San Diego 'runaway Prius' has media buzzing

Both the second- and third-generation Prius are part of Toyota's massive recall – the former for floormat problems, the latter for braking issues – but a new incident from California has the automaker looking into more potential issues with the second-generation car.

As CNN tells it, Jim Sikes was driving his Prius on Interstate 8 in San Diego County when he pushed the gas pedal to pass a slow-moving car, but then, as Sikes says, "[the pedal] did something kind of funny ... it jumped and it just stuck there." Sikes called 911 for assistance, but a California Highway Patrol officer caught up to the car, and the officer used a loudspeaker to give Sikes instructions on how to safely stop the vehicle with the emergency brake. "As it was going, I was trying the brakes... it wasn't stopping," Sikes recounts. The highway patrol officer said that Sikes had reached speeds of over 90 miles per hour.

Neither Sikes or any other drivers were hurt during this alleged unintended acceleration incident. In a statement issued Monday night, Toyota says that it has dispatched a field technical specialist to investigate the case. Click through the jump to watch the CNN video and you can read more about it in Los Angeles Times link below. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Sources: CNN, Los Angeles Times]

VIDEO: Simply the Best - Clarkson shows Ferrari 348 much love on Top Gear circa 1991

The Sixties came back for a while. Then the Seventies returned for an encore performance. Now, even things from the Eighties are coming back into style. But we're praying to everything holy that the Nineties stay far, far behind us. Especially after taking this trip down memory lane to a 1991 episode of Top Gear.

Yes, in case you were wondering, Jeremy Clarkson was hosting the BBC car show even back then, having started in 1988. And yes, his Brit-fro was even bigger then, even when juxtaposed against his big-shouldered, blinged-out biker jacket and high-top sneakers.

As if to foreshadow how far Top Gear has come over the past couple of decades, Clarkson (Sideshow Bob wig and all) climbs behind the wheel of a Ferrari 348 – widely remembered as a low point in Maranello's history – and loved it. Hindsight being 20/20 and all, we did manage to extract one juicy nugget of Clarkson perspective that stands the test of time: namely, that driving a 160mph sportscar around town at 30 is every bit as justifiable as driving a four-seater by yourself. We'll just edit out the Tina Turner soundtrack the next time we pull that one out of the mental Rolodex

2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Bugatti, an authentic purveyor of fast moving machines, recently introduced their Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport featuring 1001 horsepower and speeds capable of 252 mph. As well, the French roadster holds a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.5 seconds, making it the world's fastest roadster Bugatti claims.

Mitsubishi Evo X FQ400 in action

Proving the popularity of Mitsubishi’s rally bred Lancer Evolution X FQ-400, despite the fact that the car was officially launched only a day ago, and it is already being seen in action. Check out the 403 HP turbocharged all wheel drive rocket as it receives its first impression.

Officially Official: BMW drops the details on its 2010 5 Series Gran Turismo

Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to. The latest proof of this is the announcement of the production 5 Series Gran Turismo, which, as expected, looks little changed from the concept that set tongues wagging in Geneva, save for a few details like smaller wheels, more conventional interior fabrics and real-world-sized side mirrors.

The genre-blurring 5 Series GT is, in the words of BMW, meant to combine "the characteristic features of a prestige saloon, a modern, highly versatile Sports Activity Vehicle, and a classic Gran Turismo" – outwardly, at least, we'd say that they've succeeded in meeting that goal, although the final judgment on whether this amalgam of characteristics is a even a direction worth pursuing will ultimately be made by consumers.

In the meantime, we can focus not only on the five-door hatchback's design, but also its internals, as BMW has released specifications and pricing for its European market models.

In the main, BMW has disclosed that Europe's gasoline model range will be composed of the 306 horsepower, 3.0-liter 535i Gran Turismo (a derivative of the fabulous dual-turbo inline-six seen in the engine bays of the 1, 3, and 5 Series) and the 550i Gran Turismo, which relies on a stonking dual-turbo 4.4-liter V8 good for 407 horsepower, an engine that promises to be just the thing when you're running late for your squash court appointment. Finally, there's the 530d Gran Turismo, which offers a 3.0-liter, 245 horsepower I6 diesel powerplant and a tidy C02 rating of 173 grams per kilometer. Regardless of which engine the buyer chooses, the sole gearbox offering will be the eight-speed automatic gearbox borrowed from the 760i luxury sedan. The cog-happy unit should not only help with overall fuel economy, but it makes any model in the range a sprightly performer, with BMW quoting 0-62 mph times of 6.3 seconds for the 535i GT, 5.5 seconds for the 550i GT, and a thoroughly respectable 6.9 seconds for the 530d GT (which also achieves 43.5 miles per imperial gallon, or around 36 mpg US).

