Minivan ads are usually focused on touting features that appeal to the families that buy them. Airbags to keep you safe, entertainment to keep the kids happy, powerful engines to cut down on “Are we there yet?” In a rare moment of humor in the segment, Dodge has commissioned a couple ads that are totally out of left field.

Both ads show off the Caravan’s infotainment features like TV screens, wi-fi capability and voice activated GPS, albeit in the wackiest way possible. The first ad, reminicisent of BMW’s short film “Ticker” seems to involve a government conspiracy, an African military officer and some unsanctioned surgery. The second clip, is actually pretty funny, but had weird echoes of the graphic novel “Maus“. View the commercials here.

[Source: Autoblog]

Audi‘s new R8 supercar has taken the top four grid spots at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, with the Porsche 911 GT3 R taking fifth through seventh. Porsche’s GT3 R Hybrid placed an impressive ninth, followed by yet another R8 in 10th.

The R8 represents a new challenger to the traditionally dominant 911, however the GT3 R Hybrid is expected to have a significant edge in fuel consumption. Also competing are two Lexus LFAs, which have managed to qualify first and second in their respective classes and 25th and 28th overall.

The race starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday. We’ll be sure to provide updates on the result.

Gazoo Racing is fielding a pair of Lexus LFAs this weekend at the famed 24 Hours of Nürburgring race. These V10 racecars are out to prove a point; the Lexus LFA is a true contender on and off the track and a genuine entry in the supercar world.

Despite unsuccessful entries in the past with the LFA at Nürburgring, Gazoo Racing is paving the way during the qualifying sessions. The two cars, #50 and #51, are heading their class after the second round of qualifying. The #50 car set a time of 8:50.034 and will be driven in the race by Kinoshita, Iida, Wakisaka and Ohshima. The #51 car, set to be driven by Hahne, Krumbach and Lotterer, is in second with an 8:53.156. Third place came in fashionably late with a 9:11.909 effort from the Aston Martin V12 Vantage driven by Porritt, Meaden, Mathai and Cate.

It looks like all the testing sessions has really paid off for the Gazoo Racing team. We’ll be keeping our eyes out this weekend on how well the LFAs will maintain their status at one of the most famous race in the entire world.

[Source: Gazoo Racing]

GALLERY: Gazoo Racing Lexus LFAs

Ferrari is letting go of one of the most important pieces of machinery in the company’s history, an engine from the F2002 race car, and it can be yours for a mere $70,000.

The 3.0L V10 puts out 830 horsepower,  but any fantasies you have have about putting it in your ride should be shoved aside, as the engine comes mounted on a special display base lacquered in Ferrari red. However, you do get a wonderful piece of Formula 1 history, as the V10 helped propel Ferrari to the Drivers and Constructors Championship in 2002, with the F2002 being named as one of the best greatest F1 cars of all time.

From time to time, the local Ferrari showroom will have one of these non-working engines on display, and it is a must-see item. From the beautiful carbon fiber intake trumpets, to the delicate fuel injectors hanging off the hand machined rail and the wonderful, serpentine-like exhaust manifold, this engine shouldn’t be seen as an expensive paperweight, but as an automotive objet a’rt. Whether it’s worth 70 grand is your call.

[Source: Top Speed]

Ford is sticking by its slow-selling Flex crossover despite the distinctive box-on-wheels failing to meet its sales targets, and a host of internal competition in the form of a re-designed Ford Edge and an all-new Ford Explorer.

The Flex was marketed as a family-hauler after Ford killed its Freestar minivan in 2006. However Ford is launching an all-new Explorer SUV that will move from a truck platform to a car based unit. Ford is hoping to cast a wider net with the new Explorer, attracting buyers who want a more traditional vehicle and would normally consider a minivan or large SUV.

Sales of the Flex are up by nearly 15% this quarter, but they lag behind General Motors own competitiors, as well as the current Explorer, which is up over 41%. While the Flex has been praised for its good driving dynamics and powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, the slab-sided styling has polarized consumers into “love it” and “hate it” camps.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

GM and Google are reportedly working on a deal that would see the integration of Google’s Android mobile phone operating system and GM’s Onstar telematics system.

Potentially scenarios being discussed involve Android phone users being able to use OnStar features outside of their car, while GM vehicle owners can use Android to keep track of service intervals, or in the case of the Chevrolet Volt, data regarding vehicle range and battery charging.

A GM/Google partnership would represent a significant challenge to Ford and Microsoft’s SYNC system, which is primarily an in-car entertainment system, albeit with significant voice activated functions designed to minimize driver distractions.

[Source: Automotive News]

Rally driving requires serious concentration on both the part of the driver and co-driver. If the co-driver reads stage notes wrong, or a driver doesn’t react quickly, a crash and possible rollover is almost a given. Many seasoned rally drivers have trained themselves to ignore the spectators along the sides of the stage, but one man distracts Mark Tapper in his prepared Mitsubishi Lancer in a most interesting way, by showing him his ass. The distraction is enough for Tapper to overshoot the next corner during the Rally New Zealand race and end up on his roof. Amazing video after the jump.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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Last month we posted up the video of SP Engineering’s record setting pass in a pair of Nissan GT-R’s equipped with GReddy’s TD06SH 20G turbo upgrade kit. A video has now surfaced showing the details of GReddy’s turbo upgrade kit for the Nissan GT-R and it’s worth a watch, even if you don’t own one yourself.

Over the last decade and change GReddy has established itself as one of the premier bolt-on turbo kit manufacturers in the world. They made their claim to fame with many street legal kits for various applications ranging from Hondas to Nissans to Toyotas and Mitsubishis. Their single turbo upgrades for the Supra were infamous, and many Eclipse owners raved over the performance and reliability of their various 4G63 upgrades.

So it’s no surprise that GReddy’s TD06SH 20G upgrade for the Nissan GT-R has already had such huge success. Teaming up with SP Engineering, they have done numerous record setting 9-second passes on not just one GT-R, but two. Both these GT-Rs are entirely streetable, so it’s hard not to be envious of the owners. So for those having GT-Rs and craving even more power (we can’t blame you), take GReddy’s newest upgrade into consideration.

Video after the break, don’t miss it!

[Source: GT-R Blog]

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SEAT, Volkswagen‘s Spanish subsidiary, has been given five years to restructure or else VW will be forced to shut down or sell the ailing Spanish brand. While SEAT’s cars are known for offering excellent value with an emphasis on performance rather than luxury. But despite positive reviews from auto journalists, this hasn’t translated into sales for the brand, with sales falling 8.5 percent in 2009. SEAT’s Spanish factory is only working at 60 percent capacity, something VW considers unacceptable. The factory is capable of producing 500,000 cars a year and must be run at 80 percent capacity to turn a profit.

After losing $140 million year-to date, Volkswagen is at the end of its patience with the group, and SEAT head James Muir is aware, describing the last-ditch effort as “the last attempt for SEAT as a brand.”

[Source: Autocar]

Mercedes-Benz is conducting customer clinics to determine whether their B-Class compact car is suitable for sales in the U.S. market. The B-Class is currently sold in Canada, where its five-door quasi-hatchback bodystyle is extremely popular, but small cars have traditionally struggled in the United States.

If the B-Class does come to America, it won’t make it until the new B-Class is released in 2012. Mercedes is looking to determine whether the hatchback, or another configuration like a sedan, coupe or crossover is most appropriate. American Mercedes dealers have protested the B-Class’ inclusion into the lineup, saying the vehicle does not fit into the brand’s luxury image.

[Source: Automotive News]