RedlineNorth in Vienna, Austria

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Team RedlineNorth recently traveled to Vienna, Austria to experience the sights and sounds of one of the most magnificent cities in the world. With Austria’s strong economy and a history of liking the “finer things” the local Viennese have some nice rides.  Here is a taste of what you will see on a typical day in Vienna.

With its close proximity to Germany, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW’s are the standard cars most Viennese drive. In our travels we tried to find some vehicles less popular in North America.  Here is an assortment of American, French, English and German models currently found on the streets of Vienna.

Vintage VW Beetle

Who knew Ford Focus came in a hardtop convertible?

Matte finishes are very popular.

2000 MG convertible

Sweet Carrera 4S

Vintage Triumph convertible

Tour bus

The French still make some beautiful sedans.

More matte finishes

Smart car convertible

Audi S3 – Fastest grocery getter around.

I know we have lots of these but could not resist – The ever amazing Audi S5.

A Ferrari dealership storefront on the Ringstrasse.

SPOTTED: 1965 Shelby Cobra 427

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In a new series here on RedlineNorth we’ll be bringing you brief posts on randomly spotted vehicles that are unique, rare, or interesting.  First up a 1965 Shelby Cobra.

Car: 1965 Shelby Cobra 427
Spotted: Toronto, Canada

1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Front View

Shelby Cobra

1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Rear View

1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Interior

Vital Stats

Production: 1965-1967
Engine: 427 cu in (7.0 L) V8
Length: 156 in
Width: 68 in
Height: 49 in
Curb Weight: 2,355 lb (1,068 kg)
Purchase Price (in 1965): $7,000

Read the original 1965 Car and Driver road test of the 427. 

Hot Wheels Double Loop de Loop at 2012 X Games

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As reported earlier this month Team Hot Wheels has just completed another world record stunt.  This time a double loop de loop at the 2012 X Games in Los Angeles California.

I don’t know about you but the inside car seems to be traveling too slowly on the approach to get all the way around the loop, but of course they performed the stunt successfully, so speed obviously wasn’t a factor.

Good control on the landing after the little bounce from the second vehicle.

Making of/teaser video below:

 

Honda Indy Car on Tea Cups

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Check out this display of a Honda Indy Car perched on top of four bone china tea cups. The car was part of a promotion outside a china and glassware store in Toronto, Canada for the upcoming Honda Indy.

Cup of tea anyone?

Honda Indy Car

Honda Indy Car

Each cup is supporting 387 pounds. Impressive to say the least!

Ford Developing Traffic Jam Fighter

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In the category of ‘Why haven’t they developed this years ago’ Kicking Tires is reporting that Ford is developing a traffic jam fighter –

“Traffic Jam Assist uses several of Ford’s current radar and camera systems (active park assist, adaptive cruise control and Lane-Keeping Aid) to help a vehicle keep pace with others in traffic and provide automated steering control so it stays in its current lane. It also detects changing traffic patterns on the road ahead and communicates them to the driver. So far, the prototype system works in highway situations where lanes are clearly marked and there are no pedestrians, bicyclists or animals present.

‘Individual simulation studies have found that where 25% of vehicles on a stretch of road are equipped to automatically follow the traffic ahead, journey times can be reduced by 37.5% and delays reduced by 20% — saving millions of gallons of fuel each year,’ Ford said in a statement.
The automaker hopes this system will reduce driver stress and ease traffic gridlock, especially since traffic jams are on the rise because of population growth around the world.” – Source: Kicking Tires

Traffic jams usually form through what is called a shockwave. The following is a simple illustration of how a traffic jam is formed:

MIT Video – Formation of a ‘phantom traffic jam’

By overriding stop start driver behavior, these automated driver systems allow traffic to flow smoother and average speeds increase as a result.

Remember this theory the next time you are stuck in traffic!

Catching A Golf Ball in an AMG Roadster

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Check out this video of former F1 driver David Coulthard catching a golf ball hit by pro golfer Jake Sheperd. The car caught the ball 275 metres away from the tee.

Here is the behind the scenes video on how the stunt was set up.

Red Vehicles Attract More Bird Droppings

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The Daily Mail in the UK is reporting a new study has shown red vehicles attract more bird droppings than any other colour. Researchers looked at more than 1,400 vehicles in five different cities. The most ‘popular’ colours for birds are the following:

Red – 18%
Blue – 14%
Black – 11%
White – 7%
Grey/Silver – 3%
Green – 1%

While this study was conducted for a car accessories chain and the numbers may not hold true for every city it’s interesting note the wide variation in numbers. Red isn’t the most popular vehicle colour in the UK by the way, according to the AA silver is.

New BMW M5 ‘Bullet’ Video

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BMW Canada have released a new video showing their M5 sedan crashing through some objects at high speed in the desert. The video appears to be shot with high speed camera and the footage slowed down into what BMW calls High Performance Art. The cinematography in this video is very impressive and, oh yeah, the car is mildly impressive as well! Too bad it’s going to loose its manual transmission option next year as has been widely reported.

Parallel Parking Record

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I don’t know about most people, but the RedlineNorth Team feel they are pretty good at parallel parking. Perhaps that comes from living in an urban environment and the necessity of having to parallel park on a frequent basis. Whatever the reason the following video shows drivers taking parallel parking to a whole new level. It’s from a recent Guinness World Record attempt in China. While records eventually get broken I don’t know how someone is going to top this. Remember kids don’t try this at home with Daddy’s new BMW!

Ken Block Gymkhana 5 – Out July 9th

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If you have been following us for a while you know the RedlineNoth Team has an affinity for rally car driver Ken Block and his Gymkhana video series. News today that the next edition Gymkhana series, Gymkhana 5, will debut on July 9th. Similar to Gymkhana 4, the new video will be in partnership with DC Shoes. For more info the official press release is below.

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JUNE 18th, 2012 – Huntington Beach, California – After much anticipation, Ken Block and DC Shoes are proud to announce the coming of Gymkhana FIVE, which will debut globally on Monday, July 9th at 10 AM EST via the DC Shoes YouTube channel. Filmed on the streets of San Francisco, California, Gymkhana FIVE builds on the previous successes of the Gymkhana viral video series and it’s 140+ million views.

“My idea for Gymkhana FIVE was simple,” said Block. “I wanted to build on the ultimate playground concept from Gymkhana THREE, and bring the franchise back to that raw and fast feel that the earlier videos had. I’ve always wanted to film a Gymkhana video in a city and there are few places as unique and iconic with such amazing topography as San Francisco. While movies like Bullit and various chase scenes have tried to use San Francisco to the fullest, I’m pretty confident that I’ve proven there was a lot left to be done on those amazing streets!”

Without question, the streets of San Francisco make Gymkhana FIVE the most unique project to date in the franchise’s history. And for good measure, a few world records and a surprise guest have been thrown in too. Making a return for the second year in a row is Block’s Ford Fiesta H.F.H.V. racecar, which can be seen slaying its tires on the streets of San Francisco globally on the July 9th release date. For select media and action sport VIPs, DC will premiere the video on Friday, June 29th during Summer X Games 18.