Cool Cars and Bikes

Infiniti Curved Vision - Digital Car Art Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Here at cool cars and bikes we love car concepts and designs using digital art and heard that INFINITI are continuing their design and promotion competition which we showcased a few months ago with the new concept called Infiniti Curved Vision.

Infiniti Curved Vision is an international competition with the aim to find the best talent from around the world for design and digital art, focussed around various aspects of the INFINITI brand.

The first part of the competition, Inspired Performance, attracted over 500 entries from around the globe, with people presenting the very best of their skills to showcase some excellent pieces of art. The competition for this new stage is expected to continue that high level of excellence, and attract even more interested competitors, and you too are invited to take part and show your talent.

The winner of the first stage, Japan-born Shinji Nukumi was was awarded €10,000 for his efforts, so the prize is certainly not something to be taken lightly! As well as the excellent prize money, the winning entries will be made into actual art installations at flagship dealers throughout Europe, so perhaps you could even use some of the prize money to travel and see your artwork in person!

The 6 finalists from the previous competition were:

For Curved Visions, the criteria is:

participants are asked to design an unforgettable experience that can be generated through a digital artwork, interior installation piece, or unique performance:

Digital artwork in the form of images and/or videos
You can (and are encouraged) to include the car or elements of the car as part of the artwork
Physical installation in the form of a sculpture, 3D mapping, or other exciting new media works
Installation should take up no more space than an INFINITI car – installation must work in ambient light
You can (and are encouraged) to include the car or elements of the car as part of the installation,
Any form of installation that requires bespoke build must be provided by artist.
INFINITI experiential cinema: unique curved cinema experience where you can create a 180° or 360° video installation
Sound and interactivity are optional but will enhance the experience
Interactive art piece that works with Microsoft Kinect.
This can be a complete work or conceptual prototype and technology available will be Microsoft surface and Kinect sensors.
Live performances
Including dance, light, interactive music, body art, or another unique experience

So there is something for everyone, no matter what your area of expertise or preferred medium for producing art is.

If you'd like to find out more click here or head along to register now to be in with a chance of wining with Infiniti

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The Dark Knight Rises Car - Lamborghini Aventador Pics and Videos

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Showcasing cool pictures and videos of the amazing Lamborghini Aventador LP700 super car. The Aventador is Bruce Wayne's new mode of transport in this summers new batman movie 'The Dark Knight Rises'.

Here's a very short video of the Lamborghini Aventador in front of Bruce Wayne’s new home you will see in this summers new Dark Night Rises movie...

The Dark Knight Rises hits the cinemas on July 19th 2012 and we can't wait! We wondered how the Aventador got it's name and spotted this funny picture....

Lamborghini Aventador Wallpaper Pictures
This collection of Lamborghini Aventador pictures make for cool desktop wallpaper backgrounds.

Check out more Aventador pictures and videos.

Honda Civic video - pushing the boundaries!

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:30:00 +0000

Showcasing a video of the cool new Honda Civic. When Honda engineers set about designing the new Civic, they ventured into the unknown. They pushed boundaries. They took every path along the way. And in doing so, they created something really cool. Exploring is part of the fun. They took a 360º camera off the beaten path. Use your cursor to explore the environments and click on the arrow to venture forward. You’ll find things you can’t imagine!

Car tip of the week - keeping your tyres in tiptop condition

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:23:00 +0000

It’s all well and good having a shiny set of alloy wheels on your car, but what about the tyres on them? Your car tyres are the last thing between your car and the road; ensure that they’re in good condition often, and take basic steps to maintain and look after them where possible.

Checking over your tyres takes a matter of seconds. Each time you’re cleaning your alloy wheels you can perform a few quick checks, in order to ensure that your tyres are safe to use.

Here are the things that you need to pay particular attention to on your tyres:

The tyre pressure
By checking the tyre pressure you’ll be helping to save yourself a lot of money. Correctly inflated tyres use less petrol than tyres that aren’t inflated properly, they’re also less prone to uneven wear. The life of your tyre can be dramatically reduced if the tyre pressure is not checked and maintained regularly. Save yourself some money on fuel and new tyres by checking your tyre pressures frequently. Often petrol station forecourts have tyres pumps with built-in pressure checkers, or you can get a tyre pressure gauge and a compressor from a hardware shop.

Tyre walls & tread
You should visually inspect your tyres on a regular basis – look out for uneven wear, or damage to the tyre wall. Uneven wear can be caused by incorrect tyre pressure, and damage to the wall of your tyres may mean they’re unsafe to use. Upon discovering any visual defects with your tyres ensure that you seek professional advice, and where possible a replacement.

Tyre wear indicator
As tyres are used they gradually wear down. The more they wear down the less effective they are, your breaking distance will significantly increase. Most tyres come with wear indicators on them, so you know when they need changing. Ensure you monitor these wear indicators and have your tyres changed when necessary. Remember, driving with low tyre tread isn’t just extremely dangerous, it’s also illegal if your tread dips below 1.6mm. This can mean your car will fail an MOT test, or if stopped by the Police you can be liable for prosecution, a fine and even points on your license.

