1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spyder Driven by Michael Jackson Up for Auction

If you’re experiencing a feeling of déjà vu after seeing these photos, it’s because this car was featured in 2012 on our website. The Ferrari Testarossa Spyder was not built by Ferrari, although the carmaker did commission Pininfarina to build a one-off model for the late Gianni Agnelli.

The silver-colored one-off really attracted a lot of attention at the time, with coachbuilders seeing a business case for converting Testarossas into convertibles. One of these companies was R. Straman of Costa Mesa, California, which converted a black Ferrari Testarossa for the 1987 Pepsi commercial “The Chopper”, which featured Michael Jackson behind the wheel. The conversion work cost $40,000 at the time.

Available for no reserve at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona (January 12-19), the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spyder had a major service done in February 2013 by factory-authorized L.A. dealer The Auto Gallery that set the owner back $17,680. The car’s service history dates back to 1998.

Powered by a 4.9-liter flat-12 engine producing 390 horsepower and 361 lb-ft (489 Nm) of torque, the Testarossa coupe was able to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) from a standstill in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h).

By Dan Mihalascu

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2015 Ford Mustang to Make Silver Screen Debut on Need for Speed Movie, See the Video

Like they say in Hollywood, "Lights, camera, promo!". Oh, wait; that should be action, but you get where we're going with this drift…

While the badass looking fifth-generation Mustang Shelby GT500 will take on the star automotive role in DreamWorks Pictures' "Need for Speed" movie, it will be joined by the all-new 2015 Mustang that will make a cameo appearance in the film that hits theaters March 14.

This will mark the new Mustang's big-screen debut before it goes on sale this fall, and possibly kick off more movie and television promotions.

Ford's connection with the Need for Speed franchise extends to the game as well, as players already have access to virtual drives of the 2015 Mustang, which became available as a free in-game download in EA's "Need for Speed Rivals" in December.

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Aaron Paul Tries to Brake Bad at Need For Speed Driving School

Even though it's in Hollywood's nature to create unbelievable scenes for action movies (remember Vin Diesel in the tank stunt in FF6?), movie producers and promoters also want to make you believe, if you know what we mean.

To give some added credibility to Aaron Paul and the character he portrays in the "Need for Speed" film that's scheduled for release this March, Tobey Marshal, producers released a featurette in which the "Breaking Bad" protagonist undergoes some stunt-driving lessons, necessary for when he's on camera.

His teacher is stunt driver Rick Seaman who tries to teach him some drifting, braking and 180 degree turning techniques.

See the clip along with the most recent Need for Speed trailer right below the jump.

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Future Cars: Gotham’s Next Secret Weapon, a Corvette Stingray Based Batmobile

When it comes to movies, the most memorable aspects are ones that capture the audience’s attention and imagination. Usually characters play the biggest part in achieving this; however, the stunts, locations and props can leave a lasting impression too.

For the petrol-head amongst us, this is no more evident than the use of the motor car. From Steve McQueen’s Bullitt, to the likes of Gone In 60 Seconds, 007, The Italian Job and the more recent Fast & Furious franchise films - automobiles on the big screen are something we aspire to associate with.

One vehicle that captures some of the most imagination lurks in the depths of DC Comics stella array of publications - that being the legendary ‘Batmobile'.

With this icon in mind, it was decided to look forward to where the future of the Batmobile was heading. In the upcoming Batman vs. Superman film, rumor has it that the next Batmobile will be based on a GM model, while another ‘older Caddy’ will feature prominently too.

Taking these rumors into account, the brief was simple; to design a vehicle that captures the essence of Batman’s past while progressing forward in a modern, dark cloak.

First of all, looking back at the inaugural George Barris-designed Batmobile - then viewing its successive replacements, sparked an interesting observation. The original car, based on the 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept, is arguably still the best looking version to date. It doesn’t suffer the over-the-top tackiness that plagues its newer iterations.

Thus, this design proposal goes back to those original 1960’s routes. Based on Corvette’s Stingray Concept and wearing Cadillac’s Art & Science surfacing language; it embodies a classier, more integrated approach.

Firstly, the front is dominated by an large mesh grille, flanked by a ‘red-fanged’ border. Red wheel highlights and LED lighting also pay tribute to the original without being too overpowering. Above this is a crisp, multi-contoured hood, encompassing aggressive frontal air intakes - or a Bat’s nostrils, if you will.

The elongated hood gracefully sweeps backwards, emphasizing a powerful and thrusting stance. Planted rearwards is a glasshouse that wraps around the windscreen pillars - in a fashion not too dissimilar to that of the Nissan GT-R. However the most intriguing part of the cabin architecture is the ‘floating’ rear-section that sweeps back over the doors and roof - centrally dipping down over the windscreen, whilst exuding a subtle nod to Batman’s mask.

Following past Batmobile tradition, the rear haunches flare up and out, although here the effect is somewhat toned down. While not depicted in this illustration, a rear-mounted turbine sits pride of place - so villains be warned, this is certainly no Prius!

As for those crime-fighting gadgets and vehicle assists; this proposal takes on more of an stealth persona rather than the blunt-force-trauma that was ‘Tumbler’ from the more recent ‘The Dark Night Rises’  film.

