Oh the [Cradle of] Humanity! Mercedes-Benz Semi Truck is the Theory of Evolution on Wheels

Most semi trucks are destined for a life of bland servitude, but a rather far more illustrious fate was in retailer for this lucky Mercedes-Benz Actros 1845. Shortly right after leaving the factory, it was coated with 9 gallons of paint and an additional 17 gallons of clearcoat lacquer at the hands of airbrush artist Walter Rosner, whose work depicts scenarios from the early history of mankind.

The enormous masterpiece even has a name: “The Cradle of Humanity” (a rather lofty name for a truck, even if it is a Benz) and took 6 weeks to finish. It was completed just in time to star in the pre-Lent, Shrove Monday carnival procession on February 16th in the city of Aachen, Germany.

As you can see, there’s a lot going on, and because most of you most likely make the carnival in Aachen to see it in particular person, nicely, we’ll just let Mercedes tell the story of its various vignettes: “The setting is the primeval African savannah, where a gorilla sits gazing across at its relatives, who are currently walking upright. 2 chimpanzees in a tree are also watching how the ancestors of modern man embraced the use of tools made of stone and, stretching across the length of the refrigerated semitrailer, how Australopithecus subsequently continued to evolve. On the co-driver’s side, early man is observed discovering fire, finding out a variety of hunting techniques and guarding against the saber-toothed tiger throughout the Stone Age.

“Walter Rosner naturally includes artists in the story, as well. He shows them busily creating cave paintings to leave behind to posterity. Across the complete car onlookers can also uncover numerous other tiny references to essential highlights from the history of the birth of mankind: the theory of evolution versus religion, the emergence of the intellectual awareness in the guise of philosophy, or the 1st great discoveries such as the sundial. The back of the trailer also features an overview in facts and figures.”

The Actros belongs to German freight and logistics organization Josef Schumacher, which owns 160 trucks, 9 of which have been turned into rolling murals, with names like “The Dinosaurs,” “The Gold Rush,” “The Crusades,” “The Constellations,” “Charlemagne,” “The Mega Truck,” and “The Emotion Truck.” All the predecessors of “The Cradle of Humanity” are used for typical cargo-transport duties, so it appears that this newest airbrushed member of the household is destined for the identical fate.

Oh the [Cradle of] Humanity! Mercedes-Benz Semi Truck is the Theory of Evolution on Wheels

Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards Winner Announcement

The People Have Spoken

The Future Group, in association with Standard Bank Vehicle and Asset Finance, research house TNS Global and media partner Sunday Times, this morning proudly presented the 4th annual Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards at the Montecasino Ballroom in 4ways.

The resounding voice of more than 60 000 votes determined which vehicles in 22 categories were considered to be the best by South Africa’s motoring public. Also revealed was an overall winner – the model which recorded the most votes of all to earn the title, People’s Choice – plus the country’s preferred fuel and replacement tyre brands.

Additionally, a nationwide survey of vehicle owners – which drew its biggest ever response – determined which automotive brands were deemed to deliver the highest levels of satisfaction. The results were announced by the master of ceremonies – comedian Nik Rabinowitz – to an audience of automotive leaders, associated service providers and car enthusiasts.

“Thank you to everyone that participated in the 4th series of the Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards. This is an event in which all motorists can be heard and where every vote counts,” said Nicholas Nkosi, Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance, Personal Markets, at Standard Bank.

He said voters could choose to be pragmatic and decide their choice on the basis of economic factors that had impacted the industry, selecting vehicles they believed helped to reduce operating and maintenance costs. “Alternatively, they may decide that their vehicles of choice should be aspirational cars with names no-one can pronounce,” he added.

“The competition gives car enthusiasts and those looking to decide on what car to purchase a broad overview of our dynamic market. As sponsors of this competition we will continue to share our passion for the industry with all our corporate and individual customers. Moreover, we we will always be on hand to finance vehicles and to help people’s motoring dreams come true,” he adds.

The People’s Choice – the vehicle which obtained the most votes of all in the People’s Wheels poll – was Ford’s Ranger Double-Cab. The leisure-styled bakkie – no stranger to accolades at the awards having taken victory last year in its category – made history this time around by becoming the first light commercial vehicle to win overall honours.

In terms of the greatest volume of wins, German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz dominated the top step of the podium by winning 8 categories – one more than last year. Volkswagen twice topped the category rankings, while BMW and Porsche scored one win each, bringing Germany’s tally of gold medals to 12. Land Rover, Toyota and Ford took 2 wins apiece, followed by Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Kia with one each.

