with the automatic CVT will achieve an EPA estimated fuel mileage rating of 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway / 27 mpg combined. That’s a significant improvement over the outgoing model and will be a big draw with buyers.

2014 Forester offers more interior room

The 2014 Forester is built on a new platform featuring a longer wheelbase and vehicle length and width is increased. Rear-seat legroom now rivals many full-size SUVs where legroom is now 41.7 inches. With the 60/40 split rear seatbacks lowered, maximum rear cargo area room is now 74.7 cu. ft., which is among the best in class. Even with the higher ground clearance, we noticed the Forester is easy to get in and out of. Up front the cabin feels spacious, the controls are easy to use and storage is plentiful. One of the things this driver noticed is the large amount of glass and how easy it is to see out the front, sides and rear. It makes the Forester feel like a much larger vehicle from the inside.

Subaru is attracting a whole new buyer with the Forester who’s never purchased the brand before: those who lead active lifestyles. The 2014 version still comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a distinction from the competition that only come with front-wheel drive as standard and offer all-wheel drive as an extra-cost option. The fully independent suspension offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance and gives these active buyers the ability to venture off the pavement. For those of us in Colorado and the mountain states, this is a big draw and the reason Subaru sells more of their vehicles here than just about anywhere else in the U.S.

X Mode

Subaru is going after a new customer, and the new 2014 Forester will be purchased by people with active lifestyles. The 2014 Forester gets a new feature called X Mode that will allow owners in North America to go through more extreme conditions both on the road and off. Most SUV owners never take their vehicle off-road, but Subaru owners are a different breed and the X Mode gives the extra assist they will need for sporting fun. We tried the new feature and were impressed with how easy it is to engage.

We took it on some unpaved and slippery roads during a late spring Colorado snowstorm. Torque was distributed evenly to all four wheels and one or more wheels began to slip, but X Mode kept the Forester moving forward without losing traction in the mud and snow. With a flip of a switch, X Mode was engaged and will allow any driver regardless of skill level, to escape any extreme situation they may encounter. Families who buy the 2014 Forester who live in harsh climates will appreciate X Mode.

On dry roads, the 2.5i Touring model was easy to drive and handled well for a crossover. This is due to the 2.5-liter 170-horsepower four-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine that sits low in the chassis for stability. The engine came mated to the new Lineartronic continuously variable fuel-saving transmission (CVT) that didn’t feel like the typical CVT that winds up like a rubber band. The power was smooth and it had plenty of power for just about any driving situation we put it through.

Features and safety

The Forester 2.5i Touring ($29,995) comes with split-fold rear seat with three headrests, Bluetooth phone/streaming, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and trip computer with outside temperature. This Touring spec ($2,400) brings navigation with smartphone and Aha integration, 440-watt harman/kardon sound system, dual-zone climate control and the Driver Assist/EyeSight option that employs a stereo camera (as opposed to radar) for adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and collision-mitigation braking.

The Forester is one of the safest mid-size SUVs on the road and has earned the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick. This puts Subaru in rarified air as it is the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models for the fourth consecutive year.

Summary

For families looking for a mid-size crossover that will meet all their needs, the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i Touring is a good choice. It features the best AWD fuel economy in the segment and will take those with active lifestyles anywhere they want to go. For those who will venture off-road or live in harsh climates, the Forester is the best choice in the segment. It features more cargo room than the previous generation and can be optioned with a number of new safety features.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

A blessing and a curse of this connected world is there are fewer secrets remaining in the world. Decades ago, following motorsports relied on finding a source or publication highlighting a specific form of racing. In the United States, NASCAR Sprint Cup blossomed from a regional level into a national force with media sources deciding to profile the stock car series. Through the 1990s with expanded television sport coverage and later through the Internet other forms of regional motorsport around the world can be fully appreciated. The German DTM Series has been a recent organization observed to be booming worldwide with growing race coverage. The impact of DTM has led to the commitment for a similar series in the United States by as early as 2015. While there is a two-year wait for the DTM Series, Another international import is preparing for a maiden stop at the new Circuit of the Americas track in Texas this upcoming weekend.

From May 17th to the 19th, the American race fans will be offered the first chance to witness the Australian V8 Supercars Series in person. The 3.427-mile (5.515 kilometer) Circuit of the Americas hosting of the V8 Supercars comes a six months after a Formula 1 race christened the track.

