We're nearly a year from the big screen debut of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, but that hasn't stopped us from devouring every bit of early information that we can about the new Micheal Bay action flick. There is an early video taken from the first day of filming which features a few of the things that we're expecting to see front and center in this movie: cars, motorcycles and explosions. While the video is pretty short and doesn't reveal all that much, it still has us psyched about the movie and we will surely continue to watch as more filming documentaries are released.
We've pasted the YouTube version after the break, but you might want to check it out on Walmart's site for a clearer version. You'll need the following code: AllSpark62609. There is one more video from Industrial Light and Magic. It's called Creating Transformers and it details what it takes to animate a Transforming robot on-screen with live actors through some of the best scenes from the first movie. Yeah, we're officially excited.
More speeding in products from the Volkswagen corporate empire; only this time, the driver was smart and didn't try to run. The driver in this Italian incident, none other than Michael Schumacher, is probably capable of evading the Caribinieri -- though maybe he's not as adept at handling a real car as he is behind the wheel of a four-wheeled fighter jet. Schumi exercised fine judgement and politely accepted his 75 Euro fine, which carries a three-point penalty on his license.
The racing champ told German newspaper Bild that he was "very sorry" and that "it's out of character" because "speeding is for racetracks only." Maybe something's lost in translation, but we have this urge to say "now we know, and knowing is half the battle" after that sparely worded statement. Thanks for the tip, Ahmet!
"Yo Jesus, you gotcher ears on, good buddy?" Cletus Snow has made his last crackly Tx on the CB. We know Jerry Reed best as The Bandit's Coors-hauling cohort, but Jerry Reed had a long and successful career that saw him rubbing elbows with greats such as Chet Atkins, Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, even Dexy's Midnight Runners (the great part might be debatable on that last one.)
The star of music, film, and television passed away in Nash-Vegas on August 31st of emphysema-related complications. Tonight, we're going to break out the LPs, crack a Banquet Beer and watch all three Bandits as we lament another gone too soon. Thanks for the tip, Kyle.
Click above for high-res gallery of Top Gear's tank
You may remember our report from a few months back about Top Gear developing a live arena show for the U.S. We still don't know if that's going to happen, but Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are taking the Top Gear show on the road for a number of live events beginning at London's Earls Court from October 20th through November 2nd. The trio announced their new tour in the most Top Gear of ways, by driving a tank sporting Top Gear livery across London's Tower Bridge while being trailed by a Ferrari F430 and Aston Martin DBS with luggage strapped to their roofs.
The Top Gear triumvirate will reportedly "unleash automotive mayhem, take on crazy challenges, preside over breathtaking stunts and engage in hilarious motoring tomfoolery" during each 75-minute show, of which there will 10 separate performance at both Earls Court and Birmingham's NEC in the U.K. Tickets will cost £38 ($67 USD) for a Silver seat, £56 ($100 USD) for Gold and £105 ($188 USD) for a Platinum spot, which we presume means you'll be close enough to wipe Clarkson's spit off your face.
The press release after the jump, however, notes that the tank stunt kicks off the UK and world tour for the Top Gear live show, so perhaps arena shows in the U.S. and elsewhere are still in the cards. For now, however, Jezza, Hamster and Captain Slow will be busy enough trying to get through 20 separate live performances in just eight days at these two venues.
You can check out a video of the Top Gear tank stunt here, and read the official press release after the jump.
Click above for high-res gallery of Colin McRae's tribute
Oh, those Brits. When they're not faking making corn circles they're writing a rally legend's name using 1,086 Subaru Imprezas as pixels. This, of course, was the finale to the weekend long celebration of Colin McRae's life, which saw over 1,100 Scoobys converge on Prodrive's test track in Warwickshire. Precisely how many cars took part in the ensuing 30-mile convoy is unknown, but if you don't have anything better to do right now, you can have a go at counting them in the video after the jump (and look out for the near miss at 6:42). Even the local constabulary showed up in a WRX pursuit car.
The half-mile-long sign you see above broke the Guiness World Record for, err, writing signs with cars by a cool 800, but more importantly Colin's fans raised over $80,000 for the McRae family's chosen charities.
For those of you who just can't get enough Jesse James in your life, we have good news. The rest of you, commence eye-rolling. The tattooed chopper builder will soon be back on the small screen, this time on Spike TV. His new vehicle is called Jesse James is a Dead Man, which isn't totally accurate unless you're referring to his namesake forbear. The world needs another "reality" TV show like we need a festering case of hemorrhoids, but TV producer's don't care. This series will focus not on James' welding-torch-wielding antics, but will instead follow Mr. Bullock as he moves from one supposedly dangerous activity to another. Great. Seriously, how bad will this show be? Our guess: Fear Factor bad. We can smell the impending suckage from here... like a steaming hot pile of rotting cabbage.