Spare your tyres a though next time you’re shining your alloys. Your tyres may not be as shiny or as interesting as your alloy wheels, but they’re certainly just as important. Keep your tyres in tiptop condition by frequently checking them.

Lamborghini SUV

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:07:00 +0000

Lamborghini last sold an SUV in 1993 but that is all about to change. A production version of the Lamborghini SUV is set to arrive in 2015 and will cost about $200,000.

Lamborghini SUV Facts:

Lamborghini reportedly will unveil a new ultra-luxury utility vehicle, to be called MLC, at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show in April 2012.
The Lambo SUV is said to share its underpinnings with the next-generation Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, as well as a new Bentley SUV.
Powered by a front-mounted 584-horsepower version of the Gallardo's 5.2-liter V10. It could also share a high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain that's being developed by Bentley.
Lamborghini last sold an SUV in 1993.

Lamborghini reportedly will unveil a new ultra-luxury utility vehicle, to be called MLC, at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show in April. A three-door SUV concept will be revealed in Beijing that shares its underpinnings with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, as well as a new Bentley SUV that's due in 2014.

The publication said the Lambo SUV is "almost certainly bound for production in 2015," with a projected price of around $200,000.Italy's Quattroroute published a sketch of what it said was the new Lamborghini SUV. The SUV in the sketch below does look really cool!

If approved for production, the Lambo SUV would likely be built on VW's modular MLB architecture, which will underpin the next-generation Cayenne, Q7 and Touareg, as well as the new Bentley SUV.

Lamborghini last offered an SUV, the boxy, quasi-military LM002, in extremely limited numbers from 1986-'93. Resembling a four-door pickup and dubbed the "Rambo Lambo," the extreme off-roader featured aluminum body panels on a tubular-steel frame and was powered by a massive 7.2-liter V12 from the Countach.

Cool Peugeot 208 Viral Video - Let Your Body Drive!

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:39:00 +0000

Peugeot recently launched 'Let Your Body Drive'. An interactive online experience featuring a naked man who needs to escape the consequences of his cheating ways. The game is designed to promote the Peugeot 208 as an extension of the driver’s body, with more intuition, more sensations and more stimulation. Check out the cool video here:

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:21:00 +0000

Showcasing the cool Range Rover Evoque convertible, one of the most intriguing cool cars from the 2012 Geneva Motorshow. This is the world's first soft-top Range Rover Evoque. And if you think such a concept sounds bizarre, wait until you see the pictures and watch the video below. This open-top crossover SUV really works!

Adding a fold-flat soft-top to the three-door Range Rover Evoque has created an uncommonly elegant machine. The clean lines and sit-up stance give a really premium open-top experience: it's as if it was designed to take a soft-top roof from the very start.

What's the cost?

Land Rover says this is a concept that's being shown here to test the mood for such a model. Judging by the reaction so far, production is virtually guaranteed and expect it on sale within 2 years at starting price of around £35,000.

The pictures above were sourced from Evoque Forum

Top 5 Wackiest Motorcycles

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Sometimes it’s not about the sleek and shiny metals that make you stop, stare and lust with desire. Sometimes it’s all about making an impact and standing out from the crowd. Bike Builders are fanatics about their hobby and many have taken the craft of building custom motorbikes to a whole new level. Whatever your motorbike looks like, make sure you’re covered with Bike Insurance! Here are some of the wackiest motorcycles we’ve come across for you to marvel at and enjoy!

Like so many impulse purchases, this would really take some explaining when taking it home to the other half… Half bike, half Winnebago and a great way to spread unease through any campsite.

How to beat rush-hour. To death. When asked by a car magazine to build a bike with ‘a military look’, stuntman Eddie Paul, certainly did not disappoint. Half way between Mad Max and Aliens, this bad boy includes twin 7.62mm mini-guns, armour plated body and a bullet proof windshield. Get your road rage on.

Wow. So meet the Dodge Tomahawk. With a top speed of just shy of 300 mph this is pretty much guaranteed to kill you at some point after you buy it. But hey, live (very) fast, die young right? It’s a beast.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just NEED to ride a motorbike dressed up as a cow. Wearing trainers. Anyone? No?

If H.R. Giger rode a motorcycle then I’m guessing it would look something like this. Made out of spare parts, this is the creation of 54 year old, Bangkok based artist, Roongrojna Sangwongprisarn, who runs Ko Art Shop and exports his creations worldwide. Just a thought though, it might not be ENTIRELY road legal where you are…

Cool Replica Car MotorBike Trailers

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:27:00 +0000

Showcasing cool and slightly crazy motorbike trailers made by ACT which look like small replicas of real cars. Priced at $3,695, each trailer is hand crafted and comes equipped with 12 inch wheels, sleek aerodynamic body, carpet, and working LED lights.

