With a price “to be announced” we can assume one thing about HB Coupe – you can’t afford it.

It is a fully custom carbon monocoque body, with a powerplant making 306 HP from its 3.0L inline six engine. A rear wheel drive ride, HB is matted to a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch tranny, that clocks in a 0 – 62 time of 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 155.

Source: Uncrate

There are many great posts on all the funny, entertaining, and thought-provoking Ads from Super Bowl XLVI. Now, we’re looking at the worst. What does it take to be a “bad” advertisement? There is no such thing as negative PR, after all.

These spots were either recycled, annoying, or dull. Many will argue that 2012 Super Bowl commercials were boring all around. Check out what we think, and give us some feedback!

Ford Recycles Derek Jeter Mustang Spot

We are extra disappointed with Ford at their 8-month-old Mustang ad, featuring Yankee all-star Derek Jeter. This commercial originally aired during baseball season. Its music was changed for Super Bowl time (the original above uses ‘Empire State of Mind’ by Jay-Z) but it’s still same old, same old.

Suzuki ‘Sled’ With 50 Cent

You know the old sitcom formula; wife puts up with dopey, out of shape husband. This is the theme for Suzuki’s ‘Sled’ ad. What really let us down was the fact that no one at Automopedia can recall actually seeing the commercial during The Big Game…did it even air?

The VW Dog Commercial, Segment 1

The second half of Volkswagen’s Dog spot from the Super Bowl was great, mostly because it was a huge Star Wars reference. But the first part was a bit dull and cheesy. The dog was cute, however, but so were the pups from Suzuki’s ad.

Camaro As A College Graduation Present

One word: Annoying. A douchie, fair-haired college kid screams for 30 seconds about the less-than-exciting Chevrolet Camaro.

Cars.com “Cancerous Growth” Spot

When someone on Twitter (if I remembered who I’d give them credit) said they didn’t understand Cars.com’s “cancerous growth” ad, it made us laugh. That was, in fast, the only part of this really weird and poorly CGI’ed commercial we found humorous.

When it comes to the Batmobile, DC and Warner Bros. are NOT messing around. DC Comics just won a huge copyright battle against those who make and sell replica Batmobile “modification kits.” According to the judge, the iconic Batman superhero vehicle is protected by law.

DC sued Mark Towle of Gotham Garage, accusing him of selling “unlicensed replica vehicle modification kits based on vehicle design copyrights from plaintiff’s Batman property, including various iterations of the fictional automobile, the Batmobile.” Try saying that a few times fast.

Towle felt the Batmobile, as a vehicle, is not subject to copyright law.

“The court finds, however, that defendant’s argument lacks merit,” the judge added.

In the end, DC Comics needs to go further in order to better protect imaging and likeness rights to their iconic automobile. As for Towle, he can settle out of court with DC or keep fighting. Under the Copyright Act, he might face a maximum $150,000 in penalties, per vehicle.

Source: Wired | Image: ABC Television

Tire makers Bridgestone produced a slew of TV and web ads for this year’s Super Bowl XLVI. They might as well, since their sponsorship of The Super Bowl Halftime Show (featuring a stiff Madonna, Cee-Lo’s wardrobe malfunction, and M.I.A.’s middle finger) gave them free reign.

New tire technology is being released on the court and field. Bridgestone engineers want to introduce a new level of rubber tech to games like bowling, football, and even basketball. Check out these witty ads below:

Bridgestone – Performance Basketball

Tim Duncan Love Bridgestone Tech

Bridgestone – Brains vs. Brawn

Bridgestone Engineer Endorsement

It seems like there were more car ads during Super Bowl XLVI than commercials for any other products. Both foreign and domestic auto makers shelled out millions for the 2012 Big Game. In fact, according to Kantar Media, a record $77.5M was spent on spots this year.

Hyundai had the most, was it four or five separate ads? But did they have the most entertaining? Let us know what you think, and watch our list below.