For the inaugural Austin 400 event, spectators can expect a race weekend differing from what we would see in NASCAR or the IZOD INDYCAR Series. Four practice sessions will be held on the Friday for the V8 Supercars ahead of a series of qualifying races. Saturday and Sunday will each consist of two qualifying races followed by a pair of 27-lap feature events. Each sprint race is expected to take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

A derivative of the Australian Touring Car Championship that ran from 1960 to 1998, passion for racing high-performance V8 engines are richly observed Down Under. Australian classic cars competing in the touring car includes the Holden Monaro GTS350 and the Ford Falcon XB. Action movie fans would recall a black “Pursuit Special” Ford Falcon XB in the Mad Max movies. Since 1998, the Australian Touring Car Championship has operated as the V8 Supercars organization. For a long time limited to the Oceania region of the world, the Australian V8 Supercars Series has actively branching out to other world audiences. The Australian V8 Supercars Series first venture to other markets consisted of a stop at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2005. Trips to the Bahrain International Circuit and the Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates have also sit on the V8 Supercars calendar in recent years. Operating under the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the track that proved more than capable of hosting the 2012 United States Grand Prix should serve ideally for the first North American race for the V-8 powered machines.

The first year for a new set of rules designed to foster greater on-track competition, improved driver safety and lower costs for teams, the V8 Supercars grid has doubled from two to four car makes in 2013. Returning to the series is the Ford FG Falcon and the Holden VF Commodore. For motorsport audiences in the United States, the Holden VF Commodore is recognized thanks to a General Motors relative currently racing on the NASCAR circuit. The limited production 2014 Chevy SS sedan and the Chevrolet Caprice PPV share the General Motors Zeta platform with the Australian sold Holden VF Commodore. Making a high profile arrival in Australian Touring V8 Supercars for 2013, Nissan enlisted the experience of 2006 V8 Supercar champion Rick Kelly and brother Todd as part of a new Altima race effort. Michael Caruso and James Moffat are also campaigning a pair of Nissan Altima race cars in 2013 powered by a custom V-8 engine. The fourth competing make in 2013 Australian V8 Supercars is the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG campaigned by three competitors this season. 28 cars total are set to part of the 2013 Austin 400 race event.

Several teams involved in the Australian V8 Supercars circuit have prepared special paint schemes for their inaugural North American event. Normally running a black and red paint scheme with Australian auto part retailer Supercheap Auto prominently displayed, the 2005 championship driver Russell Ingall will don a yellow and black colour on his #17 Holden VF Commodore for the Austin race weekend. Jonathon Webb’s Team TEKNO has also chosen to debut a new livery promoting Darrell Lea soft liquorice for the Austin 400 race.

Having over $100 millions of cars and equipment flown overseas by two Boeing 747 airplanes, a lot is being invested in the V8 Supercars’ first United States event. With less than a week before the various V-8 powerplants will be revving at the Circuit of the Americas, the prelude to the event has already involved a driver swap between NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch and Holden Racing Team pilot James Courtney.

Information, photo and video source: Circuit of the Americas, NASCAR, Nissan North America, V8 Supercars

Ah, Mother’s Day, the second favorite day of the year for flower shops and chocolatiers.

In an attempt to sell SUVs and minivans to modern family-goers, car companies have come up with some funny and clever commercials aimed at making these vehicles slightly less boring.

Take a look at a few good commercials aimed at the modern Mother:

4. Family Friendly Vehicle – Kia Sorento

Not particularly funny, but this is one of a series of “documentary-style” ads Kia put out for the 2013 Sorento. They each go over individual features of the SUV aimed at showing mothers why it’s a smart vehicle for them and their little ones.

3. Safety Sacrifice “Ridin’ Dirty” – VW Tiguan

2. “The Motherhood” – Fiat 500L

Clever and well-done ad from Fiat that got some flak when it came out, but overall a good response. I think it’s funny.

Bonus: The Fatherhood

1. “Swagger Wagon” – Toyota Sienna

Easily my favorite Rapping Mom commercial, we posted about the Swagger Wagon when it was first released a few years ago.

Did we miss any of your favorites? Send these to your Mom and let us know what you think!

Oh, those lovable Italians, always showing off and looking good.

Back in March, Lamborghini stole the spotlight at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with the Veneno supercar – only three will ever be made (well, technically four if you count the one at the show which will stay at the Lamborghini factory,) and while mechanically it’s not much different than the Aventador, to say the Veneno looks extreme would be an understatement:

And now, for their 50th Anniversary, Lamborghini has created yet another crazy piece of…umm…interesting design.

To me, it looks like a scaled up version of one of those Hot Wheels extreme version toys, and will more than likely be made into one.

To Lamborghini and famed designer Walter De Silva though, it is, and I quote, “designed purely for hyper-sophisticated people who want only the most extreme and special things in the world. It represents hedonism taken to the extreme.” Which is precisely what Lamborghini should be.