Cool Cars, Bikes and Trucks - Pics and Videos of 2012 Dakar Rally

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:23:00 +0000

Showcasing pics and videos of the cool cars, bikes and trucks competing is the 2012 Dakar Rally. The world’s top adventure riders are currently battling it out in this amazing 5,000+ mile grueling race. The rally takes riders through the countries of Argentina, Chile and Peru. Starting in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, the race includes hostile sand dunes, rocks, mud, camel grass and other treacherous terrain. The rally finishes in the Peruvian capital, Lima.

Dakar 2012 Route map

What a cool adventure this would be....but dangerous as we find out below.

The Dakar Rally has 3 main competitive classes:

1. Truck Class (vehicles weighing more than 3,500 kg)

2. Car Class (vehicles weighing less than 3,500 kg)

3. Moto / Motorcycle Class (including a sub-class for quads)

The current leader of the moto (motorcycle) class is 2010 winner Cyril Despres. The French rider holds the narrowest of leads over reigning Dakar champion Marc Coma. The Red Bull riders, both 3-time winners are set for an epic battle over the remaining stages. Follow the closing stages and find out if Despres can hold onto his slender lead via his blog on the official Red Bull Dakar site.

On the Red Bull official site for the rally, you'll find daily updates from the front runners, fan favourites and interviews with the big personalities (Cyril Despres, Giniel De Villiers and Marc Coma being a few) who make the 34th Dakar Rally 2012, one of the world’s most intense and dangerous races. 

Tragically, the Dakar Rally has already claimed its first victim with the death of motorcyclist Jorge Boero. Boero, a 38-year-old rider from Argentina was just a few miles away from the end of the first stage when he crashed his Beta motorcycle. Boero suffered a heart attack after the crash and could not be revived. The Dakar Rally has seen 21 riders, including Boero, perish since its inception in 1979. Another 38 people, 20 of whom were spectators, have died during the Dakar Rally.

Jorge Boero

To catch up with all things Dakar Rally related, Red Bull has setup a cool webite bringing you daily updates direct from the front line. Visit Dakar Rally 2012. On the website you'll see up-to-date coverage of the Dakar rally 2012 , along with lots of cool video highlights and pictures like these:

Dakar Rally 2012 Pictures
Here we feature a collection of recent cool photographs taken of the rally. Many of these photos are featured on Boston Big Picture

Competitor in the Dakar Rally 2012 from Arica to Arequipa, Peru

Cool Dakar Rally 2012 Videos
One of our favorite stages so far was Stage 9 are here is a video of the highlights:

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Cool Push Bike Stunts Video - Danny Macaskill 'Way Back Home'

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:39:00 +0000

The coolest bike stunt video i nthe world has to currently be the Danny Macaskill 'Way Back Home' video. Viewed over 20 million times on YouTube, this incredibly cool new riding video from Danny Macaskill follows him on a journey from Edinburgh back to his hometown Dunvegan, in the Isle of Skye.

He calls in at some amazing riding locations along the way including tourist hotspots like Edinburgh Castle and the Forth Bridge, as well as more off-the-beaten-track spots.

Check it out the amazing video here:

MacAskill's riding is as jaw-dropping as ever, and the cash injection from sponsors Red Bull means he now has breathtaking cinematography to complement his breathtaking moves, courtesy of his close friend and film-maker Dave Sowerby.

During a live questions and answers session with fans, Danny talked about some of the highlights of making the film.
“My favourite spot in the riding clip is probably the bakery wall ride in my local village," he said. "I found it by walking out of the bakery with a big pasty! And then I saw the grass bank and the wall, and thought I could maybe jump up there one day.

“One of the hardest tricks in the film was probably the front flip off Edinburgh Castle as it was blowing a force 10 hooly! It was also raining really heavily. If it wasn't for that it would've been easy!” For more from Danny, visit www.redbull.co.uk/waybackhome

The music in the video is Loch Lomond "Wax and Wire" and The Jezabels "A Little Piece".

4 cool motorbikes we'd love to own in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:48:00 +0000

Showcasing 4 cool motorbikes that we'd love to own in 2012. Mind you, you'll need deep pockets to buy one, not forgetting the cost of bike insurance for the privilege to own one of these bad boys!

1. Confederate X132 Hellcat Motorbike
Named after the famed F6F Hellcat fighter plane of WWII, the Confederate X132 Hellcat Motorbike is a fighter in its own way. This third-generation two-wheeled ride is built using the highest quality components possible, from its billet aluminum case to its carbon fiber wheels, all of which are hidden in plain sight thanks to the X132's unique au naturale design that showcases craftsmanship over fancy bodywork. Available for pre-order now for delivery in the first half of next year and costing a cool $45,000.

2. Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special Motorbike
This special edition sport bike features a blacked-out 1250cc V-Twin Revolution engine good for 125 hp, blacked-out cast aluminum wheels, a double-barrel exhaust with brushed-finish dual mufflers, blacked-out end caps and exhaust shields, Brembo brakes, a blacked-out low-rise handlebar, an ultra-fat 240mm rear tire, a slimmed down fastback tail section with LED tail lamp, a — what else — matte black paint finish, and blacked out forks, triple clamps, and swingarm. Great for discrete cruising after dark, not so great for avoiding attention at the beach. Costing $15,300 and up, we'd love to own one of these bad boys!

