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car art
Banksy Bristol Museum Installation Features Burned-Out Ice-Cream Truck
A burned-out ice-cream truck is at the center of 100 never-before-seen works pseudo-anonymous graffiti artist Banksy has installed at Bristol's council-owned City Museum and Art Gallery, replacing many of the UK museum's regular artifacts. [BBC] -
industry news
UK Hyundai Dealers Prepping For Scrappage Rush
Hyundai is readying itself for a big rush of business when UK scrappage allowances, their version of cash for clunkers, are introduced this year. Inquires at Hyundai dealers are already up 400%. More » -
google
UK Cameraman Turns The Tables On Google Street View Car During Argument
It looks like Google is continuing to make friends in the UK—only this time it's the driver of the Street View car that was outraged. [Gizmodo] -
top gear
Michael Harvey Out As Top Gear Magazine Editor?
UPDATE! After receiving tips (plural) this morning Michael Harvey, editor-in-chief of Top Gear Magazine, "left [the magazine] this morning. Under a cloud," Harvey and the BBC have responded below. More » -
google street view
Google Street View Car Attacked By Angry Village Mob
After a recent spate of burglaries, residents of Broughton, a village in Buckinghamshire, UK, formed a human chain around, and hurling insults at, a Google Street View car, refusing to allow it inside the hamlet. More » -
barn find
Priceless Cache Of Thirty Vintage Cars Found In Rural UK Town
Village mechanic Jimmy Blanche collected antique cars for decades on his land. The decaying but complete and restorable Daimlers, Singers and Austins will be auctioned off in April. More » -
accidents
Laptop-Distracted Truck Driver Kills Family Of Six
A tragic story unfolds as a truck driver distracted by his laptop rear-ends a family carrier and crushes them between two massive semis. More » -
novelties
UK Vanity License Plate Gets Record Reserve Auction Price Of $14K
One of the many ways British males compensate for lack of sexual prowess is by purchasing extraordinarily overpriced license plates. This "1 0" plate's expected to set a record, with an auction reserve of £10,000. More » -
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Carpocalypse Now
UK unveils £2B auto industry loan package. [MotorsToday]
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media
Random Brit Tech Writer Claims UK Drivers Are Terrible
The article piqued our interest by starting:
Britain may not have an empire any more, but one thing we still rule the world at is bad driving."
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government
Hoon Appointed UK Secretary Of State For Transport
Well, Hoon by name if not by nature. Geoff Hoon, former Secretary of State for Defense, was appointed the United Kingdom’s Secretary Of State For Transport back in October. Could this be a good thing? Surely anyone named Hoon can’t be all evil, right? More » -
My Non-Running Car Is The Same Color As The Sky
Gray-Colored Cars Most Likely To Need Roadside Assistance According To Useless UK Study
According to a recent survey, British drivers of gray-colored cars are more likely to call for roadside assistance than any other color. Gray is not a particularly popular car color in Britain (blue is the most popular), but 38.9% of gray-colored car drivers will call for some kind of assistance in the course of a year. Drivers of silver and red-colored cars are the least likely to call for help. The majority of people call because of battery or tire issues, so we can assume people who choose to drive gray cars don't care about cars and are therefore unable to change a tire or keep their battery properly charged. Even more surprising is the fact anyone commissioned this survey. So if you're driving through Britain and you see a gray Vauxhall Vectra on the side of the road, have no fear, they know the number for roadside assistance. More » -
offbeat news
Illegal Immigrants Attempt UK Border Crossing In Bentley GT
According to Reuters, a truck carrying a Bentley GT back to Crewe from the Nurburgring was intercepted Tuesday attempting to enter the UK. Sensors at the border detected excess carbon dioxide being emitted from the cargo box, alerting British border agents who opened the truck and found four illegal Iraqi immigrants sitting in the luxury car. Our question? What lap times did the Bentley pull at the 'Ring? (Hat tip to Van Sarockin!) [Reuters] -
top gear
Top Gear Fan Pays $19,358 For "Stig" License Plate
You've got to be creative to see "The Stig" in it, but a license plate reading "THE 571G" went to a fan of UK driving show Top Gear at a DVLA auction in the UK for a price of just under $20,000 (£10,690). The UK motoring site Pistonheads claims the winning buyer was Rick Fusari, owner of the Greenford Motors car dealership in West London. Fusari snagged the plate from 11 other Top Gear fan-boys bidding on the vanity plate and now has the dilemma on which of his two Ferraris to place the plate. Either way, we're hoping he doesn't buy a white helmet to go along with it. -
offbeat news
UK Businessman Decapitates Self With Aston Martin DB7
An inquest into the death of Welsh gym owner Gerald Mellin has found the businessman decapitated himself in his Aston Martin DB7 after an argument with his estranged wife. According to the court, Mellin tied one end of a rope to a tree, climbed into his DB7 and wrapped the other end around his neck. Mellin then jammed the pedal down on the $173,000 car, driving into a busy main road, forcing other drivers to watch his horrific death. Police found his headless body still in the driving seat and his head on the back seat. But what caused Millen to kill himself with such heinous vehicular methodology?
