DETROIT, 4:14 PM, FRI JUL 18 | 29 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@jalopnik.com | RSS
Posts Tagged “

Kotaku

”
cars of gta iv

Auto-Inspiration: The Real-Life Cars Behind Grand Theft Auto IV

It may not have the racing chops of say Gran Turismo 5 Prologue or Midnight Club: Los Angeles, Grand Theft Auto IV is still a big-title game for 2008 (probably the biggest wethinks) with some big-time automotive tie-ins. There are more than 100 different vehicles to play with, most of which are inspired in one way or another by real-life automotive counterparts. Click through to take a look at the purpose of driving in GTA4, and learn how some of the more notable in-game cars compare to their non-pixelated brethren. It's definitely become a two-way street between the automotive and video game industries. More »

Feature

4:00 PM on Wed Jun 4 2008
By Travis Hudson
67,318 views, 133 comments

Latest by tяs: @charles_barrett: Oh, Charles. Our sweet, gay Charles. more »

video games

Homemade Driving Sim Cockpit Made of E30 Parts, More Realistic Than Modern BMWs?

The cockpit of many modern cars may make the driver feel like they're in a video game, what with drive-by-wire steering, floppy-paddle gearboxes, and an array of electronic nannies. But what about a video game that makes you feel like you're in a real car? Thats what one Bimmerphile over at r3vlimited was apparently going for with this: a driving simulator cockpit that utilizes the ergonomic interior of an old E30 BMW 3-Series. But, this isn't just some junkyard seat sitting in front of a TV, everything is actually functional. The steering steers, the shifter shifts, the gauge needles pivot, the vents blow, the radio cranks out tunes, you even have to twist the key to restart the car if you stall out. Don't believe us? Check out the video.
More »

1:20 PM on Thu May 29 2008
By Mark Arnold
20,612 views, 66 comments

Latest by n/a: "call me when the seat moves and I can feel the G-forces. Until then it's just a mock-up toy" but we can drive drunk, and not worry about the cops :-D yes it's a logitech steering wheel. the gauge cluster is more »

2008 pontiac g8 gt

The Making Of The Pontiac G8 "Spy Hunter" Commercial, Or...

...there's another headline we could have used for this exclusive look at the making of the new Pontiac "Spy Hunter" commercial — "How Leo Burnett Got It's Groove Back." After the disaster that was the Cadillac Escalade Super Bowl commercial a couple years back, that's exactly what this ad — and the "Hot Wheels" companion commercial called "Mine" — for the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT may end up helping them accomplish. Talk about going from zero to hero. Anyway, it's kind of cool to see how the sausage gets made, right? You get to see how the G8 was transformed into "The Interceptor" and everything else from the faux-hipster / creative class team and all their inside jokes like "ceiling cat" and Johnnie the office dog. Makes us want to stay the hell away from advertising altogether. Well, except for Regina. She looks cute in a faux-hipster kind of way. What can we say? We dig the look. Also, the driving sim looks cool. Shit, we're just surprised we didn't see a foosball table. [Leo Burnett via Digitas]

12:35 PM on Thu May 1 2008
By Ray Wert
9,384 views, 34 comments

Latest by Skunky: @theeastbaykid: Then a G8 Camino commercial featuring Chase HQ! more »

new york auto show

Play With It: Top Seven Examples Of Automaker-Video Game Industry Love-Making In New York

There's a trend I'm beginning to notice around the massive halls of auto shows: scattered among the sheet metal, booth babes and PR flacks, there's a hell of a lot of video games — both your standard issue Xbox-PlayStation3 setups as well as the more elaborate simulators. Taking a look at just a few of the many examples that appeared at the New York Auto Show this past week, I think this is more than just a way of giving journalists something to do between press conferences — it's representative of a trend. Here's our carmaker-by-carmaker breakdown of what has to be construed as either a strategy of building "appeal with the youths" — or an attempt by the car companies to distract everyone from their impending new "Second Malaise Era" with flashing lights and loud noises.