3. Ducati Streetfighter 848 Motorbike
Powered by a new 848 Testastretta 11° engine and sporting Ducati Traction Control, the 848 has been designed with ergonomics and user-friendliness in mind, making it as suitable for everyday commutes as it is for high speedsters.

4. Akrapovic Morsus (Marcus Fenix's Motorbike)
Saving the best bike till last say hello to ‘Morsus’, a unique custom machine built for aftermarket exhaust giant Akrapovic. Akrapovic has always been authority on exhaust systems, whether its with cars or motorbikes.

With a cool attention-grabbing design that features, among other things, teardrop mirrors, 3D triple trees, and 26" carbon wheels, this bike is probably top of our most wanted list. Add that with a drivetrain that carries a 1,852 cc S&S motor with Akrapovic’s modified exhaust pipe and you have a beautiful chopper that boasts of 114 horsepower.

With a motorbike like this, it should be a hot seller in the market, right? Unfortunately, despite its awesomeness, there’s still a catch - and a pretty big one at that: it’s not for sale. Having said that, you can still keep tabs on this custom chopper as it participates in a variety of custom-oriented events for the year. It’s not as good as owning one, but hey, it’s still something to look forward to.

10 tips for winter proofing your bike

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:34:00 +0000

With winter upon us, here at cool cars and bikes we like to provide helpful motoring and biking tips and today's article is all about winter proofing your bike

There are many ways you can winter proof your bike and it’s vital you do so to meet the challenges of the harsh and dangerous winter months.

One thing is absolutely necessary: obtaining a cheap motorcycle insurance policy from a reputable provider like MCE Insurance. After you have this covered, simply follow the ten tips below.

(1) Storage is crucial. Ensure your bike is secured in a warm environment protected from the ravages of the winter weather. This will prevent fuel from freezing. Apply wax to the body to avoid weather damage.

(2) Mildew can have a devastating effect on your bike. Purchase a specially designed bike cover to keep your bike safe and dry. Invest in a high quality cover. The small investment could save you a lot of money by protecting your bike from rust and other types of damage.

(3) Moisture can be extremely damaging to valve seats, cylinder walls and piston rings, so make sure you regularly check oil levels and ensure your cylinders get a thorough coating of oil to protect them. Always administer oil after you have warmed up your engine, which evaporates existing moisture.

(4) Your engine must also be protected from rust. The best way to do this is to fill the tank with fuel mixed with a fuel stabilizer. Use a top quality fuel stabilizer, as pinching pennies can lead to costly repair fees.

(5) It’s very important to check your tyre pressures every week and to keep them inflated to the levels recommended in your owner’s manual. Tyres have a tough time as it is on icy roads, so be careful to maintain safe tyre pressure levels.

(6) Always renew spark plugs that have accumulated dirt or become corroded. You will also have to keep your battery charged as it will discharge in storage. Hook up your battery to a smart charger to maintain the required charge levels and add a touch of grease to the battery bolts to prevent rust.

(7) You may have to rely heavily on your brakes throughout winter so regularly check your brake pads and brake fluid levels to ensure you are as safe as possible on the roads.

(8) Visibility is vital throughout the early dark nights, fog and snowfall of winter. Check all your lights and indicators are in perfect working condition and be sure to wear a reflective jacket.

(9) If you are in any doubt regarding the safety of your bike arrange to have a vehicle inspection test with a reputable mechanic. This will give you complete peace of mind and ensure your bike can handle winter’s adverse conditions.

(10) Last, but certainly not least, ensure your bike’s MOT is fully up to date. Accidents can happen in the winter months due to the dangerous icy condition of the roads and your motorcycle insurance will be invalid if your MOT is out of date. You owe it to yourself and other road users.

Follow these top tips and you will be on the road to staying safe while riding this winter. Remember, if you have any apprehensions don’t get on your bike.

Cool Bike Accessories

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:42:00 +0000

Motorcycle enthusiasts know there is nothing more satisfying than giving your bike that something special that no one else has yet. Being the first on the street to display a new accessory, whether functional or decorative gives one status and the rep as a trend setter. Here are a few great ideas for giving your bike that extra something special:

MC-Tunes Windshield Mount Radio
A motorcycle radio has to be powerful enough to hear, yet can’t overpower the looks of your bike. The Windshield Mount Radio comes in a high gloss black urethane finish with unbelievable sound quality. It has a port for your iPod or MP3 as well as a Pioneer Super Tuner AM/FM/CD receiver and a pair of 4″ 2 way KS Kicker Speakers. The sturdy unit is mounted in a durable ABS housing with a retractable signal-amplified antenna. Since it comes with a standard cigarette lighter socket, you can also plug in your cell phone. A great combination of good looks with functional on-board entertainment.