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industry news
Ta Ta, Land Rover: British Army Replaces Defender With American Ridgback
In a truly majestic snub, the British Ministry of Defence has elected to replace its forward fleet of Land Rover Defenders with American-made "Ridgback" (or "Ridgeback" depending upon source) 4x4 armored trucks. The new vehicles are said to provide better protection for troops, better handling — better "manoeuverability" in the Queen's English, and, gasp, better reliability! We're not sure if the replacement plans are a tacit acknowledgement that there is no more British auto industry left to which the government should be loyal, or if British forces were simply getting tired of Lucas Electrics letting the smoke out deep down Kandahar way, where there's not only no proper service facility, but the tea is positively ghastly. [Autocar.uk, Photo Credit: Rover Nut @ Flickr] -
offbeat news
Think You've Got It Bad? Gas Hits $14.76 a Gallon In Britain
Great Britain is in the midst of a fuel supply crisis the scope of which gives us the cold sweats: Supply is short, stations are closing with dry tanks, and those that do have dino juice are demanding a princely sum equivalent to $14.76 a US gallon. Light sweet crude, it's the end of the world! Okay, not really. The problem is that tanker drivers for Shell have gone on strike, sending fuel supplies into the crapper. This craziness will pass once the union comes to an agreement, but it makes us think that maybe a Segway isn't such a bad idea after all, despite what Wert thinks. [BBC News] -
top gear
BBC Facing Calls To Sack Clarkson Over Boasts Of Speeding 186 MPH On British Public Roads
The Beeb's facing some criticism today from road safety activists over comments made by the very lovable, huggable and downright loud, Jeremy Clarkson. Actually, it's not just criticism — it's an outright call for his firing from the venerable Brits who broadcast. Apparently, during an interview by Daily Mail columnist Rosie Boycott, the 48-year-old host of the world's bestest motoring show was asked what was the fastest he had ever driven. Mr Clarkson replied: "On the public roads...186." Jeez. Didn't they know he was obviously talking about public roads with unlimited speed limits — like the Autobahn? Oh, wait, what's that? He was talking about the the Limehouse Link tunnel between Central London and Docklands in a Bugatti Veyron? Oh. Well, then he's a silly twit, isn't he for making mention of it? This isn't the first time he's had run-ins over road-going incidents, despite his proud claim of having "never been pulled over for speeding." More » -
novelties
Mooning Speed Cameras Are Quickest Way To Get Your Ass In Trouble
Those fancy tea-drinkers from across the pond are all up in arms over a man who was photographed mooning a speed camera. The man drops his trousers and bares his ass for a speed camera on the A1171 Dudley Lane in Cramlington. The police aren't too happy about the matter (honestly, who would be? ass lovers?) because the stunt is dangerous and offensive. The police will be contacting the owner of the vehicle and may take action against the man for public order offenses and failure to wear a seatbelt. We're still pretty amazed that the guy could stand up, pull down his pants and turn around while riding shotgun in a moving BMW X5. [BBC via Neatorama] -
traffic
Brits Give Crossing Guards Cams To Catch Speedsters
First off, are crossing guards in the U.K really called lollipop ladies and men? If it is true, is it because their signs look like lollipops. Or even more creepily, do they hand out lollipops to kids? Regardless, these men and women are now being equipped with helmet-mounted cameras to catch aggressive motorists. Apparently, drivers aren't as nice to these lollipop-passing-out guardians of the walkways. There have been 1,400 incidents of aggressive lollipop haters was recorded last year with dozens of crossing guards needing hospitalization. More » -
novelties
Your Ass Looks Fat In That Captiva