Germany scored another category victory when tyre-maker Continental again topped the motoring public’s list of preferred tyre replacement brands while, in the preferred fuel brand category, reigning champion Engen took first prize.

Another winner was motorist David Millard of Cape Town, who was delighted to receive a cheque for R25 000 following a lucky draw involving all those who took part in the People’s Wheels vote or in the ownership survey.

As far as the latter project was concerned, a record number of responses saw Korean brand Kia – which last year finished third in the rankings – emerge victorious, supplanting Mercedes-Benz at the top of the honours list with Audi filling the final step on the podium.

The results of the survey present crucial insight for marketers and offer relevant and useful information to consumers regarding ownership perceptions of vehicle brands, as well as reliability, durability and loyalty factors.

Richard Rice, Director of Business Development at TNS Global said: “For motorists, the highest rated attributes were reliability, driving experience, looks and styling and build quality. Noise and vibration, ownership costs, cargo capacity and after sales service received the poorest scores – similar to previous years.

“After sales service, noise and vibration and standard features were singled out as factors performing well below where they should be given their relative positioning in terms of importance.”

He added: “The importance of age as a key influence in vehicle purchasing and maintenance behaviour cannot be emphasised enough. Also, again, the large role that others play in the purchase decision was highlighted, not only in terms of getting input from a friend, partner or spouse, but also people who drive a brand and advocate its merits.”

Full details of the People’s Wheels Awards are contained in the 2015 edition of the Auto Annual, which was launched at the event. The 288-page coffee-table book not only offers extensive reports on all aspects of the People’s Wheels project, but also presents an authoritative overview of South Africa’s automotive industry.

Further, the publication includes depreciation values of more than 1 600 vehicles which were sold new in South Africa in 2012, as well as a comprehensive buyers’ guide that encompasses all passenger and light commercial vehicles currently in showrooms.

Editor Wynter Murdoch said the aim of the Auto Annual was to highlight some of the rewards, issues and challenges that had influenced South Africa’s automotive industry over the year, putting into focus manufacturing, marketing and consumer related information of relevance to the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments.

WINNERS

CATEGORY 1 Budget Buys VOLKSWAGEN Polo Vivo KIA Picanto FORD Figo	CATEGORY 2 Compact Commuters KIA Rio AUDI A1/A1 Sportback VOLKSWAGEN Polo	CATEGORY 3 Compact Executive Cars MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class /CLA AUDI A3/Sedan/Sportback BMW 1-Series
CATEGORY 4 Family Friendly Cars MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class BMW 3-Series AUDI A4	CATEGORY 5 Mid-Sized Executive Cars MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class JAGUAR XF BMW 5-Series	CATEGORY 6 Premium Luxury Cars MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class JAGUAR XJ PORSCHE Panamera
CATEGORY 7 Super Luxury Cars ASTON MARTIN Rapide FERRARI F12 Berlinetta ROLLS ROYCE Ghost	CATEGORY 8 Sporty Drop Tops JAGUAR F-Type MERCEDES-BENZ SLK PORSCHE Boxster	CATEGORY 9 Super Sports Cars LAMBORGHINI Aventador AUDI R8 NISSAN GT-R
CATEGORY 10 Sport Coupés: 2-Door Hard Tops BMW 2-Series AUDI TT Coupé KIA Cerato Koup	CATEGORY 11 Premium Class Coupés PORSCHE Cayman AUDI A5 Coupe BMW 6-Series	CATEGORY 12 Hot Hatches/Sedans/Coupés MERCEDES-BENZ A45/CLA 45 AMG VOLKSWAGEN Golf GTI AUDI S3
CATEGORY 13 Compact Mpvs & People Carriers VOLKSWAGEN Touran MERCEDES-BENZ B-Class TOYOTA Verso ;	CATEGORY 14 Large MPVs & People Carriers MERCEDES-BENZ Viano VOLKSWAGEN Kombi HYUNDAI H-1	CATEGORY 15 Small SUVs & Crossovers FORD Ecosport NISSAN Qashqai JEEP Compass ;
CATEGORY 16 Compact SUVs & Crossovers TOYOTA Fortuner KIA Sportage MERCEDES-BENZ GLA	CATEGORY 17 Premium Class SUVs & Crossovers LAND ROVER Range Rover Evoque AUDI Q5 PORSCHE Macan	CATEGORY 18 Luxury SUVs & Crossovers LAND ROVER Range Rover Sport PORSCHE Cayenne BMW X6
CATEGORY 19 Hybrids/Electrics 1. MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Hybrid 2. PORSCHE Cayenne Hybrid 3. PORSCHE Panamera Hybrid	CATEGORY 20 Light Delivery Vehicles 1. MERCEDES-BENZ Vito Panel Van 2. HYUNDAI H-1 Panel Van 3. VOLKSWAGEN Caddy Panel Van	CATEGORY 21 Single Cab Bakkies 1. TOYOTA Hilux 2. FORD Ranger 3. NISSAN Navara
CATEGORY 22 Double Cab Bakkies 1. FORD Ranger 2. VOLKSWAGEN Amarok 3. TOYOTA Hilux	OWNERSHIP SURVEY KIA MERCEDES-BENZ AUDI	OVERALL WINNER: PEOPLE’S CHOICE FORD Ranger Double Cab

Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards Winner Announcement

The Ideal Ford at SEMA Is this 427-Powered ’67 Fairlane on Lamborghini Miura Wheels

November 6, 2014 at 1:39 pm by Aaron Robinson | Photography by Michael Simari

Hot-rod builders sometimes give their automobiles a fictional backstory, and Los Angeles–area car builder Steve Strope reckons his custom stock-auto tribute could have been a Ford Motor Company racing test bed built in between the 1966 and ’67 seasons. The 1967 Fairlane packs one of the well-known Ford “cammer” engines, or a single-overhead-cam 427 running 4 2-barrel Holley carburetors featuring uncommon “Le Mans” racing bowls.

However, the most unusual visual feature is the 15-inch Lamborghini Miura–style knockoff wheels. These have an invented backstory as well: during the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari in the late ’60s, somebody decided that “if you are going to piss off Ferrari, what better way than by using Miura wheels,” mentioned Strope.

The 15-inch pieces were in fact produced brand new for this automobile by machining the vintage style from billet aluminum. The rest of the vehicle features “a bunch of race-inspired things, but absolutely nothing that could fit into an actual series back then,” says Strope. The Fairlane was named the best Ford at SEMA by a group of Ford designers, Strope’s third consecutive win of that prize. We concur.

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The Ideal Ford at SEMA Is this 427-Powered ’67 Fairlane on Lamborghini Miura Wheels

The Wheels on Our Long-Term 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali Are Heavy—*Truly* Heavy

October 16, 2014 at 10:55 am by Vehicle and Driver | Photography by Michael Simari

“It would price around $ 164,000 to send 1 of the Yukon’s wheels (tire incorporated) into orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9.” – Charley Ladd, road warrior

Our long-term GMC Yukon XL is so big—well, it has “XL” right there in its name, does not it? It has a massive 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Its huge cabin seats 8 comfortably, plus their stuff. And its big 22-inch wheels look damn great, but Charley is right—shipping them into space (present price: practically $ 2K per pound) in one particular of Elon Musk’s rockets wouldn’t be cheap. We realized this when running our common entrance exam on the GMC—as we do for each and every one particular of our lengthy-term vehicles—and we removed the wheels to measure brake-pad thickness. (It’s a measurement we’ll take once again when the GMC leaves our fleet to analyze wear.) The wheel removal proved to be a workout.

Huge rims on SUVs—even from the factory—aren’t news any longer. But we had never ever especially sought out the wheels’ particulars, even even though we know they’re quite heavy. Following road warrior Charley Ladd—who is far from weak—struggled to wrestle the Yukon’s wheels off, we decided to weigh the beasts. As it turns out, each and every of our long-term Yukon XL Denali’s wheel-and-tire combos crushed the scales at 88 pounds.

As any amateur suspension designer knows, unsprung weight—essentially, anything in the suspension, brakes, and wheels—can have a large impact on overall automobile dynamics and wheel handle more than bumps. The Yukon, for that reason, ought to ride like a broken Radio Flyer wagon, but thanks to the Denali model’s regular Magnetic Ride Manage adaptive magnetorheological dampers and the XL physique style’s longer wheelbase, the truck rides very well. So why are we noting the precise weight of the wheels?