10. Cadillac ATS Goes To Green Hell

Honestly, knowing an “All-American-Made” luxury vehicle went to Germany for testing seems a bit… Un-American. But this ad, featuring the new ATS sports sedan, really caught our attention. Great shots of the test car flying over asphalt are stunning, as is the name ‘Green Hell.’

9. BMW 2-Series’s Heated Steering Wheel

You’ve all been there, trying in desperation to stay warm on a February night while the car heats up. Luckily, if you can actually afford to own a BMW, the updated 3-Series will heat its steering wheel immediately. We await mass recalls from owners who report second degree burns on their palms.

8. Kia Optima – Tommy Lee Sells Out

Some feel owning a Kia is just like a dream. Others would say Optima is more like a nightmare. Sure, Kia is shedding its negative persona but still has a way to go. Optima hybrid is one of the most fuel efficient cars on the road today, so that should help. Motley Crue shows up in this ad, guess they need the money.

7. Fiat 500′s Sexually Explicit & Awkward Ad

Fiat’s spot for the Abarth 500 is smart, witty, sexy, slightly inappropriate for a game children are probably watching, and proves the stereotype that some people want to have sex with cars. We dig it. Too bad Fiat sales are down immensely, and the car has received terrible safety ratings.

6. Toyota Camry – Reinvention

This was one of two Camry commercials from Super Bowl 46, but without a doubt a personal favorite. Who wouldn’t mind being pulled over more if the officer gave massages? Or would love having a time-traveling baby who didn’t poop? The all new Camry from Toyota is pretty snazzy too.

5. Chrysler – Clint Eastwood’s Long Detroit Rant

“It’s halftime in America” according to Clint ‘Dirty Harry’ Eastwood. Some found this ad breathtaking and thought provoking. Others found it long and depressing. But we guarantee it’ll be one of the top most discussed Super Bowl commercials this year.

4. Audi Quattro – The White Whale

How can you not love a Moby Dick reference? Audi does Quattro the honor of comparing it to the classic White Whale, with Ahab as a grouchy tow truck driver, always a step behind from this German sedan.

3. Chevrolet Apocalypse Survivors

It’s the end of the world as we know it, and as long as we have a Chevy pickup, we’ll be fine. The spot is great dig at Ford, and perfect use of shocking post-destruction imagery with a really chill soundtrack. Oh, and there’s Twinkies!

2. Jerry Seinfeld Wants An Acura NSX

Jerry Seinfel has to bribe his way into the first Acura NSX, and brings along Soup Nazi and an alien. But will Jay Leno get away with last minute trickery?

1. Volkswagen’s Empire Strikes Back

Volkswagen knows how to produce an attention grabbing Super Bowl commercial. Last year’s Star Wars ad was a smash hit. This year, it’s an Empire Strikes Back take on the newly redesigned Beetle (but you have to wait for it).

Honorable Mention: Honda’s Day Off With Matthew Broderick

Ferris Bueller, err… I mean, Mathew Broderick teases his classic ‘Day Off’ film in this Super Bowl ad for the 2012 Honda CR-V. We didn’t put this in the Top 10, because frankly it stands out as the best for execution, and worst for ruining a favorite coming of age comedy for everyone.

Welcome back to The Lost Cars of Brooklyn – where we discovered a classic 1983 Oldsmobile 88 Delta Royal Brougham V8 Coupe.

A private seller down in Dyker Heights is offering up one mint condition Oldsmobile two-door for just $1,750.

With 117,000 on this 8 cylinder’s odometer, it may be a coupe but this car’s got girth. We aren’t going to try estimating miles per gallon, because you drive this vehicle for style, not to save the Earth.

For a 1983 model, there’s a nice amount of modern installed features:

Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
Power Door Locks
Power Windows
Power Steering
Power Seats
Tilt/Telescope Steering Wheel

According to the seller’s description, this Oldsmobile includes an original engine and rebuilt transmission. Inside, 88 Delta has a new headliner, body trim moldings, and center wheel emblems. This is a great find, click the Auto Trader link below if interested, now!

