Sub5zero

 
So, in the continuing saga of the Bugatti lake crash footage that we showed the other day, new details have just emerged. In a strange twist of fate, we have learned that the driver was Andy House, who just happens to own Performance Auto Sales, a company that actually restores wrecked exotics for resale. Is this starting to sound a little too much like the Balloon Boy incident?
 
In any case, he bought the 2006 Bugatti Veyron EB for $1.25 million last month and it was fully insured. But let me ask you this... How come it only costs $8,000 per year to insure a Bugatti (according to the article) but my 7 year old Acura runs me $3,600 in the state of California? ...Sorry to digress. What's really cool is that some unenlightened motorists (who thought it was a "Lambo") caught the actual crash on their video cam. And we didn't see no stinkin' pelican. Check out the footage after the jump. Beware, due to excessive swearing it is NSFW, so turn the volume down.
 
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Car videos tend to span the gamut from promotional teasers to test drives to funny commercials. What you don't see often are high-quality amateur short firms created completely by computer animation. We bring to you today a fantastic CGI-based automotive showdown with vivid imagery, amazing graphics and a killer soundtrack from a mysterious man named Pantural. Back in August, one of our readers sent us a link to Pantural's test video featuring a Ford Shelby and Vaz 2107 and we were blown away. At the time, we didn't post anything because it was just a short clip that looked like a work in progress. Now, Pantura's full blown car demo reel is finally finished and it is a doozy.
 
This creative guru has added some friends to the lineup in the initial clip and now pits the new Chevy Camaro against a Ford Shelby Mustang, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Lada Riva (aka Vaz 2107). There is even a helicopter thrown in the mix for added affect. The theme is kind of Spiderman 3-ish with a black globular symbiote attacking four normal automobiles and turning them into hellish beasts. According to Pantural's notes, it required five days of working time with 3DS Max, Vray, Mudbox, After Effects, Photoshop, Sound Forge and Vegas. All told, rendering took 110 days. Check out this amazing video after the jump.

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The famous inline six-cylinder engine from BMW has been widely exulted for years. This powerplant has provided strong and linear engines in their cars and trucks over the last several decades. However, now at the point where the company is moving away from this engine on the automotive side, BMW Motorrad is going to be transitioning this engine into its motorcycle lineup. The new BMW Concept 6 motorcycle at the EICMA Show in Milan has been unveiled to showcase this transfer of technology. 
 
Even though the BMW Motorrad Concept 6 frame is not really anything revolutionary, basically a K1300R with some extra futuristic looking components, the engine is the company's new 1.6-liter (or more), inline six, mounted at a 55 degree angle. The dead giveaways are the huge outlets jutting out of each side. Power output is expected to be in the range of 175 hp with 96 lb-ft of torque available at 2,000 RPM with a 9,000 RPM redline. Because so much power is available at any speed, the bike has no rev counter on its LED instrument panel. Instead there is a torque readout along with the essential road speed display.
 
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When a German car company releases a new vehicle in bright orange paint you have to take notice. Not because of the attention it draws but because this is always indicative that this car goes very fast. It's like a special warning of sorts. And since BMW has just created a hardcore version of their M3 in orange livery, one of the most well-balanced and able sports cars on the market today, you know its going to be absolutely wicked. The BMW M3 GTS will sport a 4.4-liter V8 engine that pumps out 450 hp. This is .4-liter and 36 hp over the standard version. The transmission is the honorable 7-speed M DKG Drivelogic gearbox.
 
Since the curb weight is a svelte 3285 pounds, almost 420 pounds less than the stock M3 Coupe, we can only imagines its acceleration times. In order to save weight, BMW had to yank the rear seats, automatic AC, nav, audio system and sound insulation. Racing buckets seats are swapped in the front and a fire extinguisher mounted between the two. A six-point harness and integrated roll-cage are in place to protect the occupants.
 
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This year's SEMA Show served as a launch pad for the Mavizen TTX02 electric motorcycle, a highly anticipated green bike that will test its mettle at the TTXGP race in May of next year. Azhar Hussain, whose name may be familiar as the founder of TTGXP, is the entrepreneur behind this race-bike. It's still a rumor but it looks like the chassis of the TTX02 is based on the KTM RC8 superbike, a solid platform well known for superior handling at high speeds. As a forgone conclusion, this new dynamo should perform quite well.
 
