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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
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."
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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."
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novelties
Ever Wonder What The Inside of McLaren HQ Looks Like?
We sure haven't. McLaren seems as nebulous as the Associated Press; sort of a cabal of nameless, faceless cretins with nothing but world domination in mind. They do however, have a world corporate and production headquarters a couple kliks outside of Surry in the UK. The 613,500 square foot facility was designed by architects Foster and Partners to reflect the high technology present at McLaren. But seriously, talk about cool working environment, not only does it host some serious hardware like the Mercedes McLaren SLR 722 GTR we saw get busted in New York, but it's got its own series of lakes.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
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.
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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.
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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