More »

Feature

1:30 PM on Mon Mar 24 2008
By Travis Hudson
5,473 views, 16 comments

Latest by n/a: It is indeed interesting how the car manufacturers are increasingly involve companies/brands from other industries into their marketing and communication initiatives, especially at auto shows. You might find the following examples of car manufacturers co-operating with other industries interesting as well: Exclusively more »

new york auto show

Jalopnik Plays Midnight Club Los Angeles

After checking out the new S5S Raptor and the Dan Gurney Mustang at the Saleen stand, we decided to get behind the wheel controller and a have a test drive of a DUB-customized S302 Extreme— in the upcoming Midnight Club Los Angeles video game. We thought it was a good opportunity let our oldest most life-experienced Jalop, Matt DeBord, have a hand at the game. He knows LA pretty well, so we figured he'd have an advantage driving through the virtual city of angels. We soon found that while Matt may have life experience, he doesn't have so much experience with modern video games. Maybe we should have someone else here give the game a proper review. More »

Feature

4:21 PM on Fri Mar 21 2008
By Mark Arnold
3,029 views, 14 comments

Latest by OneWithNature: i like forza 2 better.I still own mc3 but i havent played it in a couple years. more »

test drives

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Guess who got handed the manual remote control pendant for BAE Systems' Black Knight fully autonomous tank? Yeh, I'm in as much shock as you are but can't stop thinking "Holy shit, I drove a robot tank! ROBOT. TANK." The 12-ton Unmanned Combat Vehicle (UCV) was developed by BAE Systems as an internal test bed for next generation technologies in ground warfare support. The Black Knight (we love the name, so take that Batman) is powered by a 300 HP Cat diesel and although it's quiet as a mouse is capable of up to 48 MPH. It's the largest robot with a safety release from the US military and has undergone field testing at Fort Benning. The tank can operate up to 15 MPH autonomously or by way of pendant in a command vehicle like an A3 Bradley from distances as far as three miles away. By the way, did I mention I DROVE A FREAKIN' ROBOT TANK? And now, since we did drive it, it's only fair to give it the good ol' Jalopnik Review treatment below the jump, star ratings and everything:

More »

Feature

2:59 PM on Wed Mar 12 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
20,922 views, 66 comments

Latest by SavannahJack: @sierran: Yeah, and no Hellbore, either. Still, I for one welcome this early model of our future robot overlords and wish them only victory and good maintenance. more »

industry news

Online Gamers Fleeing US Automakers Like Orcs Fleeing The Demon Aztheroc

As if domestic automakers didn't have enough problems lately, a new study by the Ziff Davis Game Group found that online gamers weren't moved by their offerings. Specifically, the survey found that though the majority of gamers own American-made cars, nearly 80% of those gamers are intending to buy an import. Of these, Toyota and Honda both make up 41% of expected purchases and Nissan makes up 25% (it's unclear if this includes Lexus/Infintit/Acura). Apparently, the Toyota WoW advertising is working. More »

9:30 AM on Tue Mar 4 2008
By Matt Hardigree
4,919 views, 41 comments

Latest by Yurikaze: I've actually had several car purchases influenced by videogames. MkIII Toyota Supra turbo: Gran Turismo Mitsubishi Evo VIII: Gran Turismo III '74 Plymouth Duster: Test Drive: Eve of Destruction Jaguar XK8 coupe: Test Drive Unlimited. The first three lived up well to their virtual counterparts, more »

video games

Dekotora Driving Game Revealed For Nintendo Wii, Our Minds Officially Blown

Take our love for driving sims like the Gran Turismo series and combine it with our fixation with dekotora trucks and you get what we consider to be the most Jalopnik game of all time: Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri. From what we can tell from the trailer, Japanese Elvis wants you to buy, customize and drive around in your own awesome dekotora. The driving dynamics don't seem to be outstanding, but the customization setup appears to go beyond merely choosing parts and colors. In the true dekotora tradition, users can use their own Wii painting skills to create an airbrushed dragon masterpiece.
More »

2:00 PM on Sat Mar 1 2008
By Matt Hardigree
17,291 views, 43 comments

Latest by Tanshanomi: Why is it that men speaking in Japanese always sound like they are saying something REALLY important? more »

detroit auto show

Detroit Auto Show: Hummer HX Concept, Would-Be Halo 3 Strike Vehicle

GM rolled out its Halo 3 Warthog doppelganger, the Hummer HX concept amid considerable pomp and circumstance around E85 Ethanol and other green technologies. GM's sales VP Mark Le Neve introduced the concept as a vehicle that'll get the kids to put down their Wii controllers and start climbing rocks IRL. No word on production plans, but we've been expecting a Jeep Wrangler/ Toyota FJ Cruiser competitor for a while. This may be it, though likely without the chain gun and plasma pistol.
More »