Source: Auto Trader

Auto critics have chosen their Cars for 2011, along with models they believe will be great buys in 2012. Now, it’s Automopedia’s turn.

2011 was an interesting and inspiring year for the automotive industry. Jobs are coming back to The Motor City, profits are rising in America for the first time since 2008, and companies merged, died, killed old models, and welcomed new. We look back at 2011′s best, followed by a few picks for this coming year.

Why is this traffic cone monster the main photo for our blog post? No reason.

Best of 2011:

5. Fiat 500
Love it or hate it, Fiat is here (again) to stay. American audiences were excited to see a return of the tiny Fiat 500. Those same audiences were not very surprised that Fiat is not selling well. After an expensive commercial broadcast campaign starring Jenny from the Block, sales tanked in various markets (with the exclusion of NYC and Los Angeles). According to NHTSA crash test results, Fiat 500 scored a three-star rating, which is a very poor one. Many wonder if 500 will last in The USA.

4. Honda Insight
Insight is Honda’s response to Toyota’s Prius. With a body pretty much identical to Prius (and Volt, frankly) Insight was canned for cheap materials and large blind spots when it first arrived on dealer lots. What do you expect for a base price under $19,000? In 2011, these critical errors were answered. Insight was constructed better, with smaller rear blockage and a little more of a unique front end. We see good things for the Honda Hybrid going forward.

3. Ford Ranger
Ranger was Ford’s crowing achievement in small pickup trucks. Around for decades, the auto maker decided to discontinue the vehicle (for only North America) due to slow sales, as well as rising love for the larger, but still fuel efficient F-150. Personally, Automopedia loved all variants of the utilitarian friendly Ranger, and we are sad to see it go.

2. Porsche Panamera
The first “mainstream” Porsche vehicle ever. Bringing German luxury and performance to the everyday All-American family. Four-door Panamera received top honors again during 2011, and paves the way for what Porsche execs call an “economically friendly” line of vehicles, including Cayenne and Cajun. Porsche once the car of fantasy, one day soon it could be your commuting reality.

1. Chevrolet Volt
Boy, people can’t seem to stop talking about Chevy Volt EV. But it’s not all good news. Obama and his administration continually praise the hybrid electric sedan for green tech and miles per gallon. Then again, his administration is a major shareholder in General Motors, thanks to the bail out. So of COURSE they want to talk highly of it, and pray that these electric fires / burning down of owners’ homes is something that will not continue. Volt is #1 on our list not only for being a marvel of American automotive engineering, but for causing the most news reports, and joke slogans featuring “lightening” and “fire” throughout 2011.

Who Will be Tops in 2012:

5. Dodge Durango
It was an initial redesign made by the new Fiat-owned Chrysler & Dodge. Featuring a revised cross-hair grill, Durango hopes to bring SUVs back into popularity. That may not be so difficult: Dodge gave base Durango models a competitive starting price, as well as superb MPG ratings (23 highway!), a slew of standard luxury items, their Pentastar engine (producing 290 HP and traveling 550 miles per tank), and towing caps of 6200 lbs on V6, 7400 lbs in V8.

4. Acura NSX
At the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Acura surprised everyone in attendance with a revival of their 90′s classic NSX. This Next-Gen version will be a sleek model, powered by mid-engine mounted hybrid V6. We really hope Acura goes ahead with plans to start production soon.

3. Cadillac ATS
This model will hopefully drop onto dealer lots in late 2012 (for the 213 model year). The GM brand is cashing it all in on smaller, sportier vehicles like ATS. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder is rated at 200 HP, with a turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder hitting 270. This should bring in a younger audience, depending on cost, of course.