XENA Disc-Lock Alarm
As bike theft around the country increases, more thought has to go into how you are going to protect your transportation resources. A motorcycle sitting on the street appears as an easy target. There are no windows to break to get to the ignition. The XENA Disc-Lock Alarm may be your answer to potential bike thieves. It comes with a 120dB alarm and can protect your motorcycle, scooter, ATV or other disc-braked vehicle from theft. The alarm can also help remind you to remove your disc-lock before you take off.

HID Conversion Kits
Particularly for night drivers, motorcycle HID lights are a safety feature that you shouldn’t leave home without. Xenon HID Conversion kits easily transforms your vehicle into a style that sets them apart from factory headlights. Xenon Lights produce lights at least 3 times brighter light than what you got from the factory and can last 10 times longer than halogen lights. Motorcycle HID lights gives drivers greater visibility, increased comfort and safer night time driving conditions. If saving money is your concern, HID lights consume 35% less power during operation.

Sissy Bar Bag/Saddlebags/Tour Bags
Whether heading out on a long trip, or just a daily commute, one disadvantage of a bike is a lack of trunk space. You can make that up as much as possible with a variety of transport bag options for your bike from well-known manufactures such as Leatherworks, U.S. Saddlebags, Eagle Leather, Pac-Kit, Carroll Leather, and River Road. Options include tool bags, windshield bags, saddlebags, sissy bar bags, map pouches and tank bags. Depending on your needs, motorcycle storage options include soft bags that are taken on and off or hard bags that are permanently attached and locked to the bike.

Average price of used cars falls below £9000

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:22:00 +0000

Buying a car is a big investment, whether you're choosing new or used vehicles. However, buying used will often give you more value for money. This seems to be the case more than ever, as recent reports show that the price of the average used car has dropped, with a substantial dip of 3.65% over a three month period. These recent changes now show the average price of a used car is less than £9,000 – this is the first time the average price has been this low in two years.

It's always recommended to buy from a reputed dealer, such as Evans Halshaw who offer a wide range of used cars and will be able to help you choose a car that is right for you.

Meanwhile, the price of new cars is going up, as more people opt for pre-owned motors. The change in the economy sees people replacing their cars more often, and opting to shop around for better value – something many are finding with used cars. The East Midlands, in particular, has seen an impressive decrease in the number of pre-owned cars being sold, with a drop as high as 5.83%.

Considering these changes to the vehicle market, now is a great time to buy a used car. At the end of 2011 the average used car price is £8,870 so you can expect a very competitive price on your choice of car. If you're after a younger pre-owned vehicle, then note these prices may be on the up, as demand becomes higher, following the drop in new car sales. Dealers are expecting the costs of these younger models to increase in 2012, so this is the best time to consider making your purchase if you want the best value for money.

If you're looking to buy a used car, there are a few things you might want to consider.

Always aim to buy from a reputed dealer. Purchasing a car from an auction or from a private owner might offer better deals, but there can be hidden problems, and you will find it more difficult if trouble arises after you purchase the vehicle. Always opt for a warranty, and understand this is in addition to your consumer rights.

At the end of the day you want to be sure you are not buying a faulty vehicle. If the car you are considering is not fit for purpose, or something does not work, then it is not in an acceptable state to be sold as a fully functioning vehicle. Know what you're buying. If you're ever in doubt, don't go through with the sale. Don't hurry - be sure to always speak to the dealer and ask plenty of questions about what you're actually buying. Find out the full mechanical state of the car, its prior history, and what kind of checks have been done to the car. If you think you have bought a faulty vehicle, return the car to the dealer, or speak to your fair trading office for more advice.

Top 10 safest vans on the market

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Many companies use a van or indeed a fleet of vans for their business and for some, these vehicles are the most important tool for their service. So it’s worth knowing there are several new changes and updates to be aware of when choosing these types of vehicle.

Safety and reliability are huge factors to consider, not only for the obvious reasons, but to help keep overall running costs down. In fact, choosing a safer van will help keep your insurance costs down too. If you get your van insurance from a provider like Staveley Head, they will be able to help you establish the safety of your vehicles and provide a quote.

However, it’s worth doing your own research on the options available before you invest. There is quite a bit of useful information out there. For instance, recently the UK’s fifty largest contract vehicle hire companies were surveyed about various models of van, and the results were used to produce a list of the top ten most reliable vans of 2010. This information is valuable for anyone looking for a safe van that they can rely on for their business.

The top ten safest vans of 2010 are as follows.

1. Ford Transit

2. Mercedes Sprinter

3. Ford Transit Connect

4. Citroen Berlingo

5. Citroen Relay

6. Vauxhall Combo

7. Nissan Navara

8. Vauxhall Vivaro

9. VW Caddy

10. VW Transporter

These are all great manufacturers and any of these models will be an excellent choice, although various features will differ so it’s worth considering which will be best for your particular requirements. This is something you might also want to speak to your insurance company about as it may make a difference on what policy you get.