Feature

12:15 PM on Sun Jan 13 2008
By Travis Hudson
20,319 views, 39 comments

Latest by squablow: @FaaR: What car would you rather get hit by? As if getting hit by this and killed underneath it is better than getting hit by a low to the ground car and dying in the windshield? "what if this thing runs more »

gadgets

Need For Speed ProStreet Demo Hits Streets

Because some of us are older than dirt, we've got fond memories of rocking the Lamborghini Diablo VT on Need For Speed 2 for 3DO. (We were also probably listening to The Flaming Lips and under the influence of some kind of psychedelic root vegetable). Now, the most recent installment of EA's Need For Speed series, NFS ProStreet, is available to download for PC only ahead of its full launch next week. ProStreet includes new features such as the ability to tweak the car's internals, rather than just adding ridiculous body kits and paint. If you've seen the commercials, you also know the subject cars will show every drift-related scratch and dent. That means that when you race your friends online your R33 GT-R could end up looking like a LeMons racer. The game is due out November 14 stateside and will be available for PC, PS2, PS3, XBOX 360 and DS. [download right here via EuroGamer]

10:45 AM on Mon Nov 5 2007
By Matt Hardigree
3,078 views, 22 comments

Latest by 4.9 Port Fuel Injection BZR: NFS 2 defined my childhood, pretty much. Ever unlock the bonus Hollywood track, then shout in frustration because the T-Rex you're driving can't fit through the cave? Porsche Unleashed was what got me hooked onto 911s and still is the source more »

sema

SEMA 2007: Chevrolet Major League Baseball Silverado 1500 Lets You Look Even More Silly When You Play Wii Baseball

Oh look, it's another Chevy Silverado here at SEMA. This one's got a baseball paint theme incorporating every major league team logo just in time to celebrate the time of the season when only two teams are able to continue to play ball. Because when a baseball uber-fan thinks about what kind of truck they want to drive, they totally think driving around in a truck that's got not only your team's logo on it, but is also decked out in every other team's logos. But, there's other fun in here — like real baseball bat ash wood trim and leather seats that look and feel like a real baseball. Doesn't that sound so very comfortable? Oh wait, here's the kicker — a wide screen TV connected to a real live Wii system. Because nothing says "real live baseball action" like a game system who's baseball game plays like a steroid-enhanced home run derby contest. While we go and throw up into our vomit bags that look and feel like a real baseball glove, check out the press release from Chevy after the jump.
More »

12:01 AM on Mon Oct 29 2007
By Ray Wert
1,549 views, 15 comments

Latest by NovaloadMissesPolar: OK, yeah, I remember the groovy denim AMC..too much, too late.I don't want ash trim, I want a sturdy ash bat to defend myself against the people attacking my truck because it looks like it belongs on a kid's birthday more »

top gear

Top Gear Track, Episode Downloads Coming to Gran Turismo 5 And PS3

We've just heard some amazing news about the greatest automotive show on Earth, Top Gear. In fact, it was so amazing that despite it being 2:00 AM here in Tokyo (where we're at this week for the Tokyo Motor Show), it literally made us blink, swear under our breath, get up out of the chair and do a little jig. Here's what we've just learned (Thanks to Top tipster Thaddeus):
Top Gear has hooked up with Sony to make our iconic test track part of Gran Turismo 5. And as an office with the permanent distraction of a Playstation 2, race seat, force-feedback wheel and a copy of the current GT4, it's the best news we've had since Alonso missed out on the F1 championship.
Oh but wait, there's more...
More »

1:15 PM on Wed Oct 24 2007
By Ray Wert
12,792 views, 43 comments

Latest by mcguirev10: Apparently, I'm the only person who never thought their little test track was especially interesting. more »

gadgets

Is it Live or Is It Gran Turismo 5 Prologue? The Quiz

We have to admit, telling the difference between the photorealism of the upcoming Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and the real realism of, well, reality is harder than it sounds. We were absolutely positive about our answers the first time trying this quiz, and still got only 10 out of 14. Of course, we've been waiting for it since 2005 so the graphicals surely had to be this good. Think of where Britney Spears was in 2005; it's been a long road. (Thanks to Sidney for the tip.) [Generation Dream Team]

3:35 AM on Tue Oct 9 2007
By Mike Spinelli
9,780 views, 38 comments

Latest by Evander: ...got all 15 my first time... weee! It's harder than ever but most were still pretty obvious. more »

gadgets

Porsche 911 Steering-Wheel Controller for PS3!

