Porsche has released a unique application called the Porsche 360° app for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. This app allows for an up-close driving experience without actually sitting inside one of the sports cars.

The app allows users to ride shotgun, alongside Porsche driver Jeroen Bleekemolen for a lap around the Zandvoort circuit. While in the simulator, the user can choose any viewing angle by moving the Apple product into the according direction.

This app is currently only available in The Netherlands, but is also in the App store in co-operation with Porsche AG.

Check out the Porsche 360° video after the jump!

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[Source: GT Spirit]

Zipcar’s interesting business model has inspired others to think outside the box when it comes to car rentals and now Getaround is looking to add technology to the mix in coming up with a very interesting solution.

Essentially Getaround is looking to unleash a viable way of peer-to-peer car rentals, where those offering the rental cars would be everyday people like yourself and those looking to rent the cars would be the same everyday person. Getaround would provide the infrastructure and marketing/advertising while you provide the vehicle for rental and the result is a 60/40 split, in Getaround’s favor of course.

Essentially the success of this program lies on how many people are willing to let anyone and everyone access to their vehicle. But as Getaround co-founder states, the average vehicle in the United States sits for 22 hours – that’s a lot of hours you’re paying to not use the vehicle. So why not rent it out?

Cautious ones can be reassured that Getaround has full coverage and an insurance backer, though they didn’t disclose who is underwriting them. The rates seem reasonable per hour, with a Mini Cooper running around $5.50, a BMW Z4 for $15.00, and a Tesla Roadster for a nice $50. Whether or not your share of the profit really covers the depreciation that’s going on with your vehicle as its being driven for those hours can still be debated, but those that really don’t sit there and put mathematical sense to everything could easily have their lease payment covered if they just watch the mileage.

Getaround is currently offering beta testing of the program in San Francisco and San Diego, California. The network of available vehicles is obtained through an iPhone app and those wishing to rent out their vehicles will receive a car kit that sits on the dash. Once someone has decided which car they wish to rent, the app will let them know the location and they’ll be able to unlock the vehicle at which point they’ll have to find the key that’s hidden somewhere in the inside.

GALLERY: Getaround Car Rental System

[Source: Autoblog]

Volkswagen is leading the rush to tablet-based publishing with the creation of a new magazine exclusively for the Apple iPad. Called “Digital Automotive Space” or DAS, the magazine can be obtained via a special app that can be downloaded by iPad users. The magazine will be published quarterly, and features articles, technical information and interactive images, like 360 degree views of cars, in 5 languages. Volkswagen plans to launch a web based version for standard computers sometime after the app’s launch.

Volkswagen has previously partnered with Apple for the 2010 GTI launch, introducing a driving game highlighting the car, while giving away six real GTIs to lucky players.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

It seems like everyone absolutely has to make an app for everything nowadays, and Rolls-Royce‘s marketing department didn’t skip a beat in jumping on the bandwagon. The free app released by Rolls-Royce gives users the ability to customize their own Rolls-Royce Ghost, similar to what is seen on their online website customization.

So if you’re looking to impress that fine lady at the bar by showing off your car, head on over to the app store and download the app and get to customizing. You’ll be able to go through 12 colors, three kinds of wheels, eight shades of leather and five types of veneer highlights. And once you pick up that dream girl by showing off your fake car, you’ll be able to hit up the convenient dealer locator to place yours on order before she finds out you’re just a fraud.

[Source: Carscoop]

Ever seen a Volkswagen with a little white Mac apple decal on the back? Of course you have. VWs and Macs go together like Beer and bratwurst. Volkswagen has decided to work with its fan base and launch the new 2010 GTI using Mac’s App Store, where you can now download a free racing video game featuring the new 2010 GTI.

As though that wasn’t already cooler than a Weezer t-shirt and some dark rimmed Emo glasses, Volkswagen will give away one special edition GTI each week for the next six weeks. Ever time you play the Real Racing GTI App you get the chance to win one of the custom cars, which feature black 18-inch wheels, a carbon-look interior trim, unique stitching on the headrests and a numbered plaque.

The Real Racing GTI App also lets competitors send message to other drivers via Twitter, as well as upload videos onto YouTube.

The game is offered for the iPhone and iPod touch and is free. Just visit the App Store on your phone of visit www.itunes.com/appstore.

And be sure to read our review of the 2010 GTI here:

2010 Volkswagen GTI First Drive

Official release after the jump:

Volkswagen Becomes First Auto Manufacturer To Launch a Car Exclusively on a Mobile Device

Free Real Racing GTI Game Brings Volkswagen All-New 2010 GTI to iPhone and iPod touch

Six U.S. Players Will Each Win One of Six Customized Limited-Edition GTI MkVI Vehicles Through December 2

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the launch of the all-new 2010 GTI via the App Store by making available a free version of the popular Firemint Real Racing game that exclusively features the all-new 2010 GTI. This is the first time an automotive manufacturer has used the App Store to launch a new vehicle. Additionally, users of the Real Racing GTI App in the U.S. can compete for the chance to win one of six, limited-edition 2010 GTIs that are fully-customized inside and out.

The free Real Racing GTI App is available worldwide and spares no detail, allowing players to experience every thrilling aspect of the all-new 2010 GTI right in the palms of their hands on iPhone and iPod touch. From the redesigned exterior with more aggressive headlights and the famous red-striped grille, to the sporty interior with a race-inspired steering wheel, the all-new 2010 GTI races its way to life on the screen for a thrilling gaming experience.

“With the personalization of media and the challenges inherent with reaching constantly connected consumers, we tasked ourselves to rethink the way we launch vehicles in order to engage our consumers in a meaningful way,” said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices – most often an iPhone. Launching the all-new 2010 GTI via the Real Racing GTI App allows us to connect with this savvy GTI consumer within his or her everyday life in a way that no 30-second spot ever could.”

U.S.-registered players enjoying the action of the Real Racing GTI App will be challenged to put their skills to the test for a chance to win one of six limited-edition 2010 GTI models. The more they play, the more chances they have to win. Each week for six consecutive weeks beginning today, one player will be chosen to win the ultimate racing prize: the exclusive GTI MkVI, an individually-numbered, specially-tuned version of the legendary hatchback. Each model includes the GTI’s 2.0T 200hp four-cylinder engine, a performance tuned suspension finished with black, Volkswagen motorsport 18-inch all-new wheels, and special interior touches, including carbon fiber-look trim, a numbered dash plaque, and unique stitching in the front headrests. For more information on the competition please visit: www.vw.com/RealRacingGTI.

Given the ever-increasing prominence of social networking in the lives of the games’ target consumers, Real Racing GTI includes several features designed to foster social connectivity. These include the ability of players to send messages to their competitors via Twitter and to capture and upload videos of their best laps to the game’s YouTube channel for international bragging rights. Additionally, GTI MkVI buyers will also be able to configure their vehicles, modeled after the six prize cars, at participating Volkswagen dealerships throughout the U.S.

The Real Racing GTI App is available for free from the App Store on the iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest, which officially ends on December 2 at 11:59PM.

For more about the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, the Real Racing GTI game, and an in-depth look at the six GTI prize editions that are waiting to hit the streets, please visit www.media.vw.com.