Problem is, you can’t buy it. Nobody can.

Except this guy.

Again, the Egoista is mostly an exercise in design and aerodynamics; it’s powered by a similar version of the Gallardo’s 5.2-liter V10 but produces 600 hp.

It’s a single-seater, and the cockpit (which is made entirely of carbon fiber and aluminum,) requires an unusually complicated entry and exit. According to the press release, to get out of the car “the driver must remove the steering wheel and rest it on the dashboard, open the dome with an electronic command, stand up in their seat, sit down on a precise point of the left-hand bodywork, then swivel their legs 180 degrees from the inside of the cockpit to the outside of the vehicle. At this point they can set their feet down and stand up.” I’d call it a dance.

The whole car is modeled to closely resemble a fighter jet, which is an ongoing theme with Lamborghini.

The cockpit is bare-bones with minimal instrumentation but a heads-up display. They said it was designed with the concept of being able to take the cockpit and put it into a car or jet. And yes, it is removable.

From the side, the Egoista is meant to look like a bull about to charge with its horns lowered. As you may expect, it’s got all sorts of flaps that come up and down automatically depending on conditions and speed.

The lighting is meant to be more like an aircraft’s lighting systems; instead of focusing on front and rear lighting, the headlights are “LED clearance lights” to be seen from the side and front. On top of the two xenon headlamps, they’ve added two white front lights, two red rear lights, a red flashing light on the tail, two orange side markers, and two lights on the roof, red on the left and green on the right. Excessive? Exactly. Must be cool to see at night.

They’ve even went as far as to make the bodywork and wheels out of antiradar material. Which I’m sure is illegal as hell, but undeniably awesome.

And in case you’re wondering, “Egoista” is Italian for “Selfish.”

How fitting.

Check out the photo gallery below for more pics of the Lamborghini Egoista:

With the typical cost of insurance claims and the inevitable he said/she said battles after an auto accident happens, wouldn’t it be great if you had some proof to back up your story? The security offered by Dash-Cam technology is unprecedented and the latest offering from Blackvue goes even further – the Blackvue Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD offers a true “black box” recording device that will document everything from your GPS location, rate of speed, audio as well as 1080p video. There is no on/off switch which is actually a good thing – the Blackvue turns on when you turn on the ignition and records until you turn the car off. When paired with the option Power Magic Pro add-on, the Blackvue uses motion detection and the built in G-sensor to switch itself on and record events that happen while your car is parked!

Not only is the design sleek and modern, but the device is smart phone enabled with apps for both iPhone and Android platforms. In fact, setting up the Blackvue is straight forward and I was able to configure the device to my liking straight from my iPhone without any issues at all. It was honestly as easy as mounting the Blackvue, plugging it into power, switching my phone from my home network to the Blackvue’s and off I go. Ten minutes and I was already watching recorded videos right on my iPhone screen.

The accompanying desktop software application is available for both PC and Mac and provides many of the same features available on the mobile app with a few key additions. Selecting a recording is managed from a calendar which makes finding a specific video very easy. The MyWay map viewer is cool and even uses Google Maps for an interface you already know. And you can export your videos as MP4 (in Windows) for native play-back.

Positives

• Auto-on capability means you set it and forget it
• Small footprint keeps the camera out of sight
• Mobile app for easy installation and playback
• Comes with 16 GB micro SD card and reader

Negatives

• Mounting surface is semi-permanent making swapping vehicles more difficult
• Image can’t be rotated on the camera (but can be rotated within desktop software) so check your video before actually mounting for the first time

The Verdict

I found the Blackvue Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD a fantastic solution for anyone looking for more security during their daily commute.  As an auto-enthusiast who enjoys a track day every now and again, I can confirm that the Blackvue does double-duty by providing peace of mind in my daily commute while also allowing me to critique my track sessions.

With the built-in GPS, G-Sensor and MPH readout you even get some basic attributes of an on-board data acquisition system for a fraction of the cost.  I own and use other video recorders at the track and Blackvue’s quality and ease of use has made it my race camera of choice.

Head over to the official Blackvue website for more specs on the Wi-Fi DR500GW-HD or check out the Amazon.com page for the cam to pick it up for a discount.

MSRP $379.99

Note: When iPhone is connected to BlackVue DR500 Wi-Fi you’re not getting any Data Access for other apps. Here’s how to fix it:

Go into Wi-Fi Settings and tap the blue arrow against BlackVue connection, enter the following settings: IP Address: Static; IP Address: 192.168.8.2; Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

You’ll now be connected to your dash camera as well as getting data over cellular. See this image for details.

Disclaimer: Blackvue provided this product to the editor for purposes of review. All opinions are true and unbiased.