Another thing to consider is the value of purchasing a van which is speed-limited. There has been much support for this from a member of the European Parliament, Martin Callanan, who believes that all light use vans should be designed to go no faster than 75mph. This speed-limiting concept relates largely to the level of CO2 emissions created by these types of vehicles, yet there are many other benefits to this change as well. Plenty of companies who use vans are supportive of speed-limiting as it helps prevent their contractors from exceeding the speed limit and being left with hefty speed fines. Lower fuel consumption is another reason companies are getting on board and law may be introduced across the EU by 2015. The environment committee is currently discussing the implementation of a penalty for van manufacturers whose vehicles are not meeting the agreed levels Co2 output.

As more businesses and van-owners make informed choices when purchasing their vans, we can expect a move towards safer, greener vehicles. Lower fuel consumption and less Co2 emissions are just two of the benefits of this; lower costs for your company and safer, more reliable vehicles are two more. Which just goes to show how valuable it is to do your research before you buy.

Infiniti Digital Art Competition Finalists

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:07:00 +0000

As a fan of all things cool, especially cars and bikes, this digital art competition from Nissan is right up our street. Called Infiniti, it's Nissan's luxury and performance car part to their business. The digital art competition is in conjunction with design magazine designboom. The competition was for entrants to design a sculpture, projection or installation. 6 of the best designs (see below) will show off their designs in Infiniti showrooms around the country. The Infiniti Centre Stockport in Manchester, UK is the latest of these showrooms and currently in the middle of a week long promotion inviting people to come and check out the art works as well as the cars.

With cool art and high performance cars in one place - there's something for everyone there! The art works include the work of Shinji Nukumi of Japan, entitled ‘Infiniti Passion’ – a design which expresses the potential of Infiniti cars from the inside rather than from the outside.

Crystalline DNA
Making his debut in the sphere of automotive-based art, Brano Hlavac from Slovakia has created a series of four visuals which look at the manufacturing and design of Infiniti’s models utilising the elements of crystal, the power of shape and DNA. In his designs, he highlights the importance of creativity and the automaker making their own mark, putting to one side the act of selling cars.

Value Added
The curvaceous sculpture by Slovak designers Juraj Rattaj and Jan Ziska explores the idea of creating a parking space which projects the correct image of a luxury car such as an Infiniti, whilst adding value as a piece of art in a public place rather than merely being confined to the function of hosting a vehicle.

Highway of Light
This is a digital animation conceived by Bob Trempe and Roman Torres of the USA to reflect the powerful and distinct “character lines” used in the design of every Infiniti model. The digital animation communicates the lines of Infiniti brand by combining a silhouette of a car and the moving light streaks of fast moving vehicles on a highway.

Infiniti Passion
The brainchild of Japanese artist Nukumi Shinji and NBBR, “Infiniti Passion” is composed of a series of projections on to an Infiniti model which focuses on the ‘inner’ dimension of the car in order to be able to see the potential of the marque.

Presence
The piece designed by Sanchit Sawaria and Palash Singh looks at the importance of performance and a car which creates an experience for the user beyond driving. The art does not reveal the mechanics which made the visual possible, but is the result of the discreet presence of technology such as streaks of light generated by fast moving cars.

Synthesised by Nature
Inspired by light, nature, and geometry, the artwork created by Englishman Jackson Tayler, combines three half cubes and projections to create the journey of a streak of light through an autonomous and sophisticated world. The free-flowing movements of the beam, which guide the viewer through the artwork, incorporate elements of ballet, and reflect the power of an infiniti’s engine and the elegance of the cars’ curves.

You can find out more digital art competition information or visit the Infinity website at www.infiniti.co.uk and the Infinity Reveal gallery
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Cool 1934 BMW R7 Concept Bike

noreply@blogger.com (Cool Stuff) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:42:00 +0000

As cool bikes go, this vintage classic BMW R7 concept motorbike is in a league of its own. Issue #3 of BMW Motorcycle Magazine showcases the amazing R7 concept, describing it as “one of the most important, innovative and visually stunning motorcycles ever produced.” We agree. Although this BMW is over 70 years old, it could almost be a contemporary concept. It was shelved as WWII approached, and put in a box. In 2005, that box was opened, and BMW Classic started the restoration.

Think back 70 or 75 years to a time when design began to break away from the traditional and elaborate rationalism that had ensued for hundreds of years. As the styles of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Streamline and Zigzag Moderne emerged after the Industrial Revolution, designers as well as consumers fully embraced the Age of the Machine. Shiny chrome surfaces lay across curving forms or over expansive horizontal planes and glorified a dynamic new world on the move.

And suddenly, design was muted as World War II approached. Inspiration was buried away, along with some innovative and visually stunning design work. Skip ahead to 2005 when some curious members of BMW Classic opened a box and found the R7 bike 75 assembled - although not in shining condition. The engine was corroded, the metalwork was in dire shape, the battery was unusable, but the opportunity for restoration could not be ignored.