Everyone wants to look fit in their new ride, whether it be a Ferrari or Fiat. And while our idea of looking fly in cars is a little off, we don't completely oppose the sentiment. It may not be a first priority, but it's on the list. Knowing how vain people can be, a Chevy dealership in the UK setup a showroom with mirrors and a revolving turntable so that individuals can see how good they think they look in whatever vehicle they want to buy. More » -
london motor show
Nissan Qashqai+2 Revealed Ahead Of London Motor Show
Nissan has issued the first pictures of its new seven-seater crossover vehicle that takes the Qashqai and cranks the knob up by "+2." That's right, it's called the Qashqai+2, an all-new bigger Qashqai that seats two more than the original model of the strangely-named CUV. Nissan accomplishes the increased room by upping the wheelbase size from the 103.5 inches found in the Qashqai to 108.86 inches and the overall length from 169.7 inches to 178.2 inches. The new Qashqai+2 will be launched at the London Motor Show in July and comes to UK showrooms in the autumn. No word yet on whether we'll see the new crossover from the Japanese side of Carlos Ghosn's global partnership of equals, but we truly doubt it because despite the Qashqai being named after a nomadic people in Iran, the CUV has traveled pretty much only throughout the nations of Europe. Still, bully for Nissan for bucking trends by moving super size in a world where that's making increasingly less sense. Full press release after the jump. More » -
alternative energy
UK Budget Disses Petrol Hogs, Will Age Of Scarcity And Gloomy Poetry Make Comeback?
Is socialism staging a resurgence in Britain? We wonder sometimes. With a Labour government back in power, and gas nearing $6 a gallon, conservation may be giving way to regulatory miserliness across the pond, sold to the public with a tinge of green. More » -
news
HOV-Busting Cameras Being Tested In UK
Sneaking into the HOV lane or using a dummy will soon be detectable thanks to researchers at Loughborough University. The new camera not only records cars traveling in HOV and other lanes, but it can also count how many real bodies are in the car by sensing water and blood. More » -
news
Porsche Blitzes London With Anti-Congestion Charge Judicial Action, Mayor Responds With Stiff Upper Lip
When we think Porsche, we think the common man. Especially after reading the latest missive from the UK press office of the German automaker all about precision. In a move reminiscent of the German Blitz of World War II, except without the whole bombing thing, Porsche is calling for a judicial review on the Mayor of London's decision to up the congestion charge from £8 to £25 on cars entering the city that produce above a certain level of CO2 emissions. That's a 213% increase! It's actually worse for residents in the congestion zone. These poor folks currently pay just 80p a day and now they'll also have to pay the new £25.00 charge - that's a rise of over 3000%! But don't worry, Porsche is here to look out for all you common folk. More » -
concept cars
Plutarchy in the UK: Motorcity Europe's MC1 Concept
Just what we needed. Another radical supercar concept with an estimated production date set for eight months after we'll have forgotten all about it. Nonetheless, UK-based design firm Motorcity Europe is showing off the first renderings of what could become an honest-to-goodness V10 supercar early next decade. It's the MC1. Dubbed a "production concept," the MC1's got a carbon monocoque body and scissor doors, and rides on 20" wheels in the front and 21s in the rear. The yet-to-be-decided V10 will be set midship, with a target of 600 horsepower. Insiders say it may even blend. [via Car Body Design] -
new cars
The Avocet: a Niche Roadster from Britain, Natch
Its name sounds like a blood-pressure drug, but MMI's Avocet gets its moniker from an insect-eating bird with webbed feet. Of course, the specialty British roadster's feet are decidedly unwebbed, but we're pretty sure it'll be eating plenty of unfortunate insects along Blighty's b-roads. The Lotus fighter is on display this week at UK's Autosport International Show. It's powered by the ubiquitous two-liter Ford Duratec, tweaked by Roush to produce 150 horsepower; a special-order 225 hp powerplant from Roush's Mountune division is also available. Like the Lotuses it's likely to stalk, the Avocet follows the Colin Chapman ideal of performance through lightness, weighing a svelte 1543 pounds. And it shows. The Avocet reportedly turns 0-60 times in under five seconds. Methinks I'm in luuurve. [via Carscoop] -