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Allow us to paint you a image: It is dark out, possibly raining, and a single of your Yukon’s 22-inch tires meets a nail. You’re a zillion miles from anywhere, and a tire modify is in order. Yep, have enjoyable pig-wrangling that giant chrome wheel and its dead tire up into the trunk—you didn’t have anything back there, did you?—all by your lonesome following installing the 17-inch spare. It hasn’t occurred to us however, but we suggest that any prospective or existing Yukon owners out there commence practicing their power squats—or familiarizing themselves with the location of the OnStar button.

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The Wheels on Our Long-Term 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali Are Heavy—*Truly* Heavy

People’s Wheels Awards 2015 – Finalists Announced

The 4th annual Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards are due to be held on Thursday, November 13, at the Montecasino Ballroom in 4ways, Johannesburg.

Initiated by the Future Group in association with Standard Bank, research house TNS South Africa and media partner Sunday Times, the People’s Wheels Awards provide the automotive sector with a unique platform to reward vehicle excellence.

South Africans came out in numbers to vote for their favourite cars in the 2015 Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards survey. The online polls were open for over 3 months, from June to August, and once again the results were impressive. About 60 000 votes were recorded across the competition’s 22 categories.

Furthermore, a record number of responses were received from vehicle owners in a survey designed to determine their satisfaction levels with regard to the cars and bakkies they drive every day.

“Standard Bank as one of the key financiers of car buyers and lovers in South Africa believes that all motorists should have a voice in deciding what our country’s most esteemed cars should be. Nobody can better assess the merits of vehicles than the people who drive them. The awards enable motorists to use their experiences, and those of others to help them to make informed comparisons and purchasing decisions,” says Nicholas Nkosi, Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance – Personal Markets at Standard Bank.

“The People’s Wheels Awards’ success undoubtedly rests on 2 major factors. It is an event in which all motorists can be heard and an event in which every vote counts.”

The results of the survey present crucial insight for marketers and offer relevant and useful information to consumers regarding ownership perceptions of vehicle brands, as well as reliability, durability and loyalty factors.

Wynter Murdoch, Automotive Editor-in-Chief at Future Group, says: “Ordinary motorists can have their voices heard. The People’s Wheels Awards is the ultimate leveler in the car awards stakes.  The results reflect feelings on the ground and allow all brands, regardless of inclusivity or exclusivity, to participate on an equal basis for various classes of accolades. Acceptance of a vehicle’s merits and the ‘wow’ factor it arouses within the people, rather than the size of marketing budgets, is what counts.”

So, who voted for what in the 2015 poll? While full results will be revealed at the awards ceremony, to whet your appetite, here is a list of the vehicles that voters selected as their top 6 nominees in each of the 22 categories.

Presented category by category in alphabetical order, they range from budget buys to family sedans, from premium class road warriors to exotic supercars, from SUVs, MPVs and crossovers to delivery vans and bakkies. The nominees are:

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Category 1                                          Category 2                              Category 3

Budget Buys	Compact Commuters	Compact Executive Cars
FORD – Figo	AUDI – A1/ Sportback	AUDI A3/Sedan/Sportback
HYUNDAI – i10	FORD – Fiesta	BMW – 1-Series
KIA – Picanto	KIA – Rio	FORD – Focus
RENAULT – Sandero	RENAULT – Clio	KIA – Cerato
TOYOTA – Etios	TOYOTA – Corolla Quest	MERCEDES-BENZ – A-Class/CLA
VOLKSWAGEN – Polo Vivo	VOLKSWAGEN – Polo	VOLKSWAGEN – Golf

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Category 4                                          Category 5                              Category 6

Family Friendly Cars	Mid-Sized Executive Cars	Premium Luxury Cars
AUDI – A4	AUDI – A6	AUDI – A8
AUDI – A5 Sportback	AUDI – A7 Sportback	JAGUAR – XJ
BMW – 3-Series	BMW – 5-Series	MASERATI – Ghibli
KIA – Optima	JAGUAR – XF	MERCEDES-BENZ – CLS
MERCEDES-BENZ – C-Class	LEXUS – GS	MERCEDES-BENZ – S-Class
VOLVO – S60	MERCEDES-BENZ – E-Class	PORSCHE – Panamera

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Category 7                                          Category 8                              Category 9