The Mavizen TTX02 is powered by two Agni 95 electric motors that output at total of 100 peak horsepower. Torque should be absolutely phenomenal. Three lithium-ion battery packs provide all of the juice required. No word on the mileage yet, but it will at least be capable of running the 38 miles of the TTXGP Isle of Man race course.
 
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Just can't wait for GM to release a convertible option for the new Chevrolet Camaro? Then feast your eyes on the Drop Top Customs Chevy Camaro SS Convertible. When the new Camaro came out people went nuts. Everyone loves 60's muscle cars, and the retro look has been hugely profitable for Ford. So it was only inevitable that a revitalized Camaro would emerge on the scene.
 
The old Camaros were one brand of the car that truly deserved the term “bad ass.” They just looked sinister. The new Camaro is no different. It has the same burly curves, low canopy, and headlights that seem to be on the look out. It's like the car is up to no good. As a convertible the classic Camaro was really two cars in one. With the top up, it kept the “angry” look. With it down, it was about fun, sunny days and car cruises. 
 
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Ken Block is one of the fastest growing faces of an American in motorsports today. After making it big in the skateboarding world selling sneakers and apparel, Ken quietly decided to get into rally racing. In the past few years Ken has helped bring that electric type of racing to the mainstream, winning X Games medals, performing all kinds of amazing stunts and becoming a YouTube sensation along the way. Next year he moves up to the big leagues to race in the WRC and compete against the world's best. So how does Ken relax before a big season of sliding through mud at 100mph on a road as wide as a shoelace? He drives his Subaru Impreza WRX STI to Utah for some snowboarding. You see, to Ken Block, an STI is a Swiss Army knife. It can rally, drive a snowboard park, clear 100 foot gaps and run a Gymkhana course. His probably even has a slot for tweezers.
 
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Veteran BMW driver Franz Engstler had a nice surprise when he rounded the corner outside of pit row at FIA World Touring Car Championship at Pau 2009. The safety vehicle decided to veer outside of the exit lane, cross the white line and drive directly into the path of race cars turning the bend at high speeds. Obviously, the safety car driver missed the part of the pre-race meeting where it was strongly encouraged that ALL vehicles stay within the white lines. Check out the video after the jump.
 
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Theme parks like Disneyland create entire worlds of wonder. But most of these expansive play grounds are lumbering giants filled with aging rides and tired dress-up characters. They need a shot of adrenaline. Enter Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. On a site adjacent to the F1 Grand Prix marina circuit on Yas Island, Ferrari has been constructing an amazing 200,000 square meter indoor theme park, the largest ever created. The building was designed by renown architectural firm Benoy and features a double curve side profile reminiscent of the classic Ferrari GT. It also sports a signature 215-foot tall Ferrari logo, the largest of its kind.
 
Under the giant red steel roof will be housed the world's fastest roller coaster simulating an F1 car, a g-force tower that extends past the 150-foot high roof into the sky, various racing simulators, a flume ride through a massive 599 GTB engine as well as driving and racing schools. In addition to the 20+ rides, there will be plenty of shopping, including a new Ferrari flagship store, along with tons of hospitality options. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will open its doors next year and will sure to be a huge draw.
 
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There are car videos and then there are car videos. Specialty production crew Bandito Garage produced this tremendous video featuring the BMW M3 to showcase their technical chops and increase business. Entitled "Living in the Lights" and directed by Mouse McCoy, winner of the Baja 500 and Baja 1000, this video is 2 minutes and 20 seconds of pure adrenaline. Driver Greg Tracy works the wheel while the beautiful model Niki Huey works the heart.
 
Bandito Brothers is a "one-stop shop that refines the process of producing industry-leading content for commercials, content footage, branded entertainment, and product placement by servicing all of these needs under one roof." In the case of this video, the company shot the BMW M3 from 15+ different angles using camera cars and gyros cranes. Inspired by the by the 1976 Claude Lelouch short, "C'était un rendez-vous," this short film is a great advertisement for the Ultimate Driving Machine. 
 
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Last week's episode of Ultimate Factories on the National Geographic Channel was terrific. We got a great behind-the-scenes look at how the stellar Porsche 911 is put together. This week's show stops at the Chevy factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where production of the 2010 Corvette Z06 takes place. Be sure to tune in on Thursday, October 29th, at 8PM ET/PT. Check out the video highlights and show details after the jump.
 
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The floodgates are starting to let loose on video footage of the production model of the new Lexus LFA supercar. Many media outlets are starting to get a crack behind the wheel and we have put together some of the best videos available to date.
 