Just when you thought that the reality TV explosion couldn't possibly get any more far-fetched and ridiculous, the execs go and do something like this... and completely redeem themselves!
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time driving Ford's modern day interpretation of the Mustang Bullitt and came away wanting one in the worst way. It's true that the late model Mustang has issues, but no other car is able to channel that much soul, charisma and character through its steering column. The only thing better would be an actual 1968 Mustang GT 350 Fastback like the one Steve McQueen actually drove in the film. Fans of the car and McQueen are one step closer to realizing this dream thanks to the McQueen estate, which has authorized the building of official replica Bullit Mustangs in honor of the film's 40th anniversary. Ownership of the Bullit name is shared by the McQueen family and Warner Bros., so we're not sure who would actually build these replica Bullitts, but we'll be first in line when they eventually surface.
Michael Bay's first attempt at bringing the Autobots into the real world, the 2007 live action Transformers film, has been all over HBO lately. When looking for HD programming to justify the expense of a flat screen and DirecTV to the Mrs., this movie really hits the spot. So in addition to once in the theater, I've seen it about 10 more times at home. Suffice it to say, I'm ready for T2: Revenge of the Fallen. While we've seen plenty of shots from filming and learned that the once mysterious addition to the Autobots is in fact the Corvette Centennial concept, we haven't had so much as a teaser trailer yet to wet our whistle. The video after the jump is a mere sip, but it will have to do for now. Thought to be shot in Long Beach, CA where filming has moved, it features a caravan of Autobots obeying the most famous of all Optimus Prime orders: Roll Out! The group includes Optimus, of course, and Bumblebee and Ironhide, as well as the Chevy Beat and Trax concepts and the Corvette Centennial concept. There's no sign of any Decepticons yet, but you just wait. Follow the jump to watch the video in high-res for yourself.
Click above to view gallery of stills from Saturn's Project Runway appearance
Project Runway is one of those reality shows that you both can watch, if you know what we mean. Though most men man not admit it, watching Heidi Klum and a bunch of models walk down a runway makes up for the obnoxious antics of the designers. This week's episode incorporated one of the show's long-time sponsors, Saturn, which heretofore has been relegated to supplying the winner with that year's Saturn du jour as a grand prize. Episode 7, however, brought Saturn onto the runway in a challenge that required the contestants to create fashions using parts from the new VUE. Make it work, indeed. Though we haven't watched the episode yet (oh yes, we DVR it), the best part appears to be when the designers begin dismantling a pair of VUEs for materials. Mental note: be wary of used late-model VUEs for sale in and around New York City. It appears the designers were most attracted to any cloth they could find in the vehicles, with seat belts being a hot item. We're not going to spoil for you who won the challenge, except to say that the design was not our top choice. You can check them all out in the gallery below, as well as some stills from the episode.
In the world of Hollywood where so many people are vacuous prima donnas, Paul Newman is one of the great exceptions. He is considered one of the greatest American actors and one of the classiest human beings. However, after 83 years, the Newman era is drawing to a close. About 18 months ago, Newman was diagnosed with lung cancer and he's not expected to live past the end of September.
Many fans of his acting are not aware of Newman's nearly four-decade long involvement in motorsports. Over the years he has racked up a second place finish at the 24 hours of Le Mans and a GTS class victory at the 1995 Daytona 24 hours... at the age of 74. For the last 25 years he and Carl Haas have owned one of the most successful IndyCar/ChampCar teams of the era, as well. Off the track and sound stage he has also raised over $200 million for charity through the Newman's Own brand of foods.
On August 13, the Lime Rock Park race track near his Connecticut home shut down for a couple hours so that Newman could take a few final laps in his GT1 Corvette. The world will certainly be a poorer place with his passing. If you haven't watched The Hustler, The Sting, or Butch and Sundance recently, now's probably a good time to put them in your NetFlix queue. Thanks for the tip, Luke!
Paris Preview: Officially Official, Honda's new hybrid is the Insight!
Mazda Kiyora city car concept, MX-5 facelift head to Paris
Leaked: Official updated Mazda MX-5 image
Reader Spy: Chevy Volt caught on set of Transformers 2
Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe)
By the Numbers - August 2008: New Digs Edition
In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR
First Drive: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Nissan Murano
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Dodge Journey R/T
