new york city – Adam's Auto Advice

Futuristic VW XL1 cruises the streets of New York City

New Yorkers will be able to get a glimpse of the futuristic and highly efficient Volkswagen XL1 for the next week. The VW XL1 arrived in New York City as part of a month-long American tour that has gone from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., and now has hit the New York City aka the Big Apple.

The XL1, which looks like it came straight from a sci-fi movie, is the most fuel-efficient production car in the world. (At least that is Volkswagen's claim.) The plug-in hybrid 2 seater gets 261 mpg and can go 31 miles on full electric power if you choose.

Volkswagen engineers mated an incredibly efficient, diesel-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain with a lightweight carbonfiber structure. The futuristic car weighs just 1753 pounds and uses a 48-horsepower two-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection TDI Clean Diesel engine which is paired to a 27-horsepower electric motor and a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. In addition the XL1 has aerodynamics that would make a race car jealous with a coefficient of drag of just 0.189. This means the VW XL1 can travel at speeds around 62 mph while using just 8.3 horsepower. In all-electric mode, the XL1 requires less than 0.1 kWh to cover more than 0.6 miles (one kilometer because they use that in Europe).

What's the top speed? Ok, well now speed demons will be buying since it has a top speed of 99 mph and goes from 0 to 62 mph in 12.7 seconds. That's probably fine for 90%+ of US city driving though.

Want to buy one? Well you can see the Volkswagne XL1 cruising the streets of New York City not that many will be built. Just 250 XL1s will be built at the Volkswagen factory in Osnabrück, Germany. They VW XL1 is going to sell for roughly $145,000 per car. Expensive? Yes, but it's totally worth it so you can brag to your friends you are getting 261 mpg.

Irv Gordon’s Volvo P1800 reaches 3 Million Miles on Alaska’s Seward Highway

Irv Gordon's Volvo P1800 recently set an automotive milestone, clocking 3 million miles on the odometer in Alaska on the Seward Highway. This makes Irv Gordon and his 1966 Volvo P1800 the first automotive history to reach 3 million mile mark.

Gordon drove his three millionth mile on September 18th, 2013 on the Seward Highway – Alaska Highway 1 – along the Turnagain Arm in his 1966 Volvo P1800. Alaska's known as the “Last Frontier”, which is the state's slogan, is one of two U.S. states Gordon has never visited and he felt was a fitting backdrop for this historic and breaking achievement.

Most might be wondering how someone could reach 3 million miles of driving in a lifetime, let along in the same car. Irv Gordon, a retired Science teacher, used to drive have a 125-mile round-trip daily commute to and from the school where he worked. He logged 500,000 miles in 10 years on his P1800 and had a fanatical dedication to vehicle maintenance which kept it in the best running condition possible.

In 1987, Gordon celebrated his one-millionth mile driving a loop around the Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Then in 1998 with 1.69 million miles, Gordon made the Guinness Book of World Records for most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle. In 2002, he drove the Volvo P1800's two-millionth mile down Times Square in New-York City where the international media was watching. Now everytime Gordon gets in his car and drives, he keeps breaking his own record.

“It’s not about getting to the three million miles; it’s about the trips that got me to the three million miles,” said the 74-year-old Gordon and Long Island native about his amazing accomplishment with his shiny, cherry red 1966 Volvo P1800. “I never had a goal to get to one million, to two million. I just enjoyed driving and experiencing life through my Volvo.”

To celebrate a Gordon’s remarkable achievement in his P1800, Volvo is launching a special campaign called, “3 Million Reasons to Believe,” that ecnourages people around the world to visit 3MillionReasons.com and follow Irv’s remarkable journey, explore his favorite road trips and share their own reason to believe, in Volvos obviously.

“The best way to explore America is by car,” Gordon added. “I challenge everyone to go out and see as much as possible. Find your own journey and reason to believe because you only have one life to live. No matter how many roads I’ve been on, there’s always one I haven’t taken. That’s what makes it exciting.”