What do you get for the vid-addicted fan of that arse-engined sports car that rhymes with Smorche? It's the Porsche 911 Turbo S steering-wheel controller, a fully licensed, to-spec reproduction of the leather-clad rudder that keeps new 911s on course. The force-feedback wheel is compatible with PCs and PS3s, and comes with sequential-action gear stick and wireless pedals, featuring a declining-resistance clutch and pressure-sensitive brake. It'll be available later this year at a price of $350. A special "Nordschliefe" edition will come with a USB memory stick in the shape of a Porsche key fob. Ich bin ein cyberbruce! (Click through for specs.)[Fanatec] More »

1:30 PM on Mon Oct 1 2007
By Mike Spinelli
25,200 views, 17 comments

Latest by n/a: I have a 08 Porsche 911 turbo I received last month that I absolutely adore. My sons birthday is next month and he loves cars so i went online to buy him this racing wheel and saw all this stuff more »

top gear

Free BMW Video Game Lets You Drive An M3 On A Virtual Nurburgring

For a minor download (only 345 MB — that's less than half the size of your average torrented movie or episode of Top Gear), you too can experience the thrill of driving the BMW M3 'round the famed Nürburgring F1 circuit. That's right, why spend the money on a plane ticket and the rental fees associated with a real BMW M3 when you can do it for free on your computer from the comfort of your own home. Of course, we're assuming the arguments for why sex is better in real life rather than on line probably apply here too. (Hat tip to Greg!) [BMW via Top Gear]

9:45 AM on Fri Sep 21 2007
By Ray Wert
15,119 views, 13 comments

Latest by Bazza: OK! Wanna tell us where it is? more »

tokyo auto show

Nissan GT-R to Debut in Gran Turismo 5

Here's one from the Smartest Product Placement Deal Ever department. At the Tokyo Game Show 2007 today, Sony let slip with news of a tie-up between the Tokyo Motor Show and the release of the long-awaited Gran Turismo 5. In addition to a new downloadable demo of the coming release, the game will reveal new car models to coincide with the motor show next month. One of those will be the Nissan GT-R, shown digitally clad with typical fascia and rear disguises in a new series of screenshots released today. Get out your official John Morton jumpsuits, kids. This one's for real. (Thanks to Chuck for the tip.) [Gran-Turismo via NAGTROC]
More »

Feature

7:24 AM on Thu Sep 20 2007
By Mike Spinelli
19,691 views, 17 comments

Latest by Shapeshifter: The guy in charge of GT5 said "If we don't have a full damage model in GT5 we may as well not bother." So uh... we'll see, i guess. Anyway, wow is GT5 pretty. Oh wait, there's a car relevant to my more »

ad watch

Q: What Does Pontiac Have To Do With Halo 3?

A: Absolutely nothing. Still, watch the marketing geniuses at Pontiac try to build excitement by taking an ad for Pontiac and slapping a Halo 3 ad to the end of it. Did we mention that one person will win the above Halo 3 - stickered Pontiac G6. Yeah, we wish we hadn't mentioned it either. [via Marketing Daily]

3:30 PM on Fri Sep 14 2007
By Ray Wert
3,034 views, 36 comments

frankfurt auto show

Frankfurt Auto Show: Peugeot Flux Concept, Design Contest Winner And Rocker Of In-Dash XBOX 360

Peugeot's latest design award winner, the Flux, an avant-garde roadster that's equal parts scifi space buggy circa 1972 and Swiss aspirin factory circa now. But despite its sterile aesthetic, we could see ourselves cruising the Corniche, following the post-apocalypse reconstruction period, in one of these things, daughter of an objectivist reactionary by our side, glumly. Oo! Oo! Did we mention it's got an XBOX 360 inside?

10:15 AM on Wed Sep 12 2007
By Mike Spinelli
2,246 views, 1 comment

Latest by justhesh: It's pretty sweet, but I think it would be better if the front wheels were a little smaller than the rears, and if the 360 was actually melded into the dash more smoothly (i.e. faceplate being part of the dash, more »

next »