Various specialists at the BMW workshop discovered the original design drawings in the archive collections and conjured up the ghosts from Streamline Moderne’s past. Missing parts were sourced, others were rebuilt, the chrome was polished and the frame was painted black. And the final test, retuning the 1934 BMW motorcycle to the street, proved to be worth the wait nearly three quarters of a century later.

8 Cool Modified Audi R8 Cars

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:58:00 +0000

Showcasing 8 of the coolest modified Audi R8 sports cars from around the world. The Audi R8 was introduced by the German automaker Audi AG in 2006 and is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car using Audi's trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm in Germany.

The following are 8 cool examples of owners who have modified their Audi R8 cars.
Chrome Audi R8 Spyder
This cool car needs just the kind of flash personality to go with it - someone like Elton John, for example. Audi has created this chrome version of its R8 Spyder for the Elton John Aids Foundation, and it was a fitting example of glamour for the White Tie and Tiara ball event from the foundation. Apart from the fact that the model is pretty much the same as a standard R8 Spyder with a V10 engine, we get no other details. But then again, that mirror finish just about speaks for itself.

Reiger Audi R8
This new styling aero kit features a front spoiler, side skirts, rear skirt, diffuser, rear wing, fog lights, and exhaust tips. It can be ordered from the Rieger online shop and will give the V8 Audi R8 a similar R8 V10 look. The car also received suspension tuning with an adjustable kit to drop it on the 20 or 21-inch rims.

Project Kahn Audi R8
Kahn lowers the suspension and slaps on 20' F1-X rims made of lightweight carbon fiber.

Heffner Performance Audi R8 Twin Turbo
Heffner's not bothered with much in the way of spoilers and trinketry, but it has gone ABSOLUTELY MENTAL on the engine. The 5.2-litre V10's fitted with a twin-Garrett-turbo setup running 6psi of boost, which wrings 725bhp out of the original engine.

PPI GTR-10 Limited Edition Audi R8
The gold striping and look-at-me wing dangle it precariously on the edge of acceptability, but we'll let off the PPI GTR-10 on account of its 601bhp. The V10 gets a roof-mounted air intake, vented liftgate glass, a free-flow exhaust system and remap job. Cool!

Stassis Challenge Extreme Edition
A hot new intake manifold, barky exhaust system and clever ECU software boosts power by 28% to 540bhp. It also gets lowered suspension, wide 20-inch alloys, uprated brakes and a stealthy satin finish.

Wheelsandmore Audi R8 V10

It's got a special height-adjustable racing coilover suspension setup, stainless exhaust and remap job, which boosts power to 592bhp. It also looks v cool...and evil!

Motoren Technik Mayer Audi R8 V10
The V10's been fiddled to produce 580bhp, there's a funky new exhaust, downforce-fond body accoutrements, lightweight wheels and, of course, bright green paint. Yes it's shouty and gauche, but that's what an R8's all about, right?

If you like these, why not check out cool modified cars

Cool Police Cars and Bikes

noreply@blogger.com (Cool Stuff) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:50:00 +0000

A collection of cool police cars and motorbikes featuring hot, fast, concept and bizarre cop motors from around the world giving police departments the edge they need for catching the bad guys!

Cool Police Cars
Starting with the coolest police cars, check out these beauties!

Cool Police Motorbikes
We've seen the coolest cop cars...now it's time for cool cop bikes:

And finally....

4 Coolest Bike Journeys

noreply@blogger.com (Cam Winston) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:32:00 +0000

Grab your maps, international visas and bike insurance - here’s our guide to 4 of the greatest motorcycle journeys of all time.

Far from being reserved for petrol heads and rockers, motorbikes serve as the essential means of transportation for a diverse range of people the world over, whilst throughout history they and the journeys they take us on have come to represent iconic symbols in all areas of life, from philosophy, revolution, exploration, art and cult culture.

The following 4 bike trips are epic!

Motorcycle Diaries – South America
If you’re a Che fan, seen the beautifully shot movie and have enough cash to ship you and your bike to South America, taking eight months to travel the sub-continent is a dream come true. The movie, which follows the book of the same name, recounts a famous journey in 1952 of the 23 year old doctor and his friend Alberto as they travel 5,000 miles across South America on an old 500cc Norton. The journey begins in Buenos Aires and takes in the Andes, Atacama Desert and the Amazon.

The Long Way Down - Scotland to South Africa

Follow in the footsteps of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman and drive your bike right the way to Cape Town.

The 15,000 mile journey, which was done by Ewan and Charley on BMW R1200GS Adventure bikes, takes in the pyramids, the Nile, Ethiopia, the Okavango Delta wetlands, Sudan, Libya and the Congo, ending at the southerly tip of South Africa - with 20 countries on the travel agenda visas and border crossing are de rigueur.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – mid-America

More philosophical adventure than travel adventure, the 1974 publication of Zen charts a 17-day motorcycle journey across the United States, which is undertaken by the protagonist and his son on a CB77 Honda SuperHawk.