If you are going to explore America by car it's best to do it in car you love and enjoy. “I bought my Volvo P1800 on a Friday and immediately fell in love,” Gordon recalled. “I couldn’t stop driving the car. It was a holiday weekend, and I brought the car back to the dealership the following Monday for its 1,500-mile service.”

Some might be wondering what's next for Irv Gordon and his seemingly unstoppable quest for more miles on his Volvo P1800. “Everyone asks, what’s next? Well, I’ll keep driving my Volvo P1800 to auto shows and taking trips across the country. Not much will change. But whether I drive four million miles is more up to me than it is the car. The car may be able to take it, but I’m not so sure about me.”

Do you think could get 500,000 miles out of the your current car? What about 1 million? What would you do to ensure that you get the most miles out of your car?

Idiot drives over Cop’s foot in his Ferrari 458 Italia

I've seen a lot of stupid shit and lot of people doing stupid shit in my life, but this video of a rich web entrepreneur driving over a cop's foot in his Ferrari 458 Italia might take the cake!

The man in the video is Julien Chabbott and he is trying to avoid getting a ticket in New York City by driving away in his red Ferrari 458 Italia before a cop can issue a parking ticket and place it on his car. Chabbott isn't a careful driver though as he accidnetially drives over the cop's foot in his Ferrari 458 Italia.

In the video you can see the cop get visibly upset and he yells at Chabbot “Your on my foot!” The cop then goes over and forcibly takes Chabbot out of the car and arrests him with the help of a fellow officer. Chabbot was charged with assault, vehicular assault, disorderly conduct and obstruction of governmental administration. Probably with a good lawyer though I am sure he just did some community service and got off. (The video is from August of 2013.)

Chabbot ran a company called Line Snob, which is a smartphone app for checking wait times. Good idea but it doesn't seem like the site is working. At least this auto writer can't get the site to load!

The blonde girl in the video is Stephanie Pratt who is best known for being on MTV”s “The Hills.” Something I haven't watched but a lot of people have. At the time of the video Julien Chabbott and Stephanie Pratt were dating, but they broke up a couple months after the video. I wonder if she realized he wasn't that smart even if he has a Ferrari 458 Italia. At least she got to drive the Ferrari after he got arrested.

I know it sucks getting parking tickets or any tickets, but why not just let the cop give you the ticket? If you drive Ferrari 458 Italia and have (well had) a TV star girlfriend I think you should be able to pay a parking ticket. Some people like doing it the hard way I guess.

[Source – FoxNews]

2012 Teens Drive Smart Video Contest Wants You to Win $50,000 in College Scholarships

Bridgestone recently opened up submissions for their 2012 Teens Drive Smart Video Contest. This contest gives students the chance to showcase their creative movie making skills, while trying to grab part of $50,000 in college scholarships Bridgestone is giving away.

The Teens Drive Smart Video Contest is looking for short automotive safety-themed videos, which encourages drivers to make good decisions behind the wheel. A good example for a theme would be “Don't text while driving.” (Something I am sure you don't do… right?)

Students who are between the ages 16-21 years old are eligible to enter. If you want to submit a video to be judged by Bridgestone the deadline is June 22nd, 2012.

After receiving the video submissions Bridgestone will have a panel of judges determine the Top 10 videos. These Top 10 will then be posted on Youtube, so the public can vote on on their favorites. The three videos that receive the most votes will win the coveted scholarships; The Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000; second place receives $15,000 and third place receives $10,000. Not too bad if you ask me!

The scholarships are not the only prize in the competition. The Grand Prize winner will have their video air on the MTV Jumbotron in Times Square in New York City during August. Just try to imagine the awesomeness of your video up on a Jumbotron!

Also, the Top 10 Finalists of the contest will have the chance to have their video used as a public service announcement (PSA) on television stations across the United States. In addition they will receive a new set of four Bridgestone or Firestone branded tires.

