You know that guy who just cut you off? Would it be great to tattle on him? That would really show him. Well, guess what? Now there’s an app for that. Yep, the DriveMeCrazy app let you report bad drivers and will make you feel like you’ve done your part to make roads a little bit safer.

Developed by Shazam co-founder Philip Inghelbrecht, DriveMeCrazy is an iPhone voice-activated app that encourages drivers to report bad behavior by reciting the offender’s license plate into your phone. The bad driver gets “flagged” and receives a virtual “ticket.” Sure, this might not sound very intimidating… until you find out all that info (which includes time, date and location) is sent to the DMV and insurance companies.

Even if you’re not on the road, you can still write drivers tickets – that means pedestrians and cyclists can get in on the fun. The program went live last week and drivers can’t opt out of being flagged – no one is safe from being tattled on. In regards to privacy issues, Inghelbrecht is emphatic insists the end of road-going anonymity can only improve safety.

“People think they can do bad things on the road because they think they can get away with it,” he said. “I believe that driving is one of the most public acts that you could ever do. One small mistake can impact the lives of those around you.”

Do you think the app will actually improve things on the road or can you see it causing problems for innocent drivers? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Source: Wired]

You can help make a wish come true by test driving a Saab.

If you’re after that warm, tingly feelings this holiday season, head to a Saab dealership, because the automaker will donate $50 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation each time a prospective customer test drives one of its cars before January 3rd. Not only is it a great way to get more people into the dealership and create some buzz about the company’s line-up, but it’s also an easy way for you to contribute to a great cause (and giving you those warm, fuzzy feelings you crave).

Here’s how it works: a licensed driver makes their way to a Saab dealership, fills out a simple registration form, and test drives an all-new Saab vehicle. Saab with then donate $50 to Make-A-Wish, an organization that has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions by granting wishes since 1980. It really is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

[Source: AutoMedia]

Originally intended primarily for the U.S. market, when it was launched for the 1990 model year, Lexus has since grown to become a world wide brand, but it’s the global aspect that’s causing headaches for parent company Toyota.

According to Karl Schlicht, general manager of Global Lexus marketing and product planning, “it’s very simple when you’ve got one market,” but “you have multiple regions now – like Europe wanting one direction, Japan another and China coming on, that gets complicated.”

Schlicht’s solution to this problem is what he sees as a type of progressive luxury, where social responsibility counts just as much as power and exclusivity, factors that can likely help the brand connect with a greater number of buyers in different parts of the world. To that end, future Lexus models will adopt more expressive styling, greater use of hybrid driveline technologies and onboard telematics.

In addition, Lexus will broaden the range of sport packages, offering them on the RX and new entry-level CT models as well as the IS sedan. These sport packages will incorporate different suspension and chassis tuning and where applicable, more performance oriented driveline features.

Also in the works is a new coupe, to replace the previous SC, along with some new SUVs, but while those are some of the things we can expect down the road, in the meantime and particularly here in the U.S., Lexus has it’s eye on  the number 1 luxury sales spot again for 2011, though Schlicht says that moving forward, they’ll be less of an emphasis on the heavy incentives to move metal off the lots, though so far, it’s been these very incentives that have enabled the brand to hold onto that coveted market position, ahead of BMW.

[Source: Automotive News]

Hamann previously released its first Victory iteration with the original Lamborghini Gallardo and now they’ve followed it up with the Victory II on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. The tuning package’s main focal point is its widebody conversion along with plenty more additional carbon fiber parts and increased engine performance.

Hamann equips the Gallardo LP560-4 with new wing doors on the Victory II, in true traditional Lamborghini fashion. The front bumper is very much race-inspired and features a center carbon fiber diffuser. The fender blisters gives the Lp560-4 a wider stance with extended side skirts to match, while the rear receives a new diffuser and rear wing. The hood, spoiler and the air intake on the roof are available in carbon fiber..

For wheels, Hamann has matched the Victory II with a set of 20-inch Edition Race wheels with a unique finish to match the theme of the exotic. The wheels are sized with a 20×9.5-inch pair on the front, while the rear is equipped with 20×13-inchers.

Horsepower increases from 560-hp to 580-hp with 424 lb-ft of torque. This is done through an ECU retune while the note of the car is certainly changed with new mufflers to the exhaust.

The interior is overlaid with a 14-piece carbon fiber interior kit while Hamann also offers carbon fiber-backed sport seats. And of course, anything in the interior can be reupholstered or customized to the customer’s desires.