2. Toyota Prius Family
Prius C is one of several vehicles Toyota will introduce in 2012 and 2013. Already out there is Prius V, basically a minivan trim of the popular and long running hybrid. Prius C is a more compact version, similar to Honda’s Fit (which has a hybrid overseas, but not in America). Base price for C is also under $19,000. Good, very good in fact, for a car with projected EPA fuel economy of 53 mpg city, 46 mpg highway.

1. Ford Fusion Hybrid / Plug-In
Another model for 2013, Fusion will be out later this year. It was the doll of NAIAS displays, attracting positive feedback from fans and press alike. A 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will power base trims, making 179 HP and 26 city, 37 highway MPG. Fusion Hybrid receives a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, with electric motor and new lithium-ion battery pack. Expected to grab 47 city and 44 highway, Fusion is destined to have buyers stopping at Ford lots.

The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, another popular draw from 2012 NAIAS, is aimed at getting over 100 MPGe.

Source: Edmunds | Chryslerpedia | Fordpedia

The Bayou Billionaire reject above is Bobby Cleveland, holder of a …umm, unique, world record. The world’s fastest lawnmower.

Bobby and his modified lawnmower hit the Bonneville Salt Flats back in September 2010, recording a top speed of 96.529 mph.

“I was a little disappointed with that speed,” Cleveland said. “I should have done about 120. But once you get above 80 mph, the wind really hits you.”

What’s powering this intense grass cutter? Cleveland began with a 20-hp modified Briggs & Stratton engine, billet crank and a hotter cam. He states the motor now puts out around 40 hp. Cleveland spent $3,000 on the engine, $4,000 in total for his record book entry.

104 Octane booster sponsored Bobby Cleveland’s mower riding adventurer. Cleveland, 54, was a design engineer at Snapper lawn-mower company in Georgia. He currently acts as a spokesman for Gold Eagle Co.’s fuel-additive products.

Source: Auto Week

There seems to be no middle ground, at least if you live in NYC: You either love cars, or you love cycling. Biking has grown from a way to commute into a lifestyle for many. To others, it is merely a passing trend, of which they want in on while city or single speed / fixed gear biking is “hot.”

Only in Brooklyn will you find someone who is probably classified as a ‘Yuppie,’ and will try desperately to fit into both:

If this image, which is from Bike Snob NYC, makes you say “ugh,” join the club. For the record, this blogger is an avid cyclist, and is constantly tormented due to a fondness for both two wheels and four.

Welcome to Car Care – Automopedia’s advice section on caring for your vehicle. Today, we help you deal with that beater. Oh, and Edmunds.com lends us some advice too.

With today’s economy in the toilet, car owners are taking what they feel is a savvy approach to keeping an automobile. The trend is known as having a “transitional vehicle” – used cars, purchased on the cheap, to get you through a period between owning new ones. Many feel it saves money – but when getting into a beater, it’s good to know what to expect.

In the end, you might end up spending more on it than payments of a new car (take it from me, someone who purchased a used mid-90′s Toyota for around $2500, and pumped almost $5000 into it during one year).

Edmunds helped with this breakdown of how to keep that beater:

Maintain what could cause your vehicle to lose control: braking system, tires, steering, etc. Keep a close eye on everything under the hood: This includes radiator hoses, fuel lines, CV joints and fan, and timing belts. Check the oil daily / weekly.

Having a friend around who knows cars (assuming you do not) also helps. If replacement parts are needed, scour craigslist.org or flea markets.

Insuring your beater is typically inexpensive, and many won’t put out for anything above liability coverage. Keep in mind, that old vehicle you’re commuting in has a low resale value. Translation: one small accident could render it “totaled” and then you’ll be without a car once again.

So, how do you know when it’s time to dump the beater? For some, it depends on current financial situations. Do you now have enough money to put down on a new(er) vehicle?

Here’s the best way to know that it’s time to drop the used car – as stated above, are you spending more in a year to maintain it than you paid for the car? That’s a sign, when your $1500 car kills its $2500 transmission. He’s dead Jim.

Source: Edmunds.com