The journey starts in Minneapolis and ends at San Francisco, incorporating Route 55, Camp Buell, Shadehill Reservoir, Missouri River Valley, Miles City, Jefferson Island, Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone.

Easy Rider – America

1969 American road movie, written by Peter Fonda and starring Dennis Hopper, about two bikers who travel through the American Southwest and South with the aim of achieving freedom was awarded cult status from day one.

Four former police bikes were used in the film, their design based on hardtail frames and built by chopper experts – the journey starts in Mexico and Los Angeles, before the bikers head east to New Orleans, Louisiana, in time to catch Mardi Gras.

So go grab a map, get your international visa sorted and bike insurance and get a cool bike trip planned.

LA to New York Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:04:00 +0000

Italian athlete Alex Bellini is participating in the LA - NY Footrace 2011 - a grueling 5,000km race from Los Angeles to New York.

Alex is sponsored by Jeep and is just 1 of 20 competitors who are tough enough to compete in this exhausting adventure race.

The race consists of 70 stages of about 70km each stage which adds up to a total of 120 marathons in two and a half months!

The race which started on June 19th and ends on August 27th passes through the Nevada desert, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri into Pennsylvania to eventually finish up in New York.

Alex's sponsor for the race is JEEP which coincides with their 70th anniversary of being off-road. To celebrate this anniversary Jeep have created a new online portal called 'Jeep People' to give people the opportunity to keep up to date with the progress of Alex, but also as a dedicated meeting place for Jeep enthusiasts.

Jeep People has three sections:

one dedicated to Alex and accounts of his cross-American adventure;
one that highlights the history of Jeep with its supporters, celebrating the last 70 years;
and the last dedicated to those who live with passion, and will enable Jeep fans to launch their own challenge to Jeep (those who do will become Jeep-people: Just Enthusiastic Engaged People).

The Jeep Wrangler website takes you on a journey through 7 different environments that the Jeep people anticipate Alex will encounter – and reflects aspects of the JEEP Wrangler Unlimited.

This short video gives you an idea of the ordeal that faces Alex is this adventure. The video starts by asking "Who among you has traveled 5,000km by plane in the past three months?'" And remember Alex is not a runner, but as he says "If there's one thing we have to realise in life, it's that we only have one. So we each have to find our own way of making it unique." Here at cool cars and bikes we tend to agree with Alex's philosophy and encourage our readers to watch this following video for more inspirational wisdom.

You can see Alex's journey unfold on the Flickr stream of the journey or keep in the loop with his updates and Jeep People on Facebook or Twitter.

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Viral video by ebuzzing

Cool Sharpie Doodle Car - Lamborghini Gallardo

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 08:41:00 +0000

This is the famously cool Sharpie Lamborghini Gallardo of Lamborghini Miami. No car graphics, decals or stickers were used, just a simple black Sharpie marker pen!

Owner Brett David commissioned the art work by Jona Cerwinske who created it using Sharpie markers on the white paint and then finished with a clear coat for protection.

This cool car art took approximately 2 weeks to complete. Brett David introduced the car in California during the Concorso Italiano at Pebble Beach week in 2007.

Hope you enjoyed these pictures of the Sharpie doodle car. Great looking cars like this don't come around often, although even this beauty wouldn't look great curled around a lamp-post. When driving on the road it's important you drive safely, because you might end up making more than car accident compensation claims.

Cool motorbike helmet desings using a Sharpie pen

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 08:23:00 +0000

We love cool motorbike helmets and here we feature some cool doodle designs using a sharpie pen.

Modern Cars vs Old Cars Video Info-Graphic

noreply@blogger.com (Angel) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 08:35:00 +0000

We love car info-graphics and here we have a cool video info-graphic which looks at how modern cars are so much greener than older cars with the dawn of electric and hybrid cars. However, there's so much focus on the expense of electric and hybrid cars that many people don’t seem to be aware that most new cars you buy today will be much greener than the ones they replace. It’s simply a case of knowing which shade of green you want to be.

We need to go green. Everyone knows that! The world's population is growing fast yet natural resources are being depleted and not being replaced. For many years the car has been seen as the problem.

In 2006 alone, London transport produced 9.6 tonnes Co2 emissions. That's the weight of 208.5 Titanics! But car manufacturers have improved their green standards and these innovations have been staggering. It would take 200 modern cars to produce the same emissions as the Ford Fiesta from 1976. That's quite a car collection! So what's changed?

As well as electric and hybrid cars there's a growing number of 'Eco Trim' options. These are little changes like 'low-resistance' tyres and engine start-stop functionality that make a big difference to the environment. It's these innovations that deliver the same driving experience but with up to 20% better fuel efficiency and 15% reduced green house emissions and because driving your car accounts for 85% of its total environmental impact, it really pays off to go eco and get rid of that old banger that you love!
But with all this innovation - which model do you choose? In reality, any car you buy today will be greener than the one it replaces. The only choice is; what shade of green do you want to be?