If you are interested in submitting a video, keep in mind your submission should make viewers be more more safety-conscious when using their vehicles. In addition the video should effectively and creatively communicate the message you are trying to get across. Last year's winner Amber Cullen won with her video, “The Phone Bandit.” You can also view last prior's winners via Teens Drive Smart website to get a better idea of what you should do for your video.

Each year the videos get more creative, fun, and interesting. I assume this year's contest won't be any different.

I am not eligible for this contest, but if I were I would try to use something crazy and fun. Like my talented singing dogs! (We even made an appearance on Anderson with Anderson Cooper at Lincoln Center! :))

Anyway, try to remember it’s not just about getting a scholarship for college but helping make people more aware of dangerous driving habits. Your video can potentially create safer drivers on our roads.

For more info and to submit a video visit: http://www.teensdrivesmart.com

Australian Billionaire to Build Titanic II and Claims “It won’t sink!” [Video]

Do you want a chance to actually see and ride aboard the famous Titanic which sunk over 100 years ago? Clive Palmer, an Australian billionaire, is betting you do as he just announced he will be building the “Titanic II.”

Only a few weeks after the 100th anniversary of the original Titanic sinking, Fox News has reported that Mr. Palmer has commissioned and signed an agreement with the Chinese company, CSC Jinlin Shipyard, to help him reconstruct and build a new Titanic, which is being dubbed “Titanic II.”

It is important to note the new Titanic won't be a miniature replica or something stupid ridiculous. It will be a real recreation of the White Star Line's ship that was supposed to be “unsinkable.”

The plan is for a historical research team to help recreate the new Titanic to same dimensions as the original Titanic, and it will feature the same stunning 9 decks and 840 rooms

Construction of the ship is set to start sometime in 2013 and should be completed in 3 years. The plan is for the Titanic II to take the same route, without sinking obviously, from England to New York.

“It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic, but … will have state-of-the-art 21st-century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems,” said an excited Palmer in a statement. He thinks the Titanic II will be “a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who worked on the original Titanic.”

It won't be an exact replica, as there will be differences in how the boat is powered. Instead of using coal to chug across the ocean it will have a large diesel engine. The bow will be more bulbous for great fuel efficiency and the rudder and bow thruster will be larger so it can maneuver better.

It will have four smoke-stacks, like the original Titanic which was powered by coal, but those will be just be decorative and for fun.

Mr. Palmer was asked if the Titanic II would sink, his reply, “Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it!” however he added, “It is going to be designed so it won’t sink. It will be designed as a modern ship with all the technology to ensure that doesn't happen.”

We all hope this is true. I also hope Mr. Palmer puts enough lifeboats on the ship this time. Let's not make the same mistake twice!

Titanic II is the first of four luxury cruise ships Mr. Palmer has commissioned the Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard to build for him under his new company, Blue Star Line Pty. Ltd.

The cost of building the Titanic II has not yet been revealed. Hopefully Mr Palmer doesn't need to spend too much of his coal mining money to build it.

There have been other attempts to rebuild and recreate the Titanic, but most failed due to lack of financing. I doubt Mr. Palmer will have that problem as his estimated net worth is more than $5 billion dollars

When the original Titanic sunk 100 years ago, more than 1,500 people died. The vessel struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City on April 14th, 1912. The Titanic sunk less than three hours later.

At the time the Titanic was a symbol of the Industrial capabilities and was the world's largest and most luxurious ocean liner ever created.

Of course the Titanic is now most famous and iconic for being the subject and title of the 1997 James Cameron movie “Titanic.” This vaulted Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet into super stardom. (It also vaulted Leonardo DiCaprio into the hearts of girls and women everywhere.) The movie “Titanic” was recently released in 3D and is playing in theaters currently.

The real question most people are asking right now is, “Would you buy a ticket on the Titanic II?”