Tesla Model S P85D AWD and auto-pilot demo

Big city cars. Big nonsense?

Google Self Driving Cars - A First Drive

BEEP BEEP ~ THE LITTLE NASH RAMBLER ~ The PLAYMATES ~ ANIMATION

WAIT!! That's Diesel!!

This kind of thing used to happen to an ex-girlfriend who used to drive my 2001 Golf TDI quite a bit back in the early to mid 2000's.  Back then, diesel cars were pretty rare in Texas and even rarer up in rural Oklahoma where she drove.  A few times, a well-meaning person would even run over to her and shut the pump off.  

This is a new commercial from Audi for their new TDI cars and it's great!

Eagle Eye Point of View

This isn't car related.  Just a couple of cool videos from a guy who can strap a GoPro camera to his pet eagle for some fantastic flight videos.

Ever wonder what it's like to fly like an eagle?  Now you can find out.

This is NOT "The Beast"

 I love to watch movies about political intrigue, especially ones that include presidential intrigue.  This usually involves shots of the President going somewhere in his limo.  Except for movies about JFK, this usually involves using a standard stretch limo, complete with opera lights on the side, pulling up.  They may put some flags on the front fenders and a little presidential seal on the door, but it's obvious that it's not a presidential limo.

Shocking Tesla Video

I'm a huge fan of the Tesla Model S sedan.  I only wish my income would allow me to buy one.  There's nothing not to like.  0-60 in 4.0 seconds, a realistic 260 miles of range.  All the features, luxury and driving performance/handling of a Mercedes S class, Audi A8, BMW 7 series, Porsche Panamera, etc., and a driver interface and features that are right out of The Jetsons.  All for as little as $73K if you can do without the power sunroof and a couple of other things, and as little as $53K if you can make due with the smallest battery pack giving only 160 miles of range. 

Photo from Tesla Motors

Photo from Tesla Motors

There are tons of videos on YouTube of great Tesla Model S reviews and owners singing the praises of their cars, but this one that I ran across this morning really caught my eye.  It's a training video from Tesla showing first responders how to treat Teslas in an accident situation.  My jaw dropped right down to the floor, however, when I hit the 27:30 mark.  Watch the video, it's pretty interesting.   If you're impatient, however, fast forward to the above mentioned point and watch from there to see something pretty shocking.  At least it was for me.  I'm not going to ruin the surprise by telling you what it was...you'll just have to watch it for yourself. 

Ouch!!

1963 Chrysler Turbine: Ultimate Edition - Jay Leno's Garage

Check out what is probably my all-time favorite car.  Fifty of these Ghia bodied 1963-4 Chrysler Turbine cars were given to 203 people to be used as a normal car for three months.  Logs were kept, impressions recorded, and then at the end of the trial period, these beautiful cars were destroyed. 

Chrysler didn't want to pay the import taxes and tariffs on the Italian-made bodies.  All but 10 were burned then crushed.  Of the remaining cars, Chrysler has three, two are in private hands, and the rest are in museums.

How sad.  

In Autonomous Cars, Intersections Aren't For The Faint of Heart

Autonomous cars are coming.  Make no mistake about it.  Nevada has already approved autonomous cars and California is close to doing has done the same thing.  The video below is a computer simulation of how a mix of driverless cars and human drivers will handle future intersections that have NO traffic signals.  Should make for an interesting ride to work!

From 1958 - The Magic Highway

Disney's 1958 vision of the future of transportation, The Magic Highway USA.

Optimistic, weren't they?

How 1939 Chryslers Were Made

Ever wonder how cars were made back in 1939?

Obama's Hang-Up

President Obama's limo had a little problem on his recent trip to Ireland.  It managed to bottom out (high centered itself) while pulling out of the US embassy. 

FYI, these are the previous generation limos also used by "W", not the bigger, truck based "Beast".  Maybe he should have used that one! 

Let's Take a Break With Marcia Ball

What do these clips have to do with cars?  Absolutely nothing.  I've just loved the hell out of this woman and her music ever since I saw her do a "Don't Mess With Texas" PSA back in the 80's or 90's.  This gal can really cook, and I don't mean dinner either.  Her piano solos are killer (especially in the second clip)!

The first clip is from the early 90's (I think) and is the PSA I mentioned above.  The second clip (after the jump) is from 1990, and the third one is from about a year ago (2010).  She's still got it!  Enjoy!!

FLASH!! CATC Commenter Rick Aurora chased in Missouri!!

CATC Rick Aurora and his friend, Mark, were spotted being chased all the way to Rolla, MO. in their silver Dodge Magnum wagon.  They put up a good fight, but we all know how these things end.  We may not hear from Rick for awhile. 

Watch Fort Worth, TX. Blow Up!!!!

The city of Fort Worth, Texas blew up Tuesday night (5/10/2011) during a thunderstorm.  Well, the entire city didn't blow up, but several dozen exploding transformers put on one hell of a light show for about a half-hour.  Put on some good music and enjoy!

CATC Contributer Rick Aurora Caught in Traffic

CATC contributer, Rick Aurora, was caught by an alert YouTuber on his daily commute while taking part in one of his many hobbies...playing the ukelele whlile driving (UWD).  Sounds good, Rick, but only slightly more dangerous than texting while driving. 

Smart Car Drifting in Japan

I just thought this was funny.

Airbus Bullies a Smaller Commercial Jet

I saw this on the news tonight, and just had to include it here.  The pilot of an Airbus A380, the biggest commercial jet in the world, doesn't realize just how big it is, and tagged a smaller commercial jet, a 70 seat Bombardier CRJ-700, and spun it around like ti was a toy.  This happened at JFK airport in New York (where else?).  Nobody was hurt and I'm assuming that the pilots exchanged information and went on their way.....NOT!!

New Jersey State Troopers Rock!!

Finally!!  I've been driving since 1970, and this is the first time I've seen the police do anything at all about "left lane bandits".  You know...the drivers who camp out in the fast lane and refuse to move over for faster traffic.  Three cheers for making sure this guy never does it again!

via TheTruthAboutCars