law enforcement
Dumb British Hooligans Burning Traffic Cams in England
MAD — no, not the drunk driving group, but the Motorists Against Detection — is a group in England that is actively burning and destroying traffic cameras and making sure everyone knows about it. The group claims to be responsible for 1,000 destroyed cameras in the past 7 years. More » -
novelties
The Fish Car Making Waves in Britain
Andy Hazell wants you to enjoy this delicious Sea Bass-Car. Built on on top of his old Vauxhall Corsa, the scale model of a Bass is 18 feet of silvery automotive eccentricity. But don't think this is just a big aluminum frame welded onto a hatchback, the vehicle has 320 fluorescent lights and hydraulic controls to swish its tail, open its mouth and raise its fins to those that cut it off. It's the perfect fish to go hunting for in your Corvette Speed Boat. More » -
industry news
ZAP Gets UK Approval for Four-Door Electric Dork-Mobile
The Brits have approved Zap's little Xebra four-door electric car, opening the door for public sales. Though awkward by American standards, the Xebra could be considered "handsome" on the British scale, which is why it may be a small success across the pond. Oh, that and the fact that driver's don't have to pay congestion tolls or have to fill it up at a cost of £5,000 a litre. Press release below the jump: More » -
novelties
Kia Says No Free Car for Quintuplet Parents
Across the pond, Kia has been offering discounts for parents based on the number of new kids they have, starting at £500 for people who have only one child all the way up to a free car for parents of quintuplets. And really, what's the point of having five kids if you don't get a free Kia out of it? Turns out a family just had quintuplets in an Oxford hospital, but Kia is balking on the prize. More » -
news
We Had it Right! Scots to Consider American-Style School Buses
In what is clearly a great moral victory for America in a time when victories are rare, akin perhaps to Kurt Russell's defeat of the soviet hockey team in that movie, Scotland has decided to invest in a technology that the U.S. of A. has been a leader in for decades: the big yellow school bus. Based on a study that showed 40% of primary school children and 30% of secondary students get to school by car, local officials see it as a move that could relieve congestion. Said a local MP "These iconic vehicles have been providing safe means of carrying children to and from school for generations in North America." America! America! America! Take that Europe, with your efficient public transportation system and higher densities that have limited the necessity for school bussing. [Scottsman.com] -
supercars
Torque of the Devil: TVR Cerbera Speed 12 for Sale
Despite TVR's continued drain-circling, or perhaps because of it, snapping up what is perhaps its finest motoring achievement for a princely sum almost seems a civic duty. It's the Cerbera Speed 12, a mad-hot version of TVR's top-of-mast producing 880 horsepower and enough torque to bore through to hell and wake the devil out of his Galaxy-Bar-and-Creme-de-menthe stupor. The V12-powered beast actually was fitted with the "mild" cam and conservative ECU mapping, according to Pistonheads, which in the long run is probably for the best for whomever owns it next. It's also the only road-legal version, and has been restored to the tune of $71,000, mainly on a new titanium rear end, by a TVR enthusiast. Test drive it today, in Gran Turismo 4, before we snap it up for the Jalopnik Fantasy Garage. (Thanks to Ben for the tip.) [Pistonheads] -
novelties
Lambo-Jogging T*** Busted by Bluetooth