GALLERY: Hamann Victory II Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

Jay Leno might be best known as a late night talk show host, but to automotive enthusiasts he’s regarded as a genuine car guy – and one that just happens to have millions of dollars to spend on his hobby.

But instead of packing his garage full of rare Ferraris or the latest Bugatti (even if he has those too), Leno has a preference for the obscure, the wild and wacky and… the Chevrolet Volt.

That’s right, yesterday Leno was one of the first customers in the world to pick up his Volt from Rydell Chevrolet in Nothridge, CA. He even made time to talk to the cameras about the Volt and insisted it would be his daily driver.

Leno is a proponent of the technology behind the Volt, saying that pure electric cars will only, “take you half way to where you want to go,” and that, “electricity is like sex, everybody lies about it.”

See more of what Jay has to say in the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

You might be thinking to yourself that Chrysler has already released full details on the new 2011 version of its popular 300 sedan, but you’d only be partially right. While we have already seen the revamped machine, Chrysler has just released a new selection of photos that really showcase the attractive lines of the barge – plus, we’re finally getting a look at the interior.

We’ll hold back on full judgement until we drive the car, but it looks to be the significant improvement that Chrysler promised. Plus, there’s a seriously large Nav screen.

In case you missed the earlier reports, the 300 will be available with Chrysler’s new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 and optional 5.7-liter V8 with new cylinder deactivation technology to help save fuel.

We’ll bring you more details from the official debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 10th.

GALLERY: 2011 Chrysler 300C

In case the months of build-up and big reveal weren’t enough for you, we now have video of BMW‘s 1 Series M Coupe to share. Better yet, it’s alongside it’s historical inspiration: the E30 M3. (Yummy!)

In case you’ve been living under an oil pan, the 1M Coupe uses the company’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six to make 335-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque, plus there’s an overboost function that much like in the Z4 sDrive35is or 335is, helps deliver an extra 37 ft-lbs. Using a six-speed manual transmission (the only one available), the 1M Coupe can hit 60-mph in just 4.7 seconds – meaning that if BMW were to offer a DCT that number would easily be 4.5.

BMW will show the car for the first time at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January and we’ll be sure to bring you plenty of photos of the new sports car then.

GALLERY: BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Check out the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Set to officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks time, yesterday Ford released full details on its new C-Max MPV, including info on the industry first hands-free liftgate.

It’s tied in to the same type of sensor in the key fob that allows for keyless access and allows you to open the liftgate by simply motioning with your foot under the rear bumper. (Genius, we know). To help demonstrate just how easy and effective it is, Ford has released a video highlighting the feature.

If that’s got your interest in the C-Max, then you might also want to know that it seats 7 in a 5+2 configuration, has sliding side doors and can even be had with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 168-hp and 173 ft-lbs of torque.

GALLERY: 2012 Ford C-Max

Check out the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Nissan is set to showcase nine models at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon, with the star certain to be the GT-R RC (Racing Edition).

Based on the production GT-R, the Racing Edition is built by NISMO specifically for track duty and will meet FIA standards allowing it to race in different series throughout the world. It will come with a roll cage, 120-liter fuel cell, air jacks and feature racing slicks and a custom suspension.

In addition to this car and several others, Nissan will also put the focus on tuning with two modified vehicles: the Juke and the Leaf. Starting with the Leaf, Nissan will unveil what it calls the Leaf Aero Style Concept. Essentially a Leaf with a wild body kit, Nissan intends to showcase what the future of electric cars might look like.

As for the Juke, it will be shown with a ‘Sporty Package’ including numerous accessories like 17-inch aluminum wheels. Nissan has said the parts will be offered in North America and Europe in the future.

Get the full details on all nine cars in the official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

2010 couldn’t have gone more right for Ford, and it probably couldn’t have been much worse for Toyota. As a result, the two automakers will swap positions in the U.S. sales race, with Ford moving into the No. 2 spot just behind General Motors.

Over the past year Ford has seen its market share jump from 15.3 percent to 16.4 percent while Toyota’s share of the important U.S. market has dropped to 15.2 percent amid recall woes. Toyota’s problems haven’t been helped by the fact that most of its vehicles are getting on in their product cycles.

The gain for Ford is the largest since the 1980s with the 2010 growth coming after similar success in 2009, marking the first time since 1993 that the Blue Oval has seen consecutive years of market share gain.

Ford’s success is due to numerous factors, including a long list of new products, some incredible marketing and the overall positive reaction the brand has had with consumers after it was the only U.S. automaker to fight through the recession without a bailout.

[Source: The Detroit News]