It isn't yet clear what models will come to the States, but we're hearing that the 550i will be the first to make the journey, and it is likely to arrive carrying a price tag of around $70,000, which would represent around a $10,000 premium over the less-powerful 550i sedan.



[Source: BMW]

London mayor nearly killed on cycle while doing recon for new city bike routes

we regularly promote the idea of parking your car and using an alternative form of transportation whenever it's practical. For those living in urban environments, cycling is a common and often faster approach compared to driving, and congested cities the world over have been working to make pedaling more viable in recent years. One of those cities is London, England, which has been battling intense traffic through such means as a particularly contentious congestion charge.

Unfortunately for those that opt for pedal power, a great many cars and trucks will remain on most roads for the foreseeable future. That means cycling may be more environmentally friendly, but it's also very risky. London mayor Boris Johnson learned this the hard way this week while ironically scoping out locations for new bike lanes in the British capital. A truck that looks like it might have been going too fast down a narrow street very nearly triggered a fatal accident with the mayor and the British transport minister. You can check out the entire incident as recorded by one of the thousands of closed-circuit video cameras that line London's streets after the jump. Hat tip to John R.

[Source: The Guardian]

Video: Porsche Panamera

The German sports car maker Porsche has just revealed their first promotional video for the new 2010 Panamera four door. The high performance sedan will go on sale in the European market this September, followed by a U.S. release later on. The Porsche Panamera will be offered in both Turbo and 4S trims, engines will range from V6s to V8s and have outputs ranging from 300 HP all the way up to 500 HP.

A Reventon for $20k

Although it is not quite a Lamborghini Reventon, this clone does a very good impression of one. However; for $20,000 the replica is a huge discount compared to the Million dollar asking price that some owners are looking for. The car is being developed in Central America and comes complete with three year warranty. Maybe they could have done something about the wheels. See for yourself.

Audi R8 vs Airplane

If you enjoyed seeing the new V10 powered Audi R8 in Maranello, Audi TV has another interesting clip for you. This time they have pitted their R8 super car against and airplane. For the Audi this isn’t just an acceleration test, if the driver doesn’t get on the brakes early enough he and the car might just end up in the drink. Filmed aboard the USS Midway in the San Diego bay, Audi has outdone themselves once again.

Audi R8 on the racetrack

How does a high performance super car like the Audi R8 do on a racetrack? Well that depends on whether you are looking for the tried and true 4.2 Liter FSI V8 making 420 HP or the new 525 HP V10 powered version. Either way, no matter which power plant you choose, one thing is certain. The R8 is a beautiful piece of automotive engineering.

Top Gear crew spotted in UAE with quartet of top-shelf supercars

The last time Top Gear went to the United Arab Emirates, they took three Veyrons for a spin and sent the Stig into the mountains behind the wheel of a Koenigsegg. And that was the magazine. So you can bet that if the television show were to head there as well, it'd be for an equally exciting romp. And here you have it: Video footage of Richard Hammond and Sheikh al-Stig at UAE's Alain Airport with a quartet of the most desirable top-of-the-line supercars on the market. In plain view on the closed-off air strip are a Mercedes SLR McLaren 722, the new Lamborghini Murcielago SV LP670-4, a Bugatti Veyron for good measure (probably the same all-red example that took part in the triple formation) and an original McLaren F1 to put them all in their place. The comparison promises to be epic, but you can check out the video footage after the jump in the meantime.