We'd planned to tell the story of the UK guy busted for running over a parked Lamborghini. With his sneakers. The drink-sodden wanker dented the Lambo's roof causing something like 20,000 Britpounds in damage. Like many YouTube suspects, the guy's exploits and name were caught on video, but how he got caught is a matter for the geek Darwin awards, should such a thing exist. We'll let the Fast Lane Daily kids tell the story, considering they spent all day in the back of a Bentley Continental GTC, and have apparently ditched Oksana Baiul. [via Winding Road] -
new cars
Another British Carbon Fiber Sled: Farbio GTS
If you've got eight months and sixty British grand to kill, you can get your mitts on the latest homespun sports car to emanate from the Isle of hoonage. It's the Farbio GTS and its supercharged sibling. Appearing to split the difference between a modern Lotus Europa and something from our friends at Lee Noble's establishment, the Farbio GTS is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 producing 262 hp naturally aspirated and 384 hp for the Rotrex Supercharged version. The difference in zero to 60 time is palpable: 4.8 seconds vs 3.9 seconds. The GTS weighs but 2,350 pounds — with the compressor adding an extra 40 pounds. Will it be another Cinderella story from the land that cuisine forgot? Or will it enter the dustbin of good ideas after a lengthy bankruptcy procedure? Watch this space. [UPDATE: That sneaky Arash Farboud put one over on us with the new name and logo.] [Farbio via World Car Fans] More » -
on the web
MG TF Web Site Launched
For people whose glass is always half full. And who don't stick a toe in the water; they jump right on in. For free thinkers. And free expression. And self-starters. And absolutely everyone with a lust for life. People who leap straight out of bed, first thing they put on is a smile. Who dare to try something different. And it's exactly those nincompoops who will first buy a Chinese-built MG roadster. (Okay, we added that last sentence.) That first part is from a glimmering section of ad copy found on the MG TF website — that is, the site announcing the relaunch of the MG TF by new owner, China's Nanjing Motors. No matter that the TF's internals are as old as Prince William's, we hear Lotus has been consulting with Nanjing to update its engines and other mechanicals. And according to reports, the company has designs on the US, where the last MG model limped shoreward from a rusty scupper during the late Carter Administration. More thrills and spills to come. [MG UK via AutoExpress] -
tuners
Vauxhall VXR8, Now in Supercharged
For seven thousand quid over the price of a Vauxhall VXR8 — that's the UK version of the Aussie Holden HSV Clubsport R8 — muscle-headed Britons can get a kit that boosts horsepower from 412 to 540. By kit, we mean a supercharger and other nondisclosed hardware. It means a tarmac-smoking hooligan that can keep up with supercars is available on the isle for under £40,000. Over there, that's a bargain. [Carscoop via Autoblog] -
fine, be that way
British Tycoon Abandons $150K Maserati In London Car Pound After Racking Up Almost $10K In Fines
Bertrand Des Pallieres, millionaire UK businessman and manager of the SPQR hedge fund, racked up 65 congestion charge penalties and dozens of parking fines on his limited edition £80,000 ($158,600) Maserati GranSport without tax. His car was towed away from a square in Knightsbridge, West London, in late May and taken to a pound by a London towing company in a bid to get him pay up. But the 39-year-old chap failed for three months to get down to the tow lot to claim it - increasing the money he owed by £25 a day - until he found out the car was about to be auctioned due to an estimated £5,000 ($9,900) bill. So, what did Mr. Des Pallieres have to say about the incident? Well, he blames it on being "too busy." No, seriously — he really does:"The truth is I was so busy I did not have time to deal with sorting the congestion charges, paying my road tax and getting my car out of the pound.
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car history in 'merica
Top Gear is on as we speak on BBC America. We just had a cargasm!


