Super Luxury Cars	Sporty Drop Tops	Super Sports Cars
ASTON MARTIN – Rapide	AUDI – TT Roadster	ASTON MARTIN – DB9
BENTLEY – Continental Flying Spur	BMW – 4-Series Convertible	AUDI – R8
FERRARI – F12 Berlinetta	JAGUAR – F Type	FERRARI – 458 Spider
FERRARI – FF	MERCEDES-BENZ – E-Class Cabriole	LAMBORGHINI – Aventador
ROLLS ROYCE – Ghost	MERCEDES-BENZ – SLK	MERCEDES-BENZ – SL
ROLLS ROYCE – Phantom	PORSCHE – Boxster	NISSAN – GT-R

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Category 10                                        Category 11                            Category 12

Sport Coupés: 2-Door Hard Tops	Premium Class Coupés	Hot Hatches/Sedans/ Coupés
AUDI – TT Coupe	AUDI – A5 Coupé	AUDI – S3
BMW – 2-Series	BMW – 4-Series	FORD – Fiesta ST
KIA – Cerato Koup	BMW – 6-Series	FORD – Focus ST
SUBARU – BRZ	MERCEDES-BENZ – C-Class Coupe	MERCEDES-BENZ – A45 AMG/CLA 45 AMG
TOYOTA – 86	MERCEDES-BENZ – E-Class Coupé	VOLKSWAGEN – Golf GTI
VOLKSWAGEN – Scirocco	PORSCHE – Cayman	VOLKSWAGEN – Golf R

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Category 13                                        Category 14                            Category 15

Compact MPVs & People Carriers	Large MPVs & People Carriers	Small SUVs & Crossovers
CHEVROLET – Orlando	CHRYSLER – Grand Voyager	FORD – EcoSport
DODGE – Journey	HYUNDAI – H-1	JEEP – Compass
MAZDA – 5	MERCEDES-BENZ Viano	JEEP – Patriot
MERCEDES-BENZ – B-Class	MERCEDES-BENZ Vito	KIA – Soul
TOYOTA – Verso	TOYOTA – Quantum	MITSUBISHI – ASX
VOLKSWAGEN – Touran	VOLKSWAGEN – Kombi	NISSAN – Qashqai

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Category 16                                        Category 17                            Category 18

Compact SUVs & Crossovers	Premium Class SUVs & Crossovers	Luxury SUVs & Crossovers
BMW 3-Series GT	AUDI – Q5	AUDI – Q7
FORD – Kuga	JEEP – Grand Cherokee	BMW – X6
JEEP – Wrangler	KIA – Sorento	LAND ROVER – Range Rover
KIA – Sportage	LAND ROVER – Range Rover Evoque	LAND ROVER – Range Rover Sport
MERCEDES-BENZ – GLA	PORSCHE – Macan	PORSCHE – Cayenne
TOYOTA – Fortuner	TOYOTA – Land Cruiser Prado	VOLKSWAGEN – Touareg

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Category 19                                        Category 20                            Category 21

Hybrids/Electrics	Light Delivery Vehicles	Single Cab Bakkies
BMW – ActiveHybrid 3	FORD – Transit Custom	CHEVROLET – Utility
HONDA – CRZ	HYUNDAI – H-1 Panel Van	FORD – Ranger
INFINITI – Q50 Hybrid	MERCEDES-BENZ – Vito Panel Van	KIA – K2700
MERCEDES-BENZ – E-Class Hybrid	TOYATO – Quantum Panel Van	NISSAN – Navara
PORSCHE – Cayenne Hybrid	VOLKWAGEN – Caddy Panel Van	TOYOTA – Hilux
PORSCHE – Panamera Hybrid	VOLKSWAGEN – Transporter Panel Van	VOLKSWAGEN – Amarok

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Category 22

Double Cab Bakkies

FORD – Ranger

ISUZU – KB

LAND ROVER – Defender

NISSAN – Navara

TOYOTA – Hilux

VOLKWAGEN – Amarok

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ABOUT THE FUTURE GROUP

 

Future Group has a proud 17 year history of providing premium quality, well-respected products and services for the media, automotive, business travel, corporate, hunting and outdoor sectors. The business also provides strategic marketing communications, hosts leading events, and publishes industry-leading reference publications. A portfolio of events that includes: MTN Radio Awards; ON AIR Radio Conference; the Future of Media and Advertising Conference; Business Traveller Africa Awards;  People’s Wheels Awards as well as publications such as The Annual; the Redzone magazine; The Auto Annual; IMPERIAL Auto, Future Trucking & Logistics, Fleet, and Automobil.