The 2011 Lexus LFA features an all-new 4.8L V10 with a lofty red line of 9,000 rpm. This powerplant delivers 552 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Amazingly, 90 percent of the LFA’s torque is available between 3,700 rpm and 9,000 rpm. Check out the following reels of Toyota's most expensive production vehicle ever.
 
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Last week's episode of Ultimate Factories on the National Geographic Channel was spectacular. We got a great look behind the scenes of the Chevy Camaro SS being built inside one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the world. This week's show features Porsche and the production of their world class 911 sports car. Be sure to tune in on Thursday, October 22nd, at 8PM ET/PT. Check out the video highlights and show details after the jump.
 
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IND Distribution recently delivered a "one-of-a-kind" BMW Individual Atlantis E90 M3 to a special client looking for extreme personalization and not afraid to take some risks. Myke ordered his M3 with an Atlantis Metallic paint job, the only on in the world, which actually  "shifts from Estoril blue to Avus blue to shades of green and teal" depending on the viewing angle (which you can see in the video). This BMW is also the only E90 M3 in the world with a full replacement carbon fiber roof. 
 
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This week marks the third installment of Ultimate Factories on the National Geographic Channel. The first episode showcased the stellar Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce and provided a unique glimpse at the inner workings of the production lines in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. The next episode featured the Rolls-Royce Phantom with stops along its production lines in Unterhallerau and Dingolfing, Germany, and Goodwood, England. And now we are back in the good 'ole US of A for a peek inside the 10,000,000 square foot manufacturing plant where the reinvigorated 2010 Chevy Camaro SS is stamped out. The show starts at 8pm EST/PST on October 15th and you won't want to miss it!
 
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This past weekend, the record for world's fastest gasoline-powered land vehicle was set by Spectre Performance's 1900 hp SpeedLiner. Powered by a twin-turbo 1970's Cadillac engine with 1200 ft-lb of torque, this speed demon, nicknamed Infidel, blitzed its way to an amazing 330.7 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah at the hands of driver Kenny Hoover. The Infidel was built by hot-rod accessory manufacturer Spectre Performance at the behest of founder Amir Rosenbaum, who has vowed to keep pushing until they reach 400 mph.
 
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Sharks are a formidable foe, often unseen until it's too late when they unleash their fury and force with devastating affect. And that image is perfect for a tuning company that has quietly been lurking in the community of Fresno, CA. For a few years SharkWerks swam under the radar, building custom exhaust systems and putting out short teaser videos to showcase their sound. Then they built some lethal Porsche turbos, including one for New York Giants receiver, and Super Bowl veteran, Amani Toomer. They did such a good job they are licensed to install parts from TechArt, Cargraphic, and Evolution Motorsports. So they were circling the auto world, just a fin coming up out of the water from time to time. But this summer they showed what they're all about by building a killer "bored and built" 3.9L 500 HP Porsche GT3RS.
 
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Last week's episode of Ultimate Factories on the National Geographic Channel was absolutely phenomenol. We got an amazing inside look at the building of the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. This week's show features Rolls-Royce and the production of their flagship Phantom supercar. Be sure to tune in on Thursday, October 8th, at 8PM ET/PT. Check out the video highlights and show details after the jump.
 
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What could be better than a drag-race showdown between two Japanese powerhouses with one top dog pulled from the automotive realm, the 'Zila, and the other an absolute beast from the motorcycle world, the 'Busa? Well, how bout the fact that it's not just an ordinary Nissan GT-R tearing up pavement but a Switzer P800 putting down 800 horsepower at the crank? For those not hip, Switzer Performance makes bolt-on modification packages for the R35 Nissan GT-R which puts the car in another class altogether.
 
Dubbed the "P800 Package," based on its ability to perform amazing feats of horsepower running on pump gas, Switzer's tuning upgrades include bigger turbos, stronger wastegates, a custom-made “Monster” intercooler and new piping. Watch the Switzer P800 Nissan GT-R in action against a Suzuki Hayabusa in the Motherland. The results speak for themselves. Check out the video after the jump.
 
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Behind the scenes footage is always fun to watch, especially when we're talking about photography and video production involving fast moving high-performance cars. In this unique look at the making of the Ferrari 458 Italia Movie, we get a glimpse of the work director Alexander Paul and his crew performed in order to make their dazzling promo clip. We all know it takes plenty of planning and perfect execution for a shoot like this but it's amazing to see the vast amount of equipment that is required as well as additional lead-follow vehicles.
 
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