World's Fastest Jet Pack vs. Ford Focus RS

We're all for alternative forms of transportation here at Autoblog, and we're not just talking about hydrogen fuel cells and lithium ion batteries, either. We're talking jet packs! Eric Scott is a 46-year-old Go Fast! Jet Pack pilot from Denver who became the first jet-propelled man to cross the 1,053ft-wide Royal Gorge Canyon in his home state of Colorado last year. This past week he also became the fastest jet-propelled man alive when he was clocked going 68 mph at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Scotland. What better way to follow up a record-setting jet pack run than to drag race a Ford Focus RS? The impromptu race occurred at the circuit with BTCC champ Gordon Shedden behind the wheel of the lime green Focus RS. Who do you think won? We'll tell you now because it's not altogether obvious in the video after the jump. The jet-propelled man narrowly beat out the Focus, but considering Scott's rig can only carry 30 seconds worth of fuel, we think the Ford could take him with a little more road.

Video GTA Spano - first tease

A few weeks ago Top Speed brought you the news about the latest super car to come from Spain, the GTA Spano. El super auto is powered by a mid-mounted V10 engine that makes an astounding 780 HP. It can go from 0 to 60 MPH in under 3 seconds and keeps going until it reaches a top speed of 217 MPH. Production of this very exclusive Spanish super car will be limited to only 99 units. So enjoy this teaser while it lasts.

Mercedes-Benz 2010 E-Class commercial is out there.

As if you needed any more proof between European and American cinematic viewing tastes, this one also a reasonable demonstration of the different perceptions of Mercedes in the U.S. versus residents of The Continent. It takes a while for anything to happen, but when it does, depending on where in the world you're from, it might make you cock your head a little bit.

Rhys Millen drifting the Hyundai Genesis Sedan

Getting a Hyundai Genesis Coupe to drift is relatively easy (our man Mike can attest to that). But getting its big, four-door brother to get sideways? That's a job for Hyundai's Formula D hot-shoe Rhys Millen.

The crew from KickingTires had the chance to spend some time with both the Genesis coupe and sedan, and during the course of the event they asked Millen to take Hyundai's luxo-barge around the autocross course. The results are posted after the break, and as you'd expect, getting the Genesis sedan to slide gracefully is harder than it looks.

Tesla Roadster Drifting

Will it drift? That is the age old question being asked by the guys at AutoCar, but this time they have chosen to get sideways in an electric car, although it boasts sports car power and styling, is the Tesla Roadster driftable?

Gumballers arrested for speeding at 170 mph

We definitely saw this coming. We've been receiving some unconfirmed reports that several of the participants on this year's Gumball 3000 rally had their cars impounded, and the video after the jump is the first visual evidence we've seen. Apparently several of the Gumballers were driving well in excess of the posted speed limit, as high as 170 mph, resulting in three impounded cars, including a Bugatti Veyron, and the drivers going to jail. Follow the jump to hear the MonsterArmy team talk (NSFW) about the impounded cars and to see footage of the Bugatti Veyron getting loaded up onto the flatbed.

Nicholas Cage stunt driver crashes Ferrari in NYC, injures two

It's not enough we must suffer the anguish of actually watching Nicholas Cage films; now our lives are in danger during their filming. Last night around 1AM EST, a stunt driver for the new Cage movie The Sorceror's Apprentice lost control of the Ferrari he was driving and plowed prancing horse-first into a Sbarro's on the corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street in Times Square. Eye witnesses say the Ferrari was being chased by a Mercedes while weaving through fake traffic in Times Square, but lost control after passing a car on the right. It then swerved left and jumped the curbed before taking out a lamppost (which landed on a guy), knocking a woman to the ground and destroying the front entrance of a Sbarro's. The street was closed to traffic for filming, but at least one of the injured was not associated with the movie. Based on the poem that inspired Disney's Fantasia, The Sorceror's Apprentice better make some serious box office coin to pay for the inevitable lawsuit that's on its way. Being a Nick Cage film, there's about as much chance of that happening as being hit by a Ferrari while walking in front of a Sbarro's in Times Square.

[Source: New York Post]

Video: Corvette Grand Sport revealed

After 15 years, Chevrolet has brought the Grand Sport name back into its sports car line-up. It was only fitting for the GS to be unveiled at the the National Corvette Museum.

The Grand Sport is powered by the same 6.2 Liter V8 making 430 HP found in the standard version, and is available as both a coupe and a convertible.

Video: Aston Martin One-77 exhaust note

Aston Martin One-77 made its first appearance as a completed car last weekend. So now that the car is moving under its own power, the question is what does £1 million (currently about $1.47 million) sound like?