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For more information, visit www.thefuturegroup.co.za / www.peopleswheels.co.za

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People’s Wheels Awards 2015 – Finalists Announced

The Darth Automobile: 12 Things You Need to have to Know About Hot Wheels’ Life-Size, 150-mph Darth Vader Automobile

Comic-Con 2014 opens tomorrow, but particulars on a lot of of the huge reveals have already been blasting across cyberspace. Pertinent (sort of) to our milieu was Mattel’s release of its Star Wars–themed Hot Wheels cars, but even far more thoughts-blowing is the reality that the company built a full-size, totally operational version of the Darth Vader–themed coupe, which it has dubbed the “Darth Auto.”

However, San Diego, the website of the annual Comic-Con International convention, is more than 2000 miles from our offices in Ann Arbor, so we did the next very best point and got on the telephone with the Darth Car’s creators to find out much more. Here’s what we discovered:

1. It is primarily based on a C5 Corvette.
Yes, a C5 Chevrolet Corvette. With a physique fittingly crafted mainly from fiberglass—carbon fiber was employed for the front splitter—the finished Darth Auto is mentioned to weigh nearly 50 percent less than the donor Corvette. And due to the fact a Sith Lord can’t ever sink low sufficient, the donor chassis was lowered slightly.

2. It is completely drivable—and rapidly.
The vehicle has been road-tested at speeds up to an 80-mph cruise. There’s a lot more: Billy Hammon, CEO of PCW Brands, which constructed the auto, says it is capable of reaching velocities in the neighborhood of 150 mph.

3. It has an LS3, infant!
Moving forward a Corvette generation, a GM LS3 V-8—the C6 engine from 2008 onward—is fitted and tends to make a claimed 526 horsepower. Gearchanges are executed via a 6-speed manual we often knew Lord Vader was a Save the Manuals kind of guy.

4. The auto is fitted with a “drift brake.”
The secondary, hand-actuated brake works on the rear axle and can be employed to support steer the auto or, you know, drift it. Perfect for terrorizing Ugnaughts riding shotgun.

5. It has custom wheels and redline tires.
Wheelmaker U.S. Mags custom-milled the wheels for the project. The unique tires are particular to the auto and styled to deliver the iconic Hot Wheels redline aesthetic while also delivering respectable functionality.

6. It is, of course, packed with Vader-y goodness.
The plate on the hood is modeled soon after the a single on the chest of Darth Vader’s suit, much more particularly as it appeared in The Empire Strikes Back. The missiles mounted to the side are machined from stainless steel, and the side pipes are styled right after Vader’s red lightsaber. Yes, they illuminate.

7. It breathes like Darth Vader.
Several Star Wars audio effects, which includes the unmistakable sounds of Darth Vader breathing and his lightsaber coming to life, can be controlled remotely via an iPad.

8. The Darth Car’s designer is living his dream.
At the age of 10, Bryan Benedict—now lead designer for the Hot Wheels Entertainment die-cast line—wrote to his future employer to inform them what sort of toy vehicles to build. 2 years later, he wrote a comparable letter to Basic Motors and received a reply in the type of a checklist of goals he must pursue in order to turn out to be a automobile designer. With 2 decades of design achievement (split evenly amongst Honda and Hot Wheels) under his belt, following GM’s guidance seems to have worked. He told us that his household was unable to afford Star Wars toys when he was a child—he got Hot Wheels instead—so now he’s making his personal.

9. It was built in 6 weeks.
Design function for the toy version of the car began in November of 2013. Perform on the full-size car began in April of this year and went from final design to done in just over 2 months, according to PCW’s Hammon.

10. The hatch opens like Darth Vader’s helmet.
In fact, specific attention was paid to make positive it did so. It is also equipped with a smoke-producing device that activates when the hatch is opened for complete dramatic impact.

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11. It dropped jaws on the streets of L.A.
The promotional video embedded below was shot in the 2nd Street tunnel in Los Angeles, where the Darth Car reportedly stunned even the most jaded Tinsel Town residents.

12. It is impressive. Most impressive.
Hot Wheels says its goal was to pay tribute to its own stylistic heritage but to also harness the futuristic but timeless design of the Star Wars universe. We say it succeeded—mightily.

[embedded content]

The Darth Automobile: 12 Things You Need to have to Know About Hot Wheels’ Life-Size, 150-mph Darth Vader Automobile

Hot Wheels Launching Line of Star Wars Characters as Cars—Predictably, They’re Great

July 22, 2014 at 5:55 pm by Alex Nunez | Photography by Mattel, Mattel via Jedi News

The new Hot Wheels Star Wars lineup hits store shelves in October. The vehicles themselves make their debut at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con Hot Wheels booth. Here’s what your favored characters look like when they’re prepped for orange track.

