Citroën was once the company bizarre enough to dabble in hydraulic suspensions, power steering, and swiveling headlights before anyone else. It’s good to see that legacy of damn-it-all innovation carry through to today, where the Gallic carbuilder has mounted the brakes in the passenger side.

Not on purpose, anyway. Turns out that the C3 Picasso is interesting enough to be sold in England, and upon its right-hand conversion, the brake hardware was left in the, uh, left side. If a passenger pushes down hard enough, he or she can actually stop the car, leading to side-splitting spousal sitcom shenanigans.

20,000 examples of the French breadbox are currently being recalled, and the company hasn’t seen any other examples of this practical joke issue in other British-converted vehicles. Remember: it’s not broken, it’s “quirky.” You know, like Amélie.

[Source: Autoblog]

Here’s one way of getting your point across in regards to obeying the speed limit – in New York City, the Department of Transportation will flash a skeleton to scare you into going 30 miles per hour.

Set to be launched this summer, a radar-equipped, custom-designed speed board will spook drivers who go above the 30 mph speed limit on city streets with an LED skeleton.  This bony fellow reminds drivers of the deadly consequences of speeding, playing on the pedestrian stick-figure showcased on crosswalk lights.

Part of the Transportation Department’s “That’s Why It’s 30″ advertising campaign, the skeleton stars on bus shelter ads and television spots that warns drivers about the dangers that speeding vehicles pose to pedestrians. There’s no word about where these boards will be placed,  but we think wherever they go, they will get their point across.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg compared the signs to cigarette packs that feature a skull-and-crossbones label to warn about lung cancer: “Unless you make it graphic, people don’t get the message,” he said.

Do you think these signs will do the trick and get drivers to slow down to 30 mph? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

[Source: The New York Times]

[Source: Left Lane News]

Chevrolet‘s popular Volt is getting a production boost—GM is increasing annual production from 15,000 to 16,000 per year.

GM is gearing up to build the European version of the Volt: of this new 16,000-vehicle figure, approximately 3,500 will be sold in Europe as the Opel Ampera. About 2,500 jobs are expected to be added to the Detroit-Hamtramck plant as a bonus. But by next year, however, GM hopes to skyrocket Volt’s production figures: 60,000 vehicles annually, with 45,000 remaining in the country.

The production increases are lofty, but still short of GM’s expectations. CEO Dan Akerson said last week that GM hopes to pump out even more Volts: 25,000 this year, and eventually more than 100,000 per year. With supply shortages still raging in Japan, this might be more challenging than GM expects; as such, they are monitoring demand for the Volt and other electric cars closely.

[Source: Auto Observer]

A $30 million federal- government grant, half funded by the Department of Energy is development of a high efficiency Cummins four-cylinder diesel engine to be used in the Nissan Titan.

This engine will allow the Titan to shed its guzzler status and become one of the most fuel-efficient full size pickup trucks on the market. This 2.8-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder will likely boast over 30 mpg on the highway and promises to deliver as much torque as small-displacement gasoline V-8s. The Cummins ISF engine is offered in 2.8 and 3.8-liter displacements is capable of 168-hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. This engine is being developed for use in the next generation 2015 Nissan Titan.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

A very rare Lamborghini Diablo GTR is being sold through Symbolic Motors  in San Diego, California. Only 30 of these cars were ever built from 1999 to 2000.

Of these 30, only two or three have never seen the track including this one. Only 1,255 kilometers are on the odometer making this car very unique. This 6.0-liter V12 GTR produces 600 horsepower mated to a five speed manual gearbox. The car also features a full roll cage, fire suppression system, pneumatic jacks and a free- flowing exhaust. The dealer is asking $699,999, if you’re interested.

[Source: Motor Authority]

You may not have been around to be a hippy in the 1960s, but it’s not too late to enjoy the pleasures of the VW Camper Van. Only this time around, it’s a little more environmently friendly.

The VW Camper Van Tent doesn’t spew emissions, but it is a pretty cool way to camp out. It’s officially licensed by Volkswagen and is a full size replica of the 1965 Camper Van. While all those other tents on the campground look the same, you’ll stand out with yours, which is available in yellow, red or blue. When pitched, it stand up to5 feet and 11 inches and is divided into two rooms, sleeping 2 people in each one.

You can pre-order the VW Camper Van Tent for £299.99 (approx $486) from FireBox. They’ll be shipping them out starting August 25th 2011.

[Source: Coolest Gadgets]

Nissan is looking to strengthen some key plants in an effort to minimize damage from future earthquakes starting with the heavily damaged Iwaki engine plant in the Fukushima prefecture.

The Iwaki plant is being repaired ahead of schedule, receiving a reinforced foundation costing $37 million USD. Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan, stated that the facility will be repaired first out of necessity.

Even with the high cost to strengthen the foundation of plants, studies have shown that the next big earthquake could come sonner than later. The Prime Minister of Japan recently shut down the Chubu Electric Power Co. nuclear plant because studies show an 87 percent likelihood of a high- magnitude earthquake occurring in the next 30 years.

[Source: Autoblog]

Ferrari launched its first official store in Barcelona, coinciding with Spanish driver Fernando Alonso’s, Formula one contract extension, set to last until 2016.

The store opened at number 44 Paseo de Garcia in the heart of Barcelona with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa hosting the event with a brand-new Ferrari FF. This store joins other prestigious locations such as Rome, New York, Abu Dhabi, London and Johannesburg.

The store will features a section designated to the Scuderia racing team as well as men’s, women’s and children”s clothing. The bottom floor area will feature Ferrari’s GT and F1 section. Historic and contemporary Ferrari art work can be found throughout the store, reminding shoppers of the company’s rich racing history.

[Source: Motor Ward]

If you think it’s not possible to have fun in a hybrid, then you need to take a good look at this Gymkhana-prepped Honda CR-Z out in Japan. It looks like this CR-Z was out competing at a Gymkhana event when its really stiff suspension was put to the ultimate test.

From what we can observe from the decals on the CR-Z, it’s obviously running on Dunlop Direzza rubber wrapping a set of lightweight Ray’s wheels and has plenty of support from some of Japan’s finest manufacturers including 5Zigen, Blitz, Cusco and Kansai service. Whatever modifications it has done to it, we’re willing to bet it was a pretty fun ride to pilot around the course.

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: Farm of Minds]
Continue Reading…