From invisible armor shielding and military-grade electromagnetic pulse ‘EMP’ systems, to the more conventional hidden rocket launchers, immobilization nets and retractable wheel spikes - this chariot is far from timid. So don’t expect any cup-holders, mood lighting or heated seats.

Ultimately, this study follows a more serious, understated approach - some may like it whilst others disapprove. I’m sure many of you will have different ideas for vehicle weaponry and design - so is this the right direction for Gotham’s crime-fighting vehicle to follow?

Let us know your feedback and suggestions in the comments below.

By Josh Byrnes

Photo Renderings Copyright: Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

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Police Report Says Porsche That Killed Walker Was Going Over 100MPH

The Los Angeles County Coroner's final report on the accident that lead to the death of Fast & Furious star Paul Walker and his friend Roger Rodas on November 30, confirmed what many were suspecting; that speed played a role in the crash.

According to the 15-page report released on Friday, the Porsche Carrera GT driven by Rodas with Walker sitting on the passenger side was traveling at "approximately 100+ mph [160+ km/h]" just before the crash.

"For unknown reasons, the driver lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle partially spun around, and began to travel in a southeast direction," the coroner's report said, according to CNN and other news stations that obtained a copy of it.

"The vehicle then struck a sidewalk and the driver's side of the vehicle struck a tree and then a light post. The force of those collisions caused the vehicle to spin 180 degrees, and it continued to travel in an easterly direction. The passenger side of the vehicle then struck a tree and the vehicle burst into flames," the coroner's office wrote.

The autopsy said that neither Rodas nor Walker seemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, adding that Rodas "rapidly died of severe blunt head, neck and chest trauma," and that Walker's life ended before the smoke and fire engulfed the vehicle.

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Robocop Fights Drink-Driving in NHTSA’s New PSA

Robocop has landed a leading role in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) new anti-drinking advertising campaign. Aimed at discouraging drivers from drinking and driving, the campaign is called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and cost some $7.5 million (€5.5 million).

In the first ad featuring Robocop, the superhero finds drunken drivers and pulls them over. “Be ready to move in on my request,” Robocop says and then asks a driver to drop the keys. “I’d put those down now if I were you.”

The commercial also features actors Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman, as well as clips from the Robocop science fiction action movie, opening in theaters on February 14.

By Dan Mihalascu

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New Official Poster from Fast and Furious 7

After Vin Diesel's posting on Sunday night, the official fan page of the Fast and Furious movie franchise has confirmed the new release date for the seventh installment: April 10, 2015.

They also uploaded a new poster for the upcoming film that was postponed after the unfortunate death of Paul Walker, 40, on November 30, which shows Vin Diesel's character Dominic Toretto from the neck and below.

Universal Pictures hasn't released information about the changes it plans to make to the pilot, how the scenes with Walker’s character Brian O’Conner will be utilized in the film or whether they will use a double for Walker's remaining scenes – among other rumors, it had been reported, but not confirmed, that Walker's younger brother, Cody, 25, had been approached to be in the film.

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Fast & Furious 7 Opening Pushed Back a Year to April 2015

Actor Vin Diesel put an end to weeks of speculations and skepticism about the future of the seventh installment of the 'Fast and Furious' movie franchise after the untimely death of his co-star, Paul Walker, with a Facebook post late last night.

In a message with a photograph from the last scene he and Walker filmed together, Diesel revealed that the film has been pushed back for a year with a scheduled release for April 2015. The movie had originally been programmed to open in July 2014.

"The last scene we filmed together," Diesel wrote. "There was a unique sense of completion, of pride we shared… in the film we were now completing… the magic captured… and, in just how far we've come…Fast and Furious 7 will be released…April 10th 2015! P.s. He'd want you to know first…"

A source from within Universal Pictures confirmed the date with The Hollywood Reporter, but did not provide any information on how Walker's death would affect the story line.

Walker died in a fiery crash along with his friend and driver of the Porsche Carrera GT, Roger Rodas, on November 30.

Photos courtesy of Vin Diesel

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Investigators Say Speed Caused Paul Walker’s Fatal Crash, Rule Out Mechanical Defects

Investigators have established that the Porsche Carrera GT in which actor Paul Walker and friend Roger Rodas lost their lives in a November 30 crash had no mechanical defects before the accident.

Furthermore, the investigation found no evidence that debris or other roadway conditions have caused the car to hit a light pole and a tree.

Since mechanical defects and road conditions have been eliminated as potential causes, the hypothesis that gains more ground is that the car was speeding at the moment of the crash.

“We're looking at speed and speed alone,” a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation told the Associated Press. The report says the official was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation and asked not to be named.

Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have estimated a speed range at which the car may have been traveling but won’t disclose it before Porsche engineers come to California next month to extract information from the car’s onboard data collectors. The unnamed official wouldn’t disclose that range.

Despite the explosion that followed the crash and killed the Fast & Furious star and his friend and financial adviser, data recorders survived and may help investigators establish the speed the car carried at the moment of the impact. According to the same official, the Porsche Carrera GT had negotiated a curve in the road just fine before crashing. “They were well out of the curve when they lost control,” the official said.

By Dan Mihalascu

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