Image: Mattel

Chewbacca: Han Solo’s trusted Wookiee companion really would make a hell of a workhorse. Hot Wheels reimagines him as a large, brawny, Unimog-style flatbed. Which, incidentally, is carrying the Falcon.

Image: Mattel

R2-D2: R2-D2 goes all American Graffiti in Hot Wheels form. He’s not a poor option for a hot rod, actually. R2 is always the a single known as upon to fix issues, so he’d primarily be a upkeep-free of charge Astromech T-bucket.

Image: Mattel

Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot): Count on several variations for Luke considering that he sported several various appears all through the original trilogy. Modeling a sports automobile right after his flight suit and helmet is a good start off. The giant intercooler tends to make a statement, but don’;t forget: Don’t get cocky, Kid.

Image: Mattel

Yoda: Think about an original Fiat 500 Abarth, only blown and modeled right after a frail-seeking small green alien who’s not almost as helpless as he appears, and you’ve got the new Yoda automobile.

Image: Mattel

Darth Vader: He’s sleek. He’s black. He’s menacing. He’s Darth Vader. Duh.

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501st Clone Trooper: The 501^st Legion is the greatest, most organized group of Star Wars cosplayers in the . . . properly, in the galaxy, almost certainly. They’ve gotten love in the previous (nods in the Clone Wars cartoon, a Hasbro action figure, and so forth.), and Hot Wheels pays tribute once again here with this SUV modeled right after a Clone Trooper.

This story initially appeared on roadandtrack.com

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Hot Wheels Launching Line of Star Wars Characters as Cars—Predictably, They’re Great

People’s Wheels Awards survey – a chance to win R25 000

The Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards survey is back! The 4th installment of the annual popular poll and vehicle ownership survey is officially underway from yesterday – June 23.

By logging on to www.peopleswheels.co.za, motorists have the opportunity to win R25 000 by answering questions about the cars they own and by voting for the cars they wish they owned – the ones they think stand above their peers in each of the 22 categories. In determining the winners, voters have hundreds of models from which to choose. The range spans budget city runabouts to the most exotic sports cars, from bakkies to luxurious SUVs and rugged 4x4s.

The surveys are set to run until August 29. By taking part in the People’s Wheels Poll, voters will help to determine the most popular car in each of the categories as well as an overall winner – the vehicle that garners the most number of votes.

By taking part in the ownership survey they will help to determine which cars they rate highest in terms of the ownership experience, from the actual purchase experience to the drive; from build quality to reliability; from interior comfort to performance; from financing options to cargo capacity; from after sales service to running costs; from looks and styling to economy; from preferred fuel and tyre replacement brands to safety features.

The survey, sponsored by Standard Bank, is brought to you by the Future Group in partnership with the Sunday Times and research house TNS South Africa.

For more information, please visit www.peopleswheels.co.za or follow @AutoAnnualZA on Twitter.

ABOUT THE FUTURE GROUP

Future Group has a proud 17 year history of providing premium quality, well-respected products and services for the Media, Automotive, Business Travel, Corporate, Hunting and Outdoor sectors. The business also provides strategic marketing communications, hosts leading events, and publishes industry-leading reference publications. A portfolio of events that includes: MTN Radio Awards; ON AIR Radio Conference; the Future of Media and Advertising Conference; Business Traveller Africa Awards;  People’s Wheels Awards as well as publications such as The Annual; the Redzone magazine; The Auto Annual; IMPERIAL Auto, Future Trucking & Logistics, Fleet, and Automobil.

For more information, visit www.thefuturegroup.co.za.

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People’s Wheels Awards survey – a chance to win R25 000

Eighteen-Inch Wheels Fit Effortlessly - 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test

This is the estimated typical annual insurance premium getting charged in your state. The premium has been determined based on annual premium information for defined coverages (liability, complete and collision) from a key insurer.

Whilst this information is certain to car make, model, model year and body kind, your private data is not taken into consideration and could greatly alter the actual premium quoted by an insurer. Variables that will have an effect on your price consist of your age, marital status, credit history, driving record, and the garaging address of your vehicle.

The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2014 Mazda Mazda3 in NJ is:

$ 266 per month*

* Explanation

Eighteen-Inch Wheels Fit Effortlessly - 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test